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Security Tips & Advice
Security Tips & Advice (12)
Security Tips & Advice >
Security: Deciding Whether or Not to Notify
Category: Security Tips & Advice
Web Browsers: Update Browsers & Manage Add-ons
Keep Web Browsers Up-to-Date Most Web Browser Updates address Security Vulnerabilities and Critical Issues that NEED to be resolved. It is VERY IMPORTANT that these are kept up-to-date. These instructions will show How...
Data Classification Data at LSU can be classified into three categories (Confidential, Private or Public). Confidential data has a high level of sensitivity. Private data has a moderate level of sensitivity. Public data has a low level of sensitivity. Each category carries a different level of access and reputation risk. PS06.20...
Security Reviews: LSU Overview
General Information Departments on LSU's campus have to abide by LSU, State, and Federal policies and laws regarding Information Technology. It is not an easy to determine if a department is in full compliance or not. The IT Security and Policy Office can assist each department to determine the security level of their...
Report Phishing E-mail - Cofense Reporter
Report Phishing E-mails The LSU IT Security and Policy (ITSP) Team has deployed Cofense Reporter, an application that provides users the ability to report suspicious e-mails to the ITSP team quickly and efficiently. The application will be available for all @lsu.edu mailboxes automatically without any user intervention.
Security at LSU: How to Create & Secure a Windows File Share
General Information It is important to keep Windows files secure. These steps will show how to create and secure a Windows file share. Also, how do you do the first step for the Windows 7 & Windows 8 Operating Systems. 1. Open the Search feature by pressing "Windows + S" or by...
What are Viruses?
Frequently Asked Questions What are viruses? Viruses are malicious programs which when executed on a computer produce an undesired effect. While this effect may not be noticeable, often viruses delete or corrupt files and incorporate means to spread themselves. Commonly, viruses are spread through email and instant messaging...
Article Id: 137
Security: Identity Theft Links
Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft - A Recovery Plan United States Department of Justice Identity Theft and...
Check It Before You Click It - Phishing, Malicious Links & Spoofed Headers
Most phishing scams can be avoided by sticking to these basic principles: 1. Treat ALL LINKS as if they are suspicious. (Links include Web Addresses & URLs) 2. Log in with your LSU PAWS ID at official lsu.edu...
E-mail: Obtain the E-mail Header Message (By Client)
Find, Copy & Paste the E-mail Message Header -- Note: The LSU IT Security and Policy (ITSP) Team has deployed Cofense Reporter, an application that provides users the ability to report suspicious e-mails to the ITSP team quickly and efficiently. All applicable e-mail headers are included in the alert sent to...
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Dirhams and Dollars
Turkish inflation rises to 11.8%, window for more rate cuts narrows
Rising inflation, lira weakening curb room for rate cuts
Published: January 03, 2020 17:40 Reuters
File photo: A merchant counts Turkish lira banknotes at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey. Image Credit: REUTERS
ISTANBUL: Turkey’s annual inflation rate rose slightly more than expected to 11.84 per cent in December, official data showed on Friday, ending the year close to a government target and probably narrowing the window for more interest rate cuts in 2020.
The Turkish government, which pushed the central bank for aggressive monetary easing last year to lift the economy from recession, had forecast 12 per cent inflation at the end of 2019 and sees it edging down to 8.5 per cent by the end of 2020.
A Reuters poll had forecast consumer price inflation at 11.56 per cent last month, up from 10.56 per cent in November.
Month-on-month, consumer inflation stood at 0.74 per cent in December, again higher than the poll’s forecast of 0.49 per cent.
Turkish inflation readings typically came in lower than expected last year, encouraging the central bank to slash its key policy rate to 12 per cent by December from 24 per cent in July.
The bank says it sets policy to yield a “reasonable” real interest rate, which has been compressed by the rise in inflation last month. That could curb room for a bit more policy easing in the first half of 2020, analysts said.
“The room for further policy easing is limited (and) recent depreciation pressure in the currency would put more pressure on the central bank to stop,” QNB Finansbank economists wrote in a note.
The lira fell 5 per cent against the dollar in the fourth quarter of 2019, due in part to Turkey’s military incursion in Syria and the threat of US sanctions. It was down 0.3 per cent on Friday at 0946 GMT after the US killing of a top Iranian commander in Iraq ratcheted up tensions between the two powers.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan fired the central bank’s then chief in early July for not following policy instructions, a move that added to doubts about the bank’s independence.
Separately, on Friday, the bank scheduled an extraordinary general assembly for January for a second straight year, rather than April as in previous years, so that it could speed up the distribution of its annual profits to the government. The meeting will be held on Jan. 20.
In 2018, annual inflation surged to a 15-year high above 25 per cent as Turkey’s currency crisis sent the cost of imports soaring.
Since then, the combination of initially tight monetary policy, weak domestic demand and so-called base effects helped bring price rises down and by October of 2019, the gauge fell to as low as 8.55 per cent.
The consumer price index (CPI) rebounded in the last two months primarily due to base effects, though in December a 43 per cent annual surge in alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices, following tax rises, also lifted the overall measure.
The producer price index rose 0.69 per cent month-on-month in December for an annual rise of 7.36 per cent, data from the Turkish Statistical Institute also showed.
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Harden hammers 44 points as Houston Rockets beat 76ers
Orlando, Celtics emerge day’s other winners in NBA section
Published: January 04, 2020 17:07 AP
Houston: James Harden had 44 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in the Houston Rockets’ 118-108 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.
On a ‘Flashback Friday’ in which the Rockets wore retro ketchup-and-mustard uniforms from their back-to-back NBA title days in the mid-90s, Harden sported a white headband and cornrows.
Harden hit a deep step-back 3-pointer over Josh Richardson with 1:17 left in the game that put Houston up 10. On the next possession, he found Clint Capela with an alley-oop for a thunderous dunk.
Capela was a point shy of his career high in scoring with 30 points and 14 rebounds.
Terrence Ross scored 25 points, Nikola Vucevic had 20 points and 11 rebounds and Orlando shut down Miami 105-85 in the fourth quarter.
Elsewhere, Jaylen Brown had 24 points and 10 rebounds and Boston Celtics overcome an 18-point, first-quarter deficit against Atlanta to prevail 109-106.
Damian Lillard scored 35 points and CJ McCollum added 24 in Portland’s 122-103 victory over Washington. Hassan Whiteside added 23 points, 21 rebounds and five blocks to help Portland snap a five-game losing streak.
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Daybook of Benjamin Franklin Thomas: Accounting Pages
These pages appear to be a record of accounting for Benjamin Franklin Thomas. They also include miscellaneous items. In this photo, an account of money spent on miscellaneous items can be seen. For example, one can see that Benjamin Franklin Thomas bought a tobacco plug for $.68. The top half of the page seen on the left shows a record, one can assume, of how much money was spent per day, beginning on June 8.
Benjamin Franklin Thomas worked as an elephant tamer for the Van Amburgh Circus in the mid nineteenth-century. He wrote in his daybook regularly when he travelled.
Benjamin Franklin Thomas
Robert E. Smith, Lincoln History Harvest, 2014
Document Item Type Metadata
Robert E. Smith
Benjamin Franklin Thomas, daybook, Lincoln History Harvest 2014, Van Amburgh Circus
Benjamin Franklin Thomas, “Daybook of Benjamin Franklin Thomas: Accounting Pages,” History Harvest, accessed January 22, 2020, https://historyharvest.unl.edu/items/show/596.
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Review Scoring Guide
About HNE
Discord Chat Server
HN Entertainment
Home News Movie News Watch The Teaser Trailer For Pixar’s ‘Soul’ Starring Jamie Foxx & Tina...
Watch The Teaser Trailer For Pixar’s ‘Soul’ Starring Jamie Foxx & Tina Fey – Releases June 19th, 2020
Christopher Marc
Yesterday, we got the first images and details about Pixar’s upcoming release of their brand new original animated film Soul starring voice actors that include Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Daveed Diggs, Questlove, and Phylicia Rashad.
Today, Disney has dropped the very first footage with a teaser trailer which you can watch below.
The Pixar film will also feature music composed by Jon Batiste, Atticus Ross, and Trent Reznor.
Directed by two-time Academy Award®-winner Pete Docter, co-directed by Kemp Powers and produced by Academy Award®-nominee Dana Murray, Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” opens in theaters on June 19, 2020. According to Docter, the idea for the story is 23 years in the making. “It started with my son—he’s 23 now—but the instant he was born, he already had a personality,” says Docter. “Where did that come from? I thought your personality developed through your interaction with the world. And yet, it was pretty clear that we’re all born with a very unique, specific sense of who we are.”
“Soul” introduces Joe Gardner, a middle-school band teacher whose true passion is playing jazz. “I think Joe is having that crisis that all artists have,” says Powers. “He’s increasingly feeling like his lifelong dream of being a jazz musician is not going to pan out and he’s asking himself ‘Why am I here? What am I meant to be doing?’ Joe personifies those questions.”
In the film, just when Joe thinks his dream might be in reach, a single unexpected step sends him to a fantastical place where he’s is forced to think again about what it truly means to have soul. That’s where he meets and ultimately teams up with 22, a soul who doesn’t think life on Earth is all it’s cracked up to be. Jamie Foxx lends his voice to Joe, while Tina Fey voices 22. “The comedy comes naturally,” says Murray. “But the subtle emotion that reveals the truth to the characters is really something special.”
Soul releases on June 19th, 2020.
SOURCE: DISNEY
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https://www.hnentertainment.co
Hailing from Canada, Christopher Marc has been a writer and blogger in the film/fan community for ten years writing for various outlets and personal websites. Including co-founding film news outlet Omega Underground (now incorporated into Geeks World Wide) and writing bylines for IGN. Christopher has a knack for covering film/television production news. He also has a deep passion for film franchises such as Alien and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Daniel Craig Would Be “Over The Moon” To Return For Rian Johnson’s ‘Knives Out’ Sequel
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Final Season of ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ To Begin Airing On Disney+ Starting February 21st – Watch New Trailer January 22, 2020
Daniel Craig Would Be “Over The Moon” To Return For Rian Johnson’s ‘Knives Out’ Sequel January 22, 2020
J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Reportedly Developing ‘Justice League Dark’ Film & TV Projects For WB January 22, 2020
Marvel’s ‘M.O.D.O.K.’ Series Will Be Stop Motion Animation From The Studio Behind ‘Robot Chicken’ January 22, 2020
First Look At Wyatt Russell As U.S. Agent In ‘The Falcon & The Winter Soldier’ – Set Photos Reveal Walker Is Wielding Cap’s Shield January 21, 2020
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‘Hobbs and Shaw’ Continues To Crush The Box Office As It...
‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ Producer Teases Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio May Return...
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September 5, 2014 - 6:13 pm EST 5 years ago
Sellout Crowds In Denver Won’t Help PGA Tour Return On Regular Basis
back9network Follow
The BMW Championship announced late Wednesday that tickets for Sunday’s final round at Cherry Hills had been sold out, and those on offer for Saturday were also nearly depleted. There are 27,000 available per day.
So it appears as if fans in the Denver area, who haven’t witnessed a live PGA Tour event since 2006, like them some golf. Might the tour explore returning to the area on a regular basis?
Not likely.
For one, the PGA Tour’s schedule is pretty packed, especially from June to September, the most ideal time of year for golf in Colorado. Unless another tournament folds, is canceled or for some reason is taken off the schedule, there’s no room for any new events, let alone one near Denver.
“There wouldn’t be any hesitation about a tour event here,” PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem told the Denver Post. “We’d be excited about it. We would love to play here on a regular basis. There are great sports fans here. We’re seeing it this week. And there are good golf courses here.”
One of those layouts is in Castle Rock, about 30 minutes south of Denver, where The International was played on the PGA Tour from 1986-2006 at Castle Pines Golf Club. Not coincidentally, that tournament ended when the FedExCup playoffs began. The new PGA Tour schedule required some shuffling of dates, and Castle Pines was reportedly asked to be one of the playoff events. It declined because tournament director Jack Vickers didn’t want his tournament to be played during football season, and because he didn’t want to relinquish control of how the event was run.
“I’m either going to do it right or I’m not going to do it,” Vickers said on Feb. 8, 2007, the day he announced The International’s cancelation.
Now, the more likely opportunity for a Denver-area course to regularly get back on the PGA Tour schedule would be to get on a rotation to host an event like the BMW Championship. According to the Denver Post, Finchem said that could happen with Cherry Hills, but no official talks of such a “rota” have been had.
As for an annual event, even if a date opened up, none of the courses near Denver with past experience hosting a PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, Champions Tour, or other major golf tournament seem to have interest in opening up their tracks to so many fans every year. According to Mile High Sports Magazine, Castle Pines members “are really enjoying having their golf course.” Same goes for three other clubs mentioned.
So maybe that’s why Denver fans are turning out in droves for the BMW Championship – they have no idea when or if the world’s best golfers will ever return.
Related Link: PGA Tour Wanted Denver Broncos To Win Super Bowl
Other Hot Links:
– Tournament Hole Of The Week: BMW Championship
– John Elway As Popular As The PGA Tour Pros At BMW Championship
– Mickelson, Watson to Join Rory McIlroy at Denver Broncos’ Game
– Outtakes: Peyton Manning Clowns In BMW Championship Ad
– 5 Things You Need To Know: BMW Championship at Cherry Hills
– Golfstradamaus: BMW Championship
– 11 Most Memorable Denver Sports Moments
– The Odds: Rory McIlroy Favorite At BMW Championship
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Home News Opera Mini 45.0.2254.144855 Update Introduces File Sharing Functionality
Opera Mini 45.0.2254.144855 Update Introduces File Sharing Functionality
Chin Cullin December 6, 2019 0 Comment
Do you feel like Chrome is using too much of your smartphone’s resources, but you are not willing to give up on the fast web surfing experience that it offers? If that is the case, then you should be pleased to find out that Opera Mini, which is a lightweight mobile browser, is the perfect alternative to Chrome and all other pre-installed browsers. Despite being a lightweight app that weighs in at less than 10MB, this doesn’t mean that the performances offered by Opera Mini are sup-bar, quite the opposite!
Opera Mini is equipped with lots of useful features that make surfing the web a smoother experience, but more importantly, Opera Mini benefits from full-fledged developer support. This means that the developers who are in charge of Opera Mini are constantly improving its performances via a constant stream of updates.
Opera Mini 45.0.2254.144855 Update
As previously noted, Opera Mini is updated on a regular basis and this is why it should come as no surprise that a new update has arrived earlier this morning. The new update for Opera Mini sports the 45.0.2254.144855 version number and it is available to download right now.
Opera Mini fans can choose to either wait for the update to pop up in their notification panels or to take matters into their own hands and download the update in the form of APK. This is a special type of update and the APK acronym stands for “Android Package Kit”. The trick to installing APK releases is to first enable the “Unknown Sources” option.
The new update is a high-priority release and all Opera Mini fans are advised to download it as soon as possible. The reason behind this is that the new update is introducing file sharing functionality. Therefore, Opera Mini fans can now transfer all types of files with their friends.
Chin Cullin
Chin Cullin has only been working as a journalist for just a few short years. Chin attended a technical school while still in high school where he learned a variety of skills, from digital design to coding. Apart from being a contributor to the site, Chin also helps keep Henri Le Chat Noir up and running as our webmaster.
Opera Mini Opera Mini 45.0.2254.144855 Update
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Researchers Learned More About the Humming Noises Detected Across the World
Your reaction to the dangers goes through your skeleton
The rings of Saturn will eventually be as old as the solar system
New evidence of the Sahara’s age
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Mercurial > users > jst_mozilla.com > dom-bindings / file revision / LICENSE@d9eef5ca9ae5d02f52257bad5d72a766fd9fc174
summary | shortlog | changelog | pushlog | graph | tags | bookmarks | branches | files | changeset | file | latest | revisions | annotate | diff | comparison | raw | help
author bent.mozilla@gmail.com
Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:55:50 -0700
changeset 14692 d9eef5ca9ae5d02f52257bad5d72a766fd9fc174
parent 1 9b2a99adc05e53cd4010de512f50118594756650
child 40458 1584ba8c1b86f9c4de5ccda5241cef36e80f042c
Bug 430718 - "Better objc exception logging with stack traces in debug builds". r=josh, sr=roc. a=DEBUG-only change.
MOZILLA PUBLIC LICENSE
1. Definitions.
1.0.1. "Commercial Use" means distribution or otherwise making the
Covered Code available to a third party.
1.1. "Contributor" means each entity that creates or contributes to
the creation of Modifications.
1.2. "Contributor Version" means the combination of the Original
Code, prior Modifications used by a Contributor, and the Modifications
made by that particular Contributor.
1.3. "Covered Code" means the Original Code or Modifications or the
combination of the Original Code and Modifications, in each case
including portions thereof.
1.4. "Electronic Distribution Mechanism" means a mechanism generally
accepted in the software development community for the electronic
1.5. "Executable" means Covered Code in any form other than Source
Code.
1.6. "Initial Developer" means the individual or entity identified
as the Initial Developer in the Source Code notice required by Exhibit
1.7. "Larger Work" means a work which combines Covered Code or
portions thereof with code not governed by the terms of this License.
1.8. "License" means this document.
1.8.1. "Licensable" means having the right to grant, to the maximum
extent possible, whether at the time of the initial grant or
subsequently acquired, any and all of the rights conveyed herein.
1.9. "Modifications" means any addition to or deletion from the
substance or structure of either the Original Code or any previous
Modifications. When Covered Code is released as a series of files, a
Modification is:
A. Any addition to or deletion from the contents of a file
containing Original Code or previous Modifications.
B. Any new file that contains any part of the Original Code or
previous Modifications.
1.10. "Original Code" means Source Code of computer software code
which is described in the Source Code notice required by Exhibit A as
Original Code, and which, at the time of its release under this
License is not already Covered Code governed by this License.
1.10.1. "Patent Claims" means any patent claim(s), now owned or
hereafter acquired, including without limitation, method, process,
and apparatus claims, in any patent Licensable by grantor.
1.11. "Source Code" means the preferred form of the Covered Code for
making modifications to it, including all modules it contains, plus
any associated interface definition files, scripts used to control
compilation and installation of an Executable, or source code
differential comparisons against either the Original Code or another
well known, available Covered Code of the Contributor's choice. The
Source Code can be in a compressed or archival form, provided the
appropriate decompression or de-archiving software is widely available
for no charge.
1.12. "You" (or "Your") means an individual or a legal entity
exercising rights under, and complying with all of the terms of, this
License or a future version of this License issued under Section 6.1.
For legal entities, "You" includes any entity which controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with You. For purposes of
this definition, "control" means (a) the power, direct or indirect,
to cause the direction or management of such entity, whether by
contract or otherwise, or (b) ownership of more than fifty percent
(50%) of the outstanding shares or beneficial ownership of such
2. Source Code License.
2.1. The Initial Developer Grant.
The Initial Developer hereby grants You a world-wide, royalty-free,
non-exclusive license, subject to third party intellectual property
(a) under intellectual property rights (other than patent or
trademark) Licensable by Initial Developer to use, reproduce,
modify, display, perform, sublicense and distribute the Original
Code (or portions thereof) with or without Modifications, and/or
as part of a Larger Work; and
(b) under Patents Claims infringed by the making, using or
selling of Original Code, to make, have made, use, practice,
sell, and offer for sale, and/or otherwise dispose of the
Original Code (or portions thereof).
(c) the licenses granted in this Section 2.1(a) and (b) are
effective on the date Initial Developer first distributes
Original Code under the terms of this License.
(d) Notwithstanding Section 2.1(b) above, no patent license is
granted: 1) for code that You delete from the Original Code; 2)
separate from the Original Code; or 3) for infringements caused
by: i) the modification of the Original Code or ii) the
combination of the Original Code with other software or devices.
2.2. Contributor Grant.
Subject to third party intellectual property claims, each Contributor
hereby grants You a world-wide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license
trademark) Licensable by Contributor, to use, reproduce, modify,
display, perform, sublicense and distribute the Modifications
created by such Contributor (or portions thereof) either on an
unmodified basis, with other Modifications, as Covered Code
and/or as part of a Larger Work; and
(b) under Patent Claims infringed by the making, using, or
selling of Modifications made by that Contributor either alone
and/or in combination with its Contributor Version (or portions
of such combination), to make, use, sell, offer for sale, have
made, and/or otherwise dispose of: 1) Modifications made by that
Contributor (or portions thereof); and 2) the combination of
Modifications made by that Contributor with its Contributor
Version (or portions of such combination).
(c) the licenses granted in Sections 2.2(a) and 2.2(b) are
effective on the date Contributor first makes Commercial Use of
the Covered Code.
granted: 1) for any code that Contributor has deleted from the
Contributor Version; 2) separate from the Contributor Version;
3) for infringements caused by: i) third party modifications of
Contributor Version or ii) the combination of Modifications made
by that Contributor with other software (except as part of the
Contributor Version) or other devices; or 4) under Patent Claims
infringed by Covered Code in the absence of Modifications made by
that Contributor.
3. Distribution Obligations.
3.1. Application of License.
The Modifications which You create or to which You contribute are
governed by the terms of this License, including without limitation
Section 2.2. The Source Code version of Covered Code may be
distributed only under the terms of this License or a future version
of this License released under Section 6.1, and You must include a
copy of this License with every copy of the Source Code You
distribute. You may not offer or impose any terms on any Source Code
version that alters or restricts the applicable version of this
License or the recipients' rights hereunder. However, You may include
an additional document offering the additional rights described in
Section 3.5.
3.2. Availability of Source Code.
Any Modification which You create or to which You contribute must be
made available in Source Code form under the terms of this License
either on the same media as an Executable version or via an accepted
Electronic Distribution Mechanism to anyone to whom you made an
Executable version available; and if made available via Electronic
Distribution Mechanism, must remain available for at least twelve (12)
months after the date it initially became available, or at least six
(6) months after a subsequent version of that particular Modification
has been made available to such recipients. You are responsible for
ensuring that the Source Code version remains available even if the
Electronic Distribution Mechanism is maintained by a third party.
3.3. Description of Modifications.
You must cause all Covered Code to which You contribute to contain a
file documenting the changes You made to create that Covered Code and
the date of any change. You must include a prominent statement that
the Modification is derived, directly or indirectly, from Original
Code provided by the Initial Developer and including the name of the
Initial Developer in (a) the Source Code, and (b) in any notice in an
Executable version or related documentation in which You describe the
origin or ownership of the Covered Code.
3.4. Intellectual Property Matters
(a) Third Party Claims.
If Contributor has knowledge that a license under a third party's
intellectual property rights is required to exercise the rights
granted by such Contributor under Sections 2.1 or 2.2,
Contributor must include a text file with the Source Code
distribution titled "LEGAL" which describes the claim and the
party making the claim in sufficient detail that a recipient will
know whom to contact. If Contributor obtains such knowledge after
the Modification is made available as described in Section 3.2,
Contributor shall promptly modify the LEGAL file in all copies
Contributor makes available thereafter and shall take other steps
(such as notifying appropriate mailing lists or newsgroups)
reasonably calculated to inform those who received the Covered
Code that new knowledge has been obtained.
(b) Contributor APIs.
If Contributor's Modifications include an application programming
interface and Contributor has knowledge of patent licenses which
are reasonably necessary to implement that API, Contributor must
also include this information in the LEGAL file.
(c) Representations.
Contributor represents that, except as disclosed pursuant to
Section 3.4(a) above, Contributor believes that Contributor's
Modifications are Contributor's original creation(s) and/or
Contributor has sufficient rights to grant the rights conveyed by
3.5. Required Notices.
You must duplicate the notice in Exhibit A in each file of the Source
Code. If it is not possible to put such notice in a particular Source
Code file due to its structure, then You must include such notice in a
location (such as a relevant directory) where a user would be likely
to look for such a notice. If You created one or more Modification(s)
You may add your name as a Contributor to the notice described in
Exhibit A. You must also duplicate this License in any documentation
for the Source Code where You describe recipients' rights or ownership
rights relating to Covered Code. You may choose to offer, and to
charge a fee for, warranty, support, indemnity or liability
obligations to one or more recipients of Covered Code. However, You
may do so only on Your own behalf, and not on behalf of the Initial
Developer or any Contributor. You must make it absolutely clear than
any such warranty, support, indemnity or liability obligation is
offered by You alone, and You hereby agree to indemnify the Initial
Developer and every Contributor for any liability incurred by the
Initial Developer or such Contributor as a result of warranty,
support, indemnity or liability terms You offer.
3.6. Distribution of Executable Versions.
You may distribute Covered Code in Executable form only if the
requirements of Section 3.1-3.5 have been met for that Covered Code,
and if You include a notice stating that the Source Code version of
the Covered Code is available under the terms of this License,
including a description of how and where You have fulfilled the
obligations of Section 3.2. The notice must be conspicuously included
in any notice in an Executable version, related documentation or
collateral in which You describe recipients' rights relating to the
Covered Code. You may distribute the Executable version of Covered
Code or ownership rights under a license of Your choice, which may
contain terms different from this License, provided that You are in
compliance with the terms of this License and that the license for the
Executable version does not attempt to limit or alter the recipient's
rights in the Source Code version from the rights set forth in this
License. If You distribute the Executable version under a different
license You must make it absolutely clear that any terms which differ
from this License are offered by You alone, not by the Initial
Developer or any Contributor. You hereby agree to indemnify the
Initial Developer and every Contributor for any liability incurred by
the Initial Developer or such Contributor as a result of any such
terms You offer.
3.7. Larger Works.
You may create a Larger Work by combining Covered Code with other code
not governed by the terms of this License and distribute the Larger
Work as a single product. In such a case, You must make sure the
requirements of this License are fulfilled for the Covered Code.
4. Inability to Comply Due to Statute or Regulation.
If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this
License with respect to some or all of the Covered Code due to
statute, judicial order, or regulation then You must: (a) comply with
the terms of this License to the maximum extent possible; and (b)
describe the limitations and the code they affect. Such description
must be included in the LEGAL file described in Section 3.4 and must
be included with all distributions of the Source Code. Except to the
extent prohibited by statute or regulation, such description must be
sufficiently detailed for a recipient of ordinary skill to be able to
understand it.
5. Application of this License.
This License applies to code to which the Initial Developer has
attached the notice in Exhibit A and to related Covered Code.
6. Versions of the License.
6.1. New Versions.
Netscape Communications Corporation ("Netscape") may publish revised
and/or new versions of the License from time to time. Each version
will be given a distinguishing version number.
6.2. Effect of New Versions.
Once Covered Code has been published under a particular version of the
License, You may always continue to use it under the terms of that
version. You may also choose to use such Covered Code under the terms
of any subsequent version of the License published by Netscape. No one
other than Netscape has the right to modify the terms applicable to
Covered Code created under this License.
6.3. Derivative Works.
If You create or use a modified version of this License (which you may
only do in order to apply it to code which is not already Covered Code
governed by this License), You must (a) rename Your license so that
the phrases "Mozilla", "MOZILLAPL", "MOZPL", "Netscape",
"MPL", "NPL" or any confusingly similar phrase do not appear in your
license (except to note that your license differs from this License)
and (b) otherwise make it clear that Your version of the license
contains terms which differ from the Mozilla Public License and
Netscape Public License. (Filling in the name of the Initial
Developer, Original Code or Contributor in the notice described in
Exhibit A shall not of themselves be deemed to be modifications of
this License.)
COVERED CODE IS PROVIDED UNDER THIS LICENSE ON AN "AS IS" BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES THAT THE COVERED CODE IS FREE OF
DEFECTS, MERCHANTABLE, FIT FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGING.
THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE COVERED CODE
IS WITH YOU. SHOULD ANY COVERED CODE PROVE DEFECTIVE IN ANY RESPECT,
YOU (NOT THE INITIAL DEVELOPER OR ANY OTHER CONTRIBUTOR) ASSUME THE
COST OF ANY NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION. THIS DISCLAIMER
OF WARRANTY CONSTITUTES AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THIS LICENSE. NO USE OF
ANY COVERED CODE IS AUTHORIZED HEREUNDER EXCEPT UNDER THIS DISCLAIMER.
8. TERMINATION.
8.1. This License and the rights granted hereunder will terminate
automatically if You fail to comply with terms herein and fail to cure
such breach within 30 days of becoming aware of the breach. All
sublicenses to the Covered Code which are properly granted shall
survive any termination of this License. Provisions which, by their
nature, must remain in effect beyond the termination of this License
shall survive.
8.2. If You initiate litigation by asserting a patent infringement
claim (excluding declatory judgment actions) against Initial Developer
or a Contributor (the Initial Developer or Contributor against whom
You file such action is referred to as "Participant") alleging that:
(a) such Participant's Contributor Version directly or indirectly
infringes any patent, then any and all rights granted by such
Participant to You under Sections 2.1 and/or 2.2 of this License
shall, upon 60 days notice from Participant terminate prospectively,
unless if within 60 days after receipt of notice You either: (i)
agree in writing to pay Participant a mutually agreeable reasonable
royalty for Your past and future use of Modifications made by such
Participant, or (ii) withdraw Your litigation claim with respect to
the Contributor Version against such Participant. If within 60 days
of notice, a reasonable royalty and payment arrangement are not
mutually agreed upon in writing by the parties or the litigation claim
is not withdrawn, the rights granted by Participant to You under
Sections 2.1 and/or 2.2 automatically terminate at the expiration of
the 60 day notice period specified above.
(b) any software, hardware, or device, other than such Participant's
Contributor Version, directly or indirectly infringes any patent, then
any rights granted to You by such Participant under Sections 2.1(b)
and 2.2(b) are revoked effective as of the date You first made, used,
sold, distributed, or had made, Modifications made by that
Participant.
8.3. If You assert a patent infringement claim against Participant
alleging that such Participant's Contributor Version directly or
indirectly infringes any patent where such claim is resolved (such as
by license or settlement) prior to the initiation of patent
infringement litigation, then the reasonable value of the licenses
granted by such Participant under Sections 2.1 or 2.2 shall be taken
into account in determining the amount or value of any payment or
license.
8.4. In the event of termination under Sections 8.1 or 8.2 above,
all end user license agreements (excluding distributors and resellers)
which have been validly granted by You or any distributor hereunder
prior to termination shall survive termination.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES AND UNDER NO LEGAL THEORY, WHETHER TORT
(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE, SHALL YOU, THE INITIAL
DEVELOPER, ANY OTHER CONTRIBUTOR, OR ANY DISTRIBUTOR OF COVERED CODE,
OR ANY SUPPLIER OF ANY OF SUCH PARTIES, BE LIABLE TO ANY PERSON FOR
ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY
CHARACTER INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF GOODWILL,
WORK STOPPAGE, COMPUTER FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, OR ANY AND ALL OTHER
COMMERCIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, EVEN IF SUCH PARTY SHALL HAVE BEEN
INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THIS LIMITATION OF
LIABILITY SHALL NOT APPLY TO LIABILITY FOR DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY
RESULTING FROM SUCH PARTY'S NEGLIGENCE TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE LAW
PROHIBITS SUCH LIMITATION. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE
EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO
THIS EXCLUSION AND LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
10. U.S. GOVERNMENT END USERS.
The Covered Code is a "commercial item," as that term is defined in
48 C.F.R. 2.101 (Oct. 1995), consisting of "commercial computer
software" and "commercial computer software documentation," as such
terms are used in 48 C.F.R. 12.212 (Sept. 1995). Consistent with 48
C.F.R. 12.212 and 48 C.F.R. 227.7202-1 through 227.7202-4 (June 1995),
all U.S. Government End Users acquire Covered Code with only those
rights set forth herein.
This License represents the complete agreement concerning subject
matter hereof. If any provision of this License is held to be
unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent
necessary to make it enforceable. This License shall be governed by
California law provisions (except to the extent applicable law, if
any, provides otherwise), excluding its conflict-of-law provisions.
With respect to disputes in which at least one party is a citizen of,
or an entity chartered or registered to do business in the United
States of America, any litigation relating to this License shall be
subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts of the Northern
District of California, with venue lying in Santa Clara County,
California, with the losing party responsible for costs, including
without limitation, court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses. The application of the United Nations Convention on
Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is expressly excluded.
Any law or regulation which provides that the language of a contract
shall be construed against the drafter shall not apply to this
12. RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLAIMS.
As between Initial Developer and the Contributors, each party is
responsible for claims and damages arising, directly or indirectly,
out of its utilization of rights under this License and You agree to
work with Initial Developer and Contributors to distribute such
responsibility on an equitable basis. Nothing herein is intended or
shall be deemed to constitute any admission of liability.
13. MULTIPLE-LICENSED CODE.
Initial Developer may designate portions of the Covered Code as
"Multiple-Licensed". "Multiple-Licensed" means that the Initial
Developer permits you to utilize portions of the Covered Code under
Your choice of the NPL or the alternative licenses, if any, specified
by the Initial Developer in the file described in Exhibit A.
EXHIBIT A -Mozilla Public License.
``The contents of this file are subject to the Mozilla Public License
Version 1.1 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in
compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at
http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/
Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS"
basis, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
License for the specific language governing rights and limitations
under the License.
The Original Code is ______________________________________.
The Initial Developer of the Original Code is ________________________.
Portions created by ______________________ are Copyright (C) ______
_______________________. All Rights Reserved.
Contributor(s): ______________________________________.
Alternatively, the contents of this file may be used under the terms
of the _____ license (the "[___] License"), in which case the
provisions of [______] License are applicable instead of those
above. If you wish to allow use of your version of this file only
under the terms of the [____] License and not to allow others to use
your version of this file under the MPL, indicate your decision by
deleting the provisions above and replace them with the notice and
other provisions required by the [___] License. If you do not delete
the provisions above, a recipient may use your version of this file
under either the MPL or the [___] License."
[NOTE: The text of this Exhibit A may differ slightly from the text of
the notices in the Source Code files of the Original Code. You should
use the text of this Exhibit A rather than the text found in the
Original Code Source Code for Your Modifications.]
The Netscape Public License Version 1.1 ("NPL") consists of the
Mozilla Public License Version 1.1 with the following Amendments,
including Exhibit A-Netscape Public License. Files identified with
"Exhibit A-Netscape Public License" are governed by the Netscape
Public License Version 1.1.
Additional Terms applicable to the Netscape Public License.
I. Effect.
These additional terms described in this Netscape Public
License -- Amendments shall apply to the Mozilla Communicator
client code and to all Covered Code under this License.
II. "Netscape's Branded Code" means Covered Code that Netscape
distributes and/or permits others to distribute under one or more
trademark(s) which are controlled by Netscape but which are not
licensed for use under this License.
III. Netscape and logo.
This License does not grant any rights to use the trademarks
"Netscape", the "Netscape N and horizon" logo or the "Netscape
lighthouse" logo, "Netcenter", "Gecko", "Java" or "JavaScript",
"Smart Browsing" even if such marks are included in the Original
Code or Modifications.
IV. Inability to Comply Due to Contractual Obligation.
Prior to licensing the Original Code under this License, Netscape
has licensed third party code for use in Netscape's Branded Code.
To the extent that Netscape is limited contractually from making
such third party code available under this License, Netscape may
choose to reintegrate such code into Covered Code without being
required to distribute such code in Source Code form, even if
such code would otherwise be considered "Modifications" under
V. Use of Modifications and Covered Code by Initial Developer.
V.1. In General.
The obligations of Section 3 apply to Netscape, except to
the extent specified in this Amendment, Section V.2 and V.3.
V.2. Other Products.
Netscape may include Covered Code in products other than the
Netscape's Branded Code which are released by Netscape
during the two (2) years following the release date of the
Original Code, without such additional products becoming
subject to the terms of this License, and may license such
additional products on different terms from those contained
in this License.
V.3. Alternative Licensing.
Netscape may license the Source Code of Netscape's Branded
Code, including Modifications incorporated therein, without
such Netscape Branded Code becoming subject to the terms of
this License, and may license such Netscape Branded Code on
different terms from those contained in this License.
VI. Litigation.
Notwithstanding the limitations of Section 11 above, the
provisions regarding litigation in Section 11(a), (b) and (c) of
the License shall apply to all disputes relating to this License.
EXHIBIT A-Netscape Public License.
"The contents of this file are subject to the Netscape Public
License Version 1.1 (the "License"); you may not use this file
except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of
the License at http://www.mozilla.org/NPL/
Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS
IS" basis, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or
implied. See the License for the specific language governing
rights and limitations under the License.
The Original Code is Mozilla Communicator client code, released
The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Netscape
Communications Corporation. Portions created by Netscape are
Copyright (C) 1998-1999 Netscape Communications Corporation. All
Rights Reserved.
Alternatively, the contents of this file may be used under the
terms of the _____ license (the "[___] License"), in which case
the provisions of [______] License are applicable instead of
those above. If you wish to allow use of your version of this
file only under the terms of the [____] License and not to allow
others to use your version of this file under the NPL, indicate
your decision by deleting the provisions above and replace them
with the notice and other provisions required by the [___]
License. If you do not delete the provisions above, a recipient
may use your version of this file under either the NPL or the
[___] License."
dom-bindings
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The Photographs
From glass plates to digital detail
Explore our Gulgong region by merging the wonders of Merlin’s glass plate photography and today’s interactive technology to reveal the facinating digital detail.
GHM Committee Members:
Chris Pearson (Chairman), Bruce McGregor, Bill Larner, Maurice Gaudrey, David Warner, Maureen Hall
Gulgong Holtermann Museum Inc. is a community based association established to conserve and promote Gulgong’s rich gold rush history, through the restoration of two of its earliest buildings. Within these restored buildings an interactive educational and tourist facility has been created, based on the renowned Holtermann Collection of photographs taken during the town’s “roaring days” of the 1870’s.
The Gulgong Holtermann Museum wishes to thank the State Libary of NSW for their generous donation of display items, printed material and the use of their digital photographs. Their support of our project has helped us prepare and now exhibit photos from this wonderful collection in our unique interactive museum.
OTHER KEY PERSONNEL
This community based project involved local residents, businesses and trades people with a variety of personnel having been called upon to lend their expertise at various stages throughout its implementation from the restoration of the building through to the compilation and mounting of the exhibition and the production of the associated educational material.
Gary Cross, a highly respected local licensed builder with over 45 years in the industry and with extensive experience restoring older buildings was the Project Manager.
Jiri Lev, museum building design.
Barbara Hickson, an accredited local architect who has been the Heritage Advisor for many significant towns throughout Central West NSW, also shared her expertise to this project.
Ruth Davis, a Gulgong local with a wealth of knowledge having lived in Gulgong all her life has spent many years researching the town and its surrounding areas and has kept records of newspapers and old photos going back to the 1870’s. There is not much Ruth does not know about the people and buildings of Gulgong and it is for this reason we invited her to join us as our Voluntary Historian, a position she has taken on with much enthusiasm.
10am to 3pm Everyday
Easter Friday
$30 Family
$8 Concession
$5 Children
Gulgong Holtermann Museum
125 Mayne Street
Gulgong NSW 2852
mail@holtermann.museum
Featuring UNESCO Listed Holtermann Collection of 1872 photographs
Holtermann, Merlin & Bayliss
Holtermann Collection
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Home | Columns | Horror Talk | Horror Talk: 01.27.11 We Interrupt This Broadcast…
Horror Talk: 01.27.11 We Interrupt This Broadcast…
Travis Legge 01/27/2011 Horror Talk
Hey boys and ghouls,
Welcome back to Horror Talk. Normally I run a recap of the previous week in horror at Horror Talk, shining a light on the best and bloodiest tidbits from our chosen genre in a condensed format. I talk about movies, comics, TV, video games, and Box Office sales. I leave with a birthday wish to some celebrity who has ties to the horror genre, and a wish of Many Bloody Returns to my readers. I like the formula quite a bit. No one has complained too loudly, and Dai Green has not fired me yet, so I can only assume the format is working.
Never one to languish for too long in a comfort zone, I’m going to break format a bit this week to talk about something incredibly important to the future of horror. Lots of newsworthy items have dropped since the last installment of Horror Talk, but in my estimation as a horror filmmaker and as a fan, none were as important as Kevin Smith’s “The Red Statements.”
I encourage you, filmmaker or fan, to visit http://theredstatements.com/ and read Kevin’s thoughts about distribution and indie film in the current state of the business. I won’t retread every bit of ground that Smith covers, but suffice it to say that the first several paragraphs of the document explain the basics of how indie film financing, acquisition, and distribution work.
The short version is that so much money is spent promoting a film under the current model, that “Suddenly my little $4 million dollar movie has to make $50 million JUST TO BREAK EVEN.” as Smith says.
With studios, even the “indie” studios, banking heavily on opening weekend numbers to determine the success or failure of a film, it comes as no surprise that most movies spend the majority of their total budget on prints and advertising. This is completely contradictory to the philosophy of low-budget filmmakers to put every dollar on the screen.
Smith then begins to talk about the use of the internet, specifically the View Askew message board, to build and cultivate an online audience. An audience with genuine relationships and interest in his work.
Eventually social media came along. Myspace. Twitter. Facebook. For the first time in the history of filmmaking fans and filmmakers had instant two way accessibility.
Smith also talks about his audience being not targeted, and in fact being alienated, in pursuit of the marketing of his films, by the studios.
So with his new film, the religious/political horror Red State Smith has elected to distribute the film himself. By sidestepping the indie studios, Smith will be able to market the movie to his fans without alienating or marginalizing them. He will be reaching out to the kinds of people who will WANT to see Red State and not wasting time, or more importantly, dollars, trying to hook or trick other audiences into viewing the film.
In short, he will be acting like an indie horror filmmaker.
What he is doing is not much different than what I’m doing with Raymond Did It. Seeking out theaters to screen your unsupported, non-studio backed film, mostly through the process of Four-Walling, which amounts to renting the theater and praying you make enough money to cover your costs or call it a profit. I made the decision to Four Wall Raymond Did It based on the advice of other indie horror filmmakers who I had spoken to. This has enabled us to move forward UNRATED without fear of a distributor or exhibitor chain getting nervous and yanking our film in the middle of its opening weekend. The principal difference between Raymond Did It and Red State is that Smith has a built in audience. In both cases the math works out. It simply makes more sense to get low-budget horror films in front of fans as inexpensively as possible, relying on New Media to spread the word rather than corporate controlled MPAA enslaved traditional advertising outlets.
When Adam Green began the “SUPPORT UNRATED HORROR” campaign for Hatchet II we as horror fans saw a glimpse of the power social media could have in advertising a film. Now imagine if he had not had to rely on AMC INDEPENDENT or Dark Sky Films to manage the actual release. I think the Hatchet II story may have ended very differently.
Of course, I can’t speak for Adam Green, Tim Sullivan, Paul Solet, Joe Lynch or any of the other hundreds of indie horror filmmakers clawing through each production step by bloody step to being audiences their passion. I can only speak for myself, and I say everything Smith says in the Red Statements makes sense! Perfect sense!
But it all relies on one important factor: you.
Horror fans. In theory the reason we indie horror filmmakers make the films we make is because we are horror fans, and we are making the movies we want to see. We think you want to see them too, so we are making these films on no money, in the hopes that you will show up to a screening, scream, laugh, cry, and enjoy yourself for an hour or two. Its really that simple. Studios and advertisements and money machines and lawyers make it difficult. As filmmakers we just want to tell you, the fans (and ourselves, the fans) a GOOD SOLID STORY!
So this is a call to the horror community. To all of horror fandom. You might have to dig a little harder to find those gems (but then again, you have lovely sites like horrornews.net to keep you in the loop) but if you love this genre and want to see movies made AS THE FILMMAKER INTENDED, without interference from the MPAA, without worries about answering to a gang of suit-wearing financiers that think a few gallons of blood are gonna make the difference in the bottom line, then get out there and SEE these indie horror films. See Red State in the theater. See Raymond Did It in the theater. See Chillerama in the theater. If they aren’t playing near you, get info on nearby theaters and send it to the filmmakers! Between the aforementioned social media sites, its almost impossible NOT to find any of the filmmakers I have mentioned. Send us a note with the contact info for your nearest theaters and tell us you want to see our movie!
Lets all work together to make 2011 the year where the horror community stands up and says
-We don’t need distributors swelling the costs of our films to try to find “new audiences.” We KNOW who we are trying to reach.
-We don’t need the MPAA. For anything. Let the parents decide what they take their kids to see.
-We only need the support of our community. And we have it.
Please consider what I’ve written. If you want to repost it somewhere, I encourage you to. I encourage you to share this with anyone who you think will read it. I encourage you to comment on this post, discuss it. Get a hold of me on Facebook or Twitter and shoot me a note. Tell me what you think. More importantly tell your FRIENDS and FAMILY what you think.
SUPPORT INDIE HORROR
Travis Legge
Tags Hatchet II Horror Talk Red State
Horror Talk with Kristin West: Michael Coulombe (Horror House Media)
Horror Talk with Kristin West: Jared Bratt & Tanya Lee (Streamer)
Horror Talk with Kristin West: Russell Emanuel (The Occupants)
Horror Talk with Kristin West: John Gross
Horror Talk with Kristin West: Michael Epstein & Sophia Cacciola
Horror Talk with Kristin West: Candice Callins
never seen it
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Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience
Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative
By Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience | March 15, 2018 | Research | Like |
Have family with Alzheimer's? Be part of global API (Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative) to receive FREE genetic testing for Alzheimer's risk genes available to all eligible HI residents call the Clinical Research Center at (808) 564-6141. API is an international collaborative effort formed to launch a new era of Alzheimer’s prevention research by evaluating the most [...]
By Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience | March 10, 2018 | Research | 1 |
The Memory Disorders Center and Clinical Research Center at Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience became one of top 30 dementia clinics in the US awarded the ADVANCE (Addressing Dementia Via Agitation-Centered Evaluation) research study. This is a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of AXS-05 for the Treatment of Agitation in Subjects With [...]
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ToddBaldwin3
חבר מאז לפני 11 שנים
כניסה אחרונה לאתר לפני 11 דקות
רישיון טיס Private/IFR
Squawk Comments 655
Pilot Mistake Prompted Emergency Landing
A cabin pressurization error led to an early return to DFW, with two go arounds. Listening to the tapes, it really sounded like someone needed to focus on the "aviate" part of flying. (www.nbcdfw.com) עוד...
Trump Wanted a Cheaper Air Force One. So the USAF Is Buying a Bankrupt Russian Firm’s Undelivered 747s
President Donald Trump said the projected cost of new Air Force One aircraft was too high, so the U.S. Air Force found a way to lower it: by buying a pair of Boeing 747 jetliners abandoned by a bankrupt Russian airline. (www.govexec.com) עוד...
Last Surviving Crew Member Has 'No Regrets' About Bombing Hiroshima
On this day in 1945, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare. It flew three strike planes over Hiroshima, Japan. The Enola Gay carried the bomb. Two other planes, the Great Artiste and the Necessary Evil, escorted it. Most of the 34 crew members didn't know they were carrying what was then the most powerful weapon in the world. I recommend that you listen to his story, rather than read it. (www.npr.org) עוד...
Airline pilot flies dad's remains home from Vietnam 52 years after seeing him off at same Dallas airport
When Air Force Maj. Roy Knight, Jr., left Dallas for Vietnam 52 years ago, his 5-year-old son, Bryan, came to Dallas Love Field to see him off. On Thursday, Bryan, now a captain for Southwest Airlines, brought back his father's remains aboard a flight to the same Dallas airport. (www.msn.com) עוד...
Senate Panel Advances FAA Reauthorization Without Trump Privatization Plan
A Senate committee has thrown cold water on the Trump administration’s controversial plan to transfer the nation’s air traffic control system from the Federal Aviation Administration to a private non-profit organization. (www.govexec.com) עוד...
Accident: Condor B753 near Las Palmas on Mar 22nd 2013, odour on board causes 2 flight attendants to pass out
This is definitely not "light" reading. The investigation into this event revealed circumstantial evidence suggesting that several crewmembers were affected by contaminated cabin air that was being supplied by the aircraft’s air conditioning system. (avherald.com) עוד...
3 תגובות החברים
Air Force: Our New Tanker Should Be Ready for War in 3 or 4 Years
A long list of technical problems means the KC-46 tanker will not be battle-ready for at least three to four years, a top U.S. Air Force general said Wednesday. (www.govexec.com) עוד...
Trump and Boeing CEO Look to Downscale Requirements on Air Force One Replacement
WASHINGTON — Boeing will reduce the cost of the Air Force One replacement program by adhering to scaled-down requirements and using commercial practices, Boeing head Dennis Muilenburg said after a Tuesday meeting with President-elect Donald Trump. (www.defensenews.com) עוד...
Ryanair considers serving in-flight porn
Please tell me this is another one of O'leary's publicity stunts. (business.blogs.cnn.com) עוד...
British Airways Tries Not Cleaning Aircraft Cabin Between Flights
נשלח לפני לפני 11 חודשים
British Airways has decided to experiment with inflight hygiene. Last week, BA ran a “no clean” trial between busy flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Dublin Airport (DUB) — the route that was previously named the busiest in Europe in 2018. The trial was to see if cutting out the usual cleaning process between flights could save time and decrease delays (www.msn.com) עוד...
Unforgotten: Airlines of the Past
submitted on 10/12/2019 by GateHold
FAA to Decommission Decades-Old System that Keeps Pilots Up to Date on Hazardous Weather
submitted on 08/12/2019 by ToddBaldwin3
The Air Force’s ‘Doomsday Plane’ Is in the Shop
submitted on 25/09/2019 by MH370
Air Force Tests Contraption That Can Turn Any Plane Into a Robot Plane
Mom, Daughter Kicked Off Air Canada Plane, Not Told They're Banned from Airline Until It Was Too Late
submitted on 19/08/2019 by pilotjag
Investigating CAN Bus Network Integrity in Avionics Systems
The U.S. Air Force Has Withheld $360M — and Counting — For Boeing’s Tanker Woes
Boeing Tankers Still Have Debris; Fix is ‘Months, Maybe Longer’ Away
Poll Shows Travelers Still Fear 737 Max As Boeing Tries To Get It Back In The Air
Confessions of a TSA Agent
submitted on 31/01/2014 by tyketto
WWII veteran, 95, dies returning from 'Honor Flight'
The Air Force hasn't bought an F-15 in over a decade, but Boeing is getting its plant ready to build them just in case
How the Boeing 737 Max Disaster Looks to a Software Developer
Ethiopian crash pilots repeatedly attempted recovery
Cessna Caravan Engine Failure and Ditching in Ocean, Filmed From Inside (HD)
submitted on 25/03/2019 by dbaker
Boeing 737 MAX: The FAA Wanted a Safe Plane – But Didn’t Want To Hurt America’s Biggest Exporter Either
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Coxiella burnetii Isolates Cause Genogroup-Specific Virulence in Mouse and Guinea Pig Models of Acute Q Fever
K. E. Russell-Lodrigue, M. Andoh, M. W. J. Poels, H. R. Shive, B. R. Weeks, G. Q. Zhang, C. Tersteeg, T. Masegi, A. Hotta, T. Yamaguchi, H. Fukushi, K. Hirai, D. N. McMurray, J. E. Samuel
K. E. Russell-Lodrigue
Department of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TexasDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
M. Andoh
Department of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, Texas
M. W. J. Poels
Department of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TexasInstitute of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Utrecht, The Netherlands
H. R. Shive
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
B. R. Weeks
G. Q. Zhang
C. Tersteeg
T. Masegi
and Department of Pathogenetic Veterinary Science
A. Hotta
Department of Applied Veterinary Science, United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
T. Yamaguchi
H. Fukushi
K. Hirai
D. N. McMurray
J. E. Samuel
For correspondence: jsamuel@medicine.tamhsc.edu
DOI: 10.1128/IAI.00851-09
Q fever is a zoonotic disease of worldwide significance caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Humans with Q fever may experience an acute flu-like illness and pneumonia and/or chronic hepatitis or endocarditis. Various markers demonstrate significant phylogenetic separation between and clustering among isolates from acute and chronic human disease. The clinical and pathological responses to infection with phase I C. burnetii isolates from the following four genomic groups were evaluated in immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice and in guinea pig infection models: group I (Nine Mile, African, and Ohio), group IV (Priscilla and P), group V (G and S), and group VI (Dugway). Isolates from all of the groups produced disease in the SCID mouse model, and genogroup-consistent trends were noted in cytokine production in response to infection in the immunocompetent-mouse model. Guinea pigs developed severe acute disease when aerosol challenged with group I isolates, mild to moderate acute disease in response to group V isolates, and no acute disease when infected with group IV and VI isolates. C. burnetii isolates have a range of disease potentials; isolates within the same genomic group cause similar pathological responses, and there is a clear distinction in strain virulence between these genomic groups.
Coxiella burnetii, the etiologic agent of acute and chronic Q fever, is an obligate intracellular bacterium with worldwide distribution and a diverse host range. Livestock serve as the organism's primary reservoir and may be asymptomatic carriers or exhibit reproductive disorders. Ticks are important in the maintenance of the disease in nature and have been shown to transmit the infection transovarially (37). Humans are most often infected through inhalation of the bacterium in fine-particle aerosols, though transmission may also occur through ingestion of the organism from contaminated, unpasteurized dairy products (22, 27). Although a high percentage of infections may result in subclinical or asymptomatic infection, humans can become ill from exposure to as few as 10 organisms (6) and may display signs of (i) an acute flu-like illness with or without pneumonia and/or hepatitis (30, 31) or (ii) a chronic disease manifesting most frequently as endocarditis and/or hepatitis (40, 41).
C. burnetii isolates have been obtained from natural Q fever infections in humans and other animals. Several theories have been proposed to explain the dichotomy in development of acute and chronic Q fever. Unique sequence differences between genomic groups are correlated with the clinical expression of Q fever (44). Biochemical markers have grouped C. burnetii isolates from chronic-disease patients separately from acute-disease/arthropod/domestic animal isolates, but whether these groupings predict virulence potential and acute/chronic-disease outcomes has not yet been fully resolved (20). Samuel et al. were the first to separate these isolates and their resulting diseases based on plasmid patterns (44). Hackstadt used variations in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) banding patterns to divide isolates of C. burnetii into three groups, and group distinction was noted in correlation with acute or chronic disease (16). Hendrix et al. separated C. burnetii isolates into six genomic groups (20). Group I to III isolates have a QpH1 plasmid and have been isolated from ticks, acute human Q fever cases, cow's milk, and livestock abortions. Groups IV and V have a QpRS plasmid or no plasmid (with plasmid-related sequences integrated into the chromosome), respectively, and have been associated with livestock abortions and human chronic endocarditis or hepatitis. Group VI isolates were collected from wild rodents in Dugway, UT, and were infectious but avirulent in rodent models of disease (47, 48). Jager et al. used restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to differentiate 80 C. burnetii isolates and reproduced distinguishable patterns for reference isolates in groups I, IV, V, and VI (23). More recently, multiple-locus variable nucleotide tandem repeat analyses (49) have validated these groupings. Infrequent-restriction-site PCR of 14 livestock and tick isolates resulted in six groups; subsequent multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis typing of 42 isolates revealed 36 genotypes (2). Glazunova et al. used multispacer sequence typing to analyze 173 isolates, a majority of which were acquired from chronic-disease patients, and identified 30 genotypes in three monophyletic groups; an association between the plasmid type, some genotypes, and the nature of disease was observed (15). These monophyletic groups supported the early RFLP groups and placed groups I, II, and III in one monophyletic group; group IV in the second monophyletic group; and group V in the third monophyletic group. A comprehensive microarray-based whole-genome comparison by Beare et al. confirmed the relatedness of RFLP-grouped isolates and added two more genomic groups, VII and VIII (4). Differences in novel gene contents and pseudogenes may be factors in the variations in virulence seen among group I, IV, V, and VI isolates (5). It has been shown in an intraperitoneal (i.p.)-challenge guinea pig model that 101 organisms of the acute-disease-associated group I isolate Nine Mile RSA493 (NM) caused fever, but 106 chronic-disease-associated group IV isolate MSU Goat Q177 (Priscilla) organisms were required to induce fever (36).
In opposition to the theory of genotype/pathotype correlation, Stein and Raoult evaluated 28 human isolates and found that isolates bearing the QpH1 plasmid were present in both acute and chronic Q fever patients in France and that isolates without the QpH1 plasmid were able to cause acute disease (46). QpH1 plasmid-containing isolates have also been isolated from chronic-endocarditis patients (50). Several groups have speculated that host factors are primarily responsible for the outcome of infection with C. burnetii. Individual differences in immune function lead to varying sensitivity to infection and disease development. In this model, acute and chronic disease could be caused by organisms from the same isolate group, and chronic disease could develop because of compromised resistance of the host rather than as a consequence of a specific property of the pathogen. For example, human immunodeficiency virus infection is a risk factor for the development of chronic Q fever endocarditis (9, 29). Deficiencies in the host-specific cell-mediated immune response in Q fever patients have been associated with the suppression of monocyte and macrophage activities (25), and monocytes from chronic-Q fever patients have been shown to be defective in phagosome maturation and to have impaired C. burnetii-killing potential, regulated in part by elevated interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression (14). There is strong clinical evidence to support the role of increased host production of IL-10 in the development of both Q fever endocarditis and chronic fatigue syndrome (11, 12, 21, 39). A recent study suggested that chronic Q fever endocarditis may be associated with atypical M2 polarization and stimulation of bacterial replication (7), but the pathogenic process that mediates this polarization was undefined.
The route of infection may also be an important determining factor in the manifestation of acute and chronic Q fever. La Scola et al. and Marrie et al. demonstrated that the route of infection and the size of the inoculum affected clinical illness and pathology associated with infection in mouse and guinea pig models (26, 33). Differences in the geographic distributions of the diseases have also been noted (32); in Nova Scotia, for example, the primary manifestation of acute Q fever is pneumonia (34), but in France it is hepatitis, possibly due to ingestion of raw milk and unpasteurized cheeses (51).
The pathogenicity of C. burnetii has been evaluated using guinea pigs, mice, and chicken embryos. Febrile response, splenomegaly, and mortality in guinea pigs; splenomegaly and mortality in mice; and mortality in chicken embryos are indicators of virulence for C. burnetii. The establishment of an aerosol model of C. burnetii infection in guinea pigs (43) provides a relevant model in which to test isolate virulence. Additionally, severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice are highly sensitive to the C. burnetii prototype (NM isolate) (1), and the 50% lethal dose (LD50) of NM in SCID mice was at least 108 times less than in wild type mice. We speculated that with these highly sensitive rodent models it may be possible to observe intra- and intergroup pathogenicity differences of C. burnetii isolates. To confirm whether SCID mice could be used to model isolate-specific virulence, we gave multiple infectious doses of a group IV Q fever isolate to immune-competent CB-17 and SCID mice (on the same background) to compare them with previously reported group I isolate (NM) infections (1). Eight isolates from four genomic groups (Table 1) were then evaluated for the ability to cause acute disease in SCID mouse i.p.-challenge and guinea pig aerosol challenge models. We hypothesized that isolates within the same genotypic group would cause similar diseases and that there would be a distinct difference in disease manifestations between isolate groups. Finally, we evaluated the potential of a vaccine composed of one C. burnetii isolate to protect guinea pigs against infection with an isolate from another group, since cross-protection between disparate isolate groups is a further indication of antigenic relatedness.
Isolates evaluated for virulence
Animals.The female 6- to 7-week-old CB-17/Icr-scid/scid (SCID) and wild-type CB-17/Icr+/+ (CB-17) mice used in Japan were purchased from Japan CLEA (Tokyo, Japan); A/J mice were purchased from Japan SLC (Shizuoka, Japan). A/J mice were used because they are considered more susceptible to C. burnetii than other inbred mouse strains (45). The female 6- to 8-week-old SCID and wild-type CB-17 mice used in the United States were purchased from Taconic (Hudson, NY). Female Hartley guinea pigs weighing approximately 350 to 450 g were purchased from Charles River Laboratories (Wilmington, MA).
All infected animals were housed in approved animal biosafety level 3 facilities, and immunodeficient mice were housed under sterile conditions. All animals used in this study were acclimated to the facility and assessment procedures during the week prior to infection to decrease stress-related abnormalities. Animal health was assessed daily by a veterinarian.
Mouse experiments performed in Japan adhered to the guidelines for animal experiments at Gifu University. The Texas A&M University Laboratory Animal Care Committee reviewed and approved the mouse and guinea pig research at Texas A&M University, and experiments were carried out in AAALAC-approved facilities in accordance with university and federal regulations.
C. burnetii.Eight C. burnetii isolates from four genomic groups (Table 1) were used. For the initial dose-effect experiment in Japan, C. burnetii MSU Goat Q177 (Priscilla), obtained from J. Kazar, Institute of Virology, Brastislava, Slovakia, was maintained in mice by passage in spleen homogenates at Gifu University. The spleen homogenates were stored at −80°C until they were used. The absence of contamination with other pathogens was confirmed by direct staining (Giménez and Gram staining), detection of Mycoplasma DNA using a PCR Mycoplasma detection set (Takara, Shiga, Japan), and inoculation of the spleen homogenate into cell culture and SCID mice (independent experimental infection from the study described here). The bacterial dose was evaluated as the 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) in BGM cells (buffalo green monkey fibroblasts), the 50% infectious dose (ID50) in CB-17 mice, and the LD50 in SCID mice. The TCID50 was determined by detecting the bacteria 6 days after infection using immunofluorescence staining with anti-C. burnetii rabbit antiserum. The ID50 was determined by detecting seroconversion (immunoglobulin G [IgG], >1:16) using indirect microimmunofluorescence. The LD50 was determined as reported previously (1).
For all subsequent experiments, all of the C. burnetii isolates were maintained at the Texas A&M Health Science Center. The C. burnetii isolates were cultivated in embryonated chicken eggs, purified by gradient centrifugation as previously reported (19, 44, 53), and stored at −80°C until they were used. The absence of contamination by other pathogens was confirmed as described above. C. burnetii was quantified by optical density (OD) (53), direct viable-particle count using the Live/Dead BacLight Bacterial Viability Kit (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR), and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) using primers amplifying the com1 gene (8) (see Table S1 in the supplemental material). The bacterial dose used for mouse infections was determined by qPCR; guinea pig doses were calculated using the OD.
Experimental infection in mice. (i) Dose/effect experiment with the Priscilla isolate.Six mice per group were used for the dose/effect experiment. SCID, CB-17, and A/J mice were inoculated i.p. with serial 10-fold dilutions of Priscilla (102 to 10−7 TCID50 per animal) or sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (sham infection). SCID mice were observed for 112 days (16 weeks), and CB-17 and A/J mice were observed for 30 days.
(ii) Genomic group comparison.Four mice per group were used for the genomic group comparison. Each of eight C. burnetii isolates described in Table 1 (105 genome copies/animal) or PBS was administered i.p. to SCID and CB-17 mice. Two independent infections were performed, and the mice were observed for 28 days (for all of the C. burnetii isolates in SCID and CB-17 mice) or until death (for four representative C. burnetii isolates in SCID mice).
Clinical signs were evaluated every 2 days by visual observation (ruffled fur, hunched-back appearance, and lethargy) and body weight measurement. Body weight changes were evaluated using a body weight index (BWI) derived as follows: BWI = relative body weight/mean relative body weight of the control group; relative body weight = body weight on day “x” of infection/body weight on the day of infection. Cachexia was diagnosed when a mouse was lethargic and had a BWI of less than 0.85. At necropsy, the spleen weight was measured as an indicator of C. burnetii infection (54), and tissues were collected. To quantify the growth of C. burnetii, DNA was extracted from spleen tissue and C. burnetii com1 gene copies were detected by qPCR as previously described (8). The heart, lung, liver, spleen, kidney, and femur were formalin fixed, embedded in paraffin, sliced, and then prepared by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunocytochemistry, as described previously (1, 8), to evaluate histopathologic changes and bacterial distribution in tissues. The degree of inflammation present in each tissue sample was scored numerically by the following system: 0, none; 1, mild; 2, moderate; 3, marked; 4, severe. IgG titers for phase I and II C. burnetii in the sera of CB-17 mice were measured by microimmunofluorescence as described elsewhere (1). For cytokine assays, blood was collected from the lateral saphenous vein at 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days postinfection (p.i.) and via cardiac puncture at 28 days p.i. after euthanasia, and the group pooled sera were stored at −80°C until they were used. Sixteen cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, IL-10, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, gamma interferon [IFN-γ], KC, macrophage inflammatory protein 1α [MIP-1α], RANTES, and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]) were measured using the Bio-Plex cytokine assay system (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA) following the manufacturer's protocol. The cytokine quantification assay was performed in duplicate for each sample. The cytokine levels of infected sera were evaluated as the induction values compared to the values of uninfected sera.
Experimental infection in guinea pigs.A chamber specially designed to deliver droplet nuclei directly to the alveolar spaces (College of Engineering Shops, University of Wisconsin, Madison), allowing the infection of multiple guinea pigs simultaneously and ensuring uniform infection within each challenge group (35, 43, 52), was used for all guinea pig infection studies. (i) Three guinea pigs per group were infected with low (102), mid-level (104), or high (106) doses of one of the phase I C. burnetii isolates described in Table 1. Four negative control animals were sham infected with sterile PBS. Body weight, rectal temperature, and behavioral attitude were recorded, along with any abnormalities noted on thoracic auscultation and abdominal palpation. A rectal temperature of ≥39.5°C was defined as fever. The guinea pigs were observed for 28 days p.i. The spleens and livers were weighed at necropsy. Tissues were collected and formalin fixed for histopathologic evaluation. Serum was obtained from each animal for serologic testing. (ii) In a separate experiment, three guinea pigs per group were exposed to PBS or 2 × 106 particle equivalents of NM, P, G, or Dugway. Daily assessment of these animals was performed as described above, and the organs were weighed at necropsy 14 days p.i. to detect splenomegaly and/or hepatomegaly. (iii) In the heterologous-protection study, guinea pigs were vaccinated twice with 40 μg of formalin-inactivated group I (NM) or group V (S) C. burnetii in Freund's incomplete adjuvant or with adjuvant alone, with 2-week intervals between the vaccinations and infection. The animals were then infected with high doses of either NM or S. Three animals per group were separated into the following six groups: (a) nonvaccinated, NM infected; (b) nonvaccinated, S infected; (c) NM vaccinated, NM infected; (d) S vaccinated, S infected; (e) NM vaccinated, S infected; and (f) S vaccinated, NM infected. The guinea pigs were monitored for 14 days p.i. for development of fever and other clinical signs of illness.
Histopathologic samples were prepared by hematoxylin and eosin staining or by immunohistochemistry using a Vectastain ABC kit and a Vector NovaRed substrate kit (Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA) and in-house-generated rabbit anti-C. burnetii NM (3) and by counterstaining them with hematoxylin. All slides were evaluated in a blinded fashion. Serum samples collected at necropsy were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IgG titers against phase I C. burnetii NM antigen as previously described (43). Sera from uninfected guinea pigs were used as negative controls.
Statistical analyses.The results were expressed as means for each group and were compared using one- and two-way analysis of variance or Student's t test, as appropriate. Differences were considered significant at a P value of <0.05.
C. burnetii Priscilla is infective and exhibits delayed virulence in SCID mice.A detailed analysis of dose-effect in an immunocompromised-mouse model supported the previous study by Moos and Hackstadt that evaluated the ability of the Priscilla isolate to cause fever in i.p.-challenged guinea pigs (36). The infectious titer of the Priscilla isolate in the splenic homogenate used for the multiple-dose infection was 2 × 104 TCID50/ml in BGM cells, 2 × 109.3 ID50/ml in CB-17 mice, and 2 × 1010 LD50/ml in SCID mice (1 TCID50 corresponded to 105.3 ID50 in CB-17 mice and to 106 LD50 in SCID mice). The LD50 in CB-17 mice could not be determined because no CB-17 mice died from any infectious dose used in this study, and the ID50 in SCID mice could not be determined due to lack of antibody production. The ID50 in CB-17 mice and the LD50 in SCID mice were similar, suggesting that SCID mice could be lethally infected with very few viable organisms.
Multiple-dose infection of SCID mice with the Priscilla isolate resulted in slow, progressive, and long-term-persistent disease. Clinical signs included ruffled fur, extremely distended abdomens, and death. Body weight loss, inactivity, and cachexia were not observed until a few days prior to death. Survival time ranged from 55 to 109 days p.i. Progression of clinical signs and survival times were dose dependent, with shorter times corresponding to higher infectious doses (see Table S2 in the supplemental material). Similar lesions were found in all of the SCID mice that died, most notably severe hepatosplenomegaly, and all organs had cellular infiltration, primarily macrophages containing bacteria. The severity of the lesions in infected SCID mice was not dependent on the C. burnetii challenge dose.
On the other hand, CB-17 and A/J mice displayed transitory clinical signs only after infection with the highest dose of Priscilla. Both mouse strains showed ruffled fur from 4 to 13 days p.i., but only A/J mice demonstrated transient body weight loss (data not shown). No other clinical signs were observed. At 28 days p.i., CB-17 and A/J mice had mild splenomegaly and seroconversion as evidence of infection (data not shown). Small granulomas were present in the spleen and liver, but bacterial antigen was not detectable by immunohistochemistry.
Genomic-group-specific virulence in mice.It was important to establish whether the results of infection seen with the Priscilla isolate and those previously noted with the NM isolate were genomic group specific (24). To determine this, the pathogenicities of multiple isolates were compared by delivering a single dose of eight C. burnetii isolates from four genomic groups (Table 1) to mice by i.p. injection. The infections were initially compared in SCID and CB-17 mice sacrificed at 28 days p.i.
All C. burnetii isolates caused disease in SCID mice, with various clinical courses. There was no mortality during the 28-day infection period. Clinical signs, including significant body weight loss (P < 0.05) and cachexia, summarized in Fig. 1A and in Fig. S1A in the supplemental material, were most apparent in mice infected with group I isolates, followed by those given group V, IV, and VI isolates. In CB-17 mice, only mild transient disease was noted, with minimal loss of body weight, in response to all isolates and noticeably ruffled fur with group I isolate infection (Fig. 1B).
Average body weight changes in SCID mice (A) and CB-17 mice (B) infected with C. burnetii isolates during 28 days of infection. Body weights were significantly lower in SCID mice throughout the infection period and transiently in CB-17 mice infected with all isolates except Priscilla compared to PBS-injected controls (P < 0.05).
Splenomegaly in response to infection was more severe in SCID than in CB-17 mice (Fig. 2A). The number of bacteria in the spleens was determined by qPCR (Fig. 2B), and consistently higher numbers of com1 genes were detected in SCID than in CB-17 mice. SCID mice showed phylogenetic-group-characteristic spleen size and growth of bacteria. Splenomegaly was greatest in SCID mice with mild clinical disease infected with bacteria from groups IV and VI. However, the number of organisms in the spleen was greater in mice with severe clinical disease following infection with phylogenetic groups I and V. In CB-17 mice, splenic enlargement and numbers of bacteria increased with the severity of clinical disease. CB-17 mice displayed differences between infection with the C. burnetii isolates that caused acute disease (phylogenetic group I) and infection with the C. burnetii isolates that caused chronic disease (phylogenetic groups IV and V), but there was no difference between groups infected with isolates that caused chronic disease. All infected mice developed significant splenomegaly, but mice infected with group IV, V, and VI isolates had significantly fewer splenic bacteria than mice infected with group I isolates (P < 0.05).
Splenomegaly (A) and splenic bacterial loads (B) in mice at 28 days p.i. (A) All infected animals developed significant splenomegaly compared to controls, and infected SCID mice had significantly larger spleens than CB-17 mice (P < 0.05). (B) Mice infected with group IV, V, and VI isolates had significantly fewer bacteria than those infected with group I isolates (P < 0.05). *, P < 0.05. The error bars indicate standard deviations.
Evaluation of histopathology at 28 days p.i. revealed more lesions in SCID mice than in CB-17 mice (see Table S3 in the supplemental material). SCID mice showed histopathologic changes in all organs investigated. Group I isolates caused the most inflammation, followed by groups V, IV, and VI. The inflammatory-cell populations were similar in all groups and consisted of few neutrophils and numerous macrophages containing abundant intracytoplasmic bacteria. C. burnetii antigen was diffusely distributed in all organs examined. CB-17 mice had mild histopathologic changes in some organs, but even in the tissues with an inflammatory response, C. burnetii antigen was rarely detected.
Circulating cytokines are altered in C. burnetii-infected CB-17 mice.The variations in pathology and inflammation associated with these isolate group infections suggest differences in the immune responses. To expand on this observation, the serum levels of 16 cytokines and chemokines were measured. In CB-17 mice, serum cytokine levels differed between mice infected with group I isolates and those given isolates from other groups. Group I isolates induced persistently high cytokine secretion throughout the 28-day experiment; group IV and V isolates caused moderate cytokine secretion at the peak of clinical disease (7 to 14 days p.i.) (Fig. 3). After 14 days p.i., group I isolates induced higher secretion of IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, IFN-γ, TNF-α, MIP-1α, and RANTES than other groups. The KC and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor levels of mice infected with group I isolates were higher than those in mice infected with other groups prior to 14 days p.i. Serum IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-5 levels and eotaxin secretion were not increased during the infection period (data not shown).
Mean circulating cytokine levels in response to infection in CB-17 mice with different C. burnetii isolates. Isolates from genomic group I induced persistently high cytokine secretion with increased levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, IFN-γ, IL-3, IL-4, IL-10, MIP-1α, and RANTES compared with other genogroups (P < 0.05). ⧫, PBS; □, NM; ▵, African; ⋄, Ohio; •, Priscilla; ⧫, P; ▪, G; ▴, S; ○, Dugway.
Lethal potentials of all genomic groups in SCID mice.The lethal potentials of representative isolates from each phylogenetic group were investigated in SCID mice, and it was determined that all of the isolates evaluated could eventually lead to clinical illness and death in the immunodeficient model (see Fig. S1B in the supplemental material). Isolates that caused a long period of cachexia led to severe body weight loss in infected mice (see Fig. S2 in the supplemental material). A group I isolate (NM) induced the earliest and longest period of cachexia and, correspondingly, the most severe body weight loss. Mice infected with isolates from groups V (G) and VI (Dugway) had similar survival times, but those given group V isolates had longer periods of cachexia and more severe body weight loss than group VI-infected mice. Infection with group IV isolates (Priscilla and P) resulted in the shortest period of cachexia, and body weight loss was not observed until the terminal stage of infection. The survival time was shortest in mice challenged with group I isolates (32.0 ± 0.8 days), followed by those infected with groups V (36.0 ± 0.0 days), VI (35.5 ± 1.0 days), and IV (47.5 ± 0.6 days for P and 77.3 ± 2.8 days for Priscilla). The probable cause of death was multiple-organ failure due to massive systemic infection.
The pathological changes in SCID mice at mortality were more advanced than those observed at 28 days p.i. (data not shown). The severity of inflammatory changes in the liver and spleen was similar in all groups of infected mice, but animals given group I isolates exhibited a greater degree of inflammation in the heart and lungs than those given group IV, V, and VI isolates. The extent of splenomegaly changed with survival time; however, the numbers of bacteria in the spleen were similar in all groups, suggesting that the number of bacteria (1010 genome copies/spleen) detected is the saturation point in SCID mice. C. burnetii antigen was diffusely distributed in all tissue sections.
Genomic-group-specific outcome of acute Q fever pneumonia in the guinea pig aerosol model.Aerosol challenge in the guinea pig provides a physiologically relevant model that simulates both the natural route of infection and common clinical presentations associated with human acute Q fever, making this a choice model for evaluating the comparative levels of virulence of different C. burnetii isolates, and thus, it was used in the logical progression of experiments after different levels of virulence were observed in mouse models of infection. Guinea pigs challenged with group I and V isolates developed significant fever in response to infection (P < 0.01), whereas those given isolates from groups IV and VI were afebrile even at the highest challenge dose (Fig. 4).
Fever responses of guinea pigs to infection with high doses of C. burnetii isolates. The mean daily temperatures ± standard errors of the mean (n = 3) of animals infected with 2 × 106 bacteria of each C. burnetii isolate. Temperatures of ≥39.5°C (black lines) were considered fever. The arrows indicate days on which death occurred in NM-, African-, and Ohio-infected groups.
Fever response, weight loss, and other clinical signs displayed a dose-dependent relationship in guinea pigs infected with the group I C. burnetii isolates African and Ohio, as has been described for the reference isolate in this group, NM (43). All animals that received African or Ohio organisms at a high dose died within 7 to 9 days p.i., as did two of three that received NM; lower infectious doses were not lethal. Gross lung consolidation and overall lack of normal body fat were noted on necropsy at 7 to 9 days p.i. in guinea pigs infected with the highest dose of organisms. Histologically, these animals had severe panleukocytic bronchointerstitial pneumonia with bronchial and alveolar exudates. Lung tissues from the surviving NM-infected guinea pig and those given the mid-level dose of group I organisms were evaluated at 28 days p.i. for comparison to animals infected with other isolates evaluated at this time, and they exhibited moderate multifocal lymphohistiocytic pneumonia with granuloma formation.
No significant fever or other overt clinical signs were noted in guinea pigs infected with group IV isolates. Mild lymphohistiocytic pneumonia was seen histologically at 28 days p.i. in animals given the highest dose of organisms.
Group V isolate-infected guinea pigs all developed fever when given the highest challenge dose, and dose-dependent temperature increases and other clinical signs were again noted, with no fever development, in those animals receiving the lowest dose of organism. Though auscultation confirmed respiratory compromise, none of the infections were lethal. At 28 days p.i., the lungs had mild to moderate lymphohistiocytic interstitial pneumonia and a few small granulomas.
No major clinical or pathological changes were noted in guinea pigs infected with the group VI isolate or in negative control animals. Table S4 in the supplemental material compares the severity of histopathologic changes in guinea pigs infected with high doses of C. burnetii isolates from each group at 28 days p.i. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of C. burnetii organisms, primarily in macrophages, in the lungs, livers, and spleens of infected animals.
Experimental guinea pigs in all dose groups for each isolate seroconverted by the time of euthanasia, with the exception of animals infected with high doses of NM, African, and Ohio necropsied at 1 week p.i. and low-dose Dugway-infected guinea pigs. The degree of seroconversion was dose dependent and varied among isolates (data not shown). No PBS-injected control animals seroconverted.
Genomic-group-specific severity of hepatitis and splenomegaly in guinea pigs.The doughnut granulomas common in human acute Q fever hepatitis (31) had not been previously described in animals experimentally infected with C. burnetii and were also not seen in the guinea pigs in this study. Mild hepatitis and severe hepatic lipidosis were noted at death 7 days p.i. in guinea pigs challenged with high doses of group I isolates, as had been previously reported for NM aerosol-infected guinea pigs (43). Tissue sections from the remaining NM-infected guinea pig and those infected with mid-level doses of the group I organisms were evaluated for comparison with animals infected with other isolates at 28 days p.i. and revealed vacuolization and degeneration of centrilobular hepatocytes, lymphocyte infiltration in periportal regions, and multiple small granulomas.
Group IV-infected guinea pigs also had periportal lymphocytic infiltration, as well as multiple granulomas of various sizes. The granulomas in Priscilla- and P-infected guinea pigs were more defined, with more histiocytic involvement than was seen in guinea pigs infected with group I isolates. Subjectively, of all animals necropsied from each isolate group, hepatic granulomas from those infected with P were the greatest in size and number.
The livers of guinea pigs infected with the group V isolates G and S contained a few small granulomas and mild to moderate infiltration of lymphocytes along portal tracts. The hepatic changes observed in guinea pigs infected with group V isolates suggested that isolates from this group are less hepatovirulent than group IV isolates but more so than group I isolates.
No hepatic granulomas or other significant pathological changes were noted in guinea pigs infected with the group VI isolate Dugway. Liver weights did not vary significantly within or between genomic groups.
There were no significant differences in spleen weights at 28 days p.i. within or between genomic or dose groups. Animals infected with all isolates examined at 14 days p.i. (NM, P, G, and Dugway) had significantly larger spleens than PBS-injected control animals, and spleens from NM- and G-infected guinea pigs were significantly larger (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) than those of P- and Dugway-infected animals (see Fig. S3 in the supplemental material). Pathological findings included multiple small granulomas in the spleens of group I-infected guinea pigs; fewer small granulomas were occasionally noted in animals infected with group IV and V isolates.
Heterologous protection of cross-vaccination and challenge in guinea pigs.The infection studies described here illustrate that there is pathotype diversity between C. burnetii isolates from different genogroups, and they are consistent with phylogenetic studies cataloging distinct gene contents (4). We therefore strove to determine whether this diversity was great enough to affect the ability of vaccines to protect against infection. Guinea pigs were given group I (NM) or group IV (S) vaccine and cross-challenged to evaluate potential heterologous protection against high-dose infection. Nonvaccinated guinea pigs developed a noticeable fever response by day 5 p.i., and infection was lethal in three of three NM- and one of three S-challenged animals. Guinea pigs vaccinated with either formalin-killed NM or S were completely protected against fever development and death when challenged with either NM or S (Fig. 5).
Heterologous vaccination and challenge in guinea pigs. Shown are average daily temperatures of animals vaccinated with NM (dashed and dotted line), S (dashed line), or adjuvant alone (solid line) and challenged with high doses of NM (⧫) or S (□). Temperatures of ≥39.5°C were considered fever.
The potential for genomic-group-specific pathogenicity of C. burnetii was evaluated using immunocompetent mice and guinea pigs and immunodeficient mice. The hypotheses that isolates belonging to the same genomic group would cause similar disease and that there would be distinctions in disease manifestations between isolate groups were supported by the findings presented here.
A detailed analysis of the Priscilla isolate dose-effect in SCID mice revealed differences in virulence of C. burnetii isolates. Disease development after Priscilla infection was progressive but slower than the development of the disease caused by NM previously reported in SCID mice (1); the survival time of SCID mice infected with Priscilla was longer with the same LD50. This result supports the previous study by Moos and Hackstadt that evaluated the lesser ability of the Priscilla isolate to cause fever in i.p.-challenged guinea pigs (36). Interestingly, the mice infected with Priscilla did not exhibit cachexia until the terminal stages of infection, when they had extremely severe hepatosplenomegaly. Although the disease caused by Priscilla was milder than that associated with NM, all mice that developed clinical illness died. This result confirms the high infectivity and lethal potential of C. burnetii, which is not restricted to isolates that cause acute disease, and suggests that the SCID mouse model can be useful for evaluation of C. burnetii virulence.
The virulence of C. burnetii isolates tested in SCID mice was determined to be genomic group specific. Acute-Q fever-associated group I isolates caused the most rapidly progressing disease and the most severe pathological changes. Groups IV and V, isolates associated with chronic Q fever, caused a slower progression of disease. Overall, pathological changes in mice infected with group IV and V isolates were milder than those of group I-infected mice. The number of bacteria in the spleen at 28 days p.i. was greater in mice with severe disease from infection with group I isolates; however, the bacterial loads at the time of death were similar in all infected mice. This suggests that the rate of proliferation of C. burnetii in vivo may be virulence related. An in vitro comparison of infection in L929 cells using NM, Priscilla, and S isolates showed that all of the isolates could persistently infect, but Priscilla required a greater period of time to establish an infection (42), and it has been shown that inclusion-forming units produced by NM and Priscilla isolates were similar in Vero cells (36). However, because of developmental differences in clinical signs and pathological changes, the replication rate does not seem to be the only virulence factor involved, since clinical signs would then be similar with differences only in disease progression. At both time points, 28 days p.i. and the time of death due to infection, heart and lung lesions caused by group IV, V, and VI isolates were milder than those produced by infection with group I isolates. This observation seems to conflict with the hypothesis that isolates from chronic disease cause chronic Q fever, including heart disease. However, our observation is consistent with the report that isolates from heart lesions of chronic-Q fever patients have genetic characteristics similar to those of isolates from acute disease (46). The hypothesis that isolates from acute disease do not cause endocarditis has been supported by two other research groups (17, 24). The correlation between virulence and phylogeny has been controversial because of a lack of comprehensive studies. One study detected genes specific to isolates from acute disease in isolates from chronic Q fever patients and concluded that the isolates were not disease specific (46). The isolates used in the study were isolated by cell culture, and although the cell culture system is highly effective for isolation, isolates from acute disease are known to infect cultured cells more efficiently than isolates from chronic disease, so there remains a potential that the study collected only cell culture-adapted isolates. Several in vivo studies have reported isolate-specific virulence using guinea pig and mouse models (17, 24, 36); however, the number of isolates used in these studies was limited, making it difficult to conclude that there was genomic-group-specific virulence. The present study using eight isolates from four phylogenetic groups strongly supports the variation in virulence among C. burnetii isolate groups.
In the absence of functional T and B cells, cytokine profiles showed no group-specific differences. In immunocompetent mice, group I isolates caused a stronger immune response with high levels of multiple cytokines over a longer time than other groups. Interestingly, Dugway (group VI) induced the least change in CB-17 mice. The inflammatory-cytokine changes in immunocompetent mice in this study were similar to those in humans with acute Q fever (10): TNF-α and IL-6 were upregulated, but IL-1β was not. IFN-γ increased in CB-17 mice infected with group I isolates, and it is associated with the control of bacterial growth, stimulates phagosome-lysosome fusion, and may enable monocytes/macrophages to kill C. burnetii (13, 14). A difference in vacuole formation between isolates has also been shown, with NM and S developing within single large vacuoles while Priscilla occupied several smaller vacuoles per cell (18). This in vitro study suggested a difference in isolate ecology within host cells, which may be correlated with their virulence in vivo.
The ability to cause fever and respiratory illness was isolate and dose dependent in the guinea pig aerosol challenge model, with isolates from groups I and V causing disease consistent with human acute Q fever. Isolates within the same genomic group produced similar clinical illnesses, strongly supporting the mouse experiments demonstrating that genomic differences in the bacterial isolates do play a role in virulence. It was shown here that isolates associated with chronic disease, G and S, have the ability to cause acute disease in the guinea pig model. Our study confirmed and expanded the observations of Kazar et al. that the virulence of NM and S isolates was greater than that of Priscilla.
Lesny et al. compared the cross-immunity of whole-cell and soluble Q fever vaccines made from phase I NM, S, Priscilla, and Luga isolates. They found that vaccines from NM and Priscilla afforded a higher degree of protection than S and Luga vaccines and that whole-cell vaccines were more effective than soluble vaccines (28). In the guinea pig challenge study presented here, killed whole-cell vaccines made from isolates differing in LPS banding pattern (16), plasmid type (44), and genomic group (20), specifically isolates from groups I and V, conferred heterologous protection against virulent high-dose challenge in accordance with previous studies (28). This suggests that although the manifestations of disease and genomic contents differ among various isolate groups, the antigenic properties of whole-cell vaccines are shared enough that cross-protection is possible. Such information is valuable for the design of new vaccines and could be of the utmost importance in offering reliable protection in the event of an outbreak.
The differences in perceived infectious doses noted when ODs, particle counts, and genome copy enumerations were compared underline the importance of using multiple quantitation methods to compare studies with earlier observations. Some of the differences in disease manifestations seen in guinea pigs in this study could be due to slight differences in the infectious doses delivered. For instance, Priscilla and P both induced hepatic changes, although guinea pigs infected with P appeared to develop more severe lesions than those infected with Priscilla, which had a lower infectious dose by OD and qPCR. The difference in infectious dose as determined by the genome copy number could account for this variation. However, G and S both caused fever, and although guinea pigs infected with G did not attain the same degree of febrile response as S-infected animals, quantitation by particle count and real-time PCR showed infectious doses of S to be over a log unit lower than those of G. It could be argued that Priscilla-infected guinea pigs did not develop fever because fewer bacteria were present in the aerosol challenge; however, the group IV isolates did not induce fever at any of the challenge doses while group I isolates induced fever even at the lowest dose. We believe that, despite the variation in the infectious dose depending on the enumeration technique, the significant differences noted among genotypic groups are valid.
Phase variation is the only well-characterized phenotypic difference that is related to virulence in C. burnetii (50). Although LPS may be a major virulence determinant, and isolate LPS banding patterns have been correlated with acute or chronic disease (16), other components alone or in association with LPS may be responsible for differences in mortality in SCID mice and fever development in aerosol-challenged guinea pigs. It has been hypothesized that differences in the lipid A component are responsible for the variations in virulence, but lipid structural information indicates they are similar. The combination of a variety of factors expressed by phase I bacteria likely governs the ability of C. burnetii to infect cells and to maintain continuous growth within the phagolysosome. Indeed, the combination of pathotype variation of disease in infected guinea pigs and cross-protection of different isolates suggests conserved predominant antigenic components with virulence determinant specificity.
A recent report compared all open reading frames of NM phase I to those of African, Ohio, P, G, S, and Dugway, among others (4), and a majority of the open reading frames deleted from NM in the other isolates were either hypothetical or nonfunctional; however, a few were associated with assorted cellular functions. Beare et al. compared the complete genome sequences of NM, K, G, and Dugway and found distinct collections of pseudogenes and unique gene contents that may contribute to pathotype-specific virulence, including type II and type IV secreted effector molecules (5). Integrating our in vivo data with these molecular details, as well as with other in vitro studies, may reveal the critical virulence determinants of C. burnetii and ultimately identify targets for vaccine and therapeutic intervention.
Isolates of phase I C. burnetii have the potential to cause a range of clinical signs, including fever, pneumonia, hepatitis, and splenomegaly. Isolates from one human chronic-disease group induced mild to moderate acute disease in the physiologically relevant guinea pig aerosol challenge model, while a separate isolate group representing several chronic-disease isolates caused no acute disease. All isolates examined were capable of producing disease in the immunocompromised SCID mouse model, and genogroup-consistent trends were noted in cytokine production in response to infection in the immunocompetent-mouse model. In these studies, isolates within the same genomic group caused similar pathological responses, with a distinction in strain virulence between established genogroups, sustaining the theory that genetic differences in the bacterial isolates affect their virulence.
This work was supported by funding from NIH NIAID grants KO8 AI055664, U54 AI057156, and RO1 AI057768 and Science Research Grant number 13460142 from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan.
We are grateful to Laura R. Hendrix for critical review of the manuscript.
Returned for modification 13 August 2009.
Accepted 18 September 2009.
↵▿ Published ahead of print on 28 September 2009.
↵† Supplemental material for this article may be found at http://iai.asm.org/.
Editor: R. P. Morrison
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Infection and Immunity Nov 2009, 77 (12) 5640-5650; DOI: 10.1128/IAI.00851-09
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History of Bannock County, Idaho
Leave a Comment / Bannock County / By Dennis Partridge
Although Bannock county is not yet twenty-five years old, it has seemed desirable to collect her history, before the adventures and legends of early days have been lost in the more prosaic and pressing interests of today.
Probably no state in the union is less known than Idaho. Wyoming has her “Buffalo Bill,” Colorado her Pike’s Peak, Nevada her far, but ill-famed Reno; Utah her famous Salt Lake; all known throughout the English speaking world. But Idaho, rich in natural resources, fertile and prosperous, has furnished no Wild West tragedy like that of Custer in Wyoming, to attract the attention of writers. She possesses no natural wonder to rival the Niagara Falls or Grand Canyon; she has produced no Kit Carson or Daniel Boone to fire the adventurous blood of ten-year-olds.
Early History of Bannock County
Natural History of Bannock County
The Indians of Bannock County
The Cowboy of Bannock County
Fort Hall, Bannock County
The Nez Perce Indian War in Bannock County
The “Bannock Indian War” and the Sheepeaters
The Stage Coach in Bannock County
The Railroad of Bannock County
Development and Conditions of Bannock County
History of Pocatello, Bannock County (many names here)
Leaders of Bannock County (many names here)
Few people in the eastern states can accurately locate Idaho. They know dimly that it is in the great northwest, but whether it is hill or plain, mine or ranch, they have forgotten along with much of the other lore of early school days.
The history of Idaho, however, has already been published by men whose long residence in the state and experience in its public affairs eminently fitted them for the task. It is our more bumble and less pretentious pleasure to record the annals of our own county Bannock than which no other in Idaho is more beautiful in scenery, more romantic in history or more promising for the future.
It is a pleasure to make grateful acknowledgment here of the valuable and ready help so courteously given in the compilation of this history by the heads of the various United States departments at Washington, the officials of the Oregon Short Line, the city and county officers and the many private persons whose personal knowledge or study of the early days of Bannock county made their assistance indispensable. The list is too long to reproduce, but in most instances the authority has been cited in the text, although in several cases names have been omitted at personal request.
Of course, what we call Bannock County today has existed since the time of Adam. And so not to begin in the middle of the story the first chapter is devoted to a rapid sketch of the territory comprising Bannock County, before the county was created.
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Posted on November 21, 2019 by progcroc
Thirsty For Love, Sex And Murder (“Aska Susayanlar: Seks Ve Cinayet”) (Turkey, 1972) Directed by Mehmet Aslan.
Kebab shop counterfeits of the likes of Spiderman, The Exorcist and Star Trek (“Mr Spak” indeed!) have earned the Turkish film industry mucho kitsch culture collateral and its interaction with its Italian counterpart (fascinatingly documented in Pete Tombs’ indispensable Mondo Macabro tome) has born delirious fruit. I’d always accepted Antonio Margheriti’s Yor – Hunter From The Future (1983) as the bench mark of this particular craziness until, that is, the recent buzz on antisocial media which alerted me to the existence of … (brace yourselves)… a Turkish remake of Sergio Martino’s The Strange Vice Of Mrs Wardh (1971). No, really!
Apparently Martino’s film did get a Turkish release (premiering on 23/11/71 as “Yılan Ruhlu Kadın), obviously doing sufficiently blockbusting business on The Bosphorus to convince somebody that a quickie copycat was in order the following year… and it’s a very close copy, or at least a serious stab at one. Certain scenes play out shot-for-shot in comparison to Martino’s original and the principals have clearly been cast with half an eye on how much they resemble its stars. It has to be said that Ivan Rassimov was singularly ill served in this regard, his Turkish equivalent looking more like Lee Van Cleef in the aftermath of a particularly heavy night on the tiles. Meral Zeran (below) is handed the thankless task of replacing Edwige Fenech and the script of this one dispenses with the endless shower scenes that adorned TSVOMW, along with much expositional material.
Various running times have been claimed for Thirsty For Love, Sex And Murder but each of its two appearances on Youtube clock in just short of forty minutes. I don’t know if any footage has been excised (there’s a Sunset Beach-style voice over at one point which might be there to cover such excisions, but my Turkish is rather rusty so who knows?) or whether Turkish cinema goers in the ’70s were content to consume films of such brevity (maybe as a support to the main feature?) One of the versions on Youtube “boasts” a grab-bag soundtrack of themes from miscellaneous gialli, some of them original and some (notably a weedy attempt at invoking Nora Orlandi’s unforgettable “sacramental masochism” theme from TSVOMW) which could have been concocted by the people who used to put together those “Hot Hits” albums for Woolworths. Perhaps the soundtrack copyrights, at least, were contested because the other version I found substituted intolerable synthesiser farting for all of this.
Director Aslan generally makes a creditable job of aping Martino’s shots and copping the giallo’s visual style but does hit the occasional bum note, e.g. the really odd bit in which Zeran is distracted by headlights in a car park, which seems to go on for about four hours. It doesn’t exactly hurt that everybody’s decked out in groovy early ’70s threads and there’s a totally wild party scene in which everybody’s dancing fit to bust a blood vessel and the camera keeps sneaking up the girls’ mini- skirts in the TOTP-patented fashion. The denouement departs somewhat from the original template, incorporating a shoot out / punch up with added acrobatics and Zeran pitching in with a pitchfork. That’s the way to do it, Sergio…
In conclusion, I’d just like to express my disappointment that Turkish exploitation maven Kunt Tulgar had absolutely nothing to do with this picture. Just think of the humorous mileage I could have extracted from that name. I mean, come on… “Tulgar” rhymes with “Vulgar”!
NOW… a chance for you to put your film buffery to the test, avids. Can you correctly identify which of the following images comes from The Strange Vice Of Mrs Wardh and which from Thirsty For Love, Sex And Murder? Send your answers, written on a ten pound note, to That Freudstein House, Oak Mansion, Dunwich, New England, blah, blah, blah to stand a chance of winning absolutely sweet FA. Are we good to you or what?
(Bit of a Clue in this one…)
Categories: Film Reviews | Tags: Edwige Fenech, Eurohorror, Giallo, Sergio Martino | Leave a comment
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Posts Tagged With: Video Nasties
BD. Shameless. Region B. 18.
It’s highly likely that if you’re reading a Blog entitled “House Of Freudstein”, you won’t need me to regale you with the plot of lucio fulci‘s The Beyond (1981). Just in case, though… a woman inherits a New Orleans hotel that’s apparently been built over one of The Seven Gates of Hell (d’oh, what were the odds on that?) and everyone around her starts dying. Very messily indeed. Lots of other mysterious shit happens and eventually she and her potential love interest find themselves in Hell. Literally. That’s all, folks…
Not much of a plot, is it? The enduring appeal of Fulci’s Horror masterpiece resides elsewhere than its highly disjointed narrative… in its regular, relentless outbreaks of mortifying violence and the sheer eldritch atmosphere with which it drips, thanks largely to the spellbinding score of Fabio Frizzi and exquisite, delicate / doomy photography of Sergio Salvati. Salvati buffs will have much to ponder in this handsome new 2k scan from Shameless, during the preparation of which the original colour elements of the film’s unforgettable prologue (in which an occult-inspired artist is chain-whipped, burned with quicklime and crucified by a posse of outraged rednecks) were discovered and for the first time ever, remastered.
Usually screened in a sepia-tinted variation (that must have cost them a few squid… see what I did there?), this sequence has also been released in various territories in full colour and black and white variations. In this edition you’ve got the choice of kicking the film off in any of those, plus the wholly new option of a golden “sepia on colour” (or the digital equivalent thereof) rendering. You can even, should you wish to, view all four versions simultaneously though I wouldn’t advise imbibing psychotropic drugs before doing so, unless you’re planning on spending the next few months in a rubber room.
These new perspectives on the prologue are at the forefront of Shameless’s attempt to convince you to cough up for yet another edition of The Beyond, but as an added inducement there’s a supporting compliment of tasty bonus materials, some of which you might or might not have already encountered in earlier releases. The audio commentary from stars Catriona MacColl and David Warbeck is a bittersweet affair in which a desperately feeble-sounding Warbeck maintains his customary wit and charm in the face of his own impending death. In an alternative commentary track, DP Salvati discusses many aspects of the film, over and above his lighting of it in collaboration with a trusty crew of fellow Fulci regulars (particularly interesting to hear from him that Al Cliver’s role was originally intended for Ivan Rassimov). Interviewees Giorgio Mariuzzo (who co-wrote the film with Fulci and Dardano Sacchetti), Fulci’s close personal friend Michele Mirabella (“He fed me to the tarantulas but it helped to pay the mortgage”) and beautiful Cinzia Monreale are not, of course, short on stories of Fulci’s legendary eccentricities and contrariness, indeed a clip of him taking time out from the shooting of Demonia (1990), which has been floating around since bootleg VHS days, captures the great man in particularly florid form.
Apparently Mariuzzo’s wife, the widow of Elio Petri, told him how highly Petri regarded lucio fulci as a technician. Taste makers, particularly in his own country, never afforded Fulci the same level of acclaim as Petri and co, but fuck ’em… nearly 40 years after the event, The Beyond (and many of his other films) are still being avidly consumed, analysed and cherished.
The soul that pines for eternity shall, indeed, outspan death.
Categories: Blu-ray / DVD Reviews | Tags: Catriona MacColl, Dardano Sacchetti, David Warbeck, Giannetto De Rossi, Gore, Italian Horror, Lucio Fulci, Sergio Salvati, Shameless, Splatter, Video Nasties | Leave a comment
BD. Severin. Region Free. Unrated.
(“The World Blu-Ray Premiere Of The Most Bizarre Nazisploitation Shocker Ever!”, no less…)
“Don’t spit on the plate from which you eat your dinner”, John Morghen once told me and while that’s eminently sensible advice vis-a-vis basic culinary hygiene, he was actually responding to my enquiry as to how he felt about being typecast as a series of mentally unstable grotesques. Somebody else who probably thanked God for typecasting (if possibly for very little else) was Salvatore Baccaro (1932-1984). Talent spotted outside a Roman film studio, working as a fruit and veg vendor (a role he plays, fleetingly, in Dario Argento’s Deep Red, 1975), Sal was never likely to be nominated for a Rondo award, unless it was one for the closest physical resemblance to Rondo Hatton (both suffered from the disfiguring condition acromegaly). Baccaro’s brutish features and sawn-off, barrel-like physique earned him 65 roles, many of which turned on the old “beauty and the beast” chestnut, either with gently ironic intent (he beds the exquisite Edwige Fenech in Sergio Martino’s 1976 portmanteau effort Sex With A Smile) or to rather more sinister effect…
After appearances in, among others, Argento’s Five Days In Milan (1973), the 1974 Dick Randall monstrosity Frankenstein’s Castle Of Freaks (credited as “Boris Lugosi”, our boy played Ook The Neanderthal Man, above) then Jacopetti & Prosperi’s Mondo Candido (1975), Salvatore found his career-defining (though uncredited) role in Tinto Brass’s Salon Kitty (1976). Ramming home, with characteristic lack of subtlety, his message that the Nazis’ obsession with racial superiority made them infinitely more bestial than the “üntermensch” they so despised, Brass shows hookers for Hitler proving their loyalty to the Fuhrer by coupling with non-Aryan, disabled, deformed and otherwise “undesirable” prisoners. Sal features prominently as a randy retard. When I caught up with Salon Kitty courtesy of a University film society in the late ’70s, I counted more walk outs during this scene than for any other public screening of any film I’ve ever attended (though David Cronenberg’s Shivers ran it close).
Not everybody was so turned off, though. In 1977 (a proper annus mirabilis for Signor Baccaro, who also appeared in Luigi Zampa’s The Monster, Luciano Martino’s Erotic Exploits Of A Sexy Seducer and Joe D’Amato’s notorious Emanuelle In America), Sal was called upon to briefly rehash that Salon Kitty role in Bruno Mattei’s xerox of the Brass film, SS Girls. Later in the year producer Roberto Pérez Moreno decided, for reasons over which we can only speculate, to expand the spectacle of Sal as mutant Nazi sex machine to feature length in Luigi Batzella (as “Ivan Kathansky”)’s once-seen-never-forgotten “The Beast In Heat – Horrifing (Sic) Experiments Of SS Final Days”. Well, half feature length, anyway…
… footage from When The Bell Tolls, a partisan saga Batzella had directed (as “Paolo Solvay”) in 1970 was stitched in to provide some kind of context against which Salvatore (as “Sal Boris”… are you getting all this? I’ll be asking questions later) can spend the balance of the picture doing his inimitable thing, bonking any women unfortunate enough to be thrown into his cage (and sometimes eating their pubic hair), hamming it up in a Cosmo Smallpiece-like caricature of lust, mugging and smacking his lips into Batzella’s on-rushing zoom lens while all around him other overacting captives are sexually humiliated, tortured, castrated and fed to ravenous gerbils and guinea pigs, all of this presided over by sexy, mega-aphrodisiac wielding SS doctor Ellen Kratsch (Macha Magall, who’s also in Mattei’s SS Girls, not to mention Ken Dixon’s The Erotic Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe, 1975).
Dr K seems very, er, enthusiastic about her work. Whereas Sal’s role in the Brass and (to a somewhat lesser extent) Mattei films seemed to be to blur the lines between the supposed “subhumans” and the übermensch who were stealing themselves to have it off with them, here he seems to be Doc’s pride and joy, an… er, end in himself, though it’s difficult to see exactly how his retarded rutting is supposed to further the cause of Aryan racial supremacy. Clearly, Fraulein Kratsch has taken her eye off the prize. As Bruce Lee advises a kung fu novice during the opening scenes of Enter The Dragon: “It is like a finger pointing the way to the moon… don’t concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory”. Dr Kratsch is missing out on a shitload of heavenly glory here, though she appears to be having a whale of a time, all the same.
When Batzella (who also edited this thing) finally manages to stitch the old and new footage together into some semblance of a climax, those partisans have very definite views on the Doc’s conduct. Not trusting in a malpractice hearing, they stuff her into Bonking Boris’ cage, exactly where we all knew she’d end up. Unfortunately the kill-joy guerillas shoot them both before the full measure of poetic justice can be meted out.
Severin’s mission to rehabilitate as many official “video nasties” as possible continues unabated. They’ve done a characteristically splendid job on The Beast In Heat, a movie that’s rarely been topped for tastelessness but whose almost palpable absurdity would make it very difficult for anyone to take too much offence at it, aside from opportunistic muck rakers trying to start moral panics during the early ’80.
In the featurette Nasty Nazi, Stephen Thrower, a dependably articulate commentator, struggles (as would anyone) to convey the tawdry ridiculousness of the whole affair and wonders how a dapper, urbane character such as Luigi Batzella (pictured above, right) could have been roped into it. I guess the answer is that he had bills to pay like everybody else. No doubt the same was true for The Beast’s OST composer Giuliano Sorgini, previously responsible for the sublime score to Jorge Grau’s masterly Living Dead At The Manchester Morgue (1974). Thrower suggests that TBIH was as much “inspired” by the dishonourable tradition of OTT Italian horror comics (“fumetti”) as by any cinematic antecedents which sets up an interesting feedback loop, given that such comic book fodder (see for instance the controversial case of IPC’s Action comic in the UK) often exists to feed a demand for rite of passage forbidden thrills from kids too young to sneak in and see adult-certified films.
Of course you get a (French) trailer, plus Naomi Holwill’s exhaustive, alternately informative and amusing feature length SadicoNazista doc, Fascism On A Thread – The Strange Story of Nazisploitation Cinema. The aforementioned Giuliani Sorgini opens proceedings by declaring these films”the lowest of the low”. Other genre luminaries interviewed include directors Bruno Mattei, Sergio Garrone (SS Experiment Camp), Mario Caiano (Nazi Love Camp 27), Rino Di Silvestro (Deported Women Of The SS Special Section) and Liliana Cavani (who reveals that what worried Italian censors most about The Night Porter was the spectacle of Charlotte Rampling on top during sex). Night Porter writer Italo Moscati and Sergio D’Offizi (DP on Deported Women Of The SS Special Section) also have their say, along with actresses Melissa Longo (Salon Kitty and various French stabs at SadicoNazista) and Dyane Thorne (Ilsa herself… now an ordained minister!) plus her husband and collaborator Howard Maurer, along with commentators and academics including Mike Hostench from the Sitges Film Festival, Mikel J. Koven, Russ Hunter, Anthony Page, Kim Newman, Allan Bryce and the inevitable John Martin. Yep, it’s another winner from High Rising Productions.
“Oh, the subhumanity!”
Categories: Blu-ray / DVD Reviews | Tags: Censorship, Italian Horror, Nazism, Severin, Sexploitation, Video Nasties | Leave a comment
Categories: Blu-ray / DVD Reviews | Tags: 88 Films, Al Cliver, Cannibals, Censorship, Jesus Franco, Spanish Horror, Video Nasties | Leave a comment
“There’s A Girl In My Soup!” “So What… There’s A Piranha Up My Arse!” CANNIBAL TERROR & Antonio Climati’s THE GREEN INFERNO On 88 Blu-ray.
Posted on March 7, 2019 by progcroc
1) Don’t Torture A Turtle…
The Green Inferno. BD. Region Free. 88 Films. 15.
Although Eli Roth seemed to be paying his dues by including an Italian cannibal filmography in the credits for his Ruggero Deodato pastiche The Green Inferno, he conspicuously omitted from it the Antonio Climati picture whose title he had pinched. It’s a significant omission because Climati’s Green Inferno (originally released in Italy as Natura Contro in 1988) develops an ongoing argument about the moral dilemmas inextricably associated with The Italian Cannibal Film and the fact that this spilled over into something of an ongoing personal feud between Climati and Deodato makes the whole thing of more than mere academic interest…
The main thrust of this film’s plotting will be all too familiar to regular viewings of Italian man-munching epics, with Professor Korenz (Roberto Ricci) disappearing while on an expedition into the Amazon basin in search of the elusive Eema tribe. Jemma Demien (May Deseligny, who bears a vague, pleasing resemblance to Daria Nicolodi) is your mandatory sassy TV reporter (we’re introduced to when she reports on a head shrinking racket for the mondo-esque TV program “Reality Beyond Fantasy”) aiming to track down the Prof. Inexplicably, she decides to recruit Fred (Marco Merlo) and Mark (Fabrizio Merlo) to the cause. These shiftless sibling adventurers, whose allegedly endearing but actually highly irritating antics include TWOCing planes and driving ludicrously big-wheeled jeeps around, would be better qualified to present the next series of Top Gear… and that’s certainly not intended as a compliment.
Before you can say “Yanomamo”, however, these good ol’ boys are accompanying Jemma into the jungle, together with their eccentric young scientist pal Pete (never embark on an Amazonian mission without one) played by Pio Maria Federici, who supplies a trumpet accompaniment to (and misconceived witticisms about) the unfolding “action” (if we can stretch a point and call it that). The perils they encounter include frog races, a tussle with an anaconda, attacks by ants, spiders and more of those ubiquitous spiky ball booby traps. Our heroes even have snakes held to their peckers by crime lords who want to find the Eema on account of their alleged inside information on the whereabouts of El Dorado (that old chestnut!) They manage to break up an organ farming racket en route to their disappointing rendezvous with those Eema types and the discovery of the Professor, who promptly takes off in their plane with Jemma, stranding then so they won’t be able to give away the location of the tribe. “Well, we said we wanted adventure!” one of them quips, though thankfully viewers were spared any sequels. Maybe they never made it back?
Ruggero Deodate was as fascinated and horrified as anybody by Gualtiero Jacopetti and Franco Prosperi’s epochal Mondo Cane (1962) and its shockumentary sequels. The deadly duo’s 1966 doc Africa Addio (which excites controversy to this day over the provenance of its animal and human death scenes) is often cited as the departure point for his devastating critique of Mondo mores in Cannibal Holocaust, but Deodato seems to have been more focussed, while constructing it, on a couple of mondos co-directed in the mid-70s by Antonio Climati (DP on both Mondo Cane and Africa Addio) and Mario Morra, another protegé of Jacopetti and Prosperi. The films in question were Savage Man, Savage Beast aka Ultime Grida Dalla Savana (“The Last Cries From The Savannah”, 1975) and This Violent World aka Savage World / Mondo Violence (1976). Both feature the mandatory mix of violence inflicted on both animals and human beings (but how much of it is faked… and how worried should we be about the bits that aren’t?) This Violent World (“banned in 40 countries!”) seems to have registered particularly strongly with Deodato, to the extent that he restages two scenes from it (native women bathe a white man and seem fascinated by his penis / an episode of enforced abortion) in Cannibal Holocaust.
Japanese poster for This Violent World.
By attempting to grab the Mondo moral high ground, Deodato was laying himself open to charges of having his cake and eating it. Certainly Climati, sensing that the finger was being pointed at him, took note of the animal abuse that litters Cannibal Holocaust and the nudge, nudge marketing which implied that its little known cast had indeed been eaten by cannibals and decided to lob a dissenting brick, in the shape of The Green Inferno, through the wall of Deodato’s cinematic glass house. That’s probably enough mixed metaphors for now…
Serving as his own DP (and making a predictably beautiful job of it, given his CV), Climati shot Contro Natura in the Colombian town Leticia, where Cannibal Holocaust (and also Umberto Lenzi’s coat-tail riding Cannibal Ferox, 1981) had been made. Returning a dubious favour, he copped the Green Inferno title from a line in Holocaust and also went out of his way to stage scenes in which monkeys, coatis and turtles receive kind treatment at the hands of the protagonists… a very far cry, if not from the Savannah then from the way in which comparable animals were treated during Deodato’s picture. You don’t have to abuse animals to make a mondo / cannibal picture, seemed to be Climati’s message and although he was a conspicuously late convert to this position, he seems to have won the historical argument, with Deodato and Sergio Martino now endorsing more animal friendly versions of Cannibal Holocaust and Prisoner Of The Cannibal God and Umberto Lenzi accepting (it’s clear that he never entertained any moral qualms on this score) a similarly softened variant of his Cannibal Ferox (all of these for Blu-ray release by Shameless). There are, it’s worth noting, restored shots of monkeys being hit with blow darts in The Green Inferno that had to be trimmed before Vipco got their ’15’ certificate (for a DVD release opportunistically entitled Cannibal Holocaust II) in 2002. There is no record of how a small fish (allegedly a piranha) felt about swimming up and being pulled out of a native porter’s arse.
Bonus materials include a limited edition glossy slip case and booklet with notes by Italian pundit Francesco Massaccesi (these if you buy early enough), remastered trailer, reversible sleeve and Italian opening / closing credits. Most worthy of your attention is Eugenio Ercolani and Giuliano Emanuele’s documentary Scenes From Banned Alive: The Rise And Fall Of The Italian Cannibal Movie, in which Umberto Lenzi, Ruggero Deodato and Sergio Martino are interviewed about their efforts in this particularly blood stained filone. There have been several documentary investigations of this area in recent years (most of them by the UK’s High Rising Productions) but it’s interesting to see a native Italian take on the Phenom. We’d heard that Lenzi and Deodato buried the hatchet before Lenzi’s death but there’s a significant amount of low-level niggling here, though the notoriously irascible Lenzi reserves most of his ire for stoking another ongoing feud, with Ferox star “John Morghen” aka Giovanni Lombardo Radice. Modest as ever, Lenzi declares the decapitation of Johnny in that film “a stroke of directorial genius!” Steady on…
2) … and among the nominees for best screen dialogue, H.L. Rostaine and Ilona Kunesova…
Cannibal Terror. BD. Region B. 88 Films. 18.
“Can’t you open the fucking door?”
“Shit… oh shit.”
“Shit… what are you doing?”
“Fuck… oh fuck it! No fucking idiot could get that door open… made me look a fucking fool!”
… but seriously folks, “Allan W. Steeve”s Cannibal Terror was never nominated for and certainly never received any Oscars, the only accolade it ever actually managed being a place on the DPP’s official “Video Nasties” list. Because, in our youth, we prided ourselves on our consumption of Forbidden fruits, this was just one of the many cinematic atrocities to which we anal retentive types willingly subjected ourselves, back in the day. Now it’s back on our shelves courtesy of 88 Films, certified ’18’ and in an HD restoration that makes it look whole a lot better than it probably ever had a right to look….
The swear fest we just heard comes courtesy of some kidnappers who abduct a child and secrete it in a safe house, in the depths of some jungle or other, while the ransom is sorted out. Their jungle guide advises them that cannibals lurk behind every bush. “They’d love to put you in the soup” she warns “but if we don’t stop, there’s no sweat.” As it happens, there’s perspiration aplenty when their jeep breaks down. Disregarding her own warnings, the guide wanders off into the undergrowth and is promptly ambushed by the locals who, it has to be said, present a less than convincing spectacle…
Frighteningly authentic Amazonian cannibals. Yesterday.
The “cannibals” (who seem more interested in playing tug-of-war with her raw intestines than actually eating them… understandably enough) overact shamelessly, grinning like loons as they brandish fistfuls of guts at the camera. I get that these extras are no more trained actors than they are genuine South American natives, but couldn’t their pantomime excesses have been a bit more skillfully edited? Apparently not. Further ineptitude in this department ensures plenty of shots of people standing around waiting for cues and gawping aimlessly into space. The magic of the movies, eh?
Despite the loss of their guide the kidnappers make it to the jungle safe-house, and no sooner has their host gone away on a business trip than one of these desperadoes ties his wife to a tree and rapes her (a feat he accomplishes without dropping or even unzipping his trousers). When hubby gets home he takes his guests on a hunting trip, ties the rapist to the very tree against which he had performed this violation and gives a sharp whistle, which is apparently the cannibal equivalent of a dinner gong. The rapist is eaten and his partners in crime tied to poles and carried off to the native village, where they are given the Cannibal Holocaust treatment while the kidnapped kid is led off to play in a cannibal kintergarten. By the time the parents arrive, acting on a hot tip-off, there’s not much left of the ’nappers. “The gangsters got all the punishment they deserved”, the tribal chief assures them, indicating what is supposed to be the severed head of the baddy-in-chief, blinking visibly as he pokes his head through a bit of scenery. “He got all the pain and suffering that was coming to him.” So did anyone who’s ever sat through Cannibal Terror…
In possible mitigation, those bemused by the absence of any actual cannibalism in Climati’s Green Inferno will find buckets of palpably phony gore here. Cannibal Terror is similarly devoid of violence against animals, though… at least on-screen (all those innards had to come from somewhere, I guess). Since his days as one of the DPP’s least favourite directors, “Allan W. Steeve” has been outed as an unholy combination of Alain Deruelle and Julio Pérez Tabernero… Jess Franco’s alleged participation in the project has now been ruled out, though apparently Franco acolyte Olivier Mathot (who also appears in the picture as “Monsieur Danville”) directed certain scenes. Sabrina Siani contributes her characteristic combination of significant eye candy and infinitesimal acting talent.
Perhaps we’ll discover some redemptive element in this disc’s bonus materials? Well, aside from a trailer and deleted “erotic” dancing scene with which you might already be regretfully familiar from Severin’s earlier edition of Cannibal Terror, there’s Naomi Holwill’s documentary That’s Not The Amazon! – The Strange Story of the Eurocine Cannibal Film Cycle, in which assembled pundits Allan Bryce, Mikel Koven, John Martin and Calum Waddell (plus cast member Antonio Mayans, who admits it wasn’t always easy to remember which film he was supposed to be acting in at any given moment) attempt to elicit a few laughs from the amateurish anthropophagic efforts that the Lasoeur family were churning out in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Martin summarises the guiding principles of Eurociné’s cannibal dabblings thus: “If you’ve got a bucket of offal and you can stuff it up somebody’s jumper then pull it out again and if you can film in a park somewhere and pretend it’s the Amazon basin, then you’ve got yourself a movie”, further characterising these films as “shoddily executed”… and who am I to contradict the sartorially splendid but increasingly gnarled looking doyen of dodgy film criticism?
As time marches on, those who haven’t seen Cannibal Terror and many of its DPP list-mates might be unclear about exactly what is was that our moral guardians had in their cross hairs during the early ’80s when they predicted the imminent collapse of Civilisation. If that’s you, prepare to be gob smacked!
Categories: Blu-ray / DVD Reviews | Tags: 88 Films, Cannibals, Italian Horror, Mondo, Ruggero Deodato, Sergio Martino, Umberto Lenzi, Video Nasties | Leave a comment
Bringing Up Baby… ABSURD, ANTHROPOPHAGOUS Antics On Severin BD.
Joe D’Amato’s Anthropophagous Beast (1980) and Absurd (1981).
“Respectable” journalists and media outlets seem to spend most of their time, these days, angsting about “fake news” and its potentially pernicious effects on gullible schmoes like you… which is pretty ripe considering the constant stream of bullshit these jokers have themselves been pumping out at us over so many years. UK readers of a certain age might well recall tuning into News At Ten during the early 1980s only to find themselves being leered at by Luigi Montefiori as he stuffed his hand up a pregnant lady’s skirt, pulled out a skinned rabbit and started chowing down on it. This, we were earnestly informed by the stern-faced newsreader, was “a scene from a snuff movie”! Get a fucking brain, pal…
“Video Nasties” hysteria has, fortunately, abated to the point where that alleged foetus-eating feast, Joe D’Amato’s Anthropophagous Beast (1980), is (alongside most of the other “nasties” on the DPP’s dreaded list) readily available and uncut on the shelves of legitimate retail outlets over the full length and breadth of these sceptred isles. 88 Films released it here on Blu-ray in 2015, rapidly followed by a “remastered special edition” boasting a previously deleted scene. Unwilling to splash out more of the readies to witness what might, for all I know, amount to no more than six seconds of Mr Montefiori walking across a beach, gurning, I’m unfamiliar with that edition.
What I am clutching in my sweaty little hands though is a Severin box set comprising their releases of Anthropophagous and its sort of sequel, the following year’s Absurd. The original film, as you’re probably already only too well aware, alternates passages of unrelenting tedium (as an ill-matched party of tourists wander around the Greek islands waiting for something to happen… then wish it hadn’t) with sporadic outbursts of ultra-violent, inventively gory action every time our heroes (Tisa Farrow, Saverio Vallone, “Vanessa Steiger” / Serena Grandi, et al) cross paths with hulking cannibal Klaus Wortmann (or Nikos Karamanlis, depending on which print you’re watching), who got the taste for human flesh after several days adrift on an open boat obliged him to eat his wife and child. Less, er, visionary Horror directors than D’Amato would have contented themselves with that, the foetus eating and a rather grisly scalping, but Joe could always be relied on to go that extra exploitive mile and Mr Beast tops all of it (and arguably anything else in the truly wild annals of Italian splatter cinema) at the climax of this picture… disembowelled with a pick-axe, he pulls out yards of his unravelling intestines and (still gurning madly) starts stuffing his face with them.
Severin have commemorated this unforgettable (try as you might) movie milestone in the plush doll pictured above and a host of other man-eating merch available on their website.
While much of Marcello Giombini’s synth OST still sounds (appropriately enough, perhaps) like an acute attack of IBS, Severin’s 2k scan from the original 16mm negative will come as a revelation to anyone who’s heard about Uncle Joe’s reputation as a DP but suffered previous VHD and DVD editions. Don’t get me wrong (we’re not talking Days Of fucking Heaven, here) but relative to those, the cinematography (officially credited to Enrico Biribicchi, which might or might not be yet another D’Amato alias) is pretty good.
A predictable profusion of bonus interviews are chock full of hot gossip from the inner circle of pasta splateratti. Monterfiori rates Anthropophagous as”shit” and who’s going to argue with the big guy? In fact he rewrote the script only on condition that he wouldn’t be “credited” for having done so and attributes the film’s cult success to the fact that “there are a lot of weirdos out there” (guilty as charged, eh readers?)
Everybody agrees that working on a D’Amato set was always a laugh riot (FX man Pietro Tenoglio recalls a lot of bantering back and forth during the scene that freaked out our man at News At Ten) and nobody has a bad word to say about Tisa Farrow. Zora Kerova (looking fab, despite her countless cinematic tribulations) disputes the oft-repeated story about Farrow having one eye and gives us the lowdown on who was romancing whom. Several interviewees comment on the emergence of Margaret Mazzantini as one of Italy’s leading literary figures… who could have extrapolated that from her show stopping turn in Anthropophagous (above), jumping out of a barrel clutching a big knife, arm pit hair akimbo?!? Editor Bruno Micheli recalls how the cutting of D’Amato’s films devolved to him because his sister jumped ship when Joe started steering a porno course and Saverio Vallone finally gets the credit he deserves for skewering Montefiori’s duodenum on that pick axe.
Whatever guts Montefiori’s character still packed after Anthrophophagous are unpacked on a spiky railing at the commencement of the aptly named Absurd, when he’s attempting to evade Edmund Purdom’s obsessive priest (“I serve God with biochemistry rather than ritual”). Needless to say, this doesn’t cramp his style re menacing a houseload of children (Katya and Kasimir Berger… yes, they’re William Berger’s kids) and their baby sitter (Annie Belle). John Carpenter’s Halloween (1978) seems as salient an antecedent here as Anthropophagous and Montefiori’s monstrous dude (boasting a much clearer complexion last time out) doesn’t actually eat anybody (he even resists the urge to consume his own intestines when they put in their inevitable appearance) though he does hang Michele Soavi’s juvenile delinquent upside down from a tree, bake Ms Belle’s bonce in an oven and penetrate the heads of various other dudes with axes, black’n’deckers and bandsaws. This predisposition towards the ol’ ultraviolence is on account of a genetic mutation (a scientifically induced one, the script darkly hints) that also, as (bad) luck would have it, renders him virtually indestructible. Katya Berger, who spends most of the film screwed to some fiendish orthopedic device, ultimately rises from it (begging certain obvious questions that D’Amato clearly couldn’t be arsed to answer) and proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that when it comes to challenging the alleged indestructibility of hulking home invaders, eye pokings and decapitation trump biochemistry every time!
Extras on the Absurd disc include the alternative Italian cut (as Rosso Sangue), with optional English subtitles and a trailer. You’ve possibly also seen the interviews with Michel Soavi and Joe D’Amato on other releases. In the latter, the genial director explains yet again (possibly for the benefit of News At 10 journalists) that he never actually killed anyone in any of his films, i.e. that there are these things called “special effects” (even if they’re not always all that special). Montefiori talks some more about his working relationship and friendship with D’Amato and of his often anonymous work as a script doctor (well, despite his best efforts, the scripts often died on their ass!) Evaluating the development of his Klaus over the two films, he sagely offers: “My character doesn’t have any lines… he just rasps and whines!” Indeed.
My copy came with the limited edition accompanying soundtrack CD but there was no sign of the T-shirt. Still, bloggers can’t be choosers… and anyway, I could never carry it off as jauntily as Darrell Buxton does.
With this / these release/s the Severin boys strike another retrospective blow against the “nasty” witch hunters who contrived to spoil their fun in the 1980s… and you’ve gotta love ’em for it!
“Bong!”
Categories: Blu-ray / DVD Reviews | Tags: Censorship, Gore, Joe D'Amato, Luigi Montefiori, Severin, Splatter, Video Nasties | Leave a comment
Nature, Pink In Tooth And Claw? CANNIBAL FEROX On Shameless Blu-Ray
Yes Johnny, he gets off on ecology,
BD. Region B. Shameless. 18.
In the unlikely event that there’s anyone out there who’s unfamiliar with the “plot” of Umberto Lenzi’s Cannibal Ferox (1981)… Lorraine De Selle, Zora Kerova and some bloke head into deepest Colombia in search of evidence to support De Selle’s academic thesis that Third World cannibalism is “bat shit”… i.e. fake news, disseminated to further the agenda of wicked western corporations and ideologically unsound imperialists. The following hour and a half establishes pretty conclusively just how wrong she was on this score, but the film ends – SPOILER ALERT! – with her safely back in the Groves of Academe, presenting her thesis as proven, having decided that the locals were driven to avenge themselves on “Naughty Mike” (as Giovanni Lombardo Radice refers to his character), who came to the Amazon basin on his own search for emeralds and cocaine and, having overindulged in the latter, tortured and killed the natives in an effort to find those elusive gems.
The most notorious Gino De Rossi special effect in this former “video nasty” reminds me of a very non-PC joke about two hippy chicks… though I couldn’t possibly repeat it in polite company. Women being strung up by hooks through their breasts… a native having his eye prised out with a knife… sexualised violence… a woman being kicked in the head… disembowelment… cannibalism… the machete amputation of John Morghen’s penis (then hand) and the slicing open of his skull so that natives can feast on his coke-crazed brain… all of this was removed from Replay’s “soft” VHS version, to which the BBFC awarded an unofficial ’18’ certificate in September 1982 (which proved to be a pretty pointless exercise for all concerned, as both versions subsequently ended up on the dreaded “nasties” list). The BBFC take a relatively relaxed view of such simulated splatter shenanigans these days but there is, of course, another outstanding issue with Ferox and its cannibal kin…
Animal wise, the “soft” version forfeited such Mondoesque moments as the dismemberment of a live turtle, snakes eating and attacking coatis and lizards, a monkey falling foul of a hungry jaguar, natives gutting and eating a crocodile and most of the scene in which Morghen’s character, a propos of nothing in particular, stabs a small pig to death. “Do you get off on ecology, huh, twat?” he asks Lorraine De Selle when she censures him for this gratuitous act of butchery. Well yes, she did… and as we have seen, the BBFC entertain serious reservations about such conduct, too. By 2001 the Board were certifying all manner of ex-“nasties” and other betes noirs of the departed James Ferman’s tenure, but before Vipco got the nod for a VHS / DVD release they were required to make an additional excision to the animal violence, i.e. “six seconds of a tethered small animal banging against the side of a jeep”.
The BBFC are legally obliged to take account of The Cinematograph (animals) Act of 1937 and the Animal Welfare Act (2006) but in the intervening years there’s been serious disquiet about the content of Italian cannibal films, even among hardened gore hounds and much dispute on social media forums about ethical vs authentic versions of them.
Make them die within the provisions of the Cinematograph (animals) Act of 1937…
And so, following in the wake of such recent Shameless releases as Ruggero Deodato’s “preferred” version of Cannibal Holocaust and what Sergio Martino describes as an “improved” Mountain (formerly Prisoner) Of The Cannibal God, here comes Cannibal Ferox redux. While Deodato and Martino seem to entertain genuine misgivings about some of the things they’d gotten up to half a lifetime previously in South East Asia and up The Amazon, you suspect Lenzi didn’t really give a monkey’s cranium for animal rights, happily agreeing to anything that would squeeze a few more dollars out of a film that, it’s common knowledge, he despised.
So, what’s in and what’s out? Natives chewing on butterflies and live larvae are here, because the relevant legislation only applies to vertebrates. Ditto the skewering and stamping on of spiders. Because “quick clean kills” are not legally prohibited, you get the decapitation of a turtle that the natives are preparing for supper and the BBFC have deemed the thrashing around of what’s left of the unfortunate critter to be “a post mortem nervous reaction, akin to a headless chicken running around a farmyard”… and equally revolting. There still seem to be shots of that “tethered small animal banging against the side of a jeep” and although the subsequent scene of said Coati being attacked by a large snake has been re-cut to eliminate the actual kill (remaining footage runs in slo-mo to maintain the film’s 93 minute running time) you still see its desperate attempts to avoid capture, which is pretty distressing stuff. There are further abridgements to a jaguar killing and dragging a monkey off into the foliage, natives gutting a small crocodile and the notorious pig stabbing scene in which Signor Radice / Morghen refused to participate. A clumsily contrived and totally gratuitous snake / lizard fight-to-the-death has completely gone, the narrative proceeding at this point straight to Johnny’s big seduction scene (“I had you nailed down the minute I saw you…”, etc) with Zora Kerova.
So there you have it. A Cannibal Ferox that’s sufficiently compliant with the law to piss off completists but is still unlikely to persuade Morrissey to trade in his A Taste Of Honey DVD to get a copy…. this might prove to be one of Shameless’s most divisive releases yet.
Extras-wise, Lenzi and a heavily bearded Lombardo Radice continue their war of words from beyond the grave… Lenzi’s, anyway (his interview here is possibly the last one he ever recorded). A comparison feature shows how much better the 2K scan of Ferox’s 16mm negative looked after colour correction. The results are pretty grainy but Shameless argue, with some justification, that this is better looking and more authentic than certain other releases, with their “blingy shimmer” of Digital Noise Reduction. Whatever, if you pre-order this one (and there’s still time to do so as I post this) you get a barf bag into the bargain, all the better to turn you lounge into a 42nd Street grind house for an hour-and-a-half… but no monkey spanking, OK?
“What cannibalism?”
Categories: Blu-ray / DVD Reviews | Tags: Cannibals, Censorship, Gore, Italian Horror, John Morghen, Lorraine De Selle, Shameless, Splatter, Umberto Lenzi, Video Nasties, Zora Kerova | Leave a comment
Jeepers, Creepers… ALL EYES ON LENZI – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE ITALIAN EXPLOITATION TITAN Reviewed
All Eyes On Lenzi – The Life And Times Of The Italian Exploitation Titan (2018). Directed and produced by Calum Waddell. Produced and edited by Naomi Holwill.
Despite having one of Hollywood’s hottest hot shots (you know who I mean) as the unofficial President of his fan club, the recently deceased Umberto Lenzi remains an underrated director among aficianados of the various genres in which he worked. I’m as guilty as anyone in this regard… in one of my earliest published pieces I praised Lenzi’s cannibal movies (he wouldn’t have thanked me for that… indeed, he subsequently slammed the phone down on one attempt I made to talk to him about those films) while dismissing his gialli out of hand. Well, the statute of limitations must be up on this so I might as well confess that in those days I still hadn’t seen several of the latter…
I subsequently caught up with and have recently been re-watching Lenzi’s thrillers starring Carroll Baker, in the service of a feature that I’m writing about the evolution of the giallo, so you’d think I wouldn’t make that mistake again. As recently as my review of Arrow’s Your Vice Is A Locked Room And Only I Have The Key, though, I refer to a notional “big four” of giallo directors (Bava, Argento, Fulci and Martino) which really should have been expanded to a “big five” to include Lenzi. Sure, his brand of steamy. scheming, bonkbusting gialli gave way to the Bird With The Crystal Plumage model and his later attempts to render films in the Argento style are not wholly convincing, but to deny Lenzi his proper place in the Hall Of Fame does a significant disservice both to him and to giallo history… over and above which, we must consider the impact of his cannibal epics on polite society and the enormity of his contributions to the poliziotteschi scene.
Perhaps my brief contributions to Calum Waddell’s timely All Eyes On Lenzi feature-length documentary will go some way towards atoning for my previous critical lacunae. There are plenty of other pundits lining up in it to demand that Lenzi be paid his due respect, including Milanese fan publishing notable Manlio Gomarasca, the University of Worcester’s own Mikel Koven (who enthuses about the thespian sparks ignited between Tomas Milian and Maurizio Merli, among other things), film-maker Scooter McCrae and one of my favourite up-and-coming writers, Rachael Nisbet (is that your disc collection behind you, Rachael? Jeez, I wish mine was as neatly displayed as that…)
Principle among those boosting Lenzi’s credentials, of course, is Lenzi himself, in one of the last interviews he ever gave (and in which he gives particularly good value for money on the subject of setting up the action scenes in his crime-slime classics, also keeping an admirably straight face as he expands upon the serious ecological message behind Nightmare City). Giovanni Lombardo Radice offers a dissenting view while his Cannibal Ferox co-star Danilo Mattei (who can also be seen lurking inside a bear skin in Lenzi’s The Iron Master) contributes a more phlegmatic take on the moody director’s foibles.
The Iron Master… Nightmare City… Eyeball… all these slices of delirious cinematic trash are enthusiastically endorsed as evidence that Lenzi could still deliver entertaining fare, even when the budgets got a bit rubbish. AEOL doesn’t shy away from the fact that when the budgets got really rubbish, Lenzi was as capable of delivering a sack of shit as anyone (Black Demons… The Hell’s Gate… I’m looking at you) but hey, that never queered anyone’s admiration for Lucio Fulci, and rightly so. Nisbet offers the ironic observation that even Lenzi’s fag-end failures have a fan following of their own among millennials (bloody millennials… who can figure those guys out, huh?)
Another winner from our pals at High Rising Productions, All Eyes On Lenzi will apparently be included in an all-singing / dancing deluxe metal box edition of Eyeball from 88 Films… keep ’em peeled for that one, schlock-pickers!
06/08/31 – 19/10/17. R.I.P.
Categories: Film Reviews | Tags: 88 Films, Cannibals, Crime Slime, Giallo, High Rising, Italian Horror, Umberto Lenzi, Video Nasties | Leave a comment
“Black Magic From Deep Space”… XTRO Reviewed
Posted on June 19, 2018 by progcroc
BD. Region Free. Second Sight. 15.
Not all Extra Terrestrials were as friendly as E.T. … nor were any of them remotely as financially successful. Back in 1982, Stephen Spielberg’s touchy-feely encounter of the mawkish kind wiped the box office floor with such superior downbeat contenders as Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and John Carpenter’s The Thing, so what chance did a low-budget, Anglo-American Alien wannabe directed (and scored) by the obscure Harry Bromley Davenport (whose only previous feature was Whispers Of Fear from 1976) stand?
Precious little, probably, when its own director dismisses “the dreaded Xtro” (his own words) as “an extraordinary mess”. Cooked up between HBD, producer Mark Forstater and New Line honcho Bob Shaye as some kind of UK answer to the surreal non sequitur horrors of Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm (1979), hyped on its eventual release as the dark mirror image of Spielberg’s box office champ (with heavy Alien overtones), Xtro is indeed a mess, albeit a very, very enjoyable one. Davenport has also described his little opus as “pointless… completely ludicrous… rubbish…. awful and reprehensible” but I’d characterise it rather as a Poundland restaging of The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976)… and I mean that as a compliment! In fact if I may be so bold, Xtro’s queasy quasi-Oedipal undercurrents and sci-fi slant on dysfunctional family life ultimately place it considerably closer to Andrzej Zulawski’s Possession (1981) than Ed Wood’s Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959).
The film’s opening sequence goes right back to the source of all that touchy-feely alien hugging nonsense, Kubrick’s 2001 (1968) and reinvents its famous “flying-bone-into-spacecraft” segue for the abduction of protagonist Sam (Phil Sayer), whose subsequent return to Earth kicks off a series of highly improbable and improbably grisly events (“The idea was to do the most disgusting things that we could possibly get away with… we just wanted to shock people” admits Harry somewhere during the supplementary materials). Having boned up on alien obstetrics according to Ridley Scott, HBD presents us with the rape of “woman in cottage” (the ever lovely Susie Silvey) by slithery, sub-Gigeresque genitalia after which, in a wince inducing scene, she gives birth to a full-grown Sam.
His wife Rachel (Bernice Stegers) has very mixed feelings about Sam’s reappearance, as during his absence she has set up home with photographer Joe (Danny Brainin). Scrumptious au pair Analise (Maryam D’Abo) is also sceptical, but at least Sam’s son Tony (Simon Nash) is glad to have him back. Sam cements Tony’s loyalty by passing on some alien powers (in another icky scene that involves neck-sucking and Cronenbergesque bladder eruptions) and soon the lad is bringing his toy clown and action man to life, to kill the interfering old biddy from downstairs (Anna Wing, who must have been particularly grateful when East Enders came along) and conniving in the transformation of Analise into a mummified alien egg breeder. Apropos of nothing (aside from Shaye’s insistence), a black panther prowls the house at random moments…
Finally, after various other folks have been messily dispatched, Sam reverts to a monstrous metallic insect man and whisks Tony off in his space ship for a new life, God knows where.
Davenport, as he freely admits, was blessed with a fine cast who never so much as hint in their performances that they consider this outré material beneath them. Admittedly Maryam D’Abo, for whom Xtro represents her feature debut and who suffers from a bit of a wobbly accent, later wrote it out of her filmography. Indeed, on becoming a Bond girl (The Living Daylights, 1987) she declared to the press that she had never done and would never do full frontal nude scenes. Xtro provides conclusive and rather delicious evidence to the contrary.
Phil Sayer (now the late Phil Sayer, sadly) generates genuine pathos in his role as the dislocated dad. Bernice Stegers, whose CV also boasts Fellini’s City Of Women and her husband’s Four Weddings And A Funeral, brings credence and therefore credibility to anything in which she appears, witness her compelling turn in Lamberto Bava’s magnificently overwrought 1980 effort Macabro (below) and here. Regrettably, on the night when Mrs F and I once found ourselves sitting at the next table to Stegers in the now defunct Old Orleans restaurant on the bridge in York, my better half dissuaded me from approaching her on the grounds that I’d spoil the poor woman’s dinner if I reminded her of “all the terrible films she’s been in”. Speaking of spoiled dinners, I later threw up my chowder… bit of a washout all round, that evening was. It’s especially galling to learn from Stegers’ appearances in the bonus materials on this set that she’s rather tickled when people engage her in conversation about Xtro…
“… just don’t ask me about that bloody Macabro thing!”
Once liable for confiscation under Section 3 of The Obscene Publications Act back in those dark draconian days of the early ’80s, Xtro’s BD debut comes with a ’15’ certificate and laden with extras, mostly courtesy of them Nucleus boys, that are almost as entertaining as the feature itself. “There was this awful period of the ‘video nasties’…” reflects Davenport in the archive feature Xtro Exposed: “ … an awful British phrase, it has a lot English pettiness about it”. Too true, Harry… though the twitchy director can’t resist enthusing about the news report on a psycho killer which featured close-ups of Xtro prominently displayed in his voluminous video collection (“You can’t do better than that, really… sales went through the roof!”)
In the more up-to-date Xploring Xtro, Jake and Mark have assembled most of the surviving participants and various interested parties, including Tik & Tok, reminiscing about their robotic and alien contortions and Robert Pereno reprising his immortal “Stay in the car”! line. Maryam D’Abo continues to maintain her distance from the project and although I know Jake and Marc tried hard to identify the current whereabouts of Simon Nash, their efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful. In his absence, other participants comment cattily on his crap acting and how much weight he put on during the shoot (more on that later).
In The World Of Xtro we are introduced to Mr Dennis “Xtro” Atherton (just for a second there I thought we were going to get Andrew “Xtro” Featherstone), an über-obsessive fan of the film who views it as a Bergmanesque family drama with added space aliens and has more cock-eyed theories about it than any of the Shining devotees showcased in Rodney Ascher’s Room 327 could ever muster regarding Kubrick’s film. My favourite among Dennis’s many obsessive observations is the one concerning the magical confluence of Xtro’s length (83 minutes) and year of release (1983)… actually it was released in 1982 and seems to last 84 minutes, but I can’t bring myself to hold this against the likeable Mr Xtro Atherton.
What’s at the root of this singular obsession? Our man reveals that D’Abo’s nude scenes made a big impression on him as a pubertal youth… I bet they did, in fact they remain in my all time top three of female nude scenes in mainstream movies (Elizabeth McGovern in Ragtime, 1981 and Annette O’Toole in Cat People, 1982… thanks for asking). Wonder how good Maryam, who must be nearly 60 now, looks nekkid these days… way better than I do (below), no doubt.
Xtro’s two existing (semi) sequels are glossed over, but the really big news is that HBD and Mark Forstater are reuniting for Xtro – The Big One (I kid you not), wherein a fourth Xtro incursion will coincide with a massive LA earthquake. We get to see some CGI-heavy test footage from that. There’s also a video tribute to Phil Sayer (incorporating the song Brian May wrote about him)…
… and of course the disc contains four (count ’em) different versions of the original feature, including two distinct endings, the British video release and Harry’s 2018 re-polish which, he freely admits, might have made the film look worse rather than improved it in any way. In fact the high contrast look of Xtro redux gives it more of a comic book look than anything else, which I guess is quite appropriate for its subject matter. Intriguingly, Harry has also digitally thinned out the face of the much maligned Simon Nash but regrettably, we never get to hear Dennis Atherton’s pronouncements on the profound significance of this particular tweaking.
Categories: Blu-ray / DVD Reviews | Tags: Aliens, British Horror, Censorship, Monsters, Science Fiction, Video Nasties | Leave a comment
This Property Is Condemned. THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT Reviewed.
BD/CD. Region B. Arrow. 18.
… and the road leads to Blu-ray.
You millennials make me laugh. You don’t know you’re bloody born! When I were a lad, we used to dream about 3 disc limited blu-ray editions of Last House On The Left, containing three cuts of Wes Craven’s ground-breaking, taboo-busting rape / revenge drama, each restored in 2K from the original film elements… plus a pigeon shed-load of extras… after a 15 hour shift at ‘mill, there was no bonus soundtrack CD waiting for us when we got back to our hovel… no collector’s postcards, double-sided fold-out poster, reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork… and certainly no hoity-toity limited edition, 60-page perfect-bound book featuring new writing on the film by Stephen bloody Thrower. We considered ourselves lucky if someone in ‘village had managed to get their hands on the Replay VHS release… failing that, we’d have to make do with some nth generation bootleg video dub… if we were lucky!
Hang on, if you are a millennial, you probably won’t get the Monty Python gag, either. So enough of that…
My point, less nerdishly expressed, still holds good. For a long time, in recent memory, any uncut UK edition or cinema screening of Last House On The Left remained a pipe-dream. A particular bete noir for BBFC honcho James Ferman, the film’s defiantly difficult romp through the minefield of “sexualised violence” made it a hotter censorship potato than The Exorcist, Texas Chainsaw Massacre or (perhaps the most pertinent comparitor) Straw Dogs, permanent fixtures on Ferman’s (s)hit list that attained certification shortly after his demise. The film’s ongoing unavailability on these sceptered isles wasn’t for the want of trying on the part of HOF Hall of Famers David Gregory and Carl Daft, who doggedly pursued the BBFC through every available avenue of appeal during their time at Anchor Bay and Blue Underground. Ironically it was Second Sight who finally secured an uncut edition in 2008, rapidly followed by a Metrodome triple disc set that unearthed further forbidden footage from the archives, while Daft and Gregory were otherwise occupied with their Severin label. By that time a glossy big(ger) budgeted remake was in the works and multiplex screens and retail shelves were awash with slick torture porn franchises…
As confirmed by its debut on UK Blu-ray, Last House On The Left remains a more gruelling, challenging and emotionally sapping experience than all of those put together, on account of its moral complexity (scuzzball sex offenders who display remorse for their reprehensible actions and elicit a measure of pity from the viewer… middle class parents whose liberal stance collapses into ruthless retribution) and the sheer naivety of its sophomore film makers Wes Craven and Sean Cunningham (c.f. notable early efforts by e.g. Tobe Hooper and Sam Raimi) and unknown cast, which translates into documentary-style raw intensity on the screen, focussing on one unspeakable episode and its aftermath in unflinching detail.
If you think Last House On The Left has no relevance outside its original context of Vietnam protest era America, just tune in to any news bulletin or pick up any newspaper (check the internet, if you can tear yourself away from the latest exploits of the Kardashians), where you’ll find no shortage of stories about an increasingly feral underclass in conflict with the comfortable and complacent devisors of the neo-liberal system that created them. It will also be interesting to see how Craven’s film goes down with consumers of currently voguish Scandi Noir, which draws so much of its inspiration from the same source, Ingmar Bergman’s The Virgin Spring (1960).
The copious bonus material on this set includes featurettes culled from the Metrodome and MGM US releases, plus several new ones including interviews with Marc (“Junior” / “Junkie”) Scheffler (who looks like he got separated from his smurf sidekicks on the way to the shoot) and Anne Paul (who failed to bag a role but ended up applying make ups in LHOTL, initiating a career that eventually saw her making up Bill Clinton and four successive Secretary Generals of The United Nations!) Michael Gingold conducts one of those ever popular tours of the film’s locations and I was particularly pleased to see the reappearance of David Flint’s Krug Conquers England featurette, documenting the first uncut cinema screening of Last House (over the protests of local worthies) at Leicester’s fearless Phoenix Cinema in 2000, with star David Hess and Gunnar “Leatherface” Hansen in attendance. It’s great to see Gregory and Daft’s heroic efforts on behalf of LHOTL acknowledged in this mini doc, some of the interviews for which were conducted by Yours Truly. Wonderful memories of a truly memorable night.
Stillo crazy after all those years…
Categories: Blu-ray / DVD Reviews | Tags: Arrow, Censorship, Video Nasties | Leave a comment
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John D. Davis, M.D.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Medical Education: Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Marsha Cole
marsha.cole@jax.ufl.edu
See all clinical trials by John D. Davis
John Davis, MD, named chair of obstetrics and gynecology
See all news articles involving John D. Davis
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HealthcareMigrant CrisisMind ControlRecent Articles
Chemical-Dosing Experiment to Force Friendship Toward Migrants (Not Science Fiction)
Alexander LightNovember 4, 2018
I really hope you understand this. It is not a fantasy. It isn’t science fiction. It isn’t satire. It is Brave New World, but not the Huxley novel. It’s happening now.
by Jon Rappoport
It’s a published study that appears on the website of the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
The title of the study is, “Oxytocin-enforced norm compliance reduces xenophobic outgroup rejection.” (Reference: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017 Aug 29;114(35):9314-9319.)
Xenophobia is defined as: “fear or hatred of foreigners, people from different cultures, or strangers.” (Dictionary.com)
Oxytocin, the chemical used in this study, is described by Medical News Today:
“Widely referred to as the love hormone, oxytocin has also been dubbed the hug hormone, cuddle chemical, moral molecule, and the bliss hormone due to its effects on behavior, including its role in love and in female reproductive biological functions in reproduction.”
“Oxytocin is a hormone that is made in the brain, in the hypothalamus. It is transported to, and secreted by, the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain.”
The published study details a successful attempt at chemical mind control. The goal is making people more “happy and friendly” about mass migration, by changing their hormonal response toward migrants.
Nothing in the study cites inherent migration problems, such as increased violent crime, back-breaking financial pressure on government budgets, and the eroding of local cultures. It’s all about shifting feeling and reaction toward waves of immigrants.
Here are extensive quotes from the new study:
“Here we report the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment showing that enhanced activity of the oxytocin system paired with charitable social cues [programming] can help counter the effects of xenophobia by fostering altruism toward refugees.
These findings suggest that the combination of oxytocin and peer-derived altruistic norms [social cues] reduces outgroup rejection [toward migrants] even in the most selfish and xenophobic individuals, and thereby would be expected to increase the ease by which people adapt to rapidly changing social ecosystems [mass immigration].”
“…we tested the propensity of 183 Caucasian participants to make donations to people in need, half of whom were refugees (outgroup) and half of whom were natives (ingroup). Participants scoring low on xenophobic attitudes [showing they already accept mass immigration] exhibited an altruistic preference for the outgroup, which further increased after nasal delivery of the neuropeptide oxytocin.
“In contrast, participants with higher levels of xenophobia generally failed to exhibit enhanced altruism toward the outgroup. This tendency was only countered by pairing oxytocin with peer-derived altruistic norms [social-programming cues], resulting in a 74% increase in refugee-directed donations.
“Collectively, these findings reveal the underlying sociobiological conditions associated with outgroup-directed altruism by showing that charitable social cues co-occurring with enhanced activity of the oxytocin system reduce the effects of xenophobia by facilitating prosocial behavior toward refugees.”
The truly disturbing and mind-boggling aspect of this study is: many people would accept it as a reasonable way to “solve” the migrant crisis.
Forget about the actual effects of immigration. They’re irrelevant. Instead, focus on re-shaping people’s minds, through chemical intervention combined with social programming.
The authors of the mind-control study are basically saying, “If you have a problem with mass immigration, the problem has nothing to do with facts. It only has to do with your hormone system. Basically, you have a deficit of oxytocin.”
I have written many articles about the effects of philosophic materialism, including its conclusion that humans are merely biological machines and, therefore, can be manipulated at will by “those in charge.”
Free will? A delusion. Individual choice? Unacceptable. Humans are inherently programmed in every respect, and badly programmed at that. The central flaws must be fixed. Humans must be reconfigured so they automatically respond to stimuli in new ways. ‘More humane ways.’
Lost in this study, as well, are the effects of dosing with oxytocin on a person’s overall hormone system.
You don’t suddenly ramp up one hormone without changing levels of others — testosterone, for example. But who cares, when the social and political goal must be attained? If men become more passive in the process, why not?
Perhaps that notion will be the formation of the next study. “Let’s cut testosterone and see what happens. How much of it do we need to reduce before men just lie around and play with toys and dolls?”
Interestingly enough, the authors of the study never considered dosing male immigrants of military age with the oxytocin “love hormone.” Heaven forbid. That would be “interfering in their culture.”
That’s called a clue.
In Brave New World, Huxley included every kind of programming he could imagine: genetically controlled, synthetic, motherless, incubator pregnancy and birth, during which extensive mind control was applied; consequent separation of classes of humans, relative to their assigned work and social relations; elimination of the traditional family; erasure of all hostile impulses; societal norms constructed to encourage physical pleasure as the highest ideal; and a “miracle drug,” Soma, ready at hand to dispel the depression and doubt that might somehow creep through and survive the massive programming.
The “inevitable outcome?” EVERYONE WILL BE HAPPY.
In one stage or another, all these strategies are now being pushed forward toward a Technocratic future.
With Utopian justice for all.
Again, the proposition on which this lunacy is based is: freedom does not exist. It was always an illusion. Humans have never been anything more than programmed bio-machines. Therefore, ANY level and degree of re-programming is justified.
Objections to this crusade are merely part of the illusion that freedom is real.
However, freedom IS real. How individuals view it and what they do with it is an entirely different matter. If they see it as nothing more than choosing between a vacation in Disney World and Las Vegas, choosing between reruns of CSI and Matlock, then Brave New World will seem like a minor change.
Conceiving, realizing, and experiencing freedom as a vast space and a vast platform for individual action — creative action, meaningful action — THAT is a prerequisite for the survival of life as we know it.
The life we hold dear.
Who defines “meaningful action?”
US Bankers Financing US Enemies Previous post
Fukushima Coverup Continues — Meanwhile, Japan's New Plan Is To Drain Radioactive Water DIRECTLY Into The Pacific Ocean Next post
Mind ControlMSMNewsPropaganda
“Lying Pieces of Sh*t!” Man at Virginia Gun Rally Interrupts Live MSNBC Broadcast
5G DangersHealthcare
FCC Broke Environmental Law By Approving SpaceX Satellites To Blast 5G And WiFi At Earth
HealthcareNewsVaccines
W.H.O. Health Experts Admit Toxic Vaccine Ingredients Are Harming Children
Migrant CrisisNewsSatanist Pedophiles
Multiculturalism In Italy: Nigerian Organized Crime Forcing Girls As Young As 12 Into Prostitution
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in propria persona Histories of law & technology by Kristopher A. Nelson, JD, MA (ABD)
Home Articles News Notes About Contact Search
Articles News Notes About Contact Search
Eugenic sterilization in California: practicing “good medicine”
Indiana may have passed the first sterilization law in 1907, but before World War II, it was California that led the nation in eugenic sterilizations in an attempt to “apply science to social problems.” Such legislation was part of a wave of Progressive Era public health activism that encompassed pure food, vaccination, and occupational safety.
April 2016 / 5 min.
Surveillance and Sodomy in 1918 Sacramento
A “cleanup” of 1918 Sacramento resulted in an intensified “[p]olice surveillance of boardinghouses, brothels, pubs, and gambling houses” and effectively turned these areas – none of which were traditional domestic homes – into “semipublic” spaces.
Women, public health, and the police power
The early twentieth century saw working men left free from government protection in the name of “liberty of contract”; women, on the other hand, received such protection, but at the cost of second-class status.
No privacy in city life: what modern methods are bringing us to (1902)
“Is it possible,” asked the Chicago Tribune in 1902, “to be a private citizen in Chicago?”
March 2016 / 3 min.
My favorite top WordPress plugins for 2016
So, what are my recommended favorite plugins to use with WordPress in 2016? Wordfence, UpdraftPlus, ImageInject, Amber, and Really Simple SSL + CloudFlare.
February 2016 / 3 min.
Four useful analytic categories from science and technology studies
Science and technology studies (STS) is an interdisciplinary collection of analytic approaches. In his analysis of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Philip Doty pulls out four concepts from STS that he believes are particularly useful
Privacy can keep histories of abuse hidden from public view
Privacy can serve both to protect individuals and to shield abusers from public visibility.
Affirmative vs. passive privacy in domestic violence and abortion
A “passive” version of the right to privacy – the “right to be let alone” – creates challenges for advocates against domestic violence. A more “active” version provides a viable alternative.
Haverty v. Bass: protecting the public health in 1876
In 1873 a Bangor police officer and a physician forcibly pulled Martin Haverty’s child “out of the arms of the mother” in order “to remove it to the city hospital” for quarantine due to suspected smallpox infection.
Salus populi suprema lex: law and public health
It is unquestionable, that the legislature can confer police powers upon public officers, for the protection of the public health. The maxim salus populi suprema lex is the law of all courts and countries. The individual right sinks in the necessity to provide for the public good.
Histories of law & technology by Kristopher A. Nelson, JD, MA (ABD)
Privacy Policy © 2005–2018 by Kristopher A. Nelson This is not legal advice and I am not offering legal practice services.
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What is happening at Downtown Disney: Restaurants reopen at east end while west end remains empty
in Disney, Disneyland Resort, Theme Parks
Posted on December 5, 2018 December 19, 2018 by Bailee Abell
Image copyright Disney
Numerous business at Downtown Disney have reopened after months of renovations — including the World of Disney store, Napolini Pizzeria, and, Disney’s latest announcement, Wetzel’s Pretzels — though hardly are alleviating the emptiness that is Downtown Disney west.
After several months, Wetzel’s Pretzels reopened their flagship store in Downtown Disney on December 18, to many fans’ excitement. The east-end restaurant is known for serving up delicious hot pretzels to parkgoers eager to get a quick bite before heading into the theme parks. We love having quick-service dining readily available in the area, and Wetzel’s Pretzels is right in the middle of all of Downtown Disney’s east-end hustle and bustle. But even though one less empty storefront is great news for the dining and entertainment district on Disneyland Resort property, it still doesn’t change much about the current lackluster state of the opposite end of Downtown Disney, which has remained quiet for months.
Wetzel’s Pretzels reopened after refurbishment not long after another dining location did the same. Also located in Downtown Disney’s east end, Napolini Pizzeria also reopened at Downtown Disney amid continuing speculation of the state of Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort. The quick-service restaurant is attached to Naples Ristorante e Bar, which has also been undergoing renovations for the past several months in 2018.
Napolini Pizzeria is a favorite among Disneyland Resort guests and local annual passholders looking to grab a quick bite to eat outside the theme parks. The restaurant was closed for renovations for approximately five months this year, and it has now been reimagined with a modern, clean look and a fresh menu. While the previous menu offered pizzas whole and by-the-slice, sandwiches, and salads, there was little that differentiated it from any other quick-service Italian eatery in the Anaheim area. Now, the restaurant’s menu is inspired and innovative, offering create-your-own pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. Customers can build their own 9″ pizzas or select from Napolini’s signature pizza menu.
With Napolini Pizzeria reopening after five months of renovations and Wetzel’s Pretzels following suit, it’s no wonder Disneyland Resort guests are pleased to hear of the positive changes coming to Downtown Disney. The entertainment and shopping district adjacent to the Disneyland Resort theme parks and hotels has been a destination for tourists and locals alike for years, although it has recently caused controversy among frequenters of the area.
Downtown Disney’s west end, the area of the district closest to the Disneyland Hotel, experienced several store closures after Disney announced their plans to construct a fourth hotel on Disneyland property. Plans for the hotel fell through, and though Earl of Sandwich and Starbucks West (the second Starbucks location at Downtown Disney) recently reopened, the rest of the closed storefronts remain empty. Hundreds of Disneyland Resort fans have expressed their discontentment with the current state of Downtown Disney’s west end, where three large buildings that previously hosted popular destinations (AMC Theaters, Rainforest Café, and ESPN Zone) occupy spaces that could otherwise provide entertainment to visitors.
Image copyright OC Register
Though the fate of these spaces on the west end remains to be determined, several businesses on the east end have been renovated and modernized and new restaurants continue to open. World of Disney store was newly reimagined and reopened across from Naples Ristorante e Bar and Napolini Pizzeria. The new Splitsville Luxury Lanes, which offers dining and bowling, opened earlier this year at the former location of House of Blues, and Salt & Straw ice cream opened in October. Additionally, Ballast Point brewery and Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes are both coming soon to Downtown Disney’s east end.
(Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)
Each of these businesses is part of Downtown Disney’s transformation, which will continue to attract more visitors and locals to the area. But while these new businesses are all unique and innovative additions to Downtown Disney, they prompt fans to ask whether Disney plans to expedite the opening (or reopening) of the west end’s businesses, as well, since these updates have yet to be announced for the west end.
With the fresh, modern look and variety of entertainment and dining to choose from at Downtown Disney’s east end, we hope that Disney will soon announce plans for similar cutting-edge businesses to come to the west end soon.
What are your thoughts on the reopening of Napolini Pizzeria and Wetzel’s Pretzels at Downtown Disney, despite other storefronts remaining empty? Let us know in the comments!
Tagged:DisneylandDowntown Disney
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Bailee Abell
Bailee is a reader, writer, and lover of all things magical. A California native with a passion for theme parks, she loves reading classic literature, sipping warm beverages, and traveling the world in search of princess castles.
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OpenSelf2018
Jobs & Collaborations
Inter-Self Lab
Investigating Embodied Selfhood and Intersubjectivity
September 2018: Laura Galbusera presented two Conference Papers at the Qualitative Research in Mental Health Conference, Berlin, Germany.
June 2018: Laura Galbusera gave an Invited Talk at the “Reichenauer Summer School”, Clinic for General Psychiatry, Reichenau, Germany
June 2018: Miriam Kyselo gave an Invited Talk at the international conference “The Inhuman Gaze”, Paris, France.
April 2018: Laura Galbusera gave an Invited Talk at the “4E Cognition and Mental Disorder Conference”, University of Exeter, Exeter.
February 2018: Laura Galbusera gave an Invited Talk at the The Second Meeting of the International Open Dialogue Research Collaboration (IODRC), University College London, London, UK
February 2018: Miriam Kyselo gave an Invited Talk at the “Theory of Science Forum” of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.
January 2018: Laura Galbusera gave an Invited Talk at the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Immanuel Klinik Rüdersdorf, Rüdersdorf (Berlin).
January, 2018: Miriam Kyselo gave an Invited Talk at Hybrid Plattform Berlin “Intelligence”, Berlin, Germany.
December, 2017, Miriam Kyselo gave an Invited Talk at Institute of Cognitive Science, Institute’s Colloquium, University of Osnabrück.
November, 2017, Miriam Kyselo gave an Invited Talk at the Cognitive Science Lecture Series of the Humboldt University Berlin.
October, 2017: Miriam Kyselo gave an Invited Pre-Conference Workshop at 19th Herbstakademie, “Embodied Aesthetics: Resonance in Perception, Expression and Therapy”, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
September, 2017: Miriam Kyselo gave an Invited Talk at the “Interdisciplinary Workshop on the Development of the Self”, 7th IEEE (Int. Conference on Development and Learning and Epigenetic Robotics), Lisbon, Portugal.
September, 2017: Laura Galbusera gave an Invited Talk at the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Reichenau, Germany.
September, 7, 2017: Miriam Kyselo gave an Online Talk at the ENSO Seminar Series, (Enactive Seminars Online). You can watch it here.
Empirical Paper on Motion Capture Study Submitted!
Appointment to Professor Philosophy of Cognition
Science of Intelligence (SCIoI)
OpenSelf Conference starts next week!
Multiple Dimensions of Self Workshop, 09/28, TU Berlin
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Archive for the ‘Opinion’ Category
The Importance of Signs!
The following article is an excellent example of how important and how significant are signs in
our lives… if Pt Addis beach had some descent signing no such misunderstandings would occur!
(That’s why i have this [bizarre] obsession about signs!!!)
Nude beach sex shock
Rebecca Tucker
A NAKED couple having sex at Pt Addis beach shocked a mother walking with her teenage daughter on Saturday afternoon.
Katrina Simpson said she was on the beach about 12.30pm with her husband and their teenage daughter when they came across the indecent act.
She said the couple was in full view, about 30m to the right of the beach access stairs, in the area designated for full clothing.
The Surf Coast beach is famous for its optional dress code, but that does not begin for about 1km to the left of the steps.
Mrs Simpson said the couple was to the right of the steps in the general access area.
But she said regardless of which section they were in, their sexual activity should not have been on public display.
“I’m not a wowser but I have great respect for our community and this is a community beach,” Mrs Simpson, a nearby resident for the past 25 years, said.
She telephoned the police after witnessing the incident.
Mrs Simpson earlier this year campaigned for better signage at the beach, raising concerns sunbathers did not know where the optional dress area began.
She said at the time that some male nudists used that as an excuse to parade naked in the general access area.
At the weekend she renewed calls to improve signage, beginning with postings on Pt Addis Rd so people were aware of the different zones before they got to the beach.
Mrs Simpson said apart from the couple having sex at the general access area, her family also came across a naked man reading his newspaper.
“He was still in the wrong area but he covered up with the paper, so at least he was being discreet,” she said.
“We’re coming to the start of the summer season and we’re going to have the same issues as last year unless something is done about it.
“It’s a national park so we have every right to be there and people may have a right to choose not to wear clothing but they don’t have to do it in our face, that’s what the other area is for.”
But Mrs Simpson said no area was suitable for public sex.
Source : Geelongadvertiser.com.au
Posted in Bizarre, News, Odd, Opinion | Tagged: Bizarre, News, Odd, Signs, Weird | Leave a Comment »
The Greek ADSL saga continues…
Posted by ILL Natured_gr on November 9, 2007
THE FACT For nearly 7 hours (between 10:43am-05:38pm) the bigger part of Greece was unable to access the Internet (me included).What happened
this time? As the “officials” of the NATIONAL ISP(!) said some technicians were performing an scheduled maintenance and broke two fiber cables at THE EXACT SAME TIME(!) in TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS!!!
Way better this time,last year FOUR fiber cables were broken at the same time!!! Anyway,nice fairytale, except…
1) All Greeks know that fiber cables SIMPLY DON’T EXIST in our territory! We had our chance 3 years ago at the 2004 Athens Olympics to built
a (really) great network but the money just weren’t enough for our enlightened “officials” (this is called “miza” in Greek thus bribing or better “black money”).
Our government preferred to buy some more fighter planes in a great bargain price…
2) After about an hour from when the initial incident happened our always-telling-the-truth National channels said that “the damage will be soon fixed” and that “the
problem is accessing foreign ip’s and NOT domestic ones!! True – i saw it myself! On the other hand we must be the only country worldwide
with racist fiber cables! Or perhaps they are jealous of the Chinese or Afghanistan’s internet policies…
3) Another SLIGHT DETAIL : This EXACT SAME INCIDENT happened TWICE before in the PAST 30 DAYS!!!
Ofcourse it was fixed in a shorter time period than today (1h30min/27min accordingly) but noone mentioned that the problem was “due to the cutting of a fiber
CONCLUSION : There isn’t a SINGLE MOMENT of boreness in this country…
SUGGESTION : New Democracy’s (Government Party) new sign could be something like this…
UPDATE 07:38pm (Greeks only!) Visit this excellent link!!
CRITICAL UPDATE 08:34pm The majority of Greeks are unable to use p2p programs!!! This must be called THE ULTIMATE ISP THROTTLING!!!
ULTRA MAJOR UPDATE 11:28pm Everything is back to normal again! Until next time…
Posted in Internet, News, Opinion, Politics | Tagged: , ADSL, Greece, Internet, News, Opinion, Politics | Leave a Comment »
Greece,Politicians,Police and Drugs
Today’s (or to be exact yesterday’s) top Greek story is the following
Search Operation Underway
05 Nov 2007 15:14:00 (Last updated: 05 Nov 2007 21:27:07)
Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΑNA-ΜPA
The police have launched an extensive search operation in Zoniana, Rethymno, after a convoy of police cars on their way to the village to search for drugs was attacked Monday by gunmen. Three special guards serving on Crete were injured. Greek Police chief Anastasios Dimoshakis and Police Inspector for Southern Greece Lieutenant General Christos Drakopoulos have already arrived at the crime scene to coordinate the operations. The whole area has been cordoned off, with the policemen scouring the place. Special guard Efstathios Lazaridis, 25, shot in the neck, underwent a surgery at the Heraklion Hospital. The other two special guards, who were transferred to the Rethymnon Hospital, suffered minor injuries. While visiting the two special guards, Dimoshakis termed the incident as unprecedented for the Greek standards, clashing with both Crete’s history and the Greek culture. “The Greek Police will assume its responsibilities. We have to implement legitimacy,” he concluded.
Sanidas Intervenes
Supreme Court Prosecutor G. Sanidas ordered the police forces to complete their investigation at Zoniana, asking in parallel from the Deputy Prosecutor in Rethymno to see that the culprits are discovered.
Meanwhile, 75 EKAM (Special Anti-terrorism Unit) men on a C 130 cargo aircraft landed in Crete on Monday evening. Their orders are to keep law and order at Zoniana and search for arms.
At the same time, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos has contacted the 25-year-old guard’s family and ordered the police to transfer any close members of the guard’s family to Crete.
On the occasion of the attack, KKE (Greek Communist Party) issued a written announcement, pointing out that the organized underworld enjoys the support of strong back up.
SYRIZA (Coalition of Radical Left) also released an announcement, offering its sympathy to the injured police officers, wishing them speedy recovery.
“Police has to place emphasis on issues pertaining to the citizens’ protection from similar attacks and combat the trade in precursor drugs. Such activities do not reflect the society of the Crete, which is bound to stand up to similar violent cases,” concluded the announcement.
The Bloody Incident
The case goes back to last Friday, when a 24-year-old man was arrested in Rethymno, while his cousin managed to escape. Both men had in their possession a substantial amount of hashish and cocaine. Heraklion police asked for aid from the police in Rethymno in order to search the homes of the arrested man and his cousin, who is wanted in Zoniana. A police convoy of 12 4×4 with over 40 policemen set off for Zoniana, where about 500 metres out of the village they received a barrage of fire, from Kalashnikof assault rifles by gunmen, who injured the three special guards.
Source : news.ert.gr
Let’s look up some interesting facts…
1) Drug-related deaths have been increased by 1800% in the last 15 years. (Source:”Kathimerini” newspaper)
2) Three years ago over 300 hashish trees were found at a field belonging at the University of Rethymnon,the interesting part being that the trees were watered by the University’s employees and the water bills were payed by the University.
3) All people know what’s happening (all over Greece,it’s not just Crete) but noone wants to speak for obvious reasons.
4) The whole yesterday’s operation was hold secret,the policemen who took place in the (fiasco) operation were noticed 10 minutes before it started! ‘Till then the only thing they knew was that they were about to escort a money transfer! (Apparently the bad guys knew better).
5) After today’s fiasco everyone relevant or irrelevant had on opinion to express (most of them telling the obvious for Greece’s reality “everyone knows what’s going on“) except the ones who should have an opinion,thus the Prime Minister and his Government who noone knows where they are onca again… (Notice:Anyone can have his personal beliefs about President Bush but as i (and all of us) have seen it’s the first to appear when anything serious happens.I think we’re the only country which it’s Prime Minister never talks to the public! It’s not that he don’t want to inform the public,it’s that he’s busy finding the right solution!).
Conclusion : Another operation with 70 SWAT and a police helicopter is scheduled for today’s morning (as all TV channels said).Let’s hope it doesn’t end up like Bagdad…
Posted in News, Opinion, Politics | Tagged: Crete, Drugs, Greece, News, Opinion, Organised Crime, Politics | Leave a Comment »
About condoms…
While reading today’s news i came across this interesting story…
Ethiopia tackles Aids with coffee-flavour condoms
David Batty and agencies
Doctors have long argued about the health effects of coffee, but its reputation seems likely to receive a boost thanks to a flavoured condom that aims to encourage safer sex in Ethiopia.
Around 300,000 of the coffee condoms were sold in a week when they were launched in September, according to the US charity DKT International.
It hopes to tap into Ethiopia’s coffee mania as a means to tackle high rates of HIV in the country, which is said to have invented the drink.
The charity said that with 2.1% of Ethiopians infected with Aids – and more than 7% in the capital, Addis Ababa – the flavoured prophylactic was more than a novelty. “Everybody likes the flavour of coffee,” said a spokeswoman.
The condoms are sold in packs of three for 1 birr, or about about half the price of a cup of coffee in Addis Ababa’s cafes, and much cheaper than most other condom brands.
The dark brown condoms are made to smell like Ethiopia’s popular macchiato, an espresso with a generous amount of cream and sugar.
“It is about time to use an Ethiopian flavour for beautiful Ethiopian girls,” said Dereje Alemu, 19, a university student.
The product was developed after complaints by some users about the latex scent of plain condoms.
DTK has introduced flavoured condoms in other parts of the world in an attempt to appeal to local tastes.
These include condoms scented with the infamously stinky durian fruit in Indonesia, and sweetcorn-fragranced condoms in China. The charity’s latest condom has attracted some criticism in deeply conservative Ethiopia.
“It’s inappropriate,” said Bedilu Assefa, a spokesman for the Ethiopian Orthodox church, whose millions of followers are encouraged to abstain from sex outside marriage. “We’re proud of our coffee.”
But even those not sold on the idea of coffee condoms recognise the importance of safe sex. “I hate coffee-flavoured condoms,” said Tadesse Teferi, 37, a mechanic. “But I use ordinary condoms when I have sex with ladies other than my wife.”
Source : Guardian.co.uk
…which made me wonder : has anyone ever thought of an alcohol flavoured condom? A possible question in a drugstore could be…
“What’s your favorite? Martini,Absolut or Jim Beam?”
Posted in Bizarre, News, Odd, Opinion | Tagged: Alcohol, Bizarre, Coffee, Condoms, Ethiopia, News, Odd, Opinion | Leave a Comment »
The Allmighty Greek ADSL Adventure
Let’s begin with a listing of some useful info and stats…
-I live in Nea Makri which is a city 32Kms away from Athens,Greece’s capital and host of the 2004 Olympic Games.
-DSL (we only have ADSL to be accurate) arrived in Greece in May 2003; As a completely new technology for the Greek standards it had to overcome some serious (technical) difficulties… Luckily it arrived at my small town in Jan 2004.
-I was one of the first (Feb 2,2004) to have a “fast” internet connection with the lightning speed of 384/128 kbps… (real speed approx. 290/100 kbps based on over 10 different ADSL speed tests) paying the incredible small amount of 61 Euros ($78) per month.
-Things were always going smooth with a slight problem lasting for over 45 days (Jun-Jul 2004) when the actual speeds went down to Pstn dial-up level… Nothing extraordinary happened,as we learned 3 months later (!) some innovative men had put 120 ports where the maximum limit was 60… No apologies from my ISP,no refunding,no comment…
And after some other slight problems not worthy mentioned here,we came to last week…
Thu Oct 25 : At about 5:30 pm i discover my router’s led flashing… Got ADSL ok but the router couldn’t get an IP,thus i don’t have internet connection…
Step 1 : Called my ISP since i thought it was a common malfuction at their end (not that something serious has happened,in the last 10 days it occured only 3 times). Told me everything was fine at their end,it had to be something at mine,so i must call the “ADSL Help Desk” (that’s NOT a translation,it’s how we call it in Greece!) to inform me about the status of my line…
Step 2 : Called the “ADSL Help Desk” which informed me that i should wait it out,such things are common (!) but just to be sure i must call the telephone company and inform them about my line’s malfuction.
Step 3 : Called the telephone company and informed them about my problem.
**IMPORTANT NOTICE! I forgot to mention that i use the internet for the needs of my work too!**
-1st call 6:30 pm : “Thank you for informing us,we forward your problem to our digital center,if it’s something that can be fixed by them it will be fixed shortly”.
-2nd call 8:30 pm : Same as above.
-3rd call 9:45 pm : Same as above plus “we’re closing shortly (yes,they close at 10pm!!),unfortunately you must wait ’till tomorrow”.
Fri Oct 26 : -1st call 9:15 am : “We have no newer information from our digital center”.
-2nd call 4:00 pm : “Our digital center reports that your problem was fixed in 3:15pm!”
“But it isn’t!!”
“Ahh,it isn’t? This things happen,no problem,we’ll report your situation again at our digital center”.
-3rd call 7:30 pm : “We don’t have any further notice from our digital center”.
-4th call 9:35 pm : “We don’t have any further notice from our digital center,unfortunately we’re closing shortly”
“And what shall i do now???”
“If it’s done until our closing time OK,otherwise you must wait ’till Monday.Someone from our digital center will call you to fix a meeting (!) inside the next two working days (if the problem can’t be fixed from our digital center)”.
Sat Oct 27 : No calls were made – as well known nothing works in Greece during the weekends…
Sun Oct 28,Greece’s National Holiday : 10:53am (Still asleep since i work at nights and since i’m a night type of guy) : First my cell rings (ignored it),then my standard phone (again ignored it), then my cell again (decided to take it since i thought something serious has occured)
“Hello,we’re from the digital center,is your problem fixed?”
“Just a minute to take a look,unfortunately no”
“Ahh,OK no problem,we’ll check it out” (!)
“And what happens next?”
“If it’s something that can be fixed from here OK,otherwise someone will call you to arrange a meeting in the next two working days”
**IMPORTANT NOTICE** How come they work on a Sunday which happens to be a National Holiday too? Simple… working overtime is payed double!
Mon Oct 29 : 9:15 am called the telephone company : “We don’t have any updates from our digital center”.
9:45 am : At a moment of despair i decided to call again my ISP since i thought my problem (perhaps) was due to my router (despite i checked it about 97 times ’till then)
“Hello,has anyone ever reported having problems with his connection due to his router?”
“Ahh,many times,it’s a rather too common problem”
“OK,thanks,i’ll try buying a new one,you never know,i’m desperate”
“It’s better to wait for the techs to see it,why spent your money for no reason?” (words of wisdom as i discovered later…)
“I don’t care about the kind of money i’m about to spent,i want my connection!”
“I understand,what can i say,all the best”
11:00 am : Bought two (!) routers : One from the “official” shop of my phone company (never heard of that brand before but it was the only one available, right after it made a great gift!!) and an ADSL2+ (despite we don’t have ADSL2+ in Nea Makri!) expensive one just for my testing purposes (for the records: i kept it – hope i’ll need it in the near future,thus before 2100…).
A total expense of 90,80 Euro ($130) for nothing as it proved so a little later…
12:30 pm : Returned home and found out that my connection (and router) were working fine!!! (Ofcourse noone called me from the “digital center”…). I must be the only Greek who had an 832/224 kbps connection (the standard is 768/192 kbps)!!! Must have been a reward for my patience…
**NOTICE** As i’ve seen in my router’s log various connection attempts (done & failed ones) were made before “stabilizing” to this speed…
1:10 pm : In my extreme happiness of being able to use my connection again after 4+ days i decided to upgrade to 2048/256 kbps,which is the fastest speed available in my area (for only 29,50 Euros ($40) per month,a major progress considering it had about 70 Euros ($100) not so long ago…). So i called my phone company,gave my personal info etc.
“Ok, when you’ll upgrade my connection then?”
“In 10-12 days max”
“I don’t want to think that we’ll have any issues with my connectivity,eh?”
“No sir,your connection will be down for about 3-5 hours max (!) for our technicians to perform the necessary upgrades”
Wondering what happened? My connection upgraded on Thu Nov 1,9:12 am and the whole process took 1:47 minutes…
**IMPORTANT NOTICE** A good friend of mine (also living in Nea Makri) is still waiting for his connection to upgrade after 9 days…
One thing’s for sure about ADSL in Greece : You’ll NEVER get bored…
Posted in Internet, Opinion | Tagged: ADSL, Greece, Internet, Opinion | Leave a Comment »
Thoughts of a pervertive Greek mind
Let’s have a look first at the latest news…
Chatty lawmakers rack up million-euro phone bill
Posted Tue Oct 23, 2007 11:13pm AEST
Talkative Greek lawmakers have saddled parliament with outstanding phone bills of one million euros ($A1.59 million), news reports said.
Greek newspapers reported that the landline and mobile phone call bills were accumulated over the last 20 months, at a time when parliament had already decided to honour older debts worth over 32 million euros ($A51 million).
The 300 deputies in parliament are entitled to an annual allowance of 13,500 euros ($A21,500) for fixed calls and 3,000 euros ($A4,700) for mobile phone calls, which they routinely exceed, Eleftheros Typos daily said.
Greece’s parliament has not commented so far. The office of parliament speaker Dimitris Sioufas declined to confirm or deny the reports.
“The speaker has nothing to say,” an aide told AFP, adding: “This is not the first time this issue comes up.”
It is currently unclear whether the new one million euro debt will be covered.
– AFP
Source : abc.net.au
Yeah,they’re the SAME politicians who declared that they can’t rise people’s salaries because the Greek state is poor!!!
The same politicians that a month ago (the elections took place Sep 16th) were promising us literally everything…
But the (very) latest news will make all of us happy!!!
Back-seat toilet to end mishaps in traffic jams
Posted Wed Oct 24,2007
A Japanese manufacturer has developed a new portable toilet for cars, equipped with a curtain for privacy and a plastic bag to collect waste.
The Kaneko Sangyo Co, a manufactuer of plastic car accessories, unveiled its new design to help people stuck in traffic when nature calls.
“The commode will come in handy during major disasters such as earthquakes or when you are caught in a traffic jam,” a company official told reporters, according to Kyodo News.
Japan is situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and accounts for about 20 per cent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.
Drivers stranded by tectonic movements or stuck in traffic jams simply assemble the cardboard toilet bowl, fit a water-absorbent sheet inside and draw round the curtain.
The product is small enough to fit inside a suitcase, the company said.
But prospective customers will have to hang on until November 15 when the firm begins selling the new product online.
-Reuters
That’s totally irrelevant most of you we’ll be thinking… BUT IT’S NOT!!! The Greek state paid 600.000 euros for toilet paper last year!!! That’s 2.000 euros per deputy (600.000 euros / 300 deputies)! So,since they’ll have the ability to fulfill their natural need in their vehicles in the near future (and they constantly move for the needs of our country),the Greek state will pay way less for toilet paper and save the money for the phone bills! So our proud deputies will continue their Godsend work…
Thoughts of a seriously perverted Greek mind…
Posted in News, Opinion, Politics | Tagged: Greece, News, Opinion, Politics, Sarcastic | Leave a Comment »
Greece is on the ‘information highway’…
Three friends,one American,one French and one Greek are talking about the level of technology at BC ages.
The first to talk is the French guy : “We digged all way across Paris and what did we found?”
“What?” respond the other two
“Plenty of steel-made boxes and antennas – we French had VHF transmitters!!” ,he says full of cheer.
“Ffff” says the American, “that’s nothing.We digged all the way across Washington and what did we found?”
“Kilometres and kilometres of wire – we Americans had telephone way before Jesus was born!”
Then the Greek guy starts laughing…
“Why are you laughing mate,wtf did you Greeks have?” asked the other two
“See” starts talking the Greek,”we digged all over Greece and we found NOTHING!!!”
“So why are you having fun of us f***er” say the other two
“You stupid people”,answers the Greek,”we Greeks had mobile telephony 2.500 years before!”
Dedicated to a Slovenian friend of mine (you know who you are!) who is over an 10/10 Mbps XDSL connection for 14 Euros/month (approx. $20) when i’m over an 768/192 Kbps ADSL for 21 Euros/month (approx. $29)…
Also dedicated to the Greek government and it’s (or pretending to be) Prime Minister who declared that “Greece is on the ‘information highway'” leaving those who know what’s the internet reality in Greece speechless… (and inspired me for the title!)
Posted in Funny, Internet, Opinion, Politics | Tagged: , Funny, Greece, Internet, Jokes, Politics | Leave a Comment »
Nine die in Myanmar protest crackdown
By Aung Hla Tun
YANGON (Reuters) – Troops cleared protesters from the streets of central Yangon on Thursday, giving them 10 minutes to leave or be shot before chasing them through the city, firing into crowds and beating people.
State television admitted nine people were killed in actions which stung an outraged Association of South East Asian Nations, one of the few international groupings which has isolated Myanmar as a member, into expressing its “revulsion”.
Far fewer demonstrators took to the streets as the junta clamped down and soldiers raided monasteries in the middle of the night, rounding up hundreds of the monks who had been leading protests.
As international concern mounted, U.S. President George W. Bush called on all countries with influence over Myanmar to tell the junta to stop using force. He met with China’s foreign minister to press the point.
“Every civilized nation has a responsibility to stand up for people suffering under a brutal military regime like the one that has ruled Burma for so long,” he said in a statement.
China, which neighbors Myanmar and is one of the military-ruled country’s few allies, is a key trading partner and arms supplier to Myanmar and is seen as the linchpin for any international effort to defuse the situation.
One of the dead was a Japanese photographer, shot when soldiers cleared the area near Sule Pagoda — a focus of the protests — as loudspeakers blared out warnings, ominous reminders of the crushing of a 1988 uprising in which more than 3,000 people were killed.
In another area of Yangon, soldiers opened fire into crowds after a military truck drove into protesters, onlookers said. Three people were killed on the spot.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in an unusually blunt statement, demanded member Myanmar stop using violence and voiced “revulsion” at the killings.
At Yangon’s Sule Pagoda, 200 soldiers marched toward the crowd and riot police clattered their shields with wooden batons. “It’s a terrifying noise,” one witness said.
The army moved in after 1,000 chanting protesters hurled stones and water bottles at troops, prompting a police charge in which shots were fired.
The crackdown in the country of 56 million people began on Wednesday when soldiers and police fired tear gas, clubbed protesters and arrested up to 200 monks in an attempt to quash the uprising.
MONASTERY RAIDS
Sporadic marches against fuel price hikes have swelled over the past month into mass demonstrations against 45 years of military rule in the former Burma. It is the worst unrest to hit the poor and isolated nation since the rebellion by students and monks in 1988.
Troops dispersing crowds on Thursday chased fleeing people, beating anybody they could catch, witnesses said.
Another Buddhist monk — adding to the five reported killed Wednesday — was killed during the midnight raids on monasteries, witnesses said.
Monks were kicked and beaten as soldiers rounded them up and shoved them onto trucks.
“Doors of the monasteries were broken, things were ransacked and taken away,” a witness said. “It’s like a living hell seeing the monasteries raided and the monks treated cruelly.”
After darkness fell and curfew hour loomed, sporadic bursts of rifle fire echoed over Yangon, a city of 5 million.
The junta told diplomats summoned to its new jungle capital, Naypyidaw, “the government was committed to showing restraint in its response to the provocations,” one of those present said.
In a sign the junta may be hearing the international outcry over its clampdown, Myanmar’s rulers later in the day agreed to receive a U.N. envoy to discuss the crisis.
The United States announced sanctions against senior junta figures and sought to rally broad international condemnation.
Bush asked Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi “to help bring a peaceful transition to democracy in Burma,” the White House said.
China has said it is “extremely concerned” about the situation and has urged all parties to “maintain restraint,” but has not given any sign it is willing to go further in pressuring the Myanmar government.
Bush thanked China for helping to win Myanmar’s consent to a visit by U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters.
ASEAN ministers, meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, “expressed their revulsion to Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win over reports that the demonstrations in Myanmar are being suppressed by violent force.”
All members except Myanmar issued the statement. The 10-member diplomatic and trade group holds as a core principle non-interference in one another’s internal affairs.
ASEAN made no mention of punitive measures against the military government that has ruled Myanmar since 1962.
Source : Reuters.com
IT’S ABOUT TIME FOR THE UNITED NATIONS TO TAKE SOME ACTION!
Posted in News, Opinion, Politics | Tagged: Myanmar, News, Protest, Yangon | Leave a Comment »
Greek Elections (in Pictures!)
7:00am Elections begin…
Mr. Karamanlis is cheerful…
…and Mr Papandreou is cheerful too!
1pm Lunchtime
People are showing Mr. Karamanlis their love…
…and Mr. Karamanlis shows some love to his voters too!
7pm End of voting – Exit Polls
Both of them are watching tv & speaking on the phone…
11pm The election result is final
Mr. Karamanlis is full of joy!
Mr. Papandreou gets a nice present from his fans despite his loss!
Conclusion : As we said it yesterday…
Posted in Opinion, Politics | 1 Comment »
A great comment about the elections
A great e-mail i got from some good friends concerning the elections
Για σας κιριε Ιλ!
Δεν εχουμε γνοριστι! ιμαστε ι παπιες του εθνικου κιπου! Ιδαμε τα ορεα πολιτικα σας σχολια στο πισι του Σπυρακι που ινε καλος μας φιλος κε μας αρεσαν! και πιραμε το θαρος να σας ενιμερωσουμε γιατι μαλον τορα θα ξηπνατε! εμις δεν ψιφισαμαι αλα πιγαμε μαζη με το σπιρακη για παρεα, ο οπιος τορα ινε μεσα και παρακολουθι τις εξελιξις τρογοντας. (….μα πως μπορει;;;)
Ειδαμε πολυ κοσμο να περιφερετε και να χαμογελα και καταλαβαμε οτι κατι καλο εγινε!
Απο οτι μαθαμαι, κερδισε η νεα δειμοκρατια, δεν ξεβρουμε τι κωμα ιστε εσις αλλα αν περιμενετε κανενα διορισμο κσεκινιστε πανηγηρισμους, στα τελεφτεα 3,5 χρονια διοριστηκαν 400.000 ατωμα απο οτι ακουσαμε.
Το ΠΑΣΟΚ καταποντιστηκε γιατι οι ανθρωπι δεν αντεχουν αλλα ψεματα κε ιδικα οσοι βολεφτικαν, δεν ανεχοντε πλεον το ρουσφετι κε την αναξιοκρατια κε μπραβο τους!
Τα αριστερα κοματα ανεβηκαν αρκετα, δεν καταλαβαινουμε γιατι… δεν πρεπει να ινε θεμα υδεολογηας (λογικα αν στις εκλογες επεζε ρολο η υδεολογηα, προτο κομα θα εβγενε το λεφκο) μαλον ινε μοδα ….κε πολυ φοβομαστε οτι σε λιγο κερο ο Ασλανις κι ο Κοστετσος θα ξεφουρνισουσι καμια κολεξιον με τσε γκεβαρα κε ψιλοτακουνες αρβυλες κε θα τρεχουν στο Κολονακι, και στην επαρχια, φισικα…
Ο Καρατζαφερις φενετε οτι θα μπι στι βουλι κι αν ολα πανε καλα ισος μπι κι η υποψηφυα με το κομα του “Εφι Σαρρη-ψωλεω σε ξεχασαμε”, να σινε χυσι μεσα απο το κυνοβουλιο τον καλο της αγωνα για τιν ορθοδοξια.
Εμις ,αν ψιφιζαμε, θα ψιφιζαμε οικολογους μπας κε μας κοιταξει κανεις κι εμας τα ζωντανα, αλλα δυστυχως δεν μας επιτρεπετε.
Τι λετε;…. Δεν ινε κριμα;… ΖΩΑ ΔΕΝ ΙΜΑΣΤΕ ΚΙ ΕΜΙΣ ;;;
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Home / Stock Picks / Hot Stocks / 15 Stocks Sitting on Huge Piles of Cash
15 Stocks Sitting on Huge Piles of Cash
These 15 stocks have plenty of cash to spare
By Vince Martin, InvestorPlace Contributor Apr 24, 2019, 10:36 am EST April 24, 2019
[Editor’s note: This story was previously published in March 2019. It has since been updated and republished by InvestorPlace staff.]
A strong balance sheet can and should be a key part of the bull case for a stock. Modest — or zero — debt lowers risk. And excess cash can be used for shareholder returns, M&A or growth opportunities while, in some cases, putting a protective floor under the stock.
Of late, even in major stocks, investors have seen the importance of the balance sheet. Consumer giants Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:KHC) and Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD) have seen their equity values plunge after loading up on debt. AT&T (NYSE:T) hasn’t shown the same downside, but its record levels of debt threaten its dividend and likely have kept on lid on T stock in recent years.
So cash-rich stocks offer some value, but not without their own downside. Companies that keep significant amounts of excess cash aren’t putting that cash to work or allowing their shareholders to do the same. Debt can cause big downside if a business stumbles. Conversely, it can also lever returns higher if management strategies succeed.
As always, there’s no simple way to find the best stocks to buy among these names. But for investors who look for cash-rich stocks, these 15 fit the bill. All have big cash balances that can be put to use and little or zero debt. Those balance sheets provide plenty of options for management and, hopefully, potential moves that can boost shareholder value.
Cash-Rich Stocks to Buy: Apple (AAPL)
Source: Apple
Outside of banks, it’s likely no other company in history has had more cash than Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) does right now. The company closed its fiscal first quarter with $245 billion in cash and investments. (Editor’s note: Look for Apple to report Q2 earnings April 30 after the market close.)
The question is what Apple plans to do with all its cash. Investors continue to clamor for a big acquisition, particularly with the company’s emphasis on growing its Services business. But that historically hasn’t been Apple’s style: its biggest buy ever was the $3 billion deal for Beats Music back in August 2014.
That may change: earlier this year, Luke Lango detailed seven potential M&A targets for Apple, including Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX). Either way, however, Apple will spend its $130 billion net cash in some way, as management disclosed early last year. That will likely include aggressive dividend increases – and almost certainly additional share repurchases. Apple spent $73 billion on buybacks last year, another $8 billion-plus in Q1.
The question is whether that windfall — or M&A — will be enough. I wrote last month that I’m still skeptical toward the pivot to services, with iPhone revenues likely to decline as pricing power maxes out. But AAPL is cheap, and management has plenty of tools at its disposal to try and move the stock higher.
Power products manufacturer Advanced Energy Industries (NASDAQ:AEIS) has an interesting bull case at the moment. AEIS stock has dropped by about 30% from early June highs, due largely to worries about the semiconductor manufacturers it services.
As a result, AEIS looks rather cheap, at 10x 2020 EPS estimates. But the company also has some $9 per share in cash — which makes AEIS even cheaper. Excluding that hoard, AEIS trades at barely 8x next year’s consensus.
Admittedly, this is a cyclical stock. And many companies in the chip space keep cash on the balance sheet to ensure they can manage through a downturn. Still, Advanced Energy seems to have some dry powder here. Cash has risen by over $200 million in the last five years.
On the Q4 call, meanwhile, CFO Paul Oldham said the company would “use our strong cash position to pursue new growth opportunities and expand our addressable market.” That could signal a willingness for M&A — and putting that cash to work might make AEIS even cheaper.
Netgear (NTGR)
The story at Netgear (NASDAQ:NTGR) has been frustrating of late, to say the least. The spinoff of Arlo Technologies (NYSE:ARLO) has been an unmitigated disaster. Margins have seen pressure recently. To top it off, Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) acquired “mesh network” provider and Netgear competitor Eero last month.
But I haven’t given up on Netgear just yet. Its router business still is hanging in there. Dominant market share in switches provides a stable profit base. And Amazon historically hasn’t been successful in hardware … sure, Echo has been a success, but failed with the Fire Stick and Fire Phone, among other efforts.
One reason I’m still long NTGR stock is the company’s cash balance. Netgear closed 2018 with $273 million in cash and investments — nearly a quarter of its market cap. That dry powder is likely to be used for M&A, which could grow earnings. At less than 15x 2019 EPS estimates, an accretive deal can make NTGR cheap again. And it could jumpstart a rally that erases at least some of the disappointment of the last year.
Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) has seen a nice rally so far this year, gaining some 35%. Controversy still swirls around the company, but investors seem at least a bit more confident than they were at the end of 2018.
At the end of the day, Facebook stock is going to come down to how users feel, not investors. But in the meantime, the company has quite a bit of cash to play with. Facebook ended 2018 with $41 billion in cash — and no long-term debt.
It’s not entirely clear what Facebook plans to do with the cash — or what it can do. A major acquisition probably doesn’t make a lot of sense. Last year, the company used most of its impressive free cash flow for buybacks. The company generated $17.7 billion in free cash flow and spent almost three-quarters as much repurchasing stock.
At an average price of $163 (according to figures from the 10-K), that effort has been accretive so far. And it should continue well into 2019. Investors who believe FB still is cheap can at least know that Facebook itself will be buying shares as well.
Bassett Furniture (BSET)
It has been a struggle of late for Bassett Furniture (NASDAQ:BSET). Torrid growth in the first few years of the decade has slowed to a crawl. Retail sales declined in fiscal 2018 (ending November) for the first time since 2011. And BSET stock touched a four-year low earlier this month before rebounding modestly in recent sessions.
But, with BSET stock off near-20% so far in 2019, there’s an intriguing “buy the dip” case here. The company should be able to work through disruption from tariffs and higher input costs. There’s still room to expand its footprint in retail, as that segment has turned from a loss leader to a modest profit center.
And Bassett still has a rock-solid balance sheet. It closed FY18 with over $55 million in cash and investments — roughly 30% of its market cap. The company paid special dividends back in 2015 and 2016 and could do so again. Meanwhile, backing out that cash, BSET trades at about 13x earnings, with those earnings down sharply from recent levels.
There’s tons of upside to BSET if the company can execute a turnaround. That’s a big “if,” and it requires some macro help as well. But the balance sheet gives Bassett time and it buys BSET stock some downside protection.
Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL)
Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG, NASDAQ:GOOGL) is another tech giant with an enormous cash hoard. The company has over $101 billion in cash and only about $4 billion in long-term debt.
It’s less clear what Alphabet’s plans are. The company’s expanding reach beyond search gives it a wealth of potential M&A targets. It wouldn’t be a total shock if the company decided to put more capital behind its Waymo self-driving car program. The company could try to move into content. And it has made moves into hardware, most notably with its purchase of Nest.
Here, too, the cash does color the valuation of the stock. GOOGL already looks cheap, at 23x forward earnings. If you exclude the cash hoard, the forward multiple dips under 20x. There are some reasons for the low multiple, including pressure on the search business, but Alphabet has a literal wealth of options at its disposal going forward.
Guess? (GES)
Plenty of retailers have good amounts of cash on the balance sheet. But Guess? (NYSE:GES) combines a fortress balance sheet with an intriguing bull case.
At the moment, it doesn’t look like Guess? has that much to play with. Net cash for financing activities at the end of its fourth quarter increased from $139 million to $211 million, as inventory builds ahead of the key holiday season reversed.
Meanwhile, growth looks impressive. The company is managing positive same-store sales in the Americas. But the real opportunity is overseas. GES is performing exceedingly well in Europe, and has a huge growth opportunity in Asia.
Backing out that cash, GES trades at under 17x forward EPS — an intriguing multiple. For investors who want international exposure and a strong balance sheet, GES should be at the top of the list.
Dolby Laboratories (DLB)
Source: Sony
Dolby Laboratories (NYSE:DLB) offers an interesting combination of value and growth. $12 per share in cash on the balance sheet provides some downside protection — and fuel for growth. New initiatives like Dolby Cinema, Dolby Voice and Dolby Vision are growing quickly, with guidance for the three categories to increase sales 30%-50% in fiscal 2019 (ending September).
The story isn’t perfect. Some of the cash probably could be spent with no real harm to Dolby. Family control of the company may limit distributions (for tax reasons). And valuation isn’t as cheap as Dolby’s non-GAAP numbers suggest, as stock-based compensation is rather high.
Still, there’s a nice base in royalty revenue, huge margins and growth potential. With DLB stock still off the highs, there could be nice upside here going forward — with less risk than the rest of the market.
Fitbit (FIT)
To be sure, I’m not a fan of Fitbit (NYSE:FIT) as a stock. I recommended investors sell FIT stock ahead of earnings last quarter, and indeed disappointing guidance undercut a recent rally. (Ed’s note: Fitbit will report first-quarter earnings May 1.)
But I’ll admit other investors can see it differently. Fitbit could be an acquisition target at some point, with a buyer looking to slash overhead costs and increase distribution. And few stocks in the market have the same amount of cash as Fitbit. At the end of 2018, Fitbit had $723 million in cash and investments — almost half its market cap of about $1.5 billion.
At the least, Fitbit has plenty of time to turn its operations around. Adjusted EBITDA still is guided to flat to negative this year, so there’s work left to do. But patient investors might see Fitbit as worth the wait — with the cash providing a potential floor, even if operations take a turn for the worse.
Amtech Systems (ASYS)
It does seem like micro-cap equipment manufacturer Amtech Systems (NASDAQ:ASYS) simply can’t fall any further. Around $6.57, its market cap sits at $93 million (ASYS was at $72 million when this article was last published). But Amtech has some $56 million in unrestricted cash — and just $8 million in debt. Its tangible book value is just shy of $7 per share.
The problem is that ASYS has been a value favorite off and on for years now — and historically disappoints. Its exposure to solar markets leads to huge upcycles: ASYS touched $25 in early 2011, cleared $10 in 2014 and 2015, and was at $15 less than eighteen months ago. The downturns, however, usually send investors fleeing.
At this point, however, there’s an intriguing case to buy the dip. Business remains relatively weak, but the stock is cheap. $4-plus generally has held as support for most of the decade. And Amtech can use the cash sheet to make another acquisition or wait out another downturn. At the least, value investors should take a long look.
American Software (AMSWA)
Shares of American Software (NASDAQ:AMSWA) have plunged in recent months for one key reason. The ERP (enterprise resource planning) and SCM (supply chain management) software developer tried to change the narrative surrounding the stock by focusing on a shift from license revenue to SaaS (software-as-a-service) billing.
The problem is that it looks like management oversold the shift. License revenue was only a small part of the business — and overall growth has decelerated sharply in recent quarters. As a result, AMSWA has pulled back to past levels — and unsurprisingly so.
But after the sell-off, AMSWA does look a bit more attractive. Income investors can be enticed by a 3.8% yield. The company has over 20% of its market capitalization in cash. The run-up certainly went too far. But back at current levels, there’s enough here to get interested again.
1-800-Flowers (FLWS)
The case for 1-800-Flowers.com (NASDAQ:FLWS) is that the next five years will look like the past five. 1-800-Flowers.com has crushed rival FTD Companies (NASDAQ:FTD) in pretty much every way. That’s most obvious when looking at the respective stock prices. Over the past five years, FLWS stock has gained 236%. FTD has lost 98.6% of its value.
There’s still plenty of room for FLWS to gain more market share. On the one hand, FTD is reeling, having swapped out management and struggling under a heavily leveraged balance sheet. FLWS, on the other hand, is operating on all cylinders.
And its balance sheet could provide another catalyst. The company has $258 million in cash and only $87 million in debt. That gives 1-800-Flowers.com to ability to either drive share repurchases or look to acquisitions. The 2014 acquisition of Harry & David is a clear winner that expanded the company’s gift business. FLWS could look for another winner — or simply buy back more shares. As long as it keeps dominating its space, investors should be fine either way.
Adams Resources (AE)
Few stocks in the market have the balance sheet that Adams Resources (NYSEAMERICAN:AE) does. Adams has nearly $28 per share in cash in the bank — and zero debt.
To be fair, Adams needs quite a bit of cash for its marketing business, in which it buys vast amounts of oil from drillers and resells it at a modest profit to refiners. But at this point, a good chunk of the cash is excess, and Adams may finally be ready to put it to work. The company’s trucking business is showing signs of life amid a nationwide shortage, and after one small acquisition in that business, Adams could look to build it out further.
Expecting huge returns here may be too much to ask, admittedly. But at $38, Adams trades at only a modest premium to book value while there is some upside potential here. A 2.3% dividend helps — and so does the fortress balance sheet.
AXT (AXTI)
AXT (NASDAQ:AXTI) manufactures substrates used in semiconductor production, and so it’s little surprise AXTI shares have pulled back of late. The stock is down 45% over the past year.
But the declines may have gone too far. AXTI still has about $1 per share in cash against a share price just over $4. Price-to-book-value sits at about 0.9x.
Like Amtech, cycles are brutal. And like Amtech, a strong balance sheet suggests that the selloff may have gone too far.
BlackBerry (BB)
BlackBerry (NYSE:BB) seems almost forgotten at this point. It’s not terribly hard to see why. The company once dominated the smartphone space, but it has long since exited the business altogether. Meanwhile, BB stock has traded basically sideways for about seven years now. Investors clearly have lost patience, and interest: average daily volume in the stock is at decade-long lows.
But there is an interesting case for BB at the moment. The company used a big chunk of its cash balance to acquire artificial intelligence company Cylance. It still should have about $800 million left — well over $1 per share. The company’s QNX software is just one of the potential catalysts for the stock.
I’ve long been a BB skeptic — but there is a case here. BlackBerry still has dry powder left for another deal, or shareholder returns. And it’s possible that investors have stopped paying attention just as the company is entering a new phase.
As of this writing, Vince Martin is long shares of NETGEAR and FTD Companies. He has no positions in any securities mentioned.
Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2019/04/15-stocks-sitting-on-huge-piles-of-cash-sgim/.
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Research Article| July 01 2010
Degradation of natural toxins by phthalocyanines–example of cyanobacterial toxin, microcystin
Daniel Jančula
RECETOX, Masaryk University, Kamenice 126/3, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic E-mail: jancula@sinice.cz; blahova@recetox.muni.cz; marsalek@brno.cas.cz
E-mail: jancula@sinice.cz
Lucie Bláhová
Marie Karásková
Research Institute of Organic Synthesis (VÚOS PLC), Rybitví 296, 53218 Pardubice, Czech Republic E-mail: marie.karaskova@vuos.cz
Blahoslav Maršálek
Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Alison Republic, Lidická 25/27, 65720 Brno, Czech Republic E-mail: jancula@sinice.cz; marsalek@brno.cas.cz
https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2010.306
Daniel Jančula, Lucie Bláhová, Marie Karásková, Blahoslav Maršálek; Degradation of natural toxins by phthalocyanines–example of cyanobacterial toxin, microcystin. Water Sci Technol 1 July 2010; 62 (2): 273–278. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2010.306
Phthalocyanines (Pcs) are promising photosensitizers for use in various branches of science and industry. In the presence of visible light and diatomic oxygen, phthalocyanines can react to produce singlet oxygen, a member of reactive oxygen species able to damage different molecules and tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of phthalocyanines to degrade natural toxins in the presence of visible light. As the representative of hardly degradable toxins, a group of cyanobacterial peptide toxins—microcystin-LR—was chosen for this study. According to our results, phthalocyanines are able to degrade 61,5% of microcystins within a 48-hour incubation (38% of microcystins was degraded after 24 h and 24% after 12 h of incubation). Although other oxidants like hydrogen peroxide or ozone are able to degrade microcystins within several hours, we assume that by optimizing the spectrum emitted by light source and by changing the absorption characteristics of Pcs, microcystins degradation by phthalocyanines could be more effective in the near future.
microcystin, phthalocyanine, singlet oxygen, toxin, water treatment
© IWA Publishing 2010
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Home › News › Industry
De Beers, Namibia invest in new diamond mining ship
today May 17, 2019
Anglo American on Thursday said its De Beers subsidiary was investing in a $468 million new offshore diamond mining ship to mine for diamonds off the coast of Namibia, with the capacity to add 500,000 carats of annual production from 2022.
The vessel is a joint venture between De Beers and the government of Namibia, which is keen to encourage foreign investment in mining as a mainstay of the economy.
The ship will be the seventh in the Debmarine Namibia joint venture’s fleet that mines the country’s high-quality diamonds from the ocean floor using hi-tech surveying equipment.
Anglo American CEO Mark Cutifani said in a statement the vessel was in line with the group’s focus on efficiency and margin and the investment offered an EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) margin of more than 60%.
Namibia’s Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo told Reuters the government would do everything necessary “to encourage inward investment in the mining sector in such a manner that the investment is mutually beneficial to the investor and the host country.”
Some African countries have been imposing tougher conditions on international miners.
Namibia, however, has been relaxing restrictions. Last year, it said it was scrapping a requirement for companies seeking mining licences to be partly owned and managed by black Namibians.
Mining, of which uranium and diamonds are a major part, contributed 14% of the country’s GDP in 2018, Namibia’s Chamber of Mines said.
Diamonds also accounted for 14% of Anglo American’s core profit in 2018.
The natural diamond market has been unsettled by competition from lab-grown stones and weaker values for smaller diamonds, but high-quality gems can still command a premium.
Analysts say there are signs supply is becoming tighter.
In a research note, Panmure in March said a review of its global diamond database found production growth would moderate this year and decline into 2021.
“We are not suggesting prices are going to surge,” it said. “But we believe the foundations for higher prices are now being laid, even accounting for lab-grown alternatives.”
Alweendo said he was concerned about the impact of lab-grown diamonds.
“Our only hope is that we will still be able to convince the consumers to make a distinction between natural and lab-manufactured diamonds,” he said.
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Lab-grown diamonds on the rise in the millennial bridal market
A Day of High Jewellery with De Beers, Piaget, Chopard, Van Cleef & Arpels
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Indonesia's foreign exchange reserves fell to $120.3 billion last month from $124.3 billion in April, the central bank, said on Thursday. (ID Photo/David Gita Roza)
Indonesia's Foreign Reserves Drop by $4b After External Debt Payment
Jakarta. Indonesia's foreign exchange reserves fell to their lowest level in four months at the end of May, after the government serviced its external debt.
The reserves fell to $120.3 billion last month from $124.3 billion in April, the central bank said on Thursday.
The bank said the current reserves are still enough to cover 6.9 months of imports, or 6.7 months of imports and service the government's foreign debt. The international standard requires foreign reserves to be adequate for 3 months of imports.
"Bank Indonesia believes the official reserve asset position can support external sector resilience and maintain macroeconomic and financial system sustainability," Onny Widjanarko, executive director of the central bank's communication department, said in a statement.
Apart from government debt repayment, demand for foreign exchange by foreign companies to pay dividends and the Idul Fitri holiday have also put pressure on the reserves, Onny said.
Indonesia's current account has been under pressure so far this year, as an escalating trade war between the United States and China undermines demand for the archipelago's main commodities, such as coal and palm oil.
Fortunately, Southeast Asia's largest economy was still able to attract foreign investment, which flowed into the country's investment-grade assets and helped plug its current-account deficit.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has rallied local businesses to come up with policy suggestions on how to overcome issues related to the ongoing trade war, as it is seen as the most urgent problem his administration will have to tackle this year.
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Host Shuttlers Win Three Titles as Anthony Ends Losing Streak
Colonialism, Afrofuturism, Virtual Reality: the Best of the Singapore Biennale
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Immunology and Pathology
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IFN-γ Mediates Crescent Formation and Cell-Mediated Immune Injury in Murine Glomerulonephritis
A. RICHARD KITCHING, STEPHEN R. HOLDSWORTH and PETER G. TIPPING
JASN April 1999, 10 (4) 752-759;
A. RICHARD KITCHING
STEPHEN R. HOLDSWORTH
PETER G. TIPPING
Abstract. Features of crescentic glomerulonephritis suggest that it results from a T helper 1 (Th1) nephritogenic immune response. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), produced by Th1 cells, is involved in T cell-directed macrophage activation in effector Th1 responses. The hypothesis that endogenous IFN-γ contributes to the development of crescentic glomerulonephritis was tested by comparing the development of glomerulonephritis (induced by a planted antigen) and immune responses in normal C57BL/6 mice (IFN-γ +/+) and in mice genetically deficient in IFN-γ (IFN-γ -/-). Ten days after the initiation of glomerulonephritis, IFN-γ -/- mice developed fewer glomerular crescents (5 ± 1% versus 26 ± 3%, P < 0.005), less severe glomerular injury, and less renal impairment. Effectors of delayed-type hypersensitivity (CD4+ T cells, macrophages, and fibrin) in glomeruli were reduced in IFN-γ -/- mice. Skin delayed-type hypersensitivity to sheep globulin was reduced. Total antigen-specific Ig and splenocyte interleukin-2 production were unchanged, but antigen-specific serum IgG2a was reduced. Markers of an antigen-specific Th2 response (serum IgG1, splenocyte interleukin-4) were unchanged. Studies 22 d after the initiation of glomerulonephritis showed that IFN-γ -/- mice still had fewer crescents (11 ± 2% versus 22 ± 3%, P = 0.02) and glomerular CD4+ T cells and macrophages than IFN-γ +/+ mice. These studies demonstrate that endogenous IFN-γ mediates crescentic glomerulonephritis by promoting cell-mediated immune injury. They support the hypothesis that crescentic glomerulonephritis is a manifestation of a Th1 nephritogenic immune response.
Glomerulonephritis (GN) is characterized by cognate immune responses resulting in glomerular injury. Although some forms of GN are mediated predominantly by humoral effectors of injury (1), others, including proliferative and crescentic forms of GN, are associated with accumulation of T cells, macrophages, tissue factor, and fibrin, components of the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response (2). Crescent formation complicates proliferative forms of GN, denotes severe immune glomerular injury, and is associated with a poor prognosis. DTH is driven by T helper 1 cell (Th1) responses (3). In two experimental models of crescentic GN, there is evidence that crescent formation is a manifestation of a nephritogenic Th1 response (4,5). One of these models involves the development of autoimmunity via immunization with glomerular basement membrane (GBM) (5). The other examines the host's immune response to an antigen planted in glomeruli (4). Crescent formation in the latter model, used in this study, is CD4+ - dependent in the effector phase (4) and occurs in the absence of autologous antibody (6).
Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is produced by Th1 cells (7). It plays a role in macrophage activation, regulation of Ig isotype switching, and induction of MHC class I and class II molecules (8,9). Mice deficient in IFN-γ develop decreased skin DTH and fail to resist infection with Mycobacterium bovis, suggesting an important role for IFN-γ in effector Th1 responses (8). IFN-γ is necessary for the expression of experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a granulomatous lung disease (10). However, studies in organ-specific autoimmune diseases such as experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, thought to be Th1-mediated, have not confirmed a pathogenetic role for IFN-γ (11,12), although the mechanism behind this lack of effect, or even negative effect, is unclear (13). A regulatory role for IFN-γ in allogeneic responses is suggested by the development of increased cytotoxic activity in the mixed lymphocyte reaction using cells from IFN-γ -/- mice (8) and by studies in experimental allogeneic heart transplantation that have shown that deficiency of endogenous IFN-γ did not permit engraftment (14,15).
The current studies use a model of crescentic GN induced by a planted exogenous antigen, sheep globulin, to address the hypothesis that endogenous IFN-γ contributes to crescent formation and cell-mediated immune glomerular injury. The use of this model addresses the role of IFN-γ in renal immunopathology without needing to consider its role in the context of the development of autoimmunity or allogeneic responses. This hypothesis was tested by comparing the development of GN in C57BL/6 mice deficient in the gene for IFN-γ (IFN-γ -/-) with GN in genetically normal C57BL/6 mice (IFN-γ +/+), by examining glomerular crescent formation and effector pathways of glomerular injury, and by assessing the nature of the systemic immune response to the nephritogenic antigen.
Induction of Accelerated Nephrotoxic Serum Nephritis
A sheep was repeatedly immunized against homogenized murine renal cortex in Freund's complete adjuvant (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO) and later Freund's incomplete adjuvant (Sigma). To produce a globulin fraction, this serum was adsorbed twice with mouse red blood cells (10% by volume) and then precipitated twice with ammonium sulfate at a final concentration of 50%. Mice with a genetic deletion of IFN-γ on the C57BL/6 background (8) were obtained from Jackson Laboratories (Bar Harbor, ME) and bred at Monash University, (Melbourne, Australia). Male IFN-γ -/- (n = 15) and genetically normal C57BL/6 mice (n = 22), 8 to 10 wk of age, were sensitized by subcutaneous injection of a total of 100 μg of sheep globulin in 100 μ1 of Freund's complete adjuvant in divided doses in each flank. Ten days later, GN was initiated by intravenous administration of 3.3 mg of nephrotoxic serum (raised in sheep, as above), a dose that does induce proteinuria in naïve mice (data not shown). Glomerular injury and immune responses were assessed after an additional 10 d (IFN-γ -/- n = 7, IFN-γ +/+ n = 12). To assess the development of more chronic injury in mice, GN was studied in two other groups at day 22 (IFN-γ -/- n = 8, IFN-γ +/+ n = 10).
Assessment of Glomerular Crescent Formation
Kidney tissue was fixed in Bouin's fixative and embedded in paraffin, and 3-μm tissue sections were cut and stained with periodic acid-Schiff. A glomerulus was considered to exhibit crescent formation when more than two layers of cells were observed in Bowman's space. A minimum of 50 glomeruli was assessed to determine the crescent score for each animal.
Glomerular T Cell, Macrophage, and Neutrophil Accumulation
Kidney tissue was fixed in periodate lysine paraformaldehyde for 4 h, washed in 7% sucrose solution, then frozen in liquid nitrogen. Tissue sections (6 μm) were stained to demonstrate CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, and macrophages using a three-layer immunoperoxidase technique, as described previously (16,17). The primary monoclonal antibodies were GK1.5 (18), anti-mouse CD4 (American Type Culture Collection, [ATCC], Rockville, MD), 53-6.7 (anti-mouse CD8, ATCC), and M1/70 (anti-mouse Mac-1, ATCC), which recognizes macrophages and neutrophils. Neutrophil infiltration of glomeruli was assessed by their characteristic nuclear morphology. A minimum of 20 equatorially sectioned glomeruli was assessed per animal, and results were expressed as cells per glomerular cross section (c/gcs).
Glomerular Deposition of Fibrin, Sheep Globulin, Mouse Ig, and C3
Tissue was embedded in OCT compound, frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at -70°C. Immunofluorescence was performed on 4-μm cryostat cut tissue. Glomerular fibrin deposition was detected on a minimum of 30 glomeruli per mouse using FITC-goat anti-mouse fibrin/fibrinogen serum (Nordic Immunological Laboratories, Berks, United Kingdom) at a dilution of 1:20 and scored semiquantitatively (0 to 3+) as follows: 0, no fibrin deposition; 1, fibrin occupying up to one-third of the glomerular cross-sectional area; 2, fibrin occupying one-third to two-thirds of the glomerulus; 3, greater than two-thirds of the glomerular cross section covered by fibrin. Deposition of sheep globulin was evaluated using FITC-rabbit anti-sheep Ig (Nordic) at a dilution of 1:500, and sections were scored 0 to 3+ on the basis of fluorescence intensity. Two methods were used for assessment of mouse Ig (FITC-sheep anti-mouse Ig [Silenus, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia]) and C3 (FITC-goat anti-mouse C3 [Cappel, Durham, NC]) in glomeruli. First, fluorescence intensity was assessed semiquantitatively (0 to 3+) using a dilution of 1:200 for mouse Ig and 1:100 for C3. Sections in which only some glomeruli were positive were graded as 0.5 (i.e., +/-). Second, serial dilutions of these antibodies were made to determine the end point positive titer in each animal, and results were expressed as the log2 of this end point titer.
Serum Creatinine and Proteinuria
Serum creatinine concentrations at the end of each experiment were measured by the alkaline picric acid method using an autoanalyzer. Urinary protein concentrations were determined by a modified Bradford method on 24-h urine collections. For mice studied at day 10, urine collections were made from day 1 to 2 and from day 9 to 10 of disease. For mice studied at day 22, a urine collection was made from day 21 to 22.
Measurement of Interleukin-2 and Interleukin-4 Production by Splenocytes
Spleens from mice with GN were removed aseptically and placed in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) 5% fetal calf serum (FCS). Single cell suspensions were prepared, and erythrocytes were lysed by incubation in 0.15 M NH4Cl, 0.01 M NaHCO3, 0.1 mM ETDA, pH 7.3, for 1 min. Splenocytes were washed in DMEM 5% FCS and incubated (4 × 106 cells/ml in DMEM 10% FCS, 50 μM 2-mercaptoethanol) for 72 h at 37°C, 5% CO2 in 48-well plates with protein G-purified normal sheep IgG (10 μg/ml). Interleukin-4 (IL-4) in culture supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as described previously (19), using rat anti-mouse IL-4 (11B11; ATCC) and biotinylated rat anti-mouse IL-4 (BVD6; DNAX, Palo Alto, CA) monoclonal antibodies and 0.1 M 2,2′-azinodi-3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate (Boehringer Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany) in 0.02% H2O2 as a substrate. IL-2 was measured using a commercial ELISA (Intertest-2X, mouse IL-2 ELISA kit, Genzyme, Cambridge, MA).
Skin DTH to Sheep Globulin
In the experimental groups where GN was induced and studied at day 22, mice were challenged 24 h before the end of the experiment by intradermal injection of sheep globulin (500 μg in 50 μl of phosphate-buffered saline [PBS]) into the plantar surface of a hindfoot. An irrelevant antigen (horse globulin) was injected in the opposite foot pad as a control. DTH was assessed 24 h later by measuring the difference between the sheep globulin- and horse globulin-injected foot pads in each mouse using a micrometer (Mitutoyo Corp., Japan).
Titers of Serum Anti-Sheep Globulin Ig and Ig Isotypes
Titers of total mouse anti-sheep globulin Ig and anti-sheep globulin IgM, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3 were measured by ELISA on serum collected at the end of each experiment as described previously (19). Plates were coated with 10 μg/ml normal sheep globulin, washed, then blocked with 1% BSA in PBS for total Ig, IgM, IgG1, and IgG2b assays (2% casein in PBS for IgG2a and IgG3 assays). Plates were washed, then incubated with mouse serum at the dilution indicated, and incubated for 1 h at 37°C (overnight at 4°C for IgG2a and IgG3 assays). Bound mouse Ig was detected with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated antibodies: sheep anti-mouse Ig (1:2000; Amersham, Little Chalfont, United Kingdom) for total Ig and goat anti-mouse IgM, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, or IgG3 (1:4000; Southern Biotechnology, Birmingham, AL) for Ig isotypes. 2,2′-Azino-di-3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate substrate solution was added and the absorbance was read at 405 nm. Sera from five nonimmunized mice were tested to provide normal controls.
Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM. The significance of differences between IFN-γ +/+ mice and IFN-γ -/- mice was determined by the Mann-Whitney U test.
Development of Crescentic GN in Normal C57BL/6 Mice
Proliferative and crescentic GN had developed in IFN-γ +/+ mice 10 d after initiation of GN (Figure 1A). These mice developed periodic acid-Schiff-positive material in glomeruli and moderate tubulointerstitial damage. An average of 25 ± 3% of glomeruli were affected by crescent formation (Figure 2). Effectors of DTH were present in glomeruli: CD4+ T cells, macrophages, and fibrin (Figure 2). Occasional CD8+ cells and neutrophils were present in glomeruli. Sheep globulin was deposited in a linear pattern along the GBM. In addition, autologous antibody and C3, humoral mediators of injury, were deposited in glomeruli (Table 1). Normal mice with GN developed impaired renal function (normal mice with no GN: 22 ± 1 μmol/L, IFN-γ +/+ mice with GN at day 10: 39 ± 4 μmol/L, P < 0.001) (Figure 3A). Abnormal proteinuria was present at day 1 to 2 of disease and at the end of the experiment (Figure 3B).
Histologic features of glomerular injury in genetically normal C57BL/6 mice and IFN-γ -/- mice with glomerulonephritis (GN) at day 10. (A) IFN-γ +/+ mice developed proliferative GN, with glomerular crescent formation (arrow) in 25% of glomeruli. (B) Glomerular injury was less severe in mice genetically deficient in IFN-γ. Periodic acid-Schiff, ×250.
The effects of genetic deficiency of IFN-γ on glomerular crescent formation and effectors of cell-mediated immune injury in glomeruli of mice with GN at day 10. c/gcs, cells per glomerular cross section. *P < 0.005; **P < 0.001.
Humoral effectors of glomerular injury: deposition of autologous antibody and C3 in glomeruli of mice 10 d after initiation of GNa
Renal function, measured at day 10 by serum creatinine, and urinary protein excretion in IFN-γ +/+ mice (□) and IFN-γ -/- mice ([UNK]) with GN from day 1 to 2, and from day 9 to 10. The dotted lines represent values for normal mice without GN. (A) Renal function was impaired in IFN-γ +/+ mice with GN (P < 0.001). Deficiency of IFN-γ resulted in significantly less renal impairment compared with IFN-γ +/+ mice with GN. *P = 0.035. (B) There was a significant reduction in proteinuria early in disease in IFN-γ mice compared with IFN-γ -/- mice. **P = 0.015.
IFN-γ Deficiency Reduces Crescent Formation and Cell-Mediated Immune Renal Injury at Day 10 of GN
Renal injury was less severe in IFN-γ -/- mice 10 d after the initiation of GN (Figure 1B). There was equivalent deposition of the nephritogenic antigen, sheep globulin, in glomeruli of IFN-γ +/+ and IFN-γ -/- mice (IFN-γ +/+: 2.6 ± 0.1; IFN-γ -/-: 2.6 ± 0.2 [score 0 to 3+]). Glomerular crescent formation was attenuated, with a corresponding reduction in CD4+ cells, macrophages, and glomerular fibrin deposition (Figure 2). Consistent alterations in glomerular deposition of humoral mediators of injury were not observed in IFN-γ -/- mice (Table 1), although there was a nonstatistically significant increase in end point positive titer of autologous antibody deposition, and decreased C3 deposition when assessed semiquantitatively. Glomerular CD8+ cells were increased compared with normal mice with GN, but were still present only in relatively low numbers (Figure 2). Glomerular neutrophil numbers were not affected (IFN-γ +/+: 0.25 ± 0.04 c/gcs; IFN-γ -/-: 0.20 ± 0.02 c/gcs). The impairment of renal function found in IFN-γ -/- mice with GN was attenuated, compared with IFN-γ +/+ mice (IFN-γ +/+: 39 ± 4; IFN-γ -/-: 28 ± 2 μmol/L) (Figure 3A). Proteinuria at day 1 to 2 was reduced compared with IFN-γ +/+ mice with GN (Figure 3B). This decrease in proteinuria was not statistically significant at the end of the experiment (day 9 to 10, P = 0.13).
Systemic Immune Responses to Sheep Globulin in IFN-γ +/+ and IFN-γ -/- Mice with GN
Skin DTH to sheep globulin (measured as the difference in swelling between the footpad challenged with sheep globulin and the footpad challenged with horse globulin) was reduced, but not abrogated, in IFN-γ -/- mice (IFN-γ +/+: 0.28 ± 0.03 mm; IFN-γ -/-: 0.16 ± 0.03 mm, P = 0.02). IL-2 and IL-4 were measured in sheep IgG-stimulated supernatants of splenocytes isolated from mice with GN. Levels of IL-2 were unaltered by IFN-γ deficiency (IFN-γ +/+: 128 ± 28; IFN-γ -/-: 105 ± 25 pg/ml). Deficiency of endogenous IFN-γ did not result in an increased Th2 response to sheep globulin. Levels of the prototypic Th2 cytokine IL-4 were not increased in splenocyte supernatants from IFN-γ -/- mice. Due to considerable overlap between the experimental groups, the apparent reduction in IL-4 was not statistically significant (IFN-γ +/+: 181 ± 54 pg/ml; IFN-γ -/-: 70 ± 21 pg/ml, P = 0.23).
Sheep globulin-specific antibody responses were measured by ELISA on serum collected from mice at the end of the experiment (Table 2). Genetic deficiency of IFN-γ did not alter titers of total antigen-specific Ig. However, there was a significant decrease in IgG2a titers. There was a trend toward a reduction in IgG3 titers, whereas IgG1 titers were nonsignificantly increased in IFN-γ -/- mice compared with IFN-γ +/+ mice. Levels of sheep globulin-specific IgG2b and IgM were unchanged. These results show that IFN-γ deficiency has little effect on the total antibody or IgM response to the nephritogenic antigen, but changes in IgG subclasses were consistent with IFN-γ deficiency, given its role in the induction of IgG subclass switching (20).
Sheep globulin-specific total immunoglobulin and immunoglobulin isotypes 10 d after initiation of GN in sera of IFN-γ +/+ and IFN-γ -/- mice with GN, with normal unimmunized mice as controlsa
IFN-γ-Deficient Mice Have Fewer Glomerular Crescents at Day 22 of Disease
Renal injury in normal mice with GN and IFN-γ -/- mice was studied after 22 d of disease, to assess the effects of IFN-γ deficiency on more chronic immune renal injury. Genetically normal mice showed features of more chronic renal injury, with proliferative GN with focal and segmental areas of necrosis. Glomerular crescent formation was present, which was mainly cellular, although some crescents were fibrocellular. There were focal areas of interstitial inflammation and tubular atrophy. Mice deficient in IFN-γ showed a lesser degree of glomerular crescent formation (IFN-γ +/+: 22 ± 3%; IFN-γ -/-: 11 ± 2%, P = 0.02) (Figure 4), with fewer glomerular T cells and macrophages. Heavy proteinuria continued at day 21 to 22 in control mice with GN, and remained lower in IFN-γ -/- mice (Figure 5B) that had levels comparable to mice studied at earlier time points (day 1 to 2 and day 9 to 10). There was no difference in serum creatinine values between IFN-γ -/- and IFN-γ +/+ mice at day 22 (IFN-γ +/+: 32 ± 2; IFN-γ -/-: 33 ± 1 μmol/L) (Figure 5A).
Glomerular crescent formation and effectors of cell-mediated immune injury in glomeruli in IFN-γ +/+ and IFN-γ -/- mice 22 d after the initiation of renal injury. c/gcs, cells per glomerular cross section. *P = 0.02; **P < 0.005.
Renal function and urinary protein excretion, measured at day 22 in IFN-γ +/+ mice (□) and IFN-γ -/- mice ([UNK]) with GN. Dotted lines represent values for normal mice without GN. (A) There was no difference in serum creatinine between the two groups at day 22. (B) However, there was a significant reduction in proteinuria at day 22 in IFN-γ mice compared with IFN-γ -/- mice. *P = 0.01.
In this model of crescentic GN, mice lacking endogenous IFN-γ developed less severe GN than genetically normal C57BL/6 mice. Crescent formation and elements of DTH were reduced in glomeruli of IFN-γ -/- mice, and functional injury, measured by serum creatinine and urinary protein excretion, was diminished in IFN-γ-deficient mice. Skin DTH to the nephritogenic antigen was reduced, consistent with the observed reductions in glomerular injury. Serum titers of antigen-specific IgG2a and IgG3, associated with IFN-γ and Th1 responses, were reduced in IFN-γ -/- mice, but splenocyte IL-2 levels were unaffected. As IL-2 is produced by Th1 cells (7), this result suggests that the effects of endogenous IFN-γ on Th1 responses were mediated directly by IFN-γ itself, and not by a generalized downregulation of all components of the Th1 response. Th2 elements of the immune response to sheep globulin were unaffected. There was a nonsignificant increase in the Th2-associated subclass IgG1, and total antibody titers and splenocyte IL-4 levels were not increased.
Although renal injury was substantially reduced in IFN-γ -/- mice compared with genetically normal mice at day 10 of disease, renal injury was not abrogated. A minority of glomeruli were affected by crescent formation, and abnormal numbers of glomerular CD4+ cells and macrophages were present. Functionally, IFN-γ -/- mice still developed proteinuria and some renal impairment at day 10. The effects of IFN-γ deficiency lasted into a more chronic phase of this model (22 d after the initiation of GN). Crescent formation was still significantly less than in genetically normal mice with GN at day 22, although the percentage of glomeruli affected by crescent formation in IFN-γ -/- mice was increased to 11% at this time point. Numbers of CD4+ T cells and macrophages in glomeruli were still reduced in IFN-γ -/- mice, as was proteinuria. However, the serum creatinine in IFN-γ -/- mice was not different from that of IFN-γ +/+ mice.
The fact that injury, although reduced, was not absent in IFN-γ -/- mice is not surprising, and could be due to alternative pathways of macrophage activation, and/or to injury induced by humoral mediators. It is unlikely that IFN-γ is the sole determinant of macrophage activation, or of the generation of Th1 responses. Skin DTH to sheep globulin, while attenuated, was not absent in IFN-γ-deficient mice, consistent with previous reports on the role of IFN-γ in DTH responses (21) and the phenotype of IFN-γ and IFN-γ receptor-deficient mice (8, 9). Deficiency of the IFN-γ receptor did not affect the ability of mice to mount a Th1 response in Leishmania major infection (22). Although IFN-γ clearly has an important role in promoting macrophage effector functions, it is not the sole known activator of macrophages (23,24,25).
An additional likely contributing factor to the renal injury present in IFN-γ -/- mice with GN is the persistence of humoral factors. Glomerular deposition of autologous antibody was unchanged in these mice. Although autologous antibody is not required for crescent formation, humoral mediators do result in glomerular injury in this model (4, 26). Therefore, deposition of antibody and complement in glomeruli is likely to have contributed to the proteinuria and the renal impairment that was present in IFN-γ -/- mice. It is possible that a reduction in the complement-fixing IgG2a isotype in IFN-γ-deficient mice may have contributed to the reduction in renal injury in these mice. However, several lines of evidence from other studies in this model suggest that alterations in humoral immune responses are in themselves not sufficient to alter the degree of crescentic injury. Crescent formation is independent of the presence of autologous antibody (6). CD4+ cell depletion in the effector phase of the immune response prevented crescent formation but did not alter serum antigen-specific antibody levels (4). Studies in IL-4-deficient BALB/c mice have shown that they do not develop glomerular crescent formation despite alterations in IgG subclasses (increased IgG2a and IgG3) that would, at least in theory, favor increases in glomerular injury (27).
Endogenous IFN-γ upregulates MHC class II in kidneys in the context of inflammatory stimuli (28). The unchanged levels of serum antigen-specific Ig and of splenocyte IL-2 argues against a prominent role for IFN-γ in antigen presentation in this study. However, the decreased glomerular CD4+ cell infiltration in IFN-γ mice suggests effects of endogenous IFN-γ beyond its effector functions of macrophage activation and IgG subclass switching. Given the recent demonstration that MHC class II expression by intrinsic renal cells is required for antigen recognition in the development of crescentic GN (29), a lack of IFN-γ-induced MHC II expression could explain the reduced glomerular CD4+ cells found in this study.
Although present in relatively low numbers, CD8+ cells in glomeruli were increased in IFN-γ -/- mice with GN at day 10 (although there was no change at day 22). These findings are consistent with the regulatory effects of IFN-γ on the CD8+ subset observed in initial studies using IFN-γ -/- mice, reporting increased cytotoxic function and proliferation in IFN-γ-deficient mice attributed to CD8+ cells (8). An important pathogenetic role for cytotoxic CD8+ cells in crescentic GN has not yet been demonstrated. Crescentic GN is not attenuated in CD8+-deficient mice (30), and although depletion of CD8+ cells reduces glomerular injury in rats, cytotoxic T cell activity is not prominent, suggesting that CD8+ cells are functioning predominantly as T helper cells in rats (31).
In addition to expression of MHC class II, intrinsic glomerular cells have the capacity to respond directly to IFN-γ (32, 33). The magnitude of this response in vivo is not known. However, in addition to glomerular injury induced by IFN-γ-activated macrophages (as predicted by knowledge of the effects of IFN-γ on the immune system and the effector function of macrophages in cell-mediated immune responses), it is possible that some of the effects of endogenous IFN-γ in crescentic GN could relate to T cell-derived IFN-γ acting directly on intrinsic glomerular cells.
Two previous studies have examined IFN-γ in experimental crescentic GN. In the first, neutralizing IFN-γ using a neutralizing monoclonal antibody reduced crescent formation and glomerular macrophage infiltration without affecting glomerular CD4+ cell numbers (4). The reduction in CD4+ cells observed in the current study may relate to the effects of complete absence of IFN-γ via the use of genetically deficient mice. In the second, genetically normal 129Sv mice developed moderate disease, with 11% of glomeruli affected by crescent formation (34). 129Sv mice genetically deficient in the IFN-γ receptor developed less disease on assessment of several parameters, but the reduction in crescent formation did not reach statistical significance.
Although in many forms of human GN the antigens involved are unknown, GN may result from immune responses to exogenous antigens, whereas in other forms of GN the immune response is directed against self antigens. Glomerulonephritis may develop as an organ-specific autoimmune disease, e.g., anti-GBM GN, or as part of systemic autoimmunity, e.g., lupus nephritis. IFN-γ has been detected within the inflammatory cell infiltrate in autoimmune murine anti-GBM GN (5). The role of IFN-γ has been studied in murine lupus, where, although not all of the results of studies have been concordant, studies in mice rendered deficient in IFN-γ or the IFN-γ receptor (35, 36) by gene targeting have demonstrated a role for endogenous IFN-γ in the development of murine lupus. The effects of IFN-γ gene deletion have been attributed largely to reductions in the IgG2a and IgG3 autoantibodies, in contrast to the findings of the current study, which emphasize the role of cell-mediated immunity in crescentic GN. IFN-γ has been administered to humans as treatment for rheumatoid arthritis/systemic lupus erythematosus, and was reported to induce proliferative/crescentic GN (37, 38).
These studies use a model of proliferative, crescentic GN induced by a planted exogenous antigen, which is CD4+-dependent in the effector phase (4) and independent of the presence of autologous antibody (6). They establish a role for endogenous IFN-γ in the pathogenesis of severe crescentic GN through selective modulation of effector Th1 responses and reductions in cell-mediated immune renal injury. The presence of residual cell-mediated injury in IFN-γ -/- mice, particularly at day 22, suggests that although IFN-γ is important in cell-mediated immune responses, there may be other mediators relevant to the activation of macrophages. They provide evidence that glomerular crescent formation is a manifestation of a Th1 nephritogenic immune response.
These studies were supported by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NH&MRC) and the Australian Kidney Foundation. Dr. Tipping is an NH&MRC Senior Research Fellow and Dr. Kitching is supported by an NH&MRC Medical Postgraduate Scholarship. The assistance of Ms. J. Tsoupas and Ms. J. Sharkey is acknowledged.
© 1999 American Society of Nephrology
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A. RICHARD KITCHING, STEPHEN R. HOLDSWORTH, PETER G. TIPPING
JASN Apr 1999, 10 (4) 752-759;
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About Davide Mana
Aculeo & Amunet
How to be a pulp hero for less than 100 bucks
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3 October 2017 by Davide Mana 2 Comments
I was reflecting today that a lot of non-fantasy fiction authors I love, I met before in articles and essays than in stories.
Case in point: Max Allan Collins.
I first met this extremely prolific writer in a collection of essays called The Fine Art of Murder – which I bought massively discounted in 1994 in a bookstore that no longer exists, in Turin. The only library I was thrown out of – but that’s another story.
The Fine Art of Murder is an excellent book, by the way.
Just as excellent as much of what I read by Collins.
And I am a fan of his Quarry series.
I was lucky enough to start with The First Quarry – practically an origin story about Max Allan Collins quirky, ironic, dispassionate hit man.
A guy that comes back from war to find out his wife betrayed him. So he kills his wife’s lover, and gets away with it – which means he just found out a nice profession.
Hired by the Broker, Quarry finds himself killing people for money.
But his hits are never that straightforward.
Collins actually wrote two series – the first and “canonical” one, starting with Quarry, and a second one, more recently, that was launched by Hard Case Crime.
Great series, great character.
Right now, I’m reading The Wrong Quarry, that I received as a gift I think two years back, and has been sitting on my shelf waiting for the right time.
I like mysteries and thrillers, but in moderation.
But this strange twilight days of early autumn require some nice cynical hitman action.
Max Allan Collins is a solid, excellent writer, with a wry sense of humor and clockwork-like plots. The moral ambiguity, the pragmatism of the main character and the often scary nature of his foes, all make for great reading.
One can’t really ask for more in crime fiction.
And I absolutely love the new covers of the series, for the Hard Case Crime reissue of the novels. I have all the novels in ebook but the one I’m reading now, but I hope one day to have the whole series on my shelf.
For the time being, here’s a gallery.
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Categories: Books, Other People's Pulp | Tags: Hard Case Crime, Max Allan Collins, Quarry | Permalink.
Author: Davide Mana
Paleontologist. By day, researcher, teacher and ecological statistics guru. By night, pulp fantasy author-publisher, translator and blogger. In the spare time, Orientalist Anonymous, guerilla cook.
2 thoughts on “Quarry”
melocipede
One of the best characters I’ve met in the last few years. And a nice tv version too. Unfortunately cancelled after the first season.
Davide Mana
I’m taking a look at the series, but if feels too dark for my tastes.
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The Divine Comedy - Casanova Ten songs about sex and one about death, this is essentially what you get when you listen to Casanova, the breakthrough album from Neil Hannon’s The Divine Comedy, released in 1996. But it’s a lot better than that. The perfectly crafted tunes are easy on the ear and yet musically intricate and complex enough to go beyond the “Britpop” label that the press applied to the record. The production is fantastic, and the record sounds like a million dollars, the band and Hannon’s vocals backed by an orchestra. The songs reference a variety of historical, literary and film sources, from the obvious (”Becoming More like Alfie”), to the subtle (is Holly Golightly’s ghost haunting ”A Woman of the World”?) to the obscure (the opener “Something for the Weekend” seems to steal a leaf from “Cold Comfort Farm”, and if you don’t know the novel or the movie, you should check them out), painting a landscape of sexual escapades and variously encounters with the fair sex on the part of the titular patron saint of philanderers. And as tongue-in-cheek situations parade on our player, Neil Hannon slips in not only a variety of musical inventions, but a series of penetrating (pun, obviously, unintended) social observations. And in this choice resides the true genius of Hannon, that writes great songs and sings them with a distinctive voice but most importantly has understood how Casanova could be the archetype of the turn-of-the-century thirty-something European male. For what other reason, otherwise, would I be convinced that at least four (more probably six) of the songs on this record talk about things that actually happened to me? Because we are all Casanova at least once in our lives - usually in the worst moment possible. Truly a record for the ages - and appearing in a few “to listen before you die” lists - Casanova can be found on Spotify, doing his thing - as Casanova would. And you can listen to it. https://open.spotify.com/album/0txgYRjymfL0U28aTEK6Qk #thedivinecomedy #neilhannon #britpop #orchestralpop #conceptalbum #casanova
10cc - The Original Soundtrack The proof of what happens when you get four brilliant musicians and singers/songwriters in a studio of their own with no one to check what they are doing, 10cc were so strange that music reviewers were not sure how to classify them: a novelty act (with songs like “Donna”), a cynical lampooning of pop music (The worst band in the world”), genius (”Baron Samedi”) or madness (“Rubber bullets”). They were described as “art rock”, because there was no other category flexible enough to accommodate them. Godley, Cream, Gouldman and Stewart did not seem to care. Labelled “a studio band”, 10cc would produce a string of complex, intelligent and beautifully crafted records throughout a decade, even surviving with a certain aplomb a dramatic split half the way along. Their third album, The Original Soundtrack (1975), is considered by many the highest point of their incredibly consistent production: a selection of short “song movies” that starts with the mini-rock-opera “One Night in Paris”, that would go on to inspire “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and with such highlights as “I’m Not in Love” (the only love song an intelligent person will ever need), “The Second Sitting for the Last Supper”, all the way down to “The Film of My Love”. Technically impeccable, musically diverse and filled with humor and intelligence, The Original Soundtrack has to be listened to be believed. And you can listen to it on Spotify - you won’t need to literally consume a tape like I did on my old walkman. https://open.spotify.com/album/1CMgmJjMFskwwmK8h8j1Oj #10cc #artrock
Carly Simon - Have You Seen Me Lately The song Have You Seen Me Lately was supposed to be the song from the Carrie Fisher biopic Postcards from the Edge, but was not used. It gave its title to Carly Simon’s 1990s album, that is not a concept album, but comes close to it. The fifteenth album in Simon’s catalog presents a sequence of songs that are somehow connected with the concepts of ageing and moving on with one’s life - from memories of past affairs to a portrait of a midlife crisis in the form of mystery, to other age-related topics. Some thought the reason was, Carly Simon was now 45 - an awkward age for a woman in the music business of the late 80s and early ‘90s. Simon, who wrote all the 11 songs on the album, is backed by a top-notch band (featuring Steve Gadd, Michael Brecker, Judy Collins and many others) and makes a beautiful display of her powerful vocals. I always liked Carly Simon, ever since I discovered her in the mid-80s, and I admire her writing skills, her voice and her tough but sexy and still strongly feminist attitude. I will review more of her work in the future, but for the time being, as I needed to start somewhere, Have You Seen Me Lately is a nice place to start, as this is probably her album I listen to more frequently. You can listen to it, too, on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/album/4yqibi1aoTWOujGDXKGLpH #carlysimon #popmusic #singersongwriter
Even a simple hike can lead in some new place. #microadventure #countrywalking #offthegrid #asti #italy #incisascapaccino #castelnuovobelbo
Early morning country road, as we hiked to Incisa Scapaccino for our first attempt at a #microadventure. In was an unqualified success. #italy #countrysidewalk #hiking #asti #incisascapaccino
Jimmy Buffett - Changes of Latitudes, Changes of Attitude I first met Jimmy Buffett as a writer, when I bought a paperback of a novel called “Where Is Joe Merchant?” - it was an off-beat mystery/adventure, and it had a seaplane on the cover. It was enough for me. Later I found out that the author was also a songwriter, an entrepreneur and a guy that had his own line of jeans. Oh, well. Providing a curious mix of Country & Western music with tropical and maritime themes and sounds (Wikipedia calls this sort of music “Gulf & Western”), Buffett had a difficult start in the early ‘70s, and finally made his breakthrough with Changes of Latitudes, Changes of Attitude, that is a pretty laid back record and is to me another perfect example of country music for people that do not like country. Steering away from the truck drivers and diner waitresses that Frank Zappa used to mock, Buffett does a fine job at storytelling, injecting a healthy dose of irony in his music, as well as adding instruments and arrangments that steer away from Nashville and sound more like Florida. Future albums will bring to the fore his pirate/adventurer persona that in this record makes its first appearance. A strong selection of tunes, here the highlights are certainly Margaritaville and Banana Republic (one of the three tunes out of 10 not penned by Buffet), and this is a great late night album for a hot and humid early september after-dinner. You can listen to it on Spotify. It’s different, it’s fun. Check it out. https://open.spotify.com/album/3JWlQzyse21gwhqu2D6UQD #jimmybuffett #parrothead #gulfandwestern #countryrock #tropical
Libby Titus - Libby Titus I knew Libby Titus before I ever listened to her singing, as the wife of Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen, and as the inspiration for Carly Simon’s song Libby, on which Titus also sang backing vocals. Together with Phil Ramone, Paul Simon, and Robbie Robertson, Carly Simon was the producer on Titus’ second album, the eponymous Libby Titus, published in 1977. Titus was often mentioned in articles and essays, and I was very curious when I finally was able to listen to this record. The artist had impeccable credentials, and had been like a shadow presence through much of my music listening years. Titus has a soaring, somewhat retro voice, and weaves through smart, often tongue-in-cheek songs. “The Night You Took Me to Barbados in My Dreams” and “Yellow Beach Umbrella” are my favorites on the album, with the blues of “Kansas City” a close third, but all the ten songs are quite good, mixing humor and melancholia. The record has a strong ‘70s feel, but after all it was recorded and published in ‘77, and it was worth tracking down and listening - it turned Libby Titus from a ghostly character in other people’s lives into one of my favorite singers from that decade. Libby Titus can be listened to on Spotify, and while very much an artefact of its time, it’s certainly worth the time spent listening to it. #libbytitus #singersongwriter
Jenny Lewis - On the Line Actress and musician Jenny Lewis has been a member of Rilo Kiley, The Postal Service, Nice as Fuck and Jenny & Johnny, but I first heard her as a soloist this year when I discovered her latest album, On the Line, that features guest artists Beck, Ringo Starr, Ryan Adams, Don Was, Benmont Tench, Jason Falkner, and Jim Keltner. Quite a weird lineup, that is perfectly captured by the eleven songs on the record, ranging from roots country style numbers to shoe-gazing synth-pop, by way of “Red Bull & Hennesey”, in which Lewis does to Stevie Nicks what Jeff Lynne did to the Beatles. And I mean this as the highest compliment possible. Because no matter what you label these songs, the quality of the vocals and the cutting cynicism of the lyrics is always there, and makes listening to On the line, a collection of surreal broken dreams, emotional bruises and sex gone bad, an absolute joy. Now I’ll have a great time checking out everything else this artist has done over the last two decades. In the meantime, you can listen to On the Line on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/album/2AHG3vkC3H7zqHbYdgCCcy #jennylewis #indierock #indiepop
Karavansara by Davide Mana is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
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Russell J Simpson
August 29th, 1946 to July 12th, 2014
Russell J. Simpson, 67, of Applegate, died Saturday, July 12, 2014 in Port Huron Hospital.
He was born August 29, 1946 in Port Huron.
Mr. Simpson retired from Acheson in 2006 after 42 yeares of service and enjoyed hunting and tinkering with cars.
He is survived by his wife Judi; five sons, Donald (Gay) Simpson, A.J. (Theresa) Simpson, Andy (Becky) Simpson, James Simpson, Luke Simpson; a daughter, Stephanie Simpson; a stepson, Richard (Angie) Mierendorff; a stepdaughter, Crystal Ingles (fiancee’, Robert Isaac); four granddaughters; three grandsons; and five great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 19, 2014 in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Arrangements are by the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home.
Chandra Vought
September 17th, 1980 — January 16th, 2020
Marlene A Sorget
Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home — 1720 Elk St. Port Huron, MI 48060 — 810 985-9605
Thomas K. Simpson — Manager
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« The George Zimmerman Bail Hearing | Main | Saturday Morning! »
Zimmerman Bond Hearing - Media Reaction
Let's follow up our highlights and lowlights of the Zimmerman bond hearing with some media reaction. Here is the local paper, the Orlando Sentinel, which leads with the weak prosecution case:
George Zimmerman granted $150K bond, apologizes to Trayvon Martin's family
SANFORD — At a hearing that legal experts said exposed flaws in the state's case, the Trayvon Martin special prosecutor failed Friday to convince a judge that gunman George Zimmerman should stay locked up.
The judge set bond at $150,000, meaning Zimmerman could be freed from the Seminole County Jail in a few days.
Most revealing in the hearing, though, was testimony by prosecution Investigator Dale Gilbreath, a surprise witness for the defense.
He admitted under oath that authorities do not know who started the fight between Zimmerman, a Neighborhood Watch volunteer, and Martin, the black 17-year-old whose death has spurred protests across the country.
Lawyers for Trayvon's family have insisted that Zimmerman tracked down and killed the Miami Gardens teenager because he was black.
But Zimmerman told police he fired in self-defense after Trayvon threw the first punch, knocked Zimmerman to the ground and then began pounding his head against a sidewalk.
In the courtroom, Gilbreath also testified that although the FBI has analyzed a voice heard screaming for help in the background of a 911 call, it has produced no meaningful results [who just wouldn't pipe down about that?].
Trayvon's family says the voice is that of their son. Zimmerman's family says it belongs to the defendant.
Michael Grieco, a defense attorney and former prosecutor for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, said it appeared Gilbreath "either was unprepared or, alternatively, didn't have a whole lot to hang his hat on" in terms of evidence.
"I expected a lot more from the state," Grieco said. Though others have cautioned that significant evidence is still forthcoming, Grieco said he's not so sure. "You don't usually hold back your evidence in these types of hearings."
A bit of a skip and then this:
A few new pieces of evidence did come out Friday.
How close, asked the judge, was the gun to the victim when it was fired?
So close, said Gilbreath, that there were burns on Trayvon's sweat shirt and skin.
Gilbreath also said the state had a witness who reported seeing the shadows of two people running, one chasing the other, but could not identify who they were.
Although Gilbreath offered little evidence Friday that portrayed Zimmerman as a murderer, he said he did have evidence proving him a liar.
The powder burns will be more important than the shadows. No testimony was offered as to which shadow was black and which White Hispanic.
Their coverage omits the revelations that the lead investigator had not gotten Zimmerman's medical records and could not contradict Zimmerman's claim that he followed the dispatcher's suggestion and was headed back to his car when he was attacked.
The NY Times leads with the apology and gets to this:
As part of his effort to win Mr. Zimmerman’s release on bond, Mr. O’Mara challenged the prosecution’s case, going through the state’s probable cause affidavit line by line, turning the bail hearing into what appeared to be a foretaste of the trial.
He aggressively questioned a state investigator, Dale Gilbreath, about the accusation that Mr. Zimmerman had racially profiled Mr. Martin, and he demanded to know what evidence the state had for the statement that “Zimmerman confronted Martin and a struggle ensued.”
“Do you know who started the fight?” Mr. O’Mara asked Mr. Gilbreath.
“Do I know?” Mr. Gilbreath said. “No.”
Mr. O’Mara then asked Mr. Gilbreath if the state had any evidence to contradict Mr. Zimmerman’s statement to the police that he had been making his way back to his car when he was punched by Mr. Martin. Mr. Zimmerman told investigators he shot Mr. Martin in self-defense after Mr. Martin banged his head on concrete, covered his nose and mouth and reached for his gun.
Mr. Gilbreath responded, “No.”
Here is the AP:
The hearing provided a few glimpses of the strengths — and weaknesses — in the case being built by prosecutors.
Dale Gilbreath, an investigator for the prosecution, testified that he does not know whether Martin or Zimmerman threw the first punch and that there is no evidence to disprove Zimmerman's contention he was walking back to his vehicle when confronted by Martin.
But Gilbreath also said Zimmerman's claim that Martin was slamming his head against the sidewalk just before he shot the teenager was "not consistent with the evidence we found." He gave no details.
That gives short shrift to the defense rebuttal attempt which produced this exchange as recorded by CNN:
COSTELLO: Back live to the bond hearing in Sanford, Florida. Mark O'Mara, who is George Zimmerman's attorney is doing another redirect of the state's attorney investigator. They're talking about what injuries George Zimmerman had to his head that night. Let's listen.
GILBREATH: Managed to scoot away from the concrete sidewalk and that is at that point is when the shooting subsequently followed. That is not consistent with the evidence we found.
O'MARA: The injuries seem to be consistent with his story, though, don't they? [ABC pic]
Dale; The injuries are consistent with a harder object striking the back of his head than his head was.
O'MARA: Could that be cement?
GILBREATH: Could be.
O'MARA: Did you just say it was consistent or did you say it wasn't consistent?
GILBREATH: I said it was.
I say the AP shortchanged us.
Reuters caught the apology but missed the flaws in the prosecution case.
NBC News, aided by NBC Miami and the AP, led with the apology and found this to say about the prosecution case:
Dale Gilbreath, the investigator, said he couldn't remember who came up with the use of the word "profiling" in the document.
Gilbreath added that Zimmerman had two lacerations on his head, which could have been caused by impact with cement.
Zimmerman claims self-defense in the shooting. ABC News says it has obtained an exclusive photo of the back of Zimmerman's head, which appears bloody and may help substantiate his claims.
ABC News spends a lot of time on their exclusive photo in a story I read as favorable to Zimmerman. However, on the day in court they offer this on the prosecution fail:
In a dramatic moment during the hearing, a detective, under questioning from O'Mara, admitted that it has no clear evidence that Zimmerman attacked Trayvon Martin first.
I wonder if Mr. and Mrs. America will come away from the Elite media coverage realizing just how weak a case the prosecution seems to have.
Posted by Tom Maguire on April 20, 2012 | Permalink
Yes, DoT, he left that possibility open.
But the link above suggests that any "new evidence" garnered after the original investigation--principally Dee Dee's conversation--is totally Crump B.S.
Posted by: Clarice | April 21, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Wait Galbreath was the investigator used by Corey in determining if a crime was committed, right? Since when does a D.A. hide evidence from its investigator? There aint any evidence is my conclusion unless Galbreath was not the lead investigator.
Posted by: GMax | April 21, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Sharpton's chickens coming home to roost:
Maywood, Ill. - Alton L. Hayes III, a west suburban man charged with a hate crime, told police he was so upset about the Trayvon Martin case in Florida that he beat up a white man early Tuesday.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | April 21, 2012 at 12:52 PM
I knew the DeeDee story would turn out to be bunk and that her social media output around the time of the shooting would prove that. Did Crump think he was going to be able to hide it?
Posted by: Porchlight | April 21, 2012 at 12:52 PM
-- did I read cthse right that T's mother who resides in Miami did not attend his funeral in Ft. Lauderdale? --
Crump said DeeDee did not attend. We don't have a statement about Sybrina Fulton in that regard, other than what appears in The Conservative Treehouse article. I don't know how or where they obtained the information that Sybrina Fulton didn't "appear" until the private meeting with Crump, the mayor of Sanford, and SPD playing the 911 calls. The way Conservative Treehouse paints the picture, Sybrina's "That's Trayvon's voice!" reaction was scripted in advance.
Posted by: cboldt | April 21, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Can someone tell me how tall Zimmerman is? Is it correct that Martin was 6' 3" ?
Posted by: C.R. | April 21, 2012 at 01:06 PM
Zimmerman is 8 feet tall. That's how he got the jump on Tyke Martin.
Actually, I think Zimmerman is 5'8" or 5'9", and Martin is described as 6'2". Some accounts have their weights at near parity, Zimmerman at 170-185, Martin at 160-170.
cboldt, I didn't read the voice id as scripted in advance. The others had laid out the story to her that T. had been murdered, probably the victim of a hate crime. Then she hears the tape for the first time. Naturally she would conclude that the screaming had to be her son. Listening to that tape must have been a horrible experience for her.
do you know if T lived with his dad or his mom? I had been assuming mom, but funeral in Ft. Lauderdale suggested otherwise.
Posted by: Chubby | April 21, 2012 at 01:14 PM
Next time give us some notice. And if you are driving home, you are going right by my town.
Posted by: Jane | April 21, 2012 at 01:16 PM
do you know if T lived with his dad or his mom?
It's my understanding he lived with his mom in North Miami but was visiting his dad while serving out his school suspension.
-- do you know if T lived with his dad or his mom? --
He lived with Sybrina, as far as I know. He was shipped up to Sanford because he'd been a bad boy, and got himself expelled from school for an extended period. Tracy was going to help Trayvon get his head straight.
-- Then she hears the tape for the first time. Naturally she would conclude that the screaming had to be her son. --
The first time Tracy heard it, he either was sure it wasn't Trayvon (that's the SPD recollection of Tracy's remarks), or he was n;t sure (that's Tracy describing what he told SPD).
What you're describing is confirmation bias by Sybrina, and that might be true. But Sybrina could have been told by Tracy that there is a voice calling help, on the recording.
I empathize with their loss, it's devastating. But if they are trying to exact revenge from an innocent man, that's plain wrong. Their certainty that Trayvon doesn't have a cocky and disrespectful side does not sit well with me.
After reading the tweets cboldt quotes, I'll have to read "The Last Refuge" article again to see what evidence it relies on to conclude DeeDee is Daisha Mitchell.
Posted by: MJW | April 21, 2012 at 01:37 PM
Just to point out, they don't care about the facts;
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/04/trayvon-martin-update/256176/
Posted by: narciso | April 21, 2012 at 01:38 PM
Roy Mizell and Kurtz Funeral Home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida ...
Closer to Miami than to Sanford.
Another tweet from @_LoveThyLondon
The fact ur funeral arrangements are set is driving me crazy... #RIPTRAY I love you boy... 1 Mar
That twitter account has nearly daily laments.
Bernie claimed yesterday the 2005 incident showed GZ had a problem with authority figures, and that's why he ignored the dispatcher's "order" to stop following Trayvon. Even with the little that's leaked about Trayvon's school discipline, it's clear that Trayvon was the one who lacked respect for authority. Chronic tardiness, truancy, defacement of school property, ignoring the school police officer's request to name the (imaginary) owner of the women's jewelry-watch-screwdriver found in his bookbag, and who knows what else in his sealed records at Krop HS and earlier at Miami Carol City HS. And Trayvon's parents never denied his cousin insinuation that TM "took a swing at a bus driver", an authority figure.
Posted by: DebinNC | April 21, 2012 at 01:45 PM
-- Bernie claimed yesterday the 2005 incident showed GZ had a problem with authority figures, and that's why he ignored the dispatcher's "order" to stop following Trayvon. --
Bernie is making things up, too. There is no evidence that Zimmerman failed to follow dispatch suggestion (the evidence suggests he did follow the suggestion), and the 2005 incident involved a plainclothes enforcer that Zimmerman mistook. That must be in the record, otherwise Zimmerman would not have been diverted out of the charge.
--I empathize with their loss, it's devastating. -
I do too, but that trademark business is so bizarre and seemingly mercenary as to raise considerable questions as to just exactly what was going on in the kid's life.
Posted by: Ignatz | April 21, 2012 at 01:56 PM
I saved the "page" with @_LoveThyLondon tweets. It's a 25Mb pdf file, so not so easy to share.
"Did the attacker in Illinois say, "You got it" after beating up the white man?
Posted by: Frau Dingsbums | April 21, 2012 at 02:00 PM
Hey, that product line was endorsed by the President.
Posted by: It still may sell big. The demagoguery has just begun. | April 21, 2012 at 02:01 PM
Jane:"Next time give us some notice. And if you are driving home, you are going right by my town."
Sorry, I didn't realize till yesterday that I'd have free time. But I also didn't think of you as being close to Boston.
I'm taking the train. I may be up again in July.
Posted by: jimmyk | April 21, 2012 at 02:09 PM
Zonation on PJM has a good video on how many other un-trademarked Treyvons have been killed without cries for justice. There was nothing to be gained for Jesse, Al and the race hustlers (some in the administration).
One link upthread felt Martin and Fulton wanted truth about their son's death and the hustlerswere after desire for money. The scripted and managed PR deserved an Oscar.
Trayvon Martin: Before the world heard the cries | Reuters | Apr 3
[Tracy] Martin, who was divorced from Trayvon's mother, Sybrina Fulton, in 1999, is a truck driver from Miami who has a long-distance relationship with Green, a resident of the Retreat at Twin Lakes subdivision in Sanford where Zimmerman also lived.
Martin would visit Green on weekends, making the four-hour drive to the Orlando suburb of Sanford. In late February he was able to bring his son because Trayvon, a junior, was serving a 10-day suspension from Miami's Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School.
So, Tracy doesn't live at Retreat at Twin Lakes, either.
From Lucianne:
Posted by: Frau Wau-Wau | April 21, 2012 at 02:18 PM
I fear for the buubmeister's well-being. Since the photo of GZ's head came out, and O'Mara referred to the medical records disclosing a broken nose, the boy has clammed up tighter'n Dick's hatband.
Tighter'n a Pullman window.
Tighter'n a tick.
Tighter'n a bull's ass at fly time.
Wouldn't NBC have a vested interest in trying to show Zimmerman was guilty since Sharpton has a "program" on NBC?
Posted by: S.Lynn | April 21, 2012 at 03:20 PM
Cecil@6:59 - I was being a bit facetious. Nonetheless, your elucidation in re: is appreciated...
Posted by: Beasts of England | April 21, 2012 at 03:35 PM
Ignatz@9:17 - 'If the prosecution has nothing more than a compromised phone witness, Martin's mother's claim that the voice was his, some voice analysis and a bunch of speculation then Corey should be impeached, if that method of removing her is available.'
Couldn't happen to a nicer fraud. Nifong is viewing her in the same vein as Carter is viewing Obama, i.e., thank you, thank you, thank you!
I'm an hour out of the city, TC is much closer and Rocco is closer than me but not by much. Dave in MA refuses to tell us how close he is.
From cboldt's 08:14 twitter feed from Dee Dee, thought this worth mentioning:
"#IRememberThatMomentWithTray when we ALWAYS cheated off of @EatYhurBrainz's papers in Spanish 22 Mar"
Posted by: daddy | April 21, 2012 at 04:12 PM
Originally Trayvon Martin's father said the voice screaming on the police recording was not his son. I saw him say it on television. I think he was speaking truthfully then. But when his wife heard it she wanted it to be her son the victim not her son the attacker. Truth is not an issue for her. A witness to the actual beating said the man on the ground screaming for help was wearing a red top. Zimmerman was wearing a red top, Martin was not. The witness went inside to call the police and was not at the scene when the gun was fired, but he saw who was beating whom, and who was calling for help.
Posted by: obeara | April 21, 2012 at 04:19 PM
-- From cboldt's 08:14 twitter feed from Dee Dee ... --
I'm not claiming that's DeeDee. All the tweets are from a different handle from any of those identified in The Conservative Treehouse article (Daisha Mitchell as @iAdoree_Dee or Daisha Brianne as @x_FashionObsess), and my only observation is that @_LoveThyLondon tweets resemble DeeDee as described by Crump, better than the tweets of @iAdoree_Dee and @x_FashionObsess.
It's trivially easy to find a twitter ID that is indifferent to Trayvon Martin. All of those people can't be DeeDee.
narciso@1:38 – Gee whiz! Not only is there immediate deflection about the importance of the evidence – the evidence formerly known as inculpatory; but then there’s an admonition regarding the content of comments!
Facts are a bitch and then you, uh, er, short your Comcast/GE positions?
Some of the culled lines were to notice the handles and names of associates. Then I stopped researching the twitter angle.
Thanks for the clarification cboldt.
Nique Johnson's twitter ID, _LoveThyLondon, seems to have been used before Trayvon's death. That girl tweets like most people breath, so if someone can locate the tweets from that period, I think it will be obvious if Nique is DeeDee.
So far, I haven't been able to retrieve Nique's tweets form the relevant time.
Check _LoveThyLondon 3 month twitter stats - 22 followers departed between March 3 and March 4. Otherwise a steady increase in followers.
Tawana Brawley Aftermath:
The case exposed deep mistrust in the black community about winning justice from legal institutions.[16] Some opinions remained fixed. Legal scholar Patricia Williams wrote in 1991 that the teenager "has been the victim of some unspeakable crime. No matter how she got there. No matter who did it to her and even if she did it to herself."[23] These comments aroused controversy as well.[24]
The events were alluded to in Spike Lee's 1989 film Do the Right Thing, in which a scene showed a brick wall bearing the graffiti message "Tawana told the truth".[25]
On May 21, 1990, Alton H. Maddox, Jr. was indefinitely suspended by the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court in Brooklyn after failing to appear before a disciplinary hearing to answer allegations regarding his conduct in the Brawley case.[26]
In 1998, Pagones was awarded $345,000 (he sought $395 million) through a lawsuit for defamation of character that he had brought against Sharpton, Maddox and Mason. The jury found Sharpton liable for making seven defamatory statements about Pagones, Maddox for two and Mason for one. The jury deadlocked on four of the 22 statements over which Pagones had sued, and it found eight statements to be non-defamatory.[27] In a later interview, Pagones said the turmoil by the accusations of Brawley and her advisers had cost him his first marriage and much personal grief.[28]
Pagones had also sued Brawley. She defaulted by not appearing at the trial, and the judge ordered her to pay him damages of $185,000. As of 2003, none of the award had been paid.[29] The $65,000 judgment levied against Al Sharpton was paid for him in 2001 by supporters, including renowned attorney Johnnie Cochran plus former businessman Earl G. Graves, Jr.[30][31]
Brawley has maintained she did not invent the story; in a 1997 appearance, she still had supporters.[32] In November 2007, Brawley's stepfather and mother, in a 20th anniversary feature for the New York Daily News, contended the attack happened. "How could we make this up and take down the state of New York? We're just regular people," Glenda Brawley said, adding, "We should be millionaires." They said they had asked New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Governor Eliot Spitzer to reopen the case. They also said that Brawley, who has converted to Islam, would speak at any legal proceedings.[33]
The lawyers didn't fare too well, as Crump surely knows, but the one person who came out smelling like a rose was NBC's Al Sharpton.
Posted by: Extraneus | April 21, 2012 at 06:48 PM
Strange, though I have no theory of why on one particular day 22 would leave. I also find it strange -- an a bit unlikely -- that on every day except for one +5 day and the -22 day exactly 2 more followers were added. That makes me somewhat skeptical of the graph.
I hope someone can retrieve her tweets for the period surrounding Martin's death.
Posted by: Timmy | April 21, 2012 at 11:01 PM
This is huge. It discredits the whole DD thing:
http://classicalvalues.com/2012/04/in-the-zone/
Posted by: M. Simon | April 22, 2012 at 10:35 AM
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Richard and Linda Thompson-Shoot Out the Lights (gold disk audiop...
Added 2020-01-15 00:33:16 by RonChatt in Other
Richard and Linda Thompson-Shoot Out the Lights (gold disk audiop... Size: 275.9 MB (289302118 Bytes)
Quote:The 1982 record "Shoot Out The Lights" catches all the passion and pain of the soon-to-be-divorced couple for all to hear. Stunning. Richard's guitar was never better, and Linda's voice, particularly on "Walking On A WIre" and "Just The Motion" is fragile but clear, and thoroughly heart-breaking in its weariness. "Don't Renege on Our Love," "Did She Jump or Was She Pushed," and "Wall of Death" all purvey a palpably bitter undertow of frustration, anger and resentment. The beginning of the title song is so ominous it could be the opening track of a blood-soaked revenge movie. That song, "Shoot Out The Lights," has been covered to great affect by the likes of Los Lobos, and even Richard T. many times himself, with a smashing live version on Elvis Costello's "Spectacle" TV show, but one can honestly say that nothing quite captures the dark, murky mood of the original. You can readily see why Rolling Stone cites it as a key track in its listing of Thompson as #69 in its "100 Greatest Guitarists." The raw anger and power spitting out of his guitar on the rockers, or the weeping notes sadly crooning along on the ballads may even convince you that he's been listed far too low. Recorded with stripped-down production values that show both the Thompsons and Richard's usual stalwarts from Fairport Convention to their very best advantage, this is one of rock's finest. There may be only eight songs on this issue, but it is far more satisfying than many other recordings twice as long. For the serious music fan or avid guitar aficionado, this CD is must-have.(amazon review)
YouTube sample track-Shoot Out the Lights
Richard and Linda Thompson-Shoot Out the Lights (gold disk audiop... - (289302118 Bytes)
Torrent: Richard and Linda Thompson-Shoot Out the Lights (gold disk audiop...
Jul 20, 2016 in TV. Verified. 1.04 GB C7DB6C1224180D6FC3347936F273FB7E011C7F6A
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Torrent hash: C7DB6C1224180D6FC3347936F273FB7E011C7F6A
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Old Derelicts is a punk rock band from the Vancouver area. Formed in March 2013 and after a few lineup changes on bass and adding a second guitar you have OD's current lineup.
Vocals: Jay Flett
Guitar, Vocals: Chris Stefanidis
Drums: Stephen Gunn
Bass: Jesse Smith
Guitar: Owen Reimer
Some of their influences include Discharge, Poison Idea, The Exploited, Section 46, Atrosity, Black Sabbath, Circle Jerks
"Take it Back is the natural extension of that unbridled aggression and innate ability. The product of endless frustration and inspired genius, the debut album is as lean as they come—all killer and no filler.... Audio Napalm, punk rock nirvana hot enough to singe your hair..."
Chris Walters, 2015
Their debut LP "Take it Back" was recorded right here at Kick Rox. Available Now!
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Home » Products » Binky Takes Charge
Written by Ashley Spires
Illustrated by Ashley Spires
Binky Adventure, A
Binky the Space Cat, star of this junior graphic novel series, has been assigned an important mission: to train a new space cadet recruit. But when the youngster named Gordon shows up at Binky's house, he's not the kitten Binky expected. In fact, he's not a kitten at all. He's a dog! Because of a new diversity program, dogs are now allowed into P.U.R.S.T. --- Pets of the Universe Ready for Space Travel (formerly Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel). Ever dutiful, Binky and his colleague Gracie give it their best effort to train him, but Gordon just seems too simpleminded to be up to the task. It's not until they've nearly given up in exasperation that the two cats learn the surprising truth about Gordon --- he's not the dimwitted dog they thought he was!
Author-illustrator Ashley Spires has created a hilarious premise for this unique series. The artwork, with its limited palette of soft neutral colors, keeps the focus on the animals' antics. The dialogue is mainly in cat- or dog-speak (“roooph!”), but Spires also includes many other sound effects (including “pssssssss” for peeing and “poot” for gas passing). This book is clever and funny, with lots of action, melodrama and laugh-out-loud physical comedy, making it enormously appealing to emerging readers. In addition, the inclusion of the topic of diversity here provides an opportunity for classroom discussions about differences and our expectations about others. The book also speaks to the character education concepts of initiative, responsibility and teamwork.
Binky+Takes+Charge
978-1-77138-229-8 | Mar 10, 2014
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BinkyTakesCharge_2176_stickers.pdf
“Great entertainment for readers big and little whether they are fans already or not.”
— Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review, April 2012
“The series remains a must-have for all children's collections.”
2013 - Hackmatack's Children's Choice Book Award, English fiction category, Winner
2013 - Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Winner
Small Saul
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Konica Minolta and Danka Business Systems Announce Strategic Relationship
Distribution Agreement Strengthens Market Presence, Provides Customer Choice
Ramsey, N.J. and St. Petersburg, Fla. - November 19, 2007 - Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies from the desktop to the print shop, and Danka Business Systems PLC (Nasdaq:DANKY), one of the largest independent suppliers of office imaging solutions in the United States, today announced the companies have signed a strategic relationship agreement enabling Danka to distribute Konica Minolta products in the United States.
Under the terms of the agreement, Konica Minolta will market its complete line of bizhubTM color printers and network-ready multifunctional products (MFPs - print, copy, fax, and scan all in one system), and network printers, in select Danka markets beginning in early 2008.
"Konica Minolta's partnership with Danka is evidence of expanding strategic digital imaging sales opportunities in our channel, and further penetrating the color and production print markets," said Steve Jones, executive vice president, U.S. Dealer Sales, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. "We're excited about the prospects this strategic alliance brings for customers in key growth areas of the country, and are looking forward to partnering with a company with a strong and long-standing reputation."
"We are delighted to have this opportunity to partner with Konica Minolta," said A.D. Frazier, chairman and chief executive officer of Danka. "They are a major player in the office imaging solutions marketplace thanks to their cutting-edge technology. This association not only demonstrates confidence in Danka's ability to replicate its successful sales and distribution system for their products, it recognizes Danka's leadership in service and business re-engineering, particularly in the enterprise market segment."
About Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. (www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us), a leader in advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, brings together unparalleled advances in security, print quality and network integration via its award-winning line of bizhubTM multifunction products (MFPs); bizhub PROTM production printing systems; magicolor® desktop color laser printers and all-in-ones; and pageproTM monochrome desktop laser printers and all-in-ones. Konica Minolta also offers advanced software solutions, wide-format printers, microform digital imaging systems, and scanning systems for specialized applications.
Headquartered in Ramsey, NJ, Konica Minolta delivers expert professional services and client support through an extensive network of direct sales offices, authorized dealers, resellers and distribution partners in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America.
About Danka Business Systems PLC
Danka delivers value to clients by using its expert technical and professional services to implement effective document information solutions. As one of the largest independent providers of enterprise imaging systems and services, the Company enables choice, convenience, and continuity. Danka's vision is to empower customers to benefit fully from the convergence of image and document technologies in a connected environment. This approach will strengthen the Company's client relationships and expand its strategic value. For more information, visit Danka at www.danka.com.
Konica Minolta Corporate Contact:
James Norberto
jnorberto@kmbs.konicaminolta.us
Konica Minolta Media Contact:
Rachel Reed
Lois Paul and Partners
Rachel_reed@lpp.com
Danka Business Systems Corporate Contact:
Cheley Howes
Danka Business Systems, PLC
cheley_howes@danka.com
Danka Business Systems Media Contact:
Robert E. Swadosh
The Dilenschneider Group
+1 212.922.0900, ext. 132
rswadosh@dgi-nyc.com
Konica Minolta is a trademark of Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. bizhub is a trademark of Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
Certain statements contained in this press release, including statements related to Danka's future business and financial performance, are forward-looking. Such statements reflect the current views of Danka with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date they are made. Danka is a registered trademark. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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Tag Archives: chlorinated
Part Four: Toys in the Attic
In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. This would be exponentially compounded if there were exposure pathways of contaminants from a Superfund site. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health from exposure to indoor air pollution may be greater than risks from outdoor pollution.
Additionally, people exposed to indoor air pollutants for the longest periods are often those most susceptible to their effects. Such groups include the young, the elderly, and the chronically ill, especially those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular disease.
According to the “workgroup”, there was no data on indoor contamination prior to their 2012 round of indoor testing. “The past health risk from exposures to chlorinated dioxins/furans in the dust of 17 homes near the Koppers facility prior to 2012 is unknown. There was no testing of indoor dust specifically for chlorinated dioxins/furans prior to 2012.”
However, there is a massive amount of research on testing attic dust samples for historical loading of contaminants. That means you can utilize attic samples to determine contamination from the past. US EPA has studied the risk of exposure to chemicals in the home resulting from renovation and remodeling activities and has also concluded that an exposure pathway is complete when occupants access the attic space. Houses are designed to breathe. An attic is like a time capsule of a neighborhood’s environment.
The ridiculous reason given for not sampling attics was that the “workgroup” felt attics were either non-existent or too small for residents’ use. There is absolutely no evidence supporting this, quite the contrary. Who doesn’t utilize storage space? And even if people don’t access their attics very often, when they do, they could be exposed to higher concentrations of contamination. Residents asked about getting their attics tested but were denied even though it would have filled the gaping hole of unknown past health risk from exposures to chlorinated dioxins/furans in the dust of homes near the Koppers facility prior to 2012. The lame excuse and uncompassionate remedy the “workgroup” offered in the Indoor Contamination Study stated ”Because the attics of houses near the Koppers facility are typically small and the amount of time people spend in their attics is limited, the indoor dust workgroup did not recommend EPA test attic dust. Homeowners, however, can always choose to test attic dust at their own expense.”
Once again, the burden of proof and the prohibitive expenditure is on the homeowner. Will there be deed restrictions to access attics or to do home renovations in the Stephen Foster neighborhood? The “workgroup” even goes so far as to state, “This report does not, however, address whether the Koppers facility is the only or major source of dioxins in the dust of nearby houses.”
So, what does the report address? Seems like the only thing the “workgroup” took plenty of time to do in the report was to try to invalidate the independent indoor tests residents had done that fingerprinted dioxin contamination to the Koppers facility. Beazer East has already said they are not coming back if more contamination is found in the neighborhood, and the City of Gainesville has released them from any legal responsibility, so who do sick and dying residents have to turn to for help? Legal recourse is the only avenue left, but unless you’re made of money and can ride out the “stonewall” the responsible party has used successfully for the past thirty years, you’re out of luck.
Thanks “Protection Agencies” for analyzing sample data provided by the responsible party to determine how much they would have to clean up the surrounding neighborhoods. Your conclusions really helped…..the responsible party.
Tags: 13th Street, 2 miles, air, Alachua County, Alachua County Health Department, arsenic, attic, banks, blight, cabot/koppers, Cancer, carcinogens, Carol Estates, cercla, chemical, chlorachne, chlorinated, chromate copper arsenate, chromium, clean up, contaminants of concern, contamination, cover-up, CRA, creosote, diabetes, dioxins, Duck Pond, dust, epa, exposure, Family, Fannie Mae, FDOH, fl, Florida, Florida Gators, Florida State Road 441, for sale, foreclosure, Freddie Mac, furan, Gainesville, gainesville realtors association, Gainesville Regional Airport, Gators, greed, habitat for humanity, hazardous waste, health, health risk, heart disease, hexavalent, Homes, houses, Howard Bishop, HUD, human rights, indoor dust test, Koppers, leukemia, Main Street, miscarriage, mutagenic, NE 23rd Ave, nondisclosure, Oak View, Pine Haven, ppt, property, record of decision, redevelopment, remediation, rentals, scandal, soil, Stephen Foster, Stephen Foster Neighborhood Association, Street, superfund, tumor, UF, University Ave, university of florida, USEPA, Waldo Road, Walmart, Wards, water, Wells Fargo
Categories Beazer East, Death, EPA Corruption, Florida, Fraud, Gainesville, Gainesville redevelopment, Koppers, Superfund
Part Three: Workgroup’s Indoor Dioxin Study Ignored Two of the Three Exposure Pathways for Contaminants
Only one pathway of exposure was studied in the workgroup’s investigation of indoor contamination in the Stephen Foster neighborhood. The tracking in of contaminated outdoor soil which might result in the incidental swallowing of very small amounts of indoor dust. Samples for this pathway were obtained by vacuuming dust from floors. There are two other equally relevant pathways of exposure that also meet all five criteria according to the EPA’s pathway of exposure definition that the workgroup failed to study.
Their study “does not address inhalation of indoor dust. Because of the large day to day variation in indoor air quality, the 2011 dioxin dust workgroup (made up of county/state/federal health & environmental agencies, University of Florida toxicologists, ‘community leaders’, and THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY) did not recommend indoor air testing.” Why would a valid toxic exposure pathway not be studied?
“Also, extrapolation of indoor air dioxin levels based on levels in carpets and on floors is too uncertain to accurately assess the health risk from dust inhalation.” Why would an indoor AIR test be sampled from carpets or floors? The devil is in the details and makes it much easier to understand this strange choice of a sample area for indoor AIR testing. Because floor dust is tracked in from outside by foot traffic and is the only pathway affected by the outside soil removal undertaken by the responsible party as a clean-up solution. Beazer East, Inc. funded and supplied the EPA with indoor test results of the one and only pathway with a direct tie to the outside soil remediation they were performing.
“This report also does not address skin contact with dioxins in indoor dust. Health scientists know too little about the toxicity of dioxins from skin contact to assess the health risk.” But, the workgroup had no problem foraying into uncharted waters when they devoted the bulk of their indoor dioxin study to the brominated dioxins found in homes, even though “health scientists know too little about the toxicity of the brominated dioxins/furans to assess their health risk” and they do not even originate from the Superfund site.
The excuses for not using two ironclad contamination exposure pathways make no sense unless the only pathway of exposure the workgroup wants to consider is the one Beazer East “theoretically” diminished by the replacement of outside soil to the State standard of 7ppt.
The same entities that set the INDOOR dioxin contamination cleanup standard to the unusually high 190 ppt behind closed doors, also decided not to pursue these genuine health risk pathways. So why only use the floor dust as a pathway of exposure, when “Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) should not be approved without a demonstration that ALL relevant pathways have been addressed”? It would be economically catastrophic to Koppers Industries’ wallet if a precedent of permanent relocation, or even an area-wide indoor home remediation was initiated here in Gainesville Florida, and would set the dominoes falling throughout their entire empire of Superfund sites (and they have many, all around the world). This is where people’s lives get trumped by something called “cost prohibitness”. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And when the company in charge of the clean-up is also in charge of determining how much they have to clean, the residents with contaminated homes are being manipulated and marginalized in a real game of life or death. If there was enough contamination outside for a foot of soil to be removed across the entire neighborhood, why are some residents being condemned to live in homes with much higher levels of contamination on the inside?
Tags: 13th Street, 2 miles, air, Alachua County, Alachua County Health Department, arsenic, banks, blight, cabot/koppers, Cancer, carcinogens, Carol Estates, cercla, chemical, chlorachne, chlorinated, chromate copper arsenate, chromium, clean up, contaminants of concern, contamination, cover-up, CRA, creosote, diabetes, dioxins, Duck Pond, dust, epa, exposure, Family, Fannie Mae, FDOH, fl, Florida, Florida Gators, Florida State Road 441, for sale, foreclosure, Freddie Mac, furan, Gainesville, gainesville realtors association, Gainesville Regional Airport, Gators, greed, habitat for humanity, hazardous waste, health, health risk, heart disease, hexavalent, Homes, houses, Howard Bishop, HUD, human rights, indoor dust test, Koppers, leukemia, Main Street, miscarriage, mutagenic, NE 23rd Ave, nondisclosure, Oak View, Pine Haven, ppt, property, record of decision, redevelopment, remediation, rentals, scandal, soil, Stephen Foster, Stephen Foster Neighborhood Association, Street, superfund, tumor, UF, University Ave, university of florida, USEPA, Waldo Road, Walmart, Wards, water, Wells Fargo
Wells-Fargo and other banks are profiting by foreclosing and reselling Cabot-Koppers Superfund site contaminated properties, in Gainesville Florida. Wells-Fargo covers up all evidence of contamination before the resale and does not disclose to the new buyer despite Florida law requiring them to do so.
According to their mission statement, “Wells Fargo’s ongoing respect for human rights reflects our vision and values. This effort is done with the understanding that in some circumstances we may go above and beyond what the law and industry standards require. We are dedicated to corporate social responsibility and strive to uphold human rights in all our business activities.”
Ignoring this mission statement and families‘ pleas for assistance out of Gainesville Koppers Arsenic-Dioxin-PAH contaminated homes, Wells-Fargo forecloses on the dangerous properties, continuing their pattern of discriminatory mortgage lending practices. This happens even when attorneys for the residents provide test results of the contamination inside their houses. With the toxic cocktail that tests have fingerprinted to the Koppers Superfund site, some of these homes are more contaminated than a meth house.
The Stephen Foster Neighborhood in Gainesville Florida is subject to an ongoing cycle of exodus and repopulation. When a generation of residents experiences the health effects of toxic exposure and learns about the superfund contamination that banks and realtors failed to disclose to them. Population and property values plummet as homeowners abandon toxic homes to protect their families. Lured by cheap home sales, low income families and rental investors repopulate the neighborhood after banks foreclose and resell the dangerous homes without disclosing the Koppers Superfund Site or the indoor contamination of the surrounding communities.
Because residents are gathering at onsite auctions to protest the resale of highly contaminated homes, banks like Wells-Fargo are resorting to the new tactic of online auctions and live auctions in cities far from where properties are actually located, to shut out the public outcry. Case in point, a before and after of the above property which is one of the most highly contaminated residences in the neighborhood, auctioned off by Wells Fargo with no disclosure as required by Florida law.
The Gainesville City Attorney’s recommendation to homebuyers who have unwittingly purchased a Koppers contaminated home without disclosure is to take legal action and file suit as soon as possible to protect your family.
Tags: 13th Street, 2 miles, air, Alachua County, Alachua County Health Department, arsenic, banks, blight, cabot/koppers, Cancer, carcinogens, Carol Estates, cercla, chemical, chlorachne, chlorinated, chromate copper arsenate, chromium, clean up, contaminants of concern, contamination, cover-up, creosote, diabetes, dioxins, Duck Pond, dust, epa, exposure, Family, Fannie Mae, FDOH, fl, Florida, Florida Gators, Florida State Road 441, for sale, foreclosure, Freddie Mac, furan, Gainesville, gainesville realtors association, Gainesville Regional Airport, Gators, greed, habitat for humanity, hazardous waste, health, health risk, heart disease, hexavalent, Homes, houses, Howard Bishop, HUD, human rights, indoor dust test, Koppers, leukemia, Main Street, miscarriage, mutagenic, NE 23rd Ave, nondisclosure, Oak View, Pine Haven, ppt, record of decision, remediation, rentals, scandal, soil, Stephen Foster, Stephen Foster Neighborhood Association, Street, superfund, tumor, UF, University Ave, university of florida, USEPA, Waldo Road, Walmart, Wards, water, Wells Fargo
Part Two: 190 ppt Indoor Dioxin standard guarantees continuing toxic exposure inside homes
Currently, US EPA has no standard safe level criteria for indoor dioxin contamination. A level of 190 ppt was arbitrarily chosen behind closed doors by Beazer East, PGC and other agencies. Other sites have had the inside of nearby residences cleaned up by the responsible party for a median indoor contamination level of 61 ppt. This unscientifically derived number of 190 ppt is over 27 times above Florida’s safe level standard for dioxin in residential soil and over 6 times above Florida’s safe level standard for dioxin in commercial/industrial soil. And 3 times higher than the level other sites have received indoor cleanups for.
Excerpt from USEPA Indoor Dust Study Data Report May 23 2013:
“The purpose of the sampling was to compare concentrations in household dust that may be related to the former Koppers facility (located at 200 NW 23rdAvenue) to background levels and consider possible actions to reduce exposures. Background samples were taken in homes well away from the Site which would not have been impacted by site contamination. EPA has reviewed the results considering background data and a risk-based screening value. It was determined that no remedial actions are required. The risk-based screening value for dioxin derived by EPA for potential exposure to dust in homes is 190pg/g (ppt) dioxin. (TCDD-TEQ). EPA derived this risk-based screening value for dioxin by utilizing a July 2011 document entitled the Indoor Dust investigation/Interpretation Plan, Stephen Foster Neighborhood, Gainesville, Florida (hereafter referred as “Plan”)-which includes exposure assumptions and a toxicity values that were agreed to by the Indoor Dust Dioxin Workgroup convened by the Florida Department of Health made up of federal, County, State and community representatives.”
The purpose of the sampling was not to find the dioxins associated to Koppers and remove them, it was to compare “background” samples to Stephen Foster Neighborhood samples and consider possible actions to reduce exposures. No real action involved with that. If SFN samples are close enough to “background” levels, they feel there is no health risk no matter what those dioxin levels are. The inmates are running the asylum. Samples were taken from background homes (vaguely defined as “well away from the site”). In the PGC USEPA Indoor Dioxin Dust Study Report 11-30-2014 “Site and Near Site Properties” are mismarked on the map. They state “given community concern that dust from the Koppers site is widespread, selection of background houses is a critical element of the sampling program. This workgroup, however, was unable to define a particular distance to be considered background.” Unable to define background delineation, they plowed ahead with samples from what they called “background houses” as if just calling them that was enough to make it true. Chlorinated dioxins were found in all the background houses, one as high as 77.3 ppt. This indicates the delineation of indoor dioxin contamination goes further than the “background” homes used in the 2012 indoor dioxin testing. Instead of re-testing the background homes with the highest results, they made an assumption the dioxin came from an inside source and just lumped it in with the rest of the results. That’s just plain wrong. These chemicals can be molecularly fingerprinted. The entire report is filled with theories, assumptions, and ambiguity. There is no magic force field that stops this Koppers dioxin contaminated dust at 6th Street.
The risk-based screening value of 190 ppt for indoor dioxin was determined using exposure ASSUMPTIONS and toxicity values that were AGREED TO by the workgroup of the “Plan”. Since THERE IS NO Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or USEPA standard FOR INDOOR CONTAMINATION, who set this “acceptable” indoor level of 190 ppt dioxin for Stephen Foster residents? Remember that the Florida outdoor residential Soil Cleanup Target Level (SCTL) is 7 ppt. The Florida outdoor Commercial/Industrial (SCTL) is 30 ppt. It was “representatives from the community” (actually, it was only PGC representing the community-because other community groups were not allowed to participate) and the responsible party (Beazer East, Inc.) that were part of the workgroup the EPA allowed to set this standard. Don’t take our word for it. It says so right on the second page of the Indoor Dust Investigation/Interpretation Plan, Stephen Foster Neighborhood, Gainesville, Florida.
“In November 2010, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) formed an indoor dioxin dust workgroup of county, state, and federal agency representatives. The purpose of this workgroup is to develop an indoor dust investigation/ interpretation plan and present it to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In March 2011, the workgroup added representatives from the community and the responsible party. The workgroup formulated this plan during several conference calls. “
FDEP and EPA will not cleanup below background levels. If the responsible party can represent background levels of dioxin to be sufficiently high, the comparison difference to near site homes will be decreased and will therefore guarantee no cleanup or assumed health risk in the households of the contaminated area. The standard being not only influenced, but set by the responsible party to an arbitrarily inflated level of 190 ppt for indoor dioxin contamination is an ironclad homerun that seals the deal on no household cleanups or relocation using the test results Beazer East bought. You would think the FDEP and City of Gainesville would want their OWN independent test results to base health risk to citizens, rather than the “test results” force fed by the responsible party who paid their consultants to determine the scope of the contamination they would be responsible for cleaning up. This is much like a judge asking a criminal to choose the punishment for their own crime, and then not batting an eye when it’s merely a slap on the wrist.
How dare the FDOP take test results from the responsible party and spend tax dollars and hours and hours working out formulas for cancer slope studies, health risk assumptions, and even toxicity theories for resident grown zucchinis based on German vegetable test results (no zucchini was sampled in the Stephen Foster neighborhood), and then use their sanctified authority to shout out to the public there is no health risk from Koppers contamination like it was based entirely on undisputed fact and not figures supplied by the for-profit company required to clean up the Superfund site.
Don’t be deceived. Beazer East, Inc is in the business to make money off the remediation of contaminated sites. The less money they spend on cleanup, the more profit they make. They paid $10 for the nearly 90 acre Koppers site, close to downtown and the University of Florida. The property is tax appraised at almost a million dollars. The EPA accepted an indoor contamination standard of 190 ppt made by the responsible party behind closed doors and expects the affected residents to believe it to be an acceptable health risk. Why should we accept that inflated level when other sites have had nearby residences cleaned up by the responsible party for a median contamination level of 61 ppt. We’re tired of “reports” that declare everything is fine and pull out the kitchen sink to discredit toxic trespass from Koppers while using vague language and disassociated facts as its basis. People have died and continue to die from Koppers contamination.
None of the members of PGC live in the affected area. It should also be noted that the President of PGC is a realtor who owns property in the Stephen Foster neighborhood.
Tags: 13th Street, 2 miles, air, Alachua County, Alachua County Health Department, arsenic, cabot/koppers, Cancer, carcinogens, Carol Estates, cercla, chemical, chlorachne, chlorinated, chromate copper arsenate, chromium, clean up, contaminants of concern, contamination, creosote, Debra Heights, diabetes, dioxins, Duck Pond, dust, epa, exposure, Family, Fannie Mae, FDOH, fl, Florida, Florida Gators, Florida State Road 441, fraud, Freddie Mac, furan, Gainesville, gainesville realtors association, Gainesville Regional Airport, Gators, greed, habitat for humanity, hazardous waste, health, health risk, heart disease, hexavalent, Homes, houses, Howard Bishop, HUD, human rights, indoor dust test, Koppers, leukemia, Main Street, miscarriage, mutagenic, NE 23rd Ave, Oak View, Pine Haven, ppt, record of decision, redevelopment, remediation, rentals, scandal, soil, Stephen Foster, Stephen Foster Neighborhood Association, Street, superfund, UF, University Ave, USEPA, Waldo Road, Walmart, Wards, water, Wells Fargo
Categories Fraud, Uncategorized
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Social Worker JobID: 2142
AGUA FRIA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 216
POSITION DESCRIPTION: Social Worker (Homeless/Home School Liaison)
Certified Non-Instructional New Hire Compensation Guide
The Social Worker provides services to students whose social, emotional, and/or family problems interfere with his/her capacity to function adequately within the educational environment. The Social Worker professionally assesses the problem(s) in order to provide and refer for interventions or assistance that eliminate barriers to learning. The Social Worker promotes and enhances the overall academic vision and mission of the AFUHSD by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning. They are a link between the home, school and community in providing direct /indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students’ academic and social success. A primary task is to empower students, families and school personnel to access available opportunities and resources to fully develop each student’s potential. Assistance may include school, family, and/or community resources. As the Homeless and Home School Liaison, the LSW coordinates the services for each student who qualifies for McKinney Vento services as well as communicating with families and schools.
1. Minimum of an earned Master’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited institution.
2. Valid Department of Public Safety IVP Fingerprint Card.
3. Minimum of five years of experience in serving as an advocate for children and parents.
4. Demonstrated leadership and ability to work effectively with groups and individuals; demonstrated skills in organizing ideas and presenting them with clarity and conciseness.
5. Understands and respects the diversity of the school community’s economic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds and situations.
6. Ability to establish rapport with parents, students, community, teachers, counselors, administrators and other school personnel.
7. Ability to work with a variety of student populations and their families.
8. Demonstrates the ability to interpret data, prepare and present reports.
9. Exceptional professional role model.
10. Strong writing, literacy, listening and communication skills.
11. Ability to work flexible hours including some nights and weekends.
12. Exercise leadership in the support of the planning, implementation, and long-range goals of the District.
13. Bilingual (Spanish) preferred and capable of serving as an interpreter when appropriate.
14. Such alternatives to the above as the Governing Board and Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.
1. Provides information and acts as a liaison between the District, school, community, and families including, but not limited to, counseling referrals, home visits, access to community resources and McKinney Vento services.
2. Provides direct services to Exceptional Students/General Education Students and their families, within a multi-cultural framework, by providing therapeutic interventions, counseling, and crisis intervention (i.e.: self-injury, suicide ideation, child abuse, grief/loss).
3. Provides documentation by generating and completing accurate and comprehensive reports including a weekly log to document activities and contacts.
4. Networks with District and school staff, counselors, consultants and community agencies to create and coordinate resources and services for students and families.
5. Assists in coordinating and facilitating the placements and return of students to District schools from private placement, alternative programs, and homeless/migrant situations as appropriate.
6. Demonstrates professional knowledge and engages in ongoing professional development in accordance with the National Association of Social Work Standards and Code of Ethics.
7. Consults with multidisciplinary teams to support academic success and social emotional wellbeing, regarding but not limited to, crisis intervention, child abuse/neglect, ethnicity and diversity, mental health, behavior management, threat management, etc.
8. Consults regularly with the campus guidance counselors and administration to provide recommendations as needed.
9. Submits billing for medical reimbursement for services with designated Exceptional Student populations, as appropriate per licensure.
10. Complies with legal mandates/laws and ethical standards that influence professional responsibilities including but not limited to Federal, state, county and city statues, rules, regulations, ordinances and AFUHSD policies and procedures.
11. Provides professional learning for staff, parents, community groups and/or students to enhance understanding of and services for the education and social/emotional development of at-risk students.
12. Participates in appropriate professional development activities to improve knowledge and skills.
13. Identifies and places qualifying students in homeless programming; maintains accurate written records.
14. Ensures transportation needs for students who are eligible for McKinney Vento services to and from school is complete.
15. Works with counselors and coordinates ordering and distribution of necessary supplies for qualifying McKinney Vento students.
16. Counsels with students and parents to identify and recommend to school personnel solutions for the educational needs of the target group.
17. Creates a monthly academic update for ELL students which will be provided to site administration.
18. Maintains an accurate log that documents services provided to ELL students and families.
19. Attends and records PAC meetings.
20. Creates a monthly parent newsletter highlighting the District’s Vision, school activities and celebrating students’ success.
21. Works with site administration to organize opportunities for ELL parent involvement, school visitation and participation in school sponsored activities.
22. Organizes time, resources, energy and workload in order to meet responsibilities.
23. Maintains confidentiality of information regarding students, staff, parents and school issues.
24. Provides a welcoming atmosphere for students, staff, parents and community.
25. Performs responsibilities in an ethical and professional manner.
26. Performs other duties as assigned.
Status: Certified/Exempt Reports to and Evaluated by the Director of Federal Programs and Community Outreach
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John Drake's Stories
Lights in the Void
Original Story Index
Fandom Story Index
Posted on January 20, 2019 by John Drake
All in the Mind 3
Sethis crouched over the robed form of the drow priestess in the darkness of the tunnel. Much as he hated physical labor, he had dragged her and the rest of the bodies to a secluded area of the tunnels, making sure no secondary patrols could stumble onto them. None of the drow were dead… Sethis had blasted them into a coma. They might wake up… eventually. If he let them.
The Illithid wouldn’t. They were food for him. He was going to need the energy for what he had in mind.
The drow priestess’s dress had ridden up as he dragged her, leaving her naked from the waist down. The drow female, the only one of her sort here, was a marvelous example of her species. Most would have stopped and stared. Sethis did not. His interests in the drow were very different. One by one, he had fed on the other drow, hollowing out their skulls and consuming their minds, adding their energy and their knowledge and memories to his own. Then, he turned to the reason that he was here.
Kneeling over the half naked priestess, his let his tentacles flow over her pretty skull. One, almost tenderly, brushed a lock of her white hair out of her face. As his did, his sensitive organs brushing over her temples, he read her thoughts, began to alter them, to lock her in a further nightmare, deeper, darker, more degrading. A hell her mind wouldn’t escape, that would keep her helpless and away from her dangerous magic. And as he did, something unexpected happened.
His cock began to grow hard.
Illithids weren’t born, traditionally. They were created. Each Illithid hatched eggs that matured in the central pool of a colony, to eat and fight and fuck until they matured. Then a mature one would be placed into the ear of a sentient being, beginning a process called ceremorphosis, turning the creature over time into an Illithid. Illithids, by nature, were genderless and asexual… but their original host bodies were not. Sethis’s body had once been a male drow elf… and a fraction of the original hosts mind and and memories remained in him. The vision that he was reading from the mentally tortured priestess turned on that male elf inside him still… a lot.
Sethis looked down at the unexpected hardness between his legs. Then he shrugged and parted his robes. So be it then. He was curious to see what nightmares the drow had that were worse than being owned by her brother…
Every one of the drow cities were dominated by female rule, as demanded by the worship of Lolth. In every single city, the men were second class citizens at best. Often, they were treated as one step above slaves. In a city of hundred thousand drow, no male could ever rank higher than 50,001st. In such an atmosphere, it was obvious that no drow female would ever sell her body. And given that even the lowliest of drow through themselves far above a lesser race, the females of most of the slave races were little above beasts to them. It could lead for a lot of sexually frustrated men.
But just because no woman would ever sell her body didn’t mean there weren’t options.
While strictly forbidden, most cities had a dark secret. Any female prisoner captured in a battle between drow cities were supposed to be ransomed back, or executed. But occasionally, one managed to get on the bad side of the one of the capturing overlords, or she would be greedy enough to risk discovery and sell her. And most city had a brothel filled with these captives… unwilling female prisoners of war. The mothers of the city knew of its existence, of course… they didn’t sanction it exactly. And yet… it was a way to let the males vent, a source of income from prisoners… and a reminder to their daughters why it was important to keep the men in their place.
In Faelis, the drow had always had a saying among the women… don’t be taken alive. Kiira wished that she had listened.
“Welcome to your new home,” the guard mocked a he dragged the bound female through a heavy stone door. He shoved the drow woman down to the dirty, hard stone floor. It was cold on her tattered clothing, and her fall caused a pair of rats the escape from beneath the pile of straw she was obviously expected to sleep on and vanish between a crack in the wall. The room was empty besides a small hole in the corner, obviously the only luxury she was given for the necessary, and the four chains hanging from one of the walls.
The guard shut the door with a heavy thud, then walked over to the wall he had tossed her against, grabbing one of the chains. She was too weak to resist as his strong arms lifted Kiira up, pushing her against he cold wall and fastening one of the chains around her wrist. The priestess was not trained to fight without her magic, had never trained with arms and armor, and her holy symbol had been taken from her, her magic stripped away. Still, she tried to fight… and for that, the guard slapped her across her face, hard. She collapsed further back to her knees, chained hand hanging above her head while her cheek burned. Then he crabbed her other hand and chained it as well.
Kiira didn’t make it easy for him. She kicked out at him. “Let go of me!” she spat.
“Don’t struggle, bitch,” the drow jailer sneered, and punched Kiira’s stomach hard with his fist. The drow priestess let out a pained cry and gasped for breath. She felt his rough hand grab face hard by the chin. He moved his face only few inches in front of hers. “Shut. Up.” He spat. “No one wants to hear your voice any more, priestess. The only thing you have anyone cares about is between your legs.” Kiira smelled his foul breath and alcohol. “Only sound I want from you is your screaming.”
Then he grabbed the front of her already torn and tattered dress and ripped hard, tearing a thick strip of fabric from her chest and exposing one of her dark, perfect breasts. She shrieked with a outrage as her exposed tit and squeezed it hard. “Damn… you’re going to make your first customer happy. But first, you need to learn your place.”
He stepped back… and raised a whip. She had had a whip of her own, a viper whip that she was very proud off. It was gone now… destroyed. The warrior who had defeated her had hacked the heads off… she had watched. Now the whip in front of her was just a cat of nine tails, no magical whip of snakes, but the memory hurt regardless. He raised his whip, and Kiira grit her teeth and closed her eyes, mentally preparing for the pain to come, determined not to give him any satisfaction.
Then it crashed down on her skin, and nothing could have prepared her for the blazing agony that flared up across her chest. Her determination abandoned her immediately for the sheer surprise of the pain. Kiira raised her voice in a pained cry as an angry red welt began to form right across her exposed breast. He had aimed well and Kiira was suddenly, painfully, aware that he would have plenty more tries to practice. The drow priestess saw saw him raising the whip again, right before another stroke hit her chest, this time aimed for her other breast. Her worn, already ripped fabric tore like a spiderweb, and a new welt formed on her perfect, smooth dark. She screamed again, rattling her chains as she sought to escape her bonds against her better knowledge.
“Let’s get you out of those old rags,” he said with a sneer… then he whipped again. The pain took Kira’s breath away, the stroke aimed right between her tits and further down, ripping more of her dress away. He didn’t give her any time to recover. Again and again he whipped the captured priestess, whip descending on her tits again, hitting both, sending the fat, firm orbs bouncing. She hadn’t realized that she had started crying, but her vision was blurry. She would have probably collapsed if the chains weren’t holding her up. Her clothing was ripped and torn off of her, bit by bit, bruising her chest, her tits, her stomach, even her shoulders and upper arms. The cloth was all around her legs now, having been torn off and left to fall to the ground.
Then it finally stopped. Panting, Kiira looked at the guard, shaking her hair free from where it had stuck to the sweat on her dark face. Kiira hoped desperately that it was over… but her hopes were instantly crushed as the guard turned back towards the door, laughing. “Your first buyer will be here soon, priestess whore. Have a nice life.”
Kiira wasn’t left hanging in her chains for long. After just a few minutes, the door opened again… and the drow warrior who had captured her, who had beheaded her whip, walked in. Forgetting herself, Kiira tried to lunge at him, not thinking about how she was chained, not thinking about how much it would hurt her wrists. “YOU!” She spat.
He stood, sneering, in the doorway while she futilely struggled to reach him. “Of course, me. Did you think I wouldn’t pay attention to what happened to you after I captured you? It’s a tradition around here… the one responsible for capturing one of you sluts gets the first ride. Last time in your life you’ll be giving it up for free.” He stepped forward, catching one of her legs as she tried to kick at him, and slid between her legs, and in one swift moton shoved two fingers brutally into Kiira’s dry cunt.
“Ugh!” Kiira cried out in pain as she felt the warrior’s stiff fingers spread open her unwilling slit. “You can’t do this t-”
He slapped her, just like the guard had. Kiira actually bit her tongue he slapped her so hard. “My name is Reshan. Remember that when you’re whoring your body for the next two hundred years. Remember that, and know that it was me who did that to you.” The warrior unbuckled his belt with rough, eager motions, pulling a thick, hard cock out from his pants before grabbing onto both of her nipples and twisting hard.
It hurt far worse that Kiira had expected, the welts making it burn brutally as he squeezed and twisted her sensitive flesh. Kiira cried out. Reshan then grabbed onto her ass, lifting her up, raising her legs off the ground so that her weight was now supported only by her wrists and him pinning her to the wall. Then he rammed his hard cock into her. “NO!” Kiira wailed as she felt his hard dick begin sawing in and out of her snatch, taking her, raping her.
Pain filled her, from her abused tits, from her wrists and arms, but most of all from her mercilessly raped cunt. She wasn’t wet at all, and she had probably never been less ready or eager to take a cock. She tried to twist her body away or to push her rapist away from her, but her struggles did nothing. Her squirming and writhing just made her a better fuck, entertaining him as she was raped. “You like that cock?” Reshan mocked her. “You fit it well. A perfect hole for me to plow. You’re just like the rest of your bitches… made for taking cock. You’ve all forgotten your place,” he mocked as he bit at her neck.
Kiira wasn’t able to fight, wasn’t able to resist, not chained up, without her magic, with her rapist already between her legs. She felt miserable, hanging by the wrists and raped by one of the miserable males as his cock forced its way in and out of her, reducing the proud priestess to a piece of fuckmeat that could only whimper and scream as she was taken. She could feel every single inch of his hard, throbbing cock as it forced its way in and out of her dry, unwilling cunt, making her bleed, using her like the whore he had turned her into.
His teeth sank deeper into her neck where he was biting, her, drawing a bit of blood, leaving behind an ugly mark. “I’ll have to pay for that,” he said with a sneer. “But it will be worth it to leave you with a scar to remember me by. The first one to ruin you perfect, precious whore body.” He thrusted into her harder, shaking her tits with the force of it. “I know most of you cunt prefer the company of women. I’m going to rape that right out of you… fuck you until you can’t remember what its like to be fucked by anything but a thick cock.”
It was just so humiliating. Why had Lolth forsaken her like this? Tears streamed down Kiira’s face as she was banged into the wall again and again, crying out with each thrust into her sore cunt. “Stop it…” she eventually managed to whimper when his pace had decreased somewhat and his tongue was licking at her neck, “Get off me… you’re disgusting!”
The only answer she got was Reshan’s laugher, and an especially hard thrust into her cunt as he reached town to twist one of her nipples. “Is that what you think?” he mocked. “You’re the disgusting one, slut. I’ll prove it to you.”
He twisted her nipple again, paused, and then punched her in the stomach. Her breath left her in a rush, and her cunt squeezed on him clenching hard. “Drow women are all whores. Say it.”
Kiira’s eyes were wide. “FUCK YOU!” she snarled.
He didn’t seem surprised by he reaction. He certainly didn’t pause in raping her. His fist slammed into her stomach again, and some spittle flew from her lips as she did. “Drow women are all whores. Say it.”
“Stop… it…” she gasped out. He paused to twist her nipples again for a second, before punching her again, savoring her cries and her pain.
“Drow women are all whores. Say it.”
“NO!” She screamed. He punched again. “FUCK YOU!” she cried.
He slapped her across the face and punched her stomach again. “I can keep this up all day.”
“D… Drow…” she started, more tears flowing down her face. “N… no! Never!”
He punched again, and Kiira thought she felt something break. She screamed, but it was a pathetic thing, she had no breath for a proper one. “I can beat you to a pulp for all I care,” he mocked. “Say it.”
“All..” She swallowed, both her spit and what little felt like it was left of her pride. “All drow women are whores,” she said, and sobbed.
But then he punched her again. Her eyes went wide in shock. “I couldn’t hear you, whore! Louder!”
“All drow women are whores.” Kiira screamed.
“Damn right you are,” he laughed as he slammed himself forward into Kiira’s tight, warm pussy even faster and faster. He was clearly enjoying himself, fucking the vulnerable, hurting, degraded girl, her cunt clenching on him every time he hurt her. “Now, prove you’ve learned something. Say… I was born to be raped.”
Kiira felt like there was no strength left in her.
“I was… born… to… ugh, stop… to be…” Kiira slowly began to say, whimpering and groaning and the increased force of her rapists thrusts into her as he took her harder and harder. “To be raped!” she sobbed out. “To be raped! Leave me alone!”
The cell was filled with the wet slapping sounds of his cock as it drilled into Kiira unwilling hole, his dick seeming to throb in her to the rhythm of her sobs. Reshan twisted her nipples. “I. Can’t. Hear. You. Cunt,” he spat out one syllable at a time.
Kiira shook her head as his cock slid in and out of her rapidly, wanting to forget it all… she didn’t want to be here, she didn’t want this… she just wanted to go back to her city, go back home. “I was born to be raped!” she choked out, as loudly as her breathless body could.
Seeing the proud Drow priestess breaking into sobs over and over as she was degraded, feeling the tight embrace of her pussy wrapped around him, was too much. He grabbed her ass and slammed as deeply into her as he could. “Then fulfill your purpose cunt,” he snarled as he came. She wept as she felt his throbbing cock release wave after wave of hot jizz into her raped hole, and never once in her life as she felt so humiliated, so dirty, so… low. This soldier, this filthy male, had raped her… made her a toy, made her degrade herself for him. Made her powerless. That was what she hated most… she sheer helplessness of it all. Lolth…
“What a fantastic fuck you were,” Reshan laughed as he fucked her for a few most soft,slow thrusts to milk out the last drops of his cum before he pulled out, legging out of her. Kiira gasped with pain as she fell, her wrists abruptly holding her entire weight up, her legs too weak to catch her. A tickle of his cum was already slipping out of her fuckhole, slipping down her thighs.
Her head… god, her head…
This… this wasn’t right. How did she get here? The war between Faelis and Menzoberranzan had passed decades ago. And hadn’t her brother just been… no, no, her brother was dead. She had been… she had been on patrol. She had been outside the city, hadn’t she?
As her head throbbed, the room seemed to melt away, the brothel, Reshan, the chains, all vanishing. Because they didn’t actually exist. Because they weren’t real.
What was going on?
The pain in her head intensified, and she screamed into the void, helpless, senseless, agonized… and utterly lost.
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KazoDaily
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Kazolias July 9, 2011 Africa, armed intervention, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, France-Afrique, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Libya, NATO, Paris, Politics, Senegal, war
Senegal: The French Drop Wade
Were the Wades ready to call in European troops to back their bid for a new ‘monoarchy’? According to influential French lawyer and longtime Wade family confident Robert Bourgi, the president’s son asked him, on June 27, to get the French Army to intervene in the country.
It all started when President Abdoulaye Wade, 85, tried to push through parliament a constitutional reform which would have assured his son Karim, 42, become President upon his death. The reform would have created the position of vice-president and would have allowed the ticket to be elected with only 25% of the vote in the first round rather than in the two-round majority system. On June 23, serious rioting against what the opposition feared was a ‘Constitutional Coup’ set Senegal ablaze and President Wade withdrew his reform.
Bourgi said Karim called him at nearly three o:clock in the morning on June 27, saying the “situation is quasi insurrectional” and warned that “French interests are at stake”. “Uncle” Bourgi refused to use his influence on French President Sarkozy and told Karim “You are panicking. I want you to be a bit more coherent.”
Adding fuel to speculation, former Prime Minister and opposition candidate for the February 2012 presidential elections, Macky Sall, on July 1, accused President Wade of “recruiting mercenaries” to attack the opposition. Sall said the mercenaries are from the Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Nigeria. “Four hundred have entered the national territory through the southern border,” he said.
Presidential asociates have vehemently denied all the accusations. “We have enough gendarmes, soldiers and police,” Wade spokesman Serigne Mbacké Ndiaye said, “that we don’t need to ask anybody for aid.” You cannot get any clearer as to the real mission of Senegal’s security forces.
As Wade tried to push through his unpopular constitutional reform he was also doing his best to restore good relations with the French. In a break with his African peers and against his own public opinion, Wade recognized Libya’s rebel Council of Transition and backed NATO’s war against Gaddafi.
On June 9, the Senegalese President became the first African leader to visit the rebel capital, Benghazi. Karim, who has never been elected to office but who holds four ministerial portfolios, was at his father’s side. Their chaperon was the French pseudo philosopher and self-proclaimed foreign minister for the LIbyan crisis Bernard Henri Levy. It was Levy who brought the rebel leaders to see President Sarkozy in Paris and obtain official recognition of the rebellion from the Head of State.
Was the ‘Libya thing’ an attempt by Wade to prepare to ask the French to intervene in Senegal when it became clear his reform would be met by violent opposition? The problem for Wade is apparently neither Robert Bourgi nor French Interior Minister Claude Guéant can stomach Bernard Henri Levy and those two have Sarkozy’s attention.
Another man who sees Levy’s meddling as counter-productive is the real Foreign Minister, Alain Juppé. To hammer home the distance between Wade and Paris, Juppé, on July 7, sided with the opposition calling the constitutional reform “abnormal”. In an allusion to the request for armed intervention, Juppé said it was up to the Senegalese to decide their future. “You don’t change such an important rule a few months from the ballot.” he added. “I believe the authorities understand that by abandoning the reform.”
Abdoulaye Wade’s chances of seducing Sarkozy were slim from the start. He has stung France’s “General Pinocchio” more than once. In April 2010, Wade unilaterally reneged on the 1974 military agreement with France and told the 1200 French troops in his country to get out. “I don’t risk a Coup d’Etat in Senegal.” he said. The French Marines left in June 2010.
He had already angered Sarkozy in 2007 when he took the Dakar Port contract away from the French President’s close and super-rich friend, Vincent Bollaré, and gave it to Dubai Port World. The same company that took the contract for Djibouti away from the French Group.
The French are clearly realigning their pawns in ‘their African sphere of influence’. They put their puppet Alassane Ouattara in Power in Cote d’Ivoire. They are dropping the Wade family. Paris is pulling its Army out of Chad after saving President Deby from rebel offensives twice since 2007. (Very reliable sources tell me Chadian troops are in Libya fighting the rebellion to support Gaddafi). But Paris is leaving its Army in Gabon where the French did not have a problem seeing a son access ‘the thrwon’ after his father’s death. But then again, Gabon has oil. Senegal does not.
Posted in Africa, armed intervention, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, France-Afrique, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Libya, NATO, Paris, Politics, Senegal, war. Bookmark the permalink.
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Home Presec 80 Facts About PRESEC You Probably Didn’t Have Any Idea About Even...
80 Facts About PRESEC You Probably Didn’t Have Any Idea About Even As An Ɔdadeɛ
Julitta Gbagbo
This month, Kuulpeeps.com is putting a major throwback on Presec. Don’t ask us why, we will do the same for your school too.
As we celebrate Presec this month, we want to share with you 80 facts about the Blue Magicians school we think you should know about.
Why 80 facts? You will know the answer when you get to the fact about the year it was established.
Yes, you may hate Presecans and so it’s good to size up your competition.
Now let’s get on with it… The stakeout begins now!!!…
The school was formed under the Presbyterian church of Gold Coast.
The progenitor of the school was the Basel missionary
In 1937, 5 Presbyteries agreed to pool 10,000 pounds to start the school
On 1st February 1938, the school was formally opened.
One of the founding fathers, Johannes Zimmerman, finished the Ga translation of the bible.
J.L Anang was the writer of the school anthem
The school anthem is entitled ‘’Happy Are We’’
PRESEC is a staunch Christian school that has morning and evening devotion as well as Sunday services
PRESEC was once a building that housed the German missionaries
PRESEC started with 16 students and 4 teachers
PRESEC was stationed in Odumase Krobo for 30 years before moving to its current location.
PRESEC moved to Osu temporarily before finally settling in Legon
The Ɔdadeɛ seedling was planted 40 years after the school had been founded
The school has 90 faculties
PRESEC has Aburi Girls Senior High School as their sister school.
Legon PRESEC started with only 4 student boarding houses
Engman was 35 years old when he headed PRESEC at the start.
The current head of the school is Lady Queene Asiedu Akrofi
In 1968 the Legon campus received its first batch of students
PRESEC initially had female students
Former Airtel CEO, Lucy Quist attended Presec
The presence of the two girls at the beginning was as a result of the establishment of a National Science College on PRESEC grounds.
18 girls were admitted for the first time in 1975
The first girls’ senior prefect was Christine Aduamah
Girls who were admitted were made to sleep at Accra Girls
In 1976, a staff bungalow was converted to a dormitory for girls
All girls were kicked out of the boarding house in 1985 due to inadequate accommodation
Girls served as ushers on ceremonial days
In 1996 the last batch of female students left the school
Only students between the ages 14 to 19 were admitted to the school
PRESEC had already won five times in the National Science and Math Quiz by 2009
PRESEC has had the same photographer for over 40 years
The Ɔdadeɛ tree is a symbol of resilience and endurance
The Ɔdadeɛ tree became a platform for many students to carve out their names
Father Ɔdadeɛ is the name given to the giant baobab tree on the PRESEC compound in Odumase.
No fruit was allowed to desecrate the sanctity of the tree
Agomenya was a market made available to students to purchase needed provisions in Odumase
There is an annual bonfire organized for the old boys of the school
PRESEC enrols up to 3000 students every year
Rev N. T Clerk was the first synod clerk of the school
The first senior prefect of PRESEC was E. Owusu Parry.
Students of PRESEC are popularly referred to as BLUE MAGICIANS or PRESECANS
A student who is put in charge of dining hall affairs is called the Chief Boarding Officer.
The dining hall of the school is Dome shaped {The Octagon}
The land on which the school was built was initially not free for acquisition as it was under litigation between the stools of La and Teshie
The school was established in 1938
The motto of the school is In Lumine Tuo Videbimus which means, in thy light we shall see light.
The school has 10 houses.
Kwame Nkrumah played a vital role in the establishment of the school by deciding that government provide the money for rehousing.
In Odumase, 95% of form 1, 2 and 3 students lived in rented houses outside the main compound.
The form one extension house which was called London house is now House 6
There were 14 bungalows for masters on the school compound
The school clinic is now called the Golden Jubilee clinic
There was no playing field even after 2 years of existence
In September 2011, the school won the maiden edition of Coke Hit Single competition (High School Musical)
House 9 was nicknamed Yaa Asantewa house because of the pink coloured sports jersey they wore then
The Jersey was later changed to Brown
House 7 was identified as the perfect house as all prefects came from there or were sent there.
Currently, the common market of the school is called Mangoase/Goase
The classroom block (E) is identified as Afghanistan as it’s deserted from the school and serves as the disposal ground for broken furniture
House 10 is the newest house in the school
PRESEC took part in many educational programs overseas.
The first female music tutor was Miss Elizabeth Apori
PRESEC at a point admitted disabled students and made adequate provision for them
PRESEC produced the current Speaker of Parliament
The school’s clinic was originally manned by the students’ first aid volunteers directed by a housemaster
Dr. Adjei Odjidja of the 1960 year group played a major role in the renovation of the clinic
The PTA runs and administrates the Jubilee Clinic
The library was usually referred to as a reading room because of its small space.
At the early stages, the library was able to accommodate only 2 percent of the student population.
Ghana’s longest serving Finance Minister, Kwesi Botchwey, was a student of PRESEC
PRESEC is noted for its excellent ability in sports especially when it comes to basketball.
PRESEC was home to international triple jump champion, Andrew Owusu.
In their first-ever certificate exam, 6 out of the 9 who took part passed.
The Synod committee was put in charge of the financial problems of the school
The study of physics in PRESEC is very effective with the use of modern equipment
Even without the needed tools and materials in the genesis of PRESEC they still managed to excel academically.
There was an era of water shortage where boys went to Kpong to fetch water.
PRESEC once faced electricity crisis and had to rely on lanterns
The PRESEC Old Boys Association also forms a part of the school’s administration by donating needed items from time to time
The PRESEC Old Boy Association is referred to as ‘’Ɔdadeɛ’’.
…Yeah, you think your school has more interesting facts than Presec?
Let’s hear them in the comment box
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40 Years Ago Today: The 4th June 1979 Coup D’etat As It Was Experienced In Legon Presec
Sam Addo November 14, 2017 at 2:15 am
15 of the current members of Parliament in Ghana attended Presec. One of the largest group from any school in Ghana
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RP Government Impotent (tags)
( The AJLPP Secretariat reprinted the editorial of the Inquirer, the prime newspaper in the Philippines in its reaction in the CA decision on the Smith rape case) MANILA---Close this When the Court of Appeals handed down its decision acquitting Daniel Smith, no one was surprised. The departure of “Nicole,” his accuser, from our shores had already conditioned the country into believing an “arrangement” was in the works. In that sense, whatever the actual merits of the court’s decision, the case may be relegated as yet another one decided on clout rather than in fulfilment of justice. The United States can claim it fulfilled the letter—though not the spirit—of the Visiting Forces Agreement by keeping Smith in Manila throughout the judicial process, but not a second longer. Smith is now out of sight and, probably, out of mind—seemingly the objective of both the Philippine and American governments. Smith’s co-defendants went on to dishonorable or less-than-honorable discharge from the military. And no one expects Smith to be glorified or rewarded by his military or country. But that is a pretty small consolation for the manner in which Smith’s case proved that the VFA is a lopsided agreement; and worse, that the instinct of our own officials is not to assert Philippine rights and processes but to kowtow and grant every possible consideration to American wishes. Public opinion forced the prosecution of Smith and company. Public opinion kept the justice system creaking along; and while the beginning of the case found American authorities complying with their obligations under the VFA, Philippine authorities began finding ways to subvert the spirit of the agreement. Most dramatic of all was the handing over of Smith to American custody in the dead of night in December 2006. All throughout the judicial process itself, it was hard to tell whether the Department of Justice, for one, was lawyering for the government, the alleged rape victim, or the American soldiers.
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Home Sports Pahokee High loses football heartbreaker to Madison County
Pahokee High loses football heartbreaker to Madison County
Dec 4th, 2019 · by Richard Marion · Comments:
Lake Okeechobee News/Richard Marion
Pahokee senior Frank Burgess had over 20 sacks for the Blue Devils in 2019.
MADISON — The Pahokee Blue Devils fell just short of the Madison County Cowboys in the state semifinal on Nov. 29, losing 37-36.
Pahokee senior Corey Polk had four rushing touchdowns against the Cowboys, including what appeared to be the go-ahead touchdown to put the Blue Devils up 34-30 with a little over a minute left in the game. Following the touchdown, Pahokee went for two and converted to make the score 36-30 thanks to some shifty moves in the pocket from senior Jermaine Roberson.
The Cowboy pass rush was relentless all throughout the second half. Still, Roberson more often than not bought enough time when he needed to make a play and find a receiver down field.
Madison County got the ball back with a minute remaining and needed a touchdown to win it all. But when Pahokee senior defensive end Frankie Burgess burst through the Cowboys’ offensive line to get a huge tackle for loss, it looked like the Blue Devils were of the verge of pulling off the upset.
Needing a big play, the Cowboys turned to one of their best players, senior Derrion Staten. Madison County quarterback Vinsonta Allen threw a quick wide receiver screen to Staten on second and 12, which Derrion took nearly 80 yards to the house.
Staten bounced and rolled off Blue Devils defenders and bulled his way into the end zone to put Madison County up 37-36 with less than a minute remaining.
Pahokee got the ball back with some time still on the clock, but that ferocious Cowboy pass rush began to get home, and the Madison County defense shut down any hopes of a Blue Devil comeback.
The win by the Cowboys sends them to their third state championship game in three years and ended Pahokee’s season.
Coming into the season, the Blue Devils knew they had one of the toughest schedules in the state, but they rose to the challenge and went on a remarkable run late in the year.
First-year head coach D.J. Boldin addressed both his team and the Blue Devil faithful on his personal Twitter account a day after the state semifinal.
“To my 2019 Blue Devils football team, thank you,” read Boldin’s post. “You guys fought for me, fought for each other and gave me everything you had. You made this rookie head coach feel like he won the lottery. I know you guys look at me and say that you have learned a lot from me, but I would argue in this moment that I learned more from you all. I am a better father, mentor, teacher and coach because of you.
“To my future Blue Devils,” Boldin continued, “remember this moment, remember this feeling and remember the example your brothers have set before you. Use all of it to help push our football program back to prominence. Be proud but never settle for anything less than greatness.”
Richard Marion is a staff writer and photographer at Lake Okeechobee News and can be reached at rmarion@newszap.com.
Tags:blue devils · pahokee high school
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Tagged: comment
Case / International Law
by Rayhanul Islam · Published September 21, 2016 · Last modified May 21, 2018
The Tinoco Arbitration Award 1923
The Tinoco Arbitration Award 1923 Principle: non-recognition of a government does not outweigh the evidence of the de facto status of a government. Fact: The “Tinoco regime” came to power through a coup in...
Haile Selassie v Cable and Wireless (UK) 1938
Haile Selassie v Cable and Wireless (UK) 1938 Principle: There is no major difference between de jure and de facto recognition. Facts: As a result of a contract between the defendant company and the...
The Arantzazu Mendi Case (UK) 1939
The Arantzazu Mendi Case (UK) 1939 Principle: When there is effective control over the territory of a government of de fecto (recognition) a foreign court can not apply its jurisdiction over its matter. Fact:...
by Rayhanul Islam · Published September 21, 2016 · Last modified February 7, 2019
Luther v Sagor (UK) 1921
Luther v Sagor (UK) 1921 Principle: Once a government is recognized, its acts will be granted as valid, even those prior to its recognition, known as retrospective effect. Fact: Luther was a British Citizen...
Bank of Ethiopia V. National Bank of Egypt and Liguori 1937
Bank of Ethiopia V. National Bank of Egypt and Liguori 1937 Principle: To be a de facto government that government must have effective control over the territory. Fact: An Italian decree promulgated after the capture...
The Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Project case, Hungary v. Slovakia (1997)
The Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Project case, Hungary v. Slovakia (1997) Facts: The Gabčíkovo–Nagymaros Dams project. Initiated by the Budapest Treaty of 16 September 1977 between the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the People’s Republic of Hungary.Only a...
Alabama Claims Arbitration 1872 (USA and UK)
Alabama Claims Arbitration 1872 (USA and UK) Principle: No state can deny the international responsibilities using his domestic law as a shield. But the state law have to connection in the International Law. Fact:...
by Rayhanul Islam · Published July 3, 2016 · Last modified May 31, 2018
Barcelona Traction Light and Power Co ltd (Belgium V Spain, ICJ 1970)
Barcelona Traction Light and Power Co ltd (Belgium V Spain, ICJ 1970) Principle: Companies are separate entity in the eye of law. Fact: The Barcelona Traction, Light and Power Co. Ltd., (hereinafter called Barcelona...
by Rayhanul Islam · Published July 2, 2016 · Last modified September 27, 2018
The Chorzow Factory Case (1928, Germany v Poland)
The Chorzow Factory Case (1928, Germany v Poland) Principle: It is a general principle of law as well as International law, that any breach of agreement creates an obligation to make reparation. Fact: There was an agreement between...
North Sea Continental Shelf case
North Sea Continental Shelf cases, ICJ Reps, 1969, p. 3 at 44 Principle: Ratification after signature is required to consequently make that party liable to obey the treaty. Fact: On 1 December 1964, the Federal Republic...
Lotus Case (France V Turkey, PCIJ 1927)
Lotus Case (France V Turkey, PCIJ 1927) Principle: To be customary International Law there must be some legal obligation (Opinio juris) or force to maintain the customs not because merely they want to. Fact: On...
Asylum Case (Columbia v. Peru, 1950)
Asylum Case (Columbia v. Peru, 1950) Principle: For Custom to be definitively proven, it must be continuously and uniformly executed. Fact: Peru issued an arrest warrant against Victor Raul Haya de la Torre “in...
The Scotia Case (USA vs. UK, 1871)
The Scotia Case (USA vs. UK, 1871) Principle: Some customs need not to be ancient to become an International law rather if it is specified and accepted and also maintained by numbers of nations...
by Rayhanul Islam · Published June 30, 2016 · Last modified May 21, 2018
The Republic of Nicaragua v The United States of America 1986
The Republic of Nicaragua v The United States of America 1986 Principle There is no customary rule in International Law permitting a State to exercise the right of collective self-defense in another country on...
Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thailand, 1962, ICJ)
Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thailand, 1962, ICJ) Principle: Principle of acquiescence International law uses of principle of equity, which is a principle of law used in civilized nation and international law adopted...
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Home Legal Malpractice Kentucky McKee
McKee, Kentucky Legal Malpractice Lawyers
Mason Moore Kessinger
Lexington, KY Legal Malpractice Lawyer with 25 years experience
(859) 253-2105 120 Kentucky Avenue
Free ConsultationLegal Malpractice, Business, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury
At the Kessinger Law Group, we represent plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts, as well as in mediation and arbitration matters. As a former Assistant United States Atttorney and Career Law Clerk to a United States District Judge, I have learned what leads to success in the courtroom. Based on this experience, I am able to develop a strategy to achieve your goals in a timely manner through a clearly defined pathway. I will not waste your money on useless litigation tactics, unnecessary motions or wasteful maneuvers designed to increase your legal bill without providing sound,...
Albert Bradley McQueen Jr
London, KY Legal Malpractice Lawyer with 39 years experience
(606) 877-1189 100 Robinette Ln.
Legal Malpractice, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Products Liability
As a Kentucky native, Albert Bradley McQueen Jr. is proud to help his neighbors in finding justice. He has spent his legal career focusing on the area of litigation, involving claims for personal injury, automobile injuries, medical malpractice, products liability, nursing home litigation, and defective drugs & medical devices. In addition to being active in his work, McQueen also is an active runner, having completed many half and full marathons. McQueen is happily married to his wife, Janie, of over 30 years.
Benjamin Lee Kessinger III
(859) 253-2105 120 Kentucky Ave.
Free ConsultationLegal Malpractice, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury
Committed to personally being involved and taking a “hands-on” approach to every case accepted. Over the last ten years, I have been personally involved in over 27 million dollars of personal injury verdicts or settlements. My experience includes litigation and trial representation with a concentration on cases involving complex personal injury, death and business litigation.When you become a client, I am available 24/7 to handle your legal needs. I personally handle your matter from start to finish — never handing it off to an associate.
Timothy Jay Wilson
London, KY Legal Malpractice Attorney with 38 years experience
Legal Malpractice, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Workers' Comp
With over 31 years of practicing exclusively in the field of workers' compensation and actively being involved with the system, Timothy Wilson proves to be passionate about the area. His firm, Wilson & McQueen, which he started in 1987, is now recognized as a Tier 1 “Best Law Firm” by US News and World Report. Wilson has also been recognized year after year for his work and dedication towards the field of workers' compensation.
Ronald L. Green
Lexington, KY Legal Malpractice Attorney with 38 years experience
(859) 475-1471 201 East Main Street, Suite 1250
Legal Malpractice, Employment, Insurance Defense and Medical Malpractice
Richard M. Rawdon
Georgetown, KY Legal Malpractice Lawyer
(502) 863-5400 142 east main st
Legal Malpractice, Animal, Arbitration & Mediation and Medical Malpractice
William Fletcher McMurry
Louisville, KY Legal Malpractice Attorney with 40 years experience
(502) 326-9000 624 West Main Strret
Free ConsultationLegal Malpractice, Insurance Claims, Medical Malpractice and Nursing Home
William F. McMurry & Associates was founded by Attorney William F. McMurry. He is the only Kentucky lawyer certified as a medical malpractice and legal malpractice trial specialist by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (ABPLA). Attorney William F. McMurry is also certified as a civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA). He is also Martindale & Hubbell AV preeminent peer review rated for ethical standards and legal ability. This level of specialization can increase jury awards as well as out-of-court settlements. William F. McMurry & Associates welcomes the opportunity to work for you....
Damon Blake Willis
Louisville, KY Legal Malpractice Lawyer with 19 years experience
(502) 585-5800 6009 Brownsboro Park Blvd. Suite B
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The League of Dead Films
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April 23rd, 2012: Pale Rider (1985)
Apr23 by Professor Mortis
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Professor’s Fall Journal: October Week 4 « The League of Dead Films on October 31st, 2014: Halloween (1978)
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How to promote your game?
Forum organization and occasional community-building.
Questions about Ren'Py should go in the Ren'Py Questions and Announcements forum.
Pinlin
Projects: Dark nights
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Contact Pinlin
#1 Post by Pinlin » Thu Apr 28, 2016 8:04 pm
Hello, I'm Pinlin and currently working on project "Dark Nights" viewtopic.php?t=26065
(this post is outdated since I've posted all updates on the site, but I will rewrite this post soon).
I've had this question in mind, how to reach a large audience and which platform is the best to use for promotion and donations? I'm not intended to abandon this project if it doesn't get funded or even sell this game. However, some people wanted to give extra support and I don't know how to allow and promote this.
This platform is great for advertising, but even large companies fail to gather enough. Another concern is that you may only use a credit card to support a project, so it will miss out the younger audience.
For this one you already need a fanbase and this platform may increase it. I heard that it works well in combination with kickstarter. Although, alone it doesn't allow you to gather funds. To get on greenlight, you need to pay $100 as one time fee. If it fails, I'd lose more than the efforts I've put into.
A stand-alone site can only be advertised through social media. I could start a campaign here instead without worrying about fees, deadlines or payment options. A large disadvantage is that it's hard to reach your target audience.
Please share your opinions and suggestions. I may be wrong about what I mentioned above as I've never used kickstarter and greenlight before. The last one is a theory, but before I make a decision I'd like to know how other people promote their projects. Thank you for your time.
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Green Glasses Girl
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Re: How to promote your game?
#2 Post by Green Glasses Girl » Thu Apr 28, 2016 8:46 pm
Some handy LSF reading material:
- How to Raise Awareness For Your Game?
- What would you say to first time game creators?
- Networking: Making your project popular?
- What visual novels get more attention?
- How to build a fanbase
- A noob's compressed pack of questions of game advertisement
Dealing with profit/money and Kickstarter:
- Fanbase before or after demo release? Or after Kickstarter?
- What makes a Kickstarter successful?
- Making some money with a commercial VN - is it possible?
- Making A Living off of VNs: What should I do?
- How to run a successful kickstarter? (And a little more)
- Thank you for helping make my game a reality, Lemmasoft!
On Steam Release
- Thoughts on making your game Steam release ready?
- Publisher's Page on Steam
@Admin staff: Is there a way a post like this can sticky'd? It seems to be a question that comes up about twice a month.
Honest Critique
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PyTom
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#3 Post by PyTom » Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:10 pm
Green Glasses Girl wrote: @Admin staff: Is there a way a post like this can sticky'd? It seems to be a question that comes up about twice a month.
I'm not sure this is a good idea. It strikes me that information like this has a shelf-life, with new things coming around all the time.
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firecat
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#4 Post by firecat » Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:39 pm
dont forget that the articles are written by users that are like you and me, using it has a guide to answer questions will not help fill-in the truth about what it really takes to build a fanbase.
OP: kickstarter is to "help" a project, making a demo does help but everyone is already getting sick of being bomb with ads from reddit VN section, some people ignore KS projects in this forum, and you're too new to be taken seriously.
anyone can past greenlight, fail once you can try again without paying. You will be facing competitors who might have an edge over you but none of that matters since anyone can pass greenlight.
social media does somewhat help, never to the point where you gain 1 million followers, you might want to interact with the community to gain followers rather than thinking that we need to help you.
special thanks to nantoka.main.jp and iichan_lolbot
Projects: Blackout
Organization: Moonlight Otome
Contact Kate
#5 Post by Kate » Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:55 pm
Release to let's players. Or release certain parts. Like, hey, free copy to test, and you can play it for your channel- an original! Some smaller channels with still a decent number of subs may have viewers that will take the bait and buy the game for themselves. I just recently bought a game after seeing Markiplier play exactly one 20 min episode of it... this also works GREAT for games with a lot of user choice. If the player can do something different that the LP'er didn't do, they may itch even more to buy the game and try the alternates.
^ This may not work for everyone, but this may be a good idea for some.
Blackout [VN][Romance][GxB][Mystery][Suspense] http://lemmasoft.renai.us/forums/viewto ... 43&t=34118
"It is the duty of authors to make the fantastic seem ordinary and the ordinary seem fantastic." - K. Auer
Chibi Subaru
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#6 Post by Chibi Subaru » Thu Apr 28, 2016 11:13 pm
I would try to find a Facebook fan group for the game genre that is similar to your game's. Since my game is an otome game, I've joined into general otome fan groups on Facebook and talked to other fans of the fandom. After making some friends and depending on the group's rules, you can inform people that you're working on a game and tell them about it.
This has helped me get connected with a fanbase and gain fans that want to support us in different formats. We have a Facebook page, Twitter, and Tumblr as our main social medias. We share the posts we make in them with the Facebook groups we're in and it has helped us a lot.
For donations, we use both Patreon and GoFundMe... we plan to do Kickstarter after we think we've promoted enough. We haven't had much luck on donations yet other than close friends and family members.
#7 Post by Pinlin » Fri Apr 29, 2016 11:36 am
Green Glasses Girl wrote: Some handy LSF reading material:
- [url=https://lemmasoft.renai.u[url]https://lemmasoft.renai.u[url[/url]s/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=38253]Thoughts on making your game Steam release ready?[/url]
Thank you for the quick answer. I've searched through the forums and most topics were more focused on marketing and commercial use.
If theories were as easy as reality, everyone would be popular by now. After reading these threads I came to a few conclusions for this topic.
Be (socially) active
I realized that merely being active will give you a fanbase or at least interest. Just by spreading your presence, people are likely to trust you more.
The problem is time. How do people manage their projects + frequently update + broad their networks + reply to feedbacks? So far I've had difficulties to balance my activity and social network. I don't know what's the best way to manage all of them.
While spreading awareness about your game doesn't mean it reaches the right audience. In the past years I've focused so much on other social media that I've totally neglected lemmasoft. Obviously, all developers and gamers gather here and this is the perfect place to start off. I want to thank the community just for being here.
Quite some posts are old and the traffic has changed over the past years. Recently I've seen many mentions about Facebook dropping down and Instagram being the most popular social media. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I don't see a reason why game developers should use Instagram (maybe this is only popular in a different community lol). My opinion on twitter and facebook is that the posts get burried quickly. Sometimes I find messages from months ago which I yet have to reply. The opinions I encountered about Kickstarter and Steam Greenlight is that they are mostly for commercial purposes. This is not the goal for my game, so I drop these ideas.
Skill and dedication
Somewhere in the replies I found an interesting video about advertising https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuOo5BvOsPw
This guy talks about how merely 'likes' and 'shares' don't work. I don't think there is a magical formula to make someone popular. Popularity comes after your efforts. For my game, I wasn't aiming to be popular or earn a lot of money. I wanted to bring a quality product which shares my thoughts and creativity. For the past 2 years I've thrown myself into improving art- and writing skills, English and programming. On the other side, I can relate to people that don't get recognition no matter how much efforts they put.
An overview on this topic could be useful.
firecat wrote:
I haven't seen a lot replies on these topics and most are only theories. While it sounds logical, it may not apply to a long term. Gah, subjective topics are hard to discuss, especially when it does not work for everyone.
Honestly, I'm tired of seeing so many KS projects out of nowhere. I believe many of these groups are new and aim for too large goals.
I haven't released anything so far. My game was mentioned on Visual Novel database before but it got deleted. Probably they didn't trust me anymore lol.
It may be logical because I made the first update 2 years ago. Besides, I'm still working alone. I can only blame myself for this reputation.
By writing this topic and reply, I am interacting xD I want to hear more opinons on this matter as I can't figure it out by myself. Since everyone is doing it differently, I may discover new methods.
Kate wrote: Release to let's players. Or release certain parts. Like, hey, free copy to test, and you can play it for your channel- an original! Some smaller channels with still a decent number of subs may have viewers that will take the bait and buy the game for themselves. I just recently bought a game after seeing Markiplier play exactly one 20 min episode of it... this also works GREAT for games with a lot of user choice. If the player can do something different that the LP'er didn't do, they may itch even more to buy the game and try the alternates.
Thank you! You just reminded me of this. While I do watch Let's Play! videos, it never crossed my mind to suggest my own game. Are visual novels doing well on youtube? I'm always afraid that I don't reach the right audience with this. Most games featured look interactive or are very bad. I hope mine doesn't fall into the last category lol. By any chance, do you know youtubers into visual novels?
Chibi Subaru wrote: I would try to find a Facebook fan group for the game genre that is similar to your game's. Since my game is an otome game, I've joined into general otome fan groups on Facebook and talked to other fans of the fandom. After making some friends and depending on the group's rules, you can inform people that you're working on a game and tell them about it.
Thank you for the suggestions. I've tried out facebook groups before and there was only a few to zero feedback. Maybe I'm expecting too much from it, but I shall continue with trying. Patreon always seems tricky to me after hearing negative reviews like: cheating on rewards, a chunck of fees, a lot time to manage and so on. I'm glad that your close friends and family members are so supportive. Good luck on your project!
#8 Post by Chibi Subaru » Fri Apr 29, 2016 11:48 am
Since your game has romance in it try some Voltage fandom pages that also allow talks of other otome games. A lot of them are very active and they seem helpful to me. I'll list some names of the ones I'm in.
Voltage Romance Sims - Otome Group - The members here are great and active. A few others in here are also making their own games and post stuff in there.
Otome Bishies
Yeah, Patreon can be very time consuming and you have to try to think of good enough rewards to get people to want to give you money. We've been having issues with this.
Thank you and good luck on your game, too!
#9 Post by firecat » Fri Apr 29, 2016 4:07 pm
Pinlin wrote: My game was mentioned on Visual Novel database before but it got deleted. Probably they didn't trust me anymore lol.
there was a huge clean update not long go, it mostly include non-vn, never-going-to-be-finish-development games, and anything that does not seem like its helping VNDB. i'm guess it was the "never-going-to-be-finish-development games" that made it removed.
#10 Post by Kate » Fri Apr 29, 2016 8:01 pm
Pinlin wrote:
I've seen a few hybrids done on actual personality-driven LP channels. Some that are half VN and half RPG or have pixel gameplay....
I have seen plenty of demonstrations of Voltage games among small channels. Particularly for those who didn't want to pay for the whole thing. There'll always be that. So use judgement. Corpse Party was featured on PewDiePie's channel, however, showing that VN's are something LP'ers will try. You can meet some of them at Conventions (Markiplier goes to a few of the key ones in the US!) and I bet if you reached out in the comments to a smaller channel, they'd be thrilled to try something original and especially if you grant them a free copy (if it isn't already a free game).
I've watched some of the play through of Nicole on there- and frankly, watching VN's on youtube makes me want to get the game myself and make my own choices. Watching and criticizing or agreeing with choices and curiosity inspired me to make better games than the bland Voltage Mary Sue-driven games (that are still guilty pleasures, I admit, but eye candy and totally fantasy plot-setting over substance....) and get into programming.
#11 Post by Pinlin » Sat Apr 30, 2016 6:25 am
Chibi Subaru wrote: Since your game has romance in it try some Voltage fandom pages that also allow talks of other otome games. A lot of them are very active and they seem helpful to me. I'll list some names of the ones I'm in.
I have checked out these groups and requested to join. I'll see how it goes
firecat wrote: there was a huge clean update not long go, it mostly include non-vn, never-going-to-be-finish-development games, and anything that does not seem like its helping VNDB. i'm guess it was the "never-going-to-be-finish-development games" that made it removed.
I've looked into and it's indeed like you said. Is there a certain time range till a game has to be completed? If not, then what are the other factors that they decided to remove those games? I understand this clean-up was necessary because I found many of them with lacking information and being too vague.
Kate wrote: I've seen a few hybrids done on actual personality-driven LP channels. Some that are half VN and half RPG or have pixel gameplay....
Interactive VNs seem to be popular, but I'm sure there are people who wish to play regular VN. For example, stats raising games are fun at the beginning but it boring after doing it over and over. Thanks for these suggestions, I will try my luck. Sadly, I live in Europe and the conventions aren't as big as in other continents. I've been on a few and mostly they focus on plushies, figures and other goodies. I remember they sold VNs but I only saw H-titles.
We're on the same level about Voltage games haha. Mary Sue is fun, but only if you adds twists. I wouldn't want to continue if the whole plot is predictable.
Yes, these videos are so inspiring. I often check out trailers and look at their style. It's easy to learn techniques but creativity isn't always within reach.
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Contact papillon
#12 Post by papillon » Sat Apr 30, 2016 8:48 am
I'm having trouble finding a clear rules post on adding game to VNDB. This, therefore, is my gut feeling which may not really match official policy.
- If a game has been released you can obviously add it.
- If a game has released a demo, the game can be added with a trial edition release entry for the demo, and a TBA for the full game.
- If a game has announced a firm release date of about a month or so ahead and the game has some publicly posted art to show that it's not just a fantasy, it can be added with that upcoming release date marked.
- If a game has announced a firm release date of less than two days away it can be added with that upcoming release date even if there's not much public art available.
- If a game has been announced by a major development company, with no release date, but at least some character art and screenshots have been put forth to indicate that the game is in development, it can go on the list with a date of TBA even though it doesn't have a trial. This is the tricky one because there's going to be disagreement over what counts as a sufficiently reliable company.
- Any release marked TBA for a sufficiently long period of time may have someone look into it to check for signs that it's still in development, and deleted from the database if there's evidence that it was canceled, or if the creator just seems to have fallen off the face of the planet.
#13 Post by Green Glasses Girl » Sat Apr 30, 2016 9:12 am
PyTom wrote: I'm not sure this is a good idea. It strikes me that information like this has a shelf-life, with new things coming around all the time.
firecat wrote: dont forget that the articles are written by users that are like you and me, using it has a guide to answer questions will not help fill-in the truth about what it really takes to build a fanbase.
That's fair.
@OP: I guess there isn't really a formula but a lot of trial-and-error investigations. But one thing I've noticed is that when it comes to releasing games, a lot of hype gets built from new faces when the release day is announced and countdown begins (for example "My game is released on May 30!-->10 more days!-->Released in a week!-->Released tomorrow!") I usually find new games on tumblr and twitter that way, usually stumbling upon it during one of the announcement posts. Some VNs that only announce the game on release day tend to get pushed down further on the dashboard/feed, out of sight and out of mind. (Also, there are stats available online on the best times to post/most active peak hours on social media)
Lesleigh63
Completed: House of Dolls; Lads in Distress - Nano'16; Delusion Gallery Nano'18
Projects: BL VN
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Contact Lesleigh63
#14 Post by Lesleigh63 » Sun May 01, 2016 10:57 pm
My two cents worth...
Try to bring someone on board who is a social butterfly and who loves blogging, tweeting and all the rest of it. There may be folks out there who love visual novels, want to be involved in VN development but can't do art, writing, music, programming etc. This may be something they can do and I believe it's an area that is becoming just as important as the art, writint, music, programming etc.
Second suggestion is to take your product to a 'studio' that has released a few games (commercial or free) which has possibly attracted a player fan base and see if you can work something out with them. Being able to promote/release a new good-looking game under their studio umbrella may be attractive to them.
#15 Post by firecat » Mon May 02, 2016 9:29 am
Lesleigh63 wrote: My two cents worth...
1) never happens in real life, also they could not like it and things could go bad if the person wants to do other things.
2) dont ever "sell-out" its never worth it.
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ActionAdventureRomance
From visionary filmmakers James Cameron (AVATAR) and Robert Rodriguez (SIN CITY), comes ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, an epic adventure of hope and empowerment. When Alita (Rosa Salazar) awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido (Christoph Waltz), a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of a young woman with an extraordinary past. As Alita learns to navigate her new life and the treacherous streets of Iron City, Ido tries to shield her from her mysterious history while her street-smart new friend Hugo (Keean Johnson) offers instead to help trigger her memories. But it is only when the deadly and corrupt forces that run the city come after Alita that she discovers a clue to her past - she has unique fighting abilities that those in power will stop at nothing to control. If she can stay out of their grasp, she could be the key to saving her friends, her family and the world she's grown to love.
Eiza Gonz lez
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Interview: Rising country star Matt Stell talks unexpected success and his Opry debut at BBVA Music Sessions
By: Lori Melton AXS Contributor Jan 9, 2020 2 weeks ago
AXS YouTube
Arkansas native singer-songwriter Matt Stell has been releasing his own music and writing for other artists since 2010. A pivotal shift in his creative journey began when he moved to Nashville in 2014.
Once in Music City, he continued his quest to forge a successful country music career. The stars aligned for him last year when his debut single “Prayed For You” enjoyed chart-topping success. Stell co-wrote the track with Ash Bowers and Allison Veltz. It hails from his 2019 debut EP, Everywhere But On.
Though they were proud of the track, Stell and his co-writers weren’t sure how the song would do. They definitely didn’t expect its breakout success.
Stell talked about the song’s trajectory in an AXS interview during his recent BBVA Music Sessions performance in Denver. Initially, “Prayed For You” garnered streaming success which led to shooting a music video. After landing a major record deal, the song topped Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
“It was nothing like what I expected or planned for or anything,” Stell told AXS. “It was pretty surreal. It’s still pretty surreal.”
The unexpected series of events enabled him to live out his dream of performing at the Grand Ole Opry. The milestone moment was much sweeter when lots of family and friends turned out to watch him make his Opry debut.
“That was a really special moment,” Stell said. “That’s something I’ll always remember. Not only getting to play the Opry and stepping into the circle where all my heroes stepped into. But also having so many people make the trip to share that moment with me really means a lot. I’ll never forget it.”
Watch Matt Stell’s entire interview above.
By: Lori Melton AXS Contributor
Jan 9, 2020 Added 2 weeks ago
BBVA Music Sessions
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Chambolle-Musigny Baudes
Site: at ther heart of the Côte de Nuits, in the village of Chambolle-Musigny. This is a small vineyard, located below Bonnes-Mares. It has a mild incline and faces due east.
History & tradition: the name of the village Chambolle is probably derived from the Celtic "cambola", already reputed for its vineyards in Gallo-Roman times and cultivated by the monks in the Middle Ages. "Baudes" is an ancient vineyard whose name is of Germanic origin ("Baud").
Soil: complex limestone subsoil, dating from the Jurassic age and ideally suited to the Pinot Noir grape.
Drouhin estate: 0,33 ha. (0.825 acre)
Average age of the vines: 32 years.
Biological cultivation since 1990; biodynamic cultivation a few years later
Vine stocks: "sélection massale" (propagation of new vine stocks from a number of selected vines) done at the Drouhin nursery; also clones of recognized quality.
Soil maintenance: compost of manure and white wood, sometimes guano (seabird manure used as fertilizer). Soil is ploughed either by tractor or by horse to manage spreading of weeds.
Treatment: only authorized products for biological cultivation are used: infusions and macerations of plant materials, sulfur and copper, powdered rock. Natural predators are not eliminated.
Plantation density: from 10,000 to 12,500 stocks/ha in order to extract all possible nuances from the terroir and limit the production of each vine stock.
Yield: we aim to keep our yields low, more in line with the previous regulation: around 20% less than allowed by the current law.
Harvesting: by hand, in small open crates in order to preserve the integrity of the fruit.
Sorting of the grapes: in the vineyard and at the "cuverie" (winery) if necessary.
"Pigeage" (punching down of the cap during fermentation): once a day until half of fermentation is done; one pumping over ("remontage") per day till the end of the fermentation.
Pressing: separation of free run juice from pressed juice.
Type: in barrels (20% in new oak)
Origin of the wood: French oak forests.
Weathering of the wood: Joseph Drouhin insists on total control of the weathering for a period of 3 years, one of the contributing elements to the elegance of the wine.
Follow-up: barrel by barrel.
Fining (collage, to clarify the wine): light, after careful tasting.
"The wine displays a lively, bright red colour. The aromas are numerous, complex and straightforward: violet, black cherry, humus, truffle and a touch of venison when approaching maturity. On the palate, the amount and strength of the tannins is rather restrained and delicate. Acidity and texture are in harmonious proportion. In the aftertaste, long lasting and fine flavors of candied fruit or kirsch".
As every year we sorted the grapes at once to select the most beautiful bunches that were to be kept in whole clusters and to remove berries that could present a lack of maturity. The sanitary state was very satisfactory with almost no rot. Very quickly at the beginning of the fermentations the colours were released and gradually the varietal character of Pinot Noir was expressed. We favoured this aromatic expression to look for balanced wines without too much power. The tannins are nicely melted, the acidity levels from normal to low. The fermentations and macerations lasted about 3 weeks. In the course of the winter, the malolactic fermentations were triggered and proceeded sometimes rather quickly.
Temperature: 16-18°C (61-65°F).
Cellaring: 8 to 25 years.
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Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium under construction - January 2012
Photo: Espace pour la vie (Marc Jobin)
Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium under construction - November 2012
Photo: Espace pour la vie (Raymond Jalbert)
Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium under construction and Biodôme - November 2012
Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium - March 2013
With a view to excellence, in compliance with the requirements of the Ordre des architectes du Québec, an international architectural competition was launched by the executive committee of the City of Montréal in October 2008. The concepts put forward had to include some important elements, including:
Two star theatres
A surface area of 8000 m2
A targeted LEED certification of: PLATINUM
The competition was held in two stages:
A public tender invited firms to anonymously submit an architectural concept for the new planetarium. Sixty-one (61) architectural firms submitted a concept proposal. A ten-member jury (half were architects, the others included a schools expert, a design expert, a LEED expert and a museum expert) evaluated the proposals and recommended five projects.
Five finalists, supported by a team of specialists, developed their concepts.
The same jury recommended a winning team, a joint venture between the Cardin Ramirez Julien + Aedifica firms, in association with SNC Lavalin, and Dupras Ledoux Fauteux et Associés Landscape Architects for the second stage of the competition. This interdisciplinary team included specialists in Quebec LEED certification with a keen interest in building promoting renewable energy and sustainable development.
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Watch out Washington, Wharton Is Coming
A Wharton student has his sights set on informing good policy with sound business sense. In fact, he’s already done so.
by Theodore Caputi
For its entire 134-year history, Wharton has been synonymous with premier business education. Wharton graduates include titans of finance, captains of industry and innovators in technology—heck, Elon Musk C97 W97 is basically all three. But Wharton doesn’t only prepare its graduates for careers making big bucks. My Wharton training has already prepared me for work in policy and advocacy.
Since high school, I have been interested in substance abuse policy. I researched substance abuse treatment options in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, testified about prevention policy before the Pennsylvania Senate and was appointed to a local government board that allocates funds to substance abuse health providers. My parents, colleagues and research advisers had assumed I would major in psychology, political science or pre-med—and so when I announced my intention to apply to Wharton, they were a bit confused.
They asked: Business? What does business have to do with substance abuse?
Successful policy is almost always informed by good business sense. So many people who work in policy have great ideas, but only the best know how to implement them. I wanted to spend my undergraduate years learning the art of getting stuff done—and I felt Wharton was the perfect place to do it.
Two years into my Wharton education, I am happy to report that my choice to major in business was a wise one. I have already applied lessons from my business education to my work influencing policy.
For example, I chaired a committee tasked with creating a multiyear strategic plan for substance abuse services across my home county, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. To gather input from board members, paid staff and other stakeholders, I used concepts from the 360-degree feedback mechanism, a method of gathering input from all stakeholders that I learned in my Management 100 class, taught by Center for Leadership and Change Management Senior Fellow Chris Maxwell. I applied the strategic frameworks, including the 5 C’s, SWOT, and Marketing Mix analysis, from Adjunct Associate Marketing Professor Keith Niedermeier’s Introduction to Marketing (MKTG 101) class to structure the strategic plan. Wharton’s emphasis on data-based outcomes motivated me to set data-based S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely) that would measure our efficacy. The final plan was professional, operational and well received, and I credit my Wharton training for its success.
Beyond the highly practical and applicable nature of a Wharton course, attending Wharton has afforded me opportunities to sit down, one-on-one, with business experts to discuss challenges I have faced in forming opinions about policy. In my experience, Wharton faculty members are more than happy to help their students apply what was taught in class to a topic or problem of personal interest. For example, while working as a member of my county’s drug and alcohol board, an agency that provides treatment services to county residents requested a rate increase. Board members were hesitant to approve the increase given the county’s tight budget and fiscal responsibility to its citizens. However, we also understood a rate increase could help the agency invest in capital expenditures that would ultimately increase its efficiency. We needed a way to negotiate a rate increase that would be fair and would incentivize the agency to improve in the long-run.
Prof. Christopher Ittner
I told my managerial accounting professor, Wharton’s EY Professor of Accounting, Chris Ittner, about the predicament, and he spent over an hour with me explaining negotiation strategy and responsibility accounting. He told me to look at the agency’s main cost drivers and to request a plan on how services would improve, given a rate increase. I took my professor’s suggestions to the board, which used several of his strategies in its negotiations.
Wharton’s relationship with policy extends beyond the classroom. Wharton formalized its commitment to training a generation of policy leaders with the 2012 creation of the Penn Wharton Public Policy Initiative (Penn Wharton PPI), intended to bridge “the intellectual divide between business and government.” Penn Wharton PPI connects undergraduates with some of Wharton’s most recognized faculty members to engage in policy-related research, affording undergraduates unparalleled access to policy thought leaders, and also offers stipends to Penn students who accept unpaid or underpaid policy-related internships at government or nonprofit agencies. Over the past two summers, 169 Penn students received such funding. The University’s investment in and the success of Penn Wharton PPI are evidence of the compatibility of business thinking and policy action.
As I advance my career and become more involved with policy formation at the state and federal levels, my Wharton education has given me the skills I need to make practical, operational and data-based decisions with confidence. I look forward to bringing the business sense and frameworks I learned on campus to the policy arena.
Wharton’s training has taught a generation of undergraduates the skills to become superior decision-makers and policy analysts who make government more effective and efficient. So watch out, Washington. Wharton is already there.
Chris Ittner Chris Maxwell Elon Musk Keith Niedermeier Penn Wharton PPI Penn Wharton Public Policy Initiative Theodore Caputi Wharton Undergraduate Program
Innovation/Technology
Putting the Power of Policy In the Hands of the Public
Dean Geoffrey Garrett shares the advances being made by the Penn Wharton Public Policy Initiative's new predictive, interactive Budget Model.
Resolved to Build a Public Policy Education
A Wharton undergraduate student realizes that a public policy education goes beyond the degrees he’s earning.
Empower Public Good Like Musk, Fajgenbaum
There are myriad examples of the expanding public and social role of the private sector, including those of Wharton alumni David Fajgenbaum and Elon Musk.
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HomeFeaturesWebwatch
Webwatch highlights websites of particular value to social services practitioners, managers and educators. We hope you find something of interest.
Webwatch: 'Epidemic' of online child abuse up 700% in five years, Security Minister warns
Written by Jennifer McKiernan and Alain Tolhurst
An "epidemic" of online child abuse must be tackled with new data laws, Security Minister Ben Wallace has told MPs.
He said there had been a 700% rise in child abuse being reported by tech companies in the last five years as he urged MPs to support new laws to speed up the identification of offenders.
Accessing data would mean child rapists and others could be caught within days, not years, Mr Wallace told the Commons during the second reading of the Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates there are up to 80,000 predators who pose a threat to children, the Minister said, with 1,600 police referrals in 2014 rising to 10,000 referrals in 2017.
Mr Wallace said: "The Bill will ensure the law enforcement officers and prosecutors can more effectively investigate and prosecute these horrific offences so children in all our constituencies can be kept safe.
"Child sexual exploitation and abuse is very real and very serious and a growing epidemic, with over 80,000 individual referrals of horrific online content received by the NCA from the tech industry in 2017 - a 700% increase since 2012.
"It is our duty to do something about this and protect the vulnerable online."
He added one operation targeting a "chilling" site containing 100,000 child abuse images found they had been downloaded one million times.
Police struggle to identify perpetrators as requests by British prosecutors for access to data held on servers, often in the US, can be held up in foreign courts - sometimes for years.
The new laws would allow prosecutors to apply directly to the 99% of tech companies based outside the UK for data relating to child abuse.
Pledging safeguards would be put in place, Mr Wallace said: "This means our law enforcement agencies will be able to access the data they need in a matter of days or weeks, not months or years."
Opposition MPs supported the Bill but said some concerns around the death penalty and protection of journalists' sources needed to be addressed.
Shadow security minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said, given most tech companies were based in the US, where 30 states still retain the death penalty, the UK must be cautious.
He said: "This Bill could be used alongside a treaty as the basis for reciprocal information exchange with other countries around the world where the rule of law is not respected by the regimes in power there, making the need for safeguards in this Bill even more pressing."
Lib Dem former minister Sir Ed Davey also spoke up in defence of the amendment on death penalty assurances.
He said: "The UK must oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and we need assurances from Government the law is extremely tight on this."
Mr Wallace said the Government would not want to "sacrifice" any such arrangement to help catch criminals over the Bill, given all the other good work it could do.
The minister was accused of "trying to split hairs" by Sir Ed, who said the amendment was not trying to stop measures to tackle child sexual abuse.
Mr Wallace replied: "My point is the moment for the House to look at that is not in this Bill, it is when that treaty or whatever international arrangement we make with whatever country we need to make it with.
"That comes before this House for scrutiny and then we can have a debate about whether or not that international treaty that we have sought in order to give effect to this order, is right for the balance of risk
"But it is not the generic primary legislation that allows an order to be made is the right vehicle."
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2018, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) UK Parliament.
Online Abuse
Government | Politics
Government drawing up no-deal Brexit food 'substitution' plans for hospitals
Teenager who murdered newborn son in drink-fuelled rage is jailed for life
Convicted paedophile used live streaming website to make child sex videos
Free meals among measures announced to support disadvantaged children during holidays
Immigration Minister lifts barrier for 260 unaccompanied child refugees
FGM survivor issues warning over festive period 'cutting season' for at-risk girls
Member of paedophile group jailed for 15 years for plotting to rape baby boy
Labour blames sharp rise in homeless deaths on 'Government choices'
Hancock reveals 'trailblazer' regions to improve child mental health in England
New temporary work visa proposed for post-Brexit immigration system
Adult Care Apps Child Abuse Child Protection Childrens Services Dementia Depression Innovation Mental Health NHS Older People Online Abuse Research Sexual Abuse Social Care Social Media Technology Vulnerable Adults Webwatch Young People | Youth Work
Tweets from https://twitter.com/CareApps/reports-research
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Inaccuracies In Literary Nonfiction: A Necessary Evil?
Column by Christopher Shultz January 8, 2014 5 comments
A few months back, Netflix released an original series called Orange Is The New Black. Maybe you’ve heard of it. My partner Lauren sat down to watch it first, binged through the whole first season in something like two days, and then routinely reminded me that I had to watch it, but no really, I needed to watch it. I take her insistence in these situations very seriously (she did the same with Breaking Bad, and now I’m far more obsessed with that show than she ever was), so I fired up the Apple TV and began to summarily barrel through Orange as well.
Maybe you’re a fan, and maybe not, but I found myself compelled to hit “Next Episode” every time the end credits appeared. The characters and overall narrative were fascinating, the hooks were solid, the dialogue was lean, crisp and, above-all, believable. Then I learned, low and behold, that Orange was based on a true story: the material was culled from Piper Kerman’s autobiography of the same name. Wow! All this highly dramatic stuff really happened inside a real-life women’s prison!
Even the most researched and accurate nonfiction book is inaccurate by default, because once an event has elapsed into the past, it exists only in memory.
Except not really. This BuzzFeed article by Leonora Epstein details six major differences between Kerman’s book and the TV show, namely that (mild SPOILER alert) the protagonist also named Piper was not, in fact, serving time in the same prison as her ex-lover, a drug-smuggler whose fed-ratting landed the little WASP in the hoosegow. Moreover, (MAJOR SPOILER ALERT), Piper did not rekindle her relationship with this woman, or ANY woman for that matter, while doing time.
No, Kerman’s experience in the big house seems pretty tepid in comparison to the believably-impossible circumstances her screen counterpart undergoes. So why would Jenji Kohan, creator and show-runner of Orange, willfully employ such inaccuracies in her adaptation of a nonfiction book? Simple: Kohan took liberties with the truth in order to make a more interesting story. When I learned that some of the more compelling moments in the series were absent in Kerman’s book, I thought to myself, “Then what makes the book so damn good anyway?” Perhaps Orange as Kerman lived it is still a solid read (haven’t actually picked it up), but Kohan certainly proves that inaccuracies and downright fabrications do not necessarily deplete the quality of a narrative.
In the case of the two Oranges, we’re dealing with screen adaptation, and in this field, liberties of the sort detailed above are pretty much a given. In his book on the horror genre, Danse Macabre, Stephen King pretty much sums up the relationship between truth and narrative screen fiction:
All movies, after all, are pure fiction, even the true ones. The fine film version of Joseph Wambaugh’s The Onion Field begins with a title card which reads simply This is a True Story, but it’s not; the very medium fictionalizes, and there is no way to stop this from happening. We know that a police officer named Ian Campbell really was killed in that onion field...And we know there were no cameras there, grinding away, when those two small-time hoods blew Ian Campbell away...Movies produce fiction as a byproduct the same way that boiling water produces steam.
This line of thinking, however, raises the question: are falsities inevitable (and perhaps even necessary) in literary nonfiction as well?
I’m not talking about all-out literary fakes à la James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces (check Cath Murphy’s column from last year for a broader discussion of that type of fakery). I’m talking about the little lies, the subversion of a few facts cropping up in the larger truth. Think about the true crime genre’s granddaddy In Cold Blood, a beautifully-written book, both in its prose and its ability to captivate the reader with its gripping tale. Capote’s “nonfiction novel" also contains numerous factual inaccuracies, all of which are detailed (and cited) at Wikipedia.
To give just one example of Capote’s liberal use of the truth, the author was quite buddy-buddy with Alan Dewey, the lead investigator on the Clutter Family murder case, apparently offering financial favors in exchange for information well after the events of the case itself. In an article for The Wall Street Journal, journalist Kevin Helliker reveals unearthed police documents indicating “that Mr. Capote in 1965 required Columbia Pictures to offer Mr. Dewey's wife a job as a consultant to the film version of his book for a fee far greater than the U.S. median family income that year.”
Also revealed in the lost files are specific instances of fabrication in Capote’s work, scenes reworked to both paint Dewey in a positive light and to punch up dramatic effect:
...at a key moment in the 1959 investigation, when 19 days of utter bafflement ended with an informant stepping forward and naming the killers, the KBI didn't snap to action, according to the new documents. It didn't, as Mr. Capote's book says, dispatch an agent that very night to the Kansas farmhouse where one of the suspects had been living with his parents.
Instead, the KBI waited five days to visit that farmhouse, according to the KBI documents.
Dewey himself admits that parts of In Cold Blood are pure fantasy, citing the final scene in the book as Capote’s creation, not a recounting of actual events.
In Cold Blood is, of course, only the tip of the false iceberg. Let’s go back to The Onion Field, mentioned above by Stephen King. Though my Google searches for cries of inaccuracy against this book yielded no results, I did learn that the author Joseph Wambaugh, a policeman-turned-novelist and literary celebrity long before The Onion Field’s publication, had later in life been accused of bribing a lead investigator for access to a high-profile murder case, leading to eventual claims of wrongful prosecution and unfair trial proceedings. Though no one else involved with the case has ever raised a stink, who’s to day Wambaugh was entirely on-the-level when he wrote The Onion Field?
Even if he was, and the facts presented in the book are squeaky-clean from a journalistic standpoint, I think total truthfulness in nonfiction narrative is, just as with films based on true stories, impossible. Consider this brief scene from The Onion Field:
Karl Hettinger was newly assigned to felony cars and Ian was breaking him in. The partnership had jelled almost at once.
'You were in the marine corps too?' Ian asked, during the monotonous first night of plainclothes felony patrol.
'Communications.' Karl nodded.
'Really? So was I,' Ian said, flickering his headlights at a truck coming onto Santa Monica from the freeway.
'The voice with a smile,' Karl said, and they both grinned and made the first step toward a compatible partnership.
One imagines Hettinger, the officer who survived the incidents depicted in The Onion Field, relayed this exchange to Wambaugh after the fact. We know from recent studies that memory is unreliable and deceptive when it comes to “hard facts.” Memory distorts the truth, more so over time, causing people to forget and “re-remember” details they hadn’t remembered before. This knowledge alone throws a cloak of doubt over the ostensibly innocuous scene replayed above. Moreover, Wambaugh’s not transcribing Hettinger’s description of events, but rather retelling said events in his own voice, adding more distance from the “direct” truth. Even if Wambaugh had been in the car, he probably wouldn’t remember this exchange the same way Hettinger remembers it. As Oscar Wilde so adroitly put it, “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
Again, these are only two examples. Inaccuracies and fabrications spring up time and again in the nonfiction genre. That Stephen King quote from above emerges from his refusal to discuss the film adaptation of The Amityville Horror as anything other than fiction (because, again, in his view, all movies are fiction). He does acknowledge the slippery truthfulness surrounding the book, written by author Jay Anson and apparently based on an actual haunting. Snopes.com offers pretty significant evidence that the Lutz family experienced nothing out of the ordinary during their 28-day stay in the house, with more evidence supporting a hoax listed at Wikipedia. But we can’t deny that the Lutz family moved into this house, which was the scene of multiple grisly murders—for a bargain, sure, but still at considerable expense—and then, 28 days later, they abandoned the house. This much is true. We may never really know what happened during those 28 days (and most likely, the events detailed in Anson’s book don’t come close), but I’m inclined to believe something happened, and that something thoroughly terrified the family. I mean, even if the plan to hoodwink the country with a macabre, demonic tale was already in place, who abandons an expensive Long Island home in the middle of the night?
Why lie? I believe the fabrications in The Amityville Horror were solidified and adhered to for one reason: to amplify dramatic effect and to make a more interesting narrative (remember Orange?). The list of inaccuracies and liberally selected/reworked/fabricated facts goes on and on, from John Berendt’s inserting himself into the events of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, to Bill O’Reilly making up lurid details of female imprisonment in Killing Lincoln, to Hunter S. Thompson “fictionalizing” his trip to Sin City in Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas. In these and every instance, the reason is the same as above. We don’t want to read dull, uninteresting stories. Stories must have drama! Intrigue! Twists! Startling revelations! Etc.!
So what do we make of this? Are we to spurn these works of (non)fiction because they tell lies alongside the truth? Do we commit ourselves to reading only the most factually accurate books?
No. While we want our authors to strive for fact and tell as honest a story as they can, to discard any book that might contain mistakes or fabrications is silly. For one, doing so would be to deny ourselves the pleasure of reading In Cold Blood, which is a classic for a reason (it would also rob us of the cheesy pleasures Amityville has to offer). Two, as I’ve tried to establish, even the most researched and accurate nonfiction book is inaccurate by default, because once an event has elapsed into the past, it exists only in memory, or audio/video, if someone happened to record the incident. But even the cold gaze of the camera can deceive (it adds ten pounds, you know), and memory is about as reliable as a car with four flat tires. If you will only read accurate nonfiction books, you won’t read nonfiction at all.
I think the best thing to do is accept that inaccuracies and fabrications of the kind I’ve discussed are a necessary evil toward good storytelling, and that any book, whether purported to be true or fictional, should be read for just that: good storytelling. Just be sure, if you’re interested in actual history, to read multiple books and articles on the topic at hand. You may never get to the real truth, but you'll be closer with numerous sources on your side.
If my ideas on this subject aren’t satisfactory, I’ll leave you with the words of Hunter S. Thompson, quoted from the same essay on Fear & Loathing linked above:
...both “fiction” and “journalism” are artificial categories...both forms, at their best, are only two different means to the same end.
Ponder on that, and weigh in with your thoughts below.
Author: Stephen King
Publisher: Gallery Books (2010)
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jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like January 8, 2014 - 8:51am
If you care more about "storytelling" than accuracy, then you're not in it for the facts.
If you're willing to do some work, facts do tell the story; that's one of the premises behind not only history, but science itself.
Tom1960 from Athens, Georgia is reading Blindness by Jose Saramago January 8, 2014 - 10:29am
Enjoyed your article. At times it seems fiction and fact are as intertwined as good and evil. Polar opposites that depend on each other for definition.
jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like January 8, 2014 - 11:11am
@Tom1960 --- I must disagree. "Fiction" is "non-fact," but no one would seriously suggest that "fact" is most fundamentally "non-non-fact." (While it logically is "non-non-fact," that's a tautology and not necessary to point out. Even when pointing it out, "fiction" does not enter the definition.) "Fact" is "fact." "Fiction" depends on "fact," not the other way around.
postpomo from Canada is reading words words words January 8, 2014 - 8:37pm
I have the feeling that fiction, in terms of storytelling, predates fact, but I could be wrong about this, like much else.
Frank Chapel from California is reading Thomas Ligotti's works January 12, 2014 - 6:33pm
i'm with JYH, if you want to fictionalize a true event for the sake of great storytelling (and this is a necessity when adapting a real life, or real life event) then just write fiction, change the names etc.
You could still have the gem that is "In Cold Blood" without it being a willful deception of the actual facts.
I don't know the context of the Hunter quote, but i'll go out on a limb and assume he's talking about getting at some greater truth beneath the story. I'd argue that this is something fiction is especially cut out to do. While journalism and documentaries are there to inform us of actual events that may impact our society and accuracy, though never fully achieved, is still important.
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Tag Archive for: Lyft
Blumenberg on Rideshare Pilot Program in Ohio
May 16, 2019 /0 Comments/in Luskin in the News Evelyn Blumenberg /by Myrka Vega
Urban Planning Professor Evelyn Blumenberg spoke to the Columbus Dispatch about a proposed ride-share program in Grove City, Ohio. The Central Ohio Transit Authority and Grove City plan to implement a ride-share program to bridge the distance between public transit stops and people’s destinations. The pilot program would be offered in an area with many jobs. Blumenberg, director of the Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies at UCLA Luskin, noted that most jobs are not located in the central city. “That, no matter what, is going to pose a challenge for fixed-route public transit,” she said.
Loukaitou-Sideris Provides Insight on Rideshare Safety for Women
April 10, 2019 /0 Comments/in Luskin in the News Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris /by Zoe Day
Urban Planning Professor Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris shed light on women’s interactions with transportation systems in a Rewire article explaining female riders’ frustrations with rideshare services. Loukaitou-Sideris said sexual harassment is incredibly common in transportation settings around the world. Incidents of sexual harassment and uncomfortable behavior with rideshare drivers have prompted requests for increased safety measures, especially for women. While nearly 45% of female rideshare users have expressed their preference for a female driver, only 20-30% of Lyft and Uber drivers are female, and neither rideshare service allows female riders to request a female driver. Loukaitou-Sideris’ research on women-only public transportation in other countries, such as women-only train cars, found that women worried such an arrangement would “perpetuate discrimination” by taking away the option to sit in other cars of the train. Many women express their desire to be able to safely use the same service as men, instead of needing a women-only solution.
ITS Researcher Authors L.A. Times Op-Ed on Ridership
August 13, 2018 /0 Comments/in Luskin in the News /by Stan Paul
Anne E. Brown, MURP ’14 Ph.D. ’18, a researcher at the Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS) at UCLA Luskin, authored a Los Angeles Times op-ed about L.A.’s taxi industry and discrimination against black riders. Comparing taxi service in Los Angeles with ridehail services such as Uber and Lyft, Brown writes, “when it comes to timeliness, technology, and – most troublingly – racial discrimination, taxis lag significantly behind their flashy new competitors.” Brown’s findings, published in her doctoral dissertation, come from her groundbreaking equity audit of ridehail and taxi services in the city that compared wait times and trip cancellation rates by race and ethnicity.
Read the Op-Ed
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Outback parent company announces dozens of restaurant closures as threat of restaurant recession looms (BLMN)
Mary Hanbury
Feb. 24, 2017, 12:44 PM
Outback Steakhouse/Facebook
Bloomin' Brands, the parent company of the Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming's Steakhouse chains, has announced plans to close multiple restaurants.
Last week, the company said in a presentation to investors announcing a loss of $4.3 million in the fourth quarter that it would close 43 underperforming restaurants. Overall, profit in 2016 dropped to $41.7 million from $127.3 million in 2015.
Bloomin' Brands is suffering from an industrywide slowdown that many analysts fear could be the beginning of a restaurant recession.
According to the food-business publication FSR Magazine, 34% of casual-dining brands recorded by the industry tracker TDn2K had positive comparable restaurant sales in the third quarter of 2016.
Ruby Tuesday closed 95 locations last year. Buffalo Wild Wings and Applebee's are also struggling.
Two main factors are to blame for the casual-dining industry's problems: the rise of fast-casual restaurants like Chipotle and Panera, and more people eating at home because groceries are cheaper.
The Washington Post reported that the fast-casual industry grew 550% from 1999 to 2014. It is expected to reach $66.9 billion by 2020, according to the market-research company Technavio.
While Bloomin' Brands didn't specify which of its 1,500 restaurants would be shuttered, Consumerist reported that the following locations have closed:
Carrabba's in Frederick, Maryland.
Carrabba's in Naperville, Illinois.
Carrabba's in Columbia, South Carolina.
Outback Steakhouse in Natick, Massachusetts.
An Outback Steakhouse in Rochester Hills, Michigan, according to The Oakland Press.
In New Jersey: one Bonefish Grill, three Carrabba's, and one Outback restaurant, according to NJ.com.
In Connecticut, two Bonefish Grill and one Carrabba's, according to a local Fox affiliate.
READ NOW: Here's what analysts are saying about Netflix following its 4th-quarter earnings release »
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Outback Steakhouse Parent Bloomin' Brands Mulling Strategic Alternatives
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Bloomin' Brands, Inc. -- Moody's announces completion of a periodic review of ratings of Bloomin' Brands, Inc.
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Bloomin Brands earnings preview: what Wall Street is expecting
Get real-time BLMN charts here >>
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News for Bloomin Brands Bloomin Brands /
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The NHL Winter Classic: What it Takes to Bring Outdoor Hockey to the South
Taylor Raglin
Getting the site of the NHL’s southernmost-ever Winter Classic – the league’s annual outdoor hockey game that helps ring in the new year, of which the 2020 edition will be the 12th – up and running was no easy task.
The Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators, divisional foes who battled in the first round of last season’s playoffs, will square off Wednesday. Jan. 1 inside Cotton Bowl Stadium, a locale known more for lording over the Texas State Fair and for colossal bouts on the football gridiron, not anything involving sticks and skates.
The contest is expected to reach the No. 2 spot on the all-time Winter Classic attendance leaderboard, falling in only behind 2014’s edition at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. They don’t call it the Big House for nothing.
However, constructing a professional-caliber ice sheet in any outdoor venue, let alone one in Texas is as interesting as the game itself. So, how did the Cotton Bowl come together for what promises to be a unforgettable New Year’s Day throwdown?
Ice Installation
It doesn’t take a very large leap of logic to do the math on ice and Texas temperatures – though this past Wednesday’s high temperatures barely escaped the 40s, that’s still significantly higher than what’s needed for natural ice formation.
In fact, the ice’s preparation hasn’t been without its share of speedbumps, though crews are still on track to have the surface ready for this week’s big tilt.
The ice looked good Friday, only to melt into a “wading pool” Saturday. By 9:30 Sunday night, it looked good again, a testament to the ice crew and another outdoor obstacle overcome. https://t.co/jUd8hr4e1w via @NHLdotcom
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) December 30, 2019
Earlier this month, a 300-ton refrigeration system was hauled by trailer to Fair Park, where it will be the driving force behind the playing surface come Wednesday. That surface will begin with plastic decking, on top of which a plywood layer is placed, as is an additional layer of aluminum trays filled with glycol coolant.
The NHL’s refrigeration system, powered by these glycol trays, will lean on thousands of gallons of the coolant to keep the playing surface near 22 degrees (F) throughout the contest.
The construction of the rink and the maintenance of the cooling system are overseen by NHL facilities and hockey operations head Derek King, who’s responsible for the league’s ice surfaces. Typically, King said, an NHL game is played atop somewhere around an inch of ice.
To make conditions meet NHL standards, an outdoor rink requires double that, and each inch requires around 10,000 gallons of water to complete.
Aaaaand we have ice in Cotton Bowl® Stadium 👏 👏 #5days #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/asQuoOkUcz
— Cotton Bowl® Stadium (@cottonbowlstad) December 27, 2019
Regarding potential inclement weather, the league is confident the game will go on as scheduled despite a potential for some light showers. After all, NHL teams have contested the league’s more than two dozen outdoor games in temperatures ranging from 0-60 degrees.
The Wait Will Be Worth It
When the Stars and Predators take the ice Wednesday, it will represent a huge moment for both the league and the city of Dallas.
Both teams have found success in non-traditional hockey markets, including in their high-profile and hotly contested 2019 postseason battle. Dallas also successfully hosted the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, further proving the city’s capacity to rally around the sport.
Between the State Fair’s Midway reopening for the day, an NHL-sponsored fan fest and performances from musical acts Midland and Dan + Shay in addition to what’s expected to be a quality on-ice product, the league and city expect a tremendously successful event set to bring in more than $30 million for the city.
For a closer look at the Dallas Stars, check out MarketScale’s original series: Behind the Screens here!
Winter Classic
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Comics, 1997, 1997, March,
Spider-Man Team-Up Vol 1
Bob Harras/Editor-in-Chief
Bob Larkin/Cover Artist
Dietrich Smith/Penciler
Sean Parsons/Inker
Tom Smith/Colourist
Bill Oakley/Letterer
Tom Brevoort/Editor
J.M. DeMatteis/Writer
Marv Wolfman/Writer
Bob McLeod/Penciler
Tom Palmer/Inker
Peter Parker (Earth-616)/Appearances
Bruce Banner (Earth-616)/Appearances
Wundarr (Earth-616)/Appearances
Doombot/Appearances
Life-Model Decoy/Appearances
Victor von Doom (Earth-616)/Mentions
Anthony Stark (Earth-616)/Mentions
Hercules (Earth-616)/Mentions
Avengers Mansion/Appearances
Web-Shooters/Appearances
S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier/Appearances
Stephen Strange (Earth-616)/Appearances
Raynee (Earth-616)/Appearances
Benjamin Urich (Earth-616)/Appearances
Vlad Dracula (Earth-616)/Appearances
Adrian Toomes (Earth-616)/Mentions
Cletus Kasady (Earth-616)/Mentions
Mary Jane Watson (Earth-616)/Mentions
Vishanti (Earth-616)/Mentions
Greenwich Village/Appearances
Sanctum Sanctorum/Appearances
Cloak of Levitation/Appearances
Eye of Agamotto/Appearances
Spider-Man Team-Up Vol 1 6
Spider-Man Team-Up Vol 1 #6
Bob Harras
"Breaking and Entering!"
Dietrich Smith
Sean Parsons
Bill Oakley
Tom Brevoort
"Lost Souls"
J.M. DeMatteis
Bob McLeod
Tom Palmer
Spider-Man Team-Up #5
Appearing in "Breaking and Entering!"
Aquarian (Wundarr)
Life-Model Decoy
Doctor Doom (Victor von Doom) (Mentioned)
Tony Stark (Mentioned)
Hercules (Mentioned)
Avengers Mansion
Spider-Man's Web-Shooters
S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
Synopsis for "Breaking and Entering!"
In Midtown Manhattan, the Hulk is on a rampage outside of Avengers Manson. Although the building is under the protection of an army of SHIELD Mandroids, they are unprepared to face the Hulk and call for back-up. While, not far away, Spider-Man is swinging across the city, testing out a new batch of webbing. That's when he spots the SHIELD Helicarrier hovering over Avengers Mansion and wonders what is going on. Going inside the building, the wall-crawler is approached by a surviving -- but damaged -- Life Model Decoy. Used as a mean to communicate with Spider-Man, SHIELD agents aboard the helicarrier tell the wall-crawler how the building was attacked by the Hulk. Realizing that the situation could boil over and get a lot of innocent people hurt, Spider-Man asks the SHIELD agents to give fifteen minutes to try and contain the situation. Aboard the helicarrier, the commanding officer weighs his options, and with reports of a third figure in the building, he decides to give Spider-Man his chance to diffuse the situation.
Soon, Spider-Man finds the Hulk ripping apart Tony Stark's old lab. When the wall-crawler tries to get him to stop, the Hulk tells Spider-Man to leave him alone, as he is looking for notes by both Bruce Banner and Tony Stark that could save his life.[Continuity 1] Before the pair can come to blows, they are interrupted by the man known as Aquarian. On his way to a world peace seminar, he was drawn to this location when the Hulk attacked. He insists that they find a non-violent solution to this problem, but the gamma-spawned monster is uninterested in doing things peacefully. However, when he tosses a desk at Aquarian, the new-age guru uses his powers to stop the projectile dead in its tracks. When Aquarian then tries to empathize with the Hulk's plight, the creature dismisses the newcomer's concerns. That's when the LMD catches up with them and warns the three heroes that there is an intruder in the Avenger's computer lab. Although the Hulk is initially unconcerned about this new development, both Aquarian and Spider-Man convince him to lend a hand stopping this new intruder.
In the computer room, they discover one of Doctor Doom's Doombots attempting to hack its way into the database. Unable to use his null-field to deal with the robot without damaging the data contained on the computer, Aquarian has to take to the sidelines while Spider-Man and Hulk try to deal with the robot. When attempting to smash the automation, they discover that it is a modular creature that used its components to smuggle itself into Avengers Mansion one piece at a time. In the ensuing battle, the Doombot is deactivated, and their LMD ally has been severely damaged. With SHIELD agents coming down to deal with the situation, Spider-Man discovers that the Doombot still managed to hack into the Avengers computers and the data is now downloading to Doom's servers in Latveria. With the LMD's guidance, the wall-crawler hooks the damaged android into the computer. Although the LMD is unable to stop the transfer of data, he manages to download a deadly computer virus that causes all of the computer frameworks in Latveria to crash. With the crisis over, both the Hulk and Aquarian depart, despite SHIELD's attempts to contain the man-monster.
Appearing in "Lost Souls"
Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange)
Raynee (Only appearance)[1]
Detective Karp
Vulture (Adrian Toomes) (Mentioned)
Carnage (Cletus Kasady) (Mentioned)
Mary Jane Watson-Parker (Mentioned)
Vishanti (Mentioned)
Rosewater ballroom
Sanctum Sanctorum
Synopsis for "Lost Souls"
The patrons at the Rosewater Ballroom are all fascinated by the arrival of a mysterious newcomer who enters the club and instantly swoons a woman off her feet and onto the dancefloor. As the woman dances with this mystery man, she is curious as to who he is and removes his sunglasses. She is horrified to discover that the man's eyes are blood red.
By 2 am, the Rosewater Ballroom is a crime scene after all of the patrons and staff were savagely murdered by someone. Questioning officers on the scene is the Daily Bugle's Ben Urich, who is accompanied by photographer Peter Parker. Detective Karp tells Ben Urich that there are no obvious signs pointing to the motive of this slaughter. The gruesome scene is unsettling to Parker, who doesn't understand how Detective Karp can stomach all the blood and death. Suddenly, Peter becomes aware of Doctor Strange who enters the room and he realizes that this might not be an ordinary crime. When Strange stares at Peter, the photographer wonders if the Doctor has somehow deduced that he is secretly Spider-Man. That's when Detective Karp orders Strange to get out of her crime scene. However, with a simple hypnotic suggestion, Stephen Strange sends her away so he can examine the crime scene himself. Using the Eye of Agamotto, the mage uses his magical abilities to learn what happened. The Eye summons up the image of a bat, and Strange instantly recognizes who the killer is and abruptly leaves as quickly as he arrived. When Ben Urich tries to get answers from Strange he is ignored. It's moments later that the reporter also notices that Peter Parker has also disappeared.
Having changed into Spider-Man, Parker meets with Doctor Strange outside and asks what's going on. Strange tells the web-spinner to go about his life, but Spider-Man insists on getting involved. Unable to dissuade his ally, Doctor Strange explains that the killer he is looking for is the lord of vampires known as Dracula. At that moment, Raynee, the woman that Dracula enthralled at the ballroom, tries to make sense of her situation. None of it feels real, especially the bite marks that she has found on her chest. That's when Dracula enters the room and assures her that this is all real and that it will take time for Raynee to get orientated once she becomes a vampire. Still, the young woman cannot get over all the blood and death she witnessed this past evening. Escorting Raynee to bed, Dracula assures her that people are nothing more than cattle for them to feed upon and that everything. By this time, Doctor Strange has brought Spider-Man back to his Sanctum Sanctorum where he convinces Spider-Man that Dracula is real.[Continuity2 1] Worse, Doctor Strange relates how, during his last encounter with the vampire, Dracula nearly killed the Sorcerer Supreme.[Continuity 2]
Needing to find Dracula right away, Doctor Strange uses the Eye of Agamotto to seek him out. He pulls up the image of a brownstone in the west village where the vampire has been hiding out. However, no sooner as he has done this, Dracula's mystical senses send the spectral image of a wolf which attacks the mage. As soon as the wall-crawler tries to pull the wolf off of Doctor Strange, it dissolves into mist. Seriously injured, Doctor Strange tells Spider-Man that he needs to stop Dracula. The web-slinger refuses to leave without getting Strange medical help. However, the mage insists that he can heal himself and begins to float in the air just as he enters a coma. With no other choice, Spider-Man swings off to face one of the oldest evils in the world. Meanwhile, Raynee explores Dracula's abode and finds a closet full of strange globes that have swirling lights contained within. Touching one causes the energies inside to begin swirling around startling her enough to drop it. When the globe shatters, the energies begin swirling around her, causing her to feel great torment. That's when Dracula enters the room and chants a spell that contains the energies once again. After Dracula tells her that this room is forbidden to Raynee, he senes that someone is coming and both go outside to greet Spider-Man and invites him in. Although the vampire lord is annoyed with Spider-Man's constant references to the books and movies about him, Dracula invites him in for dinner.
Falling victim to the vampire's hypnotic abilities, Spider-Man complies. However, when the vampire begins trying to justify his centuries of slaughter and bloodshed, claiming that he was the hero of his people in Transylvania, the web-slinger snaps out of Dracula's trance and attacks him. In response, Dracula transforms into a wolf and overpowers Spider-Man, intending on turning the wall-crawler into one of his loyal vampires. Meanwhile, in the Astral Plane, Doctor Strange uses his mystical abilities to fight off the vampiric taint that is trying to take control of his body. Fighting off this taint -- appearing in the form of a flurry of vampire bats -- Strange travels through this astral realm where he finds the astral form of Dracula. The two engage in mystic battle, but Doctor Strange is far more adept at the mystic arts than the vampire. The losing battle in the Astral Plane also has an effect on Dracula in the real world, allowing Spider-Man to fight off Dracula's wolf form. As Strange contains Dracula's astral form, Spider-Man beats his physical body into submission. That's when Strange arrives in person and seals Dracula in a mystical cage. To Spider-Man's surprise, Raynee still loves Dracula despite all he has done. However, Strange reveals that she is not a real person, but a Golem created by Dracula to unconditionally love him. When Raynee refuses to believe this, as she has memories of a life and a family before Dracula, Strange summons the mystical globes explaining that they have the spirits of many of Dracula's victims which he used to facilitate bringing her to life.
Raynee pleads to Dracula to deny these allegations, however, the vampire lord plunges his hand into Raynee's chest causing to crumble into clay dust. Furious over this latest defeat, Dracula then turns into mist and swirls away, vowing to get revenge against Doctor Strange once again. Despite Strange's attempt to stop Dracula, the vampire manages to get away along with the stolen souls he had kept. With nothing left to do, Doctor Strange tells Spider-Man to go home and spend time with his wife as the next phase of this battle will not take place in the physical plane.[Continuity2 2] Unable to sleep that evening, Peter Parker wonders if Dracula truly loved Raynee and what his plans are for the future. However, decides that all he can do is hope that love can thward Dracula's plans, because with love always brings hope.
Continuity Notes
↑ At the time of this story, the Avengers and the Fantastic Four are believed to have died during Onslaught Marvel Universe #1. In this same battle, the Hulk and Bruce Banner were separated and Banner was seemingly killed as well. However, they all survived and continue to live in a pocket universe, as seen in the Heroes Reborn event. They will return to their proper Earth, and Banner merged with the Hulk again in Heroes Reborn: The Return #1-4.
↑ Dracula's clash with Doctor Strange happened in Tomb of Dracula #44/Doctor Strange Vol 2 #14.
↑ Although Spider-Man crossed paths with Dracula in Giant-Size Spider-Man #1, he didn't actually meet the legendary vampire face-to-face, hence his disbelief here.
↑ Peter and Mary Jane are referred to as husband and wife here. However, years later, their marriage is erased from existence by Mephisto in Amazing Spider-Man #545. As such they should be considered a common-law couple here.
Discuss Spider-Man Team-Up Vol 1 6 on the forums
1 Images from Spider-Man Team-Up Vol 1 6
Retrieved from "https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Spider-Man_Team-Up_Vol_1_6?oldid=5282122"
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L ’ H E U R E V I D E
h u m a n i t a i r e
V E N E Z U A L A N R E F U G E E S
A T T H E R U M I C H A C A
B O R D E R B E T W E E N
C O L O M B I A A N D
E C U A D O R
W H A T ’ S H A P P E N I N G ?
The number of Venezuelans fleeing their country as refugees has surpassed 4 million and is growing every day. This exodus is the single largest population displacement in the region’s recent history. Strictly by homicide rates, Venezuela is currently the third most dangerous country in the world. Inflation and food shortages are so severe that even a lawyer’s or a doctor’s monthly wages are not enough to buy a kilo of rice. People continue to flee the country to escape violence, human rights violations, and crippling shortages of food, medicine, and essential services caused by the ongoing political and socio-economic crisis. Venezuelans who can’t afford transportation literally begin walking away from the rubble of their homeland in desperation. Entire families make the journey on foot, their scarce belongings on their backs and their small children in their arms. They survive by sleeping on sidewalks and in alleyways, eating whatever they can find or forage along the way.
A N D R E A – 1 6 Y E A R S O L D –
W A L K E D F O R 2 W E E K S
W I T H H E R B A B Y A N D R É
S H E I S W A I T I N G
A T T H E B O R D E R
F O R A L R E A D Y
1 7 D A Y S
1 6 Y E A R O L D
A N D R E A
W A L K E D F O R
2 W E E K S
W I T H H E R
B A B Y
A N D R É
W A L K I N G
Coming from the Caribbean tropical lowlands, the first challenges they face are the high passes and the endless highlands of the northern Andes. At elevations of +5000 m. the air is thin, the strong wind is omnipresent, and temperatures drop below 0º Celsius during the night. Those who make it past these brutal conditions face a long and dangerous journey through the Colombian heartland where robbery, rape and human trafficking are very real dangers. It takes approximately 45 days of walking to reach our location on the border of Colombia and Ecuador.
S L E E P I N G O U T S I D E
70% of the people who arrive at the Ecuadorian border crossing at Rumichaca are young women with multiple small children, predominantly toddlers and infants. Upon arrival, most of the families who have made this tortuous journey are in rough shape. Families arrive exhausted, starving, their tropical clothing painfully insufficient for the high mountain cold of Southern Colombia. They wait in line for hours at the border and then discover the soul crushing reality: that they will have to wait at the border for days and often even weeks for the various wheels of immigration to turn. There are no tents and there is no food distributed. People build makeshift shelters out of boxes, plastics, and whatever else they can find. Families sleep outside on the pavement in nighttime temperatures around 5º Celsius. It rains on a near daily basis, soaking their belongings and causing widespread hypothermia and illness especially for the young and weak. They are hungry, cold, exhausted and confused, afraid of what will happen next and in urgent need of help.
T H E P R O B L E M
Rumichaca is a simple border-crossing that is currently receiving an enormous influx of Venezuelan refugees. There is no official refugee camp here and it is because of this that services are severely restraint. Aid organizations such as the Red Cross, Unicef, World Food Program, and ADRA are all here, but their resources are limited and profoundly insufficient for the need. Most of their efforts are focused on obtaining legal status for these refugees. The small amount of humanitarian aid these organizations are able to provide is less than 15% of what is so desperately needed at this time.
7 Y E A R O L D
M A R I A
F A M I L Y
M A R I A I S
7 Y E A R S O L D
S H E W A L K E D
F O R 2 6 D A Y S
W E A R E H E R E T O H E L P
We purchase clothes, food, blankets, plastic covers against the rain and hand them out.
It’s clear and simple aid that cuts straight to the heart of the matter.
We see a need and we fill a need. Simple as that.
We work hand in hand with the humanitarian organizations present, working to fill the gaps on the limited services they are able to provide. Often we do what they wish they could do, but don’t have the flexibility or resources to accomplish.
Together we make it happen in a creative way, without conflicting with their policies or protocol.
We organize food-programs and support the development of comprehensive refugee shelters.
Perhaps most importantly, we work to create awareness in a poor and underdeveloped community that is overwhelmed with non-legal displaced persons in very large numbers.
All this with the participation of a growing number of local game changers.
D O N A T E
Photography, Artwork, Content and Design by Sofie Sleumer & Michel Mulder – All rights reserved – Copyright Sofie Sleumer & Michel Mulder / L’HEURE VIDE humanitaire – Website built by Mathieu van den Berk
Photography, Artwork, Content and Design
by Sofie Sleumer & Michel Mulder
– All rights reserved –
Copyright Sofie Sleumer & Michel Mulder
& L’HEURE VIDE humanitaire
Website built by Mathieu van den Berk
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All | Articles | Books | Foundation Truth | Treasures of the Kingdom | Dear Princess
All Texts sorted by title
All Texts sorted by author
All Texts sorted by year
All Texts sorted by subject
All Texts sorted by excerpt
All Texts sorted by publishing date
Sort by: title author year subject excerpt published Order: ascending descending
Whole List Excerpt Index [ A B C D E G H I J L M N O P R S T U V W Y
Dear Princess, Number 9 (Spring 1999) | Timeless Truths Publications, 1999 Modesty
Take everything to the Word of God and measure it to see whether it be of God or man. If it doesn't line up... then we know that it isn't truth. What better guide do we have than the Word of God? We cannot go wrong if we bring everything and measure it to the Bible.
Treasures of the Kingdom, Number 30 (May 2004) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2004 Obedience
Taylor lived on a farm. He and his brother, Antonio, had the greatest places to play! There were bushes and trees and blackberry vine thickets. And all over were little paths that Taylor and Antonio had made. "Don't get in the poison oak plants," Taylor said.
Treasures of the Kingdom, Number 55 (Winter 2012) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2012 Obedience
Teddy kicked when Auntie June lifted him into his crib. He was about to scream when Auntie June started climbing in his crib, too! Teddy put his fingers in his mouth and looked at her carefully. Why was she in the crib? Auntie June wasn't in trouble.
Treasures of the Kingdom, Number 26 (September 2003) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2003 Love
Terry noticed a brush pile next to the lawn. There were probably snakes living in it, Terry thought.... "Miss Richardson," said Terry, "there are snakes in that pile of brush!" "Terry," Miss Richardson replied, "the only snake around here is the one in your ear!"
Himself | Albert B. Simpson, 1891 Jesus/Savior
That is the way to look at the Scriptures and understand the thoughts of God—to see in them the face of Love, shining through and through. Not ideas, nor doctrines, but Jesus Himself as the Life and Source and sustaining Presence of all our life.
More Abundant Life | Charles E. Orr, 2014 Experience
The abiding soul is a praying soul. In all abiding in Jesus there is a constant action of the soul, and this action is prayer.... The soul that prays, really prays, abides in a state of quietness, reposing on the bosom of God, and knows no fear, save the fear of God.
Heavenly Wisdom in Saving Souls | Daniel S. Warner, 1887 Wisdom
The best convincer that we are "the seed which the Lord hath blessed," is the actual fruit of salvation, the real deliverance of men from the power of sin, and the manifestation of the virtues of a holy life. Aim directly at getting men and women saved.
Foundation Truth, Number 1 (Winter 2000) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2000 Salvation
The Bible requires a pure heart—a failure on your part to get the Bible promise fulfilled in you will result in you missing heaven, for "blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God," and "without [holiness] no man shall see the Lord."
Treasures of the Kingdom, Number 43 (Summer 2007) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2007 Obedience
The Bible says that He "learned obedience by the things which he suffered." That means Jesus didn't always feel like obeying and pleasing His parents, but He did it anyway. He set His ears to listen. His heart was ready to obey.
Treasures of the Kingdom, Number 27 (November 2003) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2003 Love
The bicycle seat just fit them both, but it was hard to keep balanced. It wavered back and forth down the driveway.... Suddenly the pedals jammed and the bike screeched and fell over. Rosie's elbow hurt, but Emma was screaming like her leg was broken.
Holy Spirit Obedience | Tyler A. Schones, 2012 Holy Spirit
The burden of this message is to express the... necessity of the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to bring about this type of obedience that Jesus came to produce in us, and a solemn warning against any attempt of the flesh to fulfill this calling.
The Church of God | Daniel S. Warner Church
The church is the body of Christ. And being the body of Christ, it necessarily includes all His members. Therefore to call an earthly building the church is ridiculous, and to call an organized division the church is subverting the truth.
Almost All Are Welcome | Mark P. Spinks, 2011 Discipline
The decision... had been that he would not be allowed in services from now on. Nothing else had worked. He would not be silenced; he would not voluntarily keep his seat. He had felt obligated to speak of teachings that were condemned by the ministers.
Into the Deep | George D. Watson, 1896 Experience
The depth into which we launch will depend upon how perfectly we have given up the shore, and the greatness of our need, and the vision of our possibilities. The fish were to be found in the deep.... So with us; our needs are to be met in the deep things of God.
Perverting the Ways of the Lord | Mark P. Spinks, 2006 Marriage
The division that is caused by the gospel does not negate the family commitments.... No matter how reprehensibly the other acts, the regenerated child of God should and must be filled with the love of God for their companion.
Discerning the Lord’s Body | Harlan D. Sorrell, 2011 Church
The essence of Christ's true body is directly related to spiritual status, and spiritual meat and drink. Let us now examine the Word of God and examine our own selves to see if we discern the Lord's body and if we are really a part of it.
The Face of the Master | James R. Miller, 1903 Jesus/Savior
The face of Jesus Christ must have been very beautiful... with the true beauty produced by a pure and spotless life. Sin disfigures the countenance, and there was no sin in Him.... What goes on in the depths of our being, comes up to the surface.
Foundation Truth, Number 26 (Autumn 2010) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2010 Faith
The first step to walking in faith in God is to renounce your unbelief.... When this is done, when we have been afflicted to the extent that we mourn and weep... then we will be inspired to believe the promises of God.... We will then count Him faithful who promised.
Renewed Day by Day | George Muller, 1855 Bible/Word
The first thing to be concerned about is not how much I might serve the Lord, or how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.
Traits of the Carnal Mind | Elmer E. Shelhamer Carnality
The following are some of the symptoms of carnality. Reader, the Holy Spirit alone can interpret and apply this tract to your individual case. As you read, examine yourself, as if in the presence of God.
Foundation Truth, Number 3 (Autumn 2000) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2000 Faith
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."... Someone has stated that the fool says this in his heart without the full consent of his mind, for if it be difficult to prove by human reasoning that there is a God, it is utterly impossible to prove that there is not.
Foundation Truth, Number 4 (Winter 2001) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2001 Sanctification
The Holy Spirit brings us to this—it is far beyond the capacity of man to enter into this rest on his own. We can resist and limit God.... Or we can allow the Holy Spirit to have His way and take us from the wilderness into this spiritual land of Canaan.
Dear Princess, Number 3 (Summer 1997) | Timeless Truths Publications, 1997 Trust
The Lord doesn't do things under pressure. He just refuses to. We aren't going to help the Lord by trying to hurry things up a bit. The longer we try to "make it work," the longer the Lord leaves us alone with our problem.
Foundation Truth, Number 13 (Spring 2006) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2006 Bible/Word
The men were getting pretty discouraged, and Major Powell would tell them, "Hang on, we'll make it through, we've got to explore this canyon. That's what we set out to do." ...It was starting to look more promising, and then those kind of rocks again.
Obedience That Pleases Christ | James R. Miller, 1905 Obedience
The most triumphant word anyone can say at the end of his life is, "I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." And it is the only way to receive the approving verdict, "Well done, good and faithful servant... enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
Treasures of the Kingdom, Number 6 (April 2000) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2000 Decision
The next day a strange thing happened. God had always taken care of them so that they always had food to eat, even during the hard times of the war. But now no money came in the mail and hardly any food was sent.... Soon they were very hungry.
Foundation Truth, Number 19 (Winter 2008) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2008 Prophecy
The prophecies were intended for the comfort and edification of those who have paid the price of buying the truth. They cannot be properly understood in all the fullness of their blessing until this step is taken.
Natural vs. Spiritual Relationships | Mark P. Spinks Relationship
The question naturally arises: What if there is a conflict between the natural (family) relationship and the spiritual relationship to God?... Our relationship to God is more important than anything else.
Highways and Hedges | Grace G. Henry, 1958 Biography
There appeared... letters in blazing light, as plain as the handwriting on the wall in the house of Nebuchadnezzar. They appeared just above the group of little faces. The message slowly spelled out, "India's helpless little ones are calling you."
How to Die to Self | George D. Watson, 1898 Crucifixion
There are many manifestations of the self life which are not clearly sinful, but neither are they truly Christlike. ...this middle zone of self activity... must be... crucified in order to reach deep abiding union with God, where there is none of self and all of Christ Jesus.
Heavenly Life for Earthly Living | Charles E. Orr Holiness
There are spiritual elevations from which it is our privilege to have a vision of heavenly things.... Man will not live any higher than his vision of life. The more we see of heavenly things, the more heavenly we can live. Oh, let us live in a heavenly place!
Over-Waiting for God | James R. Miller, 1896 Warning
There are times when closet prayer is not the duty of the hour.... We may think we are honoring God by waiting... but really we are dishonoring Him by lack of present faith and ready obedience. Blessing... cannot be given to us until we go forth to get it.
Dear Princess, Number 1 (November 1996) | Timeless Truths Publications, 1996 Patience
There are two different ways to wait for something. You can nag and complain.... The other way is to wait patiently until it is finished. If it's some long-term thing it helps not think about it constantly. This is not easy to do unless you ask the Lord to help you.
Remove Not the Ancient Landmarks | Ostis B. Wilson, Jr. Compromise
There has been a great cry... for liberty of conscience. But let us realize that this tendency generally runs into a liberal conscience, and there is a vast difference between a liberal conscience and liberty of conscience.
Treasures of the Kingdom, Number 12 (April 2001) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2001 Grace
"There he comes again," said Annie. "He walks this way and seems to be looking for something. He walks slow, and is without his hat. He puts his hand to his head, as if he did not know what to do. Oh, sister, he has gone in again; what shall we do?"
Go Forward | James R. Miller, 1908 Growth
There is always danger that we become contented with our routine, and indisposed to go beyond it.... But, besides this monotonous round... there should always be something larger going on. "You have gone around this mountain long enough: turn northward."
Preparation for Trial | James R. Miller, 1885 Trials
There is a wide difference between being anxious about coming troubles and being prepared beforehand for troubles that may come.... Those only can truly live in quiet peace... who have already made preparation for anything that may come to them.
Little Things | George D. Watson, 1896 Humility
There is no better way in the world to test every trait in a soul than by little things.... It is our unplanned, instinctive actions and words that reveal what we really are, not those large, conspicuous things for which we especially arm ourselves.
Only a Servant | Kristina Roy, 1900 Story
The sick landlady praised the servant, "He takes care of me like a son, and he is a wise man. He persuaded my husband to let him put up a stove in the kitchen.... Others barely do what they are told to; this one does the needed things without being told."
How to Live a Holy Life | Charles E. Orr, 1912 Holiness
The soul intertwined with the meek and lowly life of Jesus will form a character of deep piety and sincere godliness. The daily life should be intertwined with the life of Jesus. Let there be no reaching out for anything outside of Him.
Treasures of the Kingdom, Number 39 (April 2006) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2006 Kindness
The trouble started the following week when Rosie came back from her piano lessons. "Emma, do you want to play in my new house?" Rosie asked. Emma grabbed her dolls and followed Rosie out to the playhouse. But something was wrong.
Foundation Truth, Number 2 (Spring/Summer 2000) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2000 Church
The unity that Paul and Apollos had was not a negotiated one.... The essence of that unity came from each being in unity with God. This produced a oneness in Him that did not depend on careful posturing and positioning with each other.
Treasures of the Kingdom, Number 33 (December 2004) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2004 Light
"They must be real heroes," said Edward. Grandpa chuckled. "Heroes? I should say that they were ordinary people that found an extraordinary source of power. But God has that same power to overcome your enemies, if you will put your faith in Him."
Musical Instruments and Worship | Archie Souder Worship
This subject of music in the church is surely a spiritual subject. Now, dear reader, get your Bible out before you read any farther, as this question can only be answered by the Word of God. I am going to deal wholly with God's Word.
Odors from Golden Vials | Charles E. Orr, 1912 Prayer
Those who have been praying for years and have the closest intimacy with God have a desire to know still more about prayer. How little we yet know of God! It is true that He has taught us many glorious things of Himself... but there is much more to learn.
Treasures of the Kingdom, Number 11 (February 2001) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2001 Truth
Though Rosie tried to enjoy playing with her little brother and sister, she could not. Every little bang or call made her jump and sent her heart into a flutter. What if someone had seen her when she had stepped on the dresser this morning and knocked the pitcher off?
The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness | Mark P. Spinks, 2010 Ministry
To be the voice of one crying in the wilderness in this way... is to abandon all human planning and direction.... It is to forsake that peculiar fleshly confidence that comes from human reasoning and second-guessing God.
Treasures of the Kingdom, Number 44 (Fall/Winter 2007) | Timeless Truths Publications, 2007 Thanksgiving
Today Cocoa Puff had been more interested in finding a way out of the fence than enjoying the taste of salt. She knew the master wouldn't like it. But why should she mind that? Cocoa Puff... had begun to be quite sure that her own way was best.
The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life | Hannah W. Smith, 1875 Sanctification
Today it is your happy privilege to prove, as never before, your loyal confidence in the Lord by starting out with Him on a life and walk of faith, lived moment by moment in absolute and childlike trust in Him.
God or a System: Which? | Lottie L. Jarvis Church
To love God personally and perfectly will produce the most perfect obedience and the most perfect heroism, and the most perfect destiny of which the soul is capable.... to obey Him with supreme personal loyalty, is our only true holiness and service.
Having a Spiritual Congregation | Charles E. Orr Church
To make this still plainer and more comprehensive, a preacher is to be so filled with Christ and have the Spirit of discernment that he will never let a soul up from the altar until he knows that soul has been forgiven of God.
The Blessing of Weakness | James R. Miller, 1894 Weakness
Too many people think their weakness is a barrier to their usefulness, or make it an excuse for doing little with their life. Instead of this, however, if we give it to Christ, He will transform it into strength.
Take Time | George D. Watson, 1898 Carefulness
To rush forward in our thinking, speaking, and doing, demonstrates a lack of faith in God, and how little we perceive His presence and dominion over all things. It is true in a thousand different things that "he that believeth shall not make haste."
Walk in Love | George D. Watson, 1894 Love
To walk in love—to speak, to act, to purpose, with the love of God pervading our every movement—is the best and sublimest form of existence. To do this there must be a thorough abandonment of self-will, self-opinion, and self-desire.
The Travail of Zion | Beverly Carradine, 1910 Salvation
Travail is one of the sharpest pains known in the physical realm.... [God] applies it to the church, and says that such a suffering, burden, and agonizing cry must come on His people, before sons and daughters are born unto Him.
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& Travel
& CFP
Registration, Venue & Travel Information 2020
Registration rates
2020 registration rates are:
Standard: US$400
Check out the LPC membership opportunity for Forum attendees!
LPC member (limit two per member institution): US$200
Contact your voting representative for the code to use when registering.
Students (limited quantity available): US$50
Low- and middle-income countries (limited quantity available): US$50
Note: After keeping Forum registration rates stable for a number of years, we have raised the standard rate from $300 to $400. This is due to the addition of a third day of the Forum, and replaces the separate registration fee for the preconference. We have also added an LPC membership opportunity that allows non-member institutions that register an attendee at the standard rate to apply a portion of their registration fee to a new LPC membership for 2020-21. For details, see the blog post.
Meals: Registration includes breakfast, lunch, and morning and afternoon coffee/snack breaks on May 4-6, as well as an evening reception (heavy hors d’oeuvres).
Cancellation & refund policies
Registrations cancelled more than 60 days before the event will be refunded 80% of the registration fees.
Registrations cancelled less than 60 but more than 30 days before the event will be refunded 50% of the registration fees.
Registrations cancelled less than 30 days before the event will not be eligible for a refund.
No-shows will not be refunded conference fees.
The 2020 Forum is hosted by the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Albert Sherman Center
55 Lake Avenue North
Please see our customized “Welcome to Worcester” Google map for getting around town!
For your convenience, we have set up a Google doc for those interested in sharing a car hire from Logan Airport to Worcester. We provide this posting board to make it easier for you to find colleagues who might share a car hire, but doing so is up to you. We are not able to coordinate transportation for you. Note: After the Forum begins, we will take down this Google doc and put up another to coordinate car hires from the Forum back to Logan Airport.
There are multiple airports serving Worcester:
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is about 45 miles east of Worcester (about 1 hour by car) and has the most flight options.
Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) offers daily roundtrip service through JetBlue, American Airlines, and Delta Airlines for limited destinations including Philadelphia, Detroit, New York City (JFK), and Orlando/Fort Lauderdale.
Green Airport (PVD) is about 50 miles southeast of Worcester (about 1 hour by car).
Knight’s Airport Limousine Service (508-839-6252 or toll-free 800-822-5456) is based in nearby Shrewsbury, MA, and provides one-way or roundtrip shared van or private shuttle service from all three airports to Worcester area locations. Reservations are required and make sure to book at least 24 hours in advance. Estimated fee is US$55 (one-way).
Check with each airport for additional ground transportation options to Worcester. These include:
Peter Pan Bus tickets must be purchased in advance online, on the Peter Pan Bus Mobile App, or by calling 1-800-343-9999. Estimated fee from Logan Airport or Green Airport to Union Station in downtown Worcester is $US24 one way.
MBTA Silver Line from Logan Airport to South Station (free) and then connecting to the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail to Union Station in downtown Worcester (US$12.25 one way or $24.50 roundtrip)
Uber and Lyft ride apps
Taxi (estimated US$100 one way)
Union Station in downtown Worcester has regular commuter rail service to and from Boston, MA, with connecting Amtrak service throughout the U.S. Both Peter Pan and Greyhound offer bus service to Union Station.
Being centrally located in Massachusetts, Worcester is near several major travel routes:
Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90); Interstates I-290; I-190; I-395 and I-495.
Also close to Interstates I-91 and I-95
UMass Medical School is located at 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655. (Directions and campus maps)
Parking for visitors to UMass Medical School is most convenient in the South Road Garage (campus maps). Valet parking is also available from the entrance to the Remillard Family Pavilion (main hospital entrance).
Rates: Six hours (6) or more: $8.00
For more parking information, see https://www.umassmed.edu/parking/.
Locally, the Worcester Regional Transit Authority‘s #24 bus (Belmont Street/Lake Avenue) provides service to the UMass Medical School Campus. Please call the WRTA at 508-791-9782 for the route and schedule.
Additionally, both Red Cab (508-792-9999) and Yellow Cab (508-754-3211) provide taxi services, and Uber and Lyft are available.
More information about Worcester is available at http://www.worcesterma.gov/getting-around-the-city.
Please see our customized “Welcome to Worcester” Google map for locations!
For your convenience, we have set up a Google doc for those interested in sharing rooms. We are providing this posting board to make it easier for LPForum participants to find potential roommates, but doing so is up to you. The Program Committee is not able to help make connections or find accommodations for individuals.
The following two hotels are offering group rates for the 2020 Library Publishing Forum. Rates apply from Sunday, May 3, to Thursday, May 6, and rooms must be booked by April 3, 2020. We expect the blocks to fill up early, however, so please book as soon as possible.
Residence Inn Worcester, US$149 per night
(located ~ 0.5 mi from the Albert Sherman Center at UMass Medical School)
503 Plantation Street
Book your group rate at the Residence Inn Worcester
Beechwood Hotel, US$172 per night
Guests must call the hotel (800-344-2589 or 508-754-5789) and reference the “Library Publishing Forum” for the group rate.
The following hotels are located in downtown Worcester, about 5-15 minutes by car (about 2.5 miles) from UMass Medical School. Plans for some shuttle availability from downtown Worcester will be finalized at a later date, with transport scheduled before and after conference hours.
AC Hotel Worcester
Rooms fromUS$198/night
Courtyard Worcester
Rooms from US$166/night
Hampton Inn & Suites Worcester
65 Prescott Street
Toll free: 800-HAMPTON
35 Major Taylor Boulevard
Toll free: 877-STAY-HGI
Holiday Inn Express Worcester Downtown
Toll free: 888-HOLIDAY
Rooms from US$137.75/night
Homewood Suites by Hilton Worcester
1 Washington Square
Toll free: 800-CALL-HOME
The following hotels are further away; appropriate for those who will be driving.
Days Inn by Wyndham Shrewsbury Worcester
889 Boston Turnpike
Shrewsbury, MA (5 miles from Worcester)
Rooms from US$66.57/night
5400 Computer Drive/Route 9
Westborough, MA (10 miles from Worcester)
Hampton Inn Boston Westborough
15 Connector Road
Room from US$131/night
Additionally, other hotel options in the Worcester area can be found at hotel-rates.com.
The UMMS local team has put together an excellent guide to visiting Worcester. Check it out!
The Library Publishing Coalition is committed to providing an inclusive environment at the Library Publishing Forum, and we will do our best to accommodate requests for special assistance. Detailed information is available on the Accessibility F.A.Q.s page.
© Educopia Institute | 235 Peachtree Street NE., Suite 400 | Atlanta, Georgia 30303 | (614) 715-4403 | Code of Conduct | Privacy Policy
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LIFE PRODUCTIONS, INC.
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Taal’s genteel old houses are surviving with grace
By: Ino Manalo Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:05 AM December 17, 2011
Many are unaware that Taal is the name of a genteel town filled with heritage architecture. Many people confuse it with Tagaytay. I guess it has to do with that magnificent view.
Mesmerized by the sapphire oval of water and its eruption-prone occupant, many think of the City on the Ridge instead of the former capital of Batangas province, after which the lake itself is named.
In the 18th century, Taal actually stood right on the shores of its namesake. A map I was recently given by the visiting director of the Mexican Archives, Dr. Aurora Gomez Galvarriato (who came to Manila courtesy of her embassy), revealed major settlements on the water’s edge where there are none today.
Apparently, the lacustrine communities had been enduring the temperamental outbursts of the tyrannical volcano for decades. The eruption of 1754 was so cataclysmic, however, that the people finally gave up and moved away.
The town of Taal relocated to a site atop Caysaysay, which had been a far-flung barrio. One can just imagine what such an exodus must have entailed. It would have been a day darkened by the clouds of ash covering the sun. In the distance was a glowing column of fire spewing from the volcano, fearsome harbinger of death.
This terrible journey through a black abyss is actually recorded in the words which accompany the Subli, a traditional dance the Batangueños perform on special days.
Despite the dangers, the Taal folk pressed on, braving the stifling darkness to seek a new place for a new life.
I consider myself fortunate because I have had a chance to witness how this life eventually flourished. As a boy, I had the pleasure of having been invited to spend weekends with the various members of the Lualhati Family, who are well-known citizens of Taal.
One of the Lualhati ladies, Mrs. Herminia L. Alcasid, is the mother of Tony, a classmate of mine. Her other son is the singer, Ogie Alcasid. Tony would bring me along during our Holy Week breaks or at fiesta time in December.
Having grown up in the concrete barrios of Makati, I was completely entranced with this cradle of culture: the three-story houses on the plaza, the strange carved sea-stone arch in the middle of a forest, the simple but glorious food.
I also grew to love the pageantry of the processions and the devotion which radiated from the pabasa or readings of the Passion in front of the bloodied statue of the dead Christ.
Through the years I would listen while Mrs. Alcasid (or Tita Minnie, as we called her) endlessly discussed with her sister Mrs. Ligaya Tankeh (or Tita Aya) how to restore the town’s monumental temple, the Basilica of St Martin.
I recall how they regretted that one of the original wooden retablos had been replaced by a cement construction, and how concerned they were that the pendentive paintings of the Four Evangelists had been lost.
It seemed that something else always needed fixing in this ancient community, and the two sisters never tired of rising to the occasion. While Tita Minnie was involved with CHARM, which focused on the church, Tita Aya headed the Taal Heritage Foundation, which covered practically everything else.
Under Tita Aya’s leadership, the foundation acquired an old house which was transformed into a bed and breakfast. So dedicated was this admirable lady to her conservation work that she even braved a court case when her right to use the house was challenged.
I even remember, back in the days when my own interest in heritage work was just beginning, feeling so honored when Tita Aya invited me to a meeting with former mayor Fe Cabrera to discuss historical preservation options for Taal.
The Lualhati siblings were by no means alone in their task. Later on I would meet Dindo Montenegro, who organized wonderful tours, complete with craft showcases. There were also the descendants of Doña Gliceria Villavicencio, who have restored the houses that this formidable heroine of the Revolution had left them.
Ernie Villavicencio worked with his vivacious wife Ria, an interior designer. The couple, with the current mayor, Michael Montenegro, would go on to found the Taal Alliance, which was dedicated to revitalizing their beloved town.
Cultural mapping
Since its inception, the Alliance has undertaken many important heritage programs, such as a comprehensive cultural mapping of the entire municipality. There are also plans to coordinate more closely with the National Historical Commission headed by Dr. Maris Diokno, which runs two museums in Taal.
Meanwhile, Ernie’s cousin, Baby Joven Quiblat, with the full support of her husband Benny, took on board Sonny Tinio as heritage house consultant.
With such a broad context of caring for the pieces of the past, I was not at all surprised when my good friend Tony decided it was time to restore his own ancestral home. Tita Aya and Tita Minnie are the daughters of Mrs. Conchita de las Alas Lualhati, enterprising rural banker, Papal awardee, and pillar of Taal society. Her distinguished legacy includes a charming house a few steps away from the plaza.
Entering the newly refurbished Casa Conchita, I was happy to see Tony’s creative touches everywhere. I smiled when I saw Lola Conch’s portrait in rainbow colors a la Andy Warhol, festooned with kalachuchi blossoms.
Tony had run a furniture factory in Indonesia for years, and it was clear that the style that now pervaded Casa Conchita was nothing less than Bali-meets-Batangas.
Moving around, I saw that Tony had carved out an arts gallery, a shop, and a café from what had once been a storage area.
Upstairs still have the sleepy feeling that characterized the house when Lola Conch was still alive—except for the gossamer orange curtains, which livened things up a notch. I was glad to see the dining set with its carvings of Philippine scenes that were clearly by a Chinese hand.
Casa Conchita is just one of the many new establishments opening in Taal. There is Ramon Orlina’s art gallery as well as Lito Perez’s dining venue, Casa Tortuga.
In the latter, one will find a photography studio with period costumes.
Singapore-based architect Robert Arambulo has refurbished a heritage home, too—Casa Severina—which he opens to guests by appointment. In recognition of his interest in the town, the mayor has named him municipal tourism officer.
My visit ended at the Basilica, where I was overjoyed to see that the ceiling, long bare, had been restored. Even the pendentives sported new images of the evangelists, and best of all, the original neo-Classical retablo had been brought back.
Taking in the splendor which surrounded me, I suddenly found myself in tears. I felt such a deep sense of gratitude, realizing that what I was seeing was the product of the sacrifice of the people of Taal, descendants of those who had migrated here to rebuild their lives with such grace.
Most of all, it was reassuring to know that long before there was an Ivan Henares or an Ambeth Ocampo, there were already dear Tita Minnie and dear Tita Aya, quietly pointing the way, patiently inspiring us all with their love for the older places of this world which are so delicate and yet so essential for understanding ourselves.
Batangas provinceHerminia L. AlcasidLualhati familyNational Historical CommissionOgie AlcasidTaalTaal VolcanoTravel
Arts and CultureTravel
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Anne Ferran, White Against Red
Sutton Gallery 13 October – 10 November 2018
By Giles Fielke
Six large photographs of the dancer and choreographer Ervi Sirén hang from metal brackets near the ceiling of Sutton gallery. Like banners they are suspended in the bright space of the old C.V. Fashions building in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. They are all the same size and weighted by heavy dowels sewn into the ends of the canvas bolts onto which the images have been printed. Sirén wraps herself in...
Sophie Knezic
Double Issue
This week Memo Review publishes two reviews of two major exhibitions currently open at the Ian Potter Museum of Art: State of the Union and Eavesdropping.
Below Sophie Knezic considers the social and political stakes of the question of sound, surveillance and listening in Eavesdropping.
Benison Kilby, whose review is available by clicking here, focuses on the problematics of artistic labour and trade unions in State of the Union...
Benison Kilby
Below Benison Kilby focuses on the problematics of artistic labour and trade unions in State of the Union.
Sophie Knezic, whose review is available by clicking here, considers the social and political stakes of the question of sound, surveillance and listening in Eavesdropping....
John Stezaker: Lost World
Centre for Contemporary Photography, 21 September – 11 November 2018
By Tim Alves
John Stezaker's collage entitled Mask (Film Portrait Collage) CLXXIII, 2014, comprises only two elements, a pair of found photographs: a smiling 1940s Hollywood publicity portrait and a picture postcard depicting a stone bridge at Killarney, Ireland, from perhaps sometime between the wars. The postcard is simply pasted over the Hollywood actor's visage, but it's deceptively simple....
Brook Andrew: The Language of Skulls
Ten Cubed
Brook Andrew, The Language of Skulls
Ten Cubed, 18 September – 1 December 2018
It's quite rare to encounter the work of an artist and feel like you have to re-ask yourself such basic questions as "What is an image?" and "What does an image do?" But these are the questions that frame and are also addressed to us in Brook Andrew's current show The Langauge of Skulls.
Located in Glen Iris, Ten Cubed takes its name from the mandated logic of the gallery's collection: ten...
Design for Life: Grant and Mary Featherston
Heide Museum of Modern Art, 30 June – 7 October 2018
By Jane Eckett
Exhibitions of modern Australian furniture and design are enjoying a resurgence in recent years. There was the NGV's Mid-Century Modern: Australian Furniture Design in 2014, and Take a Seat: Australian Modernist Seating at the Penrith Regional Gallery in the same year, followed by a focus on overlooked émigré designers in The Moderns: European designers in Sydney, at the Mu...
Grant Featherston
Mary Featherston
Shearing the Rams
Tom Roberts, Shearing the Rams
National Gallery of Victoria, Permanent Collection
By Rex Butler
I was recently showing a friend from New Zealand through the Australian collection at the National Gallery of Victoria and we came, of course, to Tom Roberts' Shearing the Rams (1888-90). You have to get there eventually because everything in the collection and its arrangement on the walls points you that way. The work is visible — and intentionally so — as you step into the first of the room...
NGV Australia
Gustav Courbet
Baldessin/Whiteley: Parallel Visions
Victoria Perin
National Gallery of Victoria Australia, Federation Square31 August 2018 – 28 January 2019
By Victoria Perin
Together George Baldessin and Imants Tillers represented Australia in the 1975 Bienal de São Paulo. Although Tillers was 25 and Baldessin eleven years older, the artists bonded closely: “George represented the more conservative art world I had just decided to abandon,” notes Tillers in an interview with researcher Nicole Bowller from 2016, “but in...
Lucina Lane and Nigel Lendon: Teach the Kids to Strike
Thank you for reading in 2017
Suzanne Archer: Moving Forwards, Looking Back: A Survey 1969–2016
In Costume
Jason Phu: My Parents Met at the Fish Market
Relics of Survival
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Carly Cole: Joe can’t wait to be a dad again
Ann LeeWednesday 4 Aug 2010 12:10 pm
Carly Cole has revealed that footballer husband Joe wants a new brother or sister for daughter Ruby soon.
Carly Cole takes baby Ruby out with a female pal in Liverpool (Photo: Xposure)
The former fitness instructor claimed Joe, 28, is eager to add to their family following the birth of four-month old Ruby.
She told Metro.co.uk in an exclusive interview: “Joe would like two [children] close to each other so I know he wouldn’t say no to having another one soon but I’d like to enjoy Ruby. Maybe leave it a year before anything happens.”
New mum Carly, 26, also revealed that the couple both expect to have more girls rather than boys.
“[Joe] would like to have a boy but we both think we’re going to have lots of girls.”
“I’d like three to five children. I don’t know I might have one boy but Joe says he can just see himself surrounded by little girls.”
Carly Cole with baby Ruby Tatiana are fronting the Huggies Little Swimmers campaign
Carly is currently promoting the campaign for Huggies Little Swimmers with her baby daughter.
Ruby Tatiana is now the new face of disposable nappies that are especially designed for swimming.
“It’s about encouraging new mums to get fit and and introduce the water to their babies,” said Carly.
“It’s something that creates a bond between mother and baby and it’s a life saving skill.”
The Cole family are currently looking for a new house after Joe’s move to Liverpool FC.
Carly claimed Joe was a hands-on dad who likes to sing Ruby to sleep.
“He’s really good at getting her down at night. He sings to her. Whatever’s on the iPod, all the old songs.”
Carly is supporting the Huggies® Little Swimmers® Big Splash Pool Parties which will be taking place in August.
To find out more visit http://www.littleswimmers.com
EastEnders spoilers: New addition to the Panesar family as mum Suki arrives
The greatest Christmas video game music - Reader’s Feature
I'm A Celebrity winner Jacqueline Jossa 'flooded with television offers'
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Keith Chegwin joins the Celebrity Big Brother 2015 line-up rumours
Amy DuncanMonday 15 Dec 2014 10:26 pm
Next year’s Celebrity Big Brother line-up is looking to be one of the best – and now Keith Chegwin has signed up too.
Reportedly having bagged a £20,000 pay check, the former Big Breakfast presenter is no stranger to reality TV having burst onto our screens in 2013 with a stint on Dancing On Ice.
And now it seems he’s keen to show his personality to a new bunch of TV viewers by signing up to the Channel 5 show.
Given that he once appeared on Channel 5’s Naked Jungle and appeared in the buff (he did later admit the show was the ‘worst career move’ of his life), his housemates might get to know him better than they expected.
An insider told The Sun: ‘CBB bosses hope Keith will bring a lot of fun to the show. He is a nice guy and could be the peacekeeper in the house.’
Cheggers’ appearance on DOI went down a treat with fans who had seen him pull out of the show in 2011 when he broke three ribs and fractured his shoulder in rehearsals.
Other celebs rumoured for the 2015 line-up include former Apprentice big-mouth Katie Hopkins, showbiz stud Calum Best and Simon Cowell’s ex Alicia Douvall.
It was reported last week that the new series’ theme is a ‘twisted fairytale’ suggesting housemates are in for a real treat…
MORE: Internet sensation the Wealdstone Raider could be joining the Celebrity Big Brother 2015 line-up
MORE: Celebrity Big Brother returns, and this time it’s twisted
Celebrity Big BrotherKeith ChegwinSimon Cowell
Simon Cowell 'storms' out of BGT auditions after man paints portrait of him with penis
Simon Cowell and David Walliams clash over children and climate change at BGT auditions
Ant McPartlin joined by girlfriend Anne-Marie as they leave Britain’s Got Talent filming
Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid call out Laurence Fox as he refuses to apologise for 1917 ‘gratuitous Sikh’ comments
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Tag Archives: Orientalism
The following is made out of a series of comments I wrote on a post by Dr. Bischara Ali’s in Linkedin as refutation of a video’s contents and news about China’s rising influence in Africa. The comments can be found here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bischara-ali-prof-dr-egal-88131326/detail/recent-activity/
The video in question can be viewed here:
“It’s Game Over for Europe in Africa, China has taken the upper hand”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIv_mHZWnk8
The brief conclusion has been added herewith.
China has not taken the upper hand in Africa and that’s why!
There can’t be more erroneous statement than the above as regards Africa, Europe, USA, and China! The Chinese already had a setback in Africa due to the evil Zionist conspiracy ‘Arab Spring’ (it was not a Spring, and there are no ‘Arabs’ outside Saudi Arabia). The Chinese think that, by spending more money, they will have a success, by they will fail again, just like the Soviets failed and Russian influence in Africa is now as important as Polish or Spanish influence. Contrarily, the American influence is stronger, because the US came as a continuation of the colonial powers, England and France, and consciously acted on the well prepared track. What the Soviets / Russians and the Chinese fail to understand is that in Africa they don’t face a reality, but a fake fabrication mounted for more than 200 years (since Napoleon).
So, anyone who comes to Africa (as well as to the fake area called ‘Middle East’, to India, to Indochina – Indonesia) meets people who lost their identity, integrity, cultural – historical consciousness, spirituality and humanity, being turned by the colonials into ignorant, pathetic and inhuman puppets or robots fixed to permanently perform as per the colonial interests. As long as the Chinese do not realize and do not outmaneuver this situation, they will fail. To mark a success in Africa and other parts of Eurasia, China must first eliminate today’s fake islam of the trashy robots, demolish all desecrated, Satanic mosques, drive all indigenous nations to a recovery, reassessment and rehabilitation of their lost spiritual and cultural identity and integrity, and second arrange an alliance with the reborn nations on parity basis.
But China will not be able to even envision – let alone implement – such a strategy, because China is also a victim of the European colonialism not only following the Opium Wars, but also because of the diffusion of two colonial ideologies, namely nationalism and communism, on Chinese soil. These vicious systems have been devised by the colonial powers to be self-destructive for any adherent, as inhuman, fake and Satanic. Taking into consideration the fact that Karl Marx was a filthy, jobless, Ashkenazi fake-Jew and a homosexual who lived his useless and cursed life on the expenses of his boyfriend Friedrich Engels, one may ask how a product of the Western Cholera like Communist China can be possibly expected to destroy the Western powers’ deeds and imposed conditions of spiritual, cultural, intellectual and socio-economic slavery?
For China to do this, the Communist Party of China (CPC) must be re-baptized Confucian Party of China. Only when one is spiritually awaken, culturally self-conscious, and historically integer, can one wake up the others; this is valid for people, societies and states alike. Those who expect China to solve the problems of Africa not only daydream but also export their problems and responsibilities to others. And so, like all the rest, they have now to expect only the terrible disasters that will rightfully befall on the debased and degenerated, materialistic, consumerist and inane human race which will soon be extinct. The few survivors will only reconfirm the truth that every rule has its exceptions.
The Simplicist Equation ‘China – Eurasianism’ must end!
Thank you for the interesting article that I will read carefully. Do not be ecstatic about everything that is said as regards Eurasianism!
Eurasianism can be all things to all. Some use Eurasianism to reinvent, reassess, unite, construct and expand and others mount their own versions of it to alter, divide, corrupt and destroy.
Eurasianism does not need Hegel, Marx, Heraclitus and the rest of the European philosophical dementia.
Eurasianism, if true, has to show that Europe is only a geographically mediocre and culturally low peninsula of Asia, and not even Asia’s most populous or most civilized peninsula.
Eurasianism, if useful, has to demonstrate that Europe or the ‘West’ is not either independent from or opposite to Asia or the ‘East’.
Eurasianism, if successful, will prove to all that Europe or the ‘West’ have only been the alteration, the deformation and the corruption of Asia or the ‘East’.
So, urgently abandon anything related or considered to be related to the so-called European culture and civilization! It is either a deliberate falsehood or a degenerate element.
The conclusion is simple: only a Confucian China can mark a real success in China, Eurasia, Africa and worldwide. The Quest for the Confucian China must now start!
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This entry was posted in Africa, China, Education & Culture, Eurasia and Eurasianisms and tagged Africa, American, Arab Spring, Arabs, China, colonial powers, Communist Party of China, Confucian, Confucianism, East, England, Eurasia, Eurasianism, Eurasiatic landmass, Europe, fake Islam, France, identity, India, Integrity, Islam, Middle East, one belt one road, Opium Wars, Orient, Orientalism, Russia, Saudi Arabia, silk roads, Soviets, USA, West, Western civilization, Zionism, Zionists on September 29, 2018 by Prof. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis.
Excerpts from my correspondence with a Tunisian reader about the ‘Ancient Egyptian Religion’
You ask me about Ancient Egypt and Amun of Thebes.
I believe sometimes many Orientalists trying to do the best did the worst! And the result is that they confused the rest of the world.
So, I fully agree with Edward Said’s criticism and even I wrote about it.
I feel sorry that Egyptologists flooded the world with wrong terms, really! No bad intentions involved, but when someone is not attentive and watchful, misreading is caused with incalculable consequences. Very simple terms are very mistaken indeed. You say ‘Ancient Egyptian Religion’ (I don’t speak of you but in general): first mistake!!!!
Today, we distinguish Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, etc.
In Ancient Egypt, at any given moment, there was never one Egyptian Religion.
Different priesthoods developed tremendously divergent interpretations of the Divine Order, the Spiritual Universe, the Creation, the Material Universe, and the human society; in doing so, they had contradictory world views, moral and spiritual principles, and narratives; they then conceptualized the reality in opposite manners.
Yes, there is one Egyptian Civilization, one Egyptian Culture, but many Egyptian religions; and by this of course I don’t mean Aten, Akhenaten and the Atonic Religion, but the systems that antedated Akhenaten for more than two millennia and which survived the Amarna revolution.
There were different religious (and imperial) capitals, opposite centers of spiritual-religious systems, and conflicting priests and followers.
It is very wrong to describe the totality of the Ancient Egyptian religions as polytheistic. There were several monotheistic systems for which there were no gods, but one God and many attributes of God. This is very different from what modern concise presentations of the Ancient Egyptian faiths state. And of course there were also polytheistic systems in Ancient Egypt, and there were constant clashes among the followers of the opposite systems. In those fights, all the monotheists sided together against all the polytheists, but this does not mean that there was just one monotheistic and one polytheistic systems; there were more.
Because of this, initiation rites helped all those priesthoods solidify and perpetuate themselves through the ages by hiring new adepts who would then become high priests, generals, land lords, prominent noblemen, top administrators, and pharaohs.
And by using a sophisticated language, which contained a vast field of semiotics, they set up systems of perception and understanding that were impressively and incredibly multilayered: these supreme spiritual and mental constructions that are unmatched by today’s top scientific disciplines, philosophies and ideologies were the original forms of the Ancient Myth.
Then, an agricultural laborer perceived one myth as x; but an initiated priest, scribe, general, administrator perceived the same myth (i.e. the same narrative) as x2; then a higher initiate perceived the same myth as x3; an even higher initiate as x4; a great mystic as x105; and the great high priest as x100.
The Heliopolitan system (Ennead) was a markedly monotheistic system in its origin and until the crepuscular times of the Egyptian civilization.
If one only studies the names of the divine aspects that are the elements of this system, one understands immediately that they were not conceived as ‘gods’; example: Osiris, Wser, meant ‘the Well Being’. Of course, it was cut to pieces by Satan, i.e. Seth; and it disappeared among men. This is exactly what the Bible and the Quran describe as our Forefathers’ expulsion from the Paradise. The Well Being is not anymore with us. But the Biblical and Quranic descriptions are lower, poorer and weaker.
Ignorant or devious scholars of our times insist that Hathor is a … goddess! How silly! This aspect of the Divine Order may well have been perceived as a ‘goddess’ in late times of the Egyptian civilization (such as the 1st millennium BCE), but in the original myth – which represents the absolutely truthful perception of the spiritual and the material reality – Hathor was not a goddess. How silly is it to consider as ‘goddess’ an entity whose name in Egyptian Hieroglyphics meant exactly “the House of Horus”?
The same concerns the Hermupolitan system (Ogdoad).
Contrarily, the Memphitic theology (around Ptah) was totally polytheistic.
And so was the Theban Trinity, which is the aboriginal Trinity in the History of the Mankind.
As I already said, there were many clashes among the various Ancient Egyptian systematic theologies; as the different religious – spiritual systems were structured with impenetrable temples, initiates, adepts and followers, the only chance to harm an opposite system was either to elaborate composite forms of the Divine (in order to acquire the credibility of another theological system’s element and in the process alter the original faith of the system in which the targeted element belonged), such as Amun Ra (of the Theban priesthood), or to attribute deviate characteristics or different, degraded perception to an element of the opposite priesthood’s system.
In this manner, and with the progressive rise of polytheism, the earlier aspects of the Divine ‘became’ gods for most – but all – of the Ancient Egyptians during Ancient Egypt’s later periods.
But at the very original stage, anthropomorphism and zoomorphism in the conception of the divine world related to the lower spiritual (or astral) sphere and had nothing to do with primitive tribes’ totems and polytheistic rituals, as materialist propagandists claim while impersonating professors and academicians to the detriment of the Mankind.
Only deep and extensive experience in the spiritual spheres can allow someone understand what it means – as example – that the Divine Aspect of Wisdom (i.e. the Wisdom of God) has to represented as a human’s body with an ibis’ head (like Djhawty – Thot). Material(istic) scholarship is genuinely incapacitated to understand – let alone explain – this theoretical approach, which originates entirely from spiritual spheres.
So, what you ask me about Amun Re is a later (dating back to the times of the New Empire at the middle of the 2nd millennium BCE), composite form and has no originality in the 3rd millennium. In its origin, Amun as a Theban polytheistic god has no relationship with solar ideologies. When the Theban priests composed the form Amun Re, they did it in order to set up an imperial ideology and doctrine, while at the same time isolating / alienating the Heliopolitan monotheistic priesthood from the imperial headquarters at all levels, spiritual, theological, administrative and local. During most of the 2nd half of the 2nd millennium BCE, Iwnw (Heliopolis) was a marginal and destitute religious center; however, it managed to keep polytheists at bay.
Amun Re certainly appropriated solar attributes of the Heliopolitan Ra, and was therefore said to rise in the Orient.
This entry was posted in Africa, Education & Culture, Egypt, Religion, Spirituality & Mysticism and tagged Akhenaten, Amarna, Amun, Amun of Thebes, Amun Ra, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Myth, Aten, Atonic Religion, attributes of God, Atum, Bible, Biblical, Buddhism, Christianity, Creation, Divine, Divine Order, Divine Wisdom, Edward Said, Egypt, Egyptian, Egyptian Civilization, Egyptian Culture, Egyptian Hieroglyphics, Egyptian Ogdoad, Egyptian Religion, Egyptologists, Egyptology, Ennead, faith, Freedom of Religion, Geb, God, goddess, gods, Hathor, Hebrew Bible, Heliopolis, Heliopolitan system, Hermupolis, Hermupolitan system, Hinduism, History of Religions, Horus, Iounou, ISIS, Islam, Iwnw, Memphis, Memphitic theology, monotheism, monotheistic, monotheists, myth, Nephthys, Nun, Nut, Ogdoad, Orientalism, Orientalisme, Orientalist, Orientalistes, Osiris, Paradise, pharaoh, polytheism, polytheistic, polytheists, Ptah, Quran, Quranic, religion, religion & politics, Set, Seth, Shu, Spiritual, spiritual spheres, Spiritual Universe, spirituality, Tefnut, Theban priesthood, Theban Trinity, Thebes, Thot, Thoth, Trinity, Wisdom of God, zoomorphism on September 1, 2017 by Prof. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis.
Ottoman Empire, Fake ‘Middle East’, the Pseudo-Christians of the West, and the Forthcoming Tribulation
Cassandra, by Evelyn de Morgan – London, 1898
The dissolution of the Ottoman Empire is a Crime for which the World will still pay much.
The rightful state for all African and Western Asiatic territories between Morocco and Iran is the Ottoman Empire. However, in the aftermath of WW I, and because of the defeat of Imperial Germany’s allies, the Ottoman Empire was dispossessed of more than 80% of its territories (today’s Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Yemen) that had meanwhile been limited only in Western Asia, due to the French – English – Italian colonial expansion and illegal expropriation of Ottoman provinces in NW – N – NE Africa (today’s Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea).
The colonial empires attempted to achieve economic and political benefits through their expansion, and they managed to do so, and in the process they diffused colossal amounts of lies, disseminated alien theories and insults against the indigenous nations’ traditions, performed heinous deeds, carried out series of crimes, imposed unacceptable policies, and offered every reason for any indigenous nation to reject their plans and to revile them for having spread in the process discord and enmity among the indigenous nations, fratricidal conflicts, successive wars, foreign military interventions, ecological and human disasters, and total social disintegration.
On the other side, governed by puppet governments that do not obey the will of their peoples but carry out the orders of shadowy organizations and secret societies, the Western societies in their totality (except those who openly rejected the evildoing) became the undisputed accomplices of their governments and of their secret masters. Responsibility is therefore to be shared by all.
Because the top of the Western societies, i.e. the powerful secret organizations that define who participates in the local governments and who does not, consists of unbelievers, immoral gangsters, and villainous cheaters, no consideration was given to the moral aspect of the policies implemented and the deeds performed. But this does not change in anything their responsibility, and the responsibility of the puppet governments, and the responsibility of the peoples who were controlled by this pyramidal hierarchical scheme. They all bear the common responsibility for the aforementioned deeds because, irrespective of any religion and faith, every human bears the responsibility of his / her acts.
This is something that most of the simple people in all the Western countries tend to forget. If this attitude characterizes one agnostic or atheist person, it does not matter much because every person who rejects the universal order established by God (however perceived as per each specific religion and philosophy) is automatically immoral and no morality standards or principles can apply to, and be expected from, him/her. The notion of civic morality is a ludicrous attempt to effectively kill God and as such fully disregarded. Morality exists only within Faith; extreme cases like those of the Biblical stories about Sodom and Gomorrah bear witness to the aforementioned.
So, Western people, who are Christian of faith and accept the Christian concept of morality (differently interpreted of course as per each denomination), must know that they fully bear responsibility for the criminal deeds and policies of their governments to which they (and their forefathers) did not duly react. What is to be concluded from this point is that, according to Christian morality itself, Christians in the West should not be surprised, if terrible acts against their life, integrity, safety, and security are to be tomorrow undertaken. These acts have already been spearheaded by their governments’ policies and by the inactivity of those who value Christian and Biblical moral concepts like the famous order ‘Ό μισείς, μηδενί ποιήσεις‘ (Do that to no man which thou hatest – from Tobias, 4:15 – http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/apo/tob004.htm) which was exemplarily rephrased by Jesus as ‘Καθώς θέλετε ίνα ποιώσιν υμίν οι άνθρωποι, και υμείς ποιείτε αυτοίς ομοίως‘ (Do to other people what you want them to do to you – from Luke 6:31).
I am sure that true Christians fully understand the crimes that their successive governments have performed for more than 200 years against the Ottoman Empire and the different nations that lived in this vast empire. It would be too idiotic to believe that Jesus demanded from his followers to invade other countries, extirpate their resources, scheme against their inhabitants, and in the process persecute, torture or kill those who opposed them.
As this is quite clear, one has to conclude that those among the Westerners, who recently supported policies such as the wars undertaken by the US (with or without their allies) against Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Pakistan, Yemen, etc., are not and by definition cannot be Christian, irrespective of how they identify themselves, what they say they believe in, and whether they go to a church or not.
The reason for the above statement is simple.
– Who is the Christian American who would accept happily a foreign invading nation to detach Texas from the US, occupy the land, persecute the inhabitants, and expropriate its resources?
But America invaded Iraq, and the American Christians had an opportunity to thunderously oppose the Anti-Christian and Satanic policy of their country and in the process save their souls by markedly dissociating themselves from this nefarious evildoing. Unfortunately for the American Christians, they did nothing of the sort; quite contrarily, many of them expressed great happiness for the destruction their army caused on innocent countries like Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. none of which had ever planned, neither did they have the means, to attack America.
The extent of the crime to which these pseudo-Christians are held as wholehearted accomplices is such that, if they believe in their often mistranslated Bibles as they say, we can safely conclude that their souls will vanish in eternal Hell. And even before dying, they will face a calamitous punishment while living.
Jesus spoke about these pseudo-Christians of the West who are a real disgrace on the surface of the Earth; he said that ‘Οὐ πᾶς ὁ λέγων μοι, Κύριε Κύριε, εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν, ἀλλ‘ ὁ ποιῶν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς‘ (Vulgata: ‘non omnis qui dicit mihi Domine Domine intrabit in regnum caelorum sed qui facit voluntatem Patris mei qui in caelis est ipse intrabit in regnum caelorum’ / English: Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but he that does the will of my Father who is in the heavens – from Matthew 7:21).
Similarly, the English and French pseudo-Christians, who do not regret for their countries’ anti-Ottoman (and at the same time Anti-Christian) policies and who do not try to dissociate themselves from their evil, Satanic governments and states by any possible means, will be held responsible and vanish in eternal damnation. And before this is adjusted to their souls, their fate on Earth will be duly affected, because they have, thoughtlessly if not willingly, been the unrepented accomplices of the vicious and heinous policies pursued by their governments against the Ottoman Empire and its different nations.
Of course, the Christian populations of England and France (and before them those of other Christian countries like Holland, Spain and Portugal) were repeatedly confused and systematically misled by their vicious governments that promised them great wealth and prosperity due to the acquisition of colonial territories. But there are plenty of warnings in the Christian Bibles that clearly state that Christians have as tasks to watch carefully so that no one cheats them. Jesus said: ‘καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς πλανήσῃ’ (Vulgata: ‘et respondens Iesus dixit eis videte ne quis vos seducat’ / English: And Jesus answering, said to them: Take heed that no man seduce you – from Matthew 24:4).
All accounts made, there have been very few territories (mainly small islands) that were totally uninhabited at the moment of the Western colonization. In most of the cases, colonization brought about total destruction of the previous inhabitants, so it was a premeditated criminal act that the European colonizers carried out – and only for the sake of robbery, theft, expropriation of local wealth. Even worse, when trying to achieve these immoral and illegal targets, to overwhelmingly prevail over the indigenous nations that justly and rightfully defended their homelands, the European colonizers were forced to carry out extensive persecution, torture and genocide of the indigenous nations.In fact, it was a typical downgrading spiral that we customarily notice every time we see people, who are possessed by evil spirits, proceed from minor evil deeds to the most appalling crimes and sins.
It goes without saying that these crimes were decided and performed by the Freemasonic gangsters, who govern England, France, Holland and America; as a matter of fact, following their first initiation into the mysteries of Satan, these secluded non-humans lose quickly all traces of humanity and morality, and can perform all types of criminal evildoing. However, the enormous moral problem of all the rest, i.e. those who inhabit these countries and claim to be Christian, is that they did not and they still do not oppose these acts and policies, they don’t dissociate themselves from these crimes, and they do nothing to prevent them, being thus the most unfortunate accomplices. For the sake of stolen wealth that does not effectively belong to them (and which is will certainly and justly be soon removed from them), these pseudo-Christians have sold their souls to the devil.
They have thus forgotten the words of Jesus saying ‘Τι ωφελείται άνθρωπος εάν τον κόσμον όλον κερδήση, την δε ψυχήν αυτού ζημιωθή; Η τι δώσει άνθρωπος αντάλλαγμα της ψυχής αυτού;’ (Vulgata: ‘quid enim prodest homini si mundum universum lucretur animae vero suae detrimentum patiatur aut quam dabit homo commutationem pro anima sua’ / English: For what does a man profit, if he should gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? – from Matthew 16:26). This helps us understand that the consequences of their own indifference, ignorance, and immorality will fall upon them.
There is no Middle East – this is a false term in replacement of the correct ‘Ottoman Caliphate’
The extensive falsification project, which was launched by the colonial Orientalist academics in support of their countries’ evil deeds and was unfortunately accepted by the different Western, Christian nations, is another vast crime perpetrated for which the Western nations are in total impossibility to avoid the consequences. The project hinges on a multitude of points and details, systematic distortion, and fallacious contextualization of the events, but here I will examine only one dimension and term.
In fact, there is no Middle East.
The term is a subdivision of the ‘Orient’ (East) into ‘Near East’ (or Levant), ‘Middle East’, and ‘Far East’ (that comprised India and every land east of India). The entire subdivision of the Orient is historically irrelevant and morally vicious, but this is a subject for later discussion.
First, we should examine the general division of the world until the late 15th c. into Orient and Occident (East and West). The term draws on geographical considerations, but it takes a far more elaborate form of cultural division or divide. Geographically, it is truly correct to divide the surrounding lands as per the four cardinal points; however, this varies per country. What is ‘West’ for Iran (example: Turkish Anatolia) is ‘East’ for Greece. The same happens when moving from the septentrional to the meridional direction; what is ‘North’ for Sudan (example: Egypt) is ‘South’ for Phoenicia.
So, we can shape a conclusive opinion that whatever stands as geographically ‘relative’ cannot be held as historically – culturally – politically ‘absolute’. Consequently, the use of a similar term in a specific country cannot become general for all the countries of the world.
However, in striking opposition to the aforementioned conclusion, Western European scholars, promoting Freemasonic schemes, division and strives that brought about endless bloodshed, attempted to divide – first the historical past and second the political present of the last 300 years – into a fictional categorization ‘Orient vs. Occident’.
The term ‘Orientalist’ originates from this false division too. Quite interestingly, the vicious Freemasonic forgers of France and England did not come up with an equivalent term for those specializing on Western civilizations; there was never an ‘Occidentalist’!
This incredible trickery means that for no less than 20 different great civilizations (which entail twenty different names of specialists, such as Egyptologist, Assyriologist, Iranologist, etc.) there has been one generic term (Orientalist) created, whereas for only 2 great civilizations (Greece and Rome) no generic term was created but instead there have always been two specialized terms (Hellenist, Latinist) in use. This is exactly how – due to the dishonest terminology and the worthless diatribes of the Freemasonic forgers – the number 20 proved to be only half of the number 2!
As ‘Occident’ are identified, as regards the Antiquity and the Christian / Islamic Ages, only Greece, Rome and the predominantly Celtic Western Europe.
As ‘Orient’ are identified, as regards the Antiquity and the Christian / Islamic Ages, all the other lands, nations, cultures and civilizations in either Europe (Scythians, Cimmerians, etc.), Africa (Egypt, Carthage) or Asia (from Phrygia and Lydia that flourished on the Aegean Sea’s eastern shores to China).
This division is culturally baseless, structurally false, and largely contradicted by the existing historical sources and archaeological evidence referred to by the villainous Freemasonic forgers. In addition, it is geographically unacceptable. Example: ‘Oriental’ Carthage lies ‘west’ of ‘Western’ Greece!
Quite interestingly, even Greece’s territory during the Christian / Islamic Ages (successively part of the Eastern Roman and the Ottoman Empires), was viewed as rather part of the ‘Orient’. Useless to add that, according to this paranoia, the Islamic Caliphate of Andalusia in the Iberian Peninsula was unequivocally part of the ‘Orient’ too! This was absolutely ridiculous from the geographical point of view, because it meant literally that the ‘Orient’ was located both, east and west of the ‘Occident’!
However, the baseless cultural division obscured the minds of many people worldwide and deceived those of the rest. Even more unfortunately, the ensuing political division triggered scores of dead, incessant wars, and permanent discord and racism with even worse consequences.
As ‘Occident’ were identified in Modern Times only Italy, France, England, Belgium, Holland, the Scandinavian nations, and the US. Republics or monarchies seceding from the Spanish, Portuguese, and Ottoman Empires (Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Greece, Serbia) were tentatively accepted as ‘Occident’, and the same concerned later a certain number of former English dependencies that were accepted as independent states (Canada, Australia).
As ‘Orient’ were identified in Modern Times all the other lands, nations, cultures and civilizations in either Europe (Austria-Hungary, Imperial Germany, Tsarist Russia. the Ottoman Caliphate, and even the religious monarchies of Spain and Portugal that opposed the intellectual cholera of the so-called ‘Enlightenment’), Africa (the Ottoman provinces in the Black Continent, the Great Somali Sultanates, Morocco, the African kingdoms of the Oromos, the Hausa, etc., plus all the indigenous nations of the European colonies) or Asia (from the Ottoman Empire and Iran to Central Asia, India, SE Asia, China, Korea and Japan).
The political divide is certainly clearer of purpose; due to the projection of the baseless divide on the European soil itself, we can understand that the Freemasonic forgers created the two terms – parts of the divide in order to further polarize the differences between the states whereby the Anti-Christian theories of the French philosophers of the ‘Enlightenment’ were accepted (England, Holland, America, ‘Nouveau Régime’ France after 1789) and the states whereby these villainous, yet ideally marketed, theories were rejected.
In fact, the fake political divide categorized as ‘Orient’ together numerous states, empires, religions, cultures and nations as different from one another as the Catholics are from the Orthodox, the Sunni Muslims, the Shia Muslims, the Hindus, the Buddhists, the Taoists, the Confucians, the Shinto, the followers of diverse indigenous African religious systems, like the Oromo monotheistic Waaqeffannaa, and the followers of indigenous American and Pacific religious systems. Only this shows that the categorization is fake and the ensuing polarization can afflict the entire Mankind.
Following the systematized diffusion of the vicious divide, the ‘Orient’ (or East) was cut into three pieces, namely ‘Near East’ (Proche Orient or Levant in French), ‘Middle East’ (Moyen Oreint in French) and ‘Far East’ (Extrême-Orient in French). In fact, there is a very simple question that does not take years of specialized studies for someone to formulate, and it still unveils automatically the entire fallacy of the Freemasonic subdivision of the Orient:
– ‘Near East’; ‘near’ to whom?
To Western Europe, of course! This makes clear what is in the back side of the minds of the people involved in universities, research, academic and intellectual life, and subsequently in the world of politics.
Middle East: a Historical Fallacy and an unacceptable Immorality for Christians
There is no need for someone to specialize in an academic field in order to fully assess how terribly immoral and inhumanly vicious this terminology is.
Giving to a place, land, nation and civilization an appellation that does not reflect genuinely the indigenous developments and evolution across History but fully subordinates the place, land, nation and civilization to yourself is the result of a disproportionately gigantic egoism / egotism which is tantamount to the worst form of discrimination and racism. The problem is not anymore about the term’s falsehood and fallacy, but about its absolute immorality and tragic vicissitude. Of course, if the French or the English employed this term locally for the use of their own students only, this would be tolerated and would not create a major problem. Unfortunately, this is not what happened.
The colonial academics and diplomats imposed this false term on the students and the intellectuals, the journalists and the filthy, corrupt politicians of the victimized countries that were thus defined through their relationship with a third party. The Lebanese and the Egyptian slaves of the French (and subsequently the European and the American) universities were therefore forced to ‘learn’ that their countries were part of a region called ‘Near East’ because this region was ‘near to’ and ‘east of’ France and Western Europe. This automatically implied that the region in question was insignificant up to point that not one indigenous academic / intellectual could give it a collective name on the basis of the historical characteristics and evolution of the region, but they all had to pathetically wait the foreign invaders decree and order how their place should be named.
The subliminal consequences were immense; to call it ‘trauma’ it would be an understatement. In fact, it was a national – cultural – academic – intellectual – mental – educational assassination and, subsequently, a mind transplantation. The fact that the purely religious aspect was left out of the targeted area did not turn things better but did indeed worsen them. Islam as religion had collapsed long before the colonial powers arrived. As early as 1600 – 1700, Islam was not anymore a religious system of spirituality and transcendental experience (as it had used to be, like every religion) but a silly legal system involving a myriad of jurisprudential deliberations about petty things, a certain number of orders and directives that have to be executed thoughtlessly (and in most of the cases out of a desire to imitate the Prophet Muhammad), rites that have to be performed physically but without any spiritual dimension, beliefs that are of nominal value, a morality that counts on reward and social approval, and a deliberate, compact ignorance about, and disregard for, the Islamic Philosophy, Art, Science, and Erudition – despite the fact that Islam is accepted as the Religion of the Revealed Knowledge. It was quite clear to the colonial specialists on Islam that the survival of these religious beliefs within the new, colonial environment created after their arrival and interference in the colonized societies would have only explosive and destructive results; that’s why they did not do anything else except help the explosion come timely…
The indigenous nations were thus obliterated at all three, the personal, the collective social, and the narrative national, levels. They were turned to impotent, brainless and demented monkeys awaiting their foreign masters to give them names like Koko, the famous female gorilla that was born on July 4, 1971, in San Francisco, and mastered over 2,000 words in the American Sign Language, allowing her to communicate with humans in an astounding way (http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-famous-monkeys.php). As their mimicking of Islam was quite materialistic a system, they were engulfed in a total lack of creative imagination, which demands a certain degree of spirituality in order to be developed, and this prepared all these populations to duly be pathetic spectators of their unstoppable degradation and destruction; their leaders followed and still follow therefore an idiotic policy of day-by-day survival, which is not even a real effort to survive. If Zine al Abedine ben Ali, Mubarak, Ali Abdullah Saleh and Muammar al Qadhafi were overthrown in 2011 – 2012 and not in 1998, this is only due to the fact that the plan providing for their extinction included another date.
The imposition of the alien, colonial ego on the colonial monkeys and its mixture with the aforementioned religious leftover produced a monstrous, confused mind able only to cause self-destruction of monumental scale. This is the environment out of which emanated the dictatorial, bogus-monarchical, and religious authorities of the region, the likes of Abdallah of Saudi Arabia, Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz, Al Thani of Qatar, Abdallah of Jordan, Qadhafi, al Assad, Bouteflika, Mubarak, Sheikh Shaarawi, Saddam Hussein, Sheikh Qaradhawi, etc., all confused and self-confusing, genuinely unable to make a correct assessment of their situation and to see the impending destruction. They ostensibly worsened their case because, when they were deliberately and repeatedly mistreated, disrespected and even ridiculed, and they felt so, they used to react to this situation without however correctly assessing the overall context from where they emerged and the existing possibilities for efficient reaction – and this used only to bring forth the next disaster.
The absolute elimination of the indigenous ‘ego’ along with a flux of false documentation and historical falsification that the colonial powers produced massively and projected on the militarily / economically / politically / academically / intellectually / culturally colonized territories (that are still euphemistically called ‘independent realms’!) triggered oppressed among local leaders and indigenous peoples vast complexes of inferiority, obstinate reactions, and obdurate interpretations of Islam (‘misinterpretations’ is the correct term) that are the root causes of all conflicts and misunderstandings, strives and clashes in the wider region.
I did not mention however the above points in order to analyze the reasons of, and find a solution to, the problem but exclusively in relation with the pseudo-Christian populations of the West. Morally dead, these fake Christians accepted the Freemasonic falsification produced by their academic – political elites, without thinking that ‘Οὐδεὶς οἰκέτης δύναται δυσὶ κυρίοις δουλεύειν’ (Vulgata: ‘nemo potest duobus dominis servire’ / English: None is able to serve two lords – from Matthew 6:24).
Accepting to impose on all the other nations of the world definitions based on a vicious egocentric Western misperception of the World and misuse of the World History is a great sin for Christians of the West. Consenting, favoring and sanctioning the aforementioned colonial policies of their governments is a tremendous immorality from the part of the Christians of the West. It consists in one of the worst expressions of pride, arrogance and egoism in the World History. But in Christianity, egoism, egotism and egocentric theories are the expression of a high level immorality.
As matter of fact, European colonialism and colonial academic endeavors fully reflect Biblical expressions ascribed to Satan himself, as Isaiah specifies: “I will ascend…I will raise…I will sit… I will ascend…I will make myself like the Most High” (14:13-14). Western European and North American pseudo-Christians must have no doubt of what comes after pride and egoism. Isaiah points it out for them in just the next verse (14:15): “But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit”. This is the wretched place into which very soon North American and Western European nations will find themselves for having committed innumerable atrocious crimes against the lands and the nations that they colonized, depersonalized, and deprived of a) identity, b) integrity, c) traditions, d) resources, and e) independent political volition, through an entire set of deception techniques and systematized falsehood.
As long as this vicious egoistic and egocentric attitude prevails and remains unchallenged in the West, the local pseudo-Christians must be fully aware that they bear responsibility as accomplices of they governments and that they stand in full opposition to Jesus and his words: “whoever exalts himself will be humbled” (Matthew 23:12).
True Christians in Western Europe and North America, if any, instead of talking nonsensical stories about conspiracy theories, must get a clear vision of the conspiracy acts that their corrupt governments and Freemasonic academicians have perpetrated over the past 300 years. They must therefore stand up, take to the streets, and bring down the forgery ateliers and the Satanic lodges that devised these schemes and invented the fake divisions that triggered the death spiral in the provinces of the Ottoman Empire that sheer cacophony led us to the misnomer of ‘Middle East’. Their voices, if any, must reach the darkness of the Whitehall, the Buckingham, the Élysée, the Hôtel Matignon, the White House, the State Department, the Pentagon and the other neuralgic centers of today’s Satanic power. Christian voices must raise up in the West, terminating the apathy of the high accomplices and they should echo the question Paul made to the Corinthians: “For who makes you different from anyone else? (1 Corinthians 4:7).
So, if Paul is right is eliminating boasting from the lives of the Christians (“Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded…by the law of faith” – Romans 3:27), today’s Christians in Western Europe and America must denounce the formation of the vicious Euro-centric academic approach and system and condemn its calamitous projection on the rest of the world. If they want to be present as Christians in other lands that were not ‘Western’ before the beginning of the European Era of Colonialism (1492 CE), they must follow Jesus’ example and go there to serve – as per the local values, ideals, concepts, faiths and virtues, not theirs. Jesus reportedly made “himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). If these Biblical excerpts form the foundations of the Christian faith, these values and attitudes have to be displayed by the Western countries, and if this is not the case, Christians in the West have to clearly and effectively dissociate themselves for their governments and states, denouncing and preventing the iniquity carried out by Paris, London and Washington D.C. Otherwise, they should not be surprised by the forthcoming tribulation that they deserve.
And for those among these pseudo-Christians, who are fully aware of the Christian sources but dare shamelessly propagate silly concepts and misinterpretation schemes like the stupidly awaited ‘rapture’ at the End of Time, the punishment will come soon and it will be as terrible as their theological fornication.
And what does it matter whether these pseudo-Christians believe they are right in their purpose and true in their faith? World History is full of examples of hypocritical people who thought of themselves as ‘righteous’ but ended in the Hell. The forthcoming developments will demonstrate how false these pseudo-Christian doctors and pastors have been, and will prove that, despite their ceaseless evocations of Christian sources and Biblical excerpts, their real master is Satan. But it will be too late for all of their followers who will also vanish in Eternal Fire.
Καὶ τῶνδ’ ὅμοιον εἴ τι μὴ πείθω· τί γάρ; Tὸ μέλλον ἥξει. Kαὶ σύ μ’ ἐν τάχει παρὼν ἄγαν γ’ ἀληθόμαντιν οἰκτίρας ἐρεῖς. (‘What does it matter now if men believe or no? What is to come will come. And soon you too will stand aside, To murmur in pity that my words were true’). Aeschylus, Agamemnon, 1239-1241 (Cassandra addressing the chorus)
This entry was posted in Fake Christians of the West & Islam and tagged Algeria, America, Assyria, Carthage, Cassandra, Christian values, Egypt, England, false Christians, Far East, France, Freemasonry, Greece, historical falsification, Iran, Iraq, Islamic Caliphate, Islamic extremism, Jesus, Lebanon, Libya, Middle East, Near East, Occident, Orient, Orientalism, Ottoman Empire, Paul, Rome, Saudi Arabia, Syria, US, West, Western Christianity, Western Colonialism, World War I, WW I, Yemen on October 11, 2014 by Prof. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis.
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Indonesian terrorist Aman Abdurrahman sentenced to death over 2016 Starbucks attack
Updated Fri 22 Jun 2018, 3:40 PM AEST
Video 0:27
Radical cleric Aman Abdurrahman arrives in court for sentencing
Radical Indonesian cleric Aman Abdurrahman, blamed for a 2016 terrorist attack on a Jakarta Starbucks cafe, has been sentenced to death.
Hundreds of counterterrorism police present as verdict handed down
Abdurrahman responsible for attacks that killed several people including children
Lack of supervision allowed spread of radicalism from prison
Abdurrahman has been dubbed Indonesia's most dangerous terrorist, having started the group responsible for last month's church bombings in Surabaya.
Prosecutors said he was a danger to humanity and a key ideologue for IS militants in the world's largest Muslim nation.
Abdurrahman kneeled and kissed the floor as the panel of five judges announced the sentence.
Several hundred paramilitary and counterterrorism police secured the Jakarta court where the trial took place.
Fears of attacks have been elevated in Indonesia after suicide bombings in the country's second-largest city, Surabaya, last month that were carried out by families, including their young children.
Police said the leader of those bombers was part of a network of militants inspired by Abdurrahman.
Ordered attacks from prison
During the trial, prosecutors said Abdurrahman's instructions from prison, where he was serving a terrorism-related sentence, resulted in several attacks in Indonesia.
They included the Starbucks attack in the capital that killed four civilians and four militants, an attack on a bus terminal in Jakarta that killed three police officers and an attack on a church in Kalimantan that killed a two-year-old girl.
Several other children suffered serious burns from the Kalimantan attack.
Photo A police armoured personnel carrier parked near the scene of an attack in central Jakarta, on January 14, 2016.
Reuters: Darren Whiteside
The court said there was no reason for leniency.
It gave seven days for defence lawyers to consider lodging an appeal.
Abdurrahman refused to recognise the authority of the court, part of his rejection of secular government in Indonesia and desire to replace it with Shariah law.
According to prosecutors, Abdurrahman founded Jemaah Anshorut Daulah, a network of extremists that pledged allegiance to IS and was opposed to Indonesia's secular government.
Reflecting a dire lack of supervision of militants in Indonesia's overcrowded prisons, Abdurrahman was able to spread radicalism and communicate with his supporters on the outside through visitors and video calls, they said.
The suicide bombings in Surabaya killed 26 people, including 13 attackers.
Two families carried out the attacks, using children as young as seven.
Abdurrahman was sentenced to prison in 2004 after a bomb he made prematurely exploded at a house in West Java, and again in 2011 for his role in helping set up a jihadi training camp in a mountainous area of Aceh province.
ABC/Wires
Posted Fri 22 Jun 2018, 2:39 PM AEST
Meet the Indonesian mayor who refuses to bow to Islamist clerics
Several churchgoers injured in machete attack on Indonesian church
Indonesian terrorist inspired deadly attacks from prison, court hears
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Do We Really Need a ‘Clueless’ Remake?
by Natasha Alvar · Published October 27, 2018 · Updated October 27, 2018
At this point, you might have heard the news that Clueless is getting a reboot, with Tracy Oliver (writer of Girl’s Trip) producing and Marquita Robinson (writer for Netflix‘s comedy series Glow) on the team. I don’t know how to feel about this. On one hand, it’s an adaptation of Emma by Jane Austen, and I always appreciate movies with a book as its source material. On the flip-side, hasn’t there been enough ruined reboots, giving us the hint that we should just stop? Let’s take a look at the evidence.
Image via Odyssey
If you didn’t catch this travesty of a remake, consider yourself lucky. The new Johnny (Colt Prattes) has none of the sex appeal and star quality that Patrick Swayze had. Abigail Breslin, as Baby, is miscast, seeing as how she couldn’t dance and looked really awkward and uncomfortable in the scenes. Yes I know Baby doesn’t know how to dance, but this is a movie, not reality. Don’t show me a movie with awkward dancing when I am expecting dirty dancing. This was an ultimate FAIL. I had to watch the original movie afterwards so as to erase the reboot from my mind.
Image via Student Edge
For this movie, the original was already quite divisive in terms of reception, redeemed mostly because of a talented cast. This is not to say that the cast of the remake aren’t decent. I am a massive fan of Diego Luna, and both Ellen Page and Nina Dobev are well-known actresses.
This remake failed because it brought nothing new to the story. Same recycled plot with a different group of actors. The film holds one of the lowest ratings/scores on Rotten Tomatoes, with a measly 4% telling you all you need to know.
Image via Time
Out of all the movies on the list so far, this reboot doesn’t fill me with horror or disdain. I quite enjoyed the movie, and found it funny and entertaining enough. Unlike the rest on the list, there are changes made that could have resulted in a meaningful discussion.
For example, the women are scientists, which is empowering to see considering the stereotype of women not being good at STEM subjects. Instead of a dumb woman secretary, we get a dumb male version instead, and I actually thought Chris Hemsworth delivered a decent comedic performance.
Image via letterboxd.com
The problem with this movie is not so much the remake itself, but more so about the people who are protective of the classic, and just cannot bear that it was remade. It has become fashionable to do a gender flip in Hollywood, creating a movie with more or less the same premise but being led by a mostly female cast instead of a mostly male one. We see this in Ocean’s 8 as well. While both Ghostbusters and Ocean’s 8 are decent movies, I don’t see why we have to revisit male spaces to tell women’s stories.
Even Lord of the Flies is in the process of being made with all girls instead of boys. How would that even work? Golding’s source material is basically a commentary on masculinity in our society, so this reboot is more unnecessary than the ones I mentioned.
Image via The New York Times
As always, I will wait for the product first before judging whether or not it succeeds. In my opinion, Clueless is iconic, and is a reflection of the era it was created in. The fashion, the portrayal of high school and dating, is just so stepped in 90’s culture. A reboot cannot replicate this. So then, is it really a remake or just a regular high school movie? A skeptical part of me feels they are using Clueless as a publicly vehicle for the story they want to tell.
However, it is important to note that not all announcements of reboots actually come to fruition. An example of that would be the remake of The Crow, which has been in the works for the past 8 years, but has lost its legs recently with both director Corin Hardy and lead actor Jason Momoa leaving the project this year.
So yes, I shall reserve judgement for now, and wait to see what becomes of this project. But the gloves are coming off if I ever hear about a Mean Girls remake.
Thank you for reading! What are you thoughts on a Clueless remake and remakes in general? Comment down below!
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Tags: Alicia SilverstoneCluelessDirty DancingFilmFlatlinersGhostbustersLord of the FliesMovieMovieBabbleMoviesOpinionPaul RuddRemakeRomantic Comedies
Natasha Alvar
Natasha is an English Literature teacher. She believes that stories are the essence of being human, and loves sharing this world with her students. One day, she hopes to break into the literary world with an offering of her own, but for now, she finds enjoyment in writing plays for her students as well as penning content for Moviebabble. You can follow her @litmysoul on Instagram, if you want.
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This movie was utterly perfect the first time, and I feel like remaking it is just setting it up for failure. I may be biased because I was the target demographic for this movie (teenager in an affluent suburb in the 90s), but it influenced my wardrobe and speech patterns for years. It’s still the movie I watch when I’m sad about the state of the world or need evidence that Paul Rudd hasn’t aged a day and may actually be some sort of cyborg.
So yeah, they should leave it alone for sure.
Natasha Alvar says:
Paul Rudd is definitely some sort of cyborg, Keanu Reeves too. I would love to see some of the looks you conjured up.
I don’t understand why there is this need to consistently remake classics. They are classics for a reason. Recently I am triggered by the Charmed reboot, though in fairness I am triggered by a lot of things.
I think they should leave this one alone.
Haha never has a single statement gotten more consensus. Complete agreement!
Nick Kush says:
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There’s ‘Too Much Poo’ On Mt. Everest, Say Nepalese Authorities… And It’s Becoming a Serious Problem
Ever dreamt of climbing Everest? It turns out the views may not be so good after all...
by Stuart Kenny
stuartkenny92 stuartkenny
Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, is indeed covered in human faeces Photo: Wikipedia
If you have climbed up Mt. Everest in the past, you probably get a lot of people telling you you’re full of shit when you let them in on the story.
The thing is though, we know that you’re not full out shit – and you do too. Because it looks like you got all the stuff out of your system when you were climbing the mountain, and now it’s a safety hazard for everyone else.
That cheeky piss you took when no one was watching? Now it’s ruining it for everyone else…
That sneaky shit you thought nobody saw you take up on Everest? That cheeky piss you took when no one was watching? Well Ang Tshering, the chief of Nepal’s mountaineering association, knows exactly what you’ve been up to – and he says that thanks to you and your faeces-dropping friends, the highest mountain in the world is now becoming a wasteland.
“Climbers usually did holes in the snow for their toilet use and leave the human waste there,” he said, adding that it’s been “piling up” for years now.
More than 700 climbers, plus their guides, spend nearly two months on the slopes of Everest each year during climbing season.
Dean Carrier at the top of the mountain… possibly taking a dump Photo: Dean Carriere
There are four camps set up between the base camp at 5,300m and the summit at 8,850m, but none of these have toilets, and the government have yet to find a way to get rid of the waste.
Tshering wants ruling authorities to now step in to get visitors to dispose of waste properly, following on from the recent ruling that means each climber must bring down 8kg of rubbish when they return to base camp, to address the litter problem on the mountain.
Teams also make a $4,000 deposit which is forfeited if they break any of the rules, so new rules involving waste disposal may well be added, requiring climbers to carry disposable travel toilet bags on their climb.
And there you have it. Dreaming about the views from the world’s highest mountain? Don’t bother. If you ever make it up there, you’ll just find a few Kit Kat rappers and a giant pile of shit.
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I play bass and want more from myself & my instrument
What is this the best way to go from an efficient intermediate bass player to a sought after, gigging musician? Also, I really want to get better at slap bass. Suggestions/insight?
practice electric-bass-guitar
Shevliaskovic
Graham22Graham22
What exactly do you mean by getting better? Seems like a rather vague term. – Neil Meyer Nov 22 '15 at 7:39
There are plenty of intermediate bass players who are sought-after gigging musicians by virtue of being in good bands! – topo Reinstate Monica Nov 22 '15 at 8:01
It would be easier to make suggestions about the slap bass bit if you could actually explain the problem you are having. That way it becomes useful to other users of the site in the future - maybe you could split that out to another question too? – topo Reinstate Monica Nov 22 '15 at 8:03
Easy, three steps: 1.) ALWAYS show up on time. 2.) ALWAYS know your music. 3.) ALWAYS be as professional as possible. You're a bassist, you don't need to be flashy, but you do need to be a solid foundation - as a colleague and as a musician. – jjmusicnotes Nov 22 '15 at 8:18
I almost feel like not learning to slap is a good part of being "sought after". Unless you want to be sought after by a Red Hot Chili Peppers cover band. And I'm only half joking. – Todd Wilcox Nov 23 '15 at 16:15
Practice. Also practice, and finally practice some more. For several years, Tom Morello practiced guitar at least eight hours a day, regardless of whether he needed sleep or anything else.
Take lessons. And practice the things your teacher shows you.
Get into a band - any band, it doesn't have to be a great band. Try to be the best musician in the band. Try out for and try to get into the bands with the best other musicians. Challenge yourself to be in a better band even if you think you can't handle it. The challenge to keep up with musicians who have a lot of skill and practice is a great motivator.
Study musicians who you think are great. Read material on techniques, acoustics, music theory, etc., anything you can get your hands on. Watch YouTube videos of live performances and look for ideas you never thought of or techniques that you don't know yet. Listen to lots of music with the same things in mind.
Specifically for bass:
You must be on time, musically speaking. Play along with drum tracks and strive to play exactly when the kick drum is playing. Listen to great bassists (Motown - for example) and pay careful attention to the exact timing. When are they playing ahead of the beat? Behind the beat? Locked with the kick? Freewheeling? If you can groove like "I Want You Back" (Jackson Five) or "Root Down" (Jimmy Smith), people will want to play with you.
You must control your dynamics. That means playing with consistent and deliberate intensity across all notes and strings. This is a very overlooked skill when it comes to bass players, but if you listen closely to almost any famous bass player you'll realize this is a skill they almost all have. Learn which strings and notes are most sensitive on your bass, and play those notes more quietly. Learn which ones are least sensitive and give those more force. Learn the difference between how loud your different fingers sound and compensate. Play without a compressor of any kind and listen extremely closely to the intensity of each note. Slow it down and practice, practice, practice until you start to instinctively compensate for loudness changes. If you have access to a mixer or anything that has a loudness meter in it, plug right into that and practice while watching the meter, trying to keep the meter in the same place using just your fingers. A meter doesn't replace your ears, but it can help you learn to hear the loudness changes if you've never noticed them before.
Carefully hone one great sound. A lot of bass players chase having more "low end". This is a mistake. The bass already has an octave below the guitar (unless it's a five string and that goes even lower), so there's no need to work for lower frequency sound - you've already got it! If you're playing through a bass amp or a decent PA, you're fine on low frequencies, and too much low will overpower the rest of the band in a bad way. The best bass tones have present and balanced mids, and a tasteful amount of highs. But the mids are where it's at for the bass. Exactly how to shape the mids depends on genre and/or the guitar and keyboard tones of the rest of the band. That said, there is a Fender P-bass with Ampeg SVT sound that is slightly overdriven and has rich low-mids that is not too honky sounding that is very versatile and popular. That doesn't mean you have to own Fender and Ampeg gear to get a good bass tone, it's just an idea of what to shoot for. Motown again is a good place to look for this kind of sound. If you're leaning towards the metal side, there is another popular sound usually involving a bass with active pickups, played with a pick, and with more of a scooped mids sound. You still need a bit of mid, just less than the other tones, and having active EQ with active pickups can help to dial in the right highs and lows for this sound. Finally, there is a new sound that has been popular for a while now which is more of a bass synth tone, using some combination of distortion and EQ or bass synth pedals. Getting a good set of pedals can be expensive. I would say if you can nail the Motown sound and you're looking for something else, this is a good one to shoot for. Check out Muse, NIN, Metric, and almost any modern band and listen for these kinds of tones.
Keep in mind that the tone chase should be your lowest priority. If you can play consistent intensity and at exactly the right time, then the tone part of it will be dead easy. If you build the greatest rig ever made and your playing is all over the place, it won't matter a bit because your playing will be impossible to work with and won't sound right. As a sound engineer, I can take a DI from a great bass player and make it sound amazing, but nothing in my toolbox can salvage bad playing.
Todd WilcoxTodd Wilcox
+1. Would add working very, very closely with drummers, and being able to move timing subtly with them, as well as keeping perfect time - which a lot of live stuff doesn't - and doesn't have to! Not sure about the levelling of dynamics. It'll depend a lot on the genre. I tend to use quite a lot of different dynamics in my playing, and no-one moans. And, yes there are repeat gigs! – Tim Nov 23 '15 at 11:02
Could I also add - keep your playing 'clean'. Mute the unplayed strings, so only the intended note sings out. Be aware that some songs need a more pizzicato style of play rather than legato. Play pro-actively as well as re-actively. – Tim Nov 24 '15 at 9:42
One thing that has helped me a lot is playing in bands. Find a band with music you like (and musicians better than yourself) and play with them. This is one significant point in making yourself a better bass player.
Also, you can find some bass player you admire and learn his/her songs. Play them again and again until you play them as good as them!
Besides these generic guidelines, I'm not sure we can recommend much more. You can always find a teacher to guide you.
ShevliaskovicShevliaskovic
As the bass player you are part of the rhythm section so having good time and being able to lock in with the drummer is absolutely essential. How is your timing? Are you able to keep time with a metronome? Metronome practice is one of the best ways to improve your timing so this is a must.
If you're interested in slap bass, then try looking up some tutorials on youtube that teach slap bass licks and techniques and practice them. You will get a whole lot more from video lessons demonstrating and breaking down the licks than you will from written explanations so that's what I'd suggest. However, just make sure that you practice to a metronome at a slow enough tempo so that your playing is clean and in time. You do not want to learn at tempos faster than you can play them correctly...there is nothing appealing about sloppy slap bass! lol
TekkerueTekkerue
-Id like to learn more theory and get more fundamentally sound. - As far as slap, I see your point as far as sometimes it's better to not play slap inless u wanna be Flea. But I love Funk. Parliament, Curtis mayfield, etc. I also like to be able to be in the spot light at least SOMEWHAT of the time. I don't need it all, just a sliver.😉 -but yes finding musician who are better than me always makes me better and drivers me to be better. – Graham22 Nov 29 '15 at 6:20
I wasn't saying not to play slap or that slap bass in general isn't appealing, I was only saying that you should not practice faster than you can play cleanly because there may be a tendency to want to play fast immediately with slap because it "sounds cool"...but that can do a lot more damage than good in the long run because you will be training yourself to play sloppy. So make sure you're learning at a slow enough speed to learn it correctly and don't rush it just for the sake of trying to play really fast right away. :) – Tekkerue Nov 29 '15 at 20:28
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Metatranscriptomics reveals a differential temperature effect on the structural and functional organization of the anaerobic food web in rice field soil
Jingjing Peng1,
Carl-Eric Wegner2,
Qicheng Bei1,
Pengfei Liu1 &
Werner Liesack ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9533-15521
The expected increase in global surface temperature due to climate change may have a tremendous effect on the structure and function of the anaerobic food web in flooded rice field soil. Here, we used the metatranscriptomic analysis of total RNA to gain a system-level understanding of this temperature effect on the methanogenic food web.
Mesophilic (30 °C) and thermophilic (45 °C) food web communities had a modular structure. Family-specific rRNA dynamics indicated that each network module represents a particular function within the food webs. Temperature had a differential effect on all the functional activities, including polymer hydrolysis, syntrophic oxidation of key intermediates, and methanogenesis. This was further evidenced by the temporal expression patterns of total bacterial and archaeal mRNA and of transcripts encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). At 30 °C, various bacterial phyla contributed to polymer hydrolysis, with Firmicutes decreasing and non-Firmicutes (e.g., Bacteroidetes, Ignavibacteriae) increasing with incubation time. At 45 °C, CAZyme expression was solely dominated by the Firmicutes but, depending on polymer and incubation time, varied on family level. The structural and functional community dynamics corresponded well to process measurements (acetate, propionate, methane). At both temperatures, a major change in food web functionality was linked to the transition from the early to late stage. The mesophilic food web was characterized by gradual polymer breakdown that governed acetoclastic methanogenesis (Methanosarcinaceae) and, with polymer hydrolysis becoming the rate-limiting step, syntrophic propionate oxidation (Christensenellaceae, Peptococcaceae). The thermophilic food web had two activity stages characterized first by polymer hydrolysis and followed by syntrophic oxidation of acetate (Thermoanaerobacteraceae, Heliobacteriaceae, clade OPB54). Hydrogenotrophic Methanocellaceae were the syntrophic methanogen partner, but their population structure differed between the temperatures. Thermophilic temperature promoted proliferation of a new Methanocella ecotype.
Temperature had a differential effect on the structural and functional continuum in which the methanogenic food web operates. This temperature-induced change in food web functionality may not only be a near-future scenario for rice paddies but also for natural wetlands in the tropics and subtropics.
Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas. On a molecule basis, it is 72 times more effective than carbon dioxide in trapping heat radiation over a 20-year period [1]. Wetland rice farming is a major source of atmospheric methane, accounting for 10% of the global CH4 budget (e.g., [2]). The methanogenic degradation pathway of organic matter in submerged rice paddies and anoxic wetlands follows common principles and involves a microbial food web composed of different functional guilds of the domains Bacteria and Archaea [3]. These microbial guilds participate in a cascade of anaerobic degradation steps that involve polymer hydrolysis, fermentation, syntrophic conversion of fatty acids, homoacetogenesis, and methanogenesis [4]. Initially, methanogenic degradation may be accomplished by anaerobic respiration (e.g., NO3−, Mn(IV), Fe(III) and SO42−) but the alternative terminal electron acceptors are completely used up during the first few days under anoxic conditions [4,5,6].
The methanogenic community in rice field soil produces CH4 over a wide range up to 55 °C, with temperature being the key factor controlling CH4 production [7, 8]. Temperature was found not only to affect the rates of methane production but also the composition and function of methanogenic communities in rice field soils in Italy, China, Japan, Philippines, and Thailand [9,10,11,12,13,14]. Changes in both the pathways of CH4 production and the composition of the methanogenic community are only gradual at a mesophilic temperature range of up to 37 °C. Within this temperature range, methane production is characterized by acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis [10]; however, the communities were shown to markedly change their methanogenic activities at temperatures higher than 40–42 °C [7, 14,15,16]. At these thermophilic temperatures, methane production will be dominated solely by hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis [7]. The same temperature-induced change was shown to also occur in Chinese natural wetlands [15]. Although the in situ temperature in paddy soil is generally lower than or around 30 °C [17], present-day temperatures above 40 °C are reached in the rice fields of southeastern China [18]. Moreover, the expected increase in global surface temperature by 2–4 °C by 2050 [1] makes temperature effects on structure and function of soil microbial communities an important research issue [19].
No study has yet been performed to gain a system-level understanding of the temperature effect on the methanogenic food web in rice field soil. In particular, the knowledge of microbial populations involved in polymer hydrolysis is limited. Previous studies were mostly based on total DNA and coupled the analysis of PCR amplicons with T-RFLP analysis or sequencing. Thus, each of these fingerprinting studies could focus only on a particular aspect of the temperature effect on community composition and structure [10, 14, 15, 20]. Along with process measurements, these studies showed that acetate and propionate are the key intermediates of the polymer breakdown in rice field soil. While syntrophic oxidation of propionate is actively occurring at low temperatures [21,22,23], syntrophic oxidation of acetate is thermodynamically feasible only at thermophilic temperatures [20]. Members of Thermoacetogenium and other Thermoanaerobacteraceae, but also Symbiobacterium, were shown to contribute to syntrophic acetate oxidation in rice field soil at 50 °C, with Methanocellaceae as the hydrogenotrophic partner [20, 24].
Here, we applied rRNA- and mRNA-based metatranscriptomics to assess the effect of temperature on the structural and functional organization of the anaerobic food web in rice field soil. The objectives were to (i) identify the microbial populations and functional genes involved in key metabolic processes and (ii) elucidate structure-function relationships that determine the anaerobic decomposition of plant polymers at mesophilic (30 °C) and thermophilic (45 °C) temperatures. In particular, we aimed to identify structural and functional links between polymer breakdown, syntrophy, and methanogenesis. Field conditions are known to be very complex, given that CH4 is produced from three different sources of organic matter: rice straw, root exudates, and soil organic matter. Their relative contributions change with time of the season [25,26,27,28]. Rice straw is the major source in the early season, while root exudates become important with the development of rice plants [25,26,27,28]. Hence, the effect of temperature on polymer breakdown and methanogenic pathways cannot be determined unambiguously under heterogenous field conditions. Therefore, we studied the impact of temperature on food web functionality under controlled laboratory conditions, with rice straw as the major carbon source. Anoxic paddy soil slurries were incubated for 30 days. Triplicate sampling for process measurements and random cDNA library construction (total of 30 libraries) were made after 5, 11, 16, 23, and 30 days of incubation.
Co-occurrence networks
Two correlation networks were constructed based on the 16S rRNA reads assigned to each family-level group (Fig. 1a, b). The correlation networks consisted of 70 nodes (30 °C) and 42 nodes (45 °C) of significant (FDR corrected, P ≤ 0.01) and robust (0.6 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.9) positive correlations (Additional file 1: Tables S1 and S2). Modularity indices were 0.57 (30 °C) and 0.47 (45 °C), indicating that both correlation networks had a modular structure [29]. Three highly complex modules were identified for both temperatures 30 °C (LM1, 2, 3; Fig. 1a) and 45 °C (HM1, 2, 3; Fig. 1b). Their taxonomic composition was linked to abundance information (Fig. 1c).
Co-occurrence network analyses for 30 °C (a) and 45 °C (b). Nodes were colored by modularity class with labeled family names. Each connection (edge) between two nodes stands for a strong (Spearman’s 0.6 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.9) and significant (FDR corrected P value < 0.01) correlation. The size of each node is proportional to the number of connections (its degree). Designation of the major modules (LM, low-temperature module; HM, high-temperature module) is shown in red bold color. (c) Temporal dynamics of dominant families (> 1%) in different modules at 30 °C and 45 °C
LM1 and HM1 were composed of taxa belonging to a variety of bacterial classes. Both modules contained members of the Bacilli, Clostridia, Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Deltaproteobacteria (Additional file 1: Tables S1 and S2). The relative abundance of these mostly minor populations decreased with incubation time. Particular population dynamics were observed for Clostridium cluster XVIII (30 °C) and Bacillaceae (45 °C) (Additional file 1: Figures S1 and S2). The abundance of Clostridium cluster XVIII was stable for the first 11 days at 30 °C but rapidly decreased thereafter. Bacillaceae rapidly declined in abundance during the first 11 days of incubation at 45 °C but showed a second peak abundance on day 16.
LM2 and HM2 had in common that the peak abundance of most members was around day 16 and both modules contained acetoclastic methanogens (Methanosarcinaceae and Methanotrichaceae [formerly Methanosaetaceae]). However, LM2 and HM2 differed in module structure. LM2 was characterized by the dominant presence of the Methanosarcinaceae and, to a lesser extent, Ruminococcaceae. Instead, HM2 was characterized by the dominant presence of Clostridium cluster I, Ruminococcaceae, Halobacteroidaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Limnochordaceae. Unlike all other abundant family-level groups co-occurring in HM2, Halobacteroidaceae showed a distinct peak abundance on day 9. Methanogens (Methanosarcinaceae, Methanotrichaceae) were only of minor abundance (< 0.5%) (Fig. 1c and Additional file 1: Figures S1 and S2).
LM3 and HM3 had family-level groups in common that are known to be fermenters, syntrophs, or hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Among these were Christensenellaceae, Syntrophomonadaceae, Heliobacteriaceae, Thermoanaerobacteraceae, Methanobacteriaceae, and Methanocellaceae. Despite the similarities in taxonomic composition, LM3 and HM3 significantly differed in module structure (as previously observed for LM2/HM2). In addition to the Methanocellaceae, the most abundant family-level groups in LM3 were the Christensenellaceae and, to a lesser extent, Planctomycetaceae and Solibacteraceae subgroup 3 (Acidobacteria) (Additional file 1: Tables S1 and S2). The abundance of Methanocellaceae increased to 3.2% (LM3) and 19% (HM3) till day 30 (Fig. 1c and Additional file 1: Figures S1 and S2). Heliobacteriaceae and Thermoanaerobacteraceae were dominant members of HM3 but differed in their temporal dynamics. Heliobacteriaceae had the peak abundance around day 23 (17.3%) and decreased thereafter (7.6% [day 30]). Thermoanaerobacteraceae showed a highly significant co-occurrence correlation (P < 0.0009) with the Methanocellaceae and a peak abundance (14.5%) on day 30. Other taxa that showed peak abundances on day 30 were Syntrophomonadaceae (1.2%) and Methanobacteriaceae (2.4%) (Fig. 1c).
The three highly complex LM modules were distinctly separated, but they collectively represented only a major subset of total mesophilic food web community. A few abundant family-level groups did not cluster with LM1, LM2, or LM3. These were Clostridium cluster I, Bacillaceae, Peptococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae. These families were grouped into the low-complexity modules LM4 to LM6. Collectively, their total rRNA abundance ranged from 34.1% (day 11) to 33.9% (day 30) (Fig. 1c and Additional file 1: Tables S1 and S2). At thermophilic temperature, all the family-level groups were affiliated with one of the three HM modules, including Bacillaceae and Peptococcaceae (HM1) as well as Clostridium cluster I and Lachnospiraceae (HM2). Unlike LM2/LM3, HM2 and HM3 were connected by a strong co-occurrence link. This link was related to the central network position of the Christensenellaceae between HM2 and HM3.
Functional gene expression
NMDS plots on rRNA and mRNA level confirmed that temperature (P < 0.001) and incubation time (P < 0.001) had significant effects on community composition (Additional file 1: Figure S3). The phylum-level composition between total rRNA and mRNA agreed well at both temperatures 30 °C and 45 °C; however, some discrepancies were evident on family level. In particular, methanogen mRNA was significantly overrepresented relative to methanogen rRNA (Additional file 1: Figure S4).
The temporal dynamics of community-wide mRNA expression significantly differed between 30 and 45 °C (Fig. 2). At mesophilic temperature, bacterial and archaeal mRNA showed a low, but nearly constant, expression level throughout incubation. Collectively, their proportion of total RNA ranged between 0.04 and 0.79%. At thermophilic temperature, bacterial and archaeal mRNA expression changed with incubation time. Bacterial mRNA expression peaked on day 11, decreased towards day 16, and increased again gradually until day 30. Archaeal mRNA abundance slightly increased during the first 16 days, but its expression level greatly increased during the later stage. The proportion of bacterial and archaeal mRNA in total RNA ranged from 0.70% to 2.85% (bacteria) and 0.01% to 1.39% (archaea). Thus, community-wide mRNA expression was significantly increased relative to 30 °C.
The percentage proportion of bacterial and archaeal mRNA in total RNA reads and CAZyme transcripts in total mRNA reads
The temporal expression dynamics of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) also significantly differed between 30 and 45 °C. At mesophilic temperature, the proportion of CAZyme transcripts in total mRNA stably ranged between 2.24 and 3.08% throughout incubation time. At thermophilic temperature, their proportion in total mRNA was as high as 2.89% to 5.66%, with peak abundance on day 16. Thereafter, the CAZyme transcript level steadily decreased till day 30.
Plant polymer breakdown
Totally, 92,508 mRNA reads were identified to encode CAZymes. Of these, 75,438 reads were linked to enzymes involved in the degradation of cellulose, xylan, other hemicelluloses, and chitin (Additional file 1: Table S3). These enzymes were primarily categorized into glycosyl hydrolases (GHs) and carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) (Fig. 3).
Expression dynamics of GH/CBM transcripts affiliated with particular phyla (> 0.5%) (a) and temporal dynamics of gene expression related to the breakdown of cellulose, xylan, other hemicelluloses, and chitin (b). The corresponding mRNA transcript numbers are shown in Tables S3 and S4
Both temperature and incubation time had a significant impact on the taxonomic composition of the GH/CBM transcript pool. At mesophilic temperature, various microbial phyla contributed to the expression of GHs and CBMs. The majority of GH/CBM transcripts was affiliated with the Firmicutes; however, their relative abundance steadily decreased with incubation time, while that of the Bacteroidetes and Ignavibacteriae increased. At thermophilic temperature, the phylum-level diversity of GH/CBM transcripts was reduced and nearly exclusively related to the Firmicutes (Fig. 3a). On family level, the assignment rate of GH/CBM transcripts depended on the polymer, sampling time point, and temperature, and varied between 57 and 89% (Additional file 1: Table S3). The bacterial composition of the GH/CBM transcripts greatly differed for each of the polymers between 30 and 45 °C, but all the abundant family-level groups (cutoff ≥ 0.5% of total GH/CBM transcripts) belonged to the Firmicutes (Additional file 1: Figure S5).
Key enzymes involved in rice straw degradation are cellulase, endo-1,4-beta-xylanase, and alpha- and beta-galactosidases (Fig. 3b and Additional file 1: Table S4). Transcripts affiliated with four family-level groups were detected to contribute to the production of all the key enzymes, with transcripts affiliated with Methanosarcinaceae being predominant at 30 °C, and Clostridiaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Paenibacillaceae being most abundant in the GH/CBM transcript pool at 45 °C (Additional file 1: Figure S5). The potential expression of GH transcripts by Methanosarcinaceae was supported by querying 88 methanogen genome sequences against dbCAN. Of a total of 214,249 coding genes, 2691 were functionally annotated to encode GHs, with some of them showing 100% sequence identity to GH families linked to the breakdown of complex polysaccharides (Additional file 1: Figure S5 and Additional file 2).
Acetate, propionate, hydrogen, and methane
At mesophilic temperature, acetate reached its peak concentration (8.4 mM) at day 5 or shortly thereafter and then steadily decreased towards days 16 (1.6 mM) and 30 (0.5 mM) (Fig. 4). Propionate strongly accumulated from day 5 (0.6 mM) onwards, with a peak concentration between days 16 (4.8 mM) and 23 (4.7 mM). Thereafter, its concentration rapidly decreased within 7 days to 0.3 mM on day 30. At thermophilic temperature, acetate accumulated to significantly higher concentrations than at 30 °C. It rapidly accumulated to 11.4 mM on day 5 and reached its peak concentration (17.7 mM) on day 16. Thereafter, the acetate concentration gradually decreased to 4.6 mM on day 30. The propionate concentration reached a steady state between production and consumption already around day 5 (1.2 mM). Thereafter, its concentration ranged between 1 and 1.3 mM until day 30.
Dynamics of acetate, propionate, H2, and CH4, and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) of different metabolic pathways during the 30-day incubation at 30 °C and 45 °C (means ± SE, n = 3)
The temperature-dependent concentration patterns of acetate and propionate were governed by the Gibbs free energies (ΔG). The ΔG values indicated that syntrophic acetate oxidation was feasible at 45 °C, but not at 30 °C. By contrast, syntrophic propionate oxidation was permissive at both temperatures, but only after 5 days of incubation at mesophilic temperature. As a consequence, the turnover of acetate and propionate significantly (P < 0.001) differed over the 30-day incubation period between 30 and 45 °C (Fig. 4).
The ΔG values for acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis were mostly negative at both temperatures 30 °C and 45 °C. At mesophilic temperature, CH4 production started around day 5 (0.15 kPa) and increased significantly to 24.5 kPa (P < 0.001, day 11), 27.5 kPa (day 16), 42.4 kPa (day 23), and 48.5 kPa (day 30). Significant CH4 production at thermophilic temperature started around day 11, with greatest production rates between days 23 (9.5 kPa) and 30 (26.0 kPa). The H2 partial pressure at 30 °C was significantly (P < 0.001) higher until day 11 than at 45 °C. Thereafter, the H2 partial pressure had the same nearly undetectable level regardless of temperature (30 °C or 45 °C).
Syntrophy
The gene encoding formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (fhs, EC 6.3.4.3) has been widely used as a biomarker for acetogenesis [30,31,32,33]. It is a unique pathway gene in reductive acetogenesis (acetyl-CoA pathway); however, formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase is also able to catalyze the reverse reaction, oxidizing acetate into H2 and CO2 [34, 35]. Thus, depending on the thermodynamic conditions, fhs transcripts are indicative of either reductive acetogenesis or syntrophic acetate oxidation.
The relative expression level of fhs was significantly increased (P < 0.001) at 45 °C (926 reads, 0.17% [total mRNA]) relative to 30 °C (83 reads; 0.06% [total mRNA]). The temperature-dependent difference in fhs abundance was most significant on day 23. The good correspondence between acetate turnover, Gibbs free energy calculations, and temperature-dependent fhs transcript dynamics confirmed that syntrophic acetate oxidation occurred at 45 °C, but not at 30 °C (Figs. 4 and 5).
Temporal abundance dynamics of formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (fhs) transcripts at 30 °C and 45 °C (means ± SE, n = 3) (a) and their taxonomic composition (b). For taxonomic analysis, all fhs reads obtained for either 30 °C or 45 °C were combined to a single dataset due to the low number of transcripts obtained for each time point (n = total number of fhs reads that were taxonomically assigned)
Due to limited read numbers, we merged the fhs transcripts of all samplings to a single dataset for taxonomic identification. The vast majority of fhs transcripts at thermophilic temperature could not be assigned on family level, except those affiliated with the Thermoanaerobacteraceae (Fig. 5). Their fhs transcript abundance significantly increased (P < 0.01) with incubation time and showed a peak abundance on day 23 (Fig. 5a). The combined analysis of the rRNA and mRNA dynamics revealed a temporal co-occurrence of a 16S rRNA population assigned on family level to the Heliobacteriaceae and the fhs transcript pool (Figs. 1c and 5). A closer inspection showed that this rRNA population is comprised of rRNA reads assigned to Heliobacteriaceae and “unclassified Firmicutes” (31.7% and 68.3% on day 23, respectively). On genus level, the “unclassified Firmicutes” rRNA reads were assigned to Hydrogenispora with only a single described species (H. ethanolica) for which no genome sequence is available yet. This species belongs to the monophyletic Firmicutes clade OPB54 (Fig. 1c) that, except for H. ethanolica, consists only of environmental 16S rRNA gene sequences. Thus, co-occurrence in the peak abundances of this 16S rRNA-based population and the fhs transcript pool let us conclude that in addition to Thermoanaerobacteraceae, members of the Heliobacteriaceae and, in particular, the Firmicutes clade OPB54 contribute to syntrophic acetate oxidation.
Unlike syntrophic acetate oxidation, there is no specific marker gene that is indicative of syntrophic propionate oxidation. Therefore, we extracted the mRNA reads affiliated with two different types of syntrophic propionate oxidation pathways. The transcripts related to these two pathways made approximately 2.5% (30 °C) and 1.0% (45 °C) of total mRNA. The bacterial populations involved in propionate metabolism greatly differed on family level between 30 and 45 °C. At mesophilic temperature, the mRNA profiles were dominated by the Symbiobacteriaceae and Peptococcaceae. Their mRNA abundances showed opposing temporal dynamics. Most of the transcripts detected at 45 °C were affiliated with Thermoanaerobacteraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Peptococcaceae (Additional file 1: Figure S6).
Methanogenesis
At mesophilic temperature, acetoclastic Methanosarcinaceae dominated the early incubation stage. Their abundance decreased between days 11 and 16. Concomitantly, the abundance of H2/CO2-utilizing Methanocellaceae increased. These opposing abundance dynamics were most evident on mRNA level (Fig. 6 and Additional file 1: Figure S7) and related to a transient decrease in CH4 production (Fig. 4). Transcripts of individual methanogen proteins showed the same temporal abundance patterns, including methyl coenzyme M reductase (McrA) (Additional file 1: Figures S7 and S8), acetyl-CoA decarbonylase/synthase complex (ACDS), and 5, 10-methylenetetrahydromethanopterin reductase (Mer)/coenzyme F420 hydrogenase (Frh). The latter two enzyme complexes are characteristic of either acetoclastic (ACDS) or hydrogenotrophic (Mer/Frh) methanogenesis (Additional file 1: Figures S7 and S8).
Family-level dynamics of archaeal 16S rRNA (a, b), methanogenic mRNA (c, d) and mcrA transcripts (e, f) in metatranscriptomic analysis (means ± SE, n = 3) and the temporal dynamics of the mcrA transcript/gene ratio (g, h) as determined by qPCR (gene) and RT-qPCR (transcripts) (means ± SE, n = 3). Results are shown for 30 °C and 45 °C
At thermophilic temperature, the pool of methanogen mRNA was dominated by transcripts indicative of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis (up to 99.96 ± 0.06%) (Additional file 1: Table S5) and related to the Methanocellaceae. Members of the family Methanobacteriaceae were also detected, albeit with low abundance. According to their mcrA transcript dynamics, the greatest activity of the Methanobacteriaceae was around day 16 (Fig. 6f).
Near full-length 16S rRNA sequences of the Methanocellaceae clustered into three phylogenetically distinct populations (Fig. 7). Methanocella_2 was prevalent at 30 °C and 45 °C; however, temperature had a significant effect on the intrafamily rRNA dynamics of Methanocella_1 and Methanocella_3. Methanocella_1 was prevalent at 30 °C, but not at 45 °C. The Methanocella_1 population steadily decreased in abundance from 50.8% (day 5) to a low level on day 30. By contrast, Methanocella_3 was undetectable at 30 °C but rapidly increased in abundance from < 0.5% (day 5) to 46.9% (day 16) at 45 °C. Thereafter, the intrafamily rRNA abundance of this yet uncultured Methanocellaceae population did not significantly change until day 30 (Fig. 7).
Temporal dynamics of distinct populations within the family Methanocellaceae. The analysis is based on nearly full-length 16S rRNA sequences assembled by EMIRGE (means ± SE, n = 3) (a). Phylogenetic tree recovered by EMIRGE from archaeal 16S rRNA reads of the metatranscriptomic datasets. Ribo-contigs affiliated with the Methanocellaceae and assembled in this study are shown in color: L (30 °C), H (45 °C), with numbers representing the incubation time point. The outgroup is defined by bacterial reference sequences (b)
At 30 °C, the dynamics of the mcrA transcript to gene ratio corresponded closely with the relative abundance changes of both total mRNA and mcrA transcripts from Methanosarcinaceae (Fig. 6). At 45 °C, the dynamics of the mcrA transcript to gene ratio corresponded well with the relative abundance changes of mcrA transcripts from Methanocellaceae and, in addition, showed a nearly perfect correspondence to the intrafamily abundance dynamics of the Methanocella_3 population (compare Figs. 6h and 7a).
We tested the impact of two contrasting temperatures on the anaerobic food web in rice field soil. The mesophilic temperature (30 °C) relates to the present-day conditions in most rice paddies, while the thermophilic temperature (45 °C) represents a scenario that may occur in various tropical and subtropical rice paddies in the near future due to global warming. Rice straw was added as the major source of carbon in CH4 production. The incorporation of rice straw into the soil strongly enhances the emission of CH4 from rice fields [14, 36, 37]. Methanogenic activity in paddy soil without rice straw is low [26, 38]. While the following text discusses the differential effects of temperature on the anaerobic food web, a detailed excursus on polymer breakdown, including a critical assessment of the expression of GH transcripts by methanogenic archaea, is made in the Additional file 3.
Differential temperature effect on the structure and function of the anaerobic food web
The mesophilic and thermophilic food web communities had a similar modular structure consisting each of three complex modules. Corresponding network modules (LM2/HM2; LM3/HM3) had various family-level groups in common. In particular, the affiliation of methanogenic families to either LM2/HM2 (Methanosarcinaceae, Methanotrichaceae) or LM3/HM3 (Methanocellaceae, Methanobacteriaceae) suggested that at both temperatures, the food web communities were governed by similar metabolic interactions. A thorough inspection of the LM and HM networks, however, revealed that along the time axis, temperature had a differential effect on the structural and functional continuum in which the food web operates. This is most evidenced by the rRNA dynamics of family-level groups affiliated with each particular module. These taxon-specific dynamics indicated that each module has a particular functional role within the food web. Corresponding modules, however, differ in their functional role. LM2 is characterized by acetoclastic methanogenesis, whereas HM2 is specified by polymer hydrolysis and primary fermentation. Both LM3 and HM3 are characterized by hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, but CH4 production is linked to syntrophic oxidation of different intermediates (propionate [30 °C] vs. acetate [45 °C]). Common to both temperatures is that the first module (LM1, HM1) represents the early incubation stage. Their members showed no co-occurrence with methanogens and, except for Clostridium cluster XVIII (LM1) and Bacillaceae (HM1), were mostly of minor abundance. These populations may have been members of the starting community or initially proliferated by utilizing alternative electron acceptors, such as Fe(III), nitrate, sulfur, or sulfate. In anoxic paddy soil, alternative electron acceptors are completely used up during the first few days upon flooding [5].
The gene expression dynamics of Bacteria and Archaea significantly differed between the two temperatures, thereby providing another line of evidence for a differential temperature effect on the anaerobic food web (Fig. 2). At mesophilic temperature, bacterial and archaeal mRNAs were expressed at low but constant level throughout incubation time, with no particular peak abundances. By contrast, their mRNA expression at thermophilic temperature was characterized by strong abundance dynamics. Community-wide transcription showed two distinct activity stages characterized first by polymer hydrolysis and fermentation (days 5–16) and then followed by syntrophic acetate oxidation coupled to hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis (days 16–30). Syntrophy as the predominant process during the later stage is further evidenced by the co-occurrence link between the increasing mRNA expression activities of Bacteria and Archaea.
Temperature significantly affects polymer breakdown in rice field soil. The strongly differing CAZyme transcript dynamics provide first-time molecular evidence. Previous enzymatic research has shown that at mesophilic temperature, the hydrolytic release of easily degradable polymer substances occurs over the first 30 days of incubation and becomes increasingly the rate-limiting step in microbial activity after 14 days [39, 40]. The occurrence of polymer hydrolysis over the complete 30-day incubation period is well supported by the abundance dynamics of plant polymer degraders (discussed below). Apparently, this process is characterized by a low but constant expression level of CAZyme transcripts. At thermophilic temperature, the expression level of CAZyme transcripts was significantly increased. The GH/CBM transcript abundance peaked between days 11 and 16, in good agreement with the temporal expression dynamics of total bacterial mRNA. Thereafter, the CAZyme transcript level steadily decreased, suggesting that syntrophic acetate oxidizers were not majorly involved in polymer hydrolysis. The temporal separation of polymer breakdown and syntrophic acetate oxidation may have several reasons. On the one hand, it is well established that thermophilic conditions generally result in an increase in polymer degradation rates, which is attributed to increased hydrolytic activity [41]. On the other hand, the metabolic interaction between acetate oxidizers and Methanocellaceae may be characterized by growth rates that involve a substantial delay time until critical sizes of syntrophic populations are established, leading to net consumption of acetate.
Gradual plant polymer breakdown drives acetoclastic methanogenesis and syntrophic propionate oxidation at mesophilic temperature
The gradual decomposition of plant polymers over the complete incubation period of 30 days is corroborated by the persistent presence of family-level groups involved in polymer hydrolysis. These groups belonged to the low-complexity modules LM4, LM5, and LM6 (i.e., Bacillaceae, Clostridiaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Peptococcaceae). Other family-level groups were affiliated with LM2 (i.e., Methanosarcinaceae, Ruminococcaceae) but were also abundantly present during the late incubation stage. On CAZyme transcript level, the Firmicutes abundance, however, steadily decreased till day 30. Concomitantly, Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Bacteroidetes, and Ignavibacteriae increased in abundance (Fig. 3). Relative to their contribution to total bacterial mRNA, non-Firmicutes were significantly overrepresented in the GH/CBM transcript pool during the later stage (Fig. 3 and Additional file 1: Figure S4). This is most evident for the phylum Bacteroidetes that, after Firmicutes, contributed second most to the bacterial GH/CBM transcript pool. Bacteroidetes are well-known for their important role in polymer degradation [42, 43]. Conclusively, the degradation of plant polymers at 30 °C involves a complex functional interaction of diverse bacterial taxa, in which the contribution of non-Firmicutes populations strongly increased with incubation time (Fig. 3). One may speculate that the abundance increase in non-Firmicutes is causally linked to the previous finding that the easily degradable polymer substances become gradually exhausted during the later incubation stage [40].
Methanosarcinaceae and, to a lesser extent, Methanotrichaceae determine the functional role of LM2. It has been shown that Ruminococcus produces increased amounts of acetate in the presence of methanogens. This redirection of the fermentation process may explain the temporal co-occurrence of Methanosarcinaceae and Ruminococcaceae. Acetoclastic methanogenesis as the dominant process of CH4 production during the early stage is well confirmed by the RNA dynamics, with concurrent peak abundances of rRNA, total mRNA, and transcripts encoding particular methanogenic enzymes (MCR, CODH) (Fig. 6 and Additional file 1: Figures S7 and S8) on day 11. The subsequent shift from acetoclastic methanogenesis towards increasing contribution of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis to total CH4 production, however, is clearly more pronounced on mRNA level than on rRNA level, reinforcing the view that mRNA is more responsive to environmental change than rRNA [44]. The reduced but steady level of methanosarcinal mRNA during the later stage relates well to the previous result that polymer hydrolysis becomes increasingly the rate-limiting step in microbial activity after 14 days of incubation [40]. Thus, ongoing acetoclastic methanogenesis is presumably driven by acetate produced through rate-limiting polymer breakdown and syntrophic oxidation of propionate [23]. The mcrA gene is present only in one or two copies in methanogen genomes [45, 46], thereby making it possible to relate the temporal dynamics in its transcript to gene ratio to changes in cellular expression level. Thus, it is evident that the significant abundance increase in methanosarcinal mcrA transcripts between days 5 and 11 is primarily related to a strong increase in their cellular expression level, in addition to growth effects and the increase in methanogen population size (Fig. 6g). The mcrA transcript to gene ratio values are similar to those previously observed for highly active acetoclastic methanogens in peatlands [46] and Chinese paddy soils [47].
LM3 is characterized by syntrophic interaction between propionate oxidizers and H2/CO2-utilizing Methanocellaceae. We identified three bacterial families to be involved in propionate metabolism: Christensenellaceae (rRNA level) as well as Symbiobacteriaceae and Peptococcaceae (mRNA level). Christensenellaceae and methanogens significantly co-occur in the gut microbiome of human individuals with low body mass index [48]. The same group of authors also showed that in the gut of mice, elevated levels of propionate and butyrate are linked to the co-occurrence of Christensenellaceae and hydrogenotrophic methanogens. In our study, Christensenellaceae also showed a significant co-occurrence pattern with the Methanocellaceae (Fig. 1); however, their functional role still needs to be elucidated. The two known pathways of propionate degradation are (i) methyl-malonyl-coenzyme A (CoA) pathway and (ii) disproportionation of two propionate molecules to acetate and butyrate followed by syntrophic β-oxidation. The expression of mRNA affiliated with these two pathways by Christensenellaceae could not be confirmed.
Members of the Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes can operate the methyl-malonyl-coenzyme pathway in the reverse direction to produce propionate [49, 50]. Linking propionate turnover with the dynamics of propionate metabolism-related mRNA, it is reasonable to assume that Symbiobacteriaceae were primarily involved in propionate production (Fig. 4 and Additional file 1: Figure S6). Members of this family have been detected in paddy soils [51] and shown to be capable of producing propionate [52]. Most likely, Peptococcaceae were the major players in syntrophic propionate oxidation (Additional file 1: Figure S6). Their mRNA expression dynamics corresponded well to those of the Methanocellaceae. Propionate-oxidizing Peptococcaceae were previously detected with high abundance in paddy soil [21, 23] and Arctic peat [33].
The anaerobic food web at thermophilic temperature is a two-stage process driven by polymer breakdown and syntrophic acetate oxidation
The decomposition of plant polymers only involved members of the Firmicutes, which is well supported by their overwhelming contribution to total bacterial mRNA (Fig. 3 and Additional file 1: Figure S4). Clostridiaceae and Ruminococcaceae were dominantly affiliated with HM2 and the central players in polymer breakdown. These two families contributed most to the expression of key enzymes, such as cellulase, endo-1,4-beta-xylanase, alpha-galactosidase, and beta-galactosidase. Their rRNA dynamics corresponded well with the transcript dynamics of cellulase and, to a lesser extent, endo-1,4-beta-xylanase. The abundance of both transcript types peaked on day 16. Their similar expression dynamics suggest that the degradation of cellulose and xylan is highly interrelated [53, 54].
HM3 was characterized by the co-occurrence of syntrophic acetate oxidizers and Methanocellaceae (Fig. 1b, c). The contribution of Thermoanaerobacteraceae to acetate oxidation was confirmed by their rRNA-based co-occurrence with Methanocellaceae and, in addition, fhs transcript analysis (Figs. 1b,c and 5). Several genera collectively contributed to the abundance increase of the Thermoanaerobacteraceae in co-occurrence with the Methanocellaceae (data not shown). These genera are represented by the thermotolerant Tepidanaerobacter acetatoxydans [55] and Syntrophaceticus schinkii [56], and the thermophilic Thermacetogenium phaeum [20]. Members of these genera are known for their ability to oxidize acetate syntrophically [20, 41, 42].
However, the greatest contribution to syntrophic acetate oxidation was made by unknown or yet uncharacterized populations that had been grouped in fhs transcript analysis as “unclassified Firmicutes” or even “unclassified Bacteria”. The rRNA dynamics of Heliobacteriaceae and OPB54 agreed perfectly with the relative fhs gene expression dynamics (Figs. 1 and 5). Heliobacteriaceae as a possible candidate for contributing to syntrophic acetate oxidation was previously mentioned in a single report [57]. OPB54 is considered to represent a new but undescribed taxon within the Firmicutes at the rank of a new order or even class [58]. On rRNA gene level, the abundant presence of OPB54 in methanogenic thermophilic reactors (55 °C) has been observed, but their functional role remained elusive. Given that no genomic information is available for OPB54, its members may be responsible for the expression of a large proportion of fhs transcripts categorized as unclassified Bacteria, Firmicutes, or Clostridia.
Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis was overwhelmingly dominated by Methanocellaceae, as confirmed by analysis of total RNA, mRNA, and mcrA transcripts. This increase in methanogenic activity was related to a strong proliferation of Methanocella_3 (Fig. 7). Methanocellaceae are known to have two temperature optima at ~ 41 °C and 50 °C [59], but temperature preference under resource competition has not yet been related to a particular phylogenetic clustering. Our results indicate a relationship between phylogeny and temperature preference, with Methanocella_1 populations preferring mesophilic conditions. The strong proliferation of Methanocella_3 at 45 °C may suggest that this population represents a new Methanocella ecotype with a third previously unknown temperature optimum around 45 °C. Methanocellaceae outcompeted Methanobacteriaceae during the later incubation period (Fig. 6), possibly due to their ability to lower the partial pressure of hydrogen below the level that can be utilized by Methanobacterium spp. [14, 60]. The nearly perfect correspondence between the temporal dynamics of mcrA transcript to gene ratio (Fig. 6h) and intrafamily rRNA abundance of Methanocella_3 (Fig. 7a) suggests a functional link between the increase in Methanocella_3 population size and the mcrA expression level of its cells.
The anaerobic food web is driven by the functional interplay of a complex microbial community (Fig. 8). Some taxa were newly identified as potential members of particular functional guilds, such as Methanosarcinaceae (polymer hydrolysis), Christensenellaceae (propionate metabolism), and Heliobacteriaceae and members of clade OPB54 (syntrophic acetate oxidation). Despite the similarities in modular structure and taxonomic composition, temperature and, in consequence, thermodynamic constraints had a significant impact on all functional processes. At both temperatures, food web functionality was directly linked to polymer hydrolysis and the transition from early to late stage. The temperature-induced change in functionality may not only be a realistic near-future scenario for rice paddies but also for methanogenic wetlands in the tropics and subtropics; however, more research is necessary to elucidate the impact of the climate change-induced change in anaerobic food web functionality on CH4 emission. In particular, flux measurements in the field will be required to gain accurate estimates whether and how this change in food web functionality will affect the source strength of flooded rice fields and other methanogenic wetlands for atmospheric CH4.
Hypothetical model of the anaerobic food web in rice field soil. The temperature-dependent contribution of particular microbial groups is indicated by different colors. The figure is adapted from Fig. 1 in [4]
Anoxic incubations
Soil was collected from rice fields at the Italian Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Vercelli, Italy in June 2013. The soil was air-dried and stored as dry lumps at room temperature. Slurry microcosms were set up by filling 125 mL bottles with 40 g dry soil, 0.5 g rice straw (1–2 cm pieces), and 40 mL of autoclaved water. This amount of rice straw is commonly used in paddy soil slurry studies [14, 18, 61]. It corresponds to 37.5 t ha−1, i.e., about three times higher than under field conditions [62]. The thoroughly mixed slurries were sealed with butyl rubber stoppers and flushed with N2 to establish anoxic conditions. The bottles were then incubated at either 30 °C or 45 °C for 30 days. All bottles were preincubated for 4 days to initiate methanogenic activity [10, 14, 63]. At both temperatures, slurry materials beneath the top layer were collected at days 5, 11, 16, 23, and 30. The samples were immediately shock-frozen using liquid nitrogen and then kept for molecular analysis at − 80 °C. In addition, gas samples (0.1 mL) and liquid samples (0.5 mL) were taken from the same set of slurries for process measurements. All analyses are based on triplicate slurries, destructively sampled at each time point. Acetate concentration and methane formation were monitored as described previously [64]. The same set of slurries was used for chemical (acetate, propionate, and gas measurements) and molecular analyses.
Calculations of Gibbs free energies
Gibbs free energy (ΔG) of acetoclastic methanogenesis, hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, syntrophic acetate oxidation, and syntrophic propionate oxidation was calculated based on the concentrations of gases and dissolved compounds in the slurries incubated at either 30 °C or 45 °C [65]. The Gibbs free energy of different pathways was calculated by using the actually measured partial pressures and concentrations according to the Nernst equation [65].
Syntrophic acetate oxidation: \( \Delta G(T)=\Delta {H}^{{}^{\circ}}-\mathrm{RBT}+\mathrm{RT}\bullet \ln \frac{p{\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)}^4\bullet p{\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)}^2}{\left[{\mathrm{Ac}}^{-}\right]\left[{\mathrm{H}}^{+}\right]} \)
Syntrophic propionate oxidation: \( \Delta G(T)=\Delta {H}^{{}^{\circ}}-\mathrm{RBT}+\mathrm{RT}\bullet \ln \frac{\left[{\mathrm{Ac}}^{-}\right]\bullet p\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)\bullet p{\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)}^3}{\left[{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CO}\mathrm{O}}^{-}\right]} \)
Acetoclastic methanogenesis: \( \Delta G(T)=\Delta {H}^{{}^{\circ}}-\mathrm{RBT}+\mathrm{RT}\bullet \ln \frac{p\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)p\left({\mathrm{CH}}_4\right)\ }{\left[{\mathrm{Ac}}^{-}\right]\left[{\mathrm{H}}^{+}\right]} \)
Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis: \( \Delta G(T)=\Delta {H}^{{}^{\circ}}-\mathrm{RBT}+\mathrm{RT}\bullet \ln \frac{p\left({\mathrm{CH}}_4\right)\ }{p{\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)}^4p\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)} \)
∆H0 of each reaction (1–4) is 270.6, 205.1, 17.7, and − 252.9 KJ mol−1, respectively. In addition, RB of each reaction (1–4) is 0.723, 0.447, 0.314, and -0.41 KJ mol-1 K-1 , respectively.
The FastDNA ®SPIN Kit for Soil (MP Biomedicals, Solon, OH) was used for extraction of total DNA. Total RNA was extracted from slurries using a previously described method [66]. Briefly, fresh soil (0.5 g) was mixed with the same volume of glass beads and suspended in 700 μl of TPM buffer (0.5 M Tris pH 7.0, 1.7% polyvinylpyrrolidone, 0.2 M MgCl2). The mixture was shaken at 6.0 m s−1 for 45 s followed by centrifugation at 20,000×g for 4 min. The pellet was resuspended in 700 μl of PBL buffer (0.05 M Tris pH 7.0, 0.05 M Na2EDTA, 0.1% SDS w/v, 6% v/v phenol) and the lysis procedure was repeated as described above. Supernatants were purified by two-step phase extraction with phenol-chloroform-isoamylalcohol and chloroform-isoamylalcohol. RNA was precipitated with precooled isopropanol and resuspended in 50 μl of TE buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl, 1 mM EDTA [pH 8.0]). RNA extracts were treated with DNase I (Ambion) and purified using the RNA Clean and Concentrator kit (ZymoResearch) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The integrity of the purified RNA was checked by Bio-Rad Experion™ and RNA HighSens Chips (Bio-Rad).
Thirty samples of total RNA (corresponding to three replicate slurries × 5 time points × 2 temperatures [30 °C, 45 °C]) were subjected to cDNA synthesis using the NEBNext® Ultra™ Directional RNA Library Prep Kit for Illumina® (New England Biolabs, USA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. cDNA yield and integrity were determined by fluorometry (Qubit®, ThermoFisher, USA) and automated high-resolution electrophoresis (Experion, Bio-Rad, USA). The thirty cDNA libraries were sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq platform in paired-end mode (2 × 250 bp) at the Max Planck Genome Centre Cologne. Illumina RNA-Seq resulted in 133,049,210 reads, ranging from 3,450,734 to 5,841,253 reads per cDNA library (Additional file 1: Table S6).
Bioinformatic processing of total RNA
Paired-end reads were merged using fastq_mergepairs function (fastq_minovlen 20, fastq_minmergelen 250) in USEARCH7. Quality filtering was performed using the USEARCH7 fastq_filter function with a maximum expected error threshold of 0.5 [67]. Analysis of 16S rRNA and putative mRNA reads was carried out with a customized pipeline as described previously [44].
Briefly, both 16S and 18S rRNA were extracted from total RNA by SortMeRNA 2.0 [68]. A total of 77,665,958 quality-filtered reads was obtained from total RNA, of which 34,458,629 and 1,361,405 reads were derived from 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA, respectively (Additional file 1: Table S6). USEARCH7 and QIIME (version 1.9.1) [69] were used as the overall framework for rRNA-derived reads. OTU clustering was done using the UCLUST algorithm integrated into USEARCH and an OTU threshold of 95% sequence identity. Using a custom PYTHON script, the resulting OTU table was converted to match the particular specifications of QIIME. Taxonomic assignments were done using the RDP classifier [70] implemented in QIIME with SILVA SSU (release 128) as the reference database. Due to the low proportion of eukaryal 18S rRNA, our study focused on bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA. In particular, fungi were nearly not detectable. They contributed between 0.03 and 0.3% to total SSU rRNA reads (Additional file 1: Tables S7 and S8).
For mRNA analysis, reads mapping to rRNA and non-coding small RNA were filtered by SortMeRNA 2.0, using SILVA (release 128) and RFAM as reference databases. The remaining reads were considered putative mRNA. We identified only a low proportion of mRNA reads (0.39–3.20%) to be derived from Eukaryota (Additional file 1: Table S9). Like for SSU rRNA, we therefore extracted only bacterial and archaeal mRNA reads through MEGAN6 Ultimate Edition [71] for downstream analysis. These were a total of 2,245,249 quality-filtered reads (Additional file 1: Table S10). Taxonomic assignment and functional annotation of the mRNA reads were carried out using the UBLAST algorithm implemented in USEARCH7 applying an e value cutoff of 1e-5, maxhits 50, and maxaccepts 50 for database searches against NCBI’s non-redundant protein database (release 2017). MEGAN6 Ultimate Edition was used for parsing and downstream analysis of the UBLAST output. Taxonomy assignments were made by the “lowest common ancestor” (LCA) method using the following parameters: minimum support 1, minimum bit score 150, top percent 10 [72]. A total of 1,242,931 reads had a taxonomic hit in the NCBI’s non-redundant protein database (Additional file 1: Table S10). Taxonomically assigned mRNA was functionally annotated according to SEED subsystems and KEGG categories (release 2017). For in-depth sub-transcriptome analysis, mRNA reads related to particular functional genes and pathways were extracted from MEGAN6 and blasted against NCBI’s non-redundant protein database. UBLAST searches were carried out with an e value threshold of 1e-10, followed by the analysis in MEGAN6 Ultimate Edition.
Assembly of full-length Methanocellaceae 16S rRNA sequences
All the Illumina reads affiliated with 16S rRNA of the Methanocellaceae were extracted by Python scripts and used to reconstruct near full-length 16S rRNA sequences via 60 iterations in EMIRGE. The abundance estimate of assembled reads per 16S rRNA sequence is NormPrior, which is a length-normalized estimate determined by the EMIRGE algorithm [73]. Each 16S rRNA sequence assembled by EMIRGE is the result of Illumina reads > 97% similarity. Assemblies were done separately for each sequence dataset (= replicate slurry) rather than pooling the datasets together. Totally, 152 full-length 16S rRNA sequences were produced across all replicate samples. Phylogenetic analysis of assembled 16S rRNA was done with ARB software (http://www.arb-home.de/; version 2016; [74]) as previously described [14]. Sequences were aligned using SINA webaligner (https://www.arb-silva.de/aligner/) and imported into the SILVA database (nr99 (release 128)) obtained from the SILVA homepage [75]. Then, the alignment was checked and corrected manually by ARB_EDIT. Phylogenetic placement was performed relative to euryarchaeal reference sequences. A 16S rRNA-based tree was constructed for sequences having a length > 1200 bp. All 152 nearly full-length Methanocellaceae 16S rRNA sequences were added to this tree using the ARB parsimony tool, which allows the addition of sequences to phylogenetic trees without changing global tree topologies [76].
Analysis of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes)
CAZyme-affiliated mRNA reads were identified by querying total mRNA datasets against dbCAN, a database for carbohydrate-active enzyme annotation (release 2017) [77]. Database search was done with DIAMOND [78] in blastx mode applying the default e value cutoff of 1e-3. Functional CAZyme modules (e.g., cellulose degradation) were defined by grouping related enzymatic functions based on their enzyme commission numbers. A mapping file for functional annotation was created using all available entries in dbCAN. The mapping file was stored as indexed sqlite database object and queried using a custom Python script. The resulting annotations are based on matching dbCAN tophits for mRNA reads queried against the formatted mapping file and defined CAZyme modules.
Subsets of mRNA reads linked to CAZyme functions of interest were obtained using custom Python scripts. These subsets were taxonomically assigned by applying the strategy outlined by Menzel and colleagues [79], which relies on identifying maximum exact matches for query sequences in reference databases using the backward search algorithm implemented in the Burrows-Wheeler transform [80, 81]. Prokaryotic genomes from NCBI RefSeq and NCBI nr were used as reference databases.
qPCR and RT-qPCR of mcrA
Numbers of genes and transcripts encoding methyl coenzyme reductase A (mcrA) were quantified with primer set mlas-mod-f/mcrA-rev-r [82]. Total RNA was randomly reverse transcribed using the GoScript Reverse Transcription System (Promega, Mannheim, Germany). Standard curves were constructed using PCR amplicons (mcrA genes/transcripts, calibration range from 10 to 108 copies). The analyses were performed using SYBR Green-based assays [44]. qPCR was carried out using a CFX Connect Real-Time PCR detection system (Bio-Rad). Like for RNA-Seq, qPCR and RT-qPCR of mcrA were each performed from 30 samples. All reactions were carried out in three technical replicates. The PCR efficiency was 89% (R2 > 0.99).
Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) plots were generated in the R (version 3.5.0) software (R Development Core Team, 2014) using the vegan package (version 2.4.4) [83] with the metaMDS function and Bray–Curtis similarity matrices on square-root transformed data. Analyses of Similarity (ANOSIM) of Bray–Curtis similarity were performed to test whether community differences between the (i) two temperatures and (ii) incubation time points in the NMDS ordinations are statistically significant [84].
Co-occurrence networks were constructed for 30 °C and 45 °C using pipelines developed previously [85]. These were based on time-dependent changes in taxon-specific rRNA abundances. Ribosomal RNA reads were clustered into OTUs at 95% sequence identity and all the OTUs assigned on family level were retained for further analysis. Family-level groups with less than 0.5‰ of total reads were discarded. Spearman correlation coefficient 0.6 ≤ ρ ≤0.9 and false discovery rate (FDR) corrected P value ≤ 0.01 were used for co-occurrence network construction. The number of nodes and edges, average path length, and networks were visualized by Gephi software [86].
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We thank Ralf Conrad for critical readings of the manuscript and valuable discussions. We also thank Rehab Abdallah for helpful comments.
This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft through the collaborative research center SFB 987.
The Illumina RNA-Seq data generated during this study have been deposited at the NCBI Sequence Read Archive under the BioProject number PRJNA412498 with accession number SRR6122723 to SRR6122752. The assembled Methanocellaceae 16S rRNA sequences have been submitted to the NCBI database with accession numbers MG977525–MG977676. The custom PYTHON scripts used in our study are available at http://github.com/wegnerce/peng_et_al_2018 .
Research Group Methanotrophic Bacteria and Environmental Genomics/Transcriptomics, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043, Marburg, Germany
Jingjing Peng
, Qicheng Bei
, Pengfei Liu
& Werner Liesack
Institute of Ecology, Aquatic Geomicrobiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Str. 159, 07749, Jena, Germany
Carl-Eric Wegner
Search for Jingjing Peng in:
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JP and WL designed the study. QB contributed to the RNA extraction. JP carried out the whole cDNA library preparation and all other experimental research. JP and CEW conducted data analyses. JP did network analysis and fatty acids measurement with significant support from PL. JP, CEW, and WL wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to Werner Liesack.
This document contains supporting Figures S1-S8. and Tables S1-S10. The file is published online as Supporting Information. (PDF 1430 kb)
Corroborating GH expression by methanogens through blasting their genome sequences (download from NCBI database) against dbCAN database. (XLSX 378 kb)
Detailed excursus on anaerobic polymer breakdown and the temperature-dependent expression of CAZymes. (PDF 87 kb)
Peng, J., Wegner, C., Bei, Q. et al. Metatranscriptomics reveals a differential temperature effect on the structural and functional organization of the anaerobic food web in rice field soil. Microbiome 6, 169 (2018) doi:10.1186/s40168-018-0546-9
Biopolymer degradation
CAZymes
Formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase
Methanosarcina
Methanocella
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Home >> Schools >> Francis Howell >> Students compete at national conference
Students compete at national conference
July 23, 2019 16 Views
Local students Jimmy Johnson from Francis Howell High, Mason Aguilar from Francis Howell Central and Amanda Hasenbeck from Francis Howell North traveled to Louisville in June for the SkillsUSA’s 55th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference.
Johnson finished eighth in the nation in HVAC Sheet Metal, Aguilar finished eleventh in Power Equipment Technology, and Hasenbeck finished twenty-second in the nation in Medical Terminology. More than 15,000 students, teachers, education leaders and representatives from 600 national corporations and labor unions participated in the event, which is also the world’s largest showcase of skilled trades and skill competitions.
The invitation-only event was for the first place state finishers in 100 competition areas for career and technical students. Johnson, Aguilar, and Hasenbeck all qualified after earning gold medals at the state competition in April. Johnson is also a Lewis & Clark graduate who is pursuing a career in the HVAC field. Aguilar is a two-time national competitor who is joining the Air Force. Hasenbeck completed the Health Occupations course at Lewis & Clark during her junior year and will return to Francis Howell North for her senior year.
“All the kids did remarkably well in the face of intense competition,” Dr. Andrew Stewart, director of the Lewis & Clark Career Center, said. “Each represented their school, community, and the state of Missouri in a way in which we would all be proud.”
The Lewis & Clark Career Center provides career and technical education for juniors and seniors from all five school districts in St. Charles County.
Mason Aguilar from Francis Howell Central competes alongside classmates at the SkillsUSA’s 55th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference. [FHSD photo]
Amanda Hasenbeck Jimmy Johnson Mason Aguilar National Leadership and Skills Conference. SkillsUSA 2019-07-23
Jessica Meszaros
Francis Howell students learn the value of recycling
Assumption’s robotics teams rock the competition
Lutheran High Spanish students earn biliteracy seal
Jessica is a staff reporter covering the Wildwood and Ellisville beats for West Newsmagazine, the O'Fallon beat for Mid Rivers Newsmagazine, and everything and anything in between. She currently lives in Wildwood and graduated from Missouri State University with a BA in Print/Internet Journalism and a Minor in Art. She got her start at Newsmagazine Network with a summer internship in 2015. In her spare time, she enjoys digital drawing and playing video games.
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Tag Archives: best buy
Art, collaboration, MUST KNOW, News
Scribe Writing Essentials Shangri-La is NOW OPEN!
Scribe Writing Essential Store in Shangrila
Scribe opens new doors and keeps the tradition of reading and writing live
In this day and age when everything is about high technology gadgets, there still thrives a store where one can find traditional reading and writing products. Like every girl, the store owner went through a phase of collecting stationeries and cute knick knacks and this is how the whole business started. It actually started only as a hobby in college where she and her sister-in-law would sell specialty items in bazaars during Christmas. As many people asked where they can find the stuff when the bazaar season is over, they realized the demand. They then got into distribution and started supplying the big bookstores and specialty stores until they opened their very first store 8 years later. This was in Eastwood Mall in 2009. Fast forward to 2014, there are now 5 branches with the flagship store located at the new East Wing of the luxurious Shangri-La Plaza Mall.
Scribe Feather Quill Set
This is the story of how SCRIBE Writing Essentials came to be. Scribe has been in the trading business since 2002. The company started with the importation and distribution of imported reading and writing products from the US, Europe and Asia. Due to the huge success of its products, Scribe was inspired to grow its selection and it now has more than 15 brands in its portfolio. It has been particularly successful in the fine writing and calligraphy business as evidenced by being the exclusive distributor of some of the world’s most premium and sought-after fine writing and calligraphy brands such as Pelikan, Sailor, Platinum, TWSBI, J. Herbin, Brause and Speedball. And most recently, Cross and Lamy also joined the roster of fine writing pens available in Scribe. The store also started developing its own in-house products under the SCRIBE brand to cater to the mid and lower-end markets but without compromising the quality of its items.
Marian Yu-Ong, Scribe Writing Essentials Owner
Scribe Writing Essentials owner Marian Yu-Ong says, “I always believed that you should do what you love. That is why it was only fitting that I made a business out of specialty reading and writing
products which I’ve loved ever since I was a kid.” The store is a one-stop gift and paper specialty store. The vision was for it to be a place where our customers can find unique and inspiring gifts for a special friend, family or oneself. Ong adds, “We pride ourselves with the best selection of reading and writing accessories, all of which are carefully selected and imported by our company from all over the world. We also have unique services such as the customizing of seals which is as far as I know, is only offered by us and a gift wrapping bar with a wide selection of imported papers and cards to compliment your purchase or gift for any occasion.”
Scribe Calligraphy Sets
Though the store has increased the brands and selection over the years, the company’s objective remains the same, which is to provide exclusive and high quality products and accessories that enhance the joys of reading and writing. The store takes pride in offering the best brands and it aims to continue to bring quality products and brands from all over the world into the hands of discerning customers.
Scribe Writing Essentials now has 5 branches located in the following malls: Eastwood Mall, SM Aura Premier, SM Megamall Fashion Hall. Glorietta 5 and the new flagship store at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, East Wing.
Pelikan Edelstein Fountain Pen Inks
Sailor Pen
J. Herbin Ink
partial list of brands that are available at Scribe Writing Essentials:
• Pelikan
• Sailor Pen
• Platinum
• Kaweco
• TWSBI
• Cross
• Lamy
• J. Herbin
• Brause
• Midori
• Scribe Writing Essentials (private label)
• Daycraft
• 7321 Design • Speedball
• Noodler’s Ink
• Anna Griffin
• Peter Pauper
• International Arrivals
• Mighty Bright
• Thinking Gifts
• Up With Paper Greeting Cards
Meet the Scribe Ambassadors
As the brand steadily grew in the past years, so did its long list of loyal clientele. Three loyal clients who became good friends of the brand are Fozzy Dayrit, Leigh Reyes and Architect Michael Manalo. Find out more about the three and understand why they have an affinity with the brand.
Artwork by Leigh Reyes
Calligraphy by Fozzy Dayrit
Artwork by Arch. Michael Manalo
With the store’s rapid growth, the dream now is to bring the brand outside Metro Manila and to continue sourcing world class brands. But at the moment, Ong is quite happy where Scribe is right now. She never thought that there will be 5 branches! Ong discloses, “Before we even think of expanding further I’d first like to make sure that all 5 stores are well taken cared of and that no part of our customer service or product selection suffers.” She also wants Scribe to be more involved in the community by supporting educational campaigns, conducting art and writing workshops and by helping those in need.
Recently, Scribe teamed up with world renowned Korean opera superstar SUMI JO in her February 1 concert in Manila. Proceeds of the concert were donated to the victims of typhoon Yolanda through
UNESCO. It is projects like these that Scribe wants to be more involved in the future.
Tagged 7321 Design, artist, ball point, best buy, Brause, calligrapher, calligraphy, Cross, Daycraft, east atrium, fountain pen, great works, ink, international brand, J. Herbin, Kaweco, Lamy, Midori, Pelikan, pen, Platinum, plaza, Sailor Pen, scribe writing essentials, Scribe Writing Essentials (private label), shagri-la mall, TWSBI, writing
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Tag Archives: life expectancy
Britain’s starvation crisis won’t bother our new millionaires at all
Posted by Mike Sivier in Children, Cost of living, Democracy, Economy, Food Banks, Health, People, Politics, Poverty, UK
bedroom tax, benefit, cost of living, cut, David Cameron, David Gauke, delay, disease, economy, Eddie Izzard, election, employment, exploit, food bank, industry, life expectancy, malnourishment, Mike Sivier, mikesivier, millionaire, National Health Service, neoliberal, NHS, pay, pay freeze, pension, people, politics, poverty, privatisation, privatise, recovery, rickets, salary, sanction, Scarlet Fever, social security, starvation, starve, sweetheart deal, tax, third world, Trussell Trust, tuberculosis, vote, Vox Political, wage, welfare, zero hours
Britain’s shame: The front page of yesterday’s Daily Mirror.
So the United Kingdom now houses more millionaires than ever before – but at the huge cost of forcing hundreds of thousands of people to seek help from food banks or starve.
This is David Cameron’s gamble: That enough people will profit from the misery of the huge underclass he has created to vote him back into office in 2015, to continue his attack on anybody who takes home less than £100,000 pay per year.
Are you really that selfish?
Do you think this is any way for a civilised, First-World society to order itself?
No – it’s more like the description of the Third World that became prevalent towards the end of the 1960s: A country with low economic development, low life expectancy, high rates of poverty, and rampant disease. They are also countries where a wealthy ruling class is free to exploit the population at large who, without money or force of arms, are powerless to stop them.
Let’s see now… The UK definitely has low economic development. Neoliberal governments since 1979 have decimated our industrial base and the so-called recovery we are currently enjoying has yet to show any worthwhile results, despite the dubious rises in employment and wages that are making headlines this week.
Low life expectancy? Yes, we have that. People in lower-class residential areas are expected to live only a few years into their retirement, if they make it that far, while those in rich areas may continue into their late eighties. Sharp readers will recognise that, although we all pay the same amount into the state pension, the rich get more from it as they live long enough to receive larger amounts.
High rates of poverty? According to the Trussell Trust, the number of food parcels it handed out per year tripled from 346,992 in 2012 to 913,138 last year, with 330,205 going to children. Another 182,000 were provided by 45 independent food banks. The government says poverty is falling but bases its figures on a proportion of the median wage, which has been dropping for the last six years. This means government claims that worker wages are rising must also be lies.
Rampant disease? Perhaps we should not go as far as to suggest this is happening – but the British Isles have witnessed the return of diseases long-thought banished from these shores, like Rickets and Scarlet Fever, along with an increase in Tuberculosis. These are all poverty-related, as they are caused by malnourishment. You can thank your Tory government for forcing so many people out of work and diverting so much NHS funding into privatisation.
As for a wealthy working class exploiting the population – the evidence is all around us.
Look at the reasons people are being driven to food banks, according to the Daily Mirror article from which I quoted the food bank figures: “Benefits cuts and delays, the rising cost of living and pay freezes are forcing more and more people into food banks, experts have long warned.” All of these are the result of Tory government policy.
The government is, of course, unrepentant. I had the misfortune to see Treasury minister David Gauke – who found infamy when he signed off on huge “sweetheart deals” letting multinational firms off paying billions of pounds of income tax they owed us – saying he was not ashamed of the huge food bank uptake. He said they were doing a valuable job and he was glad that the government was signposting people to them. Nobody seemed to want to ask him: In the country with the world’s sixth-largest economy, why are food banks needed at all?
Of course, I’m not likely to persuade anyone to change their political allegiance over this. You all know where I stand and, besides, this blog is simply not big enough to make a difference.
So I’ll leave you with the words of someone who is far more popular: Eddie Izzard, writing in (again) the Mirror:
“A million food parcels. How did our Britain get to be so hungry? Our country, where even after the Second World War, we still had the ambition to feed our poorest people and build a better country.
“This government said it wanted to reform the British welfare system. Instead, it has broken it. The proof is here in the desperate families who have had to turn to their GP, not for medicine, but for vouchers to be able to eat.
“Instead of supporting the most vulnerable people in Britain during the recession this government has hit them with a wave of cruel cuts and punishments – sanctions, Bedroom Tax, welfare cuts.
“The zero hours economy it champions is not enough to put food on tables. It’s done nothing to tackle food and fuel costs.
“No wonder that today, 600 faith leaders, dozens of charities and 40 bishops are telling David Cameron he is failing the country’s poorest people.”
Perhaps you are not affected, like all those new millionaires on whom the Tories are relying. Do you think that makes it all right for this to be happening here?
You can use your vote to share your opinion.
Vox Political deplores poverty because we live in its shadow.
The great pensions rip-off
Posted by Mike Sivier in Conservative Party, Cost of living, Health, Liberal Democrats, pensions, People, Politics, Poverty, UK
BBC, benefit, benefits, bus pass, class, Coalition, cold weather payment, Conservative, contract, couple's, CPI, Democrat, earnings, final salary scheme, flat rate, government, guarantee, health, inflation, Lib Dem, Liberal, life expectancy, means test, Mike Sivier, mikesivier, minimum income guarantee, National Federation, national insurance, Occupational Pensioners, out, pension, pension credit, Pensions, people, politics, poverty, rate, savings, social security, tax, Tories, Tory, triple-lock, TV licence, Vince Cable, Vox Political, workplace
Someone’s raiding the pensions piggy-bank: Government changes mean the rich will be subsidised by the poor. [Picture: The Guardian]
We all know that pensioners have a charmed life under the current government – right? Pensions take up around half the £160 billion social security budget and there are other perks like the cold weather payment during the winter months, free bus passes and free TV licences – right?
They get a triple-lock inflation guarantee, under which the state pension rises according to the highest of CPI inflation, the rise in earnings or 2.5 per cent. They get Pension Credit (otherwise known as the Minimum Income Guarantee) to ensure they receive a weekly minimum of more than £140.
So no matter what happens to the rest of us, they’re in clover – right?
Just taking those examples, Tory Liam Fox wants to cut the cold weather payment down to nothing, and the Liberal Democrat Vince Cable wants to means-test or tax pensions. The free TV licence will disappear if the rising clamour to privatise the BBC receives government blessing.
Then there’s the fact that the age at which we can start drawing our pensions is rising – from 65 (for men) and 60 (for women) in 2010 to 68 (for both) by 2046, which may seem a long way into the future but in fact affects people from 2016 onwards.
The government is bringing this in because people are living longer, and this may seem like a reasonable idea – until one takes into account the fact that life expectancy is hugely dependant not only on where you live but on your social class as well.
For example, in Kensington and Chelsea, average male life expectancy in 2010 was 85.1 years, and average female life expectancy was 89.8 years. In Glasgow at the same time, average male life expectancy was 71.6 years – 13.5 less than men in Kensington and Chelsea – and average female life expectancy was 78 years – 11.8 years lower than in Kensington and Chelsea.
Between 2004 and 2010 the gap in life expectancy between the two places increased by one year and 1.7 years for men and women respectively, indicating that health inequalities across the UK are increasing.
Social class also has a huge effect on life expectancy, with people in higher managerial and professional occupations likely to live 3.5 years longer than those in routine occupations.
But they all pay National Insurance contributions for the same period of time – 30 years – in order to qualify for the state pension. This means working class people living in social housing are likely to be paying towards the pensions of upper-middle class professionals in penthouses, as well as their own.
Now the government is introducing the flat-rate pension for people reaching the state pension age who have made 35 years’ National Insurance contributions. The payment will be £144 per week at today’s prices.
People who have built up large savings for their retirement will be considerably better-off because pensions will no longer be means-tested (Pension Credit will be phased out).
Existing pensioners will remain in the old system and are likely to be worse-off than those who qualify for the new pension.
People aged in their 20s at the moment may also be worse-off than under the current system (so, even with pensions, the Coalition government has found a way to attack the young).
And people who have not paid National Insurance for at least seven years in total will not qualify for the new single-tier state pension at all.
Workers who belong to contracted-out final salary schemes pay lower NI contributions at present, but these will rise after 2016. Public sector workers in such schemes will have to pay more.
The couple’s pension rate, which is lower than the individual rate, is being phased out. This means around 30,000 women due to retire in and around 2016 are expected to lose out, as they were relying on their husband’s NI record for a state pension income and will no longer be entitled to it.
We already knew all of that.
Now, the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners says the government is proposing changes to workplace pension schemes that will undermine benefits, increase pension poverty and widen the gap between the private sector and public sector schemes, according to Mature Times.
The proposed changes mean companies will be allowed to change their scheme rules to remove the inflation link for pensions, increase their pension age and get rid of other benefits such as pensions for spouses. This significant downgrade of pension provision means scheme members could reach retirement and then realise that the expected return from their pensions has been severely reduced.
Put it all together and the less wealthy are being subjected to another rip-off – this one delayed until retirement. Who knows how much energy bills will cost by then? How many of us will have rent to pay, or mortgage payments to complete? How much will the weekly groceries cost? Will the equivalent of £144 per week be enough, by then?
And – in the current cutthroat times – how many of us will survive to find out?
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Archive for the tag “Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde”
The Electoral Commission: Statement on the integrity of the National Voters’ Register (28.08.2018)
Posted in Africa, Development, Election, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, Transparency and tagged ACFIM, ACFIM Observers, Alliance for Campaign Finance Monitoring, Anti Corruption Alliance Uganda, Bulakasa, CEON U, Citizens Elections Observers Network Uganda, Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, Democratic Party Uganda, DP, DP U, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Dr. Warren Smith Kizza Besigye Kifefe, FDC, Forum for Democratic Change, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, GoU, Government of Uganda, H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Henry Tumukunde, Hon. Ofwono Opondo, Jimmy Akena, Justice Simon Byabakama, Kizza Besigye Kifefe, Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni., Media, Media Advertisments, Media Coverage, National Resistance Movement, NRM, Ofwono Opondo, President Museveni, Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, SPC, Special Forces Command, Uganda Peoples Congress, UPC, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni | Leave a comment
Uganda: MoH Press release on the death at Naguru Hospital due to Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (24.08.2018)
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged Adjumani, Adjumani District, Amooti S.T. Businge, Anule Aloysius Edema, Bunyangabo, CCHF, Charles Okidi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Development Expenditure, Don Wanyama, Donation, Dr. Beatrice Wabudeya, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Draft Refugee Policy, DRC, East Africa, Emmanuel Mutebi, ESO, External Security Organization, Football, Francis Ojur, Gadah Eldam Nagwa, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, GoU, Government of Uganda, H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, H.E. Yoweri Museveni, Henry Muganwa Kajura, Henry Tumukunde, Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hussain Waiswa, Internal Security Organization, ISO, John Mitiala, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kaliisa Kabagambe, Kiryandongo, Kiryandongo District, Kivumbi M. Lutaaya, Kyotera, Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni., Luck Nakyobe, Lucy Nakyobe, Medical treatment, Ministry of Defense, Molly Kamukama, MTEF Ceiling, Mukono, Musoke Kintu, Nakasongola, Nakasongola District, Namisindwa, National Resistance Movement, NM Campaign Taskforce, NRM, NRM Campaign Money, NRM Mobilisers, NRM Money Delivery, NRM National Campaign Taskforce, NRM Regime, NRM-Regiem, Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, Omoro, OPM, Pakwach, Parliament of Uganda, Partick Nyakatuura Rwakijuma, Partick Rusongoza, PM Ruhakana Rugunda, President Museveni, Rubanda, Ruhakana Rugunda, Rukiga, Swamadu Bogere, Uganda, Ugandan Government, Venand Nantulya, VHF, Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Yoweri Museveni, Yumbe, Yumbe District | Leave a comment
The World Bank commends the rising taxes in Uganda!
Yep, the biggest bank and the Bretton Woods Organization called the World Bank has commended the works of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his plans for added taxes. That comes from the similar institution like International Monetary Fund, that ordered Uganda to follow the Structural Adjustment Plan (SAP), therefore, the IMF that fixed more privatization without lacking investments. Are now okaying a higher rising taxes on the Republic’s citizens. This is done, while the economy is not strengthen, but with added external and internal loans. Therefore, the rise of GDP and use of loans, as well as repayments on those loans will sooner or later hurt the economy. Even with the rise of taxes. This will be start of vicious cycle where the state is issuing loans and taxes, while the revenue is used to repay loans, not development. It is basically. But before I go into the deep of the part of the troubling take from the World Bank. Let me just show you quickly the result of the SAP and their advice there.
“The studies also make it clear that for SAP-type policies to have a chance of success, certain preconditions are necessary. The public sector had certain social responsibilities that the current framework has pushed it out of but without “a proper handing over” to the private sector. The assumption and hope were that the market would fill the gap left by the retreating state. Clearly this has not happened. There is therefore need for Government either to retain certain key social sectors, or only hand them over to the private sector only when the latter is ready to effectively take them over. Clearly non-profit making aspects of social responsibility cannot and do not get taken over by the private sector. For poverty to be reduced there are certain social responsibilities or even whole sectors that can only effectively be handled by the public sector. Welfare systems and subsidies to farmers in the developed world attest to the need for the retention of these key areas by the public sector. Therefore a policy that proscribes such a hand-over must also ensure that it is done in a verifiable manner so that the private sector can be held to account. Civil society has in the past tried to fill the gap but this has been done in an ad hoc manner” (Kevin Akoyi Makokha – ‘STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT PARTICIPATORY REVIEW INITIATIVE (SAPRI) – UGANDA COUNTRY REPORT: A synthesis of the Four SAPRI Studies’ September 2001).
So, when the last system from the World Bank and IMF was introduced the system and the government wasn’t ready to privatize, however, that didn’t stop them or the government to do so. Especially since the funds and loans at the time came with the hitch of doing so. Therefore, the troubles with the privatization and the lacking oversight is also partly because of these programs subsidized by these organizations. That is why the World Bank and IMF should be more careful professing what sort of thing would be genuine and sincere, since they have messed up before. It isn’t only the State House who has messed up, he has gotten help and followed the procedures of these mechanisms. If not, he wouldn’t be able to eat such vast amounts of donor funding in the past. This is well-known, but the lack of oversight, is because of the will of wanting to have control and a say in everything. That is why the letter from the President to Minister of Finance, is the reason for the new levied taxes. So, if you wonder why I have distrust to the World Bank and IMF, it is because of their history and that the public is paying for it, because their impact on the governments for the reasons. That these states should be guinea-pigs for the economy belief of trickling down economics, even as the results has begged differ if it really drips back into the system again. Which it doesn’t because the ones that gets a lot want to keep it and get some more. No dole it out to anyone they can find.
Here is what the World Bank stated today: “In the special section of the Update, the report analyses how Uganda could raise more domestic revenues to support its development. Uganda’s tax system is one of the most modern in the region, but revenue collections, at 14 percent of GDP, are low, and way below its tax potential. Tax avoidance and evasion, partly resulting from generous tax exemptions to investors, weak tax administration, and a large informal sector (now at 80 percent), pose challenges to increasing revenues. Up to 5 percent of GDP is lost annually in tax leakages. Personal income tax contributes roughly 18 percent of GDP compared to up to 40 percent in developed countries. VAT collections amount to 4 percent of GDP, but would rise to 6 percent if there were no exemptions. The report suggests that Uganda could widen its tax base by tapping into areas that are outside the tax net; applying tax instruments correctly and fairly; improving efficiency, transparency and accountability in tax administration; and delivering better public services” (World Bank – ‘Improving Taxation to Finance Uganda’s Development’ 15.05.2018).
Therefore, the World Bank likes the idea of adding more tax on the Mobile Money transactions and the movement of digital cash, as well as on Airtime and other needed things. The ones that hasn’t a bank-account or the ability to fund or even try to get a loans from the banking system. Are okayed by the World Bank as possible targets for taxes. This isn’t transparent, but making it more expensive to be poor, as the rates to transmit and the use mobile money will come. The companies whose use this method will bill the users, they will not take the hit. The same with all the traders and the importers of all the other items that was on the lists of the newly taxed items.
I doubt these new taxes will do any good, it will just be more funds for the elites, the NRM and the President to eat. They are not delivering government services with the trillions of shillings they are using now. They are billing up to their asses and spending rampant, without having the revenue. That is why the rising debts are there. Instead of living frugal and thinking of the future, the NRM and President Museveni are eating like there is no tomorrow!
State House, the President and the Cabinet are eating heavy, they are not delivering, they have no plans to do so. If so, they give locally when needed, but the lack of transparency and accountability, is the reason for missing funds. Recently even the documents from the GAVI Funds was taken from the Ministry of Health. Therefore, a government who cannot be trusted with funds giving donations to help the sick, how can we believe the tax put on Mobile Money will go to roads or teachers?
I doubt that, I am not that naive, this NRM has proven for 32 years, that they are eating and not caring. The World Bank can commend and praise. While I condemn, until they prove that they money are delivered to the schools, that the teachers have their salaries and the civil servants are properly paid. Not just hiring some random Cubans to fix the issues for a short time. That is not how to build a national health care system. That is how to mock the ones you already have. Peace.
Posted in Africa, Business, Civil Service, Development, Economic Measures, Economy, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, Tax, Trade, Transparency and tagged #Simcardregistration, 10th Parliament, Africell Uganda, Airtel, Airtel Uganda, Albert Mucunguzi, Apple, Bank of Uganda, Chief of Military Intelligence, CMI, Disconnection, Double Subscription, East Africa, Edward Kale Kayihura, Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, Erias Lukwago, Facebook, FinFisher, Frank Tumwebaze, GAVI, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Gen. Kale Kayihura, Godfrey Mutabazi, Google, GoU, Government of Uganda, Hajj Erias Lukwago Ssalongo, Henry Tumukunde, Hon Oboth, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Hon. Matia Kasaija, Hon. Matia Kasaijja, Hon. Michael Muganga, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, Hon. Winnie Kiiza, ICTAU, IGP Gen Kale Kayihura, IGP Kale Kayihura, IGP Okoth-Ochola, IMF, International Monetary Bank, International Monetary Fund, ISO, Jacob Markson Oboth, Jacob Oboth, K2 Telecom, Know Your Costumers, KYC, Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Mango, Michael Muganga, MICT, Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, Mobile Money, Mobile Money Registration, Mobile Money Service, Mobile Money Wallets, MoFPED, MTN, MTN-Uganda, Multiple Simcards, National ID, National Identification and Registration Authority, National Identification Cards, National Identity Registration Authority, National Resistance Movement, NIN, NIRA, Northern Uganda, NRM, NRM Regime, Parliament Motion, Prof Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, Rebecca Kadaga, Republic of Uganda, SAP, Sim Card Registration, SIM Registration, Simba Telecom, SiU Kireka, Smart Telecom, Smile Communication, Social Media, Soft Suspension, Subscribers, Tangerine, Telecom, Telecom Industry, Telecommunication, Twitter, UCC, Uganda, Uganda Communications Commission, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Telecom, Uganda Telecom Limited, Ugandan Government, UPF, URA, UTL, Village, Vodafone Uganda, Vodaphone, WB, WhatsApp, Winfred Nyabahasa Kiiza, Winnie Kiiza, World Bank | Leave a comment
Telecommunications, Mobile Money and Cooking-Oil is hit by new taxes in Uganda!
You know there fiscal problems within the Government of Uganda (GoU). The GoU is on the rocks, as they are establishing more loans, more interests to pay and has leveraged their forex exchange, when they are levying today’s amount of new taxes. This is coming as reports of lacking hiring for the Civil Service, The Ministry of Public Service has suspended hiring of new positions in the districts and at the government institutions. This is happening, as the amount of cronies around the President is growing. Therefore, the wastage of funds are in and around the President, who can pledge funds as he wishes and give Presidential Handshakes to whoever he likes or needs. Therefore, today is sad day for transparency, as the state is eating itself, but not taking care of the needed services.
We know the state is poor, when the lacking banking-service and with the need of Mobile Money and Airtime on the Cellphones are getting hit by a tax. This is not social media tax, but is that the subscriber and user of the services, will get a withholding tax of 10% on transactions on Mobile Money and Airtime. This means, every time a Ugandan or someone buys airtime, in the price they are paying an added 10 % on the total price of the usage of minutes of airtime or making the transaction of funds between two funds more costly. This is really hitting the breadwinners and the ones who are servicing mobile money from the towns to villages.
Just to prove to how much the added cost on the Mobile Money is wished, as the withholding tax, they are adding direct also the excise tax on this from 10% to 15%, that means the added is 5% more on each transaction. If that isn’t excessive, just think about the two other taxes as well. Therefore, the state has added three taxes on using the phones. The citizens will have to plan more transactions, as they are more costly and will be less transactions of the amount, since the tax will shave off the amount of shillings sent to the fellow they wanted to give needed money through these services.
They are adding even more on every telecommunication services, not just the hit of withholding tax on it, but they are even adding an excise duty on it as well, meaning there are two pieces of taxes put on the same services, but at different times. Making the expenses of using the cellphones, hitting the roof and the value of the airtime dwindles, as you are paying more tax on each minute use. This excise duty is put on the level of 12% as well. So, expect the prices on airtime to rocket, as this hit both the agents to pay more tax on each, and also the cost of actually calling too. This is funds that the Telecommunication Companies will get back from the consumer, meaning citizens will pay more being in touch.
As they continue to give price hikes on necessities, they are putting a levy of 200shs on each liter of cooking oil, this meanings the price for making rollex or banana-pancakes will go up. Since before you buy the eggs and the flour to make your dish. You will pay more for each bottle, while the state gets simple taxation on this single item. It might seems pointless, but all fried foods will be more costly to make and a Samosa will cost more to make, therefore, expect a price hike on the hawkers foods in any stage where you waiting.
These are just some of the measures done by the state, there are several more, but this is really hitting the average citizen usage of phones and also cooking. This are just two items on a long lists of new taxes put on the people. Clearly, the state see the need for spikes of prices, growing inflation and lack of monetary control to come, as the chickens come to roost and the costs of debt services is hitting the fan.
The ones that has to pay for that, isn’t the elite, but all of the citizens who spends time outside their homes and buys into services. Which, means all of them. Peace.
Posted in Africa, Business, Civil Service, Development, Economic Measures, Economy, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, Tax, Trade, Transparency and tagged #Simcardregistration, 10th Parliament, Africell Uganda, Airtel, Airtel Uganda, Albert Mucunguzi, Apple, Bank of Uganda, Chief of Military Intelligence, CMI, Disconnection, Double Subscription, East Africa, Edward Kale Kayihura, Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, Erias Lukwago, Facebook, FinFisher, Frank Tumwebaze, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Gen. Kale Kayihura, Godfrey Mutabazi, Google, GoU, Government of Uganda, Hajj Erias Lukwago Ssalongo, Henry Tumukunde, Hon Oboth, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Hon. Matia Kasaija, Hon. Matia Kasaijja, Hon. Michael Muganga, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, Hon. Winnie Kiiza, ICTAU, IGP Gen Kale Kayihura, IGP Kale Kayihura, IGP Okoth-Ochola, ISO, Jacob Markson Oboth, Jacob Oboth, K2 Telecom, Know Your Costumers, KYC, Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Mango, Michael Muganga, MICT, Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, Mobile Money, Mobile Money Registration, Mobile Money Service, Mobile Money Wallets, MoFPED, MTN, MTN-Uganda, Multiple Simcards, National ID, National Identification and Registration Authority, National Identification Cards, National Identity Registration Authority, National Resistance Movement, NIN, NIRA, Northern Uganda, NRM, NRM Regime, Parliament Motion, Prof Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, Rebecca Kadaga, Republic of Uganda, Sim Card Registration, SIM Registration, Simba Telecom, SiU Kireka, Smart Telecom, Smile Communication, Social Media, Soft Suspension, Subscribers, Tangerine, Telecom, Telecom Industry, Telecommunication, Twitter, UCC, Uganda, Uganda Communications Commission, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Telecom, Uganda Telecom Limited, Ugandan Government, UPF, URA, UTL, Village, Vodafone Uganda, Vodaphone, WhatsApp, Winfred Nyabahasa Kiiza, Winnie Kiiza | Leave a comment
Opinion: Bribes are NRM’s M.O. during elections, however EC Chairman Byabakama says its a “evil partner”.
Today I am writing about certain comments made by the guy that took over the Election Commission after Dr. Badru Kiggundu, he is legend for his ways and his math. So Dr. Kiggundu will not be forgotten, that is why I have struggled to take this fellow serious. Because Kiggundu destroyed the EC and made it look like a foolish organization filled with cronies who has a love-affair with Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. That is true and therefore, all By-Elections since the General Elections 2016 have been in favor of National Resistance Movement (NRM), except Kyadondo East, which Bobi Wine topped with his huge star-power and speeches. So that Justice Simon Byabakama hasn’t been on my radar. This because the NRM has controlled and in-certain themselves in the by-election, where the opposition parties and independents has no control. Byabakama couldn’t do anything wrong and the NRM can just do whatever. That is how it has been for various reasons, but the NRM are really not trying to have a multi-party state, that is just a piece of flesh on the bone for donor-aid, but not for reality.
So before I rant, here is the statements on the EC Boss I will discuss today:
“According to Byabakama, bribery has become an evil partner with elections in Uganda. “But we are made to understand that bribery has become an evil partner with elections in this country, this undermines the quality of democracy,” he said” (…) “The law says an election result can be cancelled on grounds of bribery, despite the amount involved” (…) “Can you imagine an exercise that has cost the stakeholders, including security about sh1b being cancelled because of sh1,000 or a sachet of waragi or bar of soap? Do we really have to go to the school of economics to understand that this is not tenable in economic terms?” Byamukama wondered” (Nambogga, 2018)
Well, Byabakama have been under a rock or not followed what the party that appointed him and anointed him to become Electoral Commission Chairperson. That the Chairperson didn’t know how the ruling regime and the ruling party has acted during elections. It isn’t only misuse the army and the police as a political tool during elections. All of the state coffers and reserves are used.
Therefore, that the Chairperson Byabakama are now saying bribes are bad. He should start discussing this with the Entebbe State House. Who has sanctions the give-aways to Pastors, Residential District Commanders and others who was getting Prado’s and SUV’s within days of the Election. That is the big buys of loyalty and bribes.
The others are the voter tourism, a definition that came about because between 2015 and 2016, the NRM party and their organizers hired buses, paid t-shirts and food for villagers to bigger local rallies. They even gave smaller sums of cash to the people to listen to Museveni and the group of musicians that was also paid massively for their campaigning for the President. It is sort of hard to forget the massive amounts of shillings spent on the Campaigning of the President. Only for November 2015, the NRM Party spent massively 125bn shillings. That is something one report said and could calculate. The other months up-to February 2016. Can question the whole spending of the NRM. Every single rally before the February 2016 was biggest breaches of bribery of voters. It’s like the Chairman was blind to this or was himself in Finland while it was happening.
The evil partner of bribery is built in the system of corrupt behavior from the State House. They misuse all parts of government and all parts of society. If there isn’t loyalty, it can be shut-down. That is how Museveni works.
So my question to Byabakama: Will you ask His Excellency, if the Party has any plans of stopping to bribe the public every time there is an election?
If you do? Can you also get the New Vision to publish that too? So we can again see how to-faced Museveni is. Thanks. Peace.
Nambogga, Jackie – ‘EC Boss warns against bribery in politics’ (04.02.2018) link: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1470404/ec-boss-warns-bribery-politics
Posted in Africa, Civil Service, Corruption, Development, Election, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, Transparency and tagged 2016 General Election, 2016 General Election Uganda, ACFIM, ACFIM Observers, Alliance for Campaign Finance Monitoring, Amama Mbabazi, Anti Corruption Alliance Uganda, Attendance, Beneficiaries, Bulakasa, Campaign Coordination Team, Campaign Material, Campaign Posters, Campaign Rally, Campaign Security, Campaign trail, CEON U, Citizens Elections Observers Network Uganda, Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, Constitutional Amendment, Democratic Governance Facility, Democratic Party Uganda, DP, DP U, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Dr. Warren Smith Kizza Besigye Kifefe, Entebbe Market, Expenditure, FDC, Ferrying Campaign Crowd, Ferrying Voters, Forum for Democratic Change, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Go-Forward, Go-Forward Group, Go-Forward TDA, GoU, Government of Uganda, Government Resource, H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Henry Tumukunde, Hon. Amama Mbabazi, Hon. Jimmy Akena, Hon. Ofwono Opondo, Independent Candidates, Jimmy Akena, John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, Journalist, JPAM, Justice Simon Byabakama, Kasana Play Ground, Katikamu South, Kizza Besigye Kifefe, Kyankwanzi Resolution, Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni., Media, Media Advertisments, Media Coverage, National Resistance Movement, NRM, NRM Flag-Bearer, NRM Primary Election 2015, NRM-O, NRM-Primaries, Ofwono Opondo, Party Officals, Patricia Magara, Posh Cars, President Museveni, Presidential Candidates, Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, Sole Candidate, SPC, Special Forces Command, TDA, The Democratic Alliance, The Democratic Alliance Uganda, Transparency International Uganda, Uganda General Election 2016, Uganda Peoples Congress, UPC, Upkeep, Voter Hospitality, Voter Tourism, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni | Leave a comment
Red Pepper Publication Limited: Charge Sheet from Buganda Road Court (27.11.2017)
Posted in Africa, Civil Service, Development, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, Transparency and tagged 10th Parliament, 10th Parliament of Uganda, 1995 Constitution of Uganda, 9th Parliament, Age Limit, Ankoli, Arinaitwe Rugyendo, Baganda Kingdom, Baganda Leader, Ben Byarabaha, Buganda, Catholic, CDU, COG, Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, cronyism, Democratic Values, Dokolo, DPU, EAC, East Afican Community, East Africa, Francis Tumusiime, Gen Salim Saleh, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Gen. Kale Kayihura, Gen. Salim Selah, General Katumba, GoR, GoU, Government of Rwanda, Government of Uganda, H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, H.E. Yoweri Museveni, Henry Tumukunde, His Exellency, Hon. Evelyn Anite, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, IGP Gen Kale Kayihura, IGP Kale Kayihura, James Mujuni, Johnson Musinguzi, Junta Administration, Kahinda Otafiire, Kale Kayihura, Kampala, Kamwezi, Katumba Wamala, Kisoro, Kyankwanzi, Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute, Kyankwanzi Retreat, Legitmacy, Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Liberate, Liberation, Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni., Maj. Gen Kahinda Otafiire, Mambas, Mercenaries, Military Commission, Military Police, Museveni Family, Nakifuma County, NALI, National Assembly, National Importance, National Resistance Army, National Resistance Movement, Nilotic, Northern Uganda, NRA, NRM, NRM MPs, NRM Regime, OAU, Organisation of African Unity, PAC, Parliament of Uganda, Patrick Mugoya, Patrick Mugumya, Paul Amoru, Police Interfers in Politics, President Museveni, Rebecca Kadaga, Rebel Force, Red Pepper, Red Pepper Newspaper, Revolt, Richard Kintu, Richard Tusiime, Rt. Hon Rebecca Kadaga, Rugyendo Arinaitwe, Ruling Party, Rwanda, Salim Selah, Salva Kiir Mayardit, Speaker of Parliament, Special Force Command, Supreme Court, Uganda, Uganda People Defence Force, Uganda Peoples Defence Force, Uganda Peoples Defense Force, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Police Force - Special Force Command, Unfinished Parliamentary Work, UPDF, UPF, UPF SPC, Western Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Yoweri Museveni | Leave a comment
Uganda: Letter – “Re: Heightened Index of Suspicion for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Your District” (21.08.2017)
Posted in Africa, Civil Service, Development, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, Tax, Transparency and tagged Adjumani, Adjumani District, Amooti S.T. Businge, Anule Aloysius Edema, Badru Kiggundu, Bunyangabo, Butebo, CCHF, Charles Okidi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Development Expenditure, Don Wanyama, Donation, Dr Badru Kiggundu, Dr. Beatrice Wabudeya, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Draft Refugee Policy, DRC, East Africa, Emmanuel Mutebi, ESO, External Security Organization, Football, Francis Ojur, Gadah Eldam Nagwa, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, GoU, Government of Uganda, H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, H.E. Yoweri Museveni, Henry Muganwa Kajura, Henry Tumukunde, Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hussain Waiswa, Internal Security Organization, ISO, John Mitiala, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kaliisa Kabagambe, Kiryandongo, Kiryandongo District, Kivumbi M. Lutaaya, Kyotera, Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni., Luck Nakyobe, Lucy Nakyobe, Medical treatment, Ministry of Defense, Molly Kamukama, MTEF Ceiling, Musoke Kintu, Nakasongola, Nakasongola District, Namisindwa, National Resistance Movement, NM Campaign Taskforce, NRM, NRM Campaign Money, NRM Mobilisers, NRM Money Delivery, NRM National Campaign Taskforce, NRM Regime, NRM-Regiem, Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, Omoro, OPM, Pakwach, Parliament of Uganda, parliamentary budget committee, Partick Nyakatuura Rwakijuma, Partick Rusongoza, PM Ruhakana Rugunda, PPS Don Wanyama, President Museveni, RDC, Resident District Commanders, Rubanda, Ruhakana Rugunda, Rukiga, Supplementary Budget, Swamadu Bogere, Taxpayers Money, Uganda, Uganda General Election 2016, Uganda Presidential Election 2016, Ugandan Government, Venand Nantulya, VHF, Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Yoweri Museveni, Yumbe, Yumbe District | Leave a comment
The Importance of Mobile Money in Uganda
As the Telecommunication companies like MTN are praised the by the government, the National Resistance Movement have clearly let the economy become addicted and need of the services provided by the different Telecom’s and how the operate as village banks. The further proof of this comes when looking into a study and of the value of Mobile Money. This is done by all of the Cellphone providers in different names, but has the same outcome. Either by sending money to village funds, paying for utilities or even add airtime for a friend. The report conducted and made by Economy Policy Research Center at Makerere University we’re an interesting read. Here is the quotes worth assessing over. The historical backdrop of the vast amounts of trillions shillings in the operations. Shouldn’t surprise anyone, considering that one third of Ugandan citizens use the Mobile Money and average rate of monies sent during a month are 250,000. With the amount of people and amounts traded by Mobile Money, it is a booming business and first trying of banking. But doing it directly by the phone and not at the offices of Standard Charted or Barclays. Just take a look!
“After 5 years of operation of mobile money services, the average adoption rate stands at 250,000 persons per month from inception (March 2009) to December 2015. The increase in access to formal financial services, from 28 percent in 2009 to 54 percent in 2013, was partially due to increased access to mobile money 1 See UBOS (2016), “National Population and Housing Census 2014”, Uganda Bureau of Statistics: Kampala services (EPRC 2013). Thirty-five percent of Ugandan adults have a registered mobile money account (Intermedia 2016). An additional 13 percent access services via somebody else’s account, including that of an agent. Mobile money account ownership surpasses the use of both banking and nonbanking financial institutions (Ibid)” (Makwejje & Lakuma, P: 6, 2017).
“Finally, mobile money balances are sensitive to monetary policy shocks, while the mobile money values of transactions are not. These results suggest that 1) Mobile money has helped households to substitute liquid and other lumpy assets for financial assets; 2) Mobile money has modest macroeconomic impacts; 3) Mobile money has the potential to improve the effectiveness of the conduct of monetary policy. These results provide additional evidence for policy makers to continue supporting the growth of mobile money platforms. In particular, policy makers should provide the policy and regulatory framework through which mobile money balances can become interest-bearing assets. This will further strengthen the monetary policy transmission mechanism because economic agents will be able to more directly respond to changes in the policy rate” (Makwejje & Lakuma, P: 17-18, 2017).
The authorities clearly has to assess it and look over the Telecom’s Mobile Money operations, as this is important part of transactions and business operations in Uganda. When such vast amounts of people using it and benefits from it. Where their funds turn digital and get traded instead of having dozens of shillings in their pockets as for balance for their trades. Also, gives the ability to send over needed cash up-country or even to family members. Therefore, the structure and the balances of people’s lives can be monitored and shows the interest-bearing assets. The help it has provided the society and also introduce a form of banking institutions to the public. Though this study did not look into the fortunes made by this sort of transactions compared to ordinary banking practices in Uganda. Which, would be interesting expose considering difference of cost for the consumer and Ugandan doing so. Peace.
Mawejje, Joseph & Lakuma, Paul C. – ‘MACROECONOMIC EFFECTS OF MOBILE MONEY IN UGANDA’ (June 2017) – Economic Policy Research Centre, Makerere University
Posted in Africa, Business, Civil Service, Development, Economic Measures, Economy, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, Tax, Trade, Transparency and tagged #Simcardregistration, 10th Parliament, Airtel, Chief of Military Intelligence, CMI, Disconnection, Double Subscription, Edward Kale Kayihura, Erias Lukwago, FinFisher, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Gen. Kale Kayihura, GoU, Government of Uganda, Hajj Erias Lukwago Ssalongo, Henry Tumukunde, Hon Oboth, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Hon. Michael Muganga, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, Hon. Winnie Kiiza, IGP Gen Kale Kayihura, IGP Kale Kayihura, Jacob Markson Oboth, Jacob Oboth, K2 Telecom, Know Your Costumers, KYC, Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Mango, Michael Muganga, Mobile Money, Mobile Money Service, MTN, Multiple Simcards, National ID, National Identification and Registration Authority, National Identification Cards, National Resistance Movement, NIN, NIRA, Northern Uganda, NRM, NRM Regime, Parliament Motion, Rebecca Kadaga, Sim Card Registration, Simba Telecom, Soft Suspension, Subscribers, Tangerine, Telecom, Telecom Industry, Telecommunication, UCC, Uganda Communications Commission, Uganda Telecom, Uganda Telecom Limited, Ugandan Government, UTL, Village, Vodaphone, WhatsApp, Winfred Nyabahasa Kiiza, Winnie Kiiza
Opinion: EU Envoy Schmidt are an speaking like an NRM apologist similar to Ofwono Opondo over Besigye’s 2016 Election defiance!
I feel sorry for European Union Envoy Kristian Schmidt who are now sounding like a National Resistance Movement (NRM) apologist, instead of an independent spirit and understanding of the short-falls of the NRM Regime. He seems to been misunderstanding what happen during the General Election 2016. Surely, he wants the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Dr. Kizza Besigye, to say it just water under bridge and let it go. Since the Supreme Court followed the orders of the 31 Years and counting President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. First introduce some of the beautiful words of Ofwono Opondo, before the Kristian Schmidt’s foolish interview with Daily Monitor, before enlightening fellow European of his ignorance or forgetting the blatant impunity towards Besigye and FDC in and around the General Election 2016. Since he has forgotten while drinking Nile Brew in the Embassy and going on Safaries with his dignitaries. Surely, Schmidt must feel good about himself!
““In this election, Besigye gained 1.5 million votes compared to two million votes he got in 2011 while Museveni’s gain was a paltry 500,000. To the NRM strategists, this is the most shocking, indeed worrying trend, and having located the cause as being our messaging, strategy, campaign style, internal laxity, occasioned fraud and widespread bickering. We shall not blame anybody else except ourselves. Actually, to be frank, we were almost swept away by our collective failure to robustly respond to the Opposition demagoguery on issues of youth unemployment, despair among the urban population, poor and yet expensive public service delivery and bad public relations, especially to distribution of soft campaign cash that often got stolen along the way among other issues. This, to the Besigye camp, should give hope that with better strategic organisation, not only falsehoods, they can in the future topple NRM through the ballot instead of being bad losers” (…) ““The claims of rigging, especially at the last minute through alleged intimidation of candidates’ agents, ballot stuffing, falsification or alteration of results on tally and declaration sheets and at announcements are perturbing and incredibly unbelievable. These could pass as truth if the peddlers could at least adduce some verifiable evidence from eyewitnesses and documents in their possession that differ from those of the EC, which ought to be available from the multiple sources, including the media that observed these elections” (Opondo, 2016).
So when a NRM spokesperson and Uganda Media Centre director had to come in defense of his master. In the aftermath and with the current illegitimate government. Who has no problems in misusing the government funds and had no problem rigging the election in their favor. As the FDC had massive scores of leaders behind bars, had people with Declarations Forms from Polling Stations at Gun-Point, had their Headquarter barricaded and sealed off, Besigye was under house-arrest and the story goes on. Not an adventure, but a true theft a nation. Still Schmidt says this to the FDC and former Presidential Candidate:
“He added: “That is of course an issue that is dividing but I think it would have been good to come together and discuss. It has not happened and election reforms seem to be not going forward.” (…) “The law of Uganda is what it is: the conditions of petitions are what they are, and for a petition to be successful you have to do a lot of homework. Under your Constitution I believe you have little time, 10 days. I know one of the recommendations of the Supreme Court is to extend that time which I believe makes sense.” (…) “ He said “I think if Dr Besigye was convinced before elections that he would not be happy with the outcomes and the process, he should have been the one to petition. He should have prepared for that but he decided before that he was not going to and under the rule of law.” (Musisi, 2017).
EU Envoy to Uganda Kristian Schmidt, I know you visited him while on undetermined house-arrest. Since the Police Force had been stationed in Kasangati, Wakiso for so long days before the election and until May 2016. When he was able to escape and have his own swearing-in ceremony, before air-lifted to Moroto, where the state charged him with Treason charges. Which he still carries today, he is an arch-criminal and seen as an enemy of the state. Than after all of this, you talk about rule of law, justice and courts. Like Dr. Kizza Besigye haven’t had his time in court, haven’t been detained on more occasions than ordinary thief, even more than average murderers in the Republic.
So, the FDC was unable to counter with a petition, Amama Mbabazi was the only one able to fill in a form or petition. Because FDC has done so after General Election 2011. So it is like the EU Envoy for Uganda Schmidt is not in concern anymore of all the breaches that happen to Besigye. Like the whole House-Arrest period, the whole part of the general assault on the rule of law considering the elections and polls. The self sufficient pre-ticket ballots and Badru Kiggundu’s own special math-class. The statistics and the vicious attempt of forging the whole election in favor of President Museveni.
It like he wants the one on Treason Charges since May 2016, since the coup d’etat in February 20th 2016, when the Electoral Commission announced the result. That as the whole NRM and state organization was behind the whole ordeal. Even the European Election Observation Mission and the Commonwealth Election Observation Mission was explaining the massive flaws of the General Election. Still, the EU Envoy want Besigye just to let it go.
Let’s take his first reasoning, since it is shows his true passion, the Danish dignitary: “Now if this was in any other democracy, like in some European countries, it would be unacceptable that the Opposition party does not then recognise the winner of the elections” (Musisi, 2017). If this was an election in Europe, all of these ploys of the NRM wouldn’t have happen. Not normally, that the army is used to intimidate, that local leaders are paid-off with new cars, that ballot are pre-ticket ballots and all powers to be to silence the FDC. Together with the obvious rigging and mismatch of acts in favor of Museveni. If this would not have happen in a European elections and EU Envoy to Uganda knows this. That why it is remarkable that he says about Besigye.
Besigye knows better and the Ugandan people knows so. They are not fools, even if Schmidt is sounding like Ofwono Opondo and has taken lectures from Andrew Mwenda. He surely has hanged in the same bars in Kampala as these two. To sound so blatant ignorant and so forgetful. Peace.
Opondo, Ofwono – ‘The media shouldn’t parrot Opposition false claims’ (28.03.2016) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Media-parrot-Opposition-false-claims/-/689364/3135890/-/2m2g7v/-/index.html
Musisi, Fredric – ‘Besigye refusal to recognise government not helpful – EU envoy’ (09.07.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Besigye-refusal-recognise-government-not-helpful-EU-envoy/688334-4006606-er8gyr/index.html
Posted in Africa, Civil Service, Development, Election, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, Transparency and tagged #MuseveniDecides, #UgandaDecides, 10th Parliament, 1995 Constitution of Uganda, 2016 General Election, 2016 General Election Uganda, 2016 Presidential Election, 9th Parliament, 9th Parliament of Uganda, Amama Mbabazi, Amama Mbabzi, Andrew Felix Kaweesi, Anti-Besigye Act, Arrest, Arrested, Arrogance, Badru Kiggundu, Bogus, Bond Paper, Bribe, Cadre, Candidates Agents, Candidates Declaration Results Forms, CCEDU, CDF Gen. Katumba Wamala, CEON, CEON U, Citizen Election Observers Network Uganda, Citizens, Citizens' Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda, Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, Col. 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Museveni, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Yoweri Museveni | Leave a comment
Uganda: NIRA – Clarification on Issues Raised in the “Story Panic as National ID Data Stolen” (26.06.2017)
Posted in Africa, Civil Service, Development, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, National Security, Politics, Transparency and tagged #Simcardregistration, 10th Parliament, Airtel, Chief of Military Intelligence, CID, CMI, Disconnection, Double Subscription, Edward Kale Kayihura, Erias Lukwago, FinFisher, Frank Tumwebaze, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Gen. Kale Kayihura, GoU, Government of Uganda, H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, H.E. Yoweri Museveni, Hajj Erias Lukwago Ssalongo, Henry Tumukunde, Hon Oboth, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Hon. Michael Muganga, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, Hon. Winnie Kiiza, IGP Gen Kale Kayihura, IGP Kale Kayihura, Jacob Markson Oboth, Jacob Oboth, K2 Telecom, Know Your Costumers, KYC, Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni., Mango, Michael Muganga, Mobile Money, Mobile Money Service, MTN, Multiple Simcards, Nationa ID, National ID, National ID Register, National Identification and Registration Authority, National Identification Cards, National Identification Number, National Resistance Movement, NIN, NIRA, Norbert Kamwebaze, Northern Uganda, NRM, NRM Regime, Parliament Motion, President Museveni, President Yoweri Museveni, Rebecca Kadaga, Sim Card Registration, Simba Telecom, Soft Suspension, Subscribers, Tangerine, Telecom, Telecom Industry, Telecommunication, UCC, Uganda, Uganda Communications Commission, Uganda Telecom, Uganda Telecom Limited, Ugandan Government, UTL, Village, Vodaphone, WhatsApp, Winfred Nyabahasa Kiiza, Winnie Kiiza, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Yoweri Museveni | Leave a comment
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Home Economy Economic Indicators Analyts see rise in Nigeria’s October inflation
Analyts see rise in Nigeria’s October inflation
Bola Macaulay
Citing the ongoing closure of the country’s land borders, seasonal factors such as New Year and Christmas festivities, as well as the impact of heavy rainfall on harvest, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) has predicted that Nigeria’s inflation will continue its upward trend in October.
In a report obtained by Naija247news at the weekend, the firm also forecast that the payment of new minimum wage and its arrears would contribute to pushing Nigeria’s inflation rate up marginally from 11. 24 per cent in September to 11.60 per cent in October 2019.
The firm said: “Based on our survey, headline inflation is expected to continue its upward trajectory in October. The index is estimated to soar by 0.36 per cent to 11.60 per cent. The factors driving inflation remain supply shocks with underlying cost push pressures. The impact of the border closure was further exacerbated by unusual heavy rainfall in October, which had a negative impact on harvest.
“Typically, consumer prices tend to increase towards the end of the year due to rising demand for goods and services for the Christmas festivities. This, at a time when the border closure has created some shortages, will further push up prices.
“The monetary policy committee will meet this month. We expect the rising inflation trend to be a major consideration. More importantly, the committee will be interested in inflation expectations as it strives to achieve a single digit inflation rate.”
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Bola Macaulay is a freelance journalist based in Ibadan Oyo State. She is a graduate of Univesity of Ibadan and she's married with kids
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Home Business News Nigeria’s Innovate 1 Pay expands into Dubai’s tech market
Nigeria’s Innovate 1 Pay expands into Dubai’s tech market
Fakoyejo Olalekan
Innovate 1 Pay, a Nigerian tech company has expanded its territory and business offering to the Middle East to tap into the growing popularity of Dubai among Nigerians. The country has been an attractive destination globally, with many Nigerian celebrities frequenting the middle east region.
The company, which is one of the leading brands driving tech innovation in Nigeria, said the business expansion would foster business growth between Nigerians and the United Arab Emirates. To Innovate 1 Pay, Dubai is a region that promises impressive prospect for tech companies and the company intends to earn a share of the market in the region.
[READ MORE: Power Sector: Nigeria received $961 million loan from World Bank and AfDB in 2018]
According to Innovate 1 Pay, the move was encouraged by these three factors:
Dubai becoming the location of choice for Nigerians as regards career advancement and professional fulfillment;
the projection that Africa will overtake China and India by 2040 as the preferred job market; and
the Visa reforms being carried out in UAE.
The company’s plan to bridge the gap between Nigeria and UAE will also include the organisation of a conference between business leaders, as well as African and UAE governments. The conference will enable the stakeholders to explore avenues of economic cooperation and facilitate bilateral trade and investment flows.
Speaking about the company’s growth prospects, the Chairman of Innovate 1 Pay, Mahmood Ahmadu, said, “With the maturing of financial markets in Africa, expanding our presence to a total of 56 countries currently, and with the promise that the new UAE visa regime holds for African professionals, we believe the prospects for growth in addressing the demographic is very promising indeed.”
Also commenting on the expansion, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Nwachukwu, said, “The time for a concerted effort to extend financial inclusion in Africa is now. Africa is currently the second fastest-growing continent after Asia, and we are looking at an average GDP growth of 5% across the continent that has lasted a decade now.”
Since its establishment, Innovate 1 Pay has processed over a million transactions for clients in Nigeria and globally on its platform.
[READ ALSO: FOREX ban on food importation will not affect AfCFTA – Emefiele]
Innovate 1 Pay
Olalekan is a certified media practitioner from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ). In the era of media convergence, Olalekan is a valuable asset, with ability to curate and broadcast news. His zeal to write was developed out of passion to shape people’s thought and opinion; serving as a guideline for their daily lives. Contact for tips: fakoyejo.olalekan@nairametrics.com.
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An intelligent man with 'psychopathic tendencies': Danish submarine inventor goes on trial for Swedish reporter's murder
Peter Madsen denies killing Kim Wall, who reported for The New York Times and other publications from places like post-earthquake Haiti
A woman alleged to be Swedish journalist Kim Wall stands next to a man alleged to be Peter Madsen in the tower of the private submarine "UC3 Nautilus" on August 10, 2017 in Copenhagen Harbour.PETER THOMPSON/AFP/Getty Images
National Post Staff
COPENHAGEN — The Danish inventor accused of torturing and killing Swedish journalist Kim Wall during a private submarine trip before dismembering her body is an intelligent man “with psychopathic tendencies,” a prosecutor said as the murder trial opened Thursday.
Businessman Peter Madsen, 47, is standing trial at Copenhagen City Court accused of tying up and torturing Wall, 30, before he either cut her throat or strangled her on his submarine in August.
He is charged with murder, dismemberment and indecent handling of a corpse for the way he disposed of Wall’s body.
Prosecutor Jakob Buch-Jepsen said a psychiatric report has concluded that Madsen has “no empathy or feelings of guilt.”
In this April 30, 2008 file photo, submarine owner Peter Madsen stands inside the vessel. The inventor is on trial for the the murder of Swedish journalist Kim Wall. Niels Hougaard /Ritzau via AP
He started the 12-day trial by reading out the charges, describing in detail how Wall’s body parts were found on the ocean bed. Madsen, wearing glasses and a dark shirt, listened quietly with his fists closed.
Madsen’s lawyer, Betaina Hald Engmark, then formally entered a not-guilty plea to the murder charge.
Madsen denies killing Wall and says she died accidentally inside the UC3 Nautilus while he was on deck. However, he has admitted cutting her up before he “buried her at sea.”
Prosecutors, on the other hand, say he planned Wall’s killing in advance, bringing tools on board that he wouldn’t normally have brought — implements he later used to cut the young reporter’s body into pieces.
Submarine trip
On the evening of Aug 10, 2017 Wall left her boyfriend’s company to take a submarine trip with the inventor.
She was never seen alive again.
Early the following day a search was launched for the vessel after Wall’s boyfriend raised the alarm. When Madsen was later rescued from the sinking submarine at around 11:00 a.m., he said he had dropped Wall off at a nearby island hours earlier.
Madsen was arrested that same day, but Wall was not found until Aug. 21, when a dismembered torso was found in the sea off Copenhagen. In the weeks that followed, divers found mutilated body parts in plastic bags on the ocean floor one by one.
He could be a well-spoken and charismatic person who could speak for hours about his submarine. And then ... a much darker side
This file family handout released on December 28, 2015 shows Swedish journalist Kim Wall, who was allegedly killed on board a submarine south of Copenhagen before it sank on August 11, 2017. TOM WALL/AFP/Getty Images
As the trial grips a nation unaccustomed to such grisly cases, some don’t want to talk about Madsen or be associated with him anymore. Others do.
“He had two sides: He could be a well-spoken and charismatic person who could speak for hours about his submarine. And then … a much darker side,” said retired adult movie actress Dorthe Damsgaard, 48, who met him several times.
Damsgaard told The Associated Press she had declined invitations to join Madsen in his submarine because she has claustrophobia.
“He made it no secret to me about having sexual fantasies,” Damsgaard said, describing him as “funny, manipulative, serious and scary.”
Madsen’s wife, who reportedly has sought a divorce, has told investigators that he openly spoke about attending fetish parties without her.
His former workshop, a low building of corrugated iron, sits on Refshale island, a once-bustling shipyard and industrial area across from downtown Copenhagen.
It was here that Wall embarked on the submarine journey on a sunny summer evening last year.
On Aug. 10, she and her Danish boyfriend, Ole Stobbe Nielsen, threw a goodbye party before moving to China. That evening, she received a text message from Madsen saying an interview was possible. For months, she had been trying to speak with him and she left the party to join the now 47-year-old Dane.
This file photo taken on August 13, 2017 shows police technicians investigating the rescued private owned submarine UC3 Nautilus in Copenhagen Harbour. JENS NOERGAARD LARSEN/AFP/Getty Images
‘A soft spot for misfits’
Wall grew up in southern Sweden, just across a narrow waterway from Copenhagen. She studied at Paris’ Sorbonne university, the London School of Economics and Columbia University in New York, from where she graduated with a master’s degree in journalism in 2013.
She wrote for The New York Times, The Guardian and other publications, reporting on topics such as tourism in post-earthquake Haiti and nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands.
Caterina Clerici, a friend from Columbia, said Wall had “a soft spot for misfits, for places and people that did not conform.”
Madsen doesn’t fit into any boxes. According to a 2014 biography, he grew up in a small town west of Copenhagen with an authoritarian father. Considered a nerd at school, he challenged science teachers and built rockets in his past time.
In 2008 he co-founded Copenhagen Suborbitals, a private aerospace consortium to develop and construct manned spacecraft. In 2011, it launched a homemade nine-metre rocket eight kilometres into the sky over the Baltic Sea, a step toward its unrealized goal of launching a person into space.
However, differences led to a split with his business partner in 2014. Madsen, known for his shifting moods and for hating to be contradicted, moved into another workshop.
In an interview with Danish weekly Soendagsavisen the same year, Madsen said he one day “hoped to have a criminal career,” adding he didn’t want to rob a bank because “no one must be hurt.”
On the evening that he contacted Wall, Madsen also texted his associate Steen Lorck to call off a planned trip the following day in the submarine that first launched in 2008.
After Wall left to meet Madsen, her boyfriend received several text messages from her. He started worrying when the messages stopped coming and eventually alerted authorities, who launched a search for the submarine, which didn’t have a satellite tracking system.
A woman alleged to be Swedish journalist Kim Wall standing in the tower of the private submarine “UC3 Nautilus” on August 10, 2017 in Copenhagen Harbour. Behind her, partially obscured, is a man alleged to be Peter Madsen. ANDERS VALDSTED/AFP/Getty Images
The 33-tonne, nearly 18-metre-long submarine sank south of Copenhagen shortly after being spotted afloat. Madsen was picked up unharmed, but Wall was nowhere to be seen.
Investigators eventually found dried blood inside the submarine, and it emerged Wall’s torso had been stabbed multiple times.
Police believe Madsen sank the submarine on purpose, and found videos of women being tortured and killed on his personal computer in his hangar. He did not make the videos himself, investigators said.
Prosecutor Jakob Buch-Jepsen has said he believes Madsen tied up and tortured Walls before killing her, either by cutting her throat or strangling her.
This April 30, 2008 file photo shows Peter Madsen alongside a submarine. Madsen stands trial at CopenhagenÂs City Court on Thursday March 8 for the killing of Kim Wall, 30, off the coast of Denmark. Niels Hougaard/Ritzau via AP
In court Thursday, Buch-Jepsen said the cause of Wall’s death has yet not been established, but he also said Wall’s blood was found on the military-style bodysuit that Madsen wore when he was arrested.
Wall’s parents were present Thursday at the trial, where members of the court were shown a drawing of the stabs to Wall’s torso. An audio file of a radio exchange between Madsen and maritime officials from Aug. 11 — the day after Madsen and Wall embarked on their submarine trip— was also played.
In the recording, Madsen said he had let Wall off on the island, and that there were no injured persons aboard but only technical problems.
This Wednesday, March 7, 2018 photo shows the submarine UC3 Nautilus of Danish inventor Peter Madsen in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dorothee Thiesing / AP
She seemed to be utterly and uniquely unafraid of going into uncharted territories
Madsen has undergone a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation and is deemed fit for trial. Wall’s family has declined to comment “for the time being.”
On GoFundMe page The Kim Wall Memorial Fund, a video in which Wall discusses her career ambitions, and friends remember the young reporter fondly, can be seen.
“This is exactly the kind of stories I like to do,” Wall says in the video, posted from a vessel in the Pacific after she had visited a nuclear waste site on Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands. “Where I can combine on-the-ground, shoe-leather reporting with a foreign policy lens. Hopefully I’ll carve out a space for myself in the male-dominated world of foreign policy.”
“She seemed to be utterly and uniquely unafraid of going into uncharted territories,” one friend of Wall’s says in the clip.
“She had wanderlust in droves, and it hung off her every word,” adds another.
Kim Wall’s death: A timeline
— Aug 10, 2017: Kim Wall goes on submarine trip from Copenhagen with Peter Madsen. They are the only two people on the vessel, and it is the last time Wall is seen alive.
— Aug. 11: Major search for submarine after Wall’s Danish boyfriend alerted authorities that sub did not return. Madsen is saved from sinking submarine south of Copenhagen. Wall is missing. Madsen is arrested.
This file photo taken on August 11, 2017 shows Peter Madsen (right), builder and captain of the private submarine “UC3 Nautilus” talking to a police officer in Dragoer Harbour south of Copenhagen, following a major rescue operation after the submarine sank. BAX LINDHARDT/AFP/Getty Images
— Aug. 12: Madsen appears before a pre-trial custody hearing. He faces preliminary manslaughter charges. In Denmark, preliminary charges are a step short of formal charges.
— Aug. 13: Submarine is raised and put onto land in northern Copenhagen.
— Aug. 21: Dismembered torso found at sea off Copenhagen.
— Aug. 23: Copenhagen police says DNA test confirms it was Wall’s torso.
— Aug. 25: Madsen also faces preliminary charges of indecent handling of a corpse.
Police search a waterway for body remains related to the Kim Wall murder investigation at the west coast of Amager, close to Copenhagen, Denmark on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Jens Dresling/Ritzau via AP
— Sept. 5: Madsen explains at a pre-trial hearing that Wall died accidentally when hit by a 70-kilogram hatch on the UC3 Nautilus submarine, after which he “buried” her at sea. He later changes that when Wall’s head is found with no skull fractures.
Prosecutors: Danish inventor ‘tortured’ reporter Kim Wall before killing her on submarine
Inventor Peter Madsen charged with killing journalist Kim Wall on his submarine
Danish inventor admits he dismembered journalist, but still denies killing her
— Oct. 4: Police say they have found 15 stab wounds on Wall’s torso. They also find videos of women being tortured, decapitated and killed on Madsen’s computer. The videos are not produced by Madsen.
— Oct. 7: Police say they have found a head, two legs and clothes in plastic bags a day earlier. Dental records help identify Wall.
— Nov. 22: Wall’s left arm is found by divers in the sea south of Copenhagen.
— Nov. 29: Wall’s right arm is found by divers in the sea south of the Danish capital.
— Jan. 12, 2018: Police stop searching for Wall’s and Madsen’s cellphones believed to have been thrown at sea.
— Jan. 16: Madsen is charged with murder, dismemberment and indecent handling of a corpse.
In this Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017 file photo, police and other authorities search a waterway for body remains related to the Kim Wall murder investigation at the west coast of Amager close to Copenhagen, Denmark. Jens Dresling/Ritzau via AP, File
Peter Madsen trial: The key facts
The defendant is Danish space and submarine enthusiast Peter Langkjaer Madsen, 47. The victim is Swedish journalist Kim Wall, 30. The prosecutor in the case is Jakob Buch-Jepsen.
Copenhagen City Court
March 8-April 25. The date for the verdict is unknown.
Purported crime scene
The 33-tonne, nearly 18-metre-long UC3 Nautilus submarine sailing off Copenhagen
Purported time of crime
Overnight between Aug. 10 and Aug. 11, 2017
Murder, dismemberment and indecent handling of a corpse, as well as having sexual relations of a “particularly dangerous nature.” Sailing dangerously, forcing one ship to change its course and sailing close to another ship.
Possible sentence
Prosecutors will urge that Madsen be sentenced to life in prison or be locked up in a secure mental facility, if deemed necessary by psychiatrists, for as long as he’s considered sick and dangerous to others.
— With files from The Associated Press
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Erdogan says Syria offensive will continue if truce deal not fully implemented
PMN Politics
ISTANBUL — Turkey will continue its offensive into northeast Syria more rapidly than before if an agreement with the United States to pause the operation and allow the withdrawal of Kurdish forces is not fully implemented, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday.
Erdogan also told journalists that it was not a problem for Turkey if Syrian government forces, backed by Russia, were to enter areas cleared of the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, adding that Ankara had no intention to stay in areas under its control in northern Syria.
He also said he had informed U.S. President Donald Trump about the offensive in a phone call a day before launching it. He added that “what is necessary will be done when the time is right” about a letter from Trump in which he told Erdogan to not be a “fool” and “tough guy.” (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay Editing by Dominic Evans)
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FEPP Articles
Free Expression Policy Project (FEPP) Archive
By NCAC|2017-12-05T14:02:03-05:00December 5th, 2017|FEPP Articles|
The Free Expression Policy Project (FEPP) began in 2000 as a project of NCAC to provide empirical research and policy development on tough censorship issues and seek free speech-friendly solutions to the concerns that drive censorship campaigns. From 2004-2007, FEPP was part of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law. From 2007-2018, Marjorie Heins, the founding director, maintained the FEPP site as an information resource.
Untangling the Steven Salaita Case
By Marjorie Heins|2020-01-03T15:46:51-05:00August 6th, 2015|FEPP Articles|
By now, the controversy over University of Illinois Chancellor Phyllis Wise's August 1, 2014 decision to terminate the faculty appointment of Professor Steven Salaita has gone viral. A multitude of opinions have poured forth from blogs, news stories, editorials, and protest letters. The debate brings into focus the continuing problem of efforts by adamantly pro-Israel groups to suppress campus protests [...]
Koch Foundation Buys Academic Slots
By Free Expression Policy Project News|2020-01-03T15:47:25-05:00November 13th, 2014|FEPP Articles|
The Koch brothers, Charles and David, are best-known for donating millions to the election campaigns of Tea Party candidates and others committed to fighting regulation of business and to protecting the oil and gas industries from efforts to combat climate change. It turns out that Charles Koch, through his foundation, is now also heavily invested in higher education. The money [...]
Harvard Law Review Censors Link to Nan Goldin Photograph
By Free Expression Policy Project News|2020-01-03T15:31:08-05:00June 26th, 2014|FEPP Articles|
The Harvard Law Review has censored a link to an image by the prominent photographer Nan Goldin, ostensibly because of concerns about child pornography. The image, "Klara and Eddy Belly Dancing," shows two little girls cavorting, one of them nude. The link was included in an article by Marjorie Heins on censorship by private companies that offer social-media sites, web [...]
“What Ails the Agencies for Which They Work”: The Parlous State of Public Employee Free Speech Law
By Marjorie Heins|2017-10-05T11:03:58-04:00June 25th, 2014|FEPP Articles|
The Supreme Court last week took a small step toward limiting the damage done to the First Amendment by its controversial 2006 decision in Garcetti v. Ceballos. The Court in Garcetti denied First Amendment protection to a public employee (there, an assistant prosecutor) who had blown the whistle on police misconduct (in that case, fraudulent search warrants). The prosecutor was punished for [...]
Trading Academic Freedom for Foreign Markets
By Marjorie Heins|2020-01-05T23:15:47-05:00July 30th, 2012|FEPP Articles|
The current controversy over Yale University’s planned campus in Singapore is, at bottom, an argument over how much compromise on free speech is justified in exchange for the presumed benefits of locating branches of U.S. universities within authoritarian regimes. For although the champions of global ventures like Yale’s often claim that academic freedom will be available at the foreign outposts, [...]
The FCC and Indecency: The Supreme Court Decides Not to Decide
The potentially momentous case of Federal Communications Commission v. Fox Television ended on June 21 not with a bang but a whimper. True, a unanimous Supreme Court vacated the FCC's rulings that the "fleeting expletives" in two TV programs and the fleeting nudity in a third were "indecent." But it did so on the narrow ground that the agency violated [...]
Fact Sheet on Media Violence
By Free Expression Policy Project News|2017-10-12T14:08:33-04:00July 1st, 2011|FEPP Articles|
This Fact Sheet answers some frequently-asked questions about social science research into the effects of media violence. The bottom line is that despite the claims of some psychologists and politicians, the actual research results have been weak and ambiguous. This should not be surprising: media violence is so pervasive in our lives, and comes in so many different contexts and [...]
Requiem For California’s Video Game Law
On June 27, 2011, the Supreme Court put an end to the attempts of state and local lawmakers to censor violent video games. Or at least, one hopes so. After two decades of political grandstanding, vaguely drafted laws, and unproven claims that “excessive” or “gratuitous” violence in this particular medium of entertainment has harmful effects on children and teenagers, Justice [...]
Fact Sheet on Sex and Censorship
By Marjorie Heins|2020-01-03T15:47:55-05:00April 1st, 2009|FEPP Articles|
"I know it when I see it" - This famous phrase, by former Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart,1 nicely summarizes the way that American law defines criminally punishable "obscenity." Yet the First Amendment to the Constitution states unequivocally that "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech." So where did the exception to the First Amendment for "obscenity" [...]
Fact Sheets on Media Democracy
Most Americans today get their information and entertainment from the mass media - radio, television, newspapers, movies, and the Internet. The companies that own these mass media outlets thus have a powerful influence over our culture, our political system, and the ideas that inform public discourse. In the past half-century, media companies have grown into large conglomerates. With this growth [...]
Blanche DuBois Meets the Copyright Cops
By Marjorie Heins|2017-10-12T14:08:56-04:00September 22nd, 2008|FEPP Articles|
Blanche DuBois, the fragile, self-deluding southern belle in Tennessee Williams’s 1947 play, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” is one of the great tragic characters in American literature. But who owns Blanche, and can the holder of the copyright in “Streetcar” stop a creative artist from impersonating her, as the author and performer Mark Sam Rosenthal does in his recent performance piece, [...]
Supreme Court Brief of Free Expression Policy Project, ACLU et al. in FCC v. Fox Broadcasting
Read the brief below; click here for a full screen view.
“Pall of Orthodoxy”: The Insidious Persistence of Loyalty Oaths
By Marjorie Heins|2017-10-05T11:14:27-04:00May 24th, 2008|FEPP Articles|
A recent incident in California has dramatized the insidious persistence of loyalty oaths for public employment in America. These oaths of allegiance originated in the days of King Henry VIII of England, when treasonous plots and religious wars threatened royal hegemony. They survive today as coerced rituals of political orthodoxy, and as threats to free thought. The latest casualty is [...]
Fact Sheet on Political Dissent and Censorship
By Free Expression Policy Project News|2020-01-03T15:47:22-05:00May 1st, 2008|FEPP Articles|
In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and of U.S. government efforts to combat terrorism by often secretive or constitutionally dubious means, questions have arisen about the scope of First Amendment protection for political protest and dissent. This Fact Sheet, originally prepared for a November 2006 conference on "Civil Liberties in a Paranoid Society," outlines the [...]
FEPP’s Slide Show of Controversial and Censored Art
By Marjorie Heins|2017-10-18T17:46:19-04:00January 1st, 2008|FEPP Articles|
Click to download the slideshow.
Supreme Court Carves Out a New Exception to Student Free Speech
In a fractured decision, the Supreme Court today approved the punishment of a high school student for unfurling a banner with the nonsense message "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" across the street from his school while the U.S. Olympic Torch Relay passed by. Eighteen year-old Joseph Frederick insisted that his banner had no particular message except to assert his right to [...]
REPORT: Intellectual Property and Free Speech in the Online World: A Public Policy Report
By Laura Quilter and Marjorie Heins|2017-12-05T12:21:28-05:00February 14th, 2007|FEPP Articles|
The Free Expression Policy Project undertook a survey of 25 online service providers to learn how they handle notices asking them to remove material that the sender alleges violates her copyright or trademark rights. These notices typically take the form of either “cease and desist” letters or takedown notices sent in accordance with § 512 of the Copyright Act. We wanted to learn whether service providers, including educational institutions, consider their users’ free speech interests in the course of responding to copyright and trademark owners’ complaints; and if so, how they act on those considerations. We also wanted to know how well the takedown process is working for service providers, for users, and for copyright owners.
Of Threats, Intimidation, Sensitivity, and Free Speech: The Muhammad Cartoons
By Marjorie Heins|2017-12-04T15:51:57-05:00February 22nd, 2006|FEPP Articles|
Countless words have been spilled over the Danish newspaper JyullandsPosten's publication last September of 12 cartoons commenting on journalistic self-censorship and Islamic beliefs, including several that caricatured the prophet Muhammad. Surely, everything has been said by now. Yet the controversy rages on: Is this an easy case for freedom of expression? Should there be no acquiescence in demands by some Muslims, [...]
REPORT: Internet Filters: A Public Policy Report
By Marjorie Heins, Christina Cho and Ariel Feldman|2017-12-05T12:22:10-05:00January 1st, 2006|FEPP Articles|
Every new technology brings with it both excitement and anxiety. No sooner was the Internet upon us in the 1990s than anxiety arose over the ease of accessing pornography and other controversial content. In response, entrepreneurs soon developed filtering products. By the end of the decade, a new industry had emerged to create and market Internet filters.
Will Fair Use Survive? Free Expression in the Age of Copyright Control – Intro
By Marjorie Heins & Tricia Beckles|2020-01-03T15:47:35-05:00December 1st, 2005|FEPP Articles|
Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law Free Expression Policy Project December 2005 Are increasingly heavy assertions of control by copyright and trademark owners smothering fair use and free expression? The product of more than a year of research, Will Fair Use Survive? paints a striking picture of an intellectual property system that is perilously out of balance. Read [...]
REPORT: Will Fair Use Survive: Free Expression in the Age of Copyright Control – Full Report
By Marjorie Heins & Tricia Beckles|2017-10-18T15:35:24-04:00November 16th, 2005|FEPP Articles|
Read the report below; click here for a full screen view.
Appeals Court Reaffirms Its Tone-Deaf Approach to Music Sampling
By Free Expression Policy Project News|2017-10-12T14:00:15-04:00June 3rd, 2005|FEPP Articles|
Ignoring the critical balance between creativity and property rights that is essential to a healthy copyright system, a 3-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit today reaffimed the maverick position that it first announced last year - that the well-accepted "de minimis" rule in copyright law does not apply to sound recordings. Under the court's [...]
REPORT: The Information Commons: A Public Policy Report
By Nancy Kranich|2017-10-18T17:18:53-04:00January 5th, 2004|FEPP Articles|
Media Literacy: An Alternative to Censorship
By Marjorie Heins & Christina Cho|2017-10-20T11:13:30-04:00January 1st, 2003|FEPP Articles|
Free Expression in Arts Funding: A Public Policy Report
By Marjorie Heins, Christina Cho & Kim Commerato|2017-10-23T12:48:48-04:00January 1st, 2003|FEPP Articles|
“The Progress of Science and Useful Arts”: Why Copyright Today Threatens Intellectual Freedom
Friend of the Court Brief by 33 Media Scholars in St. Louis Video Games Censorship Case
By Marjorie Heins|2017-10-18T16:57:36-04:00September 24th, 2002|FEPP Articles|
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Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were killed in their patrol car on Saturday
Five Things to Know for Your New Day – Monday, December 22, 2014
Passions flare over New York cop killings. North Korea warns Sony hack isn't the end. And a Florida State panel clears Jameis Winston.
It's Monday and here are the 5 things to know for your New Day
1. NYPD COP SHOOTING
Complicated feelings: The killings of two New York police officers over the weekend sparked passionate responses. Former New York Gov. George Pataki and police union officials quickly lashed out at New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. The governor accused de Blasio of putting officers' lives at risk because the mayor supported recent protests over the killing of Eric Garner by a New York police officer who was not indicted. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Pataki was wrong for making those comments, calling it "an overreaction." Social media users joined the fray, with many objecting to blaming anyone other than the gunman for the killings. Some turned to hashtags #BlackLivesMatter for Garner and Brown - and #BlueLivesMatter to show respect and support for police officers.
#BlackLivesMatter #NYPDLivesMatter If you have an issue with *either* of those two hashtags, *you* are the problem. You.
— Colm Flaherty (@CJayFla) December 21, 2014
2. NORTH KOREA THREAT
A contradiction?: While North Korea is denying any involvement in the hacking of Sony Pictures, it's also warning the United States that more is to come. "Our toughest counteraction will be boldly taken against the White House, the Pentagon and the whole U.S. mainland, the cesspool of terrorism," a report on North Korea's state-run KCNA said. On Friday, the FBI pinned blame on North Korea for the hack into Sony's computer systems. In an interview broadcast yesterday on CNN, President Obama called it "an act of cybervandalism," not war. He said that the United States is going to review whether to put North Korea back on a list of states that sponsor terrorism. What about Santa's "Naughty or Nice" list?
3. AUSTRALIA KILLINGS
Charges filed: Police have charged a 37-year-old woman with eight counts of murder in Friday's deaths of eight children in the northeastern Australian city of Cairns. She remains under police guard at a hospital, where she is recovering from lacerations, authorities said. She appeared before a magistrate in a bedside hearing yesterday. The children were between ages 2 and 14, Queensland police spokesman Bruno Asnicar said. The woman was the mother of seven of the children. The eighth child killed was a niece, Asnicar said. The children had five fathers, who are all shocked and devastated, authorities said.
4. SPY BABY
Hmmm: Last week's spy exchange with Cuba came with a pregnant pause. Cubans gasped when Gerardo Hernandez greeted his obviously pregnant wife. Since 2001, he had been serving a double life sentence in a U.S. prison. So how did this happen? Hernandez says he's the baby daddy and government officials agree. During the negotiations to free him and other Cuban spies, Hernandez's sperm was collected and sent to Cuba, where his wife, Adriana Perez, was artificially inseminated. The U.S. Justice Department confirmed the story, without going into the details. Hernandez said their baby daughter is due to arrive in two weeks and they will name her Gema.
5. JAMEIS WINSTON
Winston cleared: Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston has been cleared by a school panel that considered whether he violated the student conduct code two years ago when he allegedly sexually assaulted another student. The independent hearing officer on the panel, Major B. Harding, a former chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court, ruled that "in sum, the preponderance of the evidence has not shown that you are responsible for any of the charged violations of the code." Florida State will play Oregon in the Rose Bowl on January 1. The winner will advance to the National Championship game against either Alabama or Ohio State.
Those are your five biggies for the day. Here are a couple of others that are brewing and have the Internet buzzing.
- Riffing on the news: "Dr. Evil," aka Mike Myers, interrupted "Saturday Night Live" over the weekend to slam both North Korea and Sony.
- Interspecies smackdown: Fred the cat has his paws full with his tortoise housemate.
- 3, 2, 1, boom!: Texas A&M implodes part of its football stadium to make way for a $450 million redevelopment project.
- Top this: The best Jenga move EVER!
- A true friend: A monkey struggles for 20 minutes to revive his primate buddy who was knocked out by touching electrical wires on train tracks in northern India.
Posted by CNN's Ed Payne; CNN's Dorrine Mendoza
I stopped following everyday once the videos were removed a few weeks ago. Glad to see them back again!
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Environment advocates: Hold companies, not just gov’ts, accountable for plastic waste
Kristine Sabillo, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Oct 24 2019 06:04 AM | Updated as of Oct 24 2019 08:04 AM
Environmental groups say companies offering single-use plastic packaging carry a significant responsibility of the pollution they cause. Boogs Rosales, Greenpeace/file
The Philippines has long been criticized for being the third largest source of plastic waste in the world’s oceans. But environmental groups say companies offering single-use plastic packaging carry a bigger responsibility.
Slave to sachets: How poverty worsens plastics crisis in the Philippines
This is why the environmental network Break Free From Plastic has been conducting “brand audits” from its regular cleanups of beaches and other places.
The network released on Wednesday the result of its second audit of “top plastic polluters.” The group said the audit is based on 470,000 pieces of plastic collected from 484 cleanups done in more than 50 countries and 6 continents. From the trash gathered at cleanup events, volunteers identify the brands based on the labels on the plastics and count them.
Break Free from Plastic holds press conference: “We are not pleased to announce the results of this year’s plastic polluters brand audit.” @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/OTgNAyXI20
— Kristine Sabillo (@kristinesabillo) October 23, 2019
Beau Baconguis, of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, said there were also a lot of unbranded plastics in Asia or those with packaging and brand names that are no longer readable.
“We are telling a story here that is not often mentioned. Every time we talk about plastic solution in a global scale, it pinpoints to the role of countries,” said Von Hernandez, global coordinator of Break Free From Plastic movement.
“[But] These are mostly products produced, marketed, sold by multinational companies.”
Hernandez pointed out that it is the companies’ decision to package their products in single-use plastic. According to the brand audit report, plastics have many negative health effects, from the burning of fossil fuel for its manufacture to the leaching of chemicals into food wrapped in plastic.
Abigail Aguilar, Greenpeace Southeast Asia regional campaign coordinator, also pointed out how replacing plastic packaging with paper and bioplastics will only result in other environmental problems such as deforestation and chemical recycling, which uses dangerous chemicals.
Are 'biodegradable plastics' environment-friendly? Think again, warns group
“More than 90 percent of all the plastics ever produced have not been recycled,” she explained.
What happens to those plastics? Thrown into dumpsites and left there until those decompose in 1,000 years.
Sonia Mendoza, of the Mother Earth Foundation, said this is the problem of zero-waste communities. In San Fernando, Pampanga, the city government is able to process 80 percent of the waste through composting and recycling, but 20 percent have to be dumped because they cannot be reused or recycled.
“These plastic waste remain the biggest stumbling block for those cities and communities trying to achieve or have goals to be zero waste,” Mendoza said of the plastic packaging, plastic cutlery and feminine sanitary products that end up in dumpsites.
ABS-CBN News reached out to the companies with local offices mentioned in the report but did not receive a response as of posting time.
Previously, Unilever announced its plan to reduce its use of new plastic and to process its used packaging. It also pledged to scale up its refilling stations in malls. Nestlé also committed to making 100 percent of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo also announced their own recycling campaigns.
But Aguilar said it is better to promote alternative delivery systems, which includes community-based refilling stations for food ingredients and toiletries.
Hernandez said the Philippines has an immediate need to pass a law that will impose a nationwide ban on single-use plastic.
The group is also hoping for a law on extended producer responsibility, which will hold companies accountable for the life cycle of their products. Ideally, companies will be responsible for managing the disposal and recycling of their products.
plastic, Break Free from Plastic, Greenpeace, recycle, recycling
Read More: plastic Break Free from Plastic Greenpeace recycle recycling
Cayetano says House has 'enough time' to tackle ABS-CBN franchise bills
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For Recent IPOs, Valuation-Per-Employee Ranges From $80K To $50M
Joanna Glasner jglasner
A company’s valuation commonly has little relation to how many people actually work there.
Startups with a staff that could fit into a single bus can be valued in the billions. Take WhatsApp, the poster child for high value-per-worker startups. The messaging company employed just 55 people when Facebook bought it four years ago for $19 billion. That works out to nearly $350 million in valuation per employee.
On the other hand, companies with a lot of workers can have comparatively minuscule per-capita valuations. Look at beleaguered meal kit company Blue Apron. It employed 3,000 employees per its most recent disclosure. The company’s market cap is around $240 million, which works out to $80,000 per employee.
While those companies are extreme examples, wide disparities in valuation-per-employee are actually pretty common among venture-backed companies. Those disparities also extend to recently public companies, which are required to disclose precise employee counts.
So how wide are those valuation-per-employee gaps? In an effort to answer that question, Crunchbase News put together a dataset of employee counts at higher valuation U.S venture-backed companies that went public in the past year, most in the past six months. We then looked at their market caps and applied simple division to figure out valuation-per-employee, as you can see below:
Here are some other key findings.
Most Unicorns Are A Far Cry From WhatsApp In Staffing
First, it’s worth repeating that WhatsApp was very, very much an outlier. Typically, software companies that launched successful recent IPOs have a per-employee valuation in the single-digit millions. The number tends to be a bit lower for more mature companies, and a bit higher for those who tapped public markets earlier in their growth cycle.
In the Crunchbase News dataset, for instance, the software company with the leanest staff relative to valuation was search tools provider Elastic, a six-year-old company with a valuation that works out to $4.8 million per employee. Meanwhile Eventbrite, founded 12 years ago, has a valuation-per-employee of $2.4 million.
This ties in with expectations. Younger, faster-growing companies get higher per-person valuations at first, but those figures will likely drop as more people get hired.
It’s also worth noting that companies often dramatically scale up staffing in the year or so prior to an IPO. For instance Pluralsight, a provider of online workforce training, went from just over 500 employees to nearly 900 in the five quarters preceding its IPO this year. We saw many similar, sharp staffing increases in other recently-public tech firms.
Pre-Revenue Biotechs Are The Exception
As one would expect, recently public companies with the highest per-employee valuations tend to have fewer workers. That’s why we see pre-revenue biotech startups topping the list.
It makes sense. Biotechs still in the clinical trial or early product development phase typically employ a few dozen research scientists and a handful of other staff. They scale up (if they’re not acquired first) when it’s time to bring a treatment to market.
Of all the companies on our list, cancer immunotherapy startup Allogene Therapeutics had the highest valuation-per-employee number: $50 million. The Silicon Valley company doesn’t make money yet, but it has the advantage of operating in a hot sector and getting to a multi-billion-dollar valuation with a staff of just 78 people. (That said, Allogene isn’t a typical startup, with a short operating history and a pipeline built around intellectual property acquired from Pfizer.)
Valuations Around $2M Or More Per Employee Are Typical For Successful IPOs
If you work at a tech or biotech startup that recently had a good IPO, it’s likely the per-person valuation of your company is greater than the salary you’ll earn over the next few years.
That’s because per-person valuations are most commonly a couple million dollars or more at venture-backed companies that carry out well-received public offerings.
High per-person valuations are possible in part because, generally speaking, venture-backed tech and biotech companies keep staff numbers pared down by limiting payroll to core positions. They tend to use outsourcing services, contractors or freelancers for non-core functions. Investors also have a preference for funding startups that can scale with a lean staff, though such companies are hard to find.
There are exceptions to the lean staffing preference, of course. For instance the e-commerce company Stitch Fix, which employs personal stylists to select clothing for customers, had a staff of 6,600 as of July. Of those, over 3,900 are stylists.
While the valuations per employee diverge widely, the dataset does point to some commonalities in the staffing levels of software companies tapping the public markets.
Overall, we found that newly public software companies that sustained valuations close to or above a billion dollars had staffs somewhere between a few hundred and a couple thousand people. To visualize, that’s roughly the size range of most American high schools. These companies aren’t hugely staffed, but they’re not small operations either.
Whether recent, relatively high valuations per employee hold up is anyone’s guess. For now, however, valuations remain historically high.
Front Raises $59M From High-Profile Exec Investors For Email Collab Platform
A group of executives from Atlassian, Okta, Zoom and Qualtrics led the latest financing for San Francisco-based Front.
Startups • Venture
DevOps Startup Sysdig Raises $70M Series E
DevOps startup Sysdig has raised $70 million in its Series E round, the company announced Wednesday.
With Cloudflare As A Customer, Austin-Based Vapor IO Closes $90M Series C
Edge computing startup Vapor IO announced today the close of its $90 million Series C from private equity firm Berkshire Partners and wireless...
Seed Series: Sapphire Partners Managing Director Beezer Clarkson
Indonesian EdTech Startup Ruangguru Raises $150M
Number Of Private Equity Firms Leading VC Rounds On The Rise
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Police identify people threatening Kaja Kallas ({{contentCtrl.commentsTotal}})
Kaja Kallas. Source: Siim Lõvi /ERR
Police have identified the people, or persons, who may have been behind the social media account used to send threatening messages to Reform Party chairwoman Kaja Kallas last week.
Kallas received a death threat on Facebook on Thursday which she reported to the police.
Kaido Saarniit, head of the Police and Border Guard Board's (PPA) Central Tallinn Police Station, said on Monday there is no probable threat in Estonia. He also told daily Postimees over the weekend that Kallas' life was not in danger.
"In assessing the threat we considered the content of the message sent and the possibility of acting on it and looked at previous social media posts made through the same account. We are continuing to try and contact the person who made the post," he added.
Saarniit said that if a person is threatened online or in a real-life conversation and the person poses a threat to their life and health, they must always be reported to the police.
"A threat is punishable if it presents a real threat or if there is a reason to believe that the threat could be acted on," Saarniit said.
The Facebook post which made the threat against Kallas said that 20-30 people "with a prison mentality" would be sent to rape her, and noted that "You (Kallas) are a priority on the list."
Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Centre) condemned the attack over the weekend. "There is no place in Estonian society for such crude threats, which constitute a serious blow to our people's sense of security," he said.
Editor: Helen Wright
President Kaljulaid: Verbal mistreatment diminishes sense of security
Tarmo Jüristo: Perhaps we're not about to get used to threats
Paper: Estonian and Swedish police to cooperate over Kaja Kallas threat
Justice chancellor: Take people making threats to court
Police not opening criminal proceedings into Kaja Kallas online threats
Paper: Death threats against Reform Party leader made in Sweden
Ratas: People, motives behind threats against Kallas must be identified
Police: Reform Party leader's life not in danger (1)
Reform Party leader files death threat report with police
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Microsoft News Center Canada
Canadian Leadership Team
Microsoft Corporate News Center
Blogs & Communities
Microsoft Official Blog
Next at Microsoft
Microsoft on the Issues
Microsoft Canada Trending Hub
Cara Eng, Public Relations Lead: Devices
Lisa Gibson, Director of Public Relations/Executive Communications
Veronica Langvee, Commercial Public Relations Lead
Veritas Communications
15 STORIES THAT INSPIRED US IN 2019
January 2, 2020 | Kamran Niazi
At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every individual and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Take a loot at some of the stories of individuals and organizations that inspired us across Canada in 2019.
1. Microsoft Canada wins Jim Flaherty Award for Leadership, Inclusion and Accessibility: In recognition of Microsoft Canada’s inclusion strategy and commitment, the Abilities Centre has honoured the company with the 2019 Jim Flaherty Award for Leadership, Inclusion and Accessibility. Read more
2. MirrorHR – Epilepsy Research Kit for Kids: A 29- person team spanned the globe with participants from Canada and 3 other countries, who worked in 24- hour cycle to develop an app that connects to a wearable device and send alerts when seizure occur. I am confident that this project has potential to help more than 50 million people around the world, especially children who suffer from Epilepsy. Read more about this amazing project
3. Microsoft helps Government of Canada take next step in digital transformation with Protected B Cloud Services: Microsoft becomes one of the first global cloud providers to be awarded certification for Government of Canada Protected B cloud services. This announcement marks a significant milestone for the public sector in Canada, and for the first time will enable the Government of Canada departments the opportunity to securely store, manage and process sensitive data and applications in Microsoft’s trusted Azure cloud services. Learn More
4. Microsoft Canada partners with the University of Waterloo’s Artificial Intelligence Institute to address society’s greatest challenges: The University of Waterloo has an outstanding reputation for ground-breaking innovation, and we are excited to partner with them, not only to provide leading Microsoft Azure technology but to provide funding and expertise for the important work of leveraging AI for social good. Read More
5. The power of start-ups in helping Quebec’s innovation economy grow: Microsoft Canada is investing more than $1 million in cash, devices and business services to Le Camp, to help empower businesses, innovators and entrepreneurs who fuel Quebec’s economy. Read More
6. Microsoft launches Soundscape, a free app to help blind and low vision Canadians navigate the world around them. As the next step on the journey to enabling a more accessible Canada for all, Microsoft Canada announced the availability of Soundscape, an app that empowers people with low or no vision to explore the world around them through a 3D audio experience
7. Celebrate our differences and appreciate each other, together with Pride: In June Microsoft employees, along with their family and friends, marched at the Toronto Pride Parade. Many of our team members are passionate about diversity and volunteer their time to help make Microsoft Canada a place where all employees can thrive. Watch here
8. The University Health Network leverages Microsoft Azure and AI to bridge the gap between cancer research and treatment: According to the Canadian Cancer Society, nearly 1 in 2 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and the disease continues to be the leading cause of death in Canada – 1 in 4 Canadians will die of cancer or cancer-related illnesses. When it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, every day is critical. Cancer patients have very little room for miscalculation, delays, or human error. Learn More
9. Microsoft for Startups partners with BC Tech to accelerate startups on the West Coast Microsoft for Startups (Microsoft) and the BC Tech Association (BC Tech) are patnering to develop, strengthen and accelerate the growth of the startup ecosystem on the west coast of Canada. Through a series of joint events, local startups will have the opportunity to tap into Microsoft’s technical resources, business experts, and free cloud services, while leveraging BC Tech’s network and infrastructure. Learn More
10. Enabling a new era of collaboration in healthcare communications: Embracing digital transformation can be a daunting task for many organizations. Especially for those in the healthcare sector, where the benefits of innovation must also meet the highest security, privacy and compliance standards – implementing new technology can be especially challenging. But an increasing number of healthcare providers and administrators ultimately understand how critical technology can be in improving workflows and productivity, realizing that it’s well worth the time and investment to make the change. Learn More
Study finds four personas make up todays’s Modern Workplace: Research from Microsoft has identified four distinct workplace personality types (personas), each with different working styles and preferences. In addition to identifying the personas, the study also reinforced that it’s essential for leaders to truly understand the how different employees prefer to work in order to unlock their potential and equip them for success. Read More
12. AI Meets World, a six-part podcast series that Microsoft developed in partnership with Globe Content Studios, a division of the Globe and Mail about the evolution of AI. Listen here
13. Microsoft AccountGuard Canada Launch: AccountGuard, a critical component of the Microsoft Defending Democracy Program, which is focused on four key priorities: protecting campaigns from hacking; protecting voting and the electoral process; increasing political advertising transparency; and defending against disinformation campaigns arrives in Canada
14. Skilling for the future that has already arrived: At Microsoft, we believe it is our responsibility to help businesses, academic institutions, governments and individuals get the skills they need to succeed. That includes arming them with trusted technology solutions to innovate in today’s tech intense world. We are committed to upskilling 25,000 Canadians in 2020 and are investing $2 million in digital skills initiatives. Read More
15. Microsoft HoloLens 2: Since the release of HoloLens in 2016 we have seen mixed reality transform the way work gets done. We have unlocked super-powers for hundreds of thousands of people who go to work every day. From construction sites to factory floors, from operating rooms to classrooms, HoloLens is changing how we work, learn, communicate and get things done. We entered a new era of computing, one in which the digital world goes beyond two-dimensional screens and enters the three-dimensional world. Learn More
Recap of Microsoft Envision 2020 Toronto
Microsoft will be carbon negative by 2030
Microsoft announces it will be carbon negative by 2030: Press Release
Growing the cloud to fuel Canada’s economy
Microsoft Makes Significant Investments in Canadian Cloud to Fuel Innovation In Canada
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New features in IGTV: connect with Facebook Watch and change video length
Facebook is constantly working to connect its platforms, so Instagram is now testing the ability to publish IGTV content on Facebook Watch. Other innovations are related to basic parameters of IGTV videos, where the minimum and...
Facebook introduces Playable Ads Preview
The new so-called Playable Ads Preview tool will allow developers to check the correct implementation of the call-to-action button in their ads. This will prevent unwanted errors before uploading to...
Instagram is testing two ads in a row in Stories
Many marketing agencies and social media specialists have seen a higher incidence of Instagram Stories ads in recent weeks. Instagram confirmed that it is experimenting with back-to-back Stories ads. The goal of the test is to...
Messenger to offer new business opportunities
With over 40 million businesses actively using Messenger, Facebook has focused on new tools to help merchants achieve better results and create an environment where users can communicate with them more easily. Facebook...
Facebook is preparing new tools for public figures
Facebook has announced several new updates for public figures and influencers. Popular creators, athletes, sports teams, musicians, journalists, celebrities and bloggers are very important to social networks because they engage...
Facebook will edit the names of Instagram and WhatsApp
Facebook plans to add their name to Instagram and WhatsApp to make it clear that these are companies under their wing. Fear not! No drastic rebranding awaits us. Instagram will be called “Instagram from Facebook” and...
Back to School: Tips for last-minute campaigns
Students have returned to their school desks. For many brands, the end of holidays and September is a key period. If you left your campaigns for the last minute or want to squeeze the last drops out of them, get inspired by...
Facebook adds a special ad category to the API
The Facebook Marketing API will add a new category of ads that are specifically dedicated to advertising housing, employment and credit. By doing this, Facebook continues to take action to prevent advertisers from running ads...
Instagram is developing a standalone messaging application
Instagram is working on a new standalone messaging app to build better connections between smaller closed groups. The application Thread should allow you to share your status, location, text, videos, photos, and other...
Facebook introduces new movie advertising features
Facebook is introducing two new tools related to film advertising. The first is the option to receive reminders for the premieres of films you have shown interest in. The second tool allows you to search for premieres and buy...
Instagram is testing a new option for reporting false information
Instagram is testing a new tool which is designed to help users report false information. Facebook's goal is to limit the spread of misleading content on all its platforms. To check, if you have access to the new feature,...
Facebook’s Daily Active User count grew to 2.7 billion in Q2 2019
Facebook has released statistics for the second quarter of 2019, which show $16 billion in revenue and an increased number of active users across its platforms to 2.7 billion. In this period, net income has been lower due to...
Facebook and Messenger introduce tools to silence notifications
Are you annoyed by dozens of alerts that keep popping up in different places on Facebook? Are you being flooded with messages on Messenger? Then we have good news for you. Both platforms are preparing a functionality that should...
Facebook reduces the reach of misleading health claims
Nutrition, fitness and health problems are very common topics on Facebook. Many social network users display a healthy lifestyle and want to work towards their goals through their profiles. This trend is being exploited by...
Facebook introduces the Off-Facebook Activity feature
Facebook announced in March that it will launch a Clear History feature, which will give users a better overview of how third parties are handling their data. Now, after a few months, Facebook is introducing the new feature in a...
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AJW Technique Enhances Relationship With Liebherr-Aerospace
AJW Technique, the maintenance hub for AJW Group's component repair and overhaul service, based in Montreal, has announced a commitment for enhanced collaboration with Liebherr Aerospace Saline, Inc., a leading OEM service center in North America.
The effort will enable the two businesses to better support airlines across the globe, with AJW Technique receiving access to the OEM’s new and serviceable market and exchange inventory. This means that AJW Group will have direct access to Liebherr-Aerospace components that can be traced, sold, and exchanged dependent on a customers’ individual needs.
AJW Technique will provide Liebherr-Aerospace with component packages of inventory for their Used Serviceable Material (USM) offering, whilst AJW Leasing will provide Liebherr- Aerospace with component packages for sales and leasing when needed. Further, the exchange of services workload will be reviewed as well.
Frank Boni, Vice President of MRO Sales at AJW Technique, said:
“Our new collaboration with Liebherr-Aerospace will deliver synergies that will enable us to jointly offer aircraft operators worldwide best-in-class and complimentary services.”
“Partnering with leading OEMs to develop complementary relationships is an integral part of our strategy of driving trade and MRO reciprocal work globally. We are continually looking at how we can expand our portfolio of OEM partnerships to enable us to offer a wider range of mutually attractive customer solutions.”
Over the past seven years, AJW Technique has rapidly grown into a business that today has more than 200 engineers, providing support to over 300 airlines across the globe, processing in excess of 35,000 units per year across 6,000-part number lines.
AJW Technique holds approvals from ANAC (Brazil), CAAC (China), CAAS (Singapore), DGCA (Indonesia), EASA (Europe), HKCAD (Hong Kong), JCAB (Japan) and TCCA (Canada) which enable it to support AJW Group’s customers’ worldwide.
Maintenance + SafetyAmericas
SO Tech ehf. acquired by AISG Ltd., a specialized investment company based in Dublin
Airbus Orders & Deliveries August 2019
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Gender Reveals Are So 5 Minutes Ago: New Trend Is Showing Off College Picks
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – It’s the questions high school seniors are probably sick of getting asked: “Where are you going to college?”
Now some are answering it in a very public way, reports CBS2’s Vanessa Murdock.
From scary to sweet, gender reveals make a big splash on social media, and soon the next craze to take over your feed will be college reveals.
“Everyone is trying to reveal something,” said Kris Ruby, president of Ruby Media Group.
Ruby notes the trend is in its freshman year.
“I do think because Millennials are the ones doing it, on social media this is going to expand very fast,” she said.
“I think it’s great if you like to share,” said Cordelia Orbach of the Upper West Side.
MORE: Are Gender Reveal Parties Getting Too Extreme?
“I would have done the same thing if I was 18 at this time,” said Daniel Sands.
Some families throw themed parties complete with fancy invitations, balloons, banners, and custom cakes to announce the decision before it get shared with strangers.
“These kids have worked really hard, its torture throughout the college application process,” said Adrian Benepe of the Upper West Side. “If they want to celebrate in a very public way, more power to them.”
College reveals trending now, what’s next?
“You know what I think, a job reveal,” said Ruby. “I have two offers, two job offers, what’s it going to be?”
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An American Classic
SKILCRAFT U.S. GOVERNMENT PEN
50 Years 1968-2018
In 1968, an American classic was born: the SKILCRAFT® U.S. Government Pen. For 50 years, the pen has been a workhorse for the federal government and U.S. military. This iconic product, adored by generations of government employees and their families, is more than just a pen; it’s a symbol of the strength of American manufacturing and the limitless capabilities of people who are blind.
A National Treasure is Born
The story of the pen began in 1965 when the General Services Administration (GSA) wrote a 16-page federal specifications document for a retractable ballpoint pen with a replaceable ink cartridge. After receiving a shipment of 13 million defective ballpoint pens from the original supplier in 1967, then-GSA Commissioner Heinz Abersfeller sought a new supplier and offered NIB the opportunity to produce the pens. On April 20, 1968, the SKILCRAFT U.S. Government Pen was added to the federal procurement list, making it available to federal purchasers through the AbilityOne® Program.
Early Production
Pen production provided employment for 133 employees who were blind working at four NIB associated nonprofit agencies across the country: Industries of the Blind in Greensboro, NC; Alphapointe in Kansas City, MO; Industries for the Blind in Milwaukee, WI; and Arizona Industries for the Blind in Phoenix, AZ (later transferred to the Lighthouse for the Blind in St. Louis, MO).
Precision-Manufactured
SKILCRAFT U.S. Government Pens are produced and tested according to specifications outlined in a 16-page document written by GSA in 1965. Among dozens of other performance requirements, the pen must be capable of writing continuously for one mile in temperatures ranging from 40 degrees below zero to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Its original design has changed little over the decades. Click here for an infographic highlighting some of the pen's specifications.
The quality of the government pen shifted perceptions about the capabilities of people who are blind and NIB and its associated agencies. The project paved the way for the introduction of dozens of new SKILCRAFT products in the following decades, creating hundreds of new jobs for people who are blind. Today, more than 5,000 quality SKILCRAFT products are available to government customers through the AbilityOne® Program.
PEOPLE BEHIND THE SKILCRAFT U.S. GOVERNMENT PEN
More than 100 people who are blind manufacture nearly 8 million SKILCRAFT U.S. Government Pens each year. Pen production sustains meaningful employment for individuals like Susan Kasten, who assembles pens at Industries for the Blind in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Lynn Larsen, a machine operator at Industries of the Blind, Greensboro, has been making the SKILCRAFT U.S. Government Pen for nearly 40 years. For Larsen, it’s more than a job: “I think about all the soldiers who use them and what they are doing in service to our country. It makes me feel honored and proud to make these pens.”
OWN A PIECE OF AMERICAN HISTORY
Purchase SKILCRAFT U.S. Government Pens through the AbilityOne Program
AbilityOne.com
GSAAdvantage
Your Local Base Supply Store
AbilityOne Authorized Distributors
Purchase SKILCRAFT U.S. Government pens directly through nonprofit organizations that manufacture the pen
Alphapointe
Industries of the Blind Milwaukee
Industires of the Blind Greensboro
In the late 1960s, four employees produced 20,000 pens daily with this retractable pen assembly machine.
Final inspection and packaging of ball point pens are performed on an assembly line.
About 40 employees who are blind produce 80,000 pens daily in this typical work area in the 1960s.
NIB’s testing center in St. Louis, MO, in the 1970s.
Employees assembling pens at Industries of the Blind Greensboro in the 1990s.
Employees assembling pens at Industries of the Blind Greensboro today.
Iconic pen used by military, made by blind people turns 50
Recognize this pen? Government’s favorite ballpoint pen celebrates 50 years
WTOP.com, April 23, 2018
Opportunity magazine, April 2018
National Industries for the Blind Celebrates 50th Anniversary of SKILCRAFT U.S. Government Pen
PR Newswire, April 24, 2018
An iconic military pen is turning 50. Here's what you should know about that Skilcraft in your desk drawer.
Stars and Stripes, April 27, 2018
Spotlight on the SKILCRAFT U.S. Government Pen
Supply Chimp Blog
Media Inquires: Contact Mike Johnson, NIB Communications Director, at mgjohnson@nib.org or 703-310-0568
About National Industries for the Blind
Since 1938, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) has focused on enhancing the opportunities for economic and personal independence of people who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and its network of associated nonprofit agencies are the nation’s largest employer of people who are blind through the manufacture and provision of SKILCRAFT® and other products and services of the AbilityOne® Program. For more information about NIB, visit NIB.org.
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Sources of Vitamin K
Vitamin K Intakes and Status
Groups at Risk of Vitamin K Inadequacy
Vitamin K and Health
Health Risks from Excessive Vitamin K
Vitamin K and Healthful Diets
"Vitamin K," the generic name for a family of compounds with a common chemical structure of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods and is available as a dietary supplement [1]. These compounds include phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and a series of menaquinones (vitamin K2) [2]. Menaquinones have unsaturated isoprenyl side chains and are designated as MK-4 through MK-13, based on the length of their side chain [1,2]. MK-4, MK-7, and MK-9 are the most well-studied menaquinones.
Phylloquinone is present primarily in green leafy vegetables and is the main dietary form of vitamin K [3]. Menaquinones, which are predominantly of bacterial origin, are present in modest amounts in various animal-based and fermented foods [1,4]. Almost all menaquinones, in particular the long-chain menaquinones, are also produced by bacteria in the human gut [5,6]. MK-4 is unique in that it is produced by the body from phylloquinone via a conversion process that does not involve bacterial action [7].
Vitamin K functions as a coenzyme for vitamin K-dependent carboxylase, an enzyme required for the synthesis of proteins involved in hemostasis (blood clotting) and bone metabolism, and other diverse physiological functions [3,5]. Prothrombin (clotting factor II) is a vitamin K-dependent protein in plasma that is directly involved in blood clotting. Warfarin (Coumadin®) and some anticoagulants used primarily in Europe antagonize the activity of vitamin K and, in turn, prothrombin [8]. For this reason, individuals who are taking these anticoagulants need to maintain consistent vitamin K intakes.
Matrix Gla-protein, a vitamin K-dependent protein present in vascular smooth muscle, bone, and cartilage, is the focus of considerable scientific research because it might help reduce abnormal calcification [9]. Osteocalcin is another vitamin K-dependent protein that is present in bone and may be involved in bone mineralization or turnover [5].
Like dietary lipids and other fat-soluble vitamins, ingested vitamin K is incorporated into mixed micelles via the action of bile and pancreatic enzymes, and it is absorbed by enterocytes of the small intestine [10]. From there, vitamin K is incorporated into chylomicrons, secreted into the lymphatic capillaries, transported to the liver, and repackaged into very low-density lipoproteins [2,10]. Vitamin K is present in the liver and other body tissues, including the brain, heart, pancreas, and bone [2,3,11].
In the circulation, vitamin K is carried mainly in lipoproteins [2]. Compared to the other fat-soluble vitamins, very small amounts of vitamin K circulate in the blood. Vitamin K is rapidly metabolized and excreted. Based on phylloquinone measurements, the body retains only about 30% to 40% of an oral physiological dose, while about 20% is excreted in the urine and 40% to 50% in the feces via bile [2,11]. This rapid metabolism accounts for vitamin K's relatively low blood levels and tissue stores compared to those of the other fat-soluble vitamins [11].
Little is known about the absorption and transport of vitamin K produced by gut bacteria, but research indicates that substantial quantities of long-chain menaquinones are present in the large bowel [7]. Although the amount of vitamin K that the body obtains in this manner is unclear, experts believe that these menaquinones satisfy at least some of the body's requirement for vitamin K [6,7].
In most cases, vitamin K status is not routinely assessed, except in individuals who take anticoagulants or have bleeding disorders. The only clinically significant indicator of vitamin K status is prothrombin time (the time it takes for blood to clot), and ordinary changes in vitamin K intakes have rarely been shown to alter prothrombin time [5]. In healthy people, fasting concentrations of phylloquinone in plasma have been reported to range from 0.29 to 2.64 nmol/L [12]. However, it is not clear whether this measure can be used to quantitatively assess vitamin K status. People with plasma phylloquinone concentrations slightly below the normal range have no clinical indications of vitamin K deficiency, possibly because plasma phylloquinone concentrations do not measure the contribution of menaquinones from the diet and the large bowel [12]. No data on normal ranges of menaquinones are available [2].
Intake recommendations for vitamin K and other nutrients are provided in the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) developed by the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies [3]. DRI is the general term for a set of reference values used for planning and assessing nutrient intakes of healthy people. These values, which vary by age and gender, include:
Insufficient data were available to establish an EAR for vitamin K, so the FNB established AIs for all ages that are based on vitamin K intakes in healthy population groups [3]. Table 1 lists the current AIs for vitamin K in micrograms (mcg). The AIs for infants are based on the calculated mean vitamin K intake of healthy breastfed infants and the assumption that infants receive prophylactic vitamin K at birth as recommended by American and Canadian pediatric societies [3].
Table 1: Adequate Intakes (AIs) for Vitamin K [3]
Birth to 6 months 2.0 mcg 2.0 mcg
7–12 months 2.5 mcg 2.5 mcg
1–3 years 30 mcg 30 mcg
9–13 years 60 mcg 60 mcg
14–18 years 75 mcg 75 mcg 75 mcg 75 mcg
19+ years 120 mcg 90 mcg 90 mcg 90 mcg
Food sources of phylloquinone include vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, and some fruits. Meat, dairy foods, and eggs contain low levels of phylloquinone but modest amounts of menaquinones [4]. Natto (a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans) has high amounts of menaquinones [1,13]. Other fermented foods, such as cheese, also contain menaquinones. However, the forms and amounts of vitamin K in these foods likely vary depending on the bacterial strains used to make the foods and their fermentation conditions [14]. Animals synthesize MK-4 from menadione (a synthetic form of vitamin K that can be used in poultry and swine feed) [15]. Thus, poultry and pork products contain MK-4 if menadione is added to the animal feed [1,4,14].
The most common sources of vitamin K in the U.S. diet are spinach; broccoli; iceberg lettuce; and fats and oils, particularly soybean and canola oil [5,7]. Few foods are fortified with vitamin K [5]; breakfast cereals are not typically fortified with vitamin K, although some meal replacement shakes and bars are.
Data on the bioavailability of different forms of vitamin K from food are very limited [1]. The absorption rate of phylloquinone in its free form is approximately 80%, but its absorption rate from foods is significantly lower [2]. Phylloquinone in plant foods is tightly bound to chloroplasts, so it is less bioavailable than that from oils or dietary supplements [1]. For example, the body absorbs only 4% to 17% as much phylloquinone from spinach as from a tablet [2]. Consuming vegetables at the same time as some fat improves phylloquinone absorption from the vegetables, but the amount absorbed is still lower than that from oils. Limited research suggests that long-chain MKs may have higher absorption rates than phylloquinone from green vegetables [7].
Several food sources of vitamin K are listed in Table 2. All values in this table are for phylloquinone content, except when otherwise indicated, because food composition data for menaquinones are limited [1].
Table 2: Selected Food Sources of Vitamin K (Phylloquinone, Except as Indicated) [4,13,16]
Micrograms
(mcg) per
DV*
Natto, 3 ounces (as MK-7) 850 1,062
Collards, frozen, boiled, ½ cup 530 662
Turnip greens, frozen, boiled ½ cup 426 532
Spinach, raw, 1 cup 145 181
Kale, raw, 1 cup 113 141
Broccoli, chopped, boiled, ½ cup 110 138
Soybeans, roasted, ½ cup 43 54
Carrot juice, ¾ cup 28 34
Soybean oil, 1 tablespoon 25 31
Edamame, frozen, prepared, ½ cup 21 26
Pumpkin, canned, ½ cup 20 25
Pomegranate juice, ¾ cup 19 24
Okra, raw, ½ cup 16 20
Salad dressing, Caesar, 1 tablespoon 15 19
Pine nuts, dried, 1 ounce 15 19
Blueberries, raw, ½ cup 14 18
Iceberg lettuce, raw, 1 cup 14 18
Chicken, breast, rotisserie, 3 ounces (as MK-4) 13 17
Grapes, ½ cup 11 14
Vegetable juice cocktail, ¾ cup 10 13
Canola oil, 1 tablespoon 10 13
Cashews, dry roasted, 1 ounce 10 13
Carrots, raw, 1 medium 8 10
Olive oil, 1 tablespoon 8 10
Ground beef, broiled, 3 ounces (as MK-4) 6 8
Figs, dried, ¼ cup 6 8
Chicken liver, braised, 3 ounces (as MK-4) 6 8
Ham, roasted or pan-broiled, 3 ounces (as MK-4) 4 5
Cheddar cheese, 1½ ounces (as MK-4) 4 5
Mixed nuts, dry roasted, 1 ounce 4 5
Egg, hard boiled, 1 large (as MK-4) 4 5
Mozzarella cheese, 1½ ounces (as MK-4) 2 3
Milk, 2%, 1 cup (as MK-4) 1 1
Salmon, sockeye, cooked, 3 ounces (as MK-4) 0.3 0
Shrimp, cooked, 3 ounces (as MK-4) 0.3 0
*DV = Daily Value. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) developed DVs to help consumers compare the nutrient contents of products within the context of a total diet. The DV for vitamin K used for the values in Table 2 is 80 mcg for adults and children age 4 years and older [17]. This DV, however, is changing to 120 mcg as the updated Nutrition and Supplement Facts labels are implemented [18]. The updated labels must appear on food products and dietary supplements beginning in January 2020, but they can be used now [19]. FDA does not require food labels to list vitamin K content unless a food has been fortified with this nutrient. Foods providing 20% or more of the DV are considered to be high sources of a nutrient, but foods providing lower percentages of the DV also contribute to a healthful diet.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) FoodData Central [16] lists the nutrient content of many foods and provides comprehensive lists of foods containing vitamin K (phylloquinone) arranged by nutrient content and by food name, and of foods containing vitamin K (MK-4) arranged by nutrient content and food name.
Vitamin K is present in most multivitamin/multimineral supplements, typically at values less than 75% of the DV [20]. It is also available in dietary supplements containing only vitamin K or vitamin K combined with a few other nutrients, frequently calcium, magnesium, and/or vitamin D. These supplements tend to have a wider range of vitamin K doses than multivitamin/mineral supplements, with some providing 4,050 mcg (5,063% of the DV) or another very high amount [20].
Several forms of vitamin K are used in dietary supplements, including vitamin K1 as phylloquinone or phytonadione (a synthetic form of vitamin K1) and vitamin K2 as MK-4 or MK-7 [20]. Few data are available on the relative bioavailability of the various forms of vitamin K supplements. One study found that both phytonadione and MK-7 supplements are well absorbed, but MK-7 has a longer half-life [21].
Menadione, which is sometimes called "vitamin K3," is another synthetic form of vitamin K. It was shown to damage hepatic cells in laboratory studies conducted during the 1980s and 1990s, so it is no longer used in dietary supplements or fortified foods [3].
Most U.S. diets contain an adequate amount of vitamin K [7]. Data from the 2011–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) show that among children and teens aged 2–19 years, the average daily vitamin K intake from foods is 66 mcg [22]. In adults aged 20 and older, the average daily vitamin K intake from foods is 122 mcg for women and 138 mcg for men. When both foods and supplements are considered, the average daily vitamin K intake increases to 164 mcg for women and 182 mcg for men.
Some analyses of NHANES datasets from 2003–2006 and 2007–2010 raised concerns about average vitamin K intakes because only about one-third of the U.S. population had a vitamin K intake above the AI [23,24]. The significance of these findings is unclear because the AI is only an estimate of need, especially for vitamins (like vitamin K) that are also synthesized endogenously. Moreover, reports of vitamin K deficiency in adults are very rare [3,7]. Finally, food composition databases provide information primarily on phylloquinone; menaquinones—either dietary or from bacterial production in the gut—likely also contribute to vitamin K status [1,6,7].
Vitamin K deficiency is only considered clinically relevant when prothrombin time increases significantly due to a decrease in the prothrombin activity of blood [3,7]. Thus, bleeding and hemorrhage are the classic signs of vitamin K deficiency, although these effects occur only in severe cases. Because vitamin K is required for the carboxylation of osteocalcin in bone, vitamin K deficiency could also reduce bone mineralization and contribute to osteoporosis [25].
Vitamin K deficiency can occur during the first few weeks of infancy due to low placental transfer of phylloquinone, low clotting factor levels, and low vitamin K content of breast milk [7]. Clinically significant vitamin K deficiency in adults is very rare and is usually limited to people with malabsorption disorders or those taking drugs that interfere with vitamin K metabolism [3,7]. In healthy people consuming a varied diet, achieving a vitamin K intake low enough to alter standard clinical measures of blood coagulation is almost impossible [3].
The following groups are among those most likely to have inadequate vitamin K status.
Newborns not treated with vitamin K at birth
Vitamin K transport across the placenta is poor, increasing the risk of vitamin K deficiency in newborn babies [3]. During the first few weeks of life, vitamin K deficiency can cause vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), a condition formerly known as "classic hemorrhagic disease of the newborn." VKDB is associated with bleeding in the umbilicus, gastrointestinal tract, skin, nose, or other sites [7,26,27]. VKDB is known as "early VKDB" when it occurs in the first week of life. "Late VKDB" occurs at ages 2–12 weeks, especially in exclusively breastfed infants due to the low vitamin K content of breast milk or in infants with malabsorption problems (such as cholestatic jaundice or cystic fibrosis) [7]. VKDB, especially late VKDB, can also be manifested as sudden intracranial bleeding, which has a high mortality rate [7,27]. To prevent VKDB, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the administration of a single, intramuscular dose of 0.5 to 1 milligram (mg) vitamin K1 at birth [26].
People with malabsorption disorders
People with malabsorption syndromes and other gastrointestinal disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, and short bowel syndrome, might not absorb vitamin K properly [3,5,25]. Vitamin K status can also be low in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, although clinical signs may not be present [28]. These individuals might need monitoring of vitamin K status and, in some cases, vitamin K supplementation.
This section focuses on two conditions in which vitamin K might play a role: osteoporosis and coronary heart disease.
Osteoporosis, a disorder characterized by porous and fragile bones, is a serious public health problem that affects more than 10 million U.S. adults, 80% of whom are women. Consuming adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, especially throughout childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, is important to maximize bone mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis [29]. The effect of vitamin K intakes and status on bone health and osteoporosis has been a focus of scientific research.
Vitamin K is a cofactor for the gamma-carboxylation of many proteins, including osteocalcin, one of the main proteins in bone [30]. Some research indicates that high serum levels of undercarboxylated osteocalcin are associated with lower bone mineral density [5,30]. Some, but not all, studies also link higher vitamin K intakes with higher bone mineral density and/or lower hip fracture incidence [31-36].
Although vitamin K is involved in the carboxylation of osteocalcin, it is unclear whether supplementation with any form of vitamin K reduces the risk of osteoporosis. In 2006, Cockayne and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of vitamin K supplementation on bone mineral density and bone fracture [37]. Most of the trials were conducted in Japan and involved postmenopausal women; trial duration ranged from 6 to 36 months. Thirteen trials were included in the systematic review, and 12 showed that supplementation with either phytonadione or MK-4 improved bone mineral density. Seven of the 13 trials also had fracture data that were combined in a meta-analysis. All of these trials used MK-4 at either 15 mg/day (1 trial) or 45 mg/day (6 trials). MK-4 supplementation significantly reduced rates of hip fractures, vertebral fractures, and all nonvertebral fractures.
A subsequent clinical trial found that MK-7 supplementation (180 mcg/day for 3 years) improved bone strength and decreased the loss in vertebral height in the lower thoracic region of the vertebrae in postmenopausal women [38]. Other randomized clinical trials since the 2006 review by Cockayne et al. have found that vitamin K supplementation has no effect on bone mineral density in elderly men or women [39,40]. In one of these studies, 381 postmenopausal women received either 1 mg phylloquinone, 45 mg MK-4, or placebo daily for 12 months [40]. All participants also received daily supplements containing 630 mg calcium and 400 IU vitamin D3. At the end of the study, participants receiving either phylloquinone or MK-4 had significantly lower levels of undercarboxylated osteocalcin compared to those receiving placebo. However, there were no significant differences in bone mineral density of the lumbar spine or proximal femur among any of the treatment groups. The authors noted the importance of considering the effect of vitamin D on bone health when comparing the results of vitamin K supplementation studies, especially if both vitamin K and vitamin D (and/or calcium) are administered to the treatment group but not the placebo group [40]. The administration of vitamin D and/or calcium along with vitamin K could partly explain why some studies have found that vitamin K supplementation improves bone health while others have not.
In Japan and other parts of Asia, a pharmacological dose of MK-4 (45 mg) is used as a treatment for osteoporosis [5]. The European Food Safety Authority has approved a health claim for vitamin K, noting that "a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of vitamin K and the maintenance of normal bone" [41]. The FDA has not authorized a health claim for vitamin K in the United States.
Vascular calcification is one of the risk factors for coronary heart disease because it reduces aortic and arterial elasticity [42]. Matrix Gla-protein (MGP) is a vitamin K-dependent protein that may play a role in the prevention of vascular calcification [5,43]. Although the full biological function of MGP is unclear, a hypothesis based on animal data suggests that inadequate vitamin K status leads to undercarboxylated MGP, which could increase vascular calcification and the risk of coronary heart disease. These findings might be particularly relevant for patients with chronic kidney disease because their rates of vascular calcification are much higher than those of the general population [9].
In an observational study conducted in the Netherlands in 564 postmenopausal women, dietary menaquinone (but not phylloquinone) intake was inversely associated with coronary calcification [44]. Menaquinone intake was also inversely associated with severe aortic calcification in a prospective, population-based cohort study involving 4,807 men and women aged 55 years and older from the Netherlands [43]. Participants in this study who had dietary menaquinone intakes in the mid tertile (21.6–32.7 mcg/day) and upper tertile (>32.7 mcg/day) also had a 27% and 57% lower risk of coronary heart disease mortality, respectively, than those in the lower tertile of intake (<21.6 mcg/day). Phylloquinone intake had no effect on any outcome.
Despite these data, few trials have investigated the effects of vitamin K supplementation on arterial calcification or coronary heart disease risk. One randomized, double-blind clinical trial examined the effect of phylloquinone supplementation in 388 healthy men and postmenopausal women aged 60–80 years [45]. Participants received either a multivitamin (containing B-vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin E) plus 500 IU vitamin D3, 600 mg calcium, and 500 mcg phylloquinone daily (treatment) or a multivitamin plus calcium and vitamin D3 only (control) for 3 years. There was no significant difference in coronary artery calcification between the treatment and control groups. However, among the 295 participants who adhered to the supplementation protocol, those in the treatment group had significantly less coronary artery calcification progression than those in the control group. Furthermore, among those with coronary artery calcification at baseline, phylloquinone treatment reduced calcification progression by 6% compared to the control group. Based on these findings, the authors did not make any clinical recommendations, and they called for larger studies in other populations.
At this time, the role of the different forms of vitamin K on arterial calcification and the risk of coronary heart disease is unclear, but it continues to be an active area of research in the general population and in patients with chronic kidney disease [5,9,46].
The FNB did not establish ULs for vitamin K because of its low potential for toxicity [3]. In its report, the FNB stated that "no adverse effects associated with vitamin K consumption from food or supplements have been reported in humans or animals."
Vitamin K interacts with a few medications. In addition, certain medications can have an adverse effect on vitamin K levels. Some examples are provided below. Individuals taking these and other medications on a regular basis should discuss their vitamin K status with their healthcare providers.
Warfarin (Coumadin®) and similar anticoagulants
Vitamin K can have a serious and potentially dangerous interaction with anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin®), as well as phenprocoumon, acenocoumarol, and tioclomarol, which are commonly used in some European countries [7,8]. These drugs antagonize the activity of vitamin K, leading to the depletion of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. People taking warfarin and similar anticoagulants need to maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K from food and supplements because sudden changes in vitamin K intakes can increase or decrease the anticoagulant effect [47]. Additional information on the interaction between warfarin and vitamin K is available from the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center .
Antibiotics can destroy vitamin K-producing bacteria in the gut, potentially decreasing vitamin K status. This effect might be more pronounced with cephalosporin antibiotics, such as cefoperazone (Cefobid®), because these antibiotics might also inhibit the action of vitamin K in the body [6,48]. Vitamin K supplements are usually not needed unless antibiotic use is prolonged (beyond several weeks) and accompanied by poor vitamin K intake [48].
Bile acid sequestrants
Bile acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine (Questran®) and colestipol (Colestid®), are used to reduce cholesterol levels by preventing reabsorption of bile acids. They can also reduce the absorption of vitamin K and other fat-soluble vitamins, although the clinical significance of this effect is not clear [48,49]. Vitamin K status should be monitored in people taking these medications, especially when the drugs are used for many years [49].
Orlistat is a weight-loss drug that is available as both an over-the-counter (Alli®) and prescription (Xenical®) medication. It reduces the body's absorption of dietary fat and in doing so, it can also reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin K. Combining orlistat with warfarin therapy might cause a significant increase in prothrombin time [50]. Otherwise, orlistat does not usually have a clinically significant effect on vitamin K status, although clinicians usually recommend that patients taking orlistat take a multivitamin supplement containing vitamin K [51-53].
Many vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin K, and some fruits and fruit juices contain vitamin K. Cheese contains vitamin K.
Soybeans and nuts contain vitamin K.
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Shea MK, O'Donnell CJ, Hoffmann U, Dallal GE, Dawson-Hughes B, Ordovas JM, et al. Vitamin K supplementation and progression of coronary artery calcium in older men and women. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;89:1799-807. [PubMed abstract]
Gallieni M, Fusaro M. Vitamin K and cardiovascular calcification in CKD: is patient supplementation on the horizon? Kidney Int 2014;86:232-4. [PubMed abstract]
Drug-Nutrient Interaction Task Force, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health. Important information to know when you are taking: warfarin (Coumadin) and vitamin K. 2012.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Vitamin K. 2014.
Vroonhof K, van Rijn HJ, van Hattum J. Vitamin K deficiency and bleeding after long-term use of cholestyramine. Neth J Med 2003;61:19-21. [PubMed abstract]
MacWalter RS, Fraser HW, Armstrong KM. Orlistat enhances warfarin effect. The Ann Pharmacother 2003;37:510-2. [PubMed abstract]
McDuffie JR, Calis KA, Booth SL, Uwaifo GI, Yanovski JA. Effects of orlistat on fat-soluble vitamins in obese adolescents. Pharmacotherapy 2002;22:814-22. [PubMed abstract]
Davidson MH, Hauptman J, DiGirolamo M, Foreyt JP, Halsted CH, Heber D, et al. Weight control and risk factor reduction in obese subjects treated for 2 years with orlistat: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1999;281:235-42. [PubMed abstract]
MedlinePlus. Orlistat. 2014.
U.S. Department of Agriculture USDHHS. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office; 2010.
Updated: July 10, 2019 History of changes to this fact sheet
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Pacific Decadal Oscillation – Say What?
September 13, 2012 in Weather
What is the Pacific Decadal Oscillation?
Dedicated skiers around North America have come to anticipate the news from climate researchers regarding ENSO (La Nina/El Nino) each season. Essentially a shift in sea surface temperatures in the Pacific – La Nina bringing cooler waters to the Pacific shores and El Nino bringing warmer waters – ENSO has proven to have a direct impact on snowpacks around the west (read a past Off-Piste Magazine article about ENSO) . Well, it turns out there’s a longer term sea surface temperature trend that impacts our winter weather, especially that of the Pacific Northwest including Alaska and British Columbia. It’s called the Pacifc Decadal Oscillation or PDO.
Broadly speaking, PDO can be viewed as similar to ENSO in that it represents a trend in sea surface temperatures in the Pacific – either warmer or cooler, but the PDO reflects these trends in decades not annual changes. But unlike ENSO, PDO has the most impact on the weather of northwestern North America, versus that of equatorial regions.
Currently, the PDO appears to be headed into a cool phase (see graphic above). What does this mean for Northwest skiers? In general, it means cooler and wetter, statistically speaking. The cool phase PDO brings cooler water along the pacific shore and favorably impacts storm tracks from the Pacific for a greater chance of precipitation here in the Northwest.
Sounds great to me, but of course it’s not that simple. Climate scientists also believe there’s evidence that ENSO is currently moving toward El Nino for the winter, its warm phase, which has the opposite effect on the Northwest climate. According to Nathan Mantua, Ph. D. at University of Washington in Seattle (read regional PDO guru), when the PDO and ENSO are in sync – both in a cool or warm phase – the ENSO influence tends to be amplified. When the two cycles are out of phase, like the current models suggest, the PDO will reduce the impact of ENSO.
La Niña, El Niño and Your Ski Season
Winter Snow Forecast – ENSO, PDO and Optimism
Ski Movie Trailers – TGR, MSP, 4FRNT
Powderwhore Ski Movie Trailer 2012
Winter Stoke
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Neuroimmunol Neuroinflammation 2019;6:11.10.20517/2347-8659.2019.19© The Author(s) 2019.
Open AccessReview
Roles of miRNAs in spinal cord injury and potential therapeutic interventions
Badria Almurshidi1 , Wayne Carver2 , Geoff Scott1 , Swapan K. Ray3
1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, CENR, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29209, USA.
2Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29209, USA.
3Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29209, USA.
Correspondence Address: Dr. Swapan K. Ray, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Building 2, Room C11, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209, USA. E-mail: swapan.ray@uscmed.sc.edu
Received: 29 May 2019 | First Decision: 17 Jul 2019 | Revised: 12 Sep 2019 | Accepted: 11 Oct 2019 | Published: 17 Oct 2019
Science Editor: Athanassios P. Kyritsis | Copy Editor: Cai-Hong Wang | Production Editor: Jing Yu
© The Author(s) 2019. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects approximately 200,000 individuals per year worldwide. There are more than 27 million people worldwide living with long-term disability due to SCI. Historically, it was thought that the central nervous system (CNS) had little ability for regeneration; however, more recent studies have demonstrated potential for repair within the CNS. Because of this, there exists a renewed interest in the discovery of novel approaches to promote regeneration in the CNS including the spinal cord. It is important to know the roles of the microRNAs (miRNAs) in modulation of pathogenesis in SCI and the potentials of the miRNA-based clinical interventions for controlling post-injury symptoms and improving functional recovery. The miRNAs, which are non-coding RNAs with an average of 22 nucleotides in length, are post-transcriptional gene regulators that cause degradation of the target mRNAs and thus negatively control their translation. This review article focuses on current research related to miRNAs and their roles in modulating SCI symptoms, asserting that miRNAs contribute to critical post-SCI molecular processes including neuroplasticity, functional recovery, astrogliosis, neuropathic pain, inflammation, and apoptosis. In particular, miR-96 provides a promising therapeutic opportunity to improve the outcomes of clinical interventions, including the way SCI injuries are evaluated and treated.
Spinal cord injury, miRNAs, astrogliosis, neuropathic pain, inflammation, apoptosis, functional recovery
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results from contusion/compression or transection of the spinal cord. SCI is a significant health issue with an estimate putting the number of people living with this neurological condition at more than 300,000 in the United States[1]. Because of the high number of casualties, SCI is also associated with various socio-economic challenges[2]. Hence, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in SCI in animal models and to elucidate novel therapeutic interventions for this devastating neurological condition[3]. The emergence of microRNAs (miRNAs) as potent regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level has vast implications in many critical biological processes that include cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and metabolism[4]. Studies indicate that miRNAs are currently attractive candidates as the upstream regulators of secondary injury progression in SCI because miRNAs are known to regulate entire sets of genes post-transcriptionally. Specific miRNAs (such as miR-96 and miR-544a) are potentially deregulated after SCI and the impact of this deregulation is an area of great interest[5].
Bioinformatic analysis indicates that the potential targets of miRNAs altered after SCI include genes encoding components that are involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, all of which are known to be crucial for progressive pathogenesis in SCI, suggesting that abnormal expression of miRNAs may contribute to the pathogenesis in SCI. Levels of expression of miRNAs were identified to be deregulated (decreased or increased) in SCI animals[6]. A later investigation showed dramatic decreases in the expression of miRNAs including miR-96 in SCI[7]. Upregulation of miR-96 is likely to promote cell proliferation[8] and prevent neurodegeneration[9] for contribution to functional neuroprotection in SCI. Because miRNAs highly decrease specific gene expression and deregulation of miRNAs does occur in SCI, the potential of particular miRNAs as therapeutic agents should now be explored for functional neuroprotection in SCI[10]. This review article mainly focuses on recent research related to changes in expression of miRNAs following induction of SCI and effects of modulation of levels of miRNAs on critical molecular processes including neuroplasticity, astrogliosis, neuropathic pain, inflammation, apoptosis, and functional recovery in SCI. The last section of this review article focuses explicitly on miR-96 as an emerging post-transcriptional regulator that has the potential to revolutionize SCI clinical interventions.
SCI pathophysiology and miRNAs
The occurrence of SCI is classified into two different stages: primary stage (a few moments following the initial injury) and secondary stage (hours, days, or weeks after the initial injury). Research shows that the first phase of SCI is the best predictor of future prognosis[11,12]. During the first phase, SCI is manifested with immediate changes in pathophysiology such as hemorrhage, Ca2+ overload, and activation of the Ca2+-dependent cysteine protease calpain causing necrotic and apoptotic neuronal death at the site of impact[13]. The secondary phase begins with molecular and physiological changes responsible for bleeding, loss of neurological functions, expansion of the lesion area, and overall amplification of the injury[14,15]. The secondary phase is also characterized by biochemical reactions, vascular alterations, inflammation, and edema[16]. The main pathological mechanisms responsible for the changes during the secondary phase are the depletion of energy, which is caused by ischemia and oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and activation of calpains and caspases for cell death at the site of injury and the penumbra[17]. The combination of cellular and molecular modifications leads to various pathological events ranging from astrogliosis to apoptosis and tissue atrophy[18]. Understanding the pathological events is highly crucial for modulating progression of pathogenesis leading to activation of cysteine proteases in both acute and chronic SCI and for implementing therapeutic interventions[19]. It has been shown that attenuation of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration with appropriate therapeutic interventions is essential for functional recovery in preclinical models of SCI[20,21]. A relatively novel therapeutic intervention evaluated for the treatment of SCI in preclinical models is the utilization of miRNAs[22]. The miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by degrading and inhibiting translation of target mRNAs [Figure 1].
Figure 1. The biosynthesis of miRNAs begins in the nucleus. RNA polymerase (RNA pol) transcribes primary miRNAs, which consist of a poly-A tail and a 5’ cap. The multi-processor complex made up of double-stranded-RNA-binding protein and the RNase III enzyme Drosha to form pre-miRNAs. The Ran-GTP complex and karyopherin export pre-miRNAs into the cytoplasm. To finalize the process, the RNase III enzyme Dicer cleaves pre-miRNAs and triggers a further processing step by generating the miRNA. When miRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC) is in the cytoplasm, miRNAs act on the target transcripts via complementary Watson-Crick base pairing to the corresponding miRNA response elements (MREs), which are usually present within the 3ʹ-untranslated regions (3’UTRs) of target genes. Upon binding to MREs within 3’UTRs, miRNAs reduce protein outcome from the target transcripts due to translational repression and/or mRNA deadenylation and decay mechanisms
The biogenesis of miRNAs occurs from pre-miRNA precursors and miRNAs are present not only in body fluid (sputum, serum, and blood) but also in body tissues where they are associated with the regulation of expression of target mRNAs[23]. Different miRNAs are also found in the central nervous system (CNS) where they act as essential mediators of neurodevelopment in the brain and spinal cord in mammals. For example, specific miRNA expression (e.g., miR-17~92 clusters) controls neural growth as well as neurogenesis-gliogenesis switch in the developing CNS including spinal cord. Likewise, miRNAs target genes that are involved in the regulation of essential pathophysiological processes including apoptosis (miR-124 and miR-21), inflammation (miR-544a), and astrogliosis (miR-145 and miR-21) in the spinal cord[24]. The alterations in the expression of miRNAs following SCI can be categorized into three groups: (1) increased miRNAs; (2) decreased miRNAs; and (3) bidirectional (increased or decreased) miRNAs. The expression of specific miRNAs such as miR-146a and miR-129-2 is significantly influenced by the injury severity. The down regulation of specific miRNAs such as miR-219 and miR-124 is associated with the death of neural cells. On the other hand, the overexpression of specific miRNAs (e.g., miR-223) is due to infiltration of vascular and immune cells. Such infiltration of immune cells has been observed during the acute stage of SCI. Research has shown changes in miR-451 during the initial phase of SCI[25]. Other studies also indicate the important roles of miRNAs in regulating immune response and alleviation of inflammation following SCI. For example, miR-544a is down regulated after SCI while genes associated with inflammation (especially NEUROD4) are overexpressed[26]. These results suggest that miR-544a is essential in the repair process after SCI, although further research is required to confirm this assertion.
Potential roles of miRNAs in SCI
miRNAs in astrogliosis
Astrogliosis or astrocytosis refers to the response of astrocytes in response to SCI. Astrogliosis occurs in the area close to the SCI and is a part of a complex multicellular response to SCI. Astrogliosis is characterized by functional, molecular, and morphological changes in astrocytes[27]. These changes usually occur within a few hours following the initial injury and evolve with time[28]. The process of astrogliosis is beneficial in the acute stages where it triggers the repair of the spine-blood barrier, cell regeneration, and prevention of inflammation. However, astrogliosis becomes detrimental in the later stages (4 to 6 weeks) following SCI when astrocytes change from hypertrophic to hyperplastic, producing glial scar with expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans[29].
Under specific pathological conditions, molecular signaling mechanisms associated with miRNAs affects the process of astrocyte proliferation and astrogliosis. For example, the addition of anti-miR-125b is linked with reduced glial cell proliferation and overall regulation of cell growth[30,31]. Similarly, overexpression of miR-145 following SCI has been shown to increase astrogliosis in astrocytes close to the injured area[32]. There was focus of another study, which sought to determine the regulating mechanism of miR-21 in regard to glial scars and astrocytic hypertrophy[33]. More specifically, these investigators carried out tests involving overexpression of miR-21 in mouse astrocytes and concluded that overexpression of miR-21 in astrocytes attenuated hypertrophic response to SCI but expression of the miR-21 sponge augmented hypertrophic phenotype, even in chronic phase of SCI. Other researchers have studied the role of miR-21 in the hypertrophy-hyperplasia shift. According to recent research, miR-21 suppresses the expression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin (VIM) under the influence of bone morphogenic protein (BMP) receptors[34]. Activation of different BMP receptors results in differential expression of miR-21 in astrocytes and controls astrogliosis[35,36]. BMP receptor type 1a (BMPR1a) and BMPR1b exert opposite effects on reactive astrocytic hypertrophy. BMPR1b plays a role in glial scar progression in the chronic stages following SCI. These receptors exert opposite effects on expression of miR-21 in astrocytes. Activation of BMPT1a causes overexpression of miR-21 with a dramatic reduction in GFAP levels, limiting the detrimental effects of BMPR1b signaling on glial scar formation following SCI.
miRNAs in apoptosis
Some researchers studied the action of miRNAs in the context of apoptosis. For example, overexpression of miR-96-5p inhibits apoptosis but promotes migration and proliferation in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells[37]. In this study, these investigators overexpressed miR-96-5p by transfecting MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells with a miR-96-5p mimic. Treatment and incubation of these cells were done for two days after which cells were double stained with Annexin V/propidium iodide. Flow cytometry was then used to quantify the apoptotic cells. The conceivable molecular events leading to induction of apoptosis in SCI are shown [Figure 2]. Upregulation of miR-96 may suppress programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4) and subsequently decrease apoptosis. It is known that reduction of miR-21 promotes apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and PDCD4[38]. Down regulation of the pro-apoptotic factors PTEN and PDCD4 can increase expression of the cell survival factor Akt or protein kinase B, leading to a reduction in apoptosis in SCI. Studies indicated that specific miRNAs (e.g., miR-21, miR-7-1) could significantly enhance efficacy of promising therapeutic agents (e.g., estrogen receptor agonists) for functional protection of spinal cord motoneurons and this combination therapeutic strategy could be used in the future to attenuate apoptosis of motoneurons in SCI[39,40].
Figure 2. Regulation of apoptosis by miRNAs. All of miR-16, miR-15b, and miR-21 act on several molecular pathways, including Bak, Bcl-2, and Bax pathways during this process. miR-15b, miR-16, and Let-7 down regulate the expression of Bcl-2 (an anti-apoptotic protein) and trigger the release of cytochrome c (a pro-apoptotic factor). Down regulation of Bcl-2 reduces the mitochondrial membrane potential while cytosolic cytochrome c activates the caspase cascade, which subsequently leads to apoptosis. The role of miR-21 is two-fold: protection of neural cells and inhibition of apoptosis. Also, miR-21 down regulates PDCD4 to limit the activation of pro-apoptotic molecular pathways involving Bak and Bax. This, in turn, hinders apoptosis. Also, pro-apoptotic PTEN is down regulated by miR-21, resulting in an anti-apoptotic effect
miRNAs in axon regeneration and remodeling
It has been demonstrated that exercise, which promotes spinal cord plasticity, results in the down regulation of miR-199a-3p and upregulation of miR-21[41]. Alteration in expression of these miRNAs modulates the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and PTEN, which are postulated to underlie exercise-induced enhancement of neuronal regeneration in SCI[42]. In another study, it has been shown that upregulation of mTOR occurs by deleting the PTEN gene in mice, resulting in axon regeneration in the injured optic nerves[43,44]. Attenuation of axonal damage and neuronal death is highly crucial for recovery of locomotor function in preclinical models of SCI[45]. Animal model research also suggests that miR-210 carries regenerative properties to cause axon growth in the context of SCI[46]. Administration of miR-210 to SCI mice decreased the expressions of protein-tyrosine phosphate 1B and ephrin-A3 to contribute to spinal cord repair by promoting angiogenesis.
miRNAs in neuronal cell cycle and functional recovery
There is evidence to show that miRNAs not only contribute to regeneration but also stimulate neuron growth and promote functional recovery[47]. Bioinformatic studies propose that miRNAs promote balance between the cell division cycle 42 gene and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, both of which influence self-repair in SCI[48]. Studies show that miR-124 is associated with inhibition of neuronal apoptosis and improvement of motor scores in SCI, with the possibility of even restoring limb functionality after SCI[49]. Study suggests that miR-133b promotes neurite outgrowth via ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by RhoA suppression[50]. In terms of functional recovery, evidence shows that miR-133b has the ability to suppress the molecules that inhibit axon regrowth and thereby promote recovery of locomotor function after SCI[51].
miRNAs and neuropathic pain
A rich body of evidence has linked miRNAs to the regulation of SCI-related pain, both neuropathic and inflammatory[52]. According to researchers, the changes in miRNA expression induce increase in insulin-like growth factor-1 expression and down regulation of BDNF. This study concludes that the combination of these changes results in a decrease in inflammation and pain in SCI animals. Down regulation of miR-218 alleviates neuropathic pain by controlling the expression of cytokine signaling, which in turn inhibits the JAK/STAT3 pathway in SCI animals[53]. The expression of miR-124 mainly in neurons is found throughout the brain and spinal cord. A recent study has corroborated the sensitivity of miRNAs to SCI by showing that expression of miR-124 in neurons is significantly decreased within 7 days after SCI to show the severity of injury[54]. The dynamic changes in expression of miRNAs play multiple regulatory mechanisms that may be leveraged to reduce neuropathic pain and potentially shed new light on the progression of maladaptive plasticity in SCI[55].
It has been demonstrated that miR-146a and miR-129-2 regulate pain during the early stages of SCI[56]. In this study, the investigators validated the expression of miRNAs by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization assays, revealing that SCI affected miRNA expression that persisted up to 14 days and expanded both anteriorly and caudally beyond the lesion site. It has been suggested that the effect of miRNAs on pain is not necessarily limited to the lesion site. It has been suggested that SCI induces changes in the expression of miRNAs in higher cortical structures, which control neuropathic and inflammatory pain, and miRNAs may serve as specific biomarkers for future targeted therapy of neuropathic and inflammatory pain conditions[57].
Molecular insights into roles of miR-96 in SCI
miR-96 in neuroprotective therapy in SCI
It is essential to mention that miR-96 is one of three miRNAs that make up the miR-183 cluster (the other two miRNAs of this cluster are miR-183 and miR-182)[58]. Recent studies confirm that expression of miR-96 is dramatically decreased after SCI, favoring induction of apoptosis due to increase in expression of its targets, which are pro-apoptotic proteins[59]. Another recent research showed that increase in expression of miR-96 suppressed microglia activation marker proteins and inhibited inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β to promote recovery in SCI[60]. Additionally, it has been reported that miR-96-5p regulates cysteine transporters such as the excitatory amino acid (EAA) transporter 3/EAA carrier 1 (one of the amino acid carriers involved in neuronal glutathione synthesis), which produces neuroprotective benefits against oxidative stress[61]. According to these researchers, rhythmic diurnal fluctuations of glutathione levels occur when miR-96-5p is blocked indirectly influencing the neuroprotective effect[62]. The subsequent section of this article will describe recent research related to roles of miR-96 in inhibition of apoptosis, promotion of cell proliferation, and alteration of other molecular pathways.
miR-96 in inhibition of apoptosis
Research shows that miR-96 may target and inhibit apoptotic factors at the protein and mRNA levels. For instance, miR-96 indirectly inhibits apoptosis through its effect on the forkhead transcription factor of the O class 1 (FOXO1) transcription factor[63]. Studies have shown that FOXO1 induces apoptosis via mitochondria-independent and mitochondria-dependent pathways. Also, miR-96-5p decreases the levels of caspase-9 (an important caspase in the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis) by binding to the CASP9 3’-untranslated region (3’UTR)[64]. Overexpression of miR-96-5p is associated with inhibition of apoptosis[65].
miR-96 in cell proliferation
There is a growing interest in the study of miR-96, its effect on FOXO1 levels, and how this affects cell proliferation. For example, it has been shown that breast cancer causes upregulation of miR-96 by targeting protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 9, this increases cell migration and proliferation and indirectly affects the pathophysiology mechanisms of breast carcinogenesis[66]. Studies on miR-96, specifically its role in hepatocarcinogenesis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), have shown that miR-96 is significantly upregulated in HCC[67]. Studies also demonstrate that miR-96 targets the FOXO subfamily, specifically FOXO3a and FOXO1. Inhibiting miR-96 upregulates FOXO1 and FOXO3a expression, suppressing colony formation and cell proliferation in HCC[68].
Studies have also shown that prostate cancer is associated with elevated expression of miR-96 and subsequent down regulation of FOXO1, a phenomenon that can be leveraged to control cell proliferation[69]. Other investigators studied the same phenomenon with a dataset containing non-malignant benign prostate tissue samples and prostate cancer tissue samples[70]. According to these researchers, overexpression of miR-96 decreases FOXO1 expression in both the non-malignant tissue samples and the prostate cancer tissue samples, even when the two samples are combined. Down regulation of FOXO3a and p27kip1 promotes axonal regeneration and proliferation of glial cells after SCI in rats[71]. An earlier investigation showed that down regulation of FOXO3a decreased p27kip1 at mRNA and protein levels after injury[72]. A recent study shows that miR-96 is highly essential for normal development of the auditory system, which is required for functional maturation in the peripheral and central auditory system[73].
miR-96 in regulation of FOXO pathway and other molecular pathways
FOXO pathways are of vital importance in regulating biological processes such as glucose metabolism, cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and repair of DNA damage[74]. FOXO transcription factors are also crucial in controlling neurodegenerative disorders through autophagy and apoptosis in the presence of oxidative stress[75]. Mounting evidence demonstrates that miR-96 plays a crucial role in regulating these FOXO pathways. For example, the expression of FOXO3a and FOXO1 is suppressed by miR-96, which controls the cell cycle, cell proliferation, and migration[76]. FOXO3a transcriptionally down regulates the level of p27kip1 (an important neurogenesis regulatory factor in mammals) positioning it as a candidate for controlling axonal regeneration after SCI. The role of miR-96 in regulating FOXO pathways has also been studied in vitro[77], demonstrating that miR-96 binds to the FOXO1 3’UTR sequence lowering the transcript levels of FOXO1 and elevating cell growth [Figure 3].
Figure 3. FOXOs facilitate cell cycle and metabolic regulation, which ultimately regulates apoptosis. At the beginning stage of spinal cord injury (SCI), FOXO1 activates the enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutases or SODs) responsible for regulating oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species (ROS). With time FOXO1 induces autophagy, controls inflammation, and leads to cell cycle arrest. The role of miR-96 is most profound during the secondary stage of SCI, whereby it regulates FOXO proteins, including FOXO1 to enhances the survival of cells. FOXO3a is also down regulated by miR-96 affecting the expression of inflammatory pathways during SCI. This process also affects pro-apoptotic factors such as TRAIL, Fas, and Puma
Research shows that FOXO3a targets the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27kip1 and the pro-apoptotic molecule Bim, a phenomenon that triggers apoptosis[78]. Research has also shown that the effect of FOXO3a in regulating apoptosis is dependent on the expression of death receptor ligands such as the FasL[79]. There is evidence showing that miR-96 causes a reduction in the levels of both FOXO1 and FOXO3a for promoting cell proliferation[80], an effect that can be further investigated for neuroprotection and regeneration in SCI.
Recent preclinical evidence makes it clear that miRNAs are useful therapeutic tools that modulate critical molecular processes and enhance functional recovery after SCI. In this article, we have discussed some examples, highlighting how the expression of miRNAs triggers complex interactions and changes at the cellular and protein levels. These changes affect SCI pathophysiology and have been identified as regulators and contributors to secondary injury. The assertions made in recent studies indicate that manipulating the expression of miRNAs may provide an opportunity for developing the improved therapeutic and clinical interventions for dealing with the devastating consequences of SCI [Figure 4]. In fact, it is essential to note that not all miRNAs affect SCI positively. However, many of the miRNAs discussed in this review article have been shown to contribute positively to the management of SCI. For example, miR-96 promotes axonal growth, cell regeneration, neuroplasticity, and facilitates functional recovery, although more research is needed in this regard.
Figure 4. Summary of the roles of essential miRNAs including miR-96 in spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI affects the expression of miRNAs, which are known to regulate processes such as cell proliferation, inflammation, and apoptosis. Particularly, miR-96 is essential for neuroprotection as it induces multi-protective functions by targeting and down regulating FOXO pathways
Conceptualized the theme and conducted the literature review process: Almurshidi B
Contributed to preparation and revision of the manuscript, interpretation of subtopics, and preparation figures: Almurshidi B, Ray SK
Approved the final version to be published: Almurshidi B, Carver W, Scott G, Ray SK
The work was supported in part by an investigator-initiated research grant (SCIRF-2015-I-01) from South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund (Columbia, SC, USA), an award from the Soy Health Research Program (SHRP, United Soybean Board, Chesterfield, MO, USA), and earlier R01 grants (CA-091460 and NS-057811) from the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD, USA).
All authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest.
Ethical approval and consent to participate
© The Author(s) 2019.
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40. Chakrabarti M, Ray SK. Experimental procedures for demonstration of microRNA mediated enhancement of functional neuroprotective effects of estrogen receptor agonists. Methods Mol Biol 2016;1366:359-72.
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44. Han JM, Sahin M. TSC1/TSC2 signaling in the CNS. FEBS Lett 2011;585:973-80.
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47. Theis T, Yoo M, Park CS, Chen J, Kügler S, et al. Lentiviral delivery of miR-133b improves functional recovery after spinal cord injury in mice. Mol Neurobiol 2017;54:4659-71.
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49. Yuan S, Wang YX, Gong PH, Meng CY. miR-124 inhibits spinal neuronal apoptosis through binding to GCH1. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019;23:4564-74.
50. Lu XC, Zheng JY, Tang LJ, Huang BS, Li K, et al. miR-133b Promotes neurite outgrowth by targeting RhoA expression. Cell Physiol Biochem 2015;35:246-58.
51. Yu YM, Gibbs KM, Davila J, Campbell N, Sung S, et al. microRNA miR-133b is essential for functional recovery after spinal cord injury in adult zebrafish. Eur J Neurosci 2011;33:1587-97.
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58. Banks SA, Pierce ML, Soukup GA. Sensational microRNAs: neurosensory roles of the microRNA-183 family. Mol Neurobiol 2019; doi: 10.1007/s12035-019-01717-3.
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62. Kinoshita C, Aoyama K, Nakaki T. Neuroprotection afforded by circadian regulation of intracellular glutathione levels: a key role for miRNAs. Free Radic Biol Med 2018;119:17-33.
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PubMedPMC
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Tumour suppressor microRNAs contribute to drug resistance in malignant pleural mesothelioma by targeting anti-apoptotic pathways
Marissa Williams et al., Cancer Drug Resistance, 2019
MicroRNAs in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis, therapy resistance, and disease evolution
Natarajan Aravindan et al., Cancer Drug Resistance, 2019
Bee venom acupuncture reduces neuroinflammation modulating microglia/macrophage phenotype polarization in spinal cord injury compression model
Raquel do Nascimento de Souza et al., Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation, 2019
Micromanaging autophagy with microRNAs to drive cancer metastasis
Gracie Wee Ling Eng et al., Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment, 2019
Dodging the bullet: therapeutic resistance mechanisms in pediatric cancers
Nilay Shah et al., Cancer Drug Resistance, 2019
Dietary fatty acids and adipose tissue inflammation at the crossroad between obesity and colorectal cancer
Lucia Conti et al., Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment, 2019
LFA-1 antagonist (BIRT377) similarly reverses peripheral neuropathic pain in male and female mice with underlying sex divergent peripheral immune proinflammatory phenotypes
Shahani Noor et al., Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation, 2019
Peptide nucleic acid-based targeting of microRNAs: possible therapeutic applications for glioblastoma
Roberto Gambari et al., Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment, 2019
New insights into acquired endocrine resistance of breast cancer
Ping Fan et al., Cancer Drug Resistance, 2019
Microglial activation and polarization after subarachnoid hemorrhage
Zhiyuan Vera Zheng et al., Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation, 2019
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Sugar Pops
EU aid packages are loaded.
Hope it wasn't his drinking arm
Courageous AFP fotog Thomas Coex leaves hotel bar and gets his elbow smashed.
AFP press people have a long documented problem of substance abuse.
You calling them animals is hate speech
But when they symbolically behead someone, it's some form of Zeropean artistic license. Dutch rap group Youssef & Kamal symbolically behead Dutch anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders.
Sick, Pervy Visitor of the Day - Part 8
Let's See How This Goes Over
Even when they're acting like idiots, the image thing works for them.
Dec. 28 (Bloomberg) -- France bans smoking in cafes, hotels and clubs on Jan. 1, stamping out the habit popularized by Jean- Paul Sartre puffing Gauloises in hazy brasseries
Of course there IS the standard "personal defense mechanism" idiotic reply:
"Maybe we're a bit stupid with our traditions, but we have the right to be as such and I cannot stand the idea of a hygienic, clean, and sorry to say `American style' society," said David Droulez, head of the Friends of Pleasure and Taste Association in Paris, which wants to defend France's "epicurean conviviality."
Whatever the hell that's supposed to mean.
Either way whenever you hear the term "American Style ______" you're sure that it's something generally detested, and is as innacurate as their decades of "peasant science" of people telling one another that the black tobacco isn't as bad as the blond tobacco.
Kidnappers of children get off easy
Chad lets them off easy, probably in exchange for some contracts. 8 years hard labor for kidnapping kids is a bit on the light side. Expect them to be spirited out of Chad, real soon now, to do their time in France. The French preSS is fairly uniformly spreading the good word that these guys are misguided and their intentions were good. The fact is that these criminals were simply looking to build themselves a good street rep among competing NGOs (the better to attract those donations), and if they had to kidnap a bunch of brown skinned kids to do it, so much the better. The entire affair, from the government approved junket into Africa - the snatching of the children - the medical personnel bandaging the kids and putting phoney blood on them to make them look injured - the self righteous cries of those convinced that they know what is best for others - and the uncalled for support of the preSS for this criminal activity, is typically French: condescending, holier-than-thou, paternalistic, and profoundly racist.
The foolproof design of its long standing "Arab Policy" allows France to avoid this kind of messiness
Not. So tell us again, how's that working for 'ya?
Your Choice is to Lose Either Way
Delusions abound. That doesn’t stop the NYT’s international “agent of change”, the International Herald Tribune from arranging their priorities in the most foolish manner possible by thinking that can limit the landscape of choices among their fellow travelers to having to make a choice between human freedom and greenie moral vanity.
And since the imposition of the embargo in 1962, and especially with the collapse in 1991 of the Soviet Union, its major economic patron, Cuba's economy has stagnated.
Cuba has not been free of development, including Soviet-style top-down agricultural and mining operations and, in recent years, an expansion of tourism. But it also has an abundance of landscapes that elsewhere in the region have been ripped up, paved over, poisoned or otherwise destroyed in the decades since the Cuban revolution, when development has been most intense. Once the embargo ends, the island could face a flood of investors from the United States and elsewhere, eager to exploit those landscapes.
Oh the horror! Cubans have to keep gleaning fields, and doing dental work on themselves for the sake of mother earth!
Cuba has done "what we should have done — identify your hot spots of biodiversity and set them aside," said Oliver Houck, a professor of environmental law at Tulane University Law School who attended the conference.
In the late 1990s, Houck was involved in an effort, financed in part by the MacArthur Foundation, to advise Cuban officials writing new environmental laws.
But, he said in an interview, "an invasion of U.S. consumerism, a U.S.-dominated future, could roll over it like a bulldozer" when the embargo ends.
Gaia Loves You Conditionally
Let me take the opportunity on this day, as if it should be different from any other, to wish you a spiritually fortifying Ramadan, happy Hannukah (only if you’re into that kind of Kabalah that pop-culture figures fall for), and whatever the heck it is those geeks who want to revive Viking religion do, you know, because, we have to be, like inclusive. Well – except if it seems conventional or your parents believed it. They were, after all Patriarchal and selfish for bringing us into this world, and in spite of the great inequities out there, had the gall to feed us. It makes me grip my dream-catcher on my way to Yoga...
Now let me wish all of the UK a Happy Diwali since that’s not socially inappropriate in the same way as wishing you well for Christmas – which was invented by Coca-Cola and other corporations - *spit* - anyway to sell something that will kill you. Being as how 92% of the population has it as the festive tradition of their culture, we should all look for the shocking, non-applicable, and improbable to distract ourselves with. While we in the civilized west may be told every other day that we ‘have no culture’, at least we take comfort in knowing that the same critics don’t want us to share in that culture to begin with. WHAT culture you ask?
Given the loving ministrations of the promoters of anything improbable as a sort of virtue, that’s a good question.
Petite nature
She aids and abets kidnappers of children and then conveniently falls ill during the trial. She's risking 20 years of hard labor in a Chadian prison if convicted. Pretty intolerable for a broad coming from the country of the 35 hour work week®©.
Global Warming, Obviously
Weather forecast is less than festive:
Environment Canada began issuing a plethora of bad weather warnings for much of the province as last night wore on, forecasting fast freezing, heavy winds and overnight snow squalls. Mild temperatures that led to rainfall across part of Ontario on Saturday and yesterday were being pushed down by strong southwesterly winds gusting up to 90 km/h and sweeping eastward across the province and into Quebec by early morning.
“Justice” Employed to Effect
What’s fair or not depends on how European you are. Once again, Microsoft is getting sued in Europe over its web browser, this time by the makers of Opera. The term double jeopardy appeared nowhere in the discourse of course.
Microsoft Corp. was accused of abusing its dominant position in Internet browsers -- the first major new antitrust complaint against the tech giant since it lost a landmark European Union case in September.
Yesterday's complaint, lodged by Oslo-based Opera Software ASA, a Web-browser maker, followed on the ruling here that confirmed the European Union's power to regulate Microsoft's behavior.
”Anti-trust” defined by this:
"After four years of no growth, Opera is looking for someone to blame for its failures, and Microsoft is always an easy target. With the Firefox Web browser grabbing as much as 20 percent of the market in some European countries, it is clear that companies can compete and beat Microsoft in the browser market. ... Windows users have nearly unlimited choices for their web browsing and Internet search needs. Windows XP and Vista allow users to choose any Internet search provider as their default provider and to run searches using any browser – including Opera's."
It’s all about doing protectionism another way, and in the end, forcing your own population to have to live with it – either in the form of higher prices or limited choices, even if in the case of Opera, no-one is stopping the public from loading it, or the even more successful and free Mozilla Firefox. No matter.
Microsoft said that it is ready to cooperate with the latest proceedings, but it will be deeply unenthused by the prospect of returning to Brussels to defend yet another competition case. In September, the company suffered a bruising blow from European judges who upheld a record €497 million fine. The penalty was imposed on Microsoft for abusing its dominant market position by bundling its Media Player software, used to access video and audio content online, into Windows.
It’s about making others’ success unlawful. Case in point: “our trust” trumps “anti-trust” in a bid to provide poor services at high prices.
Amazon.com may not offer free delivery on books in France, the high court in Versailles has ruled.
The action, brought in January 2004 by the French Booksellers' Union (Syndicat de la librairie française), accused Amazon of offering illegal discounts on books and even of selling some books below cost.
The court gave Amazon 10 days to start charging for the delivery of books, which should at least allow the company to maintain the offer through the end-of-year gift-giving season. After that, it must pay a fine of €1,000 (US$1,470) per day that it continues to offer free delivery. It must also pay €100,000 in compensation to the booksellers' union.
Damages to the Booksellers’ UNION, not anyone actually aggrieved by their “free shipping” thing. This is probably because there is no harmed party to be found.
Even in a stitched up market within stitched up market, (cartel vs. any startup, France cartel vs. other European entering their market, etc.) that there are more buyers that sellers, and that other than a handful of book-sellers, logistics companies who could just as well be trucking potatoes around, as well as those they’re “protecting” in a puny vertical market, that no-one, no-one benefits from these rackets. Not one consumer, or even the merchant in the long run even benefits from this loony habit of using tribalism one day, nationalism the next, and them a phony anti-trust case the next.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, business needs a little palm greasing to remain as “competitive” as these books peddlers which they know you should read.
AN Indian court overnight ordered police to complete a probe into charges that a bribe was paid in a multi-billion dollar deal to buy Scorpene submarines from a French defence firm.
The Delhi High Court told the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to complete its inquiry within three months and report back to a two-judge bench.
The judges also told the CBI to press criminal charges against "accused persons" if it could establish an offence had been committed in the^€2.4 billion ($4.03 billion) deal.
Earlier this month, India said it was scrapping a $US600 million ($700.16 million) deal to buy 197 military helicopters from the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) after allegations of corruption in the bidding process.
India banned middlemen in military deals following charges of bribery in a multi-billion-dollar artillery deal in the 1980s with Swedish firm Bofors.
Of course the answer just to this month's thievery will be “but everybody does it!” Erm... No, Spanky. They don’t.
Una Propositum Immunda
If indeed the French and many others fell so offended by the incorporation of “anglo-saxon” (as if there’s such a thing) words into their language, and think it dangerous to learn the “lingua franca” of global exchange, diplomacy, and ideas, then they need to find something that all EUvians can agree on as a middle ground, and offer up something the rest of the world will embrace as a satisfying challenge. Something historically appropriate to the blessed continent of eternal peace… something of their own invention.
I propose Latin. If you want to walk the walk, you gotta talk the talk (as it were).
Imagine the novelty! The entire sickly cartel, nearly-continent in size, run by priests, nuns, and a handful of squirrelly, verbally combative, and indecisive middle age scholars in corduroy and other peculiar garments. In fact it will be just like the old days when there were plagues and mercenaries.
What a world-beating notion - especially when Putin stares them down to shake the change out of their pockets.
Bové is going to blow a gasket
No negotiations with terroirists.
Welcome to the Mid 20th Century, People!
Just like the heady days of Sputnik! In France, they’re finally thinking of the consumer in the land where any and all business is stitched up to serve the population as poorly as possible:
France is moving a step closer to allowing shopping on Sundays, with Parliament within the week expected to take up a measure that would permit all furniture stores to stay open on the country's traditional day of rest.
- with thanks to erstwhile
blogging maven EUdada
He'll always have Paris
Tariq Ramadan still banned from entering the USA.
The story thus far
French entrepreneur in Silicon Valley gets a can of whup ass opened up all over his bright new start-up. French entrepreneur gets uppity and calls the tech reviewer a racist. Unfortunately for the French entrepreneur, the tech reviewer is well connected and the French entrepreneur surrenders. Tech reviewer then swamps and KOs French entrepreneur's start-up's Crackerjack box servers with a grand total of 10 video uploads.
When your web site starts showing up as a punchline on a TechCrunch poll, it means you have to get to work. And I don't mean the 35 hour a week kind.
Make the myths
Rock n roll.
More Sense Than Their Would-Be Dictator
Ché shirt wearing Cuban idiots booed in Venezuela.
- A double ration of peoples’ gruel
To ¡No Pasarán! reader Jabba the Tutt
There’s an insult German drivers have that either involves tapping your finger on your forehead (to tell someone that they’re an airhead,) or waving your hand in front of your eyes to tell someone that they’re like a horse with blinders on (and is an idiot).
The lefty poodles at Rue89.com deserve both. They’ve run a piece on how the East Germans were extorting cash out of the West Germans to give citizens their freedom, and that the money wasn’t trickling down to comrade ditchdigger.
Even in the DDR this was common knowledge in the early 80’s. Thankfully Rue89.com has permitted this bit of enlightenment to finally see some air 18 years after the wall came down, and only about 35 years after the commies’ racket started, including getting the hard-working taxpayers of the BRD to pay for the construction of the Autobahns that went to West Berlin, and comprised more than half of the DDR’s expressways. What might be more telling was how they built them: with cobblestone on and off ramps, just as it was under Hitler’s specs, but depending even more heavily on manual labor.
The question really is when will the Rue89 dopes charge past the Grenztruppen of their minds and finally see the sign “Sie verlassen jetzt den DDR”?
Great Moments in Schadenfreude
From degree programs in Social Engineering to degrading into a sort of haven for socially awkward but violent outré lefty Animal Farm types, Antioch College is finally giving up the ghost.
Of the eight student organizations currently listed on Antioch's website, only one, the Antioch Environmental Group, is not focused on identity politics of one sort or other. The others are By Any Means Necessary for students of African descent, Unidad for Latinos, the Third World Alliance, Kehilla (formerly the Jew Crew) for Jews, two separate groups for gays and lesbians (the Queer Center and Queers of Color), and the Womyn's Center. (The spelling looks like another Saturday Night Live parody, but it is in fact the center's official orthography, although "wombmen" is also in current use on campus.) The only Antioch College students who do not have a campus organization listed in their name are white, heterosexual, non-Jewish males. Traditional college clubs centered around student interests--say, French or music or film or chess or debate--seem to be entirely lacking. Even the events featured for this fall's "Community Day" on October 16--an Antioch tradition in which classes are suspended to accommodate student hayrides and other social events--seemed obsessively focused on identity. The evening events, for example, consisted of a queer lecture followed by a queer movie followed by a dance to the music of a queer band--leaving one wondering what Antioch's non-queers were supposed to do with themselves.
Enjoy. Watch it smolder. After the dominant student culture resembled militant intolerance, and thus looking an awful lot like dominaition, what else could one hope for other than for the entire thing to “go out in style”?
Although political views at Antioch might have tilted leftward even back then, the students of the 1950s and early-to-mid 1960s prided themselves on their willingness to hear out their more conservative classmates in lively all-night dorm discussions on politics and philosophy, inspired by professors who encouraged them to test all their assumptions against the evidence. "We were completely respectful of every point of view," recalled Rick Daily, a Denver lawyer who graduated from Antioch in 1968 and is treasurer of the alumni committee that is struggling to save the college from closure. "We even had a Goldwater Republican in our graduating class," Daily said in a telephone interview.
That was Antioch then. Antioch now might be fairly represented by a September 21 article in the student newspaper, the Record, consisting of a gloating account of the invasion by 40 gay and lesbian Antioch students (a full fifth of the current student body) of an evangelical Christian book-signing event at a Barnes & Noble store located in a mall in nearby Beavercreek, Ohio. Record reporter Marysia Walcerz described the hours-long "Gay Takeover," whose participants wore rainbow-tinted bandannas, ostentatiously held hands and kissed, and did their best to shock both authors and customers in this socially conservative sector of Ohio, as a "success . . . for direct action executed in style."
Regardless of their presceient trendsetting in 2000 that would inspire Paris’ City Hall years later in asking murderer Mumia Abu Jamal (née Wesley Cook) to address their graduating class (calling him a “political prisoner” for reasons that only the most inventive and mendacious could gin up), their prospects do map out the future of the “radical” left: dumbed further and further down as the reality of events in the world are kept further at bay, and dumbed further and further down as they try to engage with the reality of events in the world. Toast some marshmallows while you’re at it.
It Would Seem That…
…Somebody got interviewed on Fausta's Blog (on France, Kadhafi, anti-Americanism, and a coupla books…)
It’s Their Kind of Aspirational Society Thing
When the President is banging a former supermodel. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase Allez les Bleus!
Just in Time for “Winterval”
A little something for that tender little revolutionary in your life. Give Snoogums two perfectly matched boxed CD sets sure to provide more of the endless repetition EUvians have been babbling to themselves since 1917.
Something for Sneering Know-it-alls to Think About
Before the “U.S. smogging civilization out” meme is repeated for the n-th time by the bien pensent who think that nature (which just is) is really either a philosophy, an new reason to believe in rationing and redistribution, in or a tree in the sidewalk - should read this before they go jump in a lake:
The Kyoto treaty was agreed upon in late 1997 and countries started signing and ratifying it in 1998. A list of countries and their carbon dioxide emissions due to consumption of fossil fuels is available from the U.S. government. If we look at that data and compare 2004 (latest year for which data is available) to 1997 (last year before the Kyoto treaty was signed), we find the following.
· Emissions worldwide increased 18.0%.
· Emissions from countries that signed the treaty increased 21.1%.
· Emissions from non-signers increased 10.0%.
· Emissions from the U.S. increased 6.6%.
In fact, emissions from the U.S. grew slower than those of over 75% of the countries that signed Kyoto. Below are the growth rates of carbon dioxide emissions, from 1997 to 2004, for a few selected countries, all Kyoto signers. (Remember, the comparative number for the U.S. is 6.6%.)
· Maldives, 252%.
· Sudan, 142%.
· China, 55%.
· Luxembourg, 43%
· Iran, 39%.
· Iceland, 29%.
· Norway, 24%.
· Russia, 16%.
· Italy, 16%.
· Finland, 15%.
· Mexico, 11%.
· Japan, 11%.
· Canada, 8.8%.
That’s right – that industrial cipher, Luxembourg where their ridiculous wealth is a result of being a parasitic bank and tax haven investing other people’s hard earned money, and basically being a member of as many morally vane alphabet-soup international organizations as is possible.
While greenies always seem to be looking forward glowingly to the misery and failures of an earlier age, they cant wait to get a swipe in at anything seeming marginally conventional which a large part of society shares.
In fact all it’s about is hearing the sound of your own voice, and the social coercion:
Last week, two newspaper columnists called for a return to the kind of social coercion only ever seen before in wartime. It's all for the sake of "the environment", but as we'll see - it's a very peculiar and selective version of environmentalism.
Singer Thom Yorke told The Observer: "Unless you have laws in place, nothing's going to happen," he said.
"Nothing of this is going to be voluntary. [sic] It's a bizarre form of rationing that we're all going to have to accept, just like people did in the Second World War."
It's the War On CO2, of course, and Radiohead will be doing "their bit".
As for applying any of these “warm and fuzzy” strictures to the anyone other than those that are symbolic of the “developed world” in the limited intellects of the campaigning activist in need of an emotional outlet, Christmas, unlike the Berlin Love Parade, the Glastonbury Festival, or anything else celebrated by one of the flavor of the week coddled social factions becomes fair game.
It is claimed the UK's love of the traditional turkey dinner will generate 51,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Academics calculated the production, processing and transportation costs of the festive ingredients.
The Manchester researchers estimate a dinner for eight generates 20kg (44lbs) of carbon dioxide emissions.
They arrived at the total emissions figure by assuming one third of the UK population eats a typical Christmas meal.
The slaughtering of sheep in Brussels or any other colonized city need not apply because of the lunacy of people being little more than symbols to designated “social thinkers” of the day who have a monopoly on what ideas are permitted to be promoted out there. Seem like you’re from the developing world, even if you’ve grown up in Minneapolis? That’s okay. The smart money says that that little feature of the genetic lottery matters more than what people say or think in the world view of the cultural left – the same one whose emissions growth are 3 times higher that the “Kyoto deniers” they like to berate.
We’ll just leave them to those confused do-gooders to their nocturnal emissions while we take the real challenges in the world seriously.
Peace is “No-one Taking You Seriously”
This couple answers the questions lefties ask about the Jihad: “why do they hate us”
The couple, known just as 'Johan' and 'Jenny', say they registered their marriage in a ceremony in the 'BjornSocialist Republic'. This, they say, is an independent Marxist state, located "on a stone that looks like a tractor", in front of the Bos Islands in Lake Immeln in Skåne, southern Sweden.
The republic, they say, is the smallest in the world, with a land area of 6-8 square metres, a national anthem, a president and ministers, including a minister for 'Enlightenment and Insight.'
The couple applied in August for the Swedish tax authority to recognize the marriage. The application was turned down on the grounds that the republic was not recognized by Swedish law.
The question should really by, why shouldn’t we hate them. They were refused on a point of law, not that they lied to the court by trying to declare a fictitious nation. Who knows – maybe it’s a joke about Marxism, but given that Marxist love taxes but want to evade them anyway, I’d think that they show that same incapacity for irony that bedevils the average revolutionary who has a summer home.
They live in a culture that doesn’t seem to know what to make of people who either a) want to be liberated, or b) kill people who want to be liberated.
Assyrian Professor Stabbed in Sweden
Assyrian professor Fuat Deniz, of the University of Örebro, was stabbed in the back of the neck at 3.30 AM on Tuesday and has been declared brain-dead. Swedish police have collected a description of the suspect, who remains at large, from witnesses and have a picture of him from a surveillance camera from a local store.
I gess it comes wioth all of that public-order inducing peaciness and social engineering and stuff in places that actually have “environmental courts”.
The 45-metre (148-foot) elk, or moose in north America, is the brainchild of Thorbjörn Holmlund, who recently received permission from Arvidsjaur and Skellefteå councils to begin construction of the wooden animal.
The area would be better served by investment in eco-tourism, they argue, rather than the construction of roads leading to an enormous elk on the top of a mountain.
As we all know, eco-tourists don’t travel, stay in hotels, use camp sites, eat, or defecate.
The Sights, the sounds, the Smells... of The City of Lurrrve
Voilà Kadhafi avec ses cheveux en bataille, son regard que rien n'accroche et ses faux airs de Keith Richards, le plus déjanté des Rolling Stones
Kadhafi is a "guide" whom Sarkozy will hardly be forgetting soon, write Raphaëlle Bacqué and Ariane Chemin in Le Monde.
My father was born in Peru, as poor as poor can be…
I don't know how they got that scholarship…
Dammit! America, man… you guys really treated my family well…
You may think "Oh how corny! Oh what a corny guy!" … and I'm not gonna apologize if I sound corny, but let me tell how grateful I am… that I am an American…
Without a word said about the total inefficiency of Socialism
French Socialists recognize the efficiency of the market economy.
Rhetorically Speaking, the Designer Might Actually Exists
The designer himself describes the filter as "a vegetal brain enclosed in an aluminium and Pyrex cranial box." That "brain" then cleans the air in your house for you.
And I refer to that as overblown nonsense that on a construction site might even result in a brick being therapeutically and anonymously thrown at you to induce some humility.
Elsewhere one of my favorite bloggers out there notes something he heard at a lecture. An Architect with a nutsack addresses the unstoppable gob of that whole “I talk therefore I am” phenomenon that so many people attempt to lunch on:
To rephrase Garcia-Abril's response to the audience member's question on whether his architecture posed a moral dilemma: "Some architects are excellent theorists and writers but often produce terrible buildings, while others never write a sentence yet produce sublime works of art. I choose to believe that it is better to let the architecture speak for itself, independent of any theoretical or philosophical justification. In the end there is just a building, and whatever verbal rhetoric that accompanied it will eventually be forgotten." I'm sure the Spaniard would somewhat object to my interpretation of what he was trying to say in a foreign tongue that evening, but what I do recall still deeply affects my view of the matter. To be honest, I admire the fact that he refused to directly engage the question by arguing that his designs are sustainable and green depending on the criteria used. And he refused to publicly claim that he was fully committed to sustainability (though he might be), since his work showed quite a few contradictions such a statement (unlike numerous hyprocrite designers who do exactly that). Rather, Garcia-Abril's retort transcended such mundane eco-talk by essentially saying - "Here are my buildings, here is what the design process is like for me, make what you will of it, since in the end its about the building itself and it is independent of any contemporary value system".
How do you think history will judge Bush?
Pretty Amazing: AOL polls (not to mention New York Times polls) tend to show heavy leanings in favor of the left, but in polls linked to the server's news service "reprinting" of Sheryl Gay Stolberg's NYT story ("Bush Scores Victories Despite Low Ratings"), Bush, the White House, and the Republicans consistently come out in front.
According to the polls, the White House is generally favored over Congress, more people are unsurprised by Bush's victories over Congress than otherwise, more respondents like Bush's leadership style than not, and more people think history will judge Bush… for the better!
Update: More evidence of global warming in Le Monde…
The European Union, which so much likes to take the high moral ground on human rights, is rather agile in finding excuses
For the European Union, which so much likes to take the high moral ground on human rights, it has been a pretty miserable month
writes Judy Dempsey.
Last week, EU leaders and their African counterparts held a summit in Lisbon, the first in seven years. But it was marred from the beginning. Britain's prime minister, Gordon Brown, was the only leader to take a principled stand. He stayed away after Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's president, had been invited by Portugal, the current holder of the EU's rotating presidency.
The rest of the EU seemed to have forgotten that the member states had imposed a travel ban on Zimbabwe's top leadership because of its appalling human rights record. But when African leaders threatened to boycott the summit without Mugabe's presence, the EU caved in and declared that it was more important to have a public dialogue with Africa.
…The EU has been cowardly in demanding the truth over the shooting of hundreds of [Uzbek] protestors in Andijan in 2005. …
[That and other] examples also show just how agile the EU is in finding excuses. …
Take Kazakhstan. Ruled by Nursultan Nazarbayev, who has created a cult of personality equal to North Korea's Kim Jong Il, this Central Asian country has been awarded the annual rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. … EU officials … say that if Kazakhstan had not been given the chairmanship, its foreign policy would shift eastward to China — and so would its vast energy resources and business contracts.
…if Germany and the rest of the EU did not engage Africa in a serious way, then China would set the agenda there. …
If the EU claims that it is competing with China for influence in Africa, the first thing it should do is break down its protectionist trade barriers and then speak up much more forcefully for human rights, which is crucial for civil society.
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Solstice
Trapped in Beeb-istan: the Provisional Wing of the PC left has finally found a way to get into the Christmas spirit.
Former Brookside babe Jennifer Ellison is to star in a new BBC adaptation of the Nativity story.
The new show will be broadcast live on BBC Three on December 16th and will see Ellison playing the part of a pregnant Mary who is fighting to stop her asylum-seeker boyfriend Joseph from being deported.
Further, the Ho Ho Hosebag will be sexing-up the dumbing-down of the greatest story ever told:
Jennifer Ellison will don a silver catsuit to play an angel in the BBC's new adaptation of the Nativity story.
I suppose the point they’re making really is that there is no reason to become a citizen since the only notion they now have of what a citizenship is feeling perpetually guilty about your very being. That’s sure to bring the brain-trust knocking on their doors, and that forgiveness and salvation are available with a Scheisster and paperwork sent to the Home Office.
This is the same BBC that refers to any other nations newcomers as immigrants, but otherwise as “migrants” only when referring to a foreigner in the UK, legally there or not, seeking citizenship or not.
The next Khalid Sheik Mohammed or Abu Zubaydah can rest easy: Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., is looking out for you
Democrats have created a climate where investigators are to follow some kind of Robert's Rules of Order and the interrogators are to be more fearful than those they interrogate
editorializes Investor's Business Daily.
But we didn't necessarily want the terrorists to know that or what other techniques, like being forced to listen to Rosie O'Donnell, might be employed. If we do not torture, we would still want captured jihadists to think we do, that we will do more than read them their Miranda rights and ask if they want an attorney.
…Is waterboarding in fact torture? Not if torture is defined as the deliberate infliction of intense pain and possible physical harm. Waterboarding instilled fear, and we see no reason terrorists should not be afraid, very afraid, of us.
…the congressional leaders of both parties were extensively briefed on the techniques used in interrogating captured prisoners. Thanks to Democrats and the mainstream media, so were the terrorists who are trying to kill us.
Swedes Should Probably Stop Singing “Take a Chance on Me”
(Pictured: a charming and welcoming German street scene, left in place for years because it's concidered "art") Immigrants vote with their feet.
toward the end of last year – following the riots in France's immigrant-populated suburbs - something happened: discussions about Europe's "social model" grew quiet, very quiet.
Just a few months earlier, when Hurricane Katrina had struck New Orleans, European media and politicians were wallowing in schadenfreude (taking pleasure in the misfortune of others). The U.S. was called a "developing country," unable to protect its own citizens, and thus a world away from a Europe of solidarity and compassion.
But then the fires began in Paris, Lyon and Marseille. And an embarrassed silence settled in.
The American societal model, with its wide disparities and gaping safety net, is something that few in Europe wish to emulate. There is, however, quite a bit to learn from it. One example is the assimilation of immigrants into the labor market.
The case in point? Comparing the success and level of happiness of Somalis who immigrated abroad after that nation’s descent into lawlessness and civil war.
Compared to the odds of things working out for an immigrant in the US, Europe stinks.
When Somalia collapsed at the beginning of the 1990s, hundreds of thousands of Somalis fled the country. Those who reached Sweden had almost no chance of finding work: In 1997 only 10 percent were employed. Currently, the number has risen to some 30 percent, which is long way off the national level of 77 percent.
This isn’t a matter of pulling out the Euro-pavlovian rationalization-response number 1,547 about the better disposed and more ambitious immigrants bypassing Europe in favor of the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and so forth. The study compared apples to apples, and demonstrates something that anyone familiar with immigrant communities on both sides of the pond can readily see – the socialist-cum-dogooder rhetoric found in Europe is most frequently a failure, and at times an outright lie aimed at using social self-flattery to compensate for a failed social model.
Calling In and Airstrike
Antoine di Zazzo, identified by AFP as "one of the biggest Taser representatives" outside the United States, said his company is "developing a mini-flying saucer like drone which could also fire Taser stun rounds on criminal suspects or rioting crowds.
The roadblock obviously is that because it’s been used in the US and Canada, that the UN determined that it is a form of torture. Otherwise they’d be abusing themselves to the sound of Nicholai Tesla’s words, zapping “youts”, and going on smugly about the superiority of their export numbers.
And in the national interest, of course, the AFP’s notion of fair journalism lives on: some German guy uses Chinese prisoners remains are used to make art, a flying taser is seen uncritically, but the same lot lose their continence over Gitmo.
What I don't get is that AFP put the flying saucer thing at the end of the freakin' story about TASER! What the heck!? Are stun-gun equipped flying saucers just sort of ho-hum in France? This should have been a huge headline with pictures of children running for their lives, as the evil alien-looking TASER saucers attack.
This shouldn’t be confused with the culture’s more normal sounding loopiness preoccupied with the “Bush Junta”.
"Vous n'avez ici que des amis, Excellence"
Although Kadhafi's Paris visit has led to a number of criticisms by French lawmakers (notice reactions like the crybaby Christiane D's agreeing with the dictator as well as pouting how much the Iraq war had led to suffering for… Europe — Europe, for Christ's sake!), heaven forbid that there be any demonstrations like that in Paris when George W Bush came to commorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day.
Heaven forbid as well that there would have been a glowing reception given to the American president like the Ritz event described by Ariane Chemin in Le Monde in which Kadhafi is told he has nothing but friends and is oohed and aahed over by Paris's intelligentsia.
Ambassadeurs, admirateurs, éditeurs, on se rue sur la petite table où Kadhafi signe ses oeuvres.
One woman is "delighted" that her book has been signed by Kadhafi with the word "friendship". Meanwhile, André Fontaine is taken out of the mothball closet to explain how an insult made during his first Paris visit 34 years ago (the Guide of the Libyan Revolution had more criticism for France this week) had to be answered by then-Le Monde editor Fontaine. He then goes on to say, obviously with a nodding attitude, even with admiration (for the interpreter):
Mais la manière dont l'interprète libyen traduisit ma réponse fut assez habile pour satisfaire Kadhafi, dont le visage s'illumina.
I thought that when it comes to a free country like France, the point is to be upright and always to tell friends and enemies alike the truth outside of all fear? If your translators are going to mis-translate the words, or the sense of the phrase, then what's the point?!
Don't think that these monuments to France's lucidité at the Ritz don't have principles, however. They are in rage. Over what? Over Bernard Kouchner's refusal to attend the Kadhafi love-fest, as well as his refusal to explain his reason for not attending, which Roland Dumas deems nothing less than… "a dual cowardice"!
Update: Axel Poniatowski answers questions from Le Monde readers (teaching them — and us — that, among other things, "à partir du 1er janvier prochain, la Libye va présider le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU")…
The left's one-dimensional conception of racism is entirely unsatisfactory and needs to be revised
The American left's perception of racism is contradictory at its base
writes Ben Duffy.
On the one hand, they see racists under every bed, but on the other hand, they don't recognize someone like Bob Green as the bigot that he is. …
If you listen to his program for 30 seconds, you will know that Mr. Green is black because that's all he ever talks about. He allows his identity to be determined by his pigmentation. Bob Green is also incredibly racist. His racism is usually directed towards white people, but our society is so constrained by white guilt that we don't recognize anti-white racism as a form of bigotry.
Stand procedure in these parts
Down-and-out French journalmists with no money obsess about Jews with money.
So How’s That “Weapons Free Zone” Thing Going
Woman's Square or Woman's Station?
Oddly (or appropriately?) enough, Place de la Femme can mean both Woman's Square (the supposed meaning on the sign on this Moroccan statue's pedestal) and Woman's Station (as in her station in life, vis-à-vis men)…
Y aura des rediffs de la Famille RamDam ?
EurabiaTV.
Wait a second before you jump so I can get my videocam and post it on Youtube (peut-être même j'y mettrai des bruitages rigolos pour envoyer à VideoGag).
Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do?
There’s naïve, and then there’s this:
...last year, the 24-year-old German reached out to a convicted killer on Texas' death row. Her motives were altruistic, she said, not romantic. In time, after more than 50 letters posted back and forth across the Atlantic, Ms. Deeken said, mutual feelings grew.
"I have a connection with him," she explained recently, shaking slightly, tears running down her cheek. "Everyone in life has a vision, has dreams, has fears, is searching for something. He is the person I can talk deeply with about these things."
It seems that in the absence of a more grounded existence to help put things into context, let’s say, one where they try to legislate the trials and tribulations of human life out of existence, it should come as no surprise that loneliness and a need for irredeemable empathy would bubble up to the surface as a preoccupation. Perhaps it’s thought of as a sort of “giving back” or charity, but of a sort selected to give one ultimately the greatest degree of personal anguish in the end. Where some who have no family or close relationships fall into bad habits, others genuinely give of themselves. Some, it seems want to appear to be generous, but choose as vessel for those emotions something that could only result in ones’ own helplessness:
Each month, dozens of travel-weary, love-struck European women arrive in Livingston for visits with condemned inmates, a pair of four-hour chats through Plexiglas. There is no touching.
There are people out there who see something out there in the world that gives them pain. Some try to understand the phenomenon, while others foolishly believe that they can go make that painful thing go away, in spite of the reasons they have for exiting to begin with.
In other words, they are sick people who have been living in comfort so long that they are no longer able to interpret the value of their emotions, the hurt feelings of the convict, and the actions of the convict. It’s all equally incomprehensible it it’s purpose or reasons for being. It all seems intended when they all stem from the consequences of the actions of the convict. To the simpleton, retribution and justice are the same, they are riddled with things that are hurtful to think about, therefore the circumstances must be done away with.
In 1995, Mr. Martinez was convicted of stabbing to death a 68-year-old woman and her 4-year-old granddaughter. He sexually assaulted the older woman, defiled the corpse of the child, and reportedly threatened the victims' family as he was led from the courtroom, saying, "It's not over yet."
The reasons usually speak for themselves when you consider the alternatives are to let them walk, leave them to inflict yet more non-therapeutic violence on the prison population, or even creating a society where ones’ harmful actions don’t result in consequences of any sort.
- Vielen Dank, Corbusier
It Makes Me Think of Haute Couture, ‘n Stuff...
Have a Richard Dawkins Christmas
Looking for psychotic murderers? Look no further than products of that leftist hobby horse, the social welfare system!
Hey, I think I can Smell the Exit Over Here!
Didn’t low-brow roadside attractions pass their prime in the late 60’s?
From Bagram to Atlantic City
Medic!
“Ambitions have not been matched by resources”
Other contributing countries include Poland, the Netherlands, Austria.
But some, notably the UK, have "offered to give political support, and where appropriate any technical advice", but stopped short of "any promises to offer any money or forces", UK European minister Jim Murphy said earlier this month
Of course, when in doubt, form a committee. Draft a white paper. Blow off another six months. It’s the typically European quietly inhumane thing to do while you’re promoting your own virtues.
The planned force still lacks ten helicopters, a third medical facility and other support assets, French General Henri Bentegeat, head of the EU's Military Committee, said earlier this month according to Reuters.
blog.libero.it/putans nopasaran.blog-libre.net nopasaran.samizdat.net www.nopasaran.es/
Grampa's Arrival in America
Ancestry.com allows you to search U.S. Passport Applications from 1795 to 1925…
Giving in to their Homoerotic Love of Dictators
French broadcaster TF1, majority owned by construction, energy, and cellular magnate Martin Bouygues produced a program which reasons of favoring a business to a state long known to be brutal and corrupt. The documentary was so far out, it had to stay in the can.
The big network TF1 has kept in the closet a program that it will never run. It is a plateau television she has done for the sake of a dictator. Bakchich-TV published the best excerpts from the video, and discusses how TF1 took liberties with their own ethics.
The story begins in 1996, at the offices of the giant BTP and owner of TF1, Martin Bouygues. The group Bouygues then concocted a fairy tale about a small republic in Central Asia that’s rich in natural gas: Turkmenistan. Its president, Saparmurad Niyazov, then offers the French company a 200 million concrete contract for a mosque in the desert, a palace, and a parliament building. To be specific, let's get clear the fact that it’s a ghost parliament, as Niyazov was classified by Amnesty International among the worst dictators of our time. Before his death in 2006, the man has had time to be elected by parliament as president for life, to imprison incommunicado and tortured his opponents, to give months of the year the names of members of his family, to prohibit freedom of the press, and the expressive arts, as they were deemed “contrary to the spirit of the people"
Niazov is not a democrat, but signed contracts with France’s BTP. So when he landed on an official visit to Paris in September 1996, his closest French friend, Martin Bouygues, began right away to flatter his cult of personality.
The builder is mobilizing its selling point, it is the only one to have: TF1, Europe’s leading television channel. Bouygues promised Niazov a prestigious program devoted entirely to the splendor of Turkmenbashi, "the father of the Turkmen" (as he renamed himself). The studios TF1 are mobilized to turn out an exceptional effort. Martin Bouygues himself, and TF1 and Gaz de France CEO Patrick Le Lay are sitting facing the President Niyazov, which to be interviewed by the deputy news director of TF1, Jean Narcy. The title of this special edition to run in primetime: "Turkmenistan and its economic future! Wow.
The show begins with images as generic as one can get since the founding of the ORTF, in 1964: a picture of Paris, peaceful, with the Seine, the Eiffel Tower, and on top of that the sound of a loud fanfare that sent the gladiators in the arena of an Italian peplum. It's stale and has everything that would put TF1 viewers to sleep punctuated with fast-flowing images to flatter Niazov!
Then comes a 45 minute long disturbing interview. Jean Narcy, forgetting that 50% of the Turkmen population is unemployed, continues to ask the dictator about his country’s wealth. Probably quite shocked, Niazov returns the flattery by describing TF1 as the "most powerful force in television in the world, and the largest carrier of culture." What the CEO of TF1, Patrick Le Lay, reply with is doubly impertinent: speaking of Turkmenistan as a "country at the crossroads of the world's great movements," the television quoted Turkmen as "the memory of a people and a civilization ", and suggested that the Father of the Turkmen should help, (don’t laugh,) "to produce programming devoted to his country and its culture." Unsaid is that we know that the President Niyazov, culture is restricted to folk music and readings officially imposed on schools and universities, a book of thoughts which Niyazov himself authored, and whose quotations adorn buses.
Poor Niazov! Narcy keeps the viewer from dozing off with a long speech without rhythm or relief. Narcy droned on but earned his salary: he goes on to give the floor to the boss of Gaz de France, invited and jumped in himself to discuss… gas, and then the construction contract by Bouygues: a Conference Center open to the Turkmen population. He even goes into the importance of culture and welfare of the population not just once, on the occasion of this historic interview, he’s even asked the Turkmen president to give his position on the opponents and journalists he had jailed.
What was so funny about it? That Niazov took the interview very seriously, although it is being run by his friend French. The stage and the actors are real, but they know very well that there would be "special edition" on Turkmenistan running on French television. Once Niyazov was gone, the TF1 recording of the broadcast was carefully locked away.
No pipeline, no problem!
So where is the false outrage of the likes of Michael Moore for this kind of “national champion” business with a red “hey, let’s get into cahoots” line to a national government? No-where. It doesn’t flatter their ideology or prop up their illusions about a “Bu$hChimpyHitlerburton” straw-man hiding under the bed, lest you hand them your brain. After all, you know that only Americans les Ricons do that!
Proof that Paris’ Massive Army of Street Cleaners Are Worth Every Cent
Paris sous les bombes (bis)
Here is a promotional video of the law firm hit by the package bomb attack:
UPDATE (5:31PM Paris time): Interior Minister Michèle Alliot Marie has arrived. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack at this time. Olivier Brane, the lawyer shown in the above video, is the lawyer injured in the attack. He has been hospitalized and is expected to pull through.
UPDATE (6:55PM Paris time): In a short statement to the press, Interior Minister Michèle Alliot Marie stated that investigators are working with witnesses in an attempt to identify the messenger who delivered the package bomb.
UPDATE (7:33PM Paris time): Police are now looking for a dark haired female messenger, 1m55 tall.
UPDATE (9:26PM Paris time): France3 reports that the lawyer to who the package bomb was addressed, Catherine Gouet-Jenselme, has been the target of sexual harassement since January 2005. Legal proceedings were initiated in June of this year. According to France3 State TV, investigators are now going with a sexual-harassement-personal-vendetta motive. Judicial authorities are denying this report while confirming that a sexual harassement case was being handled by the law firm in question but that it is still too early to be able to identify a motive for the bombing.
A package bomb has gone off in the 8th arr. of Paris in the office of a law firm co-founded by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. 6 people have been injured and radio reports now announce 1 law firm secretary dead (with 1 laywer among the injured). A second package is being taken in by the bomb squad. The explosion occured at 1:30PM Paris time.
UPDATE: Reports now indicate that two likely targets are located in the building where the explosion took place. A law firm co-founded by Nicolas Sarkozy and a Holocaust Memorial Foundation ("Fondation pour la Mémoire de la Shoah").
UPDATE: One death now confirmed. French MSM cable news now getting up to speed on this. At this point, French MSM insists that there is no confirmed link between the explosion at that location and the Holocaust Memorial Foundation.
UPDATE: Reports now indicate that the explosion took place in a 4th floor law office. Sarkozy's ex-law firm is located on the 1st floor. French MSM is downplaying the presence of a Holocaust Memorial Foundation at the same address. There is 1 confirmed death and 5 injuries.
UPDATE (4:03PM Paris time): the package that exploded was delivered by messenger and addressed to Olivier Brane and Catherine Gouet-Jenselme. The law firm hit by the explosion deals mainly in divorce and insurance cases. It is not known for dealing in sensitive cases. I-Tele cable news now reports that the law office targeted is on the same floor (4th floor) as the Holocaust Memorial Foundation.
UPDATE (4:46PM Paris time): Interior Minister Michèle Alliot Marie is expected to arrive on the scene any minute. She was in Belgium at the time of the explosion.
Today Schengen, Tomorrow ‘Ze Vurld
In someone’s mind, Europe has grown to include all of Turkey, half of the ‘Stans’ and all of Asian Russia. Ew-key. Plan on telling those people in Siberia that?
Lefty Loves Lefty
What a year. Iran is suspected to have dismantled (or changed) some of its nuclear weapons research, and the US made good on their threats to Saddam Hussein.
Let’s say you’re a bonehead, and can’t connect the dots, and can’t imagine a crackpot like Ahmedinejad noticing the soft power value of hard power when the US deposes the dictator next door.
Okay. Let’s not say you’re a bonehead, just for the sake of your own embarrassment. Let’s say you’re a lazy journalist who tries to jam the same argument into every visible global event.
The source is unknown. This report still needs some Habeas Corpus It could well be just some rah-rah trash talk to embolden the disillusioned and enflame violence.
DANISH AUTHORITIES WHITHHOLD SECRET INFORMATION
A prophet cartoonist has been burned alive
An unprecedented global crisis that laid bare the "clash of civilizations" was in play as a result of the publication of these drawings, reprinted dozens of times worldwide. According to a reliable source we learn that one of the authors of the famous twelve caricatures of the Prophet Mohamed (Salvation Be Upon Him) was burnt alive by persons unknown. Although lacking details about this case and knowing that the Danish authorities are trying to stifle this matter so as not to unleash a new wave of threats and outbursts around the world, the victim was reported to have been attacked in her home before being tied up, having gasoline poured on her and burned alive.
In the absence of reliable information about this event it could just as well be a simple accident, which would mean, in the eyes of the Muslim world, that divine retribution was exacted on her, and confirmed by the simultaneously embarrassed silence of the Danish government and the conservative newspaper that had published the cartoons.
The event took place on Wednesday night. We contacted the Danish Embassy in Algeria would neither confirm or deny the report.
This, it must be feared, could trigger a new crisis between Muslims and Christians. The suspicion, indeed, quite naturally draw attention to Muslims living in Europe even though the crisis appears not necessarily benefit them.
To recall what this is all about, Jyllands Posten, a Danish newspaper, had decided to publish a series of twelve caricatures impacting the image of our Prophet (QSSL) and of Islam in September of 2005. This initiative was taken after Danish author Kare Bluitgen had complained that he had not found anyone willing to illustrate a book about the Prophet Mohamed (QSSL).
An unprecedented circumvention then followed. The Western newspapers had hastened to "republish" the incriminating documents, highlighting a stir the Muslim world, and triggering massive demonstrations around the world.
Meanwhile, small groups of madmen or pranksters had threatened the newspaper and the perpetrators of these drawings. Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen hid behind freedom of speech in order not to see his government fall, but still had to bend over backwards to deal with the financial and economic countermeasures. The decision (almost spontaneously) to boycott all Danish products weighed heavily on them. The kingdom ran straight into bankruptcy. The crisis then faded gradually, having lasted nearly six months. But now that this new event is likely to bring it back.
In what way is the question.
LES AUTORITÉS DANOISES MAINTIENNENT SECRÈTE L’INFORMATION
Un auteur des caricatures sur le prophète (QSSSL) brûlé vif
Une crise mondiale sans précédent, mettant à nu le " choc des civilisations " avait pris naissance à la suite de la publication de ces dessins, et des dizaines de reprises qui s’en étaient suivies à travers le monde. Selon des informations recoupées et dignes de foi, nous apprenons que l’un des auteurs des fameuses douze caricatures sur le prophète Mohamed (Que le Salut Soit Sur Lui) a été brûlé vif par des personnes inconnues. Même si les détails manquent à propos de cette affaire, sachant que les autorités danoises tentent d’étouffer cette affaire afin de ne pas déchaîner une nouvelle vague de menaces et de contremenaces à travers le monde, la victime aurait été attaquée chez elle, avant d’être ligotée, arrosée d’essence et brûlée vive. En l’absence d’informations fiables relatives à cet évènement, il pourrait tout aussi bien s’agir d’un simple accident, ce qui signifierait, aux yeux du monde musulman, que la vengeance divine a bel et bien frappé, et justifierait dans le même temps les silences gênés du gouvernement danois et du journal conservateur qui avait publié ces dessins. Toujours est-il que l’évènement remonte à la nuit de mercredi à jeudi. Contacté par nous, aucun responsable au niveau de l’ambassade du royaume du Danemark en Algérie n’était en mesure de nous renseigner, confirmer ou infirmant cette informer. Celle-ci, il faut le craindre, risque de déclencher une nouvelle crise entre les mondes musulman et chrétien. Les soupçons, en effet, vont tout naturellement vers les musulmans résidant en Europe, cela même si la crise ne semble pas leur profiter forcément. Pour rappel, un journal danois, " Jyllands Posten ", avait décidé de publier, au mois de septembre de l’année 2005, une série de douze caricatures portant atteinte aux images de notre prophète (QSSL) et de la religion musulmane. Cette initiative était intervenue après qu’un auteur danois, Kare Bluitgen, se soit plaint de n’avoir trouvé personne pour lui illustrer un ouvrage à propos du prophète Mohamed (QSSL). Une surenchère sans précédent s’en était suivie. Les journaux occidentaux s’étaient empressés de " republier " les documents incriminés, mettant en émoi le monde musulman, et déclenchant des manifestations gigantesques partout dans le monde. Parallèlement, des groupuscules d’illuminés ou de plaisantins, avaient commencé à lancer des menaces contre ce journal ainsi que les auteurs de ces dessins. Le Danemark, dont le Premier ministre Rasmussen se drapait derrière la liberté d’expression pour ne pas reculer, a quand même dû courber l’échine devant les arguments financiers et économiques. La décision prise (quasi spontanément) de boycotter tous les produits de ce pays, a pesé très lourd dans la balance. Ce royaume courait tout droit vers sa faillite. La crise, par la suite, s’est estompée petit à petit, non sans avoir duré près de six mois. Mais voilà que ce nouvel évènement risque de la faire rebondir. Dans quel sens ? Là est la question…
- with thanks one shrewd bastard.
The Gravel Sound Effects Engineer
French culinary traditions helps explain why French gravel sound effects engineers are reknown worldwide as the best in the film business (thank you for swallowing that coffee before playing the video)…
Where it’s Always 1978
What you get for taking a passive attitude to it : with between 58000 and 127000 drug dealers, even « le shit » has proved itself to outdo whole sectors of industry wether national champions or not, and is becoming the mother’s milk for thugs who import assault weapons from the Balkans.
« Soft » drugs indeed. Never mind that... there are dead idols to worship and propaganda to eat up.
BBC defends Chester the Molester
It’s as close to Mom and Apple Pie as the BBC thinking gets: a peasant girl in a developing country is raped and political Feminists parachute in with the BBC on hand to help “make a difference”.
"BRADSHAW: Defeat, this time, for the Cardinal. For many in Nicaragua Rosa's parents have become heroes, an ordinary couple defying the church and making a stand for women's rights. Others in Nicaragua are also defying the ban on abortion."
Journalists galvanizing the public to a cause, pat-on-back, etc., etc.
Too bad the BBC kept quiet the fact that one of these peasant-like ordinary people/heroes, infallible in their almost Evo-Morales-like imagery, caused this problem by molesting his own daughter.
Unfortunately for the BBC's portrayal of Rosa's father, Francisco Fletes Sanchez, as the pro-choice hero, it now turns out that he was in fact the man who raped her. He has been convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison for his crimes. He was in fact on the run at the time, having escaped from Costa Rica to Nicaragua.
Somewhere In their herpetic minds they might be able to come clean by blaming the patriarchy, but they would have to imagine that their favorite flavor of class-struggling peasant might be subject to the same morality as the average human.
So you think dey wanna hit dat shit?
Interview with Svane & Greenberg
Nicolas Vadeau de Bulle d'Encre publie une interview avec le scénariste et le dessinateur de Général Leonardo (il y a même un bonus)…
Une interview précédente était apparue sur Sceneario…
Entretemps, la série a été plébiscitée par le Club Français des Amateurs de Furet…
The declaration of Ségolène Royal notwithstanding, it is certain that the U.S. has not seen such a level of urban violence for the last 40 years
Among the points that John Rosenthal makes, the following stand out (emphasis mine):
Are the deaths of two youngsters that sparked several nights of rioting in France last week being exploited for political purposes? Consider only that one of the two lawyers representing the families of the boys happens to be none other than the personal attorney of Ségolène Royal: the Socialist Party (PS) candidate who was defeated by Nicolas Sarkozy in the French presidential election May 6. It will be recalled that just two days before the vote, in an interview with French radio station RTL, Royal warned ominously that Sarkozy's candidacy was "dangerous" and that there would be "violence" -- notably, in "popular neighborhoods" -- if he was elected. It is particularly noteworthy in retrospect that when RTL journalist Jean-Michel Aphatie pressed Royal on the point, asking her to agree that if there is violence it would be illegitimate, she did not reply to the question. "He has to ask himself why he provokes so much [violence]," Royal retorted, "I think he is also responsible." Could Royal and her allies in the PS be helping to make her grim pre-election prediction come true by transforming what was in all likelihood a banal, if tragic, traffic accident into a political issue?
…It was precisely on the Web site of "Désirs d'avenir" that Ségolène Royal on Wednesday published her own statement on the riots. "This escalation of violence has to be stopped," she said: thus employing a formula that again can be understood to imply that the violence of the rioters is somehow a "response" to purposeful violence on the part of the police. "We, citizens of France," she continued, "must all refuse that our urban neighborhoods (quartiers) come to resemble the urban neighborhoods in the U.S.A., where the firing of real bullets is a frequent occurrence. . . . I thus call for a national mobilization, including all political tendencies, so that the question of our urban neighborhoods and of the future of the youth in these neighborhoods will become a great national cause."
Commentators of virtually all political stripes in the French media -- including President Sarkozy in a televised interview on Thursday night -- have made a point of praising the French police for the restraint they showed in the face of the rioters. But such praise could someday soon prove to be a fatal burden. For though the police did not resort to the use of lethal force, there was in fact plentiful firing of real bullets in the trouble areas last week: namely at the police. According to the latest available figures, some 130 police officers were injured in the rioting, with several of them being seriously wounded by gunfire (Le Figaro, Nov. 30). One police officer lost an eye; another was struck in the shoulder by a 12 mm cartridge fired from a shotgun; a third is reported to have been hit 30 times by pellets, eleven times in the face. Police have also reported being fired upon with an "improvised bazooka" (Le Figaro, Nov. 29). It is clear from the reports that still more serious injuries or even deaths were only avoided thanks to the heavy body armor that French police habitually wear in riot situations. "The use of firearms has been systematic," Patrice Ribeiro of the French police officers union Synergies Officiers told Le Figaro, "There was an intent to kill."
…It should be noted that French police, not surprisingly, have been known in the past to use their weapons. Just one year ago, in November 2006, a rioter was shot and killed by a French police officer following a soccer match on the outskirts of Paris: an episode that, symptomatically, received less prominent coverage in the French media than a shooting incident involving police in far-off New York two days later.
…The bizarre declaration of Ségolène Royal notwithstanding, it is certain that the United States has not seen such a level of urban violence for the last forty years: since the urban riots of the 1960s.
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Continuize¶
Turns discrete variables (attributes) into numeric (“continuous”) dummy variables.
Data: input data set
Data: transformed data set
The Continuize widget receives a data set in the input and outputs the same data set in which the discrete variables (including binary variables) are replaced with continuous ones.
Define the treatment of non-binary categorical variables.
Examples in this section will assume that we have a discrete attribute status with the values low, middle and high, listed in that order. Options for their transformation are:
First value as base: a N-valued categorical variable will be transformed into N-1 numeric variables, each serving as an indicator for one of the original values except for the base value. The base value is the first value in the list. By default, the values are ordered alphabetically; their order can be changed in Edit Domain.
In the above case, the three-valued variable status is transformed into two numeric variables, status=middle with values 0 or 1 indicating whether the original variable had value middle on a particular example, and similarly, status=high.
Most frequent value as base: similar to the above, except that the most frequent value is used as a base. So, if the most frequent value in the above example is middle, then middle is considered as the base and the two newly constructed variables are status=low and status=high.
One attribute per value: this option constructs one numeric variable per each value of the original variable. In the above case, we would get variables status=low, status=middle and status=high.
Ignore multinomial attributes: removes non-binary categorical variables from the data.
Treat as ordinal: converts the variable into a single numeric variable enumerating the original values. In the above case, the new variable would have the value of 0 for low, 1 for middle and 2 for high. Again note that the order of values can be set in Edit Domain.
Divide by number of values: same as above, except that values are normalized into range 0-1. In our example, the values of the new variable would be 0, 0.5 and 1.
Define the treatment of continuous attributes. Besised the option to Leave them as they are, we can Normalize by span, which will subtract the lowest value found in the data and divide by the span, so all values will fit into [0, 1]. Option Normalize by standard deviation subtracts the average and divides by the standard deviation.
Define the treatment of class attributes (outcomes, targets). Besides leaving it as it is, the available options mirror those for multinomial attributes, except for those that would split the outcome into multiple outcome variables.
This option defines the ranges of new variables. In the above text, we supposed the range from 0 to 1.
Produce a report.
If Apply automatically is ticked, changes are committed automatically. Otherwise, you have to press Apply after each change.
First, let’s see what is the output of the Continuize widget. We feed the original data (the Heart disease data set) into the Data Table and see how they look like. Then we continuize the discrete values and observe them in another Data Table.
In the second example, we show a typical use of this widget - in order to properly plot the linear projection of the data, discrete attributes need to be converted to continuous ones and that is why we put the data through the Continuize widget before drawing it. The attribute “chest pain” originally had four values and was transformed into three continuous attributes; similar happened to gender, which was transformed into a single attribute “gender=female”.
Previous: Discretize
Next: Create Class
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Hot 100 Retailers
Hot 100 Retailers 2019
Top Retailer lists
The Hot 100 Retailers ranks the nation’s fastest-growing retail companies. Rankings are determined by increases in domestic sales between 2017 and 2018; all retail companies with domestic sales in excess of $300 million were eligible. Read more or view 2019’s list below.
USA sales growth ('18 v '17)
2018 Worldwide Retail Sales (millions)
2018 U.S. retail sales (millions)
U.S. % of worldwide sales
2018 U.S. stores
Stores growth ('18 v '17)
1 Lidl 295% $124,473 Arlington, VA $651 1% 59 26%
2 Rue Gilt 137% $1,092 New York, NY $1,092 100% N.A. N.A. Acquired Gilt from Hudson's Bay effective FY 2018
3 Grupo Comercial Chadraui 119% $8,258 Paramont, CA $3,486 42% 125 112% Acquired Fiesta Mart effective FY 2018
4 Don Quijote 81% $7,266 Tokyo, Japan $608 8% 37 164% Acquired Times Supermarkets (Hawaii) effective FY 2018
5 Boxed.com 77% $411 New York, NY $411 100% N.A. N.A.
6 Wayfair 42% $6,447 Boston, MA $5,552 86% N.A. N.A.
7 Primark 40% $10,260 Dublin, Ireland $682 7% 9 13%
8 At Home Stores 23% $1,166 Plano, TX $1,166 100% 180 21%
9 AT&T Wireless 23% $13,868 Dallas, TX $16,411 118% 2,004 -5%
10 Five Below 22% $1,558 Philadelphia, PA $1,558 100% 750 20%
11 Camping World 21% $4,774 Lincolnshire, IL $4,774 100% 217 63%
12 ASOS 21% $3,151 London, United Kingdom $361 11% N.A. N.A.
13 Duluth Holdings 21% $304 Belleville, WI $568 187% 16 78%
14 Amazon.com 18% $184,807 Seattle, WA $121,946 66% 490 6%
15 Verizon Wireless 18% $16,924 New York, NY $22,258 132% 6,839 -4%
16 Inditex 17% $17,318 Arteixo, Spain 704 4% 102 12%
17 Care Pharmacies Cooperative 17% $883 Linthicum, MD 883 100% 100 11%
18 Walgreens Boots Alliance 16% $108,573 Deerfield, IL $95,854 88% 9,452 -2% Acquired part of Rite Aid stores, effective FY 2017
19 Land's End 16% $1,445 Dodgeville, WI $1,412 98% 18 50%
20 Apple Stores/iTunes 16% $53,897 Cupertino, CA $47,269 88% 271 0%
21 Ollie's Bargain Outlet 15% $1,241 Harrisburg, PA $1,241 100% 303 13%
22 Boot Barn Holdings 15% $564 Irvine, CA $781 138% 234 1%
23 Rouse's Enterprises 15% $1,751 Thibodaux, LA $1,751 100% 62 15%
24 Kwik Trip 14% $881 La Crosse, WI $881 100% 685 11%
25 Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance 14% $6,717 Bolingbrook, IL $6,717 100% 1,174 9%
26 7-Eleven 14% $90,695 Dallas, TX $16,506 18% 8,951 11%
27 Festival Foods 13% $1,228 De Pere, WI $1,228 100% 32 7%
28 Total Wine & More 13% $2,957 Potomac, MD $2,957 100% 180 11%
29 Build.com (Ferguson) 13% $5,145 Chico, CA $1,913 37% N.A. N.A.
30 Murphy USA 12% $522 El Dorado, AR $522 100% 312 8%
31 Lululemon Athletica 12% $2,662 Vancouver, BC, Canada $1,977 74% 288 5%
32 FreshDirect 12% $867 Long Island City, NY $867 100% N.A. N.A.
33 Sprouts Farmers Market 12% $5,207 Phoenix, AZ $5,207 100% 313 10%
34 Fast Retailing 12% $20,911 Yamaguchi, Japan $789 4% 98 9%
35 Grocery Outlet 11% $2,387 Berkeley, CA $2,387 100% 309 13%
36 TJX Companies 10% $38,810 Framingham, MA $29,717 77% 3,108 5%
37 Levis Strauss 10% $4,494 San Francisco, CA $724 16% 211 3%
38 Pet Retail Brands 10% $1,781 Markham, ON, Canada $1,479 83% 583 -2%
39 Dollar General 9% $25,625 Goodlettsville, TN $25,625 100% 15,472 6%
40 Burlington 9% $6,628 Burlington, NJ $6,577 99% 664 8%
41 Costco 9% $133,421 Issaquah, WA $101,433 76% 523 3%
42 Capri Holdings (formerly Michael Kors) 9% $2,524 London, United Kingdom $2,074 82% 349 -13%
43 Forever 21 9% $4,281 Los Angeles, CA $3,337 78% 587 4%
44 Urban Outfitters 9% $3,535 Philadelphia, PA $3,070 87% 511 0%
45 Tractor Supply Co 9% $7,877 Brentwood, TN $7,877 100% 1,940 5%
46 Wawa 8% $1,479 Media, PA $1,479 100% 820 7%
47 WinCo Foods 8% $7,693 Boise, ID $7,693 100% 125 7%
48 H Mart 7% $960 Lyndhurst, NJ $960 100% 65 8%
49 IKEA North America Svcs 7% $48,682 Conshohocken, PA $6,054 12% 49 9%
50 Micro Center 7% $2,426 Hilliard, OH $2,426 100% 25 0%
51 ALDI 7% $104,978 Batavia, IL $28,779 27% 2,386 6% Includes Trader Joe's and Aldi Sued
52 Ross Stores 7% $14,984 Pleasanton, CA $14,962 100% 1,715 6%
53 Lucky Brand 7% $939 Los Angeles, CA $939 100% 241 0%
54 Piggly Wiggly (parent C&S Wholesale Grocers) 7% $4,273 Keene, NH $4,273 100% 410 8%
55 Empresas Copec Chile (formerly Delek) 7% $488 Santiago, Chile $488 100% 354 2%
56 WIlliams-Sonoma 7% $5,600 San Francisco, CA $5,471 98% 595 -2%
57 Casey's General Stores 7% $3,402 Ankeny, IA $3,402 100% 2,143 3%
58 Pilot Flying J 7% $1,131 Knoxville, TN $1,006 89% 742 8%
59 American Eagle Outfitters 7% $4,788 Pittsburgh, PA $3,534 74% 893 1%
60 Coborn's 6% $1,289 Saint Cloud, MN $1,289 100% 69 8%
61 Hobby Lobby Stores 6% $5,219 Oklahoma City, OK $5,219 1 883 5%
62 H.E. Butt Grocery 6% $24,906 San Antonio, TX $24,025 96% 333 1%
63 O'Reilly Automotive 6% $9,536 Springfield, MO $9,536 100% 5,219 4%
64 Recreational Equipment Inc. 6% $2,086 Kent, WA $2,086 100% 154 2%
65 BevMo! 6% $919 Concord, CA $919 100% 166 4%
66 CVS Health Corporation 6% $85,021 Woonsocket, RI $83,787 99% 9,970 2%
67 Advance Auto Parts 6% $4,145 Roanoke, VA $4,120 99% 4,565 2%
68 Tiffany & Co. 6% $4,029 New York, NY $1,793 45% 93 -1%
69 Guitar Center 6% $3,376 Westlake Village, CA $3,376 100% 475 3%
70 Sherwin Williams 6% $9,294 Cleveland, OH $8,710 94% 4,032 2%
71 Good Neighbor Pharmacy 6% $9,583 Chesterbrook, PA $9,583 100% 2,962 4%
72 Lumber Liquidators 5% $1,082 Toano, VA $1,071 99% 405 5%
73 Schnucks 5% $2,529 St. Louis, MO $2,529 100% 119 14%
74 QuikTrip Corp. 5% $1,563 Tulsa, OK $1,563 100% 782 3%
75 Oxford Industries 5% $640 Atlanta, GA $753 118% 183 5%
76 Hy-Vee 5% $10,146 West Des Moines, IA $10,146 100% 250 2%
77 Harps Food Stores 5% $1,210 Springdale, AR $1,210 100% 92 0%
78 The Home Depot 5% $105,527 Atlanta, GA $97,274 92% 1,969 0%
79 Zumiez 5% $944 Lynnwood, WA $794 84% 608 0%
80 Andeavor (AMPM) 5% $3,380 San Antonio, TX $3,380 100% 1,372 2%
81 1-800-Flowers.com 5% $1,197 Carle Place, NY $1,197 100% 322 1%
82 RaceTrac Petroleum 5% $1,671 Atlanta, GA $1,671 100% 700 1%
83 DSW 5% $3,127 Columbus, OH $2,942 94% 518 2%
84 Spec's Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods 5% $1,361 Houston, TX $1,361 100% 128 3%
85 Fareway Stores 5% $1,345 Boone, IA $1,345 100% 122 1%
86 PetSmart 5% $9,052 Phoenix, AZ $8,703 96% 1,507 3%
87 AVB Brandsource 5% $5,859 Tustin, CA $5,700 97% 3,073 3%
88 Publix Super Markets 5% $36,520 Lakeland, FL $36,520 100% 1,444 3%
89 Hot Topic 5% $846 Industry, CA $804 95% 702 3%
90 Leslie's Poolmart 5% $834 Phoenix, AZ $834 100% 926 1%
91 Gap 4% $15,986 San Francisco, CA $12,879 81% 2,296 -3%
92 The Kroger Co 4% $120,015 Cincinnati, OH $120,015 100% 3,035 -22% Sold convenience store business to EE Group, effective FY 2018
93 Menard 4% $11,686 Eau Claire, WI $11,686 100% 310 1%
94 Overstock.com 4% $1,822 Salt Lake City, UT $1,822 100% N.A. N.A.
95 The Children's Place 4% $2,109 Secaucus, NJ $1,744 83% 842 -4%
96 Sephora (LVMH) 4% $13,011 San Francisco, CA $5,507 42% 396 9%
97 Wegmans Food Market 4% $9,055 Rochester, NY $9,055 100% 98 2%
98 Sony Electronics 4% $1,360 New York, NY $1,360 100% 7 0%
99 Speedway 4% $5,109 Enon, OH $5,109 100% 2,744 0%
100 Cosentino's Food Stores 4% $750 Kansas City, MO $750 100% 30 7%
The Hot 100 Retailers is the definitive annual ranking of the nation's fastest-growing retail companies. Rankings are determined by increases in domestic sales between 2017 and 2018; all retail companies with domestic sales in excess of $300 million were eligible. Hot 100 retailers averaged year-over-year domestic sales growth of 9.8 percent, which was below the 2017 Hot 100 growth of 11.7 percent. Kantar Consulting estimates privately held companies, franchise sales and domestic sales when the figures are not self-reported. This methodology is particularly important because it removes the impact of the companies' investments in overseas operations from the growth rankings to give a true perspective on the situation in the American retail market.
More top retailer lists
Top 100 Retailers
A list of the top U.S. retailers by sales. See who landed in the top spots this year.
A ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing retailers by year-over-year domestic sales growth.
Top 50 Global Retailers
STORES Magazine ranks international retailers based on their operations at the start of 2018.
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:: Home AcademicsDoctoralPhD in Nursing
Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Accelerated BSN Program (ABSN)
Registered Nurse (RN) to BSN
Administration Management
MSN Education
BSN to DNP Program
BSN to DNP Clinical Nurse Specialist
BSN to DNP Executive Leadership
BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner
PhD in Nursing
PhD, RNC-OB, FAHA, FPCNA
PhD Program Director
A program that prepares nurse scientists to develop and carry out research as a primary or secondary role.
$150,000 Scholarship Opportunity
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing, with support from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, seeks applicants for the Reynolds Predoctoral Scholarship award.
The Reynolds Scholarship award is designed to support three years of full-time doctoral work for nurses committed to careers in academic geriatric nursing. The program awards a total of $150,000 (up to $50,000 per annum) to each selected Reynolds Scholar candidate enrolled full-time in the PhD in nursing program at the OU College of Nursing.
Reynolds Scholarship applicants must meet all requirements for admission to the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing PhD program, including completion of OU Health Sciences Center Graduate College and College of Nursing applications, and be accepted to the program prior to the official start of the Reynolds award term. Reynolds Scholarship applications are due March 1st.
For more information about the scholarship, contact Denise Short at 405-271-1491 ext. 49233 or via email at denise-short@ouhsc.edu.
See our Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence page for additional details.
Program Start:
August - Fall
Locations Available:
Length of Program:
Varies by student
Degree Awarded:
Part-Time Study Available?
Admission Requirements »
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Geriatric Nursing Research Scholarship»
Office of Student Affairs »
Program Costs »
MORE ADMISSIONS INFO »
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A Unique PhD Program
Established in 2008, the OU College of Nursing’s PhD program is to prepare nurse scientists to develop and carry out research as a primary or secondary role. The PhD Program in Nursing is designed to provide nurse scientists with the skills and knowledge for interdisciplinary, translational, community-based inquire in advancing science and improving health in vulnerable populations. Students in the PhD in Nursing Program are enrolled in and obtain their degree from the Graduate College of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. For additional information about this program, please contact nursing@ouhsc.edu.
Residency requirements: Due to federal regulations from the Department of Education, the College of Nursing currently accepts applications for its online master’s and doctoral degree programs from residents of the states participating in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). A list of participating states can be found at: http://nc-sara.org/sara-states-institutions. Applicants are encouraged to check with their local State Boards of Nursing regarding any specific professional licensure requirements prior to applying or enrolling.
Developing Scientists to Answer Health Related and Clinical Questions
Contemporary healthcare is quickly evolving and nurse scientists are at the forefront of this change. The PhD program equips our scholars to ask and investigate questions that are relevant to improving health care outcomes and advancing the theoretical foundations of nursing science. The PhD program prepares nurse scientists for successful careers and leadership roles as change agents in:
Research-intensive Academic Settings
Interdisciplinary and Inter-professional Venues
Clinical Research Sites
State and Federal Research Positions
PhD students can choose from a wide range of research opportunities and mentors. All prospective PhD applicants are encouraged to read about the program's faculty research focus to identify a potential match with a mentor. All applicants are encouraged to contact potential mentors to discuss congruence of their interests with the faculty member's research. A close match is extremely helpful in assuring success in the program.
Paths to the PhD
If you already have a Masters in Nursing: Master's to PhD Option
If you are a BSN graduate: BSN to PhD Fast Track Option
Plans of Study
The PhD in nursing research coursework assists the student in describing the state of the science surrounding a problem, identifying testable research questions and hypotheses; and selecting quantitative or qualitative methods, measurement and analyses to formulate and carry out research proposals. Courses in philosophy of science, nursing epistemology, research ethics and responsible scientific responsibility are required. Substantive cognate coursesrovide concentration in the student's focus area. Two courses emphasize study of vulnerable and diverse populations. One of the final courses is the prospectus seminar, where ideas for the dissertation are developed.
The Graduate College sets specific time limits for achieving milestones toward graduation in doctoral programs. A doctoral student who enters with a bachelor's degree is expected to pass the general examination within five calendar years of the student's first graduate enrollment in the department and a student who enters with a master's degree is expected to pass the departmental general examination within four calendar years of the student's first graduate enrollment in the department. A doctoral candidate is normally expected to complete all the degree requirements within five years after admission to candidacy.
BSN-to-PhD Fast Track Option
The BSN-to-PhD track enables students to engage in research at an earlier age and stage in their career in academic or clinical environments and does not require completion of a master's degree. The shortened trajectory from BSN to PhD enables these graduates to become research-active earlier in their education and view advanced clinical and research considerations as they take the necessary "bridge" courses before starting PhD-level coursework. Full-time study is recommended to stay within the Graduate College time limits mentioned above. The minimum required number of semester hours for the PhD degree [combining formal coursework and hours of dissertation research] is 90 post-baccalaureate hours. No more than six hours of NURS 5980 Research can be included in the 90 hours [Graduate Bulletin, 4.6.1.9.]. A minimum of 12 credits is required for NURS 6980 dissertation research.
PhD in nursing students who are committed to careers in academic geriatric nursing are eligible to apply for the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation Predoctoral Scholarship award. The Scholarship is designed to support three years of full-time doctoral work. The program awards a total of $150,000 (up to $50,000 each year) to each selected Reynolds Scholar enrolled full-time in the PhD in nursing program at the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing.
View Additional Outside Funding Opportunities.
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Google AI spots breast cancer better than doctors, study finds
By Noah Manskar
January 2, 2020 | 8:31am | Updated January 2, 2020 | 8:31am
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Google’s artificial intelligence detected breast cancer better than doctors, a study published Wednesday found.
The Google AI program that examined mammogram images from thousands of women in the US and the United Kingdom spotted cancer more accurately than six expert radiologists who reviewed 500 random cases, according to the research — which was funded by the tech giant.
The software’s review of nearly 29,000 mammogram scans reduced the number of false negatives — tests that are wrongly deemed normal even though cancer is present — by 9.4 percent in the US and 2.7 percent in the UK, according to the study, published in the journal Nature.
And the number of false positives — tests that are wrongly said to show signs of cancer — fell by 5.7 percent in the US and 1.2 percent in the UK, the research found. The team behind the study included researchers from Google Health, Northwestern Medicine and Imperial College London.
Google Health said the study “sets the stage for future applications where the model could potentially support radiologists performing breast cancer screenings” — though more research and regulatory approval are needed to show how the technology could boost patient care.
The research suggests that AI could help improve the accuracy of mammograms, the most common method of screening for the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among women.
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Mammograms miss roughly one in five breast cancers, according to the American Cancer Society, and inaccurate test results can cause problems for patients. A false positive can lead to anxiety or pricey additional testing, while false negatives can cause women to think they’re cancer-free when they’re not.
Researchers trained Google’s AI program with mammograms from more than 76,000 women in the UK and more than 15,000 in the US, according to Google Health. Google said the software outperformed doctors despite receiving less information than human experts, who also had access to previous mammograms and patient histories.
The study is Google’s latest bid to use its technologies for health purposes — even though some of those efforts have sparked privacy worries.
The Silicon Valley giant’s $2.1 billion acquisition of the health-tracking company Fitbit faces a probe from the US Department of Justice over data privacy concerns, The Post has reported.
Federal officials are also examining “Project Nightingale,” Google’s partnership with the Ascension health system that has reportedly collected detailed information about some 50 million patients.
Filed under artificial intelligence , breast cancer , cancer , google , mammograms
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