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Ellison’s support for terrorist not a concern — Reaction to revelations spark ‘no comment’ in Congress
Ellison’s support for terrorist not a concern
Reaction to revelations spark ‘no comment’ in Congress
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Jay Baggett
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
WND’s report that new Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, once advocated the release of a woman charged with placing pipe bombs under police cars and who was a member of a terror group that allegedly attempted to assassinate Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., has generated a string of “no comments” from the parties, as well as a key congressional leader.
“The information (question) was received and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can,” A. Tianna Scozzaro, a spokeswoman in Feinstein’s Washington, D.C., office told WND when asked about the situation. But no call was returned.
One day earlier, she had explained that no comment could be obtained because lawmakers were busy waiting for President Bush’s State of the Union address later that night.
At issue is Ellison’s support for and participation in a fund-raiser in 2000 for the then-recently arrested Kathleen Soliah, a.k.a. Sara Jane Olson. She was a member of the New World Liberation Army and associated with the Symbionese Liberation Army during the 1970s and had been on the run from law enforcement for over two decades when she was captured in St. Paul, Minn.
Arrested in 1999 for placing pipe bombs beneath Los Angeles Police Department squad cars in 1975, Soliah-Olson was eventually charged with – and pleaded guilty to – the shotgun murder of Myrna Opsahl, a bank customer killed during a 1975 SLA robbery.
Soliah-Olson also pleaded guilty to placing pipe bombs under LAPD police cars.
Ellison spokesman Rick Jauert did not respond to multiple requests over several days from WND to comment on the circumstances of Ellison’s support for his fellow Minnesotan. Feinstein’s office also has not returned messages requesting information.
During her time with the SLA, Soliah-Olson, two of her siblings and several friends, exploded a series of bombs in the Bay Area under the banner of the NWLF. Following the September 1975 capture of most members of the SLA, Soliah-Olson was linked to several NWLF bombings by authorities and witnesses.
In 1976, a NWLF bomb placed beneath the bedroom window of then-San Francisco Supervisor Dianne Feinstein’s daughter failed to explode due to a rare freeze that disabled the detonator.
In 1995, Feinstein, by now a U.S. senator, testified at Senate hearings on terrorism where she explained why she began carrying a concealed weapon:
“Because less than 20 years ago I was the target of a terrorist group. It was the New World Liberation Front. They blew up power stations and put a bomb at my home when my husband was dying of cancer. And the bomb didn’t detonate. … I was very lucky. But, I thought of what might have happened. Later the same group shot out all the windows of my home.
“And, I know the sense of helplessness that people feel. I know the urge to arm yourself, because that’s what I did. I was trained in firearms. I’d walk to the hospital when my husband was sick. I carried a concealed weapon. I made the determination that if somebody was going to try to take me out, I was going to take them with me.”
As WND reported Ellison joined Bernadine Dohrn, one of the founders of the 1960s radical group the Weather Underground, at the Feb.12, 2000, St. Paul fund-raiser for Soliah-Olson’s legal defense.
The speech by Ellison, then a local criminal defense attorney, activist and radio talk-show host, is still preserved on an archived copy of the now-defunct Soliah-Olson defense website.
“For the people who want to incarcerate Sara Jane Olson, ain’t nothing changed,” said Ellison. “As a matter of fact, they want to settle scores with Sara Jane Olson and others who were fighting for freedom in the ’60s and ’70s.
“… I think, just like the people who want to come together and lock up Sara, we need to come together and free Sara. And all the Saras, because she’s not the only one.”
Ellison, crediting the speech given by Dohrn earlier that evening, continued.
“This is not about justice,” he said. “This is not about accountability, this is not about public safety. This is about symbolism. This is about making a point. This is about saying to you and to me that we are going to get you if you ever try to stand against what we’re about. We’re going to get you. And we’re going to lock you up and we don’t care how long it takes, we’re going to get you.”
He admitted his knowledge of the SLA wasn’t complete, but, “I can tell you what they stated … they were in favor of: It had to do with fighting poverty and fighting racism and stuff like that. I’m not even here to tell you how they did it, because I don’t know.
“… And so, I just want to welcome you for your contribution to the struggle and thank those of you who have been maintaining the struggle over the years, and say, ‘Hey, free Sara!'”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., through her Washington office, has not returned requests for a comment on a sitting congressman being on the record supporting a terrorist whose group tried to kill policemen and allegedly twice tried to murder Feinstein.
“I will get our press secretary to call you back. Thanks,” said a spokeswoman in Pelosi’s office who declined even to take the time to give her name before hanging up on a reporter.
Posted in democrat muslim, Islam, islam fundamentalist, Islam sympathizers, Keith Ellison. Leave a Comment »
Iran denies entry to 38 UN nuclear inspectors
TEHRAN: Iran has barred 38 inspectors on a UN list from entering the country, the foreign minister said Monday in what appeared to be retaliation for the UN sanctions imposed last month. Iran rejected the officials on a list of potential inspectors drawn up by the International Atomic Energy Agency to carry out visits to Iran’s nuclear facilities. Others on the list remain eligible.
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki did not explain the criteria for barring the inspectors but said, “the act of rejecting some inspectors is legal and in accordance with the agency’s regulations.”
“The International Atomic Energy Agency submits a long list of inspectors to member countries and the countries have the right to oppose the visit by some inspectors,” Mottaki told the official Islamic Republic News Agency.
The head of the parliamentary committee of national security and foreign policy, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, had been quoted by a students’ press agency earlier as saying Iran had barred 38 inspectors.
Last month, the UN Security Council imposed limited trade sanctions on Iran because of its refusal to cease uranium enrichment, a process that produces the material for nuclear reactors or bombs.
Days later, the country’s Parliament adopted a motion that obliged the government to revise its cooperation with the monitoring agency, but gave it a free hand to determine the steps to be taken.
The United States and some of its allies accuse Tehran of trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran denies this, saying its program is only to produce electricity from nuclear sources.
In a related development Monday, Iran’s most senior dissident cleric said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s aggressive nuclear diplomacy had harmed the country, joining a chorus of criticism that has included even the hard- line leader’s conservative allies.
The comments by Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, reflected a growing feeling among many that Ahmadinejad has concentrated too much on anti-U.S. speeches and not enough on the economy.
Posted in Ahmadinejad, Iran, Iranian threat, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Leave a Comment »
Iran prepares people for ‘messiah miracles’ — Government broadcasts series on imminent appearance of apocalyptic Islamic ‘Mahdi’
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53964
Posted in Ahmadinejad, Iran, Iranian threat, iranian TV, Islam, islam fundamentalist, Islam's Founder, Mahdi. Leave a Comment »
Paradise Lost; Why the Left Loves Muhammad
By Timothy Birdnow
“For who can yet believe, though after loss,
that all these puissant legions,
whose exile hath emptied Heaven,
shall fail to reascend Self-raised,
and repossess their native seat?”
Book one, verses 631-634
Conservatives seem baffled by the animosity held by liberals towards Christians and Jews. Christianity requires the believer submit to authority, accept the rule of government, be charitable to his fellow; in short, be a model citizen. Ditto the Jews, who held these requirements even longer than the Christians. Why are liberals so hostile to both? For that matter, why do liberals seem so smitten with that 7th century holdover known as Islam? Why do those on the Left seem less than eager to defend our freedom and way of life from the ravages of Islamic Jihad?
To understand this, it is necessary to examine the intellectual underpinnings of modern Liberal thought. We must begin with Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Godfather of modern liberalism, in his treatise The Social Contract:
“MAN is born free; and everywhere he is in chains.”
Why? George Bush, of course, but also because
“It was in these circumstances that Jesus came to set up on earth a spiritual kingdom, which, by separating the theological from the political system, made the State no longer one, and brought about the internal divisions which have never ceased to trouble Christian peoples. As the new idea of a kingdom of the other world could never have occurred to pagans, they always looked on the Christians as really rebels, who, while feigning to submit, were only waiting for the chance to make themselves independent and their masters, and to usurp by guile the authority they pretended in their weakness to respect. This was the cause of the persecutions.
“What the pagans had feared took place. Then everything changed its aspect: the humble Christians changed their language, and soon this so-called kingdom of the other world turned, under a visible leader, into the most violent of earthly despotisms.
“Several peoples, however, even in Europe and its neighborhood, have desired without success to preserve or restore the old system: but the spirit of Christianity has everywhere prevailed. The sacred cult has always remained or again become independent of the Sovereign, and there has been no necessary link between it and the body of the State. Mahomet held very sane views, and linked his political system well together; and, as long as the form of his government continued under the caliphs who succeeded him, that government was indeed one, and so far good.”
So, Christianity and Judaism, by giving the World Separation of Church and State, destroyed the old pagan order and splintered the power of the collective will. To those who believe in this collective and the exercise of the will of society over the individual, there can be no worse crime. The results were ‘the most violent of earthly despotisms’ while the Islamic world, that model of theocratic benevolence, offered a government ‘so far good'”.
(It is ironic that the Left would use that very Christian concept of separation between Church and State as a tool to eliminate the author of this division.)
Those who would revolutionize society, who would remake America in their own neo-pagan, atheistic mold, find the fundamental weakening of the power of the State intolerable (since it is only by that power that their will can triumph), and would prefer to institute a system more akin to that of Muhammad. They admire Islam for maintaining the ancient regime, although they ultimately plan to displace Allah with a Man-centered deity.
Of course, the liberal also hates being constrained in any way, and traditional morality flows, as they perceive it, from the Church down. By raising Islam as an alternative to Christendom, the liberal hopes to bludgeon the keepers of morality. Islam can help with the dirty work of crushing the usurper ideologies of Christianity and Judaism, and then, of course, their turn will come.
Then, too, we can look to Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, who believed not in the rationality of Christendom, but in a mythical Greek paradise ruled by “Dionysian” creative forces – emotionalism and irrationality. These forces were vanquished by the rise of Socratic intellectualism and the coming of Christianity. Nietzsche argued further against a fixed reality in his unpublished work `On Truth and Lies in a Nonmoral Sense‘, claiming that what we think of as truth is merely a convention agreed upon by society, thus freeing Man from the tyranny of concrete reality.
This wild spirit, this vision of the anti-mind slithers throughout liberal thought and can be seen in numerous left-wing positions; being soft on crime, spiritual environmentalism, their admiration for dictators such as Castro and Mao, and in their current love affair with radical Islam. Terrorism is the ultimate irrational force, a violence aimed at random destruction and mayhem. It holds kinship with the bloodlust of the Marxists and Nazis, and, as such, is a “creative force“ by Nietzschean standards. (Oh, and Nietzsche also hated Christians and Jews, and was a prime inspiration for National Socialism; copies of Thus Spoke Zarathustra were issued to German soldiers during World War One, gaining the interest of a certain corporal…)
A return to the “good old days” of the 7th Century, to a time before paradise was lost to the tyranny of Judeo-Christian intellectualism seems preferable to modern liberals, who have flatly rejected Hobbes` view of primitive life as solitary poor, hard, nasty, brutish, and short. We especially see this in the neo-paganism of the environmentalist movement; they dream of a lost pastoral Eden where mankind could be free of the drudgery of industrial life and the endless intellectual toil. A great many on the Left wish to overthrow the current order, replacing it with this twisted Nietzschean/Rousseauian mirage stolen from the Book of Genesis.
Of course, to those who do not believe in a concrete reality, as many liberals do not, one system is as good as another, and we have no right to judge the Moslem on how he conducts his affairs. Since the Jihadist’s reality is equally valid as the Westerner’s, we are practicing moral Imperialism if we force our Judeo-Christian moral law on them. This is exacerbated by the fact that they are Third World peoples; many liberals, deep in their hearts, are pulling for what they perceive as the underdog – in this case the terrorist murdering thug-at the expense of their own culture. A racist, sexist, homophobic, power-mad society such as ours deserves to be taught a lesson! Even if the teacher is racist, sexist, homophobic, and power-mad, they aren’t Western, Christian, or White! They aren’t Dick Cheney! Power to the people!
There is a strain of masochism involved here as well; the white liberal perceives himself as having unfairly benefited from his station in life, having lived well on the backs of the poor. Somebody must be punished for this! He will flagellate himself in his mind, and will support those who will punish his country, because justice demands retribution, and America has lived far too well. If we must endure terrorist attacks to atone for our sins, so be it! Perhaps we should do the decent thing and die; let others have their turn at the table.
Here Socialist thinking comes into play; there is only so much to go around, and we have been hogging it for too long. For those in the Arab world to live better, we must exit the stage. It’s only fair!
The Liberal ultimately believes that the culture we have built, the triumph of Judeo-Christian values, is diseased and must be erased. If Islam can do their work for them, so be it. Islam, like the State under Marx, will ultimately wither away, and the paradise which predated Christ and Abraham can be restored. At least they like to think so.
Much like Milton’s fallen angels, they believe they have been dispossessed of their rightful station by a tyrannical spiritual entity, and they are determined to repossess their native seat-the fallen pastoral paradise promised them by Rousseau and Nietzsche-via the triumph of their Collective Will. This is their prime mover, their principle motivation. It is why they were so enraged at the loss of their political power, and why they hate the “usurper“ George W. Bush; they were driven out before they could attain paradise. This concept-lifted from Christian doctrine-that History has an ultimate end in a Humanistic Eden cannot be overstressed; the Left is consumed with this. They feel that, by losing their political power, they have been cast into the Lake of Fire.
“They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld
of Paradise, so late their happy seat,
waved over by that flaming brand, the gate
with dreadful faces throng`d, and fiery arms.”
(Book XVII, verses 642-644)
Timothy Birdnow blogs at Birdblog.
Posted in democrat muslim, Democrats, Democrats & The Left, DEMOCRATS AND ISLAM, Islam, islam fundamentalist, Islam sympathizers, Islam's Founder. Leave a Comment »
Reconstruct mosques or else: Islamabad mullahs threaten suicide attacks
How come these clerics haven’t gotten the word that Islam forbids suicide? Could it be because they understand Qur’an 9:111 to promise Paradise to those who “kill and are killed” for Allah?
Anyway, this is one reason why it is so difficult for our Friend and Ally Pakistan to reform madrasas. By Mohammad Kamran and Mohammad Imran in the Daily Times, with thanks to all who sent this in:
ISLAMABAD: The administration of Lal Masjid on Friday threatened the government of suicide attacks if it continues to demolish mosques and madrassas. The clerics also acquired a commitment to this effect from thousands of worshippers at the Friday congregation.Addressing the Friday sermon, Maulana Abdul Aziz, key prayer leader of Lal Masjid, asked the government to reconstruct the demolished mosques and urged President Musharraf to “seek Allah’s forgiveness” for demolishing “seven mosques in the country”. “We are ready to carry out suicide attacks if the government does not meet our demands,” he said, adding that the clerics would accept General Musharraf president for life if he accepts all their demands in letter and spirit.
Maulana Aziz, who is also the principal of Jamia Hafsa and Jamia Fareedia madrassas, issued a decree after citing verses from the Quran that jihad had become obligatory on all men and women against the backdrop of “prevailing evil in the country”. He demanded the government enforce a system based on the Quran and Sunnah in the country and stop dubbing jihad as terrorism….
Maulana Aziz said that millions of madrassa students had decided to sacrifice their lives in the name of Allah and the government must realise the gravity of the situation. He said that 10,000 students of Jamia Fareedia would sit in aitekaaf for 40 days to seek “divine help” and they would also be taught about the significance of jihad. “We do not want an armed conflict with the government, but we should not be pushed to the wall,” he added.
Posted in Islam, islam fundamentalist, Islam sympathizers, Islamabad, Mullahs, Pakistan. Leave a Comment »
Bethlehem Christians Break Silence on Muslim Oppression
After many years of the mainstream media’s annual story about mean Israelis stealing Bethlehem’s Christmas (see here for a comical example), the truth has been revealed. Christians are fleeing every Muslim-majority territory because of the apartheid discrimination encouraged by Muslim sharia law. Land theft works because the testimony of non-Muslims is weighed less in every sharia court in the world.
A number of Christian families have finally decided to break their silence and talk openly about what they describe as Muslim persecution of the Christian minority in this city.
The move comes as a result of increased attacks on Christians by Muslims over the past few months. The families said they wrote letters to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, the Vatican, Church leaders and European governments complaining about the attacks, but their appeals have fallen on deaf ears.
According to the families, many Christians have long been afraid to complain in public about the campaign of “intimidation” for fear of retaliation by their Muslim neighbors and being branded “collaborators” with Israel.
This is a death sentence.
But following an increase in attacks on Christian-owned property in the city over the past few months, some Christians are no longer afraid to talk about the ultra-sensitive issue. And they are talking openly about leaving the city.
“The situation is very dangerous,” said Samir Qumsiyeh, owner of the Beit Sahur-based private Al-Mahd (Nativity) TV station. “I believe that 15 years from now there will be no Christians left in Bethlehem. Then you will need a torch to find a Christian here. This is a very sad situation.”
Qumsiyeh, one of the few Christians willing to speak about the harsh conditions of their community, has been the subject of numerous death threats. His house was recently attacked with fire-bombs, but no one was hurt.
Qumsiyeh said he has documented more than 160 incidents of attacks on Christians in the area in recent years.
He said a monk was recently roughed up for trying to prevent a group of Muslim men from seizing lands owned by Christians in Beit Sahur. Thieves have targeted the homes of many Christian families and a “land mafia” has succeeded in laying its hands on vast areas of land belonging to Christians, he added.
Fuad and Georgette Lama woke up one morning last September to discover that Muslims from a nearby village had fenced off their family’s six-dunam plot in the Karkafa suburb south of Bethlehem. “A lawyer and an official with the Palestinian Authority just came and took our land,” said 69-year-old Georgette Lama.
The couple was later approached by senior PA security officers who offered to help them kick out the intruders from the land. “We paid them $1,000 so they could help us regain our land,” she said, almost in tears. “Instead of giving us back our land, they simply decided to keep it for themselves. They even destroyed all the olive trees and divided the land into small plots, apparently so that they could offer each for sale.” When her 72-year-old husband, Fuad, went to the land to ask the intruders to leave, he was severely beaten and threatened with guns.
“My husband is after heart surgery and they still beat him,” Georgette Lama said. “These people have no heart. We’re afraid to go to our land because they will shoot at us. Ever since the beating, my husband is in a state of trauma and has difficulties talking.”
The Lamas have since knocked on the doors of scores of PA officials in Bethlehem seeking their intervention, but to no avail. At one stage, they sent a letter to Abbas, who promised to launch an investigation.
“We heard that President Mahmoud Abbas is taking our case very seriously,” said Georgette Lama. “But until now he hasn’t done anything to help us get our land back. We are very concerned because we’re not the only ones suffering from this phenomenon. Most Christians are afraid to speak, but I don’t care because we have nothing more to lose.”
A Christian businessman who asked not to be identified said the conditions of Christians in Bethlehem and its surroundings had deteriorated ever since the area was handed over to the PA in 1995.
“Every day we hear of another Christian family that has immigrated to the US, Canada or Latin America,” he said.
Posted in Bethlehem, Christian, Islam, islam fundamentalist, Islam sympathizers, muslim, muslim extremist, Muslim Fundamentalism. Leave a Comment »
Democrats who also “took us into this war recklessly”
by Bill Levinson
Senator James Webb (D-VA) said this in his rebuttal to George Bush’s State of the Union address.
The President took us into this war recklessly. He disregarded warnings from the national security adviser during the first Gulf War, the chief of staff of the army, two former commanding generals of the Central Command, whose jurisdiction includes Iraq, the director of operations on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and many, many others with great integrity and long experience in national security affairs. We are now, as a nation, held hostage to the predictable and predicted disarray that has followed
Since he (inadvertantly of course) left out some other people who “took us into this war recklessly,” we will help him out by reminding him and the American public of what his friends John Kerry, Hillary “I Want a Third Term in 2008″ Clinton, Thomas Daschle, Albert “The World is Melting” Gore, and William “I did not have sex with that woman, depending on what you mean by sex” Jefferson Clinton said about Iraq.
# John Kerry, 23 February 1998: “Saddam Hussein has already used these weapons and has made it clear that he has the intent to continue to try, by virtue of his duplicity and secrecy, to continue to do so. That is a threat to the stability of the Middle East. It is a threat with respect to the potential of terrorist activities on a global basis. It is a threat even to regions near but not exactly in the Middle East.”
# Thomas Daschle, 1998: a 1998 use-of-force resolution would “send as clear a message as possible that we are going to force, one way or another, diplomatically or militarily, Iraq to comply with international law.” “We have exhausted virtually our diplomatic effort to get the Iraqis to comply with their own agreements and with international law. Given that, what other option is there but to force them to do so?”
# Albert Gore, 16 December 1998: “If you allow someone like Saddam Hussein to get nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, chemical weapons, biological weapons, how many people is he going to kill with such weapons? He’s already demonstrated a willingness to use these weapons. He poison-gassed his own people. He used poison gas and other weapons of mass destruction against his neighbors. This man has no compunction about killing lots and lots of people.”
# Saddam Abused His Last Chance, Clinton Says By Linda D. Kozaryn American Forces Press Service [As a publication of the United States Government, this is believed to be in the public domain]
WASHINGTON — A month ago, the United States called off its war planes to give Saddam Hussein one last chance to cooperate. When he failed to do so, the United States took action.
President Clinton ordered air strikes Dec. 16 against Iraq’s nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and its military capacity to threaten its neighbors. Warships and combat aircraft began bombarding the defiant Gulf state at 5 p.m. EST — 1 a.m. in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital.
…“Saddam Hussein must not be allowed to threaten his neighbors or the world with nuclear arms, poison gas or biological weapons,” Clinton said. The Iraqi dictator has used these weapons against his neighbors and his own people, he said, and “left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will use these terrible weapons again.”
…Butler’s conclusions, Clinton said, proved to be “stark, sobering and profoundly disturbing.” Instead of living up to its agreement, he said, “Iraq has abused its final chance.”
He said Iraq had placed new restrictions on the inspectors, further obstructed inspections and failed to turn over all requested documents. In one instance, the Iraqis removed all documents, furniture and equipment from a building prior to a U.N. inspection.
Butler’s report concluded Iraq has ensured U.N. inspectors could make no progress toward disarmament. Even if the inspectors could stay in Iraq, Clinton said, their work would be a sham.
“Saddam’s deception has defeated their effectiveness,” he said. “Instead of the inspectors disarming Saddam, the Iraqi dictator has disarmed the inspectors.”
Clinton said he and his national security advisers agreed that Hussein presented a clear and present danger to the stability of the Persian Gulf and the safety of people everywhere. He said he deemed military action necessary to prove the international community, led by the United States, had not lost its will. Failure to act, Clinton said, would have “fatally undercut the fear of force that stops Saddam from acting to gain domination in the region.”
# “Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime … He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation … And now he is miscalculating America’s response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction … So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real…” – Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003 http://www.glennbeck.com/news/01302004.shtml
# Hillary Rodham Clinton, Floor Speech of 10 October 2002 (from her own Senate Web site): “In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members, though there is apparently no evidence of his involvement in the terrible events of September 11, 2001.” http://clinton.senate.gov/speeches/iraq_101002.html
http://www.house.gov/pelosi/priraq1.htm
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi
Statement on U.S. Led Military Strike Against Iraq
As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am keenly aware that the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons is an issue of grave importance to all nations. Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process.
The responsibility of the United States in this conflict is to eliminate weapons of mass destruction, to minimize the danger to our troops and to diminish the suffering of the Iraqi people. The citizens of Iraq have suffered the most for Saddam Hussein’s activities; sadly, those same citizens now stand to suffer more. I have supported efforts to ease the humanitarian situation in Iraq and my thoughts and prayers are with the innocent Iraqi civilians, as well as with the families of U.S. troops participating in the current action.
I believe in negotiated solutions to international conflict. This is, unfortunately, not going to be the case in this situation where Saddam Hussein has been a repeat offender, ignoring the international community’s requirement that he come clean with his weapons program. While I support the President, I hope and pray that this conflict can be resolved quickly and that the international community can find a lasting solution through diplomatic means.
http://www.iraqwatch.org/government/US/Letters,%20reports%20and%20statements/levin-10-9-98.html
CONCERN OVER RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAQ
(Senate – October 09, 1998)
HON. CARL LEVIN
in the Senate
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, today, along with Senators McCain, Lieberman, Hutchison and twenty-three other Senators, I am sending a letter to the President to express our concern over Iraq’s actions and urging the President `after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq’s refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs.’
At the outset, I believe it would be useful to review the events that led up to the requirement for the destruction of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction programs. At the time that Iraq unlawfully invaded and occupied its neighbor Kuwait, the UN Security Council imposed economic and weapons sanctions on Iraq .
After Iraqi forces had been ousted from Kuwait by the U.S.-led coalition and active hostilities had ended, but while coalition forces were still occupying Iraqi territory, the UN Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, conducted a review of Iraq’s history with weapons of mass destruction and made a number of decisions in April 1991 to achieve its goals, including a formal cease fire.
With respect to Iraq’s history, the Security Council noted Iraq’s threat during the Gulf War to use chemical weapons in violation of its treaty obligations, Iraq’s prior use of chemical weapons, Iraq’s use of ballistic missiles in unprovoked attacks, and reports that Iraq attempted to acquire materials for a nuclear weapons program contrary to its treaty obligations.
Posted in democratic morals, Democratic Party, Democratic traitors, Democrats. Leave a Comment »
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Home » Events » Reluctant Warriors, Conflicted Allies: Germany, Japan, and the International Security Order
Reluctant Warriors, Conflicted Allies: Germany, Japan, and the International Security Order
Ellis S. Krauss - Emeritus Professor, School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, University of California, San Diego
Friday, October 12, 2018 - 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Room 241, Rosenkranz Hall See map
115 Prospect Avenue
Japan and Germany are well-known for their post-1945 American-imposed “peace constitutions” that forbade either country from having armed forces, armaments or engaging in war. Both have strong anti-militarist (but not “pacifist”) sub-cultures. Yet despite this today both are key U.S. allies, have substantial military forces (Japan is 7th in global firepower and has the second strongest nation in the Pacific after the U.S.; Germany is one of the key countries in NATO and 9th in global firepower), and after the Cold War have supported U.S. military operations abroad either in combat (Germany) or support and reconstruction. How and why did this evolution occur? How are the trajectories of the two countries after the end of the Cold War similar or different? We find they are indeed different in both their trajectories and their current security policies. Why? The talk is based on a forthcoming book (probably with Brookings Institution Press) by 3 German and 2 American co-authors, including the speaker.
Ellis S. Krauss (Ph.D. Stanford University, 1973) is Emeritus Professor at the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, University of California San Diego, USA He has published eight authored or edited books and over 70 articles on postwar Japanese politics and on U.S.-Japan relations in professional political science and Asian Studies journals. He published a coauthored book with Robert Pekkanen (U. of Washington) about the development of, and changes in, Japan’s long-time ruling party, The Rise and Fall of Japan’s LDP: Political Party Organizations as Historical Institutions (Cornell University Press 2010), and in 2004 he co-edited Beyond Bilateralism: U.S.-Japan Relations in the New Asia-Pacific (Stanford University Press, and is a co-author on a forthcoming book Reluctant Warriors, Conflicted Allies: Germany, Japan, and the International Security Order. Professor Krauss has also been a Visiting Professor or Researcher at several universities in Japan and in Europe. In April 2015 he was honored as Distinguished Visitor by the Program on U.S.-Japan Relations, Harvard University and in 2018 received the Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd Class with Gold Leaves and Neck Ribbon from the Emperor and government of Japan for his professional accomplishments
Sponsored by The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership
Yale Project on Japan's Politics and Diplomacy Series
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Yahoo – AFP, Marlowe Hood, March 2, 2017
Iron-carbonate (white) rosette with concentric layers of quartz inclusions (grey)
and a core of a single quartz crystal with tiny (nanoscopic) inclusions of red
hematite from the Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt are seen in Québec, Canada
(AFP Photo/Matt Dodd)
Paris (AFP) - The oldest fossils ever found are "direct evidence" of life on Earth 3.8 to 4.3 billion years ago when our planet was still in its infancy, researchers reported Wednesday.
Even at the lower end of the spectrum, "the microfossils we discovered are about 300 million years older" than any runners-up, said Dominic Papineau, a professor at University College London who made the discovery.
The dating puts the fossils "within a few hundred million years of the accretion of the solar system," he said in a video statement.
The results were published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature.
The fact that life kick-started not long after Earth formed suggests it could also emerge on watery worlds outside our Solar System at comparable stages of formation, the scientists said.
"If life happened so quickly on Earth, then could we expect it to be a simple process that could start on other planets?", asked lead author Matthew Dodd, a graduate student at the London Centre for Nanotechnology.
Earth and Mars had liquid water on their surfaces at the same time, he noted.
"We could expect to find evidence for past life on Mars four billion years ago," Dodd said.
It may also be true, he added, that Earth was "just a special case."
The tiny fossils -- half the width of a human hair and up to half-a-millimetre in length -- take the form of blood-red tubes and filaments formed by ocean-dwelling bacteria that fed on iron.
Locked inside white, flower-like quartz structures known to harbour fossils, they were found along what were once warm-water vents on the ocean floor, most often in deep waters.
Such iron-rich, hydrothermal systems exist today, and are home to bacteria that may be similar to those unearthed by Dodd and his colleagues.
Known as the Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt, the site of the discovery contains some of the oldest sedimentary rocks known on Earth.
Haematite tubes from the NSB hydrothermal vent deposits that represent the
oldest microfossils and evidence for life on Earth 3.8 to 4.3 billion years ago
Strong evidence of life
They formed between 3.77 and 4.29 billion years ago, and may have been the habitat for the planet's first life forms.
It is still not known when, or where, life on Earth began, but these deep-sea vents are seen as a good candidate.
Earth is thought to be about 4.57 billion years old.
Previous claims of super-ancient fossils have been challenged by scientists asking whether they are, in fact, natural mineral formations of some kind.
"One of the big questions when it comes to early life studies is whether or not the organic carbon we find in these rocks is actually biological in origin," explained Dodd.
The researchers used several methods to check, including laser-imaging to analyse the minerals associated with the organic material.
The presence of two in particular -- apatite and carbonite -- provide strong evidence for life, they said.
A field of microscopic filamentous microfossils inside a rounded concretion
from the jasper rock in the Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt in Québec, Canada
Moreover, the flower-like quartz structures in which the tubes and filaments are embedded have often been found in younger rock to contain traces of bacteria that consumed iron for energy.
The possibility that the microfossils were forged by temperature and pressure changes as the sediment formed were also examined, and excluded.
The new fossil find complements the recent discovery of 3.7-million year geological structures in Greenland called stromatolites.
While not fossils, stromatolites are made by microbial colonies, and form in the sunlit surface waters of the ocean.
The oldest microfossils previously reported were found in Western Australia and dated to 3.46 billion years ago, though some scientists say that these are not biological in origin.
Several other research institutions contributed to the new study, including the Geological Survey of Norway, the US Geological Survey, and the University of Ottawa.
"The Big Picture - You Are Not Alone" - Feb 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Carroll) - (Text version)
Kryon.com
This live channelling was Given in Patagonia South America on the Patagonia Kryon Cruise. February, 2012
To help the reader, this channelling has been revisited [by Lee and Kryon] to provide even clearer understanding. Often what happens live has implied energy within it, which carries a kind of communication that the printed page does not. So enjoy this enhanced message given on the Kryon Patagonia Cruise 2012.
Greetings again, dear ones, I am Kryon of Magnetic Service. Once again we discuss with you that the magnetics are changing and not in a simple way. It's not in a way that your science will see, but a profound one that affects your very DNA. It is the end of what you would call the adventure. It is the beginning of what we would call the grand adventure. This channelling will be packed full of information that some of you have heard before and some have not.
My partner has been giving these messages for 22 years so that we could sit here together now and talk about possibilities. I wish to give you yet again the history of Earth and the history of humanity in a simple way that is not complex. It will be something that you can see in a capsulated form, a condensed form, and you will understand it better.
Thirteen billion years ago, all of this began. My partner told you today that the Cave of Creation existed when the earth was formed. It is a quantum event. It [the Cave of Creation] was there. You were there. I [Kryon] was there. We watched the earth form and we saw the potentials begin to exist. And here, dear ones, is information you really need to know: You didn't sit around just watching this planet develop. How do I say this to you? Don't you find it odd that all of Human civilization has seemingly happened in the last moment of Earth's existence? All of those billions of years, the development of life on Earth, the many times life started and stopped, yet Humans were not here. Don't you find it odd that your development was at the last possible moment of this? Large mammals were here millions of years ago, but you were not. Your science does not see this as odd, for they have nothing to compare it to. Instead, they just look at it as the way things took place. We call it planned synchronicity.
In order for me to give you this information properly, I have to give you yet again the creation story. You weren't just watching back then. Every single one of you was participating somewhere else. This is not the first planet you have been on, but then you knew that, didn't you?
However, this information about other existence is not in your current Akashic history, for the DNA Akash is Earth-based only. So any remembrance is supposition and intuition and that which you would get from the Higher-Self and not your DNA. Your DNA is Earth-based DNA with one change, and that is where we get into the creation story yet again.
Now let me take you back only a billion years. You are in this galaxy back then, and we admonish you not to look out of this galaxy for any of your history. Each galaxy has its own spiritual plan and that affects each galaxy's physics. That is why science is able to see different kinds of physics in the Universe and they don't understand why. Stay in your galaxy for this examination. At this point, if I told you that consciousness defines physics, you might not understand. So let's just leave it at that.
Let me take you to a planet that is going through what you're going through. Four billion years ago, yours was simply cooling off. Life hadn't really begun as you know it. Oh, the seeds were there, but that's all. Life as you know it really hadn't begun at all. But other places in the galaxy, there were already sophisticated groups taking hold that were Humanoid – Human types. They look like you, for this is the plan. That was four billion years ago when life began on their planet, very different than your time line.
A billion years ago, they went through a change and they went through a shift, and they had free choice. Back then, they were the only planet that did in their time, and eventually they went through a metamorphosis of consciousness.
Exponentially it seemed they changed, and it took only a thousand years to go from full corporeal to an enlightened form. Only a thousand years and they became mostly quantum thinkers. Life was divine and defined separately and differently for them, for they had discovered the quantum parts of life within them. Everything changed. They didn't die, and according to the plan, at a certain point in time in their futures, they would then "seed" another planet with their evolved DNA. When that planet was ready, they would seed their knowledge of light and dark and divine intuition, and so they did so, on a planet very far from yours. It was a planet in the Seven Sisters constellation that became what you now know as the home of the Pleiadians. This, then, was the beginning of the Pleiadian civilization. That is how the Pleiadians started, from others who seeded them with the DNA of awareness.
Millions of years later, you had Humanoid forms moving into ascension within the Seven Sisters. I'm giving you the history of the galaxy, not the history of life. It's the history of divinity, all being affected by the center and all in an entangled quantum state. All this was with free choice.
Several hundred thousand years ago, Humans began to form into the Human that you recognize today. That's just yesterday. Don't confuse this with Human development. You have had that going on for a very long time. But the DNA that is within your body is not the DNA that developed naturally on the planet. Yours is outside of the system of Earth-based evolutionary processes, and the scientists are starting to see this. The "missing link" that they speak of is not Human.
So again, we tell you that the ones who came to help seed you approximately 100,000 to 200,000 Earth years ago were the Pleiadians who had gone into graduate status and who had changed consciousness. They had become quantum with free choice, and you have parts of their DNA within you.
New information for you: The seeding process was not a one-time event. This is why we give you these large sections of time where the Pleiadians worked with you. It was done over time and in many places. It was not all simultaneous, and this was for reasons that will remain unknown to you for now, but will later explain why you will find other Human types that now are extinct. Now you only have one Human type, and that is counterintuitive to all mammal development on the planet. This was a design, and it took more than 100,000 years to create this for humanity as you know it.
It's your Human bias that has the creation story of the knowledge of light and dark being given to Humans in one day in a garden involving a talking snake and other mythology. Spiritual logic should tell you that these stories are simply metaphors of a real truth, that indeed there was a major shift of consciousness, but over a longer period of time and not instantly. The same mythology has the earth created in seven days. However, this only represents a numerological truth [7 is the number of divinity], meaning that there was a divine design in the creation of the planet. It's time to start using spiritual logic within the teachings you have about spiritual history, for the revelations will be wonderful and lead to fuller understanding.
Now, what really is in your DNA? It's the Pleiadians' code, and it's the ones before them, and even the ones before them. You can't remember it, for that is not the set-up. The system is that your Akashic record is only from Earth, but your "divine remembrance" will take you back to the beginning, where system after system after system created that which you see as the divinity within the galaxy and the Universe.
Who are they? They're your "divine" parents. They're the seed divinity in you and they visit here. They're not all Pleiadians, did you know that? Instead, they're from all over the galaxy. You see, they also represent the seeds of the Pleiadians, and they keep you safe. You wouldn't have it any other way, would you? "Safe from what?" you might ask.
The Bubble of Safety
Your Universe is teeming with life. Only a relative few planets over millions of years have made it to a place where they have "creator DNA" in their corporeal bodies. Some were seeded and never made it. Some are now dead. Some are technically advanced, but have no spark of divinity at all. So while a planet is "deciding," it is kept safe from other life that might interfere.
You're surrounded by divine beings who keep you safe and will continue while this planet of only free choice – the only one at the moment – makes its decision. You're turning the corner of consciousness and they all know it, for they've all been through it and they remember it. Oh dear ones, consciousness is volatile! You've seen it change so slowly, but it's about to change faster. It's not going to take generations and generations as in the past. Instead, you're going to see real-time changes. Humans won't wait to have children for them to grow up and have children.
Keeping you safe is done quantumly and at a 3D distance. But you have to ask the question, "With all this life in the galaxy and how old they are [potential for advanced science and travel], why don't the ETs just land and announce themselves? They have been here for hundreds of years!" The answer is proof of what we say. They know that you are "hands off" and they only come and go with marginal disturbance to Earth.
Faster Consciousness Shift
You think science has gone fast in the last 100 years? Watch what happens with a consciousness shift. The old energy on the planet is going to fight to the death. Many will check out. That is to say that many will die who cannot cross the bridge of consciousness. As the earth takes on a new energy, the old energy will not seem appropriate. Human nature has shifted greatly in the last centuries. You see that, do you not? How many of you are saying, "Well, after lunch we're going to sacrifice a virgin to the volcano?" You laugh and say, "Well Kryon, that's something they did in the old ages." No it isn't! In terms of a civilization timeline, it's something you did yesterday. But you're not doing it today, are you? So how do you see that? What is your perception of that specific procedure? You would say, "It's barbaric, unconscionable, out of integrity of Human Beings, and no longer acceptable."
How many years ago did a technically advanced civilization on your planet gather and cheer to watch Humans be devoured by animals or fight to the death? Measure the time and you will realize that it wasn't that long ago. Their theatres are still standing! So, how do you feel about that?
There's going to come a time when you look at this planet and war will be exactly like these examples. The idea of killing another Human Being for any reason will seem barbaric and not appropriate for any Human to do. Many will laugh at this, since they will say, "That's naive, Kryon. It's Human nature, and it's a survival instinct." That's what's going to change, dear ones. You are about to experience a quantum renaissance of thinking. This is difficult to explain, but Human Beings are missing something that's intrinsic, something that should be there and you're not even aware of it. It's missing, but you don't know it since you never have had it.New Intuitive Inheritance
Let me point something out. Those of you who know about the animal kingdom stand amazed at something called "animal instinct." A prairie mammal will drop a baby and that calf will come out of its mother aware. Within hours, it will be running with the herd. It will instinctively know who its enemies are, what plants are poisonous, and where the water is. It even knows the "language" of the herd. Don't you find that interesting? The Human child has zero instinct, except where to find immediate milk, and has to learn everything from nothing. It must learn how to eat, how to hold things, where the danger is, and language! Humans come out with nothing and they start over – every single time. You don't know this is odd, since it's all you ever had. You will say that that's because of the complexity of the Human brain. No, it isn't! It's because you weren't ready for it to be any different, and this is what's changing.
I want you to envision something with me. A Human baby is born and it knows everything at an instinct level. It's walking and talking within two years; it has wisdom and it doesn't have to be taught everything. It learns to read and see languages within months because it has what we would call quantum Human instinct. This baby has something that you don't even recognize you should have!
Now, tell me, if this happens can you see what might happen to the Human race? Exponential advancement in wisdom. What the parents have learned will pass to the child at birth, more than Akashic inheritance or chemical inheritance. This will be the inheritance of wisdom and instinct. And we've never talked about that until now. But we will again.
It's a quantum event. The creation story had you seeded by the Pleiadians more than 100,000 years ago. That's who they are, for they went through this. They have the same attributes of their history that you do, yours. Did you know that the creation stories on your planets are all similar? Even your major religions have a spiritual event taking place in your history, where Human Beings who look just like you received the knowledge of God. Notice: It's not ones who are cavemen, but instead ones who look just like you [modern Humans]. In your religions, it took place in a metaphoric garden, which is the earth, and Humans were given the knowledge of polarity [light and dark]. That's what the Pleiadians did all over the earth.
The Lemurian energy is the one seed-group that was totally isolated. You might even say it's the one where the Pleiadians came first. Because Lemuria was a mountain island [Hawaii], it survived in a form that was purer than others. Even the most remote groups on the earth had room to spread out [land], and that created variety of thought. But Lemuria was the same for thousands of years, making it one of the most long-lived civilizations in history and almost totally lost to science. We have given you their history before.
Therefore, the Lemurians carry the oldest Akash for an old soul and part of the system of spiritual seeding back then was that it was an avenue for only new souls to come in. Only a few of the Lemurian priests had a past-life in Lemuria, and most were women. Almost all the Lemurians were new to the planet. This was a major Earth-soul creating process, which is only now having results.
Dear ones, this was your fifth time to work the "enlightenment puzzle." You had four other opportunities that didn't get past this stage. However, this one has a potential that will survive. It's 2012 and the energy of it coordinates with the Galactic Alignment. This time fractal was seen as a major potential and even the prophecies of the ancients saw you going through this. Now you are beginning to do it. Even 50 years ago, this potential was not solid, for your fifth time might have been your last, for the old energy is strong and the idea of Humans destroying everything was a real possibility. Those who read this know what I'm talking about. Now even that has changed, if you noticed.
Some have asked, "Well Kryon, what is the future going to be like? What kinds of science will we have? If this is all true about our evolvement, what can we expect?"
I want to go back to your great grandparents for a moment. How would you explain the Internet to them when they had no concept of the computer? How do you explain a fast car to someone who has not invented the wheel? What is a runway-control system used for when there is no Human flight yet?
I cannot explain what's coming, since you do not have the concepts of what will happen in between now and then. Imagine information that occurs where if one knows it, all know it. Can you imagine quantum instinct? What is learned by one Human Being is learned instantly by all. If you can even start to imagine such a thing, you have an inkling of what is coming. It doesn't change choice. It changes wisdom.
There'll come a time when physics and science meld with consciousness. It is then that you'll realize that what the Creator gave you comes in a perfect package. It's not in boxes where Humans separate it and study in different buildings, but one that comes together where all things relate and fit nicely inside a puzzle of energy.
It may take a thousand years, as it did to the ones who seeded the Pleiadians and those who seeded the ones before them. We speak in odd terms here, using Earth years. We also have not defined how long "crossing the bridge to enlightenment" is or how long "crossing the bridge to quantum existence" is. But in general, the civilizations of the past took 1,000 Earth years to go from old energy to new. But it took many times that to go to a quantum corporeal existence. Don't try to figure it all out, since your process may be faster or slower. We just give you this information to show you that it's slower than you like. But this is the beginning.
You Are Your Own Seeds
The earth was waiting for you. The cave of creation, the crystals, were all ready for you. The potentials of each life were there, for your soul energy was upon them. But make no mistake, your soul energy was invested in the ones who seeded you and in the ones who seeded them. They are you. This is confusing in 3D, for many of them are still watching you, but since you have part of their quantum DNA, part of you is still with them. Don't try to analyze this quite yet.
You didn't sit around watching the earth being created, dear ones. You were busy doing on other planets what you are doing here. There is no remembrance of that, only potential instinct. The ones who sit in the room and who listen to my voice or read these words have all gone through this before.
So, dear Human Being, in closing I say these things to you: You sit in a perfect place. You sit next to others who have been through what you've been through. It is time to solve the petty problems of humanity, of walking from place to place with aches and pains of your body. It's time to solve the uncertainties of the psychology [mental anguish], for these things will not serve you. You're turning a corner, a slow one to some, that will one day be looked at as the major shift of humanity for the earth. This is the beginning of it.
Let me take you forward 100 to 200 years: Let's sit in a room together. You're going to look different. Things will be very different, but you'll be here because that's what you do. [This is Kryon's description of you in your next lifetime or beyond.] Sometimes the Human Being asks, "How many lifetimes do I have left?" [Kryon smile] You should instead be asking, "How many Earth-lifetimes do I have left?" [Kryon bigger smile]. How many times can you do this, dear ones?
The system's goal is to raise the vibration of the galaxy and be surrounded by planets that have ascended and passed the energy to one another. Soon you'll do the same for others and, you guessed it, you'll do it again there. Right now, life is beginning on another planet far from here. Another Cave of Creation is starting to be formed. It's getting ready for you! [Kryon laugh] Are you tired yet? Dear family, you are eternal and there's a system, and it's beautiful. When you are not here, you understand it fully and participate without question.
You stand at a point of change. Go from this place and understand the profundity of this time. Pay attention to the changes in the sky for they have been foretold [the weather]. Do not fear the change before you.
You're never alone.
"The Timing of Creation"– Aug 12, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Caroll) - (Text version)
Labels: Australia, Earth, Evolution, Galaxy, Humanity, Kryon, Pleiadians, Science and Research, Species, Universities, Universum
Dutch minister plans environment conference in the...
ING reaches deal to sell loan to controversial US ...
Beijing shuts last coal power plant in switch to n...
Preserving the memory of glaciers
Dutch grid operator moves forward with North Sea w...
Fossils point to life on Earth 4 billion years ago...
Oil giant Shell warned of risk of climate change i...
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BASEBALL WINS TWO AT USA TRAINING COMPLEX
East Stroudsburg University
East Stroudsburg University (8-4) 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 5 10 2
Dominican College (4-4) 1 0 2 1 0 3 0 0 X 7 14 1
College of St. Rose
Dominican College (3-4) 7 0 3 1 0 3 1 0 0 15 15 2
College of St. Rose (4-7) 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 2 3 8 11 1
3B: Kyle Rogers
2B: Jordan Bernacet; Anthony Bartolomei 2; Max Chidsey; Benjamin Meza
3B: Joshua Colon
2B: Stephan Macmeans; Justin Sportman
HR: Nicolas Teitter
Cary, N.C. (3/10/19) The Dominican College baseball team improved to 4-4 on the season after picking up victories over the College of Saint Rose and East Stroudsburg University this afternoon in games played at the USA Training Complex.
Game One: In the opening game of the day, the Chargers scored 15 runs on 15 hits in the win over the Golden Knights.
Left fielder Max Chidsey (Naples, Fla.) went 4-5 with four RBIs and three runs scored.
Brian Sanders (La Ceiba, Honduras), Billy Rotella (Stonye Point, N.Y.), Joshua Colon (Bronx, N.Y.) and Brett Karcher-Bowen (Cypress, Texas) all had two hits, with Karcher-Bowen and Sanders adding three RBIs a-piece.
Sophomore Jaden Diaz-Lambert (Erial, N.J.) picked up the win (1-0) in six innings of work, allowing three runs on seven hits and five strikeouts.
Game Two: In the night cap, Dominican broke open a 4-4 tie with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning as outfielder (Yonkers, N.Y.) hit a two-run single and second basemen Justin Decker (Rotterdam, N.Y.) later brought Torres home on a sacrifice fly ball.
Anthony Bartolomei (Oakhurst, N.J.) and Colon led the team with three hits a-piece.
Reliever Ryan Siuta (Pomona, N.Y.) picked up the win (2-0) in four innings of work, allowing one run on one hit and two strikeouts.
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Autism: how unorthodox treatments can exploit the vulnerable
A diagnosis of autism can make it tempting to turn to alternative treatments. But weighing up the scientific evidence is crucial - and potentially life-saving
The Guardian/July 15, 2015
By David Robert Grimes
As a rule of thumb, the more desperate and vulnerable you are the easier you are to exploit, with anything from financial advice to lifestyle tips. A diagnosis of an incurable disease; a child with a serious developmental disorder: these are circumstances that see many people seek unorthodox solutions, either as a way of coming to terms with what has happened, or in an attempt to find a treatment that perhaps the mainstream has not yet embraced, but which will give relief or cure.
However, some alternative products and techniques are not merely controversial, they are potentially dangerous. Recently in mainland Ireland, a number of parents have been interviewed by police as part of an on-going investigation with the Health Products Regulatory Authority. These parents are thought to have administered a substance known as MMS to their autistic children. MMS has been known variously as Master Mineral Solution, Miracle Mineral Solution and Miracle Mineral Supplement.
MMS is the brain-child of Jim Humble, a former scientologist turned health evangelist, who styles himself as the archbishop of the Genesis II Church of Health. MMS is promoted as a healing solution, and the church’s website links to testimonials attributing it with being effective for a range of ailments, including autism, Aids, cancer and malaria. Yet a chemical analysis of MMS shows it to be a slightly more earthly concoction: bleach.
Specifically, MMS is about 28% sodium chlorite, a toxic compound which has been shown to cause acute renal failure. Ingestion of even a gram can cause nausea, vomiting and occasionally life-threatening haemolysis. Were this not bad enough, users are directed to add an acidic agent, such as citric acid, and ingest the resultant mixture. The acid reaction with sodium chlorite yields chlorine dioxide: a powerful and toxic bleaching agent. Naren Gunja, director of the New South Wales poisons information centre in Australia, has likened taking MMS to being “a bit like drinking concentrated bleach”. Symptoms of ingestion tend to be consistent with corrosive injuries: vomiting, violent stomach pains, diarrhoea and even respiratory failure, if mixed wrongly. The substance pops up with depressing regularity, prompting health warnings from the Canadian and UK authorities, among others. Its supporters cite this toxicity as evidence the product is working. In the Irish case, it is alleged in at least one report that the solution was administered to autistic children orally, and in some cases rectally via enema.
This has raised timely questions over how “treatments” can circumvent stringent laws on medical interventions across Europe and beyond. Part of the reason is that MMS and preparations like do not classify themselves as medicines. In the case of MMS, it had circumvented the possibility of regulatory inspection by marketing itself as a “water purifier” – a valid description of the its chemical nature, but not its intended application, leading the Irish Health Productions Regulatory Authority to describe the methods of MMS promoters as “underground and unorthodox”.
Of course, officially, the cheerleaders of MMS and Genesis II do not sell it for legal reasons. Instead it is available in return for a monetary donation and evangelised as a lifestyle choice, complete with guides on using the solution as an enema or how to prepare baby bottles for adults and children with the toxic solution. Despite this legal distancing, BBC obtained under-coverage footage last month of a UK MMS promoter (who is listed as a supplier on the Genesis II church website and styles himself as a reverend of the church) selling MMS and advising on its use for a child with autism. Such is the concern about the effects of the product and its appeal to the vulnerable that Trading Standards officers attended a recent MMS seminar in Surrey to ensure no MMS products were being sold and to distribute advice from the UK Food Standards Agency.
MMS, its suppliers and the Genesis II Church are but a tiny part of a bigger problem – the sheer range of dubious therapies aimed at autistic people and their families. These therapies tend to offer a simple root cause for the disorder and claim their invention can reverse it. This in itself is misleading: the question of what causes autism is an open and complex one. There is considerable evidence for a strong predominant genetic determinant, but no single smoking gun gene has yet been located. Environmental factors, too, have been suggested, but evidence for these is rather mixed. The complexity of the disorder, plus the sheer variation in how it can manifest suggest a complex condition with an array of modifying variables. Therefore, even if offered with the best of intentions, unproven therapies can have dangerous consequences.
Given the uncertainty around autism, therefore, there are plenty of practitioners rushing to fill the vacuum with all sorts of ostensible cures – frequently at a price. And too often this cost not only monetary, but poses a threat to the physical and mental health of vulnerable families. Despite the plethora of well-marketed options, so far none of them have shown through clinical tests or approved trials that they are effective. The spread of lifestyle advice and supplements being offered ranges from relatively benign interventions such as gluten-free diets or raw camel milk, to potentially dangerous ideas like MMS.
One particular theory which refuses to vanish hails back to the autism-vaccination scares of the early 2000s. While peak panic subsided by the early 2000s, we still wrestle with the fallout from scores of children who were not immunised due to parental apprehension. 2011 alone saw over 26,000 cases of measles in Europe, including 9 deaths and 7288 hospitalisations, with the 2013 outbreak in Wales infecting more than 1200 and resulting in at least one death. 2014 infections in the UK surged to 20-year highs and even America, once practically measles-free, has seen a rise in infection rates, with 678 cases in 2014. A single infected person visiting Disneyland lead to at least 150 cases of the disease this year, with authorities noting that “substandard vaccination compliance is likely to blame for the 2015 measles outbreak”. To add insult to injury, the narrative linking the MMR vaccine to autism continues to fuel unorthodox therapies for autism.
Chelation therapies are one such class of intervention, based on the belief that vaccines are somehow damaging and can be “flushed” out with certain chemical. This is often coupled with the belief that metals such as mercury, which may be present in some vaccines, cause “heavy metal” damage and need to be flushed out, despite the well-documented scientific studies showing this to be unfounded. It is also a potentially a dangerous belief. Academics have expressed their concern about the use of chelation therapy in children with autism after the death of a child. Although this death was believed to have been through an error in administering the therapy, a review of practice around children with autism led to the report authors expressing serious concern about the safety of methods and drugs being used.
One prominent variation of the vaccine/autism link is the theory espoused by former physician Mark Geier. He believes that testosterone binds to the mercury in vaccines to cause autism, a hypothesis which has been vigorously rebutted by leading endocrinologists. Nevertheless, Geier and his son David offered treatment to counteract the interaction of testosterone and mercury by prescribing autistic children with Lupron. Lupron is an incredibly potent medication which can shut down bodily hormone production, with serious attendant risk of damage. It is also used to chemically castrate sex offenders.
These interventions were not only potentially damaging, but costly. An exposé in the Chicago Tribune reported treatment costing an eye-watering $5000 per month in addition to about $12,000 in tests. Grier senior has frequently appeared as an expert witness in vaccine damage trials, attesting to their danger, despite the fact that the American Academy of Paediatrics refer to “numerous conceptual and scientific flaws, omissions of fact, inaccuracies, and misstatements” in his most-cited study. In 2013 the last of his medical licenses in the US was revoked.
Other therapies offered for autism are based on the idea that autism is an auto-immune disorder, although this has certainly not been proven. One popular treatment is the immune system-modulating protein Gc protein-derived macrophage activating factor, or Gc-MAF for the sake of brevity. In 2008, a flurry of excitement was whipped up over the supposedly miraculous results of this protein in cancer treatment, but these claims were subsequently retracted when the evidence for them was shown to be dubious. But while science might be self-correcting, the market for alternative medicines is nothing of the sort. Gc-MAF treatments are now offered for a large range of illnesses, including autism and cancer, with the science behind the treatment being strongly criticised by groups including Cancer Research UK. This doesn’t stop vulnerable patients being charged high fees and possibly harmed: the First Immune clinic in Switzerland offered the therapy for about €5000 a week. This clinic is currently under investigation with all its equipment seized over five suspicious deaths last year. Sadly, the First Immune clinic is far from alone in offering treatments such as Gc-MAF which have not been properly approved for medical use.
So if these therapies are ineffectual at best and dangerous at worst, why do they remain so popular and profitable? Fierce belief in a theory the face of conflicting scientific evidence is a topic I’ve touched on before. Claims of conspiracy are often thrown about when scientific scepticism about a therapy is voiced: we saw it when company Immuno biotech alleged that the chemotherapy is a killer or when Alliance for Natural Health claimed that the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency MHRA is a corrupt organisation putting patients at risk. Searching “autism” on Natural News immediately yields articles claiming a giant pharma / CDC / media conspiracy is at hand. As I have previously written for this paper, these myths are nothing new and readily debunked.
There is another stronger and sadder reason why these therapies might remain popular, despite the warnings of medical and health professionals. It’s because they hold the promise of relief. Autism can be a challenging disorder to manage or live with, with many people with autism not having the communication skills to function independently . This can be stressful for both those affected and their caretakers, with the promise of a miracle cure perhaps alluring enough to take exceptional risks and suspend critical thinking.
But perhaps the stigma of autism spectrum disorder is partly to blame. Irish campaigner and leader of Autistic Rights Together (ART) Fiona O’Leary has worked to bring critical attention to the activities of the Genesis II church. Fiona is on the autism spectrum, and is a mother to two autistic children. The negative view taken of those who are neurologically atypical is something she herself addresses directly: “... the continuous negative rhetoric and misinformation parents have been convinced of due to large anti-vaccination movements is that autism in an acquired disease, and their children are toxic, polluted; trapped - I believe the real issue is acceptance” .
Protecting vulnerable families from unproven and potentially dangerous treatments is a priority for ART, who are pushing for legislation to prevent any dubious operators exploiting gray areas of the law. Yet the international scope of the problem makes this a daunting and perhaps Sisyphean task. It seems a depressing reality that while desperate people exist to exploit, scientific reality will often be ignored and dubious fictions substituted in its stead.
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More and More Conservatives Question the Death Penalty
We are proud to announce two new supporters, Jeffrey Tucker and Ron Briggs. Jeffrey Tucker, CEO of Liberty.me, recently said, “The state’s right to kill you is the final demonstration of its power. The death penalty isn’t about justice; it is about the supremacy of the rulers over the ruled.”
Ron Briggs was a Republican lawmaker and helped lead the effort when California brought back the death penalty in 1978. He has since changed his mind and said, “With hindsight’s 20-20 vision and three decades of obstinate data, it’s clear to me that California created a fiscal monster that’s taking a human toll on the very people we wanted to protect. I support the efforts of Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty.”
Conservatives Concerned in the Media
National media coverage has been terrific this month, with a number of major news outlets talking about the changing conservative position on the death penalty.
Here are a few of our favorites:
• We were featured in the Boston Globe and the subject of an io9 article predicting that our work would lead conservatives of the future to reject the death penalty.
• Conservatives Concerned was also highlighted in a recent Atlanta Journal Constitution column. Georgia has made many aspects of its lethal injection process into a state secret, and we talked about how that lack of transparency was concerning to conservatives.
• I was the guest on NewsMax’s MidPoint with Ed Berliner show last week, and we were also the subject of a NewsMax article.
• Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty released a short documentary on capital punishment, To Honor Life. I’m featured as a spokesperson for Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty.
Conservatives Concerned in the Field
I just got back from the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority conference in Washington DC. We were exhilarated by the outpouring of support from Christian conservatives at the conference, who saw the death penalty as inconsistent with Christ’s teachings and conservative values.
North Carolina Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty exhibited at the North Carolina GOP State Convention this month. Their booth was very popular, and they connected with many new supporters. State groups are forming around the country. Check out the new page on our website for a growing group of conservative supporters in Kansas.
On July 30 – August 3, we will return to the Young Americans for Liberty national convention in Arlington, VA. Tickets are still available, and we hope to see you there!
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John Theus
Georgia receives huge boost from four returning underclassmen
By Brent SobleskiDec 13, 2014, 10:13 PM EDT
An often overlooked aspect of recruiting, particularly at high-profile programs, is the ability to retain the talent already on the roster.
Each year the NFL comes calling. It’s too tempting for some. Inevitably, very talented rosters all around college football’s Power Five conferencex lose talented underclassmen that could be a major contributors during the following season.
Georgia received a major boost when four starters decided to bypass the NFL for another year in Athens.
Head coach Mark Richt announced the return of left tackle John Theus, wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell and outside linebackers Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins Friday, via The Macon Telegraph.
The ability to retain this volume of experienced talent is more important to Georgia than anything the coaching staff could have achieved with its 2015 recruiting class.
Floyd’s decision may be the most surprising of the group. The outside linebacker was considered a potential first-round talent by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Toddy McShay. Floyd, a redshirt sophomore, leads the Bulldogs with six sacks.
Jenkins serves as Floyd’s bookend at outside linebacker in Georgia’s 3-4 defensive scheme. Jenkins is second on the team with nine tackles for loss and leads the Bulldogs with 23 quarterback hurries.
Mitchell remains one of the most talented Bulldogs when he’s on the field. The wide receiver can even start at cornerback if needed. In eight games this year, Mitchell is third on the team with 28 receptions and three receiving touchdowns.
Theus made the transition from right to left tackle as a junior. He didn’t miss a beat on the blind side. Theus is a three-year starter and the top talent along the team’s offensive line.
The Bulldogs can also add right tackle Kolton Houston to the equation after being granted a sixth-year of eligibility Friday by the NCAA.
With all of this returning talent, Georgia appears to be the early favorite in the SEC East next season. Plus, Richt and company are poised to add a Top 3 recruiting class to the roster, according to Rivals.com.
Tags: Arizona, Dan Jenkins, Georgia Bulldogs, John Theus, Jordan Jenkins, Leonard Floyd, Malcolm Mitchell, Oregon State, UGA
Georgia receives huge boost from four returning underclassmen December 13, 2014 10:13 pm
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Part 1: What’s White Got To Do With It? Disrupting Race-Based Inequities in Well-Intentioned Nonprofits
May 22, 2019 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Common Good Vermont Events
DEI Diversity Equity Inclusion webinar
Common Good Vermont is partnering with North Carolina Center for Nonprofits for this 2-part Zoom webinar:
What’s White Got To Do With It? Disrupting Race-Based Inequities in Well-Intentioned Nonprofits.
PART 1* Register for each webinar separately.
Key moments in United States history have established whiteness as the default, the norm, the supreme culture. This webinar will explore the socio-political and historical contexts of whiteness and how the white dominant culture by which most nonprofits operate was constructed and has been upheld through policy, legal decisions, and Eurocentric cultural values. Participants will have a chance to explore their own roles as gatekeepers within their organizations and how they can disrupt race-based inequity by leveraging their own individual and collective power.
Please register separately for Part 2 on June 5, 12-1:30 pm
This webinar is part of the Center’s initiative, Walking the Talk: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in North Carolina Nonprofits, to address racial and generational leadership gaps in the nonprofit sector and the policies, practices, and culture that exacerbate them.
Courtney Parker West (she/her/hers/ella) is a consultant, writer, community organizer, and educator. She serves as National Managing Director, Leadership Development Strategy with Teach for America, co-leads the Multiracial, Multiethnic, and Jewish resource groups on staff, and is a DEI (diversity, equity, & inclusiveness) practitioner. She began her career with TFA teaching middle school language arts in Vance County, and was a founding member of the Eastern North Carolina chapter of The Collective, TFA’s alumni of color association. She then joined the staff on the Eastern NC regional team as a teacher coach during which time she leveraged an anti-oppression, liberatory consciousness framework, and interactive learning experiences for prompting reflection and leadership development in novice educators. Courtney then became Director of Alumni Impact – Racial Equity & Values-based Leadership in the region, launching the Wake County Equity Coalition, relaunching the regional chapter of The Collective and Prism (the organization’s LGBTQ advocacy organization), and organizing the first-ever multiregional gathering for alumni of color in North and South Carolina.
Courtney is a board member for Safe Schools NC, and a writer whose work has been featured in Daily Dot, Catalogue Magazine, and Huffington Post. She is also a diversity, equity, and inclusiveness consultant for both Dimensions Educational Consulting and her own consulting organization, Racial Equity & Community, which she co-founded in 2016. A Leichtag grant recipient and alum of the Selah fellowship, she often engages in intersectional antiracist organizing for and with Jews of Color around issues of equity, power, inclusiveness, and colonization.
Courtney graduated as a first-generation college student from the University of Iowa where she triple-majored in religion studies, creative writing, and English (with a minor in African American studies). She lives in Zebulon with her spouse who is a school leader and community organizer with the Racial Equity Institute. She is the proud auntie of nine nieces and nephews, loves Star Trek, and Afro-futurism, and cannot wait for Avengers: End Game to come out.
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Glenn Parker
John Willey
Nicholas Ferguson
John Mirynech
Robert Budgell
Paul Bauerle
Roseanne Trivieri
Harry Korosis
Shannon Quinn
Real Estate & Land
Estate & Wills
Articling Program
B.A. LL.B.
CRIMINAL LAW, FAMILY LAW
1973 - Bachelor of Arts, University of Western Ontario
1976 - LL.B., University of Ottawa
1978 - Call to Ontario Bar, Osgoode Hall Bar Admission
David M. Kerr has been a resident of the City of St. Catharines since his public school days and counts many residents of the Niagara Peninsula as old friends. While growing up in St. Catharines he was extensively involved in sports, playing football, soccer, basketball, hockey and running track & field. Upon graduation from Sir Winston Secondary School he attended University of Western Ontario and University of Ottawa, playing intercollegiate football at both universities, and being a member of the Canadian Champion Western Football team in 1971.
An Experienced Niagara Lawyer
David M. Kerr has been a partner with the law firm of Chown Cairns since 1981, having articled with the firm commencing in 1976, and having been an associate lawyer with the firm since his attendance and call to the Bar of Ontario at Osgoode Hall in 1978. David has had extensive experience as a criminal lawyer and Family Law lawyer, specializing in these two areas of practice for the last 36 years.
Criminal Law Experience
His extensive criminal law experience includes representing both adults and youths charged with criminal or drug related offences in Provincial Court (Criminal Division) and the Superior Court of Ontario, as well as representation for offences under the Highway Traffic Act.
Family Law Experience
His extensive family law experience includes representation in Superior Court (Family Court) and Provincial Court (Family Division) dealing with issues revolving around the Divorce Act and Family Law Act including but not limited to: divorce, separation, support, property division, custody and access; the negotiation of domestic contracts including separation agreements, marriage contracts and cohabitation agreement, as well as representation of individuals where the Children’s aid Society has become involved with the family under the Child and Family Services Act.
Professional Activities, Organizations, and Awards
Member of the Law Society of Upper Canada
Member of the Lincoln County Law Association
80 King Street, Suite 900
P.O. Box 760 St. Catharines,
Ontario L2R 6Y8
lawyers@chownlaw.com
©2017 Chown Cairns Lawyers - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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« In Defense of the Officers Who Arrested Freddie Gray
New holsters from a new company, KSG Armory »
Sorry, gun guys, but President Obama didn’t say that
Almost before the sound of gunshots finished echoing from the walls of a South Carolina church, President Obama said America suffers more mass shootings than other advanced nations. And almost before President Obama finished his statement, gun rights supporters accused him of being wrong.
“This kind of violence doesn’t happen in the rest of the world,” President Obama allegedly said, to much scoffing and derisive laughter.
I’m extremely interested in this case, for many reasons. I’m a passionate 2nd Amendment advocate who understands why the founding fathers believed an armed citizenry is crucial to freedom. I’m a longtime police officer who trained on the mechanics of responding to mass shooting attacks, studied the dynamics of mass shootings, and spent years helping train other officers on active shooter response. As a combat veteran, I’ve faced private citizens armed with rifles who successfully resisted a large, organized military force. As a political independent who’s not a fan of President Obama’s policies, I’m always on watch for evidence he doesn’t understand the realities I’ve faced and trained for.
Like many other gun rights supporters, I read reports of President Obama’s “this doesn’t happen elsewhere” quote with a mixture of revulsion and amazement. But I was also skeptical; passionate conservatives are just as willing to lie and distort as passionate liberals, and before I believed someone else’s version of President Obama’s words I decided to look into it myself. So I read several articles, and watched video of his statement.
The conservative website The Federalist, which I have contributed an article to in the past, quoted him as saying, “Once again, innocent people were killed in part because someone who wanted to inflict harm had no trouble getting their hands on a gun. … We as a country will have to reckon with the fact that this type of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries.” The Federalist then provided a laundry list of mass shootings in other countries, showing that of COURSE this kind of violence happens in the rest of the world. The Federalist‘s conclusion seemed to be that if President Obama said massacres don’t happen in other countries, he can’t be taken seriously.
The problem is, that’s not what he said. And it’s obvious that’s not what he said. Or, I should say, that’s not all he said.
Here’s the actual quote:
“Now is the time for mourning and healing, but let’s be clear. At some point we as a country will have to reckon with the fact that this type of mass violence doesn’t happen in other advanced countries. It doesn’t happen in other places with this type of frequency.”
Watch the video to hear it for yourself. The relevant part begins at 3:10.
Now that we’ve heard the President’s actual words, and before we debate them, let’s set some foundations.
First: mature, intelligent, rational discussion requires us to respond to what our ideological opponents actually say, rather than what we want them to say, or expect them to say, or what a likeminded echo chamber tells us they said.
Second: we should judge the merits of our opponents’ (or allies’) arguments rather than their tone or our perception of their overall message.
Third: if we ignore crucial points in a statement (i.e. It doesn’t happen in other places with this type of frequency) and instead focus on a snippet of what was said because it suits our purposes (i.e. this type of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries), we’re not being honest.
Fourth: a dishonest argument is inherently weak.
Fair enough?
President Obama didn’t say mass shootings never happen in other advanced countries, he said they don’t happen with the same frequency as they do here. That’s the objective reality about his claim. The furor from my fellow gun rights supporters, sparked by narrow focus on a small part of the President’s statement – “This type of mass violence doesn’t happen in other advanced countries” – is unfair, dishonest and only manages to make our side look weak. Intentionally trying to mislead the public about the President’s claim doesn’t help further gun rights.
This meme is a deliberate misrepresentation of the President’s statement.
Unfortunately for my fellow gun rights supporters who are knee-jerk reactionaries, President Obama didn’t say what they claim he said. He did say we have more mass shootings than other countries. Is that true?
In response to the President’s statement, the website IJReview published an article about mass killings in the US compared to other countries. They cited a chart from another, no longer functioning site listing mass shootings which occurred between 2009 and 2013 in several advanced nations.
http://www.ijreview.com/2015/06/348197-obama-said-mass-shootings-dont-happen-in-advanced-countries-like-in-us-one-chart-proves-him-wrong/
The chart clearly shows America in the lead on mass shootings, with 38 during the reporting period. No other nation on the chart had more than two. This certainly suggests the US experiences more mass shootings than the other countries listed. IJReview, however, reached a different conclusion.
“The bottom line: The United States falls from number one due to its frequency of 38 mass shootings from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2013 (which would be number one without correcting for population) to number seven.” IJR seems to be referring to per capita mass shootings deaths rather than total incidents. While our per-capita mass shooting deaths may be lower, President Obama didn’t claim we had the highest number of mass shooting deaths. He said we had more mass shootings.
Of course the next objection is “You can’t compare a country with a huge population like America against countries with tiny populations like Slovakia.” Fair enough. So let’s add all the other countries’ populations together, and compare the total to the US population.
Population of Norway, Finland, Slovakia, Israel, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Canada and France combined: approximately 304 million.
Population of America: 314 million.
Since those populations are so close in number, they should have a similar number of mass shootings, right?
Total number of mass shootings in Norway, Finland, Slovakia, Israel, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Canada and France combined between 2009 and 2013: 17.
Total number of mass shootings in America 2009-2013: 38.
With a roughly 4% population difference between America and all eleven other countries combined, we had more than 50% more mass shootings.
No, not all our massacres have been as horrible as their massacres. The nine dead in South Carolina “aren’t as bad” as the 77 murdered during Norway’s Utoya Island massacre and the associated bombing in Oslo. But again, President Obama didn’t claim we had the worst massacres. He didn’t claim the mass shooting results are worse here than elsewhere. He simply – and clearly – stated “this type of violence” occurs more frequently here than in other advanced nations. And he was right.
President Obama made a reference to the availability of guns and the difficulty of enacting gun control legislation: “The politics in this town foreclose a lot of those avenues right now…At some point it’s going to be important for the American people to come to grips with it, and for us to be able to shift how we think about the issue of gun violence collectively.” His belief, expressed verbally and through his attempts to pass new gun control measures, is that restricting access to guns will help stop mass shootings.
President Obama is wrong.
His statement about America having more mass shootings than other advanced nations is correct. His conclusion that further restricting guns is the solution isn’t. As we’ve seen over and over for decades, banning guns from private hands doesn’t actually remove them from private hands. Legislation doesn’t change the laws of physics, or human nature. Legislation isn’t a physical barrier that prevents criminals or the criminally insane from obtaining guns, and it’s not a physical barrier to the bullets they fire at innocent people. Legislation without a means of enforcement is simply a wish; if a law alone was enough to stop crime, murders would never happen to begin with. To actually stop mass shootings, a law would have to 1) physically stop criminals from obtaining weapons, and 2) physically stop them once they try to murder innocent people.
The United States has a culture of private gun ownership that’s centuries old, with an estimated 310 million privately-owned weapons throughout the country in 2009 (http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL32842.pdf). Without question, that number rose significantly during the post-Sandy Hook gun-buying craze; I highly doubt the hundreds of thousands who rushed to buy AR-15s in anticipation of a ban wanted to be the first in line to turn them back in. Those hundreds of millions of weapons are out there, and even if police confiscated a million guns a year, a total confiscation plan would take centuries to implement.
Police in Boston, a major city, confiscated only 500 illegal or illegally possessed guns in 2012 (http://patch.com/massachusetts/northend/police-confiscated-500-illegal-guns-from-boston-streee26dd834bb). Even if an aggressive campaign were launched to remove all guns, even if Boston managed to find 50,000 illegal guns a year, even if police nationwide managed to find an astounding and unbelievable five million guns per year, total confiscation would still take over sixty years. And it still wouldn’t work, because we’d never find them all, and we’d never stop new ones coming in to replace confiscated ones.
I’ve been a cop for over twenty years, and military for longer than that. One thing I’m sure of: there’s no way, ever, that police could find and confiscate all the guns in America. Most cops I know wouldn’t even try it. My point 1 above, that a gun law would have to physically stop criminals from obtaining guns, isn’t possible in this country.
And all gun laws become useless and ineffective once someone reaches the point of committing a mass murder. When a dedicated murderer pulls his pistol in a church and aims in on innocent people, all that matters is who and what can physically stop him from pulling the trigger. Police, even police a block away, won’t stop him from shooting. “Gun Free Zone” signs are pathetically worthless; if they had any effect at all, we’d simply place “No Mass Murder” signs at all public venues. And someone who wants to slaughter innocent people and die or go to prison afterward won’t worry too much about breaking a relatively minor gun law.
On point 2 above, even Vice President Joe Biden agrees: new laws won’t stop mass shootings.
The ONLY way to stop mass shootings is to give the intended victims the means to effectively resist. In South Carolina a 21 year old coward was able to murder defenseless people at will, but not because he was such a highly-trained gunfighter. He wasn’t a fighter at all. Like almost every mass shooter, he was great at murdering unarmed people but had no desire to face anyone who could actually fight back. His “bravery” was limited to shooting defenseless people (mostly women). Just one armed person, trained and willing to resist, would likely have ended the South Carolina church massacre long before it became a massacre. That one armed person likely couldn’t have saved everyone, but he could have saved most.
Maybe I’m the only one who feels this way, but I would have preferred for police officers to arrive at the church and find one or two dead innocent victims, and a brave armed parishioner standing with a smoking weapon over a dead racist coward. Instead we had allowed, once again, a pathetic, pitiful loser to take complete control of a killing field he chose, to mow down human beings far more valuable than he, with total impunity. How many more times will we let this happen before we finally realize that only armed citizens – not police and not empty, unenforceable laws – will stop violent cowards from murdering the defenseless?
President Obama didn’t claim mass shootings never happen in other countries, he claimed they happen more often in America. He was right. As gun owners and 2nd Amendment supporters, we should argue facts and logic rather than appealing to untruths and hysteria. President Obama thinks new gun laws will stop mass shootings. He’s wrong. Facts and logic tell us new gun laws do nothing but harm those who willingly follow those laws.
Please, fellow gun owners. Don’t twist the President’s words to make him look worse and us look better. Deliberate distortions work against us. Just tell the truth. It really is on our side.
RIP to the victims in South Carolina, strength to their loved ones, and swift retribution to the murderer.
Chris Hernandez is a 20 year police officer, former Marine and currently serving National Guard soldier with over 25 years of military service. He is a combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and also served 18 months as a United Nations police officer in Kosovo. He writes for BreachBangClear.com and Iron Mike magazine and has published two military fiction novels, Proof of Our Resolve and Line in the Valley, through Tactical16 Publishing. He can be reached at chris_hernandez_author@yahoo.com or on his Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ProofofOurResolve).
http://www.amazon.com/Proof-Our-Resolve-Chris-Hernandez-ebook/dp/B0099XMR1E/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1434904408
http://www.amazon.com/Line-Valley-Chris-Hernandez-ebook/dp/B00HW1MA2G/ref=pd_sim_351_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0VE4FEPMPPFPE8H1FVTM
Filed under: Uncategorized | 57 Comments
57 Responses to “Sorry, gun guys, but President Obama didn’t say that”
1 fknauss on June 21, 2015 said:
Once again, a great analysis – both of the speech, and of the problem.
An acquaintance said that these events are an opportunity for both sides to get out their usual talking points, in order to drown out discussion of the problems (such as racism and disempowerment) that lead to actions like this. Thank you for being a voice that doesn’t have to read from those playbooks.
2 chrishernandezauthor on June 21, 2015 said:
fk,
Being politically independent helps. I don’t give either side a pass on irrational stupidity. I used to see more irrational stupidity on the liberal side, but since Gov Abbott jumped into the Jade Helm conspiracy camp I’m pretty much done with both political parties.
Thanks for the compliment, and glad to see you again. 🙂
3 thefoolserrand on September 18, 2015 said:
Political parties create an excuse to be intellectually lazy and wear blinders. I too call’em like I see’em as I can do my own critical thinking and don’t need a party or media commentator to do it for me.
4 Sally M on June 21, 2015 said:
Thank you for presenting this. And we wonder why you can’t believe anything published today. I’m with you – there’s enough facts out there to have reason to support gun rights etc. And for me personally to not like our current “leader” (in quotes only because he does not meet my definition of leader). Whether a publication is liberal or conservative, I would rather just have the issues presented and allow me to make my personal decision using the intelligence I have. Sadly though, as human beings, this isn’t the way it is anywhere…so we continue to slog through all this. No wonder so many stop paying attention to anything going on.
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2015 17:06:33 +0000 To: sallym7187@hotmail.com
Yeah, it does seem to have gotten harder and harder to decipher actual facts hidden within the deliberately misleading narratives pushed by both sides. Thanks for commenting, Sally.
6 RandyGC on June 21, 2015 said:
Good analysis Chris. Blood dancing from either side is disgusting.
We have reality on the side of individual rights. No need to make stuff up.
Bam. Exactly. When someone lies about something they don’t need to lie about, all they do is weaken what would have been a strong argument.
By the way, I really like the term “blood dancing”.
8 Ramon from Texas on June 21, 2015 said:
Sound analytical approach; talking points hit the mark.
But none of it matters when the Left, led by the Administration, decide to come after the guns yet again. Reason and analysis are not to be found. Do I think they will be successful? Not in my lifetime and not in my (Lone Star) State. So dig in and keep your range card up-to-date.
Good advice, Ramon. I don’t see it happening in my lifetime or state either, but vigilance is always required.
10 Don Davis on June 21, 2015 said:
Chris: Truly well thought out analytical piece of writing. Thank you.
11 chrishernandezauthor on June 21, 2015 said:
Thank you Don, I appreciate that.
12 wholesight on June 21, 2015 said:
As so often has been the case, I admire your integrity here in striving to look at an issue closely & honestly. I have no quarrel with your analysis of the Obama quote.
I also find it admirable that you went & gathered the country comparison data. And here is where I think you could do better than your current stance about gun control. Not to find a solution – but to see that there might be solutions other than the tired out, stalemated dead-ends we’re familiar with.
Too many people have bought into the myopic notion that there are only 2 means to consider for reducing violent crime that involves guns: gun control laws, which you say don’t and won’t work in this country, and increasing the amount of armed citizens, which you say will work.
To me this is akin to the old anecdote about a guy losing a set of car keys at night and looking for them under a streetlight. Someone asks him if he lost the keys under the streetlight. No, he says, he lost them somewhere down the street where it’s dark. “Then why are you looking here?” “Well, because there’s a light here.”
When we think like this, we are looking too narrowly at the issue to come up with interesting useful solutions. What I would say is, if we are really interested in this issue, we could find out who is doing country comparisons as you did, but in vastly more detail. You yourself nod toward saying that U.S. culture regarding gun ownership is very different from, say, Northern European culture on this point. But you make your nod out of logic only. And logic alone is an ineffective way to find solutions to a problem. Data is a good way out – data plus analysis plus an open mind.
There may be many interesting & useful reasons why certain other countries have lower rates of gun violence – reasons that don’t necessarily have to do with guns themselves but rather with other aspects of a culture. Some of these aspects might be worth experimenting with here in the U.S. to see if they help.
Sure it takes effort to look. And it takes an open mind to get beyond holding onto a rigid belief that “we’re too different” or “we can’t change our ways” etc. If we don’t look, we’ll never find – and if we do look, we might find. If you look only under the streetlight, you’ll never find the keys you lost somewhere else. And if we assume from the get-go that there are two and only two potential solutions to violent crime in a society, and that these are mutually exclusive, w’ll never discover other possible solutions that might work better and wouldn’t just continue the current stalemate.
Neither you nor I are the persons to do such research & analysis. But I sure hope someone is doing it somewhere.
– Randy
I have to clarify: I was referring to how to respond to the mass shooting problem specifically. I don’t believe more armed citizens are the answer to all gun crime. For example, domestic violence won’t be stopped by more citizens being armed. An armed domestic violence victim will be able to defend themselves in some situations, but the dynamic involved with most domestic violence situations usually involves a somewhat passive victim who won’t use force against their abuser (that’s what I’ve seen, anyway). Likewise, neighborhoods overrun with gangsters who are mainly targeting each other won’t be helped by more armed citizens, since any citizen with sense would stay out of a pure gang-on-gang gunfight. Armed citizens, however, would go far toward deterring mass shootings and random street crime.
I agree with you that this problem can’t be solved by something as simple as allowing more citizens to carry, but I also don’t claim to know the answer to all of society’s ills. Yes, we need a cultural change which (as you noted) I have no idea how to implement. However, I do have an idea of what the response needs to be once the mass shooter begins his attack. We’d all like to know how to stop people from getting to that point, but the fact is nobody knows how to prevent it.
Changing the culture is out of my lane. Being ready to immediately respond to a mass shooter with my own controlled gunfire, and urging others to be ready to do the same, is in my lane. I wish I had more answers, but I don’t.
16 thefoolserrand on September 18, 2015 said:
There are those that submit to just laws and are not the problem and those that don’t. Regarding threats, the primary accountability of every man and woman is to defend their household and themselves when outside of the home. Limiting or removing a law abiding citizens ability to do this is immoral. I operate in the world of reality. I appreciate knowing that the police will be arriving to assist while I take immediate action to stop the threat IF I CANNOT SAFELY RETREAT. The last thing I want to do is shoot someone and have never sought to add a notch to the butt of my gun. Guns are a tool. I love the hell out of my high quality chop saw, router, chain saw…..and guns. I look forward to using them! Shooting sports and IDPA or building a new deck chair.
“He teaches my hands to make war, so that a bow of bronze is bent by my arms.”
“Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:”
It is not evil to train and be ready to confront evil nor is a gun evil because it has the potential to be employed to do evil.
I learned this lesson the hard way when my wife was assaulted while I was deployed. Like a good little citizen, I complied with the laws of California that stripped me of my ability to sufficiently defend myself and family against an armed threat. Stupid me.
Years later, my brother, who does not believe in gun ownership, received a call from the San Bernardino police that his wife was carjacked and beaten so severely, she ultimately succumbed to the devastating injuries.
I can neither confirm nor deny that I am still a good little defenseless law abiding citizen.
Chris, you speak of our obligation to follow the law. I used to believe as you, but no longer have that luxury.
17 OK S. on June 21, 2015 said:
Your point is well taken. And I don’t believe there is a way to get any real meaningful figures in this area, anyway.
For one thing, comparing a federation of states like the U.S. with a single state, such as Israel, or a loose confederation of states like the European Union, or even the tightly controlled Russian Federation of states, wouldn’t tell you anything useful. And that doesn’t even consider how to analyze all the differnt ways to kill multiple people if guns aren’t readily available..
Just yesterday I read an article about a man in Graz, Austria, who deliberately rammed a crowd of shoppers, then got out of his vehicle and began stabbing people. He killed a man, a woman, and a child. Car attacks happened frequently in Israel, and China has mass stabbing attacks. Agreed that mass murders can be carried out by other means, but to pretend it’s not easier with an AR-15 is dishonest. There’s a reason the phrase “I carry a gun because beating a man to death is hard work” became so popular.
Yesterday I did a quick and dirty statistical analysis trying to see if the data told anything. Using the disreputable and always wrong Wikipedia, I was unable to replicate the chart you posted. Multiple murders are so rare that they’re are always outliers, so you can read the data anyway you want. For instance, multiple firearm murders occurred in only 33.3% of the states (+D.C) in the U.S. (17) but in 35.7% of the states in the European Union (10).
You’ll probably have to copy the table to a simple text editor to get it to display properly (DISCLAIMER: dirty data plus any mistakes of my own):
No. Date Location State Killed Wounded
1 27 Jan 2009 Los Angeles CA 6 0
2 10 Mar 2009 Kinston ... AL 10 6
3 29 Mar 2009 Carthage NC 8 2
4 3 Apr 2009 Binghamton NY 13 4
5 4 Aug 2009 Bridgeville PA 3 9
6 5 Nov 2009 Fort Hood TX 13 32
7 17 Jan 2010 Appomattox VA 8 0
8 3 Aug 2010 Manchester CT 8 2
9 8 Jan 2011 Tucson AZ 6 13
10 12 Oct 2011 Seal Beach CA 8 1
11 25 Dec 2011 Grapevine TX 6 0
12 27 Feb 2012 Chardon OH 3 3
13 20 Jul 2012 Aurora CO 12 62
14 5 Aug 2012 Oak Creek WI 6 3
15 27 Sep 2012 Minneapolis MN 6 2
16 14 Dec 2012 Newtown CT 27 2
17 15 Jan 2013 Hazard KY 3 0
18 19 Jan 2013 South Valley NM 5 0
19 24 Apr 2013 Manchester IL 5 1
20 7 Jun 2013 Santa Monica CA 5 2
21 16 Sep 2013 Washington D.C. 12 3
173 147
1 16 Jan 2009 Vrasene ... Belgium 4 12
2 11 Mar 2009 Winnenden ... Germany 15 9
3 14 May 2010 Hlapcevici Bosnia 3 7
4 2 Jun 2010 Copeland ... U.K. 12 11
5 30 Aug 2010 Devínska ... Slovakia 7 15
6 1 Sep 2010 Lörrach Germany 3 18
7 9 Apr 2011 Alphen ... Netherlands 6 17
8 22 Jul 2011 Oslo ... Norway 75 241
9 13 Dec 2011 Liège Belgium 6 125
10 11 Mar 2012 Toulouse ... France 7 5
11 19 Mar 2012 Toulouse France 4 1
12 19 Oct 2012 Cardiff U.K 1 16
13 9 Apr 2013 Velika Ivanca Serbia 13 1
Understanding that data collection is difficult, based on what you posted I still see more mass shootings in the US than in most of the rest of the developed world. Granted, many shootings in the countries you cited had worse massacres, but as far as raw numbers of incidents we still seem to have more. Based on the numbers I’ve seen recently we certainly seem to have a lower per capita mass murder rate, but that’s not the same thing as saying we don’t have a mass shooting problem (which isn’t what I think you’re claiming).
Thanks for the intelligent comments and effort you went to in order to contribute to this debate. 🙂
21 megalithii on June 21, 2015 said:
He said, “…that this type of mass violence doesn’t happen in other advanced countries. It doesn’t happen in other places with this type of frequency.”
That’s two statements/declarations in two separate sentences. It’s not one continuous run-on sentence or thought, and both are lies. Sorry, but Obama did say that.
When you make a statement, does every single sentence you say have to stand on its own, or do previous and following sentences contain important parts of the message?
The president made a lengthy statement about the incident. His entire statement matters, not just the one sentence (further elaborated on literally seconds later) that you can exploit to support your argument.
And as far as “not with this frequency” being a lie, please cite some evidence.
23 Comic Book Lion (@dennissweatt) on June 21, 2015 said:
I am impressed with your critical thinking and clear headed response to this subject. Unexpected from a second amendment advocate. It is appreciated in an age where the president can never please the right wing, even after adding 280,000 jobs last month and giving the order to get Bin Laden. Is he perfect? Fck no. Is he succeeding, yes. Data shows it is so.
This sums it up pretty clearly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl–YVnni0I
I’m sure we’d disagree on many things, but I appreciate your compliment. Thanks and please come back anytime.
25 Michmike on June 22, 2015 said:
Wow, that was a bit of a backhanded compliment with your statement! Just because I am a 2nd amendment person does not mean I have checked my common sense at the door. Obviously you have cornered the market on ration clear headed thinking but it is nice to throw a compliment to us uneducated Mericans. I actually fall in the middle on a great many things and am college educated and ex-military and cannot stand right wing talk radio!
Saying someone is a 2nd amendment person is filled with all kinds of preconceived ideas and then adding to it the bit about being impressed with the critical thinking skills of Chris is well…. Condescending. Not all of us are nuckle dragging shit kickers who go around in dirty beaters on our way to the Piggly Wiggly to get a case of PBR and a case of pork rinds.
Give up your sanctimonious, look at me I am so evolved attitude and please and give us poor uneducated and unguided gun people a break. Lol
26 NjGunGuy on June 23, 2015 said:
Way to paint with a broad brush there kiddo.
If anyone else were president, they wouldn’t have authorized the raid on Bin Laden’s compound? Also, the president added 280,000 jobs? You mean that 280,000 jobs were created while the current president happened to be in office. The president, nor any politician, does not say “make it so” and new jobs appear, unless of course they are having people dig ditches and build bridges to nowhere in the name of “doing something” or “full employment”.
27 Jerrod Balzer on June 21, 2015 said:
“His belief, expressed verbally and through his attempts to pass new gun control measures, is that restricting access to guns will help stop mass shootings.
I imagine Australia would disagree: http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/world/us-australia-gun-control/index.html?sr=cnnifb
Australia doesn’ t have the same culture of gun ownership we have, or the numbers of weapons already in circulation. Australia also hasn’t completely banned guns, they’ve just become harder to obtain. I get your point, but there are significant differences that make drastic gun control measures feasible there but not here.
29 Goober on June 22, 2015 said:
Australia also never had the violent crime problem that we have and had here in the states.
Saying that gun confiscation is what is keeping Australia’s already low violent crime rate low is logically weak, especially given that violent crime in both countries has been dropping at the same time. One in concert with a gun ban, and one in spite of no such ban occuring.
Something else is happening. To attribute it to Australia’s gun laws is pretty weak sauce given the information available.
30 Phil on June 23, 2015 said:
Australia also has a fundamental difference that it is categorically illegal to possess or carry *any* weapons specifically for the purposes of self defense – not even a kubotan. Been this way since I think the mid 80s.
31 Alpheus on June 23, 2015 said:
I’ve looked closely at Australia’s mass murder rate, and I’ve noticed that they have a mass murder (not necessarily mass *shooting*) event about once every ten to twelve years.
Granted, Australia hasn’t had a mass *shooting* event since their gun ban, but they *have* had a mass *murder* event since the ban, which happened almost on schedule, sort of.
So I’m not convinced that Australia’s gun ban has helped prevent mass shootings. It’s way too early to tell.
The gun ban/registration had no effect on violent crime committed with firearms (http://www.gunfacts.info/gun-control-myths/guns-in-other-countries/ ,there is a section for Aus.) and mass killings of the sort we are discussing are already so rare they could be be considered anomalous.
33 mva1985 on June 22, 2015 said:
One of the things we should look at is what doesn’t happen here – Genocide (abortion aside). Many other countries have had this happen and millions upon millions have died.
To many politicians won’t answer a straight question. They dance around the truth with carefully worded statements. Makes me want to retch.
First time reader. Thanks for the article.
mva,
Agreed on your genocide point, but again, the president didn’t claim other nations have no violence problems His claim was pretty straightforward: other advanced nations don’t have mass shootings as often as the US does. I agree that many other nations have had worse problems than we’ve had here, and we need the 2A to prevent those kind of problems.
35 TM on June 26, 2015 said:
Many would claim, I do claim, based on demonstrable facts, that the 400 plus years of the American slave trade constitutes genocide. Very few, if any, other acts of genocide endured such longevity, brutality, or scope.
I would disagree, mainly based on the fact that the slaves were a commodity the slave sellers and owners wished not to kill en masse. Slaves were an investment, and nobody involved in the slave trade wanted to wipe them out.
I hate UN peacekeeping missions. These idiots go into a village or town and disarm all the citizens while the well-armed enemy waits in the hills for them to leave then swoops in and wipes them out to the last person, leaving only the farm animals that have value as food.
Guns are not evil. It is the evil idiot behind the gun and the evil idiot that leaves the innocent defenseless that are the problem.
In rural towns outside Kosovo, the enemy would lay siege to the town allowing nothing in or out, waiting for starvation to set in and the inevitable evil of neighbors killing neighbors to take their food to survive. The last ones standing would then be mopped up by the criminal army without having to expend much energy or firepower.
Obama is dangerous. Our society is quickly being polarized against each other. A simple economic collapse could bring evil terror to this nation. I suspect it won’t happen, but if it did, needing a firearm to defend and not having it is a sure recipe for horrific disaster.
If this president had his way, citizens would only have highly regulated muzzle-loaders and blunt knives. His actions and devious words support this in my opinion. His statements of having no desire to disarm hunters and sportsman hint that he may believe the 2nd amendment protects hunters and not it’s original intent that has nothing to do with hunting, although he may wish it so.
38 The Bartelist on June 22, 2015 said:
Well…I’m not sure I agree with you, on this aspect. Da Prez said what he said, but the subtext was, at least for me, crystal clear.
Even the lefty PolitiFact is [mostly] calling BS of Da Prez’s claims: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/jun/22/barack-obama/barack-obama-correct-mass-killings-dont-happen-oth/
The subcontext here is also clear: Da Prez was “Mostly False” and God help us all if a Conservative was even remotely as incorrect.
Bartelist,
That article shows that the US leads in mass shootings by number of incidents, plus leads in per capita mass shootings deaths when compared to all except three advanced countries. Those countries, like Norway, have a much smaller population and had one or two major incidents. To suggest Norway, with one mass shooting, has more mass shootings than America, with over a hundred in the reporting period, doesn’t make sense.
“The chart does show that the United States has more mass shootings — and more people cumulatively killed or injured — than the other 10 nations combined, partly because it has a much bigger population than all but China… Over the decade and a half studied, the researchers found 23 incidents of mass shootings in the other 10 countries, resulting in 200 dead and 231 wounded. In the United States over the same period, there were 133 incidents that left 487 dead and 505 wounded.”
Politifact says the first part of the president’s statement isn’t true. Obviously it isn’t, which is why he immediately added “it doesn’t happen with this type of frequency.” He added the second part literally six seconds later. It’s hard for me to see how anyone can claim those two statements, seconds apart, about the same topic, are unrelated.
In response to the efficacy of gun control via confiscation of privately owned firearms, Australia is probably an interesting case to look at.
The 1996 gun buyback and establishment of firearms registries (every single firearm – shotgun, .22lr, even air rifle is registered in a police database) was probably as close to ideal as you could get from a gun control perspective. 1) gun licenses were required previously, so there was data on who had guns, but not how many they had. 2) handguns had always been more tightly controlled and there were less around, 3) we are an island so illegal import is somewhat easier to control than for other countries. 4) post buyback, many types of firearms were essentially unobtainable/illegal (pump action shotguns, semi-auto rifles), so easy to detect if used in a legal setting.
Of course there is no official data on how many illegal guns are still in circulation in Australia, however it seems to be well accepted that a lot of illegal long guns on the black market are pre-1996 guns (eg shotgun used in Sydney siege).
So purely from a pragmatic viewpoint, if gun control doesn’t really work that well to keep illegal guns out of criminal hands in the almost ideal case of Australia, it seems fairly likely that any sort of similar gun control in the US would be ineffective.
Unfortunately it seems when talking about guns, practicality is seen as moral weakness.
41 Chad in Kentucky on June 23, 2015 said:
While you are correct that it can be construed as intellectually dishonest to ignore something the President said and focus on another part in a debate I have to honestly say I don’t care. The fact is that the anti’s aren’t waging a debate against our rights, they are waging a war of sentiment. That sentiment is largely fueled by soundbites and false claims.
While the President may have said “with such frequency” his anti-gun followers often forget ANY cases of it happening outside of the United States. They want to ignore the fact that it does still happen in other countries with far stricter people control laws than ours.
If those opponents of liberty want to use soundbites and inaccuracies to try and deprive me of my rights, I have no problem answering in kind with truths that they don’t want to face. Can it be construed as twisting his words? Yes. Is it twisting his or his anti-gun followers intent? Not at all.
Then why not avoid their level of dishonesty, and just respond with facts and logic?
43 ssgcmwatson on June 27, 2015 said:
I certainly agree that we shouldn’t descend to their level of dishonesty, however I think we need to respond with more than just facts and logic. I think people tend to respond better to stories, so we should find and publicize those that prove our point. For example, Amanda Collins.
Amanda was a 21-year old student at the Univ. of Nevada. She had a CCW permit, but the University chose to ban all guns on campus. She was raped in the parking garage of the campus police station, and her rapist went on to rape two women and murder one.
There are plenty of stories out there if we go looking.
I see big problems with trying to build a case for anything – whether on this issue or any other – with compelling stories. For your word “story” we could also just say “anecdote.”
Anecdotes are a good way to illustrate, but they are a terrible way to analyze data and make decisions about issues. The default behavior for human beings is to tell stories, whether to ourselves (we do this constantly) or to others. We’re skewed by cognitive biases we’re not even aware of, and the stories we prefer to tell often reinforce these biases. We cherry-pick our stories and thus cherry-pick our data to support our preferred conclusions. And remember how easily stories can be manipulated!
So we need more careful, thoughtful efforts like Chris’s – yes some people on the “other side” won’t listen but there will be a few who do. And meanwhile will always be plenty of story-telling done by both sides, and it always will just go round and round with opposing stories without bringing any resolution.
Perhaps I should have been more clear: we need to respond with *more* than just facts and data. Use the story as a lead-in to grab people’s attention and then transition to the data to show that these stories aren’t just isolated incidents. Put a human face on the data so that we get the attention of more than “a few” of “other side” (and the people just not paying attention).
46 Daniel Ortiz on June 23, 2015 said:
Politifact did a similar analysis here:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/jun/22/barack-obama/barack-obama-correct-mass-killings-dont-happen-oth/
No solutions are given, just numbers and direct conclusions. I like the direct and honest approach you always espouse in your articles Chris. I also believe we need to stay on the straight and narrow in our arguments (otherwise I start to feel slimey).
One thing that Obama’s comments bring to mind in addition to all this is why “mass violence of this kind”, is more important or worse than mass violence of another kind, say with bombs, cars or airplanes. Furthermore, Politifact admits their data leave out other terroristic mass killings, when the motive was traditional terroristic motives.
But regardless, I’m glad you stick to your guns. =)
“…that this type of mass violence doesn’t happen in other advanced countries. It doesn’t happen in other places with this type of frequency.”
I would have to disagree with your analysis. The more I think about it, the more I think that the statement is contradictory, or squirrelish at best.
The claim that this type of mass violence doesn’t happen in other advanced countries is patently false: it’s easy to find examples where it happens. You could squirrel your way out of it, though, by saying “but I meant race-tinged mass violence” or “mid-level violence” (as opposed to 69 dead in Norway, for example), or even to point out that he never said “all other advanced countries” (which is probably true, at least for now).
And the follow-up statement–that it doesn’t happen in other places with this type of frequency–simply taken, contradicts the first…unless you’re talking about the advanced countries where this does happen, or the countries that aren’t advanced, or what not. Once we get to that point, we’d better be prepared to look at statistics all around the world, and who knows what we’ll find at this point?
Overall, I don’t think Obama is on firm ground for two reasons: First, I doubt that Obama had statistical analysis in mind when he made it–he just uttered something that he expected to be comforting, and he evidently felt was true in his bones; and second, he’s making the claim to push his gun control agenda, and it’s likely he’s doing it disingenuously.
Whether it was deliberate or not (and perhaps even deliberately devisive), I don’t know. I *do* know, however, that anti-gun types are taking the first sentence and running with it, which completely takes any truthiness that Obama’s original statement had, and demolishes it.
48 priscilla on June 24, 2015 said:
Exactly, as if the controllers ever engage in honest argument. Why belabor such a fine point and parse and parse the man’s words? His meaning and intent are clear and even the left-leaning Politifact rates his statement as mostly false. The winning argument is constitutional but sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Chris, you focus on the “embarrassing” “stupidity” of conservatives, while the progressives advance their agenda with pure propaganda.
I wouldn’t say we should fight fire with fire–in this case, it’s a bad idea to put out bad data–but Obama’s statement is rather ambiguous, and feel-good-ish, at best.
I haven’t tried to analyze Obama’s statement in light of his follow-up tweet that contained statistics to emphasize his point (how do you even do statistics in a tweet, when the issues are so complex?) but it’s difficult to see where Obama is getting his numbers, so it’s hard to see how they justify his statements…
50 Jeff Fisher on June 24, 2015 said:
Facts and logic don’t work.
They call for “discussion” but require our total surrender as a condition of beginning any debate.
They call us “heartless, soulless bastards”.
They demand our imprisonment and “re-education”
They impugn our hygiene, genetics, sexual endowment and parentage,
They want us to suffer violent death, along with our children and loves ones.
They desire the unlawful seizure of our property.
They then proceed to demand “civil political discourse” before again stating that we have no soul and are not worth saving.
These people want us and our families dead. How else can these statements be interpreted?
Most of what I just typed would be perfectly at home on an ISIS mission statement, or in a 1940s-era “Final Solution” document.
I’m not disagreeing with you, Mr. Williamson. I’m simply stating that our “facts and logic” will not work. These people don’t exist in reality.
What do you think our next move is?
51 David on June 24, 2015 said:
Great analysis, it’s rare to see intellectually honest commentary nowadays.
52 Chris Gerrib on June 24, 2015 said:
Chris: I know this was addressed up-thread, but I want to focus on it. It seems that America has a higher rate of violence (of any type) then the rest of the industrialized world. So, although the only thing that will stop a mass shooting in-progress is to stop the shooter (usually with a gun), that doesn’t address how we prevent the mass shooting from beginning.
As a gun owner, I think it’s imperative that when we talk about gun violence we address the “real” issue which is a higher rate of violence. Otherwise, we’re seen (accurately) as dodging the issue.
53 Steve on June 25, 2015 said:
Chris, A question that is not related to the mass-shooting issue, more about robberies, guns and self-protection.
When I was in high school, I applied for a job at a convenience store. A friend of mine tried to convince me that I wasn’t cut out for the job, asking me what I’d do if somebody tried to rob the store. “You’d probably just give him the money,” he said, implying that I was too weak-minded or cowardly to fight off the robber. He then said it it were him, he’d take out a gun or use some sort of martial arts
My answer was “Damned right I would. First, that’s probably company policy (probably for liability reasons in the event I get hurt or killed or a stray bullet from my gun hits a bystander. In fact, a few years ago, around here a store clerk was fired for brandishing a gun on a robber. I also remember many years ago hearing about a Domino’s driver being fired after successfully fighting off a robber). Second, the guy just wants the money and my life is worth more than the $50 or so that’s in the register. I may be a coward, but at least I’d get to go home at the end of my shift. I see no point in trying to be a hero protecting $50.”
Protecting other people’s lives is a different story, I’m sure.
I also remember the story of former world champion boxer Vernon Forrest who was killed in an attempted carjacking. He went after the carjacker with a gun and the other guy got off his shot first and killed Forrest. If he just let the guy have his wallet and his car, maybe he’d still be alive today. A car can be replaced. A wallet can be replaced but once you’re gone, you’re gone.
Is cooperating with a robber a bad idea? Should store polices change to encourage clerks to carry guns and try to fight back? If a clerk does cooperate with the robber should he be fired for not fighting back?
I know this isn’t totally related to the topic but should people be encouraged to be a hero in these situations or at least not punished for it?
Every situation is different, but it should be kept in mind that sometimes a robber will shoot you because they don’t want witnesses, and sometimes they’ll shoot you for kicks and giggles. It’s a bit dangerous to assume that a robber only wants your car or your money.
While it’s true that company policy often precludes the carrying of a gun, there are situations where having a gun *could* save your life. It should be kept in mind, though, that not all of those times where you use a gun, you are *going* to save your life: after all, once someone starts a robbery, your life is in danger, period. Having a gun merely gives you a fighting chance in the event of a robbery, in cases where the perpetrators want more than just your money.
A little late with this – probably this thread is dying down – but FYI, I just got asked by an Australian friend on Facebook about what she called “the gun thing.” She asked whether it was fear of home invasion, high crime rate, or something other reason. She concluded, “I just don’t get it. Is America really that dangerous a place?”
I did explain to her that gun ownership is part of our general distrust of, and rebellion against, big government – starting with rebelling against the extremely big and oppressive government of King George, proceeding on to the debate of the Founding Fathers over a strong vs. weak federal government, then the rebellion of the South against said federal government, etc. etc.
But I also tried to clue her in as to the present conundrum about violent crime, which she had asked about. Chris put it much more accurately in his blog piece than I could: “Even if an aggressive campaign were launched to remove all guns, even if Boston managed to find 50,000 illegal guns a year, even if police nationwide managed to find an astounding and unbelievable five million guns per year, total confiscation would still take over sixty years. And it still wouldn’t work, because we’d never find them all, and we’d never stop new ones coming in to replace confiscated ones.” Meaning basically that our “culture of private gun ownership that’s centuries old” has generated so much accrual of guns, supported by such a deeply entrenched infrastructure of distributing them both legally and extra-legally, that really, truthfully, there is nothing we could do about banning guns even if all of us wanted to. We are stuck with these millions of guns the way a hamburger patty sitting too long on a warm counter is stuck with millions of bacteria. You can’t suck the guns out of America to make it a safer place to live in any more than you could suck the bacteria out of that hamburger patty to make it safe to eat.
I tried to express this idea in more compact form to my Australian friend – i.e. that we have a proud heritage, that unfortunately this heritage ended up guaranteeing criminals here can be armed just as well as we can; but that fortunately this paradox also ensures that we can defend ourselves in the event of a firefight when we’re out buying some beer or chips or in church or wherever. well, I mean, at least those of us as realize the nature of this paradox and are sensible about it.
I put it to her as succinctly as I could: “We have to have guns to kill the criminals who have guns because we have to have guns. Follow?”
I’m not sure she did. But I’m going to send her the link to Chris’s piece, which is well-reasoned & thoughtful and has many interesting comments. Maybe that will her understand.
56 Vendetta on June 25, 2015 said:
I commend you for your intellectual integrity. We need more people out there who are raising the bar and not lowering it when it comes to these political debates. I’m getting sick of those meme graphics everyone shares on Facebook no matter whose side they’re taking.
Found this link I thought you might find interesting. Was surprised to find it from a blogger I follow who’s otherwise a radical left-winger on foreign policy. Kind of amusing to see some of the shocked responses from his usual commenters – but also heartening to see some of them speaking up in agreement.
Gun rights make sense from more than just a conservative or a libertarian perspective. From a traditional liberal point of view (as opposed to the new generation of SJW fanatics), personal security and self-defense should not just be the privilege of those wealthy enough to live within a gated community or the safe neighborhood of the city; they are things that all people should have as part of a decent standard of living.
More people out there breaking the mould like this will help draw away those followers of the anti-gun lobby who are there only because they’re liberal on other issues and think that means they should be ‘liberal’ on this one. And more people out there who embrace a position of reason and civility like yours rather than ideological zealotry will help those who’ve left the anti-gun side feel welcome among gun rights defenders even if they remain liberal on other issues.
Articles like these help to recapture the respectability of gun rights defenders that anti-gun media and pro-gun morons have largely destroyed. We need more of these and less of those stupid memes.
http://thesaker.is/saker-rant-gun-control-should-only-mean-hitting-your-target/
Avoid Facebook if you are tired of stupid memes. The medium is the message and Facebook users will give a post only a couple of seconds to make its point. On social media, brevity is the soul of wit.
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Pusha T Sounds Off on Lil Wayne Beef, Chris Brown vs. Drake
Posted in Photos on June 22, 2012 by breezyworld2
In addition to revealing the release date for the G.O.O.D. Music compilation, Pusha T weighed in on a number of hot topics during his interview with Funkmaster Flex. Find out what he thought of “Ghoulish,” Lil Wayne’s response to his fiery record “Exodus 23:1,” and whether Kanye West has taken interest in his beef with Young Money. Plus, does he support Nicki Minaj’s decision to cancel her Summer Jam performance and what does he make of the Chris Brown vs. Drake drama? You may be surprised by his answers.
On whether we will see another Clipse album: “Definitely. A lot of people get that twisted and they say, ‘You and your brother broke up.’ We can’t break up, we brothers. It doesn’t happen that way. He went and did his book and I went on a solo venture. We definitely coming back with another Clipse album.”
On Nicki Minaj vs. Hot 97: “Let’s call a spade a spade. [Peter] Rosenberg attacked her. Rosenberg was doing him, but that’s what he does. He’s an outspoken guy, everybody knows that. … I definitely would have performed, just for the sake of my fans. I know Rosenberg’s personality well enough to know that this is what comes with the territory. It’s a cruel world out here. Everybody got their own opinions. When Rosenberg disses me, I’ma black out in a verse immediately the best way I know how.”
On Young Money’s decision to boycott Summer Jam: “I thought it showed a real level of camaraderie by her listening [to Wayne] and not performing, and sort of banding together like, ‘Yo, we ain’t doing it.’ There was some solidarity there. I thought that was fresh.”
On his song “Exodus 23:1,” which is believed to be aimed at Drake: “I was surprised by anybody, Wayne specifically, answering ‘Exodus.’ I’ve never seen one record that didn’t say a name cause so much of a firestorm.”
On what he thought of Wayne’s “Ghoulish” response: “It was horrible. It was trash. It wasn’t great.”
On why he hasn’t responded: “I haven’t said anything about it ’cause I didn’t think it was good enough to respond to.”
On Wayne saying there’s no beef: “He’s already said what he’s said. At the end of the day, I think him saying what he said was in his best interest, to admit that you were emotional in reacting to something. I still want to know what part pertained, what hit you? I wanna know.”
On whether he’s spoken to Kanye about the feud: “I don’t talk to ‘Ye about rappers. I blacks out. I get busy. I stand by myself. We ain’t talked about it once.”
On the Chris Brown vs. Drake beef: “I would have never thought that the two was at it like that. I really wouldn’t have put them together and that whole situation. I didn’t like it. You know Chris from Virginia. I ain’t like that. You know, bottles and cuts and all that… That’s weak.”
Chris Brown Fosters New Talent on CBE Label
Chris Brown has weathered the ups and downs of the music industry, and now he’s sharing his knowledge with a group of budding stars. During an interview with Fuse, the R&B superstar introduced his Chris Brown Entertainment (CBE) roster, which includes singer-rapper Kevin McCall, rock diva Sabrina Antoinette, former RichGirl member Sevyn, rock group UgLy, and singer Joelle James, who he signed to Interscope after hearing her on YouTube.
As CEO and mentor of the label, he looks out for his artists and makes sure they don’t get a raw deal. “I want to make sure that every artist I work with is happy and they get a fair chance because we doing all the work,” said Breezy.
But if you’re looking to get signed by the CBE boss, just don’t approach him on the streets with your CD. “I hate that. I’ll listen to it, but nine times out of 10 it’s trash,” he laughed.
Chris Brown Talks Ancient Aliens, Michael Jackson, & His Legacy
With two weeks to go before his album Fortune drops, Chris Brown granted a rare interview to Fuse. He discussed how “ancient aliens” inspired the cover artwork, some of his collaborators including Nas and Diplo, pioneering a new concept for iTunes, and dealing with the changing music industry, while throwing in some expletives to get his point across.
During the sit-down with Esteban, Breezy also reminisced about performing “Thriller” for his idol Michael Jackson and a collaboration that was in the works. Plus, find out what legacy he hopes to leave behind.
On his album artwork: “You can see on the album cover, it’s like a code. That’s an encryption for my fans. I wanted to do something different because I’m into ancient aliens. I like being stuff that’s other than what everybody expects. … When they look in the booklet, they’ll see the different code. Some of it says I love Team Breezy or it’ll say certain things directed to them and they’ll know it if they break the code.”
On what Fortune means: “I wanted Fortune to be the blessing of having it. It’s not money, wealth for me. It’s basically the blessing of being able to do it. I’m fortunate to do it. I want everything to be top notch.”
On his “rarities and B-sides” concept: “I have a gang of records, so what I do is I give ‘em to iTunes. Instead of releasing it free, for a lesser price you get it. It gives the artist a chance to get the exposure that they need. … Instead of going through the label riff-raff and all the bull, let’s split the royalty and do it like this so we both get paid. The industry is so broke that it’s starting to kill our creative side.”
On the shifts in the music industry: “I started when they had the $600,000, $800,000 video budgets. My ‘Run It!’ video was around that. Now you get it where people are like, ‘We got $50,000.’ It’s really killing us in a sense because nobody believes in the brand anymore. If we don’t do it, who gon’ do it? So I’m like f**k it, I’ma do it myself.”
On performing for and meeting Michael Jackson: “That was probably one of the greatest moments in my career ’cause I got a chance to perform for him. People loved the performance. I went backstage and met him. He said hi to my mom. He was respectful. It was just one of those great times in my life.”
On a collaboration with the King of Pop: “Me and him had talked countless times through our people. We were working on records and we were working on some stuff. But God has other plans.”
On following in MJ’s footsteps: “My legacy is not to be Michael Jackson, but to just be me. … I want to make him proud. I don’t want to make it an effort to copy because I hate clones, so I don’t want to be a clone.”
Enter Chris Brown’s ‘Fortune’ Scavenger Hunt – Clue #2
With his album Fortune two weeks away, Chris Brown is taking Team Breezy on a scavenger hunt. The R&B superstar will be dropping clues across the web and if you can correctly answer his questions, you may win some cool items from Breezy’s personal collection or the ultimate grand prize, a trip to one of his favorite cities. You can find clue #2 right here on Rap-Up.com.
Clue #2: In his music video for “Strip,” Chris Brown is wearing a cap by which hockey team?
Prize: Custom autographed hat worn by Chris during his electrifying performance of “Kiss Kiss” at the 2007 American Music Awards.
Think you know the answer? If so, click here to enter.
Find out how to play and read the official rules.
Chris Brown Unlocks ‘Fortune’ Commercial
Posted in Chris Brown, Fortune, Rap-Up.com with tags Chris Brown, Fortune, Rap-Up.com on June 20, 2012 by breezyworld2
Chris Brown drums up anticipation for his fifth album Fortune with a suspenseful commercial. One of the younger members of Team Breezy walks through an abandoned warehouse, dodging shadowy figures before pulling a glowing cube from his knapsack. The mysterious object unlocks a secret code, which reveals Chris Brown himself. The singer quickly disappears into dust, leaving behind a copy of Fortune and an awestruck fan.
New Music: Chris Brown – ‘Calypso’
Posted in Calypso, Chris Brown, Rap-Up.com with tags Calypso, Chris Brown, Rap-Up.com on June 20, 2012 by breezyworld2
Nearly two years after first teasing the song, Chris Brown’s “Calypso” finally surfaces. The ladies’ man oohs and aahs over the sultry, guitar-laced cut. The Polow Da Don-produced track will go on sale at digital retailers on Tuesday. Get swept away by his seductive sound.
Father’s Day Candids: Chris Brown, Andre 3000, Young Jeezy, Game, Swizz Beatz
Posted in Andre 3000, Chris Brown, Game, Rap-Up.com, Swizz Beatz, Young Jeezy with tags Andre 3000, Chris Brown, Game, Rap-Up.com, Swizz Beatz, Young Jeezy on June 20, 2012 by breezyworld2
The dads got their due this Father’s Day as celebrities paid tribute to the father figures in their lives. Chris Brown took a break from his busy schedule and returned home to spend the day with his pops.
Fresh from Ireland where he was shooting the Jimi Hendrix biopic All Is by My Side, André 3000 joined his OutKast partner-in-rhyme and fellow father Big Boi for a poolside party with their kids.
Young Jeezy kicked it with his son and his mother, who he presented with Louis Vuitton luggage for her birthday. Game received a framed photo of his family from his daughter Cali Dream. The Weeknd poured out some Hennessy with Drake’s father Dennis Graham. Jaden Smith and his famous father Will posed together for a father-son pic, while Swizz Beatz enjoyed some fun in the sun with his wife and youngest son Egypt.
See how some of hip-hop and R&B’s biggest stars spent their Father’s Day.
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Home » Programs » Health Protection » Epidemiology » Influenza » Influenza: What You Need to Know
Influenza, also called "flu", is a viral illness that causes fever, sore throat, muscle aches and cough. Influenza can weaken the body’s defenses and lead to complications like bacterial pneumonia. It can also worsen existing chronic health problems like heart disease and diabetes.
The flu season can be as early as October and as late as May. During an average flu season, 36,000 Americans die and more than 200,000 are hospitalized because of complications from influenza. Some people, such as young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with certain chronic health conditions are more likely to have complications related to influenza. While most deaths occur among the elderly and people with chronic health conditions, deaths can also occur among younger adults and children.
Who can get the flu?
Anyone can become infected with the influenza virus. During an average flu season, 10 to 20% of people are infected. Influenza spreads easily from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The influenza virus can also survive on surfaces outside the human body for hours. People can become infected by getting the virus on their hands, then rubbing their eyes or nose. Healthy adults can spread the virus from one day before they have symptoms until five days after their beginning of symptoms. They can pass influenza virus to others even before they feel ill. Children may shed the virus for a longer period of time than adults. Flu viruses change every year, so immunity is not long-term.
What are symptoms of the flu?
Typical flu symptoms include high fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea are more common among young children. However, influenza is not the “stomach flu”; it is a respiratory illness.Influenza is different from a cold although the symptoms can overlap. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense with flu. Colds are usually milder than the flu, and more likely to cause a runny or stuffy nose. People with influenza usually recover completely in one to two weeks, but some people suffer severe complications. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems.
What are complications of the flu?
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Hospitalization and death can result from influenza infection complications.
Is there a vaccine for the flu?
Yes. There are two different types of vaccine: a shot and a nasal-spray. The “flu shot” vaccine contains killed influenza viruses and the nasal-spray vaccine contains live-attenuated (weakened) influenza viruses. The killed or weakened vaccine viruses stimulate the immune system to recognize and fight dangerous circulating influenza viruses. Each year, the vaccines are updated to prevent the new strains of influenza that are expected to circulate during the influenza season. Because the circulating influenza viruses change constantly, people should get vaccinated every year. The flu vaccine prevents influenza illness, which can be serious, but will not protect against other viruses that cause colds or other respiratory illnesses.
Who should get a flu vaccine?
The “flu shot” is approved for people age 6 months and older, including healthy people and people with chronic health conditions. The nasal-spray vaccine is approved for healthy people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
Anyone wanting to protect themselves against flu should consider getting vaccinated. Vaccination is recommended for most people, especially those most likely to experience complications of the flu and people who live with or care for people at highest risk.
Those at highest risk include:
people 50 years and older;
people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house those with long-term illnesses;
people with chronic health conditions;
women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
children 6 months of age to 18 years of age.
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from influenza, including:
household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu;
household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated);
healthcare providers.
Who should not be vaccinated?
The following people should first consult their healthcare provider before receiving influenza vaccine:
people who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs;
people who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past;
people who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously;
children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).
People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
Where can I get a flu vaccine?
Flu vaccines are given at most public health departments and doctors' offices as well as some workplaces, and other community settings. The best time to get vaccinated is in October or November, but people can still get vaccinated throughout the flu season.
What are the vaccine side effects?
The flu shot contains only killed viruses and cannot give you the flu. The vaccine boosts the immune response against influenza. Some minor side effects that could occur are soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot is given, low grade fever or aches that last 1-2 days. The nasal-spray vaccine contains weakened viruses and does not cause the severe symptoms of an influenza illness. Side effects could include runny nose, headache, vomiting, aches, fever, sore throat or cough. Serious side effects are very uncommon with either vaccine and the risks associated with the disease are much greater than the risks associated with vaccination.
What can I do to keep from getting the flu?
The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each year.Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid rubbing your eyes or nose until you have washed your hands. Cover your cough and/or sneeze with a tissue or cough into your sleeve, not your hands.
What do I do if I get the flu?
Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of caffeine-free liquids to avoid becoming dehydrated. Avoid using alcohol and tobacco. To reduce fever, take a non-aspirin pain reliever. There are two antiviral medications approved for treatment of the flu: oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®). They require a prescription and are most effective if started within 48 hours of getting symptoms. Stay home from school or work if you are ill to avoid spreading the flu to others.
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Pre-Schism Orthodox Western Saints
8th February (NS) — 26th January (OS)
by Dr. John (Ellsworth) Hutchison-Hall | Orthodox Western Saints
26th January O.S.
ALPHONSUS of ASTORGA, a ninth century Bishop of Astorga in present-day Spain. In later life he retired and spent the rest of his life living as a simple monk at the monastery of St. Stephen de Ribas de Sil in Spanish Galicia. Nothing further seems to be known of his life.
ANSURIUS (ASSUR), one of the founders of the monastery of St. Stephen de Ribas de Sil. St. Ansurius was consecrated second Bishop of Orense, Galicia in 909. In 922 he retired to Ribas de Sil, where he spent the next three years, living a life of prayer. St. Ansurius reposed of natural causes in 925.
ATHANASIUS, (Date Unknown), a Bishop of Sorrento, in present-day Italy. No further information is extant.
CONAN, one of the early bishops of the Isle of Man, he was born in Ireland and became a monk at Iona. While in the Acta Sanctorum the Bollandists place St. Conan amongst the early bishops of Man, and the noted hagiographer and historian John Colgan O.F.M. (†c. 1657) gives an account of his life and labours, the history of the Isle of Man of this era is quite obscure, and it is almost impossible to state any facts certainty. St. Conan is believed to have reposed circa 648.
PAULA, a Roman noblewoman whose patrician husband left her a widow at the age of 32. Mother to five children including St. Eustochium (28th September) and St. Blaesilla (22nd January). Her life was written by her spiritual father St. Jerome (30th September). Following the death of her husband, St. Paula devoted the rest of her life to serving God. During this time, she spent over two decades in the Holy Land where she is credited with founding several churches, a hospice, and two separate monasteries, one for men, the other for women — where she served as the first Abbess. St. Paula reposed in 404 and is buried beneath the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
THEOFRID (THÉOFROY), St. Theofrid received monastic tonsure at the Abbey of SS. Peter and Paul of Luxeuil (L'abbaye Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul de Luxeuil), and was later made Abbot of the Royal Abbey of St. Peter of Corbie (abbaye royale Saint-Pierre de Corbie) in Picardy. St. Theofrid is also listed as a bishop in most martyrologies, though there is no See listed. St. Theofrid reposed circa 690.
8th February N.S.
CUTHMAN, (Eighth Century), a shepherd near Steyning in Sussex. St. Cuthman spent the time he was tending his flock in prayer and was known as a wonderworker. St. Cuthman also built what become the Church of St. Andrew and St. Cuthman (Church of England) in Steyning. Nothing further is known of this saint.
ELFLEDA (ÆLFLAED), a Saxon princess, she was the daughter of King Oswy of Northumbria. Her father consecrated her to God in infancy, placing her in the care of St. Hilda (17th November) at Whitby. St. Elfleda succeeded St. Hilda as Abbess of Whitby and was a powerful force in Church affairs. She is said to have mediated a dispute between SS. Wilfrid (12th October) and Theodore of Canterbury (19th September), and to have aided St. Cuthbert (26th October). St. Elfleda reposed in 713.
HONORATUS of MILAN, consecrated bishop of Milan in 567, succeeding St. Auxanus in that See. St. Honoratus' episcopacy coincided with both the Three-Chapter Controversy phase of the Arian heresy, as well as the Lombard invasions, with the Lombards driving him in to exile. St. Honoratus reposed in 570, without ever being able to return to his See.
JUVENTIUS of PAVIA , the Roman Martyrology contains an entry on 8th February for St. Juventius at Pavia, a bishop who preached the Gospel. A much fuller entry exists on 9th December, which relates the evangelisation by SS. Syrus (9th December) and Juventius of Pavia. St. Juventius flourished in the First Century and served as the first Bishop of Pavia.
KIGWE (KEWE, CIWA), (Date Uncertain), we know nothing certain about this saint. It is likely that she is the same as St. Ciwa, a sixth or seventh century saint venerated in Monmouthshire. She is listed in the Exeter Martyrology on 8th February, and there is a Welsh Kalendar that lists the name Kigwe or Kigwoe. Alternative spellings include Ciwg and Cwick. It is almost completely certain that she is not the same as St. Keyna (8th October), who has left her name to Keynsham in Somersetshire.
MARY (MLADA), the youngest daughter of Prince Boleslav I of Bohemia. St. Mary was part of the delegation sent by her father to Pope John XIII, to request the creation of a diocese for Bohemia, which at the time was part of the Diocese of Regensburg. Whilst in Rome, St. Mary received monastic tonsure, and the name Mary. The delegation returned to Prague successful and St. Mary returned with a blessing to establish the first monastic community in Bohemia. St. Mary was the founding-Abbess of the Abbey of St. George which was located in Prague Castle. St. Mary served as Abbess of St. George until her repose in 994.
MEINGOLD, (Tenth Century), a nobleman who lived in Huy on the Meuse in present-day Belgium. St. Meingold was renowned for his personal sanctity. Whilst returning from a pilgrimage, St. Meingold was murdered by bandits.
NICETIUS (NIZIER) of BESANÇON, a seventh century Bishop of Besançon, in present-day France. St. Nicetius was also a friend of St. Columbanus of Luxeuil (23rd November). He reposed in 611.
ONCHO (ONCHUO), (Sixth or Seventh century), St. Oncho was a pilgrim, a poet, a guardian of sacred traditions, as well as a collector of holy relics in his native Ireland. Whilst on one of his pilgrimages in search of relics, he reposed at Clonmore monastery, which was governed by St. Maidoc (28th February) at that time, and his body was enshrined there, along with the relics he had gathered during his life.
PAUL of VERDUN, possibly a brother of St. Germanus of Paris (28th May), St. Paul was a hermit on what is now called Paulsberg near Trier. He later moved to the Abbey St. Maurice of Tholey in Saarland. St. Paul was consecrated Bishop of Verdun circa 630 serving until his repose circa 649.
PAUL, LUCIUS, and CYRIACUS, (Date Uncertain), martyrs in Rome, of whom there is no further information.
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R.I.T. news & events March 9 2000
Unknown author (University News Services, Rochester Institute of Technology, 2000-03-09)
R.I.T. news & events December 14 2000
R.I.T. news & events July 13 2000
R.I.T. news & events February 10 2000
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Journal of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada [1998-]
By Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsBy Submit DateBy Research Interests
The Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada is a learned society devoted to the examination of the role of the built environment in Canadian society. Its membership includes structural and landscape architects, architectural historians and planners, sociologists, ethnologists, and specialists in such fields as heritage conservation and landscape history. Founded in 1974, the Society is currently the sole national society whose focus of interest is Canada’s built environment in all of its manifestations. The Journal of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, published twice a year, is a refereed journal.
Call for papers
The Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada (The Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, 2015)
THE PUBLIC BATHS OF OTTAWA: A Heritage Reconsidered
Stewart, Meredith (The Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, 2015)
RÉCIT CRITIQUE D’UNE SAUVEGARDE RÉUSSIE. L’ÉGLISE CHRIST MEMORIAL LUTHERAN : Roger D’Astous et Jean-Paul Pothier (1964-1965)
Salvione, Marie-Dina (The Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, 2015)
FRENCH ARCHITECTS IN EARLY TWENTIETH-CENTURY FRENCH-CANADIAN CHURCH ARCHITECTURE: the Contribution of Breton Architect Arthur Regnault in Nova Scotia (Acadia) and Québec City
Noppen, Luc (The Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, 2015)
Formulaire d’adhésion = Membership form
Bishop John Medley (1804-1892), Frank Wills (1822-1857), and the designs of Christ Church Cathedral and St. Anne’s Chapel of Ease, Fredericton, New Brunswick, with some elementary remarks on the impact of Bishop John Medley and Frank Wills on the arrangements of Anglican churches in New Brunswick
Thurlby, Malcolm (The Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, 2015)
TWO CHURCHES BY GORDON W. LLOYD (1832-1905): Trinity Anglican Church, St. Thomas, and New St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Woodstock, and The Ecclesiological Gothic Revival in Southwestern Ontario
Quattrociocchi, Loryssa (The Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, 2015)
Timber and Tin: Church Design and Construction in the James Bay Mission, 1850-1890
Turner, Emily (The Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, 2015)
Introduction
Iron, Candace; Sauvé, Jean-Sébastien (The Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, 2015)
Table of Contents
AuthorThe Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada (3)Iron, Candace (1)Noppen, Luc (1)Quattrociocchi, Loryssa (1)Salvione, Marie-Dina (1)Sauvé, Jean-Sébastien (1)Stewart, Meredith (1)Thurlby, Malcolm (1)Turner, Emily (1)Date Issued2015 (10)
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Weapons Expert Dr David Kelly was Murdered by Norman Baker
by Norman Baker
Why I know weapons expert Dr David Kelly was murdered, by the MP who spent a year investigating his death
For Tony Blair it was a glorious day. He was in the United States being feted by the U.S. Congress and President Bush.
Their adulation was such that he was being offered the rare honour of a Congressional Gold Medal.
Naturally enough, Bush and his administration were hugely grateful for Blair’s decision to join the United States in its invasion of Iraq.
That invasion was supposed to lead to the discovery and disposal of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and make the world a safer place.
But as Blair was lapping up the grateful plaudits from the U.S. Congress on July 17, 2003, the man who had done more than almost any other individual on earth to contain the threat from WMD lay dead in the woods at Harrowdown Hill in Oxfordshire.
For Dr David Kelly, the UK’s leading weapons inspector, there was to be no adulation, no medal, no standing ovation.
His life ended in the cold, lonely wood where he was found the next morning, his left wrist cut open, and three nearly-empty blister packs of painkillers in his jacket pocket.
His death was, of course, sensational front-page news. Dr Kelly, unknown to almost everybody at the beginning of that July, had in recent days barely been absent from media headlines.
Much to his chagrin he had been thrust into the harsh glare of publicity, accused of being the mole who expressed to the BBC deep concerns about the Government’s “sexing up” of its dossier on weapons of mass destruction.
For Blair – accused of misusing, exaggerating or even inventing intelligence in order to justify the overthrow of Saddam Hussein – the stakes could not have been higher.
This was undoubtedly the greatest crisis of his premiership to date.
To add fuel to the flames, his director of communications, Alastair Campbell, had launched an unprecedented and vitriolic attack on the BBC, questioning its integrity and professionalism in the way it reported the story.
Suddenly finding himself under tremendous personal pressure, it seemed that Dr Kelly had buckled and decided to commit suicide.
That, at least, was the official version of events, as decided by the Hutton inquiry, set up by the Government with lightning speed within hours of Dr Kelly’s body being found.
The media, the political establishment, indeed almost everybody accepted Lord Hutton’s verdict. But the more I examined it, the more it became clear to me that Hutton’s judgment was faulty and suspect in virtually all important respects.
I was not alone in these suspicions. Letters began to appear in the press from leading medical specialists, in which they queried the suicide verdict.
The letters were well argued, raising profound and disturbing questions that remain unanswered to this day.
Increasingly concerned, I decided to give up my post on the Liberal Democrat front bench to look into Dr Kelly’s death.
My investigations have since convinced me that it is nigh- on clinically impossible for Dr Kelly to have died by his own hand and that both his personality and the other circumstantial evidence strongly militate against suicide.
Given that his death was clearly not an accident, that leaves only one alternative – that he must have been murdered.
This is not a conclusion I have come to lightly. I simply set out to examine the facts, to test the evidence, and to follow the trail wherever it took me.
The account I give in this series may not be correct in all respects, but I suggest that it is rather more credible than the verdict reached by Lord Hutton.
I certainly believe there are enough doubts, enough questions, enough of a smell of stinking fish to justify re-opening this episode officially.
My investigations have been a journey into the unknown, and one that has taken many peculiar turns. Perhaps the most sinister came soon after starting my inquiries last year.
After writing a newspaper article outlining my early concerns, I found myself on a train speeding towards Exeter to see a man who had agreed to meet me only on condition of anonymity and after some rather circuitous arrangements.
These involved much complicated use of public telephone boxes to minimise the chance that his contact with me could be traced.
Finally, we talked over a glass of wine in a rather nondescript club.
He told me that he had recently retired but had connections to both the police and the security services, a claim which I subsequently verified through careful checks.
Like me, he had many doubts about the true circumstances surrounding Dr Kelly’s death and he had begun making his own surreptitious inquiries around Southmoor, the Oxfordshire village which was Dr Kelly’s home.
Posing as a freelance journalist, he had attempted to contact the key policemen involved in investigating the case. In this he was unsuccessful but within an hour he received an unexpected return call.
The person on the other end of the line did not bother with formalities, but instead cut to the quick. How would my contact welcome a full tax inspection of his business, VAT, national insurance, the lot?
Life could be made very difficult, he was told. How did he fancy having no money?
Naturally, this prospect did not appeal, and there he left matters until, at a wedding, he chanced upon an old friend whom he described to me initially as a very senior civil servant, but later as a “spook” from MI6.
He told his friend of his interest in the Kelly affair and also of the threatening phone call he had received.
His friend’s reply was a serious one: he should be careful, particularly when using his phone or his computer. Moreover, he should let the Kelly matter drop.
But my contact did not do so. Two weeks later he met his friend again, this time in a pub, and pressed him on the matter.
His friend took him outside, and as they stood in the cool air, told him Dr Kelly’s death had been “a wet operation, a wet disposal”.
He also warned him in very strong terms to leave the matter well alone. This time he decided to heed the warning.
I asked my contact to explain what he understood by the terms his friend had used. Essentially, it seems to refer to an assassination, perhaps carried out in a hurry.
A few months later, I called my contact to check one or two points of his story. He told me that three weeks after our meeting in Exeter, his house had been broken into and his laptop – containing all his material on Kelly – had been stolen. Other valuable goods, including a camera and an LCD television, had been left untouched.
It was sobering to be given such a clear indication that Dr Kelly had been murdered, but the scientist himself appears to have been fully aware that his work made him a target for assassins.
British diplomat David Broucher told the Hutton inquiry that, some months before Dr Kelly’s death, he had asked him what would happen if Iraq were invaded.
Rather chillingly, Dr Kelly replied that he “would probably be found dead in the woods”.
At the inquiry, this was construed as meaning that he had already had suicidal thoughts. That, of course, is patently absurd.
Nobody can seriously suggest that he was suicidal at the time the meeting took place – yet Lord Hutton seems to have made his mind up about the way in which Dr Kelly died before the inquiry even began.
The result is a series of gaping, unresolved anomalies.
Crucially, in his report, Hutton declared that the principal cause of death was bleeding from a selfinflicted knife wound on Dr Kelly’s left wrist.
Yet Dr Nicholas Hunt, the pathologist who carried out the post-mortem examination on Dr Kelly, stated that he had cut only one blood vessel – the ulnar artery.
Since the arteries in the wrist are of matchstick thickness, severing just one of them does not lead to life-threatening blood loss, especially if it is cut crossways, the method apparently adopted by Dr Kelly, rather than along its length.
The artery simply retracts and stops bleeding.
As a scientist who would have known more about human anatomy than most, Dr Kelly was particularly unlikely to have targeted the ulnar artery. Buried deep in the wrist, it can only be accessed through the extremely painful process of cutting through nerves and tendons.
It is not common for those who commit suicide to wish to inflict significant pain on themselves as part of the process.
In Dr Kelly’s case, the unlikelihood is compounded by the suggestion that his chosen instrument-was a blunt pruning knife.
This would only have increased the pain and would have failed to cut the artery cleanly, thereby hastening the clotting process.
Statistics bear out the extremely low incidence of individuals dying by cutting the ulnar artery, with only one recorded case in Britain during the entire year of Dr Kelly’s death.
Given that the average human body contains ten pints of blood, and that about half of these must be lost before death ensues, we must also ask ourselves why there were clear signs at the postmortem-that Dr Kelly had retained much of his blood.
We cannot be sure exactly how much since, inexplicably, the pathologist’s report does not provide an estimate of the residual volume, but what he did record was the appearance of “livor mortis” on Dr Kelly’s body.
This purplish-red discolouration of the skin occurs when the heart is no longer pumping and blood begins to settle in the lower part of the body. But if Dr Kelly had bled to death, as we are led to believe, then significant livor mortis would not have occurred. Put simply, there would not have been enough blood in his body.
More significant still, while the effects of five pints of blood spurting from a body could not easily be hidden, the members of the search party who found his body did not even notice that Dr Kelly had apparently incised his wrist with a knife.
Their arrival was followed by that of paramedics who pointedly referred to the fact that there was remarkably little blood around the body.
If the idea that blood loss brought about Dr Kelly’s death is flawed, still less plausible is the suggestion that he chose an overdose to quicken his end.
Mai Pederson, a close friend of Dr Kelly’s, has confirmed that he hated all types of tablets and had an aversion even to swallowing a headache pill.
Yet we are told that he removed from his house three blister packs, each containing ten of the co-proxamol painkillers which his wife Janice took for her arthritis.
Each of these oval pills was about half an inch long. Since there was only one tablet left, the implication is that he had swallowed 29 of them. If this is right, we are being asked to believe that Dr Kelly indulged in a further masochistic act in an attempt to take his life.
A further objection is that police evidence states there was a half litre bottle of Evian water by the body which had not been fully drunk.
Common sense tells us that quite a lot of water would be required to swallow 29 large tablets. It is frankly unlikely, with only a small bottle of water to hand, that any would have been left undrunk.
Stranger still, tests revealed the presence of only the equivalent of a fifth of one pill in Dr Kelly’s stomach.
Even allowing for natural metabolising, this cannot easily be reconciled with the idea that he swallowed 29 of them.
Forensic toxicologist Alexander Allan told the Hutton inquiry that although the levels of co-proxamol in Dr Kelly’s blood were higher than therapeutic levels, they were less than a third of what would normally be found in a fatal overdose.
Furthermore, it is generally accepted that concentrations of a drug in the blood can increase by as much as tenfold after death, leaving open the possibility that he consumed only a thirtieth of the dose necessary to kill him.
As for Dr Kelly’s state of mind, in the eyes of those who knew him well he was the last person who might be expected to take his own life.
A recent convert to the Baha’i faith which expressly forbids suicide, he was a strong character who had survived many difficult situations in the past.
Just a day before his 20th birthday in May 1964, his own mother had killed herself with an overdose. Though this had naturally affected him deeply at the time, there was nothing to suggest that it was on his mind at this point in his life.
His friend Mai Pederson recalled a conversation they once had about his mother’s death. Would he ever contemplate suicide himself, she asked. ‘Good God no, I couldn’t ever imagine doing that,” he is said to have replied. “I would never do it.”
Later many people would conclude that the seeds of his suicide lay in his uncomfortable appearance before MPs on the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday, July 15, just three days before his death.
Grilled for more than an hour during this televised hearing, he was clearly under considerable pressure and yet one journalist recalled him smiling afterwards.
By the time he gave evidence before the Intelligence and Security Committee the following day, he was even managing to crack a joke or two.
His emotional state certainly did not appear to give any major cause for alarm on the morning of the Thursday he disappeared.
His wife Janice later described him as “tired, subdued but not depressed” and the e-mails he sent from his home during those hours suggested that his mood, if anything, was upbeat.
“Many thanks for your thoughts,” he wrote to one colleague. “It has been difficult. Hopefully will all blow over by the end of the week and I can travel to Baghdad and get on with the real work.”
Indeed, so keen was Dr Kelly to get back to Iraq that he spoke to Wing Commander John Clark at the Ministry of Defence about when he could return.
A trip was booked for him the following Friday and his diary, recovered by the police, shows that the trip had been entered for that day. People about to kill themselves do not generally first book an airline ticket for a flight they have no intention of taking.
Since none of this fits the profile of a man about to commit suicide, we are faced with an obvious question. If Dr Kelly did not kill himself, then who might have been responsible for his death?
There are, it must be admitted, a number of possible suspects. In the course of a long career in the shadowy world of arms control, Dr Kelly had made powerful enemies.
Back in 1991, for example, he was part of a team that exposed Russia’s tests of biological weapons for offensive purposes – a field in which they had invested huge sums of money. This could easily have sparked a desire for revenge, if not from the state itself then from individual Russians.
Dr Kelly also had intimate knowledge of biological weapons research in apartheid-era South Africa that some might have preferred not to see the light of day.
It has also been suggested that he had dealings with Mossad, the Israeli secret service, about illegal bacterial weapon activity.
But it seems very unlikely that the anger of old foes would have simmered for years and then exploded just as Dr Kelly emerged in the political spotlight in 2003.
Quite simply, it would qualify as an astonishing coincidence if the cause of his death were not rooted in the furore over Iraq.
At this point, it has to be asked whether there were elements in the British intelligence services, or indeed within 10 Downing Street itself, who would have wanted Dr Kelly dead.
This is a possibility I have seriously considered. But it is difficult, frankly, to think that anyone in the Government could have thought Dr Kelly’s death to be in their interest, even were they morally prepared to bring it about.
After all, the death of Dr Kelly presented Tony Blair with his greatest political challenge, and put the political focus firmly onto the whole Iraq debacle, which cannot be where the Government would have wanted it.
The more I investigated this affair, the more I realised that people who had worked with David Kelly suspected some kind of link with the Iraqis themselves.
Diplomat David Broucher told the Hutton inquiry that he interpreted Dr Kelly’s remark about being found “dead in the woods” to mean that “he was at risk of being attacked by the Iraqis in some way”.
Dr Kelly’s friend Mai Pederson confirmed to the police that the scientist had received death threats from supporters of Saddam Hussein, who regarded him as an enemy on account of his past success at uncovering their weapons programmes.
This was something Dr Kelly privately acknowledged but refused to be cowed by, in a very British, stiff upper lip kind of way.
The theory that he may have been murdered by elements loyal to Saddam is supported by Dick Spertzel, America’s most senior biological weapons inspector, who worked closely with Dr Kelly in Iraq.
“A number of us were on an Iraqi hit list,” he told me matter-of-factly. “I was number three, and David was a couple behind that.”
But Saddam loyalists are not the only Iraqis we need to consider. There are others, too, with rather closer links to the West.
Much of the information about Saddam’s supposed weapons of mass destruction, on which Britain and America based their case for war, was provided by Iraqi dissidents eager to see his overthrow.
This information was sensational and, as events turned out, wildly distorted and in most regards plain false.
One of the central figures here was Ahmed Chalabi, leader of the so-called Iraqi National Congress and the CIA’s favourite Iraqi opposition politician.
A financier with a decidedly chequered past – he was found guilty of embezzlement and forgery after $158 million disappeared from a bank he founded in Jordan – Chalabi made no secret of his wish to drag the United States into war with Saddam and was apparently prepared to say anything to achieve that end.
A key Iraqi informer codenamed “Curveball” – who claimed to have led a team equipping mobile laboratories to produce biological weapons for Saddam, but was later entirely discredited – is believed to have been the brother of one of Chalabi’s aides.
Chalabi’s fingerprints can also be found on the now notorious claims by another defector that Saddam had 20 or more secret sites where weapons of mass destruction could be found. Subsequent searches showed this allegation to be utterly without foundation.
Naturally, those like Dr Kelly who, by sticking to the facts, weakened the case for invasion beforehand and discredited those who had exaggerated it afterwards, were unhelpful to Chalabi and his colleagues. The last thing they wanted was the sober truth to prevail.
Another important figure here is Iyad Allawi, leader of the Iraqi National Accord, another organisation created to oppose Saddam. Before they parted ways, he was Saddam’s supporter and friend.
There are many who tell of Allawi’s violent history. As a young man, he is alleged to have been present at the torture of Iraqi communists who were hung from the ceiling and beaten.
While living in London in the Seventies, he was allegedly the head of Iraq’s intelligence operation in Europe, informing on opponents of Saddam who will have faced torture and death when they returned home.
Allawi went on to develop a fruitful relationship with MI6 and the CIA. After the Iraq invasion, he was appointed Prime Minister in the country’s interim government – only to face allegations (which he strongly denied) that he had personally shot seven insurgents in the head with a pistol at Baghdad’s Al-Amariyah security centre.
“This is how we must deal with terrorists,” Allawi is alleged to have told a stunned audience of close to 30 onlookers. “We must destroy anyone who wants to destroy the Iraqi people.”
The new Prime Minister’s actions are said to have prompted one U.S. official to comment: “What a mess we’re in – we got rid of one son of a bitch only to get another.”
The Americans apparently referred to Allawi as “Saddam lite”.
Before the Iraq invasion, Allawi’s organisation – just like Ahmed Chalabi’s – was responsible for eye- catching but groundless intelligence exploited by supporters of war.
In the case of Allawi’s group, it was reports passed to MI6 in the spring and summer of 2002, including the false claim that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction which he could deploy at 45 minutes’ notice.
This now infamous “45-minute claim” fed through to the dossier of intelligence which was used as the justification for our involvement in the invasion of Iraq.
It was this dossier, and the 45-minute claim in particular, that David Kelly challenged in his crucial interview with the BBC.
By doing so, did he sign his own death warrant?
It was a normal day in Westminster. The House was sitting and Parliament was full of the usual collection of weary MPs like me traipsing from one meeting to the next, and primly dressed men in ceremonial tights harrumphing around the place.
I left my office and took the stairs down to the reception area where my next appointment was waiting for me.
I had never heard of him before and my mind was on the pile of unfinished work on my desk rather than the meeting about to take place.
I assumed it would be a short and uneventful one, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
My visitor was nervous and distracted. I began to wonder if he was unwell. Then he suddenly decided to open up.
The ostensible reason given for the meeting was essentially a pretext. My visitor really wanted to talk about the death of David Kelly.
Let me say here that I subsequently checked out this person’s bona fides and was able to confirm them. He was who he said he was, and worked where he said he worked.
I have to be very careful with what I say about him, as he clearly believes that he is at risk if he is identified as producing information. For this reason, I can also relate only a fraction of what he said to me, and what is recorded in my extensive contemporaneous notes.
He told me of a meeting where members of a UK-based Iraqi circle had named people who claimed involvement in Dr Kelly’s death.
It seems the Iraqis felt Dr Kelly had besmirched them through his publicly reported actions in doubting the intelligence their organisation had provided to MI6, not least in respect to the now infamous September dossier.
There was also concern that, had he lived, Dr Kelly might have gone public with even more details.
I stayed in contact with my informant, by necessarily elaborate means, and one day he undertook to send me some specific material. It never arrived, and he went quiet.
Some weeks later, I discovered why. When we met again, he was even jumpier than at our first meeting and what he told me was chilling.
On the day after he had undertaken to post me the material we had discussed, he kept an appointment, made at short notice. He had been promised certain information, which was to be conveyed to him by a contact.
I learnt that at that impromptu meeting he was subjected to an horrific attack by an unknown assailant, the full details of which he has asked me not to reveal. Perhaps not surprisingly, he has been reluctant to get any further involved, though he remains well.
The information he had given me had pushed my investigation on immeasurably. It now seemed that I was closer than ever to understanding who had killed Dr Kelly but one thing remained unexplained. Why would his death have been made to look like suicide?
I realised that a clue to this might lie in another piece of information given to me by my visitor at Westminster before he decided, for his own safety, that he could help me no longer.
He told me that the police or the security services had got wind of a possible plan to assassinate Dr Kelly but were too late to prevent his murder taking place.
Suppose this were true – and suppose also that they were told that, in the interests of Queen and country, this information should not come out for fear of destabilising both Britain and Iraq.
Under those circumstances might it just be possible that they saw it as their patriotic duty to intervene – allowing the impression to be formed that Dr Kelly had killed himself?
It seemed incredible but the more I thought about it, the more I realised it might explain some strange anomalies in the police’s handling of Dr Kelly’s case.
The first relates to a secret file of evidence submitted to the Hutton inquiry by Thames Valley Police.
While the contents remain classified, the cover is publicly available and reveals that the codename for the investigation was Operation Mason.
This has given rise to wild rumours of a freemasonry angle to the case but, while these are almost certainly without foundation, what is more concerning is that the start time of Operation Mason is given as 2.30pm on Thursday July 17, which was half an hour before Dr Kelly set off from his home for a walk from which he would never return.
When I challenged this curious timing, I was told that the start time of an operation is fixed not to relate to the moment that the police know of an incident but to reflect the period of interest to them. This sounds superficially plausible until one reflects that any police investigation worthy of the name would look back way before 2.30 on that Thursday afternoon.
Yet what is the explanation, if this is not the case? Premonition and occult powers can be safely discounted, which leaves us with the possibility that some element within Thames Valley Police had foreknowledge, to at least some degree, of that afternoon’s tragic events.
This might help us understand other curiosities about the case – including two searches made of the Kelly home in the early hours of the morning after Dr Kelly vanished.
The first, conducted shortly after midnight when officers first arrived at the house, made some sense. Dr Kelly might, for example, have suffered a heart attack in a little-used part of the house – but a second more detailed search at around 5am is more difficult to understand.
Surely if Dr Kelly had been there, he would have been found the first time. More puzzling still, Mrs Kelly was asked to wait in the garden while a dog was put through the house.
A chief constable with whom I have discussed this matter was unable to explain why Mrs Kelly would have been asked to leave her home.
In his view, if the objective was to locate Dr Kelly, her knowledge of the house’s layout would have been helpful in any search.
He described the police actions as “bizarre” but, as we shall see, they become entirely understandable if there was a hitherto undisclosed reason for this second search.
Could it be linked, for example, to a number of strange inconsistencies in the testimony of those who saw Dr Kelly’s body on the morning it was discovered?
Two key pieces of evidence suggesting that Dr Kelly had taken his life were the presence at the scene of the blunt pruning knife with which he was supposed to have cut his wrist, and the half drunk bottle of water which, we are led to believe, he used to help him swallow his wife’s painkillers.
Strangely, however, no mention was made of these items by Louise Holmes and Paul Chapman, two volunteers who had joined the search party that morning and came across Dr Kelly’s body at about 8.30am.
They must have been truly unobservant to miss the bloodied knife and water bottle.
Yet this was not the only apparent difference between what they saw and the accounts given by others. For example, Paul Chapman told the Hutton inquiry that Dr Kelly’s body was sitting on the ground and leaning up against a tree, a view with which Ms Holmes concurred.
But those who came later said that Dr Kelly was lying on his back with the knife and water bottle next to him.
The position of the water bottle was interesting: propped up, at a slight angle, to the left of Dr Kelly’s head, with the cap by the side of it.
Given that Dr Kelly was righthanded, the police might have been expected to find it on that side of his body, but the configuration is just about possible if Dr Kelly were sitting up against the tree.
If, however, he was lying on his back, we are asked to believe that he placed the water bottle, presumably with his undamaged and natural right hand, by his head on the left and placed the cap neatly next to it.
Despite his serious injuries, he even managed, at this contortionist’s angle, to ensure that the bottle was propped up.
It’s also strange that no mention was made at the Hutton inquiry of whether there were any fingerprints on the knife. No- one volunteered any information on this and no one was asked.
After some delay, Thames Valley Police finally told me earlier this year that no fingerprints were recovered from the knife. And yet we know from the evidence of forensic biologist Roy Green that the knife was blood-marked.
Try holding a knife tightly, as if you were about to use it to make an incision. Is it not a natural action to use your fingers to apply pressure on the knife to hold it firm and in place?
Did Dr Kelly then have a most curious way of holding a knife? Or are we being asked to believe that he tidily wiped his prints off, just as he tidily put the bottle cap next to the water bottle by his left shoulder, and the empty coproxamol blister packs tidily back in his coat pocket?
Other confusion arose over what he was wearing when he left home. Many of the papers published in the weekend immediately following his death suggested that he had been jacketless – a view supported by Acting Superintendent David Parnell of Thames Valley Police, who was quoted as saying he was “dressed in jeans and a cotton shirt”.
By contrast, the Hutton inquiry was told that he was wearing a coat when he was found – variously described as a green or blue Barbour-type wax jacket.
Given that it was a warmish day in July, albeit somewhat cloudy, it’s perhaps questionable whether he would have donned a wax Barbour, but, if the theory that he committed suicide is correct, it’s conceivable that he would have needed the pockets to transport his knife, water bottle and tablets.
If, on the other hand, he was murdered, then perhaps not just the coat, but the knife, the pills and the water bottle were all taken from the Kelly home to Harrowdown Hill by someone other than Dr Kelly with the express purpose of creating a suicide scene.
Someone wanting to kill themselves might have been expected to use a sharp blade – a razor blade, for instance – rather than a blunt pruning knife.
But then, the knife was one that Dr Kelly had owned since boyhood, making it a very convenient clue to support a suicide verdict, just like the painkillers that could be traced back to others at his home.
It is all too easy to dismiss so-called “conspiracy theories”. But history shows us that conspiracies do happen – and that suicides can be staged to cover murderers’ tracks.
All the evidence leads me to believe that this is what happened in the case of Dr Kelly. In Monday’s Mail, I’ll describe how I believe his killing was carried out.
EXTRACTED from The Strange Death Of David Kelly by Norman Baker, published by Methuen on November 12 at £9.99. ° Norman Baker 2007. To order a copy (p&p free), call 0845 606 4206.
NORMAN BAKER is the Lib-Dem spokesman for Cabinet Office Affairs who brought down Peter Mandelson over the Hinduja passport affair and blocked attempts to hush up MPs’ expenses.
Global Research Articles by Norman Baker
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The url address of this article is: www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=7134
Iraq whistleblower Dr Kelly was murdered to silence him, says MP
No Inquest into the Death of Dr. David Kelly by Dr. C. Stephen Frost and Dr. David Halpin and Dr. Chris Burns-Cox
Perfidious Albion and the lying American By John Helmer (David Kelly)
Dr David Kelly’s unnatural death: Murder of the Law by Dr. David Halpin
Dr David Kelly – Conspiracy (video)
This entry was posted in Biological Warfare or Non-Lethal, England-UK-Britain, Iraq, News &-or Politics, Politics, Suicide - Suicided, Weapons, WMD and tagged David Kelly. Bookmark the permalink.
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6 thoughts on “Weapons Expert Dr David Kelly was Murdered by Norman Baker”
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Jason | October 21, 2007 at 1:01 PM
We need to find this “Norman Baker” guy and bring him to justice! 😉
dilbert | October 20, 2007 at 8:13 AM
Read your headline norman- it says you are the murderer.
Time for a hyphen!!!!!
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‘Aquaman’ Creates A New Paradigm For DC Films (SPOILER REVIEW)
John Garza
I’ve never seen a film by James Wan. Be that as it may, I knew James Wan was going to make a stunning cinematic experience. This is someone who was brought in when Zack Snyder was creating his story. If Zack was confident in this man, I would be as well.
I’m very excited to say that this film is in a class of its own. I don’t mean only for the good moments either. The aspects of this film are so grand in scale that I’m impressed we witness everything we do in the 2 hours 23-minute film.
Let me say at the outset, that I am thankful for Zack seeing the future in Aquaman being taken seriously on film. I’m also thankful that we’ve seen films such as Man of Steel and Batman v Superman. All 3 films have unique aspects that I feel compliment each other, that it would be unfair to even base comparison to one another. I believe judging these films should be viewed on their own, therefore, I will do my best to keep any similarities to a minimum. If the title wasn’t enough, spoilers for Aquaman will continue from here on out.
***SPOILERS FOLLOW***
I felt splitting this review up in sections would suffice, however, that creates problems. Do I use elements of the film? Should I run through the film from beginning to end? Maybe what I should do, is write what I think works for the film and the story it’s telling. Then move on to what it might have missed. Then what I think would have improved the film drastically. I will write expecting you to know the characters I’m referring to since you’ve most likely seen the film already. Here we go.
Amnesty Bay
The film opens with the story of how Queen Atlanna and Thomas Curry fall in love. The classic trope here is obvious. We’re meant to believe this is the first contact she makes with the surface world or at least with a Human. I would have preferred more relationship building to show exactly WHY Atlanna falls for Thomas, but that’s just me being selfish. What I mean is I could have enjoyed this film for an extra 20 minutes if it meant better exposition. I actually think James Wan knew some of this might create more dialogue than necessary, so Arthur’s voice-over takes care of it. Less dialogue means more action, and who wouldn’t want to see Atlanna kick ass in the beginning?
The Set Up For Queen Atlanna
In the first 5 minutes, we see King Orvax has sent his men to retrieve Atlanna. I’ll note that this is one of many jump attacks that happens in the film. This is one of the reasons that Wan creates a unique experience for us while watching the film. You can really feel his horror roots shine through in many ways.
Nicole Kidman not only handles her own during the scenes she’s in, but her action really sets the tone. Again, I’ve never seen a James Wan film, so I was really looking forward to how he would handle the action scenes. He proves within the first 5 minutes that he knows how to shoot fight scenes. I felt I had to dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge just to continue watching the fighting. After she handles all of the Atlantean soldiers, she tells Thomas that she has to leave. She also tells him that when it’s safe to return, that she’ll be at the dock at sunrise. Remember that.
Then we move to one of the coolest transitions of the film. As Atlanna dives into the ocean, we track along the sea and begin to follow fish, which then swim to unveil they’re in an aquarium. Now we’re with a young Arthur who, of course, is talking to some fish. The scene is reminiscent to when Clark gets bullied in Man Of Steel, however, Arthur shows the power of having the aquatic life as his back.
The Set Up For Black Manta
We move to the present day and are introduced to Black Manta himself. I enjoyed how Wan showed exactly why Manta is a villain. He’s commandeered a Russian naval vessel with his father and fellow pirates. Not only are they killing everyone in the sub, but he also does it with a ruthlessness usually reserved for R-Rated films.
The captain is brought in to see Manta, at which point his father says “Distress signal disabled. We’re running dark again”. The captain says “but they heard it. You can count on it.” Black Manta then intervenes and tells him “I’ll make you a deal. How about I won’t tell you how to captain. And you don’t tell me how to pirate?” followed by him killing the captain. The killing is shown on-screen, and there isn’t a quip to lighten the mood. I really appreciated that. We still aren’t aware why Manta is wanting this sub, however, we find out there is a reason.
To see Manta be a cold-blooded killer in the first 12 minutes, was a stellar introduction. Then, to see him have a heart to heart conversation with his father about an heirloom, was the kind of backstory reserved for primary villains. It made me realize that Manta would be a three-dimensional villain and not just a side-kick for Orm. I also knew this set up would lead to why Manta would have a conflict with Aquaman himself. We then hear that Aquaman is about to crash the hijacking and he does in style. Without going beat for beat, once Aquaman enters the sub, it’s his own personal “Warehouse Scene”. When the action starts showing him take out all of the pirates, it’s an enjoyable one.
That leads to Aquaman having his first one v one battle against Manta. His father saves the day, but in doing so, causes a massive torpedo to land on his legs. Immovable, Manta is forced to call for help to Arthur, who has obviously displayed Meta-Level strength. But then, in what I assume is a Batman Begins homage, Arthur tells him “You kill innocent people. You ask the Sea for Mercy.” Basically, his version of “I won’t kill you. But I don’t have to save you.”
Talk about a perfect set up for why Manta actually has it out for Arthur. In his last few moments, his father’s last request is “You need to live, so you can kill that son of a B****!” That’s powerful. And you can tell that Arthur shows no mercy, which is something that’s important for his character growth.
I realize I might sound vexatious when complaining about this, but how did Aquaman even know the sub was in danger? Sure, the captain said the distress signal got out, but unless Arthur had a radio, he wouldn’t know. The other thing that I noticed is that this was the only time we saw true violence in the action. By that, I mean people potentially dying from Arthur or anyone else not in a crowd.
Also, why has Manta been looking for Aquaman for a long time? From what we know, Arthur has been on the surface for much of his life. Even in Justice League, he was only helping people in Iceland. So why does Manta have it out for him BEFORE we see this interaction? Having him not save his father was plenty enough to understand why he would have a personal vendetta towards him.
The other thing I thought was odd, was that, unless I missed it, we never hear Mantas real name. For having the backstory of his grandfather being dubbed the “Manta” in World War I, we aren’t told much more. If they wanted to build on his lineage, I would have liked to have known his name. One last weird thing was the way Manta said “Damn You” to his father when he was forcing him to leave. Maybe Charleston Heston is to blame, but that line was delivered wrong.
Not much to say other than the humor in this scene felt odd. I get that the humor points were needed after seeing the murdered crew members, but they weren’t necessary. Aquaman saying “Ow” after getting blasted by Mantas father was fine. Arthur telling the Russians, who were hiding in a bunker, that they needed to hurry because he was missing happy hour wasn’t. Would they even get that context? Do they have happy hour in Russia?
I’m all for subtle exposition when the film wants to create it. But what really irked me was that I couldn’t understand why Aquaman was even around the sub. I also couldn’t understand what the sub was being hijacked for in the first place. Even a line of WHY they needed it would have tied it a little better to a latter part of the film. It’s almost as if something was missing. Oh, that’s right, we were supposed to see why he was heading for the sub. Ipso facto, this is why I suggest not watching Batman v Superman before watching Aquaman. That’s not a knock on either film, it’s just that if you’re looking for little clues like that, you won’t get them.
Now we see Arthur reunited with his father and how the past connects with the present. His father still waits at the dock for Atlanna to return. It’s a tender moment because it shows he still longs for her. That’s commitment. It also shows why Arthur would show up there and why he was in a hurry.
The humor in the next scene is well-earned. Arthur is having multiple drinks with his father when some men come up and ask him for a picture. It plays out nicely, especially since there’s nothing serious going on.
We also learn that national news is well aware of who Aquaman is and his father approves. It’s also our first indication of a thread that plays throughout the entire film. Thomas tells Arthur that he’s doing exactly what Vulko trained him to do. He’s a proud father and tells him that Atlanna always knew he was special. That he would be the one to unite their two worlds. If that doesn’t remind you of Supermans own journey, it should. The major difference here, is that Arthur is bitter towards Atlantis because he believes the King killed her. Thomas tells him that they don’t know that for sure. Again, it’s the first time we hear a character doubt the death of another. Also, we’ve never seen her body or funeral, so that should also indicate its possible she’s still alive.
The Set Up For King Orm
If I haven’t said it yet, the visuals in this film are unlike anything I’ve seen. When we’re introduced to King Nereus of Xebel meeting with King Orm, its comic book pages come to life. I really enjoyed the introduction of how important this meeting actually is. We learn that Orm has brought Nereus to the old ‘Council of The Kings’. A place where all of the 7 Kingdoms were one. That type of world building is exactly what I wasn’t expecting in a solo film, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Orm gives reason to Nereus that before King Atlan sank the great kingdoms, they were the most advanced civilization in the world. Now, they are set back in their ways based on outdated laws and the surface world poising their oceans. He makes a strong case that if they aren’t proactive, they could see their Kingdoms destroyed by the surface.
Of course, this is all a setup. King Orm knows that Xebel has the strongest army of the 7 Kingdoms. So his plan is to show King Nereus why he needs to join his cause. Nereus, unsure of his plan, blatantly tells him that Orm is just after his army. Without it, he wouldn’t be able to convince the other major 2 Kingdoms to join his cause, therefore, keeping him in a closed loop.
We all know that King Orm in the comics goes by ‘Ocean Master’. Will Beall does a fantastic job to create that moniker organically. When Vulko tells Nereus that he’d be the first to join King Orms alliance, I love how he calls him out on it. “As if you had a choice Vulko. By law, you need 4 of the 7 Kingdoms to descend an attack. The lost Nation and the Deserters have long perished. The Trench is nothing but animals. The Brine will never join you. And the Fishermen are cowards. Without me and my army to convince them, your plans are still-born. But I know what you really want. Once you’ve obtained the pledge of the 4 Kingdoms, you will be ordained ‘Ocean Master’.”
Once Orm tries to convince him that ‘Ocean Master’ is merely a title, Nereus then brings up his rightful claim to the throne. He knows of Arthur and how, if he wanted to, could claim the throne of Atlantis. This gives plenty of reason of why King Orm would have qualms with Arthur. It also shows us that while Arthur is the rightful heir, he’s never been to Atlantis. Again, all of this world building is phenomenal when considering we’ve never known of any of these Kingdoms until now. The ease at which the dialogue feels earned without sounding archaic is a pleasure on the ears.
The Good Continued
I wish I could say there were some bad moments in this introduction, but that’s not the case. Once we learn that King Orm is set on uniting the main Kingdoms, we’re hit with a surprise again. We see a sub launching an attack of missiles on their location. If you hadn’t already guessed, this is the same sub from earlier. Now we understand why Black Manta was taking it.
The moment I saw the sub, it all made sense of why King Orm chose the meeting spot in the first place. Even King Nereus commented on the place being too close to the surface in the beginning. With all of these coincidences, it makes sense that Orm was obviously doing what he could to give a reason for Nereus to join his alliance. Once Nereus had a reason to launch an assault on the surface, his plan was active.
The action with Orm taking out the sub is breathtakingly beautiful. It’s the perfect set up to show how Orm fights while riding his Tylosaur. After Nereus mounts his Sea Dragon, Orm tells him that the war has already begun. King Nereus then says “Then it’s time to send them a message they’ll hear” in true Drago form.
Mera Finds Arthur
This is the only part of the film that gives us the connection to any previous film outside of homages. I guess we’re meant to know who this person is because we have no context into why Mera’s looking for him. As a normal audience member, we don’t know why he’s reluctant to want to join her. He tells Mera that he’s already told Vulko no and that he’s going to tell her the same.
The odd thing is unless we’ve seen the end of the Snyder Cut of Justice League, we wouldn’t know why they went to him in the first place. So why even bring it up? This leads me to believe that this film actually follows the Snyder Cut more than just in the beginning with the sub. Mera mentions that Aquaman defeated Steppenwolf, and Aquaman says that it had nothing to do with Atlantis.
The entire conversation has nothing to do with Justice League, so there’s no reason to bring any of that up. It serves as the set up for why Mera needs Arthur to stop Orm from bringing war to the surface. He leaves and is brought face to face with what Orm is intending. Orm beaches all of the battleships in the oceans, along with the garbage in the sea. It’s a worldwide phenomenon that causes a catastrophic event. The only thing I would have preferred was more development on the impact of said event. Bruce owns factors. Clark is a reporter. Diana travels the world. There could have been ways to incorporate how the league would have known what was happening without feeling forced. But that’s for a different take.
Thoughts On The 1st Act
This film did a great job of setting up all the main components for the story. I would have preferred a better introduction of Mera, but because her presence is so dominating later, it’s made up. If I had to guess, I would say this might have been trimmed down for time. We could have had more time with Thomas and Atlanna. We should have had more time with more backstory of Manta and Arthur if he’s been looking for him. But again, this film knew that it needed to get all of this out-of-the-way to start the real story.
One thing it was missing, is who Mera was and why was she the only one looking for Arthur. We aren’t told her name at the first introduction. We aren’t told of her affiliation with anyone and we certainly don’t know that she’s a Princess of Xebel. All of that is known ONLY if you know these characters. How James got a pass on that and certain directors don’t is beyond me.
Related Topics:AquamanfeaturedReviewSpoilers
Father // Senior Editor // Co-Host for the DC Films Hub Podcast @DCFilmsHubPod // Male Feminist // Unapologetic Snyder Enthusiast // Xbox
‘Doom Patrol’ Review – Crazy Fun With These DC Misfits
‘Reign of the Supermen’ Is An Exciting Sequel Led By Enjoyable Characters
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Filtering by Tag: startups
Designing (For) Trust
March 14, 2014 / Gunther Sonnenfeld II
A few years ago, I discovered a conversational framework in pre-marital counseling that opened my eyes to how trust might actually operate in relationships (you can already guess what happened to my marriage... ;). One of the revelations I had was that you don't just build trust in relationships, you go into relationships having trust in yourself.
I sometimes cringe when people talk about trust as though it is a given, as they tend to gloss over the realities of physical and mental interaction. This is especially the case when people wax on about social business or social technology innovations. But that is all well and good, because it is all part of the process of awareness, and I think the concepts tied to trust are important for people to build upon in their own ways and at their own paces.
We all know that relationship dynamics can be very complex, but I do believe that trust itself is quite simple in its faculty. I've also witnessed some very interesting transformations, both in the startup work I've been doing, as well as in some of the innovation work I've been privileged to be a part of. This is one of several scientific studies I've researched that seem to corroborate what I've experienced in different entrepreneurial and corporate settings. And there is always the inimitable Csikszentmihalyi (tongue-twister!) from which to draw inspiration.
If I were to reduce the essence of trust down to single equivalent, it would be this: love of self. A natural extension of that would be confidence in self. This confidence is expressed quite clearly at the personal and collective levels, and takes on various forms of creative and cognitive energy. Some questions to ask ourselves (per the graphic) might be:
- How do I feel about myself when I enter group environments?
- How do I choose to communicate those feelings?
- How do I express my values in such a way that they can be understood?
- What are my true intentions?
- What are my perceptions of self as I interact with others?
- What are other people's perceptions of me (how do I 'occur' to them?)
- What am I willing to do or contribute to change those perceptions?
- Can I empathize with others and align my values to theirs?
Self-love, of course, doesn't refer to a reliance on Ego (the self-consumed part of it), but rather a completeness or a mindfulness that one can share love and be loved. Confidence, therefore, can manifest as an organic expression of that self-love, and can literally permeate a room or physical space with an incredible aura. In online spaces, it can certainly catalyze the visions or perceptions of what a relationship might become.
Lest we forget that we can design platforms, experiences and/or ideas for trust-building, and we can engage in trust-building exercises, but there is a significant awareness factor that cannot be ignored.
Admittedly, I've made a lot of mistakes in this respect; it's one thing to want to trust someone, but it's another thing to hold trust, earn trust and share trust with other people. I've had a few situations over the last several months in which trust was broken, in part because I failed to see what the the potential for trust could even be. That is something I've had to own as a part of my self-responsibility, my own learning experience. I also have to reconcile with the possibility that perhaps, to those people, I just wasn't trustworthy, for whatever reasons there may be (some of those reasons I'm still trying to figure out and incorporate into my own realm of understanding). On a more positive note, I've also repaired a couple of broken relationships because I was able to communicate my ownership of the issues, and was able to align a set of values with those people.
So, it seems we can design for trust, but we don't actually design trust itself, nor do we really engineer its mechanisms. Then again, who knows what today will reveal. In the meantime, perhaps the graphic at top will help you in your own design work.
categories / creativity, rapid innovation
tags / trust, respect, empathy, relationships, startups, entrepreneurialism
Accelerating Human Growth Through Participation #K5Launch #startups #accelerators #venturecapital
October 31, 2012 / Gunther Sonnenfeld II
Tom Taulli was kind enough to run a tiny piece on K5 this week in Forbes (thank you, Tom). I wanted to tell more of the full story of what we're up to here, because I am very proud - and also very humbled - by the work we're doing with the accelerator.
For starters, K5 is not your typical accelerator. There are a number reasons why this is the case, not the least of which is the fact that we approach the investment process in a very unique way.
On K5's differentiation:
It is no great surprise that the worlds of technology, investment, business and culture are converging. In some ways, they are colliding. We are transacting in an economy of relationships, and this challenges our notions of scale and scarcity. It means that the way we incubate, build and invest in businesses must take into account the dynamics of a flat world, one that puts the needs of people, and the markets in which they play, first. It also means that the way we invest must be reinvented through critical elements such as time, attention, goodwill and social relevance. In short, we need to make smarter, measured investments in human capital.
So here’s our charge:
1. To build a networked system that places collective import on participatory reward, with all the compensatory arrangements to boot (salaries, equity, etc.), but those that align investors, mentors and entrepreneurs to cultural values first and foremost;
2. To socialize that system in the form of both commercial and non-profit uses, such that innovation becomes as pervasive of a mindset as the decision to invest in the “latest and greatest startup”;
3. To grow this system as a platform as our name K5 suggests -- 1,000 companies (or projects) in 5 years -- in a manner that allows the system to grow its own independent systems nurturing ideas relevant to local markets, and to which those respective businesses flourish by the terms and conditions of those markets.
What we look for in a company...
First and foremost, great people. Every investor will tell you about the importance of great management and great company culture, but beyond that, we invest in the good intentions of entrepreneurs by helping them to understand how they can impact the world, and by helping them translate their intentions into businesses and markets of cultural scale. If a company exhibits that level of desire and that kind of ethos, we support it. If it starts with a good idea, even better.
It's simply not enough to accelerate an idea or a business for the purposes of positioning a company for an exit. We have to look at how that company fits into an ecosystem that can actually create change -- predicated on real market needs and values that are important to the average person.
The stages of the program...
Acceleration -- clinically defined as a process of moving an idea to the next level of business investment and formation -- is just one cog in our approach. It's a mechanism, not a solution. Without giving away our proprietary IP, it involves cultivating values that are tied to human development as they relate to the participation in an idea, and what comes out of that participation.
The values are many, and exist in varying degrees as the core to fundamental human business relationships, but are mainly these: trust, transparency, empowerment, connection, purpose, membership, exclusivity, accomplishment.
Connection and accomplishment, to our mind, represent the pillars of participation. And the primary mechanism for participating in a way that discovers talent unbound -- the outliers of our business and cultural circles -- that happens through experimentation.
So, in short, our approach looks at how experimentation fosters individual and group growth, such that the investment in time and attention produces a return on hard (transactional) and soft (transformational) values.
Selecting candidates...
What we look for in an applicant are primarily the qualities openness and resilience. Openness allows someone to be receptive to direction, but also allows that person to want to participate, even if it is determined that his or her role might be different in the program or within the company going forward. Resilience is something that tends to show up in all entrepreneurs, but speaks to how someone can actually deal with adversity, how he or she can pivot to a new model, or how he or she can effectively manage people within the company.
The tendency of most accelerators and incubators is to think that if a candidate is given the right set of tools and the right amount of money, that he or she will succeed, but that's clearly not the case. A lot of candidates have experienced backgrounds, but we focus more on their aptitude for failure rather than their past achievements or accolades; it is critical that they understand how to fail forward because this process is about breaking down ideas and building them back up. This experience -- what we try to recreate in our process -- resembles the lifecycle of any successful business.
A bit more detail on our process...
Here's a graphic that encapsulates the nature of our process:
At the idea stage, essentially the entrepreneur is asked to "bare all"; he or she presents an idea in all of its merit as well as in all of its weakness. The way the candidate presents the idea actually speaks to his or her level of commitment, and how much he or she is willing to sacrifice for its betterment and that of the group. The way the group interacts around that idea starts to reveal its benefit, and the true characteristics of the team.
Then we enter a prototype stage; this can entail everything from coding a piece of software to developing an experimental model. When this happens, the group starts to coalesce and we see a learning dynamic take place amongst the members of the group. It's also a point at which group members start to make a stronger connection with each other, and with the mentors.
Once that happens, we can test the market. This could mean that the startup acquires a small group of beta testers and conducts a multivariate run on an application or a feature set. It also means that as users react and provide feedback, the roles within the group become more defined and refined in response to that feedback. The group starts to develop a sustainable, shared vision.
From there, the revenue and growth opportunities become clear -- and what we establish is a crucial relationship between what is being offered to the marketplace, and how that offering is being supported by a team that truly believes in the business idea. It also paves the way for membership in that business, and the values that each person exudes as an exclusive member of the business, and the K5 network. Essentially, meaningful participation affords you that privilege.
So, in sum, we go from the rejection of an idea, to an opportunity built around what's really possible.
All in all, we believe that company and individual growth must be symbiotic. Without it, startups are simply doomed for failure. And most of them do fail by design. We endeavor to buck that trend.
tags / K5 Ventures, acceleration, collective intelligence, human capital, human growth, participation, startups, venture capital
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Bigger Social Security Checks In Store For 2019 As Inflation Rises
Filed Under:2018, Economy, Michigan, Social Security, Trending
(CNN) — For the second year in a row, US seniors will see increases in their Social Security checks starting in January.
Recipients will get a 2.8% boost in 2019, higher than last year’s 2% increase — which followed years of minimal changes in payments.
The average payment for all retired workers will go up from $1,422 to $1,461 per month, or $39.
The annual cost of living adjustment is pegged to inflation, which has been rising faster over the past year. The upcoming 2019 increase, which will cover 67 million Americans, is the largest since a 3.6% hike in 2012.
The announcement from the Social Security Administration comes after the release of the Consumer Price Index for September, which shows a 2.3% increase in the cost of all items over the past year. The year-over-year increase in August was 2.7%.
Lately, the largest component of rising costs has been housing, with low inventory and a re-emergence of first-time home buyers driving up prices. The CPI’s measure of gas prices is also up 9.1% since last September.
Senior advocacy groups hailed the increase but said it still wasn’t enough to cover the living costs of older Americans.
The Senior Citizens League, a group mostly comprised of retired military veterans, voiced a particular concern in a report released Thursday: that the 5 million Social Security recipients with the smallest monthly payments would effectively see no increase in 2019 after taking into account rising premiums for Medicare Part B, which are automatically deducted from Social Security Checks.
“We need to strengthen and expand Social Security with COLAs that reflect the real expenses seniors face,” said Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, which is supported by major labor unions.
The group supports pegging cost of living increases instead to a measure of inflation specifically tailored to people older than age 62, which factors in higher healthcare costs. A bill has been introduced in the House to make that change, and hasn’t moved further.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
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Ken Holland’s Red Wings Legacy
July 12, 2019 by The Hockey Writers Leave a Comment
Earlier this year, former Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland accepted the same position with the Edmonton Oilers. Over the last 23 years, Holland has guided the Red Wings to four Stanley Cups and endless successes. He poured blood, sweat, and tears into the team, keeping the playoff streak alive for as long as possible. But how did he handle the struggles of the last few seasons? Were his final moves a roaring success or riddled with error? Today, we’ll look at his legacy and how his moves have affected the Red Wings for better or worse.
Holland Changed the Face of the Red Wings
Before becoming a general manager, Holland spent seven years as the directer of amateur scouting and three years as the assistant general manager for the Red Wings. As a scout, he secured the drafting of players like Nicklas Lidstrom, Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Darren McCarty, and Chris Osgood.
General manager Ken Holland of the Detroit Red Wings talks with his staff during the 2017 NHL Draft. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
In 1997, Holland was promoted to general manager. Under his management, the team won four Presidents’ Trophies (2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008), ten division championships, five conference titles, and reached 100 regular-season points at a league-high 13 times in 17 seasons. No other team in NHL history has reached more than ten 100-point seasons. Holland has also won four Stanley Cups in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008.
Holland’s role as general manager was integral to the team’s drafting in the early 2000s, allowing the Red Wings to net players like Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk with incredibly late picks (210th overall and 171st overall, respectively). His most impressive work are the trades that built the 2002 team that included future Hall-of-Famers Luc Robitaille, Brett Hull, Dominik Hasek, Chris Chelios. With the help of Holland’s management, the 2002 Red Wings are widely regarded as one of the best teams in NHL history. Nine players from the roster are in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Henrik Zetterberg was drafted 210th overall by Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings. (THW-Archives)
Holland Set the Red Wings up for Success
Before Holland parted ways with the Red Wings, he worked tirelessly to ensure the team was in the best place it could be. In the midst of a rebuild, he spared no expense to acquire and draft a variety of players, including Filip Zadina, Filip Hronek, Joe Veleno, and Dennis Cholowski. While it remains to be seen if the players will pan out, the fact that Holland was able to embrace the rebuild and add over 13 additional draft picks shows his commitment to the success of the organization.
Filip Hronek was one of Ken Holland’s strongest acquisitions in recent years. (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
Holland was at his sharpest at the trade block. In the last three years, he was able to net surprisingly potent assets for players like Tomas Jurco, Petr Mrazek, Riley Sheahan, and even Tomas Tatar, whose return was used to select Joe Veleno. One of his most notable moves included trading Datsyuk’s contract and a first-round pick for two picks that later became Cholowski and Hronek. Trading Nick Jensen and Gustav Nyquist last season netted Holland two second-round picks and Madison Bowey, who later filled in during Jensen’s absence.
Holland’s Contracts
Despite Holland’s legacy of success, a number of Red Wings fans were frustrated with his contracts. With over $18.5 million tied up in four players aged 29 or older, the Red Wings will have to deal with a logjam of players past their prime. Justin Abdelkader will be on the team’s payroll for the next four seasons, taking up $4.25 million per year. Since his contract extension, he has fallen off in production, becoming a statistical black hole every time he sets foot on the ice.
Frans Nielsen, though still a serviceable player, is signed through the next three seasons; he’ll be 38 when the deal ends. The team has also dedicated $1.6 million to the buyout of Stephen Weiss’ contract. While cap problems may not seem like an issue at the moment, the inevitable signings of Mantha, Athanasiou, and Filip Zadina may prove troublesome with so much money sacrificed to so few players.
Unfortunately, Justin Abdelkader’s contract will be a detriment to the Red Wings for the next few years. (Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY)
While Holland was able to secure a solid roster for a long period of time, Abdelkader’s, Darren Helm’s, and even Nielsen’s contracts may prove more harmful than helpful as the Red Wings push their youth movement into full swing. Having said that, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Jonathan Ericsson was a detriment to the team’s defense in recent seasons but his contract is set to expire at the end of the 2019-20 season. Fans hoping for a fully healthy Trevor Daley may be disappointed, as the often-injured defenseman will likely not be re-signed after next season. Nevertheless, the Red Wings will need to plan for the future as they let go of players from the past.
Holland’s Impact on the Red Wings
“There are very few General Mangers in the history of the National Hockey League who have accomplished what [Holland] has, and I consider it a privilege to have been able to learn from him.”
Steve Yzerman, General Manager, Detroit Red Wings
Ken Holland, former Detroit Red Wings senior vice president, shakes hands with Steve Yzerman, executive vice president and general manager. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Holland’s impact on the organization will be felt for years. In the last few seasons, he set up a solid core with Dylan Larkin, Mantha, Bertuzzi, and Athanasiou, all while clearing over $20 million in cap space for the organization. He was also able to secure five top-100 draft picks, loading up the Red Wings’ farm team with assets for the future. After the playoff streak came to an abrupt end in 2016, Holland spared no expense to set the team up for success. Whether his draft picks pan out remains to be seen, but, as of right now, the Red Wings look like they’re on the right track thanks to Holland’s work.
What do you think? Did Holland help, or hurt the Red Wings in the long run? Let us know in the comments!
Published at Fri, 12 Jul 2019 18:00:51 +0000
Filed Under: Red Wings
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'Spider-Man' debuts with heroic $185m
Reuters . Los Angeles | Update: 21:53, Jul 07, 2019
Superheroes were once again around to save the day as "Spider-Man: Far From Home" ignited a much-needed boost in the domestic box office. The web-slinging adventure easily dominated in North America, delivering a $185 million debut from 4,636 venues during its first six days in theaters.
But even your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man isn't immune to a little sequel slump. "Spider-Man: Far From Home" got a head start by opening on the Tuesday ahead of Independence Day, but it collected $93 million over the traditional three-day weekend. That's a stellar start to be sure, but a notable drop from the $117 million debut of its predecessor, 2017's "Spider-Man: Homecoming."
"Spider-Man: Far From Home" still set a number of records this week, including biggest Tuesday ticket sales of all time ($38 million), best Wednesday grosses for a Marvel movie ($27 million) and the second-largest Fourth of July holiday ($25 million). It also marks Sony Pictures' biggest six-day opening weekend ever.
Overseas, the 23rd movie in Marvel's Cinematic Universe earned $395 million, boosting its global tally to a mighty $580 million after 10 days.
"Spider-Man: Far From Home," which carries a $160 million price tag, picks up after the events of "Avengers: Endgame" and sees Peter Parker (Holland) on a class trip to Europe. While overseas, he is reluctantly enlisted by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) to help take down threats from an alternate dimension. Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau and Marisa Tomei all returned for the sequel.
Also opening this weekend was A24's "Midsommar," director Ari Aster's sophomore feature. The folk horror film generated $6 million over the weekend and $10.9 million during its first five days of release.
Asian entertainment industries grappling with #MeToo controversies
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Nusrat dazzles at Kolkata reception
IANS . Kolkata | 23:56, Jul 04, 2019
Amid a serene floral setup and multi-cuisine menu, newly-wed couple Nusrat...
When Wu Ke-xi was looking for a frightening plotline for her latest film, she didn't need to look further than her own industry. The Taiwanese...
Parineeti Chopra has a busy work schedule coming up and the actress says she is "dying of nerves" because of it. Parineeti on Tuesday took to...
Amid a serene floral setup and multi-cuisine menu, newly-wed couple Nusrat Jahan and Nikhil Jain exuded charm as they personally welcomed a slew of...
Malek 'concerned' before signing Bond film
Oscar winner Rami Malek has revealed he thought twice before signing up to play the lead villain in the latest long-awaited James Bond film...
Halle Bailey to star in 'Little Mermaid'
R&B singer Halle Bailey is to play Ariel in a live-action version of "The Little Mermaid," she said Wednesday, in a rare casting of a black actress...
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The Bob Newhart Show
This article is about the 1970s TV show. For the 1960s variety show, see The Bob Newhart Show (1961 TV series). For the 1982–1990 show, see Newhart.
Theme music composer
Henrietta Music
Opening theme
"Home to Emily"
Original language(s)
No. of seasons
No. of episodes
142 (list of episodes)
Camera setup
Multi-camera
Production company(s)
MTM Enterprises
20th Television
Original network
Original release
September 16, 1972 (1972-09-16) –
April 1, 1978 (1978-04-01)
Newhart
The Bob Newhart Show is an American sitcom produced by MTM Enterprises that aired on CBS from September 16, 1972, to April 1, 1978, with a total of 142 half-hour episodes over six seasons. Comedian Bob Newhart portrays a psychologist whose interactions with his wife, friends, patients, and colleagues lead to humorous situations and dialogue. The show was filmed before a live audience.
1 Premise
2.2 Bob's patients
2.3 Bob and Emily's relatives
2.4 Neighbors, friends and others
2.5 Rimpau Medical Arts Center
5 Final episode
6 Later appearances by series characters
7 Home media
Premise[edit]
Standing, from left: Howard Borden, Carol Kester, Jerry Robinson; seated: Bob and Emily Hartley
The show centers on Robert "Bob" Hartley, Ph.D. (Newhart), a Chicago psychologist. Most activity occurs between his work and home life, with his supportive, although occasionally sarcastic, wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette), and their friendly but inept neighbor, airline navigator Howard Borden (Bill Daily). The medical building where Bob's psychology practice is located also houses Jerry Robinson, D.D.S. (Peter Bonerz), an orthodontist whose office is on the same floor, and their receptionist, Carol Kester (Marcia Wallace), as well as a number of other somewhat eccentric doctors who appear occasionally.
Bob's three most frequently seen regular patients are the cynical and neurotic Elliot Carlin (Jack Riley), the milquetoast Marine veteran Emile Peterson (John Fiedler), and shy, reserved Lillian Bakerman (Florida Friebus), an elderly lady who spends most of her sessions knitting. Carlin was ranked 49th in TV Guide's List of the 50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time, and Riley reprised the character in guest appearances on both St. Elsewhere and Newhart.
Most of the situations involve Newhart's character playing straight man to his wife, colleagues, friends, and patients. A frequent running gag on the show is an extension of Newhart's stand-up comedy routines, where he played one side of a telephone conversation, the other side of which is not heard. In a nod to this, for the first two seasons, the episodes opened with Bob answering the telephone by saying "Hello?". Emily routinely acts as straight woman to slow-witted Howard, and on occasion to Bob.
Cast[edit]
Emily listens to Howard in the Hartleys' apartment
Bob (right) congratulates Carol and Larry Bondurant on their marriage
Stars[edit]
Bob Newhart as Dr. Robert Hartley, psychologist
Suzanne Pleshette as Emily (née Harrison) Hartley, his wife, a school teacher and later assistant principal
Peter Bonerz as Dr. Jerry Robinson, Bob's friend, an orthodontist
Bill Daily as Howard Borden, Bob and Emily's next-door neighbor and friend, an airline navigator and later co-captain
Marcia Wallace as Carol Kester, Bob and Jerry's receptionist
Bob's patients[edit]
Jack Riley as Elliot F. Carlin
Florida Friebus as Mrs. Lillian Bakerman
Renée Lippin as Michelle Nardo
John Fiedler as Emile Peterson
Oliver Clark as Ed Herd
Noam Pitlik as Victor Gianelli
Daniel J. Travanti as Victor Gianelli
Howard Hesseman as Craig Plager
Lucien Scott as Edgar T. Vickers
Merie Earle as Mrs. Loomis
Rhoda Gemignani as Joan Rossi
Michael Conrad as Mr. Trevesco
Henry Winkler as Miles Lascoe
Bob and Emily's relatives[edit]
Pat Finley as Ellen Hartley, Bob's sister
Martha Scott as Martha Hartley, Bob's mother
Barnard Hughes as Herb Hartley, Bob's father
John Randolph as Cornelius "Junior" Harrison, Jr., Emily's father
Ann Rutherford as Aggie Harrison, Emily's mother
Neighbors, friends and others[edit]
Patricia Smith as Margaret Hoover, Emily's friend
Tom Poston as Cliff "The Peeper" Murdock, Bob's college friend from Vermont
Moosie Drier as Howie Borden, Howard's son
Will Mackenzie as Larry Bondurant, Carol's boyfriend and later husband
Richard Schaal as Don Livingston (later Don Fesler), boyfriend/short-lived fiancé of Carol's; in the 1st season played Chuck Brock, husband of Nancy, who was briefly engaged to Bob
Mariette Hartley as Marilyn Dietz, downstairs neighbor and friend of Emily's
Gail Strickland as Courtney Simpson, a girlfriend of Jerry's
Raul Julia as Dr. Greg Robinson, Jerry's brother
Heather Menzies as Debbie Borden, Howard's younger sister
William Redfield as Howard's brother, Gordon Borden, the game warden; the actor also appeared in the pilot episode as Margaret's husband Arthur Hoover
Rimpau Medical Arts Center[edit]
Larry Gelman as Dr. Bernie Tupperman, urologist
Howard Platt as Dr. Phil Newman, cosmetic surgeon
Shirley O'Hara as Debbie Flett, elderly, scatterbrained temp receptionist who constantly calls Bob "Dr. Ryan"
Gene Blakely as Dr. Ralph Tetzi, Ear/Nose/Throat specialist
Julie Payne as Dr. Sharon Rudell, who prefers "scream therapy" as a therapeutic device whenever she feels stressed
Tom Lacy as Dr. Stan Whelan
Paula Shaw as Dr. Tammy Ziegler
Ellen Weston as Dr. Sarah Harris
Kristina Holland as Gail Bronson, Carol's vacation replacement
Phillip R. Allen as Dr. Frank Walburn, another psychologist
Teri Garr as Miss Brennan, Dr. Walburn's receptionist
Episodes[edit]
Thorndale Beach North condominiums, at 5901 N. Sheridan Road in Chicago's Edgewater community, was used for exterior establishing shots of the Hartleys' apartment building
Further information: List of The Bob Newhart Show episodes
The first four seasons of The Bob Newhart Show aired on Saturday nights at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. During the winter of the 1976–77 season, the program moved to 8:30 p.m. EST. For its final season during 1977–78, the program moved to 8:00 p.m. EST.
The program typically aired following The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which was also produced by MTM Enterprises.[1]
Awards and honors[edit]
In 1977, the show received two Emmy nominations – for "Outstanding Comedy Series" and for Pleshette for "Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Comedy Series".[2] Newhart was nominated for Golden Globes as "Best TV Actor—Musical/Comedy" in 1975 and 1976.[2] In 1997, the episodes "Over the River and Through the Woods" and "Death Be My Destiny" were respectively ranked No. 9 and No. 50 on TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.[3] TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time listed it as No. 44.[4] In 2007, Time placed the show on its unranked list of "100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME".[5] Bravo ranked Bob Hartley 84th on its list of the 100 greatest TV characters.[6]
In 2004, TV Land commemorated the show with a statue of Newhart in character as Dr. Hartley, seated and facing an empty couch, as if conducting a therapy session in his office. The statue was temporarily installed in front of 430 North Michigan Avenue, the building used for exterior establishing shots of Hartley's office. The statue is now permanently located in the sculpture park adjacent to Chicago's Navy Pier entertainment complex. In 2005, the TV Land Awards honored The Bob Newhart Show with its Icon Award, presented by Ray Romano.
In 2013, TV Guide ranked the series #49 on its list of the 60 Best Series of All Time.[7]
Final episode[edit]
In the show's final episode, "Happy Trails to You," Bob gives up his psychology practice and accepts a teaching position at a small college in Oregon, with the Hartleys leaving Chicago, as well as their friends and neighbors, and Bob's patients, behind them. The closing scene, in which the cast exchange tearful goodbyes and embrace before bursting into an impromptu refrain of "Oklahoma," is a wry nod to The Mary Tyler Moore Show finale (also produced by MTM) from the previous year.
Later appearances by series characters[edit]
St. Elsewhere (1985)
Jack Riley reprised his Elliot Carlin role on a 1985 episode of St. Elsewhere and partnered with Oliver Clark as the amnesiac John Doe Number Six. Carlin and Doe have been committed to the hospital's mental ward, where Carlin treats Doe with the same verbal abuse he directed toward Clark's "Mr. Herd" on The Bob Newhart Show. Carlin blames his insanity on an unnamed "quack in Chicago." While Oliver Clark's recurring portrayal of John Doe Number Six is essentially identical to Mr. Herd, the two are never stated to be the same individual. In a nod to the Mary Tyler Moore Show, John Doe Number Six addresses a character played by Betty White as Sue Ann Nivens, which Betty White's character denied.
ALF (1987)
In the 1987 ALF episode entitled "Going Out of My Head Over You", Willie visits a psychologist, Dr. Lawrence "Larry" Dykstra, portrayed by Bill Daily. Jack Riley is in the waiting room, apparently portraying Elliot Carlin. Also in this episode, ALF mentions learning about psychology by watching episodes of The Bob Newhart Show.
Newhart (1988 and 1990)
Riley appears in a 1988 episode of Newhart, playing an unnamed character who acts very much like Mr. Carlin. This character is being treated by the same therapist in Vermont whom Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) visits for marriage counseling. Dick feels he recognizes Riley's character, but cannot place his face; whereupon the unnamed patient insults him. Echoing Carlin's statement from the 1985 St. Elsewhere, the therapist apologizes for her patient, explaining that it has taken her "years to undo the damage caused by some quack in Chicago."
Tom Poston, who played Cliff "The Peeper" Murdock, Bob's college friend from Vermont, played "George" the resident handyman from Vermont, throughout the Newhart series.
Later, Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette reprised their roles from the show for the 1990 finale of Newhart, in which it was revealed that the entire Newhart series had been just Bob Hartley's dream. Bob and Emily awake in a room identical in appearance to their Chicago bedroom from The Bob Newhart Show.
This plot device had previously been used in the season five finale ("You're Having My Hartley") in which Emily is pregnant. At the end, the pregnancy is revealed to be a dream.
The Bob Newhart Show: The 19th Anniversary Special (1991)
The entire cast assembled for the one-hour clip show The Bob Newhart Show: The 19th Anniversary Special in 1991, which finds the show's characters in the present day. This show is set in Chicago, in the same apartment and office that Bob Hartley had in his 1970s show. During the course of the show, the characters analyzed Bob's dream from the Newhart finale. At one point Howard recalled, "I had a dream like that once. I dreamed I was an astronaut in Florida for five years," as scenes from I Dream of Jeannie featuring Bill Daily as Roger Healey were shown.
Newhart played Bob Hartley on Murphy Brown, in the episode "Anything But Cured" (March 14, 1994) to beg Carol (Marcia Wallace reprising her role from The Bob Newhart Show) to leave her job as Murphy's secretary and come back with him to Chicago.
Newhart reprised Hartley twice in the February 11, 1995 episode of Saturday Night Live. In one sketch, he appears on a satirical version of Ricki Lake, befuddled by both Ms. Lake's dysfunctional guests and Lake's armchair pop psychology. The episode ended with a repeat of Newhart’s "just a dream" scene, in which Bob Hartley again wakes up with Emily (Pleshette), and tells her that he just dreamt he had hosted SNL. Emily responds, "That show's not still on, is it?"
George & Leo (1997)
In the 1997 episode, "The Cameo Episode", Bill Daily makes an appearance as "The Pilot". Jack Riley also appeared on this episode, but it's unclear whom he is portraying.
Newhart and Pleshette, as "The Hartleys", were the hosts of a segment of the CBS at 75 broadcast.
Home media[edit]
20th Century Fox released the first four seasons of The Bob Newhart Show on DVD in Region 1 in 2005/2006.
On February 3, 2014, Shout! Factory announced it had acquired the rights to the series. It subsequently released The Bob Newhart Show: The Complete Series on May 27, 2014.[8] The fifth and sixth seasons were later released on DVD in individual sets on February 3, 2015.[9]
DVD Name
Ep #
The Complete 1st Season 24 April 12, 2005
The Complete 2nd Season 24 October 4, 2005
The Complete 3rd Season 24 April 11, 2006
The Complete 4th Season 24 September 5, 2006
The Complete 5th Season 24 February 3, 2015
The Complete Series 142 May 27, 2014
Seasons 1–3 of the show were also made available for streaming and download in the digital format.[10]
Hi, Bob - a drinking game based on watching the show
^ McEnroe, Colin (January 15, 2017). "Mary Tyler Moore Was Just 'One Of Us'". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
^ a b "The Bob Newhart Show". IMDb.
^ "TV Guide's list of top 100 episodes". Associated Press. June 28, 1997. Archived from the original on October 28, 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
^ Cosgrove-Mather, Bootie (April 26, 2002). "TV Guide Names Top 50 Shows". CBS News. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
^ "The 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME". Time. September 6, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
^ "The 100 Greatest TV Characters". Bravo. Archived from the original on 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
^ "TV Guide Magazine's 60 Best Series of All Time". TV Guide.
^ "The Bob Newhart Show DVD news: Box Art for The Bob Newhart Show - The Complete Series". TVShowsOnDVD. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22.
^ "The Bob Newhart Show DVD news: Announcement for Season 5 and The Final Season". TVShowsOnDVD. Archived from the original on 2014-11-06.
^ "The Bob Newhart Show – Amazon Video". amazon.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
Find sources: "The Bob Newhart Show" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (September 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Bob Newhart Show.
The Bob Newhart Show on IMDb
The Bob Newhart Show at TVGuide.com
I Laugh, therefore I am – The Quest for Bob Newhart's Apartment Building retrieved February 19, 2010
The Bob Newhart Show at The Interviews: An Oral History of Television
The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–77)
The Bob Newhart Show (1972–78)
Friends and Lovers (1974–1975)
The Texas Wheelers (1974–75)
Rhoda (1974–78)
The Bob Crane Show (1975)
Doc (1975–76)
Three for the Road (1975)
Phyllis (1975–77)
The Tony Randall Show (1976–78)
Lou Grant (1977–82)
The Betty White Show (1977–78)
We've Got Each Other (1977–78)
The White Shadow (1978–81)
WKRP in Cincinnati (1978–82)
Mary (1978)
The Mary Tyler Moore Hour (1979)
The Last Resort (1979–80)
Paris (1979–80)
Hill Street Blues (1981–87)
Remington Steele (1982–87)
St. Elsewhere (1982–88)
Newhart (1982–90)
Bay City Blues (1983–84)
The Duck Factory (1984)
Mary (1985–86)
Fresno (1986)
The Popcorn Kid (1987)
Beverly Hills Buntz (1987–88)
Eisenhower and Lutz (1988)
Annie McGuire (1988)
Tattingers (1988–89)
Capital News (1990)
Evening Shade (1990-94)
The Trials of Rosie O'Neill (1990–92)
You Take the Kids (1990–91)
The New WKRP in Cincinnati (1991–93)
Xuxa (1993)
Boogies Diner (1994–95)
Wild Animal Games (1995–96)
Family Challenge (1995–97)
Wait 'til You Have Kids (1996–97)
Bailey Kipper's P.O.V. (1996)
Shopping Spree (1996–97)
Sparks (1996–98)
The Pretender (1996-2000)
It Takes Two (1997)
Good News (1997–98)
Something for Joey (1977)
The Boy Who Drank Too Much (1980)
A Little Sex (1982)
Just Between Friends (1986)
Clara's Heart (1988)
Night of the Twisters (1996)
Christmas Every Day (1996)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Bob_Newhart_Show&oldid=906432408"
1972 American television series debuts
1978 American television series endings
1970s American sitcoms
1970s American workplace comedy television series
English-language television programs
CBS network shows
Television shows set in Chicago
Television series by MTM Enterprises
Psychotherapy in fiction
The Interviews title ID not in Wikidata
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Chapel en le Frith
In the chancel of St Thomas a Becket Church lies William Bagshawe (1627-1702), known as the Apostle of the Peak. He has an ornate marble memorial in the centre of the south wall, but the long inscription is barely legible (SK23 0EN).
Scion of a well known Derbyshire family - the name is still common in these parts - Bagshawe was born at Litton, near Tideswell. He was ordained in 1650 and later presented to the living of Glossop. Following the Act of Uniformity, which demanded acceptance of the 1662 Prayer Book, Bagshawe was one of 2,000 ministers ejected from their parishes. More fortunate than most, he enjoyed a private income and retired to Ford Hall in the parish of Chapel en le Frith.
He continued to preach in his own home and those of friends, gradually extending his ministry to villages across the Peak District. In these remote parts it was difficult to enforce the laws against itinerant preachers and magistrates often ignored the warrants against him. One of the chapels he founded is Chinley Independent Chapel at Chapel Milton, by the railway bridge on the road to Glossop.
St Laurence's Church, Eyam
Many villages in England have interesting stories to tell but few are more tragic or poignant than that of Eyam. In September 1665, a tailor called George Viccars, who lodged with a family living close to the church received a parcel of cloth from London, which carried the bubonic plague then raging in the capital. Within a few days Viccars died, closely followed by three other members of the household. The epidemic quickly spread to other homes and the leaders of the community realised that drastic action was required.
Catherine Mompesson's grave
The vicar was William Mompesson (1639-1709), but a former vicar Thomas Stanley, who had been ejected in 1662, still lived locally. Putting theological differences aside and rejecting a natural desire to flee to safety, the two men decided to put the entire village into quarantine. No-one was allowed to leave or enter until the pestilence had passed, which took more than a year. When it was all over, some 270 people had died leaving about 80 survivors, but Derbyshire had been saved. Miraculously Mompesson and Stanley both survived, but Mompesson's wife Catherine was among the victims. All gatherings of people were discouraged, so many burials took place in fields near the victims' homes rather than in the churchyard. Scattered headstones around the village can still be seen. Services in the church itself were suspended but open-air preaching took place on a grassy knoll known as Cucklet Church, in Flax Butts, just south of the village.
Today the whole village is a virtual shrine to the heroism of its forbears and attracts a steady stream of visitors. Despite its tragedy, this is not a sombre or depressing place. At St Lawrence's Church (S32 5QH), large display panels tell the story in full and there are facsimiles of the parish registers recording the deaths in each month of the epidemic. After the initial outbreak, the mortality rate fell during the winter of 1665/66, but increased to a peak in July and August of 1666. In the sanctuary is William Mompesson's chair, rescued from a second-hand shop in Liverpool, and a brass plaque on the north wall, put up in 1866, marks the two hundredth anniversary of the village's ordeal.
A modern stained glass window in the north wall shows personalities and scenes from the period. One shows a young girl called Emmott Sydall and her sweetheart Roland Torre. Roland came from a neighbouring village and, for a time, they would wave to each other in a wooded glade called the Delph. Eventually, Emmott decided that their meetings must stop and Roland stayed away for several months. When the plague was over he returned to find that Emmott was among its victims. Heartbroken, he remained unmarried for the rest of his life.
In the churchyard, close to an eighth century Celtic cross, is the tomb of Catherine Mompesson, with a Latin inscription. Against the wall of the church, a memorial slab to Thomas Stanley was erected by a subsequent vicar who perhaps felt that his part in the plague story had not been fully recognized.
Plague Cottages
Immediately next to the church are the Plague Cottages. In one, George Viccars, the tailor who received the bale of cloth, lived with the Hadfield family. Mary Hadfield survived, but altogether she lost nineteen relatives. The next door cottage was the home of Peter Hawkesworth, who became the third plague victim. One of his relatives, Jane Hawkesworth, survived, but lost twenty-four members of her extended family. All around the village, cottages dating from that period carry green plaques, listing victims - eight members of the Thorpe family here, a dozen of the Sydall family there. The present occupants show great forbearance as inquisitive tourists peer into their homes and gardens. One cottage was the home of the Merrill family, where it is recorded that the son survived by building himself a shack at an isolated spot on the Eyam moor, and stayed there for many months with only his pet cockerel for company.
The Eyam Museum, opposite the car park in Hawkhill Road (S32 5QP), has displays of the geology of the area and other aspects of local history, as well as giving the full story of the plague.
During the plague months, Mompesson arranged for food and other essentials to be left at strategic places. One of these was a well on the road to Grindleford, now called Mompesson's Well. It can be reached via a steep footpath from the churchyard or by road, turning right along The Edge from Hawkhill Road. Showing a prescient awareness of how diseases are transmitted, Mompesson would leave money in the water, adding vinegar as a disinfectant.
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General Ph.D. Mihail POPESCU, Chief of the Romanian General Staff, heading a military delegation, takes part in the official ceremony of hoisting the national flag in front of the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe, in Mons, Belgium, between April 14-16, at the invitation of Admiral James J. Jones, Supreme Allied Forces Europe Commander.
The Chiefs of the Romanian Services Staffs, Lieutenant-General Ph.D. Eugen Badalan (Army), Lieutenant-General Gheorghe Catrina (Air Force) and Rear Admiral Gheorghe Marin (Navy) have also been invited to this ceremony that marks the actual integration of our Armed Forces into the military structures of the Alliance.
On Thursday, April 15, in the presence of 26 Defence Chiefs from NATO member countries, the national flags of the 7 new member countries will be hoisted while the national anthems are played.
The Romanian delegation will have a series of official and bilateral meetings with representatives of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe as well as of the countries participating in this ceremony.
MoND Press Office
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Ensemble Scholastica : Voix de femmes, musique médiévale / Women’s voices, medieval music
Ensemble Scholastica
Artistic direction
Artistic collaboration
Ensemble Scholastica is a Montreal-based female vocal ensemble that specializes in the performance of medieval plainchant and polyphony (c. 800-1300 AD). Although we study and sing from medieval manuscripts, we do not strive for “authenticity.” Rather, our goal is to share with listeners the beauty and intricacy of medieval music, particularly the medieval liturgical traditions that are at the very root of Western music. We offer our audiences the opportunity to experience the remarkable joy and complexity of medieval spirituality and culture.
In recent years, Ensemble Scholastica has been involved in different projects, including several collaborations with the renowned Baroque ensemble Les Idées heureuses, with the aim of expanding the temporal boundaries of its repertoire. Our upcoming seasons will include liturgical music of New France — a rarely performed repertoire that Scholastica is uniquely well-placed to explore.
The ensemble is made up of talented and dedicated vocalists from Montréal’s thriving early music community. Some of our members also play medieval instruments. Leading medievalist Rebecca Bain has been the Director of Ensemble Scholastica since January 2012.
The Interpretation
Founded in autumn 2008, the female vocal group Ensemble Scholastica gave its first performance in April 2009. The ensemble specializes in the performance of Gregorian chant and medieval polyphony. Our approach is based on the notation of these repertoires in medieval manuscripts. This careful study of the original sources is not simply in the name of “authenticity”, but to expose the true beauty of medieval liturgical traditions. The resulting interpretation is a rendering of the surprising rhythmic variety and ornamentation of medieval chant melody, and a capturing of the fluidity and interplay of the melodic lines of medieval polyphony.
The ensemble is named in part for Scholastica, 6th century mother of female European monasticism and sister to St.Benedict (founder of the Benedictine Order), and in part to reference the influential intellectual movement beginning in the 12th century known as Scholasticism. The Scholastics, such as Peter Abelard and Thomas Aquinas, sought to create order out of existing knowledge and the many new forms of knowledge coming into Europe during the period. Their counterparts in the musical world, such as Pérotin the Great and his students, sought to create, from past traditions, a more ordered style of composition. Their musical form of choice was the organum (= organized music).
Gregorian chant is known principally as the music of the Catholic Church, and in particular as that practiced in monasteries. Its origins can be traced back to the 8th & 9th centuries, when the great Carolingian rulers (beginning with Charlemagne’s father Pepin) imposed Roman plainchant throughout their territories. Since various plainchant traditions already existed, a hybridization process between the Roman tradition and local chant traditions began, giving birth to what soon became known as Gregorian chant, named after Pope Gregory the Great (6th century) to whom, according to popular legend, the Holy Spirit dictated the first plainchant.
From the 11th century on, Gregorian chant became the basis for continuously developing forms of polyphony. At first improvised additions of new voices to already existing musical lines, polyphony based on Gregorian chant quickly led to all the most important developments in Western musical composition, including the development of musical notation (which, by the end of the Middle Ages, already looked a great deal like modern musical notation). The epicenter of this flourishing of medieval polyphonic composition was the Notre-Dame school of Paris, between 1160 and 1270.
There are many approaches to interpreting Gregorian chant. After the Middle Ages, monasteries favoured a modest approach, which to this day remains the most common. The British traditions, for instance, developed a style of interpretation using even rhythm (where each note is of equal length).
Since the early 20th century, the monks of Solesmes (the famous French Benedictine Abbey) have worked to revive the singing of chant according to medieval manuscripts. Their painstaking research has led to a better understanding of neumatic notation (the symbols used to notate medieval chant are called neumes) among subsequent generations of musicologists and performers. The last few decades have seen a flourishing of chant revival, with heated discussions on interpretive detail among scholars and singers.
Ensemble Scholastica’s interpretation of Gregorian chant is based on the 9th-11th century neumatic notation of the important Benedictine Abbey of St.Gallen (in present-day Switzerland). The result is a refreshingly supple Gregorian melody with free rhythm (in stark contrast to the British traditions mentioned above) and varieties of ornamentation – an interpretation that gives listeners the chance to experience the remarkable joy and complexity of the medieval monastic experience.
The medieval polyphonic repertoire also provides singers with a variety of styles, forms and interpretive possibilities. Ensemble Scholastica has concentrated on the important developments in polyphony and its notation in 12th and 13th century Paris. Parisian composers of this time (most of whom remain anonymous) used the Gregorian chant repertoire as a basis from which to excerpt and adapt melodies and then to add new ones to create multi-voiced music. This is the repertoire that mirrors the emerging scholastic thought of the great minds of the day. Its development drastically altered the course of Western musical history.
A female Gregorian chant ensemble?
Yes, women did sing during the Middle Ages! Contrary to the stereotypical beliefs about the period held by most people today, women had all kinds of opportunities to sing, play and compose music, both sacred and profane, during the many European Middle Ages (5th-15th centuries). Aside from a number of known female composers such as Hildegard von Bingen (the great German Abbess, famous in her own day) and Beatriz de Dia (one of a number of trobairitz, or female troubadours), the many female singing traditions included working songs, love songs, and monastic songs. All of these traditions produced hundreds of compositions preserved in manuscripts from all over medieval Europe. Another little known fact today is that until the 12th century, there were more female than male monasteries in Western Europe. For both male and female monastics, musical composition tended to be anonymous. But singing, and therefore musical composition, were hugely important to monastic life – there were 8 offices to be sung every day (and every day of the year had its own specific liturgical requirements), with hymns, sequences, psalms and all kinds of chant, in addition to polyphony on feast days.
A female vocal ensemble dedicated to medieval liturgical chant and polyphony is therefore neither anachronistic nor boring!
Rebecca Bain
Rebecca studied at McGill University before heading to Switzerland to study at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, where she obtained a Master’s degree in medieval music performance. She was co-founder and co-director of two international ensembles for medieval music, Belladonna and the vocal ensemble Zorgina, with which she toured extensively in Europe and North America. Rebecca has sung principle roles in theatre projects with several renowned medieval music ensembles, including Ensemble Sequentia (Germany) and Ensemble Gilles Binchois (France). She has also participated in over a dozen recordings and given many workshops and courses on singing and medieval music.
After 13 years in Europe, Rebecca returned to Canada in 2004. She has participated in projects with such groups as The Toronto Consort, Constantinople and Mandragore, and taught courses on medieval culture at Marianopolis College in Montreal. As well as directing Ensemble Scholastica, she is cur-rently one of the directors of Les Reverdies de Montréal, which hosts the annual "Medieval Music Days."
Pascale Duhamel
Musicologist and medievalist, Pascale founded the ensemble, and was its musical director from 2008 to 2011. She holds a Ph.D. from the Université de Montréal, a post-doctorat from the Institut de Recherches et d'Histoire des Textes (Paris) and a postgraduate licence from the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies (Toronto). She has taught at the Université de Champagne-Ardenne (France), and at St. Michael's College of the University of Toronto. Since 2008, she has been teaching music history and medieval culture at the University of Ottawa. She has guest lectured in Europe, the United States as well as in Canada. Pascale is also a horticulturalist and translator-editor.
Elizabeth Elkholm
After completing her B.Mus. in voice performance, Elizabeth received a Canada Council grant to continue her studies in Europe, where she gained experience singing in opera and concerts. She went on to obtain a Ph.D. in vocal / choral pedagogy from McGill University. As well as singing and teaching, Elizabeth has been active as a choral conductor. Co-founding member and former president of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (Montreal Chapter), she has been invited to adjudicate at vocal and choral festivals and to lead workshops in vocal / choral technique. Passionate about early music, she has sung with Les Voix Médiévales, under the direction of John Baboukis, Amaryllis, an early music trio, and is a co-founding member of Ensemble Scholastica. Elizabeth's other current professional engagements include the Christ Church Cathedral Singers, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra chorus, Les Idées Heureusesand the St. Lambert Choral Society.
Jody Freeman
Jody has sung in various female vocal ensembles in Montréal since the early 1990s and contributed to two recordings as a member of Ensemble Rubia. She joined Scholastica in 2013.
Cynthia Gates
Native Montrealer Cynthia Gates completed degrees in French literature and translation before studying early music at McGill University with Allan Fast. She has been singing professionally for 30 years, working regularly with such ensembles as the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal, La Chapelle de Québec, VivaVoce, voces boreales, Theater of Early Music, the choir of Christ Church Cathedral, and the chorus of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. She has also participated in several recordings.
Marie-Josée Goyette
A classically-trained voice graduate of the Université de Montréal and the University de Laval, Marie-Josée was able to further her studies with Adrienne Savoie (Montréal) and Catherine Robbin (Toronto) with the help of grants from the Jeunesses musicales du Canada and the Conseil des arts et lettres du Québec. She also participated in numerous opera productions with les Jeunesses musicales, most notably playing the role of the witch in "Hansel and Gretel" for over 5 years. She can be heard on the CD "Divins Duos", and with numerous other ensembles including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal, Ensemble Viriditas and La Chapelle de Québec. She has also been a practicing osteopath since 2013.
Catherine Herrmann
Originally from the U.S., Catherine came to Montreal in 1989, where she studied voice with Allan Fast at the University of McGill. She was a founding member and co-director in 1999 and 2000 of La Compagnie Machaut and she co-founded and directed the a cappella ensemble Rubia. She participated in La Nef's "Perceval: La Quête du Gral" stage production and CD recordings. Her other CD recordings include her solo CD, "Country of the Found", with her own original music. Catherine has also sung on several scores for film and television. She is also a multi-instrumentalist; one of her instruments is a 14th century organetto made for her by James Louder. As well as in the U.S. and Canada, Catherine has performed her solo work in France, China and Taiwan.
Carole LeDez
Carole studied voice and composition in England and France. She sang with the Ensemble vocal Michel Piquemal in Paris which specialized in romantic choral music. Often having the opportunity to sing baroque and contemporary music with small ensembles in both France and Canada, the world of medieval music is a new area of interest. Since joining Scholastica in 2014, Carole is enjoying the intellectual and musical novelty of this repertoire. Currently, Carole studies voice with Lyne Fortin and is a qualified teacher of Alexander Technique and a masso-kinesitherapist.
Micheline Racicot
Micheline has been singing regularly with numerous vocal ensembles since 1994. After studying classical guitar, she discovered the lute, which she has been studying with Bruno Cognyl-Fournier. Her vocal studies were with Gloria Polcari. In 1997, Micheline founded the vocal quartet Fin'Amor, and in 1999, the ensemble Estavel, which explores a variety of medieval musical repertoires.
Angèle Trudeau
After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in early music performance and practice from McGill University, Angèle Trudeau continued her studies at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland, which specializes in historical performance.
She recently performed as a soloist in Couperin’s Leçons de Ténèbres and in the Languir d'amour program with Les Idées heureuses, in Karen Young’s Missa Campanula with Musica Orbium (directed by Patrick Wedd), and is also a regular soloist with Ensemble Scholastica, a medieval women’s ensemble of which she is a founding member. She sings with several professional choirs, including the choirs of both the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and the Orchestre Métropolitain, and the Harmonie des Saisons (directed by Eric Milnes). She has also performed and recorded with the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal, Ensemble Claude Gervaise, La Volta (Musica Mystica) and Ensemble Scholastica.
To pursue her interest in contemporary music, Angèle has participated in music projects with Karen Young (premiere of the Missa Campanula at the Internationale de musique sacrée de Québec and Lux Hodie for six women’s voices and harp), Pierre Cartier (Chanson de Douve at the Festival de musique actuelle de Victoriaville et the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal), Isaiah Ceccarelli (Terre rouge Terre noire), and is currently a member of the contemporary vocal ensemble Voces boreales, directed by Andrew Gray.
Geneviève Soly and Les Idées heureuses
Geneviève Soly is one of the central figures of baroque music in Quebec. She is well-known for her many talents: as a musical performer on the organ and harpsichord; as a musicologist for her major contribution to the rediscovery of Christoph Graupner; as a pedagogue and sought-after speaker and lecturer; and as an arts administrator who has been directing Les Idées heureuses for nearly 30 years. She is an Adjunct Professor of musicology at the Université de Montréal and sits on several arts sector advisory councils.
Dorothéa Ventura
Singer, dancer, actress, harpsichordist, vocal coach and choir director, Dorothéa Ventura is very active in the artistic community in Quebec. She has performed in over 350 productions, is cofounder of ensembles ALKEMIA and Sonate 1704, and is professor of harpsichord at the Trois-Rivières CEGEP. Dorothéa has recorded over 15 CDs, several of which earned Juno awards and the Prix Opus.
Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière
Director, choreographer and dancer Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière has a multidisciplinary background in music, acting and historical dancing. She was Associate director of the Toronto Masque Theatre, and is Co-artistic director of Le Nouvel Opéra in Montreal. She has directed, choreographed and danced in North America and Europe for over 20 years, with performances at many prestigious festivals, including numerous appearances at the Festival Montréal Baroque. For the Toronto Masque Theatre, Marie-Nathalie has choreographed all of Purcell’s stage works and directed several operas. She is the recipient of grants from La Fondation Royaumont (France), the Conseil des arts et lettres du Québec and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Élisabeth Gallat-Morin
Musicologist and harpsichordist Élisabeth Gallat-Morin has spent over 40 years reconstructing the musical life of New France. In 1978, she discovered the largest known historical collection of French organ music, the Livre d’orgue de Montréal. In 2003 she published the synthesis of her work in collaboration with Jean-Pierre Pinson: La Vie musicale en Nouvelle-France (Éditions du Septentrion). She has taught in Universities in Quebec, elsewhere in Canada, and in France. She has also given numerous conferences on the music of New France, participated in documentaries on the subject and is the author of many CD liner notes.
Les Reverdies de Montréal
Les Reverdies de Montréal is a non-profit organisation that seeks to promote medieval music in and around Montreal, and to create a meeting place for musicians and music-lovers of all stripes. It is composed of members of several of Québec’s medieval music ensembles: La Strada, Eya, Ensemble Scholastica, Deus Ex Machina, and ensemble Estavel.
One Equall Musick
Montreal-based One Equall Musick is a collaborative vocal ensemble dedicated to the programming and interpretation of high quality repertoire from the fifteenth-century to the present day.
info@ensemblescholastica.ca
984 rue du Collège
Montréal, Qc H4C 2S2
Copyright © 2019 Ensemble Scholastica
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Beginning Of The Play Macbeth essays
Macbeth And Lady Macbeth Blood
Blood Different imagery are seen through out the play one of the imagery is blood. In Macbeth by William Shakespear in every scene the image of blood changes, it changes through re mores, bravery, and guilt. The characters affected by all of this is Macbeth and Lady Macbeth since they are the ones with blood in their hands. The imagery of blood seen's to effected all the characters in the play. One that is affected by all of this is Lady Macbeth, when she is found sleepwalking and talking to her...
Beginning Of The Play Lady Macbeth
In Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth, is seen as a courageous soldier who is loyal to the King but is corrupted by the witches prophecies and by Lady Macbeth's and his own ambition. This is because of the weakness of Macbeth's character and the strong power of Lady Macbeth as she is easily able to influence him. Her strength motivates him at the start but after he realizes what he has done it is himself that continues in his murderous, bloody path. At the beginning of the play Lady Macbeth appears ...
In the play MacBeth written by "William Shakespeare" shows the deterioration of MacBeth and Lady MacBeth's conscience. At the beginning of the play Macbeth is seen as a courageous soldier who is loyal to the King but is corrupted from the witches prophecies and by his and Lady Macbeth's ambition. This is because of the weakness of Macbeth's character and the strong power of Lady Macbeth and how she is easily able to influence him. Her strength motivates him at the start but after he realizes wha...
Beginning Of The Play Macbeth
Macbeth: Macbeth's Decent Into Hell Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare. Macbeth is a man who commits a series of crimes because of persuasion from his wife that will benefit mostly himself but also Lady Macbeth. The play watches Macbeth as he decent's into hell it also shows the conscious mind of a murderer and how murder affects peoples minds. At the beginning of the play Macbeth is a well respected warrior by everybody. Macbeth is the thane of Glam is at the beginning of the play. Macbet...
Macbeth's Ambition
The thematic importance of ambition is revealed throughout MacBeth in a manner that is not always instantly visually evident to a conscientious reader. Although it is responsible for MacBeth's rise to power, his "vaulting ambition" is also to blame for MacBeth's tragic downfall. MacBeth would not have been able to achieve his power as King of Scotland, or have been able to carry out his evil deeds, if it was not for his ambition. In these instances, ambition helped MacBeth achieve his goals to a...
Imagery Of Blood Macbeth
Imagery Of Blood 'MacBeth', the dramatic play written by William Shakespeare has many good examples of imagery, especially blood. The play opens with the weird sisters talking about meeting again and talking about MacBeth. A war has just ended, making MacBeth a Brave hero because he is the general of the Scottish army and they won. MacBeth is the thane ofGlamis, and then becomes the Thane of Cawdor. The weird sisters make many predictions to Macbeth, all of which come true. MacBeth makes the las...
Early Part Of The Play Lady Macbeth
Examine the role of the supernatural in Macbeth I am going to examine the role of the supernatural in Macbeth by looking at the main characters, the witches, and apparitions and the way that they affect Macbeth. During Shakespeares time many people were superstitious and believed in witches, ghosts and other supernatural beings. This is greatly reflected in Macbeth By the late 1550's Shakespeare had established himself as a playwright. In 1599 he and six other associates founded the globe theatr...
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's Ambition The driving force to achieve the Macbeths' goals was ambition. However, because they were solemnly ambitious at the same aptitude, it caused them not to fully achieve their goals, as one was always more or less ambitious than the other. Ambition is a characteristic of human nature, which, if expressed in an evil manner, can corrupt the entire person, leaving them permanently evil. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are great examples of these types of people. In William...
Relationship Of Macbeth And Lady Macbeth
In Shakespeare's Macbeth, there are many issues that may have had an affect on the play. The complex marriage between the power hungry Macbeths, lady Macbeth's dominant character directing Macbeth in the murders, the role reversal during the murders, Macbeth's reaction to his wife's death, and male and female marriages for authority. When analyzed these issues help describe the Macbeth's relationship. They are the very issues that eventually lead to the "Great Tragedy". The relationship of Macbe...
Show Lady Macbeth
There are people in life that will go to extreme measures to get what they want. People will lie, cheat, and steal, while some even murder. In the play, Macbeth, William Shakespeare wrote how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth used their ambition as a device to get money and power. Throughout the play Lady Macbeth had different initial reactions to the idea of Duncan's murder, both prior to and immediately after his death. Lady Macbeth shows that she is more ruthless than Macbeth in the conspiracy to kill...
Witches And Lady Macbeth
After careful thought I do not agree with King Duncans death marks the beginning of Macbeths downfall. Shakespeare emphasises throughout the play that Macbeth has free will and can choose whether "Chance will crown me". I think his downfall began at the first meeting with the witches when he was "rapt withal" at the prospects they gave him. A major influence of the play was the new King James I. Shakespeare wished to compliment him so he carefully included James obsession with witches and some o...
Fuel The Ambition Of Lady Macbeth
In Shakespeare's Macbeth there are many answers posed to the question, why Macbeth killed Duncan. Some would say that it was his own quest for power that drove him to kill, while others would say that it was the influence of this power hungry wife. In my opinion Macbeth was driven by his power hungry wife to kill Duncan. The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with evidence that Macbeth was driven by his wife to kill Duncan. Many say that power of suggestion plays a huge role in the a...
Play Lady Macbeth
What Transforms Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth Into Tragic Figures Is The Fact That They Both Have Consciences. Discuss. At the end of Macbeth, Malcolm refers to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as, a dead butcher and a fiend like queen. Malcolm bases this judgement on the tyrannical rule and bloody murders that were a result of the Macbeths. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a brave general who is full of honour as shown in the quote What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won. Macbeths close frien...
Duncan Macbeth
Macbeth and his wife cannot be easily characterized as villains. In Act One Macbeth's eagerness to share the good news of what is to come with his wife is evident. They are a devoted team. He calls her his dearest partner of greatness. He truly loves her and appreciates all she has done for him. In the beginning of the play Macbeth is a brave and courageous man. He is one of Duncan's most glorious generals and has extraordinary courage. After the witches first approach him and tell him about the...
MacBeth - Character Changes "This dead butcher and his fiend like queen", is the way in which Malcolm describes Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Describe the way in which these two characters changed during the course of the play. At the beginning of the play Macbeth is seen as a courageous soldier who is loyal to the King but is corrupted from the witches prophecies and by his and Lady Macbeth's ambition. This is because of the weakness of Macbeth's character and the strong power of Lady Macbeth and h...
End Of The Play Lady Macbeth
Throughout Shakespeare's Macbeth the relationship between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth changes dramatically. I think as the play develops they begin to handle their emotions differently, particularly after Duncan's murder. At the beginning of the play Lady Macbeth and Macbeth appear to dwell on one another. This is illustrated in two specific quotations, one where Lady Macbeth refers to Macbeth during Scene 5 as "too full of the milk of human kindness". She claims that Macbeth is very kind and a wor...
Macbeth And Lady Macbeth's Relationship
In a relationship, intimacies change over time. In The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth changes. Lady Macbeth is a supportive wife to Macbeth and persuades Macbeth to do things for her. After the death of Duncan, lady Macbeth slowly fades into the shadow of Macbeth. The roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth switch as the play progresses. In the beginning of the play Lady Macbeth shows us that she is supportive to Macbeth. When deliberating ...
Macbeth is seen as a courageous soldier who is loyal to the King but is corrupted by his and Lady Macbeth's ambition. This is because of the weakness of Macbeth and the strong power of Lady Macbeth and how she is easily able to influence him. Her strength motivates him at the start but after he realises what he has done it is himself that continues in his murderous path. At the beginning of the play Lady Macbeth appears as a kind wife of Macbeth's but underneath she is an evil woman. When Lady M...
Macbeth Murders Duncan
In Shakespeare's Macbeth guilt is a major theme that I found through research. Guilt shows up in the play in many forms blood, mental status of the Macbeth's, and Lady Macbeth's role in the play. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth don't seem so strong in the beginning, and their mental status is obvious. Lady Macbeth is the strongest; Macbeth is timid before the murder of Duncan. Macbeth wants to be king, but he feels like there are other ways of getting what you want besides murder. He is faced with the ...
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Fantasy Flight to take children from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to the “North Pole” Wednesday
MEMPHIS, TN (December 11, 2018) – Delta Air Lines and Memphis International Airport will host the annual “Fantasy Flight” to the “North Pole” for patients from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and their families on Wednesday, December 12.
Children will arrive at the airport at 5 p.m. Wednesday to check in and receive special boarding passes. At about 5:30 p.m. they’ll depart on their trip to the North Pole on a plane provided by Delta Air Lines that will taxi around the airfield before arriving at a different gate, where Santa and many other guests will greet the children. The trip to the North Pole will include Christmas carols, games and a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Other special guests will include the University of Memphis Tigers Spirit Squad, the Chick-Fil-A Cow, West Tennessee Therapy Dogs and others.
This marks the 9th year that Delta Air Lines and Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA) employees have coordinated this event. The local Transportation Security Administration (TSA) also assists in coordinating the Fantasy Flight, which also receives contributions from airport tenants HMS Host, Gate Gourmet, and Paradies Lagardère.
“This is an annual labor of love for airport employees,” said Scott Brockman, MSCAA President and CEO. “We are delighted to host these children and their families, and our goal is to provide them with an unforgettable holiday experience.”
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Soccer Stadium Update
Posted on May 20, 2011 by Ben Berger
It’s been a while since our last look at stadium construction around MLS. We’ll start in Houston, where the Dynamo’s efforts to build in downtown Houston has progressed far enough to warrant a webcam. The Dynamo are expected to contribute $60 million to the project. The proposed stadium will be shared with Texas Southern Football and other local events. The team hopes to open in 2012. Total cost of the projected 21k seat stadium is expected to be about $95 million with the Dynamo ownership (primarily AEG and Golden Boy Promotions) funding about $60 million. The rest of the funds could come from tax credits, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (“TIRZ”) money and from some of the stimulus money floating around.
In Kansas City, the opening of Livestrong Sporting Park is now just weeks away. The 18,500 seat, natural grass stadium will feature 36 suites, 300 HD televisions and fully covered seating. There will also be 6 locker rooms, an 1800 square foot video board and 6 locker rooms. The stadium web cam (complete with a presenting sponsor), can be found here. The June 9 home opener will be one of 3 home games for the team in June. The match against the Fire will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
There has been less news on the San Jose Earthquakes stadium front. San Jose started the process a couple of months back, by beginning the demoltion of its future stadium site. Although the event included a fair amount of pomp and circumstance, the demoltion does not guarantee construction. Financing and ownership committment still need to be confirmed before the job moves forward.
« Selling Tickets in MLS The Monday After: Ads on Fox, Business of the Rapids and Attendance »
vic, on May 21, 2011 at 3:25 am said:
the Quakes stadium will never get built, at least not by Wolff. The demolition was just meant as a staged event. He’s using this civic emblem as leverage for tax breaks from city government. Its like putting a pretty dress on an old weathered hooker.
jspech, on May 23, 2011 at 3:24 pm said:
team will move to Vegas. I bet!
Russell, on May 25, 2011 at 11:16 pm said:
Quakes should move to SF proper. Work a deal with USD or Re-do Kezar stadium.
josh, on May 31, 2011 at 11:22 pm said:
Vic’s right. Wolff owns the A’s, and they get a ton of mass transit fans since the stadium is located on Oakland’s subway line. This is why Wolff tried hard to put a new baseball stadium along that line, but further down near San Jose. The reason why he never considered the logically right thing to do for the soccer stadium also, is that it may just be for political capital. What leverage does he have with SJ city if he builds stadium in next door Fremont or Hayward (both of which have subway stops thats SJ doesnt)? A high percentage of San Fran & oakland people rely on that subway line, and it would be easy to get them….San Jose ppl arent gonna care if the team is 8miles north in a suburb of San Jose…they all have cars.
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Milwright heads to Shangri La, becomes Fellow, acquires manuscript
by John Threlfall | Nov 22, 2011 | Art History & Visual Studies, Award, Faculty, News | 0 comments
Dr. Marcus Milwright and student Natalie Gilson examine the facsimile of the Maqamat of al-Hariri, a famed 12th-century manuscript that was acquired earlier this year. Scroll down for news about another important Islamic manuscript acquisition. (Photo: Robie Liscomb)
History in Art’s Marcus Milwright has been awarded the position of scholar-in-residence at Shangri La, a Centre for Islamic Arts and Cultures, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Milwright, director of UVic’s Medieval Studies program and associate professor of Islamic Art and Archaeology, will be in residence from April 14 to May 6, 2012, with a focus on studying the late Ottoman and French Mandate periods (i.e. 18th to mid-20th century) Syrian artifacts in the collection. “In recent years I have been working on translating sections of an Arabic dictionary of the crafts of Damascus, written between about 1890 and 1906,” says Milwright. “The aim of this residence is to establish ways in which this valuable written source can be used to enhance museum displays of Middle Eastern art of the later Islamic period (1700-1940).”
One of the rooms at Shangri La
Part of the charitable Doris Duke Foundation, named for the influential American philanthropist, Shangri La’s scholar-in-residence position is a competitive and thematic program that invites select scholars and artists whose work complements the collection, while also advancing the study and understanding of Islamic art and culture. Chosen scholars and artists are given the opportunity to pursue their own academic and creative work, while also presenting public programs such as lectures, workshops and performances. Milwright will be the latest among such other recent scholars as Thalia Kennedy, Olga Bush and Linda Komaroff, and artists Zakariya Amataya and Emre Hüner.
Once the residence of the late Doris Duke, Shangri La still houses most of her collection of Islamic art. (One notable exception is the beautiful 18th-century house interior from Damascus that now forms part of the renovated gallery of Islamic art at the Metropolitan Museum.) The daughter of American tobacco and electric power industrialist James Buchanan Duke, Doris was famously branded “the richest girl in the world” after inheriting his estate when she was just 12 years old. Following her marriage to American diplomat James H.R. Cromwell in 1935, Duke decided to build a seasonal home in Honolulu after visiting both Hawaii and many Muslim countries for the first time while on her honeymoon. Captivated by Islamic cultures and enamored with Hawaii, Duke designed a new residence with the ambition of evoking “the beauty and character of each.” As noted on their website, Shangri La borrows architectural elements and artistic sensibilities from regions of the Islamic world, and blends them with a distinctly Hawaiian landscape that features sweeping ocean views, exotic gardens and a 75-foot saltwater pool. (And hey, if you’re looking for a job, Shangri La is currently on the hunt for a historic housekeeper.)
And in other news, Dr. Milwright has been elected as a fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Founded in 1823 (and receiving its royal charter in 1824), this is one of the oldest societies devoted to the study of Asia and the Islamic world. Milwright has previously published articles and book reviews in Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society.
Finally, the McPherson Library has purchased a facsimile of the 12th-century Arabic book, Kitab al-Diryaq (Book of Antidotes). Written by an anonymous Arabic author, but making extensive use of ancient Greek medical knowledge, the original of this precious manuscript is now housed in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris. “Apart from its importance for the study of Islamic science, this is also one of the earliest illustrated books in the Arab-speaking world,” explains Milwright. “Particularly notable is the double frontispiece that contains a complex set of astrological images which relate to a solar eclipse which occurred in 1199. These sorts of facsimile are vital for the teaching of Islamic art and the history of book.”
Owen Padmore’s legacy lives on in the memorial fund that bears his name
The Book of Antidotes was bought using monies from the Owen Padmore Memorial Fund. Established in 2002 by the family of History in Art student Owen Padmore (1970-2001), who was fascinated by Islamic visual culture, the fund is designed for the purchase of books on Islamic art and architecture. The Owen Padmore Fund also contributed to the purchase of another important facsimile last year, the 13th century Maqamat of al-Hariri (seen above), about which Milwright recently gave a presentation as part of the Predigital Book Research Collective in the McPherson’s Special Collections. “This is a tremendous resource for teaching,” Milwright said about the Maqamat of al-Hariri at the time. “When we teach manuscript painting, one of the frustrations is that we can’t take people to see the originals. With this facsimile, you can do almost everything you can do with the original manuscript.”
The Owen Padmore Fund continues to make an important contribution to the study of Islamic visual culture at the University of Victoria. While the McPherson library has been collecting Islamic art books for 40 years, the Padmore Fund has helped purchase over 120 books on Islamic art, architecture and archaeology since 2002, making it one of the most important collections in this field of study in Canada.
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Ferris students participate in Autism Awareness Month
Posted by Megan E. Smith on April 30, 2014 in News.
Students gather on Top Taggart field with blue lights in hand to show their support during Autism Awareness month.
Photo By: Tori Thomas | Photographer
Ferris students gathered in Top Taggart Field to “light it up blue” for Autism Speaks as a part of Autism Awareness Month.
The “Light It Up – Autism Awareness” event occurred on April 23 and was sponsored by the Center for Leadership, Activities and Career Services and Alpha Xi Delta.
“[The event] shows Ferris really cares about the diversity of all people and getting students involved,” Ferris junior communications major Jacquelyn Beard said.
Participants received blue foam glow-sticks and gathered in the center of the field around the Ferris Bulldog. A photograph was taken and sent to the Autism Speaks national website as a way to show Ferris’ support.
Beard attended the event to support the cause and the sorority hosting the event, Alpha Xi Delta.
“[Autism] is something so many people go through and for Ferris to do something like this is really cool,” Beard said.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), autism is a neurodevelopment disorder characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties and restricted patterns of behavior.
For one Ferris student in particular, autism is close to home.
Ferris sophomore pre-radiography major Emma Karas has a younger brother with autism and said he is part of the reason she chose to become a Resident Advisor on campus.
“I know sometimes you have to deal with people who are very different and you can’t judge, you have to be patient and accepting,” Karas said.
Karas said her brother is high functioning but has some social problems.
“Sometimes it’s hard because he doesn’t always want to talk about what everyone else is talking about,” Karas said. “It’s an experience and you have to be patient.”
One of the most common signs of autism is impaired social interaction. Other indicators include averted eye contact, failure to respond to others and lack of empathy, according to NINDS.
There is no cure for autism, but symptoms can improve with age and treatment.
Karas said she is happy Ferris is supporting a cause she feels very close to.
“I think the event was a really cool idea and a step in the right direction for Ferris,” Karas said.
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The man behind the highlights
Athletics intern works magic with a camera in athletics
Posted by Austin Arquette on April 15, 2019 in Sports, Top Stories.
Ferris sports communication junior Conner Pyrc can be found on the sidelines of almost all Ferris home games, filming highlights that he will spend hours later that night editing to be posted on social media. Photo by: Megell Strayhorn | Multimedia Editor
Not all the magic happens on the field. In fact, a lot of it happens behind a student intern’s camera.
Ferris sports communication junior Conner Pyrc is an intern for the Ferris athletics department, and if you’ve seen highlight videos on social media the day after a game, that’s most likely Pyrc’s handiwork.
But his position is primarily due to his own initiative, having sought out the job and even starting at an unpaid position.
Pyrc said that he reached out to the athletics department and volunteered to run music at the football games for free. With prior knowledge on video production that Pyrc said he learned from his dad, he was offered an internship.
“Just being able to have the creative freedom to create whatever I want and have thousands of people see it and hopefully enjoy it, is such a rewarding feeling,“ Pyrc said.
When working in the athletics department, Pyrc said he does everything from filming highlights, editing videos, color commenting on hockey broadcasts, sideline reporting for football, making graphics for social media, doing voiceover, editing commercials and helping run the social media accounts.
“Much of the video we produce following games is edited late at night and into the morning hours, so we can turn it around quickly for our fans. He has spent many late nights and early mornings producing graphics and video for our department in addition to being a regular at nearly every home game,”
Ferris Assistant Athletic Director Rob Bentley said. “Conner is a great person and one that is devoted to his work. He’s very personable and interacts well with our student-athletes and coaches.”
As a Montrose native, Pyrc’s career began at Montrose High School, where he graduated with about 90 students and broadcasted sports with the digital media team.
“Other than playing sports in high school, working for Ferris is my first time working with an athletic program,” Pyrc said. “I had been at Ferris for a full year and decided that if I was going to be successful and use the most of my time here, then I needed to get involved.”
Pyrc said that he could spend upwards of 20 hours a week just filming and editing videos during the busiest part of the year when football, basketball and hockey are all happening at once. That’s just the video editing, though, besides the number of other jobs Pyrc takes on.
“During our peak season, which is August to December, when we have our most sports active, Conner routinely puts in 40-50 hour weeks, including game days. Really, it’s a full-time gig for him, but really he’s expecting it of himself more than we’re asking him to go that above and beyond,” Ferris Communications Associate and Hockey Play-by-Play Announcer Harrison Watt said.
Pyrc has gone from just another intern to the heart of the athletics staff, and without his work, athletics would be very limited in the engagement they provided to fans, according to Bentley.
“Conner is such a vital part of our staff. I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times he has come through to take what can be a truly insane load,” Watt said. “Conner handles it like a seasoned sports information director. He’s going to be an absolute gem for whoever hires him after he’s done at Ferris. Mark my words.”
After he graduates, Pyrc wants to work for a collegiate or professional football team in creative content, much like his job now at Ferris.
“I think he has exceeded what we initially expected of him and it’s due to his strong desire to be the best he can be,” Bentley said. “We’re fortunate we’ve been able to find another highly-motivated individual who wants to excel and has the skills and desire to learn and grow.”
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Black Mirror – The Entire History of You – Review
This is a review of Season 1 Episode 3 of Netflix’s Black Mirror. Once again, this is not a review of the storyline, cinematography, character choices or anything like that, but is instead a review exclusively of the technology within the episode. The episode, called ‘The Entire History of You’ was aired on the 18th of December 2011, airing on Channel 4 and later being acquired by Netflix and put on their streaming service. We recommend you watch the episode as there will be spoilers.
Relevant technology
The Entire History of You is different to Fifteen Million Merits in that there is only one central technology, the ‘Grain’ implant, as opposed to the number of technologies in Fifteen Million Merits. This ‘Grain‘ is an implantable grain-sized piece of tech most notable for memory storage and replay, which can be shared on screens and interacted with via remote, hence ‘the entire history of you’. We will take a look at each feature of the ‘Grain’ showed in the episode. Thankfully, we are conveniently given a short advert for the product, which serves as a good summary:
"'Live, breathe, smell. Full spectrum memory. You can get a Willow Grain upgrade for less than the price of a daily cup of coffee, and three decades of backup for free. Install ingrained procedure with local anaesthetic and you're good to go, because memory is for living."
Willow Grain
Fictional Company
Remote controller and implant
One key prop to The Entire History of You is the remote controller that controls all the function of the grain implant. The controller works most comparabe to the classic iPod scrolling wheel, but with the size of a key fob. This is seen in the short clip here. The controller also has other utilities, such as acting as an RFID enabled device. The implant is a similarly sized object that is inserted just behind the right ear. It is responsible for the memory capture, storage and ‘re-do’ capability shown in the episode. One scene in which the grain is removed we see that it consists of the main small object and a single long wire, presumably going into the brain. The implant made a visible coloured pulsation under the skin.
The remote control certainly seems reasonable. Most of the technology it used already exists in some form. The controller-device interactions would probably work by Bluetooth. The scrolling and button mechanism is a very mature technology, now largely being replaced by voice control, and fingerprint sensors could easily be used as security. As for the implant, this seems less plausible, at least as it was presented in the episode. One idea that could allow for the small size is Moore’s law, though Physics demands this has a limit. Only quantum computers could feasibly allow for such high throughput and storage, but little is known about how to build these at a large size.
Video, sound and sensory storage
This technology has the potential to be revolutionary, something The Entire History of You barely scrapes the barrel of. The actual technology in the episode is shown by the Grain implant, with the main body presumably being responsible for all the computing and storage. This wire presumably goes directly into the brain either where senses are processed or memories recollected. From the episode, the wire looked a little thinner than a wired mouse cable and with only one line, literally as though someone got a mouse wire and cut off the ends. No distinction is made as to the position of the brain end of the wire.
The actual memory capture and re-do is fairly unreasonable with a single wire. Due in part to the fact that neurons in the brain interact primarily through electrical signals, it is plausible that some electronic device would be able to record any senses and repeat their electrical pattern as part of remembering them, similar to how organic memories work. This also allows the Grain to input its own sensory information such as images and alerts. However, this seems very unlikely to be possible with such a small device and wire. Something else like a neural lace may seem more plausible, meaning the concept is at least technologically conceivable.
Identification, security and payment
The Entire History of You also uses the Grain and its controller for identification. The first case of this is at an airport where the main character Liam, played by Toby Kebbell, walks through a security gate and his details instantly pop up on the computer. He is then asked to replay the last 24 hours on a fast reverse, which also appears on the screen. After he gets a taxi and pays by touching his controller to a screen. The Grain also appears to be connected to other accounts, such as insurance. This is seen when Liam attempts to drive drunk and the Grain gives an alert that in the case of an accident car insurance and life insurance will be void.
Technology like this is very well established. RFID has long been used for payments and accounts and exists in debit and credit cards, mobile phones, keys and even actual implants. Near-field communication (NFC) would also pose a good solution to this challenge, as it enables communication with computer devices at a low range to transmit data, including packages as big as videos, a feature Android users have long enjoyed. This would be fairly easy to build into the remote, with supplementary Bluetooth enabling further data transmission.
One other feature of the Grain is image recognition software. The Grain was able to detect when Liam was in a car and at other times was able to detect and identify faces. This feature wasn’t very prominent in this episode but was hidden there as a hint of the extra capability of the technology. One feature the Grain had that image recognition is still getting around was retroactive lip reading, which was used to decipher a conversation too far away to be heard.
Image recognition is a well-known and popular buzz phrase at the moment. Many technology manufacturers are marketing their products as having image recognition, with the main uses being in camera AI and autonomous driving. Given this, image recognition would be very easy to implement into a sensory capture and memory database. Lip reading shouldn’t be too much of a challenge either as neural network AI is getting increasingly proficient at learning a skill.
Screen sharing and user interface
Screen sharing, the easier to understand of the two technologies is done via the controller in the episode. It is used to share ‘re-do’s of old memories and was shown with up to three memories playing at once. This was done without any noticeable set-up process and appears to be automatic when you point the controller at the screen. This was the external version of the interface, but users could also have the same views internally, with the internal mode having more senses and more realistic senses. The actual user interface looked like had a ring with the main memory or command in the middle and sometimes other memories on either side. The remote allowed the user to reverse at a speed of their choosing, queue up memories, play from any time, zoom and enhance and interpret speech or images. It also worked on screen for babies, raising questions about a child’s interface.
Screen-casting has been possible for a lot of time now, and it’s reasonable to assume that if the Grain can record memories it could also transmit them. It would be interesting to know the limit of how many memories could be viewed at once, but this isn’t gone into too much in The Entire History of You. As for the UI, it all seems possible from a software perspective. Media apps like Google Photos already categorise and process images so queues of related memories seem like an easy adaptation. Zooming is interesting as there should be a limit at some point, and one other question is the usual variation in eye movement that is usually filled in by the brain. There is one question as to whether the system records the brain’s interpretation or the true footage, but this question goes unanswered. I think it’s more likely for the episode that the brain’s version is copied as there were no visible cameras.
Physical evaluation
Perhaps the only given feature outside of sensory capture and memory storage was the physical evaluation. This was seen in the form of an alert that insurance will be void as Liam was about to drive despite being physically unsuitable in his current state. This was due to drinking a lot of alcohol beforehand, something the Grain managed to detect.
One possible way this could have been achieved is due to the nature of alcohol and the brain. Software in the Grain may have been able to detect thought pattern abnormality and matched this to the known effects of alcohol. The driving could have been detected either with image recognition or some way of knowing the intent of the user, either of which seems possible.
The technology in The Entire History of You seems like it would be at least technically possible, though the small package shown seems very ambitious and largely improbable. This seems like it would be better achieved with technology like neural lace, but this was a surprisingly accurate episode given its airing date. Assuming that sensory capture and memory was possible, the rest of the technology also seems very likely for the time. Based on the projected release of Neuralink’s neural lace and the lack of overwhelming futurism, I would place this episode between the 2030s and mid-2040s, though the technology could exist slightly earlier.
Feel free to share your opinion on social media or the comment section below.
Tags: black mirror, implant, netflix, tech review, transhumanism
Alfred Thompson
Great stuff! I feel like a Grain system would be super-abusable, as would any digital memory storage. If the police are given the decryption key to such systems, at what point does thought crime become an enforceable policy? Black Mirror is great at making us think about these deep questions. I look forward to reading the rest of your posts.
Certainly, privacy should be foremost in this discussion. I’m sure many people have thought about doing illegal things that they’d never follow through on. What we need to avoid if we want an open society that judges solely on the content of character is to avoid a 1987 scenario entirely. Having the exclusive non-transferrable rights to our own thoughts is paramount in ensuring that.
I really enjoyed reading this. Keep it up and looking forward on your future posts!
Glad you liked it, I’m looking forward to making more.
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Black Mirror – Fifteen Million Merits – Review
Be Right Back – Black Mirror – Review
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Russia, Latin America air travel to double in next 20 years
MOSCOW/PANAMA CITY: November 20, 2018. According to Airbus’ latest Global Market Forecast, Russia & CIS airlines will need 1,220 new aircraft valued at US$175 billion in the next 20 years – doubling the current passenger fleet from 857 to over 1,700 by 2037.
The aerospace manufacturer expects passenger traffic in the Russia/CIS region to grow at an average 4.1 percent annually as air travel in Russia more than doubles over the next two decades.
The region’s highest traffic growth is expected to be on international routes to Latin America (+5.9 percent), Asia- Pacific (+5.4 percent), Middle East (+5.1 percent) and North America (+4.5 percent).
Latin America air travel is expected to double in the next 20 years as the region’s middle class grows from 350 million people to 520 million by 2037, says Airbus. Currently less than half of the region’s top 20 cities are connected by one daily flight, creating the potential to build intra-regional traffic.
The manufacturer says Latin America and the Caribbean region will need 2,720 new passenger and freighter aircraft to meet the rising demand – meaning the number of aircraft currently operated will rise from 1,420 to 3,200 in the next two decades.
In 2017 Panama City joined Bogota, Buenos Aires, Lima, Mexico City, Santiago and Sao Paulo on the list of Latin America aviation megacities. Airbus expects Cancun and Rio de Janeiro to join the list by 2037, producing an additional 150,000 long-haul passengers daily.
Pictured: Low-cost airline easyjet has ordered an additional 17 Airbus A320neo for delivery by 2023 – bringing its current order to 147, including 30 A321neo, and a total of 468 A320 aircraft to date.
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The Beholden Years
Om Malik Mar 10, 2005 - 12:01 AM CDT
After I was done writing Broadbandits: Inside the $750 billion Telecom Heist, many telecom insiders kept writing to me, lamenting the loss of their pension funds. Engineers who once worked for the most fearsome company in the world, AT&T were looking for part time gigs at Home Depot.
For some odd reason, I kept notes, hoping that one day I might write an update to the book. Somehow I didn’t. Five years later, I see that most of the Broadbandits are walking around free. Their billions salted away for enjoyment of future generations. So what that many in my adopted home face tough times, thanks to a retirement system that is in shambles.
Americans generally use two vehicles to save for their retirement years – the 401K plans, where an employee puts away a little something from his paycheck directly into this account and the defined benefit (DB) pension plan, where the employer puts a little something in a special account from which the employees are reimbursed once they retire.
Like 401k plans, the DB pension plans also try to multiply their money by investing in stock markets, money market funds, bonds and even real estate. These plans are like a private mutual fund run by the company. During the boom years of the1990s, many companies saw capital in their funds soar as booming stock markets inflated the valuation of their holdings. At that point many of these funds, just like the US Government, were running a surplus. But with the economic downturn this situation has reversed. Watson Wyatt, a research group, conducted a study and found that the percentage of under-funded plans more than tripled from 15% in 1992 to 52% in 2002. Things haven’t changed much since.
A senior portfolio manager at a New York hedge fund said in an interview that in order for these funds to come back to fully funded status, the stock markets have to grow at 15 percent every year, over the next two decades. US stock markets have historically grown at 11 percent every year, and that is in the best of times, so the kind of growth needed is not likely to happen. “We’re not likely to see as good returns as we’ve seen in the past, because the market has gotten so high,” Robert Shiller, an economist at Yale University and the author of “Irrational Exuberance,” told Business Week last year.
Merrill Lynch estimates that the pension liability of 348 S&P 500 companies is somewhere between $184 and $342 billion — much lower than a reported $2 billion surplus in 2001. But these are just vague estimates. Until 1997, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. (PBGC), a quasi-government agency, published a survey that listed the 50 most under-funded pension funds. It had to stop publishing such a list under pressure from the industry. Today it is unclear which company’s fund is under funded and that alone is scary.
The pension fund shortfalls have a serious human cost. On the fifth anniversary of the bursting of the bubble, I want you to think about the former employees of WorldCom, Enron, Qwest, and every name that reminds you the bubble and its excess. Everytime you think of Bernie Ebbers, remember, there are thousands who are still struggling to put their lives back together.
One Response to “The Beholden Years”
AnferTuto July 27, 2007
Hola faretaste
mekodinosad
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Largest home solar fund ever
Google & SolarCity partner on $750M fund for rooftop solar
Katie Fehrenbacher Feb 26, 2015 - 6:00 AM CDT
Credit: Courtesy of SolarCity
Solar installer and financier SolarCity announced on Thursday that it plans to raise a $750 million fund to invest in installing solar panels on the rooftops of home owners, and $300 million of that fund will come from tech giant Google. While Google has put over $1 billion into clean energy projects over the years, the commitment to the SolarCity fund is Google’s largest to date, and the entire fund will be the largest one ever created for residential solar projects.
The deal shows the momentum behind the booming solar panel industry in the U.S. Solar energy represented over a third of all new electricity in the U.S. in 2014, and that could grow to 40 percent in 2015, which would be a new record. The solar industry is now a major U.S. employer, employing twice as many workers as the coal industry; SolarCity employs more workers in California than the state’s three large utilities combined, said SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive at the ARPA-E Summit earlier this month.
This isn’t the first time that Google has put money into a SolarCity fund. In the Summer of 2011, Google committed $280 million into a similar solar installation fund created by SolarCity. That collaboration was one of the first examples of a corporate entity (and not a bank) agreeing to invest in solar projects. Usually SolarCity works with banks like Citi, U.S. Bancorp, or Goldman Sachs to raise these types of funds.
The remaining $450 million of the $750 million fund will come from debt financing, says a SolarCity spokesperson. The entire fund will cover the upfront costs of installing solar panels on the roofs of “thousands” of homes across 15 states.
SolarCity’s business was built around creating solar-as-a-service deals where it can offer a homeowner the installation of solar panels and the accompanying solar energy in exchange for a monthly fee over several years (say, 20 to 25 years). That monthly fee is usually less than the homeowner would pay for their monthly utility bill. Thus the homeowner can buy solar energy without having to pay for the high upfront cost of the installation of the solar panels.
SolarCity panels on a Walmart, courtesy of SolarCity.
This type of solar-as-service deal has transformed the solar energy industry and opened up solar energy for tens of thousands of people that wouldn’t previously have been able to afford it. By the end of 2014 SolarCity, the largest installer in the U.S., had installed a cumulative 1 GW of solar panels on its customers rooftops, and the company plans to install another 1 GW within 2015. A gigawatt is the size of a large natural gas, coal or nuclear plant.
Google wants to invest money into funds like SolarCity’s because it can provide a return (8 to 12 percent) on the investment. The deals with homeowners tend to generate pretty reliable revenue over time because homeowners — particularly the kind getting solar installed — tend to pay their utilities. But because these financing deals are becoming more mainstream as solar becomes more of a commodity, the returns have been slipping in recent years.
3 Responses to “Google & SolarCity partner on $750M fund for rooftop solar”
exhibit44 February 26, 2015
All that wasted roof space, finally put to use. Of course, it’s not nearly enough amperage to unhook from the grid, but it is localized. If the sun comes out, and you need more ventilation, then the power is right there.
Fennec February 26, 2015
It’s definitely enough kW to unhook. If you get 6kW of solar panels on your houses roof (so on your entire roof) then you could confidently unhook as long as you had a storage system (20kW hours or so, perhaps?) for whatever you use overnight.
Unless you have a large family, of course. But for me, as an individual, I would need much less than 6kW, probably.
Yeah. I was thinking for industry. For homes, definitely. But it would be interesting to tie the service that arises only in high sunlight, such as ventilation or chilling, to the output of a roof panel. No coordinating cost for sending it back onto the grid. If there’s surplus, put it into an icemaker battery or something.
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Egypt Announces New Courts Specifically Designed To Deal With Cases Of Abuse Against Women
Ever since the Arab Spring began in Tunisia in 2010 and spread across the Arab world, including Egypt, where a wave of protests and demonstrations demanded change from various governments, there has been an increased amount of attention on that part of the world, especially Syria, where the civil war continues to rage on and millions of refugees desperately seek new homes in foreign countries.
In Egypt, the uprising culminated in a series of major protests in Tahrir Square in Cairo, which resulted in the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak and the subsequent tumultuous rule of the Muslim Brotherhood, before Abdel Fatteh el-Sisi gained power and still does to this day.
Aside from the ongoing politics in the country, every day life has been affected for many Egyptians, especially women. It is a country where violence, abuse and harassment are a major problem for women and girls. The UN estimates more than 99% of women and girls have experienced some form of harassment, and more than 82% said they don’t feel safe on the streets.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Gender Inequality Index of Egypt is 130 out of 187 countries according to the 2014 Human Development Report, and 77th out of 88 countries on gender empowerment and political participation. In fact after gaining power, President el-Sisi vowed to deal with abuse and violence toward women and now we are starting to see perhaps a glimpse of change.
In an effort to deal with this ongoing problem, the Egyptian government have made a major step forward to help women. As part of the recently implemented Sustainable Development Goals which are a set of 17 goals designed to alleviate poverty globally by the year 2050, they have announced a new court circuit designed to specifically hear cases of abuse against women, Egypt’s Justice Minister Ahmed El-Zend announced in a statement at the end of November.
The idea of these courts is for women to obtain their “full rights” where perhaps they don’t in other areas of the justice system and in society. Concerned specifically with the mandate for Gender Equality in the Sustainable Development Goals, the Justice Minister said speaking about and demanding rights for women is the “soul of the law and its aim.”
It appears they are serious about cracking down on the abuse of women and have a legal system that enables laws to be better implemented. Ahram Online reports back in September, at the request of the Minister, a female judge was assigned as his aide, which is a big deal considering there are currently no female judges in any of Egypt’s criminal courts.
Although it is a step forward, there are some who don’t see a special court circuit as necessarily the answer to the problem.
“Development should be carried out through integrated operations implemented by the cooperative bodies under a unified philosophy and objective,” said Mervat El-Tellawy, chief of the Arab Women’s Organization, who believes development in women’s related issues shouldn’t only be executed through “isolated efforts by divided sectors.”
It is important to see the Egyptian government take firm steps toward creating a society that is more gender equal, but the real test will be how it affects everyday women on the streets. The idea that a woman on the streets is “fair game” for harassment and abuse is no joke and cannot be ignored any longer.
In 2014 a 19 year old woman committed suicide after being harassed publicly, and what’s worse is that the police tried to cover up the fact that she was harassed. Luckily there were many witnesses to the event who spoke to the media to confirm this was not just any suicide.
And while there are instances of justice being one, it often doesn’t send a loud enough message. In 2012 a man was sentenced to 2 years in jail for grabbing a woman’s butt at a taxi stand, and also fined just over $300. The same news report states that since the Arab Spring and subsequent revolution, there has been an increase in harassment toward women on the streets.
Egyptian women are not waiting around for new laws and justice to favor them, they are taking action and creating ways to protect themselves and help other women prevent attacks. In a short documentary feature as part of Refinery29’s ‘A Woman’s Place’ series created by We Are The XX filmmakers Allison Rapson and Kassidy Brown, we learn about a group of innovative and social justice advocates from Egypt who have created an increase awareness about street harassment.
Reem Wael is the creator of Harassmap, an interactive online map where women can report experiencing harassment, to help women avoid those intimidating situations. Harassmap is currently the only organization in the country focused on dealing with street harassment issues, and when they started in 2010 there were many people who denied the existence of the problem, but now that they have numerous stories and data from various women, it is becoming clear just how pervasive street harassment is.
Basma El-Gabry is the founder of Girls Go Wheels, an organization that helps other women buy scooters and learn to ride. From her personal experience where she found less harassment when she rode a scooter through the streets as opposed to walking, she knew she had to help other women gain the same freedom.
Filmmakers Tinne Van Loon and Colette Ghunim who are based in Cairo have created a documentary showing first hand experience of what it is like to be a woman walking on the streets of Egypt every day. In September 2014 they uploaded a 1 minute video to Youtube called ‘Creepers on the Bridge’ where a camera attached to a woman’s body passes numerous men on a bridge, all of whom stare at the women incessantly and for an excessive amount of time.
The video went viral and was covered by international media, and it helped draw attention to their full-length documentary ‘The People’s Girls’ which features interviews from a series of women who are sick of not being believed when they say they have been the victim of harassment.
Part of the solution is exposing the constant harassment and victimization of women in public, but then authorities and the government must step in to make a change. Aside from these women creating ways to document and share the undeniable amount of harassment toward Egyptian women on a daily basis, men need to step up to the plate, recognize what is going on and be part of the change.
In 2013 an Egyptian TV station hired a male actor to dress up as a woman for the day and documented what (s)he experienced from men on the streets. At one point actor Waleed Hammad said he feared for his life as one man followed him for 45 minutes and got aggressive when insisting he should give share his phone number with the stranger.
We are heartened to see the justice system taking this seriously and hope the issue of harassment and abuse against women will not be a tokenized agenda simply to appease the Sustainable Development Goals agenda. Instead, we hope to see a remarkable change in gender equality in a place where it is highly needed.
Take a look at the video below of the Egyptian actor Waleed Hammad dressing up as a woman for the day:
Tags: a woman's place × abuse against women × egypt × street harassment × sustainable development goals
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/ Asia & Pacific
Filipino in Hong Kong dies after being hit by a car
INQUIRER.net /
Image: Facebook/Larry Sevilla
Causeway Bay resident Larry Sevilla died on March 10, a day after he was struck by a car exiting a car park.
According to a report by sunwebhk.com, 51-year-old Sevilla was walking past the exit of a car park on Canal Road East, corner Russel Street, in Wanchai carrying clothes from the laundry when he was struck at 8:34 p.m. on March 9 by an exiting Tesla car driven by a 74-year-old man surnamed Lo.
Eyewitness accounts said Lo might have mistaken the gas pedal for the brakes, which caused the car to accelerate forward and run over Sevilla, stopping only when it reached the opposite side of the road.
Sevilla was rushed to the Queen Mary Hospital unconscious. He was declared dead the next day at around noon, succumbing to severe head injuries.
Lo’s passenger, a 71-year-old woman surnamed Lee, was taken to the Ruttonjee Hospital in Wanchai where she remained “in a conscious state.”
Lo was charged with “dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm.” The charge may be changed to “dangerous driving causing death” considering Sevilla’s death.
Hailing from Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, Sevilla was the founder of 1Ganap Guardians and vice chairman of Duterte Alliance Hong Kong, according to the Filipino community in Hong Kong.
Friends remember him as a soft-spoken, kind and devoted father. They’ve made petitions for financial aid so that Sevilla’s family could repatriate his body to the Philippines. He is survived by his wife, Michelle, two young daughters and teen-aged daughter from a previous relationship. Alfred Bayle /ra
No foul play in OFW’s death in Malaysia, say kin
PH seeks end to ‘kafala’ system, root of OFW woes in Middle East
WATCH: Saudi Arabia man stuns OFW with his fluent Filipino
TAGS: Car Accident, Filipino, Hong Kong, Larry Sevilla
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Like many, Maurice Wilkinson grew up with walking pictures and being pestered by seaside photographers whenever his family went on holiday. The Wilkinson’s lived in Sheffield, and like many in the city Bridlington was their resort of choice as it was on a direct train line. Maurice was born in 1921 just as seaside photographers were getting into their stride, and some of the earliest photographs of him were taken by the newly established firm of Snaps in Bridlington. Indeed he was a baby in his mother’s arms in a large group photograph taken outside the Snaps office in 1921, and this one of him on a seaside donkey on the North Bay was taken the following year. The family must have liked it as they ordered some extra copies from the Snaps office at 18 Prince Street, and sent them off to his father and Aunt in Sheffield on July 10th 1922. Maurice is coping with a bucket and spade and what must have been a novel experience!
Maurice again, captured by a walking picture cameraman from Snaps in Bridlington for the first time. Up until this postcard, all the surviving Snaps portraits of the younger Maurice were taken sitting on the beach, in a deckchair, on the sea wall with relatives or sitting on a donkey. This is a classic walking picture postcard however, with Maurice arm in arm with his mother Ellen and perhaps one of his uncles. It was taken on the sea-front prom above the Bridlington North Beach. Maurice is clearly in a school blazer, marked PHS, but I don’t know of a local school which fits this. The walkie shows the problems when trying to photograph three people on the move, as to get them all in there would always be a lot of background left – or in this case plain sky.
The card was not posted, although there is a Hull address on the back, but I would put the date at around 1931 judging by other surviving walkies of Maurice.
Back to Bridlington for Maurice, this time strolling near the back of the old Floral Pavilion complex at the North end of Garrison Street. That’s his Mum but again I’m not sure if the gent is his Father (who worked as an electrical engineeer for the corporation) or an Uncle. Maurice has another school blazer on; by this time he was probably a pupil at Dronfield Grammar just outside Sheffield. Once more it’s taken by Snaps who had an office just down the street. Maurice is a few years older, and I think it dates from 1936 or so. The photograph also catches in some of the other people round about strolling along at the time, they may well have been next in line for a snap, which adds to the everyday nature of the image.
Maurice Wilkinson broadened his travel outlook beyond Bridlington in his later teenage years, and was photographed for this walking picture by Sunny Snaps in 1939 when he was 18, again I think with his mother Ellen Wilkinson. Where we’re not sure, but it most closely matches some other Sunny Snaps I have taken on Chapel Road in Worthing. Of course WW2 was only just round the corner, and after his family home just survived the Sheffield blitz in 1940 (Maurice salvaged the remains on the incendiary device which set fire to the attic and kept it, the family having fought the blaze for two hours), he joined the RAF (in a non-flying role) although I have no details of his service history.
This last walkie catches Maurice Wilkinson in a very striking beach robe in 1947! The location stumped me, but after seeing the walkie cameraman Maurice asked if he would take another couple of photos of him and his friend (not identified) stood on the wall, and one of these he then had hand-coloured as a souvenir by the Jersey firm of Beach Snaps. From that it was simple enough to locate Mount Orgueil Castle in the background. The robe appears again in a walkie taken three years later in Brighton, by which time Maurice had left the RAF for five years on the road touring in Song of Norway and Brigadoon before returning to Sheffield. For many years he ran a small hotel in Sheffield (still powered by gas light) until he retired aged 70 in 1991.
Many thanks to Giles Robinson for rescuing this material which would be landfill now if he hadn’t chanced upon it.
More on Snaps in Bridlington on the site. More on Sunny Snaps on the site.
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When Did Dr Seuss Win the Pulitzer Prize?
Famous children's story Dr Seuss won the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation Award in...
Famous children’s story Dr Seuss won the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation Award in 1984 “for his contribution over nearly half a century to the education and enjoyment of America’s children and their parents.” On of the judges recalled that it was one of the fastest decisions ever made for this prize.
Officially Dr Seuss was named Theodor Seuss Geisel. He lived from March 2, 1904 until September 24, 1991. He was a cartoonist but was mostly known for his work in children’s literature. He published over 60 books which was no doubt one of the great establishments that led him to winning the prized Pulitzer.
The Pulitzer was not the only prize he won. In 1947 Dr Seuss also won an Academy Award for Documentary Feature for a film he wrote for the United State Ariforce entitled “Death for Design.”
Oddly enough Dr Seuss never won two prizes which were much more appropriate to the view society generally takes of him, the Caldecott Medal nor the Newbery. Thee prize are specifically for children’s authors. McElligot’s Pool (1947), Bartholomew and the Oobleck (1949), and If I Ran the Zoo (1950) were all nominated for the Caldecott Medal, but never won. They are now referred to as the Caldecott Honor books.
Here are a few of Dr Suess’ other titles which may have led to his winning of the Pulitzer Prize:
And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street (1937)
The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins (1938)
The King’s Stilts (1939)
The Seven Lady Godivas (1940)
Horton Hatches the Egg (1940)
McElligot’s Pool (Caldecott Honor Book, 1947)
Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose (1948)
Bartholomew and the Oobleck (Caldecott Honor Book, 1949)
If I Ran the Zoo (Caldecott Honor Book, 1950)
Scrambled Eggs Super! (1953)
Horton Hears a Who! (1954)
On Beyond Zebra! (1955)
If I Ran the Circus (1956)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1957)
The Cat in the Hat (1957)
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back (1958)
Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories (1958)
Happy Birthday to You! (1959)
Green Eggs and Ham (1960)
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (1960)
The Sneetches and Other Stories (1961)
Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book (1962)
Dr. Seuss’s ABC (1963)
Hop on Pop (1963)
Fox in Socks (1965)
I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew (1965)
The Cat in the Hat Song Book (1967)
The Foot Book (1968)
I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today! and Other Stories (1969)
My Book about ME (Illustrated by Roy McKie, 1970)
I Can Draw It Myself (1970)
Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?: Dr. Seuss’s Book of Wonderful Noises! (1970)
The Lorax (1971)
Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! (1972)
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? (1973)
The Shape of Me and Other Stuff (1973)
There’s a Wocket in My Pocket! (1974)
Great Day for Up! (Illustrated by Quentin Blake, 1974)
Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! (1975)
The Cat’s Quizzer (1976)
I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! (1978)
Oh Say Can You Say? (1979)
Hunches in Bunches (1982)
The Butter Battle Book (1984)
You’re Only Old Once! : A Book for Obsolete Children (1986)
I Am NOT Going to Get Up Today! (Illustrated by James Stevenson, 1987)
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! (1990)
Daisy-Head Mayzie (Posthumous, 1995)
My Many Colored Days (Posthumous, illustrated by Steve Johnson with Lou Fancher, 1996)
Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! (Posthumous, from notes, with Jack Prelutsky and Lane Smith, 1998)
Gerald McBoing-Boing (Posthumous, based on story and film, 2000)
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The angry historians see one side of the question. The calm historians see nothing at all, not even the question itself. — G. K. Chesterton
Book of Saints and Heroes - Andrew Lang
Synesius, the Ostrich Hunter
If you ever read a novel called 'Hypatia,' written by Charles Kingsley, you will hear a great deal about a young man called Synesius, who came to Alexandria, in Egypt, about the year 393 A.D., to listen to her lectures, and to study in the library which was one of the wonders of the world.
Alexandria had been founded more than six hundred years before by Alexander the Great, and its lighthouse or pharos threw its beams far out into the Mediterranean. The city had a magnificent harbour which was always crowded with ships of different build, and its streets were filled with men in the costumes of all nations speaking all tongues. At the time it was built the North African coast was full of flourishing cities, of which the two most famous were Carthage and Cyrene. Carthage was, of course, built by the great traders of the old world, the Phœnicians, but the people of Cyrene were very proud of themselves as the descendants of a body of Spartans, who had come over—so the tale ran—from Greece, nobody quite knew when, and settled along the part of the coast which lay west of Egypt. Certainly the Spartans had chosen a beautiful place for their new home, for Cyrene stood on a ridge of high ground overlooking the Mediterranean, and below it was a green plain where corn grew as if by magic. There were harbours, too, in plenty, close at hand, for at that date the ships were small to our ideas, and worked by oars as well as sails, so that they could come quite near the shore and take off the cargoes which the merchants had ready for them. Very soon other towns sprang up, but none was so large or so famous as Cyrene, where a quantity of Jews speedily arrived, eager to share in the trading advantages.
When Synesius was born, about 375 A.D., the glory of Cyrene was a thing of the past. It no longer took the lead in the study of medicine, and its school of philosophy had died out. Though the sea had as yet kept it safe from the flood of barbarians of all sorts, which had for some time been pressing on the boundaries of the empire in Europe, the fierce tribes of Libya were constantly pouring in from the south, taking prisoners and holding them for ransom. Besides this, locusts—formerly almost unknown—appeared to have discovered the country, and eaten up the crops, while the houses tumbled down in frequent earthquakes, and sailors from distant lands brought horrible plagues into the once healthy province of Cyrenaica.
Such was the state of matters at the birth of Synesius.
He seems to have been the eldest of three children, his brother Euoptius coming next, while his beautiful sister, Stratonice, was the youngest. The parents of the children were rich, and had a country place near Cyrene, and as that is all we know of them it is probable that they died early and left their sons and daughter to the care of a guardian. The children were well-mannered, affectionate little creatures, and made many friends in their native city, but Synesius tells us nothing about their education, and most likely their guardians were too busy to take much trouble about it. However, Synesius, who was very proud of his Greek ancestors, had his father's good library open to him, and the study of books is the very best of all educations. The men and women who are most interesting to talk to, and who know most about things, are nearly always those who have lived with a library and in a library, and have read books because they loved them and not because they were forced to do it.
Thus it was with Synesius. When he was a very small child he could have told you stories of the Spartan boy and the fox (he may have secretly hoped that the valiant young person was one of his own forefathers), and of Perseus and Andromeda and of the Seven Labours of Herakles—from whom he really did think he was descended—and of Bellerophon, the winged horse, and many more. But as he grew older he felt that there were some books even outside the library which he wanted to read, and where could he find them as well as at Alexandria? So the guardian's consent was obtained, and when Synesius was almost eighteen and Euoptius a year younger, they took ship at the port of Apollonia and sailed eastwards to the famous city.
For several hundreds of years a colony of Jews had been settled in Alexandria. Some were engaged in trade; others, students of the Hebrew writings, collected in the immense library, destroyed later by the Mahometans; others, again, to learn mathematics and medicine in the schools. By the time that Synesius took up his abode there, the school of medicine was no longer as famous as formerly; but the books were still in the library, and lectures on Greek philosophy were given by the celebrated Hypatia to a large audience.
In this year, 393 A.D., Hypatia, though always beautiful, was not nearly so young as she is represented in the novel, but that did not matter to Synesius. They made great friends, although he some time afterwards became a Christian and she remained a pagan, and he wrote to her about everything in which he was interested. Besides attending her lectures on philosophy she gave him lessons in mathematics, and before he published his books she always read them and criticised them. Of course, in those days publishing was not quite the same as in these. An author sent his book straight to a bookseller, who added its name to a list outside the door, with the price to be paid for it. And no doubt it was he who arranged with the author as to the number of copies to be made, and settled the cost of each with the scribes who earned their living in this way.
"Synesius attends the lectures of Hypatia."
Synesius stayed in Alexandria two or three years, and during that time mixed freely with both pagans and Christians, most of them well-educated people. Now and then some order of the emperor reigning in Constantinople, or some action on the part of the bishop or his monks, would cause an outbreak on the part of the populace—it was in one of these that Hypatia later met with a horrible death—but in general each party was content to be at peace with its neighbours and obey its own laws. So Synesius went happily about among his friends, seeing everything, enjoying everything, and watched, with a lump in his throat, the tall lighthouse fading from his sight on the day that he sailed back to Cyrene.
Things had changed for the worse in the province of Cyrenaica since Synesius had left it. We do not know very much of what had happened, but we gather that some of the officials whose business it was to collect the taxes and carry out the laws, either kept back part of the money due to the Government, or took bribes from the rich in order to wink at their offences. Cyrene, like old Rome, had a senate, but the senators were powerless to fight against the governor of the five cities of Cyrenaica, who was responsible only to the Imperial Prefect itself. But one thing it could do, and that was to send an ambassador to the emperor stating the cause of complaint, and, in 397, the young Synesius was chosen for this purpose.
With what feelings of excitement Synesius must have sailed up the Ægean and gazed on the country which he always considered his native land. Almost every name recalled something to him, some story, or some event in the great past of Greece, and how his heart burned to think that only a year earlier the Gothic invaders had dared to tread that sacred soil and destroy the ancient landmarks.
With thoughts such as these crowding upon him, Synesius entered Constantinople. It did not take him long to understand that only a miracle could save the city from ruin. The reigning emperor, Arcadius, was a poor, weak creature, governed entirely by his wife or by his minister and slave, Eutropius. This Eutropius was a person entirely without shame, who put up to auction all public posts. The richest man, therefore, could always obtain the highest office, and the money went into the pocket of Eutropius. Everybody knew this and bore him a bitter hatred, but there was only one man who did not fear him, the bishop John, surnamed Chrysostom, or the golden-mouthed, whose prayer you read every Sunday in church.
The insurrection of a colony of Goths, established in Asia Minor, brought about the downfall of Eutropius, for one of the conditions of peace made by the rebels was the head of the minister. For a moment the emperor wavered; even to him there seemed something base in giving up his servant, but his wife had no such hesitations.
'If they demand Eutropius' head, they can have it,' said she; and as ill-news flies fast, her words shortly reached the ears of the doomed man. Without losing an instant he fled for sanctuary to the altar of the great church of St. Sophia, forgetting in his terror that he himself had declared that there was no refuge for man even in the Holy of Holies.
Next day a vast crowd filled the church, but the excited murmurs died down into silence as the bishop went up the pulpit stairs and turned to gaze at his enemy, clinging to the altar. After a stern rebuke of the wickedness of his deed he begged the multitude who listened to him to spare Eutropius' life. The appeal was unexpected and for some time no one could tell what counsels would prevail. Still in the end Chrysostom gained the day; Eutropius was sent into exile and allowed to live a little longer.
It must have been a wonderful scene if Synesius was there to witness it, but it was by no means the last or the worst that he was destined to see. The Goths demanded more victims and the emperor was ready to yield them. The barbarians likewise required to be allowed to enter Constantinople, and soon there was fierce fighting in the streets. At last they were got rid of, and for a while Arcadius breathed freely.
Now that these enemies were disposed of, Synesius felt that his long waiting was over, and that there was a chance of obtaining an audience with the emperor. According to custom, he appeared before Arcadius with a golden circlet for an offering, and began his speech. It was very long and very eloquent, and pointed clearly out to the emperor where his duty lay, but only a man as young as Synesius would have expected any good to result from it. Most likely Arcadius did not even listen, but the Cyrenian ambassador was satisfied at having fulfilled his mission and had no doubts but that for the future all would go well with Cyrenaica.
Having finished his business with the emperor, Synesius felt himself free to give his attention to astronomy, of which he was very fond, and he made a kind of map of the heavens, marking the sun's path through the constellations, and the places of the different stars. In the midst of this fascinating study, he was rudely reminded that something else existed besides the sky, by an earthquake which frightened the people of Constantinople out of their senses. The churches had never been so crowded before; everyone wanted to confess his sins and obtain absolution for them. Synesius, however, was of another mind, and he rushed down to the sea where he got on board a ship that was sailing for Alexandria. When he was safely out of the harbour—although the voyage was so bad he only exchanged one danger for another—he remembered that he still owed money to various tradesmen in Constantinople, and this he carefully paid as soon as he arrived at Cyrene.
After the bustle of his life in Constantinople, Synesius settled down for some years in his native province passing the summer on his country estate.
He could always make himself happy wherever he was and find enjoyment in little things. He could forget the bad harvests and dark tales of what the Goths were doing in Italy, in the lively talk of his friends, in the books he was writing, in the wonders of the desert which bordered Cyrenaica, and in the supreme joy of a short visit to Athens. Then, when he was twenty-eight he went over to Alexandria to be married to a girl whom he had probably met at the time he was living there. We do not know very much about her, not even her name, but she seems to have made Synesius quite happy, and to have looked well after their children. One thing we gather about her, in spite of his silence, and that is, she was a Christian, for the ceremony was performed by the Bishop of Alexandria, though Synesius himself was as yet unbaptised.
There was soon a large nursery of children in the house, for besides his own boys and girls Synesius took charge for some time of his nephew Dioscurius, the son of Euoptius, and also of a daughter of his sister Stratonice, who had married as her first husband a man named Theodosius, an official of the Imperial Court. Synesius may have made the acquaintance of this little niece when he had gone there on his embassy, but at any rate he was so fond of her that one of his letters is full of lamentations, when, at the end of her visit to him, he was obliged to give her up to his brother Euoptius, then living on the seashore a few miles from Cyrene.
'I shall often come to see you,' he said, as he put her into her litter with her nurse, and ordered his slaves to watch over her till she reached the end of her journey. Phycus, the home of Euoptius, was only a few miles from Cyrene, and Synesius could easily have walked over there in the afternoon, and would have done so if he had been alive now. But the only time he spoke of walking, his whole household looked at each other in speechless horror.
'As if any gentleman would dream of going on foot beyond his own garden!' they whispered to each other in hushed voices, and somehow when Synesius called for his cloak to protect him from the night air, it had mysteriously disappeared. He had known by experience the chills which come on in the south at sunset, and dared not venture without it, and for that day he was obliged to stay at home.
Though he was always ready to join in the children's games, Synesius looked after their education himself and did not entrust it entirely to tutors. Most likely he told them in the evenings the tales of Greece which he had learned as a little boy from his own mother—the beautiful fairy stories as well as the things that really happened; how Leonidas and his three hundred Spartans defeated the Persians in the Pass of Thermopylæ; how the rulers of Carthage, the town which they should some day visit westwards beyond the setting sun, had sent forth Hannibal, one of their bravest generals, to conquer Rome, and how he had failed in consequence of their wicked treatment of him. These and other tales they heard, and listened to them with breathless interest. 'If you want to know the saddest story in the whole world,' he would say, 'you can read it by and bye in this roll containing the book of Thucydides, with his account of the Sicilian expedition, and if you wish to hear how Egypt appeared to a Greek traveller 800 years ago, you will find all sorts of funny things in Herodotus.' He also took pains that, young as they were, they should learn the most splendid passages in the Greek and Roman poets, and every morning Dioscurius, who seems older than the rest, came to his room and repeated to him fifty lines of poetry.
In Cyrene, Synesius had many slaves to do the work of the estate. The greater number of these had been born in the service of the family and were quite as much interested in seeing that everything was well done as Synesius himself. 'Ah! if that man had always lived here, he would never have dreamed of running away,' he said once of a slave who had disappeared, and when another, who had come from a distance proved too drunken to keep, his master merely sent him home with the remark, that vice always brought its own punishment.
Great was the rejoicing among the children—his own and probably some others also—when the time arrived for them all to go into the country. It was not only the change and the freedom that they liked, but the people were an endless amusement to them as well as to their father.
'Just fancy! they have never seen fish before!' they shrieked with delight, on watching the farmers and labourers crowding round a barrel of salt fish which had just arrived from Egypt.
'Come near,' whispered one of the band, 'and let us listen to what they say.'
'Why they seem quite frightened,' cried another, 'at the idea of anything living in water!'
'Well, of course,' answered the eldest, who had read more and travelled more than the rest, 'there are no rivers here, and it would never do to have things living in wells. But you are too small to know anything about that,' and he moved away with his head in the air, leaving the little boys much subdued behind him.
Although Synesius was always happy in the country, whether he was ostrich-hunting or observing the bees in their hives, or drilling his children or studying some new question of the day, he was not a very successful farmer, and it was lucky for him that the soil was so rich that the crops almost grew of themselves. The slopes were covered with olives which gave them oil for their lamps, grapes grew on trellises or trees, the fields were yellow with barley, figs were everywhere. Goats, from which they got their milk, jumped about and tried to butt the passers-by; while camels, horses and cattle were proudly shown off to Synesius' visitors. He made a collection, too, of the arms used by the various tribes in the district, and spent many hours practising with them. On wet days he shut himself up with his books, and wrote a great many letters and pamphlets which we still have, and at these times he was happiest of all.
During the year after his marriage some of the barbarians that dwelt in the surrounding country flung themselves, as they frequently did, upon the rich Pentapolis, or district of the Five Cities, and laid waste the crops and drove off the cattle. They also besieged some of the towns, in one of which Synesius was for a time shut up. We do not know what became of his wife during this time. Perhaps she had been sent back at the first hint of danger to her relations in Alexandria, and Synesius would certainly have felt more free without her. From the besieged town he managed somehow to get a letter conveyed to a friend in Syria begging for some of the native arrows, which were far better than those of Egypt, and also for a horse called Italus, which had some time before been offered to him, probably as a wedding present. In all ways he did his utmost to spur the citizens to resistance, but does not appear to have been very successful, as they were extremely reluctant to wield the lances, swords, axes, and clubs he provided for them. Happily the enemy melted away this time, though another soon sprang up, and the blades of the weapons were never suffered to grow rusty if he could help it.
The year 409 was the most important in the life of Synesius, for it found him a country gentleman, a farmer, a student, a philosopher, even a soldier; and left him, as yet unbaptised, the chosen bishop of the city of Ptolemais.
'I would rather die than be a bishop,' he writes to a friend at the end of the eight months allowed him by the Patriarch of Alexandria to make up his mind, for he knew that his consecration would mean the giving up of almost everything he cared about, if he was to do his duty. Yet there was a general feeling, not only amidst the bishops and Patriarch of the Egyptian Church, but also among the people of the Pentapolis, whose consent was needed, that he was the only man who could stand between them and the barbarians from the south—every year more daring and troublesome. It was thought, too, and not without reason, that his word would have influence with the men in power at the court of Constantinople, many of whom were his friends. So the result of these considerations was that one day Synesius received a letter saying that he had been appointed bishop by the voice of the clergy and of the people.
It came to him as a great surprise, though, of course, he knew of many instances—as for example, that of Ambrose—when a man who was not even in orders had been compelled to undergo consecration. He turned over the matter from every point of view for some time, and at length wrote an answer to his brother, then in Alexandria, which was also to be shown to his friends in the city and to the Patriarch Theophilus.
'He had all his life been a learner,' he says, 'and how does he know that he is fitted to become a teacher?' Though he has loved the society of his fellow-men, his happiest hours were those which he passed alone. As a bishop he will have to be at the beck and call of every one, and he will hardly find a single moment in which to examine his own soul. Still, if it is his duty to accept office, he will be ready to set aside his studies, and to relinquish the amusements which have been so great a pleasure to him; he will consent to let his hounds pine in vain for a hunt, and his bow rot upon the wall. But one thing he will never give up, and that is his wife, and more than that, he will suffer no compromise such as others have made with their consciences, and will live openly with her as before. He closes the letter by pointing out certain subjects on which he desires more teaching and explanation, and leaves the decision to the electors.
In reply, the Patriarch bade him take eight months to weigh the matter, and at the end of this period Synesius gave in to their wishes, though holding fast to his own principles. 'If he finds that he is unfitted to do the work demanded of him,' he says, 'he will resign and go to Greece.' So with a firm intention to fulfil the duties thrust upon him, he accepted baptism, and immediately after was consecrated Bishop of Ptolemais.
The three years of life remaining to him were spent in labouring for his people and in trying to forget in his work the troubles and sorrows which crowded upon him. To a man who had always felt that others had as much right to their own consciences as he himself, it was painful as well as tiresome to be continually inquiring into the particular religious principles of the dwellers in his diocese; to pass hours deciding their quarrels and in writing to officials either at Alexandria or Constantinople, to complain of the exaction of a tax-gatherer or the corruption of a magistrate. Yet he had to do all these things, besides conducting the services in his own church, watching carefully over the men who were allowed to preach in his diocese and making visitations to every part that he might see with his own eyes how his rules were carried out. If he could sometimes have had a day's hunting or a few hours alone with his books, he would have gone back rested to his work, but there was never a moment he could call his own.
He had counted the cost when he accepted the charge, and he paid the price in full.
Synesius and his family no longer lived in Cyrene or in the country. Those two homes had to be parted with, as well as other things, when he was made a bishop; and Ptolemais, further to the west, and once the port of Carthage, was where they now lived. But no sooner had they settled there than one of Synesius' little boys fell ill. Every instant that his father could spare was, we may be sure, spent with the dying child; but besides the duties demanded of him by the Church, the bishop was engaged in a hard struggle with the newly-appointed Governor of the Pentapolis, Andronicus by name, who was grinding down and oppressing the people. At length a meeting was called, and after Synesius had spoken on the difficulty of his position in having to keep order in the land as well as in the Church, he read out the sentence of excommunication passed by the clergy against 'Andronicus of Berenice, born and bred to be the curse of the Pentapolis,' whereby he and those that went with him were cut off from God and man.
The tyrant was not strong enough to stand for long against the power of the bishop, and shortly after the resignation which was forced upon him, he died miserably.
Scarcely was this affair settled than another of the children fell ill and died in a few days. But again Synesius was forced to put aside his private grief and take thought for the defence of the country, which was harassed by the raids of some tribes of barbarians, who took delight in kidnapping the children in order that they might be taught to fight against their own countrymen. The skilful young General, Anysius, beat them back for a while; but after he was recalled by order of the Prefect of Constantinople, things became worse than ever, for the new leader was old and useless. In this desperate state of things, Synesius not only used all his influence to obtain a larger army and a better general, but worked hard himself at the defences, and often shared the duties of the common soldiers.
His work and his sorrow together proved too much for him, and a letter to his old friend Hypatia, in the year 413, tells a sad tale of weakness that is fast overpowering him. We do not hear anything of his wife, and it is uncertain if at this moment she is alive or not, but the death of his third son gave him the final blow. He had no strength and no wish to continue his labours as bishop, and there are signs in one of the last letters we possess, that he intended ending his days in a hermitage. Whether he lived long enough to do this we cannot tell, but this much we know, that in the year 413 a severe illness overtook him, and after that his history is a blank. It is better to think that he died then, for he had been taken from the life that suited him and thrust into a place for which he was not fitted, and the effort to live up to what was required of him wore him out.
The First of the Hermits
The Roses from Paradise
The Saint with the Lion
The Struggles of St. Augustine
Germanus the Governor
Malchus the Monk
The Saint on the Pillar
The Apostle of Northumbria
St. Columba
Brendan the Sailor
The Charm Queller
Dunstan the Friend of Kings
St. Margaret of Scotland
Saint and King
The Preacher to the Birds
Richard the Bishop
The Apostle of the Japanese
The Servant of the Poor
The Founder of Hospitals
The Patron Saint of England
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Andy McKee Added To Under The Bridge!
09. May 2017 · Write a comment · Categories: Music News · Tags: 2017, Andy McKee, Hifi News, Under The Bridge
Under the Bridge welcomes Andy McKee, one of the world’s finest and most technically gifted acoustic guitarists, whose playing touches upon bluegrass, progressive rock, and classical music.
Andy is a self-taught musician who grew up studying cassettes and CDs of artists as diverse as Preston Reed, Don Ross, Billy McLaughlin, Michael Hedges, Eric Johnson and Dream Theater. He absorbed the work of 1980s acts including Toto and Tears For Fears, applying his impressionistic chord work and dynamic understanding into sincere renditions of pop standards such as Tears For Fears’ Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Toto’s Africa and of Stairway To Heaven.
“I write instrumental music to say things I don’t have words for” Andy Mckee
With his unique slap and pop guitar technique, inspired by Earth Wind & Fire’s bassist Verdine White, McKee has achieved millions upon millions of YouTube viewers, underscoring his emergence as one of today’s most influential artists. McKee’s skill and dexterity has seen him tour alongside acts including Prince and Dream Theatre, as well as collaborating with some of the greatest guitarists in the world, including Lee Ritenour and Don Ross.
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Lee's Summit Medical Center receives Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award
Lee's Summit Medical Center receives...
Lee's Summit Medical Center August 30, 2010
Joseph Meyer was relaxing in his favorite chair at home on the evening of February 13, 2010, when he first detected a weakness in his right side.
“It went away fairly quickly that night,” says Joseph, who retired to bed and didn’t think much more about the occurrence.
When Meyer experienced the same physical symptoms a few days later and they didn’t go away, he became alarmed. He made an appointment to see his doctor, Erick Guerra, MD, of Family Practice Physicians in Lee’s Summit, that same day. During the office visit, Dr. Guerra sent Joseph to the Emergency Department at Lee’s Summit Medical Center. Upon his arrival, the medical team quickly determined that the otherwise healthy 60-year-old had suffered from a stroke.
Joseph’s wife, Julie, says her husband was extremely lucky. “We didn't recognize the symptoms as those indicating a stroke,” says Julie. “Fortunately, the delay in getting him treatment doesn’t seem to have done any damage.”
Joseph prescribes to the time-honored adage of “hindsight is 20/20,” noting that he freely offers advice to friends and family about his experience, cautioning them to heed the early signs of a stroke. Although Joseph’s stroke was considered minor by his doctors, resulting treatment delays could have had long-term or permanent effects, such as slurred speech or loss of vision.
Lee’s Summit Medical Center, part of HCA Midwest Health System, has received the 2010 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award. The award recognizes Lee’s Summit Medical Center’s commitment and success in implementing excellent care for stroke patients—such as Joseph Meyer—according to evidence-based guidelines.
Get With The Guidelines–Stroke advocates that doctors and hospitals provide “teachable moments” to patients soon after a stroke, when they are most likely to listen to and follow their healthcare professionals’ guidance. Studies demonstrate that patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a second heart attack or stroke.
Lee’s Summit Medical Center achieved 85 percent or higher adherence to all the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Performance Achievement Indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month intervals and 75 percent or higher compliance with six of 10 Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Measures, which are reporting initiatives to measure quality of care. These measures include aggressive use of medications, such as tPA, antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol reducing drugs and smoking cessation, all aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients.
“When someone is having a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award demonstrates Lee’s Summit Medical Center’s commitment to being one of the top hospitals in the country for providing aggressive, proven stroke care,” says Damond Boatwright, chief executive officer of Lee’s Summit Medical Center. “We will continue with our model on providing stroke care, which has been shown in scientific literature to quickly and efficiently treat stroke patients like Joseph Meyer.”
Stroke is the number three killer in the United States and a leading cause of long-term, severe disability, according to the American Stroke Association. Joseph knows that responding to a warning stroke can help prevent a major stroke in the future. “Get to the nearest Emergency Department with back-up from a certified Stroke Center as quickly as possible,” stresses Joseph. “Don’t think, ‘Maybe this will go away.’”
“Lee’s Summit Medical Center is to be commended for its commitment to implementing standards of care and protocols for treating stroke patients,” says Lee H. Schwamm, MD, chair of the Get With The Guidelines National Steering Committee and director of the TeleStroke and Acute Stroke Services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “The full implementation of acute care and secondary prevention recommendations and guidelines is a critical step in saving the lives and improving outcomes of stroke patients.”
tags: award , stroke care
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Peripheral Neuropaty
Making the Connection
Posted on April 11, 2019 April 12, 2019 by yec14002
By Stacey Mancarella
Illustrations by Yesenia Carrero
A rare but debilitating condition, hereditary amyloidosis (hATTR) presents as seemingly unrelated illnesses that mask the root cause. But increased awareness and new treatment options bring hope for sufferers of this devastating genetic condition.
We hear of it too often in health care. Even with the most diligent doctors and patients, sometimes figuring out the correct diagnosis of a rare medical condition can be a challenge.
Unexplained weight loss and diarrhea. Shortness of breath during exercise. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Weakness and difficulty balancing that gets progressively worse. Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet. Symptoms like these point to different culprits, bringing patients to a variety of specialists and glimmers of hope as they find potential answers. But treating one symptom doesn’t help the others, and everything gets worse.
This particular collection of ailments, among other symptoms, points to hereditary amyloidosis (hATTR), a devastating genetic disease that, up until recently, was considered untreatable. Dr. Fernanda Wajnsztajn is all too familiar with the plight of her patients who have searched in vain for a diagnosis. A neurologist at the UConn Health neuropathy clinic, Wajnsztajn specializes in peripheral neuropathy, damage or disease of the peripheral nervous system.
“Because some of the symptoms of hereditary amyloidosis are also seen in a variety of diseases, some of my patients went to several doctors for years until hATTR was suspected,” she says. “With a detailed history, we are also able to trace the heritage of patients, and, often, patients realize during the interview that some their relatives also have similar symptoms.”
Now these families have options. New drug treatments have been approved to treat neuropathy, the nerve pain, tingling, or numbness that’s a symptom of this little-known disease, and doctors at UConn Health have assembled a team to tackle hATTR head on.
Interpreting the Evidence
Wajnsztajn has been aware of hATTR since her days at Columbia University, where she was involved in research and clinical trials for hATTR therapies. Only about 50,000 people worldwide are affected by hATTR, “but we suspect that many cases go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed,” Wajnzsztajn says. “Our goal is to reach those people.”
Hereditary amyloidosis is caused by a hereditary mutation of the TTR gene. If one parent carries the gene mutation, offspring have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the disease. Hereditary amyloidosis wreaks havoc on the body by depositing amyloid proteins into organs, most commonly the heart, nerves, and digestive tract. These deposits cause the organs to function improperly, which eventually leads to a myriad of debilitating symptoms.
Even though the gene mutation is present at birth, most patients don’t experience symptoms until well into adulthood. And even once symptoms start, it can take years for a proper diagnosis.
“Hereditary amyloidosis is not a well-known disease. The patient can present with a history of heart problems and receive a diagnosis of polyneuropathy, but if the doctor isn’t familiar with it, they won’t put it together. It’s easy to miss,” Wajnsztajn says.
For example, two of the most common symptoms of hereditary amyloidosis are carpal tunnel and cardiomyopathy, or heart muscle disease. Because these two diseases are seemingly unrelated and treated by different kinds of doctors, hereditary amyloidosis can go undetected. The average delay in diagnosis is four years, and in that time, amyloid is continuously deposited into the affected organs, causing symptoms to worsen.
Even with the new treatments, a timely diagnosis is important as the medications cannot reverse the symptoms but only prevent further protein deposits that cause the condition to worsen. The earlier a patient can be identified and a course of treatment initiated, the slower the disease will progress.
Dr. Fernanda Wajnsztajn (left) and Dr. Sarah Tabtabai discuss a patient case.
UConn Health’s multidisciplinary approach can shorten this delay, giving patients relief sooner and stopping hATTR in its tracks. Cardiologists at the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center work hand in hand with neurologists from the peripheral nerve disease clinic to examine a patient’s symptoms, get that crucial neuropathy or polyneuropathy diagnosis, and schedule them for genetic testing to confirm a hATTR diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment can begin very quickly, and the deposition of amyloid into the organs is halted within weeks — sometimes within days — thanks to neurologists, cardiologists, neuropathy testing, and an infusion center to administer treatment being all in one place.
Two treatment options currently exist, one that’s infused intravenously every three weeks, the other given by weekly subcutaneous injection. These new treatments work by inhibiting the body’s ability to create the amyloid protein. They reduce the amount of the protein the liver can make by 84 percent, improving the patient’s quality of life. Clinical trials are ongoing, with the hope that such medications can treat other types of amyloidosis as well.
“Before medicines like this came along, there was really no therapy for this particular heart disease. It’s progressive and very debilitating, and the hereditary type, in particular, occurs in younger people,” says Dr. Sarah Tabtabai, cardiologist at the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center at UConn Health.
Previously attempted treatments for hATTR symptoms were drastic, sometimes including heart transplants or heart and liver transplants, Tabtabai says. But with the new medications, “patients have had good outcomes with both their neurologic disease and their heart disease, and it sort of keeps things at bay.”
Close collaboration between the departments makes everything go smoothly for patients who have already waited so long for answers, says Wajnsztajn.
“We work very closely with cardiology to obtain the appropriate exams for diagnosis as quickly as possible. Despite being a challenging or daunting diagnosis, our patients feel fortunate that they finally have answers, and we are able to provide the most advanced treatments along with the support necessary,” she says.
Because of the high rate of misdiagnosis, the companies that produce the new medications are currently offering free screenings for patients with suspected hereditary amyloidosis. A patient simply has to schedule the genetic test at UConn Health, and the billing is handled directly through the hospital, creating a streamlined process for the patient.
Early diagnosis of hATTR can also bring awareness to family members who might be afflicted.
“Once a patient is diagnosed with hereditary amyloidosis, we can test blood relatives as well to identify any members of their family who may also have this disease,” Tabtabai says. “The hope is that, down the line, we can offer medications like this sooner, before patients become symptomatic or right at the onset of symptoms so that they fare even better as time goes on.”
Mysterious Symptoms
Hereditary amyloidosis is a rare, debilitating disease that affects an estimated 50,000 people worldwide. But because of seemingly unrelated symptoms tied to an array of illnesses, experts believe many more people are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. If a patient is experiencing two or more of the following symptoms, they may be a candidate for hATTR screening tests:
Peripheral neuropathy symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and burning in the feet and hands
Kidney problems including nephrotic syndrome and renal failure
To refer a patient for a free hereditary amyloidosis screening, call 860-679-7505.
Posted in Clinical Innovations Tagged cardiology, Cardiomyopathy, Carpal Tunnel, Dr. Fernanda Wajnsztajn, Dr. Sarah Tabtabai, Genetic Disease, hATTR, Hereditary Amyloidosis, Hereditary Disease, neurology, Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center, Peripheral Neuropaty, Rare Diseases
Physician Spotlight
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Sally Hart
excerpt from wikipedia —
Sally Flynn is an American singer and musician (also known as Sally Hart) who was a featured performer on The Lawrence Welk Show television program.
A graduate of Brigham Young University (BYU), she and BYU classmate Sandi Griffiths joined the The Lawrence Welk Show in 1968 as the singing act of Sandi & Salli. The duo was very popular on the show until late 1972, when Sally left to pursue a solo career on Broadway.
Read more about Sally Hart
excerpt from artist website —
Guitarist/vocalist Rich Walker has been playing Jazz and Blues for thirty years, both on the road and in the Orlando area. In recent years, he has emerged as a leader, as an extraordinary soloist, and a very exciting Jazz/Blues vocalist.
Read more about Rich Walker
Sammy Figueroa Latin Explosion
from official webiste short bio -
Read more about Sammy Figueroa Latin Explosion
Roseanna Vitro
excerpt from her official website biography -
Having toured the world as an esteemed performer, clinician, recording artist, vocal instructor and ambassador, she has proven herself a reigning member of the jazz community. Her collaborations, covering a wide range of music and stylistic directions, have been cited and celebrated, far and wide.
Read more about Roseanna Vitro
Allan Vache
Allan Vache (born December 16, 1953 in Rahway, New Jersey) is an American jazz clarinetist, and brother of the noted jazz cornetist Warren Vache.
Read more about Allan Vache
Christian Tamburr
Christian Tamburr is a multi-instrumentalist, accomplished on the piano and trapset as well as world and orchestral percussion. However, his true talent is exhibited on his instrument of choice, the vibraphone. Confirmed when Downbeat Magazine awarded him "Outstanding Solo Jazz Performer". Christian currently leads the critically acclaimed Christian Tamburr Quartet, a four-piece acoustic jazz group. From 2006 till 2008 Christian toured around the world as pianist and musical director for Latin vocal legend Julio Iglesias.
Read more about Christian Tamburr
Ira Sullivan
excerpt from Ira Sullivan's website -
Read more about Ira Sullivan
Al Stevens
Al Stevens has been writing books and magazine articles for the past twenty-five years. His published works include fiction and computer programming and usage books. Here is Al's Amazon Author Page.
He was the C Programming Columnist for Dr. Dobb's Journal from 1988 until 2003.
Al is also a jazz musician with many performance and recording credits. He plays piano, string bass, trumpet, valve trombone, and saxophone.
Read more about Al Stevens
Corky Siegel
Corky Siegel's professional music career began in 1964, when he met guitarist Jim Schwall. Both were studying music at Roosevelt University in Chicago. The two became a duo, performing blues music. They landed a regular gig at Pepper's Lounge, where well known, established blues musicians such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Willie Dixon would often sit in. After a while the duo became a quartet, the Siegel-Schwall Band.
Read more about Corky Siegel
Brian Seeger
excerpt from his website bio -
Read more about Brian Seeger
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Francesca Abony
https://ilovegoldie.com/blogs/goldie-studio-blog-news-for-sustainable-fashion-lifestyle-and-art/abasi-rosborough-e-pluribus-unum
Agolde 90's Collection
Amur Fall 2017 Collection
andreas kronthaler
Andreas Kronthaler and Vivienne Westwood SS17 Collection
Autumn Winter 2017 Collection
classic fit jeans
Feminist Fashion
Korean Sustainable Fashion
La Brand Sustainable Fashion
Pam Anderson
Pansy's 2017 Collection
Pansy's Ode to Solange
pretaporter
Punk Fashion
Recycled art
Reformation Fashion
Repurposed Art
Retro Super Future Sunglasses
stellamccartney
Stuart Haygarth
Sustainable Dance Clothing
Sustainable Fall Clothes
Sustainable Sunglasses
Sustainable Underwear
sustainablefashion
Sustianable Brown Outfits
The Fifth Label 2017 Collection
Tome NYC 2017 Collection NYFW
Vivienne Westwood Autumn Winter 2017 Collection
WayHome Arts & Music Festival
Abasi Rosborough 'E Pluribus Unum'
If art is inherently political, then menswear label’s Abasi Rosborough’s new collection “E Pluribus Unum” serves as a powerful reminder that fashion, despite modern mass consumption and production, is at its core still incontestably art. The presentation of the collection on the label’s site features quotes from legendary protesters, such as Dr. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, interspersed with different looks and outfits, many of which also bear reference to rebellion or a disruption of the status quo. “E Pluribus Unum” ultimately shows us that Abasi Rosborough’s garments are a reflection of our time, of current unrest and the desire for change- at least as much as they are a reflection of the designers themselves.
Abasi Rosborough was started by Abdul Abasi and Greg Rosborough. With Rosborough referencing his prior career in sports and Abasi drawing from many years of service in the U.S. military, the pair have created a line that blends these differing experiences harmoniously and in a distinctly modern approach to menswear. Rosborough also pulls inspiration from his Scottish origins and Abasi, his Nigerian, though the two have also made a point of drawing inspiration from a variety of locations and cultures across the globe.
So what exactly is “E Pluribus Unum”, as both a saying and as Abasi Rosborough’s latest collection? In broader terms, it is a Latin phrase that translates to “out of many, one”, and it is considered to be the “traditional” or original motto of the United States. For Abasi Rosborough, though, “E Pluribus Unum” is an exploration of political dissatisfaction and journey through protest, all conceived in terms of cut, line, color, and fabric.
While the timing of such a collection is undoubtedly precise- that is, “E Pluribus Unum” is by its nature a reflection of the current political atmosphere both in the United States and the world at large- the clothing itself appears to draw inspiration from a variety of eras. Outfits presented next to Tolstoy quotes seem evocative of peasantry, of working classes and styles present during the Russian Revolution, leaning on dark colors, long coats, fingerless gloves, combat boots, and loose cloth caps. Similarly, a particular garment in the collection- that is, the red and black coat which falls to the model’s thigh and possesses a thick strap connecting the two sides of the jacket, appears referential to uniforms worn during the American Revolution. Still other looks feel more recent, like the red plaid kerchief tied around the lower half of a model’s face, which to an American viewer in particular might elicit some of the imagery and emotions of the Ferguson protests of 2014 and 2015.
Keeping in mind the designers’ backgrounds in the military and in sports, perhaps Abasi Rosborough was the brand best suited to produce “E Pluribus Unum” . Here, the frustrations of subjugated peoples have been interwoven with professionalism, a sense of purpose; Abasi Rosborough has turned the fashions of those so often deemed criminals, thugs, and troublemakers into a collective uniform, one that appears to draw not only from the fashion of protesters, but from the uniforms of the military and athletics, as well.
While it’s true that “E Pluribus Unum” calls upon global influences, it is also distinctly American. There is purpose in the collection’s many references to communism and civil rights- movements which, historically speaking, have been and continue to be discredited in the U.S. as being “un-American”. More specifically, there is purpose in pairing these references with references to the American Revolution and the founding of the nation, from the one soldier-like strap of the one red coat to the titling of the collection after the original motto of the United States. Through “E Pluribus Unum”, Abasi Rosborough almost seems to be suggesting that protest and rebellion are essential qualities of the United States, rather than violations of the country’s larger ethical standard.
First launched in 2013, Abasi Rosborough considers itself to be eco-friendly and is currently based out of New York City.
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ArcheryGB News
Archery Beginner Courses
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HAA AGM Date 2020
Written by Pauline Hunton
Next AGM - 12 March 2020
The AGM will be held at Fleming Park Leisure Centre, Eastleigh, SO50 9NL
The AGM will commence at 20:00 hrs.
All members are welcome to attend.
Maia Daborn - East Hampshire Sports Awards
On the 13 March 2019 at the East Hampshire Sports Awards, Maia Daborn won 'Coach of the Year'. The award ceremony was hosted by Roger Black MBE, European, Commonwealth and World Championship Gold Medal Winner in athletics and the awards were presented by former Captain of the England Women's Cricket Team, Charlotte Edwards CBE.
It was a very proud moment for her Dad, Mike, watching and listening to Maia speak passionately about her love of archery in front of a very large audience.
Well done Maia.
NATIONAL COUNTY TEAM TOURNAMENT 2019 - Team Selection
Written by Nick Loader
Following a number of withdrawals, this is where we now stand with regards to team selection. I am working on filling the outstanding vacancies and hope to have all details confirmed soon.
GENTS RECURVE...………… 2 teams.
Chris Baigent
Sonnie Emeney
Richard Buckner
James Towle
Julian Piper
James Wrigley
LADIES RECURVE...………..1 team
Lisa Gray
Rachel van Besouw
GENTS COMPOUND...……… 2 teams
Luke Ralls
Mark Haldane
Francis Rocha
Andrew Nightingale
LADIES COMPOUND...…….. 2 teams
Lucy O'Sullivan
Ruth Watson
Victoria Loader
Zoe Gray
Sophie Meyrick
Gen Witham
GENTS BAREBOW...………….. 1 team
Alan Holder
Nick Hayball
Brett Stringer
GENTS LONGBOW...………….. 1 team
Steve Yates
Ciaran Finn
Andy Sollars
LADIES LONGBOW...………….. 1 team
Rebecca Giddings
Tina Grace
If any of those selected above cannot now make it on the weekend of 29th and 30th June, please let me know as soon as possible. I do have some people waiting in reserve but it is only fair to them to make decisions quickly.
Many Thanks to those who expressed an interest but did not make the team. Your time will come!
Good Shooting!
SCAS INTER-COUNTY POSTAL LEAGUE - JANUARY 2019 RESULTS
The first set of results (both team and individual) have now been published. Awesome start for the Hampshire County Team!
Recurve Team...……………..1st place.
Compound Team...………….1st place.
Junior Team...………………..1st place.
Longbow Team...…………….2nd place.
Barebow Team...…………….2nd place.
Full results can be found at https://scasarchery.org.uk
Please keep those scores coming in for February and March and encourage other Hampshire archers to get involved.
We can win this!
SCAS INTER-COUNTY POSTAL LEAGUE - JANUARY 2019
Team scores for the January round of the SCAS Inter-County Postal League have now been submitted to the league organiser.
We had a fantastic response from Hampshire archers with a total of 143 scores submitted for consideration (56 Recurve, 27 Compound, 24 Longbow, 19 Barebow and 17 Junior).
My thanks to everyone involved, especially to Steve Yates (Guernsey), Angela Perrett (Jersey), Lee Grace (I.o.W), Richard Buckner (Overton) and Andy Sollars (Waterside) who all acted as coordinators to submit scores from their clubs.
Teams were made up as follows:
Winter League 2018/19
County HAMPSHIRE
Month:- JANUARY
Senior Recurve
Damian Creese...….........Andover...………….577
Lisa Gray..................…...Guernsey.........…….576
Sonnie Emeny…………..Southsea...…………575
Peter Parsons...………...Waterside......……...574
Dominic Collis...………...AC Delco......…...….573
Chris Newman.........…...Andover...............….573
Richard Buckner......…...Overton...……...…...573
James Towle......……….AC Delco...…………572
Total Recurve................................................4593
Senior Compound
Lee Miller.........…......…Waterside......…...….592
Ruth Watson...………...Andover...…………...582
Vicky Loader......………Andover...………...…582
Lee Grace...…………...Wight Bowmen...…...581
Paul Baptiste............….Andover...…………...579
Zoe Gray............……...Guernsey...………….579
Total Compound.......................................….3495
Senior Longbow
Andy Sollars......…...….Waterside.........……..476
Steve Yates......……….Guernsey...……...…..445
Alan Blowers...…......…Andover............……..438
Mike Loveridge......…...Andover...……………438
Gen Witham.................Guernsey...................350
Total Longbow..........................................….2147
Senior Barebow
Brett Stringer......……...Andover.........……….542
Richard Heathcote...…Talisman.........…...….537
Alan Holder...………….Forest of Bere...…….533
Tina Gracell...………...Wight Bowmen……...478
Total Barebow..............................................2090
Matthew Cotillard...…..Jersey...……………...573
Jodie Buckner......…….Overton...……………540
Evan Oatley......………West Wight.........……538
Paul Williams...……….Andover............……..536
Mollie Perrett...……….Jersey...............……..535
Sophie Meyrick......…..Andover...…...……….515 *
Holly Baguley...………Southampton......…….513
Aspen Salisbury...…...Alton..................……..510
Total Juniors.............................................….4260
* Adjusted score. Actual score 572 but Compound scores have 10% deduction for Junior team.
Full list of scores submitted have been sent to coordinators mentioned above. If anyone else wants a copy, please let me have your email address.
Round 2 opens on 1st February and will close on 21st February. All scores to be submitted to me by midnight on 22nd February.
HAA County Team Manager
CALLING ALL HAMPSHIRE JUNIORS!
Level One Coaching Course
HAMPSHIRE TEAM TRAINING
SCAS Inter Counties Postal League 2018 - 2019
National County Team Tournament
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Events Coming Up
Andover Double 1440
09:45AM -
The Bowmen of Petersfield’s Saint Tournament and Halo Longbow Shoot – 4th August 2018
Andover Junior Metrics
2019 Sway Mushroom Shooy
AFM Archers Beginner's Course
Hampshire Outdoor Target Tournament 2019 Incorporating Hampshire County Championships
Hampshire County Longbow Championships 2019 Prospectus
Tenzone Indoor Open Competition
Hampshire Archery Association is the home of archery in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands in the UK. The Association is affiliated to SCAS (Southern Counties Archery Society) and Archery GB (GNAS) who are the governing body for the sport in the UK.
Archery is a sport for all ages and abilities and is great for families. There are over 50 archery clubs in Hampshire and most offer beginners courses. If you interested in trying archery get in touch with one of the clubs listed here.
© 2000 - 2019 Hampshire Archery Association
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Home / Market Insight, Financial Articles / Gadgets, Smartphones & Tech / Zynga Nabs Disney Deal to Build Star Wars Mobile Games
Zynga Nabs Disney Deal to Build Star Wars Mobile Games
ZNGA will also take over live services for 'Star Wars: Commander'
By William White, InvestorPlace Writer Aug 22, 2018, 12:02 pm EDT August 22, 2018
Zynga (NASDAQ:ZNGA) has signed a deal with Disney (NYSE:DIS) to develop Star Wars mobile games.
The deal between Zynga and Disney will allow the former to develop a new Star Wars game for mobile devices. There’s also the option to develop another game in the series. These are both part of the multi-year licensing agreement.
To go along with the ability to create a new Start Wars mobile game, Zynga will also take over live services for Star Wars: Commander. Star Wars: Commander is a real-time strategy game developed by Disney for mobile devices in 2014. It is free to play.
“We look forward to extending the reach of the Star Wars universe and developing a new mobile game that entertains players for years to come and has the potential to be a future forever franchise for Zynga,” Frank Gibeau, CEO of Zynga, said in a statement.
Zynga notes that its NaturalMotion studios will be handling all Star Wars games for the company. This includes the development of the new Star Wars mobile game, as well as managing the live services of Star Wars: Commander.
Zynga doesn’t say what type of Star Wars mobile game it is planning to create. That means that fans of the franchise will just have to wait to see more about the new game. Examples of other games from the company include Farmville, Crazy Kitchen and Words With Friends.
ZNGA stock was up 8% as of noon Wednesday.
As of this writing, William White did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2018/08/zynga-to-develop-start-wars-games/.
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Out With The Old And In With The New: From Hollande to Holland
This week has already proven to be tumultuous time for European politics and it’s only Monday. A wave of change seems to be washing over both France and the Netherlands, leaving some of the top posts in Europe currently up for grabs.
The first round of the French Presidential elections saw Francois Hollande take a step closer to becoming the first ever Socialist President of France, his 28% giving him a clear lead over Nicolas Sarkozy’s mere 26%. Although not yet defeated, this can be seen as a personal blow to Sarkozy. Not only is it a spanner in his campaign to be re-elected but it also can be viewed as a resounding personal defeat; it is the first time in 50 years that an outgoing President has failed to secure a majority in the first round of votes. It has been noted by many that success for Hollande could mark a turning point for politics in Europe. Hollande favours a European fiscal pact that encompasses provisions on growth and jobs rather than just purely austere measures. This could leave the German Chancellor Angela Merkel more isolated in her insistence that rigid austerity measures are the only way to resolve the euro crisis.
In other significant news, the Dutch Prime Minister today resigned from his post after an emergency cabinet meeting was called.The Dutch government information service released a statement that left no uncertainty on the matter:
“Prime Minister Mark Rutte has offered his cabinet’s resignation to her Majesty Dutch Queen Beatrix,”
This move was not entirely unforeseen after crucial negotiations on a new set of austerity measures collapsed at the weekend. Geert Wilders’ dissent on the matter meant that the government no longer had the support of the Freedom Party, support that had ensured the government’s majority in Parliament in recent months.
What with Hollande’s recent success in the Presidential campaign and his desire to encourage job growth, perhaps he will soon be in a position to offer Mr.Rutte a new post? But for now we must be content to surmise on what the coming days will bring. One thing is for sure; all eyes will remain fixed on Europe to see how both the French and Dutch situations play out.
Mark Rutte
Private Member’s Bill on abortion voted down
Abortion has always been a contentious issue in Ireland, what with our stoically Catholic roots and our relatively conservative views on pregnancy and extra marital relations. However we once again see the ban on abortion in this country being questioned on a national platform. With the Dail debating the reform of abortion legislation we find the same old arguments being regurgitated in favour of retaining the narrow scope for abortion in Ireland.
A series of articles featured in the Irish Times have recently provided a moving insight into the physical and emotional journey that numerous couples have to take to obtain an abortion. Numerous travel to Liverpool, as abortion in Ireland is only available in extremely narrow circumstances where there is a real and substantial risk to the life of the mother. This is as a result of the holding in the X case, a holding which successive governments have failed to fully implement in legislation.
Today the age old argument that abortion is “sin” was commented upon by Mayo TD Michelle Mulherin. However the argument took an almost farcical spin when she commented that the most likely cause of unwanted pregnancies in Ireland is “fornication”.
With all due respect, isn’t that obvious? What’s next; are they going to declare that alcohol is the leading cause of inebriation or that overeating is a major cause of obesity? With our government making not-so-groundbreaking comments like that it causes us to wonder at their capacity to make decisions on such significant issues. It is doubtful that any of the countless unmarried couples who are “fornicating” of late will be at all surprised by the TD’s comments.
The debate resulted in the proposed legislation, the Private Member’s Bill on abortion, being voted down by 109 votes to 20. It looks likely that for the time being at least the current stance of Irish law on abortion shall remain unchanged.
Irish Legislation
michelle mulherin
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Units Of Angle
The distances between objects in the night sky are measured as angles. An object on the horizon is said to lie at a distance of 90° from an object vertically above the observer, at the zenith.
A crude estimate of the distance between two objects may be found visually, by holding a fist at arm's length: for a typical adult the fist will measure around 10° across. The disk of the Moon measures almost exactly half a degree across.
For smaller distances, for example between the individual members of the Pleiades star cluster, it is convenient to use a measure of angle which is smaller than the degree: the arcminute is used, sometimes denoted ', which equals one sixtieth of a degree. The angular resolution of an unaided human eye, with near perfect eyesight, is around one to two arcminutes.
Still smaller angles are measured in arcseconds, sometimes denoted ", which equal one sixtieth of an arcminute, or one 3,600th of a degree. For example, the angular diameter of Jupiter varies between 30 and 50" depending upon its position in the night sky.
The smallest structures which can be seen through a conventional ground-based telescope, however large, are around one arcsecond across, as smaller structures are blurred by turbulence in the Earth's atmosphere. Some modern telescopes, however, can get around this limitation by the use of adaptive optics systems, or by being launched into space.
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Why one particular atheist is angry.
I agree with pretty much everything she had to say.
So I'll just add, "amen."
mood: calm
I can't convince you that this has been my experience. Certainly the people in question never said they were creating a "shopping list"-- I doubt anyone who was religious would like to think of themselves that way. And it's not due to lack of knowing people from many faiths, that's for sure.
Just so, she's not hurting anyone by being angry about it. How is she imposing herself on you by listing all the ways in which religion-centered occurrences have angered her over the years? If she dislikes how prayer is used and justified, that doesn't materially impact your ability to keep praying-- and it's not your right to do it that she takes issue with.
inlaterdays
It reads like it is my right to do it that she takes issue with. But she has no control over what goes on in my head - my prayer life is between God and me.
I think you're forgetting the great caveat in most prayer. For Wiccans, it's "an it harm none" and for Christians it's "Thy will be done, not mine."
Letting God (or gods) know what you feel your needs are is not making a shopping list. Because at the end there's always the acknowledgement that it's not up to you.
It seems so sad and unrealistic not to believe in a higher power, to me. We're not even capable of realizing the vastness of space or seeing all of the color spectrum. It makes no sense to think that we're the most sophisticated intelligences ever and that we're all alone. If other people want to think that, that's up to them...but don't knock religion as a whole. Do your thing and don't diss the choices of those who may choose differently than you so.
Please reconcile:
It seems so sad and unrealistic not to believe in a higher power
Do your thing and don't diss the choices of those who may choose differently than you so.
Way to misquote.
Here's what I said:
It seems so sad and unrealistic not to believe in a higher power, to me.
My opinion, applicable only to me.
Get the difference?
November 2nd, 2007 11:26 am (UTC)
So in other words, for you, it's ok to judge someone as sad and unrealistic for not sharing this belief, but you take issue with the idea that anyone would think you to be sad and unrealistic for holding it.
Double double your standards!
November 2nd, 2007 12:21 pm (UTC)
Double standards are twice as good!
But seriously: no, it seems sad and unrealistic TO ME, but I don't judge other people's private beliefs.
They are free to think what they like, but when they start scapegoating my private religious beliefs for all the evils in the world...I think that's ridiculous.
Saying that having a lack of belief in a higher power is "sad and unrealistic" is a judgment, even if you tack "TO ME" in all caps at the end of it. "TO ME" simply adds an "I think" or "I believe" to the statement. It does nothing to mitigate the fact that you are saying that you think that such a lack of belief is "sad" and "unrealistic," and by extension that the holder is "sad" and "unrealistic."
I'd be more convinced that it wasn't a judgment if you hadn't tacked the second qualifier on it. With just "sad," you could say you meant, "It makes me sad when I learn that someone doesn't believe in a higher power." With "unrealistic," however, you suggest that the unbeliever is out of touch with reality. That's a whole different story.
Here's what I think:
First, I think that precision is important.
Second, I think it's best to understand what is actually written rather than a presumed subtext before reacting to something.
Third, I think that unless you assume that faith is a perfectly good substitute for modern medicine, think that atheists shouldn't be considered citizens, believe that same sex marriage is an abomination unto God that needs to be politicized, or use prayer as a shopping list of wants, it appears that you're not amongst the people with whom she is angry.
You're still not getting it...when I say "to me" it means that is how it feels to me. I am not saying that people who think that way are sad and unrealistic. I am saying that the idea of an empty universe strikes me, personally, as sad and unrealistic.
I'm not presuming any subtext, though you seem to be consistently presuming subtext in my replies. I don't care whether she's angry with me or not; I think her essay is a batch of cobbled-together foolish overgeneralizations.
If you like precision, then you probably have a bone to pick with the OP yourself.
Precision, like anything, has its limits. Take physics to a high enough level and you end up with something approaching philosophy. (I'm quoting my dad the astrophysicist, here; that's not mine. But I like it.)
Once again: "It seems so sad and unrealistic not to believe..." [emphasis mine] This is a fundamentally different statement than "I believe that an empty universe is sad and unrealistic."
As to your use of subtext, the OP has listed specific grievances that are at least in some way attributable to religion or religious belief. Your response has been generalized, reactive and personal. You have not identified the instances where the OP is wrong or has somehow implicated you directly. Though the screed may overstate the case, she is not factually incorrect. Do you disagree that gay marriage has been politicized in the US by the Christian right? Or that the attacks on 9/11 were carried out by Jihadists? Is there a specific point that you can say that she's wrong, or is it just that you insist on personalizing this simply because she implicates religious belief generally in all of the issues she identifies.
Written communication on the internets is hardly theoretical physics. We don't need magical thinking or proof of your intellectual pedigree to discuss the merits of a blog post.
No, but it's hilarious to me that you're trying to argue with me about what I actually said, while insisting that I'm reading into statements on someone else's post.
You, sir, have mastered the art of unintentional irony! ;)
Okey doke, I'll go over it again. And then I'll drop it, because your responses have kind of degenerated to "you did so" and "she did not" and that's not argument, it's just contradiction, as Monty Python says.
LOL, no. Once again, again, you are omitting the all-important qualifying phrase "to me". Basically, you don't like my sentence structure, but that's just too bad. You can't change the meaning of what I said by lopping off inconvenient-for-you clauses, as you seem to want to do.
And I'm not personalizing this; I'm saying that she's silly to be calling her indignation "atheist rage" and lumping a mass of grievances in a bucket.
Do you disagree that gay marriage has been politicized in the US by the Christian right?
Yes. It's a political question, period. To make it a religious argument is hate-mongering. What is this "Christian right"? It's a boogeyman, the same way "the liberal media" is a boogeyman for hate-mongers on the other side. Most Christians believe in a separation of church and state, and many are pro-gay-marriage.
Or that the attacks on 9/11 were carried out by Jihadists?
Again, it's oversimplifying to call this a religious problem. It's equally a political problem. Does that mean I should say I'm angry at politics?
Adding "TO ME" to the phrase "It seems so sad and unrealistic not to believe..." does not change the meaning of the statement. That you may have mis-phrased the statement is one thing. To claim that I am mis-reading it is something else entirely. You stated that it seemed sad and unrealistic "not to believe," not that "the idea of an empty universe strikes me, personally, as sad and unrealistic." You may have intended the latter, but your statement expresses something entirely different. To say otherwise is strictly retcon.
How is stating that a large group of US Christians who are actively involved in politics and who have been at the vanguard of the push for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman even remotely considered hate-mongering? It is simply a fact. Similarly, it is a fact that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by Jihadists. These facts are linked to religious belief. Neither the OP nor I have said that there aren't additional factors at work, but these facts remain: A large body of vocal Christians are working diligently to marginalize a portion of the population because their beliefs do not permit that population's lifestyle; and a small group of religious zealots successfully flew two passenger jets into the WTC.
You can be angry at politics all you like, but it does nothing to further a discussion about the merits of this blog post. It still appears that you are choosing to miss the point of the article because it is more important to personalize imaginary subtext rather than consider what was actually said.
(no subject) - inlaterdays - Expand
I think you're persistently misunderstanding me-- your last sentence is exactly what I said in my other comment. It's not religion as an idea that bothers me, or that bothers the author of the original post. People can be religious, and that's just fine and dandy. Again, it's when religious ideas and morality are imposed in ways where it harms someone or robs them of their ability to choose for themselves. Examples of this are all through her post-- indeed it's the main thrust of it, besides feeling marginalized (which everyone seems to, for one reason or another).
Lastly, that's not what I'm talking about in terms of the shopping list. These are people who slough off any responsibility for their life or their actions, assuming that God has directed them, and will not only clean up after them but also provide them with everything they want. I'm familiar with the idea of giving up the reins in prayer-- this is not it.
But it's not "religious" ideas and morality.
It's any ideas imposed on others without their consent, the way she is arguing should be done.
Again, I know far more irresponsible atheists than Christians or pagans or Jews. "This is all there is, so why bother trying?"
But I'm not going to make a post connecting the lack of religion with asshattish behavior, because that is an individual choice. It doesn't have anything to do with whether or not you believe in a higher power.
Okay... I've come to the point where our differences of opinion are so massive that I think we're at an impasse. I've followed the twisting path to the point where I realize I'm not ever going to understand how you're seeing this, and clearly I'm not able to convey my points so that you understand them. I'm leaving this on agree to disagree, because otherwise I'm just going to start rehashing thoughts and quotes I've already said in here.
Remind me to frown thrice daily in the direction of Richard Dawkins for continually setting the bar for research in popular nonfiction to new lows.
Why one particular atheist is angry. I agree with pretty much… - another LJ. or: how i learned to stop worrying and love this life-thingy
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Afghan Migrants Who Brutally Raped Teenage Boy Will Not Be Deported
December 31, 2016 by Infinite
– Afghan Migrants Who Brutally Raped Teenage Boy Will Not Be Deported:
Five Afghani migrants have been convicted of raping an underage boy and filming the ordeal on their phones. However, the rapists cannot be deported because their homeland is “too dangerous”.
The victim, is understood to be aged under 15, was raped in woodland in Uppsala county in Sweden by the five Afghanis who were aged 16 and 17 at the time. He was beaten and dragged to the forest a knife-point before being raped for over an hour.
The teenage attackers were found guilty of aggravated rape, but the judge denied a request from prosecutors that they be deported, citing the “dangerous” situation in their homeland.
Instead, Expressen reports that four of the defendants were sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment while the fifth received 13 months. The migrant who filmed the ordeal was also convicted of child pornography charges.
The defendants would have received much longer sentences – up to six years – but due to their age and the fact they cannot be paroled, their jail terms were drastically reduced.
One said how he had known the victim previously, but they had fallen out over money, so he decided to rape him as revenge.
The court heard how the victim, who is also Afghani, was severely beaten before the attacker began “grabbing the defendant, covering his mouth and dragging or carrying him into a woodland area”.
The boy was also spat on and had his back bitten. The attackers then intimidated and threatened the boy with the video footage, telling him they would post it on Facebook if he told police – which they did anyway before being arrested.
Defence lawyer Stefan Wallin, who represented one of the defendants, claims that his client did not have any recollection of being present at the attack. “He has no recollection of the events because of alcohol intoxication,” he said.
Categories Global News, Politics Tags Abuse, Crime, Global News, Government, Migrant Crisis, Politics, Rape, Sex, Sweden Post navigation
Sick Care vs. Health Care …. Which Will You Choose?
Merkel Decries “Distorted Picture” Of Refugee Policy, Claims “Our State Is Stronger Together”
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International Jazz Meeting
SPEED MEETINGS
11.30H – 13.00H
PANEL IN CATALAN
WHY AN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS?
30 YEARS OF THE AMJM
Is it necessary to belong to an association of professional musicians? What role do associations of professional musicians play in the sector? This session will reflect on these and other aspects, marking the 30th anniversary of the oldest association of professional musicians in Catalonia, Associació de Músics de Jazz i Música Moderna de Catalunya (AMJM).
The workshop will be attended by founding members of the AMJM, former presidents and former members of the board of directors, as well as new associates.
ÀNGEL PEREIRA
Higher graduated in the specialty of Drumming by ESMUC. Àngel Pereira has been awarded with the National Prize of Interpretation of Musical Youths of Spain, the Premi Ciutat de Barcelona, the Special Prize and the Prize for the Best Interpreter of the Association of Jazz Musicians of Catalonia. He has collaborated, among others, with Tete Montoliu, J. A. Amargós, Tito Puente and John Shurman, and with formations such as the Big Band of the Classroom of Modern Music and Jazz and that of the Taller de Músics. He is also the director of the International Percussion Festival of the Pyrenees, Percumania and director of the Primavera Musical Course.
LAURA SIMÓ
Laura Simó is a singer, her first record of jazz standards was released in 1987 with the name of Bliss. Since 1988 she starts working regularly with the pianist Lucky Guri and Francesc Burrull, with whom he continues to work and has edited Laura Simó & Francesc Burrull interpretan Serrat (2007) and Temps de pluja (2010). He has integrated more formations as with Carmen Canela, the pianist Francisco Capilla and Albert Guinovart, to name a few.
MAX SUNYER
Self-taught guitarist, Max Sunyer was professionally introduced as a composer-creator and interpreter-stylist, creating several groups throughout his career as Vertice, Tapiman, Iceberg and Pegasus, with the latter has performed in such prestigious venues as the Montreux Jazz Festival (1984 ) or the Carnegie Hall of New York (1985). He has received the Grand Prize of the Record of the Generalitat de Catalunya (1985) and the prize “Jazz en vivo” from the magazine “Jazz QuarTIC”, Televisión Española, and Radio Nacional (1986). In 1989 he created Max Sunyer Trio, with bassist Carles Benavent and drummer Salvador Niebla.
Xavi Torres is one of the musicians with a bigger projection among the Catalan jazz scene. He is currently based in Amsterdam, where in 2016 he won the most prestigious competition in Holland, the Dutch Jazz Competition, and in March 2015 he also won the Keep An Eye International Jazz Award. He has just been selected as a semifinalist for the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition 2018, the most important jazz competition in the world.
XAVI TORRES TRIO IS ONE OF THE 12 SHOWCASES SELECTED
GUILLEM ARNEDO (AMJM PRESIDENT)
In 1995 Guillem Arnedo began his studies at Taller de Músics de Barcelona and studied percussion at the Conservatori de Terrassa while working with the Sant Cugat Symphony Orchestra. In 2006 he became the first graduate in Jazz Drums in the Spanish state by the Higher School of Music of Catalonia (ESMUC). In 2007 he received a scholarship from the Generalitat de Catalunya to study in New York with John Riley. He has played with many musicians such as David Mengual, Sergi Felipe, Joan Monné, Santi de la Rubia, Paco Weht, Ernesto Aurignac, Arecio Smith, Roger Mas, Joan Sanmartí, Perico Sambeat, Bill McHenry, Jaume Llombart, Chris Cheek, Putter Smith, Dick Them, Juan de Diego, Jose Lopez, Javier Galiana or Albert Bover among many others. In 2014 he began to focus on his personal projects, launching his first album as leader: Guillem Arnedo Band & Celeste Alias Let’s Sing Again, with whom he also published Let’s Sing O. Hammerstein II. They are followed by others such as Doin’ The Thing with Jose Carra and Love Them Madly with Michael Kanan and Dee Jay Foster.
Besides his work as a musician, he plays a very active role in defending the rights of musicians and for cultural expansion and social music. He is the president of the Association of Musicians of Jazz and Modern Music of Catalonia (Associació de Músics de Jazz i Música Moderna de Catalunya, AMJM), of the State Federation of Jazz and Improvised Music Musicians (Federación Estatal de Músicos de Jazz y Músicas Improvisadas, FMJazz) and he is a member of the board of the Acadèmia Catalana de la Música.
Cendra, 34, bxs. 08001 Barcelona
www.tallerdemusics.com
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Tag: This Life
Alabama 3, Curtis Stigers and Great Theme Songs
After writing about music from both film and television crime dramas in my last post it got me thinking about some other outstanding theme songs. The Sopranos was first aired in 1999 and followed the life of one, Tony Soprano, the head of a New Jersey, Italian-American, crime family. This was a mafia show unlike any other in that it not only depicted the (seemingly very realistic) goings-on of his cosa nostra family but also centred around his home life and the relationships he had with his wife, children, mother, sister and therapist – A normal family guy you warmed to and identified with in some scenes but then were reminded in no uncertain terms in other scenes that no, this guy and his colleagues had to be sociopaths. It was a brilliantly written series with excellent acting and direction and very deservedly won many awards during its 7-year run.
I think it was first shown on British television around the time we moved to our current house, and from the first episode I was hooked. It was however an HBO show which “from the beginning and throughout” covered scenes of a sexual nature, violence, drug-taking and bad language (the first time I ever heard the “c” word uttered on television). It was my favourite show of the week, but it had to be aired after 11pm at night. With ad breaks it went on until around 12.15am – Not great for a work and school night but I just had to watch it. Before it came on I made sure I was all prepared for the next day, in pyjamas, teeth brushed and ready for bed as soon as it finished – A guilty pleasure but not exactly sleep-inducing.
I think there is an element of voyeurism in the watching of such shows. Like probably most of the people who were fans, I live in law-abiding, “nice-world” where the worst crime I have ever committed is parking illegally or accidentally speeding in a built-up area. To witness the lives of these characters is to open a window onto a world you would never experience in real life. Our modern day lives are so controlled and safe that it is sometimes necessary to experience something a bit more edgy from the other side of the tracks, albeit from the safety of our living rooms.
But back to the reason for this post, the opening sequence featured the journey made by Tony from New York back to his home in suburban New Jersey. He is seen emerging from the Lincoln Tunnel and passes through the tollbooth for the New Jersey Turnpike. Numerous landmarks are shown passing by as Tony drives down the highway. The theme played during this sequence was the excellent Woke Up This Morning written by, and performed by, British band Alabama 3. It took me some time to work out that this band was indeed from London as they sounded so American, but that would have been because the music they made at that time fused country, blues, rock and acid house. An unusual mix but as mentioned last time when I wrote about the opening sequence to Pulp Fiction, the audience were left in no doubt as to what kind of show they were about to watch.
Woke Up This Morning by Alabama 3:
https://jukeboxtimemachine.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/01-woke-up-this-morning-chosen-one-mix.mp3
Alabama 3 (from Brixton, London)
Yet another crime drama that we’ve just finished watching is Sons of Anarchy about the life and times of a gun-running motor-cycle club based in Northern California. It took nine months to get through all seven seasons and at one point the graphic violence became so relentless that I had to take a sabbatical from watching it. Again though, it was a window onto a world I had no idea existed and there were parallels to the mafia-based show I had watched ten years earlier, it was just that this time the protagonists were West Coast rather than East Coast based, dressed in biker kuttes rather than sharp suits and preferred Harleys to expensive SUVs. Also, like with The Sopranos, you warmed to the main characters as they exhibited strong emotional bonds to their families, and to each other, but in nearly episode there was a very violent reality check reminding you that they were in essence outlaws and criminals. The scenery, clothing and shoot-outs made you think of the old Wild West – They were just substituting Harleys for horses.
But yet again I digress – The opening sequence to Sons of Anarchy, like The Sopranos, featured a great theme song called This Life performed by Curtis Stigers and the Forest Rangers. It is probably not the kind of song I would have taken much heed of had I heard it on the radio, but after listening to it 92 times as I must have done watching the show, you form an attachment, as you form an attachment to the characters.
So, another post about music from award-winning crime dramas. Time to move on I think to another topic for next time, back in “nice-world”. Will ponder on what it will be over the next few days but yet again I am realising that the “tracks of my years” in later life are often associated with films and television. We now binge-watch boxsets which means you form a close relationship with the characters in favourite dramas. Yes it is make-belief but so was the relationship you had with your teen-idols back in the day. It does sound a bit wrong I know, but there are times when the cavewoman in me must come out and I wish I had a Tony Soprano or a Jax Teller there to fight my corner. I used to fantasise about trips to the cinema with Donny Osmond, now I fantasise about having one of the Sons of Anarchy as a minder when I’m feeling harassed – I would get all the best parking spaces and be able to jump queues. But no, although I don’t exactly live in Stepford, that just can’t happen, but nice to dream……and listen to all that great music!
Woke Up This Morning Lyrics
(Song by Jake Black/Rob Spragg)
You woke up this morning
Got yourself a gun,
Mama always said you’d be
The Chosen One.
She said: You’re one in a million
You’ve got to burn to shine,
But you were born under a bad sign
With a blue moon in your eyes
All that love had gone
Your Papa never told you
About right and wrong
But you’re looking good, baby
I believe you’re feeling fine,(shame about it)
Got a blue moon in your eyes
The world turned upside down
Lord above, thing’s ain’t been the same
Since the blues walked into town
But you’re one in a million
You’ve got that shotgun shine (shame about it)
When you woke up this morning everything was gone
By half past ten your head was going ding-dong
Ringing like a bell from your head down to your toes
Like a voice trying to tell you there’s something you should know
Last night you were flying but today you’re so low
Ain’t it times like these that make you wonder if
You’ll ever know the meaning of things as they appear to the others;
Wives, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers
Don’t you wish you didn’t function, don’t you wish you
Didn’t think beyond the next paycheck and the next little drink?
Well you do so make up your mind to go on, cos
When you woke up this morning everything you had was gone
Woke up this morning
You want to be the Chosen One
You got yourself a gun
Author AlysonPosted on May 30, 2016 March 15, 2018 Categories 1990s songs, 2000s songs, Television showsTags Alabama 3, Curtis Stigers, Sons of Anarchy, The Sopranos, This Life, Woke Up This MorningLeave a comment on Alabama 3, Curtis Stigers and Great Theme Songs
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The Death of Rev. Isaac Backus, 1806
LandmarkEvents2017-11-17T18:04:15+00:00November 20, 2017|HH 2017|
The Death of Rev. Isaac Backus, November 21, 1806
t has become fashionable among historians, including some Christian ones, to denigrate the “Great Awakening” as evidence of a mere psychological phenomenon in American history, associated with certain preachers of a new and hysterical evangelicalism in the mid-18th century. One book views George Whitefield as a master of religious marketing, and the responses to his preaching emotion-driven aberrations from orthodox preaching and historic Protestant pulpit ministry. If that was all that such spiritual awakenings consisted of, changed lives would likely be short-term and the Church itself relatively unaffected over the long-term. Controversial in the era in which it occurred, the Great Awakening (not called that till a book of that title was published in the 1840s) did result in real lifelong and life-changing conversions which profoundly affected individuals and churches. One of the most prominent was Isaac Backus, who died on this day in 1806.
A scene from the First Great Awakening — George Whitfield preaches to a crowd near Bolton, England
Backus was born into a typical Norwich, Connecticut Congregationalist farm family in 1724. The larger Backus family of grandparents, father, uncles, and cousins provided the region with a sawmill, gristmill, general store, ironworks, and blacksmith shops as well as sheep herds, orchards and produce. The Backuses served in local government, the colonial legislature, and militias. One became a minister and married Jonathan Edwards’s sister, another married a Revolutionary War general. Isaac was the fourth of eleven children. Life on the farm made him strong and healthy, church attendance and catechizing made him knowledgeable but unconverted till his seventeenth year.
Isaac Backus (1724-1806)
The preaching of George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards and other “revivalist” preachers found open pulpits and eager parishioners all across the Connecticut Valley, including the Congregationalist church in Norwich. Isaac later said that “his soul was drawn to Christ and his righteousness and . . . my burden of sin was gone,” a testimony made by multiple thousands of Americans in all thirteen colonies over several years of powerful Gospel preaching. Young Isaac Backus soon joined a Separate congregation and pursued a call to be a preacher himself. Later joining the Baptists, the former farm-boy became one of the most powerful preachers during the days of American independence and beyond. He was to preach for more than sixty years and travel more than 70,000 miles! Backus served as a trustee for what became Brown University in Rhode Island, a Baptist stronghold.
George Whitefield (1714-1770)
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
From 1769 Isaac Backus played a key intellectual and practical role toward securing independence from England and religious liberty for Christians who dissented from the established churches. He wrote tracts, petitions and letters. He fought for the disestablishment of the Congregationalist Church, a fight he would not live to see consummated twenty years after his death. The most important of the thirty-seven tracts he published was An Appeal to the Public for Religious Liberty Against the Oppression of the Present Day (1773). His fight on that front is often likened to the efforts of George Mason and Thomas Jefferson in Virginia, but from a perspective that sought a thoroughly Christian civil government.
Main Street Norwich, Connecticut in 1916
Backus was fifty-one when the Revolutionary War began. He led the New England Baptists as Patriots in support of independence, but always with the hope for religious liberty to go along with the political. During and especially after the war, Backus defended a strict Calvinist theology against the deism and Arminianism that had made inroads among Baptists in the new nation. His apologetical sermons and tracts focused on what he considered the largest threats of the Reformed Baptists: Shakers, Universalists, Methodism, and Free-Will Baptists. As a delegate to the Ratification of the Constitution Convention in Massachusetts, Backus reluctantly supported ratification with the promise of amendments guaranteeing religious freedom and other important rights.
Isaac Backus supported the Jeffersonian Republicans in the midst of a solidly Federalist New England. He defied John Adams and the others regarding the continued establishment of the Congregationalist Church and he strongly supported, along with “Trinitarian Congregationalists” the application of biblical law regarding the Sabbath, and laws against profanity, gambling, and drunkenness. Isaac died at eighty-two, known by all who knew him, as “Father.” One of his biographers concludes the summary of the life of Isaac Backus:
“[His] importance lies beyond his relationship to his denomination or to the movement to separate Church and State. It lies in his almost perfect embodiment of the evangelical spirit of his times. . . Few men expressed so well in thought and action that vigorous, fervent, conscientious, experimental pietism which constituted the fundamental spirit of the new nation and which made its experiment in freedom unique.” (Isaac Backus, by Williams G. McLoughlin)
Image Credits: 1 George Whitefield Preaching (ArtUK.org); 2 Isaac Backus (Wikipedia.org); 3 Norwich, Connecticut (Wikipedia.org); 4 Jonathan Edwards (Wikipedia.org)
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Lonely, and Occasionally Kind of Spooky: An Interview with Keith McCleary
Matt E. Lewis interviews Keith McCleary
KEITH MCCLEARY GREW UP in the small town of Livonia, New York, but eventually settled in San Diego, where I first met him during his MFA program at UCSD. As a writer, his résumé was impressive — he had written several graphic novels, mixed media works, and short stories which had appeared in some cutting-edge publications. By this time, he had already received a BFA in Film from NYU, which were some serious chops in a city that wasn’t Los Angeles. As a friend, I admired his creative spark, his drive to collaborate artistically and blur the lines between forms to create something new. This is part of the reason I asked for his help on a project that would become States of Terror, an illustrated horror anthology book series that we co-edited for four years.
During this time, I also read through what would become his remarkable debut novel, Circus + The Skin, from Kraken Press. A slow-burn horror novel in the vein of Something Wicked This Way Comes and Return to Oz, it follows a decaying traveling circus unexpectedly torn apart by a storm and marooned in a nameless town. The tattooed man of the group, a brooding veteran named Sue, chronicles the strange deaths and bizarre happenings that threaten to keep the group separated forever. With his own past demons returning to needle him, Sue struggles to keep reality and his new life from splitting apart into total calamity.
I was impressed by the confluence of dark nature and redemptive vulnerability that Circus + The Skin spun together so well. I sat down with Keith at his dinner table in City Heights, flanked by his cat Roo, to ask some questions.
MATT E. LEWIS: Initially, the story of Sue, the tattooed man, bears resemblance to Ray Bradbury’s character of The Illustrated Man. You even start the book with his lengthy description of the titular character as an epigraph. However, as the story progresses, the narration becomes much more like hard-boiled noir with some dark Bradbury-esque undertones. How much did his writing influence the story, either in early stages or the final work?
KEITH MCCLEARY: I think that Circus + The Skin is definitely my own response to reading The Illustrated Man and Something Wicked This Way Comes at a formative age. Bantam put out a set of Bradbury paperback editions in the early ’90s with gorgeous painted covers, and I was probably as obsessed with Jim Burns’s art for The Illustrated Man — which foregrounded the Man’s tattoos and musculature — as I was with the story itself. Both of those Bradbury novels have in common a tattooed man who influences the narrative but is otherwise pretty enigmatic, and I always wanted to know that guy’s story. Developing Sue began as a process of trying to fill in that blank for myself, but as his voice took over the book became more hard-boiled. Bradbury talked about himself as a writer who approached fiction from the perspective of a poet. I would never claim to be a practicing poet, but writing in the voice of someone so unlike myself made me think about language at a granular level in a way that’s somewhat similar to writing poetry.
In genre terms, I think the book borrows equally from noir and horror, which is a reflection of how Sue navigates the world. The book is structured like a detective novel, but it’s filtered through this complicated, broken person who tends to interpret his life in a fairly nightmarish way. Something sinister is happening at the circus, and for Sue that could just as easily be a crime of passion as it could be something malignant and otherworldly.
This is your first novel, but you are no stranger to storytelling. You’ve been writing for the comic book series Curves and Bullets for the last few years, which describes itself as “post-apocalyptic, face-melting, pop art/shlock art biker gang versus road mutants.” How different was it writing for a novel compared to working with an artist to visually flesh out the story?
Well, I’ve probably spent more of my life writing fiction than comics — it’s just that comics ended up being my first published work. I wrote and illustrated my first two graphic novels (and one of them, Top of the Heap, was my first stab at a circus story), but lately I mostly write prose. When I do write comics, there’s no standard format — if I’m working with an artist I don’t really know, I’ll usually write a full script with dialogue, panel descriptions, and page layouts. But if I work with an artist who I’m familiar with, or who prefers to have a lot of control over the page, then it can be best to just write a story synopsis, let them draw it how they want, and fill in dialogue after I get the art. With Rolo Ledesma, who not only draws Curves and Bullets but also has created most of the characters and story situations, I take a very “less is more” approach. I used to give him a script, but now I’ll just send him broad story ideas and let him work out the rest. The important thing is to find a process that’s organic, instead of deciding on story beats that we adhere to really strictly even if it turns out that they don’t work.
The way this parallels my approach to fiction is that I’ve moved further and further away from outlines. Rather than starting with a rigid plan, it’s more about writing a little bit every day until the draft feels “done,” whatever that means and however long that takes. Admittedly, this means that I don’t really “find” the story until I’m revising the second or third draft. But if I’ve laid an organic foundation with the rough draft, then the characters aren’t making choices that feel false, even if the story takes some weird turns.
Basically when I’m writing a comic, I’m playing a game of improv with the artist. When I’m writing prose, I’m attempting to do the same thing with my subconscious, for lack of a better explanation.
While Sue’s narration carries us through the story, in many ways the book is characterized by the various carnies and their individual backgrounds. Are there any you have a particular affinity for?
I suppose I’m happy with the characters who made the final cut despite seeming most unlikely to survive the editing process. The issue with having circus performers as the main characters is that it’s their job to act as almost mythic archetypes, which is in direct opposition to finding out what makes them human and nuanced. Even the idea that they’d have different personas on and offstage is questionable, because for a lot of these people, the line between their personas and their true selves has become blurred. So in the book there are characters like Omar the Strong Man and Serry the Snake Woman — as well as being circus performers, they’re also aligned with noir tropes (the muscle, the femme fatale). But when they’re complicated enough, and fragile enough, to also be people I could imagine knowing, then it’s nice when all those layers can work and make sense.
The setting of a traveling circus is apt since many of the characters, “natural freak” or otherwise, seems to be running away from their pasts. Was this a deliberate choice of vehicle to tell the story, or did the idea of exploring the lives of carnies come first? Piggybacking on that last question: there is a lot of feeling and lingo specific to circus workers within the story — did you research this culture while creating the characters?
I wrote the first third of the book without knowing much about any of the characters, and just added pieces of backstory as needed to get things going. The fact that Sue was running away from his past was mirroring some elements of my own life at the time, as I’d just moved across the country and was essentially starting over. But when I decided I wanted to dig more seriously into the circus as a whole, that meant doing real research on what it meant to be a circus performer — how they would talk, think, et cetera. A lot of what I read painted a picture of two very different performing groups: transients and outcasts on one hand, and multigenerational circus families on the other. Because the story is told through Sue’s eyes, it made sense for me to focus on the outcasts, with just a few glimpses of a “circus establishment” that’s comparatively inaccessible. There was definitely a common theme in my research of stories about performers who joined the circus because a more traditional life just didn’t work for them. That’s something that I wove into the book as respectfully as I could.
When I first read the book, my initial assumption was that the time was 1920s or ’30s, the golden age of circuses in the American heartland. However, you corrected me that it was in fact the early ’80s, with Sue having toured in Vietnam. This makes sense as this troupe feels much more desperate and decayed compared to the stereotypical view Americans might have from things like the movie Freaks or The Circus of Dr. Lao, both of which you reference in chapter quotes. My favorite part is that you avoid the nostalgic trappings of popular references in order to set the place in a time, which I think can be lazy when used too often. Did you intend for the story to feel timeless, or was your vision fixated on this one particular time?
I think the early 20th-century feel of the book is mainly because the story is so entrenched in the circus aesthetic, which is inherently nostalgic. But when I started to realize that Sue was a veteran, and that he had stories from “two wars” as both a very young man and an older one, I knew he’d have spent time in Korea and Vietnam. And because of the time gap between these wars (and the fact that when we meet Sue, he’s seasoned but not decrepit), this meant that there was only a small window when the book could be set. With all that in mind, I locked down June 1983 as my time period about halfway through the rough draft.
I grew up in a very rural town in Western New York, with summers visiting my grandmother in even-more-rural Vermont. Being in those kinds of places in the years before the internet could often feel a little “timeless” — but also somewhat disorienting and isolated. I think that rural life is alternately painted as either a Country Time Lemonade commercial or a Deliverance-level dystopia. In my experience, it’s neither of these — but it can be lonely, and occasionally kind of spooky. That was something I thought I could infuse the book with in an honest way.
Is Sue named after Hanna’s snake? Is that why his love interest is Serry, the “snake woman”?
Like with a lot of elements in the rough draft, I didn’t know Sue’s name for a long time. But I knew that on top of being a horror story and a noir, there was also something about the novel that felt like a Western — not an action-packed shoot-’em-up, but the sort of melancholic meditation on life and the passage of time that you find in Unforgiven or No Country for Old Men. Westerns have been dissecting masculinity and American exceptionalism for decades, and Circus + The Skin very much follows in that tradition. When “Sue” started showing up on the page as the main character’s name, I knew there would be an association with Johnny Cash’s “Boy Named Sue” that would underline the book’s connection to Westerns. I also liked the idea that this prototypical male character would have a “girl’s name,” even though he doesn’t seem to notice that he does.
My wife Hanna picked up on all this at the rough draft stage. She and I talked a lot about the relationship between Sue and Serry, which isn’t the main relationship in the book but is certainly one of the more tragic ones. When Hanna brought home a corn snake as a pet (it looks like a rattlesnake, but cuter), we both decided his name would be Sue as well. I think that his full name is actually “A Snake Named Sue,” but I’m not sure. You’d have to ask him.
Matt E. Lewis is the editor of Ayahuasca Publishing.
When the Mask Comes Off: An Interview with Steph Post
By Erica Wright
Every Ounce of My Soul: An Interview with Gabino Iglesias
By Benjamin Whitmer
Our Dead Man in Havana
By Matt E. Lewis
All Is Vanity
The Seduction of the Gun
Not in Kansas: On The National’s “I Am Easy to Find”
By Cornel Bonca
To Better Understand Elizabeth Warren, Try Reading Her Husband
By John F. Muller
On Interracial Love: Why James Baldwin’s “Another Country” Still Matters
By Erik Gleibermann
Violence Against Women from Ancient Rome to Today: On Mithu Sanyal’s “Rape: From Lucretia to #MeToo”
Confronting the Unwatchable
By Maggie Hennefeld, Nicholas Baer
ADD TO YOUR BOOKSHELF
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Katherine Taylor
Katherine is the author of Valley Fever and Rules for Saying Goodbye. Her stories and essays have appeared in The New York Times, Elle, Town & Country, ZYZZYVA, The Southwest Review, and Ploughshares, among other publications. She has won a Pushcart Prize and the McGinnis Ritchie Award for Fiction. She has a BA from University of Southern California and a master’s degree from Columbia University, where she was a Graduate Writing Fellow. Katherine lives in Los Angeles.
How Vivian Gornick Saved My Life: A True Story
Katherine Taylor writes about her experience with a ruptured spinal disk and Vivian Gornick's new book, "The Odd Woman in the City."...
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Book Reviews / By erin / September 5, 2013 1
ARC Review: Somebody Up There Hates You by Hollis Seamon
Chemo, radiation, a zillion surgeries, watching my mom age twenty years in twenty months: if that’s part of the Big Dude’s plan, then it’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? Somebody Up There Hates You.
SUTHY has landed me here in this hospice, where we—that’s me and Sylvie—are the only people under 30 in the whole place, sweartogod. But I’m not dead yet. I still need to keep things interesting. Sylvie, too. I mean, we’re kids, hospice-hostages or not. We freak out visitors; I get my uncle to sneak me out for one insane Halloween night. Stuff like that. And Sylvie wants to make things even more interesting. That girl’s got big plans.
Only Sylvie’s father is so nuclear-blasted by what’s happened to his little girl, he glows orange, I swear. That’s one scary man, and he’s not real fond of me. So we got a major family feud going on, right here in hospice. DO NOT CROSS line running down the middle of the hall, me on one side, her on the other. It’s crazy.
In the middle of all of this, really, there’s just me and Sylvie, a guy and a girl. And we want to live, in our way, by our own rules, in whatever time we’ve got. We will pack in some living before we go, trust me.
It’s hard not to compare Somebody Up There Hates You to John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. Both feature teenagers who suffer from cancer, though Sylvie and Richard get to spend their last weeks in a hospice and don’t have the luxury of attending support group. It’s certainly a lot more cynical than The Fault in Our Stars and the teenagers aren’t wise beyond their years, which may have been its saving grace; their voices are authentic, which makes up for some of the issues that I had with this book.
The plot of Somebody Up There Hates You could easily be described in one sentence: Richie and Sylvie have terminal cancer and don’t want to die as virgins. There were some great moments – like the poker game at the end that showed how much Richie had developed as a character, and the pictures that Uncle Phil drew – but those were ultimately overshadowed by the emphasis on teenage hormones.
Richie, the protagonist, doesn’t spend a lot of time wallowing in self-pity; instead, he has made peace with the fact that he is, in fact, going to die. As a way to pass the time in hospice, Richie causes a lot of trouble: he plays a few pranks, sneaks out of hospice, and hooks up with a few people. He makes a lot of mistakes and can be immature at times, but he also spends a lot of time worrying about his mother and how she’s dealing with his situation. He undergoes a fair bit of character development over the course of the book, and becomes a more mature, likeable character.
Richie’s relationship with Sylvie was rather disappointing. They were already “together” by the beginning of the book, but there was no real explanation as to how that happened. Sure, they’re the only teens in the hospice, but there has to be another reason why they’d get together… right? Their relationship seemed to be based purely on sex – or the anticipation of it – and although Richie claimed to love her, it didn’t come across that way.
My favourite relationship in Somebody Up There Hates You is definitely the relationship between Richie and Edward, his nurse. Edward helps to ground Richie, reminding him that he isn’t the only one with problems and that he definitely isn’t the only one that’s suffering. Edward takes on the roles of responsible adult and friend, keeping Richie in line when necessary and occasionally bending the rules for him. Edward genuinely cares for Richie, and it shines through in all of his actions.
Overall, Somebody Up There Hates You is an interesting, light read. Its oversexualized plot filled with humourous moments left little room for heart-wrenching and moving scenes, causing it to lack the emotional punch that one would expect from a “cancer book.”
hollis seamon
somebody up there hates you
Book Review: What Really Happened in Peru by Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan
Book Review: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Book Review: The Archived by Victoria Schwab
Book Blather September 6, 2013 at 5:46 pm
I saw this one in a bookshop and it looked amazing, but I’d just read The Fault in Our Stars and I didn’t want to put myself through THAT again so soon… Sorry this one wasn’t quite your cup of tea. 🙁
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Alpha Fall, LL.M., ‘02, Founder of the Institute For Human Rights and Development in Africa
Author: Charles Williams
Alpha Fall, LL.M., ‘02, died April 21, 2011 in Brussels. Mr. Fall was a gentle soul, a generous friend, and a true giant in the protection of human rights in Africa. He founded the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) – a first of its kind regional human rights organization focusing on advocacy before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. IHRDA remains perhaps the most important regional human rights organization in Africa.
He formerly headed the International Center for Transitional Justice’s office in the Congo (serving under extremely difficult circumstances) and, at the time of his death, was head of the UN’s transitional justice office in Bujumbura, Burundi – a high profile and demanding assignment.
Notre Dame’s reputation was burnished everywhere this beloved graduate served the cause of human dignity. He was well known – personally or by reputation — by almost all of our African graduates and by human rights defenders across Africa. He assisted many Notre Dame students to secure jobs and internships in the field and served as an intellectual and practical resource for many of us at Notre Dame. He was an incredible advocate for the Notre Dame Center for Civil & Human Rights. He was a man of deep Muslim faith who thrived at Notre Dame.
More information about Mr. Fall’s life and work is available here.
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Home Military Law Oklahoma Bromide
Bromide, Oklahoma Military Lawyers
Robert Donald Gifford II
Oklahoma City, OK Military Law Attorney
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(405) 494-0562Oklahoma City University School of LawDarshan Yeshiva, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and Austin Graduate School of TheologyOklahomaSuperLawyers.com and American Bar AssociationNational Lawyers Guild and Oklahoma State Bar“Non-judicial punishment: Middle ground between admin proceedings and courts-martial”, The History and Function of Property Exemptions in Oklahoma Law...
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J Travis Barnett
Tulsa, OK Military Law Attorney
(918) 794-0391OklahomaOklahoma State Bar
The LII Lawyer Directory contains lawyers who have claimed their profiles and are actively seeking clients. Find more Bromide, Oklahoma Military Lawyers in the Justia Legal Services and Lawyers Directory which includes profiles of more than one million lawyers licensed to practice in the United States, in addition to profiles of legal aid, pro bono and legal service organizations.
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Public Spaces in PH 101
Ragene Palma March 22, 2018 5 Comments
Public spaces have been both a love and an irk in my advocacy for improving Philippine urban spaces. A love, because it embodies equity, distributive justice, and shared rights, and an irk, because many Filipinos disrespect the notion of what “public” means, and just about everything it embodies–because of a sense of entitlement–while so many areas in the rest of the world put public spaces on a pedestal. So this post is going to be a listing of how public spaces are mentioned in our Philippine laws, what the New Urban Agenda says about them, and how I think we should move forward on improving our spaces.
Street art helps liven up blank walls and grey spaces. This wall art is in Kalibo, Aklan.
What does ‘public’ mean?
Basically, public means that it can be used by everyone, and shared by everyone. The 1987 Constitution states that:
(Section 2) All lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and other natural resources are owned by the State.
(Section 3) Lands of the public domain are classified into agricultural, forest or timber, mineral lands and national parks.
The Civil Code of the Philippines (RA 386, Art. 420) tells us that two properties are of public dominion:
Those intended for public use, such as roads, canals, rivers, torrents, ports and bridges constructed by the State, banks, shores, roadsteads, and others of similar character; and
Those which belong to the State, without being for public use, and are intended for some public service or for the development of the national wealth.
When we say “public spaces,” what spaces are included?
There are quite a number of spaces that we can publicly use. These include streets (including areas for vehicular traffic, cycling lanes, and pedestrian lanes or crosswalks), sidewalks and pavements, bridges, open spaces such as parks (including green parks, pocket parks, national parks, and protected parks) plazas, and playgrounds, public infrastructure (such as hospitals, schools, community centres, and places of worship), public transport stations (including train stations, waiting sheds, passenger waiting areas), ports, other public works and buildings, and water bodies.
Streets are defined as “any thoroughfare or public space which has been dedicated or deeded to the public for public use,” according to the National Building Code (RA 6541, Annex: Definition of Terms). Parks and playgrounds are listed as basic needs of human settlements, as per Batas Pambansa 220 (Rule III, Section 5B).
The entire street is public, and should be designed for the use of a variety of users. All of us should be able to share the space. Source: globaldesigningcities.org
This designated bicycle lane is in Marikina City. While it is an accomplishment from our usual car-centric streets, we still have a long way to go in protecting pedestrian and cyclist spaces.
“Public space,” “open space,” “green space” — what’s the difference?
When we say “public space,” we pertain to the use of the space, as it’s shared by everyone. When we say “open space,” it refers to “an area reserved exclusively for parks, playgrounds, recreational uses, schools, roads, places of worship, hospitals, health centers, barangay centers and other similar facilities and amenities,” according to Presidential Decree 1216.
Outside Philippine law, and referring to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we can define open space as “any open piece of land that is undeveloped (has no buildings or other built structures) and is accessible to the public.” It can include green spaces, which are defined as “land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation.”
The UN HABITAT defines ‘public open spaces’ as “the sum of the areas of the built-up areas of cities devoted to streets and boulevards–including walkways, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes–and the areas devoted to public parks, squares, recreational green areas, public playgrounds and open areas of public facilities.” Under SDG 11 (make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable), the indicator to measure progress is “the average share of the built-up areas of cities in open space in public ownership and use.”
These are strategies of how we create “green spaces” in open areas and urban spaces. Slides (c) Mr. Damian Tang.
What are the ideal public spaces?
Statement 37 of the New Urban Agenda provides for a very good description of how our public spaces should be: We commit ourselves to promoting safe, inclusive, accessible, green and quality public spaces, including streets, sidewalks and cycling lanes, squares, waterfront areas, gardens and parks, that are multifunctional areas for social interaction and inclusion, human health and well-being, economic exchange and cultural expression and dialogue among a wide diversity of people and cultures, and that are designed and managed to ensure human development and build peaceful, inclusive and participatory societies, as well as to promote living together, connectivity and social inclusion.
How much open space is required in our settlement areas?
Subdivisions and developments with at least one hectare (and up) should have at least 30% open space, according to PD 1216 Section 31. In this 30%, standards for parks, playgrounds, and areas for recreational use are also specified. These reserved public lands are to be non-alienable (cannot be bought or given titles) and non-buildable.
9% of gross area for high density or social housing
7% of gross area for medium-density or economic housing
3.5% of gross area low-density or open market housing
The same section of PD1216 also provides for adequate roads, alleys, and sidewalks, and specifies that subdivision project should have tree planting on designated areas.
Learn more about it from the Good Practice Guidelines of the Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority. Shoutout to my YSEALI Urban Planning and Smart Growth Workshop for the learning. 🙂
What public spaces should we have in the Philippines?
Section 17 of the Local Government Code (RA 7160) requires our local governments to provide basic services and facilities, where public spaces are enumerated. As such:
What about national parks and natural parks–are they public spaces?
Yes, they are public spaces. However, laws such as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act (RA 7586) and the Tourism Act of 2009 (RA 9593) (which repealed EO 30) provide for entities that regulate the activities and ensure the maintenance of the parks.
For example, the Intramuros Administration, National Parks Development Committee (which accounts for Luneta, Paco Park, Burnham Park, and Pook ni Maria Makiling), and Nayong Pilipino are all under the Department of Tourism.
Protected areas, which include natural parks, are under the NIPAS. The system is lodged under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Records on boundaries, rules and regulations, and other legal documents pertaining to the areas are supposed to be made public and available.
And what about water bodies?
Water bodies are owned by the state, and yes, they are also public spaces. The Local Government Code (RA 7160) section 131 defines ‘municipal waters,’ as such:
“…includes not only streams, lakes, and tidal waters within the municipality, not being the subject of private ownership and not comprised within the national parks, public forest, timber lands, forest reserves or fishery reserves, but also marine waters included between two lines drawn perpendicularly to the general coastline from points where the boundary lines of the municipality or city touch the sea at low tide and a third line parallel with the general coastline and fifteen (15) kilometers from it. Where two (2) municipalities are so situated on the opposite shores that there is less than fifteen (15) kilometers of marine waters between them, the third line shall be equally distant from opposite shores of their respective municipalities.”
This technically tells us that the waters on coastal areas, including water easement, and even with private resort fronts, can be enjoyed by everyone. Technically this also tells us that island waters, and islands themselves (because of the easement), cannot be owned.
Who are responsible for our public spaces?
It’s a shared responsibility between you, me, and practically everybody.
When it comes to urban design, it’s a shared responsibility between landscape architects and urban planners or designers. Design plays such a great role in our public spaces, not only because of aesthetic, but because of how it can help direct people’s behaviour, and because of how it provides for functionality.
When it comes to maintenance and management, it comes down to us as a citizenry, and our government at the national and local levels, to represent the state.
Urban design plans for the Upper Kirby Civic Centre Complex in Houston, show how lighter solutions instead of investment-intensive ones can be used. This plan harnesses the community garden, bark park, oak allee, and ball field. (c) PPS. How about utilising our many basketball courts in the Philippines, hmm?
The New Urban Agenda envisages cities that are participatory, that promote civic engagement, and that engender a sense of belonging and ownership. Can we say that our public spaces in the Philippines are inclusive?
They should be. We still do not have clear participatory and inclusive methods on how to engage different demographic segments on developing public spaces, but there are provisions for being sensitive to vulnerable groups in some of our laws:
For women, we find provisions in the following:
Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710, Section 20, b, 5): “Equal rights to women to the enjoyment, use, and management of land, water, and other natural resources within their communities or ancestral domains; and (Section 21): …the State shall consult women and involve them in community planning and development, especially in matters pertaining to land use, zoning, and relocation;” and
Republic Act No. 10028, or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, provides for the establishment of private, clean, sanitary, and well-ventilated lactation stations in public spaces (also further defined to be enclosed areas of schools, transportation terminals, shopping malls) and the workplace.
For children, Republic Act 7610, which protects children from abuse, exploitation, and discrimination, provides that children are “zones of peace.” Section 22 provides: “Children are hereby declared as Zones of Peace. It shall be the responsibility of the State and all other sectors concerned to resolve armed conflicts in order to promote the goal of children as zones of peace… Public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and rural health units shall not be utilized for military purposes such as command posts, barracks, detachments, and supply depots…”
For the elderly, the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 or Republic Act No. 9994 provides for standards, access to public transport, and enhanced mobility for senior citizens.
For the disabled, Batas Pambansa 344, which provides for installation of PWD-friendly facilities and devices, states that (4.2.1) cut-out curbs and accessible sidewalk ramps, as well as audio-visual aids for crossing, should be accessible in streets, highways, and transport-related structures, such as transport terminals and passenger waiting areas. These spaces should also be barrier-free.
The Philippine Clean Air Act , or Republic Act 8749, also provides for healthier, pollution-free public spaces that are implemented by LGUs, as stated in Article 5, Section 24: “Smoking inside a public building or an enclosed public place including public vehicles and other means of transport or in any enclosed area outside of one’s private residence, private place of work or any duly designated smoking area is hereby prohibited.”
One of the most engaging public spaces I have seen in the country is the new city centre of Bacolod. Citizens do all kinds of activities in front of the city hall: Zumba, massages, strolling around the lake, kite-flying, eating, running, workouts, family-bonding, and a lot more. Thanks to Mr. Eli Gatanela for touring me around the place during one of my visits in 2017. 🙂
We’ve got a problem in the Philippines–so much of our public spaces can be dangerous, not cared for, and inconvenient for public use. What can we do about it?
There are quite a lot of things we can–and should do:
1. Respect the space, keep what’s public for everyone. Very sad problems in the country include encroachment and the use of streets as a private parking space.
While technically street parking can be allowed by whoever has the jurisdiction of the space (for example, the local government), the usability of the space should not be restricted for others, so citizens can always bring up if the practice already causes traffic or difficulty.
Streets and sidewalks, which should be shared, have become parking spaces, making it difficult for moving traffic, joggers, cyclists, and pedestrians to co-exist. This is in our subdivision in Marikina City, but it’s all too common in many cities in the Philippines.
Encroachment of the informal economy and slums has been a natural phenomenon around cities worldwide, and has also been a challenge for urban development. These kiosks are in the capital city of Manila.
(Left) Buffer zones as public spaces not only contribute to aesthetics but also to health and disaster risk reduction and management. (Right) The connectivity and integration of our public spaces from roads to open areas and pedestrian or family zones could be better improved by shifting to a people-centered rather than car-centered orientation.
While the informal economy greatly contributes to progress, and while I do not always agree with relocating slum dwellers because of social issues, we can learn to let go of entitlement in claiming public spaces for our own exclusive use. This doesn’t just go for parking on streets, it goes for drivers who scoff at pedestrians and cyclists, who have every right to use the streets and roads. It will make a difference in our cities.
2. Account for the public spaces, and demand it from our government. How many parks, and open, green spaces do we have access to? Are all the public spaces stated in the Local Government Code present in our localities? Are our spaces inclusive and friendly towards the elderly and disabled, safe for children, and promotive of equality and respect for women’s needs?
I personally look for these characteristics when I observe public spaces:
People are present and interactive. The best public spaces are the ones used by people.
Spaces are safe, with adequate lighting and signage, with buffers for vehicles, and characteristically where you can comfortably leave a toddler running around without having to worry about cars and dangerous people.
Healthy, clean, green, well-maintained, and sanitary spaces.
Spaces should promote efficiency through connected networks or connected parks, encouraging inclusive mobility, and socio-economic development through livelihood and social interaction.
Non-discriminatory spaces–no harassment and catcalling; no biases against groups, especially vulnerable ones; no staring at musicians who want to play their music where they want to; no whispering when people of color or gender walk by; no reactions to different accents, attire, or cultural differences–just open, equal, convenient spaces for everyone.
There are interesting elements that give identity and meaning. Many open spaces can be used for art and creativity, such as wall murals, street art, and graffiti.
This photo from Paulo Alcazaren shows how the largest remaining green spaces are not parks. The lack of green lungs in the metropolitan is serious problem.
3. Engage in placemaking, make spaces place-led.
In all honesty, I would actually go paint crosswalks, create plant-based buffer zones on unsafe streets and spaces, and leave movable chairs on pavements if I had my way. But let’s get some issues straight. When we say public space, it’s free for public use, which is different from the word alter. Since public space is technically shared by everyone, one’s point of view on how to improve it wouldn’t really be shared by everyone, and might not be the best interest of the people.
So, if, as a concerned citizen, I wanted to alter public spaces that needed improvement, could I do it? Legally, technically, we would have to take it up with whoever has jurisdiction over the space. For example, if we eyed a Barangay road, then we talk to the Barangay about it. If it’s a city road, then we go ask the city government. I’ll have to conduct further research if there are local governments that have processes on how to improve these spaces together with communities and citizens.
And what if we received negative responses to this request? Technically you would have to appeal or have another dialogue, and in more extreme cases, rally to exercise citizen power, or take it up with DILG (or the Ombudsman if it were an administrative case). Sadly bureaucratic, I know.
This case has also been present in cities around the world, and responsible, pro-active citizens have responded with what we call placemaking. There is already a wide literature coverage on the movement, along with what we read on rebel cities, tactical urbanism, and guerrilla urbanism. These have resulted to place-led public spaces, championed and used by citizens.
The placemaking movement around the world has introduced the LQC (lighter-quicker-cheaper) approach to improving spaces. It goes along with guerrilla and tactical urbanism, which provide solutions without having to go through bureaucracy and top-down planning methods.
“It took the intolerable toll of child traffic deaths – and fierce activism – to turn Amsterdam into the cycling nirvana of today,” as reported by The Guardian. Amsterdam leads in the placemaking movement and in providing safer cities in the world.
4. Lastly, learn about the legal bases of our public spaces. I compiled provisions from Philippine laws and the recommendations from the New Urban Agenda of Habitat III, held in Quito, seen below. Happy reading!
Comment below if you’d like to clarify on some other spaces which I missed out, and I’ll be happy to do research and ask for legal consultation and add it to this post.
CategoriesEducation
Tags#featured, legal basis, new urban agenda, Philippines, Public Spaces
The EnP Board Review Series: Part 6B – History, Theories, and Concepts
Three states, four days, and so many lessons
Faith T. Dumaligan March 25, 2018 at 9:46 PM
Thank you for mentioning landscape architects aree one of the professionals responsible for the design public open spaces. Currently, there is a “Green, Green, Green” Program of the Department of Budget that provides funding assistance to public open space projects to cities (Local Budget Circular No. 116). Last March 15, 16, 19, & 20, we have conducted one-day workshops to 145 Philippine cities (on designing public open spaces) and have seen that most of our participants (which are from the CPDO, CENRO, CEO) are not aware of that the design of public open spaces is the landscape architect’s scope of work (RA 9053) and that the context for such spaces is directed by environmental planners. Hoping that some of these participants are part of your readership and will once again be informed of the laws and profession involved in planning and designing public open spaces (so that we don’t lose them to other land uses such as utilities, vehicular transportation in particular).
enpjean March 25, 2018 at 11:24 PM
Hello Faith, yes, environmnetal planners and landscape architects should work together on improving our public spaces. Do share the outputs of the workshops, I’ll be happy to learn more and write about it. I’ll send an e-mail. 😊
Faith Dumaligan March 27, 2018 at 10:56 AM
Hi Jean, Here is the link for the circular that sums up the lectures during the workshop: Local Budget Circular No. 116-A | | | | | |
| | | | Local Budget Circular No. 116-A March 26, 2018 SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDELINES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FUND-ASSISTANCE TO CITIES (LGSF-AC) IN THE FY 2018 GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT (GAA), REPUBLIC ACT (RA) NO. 10964 Download Local Budget Circular No. 116- | |
Basically, the workshop aimed at educating cities on what is public open space and how to design it. The circular sets the design considerations and deliverables that the cities shall be submitting to DBM for project approval then access funding. For a view and brief of the workshop, the March 14,15,16,19,& 20 posts at the DBM facebook page provides photos of the speakers and participants of the workshop as well as the program launch.
Ed Travis September 18, 2018 at 10:06 PM
Hi Jean …
I am a current PhD student at SURP. Very happy to stumble on your blog, what a wonderful contribution to our profession.
I am immersed in the process of refining my thesis, as well as formulating the concept for a new “center of excellence” at SURP. Would like to get your views on both. I know that you are incredibly busy, but if you could spare just a bit of time, would love to collaborate.
Martin L T. Santos March 18, 2019 at 1:14 PM
Sana wag muna mawala itong website na ito.
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New and old UK reviews of the 1929 Louise Brooks film Pandora's Box - now showing across the UK
The British Film Institute (BFI) is giving Pandora’s Box (1929) a theatrical re-release in England. That's a big deal for any classic film, let alone a silent film. Notably, but not surprisingly to the many fans of Louise Brooks, this old film is generating a lot of new buzz....
Pamela Hutchinson wrote a must-read piece on the BFI website titled "How the Lulu bob became cinema’s most imitated haircut." And Peter Bradshaw wrote a piece in the Guardian newspaper, "Pandora's Box review – intensely erotic silent-era classic," which called the film a "Weimar danse macabre." Meanwhile, Mark Kermode, one of England's best known film critics, had this to say.
Pandora’s Box, directed by G.W. Pabst, will open at the BFI Southbank and select cinemas UK-wide starting June 1. Among the cities where the film will be shown are London, Leicester, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dublin, and Belfast. Click through to the linked pages to see a schedule of screenings.
Today, Pandora’s Box is considered a masterpiece of the silent era and a landmark work in the history of world cinema. Its reputation is due largely to the riveting, red hot performance given by its star, Louise Brooks, in the role of Lulu. It wasn't always so.
In fact, the film received poor to middling reviews when it premiered in Berlin in February, 1929 -- as it did when it debuted in New York City in December, 1929. It also received somewhat tepid reviews when it was first shown in London in 1930, despite the fact that one of England leading film journals, Close-Up, had built-up expectations around the film. In April, 1929 the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer ran this bit.
Despite Close-Up's enthusiasm, the English trade journal, Kinematograph Weekly, expressed a certain critical reserve, stating that the picture "can hardly be expected to appeal to the average audience."
In April, 1930, when the film was shown in London, the Guardian critic noted how badly it was cut. Later, when the film was shown in August, 1930 at the Gaiety theater, Tottenham Court-road, the London Observer similarly commented, calling the censored film a "piece of work nervous and intelligent in conception, and photographically emotional, but presented, at least to the British public, in a chaotic form which reduces it from an entertainment to a study."
(I believe the critic "C.A. L." is Caroline Alice (C. A.) Lejeune. She appreciated Pabst's work, and in her 1931 book, Cinema, she noted " . . . no director on two continents has found so much personality in Louise Brooks.") References to Pandora's Box continued to surface in British publications in the 1930s, largely in reference to G.W. Pabst. The film was not forgotten, but also not that well regarded. The years passed.... Though the film was still in shambles, it was revived in London in 1957.
It would take decades for film historians and preservationists to restore it to its more-or-less original form. The many screenings taking place in England in June give contemporary viewers the chance to see the film as close to its original state as we may ever get.
BFI presents Louise Brooks in Pandora's Box in UK
The British Film Institute (BFI) is giving Pandora’s Box (1929) a theatrical re-release in June. The version that will be shown is a 2K DCP of the 1997 Munich Film Museum restoration.
Pandora’s Box, which was directed by G.W. Pabst and stars the one-and-only Louise Brooks as Lulu, will open at BFI Southbank and “selected cinemas UK-wide” on June 1. Among the cities where the film will be shown are London, Leicester, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dublin, and Belfast. The DCP comes with a score by Peer Raben, who has worked with Rainer Werner Fassbinder.
From 1 June
Filmhouse Edinburgh
QFT Belfast
Stoke Film Theatre
IFI Dublin
Phoenix, Leicester
Belmont, Aberdeen
From 15 June
Mareel Shetlands Arts
Hippodrome Bo’ness
Palace Cinema Broadstairs
Penarth Pier Pavillion
From 1 July
Triskel Arts Cork
Rich Mix, London
From 15 July
Cine Lumiere
Artrix Bromsgrove
The Poly, Falmouth, Cornwall
Regent Street Cinema, London
Pandora’s Box is considered a classic, a masterpiece of the silent era and a landmark work in the history of world cinema. Its reputation is due largely to the riveting, red hot performance given by its star, Louise Brooks, in the role of Lulu.
Few can match Brooks’ intensity and erotic allure. Pauline Kael called her Lulu “The archetype of the voracious destructive women.” Brooks is that, and more. In fact, she’s stunning—and those who see the film for the first time often say they can’t take their eyes off the actress.
In his acclaimed 1989 biography of Brooks, Barry Paris wrote: “A case can be made that Pandora’s Box was the last of the silent films—not literally, but aesthetically. On the threshold of its premature death, the medium in Pandora achieved near perfection in form and content.”
If you want to learn more about Pandora's Box, be sure and check out the recently released book by Pamela Hutchinson. Pictured below, it is highly recommended by the Louise Brooks Society.
Pamela Hutchinson's Pandora's Box (BFI Film Classics) is available on amazon (UK and USA). It is, no doubt, also available at better bookstores including the bookshop at BFI Southbank.
It’s that “near perfection in form and content”—dark and riveting, that draws audiences time and again. Here is the newly prepared BFI trailer for the film.
Pandora’s Box is also, as the trailer states (quoting yours truly in the Huffington Post), "one of the great masterpieces of the silent era."
Louise Brooks stars in Pandora's Box in Belfast June 1 - 7
Iconic silent film star Louise Brooks adorns the cover of QFT's June program. That's because Brooks' best known film, Pandora's Box, will be shown at the Queen's Film Theater for a week starting June 1. More information about this special event can be found HERE.
From the QFT: "One of the greatest silent films, G.W. Pabst’s Pandora’s Box is renowned for its sensational storyline, sparkling Weimar-period setting and the legendary lead performance of its iconic star Louise Brooks.
Following the rise and fall of Lulu (Louise Brooks), a spirited but innocent showgirl, whose sheer sexual magnetism wreaks havoc on the lives of men and women alike, Pandora’s Box was controversial – it features one of the first screen appearances of a lesbian character – and unsuccessful in its day, and then underappreciated for decades. It was only after recognition of Louise Brooks began to grow from the late 1950s, when she was championed by admirers like Henri Langlois, co-founder of the Cinémathèque Francaise, that the film was looked at anew. It now stands as an incredibly modern movie, and few stars of any era dazzle as brightly as Louise Brooks. Her beautiful features, trademark sharply cut, shiny black bobbed hair and extraordinarily charismatic onscreen presence, turned a silent movie actress into a timeless icon of both cinema and style.
Previously only shown on the big screen in the UK on 35mm, with cinemas having to hire a pianist or musicians to perform a live score, this new digital version features an orchestral score by the German composer Peer Raben, known for his work with Rainer Werner Fassbinder."
The 5th Silent Film Festival in Thailand starts tomorrow.
The 5th Silent Film Festival in Thailand starts tomorrow, and runs May 24 through May 31 at the Scala and Lido Theaters. Here is some further information. (How thrilling it is to see silent film appreciated all around the world. This Festival has screened a Louise Brooks films in the past.)
กำหนดการเทศกาลภาพยนตร์เงียบ ประเทศไทย ครั้งที่ 5
The 5th Silent Film Festival in Thailand’s Schedule
*Accompanied by บรรเลงดนตรีประกอบโดย Maud Nelissen
** Accompanied by บรรเลงดนตรีประกอบโดย Richard Siedhoff
โรงภาพยนตร์สกาลา / Scala Theater
19.30 The Passion of Joan of Arc (France / 1928 / 81 min)*
โรงภาพยนตร์ลิโด / Lido Theater
18.30 Dutch Types (France / 1915 / 4 min)*
The Secret of Delft (Netherlands / 1917 / 70 min)*
20.00 Journey into the Night (Germany / 1921 / 81 min)**
12.00 45 Minutes from Hollywood (USA / 1926 / 22 min)**
Sherlock JR. (USA / 1924 / 45 min)**
14.30 The House on Trubnaya (Soviet Union / 1928 / 64 min)*
17.00 สนทนากับนักดนตรีประกอบหนังเงียบ Talk with Musicians
19.00 The Devious Path (Germany / 1928 / 107 min)**
Sunday 27 May
12.00 Foolish Wives (USA / 1922 / 101 min)*
14.30 Dutch Types (France / 1915 / 4 min) *
17.00 The Grey Automobile (Mexico / 1919 / 223 min)**
18.30 The Goddess (China / 1934 / 85 min)*
18.30 The Passion of Joan of Arc (France / 1928 / 81 min)**
ภาพยนตร์ทุกเรื่องมีคำบรรยายภาษาไทยและอังกฤษ
Film Screenings with Thai and English Intertitles
บัตรราคา 120 บาท ยกเว้น The Grey Automobile ราคา 200 บาท
Ticket is 120 baht except The Grey Automobile is 200 baht
And yet more of the lost Louise Brooks film, The American Venus
The 1926 Frank Tuttle-directed film, The American Venus, is considered lost. The film was the second in which Louise Brooks had a role, though the first for which she received a screen credit. The budding actress received a good deal of attention for her supporting role as a beauty contestant, Miss Bayport. That supporting role effectively launched Brooks' career. More about The American Venus can be found HERE.
Back in the late 1990s, a few minutes of footage from The American Venus was found in Australia. The surviving material includes fragments, variously in black and white, tinted and in Technicolor, from two coming attraction trailers. These surviving trailers, each about 180 feet in length, are housed at the Library of Congress and at the Pacific Film Archive. The two trailers were screened at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival in 2002, and can be found on the DVD box set, More Treasures from American Film Archives 1894 – 1931. This material can also be found on YouTube HERE.
And just recently, the British Film Institute announced it had found a three second technicolor fragment which featuring Brooks. More about that remarkable discovery can be found HERE, which the clip itself can be found HERE.
Well, it turns out, that's not all there is of Louise Brooks and The American Venus. A couple of brief scenes not included in any of the above material may also be found in the trailer embedded below, which can also be found on YouTube (where it has been, hiding in plain sight, since 2007).
The brief bit of contestant Miss Bay Port flirting with Ford Sterling is especially fresh and wholly unknown to me. (Though I am not certain, this particular scene was likely shot in Atlantic City, around the time of the 1925 Miss American beauty contest.) There is also a bit of footage of Esther Ralston, Lawrence Gray, and Fay Lanphier (the actual 1925 Miss America), as well as an unknown actress at the very end. The tvdays trailer is part of a compilation of trailers from lost films.
I am curious, can anyone identify the unknown actress at the very end of the trailer? Here is a technicolor image of that actress.
New paper doll book features Louise Brooks and other silent screen stars
A new paper doll book features Louise Brooks. Silent Screen Stars Paper Dolls by David Wolfe was released about one month ago by Paper Studio Press. The 10 page book also features paper dolls of Mary Pickford, Lillian Gish, Gloria Swanson, Clara Bow, and Greta Garbo.
The publisher's description reads, "The lights dim, the piano plays and the film projector clicks as the first title card appears on the screen. It's the silent film era--the three-decade period at the beginning of the 20th century that gave birth to the film industry, Hollywood and movie stars. The 5th in "David Wolfe's History of Hollywood Fashions" series celebrates six of our earliest stars--Mary Pickford, Lillian Gish, Gloria Swanson, Clara Bow, Louise Brooks, and Greta Garbo--and costumes from their silent films. This super-sized volume provides 6 paper dolls on a cardstock centerfold and 10 pages of costumes for the silent screen stars, plus authoritative commentary by David Wolfe, the popular artist and Hollywood fashion historian."
More about David Wolfe and his work can be found on https://paperdollywood.com/
Beggars of Life, starring Louise Brooks, screens May 18th in England
On May 18, the Yorkshire Silent Film Festival in Scarborough, England will screen the now classic 1928 Louise Brooks' film, Beggars of Life. More information about this event can be found HERE.
The Festival describes the film thus: "In this rarely-seen Hollywood classic, the great Louise Brooks stars as a train-hopping hobo who disguises herself as a boy and goes on the run. With dramatic American landscapes, a lyrical love story, and a daring, desperate final scene atop a speeding train, this is classic silent film entertainment."
Want to learn more about the film? Last Spring saw the release of my new book, Beggars of Life: A Companion to the 1928 Film, and this past Summer saw the release of a new DVD / Blu-ray of the film from Kino Lorber. If you haven't secured your own copy of either the book or the DVD / Blu-ray, why not do so today? The book is also available on amazon.com in the UK at this link.
Dates announced for Pandora's Box showings in London and elsewhere (starring Louise Brooks)
Earlier, the British Film Institute (BFI) announced it is giving Pandora’s Box (1929) a theatrical re-release starting in June. Today, a number of dates and venues were announced.
1 June - 14 June
Pandora’s Box, which was directed by G.W. Pabst, is now considered a classic, a masterpiece of the silent era and a landmark work in the history of world cinema. Its considerable reputation is due largely to the riveting, red hot performance given by its star, Louise Brooks, in the role of Lulu.
Pandora’s Box is also a problematic film. It was censored when released, and cut in many of the countries where it was first shown; the surviving prints which have come down to us today are worse for wear. The version of Pandora’s Box presented is a 2K DCP of the 2007 Munich Film Museum restoration. According to reports, the DCP comes with a score by Peer Raben, a composer who has worked with director Rainer Werner Fassbinder.
BFI Southbank screenings on Monday 4 June 18:00 NFT1, Friday 8 June 17:50 NFT2 and Thursday 14 June 17:50 NFT1 will have live piano accompaniment. Ticket information on these screenings can be found HERE.
Friday 01 June 2018 14:30
NFT1
Saturday 02 June 2018 15:15
Sunday 03 June 2018 15:00
Monday 04 June 2018 18:00
Tuesday 05 June 2018 14:30
Wednesday 06 June 2018 14:30
Thursday 07 June 2018 14:30
From the BFI website: "This sensational silent film follows the rise and fall of showgirl Lulu (Brooks), who goes from a decadent Weimar-era Berlin to a lurid London. When we first meet Lulu she’s the mistress of a middle-aged businessman, who tries to break off their affair in order to marry a respectable socialite, only to be caught red-handed by his bride-to-be. Lulu’s wild nature leads her into affairs with male and female suitors, leaving chaos and heartbreak in her wake. Few actors have such an electrifying screen presence as the 22-year-old Louise Brooks, whose powerful yet naturalistic performance in Pandora’s Box went underappreciated for decades – something we aim to rectify here with this gorgeous new restoration." -- Anna Bogutskaya, Events Programmer
Above is the newly prepared BFI trailer for the film. If you want to learn more about Pandora's Box, be sure and check out the recently released book by Pamela Hutchinson. Pictured below, it is highly recommended by the Louise Brooks Society.
Story of Louise Brooks' forger Lee Israel comes to the big screen
As Louise Brooks fans everywhere await the Fall release date of The Chaperone (the PBS Masterpiece film based on an incident in Brooks' life)....
Fox Searchlight has announced that Can You Ever Forgive Me?, the story of literary forger Lee Israel, will hit screens later this year. The film's release is scheduled for October. Melissa McCarthy stars in this forthcoming adaptation of Israel's 2008 memoir, also titled Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Louise Brooks plays a significant part in Israel's story. Nearly three chapters are given over to Brooks in Israel's slim 2008 book, in which she admits to forging at least a handful of letters from the silent film star. (Four of the Brooks forgeries are depicted in the book.) Brooks' name also appears on the book's cover, XXX'ed out, as do the names of Israel's other subjects, Dorothy Parker, Noël Coward, and Lillian Hellman.
From the trailer embedded below, I don't know that Brooks figures in this new film. A few days ago, I messaged the screenwriters asking if Brooks is mentioned, but have yet to hear back.
Can You Ever Forgive Me? is the true story of best-selling celebrity biographer and friend to cats Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy), who made her living in the 1970’s and 80’s profiling the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Estee Lauder, and journalist Dorothy Kilgallen. When Lee is no longer able to get published because she has fallen out of step with current tastes, she turns her talents to deception, abetted by her loyal friend Jack (played by Richard E. Grant).
Earlier in her career, Israel had published a popular biography of the actress Tallulah Bankhead, but as a writer, she fell on hard times. She turned to forging letters from famous personalities, including actors, entertainers and writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Eugene O'Neil, Fannie Brice and Humphrey Bogart. According to Israel, two of her fakes even made it into The Letters of Noël Coward, published in 2007.
In its 2015 obituary, The New York Times noted, "In the early 1990s, with her career at a standstill, she became a literary forger, composing and selling hundreds of letters that she said had been written by Edna Ferber, Dorothy Parker, Noël Coward, Lillian Hellman and others. That work, which ended with Ms. Israel’s guilty plea in federal court in 1993, was the subject of her fourth and last book, the memoir Can You Ever Forgive Me?, published by Simon & Schuster in 2008." (Read the New York Times review of the book, which mentions Brooks, HERE. Also, check out the Los Angeles Times review HERE. And the NPR story can be read or listened to HERE.)
After her memoir was published in 2008 and all became known, Israel turned to selling her forged letters (as such) on eBay. As I noted on this blog at the time: "The eBay description reads, 'Lee Israel, author of the recently published Can You Ever Forgive Me? Memoirs of a Literary Forger, which The New York Times called 'pretty damned fabulous,' is offering several letters for sale – the hilarious forgeries that experts from coast to coast could not distinguish from the extraordinary letters written by the silent film star. These are the letters Lee Israel had not yet sold when the FBI came knocking at her door. $75 each, suitable for framing to bamboozle your literary friends. Letters of inauthenticity provided."
I didn't buy any of Israel's forgeries, but I did email her. We exchanged a couple of brief messages, but all-in-all, she was reticent to talk about what she had done. In an interview with Vice magazine, however, she said this:
VICE: Well, it could’ve been that they didn’t fuss because you went to such great lengths to make the content of the letters believable and entertaining.
LEE ISRAEL: Yes. For instance, my Louise Brooks letters were based on her actual letters. In the beginning, I spent weeks reading these fabulous letters by her in the library. I got into her soul and her sensibilities and gained lots of knowledge about her life. So when I sat down to do the forgeries, I was just taking baby steps. In the beginning those letters were mostly Louise’s words with a bunch of stuff just changed around. But when they started to sell like hotcakes, I got surer of myself and moved farther and farther away from the model. The Noël Coward and Dorothy Parker and Edna Ferber stuff was not even based on real letters. I was using things written in other forms and incorporating them into my work.
I am looking forward to the film, which looks very promising.
Our 3000th blog post - and announcing a new book, Louise Brooks, the Persistent Star
This post marks the 3000th entry on the Louise Brooks Society blog. The LBS blog began back in the summer of 2002, and has been going strong ever since. My sincere thanks go to its occasional contributors, as well as its many readers and subscribers. Admittedly, the LBS is a little bit proud of this milestone, a small achievement which shows its ongoing 16 year commitment to spreading the word. Louise Brooks Lulu forever.
It is fitting then that an announcement be made of the publication of a forthcoming book by this blogs' primary author, Thomas Gladysz. Due out in the next two months is Louise Brooks, the Persistent Star (PandorasBox Press). This 300 page book is a selection of the best articles, essays and blog posts about Louise Brooks by Thomas Gladysz, the Director of the LBS. I would guess that blog posts make up less than half of the book, with the bulk of material coming from the author's contributions to the Huffington Post, Salon, PopMatters, the old examiner.com, and other new sites and newspapers scattered across the web and the world. Louise Brooks, the Persistent Star will also contain a handful of interviews by the author all related to Brooks.
Louise Brooks, the Persistent Star is going through its final edits, but as of now it stands at 110,000 words with some four or five dozen images, some rare and little seen. At one point, the book ran 140,000 words, but editing has reduced it to its current size. (Sometimes, it is difficult to let go of an article which once meant a lot.) More about the book will be posted in the coming months, including information on availability and related events. Stay tuned. Below is a mock up of the front cover.
Louise Brooks and Pandora's Box star in England in June
Pandora’s Box, which was directed by G.W. Pabst and stars Louise Brooks, will open at BFI Southbank and “selected cinemas UK-wide” on June 1. Additional dates and venues are to be announced. According to reports, the DCP comes with a score by Peer Raben, who has worked with Rainer Werner Fassbinder.
It’s that “near perfection”—dark and riveting, that draws audiences time and again. Here is the newly prepared BFI trailer for the film.
Jazz Singer Hailey Tuck - The millennial's Louise Brooks
Hailey Tuck describes herself as a "Jazz singer from Austin, Texas, based in Paris & London in the 1920's."
Marie Claire describes her as “The millennial's Louise Brooks.” In fact, the alt-jazz singer takes inspiration from the similarly bobbed Brooks and her 1982 book, Lulu in Hollywood. Tuck says as much in the video embedded below.
Tuck's new album. Junk, is out today on the Sony Music label. (Autographed copies are available.) To find out more about this oh-so charming artist, visit her website or Facebook page, each of which are loaded with songs and images and videos and more.
On her Sony debut, Hailey puts her own spin on songs by artists as diverse as Leonard Cohen, The Kinks, Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney, as well as cabaret classics and Leonard Bernstein. (I especially love "Tell Her No," an old fave by the The Zombies.) Junk is produced by the multi Grammy Award winning Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Melody Gardot) and was recorded last year at Sunset Sound in L.A. with a band of veteran jazz musicians. Junk is playful and provocative and witty and world-weary and was "tailor-made for good times as it is for tears." (I sure wish Tuck would get around to recording "Louise".... because these days every little breeze seems to whisper Hailey's name. It would be a perfect fit.) Give a listen to Hailey Tuck's new album below.
Back in 2015, Tuck contributed a lovely, long piece to the Louise Brooks Society blog titled "Jazz singer Hailey Tuck - her story of discovering Louise Brooks." It is well worth checking out. She's got It.
Louise Brooks and Denis Marion: a correspondence
Just recently, I acquired a French-language book, Denis Marion; pleins feux sur un homme de l'ombre (LE CRI). It is about the French-speaking Belgian writer, lawyer, journalist, chess player, literary critic, film critic, playwright, and university professor Denis Marion. I did so because the book contains a 17-page chapter about Marion's long correspondence with Louise Brooks. And though I don't read French, I was able to pick through the chapter (by Muriel Andrin and Caroline Pirotte) and gleam some fascinating material. Happily, for me, bits of some of their letters are presented in their original English.
Marion is only mention in passing in the Barry Paris biography, but from what I was able to find out, Marion (whose real name is Marcel Defosse) was born in 1906, the same year as Brooks. He began a career as a lawyer while indulging in his passion for chess (he participated in six championships in Belgium). In 1928, he published a laudatory article on a novel by André Malraux, which earned him the friendship of the famed author. In the early 1930s, he was one of the founders of the Screen Club (the precursor of the Belgian Royal Cinematheque ), and was involved in the making of various documentary films. In 1945, he left his law firm to become the correspondent in Paris of the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir. He signed his articles under the pseudonym Denis Marion. As such, he wrote books on literature (on Daniel Defoe, Edgar Allen Poe), and the cinema (including titles on Erich von Stroheim, and Igmar Bergman), a novel published by Gallimard, two plays, a couple of screenplays (both films were directed by Albert Valentin), and gave classes at the Université Libre de Bruxelles on the history of cinema.
Denis Marion
Marion knew many cultural personalities in France, as well as in the post-WWII film world. I don't think Marion and Brooks ever met. But, they did strike up a seven-year correspondence with Brooks that began in 1962 and lasted until 1969.
Chapter VII of Denis Marion; pleins feux sur un homme de l'ombre, titled "Louise Brooks/Denis Marion, fragments d'une correspondence (1962-1968)" offers a glimpse of what I gather to have been a vigorous meeting of minds. At one point in the exchange of letters, there was much discussion regarding Erich von Stroheim. Marion was writing a book on the director, and was pleased to be in contact with someone who had met him.
According to a Brooks’ letter from 1964, the actress met von Stroheim at G.W. Pabst’s Hollywood apartment in 1935. “I shall never forget him sitting tense, separate, flashing me a quick, ugly look and saying not a word as we were introduced. He made not even a gesture of rising. In that look, we knew each other — why pretend?” Brooks goes on to discuss silent era actors who made up a past.
In 1966, the French film journal Etudes Cinematographiques published its "von Stroheim" issue, edited by Denis Marion (and dedicated to Brooks). The actress contributed one page of notes about the director excerpted from her 1964 contribution to the Montreal journal Objectif. Brooks' name also appears on the cover alongside Rene Clair, Lillian Gish, Jean Renoir and others.
Here are some highlights which I gathered from "Louise Brooks/Denis Marion, fragments d'une correspondence (1962-1968)," which only quotes snippets from their correspondence. All together, this is fascinating material, and well worth publishing in its entirety.
Begins corresponding with French writer Denis Marion.
Writes to Marion, "Yesterday when I wrote to you I was so busy -- reading your article, feeding the cat, checking my notebook, making a cake, writing to Lotte [Eisner], clipping the ivy and reading a letter from William Inge."
Marion writes to Brooks offering to translate her book Women in Film into French and to help find a publisher in France.
Writes a letter to Marion in which Brooks states her reluctant admiration for Mae Murray.
Writes a letter to Marion offering to help research Erich von Stroheim. Brooks also writes that she will acquire a copy of Daniel Defoe's Moll Flanders, which she plans to read again.
Writes a letter to Denis Marion, who notes she often spent nights in Chez Florence in Montmartre while in Paris.
Writes a letter to Marion in which Brooks says "Perhaps I never would have had courage to write had you not told me to read novels."
Writes a letter to Marion asking which Balzac novels he suggests she read. "I reread Manon Lescaut. It is just as silly to me now as 35 years ago.... Another book I read again was [Flaubert's] Madame Bovary."
Writes a letter to Marion stating she gave up sex in 1958. "But right up to my retirement from sex in 1958, I always had some pretty lesbians on a string -- flattering and fun. So if I am known as a lesbian it is my own doing, and I don't mind, I like it."
Writes a letter to Marion which states she has "fallen in love with Stroheim -- as a person now."
Writes a letter to Marion, "Tomorrow I shall be 61, knowing no more about myself or why I do anything then I did at 6. Except this -- all my life I have been a learner. That is why I write. As Dylan Thomas put it... 'My poetry is the record of my struggles from darkness to some measure of light'."
Correspondence with the French writer Denis Marion ends.
New and old UK reviews of the 1929 Louise Brooks f...
Louise Brooks stars in Pandora's Box in Belfast Ju...
The 5th Silent Film Festival in Thailand starts to...
And yet more of the lost Louise Brooks film, The A...
New paper doll book features Louise Brooks and oth...
Beggars of Life, starring Louise Brooks, screens M...
Dates announced for Pandora's Box showings in Lond...
Story of Louise Brooks' forger Lee Israel comes to...
Our 3000th blog post - and announcing a new book,...
Louise Brooks and Pandora's Box star in England in...
Jazz Singer Hailey Tuck - The millennial's Louise ...
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About University of Missouri-Columbia
The University of Missouri was founded in 1839 in Columbia, Mo., as the first public university west of the Mississippi River and the first state university in Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase territory. Today, MU is a $2.1 billion enterprise and an important investment for the state and nation. MU provides all the benefits of two universities in one: It's a major land-grant institution with a statewide mission of service to citizens and Missouri's largest public research university. Considered one of the nation's top-tier institutions, Mizzou is the flagship campus of the four-campus University of Missouri System. It is one of only 34 public universities, and the only public institution in Missouri, to be selected for membership in the Association of American Universities. The state’s most comprehensive university, MU offers more than 300 degree programs through 19 colleges and schools and is one of only five universities nationwide with law, medicine, veterinary medicine and a nuclear research reactor on one campus. Mizzou What is Mizzou? Learn about the history and traditions behind the name Mizzou has a diverse enrollment with 35,000 students from every county in Missour...i, every state in the nation and 120 countries. The favorite classroom for the best and brightest, Mizzou attracts more valedictorians, Curators Scholars and Bright Flight Scholars than any other college or university in Missouri. Twenty-six percent of MU freshmen come from the top 10 percent of their high school classes. MU’s nationally prominent faculty bring discoveries into the classroom, publish more than 1,600 books and scholarly articles each year and spend about $235 million annually on scientific research; they account for 70 percent of the research dollars flowing to Missouri public universities. Ninety-two percent of full-time, ranked faculty hold doctorates or the highest degree in their field.
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Best Of Orlando
Readers Poll 2019
OW Events
Orlando Weekly
Venue page 1 of 5
Orlando New Years Eve Events
Gay Days
Clubs/Lounges
Audubon Park
I-DriveUniversal
Ivanhoe Village
Winter Park Area
Milk District
Mills 50
DJ Cliff T
Fridays, Saturdays, 10 p.m.
Aero - Central
Live Music Saturdays
Saturdays, 9 p.m.-12 a.m.
Aloma Bowl - Winter Park Area
Pressed Editions: Experimental Contemporary Prints
Art & History Museums - Maitland - Winter Park Area
The Producers
Fri., July 19, 7:30 p.m., Sat., July 20, 7:30 p.m., Sun., July 21, 2:30 p.m., Thu., July 25, 7:30 p.m., Fri., July 26, 7:30 p.m., Sat., July 27, 7:30 p.m., Sun., July 28, 2:30 p.m., Thu., Aug. 1, 7:30 p.m., Fri., Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m., Sat., Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m., Sun., Aug. 4, 2:30 p.m., Thu., Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m., Fri., Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m., Sat., Aug. 10, 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Aug. 11, 2:30 p.m.
Athens Theatre - Elsewhere
Midnight Mass Dance Party
Saturdays, 12 a.m.
Backbooth - Downtown
Live Music on the Patio
Mondays-Sundays, 6-10 p.m.
Bahama Breeze, Waterford Lakes - UCF
Barely Retro with DJ Smilin' Dan
Saturdays, 9 p.m.
Barley and Vine Biergarten - Central
Saturday With the Beat
Saturdays, 10 p.m.
The Beacham - Downtown
Saturdays, 7-11:45 p.m.
Campus Cards & Games - UCF
Through Sept. 1, 5-9 p.m.
The Capital Grille - West
Butterfly Talks
Saturdays, 5-6 p.m.
The Center - Mills 50
Winter Park Walking Food Tour
Fridays-Sundays, 11:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Central Park, Winter Park - Winter Park Area
Charles Hosmer Morse’s Arts and Crafts Study at Osceola Lodge
Through Jan. 31, 2021
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art - Winter Park Area
Earth Into Art: The Flowering of American Art Pottery
Iridescence – A Celebration
Through Sept. 26, 2021
CityArts Factory - Downtown
Sick 'n' Wrong Film Festival
Starts Aug. 9. Aug. 9-11
Texas Hold'em Tournament
Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m. Continues through Dec. 31
Clicks Billiards - Semoran - Conway
20th Century Mexican Art from the Zapanta Collection
Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Rollins College - Winter Park Area
Ruptures and Remnants: Selections from the Permanent Collection
Through Dec. 31, 2020
© 2019 Orlando Weekly
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Beyoncé, Donald Glover & More Stun At The World Premiere Of Lion King
Source: ROBYN BECK / Getty
We are just ten days out from “The Lion King” live-action remake hitting theaters, and some of Hollywood’s best and brightest showed up and showed out for the occasion. The new film, which is a remake from the 1994 classic, stars Donald Glover as the adult voice of Simba and Beyoncé as the adult voice of Nala.
Other cast members include Keegan Michael-Key, Alfre Woodard, Florence Kasumba, John Kani and James Earl Jones reprising his iconic role as the voice of Mufasa.
Besides the cast, the red carpet dazzled with more celebs including, Halle Bailey, who just snagged the role as the first Black “Little Mermaid” in the forthcoming live-action rendering, and her sister, Chloe x Halle member Chloe Bailey.
Destiny Child members Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland came out to support their bestie, Beyoncé.
While the premiere kicked off, The Lion King’s official Instagram announced a new album of original songs inspired by “The Lion King” were slated to be released on July 19th. A single, “Spirit” by Beyoncé was released last night.
“”The Lion King: The Gift,” a new album of songs featuring global recording artists and steeped in the sounds of Africa, produced and curated by @BeyonceKnowles-Carter, will be released July 19. “Spirit,” the single from the album and from the soundtrack for The Lion King, will be available later tonight,” the post reads.
Just Announced: "The Lion King: The Gift," a new album of songs featuring global recording artists and steeped in the sounds of Africa, produced and curated by @Beyonce Knowles-Carter, will be released July 19. "Spirit," the single from the album and from the soundtrack for The Lion King, will be available later tonight. https://smarturl.it/beyoncespirit
A post shared by Disney’s The Lion King (@lionking) on Jul 9, 2019 at 4:28pm PDT
See more red carpet moments and flicks from the premiere:
Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty
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Live Blogging the 2012 Oscars!
12:53 A.M. To put the finishing touches on the evening, “Life of Pi” was the big winner with 4 Oscars including Best Director. “Argo” took home 3 trophies to boot including Best Picture, the one that really counts. “Les Misérables” had a nice haul of 3 as well, winning Anne Hathaway her first Oscar! “Django Unchained,” “Lincoln,” and “Skyfall” each won a pair of Academy Awards too.
Thanks for tuning in, everyone! You were a wonderful audience! And you helped make this a banner night for the site as well, breaking my all-time daily traffic record.
Check back tomorrow for my Monday morning wrap-up where I attempt to break down the implications of the night, the best-dressed women, and the precise moment I went and returned from heaven during the “Les Misérables” cast reunion. Take care, readers and Oscar watchers!
11:59 P.M. Aww, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner. And what an incredible speech of redemption, justice, and vindication!
11:58 P.M. Giving the Academy the finger with the mention of Affleck as a director.
11:56 P.M. What a wild ride for Ben Affleck. Congratulations to all involved on this fantastic movie!
11:55 P.M. BEST PICTURE: “ARGO“
11:53 P.M. Because Bill Clinton on the Golden Globes wasn’t enough, Michelle Obama had to upstage everyone at the Oscars…
11:52 P.M. Does Jack Nicholson always present Best Picture?
11:51 P.M. Biggest shocker of the night! A nice, eloquent speech as always. History has been made … and will probably be made again when he takes his next role.
11:48 P.M. BEST ACTOR: DANIEL DAY-LEWIS, “LINCOLN“
11:43 P.M. BEST ACTRESS: JENNIFER LAWRENCE, “SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK“
11:36 P.M. If “Life of Pi” does not win Best Picture, that means Ang Lee will have won Best Director twice and never won Best Picture.
11:34 P.M. BEST DIRECTOR: ANG LEE, “LIFE OF PI“
11:29 P.M. Ugh, really? Guess my distaste for Tarantino’s latest really killed my ballot.
11:26 P.M. BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: “DJANGO UNCHAINED“
11:24 P.M. BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: “ARGO“
11:17 P.M. You da bomb, Adele! The whole world loves you!
11:16 P.M. BEST ORIGINAL SONG: SKYFALL FROM “SKYFALL“
11:10 P.M. BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: “LIFE OF PI“
11:00 P.M. We miss you, Nora Ephron!
10:57 P.M. In memoriam, it always gets me…
10:49 P.M. BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN: “LINCOLN“
10:36 P.M. No one can silence a room quite like Adele. She is unbelievable.
10:33 P.M. BEST FILM EDITING: “ARGO“
10:25 P.M. YES YES YES! “It came true,” channeling her best Mia Thermopolis. And such a beautiful line about Fantines in real life!
10:22 P.M. BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: ANNE HATHAWAY, “LES MISERABLES“
10:19 P.M. TIME FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS!
10:16 P.M. So cool, never thought I’d see a tie in my lifetime! This is awesome!
10:14 P.M. BEST SOUND EDITING: (tie) “ZERO DARK THIRTY” and “SKYFALL“
10:11 P.M. BEST SOUND MIXING: “LES MISERABLES“
10:10 P.M. Glad Seth MacFarlane can joke about his movie’s mediocrity.
10:07 P.M. Is this what heaven is like? Oh my god!
10:05 P.M. HYPERVENTILATION!
10:03 P.M. I CAN DIE HAPPY NOW! THIS IS SO FANTASTIC!
10:02 P.M. LES MIS LES MIS LES MIS LES MIS I AM DYING
9:59 P.M. Jennifer Hudson being amazing is good enough. Why has she disappeared?!
9:57 P.M. HOW CAN THEY DO “DREAMGIRLS” WITHOUT BEYONCE!?!
9:54 P.M. I’ll never look at “Chicago” the same way. Catherine Zeta-Jones sounds awful and looks like a totally different person than the woman that won the Oscar 10 years ago.
9:53 P.M. I’m sorry, but I just can’t take John Travolta seriously…
9:50 P.M. BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: “AMOUR“
9:45 P.M. “Jaws” theme again? Wow, so rude.
9:44 P.M. BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: “SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN”
9:41 P.M. “The actor who really got inside Abraham Lincoln’s head was John Wilkes Booth.” Yeah, maybe too soon…
9:40 P.M. By breaking up the Best Picture nominees into 3 trios, I hope this doesn’t mean they think they can get away with not doing one giant montage…
9:37 P.M. The modern American superhero who isn’t American … Liam Neeson.
9:36 P.M. Darn, there goes my streak of getting all the short films right.
9:35 P.M. BEST SHORT FILM (DOCUMENTARY): “INOCENTE”
9:33 P.M. Love that feeling of getting a short film prediction right!
9:32 P.M. BEST SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION): “CURFEW”
9:30 P.M. This is how I knew who Shirley Bassey was…
9:27 P.M. Pretty impressive finish for Shirley Bassey there.
9:21 P.M. So glad “Les Misérables” isn’t going home empty handed!
9:20 P.M. BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING: “LES MISERABLES“
9:17 P.M. BEST COSTUME DESIGN: “ANNA KARENINA“
9:11 P.M. What a terrible way to play someone off – with “Jaws!” He was trying to say something meaningful about their company that was going bankrupt and they just totally cut him off!
9:1o P.M. BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: “LIFE OF PI“
9:07 P.M. BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: “LIFE OF PI“
9:05 P.M. Awkwardly missing Scarlett Johansson on “The Avengers” reunion … now it’s a sausage fest.
9:04 P.M. Adorable flexing Quvenzhané Wallis! “I really hope I don’t lose to that old lady, Jennifer Lawrence!”
9:02 P.M. Chills all over again for “Les Misérables.”
9:00 P.M. Well, sorry for ever doubting Pixar owned this category, except when they don’t.
9:00 P.M. BEST ANIMATED FILM: “BRAVE“
8:59 P.M. So great of the Academy to send out all the short films!
8:58 P.M. BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM: “PAPERMAN”
8:57 P.M. Never mind, misread the envelope.
8:56 P.M. Screenplay already?! Not again….
8:55 P.M. Loving all this “E.T.” music!
8:52 P.M. Well, I guess lightning does strike twice. The same performance wins another Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
8:50 P.M. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: CHRISTOPH WALTZ, “DJANGO UNCHAINED“
8:45 P.M. Sally Field, what a great sport!
8:42 P.M. So THAT’S why Daniel Radcliffe and Joseph Gordon-Levitt showed up to their first Oscars (which is a fact that surprises me).
8:40 P.M. Channing Tatum and Charlize Theron seem like an odd couple to be doing this dance … but they have some kind of grace! This reminds me of a “Family Guy” episode with all these random tangents.
8:37 P.M. This “we saw your boobs” number is true but just rubs me wrong…
8:31 P.M. Really, Tommy Lee Jones? Way to break character! Jimmy Fallon, you are in good company…
8:29 P.M. TIME FOR THE SHOW TO START!
8:20 P.M. Reminder to COMMENT and I will answer!
8:18 P.M. By my count, “Life of Pi“ wins five, “Argo“ and “Les Misérables“ take three, and “Amour“ and “Silver Linings Playbook“ steals two trophies. How’s that for spreading it around?
8:10 P.M. Best Picture. The holy grail.
“Beasts of the Southern Wild“
“Silver Linings Playbook“
Will win: “Argo“
Could win: “Silver Linings Playbook“
Should win: “Les Misérables“
Should be nominated: “The Master“
Only the second movie since 1930 to win Best Picture without a Best Director nomination – that is the feat “Argo“ looks to pull off tonight. On nomination day, I wrote “All that talk of it being a surprise come-from-behind winner all just came to a screeching halt with that Best Director snub.” That has quickly been proven dead wrong as it wins top honors from the Critics Choice, Golden Globes, PGA, DGA, SAG, and BAFTA. If it only had that pesky Best Director nomination, we wouldn’t think twice.
What looked to be a tough race to predict has been blown wide open by “Argo.” But if anything will prove us wrong, it would be “Silver Linings Playbook.” Then “Lincoln.” Then “Life of Pi.”
8:05 P.M. Ladies are looking PHENOMENAL tonight. Scroll down for Chastain, and also check out Anne Hathaway, Amy Adams, and Jennifer Lawrence!
8:00 P.M. Best Director will be more interesting tonight than it has been in quite some time … will they do it before or after the leading acting races? Hopefully it’s just right before Best Picture.
Michael Haneke, “Amour“
Ang Lee, “Life of Pi“
David O. Russell, “Silver Linings Playbook“
Steven Spielberg, “Lincoln“
Benh Zeitlin, “Beasts of the Southern Wild“
Will win: Ang Lee, “Life of Pi“
Could win: David O. Russell, “Silver Linings Playbook“
Should win: Benh Zeitlin, “Beasts of the Southern Wild“
Should be nominated: Kathryn Bigelow, “Zero Dark Thirty“
A part of me wonders if David O. Russell won’t steal this, but his nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay could lead to some vote splitting. Steven Spielberg just doesn’t feel right, not with how “Lincoln” seems to have faded at the end of the season. Ang Lee’s work on “Life of Pi” just seems director-y, so something tells me I ought to pick him.
7:50 P.M. The “breath of fresh air” category of all former winners – Best Supporting Actor. Who will win their second – or third – Oscar? Saved this category towards the end because I was still thinking about it…
Alan Arkin, “Argo”
Robert DeNiro, “Silver Linings Playbook“
Philip Seymour Hoffman, “The Master”
Tommy Lee Jones, “Lincoln“
Christoph Waltz, “Django Unchained”
Will win: Robert DeNiro, “Silver Linings Playbook“
Could win: Tommy Lee Jones, “Lincoln“
Should win: Philip Seymour Hoffman, “The Master”
Should be nominated: Eddie Redmayne, “Les Misérables“
He hasn’t won anything yet. But it’s a gut feeling I’ve had since the nominations. SAG winner Tommy Lee Jones or Globe/BAFTA winner Christoph Waltz seem to be more safe or likely choices. But if Riva upsets Lawrence, they run the risk of nominating “Silver Linings Playbook” for all acting awards and then giving it zero wins. I don’t think that happens, so DeNiro wins on sympathy and insurance votes.
7:40 P.M. The Best Actress race is crazy tight this year, and I will be on the edge of my seat as the envelope is opened.
Jessica Chastain, “Zero Dark Thirty“
Jennifer Lawrence, “Silver Linings Playbook“
Emmanuelle Riva, “Amour“
Quvenzhané Wallis, “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
Naomi Watts, “The Impossible”
Will win: Jennifer Lawrence, “Silver Linings Playbook“
Could win: Emmanuelle Riva, “Amour“
Should win: Jessica Chastain, “Zero Dark Thirty“
Should be nominated: Marion Cotillard, “Rust and Bone”
Between the Golden Globe, the SAG, and “The Hunger Games,” this is Lawrence’s year. There seems to be a late surge for Riva with her BAFTA win, but I think Jennifer Lawrence should take this one.
7:32 P.M. How incredible does she look?!
7:30 P.M. I mean, do I even need to predict the next two categories?
Amy Adams, “The Master”
Sally Field, “Lincoln“
Anne Hathaway, “Les Misérables“
Helen Hunt, “The Sessions”
Jacki Weaver, “Silver Linings Playbook“
Will win: Anne Hathaway, “Les Misérables“
Could win: Sally Field, “Lincoln“
Should win: Anne Hathaway, “Les Misérables“
Should be nominated: Shirley MacLaine, “Bernie”
Bradley Cooper, “Silver Linings Playbook“
Daniel Day-Lewis, “Lincoln“
Hugh Jackman, “Les Misérables“
Joaquin Phoenix, “The Master”
Denzel Washington, “Flight”
Will win: Daniel Day-Lewis, “Lincoln“
Could win: Hugh Jackman, “Les Misérables“
Should win: Joaquin Phoenix, “The Master”
Should be nominated: Jack Black, “Bernie”
Again, duh.
7:20 P.M. Best Adapted Screenplay is one of the night’s most unpredictable races involving five major Best Picture contenders. Who will win?
Should win: “Argo”
Should be nominated: “Bernie”
Again, since they can’t give Best Director to Ben Affleck, they’ll give “Argo” some consolation prizes so it doesn’t ONLY win Best Picture. Perhaps this is where “Silver Linings Playbook” breaks through, but I think the momentum is unstoppable for “Argo.”
7:00 P.M. Time to move into the heavy hitters … can’t believe some of these people will be holding a golden statue soon!
Will win: “Amour“
Could win: “Zero Dark Thirty”
Should win: “Zero Dark Thirty”
“Zero Dark Thirty” may be too controversial, but it did win the WGA. However, it was not competing against Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” nor Michael Haneke’s “Amour.” I’m seeing a foreign film triumph like in 2002 when “Talk to Her” unexpectedly took the trophy. Just a gut feeling I have.
6:55 P.M. Jennifer Lawrence just referenced “Father of the Bride” – MARRY ME!
6:53 P.M. The sound categories always prove to be a bit of a conundrum – do you predict a split? They haven’t done so since 2008!
Best Sound Mixing
Will win: “Les Misérables”
Could win: “Life of Pi“
Should be nominated: “The Impossible”
Did you know they sang live on “Les Misérables?” No movie has shone more of a light on sound mixing than this one, so it should handily win. And musicals always seem to score here.
Best Sound Editing
Will win: “Life of Pi“
Could win: “Skyfall”
A “Life of Pi” technical sweep should get back on track and take the other sound category.
6:46 P.M. Cute Quvenzhané Wallis and her adorable puppy purse!
6:45 P.M. Best Film Editing, according to Dave Karger, is an even more necessary nomination than Best Director. So having said that…
6:35 P.M. Happy one year anniversary, Angelina Jolie’s protruding right leg!
6:30 P.M. Best Cinematography is a category I appreciate more and more each year. So who will take it for 2012?
Should win: “Skyfall”
Should be nominated: “Les Misérables”
I think it would be great if Roger Deakins, a perennial Oscar bridesmaid, won for his superb lensing of “Skyfall.” But his name isn’t on the ballot, just the movie’s name. And there seems to be a Bond bias in the Academy. So I say the technical domination of “Life of Pi” continues here.
6:20 P.M. That one time I ran into an Oscar nominee. It’s super casual.
(That’s Emmanuelle Riva of “Amour,” in case you couldn’t tell.)
6:15 P.M. Almost forgot the other two short film categories … whoops!
Best Documentary Short
“Mondays at Racine”
Will win: “Mondays at Racine”
Could win: “Open Heart”
I’m thinking heartstrings-tugger “Mondays at Racine,” about two female cancer patients who become unlikely friends, will triumph over “Open Heart.” The latter seems to similar to “Saving Face,” last year’s winner in the category about reconfiguring women’s faces in Pakistan that have been disfigured by acid.
Best Live Action Short
“Buzkashi Boys”
“Death of a Shadow”
Will win: “Curfew”
Could win: “Death of a Shadow”
I did my research and “Curfew” sounded right, but now I don’t remember what it was about. I do remember that Matthias Schoenaerts of “Rust and Bone” was in “Death of a Shadow,” though.
6:05 P.M. Eddie Redmayne arrives! Why isn’t he nominated for Best Supporting Actor?!
6:00 P.M. What was once “Best Makeup” is now “Best Makeup and Hairstyling.” So that adds a whole new dimension to the category (slightly kidding, slightly serious).
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Could win: “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”
Should be nominated: “Holy Motors”
Consider how much that makeup and hairstyling contributed to Anne Hathaway’s soon-to-be-Oscar winning performance. I think that’s enough to trump the showier styles of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”
5:45 P.M. Time for my predictions for the costume drama awards. The movies that win here are usually made solely to win these Oscars.
“Mirror Mirror”
Will win: “Anna Karenina”
Could win: “Les Misérables“
Should win: “Anna Karenina”
Should be nominated: “Moonrise Kingdom”
I mean, “Anna Karenina” is way too gorgeous to be passed up here.
Should be nominated: “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
Some say the digital scenery of “Life of Pi” will triumph over the traditionally Oscar-y sets of “Anna Karenina,” like how “Avatar” won in 2009. And maybe it will, indicating a HUGE technical sweep for the movie. But I think given that the scenery and setting of “Anna Karenina” is a major plot device, it will walk away with the award.
4:45 P.M. 84, soon to be 85 years of Oscar, all in one picture. Awesome.
4:00 P.M. I saw all the Best Picture nominees so you don’t. Here are some of my favorite quotes from my reviews of each nominated film.
At times, it can be fairly difficult to watch … but how hunky-dory do you want movies about death to be? How can you even begin to comprehend the ennui of watching someone slowly lose their grip on life when you are treated to watch from a coolly removed distance?
However, I don’t attribute the success of “Argo” merely to coincidence and fate. The movie works because it was meticulously and intentionally crafted by director Ben Affleck, who continues to make leaps and bounds with each movie he makes.
Have no doubt about it, “Beasts” is a movie that could only by an uncorrupted visionary like Zeitlin. His ambition soars to the sky, and even in the rare occasions where it falls short, we are left in awe of the sheer gutsiness of the decision.
[R]ather than use the forward momentum to lead to further exploration of his craft, Tarantino chose to take a victory lap fueled by the high of inhaling too much of the exhaust fumes of his own success. ”Django Unchained” just feels like Tarantino on autopilot, lacking the vibrancy or surprising eccentricity of his prior films.
Even when the novelty of the close-ups wears off, we are still left to ponder just how radical and revolutionary Hooper’s “Les Misérables” is. The musical genre has favored sweeping grandiosity for years in an attempt to replicate the stage experience for cinematic audiences. Hooper, on the other hand, respects the live theatre’s conventions but throws out those that do not translate well to screen.
The core ideas of “Life of Pi” get diluted, passed over in favor of a little more cinematic grandeur. Don’t get me wrong, Lee’s grand canvas for the movie is exciting and stunning. But I can get that in any movie; few dare to delve into the psyche like he meagerly attempted to do.
Once the process wraps up, it is revealed that Kushner and Spielberg are really more interested in hagiography than biography with “Lincoln.” While it delves deeper than just mere Honest Abe iconography, their film is not one that attempts to tell his story.
Russell’s editing facilitates emotional rapport, [and] the two feel like parts of ourselves that we usually try to pretend don’t exist. But on screen and embodied by Cooper and Lawrence, we embrace them and allow them to illuminate the crazy that lives within us all.
Through the journalistic proceedings of “Zero Dark Thirty,” Boal cleverly utilizes Maya as an important through-line to keep us drawn in. And Chastain in turns creates a character so scarily resolute that we can’t help but root and cheer for her.
3:45 P.M. Remember when “Zero Dark Thirty” was the frontrunner for Best Picture? Read my piece for “LAMB Devours the Oscars” to see what happened to what was once a prized darling.
3:30 P.M. Animation is a little tougher than normal this year…
Best Animated Feature
“The Pirates: Band of Misfits”
Will win: “Wreck-It Ralph”
Could win: “Brave”
Should win: “Wreck-It Ralph”
A few years ago, it would be unimaginable that Pixar could lose this category. They may not cede their turf tonight, to be fair. “Brave” won the Golden Globe and BAFTA, but “Wreck-It Ralph” had better reviews and took the PGA and Annie Award. I admit to picking the movie I think is clearly better and hoping the Academy feels the same way. But they could remind us that this category belongs to the studio of Woody and Buzz.
Best Short Film – Animated
“Adam and Dog”
“Maggie Simpson in The Longest Daycare”
“Paperman”
Will win: “Paperman”
Could win: “Adam and Dog”
Should win: “Maggie Simpson in The Longest Daycare”
Disney’s short film “Paperman” should clean up here. It seems like the most substantial nominee, but I could be totally wrong. I saw it before “Wreck-It Ralph” and was very impressed with the way it rehashed silent film charm.
3:15 P.M. “Zero Dark Thirty” jokes are fun.
3:00 P.M. Visual effects are fun. Check out some of these awesome videos demonstrating how the nominated films came together on a computer!
Best Visual Effects
Should win: “Life of Pi”
Best Picture nominees have dominated this category since 2008, so I give the advantage to “Life of Pi.” On the other hand, “The Lord of the Rings” did win this category three times in a row, so a sneak attack is possible.
2:45 P.M. Some more predictions for you … again, I consider these to be pretty much no-brainers.
Best Documentary Feature
“5 Broken Cameras”
“The Gatekeepers”
“How to Survive a Plague”
“The Invisible War”
Will win: “Searching for Sugar Man”
Could win: “The Invisible War”
Should win: “The Invisible War”
Should be nominated: “The Queen of Versailles”
Have only seen two of the nominated films, so I can’t speak much from my own aesthetic tastes. But “Searching for Sugar Man” has been totally dominant on the precursors circuit, and I don’t expect its dominance to let up now.
“War Witch”
Could win: “Kon-Tiki”
Should win: “No”
Should be nominated: “Rust and Bone”
Are any movies other than “Amour” in this category nominated for Best Picture? Nope, didn’t think so. Some have speculated crowd-pleasing “Kon-Tiki” could pull a “The Lives of Others”-style upset on Michael Haneke’s downer, but I think that’s doubtful at best.
And I base my should win for “No” on the trailer, which is seriously AMAZING! Shameless plug:
2:30 P.M. Honest posters for the Best Picture nominees. So incredibly accurate.
2:25 P.M. Subtext?
2:15 P.M. Might as well start some predictions. What better place to start than with the music categories? This year’s ceremony promises to be quite a celebration of music between performances by Adele, Norah Jones, Barbra Streisand, and Shirley Bassey. There’s also the celebration of “Chicago,” “Dreamgirls,” and “Les Misérables.” And the show will close with a number by host Seth MacFarlane and Kristin Chenoweth. Oy.
“Anna Karenina,” Dario Marianelli
“Argo,” Alexandre Desplat
“Life of Pi,” Mychael Danna
“Lincoln,” John Williams
“Skyfall,” Thomas Newman
Could win: “Argo”
Should be nominated: “The Master,” Jonny Greenwood
Really don’t have any sense of certainty, but “Life of Pi” certainly seems to be headed towards a large below-the-line haul. And it won the Golden Globe. Perhaps if the momentum for “Argo” extends beyond Best Picture, it will lift up Best Score. It would be a much-deserved win for workhorse Alexandre Desplat. Then again, we also should not count out John Williams EVER. But I don’t think that will happen with the lack of “Lincoln” love in the late phase of the season.
Best Song
Before My Time from “Chasing Ice,” music and lyrics by J. Ralph
Suddenly from “Les Misérables,” music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boublil
Pi’s Lullaby from “Life of Pi,” music by Mychael Danna, lyrics by Bombay Jayashri
Skyfall from “Skyfall,” music and lyrics by Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth
Everybody Needs a Best Friend from “Ted,” music by Walter Murphy, lyrics by Seth MacFarlane
Will win: Skyfall from “Skyfall”
Could win: Suddenly from “Les Misérables”
Should win: Skyfall from “Skyfall”
Should be nominated: Who Were We from “Holy Motors”
Easiest race of the night to call. It’s “Skyfall” all the way.
2:00 P.M. Kids Oscars. Let’s go!
1:50 P.M. Feel free to comment below and I will respond in the post itself!
1:45 P.M. For reference’s sake, many people will refer to tonight’s proceedings as “The 2013 Academy Awards.” In fact, probably most people will. But I, for whatever reason, choose to refer to the ceremony by the calendar year in which the nominated films were released.
1:40 P.M. Already a quick note to the E! hostesses … stick to fashion, please. Leave punditry to Dave Karger. “Argo” will not win “Best Oscar,” it will win “Best Picture.”
1:30 P.M. Who the heck is already watching Oscars red carpet coverage?! ME, of course! I can’t get enough of this stuff, who cares if no one famous shows up for 5 hours? I’m now on my fourth live Oscars blog, and it has quickly become one of my favorite parts of the night. I love sharing my thoughts with everyone – and also being able to go back and see my thoughts from past ceremonies.
(If curious, check out the live blogs from 2011, 2010, and 2009.)
So who will win Best Picture, Best Director, and other coveted trophies? In a few hours, we will know. But in the meantime, we have this list of nine…
« REVIEW: Monsters Oscars 2012: Monday (Evening) Wrap-Up »
Tags: 5 Broken Cameras, A Royal Affair, Academy Awards, Adele, Alain Boublil, Alexandre Desplat, Amour, Anna Karenina, Argo, Barbra Streisand, Before My Time, Bombay Jayashri, Chasing Ice, Chicago, Claude-Michel Schönberg, Dario Marianelli, Dreamgirls, E!, Everybody Needs a Best Friend, Herbert Kretzmer, How to Survive a Plague, J. Ralph, John Williams, Kon-Tiki, Kristin Chenoweth, Les Miserables, Life of Pi, Lincoln, Mychael Danna, No, Norah Jones, Oscars, Paul Epworth, Pi's Lullaby, Prometheus, Searching for Sugar Man, Skyfall, Snow White and the Huntsman, Suddenly, The Avengers, The Hobbit, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Invisible War, Thomas Newman, Walter Murphy, War Witch
Categories : 2012 - Oscar Moment, Blog Events, Oscar Moment
Rorschach’s Oscar Winners Predictions | Rorschach Reviews (17:49:53) :
[…] Marshall and the Movies […]
ninvoid99 (19:54:09) :
You know something… Sally Field after all these years still looks incredible. Love that Smokey & the Bandit reference. I also liked “We Saw Your Boobs” song. I’m a tasteless bastard. Christoph Waltz wins again! Hooray!!!!!
Marshall (19:55:42) :
Not enthused by Waltz’s victory. He won for the same role 3 years ago.
And Sally Field still looks darned good!
Shirley Bassey… she’s still got it. Yet, I am very disappointed that there’s none of the James Bond showed up for the tribute. Damn you Pierce Brosnan!!! 😦
They did quash that rumor early on, so I didn’t get my hopes up.
beth (20:50:41) :
Seth is hit and miss, some jokes hilarious, others tasteless.
Agreed. At least he seems open to the fact that all his jokes could go terribly wrong.
So far, it’s been hit-and-miss. Catherine Zeta-Jones didn’t look so good. BTW, who did she beat other than Julianne Moore for the Oscars that year? There has to be a recount.
Jennifer Hudson is knocking it out of the park as usual. Too bad her hubby/boyfriend couldn’t do the same as a wrestler. How in the hell do you botch a simple pinfall?
Yeah, Rene Z was there, why not have her in the number? Jennifer won the Oscar so I guess she gets the solo, same for Catherine I guess.
Samantha is amazing!
Les Mis cast did a great job.
The Les Mis thing was great… until Russell Crowe sang.
Jennifer is on Smash this season, do you watch it? She’s playing a broadway superstar.
Right, I forgot. Have heard of people “hate watching” that show, so I have yet to watch…
And that sequence was so magical. I want to watch it every night before I go to bed.
Songs on it are really good.
Ted sounds like Cliff Claven on Cheers.
YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES,
She did it!!! Anne Hathaway did it!!!! She won!!! Anne Hathaway FTW!!!!!
For that brief, shining moment, all was right with the world.
Marshall you need to try for that next year!
…I tried this year…
Keep trying, you should so get it!
Hopefully they do it again!
Have my fingers crossed for you. 🙂
What is up with the sound, hard to hear her on the chorus.
Nicole looks great.
Wow, they brought out the powerhouse singers tonight
At least they have the sound working better for Babs.
Think she’s had some work done? Ha!
Oh yeah. Gee Life of Pi is racking up!
Reminds me of “Hugo” last year.
Daniel is lightening up as he gets older, he’s actually been humorous in his speeches this year.
Really, Michelle introing movies? Come on Hollywood, let’s kiss up some more.
Wow, history making night with Daniel and the split for director and pic.
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Gely McGovern, Administrative Assistant
Gely McGovern studied law at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Class of 2001, in Tijuana, Baja California. She worked for a federal agency in Mexico whose goal was to combat malpractice and corruption in Mexican federal agencies. In 2003, Gely moved to the city of Puebla, Puebla, Mexico, and earned a master’s degree in taxation. Gely was the first in her class in 2007 to obtain her degree. She wrote her master’s thesis about non-tariff regulations that the United States imposed on Mexican trucks entering the United States, which is about the C-TPAT program.
In 2007, Gely moved back to Tijuana, Baja California, and worked for a mortgage company. After her parents retired and moved back to her hometown of Guaymas, Sonora, she did the same and moved back there in 2010. Gely worked for the county collecting property taxes, fees, and fines. She enjoyed collecting the federal property taxes of lands next to the beach. National Geographic Magazine ranks the oceanic view of her hometown as the best in the world. During that time she also enjoyed teaching law to high school students and administrative and taxation law to college students.
In 2013, Gely married a Michigander and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan. She lives with her husband (an ice hockey referee) and her calico cat (who thinks that she is a dog). Gely likes to travel, and after three years working as a makeup artist, she has become a “makeup junkie.”
We spoke with other lawyers but none gave us the level of professional skill and supportive advice that we received from Michael Carlin.
Eric Brockway
successful I-130 petitioner
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In the autumn of 2011, Professor Shervanthi Homer-Vanniasinkam, co-director of the EXSEL scholarship scheme, met with Professor Richard Thorpe from the Leeds University Business School (LUBS) to discuss a leadership initiative for University undergraduates. She envisaged that five scholars from Leeds School of Medicine would join with their peers in LUBS and Engineering (ICLP) for a week-long immersion programme, during which the students would have the unique opportunity to listen to senior alumni and leaders address them on a number of global themes, and also for them to learn from each other.
The Leadership Ambassadors' Programme (LAP) takes place every year in late June.
Cross-faculty learning
The Faculty of Engineering selects five students from the International Corporate Leadership Programme (ICLP) and LUBS chooses five talented second-year undergraduates. The medical students were all second-year EXSEL scholars who were just starting their summer research project.
Working in interdisciplinary group teams the students discussed a set of problems designed to challenge their perceptions, for example, students tackled a scenario planning task set by GSK Diagnostics Development Head, Mark Phillips.
During the week, twelve alumni and senior leaders made presentations to the mixed group of students and then set them wide-ranging problems to solve in smaller groups. There was a webinar from Jonathan Allan, Associate Director, Innovation Programs at Chicago Booth School of Business, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship. He develops and commercialises new business ventures around University technologies by bringing together interdisciplinary teams of faculty, staff and students at the University of Chicago and the Argonne National Laboratory. His ultimate goal is to foster collaboration among seemingly disparate groups at the University to develop novel ways to make a positive and meaningful impact in the world. Jonathan’s advice to the undergraduate students was to look at the world carefully and to see if they could see problems and solutions.
PreviousScholars and awards
NextHow to apply
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Best Foot Forward! Lawyers Raise Funds for the Surrey Law Centre.
Mundays LLP / 19th June, 2017
The Guildford Legal Walk, which took place over the North Downs and through Guildford, saw 11 members of the Mundays team raise over £500 for the centre, a not-for-profit, specialist legal advice agency. The Mundays team joined hundreds of fellow legal professionals from those in training to seasoned members of the judiciary all to raise funds for legal services for those people in Surrey who cannot afford to pay for them. Together we raised over £10,000!! The youngest member of the Mundays team was just 7 years old and accompanied his elder brother (9) along with their mother, Pippa Beesley, a construction lawyer at Mundays.
Fiona Moss, an associate at Mundays who co-ordinated the firm’s walking team, said: “The Surrey Law Centre provides free legal advice across Surrey and enables access to justice for all. We are pleased we and our fellow professionals can help raise much-needed funds for the work.”
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Reform on the cards as Zanu-PF shifts hardline stance
Kudzai Mashininga 15 Dec 2018 18:59
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the official opening of Zanu-PF's annual conference in Esigodini, outside Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. (Reuters/Philimon Bulawayo)
When Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa took to the podium to close Zanu-PF’s annual conference, he had a message that party members have not heard for decades: the governing party must reform.
Lacking his predecessor Robert Mugabe’s oratory, Mnangagwa failed to woo the crowds, but was clear that the party and government would be taking a different path under his stewardship.
Mnangagwa’s rule received a boost as all the party’s wings passed a resolution stating that he should be Zanu-PF’s presidential candidate in 2023, effectively shutting ambitious members out of the top job.
Addressing members at the end of the five-day conference on Saturday in Esigodini in the Matabeleland South province, Mnangagwa said Zanu-PF in particular and Zimbabwe in general must now embrace the rule of law and constitutionalism.
Mnangagwa pledged to roll out economic and legislative reforms such as amending the restrictive Mugabe era security and media laws such as the Public Order and Security act (POSA) and the Access to Information and Protection of privacy Act (AIPPA).
“We are in the process of reforming the party and we have the duty and burden to explain those reforms to our people,” he said.
That message of reform also came from the party’s committees, a resolution urging government to further improve relations with the US and lobby for the removal of American sanctions.
In a departure from the hardline stance the party took under Mugabe, the conference resolved that government should continue with its re-engagement drive to strengthen relations with other countries and ensure multilateral rather than a unilateral approach to matters.
Outlining the resolutions that the party had adopted, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda said these included amending the constitution to ensure that the woman’s parliamentary quota is extended.
He said the party had also adopted resolutions to ensure that “all war veterans are given land”. Mudenda said the party had also made a resolution for former colonial power Britain to return to Zimbabwe all body parts taken as war trophies, such as that of chiefs Mashayamombe and Chingaira.
The party resolved to continue with the fight against corruption and to set up its own television station to explain its policies to the party. Zanu-PF currently runs a newspaper, The Voice and the public media in Zimbabwe acts as a mouthpiece of the rural party.
To those following proceedings of the party’s indaba from outside, the Zanu-PF conference, like all previous ones ended as a mere talk shop.
It did not address bread and butter issues, including immediate concerns of people. There was no mention of the nationwide doctors’ strike that has paralysed operations at hospitals, leaving patients stranded.
No concrete solutions were proffered on people being paid in Zimbabwe bond notes while many businesses including pharmacies are demanding payment in foreign currency. There was no position on increasing calls to either join the rand union or pay workers in foreign currency as a result of inflation that was below five percent and rose to 20% recently.
Mnangagwa acknowledged that Zanu-PF’s conference was being held at a time of crisis against the backdrop of an economy which is characterised by fuel shortages, high cost of drugs, medicines, farming inputs and fertilisers as well as a wide range of basic commodities, but did not proffer any solutions.
Mnangagwa critic and former information Minister Jonathan Moyo summed up the failure to address pressing issues when he posted on twitter as the party was winding down its indaba: “Poor leaders with no vision think of the next election; while great leaders with a vision solve problems today.”
Former student leader, Makomborero Haruzivishe said Mnangagwa’s handicap which showed at the conference is that, since coming to power, he has been making promises, but there is nothing concrete yet on the ground in terms of delivering.
He said the party’s resolutions on land shows that it has failed to put its chaotic land reform programme to rest, 18 years after it introduced the forcible take-over of white owned farms.
“The war veterans have already benefited. They got land, they got $50 000 pay-outs. The resolution shows that they want to continue to rob,” he said.
“Mnangagwa cannot continue to make further promises when he has not met basic promises he made before the election. He made promises on health care but right now doctors are on strike and they are complaining of lack of medicines in hospitals. Teachers who were marching have been arrested in Macheke today for demanding payment in US dollars. The conference should have made resolutions on priorities such as the issue of unemployment.”
ZimbabweZanu-PFZanuRobert MugabeJonathan MoyoEmmerson Mnangagwa
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August 27, 2013 by mhasegawa
Economic justice and the March on Washington
Correction: I refer to today as if it were the 28th. The date I posted this is the 27th. I seem to not know what day it is!
The official name of the march we celebrate today is the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Notice what comes first. Jobs. And while no one can deny that Martin Luther King, Jr. was a brilliant leader who served as a public face for the civil rights movement, we tend to forget that when he was assassinated in Memphis he was there to support sanitation workers striking for higher wages and employment rights. Dr. King had moved past the simple movement for integration of public facilities and voting rights to understand that gaining equality meant a great deal more that sitting at a lunch counter or riding in the front of a bus. Yes, those were monumental achievements, but true equality also means economic justice.
One man to whom we owe the March on Washington 50 years ago today is someone few have heard of: Asa Philip Randolph. Jack Curtis celebrated him in last Sunday’s Boston Globe. The headline and subhead kinda of say it all:
Economic equality: What the March on Washington didn’t win
Fifty years later, why we remember King and not A. Philip Randolph
Rep. Byron Rushing (left) from Roxbury and John Dukakais at the unveiling of the A. Phillip Randolph statue in Boston’s Back Bay Station.
Today we can still point to the high unemployment rates, the lack of health care in many places, the failing schools and know that black Americans suffer the most.
The director of the march and its opening speaker, A. (for Asa) Philip Randolph (1889 – 1979) was established by 1963 as the century’s preeminent force on black labor and the dean of American civil rights leaders. Born in Crescent City, Fla., the son of a minister and a seamstress, Randolph moved in 1911 to Harlem, where he became a staunch socialist, a labor organizer, and a renowned soapbox orator. In 1925, Randolph was named the first president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, which he guided for over four decades.
In 1941, Randolph leapt onto the national stage. He and his fellow activist Bayard Rustin initiated what they called the March on Washington Movement, or MOWM, with the goal of staging a massive march to protest racial discrimination in the armed forces and defense industries. An alarmed Franklin Roosevelt summoned Randolph to the White House. Just one week later, Roosevelt issued an order prohibiting workplace discrimination throughout the nation’s defense industries, which led Randolph to call off the scheduled march
MOWM lasted only through 1946. But in the 1960s, as the nation’s African-Americans faced high unemployment and low wages and the country was shocked by violent attacks on civil rights demonstrators in the South, Randolph and Rustin turned to the same organizing tactics. In early 1963, Rustin and three associates addressed a memo to Randolph, then 74, calling for “mass descent” upon Washington, with 100,000 participants protesting “the economic subordination of the American Negro.” They envisioned a groundswell of protest calling for freedom and jobs. Randolph and Rustin, aided by labor organizers and civil rights activists, organized the march with the dual goals of ending racial segregation and discrimination in the Jim Crow South and achieving economic equality for all Americans.
Randolph was a union organizer and Bayard Rustin (someone else you may never have heard of), often called “brother outsider” was a pacifist and gay. Together they put together the event now best known for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I have a dream speech. Rustin was also a major influence in bringing Dr. King to embrace non violence.
Bayard Rustin with Martin Luther King, Jr.
In February 1956, when Bayard Rustin arrived in Montgomery to assist with the nascent bus boycott, Martin Luther King, Jr. had not personally embraced nonviolence. In fact, there were guns inside King’s house, and armed guards posted at his doors. Rustin persuaded boycott leaders to adopt complete nonviolence, teaching them Gandhian nonviolent direct protest.
Rustin was the speaker who read the list of the marcher’s demands. You can read or listen to the transcript of Rustin reading the list of the demands in this link from WGBH radio. They were seen as quite militant and including a living minimum wage. We all recited the pledge that committed ourselves to action. I think it was in our programs. (I found my button but so far haven’t located my program.)
As you watch the 50th anniversary coverage, remember A. Phillip Randolph and Bayard Rustin. Without them, we would not be celebrating this important milestone today, We can honor them by supporting the continuing fight for economic justice.
Jack Curtis concludes
But King’s emphasis on integration and legal equality gradually came to be seen as the primary impetus for the movement. In the years since, the optimistic and basically patriotic appeal of King’s speech has served to eclipse the march’s agenda and distort the popular understanding of its significant challenge to the status quo. The standard narrative skirts the more controversial, no less patriotic, themes of the march, and the radicalism that was front and center that day.
Randolph’s legacy is not forgotten, including in Boston. In the waiting area of Back Bay Station sits a larger-than life statue of Randolph by sculptor Tina Allen, dedicated in 1988 by Governor Michael Dukakis. Speakers at the dedication ceremony, including state Representative Byron Rushing, hailed the contributions to the railroad industry by porters and waiters from the black community, many of whom had lived in the Roxbury and South End neighborhoods by the station. A quote inscribed in the monument’s base attests to Randolph’s militant stance: “Freedom is never granted; it is won. Justice is never given. It is exacted.”
As we look back over the last 50 years, and look around at a country with rising and racially inflected economic inequality, that revolutionary spirit sits less easily than the hope of King’s “dream speech.” We embrace King’s dream in part because we sense that the country has indeed gone some way down that long road to freedom, and his vision can still set us dreaming and move us forward. But focusing on the demands by Randolph that fell to the wayside, we see even more glaringly that the march’s core aims of economic justice are not close to fruition; even today, we stand at the start of that path. It’s been a long time coming, and it may be a long time yet to come.
Photograph: Randolph Statue John Tlumacki/Globe staff
Photography: Rustin and King Associated Press
Asa Philip Randolph: The often overlooked inspiration for the March on Washington (jacksonville.com)
How March on Washington organizer Bayard Rustin was betrayed by Dr Martin Luther King Jr. (blogs.montrealgazette.com)
Bayard Rustin: the forgotten man behind the 1963 march (shirazsocialist.wordpress.com)
Bayard Rustin: the gay black pacifist at the heart of the March on Washington (theguardian.com)
The March on Washington was a march for “Jobs and Freedom” (washingtonmonthly.com)
This entry was posted in Civil Rights, Economics, History, Politics, Unions and tagged A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, Civil Rights, Economics, March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Martin Luther King. Bookmark the permalink.
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3 thoughts on “Economic justice and the March on Washington”
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Jueseppi B. | August 27, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Reblogged this on The ObamaCrat™.
mhasegawa | August 27, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Sorry, I messed up and just posted a corrected version. Today is only the 27th and the March was the 28th.
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« Wildlife smuggling is big business
Hamas-funding bank wins one appeal »
Warsame’s son sues remittance company
The son of the assassinated politician and singing star Saado Ali Warsame is seeking justice by suing the remittance company Dahabshiil. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the lawsuit is for Dahabshiil “allegedly paying a bounty on her [Warsame’s] life.” Warsame had discouraged the Somali diaspora from using Dahabshiil to wire money home, because she believed the money services business promoted tribal factionalism and terrorism. Warsame was shot dead in Mogadishu in 2014.
Prior Money Jihad coverage of the assassination of Warsame and the record of Dahabshiil is here, here, here, and here. Dahabshiil denies claims of financing terrorism.
Joshua Arisohn of the law firm Bursor & Fisher is representing Warsame’s son, Harbi Hussein. Kudos to Hussein for the same courage and fight exhibited by his mother, and to Arisohn for taking on this crucial case. Credit should also go to the Star Tribune and journalist Abby Simons for reporting on this lawsuit.
Since some articles that are critical of Dahabshiil tend to disappear or get bumped down in Google search results, Money Jihad is reprinting most of the Dec. 11 article from the Star Tribune below:
Son of slain Somali political activist sues money-transfer business over bounty
Case alleges that big money-transfer firm helped fund the killers.
By Abby Simons Star Tribune
The son of a Somali singer and political activist gunned down by Al-Shabab operatives last year is suing an international money-transfer company with ties to Minnesota for allegedly paying a bounty on her life.
The lawsuit comes more than a year after the death of Saado Ali Warsame, 64, a Somali icon who lived in New York and Minneapolis before returning to her homeland in 2012. Her longtime push for social justice included roles in pushing out the country’s military regime and becoming one of the country’s first female members of parliament. Her death was mourned from Mogadishu to Minneapolis.
The lawsuit may mark the first time a company has been sued for providing funding to Al-Shabab, said Joshua Arisohn, an attorney for Warsame’s 22-year-old son Harbi Hussein, who lives in Minneapolis.
Not long before her death, Warsame pointed her criticism toward Dahabshiil, Africa’s largest money-transfer business, which facilitates most of the $1.6 billion sent to Somalia each year. The company, which houses a subsidiary headquarters in Minneapolis, is widely used by Minnesota Somalis to wire money to relatives back home, but it has been under international scrutiny for a lack of security in how money is transferred — and to whom, including potential terrorists in Somalia.
Last year, the Kenyan government temporarily suspended Dahabshiil’s operations after an Al-Shabab-led attack at the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi in 2013. Several western commercial banks have ceased doing business with Dahabshiil, in part out of concerns over terrorist financing, according to the lawsuit.
Warsame was an outspoken critic of the company, writing a protest song playing off the business’ name, which means “gold smelter.” She instead called Dahabshiil a “blood smelter” and urged Somalis not to do business there. A music video by Warsame featured a rifle dripping with blood next to the company’s name.
According to the lawsuit, Dahabshiil “placed a multimillion-dollar bounty” on Warsame as a result of the song. She was killed in July 2014 by two Al-Shabab operatives in Mogadishu; they were sentenced to death and executed in May.
The lawsuit demands damages for pain and suffering by Hussein because of the loss of his mother. He declined a comment through Arisohn.
Arisohn, whose New York-based law firm has handled terror financing cases for nine years, said others could be out there.
“We are working hard to unearth all of the institutions who are financing terrorism, and I think it’s incumbent on the government and private citizens alike to investigate these matters and make sure that financial institutions like Dahabshiil are putting in place the safeguards that they are supposed to have,” Arisohn said…
Posted in News commentary | Tagged Dahabshiil, Harbi Hussein, Saado Ali Warsame, Somalia |
by mukul chand December 14, 2015 at 9:38 pm
[…] son of a slain Somali politician and singing star is suing the money transfer company Dahabshiil for its alleged involvement in issuing a bounty for the […]
by 10 biggest terror finance news stories of 2015 | Money Jihad January 4, 2016 at 4:28 am
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PC and Prejudice: Gauging Divides in America’s Culture War
A 13,000-person poll finds views of privilege and discrimination, not free speech,
serve as fault line for political correctness
Morning Consult illustration by Samantha Elbouez
By Joanna Piacenza , Cameron Easley & Eli Yokley April 24, 2019 at 12:01 am ET
52% say there’s too much prejudice in the country vs. 48% who say there’s too much political correctness.
Most people, including those who said there’s too much political correctness, said they feel free to express their views on hot-button issues such as race and sexuality.
But 75% of adults say the current climate prevents open political discourse.
As the face of the United States continues to undergo rapid demographic and cultural change, the fervor against “political correctness” grows even more potent for many Americans who feel that their political, cultural and social power in the country is waning.
The backlash to so-called PC culture unites conservatives, many of whom argue that their First Amendment rights to free speech are under attack by the left.
But as the debate over political correctness gains prominence in modern politics, a new Morning Consult analysis, gathered from a survey of more than 13,000 U.S. adults, shows “free speech” is not necessarily an issue: A majority of PC culture critics feel that they are free to express themselves on a variety of issues — from more abstract subjects concerning identity to hot-button topics that have featured prominently in the news cycle during the past few years.
Instead, the findings suggest that views of race- and gender-based privilege and discrimination, not free speech, serve more as a dividing line in the political correctness culture war, which has devolved into debates over which words we can and can’t use: Those who say there is “too much prejudice” are three times more likely than those who say there is “too much political correctness” to say discrimination, racism and sexism aren’t taken seriously enough.
A data experiment within the survey also indicates feelings about free speech are contextual: People are more willing to police certain types of speech if that derogatory language is aimed at groups they consider to be part of their tribe.
Who Thinks We’re Too PC
One common question in public opinion polling is whether there is “too much prejudice” or “too much political correctness” in the country today. Morning Consult has posed this question several times over the past two years, and the latest finding mirrors past results: Americans are closely divided on the issue.
Responses to this question strongly correlated with political ideology, but they aligned even more with sentiment toward President Donald Trump.
Those who said that there is “too much political correctness” are disproportionately white, male, Republican and supportive of Trump, who has characterized political correctness as a problem for the country.
Notably, there are no significant generation, education or income divides between Americans who said there’s “too much political correctness” and those who said there’s “too much prejudice,” although those on the former side were slightly more likely to be wealthier.
Nearly half of those in the “too much political correctness” camp are white men.
In an effort to understand what people mean when they say there is “too much political correctness,” the people who sided with that response were broken out to see how they responded to other parts of the poll. The same thing was done for those who picked “too much prejudice.”
What’s ‘Off Limits’ to Talk About
The survey found that while there were significant differences among those two groups when it came to attitudes toward speech, even healthy majorities of the respondents who said that PC culture in the country had run amok also said it was acceptable for them to express themselves on a range of sensitive topics, such as race, gender, sexuality, immigration, religion and people who are different from them.
Share who said they think it’s acceptable to express their own opinions about each topic.
People who are similar to me
People who are different from me
Too much political correctness
Too much prejudice
Poll conducted Feb. 6 - March 15, 2019 among 13,206 U.S. adults, with a margin of error +/-1%.
Even with issues that have proven especially divisive in the past two years, such as Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movement, most of the anti-PC respondents said they felt comfortable expressing their opinions — although to a slightly lesser extent than the “too much prejudice” camp.
Share who said they think it’s acceptable to express their own opinions about each specific topic.
Increasing racial diversity of the country
Transgender service in the U.S. military
The #MeToo movement
Free Speech vs. Social Norms
While most of the people who viewed PC culture as too pervasive in American society generally felt free to express themselves on the aforementioned topics, they were also overwhelmingly more likely to express confusion about more abstract questions concerning the state of the country’s discourse.
Large swaths of these respondents agreed that the “rules” about what they can and cannot say are changing so fast it’s difficult to keep up, that people are offended too easily these days and that the current climate prevents some people from saying what they believe because others might find it offensive.
But these were sentiments also shared with a majority of the poll’s broader population, suggesting that when it comes to free speech, Americans are not as nearly divided as some would argue.
Share who said they agreed with each statement
It's alright for society to give up parts of free speech so as not to offend others.
It's unfair that some groups can use certain phrases to describe themselves but I can't.
People should be able to say what they really think, even when it might offend people.
The 'rules' about what you can and cannot say are changing so fast it's difficult to keep up.
The current climate prevents some people from saying what they believe because others might find it offensive.
These days, people are offended too easily.
Bemoaning an overly PC culture is not as much a protection of your own rights as it is a political cudgel to wield against the opposition, said Kevin Kruse, a professor of history at Princeton University, adding that there’s a certain thread of victimhood in modern conservatism.
“It’s easy to present yourself as a victim, as someone who is being told not to speak, even if that is not the case,” Kruse said.
‘Politically Correct’ Is a Loaded Term
The contradiction among Americans’ views on many sentiments regarding free expression and barriers to free speech was matched by discrepancies regarding the term “politically correct” itself.
To test the phrase’s toxicity, the survey asked one half of the respondents whether they considered themselves to be politically correct and asked the other half if they identified with a general definition of political correctness: that they try to avoid saying and doing things that could be perceived as insulting to people who are different from them.
Consider themselves "politically correct"
Avoid saying and doing things that could be perceived as insulting to people who are different than them.
It turns out that people who don’t like the “politically correct” label will still try to adhere to that type of behavior. Adults who said there’s too much political correctness in the country were nearly three times as likely to say they tried to meet the political correctness definition than they were to apply the label to themselves. Those who said there’s too much prejudice in the country also shied away from the term, with less than half saying they considered themselves politically correct.
Shanto Iyengar, a political science professor at Stanford University, said grievances against PC culture’s adherents were largely rooted in suspicions of others being inauthentic.
“That’s the real subtext in the political correctness debate — is that people are giving insincere responses,” he said. “To be politically correct is disguising their true feelings.”
Privilege and Discrimination
A good deal of that skepticism appears to be based on views of privilege and discrimination, underscoring that views regarding who has the upper hand in the country serve as the main fault line in the culture war.
Share who agreed with each statement
Many people nowadays don't take discrimination seriously enough.
Many people nowadays don't take racism seriously enough.
Many people nowadays don't take sexism seriously enough.
Fissures emerged in the responses — some of the largest in the poll. At least 3 in 5 who said there was too much prejudice in the country sided with statements that white people don’t recognize the real advantages they have, that men start out with an advantage and that discrimination and racism are not taken seriously enough in modern society.
Many white people today don't recognize the real advantages they have.
Many black people today don't recognize the real advantages they have.
By contrast, most Americans who said there was too much political correctness in the country also said black people today don’t recognize the real advantages they have, that white people don’t have any real advantages over others, and that people nowadays are too sensitive about things having to do with discrimination and racism.
Nearly half of those respondents also disagreed that men start out with an advantage.
‘In-Group’ vs. ‘Out-Group’ Mentality
One important element underlying many conversations about political correctness is the social psychology concept of in-group vs. out-group. Essentially, people tend to be more sympathetic of those perceived as similar to them, or part of their in-group.
It helps explain why Democrats, who are more racially diverse, tend to be more sensitive to racial tropes — and why Republicans, who have a larger share of military members in their ranks, hold a particular reverence for veterans.
Priming experiments typically measure sentiment among respondents by asking whether they agree or disagree with a number of phrases. The Morning Consult experiment went one step further in measuring how the in-group vs. out-group dynamic applied to tolerance for free speech.
The survey sought to test this concept by priming respondents with sentences that presented typically out-group members as in-group members. Here’s an example meant to sway conservatives:
“Many Muslims have served in the U.S. military. Do you agree or disagree with the following? Politicians should be able to say the values of Islam are un-American.”
Half of respondents received that priming sentence. The other half simply saw:
“Do you agree or disagree with the following? Politicians should be able to say the values of Islam are un-American.”
The idea behind the experiment was to determine whether compassion for a perceived out-group would increase if people feel as though those individuals were actually part of their in-group. And indeed, respondents who saw the priming sentence were more likely to say politicians should not be able to express certain views about that out-group.
Net agreement (% who agreed minus % who disagreed) on each statement
Politicians should be able to say the values of Islam are un-American.
Many Muslims have served in the U.S. military. Politicians should be able to say the values of Islam are un-American.
Paul Djupe, an associate professor of political science at Denison University who helped craft parts of the poll, called the “eye-opening” results an example of how information can weaken stereotypes for some of the most polarized groups in the country, and how empathy, in turn, directly feeds into views on which kinds of speech should be tolerated or allowed.
The findings of the experiment suggests a begrudging acknowledgment that some speech should be policed, Djupe said, because respondents’ views changed with the addition of the priming sentence.
In essence, he said, this suggests that people know it’s wrong to hold and express certain views.
Other examples of the experiment, including those designed to elicit more compassionate responses from Democrats or liberals toward certain groups, also provided fruitful results. (The below results were drawn from a separate survey of roughly 2,200 U.S. adults.)
Politicians should be able to say that traditional masculinity has gotten toxic.
Fewer men are fathering children. Politicians should be able to say that traditional masculinity has gotten toxic.
Republican men
Republican women
Democratic men
Democratic women
Poll conducted March 4 - 5, 2019 among 2,239 U.S. adults, with a margin of error +/-2%.
“This reinforces the value of news — the possibility that people are open to information,” Djupe said, “It’s suggestive that we can be civil to each other and be inclusive as a democratic society.”
Samantha Elbouez and Marley Bross contributed to visuals and development.
Thanks to Dan Cox, Paul Djupe, Shanto Iyengar, Dean John L. Jackson and Heidi Kitrosser for their help in crafting the survey.
Joanna Piacenza
Joanna is a features editor for Morning Consult.
Cameron Easley
Cameron is an editor at Morning Consult, leading coverage of campaigns, politics and sports.
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motivationaltricks January 8, 2017
When people plan for wondering and decide the place, Goa come first in mind. Goa is the best destination place for travellers, because Goa provides everything for enjoyment and fun like tourist hotspots, water sports, beach shacks, eateries, clubs and pubs with white sand beaches, serene atmosphere.
Goa is located in Konkan Region, on the western coasts of India, flanked by the Arabian Sea.The union territory of Goa is sandwiched between the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is split into two district- North Goa and South Goa. North Goa includes the capital city of Panjim, the former capital of Old Goa, Fort Aguada and Candolim. South Goa includes Vasco da Gama Bogmalo, Margao, Colva and Benolem.
The Mauryan and Portuguese rule of Goa has had a great influence on its identity. Goa was once a part of the Mauryan Empire ruled by the emperor Ashoka. Under his rule Buddhist monks laid the foundation of Buddhism here. In 1510, the Portuguese took over Goa after defeating the ruling Sultan of Bijapur. Having ruled for around four centuries, in 1961, fourteen years after the country’s independence, the Portuguese had to leave Goa.
Sunburn Festival- sunborn is an EDM festival held in the beach and party destination Vagator. It’s considered Asia’s biggest music festival. The festival is an amalgamation of music, entertainment, food and shopping. In 2009, it was ranked as the 9th best festival in the world by CNN.
Goa Carnival- the Carnival is celebrated only in the state of Goa, where it is known as ‘Intruz’. It was introduced by the Portuguese. The Carnival is celebrated for three days lauding the legendary King Momo. Night-long parades occur throughout the state with bands, dances and floats.
Goa, the best tourist place for India offers several tourist attractions. Beaches and churches are the key tourist attractions in Goa.The queen of India beaches, Calangute is a stretch of 7 km. Baga beach is a handy commuting point to Anjuna. At a distance of 7 km from Panaji is the beach of Dona, Paua, which is a good site for relaxation and sunbathing.The Dudhsagar waterfall and Arvalem waterfall attract many tourists every year. The rock-cut caves of Khandepar and Arvalem are also worth mentioning. The Pilar monastery, Saligao seminary, and Rachol seminary attract the religious minded travellers.
Anjuna Flea Market- one of the most famous markets of Goa, Anjuna Flea market is known to be the ‘hippie capital of Goa’ and is organised at the Anjuna beach on every Wednesday. You can get your hands on things pouring in from all across the country including bedspreads, saris, t-shirt, jewellery, and much more things from different states.
Mackie’s Night Bazaar at Baga- This market has shops owned by Indian as well as foreign nationals. Visitors can savor Indian, Goan, Tibetan and Chinese street food.The Goa state Museum, the Secretariat, the statue of Abbe Faria in the capital is a must see for lovers of art. The largest of the churches in Goa.
The fun and frolic Goa is one of the most popular destinations in India.Summer is the time when the heat peaks to its prime in Goa. Day temperatures stay in the mid-30s. As Goa resides on the shores of Arabian Sea, its weathers majorly carries a lot of humidity. Thus, a summer is the time when you are bound to experience heat with a lot of humidity.Goa welcomes the rains with a heart-warming welcome. Starting from the middle of June, frequent showers use to be the order of the day. If you love the monsoons, then Goa is certainly the place for you. Often the state is characterized by fun and frolic beach parties, but during the monsoons, the lush greenery of Goa takes the front row. The weather stays pleasant and drenched, and is perfect for nature trails and camping expeditions.Winters are the best time to visit Goa. It’s that time of the year when the upper half of India shivers in biting cold, but Goa calls celebration. Numerous festivals and events knock the doors of this state during these months. Sunburn, Christmas, New Year and Goa Carnival Festival are some highlights that define the perks of travelling to this part of India during the winter months. Plus, the weather stays absolutely pleasant; around 28 degree C (Day) and 21 degree C (night).
By Air- Popular as Dabolim Airport, Goa International Airport is the nearest airport, roughly 2 km away from the city center of Dabolim and 25 km away from the state’s capital Panjim. The Airport is well- connected to several places such as Delhi, Mumbai, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Bangalore, Ahmadabad, Jaipur and Pure. Further, travellers can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach their main destination.
By Rail- The state has two important railheads, namely Margaon Railway Station and Vasco da Gama Railway station, which are well-linked with some important cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Lucknow and Jaipur. There are various buses and taxis available that will help you to travel further. Apart from these two, Karmali Railway Station and Thivim Railway Station are other two railheads, which you may opt for.
By Road- Goa is easily accessible by road nearby states. Interstate and intrastate bus services are regularly available. It is well-connected by road to important cities of the country like Hubli (155km), Kolhapur (234km), Mahabaleshwar (407km), Pune (461km), Bangalore (562km), Mumbai (604km), Mysore (617km), and Shirdi (630km)
best place to visit Goa
Goa in india
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Freddie Mac v Schwartzwald - Advocates Amicus - Standing issue
Uploaded by winstons2311
Plaintiff-Appellee, V. Duane Schwartzwald, et al. Defendants-Appellants. On Appeal from the Greene County Court of Appeals, Second Appellate District Court of Appeals Case No. 2010 CA 0041 MERIT BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUALITY, INC., LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND, LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF SOUTHWEST OHIO, LLC, COMMUNITY LEGAL AID SERVICES, INC., OHIO POVERTY LAW CENTER, LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF COLUMBUS, SOUTHEASTERN OHIO LEGAL SERVICES, LEGAL AID OF WESTERN OHIO, and PRO SENIORS, INC., ON CERTIFIED CONFLICT QUESTION Andrew D. Neuhauser (0082799) Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. 525 Jefferson Avenue
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Leyva v. National Default Servicing Corp.
ORIGI AL
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF OHIO Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. . Case No. 2011-1362
On Appeal from the Greene County Court of Appeals, Second Appellate District
Plaintiff-Appellee, V. Duane Schwartzwald, et al. Defendants-Appellants.
Court of Appeals Case No. 2010 CA 0041
MERIT BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUALITY, INC., LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND, LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF SOUTHWEST OHIO, LLC, COMMUNITY LEGAL AID SERVICES, INC., OHIO POVERTY LAW CENTER, LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF COLUMBUS, SOUTHEASTERN OHIO LEGAL SERVICES, LEGAL AID OF WESTERN OHIO, and PRO SENIORS, INC., ON CERTIFIED CONFLICT QUESTION
Andrew D. Neuhauser (0082799) Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. 525 Jefferson Avenue
Toledo, Ohio 43604 T: (419) 255-0814
F: (419) 259-2880 aneuhauser@ablelaw.org Counsel for Amicus Curiae Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc.
Julie K. Robie (0078381) Legal Aid Society of Cleveland 1223 West Sixth Street Cleveland, Ohio 44113 T: (216) 861-5896
F: (216) 861-0704 jrobie@laselev.org
Legal Aid Society of Cla^P^^ME COURT OF OHIO I
Christina M. Janice (0055313) Paul E. Zindle (0080705) Community Legal Aid Services, Inc. 50 South Main Street, Suite 800 Akron, Ohio 44308 T: (330) 535-4191 F: (330) 535-0728 ejanice@communitylegalaid.org pzindle@communitylegalaid.org
Counsel for Amicus Curiae Community Legal Aid Services, Inc.
Counsel for Amicus Cu a
CLE^fK (JF CURl
Noel M. Morgan (0066904)
Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, LLC 215 East Ninth Street, Suite 500 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 T: (513) 362-2837 F: (513) 241-7871 nmorgan@lascinti.org Counsel for Amicus Curiae Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, LLC
Linda Cook (0038743) Counsel of Record
Ohio Poverty Law Center, LLC 555 Buttles Avenue
Scott A. King (0037582) Terry Posey (0078292) Thompson Hine, LLP Austin Landing I
Columbus, Ohio 43215 T: (614) 221-7201
F: (614) 221-7625 Icook@ohiopovertylaw.org Counsel for Amicus Curiae Poverty Law Center, LLC Andrew M. Engel (0047371) 7071 Corporate Way, Suite 201 Centerville, Ohio 45459 T: (937) 938-9412 F: (937) 938-9411 amengel @sbeglobal.net Counsel for Appellants Duane and Julie Schwartzwald
10050 Innovation Drive, Suite 400 Dayton, Ohio 45342
T: (937) 443-6560 F: (937) 443-6830 scoU.king@thompsonhine.com terry.posey@thompsonhine.com Counsel for Appellee Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TABLE OF AUTHORITIES .......................................................................................... v STATEMENT OF INTEREST OF AMICI CURIAE .................................................... 1 STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE ............................................................... 2 ARGUMENT .................................................................................................................. 2
1. Question Presented ................................................................................. 2 II. Introduction ............................................................................................. 3
III. Standing is an integral doctrine of the judicial system applicable to all ........................................................................................ 4
A. A party that does not have an interest in the contract upon which it bases its lawsuit does not have standing .............................. 5 B. A foreclosure claim is not ripe for adjudication if the plaintiff had no interest in the mortgage ....................................:....... 7 IV. This Court should enforce the doctrine of standing and the rules for prosecuting an action in the name of the real party in interest, which already exist for all litigants ..........................................................:......... 8 A. The question of whether a party is a real party in interest under Civ.R. 17 is a separate issue from whether that party has standing ........................................................................:..................... 8 B. Civ.R.17 does not apply to situations in which foreclosing plaintiffs know when filing suit that they have no standing and could have determined real party in interest ...................................... 9 IV. It would be dangerous for courts to deviate from standing and real party in interest requirements to accommodate the business practices of one industry ........................................................... 15 VI. Foreclosing plaintiffs' recent and ongoing assault on the integrity of the courts is exemplified by this case .................................................. 16 VII. The rampant industry practice of filing suit without being properly positioned to do so is an abuse of Ohio courts and a threat to every homeowner, not just the clients of Amici Ohio Legal Services programs ..................................................... 18
VIII. Departure from prudential mortgage lending standards was a major cause of the foreclosure crisis, and foreclosing plaintiffs should not be permitted to keep relaxing the rules for their own convenience and profit ............................................................................. 19 IX. Upholding well-established standing and real party in interest requirements will not hinder mortgage holders from bringing
legitimate foreclosure actions .................................................................. 19
X. Conclusion ............................................................................................... 23 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ....................................................................................... 25 APPENDIXES ................................................................................................................ 26
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES Cases Page Anderson v. Brown (1968), 13 Ohio St.2d 53, 233 N.E.2d 584 .............................. 10 Bank of New York v. Gindele, 1 st Dist. No. C-090251, 2010-Ohio-542 ................ 10, 12 Carr v. Home Owners Loan Corp. (1947), 148 Ohio St. 533, 36 O.O. 177, 76 N.E.2d 389 ............................................................................................. 6 Crowder v. Gordons Transports, Inc. (C.A.8, 1967), 387 F.2d 413 ....................... 12 Cuyahoga Cty. Bd. of Commrs. v. State, 112 Ohio St.3d 59, 2006-Ohio-6499, 858 N.E.2d 330 ........................................................................................... 3
Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v. Edwards (C.P. Erie Cty. 2009),
No. 08-CV-712E ......................................................................................... 13 Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v. Hanna (N.D.Ohio), 2007 WL 4276661 ............ 17 DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc. v. Bazzy (C.P. Montgomery Cty. 2003), No. 02-4136 ......................................................................................:......... 13 Feist v. Consolidated Freightways Corp. (E.D.Pa.1999), 100 F. Supp. 2d 273 ..... 12, 13 First Union Natl. Bank v. Hufford ( 3rd Dist.), 146 Ohio App.3d 673, 2001-Ohio-2271, 767 N.E.2d 1206 ...... ....................................................... 9 Fortner v. Thomas (1970), 22 Ohio St.2d 13, 51 0.0.2d 35, 257 N.E.2d 371 ....... 6 GrantThorntonv. Windsor House, Inc. (1991), 57 Ohio St.3d 158, 566 N.E.2d 1220 ......................................................................................... 9 Haxtun Tel. Co. v. AT&T Corp. (C.A.10, 2003), 57 Fed.Appx. 355 ...................... 12 In re Foreclosure Cases (N.D.Ohio), 2007 WL 3232430 . ..................................... 16, 17 In re Foreclosure Cases (S.D.Ohio 2007), 521 F.Supp.2d 650 .............................. 16 Keller v. City of Columbus, 100 Ohio St.3d 192, 2003-Ohio-5599, 797 N.E.2d 964 ...............................................................................:........... 4 Kincaid v. Erie Ins. Co., 128 Ohio St.3d 322, 2010-Ohio-6036, 944 N.E.2d 207 ................ ........................................................................... 3, 6, 9 Kirk v. Kirk (3d Dist.), 172 Ohio App.3d 404, 2007-Ohio-3140, 875 N.E.2d 125 ........................................................................................... 7
Northland Ins. Co. v. The Illuminating Co., 11th Dist. Nos. 2002-A-0058 and 2002-A-0066, 2004-Ohio-1529 ............................................................. 8, 11
Ohio Cent. RR. Sys. v. Mason Law Finn Co., L.P.A. (10th Dist.),
182 Ohio App.3d 814, 2009-Ohio-3238, 915 N.E.2d 397 .......................... 12 Ohio Contrs. Assn. v. Bicking (1994), 71 Ohio St.3d 318, 643 N.E.2d 1088 ......... 6
Ohio Pyro, Inc. v. Ohio Dept. of Commerce, 115 Ohio St.3d 375,
2007-Ohio-5024, 875 N.E.2d 550 ............................................................... 3, 5 Simon v. Union Trust Co. (1933), 126 Ohio St. 346, 185 N.E. 425 ....................... 6
State ex rel. Barclays Bank PLC v. Court of Common Pleas of
Hamilton County ( 1996), 74 Ohio St.3d 536, 660 N.E.2d 458 ................... 4 State ex rel. Dallman v. Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County (1973), 35 Ohio St.2d 176, 298 N.E.2d 515 ............................................................ 6 State ex rel. Elyria Foundry Co. v. Indus. Comm. of Ohio ( 1998), 82 Ohio St.3d 88, 694 N.E.2d 459 .............................................................. 7 State ex rel. Jones v. Suster (1998), 84 Ohio St.3d 70, 701 N.E.2d 1002 .............. State ex rel. Keller v. Columbus (10th Dist.), 164 Ohio App.3d 648, 2005-Ohio-6500, 843 N.E.2d 838 ............................................................... 7
State ex rel. Merrill v. Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, 130 Ohio St.3d 30, 2011-Ohio-4612, 955 N.E.2d 935 ............................................................... 3 State ex rel. Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers v. Sheward (1999),
86 Ohio St.3d 451, 715 N.E.2d 1062 .......................................................... 5 State v. Stambaugh (1987), 34 Ohio St.3d 34, 517 N.E.2d 526 .............................. 5 Stewart v. Stewart (4th Dist. 1999), 134 Ohio App.3d 556, 731 N.E.2d 743 ......... 5, 7 Travelers Indemn. Co. v. R.L. Smith Co. (Apr. 13, 2001), 11th Dist. No. 2000-L-014, 2001 WL 369677 ................ ............................................ 11 U.S. Bank Natl. Assn. v. Ibanez (2011), 458 Mass. 637, 941 N.E.2d 40 ................ 17 U.S. for Use & Benefit of Wulff v. CMA, Inc. (C.A.9, 1989), 890 F.2d 1070 ......... 11, 12
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Byrd ( 1st Dist.), 178 Ohio App.3d 285, 2008-Ohio-4603, 897 N.E.2d 722 ............................................................... 10, 11, 20
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Heiskell (C.P. Franklin Cty. 2003), No. 02 C VE-10-11149 ................................................................................ 13-14 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Hissa (C.P. Lucas Cty. 2009), No. CI-08-6993 ........... 14 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Jordan, 8th Dist. No. 91675, 2009-Ohio-1092 ............ 11 Woods v. Oak Hill Community Med. Ctr., Inc. (4th Dist. 1999),
134 Ohio App.3d 261, 730 N.E.2d 1037 .................................................... 4-5 Constitutional Provisions Page Article IV, 4(B) ..................................................................................................... 4, 6 Rules Page Civ.R. 10 ................................................................................................................. 13 Civ.R. 11 ................................................................................................................. 13 Civ.R. 17 ................................................................................................................. passim Civ.R. 17(A), 1970 Staff Notes ............................................................................... 10 Cuyahoga County, Third Revised Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Affidavit Policy .....................:..................................................................... 20 Fed.R.Civ.P. 17 ....................................................................................................... 10, 11, 12, 17 Fed.R.Civ.P. Committee Notes, 1966 Amendment ................................................ 11-12 Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Local Rule 45 ..................................... 20-21 Highland County Court of Common Pleas Local Rule 15.3 ................................... 21 Lucas County Court of Common Pleas Local Rule 8.02 ........................................ 21 Summit County Court of Common Pleas Local Rule 11.01 ................................... 21
Other Authorities
Comment, Mootness and Ripeness: The Postman Always Rings Twice
(1965), 5 Colum.L.Rev. 867 ....................................................................... C. Wright and A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure 1555 (1971) ................ 12
Poficy Matters Ohio, Home Insecurity: Foreclosure Growth in Ohio 2011
(Feb. 2011) .................................................................................................. 22
Supreme Court of Ohio, 2008 Ohio Courts Statistical Summary ........................... 18
Supreme Court of Ohio, "Foreclosures Down 4 percent in 2010," Feb. 10, 2011 ..........................................:.................................................... 22
STATEMENT OF INTEREST OF THE AMICI CURIAE
All of Ohio's Civil Legal Services Programs' ("Amici") join Defendants-Appellants Duane and Julie Schwartzwald in opposing the certified rule of law that was adopted by the Second District Court of Appeals on July 27, 2011 in Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. v. Duane SchwartZwald, et al., 2nd Dist. No. 2010 CA 41, at 4. Amici have been on the forefront
1 Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) and Legal Aid of Western Ohio are non-profit civil legal service providers with the mission of providing high quality legal assistance to low income persons in thirty-two counties in northwest and west central Ohio. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is the law firm for low-income families in northeast Ohio. Its mission is to secure justice and resolve fundamental problems for those who are low income and vulnerable by providing high quality legal services and working for systemic solutions that enipower those it serves. The Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, LLC, an affiliate of the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, provides a broad range of civil legal services to low income persons in southwest Ohio. Community Legal Aid Services, Inc. (CLAS), provides legal representation to low income and elderly individuals in an eight county area in northeast Ohio. The mission of CLAS is to secure justice for and protect the rights of the poor and to promote measures for their assistance. The Ohio Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit limited liability corporation, provides assistance and consulting to the Ohio legal services community through project management, policy advocacy, litigation support, training, specialty assistance and consulting, task forces, publications, and other activities. The Legal Aid Society of Columbus is similarly committed to assisting low income persons and seniors with legal problems in a variety of areas, including housing, consumer, public benefits, domestic relations, as well as basic life necessities, in a six county area of central Ohio. Southeastern Ohio Legal Services is an LSC-funded legal services program whose mission is to act as general counsel to a client community residing throughout thirty rural counties in southeast Ohio and, as such, provide the highest quality of legal services to its clients toward the objective of enabling poor people to assert their rights and interests. Pro Seniors is a nonprofit civil legal service provider with the mission of providing legal assistance to seniors in Southwestern Ohio, as well as legal advice to any senior statewide.
of the foreclosure crisis, coordinating litigation and non-litigation efforts to help Ohio's low- and moderate-income citizens retain home ownership. Amici are partners in Save the Dream Ohio, the statewide foreclosure intervention initiative, which is a partnership of state, local, and public interest resources. Since Amici became Save the Dream partners in 2008, the programs have provided direct representation to over 14,600 homeowners statewide at all levels of services. In addition, legal aid lawyers have participated in hundreds of borrower outreach and other public education events to educate homeowners about their rights. They have worked closely with local common pleas courts statewide to encourage and support the implementation of mediation in foreclosure cases. They have also worked with the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section to uncover mortgage servicing abuses and issues surrounding the use of fraudulent affidavits in foreclosure filings. Consequently, the Amici are well situated to provide the Court with information about the widespread practices of the lending industry in foreclosure actions that undermine the integrity of the judicial process.
STATEMENT OF FACTS AND CASE
In the interests of judicial economy, Amici adopt by reference the Statement of Facts and Case submitted by Defendants-Appellants Duane and Julie Schwartzwald.
1. Question presented The Second District Court of Appeals certified the following rule of law as being in conflict with the judgment on the same question by another district court of appeals: "In a mortgage foreclosure action, the lack of standing or a real party in interest defect can be cured by the assignment of the mortgage prior to judgment."
Amici submit that this certified rule of law is erroneous. The proper rule of law is as follows: For any plaintiff in civil litigation, lack of standing is a fatal defect that cannot be "cured" after a lawsuit is filed. In a mortgage foreclosure action, a plaintiff's lack of standing cannot be cured by obtaining an assignment of the mortgage prior to judgment. Furthermore, failure to prosecute an action as a real party in interest can be "cured" only under limited circumstances and in accordance with the requirements of Civ.R. 17. In a mortgage foreclosure action where a fmancial institution files suit before obtaining assignment of the mortgage, merely obtaining subsequent assignment of the mortgage does not trigger the protections of Civ.R. 17 to preclude dismissal of the action for failure of standing. This is consistent with decisions by the First and Eighth District Courts of Appeals. It also comports with both constitutional requirements and common sense.
U. Introduction
The certified rule of law goes to the issue of whether a plaintiff in a mortgage foreclosure action can cure either lack of standing or a real party in interest defect after that plaintiff has filed a mortgage foreclosure lawsuit. The real issue before this Court is whether any plaintiff can cure lack of standing or a real party in interest defect after a lawsuit is filed. The importance of standing as a prerequisite to adjudication cannot be overstated. This Court most recently has restated the position it has long held that "[s]tanding is a preliminary inquiry that must be made before a court may consider the merits of a legal claim." State ex rel. Merrill v. Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources., 130 Ohio St.3d 30, 201 1-Ohio-4612, 955 N.E.2d 935, 127, citing Kincaid v. Erie Ins. Co., 128 Ohio St.3d 322, 2010-Ohio-6036, 944 N.E.2d 207, 9[ 9; accord Ohio Pyro, Inc. v. Dept: of Commerce, 115 Ohio St.3d 375, 2007-Ohio-5024, 875 N.E.2d 550, 9[ 27; Cuyahoga Cty. Bd. of Commrs. v. State, 112 Ohio St.3d 59, 2006-Ohio-6499, 858 N.E.2d 330, 122.
Foreclosure cases are governed by the Ohio Constitution, the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure, and common law standards applicable to all civil litigation. They do not require their own separate procedural rules. This Court should not alter its own precedent on the doctrine of standing and the requirements for prosecuting an action in the name of the real party in interest under Civ.R. 17 simply to accommodate an industry that considers it inconvenient to follow the rules and requirements of our state. Requiring the industry to follow traditional rules preserves the integrity of our justice system - a justice system that applies the same rules to all litigants. Adoption of the proposition posed by the Second District would represent nothing short of a radical rewriting of Ohio civil justice as well as two hundred years of Ohio constitutional law. It would require this Court either to redefine the fundamental requirements of standing and real party in interest that apply to all plaintiffs or to create a separate set of judicial principles for banks and foreclosure actions. Either would be an ill-advised, unnecessary, and even revolutionary response to what are merely sloppy business practices adopted by some of the nation's largest banks and Wall Street investment houses. III. Standing is an integral doctrine of the judicial system applicable to all. Under Article IV of the Ohio Constitution, courts of common pleas have original jurisdiction over "all justiciable matters." Art. IV, 4(B). This Court has stated that under Article IV, justiciability requires an actual controversy between adverse parties - the plaintiff and "a party whose adverse conduct or adverse property interest the plaintiff properly claims the protection of the law." State ex rel: Barclays Bank PLC v. Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County (1996), 74 Ohio St.3d 536, 541, 660 N.E.2d 458; Keller v. City of Columbus, 100 Ohio St.3d 192, 2003-Ohio-5599, 797 N.E.2d 964, 126 ("In order to be judiciable, a controversy must be ripe for review."); see also Woods v. Oak Hill Community Med. Ctr., Inc. (4th Dist. 1999),
134 Ohio App.3d 261, 271, 730 N.E.2d 1037 ("The requirement that a plaintiff have standing to sue is an indispensable element of justiciability that we may not compromise."); Stewart v. Stewart (4th Dist. 1999), 134 Ohio App.3d 556, 558, 731 N.E.2d 743 ("For a cause to be justiciable, there must be a real controversy presenting issues which are ripe for judicial resolution and which will have a direct and immediate impact on the parties," quoting State v. Stambaugh (1987), 34 Ohio St.3d 34, 38, 517 N.E.2d 526 (Douglas, J., concuning in part and dissenting in part)). The issue of justiciability is so important that courts must raise it sua sponte. Stewart at 558. As the foreclosure crisis continues, the issue of justiciability in the context of foreclosure now comes before this Court. Aniici subnut that as with any other cause of action wherein justiciability is not expressly defined by statute, a complaint in foreclosure is justiciable only when the plaintiff has standing to sue upon filing, and the claim is ripe for adjudication. These doctrines of standing and ripeness are separate, and their requirements must be satisfied. A. A party that does not have an interest in the contract upon which it bases its lawsuit does not have standing. Standing is "a party's right to make a legal claim or seek judicial enforcement of a duty or right." Ohio Pyro, Inc., 115 Ohio St.3d 375, 2007-Ohio-5024, 875 N.E.2d 550, at 127, quoting Black's Law Dictionary (8th Ed.2004). "Standing is a threshold question for a court to decide in order for it to proceed to adjudicate the action." State ex rel. Jones v. Suster (1998), 84 Ohio St.3d 70, 77, 701 N.E.2d 1002. A plaintiff must establish standing before a court can consider the merits of the legal claims. State ex rel. Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers v. Sheward (1999), 86 Ohio St.3d 451, 469, 715 N.E.2d 1062. "The concept of standing embodies general concerns about how courts should function in a democratic society." Id.
The issue of whether a party has standing depends on "whether the party has alleged such a personal stake in the outcome of the controversy as to ensure that the dispute sought to be adjudicated will be presented in an adversary context and in a form historically viewed as capable of judicial resolution." State ex rel: Dallman v. Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County (1973), 35 Ohio St.2d 176, 178-179, 298 N.E.2d 515. For a plaintiff to have standing, this Court requires the injury to be "concrete and not simply abstract or suspected." Ohio Contrs. Assn. v. Bicking (1994), 71 Ohio St.3d 318, 320, 643 N.E.2d 1088. "To have standing, a party must have a personal stake in the outcome of the legal controversy with an adversary. This holding is based on the principle that `it is the duty of every judicial tribunal to decide actual controversies between parties legitimately affected by specific facts and to render judgments which can be carried into effect."' Kincaid, 128 Ohio St.3d 322, 2010-Ohio-6036, 944 N.E.2d 207, at 19, quoting Fortner v. Thomas (1970), 22 Ohio St.2d 13, 14, 51 0.O.2d 35, 257 N.E.2d 371, citing Section 4(B), Article IV, of the Ohio Constitution. When considering the issue of standing in the foreclosure context, the court must recognize that a foreclosure action is the consolidation of two separate and distinct claims, one for a personal judgment on the note and one for foreclosure of the mortgage. Carr v. Home Owners Loan Corp. (1947), 148 Ohio St. 533, 540, 36 O.O. 177, 76 N.E.2d 389. these claims "are thus merely brought into one action for enforcement. Their independent characteristics are retained." Simon v. Union Trust Co. (1933), 126 Ohio St. 346, 349, 185 N.E. 425. Because there are two distinct actions being pursued concurrently, a party who wishes to file a foreclosure action must estabfish justiciability - and thus standing - for each action. Without an ownership interest in the mortgage, the plaintiff is a mere stranger to the mortgage and has no legal standing to request the court to foreclose on that contract. Here, Freddie Mac
did not have any interest in either the Note or the Mortgage when it filed its Complaint. As a result, it had no personal stake in the outcome of the claim and, thus, had no standing to ask the trial court to foreclose on the Mortgage.
B. A foreclosure claim is not ripe for adjudication if the plaintiff had no interest in the mortgage.
Ripeness is a question of timing. State ex rel. Elyria Foundry Co. v. Indus. Comm. of Ohio (1998), 82 Ohio St.3d 88, 89, 694 N.E.2d 459. "`The basic principle of ripeness may be derived from the conclusion that judicial machinery should be conserved for problems which are real or present and imminent, not squandered on problems which are abstract or hypothetical or remote."' Id., quoting Comment, Mootness and Ripeness: The Postman Always Rings Twice (1965), 65 Colum.L.Rev. 867, 876. "A claim is not ripe for review if it rests upon a future event that might not occur or occur as anticipated." Kirk v. Kirk (3rd Dist.), 172 Ohio App.3d 404, 2007-Ohio-3140, 875 N.E.2d 125, 15; see Stewart, 134 Ohio App.3d at 558-559, 731 N.E.2d 743; State ex rel. Keller v. Columbus (10th Dist.), 164 Ohio App.3d 648, 2005-Ohio-6500, 843 N.E.2d 838, 120. "The determination of whether a cause is ripe for review is made based upon the circumstances at the time of the filing, not on subsequent facts that could not have been known at the time the motion was filed." Kirk at 15. Here, the appellate court determined that Freddie Mac had no interest in the Note or the Mortgage when it filed its Complaint. Freddie Mac's foreclosure claim was not ripe because it rested upon a future event - execution of an assignment from the actual owner of the Mortgage to Freddie Mac - that might not occur or occur as anticipated. The fact that those future events actually occurred is irrelevant because the trial court was required to determine ripeness - and thus justiciability - at the time Freddie Mac filed its Complaint.
IV. This Court should enforce the doctrine of standing and the rules for prosecuting an action in the name of the real party in interest, which already exist for all litigants. A. The question of whether a party is a real party in interest under Civ.R. 17 is a separate issue from whether that party has standing.
Grappling with deficiencies in the mass filings of complaints in the emerging foreclosure crisis, Ohio's appellate courts have split on whether and how a plaintiff asserting a cause of action in foreclosure can "cure" a lack of standing to sue. At least four districts, including the Second District, that have allowed a "cure" to a defect in standing have done so via expansion of Civ.R. 17. The First and Eighth Districts have held that foreclosure plaintiffs cannot acquire standing by obtaining their interest in the mortgage after having filed suit. These courts have held that Civ.R. 17 cannot be expanded, niisapplied, or misread to cure an otherwise fatal defect. The constitutional mandate of standing to sue and Civ.R. 17 both involve the plaintiff's personal interest in a case. That, however, is the extent of the connection between the doctrine of standing and the remedial mechanism of Civ.R. 17. The two should not be confused as interchangeable. Standing is a constitutional requirement for a plaintiff to enter into the courthouse, while Civ.R. 17 is a procedural device that governs the subsequent conduct of the parties. See Northland Ins. Co. v. The Illuminating Co., 11th Dist. Nos. 2002-A-0058 and 2002A-0066, 2004-Ohio-1529, 117. Because of these very distinctions, Civ.R. 17 cannot and must not be misapplied as an antidote to "cure" a plaintiff's complete lack of standing in the first instance. These two distinct concepts have become intertwined in foreclosure-related case law only because banks have muddled the concepts to fit their self-created predicament of filing foreclosure actions prematurely, before actually acquiring an interest in the mortgages they seek to foreciose. Accordingly, triere are relatively few appellate cases that analyze the distinction
because, until recently, few plaintiffs in any other area of the law have had the temerity to sue to enforce obligations or redress injuries in which they had no cognizable interest at the time of filing. As with any lawsuit, when presented with a foreclosure case, a court must first consider whether the foreclosing party has standing. If the plaintiff does not have standing, the case must be dismissed. If the plaintiff has standing, the case can proceed, but upon a challenge by the defendant, the court must then decide whether the plaintiff is the real party in interest. See First Union Natl. Bank v. Hufford (3rd Dist.), 146 Ohio App.3d 673, 2001-Ohio-2271, 767 N.E.2d 1206,118.
B. Civ.R. 17 does not apply to situations in which foreclosing plaintiffs know when filing suit that they have no standing and could have determined the real party in interest.
The Second District allowed Freddie Mac to use Civ.R. 17 to circumvent its lack of standing. Although the Supreme Court of Ohio has yet to apply standing specifically to foreclosure plaintiffs, this Court has repeatedly and consistently held that a party must have standing to bring a lawsuit. In a case involving claims under an insurance contract, the Court held that "to have standing, a party must have a personal stake in the outcome of a legal controversy with an adversary. This holding is based upon the principle that it is the duty of every judicial tribunal to decide actual controversies between parties legitimately affected by specific facts and to render judgments which can be carried into effect ***." Kincaid, 128 Ohio St.3d 322, 2010-Ohio-6036, 944 N.E.2d 207, at 19. In a contracts case, this Court held that "only a party to a contract or an intended third-party beneficiary of a contract may bring an action on a contract in Ohio." Grant Thornton v. Windsor House, Inc. (1991), 57 Ohio St. 3d 158, 161, 566 N.E.2d 1220. The issue of standing often arises in challenges to the constitutionality of statutes and ordinances, and this Court has held that "[a] person has no
standing to. attack the constitutionality of an ordinance unless he has a direct interest in the ordinance of such a nature that his rights will be adversely affected by its enforcement." Anderson v. Brown (1968), 13 Ohio St.2d 53, 233 N.E.2d 584, paragraph one of the syllabus. The First and Eighth District Courts of Appeals have properly applied this Court's holdings to foreclosure cases in which the plaintiffs sought to cure the lack of standing by citing their right to cure a real party defect under Civ.R. 17. The First District held in Wells Fargo v. Byrd that "in a foreclosure action, a bank that was not the mortgagee when suit was filed cannot cure its lack of standing by subsequently obtaining an interest in the mortgage." Wells Fargo v Byrd, 178 Ohio App.3d 285, 2008-Ohio-4603, 897 N.E.2d 722, 116. The court rejected the plaintiff s contention that it had cured under Civ.R. 17, finding "instructive" the reasoning of a federal court in the analogous context of a statute of limitations defect: "`Rule 17(a) does not apply to a situation where a party with no cause of action files a lawsuit to toll the statute of limitations and later obtains a cause of action through assignment."' Id. at 115, quoting United States v. CMA, Inc. (C.A.9, 1989), 890 F.2d 1070, 1074 (discussing analogous federal rule). 2 The First District reaffirmed its Byrd holding in a case in which "[a] thorough review of the record reveals that the sole indication of [the bank's] interest as mortgagee is an after-acquired assignment ***." Bank of New York v. Gindele, 1st Dist. No. C-090251; 2010-Ohio-542, 9[ 3. The court rejected the availability of a Civ.R. 17 cure because "the record does not reflect any understandable mistake by Bank of New York; there is no indication that the identity of the proper party was difficult to ascertain; and there is no documentary proof that Bank of New York owned an enforceable interest when it filed its foreclosure complaint." Id. at 15.
2 Ohio courts can look to the federal rule and accompanying case law on this issue because Ohio's Civ.R. 17(A) is modeled after Fed.R.Civ.P. 17(a). See 1970 Staff Notes to Civ.R. 17(A).
In Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Jordan, the Eighth District Court of Appeals reversed judgment for a foreclosing bank that took assignment of the mortgage "nearly three weeks after it filed its complaint," and adopted the Civ.R. 17 analysis of the First and Eleventh Districts that "`[a] person lacking any right or interest to protect may not invoke the jurisdiction of the court"' and that "`Civ.R. 17 only applies if the action is commenced by someone who is sui juris or the proper party to bring the action."' Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Jordan, 8th Dist. No. 91675, 2009Ohio- 1092, 121, quoting Byrd, 178 Ohio App.3d 285, 2008-Ohio-4603, 897 N.E.2d 722, at 19,. Northland Ins. Co., Nos. 2002-A-0058 and 2002-A-0066, 2004-Ohio-1529, at 117, and Travelers Indemn. Co. v. R.L. Smith Co. (Apr. 13, 2001), 11th Dist. No. 2000-L-014, 2001 WL 369677. The court explicitly followed Byrd, dismissing the foreclosure suit because the bank had not been "the real party in interest on the date it filed its complaint seeking foreclosure." Id. at 125. As the First, Eighth, and Eleventh Districts have held, Civ.R. 17 cannot be used to fix a lack of standing. Rather, "[Rule] 17(a) is the codification of the statutory principle that an action should not be forfeited because of an honest mistake." U.S. for Use & Benefit of Wulff v. CMA, Inc. (C.A.9, 1989), 890 F.2d 1070, 1075. Civ.R. 17(A) applies only when determining the correct party is difficult or when a plaintiff makes an honest and understandable mistake. Fed.R.Civ.P. Advisory Committee Notes, 1966 Amendment. The Advisory Conunittee Notes from the 1966 Amendment, the last substantive change to Fed.R.Civ.P. 17, are particularly appficable to this case. The Committee said, "Modern decisions are inclined to be lenient when an honest mistake has been made in choosing a party in whose name the action is to be filed * * *. The provision should not be misunderstood or distorted. It is intended to prevent forfeiture
when determination of the proper party to sue is difficult or when an understandable mistake has been made." -
One example of an understandable and excusable mistake under Fed.R.Civ.R 17 is when a surviving spouse brings a wrongful death lawsuit as the administrator of the estate and the court determines that the law of another state, which requires the suit to be brought in her own name, controls. Crowder v. Gordons Transports, Inc. (C.A.8, 1967), 387 F.2d 413, 418-419. However, Fed.R.Civ.P. 17(a) does not protect those who deliberately conceal the true source of their claims. Haxtun Tel. Co. v. AT&T Corp. (C.A.10, 2003), 57 Fed.Appx. 355; U.S. for Use & Benefit of Wulff, 890 F.2d at 1074. In other words, Civ.R. 17 does not protect parties who know or should know that they are not the real party in interest at the time they file. Haxtun Tel. Co., 57 Fed.Appx. at 359; 6 C. Wright and A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure 1555 (1971). Ohio's courts have adopted the position of the federal Advisory Committee. In Ohio Cent. RR. Sys. v. Mason Law Firm Co., LPA, the Tenth District stated, "`When determination of the correct party to bring the action was not difficult and when no excusable mistake was made, the last sentence of Rule 17(a) is inapplicable and the action should be dismissed."' 182 Ohio App.3d 814, 2009-Ohio-3238, 915 N.E.2d 397, 141, quoting Feist v. Consol. Freightways Corp. (E.D.Pa. 1999), 100 F. Supp.2d 273, 275); see Gindele, 2010-Ohio-542 at 14. The court in Ohio Cent. RR. upheld the trial court's refusal to allow ratification under Civ.R. 17, finding that the plaintiff "made no attempt to demonstrate to the trial court that the failure to name the real party in interest *** was the result of an honest mistake under the circumstances in which it was difficult to ascertain the identity of the proper party." 182 Ohio App.3d 814 at 143. As the court in Feist said, "To allow a substitution where a plaintiff cannot establish that he was acting
as the result of an honest mistake would contravene the purpose of Rule 17(a)." 100 F. Supp.2d at 280. Pursuant to Civ.R. 10, a foreclosing plaintiff must attach to its complaint the "written instruments" - here the note and mortgage - giving rise to the foreclosure, or provide a statement in its complaint explaining the reason for its omission. The foreclosing party must therefore scrutinize its written instruments before filing suit, and should not be excused from making a determination of whether it is properly positioned to file its lawsuit. As Freddie Mac never owned an interest in the note and mortgage before filing the underlying suit, it misapplied Civ.R. 17 to correct its false pleadings. Several Ohio trial courts, positioned on the front lines of receiving mass quantities of defective foreclosure pleadings, have seen through this misuse of the Rules of Civil Procedure and have refused to permit it. For example, in DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc. v. Bazzy, the foreclosing plaintiff was assigned the mortgage after it filed the complaint but before the defendant raised any objection. (May 16, 2003), No. 02-4316 at 5 (attached as Appendix A). In dismissing the complaint, the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County stated, "This Court refuses to apply Civ.R. 17(A) in a way that would encourage - much less reward - what can be at best deemed gross inaccuracies within the Complaint. Civ.R. 17(A) does not serve to relieve a prosecuting party of its duties under Civ.R. 11, specifically that the information contained within a pleading has good grounds to support it. * * * This Court refuses to allow a party to `correct' a clearly false pleading by relying on Civ.R. 17(A)." Id. In the Appendix to this Brief, Amici submit other trial court decisions from throughout the state that similarly dismiss faulty foreclosure complaints. Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v. Edwards (C.P. Erie Cty. 2009), No. 08-CV-712E (attached as Appendix B); Wells Fargo Bank v. Heiskell (C.P. Franklin
Cty. 2003), No. 02CVE- 10- 11149 (attached as Appendix C); Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Hissa (C.P. Lucas Cty. 2009), No. CI-08-6993 (attached as Appendix D). Amici submit that trial courts faced with dedicating immense resources to the proper litigation of these claims need the clarity of this Court's expression that justiciability in the foreclosure context requires both standing and ripeness upon the filing of a complaint in foreclosure. Such a requirement is not onerous. It is simply due diligence. In every conflict case, the plaintiffs claimed in their complaints that they had an interest in the note, mortgage, or both subject to litigation. In the present case, Freddie Mac did not have any interest in either of the contracts upon which it based its claims when it filed its Complaint. As the Second District noted, in its Complaint, Freddie Mac claimed to be the holder of the Note. 2011 -Ohio-268 1, -N.E.2d --, 15. That was incorrect, a fact sustained by the appellate court's decision. Id. at 14152. In fact, it had no interest at all in the Note at that time. Id. In addition, Freddie Mac claimed in its Complaint it was the owner of the Mortgage. That too was incorrect. In reality, Freddie Mac did not have any interest in the Mortgage until one month after it filed its Complaint. Id. at
Freddie Mac had the obligation to determine whether it was a proper party to file the lawsuit, prior to filing its Complaint. Freddie Mac knew or should have known from its own attachments to the Complaint that it did not own an interest in the note and mortgage subject to its lawsuit. Just as Civ.R. 17 was not designed to allow plaintiffs to circumvent the doctrine of standing, it also was not designed to allow plaintiffs to file pleadings that they know or should know are false when filed. Freddie Mac's filing of a foreclosure complaint before it had standing is not an isolated incident excusable as a mere oversight or the failure to compare its exhibits with its pleadings.
Instead, it is merely one instance of a common, deliberate, and flagrant abuse of Ohio courts by foreclosure plaintiffs. The number of conflict cases in which foreclosing plaintiffs filed a complaint when they did not have an interest in either the note, the mortgage, or both, shows that this is not merely an occasional oversight but, in fact, a de&berate practice. Just like the plaintiffs in the other conflict cases, Freddie Mac knew when it filed its Complaint that it had no interest in the written instruments on which it based its lawsuit. Instead, Freddie Mac and the other plaintiffs all filed with the expectation of routinely submitting a post-dated note endorsement or mortgage assignment - if challenged by a homeowner. This Court should not permit this practice to continue.
V. It would be dangerous for courts to deviate from the standing and real party in interest rules to accommodate the business practices of one industry.
The basic requirement that a plaintiff have standing in order to file a lawsuit applies to all litigants in our legal system, and is indeed one of the concepts on which our entire justice system is based. If this Court were to affirm the Second District's holding and adopt it as a general rule to be applied to all plaintiffs, it would open the courthouse door wide to abuse. For example, a property speculator could file eviction complaints to remove tenants before buying the property. Debt collectors could minimize their risks by suing a multitude of debtors and waiting to buy the debts of only those who failed to file an answer. Taken to its logical conclusion, the Second District's holding would permit an individual plaintiff to sue a bank over his neighbor's bank account, so long as that plaintiff thought he might marry the neighbor and become a co-holder of that account in the future. Indeed, allowing mortgage foreclosure plaintiffs to file suit without standing would have far-reaching consequences. There is nothing unique to foreclosure cases that should compel this Court to upset the legal order for all civil suits or to carve out exceptional rules of law and civil procedure for foreclosures.
VI. Foreclosure plaintiffs' recent and ongoing assault on the integrity of the courts is exemplified by this case.
In the present case, Freddie Mac filed a foreclosure suit on April 15, 2009. The Second District determined that Freddie Mac had no rights in either the homeowner's note or mortgage when it sued and only acquired those rights one month later, on May 15, 2009. Although the particulars vary, the conflict cases before this Court have similar facts in conunon: the plaintiffs acquired their legal interest in the homeowners' mortgages after suing to foreclose. This fact pattern is all-too-familiar to Amici, who routinely defend foreclosure cases that were brought prematurely by plaintiffs who had no legal interest in the mortgages when they filed suit. Such plaintiffs claim they are entitled to foreclose on homeowners' interests in their property when, in fact, the homeowners' mortgage contracts are with other lending institutions. The foreclosing banks then seek to legitimize their claims by purporting to acquire an ownership interest after filing the lawsuit. This widespread industry practice amounts to utter disregard for basic tenets of constitutional standing and rules of civil procedure, and constitutes an assault on the integrity of Ohio courts. A financial institution that does not have any ownership interest in a borrower's note and mortgage should not posture to an Ohio court that it is somehow entitled to foreclose and take that borrower's home. Financial institutions are not entitled to unique exemptions from the doctrine of standing and rules of procedure. Although most foreclosures are filed and adjudicated in state courts, this issue first made national headlines in a series of decisions in Ohio federal courts. In the fall of 2007, federal courts in both Northern and Southern Ohio dismissed numerous cases simultaneously and sua sponte because the foreclosing plaintiffs had filed suit before any rights or interests in the underlying mortgages had been transferred to them. In re Foreclosure Cases (S.D.Ohio 2007), 521 F. Supp.2d 65v, 655; In re Foreclosure Cases (N.D.Ohio), 2007 WL 3232430, *3; see also
Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v. Hanna (N.D.Ohio), 2007 WL 4276661, *2 3 In dismissing fourteen foreclosure cases brought by Deutsche Bank in the Northern District, Judge Boyko rebuked the plaintiff for having "rushed" to sue without owning the subject notes and mortgages, pointing out that, "The [financial] institutions seem to adopt the attitude that since they have been doing this for so long, unchallenged, this practice equates with legal compliance. Finally put to the test, their weak legal arguments compel the Court to stop them at the gate." In re Foreclosure Cases, 2007 WL 3232430, *3.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently affirmed a lower court's ruling undoing foreclosure sales where foreclosing parties did not acquire an interest in the mortgage until after sheriff's sale. U.S. Bank Assn. v. Ibanez (2011), 458 Mass. 637, 638-639, 655, 941 N.E.2d 40. The foreclosing parties argued that post-sale assignments were sufficient since the practice was "customary in the industry." Id. at 653. The Court rejected this argument because an assignment of mortgage is a transfer of legal title and, thus, cannot take effect until it actually happens. Id. at 653-654. As the Court concluded, "The legal principles and requirements we set forth are well established in our case law and our statute. All that has changed is plaintiff's apparent failure to abide by those principles and requirements in a rush to sell mortgage-backed securities." Id. at 655. Likewise, in the instant action, the Second District Court of Appeals has created an unwarranted exception to the well-established legal principles that apply to all other litigants who attempt to bring claims before Ohio courts. Those principles have not changed; all that has
3 While one of the considerations in the federal dismissals was whether the plaintiff banks, lacking notes and/or mortgages, had met federal diversity requirements, the federal courts have also attended to the absence of ownership as a standing defect and the invalidity of reliance of Fed.R.Civ.P. 17 as a cure for premature foreclosure suits by lenders who did not have the necessary interest in the note and/or mortgage when they sued.
changed is the lenders' desire to foreclose on mortgages they do not yet own. This Court must uphold the requirements that a plaintiff must have standing in order to file a lawsuit and that a real party in interest defect can be "cured" only in certain narrow circumstances that do not apply
to these cases. Only this Court can ensure that these basic requirements are consistently applied
throughout Ohio.
VIL The rampant industry practice of filing suit without being properly positioned to do so is an abuse of Ohio courts and a threat to every homeowner, not just the clients of Amici Ohio Legal Services programs.
Enforcement of standing and real party in interest requirements is critical in the foreclosure context, where a severe imbalance of knowledge and resources characterizes almost every case. Foreclosure cases are decided only rarely through contested litigation. This Court reported in its 2008 Ohio Courts Statistical Summary that nearly half of all foreclosure cases ended with a default judgment. Supreme Court of Ohio, 2008 Ohio Courts Statistical Summary, at 56. The number of default judgments was more than double the number of dismissals and increasing. Id. This means that, based on 2010 foreclosure filing statistics, well over 40,000 Ohio foreclosure cases were resolved through default judgment. Amici's anecdotal experience suggests that the vast majority of the remaining cases are only noniinally contested by homeowners who file pro se answers but, due to lack of ability and resources, make no meaningful response to the plaintiff's motion for summary judgment. Therefore, as the vast majority of foreclosure cases are decided with no meaningful opposition, the traditional doctrine of standing and rules pertaining to real party in interest are necessary to protect the rights of Ohio homeowners.
VIII. Departure from prudential mortgage lending standards was a major cause of the foreclosure crisis, and foreclosing plaintiffs should not be perniitted to keep relaxing the rules for their own convenience and profit.
As embodied in the Second District Court of Appeal's certified rule of law, foreclosure plaintiffs are essentially asking this Court to waive the standing requirements that apply to all litigants and adopt the concept of "sue now, obtain standing later" in mortgage foreclosure actions. Not only would such a decision have serious foreseeable and unintended consequences throughout Ohio's court system, but the financial industry's pursuit of such special treatment is ironic, given that the financial industry's own departure from prudential lending standards was largely responsible for the tsunami of foreclosure actions that has hit Ohio courts. This is a problem of the fmancial industry's own making. The spectacle of banks suing to foreclose on homeowners before obtaining standing to sue is a recent phenomenon, a by-product of the rampant securitization of risky mortgage loans. Poorly underwritten mortgage loans were bundled together and traded as commodities, and ownership interests were "sliced and diced." When large numbers of homeowners began to default, financial institutions found themselves scrambling to obtain original documents and reconstruct the fractured chain of ownership of notes and mortgages. Thus, financial institutions are now asking the courts to deviate from the traditional doctrine of standing and rules pertaining to real party in interest. The proper solution, however, is to require financial institutions to conform their practice to the same law applicable to all. IX. Upholding well-estab6shed standing and real party in interest requirements will not hinder mortgage holders from bringing legitimate foreclosure actions.
Since mortgage foreclosure plaintiffs are often able to obtain a legal interest in a
mortgage after filing suit, it is clear that they can also do so before filing. In each of the conflict
cases, the plaintiff had no ownership interest at the time the case was filed, but managed to obtain a purported ownership interest by the time it moved for judgment. In fact, in the instant case, Wells Fargo assigned the Mortgage to the plaintiff, Freddie Mac, just one month after filing suit. Given many plaintiffs' eventual ability to produce some evidence of ownership, it is not surprising that properly presented foreclosures have not been stymied where Ohio courts have required plaintiffs to show ownership of the note and mortgage at the time of filing. Several Ohio courts have adopted local rules and policies that require each foreclosing plaintiff to produce what is essentially evidence of standing and evidence that the plaintiff is the real party in interest. In November 2010, the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court adopted a Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Affidavit Poficy, which requires each plaintiff's attorney to sign an affidavit certifying that he or she has communicated with a representative of the foreclosing plaintiff, who has confirmed the accuracy of the documents, pleadings, court filings, and notarizations in the case. As an alternative to counsel signing such an affidavit, the plaintiff's representative can appear in person at. a hearing and testify regarding the substantive affidavits that have been filed in the case.4 In accordance with the First District's decision in Byrd, Hamilton County requires attachment of the note and mortgage to the complaint. The rule specifies, "If the plaintiff is not the payee of the Note or the original mortgagee, then the assignment of mortgage bearing the plaintiff's name shall also be attached to the complaint. If the documents are not attached, the
4 A copy of the Third Revised Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Affidavit Policy is available at http://cp.cuyahogacounty.us/internet/CourtDocs/Magistrates/Residential%20Foreclosure%20Affi davit%20Po1icy(Rev4).pdf (accessed Nov. 21, 2011).
reason for the omission must be stated in the pleading." Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Local Rule 45 (dated April 15, 2009)' The Highland County Common Pleas Court requires that a copy of the mortgage be attached to the complaint, and "[i]f the Plaintiff is not the mortgagee named in the mortgage, the Plaintiff shall file copies of the assignments of the mortgage with the complaint whether or not the assignment has been recorded." Highland County Court of Common Pleas, Local Rule 15.3, (dated July 1, 2009).6 Lucas County Common Pleas Court requires that every foreclosure complaint be accompanied by an affidavit "documenting that the named plaintiff is the owner and/or holder of the note and mortgage." Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Local Rule 8.02 (dated March 31, 2008).' Summit County Common Pleas Court has adopted a rule requiring plaintiff s attorneys, when filing foreclosure actions, to file "a Certificate of Readiness and any required supporting documentation, demonstrating that plaintiff is the real party in interest and the matter is ready to proceed against all necessary parties." Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Local Rule 11.01 (dated June 1, 2008).8 In each of these counties, adoption of these policies does not appear to be hindering financial institutions' ability to initiate foreclosure actions. Although foreclosure filings
5 Available at http://www.hamilton-co.org/common pleas/Rules.htm (accessed Nov. 21, 2011). 6 Available at http://www.hccpc.org/assets/pdf/hccpc-court-rules-2009-07-01.pdf (accessed Nov. 21, 2011). 7 Available at http://www.co.lucas.oh.us/documents/Court%20of%o20Common%20Pleas/GENRULES012309a. PDF (accessed Nov. 21, 2011). 8 Available at http://www.akronlegaL-.ews.comlrules_of court/common_pleas/ger.era%division_l1 (accessed Nov. 21, 2011).
decreased in each of these counties from 2009 to 2010, those decreases were not unique. 9 Across the state of Ohio, there was an overall decrease in foreclosure filings of 4 percent during that same period. Policy Matters Ohio, Home Insecurity: Foreclosure Growth in Ohio 2011 (Feb. 2011) at Table 4.10 Furthermore, the decreases have been attributed to the "robo-signing" controversy that drew so much media attention during the second half of 2010. "Several of the largest lenders and servicers * * * announced in the summer of 2010 that they were postponing filing new foreclosures because of document errors that included improper signing of legal forms. Had this legal and political controversy not ensued, it is likely that foreclosure filings in Ohio would have continued to increase in 2010." Id. at 4. Indeed, even with these decreases, the number of foreclosures in Ohio "has been and remains at crisis levels." Id. at 1. In 2010, foreclosure plaintiffs initiated 12,825 foreclosure actions in Cuyahoga County; 6,556 foreclosure actions in Hamilton County; 307 foreclosure actions in Highland County; 4,232 foreclosure actions in Lucas County; and 4,320 foreclosure actions in Summit County. Id. at Table 4. Thus, despite being required to adhere to basic constitutional and procedural requirements of standing and real party in interest in these five counties, financial institutions appear to have been virtually unfettered in their ability to initiate huge numbers of foreclosure actions in these Ohio courts. The main difference is that borrowers in these counties are now more fully protected by a system that ensures that all plaintiffs who approach the courthouse
9 From 2009 to 2010, the percentage decreases were as follows: 9.5% in Cuyahoga; 2.4% in Hamilton; 19.4% in Highland; 5.8% in Lucas; and 6.8% in Summit. While the percentage decrease in Highland County appears large, this is likely due to the relatively small number of foreclosures in that county and thus the fact that each foreclosure filing represents a larger percentage of the overall total. In absolute numbers, 381 foreclosure cases were filed in Highland County in 2009, and 307 foreclosures were filed there in 2010. Supreme Court of Ohio, "Foreclosures Down 4 percent in 2010," Feb. 10, 2011. 10 Available online at http:llwww.policymattersohio.org/home-insecurity-foreclosure-growth-inohio-2011.
door have standing to do so and are real parties in interest. This Court should make clear that in all Ohio courts, plaintiffs who wish to foreclose on residential mortgages must meet the same standing and real party in interest requirements that apply to all other litigants in our system of justice. The dismissal of an improperly filed foreclosure imposes no undue hardship upon the foreclosing plaintiff. Civ.R.17 is used to prevent the forfeiture of a claim. The dismissal of a foreclosure where the plaintiff does not own the mortgage is not the forfeiture of a claim. It is merely the enforcement of longstanding requirements that a foreclosing plaintiff, just as any other litigant, have standing to sue. The foreclosing plaintiff is in the best position to verify its interests before commencing litigation. The rule of law proposed by Amici protects the integrity of the court system by requiring that a plaintiff in foreclosure, just like any other Htigant seeking redress in court, have an actual, justiciable claim at the time an action is brought.
X. Conclusion
For all of the foregoing reasons, Amici urge this Court to find that in a mortgage foreclosure action, a plaintiff's lack of standing cannot be cured by the assignment of the mortgage prior to judgment, and that where a financial institution files a foreclosure action before obtaining assignment of the mortgage, the "cure" provided under Civ.R. 17 does not apply. Respectfully submitted,
Linda Cook (0038743)
Ohio Poverty Law Center, LLC 555 Buttles Avenue Columbins, OH 43215 Telephone: (614) 221-7201 Facsimile: (614) 221-7625 Icook@ohiopovertylaw.org
Counsel for Amici Curiae Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc., Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, LLC, Conununity Legal Aid Services, Inc., Ohio Poverty Law Center, Lega1 Aid Society of Columbus, Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, and Pro Seniors, Inc.
I certify that a copy of the foregoing was sent by ordinary U.S. Mail to the following counsel on this L4ay of December, 2011:
Andrew M. Engel, Esq. 7071 Corporate Way, Suite 201 Centerville, Ohio 45459
Counsel for Appellants Duane And Julie Schwartzwald Scott A. King, Esq. Terry Posey, Esq. Thompson Hine, LLP Austin Landing I 10050 Innovation Drive, Suite 400 Dayton, Ohio 45342 Counsel for Appellee Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
Ohio Poverty Law Center, LLC 555 Buttles Avenue Columbus, OH 43215 Telephone: (614) 221-7201 Facsimile: (614) 221-7625 Icook@ohiopovertylaw.org Counsel for Amici Curiae Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc., Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, LLC, Community Legal Aid Services, Inc., Ohio Poverty Law Center, Legal Aid Society of Columbus, Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, and Pro Seniors, Inc.
APPENDIXES A. DLJMortgage Capital, Inc. v. Bazzy (C.P. Montgomery Cty. 2003), No. 02-4136A B. Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v. Edwards (C.P. Erie Cty. 2009), No. 08-CV-712E C. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Heiskell (C.P. Franklin Cty. 2003), No. 02 CVE-10-11149 D. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Hissa (C.P. Lucas Cty. 2009), No. CI-08-6993
iIi..Er3 ;'.., h ._
2003 Ma1` 16 AM IQ: 28
0A1 FOLEY
M(1t0i"TGOHEftY GOR ^Hldl
IN THE COMMON PLEAS COURT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OHIO
DLJ MORTGAGE CAPITAL INC., : Case No. 024316
Plaintiff, . (Judge John W. Kessler)
DECISION, ORDER AND ENTRY JAMIL BAZZY, et al., SUSTAINING DEFENDANT BAZZY'S
MOTION TO DISMISS; AND
Defendants, MOOTING ALL OTHER PENDING MOTIONS
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff DLJ Mortgage Capital Inc.'s ("DLJ") Motion for Summary Judgment filed October 15, 2002; Defendant Jamil Bazzy's ("Bazzy") Motion to Dismiss and Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings filed October 17, 2002; Defendant Bazzy's Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion for Sununary Judgment filed October 17, 2002; Defendant Bazzy's Motion for Leave to File Third Party Complaint filed October 17, 2002; and Plaintiff's Memorandum in Opposition to Motion to Dismiss and Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings filed October 29, 2002. For the reasons stated below, Defendant Baz.zy's Motion to Dismiss is SUSTAINED; and all other pending Motions are hereby rendered MOOT.
AppFendix-A ------
I. FAC'I'S On January 9, 2002, Bazzy executed and delivered a mortgage deed secured by a promissory note ("Note") in the amount of $65,700.00, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as a Nominee for Finance America, LLC ("Finance America"). On April 1, 2002, Bazzy failed to pay the installment of principal and interest due on the ("Note"). Under Paragraph 7(B) of the Note, this failure to tender payment constituted a default on the Note. As result, on July 5, 2002, DLJ filed a Complaint for Foreclosure and alleged in party that subsequent to January 9, 2002, the Note had been indorsed to it. Pursuant to Ohio Rule of Civil Procedure 10(D), DLJ attached a copy of the Note to its Complaint. The Note listed the lender as Finance America and did not indicate that it had been indorsed to DLJ. As part of its present Motion for Summary Judgment, DLJ attached a copy of an Assignment ofMortgage ("Assignment") for the Note, indicating that the Note had been assigned to it on August 1, 2002. II. LAW AND ANALYSIS
Presently before the Court are DLJ's Motion for Summary Judgment, Bazzy's Motion to Dismiss and Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, and Bazzy's Motion for Leave to File Third Party Complaint. The Court will begin by addressing Bazzy's Motion to Dismiss, as such is potentially dispositive of the other Motions.
A. Bazzy's Motion to Dismiss and Judgment on the Pleadings Bazzy moves this Court to dismiss the foreclosure action asserted against him by DLJ, contending that he is entitled to judgment on the pleadings because at the time DLJ filed the action, it was not the holder of the mortgage note, and as such, not the real party in interest as
required under Ohio Rule of Civil Procedure 17(A),
Civ. R. 17(A) mandates that "[e]very action shall be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest." The underlying purpose of this is "to enable the defendant to avail himself of evidence and defenses that the defendant has against the real party interest, and to assure him finality of the judgment, and that he will be protected against another suit brought by the real party in interest on the same matter." Shealy v. Campbell (1985), 20 Ohio St.3d 23, 24-35. A"reaI party in interest" is one who is directly benefitted or injured by the outcome of the case and does not merely possess an interest in the action itself. Id, at 24. When attempting to ascertain the "real party in interest," it is proper for a court in inquire which party would be entitled to damages. Young v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Femrer & Smith, Inc. (1993), 88 Ohio App.3d 12, 16. If a prosecuting party fails to establish itself as a real party in interest, said party lacks standing to invoke thejurisdiction of the court and is not entitled to judgment as a matter of law, Kramer v. Millott (Sept. 23, 1994), Erie Co. App. No. E-94-5, unreported, at 1994 WL 518173.
It is undisputed that DLJ filed the Complaint nearly four weeks before the Note had been indorsed to it. As such, at the time of the July 5, 2002, filing date, DLJ was not a real party in interest as it would have been Finance America, not DLJ, who would have been entitled to damages under the Note. While conceding this, DLJ points out that Civ. R. 17(A) also provides that"[n]o action shall be dismissed on the ground that it is not prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest until a reasonable time has been allowed after objection for ratification of commencement of the action by, or joinder or substitution of, the real party in interest. Such ratification, joinder, or
substitution shall have the same effect as if the action had been commenced in the name of the real party in interest." DSL claims that by this language, the Complaint should not be dismissed because by virtue of the Assignment of the Note on August 1, 2002 it became the real party in interest in this foreclosure action. The Court rejects DLJ's contention that mere submission of the copy of the Assignment is sufficient to establish that it is the real party in interest for this action for two reasons.
First, the language of Civ. R. 17(A) specifically requires that any ratification of commencement of the action by, or joinder or substitution of, the real party in interest take place after an objection is made that the prosecuting party is not a real party in interest. Such objection was not raised until Bazzy's Answer was filed on August 23, 2002, indicating that DLJ "may not be the proper and duly authorized assignee of the mortgage andtor note andtor the true party interest." Thus under Civ. R. 17(A), once this objection was raised, DLJ had a "reasonable time" to obtain a ratification of commencement ofthe action from Finance America, or otherwise move to substitute orjoin them to the action. However, it made no effort to obiain such ratification of commencement or otherwise comport with Civ. R. 17(A). Instead, DLJ waited until October 15, 2002, and filed a Motion for Summary Judgment. As part of this Motion for Summary7udgment, DLI simply attached the Assignment made on August 1, 2002, and relied thereon to establish that it was the real party in interest, The Court finds that this copy of the Assignment made August 1, 2002, does not comport with the plain language of Civ. R. 17(A). Civ. R. 17(A) required that after the objection was raised, an affirmative action be taken by DLJ as the prosecuting party to place on the record a ratification of commencement of the action from Finance Mortgage, just as such an affirmative action would have been
required to substitute or join Finance Mortgage. DLJ certainly had a reasonable time to take such action, but chose instead to file its Motion for Summary Judgment and rely on the Assignment made after the filing of the Complaint but before Defendant Bazzy's objection was raised. Therefore, this Court finds that under the present facts, DLJ has failed to establish that it is a real party in interest as required under Civ. R. 17(A), and as such, lacks standing to invoke thejurisdiction of this Court.
Second, even if this Court could find that DLJ's mere inclusion the Assignment was sufficient to comport with Civ. R. 17(A), this Court refuses to apply Civ. R. 17(A) in a way that would encourage-much less reward-what can be at best deemed gross inaccuracies within the Complaint. Civ. R. 17(A) does not serve to relieve a prosecuting party of its duties under Civ. R. 11, specifically that the information contained within a pleading has good grounds to support it. In other words, Civ. R. 11 prohibits a party from knowingly making a false statement in a pleading. In its Complaint filed on July 5, 2002, DLJ specifically stated that Finance America had indorsed the Note to it. However, by DLJ's own admission, Finance America did not assign the Note to DLJ until August 1, 2002. Thus DLJ averred that the Note had been indorsed to it as of July 5, 2002, when in fact such was not the case. This Court refuses to allow a party to "correct" a clearly false pleading by relying on Civ. R. 17(A). For these reasons, the Court hereby SUSTAINS Bazzy's Motion to Dismiss and Judgment on the Pleadings. As such, all other pending motions are hereby rendered MOOT. III. CONCLUSION After a thorough analysis of the facts and authorities proffered in this case, Bazzy's Motion to Dismiss is SUSTAINED and all other pending Motions are hereby rendered MOOT.
SO ORDERED:
Copies of this Decision, Order and Entry were forwarded to all parties listed below by ordinary mail on this filing date.
Jeftr ey V. Laurito, Attomey for Ylaintiff, 35 Commercial Way, Springboro, OH 45066 ' Ronald L. Burdge, Attorney for Defendant Bazzy, 2299 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Dayton, OH 45459 Richard M. Zimmennan, Attorney for A-OK Exterminating Company, 2755 Springmont Avenue, Dayton, OH 45420 Arbors at Dayton, 320 Albany Street, Dayton, OH 45408
C. Robert Swaninger, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and Attorney for Defendant Montgomery County Treasurer, 5' Floor, 301 W. Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402 Tim Walker, Bailiff
FtLED
2003 RPR 14 R^ 30 02
{'^ ^ ^' t1
ENPdIFER VsJILKIIdS CLcRK OF COURrS ; "4 'AA C 0 U iS! i Y, 0 H 10
IN T.T?E COMMON PLEAS COURT OF . OTTAWA COUNTY, OHIO
Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Case No (D 8- CV --I Trustee for Saxon Asset Securities Trust 2006-3
Plaintiff(s),
: JUDGMENT ENTRY
Christopher Lee Edwards, et. al.,
Defendant(s).
***** {1} This matter is before the Court sua sponte.l The foreclosure plaintiff named in this matter has not complied with the Court's Notice of Intent to Dismiss filed December 29, 2008, requiring it to show that it is the real party in interest. "[A] foreclosure plaintiff * * *
' Buckeye Foods v. Cuyahoga C. Bd Of Revision (1999), 78 Ohio St.3d 459, 460, 1997 Ohio 1999, 678 N.E.2d 917. State ex rel. Intl. Assn. of Firefghters, Local 381, AFL-CIO v. The City of Findlay, 3" Dist. No. 5-05-21,
--4ppendixB^^c
COMMON PLEAS COURT OF OTTAWA COUNTY especially one who is not identified on the note and/or mortgage at issue, must attach to its complaint documentation demonstrating that it is the owner and holder of the note and mortgage upon which suit was filed. In other words, a foreclosure plaintiff must provide documentation that it is the owner and holder of the note and mortgage as of the date the foreclosure action is
filed."2
{1[2} IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED that the foreclosure plaintiff has failed to file documentation identifying it as the owner and holder of the note, as the original mortgage holder, or as an assignee, trustee or successor-in-interest as required by this Court's Notice of Intent to Dismiss; {3} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED that this action is DISMISSED pursuant to Civ.R. 41(B)(1) with costs to the foreclosure plaintiff; {T4} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED that the Clerk of Courts shall send copies of this Judgment Entry to all parties of record or their counsel by regular U.S. Mail, "forthwith."3
BRUCE WINTERS,JUDGE
2006-Ohio-I774. County Treasurer v. Battersby (In re Foreclosure of Liens & Foifeiture of Prop.), l ltn Dist. No. I 1'h Dist, No. 2007-L-002, 2007-Ohio-4377, 2007 Ohio App. LEXIS 3949. z In re Foreclosure Actions, 2007 WL 4034554 (N.D. Ohio). 3 Seger v. For Women, Inc. 110 Ohio St.3d 451, 2006-Ohio-4855 (`.'The Civil Rules *** require immediate service, and the clerk violates his duties by failing to attempt prompt service.") Black's Law Dictionary defies "forthwith" as "[i]mmediate; without delay." Black's Law Dictionary (8" Ed. 2004) 680.
IN'1TiE COMMONPLE.AS COTJ1tT OF FRAiNKT.IN COiIlV'I'Y, oHIO
CIVII.. DIVISION WeI1s Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Trustee,
fI1^AL .APP^^BLE
Case No. 02CVE-10-11149 JCTDGE CRAWFORD
Plazntiff,
Donna M. Heiskell, etal.,
DECISION DENYING PLAIlVTFF"S MOTTOIK FOR Si R DECEMER 2Rt. 2U42 &
C^i
E1V7RYDISMISSWG THE ABQVT-CAPTTONED A7ATTER cnz
CRAWFORD, T. This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N..A., as Trustee's (hereinafter referred to as "Plaintiff) Motion for Summary 7udgment, ftled December 20, 2002: Plain.tiff moves the Court, pursuant to Civ. R. 56, for a snmmary judgment in its favor for all the relieprayed for in its Complaint on the grournds that there is no genuine issue as to any materiai fact in this acEion and Plaintiff is entitled to judgment as a matter of 1aw. On .Ianpary* 6, 2002, Defendant Donna K Ileiskell filed a.Memorandum Contra to Plaintiffs Mofion for Summary Judgment. Plaintiff supports its Motion with tFie affidavit of Teresa Bratcfier (herainafter referred to as "Bratclzet"). Bratcher states that on Juty 13, 1998, Defendant Donna M. Heislcell (hereinafter refeired to as "Aefendant") executed and delivered tb.'Detta Funding Corporation her promissoiy note in the principal ariiount of $35,100.00 with interest at the rate of 11.5% per annum
APRertdix-C-
(Bratcher Affidavit 14) On that same date and contem.poraneously therewith, Defendant executed and delivezed her mortgage deed to Delta Ewading Corporation to secure the abovereferenced promissory note. (Bratcher Affidavit 5) Bratcher asserts that the mortgage deed was subsequentIy assigned to Plaintiffi (Bratcher Affidavit15) Bratcher states that Defendant failed to pay, when and as it became due, the monthly payment on the mottgage due on July 17, 2000 and all monthly payments subsequently due. (Bratcher Affidavit 8) Therefore, Defendant is in default for non-payment under the terms of t1le rno?tgsga. (Bratcher Affidavit 18) Bxa.teher asserts Defendant owzs $34,683.43, plus interest at the rate of 11.5%'o from July 1.7, 2002, plus late charges, and its advances for taxes and ins+uance, costs. (Bratcher Affidavit y10) Defendant asserts in her Memoiandum Contra that Plaintiff was not the real party in interest at the time the above-captioned matter was filed. Defendant states that the Assignment of Mortgage was dated on November 18, 20Q2 and was recorded on November 25, 2002; however, the above-captioned matter was filed on October 8, 2002. -Tlierefore, at the time Plaintiff filed the above-captioned matter it was not the real party in int.erest because it was not the holder 6f the promissory note and mortgage. As a result, the Court f}nds that at the t,ime the above-captioned matter was commenced Plaintiff did not have a cause of aation against Defendaat.
Accordingly, the CourC hereby denies Plaiutiff's Motion for Suminary Judgment, filed December 20, 2002. Additionally, due to the fact tba.E-Plain2iff had no claim against Defendant iu the time the above-captioned matter was ffled and since Plaintiff did not fle a Supplemenfal Amended Complaint, the Court hereby dismisses the above-cap J So Ordered.
Copies to: Cylenn Alban Counsel for Plaintiff Joseph V. Msskovyak Counsel for Defendant Donna &L Heiskell
i7nknnwn Spouse of Donna M. Heiskell Defendant
T3nlcnown Tenant of 1310 Moundview Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43207
C l.'1^.
IN LUCAS COUN'TPs0910 ;',qpMMON PLEAS COURT
l: I
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Plaintiff,
vs. Jill Hissa, et al.,
Case No. CI o8-6993 Honorable Denise Ann Dartt OPIMON AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
This foreclosure action is before the Court upon Defendant Jill Hissa's Motion to Dismiss on the basis that Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank was not a real party in interest at the time the complaint was filed. The holder of a mortgage is the real party in interest with standing to sue on the contract.' It is undisputed that Option One Mortgage Corporation ("Option One") was _^. the holder of the note and mortgage at issue when the complaint was filed in the instant case. Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank was not assigned the mortgage until three days later. The issue, therefore, is whether the assignment of the mortgage after the filing of the complaint is sufficient to establish Wells Fargo Bank as the real party in interest.
Civ.R. 17(A) provides that "Every action shall be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest. * * * No action shall be dismissed on the ground that it is not
'Krar?ier v. Millot (Sept. 23, 1994), Erie App. No. E-94-5, 1994 Ohio App. Lexis 4454.
A"- wndix I)F
prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest until a reasonable time has been allowed after objection for ratification of commencement of the action by, or joinder or substitution of, the real party in interest. Such ratification, joinder, or substitution shall have the same effect as if the action had been commenced in the name of the real party in interest."
However, the Eleventh District Court of Appeals has held that Civ.R. 17(A) is not applicable unless a plaintiff had standing to invoke the jurisdiction of the court in the first place.' Moreover, Civ.R. 17(A) "only allows a plaintiff to cure a real-party-ininterest problem by (1) showing that the real party in interest has ratified the commencement of the action, or (2) joining or substituting the real party in interest "g There is no evidence in this case that Option One ratified the commencement of this action or that Wells Fargo Bank was acting as Option One's agent. The Court therefore finds that Wells Fargo Bank cannot cure its lack of standing by subsequently obtaining an interest in the mortgage. Accordingly, Defendant Jill Hissa's Motion to Dismiss is well-taken.
zTravelers Indemn. Co. v. R.L. Smith Co. (Apr. 13, 2001), Lake App. No. 2000-L-014 2001 Ohio App. Lexis 1750; Northland Ins. Co. v. Illuminating Co., 2004 Ohio 1529, Ashtabula App. Nos. 2002-A-0058 and 2002-A-0066. See also, DLJMortgage Capital Inc. v. Bazzy (May 16,2003), Montgomery C.P. No. 02-4316. 3WeZls Fargo Bank v. Byrd (2008), 178 Ohio App.3d 285. 2
JUDGMENTENTRY
It is ORDERED that the Motion to Dismiss filed by Defendant Jill Hissa is GRANTED, and all claims are DISMISSED without prejudice.
Denise Ann Dartt, Judge
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Recent Military Cases Defended by Military Law Attorney Richard V. Stevens - Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.
I (attorney Richard V. Stevens, Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC) am far from a prolific blogger; however, I do try to provide updates on our latest news. I have been asked to compile links to posts on my recent cases, for ease of access to them (instead of having to search through the blog archives).
Therefore, on occasion, I re-submit this blog post with updated links due to new military courts-martial or other military cases I have defended. In this post I have compiled the following links:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/01/national/main4063969.shtml
http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/military/2008/05/scott-huddleston-jurys-message.html
Please understand that I don’t publish blog posts on every military trial/case I’m involved in, and I only began our blog in November 2006. So, there is a limited time period represented in my blog. Also, while the military trials/cases described by the post links above were successfully defended, it is important to understand that every case has different facts, and success in previous military courts-martial and military cases does not guarantee success in any particular future court-martial or military case. No military lawyer or civilian defense lawyer, including those who specialize in military law, can guarantee the outcome of any military case or military trial (court-martial).
I appreciate your interest in our website and blog, and I hope this post assists you in accessing information you’re interested in. For more information on the military justice system, please see our other blog posts.
Blog postscript: Attorney Frank Spinner and I (attorney Richard Stevens) are former active duty military lawyers (JAG). Our perspectives and advice, therefore, are based upon our experience as military defense lawyers and as civilian criminal defense lawyers practicing exclusively in the area of military law. This blog addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline, military defense, court-martial practice, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics. Nothing posted in this blog should be substituted for legal advice in any particular case. If you seek legal advice for a particular case, please contact The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens & The Law Office of Frank J. Spinner for a free consultation. Military defense law offices are located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Military defense law practices are worldwide.
Court-Martial Not Pursued Against Company Grade Military Officer Defended by Attorney Richard V. Stevens
Recently, the government chose not to pursue a court-martial against a company grade military officer defended by military law attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.).
The client was accused of sexual misconduct and the government notified the defense they were considering court-martial. However, further negotiations resulted in an agreement that the client would face administrative action and be permitted to retire honorably.
While this military case was successfully defended, it is important to understand that every case has different facts, and success in previous cases does not guarantee success in any particular future case. No military lawyer or civilian defense lawyer, including those who specialize in military law, can guarantee the outcome of any military trial. For more information on the military justice system, please see our other blog posts.
Court-Martial and Allegations Against Senior NonCommissioned Military Officer Defended by Attorney Richard V. Stevens Dropped
Recently, a senior noncommissioned military officer (NCO) facing court-martial charges/allegations of reprisal termination of a subordinate, sexual misconduct and misuse of government equipment had the allegations and possible court-martial dropped by the government.
The accused military member was defended by military law attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.). The case was aggressively defended against at the pretrial Article 32 hearing and the Investigating Officer recommended the case be dismissed. That recommendation was followed, the case was dropped, the case file was closed, and no further adverse action will be taken against the client.
A court-martial conviction would have resulted in a criminal record and could have resulted in a sentence including possible jail time and a punitive discharge. While this criminal case was successfully defended, it is important to understand that every case has different facts, and success in previous cases does not guarantee success in any particular future case. No military lawyer or civilian defense lawyer, including those who specialize in military law, can guarantee the outcome of any military trial. For more information on the military justice system, please see our other blog posts.
Former Military Officer Represented by Attorney Richard V. Stevens Wins BCMR Appeal and Subsequent Corrective Action
Recently, a former company grade military officer client of attorney Richard V. Stevens who appealed an adverse military action to the Board of Corrections for Military Records (BCMR) had his appeal and subsequent request for corrective action granted.
Due to the nature of the administrative issue, details of this case will not be described. While this BCMR appeal was successful, it is important to understand that every case has different facts, and success in previous cases does not guarantee success in any particular future case. No military lawyer or civilian defense lawyer, including those who specialize in military law, can guarantee the outcome of any military case. For more information on the military justice system, please see our other blog posts.
Veterans' Court In Colorado Springs - A Much Needed Start to Dealing with the Tolls of War
The psychological toll on soldiers fighting insurgent wars are becoming increasingly obvious to anyone associated with the Global War on Terror (GWOT) - military family members, military command, the military mental health care system, the military justice system and military law practitioners such as myself.
I have represented and defended soldiers who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have defended cases out of both theaters. I have heard stories of fighting house-to-house, room-to-room. I have heard stories of taking almost daily fire in the mountains of Afghanistan, but not knowing where the fire was coming from due to the terrain. I have heard of the soldiers' realization that every time they traveled outside the wire they knew they could be a casualty of an IED - planted on the road, delivered via vehicle, secreted in the houses and buildings they enter or carried by the stream of "martyrs" lining up to kill the "infidels."
What does the enemy look like? The enemy often looks exactly like the innocent civilian shopping in the market. Everyone could be the enemy and could be that person willing to sacrifice him/herself to kill another American.
As a result, our soldiers are in a constant state of extreme stress and vigilance. They are surrounded by endless violence - directed at them and by them. It takes its toll. Then, the deployment ends and the soldiers come home...but what they saw and did and experienced comes home with them. I have seen once bright military careers quickly disintegrate as soldiers battle with their psychological wounds. I have seen these wounds result in substance abuse, allegations of domestic violence, allegations of extreme violence and murder. And, interestingly, I have defended courts-martial in which military prosecutors have asked judges and jurors to view the accused soldiers' descriptions of the psychological demons that haunt them as merely excuses to be discounted. I have seen commanders dismiss these issues as excuses. I have seen those in the military who won't accept the truth about these psychological traumas - perhaps because it isn't "manly" to do so, or because they deal with the dread that they too will experience these ghosts so they deny they exist...or because they are dealing with these wounds, but can't accept it.
The first step in helping these soldiers, and doing justice in cases involving these issues, is to recognize how significantly PTSD, TBI and combat related trauma impacts soldiers. These wounds are just as real as a lost limb or a bullet wound. And, their impact on soldiers' lives is just as real as well - and can be more long lasting.
Colorado Springs and Fort Carson have recently been receiving national interest due to allegations of violence and murder levied against FT Carson soldiers returning from the GWOT. These allegations have included many claims of murder. Below are just a few of the numerous articles addressing the psychological fallout and criminal allegations facing FT Carson soldiers:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090726/ap_on_re_us/us_soldier_slayings
http://www.gazette.com/articles/iframe-59065-eastridge-audio.html
http://www.gazette.com/articles/html-59091-http-gazette.html
While FT Carson and Colorado Springs are receiving national focus, these psychological issues and criminal justice problems are occurring wherever soldiers are returning from the Middle East. In response to this widespread issue in Colorado Springs - that is affecting the military and civilian communities here - a Veterans' Court is being established. Below is a link to an article by Charles Corry, PhD from the Equal Justice Foundation (EJF) describing the Colorado Springs Veterans' Court, and the need for such a court:
http://www.ejfi.org/DV/dv-38.htm
This movement for a local court that recognizes the unique psychological issues suffered by soldiers returning from war is being spearheaded by concerned citizens such as Robert Alvarez, who works for the FT Carson Wounded Warrior Program (or Warrior Transition Unit). Here is a link describing Mr. Alvarez's work:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20090221/ai_n31491555/
The latest story on the Veterans' Court in Colorado Springs comes from CNN, describing the case of Army Specialist Thomas Delgado. SPC Delgado was a combat medic in Iraq who now faces accusations of domestic violence and attempted murder in what has been described by his wife as an incident born out of the desperation and hopelessness of a suicidal soldier. Here is the story:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/08/06/accused.soldier.ptsd/index.html
What is the reason for my post on this topic? I suppose there are several. First, for those in the civilian community to understand that these soldiers are not just "bad people" doing bad things. They have served in very difficult combat situations. They have sacrificed more for our country than most of us have. They have come home hurting - physically and psychologically. Second, for those in the military community (commanders and JAGs particularly) to recognize and take into consideration the impact these psychological wounds have on the soldiers' lives and actions. The wounds are real. They aren't just excuses. Third, that denying the existence of these psychological wounds and the impact they have, and denying how widespread the problem is, can have devestating consequences and perpetuate the problem. And, finally, that the court systems dealing with these soldiers, whether in a civilian Veterans' Court or in military courts-martial, need to recognize and account for how the trauma suffered by these soldiers has altered how they think, how they act, and who they are.
Are Veterans' Courts needed? Absolutely. Do military commanders, prosecutors and court members need to stop denying the psychological impact of trauma and treating the issue as an excuse? No doubt. Do soldiers themselves need to recognize and seek help for the psychological impacts they have suffered, instead of believing it is a sign of weakness and they can "tough it out?" That is key.
Dealing fairly and effectively with these soldiers is an effort requiring the involvement of many - command, mental health, legal (JAG and civilian), the courts (courts-martial and civilian) and the individual soldiers themselves. If these soldiers are going to kill the enemy and risk dying overseas for our country, don't we owe them more when they come back home suffering the effects of their sacrifices?
Posted by Attorney Richard Stevens at 10:12 AM No comments:
Military Officer Represented by Attorney Richard V. Stevens Receives Sought After Voluntary Discharge
Recently, a company grade military officer represented by military law attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.) received the voluntary, honorable discharge the client had sought for several years.
Due to the administrative nature of this military action, details of the case will not be described - except that a voluntary discharge had been sought by this client for years before hiring attorney Richard V. Stevens who was able to successfully argue that a voluntary administrative discharge was warranted.
While this military action was successfully obtained, it is important to understand that every case has different facts, and success in previous cases does not guarantee success in any particular future case. No military lawyer or civilian defense lawyer, including those who specialize in military law, can guarantee the outcome of any military case. For more information on the military justice system, please see our other blog posts.
Recent Military Cases Defended by Military Law Att...
Court-Martial Not Pursued Against Company Grade Mi...
Court-Martial and Allegations Against Senior NonCo...
Former Military Officer Represented by Attorney Ri...
Veterans' Court In Colorado Springs - A Much Neede...
Military Officer Represented by Attorney Richard V...
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Archive for the tag “Alla Scala Hotel”
Eritrea: Press Briefing note on Attacks/threats by States against UN Human Rights Experts (21.11.2017)
Posted in Africa, Civil Service, Development, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, Transparency and tagged Abi Abeito Prison, Abraha Kassa, African Union, Air Force, Al Shabaab, Alla Scala Hotel, AMX Leclerc, Antonio Abune, Arba Minch, Asmara, AU, AU PSC, Benishangul People's Liberation Movement, Berhanu Nega, BMP-3 Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Bribe, Bribery, China, Citizen, Colonel, Confiscation of Property, Crimes against Humanity, Cyprus, Dekemhare, Demonstration, Desert, Desertation, Desertion, Detained, Djibouti, Economic, Economic Enterprises, ELS, Eritrea, Eritrea Law Society, Eritrean, Eritrean Air Force, Eritrean Citizen, Eritrean Citizens, Eritrean Diaspora, Eritrean Territory, Ethiopia, Female Military Trainee, Female Soldier, Fitsum Yishak, Free Working Force, Freedom, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Speech, Front pour la restauration de l’unité et de la démocratie, FRUD-Arme, FRUD-Combattant, G6 Howizers, Ginbot Sebat, GoE, Government of Eritrea, Guerrila Warfare, H.E. Isias Afewerki, Haji Mussa Mohammed Nur, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujaahidin, Hashferay, Horn of Africa, Human Rights, Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Council, Human Rights Violation, Human Rights Violations, Humanity, Isias Afeweki, Isias Afewerki, Killings, Lake Assal, Liberty, Massawa, Military Groups, Military Officers, Militia, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Mohamed Kadamy, Mola Asgedom, Mossa Bahdon Farah, Nakfa, National Bank, National Bank of Eritrea, National Security, National Security Concerns, National Service, Northern Ethiopia, Ogaden National Liberation Front, Oromo Liberation Front, Patriarch Antonio Abune, People's Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, PFDJ, Please, President Isias Afeweki, Qatar, Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, Re-Victimisation, Reserve Army, Rule of Law, Sawa, Self-Censorship, Shoot-to-kill Policy, Sidama National Liberation Front, Slave, Slavery, Social, Sudan, Sudanese Prison, Teseney, Tessenei, Tigray, Tigray Peope's Democratic Movement, TPDM, UAE, UN, UN HRC, UN Human Rights Council, United Arab Emirates, United Nation Security Council, United Nations, Unlawful, UNSC, Yemane Gebreab, Yemen, Zakaria Ismail | Leave a comment
Eritrea: Statement of ELS on the Protest of October 31 (02.11.2017)
The Eritrean Law Society (ELS) is closely observing developments that have led to, and that have followed after, the unprecedented civilian protest of 31 October 2017, which occurred in the heart of the capital city of Eritrea. The protest was prompted by the announcement of a drastic government decision that affected the status of educational establishments administered by Eritrean religious institutions. Another major motive for the protest is the arbitrary arrest of respected elders and spiritual leaders, notably Haji Mussa Mohammed Nur, who strongly opposed the government decision.
Although the details of causalities are not yet fully known, ELS is concerned by the fact that brute force, including live ammunition, was used to suppress the protest, which was nothing more than a peaceful demonstration against a drastic government measure affecting the lives of thousands of people. In our view, the protest signifies one fundamental reality. In today’s Eritrea, citizens have no choice of whatsoever nature in pursuing their individual and group aspirations, life plans, goals, and purposes. Eritreans do not also have access to independent and impartial institutions, including courts of law that can safeguard their fundamental rights and freedoms in the event these essential entitlements are wantonly violated by government authorities.
History dictates that no population can be ruled forever under the yoke of unbearable authoritarianism. There is an urgent need in Eritrea for a full return to a system of governance based on constitutional order, the requirements of democratic accountability, and respect for the rule of law, including the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of the Eritrean people. ELS would like to take this occasion to make a call on the international community and those who can play a role by pushing for a full return to a democratic system of governance in Eritrea.
Meanwhile, the following reminder is also important for all peace-loving and justice-seeking Eritreans. We shall stay the course and remain vigilant against all sorts of divisive and cheap political machinations orchestrated by the authoritarian regime in Eritrea, its brazen apologists and messengers. It is always important to remember that the regime will make continuous recourse to methods that promote its narrow political agenda as well as frustrate the momentum ushered by the protest of 31 October.
Eritrean Law Society
Posted in Africa, Army, Civil Service, Development, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, Transparency and tagged Abi Abeito Prison, Abraha Kassa, African Union, Air Force, Al Shabaab, Alla Scala Hotel, AMX Leclerc, Antonio Abune, Arba Minch, Asmara, AU, AU PSC, Benishangul People's Liberation Movement, Berhanu Nega, BMP-3 Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Bribe, Bribery, China, Citizen, Colonel, Confiscation of Property, Crimes against Humanity, Cyprus, Dekemhare, Demonstration, Desert, Desertation, Desertion, Detained, Djibouti, Economic, Economic Enterprises, ELS, Eritrea, Eritrea Law Society, Eritrean, Eritrean Air Force, Eritrean Citizen, Eritrean Citizens, Eritrean Diaspora, Eritrean Territory, Ethiopia, Female Military Trainee, Female Soldier, Fitsum Yishak, Free Working Force, Freedom, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Speech, Front pour la restauration de l’unité et de la démocratie, FRUD-Arme, FRUD-Combattant, G6 Howizers, Ginbot Sebat, GoE, Government of Eritrea, Guerrila Warfare, H.E. Isias Afewerki, Haji Mussa Mohammed Nur, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujaahidin, Hashferay, Horn of Africa, Human Rights, Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Council, Human Rights Violation, Human Rights Violations, Humanity, Isias Afeweki, Isias Afewerki, Killings, Lake Assal, Liberty, Massawa, Military Groups, Military Officers, Militia, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Mohamed Kadamy, Mola Asgedom, Mossa Bahdon Farah, Nakfa, National Bank, National Bank of Eritrea, National Security, National Security Concerns, National Service, Northern Ethiopia, Ogaden National Liberation Front, Oromo Liberation Front, Patriarch Antonio Abune, People's Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, PFDJ, Please, President Isias Afeweki, Qatar, Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, Re-Victimisation, Reserve Army, Rule of Law, Sawa, Self-Censorship, Shoot-to-kill Policy, Sidama National Liberation Front, Slave, Slavery, Social, Sudan, Sudanese Prison, Teseney, Tessenei, Tigray, Tigray Peope's Democratic Movement, TPDM, UAE, UN, UN HRC, UN Human Rights Council, United Arab Emirates, United Nation Security Council, United Nations, Unlawful, UNSC, Yemane Gebreab, Yemen, Zakaria Ismail | Leave a comment
UN Special Expert report of June 2017 reveals the hardships of the citizens in Eritrea!
The government of Eritrea is usually keeping it low-key and not telling their stories. The nation which has since liberation from Ethiopia since 1993. Therefore, the long-term stay of the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) and their President Isias Afwerki, who is still in power. His use of the power and keeping it all close, is the reason that the state of Eritrea is like it is. The oppression of their own citizens and total control. That is the reason for the fleeing Eritreans, as well as the military service and tight-control of the industries. It is all in service of the Central Leadership in Asmara. Which doesn’t concern the citizens, they are being used by the EPLF and their needs. Therefore, every time a United Nations report comes out, it reveals new aspects and shows by the admission of the diaspora who are telling the stories that needs to be told. Since the media, the government and all parts of society in Eritrea is silenced by the President Afwerki. Take a look!
Support of Al-Shabaab and North Korea:
“In 2009, the United Nations Security Council imposed an arms embargo on Eritrea, primarily in response to Eritrea’s suspected support for Al Shabaab in Somalia. In its most recent report, the Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea stated that it had found no firm evidence of Eritrea’s support for Al Shabaab. It also described the use of Eritrean land, airspace and territorial waters by the Arab coalition supporting the anti-Houthi military campaign in Yemen, as well as the construction of a permanent military base at Assab International Airport and a new permanent seaport adjacent to it.3 In November 2016, the Security Council noted the finding about the lack of evidence pointing to Eritrean support for Al Shabaab, but expressed concern for ongoing Eritrean support for other regional armed groups and lack of cooperation with the Security Council; it extended the arms embargo on Eritrea” (…) “February 2017, the Panel of Experts supporting the Security Council Sanctions Committee on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) accused Eritrea of violating the arms embargo by buying military communications material from the DPRK. On 21 March 2017, the United States imposed sanctions pursuant to the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA) on the Eritrean Navy and any successor, subunit, or subsidiary thereof for prohibited transfer to or acquisition from DPRK of goods, services, or technology controlled under multilateral control lists” (Keetharuth, P: 5, 2017).
Arbitrary Arrests:
“During the reporting period, the Special Rapporteur continued to receive reports of new cases of arbitrary arrest and detention. The reasons for the arrests appear to be those previously identified by the Commission of Inquiry, namely attempting to evade military service or trying to assist a family member in doing so; trying to leave the country; practicing an unauthorised religion; or offending a high-ranking Government or official of the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice, the sole political party in the country. The Special Rapporteur has received no official communication indicating that the Government has released arbitrarily detained prisoners or that it has provided information about the fate of high profile individuals subject to enforced disappearance” (Keetharuth, P: 6, 2017).
Food Supplies:
“While some interlocutors told the Special Rapporteur that they had witnessed an active economic life during visits to Eritrea, with thriving markets and well-stocked shops, she heard from Eritreans in the diaspora that their relatives back home are struggling to meet their basic needs. While they confirmed the availability of food, they indicated that many households were unable to afford adequate and sufficient basic supplies, and were trying to cope with acute water shortages, especially in Asmara. As noted above, the recent UNICEF report confirmed this, indicating that half of the children are stunted. Reportedly, increasing numbers of people are leaving drought-affected regions in search of better living conditions. The ability to purchase food and other basic items has also been hampered by cash withdrawal limits which are still in place following the Nakfa currency exchange programme introduced by the Government at the end of 2015” (Keetharuth, P: 8, 2017).
Internet Freedom:
“Since October 2016, reportedly, internet cafes must now require that customers register before being permitted to use the internet, allowing for the tracking of their browsing history. If confirmed, this new regulation would have an impact on the conduct of internet users and further restrict freedom of expression. In addition, frequent power cuts and very slow connections interfere with the use of internet” (Keetharuth, P: 8, 2017).
I think this things says a lot. The admissions and the connections to rouge elements prove the issues of Eritrea. This are just a few of them, there been more admissions in the past of the breaches of Human Rights, the lack of transparency and justice for the citizens. This proves the grand-issues of the Eritrean government and how they violate their own people. Peace.
Keetharuth, Sheila B. – ‘A/HRC/35/39 – Eritrea’ (07.06.2017)
Posted in Africa, Army, Civil Service, Development, Economic Measures, Economy, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, Transparency and tagged Abi Abeito Prison, Abraha Kassa, African Union, Air Force, Al Shabaab, Alla Scala Hotel, AMX Leclerc, Anti-Houthi, anti-Houthi Military, Antonio Abune, Arba Minch, Asmara, AU, AU PSC, Benishangul People's Liberation Movement, Berhanu Nega, BMP-3 Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Bribe, Bribery, China, Citizen, Colonel, Confiscation of Property, Crimes against Humanity, Cyprus, Dekemhare, Demonstration, Desert, Desertation, Desertion, Detained, Djibouti, DPRK, DPRK Government, Economic, Economic Enterprises, Eritrea, Eritrean, Eritrean Air Force, Eritrean Citizen, Eritrean Citizens, Eritrean Diaspora, Eritrean Territory, Ethiopia, Female Military Trainee, Female Soldier, Fitsum Yishak, Free Working Force, Freedom, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Speech, Front pour la restauration de l’unité et de la démocratie, FRUD-Arme, FRUD-Combattant, G6 Howizers, Ginbot Sebat, GoE, Government of Eritrea, Guerrila Warfare, H.E. Isias Afewerki, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujaahidin, Hashferay, Horn of Africa, Human Rights, Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Council, Human Rights Violation, Human Rights Violations, Humanity, Isias Afeweki, Isias Afewerki, Killings, Lake Assal, Liberty, Massawa, Military Groups, Military Officers, Militia, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Mohamed Kadamy, Mola Asgedom, Mossa Bahdon Farah, Nakfa, National Bank, National Bank of Eritrea, National Security, National Security Concerns, National Service, North Korea, Northern Ethiopia, Ogaden National Liberation Front, Oromo Liberation Front, Patriarch Antonio Abune, People's Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, PFDJ, Please, President Isias Afeweki, Qatar, Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, Re-Victimisation, Reserve Army, Rule of Law, Sawa, Self-Censorship, Shoot-to-kill Policy, Sidama National Liberation Front, Slave, Slavery, Social, Sudan, Sudanese Prison, Teseney, Tessenei, Tigray, Tigray Peope's Democratic Movement, TPDM, UAE, UN, UN HRC, UN Human Rights Council, United Arab Emirates, United Nation Security Council, United Nations, Unlawful, UNSC, Yemane Gebreab, Yemen, Zakaria Ismail | Leave a comment
Joint NGO letter on Renewing the Mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Eritrea (05.06.2017)
Geneva, 5 June 2017
RE: Renewing the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea
Your Excellencies,
We, the undersigned civil society organisations, write to urge your delegation to co-sponsor a resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea at the forthcoming 35th Session of the UN Human Rights Council. In view of the ongoing crimes under international law, including torture, enslavement and enforced disappearances, and violations of fundamental freedoms committed in Eritrea, the Special Rapporteur’s mandate remains an indispensable mechanism to advance the protection and promotion of human rights in Eritrea.
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur was established at the 20th UN Human Rights Council Session in 2012 to monitor the human rights situation in Eritrea. From June 2014-June 2016, the mandate was also represented on the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea (CoI). The mandate of the Special Rapporteur was extended in July 2016 to follow-up on the recommendations of the CoI. It has been instrumental in monitoring the dire situation on the ground, highlighting on-going violations and the failure to implement the recommendations of the CoI and in providing a crucial platform to help amplify the voices and concerns of victims.
The findings of the CoI and UN Special Rapporteur reveal that the Eritrean authorities have continued to impose a broad range of unwarranted restrictions on fundamental human rights, precipitating mass migration, including of unaccompanied children. Despite commitments by the State to reduce national service to 18 months, indefinite national service and forced labor persist throughout the country. [1] Persons who attempt to avoid military conscription, take refuge abroad, practice an unsanctioned religion, or who criticise government officials continue to be arrested and imprisoned for lengthy periods. [2]
The absence of an independent judiciary means that victims of these human rights violations have no recourse to justice at home. As a result, in Eritrea impunity persists and those who have been subjected to enforced disappearances remain unaccounted for.
In light of these concerns, we respectfully request your delegation to co-sponsor a resolution during the 35th UN HRC session that renews the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, provides the mandate holder with all necessary support, and urges the Government of Eritrea to cooperate with the mandate holder including allowing unencumbered access to the country.
Africa Monitors
Citizens for Democratic Rights in Eritrea
Connection e.V
DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
Eritrean Diaspora in East Africa
Eritrean Lowland League
Eritrea Focus
Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights
Eritreans for Human and Democratic Rights – UK
FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights)
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
Human Rights Concern – Eritrea
Information Forum For Eritrea
International Fellowship of Reconciliation
Network of Eritrean Women
PEN Eritrea
People for Peace in Africa
Release Eritrea
Stop Slavery in Eritrea Campaign
War Resisters International
Posted in Africa, Army, Civil Service, Development, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, National Security, Politics, Transparency and tagged Abi Abeito Prison, Abraha Kassa, African Union, Air Force, Al Shabaab, Alla Scala Hotel, AMX Leclerc, Antonio Abune, Arba Minch, Asmara, AU, AU PSC, Benishangul People's Liberation Movement, Berhanu Nega, BMP-3 Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Bribe, Bribery, China, Citizen, Colonel, Confiscation of Property, Crimes against Humanity, Cyprus, Dekemhare, Demonstration, Desert, Desertation, Desertion, Detained, Djibouti, Economic, Economic Enterprises, Eritrea, Eritrean, Eritrean Air Force, Eritrean Citizen, Eritrean Citizens, Eritrean Diaspora, Eritrean Territory, Ethiopia, Female Military Trainee, Female Soldier, Fitsum Yishak, Free Working Force, Freedom, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Speech, Front pour la restauration de l’unité et de la démocratie, FRUD-Arme, FRUD-Combattant, G6 Howizers, Ginbot Sebat, GoE, Government of Eritrea, Guerrila Warfare, H.E. Isias Afewerki, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujaahidin, Hashferay, Horn of Africa, Human Rights, Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Council, Human Rights Violation, Human Rights Violations, Humanity, Isias Afeweki, Isias Afewerki, Killings, Lake Assal, Liberty, Massawa, Military Groups, Military Officers, Militia, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Mohamed Kadamy, Mola Asgedom, Mossa Bahdon Farah, Nakfa, National Bank, National Bank of Eritrea, National Security, National Security Concerns, National Service, Northern Ethiopia, Ogaden National Liberation Front, Oromo Liberation Front, Patriarch Antonio Abune, People's Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, PFDJ, Please, President Isias Afeweki, Qatar, Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, Re-Victimisation, Reserve Army, Rule of Law, Sawa, Self-Censorship, Shoot-to-kill Policy, Sidama National Liberation Front, Slave, Slavery, Social, Sudan, Sudanese Prison, Teseney, Tessenei, Tigray, Tigray Peope's Democratic Movement, TPDM, UAE, UN, UN HRC, UN Human Rights Council, United Arab Emirates, United Nation Security Council, United Nations, Unlawful, UNSC, Yemane Gebreab, Yemen, Zakaria Ismail | Leave a comment
Eritrea must free prize winning journalist, says UN human rights expert (03.05.2017)
Mr. Isaak was arrested in September 2001 during a political crackdown on the so-called G-15, a group of politicians, and journalists critical of Government policies.
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 3, 2017 – The Government of Eritrea must free journalist Dawit Isaak who has been awarded a prestigious press freedom prize some 15 years after he was detained, a United Nations human rights expert says.
The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, Sheila B. Keetharuth, is also calling on the authorities in Asmara to release unconditionally all others detained unlawfully.
“The Eritrean authorities should stop the practice of arrests and detention carried out without legal basis instantly,” said Ms. Keetharuth, welcoming the award of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2017 to Mr. Isaak.
Dawit Isaak, who is 52 and a playwright, journalist and writer, moved to Sweden in 1987, where he later became a citizen. He returned to Eritrea only after independence in 1993 and was one of the founders and reporters of Setit, the first independent newspaper in the country.
Mr. Isaak was arrested in September 2001 during a political crackdown on the so-called G-15, a group of politicians, and journalists critical of Government policies. Some were detained and tortured, others disappeared. The last known sighting of Mr. Isaak was in 2005. His whereabouts now are unknown.
“The case of Mr. Isaak is emblematic of all those who have been subjected to enforced disappearances by the Government of Eritrea and remain unaccounted for,” said Ms. Keetharuth.
The Special Rapporteur recalled the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea, which concluded that there were reasonable grounds to believe that Eritrean officials had committed crimes against humanity, including the crime of enforced disappearance, in a persistent, widespread and systematic manner since 1991.
“The Government of Eritrea has an obligation to urgently provide information on the fate and whereabouts of all those deprived of physical liberty. This would be a first and long-overdue indication that the Government is committed to rebuilding trust with the Eritrean people,” Ms. Keetharuth said.
“By allowing independent monitors immediate and unhindered access to all places of detention, official and unofficial, the Government would send a strong signal that it acknowledges human rights violations of the past, while taking steps to improve the situation on the ground now.
“The arrests of Dawit Isaak and his fellow journalists remain the most visible sign of repression of freedom of expression. The Eritrean authorities continue to stifle all forms of expression that could be perceived as critical of the Government and its policies,” she said.
Ms. Keetharuth reaffirmed that freedom of expression was a basic human right, and a free press one of the tenets of a democratic society, providing a valuable check on potential excesses by government.
Posted in Africa, Civil Service, Development, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Media, Politics, Transparency and tagged Abi Abeito Prison, Abraha Kassa, African Union, Air Force, Al Shabaab, Alla Scala Hotel, AMX Leclerc, Antonio Abune, Arba Minch, Asmara, AU, AU PSC, Benishangul People's Liberation Movement, Berhanu Nega, BMP-3 Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Bribe, Bribery, China, Citizen, Colonel, Confiscation of Property, Crimes against Humanity, Cyprus, Dawit Isaak, Dekemhare, Demonstration, Desert, Desertation, Desertion, Detained, Djibouti, Economic, Economic Enterprises, Eritrea, Eritrean, Eritrean Air Force, Eritrean Citizen, Eritrean Citizens, Eritrean Diaspora, Eritrean Territory, Ethiopia, Female Military Trainee, Female Soldier, Fitsum Yishak, Free Working Force, Freedom, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Speech, Front pour la restauration de l’unité et de la démocratie, FRUD-Arme, FRUD-Combattant, G-15, G6 Howizers, Ginbot Sebat, GoE, Government of Eritrea, Guerrila Warfare, H.E. Isias Afewerki, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujaahidin, Hashferay, Horn of Africa, Human Rights, Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Council, Human Rights Violation, Human Rights Violations, Humanity, Isias Afeweki, Isias Afewerki, Killings, Lake Assal, Liberty, Massawa, Military Groups, Military Officers, Militia, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Mohamed Kadamy, Mola Asgedom, Mossa Bahdon Farah, Nakfa, National Bank, National Bank of Eritrea, National Security, National Security Concerns, National Service, Northern Ethiopia, Ogaden National Liberation Front, Oromo Liberation Front, Patriarch Antonio Abune, People's Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, PFDJ, Please, President Isias Afeweki, Qatar, Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, Re-Victimisation, Reserve Army, Rule of Law, Sawa, Self-Censorship, Sheila B. Keetharuth, Shoot-to-kill Policy, Sidama National Liberation Front, Slave, Slavery, Social, Sudan, Sudanese Prison, Teseney, Tessenei, Tigray, Tigray Peope's Democratic Movement, TPDM, UAE, UN, UN HRC, UN Human Rights Council, United Arab Emirates, United Nation Security Council, United Nations, Unlawful, UNSC, Yemane Gebreab, Yemen, Zakaria Ismail | Leave a comment
[Wish I had a bigger Microphone] The World right now is too Bloody…
There aren’t only murders and mysteries on the telly, its real life and not fiction as the Syrian civil war continues rapidly without whomever force and whomever ally around Aleppo or other check-points where the Presidents force, rebels or ISIS are shooting. The bullets don’t have names, but the men and woman on the side-line and at the battle who dies does; the men and woman who loses their life for themselves or a Nobel-cause.
As much as there are forces battling inside the Iraq nation as Government Forces are attacking together with American soldiers ISIS stronghold around Mosul. There are continued fighting inside of Afghanistan. Still battles between civilians and the Indian Army inside the Kashmir state that has issues there and on the Pakistan side of Kashmir. The long battle for freedom or justice, as the Kurds are battling for in Syria, Turkey and in Iraq; being the minority in the middle of the civil war in Syria and Iraq.
That is just some places, as the deteriorating state of affairs are attacking all sort of freedoms inside Ethiopia, as the army and Aghazi squad are killing and harassing the people’s in Amhara and Oromia states. Together with the arrests of bloggers, silencing media outlets, and detaining demonstrators, burning the homes of people and inflicting violence on the citizens. This state of emergency is used as a useful tool to oppress, silence and make sure the violence and killings doesn’t get out; while the Central Government works to find reasons and solutions to ways of total control of minds and bodies in the states of demonstrations against the Addis Ababa regime.
In Burundi the central government are using the Police and army, together with the Imbonerakure that are detaining, harassing, killing and torturing civilians, silencing the opposition and the ones not loyal to the President Pierre Nkurunziza narrative of keeping power by any means. The Burundian Government has claimed that the Rwandan Government has created armies and guerrillas that wished for a coup d’état against the Nkurunziza regime. Therefore the fleeing civilians are in the wind as the Rwandan government has been wonder for a spell, if they would banish the Burundian refugees a place in the country.
While in the Democratic Republic of Congo, several guerrillas are still running wild, burning and killing villagers in the States of North and South Kivu, Katanga and so on. Where the foreign based groups that have been started in Rwanda and Uganda, continues to battle the locals for the valuable minerals; as even today a former M23 Commander Sultani Makenga who been in Uganda has crossed with a militarized group, surely from Kisoro as before to cause more havoc in the Kivu’s. The ADF-NALU, Mayi-Mayi and others doesn’t create enough death and crimes against humanity already, as the MONUSCO and FARDC haven’t the ability or will to silence them.
In South Sudan, the internal battle that started in July 2016, the resurgence of skirmishes between the SPLA/M and the SPLM/A-IO who are the TGNU and the Opposition party, which is the armies for President Salva Kiir and his former First Vice-President Riek Machar. That has since July battled each other with forces, in Western Bahr El Ghazal State, Equatoria State and Upper Nile State. There been fighting between the two in other states, but just show how big and powerful the forces are. The South Sudanese civilians are the losers who flees to Ethiopia, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo, even in Congo because the Opposition we’re there has been asked to leave to other destinations. Therefore the internal power-struggle those fear of genocide, as still creating implications inside other nations.
In Somalia the Al-Shabab, the different state continues to have infighting together with the AMISOM mission. The running battles for land between Galdumug Interim Administration and the Puntland Government inside the Federal Republic of Somalia. Doesn’t really help for a peaceful session and making dialogue in the war-torn nation where Piracy and Khat been the ways of securing funds for ammunition and AKs, not for building a state and security.
Eritrea is closed and the continuation of the flow of refugees, as the internal controlling central government that forces the freedoms and liberties, as the men and woman does what they can to even enter Ethiopia, where they are badly treated. Eritrean reports are staggering as they are even supporting internal guerrillas in Ethiopia and Djibouti to unsettle their neighbours.
There are wars and running battles between government forces and rebels in Central African Republic, Mali, Mozambique and so on. This is happening in silence and without little flash, even as the ones are guerrillas like Boko Haram that are going in between Nigeria and Cameroon, to stop the Government from functioning and spreading fear of locals.
What is worrying how these actions continues, and how there are other I could mention, the issues in Libya, the Algerian complex and the Western Sahara colony of the Kingdom of Morocco.
The death that dies in silence, in the midst of homes, villages where their families have been living for decades, while big-men fight like two elephants; the grass get hurt, but the big-men be fine. The same is with all of these civil wars, the civilians are dying, the societies are deteriorating, the central government are controlled by little amount of people instead of procedure and rule of law.
The worry is how it becomes pro-longed, how the innocent dies and the power-hungry survive and the lucky get refugee somewhere else in uncertainty, like for how long can they stay, as been seen with the Kenyan Government work to get rid of Somali refugees in Dadaab Refugee camp during this calendar year, while the Somalian Federation if far from peaceful. Even as the Ethiopian troops has went home again surely to use their knowledge to chop heads in Amhara and Oromia. That is what they do now, they just doesn’t want people to know about it.
We shouldn’t allow this actions to happen, this killings, this violence and the silence of freedom, liberty and justice to our fellow peers, we should act upon it, question our power-to-be and the men who rules over these armies, the ones creating the havoc and the ones who are behind the crimes against humanity. Those are the ones that earning money on the wars and the ones that doesn’t want the words on the acts; those are the worst ones in it all as they are accomplices to destruction of lives and societies as we speak. Peace.
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Statement Delivered by Amanuel Giorgio Charge d’Affaires Permanent Mission of Eritrea to the United Nations during the UN Security Council discussion on the situation in Somalia (10.11.2016)
Posted in Africa, Army, Civil Service, Development, Diplomacy, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics and tagged Abi Abeito Prison, Abraha Kassa, African Union, Air Force, Al Shabaab, Alla Scala Hotel, Amanuel Giorgio, AMX Leclerc, Antonio Abune, Arba Minch, Asmara, AU, AU PSC, Benishangul People's Liberation Movement, Berhanu Nega, BMP-3 Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Bribe, Bribery, China, Citizen, Colonel, Confiscation of Property, Crimes against Humanity, Cyprus, Dekemhare, Demonstration, Desert, Desertation, Desertion, Detained, Djibouti, Economic, Economic Enterprises, Eritrea, Eritrean, Eritrean Air Force, Eritrean Citizen, Eritrean Citizens, Eritrean Diaspora, Eritrean Territory, Ethiopia, Female Military Trainee, Female Soldier, Fitsum Yishak, Free Working Force, Freedom, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Speech, Front pour la restauration de l’unité et de la démocratie, FRUD-Arme, FRUD-Combattant, G6 Howizers, Ginbot Sebat, GoE, Government of Eritrea, Guerrila Warfare, H.E. Isias Afewerki, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujaahidin, Hashferay, Horn of Africa, Human Rights, Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Council, Human Rights Violation, Human Rights Violations, Humanity, Isias Afeweki, Isias Afewerki, Killings, Lake Assal, Liberty, Massawa, Military Groups, Military Officers, Militia, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Mohamed Kadamy, Mohamed Siad Doualeh, Mola Asgedom, Mossa Bahdon Farah, Nakfa, National Bank, National Bank of Eritrea, National Security, National Security Concerns, National Service, Northern Ethiopia, Ogaden National Liberation Front, Oromo Liberation Front, Patriarch Antonio Abune, People's Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, PFDJ, Please, President Isias Afeweki, Qatar, Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, Re-Victimisation, Republic of Djibouti, Reserve Army, Rule of Law, Sawa, Self-Censorship, Shoot-to-kill Policy, Sidama National Liberation Front, Slave, Slavery, Social, Somalia Eritrea Monitoring Group, State of Qatar, Sudan, Sudanese Prison, Teseney, Tessenei, Tigray, Tigray Peope's Democratic Movement, TPDM, UAE, UN, UN HRC, UN Human Rights Council, United Arab Emirates, United Nation Security Council, United Nations, United Nations Security Council, Unlawful, UNSC, Yemane Gebreab, Yemen, Zakaria Ismail | Leave a comment
Statement by H.E. Mohammed Siad Doualeh, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Djibouti to the United Nations: Before the Security Council on the Situation in Somalia (10.11.2016)
Posted in Africa, Army, Civil Service, Development, Diplomacy, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics and tagged Abi Abeito Prison, Abraha Kassa, African Union, Air Force, Al Shabaab, Alla Scala Hotel, AMX Leclerc, Antonio Abune, Arba Minch, Asmara, AU, AU PSC, Benishangul People's Liberation Movement, Berhanu Nega, BMP-3 Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Bribe, Bribery, China, Citizen, Colonel, Confiscation of Property, Crimes against Humanity, Cyprus, Dekemhare, Demonstration, Desert, Desertation, Desertion, Detained, Djibouti, Economic, Economic Enterprises, Eritrea, Eritrean, Eritrean Air Force, Eritrean Citizen, Eritrean Citizens, Eritrean Diaspora, Eritrean Territory, Ethiopia, Female Military Trainee, Female Soldier, Fitsum Yishak, Free Working Force, Freedom, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Speech, Front pour la restauration de l’unité et de la démocratie, FRUD-Arme, FRUD-Combattant, G6 Howizers, Ginbot Sebat, GoE, Government of Eritrea, Guerrila Warfare, H.E. Isias Afewerki, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujaahidin, Hashferay, Horn of Africa, Human Rights, Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Council, Human Rights Violation, Human Rights Violations, Humanity, Isias Afeweki, Isias Afewerki, Killings, Lake Assal, Liberty, Massawa, Military Groups, Military Officers, Militia, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Mohamed Kadamy, Mohamed Siad Doualeh, Mola Asgedom, Mossa Bahdon Farah, Nakfa, National Bank, National Bank of Eritrea, National Security, National Security Concerns, National Service, Northern Ethiopia, Ogaden National Liberation Front, Oromo Liberation Front, Patriarch Antonio Abune, People's Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, PFDJ, Please, President Isias Afeweki, Qatar, Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, Re-Victimisation, Republic of Djibouti, Reserve Army, Rule of Law, Sawa, Self-Censorship, Shoot-to-kill Policy, Sidama National Liberation Front, Slave, Slavery, Social, Sudan, Sudanese Prison, Teseney, Tessenei, Tigray, Tigray Peope's Democratic Movement, TPDM, UAE, UN, UN HRC, UN Human Rights Council, United Arab Emirates, United Nation Security Council, United Nations, United Nations Security Council, Unlawful, UNSC, Yemane Gebreab, Yemen, Zakaria Ismail | Leave a comment
Eritrea: UNSC Monitoring Report proves clear evidence of continued support of Armed Opposition-Groups in Ethiopia and Djibouti
I had to write about this today, for the simple reason apologists who has defended Eritrea and attacked the Monitoring Report from the United Nations Security Council Monitoring Team for the UN following the resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009). This is after the proof before of violations on Human Rights and crimes against Humanity in the Republic of Eritrea. Together with controlled Centralized Government under the President Isias Afweki, who has showed he doesn’t care about accountability and transparency as he controls all economy. There are reports of no-budget for the state for years.
So the Asmara Government and their apologist, if you want my support at all; please drop something worthwhile, your silence and attacks on multi-national institutions make you sound whiny and not smart. Just like the ones fighting against the sanctions because of no-connections over the last three monitoring periods between Eritrea and Al-Shabaab, but still… they are supporting other military groups, who are training and getting help in Eritrean territory. That should silence the ones who wants to defend the Asmara regime. Here are the important pieces of the UNSC Monitoring Report of 31st October 2016!
Arms to Eritrea countering the Arms Embargo:
“Military equipment has also been transferred onto Eritrean territory. The Monitoring Group analysed satellite imagery captured between April and May 2016, which shows the presence of tanks and artillery, including what appear to be AMX Leclerc main battle tanks, G6 self-propelled howitzers and BMP-3 amphibious infantry fighting vehicles (see annex 4). By September 2016, according to satellite data analysis, most of the vehicles appeared to have vacated the airport compound” (…) “If the range of support provided by Eritrea to the regional coalition, including as described above, constitutes either a direct or an indirect transfer of prohibited material to or from Eritrea or an exchange of military assistance, it would be a violation of the arms embargo. It could be reasonably determined, for example, that Member State support for the construction of permanent military installations in Eritrea constitutes the provision of technical assistance, training, financial and other assistance relating to military activities” (…) “It was claimed that the trainers had been housed at government villas near the Alla Scala Hotel in Asmara. It was also asserted that this was the second team of Ukrainian experts to arrive in Eritrea during the year; the first group, according to the article, had arrived in Asmara in February 2016 and been given training on the maintenance of old — and the installation of new — radar equipment” (UNSC, P: 11, 13, 2016).
Supporting Military Groups:
“For its third concurrent mandate, the Monitoring Group has found no firm evidence of Eritrean support for the Somali Islamist group Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujaahidiin. The Group has, however, continued to find consistent evidence of Eritrean support for armed groups operating in both Ethiopia and Djibouti. It is clear that Eritrea continues to harbour anti-Ethiopian armed groups, including the newly remodelled Patriotic Ginbot” (UNSC, P: 3, 2016).
Tigray People’s Democratic Movement:
“The defection of the former Chair of TPDM, Mola Asgedom, along with an unconfirmed number of fighters loyal to him, had a significant impact on the capacity of TPDM fighters remaining in Eritrea to conduct attacks against Ethiopian interests. Reports received by the Group indicate that TPDM is growing increasingly fragmented. On 6 August 2016, the Group interviewed Mola Asgedom in Addis Ababa” (…) “He said that he had been promoted to Chair of TPDM in 2008 and since conducted attacks against the Ethiopian armed forces in the Tigray and Afar regions of northern Ethiopia. He discussed the support provided by Colonel Fitsum Yishak, also known as “Lenin”, including the planning of operations, the monthly provision of ERN 450,000 (approximately $30,000 at the official exchange rate as at September 2016) and the supply of weapons. He also claimed to have engaged with Brigadier General Abraha Kassa during his tenure as Chair. He claimed that, while he was Chair, TPDM had had offices in Asmara, Dekemhare, Massawa and Teseney and units in most border towns” (UNSC P: 15-16, 2016).
Ginbot Sabat:
“Ginbot Sebat has since merged with the Patriotic Front to establish the Patriotic Ginbot , with Berhanu Nega as its Chair, and on 11 August 2016 was understood to have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Oromo Democratic Front” (…) “Ginbot Sebat claimed responsibility for an attack in which 20 Ethiopian soldiers were killed in Arba Minch, southern Ethiopia, in May 2016, demonstrating the group’s ability to conduct attacks well beyond the contested border regions. The Ethiopian authorities were swift to discredit the claims, however, announcing that their counter-terrorism units had foiled the attack and captured those who surrendered” (UNSC, P:17-18, 2016).
Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy:
“On 25 March 2016, multiple media agencies published a resolution following the first congress of the Peoples’ Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, held in Asmara, incorporating the Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement, the Gambela People’s Liberation Movement, the Ogaden National Liberation Front, the Oromo Liberation Front and the Sidama National Liberation Front. According to the resolution, “the alliance is determined to uproot the current oppressive minority regime in order to safeguard and advance peoples’ rights to exercising genuine self-determination” (UNSC, P: 19, 2016).
Front pour la restauration de l’unité et de la démocratie:
“the Group asserted that Eritrea had offered bases, training, arms and equipment to an armed group associated with elements of the splintered Djiboutian opposition Front pour la restauration de l’unité et de la démocratie (FRUD), FRUD-Combattant (FRUD-C) or FRUD-Armé, since 2008” (…) “FRUD has publicly claimed responsibility for attacks on Djiboutian soil during the current mandate. On 6 February, two Djiboutian gendarmes, Zakaria Ismail and Mossa Bahdon Farah, were killed in a shoot-out on Lake Assal with armed elements who, according to a press release from the Ministry of the Interior, had come from across the border in Eritrea” (…) “On 1 October 2015, the leader of FRUD, Mohamed Kadamy, issued a press statement from Geneva in which he announced the group’s responsibility for the burning of three vehicles at Marawaleh in Tadjourah on 30 September 2015. The vehicles belonged to the construction company building the Tadjourah/Randa/Balho road. He claimed that the vehicles had been used to provide logistical support for an “offensive by the government army” between 11 and 13 September 2015 that had seen attacks on civilians, but that FRUD had repulsed. He sent a message to the company stating that FRUD would not permit the company to assist the army in the future” (UNSC, P: 20-21, 2016).
If this wasn’t interesting, wasn’t giving you insights into structures that Eritrea supports and how they deal with neighbours, show with the support of military groups that creates havoc in Ethiopia and Djibouti. Something that apparently is wished from the Asmara Government… So the Eritrean if they harbour these sorts of military groups that attacks neighbour countries and oppose their regimes.
Eritrea cannot run away from this and also the apologist who tries to defend the Asmara Government… and at this point that is vicious with their track-record, little or non-existing accountability, transparency and massive overload of human rights violations and crimes against humanity. That has come out before and showed by the evidence and records of the diaspora as the Eritrean doesn’t want internal interference. Something they fear. Peace.
United Nations Security Council – ‘Letter dated 7 October 2016 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009) concerning Somalia and Eritrea addressed to the President of the Security Council’ (31.10.2016) – S/2016/920
Posted in Africa, Army, Civil Service, Development, Diplomacy, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics and tagged Abi Abeito Prison, Abraha Kassa, African Union, Air Force, Al Shabaab, Alla Scala Hotel, AMX Leclerc, Antonio Abune, Arba Minch, Asmara, AU, AU PSC, Benishangul People's Liberation Movement, Berhanu Nega, BMP-3 Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Bribe, Bribery, China, Citizen, Colonel, Confiscation of Property, Crimes against Humanity, Cyprus, Dekemhare, Demonstration, Desert, Desertation, Desertion, Detained, Djibouti, Economic, Economic Enterprises, Eritrea, Eritrean, Eritrean Air Force, Eritrean Citizen, Eritrean Citizens, Eritrean Diaspora, Eritrean Territory, Ethiopia, Female Military Trainee, Female Soldier, Fitsum Yishak, Free Working Force, Freedom, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Speech, Front pour la restauration de l’unité et de la démocratie, FRUD-Arme, FRUD-Combattant, G6 Howizers, Ginbot Sebat, GoE, Government of Eritrea, Guerrila Warfare, H.E. Isias Afewerki, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujaahidin, Hashferay, Horn of Africa, Human Rights, Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Council, Human Rights Violation, Human Rights Violations, Humanity, Isias Afeweki, Isias Afewerki, Killings, Lake Assal, Liberty, Massawa, Military Groups, Military Officers, Militia, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Mohamed Kadamy, Mola Asgedom, Mossa Bahdon Farah, Nakfa, National Bank, National Bank of Eritrea, National Security, National Security Concerns, National Service, Northern Ethiopia, Ogaden National Liberation Front, Oromo Liberation Front, Patriarch Antonio Abune, People's Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, PFDJ, Please, President Isias Afeweki, Qatar, Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, Re-Victimisation, Reserve Army, Rule of Law, Sawa, Self-Censorship, Shoot-to-kill Policy, Sidama National Liberation Front, Slave, Slavery, Social, Sudan, Sudanese Prison, Teseney, Tessenei, Tigray, Tigray Peope's Democratic Movement, TPDM, UAE, UN, UN HRC, UN Human Rights Council, United Arab Emirates, United Nation Security Council, United Nations, Unlawful, UNSC, Yemane Gebreab, Yemen, Zakaria Ismail | Leave a comment
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"What You Can't Say About Islamism" Or, For That Matter, About Islam.
By Martin Peretz
Paul Berman, who writes regularly and provocatively for us, published on Saturday in the Wall Street Journal another one of his disturbing epistles about Muslims and Fascism, Jews and Liberalism, truth and falsehood that have made him perhaps the most disturbing of contemporary intellectuals. And certainly the most disturbing American intellectual in a circle that includes Bernard-Henri Levy, Pascal Bruckner, Alain Finkielkraut, all French. I mean "disturbing" as a compliment.
Berman is also a relentless intellectual, and maybe "disturbing" goes together with "relentless." He is convinced that Islamism, which is not a tiny heretical offshoot of the prophet or a minor grouplet sprinkled here and there among the faithful, is now mainstream and mainstream intimidating of the faithful. That is, they believe.
It is also mainstream intimidating of the liberals, yes, you and me. Well, certainly not me. OK, and not you, too. But there is an epidemic of tolerance--on the liberal campus, at liberal dinner tables, in liberal families, among the liberal "new world" entrepreneurs--for people who hate and often kill liberals (especially liberal Muslims). This tolerance extends to Jew-haters and Jew-killers. In the West, in fact, indulgence of the hatred of Jews among liberals and liberal Jews or Jewish liberals is so rampant that it has taken on a new disguise: the hatred of Zionism and disgust with the State of Israel, perhaps one of the three or four most liberal states in the world.
In our present Age of the Zipped Lip, you are supposed to avoid making any of the following inconvenient observations about the history and doctrines of the Islamist movement:
You are not supposed to observe that Islamism is a modern, instead of an ancient, political tendency, which arose in a spirit of fraternal harmony with the fascists of Europe in the 1930s and '40s.
You are not supposed to point out that Nazi inspirations have visibly taken root among present-day Islamists, notably in regard to the demonic nature of Jewish conspiracies and the virtues of genocide.
And you are not supposed to mention that, by inducing a variety of journalists and intellectuals to maintain a discreet and respectful silence on these awkward matters, the Islamist preachers and ideologues have succeeded in imposing on the rest of us their own categories of analysis.
Or so I have argued in my recent book, "The Flight of the Intellectuals." But am I right? I glance with pleasure at some harsh reviews, convinced that here, in the worst of them, is my best confirmation.
Read the rest at the Journal's website.
Wall Street Journal, Europe, Alain Finkielkraut, The Spine, Bernard Henri-Levy, Pascal Bruckner, Paul Berman
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Is Edujobs Dead?
By Seyward Darby
Last night, the Senate passed a pared-down version of a war funding bill that the House passed earlier this month. Billions in domestic spending, which the House had attached to the legislation, got the boot—including all of the money intended to prevent hundreds of thousands of teacher layoffs.
“Edujobs,” as the provision is known, had been in trouble for months. It was initially a bill unto itself in the Senate, with a $23 billion price tag. But the Senate dropped it, after Republicans and conservative Democrats attacked it as a “bailout” (the nefarious political term of the moment). The House picked it back up as an amendment on the war funding bill, but it reduced the measure to just $10 billion and agreed to pay for it by slashing money from important education reform initiatives like Race to the Top. This prompted Obama to threaten a veto—but that’s now moot, thanks to the Senate’s decision not to include education funding, or any other domestic spending, in the war bill. Only 46 Democrats (and no Republicans) supported the House's version of the legislation.
So what happens now? Majority Leader Harry Reid, who chastised Republicans for “continu[ing] to push their job-killing agenda,” said Thursday that the Senate would look for other ways to pass the education funding. (I’m playing phone tag with Tom Harkin’s office—Harkin is chair of the Senate Health, Education, and Labor committee and the architect of the original edujobs bill—about what alternate routes might exist.) One way could be through an omnibus bill—a catch-all appropriations bill that might come up later this year, but after schools have already reopened for the fall. “Omnibus is the big endgame,” one education expert told me. Education Week's blog Politics K-12 has also reported that the funding could be put in a measure targeted at the Small Business Administration.
A more immediate question, and one that could influence the Senate’s actions, is what the reaction to this latest development in the edujobs saga will be. Will teachers’ unions agree to institute freezes or cuts to salaries and benefits in order to prevent layoffs—something many have resisted this year? Will states, school districts, and unions also agree to revise, in the long term, the ways teachers are hired, compensated, and fired, hopefully precluding the need for mass layoffs in the future?
Or will they continue to sit and wait for the federal money that may or may not come?
Jonathan Cohn, Politics, Harry Reid, Tom Harkin, Senate
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Kaplan, David R.
Risk Management Challenges (ETM)
David R. Kaplan
Director, Saxena White
David R. Kaplan is a Director at Saxena White and oversees the Firm’s California office. Mr. Kaplan has over fifteen years of experience in the field of securities and shareholder litigation. He has helped investors achieve hundreds of millions of dollars in recoveries in federal and state courts nationwide, including in class actions, individual actions, and derivative litigation. Prior to joining Saxena White, Mr. Kaplan was a partner at a leading securities law firm where he co-chaired their direct action practice, and counseled institutional investor clients on potential legal claims as a member of the firm’s new matter department. Earlier in his career, Mr. Kaplan was a senior associate at a preeminent litigation boutique, where he represented clients in a variety of high-stakes business disputes and complex litigation matters.
A significant part of Mr. Kaplan’s practice involves advising mutual funds, insurance companies, pension funds, hedge funds, and other institutional asset managers on whether to remain passive participants in securities class actions or opt out to maximize their recovery. Most recently, Mr. Kaplan represented prominent institutional investor opt out groups in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Texas federal courts. Mr. Kaplan has also successfully represented institutional investors in opt out actions in California federal and state courts.
Mr. Kaplan also has extensive experience advising institutional clients on pursuing securities claims outside the United States. His work in this area includes shareholder collective actions in Canada, Australia, England, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, Brazil and Russia, as well as other international jurisdictions that authorize class or collective shareholder actions. Mr. Kaplan has authored multiple articles relating to class actions and the federal securities laws, which have been published in The National Law Journal, the Daily Journal, Law360, Pensions & Investments, and The NAPPA Report, among other publications. Mr. Kaplan is an editor of the American Bar Association’s Class Actions and Derivative Suits Committee’s Newsletter. For his achievements, Mr. Kaplan has repeatedly been selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers.
Mr. Kaplan is admitted to practice in California, U.S. District Courts for the Central, Northern, and Southern Districts of California, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California.
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Author: Huang, Gary
1. Huang, Gary
National Data for Studying Rural Education: Elementary and Secondary Education Applications
ERIC Digest, National Center for Education Statistics; ERIC/Clearinghouse in Rural Education and Small Schools, Charleston WV, 1995
Publisher: ERIC
Keyword(s): Data Quality/Consistency; Demography; Elementary School Students; High School; National Education Longitudinal Survey (NELS); Rural Areas; Rural Sociology; Schooling
This digest describes datasets of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) that are related to rural education, discusses potential uses of NCES data, and offers practical tips for accessing these data. NCES has primarily two types of data; population data on the school universe and national surveys. Two population databases are the Common Core of Data, which describes all U.S. public elementary and secondary schools and school districts, and the School District Data Book, which provides comprehensive data on school districts and communities and links sociodemographic complexities to schooling. NCES longitudinal surveys that follow cohorts of middle-school and high-school students for 10-14 years include the National Longitudinal Survey (beginning in 1972), the High School and Beyond Survey (beginning in 1980), and the National Education Longitudinal Survey of 1988. Cross-sectional surveys include the School and Staffing Survey, conducted every 3 years; the National Assessment of Educational Progress, collecting information on student performance for over 25 years; and the National Household Education Survey (1991). NCES data have a variety of uses in program planning and design, policy making (although rural-specific policy issues are inadequately covered), and scholarly research. NCES datasets use several measures of rurality; researchers are advised to check that the dataset used contains a suitable locale measure. Other suggestions for researchers include taking advantage of CD-ROM technology, obtaining customized datasets and tabulations from NCES, and attending NCES seminars. (SV)
Huang, Gary. "National Data for Studying Rural Education: Elementary and Secondary Education Applications." ERIC Digest, National Center for Education Statistics; ERIC/Clearinghouse in Rural Education and Small Schools, Charleston WV, 1995.
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Malaysia Airlines flight 17 with 295 on board crashes in Ukraine
IANS • July 17, 2014 •
Kuala Lumpur/Kiev/Moscow: A Malaysian Airlines flight crashed Thursday in Ukraine near the Russian border, with all the 280 passengers and 15 crew members on board feared to have been killed. There were conflicting reports on how the plane went down, with some suggesting it might have been shot down.
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 at Perth Airport
“A Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, which was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, started descending 50 km before entering Russian airspace, and was subsequently found burning on the ground in Ukrainian territory,” Xinhua quoted an Interfax news agency aviation source as saying.
The plane disappeared from the radar at 10,000 metres and then crashed near the city of Shakhtars’k in conflict-hit Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, according to Ukrainian law enforcement authorities.
An advisor to Ukrainian Interior Minister Anton Herashchenko wrote on his Facebook that “280 passengers and 15 crew members have been killed”.
US President Barack Obama spoke on the telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon after news about the crash was received.
A White House spokesman said Obama had asked to be kept updated on the developments and told his officials to be in touch with their Ukrainian counterparts.
Must read: Dutch Man had predicted Crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH 17
A group of emergency services personnel is on the way to the crash scene.
“MAS has lost contact with MH17 from Amsterdam. The last known position was over Ukraine airspace,” Malaysia Airlines tweeted.
Also Read: How countries reacted to Malaysia Airlines Flight MH 17 Crash?
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the plane could have been shot down, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces had nothing to do with it.
“We do not exclude that the plane was shot down and confirm that the Ukraine Armed Forces did not fire at any targets in the sky,” Poroshenko said in a statement posted on the president’s website.
Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said the government has formed a special investigative commission for the incident.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office said that law enforcement authorities could not access the crash site for investigation, as it is controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
Andrei Purgin, first deputy prime minister of the DPR, said the first militia units had reached the crash site and found many children dead.
Cause of Crash
There were reports saying that the plane was shot down by the eastern Ukrainian militants, which was immediately denied by the DPR leadership.
“The plane was shot down by the Ukrainian side. We simply do not have such air defence systems, our MANPADs (man portable air defence systems) have a firing range of only 3,000 to 4,000 metres, while passenger jets fly at a much higher altitude,” Xinhua cited Interfax as quoting DPR officials.
The militants said they did not rule out that the plane could have been brought down by Ukrainian servicemen.
BBC online carried a tweet by Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammed Najib following the incident stating: “I am shocked by reports that an MH plane crashed. We are launching an immediate investigation.”
Also Read: An Air India Plane was 25 km away when Flight MH 17 crashed
This is the second major tragedy for Malaysia Airlines this year after flight MH370 with 227 passengers on board went missing on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing March 8 and has still not been traced.
Tags:Flight MH/MAS 17 Conspiracy, Flight MH/MAS 17 Crash Date, Flight MH/MAS 17 Crash Site, Flight MH/MAS 17 Crash Theories, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 Crash, MAS 17 Flight Crash Cause, MAS 17 Flight Crash Reason, MH 17 Flight Crash Cause, MH 17 Flight Crash Reason
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Keurig Green Mountain Announces Closing of Offering of Senior Notes
Business, US
Friday, May 25, 2018 4:15 pm EDT
BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (“Keurig” or the “Company”) announced today that its indirect parent company, Maple Parent Holdings Corp. (“Maple”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Maple Escrow Subsidiary, Inc. (the “Escrow Issuer”), has closed its previously announced offering to sell $8 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes (the “Notes”), in a transaction that was significantly oversubscribed. The offering of the Notes was consummated on substantially similar terms as had been anticipated by the Company and, as such, the Company’s outlook for interest expense for Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (“KDP”), the post-closing combined company, remains essentially unchanged.
The offering consisted of $1,750 million aggregate principal amount of 3.551% senior notes due 2021, $2,000 million aggregate principal amount of 4.057% senior notes due 2023, $1,000 million aggregate principal amount of 4.417% senior notes due 2025, $2,000 million aggregate principal amount of 4.597% senior notes due 2028, $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.985% senior notes due 2038 and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.085% senior notes due 2048. The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture (as amended or supplemented, the “Indenture”), dated as of May 25, 2018, among the Escrow Issuer, Maple, as parent guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee.
Maple intends to use the net proceeds of the offering, together with borrowings under new credit facilities and cash on hand, to (i) finance a special cash dividend payable to Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (“DPSG”) stockholders following the previously announced transaction, (ii) to refinance DPSG’s existing revolving credit facility and Maple’s existing credit facility and (iii) to pay related fees and expenses. The net proceeds of the offering have been deposited in a separate escrow account. The transaction is currently expected to be completed in July 2018. Upon consummation of the transaction, Maple will become a wholly owned subsidiary of DPSG. DPSG is expected to change its corporate name to “Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.”, with KDP continuing as the surviving corporation, and KDP will assume all of the Escrow Issuer’s obligations under the Notes, the Indenture and the other applicable documents by operation of law. The closing of this offering is not conditioned on the consummation of the transaction. If the transaction is not consummated, the Escrow Issuer will be required to redeem the Notes at a redemption price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.
The Notes are the senior secured obligations of the Escrow Issuer, secured only by the amounts deposited in the escrow account. Upon the consummation of the transaction, the Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by all of KDP’s existing and future subsidiaries that guarantee any of KDP’s other indebtedness. The Notes will be KDP’s unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank equal in right of payment with all of KDP’s current and future unsubordinated indebtedness and each of the subsidiary guarantees will be an unsecured and unsubordinated obligation of the subsidiary guarantor providing such subsidiary guarantee and will rank equal in right of payment with such subsidiary guarantor’s current and future unsubordinated indebtedness.
Upon consummation of the transaction, KDP may redeem any series of the Notes, in whole or in part, from time to time, at the applicable redemption price set forth in the Indenture. If KDP experiences a change of control triggering event, it may be required to offer to repurchase each series of the Notes from holders as described in the Indenture.
The Indenture includes customary events of default. Maple and, upon the consummation of the transaction, KDP are subject to certain negative covenants under the Indenture, including limits on each party's and their subsidiaries' ability to incur indebtedness secured by principal properties, enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions with respect to principal properties and enter into certain mergers, consolidations and transfers of substantially all of its assets.
In connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, the Escrow Issuer also entered into a registration rights agreement under which, upon consummation of the transaction, KDP will also become a party by joinder or otherwise, and pursuant to which KDP will agree to use its commercially reasonable efforts to file a registration statement with respect to registered exchange offers for the Notes under certain circumstances.
The Notes were offered in the United States to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States to non-United States persons in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, qualification or exemption under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
The information provided in this press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events, including without limitation, statements regarding the intended use of proceeds from the offering, the timing of the proposed transaction and expected interest expense. The Company, Maple and DPSG disclaim any obligation to update this forward-looking information in the future. Readers are cautioned that matters subject to forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including prevailing market conditions, as well as other factors. These risks and uncertainties are more fully discussed in the offering memorandum with respect to the offering and the proxy statement filed by DPSG with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the proposed transaction.
Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
Maria Sceppaguercio, 781-418-8136
maria.sceppaguercio@keurig.com
Katie Gilroy, 781-418-3345
katie.gilroy@keurig.com
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Trupanion Launches in Australia, Marking Its Expansion Outside of North America
SEATTLE, May 03, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trupanion (NASDAQ:TRUP), a leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs in the U.S. and Canada, announced today its expansion into Australia. The Australia launch is the first major overseas move for Trupanion outside of North America.
“This is another important milestone in the history of our company,” said Darryl Rawlings, chief executive officer and founder of Trupanion. “We’re excited to offer our unique coverage to pet owners ‘down under’.”
The Trupanion model is fundamentally different, developed in partnership with veterinarians and at its core, the love of pets. The product has been built with input from veterinarians, and has a successful 20-year history, insuring more than 500,000 pets in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
“In North America, we continue to see the growth in insured pets rise as pet owners understand the value of high-quality medical insurance for their pets,” said Rawlings. “With only six percent of pets in Australia currently insured, we look forward to introducing our product and helping educate pet owners on the value and importance of insuring their pets with high-quality coverage.”
“We remain committed and deep-rooted to the veterinary industry and are happy that Dr. Stephen Rose, DVM, will lead the charge for Trupanion Australia as our general manager,” said Rawlings. “He is passionate about pet health, and will lead our efforts to reach pet owners with a product that is dramatically different from current offerings so that we can take better care of the pets we love.”
Protecting pets in Australia was a key focus for Dr. Rose, who scoured the best pet insurance offerings worldwide for a product that would make a real difference to both pets and their loving families. “Trupanion stands out not only for the incredible benefits, but the way it can assess and pay a claim sometimes within seconds,” said Dr. Rose. “The company has a soul, love and energy just like the pets it protects.”
“Partnering with Dr. Stephen Rose enables us to expand into Australia while maintaining our focus on the North American market,” continued Rawlings. “We are now insuring more than a half million pets in the U.S. and Canada, while maintaining our commitment to serving our members with our continued commitment to unparalleled care and customer service.”
Trupanion Australia is a partnership between Trupanion and Hollard Insurance Company.
For more information, visit trupanion.com.au.
About Trupanion
Trupanion is a leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs throughout the United States and Canada. For almost two decades, Trupanion has given pet owners peace of mind so they can focus on their pet's recovery, not financial stress. Trupanion is committed to providing pet owners with the highest value in pet medical insurance with unlimited payouts for the life of their pets. Trupanion is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol "TRUP". The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Seattle, WA. Trupanion policies are issued, in the United States, by its wholly-owned insurance entity American Pet Insurance Company and, in Canada, by Omega General Insurance Company. For more information, please visit trupanion.com.
About Hollard
Hollard is a leading A- rated Australian Insurer (rating provided by AM Best), with deep pet insurance experience.
Scott Janzen
scott.janzen@trupanion.com
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Emergency Response Crews to Conduct Training Exercise on Tuesday, July 31
Wednesday, July 25, 2018, By Christine Weber
Department of Public SafetyS.I. Newhouse School of Public CommunicationsSyracuse University Ambulance
The Division of Campus Safety and Emergency Services, along with the Syracuse Fire Department, will conduct a training exercise on Tuesday, July 31, from 9 to 11 a.m.
The exercise will take place in the Biological Research Laboratories. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Syracuse University Ambulance will be involved in the drill and will have marked vehicles on the scene. In addition, the Syracuse Fire Department will have fire trucks located on College Place and Sims Drive.
This drill also serves as a training exercise for student-journalists from the Newhouse School of Public Communications, who will serve in the role of media covering the event.
For questions, contact DPS at 315.443.0315.
Newhouse Hosts Multimedia Immersion Experience
Wednesday, July 5, 2017, By News Staff
Candidates for DPS Chief to Present at Open Campus Forum
Tuesday, May 26, 2015, By News Staff
Syracuse University Ambulance Now Offering Stop the Bleed Training
Wednesday, October 31, 2018, By News Staff
Persistence, Passion, Vision: Qualities of a Successful Entrepreneur
Monday, January 8, 2018, By Lani Rich
Press Club Award Winners Include NCC News, WAER, NewsHouse and The Stand
Wednesday, May 10, 2017, By News Staff
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Research, College of Engineering
New wastewater treatment developed at Temple is more effective and environmentally friendly
Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Rominder Suri, right, and researchers in Temple University’s Water and Environmental Technology Center have developed a new novel adsorbent that is more effective, reusable and environmentally friendly in removing emerging contaminants from wastewater.
A new novel adsorbent for removing emerging contaminants from wastewater that is more effective, reusable and environmentally friendly, has been developed by researchers in Temple University’s Water and Environmental Technology (WET) Center.
The researchers used cyclodextrins, a family of compounds made up of bound glucose (sugar) molecules, to develop their adsorbent material, which could have a positive impact on the water treatment, pharmaceutical, chemical and manufacturing industries, said Rominder Suri, professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of the WET Center in Temple’s College of Engineering.
Suri said that cyclodextrins have an affinity for attracting organic compounds that is much higher than activated carbon, which is currently the most commonly used material by industry for removing wastewater contaminants.
“Activated carbon is very porous and water — whether it be surface water, groundwater or wastewater — contains a lot of natural organic matter,” said Suri. “These are big molecules and when they hit the activated carbon, they block the pores which prevent the contaminant particles from getting inside.”
Suri said the new adsorbent has a cavity-like area in which they can trap the contaminants, which are made up of organic compounds. By changing the functional groups on the glucose molecule, the size of the cavity can be increased or reduced.
“That means is we can potentially manipulate this adsorbent substance to target and remove select contaminants, something that activated carbon cannot do,” he said.
Although cyclodextrins are soluble, meaning they dissolve easily in water, the new adsorbent has been made insoluble by the Temple researchers and can easily be attached as a thin coating to such surfaces as sand, glass, silica and filter paper.
So far, the researchers have tested the new adsorbent material against contaminants such as steroid hormones, detergent compounds and bisphenol A in both lab water and discharged wastewater and found that it has removed more than 90 percent of the contaminants, said Suri.
“This new adsorbent material has much less surface area than activated carbon, especially if you coat it on sand,” he said. “But our results demonstrate that it has comparable, or even better, capacity than the activated carbon. And, it has the potential to be even more efficient by coating it on porous, high surface materials.”
In addition to its effectiveness in removing contaminants, Suri said that the new material’s other benefit is that it can easily be regenerated and reused. A solvent such as methanol can be used to remove the contaminants or ozone can be used to destroy the trapped contaminants, both allowing the adsorbent material to be reused.
So far, the researchers have tested several batches of the adsorbent material through four different cycles (use, clean, reuse) and it continues to work with the same effectiveness, said Suri.
“Activated carbon is one and done,” he said. “In industry, once it has been used it will be either landfilled or it can be reactivated through a very energy-intensive and expensive process.”
Suri said the next step for the new adsorbent material is to do more extensive pilot testing.
The research into cyclodextrins was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the translational development of that research into an adsorbent is being supported through the NSF-funded Water Technology Innovation Ecosystem established at Temple’s WET Center in 2011.
- Preston Moretz
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Commencement, news, TUGRAD18, Student Success, Fox School of Business
After graduation, this music entrepreneur won’t skip a beat
Ben Thomas, an entrepreneurship and innovation management major, will continue pursuing a career in audio engineering in Philadelphia.
Video Production: Gina Benigno and Louis Peluyera
Ben Thomas, a Fox School of Business entrepreneurship and innovation management major, will soon graduate and continue making waves in the Philadelphia music scene as an audio engineer.
While creative entrepreneurship is where Thomas is headed, it’s not quite where he started.
As a high-school student at Germantown Friends School in Northwest Philadelphia, Thomas was interested in finance, which inspired his dual marketing and finance major when he enrolled at Temple and his two-year investment analyst internship with Firstrust Bank.
When he wasn’t crunching numbers, Thomas was mixing and producing music (including the Class of 2017 Commencement anthem, “Soar Time”) at a makeshift studio in his mom’s basement and, eventually, at his own studio in Northeast Philadelphia. From his early days at Temple, he was an active member of the Student Hip Hop Organization and an intern for RECPhilly, a startup music incubator in the city. It was in those studios and in that work that he found his true calling.
“To me, music is an international language,” Thomas said. “Music allows you to transcend every cultural difference, every country, every nationality.”
Through his work for RECPhilly and as a campus ambassador for GrammyU, the college division of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Thomas made connections and landed opportunities that inspired him to transition to the Fox School’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management program and to start his own company as a freelance audio engineer and music producer.
“The entrepreneurship major allows you to be really creative in a business sense,” Thomas said. “It allowed me to gain the skills to be able to run my own business while still in school.”
Over the last two years, Thomas moved up to lead audio engineer at RECPhilly and Studio Breed, one of the largest recording studios in Philadelphia, where he’s worked with major hip hop artists Jazmine Sullivan, Bryson Tiller, Ty Dolla Sign, Brian McKnight, Shawn Smith and Lil Dicky. He also developed a close working relationship with West Philadelphia native artist Chill Moody, with whom he co-created independent record label nicethingsMUSIC.
Thomas and local hip hop artist Chill Moody edit a track in Thomas’ home studio. (PHOTO: Joseph V. Labolito)
His crowning professional moment, though, was when he found out a song he worked on with Jazmine Sullivan and Bryson Tiller would be the lead single for the season two soundtrack of the HBO series Insecure.
In addition to working in the greater Philadelphia music community (and in Los Angeles with former members of Boyz II Men), Thomas has also been deeply involved on campus, not only in the classroom but also with the Black Student Union and the Entrepreneurial Students Association, of which he’s been a member since freshman year and is now a senior advisor.
His involvement with these organizations, Thomas said, has “allowed me to not only get really involved with the music community, but also to try to bring other students who are interested in music into the larger ecosystem that we have here in Philadelphia.”
With graduation right around the corner, Thomas reflected on his four years at Temple and the role it played in helping him get to where he is now.
“I always like to look at Temple as a backdrop that’s allowed me to do all this stuff,” he said. “I met Chill, I got my job at [Studio] Breed because I was the campus ambassador for GrammyU. It’s really just given me a foundation to be able to grow upon.”
What does the future look like for Thomas?
“I’m going to keep doing music, keep on the grind, try to progress my career,” he said. “I have a lot of big goals. I want to win a Grammy one day. That’s at the top.”
PHOTO: Gina Benigno
—Nicole Quaste
Next stop: Rwanda
Next stop: Fellowship in Nicaragua
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Digital TV Will Change Broadcasting
Knoxville — By 2004, all commercial television stations in the United States must offer digital television signals.
According to University of Tennessee broadcasting professor Barbara Moore, big changes are in store for the industry.
“I think it’s going to be as important, if not more important, than the change from black-and-white to color,” Moore said.
The Federal Communications Commission has ordered television stations to carry both the current analog signal and the new digital signal for several years after 2004. This will allow people to use their current television sets until they wear out.
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Gen. Wesley Clark to Speak on War and Media at UT Knoxville
View all the posts from February 8, 2010
Gen. Wesley Clark
KNOXVILLE — Retired Gen. Wesley Clark will visit the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, on Tuesday, Feb. 9, to speak on war and the media.
“An Evening with Wesley Clark” will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Cox Auditorium in Alumni Memorial Building. The event is free and open to the public.
Clark served in the U.S. Army for 34 years and is widely known for his candidacy in the 2004 Democratic Party presidential primaries. He rose to the rank of four-star general as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. Previously, he served as the commander-in-chief, U.S. Southern Command, where he was responsible for all U.S. military activity in Latin America and the Caribbean. He also served as the director of Strategic Plans and Policy, J-5, in the Joint Staff, where he helped negotiate the end to the war in Bosnia.
In his final military command assignment, Clark commanded Operation Allied Force, NATO’s first major combat action, which saved 1.5 million Albanians from ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. In this position he also was responsible for the peacekeeping operation in Bosnia.
His military awards and honors include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the State Department Distinguished Service Award, the U.S. Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and honorary knighthoods from the British and Dutch governments.
Clark retired from the military in 2000, and went on to become an investment banker, author, commentator and businessman. He is the author of the best-selling book “Waging Modern War: Bosnia, Kosovo and the Future of Combat,” as well as “Winning Modern War: Iraq, Terrorism and the American Empire.” Clark graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1966 and completed degrees at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.
Clark’s visit to UT Knoxville is sponsored by the Issues Committee, which strives to bring informative issues to the campus. For more information on the Issues Committee, visit http://cpc.utk.edu/Committees/issues.
Rebekah Winkler (865-974-8304, rwinkler@utk.edu)
Campus Events Board
Issues Committee
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What the Hell Happened to World Cup Rage?
By Eva Hershaw Jul 4, 2014
Where are the protesters?
For months leading up to the World Cup, the streets of São Paulo were filled with chants of protests and provocative warnings from social movements promising widespread demonstrations during the mega-event that has cost Brazil more than $11 billion. It was only a month ago that black bloc groups warned they would bring chaos to the World Cup with the help of the Primeiro Comando da Capital, the largest criminal organization in Brazil.
Brazil’s controversial black blocs take the spotlight at World Cup protests. Read more here.
But three weeks in, anti-World Cup groans have been all but silenced by national exuberance for the Brazilian soccer team.
The shift begs an obvious question: What happened to all the protesters? The answer, of course, depends on whom you ask.
“The police repression leading up to the World Cup was simply too much for most protesters,” Givanildo Manoel, a member of the Popular Committee for the World Cup in São Paulo, told VICE News. “The legal and direct repression of protesters had the effect of shrinking our movements. That is what they wanted.”
Even so, there have been protests during the World Cup, and in numbers that exceed what has been reported in the international media. To be sure, the demonstrations have been smaller than they were during the time leading up to the World Cup, but they have also been contained and violently dispersed by the military police on numerous occasions.
On June 23, a ‘There Will Be No World Cup’ movement protest on São Paulo's Paulista Avenue was broken up by police with tear gas canisters and rubber bullets before it even began.
São Paulo streets burn as Brazil’s protesters promise ‘fighting’ ahead of World Cup. Read more here.
“The police showed up in huge numbers and said that our protest couldn’t take place because our movement didn’t have a leader,” Igor Silva, a member of the movement, told VICE News. “Can you imagine? There is no law anywhere that says that a leader is required. They are looking for any way to break up these protests.”
That same night, protesters Rafael Marques Lusvarghi and Fabio Hideki Haranowere were detained under questionable accusations of criminal association. A video showing Hideki’s apprehension has been widely distributed as evidence that the detention was arbitrary and that he was not carrying explosives, as the State Secretary of Public Security has asserted. More then 10 days since their detention, Human Rights Watch has called for a prompt investigation into these allegations.
Three days later, at a public debate calling for the release of Hideki and Marques, two lawyers were detained after questioning authorities about their personal identification, which by Brazilian and international law must always be clearly displayed on their uniforms.
Scars of police brutality in Brazilian protests haunt World Cup kickoff. Read more here.
In response to an interview request, one black bloc member from São Paulo wrote, “I would be happy to [give an interview], but today I am chasing down lawyers because police are going into protesters’ houses.”
On Thursday, the São Paulo State Chamber of Deputies approved a law banning the wearing of masks in protests, while the Folha de São Paulo newspaper released an opinion poll showing that pride in the World Cup had jumped 12 percentage points, up to 63 percent from 51 in early June.
As the national team takes to the field today, a holiday has been declared in Brazil — one of a total of 64 local and federal holidays declared across the country during the month-long event. And while horns and fireworks will likely drown out any voices of dissent today, a greater test may still lie ahead.
“Brazil could lose to Colombia today, and in that case we don’t know what could happen,” Manoel, from the Popular Committee for the World Cup, told VICE News. “It could be chaos, the streets could fill, or it could be nothing. No one knows anymore.”
Follow Eva Hershaw on Twiiter: @beets4eva
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Due to recent server migration, the ILL system might be temporarily unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Asia's Reckoning
China, Japan, and the Fate of U.S. Power in the Pacific Century
McGregor, Richard
A Financial Times Best Book of 2017
"A shrewd and knowing book." --Robert D. Kaplan, The Wall Street Journal
"A compelling and impressive read." -- The Economist
"Skillfully crafted and well-argued." --Jeffrey Wasserstrom, Financial Times
"An excellent modern history. . . . provides the context needed to make sense of the region's present and future." --Joyce Lau, South China Morning Post
A history of the combative military, diplomatic, and economic relations among China, Japan, and the United States since the 1970s--and the potential crisis that awaits them
Richard McGregor's Asia's Reckoning is a compelling account of the widening geopolitical cracks in a region that has flourished under an American security umbrella for more than half a century. The toxic rivalry between China and Japan, two Asian giants consumed with endless history wars and ruled by entrenched political dynasties, is threatening to upend the peace underwritten by Pax Americana since World War II. Combined with Donald Trump's disdain for America's old alliances and China's own regional ambitions, east Asia is entering a new era of instability and conflict. If the United States laid the postwar foundations for modern Asia, now the anchor of the global economy, Asia's Reckoning reveals how that structure is falling apart.
With unrivaled access to archives in the United States and Asia, as well as to many of the major players in all three countries, Richard McGregor has written a tale that blends the tectonic shifts in diplomacy with bitter domestic politics and the personalities driving them. It is a story not only of an overstretched America, but also of the rise and fall and rise of the great powers of Asia. The about-turn of Japan--from a colossus seemingly poised for world domination to a nation in inexorable decline in the space of two decades--has few parallels in modern history, as does the rapid rise of China--a country whose military is now larger than those of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and southeast Asia's combined.
The confrontational course on which China and Japan are set is no simple spat between neighbors: the United States would be involved on the side of Japan in any military conflict between the two countries. The fallout would be an economic tsunami, affecting manufacturing centers, trade routes, and political capitals on every continent. Richard McGregor's book takes us behind the headlines of his years reporting as the Financial Times 's Beijing and Washington bureau chief to show how American power will stand or fall on its ability to hold its ground in Asia.
Publisher: New York :, Viking,, 2017
Copyright Date: ©2017
Branch Call Number: 327.73 MCG 2017
Characteristics: xvii, 396 pages, [16] pages of plates : illustrations, map ; 24 cm
Read more reviews of Asia's Reckoning at iDreamBooks.com
Eastern Question (Far East)
United States — Foreign Relations — China
China — Foreign Relations — United States
United States — Foreign Relations — Japan
Japan — Foreign Relations — United States
Find it at NWPL
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Listen to a unreleased demo of Underworld’s ‘Cowgirl’
50 great tracks of 2014 so far
Published on 20 August 2014, 15:03 Europe/Dublin
House & Techno
Underworld are re-releasing their seminal Dubnobasswithmyheadman album from 1994 as a 20th anniversary edition with 5-CDs and a special show at Royal Festival Hall in London.
Yes, it’s been 20 years since Rick Smith, Darren Emerson & Karl Hyde released their third album (Emerson’s first) which also features ‘Dark & Long’, ‘Dirty Epic’ and ‘Mmm Skyscraper I Love You’.
Underworld had disbanded before this. They were an electro-pop band. Then DJ Darren Emerson got involved and they moved from an unmoored forgotten oddity on the fringes to a band at the centre of the ’90s UK dance music’s fruitful period. ‘Born Slippy’ was still to follow…
For me, the appearance of Dubnobasswithmyheadman in music magazines like Select and NME was the start of intrigue around what dance music could be.
Here’s the demo ‘Cowgirl (Alt Cowgirl C89 Mix from a1564)’ from the release. It has the bones of what is now a classic tune.
The album is out in October. The full tracklisting is here.
It was remastered at Abbey Road with Rick Smith revisiting the original MIDI files and uncovering alternative and unreleased versions of songs.
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Review: Our 15-Year-Old Intern Mulls The Import Of Telltale’s Walking Dead Collection
nygcc / January 1, 2018
After the series won hundreds of awards for its story, gameplay and characters; Telltale Games released The Walking Dead Collection. One disk compiles the entire series and all episodes of Telltale’s The Walking Dead along with, 400 days, and The Walking Dead: Michonne. So how is it?
Nothing about the game has been touched other than its glorified, enhanced graphics. But they’re compelling so you see the game in a new, er, light. The lighting effect, in fact, makes it so much easier to absorb the game’s detail. You witness the rotted pores, decayed teeth, and bleached eyes of the disheveled walkers. As a fan of the Walking Dead myself, I found the changes make the game more sinister and attractive at the same time. Other than the tension rising in the story, you won’t need to worry about staying on your toes with the controls. You simply move your mouse or analog stick and press the correct buttons when the game prompts you.
If it has to do with life during a zombie apocalypse, I’m hooked. I’ve read the entire comic book series of the Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman, and right then and there I became zombie enthusiast. The dystopian society in the world of The Walking Dead gave me a new perspective of life to view; one focused on survival, deceit, disorder, and death around every corner. Somewhat like a hobby, I like to think about how the world would be during a zombie apocalypse. However, I found playing through the Walking Dead Collection by Telltale to be a chore. It wasn’t because I found the game to be lackluster, but because I already knew everything about the game.
Instead of buying the past series when they were released, I took to YouTube. I’ve spent many hours watching YouTubers play the Walking Dead. When viewers waited for the next episode of the game to be released, I impatiently waited with them. I could have simply bought the game in order to play at my pace. I binge watched the game on YouTube with a bag of popcorn as it felt like it would be a little more suspenseful. Tension was high, and I was not in control. Instead of viewing The Walking Dead as a game, I viewed it as a TV show, and that is where my conundrum comes in. If I play the game, what’s the point in watching it, and if I watch the game, what’s the point in playing?
I decided to delve into the game and take another look with a different intention in mind. Rather than nitpicking and fussing about how I knew about the story, I played to see how I felt. Memories of when I first watched The Walking Dead by Telltale Games flowed back to me periodically.
While I played through the segment where the police officer unwillingly crashed into the first walker I saw, I remembered that this was the scene many years ago that sparked my fear of disaster and also of fiction becoming a reality. Deterred from his trip to jail,I remembered Lee in the forest being attacked by a living corpse. Anyone could look into his eyes and see that he was confused and terrified. Season One of The Walking Dead also gave me my first animated view of a post-apocalyptic world. The enhanced graphics made all of my resurfacing experiences more surreal. The character models for both the zombies and characters were sharpened and, the yellow lighting effect made it easier to view the horrors that stalk the survivors and plague the world.
The Walking Dead is an interactive story that you can manipulate to watch relationships grow and break. Although the player is not particularly inside the game, you feel for the characters you control. I enjoy the emotion within The Walking Dead because there are times where I regret my decisions and times where a situation is in my favor, and I felt good watching how the story unfolded afterward.
Needless to say, the Collection has hours worth of story and gameplay. But this is also Telltale’s way to soothe anxious fans after the pre-hype of Season Four. It’s quite the worthy attempt to keep fans occupied and interested until the final series drops in 2018.
Kimari Rennis is a New York Videogame Critics Circle intern, part of our ongoing partnership with Bronx’s DreamYard Prep School.
January 1, 2018 in The Insight. Tags: games, Kimari Rennis, Telltale Games, The waking dead collection, the walking dead
The Insight: Our High School Intern’s Visit With Lickers, Tyrants And Things That Go Resident Evil 2 In The Night
The Insight: Fear And Loathing And Love In The Elder Scrolls: Blades
The Insight: Our Writer Says My Friend Pedro Is A Cup Of Absolute Madness, And That’s A Good Thing!
← Awards! Our Host For January’s New York Game Awards!
Awards! Our Legend Award Goes To Todd Howard! →
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UPH Holdings, Inc.
Who Owns UPH Holdings, Inc. Remnant Assets?
Oak Point Partners acquired the remnant assets of the Liquidating Trust of the UPH Holdings, Inc., et al. Bankruptcy Estates (UPH Holdings) in December 2017.
On March 28, 2013, UPH Holdings and its affiliates filed voluntary petitions under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas, jointly administered under Case No. 13-10570. The Court entered an order confirming the Debtors’ Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization, pursuant to which the Trust was created and vested with the power and duty to administer the remaining assets of the Debtor. Oak Point Partners acquired the remnant assets of the Liquidating Trust of the UPH Holdings, Inc., et al. Bankruptcy Estates in December 2017.
Related Entities: nWire, LLC, Pac-West Telecomm, Inc., Peering Partners Communications, LLC, PointOne Communications, Inc.
Contact Information Regarding Payments to UPH Holdings, Inc.
Inquiries regarding where to send: Overpayments, Undeliverable Funds, Insurance Refunds, Refunds, Warrants, Unclaimed Funds, Rebates, Uncashed Checks, Restitution, Credit Balance, Escheat, Judgment Balance, Abandoned Property, Settlement Proceeds, or any other funds belonging to UPH Holdings, Inc..
Contact Info: UPH Holdings, Inc.
About UPH Holdings, Inc.
UPH Holdings was a telecommunications services provider.
UPH Holdings also operated as nWire, LLC, Pac-West Telecomm, Inc., Peering Partners Communications, LLC, PointOne Communications, Inc., and UniPoint Holdings, Inc.
The former headquarters of UPH Holdings was located in Austin, TX. The company also had a corporate addresses in San Antonio, TX and Stockton, CA.
Money Owed to UPH Holdings, Inc.
Payments, overpayments, refunds, unclaimed or undeliverable funds, uncashed checks, rebates, or other proceeds owed to UPH Holdings, Inc. should now be directed to Oak Point Partners.
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Andrew Torregrossa & Sons, Inc. Funeral Homes
www.torregrossafuneralhome.com
Obituary Listings for Andrew Torregrossa & Sons, Inc. Funeral Homes
William Stewart (January 16, 2012)
Andrew Torregrossa & Sons, Inc. Funeral Homes - Brooklyn, New York
Josephine Ebel (January 15, 2012)
Thomas Livoti (January 14, 2012)
Peggy Jean Sanders (January 12, 2012)
Pietro Setaro (January 12, 2012)
Everett George Jackson (January 11, 2012)
Antoinette Lauria (January 11, 2012)
Albert McDonald (January 10, 2012)
Vita Costantino (January 9, 2012)
Ricardo F. Velez (January 8, 2012)
Francis J. Petriccione (January 8, 2012)
Alfrede D. Provilus (January 5, 2012)
Carmela Caruana (January 3, 2012)
Thomas Durso (January 2, 2012)
Antonio Lucera (January 2, 2012)
Petra Hernandez (January 1, 2012)
Jacqueline P. Burrowes (December 31, 2011)
Arthur Smith (December 31, 2011)
Marion Gibbons (December 30, 2011)
Josephine DeCanio (December 28, 2011)
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You are at:Home»Orthodox News»Orthodox Christian Laity Requests Check on Monasteries
Orthodox Christian Laity Requests Check on Monasteries
By Webmaster on April 2, 2017 Orthodox News, Orthodox News Top Stories
The entrance of St. Anthony’s monastery in Arizona.
By Theodore Kalmoukos
The Orthodox Christian Organization (OCL) during a recent meeting adopted resolutions relating to monasteries that operate in many parts of the United States. The Christian Newswire reported on the issue as well.
The National Herald has reported many times about the issue of the monasteries and more specifically about their ecclesiastic belonging, theological teachings, and financial issues.
There are 18 total monasteries and nunneries in the United States. Technically, these monasteries are under the ecclesiastical and canonical jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and consequently, the local metropolises in which operate. Actually, though, they are under the total control of the priest monk Ephraim and his close associates, whose headquarters are at St. Anthony’s monastery in Florence, AZ.
Fr. Ephraim, founder of the monasteries in the U.S.
TNH reported that a few years ago the Archdiocesan Council, with the insistence of its late Vice Chairman Michael Jaharis, had instituted a special committee to conduct a thorough examination of the monasteries, including their finances, but the issue was stalled because the metropolitans did not cooperate with the committee.
TNH has learned that a fundamentalist movement has been created in the Archdiocese, deriving from the monasteries called “Ephraimism.” Many priests in the parishes have been influenced, and consequently, they pass their influence onto their parishes. Even at the School of Theology in Boston there are fanatic followers of elder Ephraim.
Archbishop Demetrios seems to be fully aware of what is going on with the monasteries but, unfortunately, he does not seem willing to confront the issue. Not even the Archdiocesan Regulations that specify the operation of the monasteries are implemented, and thus we have a situation whereby “a Church has been created within the Church.” Also, the Ecumenical Patriarchate is fully aware of the monasteries and their teachings. There are plenty of videos online with homilies of Fr. Ephraim that are quite revealing about his teachings and even “his prophesies.”
The OCL has brought the issue into light again asking about the implementation of the Regulations of governance of the monasteries. The resolutions follow:
“OCL respectfully calls upon the Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to enforce its own Regulations relating to the Monasteries operating under its auspices in the United States; that each metropolitan who has monasteries within his metropolis require full compliance by those monasteries with the letter and spirit of those Regulations; and, that all information concerning the operations of those monasteries, including but not limited to financial disclosures, be made public.
“OCL respectfully calls upon the Assembly of Bishops to request that all jurisdictions that have not yet done so adopt regulations regarding monasteries in the United States requiring transparency and accountability in financial reporting and Hierarchical oversight of theological teachings; that the Assembly encourage full compliance by those monasteries with the letter and spirit of those Regulations; and, that information relating to the well-being of the Church be made public.”
The Resolutions were adopted after the Board reviewed the provisions of the “General Regulations for the Establishment and Operation of Holy Monasteries in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America” [Protocol #95] issued by the Ecumenical Patriarchate on February 16, 2005. The Regulations are set forth in the Official Documents of the Archdiocese on its website (goarch.org).
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Anthony Carris on April 7, 2017 4:42 pm
The Elder Paisios of The Holy Mountain now proclaimed a Saint by our Orthodox Church in less then twent years is by the OCL standards considered a Fundamentalist. A considered quack like St John the Baptist or St. Anthony The Great…the eighteen Holy Monasteries under the spiritual umbrella of Elder Ephraim are eighteen miracles of unbelievable growth and spiritual attraction. The Cosmas or simple faithful know when they witness The Holy Spirit in their presence, this is why without fundraising the Monasteries are what we all witness and without the financial aid of the Hierarchy or established Church are cared for by the simple minded Yia Yia and Papou’s…If you wish to learn about an Athonite Monks life and teachings read Saint Paisios of Mount Athos by Hiermonk Isaac, Holy Monastery of Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian and The Counsels From The Holy Mountain 1999-2010 St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery…selected from the Letters and Homilies of Elder Ephraim. Before judging take a week long pilgrimage to any one Monastery and see and feel the presence of God.
George D. Karcazes on April 8, 2017 12:56 pm
It is always nice hearing from old, long-time OCL supporters! Accountability and Transparency are OCL goals that I am sure you continue to share. A careful reading of OCL’s resolutions will reveal that all that is called for is for the monasteries operating under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to comply with the Church regulations under which they are authorized to operate in the US. In addition to operating under the Archdiocese, they are all organized under State corporate not-for-profit statutes and enjoy Federal Tax exempt status.
If all of their funding has come from “simple minded Yia Yia and Papou’s”, there should be no issue about having them submit detailed financial statements to the Metropolitan’s under whose omophorion’s they operate and for those financials to be disclosed to the faithful.
OCL has not opined on whether these monasteries are “fundamentalist”; or, whether they represent “healthy” monasticism; or, whether they are a “cult”. Those judgments should be made by theologians and the Metropolitans who are charged with supervising them.
Your friend (and fellow Papou)
Paraskevas (Paris) N. on April 10, 2017 12:17 pm
Thank you George for your succinct and focused point. To me, non-compliance with this alone speaks volumes. Even the perception of indiscretion is rebuked by scripture. The Dokos situation is one such example of what can happen when there is no accountability.
Anthony Carris on April 11, 2017 10:35 am
Paraskevas, I have over twenty five years contributed hundreds of items including large and small sums of monies. Each time I gave I received an official receipt in a prompt manner with a blessing…I have most receipts in my income tax files, do you wish me to email you a recent one of March…Gerry Demetriou who is employed by The Greek Archdiocese was responsible for reviewing The Greek Orthodox Monasteries and found them to be in reasonable good order for their book keeping. Your name symbolizes two great Saints and I thank you for your concerns for you have love for our great Orthodox Church…acarris@icloud.com
Bill Stotis on April 13, 2017 4:08 pm
Mr. Karris,
I take great exception to your assertion that “Gerry Demetriou [sic. proper spelling “Jerry Dimitriou”] who is employed by the Greek Archdiocese was responsible for reviewing the Greek Orthodox Monasteries and found them to be in reasonably good order for their book keeping”. I served on the Monastery Task Force later renamed the Monastery Review Committee (“MRC”) for the GOA. We were appointed by the Archbishop to the MRC in October of 2010. This very topic was an issue and a point of investigation. I personally have spoken to him (Jerry) often on this very topic. I have heard him and many others say the exact opposite of your claimed “Blessing”. Herein lies the problem: people who support the Elder’s movement will say anything to cloud the issue.
Clearly, the issues are not the receipts given to small donors.
Bill George Stotis, Esq.
Member of GOA Council 2008-2016
Jerry Dimitriou on April 13, 2017 7:27 pm
Thank you Bill Stotis for your comments! Greetings to Mr. Carris who I have know for over 35 years!
For the record, I never reviewed financial statements provided by the Monasteries and said they were in “good order”. As Bill Stotis knows, the members of the Monastery Review Committee MRC (of which I was a participant) requested financial statements from ALL of the monasteries but NEVER received most of them. The ones we did receive were insufficient and incomplete. The MRC obtained financial statements of the Monasteries that were filed with their state or filed when they were purchasing properties and not directly from the Monasteries. The financials that we found, were significantly different and showed substantially more assets than those provided by the Monasteries to their Metropolitans or the MRC.
The Monasteries in the United States are NOT following the regulations set forth by the Synod nor are they complying with the direction of their Metropolitans. They are functioning independent and do not follow the rules or the direction of their Metropolitans in most cases.
I hope this clarifies some of the statements made above. Bill Stotis’ comments are exactly on point.
Thanks and have a Kali Anastasi and Blessed Pascha !
Jerry Dimitriou
Anthony Carris on April 19, 2017 5:13 pm
Our Holy Father Simeon The Barefoot: Christos Anesti ! ……I wish to apologize to Jerry Dimitrou and to the readers of OCL. I was incorrect and misleading when I stated Jerry reviewed the Monasteries and found them reasonably in good order. Jerry Dimitriou is a man of virtue and of great value as Exec. Director of The Greek Archdiocese…… My story is that I Pilgrimed every January for three weeks min. To Mount Athos from 1988-1994 where I based at The Holy Monastery of Philotheou. Then Father John Heropoulos, Dircector of The Office of Archbishop Spyidon Primate of the GO Church in America who knew my history requested I personally meet with Archbishop Spyridon. The Archbishop wanted me to explain to him why American Orthodox would benefit from Athonite Monasticsm. We met in New York City and spent one to two hours in an enlightening discussion. The rest is history…..Sometime in 1997-98 the Archbishop Spyridon visited The Holy Monastery of Saint Anthony in Florence, AZ. During this time period I learned that Jerry was instructed to visit Saint Anthony’s Monastery and review or audit the financial records, 1997-98…..since I have not heard of changes in the accounting/bookkeeping I incorrectly assumed the bookkeeping was reasonably in good order…..What my Monastic Brethren have done with the contrbuted monies is nothing less than exceptually careful use of GODS Assets. Anthony Carris acarris@icloud.com
Smil on November 7, 2018 1:06 am
Though monasteries are not required to file 990’s for the actual monastery, their members do have to submit files for the various shell companies they create. These records are easily found on government websites for corporations, nonprofits, tax exempt corporations, etc. Most of the monasteries also incorporate a business that is separate from the Monastery, such as Archangels Winery in Texas. Such corporations are separate from the monastery and in some cases have to submit records of financials. Anything that the monasteries or their side hustles and shell corporations have submitted to the government can be accessed (usually for a minor cost) if you know where to look.
For instance, St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Monastery is a non-profit organization registered under the title “Greek Orthodox Holy Monastery Of St. John The Honorable Forerunner” with the IRS (EIN: 91-1732560) and has $0 to report or claim and no obligation to file 990’s.
However, St John The Forerunner Foundation (EIN# 31-1786555), same physical address as the monastery, files 990 forms. Their primary exempt purpose is “To provide support for St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Monastery…Support is used for operating the monastery and supporting a building fund”. In this IRS document, you can see that the The net assets or fund balances at the end of the year are $216,968. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/311786555_201712_990EZ_2018073015546903.pdf
Archangel Michael Christianorthodox Cemetery Ltd.(EIN# 20-8741575) which is “in care” of a monk from St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery is not required to file 990’s (they charge $10,000+ for a plot). The monastery itself is not listed on the IRS site.
You need to cross reference the names of the various monastics with the various corporate and non-profit websites of the states the monasteries are in. Though they sometimes create shell companies out of state, the physical address is still in the state where the monastery is located. Searches should include full wordly name; monastic name with worldly surname, and monastic name with “father”, “sister”, “abbot” or “abbess” as the first name. Also, lay pilgrims who are really close to the monasteries will also sign on as principals.
This is also the way you can find the other “secret” monasteries Elder Ephraim has been establishing throughout the US. Even though Spyridon told him “no more monasteries”, he continued to buy various properties in preparation for when it would be blessed.
* St Stephens Foundation (Yearly income of $1.63 million) https://scottnevinssuicide.wordpress.com/2014/12/18/st-stephens-foundation-yearly-income-of-1-63-million/
*Another Shell Corporation? St. Silouan’s Monastery in Tempe, AZ https://scottnevinssuicide.wordpress.com/2018/10/30/another-shell-corporation-st-silouans-monastery-in-tempe-az/
*Elder Ephraim’s Newest Nunnery: Orthodox Christian Sisterhood of the Holy Unmercenaries in Coolidge, AZ https://scottnevinssuicide.wordpress.com/2018/10/30/elder-ephraims-newest-nunnery-orthodox-christian-sisterhood-of-the-holy-unmercenaries-in-coolidge-az/
*Chrisanthos Arvanitakis: Hieromonk, Construction Worker, Corporate Agent https://scottnevinssuicide.wordpress.com/2014/12/18/chrisanthos-arvanitakis-hieromonk-construction-worker-corporate-agent/
* Dormition of the Theotokos Monastery in Cochise Stronghold, AZ (Updated with New Information) https://scottnevinssuicide.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/obedience-and-authority-dimensions-of-a-hierarchical-church-fr-john-chryssavgis/
*Archangel Michael Christianorthodox Cemetery Ltd (Roscoe, NY) https://scottnevinssuicide.wordpress.com/2015/01/01/archangel-michael-christianorthodox-cemetery-ltd-roscoe-ny/
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Surveillance of work-related musculoskeletal disorders
Fred Gerr
Dr Fred Gerr, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; fred-gerr{at}uiowa.edu
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oem.2007.037515
In this issue of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Palmer et al1 compare the prevalence of arm pain perceived by workers to be work-related with the prevalence of arm pain among persons who experience occupational exposure to any of four physical activities believed to give rise to arm pain (see page 331). The purpose of this comparison was to assess the potential for overestimation of attribution to work by affected workers. This was no mere academic exercise since the methods used to ascertain the prevalence of arm pain perceived by workers to be work-related duplicated those of the UK Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Labour Force Survey, a set of questions administered to some 50 000 UK households which provides information about the employment status and health of UK citizens. According to the HSE, the Labour Force Survey is “the single most comprehensively reported data source for information about work-related illness and workplace accidents, and a main HSE source of information on working days lost”.2
In comparing the methods used by the HSE with an alternative method of ascertaining the work-relatedness of arm pain that was not based on worker perception, Palmer et al observed a substantially greater number of cases of arm pain attributed to work by workers themselves than expected from estimates of the number of cases among persons exposed to risk factors for arm pain. They concluded that “Counting people with arm pain which they believe to …
2008 BMJ Publishing Group
How common is repetitive strain injury?
K T Palmer I Reading M Calnan D Coggon
Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2007; 65 331-335 Published Online First: 04 Dec 2007. doi: 10.1136/oem.2007.035378
EPICOH 2017 prize winners
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