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__label__wiki	0.537044	0.537044	Ukraine Nears Visa Liberalisation With The EU KIEV, Ukraine -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine released a statement that Ukraine was approaching the second implementation phase of the Action Plan on Visa Liberalisation. This followed the Second Progress Report of the implementation by Ukraine of the Action Plan on Visa Liberalisation, published by the European Commission on February 9, 2012. The Ministry emphasized that the country closely followed the visa liberalisation plan schedule. By November of 2011 Ukraine worked on four blocks of issues, outlined in the Action Plan on Visa Liberalisation: document security, including biometrics; irregular immigration, including readmission; public order and security; and external relations and fundamental rights. In the nearest future the ministry plans to put together a plan of finalizing the first implementation phase of the Action Plan on Visa Liberalisation and move on to the second. The officials in the foreign ministry reminded that Ukraine had already introduced state programs and regulations on countering corruption and organized crime in order to proceed to the second implementation phase of the Action Plan on Visa Liberalisation. At the moment, awaiting introduction are the acts ensuring human trafficking prevention, regulating the status of refugees and stateless persons, as well as the act on the use of biometric data. On December 19, 2011, the Joint Statement made by the EU and Ukraine leaders following the 15th EU-Ukraine summit in Kiev welcomed the progress in implementing the Action Plan on Visa Liberalisation. The negotiations on simplification of the visa facilitation procedure had been successfully finalized, according to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Ukraine was granted the Action Plan on Visa Liberalisation at the previous Ukraine-EU summit, held on November 22, 2010. The Action Plan provisioned two phases - namely, introducing a set of legislative acts and the following implementation of the new legal provisions. At the recent Eastern Partnership summit in Warsaw, the EU agreed to abolish its previous formula for liberalisation of the visa regime for Ukrainian citizens, which set visa liberalisation to be a long-term perspective. Ukraine seeks solid conditions stipulating cancellation of the visa regime with the EU. The visa liberalisation dialogue was initialed in 2006. The Action Plan on Visa Liberalisation for Ukraine toward the establishment of a visa-free regime for short-stay travel was adopted in late 2010. Source: Worldwide News Ukraine	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498783
__label__wiki	0.890105	0.890105	Mongabay Series: Oceans Mystery whale known only from specimens found living in the wild by Rebecca Kessler on 3 November 2015 A handful of unusual whale specimens were recognized as a separate species called Omura’s whale (Balaenoptera omurai) in 2003. Until now there have only been a few unconfirmed sightings of living Omura’s whales. A new study describes 44 observations of the whales off northwestern Madagascar, providing the first confirmed description of living Omura’s whales, including photos, videos, and audio recordings. In the waters off Madagascar, scientists have at last encountered living members of a species of whale known only from old, dead specimens. Shaped like a sleek torpedo, with unusual asymmetrical markings, the elusive Omura’s whale has for the first time been documented in photos, videos, and audio recordings. In the 1970s, scientists initially classified eimadaght whales killed by Japanese whalers in the eastern Indian and western Pacific oceans as Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni). Measuring between 33 and 38 feet long, the animals were considered smaller “pygmy” Bryde’s whales, which usually measure around 45 feet long. It wasn’t until 2003 that another team of researchers, examining DNA evidence from the eight whaling specimens and a stranded animal, concluded that the whales actually belonged to a new-to-science species that came to be called Omura’s whale (B. omurai). Subsequent studies have identified other stranded or hunted animals as members of the same species based on DNA and skeletal evidence. Up to now, however, there have been no first-hand observations of living Omura’s whales described in the scientific literature that could shed light on the animals’ behavior, biology, or ecology; only a handful of unconfirmed sightings. A never-before photographed Omura’s whale. Photo reproduced from Cerchio et al. 2015, courtesy of New England Aquarium. In 2007 a team led by Salvatore Cerchio, a marine mammal biologist then with the Wildlife Conservation Society, began studying cetaceans off the northwestern coast of Madagascar. Starting in 2011, they began spotting a few small rorqual whales — species with deep grooves on their throats that enable expansion during feeding. “At first, we thought they were Bryde’s whales, an understandable mistake because of the similar size and habitat,” Cerchio said in a press release. In 2013 and 2014 the team shifted to a different study site and were able to make extensive observations of the whales, including underwater photos and videos. “When we clearly saw that the right jaw was white, and the left jaw was black, we knew that we were on to something very special,” said Cerchio, who currently holds positions with the New England Aquarium and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts. “The only problem was that Omura’s whales were not supposed to be in this part of the Indian Ocean. Rather, they should be in the west Pacific, near Thailand and the Philippines,” he added. To confirm their hunch, Cerchio’s team gathered skin biopsies from the whales and had the DNA tested by a lab at Northern Michigan University. Sure enough, it was a match with the Omura’s whale. They published their findings last month in the journal Royal Society Open Science. In the paper, the researchers describe spotting Omura’s whales 44 times between 2011 and 2014. The whales always appeared singly or in pairs, although these usually showed up in what they call “loose aggregations” of up to six animals spaced a few hundred meters apart. An Omura’s whale feeds, expanding its throat to engulf seawater. It will expel the water through plates of baleen hanging from its upper jaw that filter out prey, presumably zooplankton. Photo reproduced from Cerchio et al. 2015. They observed the whales feeding, apparently on zooplankton, as well as breaching and defecating. They recorded Omura’s whale vocalizations and gathered photographic evidence identifying about 25 individuals. They also spotted four mother whales with calves young enough to hint that the area might be a calving ground. Other evidence suggests the whales may reside there year-round. All of those are firsts for the species. The team plans to continue its observations in northwestern Madagascar this month. With such a scanty record of sightings and so very little known about the mysterious species, the conservation status of Omura’s whales remains unclear. But the researchers note in their paper that the animals’ shallow-water habitat makes them likely to become accidentally entangled in fishing gear. They also write that the Omura whales’ low-frequency communications make them vulnerable to noise pollution, and that loud hydrocarbon exploration and production is ongoing in the whales’ Malagasy home waters, with more planned for the future. Cerchio S, Andrianantenaina B, Lindsay A, Rekdahl M, Andrianarivelo N, Rasoloarijao T (2015). Omura’s whales (Balaenoptera omurai) off northwest Madagascar: ecology, behaviour and conservation needs. Royal Society Open Science 2: 150301. Map shows the study sites off the Madagascar coast where researchers made the first-ever field observations of Omura’s whales. Map reproduced from Cerchio et al. 2015. Article published by Rebecca Kessler Conservation, Cryptic Species, Environment, Happy-upbeat Environmental, Mammals, New Species, Oceans, Whales, Whaling, Wildlife	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498784
__label__wiki	0.836972	0.836972	ARCO Chamber Orchestra concert scheduled for Oct. 8 by Yeasol Kang The next ARCO Chamber Orchestra concert on Oct. 8 will feature a variety of music. The ARCO Chamber Orchestra’s next performance will feature a variety of music. The first half of the concert will include two contrasting concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach and Efram Podgaits that are three centuries apart. The second half of the concert will include Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s famous keyboard work The Seasons. The concert will take place on Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall. The opening program is the Concerto in D minor for Two Violins and Orchestra by Bach. It will be performed by Regents Professor Levon Ambartsumian, who also is Franklin Professor of Violin and artistic director of the ARCO Chamber Orchestra. Ambartsumian will be joined on the piece by Sinisa Ciric, UGA alumnus and Savannah Philharmonic concertmaster. The second piece of the program is Cras Ignotum (Unknown Tomorrow), the violin concerto written for strings, piano and percussion by Podgaits, a world-renowned Russian composer. It is a single-movement work that depicts a meditation on the story of human life with its dramatic conflicts and moments of hope, happiness, inevitability and hopelessness. Featured artists are Ambartsumian (violin solo), Anatoly Sheludyakov (piano) and Denis Petrunin (percussion). Jaclyn Hartenberger will join as a guest conductor. Last on the program is Les Saisons, The Seasons, Op. 37, by Tchaikovsky. It consists of 23 character pieces with one for each month. Tchaikovsky’s depiction of each month and sophisticated forms and harmonies will bring vivid imagery to the stage. This keyboard masterpiece is arranged for a string orchestra by Russian composer Igor Bulakhov. The ARCO Chamber Orchestra was originally founded in Russia in 1989 at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory by Ambartsumian. When he joined the UGA faculty in 1995, Ambartsumian remained the artistic director and conductor of the orchestra, moving its home base to the Hodgson School. Tickets are $12 for adults or $3 with a UGA student ID and can be purchased at pac.uga.edu or by calling the PAC box office at 706-542-4400. Those unable to attend can watch the concert live on the school’s website at music.uga.edu/live-streaming. The UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music sponsors more than 350 performances each year. To view the performance calendar, subscribe to the weekly email concert listing or learn more about the School of Music, go to music.uga.edu. Columns Hugh Hodgson School of Music News UGA Guide 21st-century students get inspired by 17th-century art	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498785
__label__wiki	0.776457	0.776457	Want Neighborhood-Level Info? The Classic Phone Survey Still Beats “Big Data” Alexis Stephens April 6, 2015 DataHaven offers a community-level glance at Greater New Haven. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons) While the potential for “big data” to empower disadvantaged communities grabs people’s attention, the application of smaller sets of data has always had as much — if not more — practical application to city governments and nonprofits, according to Mark Abraham of DataHaven. These Satellite Images Reveal Cities in Extraordinary Detail Texas Cities Exploring Creative Ways to Protect Residents from Deportation This Food Delivery Startup Only Hires Immigrant Chefs The Math Behind a Localized Approach to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Founded in 1992, the nonprofit DataHaven is a “data steward” for Greater New Haven and Connecticut. It takes publicly available information and compiles and interprets and shares it in a way that enhances decision-making processes for local communities. While online resources like Policy Link’s Equity Atlas provide macro views on a national or regional level, DataHaven provides more targeted information for local nonprofits, government agencies and the public. For example, the report “Understanding the Impact of Immigration in Greater New Haven,” authored by DataHaven on behalf of the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, was assembled and released to demonstrate the impact the foreign-born population has had on the area. From 2000 to 2012, the City of New Haven’s foreign-born population grew by more than 51 percent, growing from 14,350 to 21,647. These newly established residents are buying homes, growing small businesses, and making schools and neighborhoods more diverse, although the larger public might be none the wiser. “I saw [the report] as a great opportunity to bring our immigrant community together with the non-immigrant community, to promote a greater level of understanding about a lot of the great things that immigrants are bringing to the area,” says Nick Torres of JUNTA, a local advocacy organization for the city’s Latino population. “[New Haven] is actually much more diverse than I think a lot of folks might think off the top of their heads,” he says. He points out that the growth in immigration from Central and South America and Western Africa may surprise people. The report also studied local perceptions about immigrant populations. While 86 percent of respondents said that Connecticut was very or somewhat welcoming to immigrants, only 31 percent thought they understood immigration extremely or fairly well. That mystification was reflected in responses about the breakdown of the state’s foreign-born population between naturalized citizens, legal non-citizens and undocumented immigrants. While undocumented immigrants only represent about 3.4 percent of Connecticut’s population, 88 percent of respondents overshot and guessed that undocumented immigrants represent from 6 to 35 percent of Connecticut’s total population. Abraham has been hard at work, preparing for DataHaven’s next release, which will be the 2015 Connecticut Wellbeing Survey. It will provide high-quality neighborhood-level information on metrics such as civic vitality, health and wellness, education, and overall well-being. Limited to Greater New Haven in the initial survey in 2012, it is being expanded this year to include metro areas throughout the state. Abraham says that local organizations have the ability to self-select what’s important for them from the wealth of data collected. “The local NAACP chapter has used the data … to look at issues like who has access to transportation in Connecticut, and how health issues are distributed below the regional level,” he says. While apps and other sexy new tech tools are talked about as effective data-collection methods, Abraham’s team relied on good old-fashioned phone calls in order to collect as much information as possible from people in a small area. He says that smartphones have not yet reached a critical mass that would top the accuracy of phone calls or door-to-door surveys. DataHaven has expanded from its core function as an online resource to producing more targeted surveys and reports after the tremendous growth in the field of online data dissemination in the early 2000s. “[Our] approach 15 years ago was to have all of the information up on a website. That has changed a bit now that there are 10,000 data websites out there,” says Abraham. “Additionally, many community groups might not be able to afford the time or the expertise to tackle the data available on these sites. … I think smaller community groups are particularly overwhelmed by trying to go to a data website — the Census website is a challenge to use for most people. … I think it’s more important to have the capacity to pull out the most meaningful elements than to just have a repository.” The Equity Factor is made possible with the support of the Surdna Foundation. Next City believes change is happening and makes it our job to find it. Signing up for our newsletter is the best way to stay informed on the issues that matter. Alexis Stephens was Next City’s 2014-2015 equitable cities fellow. She’s written about housing, pop culture, global music subcultures, and more for publications like Shelterforce, Rolling Stone, SPIN, and MTV Iggy. She has a B.A. in urban studies from Barnard College and an M.S. in historic preservation from the University of Pennsylvania. Follow Alexis Tags: urban planning, big data, immigration	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498788
__label__wiki	0.922048	0.922048	Celebrity Death Hoaxes: ‘Back to the Future’ Star Michael J. Fox, Miley Cyrus + 6 Other Famous People Who Were Reported Dead But Weren’t The Internet and some publishers love gathering attention and traffic using fake stories and even death reports of celebrities we all love so much. Recently the same happened with Michael J. Fox and Nexter.org decided to make a list of famous people who at least once were reported dead by mistake. Source: snopes.com On 4 August 2018 a web site appearing to be that of Yahoo! News published an article headlined “Beloved Actor and Back to the Future Star Michael J. Fox Has Died at the Age of 57,” positing that the popular entertainer had just passed away from complications related to Parkinson’s disease: “On August 2, Michael J Fox arrived at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was self-admitted with complications attributed to Parkinson’s Disease. According to Chief Coroner Jonathan Lucas M.D., Fox had developed pneumonia, a common problem occurring in Parkinson’s sufferers in the later stages of the disease. Tragically, Fox died at 11:24 this morning. Doctors confirmed Fox passed away peacefully and was surrounded by friends and family.” This report was false. Neither any legitimate news source nor the Michael J. Fox Foundation released a report or statement regarding the actor’s supposed death. The only source reporting Fox’s death was yahoonews-us.com, a junk news website that imitates the appearance and domain of the real Yahoo! News site. A death hoax that was so convincing that it was allegedly retweeted by CNN Breaking News in 2010 claimed that “Actor Morgan Freeman has passed awayin his Burbank home.” After it was found that Freeman was alive, CNN denied any responsibility for the error and said it had not tweeted anything related to Freeman’s death. By then, the supposed tweet had disappeared. Britney Spears was one of the earliest celebrity “victims” of the internet and has been one of the most frequent targets of death rumors. On June 12, 2001, a radio station in Dallas (KEGL 97.1) reported that Spears had died in a car crash with a pretzel van while driving with Justin Timberlake. Fans desperately sought confirmation of the pop star’s death on internet message boards and by the next day, the news had been forwarded around the world via email. A fake BBC web page offered more details about the crash while fans called into Los Angeles fire and police departments for answers. In 2016, she was the subject of a second death hoax after Sony Music tweeted the singer had died on Dec. 26. The reaper’s first famous victim of 2018, so some of us thought, was Rocky himself; everyone’s favourite tough-guy-turned-amusing-grampa Sylvester Stallone – claimed by prostate cancer, the rumour insisted. After a series of posts reported his death, the action star responded with a laconic post of his own: “Please ignore this stupidity… Alive and well and happy and healthy… Still punching” In one of the sickest Facebook fake posts in 2016, a story alleged that beloved Mr Bean creator Rowan Atkinson had taken his own life – and then offered readers a link to click and “watch his suicide”. The ghouls who did click the link were redirected to their Facebook friends list – so it was perhaps part of a phishing scam. Whatever it was, it was fake news at its most callous. Source: Imgur The hoax started as a Facebook scam on July 19, 2014, designed to lure people to click through and take an online survey. The photo of Miley “overdosing” made the rounds with the alarming headline: “{SHOCKING} Miley Cyrus Found Dead In Her Los Angeles Home!” Miley Cyrus has terrible luck with the internet and should probably just stay away from it permanently. In September 2008, another death hoax was posted on Yahoo! saying that Cyrus had died in a car accident. On March 29, 2011, a week and a half after Nate Dogg’s death and a few days before April Fools’ Day, a hoax web page designed to look like a TV news site claimed Jackie Chan had died of a heart attack in a Los Angeles hospital as the result of his stressful schedule promoting Kung Fu Panda 2. “RIP Jackie Chan” became one of the most popular tweets that day. The “news” story quoted Will Smith as having said on Facebook, “A remarkable actor, he will be forever missed and always in our hearts. RIP Jackie.” President Obama was reported as saying “Jackie Chan is a man who can talk through talent, he is a constant reminder of the strength of humanity. He will forever be in our hearts, a true inspiration who inspired many generations. First it’s Nate Dogg then it’s Jackie Chan.” According to the story, MTV would host a special memorial service for Chan. On December 28, 2010, FakeAWish.com (yes, those guys again) released a story about Adam Sandler that had been tied to Charlie Sheen’s fake death not even two days prior. According to the source, while snowboarding in Zermatt, Switzerland “Sandler lost control of his snowboard and struck a tree at a high rate of speed…Sandler was air lifted by ski patrol teams to a local hospital, however, it is believed that the actor died instantly from the impact of the crash.” MORE HOT NEWS Rick Genest, Team GB Snowboarder Ellie Soutter, XXXTentacion + 14 More Celebrities Died in 2018, But Will Live in Our Hearts Forever Sinister Momo WhatsApp ‘Suicide Challenge’ – 5 Parents Recommendations on How to Notice If Your Child’s Affected Avicii Killed Himself on a Vacation + 5 More Celebrities That Committed Suicide Like this post? Let us know! CoolAF (0%) Cool (0%) Whatever (0%) Boring (0%) WTF (0%) Celebrity Death Hoaxes: 'Back to the Future' Star Michael J. Fox, Miley Cyrus + 6 Other Famous People Who Were Reported Dead But Weren’t The Internet and some publishers love gathering attention and traffic using fake stories and even death reports of celebrities we all love so much. Recently the same happened with Michael J. Fox and Nexter.org decided to make a list of famous people who at least once were reported dead by mistake. Nexter.org https://nexter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/logo_nexterbg.jpg Tags: celebrityfamous celebritieshot celebrities More News from Nexter Teeth Whitening Methods Used By Celebrities 7 Interesting Facts About Belle Delphine and Why People Would Want to Buy Her Bathwater 7 Actresses and Female Celebs Who Broke Stereotypes and Shaved Their Head 10 Celebrity Kids That Grew Up So Fast We Didn’t Even Notice Iconic Pictures of Celebs Taken by Legendary Photographer Peter Lindbergh Who Hated Retouching 10 Actors Who Finally Reunited Many Years After Working Together Best Underwater Restaurants, Hotels, Museums and Stores You Should Visit This Summer! World’s Most Famous Male Models: Jon Kortajarena, Tyson Beckford and Others! Singapore’s Changi Airport Announces Opening Date for Its Long-Awaited Luxury Complex! Nexter Comics: 10 Most Annoying Things Other People Do and It’s Driving You Crazy	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498789
__label__cc	0.688483	0.311517	Home / Health Library / Disease & Conditions Crohn's Disease: Diagnosis and Tests Appointments & Access Crohn's Disease Menu Overview Diagnosis and Tests Management and Treatment Outlook / Prognosis Resources How is Crohn's disease diagnosed? A number of tests are used to diagnose Crohn's disease. First, your doctor will review your medical history. This information is helpful because Crohn's disease is more common in people who have a first-degree relative with IBD. After the physical examination is complete, the doctor may order the following tests: Endoscopy (such as colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy): A flexible, lighted tube (called an endoscope) is inserted into the rectum to view the inside of the rectum and colon. (Colonoscopy shows a greater portion of the colon than sigmoidoscopy.) A small sample of tissue may also be taken for testing (biopsy). Blood tests: The doctor will look for signs of anemia, or a high white blood cell count, which will mean that there is inflammation or an infection somewhere in the body. Barium X-ray (barium enema or small bowel series): X-rays are taken of either the upper or lower intestine. Barium coats the lining of the small intestine and colon, and shows up as white on an X-ray, which allows the doctor to see any abnormalities. CT scan: X-ray of the abdomen that shows how widespread the inflammation is, and how severe it is. It also identifies lesions in other organs. Previous: Overview Next: Management and Treatment Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/16/2016. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Crohn's Disease Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America: What is Crohn's Disease? Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Related Institutes & Services Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute Find the latest information from the globally recognized leader in digestive diagnosis, treatments and surgical innovations. Cleveland Clinic Children's Cleveland Clinic Children's is dedicated to the medical, surgical and rehabilitative care of infants, children and adolescents. IBD & IBS Q & A IBD Q & A Inflammatory Bowel Disease Overview Microscopic Colitis More health news + advice	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498793
__label__cc	0.519665	0.480335	A letter from Paul Browne Letter to the Editor \| Wednesday, December 11, 2019 The University is aware of the incidents described in a letter to The Observer last week. In fact, an investigation regarding the appearance of racially derogatory graffiti has been completed. The Notre Dame Police Department (NDPD) quickly identified four out-of-state high school students as the responsible parties. It also charged them with trespassing, barring them permanently from campus. We have also flagged the incident with enrollment officials in the event any of the four seek admission to Notre Dame. The investigation into the use of a racial epithet and another biased slur being directed at a student remains open. The University urges anyone with information to come forward to NDPD or the Office of Community Standards. In addressing principles that guide Notre Dame as a Catholic University, Father Jenkins has reminded us that Notre Dame is “committed to respecting the dignity and worth of every human person, from conception to natural death, regardless of national or ethnic group, religious tradition, gender, race, socio-economic class, immigration status, sexual orientation or anything else.” Racial epithets and other biased slurs are an anathema, especially at Notre Dame, where every individual is valued and where we strive to make all feel welcome. Paul J. Browne vice president, public affairs and communications The views expressed in this Letter to the Editor are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer. Tags: end hate at ND, Parietals About Letter to the Editor Letters to the Editor can be submitted by all members of the Notre Dame community. To submit a letter to the Viewpoint Editor, email [email protected] Contact Letter The difference between parietals and hate If two Notre Dame alumni meet, it is almost certain the first question they... If we are all Notre Dame, then this is a fight for all of us Parietals criminalize gender itself, but we already knew that Purpose of parietals	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498798
__label__wiki	0.848846	0.848846	Sewanee partners with American Shakespeare Center The University of the South has become a charter member of American Shakespeare Center’s academic leadership consortium. The partnership will bring the company’s national tour to the university each year, and ASC will host Sewanee students and scholars at its home theater, Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia. On-campus workshops, covering topics from stage combat to unraveling Shakespeare’s text, will also be offered by ASC actors in residency. “The Leadership Consortium takes ASC’s integration of page and stage to a new level, making ASC’s unique Blackfriars Playhouse a virtual part of Sewanee’s campus and curriculum,” said Ralph Alan Cohen, ASC co-founder. The Blackfriars Playhouse was built in 2001 as the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theater; the original Blackfriars Theatre burned in the 1666 Great Fire of London. “By bringing American Shakespeare Center regularly to the Sewanee campus, we will enhance the curriculum, engage our students, bring new opportunities to faculty, and—not least—offer the campus and community memorable performances each year,” said Pamela Macfie, professor of English and the university’s liaison with ASC. “There is already in Sewanee a cadre of ASC devotees, given their lively productions of Macbeth, The Winter’s Tale, and other plays on our campus in the past two years. “Sewanee’s new relationship with ASC promises transformative opportunities for our faculty and students alike. Two students, Kate Graham, C’20 (an English major with minors in both theatre and Shakespeare studies), and Jose Hernandez, C’21 (preparing to declare majors in English and theatre), have been offered summer internships with the ASC that will translate their study of Shakespeare from the page to production, education, and outreach,” Macfie added. The consortium relationship came into being through the vision and generosity of a grateful alumna of the Sewanee School of Letters, who was inspired by her studies under Ann Jennalie Cook in the University’s graduate program in literature and creative writing. Photo: Topher Embrey in The Winter’s Tale. Photo by Marek K. Photography.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498803
__label__wiki	0.674186	0.674186	作者 : David Baldacci 出版社 : Vision 可訂購 With over 110 million copies of his novels in print, David Baldacci is one of the most widely read storytellers in the world. Now he introduces a startling, original new character: a man with perfect memory who must solve his own family's murder. Amos Decker's life changed forever--twice. The first time was on the gridiron. A big, towering athlete, he was the only person from his hometown of Burlington ever to go pro. But his career ended before it had a chance to begin. On his very first play, a violent helmet-to-helmet collision knocked him off the field for good, and left him with an improbable side effect--he can never forget anything. The second time was at home nearly two decades later. Now a police detective, Decker returned from a stakeout one evening and entered a nightmare--his wife, young daughter, and brother-in-law had been murdered. His family destroyed, their killer's identity as mysterious as the motive behind the crime, and unable to forget a single detail from that horrible night, Decker finds his world collapsing around him. He leaves the police force, loses his home, and winds up on the street, taking piecemeal jobs as a private investigator when he can. But over a year later, a man turns himself in to the police and confesses to the murders. At the same time a horrific event nearly brings Burlington to its knees, and Decker is called back in to help with this investigation. Decker also seizes his chance to learn what really happened to his family that night. To uncover the stunning truth, he must use his remarkable gifts and confront the burdens that go along with them. He must endure the memories he would much rather forget. And he may have to make the ultimate sacrifice. MEMORY MAN will stay with you long after the turn of the final page. David Baldacci is a global #1 bestselling author, and one of the world's favorite storytellers. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with over 130 million worldwide sales. His works have been adapted for both feature film and television. David Baldacci is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. Still a resident of his native Virginia, he invites you to visit him at DavidBaldacci.com and his foundation at WishYouWellFoundation.org. 下次再買	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498806
__label__cc	0.675025	0.324975	In some “Emerging Markets”, the response to “Modern Grocery” formats has been tepid. What’s a Modern-Grocer to do ?? 20 years ago, Modern Grocery Retail appeared poised to conquer every consumer market in the world. Ambitious European grocers, having blanketed their home countries with Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, began setting their sights on growth both within and beyond the continent. They held particularly high hopes for China, India, and other emerging markets, where fast-rising consumer spending seemed to presage an unprecedented demand for gleaming new stores with large assortments, wide aisles, and bright lighting. In the 1990s, the term “modern grocery retail” was essentially a proxy for a small group of multinational grocers including Ahold, Aldi, Auchan, Carrefour, Costco, Lidl, Metro, Tesco, and Walmart…It was widely presumed that these retailers’ entry into any market would lead to the demise of the traditional trade—the family-owned grocery chains, small independent stores, and informal merchants that at the time accounted for the vast majority of grocery sales in emerging markets. The prevailing expectation was that although there would be local differences due to cultural specificities, in every country the retail landscape would eventually consist of a combination of modern formats: full-line supermarkets and hypermarkets, convenience stores, and discounters.. These assumptions have been proved wrong. Global grocery giants are struggling to grow profitably in many emerging markets… whereas, Traditional trade has proved remarkably resilient…And the market and channel structures taking shape in individual emerging economies are distinct from one another, following no obvious pattern. Why did this happen? What, if anything, did multinational grocers do wrong? And what does it mean for the future of modern retail in emerging markets? The Hypermarket’s shortcomings: To understand the disparity between early expectations and the current reality, it’s useful to examine the roots of the two quintessential modern-trade formats: the supermarket and the hypermarket. The hypermarket in particular—whether in its European form (in which food anchors a massive selection of nonfood items) or its North American one (the “supercenter,” which represents the successful injection of food and grocery into a general-merchandise discount store)—was widely regarded as unbeatable. By offering tens of thousands of products in an immense building just outside or on the edge of a town or city, a hypermarket could operate at a level of productivity that other grocery formats struggled to match. Hypermarket operators passed on these efficiency gains to consumers in the form of lower prices, which served to reinforce hypermarkets’ advantage. In their first forays into other developed markets abroad, major retailers relied heavily on the hypermarket format. When French retailers Auchan, Carrefour, and Promodès opened hypermarkets in Spain during the first years of Spanish economic reform, they quickly captured a large fraction of that country’s overall grocery sales and dictated the market structure that remains in place to this day. Expansion across Europe was an exciting growth prospect, but even more enticing to retail leaders and investors was the growth potential of emerging markets. Over the years, that potential has become even clearer: by 2025, we expect emerging markets to account for $30 trillion in consumer spending, or nearly half of global consumption. When multinational grocers entered emerging markets, they again relied on the grocery formats that were working so well in the developed world. But, in retrospect, it’s clear that the countries in which the hypermarket prospered had several characteristics in common: good road networks and high or fast-rising car-ownership rates, a large middle class that enjoyed decent wages and stable employment, and a high proportion of rural and suburban households with enough room at home to store groceries bought in bulk. Also, those markets had grown to maturity at a time when many women didn’t return to work after having children and therefore had time during the day to drive to and from the store. The hypermarket format draws heavily on consumers’ time, ability to travel, and storage capacity… In Emerging Markets, retailers encountered an entirely different context. Consumers were less affluent and lived in urban areas; many didn’t own a car, couldn’t afford to travel to and from a relatively far shopping destination, had no room at home to store purchases, or all of the above.. A new respect for localism: Further complicating matters, emerging markets weren’t just different from developed markets; emerging markets also differed from one another in nontrivial ways. That was true in the 1990s and it remains true today. Based on our research—which involved in-depth study of the retail sector in ten developing countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, as well as interviews with more than 20 local retail and consumer experts and analysis of channel-growth data in these markets—we’ve developed a perspective on the factors that have hampered the growth of modern trade in emerging markets. On both the demand side (what customers want from retailers) and the supply side (the means by which retailers can deliver what customers want), different factors shape the retail ecosystem in each country. Together, these factors produce wide variability in the level of modern-trade development in countries around the world (Exhibit 1). On the demand side, for instance, food-shopping habits have turned out to be largely localized and deeply entrenched. Emerging-market consumers tend to prepare their own meals and cook more than their peers in developed markets do, and they are accustomed to shopping at open-air market stands or small neighborhood grocery stores that offer a familiar selection of fresh food and household staples. They don’t necessarily perceive customer service at modern retailers as superior to that of the traditional trade. Customers of India’s kirana stores—small, family-owned retail shops in or near residential areas—already benefit from personal service from the store owner, free home delivery, and credit and cash rebates if they remain loyal.. On the supply side, a big factor is the informality of traditional trade: many small retail businesses rely on unpaid labor from family and friends, pay no rent because they own their storefronts, and don’t pay corporate taxes. Modern retailers cite this informality as a major challenge when competing with local retailers. A European hypermarket chain found that its considerable operating-cost advantage from better sourcing and supply-chain processes was canceled out by the fact that it was paying taxes while local competitors were not.. Another major factor affecting modern trade is public policy. India’s restrictions on foreign direct investment have limited the growth of modern retail there; in China, by contrast, city governments are assessed on the level of economic activity and foreign investment they attract, which makes them biased toward supporting modern trade. As a result, modern-trade penetration in China’s largest cities has grown significantly over the past 15 years.. A further supply-side factor in emerging markets is the fragmented supplier base, which places a natural limit on the benefits of scale. A retailer can’t source products as efficiently as it would in a mature market because it must buy from a complex network of regional and local entities. And even retailers with a national buying team won’t easily find national manufacturers who are eager to partner with them—a point we pick up on later. Incumbent advantage is yet another powerful factor shaping retail ecosystems. Today’s market dynamics tend to become tomorrow’s market structure—so, for example, in markets in which a highly efficient wholesale system serves the traditional trade, it becomes much harder for modern grocers to gain a foothold. That said, wholesalers can also be vanguards of modernization. In Turkey, for instance, some Bizim Toptan stores have developed a substantial retail business. These wholesalers-cum-retailers illustrate the fact that ecosystems in emerging markets are partly shaped by players that can concentrate and coordinate a critical mass of what otherwise is a complex set of routes to market.. “Seven” strategic levers for success: In parts of the world where the market structure is itself still in a formative stage, retailers need a bespoke strategy. Our research and experience suggest seven strategic levers that lead to success in emerging markets. These levers—having to do with delivering what consumers want, working effectively with other players in the ecosystem, and generating lasting productivity advantages—reflect perennial concerns for retailers everywhere, but they are especially critical in helping retailers secure a profitable future in the world’s fastest-growing economies. The levers are by no means comprehensive. For one, they don’t touch on digital technology, which may well be just as important in emerging markets as in developed ones; indeed, rapid adoption of smartphone technology may allow emerging markets to leapfrog more mature markets and reconfigure the value chain farther upstream (for example, by giving smaller suppliers direct access to national and even global markets). Rather, we draw attention to areas that we believe require deliberate action in emerging markets- 1. Prioritize proximity. 2. Keep prices low—and make sure consumers know. 3. Obsess over productivity. 4. Make the business case to manufacturers. 5. Educate policy makers on the benefits of modern trade. 6. Consider partnering with the traditional trade. 7. Adopt a city-based strategy. For any modern retailer, success in emerging markets isn’t guaranteed. Our research confirms the complexity and local specificity of market development and the degree to which it depends on initiatives taken not just by retailers but also by governments, manufacturers, wholesalers, and others in the local retail ecosystem. International retailers thus need to become experts at local tailoring. That said, operating in emerging markets still unquestionably requires excellence in core retailing competencies: marketing, merchandising, supply-chain management, and talent development, to name just a few… Modern Retailers that excel in all these areas in the context of markedly different emerging-market structures will, in a sense, have conquered the world..!! Posted in Brand Management, Business Strategy, Consumption Trends, Customer Experience, Ecommerce, Emerging & Frontier Markets, Entrepreneurship, Market & Consumer Research, Marketing Strategy, Performance Management, Retail News, Sales & Market Development, SCM & Logistics, Sourcing & Supply-Chain, Strategy Execution/Implementation.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498807
__label__wiki	0.553087	0.553087	Immersion Lab Offfers New Learning Opportunities Emerging Technologies, Virtualization By Rick Wills Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, 9:00 p.m. [I helped the Montour School District, a suburban district outside Pittsburgh, PA, to write a STEAM grant to purchase the zSpace system. It’s exciting to read this Tribune Review article that highlights some of the early success for the immersive lab.] Keith Hodan \| Trib Total MediaInside the Montour Virtual Immersion Lab at Montour High School, physics teacher Doug Macek watches over Anthony Catanzarite, 16, a junior, as the class practices using the new 3-D technology, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. Montour is the only school in Pennsylvania that has this new technology. Using special glasses, stylus, and monitor, the tech allows students to work on lessons that include the virtual dissection of everything from a red blood cell to a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Wearing 3-D glasses and sitting in front of glowing computer screens, Montour School District students can construct holographic obstacle courses, peel back delicate layers of the human eye or dissect a Tyrannosaurus rex — all with the flick of a stylus. “You’re able to view things you’d never see in real life,” 11th-grader Michael Maslakowski said of the elaborate software that allows users to examine a dinosaur skeleton or experiment with a car’s mechanics. The Virtual Immersion Lab at Montour High School in Robinson, which cost $70,000, is the first full lab of its kind in the state. The district spent $50,000 on the lab, and the rest was paid for with a $20,000 grant from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, funded by local foundations, said Justin Aglio, director of innovation at Montour. “The students are amazed by it. It is unique. There’s a lot of buzz about the lab, even at other schools,” Aglio said. Nearly all of the students who have used it say the lab is “so real,” said Elizabeth Lyte, director of education at zSpace, which is based in Sunnyvale, Calif., and was founded in 2007. “You can pick up and pull out a beating heart or dissect a frog,” she said. Tags: 3D virtualization, immersion lab, Montour ← Blended Learning in India Wildlands School Personalizes Learning →	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498811
__label__wiki	0.802535	0.802535	1 2 3 4 5 6 Last Travel in North Korea Pyongyang is the capital of DPRK. It is the heart of the socialist Korea. It is located in the middle of the northwestern part of the korean peninsula. It is divided in administrative districts and 4 countries with the population of over 2 millions. The Capital has been called as one of the ‘8Scenic Wonders of Korea’ for its splendid views. Clear river Taedong and its branches harmonizing with hills like Mangyong and Moran create a whole wonderland. It is the cradle of Korean nation and culture as well as the capital city of Kojoson (Ancient Korea) about 5000 years ago and and that of Koguryo, the powerful stste of the Orient. It is blessed with Mangyongdae, native home of President Kim II Sung and Kim II Sung University where the revolutionary achievements of General Kim Jong II are associated. Pyongyang is richer in monumental structures including the Grand Monument on Mansu Hill and the Tower of Juche Idea. Grand Monument on Mansu Hill The Grand Monument on Mansu Hill shows in formative art the immortal history of the Korean people who conducted revolution under the leadership of President Kim Il Sung. It was built in April Juche 61 (1972). The bronze statue of the President stands in the centre and two monuments titled "Anti-Japanese Revolutionary Struggle" and "Socialist Revolution and Socialist Construction" are on its both sides. A mosaic mural depicting Mt. Paektu, sacred mountain of revolution depicted as a mosaic on the front wall of the Korean Revolution Museum behind the grand memorials. The memorials are 22.5 m in height and 50 m each in length. The sculptures are 5 m high in average. Tower of Juche It was built on the shore of River Taedong to symbolize the immortal Juche idea created by the President in April Juche. It is 170 m in height. The tower consists of a thematic sculpture of three people, six auxiliary group sculptures, two pergolas and two gigantic fountains in the middle of River Taedong. Marble and jade blocks in the wall of the niche part of the tower were presented from the parties and public organizations to the tower. The top of the tower body which is served by a lift, affords a panoramic view of Pyongyang. Kim II Sung Square It is the principal square of the country where political events, mass demonstration and meetings and parades have been held on official holidays and various occasions starting from the mass rally of Pyongyang citizens celebrating the victory in the Korean War on July 28, Juche 42 (1953). Completed in August Juche 43 (1954), it covers an area of 75,000 sq.m Arch of Triumph It was built in April Juche 71 (1982) at the foot of Moran Hill to memorize the triumphal return of President Kim Il Sung. 10 500 blocks of granite were piled up. It is 60 m in height and 52.5 m in width. The four columns were decorated by embossed images. And the years "1925" and "1945" carved in relief symbolize the years when the President embarked on revolution and liberated Korea. Carved in relief are the words of "Song of General Kim II Sung" The Chollima Statue The Chollima Statue shows the heroic mettle and indomitable spirit of the Korean people who made continued innovation and uninterrupted advance in the spirit of Chollima, a legendary horse running 400 km a day in the period of postwar great upsurge of Chollima. It was erected in April Juche 50 (1961) with the height of 46 m.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498816
__label__cc	0.679139	0.320861	Home > Latter-day Saint Blog Posts > Golden Days — A Celebration of Life, Birthday Celebration for Thomas S. Monson Golden Days — A Celebration of Life, Birthday Celebration for Thomas S. Monson by mormonwomen (08/19/2012 01:30 am) Enjoy a wonderful and inspirational program of favorite music of President Thomas S. Monson, prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Golden Days: A Celebration of Life (also can be viewed on lds.org – some stories say it’s only available until 9:30 p.m. MDT tonight, so you might want to enjoy it today. The program lasts about 90 minutes.) The video is also embedded below. Following is the program for the celebration. You’ll also enjoy video clips that walk through some of President Monson’s life and pay tribute to the man whom Mormons sustain as the living prophet of God on the earth. “I Think the World is Glorious” — performed by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square “Golden Days” (from The Student Prince) — performed by Stanford Olsen (opera/concert performer) “Trail Builders’ Hymn” — performed by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, and a group of Cub and Boy Scouts “Tomorrow” (from Annie) — performed by Rebecca Luker (Broadway/theater/concert/television performer and actress) “All I Ask of You” (from The Phantom of the Opera) — performed by Rebecca Luker “You Raise Me Up” — performed by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square “There By for You Go I” (from Brigadoon) — performed by Dallyn Vail Bayles (actor, singer, recording artist) “Consider the Lilies” — performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square “Bring Him Home” (from Les Miserables) — performed by Dallyn Vail Bayles “Seventy-six Trombones” (from The Music Man) — performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square “Memory” (from Cats) — performed by Rebecca Luker Tributes to President Monson from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and President Henry B. Eyring “The Holy City” — performed by Stanford Olsen “If the Way Be Full of Trial, Weary Not” — performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, Stanford Olsen, Rebecca Luker, Dallyn Vail Bayles, and emcees Steve Young (football Hall of Famer), and Jane Clayson Johnson (journalist). Mormon Women : Golden Days — A Celebration of Life, Birthday Celebration for Thomas S. Monson birthday celebration conferences-exhibits days golden how-we-live life monson music thomas thomas-s-monson Other posts that share links with this one Thousands Attend Church President’s 85th Birthday Celebration (08/19/2012 6:00 pm) #	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498817
__label__cc	0.718468	0.281532	Run, Kenya, Run! septiembre 6, 2011 onafrica With the ongoing Libyan civil war and famine in the Horn, it is good to remember that there are plenty of positive things coming out of the African continent. And not only things which show that “Africa is the future” (although indeed it is…), but also things that show that there are many ways in which the present is African (and it has been so for a while!). Last week provided us with two important reminders of one thing at which African countries – most notably Kenya and Ethiopia – excel: long-distance running. First, last Saturday The Prince of Asturias Award for Sport was announced, and it went to Haile Gebrselassie, according to the jury, for his sporting and human excellence. Considered the best distance runner of all time, his own people called him “Naftanga, the chief”. Raised on a farm, he had to travel twenty kilometres each day to school, a circumstance that served as his training and influenced the way he runs: with his left arm crooked as if still holding his schoolbooks. He always ran the most demanding of races with a permanent smile on his face. Right up to the end of his career, he has been a myth, challenging his own legend. The athlete is also involved in humanitarian and mediation work in the many conflicts that have raged for years in Ethiopia. Haile Gebrselassie, born in Arssi (Ethiopia) in 1973 And then on Sunday, the 2011 World Athletics Championships concluded in Dageu (South Korea). This is the final standing at the medal table: It is not very often that one sees an African country coming third in world standings, only behind the US and Russia. As well as the silver medal won by South Africa’s Caster Semenya (about whom this blog wrote one of its firsts posts), and Botswana’s first gold medalist, Amantle Montsho, Ethiopia and, especially Kenya, had an impressive performance. Amantle Montsho and Allyson Felix during 2011 World championships Athletics in Daegu Below are other images capturing the triumphs of these athletes: Vivian Cheruiyot winner of the 5.000 m race at the 2011 World championships Athletics Edna Ngeringwony Kiplagat (r), Priscah Jeptoo (l) and Sharon Jemutai Cherop (c) celebrate winning Gold, Silver & Bronze at Daegu. Photo:EFE Asbel Kiprop (C) sprints through a corner ahead of teammate Silas Kiplagat (L) on his way to winning the men's 1,500 metres final at Daegu Photo: REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won Abel Kirui bows after winning the men's marathon in Daegu Photo: REUTERS/Mark Blinch (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SPORT ATHLETICS) Actualidad, Englishathletics, Ethiopia, Kenya, sport Previous Article ¡On Africa cumple dos años (y se apunta a Facebook)! Next Article Saturday Development Videos – Vídeos de desarrollo para el sábado One response to “Run, Kenya, Run!” Pingback: It’s that time of the year… On Africa’s eleven top posts in 2011 \| On Africa	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498818
__label__wiki	0.87357	0.87357	Hey Men Kpop Hey Men (헤이맨) Are “Jelly” In Their Debut Music Video Alex November 28, 2017 Hey Men (헤이맨), a new Korean band, debuted with their first mini-album titled, Prism. The third song off the album, “Jelly,” was released with a quirky music video sure to get pop punk rock fans excited! The video features a young female scientist watching the group from the computer as they perform passionately in a small stained-glass room as bright ceiling lights flash to the beat. The music video seems colorful and bright while actually showcasing the obvious frustrations of the main girl, possibly even showing her sexual frustration, as the group members keep singing about how they want her lips like a “jelly.” As the video continues, images of the girl feeding the guys a jelly candy, watching them play while sitting on a stool, and even laying in a bathtub full of jellybeans flash across the screen. In the end, the girl lowers the volume from her computer and the band stops playing, showing viewers that the girl controlled the sound of the band the whole time, like a puppeteer. It’s definitely a unique, sexier, approach for a group debuting, but nonetheless works with their funky sound. One cannot help but be reminded of old-school rock hits with the singer singing about the girl they can’t have or want. It’s not a new take on the subject but definitely leads to a captivating debut for a fresh, new rock group as they aspire to take on the highly competitive K-pop band scene. While nothing stood out in the music video, the group did produce a cooler sound and style of music that hasn’t been heard yet in 2017. Instead of using heavy drums and guitar, the vibe is more chill ambiance mixed with heavily 1970s inspired keyboard sounds. The band is bringing back retro vibes and I’m excited to see how they bring it to the present and future with hopefully more releases. What did you think of Hey Men’s (헤이맨) debut music video, “Jelly”? Let me know in the comments below! Hey Men Jelly Music Video Hey Men Boy Group BLK (비엘케이) Makes Their Exciting Debut With “Hero” Winners Recap For The 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) In Japan	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498819
__label__cc	0.641846	0.358154	Understanding President Obama. I have lived under the Chicago Machine for most of my life. I personally know many of the key players who brought Barack Obama out of obscurity to the presidency. Perhaps this analysis should have been made several years ago. But, better late than never. I am way not the conspiratorial theorist type. I never bought into the Obama birther theory. I never thought of him as some sort of Manchurian candidate. I do not believe Obama is member of the Muslim faith – not after attending a Christian church, such as it is, for 20 years. Is it possible that the President is really a nice guy who believes he is doing good for the United States and the world? I think it is possible. BUT, just because he might believe that does not mean it is true. There has to be some explanation for his six years of seemingly inexplicable presidential behavior – at least as measured against his 42 predecessors. Why has Obama become arguably the least trusted President in American History? Why has his patriotism been questioned by so many? And, don’t give me the “because he’s black” excuse. One of his greatest benefits in becoming President was his skin color. God knows, it was not due to his record and experience. Being black has insulated Obama from scrutiny and proper vetting – and given his sycophants and a fawning news corps a racist mantra to deflect justified criticism. I have come to the conclusion that the problem with Obama is that he is the first un-American president. By that, I mean he has a completely different core of knowledge and value structure than the vast majority of Americans. He was not raised in an American culture. He never learned American history in depth. He does not understand the American culture – and what he thinks he understands, he does not like. As a child, he was raised in Muslim traditions by his father, then an uncle and a family mentor who, more importantly, all harbored negative viewpoints about America. He attended a Muslim school in a nation highly critical of America. His mother, though not Muslim, was a lifelong critic of America, its culture, its politics and its economic system. He attended American colleges where criticism of America reigns supreme among students and faculty. He spent most of his life subjected and devoted to a politicized anti-American version of Christianity in the church of Reverend Jeremiah Wright. As a community activist in Chicago’s University of Chicago neighborhood, he worked in a pseudo-intellectual cultural enclave that exaggerates American racism and demonizes free market capitalism. It is a tightly knit community best personified by its local iconic leaders, such Bill Ayers, Louis Farrakhan and Reverend Wright. His formative political experience comes from his association with the Chicago Democrat “Machine.” It can explain his contempt for Republicans – and even contempt for any opposition and accommodation. It may also explain his belief in authoritarian “boss” governance, where the executive is the primary source of public policy. His Chicago experience would lead him to believe that role of a legislative body is to endorse — rubber stamp, if you will — but not to challenge. In many ways, Obama is the product of his two closest advisors, David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett. Axelrod represents the thuggish Chicago Machine’s strident partisanship, with its allegiance to an autocratic boss figure. He personifies what could be called the Daley wing of the Democratic Party, operating more like a “banana republic” than what the Founders had in mind. Jarrett represents the far left ideological wing of the Democratic Party – also autocratic. Under the first Mayor Daley, these were warring factions. Under the second Mayor Daley, the factions united in the person of Barack Obama. Since both factions are autocratic, Obama represents the worst of them in terms of the American republic. Both factions place government rule by an elite over the historic American concept of governance by the people. With a belief in and tendency toward autocratic power, it is not unreasonable to suggest that the intoxicating power of the presidency has introduced a sense of megalomania. Obama came to office believing America is an imperial power guilty of shameful acts. That is why his first overseas junket as President was widely described as “an apology tour.” That is why he is so quick to draw moral equivalencies between us and every other nation – and more recently, between the maniacal brutality of today’s Islamic extremists and the Christian Crusades of 1000 years ago. That is why he relegated American Exceptionalism to nothing more than nationalistic pride. Obama sees America as no better than any other nation, and to think otherwise is arrogance. He does not believe in the need or importance of America’s economic, military and moral leadership, so, at every turn, he withdraws us from it. Since he cannot make other nations as strong as America, he seems determined to make America as weak as them. He seems to think that world leadership, itself, is arrogance. His disdain for the traditional American culture extends to allies who share that culture. It is why his foreign policy realigns America away from historic allies in favor of relationships with even current enemies, such as Cuba and Iran. His preference for third world countries is evident in his refusal to not only secure the American border, but to encourage illegal migration and acceptance on an every growing level. He has created a deceptive language to explain his governing philosophy, with such oxymoron’s as “leading from behind” as an excuse for not leading, or “patient diplomacy,” as a euphemism for doing nothing. As with all autocrats, he is capable of the most audacious lies. He talks of our victory over al Qaeda and ISIS as relatively harmless “junior varsity.” He takes pride in ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan even as they accelerate. He claims Gitmo promotes terrorism, but claims the release of terrorists is in our national interest. He takes victory laps for ending our economic crisis even as millions of Americans continue to suffer from unemployment and under employment. His infamous “you can keep your doctor” promise now rates with President George H. Bush’s “read my lips” as an iconic presidential betrayal. The President is a left wing globalist, who not only surrenders American leadership, but American sovereignty. He promotes agreements and treaties that give international bodies authority of our lands, our international policies, our guns and even our elections. He has no frame of reference to understand the nature of the American republic, in which the people govern. Rather, he subscribes to the authoritarian philosophy that a government run by self determined enlightened people must rule over the masses for their own good. He sees the federal government as the necessary regulatory authority over every aspect of our personal lives. He relegates America’s several states to mere Chinese-style provinces, and redistributes wealth according to his political agenda. We have seen this in his preference for personal power over the shared power of three branches. His go-it-alone policy is not born out of strong leadership, but is the result of an all too obvious contempt for the people’s Congress as an equal branch of government. He came into office promising change. His meaning was not the change Americans had every reason to assume. It was to change the very nature of the American government from a republic based on the autonomy of the people to an authoritarian regime where dependency replaces opportunity as the dominant characteristic. He would change our successful free enterprise system to a controlled central economy where the market forces are replaced by government manipulation, regulation and redistribution of wealth. The Founders risked life and property “in order to form a more perfect union.” It was ours to preserve through “eternal vigilance.” In recent generations, we have failed in both regards, and may now be reaching a point of no return. When you look at the critical education and emotional development of past presidents, Democrat and Republican, none has been so devoid of traditional American education and understanding. Obama operates the way he does because he knows no other way. He is not anti-American, but I think he is un-American in his intellectual foundation. And that is the problem. The General Election of 2016 may well determine whether our historic culture has truly changed as we the people decide either to continue down the path of subjugation to Washington, or will we rise up to re-establish the great American Dream based on American Exceptionalism that made this nation the most successful democracy in history? We will determine whether to leave a nation and a world to our children that is greater and safer than we found it, or we will condemn them to lesser status with fewer opportunities under an oppressive regime in Washington. By Larry Horist, on February 8, 2015 at 4:25 pm, under Uncategorized. Tags: abuse of power, Afghanistan, al qaeda, apology tour, authoritariansim, autocrat, barack obama, bill ayers, chicago machine, cuba, david axelrod, Democrats, economic recovery, federalism, Iraq, jeremiah wright, louis farrakhan, middle east, under emplowment, unemployment rate, valerie jarrett. No Comments « Here is my handicapping on the 2016 candidates. NEWS TO AMUSE »	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498820
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__label__cc	0.640978	0.359022	Results of search for 'au:Schlessinger Media and se:Great Americans for children' Schlessinger Media. 高雄美國資料專區 - 寶珠 American Shelf Kaohsiung Baozhu Great Americans for ... Lincoln, Abraham, --... Presidents -- United... Statesmen -- United ... VIDEODISC--HISTORY VIDEODISC. Susan B. Anthony by Schlessinger Media. Publication: Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, ©2005. . 1 videodisc (23 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 teacher's guide. , Did you know that not too long ago, many Americans didn't have the right to vote? If you were a woman living in the United States before the early 1900s, it would have been illegal for you to cast a ballot -- and doing so could have landed you in jail! One great American fought long and hard for the right for all of us to vote, and in Susan B. Anthony, kids will get an up-close look at the life of this pioneering voice in the struggle for equal rights. See how her lifelong dedication to the fight for equality changed the lives of women in America forever. Availability: No items available: Cesar Chavez by Schlessinger Media. Publication: Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, ©2005. . 1 videodisc (23 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 teacher's guide. , Cesar Chavez overcame huge obstacles, including extreme poverty and the prejudice that he experienced as a Hispanic American and a migrant farmer, to achieve his goal of helping to organize the first successful union for America's farm workers. As a union activist, he promoted the use of nonviolent strikes, boycotts and protests to help farm workers obtain better pay and working conditions, and forever changed the relationship between farm owners and workers. In this fascinating portrait, kids will examine the life of this dedicated labor leader, whose determination to help others gave thousands a voice and the power to change things for the better in this country. Availability: No items available: Amelia Earhart by Schlessinger Media. Publication: Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, ©2005. . 1 videodisc (23 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 teacher's guide. , At a time before hopping on a plane was a common form of travel, this adventurous woman took to the air, proving that in the big blue skies, there was room for both men and women to make history! In Amelia Earhart, kids will examine the life of this pioneering aviator, whose daring flights set records and amazed the world. From her youthful introduction to airplanes to her record-setting flights and her mysterious disappearance while attempting to fly around the world, this exciting program documents Earhart's life and accomplishments through a lively mix of archival images and newsreel footage. Availability: No items available: Benjamin Franklin by Schlessinger Media. Publication: Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, ©2005. . 1 videodisc (23 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in + 1 teacher's guide. , Benjamin Franklin explores the life and contributions of America's first great inventor. Students will see that Franklin was a practical man who felt a great obligation to make the world a better place, inventing many useful things that helped improve people's everyday lives, including the lightning rod, the 'Franklin stove' and bifocal lenses. Driven by his patriotism and supported by his skills as a diplomat, Benjamin Franklin also helped create what might be the greatest of all his inventions -- the United States of America! Availability: No items available: Thomas Jefferson by Schlessinger Media. Publication: Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, ©2005. . 1 videodisc (23 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 teacher's guide. , He lived during a time of great conflict and war -- but he is most famous for fighting battles with a pen rather than a sword. In Thomas Jefferson, kids will examine the life of the statesman who wrote one of the world's greatest documents -- the Declaration of Independence -- and, in turn, helped form the United States of America. From his days in colonial Virginia to his election as president of the United States, kids will discover Jefferson's many contributions to American society, including the development of the Library of Congress, the capital of our nation, Washington D.C., and the great western expanse of North America that he felt compelled to explore. Availability: No items available: Martin Luther King, Jr. by Schlessinger Media. Publication: Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, ©2005. . 1 videodisc (23 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 teacher's guide. , Martin Luther King, Jr., born in Atlanta, was the son of a preacher and a church musician. He became a minister himself, inspired by his father's associate, Benjamin Mays, and by the teachings of Gandhi, whose nonviolent approach to social change he adopted. With Rosa Parks's arrest in 1955, King's desegregation efforts began in earnest. He formed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and motivated lunch counter sit-ins, the Freedom Riders and the removal of "For Colored Only" signs. In 1964, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and became a pivotal force in the passing of the voting rights law. Availability: No items available: Abraham Lincoln by Schlessinger Media. Publication: Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, ©2005. . 1 videodisc (23 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 teacher's guide. , Beginning in 1861, the Civil War divided the country, pitting "brother against brother" in a conflict that threatened to permanently divide the union. If not for the dedication and firm resolve of Abraham Lincoln to maintain the Union during this difficult time, the United States might have ceased to exist. In Abraham Lincoln, kids will examine the life of this country boy from Kentucky, who rose to become President of the United States and guided his country through one of its darkest hours while speaking out against slavery at a time when many were too afraid to take a stand. Availability: No items available: Revolutionary War heroes by Schlessinger Media. Publication: Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, ©2005. . 1 videodisc (23 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 teacher's guide. , The Revolutionary War created many heroes, including the men who would go down in history as the Founding Fathers of a new country. Yet, there were many other men, women and children whose names you might not know, but whose acts of courage helped win the war against the British. Revolutionary War Heroes focuses on the daring acts of patriotism from people such as Nathan Hale, Sybil Ludington and Molly Pitcher, and the brave military feats of Colonel Francis Marion, Captain John Paul Jones and the Black Rhode Island Regiment. Kids will see how these ordinary citizens accomplished extraordinary things, rising to the challenge when they were needed to ensure independence for the fledgling nation. Availability: No items available: Eleanor Roosevelt by Schlessinger Media. Publication: Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, ©2005. . 1 videodisc (23 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 teacher's guide. , Born into a life of wealth and opportunity, Eleanor Roosevelt chose to devote herself to those who were less fortunate. Human rights, poverty, world peace -- no problem was too large for her to tackle. Through archival footage and stills, kids will examine the life of this passionate activist, who grew from a shy, self-conscious girl into a strong, outspoken woman admired by people all over the world. Availability: No items available: Sacagawea by Schlessinger Media. Publication: Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, ©2005. . 1 videodisc (23 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 teacher's guide. , Discover Sacagawea, the young woman who joined America's legendary explorers -- Lewis & Clark -- on a world-famous expedition through the American West. Serving as a translator and sometimes even as a guide, Sacagawea's skills in finding food often saved the group from starvation. Kids will discover that throughout this famed expedition, the tremendous courage and bravery that she demonstrated was second to none, and that without her help, one of the greatest adventures in American history might have ended in failure. Availability: No items available: Harriet Tubman by Schlessinger Media. Publication: Wynnewood, PA : Schlessinger Media, ©2005. . 1 videodisc (23 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 teacher's guide. , Less than 200 years ago, thousands of African-American men, women and children were enslaved right here in the United States of America. One brave woman not only dared to escape, but also even risked her own life time and time again in order to free hundreds of others. In Harriet Tubman, kids will get an up-close look at the life of this famed conductor on the Underground Railroad while learning about the daily life of enslaved people and the dangers faced by those who fought to free them. Availability: No items available:	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498826
__label__wiki	0.950717	0.950717	The Bolton Nomination: Unipolarity Reaffirmed by Jim Lobe Posted on March 14, 2005 August 7, 2009 Just one week ago, conventional wisdom both here and in European capitals was that President George W. Bush’s second term would see a modest turn toward multilateralism and a new readiness to compromise on key issues with traditional U.S. allies. Today, however, that particular conventional wisdom is being questioned amid renewed anxiety that the unilateralist trajectory on which Bush launched the United States after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and the Pentagon is back on track. The biggest single reason for the change was Monday’s nomination of John Bolton, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security during the first term, to the high-profile post of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The problem, as pointed out by a number of Democrats, is that virtually everything Bolton has ever said about the UN suggests that he thinks the world, and particularly the U.S., would be better off without it, once opining (before 9/11) that if the UN secretariat building lost 10 stories, "it wouldn’t make a bit of difference." "This nomination is a poke in the eye to the world diplomatic community and a signal that the Bush administration is going to continue its unilateralist approach," noted Joe Volk, executive secretary of a major peace group, Friends Committee for National Legislation (FCNL), one of a growing number of groups who are gearing up for a lobbying campaign to persuade senators to oppose Bolton’s confirmation. Former Ambassador Chas Freeman described the appointment as "the equivalent of dropping a neutron bomb on the organization." But whatever the nomination said about Bush’s attitude toward the UN, it also demonstrated that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is supposed to serve as his superior if he is confirmed by the Senate, will likely play a much less powerful role in Bush’s second term than had been thought, particularly in the wake of her two tours – one with the president – of Europe last month. Knowing how much Bolton had undermined former Secretary of State Colin Powell during the first term, Rice resisted pressure from Bolton, his Congressional backers, and Vice President Dick Cheney by refusing to appoint him as her deputy secretary of state – choosing instead arch-realist Robert Zoellick – in what was seen as a kind of declaration of independence from the hawks perched in Cheney’s office and around Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. That defiance, followed by her triumphal tours of Europe where she repeatedly promised closer consultation, was widely considered a sign that the "realists," previously led by Powell, had a new champion at Foggy Bottom and one who also enjoyed a much closer personal relationship with the president than her predecessor. But the nomination of Bolton – who really served as Cheney’s and Rumsfeld’s cat’s paw at the State Department under Powell – has profoundly challenged the notion that Rice can stand up to them. The fact that her strongest argument in favor of Bolton when she was challenged by senators privately on the decision to send him to the UN was that his tenure there may persuade him to modify his hardline views, just as former anti-communist President Richard Nixon decided to launch a strategic relationship with Communist China in the early 1970s, confirmed to many here that Bolton was being forced down her throat. While Bolton’s nomination was the immediate cause of the reassessment that is now taking place, there have been other signs that the balance of power within the administration has indeed shifted strongly toward the hawks. Perhaps the most important was the little-noted appointment of J.D. Crouch as the deputy national security adviser under Rice’s former deputy, Stephen Hadley. While Hadley’s foreign policy views were seen as a mixture of realism and Cheney’s aggressive nationalism, Crouch, who served most recently as ambassador to Romania, is regarded as a right-wing extremist on both domestic and foreign policy issues. A protégé of William Van Cleave, a Rumsfeld ally, and one of the leaders of the Committee on the Present Danger (CPD) in the 1970s who claimed that the Soviet Union intended to fight and win a nuclear war with the United States (whose daughter now serves as the chief of counterintelligence under Rumsfeld), Crouch was also a favorite of then-Defense Secretary Cheney during Bush’s father’s administration, 1989-1993. He worked in the Pentagon’s policy division under the current deputy defense secretary, Paul Wolfowitz, and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, who has been Cheney’s chief of staff and national security adviser over the past four years. After the first Gulf War in 1991-92, Wolfowitz, Libby and Crouch were all involved in the draft of a controversial Defense Planning Guidance (DPG), parts of which were leaked to the New York Times and then explicitly repudiated by the administration. It called for global engagement by the U.S. on its own terms calling for a military posture designed to deter "potential competitors from even aspiring to a larger regional or global role." It also urged Washington to create "ad hoc assemblies" to deal with crisis situations – the 1992 version of "coalitions of the willing" – and a doctrine of unilateral military preemption"to prevent the development or use of weapons of mass destruction." And it predicted that U.S. military interventions would be a "constant fixture" of the new world order. It omitted any role for the UN in preserving international peace and security. When the draft was leaked to the Times, it caused an uproar, with Democratic Senator Joseph Biden claiming that it amounted to a prescription for a "Pax Americana" and others that it would make Washington the "world’s policeman." On Thursday, the Boston Globe reported that Rumsfeld has set forth the main priorities for the Pentagon’s latest "Quadrennial Defense Review" (QDR), a major policy paper to guide strategic planning through the end of the decade and beyond. Among the most prominent priorities, according to the Globe account, will be preventing the emergence of a "peer competitor," stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and dramatically expanding the size of U.S. special forces in order to operate more freely and unilaterally worldwide. The Globe, which described the Rumsfeld memo setting out his priorities as having a "go-it-alone" tone, omitted boilerplate language that has appeared in previous QDRs about the importance of U.S. alliances or the UN The unipolar world conceived by Wolfowitz & Co. in 1991 was expressed best by Bolton himself back in 2000. "If I were redoing the Security Council today, I’d have one permanent member because that’s the real reflection of the distribution of power in the world," he said during an interview with National Public Radio’s Juan Williams. "And that one member would be, John Bolton?" Williams asked. "The United States," Bolton responded. (Inter Press Service) Author: Jim Lobe Jim Lobe writes for Inter Press Service. View all posts by Jim Lobe Previous Previous post: ‘Pseudo-Events’ Stir Mideast Pot Next Next post: A Stupid War to Die In Jim Lobe’s Latest Posts The Royal Wedding Received Triple the Media Coverage of Yemen in 2018 Despite Public’s War Weariness, US Defense Budget May Rise The Uses of Ukraine US Hawks Take Flight Over Ukraine AIPAC’s Annus Horribilis?	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498828
__label__wiki	0.794202	0.794202	Another public service employee wins tribunal ruling over pay while snowed-in Blair CrawfordMore from Blair Crawford Updated: September 19, 2018 9:15 AM EDT A pedestrian braves the snow in Charlottetown during this 2015 snowstorm.John Morris / THE CANADIAN PRESS It took nearly five years, but the Canada Revenue Agency has been ordered to give 3.5 hours of paid leave to an employee in Prince Edward Island for time he missed from work because of a fierce snowstorm that lashed the province, closed schools, scrubbed flights and even forced the government office where he worked to shut down early. The grievance, by employee Leslie Smith and his union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, was heard in Ottawa this summer by Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board and a ruling was published online last week. It is an almost identical ruling to one issued in 2016 for another snowbound federal employee. “We’ve won these cases in the past,” PSAC vice-president Magali Picard said. “It’s hard for me to understand … Why they would penalize an employee when it’s something completely out of their control.” The storm on Dec. 4, 2013, hit the island with 15 centimetres of heavy, wet snow and high winds. Smith, who lives in Summerside, an hour’s drive from his job at the Charlottetown Tax Services Office, called CRA’s employee emergency line that morning to see if the office was open. After learning it was, Smith set out at 7:04 a.m., driving for 20-25 minutes on unplowed roads before deciding it was too dangerous and returning home. When Smith’s street was plowed at 10:30 a.m., he spent 30-40 minutes shovelling his driveway before setting out for Charlottetown again. Smith quickly realized the driving was still hazardous and turned around a second time. He called the office at 12:30 p.m. to say why he was staying home. At 1 p.m., managers at the Charlottetown office decided to close for the day and sent employees home early. His employer granted Smith four hours paid leave because of the early closing plus another hour for the time he spent driving, but CRA insisted Smith use vacation time to cover the remaining 3.5 hours. Smith wanted to be given 3.5 hours leave for the remainder of the day, citing a clause in the collective agreement that says paid leave can be given if the employee misses work because of circumstances beyond the employee’s control. The employer countered that argument with its “storm policy,” which said that, if the office was open and the employee couldn’t get to work because of the conditions, he or she would have to use vacation “or other leave” for the missed time. Eventually Smith was allowed to use sick leave to cover the missing hours, but he and his union grieved the employer’s decision. The grievance, denied at three levels within CRA, eventually came before the labour relations and employment board. In her decision, adjudicator Nathalie Daigle sided with Smith and the union, concluding Smith “made reasonable efforts to get to work on December 4, 2013, but that a snowstorm prevented him from reporting for duty.” The employer’s decision to deny him leave for the part of the day the office was open “was unreasonable in the circumstances,” Daigle found. She ordered CRA to reinstate 3.5 hours of Smith’s sick leave and grant him paid leave for the time instead. At Smith’s salary, the lost time is worth about $100. “It’s really unfortunate the government pushed this case this far to this level. It costs the taxpayer a lot of money every time we go to arbitration,” Picard said. “We don’t want to say that it’s fair to be late for work every day. We are talking about an abnormal situation.” The decision on the P.E.I. case mirrors a similar ruling in 2016 in the case of a Citizenship and Immigration employee who was snowed in by a storm in 2011 in Sydney, N.S. In that case, the woman struggled to clear her driveway with a snowblower because her husband was laid up with a bad back. The woman was three hours late and was told by her boss to work extra hours to make up the lost time. The board ruled in that case that circumstances were beyond the employee’s control and ordered the employer to pay her for the extra hours she worked and to grant paid leave for the missed time. bcrawford@postmedia.com Twitter.com/getBAC Tribunal sides with public servant late for work because of snow-filled driveway	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498833
__label__wiki	0.903542	0.903542	Sedgwick County Kansas Deputy Sheriff David E. Kendal Arrested And Charged With Sodomy, Unlawful Sexual Relations, Mistreatment Of Prisoners, And Sexual Battery After Gay Sex With Male Prisoners SEDGWICK COUNTY, KANSAS – Sedgwick County sheriff’s detectives arrested a county jail deputy Tuesday as a result of an ongoing criminal investigation of alleged sexual misconduct in the jail. At a news conference late Tuesday afternoon, Sheriff Robert Hinshaw announced that the deputy, David E. Kendall, 21, has been booked into jail on suspicion of two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, two counts of unlawful sexual relations, two counts of mistreatment of a confined person and one count of sexual battery. Previously, two attorneys representing inmates have said that they were investigating allegations that a deputy raped or sodomized two male inmates. For now, Kendall is being held without bond in the jail medical clinic, to keep him away from the rest of the jail population. Kendall, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office since October 2008, will probably be moved out of the county partly because he is familiar with the jail’s security, Hinshaw said. The allegations – against someone working for a law enforcement agency – “tarnish all of our badges” and are embarrassing, Hinshaw said. Later in the news conference, he said he wants the public to have confidence in the Sheriff’s Office, which operates the jail. “This whole issue is very important to the public,” he said. Hinshaw, who is seeking re-election, acknowledged that he has heard some say that law enforcement tends to cover up for its own. “I would respectfully disagree with that,” as far as the Sheriff’s Office is concerned, he said. In the last five years, he said, the office has fired 13 staff members accused of crimes, and that of the 13, nine were charged. The sheriff said his view of the agency investigating one of its own is “if you’ve got a mess, you clean up your own mess.” He noted that as part of a survey of sexual misconduct in prisons and jails, the Sheriff’s Office reported 51 incidents. Those involved staff-to-inmate or inmate-to-inmate contact for 2004 through 2011, with the exception of 2006. Of the 51 incidents, 16 – or about one in three – involved sexual misconduct by staff. Four of the 16 incidents were found to be substantiated, four unsubstantiated and eight unfounded. Of the four substantiated cases involving staff, Hinshaw said, he knew of one in which charges were filed but wasn’t sure of the other cases. “In a jail,” he said, “there is no such thing as consensual sex between an inmate and a staff member. It is a felony.” Mark Schoenhofer, one of the attorneys representing the alleged victims, said after Hinshaw’s announcement of the arrest: “We’re happy that the Sheriff’s Office has taken steps on behalf of our clients to see that some justice was done. We’re happy that the arrest was made … and I’m hopeful that the DA’s (District Attorney’s) Office will follow up with charges.” Schoenhofer said he and another attorney, Kurt Kerns, will be interested in what criminal investigators find and will continue their own investigation; Schoenhofer said they have yet to take any formal action toward possible litigation. Hinshaw said he couldn’t discuss the evidence so far, but said his detectives are being assisted by the FBI and have conducted “a lot” of interviews of deputies, inmates and former inmates. He emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. “We’re not anywhere close to being done,” Hinshaw said. Sheriff’s detectives learned of an initial allegation on June 3 and of an additional allegation on Monday, Hinshaw said. One of the two inmates who is alleged to be a victim has been moved into U.S. marshal’s custody; the other remains at the jail. Kendall remains on the payroll as the personnel process moves toward a possible firing, Hinshaw said. He said that Kendall’s rights as an employee and his rights as an accused must be upheld. The criminal case will be presented, most likely in the next two to three days, to the District Attorney’s Office. It will decide what, if any, charges will be filed. Speaking of the allegations, Hinshaw said, “Unfortunately, things like this do arise, not just here but in agencies across the United States.” Asked by a reporter whether the Sheriff’s Office had made any changes in procedures as a result of the accusations against the deputy, Hinshaw said, “We already have very good procedures, protocols,” but that the office reviews practices as issues arise. Asked how the suspected crimes could have occurred without someone knowing, Hinshaw said that although the jail has 200 cameras to monitor parts of the jail, staff members can’t see everything. “This jail is virtually a small city,” he said. “Just like in any city … things can happen.” Leave a Comment » \| Kansas \| Tagged: Gay, Inmate, Prisoner, Rape, Sex, Sexual Battery, Sodomy \| Permalink Posted by mustbme Veteran Prince George’s County Maryland Deputy Sheriff Lamar McIntyre Arrested, Suspended, And Charged With Raping Female Inmate PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND – A deputy sheriff is under arrest after allegedly sexually assaulting a female inmate, according to Prince George’s County police. The woman, 34, told police that deputy sheriff Lamar McIntyre, 31, of Bowie assaulted her at about 2 p.m. Tuesday while she was being held at the Upper Marlboro courthouse before a trial, a county police release states. McIntyre admitted the assault when questioned by county detectives and is charged with second-degree rape and second-degree sex offense, according to online Prince George’s County District Court records. He was remanded to the Department of Corrections in Upper Marlboro on a $75,000 bond, according to county police. McIntyre, who has been a sheriff deputy since September 2009, was put on leave without pay, said Sharon Taylor, an office of the sheriff spokeswoman. No attorney information was listed for him in online court records as of Thursday. Leave a Comment » \| Maryland \| Tagged: Inmate, Jail, Rape, Suspended \| Permalink Veteran Edmonds Washington Police Officer Daniel Lavely Arrested After Sex With A Prisoner EDMONDS, WASHINGTON – An officer with the Edmonds police force has been arrested after he allegedly had sex with a woman in his custody last month, officials said. The officer, Daniel Lavely, 46, was arrested by Everett police Thursday morning and booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of first-degree custodial sexual misconduct, a felony, following a month-long investigation. Authorities originally launched the investigation May 9 after receiving an allegation that Lavely reportedly had sexual intercourse three days earlier with a 28-year old Seattle woman who was in his temporary custody while he was on duty. “My understanding is that she was not free to go, but she wasn’t handcuffed in the back of the patrol car,” said Everett police spokesman Aaron Snell. Due to the seriousness of the allegation, the officer was immediately placed on administrative leave and his law enforcement authority was suspended, said Sgt. Mike Blackburn of the Edmonds police. The Everett Police Department investigated the allegation at the request of Edmonds police officials and determined there was probable cause to believe that criminal conduct had occurred. “Any time that someone’s in custody with a police officer, consensual sex or any time of sex is off the table; it’s not allowed,” said Snell. According to that investigation, Lavely initially stopped the 28-year-old Seattle woman for jaywalking on Highway 99 in Edmonds on May 6. The woman was released shortly afterward, but she was contacted again by Lavely later that evening on an unrelated call. This time, Lavely allegedly took temporary custody of the woman, put her in his patrol car and drove her to a remote location where the two had sexual intercourse, according to the investigation. The woman reported the incident to law enforcement a few days later. Lavely, a 7½-year veteran of the Edmonds police force who was assigned to patrol duty, was arrested at 11:10 a.m. Thursday. Formal criminal charges are expected to be filed by the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney. A determination as to Lavely’s employment status with the city of Edmonds will be made after an Edmonds Police Department review of the entire investigative file. “We will get to the bottom of this, and there will be appropriate action taken,” said Edmonds Police Chief Al Compaan. Leave a Comment » \| Washington \| Tagged: Inmate, Prisoner, Sex \| Permalink Gadsden County Florida Deputy Sheriff Deric Mordica Arrested And Charged With Sexual Assault On An Inmate QUINCY, FLORIDA – Authorities with the Gadsden County sheriff’s Office says a deputy has been arrested after an alleged sexual assault. According to Public Information Officer Ulysses Jenkins, Detention Deputy Deric Mordica surrendered to GCSO authorities after a warrant was issued for his arrest. We’re told he turned himself in at the end of May. Mordica is accused of having sex with an inmate who was being housed at the Gadsden County Jail. “We must abide by same laws that we are sworn to enforce and will act upon any violation of such,” said Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young. “We will continue to provide professional law enforcement services to this community with the integrity that the citizens deserve.” Leave a Comment » \| Florida \| Tagged: Florida, Gadsden County, Inmate, Sex, Sexual Assault \| Permalink Maule Guards At Alabama Tutwiler Prison For Women Abused Female Inmates For Years – At Least 20 Guards Transferred Or Fired In Past 5 Years After Sex With Inmates WETUMPKA, ALABAMA – Male guards at an Alabama women’s prison engaged in the widespread sexual abuse of female inmates for years, a nonprofit group alleged in a formal complaint filed with the Justice Department on Tuesday. The Equal Justice Initiative asked the Justice Department to investigate alleged incidents occurring between 2009 and 2011 at the Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Alabama. The federal agency confirmed that it received the complaint though declined further comment. “In interviews with more than 50 women incarcerated at Tutwiler, EJI uncovered evidence of frequent and severe officer-on-inmate sexual violence,” the Montgomery-based group said in a statement. “This troubling cycle of abuse and lack of accountability has established a widespread pattern and practice of custodial sexual misconduct,” said Bryan Stevenson, the group’s executive director. Stevenson also blamed the Alabama Department of Corrections for under-reporting the alleged attacks, which the group says include rapes, and for responding inadequately. The group claims that more than “20 Tutwiler employees have been transferred or terminated in the past five years for having illegal sexual contact with prisoners.” “It’s an ongoing thing, a daily thing,” said Stefanie Hibbett, 31, a former Tutwiler inmate. “You see women raped and beaten, and nothing is ever done.” Hibbett said she was the victim of sexual assault in November 2010. She said she told the prison’s warden about the assault, but no charges were ever filed against the prison guard she says attacked her. An Alabama judge dismissed a civil suit she filed in the case in August. Several imprisoned women also allegedly became pregnant after being raped by guards, giving birth while in custody, the nonprofit group reported. CNN cannot independently confirm that account. The Alabama attorney general’s office referred questions to the Alabama Department of Corrections, which did not immediately return a call for comment. A 2007 Justice Department report found that Tutwiler maintained the highest rate of sexual assault among prisons for women and 11th overall of those evaluated across the United States. Leave a Comment » \| Alabama \| Tagged: Female, Inmate, Prison, Prisoner, Rape, Sex, Women \| Permalink Morgan County Alabama Corrections Officer Joshua Coppinger Arrested And Charged With Sex With An Inmate DECATUR, Alabama — A Morgan County corrections officer has been arrested after authorities believe he engaged in sexual conduct with an inmate, police said. Joshua Coppinger, 32, was arrested on charges of sexual conduct with a person in custody and booked into the Morgan County Jail, said Sheriff Ana Franklin in a statement Thursday. Coppinger was fired and arrested after an internal investigation, Franklin said. He has since been released on a $2,500 bond. No additional details about allegations were released. Leave a Comment » \| Alabama \| Tagged: Inmate, Jail, Sex \| Permalink Niles Indiana Police Officer Ivery Cross Arraigned – Charged With Sexually Assaulting Teen Inmate – Family Shows Up In Court And Causes A Scene NILES, INDIANA — It was a tumultuous scene Thursday outside Berrien County Trial Court in Niles where supporters and family members of Ivery Cross, a Niles police officer accused of the sexual assault of a 19-year-old inmate in the holding facility at the Niles Law Enforcement Complex, gathered following Cross’s arraignment. Mary Cross, the officer’s mother and one of the few family members who was willing to identify herself, shouted several times that her son is innocent as Mark Coulston, the Trial Court bailiff, attempted to move the angry group of roughly 40 people outside into the parking lot. “I don’t believe it,’’ she said, apparently referring to the charges authorized Wednesday against her son, who’s black. “This is a prejudiced town and a prejudiced court.’’ Others took the media to task for their coverage of the high-profile case, yelling at cameramen and other media representatives that they’d “already lynched’’ Cross. One woman who seemed to support that position leveled criticism as well at the county’s criminal justice system, shouting that her mother had been raped several years ago and that the perpetrator had been allowed to go free. That woman, too, refused to identify herself, as did yet another woman who had to be restrained as she shouted at TV cameramen and reporters. In court, Cross, 25, a life-long Niles resident and a member of the city’s police department for a little more than two years, hugged family members and supporters prior to his appearance before Schofield. He was represented by R. McKinley Elliott, who told Schofield he was filling in for another attorney who had a conflict. Neither Elliott nor Steve Pierangeli, a Berrien assistant prosecutor, asked Schofield to recuse himself based on the judge’s previous dealings with Cross in his role as a police officer. Neither did Elliott object when Pierangeli asked the judge to order Cross to turn over his uniform, weapons and other police equipment, to have no contact with the Niles schools where he had worked as an assistant football coach and to impose a curfew. But Elliott did object when Pierangeli asked that Cross’ $25,000 bond, which he posted Saturday, be increased to $250,000. Pierangeli asked for the higher bond based on the “serious nature’’ of the charges — 1st degree criminal sexual conduct (digital penetration), three counts of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct (contact with genitals and a buttock) and one count of misconduct of office. The 1st degree charge is punishable by a maximum of life in prison. Despite Elliott’s objections, Schofield agreed to the $250,000 bond but said Cross could post $100,000 should he submit to home tether. One of Cross’ supporters shouted to the media in the parking lot that they’d have the money raised by this morning. Cross is scheduled to have a pre-exam conference on Thursday. His preliminary exam is set for April 12. Suspended by the department without pay, Cross stands accused of assaulting the teenager in a bathroom at the LEC’s holding facility on March 17. The teen had been picked up on a charge of possession of marijuana. Leave a Comment » \| Indiana \| Tagged: Inmate, Sex, Sexual Assault \| Permalink	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498834
__label__wiki	0.72409	0.72409	« JUST BECAUSE HIS NAME STARTS WITH A B AND HAS ONLY FOUR LETTERS DOESN'T MEAN HE'S THE PERFECT BOND \| Main \| COMEDY CENTRAL STARTS SHOWING ITS PLANS TO RULE THE WORLD: THE DAILY, CHAPPELLE, CARELL AND SOME NON-CC ALI G TO KEEP ME BALANCED » THIS IS NOT A TCM FAN SITE, BUT WATCH AS THE STARS COME OUT IN AUGUST Ultragrrrl keeps stating that hers is not a fansite for The Killers, and as a regular reader, I know that it isn't. But she sure as hell mentions them a lot. Similarly, I am not on the TCM payroll, nor do I sit around and watch TCM all day, every day. In fact, I probably only watch a couple things a week, if that, sometimes recording something for later viewing, but there obviously just isn't time in the day to catch everything this brilliant channel programs. Still, I consider it my sacred obligation to spread the word of TCM and to encourage all you film lovers who simply forget the channel exists or, heaven forbid, those of you without cable (shudder, you know who you are), that TCM alone is worth paying for television, especially since it usually isn't even a premium channel. For the month of August, TCM is changing its schedule a bit. Instead of simply having one star of the month, a theme of a month, and then their regular weekly noir, western and "import" selections, August is all about movie stars. Every day for 24 hours (from 6 AM-6 AM Eastern daily), TCM will feature a different star. For you John Wayne lovers … oops! His day was yesterday, and I just didn't get around to this post in advance. But there's still plenty of time to catch the great Barbara Stanwyck (tonight) and 29 other actors and actresses, many of whom put many of today's movie stars to shame. The full schedule is on TCM's web site. But I've highlighted films that should not be missed, if you have the chance … so get those DiVos/TiVos/Recordable DVDs/VCRs rolling. (Note, all times are Eastern; TCM has one feed, so adjust start time for your own time zone. Also, this is the whole month, but I'll try to repost the appropriate sections on a weekly basis because this puppy is looooong.): Aug. 2 -- Barbara Stanwyck: I always have to remind myself that TCM does not own the rights to every single film in the cinematic firmament. I assume that's the reason why they're not showing Double Indemnity, one of the definitive noirs with Stanwyck basically providing a lesson in the portrayal of a femme fatale. Still, if you've never seen a Preston Sturges film, you can watch one of his funniest – The Lady Eve – featuring the magnificent Stanwyck tonight at 10 PM. It's followed by one of her best-known movies at midnight, Stella Dallas Aug. 3 -- Bob Hope: Basically TCM is giving everyone an opportunity to relive all the Hope & Crosby "Road" pictures from the 40s and beyond, all pleasant little comedies that were among the most popular movies of their heyday. Aug. 4 -- Debbie Reynolds: Hands down, if you've actually never seen Singin' in the Rain, here's your chance at midnight. Easily (to my mind) the best movie musical ever made, I never tire of watching it. It also happens to contain a nice little lesson in the history of Hollywood, particularly the transition from silents to talkies. It's always fun, and in answer to the cinetrix's question from last week, I'm all about Donald O'Connor's slapstick, hysterical, athletic and dynamic "Make 'Em Laugh" number. And Gene Kelly ain't no slouch either. Aug. 5 -- Sidney Poitier: There's a great lineup of Poitier films even though his historic Oscar winning performance in Lillies of the Field isn't among them. I guess that's just a testament to the great work Poitier has given us over the years. Watching TCM from 2-10 PM will give you a pretty fascinating look at the development of race relations as well as the barriers Poitier helped demolished during this country's civil rights era. How does one choose among Blackboard Jungle, The Defiant Ones, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and In the Heat of the Night. Maybe by calling in for a sick day? Aug. 6 -- Lucille Ball: I will admit to being no great expert on many things, and one of those is the movie career of Ball. However, before I Love Lucy premiered in 1951, she appeared (at least according to IMDb in about 80 films. I've seen some of them – like Stage Door, not included in TCM's schedule – and it's fascinating to see Ball a) much younger and b) in a role other than the one she's so famous for. One Ball picture TCM will show is Yours, Mine and Ours, a nice little family comedy about a widower (Henry Fonda) and a widow who get married. The catch? He has 10 kids, she has 8. And then she gets pregnant! In case you're wondering, the answer is yes. This film was the inspiration for the sitcom that I know way too much about: The Brady Bunch. Aug. 7 -- Katharine Hepburn: I would suggest you watch everything. The day includes several of her classic parings with Spencer Tracy, including the film that started it all, Woman of the Year at 10:30 AM. But the definite "don't miss" entry in the program is the all-time classic The Philadelphia Story at 6 PM. It is both one of the greatest and possibly most influential romantic comedies of all time. Aug. 8 -- Clint Eastwood: This is why TCM is so fucking brilliant – their programming. If you watch the movies at 8 PM and 10 PM, you can see exactly why Eastwood is such an icon, especially of the more modern western. (You also may indirectly catch a glimpse of why I'm dying to see Kevin Costner in a western directed by Eastwood and not himself. If only Open Range … sigh ….) At 8 PM is A Fistful of Dollars, the first of Sergio Leone's "Man With No Name" trilogy which also includes most famously The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. It also was the film the popularized the "Spaghetti Western" and really made Eastwood into a Western hero. He had appeared in the TV series Rawhide, but before Leone's trilogy, he couldn't get starring film work. At 10 PM, TCM follows with Eastwood's Oscar-winning Unforgiven, the last great Western to hit movie screens. In Dollars you see the tough, unafraid, menacing Western loner of Eastwood in his youth; in Unforgiven you see the nearly broken and depressing future of a similar man, almost a film noir hero in the guise of a Western cowboy. It's awesome moviemaking, and a fabulous contrast. Aug. 9 -- Ava Gardner: If you know Gardner best because of her one year stint in the mid-80s on primetime soap Knots Landing, for shame. If you recognize her name because of her long-standing relationship with Frank Sinatra, well … less shame. But even so, you should get to know Gardner, one of the sexiest women to ever grace the silver screen, even if she wasn't always the most talented. You could have some mid-50s costume-drama fun at 10 PM with her turn as Quinevere in Knights of the Round Table, but if you want to see a great (yet often unrecognized) film and probably one of her best performances, stay up late (2 AM) and watch her in John Huston's film of Tennessee Williams' extraordinary play, The Night of the Iguana. Aug. 10 -- Henry Fonda: Fonda, like Jimmy Stewart, was one of film's great American "everymen." What's really noticeable to me are the films they're not showing, some of which – like 12 Angry Men -- I could have sworn I've seen on TCM before. No The Grapes of Wrath. No My Darling Clementine. No Mister Roberts. I suppose they show these films more often than some of the ones they have included, and Fonda permeates other stars days. He's Barbara Stanwyck's co-star in The Lady Eve and he faces off against Bette Davis later in the month in Jezebel, to name two instances. There are plenty of great movies on Fonda's day, but I'm going to highlight The Best Man at 3 PM. The film was based on Gore Vidal's play of the same name, and is a look into the "dirty side" of presidential politics from way back in 1964. It's obviously quite relevant today, but sadly enough, much of it seems quaint by comparison to what we've experienced in the past 10-15 years. Aug. 11 -- Jean Harlow: She died young at just 26 years of age, but Harlow appeared in over 40 films during her short career and was the original platinum blonde starlet. Arguably, she was also the ideal platinum blonde, even after death, at least until Marilyn Monroe showed up. The film Bombshell gave her (and future blondes) the nickname "blonde bombshell," and you can see why at 6:15 PM. At 8 PM, though, is the film that made her a star: (a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0020960/">Hell's Angels from 1930, one of only two films actually directed by Howard Hughes. It's no coincidence that Hughes' only other time in the director's chair was to introduce another beauty to the cinematic firmament – the stunning Jane Russell in the not-so-stunning The Outlaw. Aug. 12 -- Laurence Olivier: How does one pick a performance to watch from one of the greatest classically-trained actors who ever lived. I suppose it makes it easier to not be able to include Marathon Man, The Entertainer, Hamlet (his only actual Oscar win), Othello or Richard III. Not that showing A Bridge Too Far or Wuthering Heights (11 PM) is too shabby. If you're going to pick just one, though, stay up and at 1 AM watch a younger Olivier in Rebecca, one of Alfred Hitchcock's absolute best movie, even if it is not quite as famous to the masses. Aug. 13 -- Doris Day: What better way to counteract the unluckiest day on the calendar than by watching a bunch of Doris Day fluff, and I don't say that pejoratively. The hits of the Day canon are here, with the obvious "don't miss" being Pillow Talk at 10 PM. And just to change things up and see that she could do more than the fluff, stick around at midnight to see Day opposite Jimmy Stewart in the Hitchcock thriller, The Man Who Knew Too Much. Aug. 14 -- Humphrey Bogart: When you get to an icon like Bogart, you really should just stay home and watch the whole damn day. Dead End (6 AM), The Treasure of Sierra Madre (9:15 AM), The Maltese Falcon (2:30 PM), They Drive By Night (4:15 PM), High Sierra (6 PM), Casablanca (8 PM): these are all essentials to any true cinema lover. And missing, shockingly enough, is every paring of Bogie-and-Bacall. No To Have and Have Not, The Big Sleep or Key Largo. But whatever. I'd like to encourage everyone to watch the 1:30 AM entry though: In a Lonely Place. This is a fascinating noir from director Nicholas Ray with Bogie as an obsessive alcoholic screenwriter who falls for his neighbor Gloria Grahame after she helps him when he's suspected of murdering a young ingénue. It's got some classic lines that you can't imagine being said by anyone except Bogart, like, "It was his story against mine, but of course, I told my story better." And, "I was born when she kissed me. I died when she left me. I lived a few weeks while she loved me." And my absolute favorite of them all, Bogie says while being questioned by the police, "I didn't say I was a gentleman. I said I was tired." Priceless. Aug. 15 -- Burt Lancaster: I don't want to turn this into "look at what TCM isn't showing, and I'm guessing they absolutely must not have the rights to this, but … a day of Lancaster with no The Killers, which not only introduced the young actor to the world but remains one of his best roles and one of the top entries in the film noir canon? Never mind. There's plenty of great stuff on the schedule. If you're having trouble choosing, at midnight is his Oscar winning performance in the titular role of Elmer Gantry Aug. 16 -- Elvis Presley: See, TCM isn't all that pretentious. Here's a day for you Elvis lovers out there. I'll admit; I'm no Elvis fanatic. But Jailhouse Rock (8 PM) and Viva Las Vegas (10 PM) are fun enough and feature some great early Presley Rock N Roll. Aug. 17 -- Elizabeth Taylor: Whenever I see a young Taylor, I'm always struck by how utterly gorgeous she was. Even teenagers somehow looked older in the 50s, but when La Liz starred in the original Father of the Bride (11:15 AM), she was just 18 and she was as HOTT as Lohan or Bynes or Duff could ever hope to be. That became far more noticeable in color films that brought out her stunning eyes. She was also a talented actress, and while her deserved Oscar-win for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is not on the schedule (and neither is her previous debatable win for BUtterfield 8), her classic turn as "Maggie the Cat" opposite Paul Newman in Cat On a Hot Tin Roof is a definite "don't miss" at midnight. Aug. 18 -- Edward G. Robinson: Robinson is always identified with his role in one of the two early iconic gangster films, Little Caesar (6:30 PM), as well he should be. His performance as "Rico" helped define the gangster in movies maybe all the way up until The Godfather. But in over 90 films spanning over 40 years, he actually was a remarkably versatile actor who could do more than chomp on a cigar and act tough. His performances in The Sea Wolf (1:30 PM) and The Cincinnati Kid (11:15 PM) are great examples of this diversity. Aug. 19 -- Bette Davis: Like so many other people in this schedule, many of Davis' most well-known films are missing. No All About Eve, Dark Victory or Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?. The earliest of her films shown is also the one for which she received her second (and final) Oscar win: the fantastic Jezebel at 8 PM. Make it a double-feature and catch Now, Voyager immediately afterwards at 10 PM. Aug. 20 -- Peter Sellers: Whether or not this day includes the best movies possible, it certainly is comprised of some of the most entertaining. While there is (sadly) no Lolita or Being There, primetime is a series of comic classics starting with mystery spoof Murder By Death at 8 PM, and then three of the classic "Inspector Clouseau" movies: The Pink Panther (10 PM), The Pink Panther Strikes Again (Midnight) and Revenge of the Pink Panther (2 AM). They're also showing the if-you've-never-seen-it-you-better-watch Dr. Strangelove. And, if you want to see what all the Bond hubbub was about regarding Casino Royale, you can check it out at 11:30 AM. Aug. 21 -- James Stewart: Here's another day that you might as well watch from 6-6. Stewart was one of Hollywood's all-time great actors, and I'm not even going to bother with omissions from the schedule because there would always be so many. His day is actually programmed in a wonderful manner to showcase the variety of films and roles, while also highlighting some of his most famous. You've got Rope (12:45 PM), Vertigo (2:15 PM) and Rear Window (8PM) to fulfill the Hitchcock fix. While I might have picked The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence (especially since they didn't use it on John Wayne day), The Naked Spur (4:30 PM) – one of his great collaborations with Anthony Mann – and others are fair representatives of his role as a Western hero. A wonderful Ernst Lubitsch romantic comedy The Shop Around the Corner -- a film much better than the modern one it inspired -- You've Got Mail). And for you Donnie Darko fanatics out there (kinda sorta, but not really), at 2:15 AM, tune in to see cinema's original six-foot tall imaginary rabbit in Harvey. Aug. 22 -- Olivia de Havilland: This day is almost also dedicated to Errol Flynn since the two starred opposite each other in so many films. The Adventures of Robin Hood(8 PM) is probably their most famous, and I actually just happened to catch the General Custer "biopic" (they had a different idea of such a film in the 40s) They Died With Their Boots On (1:30 PM) recently myself. But if you want a really fun Flynn-de Havilland paring (their first one, I believe, featuring an 18 year old de Havilland), check out the 1935 swashbuckler Captain Blood (7:30 AM). True story: I first saw this film in a cinema studies class at NYU when for some reason Richard Dreyfuss was brought in as a guest-lecturer. Captain Blood is apparently one of his favorite films, so he chose to show it to us. TCM will also show Gone With the Wind at 4 PM. Aug. 23 -- Ginger Rogers: Obviously you've got plenty of Fred Astaire musicals included, and they're all worth seeing. Top Hat (11 AM) has always been a particular favorite of mine. But Rogers was also quite a talented actress in her own right. At 8 PM, check-out her Oscar winning role as the title character in Kitty Foyle. And then at 10 PM, see her star in The Major and the Minor, a film in which the 30-year-old Rogers is funny if not entirely convincing to anyone but the characters in the film as a 13 year old. Most notably, The Major and the Minor was only the second film directed by the great Billy Wilder. It's an interesting look at his directing style before it was perfected. Aug. 24 -- Charlie Chaplin: TCM has bundled the majority of Chaplin's classic "Little Tramp" silents into a period spanning from 8 PM to 2:30 AM. You could do worse than watch for the whole night starting at 8 PM with The Kid and continuing with The Gold Rush (9 PM), The Circus (10:15 PM), City Lights (11:30 PM) and Modern Times (1 AM). "The Little Tramp" famously made his final film appearance in Chaplin's 1940 Nazi Germany satire The Great Dictator (2:30 AM), a remarkable film from a historical perspective if you consider that by 1940 the US had yet to enter WWII and the true horror of Hitler's plans for the Jews was still years from being exposed to the world. One last highlight was also one of Chaplin's last films: Limelight (1:30 PM) not only tells the story of the decline of a famous comedian (paralleling Chaplin's own dwindling career) but it is also the sole moment in film history that Chaplin and his main silent-film rival Buster Keaton shared the screen. Aug. 25 -- Shirley Maclaine: Forget all the weird stuff that has come out of her mouth over the years, Maclaine has an outstanding filmography. She received her first of eventually six Oscar nominations in 1959 for Some Came Running (8 AM), but she never won until 1983's Terms of Endearment (1 AM). Still, the definite "don't miss" for her will always be Billy Wilder's The Apartment (3 PM), in her also Oscar-nominated role opposite the great Jack Lemmon, who shockingly is not represented this month. Aug. 26 -- Claudette Colbert: For some stupid reason, I always used to get Colbert mixed up with de Havilland. I've managed to stop doing that in more recent years, thankfully. I actually haven't seen most of the films on TCM's schedule for this day, but an obvious one for those of you who haven't seen any is Frank Capra's It Happened One Night in which Colbert's runaway heiress fights against Clark Gable's newspaperman, before they obviously fall in love. It Happened One Night was actually mentioned repeatedly at the Oscars in 1992 because until The Silence of the Lambs came along, it was the only film in history to sweep the Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Screenplay awards. Aug. 27 -- Cary Grant: The people behind De-Lovely like to make the point that their film is a true representation of songwriter Cole Porter's life because it doesn't shy away from his homosexuality. They say that specifically because of Night and Day (11:30 AM) in which Grant takes his own stab at portraying Porter, albeit in a highly fictionalized, and cleaned-up, version of his life. The two highlights (albeit somewhat obvious ones) of the day for me would have to be North By Northwest (2 PM) and Arsenic and Old Lace (6 PM). Aug. 28 -- Gary Cooper: I actually often find Cooper a little bland, but in his best roles, he used that dry, sometimes monotonous delivery to the benefit of the overall film. And looking at the full schedule for Gary Cooper day, it's hard to refute the impact he and his films had on Hollywood. There are three "don't miss" movies being shown by TCM, the most important of them being High Noon at 8 PM. Easily one of the best Westerns of all time, it was also a highly political polemic against McCarthyism and all forms of "witch-hunt" mob mentality. In a society where honest disagreement actually leads some people to call others unpatriotic, High Noon is as relevant today as it always was. I would also encourage you to catch his moving portrayal of Lou Gehrig in The Pride of the Yankees (even those Red Sox fans out there) at 11:15 PM. And you Adam Sandler fans who thought Mr. Deeds was so funny, take a look at the original Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1:30 AM). It may be simpler and not as whacky, and it's definitely a bit quaint and dated, but it's also from the mid-30s and quite simply, it's just a better movie. Aug. 29 -- Gregory Peck: Peck was well-known for playing the noble hero, the defender of the defenseless, the champion to the underserved. In Gentleman's Agreement (not on the TCM schedule), he played a journalist who goes undercover as a Jew to blow open rampant anti-Semitism. The whole concept seems funny now, but it was that kind of role that Peck made the hallmark of his career. The most notable example, of course, being his Oscar-winning portrayal of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird which airs at 10 PM. But this evening presents a great double-bill as well if you start at 8 PM with the original Cape Fear in which Peck played the lawyer whose family is terrorized by an absolutely riveting Robert Mitchum. Aug. 30 -- Esther Williams: Of all 31 stars on this schedule, Williams is the one with whom I'm least familiar. She was the queen of the swimming/bathing beauty movie musicals, and plenty of them are on hand on this day. In fact, I think I've only seen one of the movies on the schedule, and I don't know that Williams even puts on a bathing suit. Take Me Out to the Ballgame (3:!5 PM) is a fun little musical comedy romp also starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Betty Garrett and directed by the legendary Busby Berkeley, although it was at the end of his career. If you want to check-out Williams, start there. If you want to see one of her swimming flicks, give Million Dollar Mermaid a try. It's directed by Mervyn LeRoy, but Berkeley apparently helped choreograph the swimming numbers. Aug. 31 -- Kirk Douglas: Is it the end of the month already? My how time flies. With Douglas, TCM definitely saved one of the best for last, giving us a great lineup. My personal "don't mss" will be The Bad and the Beautiful (2 PM) because I've wanted to see it for a long time and never have. I have a thing for movies about the movies and Hollywood (hence my worshipping of Sunset Blvd.), and Vincente Minnelli's film is often considered one of the best. But wait, there's more. See Minnelli direct Douglas again a the actor brings the life of Vincent van Gogh to the screen in Lust For Life (11:30 AM). And at 6:30 PM is Stanley Kubrick's masterful early war film Paths of Glory (6:30 PM). But the noir-addict in me can't help but demand that you watch Out of the Past at 12:15 AM. This film was just released on DVD, and I wrote a bit about it recently. It's one of the two or three most important (and best) films of the noir grouping (I hesitate to call noir a specific genre because it can span so many), and Douglas is simply remarkable in it. Well that's it for the month, and I'm obviously crazy for having done this. But check out some of these films, and you'll start to appreciate TCM just like I do. Aaron, are you trying to kill me or something? What if I try to get cable and my cable provider doesn't offer TCM? Actually, one candidate for my UFF geek schwag might be my excellent TCM film noir magnets from the Summer of Darkness five years ago. Or maybe the miniature "The Red Violin"--complete with micro instrument case... I'll stop now. I am such a geek. Posted by: cinetrix \| Tuesday, August 03, 2004 at 03:49 PM All a-Twitter by @AaronOOF WriMoBloPo 2019 Day 4 Day 1: So Many Drafts, So Few Posts (Wishing I could wish) Happy birthday Dad: An overdue memorial, first in a series? Writing Remains Hard: The All-in-One Sequel, Remake, and Reboot The Return of the Birthday Post (My 6th Jack Benny Birthday) An Appreciation for Susan Smith On the "Breaking Bad" finale - Walt didn't win: Don't forget Walter Jr. Trusting Douglas Adams on the Importance of 42: The 10th Annual birthday post on my fourth Jack Benny birthday The oldest of them all: The history (and rivalry) between Showtime & HBO (thoughts spurred by a conversation with Showtime) The changing landscape of cable channels & their programming (thoughts spurred by a conversation with Sundance Channel) Is the "Third Golden Age of Television" the new '90s Indie Film phenomenon? Let's talk to some cable execs and find out! Selling out	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498835
__label__wiki	0.968323	0.968323	Silver family Silver wills Chevington Wickhambrook Suffolk Nunns Dinmore Nunns Rockhampton Nunns Contact Warren Rockhampton Cokers Coker baptisms Boolburra Gogango Range rail tunnel Dobbs family Published: 08 January 2015 08 January 2015 Gordon David (Bunny) Nunn, family man and extraordinary athlete Gordon David Nunn, known as Bunny. ©Warren Nunn, oznunns.com (First published 8 Jan 2015; updates—21 November 2015, 30 January 2016, 5 April 2016). Gordon David (Bunny) NUNN (1927-2008), the son of Victor Burnie NUNN and Eliza Heather DOBBIE, was one of Australia’s leading sportsmen of the 1940s and 50s. His success as a football (soccer) player for his club team (St Helens1), his city (Ipswich), his state (Queensland) and his country (Australia) confirm his place as an individual who would have been an elite sportsman in any era. Bunny’s physical talents made him a sharpshooter in front of goal and from the time he started kicking the round ball at primary school, he scored goals—hundreds of them—in playing against the best in Australia and from other nations. In one season at Bundamba school he slotted 48 goals, a record for a schoolboy at that time. Why Bunny? Bunny was a difference maker and was on the winning side more often than not; and mainly because of the rare gifts he brought to the pitch. The nickname Bunny has an obvious connection to the Nunn surname and there have been several Bunny Nunns. In a conversation I had with Bunny in 1998, he told me his dad’s brother Cecil was the ‘first’ Bunny in their family and he too acquired the nickname. The fact was well known at the time because Cecil was also a fine footballer and represented Queensland before his nephew did.2 Looking through the newspaper reports of the day gives a wonderful picture of his achievements. An immediate impact In the only mention of the then 16-year-old Bunny Nunn in May 1943, The Queensland Times newspaper reported that he scored a goal in his club side St Helens’ 2-0 win over Blackstone Rovers.3 Some of the first of thousands of words to be written about the talented teenager were: Bunny Nunn, however, caught the goalie on the wrong foot and scored the first goal for Saints.3 Presumably this was one of his first appearances in the top grade even though the obituary published after his passing in 2008 reported that his debut was in 1945 as a 17-year-old.4 Because the official premiership competition was suspended for a couple of seasons during war-time (1942-43 according to one website)5, it’s debatable what year should be assigned as his first-class debut. Five goals on a losing team Putting aside what the official records say, Bunny arrived with a bang—and five goals—in the 1944 season according to the first reported premiership match in which he played on 10 June 1944.6 Bunny’s team St Helens lost by one to Y.M.C.A. in a game in which 15 goals were scored. In the next six games, Bunny added another 26 goals including an incredible eight in a 10-1 romp over Blackstone Rovers.7 In the match that confirmed St Helens as 1944 premiers, Bunny slotted four goals past the keeper.8 It also has to be remembered that Bunny may have scored other goals in premiership games but without an official or newspaper account of it, this record of his achievements is incomplete. In 1945, Bunny added at least 22 goals to his tally for St Helens despite several months’ absence for military service when he joined the RAAF in May. He did return for the final match of the season on 18 August which confirmed St Helens as premiers.9 Bunny netted three goals in a 6-1 result. [As an aside, Bunny’s second cousin Arnold Nunn recalls visiting him at Ipswich when he too was in the RAAF during the war. Arnold was based at Amberley after returning from active duty in New Guinea and spent time visiting Bunny and Doug Nunn and their parents Vic and Heather. On one occasion Arnold, Bunny and Doug were playing soccer inside a church hall and some windows were ‘damaged’. Bunny’s grandfather David (aka Dick) and Arnold’s grandfather Arthur along with several other Nunn brothers were keen cricketers at Dinmore in the late 1890s.] Lean season In the nine reports found of club matches played in 1946, Bunny had a lean season by his prolific scoring standards with only 11 goals. It seems that St Helens’ fortunes depended very much on Bunny’s boot because they did not win the premiership that season; it went to Y.M.C.A.10 In 1948, his exploits helped St Helens win the premiership, the Hilton Shield and the Tristram Shield.13 The Tristram Shield was a prestigious knockout club competition, and the Hilton Shield seems to have been played for along similar lines. Bunny did reach a significant milestone in 1947 when he notched his 100th goal in first division—and he did it in style with a hat-trick.11 One report also noted that Bunny had notched a season tally of 36 goals in 16 games.12 As best can be ascertained, Bunny took to 40 his total of goals for the season and was, of course, the leading scorer. The goals kept flowing and included five in a game against Eastern Suburbs,14 plus hat-tricks against Bundamba,15 Dinmore,16 Y.M.C.A.17 and Thistle.18 Offers to play elsewhere Bunny’s prodigious talents brought offers to play interstate and overseas. He apparently never considered leaving Australia but did seriously consider moving to Sydney in 1949 when the Metters club based at Canterbury pursued his signature. Bunny even flew to Sydney in April and actually played in a premiership match putting away a signature goal in a 2-1 win over Granville.19 This was an intense time for Bunny as another Sydney club (Drummoyne) and a Brisbane club (Corinthians) also tried to convince him to join them.19 As it turns out, Bunny had no choice but to stay with his mates at Ebbw Vale where St Helens was based because the Ipswich Soccer Management Committee applied their rule that a player was barred from transferring to another club after half the season's game had been played.20 There was also a young lady named Elizabeth Grieve Smith21 who had attracted his attention and to whom he was married in February 1950.22 Despite the distractions, 1949 was another productive year as the goals continued to flow. It was reported in early May23 that his season tally had reached 19 and many more flowed including five in a game against Corinthians.24 The Sunday Mail newspaper reported that he actually scored six times24 but, having worked in newspapers for 40-plus years including for the aforesaid publication, mistakes do happen. In researching Bunny’s career, I have seen several errors in newspaper reports including Bunny’s first name being given as George25 instead of Gordon. As well, The Sydney Morning Herald also reported that “George” Nunn had already signed on to play with Metters.26 Family comes first Bunny and Betty obviously planned to have a family and that may have weighed heavily on a young man not sure about moving away from familiar surroundings—and extended family. There is a clear insight into Bunny's character to be found in an article27 that appeared in a small Sunshine Coast-based publication The Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser. A Perc Allen “interviewed” Bunny and Betty on their honeymoon at Maroochydore and wrote: At ‘Seaspray’, Maroochydore, I met Mr. G. (“Bunny”) Nunn, famous Soccer footballer, who has been selected to represent Australia in the visit to South Africa. I found “Bunny” a softly spoken, athletic looking man, who was enjoying his honeymoon at Maroochydore. He told me he had recently married Miss Betty Smith, of Darra, and regretted he would be unable to take her with him to South Africa. He leaves in about four weeks’ time. The stay in South Africa will be about three months, during which five tests will be played, he told me. “I have played Soccer football since I was knee high to a grasshopper,” said “Bunny”. He has been playing international football for the past four years. He went to New Zealand with the Australian team in 1948 and has played against South Africa, New Zealand and Yugoslavia in Australia. “Bunny” plays in the “centre pin” position of centre forward with the St. Helens Club at Bundamba.28 Asked if he could tell of any amusing incidents, he said the most amusing he could remember at the time was one at Auckland where the Aussies won by 9 goals to 1. During the match a penalty was awarded Auckland for an infringement by an Australian player. While the Australian goalkeeper was placing himself in readiness for the shot, the Auckland player kicked the ball through the goal and the referee said "goal". No whistle had been blown, permitting the ball to be kicked, and the incident was so humorous the Australians did not protest. In reply to further questions, Mr. Nunn said he had made his first trip to Maroochydore, which he thought was a grand place for a holiday, in his single days, he said, he went to the South Coast, but that was too noisy for a married man. He now preferred the quiet of our seaside resort. “I’ll be back one of these days,” said “Bunny”.27 Significant goal tally It has been reported that Bunny scored about 700 goals in his career including a record 89 for St Helens in 1950 plus another 20 (Alan Fouche’s obituary4 says it was 18) for Australia on their tour to South Africa.29 With his wife Betty pregnant, Bunny finally decided to accept an offer to switch from his beloved St Helens and play with Caledonians30 in 1951; not 1953 as my erstwhile colleague Alan Fouche reported in his excellent obituary about Bunny.4 I can assure readers that Alan Fouche would be unhappy that anything was incorrect in an article to which he put his name. He was a consummate wordsmith and had a marvellous eye for picking up errors of fact, spelling or grammar. In his defence, he would have been relying on a number of sources including a file of newspaper clippings that Queensland Newspapers kept on Bunny. I scanned through the clippings many years ago but took no notes at the time. Signing bonus In the obituary, Alan Fouche quoted Bunny speaking of his time with Caledonians: “I signed on for one pound and threepence a game,” he later recalled, “which to me was a lot of money in those days.”4 But, to further underscore what I previously stated about what players actually said and how newspapers recorded them, a 1989 report in The Sunday Mail by another of my former colleagues Tom Linneth, quotes Bunny giving different details about the switch to Caledonians.29 It was a point of contention because it cost Bunny the chance of playing for Australia at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. Of the situation, Tom Linneth wrote, quoting Bunny: Nunn was ruled ineligible because he had turned professional with the Brisbane club Caledonians. “I signed on for 20 pounds and three pounds a game,” he said, “which to me was a lot of money in those days. I had a young family to support and there were not too many opportunities to get a few bob31 out of the game. It helped to give me a better start as I wanted to make my family future more secure.”29 And little wonder Bunny took up the offer given the various factors at play including that it was post-war, his first child had just been born and the representative matches for which he was selected required much time away from work and family including three months in South Africa. In those days players would not have been as richly rewarded as they now are. Team struggles Brothers David (aka Dick, left) and Arthur Nunn. First cousins Vic (left) and George Nunn, sons of David and Arthur. Second cousins Bunny Nunn (left) and Gordon Nunn, respective sons of Vic and George Nunn and grandsons of David and Arthur. Bunny’s departure had an immediate impact on St Helens’ fortune and—after just one season—it was facing relegation from the top grade as The Queensland Times30 noted in July 1951: The Ebbw Vale team has an impressive record over the past four seasons, as in 1947 and 1949 it won the first division premiership and the Hilton and Tristram Shields. In 1949 it was again successful, winning the two shields—the Tristram Shield outright. This season, their key attacking forward, Gordon “Bunny” Nunn transferred to Caledonians, and since then St Helens have made many experiments, but up to date none can be considered to have been successful.30 Bunny actually spent three seasons with Caledonians but did not enjoy the same team success—as far as premierships go—that he’d had with St Helens although he kept up his goal-scoring ways netting at least 27 in his first season. A report from May 195132 said his season tally to that point was 22. To that he added four goals in June33 and another in September.34 Again, without newspaper reports, there is no way I have of knowing if he scored more goals but it’s almost certain that he did. In October, Bunny’s Caledonians played a 2-2 draw35 with his old club St Helens in the Hilton Shield final. Bunny’s older brother Doug36 played on the wing for St Helens that day. How others saw Bunny In 2015, I spoke with Jim Walker who also played at St Helens at the same time as Bunny. He said Bunny should be remembered as much for the great player he was as the man he was. “He could fire them from everywhere and loved to interchange with the winger,” he said. And Jim clearly remembers what he described as the best goal he’s ever seen: “Bunny trapped the ball at the 18-yard line with his back to the goal; he pivoted on his left leg and turned in one movement; the ball falling on top of his foot and ending up in the top corner of the net.” In 1952, Bunny had another highly productive season with Caledonians having 53 goals in the bag by early August.37 Bunny polished off the 1953 season with eight goals in the final two games38 and advance to 59 his tally. Goal orientated A former Australia Soccer Federation chairman Ian Brusasco—who also played against Bunny—once said that the striker had an insatiable appetite for goal-scoring.29 “Bunny was one of the all-time great attacking players. If it was on for a goal then Bunny Nunn wanted it. He fought tooth and nail to get a crack at goal.”29 And, like the legendary Argentine player Diego Maradona, Bunny also fooled the referee by punching the ball into the net for a goal, something to which he ruefully confessed in 1989.29 In 1954, Bunny was back with St Helens and notched 16 goals in the nine club matches for which reports can be found.39,40,41,41,43,44,45,46,47 There were a couple of newspaper reports48,49 in 1954 that Bunny had quit representative football but that did not happen because in July, Bunny surprised everyone by announcing that would play on.50 Slowing with age He had been battling an ankle injury and missed several club games so perhaps this was a factor in his initial decision to retire. Because there are no digitised records yet available from 1955 onwards, I have no specific references to newspaper reports for a significant part of Bunny’s career but, for those interested, this link will take you to the spreadsheet I prepared for the years 1943 to 1954. He went on to have many more successful seasons and was most proud of his achievements as the coach of Queensland’s team in 1962 as he presided over three wins against New South Wales.29 Bunny’s international career was significant and, according to one website,51 he played for Australia 27 times scoring 18 goals. I have found newspaper reports for 19 internationals and several other games in which Australia played various teams. Rolling retirement After he cut ties with soccer, Bunny turned his energies to lawn bowls at which he enjoyed considerable success, no doubt because of his undiminished natural sporting acumen. [NOTE: Bunny Nunn and the author’s father are second cousins and share the same name: Gordon David Nunn. The large image above as well as this link explains show they relate. Bunny was born 9 May 1927 (died 13 Sep 2008) and Gordon on 15 May 1925 (died 8 June 1975 in an accident).] UPDATE: In a book called A History of Ipswich Soccer, there’s a section that mentions several Nunns who represented Ipswich. I’ve included links from the named individuals to their family tree pages. It’s interesting that Alf Nunn (son of Amos Nunn) who was a brother of the best-known Bunny’s grandfather David (aka Dick) is referred to as the first “Bunny” because that tag was thought to belong to Alf’s first cousin Cec Nunn. The excerpt reads: The Nunns These came from several families at Dinmore and Booval - all related. The first to make his mark as a player was Alf - the original “Bunny”. He played for Rats and, as a winger, for Ipswich against New South Wales in 1912. Dick Nunn’s sons, Roy, Vic, Arn, Cec all played a part, Cec being a State player. Vic’s son, Gordon and Doug, both played with Saints, Gordon (‘Bunny’) being the greatest of the Nunns. A centreforward of outstanding goal scoring ability, he played in 16 Test Matches for Australia, as well as 11 international games, scoring 18 goals for his country. (A snippet from his past, I have been given is that Bunny’s grandfather Jim Dobbie of the early 1890’s was a strong ‘shooter’). From the Dinmore area came Eric (an International and Interstate left half; he took Alec Gibb’s place in the Queensland team in the 20’s), his brothers Bill, Frank, and Dud, the last named playing with Saints as an outside left. Eric also served as an interstate selector in the 1950’s. ©Warren Nunn, oznunns.com (2015) St Helens was based at Ebbw Vale, Ipswich, Queensland, but Bunny also played with Brisbane clubs Caledonians and Azzurri and had one game for Sydney club Metters. See Ref 20. Sportographs. (1952, November 15). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5 Edition: Daily.. Retrieved January 10, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article122034747. Soccer opens with one match. (1943, May 24). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 3 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 8, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article114003867. Fouche, A., Soccer icon loved bowls. (2008, Oct 27). The Courier-Mail (Brisbane), p. 61. thewashingline.footballbrisbane.com.au. High scoring in soccer. (1944, June 11). Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld. : 1926 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved January 8, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97940791. Scored 8 Goals At Soccer. (1944, July 16). Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld. : 1926 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved January 8, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97947984. Soccer title to St. Helens. (1944, August 6). Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld. : 1926 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved January 8, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97942311. Weekend sports on various fields. (1945, August 20). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 3 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 8, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article114608561. Soccer Premiership won on Averages. (1946, August 11). Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld. : 1926 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved January 8, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article98376544. St. Helens unbeatable in soccer premiership. (1947, August 18). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 7 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved January 8, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article118393972. Nunn scores 100 goals in soccer. (1947, August 17). Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld. : 1926 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved January 8, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article98322643. St. Helens win soccer shield with late goal. (1947, September 26). The Courier- Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), p. 3 Supplement: Sporting supplement. Retrieved January 8, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49321149. St. Helens, Bundamba Rangers in soccer wins. (1948, May 24). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 8 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article125587861. Three get hat-trick in soccer. (1948, April 25). Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld. : 1926 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98318633. Soccer—Three local teams have Tristram Shield wins. (1948, July 12). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article117106198. Rangers upset by soccer tail-enders. (1948, July 19). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 6 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article117111864. Saints’ soccer shield record. (1948, July 25). Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld. : 1926 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article98324635. G. Nunn Most Sought After Soccer Player. (1949, May 12). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 3 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article117084832. Nunn Move (1949, May 28). Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1954), p. 16. Retrieved April 5, 2016, from nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212269449. oznunns.com. Wedding. (1950, March 10). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article124640180. Rovers-Saints soccer match “crowd pleaser”. (1949, May 9). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 3 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article117096397. Soccer Football Field day for Nunn against Corinthians. (1949, July 25). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article124632892. Nunn scores 6 more goals. (1949, July 24). Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld. : 1926 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98290707. Metters Gains Test Forward. (1949, April 29). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18113265. To Play Soccer In South Africa. (1950, March 17). Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser (Qld. : 1922 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78381997. St Helens was actually based at Ebbw Vale, an adjoining suburb to Bundamba. See https://goo.gl/maps/YnkOV. Linneth, T., Nunn no bunny at goal nets. (1989, October 27).The Sunday Mail (Brisbane). Main soccer interest now on relegation. (1951, July 19). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 6 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118227911. To those who may not know, the phrase “a few bob” referred to money; a bob meaning a shilling. Blackstone leads in soccer shield. (1951, May 14). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 4 Edition: Daily.. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124622859. Football. (1951, June 10). Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld. : 1926 - 1954), p. 14. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98341607. Blackstone have easy win in soccer fixture. (1951, June 18). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 6 Edition: Daily.. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124620774. Soccer Play-off to decide Hilton Shield final. (1951, October 1). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 4 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118228124. Nunn out of team. (1952, August 19). The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50531891. Rovers get 3 Soccer wins. (1953, September 20). Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld. : 1926 - 1954), p. 29. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article98276735. Soccer Cup. (1954, March 29). The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50587277. Soccer: S. Kitching nets five good goals. (1954, April 5). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118240886. Soccer football Rats earned big win over Saints. (1954, April 12). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118238327. Rovers down Rats: Rangers, Saints win. (1954, May 10). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118258776. Rats-Thistle now share soccer lead. (1954, June 21). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118258990. . Rangers-Saints played hard tie. (1954, June 28). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 3 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118257294. . Rats too good for “Callies”. (1954, July 5). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118257144. . Rovers won great game. (1954, July 12). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article118248934. . Record crowd saw Saints win soccer. (1954, July 19). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5 Edition: Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118248717. Soccer. (1954, May 13). Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1885 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved January 10, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62515595. Nunn Out Of ‘Big’ Soccer. (1954, May 13). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) , p. 12. Retrieved January 10, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134657164. Big Soccer surprise; Nunn back. (1954, July 6). The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved January 10, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article50595776. http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Player s/N/NU.html. Saving... Send Comments powered by CComment My latest Obsessed older man pursued vulnerable teenager Five Coker sisters baptised the same day Jonathan Nunn war medals George Nunn, Chevington carrier Gordon David (Bunny) Nunn Whitwood cricket Gordon David Nunn Annette Margaret Nunn Dinmore images Les Deakin David Campbell junior William Troden Coker baptisms Tower Hamlets James Aldridge (1793 - 1871) Thomas Nunn (1656 - ?) Thomas Nunn (1684-1729) John Nunn (1715-1777) John Nunn (1743 - 1822) Abraham Nunn (1797-1881) Henry Aldridge's memoirs Rex Newsome on his grandparents Arthur and Ellen... Rex Newsome looks back on visits to his Nunn grandparents Rex Newsome, (1932-2013) the son of E... Gordon David (Bunny) Nunn, family man and extraordinary athlete Gordon David Nunn, known as&nb... Gordon David Nunn main image in 1953/54 with his wife June and fi... Click for bigger image. Nunn brothers of Dinmore, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia, a... Arnold Nunn on grandparents Arthur and Ellen Nunn... Arnold Nunn recalls (scroll down for photo gallery) By Warren Nunn Arnold Nunn has fond memori... Nev Deakin on Arthur and Ellen Nunn Nev Deakin on his Nunn grandparents, his mother’s siblings and fishing on Rockhampton's Fitzroy Rive...	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498836
__label__wiki	0.54647	0.54647	Tag: jody miller-young BARK & SWAGGER: The Queen of Pinups and Pitbulls: A Champion’s Story bark & swagger, jody miller-young, pet life radio Radio Host, Jody Miller-Young Pet Fashion Blogger/Radio Host interviewed our founder, Deirdre. From pinup model to model citizen for Pitbulls, Deirdre “Little Darling” Franklin, founder of Pinups for Pitbulls, is advocating for and educating about America’s Family Dog in creative, kitschy calendars, books and fun merchandise, showcasing them as the loving, sweet, goofy dogs they are. But, its not all fun at the ranch; Franklin also has a masters in public policy and she’s using it to fight breed specific legislation around the world. Lots of stories that will enlighten and inspire. Deirdre is a one of a kind and my kind of gal. Deirdre Franklin is the founder, president, and soul behind Pinups for Pitbulls, Inc., an education and advocacy group that helps shelters and animal rescues around the country. She earned her Master’s degree in public policy at Drexel University and wrote her thesis on breed discriminatory laws. She has garnered many accolades for her efforts in dog advocacy, including the Wallace Award, by championing the relationship in the human-canine bond. She lives in Asheville, NC.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498839
__label__cc	0.695111	0.304889	The Badness of Grief: A Moderate Defence of the Stoic View We can think about grief in different ways. The most obvious might be to think of it as a psychological phenomenon. When we do this we should avoid the mistake of thinking that grief is some singular psychological state. It is not. It is, rather, a complex concatenation of them. It is characterised by depression or sadness, but also by anger, guilt, shame, longing and so on. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross popularised the ‘five-stage’ model of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance), which captures this ‘complex process’ idea, though her particular model has been widely rejected. Most people do not experience grief in this linear sequence. We can also think about grief as a social phenomenon. There are many complex rituals and protocols associated with grief. If you have recently experienced a bereavement, you will be struck by the number of expectations that will be foisted upon you. You will be expected to behave and act in a particular way. People will expect you to be sad, heartbroken, unable to face the day. They will be surprised, perhaps even judgmental, if you do not cry. In some societies, the rituals are very carefully prescribed: there are specific mourning periods that must be observed and clothes that must be worn. The social expectations of grief are frustrating — at least in my experience — as they can induce a sense of anxiety or guilt if you fail to live up to them. Why can’t I cry? Why can’t I feel sad? Is there something wrong with me? This mental anguish again prompts the question: is grief worth it? If it causes so much pain and anxiety, would we better off without it? I considered the case for grief in a previous post. In this post, I want to consider the case against it. This case rejects the social expectations of grief and encourages us to reevaluate our psychological reactions to death. It is often associated with the ancient philosophical tradition of Stoicism. One of Seneca’s letters to his friend Lucilius (letter 63) famously counsels against grief and highlights its destructive potential. But similar views can be found in other ancient traditions. In his article ‘Neither Bereavement or Grief’, Yao-ming Tsal defends the Buddhist tradition of ‘not-grief’ as being a healthier and more adaptive response to the death of a loved one. And in her discussion of grief in the Zhuangzi (the key text of the Daoist tradition) Amy Olberding notes that several of the sages depicted in the text, along with Zhuangzi himself, seemed to warn against grief. For want of a better name, let’s call this the ‘anti-grief’ view. It can be characterised in the following manner: Anti-grief: Grief is, on balance, a bad thing; it is maladaptive and, ultimately, destructive; it would be better if we could minimise the extent to which we experience it in our lives. Since it has an ancient pedigree, and has attracted different people, living in different geographical and cultural regions, you might think that the anti-grief view must have something going for it. But it faces stiff and obvious opposition. To many, it seems inhuman and cold. If you do not grieve the loss of a close friend or relative, then you must not have really loved them in the first place: Inhumanity Critique: A person who minimised the experience of grief would not live a full human life; they would not truly experience the joys of attachment and intimacy that are integral to a well-lived life. The Inhumanity Critique has considerable appeal. And if you would like to read a longer defence of it, I would suggest reading my earlier analysis of the arguments from Michael Cholbi and Amy Olberding. But in the remainder of this post, I want to offer a modest defence of the anti-grief stance. I do so partly because think there is much to be said in its favour and partly because I think the Inhumanity Critique can be deflected. Indeed, I believe that the defenders of grief and its opponents can, to a considerable extent, be accused of talking past each other. There is much more common ground between their positions than might be first thought. To illustrate this thesis, I want to consider four arguments in favour of the anti-grief view. 1. Argument One: Proponents of the Anti-Grief View are not Inhuman This first argument will seem a little weak, but it warms us up for the more serious arguments that are to come. It is simply that, contrary to what their opponents claim, many of the famous defenders of the anti-grief position were not cold, robotic and inhuman in their behaviour. They were often compassionate, generous and kindly. They did not argue that we should avoid all friendships and attachments. They often cultivated and nurtured such relationships themselves. Seneca had many close friends — it would be hard to make sense of his letters to Lucilius if you thought they were the product of someone who did not care about others. The same goes for Zhuangzi. Furthermore, they did not argue for the total eradication of grief. They merely argued for its moderation. They suggested that we allow ourselves to experience the ‘natural’ or ‘instinctual’ forms of grief, but warned against getting too carried away by our own emotions and their social performance. Seneca was very clear about this: I can scarcely venture to demand that you should not grieve at all — and yet I am convinced that it is better that way. But who will ever be granted that strength of character, unless he be a man already lifted far out of fortune’s reach?….When one has lost a friend, one’s eyes should be neither dry nor streaming. Tears, yes, there should be, but not lamentation…Would you like to know what lies behind extravagant weeping and wailing? In our tears we are trying to find means of proving that we feel the loss. We are not being governed by our grief but parading it. (Seneca, Letter 63) I will say more about the excesses of grief below. For now, I just want to emphasise the important and subtle point that I think Seneca is making here. He is saying that we should expect to experience some grief — that it is natural and that we lack the ability to completely eliminate it — but we must be careful not to wallow in it; to ‘parade it’ for the benefit of others and ourselves; to prove how much we care. This advice resonates with me. In the aftermath of my sister’s death I certainly felt the temptation to perform my grief for others. There is something soothing about being the object of other’s pity, and to feel pity for oneself. I think it is important to avoid this. This is taking us away, slightly, from the original point. That point is simply that proponents of the anti-grief view are not the inhuman monsters they are sometimes accused of being. Seneca says some things which, when taken out of context, can seem inhuman (such as arguing that Lucilius should replace his dead friend Flaccus with another fried as soon as possible). But in the overall context of the letter, he is not completely against grief. He says that he himself experienced sorrow when his friend Annaeus Serenus died. In this he was similar to Zhuangzi who, as Amy Olberding points out, also experienced grief after his wife died. The critic could argue that these examples prove nothing. They just show that Seneca and Zhuangzi were inconsistent in their behaviour. We don’t care about that. It’s their philosophy that is being criticised, not their behaviour. We know that humans often fail to live up to their stated principles. The critic might even go further and argue that Seneca and Zhuangzi’s behaviour demonstrates the impossibility of their position: it is simply not possible for humans not to experience grief. They are hoists on their own petard. But I think a more charitable interpretation is in order. The very fact that neither Seneca nor Zhuangzi seemed to be the inhuman monster you might expect them to be suggests that they did not intend for their position to be the cold, unemotional caricature that it is often presented as being. They were arguing for something more subtle and sophisticated. The three remaining arguments might help to reveal what that was. 2. Argument Two: Deeper Attunement to the Metaphysics of Reality The second argument is the one that interests me the most. It claims that proponents of the anti-grief view are trying to foster within us a deeper attunement to the metaphysics of reality. They think that this deeper attunement will enable us to feel more at home in the world, and less vulnerable to negative emotions like fear and anxiety. I use the unfamiliar word ‘attunement’ deliberately. I think this really gets to the heart of what Stoicism, Daoism and Buddhism were all about. Their advice about attitudes to death and grief were grounded in more fundamental* beliefs about the nature of reality. But they didn’t want us to accept those propositions on a merely intellectual level; they wanted us to incorporate them into our daily habits and routines. This is what I try to capture by using the word ‘attunement’. The argument for attunement takes some unpacking so I will try to develop it slowly. One thing that is noticeable about many memoirs of grief is how they frequently share the sense that the death of a loved one was a ‘rupture’ in the ordinary structure of reality. One of my favourite explorations of this is Joan Didion’s discussion in the The Year of Magical Thinking, a book written in the year after her husband died from a heart attack. They were having dinner at the time. In an ordinary moment, her life changed dramatically. She observes how people commonly draw attention to how normal everything was in the lead-up to tragedies of this sort, and how troubling the ordinariness of it seems to be when it comes to accepting what happened: It was in fact the ordinary nature of everything preceding the event that prevented me from truly believing it had happened, absorbing it, incorporating it, getting past it. I realize now that there was nothing unusual in this: confronted with sudden disaster we all focus on how unremarkable the circumstances were in which the unthinkable occurred, the clear blue sky from which the plane fell, the routine errand that ended on the shoulder with the car in flames… “He was on his way home from work — happy, successful, healthy — then gone”, I read in the account of a psychiatric nurse whose husband was killed in a highway accident. In 1966, I happened to interview many people who had been living in Honolulu on the morning of December 7, 1941; without exception, these people began their accounts of Pearl Harbor by telling me what an “ordinary Sunday morning” it had been. (Didion 2005, 4) Again, this resonates with me. My own reflections on my sister’s death dwell on the ordinariness of it all. It was an ordinary day in March when I learned she was first admitted to hospital. It had been an ordinary Sunday evening when I got the call that she had died. Hours before her death I was told that she was laughing and singing with her family in her kitchen. Going through her ordinary routine. Although she had been diagnosed with a serious illness, there was nothing to suggest that the rupture in the fabric of existence would come so quickly. And yet, when you think about it, this sense that death comes ‘out of the ordinary’ is very odd. Death is everywhere. We all know that we will die, that illness and death can strike at any time. News broadcasts are filled with families that have been struck by sudden (and not so sudden) tragedy. Their grief is ‘paraded’ for our entertainment. We live in a world of constant change and chaos. The odds are against us all. Why should we assume that we, or our families and friends, will be spared? We need to capture this oddness more precisely because it points the way to what the Stoics (et al) are trying to do. Michael Cholbi provides some help in his article ‘Finding the Good in Grief”, which I covered in more detail in a previous post. Cholbi notes that we take an awful lot for granted in our everyday lives, particularly our relationships with others, even though we ‘know’ it is all contingent: For much of our lives, our outlook on the world operates on autopilot. We go about our daily business, pursuing our goals, trying our best to live well, and so on. We develop habits that reflect …our practical identities [i.e. what we care about and value]. These habits easily become entrenched and normalized, and when they do, we can lose sight of how our practical identities assume a stable normal environment in which to act upon them. Of course, we know that much in our everyday environment is contingent. We ‘know’, for example, that our homes can be felled by earthquakes or other disasters, that our professional lives depend on institutions and practice that can totter, that our bodies may betray us via injury or disease. (Cholbi 2017) The use of the inverted commas around the word ‘know’ is suggestive. Cholbi is saying that we know these things at an intellectual level, but not on a practical level. On a practical level, we are attuned to a social world that we assume to be stable and consistent. That assumption may be adaptive in some contexts — I’m sure some evolutionary theorists could argue that animals that assume stability do better than those that do not — but it can be counter-productive in others. In the case of death and bereavement, it rests on a delusion, an assumption of immortality and existential robustness that is not warranted. It is one of the reasons why the death of a loved one can be so shocking and upsetting. I think this is one of the key insights of the anti-grief proponents. They are cautioning us against being attuned to the facade of stability in our ‘ordinary’ everyday lives. They are urging us to become more attuned to the deeper metaphysical reality. That reality is one in which organisms come into being and pass out of being on a regular basis, in which change is a constant, and in which death is an inevitability. We need to stop being deluded by the mirage of the social world; we need to take a wider perspective. This is exactly what Zhuangzi did to overcome the grief he experienced after his wife died: When she first died, do you suppose that I was able not to feel the loss? I peered back into her beginnings; there was a time before there was a life. Not only was there no life, there was a time before there was a shape. Not only was there no shape, there was a time before there was energy. Mingled together in the amorphous, something altered, and there was the energy; by the alteration in the energy there was the shape, by the alteration of the shape there was the life. Now once more, she has gone over to death. (Taken from Olberding 2007, 341) There is some pretty fancy metaphysics going on in this passage, which you may or may not accept, but the basic point is simple enough: his wife’s death “evidenced in microcosm the macrocosmic processes by which the world is governed” (Olberding 2007, 342). Her death was not some major disruption of the ordinary world. It did not fall like a plane from a clear blue sky. It was just nature taking its course. When he became attuned to the deeper metaphysical reality, the grief subsided a little bit. I have tried to illustrate what I think is going on here in the following diagram. I have only used one example to illustrate this attunement argument, but I think it is relatively easy to see evidence of it in other anti-grief traditions. Buddhist metaphysics, for instance, famously rejects the existence of the self and holds that the concepts and categories that we apply to the world are illusions (you can, of course, find similar ideas in Western philosophies). Yao-ming Tsal, in his article on Buddhist approaches to grief, argues that acceptance of these metaphysical truth will enable us to become detached from grief and bereavement — to experience what he calls ‘not-grief’. Whether we can actually become attuned to the deeper reality, and cast off the illusions of the social world, is, I think, up for debate. It would be a hard slog, if nothing else and recent studies suggest that devout Buddhists experience great anxiety in the face of death despite their acceptance of the not-self doctrine (the study did not look at grief). Nonetheless, I think there is something to what the anti-grief proponents are arguing. We are too complacent about the stability of the everyday world, and we tend to avoid confronting the reality of mortality. I think we would be well-advised to take more cognisance of it in our daily habits. I would rather confront the truth than live with an illusion. 3. Argument Three: Preventing the Excesses of Grief The third argument is more practical and ethical in its orientation. It returns us to one of the problems alluded to in the first argument: that grief can be dangerous if taken to excess. This might seem obvious enough — the negative emotions associated with grief could be harmful to our psyches if allowed to fester. If, as Seneca noted, we start to parade our grief and wallow in self-pity, our grief will become self-destructive. We will become slaves to it, trapped in a cycle, unable to accept the reality of what has happened. This is something that is central to Joan Didion’s narrative of her own grief in The Year of Magical Thinking. The ‘magical thinking’ referred to in the title is her inability to come to terms with her husband’s death and her belief that he was going to come back: Of course, I knew that John was dead. Of course I had already delivered the definitive news to his brother and my brother and to Quintana’s [her daughter’s] husband…Yet I was myself in no way prepared to accept this news as final: there was a level on which I believed that what had happened remained reversible. That’s why I needed to be alone…I needed to be alone so that he could come back. This was the beginning of my year of magical thinking. (Didion 2005, 33) Shortly after this she describes how for months after her husband’s death she was incapable of rationality: …I recognized that through the winter and spring there had been occasions on which I was incapable of thinking rationally. I was thinking as small children think, as if my thoughts and wishes had the power to reverse the narrative, change the outcome. So there is an element of self-care to the anti-grief position advocated by Seneca (et al). They are warning us not to become so beholden to grief that we are trapped in avoidant, delusional thinking. But there is more to it than that. The anti-grief position is not just about self-care; it is also about the care of others. This is something that Paul Scherz emphasises in his discussion of grief in both Stoic and early Christian traditions. He claims that one of the key arguments underlying the Stoic anti-grief view is that grief, when excessive, blocks us from discharging our duties to others. To appreciate the argument in its entirety we need to make a distinction between two forms of grief: Anticpatory Grief: The grief that precedes the death of a loved one, usually when you learn that they are sick and dying. Retrospective Grief: The grief that arises after the death of a loved one. Both forms of grief take us out of the present moment. Anticipatory grief gets us to focus on the future — to the point in time when the loved one will no longer be with us; retrospective grief gets us to focus on the past — to the time when they were still alive. The anguish and pain associated with both forms of thinking often leads to avoidant coping behaviours, such as the denialism evidenced in Didion’s memoir. The net result is that we are taken out of the present and its ethical demands on our character. We live in a desired past or imaginary future. We ignore what needs to be done in the here and now. This has some particularly problematic consequences. In the case of anticipatory grief, our fixation on the future, and how painful it may be, can cause us to withdraw from the person who is dying. It is just too painful for us to visit them while they are sick, to help them when they are most in need of our support. So we hide away. This retreat from the ethical demands of care is commonplace. Friends of mine who have been diagnosed with serious illnesses often remark on the fact that being sick drives people away. People who you once thought were friends suddenly adopt a stance of radio silence. You will not hear from them again unless you become well. It is also something, to my shame, that I felt when I first learned of my sister’s illness. I held off on speaking to her for a few days because unable to confront the reality of what was happening. My anticipatory grief prevented me from confronting the demands of the present. A similar phenomenon can arise in the case of retrospective grief, only in that case it is not your duties to the deceased that you fail to discharge but, rather, your duties to everyone else who relies upon you. Again, this is something I have experienced in the aftermath of my sister’s death. Promises I made to others have not been lived up to. I find it hard to motivate myself to care about those who are still alive when she is gone. The anti-grief view is trying to prevent this absence from the present from becoming pathological. There is one final element to this. In addition to facilitating self-care and care for others, the anti-grief view is defended by its proponents on the grounds that it is more respectful to the dead. Those who are prone to excessive grief may be unable to truly celebrate and cherish the memories of the deceased. The memories will be too painful for them to enjoy. The anti-grief view is intended to remove that impediment to joy. This is something Seneca emphasises in his letter to Lucilius: Let us see to it that the recollection of those we have lost becomes a pleasure to us. Nobody really cares to cast his mind back to something which he is never going to think of without pain…Thinking of departed friends is to me something sweet and mellow. For when I had them with me it was with the feeling that I was going to lose them, and now that I have lost them I keep the feeling that I have them with me still. (Seneca Letter 63) The latter part of this quote is describing the Stoic practice of negative visualisation — of always preparing oneself for the worst — which is is done in the belief that it will enable you to be grateful for what you have and once had. You don’t have to accept this practice to accept the bigger point: that we should cherish and enjoy the memories of those who are dead. This is something I find myself doing with my sister’s death. She was a happy and warm person. My memories of her, for the most part, share that character. When I think of her, it is most often with a feeling of joy and gratitude, not sadness or pain. We all die. She died sooner than most. People may perceive that death to be a tragedy; but the life she lived before that was not and should not be remembered as such. 4. Argument Four: Freeing us from the Social Expectations of Grief The final argument is about the negative social expectations/demands of grief. I shall be brief with this one since it is not the strongest of the four and I described it in the introduction already. As I noted then, there are many social norms around grief. You don’t just feel grief; you perform it for others. Those others have demands and expectations. Some of the social norms are comforting: standard mourning rituals (funerals, wakes) provide structure and certainty in the immediate aftermath of a death — one less decision to worry about. But there are at least three problems with the social norms of grief. First, as Seneca noted in one of the passages quoted above, we may get too caught up in the social performance of grief. This may kick-start a feedback cycle in which the negative manifestations of grief are reinforced and habitualised. Second, our actual feelings of grief may not align with the social expectations of grief, which as I pointed out in the introduction can add a layer of anxiety or guilt to the proceedings. Third, the social norms may be uncertain, confusing, or in conflict with one another. Martha Nussbaum makes this point when she describes her own experiences of grief following the death of her mother: Human beings experience emotions in ways that are shaped both by individual history and by social norms. My own grief was shaped not only by my attachment to my mother, but also by norms about the proper way to mourn the loss of a parent. These norms, as I experienced them through my own inclinations, were unclear and to some extent inconsistent…One is supposed to allow oneself to “cry big” at times, but then American mores of self-help also demand that one get on with one’s work, one’s physical exercise, one’s commitments to others, not making a big fuss. (Nussbaum 2000, 140) This seems very true to my experience. It can be frustrating to not know what is expected of you, or to be subject to competing demands. It can make you more reluctant to seek support from others. While it is reassuring to have friends and family check in on you following a bereavement, you sometimes get odd sense that they are judging you as they do so. Is this person dealing with the grief in the right way? Are they recovering properly (whatever that might mean)? This can make their presence less comforting. Admittedly, this is more of a problem with loose acquaintances or casual friends: I don’t worry about the judgments of those with whom I am very close. And perhaps the uncertainty is a product of modernity? Maybe in traditional societies, where we have clearer norms and rituals, the problem goes away? But since even the ancients were offering one another advice on how best to grieve, I doubt that this is true. The anti-grief view, of course, doesn’t completely eliminate the problems associated with the social norms of grief. Indeed, if taken too far, it may simply replace one set of social expectations with another. But in its original intention it tries to ease the anxiety one might face in relation to those social expectations, and to prevent them from reinforcing a negative spiral of emotions. It says that we should allow ourselves to experience natural or instinctual grief, but not be too worried about the social performance. This seems like sound advice to me. To briefly recap, I have tried to offer a modest defence of the anti-grief view. This view holds that although some grief is acceptable, it can be maladaptive and it is best to moderate its negative effects. This is sometimes viewed as inhuman advice on the grounds that it encourages callous emotional detachment, but I have argued that this is not the case. Proponents of the anti-grief view were not callous and emotionally detached in their actual behaviour, which suggests that their position was more subtle than the caricature allows. They were encouraging us to become more deeply attuned to the metaphysics of reality (which necessarily involve death, destruction and change) and less deluded by the facade of stability in our everyday lives. They were also trying to provide ways to avoid the negative excesses of grief, discharge our duties to those who are still alive, and reduce the burden of social expectation that is associated with it. I want to sign off by returning to something I said in the introduction. I previously wrote about the goodness of grief, looking at arguments claiming that grief was an integral part of the well-lived life. I do not think there is much distance between that view and the one examined in this post. To a large extent, proponents of the respective positions are simply talking past each other. Those who see good in grief are unlikely to deny its negative excesses; and defenders of the anti-grief view clearly see some value in it. There is a middle ground on which they can both meet. * I have to be careful here. I don’t mean more fundamental in the sense that these beliefs were more strongly held. I just mean that the beliefs pertain to the fundamental structure of reality. Recent Media on the Ethics of Sex Tech Why You Should Hate Your Job and The Case Against ... Is it Too Soon? The Ethics of Recovery from Grief Coping with Grief: A Series of Philosophical Disqu... The Badness of Grief: A Moderate Defence of the St...	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498845
__label__cc	0.585099	0.414901	Home Technology Great Wall Motor and BMW to make all-electric mini cars in China Great Wall Motor and BMW to make all-electric mini cars in China The BMW Group, in collaboration with Great Wall Motor of China, to develop a plant that will manufacture fully-electric models of the re-owned Mini car brand. The BMW Group said on Friday that the construction phase of the facility scheduled to take place during 2020 and 2022 and will site in Zhangjiagang city, Jiangsu Province. The two companies have set up a combined project named Spotlight Automotive Limited, and the joint investment in the plant will cost around $715 million (650 million euros). Once after the construction and running of the facility, it will have the capacity to produce as more as 160,000 vehicles in a single year. BMW stated that, together with the production of vehicles, the joint-facility would also give attention to the combined development of battery electric vehicles. A member of the BMW AG’s board of management, Nicolas Peter, said in a statement that this combined venture would allow them to produce Mini-brand-fully e-vehicles on a large scale at attractive conditions for the global market. It is also a significant move for the Mini brand – Peter. He added the combined project with Great Wall highlights the huge importance of the Chinese market for them. Mini Electric already present in Oxford, England. It is due to hit vehicles in March 2020, with charges officially starting at around $36,000 or £27,900. The Biggest electric car market of the World According to IEA (the International Energy Agency), global sales of the electric car hit 1.98 million, with the worldwide stock reaching 5.12 million. The IEA says that the electric car market of China is the biggest on Earth, a slight over one million e-cars sold last year with Europe and the United States following behind. The BMW Group is the main autonomous company to focus on electric-mobility in China. Volkswagen Group China said last week that along with the Chinese partners, it might invest over four billion euros next year. Approximately forty percent of this investment will focus on e-mobility. In July, the Jiangling Motors Corporation and Renault officially build a joint venture for e-vehicles in China. At that time, Renault said in an announcement that the venture would have intentions to further boost the development of the e-vehicle industry of China. Read Also: WM Motor, the Chinese E-car manufacturer targets $1 billion funding round Previous articleTrump signs two bills supporting Hong Kong Protests Next articleGDP Growth of India falls to sluggish price since 2013 ‘Fake News’ Bill of Singapore Let Down Mark Zuckerberg Senior Citizens Being Ignored in Technology Revolution of China Trade Talk of US-China ends with concise reaction to Trump	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498846
__label__wiki	0.790361	0.790361	Keith Yandle Biography First published on:February 17, 2019 by Jack Ol Facts of Keith Yandle Keith Michael Yandle Milton, Massachusetts, U.S. Bud Yandle Past Team Arizona Coyotes, New York Rangers 7 year / $44,450,000 ice hockey player Milton High School Kristyn Yandle daughter Mila Yandle Keith Yandle is an American professional ice hockey player who plays in the National Hockey League (NHL). As of 2019, Keith Michael Yandle currently plays for the Florida Panthers as their Defence. Keith Michael Yandle has played for other teams like Arizona Coyotes, New York Rangers. Playing as a Defence, Keith Michael Yandle reportedly earns around $7,500,000 as his yearly salary from Florida Panthers. As of 2019, Keith Michael Yandle has an estimated net worth of over $20 million. Keith is married to his longtime girlfriend Kristyn Yandle and his daughter Mila Yandle. Net Worth and Salary As of 2019, Keith Michael Yandle has an estimated net worth of over $20 million. He reportedly signed a seven-year contract worth $44,450,000 with Florida Panthers in 2016 which also included the guaranteed sum of $44,450,000. His salary for the 2018-19 season is reported to be $7,500,000. Year Salary/ Earnings 2016 $7,500,000 Keith has an average salary of $6,350,000 annually and so far he made earnings of $39,946,828 from his entire NHL career. Keith signed a contract for three years worth $2.55 million with the Phoenix Coyotes on May 5, 2006, and later extended the contract for two-years worth $2.4 million on July 17, 2009. After the contract expired, he re-signed the contract for five-years worth $26.5 million with the Phoenix Coyotes. Kept aside Keith Michael Yandle's financial earnings, his personal assets include a home in Fort Lauderdale. Related Bio: Sidney Crosby Salary, Net worth, Earnings, and More Keith Yandle's Girlfriend: Kristyn Yandle Keith Yandle is married to his girlfriend Kristyn Yandle after being in a romantic relationship/affair for over a long time but the details regarding their marriage date and other facts are not disclosed on media. Keith's wife Kristyn is from Dorchester, Massachusetts and she also does various charity and social works. Besides, Kristyn's sister married Keith's elder brother Brian Yandle Keith Yandle and his wife Kristyn Yandle SOURCE: World Red Eye The couple welcomed their first child a daughter named Mila Yandle born in 2011. Currently, they are living a happy married life since there are no rumors regarding their divorce or splitting. So far there is no detailed information about Keith's past relationship/affair disclosed on the media. Since they are in a relationship for long so they might not separate from each other. Keith's brother also has married Kristyn's sister. Despite being a famous player, he is also a famous social media star and has thousands of followers on his official social accounts. Currently, Keith is living with his wife Kristyn and his little daughter Mila in New York City. Also read: Markus Granlund Biography Keith Michael Yandle was born on September 9, 1986, in Milton, Massachusetts, the U.S. to father Bud Yandle and also has an older brother named Brian. Further details about his family are not disclosed. As per his nationality, he is American and belongs to the White ethnic group. Keith attended Milton High School and played hockey for them. After completing high school, he started playing for the University of New Hampshire. Also Read: Drake Caggiula Bio, Salary, Net worth, Relationship, and Personal Life Keith began his NHL career with the Phoenix Coyotes on October 11, 2006, and also participated in the AHL for the 2007-08 season. After playing for over nine seasons, he was traded to New York Rangers on March 1, 2015. Keith only played a season for the Rangers and was traded to Florida Panthers on June 20, 2016, as a free agent. After the suspension of Ducks forward player Andrew Cogliano, he became the first player to play 676 games played at the time. Besides, he is also the alternate captain of the Florida Panthers and played alongside famous left-winger Michael Haley. Ice Hockey Player New York Rangers Florida Panthers National Hockey League (NHL) Arizona Coyotes Defence Keith Yandle	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498849
__label__cc	0.586761	0.413239	Who Will Win The PAC 12? The PAC 12 is largely forgotten by most college football fans, but this year they have made some major noise. Mike Marshall, Sports Editor\|October 30, 2019 As of right now, there are three main teams that are competing to win the PAC 12: Oregon, USC, and Utah. Oregon was one of the highly ranked preseason teams this year and for a good reason. They have arguably one of the most talented quarterbacks in the game in Justin Herbert. Most people thought he was NFL ready last year as a junior, but he decided to come back to school at Oregon for his senior year. This year he has boasted some impressive stats, with 2104 yards, 21 touchdowns, a 68.3% completion percentage, and only one interception. They also have a good rushing attack with their leading rusher, CJ Verdell, having recorded 753 yards on 112 attempts with five touchdowns. The weak spot for the Ducks has been their defense this year, allowing 310.6 yards a game on average for opponents. Their offense has proven to be enough to make up for their lack of a major defensive presence and they could win the PAC 12 with as explosive as their offense is. USC has not been what they used to be in the glory days of old, but they are currently ranked first in the PAC 12 South. There isn’t anything about the Trojans that have blown anyone away this year. Their team is remarkably average at everything. They have three losses on the season so far, but they have only lost one conference game so far. The thing that has helped them so far is that they have played very well in major games. They gave #9 Utah their only loss and they have also blown out Stanford, who is ranked second in the PAC 12 North, and Arizona. If USC continues to rise to the challenge and win in big games, especially if they beat Oregon on Saturday, they have a good chance to win the PAC 12. Utah has been playing very well as of late and only has one loss on the season. The shining spot on their team so far this year has been their runningback, Zack Moss who has recorded 728 yards on 110 attempts with 10 touchdowns. He also has been a threat in the passing game eight catches for 174 yards. The only bad spot on their resume is a loss to USC, which was only by a touchdown. Utah doesn’t have a major opponent left on their schedule, so they could very easily win out. They beat their toughest opponent in Arizona state, which has helped them a lot in standings. If they can keep momentum, they could very easily win the PAC 12. With all of this considered the PAC 12 championship game looks to be set to see a matchup between a one-loss Oregon team and a one-loss Utah team. Oregon will beat USC this weekend and with as easy as the rest of Utah’s schedule is they’ll win out. As for the winner of the game, look for Utah to pull out a close game. Utah has a good defense which will help to keep Herbert in check and with their rushing attack they should be able to gash Oregon’s defense and win the PAC 12. Mike Marshall, Sportswriting Editor My name is Mike Marshall and this is my third year on the PLD Lamplighter staff. In my first year, I was a staff reporter and mostly kept up with schedules... Scott County Defeats Dunbar in an Upsetting Region Game Boys’ Basketball Team Falls to Madison Central Top Candidates for NFL’s Most Valuable Player Dunbar’s Win Plummets Madison Southern Dunbar Defeats Lafayette in Final Home Game Dunbar’s Biggest Rivals and the Fight to Win	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498850
__label__wiki	0.684829	0.684829	Tag: 21 gun salute Veterans’ Day: A Memorial to My Father Published on November 11, 2008 November 11, 2008 by PoietesLeave a comment Dad on the Far Right My father, Exequiel Liwag, was not a man who liked to call attention to himself. For example, it was not until we were going through his personal items after he died that we found out that he had won the Bronze Star for Valor during World War II. But that was how he was: unassuming. He loved thrift stores, even though he could afford to wear better, he didn’t really see the point. He loved his 1966 Ford Falcon. That was his baby. He adored his grandchildren, and when he found out that he had pancreatic cancer, the one thing that he said that he regretted was that he wouldn’t be around to see them grow up. He loved to work in his garden, and he used his machete from the war to hack away at the weeds, squatting down on his haunches like a native, doing battle with crab grass and weeds. And he loved to fish. He would go off at night and fish off the old Harrison’s pier, the wooden one before the hurricane washed it away. (He would hate the new one, all rebuilt and yuppie with bright lights and a cafe.) My dad, like many Filipino men of his generation, first served in the Philippine guerrilla army before joining the U.S. Navy. However, the difference is that he lied about his age. He was barely 17 when he joined the Navy, and he had already seen combat in the jungles of the Philippines. His family had hidden in the caves for safety from the Japanese, and his mother lost the youngest children in the family, twin babies, because of the harsh conditions and a lack of food. My dad joined the Navy so that he could send money back to his family, something he did for many years after the war was long over, which enabled his brothers and sister to come to the states to get educations and better lives. He also served during the Korean conflict—never really called a war, and then he had a breather during which he had extended shore duty, heading the household staffs for several admirals, which is how I came to attend public school in London. While he was still on Navy ships, my dad slipped on an icy gangplank while disembarking and injured his back, an injury that caused him back pain for the rest of his life. He retired from the Navy after putting in his 20 years, and he tried to stay on dry land, but it wasn’t for him, so he joined the merchant marines, which is how he came to be in the middle of yet another war: the Viet Nam war. During this conflict his ship took on heavy fire, and we received word that his ship was badly damaged. For a while, we did not know his fate because, of course, the world was not wired the way that it is today, and it took much longer to get news. Luckily, he was not hurt, and he was just transferred to another ship. During Viet Nam, his tours were six to nine months at a time, and he was always in harms’ way. I don’t ever remember him complaining. I just remember his body slowly curving more and more over the years. His left hand atrophied as the muscle wore away, and his back always ached. But he stayed at sea until he couldn’t go any more. My father came from a country thousands of miles away. His risked his life time and time again, first for his family in the Philippines, and later for his new country and his family in the United States. He never questioned whether or not he was doing the right thing. He believed that his country, the United States of America was the greatest country in the world. He sang the national anthem off-key, but he sang it proudly. He saluted his flag, and he believed in his country. There were times when his country let him down. When we tried to live in the Philippines after he retired, he wasn’t allowed the same benefits as other retirees. I was too young to remember why, but I remember that it happened, and that my parents were upset by this. I remember, too, that he was upset when he found out that the money that he had been paying into survivor benefits for my mother wasn’t going to amount to very much and that he could have been paying that money into an interest-bearing account that would have yielded much more. But he had invested into the U.S. Government, never thinking for one minute that his government would not protect him and my mother. When my father died, he was entitled to a veteran’s funeral: a flag-draped casket and a 21-gun salute. We requested that “Taps” be played. Actually, I made that request. I had no idea that unless you were some kind of officer of rank, you didn’t actually get a bugle player; you got a cassette tape version of “Taps,” which, I suppose, is better than nothing. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful in any way. It was just a shock to the system to hear a tinny cassette and not a proud bugle. Pretty much everything I learned about honor and duty I learned from my father. He worked hard all of his life, and he devoted a large part of that life to this country. He came from a small country thousands of miles away, just a boy really, and he gave this country whatever it asked of him. I once said that if had to vote for only one issue in this past election, it would be for veterans’ rights, and I stand by that. How a country treats the men and women who serve it and die for it is a direct reflection of how that country feels about its citizenry as a whole, for its veterans represent its citizens. Our veterans go to war to protect our freedoms. They go to war so that the rest of us do not have to. They go to war so that we can say what we want whenever we want. They got to war so that I have the freedom to express myself in this blog. They go to war so that we can vote for whichever candidate we choose in a free election process. How we treat them when they come home should be as the true heroes that they are. Our veterans should not have to fight for medical treatment. Our veterans should not have to fight for benefits. Our veterans should not be living on the street. Our veterans should never, ever be called names or be made to feel ashamed for doing what their country asked of them. My father was a veteran. I am incredibly proud of him for the service that he gave to this country. That is only one reason that I am proud of him, but it is one of the more important ones. I still miss him terribly. But on this day, he, like thousands and thousands of others, deserves our support, our thanks, our recognition, and our undying respect. As always, more later. Peace. Categories Friends and Family, Life or Something Similar, Our Writing Selves, The Small Things, Writing blogs•Tags 21 gun salute, Bronze Star, Exequiel Liwag, Filipino, Ford Falcon, Korean War, Lolita Liwag, Philippines, Poietes, Taps, Viet Nam, WWII	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498852
__label__wiki	0.519442	0.519442	Created by Policy Library Administrator on Jun 11, 2018 Page Last Modified: Jun 11, 2018 Share Link: https://policy.fredonia.edu/x/PQGb Fredonia Non-Discrimination Statement Pursuant to University policy, the University is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the University community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law, or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic. The University’s policy is in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting unlawful discrimination and harassment. These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the New York State Human Rights Law. These laws prohibit discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and other laws, regulations and policies prohibiting discrimination may be directed to Dr. Bill Boerner, Chief Diversity Officer at William.boerner@fredonia.edu. Inquiries may also be directed to the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005-2500; Tel. (646) 428-3800; Email OCR.NewYork@ed.gov. A SUNY-wide grievance procedure is available to all students and employees in cases of discrimination. If you feel you have been a victim of discrimination for any of the above reasons, feel free to contact the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Persons who wish to initiate such a grievance or complaint should also consult the Dispute Resolution page for detailed information on the filing process. An employee or student who participates in the procedure has the right to do so without fear of retaliation. It will be made clear that retaliation against an employee, a student or a witness who has filed a discrimination complaint will result in appropriate sanctions or other disciplinary action as covered by collective bargaining agreements, and/or applicable University policies. {"serverDuration": 156, "requestCorrelationId": "45e20614319b37c1"}	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498853
__label__wiki	0.843204	0.843204	Swindon, we have a problem: UK 'underfunding' galactic-sized space ambitions Satellite technology is viewed as a big growth area in the UK's space sector By Alex Stevenson Monday, 28 October 2013 8:13 AM Follow alex__stevenson MPs have expressed concern after discovering Britain's booming space sector, which the government hopes will grow fourfold by 2030, is being overseen by just 44 staff - mostly based in Swindon. The UK Space Agency is tiny compared to its French and German counterparts, which have 2,400 staff and 1,230 respectively. But the British government hopes its small team will achieve a hugely ambitious growth programme which would see it capture ten per cent of the global market for space by 2030. That seems implausible, MPs on the Commons' science and technology committee were told. Professor David Southwood of the Royal Astronomical Society warned that "the average space scientist would be concerned by how overstretched the staff are", while the Mullard Space Science Laboratory suggested the resources "may not be up to the ambitions" of the UK government. Non-religious pastoral carers have entered a Northern Ireland prison for the first time UK Budget date leaves Scotland with little room for manoeuvre Reducing UK greenhouse gas emissions and the Clean Growth Strategy A Deposit Return System in the UK – how would it work? Review of UK Energy Policy The UK Space Agency is supposed to provide strategic leadership to Britain's involvement in space, by "delivering a world-class space programme with maximum economic, scientific and social benefit". It has done surprisingly well since being established in 2011, MPs found, with an average growth rate of 7.5%. That makes it one of the fastest growing areas of Britain's economy. "Whilst there is more work to done, we were pleased to find a sense of momentum within the Agency and a real desire to respond to the needs of the space sector," committee chair Andrew Miller said. "Given the right support, the sector will continue to grow and provide more and more high quality jobs in disciplines where the UK has real strength." Among the biggest bureaucratic challenges faced by the UK Space Agency is its management of applications for new satellites, which are viewed as critical because of their ability to provide data on the environment, climate, weather, security agriculture, coastal management and disaster mitigation. A national space policy expected to be published before the end of the year will see the government clarify its own needs from the space sector, MPs hope. They also signalled their enthusiasm about the assignment of Major Tim Peake, Britain's first astronaut heading into space since the early 1990s, to inspire young people. The committee also expressed a desire to see the "excitement" of space spread more across Whitehall. "For the minister to achieve his vision of the UK as a 'world leader' in satellites and the analysis of satellite data, we need to see such excitement extend across government," MPs urged, "reflecting the range of uses of satellite applications, rather than simply being confined to the work of a single sector or agency." The UK space sector contributed over £9 billion to the economy and directly employers nearly 30,000 people. Britain boosted its investment in the European Space Agency by 25% in 2012, a move expected to prompt the private sector to invest an extra £1 billion. That will help the UK achieve its goal of growing the space sector to £40 billion of annual turnover by 2030, ministers hope. science and technology committee 2019 was the year we lost hope – but it’s still all we have The Tory racism problem is as severe as Labour's Coalition has been 'worse for science' Research regulator? MPs demand peer-review watchdog	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498854
__label__wiki	0.707689	0.707689	HomePosts tagged 'Donna Summer' Relive the Magical Vinyl Experience of Donna Summer’s ‘Bad Girls’ All Over Again July 29, 2019 July 29, 2019 Eric Allen Bad Girls 40th Anniversary Vinyl Edition, Bad Girls demo, Casablanca Records, Dim All the Lights, Donna Summer, Elemental Music, Giorgio Moroder, Hot Stuff, Pete Bellotte, Vinyl LP Donna Summer ‘Bad Girls’ 40th Anniversary Vinyl Edition Back in the summer of 1979, Donna Summer reached the peak of her zenith with her double album, Bad Girls. Considered her career milestone, the masterfully crafted double platter dominated radio airwaves, filled night club dance floors and livened up countless living room parties. Now, Summer’s career-defining masterwork is being celebrated with a special 40th anniversary vinyl edition. This is the first time this best-selling classic has been reissued on vinyl since its original release in 1979. The new reissue was released on July 26th and is available as a double LP gatefold pressed on 180-gram vinyl. This collector’s edition also features the vinyl debut of the demo version of the album’s title track as an exclusive bonus, making this the perfect opportunity the relive the magical vinyl experience of Donna Summer’s Bad Girls all over again. So, dim all the lights and take a musical journey into the center of the heart of one of the most captivating classic dance albums of all time. [Read full article] Donna Summer: ‘Another Place and Time (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)’ February 8, 2019 February 9, 2019 Eric Allen 30th Anniversary Edition, Another Place and Time, Bruce Sudano, Christian John Wikane, Donna Summer, Driven By The Music, Matt Aitken, Mike Stock, Pete Waterman, Phil Harding, SAW To commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of Donna Summer’s 1989 studio album, Another Place and Time, a special ultimate deluxe version will be released on March 29, 2019 by Driven By The Music. This release celebrates Donna Summer’s collaborative studio effort with Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman, aka SAW, known for their world renowned “hit factory” sound. The thirtieth anniversary edition will be available in a 3 CD, DVD-sized 24-page media book, as well as a 2 LP silver and red collector’s vinyl edition. Summer’s landmark SAW album was a successful comeback for the “Queen of Disco” and contains the Top 10 hit “This Time I Know It’s for Real” plus the singles “I Don’t Wanna Get Hurt,” “Breakaway,” “Love’s About to Change My Heart” and “When Love Takes Over You.” A follow-up album to Another Place and Time was planned as another Summer and SAW collaboration, but sadly never came to fruition. The deluxe anniversary edition will contain the original album, numerous extended and single versions, 6 previously unreleased mixes, and two brand new exclusive tracks; “The 30th Anniversary Minimix” and “The 30th Anniversary Megamix. The 24-page book will feature excerpts from newly conducted interviews with Matt Aitken, Pete Waterman, Phil Harding, Summer’s former husband and co-writing partner Bruce Sudano, plus new liner notes by NYC-based music journalist Christian John Wikane. 40 Years of Love: Donna Summer and the Derivation of Electronica July 27, 2017 Eric Allen Beyoncé, Blondie, Brian Eno, David Bowie, Depeche Mode, Donna Summer, Erasure, Giorgio Moroder, Kylie Minogue, Madonna, New Order, Pete Bellotte, The Human League It’s been 40 years since the world first heard the future of music when “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer shocked us into a new sonic awakening. The electronic masterpiece – composed by Summer along with Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte – was the foundation for what was to become known as electronic dance music. Whether you loved or loathed disco, “I Feel Love” commanded everyone’s attention and became a dance floor anthem during the summer of 1977. At the time, no one had previously heard anything like it. It’s hypnotic melody, combined with an irresistible synthesized bassline and pulsating dance beat was musical nirvana. Summer’s sensual vocal delivery was the icing on top of the cake as she perfectly conveyed the euphoric essence of the song’s timeless and universal message of love. The first lady of love had struck gold (and platinum) again and delivered another game-changing record every bit as earth-shattering as her breakthrough hit, “Love to Love You Baby.” [Read Full Review] Remembering Donna Summer (December 31, 1948 – May 17, 2012) May 17, 2017 May 17, 2017 Eric Allen Bad Girls, Bob Esty, Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Jimmy Webb, Last Dance, Live and More, Love to Love You Baby, MacArthur Park, Pete Bellotte, Queen of Disco Donna Summer 1948 – 2012 I find it hard to believe the five-year anniversary of Donna Summer’s passing is already upon us. Ever since she shockingly succumbed to cancer in 2012, I’ve honored her memory often by revisiting her incredible body of work. I’ve tried to celebrate her spirit by listening to her music and keeping her memory alive, especially on the anniversary of her death. There’s no denying the fact that Donna Summer knew how to create a dance record. Her magnificent 17-minute non-stop epic “MacArthur Park Suite” (which took up an entire side of her Live and More double album), weaved Jimmy Webb’s unforgettable melody and poetic lyrics around two of Summer’s best original songs (“One of A Kind” and “Heaven Knows”), creating a magical musical opus which I’ve never managed to grow tired of hearing or erase from my memory since its release in 1978. This was followed by Summer’s next masterpiece, the epochal Bad Girls, which deservedly became the best-selling album of her career. Packed with rock-tinged greatest hits “Hot Stuff” and “Dim All the Lights,” as well as the vivacious title track, this four-sided oeuvre also included gorgeous ballads along with the blistering electronic club hits “Our Love,” “Lucky” and “Sunset People.” Donna Summer’s voice and music inscribed an indelible mark on me, for which I will be eternally grateful. She may have left us all too soon, but her musical legacy will live on eternally. So, let’s dance in memory of Donna Summer, and always keep her among our most cherished memories. [Read Full Tribute] Days of AM Gold April 18, 2016 June 1, 2017 Eric Allen American Bandstand, Columbia House, Dolly Parton, Donna Summer, Donny & Marie, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Grand Ole Opry, KISS, Porter Wagoner, Queen, Solid Gold, Sonny & Cher, The Archies, The Jackson 5, The Midnight Special, The Monkees, The Partridge Family, Tony Orlando and Dawn Whenever springtime rolls around, it annually evokes fond memories of youthful days eagerly counting down to the end of the school year. The anticipation of long, lazy summer days, extended car rides, and family vacations was always palpable. That was the era of AM radio hits which often turned into road trip sing-alongs which served as a much needed reprieve from being cooped up for hours on end in the car. I’m referring to a time when portable electronics were almost non-existent and the only access to music was the standard AM radio that came factory installed in the family owned American automobile. Back then, most everyone subsisted on the familiar sounds of the most popular Top 40 radio hits of the day. It also reminds me how I’d get excited about going to the grocery store when I was a kid. Yes, the grocery store, because back in those days they used to put records on the backs of cereal boxes. Nothing made me happier than picking out a brand of cereal I’d pretend to like just so I could get a new record by The Archies, The Monkees, or The Jackson 5. This was the very beginning of my record buying addiction that has lasted since my adolescence and continued throughout my adult life. I can still recall being mesmerized as I’d watch the record player needle play over the faces of Betty, Veronica, Archie, Reggie, Jughead, and Hot Dog as I memorized every word of “Sugar Sugar” and “Jingle Jangle.” Back then, AM radio ruled the airwaves with infectious bubblegum earworms and Casey Kasem’s weekly American Top 40 countdown. Prime time television also provided a moderate source of musical entertainment in those days with series such as The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, Tony Orlando and Dawn, The Midnight Special, Donny & Marie, and The Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. Show. On Saturdays, I’d tune into American Bandstand, Solid Gold, the Grand Ole Opry Live, and Dolly, which starred Dolly Parton whom I became enamored with during my early boyhood days while watching The Porter Wagoner Show with my dad. He was initially upset Dolly Parton had replaced Norma Jean, but I was immediately won over and became a lifelong follower of Dolly’s illustrious career. This fact is something I still bring to my father’s attention and remind him of every chance I get. As I grew older, I eventually began collecting vinyl records. During my early teenage years, I readily eschewed all things I thought of as “kid stuff” and began collecting my favorite radio hits on 7-inch 45 rpm. To this day I still associate many of my favorite artists with their associated record company labels. Hearing Elvis Presley or Dolly Parton vividly recalls spending hours watching Nipper spin ‘round and ‘round, as well as the multi-colored butterfly perched upon the big E on the labels of my Carly Simon and Queen records. Just as I perpetually see the rainbow label spinning in my mind’s eye whenever I listen to Elton John, or the spectral colors and palm trees of Casablanca while listening to KISS or Donna Summer. Slowly I began to shift from 45s to LPs and the timing couldn’t have been better as my commencement of responsibility and commitment arrived in the guise of the Columbia House record club. Remember the ad in the newspaper or TV Guide boasting of getting 12 record albums for a penny? Many people consider them to have been the bane of their existence and the epitome of money scams, but if you were savvy enough, you could beat them at their own game. Anyway, they served their purpose and suited my needs just fine. This was long before I could drive, so being able to shop from home and have records delivered to my door was a real life saver. I can still remember the thrill of receiving a box full of LPs in the mail. Not only did I get a big, fat, pile of albums, but I didn’t even have to leave my house. I can’t count how many times I joined and re-joined that club, making sure to carefully fulfill my minimum commitment so I could cancel my membership, only to re-join and receive another stack of wax. This cycle continued for years, slowly building into an impressive music library, most of which I still have to this day. Donna Summer: ‘The CD Collection’ December 1, 2014 January 23, 2018 Eric Allen All Systems Go, Another Place and Time, Box Set, Cats Without Claws, David Geffen, Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, I'm A Rainbow, Mistaken Identity, Quincy Jones, The Wanderer Donna Summer: The CD Collection Whenever you hear the name Donna Summer, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the disco era, but Donna Summer was much more than merely the “Queen of Disco.” Summer managed to amass five Grammy awards, three consecutive number one double-albums, and sell over 130 million records during her 44-year career, making her one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time. Those diligent enough to look past her classic hits such as “I Feel Love,” “Last Dance” “Love To Love You Baby” and “Bad Girls,” will quickly discover Summer’s vastly underrated versatility evidenced by her thirst to explore well beyond her dance oriented wheelhouse and successfully conquer R&B, soul, rock, pop, country, and gospel. With the new posthumous release of Donna: The CD Collection, which focuses on her post-disco years, longtime aficionados can excitedly revel in the joyous rediscovery of Summer’s less famous, but noteworthy and highly diversified musical offerings. This limited edition 10-disc box set features Summer’s Geffen and Atlantic Records output from 1980 to 1991. Donna: The CD Collection includes remastered, deluxe casebook editions of the previously out-of-print albums: The Wanderer, I’m a Rainbow, Donna Summer, Cats Without Claws, All Systems Go, Another Place and Time, and Mistaken Identity, complete with b-sides, twelve-inch remixes, single edits, instrumentals, and dub versions, plus an exclusive set of six postcards featuring photographs from Donna Summer’s personal archives, all of which are housed within a uniquely designed box. Also included is a comprehensive booklet with in-depth album credits, song lyrics, and newly authored liner notes by noted US writers Justin Kantor and Christian John Wikane, as well as excerpts from new interviews by Bruce Sudano, Brenda Russell, Harold Faltermeyer, James Ingram, Joe “Bean” Esposito, and Kim Carnes, among others. This lavish and highly sought after collection is sure to be snatched up hurriedly and treasured by all who actively seek to keep the unforgettable and ground-breaking dance diva’s legacy alive and well for years to come. Donna – The CD Collection includes: The Wanderer – Donna Summer’s 1980 Geffen Records debut produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte includes the singles “Cold Love,” “Who Do You Think You’re Foolin'” and the new wave styled title track. Now includes single edits as bonus tracks. I’m A Rainbow – Summer’s aborted double-album and last with her longtime collaborators Moroder/Bellotte (notoriously shelved by David Geffen in 1981), is presented here in its originally intended 2-disc configuration and features fan favorites “Highway Runner,” “Romeo,” “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,” “To Turn the Stone,” as well as the moving title track. Donna Summer – The Quincy Jones produced album includes the hit singles “Love Is In Control (Finger on the Trigger),” Summer’s cover of Vangelis’ “State of Independence,” and “The Woman in Me.” Also features a rocking’ version of Bruce Springsteen’s “Protection,” written specifically for Summer by “The Boss” himself and the rare b-side “Sometimes Like Butterflies.” Now includes dance versions and single edits. Cats Without Claws – Summer’s second effort to be produced by Michael Omartian features the singles “There Goes My Baby,” “Supernatural Love,” “Eyes,” and the feral title track. Also includes extended remixes and single edits. All Systems Go – Summer’s thirteenth studio album features the Top Ten R&B hit “Dinner with Gershwin,” her duet with Starship’s Mickey Thomas “Only the Fool Survives,” and the long lost b-side ” Tearin’ Down the Walls.” Also includes extended versions and single edits as bonus tracks. Another Place and Time – This Stock/Aitken/Waterman produced set from 1989 was Summer’s Atlantic Records debut (newly expanded to three discs with numerous remixes and single versions), and contains the Top Ten hit ” This Time I Know It’s for Real,” plus the singles “I Don’t Wanna Get Hurt,” “Love’s About to Change My Heart,” ” When Love Takes Over You,” and ” Breakaway.” Mistaken Identity – Summer’s second set for Atlantic Records was the R&B infused album produced by Keith Diamond, and features the singles “Work That Magic,” and “When Love Cries.” Also includes remixed versions and single edits as bonus tracks. Our New Year January 8, 2013 December 15, 2014 Eric Allen 2013, Carrie Underwood, David Bowie, Donna Summer, Kenny Chesney, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Matthew Perryman Jones, Susanna Hoffs, Tori Amos, Whitney Houston As one year ebbs and a new one begins, it always seems apt to reflect on the bygone before hurling full speed ahead into the future… Sadly, the music industry mourned the loss of some legendary and iconic individuals in 2012 including: Whitney Houston, Davy Jones, Earl Scruggs, Dick Clark, Levon Helm, Donna Summer, Robin Gibb, Marvin Hamlisch, and Etta James. It’s always tragic to see such a long list in any given year. Although they are gone, their contributions will be remembered and honored posthumously. The past year also saw some decidedly notable musical contributions from Tori Amos, Kenny Chesney, Susanna Hoffs, Matthew Perryman Jones, Madonna, Alanis Morissette, and Carrie Underwood, as well as the high octane trilogy delivered with a gutsy 1-2-3 wallop from Green Day. Now we look ahead to 2013, which promises to deliver some highly anticipated new releases from Panic! at the Disco, David Bowie, Cher, Josh Groban, Darius Rucker, Stereophonics, Brad Paisley, Depeche Mode, Mariah Carey, Lady Antebellum, Justin Timberlake, Beady Eye, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Lady Gaga. As we bid adieu to 2012 and to those we lost along the way, at least we can look ahead to 2013 with a renewed spirit and high expectations of good things to come on the musical horizon.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498855
__label__cc	0.647083	0.352917	Home / Journals / A personal account of detention, racism and broken rules A personal account of detention, racism and broken rules in Journals May 8, 2019 May 8, 2019 \| International Solidarity Movement, Al-Khalil team \| Al-Khalil (Hebron), occupied Palestine The neighborhood of Salaymeh next to Salaymeh checkpoint (160) has been the center of tensions between Palestinians and the Israelis in the city of Al-Khalil (Hebron). This checkpoint cuts off an already poor and struggling neighborhood from the rest of the city. At these checkpoints that are throughout Hebron, Palestinians are stopped, delayed, searched, asked for ID and sometimes denied passage. The checkpoints are a daily humiliation and intimidation of the local people by the occupying Israeli army. The checkpoint at Salaymeh is also used every day by children on their way to and from school who are subject to the same treatment by the soldiers. From the moment the children start looking like teenagers, they go from being treated like children to being treated as criminals. In order to cope with this the children, have to learn to handle themselves as adults from a very early age, and as a result they are forced to grow up far too quickly. There is a massive tension at the checkpoints because the children are angry and frustrated, and the soldiers are hostile and confrontational. There are frequent clashes between the children and the soldiers. The soldiers will throw tear gas and stun grenades and sometimes even shoot rubber bullets at the children for throwing rocks at the checkpoint. This response, which happens on an almost daily basis, is completely disproportionate – adults using military weapons against children on their way to school. In the past week 2 children have been abducted and illegally detained by soldiers in Salaymeh. Both of them were 14 years old from Jerusalem and were visiting their cousin in Al-Khalil. The children were dragged from school, frisked, forced on their knees and handcuffed by the soldiers. One of them was let go after 2 hours, the other was taken to a military base, where he was interrogated without his lawyer or parents present. An international activist who was documenting this incident was also detained by the soldiers, she describes her detention as follows: I’ve been at Salaymeh checkpoint every other day for a month and a half just trying to document the soldier’s harassment of the children, keeping in contact with the UN, so they can hopefully help if children are arrested. I am always mindful not to antagonize the soldiers and try to interact with them as little as possible. My hope is that an international presence will result in less violence because the soldiers will know they are being watched and may be held accountable. On the day that I was detained I was filming a soldier as normal, who threatened to arrest another activist who I was with. Because I’d witnessed a lot of broken rules and violence by the army during my time at Salaymeh checkpoint, I knew it was important to keep filming. The commander asked me to move away, and when I kept filming, she told me that she would have another soldier move me with force. When I didn’t stop filming, she told me to come with her and that she had the authority to make arrests. I was very unsure of what to do in this situation – I had been told before that soldiers could not make arrests, but I was confused, and I was afraid of what might happen so I complied and went with her. I later found out that what the commander had said was in fact a lie and that she had absolutely no legal authority to detain me. I was kept at Salaymeh checkpoint for an hour and a half, being told that the police would come but they never did. I was then put into a military van without being told where I was being taken. They then drove me around the city back and forth for half an hour which was very confusing. I still don’t know why they did this but I believe now that they were trying to shake off the UN who were trying to find out where I was being held in order to assist me. Eventually I was taken to a military base where they were also holding the Palestinian child who had been arrested. We were both held there for over 5 hours. During this time I was marshalled around, sporadically questioned, never given any food or water and never having anything explained to me. I was told that I would never be able to return to the country and that I would be deported that day. The whole time I was denied access to my lawyer and I was never given any reason for why I was being held. What struck me the most about being detained with the Palestinian child was that as an international I was treated far better. I, an adult, was not handcuffed, and I was allowed to keep my things. He however, a child, was handcuffed, restrained, frisked, and they took his phone and his things. It was shocking and angering to me that this child was treated so much worse than me – it made it very obvious to me that the treatment of Palestinians undoubtedly has its roots in racism. Principal tries to stop soldiers from entering a school Al Khalil Arrest Child Arrest Detention Hebron khalil Salaymeh Salaymeh Checkpoint Stun Grenades Tear Gas 2019-05-08 Tagged with: Al Khalil Arrest Child Arrest Detention Hebron khalil Salaymeh Salaymeh Checkpoint Stun Grenades Tear Gas	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498858
__label__cc	0.589415	0.410585	Tag Archive for: Goals You are here: Home / Blog / Goals What’s Missing From Your Protein Shake? August 27, 2018 /in Health /by blog Every New Year inspires a wave of self-improvement, which for many people includes improving their overall health. Unfortunately, a recent study from the University of Scranton’s Journal of Clinical Psychology says only 8 percent of those who make a New Year’s resolution see their goals come to fruition. Read more https://parkavenuehealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/shutterstock_182683421.jpg 728 1000 blog https://parkavenuehealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/parkave-logo3.png blog2018-08-27 09:01:552018-08-27 09:01:55What’s Missing From Your Protein Shake? Kindness Is Always in Season December 22, 2017 /in Health /by blog Do you think you are kind? Although most of us act on kindness and service during the holidays, most don’t make kindness a priority beyond November and December. An NBC News poll showed 62 percent of us believe children aren’t as kind as they used to be. And 77 percent of us think parents are to blame for those declining figures. The poll results show that most parents believe teaching honesty (43 percent) is more important than teaching kindness (29 percent). But 52 percent of those polled believe kindness is an innate quality that doesn’t need to be taught. Although people may not agree on the process of being kind, there’s no doubt the world could use more of it, especially after the holidays are over. Here are four ways to start practicing kindness and build a positive, happier life all year. Practice gratitude. Like most worthwhile tasks, the act of gratitude takes practice. “It’s a practice to take a moment each day to take in natural beauty and reflect on positive events,” says Lori Chandler. “And like all practices, it takes stamina to stick to it.” Not only does showing gratitude improve the life situation for others as well as ourselves, but it’s also good for our health. Related link: How to add meaning to the holiday season “Research shows that when we think about what we appreciate, the parasympathetic or calming part of the nervous system is triggered, and that can have protective benefits on the body, including decreasing cortisol levels and perhaps increasing oxytocin, the bonding hormone involved in relationships that make us feel so good,” says Today Health and Wellness contributor Lauren Dunn. Simply identifying three things for which you are grateful will have a profound impact on kindness. Set new goals every month. Rather than declaring this broad statement that your commitment to being more kind starts today and shall commence for the rest of your life, try taking smaller steps and reinforce this goal with new personal challenges every month. We come across new things to inspire us every day. And by allowing time to incorporate new things and change strategies when needed, we can continue to take charge of kindness all year. Related link: 7 Ways seniors can make the new year happy “We appreciate the efforts our staff makes every day to be patient and kind to those who need their help, saidDebra Koenig RN LNHA, executive director at Fort Dodge Health & Rehabilitation. “We recognize that this time of year can be overwhelming for both our staff and residents, so the kind service and support that they share with each other, regardless of their hectic personal lives, inspires me to be better and try harder all throughout the year.” Say “yes.” The foundation for sharing kindness is loving ourselves. Inspired by the book, Year of Yes: How to Dance it Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person, written by television producer and creator Shonda Rhimes, saying yes to trying new things, playing instead of working, and placing our happiness as a priority can motivate people to share those positive feelings with others. “When you’re willing to do something uncomfortable, it inspires other people to take action themselves,” says Bernardo Carducci, professor of psychology and director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast. This act of paying it forward sets the stage for positive change. Commit to kindness every day. It’s great to hear that the food bank shelves are filled in December, but what about March? People need to feel love and kindness every day of the year and not just during the holidays. “Kindness is not an ‘extra,” says Harriet Lerner, Ph.D, psychologist and author of Why Won’t You Apologize? “Kindness is at the heart of intimacy, connection, self-respect, and respect for others.” The truth is the opportunities to be kind during the holidays present themselves all year. We just need to use the same eyes and ears that are so attuned to doing service during the holiday season and choose kindness every day. “War, natural disasters, politics—you hit a point where you’re looking for positivity, but you don’t always know what to do or where to start,” says Kelsey Gryniewicz of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. “But that’s the power of kindness—it just takes one person, one act. You don’t need money or a ton of time.” This article was previously published on 39 for Life and republished here with permission. https://parkavenuehealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/happylady-1.jpg 580 1000 blog https://parkavenuehealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/parkave-logo3.png blog2017-12-22 18:28:112017-12-22 18:28:11Kindness Is Always in Season 8 Ways to Commit to a Healthy Lifestyle April 14, 2017 /in Health /by blog “People often say that motivation doesn’t last,” said Zig Ziglar. “Well, neither does bathing — that’s why we recommend it daily.” Most of us have things about ourselves we’d like to improve. A healthy lifestyle is no exception. This desire can come from wanting to change the way we look or feel, or heeding a doctor’s warning. “Practicing preventative measures for maintaining good health is a habit you never outgrow,” said Liz Jacobsen, team lead at Lake Ridge Senior Living. “Whether it is getting regular checkups, adjusting diet, increasing exercise or eliminating harmful habits, healthy living starts with adopting healthy habits.” Read more https://parkavenuehealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/shutterstock_520017307.jpg 667 1000 blog https://parkavenuehealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/parkave-logo3.png blog2017-04-14 00:18:072017-04-14 00:18:078 Ways to Commit to a Healthy Lifestyle	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498861
__label__wiki	0.547608	0.547608	Secularization, Multiple Modernities, and the Contemporary Challenge of “Multiple Orthodoxies” by Fr. Dragos Herescu This essay is part of a series stemming from the ongoing research project “Contemporary Eastern Orthodox Identity and the Challenges of Pluralism and Sexual Diversity in a Secular Age,” which is a joint venture by scholars from Fordham University’s Orthodox Christian Studies Center and the University of Exeter, funded by the British Council, Friends of the British Council, and the Henry Luce Foundation as part of the British Council’s “Bridging Voices” programme. In August 2019, 55 scholars gathered for an international conference at St Stephen’s House, Oxford. These essays are summaries of presentations given in preparation for the conference and during it. They together reflect the genuine diversity of opinion that was represented at the conference and testify to the need for further reflection and dialogue on these complex and controversial topics. “Have you secularized?” That was the question that I was asked, regularly and over the course of many years, by friends and colleagues every time I was travelling back in Romania from the UK. It became such a refrain of my hometown visits that at some point it turned into a sort of running joke. Although the question was always coated in a lighthearted banter gloss, it was never just that and always rang contrarily to the nagging teasing of old mates people love to complain about. To me it had the markings of a litmus test. People who had known me for a long time, who had been educated together with me, whose theological, moral and self-understating as Orthodox individuals I shared (or thought that I did), felt compelled to administer this kind of litmus test to me. I have always resented the overt but mainly the covert implications of that question. The overt meaning being that I have been “Westernized,” or that I have allowed myself to be Westernized (whatever that means!): typically that I have acquired a Western, modern mindset—a Western worldview. The covert implication—at least how I have always perceived it—is much more insidious. “Have you secularized?” meant “Are you still Orthodox?” / or, better said, “Are you still Orthodox as we are?” It carried with it the suspicion that I was not, or that I was on a path that would eventually lead me there. While at first, and for a good while after, the question hurt on a personal level—because it was simply not true—it occurred to me that this question was more a litmus test that my friends were administering to themselves—to test the Orthodoxy of their own Orthodoxy on me! The walk down memory lane aside, the “Have you secularized?” question and what is implied by it speak to the core of the difficulty that we have today in Orthodoxy when dealing with uneasy situations or topics, from fasting regulations to ecumenism, from human rights to pluralism, all the way to sexual and gender issues. This suspicion of the secularization of consciousness is levied, implicitly or explicitly, particularly at the Orthodox whose background, whether social or educational, includes some connection with Western modernity. It is usually these Orthodox that tend to want to revisit, in what is perceived as a liberal or non-traditional way, any of the issues listed above. This conference, stemming from a “transatlantic Orthodox cooperation,” is a case in point. The question that then arises is “why?” Why do these Orthodox tend to ask a different set of questions vis-à-vis these difficult issues? The hermeneutics of suspicion approach would follow the secularization of consciousness line, i.e., that the Orthodoxy of their beliefs and their reference points have been affected, diluted, changed by the Western ocean of secularization and pluralism in which these Orthodox live. It would be false to say that our Western context bears no influence on our faith. But the reality is that, far from diluting the faith, a context of established, mature, multi-layered secularization and a culture of pluralism usually serve to sharpen one’s Orthodoxy. This has been my experience both as a priest and before my ordination, but also as a researcher. In fact, the only constant that I have seen is that the Western secular context will dilute the faith commitment and Orthodoxy of those who already had a “fuzzy fidelity,” to use an expression coined by David Voas.[1] Another answer to the question may be that the impetus to tackle difficult questions and faithfully seek contextually-valid answers is a critical part of the condition of the Orthodox living as a minority. We are so used to defining Orthodoxy along ethnic and land-locked identities (Russian, Greek, Romanian, Serbian etc.) that we tend to ignore the reality that late 20th – early 21st century Orthodoxy has already developed a significant minority-majority approach running through it—and it feels to me that the difference between these approaches is only growing wider. There are already differences between the different Orthodox countries or churches in their approach to sensitive issues (e.g., the Romania abortion paper by the patriarchate vs. the 2008 Russian document on the ROC’s Basic Teaching on Human Dignity Freedom and Rights), but the reality is that, as much as we experience what Shmuel Eisenstadt defined as multiple modernities, we also experience multiple Orthodoxies—of minority and majority. To re-appropriate an axiom used by David Martin,[2] we are currently experiencing the tension between portable and land-locked Orthodoxy, i.e., between those for whom Orthodoxy is a universal, mobile, voluntary religion ready and able to wrestle with any and every question and those for whom Orthodoxy is mediated by ethnicity, place, and custom. It is, to echo something that Peter Berger pointed to, the tension created by an Orthodoxy that has “moved from taken-for-granted-ness to the possibility of choices.”[3] All of this, of course, has to do with the answer to the question: What does it mean to be Orthodox today and here? What informs the question – or indeed the very need of asking or not asking it – lies at the core of this tension. For my old colleagues worried about my secularization, it is the idea that we have a constant, which is Orthodoxy, and that, regardless of the socio-cultural changes around it, Orthodoxy remains the absolute constant—or better said, that in order to remain “Orthodoxy” it has to resist these changes—to witness against them as it were. This is predicated on the fact that historically and sociologically, Orthodoxy has mostly been exposed to religiously homogeneous contexts and / or “controlled pluralism” contexts: think of Greece, Romania, Russia, etc. But now, 30 years after the fall of communism, if we look at the motherland Orthodox countries in Eastern Europe, we are in a situation where the controlled pluralism of the communists is no more and, while Orthodoxy remains the dominant religious affiliation, it can hardly be claimed that we are looking at a “religiously homogeneous context” even in Easter Europe. With the exception of Russia, all Orthodox countries in Eastern Europe are either members of the EU or aspiring to becomes members. Although each in its own way is uniquely European and modern, these countries are significantly changed and different from the 1990s. Equally, there is now a whole generation for whom the communist period is something that people learn about at school and who keenly identify as European, mobile, free and so on.[4] This is the generation that is the least religiously observant, or religious in a different way than their parents or grandparents. This is also the generation that has questions and problems that are of a more “European,” “secularized” nature. It is also the generation that, owing to globalization and migration patterns in the last 30 years, has experienced Western modernity and pluralism first-hand. So, while we are looking at a picture of multiple modernities, we would be closer to the facts to say that we are in fact looking at a picture of simultaneous modernities. What I mean by that is that people, but especially young people—and perhaps this applies even more to those in the LGBT community—experience both the specific conditions of modernity of their own (Orthodox) context and that of the Western context. This has consequences for the hermeneutical key and relevance of the Orthodox Church in relation to these groups and to the young generation in general. The reality of the young generations being exposed to simultaneous modernities creates a huge hermeneutical challenge for the Orthodox Church in Eastern Europe and Russia. This is related to what Charles Taylor referred to as the “change in the conditions of belief” on a societal grand scale and validates the sociological axiom that “changes in society trigger changes in the religion.” In secularization terms, this translates to “the declining social importance of religion, the number of people who take it seriously and how seriously anyone takes it.”[5] In traditionally Orthodox countries and in similar Western Orthodox communities, this change usually results in a defensive attitude and a hardening of discourse and attitudes. Sometimes no stranger to violence, the defensive attitude is grounded on the fact that the pluralism and modernity generically associated with human rights and crystallized by the LGBT and gender issues are felt to be a Western construct being imported or forced on them. They are, as it were, the latest in a long line of “secular western imports,” like liberal democracy, EU regulations, consumerism, etc. In addition to that, the conversation about human rights and especially LGBT rights is perceived as being in some sense rooted in a “western culture of subjectivity,” which goes against the more uniform, traditional, and homogeneously-communitarian drive that the psyche of these societies is geared towards. The “imports” help produces a culture of subjectivity which erodes and fragments the old canopy of shared meaning and narrative. It is important to keep these things in mind, because in the West, all of these have been the result of a long process of emancipation and development and represent responses to historical changes that the East did not experience in the same way. This progressive, organic development is missing in the Orthodox socio-cultural context. But this does highlight the fact that, overall, the Orthodox Church is struggling to find ways to be hermeneutically relevant in relation to how society is moving. The way forward is not by changing doctrine (which is what is usually being claimed as the “unholy sacrifice” that some Western Orthodox theologians are prepared to do) but by asking new contextual questions—which implies a degree of openness, vulnerability, and repentance. The challenge for the Church is to be a relevant part of the evolving social collective religious memory. This memory is formed by the dialogue between the ecclesial community and society. Secularization is aided from within the Church when the Church fails to maintain that dialogical memory coherent and fresh and in tune with society. There are two recent examples I can offer that may help illustrate the point here. The first one comes from Romania in the shape of the 2018 Referendum on the Family (6-8 Oct. 2018), which was heavily endorsed by the Orthodox Church and supported by all the other churches and recognized denominations in Romania. It was a spectacular failure—or “an incomplete success,” as it was described in a press release by the Church. On the one hand, it was a cold reality check for the Church; on the other; it was a perfect litmus test about the relationship between human rights, modernity, and Orthodoxy in Romania. The aim of the referendum was to change the definition of the family in the Article 48 of the Romanian Constitution, which defines the family as being founded on the free-willed marriage “between spouses.” The proposed amendment was to make it clear that marriage is between a man and a woman. So, this move from the gender-neutral formula was seen as a way to prevent, further down the line, same sex marriage. Turnout was only 21.1%, below the 30% threshold, so the result was invalidated. However, of the participants, over 90% approved of the proposed change. Without wading into the very controversial territory of this referendum, I think that its failure signals a real crisis of hermeneutical relevance of the Orthodox Church in Romania and a failure of its nurturing of an Orthodox social collective memory. It was the echo-chamber result that comes as a surprise only for those within. The other example is more generic. It highlights that most applications to the European Court of Human Rights consistently come from countries with high religiosity, with Orthodox countries ranking high in that list. The data is easily available on the Court’s website. Among a significant backlog, the high number of applications is indicative of both an endemic problem with respecting human rights and a growing awareness and culture about human rights in these countries. The Church does not seem to take notice that such a high number of people feel that they have a case and have not been heard properly in their own country—which leads to the damming observation that the most issues with respecting the dignity of the human person are present in Orthodox countries! Many voices, of both Church leaders and researchers, see pluralism—or the condition of pluralism brought about by modernity and the process of secularization—as the main issue for Orthodoxy today, whether in Eastern Europe or Russia, or in the US and Western Europe. For an established faith context, dealing with a plurality of perspectives, options, and competing (faith) narratives can feel like an assault. It will elicit a defensive, externally critical reaction. However, in an unhealthy way, Orthodoxy seems to match this with an equivalent internally uncritical reaction. The more Orthodoxy feels that it has to defend itself from a perceived external threat, like pluralism, the more it seems (nowadays at least) to develop a blind spot towards the possibility of plurality within. In the context of secularization, pluralism and multiple modernities, it is essential to rediscover the Church as a hospital, not a tribunal—especially in connection to sensitive and difficult issues that affect individuals and communities. Currently, it seems to me that the Orthodox Church favors being a hospital for the healthy and a tribunal for the sick. But a hospital for the healthy is at best a retirement home. A tribunal for the sick and suffering will only ever place the blame back on the victims. Pluralism represents a problem or a threat only for “cozy Orthodoxy,” for an Orthodoxy bloated by ethno-religiosity, saturated by over-exposure to its own echo chamber, and “tunnel-vision-ed” by contextual and provincial customs elevated to Holy Tradition or a “way of life” status and left unquestioned almost with a superstitious anxiety. (Just think about hierarchical clericalism and the place of women in the church both in the worship space and the faith community). If pluralism is the arena, then secularization—as in the diminishing social relevance of religion—is the name of the game, and our understanding of personhood is the offside line. The winning team is the one that wins at “unity in diversity” in this picture. The coach and referee in all this is our Lord Jesus Christ, who during His life on earth counted as his “team members” publicans, adulterers, fishermen, tax collectors, social and gender outcasts, minorities, married and single people. The Lord was at pains to teach them how to be united, how to love one another, how to pray for one another, despite—or better said—because they were so diverse. Their diversity was their own, but their unity was (in) Him. [1] D. Voas, The Rise and Fall of Fuzzy Fidelity in Europe, European Sociological Review, Volume 25, Issue 2, April 2009, 155–168 [2] D. Martin, What I really said about Secularisation, in Dialog: A Journal of Theology • Volume 46, Number 2 • Summer 2007 [3] P. Berger, 2005, Orthodoxy and Global Pluralism [4] N. Waechter, Formation of European identity: ethnic minority groups in Central and Eastern Europe in generational perspective, in Identities – Global Studies in Culture and Power, Vol. 23, 2016 – Issue 6 [5] S. Bruce, 2011: Secularization: In Defence of an Unfashionable Theory, Oxford: OUP Fr. Dragos Herescu is Principal of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge. Public Orthodoxy seeks to promote conversation by providing a forum for diverse perspectives on contemporary issues related to Orthodox Christianity. The positions expressed in this essay are solely the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of the Fordham-Exeter project leaders, the conference as a whole, or the Orthodox Christian Studies Center. Posted in Church and Modern Society, Fordham-Exeter Bridging Voices Project and tagged Diversity, Fr. Dragos Herescu, Secularization, Westernization on October 29, 2019 by Public Orthodoxy. ← Ukrainian Autocephaly and Responsibility toward the Faithful The Flame in Our Lady’s Hair →	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498863
__label__wiki	0.964437	0.964437	Man arrested in Beatty on suspicion of kidnapping, sexual assault Nye County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 23-year-old man in Beatty on suspicion of kidnapping, sexual assault and other charges connected to the disappearance of a New York woman he reportedly met online, authorities said Friday. Special to the Pahrump Valley Times November 8, 2017 - 7:00 am Jon Turner (Nye County Sheriff's Office) Nye County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 23-year-old man in Beatty on suspicion of kidnapping, sexual assault and other charges connected to the disappearance of a New York woman he reportedly met online, authorities said. Deputies responded to a Beatty motel after dispatchers received a call at about 8:21 p.m., Nov. 2 from a citizen reporting a woman had suffered several injuries after a physical altercation with a man, according to a release from the sheriff’s office. Upon arrival, deputies found a 25-year-old victim with multiple injuries. She told detectives her boyfriend beat and choked her and later left her unconscious on a nearby street. When she regained consciousness, he took her to a motel room where they had been staying and handcuffed her to some furniture, the release said. The boyfriend, identified as Jon Wesley Turner of Elmira, N.Y., reportedly continued to beat and choke her, and also used a hatchet to injure her, the release said. The woman was able to free herself and sought help at the motel office. Deputies searched for Turner, who had left the motel, and detained him nearby. During their investigation, detectives found that Turner and the victim had been reported missing out of two different jurisdictions in New York since about Aug. 25. The victim had met Turner online weeks earlier and began a relationship with him in New York, according to the release. At some point, Turner allegedly forced her to leave the state with him, threatening to kill her if she didn’t, it said. Her vehicle was later found abandoned in the Big Bear area of California. The pair had been in Las Vegas before going to Beatty, the release noted. The victim, who was later treated at a Las Vegas hospital, told detectives Turner sexually assaulted her over the approximately two weeks they spent in Beatty, it said. Turner was arrested Thursday and booked into the Nye County Detention Center in Pahrump, where he is being held on $275,000 bail. He faces charges of battery, domestic violence with strangulation; battery with a deadly weapon; assault with a deadly weapon; false imprisonment; sexual assault; and kidnapping, first degree, the release said. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the sheriff’s office at 775-751-7000 or by email at NCSO_Detectives@co.nye.nv.us.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498864
__label__cc	0.70356	0.29644	Value-added foods – leveraging Australian attributes Australia enjoys an enviable and deserved reputation as the producer of safe, clean, green foods and agricultural products. Professor Mike Gidley – Director of the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland – examines how this reputation can be leveraged to develop value-added foods. COMMODITIES AND SPECIALITIES In the export market, there are typically two categories of products supplied by the agri-food sector. The current dominant category for Australia involves large-scale primary products such as grains, animals, fruits and vegetables, or first-stage processed products such as milk powders or meat. The common characteristic of these products is that they are traded and eventually sold to consumers on a per weight basis. This makes for easy price comparisons and decisions by food manufacturers, retailers and consumers, and the commoditisation of produce. Australian produce can often be shown to have superior attributes to similar produce from other countries with a lower cost base than Australia. However, cost/benefit trade-off decisions are inevitability made by food manufacturers, retailers and consumers who determine whether it is worth paying more per kilogram for Australian produce. The second category of agri-food product is that of value-added foods, which are typically sold to consumers per meal or serving rather than on a per weight basis. This results in a decoupling of weight from price and can lead to much higher margins, but must be accompanied by added value to consumers in the form of convenience, nutrition, and/or quality characteristics. With a developing global interest from consumers wanting to know where theirfood comes from and a growing, newly-affluent population in many Asian and other export markets, there is an opportunity for Australia to build on its reputation as a producer of quality foods to develop added-value products. This may also lead to a redefinition of Australia’s potential regional role from being a food bowl to being a provider of high-value niche products backed by technical evidence of quality, nutrition and sustainable production processes. As there is now no limit to the amount of information that can be included in digital form with food produce and consumer products, compositional, provenance and other information can be used to support and justify premium prices. In addressing this opportunity, (atleast) three platforms can be envisaged, which are discussed below under the headings of Naturally Nutritious, Uniquely Australian and Smart Selections. All of these rely on the natural advantages that Australia has: diverse land and water resources, highly efficient farming practices, and the continued health of a flourishing agriculture and food research and development ecosystem in Australia. NATURALLY NUTRITIOUS The increasing prevalence of non-communicable ‘diseases of affluence’ such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and colon cancer, as well as the associated obesity challenge, has fuelled intense interestin the development of foods and diets to combat them. Although there is a lot of media noise and commercial opportunism in the latest diet fad or ‘superfood’, the reality is that health agencies around the world have reached a consensus that a healthy diet should be rich in plantbased foods with suitable protein sources. In addition, the total energy intake associated with these foods should be appropriate for each individual’s lifestyle (particularly physical activity and age). In orderto achieve optimal nutrition within a total dietary energy cap, attention should be focussed on nutrient-dense foods – particularly those with high satiety – to make it easier for people to keep within an appropriate total energy intake. Australia is a source of all of the recommended nutrient-dense foods including wholegrains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, dairy products, beef, seafood and other muscle foods. This focus on wholesome food is perfectly in line with consensus health advice, and for consumers there is often a halo effect that links safe, clean, green food with optimal nutrition. With additional dietary information that demonstrates the nutritional value of specific Australian food products, coupled with packaging that optimises convenience and attractiveness,there is currently a window of opportunity for Australia to become recognised as a preferred source of premium nutritional food products. This is the case from primary produce through to elaborately-transformed foods that maintain natural characteristics in the eyes of consumers. UNIQUELY AUSTRALIAN Building on Australia’s natural advantages, marketing food products that can only have come from Australia is an attractive aim. Two aspects of this opportunity are provenance attributes and the use of native (‘bush food’) plants and extracts. In order to justify provenance claims, it will be necessary to associate specific attributes of food products with their region of origin. This approach is very well established in the wine industry, with clearlinks between the growth region and the characteristics ofthe wine. There seems no reason why this approach should not work for other food products whose quality depends on characteristics of the environment in which they are grown. The challenge will be to establish an appropriate language to describe the locality-specific characteristics, and support this with analytical measures of food composition that can be easily comprehended by consumers. One of the more straightforward propositions for Australian provenance in consumers’ eyes is food products made with ingredients sourced from unique native Australian plants. In addition, innovative chefs are using the distinctive tastes and aromas of native plant foods to build a uniquely Australian cuisine, and the publicity that this attracts can be a springboard for the development of valueadded consumer foods. SMART SELECTIONS The wealth and diversity of primary agricultural produce from Australia has resulted in major and successful efforts to retain the maximum possible sensory and nutritional properties ‘from farm to fork’. In addition to the continuing importance of this approach, the complementary approach ‘from fork to farm’ is likely to assume a greater prominence in the future. This prediction is based on the rapid developments in measurement science, computation, genetics and other areas that are allowing researchers to determine the molecular basis for the sensory and nutritional properties of foods, from raw materials and post-harvest processing. By being able to analyse the compositional structure of particularfood attributes desired by consumers,the opportunity arises for smart selections of raw materials and processing conditions aimed at delivering the required taste and nutritional attributes. This in turn may influence the choice of crops grown, as the added value associated with premium consumer foods can be shared throughout the supply chain. Coupled with naturally nutritious and uniquely Australian attributes, smart selections promise to deliver a bright future for the value-added agrifood sector in Australia. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Professor Mike Gidley is the Director of the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences in the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) at the University of Queensland. Trained in chemistry at the Universities of London and Cambridge, his research is focused on analysing the structural nature of the raw material of crops and plants in order to optimise the nutritional value of food products. Source: Boundless Plains to Share - Australia's agribusiness partnership with Asia - century 21 View PDF online Centre for Food & Nutrition Sciences Professor Mike Gidley speaking at lecture that will be examining the intersection of food and nutrition. AIFST Seminar - Gut microbiota: The impact of diet on gut microbiota and health Beef genetics expertise attracts research leaders UQ comes out on top at 2018 QLD Women in STEM Prize Privacy & Terms of use \| Feedback \| Updated: 12 Mar 2018	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498865
__label__cc	0.555659	0.444341	An analysis of the balance of power Cwpa writing a book An analysis of the study of kinematics in the development of prosthetic limbs and footwear An analysis of the effects of global warming and its true existence Phenomenology is a Continental school emphasizing intuition and raw sensory experience. Ordinary Language Analysis or Oxford philosophy is an analytic school holding that the meaning of propositions lies in how their constituent terms are used in ordinary language. This level of consensus is equivalent to the level of agreement among scientists that smoking causes cancer — a statement that very few people, if any, contest today. Though they tend to use the nutrients in the ground, in theory they can be replenished from biosolids refined animal feces. I think that the people who are alarmist are in a very strong position. Spread of tropical diseases: This would also cause great damage to fish stocks. In a warmer world, for instance, less ice and more plant-life means less sunlight is reflected to space, which creates more warming. Fishing fleets are 40 percent larger than the ocean can sustain. I would anticipate that as the Earth warms from man-made climate change, these sources would still contribute to a rise in sea levels. It is precisely because of the fact that Antarctica is melting that sea ice is growing, and scientists have been predicting this all along, not only because of the melting on land, but also because AGW causes the wind to increase, blowing more snow into the ocean, and further creating a snowfall effect, but reducing the salinity further. Models vs observations, Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. The future of the people in the Philippines could easily be overwhelmed by outside forces, in a world that's projected to have 9 billion mouths to feed by the middle of the century. Meaning is the context-sensitive connotation ultimately established by relevant denotation and use. Another report made by WHO in found that warming had caused malaria to spread from three districts in western Kenya to 13 and led to epidemics. All persons have the right to life and liberty. Continued uncontrolled GHG emissions will accelerate and compound the effects and risks of climate change well into the future. The time to act is now. The officials don't enforce the laws. This undermines efforts to combat global warming and there is a risk of an uncontrollable run away greenhouse effect. Agnosticism constitutes either ignorance of this demand, or a redundant restatement of the principle that synthetic propositions are subject to doubt. If changes themselves can change, these hyper-changes are hyper-events that can be ordered into hypertime. Sea level rise is accelerating. Support for the creation of marine reserves has been gaining momentum. Autocosmic Answers What is existing? Any one user may think he can benefit from taking as much of the resource as possible. Global Change Research Program, the National Climate Assessment provides a comprehensive assessment of the current understanding of climate science, including an overview of likely impacts in the United States on a region-by-region basis. A continuer is closest if it retains more of the original entity's properties than any other continuer. But with a few trillion dollars we can move them inland; no catastrophe. In the process, everything else - all the little stuff that lives on the bottom, the sponges and the coral and all the habitat for baby animals - you wipe all that out. The warming had similar positive feedback loops, which initially could have been caused by one of many factors but eventually the warming increased the levels of CO2 which then caused even more warming. The oceans release carbon dioxide, more water evaporates, humidity changes, sea-levels rise, and all of those consequent changes further affect temperatures. Physical possibility is the property of not contradicting the laws of nature. Plankton changes, combined with rising ocean temperatures, could affect the success of young marine life because so many species time their spawning to the spring bloom. Just leave it alone and it will take care of itself. Clearly it is anthropogenic burning of fossil fuels that is responsible. This is not an easy way to earn a living.Global warming is not a separate entity, nor uis Climate change. Furthermore these are not well defined subjects, they are vague. However, they are just results of what is happening to our planet – Global. We can reduce global warming emissions and ensure communities have the resources they need to withstand the effects of climate change—but not without you. Your generous support helps develop science-based solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future. Significant Energy E vents in Earth's and Life's History as of Energy Event. Timeframe. Significance. Nuclear fusion begins in the Sun. c. billion years ago (“bya”) Provides the power for all of Earth's geophysical, geochemical, and ecological systems, with. Overview. S. Fred Singer is a distinguished astrophysicist who has taken a hard, scientific look at the evidence. In this book, Dr. Singer explores the inaccuracies in historical climate data, the limitations of attempting to model climate on computers, solar variability and its impact on climate, the effects of clouds, ocean currents, and sea levels on global climate, and factors that could. by Javier Summary: Modern Global Warming has been taking place for the past years. It is the last of several multi-century warming periods that have happened during the Neoglacial cooling of the past years. Analysis of Holocene climate cycles shows that the period AD should be a period of warming. The evidence. Are the Effects of Global Warming Really that Bad? Español; "Extreme weather events are costing more and more," says Aliya Haq, deputy director of . Write a c program for queue using linked list Development and learning in children through the principles of human development Successful dissertations and theses Sport research paper topics Peacemaker project A literary analysis of the civil war novel by stephen crane Writing arm movements in freestyle Comparison between thesis and dissertation printing Embedded quotes essays The question of henry james a collection of critical essays	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498866
__label__wiki	0.927425	0.927425	Emmanuel Sanders Kyle Nelson Kyle Allen Cam Newton Jimmy Garoppolo Nick Bosa Ron Rivera Kyle Shanahan Gerald McCoy Tevin Coleman Raheem Mostert Robbie Gould John Lynch Richard M. Sherman Richard Sherman Matt Breida Dee Ford Tre Boston Sports NFL football Professional football Football Carolina Panthers San Francisco 49ers Denver Broncos Arizona Cardinals Undefeated 49ers get measuring stick game vs. Panthers By JOSH DUBOW - Oct. 24, 2019 08:31 PM EDT FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2019, file photo, Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver. The San Francisco 49ers have raced out to six straight wins to open the season despite lacking a dynamic receiver who could change a game in a single play. So when the opportunity to acquire a player like Sanders presented itself, the Niners didn't hesitate to make a move, giving up a pair of draft picks for a 32-year-old receiver in the final year of his contract. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Coach Kyle Shanahan's tenure in San Francisco began with a lopsided loss to the Carolina Panthers. The rematch on Sunday between the 49ers (6-0) and Panthers (4-2) will show how far San Francisco has come in two-plus years under Shanahan. The Niners are off to their best start since 1990 and are one of two remaining undefeated teams in the league thanks to a dominant defense that has shut down nearly every opponent and a diverse offense that takes advantage of Shanahan's play-calling to create mismatches all over the field. "I see every week as a measuring stick," Shanahan said. "Carolina is always a tough team." Now the 49ers are equipped to match up with them after being in a different class back in the 2017 opener. Only five players who started that 23-3 loss for San Francisco are projected to play on Sunday as Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have remade nearly the entire roster that started 0-9 that season. Jimmy Garoppolo was brought in midway through 2017 and has been a steady presence at quarterback. The defense has undergone a major overhaul the past couple of years with cornerback Richard Sherman joining the team last year and edge rushers Dee Ford and Nick Bosa coming in this season. San Francisco added another big piece this week with the addition of receiver Emmanuel Sanders, a message from management to the players that this team is in position to contend for a title. "It was a guy they valued, a guy Kyle respects a ton, who fits our system very well," Sherman said. "They were doing whatever they could to make our team better. That's the only message that it sends. Regardless of the circumstances, they're working to get us better." Panthers coach Ron Rivera said it's easy to see the improvement in the 49ers in the past couple of years. "They've done well in the draft the last three years," he said. "They've put themselves in position to be successful because of the players and because of the way they approach the game." ALLEN BACK UNDER CENTER Rivera said Kyle Allen will continue to start while Cam Newton rehabs from a mid-foot sprain. Allen is 4-0 this season as the team's starter and his 106.6 QB rating is fourth-best in the NFL. But Rivera said the 49ers will be Allen's stiffest challenge yet. San Francisco ranks first in the NFL in pass defense and is allowing just 10.7 points per game. "The more he plays, the more comfortable he gets and the more his confidence builds," Rivera said of Allen. "You see quick decisions, you see quick feet. And that's been huge. And probably the one thing I appreciate is that he's learning to protect the ball better." NEW TARGET The Niners ranked last in the NFL with just 49 catches from wide receivers this season and second worst with 679 yards receiving. That led to the move to acquire Sanders from Denver this week. He had 30 catches for 367 yards and two TDs in seven games with the Broncos and has the versatility to play both outside and inside in San Francisco's offense. "When you get a guy that talented, it's just about getting the ball in his hands, letting him make plays, the yards after catch, obviously he's tremendous at that," Garoppolo said. "It's just you want to give him opportunities. As the quarterback, it's your job to do that." DEFENSIVE PRESSURE The Panthers have 23 sacks and forced 14 turnovers in the past four games and will look to carry that momentum over following a bye week. Safety Tre Boston said the Panthers can be better, pointing the Patriots defense as the measuring stick in the NFL. "When we know our assignments it's hard to beat us," Boston said. "Early on it was getting the feel of who you want to be, your identity. We're getting in a rhythm and we're still hungry." DOMINANT DEFENSE The Niners have relied on their defense for this fast start. San Francisco has allowed 64 points this season, the second fewest through six games in franchise history to the 63 in 1976. The 49ers have been even more stingy of late, allowing just 10 points the past three weeks against Cleveland, the Rams and Washington, and not allowing any of those teams to reach 200 yards. San Francisco is the first team since Minnesota in 1988 to allow 50 or fewer net yards passing in consecutive games. DEFENDING THE RUN Panthers defensive lineman Gerald McCoy said it doesn't matter who is at running back for the 49ers — Tevin Coleman, Matt Breida or Raheem Mostert — they will defend the 49ers the same way. "They don't base what they do off who is in the game," McCoy said. "They run their offense. They have different guys who can do different stuff. We know we have to deal with four guys, but we are playing against a scheme, not a player." MISSED KICKS Robbie Gould missed his seventh field goal of the season last week, joining Sebastian Janikowski (2000) as the only players in the past 25 years to miss seven field goals in the first six games. Making matters worse is the fact that Gould was given a four-year, $19 million contract with $10.5 million guaranteed this summer after skipping the offseason program in a contract dispute. Gould could get some help this week with another change at long snapper after the Niners have gone through three already this season. Kyle Nelson returns from a 10-game suspension this week. AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this report	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498869
__label__cc	0.71769	0.28231	4 Games to Watch: College Football Championship Saturday by Black Shoes Diary \| Dec 6, 2019 Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images A stress-free day of college football is always nice, but a stressful Championship Saturday would be so much better. I’ve listed four of the more marquee games below, but you really can’t go wrong with any of these games . Regardless of prestige, each team will be fighting for a conference championship that they will cherish for the remainder of their days. It should be an all-around tremendous day of college football filled with hard-fought battles. Also, don’t forget about the Penn State-Ohio State match-up on the hardwood Saturday at noon. (#5)Utah vs. (#13)Oregon (Friday) 8 p.m., ABC These teams missed each other during the regular season, but have been on a collision course for most of the season. Utah is looking to make its final statement to move into the playoffs, and honestly, they would be the firm #4 if they were located in a different time zone. The Utes have an aggressive defense, an efficient offense and a special teams unit known for making momentum-shifting plays. They deserve the chance with a victory, and will be a difficult match-up for Ohio State or LSU in the playoffs. This game could also feature Penn State’s next opponent, as the Nittany Lions would face the Utes or the Ducks in Pasadena should they receive the Rose Bowl invite. Prediction: Utah-27, Oregon-20 (#7)Baylor vs. (#6)Oklahoma Noon, ABC This is a rematch of one of the best games of the year, as Oklahoma stormed back from a 31-10 halftime deficit to pull off a stunning comeback victory in the final seconds. That was only three weeks ago, and here we are again. Both teams have an outside shot at the playoffs, and it seems like committee is itching to get the Sooners is the playoffs to join three other bluebloods. This should be a battle from beginning to end as Matt Rhule and co. look to get over the heartbreak from last month. Prediction: Oklahoma-42, Baylor-37 (#4)Georgia vs. (#2)LSU 4 p.m., CBS If Georgia pulls off the upset, both teams should head to the playoffs. If the Bulldogs lose, they are certainly out of the fourth spot with their second loss of the season. LSU has remained unbeaten thanks to an unstoppable offense led by Joe Burrows, who will likely take home to Heisman next week. Meanwhile, Georgia has been outslugging opponents with an outstanding defense. It will be a fascinating battle of styles, as Georgia attempts to be the team that finally makes Burrows look human this season. Prediction: LSU-34, Georgia-24 (#1)Ohio State vs. (#8)Wisconsin 8 p.m., FOX These teams met on Oct. 26, with Wisconsin offering little resistance as the Buckeyes cruised to a 38-7 victory. A similar result should send the Nittany Lions to Pasadena once they jump Wisconsin in the playoff rankings. The Badgers have the needed elements to pull off the upset – ability to control the line of scrimmage, a strong running game to keep a wildly talented Buckeyes offense on the sideline, and a stingy defense – but after seeing how these teams matched-up, it’s hard to imagine Wisconsin sticking in this one long enough to pull off the upset. Prediction: Ohio State-41, Wisconsin-20	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498872
__label__cc	0.677314	0.322686	The South Stream Pipeline and the Russian State by Brown, Steven Craig, M.A., The American University of Paris (France), 2011, 64; 10305794 In 2007, Russia announced plans to construct the South Stream natural gas pipeline. With a proposed route running through the “southern corridor” of the Southern Balkans and up through Eastern Europe, the pipeline has been advertised by the Kremlin and the project’s main financier, state-owned Gazprom, as a project intended to bolster European energy security and strengthen Russian-EU energy relations. However, Russia’s increasingly aggressive role in energy relations with its European neighbors over the past decade has compelled the West to actively pursue alternative pipeline projects and assuage its dependency on Russian gas. In spite of the mounting political and economic backlash against the South Stream project, the Kremlin has nevertheless remained adamantly determined to pursue it. With the commercial rationale of the expensive project less than salient, and the political costs mounting, this thesis seeks to explore the Kremlin’s motivations driving the controversial project. By drawing on primary sources, interviews with natural gas market analysts, and building on academic sources detailing the role of Russia’s energy sector in the development of the modern Russian state, this thesis posits that the South Stream pipeline project is deeply intertwined with Russia’s notion of sovereignty, state-building, and re-emerging as a “great state” in the 21st century. As such, ideational factors associated with Russia’s quest for greatness play an integral part in explaining Russia’s determination to pursue the project. Keywords: South Stream, Russian energy, Russian natural gas, Nabucco, Ukrainian bypass School: The American University of Paris (France) Department: International Affairs School Location: France Source: MAI 56/02M(E), Masters Abstracts International Subjects: International Relations, Slavic Studies, Energy Keywords: Nabucco, Natural gas, Russia, South Stream pipeline, Ukrainian bypass Publication Number: 10305794	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498877
__label__wiki	0.511196	0.511196	Press Corp http://presscorp.org/news/pete-buttigieg-wants-thomas-jefferson-s-name-stripped-off-buildings-honors Pete Buttigieg Wants Thomas Jefferson's Name Stripped Off Buildings, Honors Samantha Hays Mt Rushmore by unknown is licensed under pxhere Creative Commons CC0 Upstart candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, told radio host Hugh Hewitt that that he supports efforts to remove acclaimed President Thomas Jefferson's name from buildings, honors, and events — specifically the annual Democrat fundraiser, the "Jefferson-Jackson Dinner." “Yeah, we're doing that in Indiana. I think it's the right thing to do,” Buttigieg said,according to The Washington Free Beacon, though he also offered a fairly neutral, half-hearted defense of the iconic president and author of the Declaration of Independence. “Over time, you develop and evolve on the things you choose to honor, Jefferson is more problematic,” Buttigieg said. “There's a lot, of course, to admire in his thinking and his philosophy, but then again if you plunge into his writings, especially the notes on the state of Virginia, you know that he knew slavery was wrong. We are all morally conflicted human beings.” Buttigieg stopped short of saying Jefferson's role in the founding of the United States should be wiped out of history books, but does support the idea that Jefferson should be stripped of visible honors, including his name on buildings and federal institutions, because those visible tributes have an effect on people's emotional and psychological well-being. Political Media, Inc. 1800 Diagonal Road, Ste 620 © 2020, Political Media, Inc. powered by StructureCMS™	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498878
__label__wiki	0.574178	0.574178	Trump Jr.: "Democrats And Media Hate Trump Much More Than They Love America" China Coronavirus Outbreak Spreads; Hundreds Infected As Human-To-Human Transmission Confirmed 10 Quotes From Big Names Across The Political Spectrum That Are Suspicious About The Cause Of Epstein’s Death In Featured, Life Stories Was there a conspiracy to kill Jeffrey Epstein? Over the past 24 hours, the mainstream media has been full of stories about the various “conspiracy theories” that have sprung up around Jeffrey Epstein’s death. And of course the term “conspiracy theory” has essentially become a shorthand way for the mainstream media to dismiss any explanation that does not fit with the “official” interpretation of a particular news event. So far, the mainstream media is pushing the narrative that Jeffrey Epstein’s death was a “suicide” even though we don’t actually have any evidence that this is true yet. Perhaps when we finally get the autopsy results things will become clearer, but then again they might not. In any event, it has been quite remarkable to see how big names from across the political spectrum have been responding to Epstein’s death. Many of them are demanding an investigation into what happened, and quite a few of them already seem convinced that his death was definitely not a “suicide”. If Epstein’s death was not a suicide, then there almost certainly had to have been more than one person involved. And if more than one person was involved, that would fit the legal definition of a “conspiracy”. According to Cornell Law School, a “conspiracy” exits when there is an “agreement between two or more people to commit an illegal act, along with an intent to achieve the agreement’s goal.” Wealthy and powerful people work together to commit illegal acts all the time. If you don’t believe that, then you need to wake up and learn how the world really works. Only time will tell if Jeffrey Epstein’s death was the result of a “conspiracy”, but right now a lot of prominent individuals are questioning the official narrative. The following are 10 quotes from big names across the political spectrum that are suspicious about the cause of Epstein’s death… Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: “We need answers. Lots of them.” U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz: “Chairman @RepJerryNadler should prioritize a Judiciary investigation into how Jeffrey Epstein died in federal custody (in Nadler’s own neighborhood!) over the Kavanaugh confirmation (which already happened), and the Russia hoax (which never happened).” Joe Scarborough: “A guy who had information that would have destroyed rich and powerful men’s lives ends up dead in his jail cell. How predictably…Russian.” Lou Dobbs: “Dead Men Tell No Tales. Jeffrey Epstein found dead in Manhattan jail cell; multiple reports claim death by suicide #MAGA #AmericaFirst #Dobbs” U.S. Representative Al Green: “The suicide of Mr. Epstein is an impossibilty. When an impossiblty occurs involving powerful people and possible criminality there must be an investigation to end speculation. Because the public has a right to know, I’m calling for a congressional investigation. #JefferyEpstein” Rudy Giuliani: “What does the word watch mean in the phrase suicide Watch? Who was watching? What does camera show? It is inconceivable Epstein could have hung himself if there was a suicide Watch? Follow the motives.” Harlan Z. Hill: “Dead men tell no tales. Just as Jeffrey Epstein starts to name names, he decides to kill himself? Mkay. Totally believable.” Former U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill: “Something stinks to high heaven. How does someone on suicide watch hang himself with no intervention? Impossible. Unless…..” Paul Krugman: “If we were living in a paranoid fantasy universe, I would be very suspicious about the Epstein suicide, even about whether it was really suicide. And you know what? The Epstein case itself shows that we are kind of living in a paranoid fantasy universe.” Attorney General William Barr: “I was appalled to learn that Jeffrey Epstein was found dead early this morning from an apparent suicide while in federal custody. Mr. Epstein’s death raises serious questions that must be answered. In addition to the FBI’s investigation, I have consulted with the Inspector General who is opening an investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Epstein’s death.” President Trump also jumped into this debate when he retweeted something that a conservative comedian named Terrence K. Williams had posted. Died of SUICIDE on 24/7 SUICIDE WATCH ? Yeah right! How does that happen#JefferyEpstein had information on Bill Clinton & now he’s dead I see #TrumpBodyCount trending but we know who did this! RT if you’re not Surprised#EpsteinSuicide #ClintonBodyCount #ClintonCrimeFamily pic.twitter.com/Y9tGAWaAxX — Terrence K. Williams (@w_terrence) August 10, 2019 But to me, there was one quote that stood out above all the quotes that I have shared with you so far. The New York Post interviewed a former inmate of the Metropolitan Correction Center in lower Manhattan, and according to that inmate it would have literally been impossible for Epstein to kill himself… There’s no way that man could have killed himself. I’ve done too much time in those units. It’s an impossibility. Between the floor and the ceiling is like eight or nine feet. There’s no way for you to connect to anything. You have sheets, but they’re paper level, not strong enough. He was 200 pounds — it would never happen. You can read the rest of his account right here. After reading that account, I was certainly persuaded that it was extremely unlikely that Epstein would have been able to kill himself. Of course it is always possible that Epstein could have died from natural causes, but it is probably much more likely that he was killed to protect wealthy and powerful people that Epstein could have testified against. I am sorry if this doesn’t fit with your view of the world, but the truth is that we live in a society that is saturated with evil. That has been true since the very beginning, and human nature hasn’t changed. Hopefully there will be an investigation into what happened, and hopefully the truth will come out. But I am certainly not optimistic, and the mainstream media will undoubtedly do their best to cover up this entire sordid affair. About the author: Michael Snyder is a nationally-syndicated writer, media personality and political activist. He is the author of four books including Get Prepared Now, The Beginning Of The End and Living A Life That Really Matters. His articles are originally published on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News. From there, his articles are republished on dozens of other prominent websites. If you would like to republish his articles, please feel free to do so. The more people that see this information the better, and we need to wake more people up while there is still time. via theeconomiccollapseblogfin Bloomberg Acknowledges "White Privileges", Apologizes For Saving Thousands Of Black & Brown Lives Davos Elites Warn "Climate Action Failure" Biggest Global Risk In 2020 Newly Released Emails Show Comey Tried Hiding the Truth About FISA Abuse of Trump Stunned Anderson Cooper Cuts CNN Interview After Trump Accuser Calls Rape "Sexy" Trump: "I Think I Know" Who Was Behind 9/11 Attacks Featured, Politics "I Was The CIA Director - We Lied, We Cheated, We Stole" "Impeach The Motherfu*ker" Congresswoman Flees From Reporters Pelosi To Block Trump's SOTU Address Despite Government Reopening "California Should Be Embarrassed" - State Passes Law Banning Trump From Ballot Unless Tax Returns Released California Ready To Ban Trump From 2020 Election Bernie on Board With Abolishing Electoral College Obamas Tweet Rare Public Rebuke of US President	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498885
__label__cc	0.726471	0.273529	« Apple Has Quietly Started Tracking iPhone Users Again, And It’s Tricky To Opt Out The 2012 Gateway Trajectory » Posted by Admin on November 1, 2012 by Owen K Waters The Creator often sends additional help to us, the students of Classroom Earth, in our evolution towards spiritual growth. The most well-known example is Jesus, who was sent here to liberate humanity’s heart from the suppressive, archaic order which existed at the time. By following the principles laid down by Jesus during his short incarnation, people were given the key to the unfoldment of heart-centered consciousness. If more people had chosen to live in the spirit of his teachings, the world would be a far better place today. Here we are, two thousand years later, standing on the doorstep of the cosmic event called The Shift. Even today, humanity is still learning to open up to the heart-centered consciousness which is a prerequisite for future incarnations upon this planet. Those who choose to delay their entry into heart-centered consciousness at this critical juncture will be accommodated elsewhere in God’s universe for their future incarnations. Planet Earth, in her new frequency after The Shift, will no longer be a matching environment for the old level of self-serving consciousness. Upon his physical death and ascension to the higher realms, Jesus resumed his natural, pre-incarnational state of archangelic existence. As the highest form of human existence, archangels exist in sixth density and fill that level of existence, plus the fifth-density soul realms, the fourth-density spirit realms, and the third-density physical world with their presence. Functionally, they are global spirits as their awareness encompasses all inhabited realms of the globe at all times. You can communicate with archangels quite easily; there is no special protocol. You simply think of an archangel whose name holds a special connection for you – such as Michael the protector, Gabriel the messenger, or Raphael the healer. Or, you might choose Jesus, Buddha or Krishna as these world teachers are, by necessity of their function, global archangelic intelligences. Because of their all-present global reach, your thought will connect you to the archangel of your choice, who will then focus upon you to see if you need some form of spiritual help. That will intensify their presence and their focus upon you. Then, support, guidance, inspiration or healing will be dispensed as needed. Sometimes, archangels produce a physical incarnation as an aspect of themselves. One example is the Archangel Michael who, in recent centuries, has taken on a role which could be described as a Lord of Freedom. At one point, he incarnated as the now-legendary mystic Merlin who guided the young King Arthur to introduce a new mindset. Instead of the old dog-eat-dog order, with the toughest alpha dog in control of the pack, Merlin introduced a new idea of cooperative equality. As a result, humanity had an example that inspired its steady climb out of the suppression imposed by the rigid hierarchical control of the day. The archangel Michael incarnated again in the 1300s as a monk in France in order to take his new physical body through ascension. In his ascended physical state, he showed no sign of aging over several centuries. French historians later declared that he, in his role as the Count of Saint Germain, was alive for at least 500-600 years. One person at the royal court of France in the 1700s met him when she was a young teenager, then again when she was 70, and was aghast that St Germain had not aged noticeably. Not limiting his efforts to one country, he also successfully served as the main inspiration behind the American Revolution of 1776, where America broke away from the control of Great Britain and became independent. Later, he told people that he would be away for some time in order to impress a man called George Stevenson about how to advance steam locomotives. Stevenson then produced the Stevenson’s Rocket, which developed the design of steam locomotives to the point where railways could be built for general transportation. In the late 1800’s, he began focusing on the re-emergence of spirituality in the West by influencing what became the Theosophical movement. In the 1930s, his most memorable work was given through Godfre Ray King in the “I Am” series of books. Today, he works with spiritual groups in order to help inspire the new spirituality which is emerging as Earth transforms into a new level of consciousness. As new thought movements flourished in the late 20th Century, the name St Germain became associated with teachings through many channels. At this point, a word of caution is in order. I have found in my observations since the 1960s that, sometimes, these channels are less than genuine. Time seems to sort out the good from the bad as the genuine material typically survives for decades while the fraudulent versions fade away from lack of attention. Genuine St Germain material inspires people with new, uplifting concepts and includes a call to action. The other kind lacks inspiration but often includes statements that are confusing or which invoke some form of fear, interspersed with nice-sounding generalities, surprising predictions, and a liberal dose of flattery. The flattery part expresses as a message that you are part of a very special and unique group, one which is somehow above all others. If, however, you ignore the flattery and listen with your intuitive sense, you will probably detect the energetic vortex that is designed to chain you into the orbit of a tightly-controlled group that will actually take you nowhere in the direction of spiritual freedom. When you consciously keep a watchful eye for such obvious pointers, your natural ability of discernment will operate perfectly well and your intuitive sense will tell you all you need to know about whether a source of teaching is worth your time. My own personal experience with St Germain is limited to the last two years, after he was introduced to me by my primary guide, the Lord Protector of The Shift. I work as an inspirational writer, which means that I write while being fed inspirational concepts and material from the guide. I am pleased to announce that, after many sessions of working together, we have produced extensive material to encourage spiritual growth in the New Reality. My next task is to work on packaging this new material into a format best suited for distance teaching. This entry was posted on November 1, 2012 at 8:04 PM and is filed under Owen Waters. Tagged: Count of St. Germain, earth, Germain, God's Universe, jesus, King Arthur, Michael, new age, St. Germain (musician). You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498887
__label__cc	0.733436	0.266564	Joseph Saveri and Steven Williams Honored in Who’s Who Legal’s Thought Leaders: Competition Joseph Saveri and Steven Williams were profiled in Thought Leaders: Competition, a publication of Who’s Who Legal, a prestigious United Kingdom-based legal ranking service. WWL Thought Leaders: Competition brings together the insight, expertise, and wisdom of some of the world’s foremost competition lawyers and economists. It features Q&As with dozens of practitioners with hundreds of years of combined experience in competition between them. The featured individuals obtained the largest number of nominations from peers, corporate counsel, and other market sources in Who’s Who Legal’s most recent research cycle. Joe and Steve have been previously selected as two of the top plaintiff attorneys worldwide in Who’s Who Legal: Competition, a publication of Who’s Who Legal and Global Competition Review. Joe received this honor in 2015-2019 as did Steve in 2014-2019. Since 1996, Who’s Who Legal has identified the foremost legal practitioners and consulting experts in business law based upon comprehensive, independent research. It is dedicated to identifying the world’s leading lawyers across multiple practice areas and publishes a series of guides throughout the year. Global Competition Review is one of a number of news services within Who’s Who Legal’s wider company, Law Business Research. Global Competition Review provides a subscription-based news and resource service (both online and print) and also hosts a number of live events throughout the year.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498888
__label__wiki	0.7714	0.7714	Why SC Alorica expanding operations in Charleston County $1.2 million investment will create more than 300 new jobs COLUMBIA, S.C. - Alorica, a global leader in customer experience solutions, today announced plans to expand its current operations in Charleston County. The $1.2 million investment will create more than 300 new jobs. With 20 years in business, the people-first company is known for its strength and success in managing customer experience processes, developing talent and fostering a unique culture of giving back through its partnership with the global nonprofit Making Lives Better with Alorica. Located at 4275 Bridge View Drive in North Charleston, S.C., Alorica's strategic expansion will increase the company's capacity in North America to accommodate the growing demand for customer experience expertise by some of the world's biggest brands. Alorica North Charleston services a variety of brands in the retail, healthcare and energy and utilities industries. The company also has two facilities in Simpsonville, S.C. Alorica's expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2020. Individuals interested in joining the Alorica team should visit https://www.alorica.com/careers/ or apply in person, at 4275 Bridge View Drive in North Charleston, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. "We're thrilled to be doing more for the community we've called home for 15 years. From creating more jobs to finding more ways to serve the people of North Charleston, we look forward to continuing to fulfill our vision of making lives better, one interaction at a time." -Alorica North Charleston Site Director Becky Crocco "It is always exciting to see a business operating in South Carolina have this kind of success, and we couldn't be prouder to congratulate Alorica on this expansion and the addition of 300 new jobs in Charleston County." -Gov. Henry McMaster "The expansion of Alorica's operations in Charleston County signals yet another vote of confidence by this great company for the local workforce and strong business environment in South Carolina. Congratulations to Alorica, and we look forward to the company's continued success." -Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt "Congratulations to Alorica on their expansion announcement. As Alorica embarks on this exciting new growth phase, they provide economic-energy to the region with the addition of over 300 new jobs." -Charleston County Council Chairman Elliott Summey "Alorica is providing what everyone is asking for, a better customer experience. With their expansion and tremendous job creation, our local workforce, well-equipped to deploy Alorica's innovative solutions, are helping fulfill the company's mission." -North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey "We thank Alorica for its decision to expand and reinvest in Charleston County. We have had a longstanding relationship with the company, and our Business Concierge team will continue to support the growth of our valuable corporate neighbor." -Charleston County Economic Development Executive Director Steve Dykes FIVE FAST FACTS • Alorica is expanding operations in Charleston County. • The $1.2 million investment will create more than 300 new jobs. • Alorica is a customer relationship management company. • Located at 4275 Bridge View Drive in North Charleston, S.C. • Individuals interested in joining the Alorica team should visit https://www.alorica.com/careers/ or apply in-person, at the address above, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Office & Shared Services	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498891
__label__cc	0.6608	0.3392	Shared Parental Leave: a Revolutionary Concept, but Sadly Moving at a Glacial Pace of Change Home Page Opinion Original Content Peer Insights Nathan Kitto , 6th June 2019 Paul Guess, CABA Shared Parental Leave (SPL) was introduced in April 2015. When asked about it, the then Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg explained, ‘more and more fathers want to play a hands-on role with their young children, but too many feel that they can’t.’ The SPL scheme was a way to give more ‘choice’ to families. Let’s just take a moment to understand what SPL really is. Since April 2015, dads have had a legal right to ask their employers if they can have an extended period of leave from work. People are eligible to get SPL and Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) if they’re having a baby or adopting a child. If eligible, parents can share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay between them. The other key thing about the schemes is that parents can take leave in blocks separated by periods of work or take it all in one go. One of the key intentions of SPL is to remedy the imbalance between a mother and father, specifically with regards to their career progression after having a baby, alongside work towards a reduction in the motherhood penalty. But with take-up as low as 2%, we need to assess whether it’s just a case of people not knowing about the benefits or whether there is a fundamental reason people aren’t taking up the scheme. As part of this assessment, we asked some parents (both mums and dads) about their honest thoughts around the scheme. Interestingly, the views were very much mixed. Kate Tunstall for example, a mum blogger and freelance writer, from The Less-Refined Mind said, ‘I feel strongly that dads should be spending more time with the family in the early days following birth: overwhelm is common for both parents, and mutual support is crucial. My husband is self-employed and therefore had minimal time away from work, which I found difficult. Dads often have a hard time bonding with their newborns and more time spent with them can only be beneficial. Choice is key.’ Certainly, when the scheme was introduced, I think we all had high hopes (like Kate above) that with the chance of ‘greater choice’, parents would be instantly able to see the benefits and jump at the chance to spend more quality time with the kids. Likewise, I think we all assumed that with the introduction of the scheme any form of stigma around stay at home dads would be removed. Sadly, I think we all realised pretty quickly that, whilst this was a new and exciting scheme, the public perception around it and also the take up would very much be ‘baby steps’. And speaking of ‘baby steps’, we are specifically referring to that of father’s uptake on this scheme, rather than employers offering shared parental leave. Because for businesses, it’s probably an easier decision. Yes, there may be some costs involved and some requirement to cover people’s jobs whilst they are away, but the impact on their employer brand is greatly beneficial. The impact on the father, however, is a very different matter and one that will almost certainly take time to shift the dial on. So why hasn’t SPL taken off in the hearts and minds of UK dads? Well salary is certainly a key reason. Because men still tend to be the higher-earning partner, they face a financial penalty for being off work. Aside from financials however, there seem to be some ingrained cultural issues to fight against. Specifically, with regards to the stigma of men taking time away from their careers to spend time with their children, not to mention the lack of role models for men who are actually doing this. Paul Sweeney, who works in technology marketing in Oxford, and is a fatherhood blogger at Bleary Eye Dad, confided,‘the truth was that I didn’t want to be the primary carer for my child, so I never took up shared parental leave.’ He explained that there was some consideration to finances given he was the main breadwinner in his household. He said that there was probably also a fear for the damage he might do to his career, with a few months away from the coalface. And this was even with a very supportive employer in a relatively progressive industry. The thing that really concerned him though, was something far deeper than money or career progression. He went on to say, ‘if I’m honest with myself, there was also some evolutionary or societal muscle-memory, a masculine need to meet the expectations of a father as a provider for my newly expanded family. Caring for a baby can also be hard. Like, really hard. Not the sort of intellectually stimulating hard that’s good for you. But a slog of changing nappies, cradling a crying baby to sleep and trying to get the clip on the pram to snap close as little hips thrust forward defiantly. In contrast, work is an oasis of stimulating adult conversation.’ We also spoke to Tobias Beal, a senior manager of forensic services at PwC about shared parental leave and asked him about whether he thinks it will become the norm for dads moving forward. He said, ‘I’ll be honest, that was part of my reason for doing it: so that in time it becomes totally normal for dads to take more time off when they have a baby.’ He told us that he wasn’t nervous about telling anyone, not least because he worked for a firm who have promoted it and were 1 of the 10 who published their parental leave policies publicly a few months back. He said, ‘It was a bit tricky with my client on my current project, but I decided to be open and got some great support as a result of that honesty.’ And when we asked him about the stigma associated with the scheme he responded, ‘sadly I do think there is still a stigma. I know I might not have been so lucky had I worked for another firm, so count myself very fortunate. To have time off to help my wife, but more importantly to make a proper bond with my daughter is simply time that you can’t get back. If people’s employers offer SPL, I can’t see why others wouldn’t take it.’ A mixed bag for sure in terms of opinions around the scheme. We believe that, whilst the take up of SPL might not be as high as we would have otherwise wanted it to be, it has definitely helped with more discussion in the media and the public about the role that fathers play today. Not only this, but there is now more of a general acceptance that fathers want to be involved in their kids’ lives from day dot. For us, this can only be beneficial. However, we have a long way to go in improving SPL take-up. To do this we need to encourage more employers to take it seriously whilst understanding that they can’t all be as supportive as PwC for example and communicate the benefits of the scheme to staff. We’ll also need to reassure mothers of the benefits of getting back into the workplace and prove to them that they can have both a career and a child and why it’s in their interests to share their leave. But most importantly we need to remove this deep ingrained stigma associated with fathers putting their careers on pause to care for their children and instill upon them the benefits of taking time out of the careers to be more involved in their children’s life at an early stage. Hiring Activity Remains Muted in May as Uncertainty Lingers Around the Outlook Ken Kane Joins Talent Works International as Business Development Director Nathan Kitto During Nathan’s early career, he gained considerable experience from across many industries including Sales, Teaching and Retail, however more recently Nathan has delved into the world Digital Marketing and Publishing. Drawing on his past experiences, Nathan brings all aspects of his knowledge into Recruitment Buzz, possessing great research and social media skills. Born and bred in Wales, Nathan is as Welsh as they come – living in the heart of the Valleys, Nathan proudly takes place as our resident Welsh speaker. However, Nathan’s knowledge of global understanding exceeds the Welsh borders, having lived in London, parts of the US and Ecuador. Nathan is a self-proclaimed geek, having gained a degree in Natural Science via the Open University in Wales. In addition to his passion for science, he has a love for technology, nature, art and of course football!	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498902
__label__wiki	0.663877	0.663877	SRQYOU Schedule Studio Tour Invest in the future of your community! 08/12/2018 /0 Comments/in Active, News /by Raymmar https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2018/08/Business-Partners-Bkg.jpg 966 1500 Raymmar https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2017/05/SU-Orange1.png Raymmar2018-08-12 18:20:012018-08-12 19:09:37Invest in the future of your community! Reach 1000 Members 09/15/2016 /0 Comments/in Active /by Raymmar Join today and help us shape the future of Sarasota. https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2015/09/box-unchecked-v2.jpg 500 500 Raymmar https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2017/05/SU-Orange1.png Raymmar2016-09-15 17:03:292016-09-15 17:04:46Reach 1000 Members What is the Sarasota Underground? https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/04/About-Sarasota-underground-feature.jpg 0 0 Raymmar https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2017/05/SU-Orange1.png Raymmar2016-04-24 17:05:242016-04-24 17:23:11What is the Sarasota Underground? Empower Local Creatives Learn more about how SU is empowering local creative entrepreneurs. https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/02/Calling-All-Sarasota-Creatives.jpg 386 600 Raymmar https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2017/05/SU-Orange1.png Raymmar2016-02-21 18:55:142017-12-10 12:45:49Empower Local Creatives Amplify The Voice of Sarasota’s Younger Residents We’re working closely with some of the most prominent young professionals organizations in the region to help amplify their voice through the use of video. https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/02/YPGOrioles.jpg 720 960 Raymmar https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2017/05/SU-Orange1.png Raymmar2016-02-15 16:15:422018-04-30 12:54:37Amplify The Voice of Sarasota's Younger Residents Help Revitalize Sarasota’s Live Music Scene Join a group of active Sarasota residents as we work to revitalize the live music scene in Sarasota Florida. https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2015/11/Revitalizing-Sarasota-Live-Musci-Scene.jpg 0 0 Raymmar https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2017/05/SU-Orange1.png Raymmar2015-11-05 23:47:452017-12-10 12:47:27Help Revitalize Sarasota's Live Music Scene Advocate for Affordable Housing in Sarasota Keep up with the latest news and updates about affordable/attinable housing in Sarasota as it relates to area Young Professionals https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2015/11/Young-professionals-affordable-housing-white.jpg 386 600 Raymmar https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2017/05/SU-Orange1.png Raymmar2015-11-05 11:36:532017-10-08 10:53:24Advocate for Affordable Housing in Sarasota Help Revitalize The Sarasota Bayfront UNLOCK THIS INITIATIVE! https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2017/10/The-bay-bkg-image.jpg 673 1200 Raymmar https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2017/05/SU-Orange1.png Raymmar2015-11-05 10:27:382017-10-08 10:48:35Help Revitalize The Sarasota Bayfront Increase Voter Turnout In Sarasota City Elections We are making it easy to keep up with everything that matters about Sarasota. In a voice that is focused on a younger voter demographic. https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2015/10/SU-StateofSarasota-4378.jpg 853 1280 Raymmar https://sarasotaunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2017/05/SU-Orange1.png Raymmar2015-10-18 23:23:412017-12-07 12:05:51Increase Voter Turnout In Sarasota City Elections Creative Salon Fight At Planned Parenthood Freelance Survey Freelance Thank You How The Grinch Stole Coworking Presenter Application Register Town Hall Submit RSS Survey Thank You Thank You – Creative Partners Venue Application © Copyright - Sarasota Underground powered by ray.do	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498907
__label__wiki	0.606204	0.606204	Home > Journals > Medicine & Healthcare > SS SS> Vol.3 No.9, September 2012 Bilateral Impalpable Testes: A Special Entity of Cryptorchidism Abstract Full-Text HTML Download as PDF (Size:78KB) PP. 457-459 DOI: 10.4236/ss.2012.39090 3,880 Downloads 5,419 Views Citations Tariq Abbas, Ahmed Hayati, Mansour Ali Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar. Background: Cryptorchidism is one of the most common genitourinary disorders in young boys. About 1% - 2% of boys at age of 1 year have an undescended testis (UDT); this disorder is unilateral in about 90% of individuals and bilateral in about 10%. However, bilateral impalpable testes represent a special category that should be differentiated from anorchidism as well as male pseudohermaphroditism. We investigated whether bilateral impalpable testes with its inherent hormonal and genetic factors has different outcomes in terms of success of orchiopexies compared to unilateral impalpable testes. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the demographic and clinical findings, as well as immediate and 6 month outcomes, in patients diagnosed with bilateral impalpable undescended testes between 2006 and 2010. Findings were reported after a minimum of 6 months from the last surgical intervention. Results: Nine patients underwent laparoscopy for bilateral impalpable testes, 7 of whom had testes in the region of the internal inguinal ring. The success rate after laparoscopic exploration and open orchiopexy was 60% while the success rate with unilateral impalpable testes was 63.3% in the same study. Conclusion: Although laparoscopy is extremely useful in both the diagnosis and treatment of patients with bilateral impalpable testes, laparoscopy should be preceded by careful cytogenetic and hormonal workup for this particular group of patients. We found that the success rates of laparoscopic management of bilateral and unilateral impalpable testes were similar, as shown by testicular size clinically sassed during serial postoperative outpatient visits. Bilateral Non-Palpable Testis; Laparoscopic; Intra-Abdominal; Cryptorchidism T. Abbas, A. Hayati and M. Ali, "Bilateral Impalpable Testes: A Special Entity of Cryptorchidism," Surgical Science, Vol. 3 No. 9, 2012, pp. 457-459. doi: 10.4236/ss.2012.39090. [1] D. D. Sweeney, et al., “Minimally Invasive Surgery for Urologic Disease in Children,” Nature Clinical Practice Urology, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2007, pp. 26-38. doi:10.1038/ncpuro0677 [2] A. J. Swerdlow, et al., “Risk of Testicular Cancer in Cohort of Boys with Cryptorchidism,” British Medical Journal, Vol. 314, 1997, pp. 1507-1511. doi:10.1136/bmj.314.7093.1507 [3] F. Hadziselimovic and B. Herzog, “Treatment with a Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Analogue after Successful Orchiopexy Markedly Improves the Chance of Fertility Later in Life,” Journal of Urology, Vol. 158, No. 3, 1997, pp. 1193-1195. doi:10.1097/00005392-199709000-00130 [4] C. Esposito and V. Garipoli, “The Value of 2-Step Laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens Orchiopexy for Intraabdominal Testes,” Journal of Urology, Vol. 158, No. 5, 1997, pp. 1952-1954. doi:10.1016/S0022-5347(01)64189-2 [5] F. El-Anany, et al., “Laparoscopy for Impalpable Testis: Classification-Based Management,” Surgical Endoscopy, Vol. 21, No. 3, 2007, pp. 449-454. doi:10.1007/s00464-006-9003-0 [6] J. M. Hutson and M. C. C. Clarke, “Current Management of the Undescended Testicle,” Seminars in Pediatric Surgery, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2007, 64-70. [7] C. Esposito, et al., “Management of Boys with Nonpalpable Undescended Testis,” Nature Clinical Practice Urology, Vol. 5, No. 5, 2008, pp. 252-260. [8] J. M. Hutson, “Undescended Testes,” In: M. D. Stringer, K. T. Oldham and P. D. E. Mouriquand, Eds., Pediatric Surgery and Urology: Long-Term Outcomes, 2nd Edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2006, pp. 652-663. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511545757.052 [9] L. A. Baker, et al., “Cryptorchidism,” In: J. Gearhart, R. Rink and P. D. E. Mouriquand, Eds., Pediatric Urology, W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 2001, pp. 738-753. [10] K. Kubini, et al., “Basal Inhibin B and the Testosterone Response to Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Correlate in Prepubertal Boys,” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol. 85, No. 1, 2000, pp. 134-138. doi:10.1210/jc.85.1.134 [11] R. Rey, “How to Evaluate Gonadal Function in the Cryptorchid Boy. Lessons from New Testicular Markers,” Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol. 16, 2003, pp. 357-364. doi:10.1515/JPEM.2003.16.3.357 [12] N. Lahlou, “Marc Roger Inhibin B in Pubertal Development and Pubertal Disorders,” Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, Vol. 22, No. 3, 2004, pp. 165-174. [13] P. Christiansen, A. M. Andersson, N. E. Skakkebaek, A. Juul, “Serum Inhibin B, FS, LH and Testosterone Levels before and after Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Stimulation in Prepubertal Boys with Cryptorchidism,” European Journal of Endocrinology, Vol. 147, 2002, pp. 95-101. doi:10.1530/eje.0.1470095 [14] S. Y. Tennenbaum, et al., “Preoperative Laparoscopic Localization of the Non Palpable Testes, a Critical Analysis of a 10-Year Experience,” Journal of Urology, Vol. 164, 2000, pp. 154-155. [15] E. Mohamed, M. D. Hassan and M. D. Abdulrahim Mustafawi, “Laparoscopic Management of Impalpable Testis in Children, New Classification, Lessons Learned, and Rare Anomalies,” Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Technique, Vol. 20, No. 3, 2010, pp. 265-269. SS Subscription SS Most popular papers SS News	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498912
__label__wiki	0.524483	0.524483	Topic App dev and management Performance and testing Languages and coding BPA and BPM Mobile dev Secure development Getting to know Docker containerization Using Docker for container development Docker instances become mainstream Fearing Docker? Don't let it stop your container adoption Simplifying DevOps with Docker Engine Docker and Kubernetes will simplify Java EE development Assess your microservices and container wisdom Application containers got you boxed in? Break out with this quiz Microservices and containers database Container management software Containers as a service (CaaS) Open Container Initiative This content is part of the Essential Guide: Developers' guide to deploying microservices and containers Plan well and don't rush into building microservices, Java pro says Why microservices, Java EE development will be big in 2016 Standardizing app staging a key benefit to a Java configuration API Tech apprenticeships to improve developer shortage Building Internet of Things applications with DeviceHive There has been a lot of hype around microservices, so one might think that enterprise development teams are rushing to build them. That's not what is happening, according to veteran Java middleware consultant Mike Croft. Once burnt by rapidly adopting other models, such as SOA, businesses are twice-shy about embracing microservices. Also, implementing microservices isn't easy, because "there's no one-size-fits-all model," he said. I'm seeing businesses take a cautious, measured approach to microservices. Mike Crofthead of support, Payara "In terms of actual implementations, I'm seeing businesses take a cautious, measured approach to microservices," Croft said in a video interview conducted at the 2016 JavaOne conference in San Francisco. He's in favor of DevOps teams doing strenuous due diligence before implementing microservices. "It's not a silver bullet, and there other challenges to overcome beyond the technical challenges." Croft described the differences between implementing microservices and SOA and when and why to develop microservices instead of applications. He also discussed building microservices in Java EE and GlassFish development. Croft is head of support for Payara, which created and offers support for Payara Server, a drop-in replacement for GlassFish Server Open Source Edition. Watch the video for more of Croft's views and advice on implementing microservices, building microservices and Java EE and GlassFish and more. Transcript - Plan well and don't rush into building microservices, Java pro says Hi, I'm Jan Stafford. I'm executive editor for TechTarget. I'm talking with Mike Croft, who is head of support from Payara. Mike, tell me, what do you think of the basic requirements or criteria for microservices and what are some of the challenges of determining them? Croft: Well, there's been a lot that's already written about what the technical challenges of microservices are, what should define a microservice, how micro should a microservice be. And there's a huge amount of disagreement and … some people saying things like it needs to be just a couple of lines of code long; others saying, actually, just as long as it's a single unit and it's only got a single concern. But, for me, I think the really big challenge that is often underestimated is something that's encapsulated in Conway's Law, which states that any organization is bound to develop software that, kind of, reflects its own communication structure internally. So, I think the biggest challenge that organizations face is not necessarily its technical challenges, but the management challenges that come … with going from a monolithic approach to developing software, where perhaps everyone [goes from] working together on a team, or the developers [are] together in a room, to working in multiple teams where you might have some developers and some QA and some build and, kind of, restructuring the organization to better reflect how you want your microservices architecture to develop. Is there such a rush to microservices that people are using microservices incorrectly or might be building microservices when they should be building applications? Croft: It's certainly a possibility. It's not something that I've seen so far. Certainly, the people I've spoken to … have been fairly cautious about this. Obviously, a lot of people have made the comparison between microservices and what we had with SOA quite a few years ago now. And I think, you know, it's the old saying, 'Once burned, twice shy.' So, people have already seen how things worked out last time when SOA was kind of sold as the one-size-fits-all solution to everyone's problems; a silver bullet. So, although there has been a lot of hype around microservices, in terms of actual implementations, I'm seeing businesses take a slightly more cautious, measured approach to it. And I'm hoping that does continue because there are a lot of advantages to microservices, but as you say, it may not well be a one-size-fits-all approach. The old techniques of SOA and large-scale enterprise service buses were fine and were appropriate for some of the customers who bought them, but not all of them. And I think … the main problem is that they were oversold into places where they didn't really belong. So, I'm hoping that the trend continues -- that people do proceed with a bit of caution, with a bit of a pinch of salt, realizing that it's not a silver bullet and that really there are other challenges to overcome beyond the technical challenges. And when is it obvious that you should be building a microservice instead of an application? Croft: I guess it's hard to say, really, because a monolith can do the job just as well as a microservice. So, what I see as a really big benefit of moving to a microservices approach is the fact that you have decomposed your application down into smaller units, which can then scale independently of the rest. So, as we look forward [to the] modern world of computing and we look forward to cloud computing, as Oracle [has] announced this week with Java EE and [its] new plans are much more cloud focused. To really take advantage of public cloud opportunities where dynamic scaling is really a factor, what you really want to do is only scale the bit of your application that isn't heavy load. You don't want to have to scale up parts of your application that aren't really being heavily used. That's one area where you can really see some quick benefits from microservice architectures. So, what I think really needs to be borne in mind is the fact that, sure, microservices can be good and can be very useful, but you need to have an idea of what you want to get out of them first. Don't just go for microservices thinking, 'Well, this may work for us.' … 'We think we'll probably get some benefit out of it.' But this benefit we're thinking of is ethereal. We don't really know what it is. Unless you have a concrete idea of how … your end customers are going to see some benefit from it, they're not gonna care about all the pain you go through in trying to get from a monolith to microservices because, at the end of the day, they just want their products to work. What best practices do you suggest for writing microservices in Java EE? Croft: Well, Java EE, I think from Java E7, has really, really come into its own as a mature technology. So, there are a lot of, kind of, false ideas out there about the kind of bloat that is around in Java EE, which, you know, if you go back … 10 years or so is, kind of, fairly well-deserved. But that has been taken on board by the developers of Java EE and has been addressed. So, I think … you need to bear in mind where the industry is going. So, things like the enhancements that Oracle has made recently … they're focusing on configuration, they're focusing on health check, JSRs and also multi-tenancy -- gives you a good idea of where Oracle sees things going. There's also the micro-profile initiative, which is a collaboration between Payara, Red Hat, IBM and Tomitribe, and since the announcement back in June, we've had other members join. Hammock is one other implementation. This is another kind of viewpoint of where we're seeing that the future of Java EE might lie. And I think, really, the key there is fast iterations. So, we've got things like CDI at its core. We've got JAX-RS providing REST endpoints. But there are still a lot of heated debates and a lot of to-and-fro from the community about what really does make a microservices platform. Because, of course, even within a single organization, you might have several different microservices, and each one of those might have a completely different set of APIs that it makes use of. There might be one or two core ones, but if you reduce things right down to that core, then you're left with something that isn't really all that useful to develop with. So, it's hard to find that balancing act between what is core for microservices in Java EE and what is getting too far down so that we lose what's useful. What are some best practices for building microservices in GlassFish? Croft: If you're building microservices in GlassFish, the first thing I would say is use Payara because -- well, I sort of have to -- but, yes, one thing that Payara has done is we have benefited from the way that GlassFish has been designed. So, when Oracle took over ownership of GlassFish from Sun, they re-architected it and based it around a modular [Open Service Gateway Initiative] framework, and, in doing so, what they've enabled is the ability for us to create what we've branded as Payara Micro. Effectively what we've done is taken the APIs that were available in the web profile of Java EE, we've added a couple of APIs -- we've added JBatch and JCache -- and we've created a Java file implementation of Enterprise Java, which is now available to use to build microservices on. … I guess I kind of have to credit Spring Boot for popularizing the FAT JAR method of deployment, although I think other people have done that as well. We also allow the ability to deploy WI files directly to Payara Micro. So, we don't really limit people to methods of deployment. Good. Well, thanks for talking with me. Croft: No problem. OK. And thanks for watching. + Show Transcript What is your organization's approach to implementing microservices? Jan Stafford - 1 Dec 2016 5:14 PM	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498914
__label__cc	0.691041	0.308959	THE OPPORTUNITY OF TRAGEDY drrock00 Uncategorized April 30, 2019 April 29, 2019 3 Minutes On March 15th at 1:40 pm a shooting began at the Al Noor Mosque and continued at the Linwood Islamic Centre at 1:55 pm. In this shooting in New Zealand 50 people died and 50 more were injured. Most of them were Muslim people doing nothing but practicing their faith. The suspect considered himself a Christian from the far right political movements. In the wake of these shootings many well-meaning Muslims lived in fear and with a feeling of persecution. On April 21st in Sri Lanka 3 Christian churches were bombed along with luxury hotels. In this terrible attack 253 people were killed and another 500 injured. Most of them were Christians celebrating one of their holiest days. After the bombings curfews were in effect and even Muslims that wanted to help were told to stay home for fear of retaliation. The perpetrators were members of Islamic State of Iraq, a terrorist group. On April 25th there was a shooting at a California synagogue that left one person dead and several more injured. The shooting happened on the last day of Passover, an important Jewish celebration. The shooter was a 19 year old student who was a member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. His own pastor said of the events, “It’s a deplorable act of wickedness.” Reading these events in your local newspaper, online or whatever source you get your news from could leave you thinking how sad, angry and frightening this world has become. To some extent that would be a correct statement. What these events also show is that no belief is safe, and further, no belief is completely innocent. Victims and attackers cross lines of faith, color, race and creed. In a world where tragedy seems to highlight the agendas that seem to tear apart at the very fabric of our humanity, there also lies the seed of opportunity. What you may miss in the news coverage, and if you do you are not to blame as it is usually buried, if mentioned at all, is the help that also crosses those same lines. One of the greatest challenges is to accept help from the very same group that staged the attacks. With such strong feelings of grief, sadness, loss, pain and even hate these events often have the effect that those responsible desire. They increase the divide among different groups of people. In looking at the three events listed above, which sadly are only a few examples of hate crimes that are becoming all to common, you can see that the group that was attacked on one occasion can be the very group doing the attacking the next. This does present us a chance to stand up not only as a strong and noble representation of our faith, but of humanity as a whole. This takes courage. What takes just as much, if not more courage, is accepting help from members of the same group that just attacked you. In the example of Sri Lanka, Muslims were told not to go to their houses of worship for fear of retaliation from angered Christians. One could understand that thinking. When you see so many loved one’s lives innocently taken from them you want to lash out. As one observer noted, “When you are bitten by a bug, you want to kill all of the bugs like that.” As we can see in the above examples, every faith has its devils. Every faith also has it’s angels. In each one of these cases prayers, tears and help came forth from true members of every faith. It is these moments of hate and tragedy that have the potential to either tear us a part, or bring us together. It takes courage on both sides to do so. It also requires a realization that every group contains both the guilty as well as the innocent victims. It is only as individuals we can reach out to our neighbors of different faiths to increase communication and understanding. Just as every faith contains both the innocent and the guilty, every faith also contains brothers and sisters, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters. Pain, fear, anger, sadness and frustration are also something that is shared by everyone. So is hope, peace, joy and love. Let us do our part to help heal and understand the former while sharing the latter with everyone regardless of faith. california synagogue shooting mosque shooting neil panosian new zealand shooting sri lanka shooting Previous Post CREATE YOUR OWN SUNSHINE Next Post THE GIFT OF GRIEF	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498916
__label__wiki	0.54006	0.54006	Реферат / Рефераты /category/by/type/referaty Иностранные языки /category/by/type/referaty/inostrannye-yazyki Tax Increment Financing Contrasting Effects Essay Research Tax Increment Financing Contrasting Effects Essay Research Tax Increment Financing: Contrasting Effects Essay, Research Paper suburbanization in america By: Benjamin Limmer Limmer (1) AHousing is an outward expression of the inner human nature; no society can be understood apart from the residences of its members.@ That is a quote from the suburban historian Kenneth T. Jackson, from his magnificent piece on suburbanization Crabgrass Frontier. Suburbanization has been probably the most significant factor of change in U.S. cities over the last 50 years, and began 150 years ago. It represents Aa reliance upon the private automobile, upward mobility, the separation of the family into nuclear units, the widening division between work and leisure, and a tendency toward racial and economic exclusiveness.@ Overall it may represent the change in attitude of the American people. Suburbanization has been occurring for the last 150 years in this country and in Europe, although the Europeans haven=t had the change that the United States has witnessed. The causes of change on such a larger scale can be pointed at four aspects of metropolitan areas also pointed out in Jackson=s work on suburbanization. The first on is that Americans have such low density residential areas, and often their is not a distinction between urban and rural. Our cities were laid out over space, with even New York City and Philadelphia not as densely populated as some cities in Europe. The next distinguishing factor is a want to own a home. At least two-thirds of all Americans own their own home, with rates less than half of that present in cities in Europe. Next, is the average length that American travel to work, also being much higher than in other countries. Finally, the last distinguishing factor is that social status and income correlate with suburbs, the further away from the central business district, the higher the income level. It is believed that the average income in cities goes up 8% every mile away from the CBD, with their being many exceptions. Such an economic shift is identified as being a result of Awhite flight@, where the urban Limmer (2) whites fled to the suburbs after WWII, with the immigrants, blacks, and rural dwellers moving in. The economy switched from an industrial economy to a post-industrial or service economy, with the older factories being replaced by smaller factories (computers, airplanes, appliances), requiring higher skilled workers. In effect these new factories were located outside the city in the suburbs. The central city would be left with nothing, and virtually no opportunities of any magnitude. Detroit is a city that I believe can be identified as the city which went through the greatest amount of change, being heavily relied on one industry. During the first half of the twentieth century, Detroit was probably the most economically booming city in the United States. Since about 1950, Detroit has gone from Aarsenal of democracy@, having one of the fastest growing populations and was home to the highest paid working-class workers as well, to losing nearly 1 million people. Many jobs were also lost with many business leaving the city of today empty and sometimes complete city blocks left completely empty. Detroit has also been home to a host of infrastructure woes, as can be reflected in many other cities in the Industrial Belt of the northeast with decaying roads, sewers, and other physical features. What could cause a city to go from such a center of economic activity to a decayed, depopulated, and unemployed? Where did all of the poor come from? Why has racism played such a powerful role in Detroit the last fifty years? What happened to all of the activity and where did it move to? First, I will discuss the period before the great suburbanization process began, to get an idea of what type of shape the city was in. Then I will discuss how Detroit and it=s central city suffered from the process of suburbanization, movement	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498917
__label__wiki	0.592365	0.592365	Responding to Central American refugees: Comparing policy design in Mexico and the United States. Fiederlein, Suzanne Leone. Central America -- Emigration and immigation Political refugees -- United States Political refugees -- Mexico. Williams, Edward J. The dissertation analyzes and compares the responses of governmental policymakers in Mexico and the United States as they confronted a growing influx of Central American migrants in the 1980s. The study examines how two countries with contrasting political systems, economic capabilities, and international positions approached the issue of refugee policy relating to Central Americans. A central objective of the analysis involves identifying the set or sets of independent variables--domestic policy concerns, foreign policy interests, and international law considerations--that exert the most influence over the design of refugee policy and assessing how their influence changes depending on the characteristics of the refugee population, the capabilities of the two countries, and the degree of openness of their political systems. While the study shows that the process of designing refugee policy involves accommodating competing goals shaped by all three sets of independent variables, it concludes that national capabilities determine the set of independent variables dominating the process, with foreign policy interests exerting more influence over the United States and domestic policy and international legal considerations affecting Mexican policy to a greater extent. The set of variables that dominates shapes the generosity or restrictiveness of the policy and determines other features of the policy design. The degree of political openness further influences the policy design process by allowing for the participation of domestic interest groups. In the United States with its open political system, domestic opponents forced the government to adopt a more generous policy over time, although domestic interest groups affected policy implementation to a limited extent in Mexico as well. The study examines the relationship among the variables by comparing case studies that detail the policy responses of Mexico and the United States through the use of a policy design framework. This framework identifies the core elements of each country's policy--its goals, targets, agents, and instruments--and then traces the policy's development through its several implementation and revision stages. The use of a policy design framework facilitates a systematic comparison of the two cases and promotes an evaluation of policy outcomes both in terms of the fulfillment of goals and the impact of policy on the refugee population. Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic)	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498920
__label__wiki	0.600168	0.600168	BREAKING: Obama Continues Bush Policy On State Secrets 09 Feb 2009 bmaz Earlier this morning, Looseheadprop wrote about the case of Binyam Mohamed, the British subject tortured at the hands of the United States at Gitmo, including having his genitals carved selectively with a scalpel. The Mohamed case is of critical significance for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that there was an oral argument in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco this morning that was to provide a crucial test of the new Obama Administration’s willingness to continue the Bush policy of concealing torture, wiretapping and other crimes by the assertion of the state secrets privilege. From an excellent article by Daphne Eviatar at the Washington Independent at the end of January: President Obama’s sweeping reversals of torture and state secret policies are about to face an early test. The test of those commitments will come soon in key court cases involving CIA “black sites” and torture that the Bush administration had quashed by claiming they would reveal state secrets and endanger national security. Legal experts say that the Bush Department of Justice used what?s known as the “state secrets privilege” – created originally as a narrow evidentiary privilege for sensitive national security information — as a broad shield to protect the government from exposure of its own misconduct. One such case, dealing with the gruesome realities of the CIA?s so-called “extraordinary rendition” program, is scheduled for oral argument before a federal appeals court in early February. The position the Obama administration takes in this case may be the first major test of its new policies on transparency in government. Mohamed v. Jeppesen Dataplan, Inc. involves five victims of CIA rendition, or “torture by proxy,” as it?s also known. Abducted abroad, the men were flown by the CIA to cooperating countries whose agents interrogated them under torture. Because federal officials are usually immune from lawsuits, the men later sued the private aviation data company, Jeppesen — a subsidiary of Boeing, one of the largest federal defense contractors — that knowingly provided the flight plans and other assistance necessary for the CIA to carry out its clandestine operations. Well, the news being reported out of Courtroom One in San Francisco is not good and indicates that the Obama Administration has continued the walk of the oppressive shoes of the Bush/Cheney regime and has formally continued the assertion of state secrets. The best hope for transparency on torture cases, wiretapping cases, and a whole host of illegal Bush/Cheney conduct was for Obama to pull back on the previous policy of concealment via the assertion of state secrets. From the official press release of the ACLU, and their attorney Ben Wizner who argued the case this morning: The Justice Department today repeated Bush administration claims of “state secrets” in a lawsuit against Boeing subsidiary Jeppesen DataPlan for its role in the extraordinary rendition program. Mohamed et al. v. Jeppesen was brought on behalf of five men who were kidnapped and secretly transferred to U.S.-run prisons or foreign intelligence agencies overseas where they were interrogated under torture. The Bush administration intervened in the case, inappropriately asserting the “state secrets” privilege and claiming the case would undermine national security. Oral arguments were presented today in the American Civil Liberties Union’s appeal of the dismissal, and the Obama administration opted not to change the government position in the case, instead reasserting that the entire subject matter of the case is a state secret. The following can be attributed to Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the ACLU: “Eric Holder’s Justice Department stood up in court today and said that it would continue the Bush policy of invoking state secrets to hide the reprehensible history of torture, rendition and the most grievous human rights violations committed by the American government. This is not change. This is definitely more of the same. Candidate Obama ran on a platform that would reform the abuse of state secrets, but President Obama’s Justice Department has disappointingly reneged on that important civil liberties issue. If this is a harbinger of things to come, it will be a long and arduous road to give us back an America we can be proud of again.” The following can be attributed to Ben Wizner, a staff attorney with the ACLU, who argued the case for the plaintiffs: “We are shocked and deeply disappointed that the Justice Department has chosen to continue the Bush administration’s practice of dodging judicial scrutiny of extraordinary rendition and torture. This was an opportunity for the new administration to act on its condemnation of torture and rendition, but instead it has chosen to stay the course. Now we must hope that the court will assert its independence by rejecting the government’s false claims of state secrets and allowing the victims of torture and rendition their day in court.” In fairness, the Obama DOJ may view this as protecting information on rendition flights, not details of torture; however, the result is the same, and just as heinous. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. Pwnd In Cyberspace, Opposing Same-Sex Marriage: Meg Whitman Opens Bidding for California Gubernatorial Race Obama Continues Bush Policy On State Secrets	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498924
__label__wiki	0.919913	0.919913	A Travelcard is a ticket used for most transport in London, including buses and the underground. The ticket is issued by Transport for London and National Rail and can be used on the services of either. Before Travelcards were used, travellers in Greater London had to pay every time they changed between London Transport's bus and Underground services. This was a problem as it led to delays while purchasing the next ticket. One ticket for all transport in London was one of the key promises made in 1981 by the newly-elected Labour Greater London Council, headed by council leader Ken Livingstone. The policy, with the slogan "Just The Ticket", meant that only one ticket was needed for London Transport bus and Underground services. They also reduced the price of transport. The price cut was then ruled illegal, but the one pricing scheme was mostly a success and was extended during the 1980s and 1990s as new transport routes were opened in London. By 1985, there were two travelcards: the Travelcard itself, which covered only London Buses and the Underground, and the Capitalcard, which covered most bus, Underground and local British Rail (BR) services. The Travelcard replaced the original Capitalcard, while including its greater availability, around 1989. The original "zonal" system was mainly in Greater London. The zone areas used both letters and numbers for the outermost zones such that bus availability ignored the letter while BR and Underground availability depended also upon the letter(s) - e.g. a Travelcard or Capitalcard valid in zone 3a (but not 3b or 3c) was valid on buses in zones 3a, 3b and 3c but only in zone 3a when used on the railway services. Transport modes[change \| change source] A Travelcard entitles the holder to use the following modes of transport within Greater London: London Buses, including some services that terminate outside of Greater London[1] National Rail except for the Heathrow Express[2] Tramlink Travelcards also entitle the holder to a 33% discount on some London River Services.[3] ↑ "1 and 3 day tickets". Retrieved 2008-06-23. ↑ "London Travelcard (details)". Retrieved 2008-06-23. ↑ "Travelling in London". Retrieved 2008-06-23. Retrieved from "https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Travelcard&oldid=6656669" Transport in London This page was last changed on 8 September 2019, at 16:38.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498929
__label__wiki	0.771301	0.771301	Phil Freeman talks to flutist and composer Nicole Mitchell. Support the Burning Ambulance podcast on Patreon: http://patreon.com/burningambulance Episode 23 of the Burning Ambulance podcast features an interview with flutist and composer Nicole Mitchell. Mitchell is originally from Syracuse, New York, but she grew up in California and eventually went to college in the Midwest, where she became an important figure on the Chicago jazz scene. In fact, she eventually became the first female president of the AACM there. Her primary group is called the Black Earth Ensemble, which has a fluctuating membership but Tomeka Reid is one of the core members – Tomeka was featured on episode 7 of this podcast, back in January, and spoke about working with Nicole and how important it was to her development as an artist, so we’re getting the other side of the story in this episode. In addition to the Black Earth Ensemble, Mitchell has led a lot of one-off groups, and been a part of other people’s projects – she’s in some of Anthony Braxton’s large ensembles, she’s been part of several of Rob Mazurek’s groups including the Exploding Star Orchestra and its offshoot projects, she’s in the Indigo Trio with Harrison Bankhead and Hamid Drake. But she’s really made a tremendous impact as a leader, creating music that covers a broad spectrum from jazz to modern composition to theatrical pieces and multimedia presentations, collaborating with and paying tribute to writers – as you’ll hear in this conversation, texts are hugely important to her, even when the music itself is instrumental. Last year, her album Mandorla Awakening II: Emerging Worlds got a tremendous amount of critical acclaim – it combines violin, cello, guitar and percussion with traditional Japanese instruments to create a sound that’s both ancient and modern at once, and really is unlike anything else I’ve ever heard. We don't agree about everything, and you'll hear some interesting back-and-forth in this conversation about a variety of issues, from the audience for hardcore improvised music to how young artists should navigate the industry. I really enjoyed speaking with her, and I hope you'll enjoy this episode. The Burning Ambulance Podcast features interviews with musicians from the worlds of jazz, metal, modern composition, noise, and whatever else piques host Phil Freeman's interest. Burning Ambulance Podcast By Phil Freeman Podcast powered by Simplecast. Audio, episode notes, and artwork are published by Phil Freeman, are property of Phil Freeman, and not endorsed by Simplecast.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498930
__label__wiki	0.832162	0.832162	Junior Men's National Team Junior Women's National Team Women's Elite Team Junior Women’s National Team Coaching Staff for 2019-2020 Cycle 22 May 2019 Gilles LeBlanc Junior Women's National Team Ottawa, Ont. – Softball Canada is pleased to announce the coaching staff that has been selected for the 2019-2020 cycle, which will include the 2019 WBSC Americas U17 Women’s Qualifier and the 2020 WBSC U18 Women’s World Cup. Dates and locations for both events have yet to be determined. Melissa Finley (London, Ont.) will take on the head coaching position, with Trevor Ethier (Saskatoon, Sask.), Daniel Joly (Montreal, Que.) and Chris Jones (Oshawa, Ont.) being named assistant coaches. The current Junior Women’s National Team coaching staff for the 2019 U18 Women’s World Cup being held in Irvine, Calif. in August remains unchanged. Head coach Keith Mackintosh (Melfort, Sask.) and assistant coach Tiffany Jordan (Guelph, Ont.) will remain in the Women’s National Team Coaches Pool following the completion of the 2019 U18 Women’s World Cup. Melissa Finley will assume the head coaching duties after serving as an assistant coach for the team for the 2018-2019 cycle. She was previously the head coach of the Canadian Women’s Elite team in 2017 and an assistant coach with them in 2018. Finley played NCAA Softball at Princeton (2002-2005) and was part of the Canadian Women’s National Team program from 2003 to 2005, winning a Silver medal at the 2003 Pan American Games. She has coached at the NCAA level since 2007 beginning at the University of Pennsylvania (2007-2012), followed by Colgate University (2012-2017) and recently completed her second season as head coach at Swarthmore College. Trevor Ethier enters his third cycle as an assistant coach with the team, as he is currently an assistant coach with the 2019 WBSC World Cup team after helping them to a fourth-place finish at the event in 2017. Ethier is a former Men’s National Team pitcher who won Gold at the 2003 Pan American Games and Bronze at the 2009 WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship. He is an NCCP Competition – Introduction Certified coach, is currently an instructor of the softball academy at Tommy Douglas High School in Saskatoon and coaches his local U19 Saskatoon Selects. He was inducted to the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame in the athlete category in 2018. Daniel Joly joins the Junior Women’s National Team coaching staff after being named to the Women’s National Team Coaches Pool in December 2016 and serving as an assistant coach of the Canadian Elite team in 2017. He has attended several Women’s and Junior Women’s National Team Combines and Selection Camps as a guest coach. Joly was Head Coach of Team Quebec at the 2017 Canada Games and has been a coaching leader in the Quebec Rebelles program since 2002. He is an NCCP Competition – Development Certified coach and has coached Rebelles teams at several Canadian Championships. He has also served as a scout at U16 and U18/U19 Canadian Championships on behalf of the Women’s National Team program. Chris Jones also joins the Junior Women’s National Team for the first time after serving as an assistant coach of the Canadian Women’s Elite team in 2018. He has worked with the Women’s National Team infielders since being named to the Coaches Pool in 2016 and was an instructor at the Regional Skill Development Academy in Ontario. Jones is a former Men’s National Team player and captain, having played on numerous Men’s Canadian Championship and ISC teams. He is an NCCP Competition – Development Trained coach who is extremely knowledgeable in the area of defensive fielding and is a skilled instructor on short game skills on offense. He is also the Head Coach of Team Ontario for the Niagara 2021 Canada Games. Softball Canada held a pair of 2019/2020 Junior Women’s National Team Combines in Ontario and British Columbia earlier this month, with a third Combine scheduled to take place July 3rd in Saskatoon. As per the 2019 Qualifier Selection Criteria, the coaching staff will scout various events this summer including the U16 and U19 Canadian Championships, with the final roster for the WBSC Americas Qualifier expected to be named by August 31, 2019. Passing of Donald R. MacDonald Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 2019! 223 Colonnade Road South, Suite 212 Email Distribution List	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498937
__label__wiki	0.574005	0.574005	Gorging and Guzzling in the Red Apple by Oren Peleg LONG BEFORE THERE was the Big Apple, there was the Red Apple. Constantinople, the “Second Rome” capital of the Byzantine Empire, was the richest, most splendid city in the world for most of the millennium between its establishment by the Emperor Constantine and its fall to the Ottoman Turks led by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1453. As Philip Mansel explains in his masterful Constantinople: City of the World’s Desire, 1453-1924, “The Turkish metaphor for worldly dominion was the Red Apple,” and the Red Apple was believed to be the globe held in the right hand of a giant statue of the Emperor Justinian in front of the great church of the Holy Wisdom (Haghia Sophia) in Constantinople. In the popular imagination, the city itself—ideally situated to govern a vast empire radiating out into the Balkans, Eastern Europe, the Peloponnesus, the Crimea, Asia, Arabia, and North Africa—became the Red Apple. And in the glory years of the Ottoman Empire, which peaked during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566), it was a far larger, wealthier, more powerful metropolis than the Rome, Paris, London, or Vienna of its day. Ironically, during most of its years as capital of the mightiest Islamic empire in the world, Muslims and ethnic Turks were a minority in the city, outnumbered by Greek, Armenian, and other Christian subject peoples who, along with Jewish refugees fleeing persecution in Spain and Italy, dominated Ottoman commercial life and learned professions such as medicine and architecture. This, and the growing diplomatic presence of the great European powers as the Ottoman Empire declined in the 18th and 19th centuries, led to the emergence of a city-within-the-city, a Little Europe just across the Golden Horn from old Constantinople in quarters that had once been a self-governing colony of pre-conquest Genoan merchants. Palatial European embassies sprang up in what came to be known as Pera (nowadays Beyoglu), along with Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox churches, the mansions of wealthy Levantine merchants, and, in the 1890s, when deluxe rail travel on the Orient Express made Constantinople easily accessible to wealthy tourists, some of the greatest luxury hotels of the era. The legendary Tokatlian Hotel, where Kemal Ataturk spent many a night in the bar and on the dance floor in the early days of the Republic—and where my paternal grandfather occasionally stayed in the days before World War I—is now a museum. But the stately Pera Palace, built in 1892 and still going strong after a major renovation, remains the most prestigious traditional hotel in modern Istanbul, as Constantinople is now known. Even thrifty tourists who can’t afford to stay there still splurge for a drink or two in the Pera Palace’s opulent Grand Orient Bar, where Agatha Christie, Greta Garbo, and many another celebrity guest downed a few, or more than a few, in celebrated days gone by. And then there is the Büyük Londra Oteli, or Grand Hotel de Londres as the large brass plaque outside this small, faded, but still charming hostelry proudly identifies it. Built in the same year as the Pera Palace, but—despite its name—on a considerably less grand scale, the Büyük Londra (54 rooms and 12 suites) has a threadbare, slightly louche charm all its own. To me it represents an endearing mix of Belle Epoque opulence, the setting for a noirish espionage novel by Eric Ambler or Graham Greene, and a kinder, gentler Turkish version of Fawlty Towers. In warm weather months, there is a cozy Terrace restaurant and bar on the roof with a splendid panoramic view of the domes and minarets of the old Istanbul skyline on the other side of the Golden Horn. It speaks well for the food and ambience that it is popular with locals as well as tourists and hotel guests. But it is the high-ceilinged, dingy-elegant Edwardian bar, just to the left of the hotel’s still-impressive grand staircase—often used as a backdrop by television and film producers shooting period dramas—that is my favorite spot. Istanbul, and Beyoglu in particular, has hundreds of great bars, taverns, and cocktail lounges. A prime example of the top-end market is the pricily elegant, shiny new Pera Marmara hotel next to the Pera Palace and just a short stroll down from the Büyük Londra’s little spot on fashionable Mesrutiyet Caddesi. Nearby is a thriving selection of pubs, clubs, restaurants, and dives on and around Istiklal Caddesi, the former Grand Rue de Pera and still a major shopping, dining, and drinking area. There are also a number of good meyhane (literally “drink houses”). The Turkish equivalent of a good neighborhood bar and grill, they were described to me by one Stambouli with limited English—but perhaps more truth than he knew—as “alcoholic restaurants.” My favorite Beyoglu meyhane is the Cumhurriyet (the Turkish word for “republic”), a staunchly secular, bibulous stronghold in the best tradition of Kemal Ataturk, whose face stares down from more than one framed patriotic print on the smoke-encrusted walls. Most evenings there is live, traditional Turkish music and lots of cigarette smoke, despite the current Islamist ban on public smoking. The list of meze small plates is both long and appetizing; my favorites include excellent midye dolma (mussels stuffed with rice, onion, currants, pine nuts, and spices), pastirma (highly-seasoned, dried beef with a definite attitude), and hamsi (a particularly succulent Black Sea variety of anchovy)…all washed down with plenty of Yeni Raki, one of the better brands of the high-octane, anisette-flavored spirit that has been the beverage of choice for serious Turkish drinkers through the centuries. It is nicknamed Lion’s Milk, both for its potency and because when poured over ice or served with a little cold water, it turns a milky white. For the fainter of heart—and weaker of liver—there is always Efes beer, a perfectly adequate Turkish pilsner that is just as good as, and considerably cheaper than, trendy European imports. Other stops may follow, but I always make a point of getting back to the Büyük Londres bar in time for at least a nightcap before retiring to my room. Even when there are only one or two other guests, the conversation can be lively thanks to the fluent English and ready good humor of Ilkan the barman, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Fox News’ Chris Wallace. Even more eloquent than Ilkan, however, is Yakup, the bar’s resident parrot. Yakup has a large, irreverent vocabulary, whistles at pretty girls, and only talks to people he likes. I was fortunate enough to fall into that category and look forward to speaking with him and exchanging birdcalls again on my next visit. Given the Erdogan government’s authoritarian tendencies and intolerance for robust free speech, I just hope Yakup won’t have traded his pleasant perch in the Büyük Londra bar for a jail cell. That’s where more than one outspoken Turk I know of has ended up.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498941
__label__wiki	0.880235	0.880235	June poll watcher: despite fluctuations, Prime Minister Abe recovers in the polls Tobias Harris Source: Pixabay.com With just under three months until the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will conduct a leadership election in which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to seek a third three-year term at the head of the LDP, the prime minister may finally be recovering from the significant hit he took earlier this year when allegations of influence peddling resurfaced and consumed much of the Diet’s attention. According to Sasakawa USA’s Japan Political Pulse ten-day moving average of opinion polls, over the course of June, the Abe government’s net average approval has risen from -14 at the start of the month to roughly 0 as of this week. This reflects the narrowing gap between disapproval and approval ratings in every poll, and in several cases the government’s net approval is positive for the first time since earlier this year, with the Nikkei Shimbun’s poll recording net approval as high as +10. The internals of recent polls are even more bullish for Abe’s chances of winning a third term. For example, in the Nikkei poll, which was conducted 22-24 June, Abe’s support for a new term among all respondents was 30%; when limited to only LDP supporters, who accounted for 44% of the poll’s sample and will actually have a say in the election, his support for a third term rose to 52%, with Shinjiro Koizumi, who as a relatively junior Diet member is highly unlikely to run this year, in a distant second with 20%. In other words, none of the most likely challengers Abe could face in September – Shigeru Ishiba, Seiko Noda, and, possibly, Fumio Kishida – has gained support at Abe’s expense. Abe similarly enjoys 47% support among LDP supporters in the Mainichi Shimbun’s 23-24 June poll, compared with only 21% support among all respondents; the latter figure is still sufficient to give Abe the lead over Koizumi and Ishiba. Interestingly, in the 15-17 June Yomiuri Shimbun poll, Abe actually trails Koizumi among all respondents, 26% to Koizumi’s 28%, but this may reflect a smaller share of LDP supporters in Yomiuri’s sample (38%) compared with other polls in which LDP supporters are consistently more than 40% of the sample. These poll numbers matter because under the LDP’s latest presidential election rules, party supporters will cast votes to determine the proportional distribution of a number of “electoral votes” equal to the number of LDP members of both houses of the Diet, in this election a total of 405. While Abe appears likely to win the votes of a majority of Diet members, he will also have to win convincingly in popular voting to avoid a runoff election. Thus, polls showing Abe with a majority or near majority among LDP supporters and none of his challengers closing the gap suggest that his prospects remain strong. That said, Koizumi’s popularity among both independents and LDP supporters suggest that if he were to throw his support behind Ishiba or another challenger, he could make the race tighter. Despite healthier approval ratings, the public still has not reversed its opinion of Abe’s trustworthiness in light of the Kake and Moritomo Gakuen scandals. It bears noting, however, that despite healthier approval ratings, the public still has not reversed its opinion of Abe’s trustworthiness in light of the Kake and Moritomo Gakuen scandals, which have continued to draw parliamentary and media scrutiny. While developments on the Korean peninsula and a lack of new findings regarding the alleged influence peddling have muted the intensity of public feelings regarding the scandals, overwhelming majorities remain unconvinced by the Abe administration’s explanations both for the Moritomo Gakuen land sale and related cover-up by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), and for the circumstances surrounding the government’s decision to grant Kake Gakuen a license to open a new veterinary college in Ehime Prefecture. In Nikkei’s poll, the same poll that recorded 52% approval for the Abe government, 75% of respondents said MOF’s decision to punish officials for altering documents related to the Moritomo Gakuen sale did not mean that the matter is settled. Meanwhile, 70% said they were unconvinced by denials of allegations in Ehime Prefecture documents that suggest that Abe discussed the veterinary school with his friend, Kake Gakuen chairman Shotaro Kake, as many as three years before the license was granted. In Mainichi’s poll, meanwhile, 60% think that Abe is responsible for both scandals. These figures are matched other June polls. In Asahi Shimbun’s 16-17 June poll, 79% said that MOF’s disciplinary measures do not settle the Moritomo case; 75% did not believe Abe’s denials of an earlier meeting with Kake; 61% thought Kake should be called for questioning by the Diet; and 57% thought that the Diet should strive to elucidate the truth in both cases. A 16-17 June Kyodo News poll found that nearly 79% think that MOF’s disciplinary measures did not settle the Moritomo Gakuen scandal. The upshot is that the Abe government’s support has recovered despite the public continuing to believe that the administration has not been forthright regarding either scandal. While this could leave Abe vulnerable to new revelations, it appears as if most LDP supporters have been willing to forgive Abe. Consistent with earlier patterns, the Abe government’s support has recovered despite strong disapproval of its agenda for the current Diet session, which had been scheduled to end on 20 June but which the ruling parties extended to 22 July to give themselves more time to pass the government’s legislative priorities. Polls have consistently shown that strong majorities oppose the passage of the government’s two main legislative priorities, a bill that would introduce rules governing casino gambling at so-called “integrated resorts” and a package of workplace reforms that, among other things, would impose binding restrictions on working hours and exempt some high-paid, skilled workers from hourly pay. In Asahi’s June poll, only 17% said that the Diet should pass the casino legalization bill this session, compared with 73% who opposed its passage. In the more recent Nikkei poll, which asked whether respondents approve or disapprove of the bill itself, 53% disapproved of casino legalization and 33% approved. Workplace reform is slightly less unpopular, with smaller majorities or pluralities opposed; for example, in Mainichi, 43% disapproved of the work reform package, and 30% approved. Meanwhile, in Yomiuri’s poll, only 24% supported the Diet’s passage of work reform this session, while 58% opposed passage. Abe also continues to benefit from the perception that there is no viable alternative within the LDP or among the opposition parties. So, what accounts for Abe’s recovery in opinion polls despite continuing distrust of the prime minister himself? The June polls suggest it is the familiar patterns reasserting themselves: an appreciation for the stability Abe provides in an uncertain world. In the Nikkei poll, 37% of the government’s supporters cited its “feel for the wider world” and 36% its “sense of stability” as reasons for supporting the administration. Of course, Abe also continues to benefit from the perception that there is no viable alternative within the LDP or among the opposition parties: in Mainichi, 49% said they supported the government because there is “no other good person or party,” while in Asahi, 54% of supporters said they supported the government because it “appeared better than others.” In short, the public at large, and LDP voters in particularly, continue to view Abe as the safest pair of hands despite his brush with scandal. The popularity of “feel for the wider world” as a reason for backing the Abe government in the Nikkei poll suggests that for at least a portion of the public Abe can still be trusted to navigate Japan through a particularly difficult international environment, given the rapidly changing situation on the Korean peninsula and the potential for trade friction with the United States. A forthcoming companion piece will look specifically at the state of Japanese public opinion following US President Donald Trump’s 12 June summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498943
__label__wiki	0.982802	0.982802	Various tribes moved into the country from all sides - the Ewe from Benin, and the Mina and the Guin from Ghana. These three groups settled along the coast. The Portuguese built forts in neighboring Ghana (at Elmina) and Benin (at Ouidah). Although the coast of Togo had no natural harbors, the Portuguese did trade at a small fort at Porto Seguro.[2] For the next 200 years, the coastal region was a major trading center for Europeans in search of slaves, earning Togo and the surrounding region the name "The Slave Coast". Colonial rule German Togoland The German Empire established the protectorate of Togoland (in what is now the nation of Togo and most of what is now the Volta Region of Ghana) in 1884 during the period generally known as the "Scramble for Africa". The colony was established in part of what was then the Slave Coast and German control was gradually extended inland. Because it became Germany's only self-supporting colony and because of its extensive rail and road infrastructure, Togoland was known as its model possession.[3] At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 the colony was drawn into the conflict. It was invaded and quickly overrun by British and French forces during the Togoland campaign and placed under military rule. In 1916 the territory was divided into separate British and French administrative zones, and this was formalized in 1922 with the creation of British Togoland and French Togoland. League of Nations mandates On August 8, 1914, French and British forces invaded Togoland and the German forces there surrendered on 26 August. In 1916, Togoland was divided into French and British administrative zones. Following the war, Togoland formally became a League of Nations mandate divided for administrative purposes between France and the United Kingdom. After World War I, newly founded Czechoslovakia was also interested in this colony but this idea did not succeed. Lome was initially allocated to the British zone but after negotiations transferred to France 1 October 1920. After World War II, the mandate became a UN trust territory administered by the United Kingdom and France. During the mandate and trusteeship periods, western Togo was administered as part of the British Gold Coast. In December 1956, the residents of British Togoland voted to join the Gold Coast as part of the new independent nation of Ghana. In the Representative Assembly elections in 1946, there were two parties, the Committee of Togolese Unity (CUT) and the Togolese Party of Progress (PTP). The CUT was overwhelmingly successful, and Sylvanus Olympio, the CUT leader became Council leader. However, the CUT was defeated in the 1951 Representative Assembly elections and the 1952 Territorial Assembly elections, and refused to participate in further French supervised elections because it claimed that the PTP was receiving French support.[4] By statute in 1955, French Togoland became an autonomous republic within the French union, although it retained its UN trusteeship status. Following elections to the Territorial Assembly on 12 June 1955, which were boycotted by CUT, considerable power over internal affairs was granted, with an elected executive body headed by a Prime Minister responsible to the legislature. These changes were embodied in a constitution approved in a 1956 referendum. On 10 September 1956, Nicolas Grunitzky became Prime Minister of the Republic of Togo. However, due to irregularities in the plebiscite, a UN-supervised parliamentary election was held on 27 April 1958, the first held in Togo with universal suffrage, which was won by the opposition pro-independence CUT and its leader Sylvanus Olympio, who became Prime Minister. On 13 October 1958 the French government announced that full independence would be granted.[5] On 14 November 1958 the United Nations’ General Assembly took note of the French government's declaration according to which Togo which was under French administration would gain independence in 1960, thus marking an end to the trusteeship period.[6] On 5 December 1959 the United Nations’ General Assembly resolved that the UN Trusteeship Agreement with France for Cameroon would end when Togo became independent on 27 April 1960.[7] On 27 April 1960, in a smooth transition, Togo severed its constitutional ties with France, shed its UN trusteeship status, and became fully independent under a provisional constitution with Olympio as president. Independence and turmoil A new constitution adopted by referendum in 1961 established an executive president, elected for 7 years by universal suffrage and a weak National Assembly. The president was empowered to appoint ministers and dissolve the assembly, holding a monopoly of executive power. In elections that year, from which Grunitzky's party was disqualified, Olympio's party won 100% of the vote and all 51 National Assembly seats, and he became Togo's first elected president. During this period, four principal political parties existed in Togo: the leftist Juvento, the Democratic Union of the Togolese People (UDPT), the PTP, founded by Grunitzky but having limited support, and the Party of Togolese Unity, the party of President Olympio. Rivalries between elements of these parties had begun as early as the 1940s, and they came to a head with Olympio dissolving the opposition parties in January 1962 because of alleged plots against the majority party government. The reign of Olympio was marked by the terror of his militia, the Ablode Sodjas. Many opposition members, including Grunitzky and Meatchi, were jailed or fled to avoid arrest. On 13 January 1963 Olympio was overthrown and killed in a coup d'état led by army non-commissioned officers dissatisfied with conditions following their discharge from the French army. Grunitzky returned from exile 2 days later to head a provisional government with the title of prime minister. On 5 May 1963, the Togolese adopted a new constitution by referendum, which reinstated a multi-party system. They also voted in a general election to choose deputies from all political parties for the National Assembly, and elected Grunitzky as president and Antoine Meatchi as vice president. Nine days later, President Grunitzky formed a government in which all parties were represented. During the next several years, the Grunitzky government's power became insecure. On 21 November 1966, an attempt to overthrow Grunitzky, inspired principally by civilian political opponents in the UT party, was unsuccessful. Grunitzky then tried to lessen his reliance on the army, but on 13 January 1967, a coup led by Lt. Col. Étienne Eyadéma (later Gen. Gnassingbé Eyadéma) and Kléber Dadjo ousted President Grunitzky without bloodshed. Following the coup, political parties were banned, and all constitutional processes were suspended. Dadjo became the chairman of the "committee of national reconciliation", which ruled the country until 14 April, when Eyadéma assumed the presidency. In late 1969, a single national political party, the Rally of the Togolese People (RPT), was created, and President Eyadéma was elected party president on 29 November 1969. In 1972, a referendum, in which Eyadéma ran unopposed, confirmed his role as the country's president. Eyadéma's rule The third republic In late 1979, Eyadéma declared a third republic and a transition to greater civilian rule with a mixed civilian and military cabinet. He garnered 99.97% of the vote in uncontested presidential elections held in late 1979 and early 1980. A new constitution also provided for a national assembly to serve primarily as a consultative body. Eyadéma was reelected to a third consecutive 7-year term in December 1986 with 99.5% of the vote in an uncontested election. On 23 September 1986, a group of some 70 armed Togolese dissidents crossed into Lomé from Ghana in an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the Eyadéma government. In 1989 and 1990, Togo, like many other countries, was affected by the winds of democratic change sweeping Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. On 5 October 1990, the trial of students who handed out antigovernment tracts sparked riots in Lomé. Antigovernment demonstrations and violent clashes with the security forces marked the months that followed. In April 1991, the government began negotiations with newly formed opposition groups and agreed to a general amnesty that permitted exiled political opponents to return to Togo. After a general strike and further demonstrations, the government and opposition signed an agreement to hold a "national forum" on 12 June 1991. The national forum, dominated by opponents of President Eyadéma, opened in July 1991 and immediately declared itself to be a sovereign "National Conference." Although subjected to severe harassment from the government, the conference drafted an interim constitution calling for a 1-year transitional regime tasked with organizing free elections for a new government. The conference selected Joseph Kokou Koffigoh, a lawyer and human rights group head, as transitional prime minister but kept President Eyadéma as chief of state for the transition, although with limited powers. A test of wills between the president and his opponents followed over the next 3 years during which President Eyadéma gradually gained the upper hand. Frequent political paralysis and intermittent violence marked this period. Following a vote by the transitional legislature (High Council of the Republic) to dissolve the President's political party—the RPT—in November 1991, the army attacked the prime minister's office on 3 December and captured the prime minister. Koffigoh then formed a second transition government in January 1992 with substantial participation by ministers from the President's party. Opposition leader Gilchrist Olympio, son of the slain president Sylvanus Olympio, was ambushed and seriously wounded apparently by soldiers on 5 May 1992. In July and August 1992, a commission composed of presidential and opposition representatives negotiated a new political agreement. On 27 September, the public overwhelmingly approved the text of a new, democratic constitution, formally initiating Togo's fourth republic. Powerless legislature and political violence The democratic process was set back in October 1991, when elements of the army held the interim legislature hostage for 24 hours. This effectively put an end to the interim legislature. In retaliation, on 16 November, opposition political parties and labor unions declared a general strike intended to force President Eyadéma to agree to satisfactory conditions for elections. The general strike largely shut down Lomé for months and resulted in severe damage to the economy. In January 1993, President Eyadéma declared the transition at an end and reappointed Koffigoh as prime minister under Eyadéma's authority. This set off public demonstrations, and, on 25 January, members of the security forces fired on peaceful demonstrators, killing at least 19. In the ensuing days, several security force members were waylaid and injured or killed by civilian oppositionists. On 30 January 1993, elements of the military went on an 8-hour rampage throughout Lomé, firing indiscriminately and killing at least 12 people. This incident provoked more than 300,000 Togolese to flee Lomé for Benin, Ghana, or the interior of Togo. Although most had returned by early 1996, some still remain abroad. On 25 March 1993, armed Togolese dissident commandos based in Ghana attacked Lomé's main military camp and tried unsuccessfully to kill President Eyadéma. They inflicted significant casualties, however, which set off lethal reprisals by the military against soldiers thought to be associated with the attackers. Negotiating with the opposition Under substantial domestic and foreign pressure and the burden of the general strike, the presidential faction entered negotiations with the opposition in early 1993. Four rounds of talks led to the 11 July Ouagadougou agreement setting forth conditions for upcoming presidential and legislative elections and ending the general strike as of 3 August 1993. The presidential elections were set for 25 August, but hasty and inadequate technical preparations, concerns about fraud, and the lack of effective campaign organization by the opposition led the chief opposition candidates—former minister and Organization of African Unity Secretary General Edem Kodjo and lawyer Yawovi Agboyibo—to drop out of the race before election day and to call for a boycott. President Eyadéma won the elections by a 96.42% vote against token opposition. About 36% of the voters went to the polls; the others boycotted. Ghana-based armed dissidents launched a new commando attack on military sites in Lomé in January 1994. President Eyadéma was unhurt, and the attack and subsequent reaction by the Togolese armed forces resulted in hundreds of deaths, mostly civilian. The government went ahead with legislative elections on 6 February and 20 February 1994. In generally free and fair polls as witnessed by international observers, the allied opposition parties UTD and CAR together won a narrow majority in the National Assembly. Edem Kodjo named as Prime Minister On April 22, President Eyadéma named Edem Kodjo, the head of the smaller opposition party, the UTD, as prime minister instead of Yawovi Agboyibo, whose CAR party had far more seats. Kodjo's acceptance of the post of prime minister provoked the CAR to break the opposition alliance and refuse to join the Kodjo government. Kodjo was then forced to form a governing coalition with the RPT. Kodjo's government emphasized economic recovery, building democratic institutions and the rule of law and the return of Togolese refugees abroad. In early 1995, the government made slow progress toward its goals, aided by the CAR's August 1995 decision to end a 9-month boycott of the National Assembly. However, Kodjo was forced to reshuffle his government in late 1995, strengthening the representation by Eyadéma's RPT party, and he resigned in August 1996. Since then, Eyadéma has reemerged with a sure grip on power, controlling most aspects of government. In the June 1998 presidential election, the government prevented citizens from effectively exercising the right to vote. The Interior Ministry declared Eyadéma the winner with 52% of the vote in the 1998 election; however, serious irregularities in the government's conduct of the election strongly favored the incumbent and appear to have affected the outcome materially. Although the government did not obstruct the functioning of political opponents openly, the President used the strength of the military and his government allies to intimidate and harass citizens and opposition groups. The government and the state remained highly centralized: President Eyadéma's national government appointed the officials and controlled the budgets of all subnational government entities, including prefectures and municipalities, and influenced the selection of traditional chiefs. National Assembly elections The second multi-party legislative elections of Eyadéma's 33-year rule were held on 21 March 1999. However, the opposition boycotted the election, in which the ruling party won 79 of the 81 seats in the National Assembly. Those two seats went to candidates from little-known independent parties. Procedural problems and significant fraud, particular misrepresentation of voter turnout marred the legislative elections. After the legislative election, the government announced that it would continue to pursue dialog with the opposition. In June 1999, the RPT and opposition parties met in Paris, in the presence of facilitators representing France, Germany, the European Union, and La Francophonie (an international organization of French-speaking countries), to agree on security measures for formal negotiations in Lomé. In July 1999, the government and the opposition began discussions, and on 29 July 1999, all sides signed an accord called the "Lomé Framework Agreement", which included a pledge by President Eyadéma that he would respect the constitution and not seek another term as president after his current one expires in 2003. The accord also called for the negotiation of a legal status for opposition leaders, as well as for former heads of state (such as their immunity from prosecution for acts in office). In addition, the accord addressed the rights and duties of political parties and the media, the safe return of refugees, and the security of all citizens. The accord also contained a provision for compensating victims of political violence. The President also agreed to dissolve the National Assembly in March and hold new legislative elections, which would be supervised by an independent national election commission (CENI (fr)) and which would use the single-ballot method to protect against some of the abuses of past elections. However, the March 2000 date passed without presidential action, and new legislative elections were ultimately rescheduled for October 2001. Because of funding problems and disagreements between the government and opposition, the elections were again delayed, this time until March 2002. In May 2002 the government scrapped CENI, blaming the opposition for its inability to function. In its stead, the government appointed seven magistrates to oversee preparations for legislative elections. Not surprisingly, the opposition announced it would boycott them. Held in October, as a result of the opposition’s boycott the government party won more than two-thirds of the seats in the National Assembly. In December 2002, Eyadéma's government used this rubber-stamp parliament to amend Togo’s constitution, allowing President Eyadéma to run for an “unlimited” number of terms. A further amendment stated that candidates must reside in the country for at least 12 months before an election, a provision that barred the participation in the upcoming presidential election of popular Union des Forces du Progrès (UFC) candidate, Gilchrist Olympio, who had been in exile since 1992. The presidential election was held 1 June. President Eyadéma was re-elected with 57% of the votes, amid allegations of widespread vote rigging. Death of Eyadéma and Gnassingbé's rise President Eyadéma died on 5 February 2005 while on board an airplane en route to France for treatment for a heart attack. Papa Gnassingbé is said to have killed more than fifteen thousand people during his dictatorship. His son Faure Gnassingbé, the country's former minister of public works, mines, and telecommunications, was named President by Togo's military following the announcement of his father's death. Under international pressure from the African Union and the United Nationshowever, who both denounced the transfer of power from father to son as a coup, Gnassingbé was forced to step down on 25 February 2005, shortly after accepting the nomination to run for elections in April. Deputy Speaker Bonfoh Abbass was appointed interim president until the inauguration of the 24 April election winner. As to official results, the winner of the election was Gnassingbé who garnered 60% of the vote. Opposition leader Emmanuel Bob-Akitani however disputed the election and declared himself to be the winner with 70% of the vote. After the announcement of the results, tensions flared up and to date, 100 people have been killed. On 3 May 2005, Gnassingbé was sworn in and vowed to concentrate on "the promotion of development, the common good, peace and national unity". In August 2006 President Gnassingbe and members of the opposition signed the Global Political Agreement (GPA), bringing an end to the political crisis trigged by Gnassingbe Eyadema's death in February 2005 and the flawed and violent electoral process that followed. The GPA provided for a transitional unity government whose primary purpose would be to prepare for benchmark legislative elections, originally scheduled for June 24, 2007. CAR opposition party leader and human rights lawyer Yawovi Agboyibo was appointed Prime Minister of the transitional government in September 2006. Leopold Gnininvi, president of the CDPA party, was appointed minister of state for mines and energy. The third opposition party, UFC, headed by Gilchrist Olympio, declined to join the government, but agreed to participate in the national electoral commission and the National Dialogue follow-up committee, chaired by Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore. Parliamentary elections took place on October 14, 2007. Mr Olympio, who returned from exile to campaign, took part for the first time in 17 years. The ruling party, Rally of the Togolese People(RPT), won a majority of the parliamentary seats in the election which international observers declared the poll "largely" free and fair. Despite these assurances, the secretary-general of the opposition party Union of Forces for Change(UFC) initially state that his party would not accept the election results.[8]Mr Olympio stated that the election results did not properly represent the voters' will, pointing out that the UFC received nearly as many votes as the RPT, but that due to the way the electoral system was designed the UFC won far fewer seats.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498947
__label__wiki	0.502648	0.502648	South Routt Libraries Bylaws – March 19th, 2013 Materials en Español Websites for Readers Homework – Kids Homework – Teens Last reviewed August 21, 2018 Last amended November 13, 2018 South Routt Library District Article I – Name This organization shall be known as the South Routt Library District Board of Trustees established by resolution on January 1, 1980 and hereafter referred to as the “Board”. Article II – Object The object of the Board is to make library policy decisions, supervise the administration of library affairs in accordance with these policy decisions, to meet public library standards through long-range library development and to represent the citizens of the district. Article III – Physical Boundaries The South Routt Library District comprises all the real property contained in the RE-3 School District as outlined in the January 1, 1980 resolution and is subject to immediate review at any time the RE-3 School District Boundaries change. See Appendix 1. Article IV – Powers and Duties of the Board The powers and duties of the Board shall conform to those set forth in Colorado Revised Statute 24-90-109. See Appendix 2. These powers shall include but are not limited to employing a librarian (hereafter referred to as Library manager). The Library manager shall administer policies adopted by the Board; employ, direct and supervise staff members; prepare required reports; recommend policies and procedures; and promote effective library service. The Board may perform an evaluation of the Library manager in manner adopted by the Board, on an annual basis. Article V – Membership Section I – Number of Trustees In accordance with Colorado Library Law, the Board shall consist of at least five members and no more than seven members, each appointed by the appointing authority as defined in the Colorado Revised Statute 24-90-108 (c). Upon approval of the Board, recommendations are sent to the Routt County Commissioners, the South Routt School District RE-3 School Board, and the Boards of the towns of Yampa and Oak Creek for ratification of appointments. Failure of a legislative body to act within forty five days upon a recommendation shall be considered a ratification of such appointment (C.R.S. 24-90-108) (2) (c). The Board may set up a selection process for trustee recommendations to encourage Board diversity and to increase awareness of expectations for future Board members. Section II – Length of Term Each trustee shall serve for a term of five years. When necessary, the Board may assign terms of varying length to encourage staggered terms. Section III – Reappointment A trustee may be appointed for 4 (20 years) consecutive terms and additional terms upon approval of a 2/3 quorum of the board. Section IV – Removal of a Trustee A trustee may be removed from office for good cause only by a majority vote of the appointing legislative bodies. A representative of the Board may request the appointing authority remove a trustee. The criteria warranting removal may be missing three or more consecutive meetings or acting in any way that is against the best interest of the library. Section V – Compensation Trustees shall not receive a salary or other compensation for service to the library district; however, necessary travel and subsistence expenses incurred may be paid to the trustee by the district. Article VI – Officers and their Duties Section I – Officers The officers of the Board shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Section II – Election of Officers Officers will be elected at the first regular meeting of the year. Section III – Tenure Officers will serve for one year and may be elected for consecutive terms. Section IV – Duties of the President The President shall be chief executive of the Board, shall conduct all meetings and be responsible for bringing to the attention of Board members all matters which are pertinent, and arrange for reports to be presented to the Board, shall execute all documents authorized by the Board and perform other duties as the Board may request. Section V – Duties of the Vice-President The Vice-President shall fulfill the duties of the President in the absence of the President and shall fulfill the duties assigned by the President and / or the Board. Section VI – Duties of the Secretary The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the minutes and maintaining files, for the minutes, reports and correspondence for the Board. The records shall be maintained as required by State Law. See Appendix 3 and 4. Section VII – Duties of the Treasurer / Budget Officer The Treasurer shall ordinarily sign for all expenditures of library funds and oversee the preparation and submission of bookkeeping reports. The Treasurer / Budget Officer shall oversee the preparation of financial reports and the budget. Article VII – Meetings Section I – Regular Meetings A regular monthly meeting will be held on a date set by a majority vote of the Board, time and meeting place to rotate between the libraries. The time and place for the next meeting will be set at each regular meeting. Regular meetings shall be held no less than six times a year. Currently the Board meets on the third Tuesday of the month. Section II – Special Meetings Special meetings may be called by the President of the Board at the request of two or more Board members. Only items listed on the special agenda may be considered at a special meeting. Section III – Annual meetings The regular meeting in January shall be an annual meeting where officers are elected and the bylaws reviewed. Designations of sites for posting notice to the public shall be determined for compliance with Colorado Sunshine Law. See Appendix 3. The regular meeting in March shall be another annual meeting, at which time the annual reports shall be read. The annual reports shall include statistical reports, year-end financials, and the annual report to the state. Section IV – Agendas Agendas for Board meetings are the responsibility of the Secretary and the President of the Board. Regular meetings will include a review of the minutes, minutes, checks and new and unfinished business. Agenda and or notice of meeting will be posted no less than 24 hours before meeting. Section V – Quorum A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of a simple majority of the current membership. Section VI – Voting All trustees, including the President are entitled to vote. A majority vote is required for passage. Section VII – Telephone Voting Telephone voting at a regular or special meeting is permitted as long as all members present are able to hear and mutually debate an issue, for ex. by speaker phone. The minutes should reflect the members in attendance by telephone. Section VIII – Parliamentary Authority and Special Rules of Order The rules contained in the latest edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised” shall govern the district in cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws, special rules of order adopted by the Trustees, or applicable Colorado Statutes. The district uses Robert’s Rules of Order for small Boards and committees with the following exception: it (the district) does not allow consensus voting. Items being considered for vote require both first and second motions. Section IX – Open Meetings, Notice & Executive Sessions All meetings of a quorum or three or more members of the Board, whichever is fewer, at which any public (library) business is discussed, or which formal action may be taken are declared to be public meetings open to the public at all times. Notice of open meetings shall be posted no less than 24 hours before said meeting, preferably sooner. The Board may hold an executive session at a regular or special meeting if the following conditions are met, the Board announces intent to the public, discloses the topic and there is an affirmative vote of 2/3’s of the quorum present. Matters or reasons to convene an executive session may include but are not limited to the purchase or sale of real or personal property, conferences with an attorney for the purposes of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions, matters required to be kept confidential by federal or state laws or rules, determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations and personnel matters, unless the employee (who is the subject) of the session, has requested an open meeting. The Board must announce the specific citation of the statutes that are the basis for confidentiality before holding executive session. See Appendix 3. Article VIII – Amendment of the Bylaws or Policy Manual A typewritten copy of the draft of a proposed change in the bylaws shall be presented for discussion at a regular meeting of the Board. At the next regular meeting it shall be presented for discussion and vote. A majority vote is required for passage. In case of a tie, concerns will be addressed and the draft revised. It will be presented again for discussion and vote at the next regular meeting where a quorum is present. The Secretary is responsible for adding amendments to the secretary’s original manual and for updating electronic copies on either the district’s group site or website. Article IX – Appendices Appendix 1 – Legal boundaries of the RE-3 School District Appendix 2 – Colorado Library Law CRS 24-90-101 thru 519 Appendix 3 – Colorado Sunshine Law / Open Meeting CRS 24- 6-402 Appendix 4 – Colorado Public Records Inspection Law 24-72- 201 thru 206 Article X – Dates, Reviewed, Revised and Adopted This article of the bylaws shall include the dates of the bylaws as they are reviewed, amended, revised and adopted. Original Bylaws adopted November 19, 1980 Bylaws reviewed and amended on July 22, 1988 Bylaws amended and put into revolving format 1991 Revised (new) Bylaws adopted May 19th, 2005 Bylaws reviewed January 17th, 2006 Bylaws reviewed February 26th, 2008 Bylaws reviewed March 17th, 2009 and amended on April 21st, 2009 Bylaws reviewed March 19th, 2013 Bylaws reviewed November, 18 2014 and amended January 20, 2015 Bylaws reviewed February 16, 2016 and amended March 15, 2016 Bylaws reviewed August 21, 2018 and amended November 13, 2018 Appendix 1 – Legal boundaries for the South Routt School District DIRECTOR DISTRICTS South Routt School District Director District One shall consist of that portion of the South Routt School District lying in the boundaries of the Town of Oak Creek west of Sharp Street south of Main Street and west of Moffat Avenue north of Main Street. Director District Two shall consist of all that portion of the South Routt School District south of the Steamboat Springs School District and bordered by a line commencing at the intersection with RCR #18; thence southwesterly along RCR 18 to the southeast corner of Section 30, T4N, R84W; thence south to the point of southwest corner of Section 32, T3N, R84W; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 36, T3N, R83W; thence north to the southeast corner of Section 13, T5N, R83W; thence east to RCR #18. Director District Three shall consist of that portion of the South Routt School District whose boundaries are defined by a line commencing at the intersection of State Highway 131 and the south boundary of Section 3, T2N, R85W; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 6, T2N, R84W; then straight north to RCR 18; then northeast along RCR 18 to the intersection with the Steamboat School District; then west along the school district boundary to a point of intersection with State Highway 131; then south along State Highway 131 to the south boundary of Section3, T2N, R85W. All of the plat of Phippsburg is included and all areas within the city limits of Oak Creek are excluded from this district. Director District Four shall consist of that portion of the South Routt School District lying east of the Hayden School District and south of the Steamboat Springs School District to the intersection of the district line and State Highway 131; thence south to the intersection of Highway 131 and Section 10, T2N, R85W; then west to RCR 17; then west and north along RCR 17 to the intersection with RCR 132 then west along RCR 132 to the Rio Blanco County line. All of the plat of Phippsburg and all areas within the town limits of Oak Creek are excluded from this district. Director District Five shall consist of that portion of the South Routt School District bounded on the south by the Eagle County School District, on the east by Grand County, on the west by Garfield and Rio Blanco counties, and whose northern boundary is defined by a line commencing at the northeast corner of Section 1, T2N, R83W; thence west to the northwest corner of Section 5, T2N, R84W; thence south to the southwest corner of Section 5, T2N, R84W; thence west to the point of intersection of RCR 11 and RCR 17; thence north and west to RCR 132; thence west to the Rio Blanco County line. All areas within the Town of Yampa and Section 15, T2N, R85W and that portion of Section 14, T2N, R85W lying west of State Highway 131 are excluded from this district. Director District Six shall consist of that portion of the South Routt School District lying within the boundaries of the Town of Yampa and Section 15, T2N, R85W and that portion of Section 14, T2N, R85W lying west of State Highway 131. Director District Seven shall consist of that portion of the South Routt School District lying in the boundaries of the Town of Oak Creek east of Sharp Street south of Main Street and east of Moffat Avenue north of Main Street. Adopted: June 21, 2001 by the South Routt School District RE-3 Oak Creek Catalog Yampa Catalog wind speed: 4 mph ESE wind speed: 4 mph N Colorado Online Libraries is made possible through grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administered by the Colorado State Library. South Routt Libraries \| Powered by Mantra & WordPress.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498949
__label__cc	0.677064	0.322936	Home Red Sox Insight Red Sox Hire New Hitting Coaches Red Sox Hire New Hitting Coaches After this past season, Chili Davis was allowed to interview with other teams for their hitting coach position. After very little deliberation, Davis decided to head to the Windy City to become the hitting coach of the Chicago Cubs. This decision left new manager, Alex Cora, the opportunity to bring in his own staff member. Recently, it was announced the Red Sox have hired Tim Hyers and Andy Barkett. to become the head / assistant hitting coaches, respectively. Hyers is a name that some Red Sox fans may find familiar. He was a scout and a minor league hitting instructor from 2009-2015 with the Red Sox organization. He briefly was part of the Major League coaching staff in 2015, when he filled in for Greg Colburn. Most recently, Hyers was the assistant hitting coaching for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team that reached the World Series. Andy Barkett has managed since 2006 in the minor league systems of the Braves, Tigers, Marlins, and Pirates. Most recently, he spent the 2017 season as the AAA manager in the Pirates organization. Hyers is now in charge of turning around an offense that had multiple players deal with setbacks. The good news for the new staff is that they now manage a very talented core. The Red Sox have won back-to-back AL East titles while struggling offensively. If the combination of Cora / Hyers / Barkett are able to get the most out of the young talent, the Sox may make a run to the World Series. Previous articleScoring Runs is at a Premium in Boston Next articleWould Dombrowski Break Up the Killer B’s? Rafael Devers Being Called Up to the Bigs Gabe Faulkner - July 24, 2017 Appreciating a True Legend: Joe Castiglione Sox Sphere - September 13, 2017 Chris Sale Mirrors Pedro Sox Sphere - January 22, 2018	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498950
__label__cc	0.663164	0.336836	Aussie Dollar Hinting at Further Weakness for China & Australia By Strawberry Blonde - 2 years ago (07, May 2017 12:39:06 PM) For many years, the charts have shown that, as China’s Shanghai Index (SSEC) goes, so goes Australia’s Composite Index (AORD), as shown on the multi-year comparison graph below. However, a closer look at the following year-to-date comparison graph reveals that SSEC’s attempts to continue to advance fizzled in mid-April and is now flat for the year, while AORD remains a bit more elevated. (more…) Metal Mania By Tim Knight - 2 years ago (07, May 2017 9:11:45 AM) Gold has been in a general downtrend for nearly six years now. There have been spurts here and there, of course, and those who play the leveraged instruments (DUST, JDST, etc.) in the right direction have been able to make fortunes (or get ground into hamburger). Let’s take a quick look at a few SlopeCharts of what’s happening out there. First there is the junior miners. Short-term, this is on the low end of a descending channel, meaning that we could get a bounce higher in the days ahead. Longer-term, however, this trendline break is severe. I don’t think any bounce will get GDXJ any more than a few points.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498951
__label__cc	0.668602	0.331398	The great convergence? Posted on May 27, 2019 by Chris Smaje Apologies that I’ve been so silent of late on this blog. I’m afraid my book-writing chores are consuming almost all my desk-time at the moment and posts will probably continue to be sporadic at best until my submission deadline in the autumn. But let me at least bring you a sneak preview of some graphs I’m planning to present in the book (…and a couple that I’m not … thanks are due to my editor Brianne at Chelsea Green for allowing me to let the cat out of the bag). I’d be interested to hear any comments on my interpretations of the data I present below. First, some context. I’ve long expressed my skepticism on this blog for various types of business-as-usual solutionism that suggest the numerous problems we face in the world are fixable within existing political and economic paradigms, usually through some kind of high-tech whizzbangery associated with the capitalist political economy, a broad current of thought sometimes known as ‘neo-optimism’. I don’t necessarily think all neo-optimist whizz-bangs are intrinsically a waste of time, but we need a Plan B … and this, I think, is a small farm future, which I suspect may well become Plan A. What would stop it from becoming Plan A is if someone could convincingly demonstrate that (a) the existing capitalist political economy is clearly the best bet for improving general human wellbeing, and (b) it can do so long-term in a planetarily sustainable way. Neither of these are easy to prove or disprove, especially (b) as it involves projecting into the future. I’m not going to address (b) here – perhaps I’ll try to answer it in a future post (Spoiler: … my guess is that the answer is a two-letter word beginning with ‘n’). But I’d like to say a little about (a). A staple of neo-optimist fare is that we no longer live in a binary world of rich and poor countries – “the west and the rest”. Hans Rosling calls this binary view a “mega misconception” that belies the catch-up that’s been occurring in recent decades. “Poor developing countries no longer exist as a distinct group…” Rosling says, “there is no gap…This is not controversial. These facts are not up for discussion” and so on1. Along similar lines, Steven Pinker writes “Industrial capitalism launched the Great Escape from universal poverty in the 19th century and is rescuing the rest of humankind in a Great Convergence in the 21st”2. There are many ways of trying to prove or disprove such statements. Saying they’re not up for discussion is a neat one, because it exempts you from any dialogue about the limitations of your analysis and whether you’ve cherry-picked your examples. But let me discuss these assertions anyway – I’m going to put it to you that Rosling and Pinker are wrong. Exhibit A in my argument is a plot of Gross Domestic Product per capita. Now, I know that GDP is widely and rightly criticized as a measure of human wellbeing (I’ll look at a different measure of wellbeing in a moment), but it’s not so shabby as a measure of the formal economic output that the industrial capitalism of which Pinker speaks excels. So if a Great Convergence is occurring within humanity in the 21st century fueled by industrial capitalism I think it would be reasonable to expect to see it in GDP per capita at the country level. What I’ve done in Exhibit A is take GDP per capita (in constant 2010 US$) for every country in the world from World Bank data and ranked them from highest (which, as it happens, is Luxembourg at $191,587) to lowest (Burundi, $219). Then I aggregated them into five groups on the basis of this ranking and calculated the average GDP per capita for each group for every year between 1960 and 2016 (the full time-range available in the World Bank data), weighted by the population sizes of each country in the group. So that’s what you’re seeing in the graph. I struggle to reconcile this graph with Rosling’s pronouncement of the death of the gap and Pinker’s pronouncement of a ‘great convergence’. Each of the five groups has improved its GDP per capita, and Groups 2, 3 and 4 show some evidence of a climbing rate in recent years. But it seems to me that the most compelling story told by the graph is how much Group 1 has pulled away from the others. In 1960 the ratio between Groups 1 and 5 was 30. In 2016, it was 55. The ratios between Group 1 and Groups 2-4 over the same timeframe have narrowed, but the differences have greatly increased. I often commit what Rosling calls the ‘mega misconception’ of talking in binary terms about ‘rich’ and ‘poor’ countries. This graph makes me feel justified in doing so. Rosling cautions in his book against the way that averages can mislead us, so lest Exhibit A leaves you in doubt I present Exhibit B which shows the full ranked distributions of GDP per capita for every country in 1985 and 2016 (the 2016 data in the red stretches out rightwards because there were more countries and less missing data in 2016 than in the blue 1985 line). Again, the picture seems pretty clear to me – a long shallow slope suggestive of lots of countries with similarly low GDP per capita, then a steep uptick on the right for a small number of countries with very high per capita GDPs. Maybe it’s reasonable to talk of ‘middle income’ countries in the light of Exhibit B. But I think talking in binary terms of ‘rich’ and ‘poor’ countries is eminently justifiable on the basis of these figures too. Perhaps it’s worth noting that of the forty countries in Group 1 all but six of them are either West European ones or postcolonial inheritors of a West European legacy (like the USA and Australia) – the six exceptions are Qatar, Singapore, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Brunei, which have their own historical stories to tell. I’d suggest that there are usually different stories one can weave around data, and it surprises me that the likes of Rosling and Pinker who are supposedly expert data analysts don’t make more concessions to this. Is there a fitfulness to their factfulness? So much for GDP. Let’s move on to life expectancy – a more direct measure of human wellbeing, albeit still of a rather crude and basic kind. In Exhibit C, I present population-weighted average life expectancy at birth for the same five groups defined in Exhibit A from 1960 to 2017. Here, there does seem to be some evidence of convergence – in 1960, average life expectancy for Group 5 was 42 whereas for Group 1 it was 70. By 2017 the corresponding figures were 65 and 81. Exhibit C: What to make of this convergence in life expectancy set against the non-convergence of GDP? Since GDP is a reasonable measure of industrial capitalist output I’d venture the hypothesis, pace Pinker, that whatever’s causing the convergence in life expectancy probably isn’t industrial capitalism. But let’s probe a little more at the life expectancy data. Mothers and babies. A common misconception about life expectancy is that it tells us the age when most people die. In fact, life expectancy at birth averages out death over the life course – and people are much more likely to die in infancy or, for women, in childbirth than at other times in the life course up until old age. The deaths of these young and relatively young people (infants and mothers) pulls overall life expectancy radically downwards, so relatively small improvements in infant or maternal mortality can have relatively big effects on life expectancy. It’s harder to improve life expectancy at the old age end of the life course, and it gets progressively harder to improve infant mortality the lower it is, as is demonstrated by the flattening slope of the curves in Exhibit D which presents infant mortality rates from 1960-2017 for the five groups. Therefore the convergence in life expectancy shown in Exhibit C is to some degree an artefact of the fact that infant mortality was already quite low in the richer countries in 1960. Exhibit D: China. The most striking improvement in life expectancy shown in Exhibit B occurred in Group 3 in the 1960s, and this largely reflects the influence of China in view of its huge population. This was the China of Chairman Mao and his Cultural Revolution – which hardly seems a good advert for Pinker’s view that the convergence results from ‘industrial capitalism’. But maybe there are some complexities here. The improvements in China came hard on the heels of Mao’s disastrous ‘Great Leap Forward’ which was the cause of probably the biggest famine in human history, so the thought occurs that the 1960s uptick could be a kind of rebound from the famine. However, this paper at least seems to suggest otherwise – infant mortality in China crashed during the 1950s, spiked during the Great Leap famine (though without reaching pre-1950s levels) and then further crashed in the 1960s. Lynn White has argued that the roots of China’s recent economic miracle lie ‘bottom up’ in the chaos of the 1960s in the context of the Cultural Revolution and the aftermath of the Great Leap when the lack of political control from the center enabled rural people to engage in economic development that was later coopted by the state and is now often presented top-down in terms of Deng Xiaoping’s reforms3. In that rather special sense, perhaps it would be possible to assimilate the Chinese data to Pinker’s claim that the convergence results from ‘industrial capitalism’. But I think that would be quite generous to Pinker. I’d be inclined to say instead that “rural self-reliance launched a great escape from poverty in China”. What’s the cause of declining infant mortality? Having trawled around various academic papers on this subject the tentative answer that I’ve come to turns out to be the same as the answer to most things – it’s complicated. Relevant factors seem to be things like access to basic primary health care, vaccination and mother’s education. I’d welcome further input on this. Possibly, one could argue that such factors have been delivered by ‘industrial capitalism’, if not in the relevant countries themselves then at least in the accumulation of global surplus that enables multilateral agencies, NGOs and other such organizations to intervene. But I think this would be tendentious without further substantiation, and it would require a good deal of detailed analysis that tracked the historic flows of resources into and (mostly) out of the poorer countries with high infant mortality. As I’ve written about in more detail elsewhere, the history of capitalism and ‘modernization’ generally seems to involve processes of huge immiseration that then prompt counter-movements and efforts towards humanitarian mitigation – to chalk these up as the positive achievements of capitalism is provocative, to say the least. Basically, capitalist societies are ones that entrust general social wellbeing to a small number of capital owners who compete to maximize their profits with fairly minimal restrictions on what they’re entitled to do with them. Industrial capitalist societies are ones where the competition is focused around manufacturing rather than, say, speculative finance as is now the case in many of the Group 1 countries (here I’m paraphrasing some of Wolfgang Streeck’s definitions4). Nothing much to write home about in all that about converging life expectancies… In fact, if we’re going to talk about a ‘great convergence’ in the 21st century we probably also need to talk about the ‘great divergence’ of the 19th century diagnosed in a 2001 book of that name by historian Kenneth Pomeranz. The inefficiency of capitalism. In 1960 world GDP was $11.3 trillion in constant 2010 US$, while in 2017 it was $80.3 trillion – so in less than 60 years the global economy has grown to fit more than seven world economies of 1960 within itself. In per capita terms the corresponding figure is an almost threefold rise from $3,700 to $10,700. Infant mortality rates in 1960 averaged 28.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in the Group 1 countries and 174.3 in the Group 5 ones, whereas by 2017 the gap had narrowed to 4.0 in the Group 1 countries and 45.7 in the Group 5 ones – a welcome convergence, certainly, but a “great” convergence, in view of the fact that the global economy is more than seven times bigger? I’m not so sure. Going back to my original question, if we have to grow the global economy seven times over in order to move from 146 excess infant deaths between Groups 1 and 5 to 42 excess deaths, I’d question the view that industrial capitalism is the best bet for improving human wellbeing – especially when it’s not even clear that the convergence results from capitalism as such. I’d welcome any comments. Rosling, H. 2018. Factfulness. Sceptre. p.22, 28. Pinker, S. 2018. Enlightenment Now. Penguin. p.364. White, L. 2018. Rural Roots of Reform Before China’s Conservative Change. Routledge. Streeck, W. 2016. How Will Capitalism End? Verso. Posted in 'Eco-modernism', Global development, poverty & urbanisation, History, Politics and neoliberalism \| 41 Replies Trans-continental Hustle, Or An Admittedly Anecdotal Review of Adam Tooze’s Crashed Posted on March 6, 2019 by Chris Smaje Today I’m happy to bring you a rare guest post in the form of a review of historian Adam Tooze’s magnum opus, Crashed penned by Michelle Galimba, rancher and valued commenter here at Small Farm Future. Tooze’s book has been sitting in my in-tray for some time, but thanks to Michelle I can now let it linger there a while longer. Meanwhile, there may be another service interruption on this blog while I toil over my own opus, but I’m hoping to present some further ruminations on property and commons emerging out of my last post and my current book draft, perhaps in a couple of weeks’ time. For now, it’s over to Michelle – my thanks to her for letting me publish her review. Adam Tooze. 2018. Crashed: How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed the World. Allen Lane. I have a friend who, in the fall of 2008, was working on a real estate development project that was funded through Lehman Brothers. One day he was jubilant at having made some money off what turned out to be Lehman’s “dead cat bounce,” and another day not long after, on September 15, he was deeply depressed when his project went up in flames, along with so much of Wall Street. Lehman’s bankruptcy ended the stream of easy credit for such marginal real estate projects. “Well”, I said to him that day, as he lamented his ill fortune, “you still have all your limbs and youʻre in no danger of starving to death, so it’s not so bad!” In the ranch business, neither personal safety nor making payroll are things I take for granted. My friend scorned such peasant consolations; heʻd been living high in the glow of success that hot money bestows. He tried, for a couple of years, to put another funding deal together with increasingly sketchy potential partners, but in the end the property was foreclosed upon and sold at auction to another real estate investment company. I strongly disapproved of my friend’s development plans – converting agricultural land into residential agricultural “estates” – so the Great Recession had the silver lining of throwing some sand in the gears of the growth machine, at least for my corner of the world. I’ve never really understood what happened in 2008, and I suppose that is what motivated me to take up Adam Toozeʻs Crashed: How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed the World. Iʻm not predisposed to thinking about economics, except as it relates to the practical matter of running the ranch. I never took an economics course in college and what books I’ve read have been along the lines of Economics for Dummies. I regretted my ignorance in reading Crashed – although Tooze explains each piece of financial machinery that plays a role in the train-wreck, the book nevertheless made heavy demands on whatever shreds of economic lore I’ve picked up along the way. Expect to wade through many a sentence as this: “Because the collateral that was preferred by the triparty repo markets was Treasurys, in the spring of 2008 the Fed instituted another program, the Term Securities Lending Facility, under which it lent out top-rated US Treasurys on twenty-eight day terms in exchange for a variety of mortgage-backed securities, including private label.” Although Crashed primarily traces the financial crisis in the US and Europe during the period 2006-2018, Tooze brackets his tale of Euro-American financial implosions by sketching the “financial balance of terror” between China and the US and delineating how dangerous this ‘balance’ is. The Great Recession and the Euro-zone sovereign debt showdowns that followed, for all their drama, were the “wrong crisis” – merely a preliminary sideshow set off by bad acting investment banks, rather than the potential Crash which still lies waiting in the financial and trade imbalances between China and other “emerging markets” on the one hand, and the “advanced economies” of Europe and the US on the other. It is within the brackets of this larger problem that the Great Recession happened. It is a sobering thought. I’ve read Crashed through once, and I may very well do so again. Despite its weighty subject and imposing heft, it is an engrossing page-turner, and just about any of those nearly 700 pages is food for much pondering. Tooze is a master narrator who can engage the reader in “the grand sweep of global economic imbalances” and the dramatic moments of high-stakes decision-making, as well as deploy the quote juste and the well-deserved smack-down: “In the course of the crisis, the GOP had shown itself to be less a party of government than a political vehicle through which conservative, white Americans expressed their alarm at the earthquakes shaking their world.” If anything Tooze’s narrative skills hurry one along too quickly (though I’m not complaining) in a dramatic rush of money, power, and political calculation as these morph and metastasize between North America to Europe and back again. I could go on for quite a bit about Crashed, if my own local dramas about small animal slaughter capacity and agricultural water rights weren’t eating into my writing time, but to be very brief, (one of) Tooze’s overarching theses is that politics creates economics, which, though verging on the obvious, cannot be said often enough, especially among Americans. We don’t have to acquiesce to the neoliberal economic ideology that passes for common sense and hard-headed realism even as its inadequacy for organizing a functional, healthy society is crystal clear. The financial foolishness that led to the crises of the last ten years was enabled by a political-economic worldview whose orthodoxy could use some hard questioning. Tooze’s book, by getting into “the black box” of the Crash and showing how “ the economics of the financial system” worked clarifies how profoundly self-serving and short-sighted the “innovations” of the financial elite are, and how little they deserve the deference and even adulation they still too often receive. Another key argument is that, contrary to a perception much encouraged by the financial industry and governments on both sides of the Atlantic, the banks that binged most irresponsibly on the American sub-prime mortgage market and who were therefore most desperately in need of American dollar liquidity from the various American bailout facilities (TARP, TAF, currency swap lines, etc.) had their headquarters in Europe. Tooze argues that it was the American’s “bazooka” response, rather than the European “austerity” approach to the sovereign debt crises in Greece, Ireland, and Spain that was most effective in terms of quick recovery. But whether the American approach will truly be ‘effective’ in the long term and big picture is an open question. The cost in political capital for Obama and the Democrats was considerable, spawning the Tea Party backlash, and leading to our current political nightmare. Yes, the financial system got back on its feet, but did we corrupt our political institutions in the process and spawn a debilitating and vicious culture war to boot? Crashed perhaps focuses a bit too much on the political personalities tasked with responding to the Euro-zone crises (although this is one of its strengths as well), and never mentions the part that depleting resources/environmental constraints played in these crises – as we run out of natural resources to devour, generating the returns to which we have grown accustomed requires the thin-air financial ‘innovations’ that led to the Crash. Also, the book could use another run through by a diligent proof-reader, but I’m almost literally nit-picking there. It is a great read – insightful, thought-provoking, challenging, entertaining even – and I’ll not look at the business section of the newspaper the same again. The ironic thing is that what saved my friend after his Lehman-funded real estate deal went belly-up were the very small farmers that would have been displaced by his “estates.” He eventually re-invented himself as a specialty coffee broker, and now makes his money consolidating and marketing the product of those same small coffee farmers, generally Filipino or Hispanic immigrants, highly capable people but with limited command of business English, to the high-end coffee market. This global market access creates the niche product pricing (several times what a Columbian or Guatemalan farmer gets) that supports a modest first-world lifestyle for the farmers: it keeps them in trucks and fertilizer and they have some money left over to bet on the illegal cock-fights that happen nearly every weekend in a remote corner of someoneʻs orchard. I have to wonder if the high-flyers of Wall Street and the City of London may all someday have to re-invent themselves as my friend did. Will the gigantic bubble of speculative finance that was not dealt with but rather enabled by years of QE lead to the Mother of all Crashes in the near future? Will the Mother of all Crashes lead to a more grounded, less leveraged way of living for more people? Hard to say. Posted in Global development, poverty & urbanisation, History, Politics and neoliberalism \| 79 Replies Of cages and hedges Posted on January 19, 2019 by Chris Smaje Comments are back on after my return from a brief and computer-less sojourn in the Scottish Highlands. Computer-less, but TV-enabled (the opposite to my usual life on the farm), enabling me to watch endless programs about homesteading in Alaska and, when the mood took me, to keep up with the UK’s fast-developing, eminently predictable and wholly avoidable constitutional crisis over Brexit. For those with better things to do than following the machinations in Westminster, here’s a quick summary of how Conservative MPs have recently voted. No confidence in Theresa May’s leadership of the party: 117 out of 317 No confidence in Theresa May’s Brexit deal with the EU: 118 out of 317 Confidence in Theresa May’s government: 317 out of 317 No, me neither. Meanwhile, Small Farm Future has been engaging in arcane voting procedures of its own in relation to the heated issue of which topic to post on next. And the winner (by a crushing margin) is…the unexpurgated version my article ‘Of cages and hedges’ which has recently appeared in The Land Magazine (Issue 24, pp.56-7, since you asked). After this post, I’ll post my interview with David Bandurski – author of the book Dragons in Diamond Village, on which my article in The Land was based. Then there’ll be radio silence for a while so I can focus on writing my own book. After that I’ll write a post on property, immigration and boundaries. And that’s a promise. But first, here’s ‘Of Cages and Hedges’: The lessons of China’s tumultuous history demand attention from those of us who advocate for more localized, land-based economies as part of the solution to global problems. The only civilization to survive more-or-less intact from antiquity to the present, much of its history was characterized by a relatively stable compact between a property-owning peasantry and an imperial bureaucracy the envy of peasants in other lands[i]. Nineteenth- and twentieth-century ‘modernisation’ sharpened the conflict between social classes, culminating in Mao’s communist revolution and its enforced ‘iron rice bowl’ of rigidly-policed peasant equality and sufficiency. According to political scientist Lynn White, the disasters of Maoist economic policy and political intriguing in the 1950s and 60s created substantial local autonomy – and, more than the top-down reforms of the post-Mao regime, this autonomy fostered a peasant-led, bottom-up economic dynamism that laid the foundations for China’s emergence in recent years as a major global capitalist power[ii]. Land-workers and food sovereignty activists won’t need much convincing that, given the chance, peasants and rural people can create abundant and thriving local economies. But other aspects of China’s rise are more troubling to that narrative. Chen Yun famously described China’s post-Mao economy as a ‘birdcage’, in which the free-flying and prosperity-generating bird of capitalism was kept to its proper bounds by a socialist cage. But the reality is that in modern China the bird has long since flown the cage. This comes as no surprise to Marxists, who’ve always suspected that peasants are really just capitalists or landless wage-workers in disguise. But for agrarian thinkers who want to retain a notion of thriving but stable, non-capitalist rural economies, we somehow need to come up with a better cage. Another troubling issue is revealed by a look at global farming statistics. Worldwide since 1990, there’s been a decline of 240 million people reported as employed in farming. But looking country-by-country, there’s been an outflow of 448 million people from farming – the majority (311 million) from China, where the proportion of people working in agriculture has declined from 55% in 1991 to 18% in 2017. That implies that there’s been an increase in farm employment elsewhere, and indeed there are 84 countries with a net increase in the number of people in farming totalling 208 million people. The majority of these (161 million) are in sub-Saharan Africa, partly reflecting the strong population growth in that region but also reflecting its poverty[iii]. It’s hard to preach an enticing vision for the peasant way when the majority of people entering it are the poorest on earth, and the majority of people exiting it live in a country that’s hurtling along a capitalist path of self-enrichment. But a closer look at that capitalist path reveals a more complex story of ‘enrichment’, albeit one that’s familiar in its main details from capitalist paths of enrichment in other times and places. After the rural dynamism mentioned above got the ball rolling, China’s rise as a global economic power was based on export manufacturing industries built on the back of cheap migrant labour from the countryside to urbanizing-industrializing areas. One reason for its cheapness has been China’s household registration system, whereby rural migrants remain classified by their places of origin and are denied access to the superior health, educational, social and fiscal services available to city residents, thereby personally bearing much of the social costs of the industrialization founded in their labour[iv]. More recently, as with other maturing capitalist powers, there’s been a significant shift in Chinese wealth-creation out of industrialization and into financialization – particularly in relation to urban real estate. David Bandurski’s fine book Dragons in Diamond Village traces how this works, mostly via the engaging stories of individual people fighting the corrupt web of city officials, party leaders, village heads and police officers[v]. A distinctive feature of this in urbanizing China that Bandurski analyses in detail is the violent pressure that falls on collectively-held village land as it’s swallowed up by urbanization. These ‘urban villages’ have typically become crowded residential city neighbourhoods housing poor rural migrant labourers – slums in other words – with the original villagers acting as petty landlords under predatory pressure to relinquish their rights to village land and even to their own houses for the purposes of property development or gentrification, with the proceeds pocketed higher up the political food chain. The plight of the urban villagers may seem a lesser one than that of the rural migrant labour force, and indeed in an interview with me David Bandurski explained that other urban-dwellers were often dismissive of their resistance to state enclosure, assuming that they were doing nicely out of their property rights. But he emphasized the predatory power of the state forces ranged against them, adding “I never understood the need to minimize the suffering of urban villagers by pretending they were sultans in comparison to struggling migrants. But you often heard this. And I think this arises in part from the political stigmatization of self-interest, which is confused with greed.”[vi] This self-interest/greed nexus is an interesting feature that emerges from the analysis of Chinese capitalism by Bandurski and others. Capitalist development in the west has drawn on powerful but largely fallacious theories that individual self-interest, or even greed, fosters collective wellbeing, stretching right back to Adam Smith’s discussion of the invisible hand of the market in his Wealth of Nations published in 1776. Western capitalist mythology still celebrates the ideology of the little guy, the individual entrepreneur with the great idea, despite the dominance of the actual economy by vast corporate-monopoly enterprises. Bandurski writes contrastingly of China: “one of the distinguishing features of what has been called “urbanization” in a Chinese context is that the role of the human being is minimized against the backdrop of a larger-than-life vision of the urban. A kind of urban mythology of the city as a place of dynamism and ultimately prosperity. You can see this readily in the propaganda around the city, which emphasizes the modern fabric of the city—the skyscrapers, the monuments, the high-speed rail…on one trip to countryside in Henan I saw how the mosaic scenes outside rural homes had been changed from scenes of nature to scenes of the megacity dominated by an expressway in diminishing perspective running through the center, luxury cars whishing past montages of architecture from Shanghai and Beijing. The caption was always: “Road to Prosperity.” But there were never people in those scenes, any more than in the government’s urban propaganda.”[vii] Who knows how this will all turn out – but if economist Minqi Li’s analysis is correct, the probable answer is not well. At present, the combination of rising if poorly distributed incomes and the growing authoritarianism of the Xi Jinping regime is keeping the lid on social unrest in China. Bandurski pronounces himself “not very optimistic about the prospects for land rights activism becoming a real political force in China”. Longer-term, though, Li argues that at some point this century China’s dependence on fast economic growth through the terms of trade with its export partners along with its dependence on a prodigious fossil-energy use that’s neither economically nor ecologically sustainable will prompt a major crisis – political, economic and environmental – that will reverberate across China and the rest of the world and probably destroy much of what many people now take for granted about the modern world system[viii]. For westerners like me who’ve grown up in the alternative farming movement, it’s the older pre-revolutionary China that’s loomed largest in our thinking. Books like F.H. King’s Farmers of Forty Centuries emphasized the long-term sustainability of China’s labour-intensive, horticultural civilization, influencing western ecological movements like permaculture[ix]. In permaculture circles I’ve heard the adage repeated more than once that “the Chinese have forgotten more about gardening than the rest of the world ever knew”. But sadly it seems that their forgetting may now have matched our ignorance. In David Bandurski’s uncompromising words: “One of the most basic things to understand about China’s so-called rural population is its clear and increasing remoteness from agricultural life. The vast majority are not farmers at all. Even one, two and now even three generations back they are not farmers. They have little or probably in most cases no agricultural knowledge.”[x] It’s hard to derive an optimistic message from the familiar stories here of hard-won agricultural knowledge easily lost, enrichment by enclosure, economic maldistribution, short-term money-making at the cost of long-term crisis, and the elusiveness of a gilded rather than an iron cage to contain the spirits of the market. But China still has more people in farming than most industrialized countries, and a history of wrenching social transformation that may yet surprise the world again. David Bandurski mentions that many among China’s rural-industrial workforce still consider the family smallholding as a hedge against economic insecurity, while adding that, “This land isn’t a hedge in the real sense that any sustainable income could probably be derived from it, but only in the sense that it might enable subsistence at the most basic level.”[xi] The challenge as I see it is that the world at large urgently needs to improve its hedges – which may not sound like the right conclusion in view of what we know about the enclosure of the commons, though personally I’m convinced that well-hedged (in every sense) private smallholdings of the kind pioneered long ago in China can still offer one of the more persuasive roadmaps out of the present morass. [i] Eric Wolf. 1969. Peasant Wars of the Twentieth Century. Harper & Row. [ii] Lynn White. 2018. Rural Roots of Reform Before China’s Conservative Change. Routledge. [iii] Figures in this paragraph calculated from World Development Indicators: http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=world-development-indicators [iv] Hsiao-Hung Pai. 2013. Scattered Sand: The Story of China’s Rural Migrants. Verso. [v] David Bandurski. 2016. Dragons in Diamond Village: Tales of Resistance from Urbanizing China. Melville House. [vi] David Bandurski, personal communication. [vii] Ibid. [viii] Minqi Li. 2016. China and the 21st Century Crisis. Pluto. [ix] F.H. King. 1911. Farmers of Forty Centuries: Permanent Agriculture in China, Korea and Japan. Rodale. [x] Bandurski, personal communication. [xi] Ibid. Posted in Global development, poverty & urbanisation, History, Peasants and populism, Politics and neoliberalism \| 14 Replies The transition from capitalism to feudalism Posted on August 7, 2018 by Chris Smaje Historians have spilled a lot of ink on the question of how capitalism supplanted feudalism, but what will happen in the future if by design, default or disaster our present capitalist society is supplanted by a lower energy alternative with more people devoting themselves to the agrarian arts? Will historians of the future be writing of the transition from capitalism to feudalism? ‘Feudalism’ can be a misleading term. Really, it refers to situations of weak political centralisation, parcellized sovereignty and low population density that were uncommon historically and were arguably limited only to parts of Europe and Japan. But people often use it as a shorthand term for more or less any kind of agrarian society, and those of us who advocate a small farm future are often met with the horrified response that it would amount to the return of feudalism or serfdom. Fortunately, these are only two among many of the forms that past agrarian societies took, and they occupy pretty much the least appealing part of the spectrum. Still, the question remains – would the social structure of a small farm future look anything like that of the small farm past, and if so shouldn’t we be worried about it? I’m afraid I can’t answer that until I get my crystal ball back from the cleaners, but what I can do is offer some wider reflections on the structure of agrarian societies that might at least cast some light on the issue. The historical sociology of the transition to capitalism has been dominated by Marxist thinkers who emphasise the nature of production, energy capture and class relations between the owners of capital and the owners of labour. Illuminating stuff, but what I want to stress here is the nature of agrarian society as a status order (the relevant sociological pioneer here being Max Weber – cue boos and hisses from the Marxists). As I’ll discuss below, and still more in my next post, the interesting thing about this approach is the continuities rather than the differences that emerge across the divide between pre-modern agrarian societies, modern capitalist ones (which are also, of course, agrarian) and most likely the post-modern post-capitalist agrarian societies of the future. I’ll spare the reader a precis of Weberian sociology, and instead come at my theme obliquely with an analysis of the varna categories bequeathed from ancient Indian thought. This is only by way of exemplification – should you wish to follow up the particularities, the key analysts I’m drawing on are McKim Marriott and Murray Milner1, both summarised in this superb book. Should you wish otherwise I hope you’ll bear with me anyway – I trust the relevance of my argument will emerge, in the next post if not in this one. The varna categories – priest, king, farmer, servant – are outlined in a famous passage from the Rig Veda: When they divided The Man, into how many parts did they apportion him? What do they call his mouth, his two arms and thighs and feet? His mouth became the brahman [priest]; his arms were made into the rajanya [king/warrior]; his thighs the vaishyas [farmers/’people’]; and from his feet the shudra [servants] were born. When we look at how the varna categories were actually filled in Indian society historically there are various ambiguities, most importantly for my present purposes around the vaishya category, which rather than being a category heavily populated by a mass of farmers in fact is sparsely populated by merchant castes, with farmers mostly occupying the shudra category. I’ll come back to this shortly. The varna categories replicate a basic structure common to numerous non-industrial agrarian societies (see, for example, David Priestland’s Merchant, Soldier, Sage or Ernest Gellner’s Plough, Sword and Book), which roughly speaking is: king/warrior/noble servant/client/slave/outcast Of course, these groups interact with each other materially in various ways. In India, as in all societies, material transactions are freighted with numerous social meanings – but perhaps in India more than in most societies. Depending on exactly what’s being transacted, it’s possible to speak very broadly of a kind of ‘hot potato’ or scapegoat way of thinking about transactions there: certain material things typically embody bad qualities, inauspiciousness (or maybe what we’d call ‘sin’ in Western religious traditions), which means that generally it’s good to give, and not so good to receive. Perhaps we can sense an echo of this even in contemporary capitalist society. To be the recipient of a gift isn’t always morally innocent – it can lower your social status with respect to the donor. So each of the four varna categories has a characteristic transactional strategy associated with it. The king adopts the ‘maximal’ strategy of both giving and receiving extensively (as benefactor and tribute-taker). The priest adopts the ‘optimal’ strategy of giving but not receiving (seeking purity by passing on inauspiciousness and not receiving it). The vaishya (let’s keep it ambiguous for now who the vaishya actually is) adopts the ‘minimal’ strategy, neither receiving nor giving. The shudra (farmer/servant) adopts the ‘pessimal’ strategy of receiving but not giving, putting them at the bottom of the social pile. Each of the four varna categories also has a characteristic ‘alter ego’, which represents a possibly disreputable version of themselves who in a sense stands outside acceptable society. The alter ego of the king is the bandit, who takes tribute by predatory violence. The king distinguishes himself from the bandit by two possible strategies. One is by legitimating his rule with respect to some kind of sacred authority (hence the close associations between kings and churches or priests), being a generous benefactor of temple building etc. The other is by being a ‘good king’ who protects and nurtures the people. In agrarian societies this amounts to a kind of protection racket, in which the king’s tribute-taking from ordinary people in order to endow his temples and generally act in a kingly manner is at least orderly and regularised, and he offers protection from the arbitrary violence of the bandit. But kings need a lot of tribute for their projects, so it’s easy for their exactions to become itself a kind of banditry and to be seen as such. Hence the numerous Robin Hood style myths – Good King Richard, Bad King John etc. The alter ego of the priest is the renouncer – archetypically the penniless holy wo/man, the ascetic or the hermit who gives everything away and begs only enough to keep from starving. From this position almost outside society, they can critique its worldliness and corruption and attain great spiritual purity. The alter ego of the vaishya as farmer is also the renouncer, who aspires to agrarian self-reliance. They don’t need many external inputs to furnish their household, nor do they need to go often to market. The strategy of the self-reliant ascetic, standing somewhat outside society is available to them. On the face of it, the vaishya as merchant can’t adopt the minimal transactional strategy – after all, they’re buying and selling stuff the whole time. Potentially, and often actually, this is highly compromising to their social status. The ways around it are to act as if trade in mere objects is a trivial matter in which the merchant is not existentially implicated, allowing the cultivation of higher spiritual virtues (Weber’s Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism would be a westernised version of this). Or else to use the profit to act like a king, and hope to convince people that you really are one. The alter ego of the shudra is the outcast or untouchable. Receiving but not giving, and especially receiving polluting and inauspicious substances, puts you at the bottom of the heap, and potentially outside the heap altogether. In terms of status ordering – well, the king is at the top, but in an agrarian society there can’t be many kings and it’s a high risk business. You have to exact a lot of tribute, endow a lot of benefices and fight off a lot of bandit would-be kings. The priest and the renouncer may also enjoy high status of a non-material kind if they can convince other people of their spiritual virtues. The vaishya-merchant is in a risky status position – nobody likes a usurer – but they may have ways of pulling the wool over people’s eyes and adopting a different status. The vaishya-farmer can’t claim much highfalutin status, but can effect a certain haughty independence and homespun honour. But in practice this status is often beyond the ordinary farmer’s means – a more likely result is that they’re a mere client or retainer of a higher ranking patron. Hence the relative lack of farmers in the vaishya category, and their strong showing among the shudras or, worse, in some unfree category – serf, debt-peon or slave. An awful lot of socio-historical drama in agrarian societies turns upon the way people try to augment social status – sometimes as a multi-generational strategy exceeding their own lifespan – according to their inherited potential in these various social roles. I’m interested in this agrarian status structuring for two reasons. First, as I mentioned at the beginning, I wonder if it or something like it are generic to relatively low energy, localised agrarian societies. That would seem to be the case for many pre-modern agrarian societies. So in the event of a post-modern turn to agrarianism, could we expect things to look much different? I’m not drawn myself to the idea of a status order with everyone trying to climb up the greasy pole towards the few high status positions at the top, while seeking at all costs to avoid the miserable and deprecated ones at the base. Therefore, if this status structuring does seem particularly fitted to fully agrarian societies, I’d like to think of some ways to avoid this outcome. Second, the rise of modernity, capitalism and industry seems to have swept away much of this pre-modern status order, but – as I’ll argue in my next post – much of it has arguably been retained in only a somewhat different guise, which adds further weight to the first point. For me, the key relation in agrarian society is between the farmer and the king, or to put it in more generalised terms between the ‘citizen’ and ‘the state’. What is it like to be an ordinary person (ie. a farmer, generally speaking, or a tradesperson, in the agrarian economy) as a matter of political experience? The answer that seems burned into the modernist memory as it’s emerged from many pre-modern societies is that it’s pretty grim – the powerlessness of, say, an 18th century Russian serf or a 13th century English villein. But this kind of setup isn’t a given. In varied historical circumstances, it’s possible to distinguish a category of substantially independent small-scale farmers from more dependent categories of client or unfree (peasant/villein/serf) cultivators. What circumstances? I’d suggest essentially only two. The first is situations of relative geographic isolation from the remit of the state – dwellers of mountains or forests, or occupants of colonial frontiers depopulated by disease or genocidal violence. The second, and for my purposes more interesting, case is when the semi-independence of the cultivator gains explicit recognition by the state and is incorporated into its political culture. Sometimes this arises through the military defeat of state forces by peasant militias – a rare occurrence historically, and one usually associated with a degree of geographical isolation as per the first circumstance. But it can also arise in situations where the state transcends the predatory warrior-aristocracy mode and constitutes itself to some degree in a more mutualistic relationship as part-benefactor of the cultivating classes. There are various examples of this, the most important surely being much of China through much of its imperial and arguably indeed its communist history. In terms of the varna categories, the peasant as low-ranking, dependent cultivator corresponds with the shudra status – the servant, the client, the inferiorised recipient of the gift. The independent small-scale farmer corresponds with the vaishya status – the non-dependent, ascetic and thrifty yeoman who takes no gifts. If a possible future post-capitalist, low-energy agrarian society were to replicate the status categories of past agrarian societies – which seems to me quite likely, but not foreordained – then the agrarian style that most appeals to me is the vaishya one. It has the added benefit of elaborating status and a secure sense of self around not buying or consuming things excessively, which would be a useful attribute in a low energy society where there was less stuff to buy in any case. In fact, I’d venture to say that a little bit of vaishya sensibility mightn’t go amiss in contemporary capitalist society to help usher us towards something a bit more sustainable – but I’ll say more about that in my next post. Marriott, M. 1976. Hindu transactions: diversity without dualism. In Kapferer, B. (Ed) Transaction and Meaning. Philadelphia; Milner, M. 1994. Status and Sacredness. New York. Posted in History, Landownership & property rights, Peasants and populism \| 24 Replies To find my resting place Posted on June 12, 2018 by Chris Smaje So many lines of enquiry left open from recent posts, and so many other things calling me away from my true vocation, which (obviously) is churning out these blog posts… Ah well, patience, patience – we’ll come to them all in the end, I hope. It’s like good old-fashioned British public services – it’s free, so you’ll just have to wait in line and accept what you’re given… …which on this occasion is a somewhat unfinished post that’s been sitting in the pending tray for quite some time. But I’m going to publish it now in its naked state so I can polish off some other jobs – and if you read it, at least you’ll get a glimpse of what it’s like down in the Small Farm Future engine room. The post follows on quite naturally from the last – indeed, perhaps I risk the accusation that I’m over-labouring the same point, even down to picking over the same article by Paul Kingsnorth. If so, apologies in advance – we’ll move on to something different next time. My broad theme is nationalism, identity, immigration and the places we call home (the title, incidentally, is from a Burning Spear song that I used to listen to a lot. It seems vaguely relevant). I thought I’d start with a brief bit of my own (migrant) family history by telling the tales of my four grandparents, which I hope will help me illustrate a few points. My mother’s father was a Yorkshire coalminer who fought in the trenches in World War I, and despite these two risky enterprises lived to a ripe old age. His grandfather had migrated to the South Yorkshire coalfields from Aberdeenshire. His grandfather’s grandfather, born in 1799, ran a smallholding in that part of Scotland and so far as I know was my last direct ancestor whose work life was devoted to farming. My mother’s mother was the daughter of a Yorkshire miner, some of whose family had migrated there from the coalfields of South Wales. He was killed in a pit explosion along with most of the other men on his shift not long after she was born, and in those pre-welfare state days her mother struggled mightily to raise her four children alone, along with many of the other women of the village widowed by the mine. My grandmother said that if it hadn’t been for the help of the Salvation Army she fears her family would have been destitute. My father’s father moved from factory work in northwest England to London, where he eventually became a teacher and lay Baptist preacher. Some of his ancestors were East European Jews who had moved to the Netherlands, taken citizenship there (the Netherlands being the first European country to grant citizenship to Jews in 1819) and then migrated to Britain, changing their surname from Smaaje-Halevi to Smaje in the charmingly naïve belief that English speakers would find ‘Smaje’ any easier to pronounce. I think the Judaism pretty much disappeared with the migration and the name change. One of the Smajes married a woman from Somerset, where I now live. My father’s mother was born to Protestants in Northern Ireland (whose ancestors were no doubt of Scottish or English origin), moving to London after marrying my grandfather. My father grew up in London and my mother met him there after moving from Yorkshire to work in London. When my brother and I were born my parents moved out of London to somewhere they could afford a house, and I grew up in a semi-rural village about thirty miles outside London. After some years of living in London myself, I now live in northeast Somerset, about a hundred miles from where I grew up. There are five points I’d like to make by way of – I hope not unreasonable – generalisation from that potted family history. First, I reckon my pedigree as a true blue southern Englishman is probably about as good as most other people of my tribe – which is to say, not very good at all. Second, in England (and Scotland) probably more than most countries it’s a pretty long time since many people have been working rural land. For those of us who seek a small farm future here, we will not find its workforce by looking among the current stock of farming folk. Third, as my grandmother’s mother found out, living in a small village among known neighbours doesn’t necessarily make the vicissitudes of life easy to negotiate. The kindness of strangers – in this case, the Salvation Army – can be a boon. Fourth, people tend to move to where there are opportunities for work. The potential paths are many, but the ones my forebears took are scarcely surprising – from East Europe to the Netherlands, and Britain. From Scotland and Wales to England. From Yorkshire to London. From periphery to core, as historical sociologist Immanuel Wallerstein likes to put it. And finally, even though I’ve spent almost all my life living in southern England there isn’t a single patch of earth in this whole wide world where somebody doesn’t have a better claim than me to truly be a local. Maybe that applies to my daughter too, who was born here in Frome. My guess is that it probably applies to the majority of the world’s people. Seeking what he calls a benevolent green nationalism, in a recent article Paul Kingsnorth had this to say: “It must be 20 years since I read the autobiography of the late travel writer Norman Lewis, The World, The World, but the last sentence stays with me. Wandering the hills of India, Lewis is asked by a puzzled local why he spends his life travelling instead of staying at home. What is he looking for? “I am looking for the people who have always been there,” replies Lewis, “and belong to the places where they live. The others I do not wish to see.” That sentence has stayed with me too, because it makes Lewis sound like a total arse – partly because if you spend all your time travelling in search of the authentically rooted it seems to me that you’re kind of missing the point, and partly because of the alt-modern sensibility underlying Lewis’s contempt for the unrooted people – the global majority, wandering mongrels like me and my ancestors, the herd, the untermensch, the plastic people, the unreal people, rootless cosmopolitans. These are some of the names I’ve heard. We sorely need in the world today some stronger ways of relating people more authentically to place, but for me any doctrine that “does not wish to see” the unemplaced multitudes is a non-starter, and a potentially dangerous one at that. One of the dangers is that after a couple of centuries of state-nationalist propaganda, we’ve become far too ready to connect a love of place or the comforting rhythms of the local to the designs of our emphatically non-local polities. For example, when asked why he’d volunteered to fight in World War I, the writer Edward Thomas famously scooped up a handful of English soil and said “Literally, for this”. I’d be more sympathetic if he’d said “Figuratively, for this” and then provided some kind of rationale that linked his affinity for the decayed humic residues of the various organisms he was holding in his hand – whose distribution in few cases is limited to England alone – with the machinations of the British imperial government in its contest with Austria-Hungary and other jostling political powers of the world system. But no, the trick of nationalism is to leave such things unsaid, inciting our minds to make strange connections between the local things and people we love and abstract entities like England, empire or state. Unlike Thomas, my grandfather wasn’t a poet or an author. He was a soldier, a miner and a gardener who rented his allotment and his house. Apparently, he never spoke about the war. I wonder if he would have endorsed Thomas’s sentiments – I believe that many enlisted men did. Or would he have endorsed this alternatively earthy metaphor from the Ed Pickford/Dick Gaughan Worker’s Song: But when the sky darkens and the prospect is war/ Who’s given a gun and then pushed to the fore / And expected to die for the land of our birth / When we’ve never owned one handful of earth? Humans are an inherently migratory, patch-disturbing, neophilic species. It’s a fair bet that even among the people “who have always been there”, most of them haven’t been there for all that long, and have lived as they do now for less time still. As discussed on this site recently, even the individuals who are most genetically remote from each other on earth share a common ancestor who lived no more than a few thousand years ago. We’re also an inherently self-conscious species. One of the best reasons I can think of for the need for us to relate more authentically to our local places is that if we don’t there’s a fair chance we’ll soon be screwed, so it makes sense for us to reckon with that fact and act accordingly… …And one of the best ways to relate more authentically to our local places is to produce our livelihoods from them with a minimum of exotic energy imports. My feeling is that people who are able, self-consciously, to do this are more likely to have a rich sense of emplacement and inherent self-worth that’s uncomplicated by local pride, still less by any kind of “my country, right or wrong” abstract nationalism. Where they live is special and is also nothing special. Exotic people, the foreign-born, are welcome to find a place alongside the local-born if they’re playing the same livelihood game. Perhaps more than welcome – they may bring some new knowledges. As Joe Clarkson observed on this site a while back, trustworthiness in such a society is something that can be earned on the basis of being a provider of food or other materials. Little else really matters. The state, the political centre, has both nothing and everything to do with this. It has nothing to do with it inasmuch as it has no call on people’s emotional attachments to the places that they live, and to the people that live there. If you wouldn’t lay down your life for an abstraction like the EU, why would you lay it down for an abstraction like England? For your family, for your farm, for your ‘community’…well… It has everything to do with the state inasmuch as, absenting total civilizational breakdown, the kind of locality society I’m describing can only be delivered by a state that’s centralised at some level and is constituted as the servant of such a society, rather than one that constitutes itself as its master, drawing local legitimacy upwards to its own purposes. Fat chance of that, you might say, and I’d have to concede the scale of the task. But at least it specifies where the work has to be done and the nature of what’s involved. In the wake of Trump and Brexit, I’ve seen too many liberals and leftists rapidly backtracking on their former commitments to multiculturalism, multinationalism, multilateralism, cosmopolitanism and other such standard fare of the left in the hope they can keep the wolves at bay by throwing them some tasty sacrificial morsels from their new-found communitarianism. I think it’s the wrong strategy. The shifting norms won’t keep the wolves at bay, but merely encourage them. Many nomadic foraging cultures have learned from bitter experience that individual egos need to be kept in check for the greater good of the band as a whole. So a hunter returning to camp never brags about his kill for fear of social reprisal. “Terrible hunting today,” he might say, “Just couldn’t seem to aim straight. All I got was a couple of stringy morsels I’ve left by the fire.” Whereupon the rest of the group rushes to the fire, knowing they’re in for a huge feast. For the hunter’s meat, I’d submit our modern nations. Don’t heft your soil in your hand and use it as a metonym for England. Heft it and say instead well this soil is poor stuff – worse, I’m sure, than the fine soils of your country – but it’s the soil I know best. Maybe there’ll come a time when you’ll feel you have to fight for that poor soil of home. But if that happens, I think you’ll be able to narrate a better logic for your fight than Edward Thomas could for his. Soil is no excuse to go looking for a fight. I suspect that the imaginary attachment between soil and nation-state affected by the likes of Thomas comes more readily to us modern arrivistes, the people that Norman Lewis does not wish to see. People generally seek emotional attachment to something bigger than their own horizons, and over the last couple of centuries a lot of work has been put into making the nation-state seem the obvious choice to people living sub/urban lives where the groundedness of a productive soil or a known community is missing. It’s possible to overstate this case. Local farming isn’t the only way to have an authentic relationship with the universe, local farmers aren’t necessarily immune from the siren song of nationalism, and not everyone who lives in the city mourns its implicit alienation. Still, I think there’s a stronger truth to it than will be found rummaging around in the wardrobe of the nation-state to find some benevolent green nationalist clothing. Nationalism is too self-consciously constructed and too wrapped up in the legitimation of centralised political power to proffer benevolence. It’s better to serve the soil and its organisms than it is to serve “this sceptred isle…this England” (interesting that Shakespeare should have put those words into John of Gaunt’s mouth in a play about a changing world where medieval honour is usurped by scheming and statecraft). There are numerous ways to serve the soil that have no connection with political power, and that are available to everyone, whether they’ve “always been there” or not. In fact, if you haven’t “always been there” probably the major way you can start belonging to the place where you live is to start serving its soil. Most likely, that’s how the people who’ve always been there pulled it off when they first arrived. “How long have you been here?” is a question freighted with well-known political dangers that we seem to be courting once again in the contemporary world. In a local farm society “Would you like to join us for lunch?” is a safer (if not entirely innocent) way of playing status games. But what I’ve said here operates mostly at the level of individuals and communities. I see no role for nationalism, benevolent green or otherwise among them. But I haven’t said anything about immigration and the larger interactions of states and civilisations. Ah well, there’s always the next post. Or more likely one of the ones after that. Posted in History, Politics and neoliberalism \| 80 Replies Nitrogen wars Posted on April 10, 2018 by Chris Smaje In a change to my published programme, I thought I’d engage with a couple of posts on nitrogen recently emerging from the Breakthrough Institute. In fact the issue is quite relevant to my last post, and to the next scheduled one. For more on the regenerative agriculture issue I’ve recently discussed, I’m following the debate over Andy McGuire’s recent blog post with interest. Meanwhile, for more on ecomodernism of the Breakthrough Institute variety, Aaron Vansintjan has just published this nice little critique. Doubtless we’ll take a spin around both these issues here at SFF again in the future. Anyway, having directed some scepticism of late towards various aspects of the alternative farming movement that I consider myself to be a part of, perhaps it’s time I twisted the other way. So here I want to take a critical look at the Breakthrough Institute’s line on the necessity of synthetic nitrogen in world agriculture, which is laid out in its agronomic aspects in this post by Dan Blaustein-Rejto and Linus Blomqvist (henceforth B&B), and in its historical aspects in this one by Marc Brazeau. To begin, let me say that I’m not implacably opposed to the use of synthetic fertiliser in every situation, and I don’t think that a 100% organic agriculture globally is necessarily desirable or perhaps currently feasible. However, I think the narrative presented in the two BI posts is misleading. As is often the case, the sticking points lie not so much in what the posts say as in what they don’t say. I know Christmas is a long way off, but I’m going to lay this out in terms of the ghost of nitrogen past, the ghost of nitrogen present and the ghost of nitrogen future. The ghost of nitrogen past Marc Brazeau’s piece reminds us that, prior to the invention of the Haber-Bosch process for ammonia synthesis at the start of the 20th century, countries went to war to secure nitrogen for their farmers. He focuses on the international conflicts of the 19th century over the guano islands off South America, with their vast concentrations of richly nitrogenous seabird faeces. It’s a nice piece in its own terms, but there’s a bigger historical story it omits. Brazeau broaches it, but doesn’t develop it, in this passage, “The full lower 48 [US states, in the 1850s] was available for cultivation, and yet soil fertility was already a challenge. US agriculture is currently tasked with feeding 325 million citizens while exporting $150 billion worth of food. But in the 1850s, with just 25 million citizens to feed and hundreds of millions of acres of some of the most fertile soil in the world, on farms where manure-producing cattle, hogs, and poultry were well-integrated with crop production, US presidents were promising to get tough on guano prices and US business interests were verging on war in the Caribbean over fertilizer.” For their part, B&B note that: “During the 19th century, the populations of the United States and Europe were growing at an unprecedented pace — the U.S. population increased tenfold and Britain’s more than tripled…To raise farm productivity, these imperial powers started to import nitrogen-rich guano.” What’s going on here? Well, the key surely lies in B&B’s phrase “these imperial powers” and in the spectacular US population increase, which wasn’t just a baby boom. In 1803, after defeat in Haiti, Napoleon gave up on his ambitions for an American empire and sold a fair old whack of that lower 48 to the US (another large tranche was subtracted from Mexico in 1848). The US spent much of the succeeding century progressively divesting the original inhabitants of their access to it and during that process, multitudes of European-origin settlers moved in – witting or unwitting foot soldiers of their government’s imperial ambitions. As historian Geoff Cunfer puts it, these pioneers “may have devoted most of their land, time, and energy to subsistence activities out of necessity” but they were “aggressively committed to…commercial cash-crop agriculture as fully and as soon as possible”1, because of their intimate connection to the global imperial nexus via their own government’s global ambitions. Meanwhile in Europe, after Napoleon’s defeat Britain emerged as the dominant imperial and industrial power of the 19th century. With the abolition of its Corn Laws in 1846, cheap grain from North America (and, increasingly, other places with continental grasslands whose original inhabitants were also violently displaced in favour of export-oriented grain agriculture such as Australia and Central Asia) started flooding into industrialising Britain. The British agricultural workforce dwindled, and the British farmers who managed to survive the resulting agricultural crisis started favouring higher value, non-staple crops2. All of which is to suggest that the search for cheap nitrogen in countries like Germany, the USA and Britain from the 19th century wasn’t just some inherent truth about the nature of farming and population increase, as the casual reader might surmise from the BI posts. Rather, it was the product of aggressively expansionist imperial-industrial ambitions, fuelled by fears among industrialising powers that lack of food autonomy made them vulnerable to enemies. If that point needs underscoring, perhaps Haber’s other main claim to chemical fame as the overseer of Germany’s successful chemical weapons programme during World War I might help to dramatize it. Brazeau implicitly accepts this imperialist-expansionist aspect to the politics of agricultural nitrogen, but turns it into a world-historical truism: “the Roman Empire was largely defined by imperial expansion, in search of fresh sources of nitrogen. They found it in the form of soil which had not yet been exhausted. The whole Mediterranean basin became tasked with feeding the city-state at the heart of the empire. All this is to say that this is not an industrial agriculture problem; clearly, it’s been a central obstacle of civilization for thousands of years. If the problem of nitrogen scarcity could be solved by cover crops and manure, it would have been solved long ago.” But I think the direction of causality is wrong here, and so is the conclusion. Imperial expansionism sometimes involves a search for cheaper farm inputs, but the search for cheaper farm inputs is not usually the cause of imperial expansionism. And for a long time, in many parts of the world whose polities were not expanding aggressively, the problem of nitrogen scarcity was solved perfectly well by cover crops and manure. The ghost of nitrogen present But that was then and this is now. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the past, the fact is there are now 7.6 billion of us living on an ecologically fragile planet who somehow need to eat. The case set out by B&B in favour of synthetic fertiliser and against organic methods is, as they confess, the well-worn one that the lower average yields and higher average land-take of organic farming militates against it as a sustainable solution for contemporary food production. Again, what strikes me about this argument is the things that aren’t said – four things in particular. Thing #1. The idea that, as much as possible, we should aim to use less rather than more land for human crops surely commands wide agreement. So suppose you come to the issue afresh and take a look at global agricultural land use. You’d find that by far the largest proportion of the food that people eat is grown on arable land, which constitutes 29% of all agricultural land globally. You’d also find that about a third of this arable land was used to grow livestock fodder. You’d find that a small proportion of food comes from permanent crops, occupying 3% of all agricultural land. You’d find that the remaining 67% of farmland comprises permanent grassland, which produces a very small proportion of the food eaten globally in the form of meat – possibly no more than about 4%3. And you’d find that just over 1% of all this agricultural area was devoted to (formally) organic farming. If you did this, I think you’d probably conclude that the easiest way to reduce the global agricultural land take would be to reduce the amount of permanent pasture, followed by the amount of arable cropland devoted to livestock fodder, in view of the trophic inefficiencies involved. You might also wonder why B&B don’t mention this at all, and why they’re so exercised about the putative inefficiencies of the minuscule organic farming sector rather than the inefficiencies of the enormous livestock sector4. Thing #2: Another idea that seems to command wide agreement is that it’s good to ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ with nitrogen fertiliser, as with many other things. Fertiliser has major upstream (energy) costs and downstream (pollution) costs, so using as little as possible surely makes sense. In their post, B&B go through various options for improving crop fertilisation through such things as better management of cover crops, manure and food waste. They don’t give an overall figure for how much synthetic fertiliser could be saved, but totting up their numbers it looks to me like it might be as much as 80% – though maybe I’ve got that wrong. Even if it’s much less, that’s surely a good place to start for improving agricultural efficiency, rather than targeting organic farming. If the answer to the question ‘how much land should we use for agriculture?’ is ‘as little as possible’, the answer to the question ‘how much organic farming should there be?’ is surely ‘as much as possible’. We live in a world of awkward trade-offs. Thing #3: labour is a missing variable in the BI posts, but it’s lurking in their shadows. B&B state that traditionally farmers reserved between 25-50% of their land for (not directly edible) N-fixing legumes. These figures seem to trace back to Vaclav Smil’s fascinating book Enriching the Earth5. Smil states therein that traditional Chinese agriculture never devoted more than 10% of cropland to green manures, while in parts of England the corresponding figure was 13% up to 1740 and 27% by 1836. In his definitive contemporary guide to organic farming Nicholas Lampkin argues for a minimum ley of 35%6. What accounts for this apparent historical decrease in the efficiency of organic fertilisation? Probably a number of things (including yield increase), but I suspect one of them is declining labour availability and increasing mechanisation. In contexts of low food insecurity, low labour availability and high mechanisation, it’s just easier for organic farmers to build fertility with long leys. But there are other options – as in labour-intensive Chinese or historical European agriculture, with their finer-combed local recycling of nutrients. Personally, I think more labour-intensive and local agricultures are the right way for agriculture to develop. I accept that other people may disagree. I don’t accept that current levels or trends in agricultural labour inputs should be assumed to be inherently the right ones. Thing #4: B&B write, “organic farms typically have 20% lower yields than conventional farms, requiring more land to produce a given amount of food. This means less land for wildlife habitats or other purposes”. But hold on – that’s only true if you assume that farms themselves aren’t wildlife habitats, that wildlife is indifferent to the habitats afforded by organic and conventional farms, that the possibilities for wildlife to move between habitats across farmland is unaffected by farming styles, that increased production or per hectare yields is always desirable, that ‘other purposes’ are more important than organic farming…and many other things besides. All of these points are at least debatable. I keep going back to this excellent brief critique of the so-called ‘land sparing’ argument by ecologist Joern Fischer, which to my mind effectively skewers the misplaced certainties of B&B’s one liner. As Fischer’s analysis suggests, while producing as much crop as possible from as small an area as possible using synthetic fertiliser certainly can be an appropriate goal in some situations, it’s an oversimplification to imply that the greater land-take of organic farming inherently limits its claims to environmental benefit7. The ghost of nitrogen future What would a future world that dispensed with synthetic fertiliser look like? Scarily profligate, according to B&B. They write: “Since synthetic fertilizer provides nearly 60% of current nitrogen for producing crops, eliminating it without making any other changes would require far more farmland to fix enough nitrogen to maintain production….The world would need to more than double the amount of cropland.” The italicisation is B&B’s, not mine. Note its nervousness. Isn’t it a little bizarre to assume there would be an international drive so radical as to make global agriculture entirely organic but without making any other changes? In truth, ‘without making any other changes’ seems to be the leitmotif of the Breakthrough Institute’s entire programme, which amounts to the view that people in rich countries can carry on living as they do, people in poor countries will soon be able to live in the same way, and with a bit of high-tech magic it can all be achieved while lessening humanity’s overall environmental impact. Well, it’s a view – a fanciful one in my opinion, and not one that I’d like to see manifested even if it were possible. But I’d note that it is just a view – one of many different visions about what a good life and a good future might entail. Trying to realise it is a choice that’s open to us. Other choices are also available. What I dislike about the BI posts is the way they implicitly lead the reader to conclude that a synthetic nitrogen future is inevitable and scientifically foreordained, rather than a choice we can make – one with consequences for better and worse, as with all choices. The alternatives? Well, if we want to talk about inefficient agricultures, the vastly inefficient production of meat (disproportionately consumed by the world’s richer people) is an obvious place to start. I’m not a vegan and I think there’s a place for livestock on the farm and a place for permanent pasture in global landscapes – indeed, I’ve argued the case for it strongly in the past. But the scale of the global livestock industry doesn’t have to be taken as a given. As Fischer suggests, it isn’t incumbent upon humanity to meet every economic demand that arises. After all, the UN has a special rapporteur on the human right to food – it doesn’t have one on the human right to meat. Of course, it’s not fair that only the rich should get easy access to meat. There are various ways to proceed from that point: maintaining or increasing meat production levels is only one of them. Smaller-scale, more labour-intensive agricultures geared to better nutrient cycling would be another alternative starting place. I won’t rehearse all the arguments here about depeasantisation, urbanisation and livelihoods, not to mention carbon and energy futures, but a large commercial farm that uses synthetic nitrogen and other relatively expensive inputs isn’t intrinsically better than a smallholding that doesn’t. I think it’s time we laid aside the expansionary and ultimately imperialist mindset that insists otherwise, and settled down a bit. If the US reined in some of that $150 billionsworth of food exports that Brazeau mentions (which it’s ‘tasked’ with only really through its own self-interested economic agenda), less input-intensive and more labour-intensive agricultural approaches may become a little more feasible again worldwide, and could bring many benefits. Moving towards less aggressively expansionist economic ideologies in general certainly seems worth pondering as a route for humanity’s future. You might take a different view – but it would be good if we could at least agree that we’re talking about different views, not the inescapable truths that the BI posts seem to suggest. Just to crank a few numbers of my own around these issues, I looked at FAO data on current global production of barley, cassava, maize, millet, plantains, potatoes, rice, sorghum, soybeans, sugar, sweet potato, taro, wheat and yams (my calculations are here if anyone would like to probe or critique them). This list probably encompasses most of the world’s major energy-rich crops (oil crops excepted), but scarcely even begins to capture total agricultural productivity. Totting up the total calories produced from them and then dividing that figure by the total calories needed by a 7.6 billion strong humanity at 2250 kcal per day, I find there’s a 43% surfeit over human calorific need from those crops alone. If we then correct the production figure downwards by the 20% that B&B say is the typical organic yield penalty, include a generous 35% organic ley and make a few adjustments for existing organic production and livestock products from the ley, we find that organic production can probably meet around 90% of total human calorific needs just from those 14 crops at existing levels of land-take. That’s just a ballpark, back-of-envelope calculation, but it suggests to me that this ‘organic agriculture can’t feed the world’ trope is a bit overblown. I’m not too bothered about whether it can or not – but I think we’d be better off debating the subjective content of our visions rather than writing them in ways that seek to buttress their historical inevitability or objective truth. 1. Cunfer, Geoff. 2005. On the Great Plains: Agriculture and Environment. College Station: Texas A&M University Press, p.99. 2. Thirsk, Joan. 1997. Alternative Agriculture: A History. Oxford UP. 3. A ballpark figure I’ve come up with from FAO data, based on all the cattle, sheep, goat and horse meat produced globally (so possibly an overestimate?) 4. Data in this paragraph from http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QL; http://orgprints.org/32677/19/Willer-2018-global-data-biofach.pdf; http://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/ 5. Smil, Vaclav. 2001. Enriching the Earth: Fritz Haber, Carl Bosch, and the Transformation of World Food Production. MIT Press. 6. Lampkin, Nicholas. 1990. Organic Farming. Farming Press, p.150. 7. Actually, Blomqvist has written a longer piece on this specific issue here, which is quite interesting – but not to my mind ultimately convincing that the ‘land sparing’ concept is robust to the kind of criticisms levelled by Fischer. Posted in 'Eco-modernism', Farming, Growing & Gardening, Food & Farming Politics, History, Livestock \| 43 Replies History crash Posted on February 19, 2018 by Chris Smaje My previous post offered a retrospective take on my ‘Peasant’s Republic of Wessex’ post cycle that I completed a while back. I thought I might now turn to another such retrospective, this time on my recently-completed ‘History of the world’ cycle. So I’d like to offer a few thoughts on the way we think about history, with the help of a couple of books from my recent reading. JG Ballard’s Crash is one of the weirdest books I’ve ever read – a novel about people who are sexually aroused by cars, and in particular by deaths and injuries in car crashes, deliberately orchestrated or otherwise1. It’s a disturbing, semi-pornographic and some might say depraved book, to which a publisher’s reader of the draft manuscript famously wrote “This author is beyond psychiatric help. Do not publish”. It’s also, in my opinion, completely brilliant. I can’t imagine what the hell was going through Ballard’s mind in writing it, but for me it touches on two themes relevant to this blog. The first is that we tend to talk about technology nowadays as if it’s something that’s radically separable from what it is to be a person. So with cars, for example, we might draw up some kind of balance sheet where we say that the advent of the automobile has been positive, because it’s allowed us to get to places quicker and more freely, while acknowledging the downsides – road injuries, air pollution etc. I take Ballard to be saying that this way of thinking is flawed. Cars have changed who we are, and bled into the very fabric of what it means to be a person in the 20th or 21st centuries. So asking if they’re a good thing or not is an incoherent question, because to answer it depends on there being some kind of contemporary human point of view that’s entirely independent of the car itself – and there isn’t. Generalise that to any technology – farming, for example, or a 3KWh/person/day energy economy – and suddenly we’re mercifully freed from all our chatter about backwardness, progress and so on. Of course, it works the same in reverse. We can’t say that people lived at a more unhurried pace in the 19th century before they had cars, so if we only got rid of the automobile then our lives would resemble the unhurried ones of a bygone age. This all suits me just fine. I’ll admit that Ballard stretches a point with his rather extreme illustration, and that there are clear continuities between what it means to be a person in the 21st century and the 19th, and indeed very much further back than that. Still, I think Crash makes a nicely relativizing move. What are the grounds on which we judge the currents of history or morality? They’re less clear cut than we often like to think. People are always engaged in often mutually exclusive current projects of future history-making (eg. ecomodernists versus neo-agrarian populists) which usually invoke some kind of historical warrant for their choice. But although we can no doubt learn some things from history so long as we’re conscious of the way they’re refracted in our present gaze, these historical warrants are usually quite illusory. What really matters is the current projects. The second point I derive from Ballard is our tendency to read present tendencies moralistically into the future as utopias or dystopias, which again I take him to be resisting. So for example an ecomodernist might say that if we could only make cars using clean renewable fuel available to all in the future, then truly we can have a great Anthropocene. Utopia. A more traditional environmentalist might say that if we don’t end our infatuation with personal motorised transport, then a grim future of runaway climate change, collapsing ecosystems, choking air pollution and social isolation beckons. Dystopia. I think Ballard is saying ‘Just look around. Utopia and dystopia are already here, depending on how you choose to see them’. Take this passage: “The entire zone which defined the landscape of my life was now bounded by a continuous artificial horizon, formed by the raised parapets and embankments of the motorways and their access roads and interchanges. These encircled the vehicles below like the walls of a crater several miles in diameter”. For the protagonists in Ballard’s story this is a world full of beauty, stories, alluring dangers and sex. Utopia. For me, it’s hell on earth – and I used to live there. Dystopia. But I can find beauty, stories, alluring dangers and, er, well maybe sex in less wholly humanised and technological environments. The present global situation is such, I think, that we need to talk about the future more urgently than any generation ever did before, but I still think Ballard is right to warn us away from projecting our desires and fears moralistically into the future. What are we fighting for politically? Whatever it is, it’s not the future but what’s around us right now. Let’s sharpen our focus on the way we want to live right now, rather than trying to transcendentalize it with reference to the past or the future. The second book I want to mention is Foragers, Farmers and Fossil Fuels by Ian Morris2, professor of classics at Stanford University and based on his Tanner Lectures on Human Values at Princeton University – so not at all semi-pornographic or depraved, then. Morris offers a grand survey of human history, the sort of enterprise to which of course I’m wholly sympathetic, but to be honest I feel rather more in tune with Ballard’s line of thought than with Morris’s. I’ll concede there are some definite riches within Morris’s pages, but here I’m going to focus on just one aspect of his thinking that it suits me to analyse for my present purpose – essentially his view of historical development, which I find problematic. When I was a budding student of anthropology at university, an intellectual crime that my teachers were especially anxious to stamp out in us was teleological functionalism. Quite a mouthful, so let me explain if it’s not clear3. ‘Functionalism’ refers to the notion that the forms societies take can be explained in terms of some kind of function that they perform. This approach rode high in early 20th century social science, and there are doubtless some sophisticated forms of functionalism that may still have something to commend them, but generally the approach has fallen by the wayside. ‘Teleological’ refers to a process that is goal-directed through time. So to give an absurd example of a teleological functionalist approach, you might argue that the driving force of human societies has always been the urge to put people on the moon. If you were then asked why societies historically transitioned from foraging to farming, you might say that it was necessary to have a complex division of labour in order to develop craftspeople and other such specialists who would eventually learn to devise spaceships. If you were asked why the Neolithic gave way to the Bronze Age, you might say that learning to smelt bronze was a necessary step on the way to creating the modern alloys that are necessary in order to have spaceflight. And so on. The obvious flaw in this is that you can’t logically invoke a phenomenon as an explanatory factor for societal changes that have not (yet) brought that phenomenon into existence. More generally, social explanations of the kind ‘Social form X occurred in order to make Y possible’ are suspect – unless Y was an explicit intention of the people bringing X about, which is rarely the case in most forms of teleological explanation. Morris is smart enough to avoid obviously teleological functionalist arguments most of the time, but they shadow his whole thesis and sometimes rise to the surface, as in this passage on ‘Agraria’, the term he borrows from Ernest Gellner to describe inegalitarian, preindustrial farming societies: “each age gets the thought it needs. In the absence of fossil fuels, the only way to push energy capture far above 10,000 kilocalories per person per day is by moving towards Agraria, where economic and political inequality are structurally necessary, and in the face of necessity, we adjust our values. Moral systems conform to the requirements of energy capture, and for societies capturing between 10,000 and 30,000 kilocalories per person per day, one of the most important requirements is acceptance of political and economic inequality”4 The obvious objection to this is that, while it may be true that in the absence of fossil fuels you can’t push energy capture over the 10,000 kilocalories figure without instituting inequality, there’s no particular reason why you should choose to, and indeed throughout most of the history of our genus nobody did. The fact that in the last few thousand years the amount of energy capture and the amount of inequality have increased are both social facts that demand explanation – the former fact does not explain the latter. I think this matters for two reasons. First, Morris’s stance erases and effectively validates the ideological processes by which the elites of Agraria formed themselves and created effective ‘acceptance’ of political and economic inequality. I don’t think this was a matter of everybody choosing the right morality to fit their new agrarian circumstances. It was a matter of people jockeying for advantage within the ever-changing constraints that they found themselves in, much as they do now – albeit that over time those constraints do tend to congeal into various enduring ‘common sense’ ideologies such as the equality of all, or the obviously natural differences between noble and commoner. Second, it makes history the servant of some ineluctable dynamic, in this case that of increased energy capture, and it usually throws in an accompanying dose of implicit or explicit moral approbation – it hasn’t all been great, but look at all the wonders civilisation has given us that could never have been achieved in a foraging society! Perhaps we could call it the Pinkerization of history. To my mind, the world is much more contingent than this. Increasing energy capture is not a historical dynamic, but a byproduct of the will to power and status that aligned in this direction – but could align in numerous other ways. Each age doesn’t get the thought it ‘needs’ – it’s both enabled and constrained by the thought it inherits from its predecessors, it wrestles with their contradictions and the dilemmas of its day, then it hands on the mess to its successors. So having finished writing my history of the world, I shall be turning to contemplate its future. The author I’d prefer to keep in mind while doing so is Ballard rather than Morris. J.G. Ballard. 1973. Crash. London. I. Morris. 2015. Foragers, Farmers and Fossil Fuels: How Human Values Evolve. Princeton. In the last week, the word ‘teleological’ has suddenly arisen to public consciousness in the UK as a result of our hapless foreign secretary using it to justify his opposition to the EU – Steven Poole provides a neat antidote here. Morris op cit, pp.83-4. Posted in History, Reading List \| 55 Replies Three acres and a cow Posted on February 8, 2018 by Chris Smaje My title comes from a 19th century English song, which includes this verse… If all the land in England was divided up quite fair / There would be work for everyone to earn an honest share / Well some have thousand acre farms which they have got somehow / But I’ll be satisfied to get three acres and a cow …but more immediately, it comes from a great evening of folksong and storytelling I heard recently in which Robin Grey and Katherine Hallewell told – well, not quite the history of the world in 10½ blog posts so much as the history of the fight for access to land by ordinary people in Britain in 11 lovely folk songs. If you get a chance to see the show, I’d thoroughly recommend it (and for those in my neck of the woods, it’s returning to Frome on 10 March). It’s not quite as comprehensive as my recent historithon here at Small Farm Future, but it’s a darned sight more tuneful. The main aim of this post, though, isn’t to talk about the show so much as to pick up on a couple of themes hanging over from various previous posts and post cycles. In particular, I want to address a point that Ruben made in a comment concerning the need for a sustainable post-capitalist society to produce an agrarian surplus in order to fund a division of labour and thus a viably diverse social order. I want to marry it with what I called my 99/1 test (in which a food-farm system is defined as sustainable if it can persist with 99% of food sourced from within 10 miles of any given retail point and with fossil energy use set at 1% of the current level). Clem suggested a 90/10 test might be more apposite, so I propose to (roughly) split the difference and apply a 95/5 test – though actually in the analysis here I’m going to ignore retail provenance altogether, implicitly assuming that it’s 100% local. In later posts, I’ll discuss the sociological aspects of what such low energy post-capitalist farm societies might look like. But here I want to revisit my Peasant’s Republic of Wessex analysis and consider what such a society might look like out in the fields. Somewhat like three acres and a cow, as it turns out. Or at least three acres and a quarter of a cow. I’ve identified two sources for current levels of in-field fossil energy use in British farming. This one reckons it at 17 litres of diesel per hectare per year, and this one at 127 litres – a rather alarming discrepancy. Ah well, let’s take the mean (72 litres) and then reduce it by 95%. That gives us about 3.6 litres of diesel to grow our crops each year on a nominal hectare. I’m going to assume two people working full-time year-round producing a basic range of crops appropriate to the southwest English climate to feed themselves and anyone else they can, given those diesel and labour parameters. And I’m going to assume they’ll be growing organically (no sneaky additional energy embodied in fertiliser). On that basis, what I’d probably do is grow a grass/clover ley which I’d till in with a small 2-wheel tractor and grow potatoes as my main staple crop (in reality I might grow some wheat as well, but my personal experiments with small-scale wheat growing haven’t amounted to much, and I don’t have good local yield figures for such systems). I know tillage isn’t exactly the flavour of the month at the moment and I’ll be talking more about that in my upcoming post on carbon farming, but my feeling is that in a super-low energy situation it’s probably the optimum solution to the equation of land, labour and yield. If you think you could do as well with a no till system, then fine – you can use your diesel for something else…such as hauling around all the compost you’ll most likely be making. Anyway, so much for the tillage. The rest of my production would be done with hand (or foot) tools (I’m ignoring energy embodied in small tools, and the various bits of agri-plastic I’d undoubtedly be blagging for mulch). Plus whatever animal or human help I could muster. Note that my focus here is on producing a healthy subsistence, and not on high value leafy crops as is the present lot of most small-scale market growers. OK, maybe I’m pushing the limits here but on that basis I think I could probably cultivate about a quarter of an acre (0.11ha) of potatoes as part of a seven course field rotation with a two year ley. I’d also grow a garden with six 20m beds, including one ley. I’d have a small fruit orchard of a little under 0.1ha, with some grazing beneath the trees. I’d have a 300m2 strawberry patch, a few bee hives, and a few hens. I’d also grow some mushrooms on logs. If that was pretty much the extent of my holding I wouldn’t have enough grazing for a dairy cow, but my orchard and leys would be enough for a quarter of a house cow so I’d share one (and the associated calf meat) with three other farmers. In practice, I’d probably grow a somewhat more diverse mixture of things (rather than, say, 300m2 of pure strawberries), but I think the above will do as an illustrative example. So there we have it. That little lot should keep me and my beloved busy enough over a year. If I plug all that into my Peasant’s Republic of Wessex spreadsheet, which has been sitting around looking reproachfully idle on my desktop for many months now, then we get the following expected average yields: about 2 tonnes of potatoes, 4 tonnes of cabbages, 0.2 tonnes of drying beans, 4 tonnes of carrots, 4 tonnes of squash, generally around 100kg of various garden vegetables, 0.5 tonnes of apples, 0.2 tonnes of strawberries, 67kg of hazels, 1250 eggs, 800 litres of milk, 70kg of beef, 10kg of chicken and game, and 25kg of honey. Perhaps a little too much to expect of two people with minimal fossil fuel inputs in an organic system, but I think possibly doable in a well-established and well-managed system. Comments welcome. Adding up the total land take of the setup I described above turns out a figure of 0.92 hectares (2.3 acres). So if you added some space for a house, outbuildings, tracks, hedges and perhaps a bit of woodland, you’d be close to Robin and Katherine’s 3 acre figure, though sadly you’d only have quarter of a cow. Setting those productivity figures against recommended yearly intakes across my five chosen nutritional indicators (energy, protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Magnesium and Iron) the surplus productivity of my two farmworkers varies across the indicators – the surplus is highest for Vitamin A, where they produce enough for the adequate nourishment of 209 souls, and lowest for energy, where they produce enough only for just over 11 people (11.5). So taking that lowest figure of 11 per hectare as the productive limit of this system and assuming that all arable land is cultivated in this way we find that the system could feed 91% of the current population of the southwest and 75% of the current population of England as a whole. If we extend it into all the farmland currently down to permanent pasture (but not rough grazing) we could feed 310% of the current southwest population and 147% of the whole England population. This excludes the extra potential productivity from rough grazing, domestic gardens and other currently non-agricultural green spaces. In other words, feeding the country in this way is a doddle. The reason it meets nutritional requirements so comfortably in comparison to my previous ‘Peasants’ Republic of Wessex’ exercise is because in the latter case I went with a livestock-heavy system based on the existing balance of grassland and cropland, whereas here I’ve gone for a more George Monbiot-friendly system with minimal livestock. Though, unlike George’s preferred approach to meat, at least my livestock have legs – or one leg, anyway. To be honest, I think the kind of setup I’m describing here would be more likely to occur in low energy future scenarios than the livestock-heavy approach I previously took, though there’d still be a lot of room around the edges of it for domestic poultry, neighbourhood pig clubs etc. There’d probably need to be, since there’s not otherwise much usable fat or oil in this three acres diet. And rather than courting controversy as I did last time around by trying to produce a non-fossil fuel full energy budget for such a society, I’m drawn to the simplicity of this one. Assume 5% of current energy use across all sectors and go figure… But I’d like to make a couple of brief remarks on how I’d go figure it. Farmers, like everyone else, generally take the easiest option available under the constraints they face. In situations where land is plentiful but labour is constrained (labour constraint being effectively the same as energy constraint) the easy option is meat-heavy pastoralism. In situations where land is constrained but labour is plentiful, the easy option is grain-heavy arable. In situations where both land and labour are constrained, as here, the easiest option would probably look something like what I’ve just described – a meat-light mixed cropping approach with as little arable as you can get away with, which would probably be a lot more than you’d ideally like. Vaclav Smil writes that no country with an annual energy consumption under 5 GJ/person can guarantee the basic necessities of life to everyone, whereas some societies oriented to egalitarian resource distribution can provide for an adequate life at around 40-50 GJ/person1. If the UK’s total energy consumption was decreased by 95% it would put us at around 4.5 GJ/person. The 95/5 test would seem to suggest a wicked, twisted road ahead. Maybe it’s too stringent? I’m somewhat agnostic about the shape of humanity’s energy future, but it never hurts to plan conservatively… In terms of the farming population, two people feeding 11.5 people would give us 17% of the population directly working in farming, but if we calculate it on the basis of present labour norms with those aged <18 or >65 excluded from the labour force, the figure is about 31% in farming. If such a situation came to pass in practice I think we could relax the 18-65 active labourer definition a little, so perhaps we could assume farmers would constitute about 25% of the population – similar to current levels in countries like Iran, Ecuador, Tunisia and Uzbekistan. The current level in the UK is about 2%, though this isn’t really a comparable figure because we export a lot of the responsibility for producing our food to farmers in other countries. Still, if we decided that we should produce all our food in this way, we’d have to start shifting about 23 people out of every 100 from their current employment into farming. Any suggestions as to which job sectors the Ministry of Agricultural Redeployment in the Peasants’ Republic should concentrate on will be gratefully received. Incidentally, I shall be on internet detox over the weekend so no further comments or responses from me until next week. Vaclav Smil. 2017. Energy and Civilization: A History. MIT Press, p.358ff. Posted in Energy and Climate Change, History, Livestock, Neo-peasant Wessex \| 54 Replies The supersedure state I said that I wanted to focus on the shape of possible agrarian, post-capitalist states of the future in my forthcoming writing, so I thought I’d anticipate that here by reproducing my article from the current issue of The Land magazine (Issue 22, 2018, pp.28-30). The editors of that august journal in their wisdom entitled it ‘The human hive’ (and accompanied it with some beautiful woodcut illustrations of an apian nature), but here it goes under my preferred title of ‘The supersedure state’. My next few posts are going to attend to various other items of business – though some of them do bear on this theme – but I thought I’d lay this out now as a kind of organising concept for the things I want to write about agrarian states, which I’ll try to fill out in more detail on this site shortly. So I’ll be coming back to this – but in the meantime, of course I’d welcome any comments. I’m not sure if this is exactly the same version as the one that appeared in The Land, but I think it’s close enough. The tumult of recent political events in many western countries has brought a new word to the lips of political commentators – populism. Generally, populism and its personification in figures such as Donald Trump and Nigel Farage has been presented in mainstream circles as a dangerous political turn, a threat to the established order of things, and not without good reason. But for those who’d like to replace the present global neoliberal economy with a more local, more equitable and more land-based or agrarian society there are overlaps with populism that raise a few questions – in particular, these three: ‘Populism’ means a politics of or for ‘the people’, which doesn’t sound like such a bad idea – so what’s the problem with it? Are there any fruitful links between the populisms now emerging in contemporary western countries and an older and now largely forgotten politics associated with peasant parties in various countries during the 19th and early 20th centuries, a politics known as ‘agrarian populism’? If populism threatens the established order, perhaps that’s no bad thing and represents a political opportunity of some kind – but what kind? The answer to the first question is that populist positions often involve an over-simplified contrast between ‘ordinary people’ and a scapegoated ‘elite’, which is seen as thwarting the interests of the former – and there are tacit rules of inclusion and exclusion regarding membership in both categories that aren’t politically innocent. In the populist politics of Brexit, for example, ‘ordinary people’ has a nationalist coding that excludes migrants, including long-term residents from continental Europe, especially East Europeans. And the ‘elite’ has a class and political coding that mostly references liberal, urban, left-wing ‘chattering classes’ rather than the chief wielders of economic power. So the problem with a populist politics of the people is that ‘the people’ is usually a less inclusive term than it appears, and the solution to their problems is usually more complicated than the humbling of the elite that’s proposed. Nevertheless, it might still be plausibly argued that in the present era of neoliberal globalisation, there are elites which organise against the interests of ordinary people, and the latter have not been well served by the game of ping-pong between lookalike politicians that passes for democratic politics. That argument can be taken in numerous directions, some of which might endorse an anti-elitist politics for ‘ordinary people’ without endorsing any of the populisms currently on the table, from Donald Trump’s Republican presidency to Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour leadership. Spooling back a century or so, it becomes a little easier to grasp what a populist politics of ordinary people against the elite meant. In various countries – the USA, Russia, Mexico and India, to name a few – most ‘ordinary people’ were small-scale and typically self-sustaining (or ‘peasant’) farmers, many of whom considered their interests to be in conflict with various political, financial, colonial or aristocratic elites in their home countries, and organised an anti-elitist populist politics of the people accordingly, for example in the form of the US Populist Party, which put up presidential candidate James Weaver in 1892. In the 1920s, economist Alexander Chayanov published key works of the Russian ‘neo-populist’ school, which emphasised the resilient and self-perpetuating nature of the Russian peasant household economy1. The US Populist Party merged with the Democratic Party in 1896 and fizzled out thereafter, partly because US politics ultimately delivered a good deal of what the populists had wanted, albeit not quite in the form they’d wanted it – a greater share for workers in national wealth, but in the form of an urban-industrial workforce and depopulated farmscapes2. For his part, Chayanov was summarily tried and shot in Stalin’s gulag in 1937. Perhaps these two contrasting endpoints for populism in the USA and the USSR symbolise the 20th century fate of agrarian populism in general: squeezed out in the Cold War rivalry between capitalism and communism, neither of which were notably sympathetic to independent peasantries. Even so, agrarian populism has had a complex afterlife through the 20th century and into the 21st, inflecting pro-peasant and anti-globalisation politics represented in figures like Vandana Shiva and in the food sovereignty movement. And there are also various points of crossover here with the traditions of right-wing populism that typically emphasise the local and the rural, ‘indigenous’ traditions over cosmopolitanism, individual independence over state dirigisme, and so on. I can’t trace here the complexities of these inflections and crossovers – though it’s unfortunate that the eclipse of agrarian populism as a living political tradition obscures the lessons that today’s agrarian activists might infer from it in negotiating those complexities. But to answer my second question above, I’d suggest that, yes, there probably are fruitful connections to be drawn between these populisms old and new – but the issues facing us today aren’t exactly the same as those facing the small farm populists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The most obvious difference is that there are hardly any small-scale farmers in the ‘developed’ countries any more. Peasant or agrarian populism as a politics of ‘the people’ makes sense when a large proportion of the people are peasants or agrarians. It looks less convincing in a modern urban world where only a small minority of people directly work the land. However, the chances of sustaining this world indefinitely in the face of the numerous environmental crises it’s provoked seem slim, as do the chances of achieving a fair distribution of resources in the neoliberal global political economy that sustains it by systematically rewarding the few at the expense of the many. For these reasons, a contemporary agrarian movement has arisen which has a lot in common with the agrarian populist and neo-populist movements of a century ago, emphasising self-reliant, low impact, low energy, land-based lifestyles, a fair distribution of resources, greater political autonomy and so on – in other words, the kind of world described by the Land’s manifesto on the inside cover of this magazine. But that movement remains quite small and – compared to the stormy agrarian politics of the 19th and 20th centuries, which toppled numerous empires, aristocracies and colonial powers – it operates in a world where revolutionary thirst for change no longer has much traction. This seems to have prompted a few alternative thinkers among leftists and greens to embrace the ersatz tumults of recent electoral politics in the west such as the Trump and Brexit results as at least some kind of new opening in the moribund politics of neoliberalism-as-usual, and therefore something to be welcomed3. The death of liberalism and globalism in the face of the new populisms has been gleefully embraced by these thinkers as a hopeful sign that a more egalitarian green localism may be in the offing – perhaps in much the same way that Marxists of old used to think that a dose of capitalism was a necessary evil for every society to go through if it was ever to experience the joys of socialism. But the path from right-wing populism to green localism doesn’t seem intrinsically more likely than numerous other possible paths, and though it’s tempting to share in the schadenfreude directed at once sanctimonious centrists in their dismay at the current turn of events, there are some problems with cheerleading the death of liberalism. Chief amongst them is the danger that with the death of a globally-oriented liberalism might come the death of the public sphere, defined as “rational-critical debate about public issues conducted by private persons willing to let arguments and not statuses determine decisions”4, as seems to be happening under the star of the new populism in countries such as Russia and Turkey. The outlook for an equitable and sustainable agrarian localism is bleak in these circumstances – so maybe defending the liberal public sphere from the Trumps, Putins and Farages of this world is a pressing task for a contemporary agrarian populism. However, we’re undoubtedly now living through a populist moment in which such figures are at least temporarily ascendant while familiar liberal-global institutions such as the EU appear to be unravelling, so it’s as well to try to plot a course from where we now are to where the contemporary agrarian movement might like us to go. It seems clear that the populist politicians now in power are unequal to the task of their sloganeering: they will not be able to “make America great again” or “take back control”. But perhaps they’ve nonetheless instinctively realised what still escapes the mainstream – that liberal-democratic global capitalism is dead in the water and needs refashioning. Academic political economist Wolfgang Streeck comes to much the same conclusion in his recent analysis of the chronically growing debt, stagnant growth and rising inequality gnawing away at the vital organs of the global capitalist beast: “Contemporary capitalism is vanishing on its own, collapsing from internal contradictions, and not least as a result of having vanquished its enemies – who…have often rescued capitalism from itself by forcing it to assume a new form. What comes after capitalism in its final crisis, now under way, is, I suggest, not socialism or some other defined social order, but a lasting interregnum…a prolonged period of social entropy, or disorder”5 There are various ways in which this interregnum might get filled, some of them extremely worrisome. But I’d like to suggest how an equitable agrarian populism might step into the breach on the basis of the following four ‘might-come-true’ predictions: National and individual incomes in most of the rich western countries will decrease along with the volume of international trade – a process that in the UK will be hastened by Brexit but is likely to happen anyway. The possibilities for ducking the implications of this scenario through scapegoating are numerous, but there’s a chance that eventually it’ll prompt a more sober reorientation of national and local economies to the more immediate needs of the citizenry. The de jure territorial reach of the central state in the west is likely to remain much as it is now for the foreseeable future, but its de facto power outside its core regions (in England, London and the southeast) is likely to wane as the ratio between public service benefits and tax income becomes ever more unpromising. Weakened governments will retrench around core areas and industries, leading to (semi-)benign (semi-)neglect elsewhere. The returns to large-scale commodity-crop farming and large-scale landownership outside the state cores will diminish to the point of redundancy. Large-scale landownership in these areas will start to become politically and morally risky in the context of impoverished local populations looking to supply their needs from local resources increasingly through non-monetary means. The preceding developments will resist resolution by any singular means – no high-tech solutionism, fiscal windfalls, sweeping political or religious revitalisation movements and so forth. Attempts to organise and provide for regional populations will be predominantly local, piecemeal, experimental, practical and plural, and they’ll enjoy varying degrees of success… …or to put it another way, something like Detroit may soon be coming to a sleepy English village near you. If this situation occurs, there will doubtless be scope for numerous elements of our present political traditions to recombine in various more or less successful ways in the changed circumstances, and the same is true of landholding traditions – rentiers and tenants, owner-occupiers, collective property and commons. Streeck is probably right that a single defined social order won’t prevail. Since Bernard Mandeville’s Fable of the Bees (1714), political scientists have been fond of using apian metaphors for politics, so I’m inclined to do likewise and call what I’m describing here a ‘supersedure state’. In the normal succession of a bee colony, the mass society decides that the ruling queen is no longer fit for purpose, builds some orderly alternative structures, and after a brief power struggle a singular new ruling queen emerges. Supersedure occurs, by contrast, when the existing queen goes missing in action without any orderly alternative structures to replace her. In these circumstances, the workers try to cobble together a new queen out of whatever’s to hand that will best do the job of maintaining the colony, but usually end up producing a smaller, weaker queen. I think our human colonies may likewise see more of such weakened, cobbled-together successor states – ‘supersedure states’ – in the disorderly future that Streeck predicts, and less of the smoothly revolutionary politics of the past. As the Land’s manifesto persuasively states: “Capitalism is a confidence trick, a dazzling edifice built on paper promises. It may stand longer than some of us anticipate, but when it crumbles, the land will remain.” The traditions of agrarian populism seem best suited to creating a modicum of stability, prosperity and justice in this politically weakened, land-oriented aftermath of capitalism – better, at any rate, than obvious alternatives such as neo-feudalism, neo-fascism or revitalising cargo cults seeking to restore capitalism, communism and other modernist nightmares. However, a network of pluralist agrarian supersedure states probably isn’t the most likely contender for the future shape of the world. If the curve of politics in disparate countries of the world today – the UK, the USA, Russia, Hungary, Poland, Turkey, India, China – is anything to go by, we may be more likely to see ruthless neo-mercantilist international economic competition between countries, fractious distributional conflicts within them, and nationalist-nativist populisms trying to breathe life into all sorts of arbitrary boundaries between people and peoples. This is not an enticing prospect, so perhaps it’s a good idea to address how an agrarian populist future of supersedure states might be wrested from this other mode of populism. The short answer is a two-pronged approach, the first of which aims to buttress wherever possible any or all permutations of peasant, family-based, small-scale, local market oriented, diverse and high nature-value farming. Historically, this fits comfortably into various populist agendas, agrarian and otherwise, and is the sort of thing readily found in UKIP election manifestoes. The second aims to buttress wherever possible a liberal public sphere, rational-critical debate, small state local democracy based on the power of arguments rather than statuses accruing from membership in closed categories of ‘the people’, ‘the real people’ or ‘ordinary people’, an egalitarian economic localism combined with a plural political internationalism, and so on. These sorts of things won’t be found in UKIP election manifestoes, and doubtless sound a lot more like the old-fangled neoliberal globalism which most populists, with some justification, want to overturn. But the key is the combination of the two prongs. The first without the second creates a reactionary nationalist back-to-the-landism which can conceal all sorts of modernist horrors under the pretence of a romantic peasantism – the ‘Ringing Cedars’ movement in Russia being one contemporary example. The second without the first easily results in neoliberal globalism as usual. Each prong draws on old political traditions. The intention, however, is not to replicate those traditions but, just as with Peter Kropotkin’s idea of creating a new anarchist future out of communal past traditions, to build “an absolutely new fact, emerging in new conditions and leading inevitably to absolutely different consequences”6. There’s no inevitability about successfully creating this kind of ‘absolutely new’ politics, but it does seem possible that it will become a more obvious and attractive option than it presently seems as the drawbacks of conventional agriculture and conventional politics of both the mainstream and reactionary-populist varieties make themselves apparent. Admittedly, I’ve barely addressed the numerous difficulties and contradictions that would be involved in making this politics work. But here, in a nutshell, is the opportunity I mentioned in my third question above: the opportunity to create a tolerably prosperous, egalitarian, sustainable future based on an agrarian localism of supersedure states from the political tumults of the present moment. Chayanov, A. [1986]. The Theory of Peasant Economy. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. Postel, C. 2007. The Populist Vision. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Examples here include green thinkers like Paul Kingsnorth and John Michael Greer, and august voices on the left like the New Left Review. Calhoun, C. 1992. Habermas and the Public Sphere. Cambridge: MIT Press. Streeck, W. 2016. How Will Capitalism End? London: Verso. Kropotkin, P. 1993. Words of a Rebel. Montreal: Black Rose Posted in History, Peasants and populism, Politics and neoliberalism \| 36 Replies The return of the peasant: or, the history of the world in 10½ blog posts. 10½: The reckoning Posted on December 4, 2017 by Chris Smaje And so we come to the final instalment in my history of the world blog cycle. Thanks to everyone who’s read and commented – it’s been a long haul, but I’ve found it useful to inform my thinking on agrarian futures, and I’ve learned a lot from the comments. Back to normal service on this blog after this, I hope. A full version of the essay is available here. To continue… I think it’s about time we headed in a different direction. The mulcting of ordinary people described by Goubert for the peasants of 17th century France has being going on long enough around the world in various guises, often in service of top-down notions of ‘development’ that have rarely returned full value to the people it subjects. So maybe it’s time to draw a line under the cargo cult utopia of capitalism with its promise of more ‘stuff’ ever-receding into the future, and explore the other pole of the peasant experience described by Wolf’s narrative of the peasant utopia (p.16). In 1984, Jean-François Lyotard announced the arrival of the ‘postmodern condition’, involving an ‘incredulity to meta-narratives’. Postmodernism soon disappeared into an impenetrable cloud of its own self-reflexivity, but I like the idea of incredulity towards grand abstractions such as ‘progress’ and ‘development’. Unfortunately, as I argued on p.31, it’s hard to do away entirely with universalism in a universalist age. But if we still need universalist categories to work with, I’d suggest they should be as grounded in practical realities as possible. So I’d like to submit for your consideration the peasantry as the universal class – a class that predates capitalism, has coexisted with it, and is most likely to survive it. Because when empires crumble what’s left is gardening – and gardeners are better placed to know the limits of their ecological and economic practice than almost anyone else. However, the historical narrative I’ve offered here suggests to me that it’s no simple thing to create a sustainable and prosperous peasant society. Such a society has to be wrested from the grip of the state and, beyond the state, from the human will to power – so it therefore needs to be defended from the disintegrative effects of its own internal tensions. And, as I’ve argued here in relation to various examples like frontier peasantries, military entrepreneurs, religious revitalisation movements, nationalist and nativist ideology and the seemingly inherent tendency towards capitalist logics of peasant differentiation in the conditions of modernity that underpin both liberal-democratic capitalism and its communist twin, there’s no reason to assume that peasant societies will necessarily evince any of the characteristics that seem to me prerequisites for a satisfactory long-term human flourishing: ecological sustainability, personal or community autonomy, substantial economic equality, a material practice grounded in the here-and-nowness of self-subsistence. It’s just that it seems to me they’re potentially more likely to do so than any other social arrangement. Henry Bernstein, a fairly sympathetic Marxist critic of ‘agrarian neo-neo-populism’ writes, “advocates of the peasant way argue that it does not represent nostalgia – worlds we have lost – but that contemporary peasant movements incorporate and express specific, novel and strategic conceptions of, and aspirations to, modernity, and visions of modernity alternative to that inscribed in the neoliberal common sense of the current epoch. This is a plausible thesis…but the principal weakness of the new agrarian question qua the peasant way, as articulated to date, is its lack of an adequate political economy” It’s a point well-made, though I’d argue that the ‘lack of an adequate political economy’ is a problem that afflicts all the alternatives to ‘neoliberal common sense’, including Marxism, and not just peasant way thinking. In fact, it’s a problem that also afflicts neoliberal common sense, which is precisely the problem. So in future posts I plan to sketch as best I can what a peasant way political economy might look like – in other words, how the human flourishing I mentioned above may possibly be achieved by reconstituted peasantries of a post-capitalist future. But to conclude I’d just like to list in note form some of the things that I think I’ll need to concern myself with in that sketch that have emerged from the historical precis I’ve offered here. A human tendency towards both status ranking and equality A tendency for modes of human organisation to ‘leapfrog’ each other through time A tendency for new forms of centralised political organisation to elicit secondary versions around them A difficult balance between under- and over-development of the division of labour An ambiguity within the centralised state as both predator and benefactor Class distinctions in both city and countryside with which central state actors can ally or organise against Religious or spiritual traditions that cleave either towards or against extant political power The (slender) possibilities for more-or-less autarkic agrarian production in the interstices of centralised political power The possibilities for cooperation as well as conflict within a class or caste stratified agrarian society The enabling effect on agrarian society of alternative ways of life (urbanism, or the public sphere, for example) The numerous geopolitical forms of state power, which are not limited to the nation-state The difficulties of distinguishing sharply between lord and peasant, or between landowner, tenant and labourer The significance of militarised or demilitarised frontiers for economic development The core-periphery geographic structuring of the economy in one or more ‘world systems’ The possibilities for stable income/population equilibria (‘high level equilibrium traps’) that limit ‘unnatural’ expansion or technological hyper-development The tendency for economic ‘cores’ to export the responsibility for less remunerative agrarian activities to the ‘periphery’ The tendency for extractive ecological linkages from core to periphery The tendency to find ‘reconstituted peasantries’ where centralised polities fail The differentiated nature of peasantries, and the unequal power relations within them The inherent (and growing) tendency towards crisis in the capitalist economy The tendency for capitalist economies to virtualise money, leading to instability The multiple stories we tell ourselves about the nature of the modern – as development, as regress, as the coming-to-history of ‘a people’, as possibility, as despair The tendency for people to avoid overt politics if they can, and seek a quiet life The tendency for virtually all forms of economic production (‘peasant’, capitalist, communist etc.) under the modernist shadow of capitalism to tend towards or revert to capitalist production The need to develop a political economy that’s not based on compound economic growth and the associated drawdown of non-renewable resources The need to learn open-mindedly from the past and to acknowledge that historically people sometimes may have found some better solutions to their problems than we’re currently finding for ourselves – but without extolling the special virtues of those times or wishing ourselves back to them, so much as using them to build what Kropotkin called “an absolutely new fact” for ourselves. In my upcoming cycle of posts I hope to work through some of these points to provide the best answer I can – which isn’t, I fear, a very good one – as to how we can best confront the ‘wicked problems’ bequeathed us by history to create a more sustainable and widespread human flourishing. Still, the problem with history is that it keeps on happening. Doubtless there’ll be a few more surprising turns before we’re all through. Posted in History, Peasants and populism \| 16 Replies Of chancers and last-chancers Happy holidays – but not TOO happy, please Let us eat Brexit Ciao Mao? Extinction Rebellion: four more (unconvincing) criticisms. Extinction Rebellion: Four Criticisms (and why they’re unconvincing) The case for planting trees A chirrup for October Thinking on a small farm… Please help me keep Small Farm Future going by donating! 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__label__wiki	0.588377	0.588377	Tickets Tickets My Strong viking Strong Viking Lab Event Photos & Videos About Strong Viking Strong Viking Training Clubs 5 Fun-facts you might not know about Vikings! Here are 5 fun facts about the Vikings that you probably didn’t know. 1. Use of onion soup for medical reasons Vikings are known as one of the most innovative tribe in human history with great solutions for the simplest things of their time, also when it came to medicine. When a wounded Viking warrior came back from battle, the Vikings in the village would give him/her very strong onion soup. After a few minutes a person of the tribe would smell the wound of the warrior very closely to check if they could detect the smell of the onion. If so, it meant that the abdominal wound was serious and deep enough that death was inevitable. 2. You (likely) carry a Viking symbols with you every day! You’ve probably never noticed this before, but it’s very likely that you’re using a Viking symbol in your everyday life since the rise of smartphones. Over 1000 years ago, around the year 958, there was a Viking king called Harald Bluetooth (ca. 910-986). He ruled over all tribes in Denmark and managed to conquer parts of Norway, where he succeeded in making several mutually contending tribes unite and communicate with each other. Jim Kardach, who developed the technology behind Bluetooth that we use today, was reading the book ‘The Long Ships’ during its development and decided to name his technology in honour of the famous Danish king. For the logo he took the initials of King Harald Bluetooth and combined them into the well-known logo that is used for wireless connections in telephones and many other devices. 3. The days of the week are named after Viking Gods In addition to the use of Viking symbols, you’re also using Viking terms/names daily, most likely without knowing it! That’s because our days of the week (in English) are named after several gods that were worshipped by the Vikings. Sunday and Monday are named after the Sun and the Moon, Tuesday after Tyr who was the god of war. Wednesday (Woden’s Day) is named after the king of the Viking gods: Odin, also known as Woden. Thursday is named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder. And also, most people’s favourite day of the week, Friday gets its from Freya (Frigg), who was the goddess of love and marriage. The only day of the week that’s not directly named after a Norse god is Saturday which gets its name from Saturn, an old Roman god. 4. Christopher Columbus wasn’t the first to discover America At school you’re taught that the man who discovered America was the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus. However, this fact isn’t entirely true. There’s a saga from the Greenlanders supporting the proof that the Vikings found America ‘by accident’ when a trader went on a trip to Iceland around the year 896. The lost trader ended up near the land ‘covered with forests’, when he turned around a successfully found his way home. Later, in the year 1.000 the saga of the lost trader inspired Leif Eriksson, an Icelandic explorer, to buy a boat and explore the unknown. If the rest of the legend is true, Eriksson landed on the coast of Canada 500 years before Columbus set a foot on American ground. Nowadays, there is a substantial amount of evidence that confirm this ‘saga’. As real Viking fans, we of course support this theory, what are your thoughts? 5. Vikings liked to Ski for fun Roughly 6000 years ago, the Scandinavian Vikings developed their own version of skis and used them for hunting, traveling and sometimes also for entertainment. They even had a god of skiing, who was named Ullr. Kings and high lords indulged in skiing for entertainment, and sometimes had competitions where the best skiers could win prizes. Do you have more fun facts that you want to share with us? Let us know! Strongviking.com is using cookies to give you the best experience on our website and to show you more relevant information. By sailing our website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Read more about our terms and conditionshere. newsletter press contact legal	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498957
__label__cc	0.694791	0.305209	"Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!" Welcome to the website of the oldest Orthodox Christian Church in the State of Ohio! We are a parish of the Orthodox Church in America's Diocese of the Midwest. We are delighted that you came for a visit! Take a look around at who we are and what we do. Our historic cathedral was constructed between 1911-1912 and is considered one of the finest examples of Russian church architecture in the United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States. The parish of St.Theodosius Orthodox Christian Cathedral was organized by immigrant Russians living in Tremont in 1896. It served the needs of Orthodox Christian faithful of diverse ethnicities until they moved out of the city and into the suburbs to establish their own places of worship. St. Theodosius Cathedral was the "Mother Church" for most of the Orthodox Christian churches in northeast Ohio today. St. Theodosius Cathedral is located at 733 Starkweather Avenue in the Tremont community of Cleveland, Ohio. All Liturgical Services are in English St. Theodosius is located in the historic Tremont area of the City of Cleveland. Tremont is the most accessible neighborhood in the city of Cleveland. Interstate highways I-71, I-77 and I-90 have exit ramps into Tremont and afford ready and easy availability to St. Theodosius Cathedral. As the Lord Jesus Christ said to the Apostle Andrew; "Come and See" what we and the Orthodox Church are all about!	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498958
__label__wiki	0.533533	0.533533	Steelers’ Week 13 Rooting Guide Posted on November 30, 2019 at 12:56 pm The Pittsburgh Steelers can get to two games over .500 Sunday afternoon should they beat the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field and an AFC North win against the visitors would pretty much end the season of their divisional foe. There are also a few other Week 13 games to pay close attention to on Sunday if you’re into doing more scoreboard watching. The Steelers enter Sunday of Week 13 as the No. 6 seed in the AFC and they can’t increase that spot regardless of what transpires on Sunday. However, if a few games go their way on Sunday and the Steelers beat the Browns, Pittsburgh can strengthen their hold on a Wild Card spot with four weeks remaining in the 2019 regular season. San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens – Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX This one is easy. While the Steelers are now long-shots to catch the Ravens in the AFC North, stranger things have happened. Remember, the Steele still close out their 2019 regular season against the Ravens and there’s still a small glimmer of hope that that last game could decide the AFC North. The Ravens must lose a few games for such a scenario to happen, however, and Sunday at home against the 49ers is the first great chance for them to stumble. Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts – Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS The loser of this AFC South game will more than likely fail to make the playoffs as both teams enter this contest with 6-5 records and behind the Houston Texans in the division. The Steelers own head-to-head tiebreakers over the Colts so it’s advisable for Pittsburgh fans to pull for Indianapolis in this Sunday game. Should the Titans wind up winning, they still have a tough final four games remaining on their schedule so in essence, neither of these two teams are likely to make the playoffs this year unless the Steelers and Buffalo Bills both stumble mightily in the final four weeks. Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS The Raiders, fresh off their Week 12 loss to the New York Jets, entered Week 13 as the No. 7 seed in the AFC behind the Steelers. They have a big divisional game on Sunday against the Chiefs and then turnaround and play the Titans in Week 14. A loss on Sunday by the raiders to the Chiefs could help the Steelers immensely and especially should Pittsburgh lose on Sunday to the Browns. Trust me and pull for the Chiefs to beat the raiders on Sunday. New England Patriots at Houston Texans – Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC The Patriots are going to be in the playoffs as the No. 1 or No. 2 seed when the smoke finally clears. As for the Texans, even though they currently lead the AFC South division, they can still be overtaken. It’s probably in the Steelers best interest to root for the Texans to win this game so that the Colts and Titans have a reduced shot at winning the AFC South. The Texans and Titans still play each other twice in the final four weeks of the regular season so in essence this Sunday game between Houston and the Patriots doesn’t really have much meaning to the Steelers. You can create a few longer-term scenarios as to why you might want the Texans to lose on Sunday to the Patriots but those mostly revolve around the Steelers ultimately making the playoffs. Keep in mind that the most important factor is that the Steelers own tiebreakers over the Colts, so they need to be in contention for a wild Card spot, not the AFC South title. Related Items:Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Week 13 49ers To Face Chiefs In Super Bowl LIV Packers Vs. 49ers NFC Championship Game Open Discussion Thread 2019 NFL Championship Round Games Picks & Predictions: Dave Bryan & Alex Kozora	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498959
__label__wiki	0.73073	0.73073	← Walking Londons Canals at Camden Lock Supporting BBC Comic Relief with a very special Sherlock tour → Ayuba Suleiman Diallo – The remarkable story of an African slave. The story of Ayuba Suleiman Diallo is one of the most interesting and incredible verified accounts of an African slave during the 18th Century, Whilst it is incredible, it also illustrates well the complexities of the slave trade and some of the injustices perpetuated upon slaves. Diallo came from a prominent Fulbe family of Muslim religious leaders in western Africa. His grandfather had founded the town of Bundu, and he grew up with Samba Geladio Diegui the heir or kamalenku to the Kingdom of Futa-Toro. In 1730, Ayuba became a victim of the ever-growing slave exploitation of the Senegambia region. Ayuba and his interpreter Loumein Yoas (also known as “Lamine Jay,” “Lahamin Joy,” “Lahmin Jay,” “Lamine Ndiaye,” and “Loumein Ybai”) were near the Gambia River to trade slaves and paper. While visiting some friends on their return trip, Ayuba and Yoas were captured by invading Mandingoes (successors to the mighty Mali Empire). The invaders shaved their heads to make them appear as war captives, and there by the customs of the time in the region, legitimately enslavable, as opposed to their actual condition of people captured in a kidnapping raid for the specific purpose of selling slaves for financial profit. The two men were sold to figures associated with the Royal African Company who were a British mercantile firm that had originally set up to trade in gold but had subsequently branches out into slavery in what today is Ghana. Somehow Ayuba managed to convince the English Captain Pike of his high social status, and explained that his father was capable of paying ransom. Captain Pike granted Ayuba leave to find someone to send word to Ayuba’s family. Sadly the messenger did not return in time and at the behest of Captain Henry Hunt, Pike’s superior, Ayuba and Loumein were sent across the Atlantic to Annapolis, Maryland, where he was delivered to Vachell Denton. Ayuba was soon purchased by Mr. Tolsey of Kent Island, Maryland and put to work in the tobacco fields; however, after being found unsuitable for such work, he was placed in charge of the cattle. While in captivity, Ayuba used to go into the woods to pray. and this led to an incident that was to again change his life. After being humiliated by a child while praying, Ayuba ran away and was captured and imprisoned at the Kent County Courthouse. It was there that he was discovered by a lawyer, Rev. Thomas Bluett of the Anglican Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, traveling through on business. The lawyer was impressed by Ayuba’s ability to write in Arabic. One of his original letters is below. ‘There is no good in the country of the Christians for a Muslim’, states Ayuba Suleiman Diallo in this letter in Arabic, which he probably wrote while enslaved in Maryland after his capture on the coast of Senegal in 1731. Announcing to ‘all the Muslims of Bondu’ that he is alive, he appeals to the rulers of the country and his family to ensure that his two wives do not remarry. Reverend Bluett wrote about the events thus: “When another African who spoke Wolof, a language of a neighboring African ethnic group, was able to translate for him, it was then discovered that he had aristocratic blood. Encouraged by the circumstances, Mr. Tolsey allowed Ayuba to write a letter in Arabic to Africa to send to his father. Eventually, the letter reached the office of James Oglethorpe, Director of the Royal African Company. After having the letter authenticated by John Gagnier, the Laudian Chair of Arabic at Oxford, Oglethorpe purchased Ayuba for £45.” According to his own account, Oglethorpe was moved with sentiment upon hearing the suffering Ayuba had endured. Oglethorpe purchased Ayuba and sent him to the London office of the Royal African Company in 1733 London with the Rev. Bluett and during his voyage learned English. For whatever reasons, no-one had informed the Royal African Company of what should be done with Ayuba upon his arrival and remarkably it was left to one of those involved in his enslavement , Captain Henry Hunt, to arrange for lodgings in the country for him. Ayuba heard rumours that Hunt was planning to sell him to traders who claimed they would deliver him home. Ayuba, fearing yet more trickery, contacted Bluett and other men whom he had met en route to London. Bluett arranged for Ayuba’s stay in Cheshunt in Hertfordshire. The RAC, following Oglethorpe’s orders, made in part through persistent requests from interested men in London, subsequently paid all the expenses and purchase price of the bond for Ayuba. Ayuba beseeched Bluett once again, explaining that none of this secured he would not be enslaved once again. According to Bluett, all the honorable men involved had promised they would not sell Ayuba into slavery, so, though supposedly Ayuba was not under any threat, Bluett and other sympathizers paid “fifty-nine pounds, six shillings, and eleven pence half-penny” simply to ease Ayuba’s anxiety. Respectable gentleman who knew Ayuba collected money for his “freedom in form,” an official document seal made and sealed by the RAC. Bluett explained, “Job’s Mind being now perfectly easy,” he could fraternise with London’s elite, obtaining many gifts and new friendships, while also being of service to Hans Sloane through his newly acquired ability to translate Arabic into English. His service to Hans Sloane included organising the collection of Arabic Manuscripts at the British Museum. Ayuba was in the company of many other prominent people, including the Royal family and John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu and his wife Mary, the Duchess of Montagu, which lead him to being inducted into the Gentleman’s Society of Spalding. In July 1734, Ayuba freely returned to Gambia and later returned to his homeland. Sadly by now his father had died, and one of his wives, presuming that Ayuba had perished, had remarried. His homeland was ravaged by war, but being a prosperous individual, he was able to regain his old lifestyle. His memoirs were published by Bluett in English and French. Despite the incredible turn around in fortunes, Ayuba was an extremely rare good news story in the slave trade of that time. Due to his intelligence, education and the good fortune of coming across men with relatively good morals, he was able to legally escape the hardships of slavery and return home to Africa. That wasn’t quite the end of the story though as Ayuba, however, faced later hardships. In June 1736, he was imprisoned by the French, perhaps due to his relationships with prominent figures in the U.K. He was held for a year by the French when finally his release was secured. His death was recorded in the minutes of the Spalding Gentleman’s Society in 1773. For many years Ayuba Suleiman Diallo was best known for his striking portrait which was painted in 1733. For centuries the original was missing and presumed lost with the work of art only known through copies, however, happily the original painting came to light at the beginning of this century. The portrait of Diallo by William Hoare of Bath was painted in 1733 For two posts on very contrasting figures you might like to read one of my posts on prominent early Black Britons then you might like to read my 2016 post on Mary Seacole – The Greatest Black Briton or about the fascinating story of the first Black man in the British Army. This entry was posted in history, Life and tagged Africa, Ayuba Suleiman Diallo, Ghana, Maryland, Rev. Thomas Bluet, Royal African Company, Slavery. Bookmark the permalink. The lost and hidden rivers of London	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498961
__label__wiki	0.555089	0.555089	Genre:FICTION SubGenre:General I'm Not Snooki or, what I really think about society and why by Stewart Brodian Interesting mixture of thoughts and views on society, history and popular culture by eclectic figure. This book contains thoughts and viewpoints from a gentelman nearing 50 who's taken a different look and approach to analyzing our society, it's causes and suggestions for rectifying different situations. There's also an assortment of interesting diary entries and facts about his life + why he wrote this book - and an explanation about why he recently decided to make his own TV show. Musician, composer, performer, singer, actor, film maker, radio announcer, celebrity impersonator (Howard Stern, Abraham Lincoln), artist, independant newspaper publisher and now, author. Born and raised in New Jersey, Stewart relocated to the Keystone state in 1991 to start anew + refresh his ideas and approach to his life and carreer. He also ran his own record label, Mountain Records, for many years. Over the years, he has appeared as an extra in several movies and TV shows, made appearances in several independant films (some of which used his music), area commercials and has been hosting his own weekly radio show on WDIY Allentown since 1995. eBook - $4.99 (AZW, EPub, PDF)	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498966
__label__wiki	0.591094	0.591094	Tag Archives: Tripitaka Burmese girl at Mandalay Flower Market There’s a stanza of Rudyard Kipling’s poem, Mandalay, that reads: “If you’ve ‘eard the East a-callin’, you won’t never ‘eed naught else. / No! you won’t ‘eed nothin’ else/ But them spicy garlic smells, /An’ the sunshine an’ the palm-trees an’ the tinkly temple-bells; On the road to Mandalay…” Kipling wrote these lines in 1892 and in the full context of the poem, these words are being spoken by a soldier who has just come back from a 10-year stint in Burma and is describing his experience to the Kipling narrator who longs for a life in the East with a Burmese girl he left behind when he returned to London. Now, stuck in the cold drab confines of English city life, he reflects on his lost time in Mandalay and slips into the past as he listens to the soldier’s words. View of Mandalay Hill from palace wall Contrary to what may be a popular held belief, Mandalay is not on the ocean and does not have a bay. It is in the north part of Burma located far from the gulf and instead is nestled along the Irrawaddy River. It was the last capital of the Burmese kings and their beautiful teak Mandalay Palace compound burned to a crisp during World War II fighting in the city. Today, Mandalay is Burma’s second largest city and is a dusty, gem-trading urban sprawl that serves as a crossroads for Burmese minorities from the northernmost corners of the country who come to Mandalay for supplies and work. In the city’s north boundary looms Mandalay Hill — a 760ft tall mound that is sprinkled with many monasteries, temples, and shrines connected by a series of covered stairways and paths which snake around the hill and up to its summit. U Bein Bridge (1850AD) – Amarapura Within 50km of Mandalay lies the former capital of Amarapura (home of the oldest teak bridge in the world – U Bein Bridge) and Sagaing which is a center for international Buddhist study and learning and has hills laden with many monasteries and temples — most famous of which are the Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda and U Min Thonze Pagoda. 45 Buddha images of U Min Thonze – Sagaing 97ft high Soon U Ponya Shin Buddha (13th century) – Sagaing Mandalay contains one icon that beyond all else was the raison d’etre for my visit there: the Mahamuni Buddha. Along with the Schwedagon Pagoda and Golden Rock, the Mahamuni Pagoda which contains an image of the Buddha’s face cast in 554BC is the most venerated site of pilgrimage in Burma. Pictures or small replicas of the Mahamuni Buddha are found hanging in taxi cabs, stores, and restaurants all around Burma. The Buddha pointing down from atop Mandalay Hill to the land below where he prophesied the founding of Mandalay. Ananda to the left. During the last half of the 6th century BC, the Buddha walked throughout India and beyond to spread his teachings. At one point, he went east and crossed what today is Bangladesh and dipped south to the Rakhine State area of modern Burma. There, he reached the city of Dhanyawadi which at that time was the capital of the Kingdom of Arakan. The Arakanese King had already been exposed to Buddhism through those subjects and members of his court who had converted to the Buddha’s teachings, so he requested that the Buddha come to Dhanyawadi. View of Sandamuni Paya from Mandalay Hill [each of the white stupas contains a marble slab with a page of the Tripitaka (earliest Buddhist scriptures)] When the Buddha arrived, the King and the citizenry brought various gold and other precious objects as gifts for the Buddha who of course did not accept them. Instead, these objects were melted down and an image was cast of the Buddha’s actual face. After the cast was created and the rest of the image’s body was put together, this image served to commemorate the Buddha’s visit to Dhanyawadi and passing generations of people were drawn to it in order to make offerings and stand witness to this likeness of the Buddha. The offerings took the form of diamonds, gold, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires which were affixed to the crown and chest of the Mahamuni Buddha. Then, gold leaf was applied to the Mahamuni Buddha continuously and this has resulted in several inches of thick gold layering on the image. The image stayed in Dhanyawadi until the Arakan kingdom was sacked by the Mon Burmese who absconded with the Mahamuni Buddha and made it their own. The story goes that the Mahamuni Buddha was so large that it had to be cut into pieces for transport to Amarapura- which was then the capital city of Burma. It was then moved to Mandalay and has resided in its present compound after it was built in the 1780s by King Bodawpaya. Mingun Pahtodawgyi – Mingun King Bodawpaya was incredibly ambitious — not only did he consider himself a reincarnation of the Buddha, he also attempted to construct the largest stupa (and bell) in the world — on the other side of the Irrawaddy river just north of Mandalay. This was to be called the Mingun Pahtodawgyi — the Great Royal Stupa. It was never finished and today lies as huge brick stump that has since been split by an earthquake. Exterior of Mahamuni Pagoda The Mahamuni Buddha compound is large with 4 points of entry and contains arcades or pavilions with covered walkways. There is a bazaar-like feel in these arcades where there are hundreds of shop stalls selling various religious ornaments, garlands, incense, and other offerings alongside books, home goods, food, and other supplies. On display in one of the temple courtyards is a set of 3 Khmer copper statues that were originally looted from the Khmer capital of Angkor in Cambodia by the Siamese kings of Ayutthaya in Thailand. Ayutthaya was then sacked in the 16th century by the Mon king of the time, who took these pieces back to Burma. These statues today are rubbed by pilgrims as each contains some special merit. If one follows any of these arcades they ultimately spill into the central area of the temple which then cascades in a series of archways into a small chamber. Inside this chamber is the Mahamuni Buddha which although in a seated position — appears at first glance to be standing over the continuous streams of monks, pilgrims, and people who are sitting below it. But, the Mahamuni is in fact seated in the mudra position where his right hand is pointed down — invoking the earth’s attestation to his attainment of Enlightenment and the vanquishing of Mara the tempter. Cascading archways leading to the Mahamuni Buddha I approached the Mahamuni head-on and passed through a narrow arched corridor. Each arch was divided into a base of red brick that gave way to a golden paint which rose to the ceiling. As I walked closer to the gleaming Mahamuni, the last 7 or so archways became more and more ornate with glyphic designs, flowers, and other intricate gilded patterns. There were people sitting on a carpeted area looking towards the light of the Mahamuni. Women were seated in the back of the carpeted area and men were seated closer to the Mahamuni. The area nearest to the Mahamuni was cordoned off and reserved only for monks. I slowed my gait as the great image began to reveal itself to me. Mahamuni Buddha Siddhartha Gautama? It was set off in the darkened corridor by electric lights that framed the final archway that led to its chamber. This was truly an inner sanctum. The golden image was enhanced by lights from the ceiling of the chamber that bounced off it. A round face with closed oval eyes, broad flat nose, and pursed lips. This was the face — the face of Siddhartha Gautama before me. I sat down. He is 13ft high, but looks bigger. Something about the layering of old, medallions, necklaces, and other gems on his torso and crown make it look massive. I studied the image. It smacked of humanness. I clearly saw features of a face that once did belong to someone. I had no doubt. This was not an idealized Buddha face as was omnipresent throughout Burma and elsewhere in the Buddhist world. Nor was this some kind of inanimate face like those found in other ancient statues of the Buddha. This image had a very different quality — a soul. No wonder that at dawn of each day the face and teeth of the Mahamuni Buddha are cleaned in a carefully choreographed ritual by a senior monk. As I sat cross-legged in the carpeted area reserved for men, I looked around at the people around me. Some had their eyes closed in silent prayer, yet others had their gazes fixed on the Mahamuni Buddha as if in a trance. On the surface it could have appeared that we were worshipping a golden deity, but Buddhism is not about worship. It is about inward contemplation about the causes of suffering and discontent, understanding how such causes shackle us, and then breaking free from these shackles through an active pursuit towards ethical conduct, intention, speech, effort, and mindfulness. The image of the Buddha may be used as a point of focus for quieting one’s monkey mind, but he is not himself the focus. The Buddha never spoke to his disciples that he was to be worshipped. Nor did he teach about the need for worshipping any creator of the world. The focus of his teachings was on how to navigate a middle path toward the attainment of Enlightenment and after one had achieved that, then one would pass into a state of spiritual and physical bliss – freed of suffering – which could be realized in life or upon death. As I sat before the Mahamuni, I thought about what the other people around me were concentrating on. Were they here asking for a blessing, searching for answers, or merely basking in the radiance of the illuminated being before them? Monk at Sandamuni Paya I think back to that moment now and re-imagine the smells, sights, and sounds swirling around that chamber. The fragrant incense permeating through the archways and the mix of garlands and exotic spices. The sight of golden rays shooting out from the Mahamuni. The quiet murmur of the monks’ chanting and the laity shuffling on the carpet. A trinity of senses. In his poem, Kipling also invoked a trinity as he cited to the garlic, sunlight, and tinkling bells. From his grey London quarters, he thought about that — about romance, about the East. Today, from within the cramped office of Western modernity, I understand Kipling’s nostalgic sentiment. I understand that longing. Tags: Amarapura, Angkor, Arakan, Ayutthaya, Bangladesh, Buddha, Burma, Dhanyawadi, Irrawaddy, Khmer, King Bodawpaya, Mahamuni, Mandalay, Mingun bell, Mingun Pahtodawgyi, monks, On the Road to Mandalay, poem, Rakhine, Rudyard Kipling, Sagaing, Sandamuni Paya, scriptures, Siddhartha Gautama, Soon U Ponya Shin, teak bridge, Tripitaka, U Bein, U Min Thonze Categories Buddhism, Dharma, Myanmar (Burma), Travel, Wanderlust	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498970
__label__cc	0.742521	0.257479	EIB & Aquitaine Region commit €800m for sustainable development 22 November 2012, the commitment of €800m for education, sustainable development and renewable energy was announced by the Aquitaine Region and the European Investment Bank (EIB), following a signing ceremony held at the Aquitaine Regional Council presided over by Alain Rousset, President of the Aquitaine Regional Council, and Philippe de Fontaine Vive, EIB Vice-President. This is a sizable commitment – one of the EIB’s largest for a French region – targeting primarily lycées and training institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-enterprises. Given the credit squeeze currently affecting the market, the major advantage of these financing operations is that they will enable the Aquitaine Region to be granted loans with a long maturity on favourable financial terms as a result of the EIB’s AAA credit rating. This partnership also confirms the confidence shown in the Region’s robust financial health, and in particular its ability to finance its investments in a balanced manner through a combination of savings and borrowing. €500m for lycées and training institutes This €500m financing operation will focus on expanding the region’s public and private educational establishments, upgrading them to meet the required standard and improving their energy efficiency, the key component being the construction of the next lycée to meet the BEPOS (“bâtiment à énergie positive” – positive energy building) standard, the future lycée des métiers (vocational college) in Bergerac (Dordogne). It will also help to significantly improve the energy performance of lycées via the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of the schools, fully complying with the Europe 2020 targets. The first tranche – €150m from the €500m committed – was signed today, Thursday 22 November, by Alain Rousset, President of the Aquitaine Regional Council, and Philippe de Fontaine Vive, EIB Vice-President. €300m for businesses The Aquitaine Region and the EIB, in partnership with Crédit Agricole and the BPCE (Banque Populaire et Caisse d’Epargne) Group, have undertaken to provide €300m to support the generation of renewable energy and the energy-focused renovation of buildings while at the same time meeting the financing requirements of project promoters in the region. The operation is being financed jointly by the European Investment Bank via a €150m credit line to be made available to two banking partners – Crédit Agricole and the BPCE (Banque Populaire et Caisse d’Epargne) Group – which will provide additional finance totalling €150m to co-finance this major regional project in support of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The local banking partners will make a total of €300m in the form of loans on favourable terms available to project promoters throughout the region. The regional guarantee fund, in partnership with Oséo, will also be mobilised to support initiatives taken by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. This will help to improve – in a very concrete way – the financial terms offered to small businesses, including farms. This commitment was demonstrated today with the signing of a €150m memorandum of understanding. At the signing ceremony Mr de Fontaine Vive said: “I am very pleased about this first-class partnership with the Aquitaine Region on a project initiated, carried out and driven by a policy of environmental excellence. The modernisation of lycées and other educational establishments and the support for top-quality renewable energy projects in the private sector are key aspects of training and sustainable development. And it is our responsibility to create the optimum conditions for financing such projects, which will promote economic development, employment and social cohesion in the region.” Alain Rousset commented: “In the face of the squeeze on bank lending to local authorities and with a view to diversifying its sources of finance, the Region is being supported by the European Investment Bank to fund its investment in the fields of education, training and sustainable development. The loans obtained from the EIB”, he added, “mark, in terms of the maturities and rates involved, a historic opportunity that will enable the Region to prepare the future of its inhabitants on the most favourable terms.” This EIB financing operation in support of Aquitaine demonstrates Europe’s practical commitment in favour of climate action in this region, from which the inhabitants, in particular the young people attending lycées and training institutes, will be the first to benefit. It also reflects the EIB’s growing activities in support of regional authorities, which have invested nearly €7bn since January 2012 by leveraging funds provided by other financial partners. European Investment Bank (EIB) The EIB is the European Union’s bank. Its remit is to provide mainly long-term loans in support of viable, public or private sector investment projects that are in keeping with the EU’s objectives of integration, cohesion and development. With nearly €5bn invested in France in 2011, the EIB has been financing flagship projects throughout France in key areas such as innovation and industrial and energy-focused modernisation, infrastructure, urban renewal and energy efficiency – projects that, above all, promote employment and are driven by climate action considerations and will directly benefit the EU’s citizens in their daily and working lives. The EIB has also proved to be a preferred partner for regional authorities. Labels: EIB, Energy, EU, Europe, France, Sustainable Development	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498971
__label__wiki	0.745142	0.745142	Employers / White & Case LLP / Get the inside view from graduates at White & Case LLP White & Case LLP menu "The department I have been in is extremely friendly. There are reasonably frequent formal social events and plenty of Friday evenings in the pub. Some partners are a bit distant but the majority socialise with trainees and all the associates treat you like a colleague." First year trainee, London "The office does feel like a place to work and coffees and lunches are sometimes brief. However, there is a great sense of cooperation and teamwork, especially in the smaller team in which you are placed for a particular deal. The late nights never feel punishing because the rest of the team is there with you and there is a sense of great satisfaction at the end of the night when the lion's share of the work is complete for a filing the next day. There is some socializing and Friday evening drinks with your trainee cohort is typical." "Socialising varies across departments as some are very good while others are less so, but overall most people are sociable. The hierarchy is reasonably flat with partners and senior associates happy to engage and be engaged. There's generally a sense of teamwork and cooperation from trainees all the way up." Second year trainee, London "The culture really is one of the main reasons to work here. People are really nice and friendly irrespective of the hour we are here until." "It does vary between teams and departments but there's generally little hierarchy and lots of socialising and teamwork." "Our hierarchy is mostly flat, although can be more noticeable in certain departments. There's very much a collegiate atmosphere, particularly in my intake, and it feels more like we are a team than in competition with one another. There is a lot of after-work socialising." "The culture is work hard, play hard. You are expected to work long hours and perform in intense circumstances when required but you are equally rewarded for your hard work with regular social events." "Most people are very approachable and there is not much of a hierarchy. The culture is generally collaborative and trainees are very much included." "There's very little face-time culture, with a few exceptions. Teams are quite close-knit but also big enough not to be suffocating. There is a genuine open-door policy so I have no hesitation speaking to a partner. The environment can occasionally appear to be 'sink or swim', as it has a focus on independence, but other lawyers are generally friendly and supportive and achievements are recognised. Some teams are more sociable than others but most people make a conscious effort to participate. There are many office-wide events, as well as the annual football/volleyball world cup, which is a great opportunity to meet people from across the global network." "It depends on the department. The firm is generally very sociable but the hierarchy can be very apparent in certain departments." Second year trainee, London (seconded to Dubai office) "This varies depending on your team but most are amazing to work with." "People are generally nice and inclusive. Hierarchies differ across departments but tend to be rather flat and social events are generally well attended." "There is something of a face-time culture in some seats but we are generally encouraged to make the most of quiet times. I think I have worked alongside partners more than trainees at other firms as I have sat almost exclusively with partners in two of my seats. The most standout thing for me is how much everyone values the contributions of trainees and is willing to take on trainee ideas about the best way to do certain tasks." Second year trainee, Paris "There is a social culture and people often go for drinks after work on Fridays. Firm events are always well attended and fun." Second year trainee, London, but currently on secondment in the Paris office. "There's healthy socialising here. It is generally a meritocracy, although you can come across the occasional hierarchic person. Some departments still have a face-time culture." "The culture is very inclusive and social. You are expected to work hard and put a lot of effort into what you do, but efforts are recognised and rewarded." "The culture of the firm depends very much on the department. Over the course of my training contract, the various departments have made an effort to welcome trainees. In addition, each department will generally organise various social activities throughout the year such as drinks, lunches and dinners etc." "The structure is relatively hierarchical but varies between departments. Most departments work very well with each other and have a good relationship both inside and outside of the office. The firm offers a lot of social events both at a trainee level and firm-wide." "The teams I have worked in have been fantastic, hugely engaging and genuinely interested in my development. The hours can be difficult at times but worth it nonetheless. There is no shortage of social events." "Every department is very different and you may need to work out the internal politics of each seat. There's usually a collegiate atmosphere among junior associates and trainees." "Great socials and great teamwork in a collaborative atmosphere." "Very friendly and social. Partners are really easy to talk to and there are lots of opportunities to get to know the team." "People are very friendly, but work extremely hard." "The culture is fantastic here." "There are a lot of social events and people are often willing to be involved. Usually, departments will individually hold monthly drinks or other socialising events. The firm also holds firm-wide events about two or three times a year. In my experience, there is a good feeling of cooperation between all levels of staff and I have never been made to feel uncomfortable merely because I am speaking to someone more senior than me. Partners are very involved with trainees and are interested in getting to know the trainees in the department. There is a culture of willingness to help each other, especially among the trainees, and no one wants to see you drowning in work if it is preventable." "The firm makes an effort to organise many social events and excursions for its employees." "Although it depends on the department, most of them do not have a face-time culture so, if your work is done, you can leave without feeling guilty. There is quite a flat structure in some departments, with even trainees being encouraged to speak out in meetings and put forward their ideas. There is an open-door policy (and they mean open-door). There could be more after work socials but, in general, people get along and departmental drinks are organised on occasion." "There is a friendly culture in the office. In my particular team there is no face-time culture, which is good. Out of office, people are generally up for a laugh and the firm has a lot of social events." "The culture here is super friendly and relaxed, making for a positive working environment." "The culture varies hugely between departments, but generally people are fairly friendly. There is quite a strong sense of hierarchy, but this is the same at any City law firm, I think. A fair amount of socialising goes on and there are usually people to go for a drink with after work on Friday. Teams from different departments work reasonably well together and there is good collaboration between London and the overseas offices." "There is a friendly atmosphere at White & Case with regular social events, either firm-wide or departmental." "White & Case has a great collegiate atmosphere, and everyone is approachable with most departments working as very strong teams. Socialising among colleagues is actively encouraged, too." "The hours can be long but there's camaraderie among trainees and associates which makes it bearable. Departments socialise together and most have at least a monthly get-together that is always well attended." "The culture really depends on the department, I find. While the odd older partner may encourage a sense of hierarchy, there is a great social life with the other trainees, which brings them together." "While some people take the hierarchy more seriously than others, making some trainees feel that they need to put in 'face-time' to complete their workload, the culture is friendly and sociable aside from that. Most people are very easy to work with and talk to. As a whole the firm is very sociable, but some departments, such as private equity, are more sociable than others. However, colleagues often go for drinks and lots of departments have a drinks trolley at the end of the month." "The office doesn't always feel very cohesive across the board, but there is a good atmosphere among the trainees and within each department there are generally good opportunities for socialising. The structure doesn't feel too hierarchical and generally most people are approachable." "The culture at White & Case is sociable, yet work is still done in an efficient manner." "The culture at the firm is very friendly and supportive, with lots of social activities and retreats organised." "The firm does not seem to have hierarchy and people are open and willing to support you and answer your questions. There is a strong support network amongst the trainees." "The culture varies quite a lot between departments, particularly in the London office. I experienced a little hierarchy, although most partners are quite friendly and approachable. There has been less socialising than I would have hoped for initially, but trainee drinks happen most Fridays." First year trainee, Tokyo "There is a healthy attitude towards work in which people are efficient and dedicated, but there is still a social aspect and there is always something to get involved with if you like." "I have generally felt at home with the culture at White & Case, and it is open and pretty diverse. In terms of hierarchy, there is of course internal politics as with most places but this generally does not affect trainees."	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498973
__label__wiki	0.931639	0.931639	John Kasich: I Wouldn’t Have Signed The Anti-LGBT Bill That Passed In N Carolina By Sara Jerde April 9, 2016 4:04 p.m. Republican presidential candidate Ohio Gov. John Kasich said Saturday that he wouldn’t have voted for the anti-LGBT bill that was passed in North Carolina at the end of March. North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory signed a bill that prevented local governments from passing anti-discrimination measures protecting transgender and gay individuals. Kasich said that issues become more “polarized” when they become into law during an interview for CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “We are not having this issue in our state about this whole religious liberty,” Kasich said. “I believe that religious institutions ought to be protected and be able to be in a position of where they can, you know, live out their deeply-held religious purposes. But when you get beyond that, it begins to be a tricky issue. Tricky’s not the right word. But it can become a contentious issue.” The full CBS interview with air on Sunday. Sara Jerde (@SaraJerde) Sara Jerde is a newswriter based in New York. Her bylines have appeared in The Star-Ledger, The Chronicle of Higher Education and The Columbus Dispatch. She graduated from Ohio University. Send emails to sara@talkingpointsmemo.com and follow her @SaraJerde.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498979
__label__cc	0.655359	0.344641	The Challenges and Rewards of Growing a Company in Omaha Real-time online auction marketplace Proxibid is not a new company, but it has certainly stayed fresh since being founded in 2001 by four Omaha-based entrepreneurs. That’s because technological innovation has remained a key priority for the company. “We believe strongly that we can never stop innovating,” says Proxibid CEO and President Ryan Downs. “So we invest a significant portion of our budget in new features and capabilities.” Considered one of the fastest-rising tech companies in the Midwest today, Proxibid was established originally as a tech and marketing company for auctioneers. “The concept was born from a previous experience some members had in another company that provided live online bidding for European art auctions,” says Downs, the former senior vice president of worldwide operations for PayPal. “When that company became a victim of the dot-com bust in 2000, they came back home with the idea that they could do the same thing—only better—right here in the States.” One can definitely say that Proxibid is doing something better. Since its founding, it has generated more than $2 billion in inventory across a range of product categories that include: fine art, antiques, collectibles, heavy equipment, commercial and industrial equipment, and real estate. Proxibid has also worked with over 3,000 companies to bring more than 16 million items for sale online, with buyers from 180 countries. Recently, Proxibid introduced a bank-quality risk management system, a completely new buying platform, two new data centers, and two new selling methods: ‘instant purchase’ and ‘make offer.’ Which is to say that, in a market space that’s becoming increasingly crowded, this proudly Omahan company has not been reluctant to innovate and evolve in order to remain one step ahead of the competition. “We’ve evolved,” Downs says, “and now our vision is to be the only choice when buying and selling high-value, specialized assets.” In an interview with Technori, Downs talked about the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Omaha, his own personal experiences as an entrepreneur, and the future of Proxibid. On what it’s like to grow a company in Omaha: Downs: Overall, the entrepreneurial ecosystem here is relatively healthy and has improved dramatically over the last five years. Our mentorship, community support, and infrastructure are all solid. However, our biggest challenge might be talent—not the quality, but the quantity. We simply do not have enough entrepreneurs and technical people, especially web developers. While the local universities are trying to respond to these needs, we have a long way to go. I think we need to get young kids involved in technology and entrepreneurship at a young age and probably attract some people from outside the community to help fill these gaps. I actually love the idea of selling what we can offer to entrepreneurs in other parts of the country, and to convince them to relocate startups to Omaha. In the end, the best thing we have as a community would be a long list of success stories. That is what creates momentum and convinces young kids or folks outside the community that they can do it, too. On the unique qualities that distinguish the Omaha entrepreneurial community: Downs: We are fortunate to have an abundance of experienced people who will help entrepreneurs. Over the years, I have contacted numerous people I didn’t previously know and asked to spend some time with them. In nearly every case, they have been more than willing to invest some time, share their network, and provide advice. Today, I try to do the same thing when someone contacts me. I also try to participate in chamber activities and events, such as the Big Omaha and Big Kansas City conferences, to show my support for the startup community in Omaha. What is special about our community is that this willingness to help is the norm. On the worst job he’s ever had—and what he learned from it: Downs: The worst job was probably farming. (Downs started his own cattle business when he was eight years old.) As a kid, our farm was faced with some difficult financial challenges. We had to cut back on employees and a lot of the work fell on the family members. We put in long hours doing difficult, physical work with outdated equipment. It was tough. But it taught me many things. First, I learned I didn’t want to farm for a living. Second, I learned how to work hard. Over the years, I have occasionally heard people complain about long hours or how difficult their jobs were. I always thought, “I’m at a desk working on a computer in an air-conditioned building. This is easy.” The third lesson is that you can overcome any challenge if you put your mind to it. That is what happened with our farm—we made it through, and all that land is still with our family today. On what a typical day at the Proxibid office looks like: Downs: The great thing about Proxibid is that no two days are the same! With thousands of sellers and nearly a million bidders selling every type of asset you can imagine, we encounter different challenges and opportunities every day. Our office has a great deal of energy, and you can feel it when you come in the building. We work in a very open environment with no offices. Folks are working together out in the open, solving problems, testing new ideas, responding to development in the business. We also run thousands of auctions out of the Omaha headquarters, so you can usually hear our logistics agents calling bids for a live auction webcast. People watch the large sales on monitors around the building or their own computer monitors, and it is not uncommon to hear folks cheering as bids go up and online sales increase. Suffice it to say, Proxibid is a lively place and we are never bored. On what excites him the most about the future of Proxibid: Downs: The trend we’re watching closest is the addition of new selling methods to the industrial asset world, where auction has traditionally been the only method used. Asset owners are starting to realize that the auction method is not a good fit for every single asset they want to sell. That’s why we’ve introduced ‘instant purchase,’ our fixed price method, and ‘make offer,’ which allows us to accept offers and negotiate on behalf of our sellers. We were out in front with this trend and we feel very good about our position. Another exciting trend is the increase in what we call capital deals, where we take an ownership position in some of the assets we have for sale. We’re now forming joint ventures with auction company partners to acquire inventory that previously would have been out of reach for our marketplace. This action is helping bring new assets and new buyers to the marketplace, and has also created a new revenue stream for Proxibid, allowing us to share in the profit from the sale. You can learn more about Proxibid here. Category: UncategorizedBy Chris Campbell June 4, 2013 Finally, A Tech Solution Designed To Help Growth Companies Scale Faster ‘They Were Texting Their Dealers’: Meet the Company Helping Dispensaries Modernize Their Supply Chains Meet the company elevating business travel on private jets Vouch is the disruptive business insurance company for disruptive startups 14 Women Business Leaders Share Their Top Business Tips Why podcasts are the best way to get into your customers’ heads (and wallets)	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498980
__label__cc	0.511497	0.488503	OSCAR EMR RAPID PACS ACCURATE LIS oReminder EForm Store About THT Thursday, 30 July 2015 / Published in EMR OSCAR open-source EMR adoption grows quietly EMR vendor consolidation is happening at a rapid pace in Canada, but one major EMR system that stands apart from the crowd is growing quietly, away from the media spotlight. The open-source OSCAR EMR system is actually the second most implemented EMR system in Ontario, comprising about 20 percent of the market share, according to OntarioMD statistics. “OSCAR is growing by word of mouth. Since it’s not proprietary software, there’s no central commercial organization or sales department generating press releases to promote it,” explains Toby Bian (pictured), president and CEO of OscarService Inc, a Toronto-based company that provides OSCAR support, extended customization and integration services. OscarService is one of the largest and oldest OSCAR support companies in Canada. Started up in 2004, the company operates in Ontario, Quebec and PEI, and services about 800 medical practices, says Bian. “OSCAR is non-proprietary open-source software, so tech-savvy doctors can install it free of charge. But most doctors don’t have the technical skills or the time to implement and maintain their EMR software, so we take care of everything for them.” There are dozens of OSCAR support companies across Canada who compete on good customer service, says Bian. “Because there are many providers in the market, if you like the OSCAR software but you don’t like the service provider, you can easily switch to another without worrying about your data. But with proprietary EMR vendors, your only option is to switch to another EMR and start over again with a new system and go through the pain of converting your data.” A major draw for OSCAR is that costs are low compared with proprietary vendors, even if a support company like OscarService is employed to look after the system. “The average upfront cost to implement a proprietary EMR for say, a 5-doctor clinic, would start at $15,000, and then about $300 monthly for each doctor in licensing fees. With OSCAR, it’s about $7,000 upfront, and about $140 in monthly support fees per doctor,” he says, adding that Oscar is funding eligible in Ontario. OSCAR is Web-based but can be locally hosted as well, which means the EMR program is run from the Web but medical data can be stored in the doctor’s office. “You can choose to have your data hosted in your office. If you relocate, you just unplug the device, and all the data will go with you. You can access the EMR from home, while on vacation or from anywhere in the world.” OSCAR has been integrated with many community labs across Canada, provincial systems such as Ontario Laboratories Information System (OLIS) and Hospital Report Manager (HRM), and most PACS systems. Developing interfaces to facilitate integration across different systems is quicker for medical practices using OSCAR, says Bian. “If you want to integrate an external system with a proprietary EMR system, you have to go to the vendor and ask them to develop an interface. There’s no urgency or timeline for them to respond to your request. But with OSCAR, you can talk to your local service provider, who can access the code directly and respond much faster than a big centralized company.” The over-arching benefit of OSCAR is that there are legions of users who can access and fix the source code to produce a robust system with fewer bugs, and that local service providers like Bian’s OscarService can easily customize features to create a system that works to a doctor’s liking. For this reason, Bian believes open-source EMR systems like OSCAR will eventually overtake proprietary EMR systems, and he points to the cellphone market for historical precedents. “If you go to Best Buy, there are dozens of different cellphone manufacturers that offer different shells – but they all use the same basic Android operating system, which is open-source. Manufacturers with proprietary operating systems like Nokia and BlackBerry are either dead or dying.” The Apple iPhone, which runs on its proprietary iOS operating system, may appear to dominate the market, but it actually only comprises about 15 percent of the global cellphone market. “Androids are 85 percent of the market across the world. Apple is the only entity that supports its hardware and software for everyone. But for Androids, there are dozens of manufacturers that support it, so that makes a big difference.” In like fashion, Bian believes open-source EMRs will eventually kill off proprietary EMRs over time as the market matures, and doctors grow more tech-savvy and start demanding systems that operate exactly as they’d like at minimal cost. “OSCAR has grown to number two in Ontario over the years with no marketing at all beyond the shared experiences of satisfied users,” says Bian. For more information, visit http://www.oscarservice.com/ To access the company’s customized medical e-forms for OSCAR, visithttp://www.oscarservice.com/eform-store/ Posted July 30, 2015 at http://www.canhealth.com/tfdnews1320.html Trinity Published New FREE Online Eform Generator For OSCAR Community Trinity Healthcare Technologies had released an... Play, Party, Repeat – Trinity Sponsored 35th Doctor On Ice Docs on Ice is hosted by a different city each ... OSCAR Integrated Appointment Auto Reminder We are thrilled to be emailing you today with s... Announcement Of Business Name Change TORONTO: Aug 31, 2017— As the letterhead indica... Integrated Diagnose In the last 3 decades, perinatal medicine has m... Trinity Healthcare Technologies Revenue Cycle Protection Email: info@thealthtech.com 1450 Meyerside Dr, Unit 501 Mississauga, ON, L5T 2N5 © 2016-2018. Trinity Healthcare Technologies All rights reserved.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498983
__label__wiki	0.781021	0.781021	A posthumous honor for the man who saved the world By Max Tegmark, September 26, 2018 Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov in 2016 To celebrate that today is not the 35th anniversary of World War III, the man who helped avert an all-out nuclear exchange between Russia and the United States on September 26, 1983 was honored in New York with the $50,000 Future of Life Award. At a ceremony at the Museum of Mathematics in New York, former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said: “It is hard to imagine anything more devastating for humanity than all-out nuclear war between Russia and the United States. Yet this might have occurred by accident on September 26 1983, were it not for the wise decisions of Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov. For this, he deserves humanity’s profound gratitude. Let us resolve to work together to realize a world free from fear of nuclear weapons, remembering the courageous judgement of Stanislav Petrov.” Although the UN General Assembly, just blocks away, heard politicians highlight the nuclear threat from North Korea’s small nuclear arsenal, none mentioned the greater threat from the many thousands of nuclear weapons in the United States and Russian arsenals that have nearly been unleashed by mistake dozens of times in the past in a seemingly never-ending series of mishaps and misunderstandings. One of the closest calls occurred 35 years ago, when Stanislav Petrov chose to ignore the Soviet early-warning detection system, which had erroneously indicated five incoming American nuclear missiles. With his decision to ignore algorithms and instead follow his gut instinct, Petrov helped prevent an all-out US-Russia nuclear war, as detailed in the documentary film The Man Who Saved the World, which will be released digitally next week. Since Petrov passed away last year, the award was collected by his daughter, Elena. Meanwhile, Petrov’s son Dmitry missed his flight to New York because the US embassy delayed his visa. “That a guy can’t get a visa to visit the city his dad saved from nuclear annihilation is emblematic of how frosty US-Russian relations have gotten, which increases the risk of accidental nuclear war,” I said when I presented the award. Arguably the only recent reduction in the risk of accidental nuclear war came when Donald Trump held a summit with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki earlier this year, which was, ironically, met with widespread criticism. In Russia, soldiers often didn’t discuss their wartime actions, out of fear that it might displease their government. So Elena first heard about her father’s heroic actions in 1998—15 years after the event occurred. Even then, Elena and her brother learned what her father had done only when a German journalist reached out to the family for an article he was working on. It’s unclear if Petrov’s wife, who died in 1997, ever knew of her husband’s heroism. Until his death, Petrov maintained a humble outlook on the event that made him famous. “I was just doing my job,” he’d say. But most would agree that he went above and beyond his job duties that September day in 1983. The alert of five incoming nuclear missiles came at a time of high tension between the superpowers, due in part to the US military buildup in the early 1980s and President Ronald Reagan’s anti-Soviet rhetoric. Earlier in that month, the Soviet Union shot down a Korean Airlines passenger plane that strayed into its airspace, killing almost 300 people, and Petrov had to consider this context when he received the missile notifications. He had only minutes to decide whether or not the satellite data were a false alarm. Since the satellite was found to be operating properly, following procedures would have led him to report an incoming attack. Going partly on gut instinct and believing the United States was unlikely to fire only five missiles, he told his commanders that it was a false alarm before he knew that to be true. Later investigations revealed that reflections of the sun off of cloud tops had fooled the satellite into thinking it was detecting missile launches. Last year’s Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Beatrice Fihn, who helped establish the recent United Nations treaty banning nuclear weapons, said, “Stanislav Petrov was faced with a choice that no person should have to make, and at that moment he chose the human race—to save all of us. No one person and no one country should have that type of control over all our lives, and all future lives to come. Thirty-five years from that day when Stanislav Petrov chose us over nuclear weapons, nine states still hold the world hostage with 15,000 nuclear weapons. We cannot continue relying on luck and heroes to safeguard humanity. “The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons provides an opportunity for all of us and our leaders to choose the human race over nuclear weapons by banning them and eliminating them once and for all. The choice is the end of us or the end of nuclear weapons. We honor Stanislav Petrov by choosing the latter.” University College London mathematics professor Hannah Fry, author of the new book Hello World: Being Human in the Age of Algorithms,” participated in the ceremony and pointed out that as ever more human decisions get replaced by automated algorithms, it is sometimes crucial to keep a human in the loop—as Petrov was. The Future of Life Award recognizes those who take exceptional measures to safeguard the collective future of humanity. It is given by the Future of Life Institute, a nonprofit also known for supporting AI safety research. Last year’s award was given to the Vasili Arkhipov, who singlehandedly prevented a nuclear attack on the United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis. FLI is now accepting nominations for next year’s award. Editor’s note: A version of this article was originally published by the Future of Life Institute. Topics: Analysis, Nuclear Risk, Nuclear Weapons Maury Markowitz I don’t want to sound non-grateful to Petrov, but I am not entirely clear why he is getting all of the attention when there have been multiple events exactly like this one where people just like Petrov made decisions just like Petrov’s and “saved the world”. On 5 October 1961, BMEWS produced an alarm stating that Soviet missiles were on the way. The confidence was 5 (meaning, it’s on) and the numbers kept growing. The chain of command eventually ended at Air Marshal Slemon, a Canadian member of NORAD. After reporting the alarm, Slemon called intelligence and asked if Khrushchev… Read more » Ecoute Sauvage The difference is backup systems – in the case you cite, forward observation stations and ships at sea, all of whom urgently reported all clear. But as I understand it, Petrov’s station was the last Soviet decision node – with backups either nonexistent or also dubious. Recall that for the first several weeks after the early warning polar satellites went up they kept reporting nuclear attacks nightly until somebody fixed the software by adding the datum that every night, the moon rises. Backup systems made the difference then also. Falcon9h Perhaps someone will write a book about all of these folks that made the right decisions. Would make a very interesting read! Known as “Mad Max” for his unorthodox ideas and passion for adventure, Max Tegmark's scientific interests range from precision cosmology to the ultimate nature of reality, all explored i... No to no first use—for now By James N. Miller \| Analysis, Nuclear Weapons Loose cannons: The president and US nuclear posture By Bruce G. Blair \| Analysis, Nuclear Weapons	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498984
__label__wiki	0.694474	0.694474	Vallettacoleridge2019-11-22T15:05:04+01:00 450 years of culture The story of Malta’s capital is inextricably linked with the island’s mythology – after laying Valletta’s foundation stone in 1566 the Knights of St John created an elegant baroque city from an arid, empty peninsula. But, don’t imagine that it’s just a relic of the past. Behind the foreboding fortifications you’ll find a living city that still has plenty of stories to tell, home to groundbreaking contemporary architecture, delicious cuisine and a thriving nightlife scene. Malta’s capital is brimming with history, splendid Baroque architecture, squares and alleys, traditional wooden balconies, monuments, museums, palaces, forts, bastions, churches and more than its fair share of restaurants, cafés and shops. Built in 1566 after the Ottoman Empire unsuccessfully invaded the islands, Valletta is inextricably linked to the history of the military Order of the Knights of St John. Inscribed entirely as a UNESCO World Heritage City, its 320 monuments, all within walking distance, make it “one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. (UNESCO World Heritage site) The story of the Knights unfolds as you tour the city’s streets and monuments, each representing an aspect of the Knights’ day to day life, their history, mission, intriguing escapades, pageantry and ritual. The numerous Auberges and Fortresses, the splendid Palace of the Grandmaster which houses the armoury of the Knights, the Manuel Theatre, still the oldest theatre in Europe that is still in use today, the Museums of Fine Arts & Archaeology, the Bastion Gardens offering breathtaking views across the harbours, the numerous Churches full of rich works of art, and the imposing squares; these all still stand as a testimony to the unique story of the Knights of St John, who lived and fought within the city that they built, “a city built by gentlemen, for gentlemen. The Co-Cathedral of St John, one of Valletta’s most splendid jewels, also houses one of Europe’s great artistic treasures, Michelangelo Merisi di Caravaggio’s ‘Beheading of St. John the Baptist’, his largest and only signed work. The majestic Grand Harbour is one of the most spectacular ports in the world. A wide stretch of water separating the capital city of Valletta from the historic towns of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua, the harbour has been a hive of activity for over two thousand years. But Valletta also has a more contemporary story to tell, many a prominent visitor set foot on its flagstones since the Knights and subsequently the French. These include great British admirals, notable Victorian artists, and great poets such as Sir Walter Scott and Lord Byron. Perhaps however, behind the ornate facades and imposing monuments which housed glamorous events, lavish banquets and many a ritual, the most conspicuous presence remains the ghosts of Valletta, who whisper stories of Knighly battles, strange happenings and illicit liaisons in dimly lit corridors and candle lit back streets.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498986
__label__cc	0.531775	0.468225	Firefly - I joined a cult! You can't guess what I am watching these days. I am confident enough to offer a wager but let's not go that route. I will just tell you. It's not a movie, it's not a TV show, it's not a documentary, not a music video, not a home movie, not even an advertisement....give up yet? Long long ago on a planet called there was this man called Joss Whedon. He wrote and directed a show called Firefly. The show had low network ratings and was cancelled after one season by Fox. But the people who watched the show were immense fans. Not just fans but crazy fans. They actively tried to resurrect the show, even raised some money for it. It didn't work. But then later on in 2004, Joss Whedon made a movie based on a show, it was called "Serenity". The movie had some overlap in the story from the show and then progressed with the story. The movie was also loved by the Firefly fans and got more coverage than the original show. Couple of years ago I across the movie - "Serenity" and got it. I love sci-fi movies. But I have a huge choice of movies and TV shows that I can watch so I try and see the trailer, find out about the movie and see which one tempts me the most. In a quick research I found out the story that I have mentioned above. I read that this show and the movie have a cult following. Now, honestly, I am not much for cults. But the movie itself seemed interesting to I want so far as to watch it. The movie was fantastic! I love sci-fi and I have watched a truckload of them but this one just blew me away. Not just from effects, they were good, but the story line and characters, the writing was simply great! Then I just had to get the TV show. And once I watched that...well, there was no going back! I was hooked! And I joined the rest of the world in feeling awfully sorry that the stupid network cancelled this gem. The DVD version of the show has 13 episodes, the pilot is 88 minutes long, but rest of the episodes about 42 minutes each. Even when I was watching them the first time, I could feel that I was watching something special! That's rare! The thread of this thought. Every year, there are several huge events held in America centered around comic books and other related stuff. I don't know if there's any held in UK at all, but US is the kind of place where this kind of fun things take place. These events are Comic con, Dragon con and Sci fi event. As you can imagine all kinds of nerds attend these events. As part of these events there are some panels made up of the cast and crew of TV shows and (I am guessing) movies. The cast and crew on these panels answers questions in front of a limited audience. Sometimes the questions are asked by a moderator, other times directly by the audience, it can be a mix as well. One of my favourite TV stars Zachary Levi (Chuck) has started a charity for which he organizes informal panels where audience can ask what they want of their favourite stars. All these events are recorded, some on personal cameras, some professional (Zachary's Nerd Machine YouTube channel has the latte) and they can be found online mostly on YouTube. Even though firefly has been cancelled for 11 years now, there is still a huge demand for a Firefly panel at these events and they are well attended. And that is what I am watching these days! I don't know how I found the first video but once I watched it, I was hooked. I had never watched anything like that before. I find that I liked to hear about the show and hear its cast and crew answer questions about it. In 2012 there was a 10th anniversary of the show's cancellation and there are videos from those panels at Comiccon and other events. There are other interviews from 2013, and some 2010. I am just finding all that I can and watching them. They are damn addicted! I am very impressed by the cast and the audience alike. The cast members and the crew (writers and director) are always so in love with the show even after doing other stuff in their careers. And you can see the chemistry between the various cast members and director, writers. These are successful Hollywood people and yet when they talk to the audience they are very down to Earth and friendly. Oh, and they are witty! The videos are so funny because of their wit and leg-pulling humour. But the fans are also amazing! They ask these fantastic questions, some insightful, some cheeky but all interesting. I am enjoying these videos very much. The tagline that you see in my previous post "You can't stop the signal!" comes from the movie Serenity and is kind of catchphrase. Posted by Sunil Goswami at 1:07 AM Labels: Adam Baldwin, Firefly, Fox studios, Hollywood, Joss Whedon, Nathan Fillion, sci-fi, Serenity, Summer Glau, TV You can't stop the signal	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498988
__label__wiki	0.933362	0.933362	Jesse Lingard: the unlikely rise to stardom of a divisive but persistent talent A-Z of the 2000s Duology Names of the Nineties The Football Italia Years Improbable Triumphs A World of Ultras The Fleeting Fraternity A Tale of One City Hot Bovril and Cold Terraces Diego Maradona: The World Cup Diaries 09/02/2018 by Rahul Warrier TO SEE AN academy graduate make the step up from the youth ranks to the first team is always a source of pride for fans. That feeling is sweeter when the player in question is a local lad, born and bred in the city whose colours he now bears. He knows what it means to represent his area, and the fans warm to him instantly as a result of that connection. Unlike youngsters poached from overseas, the DNA of the club can only be represented by those who know its true worth. At Manchester United, a club known for its steadfast belief in bringing youngsters through, that is often evident. The Class of ’92 remain their most famous graduates, but they were not the first, nor will they be the last to make the step up. In October 2017, it was 80 years since United didn’t play a homegrown player in their first team. While it’s reductionist to label United as the best producers of youths in the country and beyond on the basis of one fact, it is still symbolic. The current squad has its share of academy graduates, but each of them come with a different back-story. Scott McTominay and Axel Tuanzebe are both learning their trade shadowing the first team to good effect, while Joel Castro Pereira, Portuguese born and poached from Switzerland, is learning from arguably the best goalkeeper in the world. They represent the emerging band. On the other side of the line lies three players – all graduates – with varying labels. There is the world-class star, Paul Pogba, for whom it might seem churlish to call an academy graduate given he was signed from Le Havre at 16, left United on a free, and then returned from Juventus on a then-record fee; there is one of the nation and club’s biggest hopes in Marcus Rashford.; and then there is a highly functional grafter in Jesse Lingard, who might not be a star, but completes the trifecta like few others could. At 18 years of age, Rashford burst onto the scene due to a blend of good fortune and consequence. He took his chance with both hands, sustained the hype placed on him from day one, and has emerged into one of the league’s best young players. He was seen as a star in the making. But few academy graduates emerge with such abandon, and even fewer are touted as the next big hope from the start. The majority are all hard workers, solid yet dependable, and yet at a big club that rarely sees them transition into a first-team regular. The chequebook is ever-present to splash on a better overseas player. For Jesse Lingard, the Theatre of Dreams has remained exactly that. Watching Lingard succeed after years of hard work and perseverance is a real victory for the academy. Born in Warrington, Cheshire, he attended the William Beaumont Community High School, where his brother still studies. Lingard himself turns up at his sibling’s games from time to time, to roaring attention from students and teacher, which he’s humble enough to acknowledge. His childhood was spent in a working-class family, and there were two constants in his early life. Read \| The ascent of Ander Herrera from Real Zaragoza to Manchester United The first was his grandfather, Ken, who shepherded him to football at United. Discovered whilst playing for a local junior team, Penketh United, by a United scout, he joined the academy at the age of seven. He steadily made his way through the age-groups under the club’s development programme, headed by René Meulensteen. Focusing on skills was a Cruyffian approach in an English world, but it slowly paid dividends. If there was one barrier to his chances of a career at his boyhood club, it was the other constant: his diminutive size. In the rough and tumble of the Premier League, physicality goes a long way, even for attackers, and it was something Lingard just didn’t have. He would be knocked down time and again, but what was key was his mental fortitude. Bouncing back repeatedly is a mentality few possess, and while Lingard could have called it quits, he never did. It is a testament to the thought that sport, and by extension life, is determined by one’s attitude rather than ability. For every self-doubt in his development, he was still part of a highly-rated youth side that won the 2010/11 FA Youth Cup, which also boasted Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison. Morrison, unlike Lingard, was highly rated from the start, with Sir Alex Ferguson stating he was as good as any talent he had ever seen. But in his failure to maintain that, largely due to his attitude, sets him apart from Lingard. While Morrison is traipsing the world, ironically landing up at Atlas in Mexico, Lingard is at the top. Lingard improved those around him, seeing them fly high – perhaps prematurely – while he lingered below. It was no smooth smash-and-grab transition to the first team. Meulensteen and Mike Phelan knew he had to be patient and endure the rough-and-tumble of the loan system. He first landed at Leicester City with teammate Michael Keane, where he played five times and learnt an important life lesson. While United banned non-first-team players from wearing a hat and scarf, Lingard sauntered into Leicester with exactly the same, leading Leicester to question United’s development. He returned ahead of time and spent the rest of the season in the background, learning quietly. Under David Moyes, Lingard demonstrated his talent on the pre-season tour of Asia, scoring four in five, but while he hoped to skip past the loan cycle at this stage, the beleaguered Scotsman preferred the younger Adnan Januzaj. That was the story of his life up until that point, but there was plenty of interest in him. Lee Clark, Birmingham’s manager, pursued Lingard, who vindicated that belief with four goals on debut in a 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday. It was an excellent start, but he was only to spend half the season there, scoring six in 13 appearances. Recalled in the winter, Moyes’ struggles meant he would not get a look-in, so he was promptly dispatched to Brighton. He helped them to the Championship playoffs with four goals in 17 appearances. It was an excellent return across two clubs in a highly-competitive league. He was now ready for a chance with the first-team, and he was helped by the presence of Louis van Gaal, the Dutchman with pedigree for blooding youngsters. Van Gaal saw the promise Lingard represented and gave him his debut against Swansea on the opening weekend of the season. He made a bright start to the game but was curtailed by an Ashley Williams tackle in the 24th minute, badly injuring his knee in the process. United lost the game 2-1 – and Lingard lost his opportunity to stake a claim in the squad. Read \| The complete story of Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison’s diverging careers He was fortunate to have avoided the humbling 4-0 defeat to MK Dons that saw several fringe players cleared out, and he quietly recuperated on the sidelines, quickly enough to seal a loan move to Derby in the winter. Almost 700 minutes in 14 games didn’t represent regular game time, but he was at least playing. Little did he know, but it would be his last loan move. The following season started slowly for him, with no minutes me until the ninth league game. Juan Mata was hooked at half-time and Lingard put up an industrious display as a substitute, helping his side to a 3-0 win. The rest of 2015 was promising, with a maiden goal against West Brom, but after the turn of the year he played a part in 18 consecutive league games. This was his breakthrough year, at long last, capped off by a 110th-minute winner in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. Breaking the tedium with a rasping, opportunistic volley, it summed up his season perfectly. Taking his chances with both hands, as he wheeled away with his shirt in his hands, it was poignant that an academy product won his club their first FA Cup since 2004. No one can deny Lingard’s sense of the occasion, with the sight of the hallowed Wembley turf only spurring him on to make an impact. During the following season, he opened the scoring in the 2-1 victory over Leicester in the Community Shield, then followed that up in January 2017 with the second goal in a 3-2 win in the League Cup final. That was three different trophies in under a year, all achieved in part thanks to Lingard’s goals in the finals. He had no impact in the Europa League victory but was still on the pitch to see out the game. It’s a quirk of fate that United’s cup successes in the post-Ferguson era have been concurrent with Lingard’s rise. Lingard is now a full-fledged member of the squad, in between the chasm that is a first-teamer and a rotation option. By adding goals to his game, he is now becoming the perfect Swiss knife: capable of playing as a right-winger, an attacking midfielder, and even as a support striker. His two-goal performance in the 3-1 away victory at Arsenal ranks as one of his best so far, gift-wrapped with some trendy moves. His game has matured, adding credence to the idea that he’s now a proper Manchester United player. What makes Lingard so endearing is his standing amongst younger fans, who seem to take a diametrically opposed view to those of a more traditional persuasion. An assortment of dance moves have him down as an immature youngster in the books of weary men – a glance at Twitter proves just as much – which makes Lingard highly divisive, though he’s no different to Pogba in that regard. Whether that makes him entertaining – or cringe-worthy – is not as dependent on age or bias as it is on what ‘fun’ means in this age. Lingard’s dabs and jigs with Pogba are construed as a lack of respect, maybe even distasteful, when in reality two mates are enjoying what they do. It is why Lingard isn’t given as much credits as he perhaps warrants. But what’s significant is that he’s now letting his performances talk more than his entertainment value. Read \| From poverty in Ecuador to Old Trafford: the battling career of Antonio Valencia In the 1980s, Jean Tigana was one of France’s world-class midfielders, primarily turning out for Lyon and Bordeaux. It was to him that Sir Alex Ferguson compared Lingard to. Back in 2012, the legendary manager had the foresight to predict Lingard’s emergence onto the big stage at the age of 24, just like Tigana. That trust has served Lingard well, even if his rise has come after the Scotsman’s retirement. While Lingard was nailed down to be a late bloomer from the start, Ferguson’s belief has no doubt been a source of motivation. Lingard’s rise is a lesson to youngsters across the bigger clubs, in that persistence can produce rewards far beyond the realms of imagination. United’s reputation for blooding youth players has worked in his favour – they held a belief in Lingard since the start despite his shortcomings, working hard to develop him into a professional player. Youth coaches may sometime sell dreams and false hope, but with United, that wasn’t the case. He has been the laughing stock on several occasions, sometimes deservedly so – his nonchalant attitude when West Ham fans attacked the team bus in 2016 comes to mind – but he’s always learning, always bettering himself. He’ll certainly need to call on that ability to learn and grow after his ill-timed tweet sent minutes after the Munich Air Disaster memorial had ended. The Englishman is what you’d call a raumdeuter, a master of finding space, and with goals added to his game now, he is becoming the perfect team player. He is still viewed as a baby-faced youth, with the connotations that come with it: immaturity and inconsistency. But he is now 25 and taking on more responsibility in the team; it’s only his status as a late-bloomer that holds back perceptions of him. It’s unlikely he cares. When he signed a new contract reportedly worth £100,000 per week, it drew criticism from fans, including yours truly, that he was not deserving of it. Humble pie has been served, and rightly so. He was still taken for granted back then, but that should no longer be the case. Despite being less gifted, he has outlasted both Ángel Di María and Memphis Depay. He’s jostled for his position, and Alexis Sánchez is just the latest competitor. He’s been expected to leave permanently, but he’s still around. For all the money spent, a youth graduate is one of the club’s important players. Jesse Lingard’s is a story carved by the efforts of himself and his coaches, and José Mourinho is reaping the rewards of their hard work now. The pathway they laid for him has been taken advantage of, and to see his potential being fulfilled is a beacon for aspiring youngsters. If you keep plugging away, you could someday make it, even if you aren’t the next superstar. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lingard’s childhood hero, was a superstar built by graft and an unerring work ethic. While Lingard is nowhere of his ilk, he has certainly taken inspiration from his idol’s persistence, patience and flamboyance. In an environment dominated by artificiality and money, Lingard is a refreshing change with his bubbly, cheery personality. He’s let his football do the talking, leading detractors to only nit-pick with a lack of conviction. With the World Cup looming, 2018 proves to be a big year for the winger. Lingard should be on the plane to Russia, with a good chance of starting, and it is there that he’ll have a platform to display his skills to the world. The journey from Warrington to Old Trafford is much longer than the distance by road, but Lingard has reached the promised land and he’s not going anywhere. More than that, he’s earned it. By Rahul Warrier Tags: england, lingard, man utd, premier league Rahul Warrier 09/02/2018 Florist, battering ram and late bloomer: how Dick Nanninga rose to score in the World Cup final Gary Thacker 16/01/2020 Remembering Martin Peters: the total midfielder “a decade ahead of his time” Brian Penn 16/01/2020 How Jürgen Klopp’s focus on psychology has evolved Liverpool’s players into “mentality monsters” Dan Billingham 15/01/2020 Juan Sebastián Verón: the witch who cast a spell on football Callum Rice-Coates 15/01/2020 Liverpool, Istanbul and the epic 2004/05 Champions League campaign These Football Times 15/01/2020 SUBSCRIBE: WEEKLY CONTENT X OFFERS Copyright © 2019 These Football Times	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498994
__label__wiki	0.630621	0.630621	GET THE GAME BlogVladimir2017-09-12T09:30:14+00:00 Art, Science and a Cosmic Wave By David Molyneux\|2018-10-02T13:06:13+00:00December 31st, 2017\|Categories: The Seven Chambers Series\| Art, Science and a Cosmic Wave In the Seven Chambers Game, art is used extensively to create the scenes. However, it is the science that informs the Game Play. NASA also uses these two seemingly opposite forms of reality to build a connection between the objective [...] Jupiter and a JEDI Jupiter and a JEDI In The Seven Chambers game, to traverse between two very different worlds, the player moves between the Chambers of Saturn and Jupiter. At this time of year, astrologically, our psyches travel from Jupiter to Saturn. However, before we traverse too far into [...] Mars and Venus – The Electrical Connection By David Molyneux\|2018-10-02T12:59:47+00:00December 12th, 2017\|Categories: The Seven Chambers Series\| Mars and Venus - The Electrical Connection In the Seven Chambers game, the player enters the realm of each planet known as its Chamber, and in each of these Chambers, there is a metallic element associated with the Planet. The ancient civilisations associated the seven planets [...] Shadow Worlds By David Molyneux\|2018-10-02T12:55:38+00:00December 4th, 2017\|Categories: The Seven Chambers Series\| Shadow Worlds In the Seven Chambers Game, there is a scene where the player is taken into a shadow world; this is a dark reflection of Jupiter’s Chamber where the player is challenged to overcome the dark side of Jupiter’s expansive and seemingly limitless energy. Astrophysicists [...] The Alchemists of Memory By David Molyneux\|2018-10-02T12:53:06+00:00November 28th, 2017\|Categories: The Seven Chambers Series\| The Alchemists of Memory In the Seven Chambers Game, the player, in order to reach The Seventh Chamber, is challenged to play and overcome a memory game. Within the earliest parts of the game at the Sacred Ibis, the mist on the water must be removed [...] Jupiter and the Extraterrestrials Jupiter and the Extraterrestrials In The Seven Chambers Game, at the Chamber of the Moon, the gameplay focuses on the Music of the Spheres. The player tunes into the strings of the cosmos in order to align the planets into a harmonious balance. It signifies a [...] Notify me when the game comes out We will notify you when The Seven Chambers is ready! Occasionally we'd like to send you relevant news and offers. Click if you do want to receive our notifications. We respect your privacy. Your data will not be shared with third parties and you can unsubscribe at any time. © Copyright 2012 - \| Created by WAYOO \| All Rights Reserved	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498995
__label__wiki	0.833332	0.833332	Home On Watch by Marcus Fisk The Still Forgotten War The Still Forgotten War On Watch August 2013 By Marcus Fisk The Korean War Memorial in Washington DC The Korean War ended 60 years ago this past July. The Korean ‘Conflict’ as it was called then didn’t seem like a conflict to the 314,000 men and women who fought there from June 1950 – July 1953. To them it was a no-holds-barred, all-out, bonafide ‘war’ with some 33,000 killed in action and upwards of 8,000 missing in action. ‘Conflict’ my @%*$@#%%…… Many of the men and women who served in the Korean War are in their 80s now if they are still alive. My father served during the Korean War. Like many of his contemporaries who attended Officer Candidate School during that time, the bulk of them were trained as Infantry Officers, slated for a quick turn-around, and dutifully headed off to Korea. Back then however, they were young, strapping, energetic soon-to-be Second Lieutenants who had the world by the horns. Dad remembers fondly his OCS buddies much the way one remembers his fraternity brothers. Barney Gill was from Norfolk, Virginia where he was a star athlete, having scored the 1st touchdown in the Oyster Bowl. Gill had a terrific sense of humor and was known for his ability to wiggle his way out of trouble. Another legendary OCS buddy was Boston native Bill McSweeny who according to Dad had a Sunday ritual of attending Mass in the morning, enjoying a steak and eggs breakfast at the Officer’s Club, and then he would set off with the Daily Racing Form under his arm to the track. Both of these fine gentlemen went off to Korea and distinguished themselves in combat. Gill later served two tours in Vietnam with the 82nd Airborne Division and retired as a colonel. McSweeny who became a journalist with the Hearst organization also served as a Special Envoy for Presidents of both parties, was a trustee on numerous boards in the Washington DC area, and was Chairman for the Korean War Memorial. Despite the march of years however, not much has changed over the course of six decades. Dad and his contemporaries from the ‘Forgotten War’ are moving slower and their ranks are thinning in the same unfortunate fashion that the ‘Greatest Generation’ of WWII veterans started to fade at the outset of this Century. The Armistice in July 1953 supposedly ended hostilities between the two Koreas leaving an enterprising South Korea that currently enjoys an economic boom rivaling the economies of Asia and North Korea, a nationalist anachronism barely surviving on life-support. North Korea’s national behavior hasn’t changed over the years. Just when it appears that the patient is flatlined, North Korea sends soldiers over the border with axes and kills two American officers in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in 1976, captures a U.S. Intelligence Ship (the USS PUEBLO) in 1968, sinks a South Korean Navy ship (The CHEONAN) killing 47 in 2010, or fires an inter-continental missile as a threat to the U.S. (2012). This erratic behavior usually is met with a stern admonishment by the international community and then North Korea complains, issues threats, and then quietly disappears until the next incident. Despite the best efforts to present itself as a world leader, North Korea is trapped in yesterday. The father-to-son-to-son progression of ‘Supreme Leader’ Kim il Sung to Kim Jong-il to Kim Jong-un, or whom I affectionately call President ‘Pick-a-Kim’, is yet another indicator of just how mired down North Korea is in its past. After his first subterranean year as Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un started the characteristic saber-rattling of a new guy attempting to establish himself as the baddest-ass-on-the-block. Then when that didn’t work he sent out peace feelers to the U.S. Ensign Jesse L. Brown has never been found.. U.S. Navy Photograph One such icebreaker was allowing retired Navy Captain Thomas Hudner Jr. to come to North Korea. Hudner’s mission was simple. He wanted to return to Korea where sixty years earlier he attempted to save the life of a fellow Naval aviator — Ensign Jesse L. Brown — the Navy’s first African American Aviator. On that cold November day in 1950 Brown and Hudner were part of a six-aircraft fight off the carrier USS LEYTE flying close air support for the Marines trapped at the infamous Chosin Reservoir. During the mission Brown’s aircraft was hit with small arms fire and crashed, trapping Brown in his cockpit. Hudner seeing North Korean troops headed toward Brown’s aircraft crash-landed his own aircraft and with the assistance of a pilot from a rescue helicopter worked with an axe and a fire extinguisher to extricate Brown from his burning plane. Brown, realizing that darkness was coming on and they would not be able to get him out told Hudner to leave. He added, “If anything happens to me, tell my wife Daisy I love her.” Brown died shortly after. Sixty years later Tom Hudner got the approval to return to North Korea with the intention of bringing the remains of his shipmate and friend Jesse L. Brown back home. He and Dick Bonelli, a Marine veteran of the Chosin Reservoir battle, planned to travel to the crash site in July. Their visit coincided with the North Korean celebration of their ‘victory’ over the U.N. forces and when Hudner and Bonelli asked about the trip to the crash site, their North Korean handler said that it was rainy season and daily downpours washed out roads making travel to that part of Korea impossible. They were invited however to participate in the festivities taking place including a visit to the captured USS PUEBLO. Hudner and Bonelli passed on the opportunity and returned empty-handed. Jesse L. Brown is still in Korea. If it weren’t for men like Hudner, Bonelli, Gill, McSweeny and their generation, Brown would be yet another casualty of the still ‘Forgotten War.’ Marcus Fisk is a retired Navy Captain, Naval Academy graduate, sometime actor, sculptor, pick-up soccer player, and playwright. He and his wife Pamela now live in Connecticut. Jesse L. Brown Marcus Fisk Previous articleNo Need for your Money to Go on Vacation, just because You Are Next articlePet Obit–Lucy Wadland The UN – Sometimes a Great Notion What and Where are the 25 Pocket Parks in Alexandria, and...	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1498997
__label__cc	0.650502	0.349498	7 Ways Senior Men Can Overcome Loneliness, The Silent Killer A Third of Americans Older than 65 Live Alone Thelma Reese Loneliness is one of the top threats to senior men’s health. Living in isolation can take a physical, mental, and emotional toll in older adults. Relentless solitude can accelerate the rate of cognitive decline, and increase the risk of heart disease by 29 percent and stroke by 32 percent. It’s as important a risk factor for early death as obesity and smoking. For Boomer men told to “man up” their entire lives and not ask for help, loneliness can be a silent killer. Yes, there’s a difference between living alone and being lonely: a third of Americans older than 65 live alone, but many remain connected to other people. Community activities, social events, family occasions and traveling stave off that sense of being cut off from the world. But others are unprepared for the vacuum they face when they retire. Here are 5 proven ways to overcome loneliness before it sets in — and takes a toll on physical, emotional and mental health: Don’t let it slide Especially for men living alone, it’s important to recognize the signs of withdrawal from social contact. Ask yourself: Do you feel lonelier in a crowd than you used to? Do you feel like you’re by yourself even when you’re with someone else? Have you stopped making plans with other people, telling yourself you’d just prefer to read, for instance? Downtime is terrific, but not too much. For some men, it’s going to be hard to admit that craving solitude might be part resignation or avoidance. Needing company may seem like an admission of weakness. It’s not. Persistent isolation is a slippery slope, so take note, and reach out. Tend to friendships After spending most of your life working, it’s likely most of your friends are work-related. There is life after work — and it doesn’t have to be completely unrelated to that profession you mastered. Maintain those connections with those you can. It’s just as important to be able to chat and share ideas with like-minded people as ever — for your mental as well as emotional health. But take advantage of new possibilities: seek out new friendships based on new parts of your life, and continue expanding your social horizons. Visit a house of worship Whether you practice a religion or not, faith-based institutions are beacons for social support and activities as well as solace. Join one, and you’ll be welcomed into a community that is based on building community. It likely won’t be long before you’re asked to volunteer, either. Lending your time, skills and energy can have myriad benefits for you — it can help you form a new routine, keep you moving, make you feel like you’re an asset, which you are. Paid or not, work is a key aspect to our wellbeing. Help the animals Not everyone is an animal lover or wants a pet, or can have one where they live. But caring for something other than oneself is an effective way to stave off loneliness and break up the day — and animals offer non-judgmental affection and companionship. Visit the local animal shelter or the farm sanctuary. It’s also another terrific opportunity to volunteer. You’ll be among good-hearted people and grateful creatures, be out in the world, and know you’re making a difference. “Encore education” is trending: many seniors are returning to school to pursue the field they had to leave behind, or broaden their existing knowledge base. Most colleges and universities will allow seniors to audit classes at no cost or nominal fees, including tuition waivers for those who want to earn college credit. Just being in the atmosphere, interacting with younger people, and learning, is invigorating. Get in line — and dance Movement is always beneficial; movement when you have to also think about it is better still. But even better than that is moving, thinking about it, and being in a group of people all having fun as they do it. That’s why line dancing is considered a terrific activity for seniors. It’s easy and pleasurable exercise. It’s incredibly fun and there’s often a relaxed vibe. It’s good for your heart and requires thinking and coordination — which keeps your mind going. Studies show it can help protect against memory loss and dementia. Consider a move According to the AARP, 90 percent of seniors would rather stay home. But “aging in place” is not always the ideal. If home is far away from family, in a remote area, and requires extensive driving or traveling for basic necessities, it’s not going to support a senior for long. If a home can’t be easily adapted to aging’s physical changes, consider an alternative. The concept of senior housing has changed radically from the old model of an “end of the road” nursing home to vibrant, active, varied communities — and they’re not just for higher incomes any more. If you do want to stay home, make sure you can thrive there, with transportation, access to stores, the library, restaurants, activities. Make your home safer with grab bars, raised electrical outlets, carpeting over hard and slick floors. Establish a support network, whether family, friends, outside assistance, or all of the above — so if you need anything, you don’t have to wait. No man, regardless of age, is an island. There’s no reason to be stoic about getting lonely. Keeping it to yourself only serves to further that sense of isolation. Getting out into the world is simpler than you might think. And given the experiences you’ve had and the skills you’ve likely developed, the world needs you at least as much as you need it. Thelma Reese, Ed. D., is a passionate expert on retirement. A retired professor of English and of Education, she created the Advisory Council for Hooked on Phonics, and was its spokesperson in the 1990s. She also directed the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy for the City of Philadelphia. She and Barbara M. Fleisher created the blog www.ElderChicks.com in 2012, and are the co-authors of The New Senior Woman: Reinventing the Years Beyond Mid-Life (Rowman & Littlefield). Her new book, co-authored with Fleisher, is The New Senior Man: Exploring New Horizons, New Opportunities. Originally published at www.care2.com — Published on January 5, 2018 Health and Wellness, Thelma Reese, author of "The New Senior Woman: Reinventing the Years Beyond Mid-Life", wrote "The New Senior Man" to satisfy the numerous requests from men who wanted their own book. She is a retired professor of English and Education, was the spokesperson for Hooked on Phonics, and has long been active in literacy and cultural initiatives in Philadelphia. Learn more at www.ElderChicks.com Well-Being// November 19, 2019 Why Is it So Hard to Say We’re Lonely? by Margarita Bertsos Well-Being// April 1, 2019 Here’s How Living in a City Can Mess with Your Mental Health by Juli Fraga Community// July 30, 2019 Treating Senior Isolation as a Disease Will Extend Lives by Vance Vanier	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499000
__label__wiki	0.851001	0.851001	8 Comments February 19, 2013 at 9:00 am Wavelength Skips Its Awkward Phase The Wavelength Festival may be a teenager, but this past weekend, it showed no signs of angst. By Chris Dart • Photo by Corbin Smith Cadence Weapon goes wild on stage at The Great Hall. Wavelength Festival Various venues This past weekend’s edition of the Wavelength Festival was the 13th, making the annual music showcase a teenager. Like any teenager, it has started to explore new interests. Whether fairly or not, Wavelength has always been viewed as an indie–centric event. While that’s not necessarily accurate—non-rock acts like Fucked Up, Crystal Castles, and Holy Fuck have all graced the Wavelength stage at one point or another—this year’s festival featured more sonic diversity than ever. There was hip-hop, a strong handful of synth-based bands, several fast-and-dirty punk bands, and even a solo violin performance. The weekend also saw a diversity of programming. In addition to the four nighttime club shows—Thursday at Parts and Labour, Friday and Saturday at the Great Hall, and Sunday at the Garrison—there were three in-store performances at record shops around the city. These in-stores were accompanied by talks from music journalists, which brought a new, oddly educational vibe to the festival. (Sunday’s in-store at Grasshopper Records, featuring The Soupcans and author Sam Sutherland, was particularly great.) Goth punks Ell V Gore were the highlight of Thursday night’s show. In a sub-genre filled with Misfits wannabes, this band has a hard, dark sound all its own—big and full, with guitars loud enough to rattle your chest and vocals menacing enough to make you want to hide in a corner. Ell V Gore’s full-length debut will be dropping later this year, and we can’t wait to hear it. One of the most impressive things about this year’s Wavelength was how much dancing went on. Given Toronto’s history of sedate, indifferent crowds and indie rockers’ reputation for being uncomfortable in their own bodies, there was a surprising amount of moving around. The most notable outbreak of rhythmic movement came during Friday night’s performance by Montreal’s Blue Hawaii. A two-person electropop side project by Braids‘ Raphaelle Standell-Preston, Blue Hawaii is part of the same Arbutus Records scene that gave us Grimes. The band’s fun, high-energy set combined Standell-Preston’s haunting vocals and almost-hypnotic looping with big-beat production that verged on being out-and-out house music. The second greatest display of dancing was the mini-mosh pit that broke out during Do Make Say Think’s set on Saturday. DMST’s hometown fans were so excited to see their heroes back in action that they began banging into each other out of sheer bliss. It was oddly heartwarming. Cadence Weapon also did a great job of moving the crowd. The Edmonton-born, Montreal-based MC—who may be Canada’s most thoroughly under-appreciated rapper, which is saying something—spends as much time operating in indie-rock circles as he does parlaying with other rappers, which means neither side really understands how good he is. During Friday night’s show at the Great Hall, he dropped bars so sharp you could cut glass with them, while simultaneously bringing a manic, punk rock–like energy to the stage. Violinist Sarah Neufeld, best known for her work with Arcade Fire, may have been the weekend’s surprise hit. It was hard to see how a solo violinist would blend in with Saturday’s indie rock–heavy line-up. Thankfully, she didn’t blend in at all. Her mixture of sounds ranged from soft and atmospheric to the violin equivalent of shredding. The audience may have been a little chatty at the beginning of her set, but everyone was absolutely spellbound by the end. If you haven’t seen indie-rock supergroup Henri Fabergé and the Adorables, you’re missing out. The band doesn’t play much, since its members are usually busy playing in The Meligrove Band, Rural Alberta Advantage, Woodhands, Born Ruffians and several other outfits, but when they manage to get together, it’s a weird, high-energy treat. The band’s set on Sunday night was no exception. The Adorables brought an element of costumed chaos and a fun, almost poppy sound to the Garrison. They packed the stage with dancers and back-up singers, ran into the crowd, removed clothing and generally had a blast, all while playing complex arrangements involving trumpets and clarinets. Not everything at Wavelength was great, however. We’re not exactly sure what was going on with SlowPitch and Colin Fisher on Thursday night, but the combination of fuzzed-out turntablism and free-jazz squawking didn’t do much for us. It could be that we’re just not sophisticated enough to “get it,” or it could be that the whole idea was a little half-baked. The other obvious weak spot was the between-band chatter by MC Doc Pickles. By no means are we going to tell Wavelength co-founder Pickles that he can’t introduce bands at his own show, but he’s in serious need of an editor. His between-set patter occasionally verged on babbling and often went on too long. He regularly joked that his job was to “set the bar low” for the bands. He succeeded. A few missteps aside, this year’s Wavelength proved that the organization isn’t moving into an awkward adolescence, but rather a new, more interesting maturity. CORRECTION: February 19, 3:45PM This post originally misspelled the name of the band “Do Make Say Think.” Where Stephen King’s IT was filmed in and around Toronto Toronto theatres relax rules and increase acceptance Reimagined spaces benefit Toronto artists, communities, and developers How to fix the Lightbox Filed under Cadence Weapon, Henri Faberge & The Adorables, Parts & Labour, punk rock, The Garrison, the great hall, Blue Hawaii, corbin smith, corrections, culture, Do May Say Think, doc pickles, ell v gore, hip-hop, house music, Indie-rock, Sarah Neufeld, SlowPitch, synthpop, Wavelength, wavelength festival	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499005
__label__wiki	0.991792	0.991792	Confession or cry for help? Missing teen's texts conflict with locations 02/01/2017 1:13 pm PST Jason Mattera Nineteen-year-old Katelin Akens was always unique, quirky, unpredictable and emotional, and like any teen, always attached to her phone. "We talked every day," said Katelin's friend Kevin Eastridge. "She is the one person that I could tell everything to, and I think the same went for her too." The outgoing teen's romances were as devil-may-care as every other part of her life, leading her from boyfriend to boyfriend, and even to a girlfriend and eventual fiancée named Amber. It's true love, and Katelin travels across the country to be with Amber in Arizona, and a new life far from her hometown in Virginia. But there was one thing that sent her running back home: Her sister Gabby gave birth to a baby boy. Katelin returned to Virginia in December 2015 to hold her new nephew. But the turnaround had to be quick "She was going to stay longer but she was supposed to start cosmetology school on the 7th," said Lisa Sullivan, Katelin's mother. But Katelin's trip back to Arizona would hit a disastrous roadblock, which started with her ride to the airport. "Katelin was supposed to leave December 5th at like 5:40 p.m. I had to work, so I wasn't able to take her. So my last resort was calling my ex-husband," said Lisa. "Last resort." Lisa's ex-husband helped raise Katelin and her younger sister Gabby, but Katelin's friends say life with stepfather wasn't always smooth sailing. "She flat-out didn't trust him," said Kevin. "She felt very nervous around him, and that he was kind of abusive to an extent. I can't confirm physical because she never outright told me, but definitely verbally." Those allegations have never been substantiated, and Katelin never filed charges of abuse against her ex-stepfather. And 9:20 on Saturday morning, the day she went missing, hours before Katelin's flight at 5:40 that night, Lisa dropped Katelin off at her ex-husband's residence. "I talked to him to make sure it was OK and let him know what time her flight was leaving and stuff like that, and he was like 'Yeah, that's fine,'" said Lisa. "He says 'I have to be at work at 3 that day so she'll just be dropped off a little early.' I'm like 'That's fine.' He said 'OK' -- and it never happened. She never made it to the airport." In a text at 1:52 that afternoon, Lisa's ex-husband said Katelin asked to be dropped off at the Springfield Mall Metro Station, two stops from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in D.C. It's an odd request. "She's never really been on the Metro before since she was like 6, 7, so I don't know why he would do that," said Lisa. "He just said 'Yes, he was gonna do it.'" Then a series of puzzling text messages appear. At 2 p.m., only eight minutes after the ex-husband says he dropped Katelin off at the mall, Lisa receives a message from her daughter's phone: "I'm at the airport. Battery dying so won't be able to text for a bit." But then Lisa learns that Katelin had sent her fiancée a peculiar message at 11:56 a.m.: "Something came up. I'm not coming back today. I'll let you know when I get a new flight. I won't be able to text for a bit." "I got nervous when Amber had texted or messaged me saying that Katelin wasn't coming home, she needed a new flight, something was wrong with her flight, and I was like 'What do you mean? She said she was there,'" said Katelin. Then at 7:15 p.m., two hours after missing her flight, a final text from Katelin to her mother Lisa. The message is simple, but maybe the most disturbing: "I'm staying with a friend. I need some time alone." "It didn't sound right. It didn't look right because it was two messages," said Lisa. "And she doesn't do that. She'll wait for you to respond, and then she'll send another one. It wasn't her style." Those messages would be Katelin's last. But it wouldn't be the last sign of Katelin. Two days after she disappeared, a carry-on suitcase is discovered in the woods of a rural road 44 miles away. It's Katelin's. And what's inside may put a different spin on the entire case. "She wouldn't answer texts, wouldn't answer phone calls," said Lisa Sullivan, Katelin Akens's mother. "It was like that until her phone stopped working." Katelin has now been missing for more than a year -- but not without a trace. "They a worker had found her luggage on the side of the road," said Lisa. "They said it looked like it was tossed out the window." At the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Station, a deputy presents Lisa with the luggage, a blue canvas carry-on. "Me and Gabby looked at each other and we were like, 'We're never going to see her again,'" said lisa. But the suitcase only brings up more questions, starting with what's in the suitcase, and what's missing. "What was missing was her clothes, her phone and her high school diploma," lisa said. That's it. Everything else -- wallet, cash, debit cards, even her plane ticket home -- are still packed neatly in the case. But how in the world did her bag get so far from where Katelin's ex-stepfather says he left her? "Katelin does not drive either, she's never had a license, she's only had identification cards," said Lisa. Police want to know too. They examine location records from Katelin and her ex-stepfather's cellphones. Police say those records tell a very different story than the one her ex-stepfather is telling. At 1:56 p.m. on the day of the disappearance, Lisa got a text from Katelin's phone that said "I'm at the airport. Battery dying so won't be able to text for a bit." But at that exact time, police say, Katelin's phone actually "pinged" at a location more than 30 miles from that Springfield Metro stop. When Lisa's ex-husband messaged Lisa at 2 p.m. saying he dropped Katelin off, police discover his phone pinged close to his home, nowhere near the airport or the mall. What about Katelin's final text, saying she "wants to be alone"? Police say that's when Katelin's phone pings off a cell tower in Stafford, less than 15 miles from where her luggage was found. "Whoever sent that message, 'cause we don't know if it was her or not, has sent Amber a message, and then me a message, and that was the last bit that was on her phone," said Lisa. According to Lisa, police believe Katelin never left the area around her former stepdad's house. Was there foul play in Katelin's disappearance? And authorities are wondering, Did her stepfather, now being called a person of interest, potentially have a hand in it? Allegedly fudging his whereabouts is just the beginning of the stepdad's inconsistencies. Lisa claims he told her he had to work Saturday at 3. But Lisa finds out that in fact he never showed up at the office. Katelin's mom says police told her they searched his vehicles, his computers and confiscated his cellphone. "They didn't find anything in his vehicles, and he won't give up his password for his phone for them to get into it, so he won't give them the unlock code, so that's still waiting to get looked at," said Lisa. What's more, police say he initially agreed to take a polygraph test to clear his name. "It was that day that had come up to his polygraph, he said no, he called the detective and said no," said Lisa. "He said 'It's not gonna help me so there's no point in me doing it.' "I don't know why he still won't take it," Lisa said. "I asked him in December if he'd go take the polygraph test and start talking. He still refuses." Raymond Gemma, the private investigator who joined Lisa Sullivan in her desperate search for Katelin Akens, isn't willing to "open-and-shut" the case on Katelin's former stepfather. He proposes another possibility. "I'm not sure anybody has determined whether or not Katelin ever got into the ex-stepfather's vehicle," said Gemma. "Again, it's speculation, but a potential theory is that Katelin may have ran away, and he knows about it and she left her suitcase there and didn't tell him she was doing it," said Gemma. "She could have left without him even knowing. That's a potential theory and once he found out she's missing, it was kind of like an 'Oh crap' moment for him: 'Oh my God, her suitcase is here, I have to get rid of it.'" That theory has never been substantiated. In fact cops won't say how they think Katelin's suitcase ended up in the woods. But what could prompt Katelin to suddenly "ghost" her friends and family? "They can't tell if it's foul play or if she left on her own, they said they're still investigating both ways," said Lisa Sullivan, Katelin Akens's mother. There's a text conversation that may hold the key, and it starts with Katelin's words: "I just really need someone to talk to." "She had messaged me and told me what happened," said Katelin's friend Kevin Eastridge. What happened is a twisted tale of seduction and sex. Katelin pours her heart out to her good friend Kevin about the night before, when she partied hard with a female friend from high school and that friend's boyfriend. "It's kind of a hard thing to describe, really," Kevin said. "From what she told me, they were all drinking together and then they proceeded to, how do I phrase it -- I guess they kind of forced themselves onto her." Katelin confesses the party quickly got out of bounds. She writes, "Her boyfriend got me really really really drunk and then she kissed me and then he kissed me. They did everything to me and each other." Katelin tells Kevin she spent the next morning wracked with guilt. "She felt guilty, she felt like she had cheated on Amber, I guess you could say, and she felt that she was, I guess, a bad person for doing it," Kevin said. Some of Katelin's final messages: "I don't know how to feel or anything. I've been depressed and crying all day." It's in that guilt-ridden state of mind that Katelin heads home to Arizona and her fiancée. But did she run away in shame? Or did something much worse happen to Katelin? Was she suicidal? "Not to my knowledge, no," said Kevin. "She was never a person to me that gave up on life. She always tried to fight whatever she was feeling, and like I said, that's why she came to me. She would come to me because she was trying to fight that." Crime Watch Daily is tracking down one person who may know more about whether Katelin was winning the fight, a man police call a person of interest -- Katelin's ex-stepfather. He was the last known person to see her. So we want to ask him to shed some light on that day. Was Katelin acting strange? Why did he drop her off at the mall to begin with? At his residence, he declined to appear on camera, and left the premises. Katelin's ex-stepdad has never been charged in her disappearance. And citing the ongoing state of the investigation, police denied our request for an on camera interview, saying: "We are still actively investigating this case and are working closely with the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit." Private investigator Raymond Gemma has similar concerns about leaking confidential info that could compromise the case. "There is circumstantial evidence that points in one direction. But I can't say which direction," said Gemma. "It's an ongoing investigation. Criminals watch the show." That leaves Katelin's family and friends at a standstill, wondering where she is, if she's OK, hoping she'll return. If you saw Katelin Akens on the day that she disappeared, or have any information on where she might be, you are asked to contact the Spotsylvania County, Virginia Crime Solvers at (800) 928-5822. #Missing#MissingPersons KFOR / Tulsa County Oklahoma man convicted of murdering girlfriend, dumping body Woman tried to kidnap 2-year-old at Oklahoma City ice rink: police WREG / Knox Family 10-year-old dead after shooting in Memphis neighborhood Marijuana grow owner shoots suspect during attempted burglary Oklahoma woman convicted of murder, desecration of corpse Royal Caribbean: Video 'unquestionably' proves grandpa knew window open before dropping tot Woman tried to kidnap 2-year-old at Oklahoma City ice rink, police say Video appears to show moment grandchild fell to her death on Royal Caribbean cruise in July Oklahoma man convicted of murdering girlfriend, dumping her body Become A True Crime Daily Insider Sign up to receive breaking True Crime Daily news, exclusive stories and behind-the-scenes info. 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__label__wiki	0.735838	0.735838	Home Businessman Glen Richards Net Worth, Shark Tank, Greencross By Harry Eriksen Glen Richards Greencross shark tank net worth Glen Richards is an entrepreneur and an Australian veterinary physician. Glen is also a founder and CEO of Greencross which is the largest pet care company in Australia. He was born in 1967 at Richmond Queensland and grew up on a grazing property near Richmond NW Queensland. Living in the farm made him have a passion for animals and has loved being around them. Richards would have been an accountant were it not for his father who advised him to follow his passion. This saw him enrolling to study veterinary science at the University of Queensland back in 1988. Later he continued with his studies and did a masters degree at James Cook University. The 52-year-old now lives in Brisbane, Queensland with his family. Walk Through the Article Greencross Glen is a humble and devoted family man, always finds time to spend with them and bound despite his busy schedule. He married Lisa Richards and they have 3 daughters aged 16, 15 and 9. At home, he has two cats and dogs plus four horses that are found in their home compound. Glen is known to be someone that is a straight shooter and is not afraid to be direct and reveal his hard lessons in his career and life to his family and friends. At an early age, Glen developed a love for animals as his parents had farmed sheep and cattle. His love for animals lead him to practice companion animal medicine and surgery in Brisbane, Townsville, and even London. This was after finishing his studies. At the age of 27, he had saved up cash and purchased Currajong Veterinary Hospital in Townsville back in 1994 for a modest some of $330,000 AUD. The hospital marked the start of his veterinary firm known as Greencross. After 10 years it proved to be a major firm in the country having a huge market share with five clinics established, and large store in Townsville, as well as two hospitals in China. Although Greencross is the largest pet care company in Australia, Glen has opened up over 230 veterinary hospitals in New Zealand, China, and Australia. The firm has over 5,500 employees which include vets, nurses, retail team members, and managers. Greencross, which has a 10% market share in Australia New Zealand, is an end to end pet products and service company that started out in the veterinary space but has branched into a whole range of services ranging from pet adoption, training, insurance, dog walking, pet hotels and more. Greencross also setup a rapidly growing online business to sell pet related products direct to consumers. The 2017 revenue topped at over $800m AUD. The business model focuses on engaging the customer and multiple times during their relationship with their pet. As an example, a customer would visit a retail store would be only a few times, while for services such as grooming a customer would engage Greencross three times as much. It’s this level of savvy insights that has led Glen to transform his vet from a health service to a thriving business. He is also a non-executive director and shareholder of Petbarn Pty Ltd which is a leading pet retailer. The retailer has the largest stores in Australia and New Zealand. China retail has also branches in Puxi and Pudong. The retail store was established in 2001. In December 2014 Glen retired from an executive role at Greencross Ltd. He is currently a director for six allied health and veterinary business. They include Healthia Ltd, People Infrastructure Ltd, Adventure Operations Australia, Naturo Technologies, CardioNexus, Pressure, and Smartvet Pty Ltd. Even though he has retired from his post at the company he still plays a huge role in ensuring the firm is doing things according to plan and in the right way. After moving away from the executive role in the industries, he ventured into professional investor and mentorship programs. He is also on the board for ASX listed companies. His interest is mainly on scaling up the health and allied health companies. Glen has frequented many startup programs and has also taken part in some pitch events where he can guide young entrepreneurs In 2016 he joined season 2 of the famous reality Tv series Shark Tank. He came in as an investor and replaced John McGrath who had left the TV series. Apart from being an investor and mentor in Shark Tank with co-stars such as Andrew Banks, and Naomi Simson. He also does public awareness campaigns. At these forums, he speaks to the business community and advice then accordingly. He educates the budding entrepreneurs on the importance of having vision, planning, patience, passion, and people. It is part of his “V4P” message during the function. This kind of forum helps young entrepreneurs to know how to manage and promote their business. He is the found of Greencross which is the largest pet care company. One of his brands is pet Barn is listed on the ASX and it is estimated to be worth $700 million. Glen’s shareholding alone is worth $10m AUD, this is on top of his properties and other assets. We consider Glen as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Australia. He is an example that any entrepreneur should follow his steps to be guaranteed of success in business. 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__label__wiki	0.561438	0.561438	The Schrems Case Schrems v. Commissioner: A Biblical Parable of Judicial Power Mi 7 Okt 2015 Russell A. Miller is the J.B. Stombock Professor of Law at the Washington and Lee University School of Law and Editor-in-Chief of the German Law Journal. The Schrems Judgement: New Challenges for European and international companies Negotiating the Data Protection Thicket: Life in the Aftermath of Schrems David v. Goliath Even before his big win at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on Tuesday, Maximillian Schrems’ seemingly quixotic campaign against the giants of America’s shadowy security-complex and Internet service sector had attracted colorful allusions to the biblical tale of David and Goliath. It’s a good story, except that it is too often misconstrued. The lesson is not that the plucky young Israeli shepherd slew the Philistine giant on his own. The story means to teach us that, even for the unassuming little guy, anything is possible with God’s help. King Saul expressed his doubts about David’s heroic battlefield delusions. “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him,” Saul insisted, “you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” But David reassured the King that he wouldn’t face Goliath alone: “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” What is a King to say to such a thing, except “Go, and the Lord be with you.” As we all know, David went and God was with him. The boy’s simple sling and stone brought down the warrior giant. And so it is that—at least with respect to data privacy—all things are possible if the Luxembourg Court is at your side. We might celebrate the Court’s decision in Case C-362/14 as an improbable victory of good (data-privacy) over evil (consumer and intelligence data abuses). But I want to offer some words of caution about god-like judicial power. A Narrow Reading The first point of caution is that the CJEU’s judgment might be read more narrowly than the biblical metaphor suggests. The next step need not be as exciting as the destruction of the Philistine army. A less sensational reading of the decision might simply be that the European Commission did sloppy work when it issued Decision 2000/520, in which it concluded that the United States ensures an adequate level of protection for electronic communications data. The Commission’s Decision wasn’t thorough enough, it didn’t apply the correct standard, and it wasn’t revised to keep abreast of developments. The consequence of this narrow reading of the judgement would simply be to have the Commission issue a new Decision in which it more effectively establishes its conclusion that the U.S. ensures adequate data protection. Could the Commission do this? I don’t think so. It is simply the case that the U.S. Constitution’s Fourth Amendment and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act extend almost no protection to non-U.S. persons against the intelligence gathering activities revealed by Snowden. In the Court’s pithy reasoning I see only a slender possibility for a new, more palatable Decision from the Commission. In paragraph 91 of the judgment, when articulating the fundamental rights protection guaranteed by Articles 7 and 8 of the Charter, the Court explains that effective data protection includes the assurance (i) that data is protected against abuses; (ii) that data is not subject to automatic processing; and (iii) that there is not a significant risk of unlawful access to data. On these three elements alone, the adequacy of American data protection might still be an open issue. For example, there is the question whether American intelligence community’s access to and processing of transferred European data—without additional and more menacing subsequent state action—counts as an “abuse.” This possible argument builds on the insights of Ralf Poscher who has suggested that data privacy is better understood as supplementary to more substantive liberty interests. In this view, the collection and processing of data becomes relevant—that is, it counts as an “abuse”—only when it contributes in some way to the state’s infringement of other liberty protections, such as the right to free speech or the prohibition on torture. Absent evidence of these additional, more ominous steps, the Americans’ access to and processing of European data might not be an abuse. It would also be possible to argue that the American intelligence community’s access to and processing of transferred European data has been achieved lawfully. Those activities are conducted in conformity with constitutional (Fourth Amendment) and statutory (FISA) and regulatory (PPD-28) law. A U.S. federal court decision finding that the NSA’s activities exceeded these bounds involved departures from the legal limits placed on surveillance of U.S. persons and not the non-U.S. persons in Europe. It is possible that the new USA FREEDOM Act has remedied these deficiencies in any case. In no case does it appear that American authorities acted unlawfully—that is, outside the scope of the relevant (and admittedly permissive) domestic legal regime—when accessing European data. Nothing about this straightforward assessment is changed by the fact that this legal regime simply does not offer protection to the liberty interests of non-U.S. persons. That, alone, does not make the American intelligence activities unlawful—let alone lawless. Judicial Restraint The second point of caution asks whether we really want the CJEU playing God in these matters. If we are determined to have the rule of law apply to a state’s intelligence gathering activities (and I think the very concept of clandestine state authority begs this question), then it is not at all clear to me that we mean the kind of Rawlsian, judicially-enforced rule of law the CJEU has secured for itself in its recent string of data-protection cases. In terms that echo Chief Justice Marshall’s opinion in Marbury v. Madison, the CJEU explains that it “alone has jurisdiction to declare that an EU act … is invalid.” (Paragraph 61). But in matters of national security, the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized a different kind of rule of law, one that obliges the unelected judiciary to exercise modesty and restraint in favor of the limitation of government power that can be achieved through political processes, separation of powers, and democratic accountability. This approach—I would call it the “politically enforced rule of law”—is foreclosed by the CJEU’s aggressive insistence on its role here. The Commission, whose Decision the Court maligns, is politically accountable to and legitimated by the directly elected European Parliament. The Court, impatient with the slow pace of the European political response to the NSA Affair, is not. It is an old staple of America’s quirky anxiety about the anti-majoritarian implications of the judicial role to quote Judge Learned Hand, who wrote “for myself it would be most irksome to be ruled by a bevy of Platonic Guardians, even if I knew how to choose them, which I assuredly do not.” That wisdom might be especially resonant for the European Union with its still-fragile democratic legitimacy. There is more here to recommend the “political enforcement of the rule of law” than just abstract doubts about judicial power based in democratic theory. After all, this issue involves a polity’s existential interest in the balance that must be struck between security and liberty. The Court avoids this momentous framing of the case largely by mischaracterizing the interests that it must weigh. At paragraph 42 the Court tells us the dispute requires it to balance the human interest in privacy with the (mostly commercial?) interest in the free movement of data. That might be formalistically true. And if it is, then a result favoring privacy is almost undeniable. Yet, if sub silentio the NSA’s intrusive programs serve as a moralizing backdrop to the Court’s reasoning, then the legitimate and justifiable security motivations for those programs shouldn’t be swept off one side of the scale leaving only the anemic commercial interest in the free-flow of data. Privacy or Facebook’s hugely profitable commercial model – that might seem to be an easy question. Privacy and access to the data needed to protect against terrorist threats – that’s another question altogether. The Court flirts with recognizing America’s important security interest in accessing and processing Europeans’ data, but it finds that cause more troubling than meaningful. (Paragraphs 84-85). The hard reality of the case, however, is that the Court was deciding between security needs and privacy. Considering the potential consequences of the manner in which that balance is struck, the Court would have been wise to leave these matters in the hands of more accountable and popularly legitimate institutions. The wisdom of judicial restraint in this context is amplified by the fact that the polity on whose behalf the Court acts itself lacks a sovereign national security mandate. The Union’s Common Security and Defense Policy is a strictly inter-governmental affair and, as the German Constitutional Court concluded in its 2009 Lisbon Treaty Case, security remains the exclusive interest of the Member States as part of their residual national sovereignty. No EU organ—let alone the cloistered CJEU—is going to have to answer for security threats or lapses in the very tangible and politically-charged way that national institutions and governments will. Doubly insulated in this way, like the smallest piece in a set of Russian nesting dolls, the Court reaches the decision to down-play the security facets of the case without having to worry about the next terrorist attack. The Court should have taken its artificially sheltered posture into account and deferred to the “political enforcement of the rule of law.” The Role of Courts The third point of caution begins with the acknowledgement that the proposed “politically enforced rule of law” will sound heretical to European ears that are now well tuned to judicial power, particularly the sweeping power of the courts in Karlsruhe, Starsbourg and Luxembourg. But this preference for political over judicial organs is exactly the approach nearly every country has taken with respect to oversight and control of intelligence services—including their collection and use of telecommunications data. Almost no one submits these questions to ordinary judicial review. Nearly no courts romp about in this field in the way that the CJEU has. The German G10 Act is a compelling case-in-point. It regulates the German intelligence services’ constitutionally permissible intrusion on telecommunications privacy. Requested by the intelligence agencies and ordered by the relevant minster, telecommunications surveillance and data-gathering operations must ultimately be approved by the four-person G10 Commission. The G10 Commission definitively is not a court. Article 10 of the Basic Law calls it an “auxiliary agency” of the parliament. The commissioners are not judges in the German judiciary. The G10 Act, while establishing the G10 Commission’s review, explicitly precludes the German courts from any role in authorizing or monitoring intelligence surveillance operations (at least until after their surveillance objectives have been fulfilled and the need for secrecy has ended). In 1970 the German Constitutional Court confirmed that the G10 Commission is not a judicial organ. The Court was reassured, however, that the G10 Commission’s authorization of intelligence surveillance adequately approximated judicial scrutiny. The German regime—and many others like it—recognize what the CJEU, compelled by its self-aggrandizing and federalist impulses, dare not admit: these are areas in which the judiciary should tread lightly, if it must wander in these parts at all. It will surprise many Europeans to learn that, at least when compared to a judicially-neutered oversight regime such as the one established by German G10 Act, the American oversight framework shows somewhat less skepticism towards a judicial role in these matters. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), which also has the responsibility for authorizing and monitoring intelligence community surveillance operations, is a proper federal court staffed by sitting federal judges. With the reforms achieved by the USA FREEDOM Act, the FISC will look and act even more like a court. Its proceedings will be more adversarial and it decisions will be more transparent. But this laudable fact distracts from my broader point, which is that the security issues involved in Schrem’s data privacy case should have counseled the CJEU to exercise restraint in favor of the “politically enforced rule of law.” In fact, America’s experience with these issues—spanning the last forty years—has been that the political and democratically accountable organs can effectively limit and control the intelligence community’s excesses. That is the deeply resonant lesson of the Church Committee from the 1970s. Post-Snowden reforms, such as the Presidential Policy Directive 28 and the USA FREEDOM Act, once again justify Americans’ confidence in the “politically enforced rule of law.” The Prerogative of Kings – The Power of God David of course would, himself, become King. Except for occasional, all-too-human failings, he continued to honor God, just as God continued to exalt him. Of course, David’s reign and legacy were almost undone by his son Absalom’s patricidal campaign and the resulting civil war. David was only able to avoid the seemingly imminent destruction of his kingdom—and his own death—with the help of covert sabotage and the intelligence his spies passed on to him from inside Absalom’s camp. God didn’t seem to object to this data-collection. But the Court of Justice of the European Union would. SUGGESTED CITATION Miller, Russell A.: Schrems v. Commissioner: A Biblical Parable of Judicial Power, VerfBlog, 2015/10/07, https://verfassungsblog.de/schrems-v-commissioner-a-biblical-parable-of-judicial-power-2/. CJEU, data protection, Judicial restraint, Political Rule of Law Enforcement, privacy, security, surveillance	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499014
__label__wiki	0.87658	0.87658	About the Information Service at Geneva Press Releases & Meeting Summaries Biweekly Briefings TV / Radio / Photo REGULAR PRESS BRIEFING BY THE INFORMATION SERVICE Rhéal LeBlanc, Chief, Press and External Relations Section, United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired the briefing, which was attended by spokespersons for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, the Office of the Special Envoy for Syria, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the World Health Organization. Secretary-General of the United Nations in Berlin Rhéal LeBlanc, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said the Secretary-General was currently in Berlin, Germany, where he was attending the opening ceremony of the fourteenth Annual Meeting of the Internet Governance Forum. The Forum – an annual gathering of civil society, governments and technology specialists – had as its theme in 2019: “One World. One Net. One Vision.” The Secretary-General was expected to call for universal and affordable Internet access by 2030 and for a world in which access to technology did not give rise to social and political divisions. Also during his visit to Berlin, the Secretary-General was due to visit a school that provided technology training for refugees. In addition, he would hold bilateral meetings with the German Chancellor and with government officials. The previous evening, he had had an informal dinner with leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. World AIDS Day on 1 December Rhéal LeBlanc, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said he wished to draw attention to the Secretary-General’s Message for World AIDS Day, which began: “Ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030, as we committed to in the Sustainable Development Goals, will require a continuous collaborative effort. The United Nations, Governments, civil society and other partners have been working together to scale up access to health services and to halt new HIV infections. More than 23 million people living with HIV were receiving treatment in 2018.” The Secretary-General concluded his message with the words: “Where communities are engaged, we see change happen. We see investment lead to results. And we see equality, respect and dignity. With communities, we can end AIDS.” Charlotte Sector, for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), said the new report by UNAIDS for World AIDS Day – entitled “Power to the people” – was being released under embargo ahead of the Day itself, which fell on 1 December. The report was being launched in Nairobi by the new Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima. Peter Ghys, Director of Strategic Information and Evaluation for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), explained that the theme of the report was that empowering communities and individuals could have a significant impact on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The “power to choose” meant that people could select from a range of different prevention modalities such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), voluntary medical male circumcision and the integration of contraceptive services with HIV services. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS needed to be communicated through appropriate sexual education. In fact, the report also contemplated the “power to know”. That meant that people had a range of options whereby they could learn their HIV status and persons living with HIV could learn about viral loads. For example, the report made it clear that an undetectable virus was untransmissible; in other words, a suppressed virus could not be transmitted to another person. In addition, the report highlighted the fact that the period between infection and diagnosis needed to be as short as possible. That period differed from country to country but typically it was longer for men than for women. The power to know also extended to other aspects: once people knew that they were on effective treatment for their condition they felt liberated and could lead almost entirely normal lives. The report also envisaged the “power to thrive”, meaning that persons who were on antiretroviral treatment were able to live full lives. According to the latest data, 24.5 million persons were receiving antiretroviral treatment as of mid-2019 and, although that was some way short of the target of 30 million that had been set for 2020, it showed a marked increase with respect to the December 2018 figure of 23.3 million. The data also identified a gap in the number of children, particularly older children, on antiretroviral treatment with respect to adults. It was estimated that more than 250,000 children between the ages of 10 and 14 were not benefiting from antiretroviral treatment. A study conducted recently in Eswatini had shown that cash transfers to girls and young women had had the effect of enabling them to stay in school longer and, as a consequence, had led to an important reduction in the incidence of HIV. Lastly, the report highlighted the importance of empowering what it described as “key populations” – i.e., sex workers, gay men, men who had sex with men, transgender persons, intravenous drug users and prisoners – where almost 50 per cent of new HIV infections occurred. In reply to a question raised by a journalist, Mr. Ghys said that, whereas 62 per cent of the HIV population as a whole were receiving antiretroviral treatment, that figure fell to 54 per cent in the case of children between the ages of 0 and 14. In response to a query about the situation in Venezuela, Mr. Ghys said the report recognized the crisis there. In fact, many Venezuelans had left the country to access HIV/AIDS testing and treatment services elsewhere. UNAIDS was working to import antiretroviral drugs into Venezuela. Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said the theme for the forthcoming World AIDS Day was “Communities make the difference”. WHO was drawing attention to the difference communities were making to end the HIV epidemic while drawing global attention to the need for their broader engagement in strengthening primary health care. On 27 November, WHO would be releasing new recommendations concerning HIV testing services including innovative approaches to deliver more accurate and timely testing services to the 8.1 million people who were still to be diagnosed with HIV. The twentieth International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA2019) would begin in Kigali, Rwanda, on 2 December with a keynote address by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. At ICASA2019, WHO would be hosting over 20 key sessions, engaging policymakers and implementers from across Africa and beyond. On 1 December, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus would be present at a public health event to promote healthy lifestyles and HIV services during the “Kigali Car-Free Day”. Update from the Office of the Special Envoy for Syria Jenifer Fenton, for the Office of the Special Envoy for Syria, read the following statement: “On Monday, the Special Envoy for Syria Mr. Geir O Pedersen met with the two Co-Chairs to discuss the agenda for the second session of the Syrian Constitutional Committee. The two Co-Chairs each submitted a proposal for the agenda and these were exchanged. There is not yet an agreement on the agenda and discussions are continuing. The Special Envoy also met with members of the Middle Third to inform them about the discussions with the Co-Chairs. Mr. Pedersen is continuing his consultations with the Co-Chairs, with the expectation of continuing the work with the Syrian Constitutional Small Body of 45 members. Information about any further meetings would be released as it became available.” Responding to journalists’ questions, Ms. Fenton said the Special Envoy, in addition to his meetings with the Co-Chairs, routinely engaged with all other regional stakeholders. The Small Body of 45 members was scheduled to continue to meet in Geneva throughout the week. Embargoed briefing by OCHA and UNICEF Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that OCHA and UNICEF would be holding a briefing in Room III at 3 p.m. on Tuesday 3 December for the launch of the Global Humanitarian Overview 2020. The Global Humanitarian Overview, formerly known as the Global Humanitarian Appeal would be officially launched on 4 December and the contents of the briefing would remain under embargo until 6 a.m. Geneva time on that day. The main launch would be in Geneva but other events would also be held in Berlin, Brussels, London and Washington. The briefing would be attended by Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator – who would be presenting the Global Humanitarian Overview – and Henrietta Fore, Director-General of the United Nations Children’s Fund – who would be launching the UNICEF Humanitarian Action for Children 2020 financial appeal. The two appeals were aligned and complementary. Responding to a question raised by a journalist, Mr. Laerke confirmed that 2018 had seen a record appeal for USD 22 million. However, the methodology for calculating the amount of the 2019 appeal had been changed meaning that a direct confrontation between the 2018 figure and the 2019 figure was not possible. Nevertheless, the text of the Global Humanitarian Overview had catered for that change by recalculating the 2018 amount so that it could directly compared with the appeal for 2019. Update on Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said the security situation in Beni had worsened in recent days. Although the violence was not directed against Ebola-response teams, WHO had deemed it prudent to relocate 49 of its 120 staff from Beni to Goma. It was important to note that the staff members who had been relocated were non-critical and that 71 members remained on the ground in Beni where they continued to provide some level of response to the Ebola outbreak, tracing contacts, assisting in dignified burials and providing vaccinations. Nonetheless, the uncertain situation was having an impact on WHO efforts; for example, it had previously been possible to trace more than 90 per cent of contacts whereas currently that figure stood at 17 per cent. Seven new cases had been reported in the previous week. Overall, as of 24 November, there had been 3,303 cases of which 2,199 had resulted in the death of the patient, 1,077 had survived while the others were still receiving treatment. Responding to questions from journalists, Mr. Lindmeier said WHO staff – both those who had relocated to Goma and those who remained in Beni – continued to do what they could, despite the situation. He understood that the current violence was inspired by people’s frustration about the security situation, but it needed to stop in order for WHO to be able to resume its operations fully. Rhéal LeBlanc, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, pointed out that the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) was also calling for calm as violent protests continued in Beni. The United Nations Special Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Leila Zerrougui, had stated that she understood the anger and frustration people were feeling following further deadly attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces, and she had met to discuss the situation with the President, ministers and military chiefs. MONUSCO would continue to work with the authorities in order to find joint solutions and had called on all political, religious and media figures to support a return to calm. WHO press conferences Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said a press conference would be held in Press Room 1 at 2 p.m. on Wednesday 27 November to present new global mortality figures for measles for 2018 and an update on 2019. The figures would be officially released on 5 December and the contents of the press conference would remain under embargo until then. Mr. Lindmeier added that the first report tracking global progress on health and climate change would be launched in Press Room 1 at 2 p.m. on Friday 29 November. The launch was being timed to precede the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference COP 25, due to be held in the Spanish capital Madrid from 2 to 13 December. Lastly, Mr. Lindmeier said he wished to draw attention to a virtual press briefing at 3 p.m. on Monday 2 December on the key findings of the World Malaria Report 2019. The Report offered an in-depth analysis of trends in malaria control and elimination at the global, regional and country levels. Geneva announcements Rhéal LeBlanc, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that, in Press Room 1 at 11 a.m. on Monday 2 December, UNHCR would hold a press briefing on the key findings of four years of UNHCR cash-based assistance programmes for refugees and internally displaced persons. The information would remain under embargo until 10 a.m. on 3 December. Also in Press Room 1 at 12.30 p.m. on Monday 2 December, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) would be holding a question and answer session about the Federation’s humanitarian priorities. The session would be led by IFRC President Francesco Rocca. That morning and on the afternoon of 27 November, the Committee against Torture would be reviewing the initial report of Niger. The Committee would then continue to meet in private until the end of its current session on Friday 6 December when it would issue its concluding observations on the six countries it had reviewed: Burkina Faso, Cyprus, Latvia, Niger, Portugal and Uzbekistan. Mr. LeBlanc further said that the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination had begun its 100th session on Monday 25 November, which would continue until Friday 13 December. During the session, the Committee would be considering reports submitted by Cambodia, Colombia, Ireland, Israel and Uzbekistan. Mr. LeBlanc concluded by drawing attention to the fact that Friday 29 November marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. To mark the event, a meeting would be held in the Council Chamber of the Palais des Nations at 10 a.m. The Secretary-General had released a statement for the Day, which was already available but remained under embargo until Friday morning. The webcast for this briefing is available here: http://bit.ly/unog261119 Listen / Download	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499021
__label__wiki	0.601723	0.601723	Coffee and Cinephilia: A Conversation with Richard Peña By Alejandra Rosenberg on February 24, 2017 • ( Leave a comment ) Jim Jarmusch’s ‘Coffee and Cigarettes’ (2003) New York City was very cold and very snowy when I met Richard Peña. We warmed our hands in our hot drinks — a small black coffee for Peña, a large black tea for me — and talked about the cinephilia that led to his amazing career in film. Peña has worked as the Film Society of Lincoln Center program director, the New York Film Festival director and as a professor at institutions such as Princeton and Columbia. Spanish words appeared continuously during our conversations and we said goodbye a la española — a kiss on each cheek. AR: How did your relationship with cinema start? RP: I have always loved movies. When I was about 10 years old, I saw a book called The Liveliest Art by Arthur Knight. It was a history of the movies, and I became very fascinated by it. I never had thought that movies had a history: for me, they just were, in some existential way. I read that book and started to learn names of people and films, and I really started checking out what was playing in New York, which, in the 60s, was very much a cinephile town. I was 12 when I went, for the first time, to the New York Film Festival and that was a very transcendent moment. It was just wonderful: I saw The Wedding March (Erich von Stroheim, 1928), Henri Langlois was there… and I thought it was all fantastic and unbelievable. It made me feel that cinema was a place where I really wanted to be. AR: 12 is such a young age! Any other films that made a big impact on you at that age? RP: I was about 14 the first time I say Blow-Up (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1966) and it had a huge impact on me. The discovery of Luis Buñuel was also very important. My mother’s family is Spanish, and I was very close to that side of my family. Spain, back then, was like a black hole — and here was this incredible Spanish director, with a very distinctive body of work that I instantly associated myself with it. I felt that it spoke to me in a way that few other films did. I remember that, after my freshmen year in high school, around 1968, the Elgin Cinema did a Buñuel retrospective, and I saw almost everything. New York had a lot of really good repertory movie houses back then. There was the Elgin, there was the Carnegie, there was the Bleecker… and then there were other film programs that were around, like film clubs. There was a healthier system back then. For instance, if the New York Film Festival would screen a movie, it would then be screened around the city and, finally, all these repertory houses would also pick them up. If you missed a film in one place, you could see it somewhere else. Also around the summer of ’68, the Metropolitan Museum did something on surrealism and they screened L’Age d’Or (Luís Buñuel, 1930). I went to see it with a friend, and I was very knocked out by the film. I especially remember the moment when the man is dragging the priest, and the carcasses. And I just remember thinking about the brilliance and the boldness of that, it was just on another level and it shook me up in lots of ways. I became aware of the power of cinema and of what cinema can do; suddenly you feel yourself lifted into something else, in a kind of ecstasy of an aesthetic level that is hard to describe or translate. It just hits you that this is amazing. And, for two high school catholic boys, that was fantastic. AR: How does working hand in hand with cinema as a programmer and a teacher transform your cinephilia? RP: Things were much more chaotic back then. By the time I came along to Lincoln Center, the idea of an “art film” was very well established: the Bergmans, the Fellinis and the Antonionis were recognized in a certain category. The bigger argument was American auteurism, whether or not you could actually take Hitchcock as seriously as you took Bergman or Ford as seriously as you took Kurosawa. Obviously, my relation has changed over time. When I was working for Lincoln Center, I had a certain professional duty to see absolutely as much as humanly possible. I don’t have to do that nowadays, so I have really cut down my commercial film-going, although I am still very interested in watching many other things. For instance, I think I have become more and more interested in the fringes, in the things that are off the beaten track, that people don’t know about. It has been fun for me to be able to devote more of my time to that. AR: It is interesting how you bring up the fringes, as I feel that much of your work has been able to cultivate a fringe — cinephilia in others. For example, with your international programming work at Lincoln Center, you’ve helped audiences discover Iranian cinema or Chinese cinema — or with the very diverse syllabus that you teach. RP: To be honest, at Lincoln Center, I also had far more access to international work than my predecessor. The difference of what you could see in 1985 and what you could see in 1995 was enormous! You could really see 30 or 40 Iranian films that year if you just sat there and watched the VHS’s, which would have been much harder in 1985. When teaching, my basic feeling is that if you really want to write film history, you really have to see it first… and I think that too many people don’t see enough and they stay with the same set of films and make all their hypothesis and theories based on that. But there is a lot more out there, and very easy ways to watch it nowadays as technology helps us see almost whatever we want. AR: Do you think cinephilia changes with the wide availability of cinema thanks to technology? RP: The thing about cinephilia is that it has lost its drive. When I was in college, I saw that the Japan Society in New York was showing An Autumn Afternoon (Yasujirō Ozu, 1962). I was just discovering Ozu, and I really wanted to see that screening, so I hitchhiked from Boston to New York, saw the movie and hitchhiked back! I was absolutely convinced that it was the last time in my life to see this film. That kind of drive doesn’t exist anymore because everybody knows that they can see it again on Netflix, YouTube or somewhere else. I think we miss that kind of cinephilia. However, the scope of cinephilia has become very wide. If the older type of cinephilia was based on old Hollywood or French classics, now cinephilia is much more challenging because we have much more access to everything. So, it just depends on where you stop. But, if we saw an end point, it wouldn’t be half as fun. We are always trying to learn more and there is so much more to learn. This interview has been edited and condensed. Alejandra Rosenberg (@alejarosenberg) thinks and writes on moving images, philosophy, feminism and poetry. Categories: 2017 Film Essays, Coffee and Cinephilia, Columns, Featured, Film Essays, Interviews Tagged as: 0302, 0303, 0304, 0305, Alejandra Rosenberg, Arthur Knight, Blow-Up, Coffee and Cinephilia, Colombia, Elgin Cinema, Erich von Stroheim, Film Society of Lincoln Center, Henri Langlois, Luis Buñuel, Michelangelo Antonioni, New York Film Festival, Princeton, Richard Peña, The Liveliest Art, The Wedding March Album Review: Ryan Adams ‘Prisoner’ ‘The Handmaiden’: A Sensuous, Sumptuous Tale of Secrecy, Sex and Subversion	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499026
__label__cc	0.693553	0.306447	About Viva Viva Cundliffe on ResearchGate Oxygen Earth Conservation Protocol The Emergency Hydro-Oxygen Plan to Cool the Earth Bulletin policy perspectives / Science & Technology / Uncategorized Call to replace CH2Cl2 with less ozone depleting compounds August 12, 2018 August 13, 2018 a400aLeave a comment A popular industrial solvent, Dichloromethane is damaging the ozone layer over human populations. It’s already listed in the Montreal Protocol as a hazardous substance but it needs to be replaced with greener alternatives. While this solvent is classed as a very short lived substance, it is taking a large toll on the ozone layer. When we combine this with the loading of atmospheric bromine and for every 5 ppt of that, we have an ozone loss of 1.3% and it could get as high as 350 ppt ( Impact of Very Short-Lived Substances on Stratospheric Bromine Loading, Jan Aschmann Doctoral Dissertation). Just the Bromine releases could wipe out 90% of the ozone layer. “Several human-produced chlorocarbons not controlled by the Montreal Protocol are present in Earth’s atmosphere. Among the most abundant of these compounds is dichloromethane (CH2Cl2)—an industrial solvent also used as a feedstock in the production of other chemicals, among other applications 13,14. Unlike CFCs, which are virtually inert in the troposphere and have long atmospheric lifetimes (decades to centuries), CH2Cl2 is a so-called very short-lived substance (VSLS)15. Historically, VSLS have been thought to play a minor role in stratospheric ozone depletion due to their relatively short atmospheric lifetimes (typically <6 months) and therefore low atmospheric concentrations. However, substantial levels of both natural and anthropogenic VSLS have been detected in the lower stratosphere 15,16,17,18 and numerical model simulations suggest a significant contribution of VSLS to ozone loss in this region 19,20,21. Long-term measurements of CH2Cl2 reveal that its tropospheric abundance has increased rapidly in recent years 15,21,22,23. For example, between 2000 and 2012, surface concentrations of CH2Cl2 increased at a global mean rate of almost 8% per year, with the largest growth observed in the Northern Hemisphere (NH)21. Given that natural emissions of CH2Cl2 are small, this recent growth likely reflects an increase in industrial emissions 15. While the precise nature of the source remains poorly characterized, industrial CH2Cl2 emissions from Asia—in particular from the Indian subcontinent—appear to be growing in importance 23” https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15962 These growth rates are exponential, and we seriously risk another ozone crisis in addition to the one addressed by the Montreal Protocol. In order to reduce the risk, a call to replace dichloromethane with alternatives needs to be made, and upgrade it to at least a partially-banned, controlled substance. If we do not take measures like this in the near term, we run the risk of even more dangerous UV radiation in the environment and cancelling out the benefit we see from the Montreal Protocol. What’s worse, we run the risk of losing our ozone layer while we watch greenhouse gases and miss this very real risk which could lead to the need for an emergency oxygen airlift to replenish ozone. Observed trends and growth rate of surface CH2Cl2 and simulated stratospheric loading of chlorine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5490265/ Oxygen airlift, Oxygen remediation plan, ozone depletion, VSLS Not doing an oxygen airlift is suicidal Oxygen airlift links ozone depletion and Greenhouse gas problems Health & Recipies (7) policy perspectives (12) Shop Acrylic Paintings (1) Health & Recipies Leaders policy perspectives Science & Technology Shop Acrylic Paintings Uncategorized Blue Green Oxygen Experiment Follow Oxygen Earth Conservation Protocol on WordPress.com	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499027
__label__cc	0.736871	0.263129	Constitution and laws Upon request of the European Commission, in the context of the ongoing process of explanatory meetings, for the sake of the legal clarity and ease of use, The Government of the Republic of North Macedonia publishes the version of the Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia, containing the valid constitutional provisions in force as amended by Constitutional amendments I-XXXVI, as well as the consolidated texts of the Criminal code and the Law on Courts. These legal texts will be used for working purposes in the framework of the explanatory meetings on the acquis. The Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia Containing the Valid Constitutional Provisions in Force As Amended by Constitutional Amendments I-XXXVI Criminal Code of the Republic of North Macedonia Law on courts of the Republic of North Macedonia	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499028
__label__wiki	0.981251	0.981251	Photo: Guillermo Legaria/AFP/Getty ImagesPhoto: Guillermo Legaria/AFP/Getty Images Police in Colombia Accused of Spying on Journalist Investigating Prostitution Ring Adriaan Alsema Taran Volckhausen Adriaan Alsema, Taran Volckhausen January 17 2016, 8:57 a.m. COLOMBIA’S NATIONAL POLICE FORCE is facing allegations that it wiretapped a high-profile journalist investigating the involvement of cadets in a prostitution ring. While the attorney general’s office and Colombia’s president have separately ordered investigations into the allegations, critics say the probes are being hindered by death threats and conflicts of interests. This is the third major wiretapping scandal in Colombia in less than a decade. The latest scandal broke when prominent radio host and former news anchor Vicky Dávila announced that she, her family, and her reporting team had been trailed and wiretapped by the national police. Dávila, who was investigating allegations that some 300 police cadets were engaged in a prostitution ring catering to top officials, told The Intercept that she believed she had been followed since 2014. “I found out when an unknown person, who claimed to be a member of the police and wanted to clear their conscience, wrote to me and [fellow journalist] Claudia Morales to inform us that we were being targeted by a clandestine police spying program,” Dávila said. Since Dávila went public with the allegations in December, four other prominent journalists investigating the police have also claimed to be victims of wiretapping and harassment. Colombia’s attorney general, Eduardo Montealegre, has publicly supported Dávila, adding credibility to her charges. “The attorney general’s office has strong indications that there existed tracking and interception of Vicky Dávila and other journalists by police,” said Montealegre’s office in a tweet. Following that statement, the attorney general’s office reported that the prosecutor leading the investigation in Bogotá had received a series of anonymous calls that included death threats. In response, Montealegre said his office “would not be intimidated.” The attorney general’s office declined to respond to questions from The Intercept about the investigation. The national police could not be reached for comment. Amid the ongoing investigation, President Juan Manuel Santos has refused to fire the director of the national police, Gen. Rodolfo Palomino, who is also facing allegations that he sexually harassed a subordinate in 1998. Santos expressed doubt over the evidence presented by Dávila and Morales, calling their allegations no more than “gossip and rumors. “It would be irresponsible on my part to sacrifice someone with such a career in the police,” Santos told the press. “If they bring me evidence, they can be sure I will act.” A screen grab of Vicky Dávila on CNN. Origins of a Spy Scandal The national police force became the primary authority for carrying out surveillance activities when Colombia’s intelligence agency, the Administrative Department of Security, or DAS, was dismantled in 2011. Its closure was part of the fallout over revelations that the agency had been illegally spying on the country’s Supreme Court, opponents of former President Álvaro Uribe, and human rights organizations. In 2014, the police force expanded its surveillance work to prevent potential attacks during ongoing peace talks with FARC rebels. That year the national police established the Directorate of Police Intelligence, or DIPOL, a unit that has two legal interception offices, one for email and another for telephone communications, Dávila’s source claimed. Another scandal erupted in 2014, when it came out that a covert army spy unit was found selling classified information on the peace talks to Uribe’s political party. Despite these repeated incidents, Colombia’s Congress has never received the appropriate tools to monitor military and police intelligence-gathering programs, says Sen. Iván Cepeda, one of the lawmakers whose calls and emails were intercepted by DAS. “There is a commission in Congress that should monitor and control precisely these sorts of circumstances,” Sen. Cepeda said in an interview with The Intercept. “The great problem is that this commission has no tools that allow it to maintain control.” Dávila’s allegations, if proven true, would be another example of the dangers of unchecked spy powers. Her claims, based on information from the confidential source, allege that police were using legal surveillance as a façade for illegal spying targeting journalists, politicians, and other officials. The source said Dávila was a “high-value target” because her team was investigating corruption within the police force, including allegations of the prostitution network. Dávila’s La FM Radio had previously reported that cadets at Colombia’s main police school in the capital, Bogotá, had been part of an illegal prostitution ring. According to witness testimony, the alleged ring was offered as a service to high-ranking officers; cadets were given drugs and alcohol and later filmed having sexual relations. As for the spy scandal, the president ordered a commission to review the allegations made by Dávila and Morales, but the two journalists say the effort is a mere political show that seeks to deflect the negative publicity generated by the scandal. “I believe [police director] Palomino stays, at least until this shit commission comes up with something,” Morales told the newspaper El Espectador. “At the end of the day, the incoming director will continue with the same internal rot.” Top photo: Newly graduated officers attend a ceremony commemorating the 123rd anniversary of the police force at the General Santander police school in Bogotá, Colombia, on Nov. 14, 2014. Adriaan Alsema Taran Volckhausen	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499031
__label__wiki	0.92088	0.92088	Leslie Jones On Abortion Bans: 'You Can't Make Me Small or Put Me in a Box' Filed to:Saturday Night Live Last night was Saturday Night Live’s season finale, and Leslie Jones appeared on the last “Weekend Update” of the season in a full handmaid’s outfit to speak about Alabama’s near-total abortion ban, along with similar bans in other states. The segment begins with Jones smiling big and joking that her eggs are “dusty as hell,” but she’ll give this whole handmaid thing “a shot.” The tone shifts with host Colin Jost attempts to placate her by assuring, “I don’t think society is quite there yet.” Jones rips off the red robe to reveal a tee shirt that says “Mine,” with an arrow pointing to her reproductive organs. “You would think that, but this is how it starts,” she tells Jost. She goes on to present a side-by-side picture of the 25 Alabama senators who voted for the ban. “This looks like the casting call for a Lipitor commercial,” she says of row after row of white men. Jones also doesn’t let Alabama’s Serena Joy of a female governor off the hook or even Jost, who offers the same kind of tentative, ultimately useless, support the same allies who insist we’re not “quite there yet” often give regarding laws that don’t affect them. “You tell ‘em, Leslie,” Jost says. “Shut up. You flat white privilege latte,” she answers. At the end of her funny, rallying, and ultimately very moving speech, Jones seems to speak directly to the people who demand a say in what goes on inside her body: “You can’t tell me what to do with my body. You can’t make me small or put me in a box. I’m six feet tall and 233 pounds. Ain’t no box big enough to hold me.” It was a moment that we needed, and I hope next season SNL will give Leslie “Dracarys” Jones more opportunity to go scorched earth on these assholes.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499035
__label__cc	0.653889	0.346111	Why is this image so small? This image is presented as a "thumbnail" because it is protected by copyright. The Brooklyn Museum respects the rights of artists who retain the copyright to their work. Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954). Odalisque, 1934. Etching on China paper laid down, Plate: 14 7/16 x 11 1/4 in. (36.6 x 28.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Print Club of Cleveland, 39.590. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.39.590.jpg) Odalisque ARTIST Henri Matisse, French, 1869-1954 MEDIUM Etching on China paper laid down DIMENSIONS Plate: 14 7/16 x 11 1/4 in. (36.6 x 28.6 cm) (show scale) SIGNATURE Signed, "Henri Matisse" below right lower corner of plate in pencil Four Centuries of French Prints EDITION Edition: 248/250 CREDIT LINE Gift of the Print Club of Cleveland RIGHTS STATEMENT © artist or artist's estate Copyright for this work may be controlled by the artist, the artist's estate, or other rights holders. A more detailed analysis of its rights history may, however, place it in the public domain. The Museum does not warrant that the use of this work will not infringe on the rights of third parties. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions before copying, transmitting, or making other use of protected items beyond that allowed by "fair use," as such term is understood under the United States Copyright Act. For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org. CAPTION Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954). Odalisque, 1934. Etching on China paper laid down, Plate: 14 7/16 x 11 1/4 in. (36.6 x 28.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Print Club of Cleveland, 39.590. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.39.590.jpg) IMAGE overall, CUR.39.590.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499038
__label__wiki	0.922027	0.922027	News – Dito Montiel To Direct Heist Film “Empire State” Daniel Rester March 13, 2012 0 likes By Dominic La-Viola Dito Montiel (A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints) is directing a new heist film called Empire State, which is based on true events. The events that the film are based off of happened in 1982 when two childhood friends planned to rob an armored car. The film is set to go into production later this year. State has a well-known cast, starting with Emma Roberts (Scream 4, The Art Of Getting By) who has been in a number of indie films along with main-stream films. She is also currently filming an indie comedy with John Cusack called Adult World. State is also starring Dwayne Johnson , who plays the NYPD detective out to get them. Starring with Roberts as one of the two friends is Liam Hemsworth, who is a waiter and a possible love interest. With the film not going into production until later this year, I don’t think we will see State until early 2013, but with this cast and brief bio of the film I think it will be worth the wait. The Bond 24 Project (Film #6): “Casino Royale” (1967) – Video Review by Zach Marsh “Jack the Giant Slayer” – Review by Daniel Rester “Jack Reacher” – Review By Mike Holtz What Lies Ahead: September, 2013 – by John Maffeo “The Last Stand” – Early Video Review by MovieManCHAD and Joe Cauwel “The Place Beyond the Pines” – Review by Daniel Rester	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499039
__label__wiki	0.5431	0.5431	Dan Foley WFNT Mobile App The Value ConnectionThe Value Connection Anderson Cooper Chokes Up Reading Names of Orlando Victims Anderson Cooper 360, Twitter CNN's Anderson Cooper opened his show Monday night by struggling to read the names of the men and women who died in the mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub over the weekend. Cooper said he would not mention the name of the killer nor would he show a picture of him, electing instead "to try to keep the focus where we think it belongs, on the people whose lives were cut short." It does not take long for Cooper to lose his composure as he gives a brief description of each of the victims. He manages to work his way through the names, with his voice cracking several times throughout the more-than-eight-minute clip. As the world continues to come to grips with what happened with shows of sympathy and solidarity Cooper's reading is a reminder that the victims are, as he said, "more than a list of names." Categories: Flint News 2020 1470 WFNT, Townsquare Media, Inc. All rights reserved.	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499040
__label__wiki	0.842086	0.842086	Looney Tunes, Warner Bros. Animation, 1991 films, Warner Bros. films Traditionally Animated Films Looney Tunes films Direct-to-video films Unrated films The Looney Tunes Hall of Fame The Looney Tunes Hall of Fame is a 1991 feature film compilation of 15 classic animated short subjects from the Warner Bros. studio. The line-up of cartoons included in this anthology were A Wild Hare (1940), Birdy and the Beast (1944), Bugs Bunny Rides Again (1948), Rabbit Seasoning (1952), Feed the Kitty (1952), One Froggy Evening (1955), Duck Amuck (1953), Another Froggy Evening (1995), Fast and Furry-ous (1949), Ali Baba Bunny (1957), Knighty Knight Bugs (1958), High Diving Hare (1949), Bully for Bugs (1955) and Rabbit of Seville (1950). The Looney Tunes Hall of Fame offered audiences an opportunity to see the cartoons in a 35mm theatrical presentation.[1][2][3] Thanks to the Time Warner-Turner Entertainment merger back in 1996, this is the first compilation film to feature a wide range of pre-1948 and post-1948 color Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts compiled in it. ↑ New York Times review ↑ Cranky Critic review ↑ JonathanRosenbaum.net review Retrieved from "https://warnerbros.fandom.com/wiki/The_Looney_Tunes_Hall_of_Fame?oldid=82116"	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499041
__label__cc	0.646473	0.353527	Mike Eidlin Mike joined Watsi on February 18th, 2016. Three years ago, Mike became the 2384th member to automatically support a new Watsi patient every month. Since then, 3,243 more people have become monthly donors! Mike's most recent donation supported Tun, a day laborer from Burma, to fund mitral valve replacement cardiac surgery. Mike has funded healthcare for 44 patients in 10 countries. All patients funded by Mike Tun is a 33-year-old man from Burma. He used to work as a day laborer at a construction site until he fell sick. During his free time, he enjoys playing billiards with his friends. Tun was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Tun is experiencing tiredness, fast heartbeats, sharp chest pains, and he is unable to sleep well. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Tun. The treatment is scheduled to take place on December 16th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Tun said, "I am very happy that I received this chance of getting treatment. It is impossible if I must fund my own treatment. Thank you very much for your support.” Magdaline is a farmer from Kenya and a talkative mother of seven. Magadline hails from Kisoko Village, a stony and hilly area in Elgeyo marakwet with low socioeconomic status and the main occupation for the people living around the village is raising goats and planting millet. Magdaline’s husband is deaf and hasn’t found a job. He spends his days helping his wife in the farm or help take care of goats they have at home. On 6th December, Magdaline had just left her house to attend a ceremony when she slightly fell on a hard surface sustaining injury on the left femur. She is not able to work since she can not walk and this is affecting the family because she is the main breadwinner. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 11th, Magdaline will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Magdaline says, “I want to receive treatment, get healed, and continue supporting my family.” Chan is a 36-year-old woman who lives with her husband and father-in-law in Shwepyithar Town, Yangon Division. Chan’s husband works as a day labourer on a construction site, while Chan is a seamstress who works from home. In 2010, Chan started to feel tired, had a rapid heartbeat and developed joint pain. She went to the clinic in Thaton, where she lived at that time, and received an an echocardiogram (echo) and x-ray. The doctor also told her that, if her heart became too enlarged, she would not be able to control her condition with oral medication and she would not be able to have a baby. She then received oral medication for a week which made her feel better for a while. In September 2019, when she went back for her follow-up appointment, she received another echo. Following this, the doctor explained to her that her condition could no longer be stabilized with medication. As he knew that Chan could not afford to pay for her surgery, he referred her to Pinlon Hospital. On 17th September 2019, she met the staff at Pin Long Hospital and who then referred her to Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Currently, Chan suffers from chest pain, has difficulty breathing, has a rapid heartbeat and has lost weight. In her free times Chan likes to sew, cook and do housework. “When I’m fully recovered, I will continue to work as a seamstress, save money and live happily with family,” said Chan. “Once I have enough money, my husband and I have decided to adopt one child. And I want to do charity work and help poor people as much as I can.” Sokni is a 19-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. He has seven other brothers and sisters, and enjoys playing soccer and going for walks with his friends around the village. In July 2019, Sokni was in a motorcycle accident where he injured his left shoulder. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He has lost sensation in his elbow, has pain every day, and cannot move his arm without difficulty. Sokni traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 04, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, Surgery will allow Sokni to be able to use his arm again and no longer have any pain.. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. Sokni said, "I hope that after surgery, I will not have any more pain or difficulty moving my arm and I can return to my work at the tire factory." Abiud is a baby from Kenya. Abiud was born and raised in a small village called Tuturung where most of the inhabitants work in farms or other small not very stable jobs. Abiud parents don’t have an education so they don’t speak Kiswahili but a local Kalenjin language. They live in a small mud hut with palm frawns as a roof. They fetch water from one stream that serves the whole village they live. His family gets its food from their small farm and consists mostly of cassava, millet, and sorghum. On Monday 9/9/2019, Abiud came to hospital accompanied with his parents presented with history of fall while crawling on top of a bench and sustained injury on the left hand. An He can not use his hand and is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On September 12, Abiud will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The treatment will help his hand heal well and he will be able to use it again Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $771 to fund this procedure. His father says, “I just want my child not to be in pain anymore and be healthy and happy and have a good life.” Bonface is a baby from Kenya. For ten months, Bonface has had an inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain and if not treated, the hernia may result in intestinal tissue damage. Fortunately, on August 2, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $423 to fund Bonface's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I keep paying that someday I will be in a position to sufficiently provide for my son," says his mother. Ngwe is a 72-year-old retired widow from Burma. She lives with her daughter, her son-in-law, and her two grandsons. Ngwe has an abdominal mass that causes her discomfort. Ngwe sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on July 5. She is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Si Thu is one-month-old baby boy from Thailand. He lives with his parents. Since last week, Si Thu has had an inguinal hernia. Fortunately, on June 12, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Si Thu's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 12 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Si Thu’s mother said, “In the past, there were no doctors and hospitals in my village. My mother lost her life on her way to the hospital to give birth to me. Because of this incident, I want my son to become a doctor when he grows up to save the life of mothers and save children from becoming orphans.” Dina is a 21-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. In his free time, he likes to play soccer, help the family around the house, and listen to music. In January 2019, Dina was involved in a motorcycle accident that caused paralysis in his arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to use his right arm or hand, and is unable to work on the rice farm. Dina traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 9, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. Surgery will help to restore movement and sensation to damaged nerves, allowing Dina to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. He says, "I hope that after surgery, I will be able to move my arm normally again and can go back to work." John is a farmer from Malawi. John lives with his wife and eight kids. He enjoys doing handicraft work when he is not busy working on his farm. Since about a year ago, John has been experiencing pelvic pain and failure to urinate. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund John's surgery. On April 16, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. He says, "We thank you so much, and we hope that this program can go on assisting others as well!" Mu is 43-year-old farmer from Burma. She lives with her husband and five children. In her free time she likes to forage for vegetables in the forest with her friends. She has a gallstone and has burning pain in her lower right abdomen. She also suffers from back pain and sometimes she is not able to sleep or eat well due to the pain. Mu has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Mu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Mu is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on March 21. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Mu's procedure and care. She says, "I hope that I can get well again so that I can help my husband and my son on our farm." Hashim is a farmer with a large family from Malawi. He lives with his wife and six kids, and together they have seven grandchildren. He spends his days farming, and enjoys reading the Bible in his free time. Since May 2018, Hashim has been experiencing pain and failure to urinate. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Hashim's surgery. On February 14, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. View more patients	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499043
__label__wiki	0.7824	0.7824	WCR This Week O'Leary promoted dream of Catholic college at U of A WCR PHOTO \| RAMON GONZALEZ Kenneth Munro is the author of St. Joseph's College-University of Alberta. RAMON GONZALEZ WESTERN CATHOLIC REPORTER When Henry Joseph O'Leary became the second archbishop of Edmonton in 1920, he dreamed of building a Catholic college that would educate students in the Christian intellectual tradition. He originally wanted a stand-alone Catholic university but ended up settling for a college affiliated with the University of Alberta. The arrangement was similar to the one St. Michael's College had achieved 20 years earlier with the University of Toronto. That's how St. Joseph's College at the U of A came to be in 1927. Administered by the Basilian Fathers since 1963, the college teaches undergraduate courses in applied ethics, philosophy, religious education and theology. In total, 29 theology courses and nine philosophy courses taught at St. Joe's are listed for credit in the U of A's faculty of arts. According to Kenneth Munro, author of the recently-published St. Joseph's College: University of Alberta, O'Leary soon realized his hope for a stand-alone Catholic university was not practical. For one, University of Alberta president Henry Marshall Tory and Alberta Premier Alexander Rutherford both opposed the idea. They wanted only one non-sectarian university to serve the population of Alberta. Tory believed small sectarian colleges were unable to offer the scientific education required in the 20th century and favoured Christian denominational colleges affiliated with state universities. He believed the Church could inject goodness into the life of a state university. With this in mind, the U of A began to offer land for Church colleges on campus in 1910. The Methodists and Presbyterians quickly took advantage of the offer. Bishop Emile Legal, O'Leary's predecessor, was excited about the possibility but was unable to get things rolling. He invited the French Jesuits, who set up a college across the river and taught in French, thus failing to gain affiliation. VIABLE OPTION O'Leary realized a Catholic college affiliated with the U of A and built on the university grounds was the most viable option. He wanted the Basilians to operate it but when this congregation was unable to come, he turned to the Christian Brothers of La Salle, who managed the college from 1926 until 1963. At more than 500 pages, Munro's book provides an extensive, detailed history of the college. However, he is careful to give readers valuable information about all characters involved and some of the political struggles. We learn, for example, that as O'Leary negotiated with the U of A, there was a heated debate in the Catholic hierarchy over what type of colleges and universities they should support - stand-alone institutions or affiliated Catholic colleges on existing university campuses. Father George Dale, with strong support from the Jesuits and several bishops, proposed establishing one stand-alone Catholic college for Western Canada and rejected Catholic colleges affiliated with secular institutions. O'Leary disagreed and went ahead with his University of Alberta project, eventually striking a deal that would see St. Joseph's affiliated with the university. That agreement wasn't ideal but was practical, the archbishop conceded. Munro is well qualified to write the history of St. Joseph's College. He is a professor emeritus at the U of A, where he taught for 40 years. He was academic dean of St. Joseph's during his last four years of active service at the university. In April 2013, Father Terry Kersch, current president of the college, and Father Don McLeod asked Munro if he knew of somebody who could write the history of St. Joseph's College. Since Munro was nearly a year into retirement and searching for a project, he offered to take on the job. Kersch and McLeod accepted his offer. The main point of the book, Munro says, is to tell the story of the man at the centre of the college's origins - Archbishop O'Leary. "Here we have a bishop who had a vision for a men's and women's college on a secular campus, which would provide sound academics, a residence for both men and women, and a community in which all Catholics on campus could congregate." O'Leary built the college with a grant from the Carnegie Foundation in the U.S. However, the Christian Brothers who ran the college only had teaching experience in primary and secondary schools, not at the university level. Munro said rather than focusing on academics, the brothers emphasized the residence in order to nurture and develop Catholic young men to be leaders in the community and in their Christian faith. "By de-emphasising their academic mission largely because of their innate deficiencies, they left the college with their initial ambition unfulfilled." Munro said the brothers did their best, but did not have the means to teach at the university level and lacked the reputation to secure a respected place for Catholic scholarship at the U of A. Pressure from members of the Catholic community led to the ousting of the Christian Brothers in 1963. They were replaced with the Basilians, who have strengthened the academic dimension of St. Joseph's to the point it is now a leader in teaching the Catholic intellectual tradition. WOMEN'S RESIDENCE One project incomplete when the college opened its doors in 1927 was the residence. O'Leary could only find sufficient funds to build a male residence. "In the last 90 years several attempts have been made to build a women's residence to complete Archbishop O'Leary's dream, " writes Munro. "Under the guidance of Archbishop Richard Smith, finally, Archbishop's O'Leary's dream has been realized." A women's residence next to the college was opened this fall. St. Joseph's College, the book, can be purchased at the college or from Friesen Press Bookstore. Return TopTrackbackPrintPermalink Trackback URL: Currently rated 0.0 by 0 people « Canada's mining companies urged to dialogue over environmental, human rights abuse Alta food banks facing 'stampede' » High quality modern library helps give college credibility Syro-Malankara community greets its catholicos Inner City principal shares her dream of peace Jesuit college responds to TRC report Joyous grads tell how Newman let dreams come true Comments are closed for this post, but if you have spotted an error or have additional info that you think should be in this post, feel free to contact us. © Western Catholic Reporter \| Terms of Use \| Website Design by Primal Tribe \| Login	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499044
__label__wiki	0.692339	0.692339	OM® Blog by miquette no life is separate from another, we are all connected™ ‘Our lives are so intertwined . . .’ In recent days, here in Rhode Island, people have been getting married . . . There’s nothing unusual in this, you might think. You’d be mistaken. For the couples in question, not to mention their families, this is a big deal. For this, they’ve been forced to wait an awfully-long time. In some cases, it has taken more than four decades to tie the knot, but tied it is at last. Here at OM®, we couldn’t be more proud. Proud, that is, to live in a State that, after much heel dragging, has decided to make a stand. Proud that Rhode Island has put people before prejudice and that such basic things as equality, love and fundamental human rights have been allowed to flourish. Proud that same-sex couples are, at long last, able to make a legal commitment to each other. Proud that the bigots in our midst have not been allowed to prevail. Marriage equality, gay marriage, call it what you like, it’s here, with Rhode Island and Minnesota having become the 12th and 13th States to make it legal. Tomorrow, at Point Judith, RI, Royce Kilbourn and Karl Staatz are scheduled to become the latest couple to have their union endorsed. ‘It’s life changing for us,’ explains Royce. ‘We’ve been together for 21 years and we’ve dreamed of this day. It’s important to us and we’re thrilled’. Karl adds, ‘My heart is pumping and my hands are shaking. It’s exciting’. Their connection is clear, their love for each other obvious and it’s hard to imagine being together for such a long time whilst being considered – in legal terms, at least – to be doing something illicit. ‘I’m proud of the Rhode Island Legislature for finally passing this,’ says Maria Wall, Cranston City Clerk, who has signed countless same-sex marriage licenses in recent days. ‘I think that our gay brothers and sisters and children should have the same rights as everyone else’. Maria speaks from experience. She has a gay son. Much credit has to go to Rhode Island State Representative Frank Ferri, who has long spearheaded the fight for equal rights. This time last week, he got his reward when he married his long-time partner Tony Caparco (pictured left) at the Harbor Lights Country Club in Warwick. It was, he says, the first of many such ceremonies. ‘The train is out of the station,’ he says. ‘It’s going and it’s not stopping and it’s not going back. We’ve seen it here in New England and we know how people are opening their minds, because so many couples like ourselves are living their lives openly and honestly every day’. Frank and Tony have been partners for 32 years. Their commitment to each other cannot be questioned. Of course, there were protests and prejudice. Of course, there was hatred and enmity, but such things didn’t last long, those in favor far outweighing those against. The tide is turning, attitudes changing, love coming to the fore. Deep down, that’s what it’s all about: love. The thing that Zachary Marcus and Gary McDowell, the first same-sex couple to be married in Providence, have in abundance. The thing that has kept Federico Santi and John Gacher together for 41 years. The thing that prompted Adrianne Gordon, Jen Harris and their two-year-old daughter, August, to travel to Rhode Island from their home in North Carolina, where same-sex marriage is still prohibited. ‘We’ve been together [for] so long’, says Adrianne. ‘Our lives are so intertwined’. This simple sentiment struck quite a chord here in our studio . . . You see, this is what we’re about here at OM®. This is what we stand for. It’s not about men and women, it’s about people, it’s about humanity, it’s about love. It’s about lives intertwined and it’s about connection and it’s something to celebrate, make no doubt about it. Here at OM®, we’d like to send our best wishes to EVERYONE involved and congratulate all the happy couples out there. For Rhode Island, for humanity, these are exciting times indeed . . . We are all connected. The White Supremacist and the Sikh . . . ‘Love makes the world go round, but kindness inspires love’ Three fingers = To-tall-y. Four = In-fin-i-ty For kids, against DIPG; feel that connection Connected to Kira, always We all have it in us to touch the lives of others . . . ‘If everyone does a little more for those less fortunate, we’ll have a better society . . .’ OM Newsletter Signup Form! Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest in events and updates Subscribe to our newsletter Click to subscribe to this blog and receive new posts by email We Are All Connected, Sign me up! Omniscient Marvels Follow @OMbymiquette Archives Select Month June 2018 (1) April 2018 (1) March 2018 (1) October 2015 (1) September 2015 (1) August 2015 (1) June 2015 (1) April 2015 (1) March 2015 (3) February 2015 (1) January 2015 (1) September 2014 (3) August 2014 (1) July 2014 (2) June 2014 (2) May 2014 (2) April 2014 (2) March 2014 (1) February 2014 (1) January 2014 (4) December 2013 (3) November 2013 (4) October 2013 (4) September 2013 (6) August 2013 (5) July 2013 (9) June 2013 (8) May 2013 (7) April 2013 (7) March 2013 (8) February 2013 (8) January 2013 (8) December 2012 (8) November 2012 (10) October 2012 (5) September 2012 (10) August 2012 (5) July 2012 (12) June 2012 (5) May 2012 (8) April 2012 (8) March 2012 (8) February 2012 (3) January 2012 (12) December 2011 (10) November 2011 (12) October 2011 (10) September 2011 (5) August 2011 (7) July 2011 (11) June 2011 (12) May 2011 (9) April 2011 (15) January 2011 (1) 656 Ten Rod Road Hours: Tues-Wed 10am - 3pm, Th; 10 - 1:00 Fri-Sat:10am - 3pm	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499045
__label__cc	0.679085	0.320915	Report: Data Warehouses are heading to the Cloud by Beth Johnson Unisphere Research Report uncovers the trends that are driving analytics workloads to the cloud, including real-time analytics and machine learning. Data strategies are now commonplace, machine learning adoption has doubled in a year, and data warehouses are still a go-to tool for most data-driven organizations, according to a recent research report on database trends and applications in business developed by Unisphere Research. More than 80 per cent of organizations either have or are considering implementing a data warehouse, according to the report. And many of these are already making use of cloud technology for their analytics workloads. In fact, 41 per cent of respondents with a data warehouse indicated they’re running at least a portion of the warehouse in the cloud. And those numbers are only increasing. “Among those not yet running their data warehouse in the cloud, close to half, 48 per cent, are planning or considering a move to the cloud,” the report reads, adding that most planned moves are likely at least two years away. Other findings within the report provided a further vivid illustration of how organizations of all stripes are rapidly becoming more data-driven: Nearly 100 per cent of respondents have a documented data strategy, with 92 per cent indicating the strategy is used to inform decision making. A combined 49 per cent said real-time analytics are either critical at their organization or are about to be implemented. Neatly 50 per cent said they’re either considering or already have formal DataOps and MLOps processes. 48 per cent said they use machine learning, with another 20 per cent of respondents considering implementing the technology. 65 per cent said they either have or are considering implementing a data lake, with 45 per cent of data lakes driven by Hadoop and nearly 30 per cent by cloud-native platforms. Of all concerns around cloud technology, data security (63%) was the most prevalent followed by data governance (56%) and performance (50%). The report, sponsored by Pythian, canvassed more than 240 IT and data leaders from a broad sample of organizations of all sizes. It explored data technology initiatives such as machine learning, data lakes, Hadoop, the cloud, and data warehouses – as well as how all these technologies are converging as organizations become more data-driven. Want to meet the Pythian team in London, UK? We will be at Booth 26 at the Big Data Analytics Confex in November. Contact us to book a meeting!	cc/2020-05/en_head_0057.json.gz/line1499049

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