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IDF Fighters Go Underground for Subterranean Warfare Training
(Source: Israel Defense Force; posted July 24, 2013)
Soldiers from the Israeli Army’s Kfir Infantry Brigade trained with sophisticated robots and elite special forces to learn how to fight enemy terrorists in tunnels beneath the Earth’s surface.
Soldiers in the IDF are constantly training to protect Israel from the air, at sea, on land and, just as importantly, beneath the Earth’s surface. To that end, the Lavi Battalion’s operations company participated in a week-long underground combat training exercise last week. The unique exercise took place at the Northern Command’s central training base and was designed to train the fighters, who normally specialize in the Judea and Samaria region, for combat in all arenas.
“We understand that in the next war, the brigade will need to face a different kind of enemy,” company commander Major Baruch Ram explained. “Therefore, we need to deal with combat in shrubland, which is terrain with dense vegetation, in urban terrain and underground. A scenario in which we are forced to deal with all three terrains in one battle is likely.”
Underground warfare delivers its own set of unique challenges to soldiers seeking to clear entrenched terrorist positions. Given the technological difficulty in gaining an image of what is taking place beneath the surface, combined with the severely limited scope of physical movement for soldiers inside tunnels and bunkers, subterranean combat demands professional and unique fighting techniques. Among them, the integration of special forces and use of the incredible EyeBall – a ball-shaped camera that conducts a 360 degree scan of the area in which it is deployed.
“First you need to scan the area with the EyeBall in order to ensure that the enemy has not placed explosive charges in the tunnel,” Maj. Ram explained. “After entering, you need to advance with caution because it is a sealed area, like a corridor with many rooms on the sides. You need to work very professionally – if there is anyone in one of the rooms he could cause great damage leading to many casualties.”
[The EyeBall System: a little black ball is quietly tossed into a house. Within seconds the ball stabilizes itself and transmits a full 360° view of the whole room to the soldiers outside. They can now see and hear everything that is going on inside and have all the necessary information to safely enter the house. Only slightly larger than a tennis-ball and equipped with a state-of-the-art camera with infrared capabilities, the Eye-Ball improves the IDF's soldiers performance, and asserts their status as some of the best fighting forces in the world.]
The operations company from the Kfir Brigade’s Lavi Battalion took some time out from its operational deployment in the Mount Hebron area for the week-long training exercise. “We prepare the force for combat while engaging in routine security work. The company has a forward platoon, a demolitions platoon and an underground combat platoon, and during the training every platoon dealt with its own specialization,” Maj. Ram explained.
“It was an excellent training, of a very professional platoon that has undergone much training in the past. But the moment that you have the platform and facilities of the Northern Command’s training base, it raises the level. Its important to remain alert, so that they will be professional and ready in their fields of expertise. The platoons also underwent weapons training, open terrain training, grenade throwing and Krav Maga – everything that an infantry unit needs,” Maj. Ram said.
Click to view slideshow.
Kfir began its seven-year journey as an infantry brigade as a specialist force for the Judea and Samaria region. Today it is the largest infantry brigade in the Israeli military, and its fighters are trained for combat in every terrain and arena, from Israel’s northern extremity to its southern tip.
“Five months ago the brigade conducted an operative training exercise in the Golan Heights, and we are always ready for every threat,” Maj. Ram explained. “Today it is clear to us that the brigade will need to face many issues in combat. In Pillar of Defense we were mobilized to Gaza. Once, people would look at Kfir and say that it would take many years for us to reach our current situation. I think that relative to seven years, our capacity is very impressive.”
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Category / Newspapers
January 5, 2010 January 5, 2010 by Edward Champion
Dave Eggers and the Journalism Sweatshop Model
Eggers, Dave, McSweeney's, Newspapers
dave eggers, McSweeney's, Newspapers, san francisco panorama
In recent months, Dave Eggers has continued to insist that newspapers, contrary to recent developments, are not dying. In May 2009, Eggers spoke before a crowd and announced, “If you are ever feeling down, if you are ever despairing, if you ever think publishing is dying or print is dying or books are dying or newspapers are dying (the next issue of McSweeney’s will be a newspaper—we’re going to prove that it can make it. It comes out in September). If you ever have any doubt, e-mail me, and I will buck you up and prove to you that you’re wrong.” This prompted many, including the Washington Post‘s Ron Charles, to take Eggers up on his offer and inform him of grim realities. Eggers failed to live up to his end of the newspaper-boosting bargain, sending out a boilerplate email in response to inquires from interested parties. This email, rather predictably, offered nothing more substantive than the foolhardy optimism that one generally receives from a faith healer or a used car salesman.
If prosperity remained just around the corner, one could at least take comfort with the handsome issue, which came, as promised, with contributions from Stephen King, Nicholson Baker, and William T. Vollmann. But the more important question of whether the San Francisco Panorama was profitable was swept under the rug. Then last month, The Awl‘s Choire Sicha took a hard look at the numbers, pointing out that the Panorama required $111,000 to publish 23,000 issues. With advertising revenue of $61,000, the Panorama took a loss of 33 cents per issue. Additional problems came from the $80,000 editorial costs, which, as Sicha demonstrated, had to be split among 218 contributors. After subtracting an estimated 12 cents/word paid for contributions, noted Sicha, there was a mere $38,000 for the seven staff members, who all worked on the paper for four months. How many of the people who worked on the Panorama were unpaid? It was never officially disclosed, but Sicha’s calculations demonstrated that Eggers’s vision was nothing more than a puerile and unworkable fantasy.
None of this has prevented Eggers from flapping his mouth in interviews, continuing to claim phony expertise on how to save newspapers. And as Eggers has continued to blab, a more troubling vision, one that involves paying the writer nearly nothing, has emerged.
In an interview with The Onion A/V Club, Eggers points to the ostensible simplicity of readers “pay[ing] a dollar for all the content within, and that supports the enterprise.” But as Sicha demonstrated in December, the enterprise clearly wasn’t supported by reader dollars. Could it be that a web-based model, one that cuts out an expensive $111,000 print cost, might, in fact, permit some of that money to be given to the writers and editors who perform their labors? Not in Eggers’s view. Sayeth Eggers: “The web model is just so much more complicated, and involves this third party of advertisers, and all these other sources of revenue that are sort of provisional, but haven’t been proven yet.” But is it really all that complicated to create an Excel spreadsheet listing the money coming in from advertisers and the money that you pay out to contributors, and use a formula function to determine if the enterprise is profitable? Maybe if you’re six years old or you don’t know how to use computers. But even if you’re computer illiterate, there’s this nifty little innovation called double-entry bookkeeping that’s been around since the 13th century. And you can even perform it on paper — if, like Eggers, you “just have an affection for paper.”
But Eggers’s remarks in the Onion interview reveal that he isn’t really interested in paying writers. He notes J. Malcolm Garcia, a correspondent heading to Afghanistan who offered to write something for the Panorama. As Eggers boasted, “it doesn’t even cost that much, because he was going anyway.” In other words, Garcia’s work — the substance of his investigations, the time he took in reporting — can be undervalued because he just happened to be in the region. This is a bit like asking a doctor to cut his rates because “he happens to be in the hospital” or asking your next door neighbor to perform professional services because “he happens to live next door.”
And yet Eggers claims that he has a daily respect for the people who have toiled at sweatshop wages for his beloved Panorama. Professional respect doesn’t emerge when you’re paying your editors below minimum wage or you adopt an assumptive attitude that, because some journalist happens to be in the area, you can undercut his labor. It emerges by paying the writer what she is worth. And if Eggers insists that “we’re programmed to declare something dead once a week,” he may want to look at his own programming, which has continued to perform its financial miscalculations over the course of seven months. If Eggers values the experience of old-school journalists, as he indicates in the interview, then why not pay them the money that their experience is worth? Perhaps because, contrary to his “tidy” conclusions, Eggers doesn’t know how to balance numbers and doesn’t know how to run a profitable newspaper. He doesn’t comprehend that journalism isn’t some casual hobby to be picked up like stamp collecting, but an occupation that requires dutiful compensation.
March 17, 2009 March 17, 2009 by Edward Champion
Blogging, Journalism, Newspapers
blogs, clay shirky, covenant, herb caen, Journalism, Media, Newspapers
Some years ago, not long after Herb Caen’s death, I decided to make a series of pilgrimages to the San Francisco Public Library to dust my hands and wrangle microfilm. I had known Caen’s three dot columns for some time. Or, at least, I thought I had known. When Caen passed away, as others dwelt on his coinage of “beatnik” and “Baghdad by the bay,” I felt that it was my civic duty as a San Franciscan to begin at the beginning, which very few at the time had thought to do.
As it turned out, in the late 1930s, Caen had started off as a nightlife columnist, attending swank parties and banging out his observations. What’s rather amazing about this old school epoch is that the newspapers once hired about five or six guys to go around town like this. They’d drink a good deal at upscale hot spots and write columns about their social engagements late into the night as their heads crashed with the competing crassitude of too much gin. When scanning through the microfilm rolls for Caen’s words, I was stunned to see photographs of other dapper gentlemen next to other columns. And I suspect that, beyond the prohibitive cost of scanning and providing all this online, the newspapers may not want you to know that they once actually paid whole armies of columnists of this ilk. This was, in short, a newspaper in which plentiful voices were represented, even on a seemingly pedantic subject. Here was a cadre of niche-specific columnists gathered together under one umbrella. And with multiple newspapers in town, there was a healthy competitive spirit that encouraged the columnists to do better.
You might say that these columnists were the bloggers of their time. And Caen, with his little snippets, certainly reflected the compact summation that Izzy Stone would later offer by mail and bloggers would later present through the roundup format (which has subsequently gravitated to Twitter, where the act of reader engagement becomes more explicit). But these columnists were different because there was an odd journalistic quality attached to these activities. You’d think that columns about running into dilettantes and drinking martinis would be somewhat superficial. But despite this emphasis on swank social tableaux, Caen always had a good eye for observation. He noted odd conversations and paid attention to the details around him. And he did this without belittling what could easily be belittled. (To compare this with the present epoch, we’re now expected to see a report of a party or an event from some snarky Gawker type. Easy targets are eyed and assessed. But what do we really learn about how this world works? Does Gawker really have the longer view in mind? Would it not be better if it dared to detail or if it dared to establish an off-the-record trust with which to convey the scene?) Because Caen was able to establish a trust with the social scene he was documenting, he was able to acquire details and, decades later, his columns remain immensely helpful. For instance, I learned from these old columns that there had been a chain of stores called the Martha Washington Candy Shop. (This was essentially the See’s Candies of its day.) The chain had inexplicably folded and there simply wasn’t any information about it on the Internet. So I began jotting down all of these details, compressing them into months and putting them all into a short-lived blog that I called Raising Caen.
Herb Caen, as we all know, became indelibly associated with the San Francisco Chronicle. He was a revered figure (and many attempted to cajole or influence him) because of his details, and because of his voice. There hasn’t really been a Chronicle columnist on that level since. Unless you count Mark Morford (Steve Outing draws the line), who provides an often frenetic metrosexual voice to the Chron. Hiring Violet Blue was a step in the right direction. The vanilla newspaper simply had to come to terms with the fact that they were circulating in a sex-friendly metropolis. But here’s the thing about Morford and Blue. Neither of them are particularly good at using their voices to get at those important details about a location or an event. Blue does interview people from time to time, but opts for a predictable Q&A format. What if her editors pushed her to give us multiple sources or a description of a scene? What if an editor demanded that Blue provided those vital details that made Caen a draw? As for Morford, his problem is that he is so caught up with wild conceptual approaches and stunts that we often don’t get a sense of Morford either (a) in the thick of things or (b) engaging directly with the community. (The alternatives to this, of course, are the dutiful Matier and Ross, the bland and voiceless Debra J. Saunders, and dependable cultural columnists like Tim Goodman. But what has caused this schism between voice and journalist? Why must it be an either-or proposition?) The newspaper columnist, who once served as a vital chronicler and detailer, is now viewed as an apparent draw only in so much as she can present a perspective. The columnist, in turn, deals with the public through letters and emails.
But perspective, as important as it is, simply isn’t enough. What made Caen such a local household name was his ability to include his readership within his columns. If he found a particular morsel, he would always attribute the reader who included it. His readers therefore felt a level of engagement.
One must therefore ask why Roger Ebert, aside from his television work and his Pulitzer Prize, remains such a household name with the Chicago Sun-Times. It is because he also engages directly with his readers. Consider his blog. Read through the comments and you will find Ebert personally responding to comments in bold. Ebert, like Caen, knows that a columnist’s responsibility involves engaging with his readers. What has changed, however, is the manner in which that engagement is presented to the public. What was once a series of private exchanges now becomes open to public scrutiny and dissection. But by including the readers in the manner that he does, Ebert offers his readership a place for their own ideas. His site remains a draw. Trolls are discouraged and a spirit of civil disagreement is maintained because the readers know that Ebert may respond to their comments.
In the past several days, many have fawned over Clay Shirky’s “Newspapers and Thinking the Unthinkable,” as if Shirky’s obvious and belabored points about newspapers failing to seize the possibilities of the Internet were new. What Shirky fails to observe in his section on micropayments is that Paul Krugman was, in fact, a big draw for the New York Times. When Krugman was behind a paywall, there were ways of obtaining his column. An informed perspective seemed to matter. And this wasn’t all that dissimilar to the rampant Dave Barry piracy with which Shirky initiates his essay. For that matter, we must ask whether those who clipped out columns (and there were many who did this in the pre-Internet days) were any less piratical than those who pass along a link to an article by email or Twitter. The information, I suspect, has always wanted to be free, even before this notion became a hip catchphrase. It’s wanted to be free whether a second-hand newspaper swiped from a cafe or a printout of a microfilm decades later. The real question is whether the columnist is fulfilling a public need. And by “public need,” I am not necessarily referring to a mass market. (A recent Minnesota Post article pointed to small local papers still doing well. The number of adults reading small community newspapers actually increased from 81% in 2005 to 86% in 2008.) The real question is why newspapers have failed to provide an atmosphere in which tomorrow’s Dave Barry or Herb Caen might be allowed a voice.
Small wonder then that readers have turned to blogs as a substitute for this. Indeed, since expanding the word count of these posts, I have seen readers refer to my posts as “columns,” as if I am fulfilling some journalistic duty that I did not anticipate. I leave the comments open to everyone and permit anyone to take me to task, if they must. But some of the more heavily trafficked blogs have not, contrary to Caen or Ebert, respected the readership like this. Love or hate Boing Boing, one of its key appeals involves massive strings of comments attached to each post. But Teresa Nielsen Hayden’s egregious disemvoweling strikes me as anti-communal and disrespectful of the readership. This autocratic arrogance is not advancing the case for trust between columnist and reader. And it’s just as bad on other sites. There was a time when, if you want to leave a comment at one of the Gawker sites, you were expected to “audition” for it. (Thankfully, this control has been relaxed.) There is, in these sites, a fundamentally antidemocratic act of disengagement. The commenter must humble herself to the blogger, and not vice versa. All of this fails to acknowledge the fundamental democratic ripple floating from from the undulations spawned by any newspaper columnist.
Shirky is right to point out how the exclusive informational terrain of newspapers has transformed. A specific journalistic item can be disseminated in a 140 character tweet, and it’s no longer new news. CNN’s scrolling news ticker has likewise suggested that audiences want their news in capsule form. But the successful journalism at Talking Points Memo works because the investigative process is now a part of the relationship between journalist and reader. This approach now permits a journalist to carry out his work and to obtain helpful tips with which to pursue a story. The reader, again, is engaged with the process. And instead of print people and bloggers seeing this dramatic shift in the presentation of information as an opportunity to do better and to attract a greater readership, they have instead declared war on each other. The Washington Post‘s Kathleen Parker writes a vitriolic column bemoaning the “drive-by pundits” who are pointing to the deficiencies of present journalism. A South by Southwest panel labeled “New Think for Old Publishers” sees publishers who aren’t providing new information to a paying crowd, but demanding this information from the audience. Instead of the print people listening to the criticisms and learning from these developments, they ignore them and refuse to listen. And the bloggers, in turn, don’t always consider that there are virtues in long-form journalism. In many cases, they wish to tap-dance on the hospital bed of the dead tree patient succumbing to a terminal cancer. (Jeff Jarvis is by far the worst offender in this regard.)
And when Shirky declares
Round and round this goes, with the people committed to saving newspapers demanding to know “If the old model is broken, what will work in its place?” To which the answer is: Nothing. Nothing will work. There is no general model for newspapers to replace the one the internet just broke.
the idea-slinging optimist in me wants to muzzle the man. Nothing will work? Really? Is it possible that the medium itself doesn’t matter? Will the Seattle Post-Intelligencer‘s investigative work be any lesser because the newspaper is now only available online? (Indeed, the big question is whether or not the Post-Intelligencer becomes self-sustaining if the costs of print production are reduced. As Nicholas Carlson recently suggested, it would cost the New York Times twice as much to print and deliver the newspaper in one year than it would to send every subscriber a Kindle.) If the local papers in Minnesota are attracting more readers, might it not have something to do with this broken covenant between the reader and the journalist? Might it not have to do with the information itself? Have newspapers seen their subscription base dropped because they have failed to respect the readers? And have bloggers been hindered from teaming up along the lines of the 1930s nightlife columnists because this has become a zero sum game predicated on one’s authority and rank on Technorati? Are bloggers and newspapers guilty in not respecting the old covenant?
The New York Times‘s dreadful practice of referring to a “well-known consumerist blog” without citing the URL that first established the connection runs counter to this spirit of connectivity, and the demands of the covenant. Technology chipped away at the verdigrised armor that we all begrudgingly accepted before the Internet spawned what Parker refers to as “drive-by pundits.” And I suppose this is the fruit of Shirky’s “unthinkable” proposition: the idea that print and online journalists might join forces and a more effective economic model will emerge. Because a fusion of voice, the journalist-reader covenant, and investigative journalism will become a must-read central point for all concerned parties.
When Maureen Dowd fixates on Michelle Obama’s biceps, she is breaking the covenant. When Lee Siegel impersonates a reader and leaves a comment in a desperate effort to feed his own hubris, he is breaking the covenant (indeed, so much so that he should not be invited to be part of the process). When Jeff Jarvis or a clueless publisher lets ego get in the way of listening to what somebody else has to say, they are breaking the covenant. The readers are intelligent and they want to be engaged. They want others to synthesize the information so that they, in turn, can synthesize it. They look to any columnist or journalist or blogger and they want to be engaged and challenged. They want voice and they want to be a part of the process.
The nice thing about the covenant is that it doesn’t necessarily mean that the journalist has to capitulate to the readership. The journalist can be as subjective or as wild as she needs to be. The only part of the deal is this: The journalist must listen. Particularly to the points of view that seem unseemly.
January 29, 2009 by Edward Champion
This Can’t Possibly Catch On
December 3, 2008 by Edward Champion
Sam Leith Axed at the Telegraph
sam leith, telegraph
The Guardian is reporting that The Daily Telegraph‘s longtime literary editor, Sam Leith, has been laid off. Leith’s redundancy was one of fifty jobs the Telegraph had been seeking to cut. Leith had been at the paper for ten years and maintained a very solid books section. I am trying to ascertain if the Telegraph plans to maintain a books section after getting rid of Leith.
October 30, 2008 October 30, 2008 by Edward Champion
Passive-Aggressive Newspaper Drones in Training at Montclair
Censorship, Comics, knight-keith, Newspapers
bobby melok, Censorship, keith knight, montclair
I learned through The Beat (via Eric) that an installment of Keith Knight’s The K Chronicle has caused an uproar at the Montclair State University newspaper. Despite Knight basing his strip on a real-life incident and not even printing the full word in question, the editors of the student newspaper issued a campus-wide apology, with Montclarion editor-in-chief Bobby Melok stating, “It is never The Montclarion’s intention to offend its readership, and we sincerely apologize to all who were upset with this comic.”
I don’t know what’s more disheartening here: a newspaper of any sort lacking the courage to “offend” by depicting the truth or Melok’s current spinelessness-in-training, a passive-aggressive quality that will serve Melok well should he somehow nab one of the few jobs left at a Sam Zell-owned newspaper. To apologize for an artistic depiction of the word “nigger” (which, incidentally, never appeared in Knight’s strip in its entirety) is to draw greater attention to racial division, to give that word more significance than it deserves, and to suggest that anything probing into the cancer of racism is somehow racist. If anything, Melok should apologize for lacking the guts or the brains to determine what he deems appropriate. Melok went on to write, “We assumed because it was part of the syndicate, it was appropriate.” And I assume that because Melok assumes, Melok is incapable of the most elementary editorial judgment.
July 30, 2008 July 30, 2008 by Edward Champion
The Future of Newspapers and Litblogs: A Thought Experiment
Advertising, Book Reviewing, Journalism, Litblogs, Newspapers
book reviews, david ulin, huffington post, lissa warren, Litblogs, Newspapers, Sam Tanenhaus
In yesterday’s Huffington Post, publicist Lissa Warren expressed her dismay in “the seemingly widely-held notion that these book sections are being adequately replaced by blogs.” She complained that blogs “don’t actually review books” (emphasis in original) and that bloggers are nothing more than helpful cherry pickers ferreting out the best content.
This, of course, is poppycock. Scott Esposito continues to turn out issues of The Quarterly Conversation and is now making efforts to pay his contributors. Aside from the almost two hundred hours of podcasts available at The Bat Segundo Show, this website has featured many lengthy roundtable discussions of books, running during the week of pub date, including T.C. Boyle’s Talk Talk, Richard Powers’s The Echo Maker, and Nicholson Baker’s Human Smoke. (Powers and Baker both joined in during the final installments of their respective roundtables.) The Human Smoke discussion alone generated some 20,000 words of commentary among fifteen people, with asides on second generation Holocaust historians, World War I history, and sundry topics. This week, Talking Points Memo is featuring a lengthy discussion on Joseph O’Neill’s Netherland. Meanwhile, Mark Sarvas has been allowing his readers to see what goes into the writing of a review. This summer, Colleen Mondor helped to organize the Summer Blog Blast Tour (far from the first of this type), which featured a comprehensive series of helpful discussions about contemporary YA titles that even the purportedly best book review sections have not broached because of innate genre prejudices.
Do these efforts represent a replacement for book review sections? Well, if one hopes to find a facsimile of book review sections online, probably not. But it would take an exceptionally rigid and incurious mind to settle merely on a clone. If one wishes to discover forms of literary commentary that serve the same function as a book review section, it is extremely difficult not to find online exemplars in alternative forms.
Warren’s complaints about litblogs fall into the same tired explanations that have been bandied about by the likes of Sven Birkerts, Michael Dirda, and numerous other myopists who are incapable of accepting an alternative that has been carrying on for a good five years. The objections are less about function, or even the content (conveniently, examples of the litblogs’s inadequacies are never cited by the naysayers), and more about form and especially control. Impulsive thought cannot be accepted because it remains impulsive. Never mind that many newspaper book sections, because of the deadline-oriented nature of the business, remain somewhat impulsive and often fail to include numerous examples from the text when considering a book. (Consider, for example, Charles Taylor’s review of Uwem Akpan’s Say You’re One of Them, which appeared in Sunday’s New York Times Book Review. We are afforded a summary of Akpan’s offerings. But despite having 1,200 words of space, Taylor only cites a few sentences from the novella, “Luxurious Hearses.” Taylor prefers generalized speculation about the book, rather than the kind of rigorous dissections of text that one expects of a critic.)
The print boosters remain hostile to the idea that an online medium can not only modify the manner in which critics and readers approach a book, but generate innovative methods of expanding one’s relationship to a text. So litblogs are deemed inferior not necessarily because the content is inferior, but because there are doubts about the methods and manner in which litblogs transmit information.
I will agree that if one is looking for the online equivalent of the New York Times Book Review, it’s simply not going to be found on litblogs. And that is because most litblogs, on the whole, aren’t interested in perpetuating a form of literary journalism that, while often quite valuable, has grown tiresome and often predictable. And it is the unpredictablity and spontaneity of litblogs that offer both a literary renaissance and a threat to those who wish to uphold print’s humorless and oft passionless status quo.
On Monday, I posted a lengthy lexicon of very specific Yorkshire dialect terms used in Ross Raisin’s novel, God’s Own Country (known in the States as Out Backward). It was an effort not only to aid my own understanding of Raisin’s book, but also to assist other readers in negotiating the fascinating linguistic terrain of a novel that, according to a recent Google News search, has only been reviewed in one American news outlet: a 200 word “verdict” and “background” in the Library Journal. The book was a finalist for the Dylan Thomas Prize. This failure on the part of American print outlets to include Raisin’s novel in a timely manner suggests considerable print deficiencies.
The Raisin example also suggests that litblogs are not only covering books that are ignored by the seemingly impeccable vanguard, but that litblogs are presenting new forms of coverage that are inconceivable to Sam Tanenhaus and, yes, even a dutiful reformer like David Ulin. Unprohibited by length and unhindered by house style or crazy billionaires who don’t know how to run a newspaper empire, litblogs are in a position to change the journalistic terrain, possibly usurping freelance reviewers if a comparable revenue model can be established.
While I disagree with Kassia Krozser’s assertions about gender imbalance at the Los Angeles Times Book Review for reasons similar to Carolyn Kellogg’s (disclosure: I am an occasional contributor to the Los Angeles Times), Ms. Krozser is correct to point out that the hand-wringing about book review cuts has indeed represented a sense of entitlement. Not a single books editor, litblogger, or freelance reviewer is entitled to the lives they lead. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of generating content that will ensure that the writer can carry on writing. But if one operates on a smaller scale, then the financial obligation is seriously reduced (assuming that one wishes to make this sort of life one’s center) and the writer’s freedom to write in any fashion is greatly augmented.
So perhaps what we’re really seeing here is a situation in which the leading online voices will carry on doing what they are doing, with the unusual and passionate voices prohibited by the constant scrutiny of newspaper executives, precisely because the financial demands of supporting one individual are lesser than the costs and overhead of running a large newspaper or magazine. As Howard Junker observed yesterday, ad sales for the Atlantic have declined 11% in the last month. For Vanity Fair, the sales were considerably more severe, dropping a whopping 49%. With print advertising starting to dip, the onus now falls upon newspapers and magazines to either (a) increase advertising to support current operating costs or (b) reduce operating costs to bring the outlet in line with the reduced advertising. But if newspapers and print boosters will remain obdurate about these apparent online yahoos, the onus also falls upon litbloggers to find sustainable revenue models that will permit them to operate independently.
I should observe that the cost of a full-page advertisement in People Magazine is $250,000. I cannot speak for other bloggers, but it is safe to say that I could live off of this sum for a good five years and be relatively happy. I think it’s also safe to say that the money could also be allocated to other writers to turn in high quality freelance reviews for this site. Now imagine if a People advertiser wised up to this idea and decided to sponsor me (or another blogger) for five years. The People full-page advertisement fades away from public consciousness in a week, but the advertisement would run here for five years to a more limited, but very specific niche audience. Because there is only one sponsor, my editorial integrity would be fairly well preserved and I wouldn’t have to fear upsetting many sponsors who keep a big newspaper operation afloat. I would not need to always pander to a mass audience by reviewing the latest by a big name author. Small press and genre authors tossed out with the galleys deemed extraneous could be included with the same rigor that a newspaper grants the celebrated big names. Gender imbalances, whether genuine or perceived, could be greatly remedied.
If enough bloggers were to initiate an advertising scenario along these lines, it is safe to say that blogs could adequately replace newspaper book review sections, adopting both the form of the well-considered essay featured in book review sections as well as many alternative forms now practiced and conjured up by current litbloggers. I don’t know if the newspapers have discussed this possibility, and I don’t know how many litbloggers have truly considered this ambition. But the time has come to set a precedent. If this does occur — and it just might — then it may very well be the print contributors who begin coming around to the online venues. Let us not respond with the same snobbery and entitlement.
Carole Goldberg Laid Off at the Courant
Book Reviewing, goldberg-carole, hartford courant, Newspapers
carole goldberg, hartford courant
I have confirmed with Hartford Courant features editor Naedine Hazell that books editor Carole Goldberg has been laid off. Goldberg’s final day as a staffer will be on July 31st. It should be noted that the Courant never had a specific books section. The Courant maintained a books page inside the Sunday Arts section. While the Courant plans to keep the books page for now, future books coverage remains uncertain. Goldberg may be contributing in a freelancing capacity. The Courant hopes that this reorganization will shift current arts coverage to a more local emphasis.
One wonders whether this news will set a trend of other newspapers laying off their dedicated arts editors, only to rehire them as freelancers at, one presumes, a reduced rate.
Developments at the LATBR
Book Reviewing, Los Angeles Times, Newspapers
This morning, L.A. Observed posted an open letter sent by four previous editors of the Los Angeles Times Book Review. Calling the forthcoming termination of the Sunday Book Review “a historic retreat from the large ambitions which accompanied the birth of the section,” ex-editors Sonja Bolle, Digby Diehl, Jack Miles, and Steve Wasserman went on to write:
Angelenos in growing number are already choosing to cancel their subscriptions to the Sunday Times. The elimination of the Book Review, a philistine blunder that insults the cultural ambition of the city and the region, will only accelerate this process and further wound the long-term fiscal health of the newspaper.
Chicago Sun-Times Books Editor Teresa Budasi, however, isn’t buying some of this. This afternoon, on the Sun-Times Book Room blog, Budasi wrote, “Now is the time to take what you’re left with and do what you can with it. Just as the newspaper business as a whole is trying to figure out ways to reinvent itself, book review editors must do the same, whether it be by running shorter reviews, beefing up online content or what have you. Stop complaining about loss of culture and glorifying the past and move into the 21st century — where books are still plenty and people are still reading!”
Meanwhile, Rachel Deahl, the incompetent “journalist” at Publishers Weekly, is spreading rumors and misinformation, claiming that another LATBR editor besides Sara Lippincott is getting the axe. Her source, however, is not anyone currently employed by the Los Angeles Times, but Steve Wasserman. Hearsay doesn’t hold up in court and it shouldn’t hold up in reporting. And if there’s anything that I can report that comes from within the Los Angeles Times, I will report the news here. In the meantime, until there’s an actual statement from the Times, I think that one should dismiss Deahl’s third-hand information until the real news kicks in.
[RELATED: Deahl has also reported that Hartford Courant books editor Carole Goldberg has received the boot. But given Deahl’s handling of the LATBR news, I will make attempts to independently verify this information. (via Sarah)]
[UPDATE: Independent confirmation of LATBR cuts and Goldberg.]
August 17, 2006 by Edward Champion
Quirky Formats: Another Casualty as Newspaper Subscriptions Dwindle
The Chicago Reader, which, for years, has had one of the quirkiest and most endearing alternative newspaper formats in the nation, is saying goodbye to its four section layout. The reasons? Publishing costs and competition from Time Out Chicago.
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PMs Scholarships for Latin America announced
author:NZ Govt
PM's Scholarships for Latin America announced
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith has today announced the latest round of recipients of the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Latin America (PMSLA).
“These scholarships were established in 2016 in order to build New Zealand’s connections with Latin America. This year Argentina and Peru are among the six study destinations chosen, together with Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico,” Mr Goldsmith says.
Eleven individual students from across New Zealand and one group of 10 students have been selected in this second round of 2016/17 scholarships, with a total value of $233,332.
“This international education experience will enable the students to develop cultural skills and understanding alongside their specialist subject knowledge. Young Kiwis who are confident operating in many countries and cultures will boost New Zealand’s future as a trading nation,” Mr Goldsmith says.
The 11 individual study programmes include university exchanges and business internships, as well as a Master of International Business degree.
In addition, a group of 10 senior law students from University of Waikato will attend the Latin America Law Summer School in Chile early in 2018.
“I want to congratulate all of the scholarship recipients, and wish them all the best for their time representing New Zealand to the world,” Mr Goldsmith says.
The PMSLA programme is funded as part of the $761.4 million ‘Innovative New Zealand’ 2016 Budget package.
Applications are now open for round one of the 2017/18 PMSLA and will close on 30 October 2017.
Further information, including the names of the latest scholarship recipients, is available on the Education New Zealand website here.
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Mortal Kombat Banned in Australia
News • Lucas • February 25, 2011 6:45 pm
On my recent trip to the local games retailer I was bailed up in the corner and handed my $10 deposit for a Mortal Kombat pre-order. The game has not passed the first round of classification and the Australian Classification Board has advised stores to remove all displays and signs for release until further notice.
Warner Brothers Interactive have released a statement, and my contact at the retailer confirms, WBI are not looking to compromise the game to conform to the classification board. So I’m sorry to say this, but for now we are not going to see the release of this highly anticipated title on our shore’s. Here is the statement from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment:
The highly anticipated video game Mortal Kombat, published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) in Australia, has been refused classification by the Australian Classification Board and will not release in Australia. We are extremely disappointed that Mortal Kombat, one of the world’s oldest and most successful video games franchises, will not be available to mature Australian gamers. WBIE would not market mature content where it is not appropriate for the audience. We understand that not all content is for every audience, but there is an audience for mature gaming content and it would make more sense to have the R18+ classification in Australia. As a member of the iGEA, WBIE is reviewing all options available at this time.
Meanwhile forums, and blogs all over the internet are flooding with people saying that they now plan on importing the title from overseas, and sharing links to various international games retailers. There is of course also the inevitable piracy of the game, and Ron Curry, CEO of the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association had a few comments to make to Kotaku about it:
When a highly anticipated game receives an RC we can expect two things to happen; interest in obtaining the game will actually increase and people will still get the game either through importing (ordering online) or pirating; the latter an encouragement to commit a crime in order to perpetuate the crime of accessing illegal content. Ironically, the game is then widely available in Australia without any identifiable classification markings. How is this informing parents and protecting children?
Tags: Australian Classification Board, Banned, Mortal Kombat, R18+, Warner Bros.
« Gamebook Adventures Giveaway!
Looking for a Fruit Salad, Halfbrick’s got you covered »
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The Voice of 2019 – The Times (London)
Website: freyaridings.com
Facebook: facebook.com/freyaridings
Twitter: twitter.com/freyaridings
Instagram: instagram.com/freyaridings
YouTube: youtube.com/FreyaRidings
Freya Ridings – hailed by The Times (London) as “the voice of 2019” – will release her self-titled debut studio album on July 19 via EMI Music Australia. Today, as the album pre-order launched, she shared her new single, “Castles.” Download/stream “Castles” HERE.
Fans who pre-order Freya Ridings in digital format will instantly receive “Castles” plus her earlier singles – “Lost Without You,” “You Mean The World To Me” and “Blackout.” See below for track listing.
She will join Hozier on the fall leg of his North American tour, which kicks off on October 17 in Portland and includes an October 25 show at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre. Earlier this month, Ridings played headline shows at theEl Rey Theatre in Los Angeles and New York City’s Bowery Ballroom.
“I’m incredibly grateful that people come to my shows and are enthusiastic about the songs,” says Ridings. “I feel really humbled when people say that my music helped them in some way. I’ve made an album that I’m really proud of, but I’m determined to keep working hard.”
Ridings penned 11 of the album’s 12 songs. Her vibrato-rich voice captivates as she explores themes of doubt, pain, regret and vulnerability – demonstrating precisely why she’s won praise from everyone from Taylor Swift and Florence Welch to designer Richard Quinn and Golden Globe-nominated “Game of Thrones” star Lena Headey. The latter directed the video for“You Mean The World To Me,” which stars Maisie Williams (“Game of Thrones”) alongside Ridings.
W Magazine predicted, “In the next few months, you won’t be able to go anywhere without hearing Freya Ridings.” She made her U.S. television debut earlier this year, performing “Lost Without You”on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” The song was tapped for an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy,” prompting Pop Sugar to observe, “Ridings’s single is the perfect accompaniment for the compelling scene, which manages to be both sad and incredibly empowering at the same time.”
In an era in which hits are increasingly penned by committee, “Lost Without You” saw Ridings become the first female artist to have an entirely self-written Top 10 U.K. hit since Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” returned to the charts in 2012. Cumulative global streams of “Lost Without You” are now approaching 200 million.
In addition to the songs that introduced Ridings to the world, the album offers a wealth of other striking material. The fully-realized new recordings of tracks such as “Poison” and “Elephant” take on a new life, having previously featured on her early limited-edition live albums. Brand new material shines through too, notably on a live-favorite “Holy Water” and “Still Have You.”
Ridings recorded the album with producersGreg Kurstin (Adele, Sia, Liam Gallagher), Mark Crew (Bastille, Rag N Bone Man), Dan Nigro (Lewis Capaldi, Charli XCX) and Jim E Stack (Vampire Weekend). Additional collaborators included mixers Tom Elmhirst (Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, David Bowie) and Serban Ghenea (Ariana Grande, Halsey, One Republic).
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P. Diddy "You Could Be My Lover" Feat. Ty Dolla Sign & Gizzle
P. Diddy Presents his new single and video for "You Could Be My Lover" featuring Ty Dolla Sign and new artist Gizzle. Styling and wardrobe provided by The Fashion Mansion Group.
Justin O’Shea Appointed Creative Director of Brioni
Known for his street style and tattoo heavy appearance, the appointment of the former MyTheresa global fashion director came as a bit of a surprise. Justin, who was said to be the reason for the success behind the online retailer, has no formal design training. And though shocking for many, the transition makes more sense than one would initially imagine.
Brioni has always been known for their classic feel. However, as the landscape of fashion changes, the brand has had to rethink its market appeal. Many brands, like that of Brioni, have experienced this need to revamp their design. The menswear, in particular, has been evolving these past few seasons. That said, O’Shea is the perfect choice to help balance the longstanding customer of Brioni with the contemporary feel of today. Justin will formally take over April 1, 2016.
Victor Brown
#TFMG
The Coveteur featuring Rick Ross wearing 9Five eyewear
Sunglasses are available at www.9five.com
The Fashion Mansion Show Podcast: Episode 1 Featuring Host Shawn Lloyd & Dana Dane
This Episode of The FashionMansion Show Podcast features Legendary rapper Dana Dane. A pioneer hip-hop artist who started out his career with Slick Rick as part of the Kangol crew. This podcast episode explores the early fashion styles influenced by NYC and artist such as Dana Dane and Slick Rick.
The Fashion Mansion show podcast highlights and speaks on the history of fashion from a street wear perspective. The show is hosted by Shawn Lloyd a former Brooklynite and historian of upscale designer streetwear fashion. Shawn lloyd is also the COO/President of The Fashion Mansion Group which is a Creative agency that specializes in Fashion design, Marketing, PR and Celebrity styling.
The Fashion Mansion Show Podcast features Fashionistas, stylist, celebrities, designers, cultural influencers and other types of professionals within the fashion industry to shed light on the history and knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes in the business. These series of podcast are hosted by Shawn Lloyd. A Creative Director and fashion industry veteran with close to two decades experience in the field. Shawn Lloyd was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and has worked with numerous brands. The perspective of the podcast interviews is to shed light on trends in the fashion industry from an urban view. Since the urban market is such a large market and dictator of trends and business sales over the last few decades we decided it was only right to provide a platform for these people to speak and express their knowledge and opinions on whats going on in the fashion world.
https://soundcloud.com/thefashionmansion/the-fashion-mansion-show-podcast
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News for 30 November 2013
Saturday, 30 November 2013 09:57 | |
All the news for Saturday 30 November 2013
Argentina HWL Final all set for action
Pool B Preview: Argentina, New Zealand, Australia & China aiming for glory
Will Luciana Aymar inspire Argentina to World League glory on home soil in Tucuman? (Photo: FIH / Frank Uijlenbroek)
This Saturday, the thrilling finale of the inaugural women’s Hockey World League gets underway in the Argentine city of San Miguel de Tucuman.
The tournament features eight of the finest women’s international teams in the world and is the culmination of a journey which began back in August 2012 when the first rounds of the Hockey World League were played.
Thousands of fans are expected to attend the matches in Argentina, with a global audience of millions following the action on television or via the live streaming provided on the FIH You Tube channel. It promises to be an absolutely sensational event; the perfect way to bring the curtain down on a superb year of women’s international hockey.
In the second of two event previews, we take a look at the teams that will meet in Pool B, which features tournament hosts Argentina, Oceania rivals New Zealand and Australia as well as 2008 Olympic Silver medallists China. To read our preview for Pool A, click here!
Current FIH World Ranking: 1
How they qualified: Hosts / 3rd place - Investec Hockey World League Semi Final, London (ENG)
About the team: Alongside the Netherlands, “Las Leonas” have been the dominant force in women’s hockey for well over a decade. The team are the reigning world champions, having won the 2010 title in Rosario, the home city of star player and seven times World Player of the Year Luciana Aymar. Even at the age of 36, Aymar is still the driving force of the Argentina team and a player who is globally feared and respected in equal measure. The host nation – who are also the Silver medallists from the London 2012 Olympic Games – will take some beating on home soil, where the fans are sure to turn out in their thousands just to catch a glimpse of their sporting icons.
How they qualified: 4th place - Rabobank Hockey World League Semi Final, Rotterdam (NED)
About the team: Under the guidance of coach and former Australia international Mark Hager, New Zealand’s Black Sticks have enjoyed arguably their most successful period in history. In 2011, the team claimed their first ever Champions Trophy medal when they took third place at the tournament in Amsterdam, and a year later narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal when they were beaten by Great Britain in the Bronze medal match. Players to watch in their exciting squad include attacking midfielder Krystal Forgesson, quick-silver forward Anita Punt and team captain Kayla Sharland, a midfielder who was nominated for the FIH Player of the Year award in 2012.
How they qualified: 1st place - Investec Hockey World League Semi Final, London (ENG)
About the team: It has been some time since the Hockeyroos were the dominant force in world hockey, but the momentum that the current group is gathering under coach Adam Commens suggests that they are firmly on track to be challenging for all the top honours over coming years. Australia’s young guns have hit some seriously impressive form in 2013, claiming first place finishes at the Hockey World League Semi Final (London) and Oceania Cup continental championship. The majority of the squad from the HWL success in London will make the trip to Tucumán, including star players Casey Eastham, Teneal Attard, Madonna Blyth and Anna Flanagan, the 2012 FIH Young Player of the Year.
How they qualified: 4th place - Investec Hockey World League Semi Final, London (ENG)
About the team: China come into the Hockey World League Final in the middle of a transitional phase, with a talented crop of young players who are beginning to establish themselves at the highest level. The team showed great form in the early stages of September’s Asia Cup continental championship in Kuala Lumpur, topping Pool A with three wins from three matches. However, they could not take their early form into the latter stages of the competition and finished fourth behind Japan (1st), Korea (2nd) and India (3rd). Three players have 100 caps to their respective names, with Wang Mengyu, De Jiaojiao and Xu Xiaoxu being by far and away the most experienced players in the squad.
To see the complete squad lists for all of the teams competing in the Argentina Hockey World League Final, please click here. To see the match schedule, click here.
Remember, the FIH will be live streaming every match on the FIH You Tube channel, ensuring that you do not miss a thing. There will also be regular updates on all of our social media channels, links to which you can find below. We hope you enjoy the action!
Live Streaming and highlights: www.youtube.com/fihockey
Twitter: www.twitter.com/fih_hockey . Hashtag: #hwl
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fihockey
Sickness weakens Kiwi squad in China
By David Leggat
Mark Hager, New Zealand hockey coach. Photo / APN
Stomach bugs and a formidable Dutch team have combined to give New Zealand coach Mark Hager plenty to ponder ahead of the start of the World League finals in Argentina.
New Zealand have had four players - Sam Charlton, Petrea Webster, Rhiannon Dennison and goalkeeper Amelia Gibson - struck by illness this week. It left them lethargic and provided a head scratcher for Hager and his staff as they prepare for the opening game against world No 7 China tomorrow morning in Tucuman.
"They haven't had a lot of energy in training and games but we hope it's not contagious and they're over it and ready to move on," Hager said.
And to compound matters, the third-ranked Black Sticks got a touch up from world No 1 the Netherlands yesterday, being on the wrong end of a 5-0 beating in a warmup game.
Still Hager said there was a good aspect to that contest.
"It was a bit of a lesson," he said.
"We probably should have scored a couple of goals but they really gave us a few areas to work on. They identified a lot of weaknesses we had, but we had seven players who'd never played them before so it was a bit of a wakeup call."
As Hager put it, "They're the best in the world and there's a reason why they are. They had four of their best players out but they've got talent to burn".
He has a decent idea of the challenge China will pose.
"They're quick, skilful, their basic skills are very good and they don't mistrap too often. We don't play them enough to know what to expect but they've got a good drag flicker as well so we don't want to concede too many penalty corners."
New Zealand's other pool games are against hosts Argentina, the world No 2, and sixth-ranked Australia.
The team is without experienced players Stacey Michelsen, Katie Glynn and Emily Naylor but it will be a good test of the depth within the squad.
The New Zealand Herald
Pakistan colts whip senior counterparts
KARACHI: The Pakistan junior team (Whites) overcame Pakistan seniors 2-1 in Lahore on Friday in the first of the two practice games organised as preparations for the Junior Hockey World Cup.
Rizwan Ali scored the first goal for the winning squad in the 16th minute as he made no mistake on a penalty-stroke to give the squad a 1-0 lead at the interval.
Muhammad Tousiq doubled the lead in the 41st minute while Abdul Haseem Khan netted a solitary goal for the seniors in the 63rd to take the final score to 2-1.
The junior team’s head coach and manager Manzoorul Hassan was satisfied with his team’s overall performance in the game, which he said was played with spirit by both the sides.
“There are still areas where we can bring improvement though,” Hassan told The Express Tribune.
Pak junior beat senior in practice match
LAHORE - Pakistan junior hockey team scored a narrow 2-1 win over Pakistan seniors in a practice match to buildup of junior team's participation in the Junior Hockey World Cup.
In the practice match played here on Friday at Johar Hockey Stadium, juniors led the first half 1-0 and consolidated the lead in the following session to score a hard earned win.
From Pakistan juniors, Rizwan Ali scored the first goal in the 16th minute while M Tousiq added second in the 41st minute.
For the senior team, Abdul Haseem Khan scored only goal in the 63rd minute.
Former Pakistan captain Dr Tariq Aziz was the chief guest on the occasion. Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Ch Akhtar Rasool, secretary Rana Mujahid and a number of ex-Olympians were present on the occasion
Indian team has strong character: Gregg Clark
For Gregg Clark, pressure is a double-edged sword. With a bunch of tough youngsters at his disposal, the chief coach of the Indian team is confident of their ability to handle the pressure of expectation in the upcoming junior World Cup, starting at the National Stadium here on December 6.
Placed in Pool C, India will face a strong Holland outfit in its opening encounter and Clark hopes that his wards will give their best on home turf.
“It puts pressure on us. Here, it is an expectant public. You can allow the pressure to affect you negatively, or use it positively. We are India; we have rightfully high expectations and will rise to the occasion,” Clark told reporters here on Friday.
Speaking about the team’s ability to bounce back, Clark asserted, “The team’s character is very strong and I feel that will stand us in very good stead.”
The Indian team has entered the last leg of its preparations and Clark cannot wait for the event to unfold. “We are quite anxious for the tournament to start. We move into the tournament hotel on Monday. That will be the real start of the tournament for us.
“Right now, we are going through the motions of another training camp. We are looking forward to next week — a tournament like this in your home country.
“I am asking the players to focus, but the youngsters need to enjoy. Sometimes, you get only one opportunity to play such a tournament.”
India will play a few practice matches in the next few days, and Clark wants to make the most out of it. “The training matches are important to us, not necessarily the results. Obviously, we will want to keep the momentum going. In terms of performances, we are trying to introduce one or two specifics during our pool games. The games are really important for us to execute those tactics in a competitive environment.”
The South African said European teams should have the edge in the tournament. “There are a whole lot of teams we have not seen. The European sides will always be difficult. Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, which is the current European junior champion,” he said.
Playing at home does put pressure: Gregg Clark
Rohan Puri,
NEW DELHI: Indian junior men's hockey team coach Gregg Clark and captain Manpreet Singh feel European teams would be the ones to look out in the junior World Cup which is set to start from December 6 here in Delhi.
"European sides will always be strong and I expect tough competition from them. Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium will be tough to beat," Clarke said while interacting with the media at the Major Dhyanchand National stadium on Friday.
India have been placed in Pool C with Canada, South Korea and the Netherlands and face the Dutch in their opening game on December 6.
"We are prepared for our match against the Netherlands. That will be a good contest," said Manpreet. "We will focus on our strengths. It's good that we are facing a strong team in the first match. A win there will motivate us."
"If we do not get a positive result in that match (against the Dutch), we will still have two matches to make it to the quarterfinals," added Clark.
When asked if playing at home would put additional pressure on the team, Clark said, "Playing at home does put pressure on us. It's a very expectant hockey public. You can let it affect you in a positive or a negative way. We need to rise to the occasion. I'm confident that this team has the character to do that."
Clark said they are constantly working all aspects of the game. "We are training really hard to improve our penalty corners. Sandeep Singh has come from time to time to give training to the flickers. Our morale is quite high."
On why Affan Yousuf has been left in the reserves, he said, "Selection is a subjective thing. We think we have selected the best 18 players to the represent the country."
Working on our scoring: Jon Bleby
It may lack experience but England’s hockey team is confident of putting its best foot forward at the upcoming junior World Cup here.
Coach Jon Bleby was both realistic and optimistic of his team’s chances in the competition. Having landed almost 10 days in advance to get used to the conditions, the team had its first hard training session on Friday at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium, the venue for the competition.
“We have had a good build-up to the junior World Cup. We have played against some very good teams including five-time winners Germany and Holland. We know both these teams are very, very tough. The Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia was actually very good for the boys in terms of getting prepared for the conditions in India.
“None of them had travelled before to hot conditions so it was great,” Bleby said after the training session.
He counted the two besides India as the favourites to win the tournament. “India is a great team and we have a great respect for it.
“We played it in Malaysia and lost 3-1 while India went on to win the event. We actually played quite well in that game but still lost so we know India’s standards,” he said.
Asked about the areas of concern for the team, Bleby said the team had concentrated on goal scoring and penalty corners.
“In Malaysia we got around 10 short corners against India but couldn’t score off any, so scoring is an area we have been working really hard on.
“We have set some goals for ourselves from the tournament but not specific targets in terms of results. We are looking at performing as consistently as possible and if we make the quarterfinals, then anything is possible,” he added.
England will play a practice match against India on Saturday. The junior World Cup starts on December 6 with all 16 teams in action.
India are favourites to lift the World Cup: England coach
NEW DELHI: England's head coach Jon Bleby today said hosts India are one of the favourites to lift the Junior Hockey World Cup starting from December 6 here.
"India are one of the favourites to win the world cup. We have got a huge amount of respect for them. It would be a great challenge for our team to beat them. If you manage to beat strong teams like Germany, Holland and India, you have a great chance in the tournament," said Bleby.
England will play India in a practice match at the National stadium here tomorrow and Bleby said it would be an "interesting and close" game.
"India are obviously a great team. We played against them in Sultan of Johor Cup in our first game. We lost that game 1-3. India went on to win that tournament of course. India are a very good side. We are looking ahead to the game tomorrow. It will be an interesting and close game," he said.
Bleby said they are working on improving their penalty-shot conversion rate.
"We are working on improving our goal scoring and penalty corners. The expectation is high from the tournament. We have set a few goals for ourselves. We look to play to our potential. If we manage to reach the quarterfinals, that would be a great outcome for this group. We are looking to go as far as possible. We are kind of throwing everything out there."
The coach seemed to be in awe of the facilities provided by the Hockey India.
"We are really impressed with the facilities so far. We are bowled over by the stadium. It's one of the best stadiums I have ever seen. It's brilliant."
Negre wants India to win Jr World Cup , but says it won't be easy
NEW DELHI: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Leandro Negre expects India to be a force to reckon with in the upcoming Hero Junior World Cup but said it won't be easy for the hosts to win the tournament to be held from December 6-15.
Negre said the event is the perfect platform for talented young hockey players to make a name for themselves.
"Of course, if India were to win the tournament the impact would be huge, but with so many great hockey nations competing it is really difficult to predict who will lift the trophy," Negre said of the tournament to be held at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.
Speaking on the topic of India's promising young brigade making the transition from junior to senior level, he said: "India has always been strong at the junior level. However, it is not always easy to make the transition from junior to senior hockey.
"This is not something which is unique to India but applies to every hockey playing nation in the world. That said, the India men's team is very talented and looks to have a fine crop of young talent coming through the ranks. I think it's really important that India gets behind the team during the Junior World Cup as fan support can really make a big difference. The future looks bright for Indian hockey," he said in a statement.
The fact that the event is being hosted in India is an added bonus for Negre as he is extremely fond of the country.
"I am really looking forward to visiting the country again. I love everything about coming to India. I am always made to feel extremely welcome here. Hockey events in India are always very special, and the atmosphere when the home team are in action is something that has to be seen to be believed. It is a real privilege to experience it," he said.
Felda boys on a mission
By JUGJET SINGH
FELDA boys Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin and Hafiz Zainol are two examples of true grit and determination, which is what Malaysia need to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Junior World Cup in New Delhi.
Izad, 21, grew up in a Felda settlement in Trolak, Perak, while Hafiz, 20, is from Jengka in Pahang.
Since the Project 2013 squad were formed five years ago, coach K. Dharmaraj has picked, trained and booted out some 200 players. And for the two Felda boys to remain standing in the final 18 for the World Cup, is a remarkable achievement in itself.
Both were truly delighted, when Felda came in with an RM500,000 sponsorship to help the team in New Delhi from Dec 6-15.
"Growing up in a Felda settlement, life can be tough sometimes but it made me much more determined to make my mark when I was given a chance to join juniors training a few years ago," said Izad.
"And with Felda coming in as a major sponsor to help us, my gut feeling is that we are going to have a wonderful World Cup," said Hafiz.
Izad's main inspiration was his elder brother Roslan, a goalkeeper with the national senior side for the last decade.
"I have eight other siblings, and I am the youngest. Roslan is 14 years older than me, and I have always admired his ability in hockey.
"He (Roslan) is one of the driving factors in me giving my best in every match I play," said the lanky defender.
Izad is also the first runner when defending penalty corners, and has many a time stopped the ball with his body without fear.
The most recent was when he performed well against India's penalty corner flickers during the Sultan of Johor Cup.
"I don't fear the flickers, and my main focus is to stop them from scoring. If I get hurt in the process, it is not a problem, as I hate letting down the team," said Izad.
As for Hafiz, a midfielder, he feels the top-six target set by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) is achievable.
"Our first match (against New Zealand) is the most important in my career as a hockey player. I believe, if we beat the Kiwis, the quarter-finals door will open wide for Malaysia," said Hafiz.
Malaysia are in Group D and the other opponents in their path to the quarter-finals are England and South Africa.
Kavin is second Malaysian to feature in two Junior World Cups
Defender G. Kavin Kartik had played in the Junior World Cup in Johor Baru in 2009 and will be featuring in the Junior World Cup in New Delhi from Dec 6.
KUALA LUMPUR: Defender G. Kavin Kartik is the second Malaysian player who will feature in two Junior World Cups.
The Tampin-born player had played in the Junior World Cup in Johor Baru in 2009 and will be featuring in the Junior World Cup in New Delhi from Dec 6.
Defender M. Devendran was the first Malaysian to have played in two Junior World Cups – in 1985 (Vancouver) and 1989 (Ipoh). Malaysia finished 10th in Vancouver and sixth in Ipoh.
The 21-year-old Kavin said it was a real honour for him to be the second Malaysian player to feature in two Junior World Cups.
“I will not only marshal the defence but also help to deliver goals from penalty corner set pieces. As the most experienced player in the team, the burden will be on me to give my best,” said Kavin, who was named man-of-the-match in the final of the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca last year.
Kavin started his hockey career with the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) when he was in Form One in 2005. BJSS were champions in 2008 and 2009 in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League.
Kavin said that their biggest challenge in the Junior World Cup in New Delhi will be to finish in the top six among the 16 teams that are divided into four groups.
Malaysia, who finished 12th among the 20 teams in the 2009 edition, are in Group D in New Delhi with New Zealand, England and South Africa.
Kavin, who is pursuing his pre-university studies in BJSS, said that their opening match against New Zealand, who finished fourth in the last Junior World Cup, would be the toughest.
“We should get the better of England and South Africa to reach the quarter-finals.
“We are likely to face either hosts India or Holland from Group C in the quarters,” said Kavin, who also hopes to win a place in the national senior team next year.
The other defenders in the national juniors team are Faiz Helmi Zali, Mohd Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin, Mohd Zulhairi Hashim and Mohd Nor Aqmal Abdul Ghaffar.
Men’s officials confirmed for Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014
World class officials will oversee the action in The Hague, Netherlands
Christian Blasch (Photo: FIH / Frank Uijlenbroek)
The FIH is pleased to confirm the names of the officials who will oversee the men’s competition at next year’s Rabobank Hockey World Cup tournament, which takes place in The Hague, Netherlands between 31st May and 15th June 2014.
The Hockey World Cup is held every four years and ranks alongside the Olympic Games the most coveted, cherished prize in the sport.
The summer showpiece will be overseen by some of the finest competition officials in the world, with New Zealander Jason McCracken being given the crucial Tournament Director role. He will be supported by vastly experienced TOs Wiert Doyer (NED), Bjorn Isberg (SWE) and Claudius De Sales (IND).
The umpires list is packed full of experience, with Christian Blasch (GER) and John Wright (RSA) being two of twelve umpires selected who also officiated at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The full list of officials can be found below.
The officials for the women’s tournament will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Tournament: Rabobank Hockey World Cup (Men)
Venue: The Hague (NED)
Participants: NED / BEL / AUS / GER / ARG / ENG / NZL / KOR / ESP / MAS / IND / RSA
Date: 31 May / 15 June 2014
FIH Representative: NEGRE, Leandro (FIH)
FIH Event Co-ordinator: TBC (FIH)
TD: McCRACKEN, Jason (NZL)
DOYER, Wiert (NED)
ISBERG, Bjorn (SWE)
DE SALES, Claudius (IND)
Medical Officer: ROLLE, Udo (Dr.) (GER)
Umpires Managers:
EHLERS, Henrik (DEN)
GRIBBLE, Craig (NZL)
Media Officer: TBC (FIH)
AKPOKAVIE, Richard (GHA)
KLEIN NAGELVOORT, Erik (NED)
KOSHIKO, Ryuichi (JPN)
STEWART, Tony (CAN)
BLASCH, Christian (GER)
GROCHAL, Marcin (POL)
JAMSON, Hamish (ENG)
KEARNS, Adam (AUS)
KIM, Hong Lae (KOR)
MADDEN, Martin (SCO)
MONTES DE OCA, German (ARG)
PULLMAN, Tim (AUS)
SERVETTO, Marcelo (ARG)
SHAIKH, Javed (IND)
SIMMONDS, Gary (RSA)
STAGNO, Nathan (GIB)
TAYLOR, Simon (NZL)
VAN EERT, Roel (NED)
VAZQUEZ, Paco (ESP)
WIJSMULLER, Roderick (NED)
WRIGHT, John (RSA)
PAHF announces 2013 Pan American Elite Teams
Kwandwane Browne and Luciana Aymar nominated for record fourth time!
The Pan American Hockey Federation is pleased to announce the 2013 Pan American Elite Teams.
Since 2007, Pan American Elite Teams have been named every two years to recognize the top players in the Pan American region. Hockey specialists present at the 2013 Pan American Cups in Brampton (men) and Mendoza (women) were consulted for the selection of this year’s Elite Teams.
The 2013 Men's Pan American Elite Team is led by Kwandwane BROWNE, captain of the Trinidad & Tobago team, selected a record fourth time to the PAHF Elite Team. Four players were nominated for the third time (Mexican Francisco AGUILAR, American Pat HARRIS, Canadian Scott TUPPER and Argentinian Lucas VILA).
Pan American Champions Argentina have the strongest representation with four players (Facundo CALLIONI, Gonzalo PEILLAT, Lucas REY and Lucas VILA) while Pan American Cup runner-up Canada is represented by Scott TUPPER and newcomers Matthew GUEST and Mark PEARSON. The achievements of Trinidad & Tobago, bronze medalists in Brampton, were rewarded with the nomination of three players (Kwandwane BROWNE, Mickell PIERRE and Akim TOUSSAINT).
Altogether, the 2013 Men’s Pan American Elite Team is made up of players from seven different countries: Argentina (4), Canada (3), Trinidad & Tobago (3), Brazil (2), USA (2), Chile (1) and Mexico (1).
The 2013 Women's Pan American Elite Team is led by Argentinean superstar Luciana AYMAR, who once again dazzled opponents and spectators in Mendoza and is nominated for the fourth time to the continental Elite Team. Pan American Champions Argentina dominated the voting, with four other players selected (Agustina ALBERTARIO, Rosario LUCHETTI, Carla REBECCHI and Macarena RODRÍGUEZ).
The USA, silver medalists in Mendoza, had three players selected (Rachel DAWSON, her third nomination to the Elite squad, Katie REINPRECHT and Kathleen SHARKEY), while Canada’s return to the podium was rewarded with the selection of three first-time nominees (Kate GILLIS, Hannah HAUGHN and Danielle HENNIG).
Three South American players picked up their second Elite selection (Camila CARAM and Claudia SCHULER from Chile, Janine STANLEY from Uruguay).
Altogether seven countries are represented on the 2013 Women’s Pan American Elite Team: Argentina (5), USA (3), Canada (3), Chile (2), Mexico (1), Uruguay (1) and Guyana (1).
2013 Pan American Elite Teams
Francisco AGUILAR MEX
Kwandwane BROWNE TTO
Facundo CALLIONI ARG
Matthew GUEST CAN
Pat HARRIS USA
Christian LINNEY USA
Mark PEARSON CAN
Gonzalo PEILLAT ARG
Mickell PIERRE TTO
Lucas REY ARG
Hubertus REINBACH (GK) BRA
Sven RICHTER CHI
Ernst ROST ONNES BRA
Akim TOUSSAINT TTO
Scott TUPPER CAN
Lucas VILA ARG
Agustina ALBERTARIO ARG
Luciana AYMAR ARG
Camila CARAM CHI
Marlet CORREA CONEJO MEX
Rachel DAWSON USA
Kate GILLIS CAN
Hannah HAUGHN CAN
Danielle HENNIG CAN
Rosario LUCHETTI ARG
Carla REBECCHI ARG
Katie REINPRECHT USA
Macarena RODRÍGUEZ ARG
Claudia SCHULER (GK) CHI
Kathleen SHARKEY USA
Janine STANLEY URU
Alysa XAVIER (GK) GUY
Pan American Hockey Federation media release
Ruling out of own goals is welcomed by hockey players
by JOHN FLACK
IT will no longer be possible to score an own goal in hockey from next season after a two year experimental period on the statute book.
However individual nations can either stick with the current legislation until the end of the current season or delete it as they so wish.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has deemed that the rule will no longer be obligatory as of February 1 next year.
With the Irish Hockey League taking place in March and the knock out stages in early April in Banbridge the authorities have a decision to make.
The FIH have also decreed that the rule will cease to exist in international hockey from January 31 next year, meaning both the Ireland men's and women's teams won't have to cope with it in the next round of World League tournaments.
And from September 1 it will no longer be possible to score an own goal at any level as the rule will be removed completely.
The majority of players appear to be in favour of the decision to scrap the rule which meant that the ball did not have to be struck by an attacker's stick from within the shooting circle.
Lisnagarvey captain and Ireland defender Jonny Bell will be happy to see the rule abolished from all hockey next autumn.
"Personally I will be glad to see the back of the own goal, partly because I have had the embarrassment of having scored two myself, one of which was a real cracker in a World League game against New Zealand in Rotterdam," he explained.
"As a defender you have enough to keep you occupied without having to watch out for deflections and I don't think it added anything whatsoever to the skill set required to play hockey.
"If anything it made the game less skilful and encouraged teams to crash free hits and balls into the circle in the hope that a defender would get in the way."
Former Annadale and current Great Britain player Iain Lewers is in agreement with Bell.
"It's good to see the rule abolished as it has been in the game too long and discourages the use of skill in creating goal scoring chances," he stated.
Pegasus captain Pamela Magill however says she would have been happy to see the rule continue.
"The FIH should stick with rule changes when they make them – the own goal makes defenders sharper and free hits from the edge of the circle more exciting." she said.
"It also means there is no margin for error with your first touch," she added.
3-tier national league is Balbir Sr's roadmap for success
NEW DELHI: Pained by the steady decline of Indian hockey over the years, the legendary Balbir Singh Sr has drawn up a roadmap, which includes an innovative three-tier league, to help the country regain lost glory.
The iconic centre forward, who won gold medals at the 1948 (London), 1952 (Helsinki) and 1956 (Melbourne) Olympics, said it was imperative for India to quickly put a revival plan in place to raise the standard of hockey which is "very bad and disappointing" at the moment.
Balbir reckons that factional tension, lack of trained coaches at the grassroot level and absence of systematic national league were three primary concerns for Indian hockey at the moment.
"I have prepared a scheme of a national hockey league. We should hold it once a year and finish it within a month," Balbir Sr said during an interaction with journalists on Friday.
Elaborating on his well-structured plan, he said it was a three-tier league like most of the top soccer leagues across various countries.
"Instead of conducting national championship, we can have a national league with atleast 30 teams dividing them into three divisions as per their merit. It will be like rankings 1-10 in the top division followed by 11-20 and then 21-30. There should be promotion and relegation. It's not like Punjab playing Mizoram but well-matched teams pitted against each other."
Balbir Sr also recommended that good cash incentive should be given according to the performance of the teams.
"Cash awards should be there at every stage because players want money and their parents also need financial assistance. Cash awards should be given according to their standings, their rankings in the national ranking system", he said.
Balbir was also unhappy with the "step-motherly treatment meted out to hockey players".
"We have given hockey step motherly treatment. Among other sports, No.1 is cricket and it is in the limelight. The players are highly paid and treated like actors."
The third and most important reason, according to him, is the absence of a proper national hockey league where the top players will be pitted against each other in competitive sphere.
Although he is in favour of a separate national league, Balbir is not averse to the idea of cash-rich Hockey India League (HIL).
"I have no problems with HIL as any type of league means competitive matches which is very important."
He is pained at the current plight of Indian hockey and the team finishing last in the London Olympics.
"Very bad (about standard). I didn't want to use this word but I feel dejected. I am sad. During London Olympics, they were honouring me for my contribution to Indian hockey. I was interviewed by the BBC in London about India's chances. I said that I want them to win gold but would be satisfied with top six finish. And we ended at the bottom without winning a single match. I was shocked."
"Balbirs come and Balbirs go but it's the country that stays forever. India comes first. Country is more important and not Balbirs," he explained.
The 89-year-old player, who has the distinction of being the flag bearer of the Indian contingent in two Olympic Games, also urged the corporate sector to back the game which has given India the maximum number of Olympians as well as gold medals at the quadrennial extravaganza.
"The corporate sector must also contribute. The central government can't always afford what corporate sectors can afford. I also want youngsters to study hard as academics can't be ignored at any cost. You need a job in order to earn your living. Their should also be scholarships introduced in schools to help the outstanding sportspersons."
"Play as much as you want but not at the cost of your qualification. I want a system to be introduced for sportsperson where they would only get benefits if they are able to pass their exams. We don't want to make professionals only but we also want to see them as good officers".
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Citizen Cope at Fillmore Auditorium
Citizen Cope Tickets
Fillmore Auditorium | Denver, CO
Citizen Cope blends many genres of music, such as folk, blues, hip hop, rock, and R & B, and he’ll be gracing the Fillmore Auditorium Stage October 5, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Clarence Greenwood (now known as Citizen Cope) is an American songwriter and producer. His eclectic mix of blues, laid-back rock, soul, and folk has a large and profoundly dedicated following, built over the past decade of touring due to solid word of mouth.
Greenwood is the leader of the band, and he steers the band’s soulful sound by serving as keyboardist, guitarst, lead singer, DJ, songwriter, and producer. Greenwood first broke into the music business by appearing on albums by Maryland-based rapper Basehead (1993’s Not in Kansas Anymore and 1996’s Faith), and he used that momentum to issue his first Citizen Cope album, Cope Citizen, in 1992. Greenwood spent the rest of the decade donating songs to several independently issued compilations — including 1997’s Settling the DC Score and 1999’s Anti-Rascist Action Benefit — and appearing on the soundtracks to movies like Eat Me and Clubland. He also performed on Lazy K’s 1997 album Life in One Day and inked his own deal with Capitol Records.
Citizen Cope is a genuine musician and human being, and this soulful performance is not one to miss!
Fans of Fillmore Auditorium
Rex Orange County 24/01/2020
Trippie Redd 30/01/2020
High Valley & Eli Young Band 14/02/2020
Stone Temple Pilots - PERDIDA 15/02/2020
Hayley Kiyoko 05/03/2020
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Armando Hart Dávalos
By Thomas Davies
Armando Hart Dávalos, one of the fundamental organizers, thinkers and leaders of the Cuban Revolution of 1959 passed away on November 26, 2017. He leaves behind an incredible legacy that changed the face of Cuba and the world forever. He was 87.
Hart was born June 13, 1930 in Havana. As a young lawyer in the early 1950's, he took a firm position in opposition to the U.S. backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. He was imprisoned and tortured on several occasions during this period.
Undaunted, he was a founder of the revolutionary July 26 Movement and was part of the original leadership alongside Fidel Castro. He was the primary organizer of the urban underground movement in Cuba, which worked in support of the Rebel Army in the jungle. Every day was marked by acts of astounding heroism and bravery, as the young Cubans worked under constant threat of murder and torture by Batista's forces. He served as National Coordinator of the July 26 Movement, before being arrested and tortured again in 1958. He remained imprisoned until the dictatorship was defeated in 1959.
Armando Hart was trusted as Cuba's first post-revolution Education Minister, and served until 1965. His first accomplishment was organizing the incredible recruitment of as many as 100,000 student volunteers who spread out to every corner of Cuba to eradicate illiteracy on the island in a single year. He was also Cuba's Minster of Culture from 1976 to 1997.
He was a member of the Communist Party of Cuba's Central Committee from its foundation in 1965 until 1991, a member of the Council of State from 1976 until 2008 and a deputy to the National Assembly of People's Power, from its constitution until his death. His extensive intellectual work, deeply rooted in the ideas of Marx, Marti and Fidel, is considered among the best of Cuban revolutionary thought.
Armando was the president of the José Martí Cultural Society and in 2010 he was awarded the Order of José Martí, the Council of State’s highest honor.
Fire This Time salutes this incredible human being who embodied some of the best qualities of what Che Guevara described as “the New Man.” He dedicated his life to doing whatever was necessary to advance the struggle of poor, working and oppressed people, and succeeded in doing so.
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311 & The Dirty Heads at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds
311 & The Dirty Heads Tickets
MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre | Tampa, FL
Two great bands, live on a summer night, what could be better than that?! 311 & The Dirty Heads are both heading to MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on Saturday 3rd August 2019 – for a big night of performance! With their wide selection of their most loved songs plus brand new material, both groups have so much to showcase at their live event! Get ready by booking your tickets and making sure you are there! Don't miss out!
311 have had nothing but steady success since their debut in 1988 as they rose to fame on the alternative rock scene, they have showcased their music with their passion and dedication to making it, which has pushed them into the mainstream. With their latest recent release of "Mosaic" they have taken a slightly different path with a new kind of style which they have described as "a bit of a turning point where we cracked open a new style and we feel a lot of momentum now… That’s why we’re in the studio getting more than half-way done with this new album. We’re going to put it out later this year because we just feel a sense of momentum, excitement and we don’t want to wait so long between albums. There’s lot of ideas floating around, so its nice.”
Together they have sold a whopping total of over 8.5 million records sold to date and 311 just keep on going!
The Dirty Heads are heading out on their tour this Summer with 311 to share with their fans a nice selection of their latest material, their sensational tracks from the last few years such as from their incredible Sound of Change record, which smashed the charts at number 1 position! Their energetic ska/punk is a pleasure to see live, with their laid back vibes that bring to mind fellow artists such as Sublime.
"Dirty Heads bring the Summer sun with their kicked back, feel good energy"
"A concoction born of the punk sunshine of Sublime and the brassy bravado of the Beastie Boys, the Dirty Heads aim to make a statement to their fans and the music industry with their latest release, which recently peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard alternative and independent rock charts."
Head down to MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre for an unforgettable night of solid entertainment as the two incredible bands co-headline and give their fans a mind-blowing show as always!
Fans of MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds
The Lumineers 22/05/2020
The Doobie Brothers & Michael McDonald 10/06/2020
Alanis Morissette 17/06/2020
Thomas Rhett & Cole Swindell 19/06/2020
The Black Crowes 01/07/2020
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Infrared: the dairy farmer's new ally
Infrared vision has many uses, some of which can be quite surprising! Not only does it allow soldiers to locate enemies at night, it can also help farmers to predict when their cows are going to calf. How does it do this? Infrared thermography records the heat emitted by humans and animals, making it possible for an infrared camera to "see" in the dark and to detect the drop in body temperature that signals that calving is imminent.
The scientists were able to devise a system requiring no contact with the cow, minimizing stress to the animal.
It is important to understand that calving is a critical time for the cow and her calf. To ensure a successful birth, the farmer or a veterinarian needs to be present. But what if technology could be used to monitor the animal's condition instead of the farmer, who often has to wait around for days and nights at a time? The team of Xavier Maldague, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Université Laval, decided to set up an infrared camera in a stable in Saint-Anselme to measure the variations in body temperature of gestating cows. A straightforward task, thought the team, until they encountered some of the realities of the farming world: mice nibbling on the wires, milking robots bumping into the cameras, cows licking the lenses, dust everywhere… Furthermore, the researchers realized that the cows' coats were skewing the body temperature readings.
Their solution was to position the camera carefully, and to use image processing to analyse only the hairless area around the eyes. The scientists were thus able to devise a system requiring no contact with the cow, minimizing stress to the animal. The camera records temperature images, which are then calibrated by a program developed for use in the agriculture industry. This concept could soon be commercialized for use on the farm!
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Omicron Boötis
35 Boötis
Yellow Star in Boötes
A fifth magnitude star in the southern reaches of Boötes the Herdsman, Omicron Boötis lies some seven degrees eastward of brilliant Arcturus in the sky. Like Arcturus, this is a luminous giant star, but it is some seven times farther from the Solar System than Arcturus at a distance of 243 light years, and hence appears far fainter in the skies of Earth.
Omicron Boötis is an evolved yellow star that has consumed its reserves of hydrogen, and is now in the part of its life cycle in which its core fuses atoms of helium to create carbon. Its outer atmosphere has inflated to more than ten times the diameter of the Sun, but exists in a tenuous and comparatively cool form. The star is far more luminous than the Sun, generating some seventy times as much light energy.
Bayer Stars Index
Boötes
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Transatlantic Take
Why the EU Should Slow Down
Rosa Balfour
Senior Fellow, Europe Program
Hans Kundnani
Daniela Schwarzer
BRUSSELS – Last Thursday, the United Kingdom seemed to make a clear choice to leave the European Union. But within 24 hours of the referendum, things already looked very different. By Sunday night, over three million Britons had signed a petition to ask for a second referendum on membership of the EU. There will not only be a new prime minister, but possibly also a general election in the next few months – and it is not even clear who the candidates might be, let alone the outcome. In the meantime, no one has a mandate to do anything.
In this context, European leaders are making a huge mistake by demanding that the U.K. should immediately invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty so negotiations can start and the U.K. can leave the EU quickly. Perhaps the most unhelpful intervention came from European Parliament President Martin Schulz, who said it was “scandalous” that Prime Minister David Cameron might stay in office until October.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has been a voice of reason. She is absolutely right to urge calm and patience. Some reports indicate she has been able to persuade other capitals not to pressure London to trigger the process at Tuesday’s Summit. It is not only in the British national interest to delay invoking Article 50. It is also in the European interest to wait and see if the worst outcome for everyone – that is, an actual withdrawal of the U.K. from the EU – can still be avoided.
The situation in Britain is now extraordinarily fluid. The country faces an identity crisis, a political crisis, and perhaps even constitutional crisis. It is deeply divided along geographical and generational lines. There is anything but a consensus in the U.K. that it should leave the EU. The highest priority for the new prime minister will be reconciliation between leavers and remainers – not least to prevent a break-up of Britain itself.
In this context, it may still be possible for the U.K. to pull back from the abyss. After all, public opinion may change as the potential costs of Brexit – which, during the campaign, the leavers dismissed as part of “Project Fear” – become apparent. Some of the negative economic consequences of the vote, for example an exodus of foreign investors from the U.K., will only fully unfold over the coming weeks.
In any case, at the moment there is no majority in parliament for leaving. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has suggested its parliament may seek to block Brexit too. The gap between old and young people revealed by the referendum also raises questions about the legitimacy of moving ahead with Brexit. There is an emerging consensus, which includes many leavers, that the new prime minister will need some kind of further democratic mandate to negotiate a new relationship with the EU – hence the possibility of a general election.
Even at this late stage, European leaders should do all they can to help those in the U.K. who still want it to remain, or to at least maintain as close a relationship as possible, like a Norwegian-style arrangement. The United States should also encourage European leaders to be patient. For the moment, helping means doing nothing.
The argument that EU leaders have made is that the negotiations must begin quickly to bring back certainty and stability. As Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said, Europe could not accept a political vacuum. But the crisis the U.K. has inflicted on itself does not automatically create a vacuum in the EU unless its leaders let this happen. And far from creating certainty or creating stability, invoking Article 50 will itself set in motion a two-year process that is uncontrollable and unpredictable. Once the EU and the U.K. start talks in the framework set out in Article 50, they will become increasingly acrimonious and confrontational.
European leaders are right to be worried that the Brexit vote will lead to a Euroskeptic surge in other EU member states. But again, invoking Article 50 is unlikely to stop this surge. The only thing that can stop the increase in Euroskepticism across Europe, including in the “core,” is reform of the EU, both in terms of policy and institutions. But there is no simple blueprint for reform, not least because of the multiple geographical and political fault lines that run through “core” Europe. That means that the EU, like the U.K., also needs time.
European leaders should concentrate on this challenge while the U.K. figures out what it wants. The causes of Euroskepticism and an anti-elite populism that is not necessarily related to the EU need to be taken far more seriously than hitherto. Merkel is right to reject reaching quick and simple conclusions. The best possible answer to far-right nationalists and the Euroskeptics who claim that their countries are better off out, would be for the U.K. to decide on reflection to stay in, or at least maintain a close relationship with the EU, and for the EU to manage to reform itself.
The views expressed in GMF publications and commentary are the views of the author alone.
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Ruehli
Here’s What She’d Tell Bill Cosby Today – from a friend of GFB
This article, originally published on The Daily Beast, is from friend of GFB and speaker on the Kirkland Productions roster, Dean Obeidallah:
In an interview, one of the women who has accused Cosby of assault talks about what happened, what she’d tell him, and how she coped.
“I’d tell him that he’s pathetic,” she said, and then added: “And I’d tell him: You are powerless, and rape is about power, and now you don’t have that power.”
These were the poignant words of Kristina Ruehli, one of the women who has accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault, as she explained to me what she would tell Cosby if she could speak to him today. I spoke to Ruehli on Sunday by phone and was amazed by her triumphant tone. This is not a woman who wants pity, nor does she want money, or even an apology from Cosby.
Rather, Ruehli wants two things: to prevent other women from being sexually assaulted and to see Cosby be brought to justice in some form. And it’s clear that she feels that there has been great progress on both fronts.
Ruehli, who is now 71 and lives with her husband in New Hampshire, is unique among the Cosby victims in that she is woman No. 1 in the chronology of when the alleged sexual assaults occurred. She claims that in 1965, while she was working as a secretary at a talent agency, Cosby invited her and an unnamed actress to his house for a party. A party for three that is, because when she arrived with the actress, no one else was at the party.
Cosby offered her a drink. The next thing she recalls was waking up in bed with Cosby, who she alleges was trying to force his penis into her mouth. She fought Cosby off, ran to the bathroom where she vomited, and then fled the house.
In our conversation, the terms “power” and “powerlessness” came up frequently. In Ruehli’s view, the person who commits the sexual assault has the power and the victims tend to feel powerless. As she explained, you feel alone and start to blame yourself. Why was I so stupid? Did I do something to lead him on?
Adding to the feeling of powerlessness for the woman is that Cosby is a beloved celebrity. Questions like “Will people even believe me?” start running through your head. And there is the additional fear in these types of cases that the public will vilify the victim, not a celebrity wrongdoer. As Ruehli noted, when a woman alleges rape charges against a celebrity, it isn’t “15 minutes of fame” but rather “15 minutes of shame.”
Ruehli added that Cosby’s silence in the face of these allegations has “ceded the power to the women.”
In Ruehli’s case, she was concerned that she would lose her job at the talent agency if she had gone public with the accusations, so she didn’t tell the authorities. It’s clearly understandable why, after the incident, Ruehli felt ashamed, alone, and powerless.
But those feelings are long gone. The fact that so many women have come forward to reveal allegations of sexual misconduct by Cosby has, in a sense, created a support network for these women. It’s no longer a story of victimhood, but one of empowerment. They are now in essence a sisterhood joined together by a vile incident.
I asked her if she thought Cosby would come forward at some point to address the allegations. Ruehli laughingly responded, “He doesn’t have the balls.” She added that Cosby’s silence in the face of these allegations has “ceded the power to the women.”
Ruehli, who is a law school graduate but not a practicing attorney, was one of the 13 “Jane Does” in the civil lawsuit filed by Andrea Constand in 2005 alleging that Cosby had sexually assaulted her. Ruehli explained to me that she read about the lawsuit in The New York Times and then reached out to Constand’s lawyer.
“It was like an epiphany—I realized I wasn’t alone,” she remarked. She felt compelled to come forward because the allegations in that case seem similar to her own regarding Cosby. She wanted to make sure that Constand knew that she wasn’t alone either.
While Ruehli is “thrilled” that on Friday the Los Angeles Police Department opened up an investigation into recent allegations by Judy Huth that Cosby forced her to perform oral sex on him when she was only 15, she understands that it’s unlikely that he will be prosecuted criminally at this time. But there’s a sense that these women coming forward have made a positive difference.
Ruehli believes the Constand lawsuit, which was covered at the time by the national media, may have saved many other women from a similar fate. As she noted, there have been no other known incidents of alleged sexual misconduct by Cosby that postdate the 2005 lawsuit. (Constant’s claim was settled in 2006, when Cosby paid Constand an undisclosed amount.)
But just preventing women from being assaulted is not enough. When I asked Ruehli what she hoped would happen to Cosby, she quoted these lines from a poem by Sir Walter Scott, that he “shall go down to the vile dust from whence he sprung, unwept, unhonour’d, and unsung.”
With Cosby’s loss of TV deals, the cancellation of comedy shows, and the destruction of his reputation, I’d say Cosby is almost there.
"I Survived"
Jennifer Morey
Richard Beckett
In the grand tradition of this wonderful holiday weekend I was spending some quality time recovering on my couch, next to the fire, sifting through decorations. I was hoping someone had started to air “A Christmas Story” and was flipping through the channels when I came across the show “I Survived”. The episode featured a young lawyer named Jennifer Morey.
Jennifer lived alone and chose her apartment complex, in part, because of the protection provided by on site security guards. She was just starting her career, working long and late hours and always felt safe knowing a guard was there.
That safety was tested on April 15, 1995 when she awoke to find a man on top of her. She realized she was going to be raped and began to fight her attacker, a man who used her first name, but whom she did not recognize. During the struggle her attacker cut her throat almost from ear to ear. He then pulled her off the bed and threw her in the bathroom. Likely believing she would bleed to death, he told her to stay in there. Even after putting up such a fight and losing blood quickly, Jennifer was still able to use her lower body strength to keep the door closed with her feet until she believed her attacker had left and would not come for her again. She then ran from the bathroom and called 911.
Richard Everett was the dispatcher who picked up the line and together they began to try to save Jennifer’s life. He told her to add pressure to the wound, that help was on the way and tried to keep her calm. During the call, Jennifer heard a knock at the door. The man identified himself as Bryan Gibson, the security guard on duty. Jennifer told Richard that it was security and asked if she should open the door. The advice he gave her at that moment, based on intuition, was likely the most crucial thing he did that saved her life that night…DO NOT open the door.
Fortunately, Jennifer did not have to wait too long as police and ambulance arrived shortly after. They were greeted by the on duty security guard Bryan Gibson, who told them that he too had fought off the attacker after he escaped from Jennifer’s apartment. After reviewing the crime scene and Gibson’s injuries it wasn’t long before police realized that it was Gibson who was the attacker. He had left behind some crucial items at the scene. It’s believed he went back to Jennifer’s apartment when he realized this. To this day, Jennifer believes she would have been killed had she opened that door.
This may not have been the wonderful holiday movie I was searching for, but this story really stuck with me. Richard Beckett had no reason to think that the man at the door, whose job it was to protect the complex, was there to cause any harm. His intuition and quick thinking kept Jennifer safe.
Jennifer survived and began to rebuild her life. She won a civil lawsuit against the security company Gibson, who had twice been re-assigned because of behavior issues, worked for. In fact, from 1991- 1995 this security firm employed 130 guards that had felony records ( I’ll spend a little time on that in a future post). She is now a successful lawyer with her own practice. She met and married the man of her dreams a few years after the attack.
Richard Beckett was at her wedding and they remain close friends to this day…
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Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City
Teardown Excerpt
Journalism Clips
Flint Expats on Facebook
@FlintExpats on Twitter
Remembering the Flint Sit-Down Strike
Journalist, author and all-around great guy Ted McClelland, who has written extensively about Flint and the Midwest, is working on a much-anticipated book about the Flint Sit-Down Strike.
Ted is interested in connecting with family members of strikers to hear their stories and memories.
Please feel free to contact Ted directly at 312-608-5665 or via email at tedmcclelland@gmail.com
Labels: books about Flint Michigan, Flint Sit-Down Strike, Ted McClelland
The Fading Murals of Civic Park: An Excerpt of "Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City" by Gordon Young
Gordon Young attempts to enliven a family photo of his mom, grandparents, and older brother in front of his Civic Park home on the day his brother graduated from high school in June of 1972.
In honor of the centennial of the Civic Park neighborhood in Flint, Michigan, this is an excerpt from "Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City" by Gordon Young, who grew up in Civic Park on Bassett Place.
Fading Murals
I had a plan for figuring out if it made sense to buy a house in Civic Park. My goal was to discover someone who was maintaining a home despite the challenges facing my old neighborhood. A holdout. A dreamer. I needed to find inspiration. My friends John and Christine were obvious examples of residents who hadn’t given up hope, but I wanted to know if there were more people like them, other diehards fighting to ensure that the neighborhood had a future.I would drive through Civic Park until I spotted a house in good condition. Then I’d just go up, knock on the door and try to talk with the owner. If there was no answer, I’d track down a phone number and call to set up an interview. I figured this was the best way to get the unvarnished truth about life in the neighborhood. Numerous friends pointed out that this was not the safest plan, but I figured if I couldn’t find people who felt comfortable having a conversation with me, then Civic Park was no place to buy a house.
Like the rest of Flint, Civic Park had an elaborate history. Only a few miles northwest of downtown, it is one of the country’s first subdivisions and one of the largest districts listed on the National Historic Register. The development began in 1917 as a private venture to create housing for autoworkers and their families flooding the city. After World War I, the project was taken over directly by GM, which formed the Modern Housing Corporation to avoid the embarrassment of shop rats living in tents and tar-paper shacks surrounding the factories. The company had real concerns that substandard living conditions would hurt its ability to recruit and retain workers.
The creation of Civic Park shows how fast and loose life was in an industrial boomtown. This was not an era that required elaborate environmental impact reports or a time-consuming public approval process for a massive housing development. It also provides yet another illustration of Charles Stewart Mott’s power and influence.
One morning in 1917, a survey crew headed by a twenty-six-year-old named Charles Branch was preparing lots for new houses on the far East Side. The workers were surprised when a well-polished automobile cut across the empty field, stopping near the surveying equipment, and none other than Charlie Sugar stepped out and started a conversation with Branch.
Mott: “Did you read in the paper last night that we were going to put 10,000 men to work at Buick and Chevrolet?”
Branch: “Yes, I did.”
Mott: “When I woke up this morning I thought of something. Where are we going to put them? How soon can you start building ten thousand houses?”
Branch: “I can send out a surveying crew in the morning to make a boundary survey if I know where to send them.”
That’s how Branch was hired to create the initial plat and street design of Civic Park. A more modest goal of one thousand houses was soon established, but they needed to be built as quickly as possible. A work camp that would rival many small towns was created to accommodate 4,600 workers. There were ninety-six bunkhouses and two commissaries that could feed 1,500 at a single sitting, along with barbershops, shoe repair shops, and several open-air theaters. A railroad line was built to carry two thousand tons of materials from the Chevy plant to Civic Park. At one point, trains left the supply station every six minutes, twenty-four hours a day. Five sawmills cut hemlock and yellow pine around the clock. In just nine months between 1919 and 1920, GM built 950 houses of varying design on 280 acres of farmland, a staggering accomplishment that rivals the pace of new construction in places like Las Vegas and Phoenix during the more recent housing bubble. It was not unusual for a new home to be completed in seven hours from start to finish.
More than two dozen variations on eight different models were available to homeowners, including the New England Colonial, the Civic Park Saltbox, and the Urban Traditional. “A typical home had five or six rooms, a slate roof, an open porch and a basement,” reads the historic-site marker. “Curved streets, planned park areas and tree-lined boulevards added to the attractiveness of the community.”
Bassett Place, named after a former Buick president, is one of those curved streets. My childhood home sits midblock. It was not built until the late twenties, after the initial Civic Park construction spree. It faces a sprawling park, one of the last projects completed by GM’s Modern Housing Corporation, with baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and a stretch of woods once filled with trails perfect for BMX bike riding and illicit cigarette smoking.
I hadn’t intended to start my search on my old street. It was probably just muscle memory that led me back to Bassett Place. Over the winter, I had checked the property records and connected with the current owner to try and arrange an official visit. The phone conversation had been awkward. “You’re from California and you want me to let you inside of my house?” she’d asked. “I’ll have to call you back on that.” She never did. Who could blame her? I had given up on ever seeing the inside, but now I noticed there was no car in the driveway. I called the number that was saved in my cell phone. No answer. I parked across the street and stared at the house. Thanks to the dull utility of aluminum siding, it was surprisingly unchanged since the day we moved out twenty-five years earlier. I noticed a familiar chip in the wood steps leading to the screened-in front porch. I called the number again. Still no answer. There didn’t appear to be anyone home.
I had a sudden urge to see the small square of lawn in back where I played football as a kid, the chain-link fence I jumped in the winter to save time getting to the Dupont Street bus. I wondered if the tree where I used to read my Encyclopedia Brown books nestled in the comfortable crook of two big branches was still standing. I wanted to catch a glimpse of the Flint I remembered. I knew this was probably a mistake. I was bound to be disappointed. I was starting to regain my sense of familiarity with Flint, shedding some of the trepidation I’d felt the previous summer. I wasn’t sure if that was such a good thing. I hesitated, then got out of the car and headed for the driveway. I’d just take a quick look.
Lingering uninvited in the yard of a house in Flint is not a wise move, but it was all so instantly familiar that my nervousness disappeared in the June heat. There was the tree. There was the fence. There was the pint-sized, makeshift football field with a flowerbed doubling as the sideline. But I was surprised to see something I had completely forgotten—the peeling remnants of a mural on the side of the neighbor’s garage. My sister had painted it in the midseventies, an escapist desert landscape with an orange sun setting over a purple mesa surrounded by golden sands and the occasional cactus. It was similar in style and temperament to the airbrushed scenes adorning many customized vans in Flint at a time when Earth, Wind & Fire was battling the Eagles for supremacy on car radios and eight-track tape decks throughout the city, another reflection of Flint’s racial divide.
The garage, listing badly and engulfed in shrubbery, hadn’t been painted in more than three decades. It once belonged to our neighbor, a stylish elderly woman named Mrs. Procunier. I played gin rummy with her on Tuesday nights when I was a kid. We would sit at a little table in her kitchen, taking turns dealing while she worked her way through a pack of Parliaments and I polished off the Brach’s candy she supplied. I also mowed her lawn, shoveled her snow, and bought her cigarettes at the nearby Double D Market, now a vacant lot dotted with fast-growing ghetto palms across the street from the recently shuttered Civic Park School. To allow me to procure smokes at such a tender age, she wrote a note on a piece of scrap paper in her perfect cursive: “Gordie Young has permission to purchase cigarettes for me. He is my employee.”
Mrs. Procunier also signed off on my sister’s plan to paint the mural. She didn’t seem thrilled with the idea, but she was kindhearted. After all, she had forgiven me for almost burning the garage to the ground during my extended flirtation with pyromania. (Take a lighter and a can of Lysol and you’ve got yourself a flame thrower.) She didn’t live long after the mural was completed. She enjoyed a cigarette the day she died of pneumonia, perhaps one purchased by me. She bequeathed our family two thousand dollars and a light blue Buick LeSabre in her will.
Dan Kildee’s younger brother Mike and his wife then moved into the house. They drove a Renault Alliance and made out in their backyard, which made them seem wildly exotic. As if to counteract Mrs. Procunier’s unhealthy smoking habit, Mike was an avid runner who put up a basketball hoop on the garage. I remember him telling me once when we were shooting baskets that he thought the mural was pretty cool.
In one of my recent conversations with Dan, I had asked for his verdict on Civic Park. He’d spent the bulk of his childhood just five blocks away on Genesee Street. “That neighborhood was at the tipping point about eight years ago, and it tipped,” he said, frowning. “The wrong way,” he added unnecessarily.
My old neighborhood was clearly in the crosshairs of a revolutionary urban-planning experiment. The shrinking-city concept is a rational approach for a punch-drunk municipality with few options, but standing in my old backyard in a neighborhood on the edge of extinction, despite its historic status, I felt the emotional reluctance of many to embrace the new approach. As I looked at the decaying mural my sister painted in the twilight of Flint’s glory years, I understood how agonizing it was for a city to cut its losses and let go of the past, to walk away from so many memories. It felt like accepting defeat.
Back in my car, I drove the streets of Civic Park, window down to better appreciate the beautiful weather, passing familiar landmarks, or what was left of them. My pal Jerry’s house on Delmar Avenue was now a vacant lot. Another friend’s home on the same block was abandoned, but the railroad ties his dad used to define their flowerbeds in the seventies were still visible. The two-story on the corner of Humboldt and West Dayton—known as “the bachelors’ house” because four young guys who were very popular with the ladies lived there—looked like it had been hit by a tornado. The windows were broken, and the front door was wide open, affording a view of the living room where numerous parties had raged. A couple of blocks away, Rivethead author Ben Hamper’s old house had seen better days. I slowed down for properties that seemed promising, only to discover that they were gutted, nothing more than shells. This was going to be harder than I thought. Blight was in abundant supply; a well-maintained Dutch Colonial defying time, the elements, and complex global economic trends was not.
But while the perfect house was difficult to spot, I was certainly attracting a lot of attention. Judging from the icy stares I got from the few people I passed on the street, I was a highly suspicious character. White guy, short hair, Ray-Bans. There were two obvious possibilities—cop or misguided suburbanite trolling for drugs. The pessimistic might add a third option—a random, crazy muthafucka. I felt the urge to yell out the window, “It’s okay, I used to live here.” After all, I regularly covered these same streets by foot, bike, and skateboard as a kid. I knew these houses. I’d scouted all the shortcuts and gaps in backyard fences. I still remembered where the unfriendly dogs once lived.
I didn’t get too excited when I spotted an impressive wooden sign in the yard of a corner house proclaiming, “Welcome to Milbourne Avenue Block Club / Working Together for a Better Neighborhood.” I knew that well-intentioned block clubs frequently couldn’t compete with the forces of decline in Flint. These signs were scattered around the city, often acting as tombstones for blocks that didn’t make it.
But Milbourne between West Dayton and West Hamilton wasn’t dead yet. The curbs lining the street were painted white. Many residents had planted red flowers in the parkway between street and sidewalk. Closer inspection revealed that the flowers were fake, indicating a thrifty pragmatism, a realism that might ensure long-term survival. There was only one vacant lot. A few houses were abandoned, but only a couple were boarded, burned out, or obviously empty. The occupied homes were painted and well kept. Yards were mowed. The random trash that littered so many other blocks was nowhere to be found. A TV news crew looking to capture the decline of Civic Park wouldn’t shoot on this block.
And there were actual people visible on the street.
An older black couple sat on lawn chairs in the driveway of an immaculate yellow house. A statue of the Virgin Mary looked out over the front yard. The walkway to the steps was covered in black Astroturf and flanked with running lights. The front of the house was decorated with black shutters and one of those eagles you’d expect to find in an Ethan Allen catalog. If not for the bars on the first-floor windows, it looked like a typical suburban house. Down the street, a woman on her hands and knees was planting flowers. Real ones. At another house, a man on a tall ladder was trimming a tree with a handsaw.
I drove slowly down the street, wondering if I was engaging in magical thinking. Was I looking so hard for signs of hope that I was inventing them? I checked out two adjoining blocks just to make sure; they were shabby, abandoned, and empty. They resembled a movie set after production had shut down.
I looped back around to Milbourne. Instead of a single house, I’d stumbled on almost an entire block making a stand against seemingly inexorable decline. I stopped the car and basked in a little of the useless nostalgia I’d vowed to avoid. With the humidity building as the afternoon stretched toward evening and the birds chirping from the trees above, this could have easily been a typical Civic Park street on a hot summer day in the seventies. It could have been the Flint I remembered.
I noticed two black women—one older and holding a small dog, the other younger with short, bleached hair—watching me from the side porch of the gray house with the block-club sign in the yard. Though I was excited to find their street, they didn’t seem thrilled to discover me surveying the situation. I walked over, introduced myself, and asked if they had time to talk. They agreed with a shrug.
I checked out the house as I walked up the driveway. The shingles needed a fresh coat of paint, but the planters near the forbidding wrought-iron security door were filled with healthy flowers. There were
new eavestroughs on one section of the roof. It seemed like a house owned by people who still cared but were short on funds.
I took a seat at a glass-top patio table with Betsy, who was just shy of her seventieth birthday, and her forty-three-year-old daughter, Delarie. Betsy had tinted wireless glasses and was wearing a black T-shirt. She looked comfortable on the shady porch, holding a little black Yorkipoo named Quasi on her lap. “There’s a lot of drugs and gangs in the neighborhood since you lived here,” Betsy said, sounding tired and touching the silver cross she wore on a chain around her neck. “But our block is a lot quieter.”
Delarie had a beautiful smile and seemed ten years younger than me, but we had both graduated from Flint high schools in 1984. We ran though a list of people we might know but failed to find a connection, illustrating the gulf between a white Catholic school kid and a black public school student. But like many conversations I had with Flintoids, the initial, practical suspicion quickly evaporated. Once they trusted you, Flint residents were anything but guarded. Betsy and Delarie seemed somewhat bemused by my enthusiasm for the block, agreeing that Milbourne was better than most in the neighborhood but tempering my exuberance with the perspective that comes with being an actual resident. “Civic Park has really gone downhill, but I have hope,” Delarie said. “This street is trying to help make up for the rest of the neighborhood.”
Betsy and her family ended up here almost by accident. She was living about a mile to the east when she spotted a rent-to-own sign in the yard of the house on a trip to the Double D Market to buy groceries in 1991. She liked the oversize lot—a perfect place for her eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren to play. “I prayed to God to give me this house with a big yard, and it worked out,” she said. “I like my corner.”
The house became a gathering spot for family and neighborhood kids. There was room for an above-ground pool, a swing set, a trampoline, and a badminton net. Betsy was known as “Granny” to the children; Delarie was “Mama,” regardless of whether they were relatives or not. But the kids grew up, and then the board of education closed Civic Park School in response to dwindling enrollment and budget cuts. “I really miss hearing little kids in the neighborhood,” Betsy said. “Sometimes I feel lost and alone without them.”
Delarie added, “They made it seem normal.”
Delarie raised two boys in the neighborhood. She rented a house across the street—now abandoned—for several years before moving in
with her mom. The boys were eighteen and twenty-three now and still lived with them. The youngest was working on his GED, hoping to join the army. If all went well, he would be in boot camp at Fort Bennington in July. “He had some trouble in school,” she explained. “I’m trying to save him, because if you stay around here you can get bitter.”
Betsy had moved to Flint from Mississippi in search of opportunity when she was thirty-five. She joined her sister, who had already migrated north. Betsy’s time in Flint had not been easy. She was working at a restaurant and lounge on New Year’s Eve many years ago when she slipped while carrying a container of hot grease and suffered severe burns. She underwent five skin-graft surgeries on her neck and face. Although she won a $2.5 million judgment against the restaurant, she was never able to collect. “The restaurant didn’t have that kind of money,” she explained.
Betsy’s husband had died in 2007, not long after he retired from GM. The day of the funeral, she was sitting with Quasi when the puppy put its paws on her chest and Betsy felt a sharp pain. After a visit to the doctor, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Betsy had children in North Carolina and Georgia who wanted her to move in with them, but she was undecided. “I’m a survivor, but I’m not sure I can take care of this house,” she said. “Then again, I’m used to having a place of my own. All I’d have is a room at my kid’s house. I’m not sure which direction I’ll go. I’m just not sure if I’ll stay in Flint.”
Delarie was the only one of six children still living in Flint. “I’ll stay here as long as my mom stays,” she said. “I see this block as the soul of the neighborhood. Every night you hear shots from the other streets, but not on our street. But I still don’t leave home without my gun. I just feel better carrying it.”
She showed me her nine-millimeter handgun, a black Taurus Ultra Slim she kept loaded with hollow-point bullets. She carried it in a small holster on her waist. The gun shattered the reassuring sense of normalcy that had enveloped me, the feeling that Civic Park wasn’t that far removed from the place where I grew up, a neighborhood where three people could spend a pleasant afternoon sitting on the porch and talking without the need for firearms. She left the gun on the table, and it was distracting. I kept glancing at it.
“She’s concerned about my safety,” Betsy explained, sensing my discomfort.
“I’m concerned about my safety, too,” Delarie added.
I asked what they thought of Dan Kildee’s shrinking-city concept. It got a cold reaction, even from two residents who might leave the city to escape its problems. “There are parts of Flint where you can sit on your porch and see empty lots for two or three blocks,” Betsy said. “I don’t want that to happen here. That’s not going to help me. That’s just going to make me an easier target.”
Delarie repeated a persistent rumor. “You know the land bank is burning down houses all over the city to get rid of them.”
As so often happened in Flint, the glimmer of hope I had felt just twenty minutes earlier was fading away. Betsy and Delarie exhibited the contradictory feelings I discovered practically everywhere in the city. They defended their block and the memories they had created there. They were proud of this place. But they were also weary, and it was clear that it might not take all that much for them to join the Flint diaspora, to head to North Carolina or Georgia or Mississippi and leave the challenges of Civic Park behind.
“But what’s happening on this block to make it better?” I asked, trying to get back to a positive topic. “Why’s Milbourne different from all the other blocks?”
Betsy told me that a black congregation had taken over the once all-white church just around the corner. Community Presbyterian had given way to Joy Tabernacle. The pastor was named Sherman McCathern. “He’s doing everything he can to help,” she said. “And Dave Starr runs the block club. He’s trying hard, too. You should meet both of them.”
It turned out I was in luck. There was a block-club meeting scheduled for the next day.
Labels: books about Flint Michigan, Civic Park, Civic Park Centennial, Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City by Gordon Young
Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City by Gordon Young
The Ultimate List of Bars, Lounges, and Taverns
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This happens to be the most popular post in the history of Flint Expatriates, originally published March 19, 2008. I got the list via email...
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A postcard of the Farm Motel (above) at 3615 Clio Road in better days. More recent shots below from 2011, supplied by Jimmy Rutherford, c...
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The gangs of Flint
There's no doubt you'd be terrified if you saw this gang of toughs coming for you on the mean streets of Flint in 1972. From left to...
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New Year's Eve at the Capitol Theater
The Capitol Theatre lobby. (Photo courtesy of sarahrazak ) Here's a re-post from New Year's Eve last year with some good comments...
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This is 2406 Bassett Place, the former home of Art Bowden, the founder of King Arthur's Pasties. My old house is next door. You can see ...
"Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City" by Gordon Young
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"I grew up on the Eastside and recall the unexplained pride I felt when the 3:30 Buick factory whistle blew and the roughly dressed workers poured out of the General Motors labyrinth swinging their lunch pails. Some were headed for home and some for the corner bar, but all with the determined step of an army after a battle won. I somehow felt as if I were a part of this giant assembly line and the city it fed."
— Pat McFarlane Young, Flint Central Class of 1948
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Home » UEFA Europa League » You are reading »
Setien promises to be direct with Messi and Barcelona´s other stars
January 14, 2020 Setien promises to be direct with Messi and Barcelona´s other stars2020-01-14T15:15:00+00:00 - UEFA Europa League - No Comment
Quique Setien insists he will not be afraid to be direct with Lionel Messi and Barcelona’s other superstars, though he is confident his relationship with the squad will be excellent.
Setien was appointed as Barca’s new coach on Monday after the club elected to part ways with Ernesto Valverde despite being top of LaLiga.
It is by far the biggest role of the 61-year-old’s coaching career, with his most recent job being at Real Betis, who he left at the end of last season.
However, Setien has no doubt his attacking, possession-based style of play will suit Barca, though he is adamant hard work must always come first.
“I’ve spoken to the players and the willingness is extraordinary,” Setien said at a media presentation on Tuesday.
“I said not just to Messi but to others, that I’ve enjoyed watching this team and players on TV. They allowed me to really enjoy football, it’s been every day, every game.
“There’s always something that’s enjoyable to watch. Obviously today, being able to coach the best player in the world and his team-mates, I’m still not sure what that means.
“One thing is your admiration for someone, then there’s the reality – Messi is Messi, [Gerard] Pique is Pique, [Sergio] Busquets is Busquets, I’m sure my relationship will be extraordinary with everyone.
“They’ll see what I’m like, sincere and direct, I don’t beat around the bush, I say if I see something I don’t like, I try to fix it.
“We are sure we are going to understand each other very quickly because a lot of the things we will propose to them, they already know.
“Hard work is the most important. Conviction also, but real hard work. I will listen to everybody, but it is difficult to take out of my mind the ideas that I have and am convinced about.”
10 – Luis Suárez is one of the four players from the top five European leagues to record double figures for both goals (14) and assists (10) this season in all competitions, after tras Kylian Mbappé (19, 10), Ángel Di María (10, 12) and Jadon Sancho (12, 12). Injury. pic.twitter.com/5t4PctP3eF
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 14, 2020
One player Setien will be without for the immediate future is striker Luis Suarez, who is set to miss four months after undergoing knee surgery.
The coach is yet to decide how he will set his team up without such a crucial figure leading the line.
“We’ve a lot of things to talk about, so we’ve not had time to talk about this,” Setien, who oversaw training on Tuesday, added.
“We’ve not seen enough to analyse this perfectly, but I’m clear we’re always going to have a consensus in decision; they listen, I listen.
“We all make mistakes, we all get things right. We have an important player out, but we must think about the players we have got.
“We’ll possibly go 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, because that has been played a lot recently, but I’ll leave that to one side because we need to speak to the players.”
Rumour Has It: Lille´s Luis Campos to spurn Manchester United interest
Alcacer, Mariano and the ´short-term options´ Man Utd could target after Rashford injury
« Generation Amazing and KAS Eupen team up to deliver training session
Barcelona no longer chasing Olmo »
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Jarrett House North
Second verse, same as the first.
Grab bag: Presbyterian grace
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approves change in ordination standard
I’m very proud of my denomination tonight, for being the first Protestant denomination to permit LGBT ordination by democratic vote.
(tags: presbyterians gayrights christianity)
How Osama Bin Laden Changed America : The New Yorker
Like much else over the last ten years, Remnick goes from Osama to Obama in evaluating the change to the country.
(tags: america obama)
Innovative Consumption : The New Yorker
The interesting question that seems to be skipped in entrepreneurship classes is: why does entrepreneurship succeed in the US where it fails elsewhere? Part of the answer, which seems obvious when you say it aloud, is that consumers in the US are more willing to embrace novelty.
(tags: entrepreneurship)
An Algorithm for the Names at the 9/11 Memorial : The New Yorker
The design problems involved in presenting a meaningful memorial to the dead of 9/11. And yes, it’s a real problem; how much less impactful would the Vietnam Memorial be without that chronology of names?
(tags: design typography)
Douwe Osinga’s Blog: Leaving Google – part 2
Interesting cultural observations. They support the notion that Google is no longer nimble.
(tags: google entrepreneurship)
Philip Greenspun on the BlackBerry PlayBook
“Not useful as a computer; too light to serve as a doorstop. “
(tags: blackberry rim review schadenfreude)
Author Tim's BookmarksPosted on May 10, 2011 Categories linkblog
Previous Previous post: Grab bag: Secure yourself the NSA way
Next Next post: Grab bag: Dumping Trump
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Esta on Exfiltration Radio: Off Kilter Christmas
Esta on New Mix: How I feel on the inside
Eric on Ramagon 2: the toy in action
Dan on The return of Shannon Worrell
Mimi on The Colors of My Rainbow
When Colleges Sang: The Story of Singing in American College Life
by J Lloyd Winstead
The Ware Tetralogy
by Rudy Rucker
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NICE explains guidance in Lancet articles
March 3, 2008 Scrip
The National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence, which assesses healthcare technology for the national health service in England and Wales, is collaborating with The Lancet Oncology to publish background information on its anticancer appraisals. Recent guidance from the institute on the use of Roche's Mabthera (rituximab) in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is to be outlined in the April print issue of The Lancet Oncology, along with a special report on the appraisal committee's consideration of the evidence (Scrip No 3340, p 5). NICE hopes that Lancet readers will find the report "a useful aid to understanding how we make our assessments and decisions". The Lancet Oncology points out: "Medical journals can play an important part in communicating to a wider audience the workings behind decisions and announcements made by publicly funded organisations, thus giving an insight into how such decisions are made and helping to increase accountability." NICE says it has similar arrangements with other publications, including the British Medical Journal, the Health Service Journal and Pulse, adding that these help to bring information about its work to an appropriate audience. The Mabthera guidance is the first of what is intended as a series of articles on anticancer appraisals to be published in The Lancet Oncology. NICE says its agreement with the publication is non-commercial.
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Russia & human rights
https://www.hrw.org/europe/central-asia/russia
_https://freedomhouse.org/report/special-reports/human-rights-abuses-russian-occupied-crimea#.Vzs3ZbQrLIU
_https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/europe-and-central-asia/russian-federation/report-russian-federation/
_http://www.equality-network.org/our-work/campaigning/lgbt-human-rights-abuses-in-russia/
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/09/russia-lgbt-victimised-gay-propaganda-law-150914082614488.html
_http://www.globalequality.org/newsroom/latest-news/1-in-the-news/186-the-facts-on-lgbt-rights-in-russia
Banana Trade (global issue)
http://www.bananalink.org.uk/the-problem-with-bananas
http://www.scq.ubc.ca/global-issues-for-breakfast-the-banana-industry-and-its-problems-faq-cohen-mix/
__http://qz.com/164029/tropical-race-4-global-banana-industry-is-killing-the-worlds-favorite-fruit/
Amazonian deforestation & indigenous rights
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/last-of-amazon/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/WorldOfChange/deforestation.php
_http://news.discovery.com/earth/plants/amazon-deforestation-could-cause-extreme-droughts-151113.htm
http://www.pachamama.org/indigenous-rights
http://amazonwatch.org/work/advancing-indigenous-rights
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/12/131222-amazon-kayapo-indigenous-tribes-deforestation-environment-climate-rain-forest/
Indian Slums
http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/93/11/15-155473/en/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/india-slums/
http://in.reuters.com/article/india-landrights-slums-idINKCN0XM1Z3
http://blog.amnestyusa.org/escr/mumbais-urban-slums-ground-zero-for-human-dignity/
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indias-housing-law-should-be-based-on-human-rights-UN-official/articleshow/51957512.cms
Haiti - Medical/political crisis
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/haiti-political-crisis-michel-martelly-robert-fatton_us_56bb50b6e4b0c3c5504f8190
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/02/haiti-installs-interim-government-crisis-160207050702114.html
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/diseases/dengue
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/02/syrias-refugee-crisis-in-numbers/
__https://www.worldvision.org/wv/news/Syria-war-refugee-crisis-FAQ
http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/syria-refugee-crisis/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-28755033
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2016/ebola-zero-liberia/en/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-10681249
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/02/world/americas/mexico-drug-war-fast-facts/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/mexico-drug-war-violence/
http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/mexico#sthash.quSeVlXE.dpbs
Niger Delta Environmental Damage
http://platformlondon.org/nigeria/Counting_the_Cost.pdf
http://www.unep.org/science/chief-scientist/Activities/DisastersandConflicts/OilPollutionintheNigerDeltaNigeria.aspx
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/05/group-urges-buhari-to-address-environmental-degradation-in-ndelta/
AIDS in Africa
http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-sub-saharan-africa.htm
http://www.who.int/gender-equity-rights/en/
http://www.unicef.org/esaro/5482_HIV_AIDS.html
http://www.unicef.org/sowc08/docs/sowc08_panel_2_8.pdf
Yemen stability & human rights
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/208632.pdf
http://www.unicef.org/mena/media_9365.html
http://www.hrw.org/middle-eastn-africa/yemen
http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2014/country-chapters/yemen
http://www.hrdreport.fco.gov.uk/yemen/
Women's Rights: Nicaragua, Colombia, & Mexico
http://centerwomenpolicy.org/programs/health/statepolicy/documents/repro_time_for_change.pdf
http://pulitzercenter.org/reporting/central-america-nicaragua-domestic-sexual-abuse-women-children-f
http://www.amnestyusa.org/research/reports/annual-report-nicaragua-2013
http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/mexico-fails-to-tackle-increased-levels-of-violence-against-women
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/05/13/dispatches-victory-colombia-s-sexual-violence-victims
Child Soldiers (Mali, Chad, Somalia, & Uganda)
http://answersafrica.com/child-soldiers-in-africa.html
http://www.irinnews.org/report/92249/somalia-recruitment-of-child-soldiers-on-the-increase
https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-child-soldiers
http://www.child-soldiers.org/country_reader.php
Tibetan Independence & Oppression
http://freetibet.org/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-16689779
http://www.firstpost.com/india/pm-modi-should-have-stood-up-to-china-bullying-says-tibetan-community-2247804.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/21/11th-panchan-lama_n_7107254.html
Women's Rights Iran
http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/womens-rights.html
http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2014/country-chapters/iran
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/iran-womens-rights/
http://www.alexiafoundation.org/stories/iranian-people-ordinary-or-criminals
http://www.iranhumanrights.org/category/issues/womens-rights/
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/02/iran-sharia-womens-rights-equality.html#
West African Child Trafficking (cocoa industry)
http://www.hrw.org/news/2003/04/01/west-africa-stop-trafficking-child-labor
http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/insight7.pdf
http://www.irinnews.org/report/47205/west-africa-traffickers-hold-thousands-of-children-women-in-bondage
http://www.foodispower.org/slavery-chocolate/
http://www.antislavery.org/english/slavery_today/child_slavery/child_trafficking_in_cocoa_industry_in_west_africa/default.aspx
Darfur Genocide & continued conflict
http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/02/11/sudan-mass-rape-army-darfur
http://time.com/3834434/sudan-darfur-rebels-civilians-photos/
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article55012
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/02/11/385553675/human-rights-watch-documents-mass-rapes-in-darfur
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/horn-of-africa/sudan/b110-the-chaos-in-darfur.aspx
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11610482/Tide-of-Syria-civil-war-turns-against-Assad-as-rebels-make-sweeping-gains.html
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/25/foreign-jihadis-syrian-civil-war-assad
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30005807
Roma forced evictions & discrimination in Europe
http://www.fightdiscrimination.eu/category/discrimination-vocabulary/roma/forced-evictions
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/21/world/europe/roma-discrimination/
http://www.amnesty.ie/content/forced-evictions
http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/roma/index_en.htm
http://www.voanews.com/content/murder-convictions-higlight-roma-discrimination-in-europe/1724737.html
https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/news/2014/10/france-bobigny-forced-eviction-set-leave-roma-families-homeless/
Captions for this video are in English but you must click the CC button for them to come up. If it does not work in this browser you must follow the link to YouTube to have the captions
Aboriginal Rights in Australia
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-social-justice/guides/information-sheet-social
http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/reconciliation
https://www.wcl.american.edu/hrbrief/v6i3/aboriginal.htm
http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/?
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/feb/06/australias-journey-indigenous-rights
http://www.minorityrights.org/4422/new-zealand/maori.html
http://www.libertyandhumanity.com/themes/other-themes/maori-and-human-rights-in-new-zealand/
Uganda Human Rights Issues
https://www.hrw.org/africa/uganda
http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2014/country-chapters/uganda
http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/countries/africa/uganda
http://www.uhrc.ug/
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154375.htm
https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/news/2014/05/uganda-anti-homosexuality-act-prompts-arrests-attacks-evictions-flight/
Democratic Republic of Congo Genocide (child soldiers & government instability)
http://worldwithoutgenocide.org/genocides-and-conflicts/congo
http://www.responsibilitytoprotect.org/index.php/crises/crisis-in-drc
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-11108589
http://www.genocidewatch.org/drofcongo.html
http://www.globalissues.org/article/87/the-democratic-republic-of-congo
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jan/14/drc-conflict-children-fear-violence-clashes-continue
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/1/16/congo-hutu-war.html
Somalia Genocide & Lasting Impact
http://worldwithoutgenocide.org/genocides-and-conflicts/somalia
https://www.hrw.org/africa/somalia
http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2015/country-chapters/somalia
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/AfricaRegion/Pages/SOIndex.aspx
Women's Rights - Egypt
http://www.juancole.com/2015/02/itself-womens-rights.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/egypt-womens-rights/
http://www.modernegypt.info/national-developments/womens-rights/
Iranian Nuclear Program
http://www.nti.org/country-profiles/iran/
http://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/politics-irans-nuclear-program
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/iran-nuclear-program/
http://www.iranintelligence.com/program-history
Egyptian Corruption
Jehovah's Witnesses are targeted by Russian Government
_https://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/by-region/russia/
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/jehovah-s-witnesses-targeted-under-russias-anti-extremism-laws-simply-for-practising-their-pacifist-a6756506.html
Abductions in Mexico
_https://travel.state.gov/content/childabduction/en/country/mexico.html
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/2/1/1361247/-The-Epidemic-of-Kidnapping-Ransom-and-Murder-in-Mexico-Hits-Home
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Kidnapping-in-Mexico-Increased-by-30-in-June-20150716-0003.html
_http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/With-thousands-of-abductions-in-Mexico-families-6516191.php
https://news.vice.com/article/young-women-abducted-mexico-guadalajara-jalisco
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/10/17/krokodil-pictures-facts_n_4113477.html
_http://www.drugs.com/illicit/krokodil.html
_http://www.narconon.org/drug-information/krokodil.html
http://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2013/12/10/why-are-millions-addicted-to-a-drug-that-eats-the-flesh-off-their-bones/#d0dbf722735b
Olympics & connections to corruption/human rights violations
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/08/rio-olympics-2016-human-rights-violations-report
__http://www.si.com/more-sports/2015/12/08/2016-rio-olympics-human-rights-violations-widespread
http://www.esquire.com/sports/news/a40287/2016-rio-olympics-human-rights-violations/
http://www.france24.com/en/20160516-Japan-pledges-cooperate-French-probe-Olympics-corruption
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-rio-corruption-exclusive-idUSKCN0XG2GR
Rights of Women (Economic Power) in Latin America
http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_237488/lang--en/index.htm
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTLACREGTOPPOVANA/Resources/GAP_Lessons_Learned.pdf
Human Rights in Sultanate of Brunei
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/30/sultan-brunei-sharia-penal-code-flogging-death-stoning
http://thediplomat.com/2015/05/the-implications-of-bruneis-sharia-law/
http://www.dw.com/en/sharia-in-brunei-the-sultans-new-laws/a-17627008
http://iheu.org/new-sharia-law-harsh-penalties-worse-to-come-bruneis-human-rights-review/
North Africa Refugee/Migrant Crisis
http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e45ac86.html
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/refugee-crisis-focus-shifts-to-north-africa-a-1089536.html
_http://www.unicef.org/appeals/mena.html
_http://www.ibtimes.com/european-refugee-crisis-2015-why-so-many-people-are-fleeing-middle-east-north-africa-2081454
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-european-union-20150915-story.html
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/09/18/world/americas/cuba-state.html?_r=0
https://www.hrw.org/americas/cuba
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/cuba/2013-06-11/cuba-after-communism
Black Market Organ Trade (Asia)
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-33844080
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/10/kidney-worlds-biggest-organ-market-151007074725022.html
http://www.thenational.ae/world/southeast-asia/risk-of-a-new-organ-trafficking-route-in-south-east-asia
http://www.cdc.gov/zika/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36184799
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en/
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/19/world/africa/boko-haram-militants-raped-hundreds-of-female-captives-in-nigeria.html?_r=0
http://www.theguardian.com/world/boko-haram
http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/boko_haram.html
http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2015/02/what-isis-really-wants/384980/
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/11/-sp-isis-the-inside-story
Russia/Crimea/Ukraine
http://www.cbsnews.com/ukraine-crisis/
Child Marriage in Pakistan
http://www.irinnews.org/report/33985/pakistan-child-marriages-on-the-rise-across-rural-sindh
http://www.girlsnotbrides.org/child-marriage/pakistan/
http://www.icrw.org/child-marriage-facts-and-figures
http://www.isj.org.pk/child-marriages-in-pakistan/
Child Brides of India & South Asia
http://www.reproductiverights.org/sites/crr.civicactions.net/files/documents/ChildMarriage_BriefingPaper_Web.pdf
http://www.alexiafoundation.org/stories/undesired-violence-against-women-in-india
http://www.alexiafoundation.org/stories/the-bride-price-child-marriage-in-india?gclid=Cj0KEQjw4fCqBRDM1ZKhk5jfo6IBEiQAZQ97OOM6gHSCwGBiuyzcu9FCivxd5jzQE_aFwoujr5gulr8aAg728P8HAQ
Child Marriage in West & Central Africa
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_68114.html
_http://vowsofpoverty.care.org/
http://www.girlsnotbrides.org/child-marriage/central-african-republic/
http://www.icrw.org/what-we-do/adolescents/child-marriage
http://www.girlsnotbrides.org/mapping-child-marriage-in-west-africa-new-ford-foundation-study/
Landmines of Laos
http://lao-foundation.org/learn-about-laos/unexploded-ordnance-landmines/
http://legaciesofwar.org/
http://www.maginternational.org/where-mag-works/laos/#.VVvZEEbl_3w
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2012/jul/06/landmines-toll-civilians-laos-bombs
North Korean Human Rights violations & nuclear proliferation
http://www.hrw.org/nkorea
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rape-torture-and-starvation-u-n-shines-light-on-north-koreas-human-rights/
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/issues/North-Korea
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/17/north-korea-human-rights-abuses-united-nations
http://www.nti.org/country-profiles/north-korea/nuclear/
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/07/world/meast/irans-nuclear-capabilities-fast-facts/
Water Crisis: Kenya, Uganda, & Ethiopia
http://water.org/country/uganda/
http://water.org/country/ethiopia/
https://scienceimpact.mit.edu/sites/default/files/documents/Water%20Crisis%20Mideast.pdf
http://pulitzercenter.org/blog/this-week-uganda-water-sanitation-crisis-uigher
Water Crisis: [environmental crisis -bauxite mines]: India & Bangladesh
http://www.bangladeshenvironment.com/
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/08/how-water-shortages-lead-food-crises-conflicts
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/08/india-uranium-mining-sparks-crisis-2014810113718812574.html
http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/content/398293/bangladesh-state-of-environment-report-the-monthly-overview-april-2014/
http://www.sos-arsenic.net/english/environment/ganges.html
China - Human Rights/Urbanization/Environment
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/world/asia/26china.html?hp&_r=0
http://www.cfr.org/china/chinas-environmental-crisis/p12608
http://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2014/10/13/the-unrest-in-hong-kong-and-chinas-bigger-urban-crisis/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/china-pollution/
http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/03/08/391056439/why-chinas-pollution-could-be-behind-our-cold-snowy-winters
FIFA - Human Rights issues
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/25/revealed-qatars-world-cup-slaves
http://business-humanrights.org/en/major-sporting-events/human-rights-abuses-related-to-the-2014-fifa-world-cup-and-2016-olympic-games-in-brazil
http://business-humanrights.org/en/major-sporting-events/labour-rights-and-the-qatar-world-cup-2022
http://www.vigeo.com/csr-rating-agency/images/stories/Tribune_JL.pdf
http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2014/country-chapters/qatar
Burmese Genocide
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/inside-burma-hidden-genocide-2863
http://www.ushmm.org/confront-genocide/cases/burma
http://endgenocide.org/conflict-areas/burma/
http://www.genocidewatch.org/myanmar.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/tun-khin/rohingya-genocide-burma-being-ignored_b_5254141.html
Nepalese Earthquake
http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/apr/26/nepal-earthquake-new-footage-shows-extent-of-damage-video
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/26/nepal-earthquake-death-toll_n_7148726.html
Afghanistan human rights violations
http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2014/country-chapters/afghanistan
http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/countries/asia-and-the-pacific/afghanistan
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1ufpae_rights-violation-against-women-on-the-rise-in-afghanistan_news
Sri Lanka War Crimes & Genocide
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31844796
http://www.channel4.com/news/sri-lanka-civil-war
http://thediplomat.com/2015/02/with-un-war-crimes-report-delay-sri-lanka-must-deliver-on-post-war-accountability/
http://worldwithoutgenocide.org/genocides-and-conflicts/sri-lanka
http://www.tamilsagainstgenocide.org/
Human-trafficking of Women
http://www.uri.edu/artsci/wms/hughes/pakistan.htm
http://www.wvi.org/pakistan/article/modern-day-slavery-pakistan-women-child-trafficking
http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/Pakistan.htm
http://www.ungift.org/docs/ungift/pdf/world/INDIA.pdf
http://www.protectionproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Bangladesh2.pdf
http://www.unodc.org/documents/human-trafficking/2011/Responses_to_Human_Trafficking_in_Bangladesh_India_Nepal_and_Sri_Lanka.pdf
http://www.humantrafficking.org/countries/cambodia
http://thediplomat.com/2014/07/cambodias-ongoing-human-trafficking-problem/
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2013/12/world/cambodia-child-sex-trade/
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Jobs in Bronx, NY
Morrell Wine Bar & Cafe
HomeAdvisor Bronx,NY
Located in Rockefeller Center, Morrell Wine Bar & Cafe seeks sommeliers to join our growing team. Our menu is French/Mediterranean inspired and is complimented by an award winning wine list including an extensive by the glass program with over 100...
Morrell Wine Bar & Cafe New York,NY
Shipt is a membership-based marketplace that helps people get the things they need, like fresh produce and household essentials, from stores they trust. Help people save time and have fun while you're at it - there's never been a better time to...
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COMPANY OVERVIEW Mini-Circuits designs, manufactures and distributes integrated circuits, modules, and sub-systems for high performance radio frequency (RF) and microwave applications. With design, sales and manufacturing locations in over 30...
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Trade floor support
Duties:Receive and respond to incoming phone calls, tickets, and e-mail requests for support.Submit, assign, and monitor tickets in Service Now queue. Prioritize the workload based on sensitivity and impact, follow up on open tickets to make sure...
Capital Markets Placement New York,NY
La Pecora Bianca is looking for full time experienced cooks to join our opening team at Bryant Park! We are looking for a dedicated crew of cooks who are committed to quality and believe in the importance of doing simple things well.
La Pecora Bianca New York,NY
Quality Eats UES, the modern, steak-centric twist on the classic neighborhood joint is seeking Line Cooks!We provide you!- A real career in the restaurant industry.- An...
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Maitre D
Quality Bistro, bustling brasserie-style French Steakhouse, is seeking a Maitre D! Quality Bistro is the newest concept for Quality Branded. Looking to join a Rockstar team? Apply now!Do you eat to live or are you...
Quality Bistro New York,NY
Rule of Thirds is a brand new Japanese restaurant opening in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, by Sunday Hospitality Group, the team behind Sunday in Brooklyn, Pilot (LA) and Sibling Rivalry (LA).Launching in February, we are now...
Rule of Thirds Brooklyn,NY
About HaSalon: HaSalon comes to New York from Chef Eyal Shani (@eyaltomato), a renowned Israeli chef with 17 restaurants worldwide. HaSalon, the group's newest offering in Hell's Kitchen, offers two...
HaSalon New York,NY
Junior Sous Chef
Catria Modern Italian, a new concept located in the Marriott Courtyard Hudson Yards, is seeking a Junior Sous Chef!If you are interested in taking the first step in your culinary career, we would like to meet with you! Please put the...
Catria Modern Italian New York,NY
Saraghina Brooklyn is looking for a Part-Time Line Cook! We are a high volume Italian restaurant, churning out woodfired pizzas, house-made pastas and small plates. Attached to the restaurant are our sister...
Saraghina Brooklyn,NY
Little Beet TableLBT is a lively and convivial place to gather with friends and eat approachable, delicious and nourishing food and drinks. We believe in making wholesome food that is accessible and crave-able and we truly...
Little Beet Table - New York New York,NY
Pastry Cook
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Your responsibilities will include but not be limited to: - Managing a staff of 10 to 15 cooks - Training BOH staff - Ordering and maintaining food...
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Shipt College Point,NY
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edited by John Madeley
edited by Carl Rayer
attachment from Carl Rayer
Millennium Summit Falls Far Short of Needs
Home > Features >
Western greed stalls trade talks
AFTER the collapse of trade talks in Geneva — called to try to finalise the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) long-running Doha Round — the question is whether the poor can ever get a return from world trade that will help their development efforts.
The Doha Round was launched in November 2001, and was supposed to be a development round. It followed the collapse of the WTO ministerial meeting in Seattle in 1999, when developing countries insisted that the trade liberalisation that the West wanted was not helping people to escape from poverty. Development, it seemed, was back on the agenda. But not for long.
As the Doha Round negotiations got under way, it soon became clear that Western countries still hankered after a free-trade, not a development, agenda. This was a betrayal of what had been agreed in Doha. The round was supposed to have been concluded by the end of 2004, but has since limped on.
The immediate issue over which the Geneva talks collapsed is known as the Special Safeguard Mechanism. While this may sound technical, it goes to the very heart of what the Doha Round was meant to be all about — people’s livelihoods.
The mechanism is a system that allows developing countries to raise their import tariffs to safeguard their farmers’ livelihoods if imports surge above a certain level. Western countries want the mechanism to work in a manner that developing countries find unacceptable. On the West’s terms, developing countries would be allowed to safeguard products only after they had imported a considerable volume. It could mean that, for some products, domestic production would be wiped out before they could stop imports.
“We cannot put at stake the livelihood security of one billion people,” said India’s Commerce Minister, Kamal Nath. He was willing to negotiate commerce, he said, “but not livelihood security”.
The Special Safeguard Mechanism is, however, only one of the issues in the Doha talks which affect the livelihoods of the poor. There are several other key differences between rich and poor on which the Doha Round was in difficulty. These include the thorny issue of Western countries’ farm subsidies, and rules on manufactured goods and the service industries, and also on specific products such as bananas and cotton.
One of the arguments used by Western governments to try to secure a Doha Round agreement on free-trade terms was the gains that they said would come to developing countries from opening up markets. Gordon Brown has said, for example, that “opening up Western agricultural markets would be worth $15 billion a year to the poorest countries.”
In terms of helping the poor, however, these figures mean very little: they are largely an illusion.
“When huge gains are attributable to trade reforms,” says the leading economist Jeffrey Sachs, “we need to look at the fine print: almost all those gains accrue to the richest countries and the middle-income countries, not the poorest countries, and especially not the poorest countries in Africa.”
After almost seven years of negotiations, developing countries are still being offered nothing that would correct the unfair rules of inter?national trade. Unless Western countries recognise the injustice that poorer countries feel, and the depth of feeling about it, the Doha Round is dead. And there is a big question mark over the WTO.
Radical changes will be needed if the WTO is to handle the pressing concerns that affect the poor. The WTO does not cover trade issues such as the volatile prices for primary commodities on which many of the poor depend. It has no brief to control the power of transnational agribusiness. It is not geared up to to deal with rising food and fuel prices or the rapid expansion of biofuels.
But, whatever the forum for negotiations, should developing countries wait any longer for the West to offer changes in trade rules and procedures which would help their development?
There is also the question why developing countries, where people are often short of food, should use their land to grow food for export to feed the already well-fed in the West. Is this not Robin Hood in reverse? If prices are good, there is a case for exporting agricultural products, provided that farmers really benefit. But it is far more likely to be traders, the transnational corporations, who reap most of the gains.
Alternative approaches are being sought. There is, for example, growing interest in food sovereignty. Food sovereignty is about growing food for local people rather than for export, ensuring that the farmers rather than transnational corporations are in control of what they farm and how they farm. It is about ensuring that communities have the right to define their food and agricultural policies to suit their own social and economic circumstances, in line with their cultures and environments. It encourages local investment in local markets, and genuine agrarian reform.
More people in developing countries are also looking to the fairtrade market, which is setting a new pace for international trade.
In 2007, the volume of Fairtrade goods sold in Britain was more than double that in 2006. Fairtrade products have now expanded far beyond food and drink. The question is increasingly being asked: why cannot all trade be fair trade? The opposite of fair trade is unfair trade.
Trade has a part to play in development, but only if it is conducted on terms that are seen to be just.
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Nine out of 10 Koreans live in cities
By Yonhap
Published : Aug 29, 2017 - 14:42 Updated : Aug 29, 2017 - 14:42
Nine out of 10 South Koreans lived in cities that accounted for only 17 percent of the overall national territory last year, the transport ministry said Tuesday.
In 2016, 47.47 million people, or 91.8 percent, of the country's total population of 51.7 million resided in Seoul and other cities, according to data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Areas categorized as cities stood at 17,609.5 square meters, or 16.6 percent, of the overall territory measured at 106,059.8 square meters last year, the statement said.
The ratio of city residents continued to rise in the past decades as people moved to cities for better education and job opportunities. It jumped from 39 percent in 1960, to 50 percent in 1970, 70 percent in 1980, 80 percent in 1990 and 90 percent in 2000, it said. (Yonhap)
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All about satellites
There are two generations of active Meteosat satellites, Meteosat First Generation (MFG) and Meteosat Second
Generation (MSG), providing images of the full Earth disc, and data for weather forecasts.
Today, weather satellites scan the whole Earth, meaning not a single tropical storm or severe weather system goes undetected. The early detection and warnings they provide have saved thousands of lives.
Meteosat data is of unique value to nowcasting of high impact weather in support of safety of life and property.
It has been shown to improve weather forecasts and severe weather warnings which, in turn helps limit damage to property and benefits industry e.g. transport, agriculture and energy.
In geostationary orbit 36,000 km above the equator, the Meteosat satellites — Meteosat-7, -8, -9 and -10 — operate over Europe and Africa. Meteosat-10 (launched from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou in 2012) is the prime operational geostationary satellite, positioned at 0 degrees and providing full disc imagery every 15 minutes. Meteosat-9 (launched on 2005) provides the Rapid Scanning Service, delivering more frequent images every five minutes over parts of Europe, Africa and adjacent seas.
Meteosat-8 (launched in 2002) serves as a back up to both spacecraft. Meteosat-7 (launched in 1997) is the last of the first generation of Meteosat satellites and operates over the Indian Ocean, filling a data gap over the region until it is de-orbited in 2017.
These services are vital to ensure the safety of lives, property and infrastructure, particularly in situations of severe weather.
Each Meteosat satellite is expected to remain in orbit, in an operable condition for at least seven years. The current policy is to keep two operable satellites
in orbit and to launch a new satellite close to the date when the fuel in the elder of the two starts to run out. After the end of the MSG lifetime there will be a follow-on series
Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) will see the launch of four new satellites from 2018
The MTG system is being established through cooperation between EUMETSAT and the European Space Agency (ESA). ESA has already contributed to the initial research and development of the new satellites. The first MTG-I and MTG-S prototypes are being developed by ESA as part of its MTG programme. The EUMETSAT MTG programme includes the procurement of the four recurrent satellites — three MTG-Is and one additional MTG-S — as well as six launches; the development of the ground segment, and the operations of all satellites.
Breaking with tradition, the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) is based on three axes stabilised platforms rather than the spin stabilised platforms of the first and second generation satellites. The advantage of having three axes stabilised platforms is that the instruments will be pointed at the Earth for 100% of their in orbit time, a prerequisite for the operation of sounding instruments.
The satellite series comprise four imaging and two sounding satellites. The imaging satellites, MTG-I, will fly the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) and the Lightning Imager (LI), an imaging lightning detection instrument. The sounding satellites, MTG-S, include an interferometer, the Infra-red Sounder (IRS), with hyper-spectral resolution in the thermal spectral domain, and the Sentinel-4 instrument, the high resolution Ultraviolet Visible Near-infrared (UVN) spectrometer.
The prime objective of the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) Metop mission series is to provide continuous, long-term datasets, in support of operational meteorological and environmental forecasting and global climate monitoring.
The EPS programme consists of a series of three polar orbiting Metop satellites, to be flown successively for more than 14 years, from 2006, together with the relevant ground facilities.
The launch of Metop has brought about a new era in the way the Earth's weather, climate and environment are observed and will significantly improve operational meteorology, in particular Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP).
NWP is the basis of all modern global and regional weather forecasting. The data generated by the instruments carried by Metop can be assimilated directly into NWP models to compute forecasts ranging from a few hours up to 10 days ahead. Measurements from infrared and microwave radiometers and sounders on board Metop provide NWP models with crucial information on the global atmospheric temperature and humidity structure, with a high vertical and horizontal resolution.
EPS also ensures continuity in the long-term monitoring of factors known to play an important role in climate change, for example changing patterns in the distribution of global cloud, snow and ice cover, and ocean surface temperatures and winds. In particular, the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) instrument has the ability to detect and accurately measure the levels and circulation patterns of gases that are known to influence the climate, such as carbon dioxide. This heralds a breakthrough in the global monitoring of the climate. The data collected by IASI feeds into the models, for the first time showing the variable global distribution of carbon dioxide as a function of seasons and circulation anomalies such as the Southern Oscillation (also known as El Niño) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO).
The Metop satellites carry a payload of eight instruments for observing the planet, together with a range of communications and support services. A core set of instruments for atmospheric sounding and Earth imaging is identical to those flown on the NOAA satellites.
NOAA-N
The NOAA-N Prime Mission
The NOAA-N Prime satellite renamed NOAA-19, built for NASA by Lockheed Martin, will improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world. NOAA-N Prime is the fifth and last in the current series of five polar-orbiting satellites with improved imaging and sounding capabilities.
The satellite will collect meteorological data and transmit the information to NOAA's Satellite and Information Service, which processes the data for input to the National Weather Service for its long-range weather and climate forecasts. Forecasters worldwide also will be able to access the satellite's images and data.
NOAA-N Prime has sensors that will be used in the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System to monitor for distress signals around the world.
NOAA-N Prime carries a suite of instruments that provides data for weather and climate predictions. Like its predecessors, NOAA-N Prime provides global images of clouds and surface features and vertical profiles of atmospheric temperature and humidity for use in numerical weather and ocean forecast models, as well as data on ozone distribution in the upper part of the atmosphere, and near-Earth space environments—information important for the marine, aviation, power generation, agriculture, and other communities. The NOAA-N Prime primary instruments —theAdvanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR/3), High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS/4), and the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU-A)—were all designed for a three-year mission. The Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Spectral Radiometer (SBUV/2) was designed for a two-year mission, and the Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) was designed for a five-year mission.
Sensors on MSG
altitude: 36 000 km
inclination: 0.3°
orbit: Geosynchronous (geostationary)
satellites: Meteosat-8: 13/08/2002 – operational
Meteosat-9: 21/12/2005 - operational
The two main instruments on board MSG satellites are the SEVIRI and GERB radiometers.
SEVIRI (Spinning Enhanced Visible & Infrared Imager) is able to supply, at intervals of 15 minutes (compared to 30 with the first generation), images of the hemisphere observed by the satellite in 12 different visible and infrared wavelengths (a fourfold increase). This enrichment of the spectrum of observations was a major advance, making for improvement of numerical climate modelling. By delivering data at twice the previous frequency, MSG satellites make it easier for climatologists and meteorologists to detect the start of sudden weather phenomena, such as snow, thunderstorms and fog. With the improvement of image resolution in the visible spectrum, to 1 km from 2.5 km previously, observation and monitoring of local phenomena have been improved as well.
VIS 0,6 0,56 - 0,71 µm
IR 1,6 1,50 - 1,78 µm
IR 10,8 9,80 - 11,80 µm
IR 12,0 11,00 - 13,00 µm
WV 6,2 5,35 - 7,15 µm
High Res VIS,1 km: HRV 0,5 - 0,9 µm
The GERB (Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget) radiometer supplies crucial data on the Earth's radiation budget - the balance between the incoming radiation from the sun and the radiation returned to space. The radiation budget, about which much has yet to be learnt, plays a key role in climate change.
Sensors on MTG
Flexible Combined Imager
The Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) on the MTG-I satellite will continue the very successful operation of the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) on Meteosat Second Generation (MSG). The satellite’s three axes stabilised platform will be capable of providing additional channels with better spatial, temporal and radiometric resolution, compared to the current MSG satellites.
Requirements for the FCI have been formulated by regional and global Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and Nowcasting communities. These requirements are reflected in the design which allows for Full Disk Scan (FDS), with a basic repeat cycle of 10 minutes, and a European Regional-Rapid-Scan (RRS) which covers of one-quarter of the full disk with a repeat cycle of 2.5 minutes. The FCI takes measurement in 16 channels of which eight are placed in the solar spectral domain between 0.4 µm to 2.1 µm, delivering data with a 1 km spatial resolution. The additional eight channels are in the thermal spectral domain between 3.8 µm to 13.3 µm, delivering data with a 2 km spatial resolution. In the RRS mode there will be two additional channels in the solar domain, with a spatial resolution of 0.5 km, and two in the thermal domain, with a spatial resolution of 1 km.
Centre Wavelength, Δ0
Spectral Width, Δλ0
Spatial Sampling Distance (SSD)
VIS 0.4 0.444 µm 0.060 µm 1.0 km
VIS 0.5 0.510 µm 0.040 µm [TBC] 1.0 km
VIS 0.6 0.640 µm [TBC] 0.050 µm [TBC] 1.0 km; 0.5 km*
VIS 0.8 0.865 µm [TBC] 0.040 µm [TBC] 1.0 km
NIR 1.3 1.380 µm [TBC] 0.030 µm [TBC] 1.0 km
NIR 1.6 1.610 µm 0.050 µm 1.0 km
NIR 2.2 2.250 µm [TBC] 0.050 µm [TBC] 1.0 km; 0.5 km*
IR 3.8 (TIR) 3.800 µm 0.400 µm 2.0 km; 1.0 km*
WV 6.3 6.300 µm 1.000 µm 2.0 km
IR 8.7 (TIR) 8.700 µm 0.400 µm 2.0 km
IR 9.7 (O3) 9.660 µm 0.300 µm 2.0 km
IR 10.5 (TIR) 10.500 µm 0.700 µm 2.0 km; 1.0 km*
IR 12.3 (TIR) 12.300 µm 0.500 µm 2.0 km
IR 13.3 (CO2) 13.300 µm 0.600 µm 2.0 km
* The channels VIS 0.6, NIR 2.2, IR 3.8 and IR 10.5 are delivered in both FDS and RRS sampling configurations, the latter is indicated by * in the table.
With the FCI on-board the MTG-I satellites, Europe will continue to play the leading role in imaging radiometry from the geostationary orbit in the decades to come.
Lightning Imager
The Lightning Imager (LI) will offer improvements for Nowcasting by delivering information on total lightning (Inter Cloud – IC and Cloud to Ground - CG). The instrument will bring full hemispheric near real-time total lightning detection capabilities.
The benefit of the LI mission is that it will continuously and simultaneously observe total lightning over the hemisphere, providing the information to the users with an extremely high timeliness. One method of assessing the impact of climate change on thunderstorm activity is to globally monitor and long-term analyse the lightning characteristics, which would require a long-term stable and spatially homogeneous lightning observing system. Lightning is a major source of harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the atmosphere. NOx plays a key role in the ozone conversion process and acid rain generation. A detailed knowledge of the global distribution of the total lightning (CG + IC) is a prerequisite for studying and monitoring the physical and chemical processes in the atmosphere regarding NOx. Lightning observations from the geostationary orbit, delivered with spatially homogenous and well-characterised quality, are specifically suited to support these climate and atmospheric chemistry applications.
The LI on MTG will compliment the two NOAA GLMs (Geostationary Lightning Mapper) on the GOES-R and the GOES-S satellites, thus contributing, in the long term, to near global coverage.
Infrared Sounder
The Infrared Sounder (IRS) on MTG-S will be able to provide unprecedented information on horizontally, vertically, and temporally (4-dimensional) resolved water vapour and temperature structures of the atmosphere.
Retrieving highly resolved vertical structures of humidity (~2 km resolution with 10% accuracy) and temperature (~1 km with 0.5° - 1.5° accuracy) by remote sensing techniques does require measurements within the water vapour and CO2 absorption bands with extremely high spectral resolution and accuracy. The IRS is based on an imaging Fourier-interferometer with a hyperspectral resolution of 0.625 cm-1 wave-number, taking measurements in two bands, the Long-Wave InfraRed (LWIR) and the Mid-Wave InfraRed (MWIR), with a spatial resolution of 4 km. The IRS will deliver over the Full Disk in the LWIR (700 – 1210 cm-1 or 14.3 – 8.3 µm) 800 spectral channels and in the MWIR (1600 – 2175 cm-1 or 6.25 – 4.6 µm) 920 channels with a basic repeat cycle of 60 min.
The IRS includes the ozone band within LWIR and the carbon monoxide band within MWIR. This will allow measurement within the free troposphere, leading to information on enhanced levels of pollution in the boundary layer below. By providing operational measurements of carbon monoxide and ozone, IRS will also make a significant contribution to the space segment of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative.
Ultraviolet Sounder
The Ultraviolet, Visible and Near-Infrared Sounding (UVN) instrument is a Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) Sentinel 4 instrument designed for geostationary chemistry applications. It will fly on board the MTG-S satellites. Funding for the UVN is provided by the European Commission in cooperation with European Space Agency (ESA).
The UVN is a spectrometer taking measurements in the ultraviolet (UV: 305 – 400 nm), the visible (VIS: 400 – 500 nm) and the near infrared (NIR: 755 – 775 nm) with a spatial resolution of better than 10 km. Its observations are restricted to Earth area coverage, from 30 to 65º N in latitude and 30º W to 45º E in longitude. The observation repeat cycle period will be shorter than or equal to one hour.
ESA is responsible for the definition of the Sentinel 4 mission and provision of the UVN Instrument, whereas EUMETSAT takes responsibility for the operational processing, delivery and management of the instrument data.
For further information on the sensors installed in the MTG follow this link: https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/m/meteosat-third-generation
Sensors on MetOp
For further information on the sensors installed in the Metop follow this link:https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/m/metop
Sensors on NOAA-N
For further information on the sensors installed in the Metop follow this link:https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/n/noaa-poes-series-5th-generation
Information on the status of our geostationary and polar satelllites and the data.
http://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/Data/ServiceStatus/index.html
User Notification Service
EUMETSAT EO PORTAL
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Greece Main Attractions
Attractions / April 12, 2017
Acropolis, Athens (1987)
Archaeological Site of Aigai (1996)
Archaeological Site of Delphi (1987)
Archaeological Site of Mystras (1989)
Archaeological Site of Olympia (1989)
Archaeological Site of Mycenae and Tiryns (1999)
Delos (1990)
Historic Centre (Chora) with the Monastery of Saint John (1999)
Medieval City of Rhodes (1988)
Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios (1990)
Old Town of Corfu (2007)
Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki (1988)
Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos (1992)
Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus (1988)
Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae (1986)
Meteora (1988)
Mount Athos (1988)
Philippi (2016)
The Acropolis in Athens is not only one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions it is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece. The site features a massive but perfectly balanced collection of architectural monuments that exist in harmony with the natural landscape. Acropolis was completed in the 5th century BC and has since influenced the way people look at architecture in the world.
The ancient city of Aigai is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece; in fact, it was once the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Macedon. The monumental palace is the main attraction on this site because of the painted stuccoes and lavish mosaic decorations. However, there is also a burial ground near the area wherein the father of Alexander the Great was believed to be buried.
The pan-Hellenic Delphi served as the spiritual center of the ancient Greek world. This is also where the oracle of Apollo is located. Thus, it is an important site in Greek’s ancient history. It also served as a symbol of Greek unit from the 8th century BC moving forward.
This medieval city, commonly referred to as “the Wonder of the Morea”, was a vital part of the final years of the Byzantine empire. It was built on a steep hill right at the foot of the Mount Taygetus. This was the last stronghold of the Byzantine empire to be defeated by the Ottomans.
Olympia is located along the banks of Alpheios River, which was crucial because this is where the first ancient Olympic Games were held (in 776 BC). Aside from that, there are also numerous temples and sanctuaries in the city of Olympia. You will find several ruins of sporting structures and stadiums at the site as well.
These two sites are among the most important cities in Mycenean, Greece. These cities reached their height in the 15th and 12th centuries BC. There are a few sites in the city that were recognized for their “example of human creative genius”, such as Lion’s Gate and Treasury of Atreus.
According to the Greek mythology, this is the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. It is therefore considered a sacred island in the pan-Hellenic world. These sanctuaries have been attracting pilgrims from all over the world to Greece in the ancient times. In fact, it has turned into a prosperous trading port.
It is believed that St. John the Theologian spent his time in the island of Patmos to write both the Gospel and his Apocalypse. Thus, in the late 10th century, a monastery was built to honor this beloved disciple. This monastery in Patmos has been a popular site among pilgrims and the center of Greek Orthodox learning. The monastic complex also dominates the island of Patmos.
The ancient city of Rhodes was occupied by The Order of St. John of Jerusalem from the early 1300s to early 1500s. From there, the city was gained control by the Turkish and Italians. During this time, several notable structures were built at the Upper Town including the Palace of the Grand Masters, Street of the Knights, and Great Hospital. The Lower Town, on the other hand, feature more notable structures such as public baths and monasteries that had been around since the Ottoman period.
This site recognizes a collection of important and historical monasteries in various parts of Greece. In particular, there are three monasteries recognized into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece. Even though these monasteries are geographically distant from each other, they are part of the same typological series and feature the same aesthetics. They were also constructed from the 11th to 12th centuries, while showcasing the essence of what was considered the “second golden age of Byzantine art”.
Source: everything-everywhere.com
- Olympia Greece Attractions
- Delphi Greece Attractions
- Greece Top tourist Attractions
- Greece Landmarks Attractions
- Greece Famous Attractions
EatSleepLuvTravel
RT @joamico_x: #Travel from #Heathrow to #Athens in #Greece with #britishairways. Boarded an early morning #bus to the #port of #Piraeus.…
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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-05-24
Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW No. 95/16 24.05.2016
[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
[01] Akinci participated at the last minute in the dinner hosted by Erdogan
[02] Akinci evaluated the Cyprus Parliamentary elections
[03] Turkish Cypriot political parties' reacted against ELAM's two seats at the Parliament
[04] Ozyigit condemned the decision of the "foreign ministry" to restrict the religious ceremonies to one per year
[05] Y?ld?r?m announces Turkey's new cabinet
[06] Reactions over the price agreed upon the water transferred from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus
[07] "Friendship Group of Kyrgyzstan" visited the breakaway regime
[08] The General Director of the Development Bank of Turkey is visiting the breakaway regime
[09] Erdogan and Merkel agree on joint action at the UN Summit
[10] Kilicdaroglu for AKP's new leader: "This is now a coup government"
[11] HDP urges UN's Ban, summit to take position on alarming situation in Turkey
[12] Survey regarding the strength of Turkish parties after Yildirim's election
[13] The illegal YDU signed an academic "protocol" with 26 universities of the Caucasus Universities Union
[14] Illegal GAU signed a cooperation "agreement" with an Indian College
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (24.05.16), on its front page under the title "Surprise Istanbul Summit", reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci went last night to Istanbul after a surprise decision. Akinci participated in the dinner hosted by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan within the framework of the UN World Humanitarian Summit, in Istanbul.
According to the paper, Akinci, who flew last night to Istanbul with a private plane sent by Turkey, was received in Istanbul by the EU Minister and negotiator Volkan Bozkir.
Meanwhile, Akinci also met with the UNSG Ban Ki-moon in Istanbul at around 10 p.m. They evaluated the latest phase of the Cyprus talks and the upcoming 7 months. Special Representative Espen Barth Eide also participated in the meeting.
Furthermore, the paper reports that the participation of Akinci at the dinner has become the reason for a crisis. Cyprus President Anastasiades reacted to the participation of Akinci in an official dinner, hosted by Erdogan, by not attending the dinner.
Meanwhile, sources from the "presidency" refuted allegations that a decision was taken in order the guarantor countries to attend a five-lateral summit in Istanbul.
The paper reports that Akinci's visit to Istanbul was announced at the last minute through the twitter account of the "presidency" as follows: "President Akinci went to Istanbul as Erdogan's guest to participate in the dinner which Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will host within the framework of the World Humanitarian Summit". Bozkir published in his twitter account 3 photos with the statement "I welcome TRNC President esteemed Mustafa Akinci who came to Istanbul for the World Humanitarian Summit".
Akinci was accompanied by his undersecretary Cenk Gurcag. They will return to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus today.
(DPs)
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (24.05.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, in a written statement, evaluating the results of the Cyprus Parliamentary elections held on Sunday, said that it is the time with responsibility to create a bi-zonal and bi-communal federal Cyprus where the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities will be able to live in peace, freedom, equality and security. He added that following the conclusion of the Parliamentary elections, they should all direct their efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement.
Referring to the new structure of the parliament, Akinci said: "I wish the results would be beneficial for all Greek Cypriots".
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (24.05.16) reports that the Turkish Cypriot political parties commented on the elections' results held on Sunday at the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus.
The chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the fact that nationalist ELAM party elected two Deputies creates concern and noted that instead for efforts to be exerted so that ELAM to be seized, this party increased its strength and managed to be represented in the Assembly. He also said that the new political situation in the "south" will definitely affect the Cyprus negotiations.
The general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP) Dursun Oguz stated that the results of the elections showed that nationalism has been increased in the "south". He also stated that ELAM's positions as regards the Turkish Cypriots are very well known and added that the attacks against the Turkish Cypriots who cross to the "south" have a negative effect on the relations between the two communities in Cyprus.
The general secretary of the Democratic Party (DP) Mehmet Erol Aktoprak, stated that the results shows that the elections' looser are the two big parties which could accept a federal solution on the Cyprus problem and notes that the parties that are against a solution based on the UN parameters have increased their strength.
The leader of the Social Democracy Party Cemal Ozyigit stated that the entrance of ELAM in the Cyprus Parliament is an indication that racism has been increased in the "south". However he noted that together DISY and AKEL elected 34 Deputies, which will influence positively the efforts for the solution.
The member of the executive board of the New Cyprus Party, Albay Durduran, stated that there will be not significant change with ELAM entering the Parliament, since, as he stated ELAM's supporters participated in the Assembly in the past with other parties. He also said that time works against the efforts for finding the solution.
Finally, the leader of the People's Party Kudret Ozersay stated that the elections' results must be evaluated without exaggeration. He also said that President Anastasiades should show the political will not to let the political parties which are against the solution to sabotage the negotiations.
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (24.05.16) reports that that the leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit, in statements during an event organized yesterday by his party in occupied Varosha, reiterated once again the need for the opening of the fenced off city of Varosha under the supervision of the UN and in return to this, the opening of the illegal Tymbou airport and of the occupied port of Famagusta for direct trade.
Ozyigit expressed the view that this development will be a catalyst for the solution of the Cyprus problem and will also contribute positively to the economy of the region.
Ozyigit stated also that that as TDP, they trust and support the Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci and his efforts for reaching a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution on the Cyprus problem based on the political equality of the two sides.
Referring to the recent decision taken by the so-called foreign ministry which restricts the religious ceremonies by Greek Cypriots to one per year to the churches in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Ozyigit said that this decision is turning against the peace and the solution in Cyprus. He also pointed out that the decision will damage the positive climate in the ongoing Cyprus negotiation process and added that it will also blow up the rapprochement process between the two communities.
"It is clear as daylight Ertugrulloglu's purposes with this effort to prevent such events, which create positive synergy to the solution and bring the two communities closer. However, those who have this mindset, should be aware of the fact that they will not be able to serve their purposes and that the community will continue with determination and will its efforts for a solution".
(AK)
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (24.05.16) reports that the ruling in Turkey Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Binali Y?ld?r?m has announced the new cabinet of Turkey's 65th government, after he was given the mandate to form a new government by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The new cabinet will hold its first meeting at the presidential palace in Ankara on May 25.
The Deputy Prime Ministers have been named as Nurettin Canikli, Mehmet Simsek, Tugrul Turkes, Veysi Kaynak and Numan Kurtulmus.
Yalc?n Akdogan, who held the Deputy Prime Minister's post in Davutoglu's cabinet and who was closely involved in the collapsed Kurdish peace process, is not included in the new list. The economy administration has been mostly left unchanged, with Simsek expected to resume his duties overseeing the economy.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak and Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag have all resumed their posts.
Omer Celik has been appointed as the EU Minister, replacing Volkan Bozk?r.
Nihat Zeybekci has been appointed as the new Economy Minister, replacing Mustafa Elitas.
Ahmet Arslan has been named as the Transport Minister, replacing the newly-appointed Prime Minister Y?ld?r?m.
Fatma Betul Sayan has been appointed as the new Family and Social Policies Minister, replacing Sema Ramazanoglu.
The following are the remaining appointments: Interior Minister Efkan Ala; Finance Minister Naci Agbal; Defense Minister Fikri Is?k; Education Minister Ismet Y?lmaz; Youth and Sports Minister Akif Cagatay K?l?c; Environment and Urbanization Minister Mehmet Ozhaseki; Forestry and Water Affairs Minister Veysel Eroglu; Health Minister Recep Akdag; Science, Industry and Technology Minister Faruk Ozlu; Labor and Social Security Minister Suleyman Soylu; Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Faruk Celik; Customs and Trade Minister Bulent Tufenkci; Development Minister Lutfi Elvan; and Culture and Tourism Minister Nabi Avc?.
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper reports that the "mayors" of the occupied villages of Akanthou, Gioneli, Gerolakkos and Gialousa expressed their strong reaction over the announcement by the self-styled minister of agriculture and natural resources Naz?m Cavusoglu of the prices of the water transferred from Turkey.
Cavusoglu announced yesterday that the price agreed upon the water from Turkey, will be sold to the "municipalities" for 2.30TL (approx. 0.69?) per tonne.
The so-called mayors expressed their worries over the price agreed, since as they argue, it is very high and wondered at the same time how they will explain to the people this development. They also argue that this would create chaos to the "country".
The determination of the price of the water became also an issue of dispute yesterday during the meeting of the so-called assembly.
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (24.05.16) reports that the "Friendship Group of Kyrgyzstan" visited the breakaway regime and held contacts with the self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun and the "speaker" of the "assembly", Sibel Siber.
During the meeting, Dastanbek Artisbekovich Dzhumabekov who is heading the delegation stated that the cooperation between the breakaway regime and Kyrgyzstan in the fields of economy and tourism will bear great results and added that businessmen of the two "countries" will hold meeting by the end of the week. As he said, a group of 15 Kyrgyz businessmen will be arriving in the breakaway regime over the weekend to look into possible areas of investment.
He also said that more than 500 students from Kyrgyzstan study at the breakaway regime. He also added that it is very important the relations between the two countries to be further strengthened and invited Ozgurgun and the "deputies" of the breakaway regime to watch the World Nomad Games which will be held in Kirgistan next August.
Ozgurgun expressed the hope that relations between the two "countries" will be further developed.
Meeting with the group, Siber said that the visit was important in terms of developing relations between the two "countries". "Friendship, communication, brotherhood and contact between different cultures will always take us forward. The fact that we are an unrecognized country is not an obstacle for our parliaments to develop relations. Your presence here as well as the presence of students from your country in the TRNC is of great importance for us" she said.
Illegal Bayrak television (24.05.16) reports that the "minister of economy and energy" Sunat Atun met with the General Director of the Development Bank of Turkey Bahattin Sekkin.
Sekkin is in the breakaway regime for the presentation of the Final Report on the Turkish Development Bank's Technical Support which will be provided within the framework of the economic protocol signed between the breakaway regime and Turkey.
The "general director of the TRNC development bank" Ercan Ibrahimoglu was also present at the meeting.
Speaking during the visit, Sekkin said that the "TRNC development bank" was a sister institution and that the growing development of the "bank" was important for them. He also expressed the need for the "government" to provide more support for development.
Atun highlighted the importance of cooperation between the development banks of the breakaway regime and Turkey and added that such collaborations will help "TRNC's integration with the world".
Atun also said that the Development Bank of Turkey was not only sharing its experiences with the "TRNC development bank" but also contributing to the "TRNC economy" since it is financing big projects in the breakaway regime.
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (24.05.16) reports that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed on May 23 that Turkey needs talks with EU institutions on its sensitivities in the fight against terrorism as they try to keep a landmark migration deal on track.
Erdogan's office said in a statement that he and Merkel had also agreed, during a meeting on the sidelines of a humanitarian summit in Istanbul, on the need to continue cooperation against illegal migration. Erdogan has said Turkey cannot change such laws at a time when it is fighting the threat from both outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Merkel said she had voiced concern in talks with Erdogan over the Turkish Parliament's recent decision to strip some lawmakers of immunity.
"I've made this clear in the conversation today that I also think we need an independent judicial system, we need independent media and we need a strong Parliament," Merkel said after the meeting. "And of course, the decision to withdraw immunity from every fourth lawmaker in the Turkish Parliament is something that causes deep concern. I've made this clear to the Turkish President," Merkel said.
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (24.05.16) reports that the head of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has slammed the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) extraordinary party congress over the weekend, saying it was merely routine procedure.
Binali Y?ld?r?m, a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was the sole nominee at the AKP congress on May 22 and he is now set to be Turkey's new Prime Minister.
"It's not right to call it a congress. [?] It was necessary for one person, who was chosen by one other person, to be elected at the congress in order for him to be appointed as Prime Minister. It was a mere procedure," CHP head Kemal K?l?cdaroglu told reporters. "This is now a coup government. It's not the government that was sent to Parliament by the people's votes, with the Prime Minister winning 49.5 % of the vote ... We don't yet know details of the program of the coup government, but we'll all find out together," said K?l?cdaroglu.
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (24.05.16) reports that the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has called on U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and participants of the first World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul to use the summit to "mobilize international mechanisms to respond to alarming violations of universal human rights and humanitarian law within and around the borders of Turkey."
Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, the co-leaders of the HDP, sent a letter to Ban on May 20 ? the day the Parliament approved a controversial constitutional amendment to lift the immunity of 139 MPs, particularly ones from the HDP.
In their letter, the two leaders promoted their policy of democratic autonomy, which calls for self-governance as a more inclusive and democratic political system at the national level. "We firmly believe that the primary homework of the First Humanitarian Summit held by his Excellency in Istanbul is to reach an appropriate position with regards to the alarming situation in our home, among others, and contribute to the development of perspectives to resolve such humanitarian situations. [?]" Demirtas and Yuksekdag said.
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (24.05.16) reports that Ankara's Objective Research Center (ORC) announced on Monday that the first survey results concerning Binali Y?ld?r?m becoming the new AK Party chairman and Prime Minister show 53 % support for the AK Party.
According to the survey results as given by ORC head Murat Posteki, the AK Party leads support with 53 %, followed by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) with 24 %, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) with 13 % and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) with 7 %, falling below the 10% threshold in national elections to secure seats in Parliament.
Considering the possibility of an early election, Posteki said that the HDP would not be able to get into Parliament while MHP's state depends on its attitude toward the new government's political agenda. He said the AK Party would not receive less support than 53 % and that the party could receive more votes.
Posteki said the survey indicated increased support for a presidential system has increased: "If the citizens want the governing system to change, then they might change it by allowing the AK Party to get 400 Deputies in Parliament in a possible [early] election without introducing a referendum."
[13] The illegal YDU signed an academic "protocol" with 26 universities of the Caucasus Universities Union
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (24.05.16) reports that the illegal Near East University ("YDU") attended the 6th Ordinary Meeting of the General Assembly of Caucasus Universities Union held in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan.
As the paper writes, within the framework of the meeting, the illegal YDU signed an academic cooperation protocol with totally 26 universities coming from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.
The protocol was signed by Dr. Suat I. Gunsel, "founding rector" of the illegal "YDU" and it envisages the development of joint projects between the universities, conducting research and joint publications, exchange of students and academic staff e.t.c.
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (24.05.16) reports that the illegal American University of Keryneia ("GAU") signed a cooperation "agreement" with the Bangalore Technological College of India.
According to a statement issue by "GAU", the "agreement" envisages the establishment of a seed storage center in the occupied area of Cyprus.
The "agreement" was signed by the "founding rector" of the illegal university Serhat Akpinar and the director of the Bangalore College, Subhaskar Reddy.
(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
(CS / AM)
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Neil Versel
Healthcare Execs Must Prepare For Big Data
As healthcare industry braces for proliferation of information, University of Southern California healthcare chief stresses need to make data easy to interpret.
5 Key Elements For Clinical Decision Support Systems
(click image for larger view and for slideshow)
Big data, including the advent of genomic medicine, is altering how providers manage information, according to the chief executive of a major West Coast academic healthcare organization.
"Big data is going to change the rules of IT departments and beyond," said Thomas Jackiewicz, who was named senior VP and CEO of Keck Medical Center of the University of Southern California at the beginning of 2012. "We have to become experts at managing data," he said.
Jackiewicz spoke Friday at the sixth annual USC Body Computing Conference, dedicated to wearable and wireless technology and interdisciplinary collaboration for health improvement, at the school's downtown Los Angeles campus. He elaborated in a private conversation with InformationWeek Healthcare.
[ Looking for a PACS platform to replace an outdated system? See 9 Must-See Picture Archiving/Communication Systems. ]
As the price of genome sequencing comes down, data will proliferate. "The amount of data you get when you sequence a genome is enormous," said Jackiewicz, who formerly served as CEO of the University of California, San Diego, Health Sciences. He has also run healthcare business and financial operations at the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University School of Medicine, and Columbia University Medical Center. "You have to have people who can interpret data, [and make it clinically relevant for physicians,"] he said in an address at the conference. "We can't expect every one of our clinicians to be a geneticist."
Cardiologist Dr. Leslie Saxon, founder and director of the Center for Body Computing, quickly interjected on behalf of her fellow USC doctors. "That was music to our ears," she said.
Vast quantities of real-time information also are starting to come from wireless monitoring devices that postoperative patients and those with chronic diseases are wearing at home and in their daily lives. "Wireless can change inpatient care, outpatient care, and home care," Jackiewicz said. "Patients are beginning to assume shared responsibility for their care," he added.
Although genomics remains in its early stages, the time to start preparing is now, according to Jackiewicz, who invoked hockey legend Wayne Gretzky: "A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be."
This is an apt metaphor for the changes that are currently happening in medicine. "If we as an organization are always chasing the puck, we're never going to get anywhere," Jackiewicz said.
With this in mind, Jackiewicz predicted that academic medical centers will become hubs for information and analysis that community physicians will be able to tap when they're deciding on more personalized courses of treatment for cancer, for example, to draw from more resources than are available today. "An academic medical center can really bring expertise to bear," Jackiewicz said.
"You're already beginning to see this," Jackiewicz reported. He believes that personalization will be the standard of care in cancer treatment within three to five years, whether or not electronic health records (EHRs) are capable of supporting it. Jackiewicz said genomic medicine will be ahead even of Stage 3 of the federal Meaningful Use EHR incentive program, which is on track to start in 2016.
InformationWeek Healthcare brought together eight top IT execs to discuss BYOD, Meaningful Use, accountable care, and other contentious issues. Also in the new, all-digital CIO Roundtable issue: Why use IT systems to help cut medical costs if physicians ignore the cost of the care they provide? (Free with registration.)
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BREAKING - INTER-CITY NEWS EXCLUSIVE
By Joe Calton -
The Inter-City News was the only press on scene at 3:00PM Friday afternoon as divers from the Water Patrol Division of the Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted the Sugar Creek Police in an ongoing investigation at Le Benite Park at Hwy 291 and the Missouri River.
We spoke with Sugar Creek Detective Sergeant Matt Kline who informed us that they had two vehicles in the river that they believe are connected to an incident that took place in September. A tow service was en route and the Highway Patrol divers would be assisting in the extrication of the vehicles from the river at which point Sugar Creek Police would continue their investigation. Last night police announced that one vehicle had been pulled from the river. The case continues to be under investigation by the Sugar Creek Police Department and the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office.
Sgt. Kline was unable to share any more information pending notification of family members. We will post more information as it becomes available
Inter-City Mourns the Loss of Sugar Creek Police Chief Herb Soule
People around the Inter-City area and well beyond are mourning the loss of Sugar Creek City Marshall and Police Chief Herb Soule, who passed away on November 14 at North Kansas City Hospital.
Chief Soule served the citizens of Sugar Creek in the Police Department for 48 years, becoming Chief of Police in 2001. Last September he was named Sugar Creek Citizen of the Year by the Truman Heartland Foundation in recognition of his years of service to the community.
Besides being the Chief of Police, Herb Soule was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jackson County Drug Task Force, he helped create Jackson County’s anti-drug COMBAT program, he founded Sugar Creek Police and Fire Explorer Post 2, he sat on the Legislative & Resolutions Committee of the Missouri Police Chief’s Association, and taught aspiring law enforcement officers at the Western Missouri Regional Police Academy. He was also a leader in developing the State of Missouri’s Homeland Security program. Chief Soule was a member and a leader of more community organizations than space allows us to print.
Herbert M. Soule, Jr. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 11, 1944, but grew up in Sugar Creek. He was a 1962 graduate of Van Horn High School, where he played football and basketball, and ran track. After high school he joined the United States Army.
Chief Soule joined the Sugar Creek Police force in 1966. During his time as Chief of Police, he dealt with many high-profile cases, including the explosion of a tanker car following a train derailment in 2010 and the investigation of the murder of Sam and Lindsey Porter, children who were murdered by their father and buried in Sugar Creek in 2004.
Retired Sugar Creek Detective Sergeant Steve Topi told the Inter-City News, "Herb Soule has been my friend since we were youths, and my boss for nearly 40-years. He was a good man and a good police officer and Chief. He will be greatly missed by myself and Sugar Creek Police and Fire employees, as well as many other departments and agencies, across the State and beyond. My sincere condolences go out to all his family and countless friends."
Labels: Obituaries, Police
Revitalizing the Truman Road Corridor
Jackson County and the City of Independence are working with the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) to get funding for the Truman Road Gateway Implementation Plan, to develop and enhance the Truman Road corridor east of I-435.
Last year funding was received and work began on repairing the Stone Arch Bridge at Truman and Blue Ridge Boulevard, which was completed in May of this year. The roadway over the bridge was replaced, the walls were reinforced, rod iron fencing was added for safety, and lights and landscaping helped beautify the refurbished bridge, which was originally built in 1906.
The Mid-America Regional Council funded a study with federal HUD money called the Truman Road Green Gateway plan, which was completed in March of this year. The 89-page report detailed more ways that the roadway, which bears Harry Truman’s name and leads visitors from around the world to the Truman Home and the Independence Square, could be transformed into a modern and practical corridor that is pedestrian and bike-friendly, with sustainable housing and business solutions to help bring the area into the 21st century.
Donna Pittman is the owner of Curt’s Famous Meats and the founder of the Truman Gateway Redevelopment Committee, the force behind the Truman Road revitalization efforts. Donna is optimistic that the solutions outlined in the study can become a reality. She praised the efforts of Independence Mayor Eileen Weir and the Independence Chamber of Commerce in making the Truman Gateway plan a priority, and seeking the funds that would be needed to implement the project.
The cost to implement the plan would be around $8 million, with Jackson County handling the stretch of Truman Road from the interstate to Blue Ridge Boulevard, and Independence doing the work east of Blue Ridge.
According to a MARC representative, getting funding for these types of proposals would depend largely on interest within the community.
The Truman Gateway Redevelopment Committee welcomes any member of the community who is interested in making the Truman Road Gateway plan become a reality. If you are interested in joining this group, send an email for more information to Lindsay Browne at LBrowne@kclinc.org.
Labels: Revitalization
Inter-City Native Writes “Tales From the Lake”
Conley Stone McAnally, known to his friends in the Inter-City area as "Snapper", has penned his fourth book, Tales from the Lake, which picks up where an earlier work, Tales from Homer left off. Tales from Homer consisted of eight whimsical stories happening in a town called Doodenville. The stories are supposedly rejected submissions to The Atlantic written by the title character, the town’s jailer, Homer Storebeck.
Snapper McAnally offered us this information: "I lived on Crisp Lake, went to Mt Washington, then Van Horn, graduated in 1965, taught school in "Bush" Alaska, and am a retired army reserve officer. I live in Tucson now. Most of the characters I have written about, other than the two books about Alaska, are based a little on the people I knew growing up. A little bit of fact, a dab of humor, some outlandishness, and an item of fiction or two make up my stories. Many people think I make things up but everything is true to some extent."
Besides his two books of Midwestern tales, McAnally has written two books about Alaska, Wilson Bay: Tales From an Eskimo Village and Jump, Alaska: Tales From the Interior.
You can find all of McAnally’s books online at Amazon.com, and ask for them at local bookstores and libraries.
Buried at Mt. Washington: George Creel
In the first week after the United States entered World War I, President Woodrow Wilson created a government agency called the Committee on Public Information, with a mission to use the media of that era to rally support for the war and to quash dissent. Basically it was a propaganda machine, and at its head was a former Kansas City newspaper man, George Creel.
Creel's Committee on Public Information used writers, artists, actors, and every form of media available to stir up war support. Though Creel had long been a critic of censorship, his agency was heavily involved in doing just that, helping Congress pass the widely criticized Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918. Under the Sedition Act, it became a federal crime to use "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the United States government."
Ten years before the war, George Creel lived in Kansas City and published a local weekly political journal called The Independent. His paper, which championed government reform and women's rights, began publishing in 1899 and continues to this day as "The Independent: Kansas City's Journal of Society."
In 1909 Creel gave his paper to two women publishers and took his calls for government reform to Colorado, writing for the Denver Post. He was appointed Police Commissioner of Denver in 1912, and the reforms he made in Denver were praised nationwide. Creel was active in Woodrow Wilson's re-election campaign, and when he heard that military commanders were calling for media censorship, he called on President Wilson and suggested a different approach, "expression, not suppression" of the press." Thus the Committee on Public Information was created.
After the war George Creel devoted most of his time to writing and politics. He died in San Francisco on October 2, 1953, and is buried in Mt. Washington cemetery near his mother's grave.
Mary Howe Brings Experience & Luxury to the KnowHowe Salon
Christine's Salon at 518 North Sterling is now the KnowHowe Salon, and we welcome the new owner, Mary Howe, to the Inter-City community. Mary has been doing hair for 25 years, mostly operating as a Master Designer and Salon Manager with the JC Penney Salons. That's where she met Christine, her friend and district manager at JC Penney.
It was always Mary's dream, though, to have her own Salon, and Christine was delighted to offer her the chance to make that happen.
Besides the experience she gained working with hair design, managing the JC Penny salons, and teaching cosmetology at KCCC, she also brings to the KnowHowe Salon four talented and experienced stylists, nail techs, and estheticians certified in Dermalogica® skin treatment, the only Dermalogica suppliers this side of the state line. Her salon has expertise in the current designs, styles, and trends, as well as more traditional styling methods.
Whether it's manicures, pedicures, waxing, facials, Gelish nails, or men's cuts, KnowHowe, can provide what you need. They also carry a wide variety of take-home products for sale, including Paul Mitchell, Redken, Dermalogica, and more.
KnowHowe Salon offers mobile and on-site services for those unable to visit the salon, or for special events.
As the daughter of a Sergeant in the United States Air Force, Mary was born in Montgomery, Alabama and lived in cities around the country and world, mostly growing up in Spain. All of her children are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Ask about Military Discount! Call (816) 252-0383 for an appointment.
Labels: Business Spotlight, Creek Life
Go Sugar Creek Helps Henry Street Homeowner
Members of "Go Sugar Creek," a volunteer organization, working with the Sugar Creek Community Development Corporation has just completed its fourth civic project of the year. Chuck and Sandy Mikulich, Stan Salva, John McAvoy, Matt Williams along with Carolyn and Bill Haman worked to rehab the exterior at a home on Henry Street in Sugar Creek. The project required power washing, scraping, priming and finish painting of the home. There was also some fairly extensive repair of windows and doors.
"Go Sugar Creek" has built two handicapped ramps, painted two houses and developed the Sugar Creek Community Garden this year.
Homeowners in Sugar Creek with limited resources can make application at the Sugar Creek police station for assistance with exterior projects. Applications can be obtained at the police station. Applicants will be screened to determine if they meet income and other requirements.
The organization welcomes new members to help with future projects to assist our neighbors in need. Tax deductible financial contributions to help support these efforts can be made to the Sugar Creek CDC. Our goal is to improve the quality of live for residents of Sugar Creek. We will again be sponsoring the garden in 2015. For more information or questions, please contact Bill Haman at either 816-254-8935 or whaman1057@aol.com.
Bill Haman
Labels: Go Sugar Creek, Organizations
Wayne City Landing Days Audit Shows Nearly $50,000 Loss
Controversy is brewing in Sugar Creek over the expense of the city’s Wayne City Landing Days celebration in August.
According to an audit provided by the city, proceeds from the event amounted to $11,226.60, falling more than $47,000 short of covering the $59,000 it cost city taxpayers to put on the event. All the same, the city has allocated another $50,000 in next year’s budget for another Wayne City Landing Days event to be held in 2015.
Community activist Bill Haman complains of several issues surrounding the planning and expenditures involved with this year’s festival. In a mass email to Sugar Creek residents and business owners, Haman raised issues ranging from the timing of the event to the cost bringing entertainment in from out of town rather than showcasing our local talent.
In an email, he posed a number of questions:
"Why did we not obtain a beer and soft drink sponsor? Those sponsors should normally cover entertainment expenses.
"The city hall estimate of 5,000 attendees was excessive. No more than 3,000 people attended. Assuming 1,000 attendees per day the math is $50,000 divided by 3,000 total attendees equals $16 per person. That is 16 taxpayer dollars wasted for each person that came to the festival.
"Why was the entertainment in a location that was hidden from most attendees by the carnival trucks? The entertainment should be the focal point of the entire event, not a stepchild. Why did we spend so much money on acts? There are numerous qualified bands here in KC that would have played the shows for much less money and had a larger following than the booked bands.
"Why was a band from Springfield booked instead of a local band? The booking agent, the bands and the sound crew are the only ones involved that came out with plenty of money.
"Why did we spend so much for a stage when modular stages can be rented for a third of what we paid? $3,293 rental and towing for four bands is $823 per band. Why did we pay for a hotel and meals for the sound crew? I have been involved with many festival productions and have never paid for these items. If the sound crew was from out of town why was a local vendor not hired? $2,750 for four bands is $687 per band. If you add in the meals and lodging for the crew that would be $3,367 for four bands or $841 per band.
"The total for entertainment items listed is $12,100. To put that in layman’s terms, someone cut a fat hog on the taxpayers of Sugar Creek.
"In summary, it is time for Sugar Creek to move away from the festival business and understand that this event was not successful. The mayor was presented with a flawed blueprint for a festival and blindly moved forward with a festival that was doomed to fail. Even after it became clear that the festival would not be successful the mayor could not admit that the event was failing. He cast the deciding vote in a council meeting several months prior to the event that would have killed the event and saved the taxpayers $50,000. The vote was not in the best interest of the citizens and was clearly made out of his self-interest. Aldermen Doyle and Kenney also cast votes to continue the event. Aldermen Sagehorn and Ray voted to stop funding for the festival. No more of Sugar Creek’s treasure should be used to support another Wayne City Event."
Mr. Haman intended to ask these questions at the Sugar Creek Board of Aldermen Study Session, but Mayor Mallinson would not allow comments from the floor about the issue.
Labels: Creek Life
CSL's Christmas Assistance Program
The Community Services League is working to provide Christmas presents and meal baskets to Inter-City families in need this holiday season. If you need help, please apply at any of the CSL offices (locations on Page 8) before November 26. Please bring identification, proof of residence, Social Security cards for all adults and children in the home, and proof of income.
If you would like to help a family this year, please donate new, unwrapped presents and food items (including perishables… frozen turkeys, Cool Whip, butter, etc.) at any of the CSL offices, preferably by Monday, December 8. For more information call the Community Services League at (816) 254-4100 or visit them online at www.cslcares.org
Labels: Organizations
Inter-City Election 2014 Winners and Losers
Most of Sugar Creek and the area east of Sterling and north of 24 Highway in Independence will be getting a new State Representative for the 20th District. Republican Bill Kidd beat the incumbent Democrat, John Mayfield, by 672 votes, according to the unofficial results posted by Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander.
Kidd, a Christian minister, ran on a pro-life, 2nd Amendment platform, and promised to “…work to eliminate burdensome government regulations that stand in the way of small businesses.”
Ira Anders and Brandon Ellington, representing the 21st and 22nd Districts respectively, ran unopposed. Ellington, who was first elected in 2011, will serve as the chairman of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus.
Dennis Waits was re-elected to his eighth four-year term on the Jackson County Legislature, making his the Legislator holding that position the longest. The staff of the Inter-City News is hoping he will start using some of this seniority to start calling for improvements in the economically neglected area he has been representing for the better part of three decades.
Frank White easily won the 1st District At Large Legislative seat being vacated by outgoing Legislator Theresa Garza Ruiz, who is running for City Council in Kansas City.
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver beat Republican Jacob Turk for the fifth time in a row. Both candidates were approached by the Inter-City News to make a statement to our readers. Only Congressman Cleaver responded. His message to voters of the Inter-City, posted on our website before the election, can be found on page 6.
The biggest loser this election day was the effort by the City of Sugar Creek to annex 2,700 acres of land to the east, near Atherton. Voters in the proposed annexation area unanimously rejected the proposal. There were approximately three times as many “Vote No on Annexation” signs in the area as there were voters. Residents we spoke to before the election insisted that the move would raise their taxes and provide them with fewer services, in spite of Sugar Creek’s promises in its newsletter to the contrary. None of the residents we spoke with in the proposed annexation area said that anyone from Sugar Creek had made contact with them to try and persuade them to vote yes on the issue. 58 per cent of the voters living inside Sugar Creek city limits approved of the plan.
Fairmount Community Center Arrow Rock Trip
The See the city of Arrow Rock decorated for the holidays with the Fairmount Community Center. Visit the old-time Country Store, the town's tiny post office and the interesting period shops on Main Street, better known to locals as "The Boardwalk."
Other highlights include the J. Huston Tavern, the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi. Cost includes motor coach transportation and ticket to Lyceum Premiere Charles Dickens play "A Christmas Carol." Lunch is on your own. Sack lunches can be purchased from the center with 24 hour notice for an extra $3.
Registration Deadline: December 5th
Call the Fairmount Community Center
816-254-8334 For Reservations
Sugar Creek VFW Post 3976
From The Inter-City News: Thursday, June 29, 1967
On January 12, 1945, a charter was issued to the Sooter-Clemens Post No. 3976, Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, of the United States, of Sugar Creek Missouri. The Ladies Auxilliary was chartered May 11, 1945. The post had 77 charter members and the Aux. 38 members.
Initiation and installation of officers took place in the Sugar Creek school, now used for defense purposes.
The post was named for Cecil Sooter and Frank Clemens, the first men from Sugar Creek to lose their lives in WWII; Cecil, as a Navy pilot in Panama, on a training flight, and Frank soon after D-Day, with the Army in France. The name was changed to the Sugar Creek Memorial Post in 1966.
Herbert Killion, was the first Post Commander, and his wife, Alice Killion, the first Auxiliary president. A handful of veterans from WWII, including Mr. Killion, Walter P. Kenney, William G. Linnell, Tom Sooter, William Buford, William Buford, Sr., Lloyd Gibbons, William T. Krudop, Ferdinand J. Fischl, and Earl Evinger, organized the post while many of the other charter members were still on active duty.
In 1946 when Walter Kenney was commander, the Veteran's Memorial was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, and May 30, 1958, a plaque on the new swimming pool was dedicated to the memory of our local veterans.
Each year at 11 o'clock May 30, VFW Memorial services are held at this monument with the whole community participating. In the fall of 1961 a disastrous fire destroyed the VFW hall on the second floor of what is now Sterling Hall, 514 N Sterling, Sugar Creek, and nearly took the lives of Mr. and Mrs. William Linnell in their adjacent apartment (they were saved by their neighbor, Mike A. Benkovich). Practically all the property of the post and Auxiliary was destroyed, and for the next few years the organization suffered a setback and many of the community activities were curtailed.
A few local members continued to function and in 1962 the post and aux made a fresh start and continues to grow and prosper and carryout its VFW community service projects in Sugar Creek. Mrs. Charlotte Kenney and Mrs. Patricia Kenney Train are the only charter members of the Auxiliary holding office in the Auxiliary.
Fritzanna Lyke Takes Time to Help Out
After Fritzanna Lyke retired from The Groves at the age of 67 she wanted to stay active. Many years earlier she had taught Sunday School at the First Baptist Church, and after retirement, just by chance, she ran into one of the children she had taught there. Her former student was all grown up and teaching First Grade at Fairmount Elementary School, and thought that Fritzanna would make a wonderful teacher’s aid. For the past four years Friztanna has been volunteering at the school, helping Kindergartners and First Graders learn how to master basic skills.
She’s famous at the Fairmount School for the crocheted headbands she makes for her students – custom made for each student in their favorite colors. Every Kindergartner gets a headband.
Three days a week she volunteers at the school, and for the past three years she has spent two days a week she helping out at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store at 505 North Dodgion in Independence, where her husband James is also a volunteer. James, who Fritzanna married 37 years ago, is also retired and devotes his time to helping others. "We call it volunteering," he jokes, "but other people might call it ‘Community Service.’" James spends his summers on his riding lawnmower (he calls it a tractor) cutting grass for homeowners who are unable to.
Every Sunday the Lykes work with children at Northeast Baptist Church, 9412 E Independence Avenue, where five vans bring 65 children from Independence and Kansas City for Sunday School. The children are fed lunch before an afternoon session, when they are encouraged to bring their school homework. Fritzanna and the other volunteers are able to help them complete their assignments and master any skills they may need help with.
Fritzanna and James decided this year to start a community garden in a vacant lot they bought on Independence Avenue. This year they had ten planters growing vegetables, and hope to expand on that in 2015.
Our community appreciates their service!
Sugar Creek Police Chief Herb Soule Dies from Illness
News release from the Sugar Creek Police Department:
"Chief Herbert M. Soule, Chief of the Sugar Creek, MO Police Department, passed away from complications of an illness at the North Kansas City Hospital at 3:40 P.M. Friday, November 14, 2014.
"Chief Soule served with the Sugar Creek Police Department for 48 years and was Chief since April, 2001."
The staff of the Inter-City News offers condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Chief Soule, and to the citizens of Sugar Creek and Jackson County for the loss of this devoted public servant. Details on his memorial service will be upcoming.
Congressman Cleaver Speaks to Inter-City News
Note: We asked the candidates for Congress in the Fifth District to address the readers of the Inter-City News. Jacob Turk did not respond to our repeated requests, but Congressman Emanuel Cleaver sent us the following:
Often times our democracy produces mixed results. I strive in Congress to produce positive results for the constituents of Missouri’s 5th District which I have the privilege or representing. My district is very diverse stretching from the urban areas of our community to the rural areas of our State. The needs are many and the resources limited, but know that each day I am fighting to bring federal resources home to our community.
I understand the challenges each of us face at work and the struggles our families face providing a better life for our children and grandchildren. As your voice in Congress, I am willing to reach across the aisle and work with Republicans to build consensus in a civil manner to help Americans. Fighting for the working men and women is not a hobby for me - it is in my DNA.
Specifically, I strongly believe it is critically important to invest and provide incentives to revitalize those parts of our community that have fallen victim to blight and neglect. Throughout my congressional career I have been a stalwart advocate for attracting federal dollars to the Blue River including flood control, mitigation efforts and environmental restoration. My support will remain unwavering. I also believe the 24 Highway gateway to our "Favorite Son," President Harry S Truman’s, Presidential Library & Museum is a prime candidate for infrastructure investment. I fully support the passage of a six (6) years highway and transportation bill, the unfortunate reality is that appears unlikely in the near future.
I envision the success which was demonstrated in the Green Impact Zone through leveraging all levels of governments’ capital expenditures into a targeted area with a strategic focus will be replicated throughout our community and our country. This model can and should be utilized for the 24 Highway corridor.
Additionally, incentives to assist small businesses with their start-up, expansion, and growth are a vital component to enhance the area. Couple these efforts with enhancing and improving the housing stock adjacent to these community assets and you have a formula for victory like our Home Town Boys in Blue – the Kansas City Royals.
Like the Royals’ return to the World Series, these commitments of resources will take a few years. As long as I am in Congress you can rest assured that I will be there trying to do my best to ensure that our families and businesses are poised for greatness.
U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-5)
Inter-City Fire Spurs Calls for Revitalization
A fire that destroyed an apartment in the building at 8900 E. U.S. 24 has renewed calls for the revitalization of the 24 Highway corridor, which leads visitors from around the world from Interstate 435 to the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library.
Four fire trucks responded to the blaze of August 9, as flames were seen shooting six feet in the air.
The building, located across the street from the iconic Inter-City Bait & Tackle, began as a grocery store and in the 1960s and 1970s was run as a tavern. An industrial garage was later added.
“This area looks more like Detroit every day,” commented a resident, pointing out the yellow fire line tape which still surrounds the building more than a month after the blaze. He added, “The building wasn’t much to look at before the fire,” calling it typical of the vacant and run-down commercial properties that dot this section of the highway system that Harry Truman helped create.
In 2004, the Cities of Independence and Sugar Creek began a comprehensive study on the roadway’s potential and in 2006 issued a report called the US 24 Highway Corridor Study Plan.
This study identified many of the problems that were keeping this area economically depressed, and outlined several long-term solutions to revitalize the area.
Some of the solutions suggested in the report are in the works, such as the expansion of the 353 Tax Abatement, a program that rewards home and business owners for improving their buildings (see Page 5). Many of the report’s other suggested strategies fell by the wayside after the financial crisis of 2008 and the recession that followed.
Independence Mayor Weir has promised to make the revitalization of western Independence a priority.
The building that burned has been listed for sale with Block Real Estate Services, LLC.
According to a Block Real Estate representative the property remains for sale, but the price of the 5,600 square foot building and lots is undetermined at the moment, pending negotiations between the building’s owner and insurance company. Visit the Block Real Estate website at blockllc.com if you are interested in purchasing this site for future development.
Travel Back in Time at Sentimental Journey
There are some things Sue Wiggins wants you to know about Sentimental Journey Antiques, located at 1101 W. 24 Highway in Independence.
First of all, with 4,200 square feet of antiques and collectibles, “We’re bigger than we look,” she says.
Sue and her husband Bob have been serious antique collectors for decades, and their storefront, as seen from 24 Highway, doesn’t do justice to the rooms of antique clocks, pop-culture memorabilia, antique car parts, ice cream scoops and memorabilia, and somewhere around 300 Aladdin Lamps that are displayed, the largest collection of Aladdin Lamps in the Metro area. They also repair and service lamps of all kinds.
Sue would also like you to know that it’s easier to park and to get in and out of the parking lot than it looks. There’s a parking lot on the side of the building, offering easy access from 24 Highway and many people don’t realize this when driving by.
Sue and Bob came to Kansas City in the early 1960s. She grew up in Arkansas, and he’s from southern Missouri. They call themselves retired; Bob retired from General Motors and Sue from the AMC Theatres.
Their love of collecting began 35 years ago, when they began collecting ice cream scoops as a hobby. They are avid members of the Ice Screamers, an international collectors club for lovers of ice cream parlor memorabilia. They travel all around the country to meet and “swap scoops” with other ice cream enthusiasts from around the world.
Sentimental Journey is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., though occasionally the store may be closed due to medical appointments or jaunts out of town.
Someday Sue and Bob would like to truly retire in order to spend more time traveling. They would gladly sell their building and everything in it to another collector, but for now they enjoy spending their days taking visitors on a Sentimental Journey that begins the moment you walk through the door.
Meet Inter-City News Staff Photographer Joe Calton
The Inter-City News is happy to welcome to our team local photographer and writer Joe Calton.
Joe became hooked on photography at the age of 13 after joining the 8th grade Photography Club. His first camera was an all plastic “Diana” model from a dimestore that set him back $7.00.
Joe Calton has a particular love for architecture, Americana, macro photography and turning common, everyday subjects into abstract images. With his camera in hand he travels the region and the country, capturing snapshots of beauty in sights that often go unnoticed, and locking in time breathtaking moments of nature.
Joe grew up in Excelsior Springs, but his home is in Independence now. He’s spent countless hours roaming around the Inter-City area, bringing us a wealth of stock photography. He is dedicated to preserving the history of the area while helping all of us make the Inter-City area a better place to live and work.
You can see and download more of his work by visiting his online gallery at www.joecalton.com.
Don't Let Them Bury Me in Kansas City - INTERNATIONAL JAZZ LEGEND REMEMBERED IN INTER-CITY
“Don't let them bury me in Kansas City,” Charlie Parker told his wife Chan.
Bird got his wish. He is not buried in Kansas City, he is buried right here in Inter-City, at Lincoln Cemetery next to his mother Addie in Unincorporated Blue Summit.
Charlie “Bird” Parker was born August 29, 1920 in Kansas City, KS. The saxophonist got his start playing Kansas City nightclubs in the late 1930's and through collaboration with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, pioneered the highly improvisational form of jazz known as “bebop”. Miles Davis once said “You can sum up the history of jazz in four words. “Louis Armstrong Charlie Parker”. Charlie Parker died March 12, 1955 in New York. He was only 34 years old.
For many years now, local musicians and jazz enthusiasts have gathered at Lincoln Cemetery on the last Sunday in August to pay tribute to Bird. Although the size of the gathering can sometimes be depressingly small, this year was different. Sponsored by KC Jazz ALIVE and in partnership with Jazz Friends, Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors and the American Jazz Museum, “A Kansas City Charlie Parker Celebration” took place at many venues in the area from August 14 through August 30, culminating with a “21 Sax Salute” in Lincoln Cemetery held on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday August 31.
A local group called “Top of the Bottoms” which models itself after traditional, New Orleans Mardis Gras Krewes kicked off the festivities with an elaborate, colorful and moving Second Line funeral procession.
The graveside serenade was joined by local saxophonists, trumpeters, percussionists, and anyone else who wanted to participate in a rousing rendition of Bird's signature tune “Now's The Time”.
Bird's step daughter Kim Parker was in attendance and gave a short talk. She shared her memories which included her not understanding people's reaction to this large black man walking a young white girl to school in New York. She concluded by yelling “WAKE UP, BIRD!”
Poems were read, speeches were given and even some tears were shed. It was a very moving and heartfelt celebration of a short life that gave so much.
Should you find yourself on Blue Ridge Boulevard between Truman Road and Independence Avenue with some time to spare, stop by Lincoln Cemetery, leave a flower or some Mardis Gras beads, and feel free to yell “WAKE UP, BIRD!”
Les Miller Keeps Bees Busy
Les Miller of Miller’s Honey Farm in Independence will tell you that bees are smarter than humans, and that without bees there can be no life for human beings.
Miller’s honey, which he sells at the Independence Farmer’s Market, is organic, and his beekeeping methods are all-natural and holistic. But like beekeepers around the world, he sees the bees dying off and disappearing at an alarming rate.
More than 30% of the world’s bee population have disappeared in recent years, and Les says the people who depend on them to pollinate the crops of the food we eat are the very ones responsible for their disappearance.
“People kill bees, with the poisons they use to kill weeds and other bugs, and sometimes they just kill them whenever they see them because they’re afraid of them.”
Miller is not afraid of any bees or any other insect, and he’s especially fond of pollinators. He’s been raising butterflies since he was 8 years old, and as a child he watched his father raise bees and make honey. He decided to take up the profession of beekeeping 14 years ago, after decades of being a mechanic took a toll on his back and on his health. “One day I got stung by a bee, and my back quit hurting,” he says. He decided to learn everything he could about bees and beekeeping, and now he earns a living doing what he’s always loved, “playing with bugs.”
All pesticides and herbicides threaten the bee population, he says, but points out that certain chemicals called Neonicitinoids are particularly deadly. Neonicitonoids have been banned in Europe and there’s a push by U.S. environmentalists for them to be banned in the United States as well.
Miller’s bees gather pollen and nectar from flowering trees, wildflowers, and gardens. “Dandelions are really important for the bees. If they survive the winter, dandelions are the most plentiful source of nutrition bees have before the trees come into flower, but too many people see dandelions as a bad thing and they poison them,” he says, adding that dandelions are important to soil health as well as bee health. “Every kind of poison you put on the ground stays in the ground, and it gets in the groundwater, and it’s killing the bees.”
Bees find a safe-haven in Miller’s hives, though, and his pure, all-natural honey is prized by honey connoisseurs around the region. If you can’t make it to the Independence Farmers Market, call Miller’s Honey Farm at 254-3702 and place an order.
School Kids Really Need Your Help
Teachers and staff members at the Sugar Creek and Mallinson Elementary Schools are asking the community to donate warm clothing, shoes, and food items to students whose families are struggling financially. Office staff at both schools told us that they are frequently called upon to make emergency shoe repairs, using hot glue and duct tape. Staff at both schools spoke of kids without jackets who have outgrown their winter coats. Children’s socks and underwear would be especially appreciated at Sugar Creek Elementary, school to about 200 kindergartners and first graders. Both schools are in need of shoes and warm clothing. Kids at Sugar Creek Elementary generally wear sizes 4 to 8. Kids at Mallinson Elementary need clothing in sizes 6 to 14.
Mallinson Elementary School is in the process of setting up a food pantry, and welcomes all donations of non-perishable food items.
You can drop off clothing donations at either school, and food donations at the Mallinson school at 709 N. Forest Avenue, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Both schools also participate in the Box Tops for Education and the Labels for Education programs. Visit boxtopsforeducation.info and labelsforeducation.com to find out which products carry the labels you can cut out and bring to the schools to help Sugar Creek kids.
Feds to Revitalize Blue River
Kansas City’s Blue River has been chosen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be part of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, a partnership between federal agencies and non-profit organizations with a mission to "restore waterways and their environments, boost recreation, help local economies, create jobs, and protect Americans’ health."
The Blue River, around which the Inter-City area was created by 19th century KC real estate magnate Willard Winner, was once an active and important waterway used for transportation and recreation. Decades of industrial misuse and the economic blight brought on by factory closures have left the river in dire need of clean-up and revitalization. Along with the EPA, the U.S. Forest Service, Missouri Dept. of Conservation, the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), the Heartland Alliance, and many other agencies and non-profits will be taking part in the effort.
Arthur E. Stilwell - Father of Fairmount
Fairmount got its name from Arthur Edward Stilwell, the man who created Fairmount Park in 1892.
In 1891 he built a streetcar line called the “Air Line,” which ran from Kansas City to Independence. To encourage people to ride his Air Line, Stilwell built the amusement park along the line.
In 1892 the park was called Cusenbary Springs. 40 acres of J. D. Cusenbary’s land had been purchased, along with the spring which was dammed to create an 18-acre lake. That year the name was changed to Fairmount Park. It was likely named after the park in Philadelphia which had the same name, as Mr. Stilwell was actively courting investors from Pennsylvania to help finance his other projects.
Arthur Stillwell was an entrepreneur who loved building streetcars and railroads. The Kansas City Southern Railroad was built by Stilwell, who has several cities named after him in states from here to the Gulf of Mexico. He created nearly 40 towns along the railroad lines he built, like Stilwell, Kansas and Port Arthur, Texas.
Stilwell was one of Kansas City’s great civic leaders, and Fairmount Park was his playground. Tens of thousands of people a year came on the Air Line to enjoy a beach, amusement park rides, a zoo, vaudeville, dancing, daredevils, and it was known as the “Home of Picnics,” with some of Kansas City’s biggest companies treating their employees to a day at Fairmount Park. It was the home of the Kansas City Horse Show, which would later evolve into the American Royal.
Arthur Stilwell was enjoying the Horse Show at Fairmount Park on September 11, 1897, when the last railroad spike was driven in Port Arthur, TX, for his Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf Railway, which connected Kansas City to the Gulf of Mexico. The next day a hurricane would tear through Port Arthur, killing 14 people. At the same time, yellow fever quarantine kept all railroad traffic from coming south of Shreveport.
Within two years Arthur Stilwell lost control of his railroad to the Gulf of Mexico, which was taken from him by bankers over an unpaid $44 printing bill, and renamed the Kansas City Southern Railroad. He lost Fairmount Park in the bargain.
Unbowed, Arthur Stilwell embarked on an even bigger project: connecting Kansas City with the Pacific Ocean. He began building the Kansas City, Mexico, and Orient Railway in 1900. Stilwell spent the next decade laying hundreds of miles of tracks throughout the Southwest and into Mexico, when the Mexican Revolution broke out in 1912. Once again his railroad went into receivership. Though he would lose everything, many of his investors became millionaires several times over when oil was discovered along the tracks of the railroad to the Pacific he tried to build. One of the biggest beneficiaries of the oil money was the Kemper family of Kansas City.
After he lost the railroad, Arthur Stilwell spent his time living in New York City and wrote several books, poems, and hymns. He would claim that little pixies/faeries that he called “Brownies” had given him all of his ideas and inspirations.
Stilwell was born in Rochester, New York on October 24, 1859. He married his childhood sweetheart, Jennie Wood, and brought her to Kansas City in 1979. He died of a stroke on September 26, 1928 in his apartment on 74th Street in New York. Two weeks later his despondent wife Jenny threw herself from the 14th story window of that same apartment and committed suicide.
Learn more about Arthur Stilwell at arthurstilwell.com
Buried at Mt. Washington - Jim Bridger
By Scott Randolph -
Bordered by 24 Highway, Truman Road and Blue Ridge Boulevard is the Mount Washington Forever Cemetery. Claiming some of the highest vantage points in the area, this beautifully landscaped 200 acre cemetery is an Historic Landmark originally founded as a not-for-profit cemetery in 1900 by a group of Kansas City Philanthropists.
Among the 60,000 graves in Mount Washington Cemetery are the final resting places of some of the Kansas City area's most notable figures, including one of Kansas City's earliest residents, James Felix Bridger, known as Jim Bridger (March17, 1804-July 17, 1881). Jim Bridger was among the elite of trappers, scouts, mountain men and guides during the early decades of the 19th century.
Bridger was of English ancestry and could trace his family roots in North America back to the early colonial period.
Born in Richmond, Virginia, he began his career in 1822 at the age of 18, as a member of the Upper Missouri Expedition. Bridger was among the first white men to see the geysers and other natural wonders of the Yellowstone area. In 1825, he gained national fame as the first European American to explore the Great Salt Lake in what is today the state of Utah. Due to it salinity, Bridger mistakenly believed it to be an arm of the Pacific Ocean.
In 1830, Bridger, along with a business partner, opened the Rocky Mountain Fur Company to cash in on the lucrative beaver fur market. (In Europe, beaver hats had been fashionable since the 16th century. The beaver pelt was highly prized for its soft yet resilient fur. By the time of the Civil War, the beaver population in North America had been driven to near-extinction.)
After considerable success as a fur trapper, Bridger, in 1843, established a trading post at Fort Bridger, in the southwest corner of present day Wyoming. From this location, he re-supplied Mormons traveling to the Great Salt Lake as well as pioneers heading northwest on the Oregon Trail.
Having gained a wealth of knowledge about the country through extensive exploration, Bridger discovered what would eventually be known as Bridger's Pass in 1850. This mountain pass, through the Sierra Madre Range in Wyoming, shortened the Oregon Trail by 61 miles. Bridger Pass would later be used by the Union Pacific Railroad, and Interstate 80. In 1864, he blazed the Bridger Trail, a route from Wyoming to the gold mines in Montana. During these years, Bridger also served as a scout to the US Army in their wars against the American Natives.
In 1868, suffering from arthritis, rheumatism and other health ailments, Jim Bridger was discharged from the US Army in Fort Laramie, Wyoming. He died on his farm just south of Kansas City, (present day 103rd Street and State Line,) in 1881, at the age of 77. Today, his final resting place at Mount Washington Forever Cemetery is marked by a towering seven foot monument of granite.
The monument faces west, befitting the trailblazer and explorer it memorializes.
Photo by Joe Calton
Camp Jackson: Fairmount Park in 1898
In April of 1898 the United States of America declared war on Spain over Cuba. The war lasted 112 days. 2,400 young men from the Greater Kansas City area who were members of the 3rd and 4th Regiments had been mobilized to a place called Camp Mead. Among the men went the band which had played at Fairmount Park for years.
In September our soldiers were finally on their way home. Finding them a place to stay while they were mustering out was a problem for the military. Both Burge Park and Fairmount Park offered to accommodate. Fairmount won. A good café, bathing in the lake and Cusenbary Spring water swayed the powers that be.
In Camp Jackson at Fairmount Park it rained a lot. A soldier could go home if (1) he lived locally and (2) he wasn’t in the brig. Many were and some were fined their whole $16 a month salary. Food wasn’t always the best or plentiful. Some local farmers came up missing chickens, and some of the chicken thieves lost their chickens to other chicken thieves before they could cook and eat them.
Sick Call was very popular. A shortage of beds meant that some soldiers had to sleep on the ground, rolled up in their ponchos.
Major Will T. Stark angered his troops when he forced them to parade by his home in Independence, a round trip of 8 miles in the rain and mud, just to impress a couple of women.
Improve Your Home or Business and Pay No Real Estate Tax
This is a great program that the city of Independence offers that some people are not aware of.
Fairmont-Carlisle and St. Clair Park 353 tax abatement programs are open for enrollment in North West Independence areas. The Fairmont-Carlisle 353 program began in 2007, and in November of 2010 St. Clair Park opened for enrollment. To date 211 parcels are enjoying tax relief with another 165 working on their homes.
The 353 plan offers residents an incentive to rehabilitate their homes in accordance with the guidelines of the program, and pay no real estate tax for 10 years and 50% real estate tax for the following 15 years. One still pays tax on the land.
Every home owner should take pride in the property they invested in and keep it up.
Business owners and multi-housing are encourage to participate in this program with 10 year relief.
For more information, please call Pat Robinson at the City of Independence, 816-325-7426, Tax Abatement Administrator, or email perobinson@indepmo.org
By Larry Gerling, Board Member
Free Weatherization for Home Owners
The U.S. Department of Energy and the State of Missouri are offering free weatherization improvements to homeowners who meet certain income requirements. Renters can also benefit from this program through cooperation with their landlords.
Improvements can range from a tune-up of your furnace and hot water heater to a complete replacement of outdated and/or unsafe heating and cooling equipment.
The benefits to the homeowner and the planet are immediate. According to the Missouri Department of Economic Development, a partner in the program, a home that has been weatherized can reduce fuel usage by 35 percent for the typical low income home. They say that every $1 invested in the program returns $2.51 to the household and society through lower electric and gas bills, allowing residents to spend more money in the community. So even if you don’t qualify for free weatherization, investments you make in updating your furnace, a/c, and hot water heater will pay off in a short period of time.
Qualifications are based on a sliding scale, with a family of 5 with a gross income of up to $55,140 a year could benefit from this program.
For more information contact the United Services Community Action Agency, the local non-profit agency in charge of administering the Home Weatherization Program in our area. Their number is (816) 358-6868, or you can visit their website at www.choose-hope.org.
Candidates for Jackson County Legislature Debate
The South Kansas City Alliance hosted a debate between the candidates running for Jackson County Legislature in the 1st District At Large, which represents the Inter-City area, on July 14.
Sherwood Smith, veteran Fire Captain, Vice President and President Emeritus of the Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters, and Frank White, broadcaster, T-Bones first base coach, and former second baseman for the Kansas City Royals, answered questions ranging from public transportation to Tax Increment Financing.
Smith highlighted his experience in working with lawmakers on public safety and issues affecting first responders and their families, while White spoke of his leadership on the ball field and his work with local charitable organizations. Read what they’ll do for the Inter-City area if elected on page 5.
Sugar Creek Asks Voters to Raise Taxes for $1.5 Million Wellness Center
Will the residents of Sugar Creek vote to raise their property taxes by $60 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value in order to transform the old post office into a $1.5 million Wellness Center? That’s what city officials are hoping will happen on August 5th, when Sugar Creek residents go to the polls.
The Wellness Center would feature exercise equipment, a group exercise room, a kitchen, child care for people working out, and restrooms with showers. $1.5 million will only cover the cost of building the Wellness Center, but not the cost of staffing, running or maintaining it. Those costs would be covered by membership or usage fees; the Wellness Center would not be free for Sugar Creek residents to use.
Citizens we spoke to were skeptical about the cost, need, and location of the proposed Wellness Center, pointing out that the city already offers free fitness classes at the gymnasium.
Several residents we spoke to said they would gladly vote to raise taxes if Sugar Creek would bring back the municipal swimming pool, but the proposed Wellness Center does not offer swimming facilities.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said, “Why should we give them a million and a half dollars for this, when all that land along 24 Highway is growing weeds? This was supposed to be part of the 24 Highway development we’ve already paid millions of dollars for. They tore down all those homes and businesses for a shopping center that never happened. Now they want to raise taxes for this? Where’s the shopping center?”
Inter-City Fire Protection District
Blue Summit is the unincorporated area of Jackson County sandwiched between Independence and Kansas City. The Inter City Fire Protection District is a small District, established in 1936, that covers that area with fire and E.M.S. coverage.
Chief Jeff Jewell has been the fire chief for the past eleven years and has seen his department grow and improve to and I.S.O. (Insurance Services Office ) rating of a 4. (4 out of 10 rating) The District covers a one square mile that overlooks Kansas City and Independence. The Fire District built a new fire station located at 1702 Blue Ridge Blvd. in 2007, and added two ambulances in 2013. The district also started paying the Paramedics and E.M.T.s.
"The District has shrunk in size over the years with the expansion of Kansas City and Independence," said Jewell "but we are still providing for our area. Inter City had a fire station in the Fairmount area for years but moved to (Dog patch) Blue Summit back in the day. I would love to have some of the old pictures of the Fire Station and its firefighters to hang in our new station as a reminder of how things have changed." If you have any items or pictures you would like to donate to the Inter City Fire Protection District contact Chief Jeff Jewell 816-461-9090.
Wash House Laundry - 21st Century Laundromat
What makes Wash House Laundry, located at 11525 E 24 Highway, different from the rest?
"Fresh Clothes Need Clean Air," it says on the door. Unlike other area laundromats, there is no smoking allowed at the Wash House Laundry, and that’s only one of the benefits that owners Ed and Gina Reese will tell you that set the Wash House apart.
"Our washers and driers are brand new, state-of-the-art, stainless steel Dexter Laundry machines, made in the USA by an employee owned company that’s been around for more than 100 years." Dexter washers and dryers are energy efficient – the spin cycle at 200 g-force removes more water, cutting the drying time in half. "It’s as green as it gets," says Ed, as he point out that many area laundries are using washers and dryers that are more than 10 and 20 years old. "The older machines use more water, more energy, they’re not as gentle on the fabrics, and they’re just not as efficient as the Dexters. You save money, you save time, and you protect the environment."
The Reeses completely remodeled their 24 Highway location, which was at one time a Quick-Stop gas station and had sat vacant for years.
Everything is brand new, with big screen HD televisions and free Wi-Fi.
Wash House offers drop-off laundry service for 90 cents per pound. They have double and triple load machines, and 6-load large capacity machines for washing comforters and other large items. The high efficiency Dexter commercial dryers cost 25 cents for 10 minutes, "and your clothes will dry twice as fast, saving you time and money," says Gina.
The Reeses explain their business model to be "the Quik-Trip of Laundromats – nice, clean, and economical." And fast. "Come in once and you’ll be convinced!"
Wash House Laundry is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. They also have a 24-hour location in Buckner, Missouri. TheyCre offering a free wash and dry for Veterans on Veterans’s Day.
OLD SCHOOLS WITH NEW PURPOSES
Mt. Washington Senior Apartments
The Mount Washington Elementary School building, opened in 1903 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, has been rehabilitated and transformed into beautiful, spacious apartments for seniors 55 and older. There is a library, recreation areas, a theater, laundry facilities, and many more amenities. Call (816) 888-1414 for more information.
Della Lamb Charter School
414 Wallace Ave, Kansas City
The old Benjamin Harrison Elementary School on Wallace Avenue, built in 1913, is under renovation and will become the home to the Della Lamb Charter School. Middle school classes are already underway, and K-8 education will be added shortly. Della Lamb Community Services has been working since 1897 in Kansas City to provide low income families with a variety of educational and social services.
WILLARD E. WINNER - Father of the Inter-City
Winner Road is named after the man who brought Independence and Kansas City together, creating the "Inter-City" district, Willard E. Winner. His Winner Investment Co. bought thousands of acres of land around the Blue River in unincorporated areas of Jackson County, and began work connecting the two cities by streetcar.
"Winner’s Road," which was also known as Washington Park Avenue, was a wide dirt road with a streetcar track for Winner’s Kansas City, Independence, and Park Railway, which started at 15th St. and Askew and headed east to "Washington Park," an amusement park also built by the Winner Investment Co. (now Mt. Washington Cemetery). From there the "dummy line" went on along Winner’s road into the Independence Square, following the same path that Winner Road runs today. It was called a dummy line because the trolley, consisting of two passenger cars, was powered by a steam locomotive that was covered up with a wooden box so as not to frighten the horses in traffic.
Along Winner’s dummy line tracks grew the areas of Maywood and Englewood.
The Winner Investment Co. didn’t just focus on the area east of the Blue River – they bought and sold land all around it, creating the areas of Centropolis, Manchester, and Sheffield. Willard Winner was the Kansas City pioneer of selling homes on the installment plan, and Winner’s neighborhoods sprang up all over the Blue Valley area during the real estate boom of the 1880s. He sold tracts of land to industrial developers at "bed rock prices" (at cost) "for the benefit of Kansas City."
In 1887 Winner persuaded an investor named James Sternberg from Reading, PA to build the "KC Bolt & Nut Co." in Sheffield. Later it would become Sheffield Steel and, after that, Armco Steel.
Willard Winner set his sights on the Northland, and Winner Investment Co.’s North Side Syndicate acquired thousands of acres of land in Clay and Platte Counties, trying to entice capitalists from the East to build new factories there.
In 1891 the Winner Bridge Company was building the piers for the bridge that would span Missouri River, the Winner Depot Company was building a train station, and the Winner Building Company was laying the foundation for a 9 story office building at 7th and Delaware in Kansas City when the real estate bubble burst, and the Winner Investment Co. went broke. Winner’s many projects would be sold and completed by other companies. The bridge he started building in 1890 would become the ASB Bridge, opening in 1911.
Willard E. Winner was born in Fairfield, Iowa, on May 4, 1849. His family moved to Wyandotte in 1858 when Kansas City was in its infancy. From the age of 11 Willard worked as a clerk at the McHenry, Downs & Co. store. His family moved to Kansas City during the Civil War. He later spent 11 years working in the post office, becoming assistant postmaster. He left that job to go into the insurance business, and soon began to build his real estate empire. He was married in 1872 to Myra Baker, daughter of Dr. Peter Baker. They are believed to have had four children. Willard Winner died while on vacation in Texas in 1929 at the age of 80. Mrs. Winner passed away the next year.
The Blue River from 15th Street -- Then and Now
Washington Park in 1894
From the book “Kansas City’s Fairmount Park” by John M. Olinskey
The seventh season of Washington Park (now Mt. Washington Cemetery) was the first one with a lot of money spent on improvements. Until then, it was like a 400 acre zoo with a lake, but in 1894 things changed.
The cars going to Fairmount Park drew more patrons. The Fairmount and Washington Parks competitive wars began in earnest in ’94, fueled by money from the Holmes family, Washington Park’s new owners. A bathing beach and bath house were built at Washington Park, costing $10,000, and a restaurant was also added. A wild beast show appeared in June. Sir Charles Wombell of London brought his performing leopards, and Miss Mili Nana and her hypnotic lions thrilled the people as she entered the cage blindfolded.
A parachute leap was also on the agenda, where a lady, in full evening attire, jumped 5,000 feet from a helium balloon. Washington Park also emulated Fairmount Park in that the water from the spring in Washington Park was sold as Bethsaida Spring Water. It was delivered in a 400 gallon horse-drawn wagon and sold door to door. "For a free sample call 2536."
In addition, the park also featured Shetland ponies, boats, swings, a bowling alley and a shooting gallery. It was 15 cents round trip from Kansas City to Washington Park on the Dummy Line.
Growing Up in Fairmount
By W. Fred Hendrix
I consider myself lucky to have grown up in Fairmount during the 1950's. It was a great time and a great place to be a kid. We use to take long hikes in the woods and along the Mo. River. The hills over looking the river had such things as "Look Out Point", "Dead Mans Trail" and the "Jesse James Cave."
One of the great joys was the Byam Theater in Fairmount and the Saturday afternoon shows. The Shows were all black and white then and were for the most part old 30's and 40's reruns but we had never seen them before. Tarzan movies, and Westerns along with Flash Gordon and the Three Stooges. There would also be a serial where each week a chapter would be shown, leaving the hero or his girl in the face of death to be continued the next week.
Admission was 10 cents. My mom would give me 35 cents, so that left 25 cents to spend. With popcorn at 5 cents as well as pop and candy for 25 cents it was enough to treat myself and also buy for my "girl friend." It was great for the parents since they had a place to drop off the kids on a Saturday to keep them busy and out of the way and it was great for the kids to see the movies and to spend time with their friends outside of school.
Once a month or so the Byam would have a talent contest on Saturday afternoon. The girls would have little dance skits, boys would play drums or do a reading or comedy skit.The prizes were a box of popcorn or a Coke and first prize was a free ticket to next week's show. I entered and got second place with a much practiced and moving rendition of "Home on the Range."
The Byam closed in the mid 50's but by that time we were going to the Maywood and then later the Englewood, and going out at night.
It was a great time, little crime, no drugs, and cheap oil. I remember the gas wars when a gallon of gas was 8 cents a gallon. What a great time.
Buy This House, Please!
This is not an advertisement; it’s a public service announcement. We’ve been told that this blighted, abandoned house (and the lot next to it) on commercially-zoned 24 Highway, less than a mile east of I-435, will be up for auction by Jackson County on August 18 for unpaid back taxes.
If you’re interested in getting in on the ground floor of the revitalization of the “Road to Harry’s Library,” owning this piece of land could be a wise investment, and you could become a pioneer of the inevitable Independence Avenue Corridor Renaissance. For information about Tax Sales in Jackson County, visit http://tinyurl.com/taxsale.
Summer in the Inter-City
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver participated at the 4th of July Parade in Sugar Creek, giving candy to Azelle Guajardo, age 3, and Zoe Reiber, age 10, of Sugar Creek.
This summer’s Third Friday Art Walks will overlap with Englewood’s Gypsy Caravan antiques, crafts, and flea market, going on every Third Friday and Third Saturday through September in the Englewood Arts District.
ELECTION SPECIAL: CAMPAIGN PROMISES
The Inter-City News would like to thank the candidates who took the time to reply to our question. We hope that our readers will not only show up at the polls and be counted on Election Day, but that they will encourage their friends and relatives to vote as well. If you find a candidate that you feel will help the Inter-City, please support that candidate with your time and/or contributions, and by spreading the word!
THE INTER-CITY NEWS ASKED CANDIDATES:"If you are elected, what can and will you do for the Inter-City area with respect to economic development, public safety, and social services?"
Jackson County Legislature, 1st District At Large
“I'm a 36 year member of the Kansas City Fire Department and a 23 year Captain, very familiar with the Inter-City area. If I am elected no area will feel as if they are forgotten. I will make it my mission to bring economic development to the area. You are probably saying…sure you will!! Let me tell you why I think this can be done. First, the unincorporated land area is under our jurisdiction and should be a priority. Second, Inter-City is an inner ring suburb, vital to the heartbeat of the region. I will see that Blue Summit has adequate police protection by the Sheriff’s Department and also assist the Fire Department you now have, and I would insist that all codes in the area are adhered to and work to add a County micro lending program to assist small business owners in the area."
Frank White, Jr.
"Too often the 1,000 or so folks (including many hard-working families and retirees) who call that area and its neighborhoods home feel they receive second class service from their local governments. I will support and try to increase efforts by the county’s public works department and our Sheriff’s office to identify and remove abandoned houses, along with making sure property owners maintain vacant lots keeping them mowed and free from trash and debris. I also hope to be involved in the legislature’s Land Use Committee and to look for ways to encourage clean, productive businesses to locate or expand in the area."
State Legislature, 22nd District
Brandon Ellington
"I will continue to work on incentives that promote small business growth as well as incentives for redevelopment of abandoned infrastructure. Example: I filed bills dealing with both issues:
1.The Economic Grant Program (HB1400)
2.Small business tax credit (HB 1403).
There are multiple factors we have to take into account when dealing with public safety, such as poverty, social status, mental health issues, community awareness, & blighted infrastructure.
So here are a few bills I've filed to deal with the above: Increase in minimum wage, 1 cent sales tax on guns dedicated to mental health services, certification and bonding of working inmates.
By providing a living wage you start to combat poverty, providing increased funding for mental health services you start to address issues that definitely effect public safety, certify and bonding inmates give them the ability to gain employment upon release which reduces the necessity to commit crime.
I will continue to fight for the perseverance of social programs however I feel that some of the policies have to change."
United States Congress, Fifth District
Bill Lindsay (R)
"I am prepared to lead and ready to provide the leadership needed in the Fifth district. I am a veteran of the Kansas Army National Guard and an urban teacher and debate coach who brings academic excellence into my teaching and success through my debate program. I am married and have three grown children. My education includes AA, BA and MA degrees.
I plan to introduce legislation that will bring manufacturing back to the Fifth district which will further lead to money being circulated, which will help support the infrastructure of our struggling communities. For public safety I will present legislation that will provide education on gun safety and proper usage. I will introduce legislation that will make mental health services readily available for those who can be considered threats to our communities as well as give local law enforcement training in identifying mental health risks and providing better enforcement of the threats from those who suffer from mental disorders."
Eric Holmes (D)
"No matter who promises what, the pork will run out soon. A professional politician will promise the federal government will come to the rescue. In reality the solution best passed for the Inter-City will be the solution to turn the whole economy around. Congress can lower the federal minimum wage so more people can work. Congress can eliminate barriers to investments and entrepreneurship. Congress can fund more enforcement of drug trafficking laws. Congress can stop the Justice Department from suing banks, which is drying up investment dollars. I had a chance to witness first hand the most dangerous place on earth becoming the safest place in Iraq. The solution was finding concerned citizens who stand up and make an impact. Local leaders who do volunteer to lead need to be heard and listened to. They will be the source of any lasting impact. I will work with anyone on any idea who comes forward and wants to make an impact in his home. The US cannot solve another nation’s problems; we can only assist local leaders. This is the lesson learned from Iraq and Afghanistan. The same holds true in Missouri. Washington cannot solve local problems. Washington can only assist."
Bob Gough (D)
"Inter-City is an ideal community for Democratic candidates. The goal of every Democratic politician is to create a dependent, needy voter base, block economic development, and get reelected. Congressman Cleaver and all the Democratic state representatives don’t have to spend a dime campaigning in Inter-City area. The dependent voters of Inter-City give the Democratic politicians nearly every vote every election. The area is ignored by politicians because it would be politically dangerous to Democrats if the area became prosperous.
Prosperous communities like Lee’s Summit and Blue Springs have great economic development, public safety and social services. But they have Republican state representatives and Congressman Cleaver will have difficulty getting votes from these prosperous areas, but the solid Democratic votes from inter-City will more than make up for Lee’s Summit and Blue Springs votes.
The question on August fifth is: Which Democratic candidate should I vote for? Since I live in Lee’s Summit, I know what make[s] a prosperous community. Vote for Bob Gough on August fifth."
In Memory: David John Olinskey
David John Olinskey, son of the late Raymond and Mary Ann (Delich) Olinskey, was laid to rest at Mound Grove Cemetery on Thursday, July 17, following a Mass at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church. He passed away on July 14 at his home.
David was born on April 11, 1959 in Independence, Missouri. He grew up in Sugar Creek and was a member of the Van Horn Class of 1977. David had lived in Warrensburg, Missouri for 20 years. He was preceded in death by his father.
David is survived by his mother, his brothers Raymond J. and Paul M. Olinskey, his niece Renee Johnson, and his great-nephew Colton Hercules, along with many friends and relatives who will never forget him.
In his memory, the family encourages contributions to the St. Cyril Parish and the Sugar Creek CCRC.
Send tributes to editor at inter-citynews.com
Dr. Howard McFarland: Professional Biblical Counseling
Dr. McFarland has been in private practice as a licensed recovery psychologist for 2 years and is endorsed through the UACII. He has been involved in ministry for many years in one aspect or another. He is using that experience now to help others through Biblical based counseling. He understands real life and the difficulties it can bring, while helping sort through these trials, based on Biblical principals.
While it is not necessary for you to be a Christian to receive counseling, Dr. McFarland will show you what the Bible teaches regarding you and your life. You are free to accept or reject this information just as you would be with any other non-Biblical based counseling.
Dr. McFarland has dedicated his life to serving others and helping them. He volunteers in homeless shelters, hospitals, prisons, food pantries, and church ministries. He also is involved in community projects. He knows and sees real life and trials, as well as his own personal experiences. If you want someone to talk to that's not judgmental, but will give it to you straight, then give Dr. McFarland a call. He will be happy and willing to help you learn to help yourself.
His office is located at 201 W Lexington, #301A, in Independence. His phone number is (816) 437-4022. He offers day, evening, and Saturday sessions.
Are you a local entrepreneur, artist, or hobbiest that would like to share your story with the Inter-City News? Please call (816) 388-0628 or email us at editor at inter-citynews.com
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ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS BY
MUNICIPAL JOINT ENDEAVORS
House Bill 5229 (H-4) as reported from committee
Sponsor: Rep. Jason M. Sheppard
1st Committee: Transportation
2nd Committee: Ways and Means
Complete to 12-10-19
House Bill 5229 would amend the Municipal Partnership Act, which authorizes and provides standards for municipal joint endeavors, to allow revenue bonds to be issued under a joint revenue contract, to provide certain requirements for those bonds, to exempt a millage levied by a joint endeavor from counting against the constitutional or statutory millage limitations of its participants, and to exempt a tax levied by a joint endeavor for transportation purposes from capture by other governmental entities for other purposes.
Currently under the act, a municipal joint endeavor may levy a tax of not more than five mills on all taxable property in the areas served by it for the purpose of providing revenue to the joint endeavor.
The bill would provide that if a joint authority levied a tax for public transit services, the contract providing for the joint endeavor would have to include the method by which the public transit services of the joint endeavor will be provided throughout the service area of the joint endeavor.
The bill would also provide that a tax levied by a joint endeavor for transportation purposes could not be used for any purpose related to an international bridge.
If a joint endeavor levied a millage, the number of mills levied by the joint endeavor would be subject to the limitations applicable to and any reductions required by sections 6 and 25 to 31 of Article IX of the State Constitution. The number of mills would count toward the constitutional or statutory tax rate limitation applicable to mills levied by the joint endeavor, but would not could toward the constitutional or statutory tax rate limitation for any participant.
If a joint endeavor contract allowed a tax levy to be used to repay revenue bonds (see below), the ballot proposal for the levy would have to state that revenue from the levy could be used for that purpose.
Additionally, a tax levied by a joint endeavor for transportation purposes and any specific tax attributable to that tax could not be attributed or transmitted to, retained or captured by, any other governmental entity for purposes not authorized by the act or the contract providing for the joint endeavor.
Revenue Bonds under a Joint Endeavor Contract
The bill would allow a contract for a joint endeavor under the act to provide for the joint endeavor, a participant, or a public agency that is a party to the contract to do one or more of the following:
· Borrow money and issue revenue bonds on behalf of the joint endeavor to purchase, acquire, construct, improve, enlarge, extend, or repair one or more public improvements for purposes consistent with the purpose of the joint endeavor and for related project costs.
· Pledge revenue received or to be received under the contract, including revenue from a tax levied by the joint endeavor for the repayment of the revenue bonds.
· Provide for the repayment of the revenue bonds on terms and conditions specified in the resolution authorizing the bonds, the principal and interest of which could be payable only from proceeds specified in the resolution.
· Provide for the creation of a lien on the revenue pledged in favor of the bond holders on terms and conditions specified in the resolution authorizing the bonds.
Resolution to Authorize Revenue Bonds
The resolution authorizing the revenue bonds would have to do both of the following:
· Include a statement that the bonds are revenue bonds and briefly describing the public improvements to be purchased, acquired, constructed, improved, enlarged, extended, or repaired.
· Delegate for a period of time to a designated officer, employee, or agent the power to issue, sell, and deliver revenue bonds within the limits on the bonds established in the resolution relating to form, maximum interest rate, maturity date, purchase price, denomination, redemption rates and premiums (if any), nature of the security, selection of an applicable interest rate index, or other terms and conditions prescribed with respect to the issuance of the revenue bonds.
The resolution authorizing the revenue bonds could do one or more of the following:
· Specify other details or matters necessary or advisable to provide for the prompt and orderly retirement of the bonds and the interest on the bonds at maturity.
· Provide for the deposit of revenues pledged for the payment of the bonds into a separate account for paying principal and interest on the bonds, project costs, and any other bonds issued that are secured by those revenues.
· Authorize the refunding the revenue bonds, in whole or in part, for refunding or restructuring by issuing new revenue bonds if the refunding would be expedient, whether or not the bonds to be refunded have matured, including any identification of parameters under which the refunding bonds can be issued.
Revenue Bond Requirements
The following would apply to the revenue bonds:
· They could not mature more than 30 years after the date of original issuance.
· If the contract for a joint endeavor provided for the creation of a lien, the lien would be a statutory lien on the revenues pledged to pay the principal of, interest on, and project costs of the revenue bonds, to and in favor of the holders of the bonds and any interest coupons. The statutory lien would be a first lien on that revenue, except that if a prior lien existed, the new lien would be subject to the prior lien. The statutory lien would be effected and perfected without delivery, recording, or notice. The pledged revenue would remain subject to the statutory lien until payment in full of the principal of, interest on, and project costs of the revenue bonds unless the authorizing resolution provided for earlier discharge of the lien by substitution of other security. The statutory lien would not allow the holder of a bond or coupon to compel the sale of a public improvement.
· The revenue bonds could be sold to the Michigan Finance Authority created under Executive Order 2010-2.
· The revenue bonds would be subject to the Revised Municipal Act and would not be subject to the Revenue Bond Act of 1933.
MCL 124.117
FISCAL IMPACT:
Because the provisions of the bill are discretionary in nature and any future participants to joint ventures established and operated under the provisions of the bill are unknown, a fiscal impact cannot be established. The provisions prohibiting any joint venture millage levy from being counted toward the constitutional or statutory number of mills limitation would authorize a participating local government to levy more mills than under current law. It should be noted that the electors of the participating local government would need to authorize any additional millage.
POSITIONS:
Representatives of the following entities testified in support of the bill (12-3-19):
DTE Energy
Detroit Regional Chamber
Saginaw Transit Authority
The following entities indicated support for the bill:
Wayne County Community College (12-3-19)
Ilitch Holdings (12-3-19)
Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (12-3-19)
Ford Motor Company (12-3-19)
Beaumont Health (12-3-19)
HNTB Corporation (12-3-19)
Michigan Realtors (12-3-19)
Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (12-4-19)
Henry Ford Health System (12-3-19)
Michigan Association of Counties (12-4-19)
Michigan Municipal League (12-10-19)
Michigan Chamber of Commerce (12-10-19)
United Way of Southeast Michigan (12-10-19)
The Michigan Public Transit Association indicated a neutral position on the bill. (12-3-19)
The following entities indicated opposition to the bill (12-4-19):
Michigan Freedom Fund
Legislative Analyst: E. Best
Fiscal Analyst: Ben Gielczyk
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
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Lewis and Clark Expedition
Summary: Discover interesting facts and information about the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the men of the Corps of Discovery who undertook the hazardous journey through the unmapped wilderness of the new lands of America. Their major goal was to explore the lands obtained in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, that had doubled the size of the United States. This ambitious endeavor resulted in an amazing voyage of discovery. Their great journey west, and their return home, took 863 days during which time they traveled 7,689 miles through 10 different states from May 14, 1804 to September 23, 1806.
Lewis and Clark Expedition - Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis and Clark Expedition for kids
Discover important information and facts about the Lewis and Clark expedition. The subjects cover all aspects of the historic journey including the text of the journals, summaries, a simple map, a history timeline, the animals and plants discovered, famous quotes by the explorers, the hardships endured, their supplies, weapons and keelboat and their encounters with the grizzly bears and the Native American Indian tribes.
Lewis and Clark Journals Journal Summaries Timeline Sacagawea Facts Animals Discovered
Plants Discovered Lewis and Clark Facts Map Corps of Discovery Lewis and Clark Quotes
Grizzly Bears Fort Mandan Fort Clatsop Native American Tribes Keelboat
Lewis and Clark Historical Park Northwest Passage Weapons Supplies Hardships
Lewis and Clark Expedition Map
The Lewis and Clark Map shows the path taken by the explorers on their outward journey (1804 - 1805) and their return journey home during their search for the Northwest Passage.
Lewis and Clark Journey Timeline
The Lewis and Clark Journey Timeline provides a fast overview of the important dates, people, events and history of the great journey west undertaken by the famous explorers and the Corps of Discovery.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Sacagawea Facts and History - Sacagawea story and summary of her journey
The explorers on the Lewis and Clark Expedition had many occasions to be thankful to their female Shoshone Native Indian guide whose name was Sacagawea. Browse the short Sacagawea Facts which chart her short life and her contribution to the history and success of the expedition of discovery. For additional information read the short Sacagawea Story containing a summary of her journey.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Animals discovered by Lewis and Clark
The article about the Animals discovered by Lewis and Clark makes interesting reading. It must be remembered that they discovered many animals that had never been seen by western civilization. The Lewis and Clark Expedition discovered 122 new animals and birds on their great journey west. Also refer to the entries in the journals relating to:
Accounts of the Animals Accounts of the Fish Accounts of the Birds
Accounts of the Ducks Accounts of the Shellfish Accounts of Reptiles
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Plants discovered by Lewis and Clark
The intrepid explorers on the Lewis and Clark Expedition also paid close attention to plants they saw along the journey. A total of 178 new Plants were discovered by Lewis and Clark on the expedition. Also refer to the entries in the journals relating to:
Accounts of the Plants Accounts of the Fruits and Berries Accounts of the Trees Accounts of the Shrubs
Lewis and Clark Expedition: The Grizzly Bear
The Grizzly Bear was the most dangerous animals that were encountered by the explorers of the expedition. The feeding ground of the Grizzly Bear were the rivers. It was inevitable that the explorers would collide with these fierce terrifying animals. There were at least forty terrifying encounters with the Grizzly Bear.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Lewis and Clark Facts and History
Find short interesting Lewis and Clark Facts about their momentous and great journey west. There is also a fact sheet about the individual lives of both men. Meriwether Lewis was chosen by President Thomas Jefferson to lead the Corps of Discovery to the Pacific. He wrote to Army officer William Clark, asking him to be the co-leader of the expedition.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Corps of Discovery Facts
Find interesting history with these short, interesting facts about the men who made up the Corps of Discovery on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. What was their lives like, what clothes did they wear and what hardships did they endure.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Famous Quotes
What was life really like on the historic journey taken by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Thanks to the famous journals written by the great leaders and members of the Corps of Discovery we have a wealth of quotes by these brave explorers as and when the events of the great journey west actually happened. Read the most famous quotes of the explorers via Lewis and Clark Quotes. We have also included articles on quotes made in 1804, 1805 and 1806 on Sacagawea, animals, plants Oregon, Montana, Idaho and the Pacific Ocean.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Hardships
The journey and the voyage of discovery were extremely dangerous and the men faced numerous hazards and hardships along the way. the article of the hardships experienced by the expedition provides a great insight into the determination of these great men and the dangers they faced on the perilous journey that covered a total of ten US States. The Hardships encountered on the Lewis and Clark Expedition included some terrible weather conditions and being plagued by mosquitoes and small pesky flies. And then there were encounters with the highly dangerous grizzly bears...
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Supplies
The expedition began their journey of exploration was essentially a military mission and supplies were obtained by the US Army Quartermaster. The Lewis and Clark Supplies included their various forms of transportation including the keelboat, other smaller boats and two horses. Camping equipment and clothes, various medicines including Dr. Rush's "Thunderclapper" pills, arms and weapons, various scientific instruments and reference books and many items intended as gifts for the Native Indian Tribes they encountered on their journey.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Keelboat
The expedition covered over 7000 miles in total and 6000 miles of the perilous journey across the wilderness was covered by water along the waters of the Missouri River, Ohio River, the Yellowstone River and the Columbia River. The rivers served as a highway for the expedition. The Lewis and Clark Keelboat was used at the beginning of journey. The keelboat was 55 feet long, 8 foot wide with a 32 foot, hinged mast. The keelboat held over 8 tons of supplies, equipment & food.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Weapons
It is not surprising that on their journey into the unknown that the explorers on the Lewis and Clark Expedition were equipped with a vast variety and range of different weapons including a vast assortment of knives and guns. For facts and info refer to Lewis and Clark Weapons.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Native American tribes
The explorers encountered many different Native American tribes on their long journey across the Great Plains, Prairies and mountain ranges of the west. the famous Native American tribes included the Yankton Sioux, the Mandan tribe, the Shoshone, the Nez-Perce tribe, the Blackfoot and the Hidatsa tribes. The various Native American tribes they encountered had different cultures, lifestyles and clothing. Also refer to the entries in the journals relating to the Accounts of the Clatsop Native Indians.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Fort Mandan and Fort Clatsop
The members of the expedition built Fort Mandan and Fort Clatsop. On their travels in North Dakota they built a winter base they called Fort Mandan and spent six months with the Hidatsa and Mandan Native Indian Tribes. Towards the end of their outward journey during the terrible winter of 1805-1806 they built Fort Clatsop, near the Pacific coast where they spent 106 days.
Lewis and Clark Expedition for kids: Journals and Journal Entries
Both Meriwether Lewis and Captain William Clark kept journals of their historic expedition, as did other members of the Corps of Discovery, notably Patrick Gass. The journal of Patrick Gass was published in 1808. In 1809 Hubbard Lester, compiled the Travels of Lewis and Clark from information taken from President Jefferson’s Report to Congress, Patrick Gass’s journal, Alexander Mackenzie’s Voyages, and Jonathan Carver’s Adventures. The Lewis and Clark "Apocrypha" was first published in Philadelphia in 1809.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Text of the Journals and Journal Entries
The text of the Lewis and Clark Expedition journals and journal entries can be accessed from the section on Lewis and Clark Journals covering the outward journey in 1804 and 1805 edited by Paul Allen .
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Summaries of the Lewis and Clark Journals
Interesting short Summaries of the Lewis and Clark Journals provide a quick overview of the historic expedition and the adventures and hazards faced on the perilous journey.
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
The Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is a route across the United States that commemorates the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804 to 1806. The National Historic Trail extends across 3,700 miles from Wood River in Illinois, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. It is part of the National Trails System of the United States where many tourists enjoy a camping vacation following in the footsteps of the intrepid explorers.
Facts about Lewis and Clark Expedition for kids
Fascinating information and interesting facts about the Lewis and Clark Expedition for kids: Lewis and Clark Expedition and Sacagawea
History of the Lewis and Clark Expedition for kids
Fast, fun facts and interesting information about the expedition, journals with summaries and a simple map
Interesting Facts, History and information about the animals and plants discovered for kids and schools
Ideal Homework resource of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with the hardships endured, their supplies, weapons and keelboat
History of the famous explorers, Sacagawea and their expedition and journey and their encounters with the grizzly bears and the Native American Indian tribes
The famous voyage of discovery, the expedition and exploration
Lewis and Clark Expedition - Lewis And Clark - Expedition - William - Meriwether - Sacagawea - Corps Of Discovery - Dates - Discoveries - Definition - Expedition - Explorers - Exploration - Kids - Facts - Fun Facts - Expedition - Guide - History - Indian Tribe - Tribes - Indian Guide - Information - Expedition - Journals - Journey - Lewis and Clark Expedition - Journey - Trail - Villages - Expedition - Voyage - Lewis and Clark Expedition
Global Anchor Limited
Modified 2018
By James Drake
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DELPHI TRIO
TRIPTYCH: PIANO TRIOS
BEETHOVEN, BRAHMS & BOLCOM
Ludwig van Beethoven, William Bolcom, Johannes Brahms
Liana Bérubé, violin
Michelle Kwon, cello
Jeffrey LaDeur, piano
World Premiere Recording [Bolcom]
Brahms: Piano Trio No.3 - III. Andante grazioso
"In listening to this typical programme of established classics framing a premiere recording – Bolcom’s 2014 Trio, of which they gave the first concert outing as well – their mutual understanding and interaction are palpable. They take a nicely expansive approach to Beethoven... It is all very beautifully done... [The Brahms] elicits the finest playing on the disc, the three players at their very best, completely at one with Brahms’s concentrated writing. So they are, too, in the Bolcom... First-rate sound."
Guy Rickards, Gramophone [July 2019]
"At this stage we are left with Bolcom's Piano Trio and the Delphi Trio - indeed one cannot live without the other. Why is this? It's somehow puzzling why one of America's greatest living composers turned to the standard piano trio at age seventy-six, after a host of other chamber works including some twelve string quartets, two piano quintets, two piano quartets and even some smaller pieces for the traditional instrumentation of piano, violin and cello. It all happened when Bolcom experienced the Delphi Trio's performing acumen, and was immediately taken in by their playing, opening the door to the commissioning process. Only later it was discovered that the composer's creative process was partly inspired by the Trio's ability to produce music of true spiritual and emotional depth... An invigorating mixture of past and present, brilliantly executed and sumptuously recorded, which is truly worth investigating."
Gerald Fenech, Classical Music Daily [May 2019]
"The Delphi Trio handles Beethoven’s way of balancing the three instruments particularly well... This entire CD is quite appealing, but the Bolcom work makes it a must-have for listeners especially interested in the piano-violin-cello combination."
Mark J. Estren, InfoDad [April 2019]
“spot-on ensemble playing and a beautifully blended sound”
“rich, committed string tone, dazzling pianism, rhythmic flexibility, and risky tempi”
Sarasota Herald Tribune
The Delphi Trio – violinist Liana Bérubé, cellist Michelle Kwon and pianist Jeffrey LaDeur – has become an important voice in the world of chamber music. Prizewinners of the 2015 Orlando Concours in the Netherlands, the Delphi Trio has performed in Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and across the United States. Recent highlights include a concerto residency with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra and Barbara Day Turner, the west coast premiere of Paul Juon’s Episodes Concertantes (1912) with Michael Morgan and the Oakland Symphony, and performances at Carnegie Hall, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival and WFMT Studios in Chicago.
The Delphi Trio is grounded in the rich standard repertoire for piano trio and is committed to the exploration of its deep, lasting meaning for performers and audience alike. The Trio sees contemporary music as a natural extension of the standard repertoire and is therefore equally dedicated to the music of our time. Delphi has given acclaimed world premieres of William Bolcom’s Piano Trio (2014), Max Stoffregen’s Coyote Plan (2013) and Sahba Aminikia’s Deltangi-ha (2012) and Shab o Meh (2014). Forthcoming commissions include a new work by Evan Price, a composer and jazz violinist formerly of the Turtle Island Quartet, and a triple concerto in celebration of Beethoven’s 250th year by acclaimed composer-pianist-vocalist Clarice Assad.
The Delphi Trio believes that the field of chamber music is an ideal model for education. Delphi is committed to supporting young artists as they begin their careers, and to that end established the Emerging Artist Program, which aids college students in preparing for and giving their first professional chamber music concert. The Trio also curates the Practice Project, a social media group dedicated to fostering community, openness and vulnerability among both professional and amateur artists.
As independent artists, the members of the trio perform in solo recital, larger chamber music and as soloists with orchestra and believe in the symbiotic relationship between solo and collaborative work. They have individually performed with numerous esteemed artists and ensembles, including Robert Mann, Anthony Marwood, Menahem Pressler, Geoff Nuttall, Paul Katz, and the Alexander and Afiara Quartets.
Liana Bérubé, Michelle Kwon and Jeffrey LaDeur are graduates of the University of Toronto, Stanford University and the Eastman School of Music respectively, and formed the Trio while studying in the prestigious Chamber Music degree program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. They count among their mentors Henk Guittart, Bonnie Hampton, Stephen Prutsman and the St. Lawrence String Quartet, and have worked with Peter Wiley, Pedja Muzijevich, James Tocco, Anton Nel and Pamela Frank.
The Delphi Trio has always made food and friendship a priority and believes that these elements are at the heart of great chamber music. The ensemble is built on trust and communication; to that end, each Delphi rehearsal starts in the same way – a meal, conversation, and then music.
www.delphitrio.com
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770 –1827)
PIANO TRIO IN E-FLAT MAJOR, OP.70, NO.2 (1809)
I. Poco sostenuto – Allegro ma non troppo
III. Allegretto ma non troppo
WORLD PREMIERE RECORDING
WILLIAM BOLCOM (b.1938)
PIANO TRIO (2014)
I. energetic
II. serene; molto sostenuto
III. strongly driven
JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833 –1897)
PIANO TRIO NO.3 IN C MINOR, OP.101 (1886)
I. Allegro energico
II. Presto non assai
III. Andante grazioso
IV. Allegro molto
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When your frame of reference is flawed/Supporting someone who's being abused
[Content note: abuse]
I was having a conversation the other day and I stumbled onto a topic that I've thought about and talked around before, but never really dwelled in for a second.
When you come from an abusive background, your frame of reference for relationships is quite often very, deeply flawed. It's simple for others to see, even when you can't.
I know that I've probably just stated the obvious and people cover this all the time, but it's so true that I need to reiterate it.
From my own personal experience, coming to understand that your family dynamic is abusive can take a really long time. When the abuse stems from a parent or other caregiver, it's literally all you've ever known. Someone who grows up in a healthy environment might see your home situation and immediately recognize that something is wrong, whereas you don't have that perspective to fully grasp it. And while I've never experienced intimate partner violence myself, I would say that the same can often be true...the person being abused in the situation doesn't always have the perspective to see the full picture.
It can be a scary, lonely, long process to come to fully realize what you've been living is not OK. Sometimes things hit a fever pitch and it's undeniable. Other times you get just inklings that things aren't "right." I recently shared this image on Tumblr, and I (sadly) saw many people reblog it with comments of scary realizations like, "Holy shit, this is my dad."
[Image text: a diagram of the cycles of abuse. 1) excuses, 2) honeymoon, 3) routine, 4) tension, 5) trigger, 6) abuse occurs]
Like I mentioned, my experience with abuse was within a family dynamic and it was usually emotional and verbal in nature. Talking with friends from my childhood now, as we look back, they share that they knew something wasn't "right" but didn't have the language to name it. Later, when my partner, Ronald, observed my family, he had the same impression.
I can't emphasize enough how lucky I feel to have stumbled into a happy, healthy, supportive, long term romantic relationship. Often, I think it must have been an accident, because my frame of reference was deeply flawed. Control and insults were normalized in my life. Part of me knew all along that I didn't want to treated like that anymore, but the fact that it ultimately worked out well is sort of a miracle. Really, the luck is that the first person I entered a serious relationship with had a healthier frame of reference and we built a partnership that aligned with that.
I can't help but wonder what would have happened if I had ever seriously dated someone whose frame of reference was a fucked up as mine. It's a scary path of hypotheticals to go down, so let's not.
Upbringings like mine are far too common, so I want to offer some suggestions for partners or friends of someone in an abusive environment. (I'm choosing this group to offer suggestions for because there are lots of resources out there much better than me for people who are, themselves, surviving abuse. But supporting someone who is in an abusive situation can take its own toll so here goes... Please also note that I'm not an expert and these are just things to generally consider.)
1) Respect their boundaries: As I said, it can be scary to be abused but also to realize you are being abused. If someone's not ready to call it what it is or talk frankly about what's happening, respect that and back off. I think it's fine to offer your own observations or ask tough questions (like, "It was really scary for me when he screamed at you like that. Does that happen often?") but when the other person sets a firm limit, don't try to push them beyond that yet. Do leave the door open ie, "OK, we don't have to talk about that right now, but I want you to know any time you do want to talk about it, I'm here."
2) Refrain from "Just do X" advice: Things like, "Just leave him!" "Just move out!" "Just tell her to stop!" aren't actually helpful at all. They reduce extremely complex, difficult situations down to an oversimplified action. They also can make the other person feel ashamed, embarrassed, or like they've disappointed you if they don't follow your very strict, directive advice to a T. This could result in further isolation for them. Do make sure that they know there are alternatives to the situation they're managing, like, "You know you can always stay with me for a while, if you want." or, "She was being really hateful, that's not OK."
3) Don't unintentionally add to the problem: Often well intentioned observers (both strangers and family/friends) try to step and intervene if they see something problematic. I totally understand this impulse...you want to step in if someone is in harm's way, and sometimes that MUST be done to protect someone's physical safety. But make sure that you don't unintentionally bring more harm to that person. For example, if your partner's abusive parent is yelling something at them, and you jump in, you might actually escalate the situation and leave that person to deal with the fallout when you are no longer there.
4) Stay judgement free, listen to them, and believe what they share: When you bring judgments (or worse even victim blaming) into the situation, you drive that person away from you and become one less support available to them. Examples of judgement sound like, "I would never let her treat me like that." "How in the world do you put up with that?" Instead, listen to what they would like to share and affirm that you believe them. Doubting them sounds like, "It can't be all that bad." "Are you sure that's how it really went down?" Do share your genuine concerns like, "I'm concerned for your emotional health." "I'm worried about you."
5) Offer to help/lend support: Keep the door open so that this person knows you are there for them. If they need help with things you are capable of helping with, help...and if you say you are going to help, deliver on it. Examples might include checking in on them regularly, helping them move, helping them learn new skills, letting them vent about frustrating experiences, inviting them to holidays with you/your family if they are ending their relationship with theirs, offering up your couch for a few days.
6) Model positive frameworks and enforce your own boundaries: If this is your partner or friend, make sure you model a healthy relationship dynamic with them. For example, that flawed frame of reference they have might include things like trying to control you, or making fun of someone they are close to. (This is true in my case. Because my family mocked each other, I thought that's how you show love.) Ronald has done a really great job of tactfully and patiently reigning me in when it goes from more playful jokes to mean-spiritedness. He sets that boundary and reinforces it throughout our relationship as needed, when I backslide to old frameworks.
7) Know that it takes time: As I've alluded to in #6 above, even after years, I backslide. I had 24 years of my old framework, and that doesn't go away overnight. There's also the time that it takes to heal from the abuse in general and the time it takes to get away from the abuser (if they choose to do that.) It just takes a whole helluva a lot of time and patience, which brings me to...
9) Self care: I advocate for this in all things, but supporting someone through this type of situation is tough for the support system too. It can feel really powerless and obviously stressful. So make sure you are mindful of what you need to stay happy and healthy too.
Please see the commenting policy before replying to this post.
Labels: abuse, Daily Journey Feminism, relationships
I think I taught a whole co-hort of students last year who came from homes like that. They were absolutely unable (at first I thought unwilling or just stubborn, then I realized, as you said, their frame of reference was messed up) to simply admit wrongdoing. They could not simply say, "I did x, I'm sorry, it won't happen again." They had such weak egos from being abused at home that all they could ever do was explain, explain, explain defensively, which kept the cycle going -- I was unintentionally aiding and abetting the abuse by keeping on getting in their faces about what they did, demanding they own up to it, and then meting out a consequence. But they couldn't own up to it. Eventually what I did was to name the behavior, tell them I didn't like what they did but I liked them as a person, and then say, but when you keep doing this over and over, this destroys my trust in you to the point where I begin NOT to like you as a person. You need to earn my trust back, so stop doing x. That helped some. I knew something was off but had no name for it. This helps, plus some other reading I did helped. I'm glad I don't have this particular cohort this year, but I worry for them since they seem blunted and oblivious and are still, it seems, oriented outside themselves and still unable and/or unwilling to just accept blame, own their mistake, back down, back off the defensiveness, and move on. I finally told a few of them, admit what you did and then I back off; keep denying and then I REALLY start blaming you for what you did. What's it going to be? They taught me a lot more than I taught them. (I teach middle school and have done so for 20 years.) Cheers, I love your blog. -- K
Alex April 19, 2014 at 6:18 PM
Absolutely spot-on. I've been through an abusive relationship and towards the end I heard a lot of "Just leave him!", etc. If only it were that easy. It took me several months AFTER he was put in prison (in my state, domestic violence is a third-degree felony...that and he was already on probation) for what he ultimately did to me for me to finally be able to break away.
Breaking the cycle of domestic abuse/violence is never easy--especially for those of us who came from abusive homes--and I'm glad to see such an honest commentary on not only how to break the cycle of abuse but to try to help others break out of abusive relationships.
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San Cisco
San Cisco consists of members Jordi Davieson (vocals, guitar), Josh Biondillo (vocals, guitar) and Scarlett Stevens (drums, vocals). The forthcoming album (set for release in 2020) follows The Water, which housed singles “Slo-Mo” and “Hey, Did I Do You Wrong?” which both landed on Australia’s Independent Radio chart at #10 and #3, respectively. Prior to that, the album Gracetown debuted at #2 on the ARIA albums charts and Top 10 on Billboard’s emerging artist chart Next Big Sound. The forthcoming album will be the latest addition to a catalog that has already amassed 190+ million combined streams on Spotify. Known for their live show, San Cisco continues to be a festival staple in Australia (Splendour In The Grass, Big Day Out, BIGSOUND, Groovin’ the Moo), UK/Europe (Leeds Festival, Reading Festival, Lollapalooza Berlin) and the US (Lollapalooza, SXSW, CMJ, NYC Central Park Summerstage).
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Cubs beat Mariners behind Kyle Schwarber's 3-run triple
Lucky bounce leads to 3-run triple in 7th for struggling offense in Cubs’ victory
By Bruce MilesEmail
The Cubs' Kyle Schwarber hits a three-run triple against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning Monday at Wrigley Field.
CHICAGO – There wasn’t so much as a steady drip-drip-drip to portend the floodgates opening for the Cubs’ offense Monday.
On a gloriously sunny Labor Day at Wrigley Field, Cubs batters labored languidly through the first six innings against the Seattle Mariners, stranding runners here and wasting other chances there.
Then it finally happened in the seventh, with the help of a little luck.
Down, 1-0, the Cubs scored five quick runs, with Anthony Rizzo hitting a game-tying single and Kyle Schwarber following two batters later by bouncing a triple off first base.
One more run on a fielder’s choice gave the Cubs a 5-1 victory and snapped a two-game skid in which they were shut out twice by the Milwaukee Brewers.
“Man, we needed that,” said manager Joe Maddon, whose team improved to 74-63 and remained three games behind the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central. The Cardinals beat the Giants, 3-1, in St. Louis.
“We needed to have that one break. As soon as it was hit [bench coach Mark Loretta] yells out, ‘Hit the bag.’ And of course it did. We needed something like that to get us rolling in the right direction. Hopefully, that does.
“But again, I’m not going to proclaim anything, We just won the game today.”
A couple of weeks ago, there was talk of a “season-defining” victory over San Francisco, but there was no carryover effect.
Not that Schwarber and the Cubs won’t take what happened Monday.
“Contact was paramount there to try to put in a run there,” Schwarber of his bases-loaded hit. “I think if it [doesn’t hit] the bag, I think it still gets in one. But it was able to hit the bag and get everyone in there.”
When he reached third base, Schwarber looked into the Cubs’ dugout and let out a yell.
“Yeah, that was a lot of emotion there,” he said. “Obviously, came off the series with Milwaukee and didn’t finish the way we wanted to. To be able to take the lead late there and give a little bit of cushion, I was hyped, and everyone in the dugout was, too.”
Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks didn’t pick up a win for himself, but he lowered his ERA from 3.47 to 3.39 with six innings of three-hit, one-run ball. At Wrigley Field, he has a 1.77 ERA in 12 starts.
“Mentally, I’m just a lot better right now,” he said. “On the road, I’ve got to find a way to lock in better mentally and just make better pitches. I’m just making too many bad pitches there.
“Today in particular, [catcher Jonathan] Lucroy and I were locked in. He was so good, and I had to rely on him a lot because I didn’t know these guys (the Mariners) too well. He knew them. He played them kind of all year. He did an unbelievable job back there.
“I mixed my pitches well. I used my curveball a lot more. So that was really the game changer, and I’ve got to try to do that on the road now.”
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Garvin County
County Seat - Pauls Valley
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Blankenship Family Obituaries
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Submitted by Blake & Pat Blankenship
Nathan Dale Blankenship (Jun 19, 1980 - Feb 14, 2013
Death Takes City Pioneer
Guy B. Blankenship, 79, a resident of 404 South Edith in Pauls Valley, died at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at N.H. Lindsey Memorial Hospital here. Born May 30, 1883, in Vernon, Texas, Blankenship moved to the Pauls Valley area 65 years ago. He was married 59 years to his wife, Lena, who survives him. He was a member of the Victory Baptist Church. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m., Friday at the Stufflebean Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. J.E. Young of the Victory Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Survivors, in addition to his wife, Lena J., include three daughters, Mrs. Ruby Jones of Houston, Texas, Mrs. Ruth Thompson of Galveston, Texas and Mrs. Paula Jean Ross of Galveston, Texas; three sons, Howard and Barney, both of Galveston, Texas and Milas of Houston, Texas; two brothers, Frank and Bailey of Pauls Valley; nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Milas Blankenship
Funeral service for Milas H. Blankenship, 85, of Pauls Valley, will be conducted at 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 4 atn the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Torrey Curtis officiating. Burial will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home. Blankenship was born on October 20, 1909 in Pauls Valley. He died Sunday, January 1, 1995 at the Pauls Valley General Hospital. He spent most of his life in Houston where he owned and operated his laundry and dry cleaning business. He returned to Pauls Valley upon his retirement in 1971. He was a member of the First united Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; sister, Betty Ruth Thompson; and two brothers, Barney Blankenship and Howard Blankenship. Survivors include two sisters, Ruby Jones of Pauls Valley and Paula Gross of Galveston, Texas; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive visitors at the Wooster Funeral Home Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
S.N. B lankenship Dies Friday, September 16
Funeral services were conducted for S.N. Blankenship Saturday, September 17, 1938, at Klondike school house west of Pauls Valley. Samuel Newton Blankenship died September 16, 1938 at the family residence west of the city after a lingering illness of several years. He was 81 years and 5 months of age. He was born April 16, 1857 in Louisiana. He was married to Hortense Crenshaw in 1873. To this union nine children, six boys and three girls were born. Two dying in infancy and one in service in France, and one, Mrs. J.E. Driskill of this city dying in 1932. There are four boys and one girl living. Samuel came to the state of Oklahoma in 1890 and moved to the Klondike community in 1899 where he lived until his death. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Hortense, four sons, Guy, Frank, Bailey, all of Pauls Valley and Bud Blankenship of New Mexico, one daughter, Mrs. Hal Russell also of Pauls Valley, twenty-four grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren. He was buried in the Klondike Cemetery with the Coonrod Funeral Home of Wynnewood in charge.
Death Takes Area Pioneer
John Franklin "Doc" Blankenship, 81, a longtime Garvin County resident, died at 6:30 p.m., Thursday in the Valley Estates Nursing Home in Pauls Valley. He was born September 6, 1884 in Texas. He was a resident of route one in Pauls Valley and had lived in Garvin County the last 65 years. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m., Sunday in the Stufflebean Funeral Home Chapel. rev. Don Chambers of Paoli will officiate. Burial will be in the Mt. Olivett Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Edna, one sone, Lee Blankenship of Pauls Valley; two daughters, Mrs. K.L. Aimsworth of Edina, Minnesota and Mrs. Bob Tucker of Pauls Valley; one brother, Bailey Blankenship of Pauls Valley and five grandchildren.
Mr. Bailey Blankenship
Funeral services for Bailey B. Blankenship, 83, will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. in the Stufflebean Funeral Home of Pauls Valley. Rev. Paul McCullough will officiate. Mr. Blankenship was born September 8, 1880 and died January 23, 1973 at Pauls Valley General Hospital. He had lived in Garvin County for 74 years and was a resident of the Klondike Community since 1930. He is survived by three daughters, Corene Caldwell of Huntsville, Alabama, Lorene Anderson of Moore, Oklahoma, Mary Jarrell of Purcell, Oklahoma; four sons, Clyde Blankenship of Pauls Valley, Sam Blankenship of Wynnewood and Jack Benny Blankenship of Oklahoma City; 37 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.
Burnice Blankenship Driskill
Burnice Blankenship Driskill passed away at the family residence at 117 South Pear, Thursday, July 7, at the age of 40 years and 11 months. Mrs. Driskill was ill but a few days, having suffered an attack of ptomaine poisoning. Funeral services were held in the First Baptist Church Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. conducted by Rev. J.B. Reaves. Interment took place in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Six children, 3 sons and 3 daughters, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.N. Blankenship survive Mrs. Driskill. She was married to J.W. Driskill in 1910.
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CORACLE (Iona Community) Summer 2014
An Article by Murdoch MacKenzie
Born in Glasgow and now living in Edinburgh, Murdoch MacKenzie has worked ecumenically and internationally all his life. Entering the European Youth Campaign in 1957, he joined the Iona Community in 1965, was licensed as a minister by the Church of Scotland, ordained in the ecumenical Church of South India in 1967, worked ecumenically in Runcorn and Birmingham, became Ecumenical Moderator of the churches and inter-faith movement in Milton Keynes and more recently led the Fairtrade Movement in Argyll. Here he makes the case for nationalism of any kind to be understood as fundamentally opposed to the boundary-crossing love and unity as lived by Jesus.
IN DEPENDENCE
I am writing this at Pentecost, which this year coincides with the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, and 100 days before the Scottish Referendum. Thus I am reminded of the fundamentals which have moulded who I am. At Pentecost they were all together in one place and understood (stood under) each other as they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. There was no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; all were one in Christ Jesus. In the upper room Jesus prayed that ‘they may all be one…so that the world may believe’.
Having lived through the Second World War, some years later while still at school in 1957, I wrote an essay on European Unity, winning a prize which was presented to me in Bruges in the College of Europe via which, with a dozen other young Europeans, I travelled throughout West Germany including the ruins of East and West Berlin. For many years as a member of the European Youth Campaign I worked for European Unity with my European friends with some of whom I am still closely in touch. I then studied at Hertford College in Oxford where in 1583 John Donne had studied and who, in 1624, wrote the famous words: ‘'No man is an iland, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine owne were; any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee....”
I was reminded of these words recently when Anne and I were travelling by train in India and sharing the night accommodation with a family from Orissa. After an animated conversation about everything under the sun, a young woman in the family said: ‘In the end there is only one thing that matters. We are all human beings!’ That young woman was right! I also remember the late and much-lamented Rabbi Hugo Gryn saying that people in the world could be divided into two groups – ‘the harmonisers and the polarisers’. Personally I have always preferred to be a harmoniser and have more or less given my life to this, especially in ecumenical and interfaith work.
Not long ago we had Naim Ateek, one of the most distinguished Palestinians staying with us on his way to Iona. We had a long conversation about Internationalism as he asked me questions about Scottish nationalism. He declared himself to be an internationalist. Later I wrote and asked him to tell me as a Palestinian what he meant by internationalism. This was his reply:
‘Dear Murdoch,
Sorry I could not get back to you quickly. I was busy with an interfaith program between Muslim and Christian clergy which we conducted in Galilee last weekend.
On the question of internationalism, I have always felt that the world should slowly shed the narrow concept of nationalism and move towards a new world order where we adopt international concepts. I was very happy when the European Union was formed. It is still struggling but I believe the world should be moving in that direction. I believe the concept behind it is sound and has many advantages where we become more inter-dependent on each other and reduce the level of nationalist tensions that led people to war.
I have written about this topic briefly in my last book when I discuss the resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. In fact, I always say that we must not be satisfied with two states, Israel and Palestine, living alongside each other, we must either create a confederation of states between them or even a federation of states by inviting Jordan and Lebanon to join.
Obviously, I am not talking as a politician but as a person of faith that is concerned about building healthy communities that can address the problems that are dividing and killing us.’
Personally, I was brought up to believe that nationalism and patriotism were pernicious and usually led to war and conflict. In recent years nationalism rears its ugly head once again, with the True Finns, President Putin being praised for his patriotic nationalism, nationalist struggles in Crimea and Ukraine, not to mention Nuers and Dinkas in Sudan, Hindu Nationalism in India and Scottish Nationalism in the UK. I am Scottish to the core, a Glaswegian by birth, with deep roots in the Isle of Skye and in Torridon as well as in Aberdeen, and family trees stretching back over 200 years. In 1979 I voted YES to a Scottish Parliament and believe in further devolution towards a federation of states between Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England. Since retiring back to Scotland in 2003 I have always voted for the SNP solely because of Trident.
In my 76 years I have lived 2 years in France and Switzerland, 12 years in India, 29 in Scotland and 33 in England. As far as poverty is concerned or, for that matter, the siting of nuclear weapons, I am just as much concerned for people living in India and England as in Scotland. Those suffering from the bedroom tax and other right-wing policies in inner city Birmingham, or the housing estates of Milton Keynes and Runcorn where I used to work, are still as dear to me as those in Glenrothes, Glasgow or Argyll. I am in daily contact with work at the grassroots in India. In a fragile world with many tensions Scottish nationalism simply encourages disintegration and negativism. Jesus said: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. Our neighbours are the English, the Irish and the Welsh. If the saintly and deeply Christian Naim Ateek, who was born in sight of the Sea of Galilee, can contemplate a Federation including Jordan and Lebanon surely we Scottish people can love our neighbours as we love ourselves. Otherwise what is the Gospel all about?
So let us ‘think again’ and with the Good Samaritan cross boundaries and become harmonisers and not polarisers. Let us live in dependence on and with our neighbours. We cannot ever be independent because as John Donne so clearly said: ‘No person is an island.’ In my 2014 Housmans Peace Diary the entry for 18th September says: ‘On 18th September 1924 Mahatma Gandhi began a 21 day fast in a Muslim home, for Hindu-Muslim unity in India.’ On 18th September this year let us vote and pray for unity in the UK and in Europe and throughout the whole wide world and not tear the world apart.
Rabbie Burns summed all this up very well when he wrote in the last verse of A Man's a Man for A' That:
Then let us pray that come it may
(As come it will for a' that),
That Sense and Worth o'er a' the earth,
Shall bear the gree, an' a' that.
For a' that, an' a' that,
It's comin yet for a' that,
That Man to Man, the world o'er,
Shall brothers be for a' that.
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MILTON KEYNES IS DIFFERENT
The Story of the Ecumenical Movement in Milton Keynes 1967-2005
Edited and partly written by Murdoch MacKenzie
ISBN 0-9548606-7-5 £6.75 plus £2 p+p e-mail admin@MKCC.fsnet.co.uk
This very attractive 74 page book with 76 colour photographs was published in December 2005.
It is a story of great events and a realistic account of the struggles and achievements of Christian people in the ecumenical laboratory of Milton Keynes. It is both an encouragement and a challenge to all who share Jesus’ high priestly prayer that his disciples should be one in order that the world might believe.
It covers inter-faith work, sector ministry – of which the Milton Keynes Christian Foundation is an outstanding example, the close co-operation between church and civic authorities, the creation of a vibrant new city centre church, the working of 25 fully integrated ecumenical churches, the opening of an ecumenical school, the challenges of the Government’s future plans for expansion of the population, the importance of the rural areas and much more. It spans almost 40 years of close ecumenical work between the Roman Catholic, Baptist, Church of England, Methodist and United Reformed Churches together with the Society of Friends, some Independent Churches and the Salvation Army.
Milton Keynes is different in so far as what was open heathland with a few scattered villages is now one of the fastest growing cities in Europe. It is also different in that from the inception of the ‘New Town’ in 1967 the churches have followed the Lund Principle of doing everything together which need not be done apart. It is different from some other New Towns in that it is an undoubted success in terms of its social and economic viability. On a visit to Milton Keynes’ Churches, Robert Runcie said: ‘I’ve seen the future and it works.’ Milton Keynes is also different in that, as with every other situation, it is unique and cannot just be replicated elsewhere, even if that was desirable, which it probably isn’t.
However, different though it is, there is inspiration and challenge here for anyone interested in this genuine and sustained attempt to take the ecumenical movement really seriously.
WHAT THE REVIEWERS HAVE SAID
MILTON KEYNES CITIZEN
‘Milton Keynes is Different’ provides a fascinating insight into the gradual growing together of the denominations set against the backdrop of the forever developing city.
Paul Brookman
IONA CORACLE
‘Milton Keynes is Different’ is an enjoyable and informative introduction to the story of the Ecumenical Movement in Milton Keynes. Reading it one gets caught up in the vision, energy and enthusiasm as well as the sheer hard work of this pioneering work of the ecumenical movement.’
David Lavender – Ecumenical Dean of Telford
PILGRIM POST – Churches Together in England
‘As I read, I felt again the excitement of new ventures, the daring and courage of many pioneers and the amazing variety of work undertaken. For those who feel that the ecumenical journey is slowing down or even at a standstill, I recommend this book for inspiration and hope.’
Anne Doyle – former Councty Ecumenical Officer for Wiltshire and Swindon
THE DOOR – Newspaper of the Oxford Diocese
‘An exhilarating account of all the energy, vision, work and enthusiasm which went into the creation of an ecumenical venture which in many ways still remains absolutely unique and in which we can rightly rejoice.’
Mary Cotes – Ecumenical Moderator Milton Keynes
GLASGOW CHURCHES TOGETHER
‘This is a very helpful and hopeful book. The story is firmly placed within its own particular religious and social context. It tells of great commitment to ecumenism and a wide variety of ways of working it out – always within the larger picture. Models and lessons can be learned and applied’.
Br Stephen Smyth – Ecumenical Officer
EDINBURGH CHURCHES TOGETHER
‘Milton Keynes is Different’ records in words and pictures nearly forty years of engagement in the Ecumenical Movement. While the narrative that unfolds is unique to Milton Keynes there is a challenging and encouraging story here for everyone on the Ecumenical Journey.
Mitchell Bunting – Ecumenical Officer
GRAEME BROWN
‘It is no wonder that Archbishop Runcie, after a visit to Milton Keynes, said, “I’ve seen the future and it works.”! The way things have been done in Milton Keynes is indeed different. This account of what the churches have accomplished with the people of that community over the past 40 years is an inspiration to the rest of us. The ecumenical partnership churches have established priorities; they have asked, “How can we do it together?” and they have actually pooled their finances into a common fund the more effectively to engage in mission. What has been done in Milton Keynes deserves to be much more widely known and this well told story with its fine illustrations can do this for us all.’
Graeme Brown – former Leader of The Iona Community
REFORM – The United Reformed Church
‘Robin Baker’s book tells the story of the “ecumenical laboratory” which Milton Keynes has become. This beautifully illustrated book provides a compelling picture of the mission of the church in Europe’s fastest growing city.’
John Reardon – former Moderator of the United Reformed Church and General Secretary of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland
LIVING SPIRITUALITY NEWS
‘This is the story of a unique ecumenical initiative in which the churches have followed the Lund Principle of doing everything together which need not be done apart. On a visit to Milton Keynes, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, commented: “I have seen the future and it works!”.
The Living Spirituality Network
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Ammonium Nitrate Triggers US ' s Texas Plant Blast
Investigators have confirmed that ammonium nitrate was the trigger for the explosion at a West, Texas, fertiliser plant last month that left 14 people dead and some 200 injured, according to the Texas state fire marshal's office. The actual cause of the fire and subsequent blast at the West Fertilizer facility is still being determined, investigators said. The fire marshal's office has been leading the investigation of the April 17 blast, along with the federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agency (ATF). The blast caused an estimated US$100 million in damages to homes, businesses and schools near the fertiliser plant, and killed several firefighters and other first responders who rushed to the scene of a fire at the fertilizer plant. Ammonium nitrate is a dry fertiliser mixed with other fertilisers such as phosphate and applied to crops to promote growth. It can be combustible under certain conditions, and was used as an ingredient in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 that left 168 people dead. Anhydrous ammonia, another fertiliser component, was also stored on site at the West Fertilizer facility and there was some early speculation that it may have been the source of the explosion. More than 70 investigators have developed over 200 leads, from which over 400 interviews have been conducted. Thus far, investigators do know the origin of the fire was in the fertiliser and seed building. The investigators continue to work on pinpointing an exact location of the fire's origin within the building that is over 12,000 square feet (1100 square metres). Investigators said they have eliminated the following causes for the initial fire: weather, natural causes, anhydrous ammonium, the railcar containing ammonium nitrate, and a fire within the ammonium nitrate bin. Additionally, they said water used during fire fighting activities did not contribute to the cause of the explosion as some had speculated. Even though the investigation into the cause has not been determined, at least seven lawsuits have so far been filed against Adair Grain Inc, which owned the fertiliser facility. Plaintiffs claim negligence by the plant employees and are seeking millions of dollars in claims. Four insurance companies are among those suing Adair Grain seeking to recover claims they are paying to individuals and businesses hurt in the explosion.
Suspected neo - Nazi goes on trial over string of racist murders
Five dead in Philippines volcano eruption
Intel revamps Atom chips in bid to find mobile footing
Fight expected in House on online sales tax
Electronic Arts, Disney strike " Star Wars " games deal
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III. Southern / Eastern Asia > 09. People & Places of Asia >
C. Environmenal Issues in Asia
In India, the Ganges River is the most sacred river in Hinduism. About 2 million people bathe daily as a ritual. To the Hindus, the river is said to start at the feet of Vishnu and flow through the hair of Shiva. The river is named after the goddess, Ganga. Unfortunately, the Ganges is also known for being very polluted. It has what appears to be chemical wastes, untreated sewage, and even human and animal bodies. The health risks involved include direct bathing and drinking the dirty water. In 1985, a program called GAP (Ganga Action Plan) was launched. Even though it earned a lot of fanfare, it was a complete failure. After 15 years, it failed to reduce the level of pollution in the river. It was also very expensive, costing about 1010 rupees.
The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world. But the fact that the river is rather polluted doesn’t help the one third of China’s population that live near the river. The pollution is affecting 186 towns and cities along its banks. The river is now considered “cancerous.” Only 31 percent of the rivers water is considered first or second class drinking water, and another 35 percent is below third class. It is said that if more than 70 percent becomes fourth or fifth class, a bunch of plant species would die out, and so would the river.
Much of the sun over Asia is blocked out by its main source of air pollution, the so called “Brown Cloud.” Most of it is untreated pollution from factories fueled by coal and other manufacturing sites. It was revealed by NASA and NOAA taking photos of the area. A jet stream blows some of it across the Pacific and towards the US. Some acid rain that occurred in the US was thought to have originated from the Asian Brown Cloud. When it’s hazy, it’s usually caused by humidity. Also, to make matters worse, the winter monsoon brings with it, no rain to wash to the pollutants away.
Flooding is considered just as bad as the pollutants, and unfortunately, there is quite a bit of flooding. However, there are some good points. First of all, rivers carry silt from farther upstream and deposit it on the banks, making the soil more fertile with all the nutrients. But, too much flooding can destroy the crops rather than help them, leaving millions of people in famine. Also, if you are careless, you might get swept away down the river when you least expect it. The weather doesn’t give much help either. Yearly monsoons can leave millions homeless and starving.
In India, The Ganges River is very important to the Hinduism religion, But it has been polluted.
Even though the people attempted to clean it, it failed and was expensive.
The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia, and it is polluted. It affects many cities and towns.
A loud cloud of pollution known as Asian Brown Cloud looms over Asia, caused by factory emissions and car fumes, among other things.
Team Noble Editors
Nitsua
Wkipedia
Georgia Performance Standard
SS7G10 The student will discuss environmental issues across Southern and Eastern Asia.
a. Describe the causes and effects of pollution on the Yangtze and Ganges Rivers.
b. Describe the causes and effects of air pollution and flooding in India and China.
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World War I, also known as The Great War (until World War II), lasted for Europe from 1914 until November 11th, 1918. Entry into the war for the United States wasn't until April 1917. It saw the creation and implementation of some of the most horrific weapons, such as machine guns, chemical weapons, tanks and flamethrowers. The greatest repercussion of the war was World War II. The economic ruin of Germany caused by the terms of their surrender led to the Wiemar hyperinflation and the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party.
The typical face of the war is the western Europe trench battles, but one must not forget that, due to the mass European colonization in Southeast Asia and Africa, both these areas saw fighting. There was also a theater of the war in the Middle East, as the Ottoman Empire had allied with the Central powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary). The Ottoman Empire was broken up after the war.
Speech Relevance
Reagan makes two references to World War I. The first (chronologically) is in his 1957 Eureka College Commencement speech:
Almost a century and a half after that day in Philadelphia, this nation entered a great world conflict in Europe. Volumes of cynical words have been written about that war and our part in it. Our motives have been questioned and there has been talk of ulterior motives in high places, of world markets and balance of power. But all the words of all the cynics cannot erase the fact that millions of Americans sacrificed, fought and many died in the sincere and selfless belief that they were making the world safe for democracy and advancing the cause of freedom for all men.
The second is in 'Encroaching Control':
The committee further said they found little evidence that any agency, bureau or department created in answer to an emergency ever went out of existence even after the emergency had disappeared. Well, an example of this could be the Spruce Products Corporation a government corporation which Congress ordered liquidated in 1920. 30 years later, it was still in existence. This was the corporation founded in World War I to secure spruce wood for airplane fuselages.
World War I (Wikipedia)
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Vaccines for Adults – What You Need to Know
By Taylor Smith
The recent measles outbreak has sparked much discussion over vaccinations, particularly as they apply to children. What some people may not realize is that there are a variety of vaccines recommended for adults as well. Childhood vaccines wear off over time and factors like your age, job, lifestyle, and degree of travel can indicate an increased risk for certain preventable diseases. And the CDC states that older, hospitalized adults have immune systems similar to newborn babies, making them particularly vulnerable to infections.
As far as vaccines, Shingrix is a two-dose inoculation that is 95 percent effective at preventing shingles, a viral infection that results in a painful rash. The second dose of Shingrix should be administered within two to six months of the first dose. Most physicians recommend Shingrix to patients over 50.
Tetanus is a disease of the nervous system that can quickly become life-threatening. Household accidents such as cutting yourself on rusty metal or stepping on a nail can result in a serious infection. The CDC states that adults need a booster shot every 10 years to prevent against a tetanus infection. If you do suffer an accident and are unsure as to whether or not you are up-to-date on tetanus, a doctor may administer the booster on the spot.
The HPV vaccine has been the subject of some controversy. The Food and Drug Administration approved the HPV vaccine for adolescent girls in the early 2000s. The FDA has since updated the guidelines to adolescent boys and girls. Men up to the age of 26 may be vaccinated if it is deemed appropriate by a patient and doctor. The vaccine is a series of two shots, spaced six to 12 months apart. HPV stands for human papillomavirus, which can cause everything from warts on the hands and feet to cervical and anal cancer.
For adults who are concerned about the measles outbreak, rest assured that if you received the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella) as a child, you are considered immune for life. Adults born before 1957 are considered naturally immune because they were most likely exposed to measles as young children. Those who were born after 1957 and never received the MMR vaccine can still get the vaccine as adults.
All adults benefit from a seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine. Health care workers, teachers, pregnant women, and adults over age 65 are strongly urged to get this yearly shot. Also of note, many colleges and universities require incoming students to be vaccinated against meningitis, an infectious disease that is frequently reported on campuses and in communal dormitories.
International travelers can take the CDC’s online Vaccine Self-Assessment Tool prior to speaking with their physician (https://www2.cdc.gov/nip/adultimmsched/). Appropriate vaccines should be administered 4-6 weeks prior to travel in order to build-up immunity. The CDC’s travel website delivers up-to-date information on health and contagious disease concerns all over the world. Travelers can search by country in order to better determine how to pack and where to go should they require medical care while abroad.
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Abraham Lincoln & The Civil War
We offer these special packages as a great way to acquire a collection of newspapers that cover the scope of the American Civil War. To learn more about newspapers from this era and to shop individual issues, be sure to visit our main Civil War newspapers page.
Web Results (2035) Listings on eBay (536)
Item Number Issue Date Date of Addition Price Low to High High to Low 10 20 30 40 50 100 200
Winslow Homer on the songs of war...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 23, 1861 The most notable print would be the very nice doublepage centerfold done by famed artist Winslow Homer, titled" "The Songs of War", and features six prints.
The full front page has two prints captioned: "The War In Missouri--General Jim Lane's Camp Near Humansville, Missouri". Other prints inside include: "Ca... See More
General Fremont... his bridge... his march... Hampton Roads...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 16, 1861 Full front page is a print captioned: "Last Meeting Between General Scott and the Cabinet" which shows Lincoln among them.
Other prints inside include: "The Great Expedition--General Sherman Giving His Final Orders to His Brigadier-Generals on Board the 'Wabash' " "Consultation Between General Viele & the ... See More
The great naval expedition...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Nov. 9, 1861 (See Note Below) The front page has a print of an: "Attack Upon the Camp of the Sixth Regiment New York Volunteers (Wilson's Zouaves), On Santa Rosa Island" as well as a print of: "Captain S. F. Dupont, Commanding the Great Naval Expedition".
Other prints inside include: "Our Army at Edwards' Ferry on the Potomac,... See More
The resurrected 'Merrimac' ready for it historic battle...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 2, 1861 The front page is taken up with: "The Rebel Steamer' Merrimac' Razed, and Ironclad" which would figure in the historic battle with the Monitor less than 5 months later. Also on the front page: "Henrico County Jail, Richmond, Virginia".
Other prints inside include: "The Rebel Batteries on Sewall's Point and ... See More
War in the nation's harbors...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 26, 1861 The front page has: "A Night Reconnaissance on the Potomac" and a print of: "Lieutenant Braine, U.S.N., Commanding the 'Monticello' ". Other prints inside include: "Grand Cavalry & Artillery Review at Washington" "The 'Monticello' Shelling the Rebels Near Hatteras" "Camp of the Si... See More
The Civil War in Kentucky...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 19, 1861 Front page has "The Rebel Ex-Governor Jackson, of Missouri, Addressing Colonel Mulligan's Troops After the Surrender at Lexington" as well as prints of: "Colonel Mulligan" and "Lieutenant Russell, U.S.N., Who Burned the 'Judith' at Pensacola".
Prints inside include: "Cannonading on the Outposts of... See More
Union Generals... Battle of Lexington Missouri...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 12, 1861 The full front page is taken up with 3 prints: "Burning of the Privateer 'Judith' at Pensacola", "Brigadier-General Sturgis" and "The Rebel General Price".
Other prints inside include: "Major-General Fremont and Staff Inaugurating Camp Benton, at St. Louis, Before Starting for Lexington" "Ch... See More
Sharpshooters in the Civil War...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Oct. 5, 1861 The full front page is taken up with: "The New Hampshire Sharp-Shooters - The Telescopic Rifle" which has 6 prints of the "Berdan Sharpshooters at Weehawen" led by Capt. A. B. Jones.
Other prints inside include: "The Men-of-War in Our Harbor" "Munson's Hill, the Advanced Post of the Rebel Army on the Potomac&... See More
The Second Wisconsin Volunteers... The Second Buffalo Regiment...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 28, 1861 One of the prime features of this issue is Walt Whitman's first Harper's Weekly appearance: "Beat! Beat! Drums!"
Additional content includes: the full front page is a scene of the: "Gallant Exploit of Captain Strong of the Second Wisconsin Volunteers". The many prints inside include a very small: "Plan of the... See More
General George McClellan...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 21, 1861 The full front page shows: "The Army Forge". Inside has several half page prints including: "Hqts. of Major-General Fremont's Bodyguard at St. Louis, Missouri" "Camp Blood Near Pilot Knob, Missouri" "Gallant Exploit of Aid-de-camp Fiske at the Bombardment of Fort Hatteras" "View of Fort H... See More
The Southern expedition under General Butler...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Sept. 14, 1861 The front page has: "Bombardment of Forts Hatteras & Clark by the U.S. Fleet under Flag Officer Stringham" and prints of: "Flag Officer Stringham" and "Major-General Butler". Inside pages include: "Brig. Gen. Rosecrans, U.S.A., Commanding U.S. Forces in Western Virginia" "Rebel Prisoners Leav... See More
A map of the Civil War...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Sept. 7, 1861 Full front page: "A Female Rebel In Baltimore" shows a woman in a fancy dress with soldiers around her. Prints inside include: "Preparing Merchant Vessels for the Blockade" which has 4 prints; "Bar of the Spottswood House, Richmond, Virginia" "Brig. General Franz Siegel" "The Rebel General Ben. McCulloc... See More
Lt. General Scott and the major generals...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Aug. 31, 1861 Nice full front page print of: "General Lyons At the Battle of Springfield" showing him on horseback. Full pg: "Lt. General Scott & the Major Generals of the United States Army" showing McClellan, Dix, Scott, Fremont, and Banks. Halfpg: "The 14th Massachusetts Regiment Marching up Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, in a Storm&qu... See More
A dramatic naval battle...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Aug. 24, 1861 Half of front page shows: "Presentation of Prince Napoleon by Secretary Seward to the President", which shows Abraham Lincoln. Other prints within include a full page: "General McClellan & His Staff" & fullpg: "Splendid Charge of U.S. Cavalry at the Battle of Dug Spring, Missouri" & "Scenes in the Bro... See More
A stampede of slaves...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Aug. 17, 1861 The front page shows: "The Wounded Zouave In the Hospital at Washington--The Hospital for the Wounded at Washington." Inside has individual prints of: "General McDowell" "General Mansfield" "Colonel Blair" and "Flag-Officer Stringham". Also a full page of: "A New Regiment of Mass. Volunteers P... See More
Many prints on the battle of Bull Run...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Aug. 10, 1861 The front page includes a print of "Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton". Inside has a full page: "Retreat of Our Troops from Bull Run, by Moonlight, Colonel Blenker's Brigade Covering" and a very dramatic full page: "Charge of the Black Horse Cavalry Upon the Fire Zouaves at the Battle of Bull Run"; a full page map: &... See More
Scenes of the Battle of Bull Run...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Aug. 3, 1861 The front page features two prints on the Civil War, captioned: "The Death of the Rebel General Garnett, at the Battle of Laurel Hill" and "Bringing in the Misses Scott as Prisoners to Fall's Church, Va." with a related article.
Inside includes a print of "Major-General McClellan", a nearly half pg: "Presenta... See More
Louisiana Zouave Prisoners… Fortress Monroe…
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 27, 1861 The front page is taken up with prints of "General Prentis" "Brigadier-General Williams" and a scene of: "Departure of General Lyon & His Command from Boonville, Missouri, for the Arkansas Border."
Other prints inside include: "The Battle of Rich Mountain" & another full page of "Wilson's Z... See More
Homer print on the front page...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 20, 1861 The full front page is a print of: "Filling Cartridge at the U.S. Arsenal at Watertown, Mass." done by famed artist Winslow Homer.
Other prints within include 5 scenes of: "The Eleventh Indiana Regiment of Zouaves, Colonel L. Wallace", and another full page with 8 prints of: "Scenes About Camp". A half page shows: &q... See More
Great slave auction print... Winslow Homer print...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 13, 1861 The front page features: 'Battle of Boonville, Missouri' and smaller illustrations of: "Brigadier-General Lyon, U.S.A." and "The late Captain Ward". Inside the issue is a full page: 'The Cabinet at Washington' showing Abraham Lincoln and the others. Also featured is a full page Winslow Homer print: "Crew of U.S. ... See More
Harper's Ferry...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 6, 1861 The full front page is a print: "Constituent Convention of Virginia Assembled in the Custom House at Wheeling, Ohio Co." Among the full page prints within are: "Birds-Eye View of the Mississippi River & the Adjacent Country From St. Louis to the Gulf of Mexico"; "Scenes of Camp & Army Life in General Williams&... See More
Wealth of Civil War prints...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 22, 1861 The front page shows: "Wm. Russell, Correspondent of the London Times ". Inside has a satirical print of both sides of the: "Designs for A New Coin For the C.S.A.".
Other full page prints within the issue include: "The Eleventh Indiana Volunteers Swearing to Remember Buena Vista, at Indianapolis" & "Tenth Re... See More
Murder of Ellsworth... Events in Virginia & Florida...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 15, 1861 Most of the front page is a three-part print captioned: "Secessionist Prisoner Captured at Alexandria--The Marshall House at Alexandria" with some ftpg. text headed: "The Murder of Ellsworth".
Three-quarters of a page shows: "Company of Secession Cavalry Surrendering to Colonel Wilcox of the First Michigan Regiment, in Fr... See More
Troops encamped in the nation's capital... Jefferson Davis...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 1, 1861 The front page is entirely taken up with a print of: "Major-General Benjamin F. Butler, U.S.A." along with a biography of him. Inside has a full page print of: "The Cabinet of the Confederate States at Montgomery" including Jefferson Davis & Alexander Stephens. Smaller prints show: "Luther C. Ladd, A Mass. Vol. Killed at Balt... See More
The New York Fire Zouaves...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 25, 1861 The full front page is a dramatic print: 'Willard's Hotel, Washington, Saved by the N.Y. Fire Zouaves' showing fireman battling the blaze.
Other prints within including a full page with 2 view of: "Camp Cameron, Georgetown, D.C.", a three-quarter page print: "Evening Parade at Fort Pickens--Col. Brown Announcing to His M... See More
Several naval prints on the Civil War...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 18, 1861 The front page shows: "The 'Lady Davis', Two Guns, Captain Enger, Ship of War of the Southern Confederacy" and "Rhode Island Artillery Landing from the Steamer 'Bienville' at Washington Arsenal...".
Inside has several full page prints including: "Colonel Ellsworth's New York Fire Zouaves", "Co... See More
Many Civil War related prints...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 11, 1861 The front page has prints of: "Colonel Ellsworth of the Fire Zouaves" and "Colonel Wilson of Wilson's Brigade" with related text.
Inside has many war-related prints including: "View of Fort McHenry, Baltimore" "The Burning of the Bridge at Canton, Maryland, by the Mob" "The Rendezvous of the Virgini... See More
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 4, 1861 The full front page is taken up with a famous print: "The House-Tops in Charleston During the Bombardment of Sumter" showing men & women viewing the battle in the harbor.
Inside has a full page: "Map of Part of Maryland and Virginia Showing the Probable Theatre of the War", and "The Great Meeting In Union Square, New Yo... See More
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 27, 1861 The front page shows: "General Thomas Swearing In the Volunteers Called Into the Service of the United States at Washington, D.C." plus there is also text on: "The Bombardment of Fort Sumter".
Inside includes a dramatic full pg: "The Interior of Fort Sumter During the Bombardment" and also a full page: "Map of ... See More
Great navy-themed centerfold...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 20, 1861 The front page shows: "Hon. Charles F. Adams, U.S. Minister to England" as well as a view of: "The Confederate Batteries Opposite Fort Pickens, Florida". Inside has a full page 5 panel print of: "Commander Dahlgren, U.S.N. and the Dahlgren Gun", and a full page of: "The Washington Navy-Yard With Shad Fisheries I... See More
Preparations for Civil War...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 13, 1861 The front page has a print of: "Mrs. General Gaines" as well as a view of "Point Isabella, Texas, with the 'Daniel Webster' sailing with U.S. Troops on Board". The doublepage centerfold shows six "American Home Scenes", which includes prints of "The Applecut" "The Dance" "Quilting&quo... See More
Military scenes in Florida: preparing for the Civil War...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 6, 1861 The full front page is a print of: "Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary Of State" taken from a Brady photograph. Inside includes a two-thirds page vertical print of: "The United States Gun-boat 'Wyandotte' Firing a Salute on Washington's Birthday in Pensacola Harbor", plus a nearly half page of: "The Flag-Staff B... See More
Vassar Female College...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 30, 1861 The full front page is a print titled: "April Fool's Day In New York, Opposite the Astor House". Inside has a page with prints of New Orleans: "View In French Quarter" & "The Crescent City" from the docks; and "The Levee" and 2 scenes of: "Lafayette Square". Also inside are a two-thirds pr... See More
The Civil War in Texas... The Alamo...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 23, 1861 The front page is taken up with: "Major Anderson's Command at Fort Sumter" which includes 9 officers, one of whom is "Capt. A. Doubleday". Other prints inside include: "Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina" "Surrender of Ex-General Twiggs, Late of the United States Army, to the Texan Troops in the ... See More
Lincoln's inauguration... Winslow Homer print...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 16, 1861 The entire front page shows: "The Inaugural Procession at Washington Passing the Gate of the Capitol Grounds" which shows Abraham Lincoln & James Buchanan in the carriage.
Inside has a nearly half page print showing: "Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber Before The Inauguration" with related text he... See More
Abraham Lincoln hoisting the American flag upon Independence Hall...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 9, 1861 The full front page is taken up with: "President Lincoln Hoisting the American Flag Upon Independence Hall'. Other prints inside include: "City & Garrison of Fort Smith, Arkansas" "United States Arsenal at Little Rock, Arkansas, Surrendered to the State Troops", a print of: "Miss Patterson, of Baltimore",... See More
Winslow Homer print... Map of the Northern & Southern states...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Feb. 23, 1861 The front page is taken up with: "Chantrey's Statue of Washington, Now in the State House at Boston, Massachusetts". Prints within include: "Officers' Quarters at Fort Sumter", "Good-by to Sumter", and a quarter page print by famed artist Winslow Homer: "The Late Rev. Dr. Murray", plus a great full p... See More
Great Valentine's Day front page...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Feb. 16, 1861 A very nice display issue for Valentine's Day as the entire front page is a handsome print titled: "Saint Valentine's Day" showing 6 vignettes (see).
Inside pages include a fullpg: "A ten-inch Mounted as a Mortar at Ft. Sumter"; a smaller print: "The Sally Port at Sumter--Interior"; a doublepage centerfold of... See More
The Alabama delegation secedes from the Union...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Feb. 9, 1861 The full front page is a print of: "The Seceding Alabama Delegation In Congress" showing nine men. Text on the men takes over half of page 2.
Other prints within include: "Captain J. G. Foster, Engineer Corps U.S.A., On Duty at Fort Sumter" "Arrival of the United States Steam Sloop 'Niagara' At Jeddo, Japan, with t... See More
Homer print on the front page... Jefferson Davis...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Feb. 2, 1861 The full front page shows "The Seceding Mississippi Delegation in Congress" done by famed artist Winslow Homer, showing among others Senator Jefferson Davis. Other prints inside include: "Sea Battery, Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Va". The dramatic doublepage centerfold is: "Dream of a Secessionist--Washington and Valley ... See More
Nice Charleston issue...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 26, 1861 The front page shows: "The Prayer at Sumter". Other prints inside include: "Firing on the 'Star of the West' from the South Carolina Battery on Morris Island" "Group of Guns & Gun Carriages Dismantled by Major Anderson at Fort Moultrie" "Battery at Fort Moultrie, Bearing on Fort Sumter", a full p... See More
Prints regarding Charleston, South Carolina...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 19, 1861 The front page has 4 prints: "Hon. Francis W. Pickens, Governor of South Carolina" "Hon. Judge Magrath, Sec. of State of South Carolina" "Rev. Dr. Bachman Who Asked a Blessing on the Secession Ordinance" and "The Charleston Zouaves". Prints inside include: "Mr. Rarey and Cruiser (horse)"; a: &qu... See More
Fort Sumter...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 12, 1861 Much of front page is taken up with a print of: "Major Anderson, U.S.A., Commanding At Ft. Sumter" with a biography of him. Also in this issue is a dramatic full page: "The Battle of New Orleans, Fought Jan. 8, 1815" & "Sketches of Ft. Moultrie" which has 5 prints; "Senator Seward's Arabian Horses--Maanak... See More
Two Winslow Homer prints, including a centerfold...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 5, 1861 The full front page is drawn by Winslow Homer & has: 'The Georgia Delegation in Congress' showing 10 men. Also done by Winslow Homer is the doublepage centerfold: "Seeing the Old Year Out".
Also in this issue is: "New Year's Eve in the Country" plus there is a serialized portion of "Great Expectations"... See More
Women's rights convention of 1859...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 11, 1859 The front page shows: 'The Talking Fish' and 'The Fighting Tiger of King of Oude'. A full page illustration of 'Ye May Session of Ye Woman's Rights Convention' [Mozart Hall in New York City]. Several illustrations regarding the war in Europe. Text and 3 illustrations on 'The Floating Hospital in the Lower Bay' [... See More
Quite uncommon from Wisconsin...
THE WISCONSIN CHIEF, Milwaukee and Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, 1861 A quite uncommon newspaper from Wisconsin with various news of the day (pre and early Civil War era news) & a wealth of ads. Never bound nor trimmed. Note that the photo is "generic" and the issue you get will not have this specific date but will have the format as shown. Measures approximately 21x14 inches and c... See More
Ornate masthead...
ADVOCATE FAMILY GUARDIAN, New York, 1865 A rather ornate & decorative masthead in this small newspaper, filled primarily with literary & womanly concerns. Edited by Mrs. Sarah R. Bennett of the "American Female Guardian Society". Note that the photo is "generic" and the issue you get will be from 1865 & will have the format shown. Measures approximately 11 by ... See More
WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, N.Y., March 15, 1862 An inside page has: "Great Billiard Match For The Championship, Between Dudley Kavanaugh of New York, And Michael Foley of Cleveland. Kavanaugh The Victor! The Match Won by 435 Points!" Detailed report and a list of the scoring. Light dampstaining to some of this report.
Famous anti-slavery newspaper...
THE LIBERATOR, Boston, MA 1861-65 (with minor water-staining or other minor imperfections which make them somewhat 2nd-rate)
* Ornate masthead
* Anti-Slavery Title
* edited by William Lloyd Garrison
See the photo below for the terrific masthead of this famous anti-slavery title. The ornate woodcut in the masthead features three scenes: a slave auction, an image of Jesus breaking the bonds ... See More
WORCESTER DAILY TRANSCRIPT newspaper from Mass., dated April 5, 1864. See the photo below for the fascinating back page advertisement for "Indian Remedy For Females" with much detail on its uses. The full ad takes two-thirds of a column with much descriptive text. You get the complete 4 page issue--unusual item!
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The Supervisory Board of the Pension Fund is the supreme governing body of the off-budget Pension Fund under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The members of the Supervisory Board of the Pension Fund were elected and approved since January 1, 2010 according to the order of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures to form the organizational structure of the Off-budgetary Pension Fund under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan" № 1252, December 30.
Powers of the Pension Fund's Supervisory Board are as follows:
Review and approve the forecast of parameters of income and expenditures of the Fund as well as the annual estimate of the Fund's expenditure in consultation with the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
Receiving and approval of the reports on the activities of the Executive Office, regional departments of the Fund;
Hearing the reports of ministries and agencies, local authorities, the Republican Inspectorate for Medical and Social Expertise, medical labor expertise and other stakeholders on matters relating to the Fund's powers;
Getting the information from the State Tax Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the full and timely payment of mandatory contributions and other payments to the Fund ;
Introduce a proposal to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on appointment and dismissal of the executive director of the Fund and his deputies;
Confirmation of the model statute on the territorial departments of the Fund;
Confirmation of the model statute on the Commission on the pension assignment of the district (municipal) division of the Pension Fund for Off-budgetary Pension Fund under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
Control over Fund's executive apparatus, particularly the Fund's incomes, its timely financing and its targeted use;
Confirmation of the amounts of payment for services of sending and receiving of pensions and social benefits according to assignments, correspondence and postal items;
Carry out other functions related to the Fund's activities and implementing the citizens' rights of guaranteed state social security and social insurance.
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Archive for Dystopia
A Weaponized Campus Can Be Fun!
Excited about unregulated firearms coming to Kansas State University’s campus? Well, be sure to thank Representative John Barker and Senator Jacob LaTurner. They refused to let the university campus-carry exemption bills even come up for a vote in the full House and Senate. So, thanks to them, the citizens who voted for them, and to all the NRA lackeys who create the laws in Kansas, as of July 1st, Kansas State University will be fully weaponized!
What does this mean for those of us who teach and study here? Well, this morning, the university shared with us its new Weapons Policy Training module. You see, as the announcement tells us,
On July 1, the university’s exemption from the concealed carry requirements of the Personal and Family Protection Act expires, meaning that the concealed carry of handguns will be allowed in university buildings at Kansas State University and other state universities. K-State continues its commitment to the safety of students, faculty and staff and all members of the K-State community.
The dark irony created by the juxtaposition of these two sentences is genius. They tell us, first, that “concealed carry of handguns will be allowed” all over K-State campus and, second, that “K-State continues its commitment to the safety of students, faculty and staff.” Because, you see, these two ideas are in no way incompatible! Hahahaha. Ha.
But, for more fun, let’s get to that Weapons Policy Training module, shall we?
Yep! “K-State Faculty/Staff.” That’s me. (For now, anyway.)
Ordinarily, I’d say “don’t repeat the same joke twice.” But I have to admit that the “dedicated to the safety and security” of everyone juxtaposed with WELCOME GUNS! is still pretty funny the second time around. Nicely played.
We have no choice about having armed and untrained students (to get a weapon, Kansas law requires no training, no background check, no license). But getting a choice of the order in which to complete the training makes me feel so much better. Thank you!
OK, I think I’ll start with “FAQ.”
Right, of course. It’s much more fun to be surprised by the firearm accidentally going off or by the student using it on a classmate or the instructor. Also, this policy helps protect the sensitive feelings of those people so cowardly that only being armed at all times makes them feel safe. Poor little snowflakes.
Dropping a gun into a backpack seems like such an easy way to store it. Why bother to secure the weapon? I mean, it’s not like someone could easily grab a classmate’s backpack or unzip the backpack and get the gun out. That’s highly unlikely. And since a person with no training on how to use a weapon will of course take all appropriate precautions, we can be confident that he (or she, but probably he) will leave the safety on.
Also, the need to keep the backpack “within the immediate reach of the individual” creates a fun new classroom game: Is That a Gun in Your Bag or Do You Suffer from Backpack Separation Anxiety? The game works like this: Watch your students, and see who keeps the backpack very close at all times. Is that student carrying? Could be! What about that student, over there? Hmmm. And why are those two students whispering near that satchel? Points will be awarded based on the ratio of correct answers to survivors.
So, then: office hours cancelled until further notice. Great! I’m learning so much from this module! Bonus: Not having office hours will save time, as will absenting myself from campus except when I absolutely have to be there. This Weapons Policy is looking better and better!
Introducing my new policy: A’s for all students! You are all brilliant, wonderful people! You all get A’s!
Another part of the genius of concealed carry: by making every student a potentially armed student (and thus an implicit threat), faculty can treat them accordingly. We can be spared the time of grading, by acknowledging that each and every one of our students is a certified genius! Also, since campus carry revokes the safety upon which freedom of speech depends, why bother laboring over challenging discussion questions? Fear inhibits discussion, and, well, we wouldn’t want a student to feel threatened by an intellectual challenge, now would we? Of course not. That would be rude. I mean: the very idea of challenging students to think! That’s so, I don’t know, pedagogically sound.
Extra credit question: Is there any chance that weaponizing the campus will lead to such egregious grade inflation that a degree from a Kansas university will become meaningless? Let’s find out!
Well, this has been a fun survey. I’d really love to take the rest of it, but no time at the moment. After all, I have an exit strategy to plan — er, I mean, work to do! I have work to do! Bye!
To any academics who may be reading this: Is your university in a state or country with (relatively) competent governance? Or is it a private university (and thus not required to weaponize)? Does it seek an expert on children’s literature? Well, seek no further! Here is my curriculum vitae and a page devoted to my books (with selected reviews of same):
books — the eleventh, Was the Cat in the Hat Black? will be out this July from Oxford UP.
Drop me a line. (Email address is at right, under “A note on mp3s.”) I’d love to hear from you!
Related writing on this subject (by me, and on this blog unless otherwise indicated):
“Just a Shot Away,” Inside Higher Ed., 12 Apr. 2016.
“Firearms and Fascists: Does the Kansas House Believe in Democracy?” 8 Mar. 2017. I think we know the answer to this now.
“Killing Higher Education, Literally: Kansas’ Campus Carry,” 1 Feb. 2017. Testimony. I was not able to deliver this in person.
“Testify! Keeping Kansas Universities Gun-Free,” 26 Jan. 2017. My statement, delivered in person to the Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee at the state house.
“Guest Editorial: Putting guns on campus is unsafe, disruptive to learning.” K-State Collegian, 21 Sept. 2016.
“Armed and Unsafe: Why Kansas Universities Must Reject and Not Adapt to Weaponized Campuses,” 4 Sept. 2016. My statement to the university’s Weapons Advisory Work Group.
“Why Campus Carry Threatens Higher Education,” 24 Mar. 2016
“Guns vs. Schools,” 2 Dec. 2015. Includes a link to the Kansas State University Distinguished Professors’ statement.
“When Will I Be Shot Dead?” 1 Oct. 2015.
June 14, 2017 · Filed under Academe, Dystopia, Education, Guns, Kansas, Kansas State University
A Report from Comic-Con 2016
[Taps microphone.] Greetings, fellow nerds, fans, and affiliated wanderers! If I may interrupt the daily (hourly?) reports of chaos and pain that saturate your newsfeed, I’ll bring you what I hope is a satisfying report from this year’s Comic-Con. Yes, while the Republican National Convention was busy opening a hellmouth in Cleveland, I was in San Diego, learning and talking about comics. In some wonderful ways, Comic-Con is the opposite of our contemporary dystopian moment. In other ways, it’s also symptom of that same moment.
Sure, I’m aware that Comic-Con is now an entertainment-industry promotion-palooza (also featuring comics). I know that every available surface entices us to consume (watch the new show, buy the action figure, get the Lego set, etc.). And I’d love it if it comics were more of a central focus than they now are.
But to accentuate the positive for a moment, Comic-Con is a community of nice people — whether they’re comics people or TV-and-film people, whether they’re immersed in a fandom or not, whether they’re cosplaying or dressed as civilians. (I cosplay as a middle-aged English professor. This is my third Comic-Con, and my, er, costume is getting more convincing every year, if I do say so myself.)
So, read on for G. Willow Wilson, Jeff Smith, Kate Beaton, tips on teaching with comics, random observations from yours truly, and more!
Temperatures Rising
Situated on the coast of southern California, San Diego’s weather is predictably pleasant. Usually. After landing midday on Wednesday, I took the bus to several blocks from my hotel, and walked… getting hotter and hotter. Daily, temperatures edged into the upper 80s Fº (above 30º C), a trend that will become normal as the climate changes. In response to more imminent existential threats, this is the first year that Comic-Con no longer uses paper badges in a plastic sleeve. Each person’s badge has a unique ID card that must be scanned every time she or he enters or leaves the convention center. Conference sponsor The Walking Dead was on this year’s badge. Enjoy that metaphor because it will return.
Teaching with Comics
I started my Comic-Con by drawing pictures. From 4 to 6 pm, at the San Diego Central Library, Peter Carlson (Green Dot Public Schools), Antero Garcia (Colorado State University), and Susan Kirtley (Portland State University) led a workshop featuring classroom educators Samantha Diego, James Kelley, and Jenn Anya Prosser.
Susan Kirtley (a 2013 Eisner-winner for her book on Lynda Barry) asked us what comics are, which is always great because there are so many different definitions. After people offered some answers, she highlighted the answers of Will Eisner, Scott McCloud, Dylan Horrocks, though of course we could bring in others (as I expect she would have, had she more time) such as Thierry Groensteen, Charles Hatfield, or Hillary Chute.
Her comments reminded me, also, that some people face resistance to teaching classes on comics. She told us that if people are skeptical of why you’re teaching comics, to tell them you’re “teaching graphic narratives as a way to promote multimodal literacy.” Resistance to studying comics interests me because it’s one of the most complex narrative media ever invented. There is so much to say about it.
She also took us through a few exercises. One was this, which is inspired by Ivan Brunetti’s single-panel comic exercise in Cartooning Philosophy and Practice.
We had 1-2 minutes to do this. Here’s what I came up with for Guus Kuijer’s The Book of Everything.
She then had us all do a one-panel version. In Cartooning Philosophy and Practice, Brunetti does a single-panel Catcher in the Rye. It’s brilliant.
Mine — done in 1 minute — for The Book of Everything is not brilliant. Obviously.
But this brings me to another key part of her pedagogy. She does these exercises with her students. “I do it when they do it,” she says, because that levels the critical plain. She also encourages us teachers to reward students’ risk-taking at moment of assessment: “Make it OK for students to fail — and don’t penalize them for that.” Susan builds in rubrics that take into account the entire process. I like this.
Peter Carlson and Samantha Diego spoke on “Engaging Readers, Empowering Writers, Creating Communities: Civic Superheroes,” via the idea of the superhero. They asked us:
What superpowers do you want?
Those questions elicit an array of profound responses. One grade-school student had told them invisibility to prevent the other kids from making fun of her appearance. In our older crowd, answers included persuasion, and healing. I and at least one other audience member chose healing as our superpower. When I talked with Susan afterwards, she said that this superpower — healing — really appealed to her, too. This makes sense. As we age, mortality looms larger. In the Dallas airport, en route to Comic-Con, I read a 43-year-old friend’s (likely) final column for her local paper. Aided by an unrelenting brain tumor, death will likely claim her before the year is out. As I’ve written elsewhere on this blog, we all must face the inevitability of our own deaths. I don’t conceive of the healing superpower as an end-run around death, but a way to alleviate suffering on that journey towards the moment when our time finally runs out. For her, perhaps the superpower could buy her more time or at least enable her to retain her cognitive abilities. Even superpowers have limits, I know.
Returning to the exercise, some follow-up questions from Carlson and Diego:
What would you do with those powers?
Where would you go?
Who would you become?
They also suggested that the first issue of a comic — say, Ms. Marvel or Storm — can be a good way into these discussions.
Jenn Anya Prosser had us close-read some panels, but I failed to take notes on that (since it’s something I already do). Antero Garcia and James Kelly addressed why we should teach science and English together, and suggested that comics can be a great way to have these conversations. Comics ask big questions:
What does it mean to be human?
What does it mean to be mutant?
What does it mean to be other?
What does it mean to be?
Science addresses these questions, too. They can also help students think about genetics, viz:
Afterwards, it was Preview Night! Though we could have gone to watch previews of not-yet-released shows, Susan Kirtley and I instead zeroed in on the comics sections of the exhibit hall, where I squandered aimlessly — well, not entirely aimlessly. As usual, I bought more than I should — both that night and on subsequent days. But accumulating books is an occupational affliction. And, hey, it’s good to give your spine a workout, right?
Also, on Preview Night, the crowds are not as thick as they become on subsequent days. But the hall is always something of a sensory overload. I sometimes think that Comic-Con should have strategically placed sensory deprivation chambers where Con-goers could sit and decompress for five-to-ten minutes at a time. There’s a lot to take in.
From the MAD magazine booth:
I chatted with some of my Fantagraphics pals, as well as folks I didn’t know at other booths. Susan and I also met Snoopy — who, to my delight and surprise, did not attempt to sell us any insurance. Then we went off to dinner & had a great chat! (By “we,” I mean Susan and me. Snoopy declined our invitation. Presumably, that round-headed kid had already fed him.)
The Jogging Dead
Balboa Park is a few blocks east of the Holiday Inn Express I stayed in. So, first thing Thursday morning, I thought: great, I’ll just jog east, find my way into the park, and have a good run! A helpful person at the hotel’s front desk assured me that there were many ways into the park, and pointed me in the right direction.
However, and unlike New York City, San Diego’s streets and signs offer guidance to cars, not pedestrians or runners. Though Park Boulevard runs along the edge of the park, it offers few points of access to the park itself, and then (when you finally get in) the park has signs promising trails that turn out to dissipate suddenly. As a result, for part of my journey back, I ended up running in the bike lane along Route 5. Like all places in downtown San Diego, I was never far from the city’s robust homeless population — encamped at the edges of city sidewalks, against a fence in the shade of trees on Park Boulevard, and just off the edge of the highway. Luckily for me, they (and other walkers) had beaten a path from Route 5 back to the city streets I sought.
Part of the Comic-Con experience is always the contrast between the shiny abundance promised within the event and the privation of those who live on the streets outside. Whether silently holding a sign asking for help or sound asleep on the ground, San Diego’s homeless are both politely invisible and a vivid reminder of how America actively neglects its most vulnerable.
At first, I thought our Walking Dead ID cards an apt metaphor for the homeless among us, but now I think them a better metaphor for the conference-goer — walking past suffering, declining to admit that we are seeing what we know we’re seeing. I gave one sign-bearing man $5. I think, in future, I should carry small denominations and just give them to each person begging. I honestly don’t know. But I do know that we do need investment in mental health facilities, affordable housing, and job retraining for those down on their luck. OK, getting off my soapbox and back to the con….
G. Willow Wilson; or, Ms. Marvel Fans Embiggen
To a full room that included at least nine people dressed as Ms. Marvel, Ms. Wilson introduced herself: “I’m Willow Wilson. I tell people: ‘the G is silent.’” Interviewed by her friend Josh (I didn’t get his last name), she told us about herself — which was great because, though I know her Ms. Marvel comics, I did not otherwise know much about her.
Wilson was born in New Jersey, but grew up in Colorado. As for religion, she said, “I was raised an atheist, but I was never very good at it. When I was a teenager, I realized that I was a particular kind of monotheist, but I was embarrassed about it.” Indeed, when she did convert to Islam, she did so in secret — not telling anyone until later.
She studied Arabic for two years at university, and then at the age of 19 left for Cairo, where she would live for the next five years. Upon arriving, she realized that the Arabic she had learned was classical Arabic, which, she says, “would be like learning how Shakespeare speaks.” So, she had to learn modern Arabic. Which she did. While working there as a journalist, she met her future husband Omar. They and their two children now live in Seattle.
She and Sherman Alexie share a publisher, and live about 12 blocks from each other. When she was starting out (having published, I think, Air, and Cairo), she was headed to a conference. Her publicist advised her: when you get on the plane, look for Sherman Alexie and share a cab after you get there. So, she’s walking through First Class on her way to coach, and Alexie spots her.
Alexie: Are you G. Willow Wilson?
Wilson: Yes.
Alexie: I loved Air!
Of all that she said during her conversation, this struck me as the most profound: “You are sometimes able to get to people through fiction what you cannot get through to them through the nightly news.” Her Ms. Marvel is, I think, the embodiment of this very idea.
When Marvel asked her to do Ms. Marvel, Wilson says her “first thought was ‘no’ because there’ll be all kinds of blowback.” She figured she would get lots of hate mail, just as she had gotten for previous work. But, she said, “when Marvel comes to you and says they’ll put their weight behind a project like this, you have to say ‘yes.’ I said ‘yes.’” Writing the Kamala Khan Ms. Marvel comics were “a cool opportunity to shed positive light on a community that does not get a lot of positive attention.” When the first one was published, she thought: “Brace for impact!” But the impact she expected never really materialized. Sure, there was a little hate mail, but response was mostly positive. She concludes, “It was one of the most life-affirming things I have ever done.”
She concluded her session by reading Chapter One of The Bird King, a new novel set in 1491. As she said before she began, “You guys will be the very first people to hear it who are not paid to like it”
Homework! #SDCC2016 pic.twitter.com/QNc9t1BfTe
— G. Willow Wilson (@GWillowWilson) July 21, 2016
There was only time for two questions at the end. Here they are.
First question was: Advice for women creators who want to get into the industry? Wilson: “The good news is this is now a discussion we can have without people losing their jobs. People are now taking subjects like harassment, equal access to corridors of power more seriously. But there’s a lot of work to be done.”
Second questioner referenced the fact that there are no black women comics writers (at Marvel or DC), and asked “How does that make you feel when you’re writing one of the most nuanced and awesome [characters of color]”? Wilson replied, “We need to be in the business of recruiting more people. I love Ta-Nehisi Coates. Sitting in the Marvel writers’ room, with him across from me, was one of the highlights of my career. But you shouldn’t need to have a MacArthur Genius grant to get hired to write comics.”
Note: The very next day, Roxane Gay tweeted that she has been hired by Marvel to co-write a comic with Ta-Nehisi Coates.
So. I am writing a comic book series for Marvel. https://t.co/adcBWBtThT
— roxane gay (@rgay) July 22, 2016
But the greatest thing about this panel were all the people who dressed as the Kamala Khan Ms. Marvel. After the panel was over, they all gathered with Wilson to embiggen!
Cushlamochree! Or, The Kindness of Strangers
After lunch, I stopped into the Ghirardelli shop because, well, chocolate. I had a chocolate ice cream, and reviewed the notes I’d made that morning. In a few hours, I would be appearing on a panel devoted to Crockett Johnson’s Barnaby (1942-1952), which I’m co-editing and Fantagraphics is publishing. (The third volume just came out.) Typically, I tend to perform a script, or to at least consider the possible questions in advance. But this panel was mostly unscripted, and so I was a little anxious.
A young couple walked past my table, and then walked back, and the young man asked if he could use the plug next to me. I said of course! And I moved over so that he could sit where I had been sitting, and his girlfriend could sit opposite him. He asked what I was doing. I told him. He said: OK, pitch it to me. And… I did. This person who I have never met before listened, offered a little feedback, and helped me talk through the presentation.
I learned a little about him, too. He said, “Not to brag, but I’m the nerdier of us two.” I love that “nerd” is now a term of approbation. When I was his age (a phrase I never used while talking with him), one would not brag about being a nerd! He and his girlfriend are both seniors at San Diego State University: he’s a music major (jazz drummer, in particular). She’s a graphic design major. They were both working for Comic-Con because it grants them a free pass to the conference, and it’s fun to go to Comic-Con. I think her name is Morgan; his name has, unfortunately wandered away from me. If you two happen upon this blog post, thank you!
Encounters like this are what make Comic-Con a welcome respite from the news. There is kindness and generosity in the world. Not enough, but it is out there. It’s our job to make more of it. To quote Ram Dass, “We’re all just walking each other home.”
After that, it was back to the exhibit hall, a quick coffee and a chat with Eric Reynolds, and then…
Crockett Johnson’s Barnaby: What Makes a Great Comic Strip.
This was why I came to Comic Con — to be on this panel! In the photo, from left to right, that’s The Comics Reporter’s Tom Spurgeon, Fantagraphics Associate Publisher Eric Reynolds (my pal, and co-editor on the Barnaby books), yours truly, and… Jeff Smith!
Whatever anxiety I’d had vanished instantly. The panel was a delight. As you may already know, Smith is as nice a guy as you would expect the creator of Bone to be. I’m also grateful to him for lending his celebrity to our quixotic endeavor. I’m sure that half of the small audience appeared simply to see him. (There were only about 25 people in a room that seats more like 300.) I hope our conversation — led by Tom Spurgeon — helped move a few copies of Barnaby.
You see, Barnaby is the last great comic strip that has never been collected in full. Its admirers include Charles Schulz, Art Spiegelman, Chris Ware, Jules Feiffer, Seth, and Daniel Clowes (who designed the books, and would have been on the panel if he’d been on an earlier flight). Told in Johnson’s elegant clear line, Barnaby tells the adventures of its five-year-old title character and Mr. O’Malley, his loquacious, bumbling, endearing con-artist of a fairy godfather. O’Malley is a great character of possibility, allowing Johnson many opportunities to satirize politics, business, or (coming in volume 4) the emerging medium of television. The strip is both topical and a Calvin-and-Hobbes-esque fantasy. Just as only Calvin sees the reality of Hobbes, the children of Barnaby all see the fairy-world characters, but — also like Calvin and Hobbes — Barnaby’s adults fail to perceive the reality of fantasy. We readers, however, know that O’Malley and friends are real. Barnaby is a beautiful and influential strip, but — like Krazy Kat — it was never a popular strip. At its height, Barnaby was syndicated in a mere 52 papers. By contrast, at the same time, Chic Young’s Blondie was running in 850 newspapers.
Fantagraphics is committed to bringing out all five volumes of Barnaby, and I love them for that. I also wish we could help find a larger audience. So, if you’re reading this, why not pick up a copy? Encourage your local or college library to pick up these, too, along with Fantagraphics’ many beautiful editions of classic comics (notably Krazy Kat and Peanuts).
Breakfast with Ebony
Friday began at the Broken Yolk, where I had breakfast with Ebony Thomas — whose book The Dark Fantastic should see print in (I am hoping) the next year or two. It’s a really smart way of thinking about how the dark other functions in fantasy. (Make a note of it now, and pick it up when it comes out!)
I actually met Ebony at my very first fan conference — Nimbus 2003, in Florida, thirteen years ago. I’d written a small book on the Harry Potter series, and they invited me to give a keynote. In this respect, I think our aca-fan (Henry Jenkins’ term for “academic fan”) trajectories are opposite. I went to academic conferences before ever appearing at a fan one, whereas my sense is that she had more fan conference experience prior to becoming an academic.
Part of the fun of conferences — whether academic or fan — is seeing friends, and making new ones. So, good to see you, Ebony! Hope you enjoyed the rest of the con!
Keeping It Short
Moderated by Abraham Riesman, this panel featured Kate Beaton, Lisa Hanawalt, and Emily Carroll. Though the panel was on short comics, my notes are actually, um, a bit longer than expected.
Abraham Riesman: What short form comics did you read growing up?
Kate Beaton: Sherman’s Lagoon
Lisa Hanawalt: Garfield, Calvin & Hobbes, adult cartoonist B. Kliban
Emily Carroll: All newspaper strips. I read every one every morning, even if I didn’t like it — I read Rex Morgan every morning. I read a lot of Archie comics, which at the time had no continuity.
AR: What spoke to you about Archie?
Emily: The only comic that had really pretty girls in it.
Lisa: Me, too. Did you like Betty or Veronica?
A discussion ensued on who preferred Betty, and who Veronica, but I didn’t note it all down.
AR: What does an average workday look like?
Kate: Some cartoonists work 9-5 with lunch breaks, but…
Lisa: I fuck around until 3 every day at least. But usually until 7.
Kate: It might take all day to get into that, until something is actually working. [Kate then recalled 2 aunts coming to visit at around lunchtime, thinking she’d have a lunch break. That led her to imagine herself saying the following sentence to her aunts.] I just stare at the wall all day until something comes and you ruin my flow?
Emily [adding to Kate’s imagined comment]: Now I have to start wasting time all over again? I try to start before the afternoon or else I feel bad. But early afternoon is when I start.
AR: How much planning before you draw the finished product?
Emily: I start drawing right away. Whether it’s the beginning or end — just because I need to see it materializing.
Lisa: For me, it depends. If there’s a narrative, then I have to plan that out. But I also do improv comics. I did some corporate slogans, and the first draft is what got published because it was funniest. Because if I try to make it neater, it’ll be less so.
AR: I love “just fucking do it”
Nike rejects pic.twitter.com/YUNiIvkvY4
— Lisa Hanawalt (@lisadraws) August 2, 2013
Kate: I write a lot in my head. So, especially, if it’s a three or four panel gag, I have it all in my head. So, you get a nugget — that’s the angle I’m going to use. And you sort of tumble it around, until you get the right combination of things. If you work too hard on the drawing, it ruins it. I try to go for the energy that comes in the first few lines.
AR: How do you keep the emotion in the artwork?
Emily: My first thought is I only have a few emotions anyway. I either feel angry or guilty or I’m Ok. …But my general thought is what [I failed to note the rest of her answer]
Kate: You’re not telling people how to feel. You’re showing them how you feel.
AR, to Kate: Any jokes you had to abandon?
Kate: Sure. Not all history is hilarious. You try to bring in a topic that isn’t funny, but should be shared.
AR, to Lisa: what’s funny about birds?
Lisa: What isn’t funny about birds? I just like looking at them — they’re hilarious.
AR: What’s the funniest thing about birds?
Lisa: When a toucan eats a bunch of fruit it [Lisa mimes action of toucan eating fruit, throwing it up into the air, gulping it down. Everyone laughs. She then adds an additional funny bird behavior:] When they sit on their nests.
Kate then offered a short discourse on fecal sacks. The young birds, who cannot yet leave the nest, poop in sacks. This allows the adults to throw their young’s waste out of the nest. She recalled a grackle who lived near her, and used to decorate her car with these fecal sacks. Her car was blue, the grackles assumed that since it was blue, it must also be water. Lisa found this story fascinating. (I did, too.)
AR to Emily [re: earlier question on emotions]: You didn’t mention fear?
Emily: Oh yeah, that’s true.
AR: ‘Cause you write horror. How often are you afraid?
Emily: All the time. Every day.
AR: How much of Anne Herron is true?
Emily: Anne by the bed?
AR: Yes.
Emily: None of it. I made it all up. But it turns out there is an unsolved mystery of an Anne Heron (with one r).
AR: When I interviewed you a few months ago, Kate, you said that cartoonists are horrible to be significant others with at a party because they’re always there drawing. Is that true for the two of you?
Lisa: I hardly do it anymore. But I used to because I was shy, and I thought it would be an ice breaker.
Emily: I don’t really go to social gatherings. [Laughter from audience.] So, that’s not an issue. I draw less now than I did before.
AR: How much does doodling influence your work?
Kate: Less and less. Now, you’re like: I really need a different hobby.
All panelists agree that they now do less drawing for fun.
AR: How do you know how to represent time?
Led by Emily’s response, all panelists agree that they go by instinct, and then go back and edit — if it reads too fast, they’ll go back and put in something else to slow it down (says Emily).
All panelists addressed unpublished or unfinished work. All have work that they’ve decided not to publish, nor to continue.
AR: How often to you look at your finished old work?
Lisa: I look at it every couple of years. I go back, and think oh, hey, this is actually pretty funny.
At this point, Kate mentioned she wasn’t feeling well. She apologized, and left for the washroom.
AR: Is your work ever misunderstood?
The answer to this question (which I failed to record) led to the next one.
AR: How often do you check Twitter, look at comments, or avoid them?
Lisa: I look at everything. I really should stop. I even read the Goodreads reviews.
AR: Oh, you shouldn’t do that.
Emily: Oh, I can’t look at those. I do, sometimes.
Did you ever read that Guardian essay about the person who gave bad reviews?
Lisa: Totally obsessed with that. Totally understand. Once I was at a convention, and a lady picked up one of my books, and threw it back down on the desk and ran away. I think about that all the time.
Emily: A few months ago, I just deleted all of my follows except for my wife and the library. So, that way, I couldn’t go and check all my follows. I’m becoming increasingly reclusive, I guess.
Lisa: That [not being on Twitter] sounds nice.
Emily: I realize that even the nice comments didn’t make me feel good!
At this point, Kate returns!
Kate: I’m doing much better. I had my hair tied back, all ready to rumble. But it was just poop.
Kate apologizes for including those bodily details.
AR: You’re sitting next to Lisa.
Lisa: I’m like in love with you right now.
Kate [explaining]: I’ve moved to the country, recently, and I don’t drink much any more….
AR: How often do you think about Wuthering Heights?
Kate: A lot. I never finished that comic. I need to. Anyone ever been to the Bronte parsonage? I feel like haunted by Branwell [brother of Charlotte, Emily, Anne]. In a family portrait, there’s a weird person-shaped hole because he painted himself out.
AR: Don’t we all feel like a person-shaped hole?
Kate: I did just a few minutes ago. [Kate then comments on Branwell, who was alcoholic…] In these [Bronte] books, characters like these brooding frustrated men — like Heathcliff — make me think of Branwell.
In the Q+A, I asked Kate how her process of her picture book The Princess and Pony was different than comics.
Kate said that working closely with an editor was a big difference. The book is much more polished than her cartoons. Also, she said, it’s not just a gag. It has a story, and that had to make sense.
In response to a question about (I think) favorite horror narratives, Emily responded, “I like horror that’s really long and boring and nothing happens, and then something maybe happens and then it’s done.”
Questioner asked if they had a reader they trusted who they could turn to for feedback.
Lisa: For me, it’s my partner Adam. But also guys like these — I have a lot. Of cartoonist friends.
Emily: My wife will read over my work. She’ll say it’s too fast or too slow, and I’ll say you don’t understand my process and vision! And then I fix it.
Kate: Don’t read Amazon or Goodreads. [Quoting reviews] “I think there are secret gay people in the book.” Or “I don’t want to expose my children to farts.”
30 Minutes to Go; brief conversations with Beaton & Sousanis
After the panel, I had only 30 minutes before I had to leave. So, I dashed down stairs to the convention hall, where I hoped to meet up with Eisner nominee Nick Sousanis — who’d just arrived earlier that morning — and to say goodbye to the Fantagraphics gang. Said my farewells to all but Eric (who was moderating a panel), texted back-and-forth with Nick, and decided, well, yes, I could buy just one more book. So, over at the Drawn & Quarterly I bought Kate Beaton’s latest, Step Aside, Pops, which she inscribed and decorated.
I also thanked her for The Princess and the Pony because it’s great to be able to give my princess-obsessed niece a book about a warrior princess. Kate recommended Cherie Priest’s I Am Princess X (2015) and Jeremy Whitley’s Princeless (2012-). I said “Emily’s 5. Would these…?” She said that they’d be for when she’s a bit older. Looking at them on-line, now, I see that I Am Princess X is a YA hybrid comics/text, and that Princeless is marketed to kids from ages nine to 12, which (I think) means that Princeless could be something she’s interested in sooner than that.
Nick arrived when only had about 5 minutes left. I stayed for 10, we chatted, parted, and — along the way back — I realized that, yeah, I really did need the full half hour to walk back to my hotel. Jogging a bit of the way, I narrowly made noon check-out and the shuttle to the airport. (I had to leave because I’m scheduled to give a keynote at a picture books conference at Kent State on Monday. I’m leaving for that first thing tomorrow morning. Update: American Airlines cancelled my flight. So, I’m now scheduled to leave first thing tomorrow afternoon. Fingers crossed!)
So, I still worry that America is slouching towards fascism, that state-sanctioned murder threatens people of color every day, that extremism festers and erupts here (Make America White Again!) and abroad (most recently: Nice, Turkey, Munich, Kabul). But, for a few days in San Diego, glimpses of a different possible future emerged — a future where people do not fear each other, but care for each other. A future where our interests bring us together. Yes, despair lingered at the edges of the Comic-Con experience, as it always does. However, the con was mostly a respite from the violence and hopelessness that afflicts us. And I’m grateful for that.
My previous years’ reports from Comic-Con:
2015: I didn’t attend.
2014: day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4, day 5
July 23, 2016 · Filed under Comic-Con, Comics, Donald Trump, Dystopia, Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics, G. Willow Wilson, Jeff Smith, Kate Beaton
The object of power is power: a report from today’s Kansas Board of Regents meeting
“The object of power is power.”
— O’Brien, in George Orwell’s 1984
To support the basic right to freedom of speech and to stand up for academic freedom, faculty, staff, and students from Kansas universities attended today’s Kansas Board of Regents meeting in Topeka, Kansas. The room was packed: standing room only. The Board of Regents were cheerful, chummy, and completely indifferent to the rights of those whom they allegedly represent. They rescinded our rights to freedom of speech, but they did it with a smile. Fred Logan told us that the Regents respect us, and passed a policy that does not respect academic freedom.
He is a canny politician, and I could see him going places. I mean that both as a compliment to him and as a caution to the people of Kansas. In other words, I am being both sarcastic and completely sincere. Not only does Mr. Logan have the ability to say (with apparent sincerity) words like “respect” without actually meaning them, but the very first thing he did upon entering the room was come up and introduce himself to me. (I was seated in the front row.)
Fred Logan [smiling]: Philip Nel? Fred Logan.
I stand up. We shake hands.
Logan: It’s nice to meet you.
Me: It’s interesting to meet you.
Logan: I’ve read what you’ve written about me, and I’ve looked at your website. Don DeLillo?
Logan: I read Falling Man, and I was thinking about reading White Noise next. Good choice?
Me: Yes. White Noise is a great choice. That’s the one to read. [Pause.] So, are you really going to go through with this policy? Or —
Logan: [Smiling, makes non-committal sound, walks away, waves, and takes his place at the Regents’ Desk of Governance.]
Hence, my first tweet:
Met @ksregents chair Fred Logan. Says he’s about to read DeLillo’s White Noise: fan of “continuing mass appeal of fascist tyranny”?#ksspeech
— Philip Nel (@philnel) May 14, 2014
And then, the meeting got underway.
sro @ regents meeting 4 social media policy #ksleg #ksregents pic.twitter.com/ZgrRdsi0fU — Scott Rothschild (@ljwrothschild) May 14, 2014
Regents’ Chair Fred Logan said of the revised social media policy, “I want to thank the members of the workgroup who worked on this. I in particular want to recognize the co-chairs of the group. They did spectacular work.” He added, “I also want to welcome and thank all the members of the faculty for coming.”
That was just one of many examples where Mr. Logan said one thing, but the actions of the Regents conveyed a rather different message. The revised policy retains all punitive parts. You can still be fired for a broad array of vaguely defined speech, such as uttering something “contrary to the best interests of the employer.” Presumably, a blog post (like this one) that is critical of the Kansas Board of Regents might be included in this restriction. You can also be fired for speech that “impairs discipline by superiors or harmony among co-workers, has a detrimental impact on close working relationships for which personal loyalty and confidence are necessary.” This particular language, of course, inspired our “Committee for Harmony, Loyalty, and Discipline” t-shirts. How would one go about measuring the harmonious content of speech? How might we determine whether speech is disloyal? And as for impairing discipline, if I were to write that the Kansas Board of Regents have brought shame to the state of Kansas, and that all of them should resign effective immediately, is that a fireable offense?
Because they have done precisely that. In addition to all the negative national publicity this has already received, here’s a story from National Public Radio, this evening. Kansas is already known for being anti-science (evolution? just a theory!). Now, Kansas is known for its opposition to freedom of speech. If you’re trying to attract top faculty to Kansas universities, you have your work cut out for you. When Fred Logan got to the social media policy, Emporia State University’s Sheryl Lidzy read — on behalf of the Kansas Council of Faculty Senate Presidents — a great defense of freedom of speech. It included such gems as this:
we fear that the most important point continues to be ignored. That point is this: a university system cannot properly function when external groups are allowed to influence university personnel decisions whenever they find certain speech to be objectionable. Because the punitive aspects of this policy create precisely this “heckler’s veto” scenario for controversial speech, we must once again respectfully request that the Board reconsider its determination that the disciplinary aspects of this policy are necessary and desirable.
As Prof. Lidzy read, Regents looked on, with — as my colleague Christina Hauck observed — expressions of “boredom and distaste” for the Faculty Senate Presidents. Lidzy continued:
there are certain rights and responsibilities that are non-negotiable. However expedient it may seem at the time to surrender these cornerstones of the academic mission, there are certain principles that cannot be bargained away, because once they are conceded, the integrity of the entire enterprise is compromised. The freedom to speak without fear of reprisal is perhaps the ultimate example of a principle with which we are not at liberty to experiment and this is why we continue to oppose the punitive aspects of this policy.
The Kansas Board of Regents were unmoved. And yet Fred Logan said, “We have the utmost respect for faculty.”
Logan: “We have the utmost respect for faculty.” How does he manage to talk out of both sides of his face? Magic? Hypocrisy? #ksspeech — Philip Nel (@philnel) May 14, 2014
I found these sort of responses fascinating. Throughout this process, the Board’s attitude towards faculty has been condescending, patronizing, even hostile. The policy itself establishes new ways to fire people, based on very broadly defined objectionable speech. However, Regent Logan says, “We have the utmost respect for faculty.” The vast gap between word and deed is truly breathtaking. This is why I think that Mr. Logan may have a bright future in Kansas politics. Directly after Professor Lidzy’s statement, Logan got up, and rushed over to give her an award for her service, which — he said — the Board very much appreciated. Again, he is thanking her, even while he completely disregards what she has said.
Spectacle of Board giving certificates of appreciation to people denouncing their leadership. — Jonathan Dresner (@jondresner) May 14, 2014
He was practically jumping out of his seat to tell Lidzey she’d be getting framed congratulations for her service. pic.twitter.com/OwQr1esJ1o
— John Hoopes (@jwhoopes2) May 14, 2014
At the meeting we also learned that the Moody’s downgrade of Kansas’s credit rating (thanks to Governor Brownback and the legislature’s fiscal recklessness) will result in higher borrowing rates for Kansas universities. As my colleague Don Hedrick pointed out after the meeting, the Kansas Board of Regents’ actions also downgrades the rating of Kansas universities.
Logan: policy “strongest & most explicit statement on academic freedom that appears anywhere in our policy manual.” #ksspeech #doublespeak — Philip Nel (@philnel) May 14, 2014
The Regents passed their punitive social media policy. Of the policy, Fred Logan said, “This will be the strongest and most explicit statement on academic freedom that appears anywhere in our policy manual.” While it is true that the Regents did adopt the workgroup’s recommendations on language affirming academic freedom, it is also true that the Regents retained the original language eviscerating academic freedom. So, if this is their “strongest and most explicit statement on academic freedom,” that’s hardly a cause for rejoicing.
Chair reiterating process, claims statement of academic freedom is strongest statement in any #KSRegents document. Not a high bar to clear. — Jonathan Dresner (@jondresner) May 14, 2014
With smiles, conviviality, and bland affirmations of freedom of speech, the Kansas Board of Regents adopted a policy that tells faculty and staff: watch what you say. Of course, Kansas is merely part of a trend of cracking down on freedom of speech. South Carolina’s legislature has punished the College of Charleston for assigning a book, and installed a white supremacist as their new president. A dean at the University of Saskatchewan was just fired for speaking his mind. So, the Kansas Board of Regents are not unusual. They are normal. And they are the future. Indeed, to paraphrase George Orwell, if you want a picture of the future, imagine sensible shoes stamping on a human face—forever.1
Left @ksregents mtg, talked to media. Live-tweeting over. But the struggle continues! #ksspeech — Philip Nel (@philnel) May 14, 2014
1. The actual line from Orwell’s 1984 is “If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever.” But the Kansas Board of Regents tends to wear sensible shoes, and not boots.
Update, 10:30 pm, 15 May 2014
in response to Nena Beckley’s comment below, I’ve added (in the comments) a link to the revised policy. I’m also adding that information here:
The revised policy appears on pp. 33-36 of yesterday’s meeting agenda (pdf)
Here’s some media coverage (updated 9:00 am, 16 May 2014):
The bottom of my original post has links to many months of coverage.
Excerpts from some of the negative reviews of the original policy
Stephen Wolgast, “A dangerous challenge to free speech in Kansas,” Kansas City Star, 13 May 2014. “Who will judge the loyalty of my Facebook post?”
Coverage of yesterday’s decision.
Peggy Lowe, “In Kansas, Professors Must Now Watch What They Tweet,” All Things Considered, National Public Radio, 14 May 2014
Peggy Lowe, “Strict Social Media Policy Approved by Kansas Board of Regents,” Kansas Public Media, KCUR 89.3 FM, 14 May 2014. This is an earlier version of the story that ran nationally.
Scott Rothschild, “Regents approve social media policy; faculty, staff attend meeting to urge rejection,” Lawrence Journal-World, 14 May 2014.
Celia Llopis-Jespen, “Faculty critical of Regents’ revised social media policy,” Topeka Capitol-Journal, 14 May 2014.
Rhonda Holman, “Regents should revise social media policy,” Wichita Eagle, 14 May 2014.
“Kansas Regents adopt revised social media policy; Some university professors believe it takes away their rights,” Kansas First News, 27 KSNT, 14 May 2014.
Alan Greenblatt, “Kansas University Board Revises Its Free Speech Guidelines,” National Public Radio, reprinted on 90.9 WBUR, 14 May 2014.
Associated Press, “Kansas Regents Adopt Revised Social Media Policy,” KSAL.com, 14 May 2014.
Nick DeSantis, “Kansas Board Adopts Policy Allowing Discipline for Misuse of Social Media,” Chronicle of Higher Education, 15 May 2014
Bryan Lowry, “Kansas Board of Regents Adopt Revised Social Media Policy,” Kansas City Star, 15 May 2014.
“Kansas Regents Lose Respect with Bungled Social Media Policy,” Kansas City Star, 15 May 2014.
Susan Kruth, “Kansas Board of Regents Approve Self-Contradictory, Unclear Social Media Policy,” The FIRE: Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, 15 May 2014.
May 14, 2014 · Filed under 1984, Censorship, Democracy, Dystopia, Education, George Orwell, Kansas, Kansas Board of Regents
The Committee for Harmony, Loyalty, and Discipline
The Kansas Board of Regents’ new social media policy will require vigilant enforcement. How will we determine when speech is “contrary to the best interests of the employer”? How will we recognize speech that “impairs discipline by superiors or harmony among co-workers”? How can we prevent speech that has a “detrimental impact on close working relationships”? Given that academics work at all hours of the day and night, what constitutes “during the employee’s working hours”?
Fear not!
We are pleased to announce the formation of the Committee for Harmony, Loyalty, and Discipline.
Fellow patriots are invited to join our Committee, assisting employees of Kansas universities in promoting harmony, loyalty, and discipline, as per the policy’s prohibition against speech that
3.ii. when made pursuant to (i.e. in furtherance of) the employee’s official duties, is contrary to the best interests of the university;
3.iv. … impairs discipline by superiors or harmony among co-workers, has a detrimental impact on close working relationships for which personal loyalty and confidence are necessary, impedes the performance of the speaker’s official duties, interferes with the regular operation of the university, or otherwise adversely affects the university’s ability to efficiently provide services.
Adopt our uniform! If you’d like to get one of these shirts, you could go down to Thread in Aggieville (here in Manhttan, KS): they have the design on file. Just walk in and ask for this: “committee for harmony” design, in the May 8 folder. They’ll be able to access it and print you off one more or less immediately. If you are not in Manhattan, KS, Comrade Todd Gabbard would be happy to send you the file for the shirt so you can have it printed wherever you are. Alternatively, we might be able to make arrangements to get a shirt printed for you here and bring it to Wednesday’s Kansas Board of Regents meeting.
Come to the Kansas Board of Regents meeting, Wednesday May 14th at 1:30 pm, Board Office, Suite 520, Curtis State Office Building, 100 SW Jackson, Topeka, KS. If you have one of these t-shirts, wear it to the meeting. We’d like to get as many faculty, students, and staff out to Topeka as we can. The Board of Regents’s new policy will govern the network of public institutions here in Kansas, and will affect us all for years to come.
Recommended reading: George Orwell’s 1984, Animal Farm, and “Politics and the English Language.”
Should you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Comrade Todd Gabbard. Remember: Ignorance is strength! Freedom is slavery!
Yours for harmony, loyalty, and discipline,
Comrades Todd Gabbard and Philip Nel
Kansas State University Subcommittee of the
Committee for Harmony, Loyalty, and Discipline
May 9, 2014 · Filed under 1984, Academe, Censorship, Dunderheads, Dystopia, Education, George Orwell, Kansas, Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas State University
I Love the ’80s: Dystopia, Nostalgia, and Ready Player One
Kansas State University’s “K-State First” asked me to talk to undergraduates about Ernest Cline‘s Ready Player One (2011), this year’s “First Book,” at a “Beyond the Classroom” event. So, this past Tuesday (Oct. 1st), I did. In case it may be of interest to others, I’m posting my (admittedly somewhat hastily assembled) talk here, along with some of the images and videos.
I. Dystopia
Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One is a dystopian novel. Can a dystopian novel be nostalgic?
For those unfamiliar with the term, dystopia is the opposite of utopia. Utopia comes from Thomas More’s 1516 work of the same name, and it imagines an ideal society. This Utopia is the ideal republic towards which we should all strive. And, as such, it offers a commentary on what’s wrong with society — it points to what should be improved or changed. How can we make society better?
Dystopia has that same improving impulse, that same wish to comment critically on contemporary society, but it goes about delivering that message by imagining the opposite of an ideal society. A dystopia is a thought experiment that isolates and exaggerates certain social trends in order to highlight their most negative qualities. The most famous examples are probably George Orwell’s 1984, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, Margaret Atwood’s Handmaiden’s Tale, M.T. Anderson’s Feed, and Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. In other words, a dystopia offers a critique of society by imaginatively extending the logic of already extant tendencies. Margaret Atwood goes after right-wing attacks on women’s rights in the 1980s, and imagines a modern America where women are valued primarily for their ability to give birth. M.T. Anderson imagines a world where you’re always on-line because you’ve had the feed implanted in your brain; this changes our ability to think, to have complex thoughts. His characters are constantly bombarded with information, commercials, entertainment… and enjoy that… but get precious little time to actually think.
A dystopia is a dark place. You don’t want to live there. You want to change your society so you don’t have to live there.
Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One presents a dystopian future, in which the widening gap between the wealthy elite and everyone else — a trend which begins in the 1980s, and has continued since then — has grown so wide that the U.S. is now a Third-World country. In this world, neglected infrastructure, underfunded schools, social services have continued their decline. This trend also begins in the 1980s, as President Reagan and his “government is the problem” acolytes start going after spending on infrastructure, schools, and other social services. It’s going on right now, actually, as the allegedly “conservative” Republican Party has decided that it’s better to shut down the government than allow more people to access health care. Relaxing laws that regulate corporations — another ’80s phenomenon that has continued under presidents from both parties — has given the companies in Cline’s world much more power, so much power that instead of just enslaving people in other countries, they can enslave them in this one. You don’t want to live in Cline’s vision of the future.
II. Nostalgia
Or do you? Cline’s novel also evinces a deep nostalgia for the same period in which these trends begin: the 1980s.
The videogames.
The television shows.
The music.
The John Hughes movies.
Of James Halliday, whose will initiates the contest that our protagonist pursues, Cline’s narrator tells us: “He had an extreme fixation on the 1980s” and “Halliday seemed to expect everyone to share his obsessions” (55). To win the contest that grants the lucky winner control of Halliday’s corporation — the one that created and manages the OASIS, an on-line virtual reality where everyone spends most of their time — contestants must become experts in 1980s trivia.
I turned 11 in 1980. Ernest Cline turned 8 in 1980. James Halliday turned 7 in 1980. (I figured this out because Wade’s name appears on the high-score chart in 2045, “After five long years” of no one solving the contest, initiated at Halliday’s death, … and Halliday died at age 67.) Anyway. My point is that Cline, Halliday, and myself are contemporaries. We’re all members of the 1980s generation.
And, as a member of that generation, I enjoyed the novel’s nostalgia.
Especially the music. 1983 was the zenith of my pop-music consciousness. Name a song released that year, and I’ll tell you who the artist was and I can probably describe the video.
I then showed the students excerpts from a few 1980s music videos. For the most part, they laughed.
Billy Idol‘s “Rebel Yell” was a hit in 1983. (It’s referenced on p. 184.)
They laughed the loudest at this, especially at Mr. Idol’s fist-pumping.
Men Without Hats‘ “Safety Dance” was a no. 3 pop hit in 1982. (See p. 180.)
To my surprise, some students recognized this one.
And, yes, before there was Psy’s “Gangnam Style,” there was “Rock Me Amadeus,” a number one hit in 1985. Sung in German, by the Austrian performer Falco. (On p. 200.)
To my surprise, “Rock Me Amadeus” was less familiar to them. Or so it seemed from their reaction.
They Might Be Giants‘ “Don’t Let’s Start” (1986) was not a big hit, but the book quotes this line from the song: “No one in the world ever gets what they want and that is beautiful” (199). Also, they’re my favorite band. So, indulge me for a moment, won’t you?
Thanks. The band’s biggest hits were probably on their 1990 record Flood: “Birdhouse in Your Soul” and “Istanbul (Not Constantinople).” They would go on to sing “Boss of Me,” the theme to Malcolm in the Middle.
OK. So. That was fun. For me, anyway.
III. Nostalgia vs. Dystopia, Part 1
So. What do we do with the novel’s nostalgia? Here are two possible readings.
One is that a typical dystopian novel — or film, such as Terry Gilliam’s Brazil, which is referenced in Ready Player One — isn’t nostalgic.
One reading, then, is to argue that nostalgia is the opposite of dystopia. It’s a looking backwards with very selective memory. You’re remembering the past’s greatest hits — or the parts that you like the best. You remember fondly weird trashy pop from the 1980s, primitive computing technology, The Breakfast Club, Family Ties, and think: ah, a simpler time. A happier time.
Perhaps you, who are at least two decades younger than I am, look back fondly on the pop hits of 2003: Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love,” 50 Cent’s “In da Club,” Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful,” Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” I don’t know.
So, if we pursue this reading of nostalgia, we might remember what Laine Nooney said in her talk here last Friday, which was that Ready Player One has a vision of the 1980s “in which the popular was never political.”
The problem is that the actual 1980s popular culture was political.
Family Ties, a television show mentioned in the novel (14), starred Michael J. Fox as conservative teen-ager Alex P. Keaton in a liberal family. It presented him sympathetically, and Fox is a likable actor, but the tension between liberal parents and conservative son was the main source of that show’s humor. In this sense, it was a political television show.
In the world of popular music there was Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” an all-star hit single from 1984, that raised money for famine relief in Ethopia.
(I didn’t actually show this video; I’m just putting it here for you. And yes, lines like “There won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas” or even the notion that the people of Africa should celebrate Christmas are, at best, problematic.)
USA for Africa’s “We Are the World” an album and single from 1985 also for famine relief in Africa.
(I didn’t show this one either.)
That same year also brought us Live Aid, an all-star concert in Philadelphia and London, broadcast live on MTV. And then there were the Farm Aid concerts, the first of which was in 1985. And the best all-star “benefit single” to come out of that period was Artists United Against Apartheid’s “Sun City” (1985) — masterminded by Little Steven, a.k.a. Steven Van Zandt (the guitarist for Bruce Springsteen’s band, though you may also know him from The Sopranos).
(I did show some of this video… because it’s quite an effective piece of agitprop. And the song is great. RUN-DMC! Lou Reed! Bruce Springsteen! Kurtis Blow! U2! Miles Davis! Bob Dylan! Joey Ramone! Bonnie Raitt!)
There was also Nena’s “Red Balloons” (1983), a pop hit about stray balloons that accidentally trigger a nuclear war. The song hit number one across Europe, and number two in the U.S. Originally recorded in German.
(I showed some of this one, too.)
And those are just the ones that got the most publicity. There’s also:
Peter Gabriel, “Biko” from his third album (1980) — the song that inspired Van Zandt to write “Sun City.”
The Clash, “Know Your Rights” from Combat Rock (1982).
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “White Lines (Don’t Do It)” (1982)
Jungle Brothers’ “Black Is Black” (1988)
The Special AKA’s “Free Nelson Mandela” (1984)
While we’re on the subject, who was the best-selling artist of the 1980s? Indeed, whose album was the best-selling record of the 1980s? And is the best-selling album, period?
At first, no one responded. After some encouragement, one student said, “Well, I would say Michael Jackson. Thriller.”
Right! Michael Jackson. Thriller (1982) had an unprecedented 7 top-10 singles: “Beat It” (featuring Eddie Van Halen on guitar), “Billie Jean,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “PYT,” “Human Nature,” “The Girl is Mine” (featuring Paul McCartney), “Thriller” (with guest vocal by Vincent Price). It won eight Grammy Awards in 1984. It’s sold about 30 million copies in the US, and another 20 million abroad. Today, it still sells 130,000 a year.
Michael Jackson is missing from the novel. As are a lot of artists of color. Where’s Prince? Purple Rain was huge. “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy” were both top-10 singles. And then there’s 1999, which included the title song and “Little Red Corvette.” Where’s Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine? Her Primitive Love had three top-10 hits in 1985, and her 1987 record Let It Loose had even more, including “The Rhythm’s Gonna Get You.” For that matter, where’s the ground-breaking collaboration and hit single from RUN-DMC and Aerosmith, “Walk This Way”?
Where is hip-hop in general? For that matter, where is Madonna?
So, one reading of the book’s nostalgia, then, is that’s regressive. It’s nostalgia for a very particular, apolitical, very white culture. It’s a 1980s without politics.
IV. Nostalgia vs. Dystopia, Part 2
But here’s another reading of nostalgia — reading that’s progressive instead of regressive. It’s also possible to look back to another time in order to imagine a better future. For example, you might write about the 1930s — in which unions in the U.S. won workers a 40-hour work week and a living wage — in order to remind people of the power of organizing.
So, in Ready Player One, we might argue, the book expresses a longing for a particular kind of gaming experience, a particular kind of technology, a technology that embraces slowness and collaboration.
One of the keys to the puzzle in this book is the text-only adventure game Zork. As a 13-year-old, I and my friends played Zork on an Apple IIe. We also drew elaborate maps for Zork. And Zork II, and Zork III. We solved them all, working together.
That was slow, but so was the technology itself.
Radio Shack’s TRS-80 (1977-1981)
The Commodore 64 (1982-1984).
The Apple IIe.
Back in 1980, when my parents bought our family’s first computer (a TRS-80), we would buy a book of programs (in BASIC), type them in, save them to a cassette tape, and then load them in when we wanted to play them. Loading a program could take up to half an hour! The 8-inch floppy disk was a huge leap forward in data retrieval technology.
Slowness gives you time to think, time to reflect on what you’re doing. It is not about instant gratification, but about rewards built up over time. We played these games off and on for weeks, months — for a long time.
I’ve found Zork via Frotz, a free app for the iPad and iPhone. Let’s play it. I’ll post the screen up here, read it to you, and you tell me what you want to do.
We played Zork. Students discussed what they wanted to do, and called out sentences for me to type in. Here are a couple of screenshots.
They laughed, and really seemed to be enjoying themselves. I couldn’t have predicted it, but playing Zork was definitely the highlight of my presentation. After we’d played for about 10 minutes, I then asked:
Have any of you ever played a text-based computer game before?
No one had. So, I asked:
What was it like? How does the experience differ from a contemporary videogame?
One student told me that it was indeed, much slower-paced, and very unlike the typical first-person shooter games — though that wasn’t the precise term he used.
I ask, in part, because I played video games between 1980 and 1984. Apart from the occasional game of Angry Birds, I have not played video games since that period. And so I’m wondering if my reading of a video game like Zork — that it invites slowness and collaboration — is correct.
Perhaps they were just being polite, but students told me that the experience was indeed much as I’d described it.
Zork is, in a sense, what would also be called “interactive fiction” — something else that emerged in the 1980s, with novels like Michael Joyce’s Afternoon (1987), which you bought on a disk, ran the program, and then decided which paths of the narrative you wanted to take.
To conclude, I posed the following questions for them to discuss.
V. Concluding Questions
As I told them, that last question was cribbed from Laine Nooney’s talk. We had a lively discussion, and then as we packed up, I played Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” video as our concluding music.
And that’s it!
October 4, 2013 · Filed under 1980s, Dystopia, Ernest Cline, Michael Jackson, Music, Nostalgia, Ready Player One, Technology, They Might Be Giants, Young Adult Literature
Google’s Brave New World: The Feed Is Here
But the braggest thing about the feed, the thing that made it really big, is that it knows everything you want and hope for, sometimes before you even know what those things are. It can tell you how to get them, and help you make buying decisions that are hard. Everything we think and feel is taken in by the corporations, mainly by data ones like Feedlink and OnFeed and American Feedware, and they make a special profile, one that’s keyed just to you, and then they give it to their branch companies, or other companies buy them, and they can get to know what it is we need, so all you have to do is want something and there’s a chance it will be yours.
— M.T. Anderson, Feed (2002), p. 48
Presumably, the people at Google have not read M.T. Anderson‘s Feed. Or, if they have, they misread his dystopia as a utopia. Either way, Google’s new “Project Glass” is eerily familiar.
Nearly all of the comments on Project Glass’s Google Plus page are enthusiastic. “Count me in for a beta test group!” “Future can’t get here fast enough!” And, of course, “Glasses are nice, but how soon can I just plug them straight into my brain?”
As in the imagined future of Anderson’s novel, this earliest incarnation of the feed is external — but, as technology improves (in the book), people have it implanted. And, as Anderson’s novel suggests, being plugged into the feed all the time exacerbates the effects of, say, being on Facebook or Twitter all the time — remarkably prescient, given that his novel came out two years before Facebook, and four years prior to Twitter. Dramatizing the experience of always being bombarded by the feed, the novel’s main characters lack an attention span, the ability to think critically, and the capacity to use language with any sophistication. These deficits make them easy targets for advertisers and politicians. As Violet says, “They’re also making you want things. Everything we’ve grown up with — the stories on the feed, the games, all of that — it’s all streamlining our personalities so we’re easier to sell to” (97). And: “No one with feeds thinks about it, she said. When you have the feed all your life, you’re brought up not to think about things… Because of the feed, we’re raising a nation of idiots” (113).
So, Google, before you lead us further into this brave new world, consider for a moment. Read Anderson’s novel. Are you sure this is such a great idea?
April 6, 2012 · Filed under Dystopia, M.T. Anderson, Technology, Young Adult Literature
The Trauma Games
War is hell. If General Sherman (and, I expect, many others) hadn’t said it first, I suspect Suzanne Collins might have chosen those three words as a subtitle for her Hunger Games trilogy. As its predecessors did, Mockingjay dramatizes the physical and emotional consequences of war. It’s especially adept at displaying the scars invisible to those of us who either have not been in a war or do not know people who have. The victors of the Hunger Games cannot sleep — as Finnick says, “I drag myself out of nightmares each morning and find there’s no relief in waking” (156). They are haunted by what they’ve done, and by what they haven’t done. Even if the physical wounds heal, the emotional ones linger. Early in the novel, after Gale admits that he’d use a bow and arrow on people if it would keep Katniss safe, she thinks, “I don’t know what to tell him about the aftermath of killing a person. About how they never leave you” (68). Like the first two books in series, the third is about trauma.
It is also about torture, which — no matter what your government tells you — is not merely an “enhanced interrogation technique.” It’s torture. Characters in Mockingjay have been tortured by the agents of Panem, the totalitarian regime against which the Rebels (including our heroine Katniss) fight. Appropriately, Collins does not invite us into the scenes of torture. She shows us what happens later, how torture’s survivors cope. The tortures of Panem are a sophisticated cruelty, a more subtle and more damaging type of the aversion therapy scenes in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange (1971). One character has been soaked in water, and then given electric shocks; now, rain, the shower, water of any kind triggers a flashback to that experience. Another has been drugged with venom, conditioned not just to doubt but to kill a loved one. Damage inflicted on the mind, the novel suggests, is the hardest pain to bear. As Katniss says late in the novel, “I can’t believe how normal they’ve made me look on the outside when inwardly I’m such a wasteland” (366).
Though Collins understands why people would feel the need to fight a war, Mockingjay offers a more eloquent defense of pacifism than of, say, a “just war.” There’s a line in the book that made me think of the lists of dead troops from America’s current wars, names of people who are almost always younger than I am — people in their 20s, and sometimes as young as 17 or 18. To say nothing of the hundreds of thousands of children killed in those wars. This is the line. Considering the “creature” that is a human being, Katniss observes, “something is significantly wrong with a creature that sacrifices its children’s lives to settle its differences” (377).
August 28, 2010 · Filed under Children's Literature, Dystopia, Peace, Reviews, War, Young Adult Literature
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Deadly Walk
Let's face it, cemetery has it's own feel, not necessarily pleasant to everyone. But nevertheless, it truly can be a great revelation of understanding the country better. And not to forget a beautiful, peaceful walk through outdoor gallery.
Ljubljana's cemetery, called Žale, is a remarkable piece of work, not only there is a breathtaking Garden of All Saints designed by Jože Plečnik also the rest of the cemetery is special to see.
There are a few possibilities how to see the cemetery, of course you can go there by yourself or self-guided with a book or an app, but the best is to go with a guide. I was surprised how much more did I not only understand, but even how much more did I see. Little details you would never noticed when visiting for the first time.
But be aware, cemetery is endless. Literally! You could spent hours there listening to all the stories. Apart from many Plečnik-connected stories there are historically interesting people buried there, many memorial statues and even cemeteries dedicated to first and /or second world war. And so much more!
Luckily the guide sees visitors limits, so the walk doesn't become deadly.;)
Piran is missing red house
Pearl of Mediterranean. Little Venice. Slovenian Rovinj. A bit of Dubrovnik. Reflection of Venetian republic. There are many words describing most famous Slovenian coastal town and each has a bit of truth in it.
Piran is known for it's red roofs, many churches, narrow streets with no cars, hidden squares, amazing views and it's beautiful main square. The view of Tartini square with violinist's statue in the ellipse, colourful houses and a church atop of a hill which bell-tower reminds a lot of the more famous one in Venice, is a typical postcard view. Or instagram post if you want something modern.
The square used to be a small port, called mandrač by locals and than filled up for square and later become, for some time, even the final station of electrical railway.
On the square there was one of the most known houses in Piran, no, in whole Slovenia! Red Venetian - Gothic house. Did I say was? Is it lost? Was it destroyed? Did it fly away?
No. It was painted white because the oldest paint that was found on the wall was white. I miss red.
One of the most spectacular trails
It is strictly personal, but Škocjan Education Trail is one of the most spectacular one in the country. And even though you don't need to be very fit to manage this trail, you will be highly rewarded. I can't emphasize this enough, but for everyone on the lazy side, I assure you, it is not a hard walk.
The trail is circular and explanatory signs with illustrations, photographs and a short text begin in front of the Information Centre in Matavun, that is where tickets for Škocjan Caves tours are purchased. With signs you'll be able to understand the natural phenomena and cultural heritage. The walk will take you through villages Škocjan, Matavun and Betajna, into the karst doline, huge sink hole, and to the edge of the abyss. Amazing vies, tranquil nature and antique villages. A must do while in Slovenia. And absolutely free.
Congress Square - Kongresni trg
Sunny day attracts young crowd to gather and sit on the grass of the Star Park (park Zvezda) which is part of a Congress Square (Kongresni trg). They chill, talk, read... on the grounds that was reconstructed in 1821 for the Congress of the Holy Alliance and then again by Jože Plečnik, just before the second world war.
In the park you can drink water from a fountain that was placed on the exact location as it was in 17th century in the courtyard of Capuchin Monastery, that was still standing at the time. Most common meeting point in the park is statue of an anchor, the statue that symbolizes victory over Italians in the second World War. The rumor goes that the anchor is from famous Italian ocean liner Rex, but that is not true.
The most famous buildings here are the former Provincial Mansion, where the Congress took place - today's University of Ljubljana, the Slovenian Philharmonic, the Biedermeier building housing the oldest Slovenian publishing house, neoclassical Kazina - now a dance school - and Ursuline Church. In the square there is a replica of a golden Roman statue found among the ruins of Emona, a Biedermeier bandstand with concerts in the summer and a Roman well.
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The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
Published Jan. 09, 2020 12:01 a.m.
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I absolutely adore Snowy Race!
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Justin Bieber Similar Artists
Justin Bieber info
Complete info for Justin Bieber
Justin Drew Bieber (born March 1, 1994) is a Canadian pop musician, actor, and singer-songwriter. Bieber was discovered in 2008 by American talent manager Scooter Braun, who came across Bieber's videos on YouTube and later became his manager. Braun arranged for him to meet with entertainer Usher Raymond in Atlanta, Georgia. Bieber was signed to Raymond Braun Media Group (RBMG), and then to an Island Records recording contract offered by record executive L.A. Reid.
His debut extended play, the seven-track My World, was released in November 2009, and was certified platinum in the United States. He became the first artist to have seven songs from a debut record to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Bieber's first full-length studio album, My World 2.0, was released in March 2010. It debuted at or near number-one in several countries and was certified platinum in the United States. It was preceded by the single Baby.
He followed up the release of his debut album with his first headlining tour, the My World Tour, the remix albums My Worlds Acoustic and Never Say Never – The Remixes, and the 3D biopic-concert film Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. Bieber released his second studio album Under the Mistletoe in November 2011, when it debuted at number-one on the Billboard 200. Bieber released his third studio album Believe on June 19, 2012, and it became his fourth chart topper in the United States, debuting at number-one on the Billboard 200.
Bieber has received numerous awards, including both Artist of the Year Awards at the 2010 American Music Awards and the 2012 American Music Awards, and was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards. With a global fan base, termed as "Beliebers", and over 40 million followers on Twitter, he was named by Forbes magazine in 2012 as the third-most powerful celebrity in the world. However, in 2013 he fell to number 9.
On the 25th of December 2013, Bieber's second concert film biopic, called Justin Bieber's Believe, was released. As a lead-up to the film, 10 songs were released every Monday for 10 consecutive weeks. The tracks were all featured on a digital collection album tilted Journals.
On the 13th of November 2015, Justin released "Purpose", his most personal album to date. The album received Billboard #1's with "Love Yourself", "Sorry" and "What Do You Mean?", also striking a "Top Package" award from Billboard Touring Awards for the Purpose World Tour.
1. My World (2009)
2. My World 2.0 (2010)
3. Under the Mistletoe (2011)
4. Believe (2012).
5. Journals (2013)
6. Purpose (2015)
Show all similar artists to Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber top tracks:
Justin Bieber top 50 songs
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Home » TIMag.com news » Awards » Almeida named PTR Male Player of the Year
Almeida named PTR Male Player of the Year
Hilton Head Island, SC — Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) will present its annual awards next week during the 2016 PTR International Tennis Symposium. The event, which includes more than 40 educational presentations for tennis teachers and coaches, will be held February 17-20 on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Clayton Almeida has been named PTR Male Player of the Year. A PTR Master of Tennis - Performance, he is also a certified Professional in Adult Development. The Brazilian born Almeida lives in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he serves as Head Pro at Mayacoo Lakes Country Club, and summers in Southampton, New York, where he is Head Pro and Director of Junior and Adult Tennis Program at Meadow Club.
In 2012, Almeida was inducted to the Winthrop University Hall of Fame. As a freshman playing #1, he was the first Winthrop tennis player ever to have a perfect season (23-0), and ended his college career with an overall record of 115-27 at the Division I university. Almeida was the first tennis player in the Big South Conference (and the first Winthrop athlete in all sports) to be named Big South Player of the Year all four years, and he was named to the Big South All-Decade Team (2000-2009) in Singles and Doubles.
Currently ranked #1 in USTA 30s Singles, Almeida is the USTA National 30s Singles Champion for all surfaces - Hard Court, Clay Court and Grass Court. He is ranked #5 in Doubles. In 2014 and 2015, he won the PTR Championships Open Division in Singles and Doubles.
PTR is the largest global organization of tennis teaching professionals with more than 15,000 members in 127 countries. It has the greatest percentage of multicultural and women members of any such organization. PTR is dedicated to educating, certifying and servicing tennis teachers and coaches around the world in order to grow the game.
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Who is winning the IT education race?
There is a revolution underway in IT education across Europe: it’s no longer about teaching the basics of Microsoft Office. Instead, there’s a real desire to teach children the basics of coding, which will have a positive effect on future workforces.
The race is on to find the next Mark Zuckerberg, the next Yang Yuanqing, or the next Bill Gates. When looking at the rise of many of the world’s most famous tech entrepreneurs, one thing that sticks out is how early their interest began.
In fact, in his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell interviews Microsoft founder Bill Gates and learns about how he started programming on computers at high school at the age of 13, eventually amassing over 10,000 hours of programming time, which Gladwell argues was key to the success Gates later enjoyed.
It’s clearly something that governments and schools are finally beginning to accept and invest in; introducing people to coding and other computing skills at a young age is the best way to help the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and develop the skills needed to compete in our digital, interconnected world.
In England, an initiative launched in September 2014 aims to introduce young children to coding. As the BBC reports, the new national curriculum for computing aims to “ensure that all pupils can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science”.
One of the keys to the new curriculum is moving technology lessons beyond basic Microsoft Office skills, such as how to use Excel and PowerPoint and other applications like Photoshop. Instead, children aged 5 to 7 will learn to “understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions,” “create and debug simple programs,” and “use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs.”
France, too, is looking to gives its youngsters a coding boost; education minister Benoît Hamon has detailed how the country will start offering the option for kids to learn the “principles of programming languages” and how to “build applications using simple algorithms”. The classes will be optional and take place outside the main educational curriculum, initially being offered to primary school children, but with the aim of spreading the scheme to secondary school children.
However, it is actually Estonia that is leading the way in Europe when it comes to teaching young children about technology. Back in 2012, the country introduced coding lessons to all pupils aged 6-17 and it is now a integral part of the national curriculum.
One of the key aspects of Estonia’s focus on computer skills is that it is not strictly about teaching children and young adults how to code. While that is clearly an important aspect, the focus is more on developing an understanding of the technology we use in everyday life; the how, what, why and so on of technology. Coding skills also help develop analytics and problem solving abilities, which can be applied to all walks of life, not just tech development.
It is hoped approaches like the one Estonia has taken, and similar initiatives in England, France and other European countries, will make diving deeper into technology a less intimidating activity and drive interest in the subject.
Away from teaching in schools, other initiatives are springing up that aim to help people of all ages develop their coding skills, such as Code Academy, Code.org, the Khan Academy’s Hour of Code and CodeWeek.eu, which has a heavy focus on Italy and Spain.
Tech companies are also helping develop computer science skills: GitHub recently announced that it will be offering developer tools – such as a database API, a text editor and a cloud application tool – to students, free of charge.
All this points towards a bright future for computer skills across Europe, and that’s good news for businesses throughout the continent and the world. It means people will reach the workplace ready for the future and familiar with all the necessary skills needed to succeed. Skills that today may seem specialised will soon be typical, meaning skills shortages will be a thing of the past and relevant salaries will come down. Businesses will also have to spend less capital on training workers.
Getting people interested in technology – how it works, what it can do, and so on – at a young age is the best way to develop the skills they will undoubtedly need later in life. Now that governments, educational institutions and technology companies have started to invest in the education of younger people, it will not be long before businesses are reaping the benefits of a highly-skilled, more passionate workforce.
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Previewed 9 April 2016, Opened 20 April 2016, Closed 8 October 2016 at the Savoy Theatre in London
A major revival of the Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill musical Funny Girl in London directed by Michael Mayer - transferring to London's West End for a strictly limited season following a sold out run at London's Menier Chocolate Factory in 2015.
The cast for Funny Girl in London features Sheridan Smith as 'Fanny Brice', Darius Campbell as 'Nick Arnstein', Valda Aviks as 'Mrs Meeker', Marilyn Cutts as 'Mrs Brice' and Gay Soper as 'Mrs Strakosh' with Maurice Lane as 'Mr Keeney', Bruce Montague as 'Florenz Ziegfeld' and Joel Montague as 'Eddie Ryan' with Natasha J Barnes as 'Fanny Brice' understudy. Please note that casting is subject to change with notice. With music by Jule Styne, lyrics Bob Merrill, book by Isobel Lennart and revised book by Harvey Fierstein. The production is directed by Michael Mayer with choreography by Lynne Page, sets by Michael Pavelka, costumes by Matthew Wright, lighting by Mark Henderson and sound by Richard Brooker.
When this production opened here at the Savoy Theatre in April 2016 Fiona Mountford in The London Evening Standard highlighted how "Michael Mayer's sassy production is reinforced by Michael Pavelka's elegant, wistful design of a theatre, with rows of burnished mirrors running into the wings. Fanny is endlessly reflected back, but never quite in the image she'd like to see." Jane Shilling in The Daily Telegraph praised how "Michael Mayer's production has verve and spectacle, with crisp musical direction by Theo Jamieson... the jewel at the heart of this production is Sheridan Smith." Quentin Letts in The Daily Mail explained that "two things make this show. The first is the pairing of Miss Smith with Darius Campbell, playing Fanny's unreliable but dashing husband... The second thing that makes it, for me, is Joel Montague's performance as Fanny's chaste, chubby admirer Eddie." Dominic Maxwell in the Times said that "you simply don't see star quality like this too often. Not in the West End, not on Broadway, not anywhere. Playing Fanny Brice... Sheridan Smith has only become more assured now that Michael Mayer's resplendent revival of this 1963 backstage musical has moved into the West End after a few months at the intimate Menier Chocolate Factory in south London... Pretty good musical, pretty great production, pretty unforgettable star turn." Sarah Hemming in The Financial Times hailed Sheridan Smith's "superb star turn in a show that questions what it is that makes a star. Smith's answer (like that of her character): the ability to make a large theatre feel like an intimate space and make your vulnerability your strength."
Sheridan Smith's West End theatre credits include the role of 'Titania' in Michael Grandage's revival of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream with David Walliams as 'Bottom' (Noel Coward Theatre 2013), the title role in Anna Mackmin's revival of Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler (Old Vic Theatre 2012), Trevor Nunn's revival of Terrace Rattigan's play Flare Path along with Sienna Miller and James Purefoy (Haymarket Theatre 2011) and the role of 'Audrey' in Matthew White's revival of the Alan Menken and Howard Ashman musical Little Shop of Horrors (Menier Chocolate Factory 2006 and Duke of York's Theatre 2007). Michael Mayer's London directing credits include the Green Day musical American Idiot (Apollo Theatre 2012) and the Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik musical Spring Awakening (Novello Theatre 2009). Jule Styne's West End credits include, with Bob Merrill Some Like It Hot and, with Stephen Sondheim, Gypsy. Valda Aviks' London theatre credits include the musical Caroline, or Change at the NT's Lyttelton Theatre in 2006.
When this production opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory in November 2015, prior to transferring here at the Savoy Theatre, Michael Billington in the Guardian explained that Sheridan Smith "brings to the role her own brand of exuberant mischief and spiritual warmth. Where audiences admired Streisand, they palpably adore Smith... [she] is a constant joy to watch... even if it's a less-than-great musical, Michael Mayer's production and Michael Pavelka's design exhibit real class." Quentin Letts in the Daily Mail asked: "Can our Sheridan sing? Up to a point, though it is not the greatest of voices. But she more than compensates for any musical shortcomings with her acting, so that the show's best-known song, People, becomes something inward-looking and rueful rather than some belted-out torch-song." Neil Norman in the Daily Express commented that Sheridan Smith "milks every comedic moment and adds a few of her own. Isobel Lennart's book is fairly banal so it is easy to understand why she should take this route... [and] even Harvey Fierstein's revisions can't disguise the fact that this is a set of great songs in search of a script. People, Don't Rain On My Parade and I'm The Greatest Star all get fresh interpretations but I was increasingly aware that I was watching a performer cosying up to fans rather than a real character. Smith is a funny girl but Fanny Brice she ain't." Henry Hitchings in the London Evening Standard hailed Sheridan Smith as being "on glorious form in a role that 50 years ago made Barbra Streisand famous... this is a finely detailed interpretation, alive to the part's comic richness and it's moments of tragic vulnerability... It's a piercingly truthful performance - sometimes gutsy, sometimes anxious, and always a delight." Ian Shuttleworth in the Financial Times thought that "she is never less than wonderful, but this time she's not quite the right kind of wonderful." Dominic Cavendish in the Daily Telegraph wrote that, "at a stroke - well, over the course of two and half exhilarating hours - she has done what no actress has managed to do since this musical's 1964 Broadway premiere. That is, follow in Barbra Streisand's footsteps as the irrepressible Ziegfeld Follies comedienne Fanny Brice, and not only play the part for the first time on the London stage in 50 years, but do so with such terrific aplomb that she has finally laid to rest the idea that no one but Streisand could pull it off." Paul Taylor in the Independent said that Sheridan Smith gives a "radiantly warm and winning take on the role [of Fanny Brice] in Michael Mayer's exhilarating embrace of a production." Ann Treneman in the Times described how Smith "grabs this role with both hands, owning it for herself. She doesn't have Streisand's voice but her comic timing is better... The music by Brit Jule Styne is irrepressible and Broadway director Michael Mayer keeps the pace fast and furious."
"A musical is not necessarily everyone's idea of an ideal night in the theatre, let alone a self-absorbed musical about showbiz... But Smith is utterly, irresistibly likeable as Fanny, determined to make it in showbiz without being obnoxiously pushy, slightly clumsy, no great dancer, self-deprecating, sassy and wonderfully funny... Smith can bump into a bit of set and make you laugh, or raise her eyebrows, and she delivers those rapid-fire ripostes in a Brooklyn accent thick enough to slice. She sings well, too, from blasting it out to surprisingly tender. It's a winningly exuberant performance - at times, you feel you're watching the most brilliant comic actress at work today - and she deserves every award going." The Sunday Times
"After the recent revelatory revival of Gypsy, another Jule Styne backstage musical, this heavy-handed, schmaltzy, 'teeth and smiles' treatment is especially unsatisfactory. The show boasts some clever choreography, notably in a mock military number, and has witty lyrics. Marilyn Cutts is splendid as Fanny's mother, but most of the performances are pitched at the back of the Palladium rather than the tiny Menier auditorium. As Fanny, Sheridan Smith has a touching way with a torch song, but she is so intent on not being Barbra Streisand that she forgets to be anyone else." The Sunday Express
"Sheridan Smith... was born to play Fanny Brice, the funny girl from Brooklyn who became a star comedienne on Broadway in the Twenties, in the lavish vaudeville show the Ziegfeld Follies... Funny Girl is a musical of two halves. The fabulous fairy tale first charts Fanny's rise from plucky, precocious song-and-dance kid to the pint-sized, unlikely comedy star of the Ziegfeld Follies... And then, even less likely, she marries Arnstein, who has a fraction of her personality but is twice her height... The second half, in which Arnstein is emasculated by Fanny's success and jailed for embezzlement, lacks dramatic sparkle, in spite of Fanny's sequined frocks. The run at the Menier is already sold out but a transfer across the river to the Savoy Theatre runs from April 8. There, Michael Mayer's well-dressed, high-kicking if slightly squeezed production will have more space to breathe. But until then, no one is going to rain on Smith's parade." The Mail on Sunday
The musical Funny Girl in London at the Savoy Theatre previewed from 9 April 2016, opened on 20 April 2016 and closed on 8 October 2016
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OUTSIDE WRITING COMPETITIONS
Andrew Blackman is a writer, blogger, writer encourager, and avid traveller. He researches writing opportunities and permits the passing on of the information to groups such as ours. I am indebted to him for his research. His site, well worth visiting can be found here:
https://andrewblackman.net
Writers in the Forest
"From observing our expert foresters and wildlife rangers at work to watching our world-class scientists, we're looking for two writers to tell the story of our nation's forests.
We’re looking for innovation and imagination, and welcome all forms of storytelling. We’re particularly interested in hearing from under-represented groups to diversify the voices and stories found in nature writing.
Deadline for submission is midnight 14th January 2019."
Full details: click here:
Writers' & Artists' Yearbook Short Story Competition
"For published and aspiring writers alike - enter our free annual short story competition and be in with a chance of winning a place on one of Arvon's four- or six-day Clockhouse writing retreats, as well as seeing your story published on www.writersandartists.co.uk.
To enter, all you have to do is submit a short story (for adults) of no more than 2,000 words. The closing date for entries is midnight on Wednesday 13th February, 2019."
Full details: click here
"The Nine Dots Prize is a prize for creative thinking that tackles contemporary societal issues. Entrants are asked to respond to a question in 3,000 words, with the winner receiving US$100,000 to write a short book expanding on their ideas."
"A major new award for witty women, the Comedy Women in Print (CWIP) Prize, announced that they are joining forces with HarperFiction. The publisher will offer the winning aspiring, comic female novelist a publishing contract and £5,000 advance. The runner-up will be offered a free MA in Creative Writing from the University of Hertfordshire. The closing date is 28th February 2019."
The Iowa Review Awards
"Each January since 2003, The Iowa Review has invited submissions to The Iowa Review Awards, a writing contest in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Winners receive $1,500; first runners-up receive $750. Winners and runners-up are published in each December issue."
Nelson Algren Literary Award
"The Chicago Tribune’s Nelson Algren Literary Awards is a nationally recognized contest for original short fiction, named in honor of the Chicago literary great Nelson Algren. The contest has been held annually since 1981. The award has been presented to a number of distinguished authors, including Louise Erdrich and Stuart Dybek. There will be one grand prize winner ($3,500) and five finalists ($750)."
Word Factory Apprentice Award
"We are seeking four emerging short story writers to be individually mentored by leading authors for FREE as part of our renowned Word Factory Apprentice Award running from July 2019-March 2020.
The chosen writers will be talented, supportive of our inclusive ethos and willing to participate in our activities. They will have access to our events and masterclasses — a programme offering creative inspiration, writer development and collaboration between leading and emerging writers."
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Rodrigo Nehme
Title: Rodrigo Nehme
Subject: List of Rebelde characters, August 22, 1982 births
Collection: 1982 Births, 21St-Century Mexican Male Actors, Living People, Male Actors from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Male Actors from Mexico City, Mexican Male Telenovela Actors, Mexican Male Television Actors, Mexican People of Lebanese Descent
Rodrigo Nehme (born Rodrigo Vázquez Nehme; 22 August 1982 in Mexico City) is a Mexican actor known for his performance in the Mexican telenovela Rebelde as Nico Huber.
Rodrigo Nehme was born to a Mexican father, Jorge Vázquez Fernández Leal, and a Mexican mother of Lebanese ascent, Monica Nehme El Azar. He was brought up in Guadalajara along with his older sister, where he studied in the of American School Foundation of Guadalajara [1] (not to be confused with the American School Foundation [2] in Mexico City). Later on he lived in San Diego, California, where he obtained his GED and studied Culinary Arts. He then returned to Mexico where he discovered his true passion, acting. He started modeling at 16 years old doing commercials for TV. During that time, he was asked to host the cooking section of a TV program, and then he studied at the "Centro de Educación Artística" [3] (Artistic Education Center) in Mexico City. Nehme got his break by playing Nico, a Jewish teenager, in Rebelde, a highly successful Mexican series. He has also participated in several other programs produced by Televisa. [4]
He is currently the Commercial Director for Grupo Once.
El Club (2002) TV series, Host, Televisa
Rebelde (2004–06) TV series, Televisa
Celebremos México: Hecho en México (2005) TV program, Host, Televisa
Mujer, Casos de la Vida Real (2006) TV series, Televisa
Che-k-T-esto (2006) TV series, Host, Televisa
Cheetah Girls 2 (2006), TV movie, uncredited performer
AMD (2006) TV series, Televisa
Las Vecinas (2006) TV series, Jorvi Entertainment/USA
Mujer, La Serie (2007) TV miniseries, Televisa
Decisiones (2007) TV series, Telemundo/RTI
Estilos (2007) TV program, RCN/Colombia
Ugly Betty (2007) TV series, ABC/Televisa
Maria de Todos Los Angeles (2008) TV series, Televisa
Rodrigo Nehme at the Internet Movie Database
Articles lacking in-text citations from January 2013
All articles lacking in-text citations
Mexican male television actors
Mexican male telenovela actors
Mexican people of Lebanese descent
Male actors from Mexico City
Male actors from Guadalajara, Jalisco
21st-century Mexican male actors
United States, Mexico City, New Spain, North America, Spanish Empire
San Diego County, California, California, Mexico, Los Angeles, University of California, San Diego
List of Rebelde characters
Mexico, Rbd, Anahi, Rebelde Way, Dulce Maria
Chennai, 1973, 2012, 1922, 1942
Aṣa, Kelly Clarkson, Nicki Minaj, Dane Rumble, Elena Paparizou
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The Collection / About / Team
The von Christierson Collection
Bárbaro Martínez-Ruiz
Dr. Martinez-Ruiz earned his B.A. from Havana University in 1994 and his Ph.D. from Yale in 2004. He is an Art Historian with expertise in African and Caribbean artistic, visual, and religious practices. After holding positions at Havana’s High Institute of Art from 1993-1997, the Rhode Island School of Design from 2002-2004 and in Stanford University’s Department of Art and Art History from 2004-2013, Dr. Martinez-Ruiz came to the University Of Cape Town in 2014. His books include Kongo Graphic Writing and Other Narratives of the Sign, Temple University Press, 2013 (English) and El Colegio de México, 2012 (Spanish); Faisal Abdu’Allah: On the Art of Dislocation, Centro Atlántico de Art Moderno Press, 2012 and Art and Emancipation in Jamaica: Isaac Mendes Belisario and his Worlds, Yale University Press, 2007, which was awarded the Alfred H. Barr Prize by the College Art Association. Other recent publications include “Ma kisi Nsi: L’art de habitants de region de Mbanza Kongo”, in Angola Figures de Pouvoir (Paris: Dapper Museum Press, 2010), “Writing Bodies in the Bakongo Atlantic Experience”, in Performances: Challenges for Art and Anthropology (Quai Branly Museum Press, 2010), “Funerary Pots of the Kongo in Central Africa”, in African Terra Cotta: A Millenary Heritage (Geneva: Musee Barbier Mueller Press, 2008) and “The Impossible Reflection: A New Approach to African Themes in Wifredo Lam’s Art”, in Wifredo Lam (Miami: Perez Art Museum Press, 2008). Dr. Martinez-Ruiz curated Things that Cannot Be Seen Any Other Way: The Art of Manuel Mendive at the California African American Museum, Los Angeles and The Frost Museum, Miami (2012-2013), On the Art of Dislocation at the Centro Atlántico de Art Moderno, Spain (2012), Call and Response: Journeys in African Art at the Yale University Art Gallery (2001), and Marks of the Soul: Poetics, Philosophies, and Religions –Eight Caribbean Artists at the University Galleries, Florida Atlantic University (2001). Current curatorial projects and publications include Visual Thinking: The New Art of Chuck Close, Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno, Spain 2016, Spirituality in the Art of the Caribbean, Museum of Latin American Art, Los Angeles 2017 and Unwrapping the Universe: Kongo Art and Cosmology in Central Africa, The Ethnographic Museum, Geneva, The Tropenmuseum, Holland and The Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium, 2018.
D. Martinez-Ruiz also serves as editor for the Cuban Studies Magazine and for Harvard University’s Transition magazine and is a Pacific Standard Time LA/LA research fellow from 2014-2017 at The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles California.
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Home > News > Stroke Patient Darrin Ching
Brain clot pins teen wrestler
Practice was nearly over when high school wrestler Darrin Ching collapsed and found himself pinned to the mat, a searing pain gripping his right temple. Alarmed, his coach and teammates huddled around and tried to get him upright.
“I could hear them talking but I couldn’t move, I couldn’t feel my left side,” Darrin recalls. Dehydration, the coach surmised, given the team’s exertions on that hot Friday afternoon in September 2009. One of the paramedics who loaded the Diamond Bar teenager into an ambulance wasn’t so sure.
Darrin’s sudden inability to move his left side, coupled with severe pain on the right side of his head and difficulty speaking, suggested—however improbably in a 15½-year-old—a stroke from a blocked artery or bleeding in his brain. Rather than go to a closer community hospital, the EMTs sped down the 57 Freeway to the nearest nationally certified primary stroke facility, UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange.
Alerted by paramedics in transit, the medical center’s acute stroke team was ready for Darrin. After a rapid examination, he underwent advanced brain and arterial imaging. “Right away we could see a clot lodged in his right middle cerebral artery,” recalls neurologist Dr. Vivek Jain, director of the highly ranked UCI Health Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center. “If left untreated, a blockage in that location will usually cause devastating brain injury.”
The stroke team weighed how to proceed. Clot-busting drugs can dissolve blockages such as Darrin’s, however their use hasn't been studied systematically in young people because strokes in patients under 18 are unusual, occurring annually in only two to 13 per 100,000 children. Nor is there much data on minimally invasive neuro-endovascular approaches to removing clots in this age group.
After quick consultation with pediatric specialists, Jain and a UC Irvine interventional neuroradiologist recommended to Darrin’s parents that the blockage be removed. "The consequences of leaving the clot there would undoubtedly be severe motor, sensory, visual and cognitive impairment," Jain says.
Time is of the essence in preserving brain function during and immediately after a stroke. A little more than an hour after arriving at the medical center, Darrin was wheeled into a neuro-endovascular suite equipped with advanced imaging and technology for treating stroke and neurological patients. “We were very lucky to be at UC Irvine because only a handful of doctors in Orange County could perform this procedure,” says Darrin’s mother, Pauline Ching.
A cerebral arteriogram confirmed the clot and its precise location. Next, a flexible wire was threaded through Darrin’s femoral artery in the groin and maneuvered to the middle cerebral artery, where the clot was blocking the flow of essential oxygen-rich blood to the right frontal, parietal and temporal lobes. Working like a corkscrew, the specialized device grabbed the clot—a mass of platelets, red blood cells and fibrin protein that measured barely one-tenth of an inch—and pulled it out.
“You could see blood flowing back into the area immediately,” Jain recalls. “We were very relieved to see such rapid brain tissue reperfusion.” Within an hour, Darrin was able to move his left arm and leg. By the second day of recuperation in the neuro-intensive care unit at UC Irvine Douglas Hospital, he could walk without wobbling.
More tests followed to identify the source of the clot, and a team of physical, occupational and language therapists worked with Darrin to help him fully recover from the effects of his brain injury. He's back in school and doing well academically and otherwise.
The only vestige of the stroke, Darrin says, is in his left hand, which isn’t quite as fast on the arpeggios he plays on piano in works by Beethoven and other classical composers. “It’s 95 percent back,” says the self-effacing teenager of his fingering technique. “I have to practice 30 minutes to an hour every day.”
The cause of Darrin’s stroke was never pinpointed. Despite a broad workup, including detailed imaging of his neck and brain. of his heart and vascular system and comprehensive blood-clotting studies, no clear abnormalities were detected, Jain says. Darrin's risk of having another stroke is very low, much lower than for adults who have had a stroke.
Still, the physician has advised against contact sports, including karate and wrestling, both of which Darrin misses greatly. But the worst prohibition, he thinks, is riding roller coasters with their exhilarating high-speed twists and turns. “It blows,” he says with a grimace, then adds, “but it’s OK because I’m better.”
Darrin and his parents are keenly aware that his recovery is the result of one paramedic’s decision to take him to a specialized primary stroke treatment center and the fast action by the UCI Health acute stroke team.
“I’m really thankful,” says Darrin.
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It's So Easy and Other Lies
Follow Duff McKagan's journey from the streets of Seattle to the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame, through interviews with many of the people who took this wild ride, including a constellation of rock stars who rose to fame along side him, and the people who inspired him to overcome his addictions.
STARRING: Duff McKagan, Slash, Matt Sorum, Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue), Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), with rare and exclusive footage and live performances from the early days from the archives of Marc Canter.
DIRECTED BY: Christopher Duddy
PRODUCED BY: Christopher Duddy, Daniel Zirilli, Steven G. Kaplan, Lise Romanoff
GENRE(S): Biography, Rock, * New Releases
Your VIP pass behind the scenes through the eyes of one of the most celebrated rock stars of all time.
This biographical documentary takes the audience on an incredible cinematic journey through the unbelievable rise of a driven teenager's meager beginnings on the streets of Seattle, to the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame. The man is Michael McKagan, better known to the world as DUFF. The band is GUNS N' ROSES.
The band became the ultimate icons of SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK AND ROLL, causing pandemonium in their wake, but the lifestyle caught up with Duff leaving him close to death. Follow Duff's journey through interviews with many of the people who took this wild ride, including a constellation of rock stars who rose to fame along side him, and the people who inspired him to overcome his addictions.
Karen Benardello - Shockyo.com
"‘It’s So Easy and Other Lies’ is based on McKagan’s best-selling autobiography of the same name. It will document the life of one of the founding members of the infamous late 1980s rock band, as well as Velvet Revolver. The film will document the bassist’s rise to fortune and fame, his struggles… his crash and burn and transformation… The book was one of last year’s best sellers."
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Death Penalty / Capital Punishment
Catholic Bishops Launch Major Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty
Obispos Católicos Lanzan Gran Campaña Católica Para Poner Fin Al Uso De La Pena De Muerte
McCarver v. State of North Carolina
Bishops' Statement on Capital Punishment, 1980
Bishops Urge Illinois Governor to Sign Bill Ending Death Penalty
USCCB, Illinois Bishops Laud State’s Death Penalty Repeal
Intercessions for Life: Children Born and Unborn
Intercessory Prayers for Life
Intercessory Prayers: Death Penalty
Intercessory Prayers: Pro Life Advocates
Bishops Welcome Repeal Of Death Penalty In Connecticut
Streamlined Procedure Acts of 2005
9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act 2004
101 Reasons to Abandon the Death Penalty
Statements by the Holy Father and the Vatican
A Good Friday Appeal to End the Death Penalty
Other News Releases:
Bishop Chairmen Applaud Administration Measures to Strengthen Religious Liberty, Embrace Contributions of Faith-based Organizations
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops File Amicus Brief with U.S. Supreme Court Urging New Trial of Death Row Inmate Based on Evidence of Actual Innocence
National Prayer Vigil for Life In Nation’s Capital, January 23-24
USCCB>Media > News Releases >
Cardinal O’Malley and Archbishop Wenski Welcome Supreme Court Decision To Review Protocols for Use of Lethal Injection
WASHINGTON—The chairs of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and Committee on Pro-life Activities welcomed the U.S. Supreme Court’s January 23 announcement that it would review the drug protocols of lethal injection executions in the state of Oklahoma. The court will consider whether the procedures violate the U.S. Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
“I welcome the Court’s decision to review this cruel practice,” said Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami. “Our nation has witnessed through recent executions, such as occurred in Oklahoma, how the use of the death penalty devalues human life and diminishes respect for human dignity. We bishops continue to say, we cannot teach killing is wrong by killing.”
The Court’s decision to consider the case of Glossip v. Gross, brought by three death row inmates in Oklahoma, comes after several lethal injection executions were botched, including that of Clayton D. Lockett in Oklahoma.
“Society can protect itself in ways other than the use of the death penalty,” Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, Chair of the Committee on Pro-life Activities, said. “We pray that the Court’s review of these protocols will lead to the recognition that institutionalized practices of violence against any person erode reverence for the sanctity of every human life. Capital punishment must end.”
The U.S. bishops have been advocating against the death penalty for over 40 years. In 2005, they initiated the Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty and continue to work closely with state Catholic Conferences, the Catholic Mobilizing Network and other groups towards the abolition of the death penalty in the United States.
The bishops join Pope Francis who in October 2014 called on Christians and all people of good will “to fight…for the abolition of the death penalty…in all its forms,” out of respect for human dignity.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in this matter in April.
Keywords: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, death penalty, capital punishment, abolition, Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, Glossip v. Gross, Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty, state Catholic Conferences, Catholic Mobilizing Network, U.S. Supreme Court, cruel and unusual punishment, Pope Francis
Don Clemmer
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Clean energy - stop the talking, start investing
The European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) has criticised the European Commission for preferring low-carbon rhetoric to action. It wants a clear focus on renewable energy to extend Europe's technological leadership in the sector
EREC president, Professor Arthouros Zervos comments, "We support the EC's proposed actions relevant to renewable energy, such as grid infrastructure, energy markets and smart cities. But instead of an undefined low-carbon rhetoric the EU needs a stable framework for renewable energy leading up to 2030 and a clear vision for achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050. The successful development of renewable energy in the current energy system relies on the ability of EU member states to design stable, adequate support mechanisms to compensate for market distortions in order to reach their binding 2020 targets."
EREC is the umbrella organisation of the European renewable energy industry, trade and research associations active in the sectors of photovoltaics, small hydropower, solar thermal, bioenergy, geothermal, ocean, concentrated solar power and wind energy, The European renewable energy sector has an annual turnover of EUR 70 billion and employs 550.000 people. Professor Zervos explains the international importance of European companies, " European companies are world leaders in renewable energy, generating hundreds of thousands of new jobs, and EU energy policies need to ensure the continued growth of this important sector in order for us to maintain our leadership."
The Global Climate Network (GCN), an alliance of think tanks, says that spending on clean energy projects in developing countries needs to double, which will only happen if richer countries give financial help to encourage private companies to invest.
Their new study, 'Investing in Clean Energy', examines in detail the costs of large increases in clean energy projects in four developing countries. It argues that investment in clean energy must grow from $34 billion in 2009 to an average of $63.6 billion a year between 2010 and 2020 if existing ambitions to meet climate change and energy supply targets are to be met. The report says that investment in clean energy, particularly wind and solar, is critical if developing countries are to maintain economic growth and bring power to poor communities.
(EarthTimes)
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Newcastle geothermal energy project promises to heat up the toon
European Commission moves to beef up carbon trading security
MIT Engineers Design New Nanoparticle That Could Lead to Vaccines for HIV, Malaria, Other Diseases
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Title: New Developments in Goal Setting and Task Performance
Author: Locke, Edwin A.; Latham, Gary P.
Editor: Taylor & Francis Ltd, London
This is the finest scientific book on goal setting that I have read to date. Its subject is the connection between setting challenging objectives and goal attainment. Of enormous significance in this context is the goal setting theory developed by the work’s editors, Edwin A. Locke (University of Maryland) and Gary P. Latham (University of Toronto). The goal setting theory is, in a nutshell, a motivation theory that is supposed to explain “what causes some people to perform better on work-related tasks than others” (p. 3).
In their introduction to this monumental anthology, Locke and Latham summarise the findings of a large number of studies conducted on the subject during the 1980s. About 400 empirical studies that were done before 1990 confirmed two findings above all:
There is a linear relationship between the degree of goal difficulty and performance.” Locke found that the performance of people with the highest goals exceeded that of people with the easiest goals by more than 250 percent (p. 5).
Specific, difficult goals lead to higher performance than no goals as well as vague, abstract goals such as ‘do your best’.” 51 out of 53 studies conducted up to 1990 demonstrated “the benefit of setting a specific, high goal” (p. 5).
The basis underlying this insight was highly plausible even in 1990 – the goal setting theory was developed inductively through studies involving 40,000 participants in eight countries, both through field studies and experiments (p. 11).
High and specific goals are so important because they focus the individual’s attention on “goal-relevant activities” and because they enhance the intensity and temporal duration of the effort the individual will make to attain it. People with high specific goals work harder and longer to accomplish them than those who work without such goals (p. 6).
In their anthology of 37 essays, Locke and Latham document the progress that science has made on the subject in the years between 1990 and 2010. During this time period, another 600 studies were done that confirmed the key assumptions of the goal setting theory and showed its usefulness in a larger number of domains (p. xi).
In their chapter on “stretch goals,” Steve Kerr and Douglas LePelley discuss the question how difficult the goals should be in order to achieve optimal results. “Compared to easy goals, difficult goals are far more likely to generate sustained enthusiasm and higher levels of performance. However, this finding comes with an important caveat, namely, that the goals, though difficult, must be seen to be achievable by those who are supposed to attain them” (p. 21).
On the one hand, they argue that high, meaning unattainable goals could have the opposite effect because they result in frustrating experiences if people repeatedly fall short of the mark. On the other hand, the example of General Electric where Jack Welch applied the strategy of “stretch goals” goes to show that it can be quite stimulating to set “impossible” goals. The authors cite Welch who concluded “we have found that by reaching for what appears to be impossible, we often actually do the impossible; and even when we don’t quite make it, we inevitably wind up doing much better than we would have done” (p. 29).
Albert Bandura is the founder of the “self-efficacy” theory, and contributed a chapter on the subject to the book. He points to the connection between self-efficacy and the magnitude of the goal that people set for themselves: “Those who were dissatisfied with the substandard performance but judged themselves efficacious to meet the challenge redoubled their efforts… Those who judged themselves inefficacious to meet the challenging goal and couldn’t care less about their mediocre performance slackened their effort and just coasted along apathetically” (pp. 149-50).
“People who are beset with self-doubts about their capabilities do not go around setting challenging goals for themselves and sticking for long in the face of difficulties to the goals adopted. People’s beliefs in their capabilities influence the level of goals they set for themselves. The stronger the self-efficacy, the higher the goals people set for themselves” (p. 151).
An approach labelled “mental contrasting” by Gabriele Oettingen, Marion Wittchen and Peter M. Gollwitzer has proven particularly effective in attaining lofty goals. “Mental contrasting of a desired future with obstacles of present reality” is an effective self-regulation strategy for attaining goals, as a number of psychological experiments is said to have shown (p. 523). The authors cite evidence proving that “mentally contrasting a desired future with the reality that impedes its realization will create selective, that is, expectancy-dependent goal commitments with subsequent goal striving and goal attainment” (p. 524).
J. Robert Baum, one of the leading representatives of entrepreneurship research in the Unites States contributed a chapter on “goals and entrepreneurship” to the volume. The goal setting theory is particularly well suited for researching entrepreneurship “because it covers self-set goals and involves explicit, consciously chosen targets that are usually focused on performance” (p. 462). Early-stage financiers confirm that most successful entrepreneurs “begin with goals that are beyond normal conceptions of the possible” (p. 463). Baum cites numerous surveys which show that goal-setting theory prediction that challenging goals are associable with superior performance, was supported by empirical evidence in entrepreneurship research (p. 463). “Multiple entrepreneurship studies support the view that entrepreneurs who set their own goals are motivated to attain higher performance than if they had no goals” (p. 464).
Entrepreneurs, according to Baum, are visionaries who have the ability “to see beyond the immediate moment, to see past what is working now, to see what will work in future” (p. 468). He cautions, however, that the business vision should not be confused with the official “vision statements” whose purpose is rather to inspire staff or to be communicated to outsiders. “The full vision, however, is inside the entrepreneur’s head and is much more detailed than any one statement or slogan” (p. 468).
I admit that I was unaware of the American goal-setting theory when writing my own book “Dare to be Different and Grow Rich,” published in 2011. However, when reading this anthology, I found everything confirmed that I had developed into a hypothesis in my own right after analysing around 50 biographies of successful individuals: The questions of how big (and how specific) the goals are that people set for themselves, and how seriously they strive to attain them, are key factors when explaining success in any walk of life. R.Z.
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More info on Vauquelinia californica
Vauquelinia californica: Wikis
Vauquelinia californica
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Maloideae or Spiraeoideae [1]
Genus: Vauquelinia
Correa ex Humb. & Bonpl.
Species: V. californica
Vauquelinia californica, commonly known as Arizona Rosewood, is a species within the rose family Rosaceae. This shrub species is found in the southwestern portion of the USA and in Baja california and Baja California Sur.[2] The species has attracted some interest as an ornamental plant. From pollen core data, a portion of the prehistoric distribution of this species has been mapped; for example in the Late Wisconsin period, V. californica occurred in the Waterman Mountains of northern Arizona, although the species does not occur in this location presently.[3]
The genus was named for French chemist Louis Nicolas Vauquelin (1763-1829).
Line notes
^ D. Potter, T. Eriksson, R.C. Evans, S.H. Oh, J.E.E. Smedmark, D.R. Morgan, M. Kerr, K.R. Robertson, M.P. Arsenault, T.A. Dickinson and C.S. Campbell (2007)
^ Richard Stephen Felger, Matthew Brian Johnson, Michael Francis Wilson (2001) p.279
^ C. Michael Hogan (2009)
Richard Stephen Felger, Matthew Brian Johnson, Michael Francis Wilson (2001) The trees of Sonora, Mexico. 391 pages
C. Michael Hogan (2009) Elephant Tree: Bursera microphylla, GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. N. Stromberg
D. Potter, T. Eriksson, R.C. Evans, S.H. Oh, J.E.E. Smedmark, D.R. Morgan, M. Kerr, K.R. Robertson, M.P. Arsenault, T.A. Dickinson and C.S. Campbell (2007). Phylogeny and classification of Rosaceae. Plant Systematics and Evolution. 266(1–2): 5–43.
Categories: Rosales stubs | Exochordeae | Rosaceae
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Wednesday, May 1, 1861.+-
Wednesday, May 1, 1861.Washington, DC.
Former Cong. Garrett Davis (Ky.) consults with Lincoln and government officials on national problems. Baltimore Sun, 6 May 1861.
President invites Maj. Anderson to Executive Mansion for social visit. Abraham Lincoln to Robert Anderson, 1 May 1861, CW, 4:350.
President Lincoln writes to Gustavus V. Fox, who led an operation to supply Ft. Sumter, near Charleston, South Carolina. Before Fox could carry out the plan, Confederate forces fired upon the fort and later took control of it. Lincoln consoles, "For a daring and dangerous enterprize, of a similar character, you would, to-day, be the man, of all my acquaintances, whom I would select. You and I both anticipated that the cause of the country would be advanced by making the attempt . . . even if it should fail." Abraham Lincoln to Gustavus V. Fox, 1 May 1861, CW, 4:350-51.
Assures Gov. Isham G. Harris (Tenn.) that Government had nothing to do with seizure of steamboat "C. E. Hillman." Abraham Lincoln to Isham G. Harris, [1?] May 1861, CW, 4:351-52.
Sen. Henry Wilson (Mass.) and Judge Ebenezer R. Hoar of Massachusetts call upon Lincoln and members of cabinet and urge adoption of more aggressive war measures. N.Y. Tribune, 2 May 1861.
Western Virginia Unionists ask President for assistance. Members of 7th New York Regiment and Postmaster Gen. Blair visit President during afternoon. Hay, Letters and Diary.
Seventh New York Regiment band gives evening concert at White House; Lincoln speaks briefly from portico. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 30 April 1861, 3:1, 2 May 1861, 3:1; National Republican (Washington, DC), 2 May 1861, 3:2; Remarks at a Band Concert, 1 May 1861, CW, 4:352.
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Friday, October 7, 1864.+-
Friday, October 7, 1864.Washington, DC.
President appoints five directors on part of government for Union Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company. Appointment of Directors of Union Pacific Railroad, 7 October 1864, CW, 8:38-39.
Interviews General Nathaniel P. Banks on military and political affairs in Louisiana. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 7 October 1864, 2d ed., Extra, 2:4.
Recognizes J. Theophilus Plate as consul for Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg at Philadelphia. Washington Chronicle, 13 October 1864.
Recognizes Joseph N. A. Benziger as consul of Swiss Confederation for Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, and Henri Endris as vice consul of the Swiss Confederation for Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and northern part of Illinois. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 20 October 1864, 2d ed., Extra, 2:2.
Interviews Mrs. Anna Byers-Jennings, who seeks release of Daniel Hayden of Missouri. T. J. Turner and Col. Hancock of Chicago join interview. President suggests that she return at 8 in morning. Rufus R. Wilson, ed., Lincoln Among His Friends: A Sheaf of Intimate Memories (Caldwell, ID: Caxton Printers, 1942), 375-77.
Col. Allen calls on President to present album from Hungarian Count Sandor. Washington Chronicle, 7 October 1864.
O. H. Browning calls at White House. Browning, Diary.
President writes Henry J. Raymond that "phrase attributed to me, 'of the Jacobinism of Congress,' . . . I do not remember using . . . and which I wish not to be published." Abraham Lincoln to Henry J. Raymond, 7 October 1864, CW, 8:39-40.
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Home News Hunting accident takes life of SRU student
Hunting accident takes life of SRU student
Allison Downs
A Slippery Rock University student passed away early Saturday, Nov. 23 following an accident while out hunting.
Jacob Smith, a 19-year-old sophomore safety management major from Linesville, was out hunting with friends in Summit Township when he was fatally wounded by his own gun, according to the Meadville Tribune. Smith was unloading items from a hunting sled when his shotgun accidentally went off. He was shot in the abdomen, according to Crawford County coroner Scott Schell.
According to the Meadville Tribune, Conneaut Lake and Meadville ambulance services and Summit Township and Conneaut Lake volunteer fire departments were called to the scene to assist state police and officers from the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Smith was transported to Meadville Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Schell ruled his death accidental.
In an e-mail sent from SRU Communication, President William Behre encouraged students who may be affected by Smith’s death to contact the counseling center at 724-738-2034. The counseling center is located in Rhoads Hall. He added that the Health Center, also located in Rhoads Hall, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can connect students to other resources. Student Support Services is also available at 724-738-2121.
“When tragedies like this occur, they may stir up troubling feelings,” Behre said in the e-mail. “The University is here to help.”
According to another e-mail sent this morning, visitations will be today (Nov. 26) from 3pm to 7pm. and tomorrow, Nov. 27 from 11am to 12pm at the Linesville First Baptist Church. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 27, which will also take place at the Linesville First Baptist Church.
Smith’s obituary can be viewed on the Meadville Tribune’s website.
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Allison is a senior converged journalism major entering her first year on The Rocket staff as News Editor. She previously wrote for College Dress Relief’s student-run blog and for CDR’s column in the Campus Life section. She spends her free time binge-watching New Girl and Friends. After college, she hopes to someday become an editorial writer for a fashion publication or work for a publishing house.
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Tobias Buckel / Rasmus Nilausen / Jon Pilkington
FORM IS WHAT HAPPENS
Curated by Anna-Lena Werner Exhibition: 10.1. - 28.2.2015 “Form is what happens. It’s the fact of things in the world, however they are.” is a rather unknown quote from the American poet Robert Creeley. With this statement he extended his prior principle “Form is never more than an extension of content”, which his older colleague Charles Olson used in 1950 in a manifest for the ‘Projective Verse’ – an open-form lyric. They demanded a separation of postmodern poetry from its static tradition and encouraged abstract tendencies, which had already begun in fine arts. Creeley’s proposition applied to the freedom of artistic expression and its diversity. Yet, despite its early empowerment, the form remains a condition of artistic production, be it a form of formlessness. Also contemporary painting – another medium that is preceded by a dictate of forms – is confronted with the question of what could be considered a painterly form today and which parameters determine its motifs. The exhibition ‘Form is What Happens’ at Archiv Massiv in the Baumwollspinnerei Leipzig introduces the three young artists Tobias Buckel, Rasmus Nilausen and Jon Pilkington, whose works each question the self-concept of painting and similarly integrate the medium’s historical references. Despite the differences in their form-vocabulary, each of their works explores the relation between form and content: Does the content assign the form or is it the other way around? What controls the act of composition? Buckel, Nilausen and Pilkington scrutinise the role of the motif to such an extent it is dramatically simplified, in some cases rejected or blended with the form. Neither material, nor style have a continuous, aesthetic scheme: While Pilkington and Buckel accept painterly overlaps or hardly recognisable layers in the backgrounds of their work and thus accent the pondering, the progress, the failure in their artistic practice, Nilausen looks for perfection in the completed picture and traces the myth of Art History and of the masterpiece. His palette is manifold; the formats are usually small. Image and text quotes of pop culture and the academic art world are integrated both humorously and critically in his works, often leading to absurdity. Buckel instead focuses on an abstract architectural language, in which he creates geometric flat and deep image areas. His paintings hardly incorporate playful elements, as they are dominated by stern shapes. Reduction suggests directness and clarity. His works rather play with the alternation of small and large formats, where the frames appear like an extension of the composition. Reduction is also relevant for Pilktington’s works: he often spares areas and withdraws forms, while partially allowing the material to grow out of the canvas, provoking a transgression of the accustomed, two-dimensional motif into a wall-object. He explores surfaces and patterns, incorporating strong colours, as to create his compositions with rough forms, stains or scuffs. Each of the three artists studied at Chelsea College of Art and Design in London. The group show “Form Is What Happens” will be their first joint exhibition. The German painter Tobias Buckel (*1978, Ansbach) has graduated as Meisterschüler in the class of Prof. Thomas Hartmann at Kunstakademie Nürnberg and studied a Master in Fine Art at Chelsea College of Art and Design in London. The DAAD scholarship awardee has exhibited his works amongst others at Nürnberger Kunstverein, at Chisenhale Gallery (London) and at Kreuzbergpavillon Berlin. Tobias Buckel lives and works in Nuremberg. tobias-buckel.de The Danish painter and installation artist Rasmus Nilausen (*1980, Copenhagen) has exhibited his work in several institutions, such as "Fundació Antoni Tàpies (Barcelona)", ICA Institute of Contemporary Art (London) and the Chisenhale Gallery (London). He studied at Universitat de Barcelona, at Chelsea College of Art and Design in London and received the Danish Statens Kunstfond. Rasmus Nilausen lives and works in Barcelona. rasmusnilausen.dk The British Painter Jon Pilkington (*1990, Liverpool) studied at University of Central Lancashire (UK) and at Chelsea College of Art and Design in London. The AHRC scholarship awardee has exhibited his work amongst others at the Academy of Arts Szczecin (Poland), at Rogue Studio's Project Space (Manchester) , Marcelle Joseph Projects (Ascot) and at Winter Projects (London). He lives and works in London. jonpilkington.co.uk
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Bomber Harris
Posted on Tuesday 31st May 2016
A portrait of Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur Harris, Commander-in-Chief of Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 24 April 1944. (Historic Military Press)
The city of Nuremberg was severely damaged by Allied bombing between 1943 and 1945. On 2 January 1945, the medieval city centre was systematically bombed by the RAF and USAAF, and about ninety per cent of it destroyed in one hour. (NARA)
Bomber Harris: His Life and Times
(Hardback - 432 pages)
by Henry Probert
This is the definitive biography of one of the most controversial figures of the Second World War.
Sir Arthur Harris remains the target of criticism and vilification by many, while others believe that the contribution he and his men made to the Allied victory is grossly undervalued. Harris has been condemned, in particular, for his Area Bombing tactics which saw civilians and their homes become legitimate targets along with industrial and military installations. This is explored by the author and placed fully within its context, and…
Read more at Pen & Sword Books...
the second front
Joseph Stalin once sarcastically informed Winston Churchill that Britain would fight to the last Soviet soldier, complaining that the US and the UK were dragging their feet in opening a second front in the West. It was true that an amphibious assault on Western Europe was pushed back from 1942 to 1944, but the reality was that Britain and America had already opened a second front – from the air.
It was in February 1942 that Air Marshal Arthur Harris took over the RAF’s Bomber Command and, just three months later, assembled the largest bombing raid ever known up to that time, with a 1,000 bomber attack upon Cologne. More such devastating raids followed as month after month Bomber Command and the US Eighth Air Force attacked German cities day and night. Those cities held the German working population, their houses and the public utilities, which were the heart of her war potential.
The statistics are astonishing. Of the seventy cities attacked by Bomber Command, forty-six were approximately half destroyed. If this damage had been compressed into the last two years of the war, as indeed most of it was, this averaged two cities half destroyed per month. It generally took four months for a city’s industry to return to pre-raid levels. These figures do not include the smaller towns and oil refineries which were the targets of around half of Bomber Command’s sorties.
Reichsminister Albert Speer stated:
"For the year 1943-1944 some 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 persons may be reckoned to have been engaged on A.R.P. and in bomb damage repair organisations. Needless to say, this is one reason why industry was unable to make good its shortages of manpower."
Even if no men or women had been diverted away from their jobs, there was still what Speer called the ‘bottleneck’ in the chain of supply to the factories, caused by the bombing of trains, roads and bridges, and oil refineries. The destruction of the German infrastructure resulted in massive delays in the transportation of raw materials, as well as those of finished goods.
This saw vast numbers of civilians involved, in Harris’ words, on ‘railway repair work, repair of factories, repair of power supply and municipal transport services, re-housing, shipping repairs, etc. Not only man-power, but war materials, too, were consumed in the air defence.’ He also pointed out that anti-aircraft guns consumed thirty per cent of the total 1944 output of guns from German armaments factories.
"Without [that] air cover the German armies in the East were in an increasingly helpless state, for the Soviets had a strong tactical air force..."
At a time when the enemy needed every gun, tank and aircraft, particularly on the Eastern Front, the loss of, and diversion of, production on this scale had catastrophic consequences. The effects of the bombing was, of course, not only material. The German historian Götz Bergander’s assessment of the effect of the constant aerial assault upon Germany was that: ‘In reality, the air raids on cities and industry shook the foundations of the war morale of the German people. They permanently shattered their nerves, undermined their health and shook their belief in victory, thus altering their consciousness. They spread fear, dismay and hopelessness.'
the strength of germany
What must be borne in mind is that when Harris joined Bomber Command, in 1942, Germany’s armed forces, equipped for the offensive, were stronger than those of any other Power. With practically the whole production capacity of Europe at her disposal and ample quantities of foreign slave labour, her offensive strength appeared certain to develop to what was considered a prodigious extent.
Gradually Germany’s production was forced to switch from offensive weapons to fighters and anti-aircraft, and what Harris described as ‘a great army of at least two million men’ was employed in a purely defensive role, in the Flakartillerie, night-fighter forces, the civil defence organisations, mine-sweeping, and in essential repair work.
That in such a comparatively short time, Bomber Command and the Eighth Air Force were able to reduce German industrial output to a fraction of its previous levels is remarkable. Harris also pointed out the wider effects of the air war. ‘Bomber Command, in conjunction with the U.S.A.A.F., destroyed one by one the German synthetic oil plants until, by the spring of 1945, the enemy had practically no liquid fuel at his disposal.'
The Soviets did not have a strategic air force and contributed little to the bombing of Germany. The reduction in industrial capacity was entirely due to the efforts of the RAF and the USAAF, but it was the Soviets who benefited enormously, as Harris observed: ‘The fighter force and flak were gradually but steadily withdrawn from the Fronts, to defend the Reich itself from air attacks, until three quarters of their total strength in these arms was engaged in this task. The fighting fronts were denuded, and the enemy armies robbed of that air support which had contributed so much to their early victories.'
Misunderstood victory
Without that air cover the German armies in the East were in an increasingly helpless state, for the Soviets had a strong tactical air force, as well as numerically far superior ground forces. With fewer aircraft, and diminishing supplies and reinforcements caused by the need for Hitler to defend the German homeland, the aerial assault by Britain and the United States contributed to the success of the Soviets in the East far more than any premature amphibious assault in the West could ever have done.
Stalin had the Second Front he desired, it was just not recognised or promoted as such, and the contribution Bomber Command made towards Soviet success has, surprisingly, never been fully appreciated.
The wartime role of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur Harris, as well as his wider life story, is examined by Henry Probert in Bomber Harris: His Life and Times. Air Commodore Henry Probert served for thirty years in the RAF Educational Branch, becoming its director. He also spent eleven years as the head of the Air Historical Branch. His critical but highly acclaimed biography of Bomber Harris draws on wide-ranging research, including access to all of Harris’ own papers.
Of further interest...
Australia's First Blood and the Battle of Britain
Wed 15th July
During the summer and autumn of 1940, Germany launched its air campaign to gain superiority over the RAF. It was not successful, and this defeat marked a turning point in the Allies’ favour. A handful of the 3000 or so airmen who fought in the Battle of B Read article...
Battle of Britain Day – 15 September 1940
Thu 17th September
Sunday, 15 September 1940 saw the Luftwaffe launch a concentrated attack against London: the goal was to bring the RAF to its knees once and for all. This article by Kristen Alexander reports of the part played by 22 year-old Pilot Officer John Crossman, Read article...
Here Comes the Luftwaffe
On 2 July 1940 the German Air Force Supreme Command issued instructions for the campaign against Britain; the Battle of Britain. Derek Wood and Derek Dempster describe the early days of the fight for the skies. Read article...
The Dresden Bombing Raids
Wed 13th February
On the night of 13 February, a young RAF navigator named Frank Musgrove took part in the infamous bombing raids on the German city of Dresden. Read article...
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© whatIf? Technologies Inc.
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Bootstrapping with the GWOT
"Assange Talks About Possible Holder Prosecution" (my emphasis in red):
"We have over here the bulk surveillance industry run by the National Security Agency that already has all these records. It has them all already. The National Security Agency—and this has come out in one court case after another—was involved in a project called Stellar Wind to collect all the calling records of the United States, every record of everyone calling everyone over years. And the result of that lay out the entire community and political structure, based upon who people are friends with. You can infer that by who calls who, and what the status is by the relative flow of calls around the country, to suck out the entire community structure of the United States. That has already been done. Those calling records already enter into the national security complex.
What we’re talking about here are mechanisms to use that information in a court case, and therefore it has to be clean. This is the dirty team; this is the clean team. And so, these are maneuvers to pull people into court cases that will become public to set a deterrent against national security journalism. And the most pernicious aspect of that is the abuse of the Espionage Act and other mechanisms to try and conflate the activities of a source with the activities of a journalist or a publisher, and to try and say that whenever a journalist deals with a source, they’re in fact engaged in a conspiracy. And if there’s an allegation—of course, allegations can be very easily made, placed on the table, just invented from thin air—that a source’s behavior affects national security and is therefore espionage, and therefore, extend that allegation over to the journalist and to the source—and to the publisher. In the case of Rosen, they have done that in order to get at Rosen’s emails and other records, to then back reflect onto the source or onto other sources. You know, it is simply a disgrace. It is unethical conduct. It is politically worrying conduct. It is chilling conduct. And it is—why is it being done? Because they believe they can get away with it. It is part of advancing the frontier of the national security state to roll on over the First Amendment and every other traditionally accepted U.S. value."
They already have all the information - and just think how useful Facebook and similar social networking sites have been to them, leading one to assume they have been backed by the national security apparatus for nefarious purposes all along - but what they have has been gathered illegally (essentially a global wiretapping operation without warrants), so they have to finesse the legislation, using the global war on terror and statutes intended to be used against actual spies, to sneak inadmissible evidence into the court system. Note the circularity - an allegation is made that national security is at stake, allowing the evidence to be heard, evidence which consists of a journalist and a source discussing issues that might be construed as involving national security, a discussion which is therefore a conspiracy in itself, thus confirming that the evidence should have been admitted, and thus cleaning part of their mountain of illegally obtained evidence.
How is it exactly that Assange is still labeled by many phony conspiracists as a government plant?
Proudly backwards
Soroscons
Something like karma
Everything is starting to come together
The I-Word
The magical world of the CIA
Genie safely back in the bottle, with some help
The advantages of knowing everything
Snowden and the war between the CIA and the Pentag...
I'm having my brain removed too
If it wasn't for bad journalists we'd have no jour...
I've got nothing to hide
Yottabytes
The necessity of fighting and winning
Americans aren't wise people
Lost all credibility
Qusayr
Chechenier
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Category: kmigg
The Moral & Educational Problems of Our Society
Some years ago, I listened to a conversation between my instructor and his colleague at a local university. He said to my instructor, “there would come a time when in Liberia we will have more university graduates then less educated people.” This conversation brings us to the educational aspect of our discussion. The poor performance of students in schools –and at the same time the high number of students graduating from schools –both grade schools and universities –the recent mass failure of students in public exams and university entrances are self-evidence to this assertion. Lack of interest to learning on the part of students is causing many students to perform poorly in Liberian schools and evidently this lackadaisical attitude is causing more and more students to flunk in public tests. Many students today do not devote much time to things that do matter most to learning. Instead, they do devote much times to television and the internet which are negatively impacting their lives. Although technological advancement is cardinal to the growth and development of any nation, it is beneficial when it is used for the good of the individual and the society at large. Contrarily, in Liberia today, many students devote most of their time to television, Facebook, Youtube, and the like just for amusement. These and other social media outlets can have adverse effects on the learning of students when they are used latently.Another point –for parents –there are times when their lives are straight as a spear, but instead of letting their children be placed in the hand of God by prayer, to be developed by Him into their unique potential, they try to force them into a particular direction. Some parents overindulge their children, giving them a profusion of wealth. This mistake can be disastrous. Take for example, a classroom teacher once told me some years ago that one of his fifth grade students carried as much as $100USD to school. He then seized the money and contacted the child’s mother to ascertain as to whether she was aware of the money. The mother replied that yes she was the one who gave the student the money for her recess. Some parents even go to the far extreme by giving teachers cash to give their child/children grades that they do not deserve, thereby creating the impression that they love them so much. As these children develop, they become accustomed to this kind of attitude and live with it in the greater society.The teachers have had their own share of this educational debauchery in our society. A lot of times the public is concerned over the poor performance of students. As a result it blames the teachers for ineffectiveness and/or incompetency, as the cause of the mass failure of students. While this assertion might incomprehensive, here is another side of the coin –some of the people today found in the classrooms are not qualified to teach. Being a graduate from high school or university does not make him/her qualified to teach. Teaching is a profession, indeed a noble one; therefore, those who want to teach must be trained to do so, for it is a delusional for today’s graduates who are not trained to teach in the very system that created them.Furthermore, just like the authority of the parents which was strong in the seventies and eighties is now weak and ineffective, so like the authority of the teachers today. Often, teachers are compelled to circumvent the ethical values that guide the profession. This becomes lucid when some school administrators and/or proprietors instruct teachers not to fail too many students as this might scare away students and would-be students, as a decrease in student enrollment means decline in revenue generation. This situation which arguably occurs in the private school system undermines the manifest function of the educational institution of our society.In addition to the foregoing, as we think about why our system of education has become a mess. A former US President once said, “The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done, but cannot do, at all, or cannot, so well do, for themselves –in their separate, and individual capacities.” Putting this into context, it is the responsibility of the Liberian government –and this government –to provide for its citizen’s quality education. But it had failed to provide conducive, learning environment for this generation. For example, government institutions lack modern learning facilities –equipped laboratories and libraries as well as internet connectivity just to name a few. The fact that government itself lacks these essentials makes her unable to mandate private institutions to have them, thus creating an education gap between the old and the young. As I summed up this discussion, what we –your generation and my –must do now is to discover who we really are, where we come from, where we are, and how we got here. When this is done, honestly, we can then get out of where we are and move forward. We need to understand and accept why our generation as an extraordinary and different from all that have gone before it. For example, it got us into the longest and most devastating civil war, it has created a society with so much crime in it that the streets are no longer safe for decent people, and worse of all, our ‘institutions’––do almost nothing to improve conditions.In concluding this discussion, I am going to say one final thing which many (old and young) may not agree with. We are made to always stick-on to illusion. By this we are made to believe that by changing leaderships we will make Liberia a better place to live –utopia. Yet the world does need changing, society needs changing, the nation needs changing, but under this sky, we are never going to change it until we ourselves are changed. And we are never going to change until we look into the mirror of ourselves, and face the reality with honesty, what we really are inside, and accept change. Until that happens, our effort to ride our society of social problems would be like migrants travelling in a little boat that cannot get beyond shallow water and ill-luck.An African proverb says: ‘The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second-best time is now.’ Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) read more
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‘SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD INTERVENTIONS ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL WOMEN COOPERATIVES’
Sustainable livelihood initiatives are sets of activities that rural dwellers engage especially women in economic activities that have the propensity to adverting individual subsistence farming approach to a collaborative cooperative sector approach in order to increase productivity. This approach is unique since individual approach is a contributing factor to these women being poor. Poverty is pervasive and particularly acute in rural areas of the country. It has many dimensions, which include low levels of income and consumption, poor nutrition, and food insecurity; as such, according to UNDP Report 2004, 86% of the poor people in Liberia live in rural areas. Many of them are women and other vulnerable groups.These less fortune population are largely confined with numerous problems which include: limited participation in decision making processes, low or no income earning at all and high illiteracy rate among women and subsistence farming due to very limited access to seeds, tools and improved agricultural techniques.Rural Liberian women‘s economic deprivation is perpetuated by high illiteracy rate among other factors. These rural women need collective approach in achieving the level of self-confidence and self-actualization that promote their participation in community-decision making and enhancing their capacities to short-run livelihood activities, such as savings and credit facilities. There is an emerging need to positively engage these rural women who have some potential in making meaningful contributions to the socio-economic development and life sustaining progress or programs.Efforts are been exerted by different stakeholders to accelerate the initiatives of women of such nature in various women empowerment initiatives. These interventions are all endeavor to empower local communities through sustainable economic initiatives and toward erasing the social barriers that hinder their day-to-day improvement. Life being the matter of climbing the ladder step-by-step, and the Integrated Rural Development being standardized, the Suakoko women would soon see their roles as a meaningful one. A number rural cooperative have thus far emerged in the far and reach has received a number of boosts (technical capacity support) from relevant agencies and international partners in the areas of women and community development programs.Regardless of the level of development achieved by the respective economies, women play a pivotal role in agriculture and in rural development in most countries of the Asia-Pacific Region. Evidently there are serious constraints which mitigate against the promotion of an effective role for women in development in those societies which were bound by age-old traditions and beliefs. Patriarchal modes and practices motivated by cultures and/or interpretations of religious sanctions and illiteracy hinder women’s freedom to opt for various choices to assert greater mobility in social interactions. Resulting from these situations, women’s contribution to agriculture and other sectors in the economy remain concealed and unaccounted for in monitoring economic performance measurement. Consequently, they are generally invisible in plans and programs. They were, in fact, discriminated against by stereotypes which restrict them to a reproductive role, and denied access to resources which could eventually enhance their social and economic contribution to the society.In developing countries, among the poor, rural women are the poorest and more vulnerable. Empirical evidences suggest that women in rural areas are more adversely affected by poverty than men. The incidence of poverty among rural women is on the rise in most of the developing countries. The issues of gender bias and equity point to the double burden women have to bear – that on being poor and being a woman. Further strategies and programs for development had largely overlooked the question of gender equity. Projects aiming to reduce poverty view the poor rural women as the recipient of benefits of development, instead of active participant and still poor rural women have the least access to basic needs such as food, health and education.Not only do women produce and process agricultural products but they are also responsible for much of the trade in these and other goods in many parts of the third world. In many parts of the world, women continue to play an important role as rural information sources and providers of food to urban areas. This may involve food from the sea as well as from the land. Although women rarely work as fisher people they are often involved in net-making and the preparation and sale of the catch. Women’s roles and status all over the world are generally determined by social institutions and norms, religious ideologies, eco-systems and by class positions. The Indian social systems exhibit such grave disparities. Indian women are not a homogeneous group. Their traditional roles are not identical in all strata of society.Norms and taboos governing their roles and behaviors within and outside the family, the structure of family organizations and social practices and the positions accorded to women in a community differ considerably across regions, cultures and levels of socio-economic development. It is needless to emphasis on the significant contribution of women to agricultural production and household food security. In the process of production, handling and preparation of food, women play a multiple role throughout the sequence. They are said to be “feeding the world”. Do women really feed the world? Let us consider the evidence. On a global scale, women produce more than half of all the food that is grown. In sub-Sahara Africa and the Caribbean, they produce up to 80% of basic foodstuffs. In Asia, they provide from 50 to 90% of the labor for rice cultivation. And in Southeast Asia and the Pacific as well as Latin America, women’s home gardens represent some of the most complex agricultural systems known. In countries in transition, the percentage of rural women working in agriculture ranges from about a third in Bosnia and Herzegovina to more than half in Poland. Across much of the developing world, rural women provide most of the labor for farming, from soil preparation to harvest. After the harvest, they are almost entirely responsible for operations such as storage, handling, stocking, marketing and processing. Women in rural areas generally bear primary responsibility for the nutrition of their children, from gestation through weaning and throughout the critical period of growth. In addition, they are the principal food producers and preparers for the rest of the family.Despite their contributions to food security, women tend to be invisible actors in development. All too often, their work is not recorded in statistics or mentioned in reports. As a result, their contribution is poorly understood and often underestimated. There are many reasons for this. Work in the household is often considered to be part of a woman’s duties as wife and mother, rather than an occupation to be accounted for in both the household and the national economy. Outside the household, a great deal of rural women labor — whether regular or seasonal – goes unpaid and is, therefore, rarely taken into account in official statistics (Prakash, Women & Food Security Issues).In most countries, women do not own the land they cultivate. Discriminatory laws and practices for inheritance of and access and ownership to land are still widespread. Land that women do own tends to consist of smaller, less valuable plots that are also frequently overlooked in statistics. Furthermore, women are usually responsible for the food crops destined for immediate consumption by the household, that is, for subsistence crops rather than cash crops. Also, when data is collected for national statistics, gender is often ignored or the data is biased in the sense that it is collected only from males, who are assumed to be the heads of households. These handicaps have contributed to an increasing “feminization” of poverty. Since the 1970s, the number of women living below the poverty line has increased by 50%, in comparison with 30% for their male counterparts. Women may feed the world today, but, given this formidable lists of obstacles placed in their path, will they be able to produce the additional food needed for a world population expected to grow by three billion in 2030 (NATTCCO, Gender Sensitivity Training for Cooperatives)?During the FAO-sponsored World Food summit of 1996, world leaders from 186 countries adopted the Rome Declaration on World Food Security and a Plan of Action. These international agreements specified that the role of women in agriculture and food security must be emphasized, in order to create the enabling political, social and economic environment required for the eradication of hunger and poverty. Under Commitment-I of the World Food Summit Plan of Action agenda, governments committed themselves to:– Support and implement commitments made at the 4th World Conference on Women that a gender perspective is mainstreamed in all policies;– Promote women’s full and equal participation in the economy…including secure and equal access to and control over credit, land and water;– Ensure that institutions provide equal access for women;– Provide equal gender opportunities for education and training in food production, processing and marketing;– Tailor extension and technical services to women producers and increase the number of women advisors and agents;– Improve the collection, dissemination and use of gender-disaggregated data [which distinguishes between males and females];– Focus research efforts on the division of labor and on income access and control within the household; and– Gather information on women’s traditional knowledge and skills in agriculture, fisheries, forestry and natural resources management.About the AuthorJohn M. Willie is a cooperative development specialist, who has a wealth of experience in cooperative society development in Liberia. A 1978 graduate of the Booker Washington Institute also studied at Plunke Foundation for Cooperative Study in England in 1979. From 1975 to 1985, he worked as Cooperative Manager at the Bong County Agriculture Development Project (BCADP). He has been a staff at various levels up to the office of Acting Registrar from 1985 to 1989 of the state-operated Cooperative Development Agency (CDA). The Author is currently the Deputy Secretary General of the Liberia National Federation of Cooperative Society. He has contributed immensely to the establishment and sustainability of scores of cooperative societies in Bong, Lofa and Nimba Counties.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) read more
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Women’s Basketball Set to Host Two Home Games this Weekend
Drake is on the verge of its fifth-straight 20-win season. The impressive streak began in 2014-15 with a 20-11 record followed by records of 23-10 (2015-16), 28-5 (2016-17) and last season at 26-8. It will be just the third time in the program’s history that five straight 20-win seasons take place. Drake recorded six-straight 20-win seasons from 1996-2002 and 10-straight 20-win seasons from 1976-1986. Indiana State ESPN+ Story Links DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women’s basketball team is set to host two of its annual games this weekend at the Knapp Center. Evansville Game Notes Drake Game Notes Drake (19-5, 11-1 MVC) starts the weekend Friday against Evansville (3-21, 1-12 MVC) at 6 p.m. for its Pink Game presented by Mercy One before it closes the weekend Sunday against Indiana State (11-13, 5-8 MVC) at 2 p.m. for its Alumni Game. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+. Buy Tickets Live Stats Evansville claimed its first MVC win since March 4, 2017, with its 77-65 victory over Valparaiso Feb. 15. The home victory snapped a conference record 29-game MVC regular season losing streak. Indiana State nearly beat Drake in the first meeting between the teams in Terre Haute. The Bulldogs rallied from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit after Rhine made two free throws with four seconds left and the Sycamores missed a pair of free throws with .08 seconds left as Drake won 70-68. Evansville ESPN+ Following this weekend, Drake goes on the road for its final two away games of the regular season. The Bulldogs start the trip March 1 at SIU at 6 p.m. before they visit Missouri State March 3 at 2 p.m. Both games will be on ESPN+. Print Friendly Version In its lone game last week, Drake, which reentered both top 25 polls this week at No. 24 in each, defeated UNI, 76-61. Four Bulldogs scored in double figures led by Becca Hittner (Urbandale, Iowa) with 19 points. Maddy Dean (Jordan, Minn.) and Sara Rhine (Eldon, Mo.) each scored 14 points while Maddie Monahan (Silver Lake, Minn.) added a career-high 13 points behind a career-best three three-pointers. Monahan also handed out seven assists. The Bulldogs improved to 64-24 all-time against the Panthers and have won eight-straight in the series that started in 1975. read more
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John Stevenson passed away
Share Facebook Twitter Google + LinkedIn Pinterest John A. Stevenson, 82, of Circleville, passed away October 29, 2015, from a ruptured brain aneurysm. John was born March 12, 1933, to the late John Beryl and Florence Adah Grimes Stevenson in Circleville, Ohio. He graduated from Circleville High School in 1951 and Ohio State University in 1955, where he joined the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. In 1955 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and served as a fighter interceptor pilot flying F-86D jets during the Cold War.To Ohio agriculture, John was well known for his work on his family farm in Pickaway County and his countless hours spent in service to the industry. John served agriculture in many capacities, including Farm Bureau, county campaign manager for Jim Rhodes, president of Circleville Chamber of Commerce, founder and president of Ohio Corn Growers Association, president National Corn Growers Association, state executive director USDA Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, federal associate director USDA ASCS, state executive director USDA Farm Service Agency, agricultural specialist for office of Congressman Boehner, agricultural affairs liaison for Senator Voinovich, agriculture specialist for Ohio EPA, and division chief for Ohio Department of Agriculture.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Circleville Presbyterian Church,134 East Mound Street, Circleville Ohio 43113 or Forest Cemetery, 905 North Court Street, Circleville, Ohio 43113. Calling hours will be at Wellman Funeral Home on Friday, November 6, 2015 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 3:00-7:00 p.m.at the Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville. Funeral service will be at the Circleville Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment in Forest Cemetery. A gathering and meal will follow at the Presbyterian Church fellowship hall. Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com. read more
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Crops growing fast around Ohio
Share Facebook Twitter Google + LinkedIn Pinterest Dan Uetrecht, Warren Co.Things are looking really good. The corn just keeps going. It has had the rain, the sun and the heat. We have been hot but it is just starting to pollinate. We’ve had some cooler nights and we’ve had enough rain that it is keeping those silks moist. It started tasseling right around the Fourth of July. Most everybody’s corn around here was tasseling when we were out running wheat. The silks are out and I think it could be an early harvest. I was talking to an older farmer and he said he hasn’t seen a year like this where everything is so far ahead. Normally an early harvest is not a good sign but everything is growing so fast. This is abnormal but good.The early beans did fine with all of the rain we’d gotten. Some of the smaller beans had some light green pockets but now they have grown out of it. We have a good crop growing right now.The wheat was what I thought it would be: average. Our first wheat was on some high ground and it went over 80 and I was really tickled. But as we got back closer to the home farm on better soil, lower low ground and later planted wheat, we went into the 60s. We had a 20-bushel difference based on that different planting date and high ground versus low ground. The last planted wheat around the 22nd of October didn’t tiller out well and we didn’t have the population we needed to get 100-bushel wheat.We got the double-crops in. They had great moisture and heat. They were up in five days and they look really nice.We are going to start spreading compost and lime on our last 40 acres of wheat ground. We’ll work that in and plant our cover crop. We’ll put in crimson clover, radishes and rye. It is beautiful and it gives those cover crops time to grow. We’ll have radishes that look like baseball bats by winter. We’re going to bale our second cutting hay this afternoon and it looks like we’ll have that up with no rain on it.With the rain and good growing conditions we have fought weeds. We have some grass and broadleaves coming that we’ll have to touch up. I think I’ll go ahead and put a foliar down with that and then we’ll be done spraying other than the double-crops.We are really not seeing much disease in the beans and the next thing I need to do is walk some corn fields. It is getting to be the time to think about fungicides on that. We have good subsoil moisture and if we can get another couple good rains this corn will be made.For the rest of this week’s reports, click here. read more
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Share Your Trackable Stories
Share with your Friends:More SDFD fire patch bug travels from coast to coast in the USThis is your chance to share your favorite Trackable stories. Trackables have completed missions to travel the globe, find famous landmarks and compete in Travel Bug races.An example of an powerful Trackable story was recently sent to Groundspeak.buttaskotch emailed the story of SDFD fire patch bug. She wrote in the log, “I am very thankful and honored that I was able to complete this Travel Bug’s mission.”In January of 2010 caduckhunter placed the Travel Bug in a California, USA cache. It’s mission was to travel to New York City to be hand delivered to a FDNY. It traveled more than 7000 miles before fulfilling it’s goal on Septmeber 8, 2011.SDFD fire patch bug routePost a comment below telling other geocachers about your favorite Trackable experience.The story with the most likes will be highlighted at the end of the week of September 12th, 2011. The author of the comment will receive a special gift of Trackables. Please leave your Geocaching.com username.Editor’s note: Both Binrat and vante will receive a set of Trackables for submitting their Trackable stories. Thank you to all those who submitted stories. Look for Trackable Week again on the Latitude 47 blog in coming months. SharePrint RelatedBecome Trackable on Geocaching.com – Tattoos to Travel BugsSeptember 13, 2011In “Community”Trackable Stories of the WeekSeptember 16, 2011In “Community”The Center of the Trackable UniverseSeptember 15, 2011In “Community” read more
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Hizbul Mujahideen militants held after encounter
Two local Hizbul Mujahideen militants, who escaped at the end of a day-long encounter in Kulgam’s Qazigund area on Tuesday, were arrested from two separate spots on Wednesday.A police official said combing operation in the Kund Nowbug area around the encounter site was resumed in the morning. A soldier and a militant were killed in the gun battle on Tuesday. A police official said a local militant, Aqib Iqbal Malik alias Talha Bhai, a resident of Ringet Noorabad, was arrested from the area. Malik, who joined militancy earlier this year, had been injured.Another militant, who is also believed to have fled from the encounter site in Kulgam, was apprehended as he was trying to board a train in the morning. He has been identified as Shams Waqar, said a police official.Meanwhile, the Army has identified the deceased soldier as sepoy Manjinder Singh. Singh, 22, joined the army in 2015 and was a resident of Punjab’s Mansa area.Mirwaiz, Malik arrestedSeparatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, addressed a small rally in Srinagar on Wednesday. They called for a shutdown on November 27 against the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raids and ongoing “crackdown of civilian population” during counter-insurgency operations in the Valley.The Mirwaiz and Mr. Malik, along with 30 supporters, were arrested when they tried to lead a protest march towards the city centre Lal Chowk.Earlier, Mr. Geelani addressed a rally on the phone. The Mirwaiz and Mr. Malik were present at Abi Guzar to jointly address the media. “This puppet government has crossed all limits of oppression. If they thinks they can break our resolve and unity, they are mistaken. We are not going to surrender under any circumstance,” said Mr. Malik. ‘Fabricated cases’He alleged that NIA raids and the security agencies’ operation against civilian population in south and north Kashmir “is aimed at forcing us to surrender.” The trio said the shutdown on November 27 was also against the “maltreatment of detainees and the fabricated cases being slapped on leaders and supporters.” For many months now, separatists in Kashmir have been barred from holding public rallies. read more
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LA would support a US Winter Games, but it’s complicated
2 dead in California school attack; gunman shoots self PLAY LIST 03:122 dead in California school attack; gunman shoots self02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. It’s also the story of Utah, which might get in the mix to host a Winter Olympics in 2026 or 2030.The chairman of the LA bid was in Park City on Tuesday for the U.S. Olympic Committee media summit to discuss Los Angeles’ recent victory; many of the questions he fielded, though, involved whether a U.S. bid for an upcoming Winter Games might make sense, too.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutout“Twenty-six is complicated, obviously,” Casey Wasserman said. “Obviously, there are real challenges from a timing perspective, two years before us. But I think our approach has been, the Olympic Games, whether summer or winter, are good for American athletes. Our intent is to be a good partner to the USOC and American athletes.”The USOC board will meet next month to discuss the possibility. The same country hasn’t hosted back-to-back Olympics since before World War II, though when the International Olympic Committee scrapped its traditional rules and awarded 2024 (Paris) and 2028 (LA) at the same time, it indicated it was certainly open to new ideas. Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002, and what remains there and in Park City pretty much adheres to Agenda 2020, the blueprint that IOC President Thomas Bach set for future Olympics, which calls for less spending on new venues and infrastructure.Through a legacy foundation, the area has maintained an Olympic speedskating oval and a Nordic skiing course, each of which have drawn local athletes to their respective sports and could be used as part of an upcoming bid. The Utah Olympic Park remains an active training ground for action sports, for both U.S. athletes and those from other countries who are invited to work out there.Meanwhile, Utah likes the Olympics: NBC says Salt Lake City has ranked as either No. 1 or 2 among U.S. TV markets over the last three Winter Games.Leaders of the movement to bring the games back to Utah have largely stayed quiet, not wanting to take the limelight from Los Angeles, which helped the U.S. put a stop to a long string of embarrassing losses on the Olympic bid front. But a handful have told The Associated Press that there is enthusiasm for a potential bid if the USOC will sign on.“There’s fantastic momentum to have the Games come back. I think we could do it for a very affordable price compared to the rest of the world,” said Ted Morris, the executive director of U.S. Speedskating, which is based in the Salt Lake City area. “In my opinion, looking at ’26 is probably not realistic, but ’30 seems like an opportunity.”ADVERTISEMENT Read Next LOOK: Loisa Andalio, Ronnie Alonte unwind in Amanpulo for 3rd anniversary Nonong Araneta re-elected as PFF president Frontrow holds fun run to raise funds for young cancer patients The most complicating factor for either year would be a reworking of an agreement between LA and the USOC that transfers the USOC’s marketing rights to the city’s organizing committee over an eight-year span. Adding another American Olympics to that mix would force some major renegotiations.There’s also the issue of the IOC bid process. Bach has redrawn the rules for 2026, creating friendlier deadlines for cities to commit to a bid. But he has not committed to a potential double award for 2026 and 2030, the way he did with 2024 and 2028.Also, the USOC will have to consider Denver and Reno, Nevada, which also have expressed interest in hosting a Winter Games but would be behind the curve compared with Salt Lake City.“Thomas Bach has publicly stated he’d like to see the Winter Games return to a more traditional location, and to me, that’s code for Europe or North America,” said USOC chairman Larry Probst, speaking to the fact that the hosts for 2014, 2018 and 2022 are Russia, South Korea and China. “We’ve got to look at that, then develop a strategy about whether we’re going to bid for the (2026) Winter Games or beyond that.” MOST READ FILE – In this Feb. 9, 2002, file photo, Georg Hackl, of Germany, speeds past an Olympic logo during a practice run for the men’s singles luge at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in Park City, Utah. The idea of the U.S. hosting a Winter Olympics is complicated. So says the leader of the team that brought the Summer Games to Los Angeles for 2028. LA 2028 chairman Casey Wasserman says his team would be supportive of a bid to bring the Winter Games to the United States. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)PARK CITY, Utah — The venues are there. The city loves the Olympics. The memories of the last games it hosted are still fairly fresh and mostly positive.This is the story of Los Angeles, which will host the Summer Games in 2028.ADVERTISEMENT Fire hits houses in Mandaluyong City Fire hits houses in Mandaluyong City Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC Playoff-bound Cubs lose to Reds in finale BSP sees higher prices in November, but expects stronger peso, low rice costs to put up fight Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH LATEST STORIES View comments read more
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N Srinivasan-led TNCA’s surplus up by Rs 7 crore
N SrinivasanDespite continuing to face various political and administrative roadblocks, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has a reason to smile, albeit in an entirely different area.The N. Srinivasan-headed TNCA improved upon its financial might in the year 2013-14. It earned a surplus of `15.28 crore during the year, despite being involved in cases with government agencies over several issues.This surplus was `6.8 crore more than it earned in 2012-13, which was `8.48 crore. And it was a handsome `12.90 crore more than the total surplus budgeted, according to the TNCAs annual report 2013-14, which is strictly meant for circulation amongst members only??.TNCAs problems did not end with the financial year. The Chennai Municipal Corporation did not allow TNCA to stage any IPL match in 2014 at the M. Chidambaram Stadium over the use of its three contentious spectator stands. Its impact would reflect in the 2014-15 balance sheet.TNCA officials would be feeling proud that the income in 2013-14 exceeded their expectations. For instance, under the head receipts from the BCCI, which is associations share of the Boards income from the media rights and IPL, the TNCA had budget of `26 crore. But it actually received `37.14 crore `11.14 crore more than it expected.The other source from which the eventual income exceeded its expectation was the interest. TNCA had budgeted `50 lakh for 2013-14, but received `1.08 lakh. This was `58.88 lakh more than they had anticipated.Under the head expenditure, depreciation occupied the biggest chunk. It was `8.06 crore in 2013-14.The next biggest spending was on development, and the areas under this head included the TNCA academy, consumption of cricket materials by districts and others, assistance and grants to districts, coaching schemes, coaches salaries, and ground expenses etc.advertisementThe total amount under this section was In 2013-14, Tamil Nadus surplus was `15.28cr, up by almost `7cr `3.58 crore, which was `1.08 crore more than in 2013-13. TNCA spent a lot of money on its various state-level tournaments these include interschool meets, under-14 to under-25 tournaments, TNCA League and Buchi Babu tournament etc., all of which are meticulously organised.The total expenditure on these was `2.74 crore. And on nationallevel tournaments, like the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy and the various age-group competitions, the TNCA spent `3.44 crore.TNCAs administrative expenses during 2013-14 was `2.66 crore, which included `1.22 crore spent on salaries alone. And the amount shown under other expenses section was `56.56 lakh.The association, however, has not painted a rosy picture in the 2014-15 budget.
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TKO semi-final draw announced
Kaizer Chiefs Kaizer Chiefs pitted against Bidvest Wits in TKO semi-finals Ernest Makhaya Last updated 2 years ago 23:59 11/5/17 FacebookTwitterRedditcopy Comments(0) Gallo Images Kaizer Chiefs League Cup Bidvest Wits Polokwane City Bloemfontein Celtic The draw for the semi-finals was conducted at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday afternoon Kaizer Chiefs have been drawn against Bidvest Wits in the semi-finals of the Telkom Knockout Cup.Amakhosi booked their place in the Last 4 after beating Chippa United 1-0 on Sunday afternoon through a Bernard Parker strike.As difficult the encounter away to the Students will be, Steve Komphela will fancy his chances for a place in the final. Article continues below Editors’ Picks Lyon treble & England heartbreak: The full story behind Lucy Bronze’s dramatic 2019 Liverpool v Man City is now the league’s biggest rivalry and the bitterness is growing Megan Rapinoe: Born & brilliant in the U.S.A. A Liverpool legend in the making: Behind Virgil van Dijk’s remarkable rise to world’s best player The 50-year-old mentor guided Chiefs to the final of the same competition in his first season in charge, only to lose to Mamelodi Sundowns.Meanwhile, Polokwane City will be at home against Bloemfontein Celtic in the other semi-final clash.Rise and Shine upset the odds to book their place in the semi-finals, thanks to their 4-2 penalty shootout win over Orlando Pirates on Saturday. This will be City’s first semi-final appearance since gaining promotion to the elite league, while Celtic are the former TKO champions.The two matches will take place on the weekend of November 18 and 19, 2017.However, the PSL will release the official dates, venues and kick-off times in due course. read more
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Couple chases down car sought in connection with 11-year-old's disappearance; Girl found safe
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Quick-thinking Massachusetts police used a highway construction site to stop the vehicle of a suspected kidnapper and rescue an 11-year-old girl Wednesday night.
Charlotte Moccia, of Springfield, was rescued unharmed after she was apparently abducted after getting off the school bus on Wednesday afternoon.
The girl was forced into a dark blue Honda at about 1:26 p.m., "not long after she got off her school bus," according to Massachusetts State Police.
Authorities issued an Amber Alert and released photos of Charlotte and the car they said was used in the abduction. At around 7:15 p.m., state police began receiving 911 calls from motorists on the Massachusetts Turnpike who had spotted the car near Brimfield, about half an hour from Springfield.
Watch police's efforts to rescue the 11-year-old and what techniques you can teach your kids to keep them safe.
Amanda Disley and Benny Correa were among those who spotted the car and called police. Disley shot video from inside the car while Correa followed the suspect, providing valuable information to police officers along the way.
"When he noticed that we were really chasing him all the way down the side streets, he just started blowing through every single red light, and my husband blew threw every single red light with him," Disley later told local television station WGGB.
"It's our city. We don't do that kind of stuff around here. That's not how we play, there's zero tolerance for that," Correa said of the abduction.
Officers eventually used a road construction site along the turnpike to funnel traffic into one lane, and then slow the traffic to a crawl. When they spotted the suspect's car, they stopped the vehicle and found Charlotte in the back seat, with the suspect in the driver's seat and a knife visible in the pocket of the door, police said.
One officer got Charlotte out of the car while two others removed the suspect at gunpoint.
"She's an amazing little girl," said State Police Lt. Bob Ackerman of Charlotte, who attends Hampden Charter School of Science. "I can't believe how strong she was dealing with this."
Charlotte was transported to the hospital for precautionary evaluation, but had no apparent injuries according to authorities.
The suspect, who was identified as 24-year-old Miguel Rodriguez was taken into custody.
"We're eternally grateful to the motorists that paid attention to the Amber Alert and called and reported seeing the vehicle," said Lt. Charles Murray. "There were a number of those calls and they made this rescue possible."
ABC News contributed to this report.
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massachusettschild abductionamber alertabductionu.s. & world
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Title Impact of family control on the relationship between earning management and future performance in Indonesia
Author Edy Suprianto, Doddy Setiawan
This study attempts to examine whether the family control has an impact on the relationship between earnings management and future performance. We also will assess whether the auditor has the important role in family firms. The total sample in this study has covered 918 firm-years or observations. We suggest that the average value of the future performance of family-based firms is better than the one of non-family firms. We also show that accrual earnings management in Indonesia is more opportunistic than efficiency. Finally, bigger auditor firms which selected by family firms have the positive effect on future performance.
Suprianto, Edy; Setiawan, Doddy, 2018. "Impact of family control on the relationship between earning management and future performance in Indonesia", Business and Economic Horizons, Vol.14, Issue2, pp.342-354. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15208/beh.2018.25
Adhikari, H. P., & Sutton, K. N. (2016). All in the family: the effect of family ownership on acquisition performance. Journal of Economics and Business, 88(November-December 2016), 65-78.
Anderson, R. C., & Reeb, D. M. (2003). Founding-family ownership and firm performance: evidence from the S&P 500. The Journal of Finance, LVIII(3), 1301-1328.
Ashton, R., & Brown, P. R. (1980). Descriptive modeling of auditors’ internal control judgments: replication and extension. Journal of Accounting Research 18(1), 269-277.
Bae, K., & Jeong, S. W. (2007), The value‐relevance of earnings and book value, ownership structure, and business group affiliation: Evidence from Korean business groups. Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, 34, 740-766.
Bao, S. R., & Lewellyn, K. B. (2017). Ownership structure and earnings management in emerging markets - an institutionalized agency perspective. International Business Review, 26(5), 828-838.
Bonner, Sarah E., & Lewis B. L. (1990). Determinants of auditor expertise. Journal of Accounting Research, 28, 1-20.
Bouzgarrou, H., & Navatte, P. (2013). International review of financial analysis ownership structure and acquirers performance: family vs non-family firms. International Review of Financial Analysis, 27, 123-134.
Claessens, S., Djankov, S., & Lang, L. H. P. (2000). The separation of ownership and control in East Asian corporations. Journal of Financial Economics, 58, 81-112.
Cohen, D. A., & Zarowin, P. (2010). Accrual-based and real earnings management activities around seasoned equity offerings. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 50(1), 2-19.
Graham, J. R. et al. (2005). The economic implications of corporate financial reporting. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 40, 3-73.
Habib, A., Haris, A., & Jiang, H. (2017). Political connections and related party transactions: evidence from Indonesia. I. Journal of Accounting, 1-19.
Jaffe, D. T., & Lane, S. H. (2004). Sustaining a family dynasty: key issues facing complex multigenerational business- and investment-owning families. Family Business Review, 17(1), 5-18.
Jensen, C. & Meckling, H. (1976). Theory of the firm: managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure. Journal of Financial Economics, 3, 305-360.
Lins, K. V. (2003). Equity ownership and firm value in emerging markets. The Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 38(1), 159-184.
Mitton, T. (2002). A cross-firm analysis of the impact of corporate governance on the East Asian financial crisis. Journal of Financial Economics, 64, 215-241.
Mulyani, E., Singh, H., & Mishra, S. (2016). Dividends, leverage, and family ownership in the emerging Indonesian market. Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, 43(July), 16-29.
Porta, R. L. et al. (2002). Investor protection and corporate valuation. The Journal of Finance, LVII(3), 1147-1170.
Prabowo, M., & Simpson, J. (2011). Independent directors and firm performance in family controlled firms: evidence from Indonesia. Asian Pacific Economic Literature.
PWC (2014). Survey Bisnis Keluarga 2014. Price Waterhouse Coopers.
Sankar, M. R., & Subramanyam, K. R. (2001). Reporting discretion and private information communication through earnings. J. of Accounting Research, 39(2), 365-386.
Sevin, S. et al. (2005). Earnings management: evidence from SFAS No. 142 Reporting. Managerial Auditing Journal, 20(1), 47-54.
Simunic, D. A. (1980). The pricing of audit services: theory and evidence:”Journal of Accounting Research 18(1), 161-90.
Siregar, S. V., & Utama, S. (2008). Type of earnings management and the effect of ownership structure, firm size, and corporate governance practices: evidence from Indonesia. The International Journal of Accounting, 43, 1-27.
Subramanyam, K. R. (1996). The pricing of discretionary accruals. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 22, 249-281.
Tucker, J. W., & Zarowin, P. A. (2006). Does income smoothing improve earnings informativeness? The Accounting Review, 81(1), 251-270.
Wang, D. (2006). Founding family ownership and earnings quality. Journal of Accounting Research, 44(3), 619-656.
Wang, K. T., & Shailer, G. (2017). Family ownership and financial performance relations in emerging markets. International Review of Economics and Finance, 51(May), 82-98.
Ward, J. L. (2004). How governing family businesses is different. In U. Steger, Mastering global corporate governance (pp. 135-167). Chichester, United Kingdom: Wiley
Watts, R. L., & Zimmerman, J. L. (1990). Positive accounting theory: a ten year perspective. The Accounting Review, 65(1), 131-156.
Wen, C. et al. (2015). Family firms and earnings management in Taiwan: influence of corporate governance. International Review of Econmics and Finance, 36, 88-98.
Xia, L. (2008). Founder control, ownership structure and firm value: evidence from entrepreneurial listed firms in China. China Journal of Accounting Research, 1(1), 31-49
Zhu, T. et al. (2015). Accrual-based and real activity earnings management at the back door: evidence from Chinese reverse mergers. Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 35(12), 317-339.
Keywords Accrual-based earning management, future performance, family firms
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Do You Know That The First Indian To Play 100 T20 Matches Is A Woman?
She is the first ever Indian to play 100 T20 matches when she played against the South Africa Women's Team.
Do you know who Harmanpreet Kaur is? Well, she is an Indian cricketer and the first Indian to play 100 International T20 matches. Yes, she has done what our male cricketers haven't been able to do so far. So let's take a look at who she is:
1) Harmanpreet Kaur was born on 8th March 1989 and she plays as an allrounder for the Indian women's cricket team. Her father Harmandar Singh Bhullar was himself a Volleyball and Basketball player.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2TP7cRAz88/
2) She made her debut in 2009 when she played against the Pakistan's women's team. And her first T20 debut was in June 2009 in the 2009 ICC Women's World Twenty20 against England women's cricket team.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BysrEJxg7pS/
3) She is an all-rounder. She is right-handed while batting and a right-arm offbreak bowler. She was the captain of India's squad for the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxg6ft1AKF-/
4) In October 2018, she baceme the only woman in India to score a hundred in a Women's Twenty20 International match.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxexnRVgTeC/
5) In October 2019, while playing against South Africa, she bacame te first Indian to play 100 T20 matches.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B32LHRGgQBy/
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alex powell
Quills&Ink Cafe
Hakusan Angel Rerelease
Rangers Over Regulus rerelease!
NaNoWriMo 2019 Start
Character Creation Overview
Creating characters usually works differently for different writers, and as far as I can tell, there’s no one right way to go about this – but there are plenty of wrong!
My characters from Across Borders
Sometimes, a character will just spring up, fully formed, without the writer ever having any say in the matter. One day, that writer will be doing something normal, and the next thing they know, they have someone in their head demanding to be written about. How this occurs, no one has any clear evidence, though there are many theories. Mine is that a writer’s subconscious is a scary place, and sometimes it breeds monsters.
Now, if only all characters saved a writer the trouble of having to make them.
Most of the time, a writer has to do it the hard way – by going out and figuring out everything about the protagonist they can. This is literally creating a person. It’s a great responsibility. Some people start with the story – what kind of protagonist do they need to move the story forward? That can be tricky, because you need to be able to predict human behaviour based on their character traits.
Other times, they start with the character, and then drop them in the middle of whatever conflict is going on in the book. I usually do my characters this way, although that often means that my novel will randomly change direction based on a decision my character made because that’s how I made them. It’s something a writer has to deal with.
(Note: for any RPG players that have GM experience – you know exactly what I mean. The other players never do what you want them to. Treat characters the same way – characters are people, with their own thoughts, feelings, and motivations separate from your own)
I like to start off with that character’s name, because names are fun. I used to make names up a lot, but lately I’ve discovered that the real world has some pretty interesting names as well. My real problem is that because I keep looking up baby names, Google thinks I’m pregnant. Get with the program Google!
Then I come up with character traits – some good, some bad, some neutral. Often lots of traits will overlap or complement each other, so that makes it easier. Let’s go back to impulsiveness, because it’s fun – a character might get into a lot of trouble because of their impulsiveness, but it also might make them friends and allies.
I think physical character traits are the easiest thing, and the thing you can change the most. Honestly, their appearance is just a flesh suit to put all the hard work I’ve already done inside. Mostly, I use physical character traits as a tool, to put more into my work. We’ll have the Diversity in Writing talk later, because while it’s important for the overall character of your writing, for your character, it’s slightly less important – it doesn’t make them who they are. I’ll explain more about that later, because that’s a whole different ocean of thought.
I could write a book on character creation, so we’ll leave it here. 500 words is not enough for this topic!
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AfricaBreaking NewsNews Now
Home›Africa›Zimbabwe ex-President Robert Mugabe is dead
Zimbabwe ex-President Robert Mugabe is dead
London, Sep 6, 2019 (AltAfrica) Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s first post-independence leader is dead. He died at the age of 95 after battling with ill health, sources close to his family revealed.
Mr. Mugabe was a Zimbabwean revolutionary and politician who served as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe from 1980 to 1987 and then as President from 1987 to 2017. He chaired the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) group from 1975 to 1980 and led its successor political party, the ZANU – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF), from 1980 to 2017. Ideologically an African nationalist, during the 1970s and 1980s he identified as a Marxist–Leninist, although after the 1990s self-identified only as a socialist.
Zimbabwe’s week of upheaval that saw Mugabe ousted
Mr. Mugabe was ousted from power in a military coup in November 2017, ending his three-decade reign.
Mugabe in 1979
He was born poor on 21 February 1924 to a poor Shona family in Kutama, Southern Rhodesia. Following an education at Kutama College and the University of Fort Hare, he worked as a school teacher in Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia, and Ghana. Angered that Southern Rhodesia was a colony of the British Empire governed by its white minority, Mugabe embraced Marxism and joined African nationalist protests calling for an independent state led by representatives of the black majority.
After making anti-government comments, he was convicted of sedition and imprisoned between 1964 and 1974. On release, he fled to Mozambique, established his leadership of ZANU, and oversaw ZANU’s role in the Rhodesian Bush War, fighting Ian Smith’s predominantly white government. He reluctantly took part in the peace negotiations brokered by the United Kingdom that resulted in the Lancaster House Agreement. The agreement ended the war and resulted in the 1980 general election, at which Mugabe led ZANU-PF to victory.
As Prime Minister of the newly renamed Zimbabwe, Mugabe’s administration expanded healthcare and education and—despite his professed Marxist desire for a socialist society—adhered largely to the mainstream, conservative economic policies.
Mugabe emphasised the redistribution of land controlled by white farmers to landless blacks, initially on a “willing seller–willing buyer” basis. Frustrated at the slow rate of redistribution, from 2000 he encouraged black Zimbabweans to violently seize white-owned farms. Food production was severely impacted, leading to famine, drastic economic decline, and international sanctions. Opposition to Mugabe grew, although he was re-elected in 2002, 2008, and 2013 through campaigns dominated by violence, electoral fraud, and nationalistic appeals to his rural Shona voter base. In 2017, members of his own party ousted him in a coup, replacing him with former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Having dominated Zimbabwe’s politics for nearly four decades, Mugabe is a controversial figure. He has been praised as a revolutionary hero of the African liberation struggle who helped to free Zimbabwe from British colonialism, imperialism, and white minority rule. Conversely, in governance, he has been accused of being a dictator responsible for economic mismanagement, widespread corruption, anti-white racism, human rights abuses, and crimes against humanity.
Robert Mugabe – key dates
1924: Born. Later trains as a teacher
1964: Imprisoned by Rhodesian government
1980: Wins post-independence elections
1996: Marries Grace Marufu
2000: Loses referendum, pro-Mugabe militias invade white-owned farms and attack opposition supporters
2008: Comes second in the first round of elections to Tsvangirai who pulls out of run-off amid nationwide attacks on his supporters
2009: Amid economic collapse, swears in Tsvangirai as prime minister, who serves in uneasy government of national unity for four years
2017: Sacks long-time ally Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, paving the way for his wife Grace to succeed him
November 2017: Army intervenes and forces him to step down
Current President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced his predecessor’s death on Twitter, describing him as an “icon of liberation” whose “contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten”.
It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe (1/2)
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) September 6, 2019
Energy Mutodi, deputy information minister with the governing Zanu-PF said: “This is a sorrowful moment for Zimbabwe and for Africa and the whole world. We are very much saddened by the passing on of our former president. He was an icon, he was the founding father of Zimbabwe.” Responding to criticism that Mr. Mugabe presided over the nation’s economic decline, Mr. Mutodi said: “There is a lot that he did that benefited the people of Zimbabwe… and Africa.”
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Kenya's flag at half mast for Robert Mugabe as African leaders pay tribute to"Uncle Bob" | Alternative Africa 6 September, 2019 at 11:59 Reply
[…] Zimbabwe ex-President Robert Mugabe is dead […]
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Cultural boycott of Israel (fight the israeli ethnical cleansing)
The issue of Israeli settlements has captured attention far beyond the arena of international politics. Several celebrities have now thrown their weight behind what is being termed a “cultural boycott” against further building on Palestinian land. But with Israel’s construction freeze due to expire at the end of the month, there are doubts that these efforts will make any impact. Al Jazeera’s Sherine Tadros reports.
Filed under: - boycott, ANTI-ISRAEL, ISRAEL, ISRAELI-APARTHEID POLICY, occupation, palestine, Racism/hate, Resistance, settlers, shoah, VIDEO & PICTS, zionism | Tagged: - boycott, colonialism, Cultural boycott, ethnic cleansing, hatred, ISRAEL, israeli apartheid, israeli banality, ISRAHELL, jerusalem, occupation, palestine, racism, resistance, settlements, settlers, shoah, west bank, zionism | Leave a comment »
VIDEO: Israel vs Israhell
Posted on September 3, 2010 by Antievil
Documentary about Israeli peace activists. For more information – join on Facebook > http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134111073300491
Filed under: A MUST READ, ANTI-ISRAEL, gaza, ISRAEL, ISRAELI-APARTHEID POLICY, occupation, palestine, Racism/hate, reflections, Resistance, resistance, settlers, shoah, VIDEO & PICTS, zionism | Tagged: annexation, appropriation, Breaking the silence, colonialism, documentry, ethnic cleansing, gaza, hatred, IDF, illegal, imperialism, ISRAEL, israeli apartheid, israeli banality, jerusalem, militarism, occupation, palestine, peace, propaganda, racism, resistance, settlers, shoah, west bank, whitness, zionism | Leave a comment »
ISRAHELL: Israeli butchery at sea
Posted on June 3, 2010 by Antievil
As I write this piece the scale of the Israeli lethal slaughter at sea is yet to be clear. However we already know that at around 4am Gaza time, hundreds of IDF commandos stormed the Free Gaza international humanitarian fleet. We learn from the Arab press that at least 16 peace activists have been murdered and more than 50 were injured. Once again it is devastatingly obvious that Israel is not trying to hide its true nature: an inhuman murderous collective fuelled by a psychosis and driven by paranoia.
For days the Israeli government prepared the Israeli society for the massacre at sea. It said that the Flotilla carried weapons, it had ‘terrorists’ on board. Only yesterday evening it occurred to me that this Israeli malicious media spin was there to prepare the Israeli public for a full scale Israeli deadly military operation in international waters.
Make no mistake. If I knew exactly where Israel was heading and the possible consequences, the Israeli cabinet and military elite were fully aware of it all the way along. What happened yesterday wasn’t just a pirate terrorist attack. It was actually murder in broad day light even though it happened in the dark.
Yesterday at 10 pm I contacted Free Gaza and shared with them everything I knew. I obviously grasped that hundreds of peace activists most of them elders, had very little chance against the Israeli killing machine. I was praying all night for our brothers and sisters. At 5am GMT the news broke to the world. In international waters Israel raided an innocent international convoy of boats carrying cement, paper and medical aid to the besieged Gazans. The Israelis were using live ammunition murdering and injuring everything around them.
Today we will see demonstrations around the world; we will see many events mourning our dead. We may even see some of Israel’s friends ‘posturing’ against the slaughter. Clearly this is not enough.
The massacre that took place was a premeditated Israeli operation. Israel wanted blood because it believes that its ‘power of deterrence’ expands with the more dead it leaves behind.
The Israeli decision to use hundreds of commando soldiers against civilians was taken by the Israeli cabinet together with the Israeli top military commanders. What we saw yesterday wasn’t just a failure on the ground. It was actually an institutional failure of a morbid society.
It is no secret that Palestinians are living in a siege for years. But it is now down to the nations to move on and mount the ultimate pressure on Israel and its citizens. The massacre was committed by a popular army that followed instructions given by a ‘democratically elected’ government.
Considering the fact that Israel stormed naval vessels sailing under Irish, Turkish and Greek flags, both NATO members and EU countries must immediately cease their relationships with Israel and close their airspace to Israeli airplanes.
Considering yesterday’s news about Israeli nuclear submarines being stationed in the Gulf, the world must react quickly and severely. Israel is now officially mad and deadly. The Jewish State is not just careless about human life, as we have been following the Israeli press campaign leading to the slaughter; Israel actually seeks pleasure in inflicting pain and devastation on others.
REf: Al jazeera
— Gilad Atzmon (gilad.co.uk) is an Israeli-born writer and jazz musician living in London. He had previously served in the Israeli military but he is currently an anti-racism campaigner. His latest CD is In Loving Memory of America.
Filed under: A MUST READ, gaza, ISRAEL, ISRAELI-APARTHEID POLICY, occupation, palestine, proIsrael thinktanks, Racism/hate, reflections, resistance, resistance, shoah, zionism | Tagged: colonialism, ethnic cleansing, gaza, Hamás, hate, hatred, IDF, imperialism, international law, ISRAEL, israeli apartheid, Israeli butchery, militarism, murder, occupation, palestine, purity of slaughter, resistance, Ship to Gaza, shoah, zionism | Leave a comment »
Gaza: it’s Hamas’s move now
Hamas must seize the initiative if there is ever to be an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine
So it has happened again. Nearly 18 months after the Israelis bombed Gaza to a wasteland, with barely a load of building materials allowed in since then, Turkey has taken the brunt of an operation of humanitarian assistance gone wrong.
The UN must establish the facts impartially and independently and, if laws have been broken, those responsible must be held to account. Political demonstrations posing as relief flotillas go wrong too easily and Israel understandably has to prevent weapons being smuggled into Gaza. But was this really the best way to bring the ships to shore for examination? A commando attack on civilian ships looks callous and disproportionate. No one should have been hurt, whatever the emotions behind all this.
Why is Gaza under siege in the first place? Under international law, the Israelis are responsible as the occupying force for the proper administration of the territory; and half the point of Israel is not to be above the law. Yet they are creating a traumatised territory of 1.5m neighbours, many of whose children seem to want to grow up to be suicide bombers. They are also pouring fertiliser on al-Qaida’s ground.
The director of UNRWA operations in Gaza, John Ging, gave a speech in London this week entitled “Illegal, inhuman and insane: a medieval siege on Gaza in 2010”. This objective humanitarian practitioner should be listened to. How has Israel, the only democracy in its region and a symbol of the need for racially inspired violence to end, come to risk any claim to international legitimacy in its handling of this situation?
Hamas are the enemy of Israel, but they do not have to be. They preach violent resistance too readily, yet over the past 17 months they have been trying to control the militant groups intent on threatening Israel with rockets – imperfectly perhaps, but not a single Israeli citizen has been killed (alas, one immigrant worker was) by a rocket since the Gaza bombing stopped in January 2009. They are also the implacable opponents of al-Qaida. They won a fair election in 2006 and claim to respect democracy. Let’s test them on that. At present, Hamas security people are being sniped at by the Israeli Defence Forces when they try to arrest other militant groups. This is genuinely getting insane.
The unwisdom of reliance on angry military responses is all the clearer when the mood in Palestine, in both the West Bank and Gaza, is steadily moving towards a negotiated end to the occupation. I am convinced from my own direct experience that Hamas is prepared to establish and respect a long-term ceasefire so that the talking can start without the threat of violence, and that they would enter in good faith, if that were reciprocated, into negotiations to establish two states in the disputed territories, Israel and Palestine, with their own rights and responsibilities under international law. The distortion of their position, a little of it the fault of their own PR, does no side any good.
If a comprehensive negotiation is too much to expect for now, what about a first step? I believe an arrangement to end the blockade is within reach if only Israel, Egypt and Gaza would test the possibilities of dialogue. Hamas have indicated that they could cease all attacks on Israeli soil, close the tunnels, release Gilead Shalit and stop the import of arms into Gaza if the blockade was ended, an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners were released and Gaza began to be rebuilt.
The Palestinians of course have work to do on their own internal reconciliation, while the relationship between Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza remains so bad. But the UN, the US, Russia, the EU and the Arab world must make a much more serious attempt to test the possibilities, putting ordinary Israelis and Palestinians first, not their own political comfort.
We are coming close to losing the chance of a two-state solution. US policy, based on a West-Bank-only approach, is locked in a cul-de-sac if Gaza is left out of the equation, because majority Palestinian support will be lacking. Israel is confident in the knowledge that it cannot be militarily defeated.
But that ignores the huge danger of losing the political, diplomatic, legal and moral high ground. This matters in today’s world, as the US and the UK discovered in Iraq, because government authority and public opinion interact closely, and legitimacy breeds support.
Israel’s relationship with Turkey was the key to a broader understanding with the Islamic community and others beyond the west. That now lies in tatters. If Israel is left as the permanent occupier, or controlling a one-state structure with part of its population downgraded or imprisoned, it will truly be a disaster for its people and what they stand for.
I hope that Hamas will not sit back and enjoy Israel’s discomfiture. They have so far, for a political organisation, attracted much too narrow a range of international support. If they wish to be widely accepted as a negotiating partner, they must unequivocally accept the only fully justified condition set by the international Quartet – the cessation of violence – underline that their objective is a two-state settlement, and win international friends for the ending of the occupation. In whoever’s hands, bombs, bullets, rockets and iron bars will achieve nothing. But a push for justice will.
• This article was originally written for the Times but not published
Ref: Guardian
Filed under: A MUST READ, ANTI-ISRAEL, gaza, ISRAEL, ISRAELI-APARTHEID POLICY, occupation, palestine, proIsrael thinktanks, Racism/hate, reflections, Resistance, shoah, zionism | Tagged: apartheid, colonialism, democracy, egypt, ethnic cleansing, gaza, Hamás, hate, hatred, IDF, imperalism, imperialism, ISRAEL, israeli apartheid, israeli banality, ISRAHELL, murder, occupation, palestine, propaganda, racism, resistance, settlers, shoah, turkey, UK, west bank, zionism | Leave a comment »
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The Nakba and the Two-State Solution
On the surface and viewed from the perspective of dominating powers, their designated minions, and entrenched cohorts, it may appear that the Nakba is diminishing. Several facts corroborate that view: the passage of time, the very dispossession and dislocation of millions, the tendency of official Palestinian “leadership” to accept whatever scraps they are given, the seemingly insurmountable military superiority of Israel and its main backer, the United States, to name a few.
Discursively also, talk of the Nakba has been curtailed, especially among official Palestinian Authority officials and Arab governments. It has been increasingly replaced by details and technicalities that avoid dealing with the crux of the Palestinian predicament.
Details and technicalities are evident in “negotiations” and “discussions” over the Two State Solution, settlements (stop, don’t stop, temporary freezes, natural growth,…), Jerusalem, municipal control of various services, collection and distribution of taxes, policing and security forces, road blocks, fences, airspace, percentages, companies, and so many other minutia. They serve to obscure the original and much larger issue at stake, namely, liberating Palestine.
By focusing exclusively on the Two State Solution and its accompanying and derivative details, it becomes possible (for some) to lose sight of the origin of the ongoing Palestinian predicament: namely, the Nakba.
The details are a method of exercising power over Palestinians. (1) They are evident, not only in the obvious control mechanisms that I just listed, but are also apparent in the very “negotiations” that took and take place between Israel / US and the Palestinians. From Madrid, to Oslo, to Taba, to Camp David, to the Road Map, to the current indirect Proximity Talks – one side has maps and details and conditions and rules, while the other side pleads, accepts, capitulates, and frequently, adopts the very language used by his oppressor.
An illustration of the above is Mahmoud ‘Abbas’ frequent references to “peace and security,” “growth,” and “stopping the settlements,” forgetting that the real issues are right of return, liberating the land, and an end to racist and usurping ideologies and governments. Another example is ‘Abbas’ recent reference to the land of historical Palestine as the land of the tanakh. In other words, he acceded to Netanyahu’s racist demand that Palestinians recognize Israel as “Jewish homeland” by buying into the Zionist myth that Jews were the original inhabitants of the land.
Yet another instance of Palestinian leadership adopting the language and reasoning of their oppressor was evident in the speech delivered by ‘Abbas at the opening of the third round of Fateh’s Revolutionary (not) Council. ‘Abbas insisted on the Two-State Solution. He even warned that “the idea of the so-called One State Solution has started leaking (tatasarrab) among people, because hope on the [real] ground is diminishing bit by bit… The question to the Israeli side is: do you want two states on the 1967 borders? We are ready. But if you don’t want, then you are responsible for what happens after that.” (Al-Jazeera (Arabic), 4/24/2010, “Abbas clings to the Two State Solution and Hamas Rejects.”) He continued his advice to Israel by saying that “the choice of peace needs brave Israeli leadership.”
Few were surprised by his obvious concern for the Israel’s well-being, least of all Israel and the United States. It is equally probable that there are countless Palestinians, Arabs, and believers in a just solution who are not surprised that he seems to have forgotten that liberating Palestine also needs brave leadership.
Instead, ‘Abbas addressed his rivals in Gaza, calling on them to accept the Egyptian proposal for Palestinian reconciliation and praising Hamas’ efforts at stopping the launching or rockets directed at Israel. He also urged Palestinians to abide by “peaceful popular resistance,” assuming that it is possible for anything peaceful to co-exist with a stage of siege, daily attacks, continued usurpation, racism, and so forth.
In truth, this is a new term with an old meaning: a submission that is rationalized by “realism.”
Facts exist but cannot speak. There is a whole system and class of people, “experts,” “leaders,” institutions and organizations that mediate what they will mean. They will assign words to the meanings / facts. And somewhere else, in the dominated part of the world, a different people who are oppressed and/or excluded from this system of control, stand perplexed and outraged that a diametrically opposite word was assigned and repeated, hijacking their facts, their meanings, their reality.
The facts are a product of social, historical, oppositional, economic, and political circumstance. Those who live them know the right word for the real meaning. But others assigned as “leaders” over them, dutifully transpose and impose the altered terminology. The new word becomes the new normal, the “realistic,” the quick deal that we can consume immediately, forever destroying the original source.
This is precisely what the Two State Solution and its details entail.
And yet, all these things aside, the Nakba continues unabated, growing in significance and in numbers. Most conspicuous is the demographic growth in the number of Palestinians who are descendants of the Nakba, whether they are refugees, settled, or unsettled. To those we must add more numerical growth due to the continued displacement and dispossession of Palestinians in present-day Israel as a direct result of Israeli military orders, exclusionary laws, banishment, forced exile, dispossession, house demolitions, and so forth.
Conceptually also, the Nakba strengthens. This is evident in emergent groups, discourses of counterhegemony, resistance movements, and the growing International Boycott Divestment and Solidarity (IBDS) movement. There is a palpable change in the international perception of Israel that emerged during and after its assault on Gaza. (2) This has forced Israel to launch a diplomatic propaganda campaign, “Brand Israel,” to repair the damage to its image.
The fact that the hundreds of thousands of refugees in Gaza were direct products of the Nakba of Israeli establishment over their ancestral homes is significant. The fact that Israel was unable to accomplish any of its political goals in Gaza, despite the wanton destruction, also has important repercussions. Thus, the Nakba, directly or indirectly, continues to be a catalyst for a continuing re-evaluation of Israel’s position as a dominating power. Militarily, the last several wars that Israel has launched against Lebanon and Gaza have made obvious its weaknesses. Furthermore, it is amply demonstrable in the world today that military superiority is no solution to determined and organized resistance and insurgency.
Thus, there is hope in recognizing the persistence of the Nakba. It stands as an event in human history that exists beyond the reach of dominating systems – even though the latter may have caused it. This makes change possible and limits the power of a hegemonic or dominating system. The Nakba is a historical reality that refuses to go away, providing the fuel for emergent movements and resistance.
Nevertheless, dominant powers continue their efforts to marginalize the Nakba as a central unresolved crisis.
Just in time for the commemoration of the Nakba, U.S. mediator George Mitchell is meeting with Israeli and Palestinian officials (after Palestinian officials sought and got approval from Arab officials), in order to start the process that will lead to so-called indirect proximity talks that were announced by U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. The Washington Post reported that Mitchell is trying to break the stalemate “in recent months,” (3) perhaps forgetting that, from the perspective of most Palestinians, there has not been progress, in fact there has been retrogression, on the “solution” to the conflict since Madrid and Oslo happened almost two decades ago.
According to the article, “For the Palestinians, the two paramount issues are territorial borders — precisely how much of the West Bank Israel will surrender and the future of Jerusalem.” Yet again there is confirmation that externally designated Palestinian “leaders” are making a complete mockery of the Nakba, not even referencing that the crux of the problem is the dispossession of millions of people and the usurpation and colonization of Palestinian land.
When one listens to the words of a Mahmoud ‘Abbas or a Salim Fayyad, it becomes obvious that it makes no difference who among the “leaders” of the Palestinian Authority (PA) talks. The content is the same, for they are simply delivery mechanisms and not the creators of the message. (The same applies to most other Arab leaders.) Having reached the inevitable terminus of the Peace Process and the Road Map and their interminable negotiations, they are now clutching the straw of the Indirect Proximity Talks. ‘Abbas, desperate to sustain a role for himself, was busy throwing the hot potato to equally ineffectual Arab leaders. The latter, if they do anything at all, they pass on the hot potato to the United Nations or some future conference of the Arab League. In other words, they try to freeze the hot potato to death.
Such “leaders” do not acknowledge that there is no justification for the assumption that a Two State solution is a teleological goal. It has failings that must be examined in light of new forms of reasoning, new events, and new practices. (4) For while, the “vision” of the Two State is “legitimate” in “the international consensus,” legitimacy is in the eye of the beholder. “Whose consensus?” is a legitimate question. What about the point of view of the people who most affected by this consensus?
One need only to look at borders, roads, contiguity, sovereignty dimensions, economic sufficiency, and so forth to realize that the Two State Solution is hardly “realistic.” While the Palestinian Authority is entrenched in political quietism, self-censorship, and obeisance, they nonetheless must confront the effects of that path.
This particular “pragmatic” approach, being a product of its dominating system, cannot envision and does not admit that it cannot have power over everything.
The weakness of this “realistic” approach is that it cannot anticipate or deal with change. It cannot account for peoples’ abilities to imagine an alternative future society. It cannot admit that some can perceive and analyze the nature of power and oppression in their present societies, thereby making it possible to counteract the details and to resist internalization of dominating ideologies. (5)
Dominating systems do not and cannot combat resistance or insurgency or rebellion effectively every time.
The PA and the dominating system of which it is a functionary must ultimately face the truth that concepts and facets of what is considered “authoritative” and “traditional” is frequently ambiguous and contestable. Authority is valuable only insofar as it offers choices for society. Choices that must be viable for its future welfare. Otherwise, other “traditions” and “authorities” will emerge. This is precisely the fate that is facing the Two State solution.
Putting aside any moral and ethical arguments against the Two State solution, all the facts on the ground are obliterating a potential second state. Even within this putative proto-state, Israel is obliterating this possibility. A recent example was reported by Amira Hass on 4/22/2010 in Ha’aretz. Israel began implementing a new military order, No.1650, regarding the Prevention of Infiltration (Amendment No. 2). It defines “a Palestinian with a Gaza Strip address as a punishable infiltrator if he is found in the West Bank.” This is the latest in a series of steps to sever Gaza from Palestinian society. It is also part and parcel of Zionist laws enacted at Israel’s founding, such as the Law of Return and the Law of Present Absentees, and so forth, whose aims are to control space and to fragment and dispossess Palestinian society.
The economy of the proto-state under the Palestinian Authority’s Two-State path is also illustrative of the non-realism and non-viability of the purported goal. It may serve as an indicator of what is entailed in the future if this “vision” of a Two State is pursued any longer.
The latest economic figures released by the Arab League Economic Report on the Palestinian Occupied Territories in 2009 clearly show the deterioration. Here are a few examples. Between 1999-2008, Palestinian real inflation-adjusted GNP fell off a cliff by 35% to $1,108. A significant factor in that is the multitude of Israeli restrictions, land confiscations (the West Bank lost 15% of its agricultural capacity due to the apartheid wall), destruction of trees and farmland, and so forth that have led to a sharp decline in olive oil production. Real per capita income fell by almost 21% to $1,284. The services sector grew to a record 76.8% of GDP with all that this entails in terms of declining productive capacity of the overall economy. This is also reflected in the fact that the trade deficit grew by 14% to $3.032 billion. Unemployment is now officially recorded at 16% in the West Bank and 49% in Gaza.
Also contributing to the dependency (and ensuring political obedience), external revenue, including remittances and global financial aid grew sharply to reach $2bn, much of it spent internally on PA commitments to civil servants and security personnel.
A UN Seminar on Assistance to the Palestinian People, held in Vienna by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on 3/24/2010, corroborated and added to the statistics provided by the Arab League report. (6) Mahmoud El-Jafari, Dean and Professor of Economics at Al-Quds University noted that there are twin budget and trade deficits. The ratio of imports to exports stands at 60%. He added that absolute poverty rates stood at 57.3 %, according to 2007 figures (i.e. pre-Gaza assault – whose damage is estimated at 25% of GDP). In Gaza, 76.9 % are under the national poverty line.
The comments made by Mahmoud Elkhafif, Coordinator of Assistance to the Palestinian People Unit at the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), revealed that post-Oslo, there has been an “integration” of the Palestinian and Israeli economies. These have been hugely advantageous to Israel at the expense of the Palestinians. Israel takes advantage of Palestinian land, water and labor as it simultaneously isolates Palestinians from their historical economic partners in the Arab countries. Moreover, the Paris Protocol framework for economic relations has produced a semi-customs union in which the PA could not have its own currency, monetary, or trade policy. Israel determines value added tax, collects it and, depending on how cooperative the PA is perceived, pays it to the PA. But even in good times, he said, the payment was just 60% of the figure owed.
Elkhafif concluded with the disturbing indicator of the extent of exploitation: that in the 1980s, Israeli income had been 7.5 times that of Palestinians and was now about 17 times higher.
Any reasonable assessment of this situation would see the proof in the pudding, so to speak. Why ‘Abbas and his cohorts cling to the Two State solution can only be attributed to factors that do not and will not benefit Palestinian society or national aspirations.
The other side of the coin is Israel.
The last several wars that Israel has launched against Lebanon and the Palestinians have revealed a serious decline in its capacity to accomplish its military and political goals. Despite the wanton destruction wreaked by its vastly more superior military, the image / myth of its invincibility has been irrevocably shattered.
This topic has been dealt with extensively elsewhere, so I will not dwell on it here. Instead, I would like to offer a few examples to consider in re-assessing Israel as well as the “realistic” position of why Arabs and Palestinians must capitulate to its demands.
It is well-known that Israel needs the assistance of the United States, to shield it from approbation in international venues such as the UN, and to help it financially, militarily, economically, in research and development, and so forth. Israel is also failing in the key category of providing guaranteed results to empire. Prominent among those failures is its inability to impose peace on its terms, nor to wage war from which it is confident to emerge as victor. This is not to dismiss its indisputable military superiority, but it does indicate that it is no longer enough or even capable of achieving its political goals.
It is therefore time to re-assess the “realistic” approach. For many years now, the dominant view of Israel in much of the Arab world has reflected an internalization of the myth of Israeli superiority, not morally or ethically, but militarily and economically. Conveniently, it was parroted and propagated by successive different Arab governments in order to rationalize and justify the shirking of their historic responsibility to help Palestinians in achieving self-determination and independence based on the liberation of all usurped land.
But ultimately, the historically insurmountable reality that is the Nakba stands. It is distressing that the Palestinians as a people, need to remind their so-called leaders as well as most other Arab leaders, of their lived reality which has struggled for decades to ensure that their fundamental and inalienable rights are not forgotten or whittled away by the pseudo pragmatic reality of a Two State solution. Once again, for those who may have forgotten, these are: the right to their land and a national home, the right of return, the right to determine their own destiny, and the right to compensation for dispossession and the horrors and crimes of occupation.
Dina Jadallah is an Arab-American writer and artist. She studied political science at Georgetown and the University of Chicago. She is the author of numerous articles dealing with political developments in the Arab world. Her work was published at Arab Studies Quarterly, Palestine Chronicle, Counterpunch, Ramallah Online, and Global Research, among others. She can be reached at d.jadallah@gmail.com.
(1) These details may remind some readers of Michel Foucault’s theory of power. His theory of (pouvoir et savior) analyzes how systems of control work by confinement from the inside. Their functioning depends first on the continuity of the institutions that confine and second, on the proliferation of justifying technical ideologies for the institutions. These technical ideologies may be discourses, such as is evident in talk and conduct related to the roadmap, the peace process, security, development through privatization, and so forth. But that power needs detail in order to work. For example, in the case of the confinement of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, these would consist of the proliferation of road blocks, military orders, fences, curfews, long lists of what will be allowed to pass through the siege on Gaza, and so forth. Foucault has no role for classes, economics, insurgency and rebellion in societies, however. And this is the reason for the circularity and the trap – there is no escape within his conception of this type of power.
(2) This is apparent in various international polls. See for instance this large European Union poll: http://www.eutimes.net/.
(3) See http://www.washingtonpost.com/.
(4) Several have written about this topic. Notable among them is Ali Abunimah’s One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse (2006).
(5) My statements are based on Chomsky’s insightful critique of Foucault. It offers a way out of the trap of a dominating system. He argued that a sociopolitical battle can be waged with two objectives: 1) persons and groups can imagine an alternative future society that is based on a more just conception of human nature; and 2) that persons and groups have the ability to perceive and analyze the nature of power and oppression in their present societies. Both of these together may lead to resistance and counterhegemony, thus providing a way to escape the trap.
(6) See http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/.
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Alan P. Mintz, MD Award
L. Stephen Coles, M.D., Ph.D. Award
2010 CONFERENCE:
April 22-25, Boca Raton, FL
Nov 11-14, Las Vegas, NV
AMMG Awards Anna Cabeca, D.O. the Prestigious Alan Mintz Award for Clinical Excellence
Jeff Morris
On the morning of Friday, November 3, 2017 at the 23rd Clinical Applications for Age Management Medicine Conference, Anna Cabeca, D.O. was presented with the 11th Annual Alan P. Mintz, M.D. Award for Clinical Excellence in Age Management Medicine.
The ceremony, at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona, was the culmination of a journey that began with Dr. Cabeca's own family, a journey that was given a giant boost when, appropriately, she attended a lecture taught by Dr. Mintz himself.
"What I feel led me into age management was really the preventive medicine aspect," she told the E-Journal. "Having come from a family with a strong history of diabetes and heart disease, with first heart surgeries at age 50 and my mom dying at 67, I knew that there was something I was missing. And if I could get to the underlying causes, I could probably avert the disease process altogether."
"I went to a lecture," Dr. Cabeca continued, "and Alan Mintz was speaking and it was age management medicine, integrative medicine, and he spoke about, especially in women’s health, the deficit of understanding bioidentical hormones, and giving people options as you get to these underlying causes of disease and the impact of lifestyle changes. To see a field of medicine burgeoning by combining these aspects really made sense to me. It seemed to me a really good platform with which to approach care of medical patients in general."
Dr. Cabeca explained that she was a rural health physician. "I was a National Health Service Corps scholar, so my practice was in southeast Georgia, and we had huge medical needs here. So what we could do to increase health stemmed from preventing the disease process, and reversing it with lifestyle changes using natural therapies and bioidentical hormones."
A board certified Gynecologist and Obstetrician, Dr. Cabeca is also board certified in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, an expert in Functional Medicine, and an expert in women’s health and sexual health. Dr. Cabeca's educational resume is long and varied. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Psychology from Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA; completed graduate course work in Biostatistics and Biochemistry at the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences, at the National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD; completed graduate course work in Epidemiology in the College of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. completed graduate course work in Epidemiology and Environmental Medicine, at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA; earned her medical degree from Nova-Southeastern University of the Health Sciences in Florida, and did her residency training in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Cabeca describes herself as "medical doctor, mother, advocate for women’s health, researcher and educator" and frequently lectures nationally and internationally regarding restorative health and women’s health issues. She specializes in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and natural alternatives, successful menopause and age management medicine. Dr. Cabeca is a mother of 5, speaks four languages, and grew up in a multilingual and multicultural household, which nurtured her love for international medicine and travel. She has traveled around the world learning from and experiencing cutting edge centers, and alternative healing modalities.
She retired her clinical practice in 2013, and now focuses on educating women and men worldwide, including physicians and healthcare providers, on successful age management, hormone balance and women’s health. She is a consultant and trainer for other physicians in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy and Functional Medicine Principles. She is also the creator of highly acclaimed virtual transformational programs: Women's Restorative Health, SexualCPR and Magic Menopause™ and hosts the highly regarded series, Couch Talk, featuring podcasts on current and cutting-edge health topics. Dr. Cabeca is also the developer of an alkaline super foods drink, and a rejuvenating feminine vulvar cream for women. Her belief is that the advantages of creating health and hormone balance are that we not only improve our own health, but also improve the health of our generations to follow.
Beginning in 2009, Dr. Cabeca became a frequent presenter at Clinical Applications for Age Management Medicine Conferences, and served on the AMMG Conference Planning Committee. She has spoken extensively on detoxification, one of the "Seven Keys to Optimal Health" in her Women's Restorative Health program. Most recently she has focused on vaginal health, which she says is extremely important in women's lives, and not only in their reproductive years. "We need to maintain vaginal health all our lives," she said, telling the E-Journal that vaginal health is a significant indication of internal health. “I take the vagina seriously because I’m a gynecologist," she said, "but also because when I started practicing in rural Georgia, three of my patients in the first six months had serious vaginal disease. I’ve had patients tell me they were told that they never need to have another pap smear after a hysterectomy or after menopause because they would never have any other issues. This is a very grave misconception and misinterpretation."
On receiving the Alan P. Mintz, M.D. Award, Dr. Cabeca said, "To receive this award, especially after retiring my practice—being a single mom since my divorce seven years ago, and deciding to spend as much time as possible with my kids—is such an honor, and quite a surprise. I'm very grateful to AMMG for deciding to bestow this honor on me."
As for her future plans, Dr. Cabeca said she is launching another Magic Menopause program, "an 8-week program for women to take online, from the comfort of their home," in which she will focus on nutrition. And, she is writing a book on menopause, which should be coming out next year.
(right) Dr. Cabeca gestures emphatically in a meeting during her time as a member of the AMMG Conference Planning Committee.
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Home / Artists / Peter Williams
Born 1952, America
LIves and works in Delaware
The paintings of Peter Williams have been described by artist and writer William Eckhardt Kohler as “in no particular order: hallucinogenic, acerbic, pained, beautiful, confessional, obsessive, critical, jarring, wild, weird, and profoundly human. They are born from Williams’ experiences of race, appetite, and physical vulnerability. The visual lexicon is a heady blend of psychedelic color, abstract pattern, and cartoon-manic imagery.” Williams presented his first solo exhibition at Luis De Jesus Los Angeles in 2018. Other recent solo exhibitions include Foxy Productions and Novella Gallery in New York and Paul Kotula Projects in Detroit. In 2017, he participated in Prospect.4: The Lotus In Spite Of The Swamp, Prospect Triennial, New Orleans, and in 2016 he was included in the group show “Me, My, Mine: Commanding Subjectivity in Painting” at DC Moore Gallery. Williams is the recipient of numerous grants, including a Joan Mitchell Award in 2004, Williams was included in the 2002 Whitney Biennial and is in the permanent collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Walker Art Center, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Mott-Warsh Collection in Flint, MI and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
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Trivium Art HistoryGeorges Braque
Cards and Dice
Cards and Dice is a Cubist, Oil on Canvas Painting created by Georges Braque in 1914. It lives at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Spain. The image is tagged Still Lifes, and Synthetic Cubism. Source
Their Cubist adventure led Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque along parallel paths up until 1914. That year, when the First World War broke out, Braque joined up and went to the front. By the time he returned to painting, his work and Picasso’s had taken very different paths. Cartes et dés (Cards and Dice) has the added value of being one of the last works done during the period when the two artists shared the same aesthetic ideas. Framed by a horizontal oval reminiscent of a games table, the composition is structured around a number of motifs (cards, dice, a glass, etc.), mostly associated with games of chance. The complexity of the volumes and the incorporation of some tones that get away from the chromatic severity of Cubism are signs of Braque’s experimentation with regard to the discovery and subsequent development of the papiers collés technique. Already some distance from the rigidity of Analytical Cubism, Cartes et dés anticipates the sensuousness of later compositions by the artist.
More Georges Braque
Cubist Artwork
Oil on Canvas Artwork
Still Life le Jour
Georges Braque, 1929
Nature Morte a la Guitare
The Crystal Vase
About Georges Braque
Still Life with Ginger Jar 1
About Cubism
Night Landscape
More Oil on Canvas
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HANSARD 1803–2005 → 1990s → 1998 → March 1998 → 26 March 1998 → Commons Sitting
HC Deb 26 March 1998 vol 309 cc681-98 681 3.31 pm
§ The Minister for Welfare Reform (Mr. Frank Field)
With your permission, Madam Speaker, I should like to make a statement on the Government's Green Paper, "New Ambitions for our Country: A New Contract for Welfare".
The Green Paper sets out the principles of reform, based on the twin pillars of work and security: work for those who can; security for those who cannot.
Today, we set before the House a comprehensive review of the welfare system, an argument about why it has to change, the eight principles on which change will be based, the success measurements against which progress should be judged over the next 10 to 20 years, and the areas where legislation will be required in the short, medium and long term.
The Green Paper offers the prospect for pensioners of a decent income in retirement. It offers a fresh start to disabled people—civil rights, help getting into work for those who want to, and a better system for making sure money goes to those in need.
To all those of working age, the Green Paper offers greater help into work. It promises children and families greater support. It does that within a system radically reformed to make it more efficient, clearer, fairer and dedicated to rooting out fraud and abuse.
The Green Paper considers how social advance in this country is best achieved and how, at the same time, we can also lift people from poverty and dependence to dignity and independence.
For me, today's statement marks a milestone in a journey that has so far lasted 30 years. The Green Paper draws on my experience with the Low Pay Unit and the Child Poverty Action Group, and on the Social Security Select Committee, but, above all, it draws on what I have learnt from listening to my constituents in Birkenhead about the need for welfare reform. Those who rely on benefits for their everyday existence are the real experts here.
It is a particular honour, then, to play a part in translating ideas into practice. I have, however, learnt a few home truths over the past few decades. The first is that changes to the benefit system affect the lives of people in ways that many of us can only half imagine. The second is that the need for change is overwhelming. The system as it stands promotes fraud and deception, not honesty and hard work. It has led to growing poverty and dependence, not independence. It has fuelled social division and exclusion, not helped in the creation of a decent society.
The economy and society of today are profoundly different from the era when William Beveridge laid the foundation stones of today's welfare state. The world of work, the shape of families, the chances of a long life, and people's attitude to government have all altered in fundamental ways. At the heart of the Green Paper is a new welfare contract between Government and citizen. Together, we must break the cycle of dependency and insecurity, and empower all our citizens to lead a dignified and fulfilling life.
These changes are driven by the need for reform. What is more, the money that we spend must be spent in the best and fairest way possible. For a system to be durable 682 and fair, it must have costs that are manageable and under control. We want to spend more in some areas, such as health and education, and on help for severely disabled people with the greatest needs, but we want to spend less in others, to get the bills for social and economic failure down by cutting unemployment, tackling low pay, raising skills, rooting out fraud and abuse, and encouraging greater self-provision where appropriate.
Our reforms are driven by principle. I now wish to deal with the eight principles in the Green Paper—the key clauses of the new contract. First, the new welfare state should help and encourage people of working age to work where they are capable of doing so. Work offers the best escape route from poverty and dependence, a platform on which to save, and a sense of individual purpose.
We already have the new deals, which are the biggest attack on structural unemployment for decades; a Budget which will make work pay; and a minimum wage to end poverty pay. In addition, the Green Paper shows how the Government will extend the new deal to partners of the unemployed under the age of 25, based on the principle that responsibilities and rights go together, and to all lone parents with school-age children, giving them the opportunity for an interview and help with job search and child care. We also propose to end the 16-hour limit on the amount of unpaid work disabled people on benefit can do; extend the period from eight weeks to a year during which disabled people can have a job and come back on to benefit at the old rate if their health fails; increase the number of personal advisers available to claimants providing individually tailored help; and introduce a single work-focused gateway into the benefits system for people of working age, sweeping away the duplication, waste and bureaucracy of today.
We shall modernise government to achieve closer collaboration between the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service, making it clear that the system's first objective is to get people back into work.
I shall now deal with pensions. The second principle is that the public and private sectors should work in partnership to ensure that, wherever possible, people are insured against foreseeable risks and make provision for their retirement.
In our manifesto, we said that the basic state pension will remain the foundation of pensions provision, and will be uprated at least in line with prices. That commitment remains. We do, however, need to get greater help to the poorest pensioners. The Green Paper shows how that will be done.
However, with an aging population, over time, more will need to be saved for pensions, but the share borne by taxpayers cannot go up, or the costs of the system will become unsustainable. We want everyone to benefit from a second pension, on top of the state pension. That is what our proposals for stakeholder pensions are all about. It is clear that, unless there is more saving towards retirement, we will continue to see into the next century far too many of our pensioners retiring on incomes that do not properly reflect the rising prosperity of the nation.
The Government have launched a review of pensions. We have received many submissions, as part of the review, that recommend an extension of compulsory second pensions to those who are currently not covered and an increase in the minimum compulsory saving rate. We are considering those proposals seriously. Later in the
683 year, we shall publish the Green Paper on pensions. I can say today that the Government plan to bring forward legislation later in this Parliament.
An additional change is proposed in the Green Paper. Today, people can lose benefit if they have taken out insurance to pay off loans on their car or credit card, and then lose their job. We want more people to help themselves, so that is simply absurd. We will change the benefit rules to ensure that people who insure themselves will no longer be penalised for it.
The third principle is that the new welfare state should provide public services of high quality to the whole community, as well as cash benefits. We have already set out in detail our proposals for education reform, for changing the national health service and for improving the housing stock. I do not need to repeat them. However, in addition, we are proposing a major reform and expansion of the current system of child care in this country, on the basis that help with looking after children can be as important as any cash benefit.
From next month, we shall start the expansion of our network of child care clubs, providing a further 20,000 places across the country and laying the foundation for Britain's first national child care strategy. Our comprehensive programme will be set out in a Green Paper that we shall publish after Easter.
The fourth principle is that disabled people should get the support that they need to lead a fulfilling life with dignity. In our country, everyone has a contribution to make—and that includes, of course, disabled people. Today, I want to announce a substantial programme of reform in that area, based on the following key changes. First, we want better rights for disabled people. We shall bring forward legislation, at the earliest possible time, to establish a disability rights commission to protect, enforce and promote the rights of disabled people.
Secondly, more help will be given to those who can and want to work. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of disabled people want the chance to work. Thirdly, extra help will be given for those severely disabled people with the greatest need. Fourthly, we pledge that those benefits covering the additional costs faced by disabled people—disability living allowance and attendance allowance—will remain universal, national benefits.
At the same time, we shall be looking at ways to ensure that help goes to the right people. The recent report of the disability living allowance advisory board presented worrying information. It found that in two thirds of cases there was not enough evidence to support the claim, and that one third of awards made for life were made to people whose condition might have been expected to improve. Meanwhile, evidence from the forthcoming disability survey suggests that only around half of those eligible may be taking up their DLA entitlement. The current gateways clearly are not working and need reform. We propose, after consultation with disabled people and groups representing them, to legislate for new gateways that are clearer, fairer and easier for people to use
We all know that the previous Government used incapacity benefit to disguise the real level of unemployment. Since 1979, the number of people on incapacity benefit has trebled, pushing the cost of the benefit up to almost £8 billion, which is more than we spend on the whole police force in England and Wales.
684 We accept that people currently on incapacity benefit have built a standard of living around it, but, for future claimants, we must fundamentally reform the benefit.
The all-work test for entry on to the benefit writes off far too many people. We want to move from the current focus simply on what people cannot do, to focus on what, with the right help, they can do; so we need reform. In place of the current test, we are looking instead to assess the scale of people's employability, and then give them the opportunity to get the help they need to return to work. Taken together with changes already made, the proposal will reduce significantly the numbers who come on to the benefit in the future, and will thereby produce increasing savings over time.
That will be a major reform. Savings will be found, which will allow us to give more help to severely disabled people with the greatest needs. I emphasise that, as with all these proposals, at every stage we shall consult disabled people and organisations that represent them. As a result of our reforms, disabled people will get a better deal with proper rights, opportunities to work and a benefits system that better reflects their needs.
The fifth principle is that the system should support families and children, as well as tackling the scourge of child poverty. It is unacceptable that nearly 3 million children grow up in households without a wage earner. Child poverty shames our nation. The Green Paper outlines a comprehensive package of help for families with children. That will build on our existing measures to help children: a child care tax credit, covering up to 70 per cent. of eligible child care costs; an extra £2.50 on child benefit and on the rates for younger children of families on income-related benefits; and parental leave.
In an ideal world, families would always stay together, but in real life some parents split up, and the children suffer in more ways than one. The Child Support Agency was intended to help children, but, as proper maintenance is secured in only a third of cases, it is clearly failing. We spend £200 million a year simply to run the CSA, and we secure only £500 million maintenance as a result. I can announce today that we will be bringing forward proposals for fundamental reform of the agency to make it administratively more simple, and fairer, and to get rid of a situation in which it is often the parents who keep in closest touch with their children who get hit the hardest.
The sixth principle is that there should be specific action to attack social exclusion and help those in poverty. Our attack on social exclusion will include a new deal for communities, offering targeted help to areas worst hit by economic change. For areas with multiple problems—crime, drugs, poor housing and educational underperformance—there will be an integrated programme of support and renewal. Action zones for education, health and employment will pioneer the innovation and co-ordination necessary to tackle what is a national problem.
In addition, in the next few weeks the social exclusion unit will present its first plans to tackle two of the root causes of social exclusion: truancy and exclusion from school, and sleeping rough on the streets.
The seventh principle is that the system should encourage openness and honesty, and the gateways to benefit should be clear and enforceable.
I have spent a good part of my parliamentary life urging concerted action to tackle benefit fraud, which erodes the whole basis of the welfare contract. Every £1 in the 685 pocket of a fraudster is £1 less in the pocket of someone in need, so it gives me great pleasure to announce the Government's crackdown on fraud.
Today's report from the Public Accounts Committee shows the scale of the problem we face in just one area—housing benefit fraud. Almost £1 billion is lost in fraud, with suspected fraudsters having a 99 per cent. chance of getting off scot-free. That underlines the importance of the action we are now taking to tackle housing benefit fraud.
We have radically altered the focus of the benefit fraud inspectorate to inspect our own agencies as well as local authorities and ensure that they work together to crack down on fraud. We are strengthening the link between the Benefits Agency and local authorities to make sure that information on possible fraudulent claimants gets passed across quickly. There will be a new framework of guidance for local authorities to check claims for housing benefit properly, to prevent and root out fraud. The Government will use new powers to set targets for local authorities for improvements in tackling fraud and penalise them if they fail to take sufficient action. We are giving local authorities new powers to stop housing benefit getting paid directly to landlords who have committed fraud. Some of those measures may seem draconian, but I have no doubt that they are right.
The measures we are taking to root out housing benefit fraud are part of the comprehensive strategy set out in the Green Paper, based on earlier prevention, more effective deterrence and better detection. Our measures include improving the effectiveness of gateways on to benefit to make them less vulnerable to fraud, a thorough validation of the entire system of national insurance numbers to stop people using false or falsely acquired national insurance numbers to claim benefit and improved sanctions, including, for the first time, powers for the Department of Social Security to fine those defrauding the system.
The eighth principle is that the system of delivering modern welfare should be flexible, efficient and easy for people to use. Our aim is to revolutionise the delivery of front-line services with the creation of an active modern service that is built around the customer, makes best use of information technology and fits new services to new need and demands.
In a world of 24-hour shopping, free helplines and computer banking, people are entitled to a far better service than many of our public services are providing. As a result of our drive to ensure that the Employment Service and Benefits Agency work more closely together, we aim to provide a seamless service with personal advisers for everyone who is trying to return to work. The modern office should include touch screens with information on benefits, jobs, training and child care, as well as telephone information lines for claimants, and claim forms that are tailored to the individual.
At the same time, for those who are not able to work or the retired, we need an efficient and friendly service that is easy for everyone to understand and to use and provides benefits accurately, promptly and with the minimum hassle. Our aim must be to ensure that the services that we provide match the standards of the best companies in the country.
In all, the application of the principles in the Green Paper will break the traditional welfare mould in three crucial respects. There will be a move, first, from a focus 686 on simply paying benefits to enabling people to move into work; secondly, from dispensing cash to also providing services; thirdly, from merely alleviating poverty to ensuring that each and every one of us has opportunities to develop our talents to the full.
Behind our principles and core values lies the idea of The Good Society, which has not only motivated British radicals for centuries, but drawn support from all sections of society. The Government, through an open and inclusive approach to reform, will strive not merely to sustain but to strengthen the appeal to create a better world to hand on to future generations. I invite everyone, wherever they are seated, to join constructively in that debate.
The Green Paper also sets out a vision of welfare in 2020, restructured around the new contract between the Government and individuals and families. The new contract is essentially about duty; duties of the Government are matched by duties for the individual. For example, it is the duty of the Government to provide a proactive, work-focused service, ensuring the easiest possible return to the labour market. It is similarly the duty of all individuals to seek work or training when they are able to do so. It is the duty of the Government to help parents to meet the costs of raising their children; it is the duty of individuals to support their children, and other family members, financially and emotionally. It is the duty of the Government to relieve poverty in old age and regulate pension provision; it is the duty of individuals to save where possible for old age.
There are two no-go areas for the Government. Our commitment to the vulnerable is not negotiable. Likewise, our commitment to reform is not negotiable. What is negotiable is how we can achieve our aims.
There are some people on the right of politics who want to dismantle the welfare state altogether; there are others who baulk at any change. The Green Paper represents a third way—not the end of the welfare state, or a defence of the status quo, but a welfare state to meet modern needs, which supports a decent and fair society founded on social justice.
The Green Paper sets a clear framework for a principled programme of reform. We all have a stake in the debate, but I pledge to the House and the country that we will not depart from the principles that I have outlined, and that, in the years to come, as the new welfare contract is established, we will have a new welfare state that is fit for a modern nation in the new millennium.
I apologise for the length of the statement, and I apologise for the fact that Opposition spokesmen did not receive a copy of it earlier, but, without reservation, I commend the Green Paper to the House.
§ Mr. Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green)
Today's statement is a significant milestone for the Government, as much as for the House, and it deserves some scrutiny. I welcome the fact that the Minister for Welfare Reform has made the statement. He knows that I and all my colleagues have been asking for a statement on the Green Paper for a considerable time. Without being churlish, we welcome its existence and the fact that it has been announced.
The Green Paper has been a long time coming and, therefore, it raises a series of questions. [Interruption.] It is remarkable that it has taken 10 months to arrive and 687 that the Government say they have been consulting for 10 months. The real question is what have they been doing for 18 years. Have they had no consultation over that time? The reality is that the Green Paper represents not just the sum total of thinking over 10 months, but the Labour party's consultations and thinking over the past 18 years. That is the key point. Regardless of the delay, I welcome the announcement.
At the beginning of the year, we were increasingly worried that, despite all the rhetoric, there was an absence of structure about welfare reform. The reality is that it is important—and it was important—for us to be able to help the Government to create the right structure and to provide the right opportunity for debate. We wanted to be constructive. In January, we offered the Government the opportunity for a constructive dialogue and we laid out our criteria for reform. That was never done for the previous Government, but we did not look back on that with regret. We simply offered the Government the right to have the debate, and we do not shy from that.
We must ask how the Green Paper measures up to the main elements that we set for the Government. The first of the principles is that reform must strengthen the institution of the family. Secondly, it must strengthen personal responsibility and break the dependency culture. Thirdly, reform must strengthen alternative provision of welfare and break the state monopoly of provision, helping to focus welfare on those most in need. Underscoring all that is what the Minister said, which is that it must not depart from those most in need.
As the Minister knows, the late delivery of the Green Paper meant that we could look at it, but not to the extent that we would have liked. However, as I looked at the paper, I began to ask a series of questions about what we had been led to believe was likely to be in it.
First, let us deal with housing benefit. We were led to believe that the Green Paper would set a series of criteria by which benefit fraud, particularly housing benefit fraud, would be dealt with. In fact, there is nothing new in the paper that will suggest to anybody outside or in the House how the Minister intends to take the position forward. There is no specific position.
After so much coat trailing over housing benefit, why is there so little in the document that deals with it? Is it anything to do with the clash with the Chancellor's office after the right hon. Gentleman's article on Sunday? Was it lifted out because of that? Where are all the new proposals that the right hon. Gentleman said would deal specifically with how he intends to reform housing benefit? That underscores the whole change to welfare and the ability to cut costs.
Our second area of concern is disability benefits. We have had a series of scare stories, deliberate leaks and kite flying on disability benefits over the past six months. The Government should show shame, because they set out deliberately to scare a whole group of people without proposing anything at all. They simply set out to make them worried in the absence of any proposals. We asked for the Green Paper because that was happening, but the Government came up with nothing. However, what we have received today is a rehash of earlier announcements on incapacity benefit and other proposals.
As we understand it, the right hon. Gentleman said that the Government will rule out means testing of disability living allowance. I welcome that. However, why has it 688 taken all these months to make that decision? Why could the Government not have ruled out means testing earlier, and made the position absolutely clear—rather than scaring people, at the Chancellor's bidding? I should like the Minister for Welfare Reform to tell us also whether he has ruled out taxing disability living allowance and other disability benefits.
Why raise the scare stories? Why worry everyone? The Government's welfare reform has been a series of missed opportunities. As today's newspapers have said, the debate on disabilities has to progress gradually and should not be subject to knee-jerk reactions and scare stories. Today, the Minister had the opportunity—he has had the opportunity—to make serious proposals for structural change in disability benefit, but there was little in his statement that had not already been rehashed in the Budget.
When the Government came to power, they acted swiftly on pensions. In their first Budget, they damaged prospects for pensions and pensioners. They raided pension funds, and created real problems for pension reform. Almost immediately, the pension brief was taken away from the Minister for Welfare Reform and handed to the Under—Secretary of State for Social Security, the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham), who was to conduct a separate pensions review. A major part of the welfare reform process was therefore excluded from the welfare Green Paper.
The right hon. Gentleman's comments on pensions failed absolutely to deal with the changes to pensions that have occurred in the past 11 months. Why did he not take this opportunity to mention the dramatic changes—the decline in pension values—since the Government's first Budget?
The Government said, when they came to power, that they valued occupational pensions. However, since then—in the Budget hit—they have damaged occupational pensions, so that occupational pensions may be frozen and moved to group personal pensions. The Government endlessly attacked personal pensions, going on about personal pension mis-selling—yet they try to move occupational pensions to personal pensions. As the right hon. Gentleman and the Government support occupational pensions, what will they do to rectify that problem? They have missed today's opportunity.
The right hon. Gentleman said that he valued family structures, and realised that the family is important as the basic structure in building a stable society. We share that belief, and I welcome that statement. However, the Budget contained the seed of a serious problem for marriage structures raising children and looking after elderly relatives. In ending the married couple's allowance, the Labour party has sent a seriously damaging message to those who wish to raise children and look after elderly relatives. Taking money from them has very little to do with supporting those structures.
Why did the right hon. Gentleman, given all his previous views and commitments, not take the opportunity to deal with that problem, and send a serious message to those who look after elderly relatives—who now, after last week's Budget, wonder how they will make ends meet?
The right hon. Gentleman made some proposals on the Child Support Agency, and I welcome his comments about the agency. As he has said on many occasions 689 CSA reform is a matter on which both sides of the House should agree. We look forward to hearing detailed proposals. Will he explain his specific proposals to deal with the problems in the CSA? We will take every opportunity to support those proposals.
I was intrigued by the right hon. Gentleman's comments on social exclusion. I should like him to explain how, after all his thinking on the matter—for which the Minister without Portfolio, who is on the Treasury Bench, is supposed to be responsible—the Government's sum total of knowledge and determination is in the phrase there should be specific action to attack social exclusion and help those in poverty. Is that it? After 10 months, is that all that the Government have to say about social exclusion? Is that the sum of the thinking that is driving us forward? They have targeted tackling social exclusion as a means of combating poverty and that is all that they have to say about it.
What about means testing? Year after year, in papers and books, the right hon. Gentleman has said that he was opposed to means testing. He has said nothing today about how he intends to wind back that process or about the taxation of benefits. Where in the Green Paper or the statement is there a personal commitment from the right hon. Gentleman? Nowhere.
The Green Paper gives a series of benchmarks. The Government said in advance that they would set targets. The Green Paper gives only a series of general statements. They say that they want to be measured against certain criteria. The Prime Minister is fond of saying that the Government will be measured against their performance, but they do not want to be measured until after at least another two general elections. The Green Paper gives a target of 2020. The Government want to go to the next election saying, "Don't worry; trust us. We'll get this right not in this Parliament, but perhaps the next—or perhaps not even that but the Parliament after." That is the Government's target for measurement. They are telling the public that the issue does not matter and that they do not want to be measured seriously against their targets. Why does the right hon. Gentleman not tell us how he intends to be measured at the next general election?
The Prime Minister has said that the cost of benefit will be reduced. We have a right to expect that that commitment will be measured at the next election. I hope that the Prime Minister will lean over to his right hon. Friend the Minister for Welfare Reform to tell him that he has the authorisation to tell us that the Government will be judged on that at the next election.
The Green Paper represents a series of missed opportunities after 10 months of promises. Behind the scenes, there has been a battle between the Minister for Welfare Reform and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Given the vacuousness and avoidance of detail of the Green Paper, the Chancellor won. The Green Paper should have been published more than six months ago, but the Budget had to come first. For the first time in history, we have a Green Paper published after a White Paper—the Chancellor's White Paper. The Chancellor is running the show. The Minister has been taken prisoner.
690 The Prime Minister appointed the Minister on his reputation, to bolster the Government, but he has imprisoned the man.
§ Mr. Field
May I thank the Opposition for approaching the issue so constructively? [Laughter.] I would not want to be on the receiving end if they were being destructive. I shall try to reply to the points that the hon. Gentleman has raised. Some of them are not well founded.
The hon. Gentleman said that there was the odd line about social exclusion; I have made three new announcements today. The lack of concrete proposals about the Child Support Agency says something about how we intend to conduct the process of reform.
We told the House that there would be a specific Green Paper on—
§ Mr. Duncan Smith
Another one?
Yes, another Green Paper. The hon. Gentleman has an extraordinary viewpoint. He reminds me of Aneurin Bevan's comment on Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister. He said that listening to him was like a walk round Woolworth: everything is in place and nothing is priced over sixpence. The hon. Gentleman clearly thinks that every detail in a programme of reform that he acknowledges will take 10 or more years should be in a single Green Paper. That is an absurd view.
There will be a Green Paper on the Child Support Agency. We are anxious that, this time round, the pace of reform and the extent of negotiation should be such that we get it much more right than we did last time. It is easy to be bullish at the Dispatch Box, but if we fail, we screw up people's lives. We do not intend to do that.
The hon. Gentleman asked where was the support for the family. When he has had the chance to read the Green Paper carefully, he will see the careful declarations that we have made in favour of the family as the most secure building block for creating a secure future. [HON. MEMBERS: "Where are the policies?"] Some policies were in the Budget and others are still to come.
The hon. Gentleman said that the pensions portfolio had been taken away from me, but my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham) had that portfolio from day one. Pension funds are more buoyant now than they were, thanks to what is happening to the economy.
The hon. Gentleman asked what was new in housing benefit. I mentioned the Public Accounts Committee report that was published today. It showed that 99 per cent. or more of those who commit housing benefit fraud get off scot-free. We are empowering the Benefits Agency and giving it the ability to fine. The Conservatives did not decide to do that when they were in government.
I want to mention two other matters that centre on the whole process of reform. I know that it is sometimes important for politicians to win the support of those behind them, but when the hon. Gentleman reflects on how he responded to our announcements on disability reform, he will realise that he has played a part not in damping down disquiet but in whipping it up. We made the clearest declaration that could be made, and all he wanted to do was to try to fan disquiet among disabled people.
691 The hon. Gentleman has misunderstood the nature of reform. We announced changes and reforms that will need legislation in this Parliament, and we have done something else that is equally important: for the first time, a Government have set out their principles of reform and a series of measurements so that they can lock on to those principles each part of their reform programme as it comes along, so that it can be judged. We want to be judged on that by the House and by the electorate. I guess that the Opposition will be similarly judged.
§ Mr. Terry Rooney (Bradford, North)
I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement and for the challenging document that has been published. He will know that staff morale in the Benefits Agency is at rock bottom. He has inherited staff who are underpaid, undervalued and under-resourced, but they will be needed to deliver the programme that he has set out. How will he proceed with staff development and training?
I am grateful for my hon. Friend's question. There are two aspects to mention. I have written today to the heads of each agency, emphasising the importance that we give to the modern, active service that I underscored in today's announcement. Staff and others will see in the Green Paper that we regard our staff as one of our most valuable assets and that the 18 years of denigration of people who work in the public service, who have been made to feel that they are somehow a drain on public resources, are at an end. We wish to build up their skills, but, above all, we wish to use their expertise in taking the reform programme forward.
§ Mr. David Rendel (Newbury)
My party and I welcome a great deal of the statement, as far as it goes. Does the Minister accept that, particularly given that the Prime Minister said welfare reform is such a fundamental part of his Government's programme, the statement and the Green Paper will be a great disappointment to many because there is not much either new or radical and there are very few specific proposals? Does he also accept that his statement that Our commitment to the vulnerable is not negotiable will seem a rather sour sentence to those who become lone parents this year, who will find that their benefits are lower than last year and that they will not gain for some time from the benefits that the Chancellor has promised them?
Does the Minister accept that, although he has talked about targets and has just mentioned measurement, in practice, the measures of success listed in the Green Paper are entirely unquantified? They are simply a question of a little more of this or a little less of that. Therefore, the targets at which the Government will aim are very feeble.
Does the Minister accept that much of the statement, particularly the eight principles, is simply a matter of motherhood and apple pie, which all three parties could easily have accepted a long time ago? Although he has tried to work out where the Government are aiming—we accept that many of the objectives that he has set are the right ones—he still appears from the Green Paper to have very little idea of how he will get there.
If the charge is that our targets are mere motherhood and apple pie, I would have thought that we 692 would get a warmer response from the Liberal Democrats. One of the tasks that we hope the Select Committee on Social Security will undertake is to look most carefully at the targets, realising that they are for general information and that we will need to move to a stage where they become technical targets that can be exactly measured. I look forward to meeting the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on that very task.
When the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Rendel) asked what hope there is for lone parents, I thought that it might have been within him to have said that, in the recent Budget, there was the biggest-ever increase in child benefit and a substantial increase in what are called the applicable amounts for the younger children of those on income-related benefits. It is a pity that he did not find time to commend the Government on that
Several hon. Members
§ Madam Speaker
Order. Now that the official Opposition spokesmen have made their contributions, I want specific questions from Back Benchers.
§ Mr. Clive Soley (Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush)
I congratulate the Minister on at long last putting the reform of the welfare state into the context of a changing economy and a changing family structure. That is what has been missed. The Conservative party introduced the Child Support Agency, bringing that area into disrepute; it introduced housing benefit, when it was warned that such benefit would spiral out of control—
Order. I asked for questions. The hon. Gentleman saw how many hon. Members rose to speak. There is no way that I can call them all and safeguard today's business. I want specific questions. Mr. Soley, will you come to your question?
§ Mr. Soley
The specific question was just this: will my right hon. Friend, unlike the Conservative party, consult everyone outside the House to ensure that we do not make such mistakes again?
§ Mr. Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield)
Knowing the right hon. Gentleman well, I suspect that his statement was as much personal as it was Government led. I congratulate him on that. In respect of self-provision for pensions, which he stressed was so important, will he ensure fiscal encouragement on an on-going basis to enable people to make private provision for their retirement?
§ Mr. Malcolm Wicks (Croydon, North)
May I congratulate my right hon. Friend on a serious and significant statement? Given that our poorest citizens are often the very young, including one in three newborn babies, and the very old, including many people in their 80s, what are the key parts of the document that offer hope that, in the future, the young will not be born poor and the old will not be left in the cold?
I thank my hon. Friend for that question. The document contains proposals on how we intend to cut 693 the supply route to poverty in old age. Those proposals will be fleshed out in great detail in the pension reforms Green Paper of my hon. Friend the Member for Itchen. Much of what I said in reply to the first question and in my statement shows that we are trying to move welfare from a system that merely pays doles to one that cuts the supply routes to poverty in the first place and massively to extend the opportunities that those who are poor have to leave benefit. On both counts, over time, the Government will make progress on the two priorities that my hon. Friend has highlighted.
§ Sir Raymond Whitney (Wycombe)
Given that we have had a statement without specifics, I am happy to ask a specific question. The Minister suggested strongly that the £8 billion currently spent on incapacity benefit would be reduced and, in a menacing phrase, that people would be helped back to work. By how much will the incapacity benefit budget be reduced?
I am sorry that I did not put the statement more clearly so that the hon. Gentleman could follow it. What we have said is that those on incapacity benefit now are protected. The benefit is not working in the way in which the House wishes. The key to incapacity benefit is the all-work test. We wish to replace that with an employability test. We wish to accompany that with help for people who wish to work. It is possible to dress up that proposal in the worst possible light, or it is possible to receive it in the way in which I wish it to be received—as one of extending opportunities as well as protecting the vulnerable.
§ Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney, North and Stoke Newington)
Does the Minister agree that if we are to oblige people to make private provision for old age, unemployment or other contingencies, we have to examine the way in which the financial services and private pensions industry works? It cannot be right to oblige low-paid and middle-income families to put money into a private pensions industry that has a history of overblown commissions, overheads and general fraudulent and ramshackle practices.
I am aware of my hon. Friend's interest and expertise on this matter. When she has a chance to consult the Green Paper, she will see that what she says is one of our targets.
§ Mr. David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden)
The Minister had a well-deserved high reputation as Chairman of the Social Security Select Committee for his robust attitude to fraud and waste. I thank him for his recognition of the Public Accounts Committee's report today. He knows that the total fraud and waste in the system is £4 billion or £5 billion of taxpayers' money a year. Does he recognise that that needs not simply to be managed but to be designed out of all benefits? Can he give the House an undertaking today that all new benefits, including those announced in the Budget, will be designed in such a way as to eradicate the opportunity for fraud and theft?
I thank the right hon. Gentleman, both for his question and for the role that he plays in the House.
694 I can give without reservation the commitment that he asks for. I underscore the point that he makes. Even on his estimate, fraud costs every family £500 a year.
§ Mrs. Alice Mahon (Halifax)
When my right hon. Friend talks about targeting those who are socially excluded, will he make a special case for children leaving care? They feature most heavily in truancy, exclusion, probation service and other figures. It is a disgrace to a modern society.
I can happily give my hon. Friend that undertaking. When we are talking about social exclusion, we are anxious that, as our programmes evolve, people living in the area are main players in the programme.
§ Mr. Archy Kirkwood (Roxburgh and Berwickshire)
Will the Minister accept that one of the most difficult challenges is to try to get the balance right between disabled people who have access to the world of work, and those who, because of severe physical and mental disability, have no access to the world of work? He proposes to look again at important matters such as the all-work test. Will he make sure that disabled people are not subject to the same disgraceful lack of consultation as they were afforded when the benefit integrity project was put together?
I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's question. Given the size of our reform programme—which was not recognised by the official Opposition—the Social Security Committee may have to sit in continuous session to help us. We will be publishing proposals on this matter, and we are anxious to go before the Select Committee and other bodies to put forward our views, to listen to their views and to try to improve our original ideas.
§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)
When the dust has settled on the Green Paper, my right hon. Friend and others will have to get down to the hard work of ensuring that where there is no work, work has to be found. Consistent with the Green Paper, will he ensure that he and his colleagues make it clear that in those large areas of Britain where shipbuilding has ended, where the coalfields are finished and where the textile mills have closed, and in many of the inner cities—where no work is available—all those who went on other benefits because they were pushed off by the Tories and others will not be left in the dark as a result of their failure to find work where they live?
Indeed. When the key section of the Green Paper to which my hon. Friend referred was being written, I had him in mind.
§ Mr. Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon)
Does the Minister accept that his statement has confirmed many of the worst fears of disabled people? Will he confirm that where there are two disabled people of identical condition, it may be that one will receive incapacity benefit and another will not? Will he be paying for better provision for those who are severely disabled by taking money off those who are moderately disabled?
I respect the right hon. Gentleman, who plays an important part in the House on most topics, 695 but particularly this one. I am concerned that he should have so misconstrued what I said to make that comment. I look forward to discussing those ideas further in exchanges across the Floor and elsewhere.
§ Mr. Alan Simpson (Nottingham, South)
When the Minister deliberates following the statement, will he give the House the following assurances: in relation to the Child Support Agency, he will consider the option of scrapping the agency as unworkable, and replacing it with a family court system in line with the Scottish model; in relation to housing benefit fraud, he will consider the approach of the Minister he quoted so generously, Aneurin Bevan, and propose a return to rent subsidies, as a system less open to fraud; and, in relation to pensions, he will consider the option of raising the state pension and reconnecting it with earnings, which many in the House and the country would willingly pay for and vote for?
On my hon. Friend's first question, he perhaps mistakes our approach to reform. We do not come to the reform process with a shopping list of ideas that we are intent on pushing through. Our aim is to have an effective agency to support children whose parents have split up. That is our starting point. The second stage is to consider the proposals and how they meet our objective. My hon. Friend's proposal will be considered along with others before we publish the Green Paper.
§ Mr. Edward Leigh (Gainsborough)
May I congratulate the Minister on the language in which his statement is couched? No doubt the Select Committee will enjoy looking at the devils which inevitably lurk below such visionary language. Given the length of time any pension reform will require, how open and inclusive will he be with the Opposition in the Select Committee? Will he consult them on all occasions? Will he ensure that our successful private provision has as much a place in future welfare provision for a second pension as does state or mutual and friendly society provision?
I happily give the hon. Gentleman that assurance. We are beginning the process of starting to reform in a different way, by publishing a draft Bill on pension sharing and divorce. No doubt the Select Committee will wish to consider that, with many other proposals that we have. My worry is not that we shall not talk to the Select Committee, but that the Select Committee may get fed up talking to the Government.
§ Mr. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North)
Will the Minister recognise that the state pension is cheap to administer and efficient in its delivery; that relinking it with earnings would guarantee many pensioners an escape from the poverty in which they live at present; and that revaluation and promotion of SERPS would provide a very good support system for those who do not enjoy an occupational pension? Has he estimated the cost to individuals and to the state of the huge promotion of individual private pensions through the private pension industry compared to the efficiency of the state system?
If it is possible to get together the data that would allow a proper answer to the second question, I shall happily bring them together and write to my hon. Friend. However, on his first question about relinking the 696 state pension to earnings, it is important to realise that, this year, as a result of the issuing of the fuel bonus, which went to all pensioners, but was weighted in favour of poorer pensioners, poorer pensioners have had a bigger increase in their income than they would have had if we had returned to the earnings link.
§ Mr. Steve Webb (Northavon)
While I welcome the Green Paper, which looks forward to 2020 which is both necessary and welcome, will the Minister accept that virtually none of today's pensioners will still be around in 2020, and will he accept, therefore, that there is—on a cursory glance, at least—nothing new for today's pensioners in that paper?
Let us consider what the Government have already done for pensioners. We have reduced VAT on fuel and, by now, we have paid every pensioner their winter fuel bonus. The previous Government did nothing in 18 years to find those pensioners who were eligible to, but did not claim, supplementary benefit—now income support—but such a programme is now under way. All that has been achieved in 10 months. I believe that that shows something about the priority that we attach to pensioners.
§ Ms Rosie Winterton (Doncaster, Central)
I very much welcome my right hon. Friend's statement, but I am sure that he will acknowledge that the prospect of welfare reform raises many genuine concerns. Can he tell the House how he intends to ensure that consultation is wide ranging and inclusive of people outside Parliament in addition to those inside?
I thank my hon. Friend for that question. The aim of the Green Paper is to set the beginnings of a major reform programme. We hope that, in 10 years or so, people will look back and say, "That was the decisive moment when things began to change in this country, and it was managed in such a way that we all felt safe." That is the aim. It is, of course, crucial that we make our programme of consultation as inclusive as possible, not only to reassure people, but to improve the reform process and make the measures more effective, so I very happily give my hon. Friend the pledge that she seeks.
§ Mrs. Ann Winterton (Congleton)
Will the right hon. Gentleman rule out taxing disability living allowance?
Given that the Green Paper not only sketches the immediate programme and says what legislation we shall introduce, but looks 20 years ahead, and does not mention that, I think that the hon. Lady should be satisfied.
§ Mrs. Anne Campbell (Cambridge)
May I congratulate my right hon. Friend on a set of principles that is both radical and workable? I also welcome his support for information systems, such as the one launched by the Secretary of State in Cambridgeshire last July. Will he assure us that he will not go for the expensive 697 infrastructure option, and will he take it from me that cheaper options are available, through the internet, which will give him a workable system very quickly?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend not merely for that question but for the pioneering role that she has played in this area. Her points are well noted and, as the debate unfolds, I think that she will see her influence.
§ Mr. Andrew Rowe (Faversham and Mid-Kent)
The Minister knows—because he was kind enough to meet a delegation—of my concern about seasonal workers. Such workers are indispensable to many industries, but particularly the soft fruit industry. Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the difficulties that those workers experience fitting into the benefit system will be a priority in his review?
I must disappoint the hon. Gentleman. I cannot say, with all that we must consider, that it is a key priority. However, he is making plans for me to visit his constituency—he has presumably asked the question in order to put it on the record—where I shall see the problem at first hand. When I have that experience—I shall not pick the fruit, but I shall watch others do it—I shall take my ideas back to the Department and then inform the hon. Gentleman of what we can do.
§ Mr. Ian Pearson (Dudley, South)
Given that the Child Support Agency is wrecking the lives of many thousands of people, can the Minister assist those people by informing the House of his rough timetable for change?
We shall certainly publish the Green Paper as soon as possible. It is important that the departmental team works up and discusses a whole range of ideas before we issue that paper. All hon. Members have families in their constituencies who are on the receiving end of the CSA which is not working, so we know the urgency of that task.
§ Mr. Simon Burns (West Chelmsford)
The Minister will clearly remember that the Government have always said that their aim is to reduce the share of national income that is allocated to welfare. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every concrete proposal in his statement will increase the social security budget? How will he seek to redeem that pledge, as my hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) asked? When will the share of national income spent on welfare begin to be reduced? Will that occur during the lifetime of this Parliament?
The position is clear: our aim is to reduce expenditure on economic and social failure and move it to creating opportunities. The hon. Gentleman clearly accepts that position as he, quite rightly, opened a new deal project in his constituency.
Order. Thank you, Mr. Field. We shall now have the business statement.
Back to New Deal (Young Unemployed)
Forward to Business of the House
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https://apnews.com/2c958c6e7354484092171864ad1ab7c4
Boston faces Washington on 3-game win streak
By The Associated PressJanuary 5, 2020 GMT
Boston Celtics (25-8, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (11-24, 12th in the Eastern Conference)
Washington; Monday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Boston will try to prolong its three-game win streak with a victory against Washington.
The Wizards have gone 6-13 against Eastern Conference opponents. Washington has a 0-3 record in one-possession games.
The Celtics have gone 18-5 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston is 9-2 when committing more turnovers than opponents and averages 13.8 turnovers per game.
The Celtics won the last meeting between these two teams 140-133 on Nov. 13. Kemba Walker scored 25 points to help lead Boston to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Isaiah Thomas ranks second on the Wizards with 4.3 assists and scores 12.8 points per game. Ish Smith has averaged 14.8 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 44.3 percent over the last 10 games for Washington.
Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics averaging 21.3 points and is adding 7.0 rebounds. Jaylen Brown has averaged 20 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 49.6 percent over the last 10 games for Boston.
LAST 10 GAMES: Wizards: 3-7, averaging 111.3 points, 44.9 rebounds, 20.7 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 43.2 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.4 points on 47.6 percent shooting.
Celtics: 8-2, averaging 112.4 points, 46.6 rebounds, 22.8 assists, 7.5 steals and 6.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 103.8 points on 44.5 percent shooting.
INJURIES: Wizards: Thomas Bryant: out (foot), Davis Bertans: out (quad), CJ Miles: out (wrist), Moritz Wagner: out (ankle), Bradley Beal: day to day (leg), Rui Hachimura: out (groin), John Wall: out (left torn achilles).
Celtics: Vincent Poirier: out (finger), Robert Williams III: out (hip), Kemba Walker: day to day (illness).
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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Ka'imi Fairbairn
Texans-KC set NFL playoff record with 52 points in 1st half
January 12, 2020 GMT
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts after a Chiefs' touchdown during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans, in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Texans and Chiefs set a postseason record for combined points in the first half on Sunday when the Chiefs rallied from a 24-0 first-quarter deficit to take a 28-24 lead into the locker room.
The 52 points eclipsed the 49 set by the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals in the divisional round on Jan. 16, 2010. It fell just short of 56 points for any half, set by the Cardinals and Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round a week earlier.
The Texans missed a chance to make it 28-27 when Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 51-yard field-goal attempt on the final play of the half.
The Chiefs fumbled a punt return, had their own punt blocked for a score and committed plenty more mistakes in becoming just the fourth home team in NFL history to trail 21-0 after the first quarter. But the Texans called a fake punt in the second quarter and were just as sloppy in allowing Kansas City to mount the biggest comeback in team history.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdown passes to Travis Kelce in the second quarter, and his four total TD throws matched the playoff record set by the Redskins’ Doug Williams in the Super Bowl in January 1988.
Kelce became the first pass-catcher with three touchdowns receiving in a single quarter in postseason history, while the tight end became one of 16 players with three TDs total. Nobody has had four TD catches in a playoff game.
The Chiefs had the ball a mere 4 minutes, 50 seconds in the second quarter. They needed just 16 plays to score four TDs.
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The Ten Most Famous String Quartets of all Time
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What does "best known" actually mean in relation to works of classical music? A qualitative evaluation? Results of an elaborate empirical study? Not at all! Perceived reality played a major role in compiling of this list of (probably) the best-known ten string quartet work – it represents a mixture of what's well known, frequently played -– and thus simply most "present" in the cultural imagination.
Debussy • String Quartet in G minor L 91 (85) • I. Animé et très décidé
String Quartet in G minor L 91 (85)
I. Animé et très décidé
Arcanto Quartett
Antje Weithaas (Violin), Daniel Sepec (Violin), Tabea Zimmermann (Viola), Jean-Guihen Queyras (Violoncello)
Debussy • String Quartet in G minor L 91 (85) • II. Assez vif et bien rythmé
II. Assez vif et bien rythmé
Debussy • String Quartet in G minor L 91 (85) • III. Andantino, doucement expressif
III. Andantino, doucement expressif
Debussy • String Quartet in G minor L 91 (85) • IV. Très modéré – Très mouvementé et avec passion
IV. Très modéré – Très mouvementé et avec passion
Berg • Lyric Suite • 1. Allegretto gioviale
Lyric Suite
1. Allegretto gioviale
Berg • Lyric Suite • 2. Andante amoroso
2. Andante amoroso
Berg • Lyric Suite • 3. Allegro misterioso – Trio estatico
3. Allegro misterioso – Trio estatico
Berg • Lyric Suite • 4. Adagio appassionato
4. Adagio appassionato
Berg • Lyric Suite • 5. Presto delirando – Tenebroso
5. Presto delirando – Tenebroso
Berg • Lyric Suite • 6. Largo desolato
6. Largo desolato
Shostakovich • String Quartet No. 8 in C minor op. 110 (1960) • I. Largo –
String Quartet No. 8 in C minor op. 110 (1960)
I. Largo –
Mikhail Kopelman (Violin), Andrei Abramenkov (Violin), Dmitri Shebalin (Viola), Valentin Berlinsky (Violoncello)
Shostakovich • String Quartet No. 8 in C minor op. 110 (1960) • II. Allegro molto –
II. Allegro molto –
Shostakovich • String Quartet No. 8 in C minor op. 110 (1960) • III. Allegretto –
III. Allegretto –
Shostakovich • String Quartet No. 8 in C minor op. 110 (1960) • IV. Largo –
IV. Largo –
Shostakovich • String Quartet No. 8 in C minor op. 110 (1960) • V. Largo
V. Largo
Schubert • String Quartet No. 13 in A minor op. 29 D 804 “Rosamunde” • I. Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 13 in A minor op. 29 D 804
Christian Tetzlaff (Violin), Antje Weithaas (Violin), Rachel Roberts (Viola), Tanja Tetzlaff (Violoncello)
Schubert • String Quartet No. 13 in A minor op. 29 D 804 “Rosamunde” • II. Andante
Schubert • String Quartet No. 13 in A minor op. 29 D 804 “Rosamunde” • III. Menuetto. Allegretto – Trio
III. Menuetto. Allegretto – Trio
Schubert • String Quartet No. 13 in A minor op. 29 D 804 “Rosamunde” • IV. Allegro moderato
IV. Allegro moderato
Ravel • String Quartet in F major M 35 (1902-1903) • I. Allegro moderato, très doux
String Quartet in F major M 35 (1902-1903)
I. Allegro moderato, très doux
Alexander Pavlovsky (Violin), Sergei Bresler (Violin), Ori Kam (Viola), Kyril Zlotnikov (Violoncello)
Ravel • String Quartet in F major M 35 (1902-1903) • II. Assez vif, très rythmé
II. Assez vif, très rythmé
Ravel • String Quartet in F major M 35 (1902-1903) • III. Très lent, modéré
III. Très lent, modéré
Ravel • String Quartet in F major M 35 (1902-1903) • IV. Vif et agité
IV. Vif et agité
Mozart • String Quartet No. 19 in C major KV 465 “Dissonance” • I. Adagio - Allegro
String Quartet No. 19 in C major KV 465
I. Adagio - Allegro
Pierre Colombet (Violin), Gabriel Le Magadure (Violin), Mathieu Herzog (Viola), Raphaël Merlin (Violoncello)
Mozart • String Quartet No. 19 in C major KV 465 “Dissonance” • II. Andante cantabile
II. Andante cantabile
Mozart • String Quartet No. 19 in C major KV 465 “Dissonance” • III. Menuetto. Allegro
III. Menuetto. Allegro
Mozart • String Quartet No. 19 in C major KV 465 “Dissonance” • IV. Allegro
Beethoven • String Quartet No. 7 in F major op. 59/1 “Rasumovsky I” • I. Allegro
String Quartet No. 7 in F major op. 59/1
Johanna Staemmler (Violin), Martin Funda (Violin), Teresa Schwamm (Viola), Peter-Philipp Staemmler (Violoncello)
Beethoven • String Quartet No. 7 in F major op. 59/1 “Rasumovsky I” • II. Allegretto vivace e sempre scherzando
II. Allegretto vivace e sempre scherzando
Beethoven • String Quartet No. 7 in F major op. 59/1 “Rasumovsky I” • III. Adagio molto e mesto
III. Adagio molto e mesto
Beethoven • String Quartet No. 7 in F major op. 59/1 “Rasumovsky I” • IV. Allegro. Thème Russe
IV. Allegro. Thème Russe
Haydn • String Quartet in C major op. 76/3 Hob. III:77 “Emperor” • I. Allegro
String Quartet in C major op. 76/3 Hob. III:77
Doric String Quartet
Alex Redington (Violin), Jonathan Stone (Violin), Hélène Clément (Viola), John Myerscough (Violoncello)
July 2015, Dunwich, Potton Hall
Haydn • String Quartet in C major op. 76/3 Hob. III:77 “Emperor” • II. Poco Adagio. Cantabile (Theme) – Var. I-IV
II. Poco Adagio. Cantabile (Theme) – Var. I-IV
Haydn • String Quartet in C major op. 76/3 Hob. III:77 “Emperor” • III. Menuetto – Trio
III. Menuetto – Trio
Haydn • String Quartet in C major op. 76/3 Hob. III:77 “Emperor” • IV. Finale. Presto
IV. Finale. Presto
Schubert • String Quartet No. 14 in D minor D 810 “Death and the Maiden” • I. Allegro
String Quartet No. 14 in D minor D 810
Antje Weithaas (Violin), Christian Tetzlaff (Violin), Rachel Roberts (Viola), Tanja Tetzlaff (Violoncello)
Schubert • String Quartet No. 14 in D minor D 810 “Death and the Maiden” • II. Andante con moto
Schubert • String Quartet No. 14 in D minor D 810 “Death and the Maiden” • III. Scherzo. Allegro molto
III. Scherzo. Allegro molto
Schubert • String Quartet No. 14 in D minor D 810 “Death and the Maiden” • IV. Presto
IV. Presto
Dvořák • String Quartet No. 12 in F major op. 96 B 179 “American” • I. Allegro ma non troppo
String Quartet No. 12 in F major op. 96 B 179
Amaury Coeytaux (Violin), Loïc Rio (Violin), Laurent Marfaing (Viola), François Kieffer (Violoncello)
March 2015, La Salle Colonne
Dvořák • String Quartet No. 12 in F major op. 96 B 179 “American” • II. Lento
II. Lento
Dvořák • String Quartet No. 12 in F major op. 96 B 179 “American” • III. Molto vivace
III. Molto vivace
Dvořák • String Quartet No. 12 in F major op. 96 B 179 “American” • IV. Finale. Vivace ma non troppo
IV. Finale. Vivace ma non troppo
There's no "Große Fuge", by Beethoven, for example. Though originally part of the Op. 130 quartet, it was cut to live on its own. It remains wonderfully shocking today and should certainly be known, but doesn't crop up as often as it might due to its sheer difficulty. But several works from the 20th century – no less challenging for listener or performer – have made it into the Top Ten. Chapeau!
The winner, controversially perhaps, is Antonín Dvořák with his "American" Quartet op. 96 from 1893, a piece that has proved almost as catchy as his Symphony No. 9 "From the New World", composed around the same time (and which came in at number 3 in our playlist of "The ten most famous symphonies of all time". But let's count down the rest in reverse order, starting with tenth position (Debussy's String Quartet in G minor), followed by the weaving polyphony of Berg's 'Lyric Suite' at number 9. Shostakovich's eighth comes in, well, eighth, Schubert's Rosamunde at No. 7, Ravel at No. 6 and Mozart's "Dissonance" Quartet at No. 5. Beethoven does feature finally in fourth position with his First "Razumovsky" Quartet, followed by Haydn's "Emperor" and Schubert's "Death and the Maiden".
[Due to geo-blocking restrictions, some tracks might be unavailable in certain territories.]
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Translated from the English
Gender, Immigration, Labor Markets, and the Welfare State in Contemporary Europe
Thursday, March 31, 2016 - 2:00pm
Year of Europe Film Series: Dirty Pretty Things (England)
For more information on the film series "Europe Through the Lens: a Festival of Contemporary European Films" visit http://libguides.uky.edu/eurofilm.
Thursday, March 24, 2016 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
A Global History of Ecology in Norway
Tuesday, March 8, 2016 - 7:00pm
Concert: Lassatil Abballari
Friday, March 4, 2016 - 8:00pm to 9:30pm
Barker Hall Dance Studio
Year of Europe Film Series: In This World (England/Italy/Pakistan)
Thursday, March 3, 2016 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Roma Forestiera: Migrant Music in Rome / Screening and discussion of the film, Matewan
Wednesday, March 2, 2016 - 3:30pm to 5:00pm
Bale Boone Symposium: Violence, Memory and the Sacred: The Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust
Jay M. Winter, the Charles J. Stille Professor of History at Yale University, is a specialist on World War I and its impact on the 20th century and one of the pioneers of the field of the history of memory. Winter is the author or co-author of a dozen books, including Sites of Memory, Sites of Mourning: The Great War in European Cultural History, 1914-1918: The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century, and Remembering War: The Great War between History and Memory in the 20th Century. He is co-director of the project on Capital Cities at War: Paris, London, Berlin 1914-1919, was co-producer, co-writer and chief historian for the PBS series “The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century,” which won an Emmy Award, a Peabody Award and a Producers Guild of America Award for best television documentary in 1997.
This talk focuses on a contrast between the continuing presence today of the sacred language of martyrdom in some parts of Europe (and elsewhere), and the fading away or disappearance of the language of martyrdom in other parts of Europe by looking at the two contrasting cases of the Armenian genocide and the Holocaust. While martyrdom is at the heart of how Armenians today remember the catastrophe of 1915, there has emerged since the 1940s a very different linguistic register in Jewish responses to the Holocaust, one by and large free of the language of martyrology.The implications of this distinction are far-reaching. How we think about catastrophe matters in contemporary Europe. We must commemorate the victims of violence, but we must also seek a way out of the spiral of continuing conflict which the language of martyrdom perpetuates.
For more information visit http://www.uky.edu/academy/2016BBS.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 - 7:00pm
W. T. Young Library Auditorium
bale boone symposium
Year of Europe Film Series: Biutiful (Spain/Mexico)
Thursday, February 11, 2016 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Year of Europe Film Series: Soul Kitchen (Germany)
Thursday, January 28, 2016 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
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Apple joins Alliance for Open Media, signaling support for AV1 video
Thursday, January 04, 2018, 01:22 pm PT (04:22 pm ET)
Perhaps looking to get around licensing issues with H.265/HEVC, Apple has silently become a founding member of the Alliance for Open Media, a group working on a new video compression format known as AV1.
The Alliance added Apple to its website on Wednesday, according to CNET. Other founding members include Amazon, ARM, Cisco, Facebook, Google, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Mozilla, Netflix, and Nvidia —among lower-level partners are Adobe, AMD, Hulu, and VLC maker VideoLAN.
Until now Apple has been a major holdout, opting for H.264 and H.265 across its platforms. That decision has made it beholden to patent holders wanting royalty payments, however, whereas AV1 could potentially be free of those obligations.
AV1 is also said to offer better compression, shrinking filesizes by 25 to 35 percent versus H.265 and Google's VP9.
Indeed Apple's interest may stem as much from the evolution of video as avoiding royalties. With the launch of the Apple TV 4K, the company has also begun hosting 4K video on iTunes, which can consume tremendous amounts of bandwidth and storage for both Apple and viewers. 8K video is already on the horizon, even if it's unlikely to reach most Apple devices in the near future.
Apple planning new Toronto store at Yonge & Bloor [u]
Spotify secretly files for IPO as it reaches 70M paid users
Samsung names Taemoon Roh as new smartphone chief
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Outdoor Records - M/W
Indoor Records - M/W
Bruins Secure One All-American After Day One of T&F Championships
8 Northwest Conference Championships - Women (2000, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018)
2 Northwest Conference Championship - Men (2017, 2018)
10 Conference / District Coaches of the Year
130 All-Americans (68 men, 62 women)
8 Men's National Champions (5 NAIA, 3 NCAA)
13 Women's National Champions (2 USTFF, 7 NAIA, 4 NCAA)
38 Academic All-Americans (17 men, 21 women)
1 Academic All-American of the Year (Ryan Chaney, 1997)
5 Ad Rutschman Small College Athlete of the Year Finalists (Annie Wright - 2018 & 2019, Irene Johnson - 2011, Joel Krebs - 2007, Michelle Forbes - 2004)
1 Ad Rutschman Small College Athlete of the Year (Annie Wright, 2019)
1 George Pasero Team of the Year (2018)
1 Bill Hayward Amateur Athlete of the Year - Female Finalists (Jill Beals - 1992)
1 Cascade Conference Men's Championship (1995)
2 NAIA District Men's Championships (1979, 1980)
12 NAIA Women's National Meets (4 Top 10 finishes)
1 NAIA Women's District Championships (1992)
1 NAIA Female Athlete of the Year (Nancy Rismiller, 1996)
2 Women's Conference of Independent Colleges Championships (1979, 1980)
1 Cascade Conference Women's Championship (1995)
Photos Courtesy of Chris Low
GENEVA --- The George Fox men and women's track and field team had eight athletes and three relay teams compete on the first day of competition at the 2019 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Thursday afternoon.
Tayler Phillips, Berkley Hill, and Annie Wright started the day off for the Bruins in the men's decathlon and women's heptathlon, respectively.
Wright, who came into the meet with the nation's best mark of 5,307 points, got off to a great start in the first four events of the women's heptathlon. She started her day with a sixth-place finish in the women's 100m hurdles after recording a time of 14.83. Wright then placed 20th in the women's high jump (4-10.25) but bounced back with a first-place finish in the women's shot put (43-01.00). She ended her day with a second place finish in the women's 200m after running a time of 25.64. She is currently 57 points back from first place in second with a day-one total of 3,028 points. Sylviann Momont of Wisconsin-Stevens Point leads the field with 3,058 points.
In his first appearance at nationals in the decathlon, Phillips finished the first five events in 13th with 3,511 points. He finished 15th in the men's 100m (11.39), 14th in the men's long jump (21-01.50), fourth in the men's shot put (40-10.50), third in the men's high jump (6-05.00), and 18th in the men's 400m (53.75). Hill is currently in 19th with 3,269 points.
Cameron Seymour became the Bruins' first All-American on the day, as the freshman placed eighth in the men's long jump with a mark of 23-06.75.
The women's 4x100m-relay team of Sarah King, Kennedy Taube, Sara Turner, and Sydney Radigan qualified for finals, as they took second with a time of 47.15. They are now one of nine teams to make it to Saturday to compete for a national championship. Last year, the Bruins' 4x100m-relay team of King, Taube, Turner, and Lis Larsen won the National Championship with a time of 46.55. They will look to repeat as champions on May 25.
King also ran in the women's 200m before the women's 4x100m-relay race and qualified for finals after a ninth-place finish with a time of 24.85. Radigan placed 19th with a time of 25.72.
The women's 4x400m-relay team of Elizabeth Warren, Macadia Calavan, Katie James, and King qualified for the finals on Saturday after placing fifth with a time of 3:49.82.
As for the other Bruins that competed, the Bruins' men's 4x100m-relay team of Seymour, Cody Webb, Kenny May, and Chris Polk placed 13th with a time of 41.59. Christine Strickland finished 14th in the women's javelin with a throw of 129-07, while Jensyn Lown finished 15th with a mark of 127-09.
7:00 am – 1:30 pm | Tayler Phillips – Decathlon (110m Hurdles, Discus, Pole Vault, Javelin, 1500m)
7:00 am – 1:30 pm | Berkley Hill – Decathlon (110m Hurdles, Discus, Pole Vault, Javelin, 1500m)
8:30 am – 11:45 am | Annie Wright – Heptathlon (Long Jump, Javelin, 800m)
11:00 am | Jacoby Wolfe – High Jump (Finals)
12:00 pm | Sarah King – 400m (Prelims)
12:30 pm | Kennedy Taube – 100m (Prelims)
1:15 pm | Jack Ammon – 800m (Prelims)
9:05 am | Taube, King, Radigan, Turner, Larsen (A) – 4x100m-relay (Finals)
10:10 am | Sarah King – 400m (Finals)
10:30 am | Kennedy Taube – 100m (Finals)
11:00 am | Jack Ammon – 800m (Finals)
12:50 pm | King, Wright, Warren, James, Calavan (A), Gingerich (A) – 4x400m-relay (Finals)
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Who are River Smith and Heidi Raynor and What Kind of Cult are They Running?
in Feminism, Feminist Lies
Complaints are currently being filed with the state of Ohio against the owners and operators of the internet website known as allaboutcounseling.com.
These events began as an almost routine story about a mental health advocacy website spreading disinformation about domestic violence that demonizes men, denies male victims and shields female perpetrators.
And while the disinformation is there in abundance, more digging behind the scenes at allaboutcounseling.com revealed what appears to be gross professional misconduct and an ongoing scheme involving psychological extortion, abuse and depraved indifference. Multiple sources have alleged that the site management is preying on and manipulating site users for cash with the finesse and brio reminiscent of a corrupt televangelist operation.
And they are reportedly heaping a plethora of emotional abuses and threats on site users who speak up against it.
All of this is being conducted under the auspices of mental health advocacy; with the professional blessings (and under the state license number) of a clinical psychologist.
The details of this story have the expected intricacies and complications of most scandals, especially with the efforts that the alleged perpetrators have made to disconnect their names from their actions. But the scam runs something like this:
Allaboutcounseling.com runs a members only on-line forum in which individuals are invited to join and participate for the benefit of “Confronting fears, honest feedback and active growth through the use and benefits of anonymity and healthy communication.”
Users are made to believe that there interactions there are completely anonymous and conducted in an environment where it is safe to be openly vulnerable and to disclose intimate details of problems in their lives.
For some this seems to be the case.
But many former site users are saying that frequently what happens there is markedly different. In fact, after a month long study of the site and several interviews with former ACC members, I found the reports too consistent to be ignored.
In what appears to be a systematic pattern of significant abuses, the site management presents professional psychological qualifications, induces users to rely on the forum as a source of peer and arguably professional support, but subsequently acts toward many of the members with the following:
Banning users without notice, reason and without a referral to other help.
Redirecting banned users to pornography websites when they attempt to log on.
Tacit email threats to expose users identities publicly for dissenting from site management
Site management “diagnosing” members with personality disorders as a reaction to dissent.
Regularly threatening members who depend on the site forum to close it unless money is donated.
Encouraging the abuse of most male members and abusively targeting female members who had congenial communications with males.
Fomenting conflict between forum members and encouraging some individuals to abuse others.
In fact, as I studied reports of the abuses from some of the sites former members, the picture that clearly emerged was that of tactics used by cult leaders to control and manipulated their followers. Or, as one member, who requested anonymity, put it, “I felt that it was abusive because of the way it chummed vulnerable, trusting people who came to the site, and drew them in to a charmer/abuser codependency cult.”
This same member, after posting that she felt the instigated conflict helped the hit count of the site was reportedly told publicly by site management that she was “delusional, sick and paranoid.”
Another member, again speaking on the condition of anonymity, reported being banned from the site without notification and then being redirected to a pornography site when he attempted to log on.
Part of his reaction to this, taken from a statement which is available in the comments section at avoiceformen.com, was unsettling. “I had always respected the site coordinator,” he said, “but after she did this to me I was sad to say the least. I was hurt. I felt deeply betrayed, humiliated and abused.”
Another former member reported that she too was redirected to a pornography site after being banned from the forum.
And yet another member reported getting an email from site management that repeatedly demeaned her, and made multiple references to her location, number of children and her profession. This was interpreted as a veiled threat to reveal her identity or worse. And it is of particular concern because there are many members who have joined the allaboutcounseling.com forum for support when escaping abusive relationships in which they were or are being stalked.
Such a breech of confidence in those situations could have disastrous results.
On the surface, some of this behavior may appear part and parcel to the internet. There is a lot of flaming going on, and capricious site administration is hardly rare. It happens on a lot of websites. But this isn’t just a lot of websites. It is a site that proffers, with professional credibility, to extend support to people at highly vulnerable moments in their lives. Indeed, it beckons them to participate throughout most pages on the site and assures them they are in a safe environment.
These actions not only reflect a moral deficit, but are likely in violation of the State of Ohio’s rules and regulations governing professional counselors, the American Psychological Associations Code of Conduct, and various other state laws. This is especially true as site management presents professional credentials, accept money and places no disclaimer whatsoever regarding participation in the forums.
“Site management” is most likely better identified as Heidi Raynor, M.Ed., who in her bio claims to be an experienced counselor with two years of individual counseling experience, but lists no license information or professional references.
She also apparently doubles in the site forum as “Site Coordinator or “SC” as users refer to her. Raynor herself never openly makes the admission that she is SC, but in several posts, SC claims ownership of the site and solicits for donations regularly. Those donations have to be made payable directly to Raynor and are to be mailed to her home address at 4227 W. 15th, Cleveland, Ohio.
Raynor states in her solicitations that checks must be made out to her personally, and not to allaboutcounseling.com, leaving the speculation open to whether or not she is claiming the income when filing taxes.
But Raynor is not acting alone. According to information provided on the site, the content on allaboutcounseling.com was authored by River Smith, Ph.D.. Further investigation revealed that Smith is an Ohio based clinical psychologist who practices under Ohio State license number 4658, at 11206 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio tel. 216-651-1302
According to information received from a source at the State Board of Psychology of Ohio, Dr. Smith’s presence as one of the creators of that site, and the provision of his license number, inextricably ties him to the conduct and practices of it’s managers, whether that conduct comes directly from Dr. Smith or not.
And under those circumstances, that translates legally to the site and everyone who manages it being subject to all applicable statutes and codes of conduct for that profession.
Most of Smith’s role appears to be providing content related to mental health issues, making him the direct source of the misleading statistics and disinformation. But also by attaching his credentials to a site that is taking money, he puts his license on the line for any improprieties and ethical violations that transpire.
It also raises the significant question of whether the site is, in reality, an online psychology practice. Early information from the state of Ohio suggests that it is, though there will not be a final determination on this until complaints about the site have been investigated by officials in Ohio.
According to several of the former members of the site, Dr. Smith may be in direct violation of several statutes that govern the practice of psychology in that state. These include, but are not limited to the following:
Failure to report sexual abuse of children to authorities (there were several posts by members that reported their children being abused)
Failure to report physical abuse of children
Failure to report suicide threats by members
Children being allowed to log on and read detailed and sexually explicit accounts of other members lives.
Domestic abuse reports ignored by site management
Questionable solicitations for money
Presentation of misleading information
Proffering false counseling qualifications
Regarding the child molestations, according to a source at the Ohio State Board of Psychology, psychologists are mandated to report knowledge of child abuse to authorities and it makes no difference that the reports were received online, nor does it matter that the reports came from anonymous sources. Discovery of the sources is a police matter, not one for the psychologist to undertake or even be concerned with. Their mandate under state law is to report these incidents immediately.
There is no evidence that any reports with police were filed, meaning that a licensed psychologist and another individual claiming to be a professional counselor knew or should have known that children were being abused and did nothing but ask for more money.
At the time this article goes live, at least two and perhaps more individuals are compiling complaints against allaboutcounseling.com which will be filed with The Ohio State Board of Psychology and The American Psychological Association. This summary and a copy of the complaints will also be forwarded to the Ohio State Attorney General’s Office for consideration.
When I first brought this story to avoiceformen.com and mensnewsdaily.com, I also forwarded it to about two hundred psychotherapists that supported the site by listing their services there and by purchasing an enhanced presence in the site directory.
To their credit, several of those clinicians directed allaboutcounseling.com to remove their listings. Most did not, however, and did not respond to my emails. Their practice information is listed below.
Once the complaints with the named agencies and the State Attorney General have been filed, an update will be provided regarding this matter. And in the update, I will begin exploring how the practice of “feminist therapy” has naturally led to such abuses of ethics and hopefully what can be done to stop it.
A list of over 200 psychotherapists, counselors, social workers and psychologists that list their services at allaboutcounseling.com is available at the Men’s News Daily article here.
[Update: While the state of Ohio has not yet taken any action on the complaints, all information and reference to River Smith has been removed from the site, as has all information on the other individuals who manage and maintain allaboutcounseling.com. Just like cockroaches when the lights go on.]
Supermom, Supermyth
Kimberly Munley, Jessica Lynch and the Path to Being a Media Heroine
Paul Elam
Appeal to fund Mike Buchanan’s attendance at the Conference on Men’s Issues, New Delhi, 21-23 February, 2020
Men: Ask her for something
Tradwives, Modwives and Feminists
Copyright © 2020 A Voice for Men
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Christian, George Adamson, David Attenborough, World, Australia, Lions, Tigers, Martin Sharp, Art, Ross Gittins, Ross Garnaut, Bourke, Voiceless, Nelson Mandela Etc
MERRY CHRISTMAS, SEASONS GREETINGS, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR from me to everyone as well. Thanks to Derek Cattani, Christian’s friend and photographer, for his annual Christian Christmas card – it is so sweet! My special love and thoughts to the Cattani family for 2014.
GEORGE ADAMSON: Understandably, people remain fascinated by George Adamson. Although where I live is a small “village” on the outskirts of Sydney, I only recently met fellow locals, well known artist Bob Marchant and his wife Inger. Bob lived in London throughout the 1960s and remembers Christian fondly. I love his painting of George Adamson painted after George’s death in 1989. He has always been a “great admirer of George Adamson and the work he did protecting wild animals”. I’ve lent him the excellent biography The Great Safari: The Lives of George and Joy Adamson by Adrian House.
You can ‘like’ the George Adamson Wildlife Trust Australia on Facebook set up by Aidan Basnett.
GEORGE ADAMSON DIED IN 1989 PROTECTING THE ANIMALS HE BELIEVED SHOULD BE FREE, 1990, oil on canvas, by Bob Marchant
Recently Aidan emailed me about his recent trip to Kenya, and visit to Kora. Aidan lived for a time in Kenya when he was young, and his trip was a nostalgic pilgrimage to key sites in the Joy and George Adamson story. Consequently I found his video very informative and interesting, although I felt sad seeing some of the graves. It brought back fond and emotional memories of George’s camp at Kora, which looked in good condition.
Hi Ace,
Just wanted to give you a report on the Adamson Legacy Tour I arranged this year which took in Kampi ya Simba in Kora National Park. Being the home of the late George Adamson, I found the whole experience very poignant and moving. What hit me was I was at last in the spot where it all happened all those years ago – the history. I could not stop thinking of how we were treading in the footsteps of George and his lions, particularly Christian and Boy. Seeing the actual place (Christian’s Rock) where Christian had come down to greet you and John. The years I had longed to visit the area had arrived! We sat atop Kora Rock just taking it all in, and could see George’s grave in the distance. Somewhere out there, all those years ago, Christian had created his domain and we could feel his – and George’s – spirit ! Just an amazing experience I had to share with you and I hope you enjoy the photo and video.
Christian’s Rock photographed by Aidan Basnett, 2013. This is the rock where Christian ran down to us in the 1971 reunion.
DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: Recently I’ve been especially loving wildlife documentaries. They are so soothing – as long as they are not entirely about extinction! I loved David Attenborough’s recently shown documentary on African lions, and the lions and tigers in his Secrets of Wild India documentaries. Tigers weigh on average 220 kilograms and can be just over 3 meters long. A male can rule for 3 years, and live up to 8 on average. Tigers have up to 12 cubs and raise them for 2 years. They are not social and do not live in prides like lions. The males come and go, and usually kill any cubs that are not theirs. Surprisingly, tigers and jaguars are the only cats that like being in water.
The Asiatic lions in the desert region of Gujarat and Rajasthan in India look thinner than African lions – but they may just be hungrier in this hostile environment. Once they ranged from India to the Mediterranean, but their numbers declined to 13 last century. By banning hunting, and other conservation efforts, numbers are now over 400 and climbing.
In David’s documentary on African lions he spoke of the importance of the first two years in the lives of cubs – when they “learnt to be lions”, living in a pride, and acquiring skills for future survival. I suddenly felt guilty about Christian living with us in London during those crucial formative years! However, despite five generations out of Africa, and his London upbringing, Christian seemed remarkably well balanced and adaptable. George thought he had lost none of his natural instincts – he was just inexperienced. George said he was one of the easiest lions to rehabilitate, and Christian who was both canny and courageous, survived those first most dangerous years.
In the African lion documentary, four lionesses lived together, and three had cubs which they looked after collectively. They hunted together effectively, although it is still very dangerous for them, especially against buffaloes. The male came and went, but very aggressively took over a kill a lioness had made, and only reluctantly later shared with his cubs.
I also enjoyed the first episode of a documentary Lions on the Move about South African Kevin Richardson preparing to relocate his 28 lions, 14 hyenas and 2 black leopards to another animal park. The animals seem to love him – the lions loll all over him which looks like lion heaven, but is risky. George Adamson would not have been so physical with lions, and he was trying to minimise their human contact to enable their rehabilitation. We knew Christian so well we could mostly anticipate his behaviour. We did not encourage too much physical interaction with him as he was so quickly stronger than us, and we did not want him to realise this. Kevin knows the individual idiosyncrasies of his lions, and he has to trust his own judgement – and them. Most of the lions looked extremely attractive and shampooed, and several are now 15 years old, which can only be achieved in captivity. Kevin also understands and communicates well with the hyenas, and I was amused by his “baby talk” to the animals – everyone else’s animal/baby talk (except one’s own), sounds so ridiculous!
‘Life of Pi’ The Movie
In general, I don’t like the idea of animals “performing” for our entertainment, and the sensitive question of how animals are handled in films has recently been discussed in The Hollywood Reporter. Apparently King, one of the tigers used in Life of Pi nearly drowned in a water tank filming a scene.
I haven’t yet seen Blackfish, the documentary that traces the history of orcas (also called killer whales) in captivity. I’m not sure why it is regarded as “controversial” documentary, as the cruelty of their confinement in such small areas, for human entertainment, should now be generally acknowledged as completely unacceptable.
A tiger “handler’ was injured by a tiger recently at Australia Zoo. A BBC crew had been filming them, which had probably been a disruption to a normal routine.
I will not be showing the photograph of American Melissa Bachman with the lion she proudly shot. I hope she never returns to Africa.
Meanwhile, Tony the Tiger just waits in his cage. You can read an update here from the Animal Legal Defense Fund which had a victory for Tony in court in October, but proceedings just seem to drag on interminably. You can also sign a petition for Tony.
Kibali at Taronga Zoo. Photographed by Lisa Ridley.
TARONGA ZOO: Kibali, an adolescent gorilla has arrived from France, and joins two selected females to hopefully form the nucleus of a new family of gorillas at Taronga Zoo in Sydney. The old silverback has been pensioned off to Mogo Zoo down the south coast. Three elephants have been transferred to the more open Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo – including the one involved in an incident which injured a staff member last year. A baby elephant has been born in Melbourne Zoo, but one born last year died in an accident, playing with a tyre as a toy.
INDONESIA: A recent report on the ABC showed disgraceful conditions in general at Surabaya Zoo in Java. Sumatran tigers are starving and dying at a time when their survival is under threat, with an estimated only 300-400 left in the wild. A feisty Mayor seems to keep everyone at bay despite the scandalous conditions and a situation that has paralysed the zoo. This zoo compared very unfavourably with Taman Safari Park, Bogor, a few hours south of Jakarta, which seems very well run. The owner has attempted to help the Surabaya Zoo but has now been rebuffed. See – and possibly support – Cee4life who has been campaigning to save the lives of these tigers.
Heritage by Cai Guo-Qiang, 2013
ART: Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang’s exhibition ‘Falling Back to Earth’, is showing at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane, until 11 May 2014. See here for information on GOMA and the exhibition which consists of three huge installations. Heritage (above), described as a “fable of multiculturalism”, with incongruous pairings of animals around pristine white sand and water, was inspired by the artist visiting Queensland’s tropical islands. Head On (below) also has 99 animals made from polystyrene, but in this instance, they are all wolves.
AUSTRALIA: I am finding our new government as bad as many of us feared, and unnecessarily antagonistic, arrogant, secretive and without vision. Our espionage spat with Indonesia worsened through Tony Abbott’s inability to find the right words or actions. Not content, the government then picked a fight unnecessarily with our most important trading partner China – protesting to the Chinese about their actions over disputed territorial claims in the East China Sea.
More revelations from Edward Snowden have shown the extent of Australia’s espionage in the region, including spying on China. Apparently only 1% of a million classified documents have been released so far, and we are “to assume the worst”. It seems we may all have been spied on as well, with the collection of our megadata – mine would be a disappointment.
Not surprisingly, according to the polls, the government’s so called “honeymoon” is already over. A very bad look was the government’s clumsy attempt to break a major election pledge (a back flip on a back flip on a back flip) on education reform.
The implementation of a proposed education reform, which had been worked on over 4 years, was an election pledge by both parties. It was to balance the inequitable funding to schools, which under ex PM John Howard saw already very rich private schools given even more money, while public schools and their students remain disadvantaged, with less access to education.
I find it unimaginable that these days any government would deliberately disadvantage a section of the population, and we will have to wait and see the real intentions of this government. As discussed on an earlier blog, the opportunities for education in the US are also inequitable, cementing a less-educated under class. In 1974 Labor PM Gough Whitlam abolished university fees, and this emancipated many very clever people who were the first in their families to go to university, and have subsequently had an enormous influence on Australia.
Hard as it is to believe, our government seems to be anti-science, and is thoughtlessly dismantling expert bodies that should be consulted and utilised– especially in relation to climate change. The government should not be dismantling the Clean Energy Finance Corp which has been successfully finding and working in partnership with major national and international banks, for example, to research and develop renewable energy sources.
Head On by Cai Guo-Qiang, 2006
ROSS GITTINS: Ross Gittins has the respect of many people. He is an economist but writes more widely. In this heartfelt article, written as a letter to his (future) grandchildren, he expresses his disbelief that Australians have just elected a government “that wasn’t genuine in its commitment to combating the effects of climate change, and that even abolished the main instrument economists invented for that purpose”.
Ross was recently asked to speak at the government’s annual conference on resources and energy and decided to “tell the miners a few home truths”, also published here.
ROSS GARNAUT: In this article about his new book Dog Days: Australia After The Boom Ross Garnaut discusses what economic and policy reforms will be required in this post resource boom era. Neither party seems to have the courage or long term vision for necessary reforms, but “more of the same” is just not sustainable any longer, and will apparently lead to higher unemployment and recession.
ENVIRONMENT: As predicted, the Federal Government has already shown a cavalier attitude to the environment. It has created a “one-stop shop” process with State Governments for faster environmental approvals. Permission has just been granted to expand a coal port (to become the largest in the world), near the already threatened Great Barrier Reef. 3 million cubic metres of seabed – dredging sludge – is to be dumped into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, but hopefully, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority may yet refuse to grant a permit.
Tasmanians have been bitterly divided for decades over the logging or conservation of their forests, although an historic Forestry Agreement from 2012 seems to be working and have support. This agreement is apparently also under review/threat from the Federal Government – presumably to now allow logging in heritage listed forests.
There has been a leak of 1 million litres of highly acidic uranium slurry from the uranium Ranger Mine beside Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. Unfortunately, this is not the first accident at the mine.
After several fatal shark attacks in Australia in the last year, there is renewed debate about culling sharks, and making our beaches “safer”. I choose not to swim in the sea as I view it as their territory, not mine.
The Japanese whaling fleet has set out for their annual whale hunt in the Southern Ocean, and each year anti-whale activists protest in dangerous confrontations. Sea Shepherd consists of three vessels this year, and will again try to prevent this unnecessary slaughter of whales. Australia took a case against Japan’s “scientific” whaling practices to the International Court of Justice, but a decision is still to be made.
MEDIA: In this article Richard Ackland writes in the SMH how journalism has changed, and how some journalists just advocate for the government of their choice “… ranks of salaried writers believing it is their duty to cosy-up to and protect the government, particularly their preferred government, from any embarrassment”. I do read Murdoch’s The Australian on Saturdays and on my way through to often good articles, I glance at what Chris Kenny and Greg Sheridan are saying – and often laugh out loud at their partisanship. (Update: it was Dennis Shanahan in The Australian Dec 21/22 who got the loudest laugh from me with “Abbott: model of a cool, calm and collected PM”. He says there is “an unfair focus on its mistakes”. In this Murdoch parallel universe PM Abbott and his wooden and silenced Cabinet is performing wonderfully, unlike the Opposition, who is still being blamed for everything. Peter Harcher however, was more accurate in the SMH when he said over Indonesia, Abbott’s “toughness is exposed to be phoney, his judgement shown to be wrong, and the damage is not stemmed early but protracted”.
I don’t often read Murdoch’s The Telegraph which campaigned so unfairly and effectively against the Labor Party in the last election. It is a real tabloid, with the usual right wing ranters, but is also fun and a little tacky with many photographs, unlike the rather dull if worthy tabloid- in-size only Sydney Morning Herald.
An entry in the National Geographic Photography Contest 2103. Photograph by Ian Schofield.
Advertised in the paper was the National Geographic Photo Contest, just as entries closed. I know many of you are very interested in photography – and wildlife, and may want to enter in 2014. There are many entries to view at http://www.ngphotocontest.com. There are the categories of “people, places and nature”, and “real” images which “accurately reflect a moment in time”. The photo above is of a Little Owl (right) defending its feeding position from a Great Spotted Woodpecker (left) with both birds showing their full colours with dramatic full wing extensions.
Sony World Photography Awards 2014 is currently accepting entries until 6 January 2014.
ABC: Supported by an avalanche of critical articles on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in the Murdoch press, quite a few members of the government are talking about privatising the ABC – the government funded but independent public media body. Every new conservative government tries to dismantle the ABC (and the trade unions), and allegations of left-wing bias are usually found to be unsubstantiated. I hope it hasn’t got so bad here that we have to again defend the ABC, and that intelligent and informative discussion should be curtailed or shut down. I am addicted to Radio National!
Downtown Bourke
BOURKE: I loved visiting Bourke. It is an attractive town, with some handsome historical buildings, wide streets and trees and parks. It was hard to find a hotel room – there were some tourists, but regional conferences for National Parks, Health etc were being held. I stayed in “North Bourke”, a few kilometres out of town, and over the river. Historically, the town has been a major regional trading centre and transport hub, initially based on the beautiful, if faintly murky Darling River.
Darling River at Port of Bourke
A local joke in Bourke – or rural NSW, is that “NSW” stands for the coastal cities of Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong. There are no longer any rail or air links to Bourke. The area is in drought, and summer temperatures hit 40 degrees. The population of around 2000, is forty percent indigenous, who speak up to 24 different languages. A complaint is that although there is access to various services, there is duplication, and it is not targeted. People I met loved living there and were optimistic about the future. Community leaders are working hard to deal with some of the problems. Most country towns are experiencing high levels of youth unemployment and drug and alcohol abuse, unfortunately leading to high crime statistics. See this recent feature article on Bourke The Lost Town.
I travelled to Bourke with a friend Jon Lewis, a well known Australian photographer. We both want to go back. He took some great photographs of people in the community. I think his photograph of me makes me look a bit haughty. See other photographs of Bourke by Jon Lewis at www.jonnylewis.org – go to Blog and Older Blogs (especially postings for November 15-19).
Ace Bourke in Bourke by Jon Lewis
Frieda and Anne Marie by Jon Lewis
Mick, Stephen, Phil and Alisdair by Jon Lewis
Jonny and I visited an ancient rock art site in the Gundabooka National Park, and Fort Bourke, with several traditional owners and Aboriginal community leaders. Talking frankly with them was a moving and emotional experience. Governor Bourke is, understandably to them, a symbol of colonial dispossession. No governor handled indigenous-settler issues successfully or with honour, and Aboriginal disadvantage from their dispossession continues to this day.
We visited the Back O’Bourke Exhibition Centre and the region has a fascinating history with often larger than life characters. At the Centre it was simply stated that the town was named after Bourke as he was Governor at the time. I imagine people are unaware and uninterested in who Governor Bourke actually was, and I realised that although I live in Sydney, I don’t know much about Lord Sydney either. However, it turned out many were fans of Christian, and I was interviewed by the local newspaper, The Western Herald.
When the surveyor and explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell was in this area on an expedition in 1835, “tensions” with the the local Aboriginal people led to Mitchell building a simple (and small) wooden stockade for protection. A replica exists today. As Richard Bourke was Governor, Mitchell named it Fort Bourke – always a good way to curry favour for the future. Bourke appreciated the beauty of the Australian landscape which was so different to Europe, and travelled on horseback extensively around the colony, although he never visited Bourke.
Leaving the rock art site
WORLD: Over 2 million Syrian refugees are now facing freezing winter conditions, while many of those remaining in Syria are besieged or starving – Syria has become the most dangerous humanitarian crisis for decades; Lebanon, like other neighbours, is drawn further into the conflict with all the refugees, and people transiting through the country to join both sides of the conflict (including hundreds of Australians); Netanyahu is apoplectic at the thought of any Iran-US detente; Australia “abstains” in the UN for an order to stop “all Israeli settlement activities in all of the occupied territories” without informing the Australian public of the change of policy; dozens have been killed across Iraq, with December the bloodiest month for 5 years; very violent and dangerous conditions in the Central African Republic and South Sudan; the Philippines still in dire need of help, with 4 million people displaced; anti-government unrest in Bangkok and the Ukraine; wonderful Aung San Suu Kyi visits Australia; ex PMs Rudd and Berlusconi are hopefully gone for good; A.C.T. same-sex marriage legislation is overturned in an Australian court, but the decision clears the way for Federal Parliament to legislate; India (re)criminalises homosexuality; China lands on the moon; Pope Francis is Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, while Edward Snowden came second.
Willie Wagtail and baby by Sylvia Ross
MAIL: People love birds as I found out with the response to the last blog. Thanks to the indefatigible Sylvia Ross for her photographs of this birds nest 2 meters from her front door. Over weeks we have followed the drama in the life of the Willie Wagtail – the nest, the attack by a Currawong, a surviving chick (above) appears, and later, 2 more appear! I loved her recent exhibition Feral which was photographs she has taken of pigeons in many countries. They are a beautiful and varied family, and these photographs are used as metaphors for “cultural prioritisation and question the concept of feral”.
I really appreciate the variety of emails, comments, stories and images I receive from many of you, so thank you very much. Several of you unfortunately lost adored companion pets this year and I hope you are managing. I know I am sometimes a little late – or careless, in my responses. Indeed, if I have other things to attend to, my blog can read more like a summary of past events…..
I would like to thank my sister Lindy, and Hayley from HMMG, for their invaluable assistance.
WATCHING & READING: At the moment I’m adoring Andre Agassi’s fascinating autobiography OPEN. He seems to have hated tennis from the start and it was his father’s dream, not his, to be Number 1 in the world. Dad was yet another demanding and scary tennis parent. He expresses the pyschological torment he suffered very well, and envies his main rival Pete Sampras for being “dull” – and more focused. He repeats bitchy remarks directed towards him from McEnroe, Connors, Becker, Lendl etc., which actually reveals more about them. He discovers that famous people, and I presume this includes his ex-wife Brooke Shields, are as mundane as everyone else.
I’m enjoying the Australia-English cricket Ashes Test series. In a form reversal, Australia have now actually won the Ashes, although there are two more matches in the series to play.
VOICELESS: Voiceless is a non-profit organisation which is part of the animal protection movement in Australia, and is especially concerned with raising awareness of animals suffering in factory farming and the kangaroo industry. Recently I attended the 10th annual Voiceless Awards and I am constantly surprised and pleased by the very important work many people are doing on behalf of animals. Voiceless is to be congratulated for their impressive track record of advocacy, and generosity through Grants, Prizes and other support. The next day I met several of the dedicated staff, and was delighted to see three of them had their dogs at work.
The Animal Studies Group’s latest online edition of the Animal Studies Journal, has interesting articles reflecting current research in human-animal studies – from living with crocodiles – or owning dogs in Thailand, to animal grief.
MARTIN SHARP: Martin Sharp (1942-2013), another of Australia’s most influential artists, has died. His great friend Richard Neville, wrote a very comprehensive obituary in the SMH. A very clever and creative group of Australians had arrived in London a few years before me, and they were major contributors to the so called 1960s “Counter Culture”: from Oz Magazine to Germaine Greer. Martin Sharp made cartoons, collages, posters, psychedelic pop paintings, and album covers for Hendrix, Cream etc. When he returned to Sydney, Martin lived in his grandparent’s mansion in Sydney, with rooms devoted to his obsessions which included Tiny Tim, Mickey Mouse, Luna Park and amusement park memorabilia. Martin had a huge influence on many of us. He encouraged me to open my first gallery. In 2009, Louise Ferrier and I co-ordinated a survey exhibition at the Museum of Sydney: Martin Sharp Sydney Artist.
Self Portrait by Martin Sharp
NELSON MANDELA: It is the end of an era with the death of Nelson Mandela. I can’t add to the deserved accolades for his extraordinary achievements, especially managing the transition from apartheid to democracy and reconciliation. It has made us all think about leadership – and the absence in most of our lives of visionary – or even practical, leadership. Mandela was a mystical combination of intelligence, resilience, charm, firmness etc, and it has been fascinating reading and learning more about him – the power he exerted from a prison cell!
It has also been a reminder of the many problems still facing South Africa, and many people obviously feel President Zuma has failed to improve their lives.
I was very interested in this quote from Mandela on leadership: “A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realising that all along they are being directed from behind”.
In his oration at Mandela’s memorial service, Obama said that leaders needed to be filled with “the spirit of Ubuntu”, a Nguni Bantu word meaning “the oneness of humanity”. Let’s all strive for this in 2014…..
Tags: A Lion Called Christian, ABC, Animals, art, Australia, Australian Government, Bourke, Christian the Lion, David Attenborough, George Adamson, George Adamson Wildlife Preservation, George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust, Indonesia, lions, Martin Sharp, Middle East, National Geographic, Nelson Mandela, Ross Garnaut, Ross Gittins, Taronga Zoo, Tigers, World
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Macron Still an Unlikely Contender for French Presidency
The outgoing French economy minister doesn’t have a lot of support inside the ruling Socialist Party.
French economy minister Emmanuel Macron attends a tech conference in Paris, December 11, 2014 (LeWeb)
French economy minister Emmanuel Macron stepped down on Tuesday, presumably to plan a presidential candidacy for the election next year.
“I have touched the limits of our system, the last-minute compromises, its imperfect solutions,” Macron said in a speech. “I want to start a new phase of my fight today.”
He stopped short of revealing his presidential ambitions, but coming four months after the launch of his own centrist political movement, En Marche!, there is little doubt in France what the former investment banker is up to.
Macron is fairly popular with the electorate at large but a controversial figure inside his own Socialist Party. He is the public face of President François Hollande’s late conversion to social democracy, spearheading liberal economic reforms such as allowing small firms to opt out of collective bargaining agreements.
That is why I argued in May he is unlikely to prevail in a left-wing primary.
Macron’s “Blairite ways,” I wrote, “are an affront to many old-school socialists who cling to France’s heavily-regulated, state-centric social model.”
Should Hollande not run for a second term — and he might be wise not to, given his dismal approval ratings — I still think his prime minister, Manuel Valls, is the more likely successor.
Incrementalist
Valls is a social democrat, like Macron. When he ran against Hollande in the 2012 primary, it was as a reformer who vowed to abolish the 35-hour workweek and crack down on Islamism in France.
But unlike the younger politician, who stormed in from outside and seems to believe he can upend the left-right divide all by himself, Valls is an incrementalist who patiently worked his way up through the Socialist Party machine.
His career may be less exciting to magazine editors who like to put the handsome Macron on their covers, but it makes Valls the more probable leader of a party that spans the entire left-wing spectrum of French politics.
“Valls has more support in parliament and a deeper understanding of how power is accumulated from the ground up,” a supporter told Politico earlier this year, “and not from the top down, as Macron is proposing to do.”
Another difference is experience. Macron knows the economy but little else. Valls is emphasizing identity and security issues, arguing, for example, that the full-face Islamic veil should be banned from secondary schools and public buildings.
He said in an interview with Libération that “culture and identity”, not the job market, will be the most important issue in the 2017 election.
He may be right. Joblessness, especially in the deindustrialized north, is linked to people’s concerns about immigration and globalization, but the question of French identify manifests itself in all the major political issues of the day, from what sort of an economy France wants to have to how it copes with Islamic terror, Muslim integration and the exodus of French Jews.
Macron has the answer to one of those questions. His France is an altogether more liberal place, with looser labor laws, fewer restrictions on enterprise and youngsters coming from all over to study, work and start businesses.
While Macron was off promoting this vision of France at Davos and in Silicon Valley, Valls was governing a country in a state of emergency, in place since the November terrorist attacks in Paris. He previously served as interior minister, is seen as strong on law and order and has resisted European pressure on France to admit more refugees.
In a presidential contest that is likely to pit the Socialist candidate against Nicolas Sarkozy on the right and Marine Le Pen on the far right — both hardliners on immigration and security — Macron could appear untested. Valls would appeal more to the center and might stem some of the defections to the far left that a Macron candidacy would inevitably inspire, something that threatens to take the Socialists out of contention for the crucial second voting round.
French Elections 2017
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Earth Talk: Cap and trade strategies to reduce carbon emissions
Published Sunday, Mar. 16, 2014, 9:36 am
Front Page » Sports » Earth Talk: Cap and trade strategies to reduce carbon emissions
Dear EarthTalk: If “cap and trade” has worked so well in Europe for reducing greenhouse gas emissions there, why haven’t we tried something similar here in the U.S.? — Sandra M., Bern, NC
Cap and trade, whereby big polluters must pay to emit greenhouse gases against a capped total amount that is reduced over time—has been in effect across the European Union (EU) since 2005. This so-called Emissions Trading System (ETS) requires 11,000 of the largest electric and industrial facilities in 28 European countries to participate. Some 45 percent of Europe’s total greenhouse gas emissions are regulated under the system. Proponents say the ETS has succeeded in keeping greenhouse gas emissions in check and making europe a global leader on climate. The EU reports that, by 2020, emissions from sectors covered by ETS will be 21 percent lower than they were in 2005 and 43 percent lower by 2030.
But critics argue that Europe’s reduced emissions may be more due to the global recession than the ETS, and that the cheap availability of allowances has made it easier for companies to pay to burn coal than to switch to cleaner natural gas or invest more in carbon mitigation technologies. Early in 2014 the EU tightened up its system by cutting the number of new allowances it plans to issue over the next three years by a third while simultaneously creating a “market reserve” to absorb extra allowances as needed.
Meanwhile, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, Kazakhstan and South Korea have each set up their own national cap-and-trade programs to varying degrees of success, while regional versions have popped up within Japan, Canada and the U.S.
As to the U.S., whether or not to establish a nationwide cap-and-trade system here has been a hot topic of discussion in Congress. It last came up for a vote in 2010, but never found enough bi-partisan support to become the law of the land. But in lieu of any federal system, two U.S. regions have undertaken their own attempts at ratcheting down greenhouse gas emissions through market mechanisms:
In 2009, 10 Northeastern states came together to create the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-trade system with the goal of reducing regional carbon emissions from the power sector 10 percent from 2009 levels by 2018. Lower emissions than expected over the first five years of the program—thanks to many utilities switching over to cleaner burning and increasingly cheaper natural gas as well as less overall economic output due to the recession—led RGGI to lower its overall annual cap from 165 million to 91 million tons in 2014, with a 2.5 percent reduction every year thereafter until 2020. Analysts expect this rejiggering will drive the price of polluting five times higher than it has been and thus force utilities across the region to seek cleaner, greener alternatives to coal as an electricity feedstock.
The other major U.S. cap and trade player is California, which launched its own ETS in 2013 with a cap set initially at two percent below 2012 emission levels. The cap will then be reduced three percent a year from 2015-2020. Some 600 facilities are big enough polluters to qualify for participation in the system, which will cover around 85 percent of the state’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Given that California in and of itself is the 12th largest economy in the world, its forward-thinking commitment to cap-and-trade gives hope everywhere to fans of marshaling market forces to bring about environmental change.
CONTACTS: EU Emissions Trading System, ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ets/index_en.htm; RGGI, www.rggi.org; California Cap-and-Trade Program, www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/capandtrade.htm.
EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com.
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To those of us who look beyond glittering surfaces and misleading headlines, the London 2012 Olympiad was a spectacular carnival of conspicuous consumption which demonstrated much that is wrong with what we like to call ‘civilisation’.
If aliens had visited Earth during this Olympic Orgy they would have been amazed to see stupendous sums spent on a largely inconsequential jamboree, while all around massive cuts are being made to vital public services that are central to the health, wealth, and happiness of human beings everywhere. And while millions around the world remain at risk of starvation, thirst, hypothermia, disease, war, poverty or disaster, the hundreds of millions of pounds spent on these Games and the air of supreme importance attached to them, just cannot be justified in any sane universe. In a time of so-called ‘Austerity’, when people are losing their homes, their livelihoods, and their lives, this extravagant luxury is pretty much offensive to me. Somebody somewhere is making out like a bandit from these Olympics, and it sure as hell isn’t the taxpayers who subsidised the success of the UK athletes, to the tune of, according to this article, about £4.5 million per medal won.
I do feel a little sorry for the athletes though. No blame can be attached to them for what the Olympics has become. All that hard work, dedication, and sacrifice in pursuit of extraordinary feats of physical ability or endurance, only to find their efforts in effect hijacked by corporate and political vultures. The athletes have become little more than pawns, or lures. And indeed, in my own case, I was lured into watching through the sheer brilliance of the athletic displays, despite my initial ambivalence. In an ideal world sport would be just about sport, but sadly the ideal world is still some way off.
As David Cameron has admitted, the Olympics are about “more than medals”. There are games being played around The Games, by politicians and businessmen. For these people, the Olympics is not about the sport, it is about the opportunity to exploit the event for their own ends. And their efforts in that regard are as single-minded and determined as that of any athlete. But instead of a constant quest for Personal Bests, this is a constant quest for power and profit.
And while we know already that Team GB enjoyed a heady yield from London 2012 in terms of medals won, only time will tell about the ‘return’ for the likes of the Coalition Government, and the host of corporate sponsors. Already the indications are that the Games have served some of their political purposes. The Sun claims that the Olympics has sparked a “massive feelgood factor”, whose “afterglow” will “help us through these tough times”. Cameron is quoted in The Scotsman outlining exactly what the message of these games is supposed to be –
“We do face a very tough economic situation and I do not belittle that at all. It is a very tough economic world we are in. But in a way, what these Games show is that if you work hard enough at something, if you plan something, if you are passionate enough about something, you can turn things around. I think that is the lesson people can take from these Games”.
What we have there is the reinforcement of neoliberal capitalist myths, that anyone can make it if they work hard enough, and that competition is good and healthy. Never mind that most of elite sport in the UK is subsidised by the State, or from semi-nationalised Lottery funding.
The Independent claimed just before the opening of the Games that –
“Mr Cameron will say he intends to devote his energy to drumming up business on the back of the global event, which will give the Government a chance to sell Britain to the world“.
On other words to find investors for the public services he is selling off, and increase the profits of his buddies in major corporations.
In the Daily Mail, David Cameron is said to be pleased that the Games provided a “boost to the Union”, which no doubt will be useful to him when it comes to the referendum on Scottish independence. The jingoistic coverage of the Games by the BBC will have, of course, played a large part in that. All those lingering, loving shots of the union flag. And of course, when the Conservative MP Aiden Burley tweeted “Thank God the athletes have arrived! Now we can move on from leftie multicultural crap. Bring back red arrows, Shakespeare and the Stones!“, it allowed Cameron, who had previously claimed “multiculturalism has failed”, to position himself as the soft, liberal and tolerant face of British nationalism. In the same speech he claimed the UK “needed a stronger national identity”, and undoubtedly he is using the success of the UK Olympians to further that cause.
The sensational success of Mo Farah has already been utilised by David Cameron for propaganda purposes, namely to lend credence to the myth that the UK government is sincerely committed to tackling the problem of world hunger. Millionaires Against Poverty don’t ya know? It’s kinda like when in 2005 the Labour Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, claimed the Games would help advance the good health of the nation. Presumably that is why McDonald’s, and major environmental polluters like BP and Dow Chemicals ended up as major sponsors of the Games….?
Forgive me if I think it’s all a load of bollocks. And dangerous bollocks at that.
There’s a lot more that could be said about this, the failure of the Olympic Truce – Syrian delegates were refused visas into the country,(incidentally, this article is a must read for the outrageously biased reporting), UK troops remaining on active service in Afghanistan, surface-to-air missiles on roofs in London, or the kettling, beating, and arrest of nearly two hundred Critical Mass cyclists at the same time as Danny Boyle’s feelgood Opening Ceremony was extolling the virtues of past protest in this country. But at least Boyle reminded us a little of that legacy. One of solidarity in the struggle for a better tomorrow, won for us by the struggle of our dissenting foremothers and forefathers. And that is the real legacy we should take from these Games, not some tawdry promises from the likes of Coe, Cameron, or Johnson.
We should not be content with bread and circuses.
Categories: 2012, Activism, Capitalism, Human Rights, Iraq, London 2012, Politics, Propaganda, Syria, The Sun, Thoughts, War . Tags: 2005, Afghanistan, afterglow, Aiden Burley MP, aliens, arrest, athletes, BBC, beating, bollocks, Boris Johnson, BP, bread and circuses, business, carnival, civilisation, coaltion government, competition, consumption, corporate, crap, Critical Mass, cuts, cyclists, Daily Mail, dangerous, Danny Boyle, disaster, disease, dissent, Dow Chemicals, elite sport, endurance, exploitation, feelgood factor, flag, Games, Guardian, hard work, Health Secretary, human beings, hunger, independence, jamboree, kettling, legacy, liberal, London, lottery, lures, McDonald's, medals, Mo Farah, multicultural, myths, national identity, nationalism, neoliberal, olympiad, Olympic Truce, opening ceremony, orgy, Patricia Hewitt, pawns, personal bests, political, poverty, power, profit, protest, public services, red arrows, referendum, reinforcement, Rolling Stones, roofs, sacrifice, Scotland, Scotsman, Seb Coe, Shakespeare, soft, sponsors, starvation, state funding, Surface to air missiles, team GB, the Independent, thirst, tolerant, twitter, Union, visas, vultures, war, world hunger . Author: blacksheepdiarist . Comments: Leave a comment
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American Revolution Podcast
A Chronological Journey through the Revolutionary War
Episode 015: Anglo-Cherokee War, West Indies, & Spain
The war with the French in North America had pretty much ended with the fall of Montreal in 1760. War continued to rage in Europe, Africa, and Asia though. Having secured North America, and with the British Navy dominating the Atlantic, William Pitt decided to hit the French even harder in the West Indies. But before he could do that, the British discovered that even a French Free North America still required some military attention.
The Cherokee War
The Cherokee were a fairly large tribe in the south. Generally, they had had relatively friendly relations with South Carolina, as they sat on the western frontier of the colony. Problems began to grow after a large number of Cherokee traveled up to Pennsylvania in 1758 to help Gen. Forbes capture Fort Duquesne. Back in Episode 12, I mentioned that Forbes had treated the Cherokee poorly. They ended up ditching him and heading home with the arms and ammunition he had provided to them. On the way back home, settlers in western Virginia accused the Cherokee of raiding their farms and taking property. Virginia militia ended up tracking down and killing at least 30 Cherokee warriors, scalping the Indians to exchange for reward money in Williamsburg.
Gov. Sir William Lyttelton
When the warriors returned home ticked off and well armed, they found that South Carolinians had been poaching on their land, killing off the deer they needed for winter meat and their fur trade. Many Cherokee wanted to exact revenge. A chief named Little Carpenter called for moderation. In the spring of 1759, he went to meet with the Governor of South Carolina to see if he could arrange a payment in compensation for the harm done. Governor Lyttelton essentially told the Chief, you get nothing, you lose, good day sir!
Frustrated by South Carolina’s refusal even to hold serious talks over incursions on their land, angry Cherokee warriors started attacking isolated cabins on the border of Cherokee lands, killing around 30 frontier settlers that summer. In response, Lyttelton cut off all gun powder sales to the Cherokee. Since powder was critical to the tribe’s ability to hunt, they were divided on whether to go to all out war, or seek an accommodation.
In the fall of 1759, another group of moderate Cherokee leaders returned to Charleston to meet with the Governor and see if they could work out an agreement. Lyttelton responded by locking up the delegation, holding them hostage until the Cherokee turned over the warriors who had killed settlers over the summer. This essentially guaranteed war since Lyttelton had locked up all the moderate Cherokee leaders, leaving the war faction leaders in charge.
The Governor sent a large contingent of militia, with the Cherokee hostages, to Fort Prince George in Cherokee country. He demanded the tribes turn over for trial anyone who had killed any colonists before he would release the hostages. This was not going to happen. Cherokee responded by attacking more settlers, killing or capturing more than 100 over the winter. By January 1760, the militia terms were up and smallpox was beginning to ravage the Fort. Most of the militia went home, leaving a small winter garrison, with the hostages at the Fort.
Sketch of Cherokee Country (from missedinhistory.com)
The Cherokee ended up besieging the Fort, making occasional attacks. When one of these killed the Fort’s commander, the South Carolina militia responded by killing all of their Cherokee hostages.
Seeing the situation beginning to spin out of control, Lyttelton called for raising more troops to crush the Cherokee uprising. Then, in March 1760, he got an appointment to be Governor of Jamaica and left the mess for someone else to fix.
The Cherokee continued in open warfare along the South Carolina frontier. In addition to Fort Prince George, Indian raids attacked Fort Ninety-Six, Fort Dobbs and Fort Loudoun.
Archibald Montgomery
In April, Col. Archibald Montgomery arrived with 1300 British regulars. Joined by several hundred militia, they entered Cherokee country. For much of the summer, Montgomery engaged in a series of minor skirmishes. He relieved forts being attacked and destroyed several Cherokee villages. At what became known as the First Battle of Echoe (sometimes spelled Etchoe), the British took about 90 casualties and Cherokee about 50, although estimates vary. By August, Montgomery marched to Charleston and set sail for New York, claiming victory and going home.
The Cherokee warriors, however, never got the memo that the British had won. From the Cherokee perspective, they had driven the British from their territory. The Cherokee were still very much at war. They had besieged Fort Loudoun deep in Cherokee territory, in what is today Tennessee. In August, just as Montgomery’s expedition was setting sail for New York, the soldiers at Fort Loudoun agreed to surrender the Fort in exchange for safe passage back to Fort Prince George. The Cherokee allowed them out, but did not so much grant safe passage as much as a head start. A day later, the Cherokee chased down the retreating garrison and attacked them. The Indians killed about 25 soldiers including the Fort commander, who they scalped while alive and tortured to death. The Cherokee took the surviving 200 men as prisoners.
Despite their military success, the Cherokee were running drastically short on food and supplies, particularly ammunition. They could not get any neighboring tribes to ally with them, as they became more isolated over the winter of 1760-61.
(from Clan Grant Society)
In the spring 1761, Maj. James Grant, the same officer who had been captured in the ambush near Fort Duquesne in 1758 and who also served under Col. Montgomery the year before, led 2800 soldiers into Cherokee country, where they met a force of 1000 warriors at the Second Battle of Echoe. The battle again was bloody on both sides, but the Cherokee used up what remained of their ammunition.
For the next few months, Grant’s plan was to make the Cherokee feel the full wrath of the British military. Grant’s men burned any crops or buildings they could find. They took no prisoners, immediately executing any Cherokee who fell into their hands. In total, Grant destroyed at least 15 villages, an estimated 15,000 acres of Cherokee crops and an unknown number of people.
Three Cherokee in London 1762 (from Wikipedia)
By August, the Cherokee were ready to sue for peace. Little Carpenter met with Grant at Fort Prince William. The Cherokee agreed to release any prisoners they held as well as captured livestock. They also agreed to move the Cherokee border 26 miles further inland, giving up a large chunk of their territory. A final peace agreement signed in December 1761 formally ended hostilities.
The British essentially won, but the Cherokee had reminded them that they were a force to be respected. They could make life miserable for the colonists if they were pushed too far. Unlike the French, they were not going anywhere.
War moves to the Caribbean
For the British, the Cherokee uprising was a minor distraction. Pitt wanted to put his focus on the West Indies, what we today call the Caribbean, where slave covered islands produced massive wealth in the form of sugar and spice. With the French Navy now in tatters, these French colonial islands made relatively easy targets.
In 1759, the British attempted a half-hearted attack on the French island of Martinique in the Caribbean. Martinique remained in French control, but the British did capture the nearby island of Guadalupe. After the destruction of the French Navy at Quiberon Bay, the British Navy had the upper hand and in 1761 captured the small island of Dominica.
While the small French garrison put up resistance, the British quickly overran them and took control of the island. Once the British took control, the civilians seemed content with the relatively generous terms of surrender. The French speaking inhabitants could continue to live as they had, speaking French and practicing their Catholic religion. They just had to swear loyalty to King George. After that, trade actually improved as they got access to other British markets to sell produce from their coffee plantations.
West Indies, 1750 (from Kronoskaf)
In 1762, Pitt decided to up the game once more, sending an expedition to capture the larger island of Martinique, along with St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent, and Tobago. These French islands were highly profitable sugar plantations that provided a valuable source of income for France. Rather than have his forces sit around in winter garrisons in Canada now that the French had left, Pitt decided to use them in the Caribbean.
Robert Monckton, his wounds from Quebec now healed, led a detachment of 8000 regulars and American militia to Martinique in January 1762. By early February, Monckton’s forces defeated the French garrison and secured the Island for Britain. Soon thereafter, the British took St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tobago, and Grenada. In each case, the locals willingly accepted their new government and benefited from trade within the British mercantile system.
More Political Changes in London
Pitt, however, would not lead Britain for the final stage of the war. Pitt’s increasingly aggressive war policies were in clear conflict with those of King George III, who wanted to wrap up the war as quickly as possible. The King wanted his own man in government, a Tory leader named John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute. In 1755, Bute had become the tutor for the future George III. The two became close confidants and political allies. The King saw Pitt and Newcastle as his grandfather’s men still pushing his grandfather’s policies. He wanted to replace them, but could not simply remove them while they were winning a popular war.
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of
Bute (from Wikipedia)
In late 1761, Pitt saw that Spain was about to enter the war. He pushed for Britain to declare war on Spain first so that they could take the initiative. Bute had begun attending cabinet meetings at the King’s request, despite still having no official position in the Administration. Bute, unofficially serving as the voice of the King, opposed expanding the war. Following Bute’s lead, most of the Cabinet also opposed Pitt.
Supporting the King’s view that the war needed to be ended, not expanded, was the ever increasing concern of cost. The national debt had risen to over £130 million, nearly double what it was at the beginning of the war. By modern measure, the debt was more than 150% of the entire British GDP. Lenders were becoming more reluctant to finance the debt with the Bank of England, and were demanding higher interest rates. With the war still bleeding millions each year, Newcastle was concerned that the slightest financial panic could bring down the whole economy. Newcastle had developed a good working relationship with Pitt over the past few years. So when Newcastle opposed Pitt’s plan for war with Spain, Pitt decided he was too isolated. In October 1762, Pitt tendered his resignation to King George.
With Pitt’s departure, the ministry needed a new leader for the House of Commons. They settled on George Grenville. Because Grenville was a political ally and brother-in-law to Pitt, it would not be apparent to Britain’s enemies how much this leadership change indicated a change in British resolve to continue the war effort. The British needed to appear willing to continue the war in order to ensure good terms in a final treaty. Grenville, however, would be more focused on getting the deficit under control and looking for an opportunity to end the war, even as Britain continued to take more enemy territory and prosecute the war on the continent.
Prime Minister Newcastle would not remain in power much longer either. Bute and his Tory allies began to undercut Newcastle at Treasury. Newcastle told the King he would have to resign if this did not stop. The King’s response was essentially I guess you will be leaving then. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Newcastle retired permanently this time. He would continue to serve in the House of Lords, but would never again be Prime Minister. At last the King had an opportunity to install his friend, Lord Bute as Prime Minister. The British government would now be run by a Tory Prime Minister for the first time since King George I came to power nearly half a century earlier.
Aside from being a Tory, Bute was an outsider to English politics. He was a Scot by birth and upbringing. His family was not closely tied into the London establishment. His only grasp on power was his close relationship with the King.
Nevertheless he shared the King’s view that Britain needed to wrap up the war and get its debt under control. Bute advised Prussian King Frederick (later called Frederick the Great) to wrap up his war with Russia and Austria as Britain wanted to close the spigot of military aid. Frederick essentially told him to buzz off, and this is literally what he said: “Learn your duty better, and take note that it is not your place to proffer me such foolish and impertinent advice.”
After that slam, Bute actually reached out to the enemy, the new Russian Czar Peter III, asking him to keep his troops in the field against Prussia in order to force Federick into peace negotiations. Peter, despite being at war with Prussia, was actually an admirer of Frederick. Peter ended up sending Bute’s note to Frederick who then had even more reason to loathe a supposed ally who was corresponding with the enemy against him. Any possibility there might have been for a working relationship between Bute and Frederick was now completely dead. Czar Peter’s Prussian fetish did not win him any friends at home though. A few months later his own wife, Catherine (later Catherine the Great) overthrew her husband and renewed Russia’s war against Prussia.
Despite having a King and a Prime Minister who wanted to end the war quickly, actually ending the war was proving impossible. Pitt’s policy of capturing more colonies around the world was rolling on its own momentum. It’s pretty hard politically to tell your armies and navies to stop winning so much. Other European powers now began to fear that the British Empire would soon come to dominate the continent.
Spain Joins the War
By this time, France knew it was in serious trouble of permanently losing valuable real estate around the world. King Louis finally convinced his cousin, King Charles III of Spain to enter what was called the “Family Compact” in August 1761 promising support for France in its war with Britain. While still officially neutral, Spain promised to enter the war if not over by May 1762.
As I mentioned, Pitt had gone nuts over this agreement and wanted to go to war in the fall of 1761. The government refused and he ended up resigning over the issue. Despite Pitt’s departure in October, by November the new administration sent an ultimatum to Spain demanding that Spain declare it would not ally itself with France in the war, or Britain would consider the two countries at war. Having heard nothing, Britain declared war on Spain on January 4, 1762. By the time Spain responded with its own declaration on Jan. 18, British ships were already en route to take Cuba, and London had sent orders to India to dispatch a British force to take the Philippines. So rather than wrapping up the war as hoped, the British added a new enemy combatant and opened up several more sections of the world for battle.
Spain invaded Portugal in May, obliging the British to provide troops for its ally’s defense. A British force in Portugal led by Lord Loudoun, who had failed in North America years before, led an effective defense against the Spanish assault on Lisbon. A daring young Brigadier named John Burgoyne helped by destroying several Spanish supply bases. Burgoyne had the capable assistance of a highly effective newly promoted Lt. Col. named Charles Lee, who had fought at Fort Carillon a few years earlier. Remember both of those names as we will see them again in a few years.
While the British fought Spain to a stalemate in Portugal, another force of 12,000 descended on Havana Cuba. Havana was the hub of the Spanish colonial system in America. Britain controlled the Atlantic, but the fortress defenses to Havana Harbor were impregnable to any fleet. As a result, the British force had to land several miles away, and assault Havana by land.
The Capture of Havana 1762 (from Wikimedia)
The British landing began on June 7, 1762. George Keppel, Earl of Albemarle led the British force, joined by 2000 more as Gen. Monckton deployed from Martinique. Under capable field officers including Col. Guy Carleton and Col. William Howe, the British army launched an effective siege against Havana. Cuba’s greatest threat though, was disease. After one month about 1000 British soldiers were dead from yellow fever, malaria, and other tropical illnesses. Another 3000 were incapacitated by illness. The lack of clean drinking water became a major problem.
By late July, 4000 more reinforcements arrived from North America. About half were regular army and half were colonial militia. By mid-August, Havana had fallen to the siege. But the tropical diseases continued to take their toll. Nearly half of the invading British force succumbed to disease. Fortunately for the British, Cuban civilians accepted the new government under generous surrender terms that allowed them to carry on with their lives as before, and to take advantage of new access to British trading partners. It appeared that Britain had put another large and valuable colony into its empire.
Next week: Britain finally ends the war with the Treaty of Paris in 1763.
Next Episode 16: Treaty of Paris & Wilkes Affair
Previous Episode 14: Canada Becomes British & Britain Gets King George III
Visit the American Revolution Podcast (https://amrev.podbean.com).
Web Sites:
The Cherokee War: http://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/cherokee-war-1759-1761
The Cherokee War: http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/America/United_States/North_Carolina/_Texts/LEEIWNC/12*.html
French and Indian War in the Carolinas: http://www.carolana.com/NC/Royal_Colony/french_indian_war.html
Outacite Ostenaco and the Cherokee-Virginia Alliance in the French and Indian War, by Douglas Wood: https://textbooks.lib.wvu.edu/wvhistory/files/html/02_wv_history_reader_wood
Fort Prince George: https://sites.google.com/site/pickenscountyhistoricalsociety/fort-prince-george
British Expedition against the Cherokee, 1760: http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1760_-_British_expedition_against_the_Cherokee_Indians
British Expedition against the Cherokee, 1761:
http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1761_-_British_expedition_against_the_Cherokee_Indians
The Two Battles of Echete Pass, by Richard Thornton (2017): https://peopleofonefire.com/the-two-battles-of-echete-pass-forgotten-but-dramatic-events-during-the-french-and-indian-war.html
Seven Years War in the Caribbean: http://caribya.com/caribbean/history/seven.years.war
British Expedition against Domenica, 1761: http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1761_-_British_expedition_against_Dominica
British Expedition against Martinique, 1762:
http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1762_-_British_expedition_against_Martinique
British Expedition against Cuba, 1762: http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1762_-_British_expedition_against_Cuba
Pitt the Elder Resigns: http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/pitt-elder-resigns
Free eBooks:
(links to archive.org unless otherwise noted)
The Cambridge Modern History, Vol 6, by John Acton, et al (1902) (discusses Pitt’s departure from office, Spain’s entry into the war, and other details of the Seven Years War).
William Pitt Earl Of Chatham, by Arthur Innes (1907).
Some Observations on the Two Campaigns Against the Cherokee Indians, in 1760 and 1761, by Philopatrios (1762).
Books Worth Buying
(links to Amazon.com unless otherwise noted)*
Crucible of War: The Seven Years' War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754-1766, by Fred Anderson (2000).
A Far-Flung Gamble: Havana 1762, by David Greentree (2010).
The Dividing Paths: Cherokees and South Carolinians Through the Era of Revolution, by Tom Hatley (1993).
Empire of Fortune, by Francis Jennings (1988).
Peace and War on the Anglo-Cherokee Frontier, 1756-63, by John Stuart Oliphant (2001).
Carolina in Crisis: Cherokees, Colonists, and Slaves in the American Southeast, 1756-1763, by Daniel J. Tortora (2015).
* (Book links to Amazon.com are for convenience. They are not an endorsement of Amazon, nor does this site receive any compensation for any links).
Posted by Michael Troy at 4:57 AM
Labels: 1761, 1762, 18th Century Wars, Anglo Cherokee War, ARP, French and Indian War, History Podcast, Seven Years War
Michael Troy
Episode 016: Treaty of Paris and the Wilkes Affair...
Episode 015: Anglo-Cherokee War, West Indies, & S...
Episode 014: Canada Becomes British & Britain Gets...
Episode 013: The Battle of Quebec (1759)
Episode 012: Forts Duquesne, Niagara, and Carillon...
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Home › Burroughs, Jeremiah
Jeremiah Burroughs Books
This preacher and author was known for faithfully teaching orthodox Christianity while also working for Christian unity. He was deeply troubled by the divisions between Puritan reformers and he longed for them to reconcile. Born in 1599, Burroughs attended Emmanuel College, Cambridge, but was forced to leave because of his nonconformist beliefs. He nevertheless served as minister for multiple congregations, ultimately leaving for Holland where he served at the English Church at Rotterdam. He returned to England in 1642, where he served as a preacher in London and played a leading role in the Westminster Assembly, unfortunately dying prematurely before the assembly’s work was complete. One of the most well-known of Jeremiah Burroughs books is titled The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. Jeremiah Burroughs’ Contentment encouraged believers to be peaceful in their hearts, even during challenging times, fervently sharing his message with warmth, passion, clarity and cogency.
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
by Jeremiah Burroughs
price $9.00 $8.10
Practical and biblical ways to remedy the spiritual disease of a spirit of discontentment. Marked by sanity, clarity, aptness of illustration, and warmth of appeal to the heart. 232pp.
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Katrina dogs state’s largest city
NEW ORLEANS – “I guess I just miss my old life,” said Shirley Dolbear, formerly of East New Orleans. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor NEW ORLEANS – “I guess I just miss my old life,” said Shirley Dolbear, formerly of East New Orleans. Her home was destroyed by flooding that left her – at age 86 – clinging for more than two days to the eaves of her house before her son commandeered a boat without motor or oars. That doesn’t matter now, though, she said from the steps of her FEMA trailer, parked beside her sister’s home. What does matter are friends scattered across the nation. There won’t be any more weekly lunches, Dolbear said. Life won’t ever be the same in New Orleans, people are beginning to realize. Two weeks ago they still were in shell-shock. Now they’re beginning to realize the amount of clean-up and rebuilding that will be required, and for what, ask people like Dolbear who lost not only her home and friends, but also her lifestyle. But Southern Baptists bring hope, and before a group of chain saw-toting Baptist Collegiate Ministries students left Dolbear’s sister’s home with a cleaned back yard and a pile of logs and tree branches by the front curb, the elderly woman made a … [Read more...]
NOAH picks up hammer
NEW ORLEANS – More than $5 million is designated for Louisiana Southern Baptists to help in the rebuilding of New Orleans, North American Mission Board officials announced this week. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor NEW ORLEANS – More than $5 million is designated for Louisiana Southern Baptists to help in the rebuilding of New Orleans, North American Mission Board officials announced this week. NAMB is designating $5.14 million of its Hurricane Katrina funds for the hurricane relief rebuilding effort called Project NOAH (New Orleans Area Hope) in New Orleans and the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, said Jim Burton, NAMB volunteer mobilization director. The money is to be used for the rebuilding of 1,000 homes and 20 churches. “You’ve got to rebuild neighborhoods before you rebuild churches,” Burton said. “One of the principles we’re dealing with is that the more logistics you can do ahead of time, the easier you can make it for the responder and the more responders you’ll have.” Burton was in New Orleans late last week to strategize with about a dozen leaders from the Louisiana Baptist Convention and its churches, affected associations and even the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, … [Read more...]
Louisiana opens Chalmette kitchen
CHALMETTE – At the request of FEMA, Louisiana Baptists opened a new kitchen Thursday, March 2, at a gutted elementary school here to feed the protective services personnel being displaced from their former temporary housing aboard cruise ships docked on the Mississippi River. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor CHALMETTE – At the request of FEMA, Louisiana Baptists opened a new kitchen Thursday, March 2, at a gutted elementary school here to feed the protective services personnel being displaced from their former temporary housing aboard cruise ships docked on the Mississippi River. Emergency supplies such as super-size cans of Dinty Moore Beef Stew were moved Tuesday from Louisiana Baptist Convention’s disaster relief storage and trucked to Rowley Elementary School in St. Bernard Parish, said Cal Jones, interim director of Men’s Ministries for LBC, who was supervising the loading. “FEMA requested our help,” Jones said. “The Food Bank in Alexandria sent people to load; FEMA will truck it to Chalmette, and Southern Baptist volunteers from Louisiana and all over the nation will run the kitchen from now until May – cook, serve and clean up.” The Red Cross will keep the kitchen supplied with food, … [Read more...]
Last sermon speaks of God’s love
NEW ORLEANS – In what he called his last sermon, Billy Graham offered a message of thanks and encouragement during last weekend’s Celebration of Hope at the New Orleans Arena. By Brian Blackwell Staff writer NEW ORLEANS – In what he called his last sermon, Billy Graham offered a message of thanks and encouragement during last weekend’s Celebration of Hope at the New Orleans Arena. “This is probably the last evangelistic sermon I’ll ever preach,” the 87-year-old evangelist told an overflow crowd of 17,800 people on Sunday. “But it’s been wonderful to be here. Thank you. “I’d like to thank my friends George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows for all these years we’ve been together,” Graham continued as he sat on his liftchair that raised him to the wooden pulpit’s appropriate height. “I look forward to a big reunion one day in heaven. God bless you all.” His last visit to the city was a six-week crusade 52 years ago. This time, he delivered a 22-minute message of hope to a city desperately in need of encouragement. Graham said he watched in shock as Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans’ levee system, leaving much of the city underwater. But days later, he said, “we saw the great men and women who … [Read more...]
Grahams give hope to Katrina survivors
NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Billy Graham, fielding a reporter’s question about the great lesson that can be learned from Hurricane Katrina, responded, “That there is much more to life than material things.” By Kelly Boggs Editor NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Billy Graham, fielding a reporter’s question about the great lesson that can be learned from Hurricane Katrina, responded, “That there is much more to life than material things.” The 87-year-old evangelist answered the query without hesitation and added, “There is a moral and spiritual strength that is needed not only in New Orleans and the Ninth Ward, but it is needed everywhere. “We are living in a very tumultuous period in history,” he reflected. “With Katrina’s aftereffects and the war in Iraq and all these things going on, if ever the country needs to turn to God it is now.” Graham’s comments came during a March 8 tour of communities in the hurricane-ravaged New Orleans area with his son Franklin. The Grahams were in New Orleans for a two-day “Celebration of Hope” crusade. The elder Graham originally wasn’t scheduled to take part in the March 11-12 outreach but told his son that New Orleans had really been “a burden on my heart” and that he wanted to … [Read more...]
Grahams bring cheer to southern Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS (BP)--Billy and Franklin Graham were welcomed to the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in New Orleans by a standing ovation from pastors, spouses and special guests March 9 for a time of prayer for the Grahams’ March 11-12 “Celebration of Hope” in the hurricane-ravaged city. By Keith Manuel Regional reporter NEW ORLEANS (BP)--Billy and Franklin Graham were welcomed to the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in New Orleans by a standing ovation from pastors, spouses and special guests March 9 for a time of prayer for the Grahams’ March 11-12 “Celebration of Hope” in the hurricane-ravaged city. The still strong voices of George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows led the group in worship. Barrows pointed out that the three men, Graham, Shea and Barrows, represent 267 years of collective ministry. Franklin Graham stood behind the pulpit where his father preached in 1954 to lead a month-long crusade in New Orleans at the old Pelican Stadium. David Crosby, First Baptist New Orleans pastor, pulled out a pen and invited Franklin to sign the pulpit that his father and the Graham team had signed in 1954. Franklin Graham mentioned the historic nature of the Celebration of Hope. During the planning for … [Read more...]
ERLC to seek gains for life, marriage in Congress
WASHINGTON (BP) – Efforts to advance the sanctity of human life, human rights and protection for marriage top this year’s legislative agenda of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. WASHINGTON (BP) – Efforts to advance the sanctity of human life, human rights and protection for marriage top this year’s legislative agenda of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. In a statement released March 14, ERLC President Richard Land and Barrett Duke, the commission’s vice president for public policy, said the following measures will be promoted by the entity in the second half of the 109th Congress: • The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, S. 51/H.R. 356, which would require abortion doctors both to inform mothers of the pain an unborn child of 20 weeks or older experiences during an abortion and to offer anesthesia for the baby. • The Child Custody Protection Act, S. 8, which would outlaw the transportation of a minor by a non-parental adult to another state for an abortion when the girl’s home state requires parental notification or consent. • A ban on human cloning for research or reproductive purposes. • The Marriage Protection Amendment, S.J.Res. 1, a … [Read more...]
Bethel church plans hunters’ outreach
COLFAX – Robert Daniel hopes that duck calls, a bluegrass band and gumbo supper will be the ticket to reach unchurched people in the area. By Brian Blackwell Staff writer COLFAX – Robert Daniel hopes that duck calls, a bluegrass band and gumbo supper will be the ticket to reach unchurched people in the area. Scheduled for March 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Colfax, the Hunter Outdoor Extravaganza will feature hunting and ATV exhibits, 2003 Louisiana Duck Calling champion Matthew LaPraire, door prizes, the Blake Brothers Bluegrass Band and free gumbo for the first 300 people. “This is an attempt to reach people who don’t go to church at all,” Daniel, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, said. “It’s a way of letting them know the good news in a slightly different fashion. The target audience is people who like to hunt, fish and do outdoor type activities.” Daniel said the highight of the evening will be Phil Robertson, known as the Duck Commander. Born in Vivian, this nationally-known duck caller has developed a worldwide fan base of fellow duck hunters. A year after he received a patent for his particular duck call, the Duck Commander Company was incorporated. Since 1973, Duck … [Read more...]
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Tag Archives: Colorado
Michael Bloomberg’s presidential run could be part of a strategy to pay the cheapest rates possible to air anti-Trump ads
by Grace Panetta
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
After weeks of speculation, the billionaire philanthropist and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg officially announced he was jumping into the crowded 2020 Democratic presidential-primary field.
Bloomberg is capitalizing on his estimated $52 billion net worth to run a highly unusual campaign, planning to entirely self-fund his campaign and not raise any money through grassroots donations.
On Saturday, Bloomberg also announced he was placing an enormous ad buy, spending a record-breaking $31 million on TV ads in 25 media markets over the course of just one week.
While Bloomberg’s unusual campaign gives him virtually no chance of winning the nomination, he can pay for TV ads at much lower rates as a presidential candidate than he could through a PAC, for example.
If Bloomberg’s top priority in the 2020 cycle is to help beat Trump, using his position as a candidate to air as many TV ads as possible for the best price could achieve a lot toward that end.
Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Compared with the rest of the field, Bloomberg is capitalizing on his wealth to run a highly unusual campaign. He’s planning to entirely self-fund his campaign and not raise any money through grassroots donations, meaning he won’t be able to qualify for any of the Democratic primary debates.
Even more unusually, Bloomberg isn’t filing to appear on the ballot at all in the first four key primary states — Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina — and he’s focusing entirely on winning delegate-rich Super Tuesday states, including Texas and California.
This strategy gives Bloomberg virtually no chance of winning the nomination. He would be not only forfeiting the ability to earn any delegates at all during the first four contests, but he also would be giving up the chance to prove to Super Tuesday voters that he is a viable candidate who can actually win elections.
Bloomberg and his advisers are arguing that defeating President Donald Trump should be Democrats’ first priority going into 2020, and they’re not confident the Democratic field is best-poised to do it.
But Bloomberg’s unique strategy might shed light on what his campaign is actually trying to achieve. As opposed to running a campaign based on the traditional methods of retail politics and heavily campaigning in those crucial early states to win the nomination, Bloomberg is using the most important tool at his disposal to shape the race: money.
It’s all about the ads
Bloomberg made an eye-popping debut into the 2020 fray by immediately announcing that he would spend $31 million on television ads for himself to air between November 25 and December 3 in 25 media markets in key primary and swing states, including Florida, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, CNBC reported.
According to Advertising Analytics, the $31 million purchase breaks a record for the most money spent by a presidential campaign on television ads in a week, a distinction previously held by former President Barack Obama, who spent $24.8 million in one week at the end of his 2012 reelection campaign.
For comparison, the amount of money Bloomberg is spending on TV ads in just one week is almost as much as the $33 million Sen. Bernie Sanders reported having in cash on hand in his third-quarter campaign-finance filing — far more cash than any other Democratic candidates reported.
But for Bloomberg, whose estimated net worth comes in at $52.4 billion, the purchase is just a small drop in the bucket.
And despite being the eighth-wealthiest person in the US, Bloomberg — who built a business empire on data analysis — presumably wants to shape the 2020 race in the most cost-effective way possible.
Bloomberg.
It actually makes more sense for Bloomberg to buy ads as a candidate instead of through a political action committee
On the surface, it might seem like it would make sense for Bloomberg to just start a PAC to buy ads instead of going through the trouble of running for president.
But for a billionaire who plans to spend exorbitant amounts of money shaping the 2020 race, filing to run as a candidate and pay for ads through a campaign instead of simply starting a political action committee carries some significant financial advantages.
The Sunlight Foundation said in 2016 that the price of airing TV ads varied significantly by media market, but it’s almost always cheaper to buy ads as a political candidate than it is for PACs and super PACs — which can spend unlimited sums of money on electioneering.
Federal Communication Commission regulations require TV stations and networks to offer a price referred to as the “lowest unit rate” possible to presidential candidates based on the timing of their ad spot and how likely it is to be “pre-empted” or bumped by a higher-paying advertiser during “political protection” periods, which take place 45 days before a primary and 60 days before a general election, according to the veteran TV sales rep Mike Fuhram.
But none of those considerations apply to PACs’ and super PACs’ ad purchases, meaning stations can charge virtually as much as they want to PACs and aren’t required to offer them the lowest price possible in the weeks leading up to an election.
For someone, like Bloomberg, who plans to purchase a lot of anti-Trump ads, this means he could save a lot of money by buying ads as a presidential candidate instead of through a PAC.
In the 2016 campaign cycle, for example, the Sunlight Foundation found that while Hillary Clinton’s campaign was charged just $1,500 per ad to air three spots in the 10:00 p.m. hour on the CBS affiliated station KCCI in Des Moines, Iowa, KCCI charged Right to Rise, the super PAC affiliated with the Republican candidate Jeb Bush, double that amount, at $3,000 per ad, to also air ads during the 10:00 p.m. hour.
Despite the rise and increasing relevance of digital advertising, the Sunlight Foundation said that “television, especially the local newscast, still reaches a particular audience that campaigns want: older Americans who will vote.”
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Even If Netanyahu Is Done, His Damage to Israel Will Linger for Years
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairing the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem on Nov. 3, 2019.
BY AYELET GUNDAR-GOSHEN
Gundar-Goshen is the winner of the JQ-Wingate Prize for Waking Lions. She is a clinical psychologist, has worked for the Israeli civil rights movement, and is an award-winning screenwriter. Her new novel is The Liar.
For years, Benjamin Netanyahu’s followers used to sing in political gatherings “Bibi King of Israel.” Now, it seems like the king might lose his crown. Israel’s longest-serving leader is indicted for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu becomes first sitting prime minister in Israel’s history to be charged with bribery. While Bibi called the decision “an attempted coup,” his political rivals are celebrating.
However, the Israeli people have no reason to celebrate. Even if Netanyahu goes, the environmental damage he caused is here to stay. During a twenty-year political career, oil tanker “Netanyahu” has docked in the center of the Israeli mainstream, pouring gallons of hate into our water.
Netanyahu’s reaction to the indictment decision was a wild attack against the Israeli law system. While a “witch hunt” is a common, legitimate, metaphor often used by politicians in his situation, Netanyahu didn’t stop with this expression. His accusation of an “attempt coup” could become a real threat to our democracy, when expressed by a sitting prime minister towards the law system. Not many were surprised by this choice of words. The PM’s reaction yesterday fit his entire career. As we look at the rise and fall of leaders, we usually assume that the fall of a leader symbolizes the end of his era. But that’s not necessarily true. A leader can leave the public sphere the way a child leaves the pool after pissing in it.
Over the course of two decades, Netanyahu has delegitimized major parts of Israeli society in general, and the Palestinian citizens of the country in particular. In 1995, Netanyahu fought against Prime Minister Rabin’s efforts to proceed with Oslo Peace Accords. As the head of the opposition, he didn’t shout incendiary messages to the crowd, but he did stand onstage facing a raving mob, surrounded by a chorus of voices shouting, “Rabin the traitor!” Rabin’s wife refused to shake Netanyahu’s hand at her husband’s funeral, later calling him “the architect of incitement.”
Rabin’s death gave a frightening demonstration to how fast hate-speech turns into action. But the anti-democratic pollution only grew wider, as did the delegitimization of vast numbers of the Israeli public. In his 1996 election campaign, Netanyahu used a new slogan: “Netanyahu—good for the Jews.” The campaign set up a clear dichotomy between “Israeliness” and “Jewishness,” dividing the citizens of the country into Jews and non-Jews. Anti-Arab propaganda became explicitly outspoken in the 2015 elections, when our prime minister warned his followers that “Arab voters are heading to the polling stations in droves.”
A few days after the 2015 elections, a White House warning on anti-Arab rhetoric in Israeli elections was published. After all, it’s not every day that a prime minister tries to cast doubt on the right to vote of 20% of his country’s population. After the U.S. denounced his video, the Israeli PM apologized, saying he had been misunderstood.
The delegitimizations of the Arab citizens was followed by attempts to create fake history. During his speech to the Zionist Congress in 2015, Netanyahu claimed that Hitler’s genocide was inspired by the Palestinian leader of Jerusalem at the time, Haj Amin Al-Husseini. His remarks were criticized by prominent Holocaust scholars, and he later corrected himself.
Where there is hate speech by political leaders, sooner or later there will be a hate crime by “extremists” or “loners.” On Netanyahu’s shift, there were quit a few. One of the most shocking was the murder of a 16-year-old boy, Abu Khdeir, as revenge for the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens. Netanyahu was one of the first to denounce the murder of the Palestinian boy – yet he also denounced the writers who dared to write a TV series about the case. Netanyahu recently called on Israelis to boycott the Keshet and HBO-produced TV drama Our Boys, calling it anti-Semitic. Death threats to the creators were soon to follow the PM’s statement.
But the peak of Netanyahu’s latest hate campaign was his call to put cameras in polling stations, doubting the integrity of Arab voters. Ironically, it was Netanyahu’s insult that got more Arab citizens to vote.
Even if he loses the trial over bribery, Netanyahu has already won: delegitimization of the Arab minority is no longer limited to the extreme right wing. Netanyahu’s rival, Avigdor Lieberman, now considered “central right,” has refused to even sit in a chair randomly allocated to him in the Parliament, as it was next to the head of the Arab party.
A big part of the election impasse paralyzing the country today is another product of minority hate: Netanyahu sticked with the extreme right-wing parties, and preferred these allies over Gantz’s offer to form a more central coalition. He also rejected the idea of a rotation government in which he will be the second to serve.
Quite a few cheers were heard last evening in Tel Aviv, when the indictment decision was first published. However, If we ever want to recover from twenty years of anti-democratic pollution, we have to first acknowledge the fact that our environment is polluted with hate. We have to purify our society from anti-democratic tendencies. It will take a long time, so the sooner we begin, the better.
Trump accuses Democrats of seeking to obliterate Medicare
‘Great healthcare for you’ reads the backdrop as President Trump delivers remarks on Medicare at a performing-arts center in The Villages, Fla.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday accused Democrats of an all-out attempt to “totally obliterate Medicare” and portrayed himself as the program’s defender as he took steps to expand Medicare’s private insurance option.
But no Democrat is proposing to take coverage or benefits away, a fact that undercuts Trump’s rhetoric, and Trump did not dwell on his own budget proposals for cuts in Medicare payments to hospitals and other providers.
Trump spoke at The Villages, a community for adults in Central Florida, as he defended himself against House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. That part of the state overwhelmingly supported Trump in 2016.
Health care has emerged as a central issue for Democrats competing for their party’s 2020 presidential nomination. Much of the debate has centered on Sen. Bernie Sanders’s “Medicare for All” plan, which would cover everyone under a government-run plan and eliminate most private insurance.
“Medicare is under threat like never before,” Trump said. “Almost every major Democrat in Washington has backed a massive government health care takeover that would totally obliterate Medicare.”
Don’t miss: Sanders will participate in Democratic debate Oct. 15, says campaign representative; he’s ‘up and about,’ says wife
Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to pursue changes to Medicare, which covers about 60 million seniors and disabled people. Much of what he has said he wants to do is geared toward enhancing Medicare Advantage, the private insurance option picked by about one-third of seniors.
Medicare Advantage plans offer savings on premiums and an annual limit on out-of-pocket costs. These plans provide one-stop shopping, eliminating the need for separate supplemental insurance. Offered by major insurers, the plans also cover prescription drugs in most cases.
But there are trade-offs. People joining a Medicare Advantage plan generally must accept limits on their choice of hospitals and doctors as well as prior insurer approval for certain procedures. If they change their minds and decide to return to traditional Medicare, they’re not always guaranteed supplemental “Medigap” coverage, which is also private.
The president’s order is basically a to-do list for the Department of Health and Human Services that will require months of follow-up. Among the other priorities are an expansion of telemedicine and changes to avoid overpaying for procedures just because they get done in a hospital instead of a doctor’s office.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Trump’s order directs his department to examine whether its current policies and practices put traditional Medicare ahead of the private Medicare Advantage option. Some advocates for older people say that it’s the other way around and that the administration is trying to put private plans ahead.
The executive order does not involve a major overhaul of Medicare, which would require congressional approval.
So far the debate about Medicare for All has mainly been about its projected costs to the government, estimated at $30 trillion to $40 trillion over 10 years.
The Sanders plan would eliminate most private health insurance, including the Medicare Advantage option. Sanders, who unexpectedly underwent a heart procedure this week, says Medicare for All would nonetheless offer seniors broader benefits and lower costs.
Sanders’ style of single-payer health care has long been popular among liberals. But recent polling has shown that a majority of Democrats and independents who lean Democratic prefer expanding coverage by building on the Affordable Care Act, or the Obama-era health law. Trump is asking federal courts to overturn that law as unconstitutional, after a Republican-controlled Congress failed to repeal it his first year in office.
As a presidential candidate, Trump promised not to cut Medicare. As president, he has avoided calling for privatization of the program, raising the eligibility age beyond 65 or rolling back benefits.
But Trump’s latest budget proposed steep cuts in Medicare payments to hospitals and other service providers, prompting protests from the industry and accusations by Democrats that he was going back on his promises to seniors. The Medicare cuts went nowhere in Congress.
Opinion: The faltering economy is at the mercy of an unpredictable and cornered president
Posted by steve@bayintegratedmarketing.com on October 3, 2019 in All, Business, Entrepreneur, Finance, Market, Marketing and Sales, Money, Small Business, Start-up, Uncategorized
AMERIGEDDON “It’s time we laugh about this s#!t”
What the hell is going on? Hawaii just got an incoming nuclear missile threat and because of our new leader, people believed it. We have lost our way as a country. The world thinks we’re a joke and there’s a joke in the most powerful position in the world. I would give my yakuza pinkie right now for Mitt Romney. All that being said the new show is a killer balance between right and left. Thoughtful conservatives and my Grandma are starting to realize that we made a mistake. AMERIGEDDON is bringing the country together one drunk audience at a time. It’s for all of us because it takes one side, The side of America. Don’t worry about anything people! It’ll be okay, we will survive, or live in a post apocalyptic gasoline fueled thrill ride where tribes fight each other over who should lead…just like now, except we’ll all have Mohawks.
Christopher Titus, January, 2018
Posted by steve@bayintegratedmarketing.com on September 16, 2019 in All, Business, Entrepreneur, Finance, Market, Marketing and Sales, Money, Small Business, Start-up, Uncategorized
Administration finalizes repeal of 2015 water rule Trump called ‘destructive and horrible’
Fran Miron, shown Sept. 5 on his farm in Hugo, Minn., is among the many farmers who objected to a 2015 expansion of waterway regulation by the Obama administration. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post)
Juliet Eilperin and
Brady Dennis
September 11, 2019 at 8:59 p.m. PDT
For years, the fight over how much power the federal government should have to regulate the wetlands and tributaries that feed into the nation’s largest rivers has played out across the country.
In the halls of Washington and on sprawling farms and ranches, in courtrooms and corporate boardrooms, a legal tug of war has unfolded over a 2015 rule that gave the Environmental Protection Agency much broader authority over the nation’s waterways. Critics say the Obama-era rule gave the federal government far too much power; supporters countered it would prevent the loss of vast swaths of wetlands. Court rulings have temporarily blocked the regulation in 28 states, while keeping it in effect in 22 others.
On Thursday, the Trump administration plans to scrap the Obama-era definition of what qualifies as “waters of the United States
” under the Clean Water Act, returning the country to standards put in place in 1986.
“What we have today is a patchwork across the country,” EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in an interview. “We need to have a uniform regulatory approach.”
Wheeler, who said the administration will finalize a new definition for which water bodies deserve federal protection within a matter of months, said the agency is seeking to end any lingering uncertainty and return more oversight to individual states.
“We want to make sure that we have a definition that once and for all will be the law of the land in all 50 states,” Wheeler said.
Critics say the rollback will speed the conversion of wetlands and headwaters, which provide critical habitat for wildlife and support the nation’s drinking-water supply. Americans drained about half of the 220 million acres of wetlands in the contiguous United States
between the 1780s and 1980s, most of it to expand farmland. That rate began to slow in the 1980s, and after George H.W. Bush took office he pledged to stem the tide of wetlands loss.
“The administration wants to go back to an era where we are destroying wetlands heedlessly,” Robert Irvin, president of the American Rivers organization, said of President Trump’s latest deregulatory effort.
The 2015 rule gave the federal government authority to oversee a wide array of lakes, streams, wetlands, storm-water controls and ditches feeding into larger waterways that are clearly protected under the 1972 Clean Water Act.
Swimmers, fishermen and picnickers at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis in 2016. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)
Denise Stranko, federal legislative and policy manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, noted that all but one of the six states in the bay’s watershed, along with the District of Columbia, operate under the Obama-era standard. She added that once the administration finalizes its substitute proposal, tens of thousands of acres that connect underground or through ditches to nearby waterways will lose protection.
Targeting the Obama-era regulation ranked among Trump’s top priorities when he took office. In February 2017, he issued an executive order directing the EPA to review the regulation in an effort to pave the way for what Trump called “the elimination of this very destructive and horrible rule.”
The Clean Water Act makes it unlawful to pollute a “water of the United States” without a permit, but what constitutes such water has been the subject of lengthy litigation.
In a 2006 decision, Rapanos v. United States, the Supreme Court’s four most conservative justices at the time offered a constrained view that only “navigable waters” met this test. But Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, who refused to join the conservatives or the liberals on the court, said that the government could intervene when there was a “significant nexus” between large water bodies and smaller ones.
Trump’s executive order said federal officials should rely on the opinion of the then-Justice Antonin Scalia, who argued that the law should apply to wetlands connected to “relatively permanent” bodies of water as well as navigable waters.
Wheeler is slated to announce the final repeal of the 2015 rule at the National Association of Manufacturers, whose members had pushed to scale it back. “America is now one step closer to smart and balanced regulation that protects our nation’s precious water resources,” the group’s president, Jay Timmons, said in a statement.
EPA reverses federal limits on methane, a potent greenhouse gas
Thursday’s move is part of a broader effort by the administration to roll back regulations affecting the private sector before the end of Trump’s first term. Among the dozens already reversed are rules on everything from curbing methane emissions from drilling operations to holding oil and gas companies responsible for killing birds that get ensnared in their rigs’ waste pits.
Several of the administration’s early wins came through the Congressional Review Act, which allows lawmakers to nullify any rule within 60 days of enactment. The Republican-controlled Congress in 2017 was able to overturn several of President Barack Obama’s last environmental acts that way, sending the bills to Trump for his signature.
Reversing older regulations, such as the Clean Water Rule, has proved more difficult. Wheeler said it was taking longer than first anticipated to finalize the administration’s new standards because staffers were conducting economic and scientific research to bolster the case for shrinking the federal government’s authority over wetlands and streams.
“I’m not in a rush to meet artificial deadlines,” he said. “I want to make sure that our regulations are grounded, that they have all the supporting information they need to be upheld by the courts.”
“Clearly the administration is intent on rolling back as many protections as it can before January of 2021,” he said. “Like any rushed efforts, they are likely to make mistakes that will be challenged and overturned in court.”
On a recent evening in Hugo, Minn., Fran Miron looked out over the 800-acre farm that his family has maintained for four generations and explained why he welcomes the Trump administration’s latest rollback. He said the Obama rule led to widespread confusion, as well as worries about increasing costs and red tape.
“In my opinion, and I think it’s shared by many, this was really just a power grab,” said Miron, 65, whose family milks 120 cows and grows corn, soybeans and alfalfa.
A former mayor of Hugo, Miron said he believes that the federal government doesn’t always know what’s best for a particular place.
“The best decisions are made locally because the local people understand the nature of the issues,” he said. “They understand the nuances of the land and our water.”
Miron, shown Sept. 5 on his farm, said he believes a 2015 rule that gave the EPA much broader authority over the nation’s waterways “was really just a power grab.” (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post)
The mayor of tiny Vero Beach, Florida wrote a letter, on official letterhead, lambasting San Francisco and the Board of Supervisors.
Since Mayor Val Zudans is a “lifetime NRA member” he took particular umbrage to the supervisors designating it a “domestic terrorist organization.” (Courtesy photo)
A letter to the Florida mayor who trashed our fine city of San Francisco
STUART SCHUFFMAN
I’m in a Facebook group called San Francisco Current Events. It’s exactly what it sounds like; people share all kinds of newsworthy things going on in SF and the Bay Area. The other day I checked it out and found something extra special: the mayor of tiny Vero Beach, Florida wrote a letter, on official letterhead, lambasting San Francisco and the Board of Supervisors.
Since Mayor Val Zudans is a “lifetime NRA member, concealed carry permit holder” he took particular umbrage to the supervisors designating the NRA a “domestic terrorist organization” — and taking inspiration right out Trump’s playbook — used his official position to call San Francisco a “sanctuary for criminals, addicts, and homeless encampments” and that “Your most recent action stinks like the steaming excrement on your streets.”*
I’d like to take a moment to respond to Mayor Zudans’ letter:
Dear Mayor Zudans –
Your concern for the well being of San Francisco has been duly noted. After consulting with the citizenry of our fair city, it’s been universally agreed upon that nobody asked for your damn opinion. While I’m sure that being mayor of a town of 17,000 people has its challenges, San Francisco is a city of nearly a million people and has a $12 billion budget. Heeding your advice on how a city should be run would be like the San Francisco Giants taking advice from a t-ball coach.
Maybe I should use a more familiar analogy for you since Vero Beach doesn’t have a professional sports team…or even a real airport for that matter. You’re an ophthalmologist right? Your attempt to tell San Francisco how to run itself is like a drunken teenager watching a YouTube video on eye examinations trying to advise you on your practice. What I’m getting at here is: stay in your lane, Val. Stick to performing Lasik surgery and trying to upsell transition lenses.
In your absurd, misguided, and frankly uninspiring letter, you mention that owning a gun is one of our “God-given Constitutional liberties” and to be honest Val, that just made me smile. I’m not exactly a Biblical scholar, but I’m 100 percent certain there is no mention of guns anywhere in the New or Old Testament. Besides the fact that guns weren’t invented when any part of the Bible was written, could you imagine hippy-ass Jesus saying “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me…and obviously trust in my Beretta”?
On top of that, God didn’t give us this land, we disgustingly took it from Native Americans by force and through genocide…which is something I figured you might know about considering your city is in Indian River County. And God didn’t give us those Constitutional liberties, they were written by a bunch of men who owned slaves and treated women like second class citizens.
Which brings me to my next point, you seem to be obsessed with the idea that, if something is a law, then it must be just. Remember how two sentences ago I mentioned owning slaves and treating women as second class citizens? Well, that used to be legal. Do you think prohibition was just and fair? That was, stupidly, a constitutional amendment. And didn’t Jesus get killed for breaking the law? Your argument is weaker than a Mai Tais at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.
Most importantly though, the NRA is a domestic terrorist organization. In your insipid letter you quoted Webster’s Dictionary’s definition of the word terrorism as “the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion,” which I thank you for. There is no better way to describe what the NRA does in our country. Through lies and propaganda is convinces gullible marks like you that owning a firearm will protect you from our “tyrannical government” and save you from bad guys who want to shoot you first.
I covered this in my column a few weeks ago Val, but since you’re just now becoming an avid reader of my column, I’ll break it down for you real quick. If the government wants you, your guns won’t protect you. They have bigger guns, and drones, and tanks, and hell, they even bombed an entire neighborhood in Philly in 1985 to kill armed American citizens. As for the idiotic pissing contest that is the idea that “the only thing that can stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun”: that lie has been disproven through 40- plus years of data and reported by Stanford University and the FBI.
In closing, I’d like to thank you for being the most absurd Florida Man yet. It’s only through the hard work of enterprising nitwits like you that Florida can continue not just looking like America’s Limp Weenie, but acting like it to.
*The difference here between the supervisors passing a unanimous resolution and an individual using his office as a pulpit shouldn’t need to be explained.
Stuart Schuffman, aka Broke-Ass Stuart, is a travel writer, TV host and poet. Follow him at BrokeAssStuart.com and join his mailing list at http://bit.ly/BrokeAssList. He is a guest columnist and his point of view is not necessarily that of The Examiner.
As evacuations continue, hundreds of Bahamians were told to get off a ferry headed to the US
By Christina Maxouris, CNN
Hurricane Dorian may have long since left the Bahamas, but the islands have only begun to grapple with the grim aftermath.
Less than a week since the Category 5 storm hit, 45 people have been confirmed dead — and that number is expected to rise drastically, officials say. Hundreds are still missing, nearly 70,000 have been left homeless by the disaster and hundreds more are desperately looking for a way out.
© Gonzalo Gaudenzi/AP People wait in Marsh Harbour Port to be evacuated to Nassau, in Abaco, Bahamas, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. The evacuation is slow and there is frustration for some who said they had nowhere to go after the Hurricane Dorian splintered whole neighborhoods. (AP Photo/Gonzalo Gaudenzi)
Over the weekend, nearly 1,500 evacuees arrived in Palm Beach, Florida, on board the Grand Celebration humanitarian cruise ship. All of them were properly documented to enter the country, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said.
But on Sunday, a different story.
In a social media video taken aboard a ferry boat leaving the Bahamas, posted on Twitter by CNN affiliate WSVN reporter Brian Entin, an unidentified person announces via a loudspeaker that anyone traveling to the Unites States without a visa must disembark.
Entin told CNN he was on a Balearia ferry from Freeport to Fort Lauderdale when the announcement was made Sunday. His video shows families with children disembarking the vessel. One woman told Entin that as many as 130 people left the ferry after the announcement.
“CBP was notified of a vessel preparing to embark an unknown number of passengers in Freeport and requested that the operator of the vessel coordinate with U.S. and Bahamian government officials in Nassau before departing The Bahamas,” CBP said in a statement Sunday.
“Everyone who arrives to the United States from another country must present themselves to a CBP officer for inspection at an official CBP Port of Entry. All person must possess valid identity and travel documents,” the agency said. “CBP has a Preclearance operation in Nassau. CBP is committed to carrying out our duties with professionalism and efficiency — facilitating lawful international travel and trade.”
On its website, CBP says visas are not required for Bahamian residents flying into the US from the Bahamas if they also meet other criteria, including possessing a valid passport or travel documents, having no criminal record and carrying a police certificate issued within the past six months.
“CBP relies on the transportation companies in both the air and sea environments to be engaged in ensuring the safety and well-being of any individuals that have been devastated by this tragedy and that requires transparent communication and planning for adequate resources to receive any arrivals,” CBP said in its Sunday statement.
It was not immediately clear what the required documents are for Bahamians traveling by boat.
“This is the height of cruelty — denying help to those who need it most,” Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke said on Twitter Sunday night. “This administration has said the words on the Statue of Liberty should be rewritten, and in their actions, they are already changing who we are as a country.”
Bahamas destruction like ‘nuclear bombs were dropped,’ USAID says
By Friday, the Coast Guard had rescued more than 230 people off the islands.
Those who lived through the storm bring with them horrific tales of survival: breaking through rooftops or swimming onto boats to try and ride out the violent waters. Some reported they had family members still missing and others recalled watching friends and neighbors drown in the storm surge.
USAID Administrator Mark Green told reporters on Sunday his agency is leading humanitarian relief efforts of the US government in the Bahamas by providing “lifesaving and life-sustaining assistance: food, water, sanitation, emergency shelter, and medical care needed to facilitate the Bahamian government’s response.”
On Saturday, USAID announced $1 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help people affected in the Bahamas. That brings the agency’s total funding to more than $2.8 million.
Green said he toured Abaco and other parts of the Bahamas after the hurricane and said some areas looked “almost as though nuclear bombs were dropped on them.”
Search and rescue operations continue
Local authorities believe there are people buried under the rubble, but they have no way of knowing how many or when they will be able to get to them.
Search and rescue personnel who arrived with cadaver dogs on the Abaco Islands brought body bags and coolers to store human remains, said Joy Jibrilu, director general of the country’s tourism and aviation ministry.
Marsh Harbour, the biggest town in the Abacos, was one of the hardest hit. A truck delivered at least two bodies to a makeshift mortuary Saturday. The morticians told CNN the difficulty in reaching the dead was slowing their work. Dive teams were needed to recover many submerged bodies, they said.
Authorities have said the current death toll may rise as search and rescue operations begin and they start sifting through the wreckage. In the hardest hit areas of Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands, entire neighborhoods had been cleared out, trees and poles were down and boats were scattered.
The public should prepare for “unimaginable information about the death toll and the human suffering,” Health Minister Duane Sands told Guardian Radio 96.9 FM.
Posted by steve@bayintegratedmarketing.com on September 9, 2019 in All, Business, Entrepreneur, Finance, Market, Marketing and Sales, Money, Small Business, Start-up, Uncategorized
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Asus Tablet Price India
Asus Tablet Price List
ASUS Tablets is the part of ASUSTek Computer Inc. which is a Taiwanese electronics brand headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. Asus is prominently known around the world for manufacturing Notebooks, Desktop computers, Mobile phones, Tablets, monitors, projectors, motherboards, peripherals, multimedia products and more.
Asus tablets gained popularity after the launch of its Zenpad, Transformer Pads, and Google Nexus 7 Tablets. The ASUS transformer pad was one of the most innovative inventions the world has witnessed.
The ASUS transformer pad was the first of its kind which ran with an Android operating system when used as a tablet and would automatically shift to windows O.S when connected with the optical keyboard. It came with 2GB RAM and 64GB internal memory along with options for expandable memory. It’s packed with 2.24GHz Intel Atom Z8500 Quad Core Processor. The compact 10-inch compact screen was able and efficient. Asus competes with manufacturers like Samsung tablets and Lenovo tablets in the tablet space.
The Tablet Market in India:
In the last couple of years tablet computers sales in India showed alternate rise and falls. The introduction of smartphones or phablets with more than 5-inch display size started to attract the attention of the buyers more. Since tablets do not have the power of the laptops, people prefer laptops more for productivity applications. However, tablets have their niche customers. Tablets are handier than a laptop, display size is about right for uses for entertainments. Based on these reasons, tablets are still in demand. Android-based tablets which are 4G-enabled are successful in the market.
Last year in the third quarter, shipping of tablet computers increased to about 38% in comparison to that in the second quarter. In general, Indian buyers are price-sensitive and the budget range tablets always do better business than the premium brands. A few companies supply tablet PCs packed with decent features in the affordable price range. These tablets are high in demand. Though there are a few takers of a premium range of tablets supplied by Apple Inc., Samsung, or Lenovo, other brands producing budget-level tablets always have a good market. Last year, Lenovo was the number one tablet PC seller in India, followed by Acer, Samsung, iBall and Datawind. Different government schemes of providing tablets to students and government officials resulted in an increase in shipment of affordable tablets.
This year several renowned tablet manufacturers are releasing feature-packed new models of tablets in Indian market. This should definitely result in growth in the tablet market in India.
Commonly known as Asus, Asustek is multinational Taiwanese computer electronics company founded in 1989. The head office of this company is located in Beitou District of Taipei, Taiwan. According to 2015 sales report, Asus is the world’s 4th largest personal computer vendor. Asus was founded by four ex-employees of Acer, and there is an interesting story of how Asus receives Intel’s new processors before they are released to the competitor companies. At the time Asus was founded, Intel used to supply its new prototype processors to IBM first, and Taiwanese companies had to wait for around 6 months to get those processors. Using Intel 486, Asus created its own motherboard model, but could not test it without Intel’s actual processor. When Asus approached Intel for the processor, Intel was having problems with their motherboard and Asus corrected Intel’s defects and Asus’ motherboard worked fine with Intel’s processor. After that Intel supplies its products and samples to Asus first.
The product range of Asus includes desktop PCs, laptop PCs, workstations, tablet PCs, netbooks, smartphones, smart wearables, Wi-Fi routers, projectors, motherboards, graphic cards, optical storage, multimedia products, peripherals, severs, GPS devices, etc.
Asus is an environment conscious company. It has launched Green Asus, an initiative to adopt greener policies at every stage from designing to marketing. Oekom Research, which specialises in corporate responsibility assessment, marked Asus as a “highly environment-friendly company” in 2007. Asus claims to place great weight on employee virtues. The five Asus virtues are humility, integrity, diligence, agility, and courage.
The History of the Company in India:
The chairman and chief branding officer Mr Jonney Shih visited India for the first time in 2015. He said that the company sees India as a large market for their products. He also mentioned that Asus is shifting its focus from manufacturing laptops to making smartphones and convertible devices, which provide productivity options along with on-the-go connectivity. The comparatively new entrant in the Indian market, Asus aims to achieve 5% share of Indian smartphone market. With smartphones, Asus also plans to release new models of tablets in India, which will bridge the gap between laptops and smartphones. Instead of depending on laptops for productivity and on smartphones for connectivity, Asus wants to develop a device which will act as an all-in-one, providing productivity as well as connectivity. Asus has a technical team in India who researches and recommends designs that suit Indian customers. As in India, the mid-range customers dominate, Asus is planning to release its devices in ₹ 10000 to ₹ 15000 price range. The company also plans to sell high-end laptops with high functionality and top class specifications targeting corporate executives and hard-core gamers.
Tablet models offered by Asus:
Following are a few of the tablet PC models offered by Asus and their technical specifications:
· Asus Google Nexus 7 2013 tablet (Wi-Fi, 32GB): This is a 7-inch tablet with IPS LED screen having 10 points multi-touch feature. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass and has 1200 x 1920 pixel resolution. Powered by a 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 2GB RAM, this device runs on Android 4.3 JellyBean operating system and is pre-loaded with Google apps. A 5 MP primary and 1.2 MP secondary camera are present too. It does not accept SIM cards, connectivity options are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and USB. With an internal storage 32 GB, the device packs a 3950 mAh battery which gives up to 10 hours of browsing time. The tablet comes with the ambient light sensor, eCompass, gyroscope and G-sensor. Dual stereo speakers provide surround sound. The price of this tablet in Indian market is INR 14990 onwards.
· Asus Zenpad 3S 8.0: Launched in 2017, this tablet has a display size of 7.9 inches with 2048 x 1536 pixels. It has a Quad-core Snapdragon 625 processor running on Android 7.0 operating system. The RAM is 4GB, and there is a fixed internal storage of 32 GB. This device packs a 13 MP rear camera and a 5 MP front camera. Connectivity options are Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth etc. The price of Zenpad 3S 8.0 in Indian market is INR 9999 onwards.
· Asus Zenpad 10: Zenpad 10 was introduced in 2017. It comes with a 10.10-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Having a 1.3 GHz quad-core MediaTek processor, this device runs on Android 7.0 operating system. With 2 GB RAM, the tablet has 16 GB internal storage with an option to expand up to 128 GB with a microSD card. A 5 MP rear and a 2 MP front cameras are there. A non-removable 4680 mAh battery powers the object. Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth connectivity options are there. The device is priced at ₹ 9999 in the Indian market.
· Asus Zenpad 8.0: This 8-inch tablet has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Running on Android 5.0, this device is powered by a 1.2 GHz Quad-core Intel Atom x3-C3200 processor. The RAM is 1GB, while the internal storage is 8GB it is expandable to 64GB with the help of a microSD card. This tablet packs a 5 MP primary camera and a 2 MP secondary camera. Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth etc. are the connectivity options. It has Compass/magnetometer, proximity sensor, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, etc. This device is available in India at a price starting from ₹ 9999.
· Asus Transformer Book T100: This 12.5-inch two-in-one tablet comes with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels protected with Corning Concore glass. This device is powered by Intel Core M processor and runs on Windows 8.1 operating system. There is a non-expandable 128 GB internal storage with 1 TB Microsoft One Drive free for one year and 4 GB RAM. The tablet houses a 5 MP primary camera and a 2 MP secondary camera. The battery gives 10 hours of life. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options are there. This device comes with a detachable keyboard. The price of Transformer Book T300 is ₹ 42000 onwards.
· Asus Transformer Pad TF303CL: This device comes with a display size of 10.1 inches with a resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels. A 1.86 GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3745 processor powers the device and the operating system is Android 4.4 version. This tablet packs a 5 MP primary camera and a 1.2 MP secondary camera. The internal storage is 16 GB expandable to 64 GB, while the RAM is 2 GB. It accommodates a SIM card and provides 3G enabled GSM network. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS connectivity options are there. Gyroscope, magnetometer, accelerometer, ambient light sensors are there. The price of this Transformer Pad starts at ₹ 42000.
· Asus MeMo Pad 10: Asus MeMo Pad is a 10.1-inch tablet with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels at a density of 149 PPI. It has a 1.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 1 GB RAM. With an internal storage of 8 GB expandable to 64 GB, this tablet runs on Android 4.4 operating system. There are 2 MP rear camera and a 0.3 MP front camera. Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth are the connectivity options. The sensors include Magnetometer, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, etc. This device comes at a price of ₹ 16500 onwards.
· Asus FonePad 8: This is an 8-inch tablet with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. It is powered by a 1.3 GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3530 processor with 2 GB RAM. The tablet operates on Android 4.4 operating system and has an internal storage of 16 GB that can be extended up to 64 GB via a microSD card. It packs a 4000 mAh non-removable battery. Camera options are front camera with 2 MP resolution and back camera with 5 MP resolution. This device accepts two GSM SIMs. Network and connectivity options are 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth. Magnetometer, proximity sensor, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and gyroscope features are there. The price of this device is ₹ 10799 onwards at the Indian market.
· Asus FonePad 7 Dual SIM: With a 7 inch backlit WXGA screen with 1280 x 800-pixel resolution, this tablet comes with 10 finger multi-touch support. Powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2520 processor, this device runs on Android 4.3 operating system. It has 1 GB memory and internal storage of 16 GB with an option to support up to 64 GB microSD card. This device packs a 1.2 MP front camera with 720p video recording facility and a 5 MP rear camera with 1080p video recording facility. Two microSIM cards provide the 3G network. Connectivity options are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AGPS, and GLONASS. The battery provides enough power to provide 10 hours of video playback time. The maximum retail price in India is ₹ 12999.
The price of Asus tablets begins at 6999 INR and goes up to 20,000 INR. The varied options gives the users to pick the one that suits their purpose the most.
Our Tablet finder will help you pick the right one in the Asus Tablets price list by helping you to compare up to 3 tablets at a go, without comparison tablets feature.
Asus Tablet Price List in India
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Latest Asus Tablet Price List in India 2018
Asus Zenpad 3S 10 Z500M Rs. 22990
Asus ZenPad 8.0 Rs. 17999
Asus Fonepad 7 Dual SIM Rs. 5999
Asus ZenPad C 7.0 Z170CG Rs. 4999
Asus ZenPad C 7.0 Z170MG Rs. 9999
Asus PadFone Rs. 64999
Asus Fonepad 7 ME372CG 8GB Rs. 14500
Asus Fonepad 7 ME175CG Rs. 11739
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Tag Archive for: Positivity
You are here: Home / Positivity
Sink or Swim (#97)
November 10, 2017 /0 Comments/in Mentoring /by Robert Glazer
In past weeks, I have written about people who’ve overcome adversity to reach new heights. Paul de Gelder is one such person and his incredible story offers a window into how one can create something positive from a seemingly impossible situation.
During his teenage years, Paul spent his time chasing girls, shoplifting, fighting, drinking and smoking pot. At 20, after waking up beaten and bruised from a fight the previous night, he realized that if he didn’t make a change, he “would be dead by 23.”
So, he channeled his need for adrenaline toward the Australian army and become an Army Paratrooper. Soon after, he fell in love with diving and became a Navy Clearance Diver, an elite unit focused on underwater combat and countermeasures. Paul had found his passion and was loving life.
All of this changed on February 11, 2009. During a routine training drill in Sydney Harbor, Paul was swimming and setting up equipment when a he felt a tug on his leg. He turned around and came face-to-face with the head of a giant bull shark; its teeth were sunk into the flesh of his leg.
He tried to jab it in the eye, but as soon as he tried to move his right arm, he realized that his wrist and hand were in the shark’s mouth, too. When he tried to punch the shark with his free hand, the shark started to shake him and proceeded to pull him deeper under water.
As his lungs filled, everything slowed down and he thought to himself, “You’re gonna die right now…you’ve lived 10 lifetimes in these last 31 years. If it’s my time to go now, I’m ready.”
Suddenly the attack was over. Although he was in complete agony, Paul was able to summon the strength to swim towards the raft where his team was. They managed to stop the bleeding just minutes before he would have bled out.
Paul ultimately lost his arm and leg. After his surgery, doctors struggled to get his pain under control; he thought many times that he would be better off dead.
That’s when he made a choice.
As Paul recalls, “I remember lying in the hospital bed thinking, what do I do now? I’d fought tooth and nail to make my life amazing from what it was. I’ll be damned if I go back to that life before. I realized that was the only power I had. I might be laying in a hospital bed dripped up on drugs, and I can’t go to the toilet by myself, but I have the power to make a choice.”
What followed was nine weeks in the hospital, another six months of therapy and rehab and then an uphill battle lobbying the military for more advanced prosthetics. Through it all, Paul had one goal in mind: get back to being a diver, something the Navy initially told him he could not do.
Refusing to accept this as an option, he worked out harder than ever, learned how to dive with his prosthetics and returned to work as a dive instructor within six months.
Five years later, Paul travels the world as a sought-after speaker. He’s written a book titled, No Time for Fear and is also a co-host on Discovery’s “Shark Week.” He’s learned to embrace his fears and become empowered by them.
When I spoke with Paul, I asked him what his takeaway was for someone who had to overcome such a major setback or injury. His response was simple: “Rest, heal and get back in the game better, stronger and more determined.” He also lives his life around the principle of Improvise, Adapt and Overcome, a mantra he learned as a young paratrooper.
Wise words from someone who has the credibility to give this advice.
Paul has created an amazing video of his journey and his training regimen. You can also learn more about his story at http://pauldegelder.com/
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
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Majoring in Minor (#88)
September 8, 2017 /0 Comments/in Mentoring /by Robert Glazer
A reality that many of us just don’t want to face is that we spend too much of our time on things that don’t really matter; we major in minor things.
Every day, I come across people who have their priorities backwards. They spend considerable time and energy on things that are inherently not important, either to them or society at large, and that actually distract from their stated goals. They:
Can’t separate the urgent from important
Easily lose sight of the big picture
Struggle to let go of something insignificant
Feel the need to always have the last word
Make poor decisions about their time and energy on a daily basis
Don’t know how to say no
A great deal of their energy is also wasted on negativity. They fixate on the unsatisfying dinner they ate at the restaurant last night. They consume themselves with replaying the frustrating customer service experience they encountered. They spend hours of their precious time complaining about things instead of moving on from them. It’s quite possible that, due to these factors, they are frustrated with where they are in life.
In the grand scheme of things, this is all minor stuff. You know this type of person. You might even be this person. I know I certainly have been.
High achievers don’t live their life in this way. Instead, they focus their time and energy on what matters most; on things that are positive and productive. The rest, they let go, delegate or move on from.
If this sounds like you, here are a few tips to up your game, move up to the majors and make a bigger impact.
1) Mind Your Time: Keep track of how you spend your time for a week. Note how much of that time is spent on things that are important to you (i.e. that support your core values or goals). It should be around 80 percent.
2) For Not Against: Spend your time advocating for a cause, not against one. Negative energy is self-defeating. While there are certainly many injustices worth standing up to, its generally healthier to be for something than against something.
3) Delegate & Outsource: Sure, there are things that need to get done, but that doesn’t mean you are the best person to do it. Think about where your time is best spent (i.e. on your unique abilities). For things that fall outside those core competencies, it’s very likely that there are smarter, more efficient ways to get it done that require less of your time.
4) Value Your Time. Our time has value; it’s an opportunity cost. I’d argue that at least a $15 an hour value should be applied to anything we do to get at the true cost. A colleague recently shared that, to calculate the value of their day, a CEO or business leader should use the annual revenue of their company or division and divide it by the working days in a year. For example, if you run a $1M dollar business, it would be $3,800 a day. If its $5M, that number is $19,000.
5) Remember the Big Picture: We tend to get overly preoccupied by what’s in front of us versus what’s most important. Always keep the bigger picture in mind, whether that’s a relationship, a long-term goal or your priorities.
When you reflect back on your life, think about what the accomplishments/investments of your time will be. Are they things you really care about?
“Most people fail in life because they major in minor things.”
Sharing Belief (#83)
August 4, 2017 /0 Comments/in Mentoring /by Robert Glazer
Having people in our lives who share their belief in us is incredibly important; it’s the underpinning of great leadership, good parenting and many religious foundations. Motivational guru, Tony Robbins’ entire career and platform is based on helping others believe they can do more than they thought possible.
That said, belief must also be coupled with reality; reality of what it will take to achieve the desired outcome. One without the other will likely lead to failure, disappointment and even unreached potential.
For example, I can tell my daughter that I believe she can get into Harvard or become an Olympian, but that should be accompanied by an explanation of what that will require in terms of passion, skills, effort, commitment and time. She must know that, if she really wants something, no one else can or should do the work for her.
Belief grounded in reality is critical. It’s also something I think many micro-managers and “helicopter” parents get very wrong. Telling someone that you believe in them and then doing the work for them at the first sign of struggle doesn’t allow them to gain the experience of learning from their own mistakes, which is an essential element of success.
Recently, I had the opportunity to hear John DiJulius, a best-selling author and one of the top customer service gurus in the world, give a keynote speech. Like many successful people and entrepreneurs, John shared that he was diagnosed with ADD and struggled in school when he was younger. Fortunately, he had wonderful parents who told him how much they believed in him.
John’s experience came full-circle with his own son. At the age of 10, John brought his son to a national wrestling tournament as he had beaten everyone else in his age group in the state of Ohio. In the double elimination event, John’s son lost his first match 15-0 to the top ranked boy. The match even had to be stopped several times because John’s son was crying. He lost the second match in 15 seconds. It wasn’t pretty.
On the flight home, John’s son asked about returning the next year to compete. John told him that, if he was serious about doing so, it would require a higher level of training and dedication than he’d ever committed to before, all of which he outlined in detail. John was also clear that, while he believed in him, he wasn’t going to hold him accountable for doing the work. His son had to want it for himself.
John admitted that he honestly did not think his son’s zeal for competing the following year would endure. But, to his surprise, his son fastidiously followed his training regimen. When they returned the next year, his son not only won his first six matches, he also beat the same kid who he’d lost to in the finals the prior year and won a national championship.
When John asked his son how he mustered the will to do what he had done, his reaction was simply “because you told me I could.” In relaying the story, John expressed guilt that he had doubted his son’s ability and dedication to compete at that level; he just thought he was giving him a good pep talk. Had he not conveyed his belief in his son, the outcome of that national championship may have been different.
Let’s all remember the power of inspiring others to do more without actually doing it for them. Be there to root them on and then stay out of their way as they learn to believe in themselves.
If you want to see John’s story for yourself, you can watch it here (minute 6 is where he wins).
“Sometimes you have to believe in the belief others have in you until your belief kicks in.”
John DiJulius
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Pink Iguana Found on Galápagos Volcano
An adult male of the pink iguana from the Galápagos on the rim of the crater of Volcan Wolf. The newly recognized species of iguana may already be endangered and could become extinct, scientists warn. Photo courtesy of Gabriele Gentile Had Charles Darwin explored the Volcan Wolf volcano when he visited the Galápagos in 1835...
An adult male of the pink iguana from the Galápagos on the rim of the crater of Volcan Wolf. The newly recognized species of iguana may already be endangered and could become extinct, scientists warn.
Photo courtesy of Gabriele Gentile
Had Charles Darwin explored the Volcan Wolf volcano when he visited the Galápagos in 1835 he might have spotted this pink land iguana, a species that originated in the islands more than five million years ago.
The northernmost volcano on the island of Isabela is the only home of the “rosada” iguana, a newly identified species of the land iguana Conolophus, scientists said today.
NASA image of Volcan Wolf created by Jesse Allen, using Landsat data provided by the United States Geological Survey
“Rosada” is the word for pink in Spanish. The two other known land species of iguana in the Galápagos, one of them also living on Isabel, are yellow.
Although Darwin noticed and commented on both marine and land iguanas of the Galápagos, he did not encounter a distinct form of land iguana that occurs only on Volcan Wolf, Gabriele Gentile of the Universitá Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, and colleagues, reported in the journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Science.
“Perhaps even more surprising, this [rosada species of iguana]…remained unrecorded despite many other scientists having visited Volcan Wolf over the past century,” they wrote.
Adult male iguanas of the yellow (A and D) and rosada (B and C)) species
Photographs by Gabriele Gentile, as published in PNAS paper (see footnote below)
Genetic analysis of the rosada and other species of land iguanas performed by the scientists show that the rosada iguana diverged from the Galápagos’s other iguana populations more than five million years ago, when the archipelago was still forming.
Earlier genetic studies suggest that the split of the marine and land iguana lineages could have occurred as late as 10.5 million years ago, when the archipelago did not have the current configuration and none of the present islands had yet emerged, the paper noted.
“The ancient divergence between the rosada and other land iguanas — prior to the formation of the Volcan Wolf volcano — provides evidence for one of the most ancient diversification events recorded in the Galápagos,” the researchers said.
“Despite the attention given to them, the Galápagos have not yet finished offering evolutionary novelties,” the researchers wrote in their paper.
They called for efforts to conserve the new species before it becomes extinct.
Read the National Geographic News story about this discovery.
Authors of the paper “An overlooked, pink, new species of land iguana in the Galápagos,” in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, were: Gabriele Gentile, Anna Fabiani, and Valerio Sbordonia of Dipartimento di Biologia, Universitá Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Cruz Marquez of the Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador; Howard L. Snell and Heidi M. Snell, of the Department of Biology and Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque; and Washington Tapia of Galápagos National Park Service, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos Islands.
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Croc-Catching, Snake-Wrestling Brady Barr Talks About His Work
Photo of Brady Barr with giant salamander courtesy National Geographic Channel Brady Barr, we once reported in National Geographic News, is a man whose work bites. “I’ve had so many bumps, bruises, and broken bones, it’s sometimes hard to get out of bed in the morning,” he told me earlier today. He’s also been bitten...
Photo of Brady Barr with giant salamander courtesy National Geographic Channel
Brady Barr, we once reported in National Geographic News, is a man whose work bites.
“I’ve had so many bumps, bruises, and broken bones, it’s sometimes hard to get out of bed in the morning,” he told me earlier today.
He’s also been bitten a few times – including last year, when a 12-foot-long python plunged its fangs into his leg.
Herpetologist Brady Barr (46) is the star of National Geographic Channel’s “Dangerous Encounters.” Four episodes included encounters with sharks, giant salamanders, crocs, and 22-foot-long snakes.
Sometimes known as “Gator Doc,” he’s being doing this work for National Geographic for 21 years and has appeared in more than 70 National Geographic films, including in the earlier series “Reptile Wild With Dr. Brady Barr.”
I asked Barr what he thought was the most dangerous moment in a career of wrestling crocs and catching giant snakes by the tail.
“It’s a really tough question,” he said, “because it always seems like the most recent experience was the most dangerous.”
Apparently there have been many such moments, including when a hippo, reputably the most dangerous animal in Africa because it kills more people than any other animal, chased Barr. “I was out in the open, no trees, and the hippo was bearing down on me. I thought I was going to be killed. It’s a miracle it didn’t get me,” he recalled.
Barr is very aware that the animals he captures for measuring and for extracting blood and tissue samples are wild and dangerous, and that many people, including close friends of his, have been killed by them. “I always have that in my mind. I am really scared and really careful.”
Fear is what keeps him safe, Barr believes. “I have worked with crocs for twenty years and I’m comfortable with them. But I am scared every time I work with them because I know what they are capable of doing. I know that if I make a mistake I will die.”
This conversation makes him remember the time when he eased out of a boat into the water to approach a large Nile crocodile. He found himself sinking waist-deep into mud, which trapped him. “The crocodile exploded toward me. I braced for attack. Everyone in the boat was screaming. I thought this was it. But instead of attacking me it went right by me. It happened so quickly that members of my [film] crew didn’t really know it happened.”
It’s little missteps like this that can lead to catastrophe in Barr’s line of work.
Barr uses lots of gadgets in his films. In one episode he puttered around a swamp inside an artificial hippo, so he could sidle up close to the real wildlife. He’s adapted a video camera with lasers so he can calculate the size of animals from a distance, by measuring between two fixed points of light. He’s tinkered with everyday devices to measure the bite force of crocs and the strike speed of snakes.
“I’ve used a lot of remote-controlled cars to look inside burrows for snakes and toy boats to get closer to animals in the water. I’m a big kid. I love the toys. What really appeals to me about my work is trying to find new applications for technology in the field,” he said.
One thing I’ve always wondered about Barr’s television work, I told him, was how much of it was entertainment and how much of it was science. I get that there has to be drama to make it interesting for millions of people to watch, but what’s really in it for the benefit of the animals other than mobilizing awareness of their existence and circumstances?
Photo of Brady Barr with Kruger National Park crocodile courtesy National Geographic Channel
“Only a few minutes ago I logged on to my laptop to see where the crocs are,” he responded. He was referring to an episode in the current series of “Dangerous Encounters” in which he helped South African scientists tag crocodiles with satellite-tracking transmitters in the Kruger National Park. The work has real merit because these particular crocs are threatened by a dam downstream that has flooded their ancient habitat.
Barr continues to take an interest in their fate and monitors their progress regularly.
“I am first and foremost an educator,” he continues. “Then I am a scientist. And only then am I working on television. I do not put myself in harm’s way only for television. It has to be about science. It has to find answers to questions.”
The most frustrating part of his work, Barr adds, is that because of his television duties he is a lot more involved in starting science projects but does not have the time to do the follow-up and publish any findings. For this reason he works with scientists who can continue with the work and make a contribution to science.
“I view what we do as pilot projects which we turn over to other scientists. In many cases these scientists might not have received funding for their projects had it not been for National Geographic. Satellite transmission, for example, is very expensive, and our work tagging the crocs in Kruger paid for that. Everyone benefits from this.”
In the four new episodes of “Dangerous Encounters” airing on the National Geographic Channel this month, Barr encounters some animals not ordinarily associated with the work of a herpetologist.
He spoke excitedly about the episode in which he encounters the elusive sixgill shark. Little science exists about these sharks. In the episode, Barr uses a mini-submarine to visit them in their habitat 1,700 feet below the surface of the ocean.
“They live in the abyss. They’re the third largest predatory shark. It was a privilege to spend five hours with them on the ocean floor. More people have been on the summit of Everest than have been on the ocean floor,” he said.
Then there is the episode in which Barr goes in quest of the world’s largest salamanders, some of which can grow up to five feet long and weigh 80 pounds.
While on this expedition, Barr was bitten underwater – by a giant snapping turtle.
“I don’t know how much longer I can keep on doing this work,” he told me. “The snakes and crocs seem to be getting younger and faster.”
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Tag Archive: Albert Brooks
All the movies you’ll want to see in 2019
Filed under: Fantasy Realms, Movies, Retro Fix, Sci-Fi Café, Superheroes — Leave a comment
It’s that time of year again, time to take a look forward at what movies should be on your radar for 2019. Are you going to see them all? Heck no. These are the genre films we think borg readers will want to know about to make their own checklists for the coming year–and they are only the films we know about so far. We pulled 78 of the hundreds of films that have been finalized or are in varying stages of final production, slated for next year’s movie calendar.
What looks to top the list for most fanboys and fangirls? The last of the nine films in the Star Wars saga. Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, and Spider-Man: Far From Home. Shazam! is DC’s contribution. Quentin Tarentino returns to movies to direct Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Martin Scorsese is back with an all-star cast in The Irishman (on Netflix). M. Night Shyamalan finishes his dark superhero trilogy with Glass. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton return in Terminator. Jordan Peele is back with another horror film with Us.
Do you like sequels? This is your year. Another Men in Black, X-Men, Shaft, Happy Death Day, Lego Movie, Hellboy, John Wick, Kingsman, Jumanji, The Secret Life of Pets, How to Train Your Dragon, Fast and the Furious, Zombieland, Addams Family, Charlie’s Angels, Godzilla, Shaun the Sheep, Annabelle,and Stephen King’s It and Pet Sematary—Disney is trying to get you to move into your local theater with another Toy Story, Aladdin, Dumbo, Frozen, and Lion King–all in one year. Yep, lots and lots of sequels are coming.
Some films don’t have locked-in release dates yet. Amazon Prime and Netflix haven’t revealed dates for these 2019 releases:
Martin Scorcese’s The Irishman, a film about Jimmy Hoffa starring Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, and Bobby Cannavale (Netflix)
The Kid, a Western biopic with Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Dane DeHaan, and Vincent D’Onofrio (Netflix)
The Man Who Killed Hitler Then Bigfoot, starring Sam Elliott (Netflix)
6 Underground, a Michael Bay film starring Ryan Reynolds, Ben Hardy, Dave Franco, and Mélanie Laurent (Netflix)
The Last Thing He Wanted, Dee Rees directs Anne Hathaway, Ben Affleck, Willem Dafoe, and Toby Jones; journalist quits newspaper job to become an arms dealer for a covert government agency (Netflix)
The Laundromat, Steven Soderbergh directs Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, Antonio Banderas, James Cromwell, about the Pentagon Papers (Netflix)
Radioactive, Rosamund Pike plays Marie Curie, with Anya Taylor-Joy (Amazon)
Some of these films will have revised release dates, or get pushed to 2020.
So grab your calendar and start making your plans–here are the movies you’ll want to see in 2019 (and many you might not):
Glass – Superhero, M. Night Shyamalan trilogy part 3, stars Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, James McAvoy; continues where Unbreakable and Split left off – January 18.
Serenity – Mystery/Thriller, stars Anne Hathaway, Jason Clarke, Djimon Hounsou, Jeremy Strong, Diane Lane; sorry, no relation to Firefly – January 25.
King of Thieves – Heist Comedy, stars Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Charlie Cox, Michael Gambon, and Ray Winstone – January 25.
Tags: 2019 movies, 6 Underground, A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, Aardman Animations, Ad Astra movie, Adam Lambert, Addams Family 2019, Al Pacino, Aladdin 2019, Alan Arkin, Alan Ruck, Albert Brooks, Alexandra Shipp, Alfre Woodard, Alison Brie, Alita: Battle Angel, Amy Adams, Anna Paquin, Annabelle 3, Anne Hathaway, Anthony Mackie, Antonio Banderas, Anya Taylor-Joy, Arctic 2019 movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Avengers: Endgame, Ben Affleck, Ben Hardy, Ben Mendelsohn, Beyoncé, Billy Magnussen, Bobby Cannavale, Bobby Moynihan, Brad Pitt, Bradley Whitford, Brie Larson, Bruce Willis, Call of the Wild, Call of the Wild movie 2019, Captain Marvel, Captive State, Cate Blanchett, cats, Channing Tatum, Charlie Cox, Charlie Heaton, Charlie Hunnam, Charlie's Angels, Charlize Theron, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chloë Grace Moretz, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Christian Bale, Christmas 2018, Christoph Waltz, Clive Owen, Cold Pursuit, Colin Farrell, Common, Craig Ferguson, D.B. Sweeney, Daisy Ridley, Dakota Fanning, Dan Stevens, Dana Carvey, Daniel Dae Kim, Daniel Radcliffe, Danny DeVito, Dave Bautista, Dave Franco, David Harbour, Death on the Nile, Dee Rees, Dennis Quaid, Diane Lane, DJ Khaled, Djimon Hounsou, Donald Glover, Donald Sutherland, Downton Abbey, Dumbo 2019, Dwayne Johnson, Eiza González, Elisabeth Shue, Elizabeth Banks, Emma Thompson, Emma Watson, Emmy Rossum, Eva Green, Evan Peters, F. Murray Abraham, Finn Wolfhard, Ford vs Ferrari, Frozen 2, Gabriel Bateman, Garrett Hedlund, Gary Oldman, Gemini Man, Gemma Chan, Glass, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Greyhound 2019 movie, Happy Death Day 2U, Harrison Ford, Harvey Keitel, Helen Mirren, Hellboy, Hellboy 2019, Hellboy 2019 movie, Helter Skelter, Hobbs and Shaw, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Ian McShane, IT: Chapter 2, Jackie Earle Haley, Jake Gyllenhaal, James Cromwell, James Earl Jones, James McAvoy, Jason Clarke, Jason Statham, Jay Baruchel, Jeff Fahey, Jennifer Connelly, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner, Jeremy Strong, Jesse Eisenberg, Jessica Chastain, Jessica Rothe, Jessie T. Usher, Jim Broadbent, Jim Carrey, Jim Gaffigan, Joaquin Phoenix, Joe Pesci, Joel Kinnaman, John Goodman, John Lithgow, John Malkovich, John Oliver, John Wick: Chapter 3, Joker movie 2019, Jon Bernthal, Jonah Hill, Jordan Peele, Josh Gad, Josh Lucas, Jude Law, Judi Dench, Jumanji 2, Karen Gillan, Keanu Reeves, Keegan-Michael Key, Keira Knightley, Ken Watanabe, Kenan Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Kenneth Branagh movies, Kevin Dunn, Kevin Hart, King of Thieves, Kingsman 3, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Kristen Stewart, Kurt Russell, Kyle Chandler, Laura Dern, Laurence Fishburne, Lee Pace, Leonardo DiCaprio, Liam Neeson, Linda Hamilton, Little Women, Luke Kleintank, M. Night Shyamalan, Mads Mikkelsen, Mahershala Ali, Maisie Williams, Margot Robbie, Mark Strong, Martin Scorsese, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Masi Oka, Matt Damon, Matthew Broderick, Matthew Vaughn, Meghan Trainor, Melanie Laurent, Men in Black International, Meryl Streep, Michael Bay, Michael Fassbender, Michael Gambon, Michael Keaton, Michelle Rodriguez, Midway movie 2019, Mila Kunis, Milla Jovovich, Millie Bobby Brown, Mira Sorvino, Missing Link 2019, Mr. Rogers, Naomi Scott, Nicholas Hoult, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Oscar Isaac, Patrick Wilson, Patton Oswalt, Pedro Pascal, Pet Sematary 2019, Playmobil: The Movie, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, Quentin Tarentino, Radioactive, Rashida Jones, Ray Winstone, Rebel Wilson, Rene Russo, Richard Roundtree, Rocketman, Rosamund Pike, Ruby Rose, Ryan Reynolds, Sally Hawkins, Sam Elliott, Samuel L. Jackson, Sasha Lane, Serenity 2019, Shaft 2019 movie, Sharon Tate, Shazam, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sophie Turner, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Spies in Disguise, Star Wars Episode IX, Stephen Fry, Steven Soderbergh, Stuber movie, Taron Egerton, Terminator movie 2019, Tessa Thompson, The Aftermath, The Good Liar, The Hustle 2019, The Informer, The Irishman, The Last Thing He Wanted, The Laundromat, The LEGO Movie: The Second Part, The Lion King 2019, The Man Who Killed Hitler Then Bigfoot, The New Mutants, The Secret Life of Pets 2, The Woman in the Window, Thomas Haden Church, Tim Allen, Tim Blake Nelson, Tim Burton, Tim Miller, Timothy Olyphant, Toby Jones, Tom Bateman, Tom Courtenay, Tom Hanks, Tom Holland, Tommy Lee Jones, Toni Colette, Toy Story 4, Triple Frontier, Us 2019 movie, Velvet Buzzsaw, Vera Farmiga, Will Arnett, Will Smith, Willem Dafoe, Wonder Park, Woody Harrelson, Wyatt Russell, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, You Are My Friend, Zach Galifianakis, Zachary Levi, Zazie Beetz, Zoe Saldana, Zombieland Too
First look–Patton Oswalt stars in The Secret Life of Pets 2
Filed under: Fantasy Realms, Movies — Leave a comment
One of the more overlooked animated movies of 2016 was Illumination Entertainment’s cute talking animal movie, The Secret Life of Pets. This week Illumination released the first teaser poster and the first look at its sequel, The Secret Life of Pets 2. Take a look at the trailer below. Voice actor comedians Kevin Hart, Bobby Moynihan, Dana Carvey, and the great Albert Brooks are back. Also returning are voice actors Jenny Slate, Lake Bell, and Eric Stonestreet.
Comedic actor Patton Oswalt is stepping in to replace Louis CK in the lead role as the voice of Max the terrier. The first trailer looks like great family fun, all at the expense of your dog, cat, or guinea pig. If you’ve had a dog who had any kind of surgery or rash, then you’ll recognize Max in the poster sporting the Cone of Shame. The first trailer features Max on his first visit to the veterinarian. Keep an eye out at the movie’s website here for more character teasers arriving from Universal Pictures.
Check out this new trailer for The Secret Life of Pets 2:
Tags: Albert Brooks, Bobby Moynihan, Dana Carvey, Eric Stonestreet, Illumination Entertainment, Jenny Slate, Kevin Hart, Lake Bell, Louis CK, Patton Oswalt, The Secret Life of Pets, The Secret Life of Pets 2, The Secret Life of Pets 2 official movie poster, The Secret Life of Pets 2 preview trailer, Universal Pictures
First look–Disney releases colorful new trailer for Finding Dory
The popular Dory voiced by Ellen DeGeneres from 2003’s animated hit Finding Nemo gets to headline her own movie, and also bring back a few friends. Ellen previewed the latest trailer for the Disney movie on her TV show yesterday. Finding Dory features the comic stylings of DeGeneres, Albert Brooks as Marlin, Diane Keaton as Dory’s mom Jenny, Eugene Levy as Dory’s dad Charlie, and Ty Burrell as Bailey.
Ed O’Neill, Michael Sheen, Idris Elba, and Dominic West also have roles in the film under the eye of master animator John Lasseter with music by Thomas Newman.
Check out this second trailer for Finding Dory:
Tags: Albert Brooks, Carl Reiner, Diane Keaton, Disney, Dominic West, Dory the fish, Ed O'Neill, Ellen DeGeneres, Eugene Levy, Finding Dory, Finding Nemo, Idris Elba, John Lasseter, Michael Sheen, Pixar, Thomas Newman, Ty Burrell
First look–New movie recounts Jesse Owens’ historic Olympic triumph
Filed under: Movies, Superheroes — Leave a comment
Stephen Hopkins, director of The Ghost in the Darkness, Predator 2, and the reboot of Lost in Space, and TV series House of Lies and 24, is bringing to the big screen the momentous race of Jesse Owens, the black track and field gold medalist who showed-up Adolf Hitler’s racist regime by winning in the 1936 Olympics. The cleverly titled Race stars Stephan James (Selma) as Owens, the role previously given to John Boyega, who instead left the production to take on the role of Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Race co-stars Saturday Night Live alumnus Jason Sudeikis as Coach Larry Snyder, as well as Academy Award winners William Hurt and Jeremy Irons. Race is the kind of serious topic biopic the Academy traditionally looks for at Oscar time. If the film is the great drama that the story deserves, this could be a breakout role for both James and Sudeikis.
But can Sudeikis overcome his comedy acting past to drive this drama home? Many ex-SNL regulars have tried to break the SNL curse and jump into drama, including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Steve Martin, Albert Brooks, and Eddie Murphy, along with other comedy talents like Michael Keaton, Eddie Izzard, Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Robin Williams, and Jonah Hill. Will the Academy recognize Race a year from now? Murray, Aykroyd, Martin, Brooks, Hill, Smith, Williams, and Keaton have all been nominated for acting Oscars, but no ex-SNL actor has won an acting Oscar, and only comedic actors Foxx and Williams were able to make the switch from comedy to drama and take home the big prize.
Check out this trailer for Race:
Tags: Albert Brooks, along with other comedy talents like Michael Keaton, and Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Izzard, Jamie Foxx, Jason Sudeikis, Jesse Owens, Jim Carrey, John Belushi, John Boyega, Jonah Hill, Larry Snyder, Olympics, Race trailer, Robin Williams, Saturday Night Live alumni, sports movies, Stephan James, Stephen Hopkins, Steve Martin, Will Smith, William Hurt
Our annual “All the Movies You’ll Want to See…” series has been one of the most viewed of all of our entries at borg.com each year. So this year we again scoured Hollywood and its publicity machine for as many genre films coming out in 2016 as have been disclosed. Usually we select the 24 that look like the biggest hits, but we’re going all out for 2016. The result is a whopping 48 movies, many you’ll probably want to see in the theater or catch on video. We bet you’ll find a bunch below you’ve never heard of. Bookmark this now for your 2016 calendar!
Most coming out in the second half of 2016 don’t even have posters released yet, but many do. We’ve included descriptions and key cast so you can start planning accordingly.
What do we think will be the biggest hits of the year? How about Star Wars: Rogue One? Or Star Trek Beyond? You’ve heard endlessly about Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but 2016 will also see Doctor Strange, Captain America: Civil War, and X-Men: Apocalypse. There’s even a handful of Westerns, with The Hateful 8, Jane Got a Gun, and another remake of The Magnificent Seven heading our way.
The Hateful Eight – January 1
Tarentino’s Western! Ennio Morricone score! Kurt Russell, Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Channing Tatum!
The 5th Wave – January 8
Chloe Grace Moretz and Liev Schreiber in an alien invasion.
400 Days – January 12
The CW’s Brandon Routh, Caity Lotz, and Tom Cavanaugh in a movie about astronauts that seems to be a play on Ender’s Game.
Tags: 2016 movie checklist, 2016 movie releases, 2016 movies, 400 Days, Alan Tudyk, Albert Brooks, Alexander Skarsgard, Alice Eve, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Asa Butterfield, Assassin's Creed, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Ben Affleck, Ben Kingsley, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bill Hader, Bill Murray, Bobby Moynihan, Bourne Identity 5, Brandon Routh, Brendan Gleeson, Bryan Cranston, Bryce Dallas Howard, Byung-hun Lee, Caity Lotz, Captain America: Civil War, Carla Gugino, Central Intelligence movie, Channing Tatum, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Christoph Waltz, Christopher Lambert, Christopher Walken, Clancy Brown, Clifton Collins, Cobie Smulders, Criminal, Dana Carvey, Deadpool, Deepwater Horizon, Denis Leary, Denzel Washington, Diane Kruger, Djimon Hounsou, Doctor Strange, Dolph Lundgren, Dwayne Johnson, Eddie Redmayne, Emily Blunt, Ethan Hawke, Ewan McGregor, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Finding Dory, Frances McDormand, Gal Gadot, Gary Oldman, George Clooney, Ghostbusters, Hail Caesar!, Henry Cavill, Ice Age: Collision Course, Idris Elba, Independence Day: Resurgence, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, Jane Got a Gun, Jason Isaacs, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Lopez, Jeremy Irons, Jessica Chastain, JK Simmons, John Hurt, John Leguizamo, Jonah Hill, Josh Brolin, Jr., Jungle Book, Karl Urban, Kate Beckinsale, Kate Winslet, Kevin Costner, Kevin Hart, Knights of the Roundtable: King Arthur, Kurt Russell, Lara Palmer, Laraine Newman, Lauren Cohan, Liev Schreiber, Luke Evans, Lupita Nyong'o, Margot Robbie, Mark Wahlberg, Matt Bomer, Max Greenfield, Maya Rudolph, Michael Fassbender, Moonwalkers, Morena Baccarin, Natalie Portman, Nick Frost, Now You See Me 2, Passengers, Pete's Dragon, Peter Dinklage, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Ralph Fiennes, Ray Romano, Robert Picardo, Robert Redford, Ron Perlman, Rupert Evans, Rupert Grint, Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Simon Pegg, Star Trek Beyond, Star Wars Rogue One, Stephen Amell, Suicide Squad, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, The Angry Birds Movie, The BFG, The Boy, The Fifth Wave, The Girl on the Train, The Hateful Eight, The Huntsman - Winter's War, The Infiltrator, The Legend of Tarzan, The Magnificent Seven, The Nice Guys, The Secret Life of Pets, The Space Between Us, Tilda Swinton, Tom Cavanaugh, Tom Cruise, Tommy Chong, Travis Fimmel, Triple 9, Underworld: Next Generation, Warcraft, Woody Harrelson, X-Men: Apocalypse, Zootopia
Dory, Nemo and friends to return in new Pixar flick
Filed under: Fantasy Realms, Movies, Retro Fix — Leave a comment
This next film wins the “what took them so long?” award. Dory, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres, is currently Disney and Pixar’s most popular character, with 25 million “likes” on Facebook. Finally she gets to headline her own movie, and also bring back a few friends. The ten years later follow-up to Finding Nemo, next year’s Finding Dory features the comic stylings of DeGeneres, the world’s funniest guy* Albert Brooks as Marlin, Diane Keaton as Dory’s mom Jenny, Eugene Levy as Dory’s dad Charlie, and Ty Burrell as Bailey.
Ed O’Neill, Idris Elba, and Dominic West are also expected to have roles in the film under the eye of master animator John Lasseter with music by Thomas Newman.
Check out this first trailer for Finding Dory:
Tags: Albert Brooks, Carl Reiner, Diane Keaton, Disney, Dominic West, Dory the fish, Ed O'Neill, Ellen DeGeneres, Eugene Levy, Finding Dory, Finding Nemo, Idris Elba, John Lasseter, Pixar, Thomas Newman, Ty Burrell
Trailer Park–The Anthropomorphic Animals (and Other Things) Edition
Yes, it’s that time again. Time for another edition of Trailer Park. This time we’re looking at four coming attractions of the animated variety. Two hail from Illumination Entertainment and two from Disney companies.
The Secret Life of Pets gives a look into the world of animals at home when humans are not around. Zootopia looks at a parallel universe of animals living their lives like humans. The Good Dinosaur is another parallel universe story, following the lives of dinosaurs if that giant asteroid bypassed Earth 65 million years ago. And Minions follows the little yellow fellows from Despicable Me as they look for the ultimate villain to support.
And then we have our recommendation of viewing while you’re waiting for the talking animal shows to hit your local theater. Let’s get on with it!
First up, The Secret Life of Pets from Illumination Entertainment. Here’s the trailer:
Voice actors include comedians Kevin Hart, Louis C.K., Bobby Moynihan, and the great Albert Brooks. The Secret Life of Pets arrives in theaters July 8, 2016.
Next, Zootopia from Disney/Pixar:
Tags: Aardman Productions, Albert Brooks, Anna Paquin, Bazooka bubble gum, Bobby Moynihan, Creature Comforts, Disney, Disney/Pixar, Frances McDormand, Geoffrey Rush, Ginnifer Goodwin, Illumination Entertainment, Jason Bateman, Jeffrey Wright, Jennifer Saunders, Jon Hamm, Kevin Hart, Laraine Newman, Louis C.K., Michael Keaton, Minions, Minions trailer, Sam Elliott, Sandra Bullock, The Good Dinosaur trailer, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, The Secret Life of Pets, The Secret Life of Pets trailer, The Wrong Trousers, Wallace & Gromit, Zootopia trailer
Unique and quirky—Si Spurrier’s Numbercruncher
Filed under: Comics & Books, Sci-Fi Café — Leave a comment
“Dying young, a brilliant Mathematician discovers a way to cheat the terrifying Divine Calculator. He schemes to be endlessly reincarnated in the life of the woman he loves, no matter how often the violent bailiffs of the Karmic Accountancy cut short each life.”
Yet the delivery of this quirky story is delivered through the voice of a foul-mouthed British thug in such a way that it… actually works. Numbercruncher asks questions involving the biggest topics of life and death yet balances humor and despair in a pretty stunning and imaginative way.
Bastard Zane is a thug. A dead thug. He speaks in the local accents of the street kids in Attack the Block or Daniel Craig in Layer Cake, and could easily fit into the crime noir world of Road to Perdition. And he’s experiencing the real afterlife, not one of angels and pearly gates, but of accountants running the grand show—it’s like the worst case scenario for those afraid of tax men and accountants: heaven is run by numbercrunchers. Writer Si Spurrier quickly gives us his set up in a way that puts this story alongside the afterlife treatments of Steven Spielberg’s Always, Albert Brooks’s Defending Your Life or even the Philip K. Dick-inspired The Adjustment Bureau–and far better than Jerry Zucker’s Ghost. And then he proceeds to let his characters chase each other down.
Tags: Albert Brooks, Attack the Block, Daniel Craig Layer Cake, Defending Your Life, Jerry Zucker Ghost, Nancy Travis, Numbercruncher, P. J. Holden, Road to Perdition, Si Spurrier, So I Married an Axe Murderer, Spielberg Always, The Adjustment Bureau, Titan Books
The Way, Way Back and making unlikable characters from likable people
Filed under: Movies — Leave a comment
By Jason McClain (@JTorreyMcClain)
When I think of Steve Carell, I think of The Office and how the American version turned out to be different than the British version just because Carell is so much more likable than Ricky Gervais. I think of Even Stevphen with him and Stephen Colbert on The Daily Show. I think of The 40 Year Old Virgin and how I found it to be one of the funniest movies I’ve seen because of the way Carell played the sweet awkwardness of Andy.
Within the first 15 minutes of The Way, Way Back, I find it impressive that Jim Rash and Nat Faxon made me dislike him more than I would have thought ever possible. I’m not talking a mild dislike; I mean an active repulsion where I put my hand over my mouth in shock before I ball it into a fist to control my anger. Then, they keep ratcheting that feeling higher.
Tags: Albert Brooks, coming of age movies, James Cromwell, Jason McClain, Jim Rash, John Barrowman, John Travolta, Nat Faxon, Steve Carell, The Way Way Back
Aztec Empire--Graphic novel series recounts the fall of the Aztecs 500 years ago
New Star Wars book looks behind the scenes at original trilogy costumes
New James Bond book collects six classic stories from 1960s comic strips
They Live variant action figure coming from Super 7 for Black Friday
Earth 2 and Worlds' Finest titles reinvigorate DC's New 52
First look--Ford v. Ferrari and Le Mans '66, a movie so big it needs two titles
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Florida Film Festival 2012
That time of year is upon us as the Florida Film Festival will return for its 21st year on April 13th through April 22nd. The FFF’s unique combination of exciting films, delicious food and fun make it one of the most laid-back, enjoyable film festivals anywhere. It is also one of the best-curated – two out of the last three years the movie I chose as best of the year was one I saw right here at the Florida Film Festival. That gives you an idea of the quality of the films selected year after year.
Why go to a film festival? Aren’t they for film snobs so they can get together and watch subtitled and indie films while looking down their noses at mainstream movies? Maybe at some festivals but not this one. The people who attend the Florida Film Festival are film lovers; their only criterion is that the movie have something to offer. Sure, they might turn up their noses at movies that aren’t made well or don’t have anything in particular to say but for the most part the people who are regular attendees at the FFF are people who see a lot of movies, mainstream as well as independent.
And these aren’t all movies about 20-something hipsters in complicated relationships while living in lofts in New York City; at the FFF you’ll find children’s films, horror movies, classic films, action films, hysterically funny shorts, compelling documentaries and musicals. There is literally something for every taste in movies and every kind of story imaginable. If you are a little open-minded and like to have a good time, this is the party you’re missing and trust me, it’s one you want to go to.
There are special food events where celebrity chefs show off their skills; there are movies that take special pride in our Florida home as Florida-bred filmmakers show why this area is rapidly becoming a spawning ground for great filmmakers. There are midnight movies showing the best in genre filmmaking from around the world. There are short films from around the world and around the corner, both animated and live action (and just for the record, the most recent winner of the Oscar for Animated Short Subject was screened at last year’s Florida Film Festival).
So what do they have in store for us this year? A wealth of great movies – over 170 features will be screened during this year’s Festival. Some of the ones I’m looking forward to are Renee, the locally made film covering the story of Renee Yohe, the inspiration for the charity group To Write Love On Her Arms (it is also the opening night film) and Jiro Dreams of Sushi, a documentary covering the world’s only three Michelin star-rated sushi chef. There’s also the latest horror film from Don Coscarelli (auteur of Phantasm and Bubba Ho-Tep) called John Dies in the End. There’s the Norwegian sexual coming of age film Turn Me On, Dammit! and the Canadian schoolroom drama Monsieur Lazhar (which was also nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar this year although it didn’t win), not to mention the Paul Simon documentary Under African Skies and the sophisticated animated feature A Cat in Paris.
Some that I’m planning to see (among most of the ones above as well) include Salt of the Earth (the sequel to Mid-August Lunch), the thriller Headhunters, Luc Besson’s biopic of Aung San Suu Kyi (the pro-democracy activist and Nobel laureate under house arrest in Myanmar) The Lady and the French box office record breaker The Intouchables. Those whose tastes lean towards classic movies will be thrilled to hear that among those classics screening this year include Marriage Italian Style, To Kill a Mockingbird, Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Liberty Heights.
Of note is the Rick Springfield documentary Affair of the Heart. Made by local documentary director Sylvia Caminer, it set a Florida Film Festival record by selling out it’s Thursday night screening in less than an hour (it doesn’t hurt that Springfield will be making an appearance at the screening). There are a few tickets left for the Saturday noon screening on April 14th if you’re still looking to see it – it’s supposed to be an amazing documentary and from the clips I’ve seen it is going to appeal to his fans and non-fans alike.
And I could go on and on – but you get the point. There are some really good movies, several of which are most likely destined for my year-end top ten. There is the good food not only at the Enzian and Eden Bar but also at events hosted by Luma of Winter Park, Whole Foods Market and of course the Opening Night Party, featuring food from some of the best restaurants in Central Florida. There are great venues including the Enzian itself, The Regal in Winter Park Village and Central Park in downtown Winter Park. You can find more ticket information for the Festival and information about all the movies and shorts being screened at their website here.
So keep an eye on Cinema365 for more information about upcoming celebrity appearances at the Festival, reviews of the movies being screened and further preview information about the Festival. This year looks to be bigger and better than ever and we wouldn’t want you to miss a thing.
Tickets for individual films run at $10 apiece (once they go on sale – see website for details) and packages start as low as $50 (and usually include goodies like posters or programs) or you can go whole hog and get yourself a pass which gets you into any and/or all screenings. Those start at $450 and go up to $1000 a pass (for the film lover who has everything – and wants more). So yeah, ten bucks a ticket isn’t all that bad and even if you just pick a single film to see, you’ll be hooked for life. There’s nothing quite like a film festival and there are none quite like the Florida Film Festival. See for yourself – you’ll be thanking me for it later.
This entry was posted in Special Feature and tagged A Cat in Paris, An Affair of the Heart, Enzian Theater, Florida Film Festival, Florida Film Festival 2012, Headhunters, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, John Dies in the End, Liberty Heights, Marriage Italian Style, Mid-August Lunch, Monsieur Lazhar, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Renee, Salt of the Earth, The Intouchables, The Lady, To Kill a Mockingbird, Turn Me On Dammit!, Under African Skies by carlosdev. Bookmark the permalink.
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The Role of Resilient PNT in Technology Network Cybersecurity | CAST
The Role of Resilient PNT in Protecting Data Centers from Jamming and Spoofing
The smartphone revolution happening across the globe means people are increasingly reliant on global technology networks. Data centers and connected devices store personal documents, photo libraries, and other personal data. They are also responsible for keeping track of various business information, what with 90 percent of companies now connected to the cloud. Essentially, data centers support the daily operations of some of the most important services needed in modern society.
Because of the huge amounts of data that is being stored, updated, and retrieved from these data centers across the globe, it’s important to protect them from jamming or spoofing attacks, system failure, and interference.
GNSS as a Protector of Data Centers
Data centers use timestamps to organize the data that they store and retrieve. Apart from being a piece of identification information, timestamps enable data centers to retrieve the most recent version of specific data that is being accessed and revised.
For example, hundreds of thousands of users may be accessing a cloud-based application simultaneously. This leads to data changing frequently. With reliable timestamps, the cloud-based application can determine the latest version of a specific data it receives.
GNSS signals are responsible for synchronizing these timestamps accurately. When these signals are compromised, timestamps from surveillance systems may become inaccurate, rendering video evidence inadmissible or the GPS in vehicles may be out of synch and give the wrong directions.
The best way to protect GNSS-reliant systems like data centers is to test them for vulnerabilities. GNSS inertial simulators can simulate spoofing, jamming, or interference attacks, making it easier to identify a system’s weakness. Information gathered from these simulations can help system experts design a more resilient positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) information solution, one with signals that aren’t easily disrupted by interference, unlike GPS signals.
The Need for Resilient PNT Solutions
Data centers can ensure the highest levels of data integrity through the use of resilient PNT technologies. Accurate positioning, navigation, and timing data work to improve the reliability of critical operations, including power grids, financial systems, and communication networks.
Without accurate data secured by resilient PNT, the performance and safety of the operation of these industries may be at risk. What’s more, without resilient PNT, communication links may be lost, so will GPS signals, and there will be constant interference.
Protect Today’s Technology Hubs with Resilient PNT
The constant connection to devices that data centers provide fuel people’s ability to access information in an instant. Basically, this technology hubs act as a virtual brain of today’s society.
But before people can fully embrace this new form of technology, they must first address the challenges associated with it and ensure that GNSS signals are reliable and resilient against attacks. Through this, it will be easier to protect current systems and prevent security threats on these new capabilities.
One of the purveyors of security is CAST. For over 38 years, we have been an industry leader in providing GPS and GNSS simulators, which the military, the government, and commercial agencies use as powerfully accurate testing tools.
For more information about our dynamic GPS, GNSS/INS simulation systems, visit CAST today.
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Christchurch uncovered
Exploring Christchurch's past through archaeology
Tag Archives: interpretive archaeology
Life Before Plastic: Kmart Culture
Posted on 28 June 2019 by Clara Watson
Last time on the blog we talked about packaging and how our Victorian ancestors made do without plastic trays to wrap their cans of coke in (and all the rest of it). This week we’re going to take a closer look at plastic in the household. Plastic in the household isn’t quite as bad as plastic in the supermarket, but there still is a lot of it. There’s the plastic laundry basket, the plastic on the fridge door handles, the polyester clothes in the wardrobe and the plastic bucket in the laundry, to name a few.
If we were to go back in time to a Victorian house, we wouldn’t see any of those things. The clothes would be made of wool, or cotton, or linen, the bucket of metal, there wouldn’t be a fridge and the laundry basket would be an actual wicker basket. Now I could go through object by object and compare what we have today to what the Victorians used, but that would get a bit repetitive and boring. Instead what I want to do is take a look at the bigger picture and the different social and economic systems between now and 150 years ago. (A quick note, I make some big generalisations about purchasing habits in the next few paragraphs. Obviously, people’s purchasing habits are completely dependent on their individual economic situation and personal beliefs, and not every single object out there is cheap plastic junk. I’m just generalising to make a point about a certain type of behaviour).
A 19th century bone toothbrush and its modern-day plastic equivalent. Image: C. Watson.
Something you hear all the time is that things aren’t made to last like they used to. It’s a cliché, but it’s also true. As we discussed when talking about packaging, the main benefit of plastic is that it’s cheap to manufacture, meaning that plastic items are cheap to purchase. In the current economic climate, where manufacturers are focused on maximising profit and lowering the bottom line, plastic is often the most economical choice for goods to be made of. For some manufacturers that are using plastic the focus isn’t on making a high-quality product that will last a lifetime, but on making money. If we want to be really cynical, manufacturers benefit when products have a short lifespan as it means the customer has to keep purchasing the same product over and over again.
These cheaply manufactured plastic objects can be purchased from many stores, but I’m going to use one store that’s very popular at the moment to illustrate my point- Kmart- and what I’m going to refer to as “Kmart Culture”. If you’ve been paying attention on the internet for the past few years, you’ll have seen people going absolutely nuts for Kmart homewares. From the throws to the cushions, candles, and wall prints, there’s always a new trend.
Just a few of the many Kmart memes that exist on the internet. Image: Google.
Kmart Culture is completely focused on what’s new, because there’s always something new. There’s no consideration of the fact that there’s only so many places in the household that can be decorated with a throw blanket and a cushion. Instead new cushions are purchased, the old cushions are put in a cupboard, and they sit out of sight until there’s a Marie Kondo inspired cleaning spree and they go to the tip. And the thing that facilitates being able to purchase new home décor, despite already owning various homewares, is the cheap price point, which is only possible because of plastic. You might be picking up on the fact that there’s a bit of a cycle going on here. Plastic makes goods cheap. People can afford to purchase non-essential items (eg. Home décor) because it’s cheap. People can afford to purchase even more non-essential items, even when they already have those items at home, because it’s cheap. People have no qualms about throwing out the old items, because they were cheap. Cheap plastic items end up in landfills.
With that pattern of behaviour in the forefront of our minds, let’s jump now to 19th century Christchurch where there was no plastic. By the mid-19th century the industrial revolution was in full swing. The introduction of mass-manufactured goods through the development of factories in Britain, combined with the discovery of new resources through world exploration and the creation of a global trade market through British and European colonisation meant products were cheaper than in previous centuries and there was a wider variety of things that could be bought (Rafferty 2019). This growth meant people had more money and there was a shift from people making things at home to purchasing them from shops.
All of this sounds relatively similar to modern times, and that’s because, in a way, it is. In the 19th century we see the beginning of the social and economic systems that led to modern day Kmart Culture. Whilst things weren’t as cheap as they are today, they were still cheaper than they had been in the past. In some ways it’s hard to compare the cost of goods in the 19th century with the cost of goods today. Whilst we can compare prices and index them (see here if you’re interested in more detail), in many ways it’s comparing oranges and apples. How do you compare the cost of a kettle in the 19th century, made of cast iron and designed to be heated on a range, with a modern electrical jug? And which electrical jug would you even choose to compare it with, the $10 one from Kmart or the $270 Breville one from Briscoes? Even if you chose to compare it with a cast iron jug they range from $30 to over a $100 in price.
Another way to compare is not looking at the cost of goods, but at what was thrown away. In Kmart Culture old items are being replaced by new items, despite the fact the old items are still useable. Think back over the past ten years, what household items have you thrown out? Nic nacs? Ornaments? Paintings? Cushions? Furniture? Clothing? Utensils? Pots and pans? Plates? If I think of my parents house 20 years ago and compare it to now, nearly everything in it has been replaced over the past two decades.
When we look at the archaeology of 19th century Christchurch, and in particular at rubbish pits and what people were throwing away, there’s two big patterns. Firstly, we don’t find homeware items that often, but we do come across them. We’ve found things like kettles, pots, cast iron ranges, irons, and bed knobs, but they’re rare and we definitely don’t find them in every site. There are other household items that aren’t rare, but we don’t find in every site. Things like cutlery, knives, vases and ornaments.
Some of the more unusual household items we come across. Image: C. Watson.
The relative scarcity of these objects in the archaeological record suggests there wasn’t a 19th century Kmart Culture around their purchase. People purchased these items and held onto them until they broke. In fact, a lot of the items shown in the above photograph came from a site where the occupants both passed away and we think the objects were thrown out by their children preparing the house for sale- proving that some things were intended to last a lifetime.
What we do find in nearly every single rubbish pit we excavate are ceramics. Plates, side plate, cups, teapots, platters, sugar bowls, tureens, jugs, chamber pots, bowls, basins, ewers- you name it and we’ve found it a thousand times over. And we find them in every form possible, from a single rim sherd to half a vessel that can be refitted to a fully complete item. It’s likely that a lot of the vessels we find are things that people have dropped or knocked and they’ve broken, and that’s why they’ve been thrown out, but given the quantities that we find either the 19th century residents of Christchurch were the clumsiest people in the world, or there was another reason why things were being thrown out.
Some of the many, many ceramic vessels we find in Christchurch archaeological sites. Image: C. Watson.
And so, ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Kmart Culture of the 19th century: ceramic dinner sets and tea sets. The industrial revolution led to pottery factories in the Staffordshire region of England producing large quantities of ceramic vessels for the export market. The scale of production meant it was possible for a range of different designs to be produced, and different fashion trends are apparent throughout the century. As new styles of ceramics became popular, people threw out their old sets and replaced them with new pieces.
19th stores were constantly advertising the arrival of new tea and dinner sets in the latest fashions. This 1893 advertisement shows both the availability of new ceramic vessels and the price range. Image: Star.
Just a few of the ceramic pattern styles popular through the 19th century. The top left is the Willow pattern, an example of the Chinese inspired designs popular at the beginning of the 19th century (with Willow pattern itself popular throughout the 19th and 20th centuries). Top middle is the Asiatic Pheasants pattern, a floral pattern with Chinese influences. On the top right is the Rhine pattern, an example of the romantic landscape designs inspired by European scenery and buildings, popular around the middle of the century. The bottom left is the Cairo pattern. The style of the Cairo pattern, with a design that breaks the pattern of ‘central scene with border’ shown on the plates in the top row, was inspired by the Aesthetic Movement of the 1870s. Bottom centre is the Albert Star pattern, with a simple design featuring a central motif and a border pattern. Bottom right is a simple banded design, seen on plates and cups from the end of the century. Image: C. Watson.
When we take this concept of “Kmart Culture” and compare modern purchasing habits to Victorian era ones, we see they’re not all that different. When people’s wages are high enough to allow for casual spending, and the goods they’re purchasing are cheap enough, then people will buy stuff. In the 19th century not every item met these criteria- cups and plates might have but not furniture, and that’s one of the reasons why we find tea wares and table wares in nearly every archaeological site but not table-tops and chair legs. In modern times almost everything can be bought cheaply, meaning that we can throw away nearly everything, and if our Victorian era ancestors had been able to buy a new kettle for $10 (or the equivalent of $10), then I’m sure we would be finding kettles in the archaeological record as well.
Clara Watson
Posted in Artefacts, Ceramics, Household, Life Before Plastic, Social habits | Tagged artefacts, ceramics, historical archaeology, interpretive archaeology, toothbrush | Leave a reply
‘Archaia’ and ‘Logos’, what even is archaeology?
Posted on 26 October 2018 by Maria Lillo Bernabeu
The word archaeology comes from the Greek archaia (“ancient things”) and logos (“theory” or “science”). So, archaeologists study past societies through the material culture. In other words, we write the history analysing what people threw away or left behind. That’s what it is, although the origin of archaeology was quite different!
Back in the day, great discoveries of ancient civilizations enchanted the curiosity of those intrepid explorers who travelled the world looking for antiquities. The ruins of Troy and the image of Henrich Schliemann’s wife wearing the Priam’s Treasure (referred to as “Jewels of Helen”) as well as the Tutankhamun tomb are probably two of the most iconic finds of the last centuries. On 22 November 1922 when Lord Carnavon enquired anxiously “Can you see anything?” and Howard Carter replied “Yes, wonderful things”, expressing the grandeur of the ancient world. Those expeditions became the excuse to plunder historical sites to boost either personal or museum collections, with no further interest other than hunting treasures, contradicting the rightful purpose of archaeology.
Left: Sophia Schliemann wearing some of the gold jewellery from the Priam’s Treasure. Right: Howard Carter and the Tutankhamun tomb. Images: Wikimedia Commons.
The archaeological discoveries at ancient cities also inspired the decoration on contemporary ceramics. Tea, table and serving wares also became a mechanism to emulate the magnificent past. Idyllic depictions of exotic and remote places, scenes with ruins of Greece, Rome and oriental inspired scenes are all relatively common finds on Christchurch archaeological sites.
Left: Medina patterned plate. It is likely that this pattern draws inspiration from Medina, the city in Saudi Arabia to the north of Mecca. Image: J. Garland. Right: drainer decorated with the Corinthian pattern, the name of which refers to one of the three Greek architectural orders: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian, with ruins and columns depicted on the scene. Image: M. Lillo Bernabeu.
From left to right. We don’t know what the title of the pattern was, but the fragment clearly features a hand painted Grecian figure. The name of the following patterns: Egyp[t] or Egyp[tian] and Persian also evoking past cultures. However, in these examples, the scene depicted is unknown as we only found a tiny piece of ceramic! Image: M. Lillo Bernabeu.
At that time of treasure hunting in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the object itself pulled out of its place was the centre of attention. And that’s not our job. Rather than treasures by themselves, artefacts are precious because they help us to interpret and understand how people used to live. That’s their actual value. And that’s possible to achieve when studying the objects in relation to the context in which they were found. During the latter half of the 20th century, archaeology grew up as science, with the development of methods of fieldwork, recording and cataloguing and the use of specific tools and technologies, shared with other disciplines like anthropology or geology. Archaeology is a social science, so archaeologists are scientists. Unlike fossickers or curio hunters, archaeologists always take notes and make drawings and plans. This is key, because archaeology is essentially preservation by record.
Archaeologist in action! Left: Hamish taking notes on site. Image: T. Anderson. Right: Hamish and I drawing and old curb in the city. Image: H. Williams.
By the sounds of it, the real profile of an archaeologist is unlike the idealised portrait of it. We are far away from one of the most popular archaeologists ever. Who pops up in our minds when thinking of archaeology? Of course, Indiana Jones… except for Hamish! Both share part of the outfit, it’s not the whip but the cool felt hat! Well, archaeologists wear usually safety helmets on site, but in their spare time, wherever archaeologists go, the hat would be a perfect accessory, aye?
Left: Indiana Jones. Image: Rex/Shutterstock. Right: Hamish wearing his felt hat at the Edwin Fox Maritime museum in Picton. Archaeologists do love to soak up the local history! Image: H. Williams.
The fictional image of a female archaeologist is probably even less accurate. Can’t find anything in common between Lara Croft and us. Well, she is presented as a highly intelligent, athletic and beautiful archaeologist… Maybe it is a little bit like us.
Beyond the stereotypes and the history of archaeology, constructed by and starring male archaeologists like Carter or Schliemann, there were women archaeologists as well, although it was ‘not a common thing, for obvious reasons’ (Star 15/04/1914: 7). Perhaps because those were so obvious (irony on going!), none of those reasons were nuanced… Anyway, the point is that Jeanette Le Fleming was an archaeologist. She married in 1885 Sir William Le Fleming, born in Christchurch in 1861, eight Baronet of Rydal and prominent settler in Taranaki district (Evening Post 3/11/1945: 11).
New Zealand’s newspapers in 1932 reported Jeanette’s return to New Zealand after a long trip. ‘In her capacity of archaeologist’ (crikey!), she had visited Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Denmark and investigated ruins in Zimbabwe. Among her experiences overseas, she considered her study of the ruins at Zimbabwe the most interesting of her professional experiences. There Jeanette analysed the acropolis and temple erected under the influence of Babylonian civilization. She wrote many articles on travel subjects, ancient history and archaeology. She published under a nom de plume, ‘which she keeps in complete secret’ and not even her sister was aware of her identification with a certain writer and archaeologist (Evening Post 25/01/1932: 10). Apart from Europe and Russia, Jeanette also travelled to Central and South America, India, China and Japan, among many other places. She preferred travelling alone (yes, a pioneer of women solo travellers!) as she was never afraid, and always keen to nature, climates, archaeology, medieval and other modern curiosities, as well as the present economic conditions of each country (Evening Star 14/12/1936).
Honestly, I’m so jealous! What an inspirational woman! Loving what I also love (and archaeologist in general!), travelling, exploring new places and cultures, being curious all the time, asking questions and looking for answers! Eventually, Jeanette Le Fleming died at her home in 1944, after a long and undoubtedly interesting life! (Evening Post 3/05/1944: 8).
Jeanette Le Fleming. Image: Evening Star 24/09/1938.
As archaeologists working in post-earthquake Christchurch, we also have stories and the archaeology of the early city to tell you through Christchurch Uncovered blog, Facebook, Instagram and public archaeology events. Unquestionably, scientifically recording the past is the best way to preserve it in partnership with all of you, committed people, aware of the significance of our heritage as the witness of the history, the vestiges of the past from which we can learn so much.
To conclude, a summary that describes best what an archaeologist is, how our current day-to-day goes… Love it.
Image: I fucking love archaeology.
Maria Lillo Bernabeu
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2018. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/ (Accessed October 2018).
Paper Past, 2018. [online] Available at: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ (Accessed October 2018).
Posted in Archaeology, Artefacts, Ceramics, Excavation, Historical research, History of Archaeology, Ideas, Methods, People | Tagged archaeological theory, archaeology, artefacts, Christchurch, early christchurch business, historical archaeology, interpretive archaeology | 2 Replies
Early Christchurch women, breaking the rules: the exhibition.
The ideal Victorian woman
In Victorian society, a woman was to be meek, mild, virtuous and peaceful (Whiteside 2007). She was expected to marry and have children. She would stay at home, looking after her children and her husband and keeping the house perfectly. Public affairs were men’s matters, although a woman might engage in charitable or other social works, but nothing that could in any way be construed as ‘masculine’. She was selfless – everyone else always came first. She certainly wasn’t involved in politics, and nor did she run a business. At least, that was the theory!
Left: M Heslop & Co (Christchurch) fl 1870s: Portrait of unidentified man, woman and child. Ref: PA2-2063. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23056667. Right: well, it would be an alternative middle class family! Image: Observer 14/11/1903.
In fact, this standard was mostly applied to middle class women, and it seems to have been much less unusual for working class women to, well, work. But there were middle class women who broke these ‘rules’ of Victorian society too, in a range of ways. Discovering the lives of a number of these women in 19th century Christchurch – and our fascination with their ‘hidden’ lives – has led us to curate an exhibition: Women breaking the rules. You can see the physical display at Rewind at Ferrymead Heritage Park on Sunday 14 October, and also follow these women’s stories online via our Instagram exhibition @womenbreakingtherules.
Designed by A. Gibson.
But regardless of class, women were always defined in relation to the men in their life, whether father, brother or husband. So, being a spinster could be difficult and challenging. Much as we might not like it in this day in age, men provided often critical financial security for the women in their lives, particularly in a world where there was no pension or unemployment benefit, let alone a domestic purposes benefit. In fact, there was no state support of any kind in New Zealand until the end of the 19th century, and the poor were reliant on charities for support.
Unlike spinsters, widows seem to have had far more freedom and to have been more ‘respectable’ than unmarried women. While their situation might have been financially difficult, the range of jobs society approved of them taking on was broader than the range available for single women. And widows – as in some of the stories here – often ended up running their husband’s businesses, meaning they took on a variety of professions (Bishop 2012).
Yes, women did work in the Victorian era! And not just as domestic servants – although this was far and way the most common occupation for women. In fact, some women ran businesses of their own. The jobs that women took on, though, and even many of the businesses they ran, tended to involve caring, or to be domestic in character. Jobs like teaching or nursing were both acceptable for middle class women (Bishop 2012).
Working class women could take on quite a range of work: dressmaker, needlework, hotelkeeping, storekeeping, confectionary, haberdashery, drapery and so on. Women could also earn money by taking in boarders, doing laundry or by looking after other women’s children. And let’s not ignore that they could be prostitutes. These were all ways of earning money that might fly under the radar and not be recorded officially (Bishop 2012).
Just relaxing under a tree, along with other women, working in the seaside or the countryside, riding a horse… working women and classy ones, all sort of women depicted through the artefacts! Image: J. Garland, C. Watson and M. Lillo Bernabeu.
Telling women’s stories
As regular readers of the blog will know, researching the lives of most people who lived in 19th century New Zealand is tricky – official records can be patchy or may not even exist (Minchinton 2017). People only turned up in the newspapers if they were famous, got in trouble or were advertising for servants, leasing or selling properties. Unless someone has a really unusual name, you often can’t be certain you’re researching the right person.
Mary Portelli, the antithesis of the Victorian ideal, a woman in endless trouble! Images. Right: Star 29/05/1895: 3. Left: Southland Times 20/09/1906: 2.
Studying women’s lives is even harder. For one thing, they changed their surname when they married. Then, they were often referred to only as Mrs…, without their first name, or including their husband’s name instead – for example, Mrs L. J. Smith. Women who ran businesses often traded under their husband’s name, or didn’t advertise at all (Bishop 2012). And, in general, women’s activities meant they didn’t end up in the newspaper.
The branded china L. J. Smith – and presumably Elizabeth, L. J. Smith’s wife – used at events he organised as caterer. Image: C. Dickson.
Despite these difficulties, archaeology and history reveal the lives of six Christchurch women who, in one way or another, broke the rules of late 19th and early 20th century society: Fanny Cole, prohibitionist; Elizabeth Robinson, chemist; Sarah Gault, dressmaker; Elizabeth Smith, caterer; Caroline Rantin, timber and coal merchant; and Mary Portelli, woman in trouble.
There are no Māori women in this exhibition, unfortunately, because we’ve not found any record of Māori women living in 19th century Christchurch. This isn’t to say that they weren’t, just that we’ve not found them yet. If you want to learn more, we highly recommend checking out the book He Reo Wāhine: Māori Women’s Voices from the Nineteenth Century.
Why are these women important?
These six women were not the only exceptional ones who broke the rules. It turns out that there were many more women pushing the boundaries of Victorian society than we initially expected. The six women we’ve featured in this exhibition serve to highlight the lives and occupations of all these women, along with their concerns and daily battles and how they struggled against what was accepted and respectable (Whiteside 2007), whilst working within the confines of the ideals of that time. But slowly, slowly, pushing these boundaries would come to change society as a whole. So, let’s look at the archaeology and the historical record and bring women into the picture!
This exhibition is a joint production between Underground Overground Archaeology and the Christchurch Archaeology Project.
Katharine Watson and Maria Lillo Bernabeu
Bishop, Catherine, 2012. “Commerce Was a Woman: Women in Business in Colonial Sydney and Wellington.” PhD thesis, Australian National University.
Minchinton, Barbara, 2017. “’Prostitutes’ and ‘lodgers’ in Little Lon: construction a list of occupiers in nineteenth-century Melbourne”. Australasian Historical Archaeology, 35, pp. 64-70.
Whiteside, Heidi, 2017. “’We Shall Be Respectable’: Women and Representations of Respectability in Lyttelton 1851-1893”. MA thesis, University of Canterbury.
Posted in Archaeology, Artefacts, Buildings archaeology, Ceramics, Class, Excavation, feminism, Historical research, Household, houses, People, Private sphere, Public space, Uncategorized | Tagged archaeology, artefacts, buildings archaeology, ceramics, Christchurch, gender, heritage week, historical archaeology, houses, interpretive archaeology, middle class, suffrage125, Victorian society, Victorians, women, women breaking the rules, women's christian temperance union, women's suffrage, working class | 1 Reply
The archaeology of natural disasters
Posted on 13 July 2018 by Kathy Davidson
When people first settled in Aotearoa, they had no idea that they were sitting upon a slice of one of two supercontinents; Gondwanaland. Around eighty-three million years ago this slice we now live on, known to us as Zealandia, broke away. We wouldn’t recognise Zealandia as it was then; most of it is now underwater. The bits which still protrude above sea level is New Zealand. The earth’s crust is still on the move though, which we can see on the surface through earthquakes, volcanoes and smaller geothermal vents (McLauchlan 2014: 7-8). All of these things are familiar to any New Zealander. While I don’t believe earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are events we’ll ever become used to, we now understand why they happen and are better equipped to deal with the aftermath.
Long before I had even stepped foot on the South Island, on 22nd February 2011 at 12.51pm an earthquake, with its epicentre in Lyttelton and a magnitude of 6.3, struck Canterbury (GeoNet 2018). Although we are now able to understand (thanks to modern scholarship) why earthquakes happen, it does not make the loss of life any easier. Unlike the previous earthquake that had struck Canterbury in 2010, this one took the lives of 185 people and had a devastating effect on the city’s infrastructure and landscape. While the Garden City had felt the effect of earthquakes in past, none had quite the same effect as these ones.
An example of damage to the Cathedral by an earlier quake to hit Christchurch in 1888. Photo: Christchurch City Library CCL PhotoCD 3, IMG0059.
Damage to buildings in the CBD, Christchurch following the February 2011 earthquake. Photo: GeoNet.
Large rock falls in Sumner, Christchurch triggered by the February 2011 earthquake. Photo: GeoNet.
Since nothing with this much of a devastating impact has happened within New Zealand since the Hawke’s Bay earthquake in 1931, how are we supposed to know how to deal with the situation? Well, we don’t really. There is not really a right or wrong answer to this. We, as archaeologists, sit on a cusp of responsibility; to record the archaeology (that is anything pre-1900) for future generations and research whilst the demolition and regeneration of the city takes place, but also to do so quickly and not hinder these vital works whilst providing the best advice we can. I wasn’t here when the earthquakes took place but almost seven years on from the last severe earthquake of 2011, I find myself working on earthquake projects. The city is reinventing itself and will be for the foreseeable future. We’ve spoken on the blog previously about the challenges we face working in archaeology during natural disasters, but I want to take a more theoretical approach to disaster archaeology today. Theory plays a huge role in our interpretations within archaeology, but we tend to leave that for the reports and scholarly papers. I wanted to share with you today the theory I’ve applied whilst studying the impact of earthquakes and (especially) their aftermath.
First on the scene: archaeologists and tanks in the CBD following the February 2011 quake. Photo: Matt Hennessey.
So, here’s the technical bit: as archaeologists here in New Zealand we work under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act. This however was superseded by the Canterbury Earthquake (Historic Place Act) Order 2011 following the earthquakes. This order meant that the process of application for an archaeological authority was much quicker, and we were able to fulfil that moral obligation of not slowing down works.
Much of the CBD resembled this post quakes. Photo: Matt Hennessey.
The historical facades, that have for so long been associated with Christchurch by many, suffered extensive damage during the 2011 quake and had to be demolished. Photo: Matt Hennessey.
Often when we think of the archaeology of natural disasters our minds jump to the destruction of Pompeii or Pleistocene extinction. But what many forget, including archaeologists, is we all live through natural disasters and the archaeology that they create . In fact, here in Christchurch we have lived through/are still living through such a unique archaeological experience it can be difficult to know what to do with all the information. As it is a requirement by law to have an archaeological authority before altering or removing an archaeological site, you can imagine how much of Christchurch this would have affected. The entire CBD is considered a high risk zone for pre-1900 activity. A positive (for lack of a better word) is the huge wealth of information we’ve been able to retrieve about Christchurch and its formative years during post-earthquake works. Following the initial demolition of unsafe buildings much of this debris has been removed, exposing the 19th and 20th century layers in the archaeological record, which we have recorded as works have happened to avoid this information being lost forever. American archaeologist Shannon Lee Dawdy, who worked as an advisor post-Hurricane Katrina, rightly argued that the moving of debris, the burying of past living surfaces and the rearranging of the landscape post disaster exposes the relationship between people and their landscape (2006: 720). Here in Christchurch, archaeologists were on the ground and in the red zone immediately. I’m able to talk to my colleagues here and find out how the major and minor decisions regarding the removal of debris and dirt changed the landscape of the city. For the past seven years archaeologists have been working constantly to keep up with the speed of the city’s demolition and rebuild, and now we’re making the transition from earthquake based work back to the ‘normal’ way of doing things.
“The Latin root for resilience is salire, to jump or spring.” – Hayward 2013: 37
When disasters strike a community, the challenges that come with this test more than just our physical resilience, but our economy, democracy, and our emotions (Hayward 2013: 36). A topic that we don’t talk about too often on this blog is the emotional aspect of archaeology. Most people become archaeologists because they want to understand the history of the everyday men and women, not just those in the history books (or at least this was a big factor for me). Through the study of phenomenology (the study of consciousness and direct experiences) and taphonomy (the study of the formative and disturbance processes effecting the archaeological record) I have been piecing together the changes in Christchurch and the impact that has had on the people, specifically their emotional experience and how, through the changing landscape, we’re able to express the way we feel. Emotions can, however, be hard to interpret as (in most cases) we are unable to leave an imprint of our emotions within the archaeological record that will one day excavated or recorded by future archaeologists. One way we can do this however, is to memorialise the event that took place and the life that was lost. Most scholars agree that the critical ingredient of a disaster is the victims (Torrence & Grattan 2002: 5). To remember these victims’ reaction to disaster is one way we do this; for example we see monuments across the world to commemorate those who lost their lives in war. As material reminders of the past, these monuments form part of the archaeological record, as much as any of the buildings and artefacts left behind. Within Christchurch we can see the poignant 185 white chairs, including one baby seat. This is a temporary art installation by artist Pete Majendie, but there has been an outcry to keep the chairs as they have become symbolic in remembering the victims and the quake. One idea is to permanently install the chairs, each different and individual, at the site of the CTV building where so many lost their lives in an almost ‘ground zero’ nature (185 Empty Chairs, 2016). A more permeant feature to recently be added is the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial Wall, which has the names of those who lost their lives etched into the stone. This is an enduring way to remember those that lost their lives and enters their names into the archaeological record, making our emotions clear for years to come through these commemorations. In fact, the memorial is a fantastic example of how the landscape was deliberately altered to create this monument as they significantly excavated the river bank for the wall.
The temporary art installation 185 Empty Chairs, which is beginning to take a more permanent place in the ‘new’ Christchurch. Photo: Instagram.
Before: the riverbank where the Earthquake Memorial now stands. Photo: Megan Hickey
During: the redesign of the riverbank. Photo: Megan Hickey.
After: The Christchurch Earthquake Memorial, part of the Otakaro Avon River Precinct project opened 2011, where the names of those who lost their lives are to be permanently remembered. Photo: Kathy Davidson.
The landscape of Christchurch changed so quickly that people became lost in their own city, quite literally not able to find their way around, as the landmarks they had once used as guideposts no longer stood. I, for example, never saw the ‘old’ Christchurch that locals speak so fondly of. It’s a strange thought that two people in the same city can have such different relationships with the same place. I have experienced a modern city blossom from destruction, however many people remember the ‘old’ city and its subsequent demolition. Even a year and a half ago when I moved to the city, there were still huge areas of debris and buildings still being pulled down. Within recent months it feels like the rebuild has really picked up momentum, and it’s quite honestly an exciting city to be in. To have played (a small) role in that process has been an amazing experience. We’re living in a city that faced crisis, but rebuilt itself unlike so many ancient civilisations where natural disaster often resulted in the dramatic end of a culture (Dawdy 2006: 720). Is that due to the times we live in and the technology we have at our disposal? Or is it due to the socio-political structure we live in, where the rest of New Zealand came to the aid of Christchurch? Or is it due to a more resilient people? My guess would be a mixture of all three.
Kathy Davidson
185 Empty Chairs [online] Available at: https://www.185chairs.co.nz/about-185-empty-chairs/ [Accessed July 2018]
Christchurch City Libraries [online] Available at: https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/ [Accessed July 2018]
Dawdy, S.L. (2006) The Taphonomy of Disaster and the (Re)Formation of New Orleans. American Anthropologist. Vol. 108(No. 4): 719-730.
GeoNet [online] Available at: https://www.geonet.org.nz/ [Accessed July 2018]
Hayward, B.M. (2013) Rethinking resiliences: reflections on the earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, 2010 and 2011. Ecology and Society. Vol. 18(No. 4): 36-42.
McGuire, W.J., Griffiths, P.L, Hancock, P.L. and Stewart, I.S. (2000) The Archaeology of Geological Catastrophes, The Geological Society: London.
McLauchlan, G. (2014) A Short History of New Zealand. David Bateman Ltd: Auckland.
Torrence, R. and Grattan, J. (2002) Natural Disasters and Cultural Change. Routledge: London.
Posted in Archaeology, Buildings archaeology, Landscape, phenomenology, Social habits, Theory | Tagged archaeological theory, archaeology, Christchurch, disaster archaeology, emotional archaeology, interpretive archaeology, landscape, landscape archaeology, natural disasters, New Zealand | 2 Replies
And yet, she persisted
Posted on 11 August 2017 by Jessie Garland
Many of you will already know that Christchurch has a fascinating political history, from labour movements to radical social reform to the campaign for women’s suffrage. It is to my eternal disappointment that this “great ferment of ideas”, as Jim McAloon calls it, is almost invisible in the archaeological record – even more so when, as it was in many cases, this history of socio-political reform linked with the lives and actions of Christchurch’s women. We’ve talked before on the blog about how difficult it can be to see gender in the archaeological record and, more specifically, how difficult it can be to see women, who are often defined by the occupation, class, economic status and social profiles of the men in their lives. Yet, every now and then, we find ourselves in an exception to that rule. For example…
May I introduce the inimitable Mrs Fanny Cole, prohibitionist, staunch agitator for women’s rights and all round formidable woman.
Fanny Cole sits at the front right of this photograph – she’s the commanding woman with the no-nonsense expression on her face and the gavel in her lap. Image: Otago Witness, “Delegates attending the NZWCTU’s national convention in Dunedin, 1912,” Voices Against War, accessed August 11, 2017.
Mrs Cole (or shall we call her Fanny?) lived at a house on River Road, in Avonside, with her husband, Herbert, during the late 19th century. She was the daughter of Charles and Fanny Holder, Methodist preachers and activists, and first arrived in New Zealand in 1880. She married Herbert Cole in 1884 and, by 1893, they had purchased a section on River Road, on which they built their house.
(Herbert was a commercial agent and staunch prohibitionist himself, but as this is a blog about Fanny, not Herbert, we shall leave it at that.)
The Cole’s house on River Road, as it was in 2014. Image: K. Webb.
We first ran across Fanny Cole when we recorded her house on River Road. The house was a fairly standard late 19th century villa, nothing unusual or fancy about it. A few ceiling roses, a few extensions, weatherboards and sash windows, a modest house for a woman, her husband and her children.
An archaeological drawing of the south elevation (or front) of the house. Image: K. Webb.
From the back, you can see the extensions and modifications that occurred over the years. Image: K. Webb.
Ceiling roses and hidden wallpaper gems. Image: K. Webb.
Case windows and the reflection of an archaeologist in her natural habitat. Image: K. Webb.
However, while recording the house and monitoring the demolition, we found a few things – bits of ceramic, a knife handle, a poster for Goofy’s dance review. Among these, found in the rafters of the attic space, was a small, yet intriguing piece of card. On one side were the partial printed details of a lecture and, on the other, a handwritten appointment reminder for something in New Brighton or Burwood on Friday at 7.15 pm and the stamp of the W. C. T. U., Christchurch, 129 Manchester Street.
The rafters of the attic space, where the ticket was found. Image: K. Webb.
The card, with the stamp of the W. C. T. U and handwritten appointment on one side, and the details of an event on the other. Image: M. Lillo Bernabeu.
The W. C. T. U. stands for the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, an organisation that was established in Christchurch in 1885 to combat the evils of drink in Victorian New Zealand, but which became a vehicle for the promotion of social reform and, not least, for the voices of women. Most notably, one of the earliest members – and national presidents – of the organisation was Kate Sheppard, and it was through the machinery of the W. C. T. U. that much of the campaigning for women’s suffrage in the late 1880s and early 1890s was carried out. This was an organisation of strong women, who believed that alcohol was destroying society, that something needed to be done about it and, that if no-one else would do it, they would break down the gender barriers to do it themselves. From there, really, there was no stopping them. Or, perhaps I should say, us.
We’re not entirely sure what the appointment in New Brighton at 7.15 pm on Friday happened to be, but the rest of that tiny piece of card – well, that’s another story. After a bit of sleuthing we discovered that the lecture referred to on the back of the card is likely to have been one in a series of lectures given by the Reverend Leonard M. Isitt at the Theatre Royal in 1894, along with a talk by William Lloyd Garrison “hero and slave liberator.” The Reverend Isitt was an active politician and labour leaning member of parliament in the early 1900s, a strong proponent of the temperance movement and a close friend of the Coles.
Advertisement for a lecture by the Reverend L. M. Isitt on the 4 December, 1894. Image: Poverty Bay Herald, 1/12/1894: 3.
However, it was the W. C. T. U. that really intrigued us. As it turns out not only was Fanny Cole a prohibitionist and active member of the W. C. T. U. (inherited in some part from her activist Methodist parents, do you think?), she was, by 1897, the national W. C. T. U. secretary (Kate Sheppard was president) and, by 1904, the president of the Christchurch branch. By 1906, she was the national president for the union. And it is in this role, and through this association, that history – and archaeology – can hear her voice. And not just her voice – her political voice. Because, let me tell you, she did not hold back.
Fanny Cole’s signature on the 1893 women’s suffrage petition presented to parliament by John Hall. Image: Archives New Zealand.
She was vocal, as one would expect from the president of a temperance union, on the subject of alcohol, from publicly taking the ‘liquor party’ to task for stealing a W. C. T. U. globe tableau to employing graphic and dramatic rhetoric against the liquor sellers and their ‘no license’ agenda. In 1899, for example, she said (and I could not make this up):
“The term innocent can scarcely be applied to designate those men and women whose hands are red with the blood of hundreds and thousands slain ruthlessly by the liquor traffic. You say that those who vote for no license would do evil that good many come. That is not true. But the publicans and brewers are working evil all the time so that they may live.”
Press, 28/11/1899: 2.
Extracts from Fanny Cole’s letter to the editor on the ‘no license’ question in 1899. Image: Press, 28/11/1899, p. 2.
She, and the rest of the W. C. T. U., railed against what they considered the cause of harm to women, children and society. They took on everyone, from liquor sellers to the Sports Protection League (which I did not know was a thing – did anyone else know that was a thing?). As history tells us, theirs was a campaign that never quite succeeded in New Zealand – it was defeated by a vote margin of just over 4% in 1911, a measly 1% in 1919 and an incredible 0.3 of a % later that same year (New Zealand History). Individual districts of the country voted to ‘go dry’, meaning alcohol licenses were not issued for those areas, but New Zealand as a whole never did adopt prohibition.
Extract from Fanny Cole’s letter to the editor on the evils of the alcohol trade in 1899. Image: Press 28/11/1899 p. 2.
The temperance movement was not the only poker that the W. C. T. U. – and Fanny Cole – had in the fire, however. They dedicated themselves to matters of social reform outside the sphere of prohibition. For example, in the early 1900s, they sallied forth on the subject of prison reform – specifically, as it affected female prisoners. Fanny and her fellow members advocated for women to be ‘endowed the with powers of justices of the peace’ in order to act as official visitors to prisons, arguing that female prisoners should be better treated, that they should have women doctors and that, rather than men, women attendants should have charge of “violent or incorrigible female prisoners”.
On the subject of women in prisons. Image: Star 29/11/1897: 2.
In 1910, she and Miss M. B. Lovell Smith signed a public letter to the Honourable Dr Findlay (Minister of Justice at the time), criticising his proposed solutions to the problem of venereal disease, or, as the newspapers called it, “the black plague, peril to the country.” Their letter argued that instead of the reforms Dr Findlay was proposing (which included compulsory examinations and reporting for prostitutes, but not their male customers; McAloon 2000), that emphasis should be placed on providing treatment that didn’t also carry with it the fear of being reported to other authorities. They also argued strongly for the education of young people in schools on the subject of sex, venereal disease and their own bodies – a suggestion that is still controversial in some sectors of New Zealand and in some parts of the world (America comes to mind here…). I remember discovering for the first time that the radical and feminist women of Christchurch were actively campaigning for their economic and sexual independence as early as the turn of the 20th century – largely because, some days, it seems like we are still fighting for this.
“This department suggests that the Education Department of New Zealand should procure the services of specialists to educate the young people in our schools and universities by means of scientific teaching concerning the function of their bodies, the dangers consequent on the misuse of them and the value of healthful self-control.”
Evening Post, 5/09/1910: 8.
Throughout, no matter which areas of social reform she was pushing (and no matter what we think of those reforms now), Fanny was advocating for the necessity of women’s involvement, at all levels of the process. Whether it was women acting as officials in prisons, women making themselves heard in matters of health and education, or women sitting on the boards of aid foundations, she was actively and vocally doing what she could. I think possibly my favourite example was her prediction that, not too far off in the future, there would be women legislators, many of whom “will be far more capable than some of the men now in the House.”
You’ll be pleased to know, Fanny, that we’ve had two women Prime Ministers and currently have a woman Leader of the Opposition….Image: Taranaki Daily News, 12/03/1908, p.2.
Perhaps, nowhere is this unrelenting and forthright emphasis on the rights and position of women in society more obvious than in 1910, when she co-signed a furious letter to the Premier of England regarding the treatment of British suffragettes, and in 1912, when her remarks on the subject were printed in the paper. In both, she cites the shame the Empire endured from conduct of the British government and the total illogicality of keeping women out of the electoral process. Her remarks on the subject were blunt and to the point, questioning the condemnation of women who employed methods less violent than those used by men in their fight for enfranchisement, questioning the progressive credentials of men who cannot see the potential for social reform in politically active women, and condemning “indelible stain on the British Government” left by their actions against the British suffragettes. In her words (and I encourage you to read the full thing):
“We learn, in fact, that the consideration theoretically promised to all his Majesty’s subjects is not extended to women, who are thus shown to be on the footing of serfs in the eyes of his Majesty’s Government… Can anyone fail to draw the obvious inference. Nowhere on earth can the interests of women be safeguarded where Parliament is not as fully responsible to women as to men.”
Grey River Argus, 7/05/1910: 7.
Remarks on the position of those fighting for women’s suffrage in Britain. Image: Otago Witness 20/03/1912, p. 63.
Fanny Cole died on the 25th of May, 1913 at the age of 52, while national president of the W. C. T. U. Her funeral was attended by the Mayor of Christchurch, local and national politicians and members of the W. C. T. U. from all over the country. Her eulogy was delivered by the Reverend Leonard M. Isitt, M. P., the ticket to whose 1894 lecture we found in the rafters of her house more than a century later.
Jessie Garland
McAloon, J., 2000. Radical Christchurch. In Cookson, J. and Dunstall, G. (Eds.), Southern Capital, Christchurch: Towards A City Biography, 1850-2000.
Posted in Artefacts, Buildings archaeology, feminism, People | Tagged artefacts, buildings archaeology, Christchurch, fanny cole, historical archaeology, interpretive archaeology, kate sheppard, politics, suffrage, w. c. t. u., women's christian temperance union, women's suffrage | Leave a reply
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« Where are they now? Kanu, Kerrea Gilbert, Mark Randall, Samuel Galindo
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On this day in 2016 Mo Elneny was signed from FC Basel. During the remainder of the season he twice won the fans’ player of the month award. Yet by the start of 2019 he was one of the players that certain blogs and broadcast commentators were wanting removed from the club. Popularity, it seems, is very short lived.
14 January 1899: Arsenal 6 Darwen 0 in division 2. Arsenal were later to face Darwen again, and this next time scored 11 .
14 January 1911: The FA Cup match against Clapton Orient was abandoned at 1-0 to Arsenal. Arsenal won the rearranged match 2-1.
14 January 1919: The FA met and agreed to allow the resumption of matches on days other than saturdays and public holidays and to permit clubs to start registering players from 1 May. In a separate meeting it was agreed to extend the next season into August and May.
14 January 1922: Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 in front of 40,000. The inside left, Reg Boreham scored his fourth goal in consecutive league games to give Arsenal a 1-0 victory. Strangely details of Reg Boreham’s life, and even the club he came from, are scarce in the extreme.
14 January 1925: The Arsenal / West Ham match at the centre of the drugs “scandal” was finally played. The story only emerged 20 years later, in a sunday newspaper and then in Knighton’s autobiography and such evidence as we can find suggests the whole event was yet another Knighton fantasy.
14 January 1931: The replay of the Cup game with Aston Villa was held at Villa Park, with 73,668 in attendance (an amazing number for a mid-week afternoon game) and Arsenal won 3-1, with Brain joining the team to replace Jack Lambert, (David Jack moving to centre forward).
14 January 1933: The Walsall Experiment, in which Arsenal as last year’s cup finalists were knocked out in in the 3rd round in Chapman’s last ever FA Cup match. For subsequent impact see also here. Chapman rapidly transferred several players who were part of the game. Walsall won their next league game 8-1 against Mansfield.
14 January 1941: Goalkeeper Alex Wilson who had played his first Arsenal game in 1934 was transferred to St Mirren in one of the few war time transfers. He had played 37 games in the 1935/6 season when he was an FA Cup winner.
14 January 1961: Herd gained his second consecutive hattrick as Arsenal scored five for the second consecutive game – but only just got the win as it ended Arsenal 5 Man City 4.
14 January 1978: Arsenal 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, continued Arsenal’s upturn. Brady took on the air of a man who was contemplating a variety of new approaches to playing football while reading a novel. Willie Young, whose form had so improved of late that he looked as if he could do everything right, then scored an own goal, just to prove he couldn’t.
14 January 1995: Hartson and Kiwomya made league debuts just weeks before George Graham was sacked.
14 January 1998: Port Vale 1 Arsenal 1 (FA Cup round three) in the second Double season. Arsenal went through on penalties 4-3. Having drawn at Highbury, there was no score in normal time, and Dixon missed Arsenal’s first penalty. The second double: part 1, part 2, part 3.
14 January 2006: Arsenal 7 Middlesbrough 0. Henry scored a hat-trick. This game equalled the highest Premier League win for the club. Senderos, Pires, Gilberto and Hleb got the others.
14 January 2008: The launch of the short lived Arsenal TV as part of Setanta Sports It was ultimately replaced with an online service after it closed on 7 August 2009 as Setanta was liquidated. Setanta was replaced by BT Sport, but without Arsenal TV.
14 January 2008: After launching two days earlier Untold Arsenal published its first article: an attack on rotational fouling and rotational time-wasting. Almost 12 years later the Guardian published an article which included the phrase “rotational fouling” as a mainstream concept.
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14 January 2018: Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 1 in the PL, Bellerin scoring. It was the end of a run of four games without a win, although one was a goalless draw with Chelsea in the League Cup, which took Arsenal through to the final.
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