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Pro-aborts speak out against Virginia’s potentially life-saving abortion regulations
By Cassy Fiano-Chesser | March 29, 2013 , 09:52pm
It’s always about the bottom line for the abortion industry.
Virginia’s abortion clinics came under scrutiny last year, when inspections found that not one clinic in the state was free of violations and deficiencies. The picture painted was rather grim, with eighty citations among the nine clinics.
Some key findings:
The nine centers inspected had received 80 citations
18 citations for personnel issues, including no background checks, no ongoing plans for staff training, no maintenance of personnel files, no policy requiring staff to be CPR trained, no policies setting experience and training required to practice
13 citations for infections prevention issues, including seven clinics with no clear division between clean and dirty utility areas, four centers where personnel weren’t using personal protective equipment and a host of record-keeping issues
10 citations regarding the administration, storage, and dispensing of drugs, including four with expired drugs in stock, and others with improper labeling of drugs, no medication dispensing policy
10 maintenance of equipment citations, including equipment not in good repair, no preventative maintenance plan
Six citations for local and state building code violations
Employees openly admitted that they couldn’t tell which medical instruments were clean and which weren’t. One clinic had a freezer full of blood and conception material covering it, frozen to the bottom. What was truly horrifying is that these were not surprise inspections. The clinics knew in advance when the inspectors were coming – and this was what they considered safe for women.
Virginia lawmakers responded to the inspections by approving stricter, commonsense regulations. Considering the shoddy, disgusting conditions the clinics were practicing under before, these regulations could be potentially life-saving.
The regulations include licensing and unannounced inspections of abortion centers. They also require standards regarding medical personnel like requiring that the doctor remain on premises until a woman is actually ready to be discharged, improved sanitary conditions, and emergency equipment for cardiac arrest, seizure, respiratory distress and other critical medical situations. Abortion centers would also have to be built, or improved within two years, to standards similar to ambulatory surgical facilities.
Abortion advocates and organizations such as NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia were immediately outraged and protested the regulations. Any other medical office caught with these many violations would cause a statewide outrage. There would be no debate about how stricter regulations and more frequent inspections were needed. But because these are abortion clinics, we’re supposed to look the other way. We’re supposed to find these clinics’ appalling lack of standards acceptable in the name of “women’s health” – because all women would be totally cool with operations performed with used medical equipment, right?
Yesterday, ProgressVA and Planned Parenthood gathered thousands of comments against the regulations, claiming that it “red-taped” women. They were delivered to the Virginia Department of Public Health, in a box wrapped with red tape.
Pro-aborts always claim to be speaking out for women’s health, but they also continuously turn blind eyes to the numerous instances of medical malpractice in abortion clinics. Kermit Gosnell was surely one of the worst offenders, but he was in no way alone – Virginia’s clinics proved that. Rather than being concerned for the safety of women who might undergo abortions in such unsafe settings, they want us all to ignore the fact that not a single clinic in the state of Virginia was able to pass inspection without any violations. Virginia lawmakers are taking action to protect the lives of the women who will go to these clinics. Pro-aborts want them to have abortions at any cost, even if it’s in disgusting, filthy, substandard conditions.
Which is really pro-women’s health?
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Superannuation and Pensions in Australia
Asset Test | Income Test | Tax Free Superannuation | Qualify for Australian Pension
How Do I get a Pension in Australia?
There are two chief sources of retirement income in Australia. These are:
• Superannuation, paid for through employment-related contributions.
• The Age Pension, funded by taxpayers and paid to you by the government.
Australian superannuation is funded by employers.
Employers must pay a minimum of 9.5 percent of every employee’s ordinary time earnings into a compulsory retirement fund. The fund must be registered with and approved by the Australian Government.
Some employers pay your salary and, separately, make an additional payment into the fund. Others will deduct the payment from your “remuneration package”.
When you compare packages from different employers you need to be clear which approach is being followed.
Most Australian workers have their superfunds in a balanced superannuation fund. This means that their retirement money is invested in the world’s stock markets.
Superannuation funds are not final-salary schemes, so your income when you retire is dependent on the performance of your funds. Many workers rebalance their funds, moving their money into less volatile investments, when they are nearing retirement.
In addition to your employer’s 9.5 percent contributions, you are also free to add money to your fund.
For most people, superannuation supplements the Government’s age pension and provides them with additional income in retirement.
To qualify for an Age Pension in Australia, you need to have reached 66 years of age and you normally need to have lived as a resident or citizen of Australia for at least 10 years.
Effective from 20 March 2019, the Age Pension is worth $21,993 a year for single people, and $33,066 a year for couples.
Supplements for people in need of income support can increase the aged pension to a maximum of $24,081 a year for single people, and $36,301 a year for couples.
From July 2019, the Age Pension qualifying age is 66 years. The qualifying age will continue increase by 6 months every 2 years, reaching 67 in 2023.
Australian Age Pensions are income and asset tested.
Asset Test
If you are single, and you own your own home, and you have other assets worth less than $258,500 you qualify for the full Age Pension.
For couples who own their own home the assets cut off is at $387,500.
If you are single, and you don’t own your own home, and your assets are worth less than $465,500 you qualify for the full Age Pension.
Couples who don’t own their home must have assets worth than less $594,500 to qualify for the full Age Pension.
A sliding scale operates after this. Pensions are reduced by $3 per fortnight for every $1,000 of assets more than the figures quoted above.
Income Test
Effective from 20 March 2019, if a single person’s income (not including government age pension) is less than $172 per fortnight ($304 couples) they will qualify for the full age pension.
Income above these amounts reduces the pension payable by 50 cents in the dollar.
The Age pension entitlement reduces to $0 when a single person’s income (not including government age pension) reaches $2,024 per fortnight ($3,096 for couples).
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Artwork | Tracklist | Credits
Preach Hank!
Introduction to Sudden Impact
Introduction to Paint Brushes
Introduction to All You Have To Be Is You
All You Have To Be Is You
Introduction to Decisive Steps
Decisive Steps
Introduction to Test Of Time
Introduction to Up!
Product #: MAC1106 Released: 01/15/16
Artwork| Tracklist | Credits
Carl Allen - Drums
Gary Burton - Vibes
Tia Fuller - Alto & Soprano Sax
Freddie Hendrix - Trumpet
Christian McBride - Acoustic Bass, Music Director
Christian Sands - Piano
Kirk Whalum - Tenor Sax
Product #: Released:
Mack Avenue SuperBand - Live From The DJF - 2015
Since its rollicking debut at the 2012 Detroit Jazz Festival, the Mack Avenue SuperBand has become a tradition at the annual event, a gathering of label superstars that the Motor City can look forward to every Labor Day weekend.
Mack Avenue SuperBand
Bio/News
Product#: MAC1086|Released: 09/01/14
SEE ALL TITLES BY THIS ARTIST
Live From The Detroit Jazz Festival 2013
Of Mars and Venus
Speak to My Heart
Chick's Tune
Señor Mouse
Troublant Bolero
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
Two Bass Hit
Since its rollicking debut at the 2012 Detroit Jazz Festival, the Mack Avenue SuperBand has become a tradition at the annual event, a gathering of label superstars that the Motor City can look forward to every Labor Day weekend. Live From The Detroit Jazz Festival – 2015 captures the fourth incarnation of the all-star ensemble, for the first time under the leadership of Christian McBride. This year, McBride takes over as musical director (a role previously held by fellow bassist Rodney Whitaker), leading a knockout conglomeration of Mack Avenue artists through a set as sweltering as that late-summer day in the concrete outdoor arena of Hart Plaza.
“I’ve been a Mack Avenue artist for quite some time now,” says McBride, who made his label debut in 2009 with Kind of Brown, the first release from his Inside Straight quintet. He’s since released five more albums by that band, his trio and his big band. “My catalogue with Mack Avenue is bigger than it has been for any other label I’ve been affiliated with, so I feel like an important member of the Mack Avenue family. It would have been good just to be on the gig, period, but when they asked me to be the musical director it seemed like a simple call to make.”
Joining McBride as first-time members of the SuperBand are pianist Christian Sands and trumpeter Freddie Hendrix. While neither has recorded as a leader for Mack Avenue, both have recorded for the label under McBride’s leadership: Hendrix in the bassist’s Big Band and Sands as a member of both Inside Straight and the Christian McBride Trio. The rest of the seven-piece group all are returning veterans: drummer Carl Allen has anchored the band since the beginning, while saxophonists Tia Fuller and Kirk Whalum, and vibraphonist Gary Burton are all three-time members.
The members of the SuperBand represent a diverse range of generations and styles. It offers a rare opportunity, for instance, to hear NEA Jazz Master Gary Burton engage with a group of younger players with more of a hard-bop focus than he usually encounters in his own more modern-leaning bands. “This is definitely not my normal zone,” he admits with a chuckle. “But this is the music I grew up playing. I was a bebop guy in my teens and twenties – that was the standard jazz of the day. Playing straight-ahead is something I hadn’t done much for a while, so I was looking forward to a relaxing, fun, jam session kind of setting where I didn't have to read a million notes and play a lot of complex music. In spite of that, some of the music ended up being fairly complicated and challenging.”
Burton will be able to further enjoy that opportunity in early 2016, as the Mack Avenue SuperBand heads out on tour, affording audiences outside Detroit the opportunity to share the invigorating experience of witnessing the ensemble live on tour for the first time in its history. The line-up will be a slight variation on the one recorded at the 2015 festival, with Sean Jones returning to the trumpet and flugelhorn chair. Whalum will join the band for select West Coast performances.
“I’m looking forward to playing some of the music that we played in Detroit and a lot more and seeing where it goes,” McBride says. “These bands change a little bit every year and we already know that this is not going to be a permanent group, so we just want to have as much fun as we can while we’re together.”
The 2015 concert recording features pieces penned by six of the seven members, kicking off with the “fatbacks and greens” (to borrow McBride’s words) of Whalum’s soul-jazz burner “Preach Hank!” The tune echoes the saxophonist’s roots in the Baptist church as well as his love for R&B sax great Hank
Crawford, aligning it with his previous Mack Avenue tributes to soul icons Babyface and Donny
Hathaway, as well as the collaboration of John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman.
Hendrix’s aptly named “Sudden Impact” follows, its hard-charging groove and brawny horn melody sparking blistering solos from Sands and the composer himself. McBride’s lovely 5/4 jaunt “Paint Brushes” – one of those trickier-than-expected pieces that Burton cited – passes its trickling melody from voice to voice among the band members before ceding the spotlight to Burton and Fuller. The vibraphonist was inspired to make one of his rare forays into composing with the ballad “All You Have To Be Is You,” which features Fuller’s soprano engaging with his own cloud-like accompaniment.
Burton was also responsible for the one tune not contributed by a SuperBand member, Makoto Ozone’s swaying, Monk-inspired “Test of Time.” The Japanese pianist is a long-time collaborator of Burton, who thought the piece would work perfectly arranged for the super-group’s three-horn frontline. “I knew we’d have a bunch of upbeat and exciting pieces to play, but we’d need something else to play for contrast,” Burton explains. “I thought my ballad and Makoto’s slow blues would probably fill the bill, and sure enough, Makoto’s tune was a big hit the first time we played it through.” It remains a hit on stage, where blues-tinged solos from Whalum and Sands evoke throaty cries of appreciation from the Detroit audience.
Fuller contributes the brisk “Decisive Steps,” unleashing the more tempestuous side of her soprano playing as well as a bold, soaring turn from Hendrix. The set concludes with an 11-minute run through Sands’ muscular “Up!” which allows everyone in the band to show off their estimable – and crowd- pleasing – chops.
The Mack Avenue SuperBand “follows a tradition of record labels, no matter what genre, having a sense of pride in their roster,” according to McBride. “What I like about Mack Avenue is that it seems to be one of the few – dare I say only – jazz labels that really has an eye on straight-ahead jazz. They’re certainly not opposed to breaking tradition – and breaking tradition is actually part of the jazz tradition – but at the same time they don’t shun musicians who like to play swing rhythms.”
Burton echoes that sentiment, recognizing that the “label family” idea harkens back to an earlier generation of jazz. “These days, everybody seems to be off doing their own thing. This really is like something from a past era, and I was a little surprised and pleased that the label decided to put it on tour. But there is something special about the Detroit Jazz Festival for the people on the label, and it increasingly feels like a touchstone. Come Labor Day weekend, we’re going to be in Detroit and a bunch of us from the label will get together and play.”
The hang is part of the music, and the hang happens every Labor Day weekend.
Bassist Christian McBride helms the Mack Avenue Superband at the Triple Door on Tuesday, April 5 02.03.15
The Mack Avenue Super Band — an all-star group in the churchy, Horace Silver/Art Blakey mold, mounted by Mack Avenue Records as an annual attraction at the Detroit Jazz Festival — released the smokin’, soulful album “Live! From the Detroit Jazz Festival” last year.
Mack Avenue Superband – Live From The Detroit Jazz Festival 2015 02.03.15
... when you bring some of the artists of Mack Avenue Records together for a “Superband” performance under the guidance of Christian McBride. the odds for a supersession increase dramatically.
SoulTracks: Mack Avenue SuperBand - Live From the Detroit Jazz Festival 2015 Review 02.03.15
The SuperBand jam session at the Detroit Jazz Festival featuring artists from the Motor City’s jazz label Mack Avenue Records is a familiar and much anticipated event for anyone fortunate enough to attend, or who has the good fortune to get an audio recording of the proceedings.
Whitaker, Diehl, Whalum Spearhead New Mack Avenue SuperBand Album 02.03.15
Detroit record label Mack Avenue will release Live From The Detroit Jazz Festival–2014 by the Mack Avenue SuperBand on Sept. 18. Recorded live in Detroit’s Hart Plaza, the album—the third in a series—brings artists from the label’s diverse roster together for a rare collaboration.
Boston Globe: Mack Avenue SuperBand Wows at Berklee 02.03.15
...a show that wowed the audience with cordial excellence rather than an old-fashioned cutting contest.
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PowerBook G4 Diary: The Lab Test
By Andrew Gore
When I entered the Lab that fateful day last week to retrieve the PowerBook G4, I didn't realize we were culturing viruses as well as testing Macs. But once the proper gestation period had passed, the results were there for all to see: I lost my voice and my will to live. Worse, I lost the will to test, and fell a couple of days behind schedule for these diaries.
This is my lame way of apologizing to all of you for the long wait for more juicy details on Apple's new portable, or as Plastic.com recently described this diary, "almost pornographic in its step-by-step telling of the unpacking of the sleek beast." A technological pornographer; wouldn't my mom be proud?
But seriously folks, your response to this series has been both overwhelming and deeply gratifying. The interaction with you on the Macworld Forums has not only helped guide my testing, it's also helped remind me what a bright and enthusiastic group Macworld 's readers are. Thanks especially for the little digital "gifts" a couple of you sent, including this cool desktop picture from Aaron Cooper that he has graciously allowed me to post for anyone to download (click to download the full-size version):
In the last two diaries we unpacked, toured, and did a comparison of the Titanium PowerBook G4 to its predecessor. In this diary, we get down to brass tacks and answer most of your most burning questions on how it performs.
It's times like these I really come to appreciate how incredibly lucky I am to work at Macworld. Not just because I got to use a Titanium PowerBook before most everyone else, but because of Macworld Lab. Macworld has the Mac market's only fully-staffed, fully-equipped product-testing lab, with six full-time lab technicians who do nothing but test Mac hardware.
In short, these folks make me look good. They ran the PowerBook through a long series of laborious tests and I get to write up the results.
I've just received the final numbers from speed, heat and battery life tests we ran on the 500MHz PowerBook G4. After living with the Titanium PowerBook G4 for a week, the results are not surprising, although in a couple of areas they are a little disappointing.
To see where the G4 has its greatest impact, all you need to do is look at the Photoshop scores. Photoshop 5.5 has been optimized by Adobe to take advantage of the G4's AltiVec (Velocity Engine) processor extension, and in general, Photoshop has been designed to use faster processors, and memory and system buses to their fullest. In other words, Photoshop results are about as close as you get to a real-world test of the CPU performance.
Clearly, the G4 gives the new PowerBook a major edge over the PowerBook G3 when it comes to Altivec-optimized tasks such as Gaussian Blur, Unsharp Mask, or, most amazingly, Lighting Effects. Results range from twice as fast to more than three times faster on the Titanium PowerBook.
But once you exit the realm of AltiVec, the speed difference between old and new PowerBooks drops considerably: in a Photoshop RGB to CMYK conversion, the Titanium PowerBook G4 is only about 10 percent faster than the PowerBook G3.
And in Speedmark 2.1 tests, which judge performance on a variety of everyday computing tasks, the difference in speed is smaller still. It's important to keep in mind that when it comes to Speedmark, a little means a lot. The baseline score of 100 is for a 350MHz G3 iMac, so a score of 137 means the Titanium PowerBook G4 is roughly 37 percent faster than an iMac.
But notice how much higher the Power Mac G4 533 scored in Speedmark tests? That's because the Power Mac has faster system and memory buses, plus faster storage and graphics subsystems. The moral of the story: Everything contributes to real-world performance, not just the CPU. Because the rest of the PowerBook's logic board remains largely the same as the PowerBook G3, its overall performance gains are modest.
No place is this more obvious than in graphics performance. The Titanium PowerBook G4 uses the same ATI Rage Mobility graphics subsystem as the PowerBook G3. You can see that in our Quake III tests -- the scores are very close. This is because Quake can't leverage AltiVec, and without AltiVec, the G4 is only marginally faster than a G3.
However, graphics do not live by frame rate alone. Rendering is also an important factor for how well a graphics subsystem performs. And the best test of that is, again, a game. This time I used Deus Ex, a real-time 3-D first-person perspective game. I took screen shots of the same scenes on both the PowerBook G3 and G4, with the exact same game display settings -- 1,024-by-768-pixel resolution, 32-bit color, high graphics detail and decals all turned on.
Here are the two scenes shot on a PowerBook G3. (I chose scenes that show both distant and close-up texture maps -- click on the small versions to see a full-size screen.):
And here are the same two scenes on the PowerBook G4:
Can you see any difference?
I should add that while there was no appreciable difference in either game performance or visual quality between the G3 and G4 portables, I thought Deux Ex and Quake III were both quite playable on both machines, even with the graphics maxed out. Using the TrackPad as a game input device was more of an impediment to a good gaming experience than either the frame rate or rendering quality.
So, I guess the moral of the story is, if you want the best possible Mac gaming experience, you should opt for a desktop machine. Big surprise.
An area much more critical to most PowerBook users than game performance is startup speed. Again, I turned to Macworld Lab to run wake from sleep time trials on the new PowerBook. They tested both PowerBooks with OS 9.1; here's what they found:
Seems that wake time is one of the few areas where PowerBooks have a distinct advantage over desktops! I was surprised to see that the Lab found the G4 slower than the G3 on wake time with AppleTalk on, so I ran the tests again myself. I found that the G4 was indeed waking up in about 12 seconds. But my PowerBook G3 was taking over 40 seconds to wake from sleep with AppleTalk on! This can no doubt be attributed to the accumulation of excess garbage files and extensions that have collected like barnacles in my G3's System Folder. It will be interesting to watch and see if the G4's wake from sleep performance follows a similar downward spiral over time.
Of course, another key component of portable performance is battery life. Apple now claims battery run times in the five-hour range. I chose to test this claim in three different ways. First, in normal use, with the hard drive coming up and down as determined by a script, with processor cycling enabled and screen blanking after one minute of no input. Second, a maxed-out test featuring everything running, including the hard drive, DVD drive, with processor cycling disabled, and the screen at maximum brightness for the entire test. Third, absolute minimum power: screen dimmed, drive spun down, processor cycling enabled, and the chip clocked down to 300MHz (you can set this in the PowerBook control panel under Expert settings).
In the maxed-out test, the PowerBook managed to eke out an hour and 47 minutes of battery life -- not bad considering the abuse I was putting it through. The standard profile delivered even better results, 3 hours and 12 minutes, again very respectable. And, yes, the minimum power configuration did indeed deliver about 5 hours of battery life. Of course, with the screen dimmed, drive spun down, and running at 300MHz, I'm not sure what kind of life that would be for a real road warrior.
Finally, in response to dozens of e-mails from readers asking us to test the PowerBook to find out how hot it runs, we put both the PowerBook G3 and G4 on a heat analyzer and ran them for several hours under the most demanding circumstances possible. They both reached the same maximum heat level -- between 115 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. My own experience with the PowerBook G4 confirms this: in what are now close to 100 hours of usage under a wide variety of circumstances, the G4 did get warm, but never to the point where it was uncomfortable for me to have it sitting in my lap.
As to where the reports of hot-running PowerBook G4s are coming from, I suspect that most of those reports came from pre-production models on the show floor at Macworld Expo -- where they had been running for hours, plugged in and sitting on light tables. Just about the worst-case scenario for heating up a metal portable.
My conclusions on our Lab testing won't surprise you. With the exception of AltiVec-savvy applications, the PowerBook G4 offers only modest speed gains (although this would still make the PowerBook the fastest portable you can buy on any platform). Graphics speed is a wash between generations, as is wake from sleep time and heat levels, but battery life seems to have improved somewhat. It's a good thing, too, as spare batteries are selling for $129 a pop at Apple's online store.
Hey! We're not done yet! Stay tuned for the next installment of the PowerBook G4 Diary, when Dr. Gore gets out his tool kit and cracks open the Titanium PowerBook G4 to see what's inside.
Want to discuss the Titanium PowerBook G4 lab results with Andrew Gore? You can do it now, in our "Titanium PowerBook Lab Tests" message thread, part of our Portable Macs Forum.
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From Burma to the Northshire via Brooklyn
Couple brings Burmese cuisine to Vermont
The fried chicken salad at Moonwink offers a contrast of bright, spicy and savory flavors in the restaurant's special tamarind dressing.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MOONWINK
Wes and May Stannard, seen with their son Ernest and daughter Ada, offer the deep flavors of Burma at Moonwink in Manchester.
PHOTO BY ROBERT NILES
Posted Friday, May 24, 2019 5:33 pm
If you go Moonwink is at 4479 Main St., Manchester Center. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed: Sunday and Monday More info: Search @moonwinkvt on Facebook
Southern Vermont LandscapesMANCHESTER — The story of how the only Burmese restaurant in Vermont landed in Manchester begins as many things do in life — as a love story. That love brought together a native of Burma and an eighth-generation Vermonter, each of whom had moved to New York City to pursue their dreams. They found each other, got married, started a family, and moved back to Vermont, where a chance sighting of an old hotel sign in nearby New York gave their new restaurant a distinctive name to describe their distinctive cuisine. "Some of the best authentic Asian food you'll find in rural New England," the travel website Lonely Planet says of the restaurant at 4479 Main St. in Manchester Center. In less than a year, Moonwink has drawn tourists and loyal locals alike to sample an Asian cuisine that's hard to find in New England. The closest Burmese restaurant appears to be in Boston, three hours away. "I stop by four to five times a month," said Boris Kojic, who works in Manchester. "It's great food with a different taste I enjoy." "I love the open space where I can see them preparing my food," said Sarena Barausky, an East Dorset resident. "They have nothing to hide, and the smells are wonderful."The menu features a variety salads, stews, curries and noodle dishes, and a rotating roster of daily specials, all hand-prepared fresh by May Stannard and her husband Wes Stannard. The menu offers plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options. The best way to describe Burmese food is through the country's geography, the couple said. "On one side you have Thailand with it's heavy use of ginger, lemongrass, fish sauces and curry pastes," Wes Stannard said. Adds May Stannard, "Our cooking is also influenced by our borders with China and India. The result is food less spicy or sweet than Thai, but with a variety of tastes and flavors."Take the fried chicken salad ($13), which contains fried pieces of chicken thigh along with rice, red onion, cucumber, cabbage, tomato, cilantro and fresh lime juice and the restaurant's special tamarind dressing. It's a regular special, and a popular one. There's a somewhat smoky, but not overpowering heat in the sauce that marries the dish's contrasting textures and flavors. It's light but satisfying, spicy but sweet, comforting and crunchy. It grabs your attention, and keeps it.That's the sort of food May Stannard remembers from home. "My earliest memories are of my grandmother and mother cooking," she said. "Fresh food with multiple layers of spices and ingredients."May Stannard, nee Oo Khaing, had left her family home of Bago, Burma, to follow her dream of working abroad in the fashion industry. She studied in Singapore and Dallas, before making her way to Brooklyn. A relative helped her get a job as a gemologist, working with emeralds in New York City's diamond district. That's where she met Wes Stannard, an eighth generation Vermonter who had graduated from Boston's Berklee College of Music and headed to Brooklyn. He found work as a jack-of-all-trades at Rick's Picks, an award-winning artisanal brand of pickles, working in operations, distribution and retail at farmers markets. The couple met in typical Brooklyn fashion: on a dating app. They talked by phone for months before they finally decided to meet, and once they did, it was magic. They married twice, in a civil ceremony at City Hall and, later the same day, at a Buddhist temple. They both loved food, so much so that May Stannard began working part-time as a chef in one of their favorite Brooklyn haunts, The Purple Yam. "I always liked doing things with my hands," May Stannard said. "It was sewing that sparked my interest in fashion. Cooking was another outlet to express my manual creativity. I found out later in Vermont that quick hands also help when taking ticks off a dog."In 2012, with a baby on the way, the couple moved to Vermont. May Stannard kept busy raising first-born Ernest, followed later by daughter Ada, while also cooking Burmese food at home. "We traveled frequently to Albany to shop at the Asian food market," she said. "At some point on the many drives along New York Route 7, we noticed a rundown motel with a weathered sign — Moonwink." The restaurant name was never an issue. "My dad [Bob Stannard] conducted research to find the owner of the Moonwink motel," Wes Stannard said. "Walter Shaw was alive and well at 91 years old."A restaurant location became available in January 2018. The couple, friends and family spent the next six months renovating, creating an open and casual space. May Stannard painted one wall with a Burmese mural, illustrating the importance of family and food. The sign, given to the couple by Shaw, was repainted and rewired, and it now illuminates the inside of the restaurant. "When I saw the Moonwink sign, I saw the M and W," says May Stannard. "To me, it stands for May and Wes."
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Big-rig slams into strip mall, driver killed
Updated: March 16, 2015, 8:15 p.m.
PITTSBURG (AP) — A big-rig driver was killed and two businesses were badly damaged after the driver’s truck slammed into a strip mall.
The Oakland Tribune reports emergency crews were dispatched Monday morning for a report of an explosion.
Police Capt. Ron Raman says the big-rig had crashed into a building that houses a Mexican restaurant and a beauty supply store.
The crash triggered the explosion and fire.
Police found the truck driver dead inside the rig. The man’s name was not released. No other injuries were reported.
A preliminary investigation showed the rig may have had a mechanical problem before the crash.
Before hitting the building, the truck collided with a few other vehicles.
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Wikimedia Engineering/Report/2014/January/summary
< Wikimedia Engineering | Report | 2014 | January
English • español • русский • 日本語
Summary for December 2013 Summary of the Wikimedia engineering report, January 2014 Summary for February 2014
This content is prepared for inclusion in the January 2014 Wikimedia Foundation report. It is a shorter and simpler version of the full Wikimedia engineering report for January 2014 that does not assume specialized technical knowledge.
Major news in January include:
the transition of our search engines on Wikimedia sites to ElasticSearch;
a presentation of how the Tech newsletter works, including a historical perspective;
an invitation to comment on the 2-year vision of the multimedia engineering team;
a request for comments on whether the MP4 video format should be supported on Wikimedia sites.
In January, the VisualEditor team continued their work on improving the stability and performance of this visual editing interface to edit pages on Wikipedia and its sister sites; they also added some new features. You can now edit page settings like whether to display a table of contents or whether to show section edit labels. You can also specify the size of a media file manually, see a list of keyboard shortcuts, and create and edit media galleries using a very basic stand-in editor whilst the final form is being designed. Work also continued on a dialog for quickly adding "citation" references based on templates, more media and page settings, setting content language and right-to-left indicators, and equation editing.
The Parsoid team (developing the program that converts wikitext to annotated HTML, behind the scenes of VisualEditor) did a lot of bug fixing around images, links, references and various other areas. We also mentored students, participated in discussions relating to the architecture of MediaWiki, and started to work on "packaging" Parsoid to make it easier to install.
Editor engagement
This month, the Core Features team worked on integrating MediaWiki tools for dealing with spam and vandalism (AbuseFilter and Spam Blacklist) into Flow, a new wiki discussion system. We also launched an updated visual design and user interface for Flow, based on the first round of experienced user feedback last month, as well as ongoing user testing with new users. Lastly, we created a script to disable Flow and convert its content, so that we can begin testing Flow on two WikiProjects that volunteered on the English Wikipedia while being able to revert to wikitext if needed.
The Growth team improved the GettingStarted extension, in part to support local configuration for different Wikipedias. The latest version of GettingStarted and GuidedTour will be released in English and 23 other languages in early February. The team also completed several iterations of design and data analysis in support of upcoming work on Wikipedia article creation. We presented new designs for the Draft namespace, and completed a series of remote usability tests. We also finalized and published extensive quantitative analysis of trends in article creation across the largest Wikipedias.
During the last month, the Wikipedia Zero team worked on supporting secure HTTPS connections for partners in the Zero program, which allows mobile subscribers to access Wikipedia content at no data cost. We also continued to work on a proof of concept HTML5 web app for Firefox OS, fixed bugs in the legacy Firefox OS Wikipedia app, and prepared alpha functionality for the integration of Wikipedia Zero with the rebooted Android Wikipedia app. The team also met with the business development team to plan for partners and Wikipedia Zero-related work at large, and conducted tech facilitation to enable partner launches and align approaches with current and future partners.
The Mobile web projects team has been directing much of their attention over the last month at delivering a tablet-friendly mobile experience. We've added support for tables of contents, made some design improvements, and have worked towards making VisualEditor work on tablets (in alpha for now). We have also released our overlay UI improvements as well as an improved inline diff view for MobileFrontend into stable. Finally, we have also been working to expand our coverage of browser tests to facilitate quality assurance and help prevent the introduction of bugs and regressions.
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15 Tasty Bits of Pizza Slang
BY Emily Petsko
iStock.com/Radionphoto
Unless you’ve worked in a pizzeria, your pizza vocabulary is probably limited. But the crust-loving pros who are cooking up your favorite slices seem to have insider slang for everything, including whimsical terms for toppings and one-of-a-kind ways of describing regional pie styles. So if you’re looking up your pizza-talk game with words that go beyond ‘za, here’s a quick list of 15 terms you should know.
1. Tip sag
The dreaded tip sag is what you get when the pointy end of your pizza starts to droop. This most often occurs with top-heavy (and topping-heavy) pies, like Neapolitan-style pizzas with generous helpings of fresh mozzarella piled on top.
2. Avalanche
An avalanche is what occurs when all the toppings slide off your pizza as soon as you pick it up. This tends to happen when a pizza is still piping hot from the oven, so be smart and give it a minute to cool down.
3. Apizza
If you ever travel to New Haven, Connecticut, you might hear the locals order apizza (pronounced uh-BEETS). This refers to the local style of thin-crust pizza, which originated at the famous Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and has since become the area's pizza standard.
4. Grandma pie
This style of pizza is thick like a Sicilian pie, but with a thinner, denser crust. Although it likely originated in Long Island, you can now find it in pizzerias throughout New York City (and beyond).
5. Party-cut
iStock.com/Rawpixel
Also known as a tavern-cut, a party-cut describes any circular pizza that’s cut into a grid. The portions are smaller and typically square, which helps ensure that everyone at your Super Bowl party will get a piece of the pie.
6. All-dressed pizza
Order an all-dressed pizza in Montreal and you’ll get a deluxe pie with mushrooms, green peppers, and pepperoni on it. In Québec, it's known as a pizza tout garnie.
7. Flyers
Slices of pepperoni pizza are called flyers, reportedly because of the way they’re often tossed around like Frisbees.
8. Guppies
Depending on your perspective, guppies is either a really cute or really gross way to describe anchovies. Other slang words for the fishy topping include chovies, carp, penguin food, and smellies.
9. Alpo
It’s not very appetizing, but crumbled sausage does kind of resemble dog food—hence the Alpo moniker. Other nicknames for the topping include Kibbles ‘n Bits and Puppy Chow, neither of which make the topping sound any more appetizing.
10. Screamers
iStock.com/kajakiki
Mushrooms are sometimes called screamers because of the high-pitched squeal the canned variety lets out when they’re tossed onto a hot surface.
11. Edgar Allan
What does a pizza with pepperoni and onions spell out? A PO pie—which is close enough in spelling to Edgar Allan Poe's last name that it gets tossed around in pizza kitchens on occasion. Sure, P-O or Po would be easier (and quicker) to say, but it’s not nearly as fun.
12. Blood pie
Also known as a hemorrhage, this gruesome term refers to a pizza with extra tomato sauce on it. Now please forget that we ever told you that.
13. Coastline
The coastline is that little bit of exposed sauce you can see between the sauce and the crust.
14. Mutz
iStock.com/svariophoto
Mutz is simply a quicker way of saying mozzarella. Likewise, wet mutz is fresh mozzarella.
15. Roadie
When you get a slice of pizza to-go, that’s a roadie. Enjoy it while it's still hot (but not so hot as to cause an avalanche)!
Food language Lists News pizza Words
10 Fascinating Facts About the Thesaurus for National Thesaurus Day
BY Suzanne Raga
(Updated: January 18, 2020)
iStock.com/LeitnerR
Writers often turn to a thesaurus to diversify their vocabulary and add nuance to their prose. But looking up synonyms and antonyms in a thesaurus can help anyone—writer or not—find the most vivid, incisive words to communicate thoughts and ideas. Since January 18 is Thesaurus Day, we’re celebrating with these 10 fascinating facts about your thesaurus.
1. Thesaurus comes from the Greek word for treasure.
Most logophiles consider the thesaurus to be a treasure trove of diction, but the word thesaurus really does mean "treasure." It derives from the Greek word thésauros, which means a storehouse of precious items, or a treasure.
2. The plural of thesaurus is thesauruses or thesauri.
How do you refer to more than one octopus? People say everything from octopuses to octopi to octopodes. Similarly, many people have trouble figuring out the correct plural form of the word thesaurus. Though thesauri is technically correct—it attaches a Latin suffix to the Latin word thēsaurus—both thesauri and thesauruses are commonly used and accepted today.
3. Early thesauruses were really dictionaries.
Ask a French scholar in the 16th century to see his thesaurus, and he'd gladly give you a copy of his dictionary. In the early 1530s, a French printer named Robert Estienne published Thesaurus Linguae Latinae, a comprehensive Latin dictionary listing words that appeared in Latin texts throughout an enormous span of history. And in 1572, Estienne's son Henri published Thesaurus Linguae Graecae, a dictionary of Greek words. Although the Estiennes's books were called thesauruses, they were really dictionaries comprised of alphabetical listings of words with their definitions.
4. A Greek historian wrote the first book of synonyms.
Philo of Byblos, a Greek historian and grammarian, wrote On Synonyms, a dictionary of synonyms that scholars consider to be the first ancient thesaurus. Dating to the late 1st century or early 2nd century CE, the book lists Greek words that are similar in meaning to each another. Sadly, we don’t know much more about On Synonyms because copies of the work haven’t survived over the centuries.
5. An early Sanskrit thesaurus was written in the form of a poem.
In the 4th century CE, an Indian poet and grammarian named Amara Sinha wrote The Amarakosha, a thesaurus of Sanskrit words. Rather than compile a boring list of similar words, Amara Sinha turned his thesaurus into a long poem. Divided into three sections—words relating to the divine, the earth, and everyday life—The Amarakosha contains verses so readers could memorize words easily. This thesaurus is the oldest book of its kind that still exists.
6. A British doctor wrote the first modern thesaurus.
Thomas Pettigrew, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain
Peter Mark Roget is the British doctor credited with authoring the first modern thesaurus. In 1805, he began compiling a list of words, arranged by their meaning and grouped according to theme. After retiring from his work as a physician in 1852, Roget published his Thesaurus of English words and phrases; so classified and arranged as to facilitate the expression of ideas and assist in literary composition. Today, Roget’s Thesaurus is still commercially successful and widely used. In fact, we celebrate Thesaurus Day on January 18 because Roget was born on this day in 1779.
7. The thesaurus has a surprising link to a mathematical tool.
Joe Haupt, Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0
The division between "words people" and "numbers people" is deep-seated. Many mathematicians may try to steer clear of thesauruses, and bibliophiles may avoid calculators, but the thesaurus is actually linked to a mathematical tool. Around 1815, Roget invented the log-log slide rule, a ruler-like device that allows users to easily calculate the roots and exponents of numbers. So while the inventor of the thesaurus was compiling words for his tome, he was also hard at work on the log-log slide rule. A true jack-of-all-trades.
8. The Oxford English Dictionary has its own historical thesaurus.
In 1965, a professor of English Language at Glasgow University suggested that scholars should create a historical thesaurus based on entries in the Oxford English Dictionary. The project was a massive undertaking, as people from multiple countries worked for 44 years to compile and classify words. Published in 2009, the Historical Thesaurus to the Oxford English Dictionary contains 800,000 words organized by theme and date. The thesaurus covers words and synonyms from Old English to the present day and lets readers discover when certain words were coined and how long they were commonly used.
9. One artist turned his love of words into a series of thesaurus paintings.
Mel Bochner, "Crazy," 2004. Francesca Castelli, Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
In 2014, the Jewish Museum in New York showed a survey of conceptual artist Mel Bochner’s art. Bochner had incorporated words and synonyms in his paintings for years—which were collectively referred to as the thesaurus paintings—featuring word paintings and lists of synonyms on canvas. The brightly colored paintings feature different groups of English and Yiddish synonyms. According to Bochner, Vietnam and Iraq war veterans cried after seeing his thesaurus painting Die, which features words and phrases such as expire, perish, succumb, drop dead, croak, go belly up, pull the plug, and kick the bucket.
10. There's an urban thesaurus for all your slang synonym needs.
Effie Yang, Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Urban Dictionary helps people decipher the latest slang terms, but where should you go when you need a thesaurus of slang? Urban Thesaurus, of course. The site, which is not affiliated with Urban Dictionary, indexes millions of slang terms culled from slang dictionaries, then calculates usage correlations between the terms. Typing in the word money, for example, gives you an eclectic list of synonyms including scrilla, cheddar, mulah, coin, and bling.
books holidays language Lists News Words writing
'Turdsworth': Lord Byron’s Not-So-Affectionate Nickname for William Wordsworth
BY Ellen Gutoskey
GeorgiosArt/iStock via Getty Images
For those of you who thought William Wordsworth was a not-so-subtle pseudonym meant to further the literary brand of a certain 19th-century poet, think again: William Wordsworth’s real name was actually William Wordsworth.
The fitting, alliterative moniker makes it hard to forget that Wordsworth was a wordsmith, but it also made him an easy target for mockery at the hands of other Romantic era writers.
Some of it was the type of clever wordplay you might expect from England’s elite poets. In an essay for the London Review of Books, Michael Wood highlights the time that Samuel Taylor Coleridge sent his poem “The Nightingale” to Wordsworth, writing, “And like an honest bard, dear Wordsworth/You’ll tell me what you think, my Bird’s worth.”
While Coleridge’s witty rhyme poked fun at Wordsworth in a playful way, not all of his contemporaries were quite so kind. As Literary Hub points out, Lord Byron referred to Wordsworth as “Turdsworth.”
Byron’s jab sounds like something you’d hear at an elementary-school kickball game, but, then again, the eccentric poet was never one to adhere to anybody’s expectations—during college, for example, he often walked his pet bear around the grounds.
As for the word turd itself, it’s been around much longer than you might have realized. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, it derives from the Old English word tord, meaning “piece of excrement,” and it’s been used as a personal insult ever since the 15th century.
If fecal-themed nicknames aren’t really your thing, here are 42 other Old English insults that you can fling with abandon.
[h/t Literary Hub]
History language literature News poetry Words writing
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Repurposed drums hazardous at home, in workplace
Steel drums with only a small amount of flammable residue or vapor inside have exploded, injuring and killing scores of people.
Repurposed drums hazardous at home, in workplace Steel drums with only a small amount of flammable residue or vapor inside have exploded, injuring and killing scores of people. Check out this story on jsonline.com: https://jsonl.in/2z86ZzS
Rick Barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Published 6:00 a.m. CT Dec. 13, 2017 | Updated 11:41 a.m. CT Dec. 29, 2017
The welding mask that Andrew Nicholson wore while welding a handle on a 55-gallon steel drum was shattered when the drum exploded and killed him. The May 19 accident was at Holly Automotive, in Holly, Mich., but Nicholson was working on the drum for use at home.(Photo: State of Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs)
They’re often presumed to be safe because they’re empty, but steel drums with only a small amount of flammable residue or vapor inside have exploded, injuring and killing scores of people, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation found.
Here's a sampling of accidents, including ones at homes and businesses, over the past 10 years.
Nov. 21: Two people in Georgetown, S.C., were injured when a 55-gallon drum they were working on exploded. Old oil residue sparked by a cutting tool was the cause, The Sun News in Myrtle Beach reported.
Sept 28: Three people in Rockland, Maine, were injured when the 55-gallon drum they were using for a work stand caught fire from the sparks of a grinding tool and exploded.
The drum had once contained acetone, but the workers thought it was vented enough to be safe, said Rockland Fire Chief Chris Whytock. One of the three suffered third-degree burns.
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May 19: Andrew Nicholson was welding a handle on a 55-gallon drum that he may have gotten from a salvage business when it blew up and he was killed.
It was shortly after 5 p.m. at Holly Automotive Supply in Holly, Mich. Nicholson, a delivery driver, had just finished his shift.
He took the shop welding equipment into a back room used for storing parts and started working on the sealed drum, its previous contents unknown. Sparks ignited vapor in the drum, and it exploded in Nicholson’s face, shattering his protective mask.
Shop employees said he had planned to use the container at home and no one knew he was working on it until the explosion shook the building.
Andrew Nicholson, an employee at Holly Automotive in Holly, Mich., was welding a handle on this 55-gallon steel drum when it exploded and killed him on May 19. Sparks ignited unknown chemical vapor in the drum. (Photo: State of Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs)
Sept. 17, 2016: A Milton, N.H., man was seriously injured when a 55-gallon drum exploded at his rural home while he was using a grinder to cut the container. A second man suffered minor injuries, the Rochester Times reported.
The explosion could be heard throughout the area, the newspaper reported.
Aug. 24, 2014: A Michigan man was hospitalized with burns to his face and arms when a steel drum he was welding on in his garage exploded — sending the drum through the wooden garage door.
He was making a lawn roller, the Grand Rapids Press reported.
April 26, 2013: A Kingman, Ind., tire shop employee was severely burned when a cutting torch he was using on scrap metal ignited fumes in a nearby chemical drum.
The explosion threw the man back 20 feet and the barrel 60 feet in the air, the Journal and Courier newspaper reported. He suffered burns over 70% of his body.
Nov. 4, 2012: A San Francisco Fire Department employee was welding a spigot on a 50-gallon drum used to store motor oil when it exploded. He suffered burns but was released from the hospital the same day.
Aug. 30, 2012: A Loraine, Ohio, man was seriously injured when a steel drum exploded as he was cutting it to make a barbecue grill.
The drum was labeled “denatured alcohol-flammable,” according to the Loraine Morning Journal.
March 23, 2011: David Martinez of West Springfield, Mass., was killed when he accidentally ignited the flammable vapors inside a 55-gallon drum of cleaning fluid at the car detailing business where he worked.
Martinez, 33, was talking on his cellphone, placing an order with a chemical supplier, when he used his cigarette lighter to peer inside the drum, which contained a tire-shine product.
Investigators said the force of the explosion killed Martinez and sent the drum approximately 25 feet into the air, where it hit the ceiling.
Fuentes Enterprises, where Martinez worked, was cited for six serious workplace safety violations, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The company, and the car dealership where the accident occurred, reached a settlement with OSHA for a combined $20,000 in fines.
July 24, 2009: Frank Guzman was killed while pumping cleaning solution from a 55-gallon plastic drum into quart-sized containers at Brody Chemical Co. in West Valley City, Utah.
The chemical was thick, so the company kept it under pressure to get it out of the drum. Guzman was pressurizing the drum when it burst, shooting the lid into his head and chest. He was dead before emergency crews arrived, Utah safety officials said.
Guzman, 63, was a Purple Heart recipient during the Vietnam War.
Brody Chemical, which manufactures cleaning products, was issued $3,000 in penalties for two safety violations. The company did not return a Journal Sentinel call.
Feb. 11, 2009: Two Tucson, Ariz., men making a barbecue grill from an old 55-gallon kerosene drum were injured when it exploded as they were cutting it with an electric saw.
Vapor in the drum was ignited by sparks from the saw, the Arizona Daily Star reported.
June 24, 2007: A 55-gallon drum in a truck trailer exploded, triggering a large fire and a string of explosions at a Richmond, Mo., chemical plant.
The fire and explosions prompted the evacuation of a six-block radius of homes and businesses, the Kansas City Star reported.
The blaze spewed plumes of black smoke several hundred feet in the air. Five fire departments worked for about four hours to fight the fire.
The material in the barrels was an epoxy, a substance often associated with adhesives and coatings.
Read or Share this story: https://jsonl.in/2z86ZzS
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Two Badgers football players have a way to go in their recovery from ACL tears
Tight end Zander Neuville should be ready for UW's opener. Tailback Bradrick Shaw might need more time. Both players are coming off ACL injuries.
Two Badgers football players have a way to go in their recovery from ACL tears Tight end Zander Neuville should be ready for UW's opener. Tailback Bradrick Shaw might need more time. Both players are coming off ACL injuries. Check out this story on jsonline.com: https://jsonl.in/2qFq6f3
, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Published 5:35 p.m. CT April 17, 2018
Tight end Zander Neuville suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in Wisconsin's 2017 regular-season finale.(Photo: Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)Buy Photo
MADISON – When Wisconsin began its 13th practice of the spring early Tuesday morning inside the McClain Center, tight end Zander Neuville and tailback Bradrick Shaw were once again absent.
While the UW staff ran the players through individual and team drills, Neuville and Shaw were in the midst of their own routine: rehab and lifting.
Neuville, who will be a fifth-year senior, and Shaw, who will be a redshirt junior, have been out since the 2017 regular-season finale at Minnesota. Neuville suffered a torn ACL in his right knee and Shaw suffered one in his left.
Neuville appears on track to be cleared to participate in summer workouts in June. Shaw should be ready to participate when preseason camp opens in late July or early August but probably won’t be ready for full-contact work.
“If you know anything about him, you know he is doing every little thing possible,” tight ends coach Mickey Turner said of Neuville, a former walk-on from Waupaca. “If anything, he is ahead of schedule.”
Neuville had nine catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns last season. With 39 games on his resume, Neuville will be UW’s most experienced tight end next season.
Because of that experience, Turner believes he can ease Neuville back into full-contact duty in camp.
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“It is one of those injuries – and he has had so many reps – that we want to be really smart,” Turner said. “He knows a lot. I know he can execute it. I want to make sure he is as healthy as he can be by the time we have things flying around.
“I anticipate him going into summer full-speed, but he’s not a guy I am going to keep after and do wind sprints with.”
Shaw missed three games because of injury last season and finished with 365 yards and three touchdowns on 96 carries.
Unlike Neuville, Shaw walks with a significant limp. His left leg is smaller than his right because of atrophy.
“He’s got a ways to go but they tell me he will be ready when we start practice in camp,” running backs coach John Settle said of Shaw.
Shaw, according to Settle, probably won’t be ready for full-contact work until sometime close to the Aug. 31 opener.
If that is the case, Shaw will have to work his way back into playing shape during nonconference play.
“Hopefully by the time we hit conference play he’ll be ready,” Settle said. “I know he is working hard at it. We need him somewhere down the stretch.”
Settle hopes to enter camp with a plethora of healthy tailbacks, including Jonathan Taylor, Taiwan Deal, Chris James, Garrett Groshek and freshman Nakia Watson.
Head coach Paul Chryst and Settle believe Watson, 6-foot and 226 pounds, is physically mature enough to play immediately. Watson has already reached out to Taylor to ask what he needs to do to be prepared to play as a freshman.
“He is a lot like Jonathan,” Settle said. “He has a (plan), a different mindset.”
James (ankle) and Deal (hamstring) are both out but both should be ready for summer workouts.
Deal in particular was playing well until he strained his left hamstring on April 12.
“He was having his best practices since we have been here,” Settle said of Deal. “He looked like a big-time back in everything – protections, route-running, running the ball and special teams.”
What made the injury more frustrating for Deal was that he missed all of last season after suffering an injury to his surgically repaired right ankle in late August.
“He was having a great spring and he was out there enjoying the game because he had missed a whole season,” Settle said. “He was enjoying it and you could see it.”
Deal, 6-1 and 225, has been limited to a total of 16 games at UW. If he can avoid injury next season, he could provide UW with a powerful back with speed.
“If he comes back and continues to play at the level he was at, he will be in the mix,” Settle said. "He will have his opportunities.”
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Vote for the Journal Sentinel's prep athlete of the week
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Redevelopment Agency SERAF Payment Requirements Upheld; CRA Will Appeal
In a setback for redevelopment agencies, Judge Lloyd Connelly ruled today to deny petitions seeking to overturn AB 26 x4 which mandates a statewide contribution from redevelopment agencies equal to an aggregate $1.7 billion during fiscal year 2009-10 and an additional $350 million in fiscal year 2010-11. The 2009-10 payments are due to county auditor-controllers on May 10. In the 24-page ruling, the court denied the California Redevelopment Association’s (CRA) petition to stay the transfer of funds; however, the CRA Board of Directors has announced that it will file an appeal to the ruling, and will again seek a stay pending the appeal.
Redevelopment agencies should be advised that as detailed in prior e-alerts, the legislation imposes a number of sanctions on agencies that fail to timely pay or arrange for payment of the SERAF payment on the agency’s behalf. CRA has advised redevelopment agencies to hold payments until the status of the stay request can be determined. Meyers Nave is monitoring developments and will provide updated information as it becomes available.
Summary of the Ruling
No constitutional violation. CRA and other petitioners had argued that by requiring a transfer of tax increment funds to school districts, AB 26 x4 violates the state constitution because it requires redevelopment agencies to expend tax increment funds for purposes inconsistent with redevelopment. However, Judge Connelly ruled that the legislature has broad discretion to define the meaning of redevelopment and the scope of indebtedness that redevelopment agencies may incur. The ruling acknowledges that absent special circumstances, courts may not set aside or disregard the legislature’s determination of facts justifying statutory enactments unless the determination is clearly erroneous or “palpably arbitrary,” and further states that there is no case law that has restricted the legislature’s past exercise of its discretion to control and direct redevelopment agencies’ use of tax increment funds. With respect to AB 26 x4, the court held that the legislative findings “delineate a reasonable basis in fact and logic relating the achievement of economic and residential redevelopment objectives to the use of RDA’s SERAF payments to maintain adequate school programs that attract residents, support new businesses and generate employment in redevelopment areas.”
No impairment of contracts. The court held that the SERAF payment obligations do not constitute an impairment of contracts, finding that the SERAF requirements will not inevitably impair tax increment pledges and that the payments are subordinate to pledges securing payment of bonded indebtedness. The court supported this view by noting that agencies can avoid default under existing obligations by using existing unencumbered fund balances or by borrowing other funds to make the SERAF payment, noting that the legislation permits redevelopment agencies to meet the SERAF payment obligations by borrowing funds from a joint powers entity, from the local legislative body, or from the agency’s own low- and moderate-income housing fund. In addition, the court noted that if an agency becomes subject to sanctions for failure to make the SERAF payments, it may, nonetheless, continue to make payments on existing indebtedness and contractual obligations.
No violation of Propositions 1A, 13 or 4. The court rejected petitioners’ contention that AB 26 x4 violates Proposition 1A because property taxes would be improperly diverted from local taxing entities if an agency extends the life of a redevelopment plan as permitted by the legislation. The court also rejected the argument that the legislation violates Proposition 13 by directing the allocation of property taxes for the purpose of reimbursing state contributions to state-funded services. In addition, referring again to the legislative determination that the SERAF payments serve redevelopment purposes, the court rejected the argument that by requiring redevelopment funds to be used for purposes that primarily benefit the state, AB 26 x4 violates the annual appropriation limitation applicable to local governments.
No violation of equal protection; no violation of Proposition 98. The court rejected petitioners’ argument that AB 26 x4 will create disparities in educational funding because it directs tax increment revenue to only certain schools. The court found that the intent of AB 26 x4 is to support schools that serve students who reside in redevelopment project areas or in housing assisted by redevelopment agencies, and that the focus of AB 26 x4 is on the “adequacy of school programs and operations, not on individual students attending the schools.” The court also noted that California’s complex educational funding process can be expected to eliminate funding inequities with respect to schools that receive SERAF funds. Similarly, the court rejected the petitioners’ argument that SERAF funds cannot lawfully offset the state’s obligation under Proposition 98 to fund school districts because the funds are intended to support only students residing in redevelopment areas and assisted housing. The court noted again that the SERAF payments are intended to support schools, not individual students.
No gift of public funds. The petitioners argued that the transfer of SERAF payments violates the public funds doctrine because the transfer benefits the recipient schools, but not the redevelopment agency. In rejecting this argument, the court relied on the legislative findings that the SERAF payments benefit redevelopment of the project area, and thereby serve redevelopment purposes.
No violation of special fund doctrine. Again relying on the legislative findings and intent that the SERAF payments benefit redevelopment, the court determined that AB 26 x4 does not violate the constitutional requirement that tax increment funds be deposited into a special fund dedicated to redevelopment purposes.
CRA will appeal.
The CRA Board of Directors has unanimously voted to appeal the ruling and to seek a stay of the payment requirements pending the appeal. John Shirey, Executive Director of CRA, said: “We strongly disagree with Judge Connelly’s ruling which effectively says the Legislature has unlimited discretion to redirect local redevelopment funds to any purpose it wishes. Under that logic any state program could be called redevelopment. The Legislature needs to deal with its budget problems by making hard decisions using its own limited resources — not by taking away local government funds. Despite this ruling we continue to believe taking local redevelopment funds and using them to fund State obligations is unconstitutional.”
Meyers Nave will be closely monitoring this case and will provide further updates. For more information on this case or other redevelopment issues, contact Susan Bloch at 800.464.3559.
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Contact Us for a Free Consultation Today
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Charles A. Wallace
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James J. Morici, Jr.
Police & Firefighter Injuries
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Drunk Driving Accidents & Victims’ Rights
Free Consult with a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer: (312) 779-0366
Drunk driving has long been one of the leading causes of preventable car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving causes thousands of injuries and deaths each year, including nearly 30 deaths every day. In fact, the chance of being involved in an alcohol-related collision is roughly one in three over the course of a person’s life.
Because the risks of drunk driving are well known, and because driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal, drivers who cause accidents while impaired by alcohol can be held fully accountable for the harm they cause. Aside from criminal repercussions, drivers can be held liable in civil court by the victims they injure in drunk driving accidents. These civil personal injury cases are handled independently from criminal proceedings, and can allow victims and families to seek a financial recovery of their damages.
Morici, Figlioli & Associates has helped thousands of car accident victims throughout Chicago and the state of Illinois since 1998, including many who were harmed by impaired drivers. Our firm understands the devastation drunk driving accidents can cause, and we are passionate about protecting the rights of victims when they need it most.
Holding Drunk Drivers Liable
All motorists accept certain responsibilities when they get behind the wheel, including an obligation to take reasonable measures that keep others free from preventable harm. Drunk driving is not a reasonable measure, and is a clear breach of a driver’s legal duty. As such, victims have the right to pursue personal injury cases against drunk drivers who cause their accidents and injuries.
By highlighting the negligence of drunk drivers and demonstrating their failures to drive safely, our legal team works to establish fault and liability. When successful, personal injury claims can ensure that drunk drivers are held liable for a range of economic and noneconomic damages suffered by victims. These damages may include:
Medical bills and future medical expenses
Lost work wages and lost future income
Emotional anguish
Disability or impairment
In addition to compensation for injured victims, families may also be entitled to compensation. This is often the case in accidents that result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Because serious injuries and the loss of a loved one have a tremendous impact on families, they may also be entitled to compensation for their damages, including their emotional injuries, loss of companionship and support, and more.
Dram Shop & Social Host Liability
Most people are aware that drunk drivers can be held liable for the damages they cause, but few are aware that other parties may also be held liable when they play a role in contributing to a drunk driving accident. Under Illinois dram shop liability laws, DUI victims can seek damages against alcohol vendors, including drinking establishments and bars. Unlike most states that require victims to prove that a drinking establishment over served a patron who was clearly and visibly intoxicated, Illinois does not have stipulations for how an alcohol provider serves its customers. It is enough that the drinking establishment served the alcohol which caused intoxication and subsequently the accident and injuries.
In addition to dram shop liability, many states allow DUI victims to seek damages from social hosts who provide alcohol at private gatherings to guests who later cause drunk driving accidents. Unfortunately, Illinois does not permit claims for social host liability in most cases. However, there is limited social host liability if the intoxicated person served by a private host was a minor under the age of 21.
Because our legal team explores all avenues for compensation, we carefully evaluate cases to determine if dram shop liability applies. Should it be possible for victims to pursue compensation from an alcohol vendor, we work to establish how a driver was served alcohol, became intoxicated as a result, and caused injuries. Our goal in every case is to maximize compensation for our clients, and dram shop liability can often prove essential in achieving this objective.
Learn More About Your Rights During a Case Evaluation
Drunk driving is an unlawful, negligent, and overwhelmingly reckless act, and it should never be tolerated. If you or someone you love has been harmed in a motor vehicle collision involving a drunk driver, or a driver who was under the influence of drugs, our Chicago car accident attorneys at Morici, Figlioli & Associates are available to help you learn more about your right to financial compensation and what we can do to help.
For a FREE consultation, call (312) 779-0366.
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Why Hire
Misdemeanor Assault
Felony Offenses
Dedicated to Defending Assaultive Crimes Countless Cases Won Based on Our Refusal to Lose
Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony Criminal Defense Attorney in Michigan
Fighting for the Rights You Deserve
Assault with intent to commit a felony is an extremely harsh crime, one which will result in serious consequences if you are convicted of such. Be mindful: if you are facing assault with intent to commit a felony charge, you are facing the possibility of serious prison time, rather than the standard maximum of 93 days in county jail simple assault, simply because of a distinct legal technicality which pales in comparison to the difference in the punishment you face.
Under Michigan law, the general crime of assault with intent to commit a felony means you face up to 10 years in state prison and as much as $5,000.00 in fines, with even more time possible if the prosecutor happens to be charging you as a Habitual Offender. Michigan law has also earmarked certain felonies for special treatment with specific statues, including even harsher potential punishment. Here are a few examples:
Assault with intent to commit armed robbery: LIFE in state prison
Assault with intent to commit unarmed robbery: 15 years in state prison
Assault with intent to commit sexual penetration: 10 years in state prison
Assault with intent to commit sexual contact: 5 years in state prison
Assault with intent to maim: 10 years in state prison
Under the Michigan assault law, an “assault” is nothing more than an unsuccessful attempt to touch someone in a harmful or offensive way, or an action which makes a person believe you are going to touch them in such way. No actual touching is required. Even unsuccessfully attempting to hug or kiss someone can meet Michigan’s definition of assault.
Taking Michigan’s broad and very inclusive definition of simple assault, all the prosecutor needs to do is find “evidence” to allow them to suggest when you allegedly assaulted your accuser, you had the intent to commit a felony. By charging you with assault with intent to commit a felony, the prosecutor has announced he or she intends to ask a Judge or Jury to convict you based on their guess what you were thinking at a particular moment in time.
Unfortunately, the Michigan law on assault with intent to commit a felony states the Judge or Jury can look at all evidence of the facts and circumstances of the event in order to assume what your private thoughts and intentions are; you can be sent to prison for a decade or more because your Judge or Jury was asked to do what advanced technology is still unable to do – and got it wrong.
The law in Michigan is also definitively clear the “felony” you allegedly intended to commit can be ANY felony under Michigan law. Michigan has over 1,300 felony charges, and they include such simple things as two divorced people reconciling and moving-in together again, adultery, or even using a self-defense spray device. Remember, they’re only alleging you intended to commit the felony – the fact you didn’t actually commit the alleged felony, or any felony, is IRRELEVANT.
Contact our Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
When you are facing assault with intent to commit a felony charge, you absolutely must rely on the services we at Prain Law, PLLC can provide. Out Michigan criminal defense attorney understands the definition of intent under Michigan law inside and out; this will make all the difference in the world in your case. Our legal team understands what it takes to overcome the injustice of any charges you are facing.
Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation. Call (248) 731-4543.
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Second Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct NOT GUILTY - Another Victory Jan 18, 2020 read more
Michigan Criminal Sexual Conduct Attorney - Can I Switch Attorneys? Jan 12, 2020 read more
CSC Defense Lawyer - Do I Need an Expert Witness for my Defense? Jan 05, 2020 read more
Criminal Sexual Conduct Cases with Female Perpetrators Nov 29, 2019 read more
Are Video Games to Blame for Criminal Sexual Conduct? Nov 26, 2019 read more
Lifelong Effects of a Fourth-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct Charge Oct 24, 2019 read more
Criminal Sexual Conduct Conviction & Effects on Immigration Oct 23, 2019 read more
Criminal Sexual Conduct in Macomb County, Michigan Oct 12, 2019 read more
What You Need to Know About Date Rape Oct 12, 2019 read more
17199 N Laurel Park Drive
Experienced Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer You Can Trust
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City Loses in Overtime to Vikings, 33-30
Football High School Michigan City Sports
City loses to Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings 33-30 in overtime in Friday night’s game at Ames Field.
By Kevin Harmon / August 25, 2018
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — Similarities of two heartbreaking defeats a season ago returned for Michigan City Friday.
Once again, a last-second pass was able to snatch a win away from the Wolves and allowed visiting Illinois Class 8A No. 4 Homewood-Flossmoor to escape with a 33-30 victory in overtime.
Vikings quarterback Dominick Jones’ 11-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Stanback on the final play of overtime sealed the thrilling win and set off a wild celebration on the Homewood-Flossmoor sideline.
“It’s frustrating, I’m at a loss,” Wolves coach Phil Mason said. “I’m broken because it has happened to us three times. Valpo, LaPorte and now this.”
Michigan City, the No. 3 team in the Indiana Class 5A coaches poll stood up to the challenge against the perennial Illinois powerhouse.
“We got Michigan City in overtime against one of the top 50 teams in the country in two years,” Mason said. “Our defense played unbelievable all night. For that team not being able to run the ball on us, for them to have to go into the sets, the wildcat sets that they had to go into to move the football says a lot about what we were doing defensively.”
The Wolves had to overcome an early first quarter 14-0 hole A blown coverage in the defensive secondary led to Homewood’s Jones finding a wide open Maurion Scott for a 60-yard touchdown pass. Moments later Wolves quarterback Bryce Hayman took an unfortunate hit causing a fumble that was scooped up by H-F’s Charlie Brooks for a 34-yard TD return.
Michael Bradford scored on a 3-yard run to get City on the board in the second quarter.
After trailing 21-7 at the half, the Wolves defense held on Homewood’s first possession of the second half. Kameron Muhammad started the third quarter rally with his 6-yard scoring run. Then Lyric McFarrin received a shanked punt and returned it 50 yards to close the gap to 21-19.
The Vikings answered by running several plays out of the wildcat formation aided by a questionable late hit penalty by Wolves safety Marquan Hurt to set up a 10 yard TD run by H-F’s Cameron Wright. A bad snap on the extra point kept it a one-score game at 27-19.
City finally tied the game 27-27 on a Hayman to Zenon Wilhelm 51 yard pass and a Hayman to Justin Wozniak pass for the two-point conversion with 7:42 left in regulation.
The Wolves continued to hold defensively was able to get the last possession of regulation at its own 49 with 2:35 on the clock. A pass interference penalty put City in field goal range. But on the next play, Hayman attempted a sideline pass that was picked off by Homewood’s LaVoise McCoy to end the threat with 19 seconds to go.
Homewood won the coin toss for the overtime period and elected to defend. The Wolves scored first taking it’s only lead of the game on Riley Shreve’s 22-yard field goal. The H-F defense was able to keep City out of the end zone despite a pass interference call during the goal line sequence before the ensuing game-winning series.
“We hang our hat on our defense, Homewood-Flossmoor coach Craig Buzea said. “They had their backs against the wall at the end of the game, and they reacted when we needed them to.”
It was Homewood-Flossmoor’s season-opening game while the Wolves fall to 1-1 heading into the Duneland Conference schedule with a visit to Chesterton next Friday.
It’s That Time Of Year! Pioneer Days In Michigan City
By David Davenport / September 21, 2018
Wolves’ Offense Struggled Against Vikings
By Luis Izquierdo / September 8, 2018
Get Excited For The Upcoming Washington Park “Zoo-B-Que”
Marquette Class of 2020 Invited to World War II Themed Excursion
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Phone: 574-533-9151 Email: sales@mightymics.com
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CAD 1600VP
The 1600VP is a continuously-variable pattern condenser hanging microphone system with remote polar control and anti-rotational positioning mount. The variable polar pattern with remote control allows the user to precisely adjust the shape of the pick-up pattern for best performance from a remote location. Utilizing a two-conductor shielded cable (max length 2,000 feet) between the microphone head and the pattern control box, the user can adjust the polar pattern in real time without changing capsules, microphone positions, or inducing noise in the audio chain.
Special attention has been given to the frequency response and sensitivity of the microphone while utilizing the variable-pattern control to precisely alter the shape of the pick-up pattern. The large diameter, low-noise elements produce a frequency response of 40Hz to 20KHz with a selectable, recessed 80Hz, 12dB/octave high-pass filter that removes unwanted low-frequency energy when engaged. The filter control is conveniently located on the control box.
The microphone head is made of commercial grade aluminum, the control box is made of hardened steel, both manufactured in the USA. The microphone head is painted matte black for an unobtrusive yet stylish appearance. The remote polar pattern control box can be mounted in a single rack unit shelf with optional accessories. Up to six control boxes can be mounted in one rack unit - Astatic RU1. The polar pattern dial is positioned for easy adjustment on the fly and can be secured with a single “Flat Style” blank panel when rack mounted.
The 1600VP has been designed to resist interference from devices such as cell phones, two-way communication devices and lighting apparatus. Utilizing our RF Resistant Architecture, the 1600VP meets the stringent RF standards set by the European Union (see the specification section for more information).
The 1600VP comes complete with 30' (9.1m) of two-conductor shielded cable terminated with a TA3F type connector and XLRM-type connector. Also included with the microphone system is a 3-pin XLRF connector on a stainless steel duplex wall plate, exclusive articulating steel hanger, and anti-twist thread and rods.
The 1600VP is primarily designed for recording and sound reinforcement of choirs, instruments and ambient miking. The 1600VP can also be used for vocal pick-up in government, institutional and business applications. The 1600VP is designed to be suspended from a ceiling. The optional miniature-boom (MB-1), allows the microphone system to be used on a free-standing microphone post.
The 1600VP microphone system is designed to shorten the list of products an audio designer needs to consider when hanging microphones are specified. The remote variable polar pattern control allows the installer or end user the ability to change polar patterns when installed or from scene to scene. Adjustments to the pick-up pattern can be done on the fly without costly lifts, ladders and capsules. Choose the 1600VP for your next overhead microphone install.
CAD 1600VP Microphone
Pattern Control Box
Choir Overheads
Operating Principle:.........Condenser
Polar Pattern:...............Continuously-Variable
Output Connection:...........TA3F type connector and XLRM-type connector
Frequency Response:..........40-20,000 Hz
Phantom Power Requirements:..+48V
Impedance:...................135 ohms
Sensitivity:.................-29dBV (35mV) @ 1Pa
Audio Technica AE2500
The ultimate kick-drum mic, the Artist Elite AE2500 dual-element instrument microphone features cardioid condenser and dynamic capsules combined in one housing. The dynamic element delivers the aggressive attack of the beater; the condenser captures the round tonalities of the shell. Two layers of resistive mesh form multiple densities over the dynamic element’s side-entry ports, exercising precise control over the time at which off-axis signals arrive at the diaphragm. The condenser diaphragm is optimally tensioned and aged for long-term consistency and stability.
Audio Technica AE2500 Microphone
Isolation Clamp
16.5' 5-pin to 2 3-pin connectors
Protective Pouch
Kick Drum
Bass Cabinet
Revolutionary dual-element design represents a ground-breaking transducer achievement
Two elements (condenser and dynamic) are enclosed in a single housing
Dynamic element delivers the aggressive attack of the beater while the condenser captures the round tonalities of the shell
Elements are positioned in a perfect phase relationship, something practically unachievable with two separate microphones
Robust design for enduring dependability on the road
Integral 80 Hz HPF switch and 10 dB pad on condenser element
Includes isolation clamp for shock protection, secure mounting and easy positioning
Includes a 16.5' (5 m) cable (5-pin XLRF to two standard 3-pin XLRM connectors) for separate control over each element
Operating Principle:.........Condenser, Dynamic
Polar Pattern:...............Cardioid
Output Connection:...........5-pin XLR
Frequency Response:..........20-17,000 Hz (Condenser); 30-10,000 Hz (Dynamic)
Phantom Power Requirements:..11-52VDC (Condenser)
Impedance:...................100 ohms (Condenser); 600 ohms (Dynamic)
Dimensions:..................6.5" x 2.17"
Weight:......................13.8oz
Sensitivity:.................-51 dB (2.8 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa (condenser); -54 dB (1.9 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa (dynamic)
Switch:......................(Condenser Only) High-pass filter; 10 dB pad (nominal)
MXL Genesis Flagship Tube Microphone
The MXL Genesis is a masterfully engineered tube microphone with features and performance levels found in mics priced thousands of dollars more.
From intimate vocal recordings to fast-attacking rap, the Genesis cuts beautifully through the mix with spectacular detail.
Recording professionals and musicians are praising the Genesis for its clean highs, warm mids, and tight bottom-end, features attributed in part to the genuine Mullard 12AT7 tube.
MXL Genesis Microphone
MXL PF-004-G Gold Popfilter
Genesis Dedicated Power Supply
MXL 60 Shock mount
MXL-V69 Cable 1 15' Mogami® Cable (XLR 7-pin)
15' Mogami 3-Pin XLR Output Cable
MXL Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
Documentation and Certificate of Excellence
Vocal mic that gives singers a rich vintage sound
Vintage Mullard 12AT7 tube that gives classic tonality
Penetrating vocals that stay above the other tracks
Mogami cable and wiring for exceptional audio fidelity
Operating Priciple:..............Tube condenser mic (Mullard 12AT7)
Polar Pattern:...............................................................Cardioid
Output Connection:............................................................XLR
Frequency Response:..........................................20Hz - 20kHz
Power Requirements:............................110/220 VAC, 50-60Hz
.............................................Dedicated power supply included
Impedance:................................................................200 ohms
Dimensions:.........................59mm x 240mm/2.32 in. x 9.45 in.
Weight:.................................................................1.55 lbs/703g
Max Spl for 0.5% Distortion..130 dB/140 dB (0dB, -10 dB pad)
S/N Ratio:.....................................78 dB (Ref. 1Pa A-weighted)
Equivalent Noise.........................18 dB (A-weighted IEC 268-4)
AT4033/CL
The latest edition of the legendary AT4033 microphone, the side-address AT4033a offers low-noise, symmetrical, transformerless circuitry that results in exceptional transient response and clean output signals.
A studio classic and bluegrass favorite, the AT4033 cardioid studio condenser is the microphone that broke the US$1000-barrier in its class. A strong up-front presence characterizes the sonic signature of this 40 Series pro-audio classic.
The AT4033a’s 80Hz high-pass filter easily switches between flat frequency response and a low-end roll-off that diminishes ambient noise and popping with closely-miked vocals. Includes the AT8449a shock mount for superior isolation. *The AT4033a is the same microphone as the AT4033/CL. The AT4033a comes equipped with the AT8449a shock mount whereas the AT4033/CL included the AT8449 shock mount.*
AT4033 Microphone
AT8449a Shock Mount
Microphone Dust-Cover
Protective Carrying Case
Transformerless circuitry virtually eliminates low-frequency distortion and provides superior correlation of high-speed transients
Precision-machined, nickel-plated brass, acoustic element baffle provides enhanced element stability and optimal sensitivity
The 2-micron-thick, vapor-deposited gold diaphragm undergoes a five-step aging process so that the optimum characteristics achieved remain constant over years of use
Floating-construction capsule assembly provides isolation from noise and vibration
Open acoustical environment of the symmetrical housing assembly minimizes unwanted internal reflections
State-of-the-art surface-mount electronics ensure compliance with A-T's stringent consistency and reliability standards
Custom shock mount provides superior isolation
Operating Principle:..........Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
Output Connection:………..3-pin XLRM
Pantom Power Requirements:...48V DC, 3.2 mA typical
Dimensions:..................6.69" (170.0 mm) long,2.10" (53.4 mm) max diameter
Weight:......................13.4 oz (380 g)
Sensitivity:.................-32 dB (25.1 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
Switch:......................Flat, roll-off; 10 dB pad (nominal)
Samson Concert 288 Dual Handheld
Take The Worry Out Of Wireless.
Samson takes the worry out of wireless with the Concert 288 Handheld Wireless System. Offering easy setup, flawless operation and premium sound, it’s the ideal high-performance UHF wireless solution for vocal performances, presentations, educational applications and more where two users are needed.
The dual-channel, frequency-agile Concert 288 Handheld allows for up to 24 systems (48 performers) to operate simultaneously (region dependent). The Concert 288 Handheld gives both performers an impressive 300’ range of wireless operation between the transmitters and receiver, making the system ideal for large stages and crowd participation. To ensure interference-free performance, the Concert 288 Handheld features a true diversity design. If a drop out does occur, the receiver’s tone key triggers an Auto Mute function to eliminate any background noise until the signal is restored.
Featuring a user-friendly front panel, the CR288 Wireless Receiver provides the system with fast and easy setup. To find your optimal channel, the CR288 provides two Select buttons for auto syncing the receiver and transmitter channels via an infrared signal. The panel also contains a dual 7-segment LED to show the operating channels, two Volume knobs, two tuned antennas, as well as Ready and Peak indicators for optimal functionality and monitoring. The back of the receiver features two separate balanced XLR outputs for routing signals to two separate mixer channels, as well as a 1/4” unbalanced mix output that condense both signals to a single channel for a direct connection into a PA speaker.
The Concert 288 Handheld features two CH288 Handheld Transmitters with Q6 Dynamic Microphone capsules. These handheld mics bring maximum versatility to any dual-user application, particularly duet performances, as well as audience participation and interview situations. The transmitters, which can operate for up to eight hours on two AA batteries each, are engineered to the finest detail to provide the ultimate in sound reproduction.
With Samson’s Concert 288 Handheld Wireless System, advanced technology and total versatility combine to provide high-quality wireless performance wherever singers, presenters, educators and others need it.
Samson CO1U PRO
n 2005, Samson introduced the world’s first USB studio condenser microphone, the C01U. Today, we’re expanding on its revolutionary design with the new C01U Pro. Now with a headphone output for zero-latency monitoring and an improved signal-to-noise ratio, the C01U Pro ensures the natural warmth and detail of vocal and instrumental performances are captured in all your digital recordings.
The C01U Pro is the most convenient way to get high-quality audio on your computer. Its large, 19mm diaphragm captures all the subtle nuances of your voice in a variety of applications. Whether you’re a musician or aspiring video or podcast producer, the C01U Pro will instantly increase the audio quality of your musical recordings, YouTube videos and podcasts. It also makes for superior singer- songwriter demos and accurate speech-to-text results. In addition, the mic element is shock-mounted within a solid die-cast metal construction to minimize unwanted handling noise/vibrations on your recordings.
The C01U Pro comes complete with a tripod stand and swivel mount. The microphone features plug-and-play operation (no driver installation required) so you can start recording immediately. The C01U Pro is also compatible with iPads and iPhones (4S and later) using Apple’s Lightning USB Camera Adapter or Camera Connection Kit (30-pin).
C01U Pro Microphone
Swivel Mount
USB studio condenser microphone
Large, 19mm diaphragm ensures pristine studio-quality audio
Headphone output for zero-latency monitoring
Ideal for recording music, ADR work, Sound Foley, voiceovers, audio for YouTube videos
Vastly improves Skype, FaceTime, VoIP applications and speech-to-text dictation software
Supercardiod pickup pattern
Smooth, flat frequency response of 20Hz–18kHz
16-bit, 44.1/48kHz resolution
Solid die-cast metal construction
Shock-mounted mic element
Peak LED indicator
Plug-and-play, no driver installation required
Compatible with most recording software and apps
USB bus powered via Mac, PC or iPad
Includes tripod stand, swivel mount and USB cable
Samson Sound Deck Noise Cancellation Software (Mac OS X/Windows) available for purchase
Frequency Response......................................20Hz–18kHz
Digital Format........................16-bit, 44.1/48kHz resolution
Dimensions.................................................8.75”x5.5"x2.75"
Weight............................................................................1.5lb
Samson Concert 88 Wireless Microphone
Samson's Concert 88 Handheld Wireless System offers a high-performance UHF wireless solution where the freedom of mobility is a must. It's perfect for singers, business professionals, educators and others looking for stunning sound and versatility without cables.
The frequency-agile Concert 88 Handheld allows for up to 16 systems to operate simultaneously (region dependent) with up to 300' separating the receiver and transmitter. At the core of the system is the CR88 Wireless Receiver. Featuring a true diversity design, the CR88 minimizes signal dropouts during performance. If a dropout does occur, the CR88's tone key and auto mute functions eliminate any background noise until the signal is restored.
The CR88 receiver's front panel provides a Select button for auto syncing receiver and transmitter channels via an infrared signal. The panel also features a 7-segment Channel LED, Volume knob, Power button, two tuned antennas, as well as Audio and Ready indicators, for optimal functionality and monitoring. Balanced XLR and 1/4" outputs can be found on the receiver’s back panel.
The Concert 88 Handheld features the CH88 Handheld Transmitter with a Q6 Dynamic Microphone capsule. The transmitter, which can operate for up to eight hours on two AA batteries, is engineered to the finest detail to provide the ultimate in sound reproduction.
With Samson's Concert 88 Handheld Wireless System, advanced technology and total versatility combine to provide high-quality wireless performance wherever singers, business professionals, educators and others need it.
Samson SR350 Over-Ear Stereo Headphones
Hear the Difference.
Samson's SR350 Stereo Headphones provide quality bass performance and excellent sound isolation in a lightweight, over-ear design. The wide cushioning on its ear pads and adjustable headband provide serious comfort, while a low-profile fit makes the SR350s ideal for everything from home listening to fitness applications.
Ear Bud Upgrade
The SR350s are a solid introduction to the superior audio quality provided by over-ear headphones. They make an excellent gift for the music lovers still using their supplied smartphone ear buds.
Sound with Style
The SR350 are carefully contoured to the shape of the head for a secure, yet attractive fit. It's a look that works with any outfit or occasion you can think of.
Lightweight Listening
Featuring all lightweight components, the SR350s are ideal for a mobile lifestyle. Perfect for a variety of fitness and travel applications, these headphones offer hours of ultra-portable, fatigue-free listening for even your longest listening sessions.
1/4” Adapter
Lightweight design ideal for music recording, practice and listening
Powerful audio performance
Over-ear, closed back design with cushioned ear cups
35mm drivers with rare earth magnets
Adjustable padded headband
Driver:……….35mm drivers with rare earth magnets
Connection:………..1/8” or 1/4”
Frequency Response:..........20Hz–20kHz
Samson SR450 On-Ear Studio Headphones
Samson's SR450 On-Ear Studio Headphones offer exceptional sonic clarity in a lightweight, yet rugged design. The SR450s provide long listening comfort, a secure fit and a wide frequency range for dynamic and detailed audio performance.
Extremely lightweight with an ultra-durable headband, the SR450s are for those who refuse to leave their music behind. Their closed- back design reduces external noise, resulting in a dynamic listening experience even in crowded environments.
Sonic Style
The SR450s are carefully contoured to the shape of the head for a low-profile look. In addition, a fully adjustable headband allows for a secure, yet comfortable fit. From running to recording, the SR450s fit the bill.
Listen Longer
Voiced for reference-quality sound, the authentic frequency response of the SR450s help limit ear fatigue. Also, wide cushioning on the ear pads and headband provide added comfort for longer listening sessions.
Samson MediaOne BT3 Active Studio Monitors with Bluetooth
Samson's MediaOne BT3 Active Studio Monitors are the ideal speakers for all your multimedia needs and feature the ability to connect to your smart phone, laptop or tablet via Bluetooth.
Whether you're listening to music, producing tracks, watching videos or gaming, these monitors provide dynamic and reliable audio.
MediaOne BT3 monitors feature the highest quality components, a stylish new look and are packaged as a stereo pair.
Samson MediaOne BT3 Active Studio Monitor Pair
Watching videos
2-way active studio monitors with rear-vented, precision-tuned port enclosures (sold as a stereo pair)
Bluetooth connectivity to connect wireless music sources
3" copolymer woofers
1" silk dome tweeters
15 watts per channel RMS, 30 watts per channel Peak
Front panel LED indicator, level control, headphone output and stereo input
Back panel Bluetooth pairing button, RCA inputs, passive monitor terminals and AC power connector
AV shielded for multimedia applications
Passive crossover design for linear response from bottom to top
Sleek all-black satin vinyl finish
Metal grills protect woofer and tweeter components
Speaker cable included
Dimensions…………..10.47”x17.55”x7.83”
Weight:……………11.44 lbs
Samson Seven-Piece Dynamic Drum Mic System
Samson's DK707 7-Piece Drum Mic Kit is an essential collection of professional quality microphones designed to provide excellent sound for close-mic performance and recording environments.
Samson's Q71, Q72 & C02 Mics
The DK707 is a full-range microphone package for professional drummers. It includes one Q71 Kick Drum Microphone, four Q72 Instrument Microphones and two C02 Pencil Condenser Microphones. Featuring high SPL handling, the Q71 is optimized to capture the full essence of your bass drum. With a specialized frequency response, the Q72s help reproduce the natural tone and attack of your snare drums and toms. Lastly, the C02s are perfect for overhead and ambient miking applications.
With swivel-style adapters for each and every mic, as well as tension-mounted rim clips for the Q72s, the DK707 makes for quick and easy setup. And with the touring musician in mind, a deluxe hardshell carry case is also included.
(1) Q71 Kickdrum Microphone
(4) Q72 Instrument Microphones
(2) CO2 Pencil Condeser Microphones
Thanks to its incredible sound capabilities and versatile mounting solutions, the 7Kit 7-Piece Drum Mic Set is what drummers use to elevate their performance live and in the studio.
7-piece drum mic kit
One Q71 Kick Drum Microphone with swivel-style mic adapter
Four Q72 Instrument Microphone with swivel-style mic adapters and tension-mounted rim clips
Two C02 Pencil Condenser Microphones with shock-mounted swivel-style mic adapters
Includes hardshell carry case
Mighty Mics is committed to outstanding customer service.
Stay connected with Mighty Mics.
117 South 5th St., Goshen, IN 46528
sales@mightymics.com
Mighty Mics Microphones © Copyright 2020.
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Movie review: Touching teen romance ‘Five Feet’ falls ‘Apart’
Dana Barbuto More Content Now
Mar 14, 2019 at 11:45 AM Mar 14, 2019 at 11:45 AM
“No touching.” That’s the golden rule in the adolescent sob fest “Five Feet Apart.” It’s the story of two 17-year-olds falling in love while dealing with the doom and misery of cystic fibrosis. They’re not just fighting raging hormones; they’re fighting death from behind oxygen tubes, surgical masks, med carts and a nurse (Kimberly Hébert Gregory) bent on keeping them apart. “Stay away,” she warns. Cystic fibrosis patients must not come within 6 feet of other “CF-ers” to prevent the spread of deadly germs. But the two rebellious teens choose a closer proximity, hence the title.
Stella Grant (Haley Lu Richardson, “Support the Girls”) is adorable, smart and likes to be in control, even though her lungs are out of control. Her focus is on her daily regimen of meds and treatments, never taking her eyes off the prize: A lung transplant. While she’s in the hospital for a “tune-up,” in strolls the charming and handsome Will Newman (“Riverdale” heartthrob Cole Sprouse) and his “fluffy” hair. Will has a chip on his shoulder and a lax attitude toward his disease. “It’s just life. It’ll be over before you know it,” he says with typical cynicism. She’s a little country; he’s a little rock ‘n’ roll. Opposites attract. You know the drill. Except this isn’t your normal teen romance: The stakes are much higher. But you know the saying, where there’s a will.
Justin Baldoni (“Jane the Virgin”) directs a script by Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis that is surprisingly poignant for its first two acts, thanks mostly to Richardson and Sprouse, who make a cute couple. Eventually, it drifts off into the familiar territory of a sweet teen romance married to an “After-School Special.” It’s a mix of melodrama and rom-com tropes juiced by grand romantic gestures. There’s also a gay BFF, Poe (Moises Arias), another cystic fibrosis patient who steals his every scene.
Richardson is a delight and reminds me of Anna Kendrick. An actress on the rise, she’s far better than material requiring her to smile on cue, pontificate about life, death, mortality, scowl pensively into mirrors and to utter lines like: “I’m living for treatments instead of doing treatments so I can live.”
It all plays out to soft piano notes blatantly telling you when to feel sad, sadder, saddest. The filmmakers don’t stop there. They go to great lengths to toy with your emotions. In one scene, Will and Stella strip down to their underwear and show each other their surgical scars and access ports before pivoting to how much they yearn to kiss. It’s no wonder there wasn’t a dry eye in the house at the screening I attended. Except mine. I was far too occupied wondering why the parents are never around. Ditto for hospital security. Does no one see the teenager sitting on the roof with legs dangled over the side? Does no one hear the after-hours birthday dinner of lobster and champagne? The main adult is Gregory’s barb, a nurse with her own motivations for keeping the star-crossed lovers apart.
Full disclosure: I’m far from the target audience, but I love a good teen drama. I even recently indulged in the Luke Perry “90210” marathon. It’s hard to hate on a well-intended movie about life and love, but by the end, we’re neck-deep in Nicholas Sparks territory, with not a lifeline in sight.
Dana Barbuto may be reached at dbarbuto@patriotledger.com or follow her on Twitter @dbarbuto_Ledger.
Cast: Haley Lu Richardson, Cole Sprouse, Moises Arias, Kimberly Hébert Gregory.
(PG-13 for thematic elements, language and suggestive material.)
Grade: B-
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MugshotsOnline.com
Warren County, OH
Johnny Joseph Rhodus
Johnny Joseph Rhodus Mugshot
Name Johnny Joseph Rhodus
Location Lebanon, OH
Booking Date 06-29-2013
Booking Charges
OPERATING VEHICLE IMPAIRED
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Home runs rescue Rangers against Mariners
By T.R. Sullivan and Jim Hoehn
SEATTLE -- Rougned Odor led off the 11th inning with a home run off of Mariners reliever Mike Montgomery to give the Rangers a 2-1 victory on Saturday night. The first-pitch blast was his third homer run in the last six games."First pitch of the inning, fastball away and he
SEATTLE -- Rougned Odor led off the 11th inning with a home run off of Mariners reliever Mike Montgomery to give the Rangers a 2-1 victory on Saturday night. The first-pitch blast was his third homer run in the last six games.
"First pitch of the inning, fastball away and he got to it. It's frustrating, but that's baseball. That's how it works," Montgomery said. "I was just trying to get ahead with the fastball and it was just one of those situations where he was swinging early and he got to it."
The Rangers trailed 1-0 going into the ninth inning but Prince Fielder tied it up with a two-out home run off of Mariners closer Steve Cishek. More >
"It was a great game...a lot of fun," first baseman Mitch Moreland said. "Good pitching all through the game, defense, big hits. What a way to win a game. Prince stepped up big. Rougned stepped up big."
Both starters were outstanding. Mariners starter James Paxton, in his third start since being recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings. He allowed six hits, walked two and struck out seven while throwing 101 pitches.
"I thought Paxton threw the ball very well," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "Worked through a couple jams, had a couple stressful innings. But, he kept battling and did a really nice job to keep us there." More >
Rangers starter Colby Lewis went eight innings and allowed only a fifth-inning home run to Adam Lind. He allowed three hits, did not walk a batter and struck out three for his league-leading 11th quality start.
Platoon pays off: Lind, one of seven left-handed hitters in the lineup against Lewis, along with one switch-hitter, was in the lineup although the other first baseman, Dae-Ho Lee, homered twice on Friday. Lind's eighth homer gives the two of them 18 combined. Lee came on to pinch-hit for Lind in the 10th against left-hander Jake Diekman. After Lee was announced, the Rangers brought in right-hander Matt Bush, but Lee still punched a pinch single to right.
Hit runner costs run: The Rangers started the fourth inning with walks to Ian Desmond and Nomar Mazara but then got a bad break. Odor hit a sharp grounder that was headed to right field for a single but hit Mazara as he broke from first base. The ball was dead, Mazara was out, Odor had a single but Desmond had to stay at second base. He likely would have scored but the rally died as Ryan Rua hit into a force play and Prince Fielder struck out.
"That could have been a game-changing play," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said.
Missed grand salami: The Mariners had to the bases loaded with two out in the 10th inning when Ketel Marte launched a drive to deep right-center. It fell a few feet short of a game-winning grand slam as Mazara caught it on the warning track to end the inning. .
Fielder delivers: The Mariners were one strike away from winning. Cishek retired the first two batters in the ninth and went to a full-count on Fielder. But he left a sinker up to Fielder and he crushed it into the right-field seats for a game-tying home run. It was Fielder's fifth home run of the year.
"I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit and not miss it," Fielder said. "Anytime I can help out the team, it means a lot."
Cishek, who battled back to a full count after falling behind 3-0, said he was trying to go up and in on Fielder.
"I know he's been struggling this year, but I know he also has good power," Cishek said. "II just got a little arrogant and tried to stick one in there on him and it cost us the game." More >
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
In the Mariners 11th, Norichika Aoki was forced at second on Shawn O'Malley's attempted sacrifice bunt. Seattle challenged but the call was upheld after a review estimated at 59 seconds.
Rangers: Left-hander Cole Hamels pitches against the Mariners at 3:10 p.m. (CT) Sunday at Safeco Field. Hamels is 0-1 with a 4.82 ERA in his last three starts, matching the longest winless streak since he has been with the Rangers.
Mariners: Left-hander Wade Miley bounced back from a horrendous start (9 runs, 12 hits, 4 2/3 innings) to pick up his sixth win his last time out, allowing four hits over seven scoreless innings. In two starts against Texas this season, he has allowed 11 runs in 12 innings.
Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.
*T.R. Sullivan * has covered the Rangers since 1989 and for MLB.com since 2006.
Jim Hoehn is a contributor for MLB.com based in Seattle.
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MNN.com > Family > Pets
Why do cats love boxes so much?
Boxes aren't just fun and games. Those 4 cardboard walls offer safety and security — and a great place to swat at passersby.
Laura Moss
November 21, 2013, 10:41 a.m.
For a cat, a box offers hours of entertainment — and it doesn't hurt that they look cute in them too. (Photo: andrewpotter4/Shutterstock)
Cats love boxes: big boxes, small boxes, even items that resemble boxes, such as drawers, sinks and laundry baskets. But what is it about boxes that sends our feline friends into a frenzy?
Cats are instinctively drawn to boxes because they offer security. The confined space provides protection from predators, and it’s a great place to stalk prey while remaining virtually unseen.
Climbing onto, jumping into and hiding in boxes is simply part of a cat's natural behavior, so providing an empty box or two is an inexpensive way to enrich your pet’s environment.
Leave a box in a safe place for your cat to play. You can drop in a couple of favorite toys or cut a few holes in the side so he can peek through or stick out a paw to swat at toys — or people.
Boxes also offer safe, cozy places for felines to nap. Cats sleep 18 to 20 hours a day, so it makes sense they’d seek out places where they’d be safe from attack.
Place a blanket in a box that's about the right size for your cat and it will likely become one of his favorite places to nap. The confined space provides a sense of safety, and the sides of the box help maintain the animal’s body heat.
But while all cats instinctively appreciate a good box, no feline seems to enjoy cardboard quite as much as Maru, the Internet-famous cat with more than 400,000 YouTube subscribers.
In a 2010 interview with cat blog LoveMeow, Maru (as told to the blogger behind the website) said, "I don’t know why, but I can't seem to stop going into a box when I see one. When I nap, I like a small box because it is snug and fits me just right. However, when I play, I prefer a huge one."
Watch Maru interact with some of his favorite boxes in the videos below.
Maru fits
Maru's big box
Maru's box experiment
Big cats love boxes too.
Laura Moss ( @laurajmoss ) writes about a variety of topics with a focus on animals, science, language and culture. But she mostly writes about cats.
Why do cats purr?
Why do cats knead?
Related topics: Pets, Video
Boxes aren't just fun and games for your kitty. Those four cardboard walls offer safety and security — in addition to a great place to swat at passersby.
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Healthcare's worst get called out in the Shkreli Awards
With no national reporting system, volume of medical errors is still unknown
Minnesota looks to evolve its patient-safety reporting system
Despite progress, we’re still waiting for a truly safer healthcare system
Brad Smith appointed new CMS Innovation Center leader
Maria Castellucci
Brad Smith
Brad Smith, who co-founded palliative care provider Aspire Health is the new director of the CMS' Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.
The HHS announced Monday that Smith would be the new leader of the CMS' delivery model testing center, replacing Adam Boehler who left the role in the fall after roughly a year when he was nominated for another role in the Trump administration.
Rumors have swirled since September that Smith would be the new director of the center.
Smith will also be a senior advisor to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, according to the agency.
"Brad has impressive experience with innovative care delivery and paying for value, and he will help expand (CMS) Administrator (Seema) Verma's and CMS' efforts to ensure Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries are getting better care, and better health, at a lower cost," Azar said in a statement.
He added that value-based healthcare is a key focus area for the Trump administration and the CMS Innovation Center is an important way to execute that goal.
Smith established Aspire Health in 2013 alongside former Republican Sen. Bill Frist of Tennessee. The company offers clinical services to patients in their home who are suffering from serious illnesses that have advanced.
Smith was most recently the chief operating officer of Anthem's diversified business group, according to the HHS.
Verma called Smith an "entrepreneur" who thinks "outside-the-box."
"I am excited that we have selected Brad to join the ranks of CMS and help us build on the important work the Trump administration has undertaken to transform our healthcare system to deliver better value to patients," she said.
CMMI, which was established under the Affordable Care Act, is where the CMS tests new payment delivery models. The center has been criticized for its track record. Of the 37 models the CMS Innovation Center had tested by March 2018, only two were recommended for expansion.
The Affordable Care Act set aside $10 billion for CMMI's activities for fiscal 2011 through 2019 and $10 billion per decade beginning in fiscal 2020.
Bernard Tyson named to Health Care Hall of Fame
The ACHE honors three executives for transforming care delivery
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First claims firm slapped with nuisance calls fine
Paloma Kubiak
A claims management firm that bombarded people with millions of nuisance calls has been fined more than £200,000 – the first fine issued since the regulator was given new powers to do so last year.
The Hearing Clinic has been slapped with a fine of £220,000 by the Claims Management Regulator following hundreds of complaints from members of the public who received calls about claims for noise-induced hearing loss.
Many of those had actually subscribed to the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), which is supposed to ensure they don't receive marketing calls. See MoneySavingExpert.com's No More Junk guide for ways to stop spam texts, calls and mail.
The firm, which also traded as We Claim 4 U, RTA Lawyers 4 U, Industrial Disease Services and others, has been told not to call numbers registered on the TPS or to use data from third-party companies which it had been using to get contact details to call people.
The fine is the first to be issued by the Claims Management Regulator, after the Government changed the law in December 2014 giving it the power to issue fines.
Firms found to breach the regulator's rules of conduct now face fines of up to 20% of their annual turnover, as well as having their trading licence suspended or removed.
'We won't hesitate to fine firms'
Claims Management Regulator, Kevin Rousell, says: "The new fines mean we have greater powers to crack down on claims management companies that make nuisance calls.
"Companies should be in no doubt that if they break the rules then we won't hesitate to fine them in addition to the tough action we already take."
The Hearing Clinic has been slapped with a fine of £220,000 by the Claims Management Regulator
Claims management crack down
The new penalties are the latest in a series of moves by the Government to rid the industry of bad firms, which already includes banning firms from taking fees from customers before a contract has been signed and naming firms which are subject to enforcement action or under investigation.
As part of the Summer Budget 2015, Chancellor George Osborne announced proposals to cap charges CMCs can apply to customers.
If you've got a complaint about a claims management company, you can take it to the free Legal Ombudsman to look into.
Separately new figures show that 296 claims firms received warnings from the regulator in 2014 to 2015, and 105 had their licences removed. The total number of claims companies in the industry has also fallen by 300 this year to 1,752 (from a peak of 3,367 in 2011).
WhatsApp to stop working on older phones from next year – here's how to check if you're affected
The messaging service will stop supporting Windows phones and older Androids and iPhones over the next few months
Giffgaff fined after overcharging millions of customers
The mobile firm has been fined £1.4 million after an error meant about 2.6 million customers were overcharged by almost £2.9 million
Plusnet Mobile customers' credit files wrongly marked after billing error
Hundreds of Plusnet mobile customers were wrongly marked as being in arrears on their credit files as the result of a "system error" while the firm was switching direct debit provider, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal
Non-emergency police call charges to be scrapped from next year
The 15p charge for calling the police's non-emergency 101 number will be scrapped from April 2020
Phones Mobiles Asset Types Landline Legal Ombudsman Junk Mail
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Ohio Gov. Urges Gun Sale Background Checks, Red-Flag Law After Dayton Shooting
Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday the "horrible tragedy" in Dayton is "a window of opportunity to change things"
By John Seewer • Published at 5:54 am on August 6, 2019
Facing pressure to take action after the latest mass shooting in the U.S., Ohio's Republican governor urged the GOP-led state Legislature to pass laws requiring background checks for nearly all gun sales and allowing courts to restrict firearms access to people perceived as threats.
Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday Ohio needs to do more while balancing people's rights to own firearms and have due process. On the heels of Sunday's killing of nine people by a gunman in Dayton's nightclub district, DeWine outlined a series of actions he wants the Legislature to take up to address mental health and gun violence.
"I'm not saying that it's going to be easy. But, the momentum that been created by his horrible, horrible tragedy has put a spotlight on this," DeWine said at Tuesday news conference. "It's a window of opportunity to change things."
Protesters once again shouted "do something" — a refrain chanted during Sunday's vigil honoring the victims — at DeWine at the start of his Tuesday announcement. One person yelled "shame on you" at DeWine while he was answering questions.
His calls for action could be an uphill battle for the Legislature, which has given little consideration this session to those and other gun-safety measures already introduced by Democrats. DeWine's Republican predecessor, John Kasich, also unsuccessfully pushed for a so-called red flag law on restricting firearms for people considered threats.
DeWine said he has talked with legislative leaders and believes his proposals can pass.
Police say there was nothing in the Dayton shooter's background to prevent him from buying the firearm used.
The shooting outside a strip of nightclubs early Sunday and another mass shooting in El Paso, Texas , during the past weekend left a combined total of 31 people dead and more than 50 injured in less than 24 hours.
President Donald Trump said Monday he wanted Washington to "come together" on legislation providing "strong background checks" for gun users, but he gave no details. Previous gun control measures have languished in the Republican-controlled Senate.
The Democrat-led House has passed a gun control bill that includes fixes to the nation's firearm background check system, but it has languished in the Senate.
Dayton police have said 24-year-old Connor Betts was wearing a mask and body armor when he opened fire with an AR-15 style gun. If all of the magazines he had with him were full, which hasn't been confirmed, he would have had a maximum of 250 rounds, said Police Chief Richard Biehl.
"To have that level of weaponry in a civilian environment is problematic," Biehl added.
Betts had no apparent criminal record as an adult and police said there was nothing that would have prevented him from buying a gun. Ohio law bars anyone convicted of a felony as an adult, or convicted of a juvenile charge that would have been a felony if they were 18 or older, from buying firearms.
A woman who said she briefly dated Betts earlier this year discussed his "dark thoughts," including talking about wanting to hurt people, in an online essay. Adelia Johnson, 24, said they met in a college psychology class and bonded over dealing with mental illness, which she said allowed him to open up to her. She said she was in treatment but that Betts "didn't want to seek help because of the stigma." He told her he thought he had mental illnesses including bipolar disorder.
"When he started joking about his dark thoughts, I understood," she wrote. "Dark thoughts for someone with a mental illness are just a symptom that we have to learn how to manage."
Johnson said on their first date, Betts showed her a video of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. She said Betts had "uncontrollable urges" that she called "red flags," which eventually led her to call things off in May. When she broke up with him, she said she reached out to his mother to express her concern, but she didn't elaborate on what they discussed in that conversation.
Two former classmates told The Associated Press that Betts was suspended during their junior year at Bellbrook High School after a hit list was found scrawled in a school bathroom. That followed an earlier suspension after Betts came to school with a list of female students he wanted to sexually assault, according to the two classmates, a man and a woman who are both now 24 and spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern they might face harassment.
Others remembered how he tried to intimidate classmates.
"It's baffling and horrible that somebody who's been talking for 10 years about wanting to shoot people could easily, so easily, get access to a military grade weapon and that much ammo," said Hannah Shows, a former high classmate who remembered seeing Betts look at people and imitate shooting at them.
"He was someone who enjoyed making people afraid," she said.
Former Bellbrook High School classmate Addison Brickler rode the bus with Betts and said he taunted her regularly.
"He was the bully," Brickler told the AP. "He used to make fun of me on the bus, talk about my weight, make me feel bad about myself. He would laugh and think it was funny, joke about it. We thought it was a normal thing."
But the seemingly normal heckling turned scary one day when she said two police officers pulled Betts off their bus during her first few weeks of high school. When she arrived home that day, her mom sat her and her brother down to tell her the school principal had called — they had been named on Betts' "hit list."
Betts disappeared from the halls of Bellbrook High School. Students were offered counseling, teachers checked on kids, and extra police officers were on hand. Brickler said Betts later returned to the school.
Others that had encounters with Betts, however, painted a different picture.
Brad Howard told reporters in Bellbrook on Sunday that he knew Betts from preschool through their high school graduation.
"Connor Betts that I knew was a nice kid. The Connor Betts that I talked to, I always got along with well," Howard said.
Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools wouldn't comment and refused to release information about Betts, citing legal protections for student records.
Bellbrook Police Chief Doug Doherty said he and his officers had no previous contact with Betts and weren't aware of any history of violence. Sugarcreek Township police said the only records they have on Betts are from a 2015 traffic citation. They noted without further explanation that Ohio law allows sealed juvenile court records to be expunged after five years or when the person involved turns 23.
Still unknown is whether Betts targeted any of the victims , including his 22-year-old sister, Megan, the youngest of the dead.
"It seems to just defy believability he would shoot his own sister, but it's also hard to believe that he didn't recognize it was his sister, so we just don't know," Biehl said.
Authorities identified the other dead as Monica Brickhouse, 39; Nicholas Cumer, 25; Derrick Fudge, 57; Thomas McNichols, 25; Lois Oglesby, 27; Saeed Saleh, 38; Logan Turner, 30; and Beatrice N. Warren-Curtis, 36.
Of the more than 30 people injured in Ohio, at least 14 had gunshot wounds; others were hurt as people fled, city officials said. Eleven remained hospitalized Monday, Fire Chief Jeffrey Payne said.
While the gunman was white and six of the nine killed were black, police said the speed of the rampage made any discrimination in the shooting seem unlikely. It all happened within 30 seconds, before police officers stationed nearby fatally shot Betts.
Any attempt to suggest a motive so early in the investigation would be irresponsible, Biehl said.
The El Paso and Dayton killings have contributed to 2019 being an especially deadly year for mass killings in the U.S.
A database by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University shows that there have been 23 mass killings so far this year, claiming the lives of 131 people. By comparison, 140 people died in mass killings in all of 2018. The database tracks every mass killing in the country dating back to 2006.
Associated Press writers Julie Carr Smyth and Kantele Franko in Columbus, Amanda Seitz in Chicago and Robert Bumsted in Dayton contributed.
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Title: Driving Under the Influence: The Impact of Legislative Reform on the Role of Legal and Extralegal Variables in Court Sentencing Practices
Journal: Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume:3 Issue:4 Dated:(1989) Pages:344-359
Author(s): R Kingsnorth; C Barnes; P Coonley
Annotation: A systematic random sample of 2,091 cases was generated for the years 1980 to 1984, a sample of 3.5 percent of the total population of driving under the influence (DUI) cases filed in this period in Sacramento County Municipal Court, to assess the impact of sentencing reforms on the role of legal and extralegal factors in court decision-making practices and to expand understanding of municipal court processing and sentencing of DUI offenders.
Abstract: The legal variables of prior record, charge reduction to reckless driving, and license infractions were consistently more important than extralegal variables in predicting the imposition and duration of jail terms both before and after legal reform. Among the extralegal variables, only type of attorney representation was related significantly to sentencing outcomes and then only in the prediction of a jail term for offenders without a prior record in the period after legal reform. The extralegal variables of race, gender, and age failed to achieve predictive significance in any of the models. The data provide strong support for the functionalist interpretation of court sentencing as determined primarily by legal rather than extralegal factors. 6 notes, 2 figures, 5 tables, and 26 references (Author abstract modified)
Main Term(s): Driving Under the Influence (DUI); Sentencing factors
Index Term(s): California; First time offenders; Law reform
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Title: Group Therapy of Substance Abuse
Editor(s): David W. Brook; Henry I. Spitz
Sponsoring Agency: Haworth Medical Press
Binghamton, NY 13904-1580
Publication Number: ISBN 0-7890-1782-2
Sale Source: Haworth Medical Press
10 Alice Street
Type: Overview Text
Format: Book (Softbound)
Annotation: This book presents papers that bridge the gap between substance-abuse treatment and group psychotherapy by presenting expert analyses that address all major schools of thought.
Abstract: The chapters focus on one class of psychosocial interventions for substance abuse, i.e., group therapy in its many forms and diverse uses. The book constitutes a survey of the ideas and methods currently used in the field. Section I consists of chapters that discuss the basic theoretical approach on which most group treatments of substance abusers are based, as well as an introductory chapter on the practice of group treatment in the age of managed care. The interpersonal approach, the psycho-dynamic approach, cognitive-behavioral methods, self-medication theory, and modified group psychotherapy are explored. In Section II, the uses of group treatment approaches in particular treatment settings to achieve specific goals are discussed. Outpatient treatment groups, group relapse prevention approaches, inpatient group treatments, and partial hospitalization groups are included in this section, along with multi-family groups, the use of groups in therapeutic communities, time-limited groups, network therapy, and self-help and 12-step groups. Section III contains chapters that examine group treatment with specific patient populations. It begins with a discussion of ethnicity and culture in the group treatment of substance abusers and proceeds to include chapters on group treatments for female substance abusers; gay, lesbian, and bisexual substance abusers; two perspectives on adolescent substance abusers; and elderly substance abusers. Section IV focuses on group treatment approaches for specific diagnostic categories of patients, including schizophrenic substance abusers, smoking cessation groups, and medically ill substance abusers. The chapters in Section V focus on research issues in the group treatment of substance abusers, along with the implications and future trends for public policy and the ethical treatment of this patient population. Chapter references and a subject index
Main Term(s): Drug treatment
Index Term(s): Drug offenders; Female offenders; Group therapy; Juvenile drug abusers; Juvenile drug treatment; Juvenile drug use; Psychotherapy; Treatment techniques
Note: For individual chapters, see NCJ-198402-405.
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Column | Signs of the Times
Pope meets with Jesuit priest James Martin to discuss LGBTQ ministry
by Thomas Reese, Religion News Service
RNS-Francis-Martin1-093019.jpg
Jesuit Fr. James Martin, left, author and editor at large of America magazine, has a private audience with Pope Francis on Sept. 30, 2019. (RNS/Photo ©Vatican Media)
Pope Francis met this morning in Rome with the Jesuit Fr. James Martin, a Jesuit priest who has been viciously attacked for his outreach to LGBTQ persons and LGBTQ Catholics in particular. The two Jesuits share a pastoral approach that stresses compassion and accompaniment rather than condemnation and exclusion.
Full disclosure: Jim Martin is a good friend; he began working at America magazine when I was editor.
When asked about gay priests during his first year as pope, Francis responded, "Who am I to judge?" This is a pope who recognizes that we are all sinners, even himself, and that we are all on a common pilgrimage toward God.
Conservative Catholics are upset that Francis is more concerned about sins of exploitation and injustice than sexual sins between consenting adults.
For many Catholics, sexual sins are the worse kind of sin. Such sins were always grave matter. Although theologians praised marriage and procreation, in popular homiletics, too often, sex was presented as something dirty and evil. For the scrupulous, weekly confession was all about having dirty thoughts.
Sex between people of the same gender was an unspeakable sin. I grew up in the 1950s and had no idea what homosexuals were until I was in my 20s, although "sissies" were subject to bullying in grammar school and high school. Perhaps I was just out of it.
At the same time, the clergy and the convent were always an attractive vocation for good gay Catholics. After all, if you don’t want to marry and can’t have sex, why not be a priest or nun? The priesthood or religious life gave you a socially acceptable explanation for why you did not marry.
Celibacy, however, is neither easy nor natural. Conservatives feel that any softening of the church’s approach to sexual sins will release a flood of promiscuity. Without chastity, there will be unwed pregnancies and disease. The only way to keep young people from having sex is by scaring the hell out of them.
Older people who grew up under this moral regime were appalled by the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s. Unwed pregnancies, abortions and disease did increase. They saw the church as the last bulwark against this cultural revolution.
But few people today worry about going to hell. Even using traditional Catholic morality, many moralists and confessors believe that most sexual sins occur under conditions where there is not "sufficient reflection" or "full consent of the will" to qualify as mortal sins, even if you believe that all sexual acts are "grave matter."
Other moralists reject the idea that all sexual acts qualify as grave matters. They argue that the circumstances and attitudes of the people involved must be taken into consideration. Many Christian churches even accept loving relations between same-sex partners as blessed by God.
Neither Martin nor Francis have gone this far. They have never contradicted the church’s traditional teaching against sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman. This disappoints many who want to see the church’s teaching change.
While theologians debate such issues, Catholic pastors must deal with real people in their churches. Here, the compassion and love of Jesus should be our guide. He ate with sinners. He never got angry with sexual sinners. He only got mad at the scribes and Pharisees, whom he saw as hypocrites.
Certainly, all can agree that gays should not be subjected to violence or discrimination. We are all brothers and sisters of the same God. And if the church is not a country club for the perfect but a field hospital for the wounded, then all must be welcomed and loved.
Francis and Martin are simply imitating Jesus, who, by his example and words, taught us that our God is a compassionate Father who cares for all his children.
Column | Pope meets with Jesuit priest James Martin to discuss LGBTQ ministry
Abuse survivor says pope told him God loves him the way he is
'The church that raised me rejected me'
'God bless you, Father!' Parishioners support pastor who reveals he is gay
Excerpt: 'In the Closet of the Vatican'
Bishop Morlino, others charge 'homosexual subculture' for clergy abuse crisis
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NearIT Contextual mobile engagement Web Platform
StartIT Technological Kit- mobile app and web platform
NearIT partner at TEDx Vicenza
NearIT has been part of TEDx Vicenza as official partner, it’s an event that is always acquiring more importance. It is a format born in the United States in 1984 and after thirty years has become a renowned institution. It has become a relevant space to share ideas, a moment to think about innovation and to connect with the latest vision of future and reality.
The official app powered by NearIT
NearIT platform has been integrated in the official app in order to send push notification, to make geolocalized communication and to trace all the app users. Precious data about the app usage has been picked up, informing the event manager about the more common operating system through his users. This kind of information could influence some future decision about the app layout for example.
On saturday the 6th, the day of the event, thank to NearIT has been possible to trace 10.000 geographic event, that clarified which areas were more popular, not just inside the theatre but also in the centre of Vicenza. More than 20 beacons have been installed close to the entrance of 20 shops of the city centre taking part in the contest Hunting the X. They allowed to trace the app users that were passing by. All the beacons inside the theatre where the event took place, shared contextual information depending on the area they were.
For example, information about the food supplier were shared close to the buffet, or news about the photo contest organized by the staff and information about ticketing close to the entrance.
Thanks to NearIT has been possible to plan all the push notifications in advance, drafting the sending context. The push notifications provided news about the event program, announcing coffee break and the lunch opportunities. Some of them were modified on the day of the event to adapt to the situation taht was impossible to foresee. NearIT’s flexibility allowed that and made it easy to manage.
Near Srl Via Gerolamo Zanchi 22, 24126 Bergamo | V.A.T./Tax Code: 04127580167 R.E.A.: BG – 437560 Capital: 13.972,50 € | +39 0355785136 – contact@nearit.com
Company Registration Report | U.B.D. | Privacy Policy
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Indian food giant Deep Indian Kitchen had humble beginnings in Union County garage
Fifty years after Bhagwati Amin started making Indian snacks for friends, Deep Indian Kitchen has emerged as one of the largest Indian food brands in North America.
Indian food giant Deep Indian Kitchen had humble beginnings in Union County garage Fifty years after Bhagwati Amin started making Indian snacks for friends, Deep Indian Kitchen has emerged as one of the largest Indian food brands in North America. Check out this story on mycentraljersey.com: https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/entertainment/dining/2020/01/14/deep-indian-kitchen-union/2848587001/
Jenna Intersimone, Bridgewater Courier News Published 6:00 a.m. ET Jan. 14, 2020 | Updated 12:11 p.m. ET Jan. 14, 2020
Living in India, Bhagwati Amin loved dishing up recipes for her huge, extended family and hoards of neighbors and friends. And when she emigrated to the United States and settled in Elizabeth in 1971, she certainly didn’t want to leave her foodie-friendly love of cooking and serving others behind.
“In 1975, I began deep-frying noodles in our garage and making snacks for friends and neighbors, who frequently came back for more,” she said of her creations, many of which were difficult to find in the area. “It warmed my heart to know that my cooking made so many people near and dear smile.”
However, Amin’s hobby soon proved itself to be much more than a neighborly gesture. She began submitting her snacks to fairs and contests, frequently bringing home first-place prizes. Only two years later, Amin, armed with the help of her family, began to ship the snacks across the country and work with local Indian grocers to sell the items in their stores.
Deep Indian Kitchen in Union grew from Elizabeth garage
A Deep Indian Kitchen meal. ~Courtesy of Deep Indian Kitchen
Deep Indian Kitchen products. ~Courtesy of Deep Indian Kitchen
The Amin family. ~Courtesy of Deep Indian Kitchen
Dipali and Deepak Amin. ~Courtesy of Deep Indian Kitchen
Deepak and Dipali Amin. ~Courtesy of Deep Indian Kitchen
A Deep Indian Kitchen location. ~Courtesy of Deep Indian Kitchen
Inside an indikitch location. ~Courtesy of Deep Indian Kitchen
Fast-forward almost 50 years later and Amin’s modest hobby-turned-family hustle is much more than a few deep-fried noodles next to the toolbox. It’s one of the largest Indian food brands in North America – Deep Indian Kitchen, based in Union, Union County. The company is known for its line of frozen Indian entrees, breads and street foods and ready-to-eat snacks.
All 800 products are made without sacrificing the authenticity that helped the company flourish in the first place.
“The ready-made meals made sense for us to focus on because it’s very complicated to make these dishes at home,” said Deepak Amin, Bhagwati’s son and company CEO. “They’re the most accessible way for people experience this cuisine.”
As consumers’ tastes have become more adventurous yet also more demanding of high-quality cuisine, Deep Indian Kitchen products, made from scratch in a batch process, have emerged as an easy way to try international flavors without struggling over a stove or visiting an ethnic market.
The Amin family. (Photo: ~Courtesy of Deep Indian Kitchen)
With a customer base that is a mix of those of Indian descent looking for a taste of home, as well as those just interested in tasty flavors, Deep Indian Kitchen products can be found across the United States in about 2,000 ethnic stores and 11,000 mainstream stores including Whole Foods, Wegmans, Kings, ShopRite and Foodtown. In New Jersey, Deep Indian Kitchen products can be found in about 200 stores.
“When we began, people used to say, ‘Oh, we don’t eat curry’ or ‘We don’t eat that, it’s too spicy,’ ” said Deepak Amin. “Now, especially since the start of the Food Network, they’re not afraid of spice and they want to experience new cuisines.”
READ: Spice Bazaar in Westfield celebrates expansion with free meals
Today, Deep Indian Kitchen is more than a brand for ready-made meals – it’s also delving into the restaurant market and has opened five Indian fast-casual restaurants in Manhattan, with the first New Jersey location to open in the spring at 1080 Springfield Road, Union.
A Deep Indian Kitchen location. (Photo: ~Courtesy of Deep Indian Kitchen)
Deepak Amin describes the restaurant concept, which offers build-your-own biryani and other Indian staples, as a cross between a Chipotle and a Panera.
“We felt like we already had all of the pieces to open a restaurant since we already have our own distribution centers and we know it’s almost impossible to make this kind of food yourself from scratch, but we had all of the pieces in place, so this is a natural thing for us,” said Deepak Amin. “This is our way to introduce Indian food to North America and we also get to learn and have a direct connection with consumers.”
READ: Indian cuisine goes fast-casual at Mollaga Indian Grill in North Brunswick
The company also recently acquired a dairy farm in Waterloo, New York, previously called Summit Foods and now called Deep Dairy, where they make their own paneer, an Indian cheese, for use in Deep Indian Kitchen products. In the future, they plan to re-position some of their offerings, many of which are plant-based as much of Indian cuisine is, to market to the growing number of vegans.
Deep Indian Kitchen products. (Photo: ~Courtesy of Deep Indian Kitchen)
“I found a way to share something I love with so many people, but I never could have imagined how big it would become. I wanted to share my food with my community, and that community has grown to become the entire country,” said Bhagwati Amin. “This business has grown beyond my wildest dreams, and my family’s passion for sharing our food and our traditions gives me much pride.”
Deep Indian Kitchen
What: Fast-casual Indian eatery offering build-your-own biryani and other Indian staples
When: Opening first New Jersey location in the spring
Where: 1080 Springfield Road, Union
Information: deepfoods.com
Jenna Intersimone (Photo: ~File)
Jenna Intersimone has been covering food, drink and fun in the Garden State for the USA Today Network New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. Born and raised throughout every corner of NJ, she’s a tried-and-true Jersey girl. Contact her at Jintersimone@Gannett.com or follow her @JIntersimone.
Read or Share this story: https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/entertainment/dining/2020/01/14/deep-indian-kitchen-union/2848587001/
Chimney Rock Inn offers free pizza to Bound Brook fire first responders
Deep Indian Kitchen had humble beginnings in Elizabeth
Terhune Orchards to host Wassailing the Trees celebration Jan. 26
Simply Jerk is returning to South Brunswick with juice bar, vegan options
Decade of food: A look back at Central Jersey dining
NJ restaurants: We welcomed these new Central Jersey eateries in 2019
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South London News
Bromley nurse scared someone will die on her road after 'another' crash hurt two children
Two children were hurt in the crash on Chesham Avenue and one neighbour fears it could have been so much worse
Narbeh MinassianSenior Reporter
Two cars were damaged in the crash
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Two children were hurt in a crash on a quiet road in Bromley and one neighbour fears next time it could be more serious if something isn’t done to improve road safety.
Thankfully, nobody was seriously hurt in Chesham Avenue on Tuesday (January 22) when one car ended up going through a small wall in front of a house after a crash with another driver.
The two children and two adults were taken to hospital but have since gone home.
One neighbour, who lives just a few doors down from the scene, says she has seen “numerous near misses” at the junction with Crescent Drive and fears it’s a matter of time until someone dies.
She said: “Since moving here six months ago I have witnessed numerous near misses with both traffic and pedestrians to this crossroads.
“A route people take as a cut through to main routes and to several schools, reckless drivers speed and do not give way.
“As a driver myself and a resident to the road I find vision to the roads are obstructed by commuters parking along the street.
It looks like one car went through a wall outside a house
“As a registered nurse I fear that fatalities could occur, and my belief should be that of prevention to avoid treatment, especially on my own doorstep.”
She said her neighbour had just rebuilt their wall, which was “yet again” bulldozed by “another” crash.
The residents on the road have asked the council for ways to calm the traffic down in the road before, she says, but got nowhere with their requests.
A Bromley council spokesman said they will continue to review trends there and across the borough and weigh up the need for measures to calm traffic.
Do you think these roads are dangerous?
Yes, this last accident shows there is a problem
No, it's worse in other parts of London
Having said that, he added it “does not appear” that this particular road has an accident pattern and added it was not likely action would be taken after this particular crash.
“For the safety of the residence, drivers and pedestrians on their way to school and work they should do something to keep everyone safe,” the neighbour added.
Councillor William Huntington-Thresher, Bromley Council's executive councillor for environment and community services said Bromley's roads had the lowest collision rate in the capital, per mile.
He said: "We do look at all roads to see if there is a particular clustering of collisions at a particular location and if there is a pattern which accident reduction measures could rectify, then we would consider measures but this is not the case here and neither is there an identified pattern at this location.
Police and the ambulance service on the scene
"We do concentrate our limited resources on the locations where the accidents or collisions are sufficiently severe to result in injuries as these locations will make the biggest difference to our residents. We will, of course, to continue to keep this location under review alongside other locations throughout the Borough.”
Chesham Avenue is a quiet, residential road with just a couple of churches, some small open spaces and a nursery nearby.
Two children and two adults were taken to hospital after the crash just after 8am.
Crescent Drive remained closed for hours as police and fire crews taped off the road at the junction with Chesham Avenue.
Like the My South London Facebook page
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We will provide you with the latest traffic and travel updates, including updates on train and London Underground services, in areas including Southwark, Croydon, Greenwich, Lewisham, Wandsworth, Merton, Lambeth and Brixton.
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BexleyErith crash: Man hit by van in Queens Road rushed to hospital One man has been arrested on suspicion of GBH with intent
SuttonPolice and family issue appeal for missing boy four days after he was last seen in SuttonOfficers have released CCTV footage of Kunaka Chinganga entering a McDonald's restaurant on Sutton High Street at 10.30am on January 14
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#1562 – 1975 18c Contributors to the Cause: Peter Francisco
camera Mint Plate Block of 10
- MM50145x30mm 50 Horizontal Black Split-Back Mounts
- MM420245x30mm 50 Horizontal Clear Bottom-Weld Mounts
1975 18¢ Peter Francisco
Contributors to the Cause Series
Issue Date: March 25, 1975
City: Greensboro, North Carolina
Quantity: 44,825,000
Perforations: 11 x 10 ½
Last in the Contributors to the Cause Series, Francisco is remembered for his incredible bravery and strength. He is said to have brandished a five-foot broadsword. He is shown carrying a heavy cannon, weighing 1,000 pounds, at the Battle of Camden, where he saved the life of his commander.
The Bicentennial Series
The U.S. Bicentennial was a series of celebrations during the mid-1970s that commemorated the historic events leading to America’s independence from Great Britain. The official events began on April 1, 1975, when the American Freedom Train departed Delaware to begin a 21-month, 25,338-mile tour of the 48 contiguous states. For more than a year, a wave of patriotism swept the nation as elaborate firework displays lit up skies across the U.S., an international fleet of tall-mast sailing ships gathered in New York City and Boston, and Queen Elizabeth made a state visit. The celebration culminated on July 4, 1976, with the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
The U.S. Postal Service issued 113 commemorative stamps over a six-year period in honor of the U.S. bicentennial, beginning with the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission Emblem stamp (U.S. #1432). As a group, the Bicentennial Series chronicles one of our nation’s most important chapters, and remembers the events and patriots who made the U.S. a world model for liberty.
#1432//1722
1971-77 American Revolution Bicentennial
#1432/2052
Complete Set, American Bicentennial Series
1975 8c Contributors to the Cause: Sybil Ludington
1975 10c Contributors to the Cause: Haym Salomon
1975 10c Contributors to the Cause: Salem Poor
1973 15c Progress in Audio & Visual Electronics
1975 10c U.S. Military Uniforms
1975 10c Battle of Lexington and Concord
1975 10c Battle of Bunker Hill
1975 10c U.S. Postal Service Bicentennial
1974 10c Traditional Christmas: Peace on Earth
1975 10c Paul Laurence Dunbar
1975 10c Banking and Commerce
1972 15c 20th Summer Olympic Games
1973 6c Progress in Electronics: Marconi's Spark Coil and Gap
1975 10c International Women's Year
1975 10c Mariner 10
1975 10c Collective Bargaining
1975 10c World Peace through Law
1974 10c First Continental Congress
1975 10c Benjamin West
1975 10c Pioneer 10 and Jupiter
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By admin 13 November 2019 January 7th, 2020 Nuclear AMRC news
Nuclear AMRC engineers have successfully demonstrated automated grinding techniques for nuclear components, as part of a European collaboration to develop intelligent robot technologies.
The centre’s robotic and metrology engineers developed automated techniques for grinding out welds on a nuclear fuel rack base, and for deburring tube structures, using a variety of technologies developed through the Coroma project.
The three-year Coroma project brought together companies and research institutions from across Europe to develop cognitively-enhanced modular industrial robots which can perform a range of manufacturing tasks with minimal input from human operators. The applications developed by the Nuclear AMRC team were identified by one of the industrial partners, Spanish nuclear manufacturer Ensa, as a test of the Coroma technologies in a real workshop environment.
Weld grinding of the fuel rack base is currently done manually, a task taking around 80 hours, with prolonged use of hand-held grinders putting operators’ health at risk from harmful vibrations. Ensa’s challenge to the Coroma consortium was to automate the process to minimise human involvement.
The Nuclear AMRC team developed a full-scale technology demonstrator, integrating a variety of innovative digital manufacturing technologies developed by the other Coroma partners integrated with a large Staübli robotic arm. These technologies include visual scanning and analysis to map where grinding is required – a challenging task when the actual fabrication doesn’t precisely match the CAD model. The Coroma partners developed a novel scanning technology which could also be deployed for processes such as welding and additive manufacturing.
Other innovations include optimisation software to determine the most efficient way to remove the excess material, and location monitoring techniques to ensure the robot remains correctly and accurately positioned relative to the workpiece.
All of these physical and digital technologies had to be integrated into a single system. “You have lots of different hardware and software trying to talk to each other,” explains research engineer Ozan Gurdal. “What we wanted to develop was a versatile, flexible system so that you can do the integration with one click.”
The team were also challenged to deliver a cost-effective solution which will make economic sense for smaller businesses.
“What’s making it cost-effective is the engineering effort we put in,” Gurdal says. “It’s important that it’s robot independent – if you take the end effector out and put it on another robot, it’s a one-click integration. That gives you the ability to use it in different environments.”
Compared with conventional robot programming, the Coroma approach demonstrated time savings of more than 70 per cent for each pocket in the rack base – saving more than 40 hours for the complete assembly.
The second industrial use case developed by the Nuclear AMRC involved deburring of metal matrix composite tubes used in nuclear fuel assemblies. The current process takes around 85 minutes on a machine tool, followed by four hours of manual grinding.
Using a robot avoids the cost of an expensive machine tool while matching its quality, and also minimises risks to human operators. Exploiting the Coroma scanning and analysis techniques also allowed the team to streamline the process. “We completely eliminated the CAM stage, so the robot can work straight from the scan data,” Gurdal notes.
A third nuclear industry demonstrator, led by Spanish research group IK4–Ideko and the UK’s Shadow Robot Company, focused on automated ultrasonic inspection of steam generator nozzles for fault detection.
The Nuclear AMRC also worked with its sister centre, the University of Sheffield AMRC, to integrate a small robot arm onto its large Soraluce machine tool platform. The arm provides intelligent support for thin-walled parts during machining, successfully demonstrating collaborative working between the two technologies.
While all the technologies will require further development before they can be commercialised, the Coroma consortium are now looking to connect with manufacturers who are interested in putting them into production.
The €6 million Coroma project ran from 2016–19 and was funded through the European Horizon 2020 programme. The Coroma consortium includes 16 international partners from seven countries, led by IK4–Ideko.
For more information, email ozan.gurdal@namrc.co.uk
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You've landed on a Metro NY Business Page
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Did you know natural gas pipelines are the safest energy transportation system in the United States? We are committed to making them even safer.
The American Petroleum Institute's
Safety Management System
In 2017 we integrated the industry leading standards set by the American Petroleum Institute (API1173) into our existing programs and standards to form a single, umbrella framework providing a disciplined and formal method to manage pipeline safety risks and compliance issues. Learn more about the structure and benefits in our Safety Management System brochure.
In accordance with federal regulations, some segments along transmission pipelines have been designated as High Consequence Areas (HCAs) and supplemental hazard assessment and prevention programs (called Integrity Management Programs) have been developed.
National Grid is guided by an Integrity Management Program (IMP), which has been developed in accordance with rules established by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and local state regulatory agencies, which govern the program. The IMP was developed through the cooperation of industry experts, from both within and outside of National Grid, and meets or exceeds all federal requirements. The primary goal is to continuously improve safety by identifying, assessing and managing risks to natural gas pipelines.
Our approach to IMP
At National Grid, we are committed to the safe operation of all of our natural gas facilities, including pipelines. We:
Built upon our already extensive integrity management programs to meet or exceed new federal IMP regulations.
Identified pipelines in the IMP to federal and state regulators.
Use the best technologies available to continually assess pipeline integrity through leakage surveys, monitoring of our corrosion prevention technologies and other such programs.
Use up to three different assessment methods to assure that we identify any areas of concern, which are prioritized and managed according to established and approved engineering practices.
Use damage prevention methods that include ongoing patrols, construction inspection, periodic reassessments and active participation in state-wide damage prevention programs.
Use communications plans that have been developed to inform and educate the public, emergency responders and other officials about gas pipelines, their safety and integrity and how all parties can contribute to even greater gas pipeline safety.
Meter Inspections by National Grid
National Grid is now required by the New York State Public Service Commission to perform periodic leak surveys and corrosion inspections on all meters – even those located indoors. These inspections are performed by Precision Pipeline Solutions, a licensed National Grid contractor, at no cost to our customers. We will reach out to you to schedule the inspection, or you can schedule a time that works best for you by calling Precision Pipeline Solutions at 1-844-749-8898.
Which pipes will be inspected and what is involved?
The person completing the inspection will:
1. Gain access and visually inspect the jurisdictional piping (see diagram)
2. Use a calibrated gas Instrument to detect if there any leaks
Why do these inspections need to be completed?
The New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC) has adopted a new definition of a gas service line effective April 2, 2015 (Case 14-G-0357) to align New York’s “service line definition” with the federal definition in 49 CFR Part 192.
The change extends jurisdictional piping to the outlet of the gas meter even when the meter is located inside a building and the piping was installed and historically maintained by building owner or where required by statute, by the building owner’s licensed plumber.
Accordingly, Local Distribution Companies are now obligated to perform periodic leak surveys and visual atmospheric corrosion inspections in accordance with federal and state code requirements.
Am I required to provide access to my property?
Yes, these inspections are required by the New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC). Per the NYSPSC:
Buildings may be entered for the examination of meters, pipes, fittings, wires and works.
(a) Any officer or agent of any gas corporation, electric corporation or municipality for that purpose duly appointed and authorized by the corporation, upon exhibiting a photo-identification badge and a written authority signed by the president or vice-president and secretary or assistant secretary of the corporation, or by the mayor or clerk of a municipal corporation or by the chairman and secretary of a municipal board in control of a public utility, may enter, at all reasonable times, any store, building, room or place supplied with gas, electricity or water by such utility corporation or municipality for the purpose of inspecting and examining the meters, pipes, fittings, wires and works for supplying or regulating the supply of gas or electricity and of ascertaining the quantity of gas or electricity supplied.
(b) If any person, at any time, directly or indirectly, shall prevent or hinder any such officer or agent from so entering any such premises, or from making any such inspection or examination at any reasonable time, he or she shall forfeit to the corporation or municipality one hundred dollars for every such offense.
What if the inspection fails?
If the condition was caused naturally to company equipment then National Grid will make repairs at no charge to the customer.
What is atmospheric corrosion?
The gradual destruction or alteration of a metal or alloy by contact with substances presents in the atmosphere, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and sulfur and chlorine compounds. Here is what it may look like:
Excess Flow Valve Notification
Did you know you can request installation of an Excess Flow Valve (EFV) on your existing gas service line under certain circumstances? For more information, call National Grid at
781-907-2958 or email.
Federal regulation 49 C.F.R. §192.383(d) regarding gas pipeline safety requires National Grid to notify customers of their right to request installation of an Excess Flow Valve (EFV) on their existing gas service line under certain circumstances. An EFV is a mechanical safety device installed inside a gas service line between the gas main in the street and the gas meter. The EFV is designed to minimize the flow of natural gas in the event of a service line break. A potential benefit is, in the event that an excavator accidentally digs up the gas service line, the valve would operate to minimize or shut off the flow of gas.
Conditions and Information
If the customer’s service line operates at a pressure of less than 10 pounds per square inch gauge throughout the year, the customer’s service line is exempt from EFV installation.
Customers with loads of 1,000 standard cubic feet of gas per hour (“SCFH”) or less are eligible for an EFV unless one or more of the following conditions exist: (1) the customer’s service line operates at a pressure of less than 10 pounds per square inch gauge throughout the year, (2) the gas company has prior experience with contaminants in the gas stream that could interfere with the EFV’s operation or cause loss of service to a customer; (3) there is potential for interference with necessary operation or maintenance activities, such as blowing liquids from the line; or (4) an EFV meeting the performance standards set forth in the federal regulations is not commercially available to the gas company.
EFVs do not operate on all gas service lines and certain parameters may exist where installation of an EFV is not warranted. Many customers already have an EFV installed on their existing service line. If you would like to determine if you are eligible to have an EFV installed on your gas service line, call National Grid at 781-907-2958 or email.
Installation requires NY811 notification and excavation where the existing gas service line connects to the gas distribution main. Gas service will be interrupted to the customer.
Estimated installation charges will be $8,573. Adjustments or additional costs may apply based on location-specific installation needs. In the future, additional costs may be incurred to maintain and/or replace the EFV and these costs may be charged to the customer.
Gas Operator Verification Required
As part of new safety regulations, National Grid is requiring that all Licensed Master Plumbers (LMPs) have their Operator Qualifications verified by National Grid before issuing an order to reconnect gas after work has been completed on jurisdictional piping at a premise. To get verified, please complete the verification form.
Helpful Outside Resources
National Pipeline Mapping System
Office of Pipeline Safety
Common Ground Alliance
American Gas Association
Northeast Gas Association
National "Call Before You Dig" Organization
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War crimes prosecution against Navy SEALs takes a double hit
Carl Prine
Special Warfare Operator Chief Edward “Eddie” Gallagher in Iraq in 2017. (courtesy photo)
A Navy SEAL who allegedly staged a re-enlistment ceremony over the body of a dead Islamic State prisoner during the Battle of Mosul in Iraq and also hovered a drone over the corpse may have acted in “poor taste” but didn’t commit a war crime, a Navy judge has ruled.
On Friday, two military judges delivered a pair of big wins for two Navy SEALs on trial for alleged war crimes by tossing out key charges against the special operator at the center of the case, Chief Special Warfare Operator Edward “Eddie” Gallagher, and the officer in charge of his platoon, Lt. Jacob X. “Jake” Portier, who stands accused of covering up the incidents.
Gallagher is accused of stabbing to death a wounded Islamic State prisoner of war and attempting to shoot innocent civilians with his sniper rifle near Mosul in 2017.
Also among the allegations is that Gallagher staged the re-enlistment ceremony over the dead ISIS teenager’s body near the Iraqi city of Mosul on May 3, 2017, amid some of the U.S. forces fiercest fighting against ISIS. Prosecutors also say he hovered a drone over the body.
But the military judge, Navy Capt. Aaron Rugh, determined that those are not prohibited acts under Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
That ruling is also likely to be a big win for platoon leader Portier, who also faces a raft of charges alleging that he covered up his chief petty officer’s war crimes.
Military prosecutors charged Portier with lying to his superior officer, Lt. Cmdr. Robert Breisch, about whether he saw “anything criminal” at Gallagher’s reenlistment ceremony. Portier allegedly said: “There was nothing criminal. It was just in poor taste,” according to investigative files obtained by Navy Times.
If the judge overseeing Portier’s separate court martial case agrees with Rugh, however, then Portier told the truth and his charge must be tossed out, too.
“It is honorable for a Navy SEAL to reenlist on the battlefield, the same battlefield where he was willing to sacrifice his own life to protect our nation,” Portier’s civilian defense attorney, Jeremiah J. Sullivan III, told Navy Times.
Chief Special Warfare Operator Edward “Eddie” Gallagher at home and in Iraq in 2017. (photos provided)
SEAL “rock stars”
The origin of the sprawling war crimes investigation is murky, but appears to have started with allegations lodged by a special warfare operator first class — an SO1.
Because of the clandestine work performed by SEALs overseas, authorities have asked Navy Times to not publish some of the names involved in the investigation.
The way the SO1 recollected events — and reported them to Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents — the seeds of the scandal began to grow in Iraq in 2017, when he and others from SEAL Team 7’s Platoon Alpha voiced concerns about Gallagher’s conduct, according to an NCIS “investigative action” provided to Navy Times.
The SO1 and others talked “about what they should do to stop [Gallagher] from killing innocent civilians while they were deployed to Iraq” according to the NCIS file.
The SO1 said that platoon snipers “began shooting warning shots at any civilians they saw on the battlefield so that the civilians would run away and [Gallagher] could not kill them.”
The SO1 said that he had reported war crime allegations committed by Gallagher to both Portier, the platoon commander, and another lieutenant, the platoon’s Assistant Officer in Charge, or AOIC, who also has emerged as one of the key witnesses against both the lieutenant and his chief.
Portier and his AOIC assured the SO1 “that something was being done about the situation,” according to an NCIS report.
But they never seemed to do anything, so in the autumn of 2017 the SO1 confided with a master chief petty officer at SEAL Team 7 about the allegations, the report indicates.
Authorities also asked Navy Times not to publish the master chief’s name, but he was a troop chief, the next enlisted leader above Gallagher in his chain of command.
The allegations of war crimes against Gallagher came as a shock to the troop chief, who later told NCIS agents he considered Gallagher and his Platoon Alpha SEALs to be “rock stars.”
The seriously wounded Islamic State fighter, believed to be between 15 and 17 years of age, military prosecutors believe was murdered by a Navy SEAL. (screen shot of YouTube video used as evidence in criminal hearing)
A platoon’s “hate and discontent”
The troop chief told investigators he’d mentored Gallagher over the phone in Iraq but had never taken disciplinary actions against him, even after the platoon chief had been accused of stealing nutrition bars from another SEAL’s gift bag.
The troop chief recalled serving as sniper Gallagher’s spotter during a brief visit to Alpha when they were operating near the Tigris River in an area known as “Old Mosul.” During his interview, an NCIS agent told him that Gallagher was alleged to have made it his priority “to shoot as many people as possible with his sniper rifle.”
The troop chief said “he could see [Gallagher] doing that.”
But it was only after the deployment ended that the troop chief began to realize Gallagher’s platoon was riven by “hate and discontent," he told investigators.
The troop chief said he urged Gallagher to talk to his platoon to make things right and thought the unspecified issues “had been solved but he started getting calls from platoon members about (Gallagher).”
It was then that the SO1 alluded to possible war crimes committed by Gallagher, the troop chief told investigators.
The troop chief said that he repeated the allegations to both Group 1 Command Master Chief Steve Ward and Lt. Cmdr. Breisch, an officer in Gallagher’s chain of command and the troop chief’s boss.
After consulting with the group’s judge advocate general, the SEAL leaders decided that those who said they witnessed the war crimes should come forward and make official statements.
The troop chief told investigators that it was during a March 18, 2018, briefing about that decision with six current or former members of Platoon Alpha that he first learned the specific allegation that Gallagher stabbed to death a detainee.
The troop chief warned them that the “frag radius” of that and other allegations “would be significant” and likely hit other SEALs and their officers with disciplinary action, according to the NCIS report.
The next day, the SO1 who lodged the initial allegations told NCIS agents that he’d previously gone to Portier and said a formal probe needed to be launched. He also “threatened to tell more people if an investigation did not occur,” according to the NCIS report.
As the investigation got underway, the SO1 had a meeting with Portier on April 6, 2018, and said he told Portier to send NCIS an email outlining some of the explosive allegations. The SO1 said he leaned over Portier’s shoulder as he typed out the email.
Soon afterward, an NCIS agent contacted the SO1 for an interview.
A member of the Iraqi federal police awaits his next movement on the streets of the recently secured airport during the offensive to liberate West Mosul, Iraq, March 2, 2017. Government forces like the federal police worked closely with Platoon Alpha, SEAL Team 7, in the fight for the city. (Army)
A platoon percolating with “rumors”
But others in the NCIS investigative report don’t remember it exactly like that.
For example, Lt. Cmdr. Breisch told investigators that he began hearing “rumors” in the summer of 2017 that members of Gallagher’s platoon were unhappy with his actions in Iraq, especially the “tactical decisions he made” there.
Breisch said he talked directly to the SO1 in October of 2017 during the Mosul deployment and the SO1 never mentioned war crime violations, according to his interview records.
Instead, Breisch said that the SO1 complained that Gallagher was going to be awarded a Silver Star for combat valor, calling it “unconscionable because (Gallagher) had lied about the incidents described.”
He also repeated accusations that Gallagher rifled through other SEALs' care packages.
Breisch told him “to decompress and let it go," according to the NCIS report.
When Breisch later began hearing about possible crimes committed by Gallagher in Iraq, he called the SO1 back “and asked him if there was anything criminal in nature to report.”
“No,” the SO1 told the officer, according to the NCIS report.
Breisch told investigators that he encouraged the SO1 to report anything criminal but “if there were no actual criminal allegations, he needed to let it go.”
In this June 23, 2014, photo, fighters from the Islamic State group parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle on the main road in Mosul, Iraq. They were evicted from the metropolis three years after heavy fighting. (AP)
A lying SEAL?
A similar pattern played out with Portier’s fellow lieutenant in the platoon, the AOIC who is now in graduate school.
During Platoon Alpha’s deployment to Mosul, the AOIC often shared a bedroom with Portier and Gallagher as part of a platoon leadership triad and he told an NCIS agent during a May 31, 2018, interview that he came to know both men well.
The agent asked the AOIC if he could guess why he was being questioned.
He told the investigator that it likely involved Gallagher stealing from care packages, some of his tactical decisions in Iraq and “lying to individuals,” including him, “about various topics.”
The AOIC said that he grew to dislike Gallagher during the Mosul deployment, mostly because he "was acting like a younger enlisted platoon shooter without the responsibility of being the platoon chief,” according to the NCIS report.
The AOIC said that he urged Portier to relieve Gallagher and that the platoon commander initially appeared to agree with him, but Portier never fired his chief and discontent within the platoon continued to fester.
The AOIC was deep into his interview with the NCIS agent before he suddenly disclosed the allegation that Gallagher stabbed a wounded ISIS fighter to death while he was being treated for his wounds.
The AOIC told the agent that he didn’t witness the alleged murder, but the SO1 did “and he reported it directly to Portier either the same day or within a few days of the event.”
In fact, the AOIC told the NCIS agent, “he first found out about the allegation from Portier.”
That statement doesn’t seem to jibe with the SO1′s recollection, which is a key reason why Portier’s attorney, Sullivan, wants to question both of them under oath in a public hearing.
Second Navy SEAL charged in war crimes probe
Although he wasn’t present during the alleged homicide near the Iraqi city of Mosul in 2017, Lt. Jacob “Jake” Portier faces an upcoming Article 32 hearing for supposedly covering up evidence that Special Operations Chief Edward “Eddie” Gallagher committed a string of war crimes there.
“They wanted an officer’s scalp”
And it looks like he’s going to get that chance.
On Thursday, the Navy judge in Portier’s case quashed a blanket “protective order” issued by SEAL Group 1 that restricted the attorney’s access to key information about the case.
The decision by judge Capt. Jonathan Stephens, greenlights Sullivan to start interviewing witnesses and could force prosecutors to bring the case back to a preliminary hearing, repeating the Article 32 proceedings that brought the matter to Stephens' court in the first place.
The decision also sets up a legal showdown at Naval Base San Diego on Feb. 15.
Sullivan wants to call a slate of high-ranking witnesses from the SEAL community, including the commodore of Naval Special Warfare Group 1, Capt. Matthew D. Rosenbloom, as well as Rosenbloom’s staff judge advocate, Lt. Keleigh Anderson, and NCIS special agent Joseph Warpinski, who spearheaded the law enforcement probe into the alleged war crimes.
Also on his list are the SO1 who sparked the allegations against Portier and Gallagher and the AOIC who backed them up.
Sullivan suspects that Rosenbloom colluded with other unidentified senior Navy leaders to create a draconian “protective order” that attorneys had to sign or they were barred from reading the evidence collected against Portier.
While Gallagher’s lawyers agreed to Rosenbloom’s blanket gag order, Sullivan never did.
That meant that the only evidence Sullivan could review with his client was Portier’s own brief statement to investigators.
Sullivan believes that if he had the chance to sift through all the evidence collected by NCIS and then share it with other potential witnesses to find out what really happened in the case, he could’ve swayed the investigating officer in the preliminary Article 32 hearing to recommend against bringing his client to court-martial.
“Three separate judges now have found provisions in this protective order that were unlawful,” Sullivan said.
“We feel vindicated now and we can start conducting our own investigation into what really happened here. Instead, we’ve suffered from a prosecution that was gaming the system to gain a tactical advantage over defense attorneys.”
Sullivan vowed “to return to court on the 15th of February and we’re going to reopen the Article 32 hearing.”
“My client has been denied substantial rights, including having exculpatory evidence presented,” he said.
Under Rosenbloom’s “protective order,” Sullivan said he was allowed to read one thick government binder for about an hour shortly before the preliminary hearing, which prevented him from calling witnesses or properly preparing for Portier’s defense.
And he thinks that was by design.
“What this comes down to is that they wanted an officer’s scalp so they picked Portier,” Sullivan said.
Asked if prosecutors charged Portier to pressure him into ratting out other top officers and senior enlisted SEALs in Group 1 identified in investigative files provided to Navy Times, Sullivan declined comment.
Officials at Group 1′s parent unit, Naval Special Warfare, did not return messages from Navy Times.
Contacted directly by email, the Navy’s lead prosecutor in the case, Cmdr. Christopher W. Czaplak, referred all questions to Navy Region Southwest spokesman Brian O’Rourke, who also declined comment.
So did Phillip Stackhouse, one of Gallagher’s civilian attorneys.
About Carl Prine
Prine came to Navy Times after stints at the San Diego Union-Tribune and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He served in the Marine Corps and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. His awards include the Joseph Galloway Award for Distinguished Reporting on the military, a first prize from Investigative Reporters & Editors and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
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Dennis Quaid Files for Divorce, Asks for Joint Custody of Twins
Wife Kimberly filed for a legal separation more than a month ago
By Natalie Finn • Published at 12:30 am on December 1, 2012
Dennis Quaid is pulling his half of the plug.
About a month and a half after wife Kimberly filed for a legal separation, the Vegas star has filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences and requesting joint legal and physical custody of their 5-year-old twins.
He also expressed his willingness to pay spousal support, according to the petition filed today in L.A. Superior Court and obtained by E! News.
Democrats 9 hours ago
Nancy Pelosi 44 mins ago
View the documents
October marked the second time Kimberly started official split proceedings, the couple having attempted a reconciliation after her initial attempt in March. The future ex-Mrs. Quaid, meanwhile, has asked for joint legal and primary physical custody of the children.
Vegas has a full-season order from CBS
In the court docuements, Quaid lists their date of separation as Oct. 1. He also asks that he and his ex be responsible for their own legal fees.
This was Quaid's third marriage, his second, to Meg Ryan, coming to an end in 2001 after 10 years.
Dennis Quaid opens up about 1980s cocaine habit
He and Kimberly tied the knot July 4, 2004. Their son Thomas and daughter Zoe Grace were born via gestational carrier on Nov. 8, 2007.
The infants suffered life-threatening health scares just days after they were born when they received an accidental overdose of blood thinners at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The Quaids sued the hospital and the maker of the drugs, citing negligent packaging practices, and ultimately reached settlements with both.
Big celebrity splits
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Top Tory says that we should continue to take short flights despite the climate crisis
January 15, 2020 at 9:09 am 0
The Tory Health secretary said that the British should continue to take short-haul domestic flights despite the climate crisis.
Matt Hancock said people shouldn’t cut back on domestic air travel because it’s faster than taking the train.
It comes despite Chancellor Sajid Javid claiming that Tory’s plans for government were “the most environmentally friendly manifesto ever published”.
Last month Boris Johnson said that a “far-reaching” environmental program would make this nation “the cleanest, greenest on Earth.”
However, he asked if, given the “climate catastrophe”, we should have flown less, Hancock told BBC Radio 5 Live: “No.
“I think connectivity across the country is incredibly important.
Boris Johnson said that a “far-reaching” environmental program would make this nation “the cleanest, greenest on Earth”
(Image: REUTERS)
“For example, take flights to the Scilly Isles, it is very difficult and takes a long time to get to the Scilly Isles if you are not on the plane.”
He said he had flown from London to Aberdeen and, asking if he would do it again, replied: “Yes, of course, if it is necessary.”
When asked what “needed” meant: “Well, if I needed to get to Aberdeen and didn’t have time to take the train.”
Asked if the British should not make sacrifices on such matters to help the environment, he said, “No.
It comes after the government rescues Flybe
“We should use technology to reduce carbon emissions – for example, electric planes are a potential in the not too distant future.
“I’ve been told that electric planes are on the horizon, if that isn’t pushing the metaphor too far.”
He added: “The flight has already decarbonized and can decarbonize more.”
Hancock’s comments are likely to spark fury from environmental activists, who are already on fire to rescue the government of Flybe-owned Virgin Airline.
Latest British political news
Tory’s manifesto has pledged that the UK will achieve net zero climate emissions by 2050, but activists said it wouldn’t be early enough.
Boris Johnson also sparked outrage during the election campaign by flying just 90 miles in a 72-seat plane that consumes gas instead of taking his election battle bus.
The prime minister was convicted after bringing helpers and reporters on the half-hour flight from Doncaster Sheffield airport to Teesside airport – despite the fact that the same journey took about an hour and 43 minutes on the road.
Tags BBC Radio 5 Live Boris Johnson Conservative party Environment flybe Policy
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The 10 Best Celebrity Quotes of the Week
NewSimulationShoes, May 11, 2019
“There is this stereotype that only a 20-year-old woman in a bikini is hot. Like once we reach a certain age, we are no longer desirable. But I want to show that modeling has no age. I’m coming out of retirement to practice what I preach.”
— Tyra Banks, on fighting age-related stereotypes with her return to modeling to cover
Stefanie Keenan/Getty
“I was like, ‘Holy s—, I can’t drive that car.’ First of all, I’m going to wreck it. I’m the worst driver in the world. Second of all, you get in it and I’d never driven a Porsche but really like — it’s a stick.”
— Reese Witherspoon, on being terrified to park Denzel Washington’s Porsche while she was an intern on
Rich Polk/Getty Images
“My wife is very, very English — very British. The other day I caught my son … my son said ‘
— George Clooney, joking about his twins Ella and Alexander picking up their mom Amal Clooney’s accent, on
“P.S. If you aren’t ‘caught up’ ‘just started watchinggggg’ or ‘didnnnt have time to watch yet’ cry me a river cause I didn’t watch on the dot for damn near a decade to not be able to talk about the episodes cause your ass is late. Suck a d—!”
— Iggy Azalea, shutting down fans who called her out for sharing a
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— Halle Berry, joking about what she learned during six months of dog training while filming
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“I haven’t been to many births, this is definitely my first birth. It was amazing, absolutely incredible. As I said, I’m so incredibly proud of my wife. As every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to die for, so I’m just over the moon.”
— Prince Harry, gushing over the arrival of his and wife Meghan Markle’s new baby boy Archie, to reporters
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“The first time when we went together was sort of like … so awkward. We didn’t know each other. We were vibing, we didn’t know … This time it was so great to go with your best friend, because all we did was sit with each other and we could talk about everything.”
— Priyanka Chopra, on returning to the Met Gala red carpet with husband Nick Jonas two years after they first went together, to PEOPLE
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“There are a lot of women with no respect for a marriage … For you lonely girls who can’t keep their hands off other people’s men, there’s a hot place in hell for you.”
— Wendy Williams, sharing her feelings on women who try seducing married men, on
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“It does feel great. The actual hands-on thing of saving animals is so rewarding and so inspiring … to me it’s one of the greatest joys that’s ever come into my life.”
— Brian May, on his passion for rehabilitating hedgehogs, on Channel 5 show
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“Yes my tattoo says… ‘don’t loose who you are in the blur of the stars.’ Yes they are MY lyrics from my song ‘Who You Are.’ Yes that I wrote. Yes I spelt the tattoo wrong. Yes I repeat it’s spelt wrong. Yes I got it done in Essex. Yes the tattoo artist didn’t mention it. Yes I was 18 … Don’t @ me.”
— Jessie J, preemptively brushing off comments about her misspelled tattoo, on Instagram
May 11, 2019 NewSimulationShoes News
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Home | Denis Kleinfeld
Tags: Trump Administration | Donald Trump | president | donald trump | campaign | promise
Bright Line Campaign Promise Test for President Trump
(Getty/Zach Gibson)
By Denis Kleinfeld | Sunday, 13 November 2016 07:05 PM
How are we going to know whether President Trump and the Republican Party are fulfilling their respective campaign promises?
Repealing and replacing Obamacare is not shovel ready right now. How long that will take is any one’s guess.
It’s not as if President Trump can just wave a wand, or in the style of President Obama just use the telephone or pen, to make major changes.
Congress, that being Democrats, Republicans, and Bernie will still continue milking the system for all they can get. Then there is the nightmare of dealing with the entrenched bureaucrats.
The swamp has not been drained yet. Anything involving Congressional legislation or bureaucrats is still a matter of business as usual. Maybe if the Public Corruption Section of the DOJ convicts a couple of the most blatant crooks that could at least catch the attention of the rest.
So let’s face it. The Republicans, like their supposed opposition party, will just carry on as usual taxing, spending, while engaging in flagrant nefarious cronyism. That is until the President clamps down on them.
In the meantime, what can President Trump do on his own which would definitively demonstrate he is fulfilling at least one campaign promise?
The State Department can move the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. What that would entail by the President is nothing.
I mean literally doing nothing.
If President Trump lifts no finger, then existing legislation that passed with massive bipartisan support in 1995 would require the move of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Is there anybody in the United States that doesn’t already believe that Jerusalem has always been the capital of Israel. At least for the last 3000 years.
The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 was passed by a vote of 374-37 in the House and 93-5 in the Senate and signed into law by then-President Clinton. If the State Department refused to move the embassy by December 31, 1999, then 50% of the funds appropriated to the State Department would be withheld.
The Act called for Jerusalem to be an undivided city and recognized as the capital of Israel.
The law provided for the President to defer the move for 6 months if he determined it necessary to protect the national security interests of the United States.
After Clinton, then President Bush signed deferral waivers every six months for 8 years; and then President Obama signed deferral waiver for the last 8 years.
The next time that a deferral waiver comes up for a decision on signing it will be up to President Trump.
As widely reported, Donald Trump in September pledged to recognize Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel.
The Republican Party as part of its 2016 Party Platform, promised to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
(Mrs. Clinton, apparently not wanting to upset her Muslim campaign funders, cautiously pledged to oppose the BDS movement and UN meddling.)
Obviously, the United States has no real allies among any Muslim country. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia have been in private actively funding terrorist groups while duplicitously acting, in public, as a friendly nation. Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, just as examples of other Muslim countries, have also been doing the same thing.
And they inevitably vote against the United States in the United Nations.
The only loyal ally the United States has in the Middle-East and one which the United States has a “special relationship” and an “unbreakable bond” is Israel.
Unlike President Clinton, President Bush, and President Obama who were, it now appears, in the pocket of various Arabic Countries, President Trump comes into office beholden to nobody.
I look forward to President Trump signing many revocations and repeals of President Obama’s Executive Orders and major regulation.
But for me, the bright line test as to President Trump fulfilling a campaign promise is whether the American embassy moves from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Denis Kleinfeld is known as a strategic tax and wealth protection lawyer, widely published author and creative teacher.
© 2020 Newsmax Finance. All rights reserved.
How are we going to know whether President Trump and the Republican Party are fulfilling their respective campaign promises?Repealing and replacing Obamacare is not shovel ready right now.
president, donald trump, campaign, promise
Sunday, 13 November 2016 07:05 PM
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HOME News What's new NRI upgrades I-STAR Suite for T+1 settlement of Japanese government bonds
NRI upgrades I-STAR Suite for T+1 settlement of Japanese government bonds
-Upgrade enables solution for general collateral repurchase transactions-
Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.
Page for Print（49KB）
TOKYO May 9, 2018 - Today NRI, a leading provider of consulting services and system solutions completed the upgrade of its popular I-STAR Suite to support T+0 settlements of general collateral repurchase transactions which is promoted by Japan Securities Clearing Corporation (JSCC).
I-STAR Suite has recently been updated to I-STAR/CORE to provide enriched real-time processing, reliability and expandability. This successful upgrade prepared I-STAR Suite to be ready for T+1 settlement of Japanese government bonds.
I-STAR/LC, a functionality of I-STAR/CORE can now calculate and submit allocable balances stating the issues available for allocation and their balance by each netting account or fund (positive list) to JSCC in real-time. Real-time submissions enable I-STAR users to improve the efficiency of operations as well as to increase organizational transparency.
As an application service provider (ASP) solution, NRI’s I-STAR Suite of solutions enables users to respond in a timely manner to regulatory changes in the industry, while also reducing the cost burden of upgrading the system each time.
The JSCC is currently completing an initiative to enhance the competitiveness of Japanese capital markets and finance, as well as to secure post-trade processing infrastructure.
“NRI has been working in parallel with the JSCC’s regulatory changes to ensure that financial institutions can transition their operations to the new regulations,” said Masaaki Yamazaki, Managing Director of NRI. “We’re excited to complete this new set of functionalities in one of our most popular solution suites to assure a smooth transition for our customers.”
NRI (Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.), founded in 1965, delivers innovative solutions to your problems by providing insight-driven research, consulting and managed services. Leveraging our expertise, NRI caters to a wide range of operational needs of the international financial services community to establish new industry standard service. NRI empowers clients with a team of 13,000 skilled professionals in more than 50 offices globally.
For more information, visit https://www.nri.com/en/service/fis/at-a-glance
Sayaka Takeda
Nomura Research Institute America, Inc.
TEL：+1 212-636-0539
E-mail： sayaka.takeda@nria.com
Inquiries about the Solution:
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Securities Wholesale IT Solution Department I
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NRI Secure Receives “Japan Managed Security Service Provider of the Year Award” for Third Straight Year
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Nomura Research Institute Launches New Service and New Version of System Management Solutions
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HomeNews & FeaturesPress Room
Please submit media requests via our online form and include specific questions and deadlines.
The NSA/CSS Public and Media Affairs Office fosters relationships with media outlets throughout the world responding to requests for information about NSA/CSS and its missions interviews with leadership or experts and filming opportunities.
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NSA/CSS Visitor Control Center 1 is Going Green
Release No: PA-149-18 April 23, 2009
On Friday, April 24, 2009 the National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new green Visitors Control Center. The Honorable Dutch Ruppersberger will provide a keynote to honor the new center. Mr. John C. Inglis, NSA Deputy Director and the Honorable Ruppersberger will take part in opening the new center with a ribbon cutting.
The new Visitor Control Center has several updates to help NSA/CSS go green, including a solar array on the roof that converts sunlight into electricity. Some of the other new "green" aspects of the center are photovoltaic (PV) lighting, two solar powered light poles, five skylights that provide natural light to reduce the use of electric lighting, BigBelly Solar Trash and Recycling Receptacles, and restroom technology of both the "flushless" and one-pint flush systems. The new center will also include geothermal heat pump (GHP) that harnesses the earth's constant temperature as a heat source in winter and a heat sink in summer.
Visitor Control Center 1 is located off of Canine Road and is the welcoming center for visitors with important business at the Agency. The ribbon cutting will began at 1:30 in the afternoon.
Media representatives interested in covering the ribbon cutting, please contact the NSA/CSS Public and Media Affairs Office via phone at 301-688-6524 or via email at nsapao@nsa.gov. Photos will be made available upon request.
news Press Release 2009 NSA transparency recycling geothermal Visitor Control Center National Security Agency photovoltaic John C. Inglis Dutch Ruppersberger flushless BigBelly GHP
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Flurries and a few snow showers throughout the night. Low 18F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 30%..
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Man fatally struck by vehicle, police say
U.S. Marijuana Job Growth Could More Than Double by 2021
newsfeedback@fool.com (Sean Williams)
You may not realize it, but the legal weed industry is among the fastest-growing in the United States. Marijuana Business Daily released a report last year entitled "Marijuana Business Factbook 2017" that called for a whopping 45% legal pot sales growth in the U.S. in 2018 and an aggregate tripling in sales between 2016 and 2021 to approximately $17 billion. The big bump in 2018 is a result of California opening its doors to recreational marijuana sales, as well as organic growth in existing legal states.
Favorability toward cannabis has been a big reason why sales are soaring, as well as why marijuana stocks have doubled or tripled in value over the trailing year. Respondents across five national polls since April 2017 have overwhelmingly favored the idea of legalizing pot for adult use. A separate poll from the independent Quinnipiac University this past August found that 94% of Americans are behind the idea of legalizing medicinal cannabis, compared to a mere 4% who oppose the idea.
The number of U.S. cannabis jobs may more than double between 2017 and 2021
However, the view most people have of the pot industry is probably very linear. They simply see growers, distributors, and retailers, when in reality there's much more. There are consultants, delivery companies, supply chain management providers, processors, venture capitalist, event planners, and so much more that I'm not even mentioning here. You could rightly say there's a "canna-verse" out there that's probably going unnoticed by most of the American public and investors.
Last year, this budding U.S. industry accounted for $9 billion in sales, according to Tom Adams, managing director of BDS Analytics, and more importantly, the industry employed 121,000 people. By 2021, BDS Analytics is estimating that cannabis industry employment in the U.S. will more than double to 292,000 people. That represents a compound annual growth rate in American weed-related jobs of roughly 25%. What industries do you know of where the labor force is expected to grow by 25% a year? My guess is not too many.
What's truly unique about the dazzling growth the cannabis industry has delivered is that it's done so with the federal government maintaining its Schedule I classification on the drug. Schedule I substances are wholly illegal, highly prone to abuse, and are deemed to have no recognized medical benefits.
Jeff Sessions is waging war on the pot industry
A number of loose rules and state regulations have thus far fostered an environment that's allowed the pot industry to thrive. For instance, the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment (also known as Rohrabacher Blumenauer) ensures that the Department of Justice can't use federal dollars to prosecute medical marijuana businesses that are operating in legal states.
Similarly, between August 2013 and early January 2018, the Cole memo, which was drafted by former Deputy Attorney General James Cole, was in effect. This memo provided a loose framework of rules that states would have to abide by in order to keep the federal government from intervening. Some of these factors including keeping adolescents away from pot and ensuring that weed grown in a legal state stayed in that state.
Unfortunately, many of these protections for the cannabis industry are paper thin, and current Attorney General Jeff Sessions is doing what he can to tear them down and wage war on the industry. Last year, Sessions sent a letter to a few of his congressional colleagues requesting that the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment be repealed, with no luck. He did, however, manage to rescind the Cole memo on Jan. 4, 2018, suggesting that it overstepped its bounds when implemented. Its removal clears the way for state-level prosecutors to use their discretion in bringing charges against persons and businesses operating in legal states.
Though 29 states have legalized cannabis in some capacity, including eight that have green-lighted adult-use weed, it's unclear what the future will hold for these states considering Sessions' recent war on pot.
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Could Canada become the new marijuana job mecca?
Even assuming the U.S. legal weed industry continues to grow, its ceiling remains limited as long as Sessions, and arguably Donald Trump, are in office. No matter what the polls suggest, it's pretty clear this administration isn't going to give reform the time of day.
However, it just so happens that our neighbor to the north, Canada, could become a breeding ground (or should I say budding ground) for cannabis job growth.
Canada legalized medical weed back in 2001, and it's currently in the process of reviewing legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana by August 2018. Progressive parliament members easily outnumber conservatives in Canada, and the federal government has already worked out a two-year tax-sharing agreement with the provinces. The path is clear for Canada to become the first developed country in the world to green-light adult-use pot.
For example, Canopy Growth Corp. (NASDAQOTH: TWMJF), the largest pot stock in the world by market cap, currently has 665,000 square feet of growing capacity across seven facilities. Canopy Growth is also in the process of constructing or developing 3.7 million square feet of growing capacity in British Columbia. Once complete, these more than 4 million square feet of growing capacity, not to mention Canopy Growth's multiple distribution channels, could be direct and indirect sources for job creation.
According to Alison McMahon, the founder and CEO of Cannabis At Work, approximately 150,000 jobs are expected to be added by the cannabis industry in Canada over the next couple of years.
If you're looking to take advantage of the green rush as an investor, take the hint and keep your eyes focused on Canada.
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Major Brian Shortall
Troop C Commander
Trooper Aga Dembinska
Troop C Headquarters
Route 7, Box 300
Sidney, NY 13838-0300
cpio@troopers.ny.gov
Troop C Stations
Latest News > Troop C - Sidney >
C 1 01/19 01/13 01/14 01/15 01/16 01/17 01/18
Homer troopers arrest man for DWAI and also find meth making materials
On January 14, 2020 at approximately 12:28 a.m. New York State Police at Homer arrested David M. Bucanelli, age 32 of Homer, NY for the felony of Manufacturing Methamphetamine in the third degree and the misdemeanors of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the seventh degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the fourth degree. (more)
Syracuse man arrested for attempted burglary in Homer
On January 10, 2020 at approximately 7:12 p.m., New York State Police at Homer arrested Curtis D. McCormick, age 54 of Syracuse, NY for the felony of attempted Burglary in the second degree and the misdemeanor of Criminal Mischief in the fourth degree. (more)
Arrest made in burglary and pursuit in Chenango County
On January 9, 2020 at approximately 3:24 p.m., New York State Police arrested Tami L. Gray, age 31 of Oneida, NY for the felonies of Burglary in the first degree, Robbery in the second degree, attempted Robbery in the second degree and the misdemeanors of Menacing in the second degree and Reckless Endangerment in the second degree. Additionally, a male suspect has charges pending. (more)
Norwich troopers investigate one car fatal crash
New York State Police at Norwich are investigating a one-car fatal accident in Chenango County. (more)
UPDATE 81sb reopened after early morning crash in Cortland County
Interstate 81 at Preble is now open. (more)
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History: The Sword Dance or Ghillie Callum is one of the oldest of our Highland Dances. Tradition has it that Ghillie Callum refers to a Celtic Prince, Malcolm Canmore who was the victor in combat which took place in 1054. Malcolm Canmore is said to have crossed his Sword with that of his opponent symbolizing the Sign of the Cross - then danced in triumph.
Interpretation: The dance portrays the agility of the Highlander dancing over the sharp cutting edges of the Sword by skilful crossing and re-crossing with intricate steps and perfect balance, the dance culminating in the dancers complete disregard for the sharp cutting edges of the double sided Broadswords as he finishes in Quick Time, his dance of defiance.
Execution: The opening step travels around the outside of the crossed swords, the remainder of the dance being performed inside, over and around the centre crossing. Each quarter step must be repeated with progression anti clockwise.
All movements in over and across the Swords must be evenly spaced. In Side and Forward Crossing and Spring Points the working leg is held straight in open positions. In turning over the Swords, the knees will be slightly flexed in Open positions.
The Dance is performed to its own traditional tune" Ghillie Callum" but is performed in two tempos, the dancer signaling for the change in tempo by clapping during the last four counts of the last slow time step.
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Doctors say Wellington transport study needs a health check
A group representing OraTaiao: The New Zealand Climate and Health Council, which consists of around 200 health professionals, is calling for an urgent revision of Wellington’s public transport plans. They presented their concerns to a panel of local mayors and NZTA in Wellington today.
The doctors say the current Public Transport Spine Study (PTSS) takes no account of the measures needed to counter climate change, and ignores the impact of different modes of transport on human health.
It also fails to acknowledge that car usage in the Wellington region is falling, and the government’s Roads of National Significance (RONS) project for Wellington is seen as heading in the wrong direction. “These new roads, built at vast taxpayer expense, will encourage more people to use private cars at a time when the country needs to encourage greater use of public transport and active modes. Walking and cycling provide healthy exercise and are climate-friendly,” Dr Russell Tregonning, spokesperson for the group, said.
Commenting on the public transport options being presented, Tregonning said, “The study favours diesel-run buses, and undermines the light rail option by giving it highly inflated costs and few benefits”. The doctors favour electric light rail, saying it is climate-friendly, with no greenhouse gas emissions, and free of air pollution.
The group is calling for an immediate health impact assessment of the Spine study. This would analyse the effect of transport infrastructure on health, including physical activity, obesity, heart and lung diseases, and health equity. “Wellington needs a congestion-free, dedicated public transport system that is healthy, without delay.
Dr Russell Tregonning. Mob. 027 444 6805
OraTaiao: The New Zealand Climate & Health Council has more than 200 senior doctors and other health professionals in New Zealand concerned with climate change as a serious threat to health and health services. See: www.orataiao.org.nz
Climate change is a real and urgent threat to the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders.
New Zealand must be an active partner in global cooperation to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions to 350ppm CO2‐equivalents by:
- rapidly halving our own emissions by 2020;
- paying our fair share of international investment in a global future.
New Zealand can, and must, respond to climate change in ways that improve population health, accord with Te Tiriti o Waitangi, create a more equitable, just and resilient society, and promote a healthier economy within ecological resource limits.
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Christie Unveils State Budget Plan
February 25, 2014, 5PM EST
263812638126381Christie Unveils State Budget PlanGov. Christie has proposed spending $34.4 billion for fiscal year 2015, a 3.5 percent increase over the current year.2014-02-25 05:40 pmdisabled2365188126true
By Michael Aron
Chief Political Correspondent
Contrary to Democratic speculation, Gov. Chris Christie’s budget plan appears to fully fund the public employee pension system and does not propose a new tax cut.
In a room at least half full with Christie staff, cabinet officers and allies, he got a rousing welcome.
His message to this joint session of the legislature, however, amounted to a warning about the pension system. Even after historic pension reform three years ago, the funds are still $52 billion in debt, he said.
“All of you have great ideas of things you want to do to make New Jersey stronger and more competitive. So do I. If we do not get this tiger by the tail, none of it will happen,” Christie said.
The budget Christie presented for fiscal year 2015 would spend $34.4 billion, an increase of 3.5 percent over the current year. It’s the largest state budget ever, but 94 percent of the increase is eaten up by rising pension, employee health benefit and debt service costs.
“Nine out of every 10 dollars of new spending this year goes to fund these three entitlements. Just three things eating up 94 percent of the new spending. The looming crisis is clear,” said Christie.
Christie compared New Jersey to the bankrupt city of Detroit. But Democrats weren’t buying that.
“I was a little offended by the word ‘entitlement,'” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “A pension’s not an entitlement. It’s something that people have paid into. And there was mismanagement over the years with the pension system. We all know that. But we fixed that back when we did the pension/benefit overhaul. And employees are paying more. And if we stay the course, the pension system will be fine. It’s not going bankrupt us.”
Other aspects of the budget Christie unveiled for next year: school aid goes up by $40 million (or about one half of a percent); higher education gets a nearly 8 percent increase; homestead rebates or credits as they’re now called are essentially flat; there is no pay-as-you-go funding for transportation, so the state will again borrow to fund a billion-six in infrastructure repairs; and Christie hopes to start collecting sales tax from online retailers who operate out of state.
While the governor dropped the idea of a tax cut, he proudly announced there are no tax hikes.
Democrats have talked about restoring the millionaire’s tax.
“We need to get revenues. And we can’t keep growing a budget when you know you have more expenses without putting something into it,” said Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto.
They said the best way to raise revenue is to grow the economy.
Christie’s way is to entertain a second round of pension and benefits reform, even though the first round drew angry reactions from public employee unions.
“The reality is that the aggressive reforms we enacted together have only done one thing. They bought us time to act again,” Christie said.
They have four months to resolve it.
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TOPICS: BUSINESS & ECONOMY, POLITICS & GOVERNMENT
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Friday, 16th Mar 2018
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The Government has released the long-awaited regulations to implement the changes to Australia's temporary skilled visa programme that were first announced in April 2017.
The Regulations will come into force on 18 March 2018, and are known as the Migration Legislation Amendment (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa and Complementary Reforms) regulations 2018. The full text of the Regulations can be accessed through this link.
These are the main elements of the new regulations:
The former Subclass 457 visa will be abolished, and will be replaced with a new Subclass 482 visa, which will be known as the Temporary Skill Shortage visa.
As was the case with 457 visas, overseas workers will need to be nominated by a sponsoring employer.
The Subclass 482 visa will have three streams:
The Short-term stream, under which overseas workers whose occupations are on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List will be able to be employed for a maximum of 2 years, unless thatlimitation would be inconsistent with an international trade obligation;
The Medium-term stream - under this stream, workers whose occupations are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List will be able to be employed for up to 4 years;
The Labour Agreement Stream, which would enable skilled overseas workers to be employed under a labour agreement with the Commonwealth government, if there is a need that cannot otherwise be met by the Australian labour market and standard visa programs are not available to meet the need;
The Short-term visa will be able to be renewed only once, unless again this limitation would be inconsistent with international trade obligations.
Applicants under the Short-term stream would have to satisfy a "genuine temporary entrant" requirement, which would be assessed against their circumstances, immigration history, compliance with visa conditions and other relevant matters.
There will be a requirement that primary applicants for the TSS have at least 2 years relevant work experience.
There will also be an English language requirement. For applicants under the Short-term stream, this will remain the same as applied to applicants for the 457 visa. However, the Medium-term stream will require a higher level of English proficiency. Applicants will need to achieve an overall score of at least 5 on the IELTS test, and also a minimum of 5 in each component of the IELTS.
The visa application charges under both the Short-term and Medium-term streams will be higher than the charges have been for 457 visas.
The health criteria are also being made more stringent.
Applicants will have to be able to satisfy Public Interest Criterion 4007; waivers will no longer be available under Public Interest Criterion 4006A, which enabled employers to provide written undertakings that they would meet health costs if the applicant otherwise failed to satisfy health criteria. A waiver will still be available under PIC 4007 - however, applicants will need to show that they will not impose an undue burden on the Australian health system or access to services by Australian citizens and permanent residents.
The TSS will have a Condition 8607, which is comparable to the existing Condition 8107 that has applied to 457 visas, but will also specify that the holder may work only in the occupation in relation to which the TSS was issued.
Accordingly, in order to work in a new occupation, a TSS visa holder must obtain a new nomination from the sponsoring employer and must apply for a new visa.
Further: the visa period that will apply to dependent children who are members of the family unit will cease at the end of the day before the child's 23rd birthday.
Young Czech Republic nationals can now apply for the Work and Holiday visa(Subclass 462), which means they can holiday in Australia and undertake short-term work and/or study and can leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.
As at 15 March 2018, the Work and Holiday arrangement with Bangladesh has ceased.
Source: Department of Home Affairs
Australia to introduce new visa to boost economy, jobs
The Australian Government says it will introduce a new visa for people willing to establish businesses in the country. The visa will not require any mandatory funding outlay and an applicant only needs to demonstrate "vocational English".
Under the proposed visa, foreign entrepreneurs and investors with an innovative idea and a supporting business plan will be able to apply for a temporary visa to establish their venture in Australia.
The existing entrepreneur visa requires a mandatory capital backing of $200,000 which will not be required for the proposed visa.
The applicants' business proposals will be examined by the State or Federal Government authorities before granting a temporary visa.
All applicants must be under 45 years of age and have vocational level English which is band 5 in each four components of the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS).
Entrepreneurs who are successful in establishing their business venture in Australia will become eligible to apply for permanent residence.
After Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton's speech in February, Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge has said the government will seek to expand English-language tests for migrants.
The federal government is keen to introduce English test for migrants to become eligible for acquiring Australian citizenship and Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge has flagged the idea of toughening English-language tests on Wednesday.
Mr Tudge, who took over the citizenship portfolio in December's ministerial reshuffle, has said Australia's multiculturalism model is at risk - unless significant policy intervention addresses the issue of lower integration rates and falling English-language skills, The Australian reports.
Mr Tudge says current policy settings are no longer adequate, amid emerging ethnic enclaves and falling rates of spoken English.
"Australia is the most successful multicultural country in the world," he says in a written speech to be delivered tonight to the Menzies Research Centre in Sydney.
"But I want to sound a note of caution: Australian multiculturalism is not God-given and cannot be taken for granted.
"Indeed, there is emerging evidence that we are not integrating as well as what we have done in the past. Moreover, there are external factors that weren't present even a decade ago that make integration more challenging."
"Our current policies do not address the challenges outlined above. In fact, there are very few formal requirements that encourage integration, adoption of Australian values and English proficiency."
“This is particularly the case where the concentration of overseas born in particular suburbs is aligned with a considerable absence of English being spoken or understood," Mr Tudge said.
"Poorer English (also) means that the prospect of getting a good job is diminished."
He says that recent research shows migrants who spoke English very well were 3.7 times more likely to be employed in 18 months after arrival than those who had poor English.
Job2Go is a local recruitment company based in Adelaide, Queensland and Sydney, and has been providing staffing solutions and human resource services to small to large sized companies throughout Australia. We are hiring for the following positions.
An exciting opportunity had opened for an experienced Cook! Our client has been providing high quality authentic Indian food for the past 20 years. The right candidate will have excellent knowledge of dishes from all over India.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
Formal qualification
Relevant experience as a Cook in similar position is preferred.
The ability to work in a fast paced environment where you will be required to stand for extended periods of time.
The ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
Attention to detail and be a good team player.
Well established BRISBANE Auto Centre is seeking to employ an experienced Panel Beater.
Your role will require you do the following:
Conducting finishing touches on panel repairs including grinding, filing, polishing, painting and spray painting.
Fitting and replacing damaged vehicle parts with new panels.
Utilising welding equipment in cutting and fitting new parts onto the vehicle.
Filling small and large depressions with plastic fillers.
Repairing dents and damaged panels.
Utilising hydraulic equipment to straighten, realign and repair damaged vehicle parts.
Removing upholstery and other vehicle parts.
5 years experience with exclusive European cars like Ferrari, Maserati, Audi, Porsche etc.
Assisting in any other work the supervisor sees fit.
Our client has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Office Manager to join their team! This family owned business specialises in commercial printing including digital, wide format and offset printing. Proven to be very successful, they are currently undergoing a major expansion and therefore are in need of an Office Manager who possess high standards of organisational skills.
Experience within a professional service firm
Formal qualifications required
Strong work ethic and be highly organised and attention to detail with accountability
Ability to prioritise and balance several tasks and work with deadlines with a demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects at one time
Strong administrative skills including record keeping and note taking
Pastry Chef / Baker
With an established brand, our company requires individuals who has trade qualifications and experience as a Baker/Pastry Cook.
The position broadly entails:
Preparing and mixing ingredients according to formulas and methods
Operating manufacturing equipment
Maintaining a clean and tidy work area
Understanding and implementing different cooking processes.
The individual applying requires:
Trade qualifications in baking
Available for full time work
Ability to work in a team environment
Knowledge of baking industry
A positive work attitude and professional manner
Demonstrate a high degree of attention to detail
If you believe you are an applicable candidate and have plenty of energy and enthusiasm, then please forward your resume and cover letter.
Medical Administrator
At least a Bachelor degree or at least 5 years’ of relevant experience.
An understanding of medico-legal issues and the legislative framework for public health services
Ability to work collaboratively with members of an inter-disciplinary team and to communicate with clinical and non-clinical staff
Ability to analyse and critically evaluate relevant information and apply to medical management issues
Well-developed written and communication skills
Contact Job2Go on 1300 562246. If you are interested in any of these positions, please send your resume to jobs@job2go.org
Alternatively you can check our website for further details www.job2go.org
We hope that you have found the information in this issue of our newsletter to be enriching and useful. Stay tuned for our next publication and if you would like to talk to us directly, please do not hesitate to email service@noborders-group.com. In addition, if you would like your contact details updated or removed from this distribution list or you know someone who would like to be added, please email us on the same address.
"The only limits to being the person you truly want to be are your own self-limiting beliefs and thoughts. In every moment, you have the power to choose your life"
Email: service@noborders-group.com
Phone: (+61) 07 3876 4000
Web: www.noborders-group.com
NO BORDERS Universal Migration
Level 4, 20 Park Road
Milton, Brisbane - 4064
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First Steps in English
Sherbourne, England
Particip-8™
RythmeOne tutor - 8 students
Select a week12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546474849505152
Price from :
1 780 £
Academic Experience Academic Experience
Programme Programme
Useful Information Useful Information
Small class sizes ensure that each student receives individual attention from their tutors, providing a learning experience which is unique to their needs. This close proximity between students and teachers fosters close relationships and a supportive environment, which builds confidence amongst the young learners and encourages them to succeed.
Teachers push students to achieve to the maximum of their potential, and set milestones and goals for each student, with constant evaluation. This sets the pace for each learner to surpass their academic expectations and achieve more than they thought possible.
In tandem with English language development, the course piques the intellectual curiosity of the learners by exposing them to a range of authentic sources from different academic subjects, which in turn develops their critical thinking skills as they discuss and analyse them.
The mix of nationalities in the classroom and the wide range of materials covered creates an international outlook amongst students, broadening their horizons and exposing them to new ideas, cultures and ways of thinking.
Objectives of the stay
To develop children's identities in English.
First Steps English
Sherbourne Priors is more than just a language school that supports and develops students with English as a second language. It offers stepping stones for students wanting to eventually enrol into a UK boarding school. It can offer programmes to support students’ specific needs; understanding academic subjects’ terminology in English, preparation for entrance school tests, confidence in presentation skills, mastering of conversational English and much more.
Option tutorial™
• English language lessons
Ranging from Elementary to Advanced, the lessons focus on the four skills of: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, using a full immersion method. The learning continues outside the classroom and conversational English is encouraged at all times, especially round the dinner table during mealtimes. Each week students participate in tests to monitor the progress made. Sherbourne tests include
Cambridge Starters, Movers and Flyers. For the older students (12 and 13 year olds) preparation for the Cambridge KET and PET is also available if requested. The exam supplement is £195.
• Subject lessons
Core subjects are taught in English for academic purposes, such as Maths, Science, History and Geography. Once requested, students can have lessons on subjects which they need to improve on.
• Workshops
The afternoon and evening workshops consist of sports, games and activities that encourage fluency and the spontaneous use of English. These include team building exercises that require cooperation in English to complete tasks, team games that encourage sportsmanship, and arts and crafts to inspire creativity and self expression.
See more programme
Attentes prévues
The ability to speak and write with confidence and accuracy, whilst feeling comfortable using the language.
Hébergement sur place
Full-board residence
Accommodation for all learners in a secure residence with a single bed, with all meals included.
The Experience of Living in Sherbourne
Sherbourne Priors school is located in the heart of Warwickshire, approximately 150km from central London and 130km from Heathrow airport. The picturesque scenery is host to several places of historic interest including Warwick Castle, the baths at Royal Leamington Spa and Shakespeare’s birthplace at Stratford Upon Avon.
Sherbourne Priors School is located in a very intimate setting in an English Manor House where staff and students live, learn and play together. The school is set in five acres of grounds, creating an extended classroom and playground, especially in the summer months.
Sherbourne Priors encourages children to speak English through a fully immersive programme. Outside of formal lessons in the classroom, children follow an afternoon programme of communication and skills workshops through games and activities, designed to encourage fluency and build confidence in speaking. The social programme also offers a sports activity which is an important part of each day, especially for this young age group.
The evening programme focuses on cultural and leisure activities which offers a lot of enjoyment and further enhances their learning experience.
Examples of afternoon activities include: Treasure hunt, selfie challenge, art activities, baking; swimming, badminton, volleyball, football, dancing.
Examples of evening activities include:; Quiz night, team games, fashion show, movie night
The price includes 30 hours of tuition per week, full-board accommodation in a secure residence and a cultural programme.
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Holiday Closing Holiday Closing Read On...
Olympia Fields Named Among 10 Best U.S. Suburbs for Retirement
Retirement destinations: 10 best U.S. suburbs to consider for your golden years
10 best U.S. suburbs for retirement ranked
Author: Lorie Konish, CNBC
Updated: 10:00 AM EDT April 21, 2018
You may not want to retire in a large city with a big population. And the good news is there are some quality suburbs from which to choose.
Digital marketing company ConsumerTrack recently ranked the top suburbs for retirees based on cost of living, median home prices and property tax rates, among other criteria. Many of the towns that landed on the top 10 are based in Southern states across the country.
"They offer both cheap costs of living and social conditions that are conducive to retirees," said Andrew DePietro, content strategist, research and data analyst at ConsumerTrack.
Here's where you may want to settle down in your golden years.
10. Olympia Fields, Illinois
Mean household income: $116,779
Median home listing price: $185,000
Property tax (based on median home price): $4,249
9. Bermuda Run, North Carolina
Property tax: $1,666
8. Dennis, Massachusetts
Mean household income: $97,988
7. Plantation, Florida
6. Pecan Plantation, Texas
5. Sun City, Arizona
4. Fairfield Harbour, North Carolina
3. Sunset Beach, North Carolina
2. Green Valley, Arizona
1. Timber Pines, Florida
© CNBC is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.
Copyright 2017 USATODAY.com
Additional Coverage:
As Seen on NBC Chicago
20 Best Suburbs for Retirees
⇐Previous South suburbs contain 5 communities with nation’s top black homeownership ratesNext⇒ Knowles: Olympia Fields resident works to help black women obtain a variety of leadership roles
Post office named for an American hero, Tuskegee Airman who lived in Olympia Fields
Where Black Homeownership Is the Norm
South suburbs contain 5 communities with nation’s top black homeownership rates
Knowles: Olympia Fields resident works to help black women obtain a variety of leadership roles
Village of Olympia Fields
20040 Governors Highway
Olympia Fields, IL 60461
M-T-W-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
CodeRED Emergency Notification System
Public Works (Non-Emergency): 708-503-8200
Public Works (Emergency): 708-503-8100
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A once in a lifetime chance to protect the world's girls
Every day, we see more headlines documenting the severe rights abuses girls suffer. The primary cause of death for girls age 15-19 is now suicide. As UN leaders open the debate on the next frontier of global development, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to protect the human rights of girls.
Lyric Thompson
The Girl DeclarationAs the 69th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) convenes this month, the year-long intergovernmental process to negotiate the world’s development framework for the next 15 years formally begins. The culmination of this process will be the “post-2015 development agenda,” a set of internationally agreed development objectives that will replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) when they expire next year.
There has been a great deal of debate about what the agenda should look like—whether goals should focus once more on poverty eradication, or instead on climate change and sustainability; whether to include again those goals that the world has not yet met, such as the only goal on gender equality and women’s empowerment (MDG3), or to start afresh with a completely different set of issues. The debate continues, but there is general consensus now that a balance between eradicating poverty and sustainable development is necessary, and that those challenges which have not been overcome (inequality being among them) should be given renewed attention.
For gender equality advocates, that means another, better, MDG 3. This one must go beyond simply “promoting” gender equality, it should commit to achieving it. It should include the focus on empowerment, but for women and girls. There is no demographic that was more sorely overlooked in the original MDGs date and whose rights and needs must be urgently addressed than adolescent girls. In the first round of MDGS, only girls' education was specified as a target. But as we know, there is far more to gender equality than parity in educational enrolment. As females and as young people, adolescent girls face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and vulnerability; their rights are doubly at risk.
We have a once in a lifetime chance to focus on girls. The world is currently host to the largest youth generation in history. Every day, the world sees more headlines documenting the severe rights abuses girls suffer, from the attempted assassination of education advocate Malala Yousafzai to the alarming rates of early, child and forced marriage; from the abductions of Nigerian schoolgirls to the continued, widespread practice of female genital mutilation around the world. At the same time, an ever-expanding evidence base documents the tremendous benefit that healthy, happy, and educated girls provide for the social and economic development of their communities and countries. Simply put, the international community cannot afford to continue to ignore this critical demographic in development and human rights frameworks such as the post-2015 agenda.
Looking at global progress over the past 15 years, it is clear that the MDGs did catalyze tremendous attention and millions of development dollars around a few, concrete areas of priority concern. Extreme poverty, which affects women and girls disproportionately, has been reduced by half since 1990, for instance. In education, the gender gap has been eliminated for girls’ primary school enrolment in all regions.
That is pretty much where the good news ends for girls, however.
Even when girls are in school, there is the troubling question of education quality - what level of learning are girls experiencing, and whether they are able to enjoy a safe, fulfilling educational experience that is equipping them for healthy transitions to adulthood and to pursue careers they want. For the most part, the answer is no. Gender disparities at the secondary level and beyond remain, and this is where the trouble starts in earnest. Girls hit adolescence and drop out of school in higher numbers than boys. During adolescence, puberty hits, and we see more girls getting married early, becoming pregnant before their bodies are ready, and ultimately moving down a pathway toward a life domestic servitude. Chillingly, new research from the World Health Organization (WHO) tells us the primary cause of death for girls age 15-19 is suicide, followed closely by complications due to pregnancy and childbirth. As UN leaders come together to debate the next frontier of global development, these are crucial data points that can no longer be ignored.
Advocates are determined to ensure girls and their needs will no longer be excluded.
The women’s and youth major groups have been at the forefront of negotiations on previous frameworks—from the High Level Panel to the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development. For its part, the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) has been consistently calling for attention to girls’ rights and needs through our research and advocacy. This week we will host the UNGA launch of a report which documents key challenges girls face, giving voice to their recommendations for the future. More than 500 girls from 14 countries and diverse backgrounds, religions, and communities were interviewed about their deepest fears and greatest hopes for the future. And despite tremendous variation in geography and culture, girls were overwhelmingly united around key themes: They want to live lives free from the fear of violence, at home and in public. One girl from Liberia said, “I don’t like men playing with little girls in the bathroom." “I wish violence, muggings and exploitation would decrease,” said another girl, from Brazil. Girls reported awareness of discrimination, simply because they were born female.
They also discussed wanting to be able to attend quality schools in an environment in which they know will be safe, and wanting to have the relevant skills that will enable them to work and provide for their families. “"I wish I could have a decent education and wish that no one could control my personality. I wish to go to a decent school and I wish teachers would not humiliate us and give us a proper education," said one girl from Egypt. "If I’m educated, then if my son tries to kick me out of the house, I’ll be able to argue against him," reported another girl, from India.
They want to choose if, when and whom to marry.
They want to be able to grow up to become physicians, police, and parliamentarians.
They want to count, and to be counted.
These demands have been put forward in the Girl Declaration - a set of goals for girls, by girls, which speaks to their needs from health and education, to freedom from violence and child marriage, to opportunities to thrive and participate in the social, economic and political life of their communities and nations. ICRW and its partners will bring this research and the Girl Declaration to the UN General Assembly this week, calling on governments to heed the call not to negotiate away girls’ rights in the coming months, for which there is a real danger.
Comprehensive sexuality education for young people; protections against forced marriage; and bringing girls out of the household and into the public sphere are increasingly controversial recommendations on the UN stage, and there is a powerful coalition of conservative governments and opposition groups who are fighting it every step of the way. Last year the debate was primarily focused on anticipation of and then commenting on various draft frameworks, such as those mentioned above, and took place more-or-less in public view at the UN Head Quarters. The coming year will be a far more opaque process of inter-governmental and regional debates, the modalities of which have yet to be determined. As a result, there is tremendous room in the details of this for horse-trading, with economic and security interests of governments likely to take precedent over the human rights of girls, who as females and as young people have little to no voice, nor political sway, in the process.
It is a long and likely torturous road ahead, but an essential debate to be had. Hopefully the voices of girls and their advocates will rise above the fray and appeal to the good sense and better conscience of global leaders. Only time will tell.
Who do you think should be the next Labour Leader?
Sir Keir Starmer
Rebecca Long Bailey
Lisa Nandy
Emily Thornberry
Clive Lewis
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Morality and Michael Cohen
Wednesday’s testimony and the crisis of American conscience.
I often wonder who didn’t love Donald Trump. I often wonder who left an affection void that he has tried to fill by winning attention, which is not the same thing. He’s turned his life into a marketing strategy. As Michael Cohen said in his testimony on Wednesday, even the presidential campaign was a marketing campaign to build the Trump brand.
In turning himself into a brand he’s turned himself into a human shell, so brittle and gilded that there is no place for people close to him to attach. His desperate attempts to be loved have made him unable to receive love.
Imagine what your own life would be like if you had no love in it, if you were just using people and being used. Trump, personifying the worst elements in our culture, is like a providentially sent gong meant to wake us up and direct us toward a better path.
Nonetheless, his kind of life has an allure for other lonely people who also live under the illusion that you can win love and respect with bling and buzz. Michael Cohen was one of these people. He testified that in serving Donald Trump he felt he was serving a cause larger than self. Those causes were celebrity and wealth.
.. Getting arrested seems to have been a good education for Cohen. He now realizes that Trump will not provide him with the sustenance he needs. I believe that Cohen basically told the truth in his testimony on Wednesday, but I don’t believe that he is a changed man.
There is none of the purgation of self and transformation of spirit that happens among people who have truly been altered. He’s just switched teams and concluded that the Democrats can now give him what he wants, so he says what appeals to them. That may be progress, but it is not moral renewal.
Cohen has left the Thugs for Trump club and passed that baton to certain House Republicans. I would have loved to have been in the strategy session when the House Republicans decided to be incurious about Trump’s sins and crimes but to rip the skin off Cohen.
Normal people have moral sentiments. Normal people are repulsed when the president of their own nation lies, cheats, practices bigotry, allegedly pays off porn star mistresses.
Were Republican House members enthusiastic or morose as they decided to turn off their own moral circuits, when they decided to be monumentally unconcerned by the fact that their leader may be a moral cretin?
Do they think that having anesthetized their moral sense in this case they will simply turn it on again down the road? Having turned off their soul at work, do they think they will be able to turn it on again when they go home to the spouse and kids?
This is how moral corrosion happens. Supporting Trump requires daily acts of moral distancing, a process that means that after a few months you are tolerant of any corruption. You are morally numb to everything. You end up where Representative Jim Jordan blandly ended up Wednesday, in referring to the hush-money scheme: “I think it’s news we knew about.”
I’ve heard the rationalizations. This is gang warfare. We have to do everything we can to defend our team. The other team leaves us no choice. Those are the sorts of things people say to give themselves permission to yield to their venal ambitions. Those are the sorts of things rookies and amateurs say.
Tags: attention-seeking, bigotry, cheating, david-brooks, gang-warfare, hushy-money, jim-joran, lies, michael-cohen, michael-cohen-testimony, mistress, moral-corrosion, morality, morally-numb, pay-off, thugs-for-trump, trump-collaborators, trump-personify-our-worst, venal
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REFURBISHED IN 2019
Rare opportunity to purchase a newly refurbished park home on this sought after development contact us for more details.
2 Number of Bedrooms
Price: £229950
An early viewing is essential to appreciate the space, standard and location on offer!
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QUALITY AWARD PARK
This ‘Quality Award’ park is in the heart of lovely Surrey countryside. Undoubtedly the Countries most sought after location to own a Park Home for a number of reasons apart from it’s postcode.
Cudworth park even has it’s own bowling green.
The park was one of the first to receive the National Park Home Council’s Quality Award when the scheme was launched in 1995 and has received that Award every year since.
The nearest village to the park is Newdigate, about three miles away, which has a very busy social programme and which has, itself, won a prestigious award-The Village of the Year, as judged by the Voluntary Services Council. Just five miles to the north (towards London) is Reigate, a major town with very good shopping facilities. Dorking, to the west also offers good shopping opportunities as does Crawley to the south. Despite its fairly rural location, Cudworth Park enjoys all main services.
Parkmove are passionate about park living. Whether you're looking for a residential home, retirement, second home or investment for holidays we would love to help you find your dream home on the perfect park. Powered by Parkmove.
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https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/officials-id-virginia-beach-gunman-as-city-employee
Officials ID Virginia Beach gunman as city employee
Nation Jun 1, 2019 10:02 AM EST
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The gunman who killed 12 people in a Virginia Beach municipal building was identified by police Saturday as a 15-year city employee who had served in the military and was described by neighbors as quiet and rarely smiling.
Virginia Beach Police Chief James Cervera identified the gunman as DeWayne Craddock, who was employed as an engineer with the city’s public utilities department. Cervera declined to comment on a motive for Friday’s rampage that ended with Craddock dying in a gun battle with police.
Authorities used a Saturday morning news conference to focus on the victims, saying 11 of them worked for the city. Another victim was a contractor trying to get a permit. They projected photos on a screen and gave each victim’s name along with biographical details.
“They leave a void that we will never be able to fill,” said City Manager Dave Hansen.
Hansen said that chaplains and family assistance workers worked overnight to notify family members of the dead, which he described as “the most difficult task anyone will ever have to do.”
The 11 city employees who died were identified as Laquita C. Brown of Chesapeake, Tara Welch Gallagher of Virginia Beach, Mary Louise Gayle of Virginia Beach, Alexander Mikhail Gusev of Virginia Beach, Katherine A. Nixon of Virginia Beach, Richard H. Nettleton of Norfolk, Christopher Kelly Rapp of Powhatan, Ryan Keith Cox of Virginia Beach, Joshua A. Hardy of Virginia Beach, Michelle “Missy” Langer of Virginia Beach and Robert “Bobby” Williams of Chesapeake. The 12th victim, Herbert “Bert” Snelling of Virginia Beach, was a contractor filling a permit.
Authorities have said the gunman opened fire with a handgun in the municipal building Friday afternoon, killing 12 people on three floors and sending terrified co-workers scrambling for cover before police shot and killed him following a “long gun battle.” Four other people were wounded in Friday’s shooting, including a police officer whose bulletproof vest saved his life, police have said.
Police have said the suspect was armed with a .45-caliber handgun. Cervera said Saturday that more weapons were found at the scene and at his home, but declined to elaborate.
Craddock, 40, was a professional engineer who had graduated from Denbigh High School in nearby Newport News in 1996 and joined the Army National Guard, according to a newspaper clip from the time. He received basic military training and advanced individual training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He later graduated from Old Dominion University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Before going to work in Virginia Beach, he worked for a private engineering firm in Hampton Roads.
Craddock appears to have had no felony record, which would have made him eligible to purchase firearms.
People who live near Craddock said police swarmed the small neighborhood of modest townhomes in Virginia Beach on Friday where some said he had lived for at least 10 years.
Several neighbors said Craddock was clean cut, a member of the neighborhood association board and spent time lots of time at the gym. But they also said he mostly kept to himself, especially after his wife left him some number of years ago.
Angela Scarborough, who lives in the neighborhood, said “he was very quiet . he would just wave.”
She said she knew his wife, but she left some time ago. “She just left,” Scarborough said. “Didn’t let us know or anything.”
“I’m very saddened because this is a great neighborhood,” Scarborough said. “It’s very sad to know that that’s the way he decided to resolve the situation. It’s just something I can’t believe.”
She added: “I would speak to him and he would speak back, but conversation-wise, I never had a conversation with him.”
Cassetty Howerin, 23, who lived under Craddock, was visibly shaken upon learning from reporters that police said he was behind the shooting.
“That could have easily been me,” she said.
Howerin said Craddock had cameras at his home monitoring two nice cars parked out front, including what appeared to be a Mustang. But she said she never saw him bring anyone over. She never saw him come home with groceries.
“He never really cracked a smile,” she said.
She said he seemed to be up at all hours of the night, walking around his apartment and sometimes dropping heavy things on the floor above her apartment. She also said that he was “jacked” from spending a lot of time at the gym.
Associated Press writers Regina Garcia Cano in Washington, D.C.; Denise Lavoie in Richmond, Virginia; and Tom Foreman Jr. in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this report.
Left: A police canine unit stands by in this still image taken from video following a shooting incident at the municipal center in Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S. May 31, 2019. Photo By WAVY-TV/NBC/via Reuters
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Home > News > Social > 201507
KMA Is Not Charging Monies For Allocation Of Space � Mayor To Traders
The Mayor of Kumasi Mr. Kojo Bonsu has paid a working visit to the Kumasi Race Course to interact with traders and also acquaint himself with the challenges they were currently facing at the place.
Accompanied by some officials of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), the Mayor used the occasion to refute allegations that the Assembly was charging monies for the allocation of spaces to drivers and traders.
“Make sure people who come to you to collect monies for the purpose of allocating spaces, are reported to the Assembly”, he cautioned the traders.
He was emphatic that the traders were mandated to only pay the legal market tolls approved by the Assembly.
Mr. Bonsu stated that, the traders’ relocation to the Race Course was temporary, and that, after completion of the first phase of the Kejetia/Central Market Redevelopment Project, they would be resettled at their former place (Kejetia).
He also assured them of government’s resolve to do what was necessary to expedite the reconstruction of the first phase of the project, which involved the construction of the Kejetia Lorry Terminal.
Mr. Bonsu, who also interacted with the KMA revenue collectors at the Race Course, and inspected the tickets issued to the traders to ascertain whether they were genuine.
This was to ensure that the correct receipts were issued to reduce pilfering to the barest minimum to enhance revenue generation.
He assured the traders that everything possible was being done to ensure their comfort in respect of their trading activities.
They should, therefore, collaborate with the Assembly for the successful execution of the first phase of the project at the Kejetia Lorry Terminal.
The Mayor later inspected the Kejetia Lorry Terminal, where the traders were recently relocated from to the Race Course.
The traders were grateful to the Mayor for the visit and sharing their concerns.
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Gifts for bibliophiles
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On The Origin of Species
Sabina Radeva
Sabina Radeva (Illustrator)
The first ever picture-book retelling of Charles Darwin's On The Origin of Species.
'A long, long time ago, before humans even existed, the living world looked very different from how it looks today.'
For most of human history, people believed that everything in the world was created at once. But scientists started to challenge that idea and in 1859 Charles Darwin, a naturalist and biologist, wrote a famous book called On the Origin of Species that revolutionised the way that we have understood evolution ever since.
Now molecular biologist and illustrator Sabina Radeva has recreated Darwin's most famous work as a beautifully illustrated book. The stunning pictures bring the theory of evolution to life for young readers, and anyone who wants to learn about evolution.
Pulling together Darwin's observations from his travels around the world and his ground-breaking explanation of how species form, develop, and change over hundreds of thousands of years, On The Origin of Species is as relevant and important now as it ever was.
A very important project, most beautifully realised. Sabina Radeva's thoughtful text and gorgeous pictures together tell the story of On The Origin of Species, and of Evolution itself, with clarity, humour and great charm. - Emma Darwin
An entrancing picture-book retelling of Darwin's on the Origin of Species ... filled with informative, beautifully designed diagrams and maps. - The Guardian
Vibrantly illustrated ... a beautiful, accessible volume, a must for primary schools, libraries and beyond.
An entrancing picture-book retelling of Darwin's on the Origin of Species ... filled with informative, beautifully designed diagrams and maps.
Sabina's love of science and illustration combine wonderfully in this undeniably beautiful book, distilling Darwin's study down and then conveying it with complete clarity and obvious delight.
Sophy Henn
A great introduction to one of the most important books ever written.
RTE Guide
Evolution explained, in this strikingly accessible picture book...perfect for a younger audience
Picture Book Blogger
Sabina Radeva's book is a wonderful introduction to Charles Darwin's ideas. It will appeal to children, but also, by its deft handling of a number of common misconceptions, may well surprise many adults. She has not shied away from either historical language or scientific ideas and handles both with great charm and without oversimplification.
Alison M. Pearn, Associate Director, Darwin Correspondence Project
A triumph of concision that appeals both to the budding young scientist and to the adult who has given up hope of ever reading Darwin in the original
Emily Bearn, The Telegraph
On the Origin of Species Activity Book
Sabina Radeva is a graphic designer and illustrator based in London, England. In 2008 she graduated from the Molecular Biology M.Sc. programs at Max Planck Institute, Germany. In 2009 she left science for a creative career, and has since studied as an illustrator. Sabina is passionate about projects that blend science with art. She is the mother of two little girls that are her source of daily inspiration. Beautifully illustrated, her retelling of On the Origin of Species was an immediate sensation around the world when launched on Kickstarter - and it is now her first published book!
15 fun facts about evolution for kids
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People Matters
GetSetLearn
FutureReadyHR
HR Learning Center
Blog: IT services companies in India need a cultural overhaul
AUTHORAkash Aggarwal
SATURDAY13JUL 2019
1.6KREADS
#GuestArticle
IT services companies in India need a cultural overhaul
I am not talking about technological innovation; while that, too, is long overdue. What I am instead proposing is a significant improvement in the way IT services companies deal with their ‘human resources’.
Nearly 50 percent of Indian employees cite bad work culture as the most worrisome workplace element at their organization. What’s more, 52 percent of employees rated their workplace as “bad,” and only 20 percent rated it as “good.”
And if you dive deeper into the operations of majority IT services companies, you’ll see a clear reason for this dissatisfaction among employees. To begin with, stringent hierarchies present in most companies cause a major hindrance to internal communication - which is imperative to any employee’s growth. Further, there’s always a rat race to reach the top - without really focussing on what is at hand - leading to hyper-competition, which, despite popular belief, acts as a deterrent to anybody’s productivity. According to a survey, over 2/5th of full-time employees have no perks or flexibility when it comes to their job.
Now, these companies do market themselves as “people-friendly” - but is that the real picture?
High attrition, outrageous Glassdoor reviews, and other negative anonymous feedback go a long way to show just how people-centric today’s organizations really are.
We trust you, but not enough
Some of the leaders in innovation, including Jobs, have repeated time and again that there is no point in hiring incredibly smart, driven people and then telling them what to do, or constrict them with red tape. However, most IT services companies have policies, approval structures, heavy performance review cycles, convoluted feedback loops, and hierarchies - all of which is tied to an already complex compensation structure! The message this sends is that while we are “people-centric,” we don’t trust you enough - so please follow the due process.
After all, if we need to “approve” our people’s actions at every step, and do not give them any flexibility, how can we expect them to execute complex, nuanced projects? Is this a reason that a large part of the IT revenue today comes from mundane, regular tasks like support services, with limited room for innovation?
An overdue overhaul
This entire process-driven workplace setting needs rethinking. It is time to learn from some companies who successfully changed their culture to empower their employees. A famous content company, for example, is a radical adopter of the Holacracy model. It is a method of decentralized management, in which authority and responsibility are distributed throughout the teams, rather than being vested in a management hierarchy. For this, the company primarily follows “No people managers. Maximum autonomy.” Some companies like Adecco, based out of Switzerland, also follow unique initiatives like the “CEO for One Month” program. By challenging all notions conventional of management, these companies foster trust and openness.
Another great idea is to have open salary structures, which facilitates a cycle of free and candid communication between teams. You will see people reaching out, seeking feedback to get better at their work, and also getting paid better. Such a structure will eliminate nepotism and will allow the leaders to be a lot more diligent while deciding salaries. The wall between the management and the employees will also break, as employees will not only be able to question their salary but seek a revision in salary, too, if they are performing well.
An added advantage of an open salary system is that it forces a feedback conversation because now people know if they are paid less or more, as compared to their peers. In fact, why only have an open salary structure, and why not let the people decide the salaries of the management too? Following such a structure will help employees scrutinize what happens at each and every level. If people are given the opportunity to decide the salary of the management, it’ll ensure that management is on their toes at all times, and will eliminate any sense of ‘superiority’ which is often a negative catalyst for any office environment. It will also instil in employees a sense of authority and responsibility, and drive them towards really acting like CEOs.
Another thing some companies practice is a truly flat organization structure. No role, no grades. Pretty much everyone plays a role in a particular assignment and then goes back to the common pool. So in one project, one person might assume a leadership role, but in the next project, that person might end up playing a developer role. This leads to more of a time-boxed or event-boxed role and avoids entitlement. Things like this challenge the status quo and provide a secure and empowering environment for people.
There’s a lot that the IT service industry has to change, and this might be just the right first steps to take. By breaking all barriers of hierarchy, the IT services industry can provide its employees with precisely what they need - a sense of inclusivity and respect. And, while it’s true that competition is necessary for growth, it should be noted that hyper-competition is not. There’s a thin line between the two, and having a salary structure that facilitates openness might just promote the right kind of competitive spirit among the people. It’ll make employees more responsible and accountable, and for many companies, it can end up being a competitive advantage, too!But before anything else, the IT services industry needs to acknowledge employees as humans, and treat them accordingly - only then will anything begin to change.
Topics: #GuestArticle, Culture
Did you find this story helpful?
Akash Aggarwal
Akash Aggarwal- CEO & Co- Founder, Sahaj Software
NEXT STORY: Inculcate employee wellness to retain your millennial workforce
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LlongauUBoat
Date joined: 08/06/18
Wales and the Welsh people experienced the Great War at sea in numerous ways. Bringing together historians, archaeologists, marine scientists, museums and community groups across Wales, the U-Boat Project, 1914-18: Commemorating the War at Sea tells their stories.
The U-Boat Project 1914-18 is a collaboration between the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, Bangor University and the Nautical Archaeology Society. The project is further supported by a network of maritime museums, community and history groups across Wales. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the project is using the latest imaging techniques to reveal underwater wrecks from the Great War, and is supporting coastal communities around Wales to tell their previously untold stories about the Great War at Sea.
Through a mixture of open access online material, a travelling exhibition, free public talks and activity days for the whole family, the U-Boat Project provides unprecedented access to the remains of vessels on the seabed which are part of Wales’s heritage. The research undertaken by the partners uncovers the previously untold stories about the Great War in Welsh waters.
The Royal Commission is working together with an established network of maritime museums and volunteers to find and present a wealth of historical information about each of the wrecks highlighted on this website. This historical dimension is rounded out by the geophysical surveys. The captured high-resolution data of several wrecks, as well as underwater video footage shows the ecology and biodiversity of the wreck sites. This work is being carried out by the Centre for Applied Marine Sciences at Bangor University. During the lifespan of the U-Boat Project, the Marine Conservation Society’s Seasearch initiative are gathering ecological information from the wrecks. Also as part of the project, the Nautical Archaeology Society are providing training in underwater archaeology for sports divers at two sites in north and west Wales.
Thanks to National Lottery players, the Heritage Lottery Fund invests money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about. http://www.hlf.org.uk/. Follow the HLF on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #HLFsupported.
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Home Diary of a Dancebee Film Review Films India Marathi Marathi films Mukta Barve Mumbai Mumbai Pune Mumbai Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2 Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2 Review Prashant Damle Priya Adivarekar Swwapnil Joshi Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2 | Film Review
Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2 | Film Review
Priya Adivarekar Sunday, November 15, 2015 Diary of a Dancebee, Film Review, Films, India, Marathi, Marathi films, Mukta Barve, Mumbai, Mumbai Pune Mumbai, Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2, Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2 Review, Prashant Damle, Priya Adivarekar, Swwapnil Joshi
The much anticipated sequel to one of 2010's most successful Marathi films, Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2 opened to a great response (packed houses during the opening weekend) at several single screen and multiplex cinemas and a good number of shows. While the first film, Mumbai Pune Mumbai, solely focused on building the relationship of lead actors, Swwapnil Joshi and Mukta Barve (and the day long story that followed their chance meeting), the sequel further delves into the journey that follows - engagement, marriage, doubts and confusions. The film also introduces new characters, mainly comprising of Joshi and Barve's (who play Gautam and Gauri) respective families. With a great cast, good songs and a popular lead pair, Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2 has everything going for it. But what's so special in it for you to ditch the other festive big ticket Hindi release and watch this film? We give you 5 reasons!
☻ Swwapnil Joshi as the Punekari Gautam is charming and adds many more dimensions to his portrayal of the character. Joshi adds a mature and emotional side to his character, but not at the risk of losing the innocence and Punekari style, which we all loved in the first film. His natural portrayal of Gautam makes the character look very relatable and real. Plus, you know that a character's "Prabhav" (charisma) has worked, when certain male audience members leave the theatre saying, "Gautam is so much like me," and female members stated, "Gautam saarkha mulga bhetla pahije."
☻ Mukta Barve as the vulnerable and confused Gauri is perfect. Her performances have always been very genuine, be it the first MPM, Jogva or even the recently released, Double Seat. She is one of the few female actors who keeps everything very real, be it her performance, appearance or body language. As Gauri, Barve expresses her confusion, fears and whirlwind of the head effortlessly.
☻ While the lead pair (Swwapnil and Mukta) are always a delight to watch, we can't take our eyes off the ensemble cast either. Veteran Actors Prashant Damle, Savita Prabhune, Asawari Joshi among others deliver honest and incredible performances, making their respective families look just like a simple and real Mumbai or Pune family. The director has played it safe by not introducing too many characters, and that helps, as the focus is solely on the two main families.
☻ Direction Satish Rajwade's simple yet impressive direction makes sure that the flow of the film is smooth. There are no loopholes whatsoever. Both the casting and cinematography of MPM2 is top notch. Editing, BG score and Music is decent. Dialogues, just like the first film, are like a cherry on the cake. There is a great mix of emotional, humorous and romantic dialogues, that stay with you even after the film ends. Although the story was good, the screenplay could have been better.
☻ In close to 150 minutes, Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2 teaches you a lot about various relationships (not just that of a to-be husband and wife). If the simple and impactful moments from the first film left a big smile on your face, the sequel will do the same. It's a breezy family entertainer, that blends several emotions perfectly and presents a picture, that is relatable for almost everyone.
Cons: While the entire film was smooth and flawless, we wish the brand tie-ups were a little less. Some of them were almost on the verge of disrupting the flow of the film.
Final Verdict: This sequel definitely has a lot of Prabhav! Go, watch it with your family and have fun. The perfect family entertainer.
Have you seen Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2? Tweet us your feedback at @priyaadivarekar on Twitter!
Diary of a Dancebee Film Review Films India Marathi Marathi films Mukta Barve Mumbai Mumbai Pune Mumbai Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2 Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2 Review Prashant Damle Priya Adivarekar Swwapnil Joshi
Swwapnil Joshi
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Want to be inspired? Let us introduce you to this MVP of bridesmaids
Corvaya Jeffries, GateHouse Florida
Jen Glantz is getting paid to be herself and she’s paying her trusted team of five to do the same as they run a successful business together.
Underestimated. Underrated. Unknown. That’s what Jen Glantz was. What she is now is another story.
The 30-year-old underdog-turned-author and entrepreneur from Boca Raton, Fla. was told she should pursue a different profession because writing wasn’t her strong suit. She was asked why “a nobody” like her should speak at a women’s business brunch. She was bullied for being the shy tomboy who chose books over boys.
Today, Glantz is living her best life and living it loud, kind of like the lyrics to a well known pop song by Pink: “Raise your glass if you are wrong, In all the right ways, All my underdogs, We will never be never be, anything but loud.”
The MVP of bridesmaids is getting paid to be herself. And she’s paying her trusted team of five to do the same as they run a successful business together.
Anyone connected to a wedding can hire Glantz and her team to show up at a wedding, walk down the aisle, give a toast and more — just like a good friend. They can also help behind the scenes, write a maid-of-honor speech and give real-time advice when pre-wedding meltdowns happen. They even help folks master wedding etiquette from what to wear to how much money to give and how to properly decline an invite. The mighty team, which was once just Glantz, is the wedding industry’s perfect peacekeepers, social directors, assistants and confidants, all in one.
Underdog, no more. In fact, nearly 50,000 people applied to be on Glantz’s team. And while a majority of them couldn’t be hired for just a few positions, many of them signed up for her virtual course, “How to Start Your Own Wedding Business.” The course, priced at $349, has helped people start any business, not just in the wedding industry.
Before the business model, the team of five and the consulting, Glantz was putting on polyester dresses and walking down aisles with complete strangers. She was the one holding up 18 layers of pure dress so that a bride could use the restroom with ease. She was also catching a bouquet like a champ then following those MLB-moves with an “OMG, I can’t believe this” speech. And of course she was the one always participating in the obligatory cha-cha or electric slide.
Talk about genius. She was, and still is, the MVP of bridesmaids.
Shy or not, underdog or not, Glantz knew she’d be successful. What she didn’t know was that witnessing couples fist fight all the way to the altar or finding a bride blackout drunk behind a couch on her wedding night would be part of her journey toward greatness. With all those ceremonies under her belt, a few books and now a business, imagine the stories she can tell.
“I’ve seen people get married for other things — not love. I’ve seen people completely back out of their situation. But I’ve also seen people look at each other in a way that I’ve never seen before,” she said in an interview with The Palm Beach Post in 2017.
And if you thought an angry, overwhelmed, hungry bride was the scariest thing anyone could experience at a wedding, you’re wrong. “Bridezilla” got nothin’ on a drama-loving bridesmaid!
“I worked a wedding when the bridesmaids were doing everything they could to sabotage the day for the bride. One chose not to buy the bridesmaid dress and told the bride that day she was going to wear whatever she wanted,” Glantz wrote in a blog post on EliteDaily.com.
Her crazy, one-of-a-kind journey is a result of her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. She’s also pretty damn tough. Several years ago, she packed her bags and moved to The Big Apple where she struggled with finding love, finding work and finding herself. Fast forward through more failed dates than she can count on her fingers and toes, an 86-year-old bully-turned-BFF and too many NY-style slices of pizza for any South Floridian to admit to eating, and Glatz gifts the rest of us with a memoir and book tour for “Always A Bridesmaid (for Hire).”
At her book signings, she stood in front of tables with printed copies and read a chapter about Ray. The crowd laughed when she got to the part about Ray slamming his hand on a library table, telling her to get out of his face. He was testing her commitment to achieving her business goals. And at the reading in Boca, her mother smiled when Glantz read about that one time Ray told her she was so afraid of failing that she was setting herself up to stay still and achieve nothing — something her mom tried to get through her head for years.
Ray has been her best friend and business mentor for a handful of years. And it was his intimidating demeanor and honest criticisms that propelled Glantz to launch her business and write a book in just two months.
Forgive the cliche, but there must be a raise-your-glass kind of moral to this story. Or a few because that’s just how Jen Glantz, in all her nerd-turned-cool, would have it.
Embrace your uniqueness. Execute your ideas until you’re getting paid to be yourself. Carry on even after you fail miserably. And finally, and most obviously: Never be that bridesmaid who makes the wedding all about you.
Learn something from Jen Glantz:
How to Start Your Own Wedding Business: An online course that helps you take your business from idea to launch in less than 30 days.
Become a Bridesmaid for Hire: Jen Glantz’s ‘Become A Pro Bridesmaid’ crash course.
Consulting Services: Hire Jen Glantz directly for anything from one-on-one coaching to copywriting services, book-publishing help and more.
You’re Not Getting Any Younger: A free podcast for those who want to disrupt your life, for a good reason and make it count. Previous guests include from Gaby Dunn, Rachael O’Brien of Vanderpump Rules, Radha Agrawal, co-founder & Partner at THINX.
Purchase Always a Bridesmaid (for Hire)
https://web.archive.org/web/20170331120859/https://bridesmaidforhire.com/become-pro/?_ga=2.85499225.1335793883.1549039965-1594610806.1547061613
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Brands2Life wins 007 game
September 05, 2008 by Henry Williams
Agency beats off competition to land new James Bond game Quantum of Solace.
Brands2Life has emerged triumphant from a keenly fought pitch to manage the UK launch of Activision's new James Bond computer game.
The latest Bond film, Quantum of Solace, will hit cinema screens on 31 October. The computer game will be released a week later on 7 November.
Brands2Life will run a consumer lifestyle campaign ahead of the launch. The campaign will then keep on running until the end of the year.
The agency pitched against specialist gaming agencies for the work. 'One reason we won the pitch was our grasp of the Bond brand,' claimed Scot Devine, co-head of consumer at Brands2Life. 'The 007 brand is the movie world's most protected and working on it can mean walking a real tightrope.'
Brands2Life's campaign forms part of Quantum of Solace's worldwide release, but the company insisted it had been given a large degree of autonomy in its role.
Quantum of Solace is built on the same platform as Activision's Call of Duty 4, which was the world's bestselling game of 2007.
'The campaign is going to be media neutral, so it will run across various platforms in the media,' said Devine. 'There is going to be a mix of traditional, interactive and guerrilla PR, ranging from editorial in magazines to charity events held in cinemas.'
Unlike the launch of the latest James Bond book earlier this year, Devil May Care, the campaign will not feature media stunts involving the current Bond, Daniel Craig.
Craig had previously expressed his reservations about contributing to a Bond computer game, but he is supporting the campaign by allowing his image to be used.
Battenhall appoints new UK MD amid leadership shake up
CI Group acquires B2B and consumer PR agency
Red Havas appoints client services director
Exclusive: Virgin Group narrows shortlist for 50th anniversary brief
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Nathan Torpey
Get your eyes checked before it's too late
Optometrists warn Australians are at high risk of eye disease.
The outlook for Australia’s eye health is grim, with more than 800,000 Australians expected to experience vision loss or blindness by 2020.
The alarming statistics from Vision Initiative are part of a reminder for regular eye checks by optometrists who believe 90 percent of vision loss could be preventable or treatable with early detection.
Eye Health 1st has been launched to empower Australians to get their eyes checked before it’s too late. The website provides a directory of optometrists from around Australia, an online booking system and education resources.
Optometrist Jeremy Richards said that by the time eye disease symptoms start to appear, it may be too late to prevent permanent damage.
“Australians aged 40 and above may not realise that they are at higher risk of developing an eye disease,” he said.
“A simple eye health check every two years should be an essential part of every person’s healthcare routine, just like regular check-ups with a GP and dentist.
“As you get older, it becomes more important than ever to have the same trusted healthcare providers who can give you a personalised and consistent level of care.”
Managing director and co-founder of parent company My Health 1st Klaus Bartosch said the national eye health campaign would tackle the two main reasons Australians fail to take care of their eyes - a lack of education and apathy.
“This campaign is about improving the health of the eye,” Mr Bartosch said.
“It’s about prevention and early detection. Most people would agree that sight is their most important sense. We mustn’t lose sight of what’s important.
“We know and understand the importance of oral health by the time we are teenagers. We want every Australian to think about eye health the same way and it becomes critically important in people over 40 years of age.”
health Blind spots
Dog walking, smooth talking, diet coke drinking, music, movie, motoring, podcast and sport loving Journalist for RACQ.
Make your wellness a priority
Nine popular yoga styles explained
Life insurance for singles
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Private funding needed under C$6bn VIA Rail investment plan
CANADA: National passenger operator VIA Rail says that private-sector backing will be needed to support an investment programme worth more than C$6bn over the next decade.
Chief Executive Yves Desjardins-Siciliano told the Terrapinn World Rail Festival conference in Amsterdam on November 13 that VIA Rail’s most pressing priority is to select a supplier for fleet of push-pull trainsets to replace rolling stock on its core Québec City – Windsor route. He said that a preferred bidder would be named before the end of this year.
VIA Rail is looking to procure 32 push-pull trainsets, offering improved accessibility, Tier 4 compliant and more fuel-efficient diesel engines and the option to operate on electrified lines in the future.
Four companies have prequalified: Bombardier Transportation Canada, Siemens Canada, Stadler US and Talgo. The new trainsets are expected to enter service from 2022.
He also suggested that the province of Ontario would confirm its intent by April next year to proceed with construction of a new alignment for passenger trains between Toronto and London. While this has been referred to as a high speed line, Desjardins-Siciliano suggested that the maximum operating speed would ‘not be much more than 200 km/h’, reflecting a need for inter-city trains to stop at least every 100 km to serve a densely populated region. ‘At present we are dependent on using freight trackage, but infrastructure in North America is fundamentally unsuited to passenger rail operations.’
He believed that some private sector funding would be needed to complete the second phase between London and Windsor. ‘Canada is attractive to institutional investors because of its economic health and geopolitical stability. Canadian pension funds have already invested in rail infrastructure projects around the world.’
Desjardins-Siciliano told attendees that the national passenger operator had seen a 40% increase in ridership and revenue over the past five years, reversing a trend of declining year-on-year usage since 1992.
He attributed the company’s reversal in fortunes to a change in philosophy. ‘We had to become a marketing company rather than a transport operator’, he said. ‘Marketing is the simple premise that if you treat customers well, they will come back and travel more frequently with us. I tell our staff not to come into work if they aren’t smiling.’
VIA Rail dining cars to be refurbished
CANADA: National passenger operator VIA Rail has awarded Rail GD a C$16·4m contract to refurbish four dining cars for use on the trans-continental The Canadian service.
VIA Rail begins procurement of new Québec – Windsor fleet
CANADA: National passenger operator VIA Rail formally launched the process to procure a new fleet of trainsets for the Québec City – Windsor corridor when it issued a request for qualifications on April 16.
The Canadian coaches to be refurbished
CANADA: VIA Rail has awarded Cad Railway Industries a C$46m contract to upgrade 25 coaches used on The Canadian service between Toronto and Vancouver.
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Home » DOL Official Calls AFL-CIO Report 'Incomplete'
DOL Official Calls AFL-CIO Report 'Incomplete'
An official with the Department of Labor says an AFL-CIO's report on apprentice training programs run by the Associated Builders and Contractors group presents “incomplete data” and cannot be used to “draw conclusions about the performance of a specific program,” and is “not suitable for making comparison between programs.”
Last year the AFL-CIO's Building and Construction Department issued a report that said ABC's apprentice programs have more dropouts than graduates and enrolled a small percentage of female and minority apprentices.
In a letter from Emily Stover DeRocco, the DOL's assistant secretary for employment and training to Edward C. Sullivan, president of the Building and Construction Trades Department, DeRocco says the DOL is currently reviewing methods to advance the apprenticeship system. However, DeRocco writes that the DOL's Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services considers “the lack of contextual narrative and insufficient information” presented in the AFL-CIO's report “do not support the conclusion the report suggests.”
AFL-CIO Department Report Cites Failures In ABC Apprenticeship Training
AFL-CIO’s Building Trades Group Adopts Jurisdictional Policy Changes
Report Calls Energy Efficiency an "
BCTD Selects New President
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How to buy prisoner transport and squad inserts (eBook)
Initial response to an officer-involved shooting: A checklist for supervisors
Creating order out of chaos and taking command over an emotional and tense situation necessitates a level of confidence that can only come from adequate preparation
By Mark Kollar
The critical first minutes following an officer-involved shooting are chaotic, commonly characterized by confusion, conflicting information and sensory overload – not only for the involved officers, but also for the initial supervisors responding to the scene.
It is during such incidents that the competence and leadership of first-line or mid-level supervisors are put to the test with lives and prosecutions hinging on the quality and speed of the decisions made. Creating order out of chaos, taking command and exerting a calming influence over an emotional, tense and uncertain situation necessitates a level of confidence that can only come from adequate preparation. Though it is hoped you will never have to experience such an event during your career, you must be prepared for this possibility. The appropriate time for planning your response is before an incident occurs, otherwise you do a great disservice to the officers you lead and the community you have sworn to serve.
Once the dust settles, it can also be useful to speak with the involved officers to gain their perspective on the aftermath and ways they could feel better supported during those initial minutes following a traumatic event. (Photo/PoliceOne)
How police can manage news media during an OIS
Unarmed but still dangerous: The facts behind some OIS headlines
10 commandments for cops after use of deadly force
What happens after a police officer uses deadly force?
The development and implementation of comprehensive policies specific to officer-involved shootings is key to successful response to an incident. Deliberate consideration and resultant procedures should be implemented in order to answer questions such as:
Who will you call to handle the criminal and internal investigations?
Who will process the scene?
Will the officers be mandated to submit to drug and alcohol testing?
Will officers be physically and mentally evaluated at a hospital immediately afterwards?
Who can be called if additional manpower is needed?
Will officers be required to attend a critical incident stress debriefing?
Will officers be interviewed immediately, or only after a specified “cooling off” period?
Can officers view their body-worn camera or dash cam videos prior to being interviewed?
Will the names of the involved officers be released to the media and if so, when?
These and a multitude of other factors should be addressed in your department’s policy. It is your responsibility as a supervisor to know these procedures inside out – you won’t have time to look them up during the immediate scene response. Your actions need to be steered by these processes with minimal deviation. Under the intense pressure, stress and confusion such an incident can cause, your policies, along with the following suggestions, should serve as your guide to navigating those crucial first minutes.
1. Approach cautiously.
As you arrive on the scene of a shooting, do so knowing that potential threats that led to the incident may still exist. Exercise great caution to ensure no additional injuries occur. Your leadership will be of little value to anyone if you become a victim. Be mindful of potential evidence, unsecured weapons and the possibility that additional suspects may be in the area or fleeing away. Consider the possibility for the presence of biological fluids and other hazards at the scene – the safety of all involved is paramount.
2. Take control.
Take a deep, calming breath and begin directing the activity of the scene. Remove unnecessary personnel, mitigate dangers and delegate activities. While the suggestions in this article are presented as a numbered list, many of the activities occur simultaneously, requiring communication, command and control. Though you may initially need the assistance of the involved officers to stabilize the situation, all attempts should be made to relieve them of scene responsibilities as quickly as practical so they can concentrate on their physical and mental well-being.
3. Render medical aid.
The preservation of life takes priority over the collection or preservation of evidence. That being said, be a good witness by making mental notes if, during the urgency of medical treatment, alterations to the scene are necessary to care for the injured. Officers should attempt life-saving efforts within their abilities and available equipment, with appropriate medical first responders being summoned without delay. If practical, clear an entry/egress route into the scene that is relatively free of obvious physical evidence and direct responding medical personnel to follow that path. If time permits without sacrificing the welfare of patients, photograph the positioning of injured persons and evidence prior to moving. Physically check involved officers for injuries; it is possible they are injured but may not realize due to increased levels of adrenaline.
4. Secure the scene and evidence.
Physical barriers, such as crime scene tape, should be established as quickly as possible in order to protect the integrity of the scene and evidence. Always start larger than you believe is needed – it is easier to collapse the size of the scene than to increase it. Designate officers to maintain security and a crime scene log with areas separate from the crime scene being established for a command post, equipment staging area and for the media. Attempts should be made to protect fragile or transient evidence from destruction by conditions such as adverse weather or rescue personnel. Await the arrival of appropriate crime scene processing staff to collect evidence, including any firearms, unless exigent circumstances dictate otherwise. If a weapon poses no hazard, it should be left untouched as it was found. If it becomes necessary to move or unload the firearm due to safety concerns, be mindful of fingerprint/DNA evidence. Do not attempt to reposition the weapon into the scene. Make detailed notes as to its location, positioning and status (e.g., if there was a live cartridge in the chamber or if there was an apparent malfunction/“stovepipe.”).
5. Identify and separate witnesses.
All witnesses to the incident, to include officers, should be identified and separated to avoid contamination of their memories. However, separate does not necessarily mean alone. It is a good practice to assign a companion/peer officer to be with the involved officers to serve as a liaison and resource, but not to actively discuss the incident unless the involved officer insists. The police department, command post, a hospital or their own residence (once positively identified) can serve as locations for staging witnesses while awaiting investigator arrival. Keep good notes as to where persons were sent or taken in order to provide to the arriving investigators. It generally is not practical or advisable to keep witnesses at the primary scene of the event longer than absolutely needed. A canvass of the area is typically necessary to identify all potential witnesses as many are willing to cooperate if asked but will not come forward on their own. Also note the presence of any possible recordings (e.g. surveillance systems, cell phone video, etc.) and make attempts to obtain and preserve them (or notify responding investigators of their existence).
6. Make necessary notifications.
The seriousness of the incident or injury tends to dictate the notifications required to be made. Calls for additional personnel or resources (e.g., investigators, crime scene staff, scene security and traffic/crowd control) are common, as well as notifications to the agency’s command staff and public information officer. In the event of a fatality, contact with the decedent’s next of kin, the coroner/medical examiner and the prosecutor/district attorney may also be warranted. Exercise great caution when briefing the criminal investigators who arrive on scene to avoid sharing any statements (or derivative information) made by the involved officers under potentially compelled circumstances (possible “Garrity” issues).
7. Comply with departmental policies.
A detailed agency protocol may include taking the involved officers to the hospital for medical and psychological evaluation, drug/alcohol testing and photographs of the officer as dressed at the time of incident and of any visible injuries. The collection of the officer’s firearm as evidence may be designated to be completed by a supervisor or crime scene personnel. Policy may also dictate replacing the officer’s weapon with a spare. Additionally, prescribed public safety questions and/or an initial walkthrough of the scene with investigators may be requested or required based upon agency protocol. In short, know your policies and comply with their mandates for a given situation.
8. Consider legal issues.
Though generally the responsibility of the criminal investigators, small agencies may rely upon supervisors to contemplate legal issues surrounding law enforcement’s continued presence and evidence collection at the scene absent a search warrant or other exception to the Fourth Amendment’s search and seizure protections. Just because law enforcement was legally called to the scene and a shooting death resulted does not necessarily give you the right to conduct further searching once any life-threatening exigency has subsided. Consult with your local legal counsel to ensure any evidence collected is done so in a constitutionally appropriate manner.
9. Accurately document the scene.
Timely and accurate documentation of the scene and of your actions relative to the incident are critical for the investigations that are likely to follow (administrative, criminal, civil and training/tactical review). Small details, such as whether the lights were on or off in a situation where an officer mistook an object for a weapon, can become vitally important to the investigation. Use checklists to ensure every pertinent fact has been recorded and keep notes throughout regarding your observations, post-incident alterations to the scene, persons present and statements made. Photographs taken as soon as practical – and then progressively throughout the scene response – can also be useful in quickly documenting large amounts of information.
10. Conduct a debrief/self-assessment.
We all make mistakes and there is always room for improvement. Conduct an honest self-assessment to identify areas where you can refine your leadership or better prepare for future incidents. Look for opportunities to enhance your policies and procedures and to train the staff to better accomplish the goals and objectives of a critical incident scene response. Question your officers about their perceptions of how the event was handled and solicit their constructive criticism on how things can be improved. Once the dust settles, it can also be useful to speak with the involved officers to gain their perspective on the aftermath and ways they could feel better supported during those initial minutes following a traumatic event.
Mark Kollar is a special agent supervisor for the Major Crimes Division, Northeast Special Investigations Unit with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He can be reached at mark.kollar@ohioattorneygeneral.gov.
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When faced with a closing library, many communities will campaign for them. This webpage lists some of the ways that they do so. See the details below and also see the excellent Voices For The Library webpage “What can you do?” from which a lot of this is taken.
For beginners, you could do worse than reading the analysis of the Lincolnshire campaign by the group there, providing hints and tips, with examples of what happened. there and what worked.
Leon’s Library Blog produced an excellent guide in February 2017 which nicely adds to the list below.
Auctions – Raise money via auctions, such as this one from Save The Libraries.
Badges, bags and other merchandise. This could be the answer to making some money for the campaign as well as getting your message across. Several websites such as Zazzle will arrange for manufacture, distribution and retail of items that have been designed by a library campaign . A prominent example of merchandise are the “save our libraries” ribbons produced by Voices for the Library (initially an idea of the Oxfordshire campaign) that have been worn by Philip Pullman and Melvyn Bragg.
Book Sales. A natural way to raise money for any group of library lovers, Brent raised over £900 at one to help suppor their legal challenge.
Cards – Delivering cards to councillor’s homes – see Sefton where 426 Christmas cards from children opposing closures were distributed.
Chain yourselves to the shelves – This got major media interest in Rhydyfelin.
Clearing the library shelves of books. This involves encouraging supporters to take the maximum amount of books out on their card. The tactice gained worldwide attention when first used at Stony Strafford Library and then national attention when subsequently used at Isle of Wight and Warwickshire libraries. There is also a theory that clearing the shelves (and then presumably extending their loan forever) would mean the library cannot close but there is no clear evidence that this is true. Extra points if you offer to shelve the books afterwards when they’re returned.
Comedy nights e.g. at Brent. or Quiz nights e.g. Camden.
Consultation. Ensure as many people as possible are aware of any consultation relating to the cuts/closures and encourage replies. It is also worth seeing if the Council has followed correct procedure in producing the consultation in the first place – see this posting on consultations for ideas on what makes a good consultation and for the legal side.
Costs. Sometimes the costs of the building are put forward as a reason for closing it. It is worth investigating these costs. For example, £66,000 needed for Colehill Library, Dorset is for windows only needed for five years time and could only cost £17,500 if done via local contacts.
Councillors. It begins an ends with councillors. Persuade enough councillors that your library needs to be saved and it will be. Your efforts must therefore be always made with an eye to them – try avoiding being party political as this will necessarily alienate councillors of that viewpoint and you will need a majority, especially if councillors are allowed a “free vote” at the vital council meetings. Find out who the local councillors are, who is the portfolio holder for libraries, who the council leader is, etc and focus your efforts on them and those who they listen to. Make every effort, at least in the early stages, to talk to them in as non-confrontational way as possible. All of your other tactics, until the final vote, should be devoted to the over-riding aim of persuading the councillors as the only other ways of deciding the issue are with legal action (expensive and risky) or appealing for help from the DCMS (who have been entirely passive so far). Write to your Councillors – A sample letter is here.
“Day of Action”. A big special event day combining all supporters to make as big a noise as possible, either nationally (such as 5th February Save Our Libraries Day) or locally (see Waltham Forest). This will concentrate minds wonderfully, gain maximum publicity and, if successful, be very useful in publicising the cause. However, there is a danger that the campaign will lose momentum after such a day and so the timing of it within the overall strategy should be carefully considered, especially with regard to maximum persuasive impact on councillors (see above).
“Double Taxation” – Point out that having to support a library through parish council taxes or through volunteers/other contributions is a form of double taxation as the inhabitant are still paying council tax for the surviving public libraries in larger towns in the area.
Dress up. People are more likely to sign petitions (and media more likely to cover protests) if costumes are used. Father Christmas works well but clearly has a certain seasonal limitation.
Equalities – Check the deprivation index of your neighbourhood via the Church Urban Fund to bolster your case for keeping the library open (likely) and/or pressure the DCMS for intervention (unlikely).
Estate agents. Yes, estate agents. A Brent estate agent is offering to put up Save Libraries placards if people contact him plus giving £15 to the campaign.
Facebook, Twitter and other “social media” – See these as just another vital way of getting your message across but one which you control rather than the local newspaper or radio. There’s lots of books (available from the library, naturally) on how to use them. Gaining the support of prominent tweeters (the biggest being Stephen Fry) will instantly get your message across and even lead to the major problems for the council, as it has done in Toronto (a list of celebrities know to promote libraries are at the bottom of this page). Sometimes, metely setting up a Facebook group can get media coverage.
Freedom of Information Requests are a very powerful tool in discovering if decisions have been made with due regard to legal process. Exemptions are sometimes used. Councils are can also be seemingly obstructive as demonstrated by the repeated requests required in this case from Leeds where long delays and reference to environmental legislation was used. See also this article on employee gagging clauses.
NB: in this document: (a) references to x (b) references to y, (c) etc’ .
To: [name of recipient/organisation], Freedom of Information Section
[name of recipient/organisation] is asked pursuant to s.1 of the Act to provide the following information in accordance with s.10 of the Act:
[Insert actual request for this information]
Supply of such information as attachment (s) to an e-mail is acceptable.
Fun Runs and “Cycle for literacy”.
Get the Manic Street Preachers in the Charts. One of their songs starts with the words “Libraries gave us power” and the group have been consistent supporters of public libraries. A Facebook group exists to push for a co-ordinated campaign. At the least, have a read of this article by the bassist and lyricist of the Manics, Nicky Wires, “If you tolerate this…”.
Holding a Read-In. Three websites describe what is a Read-In, how to do a Read-In and the impact of Read-Ins. Combination with other tactics, such as a celebrity or an Eat-In will further boost the impact.
Human chain. A standard weapon in the armory of protestors for decades, this can be used to great effect (and for a great press photo) around a threatened library. “Protesters linked arms to form a human chain around one of Bolton’s under-threat libraries. The mass demonstration took place at Bromley Cross Library” (Bolton News).
Lambeth – Human chain around Carnegie Library Herne Hill – YouTube. “On 1 April 2017 (the first anniversary of the closure of Carnegie Library in Herne Hill by Lambeth ) protestors met to show once again their continued suoport for all 10 libraries in the borough. Protestors formed a human chain around the library. “
Invent your own technique – There’s tons of suggestions on this page but it you’ve done one I haven’t included, please email ianlibrarian@live.co.uk and let me know.
Joke – Politicians of any level hate people laughing at them, so make them a figure of fun. See this great song about Ed Vaizey being Lazy for a start.
Keep any official letters, council responses etc. Retain any correspondence with the council or other relevant people such as the Secretary of State. Such material could be handy for a possible future legal challenge.
Library Posters. Brilliant pro-library posters have been produced by Phil Bradley, one of which is the symbol of Public Libraries News, reproduced here with acknowledgement.
Library Protest Signs are essential for explaining the message and for extra impact in photographs.
Marches are in theory a good tactic,e.g Bentham to Settle, but may in practice be difficult to organise and carry through.
Media attention may make or break a campaign. There are library-specificguidelines for contacting the media and also a list of local newspaper contacts
Ministers. Ed Vaizey if the minister in charge of libraries and Jeremy Hunt is the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport. A letter (this one taken from Brent) can be sent to one or both.
(Not) a Book Burning Party. Campaigners in Troy in the USA put up “Bookburning Party” banners to “celebrate” the proposed closure of the library. This tactic is to be approached with caution due to (a) the strong possibility of alienating support (comparing opponents with the Nazis is normally acknowledged as the same as losing the argument) and (b) being accused of spreading falsehood if done wrongly.
Oh my gosh, celebrity supporters. The media really appreciates having a famous figure to interview, photograph or quote. Support of a sufficiently famous figure is a news story in its own right and will, at least, boost coverage. Prominent existing examples of library-campaign celebrities are Alan Bennett, Philip Pullman and Zadie Smith, although there are very many more. Gaining a support with a large twitter following can cause massive boosts to petitions – for example, Margaret Atwood crashed the Toronto petition server with appeals to her 225,000 “followers”. Also, an “Evening With…” event such as with Phillip Pullman in Brent can raise money for the cause.
Petitions. Organising a petition is one of the most common and effective campaigning tactics. Official guidance on petitions is available. PetitionYourCouncil.com is website that makes it easy to see if your local council allows petitions. Depending on your council’s policy, a 5,000 (sometimes 10,000, sometimes less) name petition will ensure the decision is debated again, although not necessarily reversed. Physical petitions (with real signatures) tend to carry more weight than electronic ones. Petitioning the Prime Minister is also possible.
Petition with books. Why petition the old-fashioned way? Put your name and the reason you are against the cut in question/why you love the library in an unwanted paperback/hardback and “donate” it to the library and/or put it on the stairs of County Hall at the time of an important council meeting, with a photographer in attendance. A more graphic, but perhaps a less legitimate, way to petition. [Idea from personal conversation with Salford activist].
Picketing. Picketing the library (or Council headquarters) may get headlines, as here in Detroit.
Promote the threatened library – Councils look at usage figures when deciding if a library is “viable” or not. So, the more use a library gets, the safer it is. For a campaigner, it is therefore useful to promote events and what the threatened library offers, especially if the decision to close may be in the next financial year (that is, the current year’s statistics will be used). Such promotion is also very difficult for the council or senior library service officers to disagree with and will gain even more support for your campaign.
Protests are always great for a local newspaper photograph, especially when combined with placards etc. It’s best to inform the police that you’re holding one and, to be certain, check who owns the land that you are planning to protest on. If it is council land (which it will be if the protest will be held inthe library and quite likely to be if helddirectly outside it) then permission for the council needs to be obtained. For further information see The Liberty Guide to Human Rights on “static demonstrations and assemblies” and protesting on private land.
Questioning the legality of the cuts is examined in depth on the legal action page.
Quidco or similar. A useful fundraising measure – get a campaign log in and encourage your supporters to buy what they would normall buy (or even get an insurance quote) via the Quidco website. Each purchase earns some money for your campaign.
Ready to squat in the library? As pioneered in Friern Barnet. “The Occupy movement has raised a great deal of awareness of global inequality but has not focused on or achieved small, concrete wins such as this one. The Barnet residents’ protests fell on deaf ears until the squatters supported by Occupy moved in. Squatters have had an opportunity to rebrand themselves as socially responsible, community minded individuals who are working to restore closed-down public services. The local residents are clear that without the input of the squatters and Occupy, the library would not have reopened.” (Guardian, 6/2/13).
Save libraries by spending it more wisely, rather than cutting services. One way of doing this is via shared services. Bexley and Bromley are merging library services instead of closing libraries, albeit at a loss of 35 jobs.
Schools will often get behind library campaigns (they understand the importance of public libraries very well) and it’s a great way to get large numbers involved. Go one further and do a school competition on the importance of libraries for extra points.
Songs to sing. Don’t Close Our Libraries by One Man and His Beard. We love libraries by Sly and Reggie. Welcome to Austerity by Doyle and the Fourfathers. At the Library by Lorraine King is pure library propaganda but none the worst for it – “at the library, it’s all for free…” . Cursor Miner has done a song called “Library” (also with a “books for free” rhyme) with an animated video. Boasting six inch characters dancing on books and the line “having fun is never hard if you have a library card is Shhhh (a song about libraries) by Sky Rocket Jack. An absolutely brilliant and hilarious song about a novel way to save libraries but hardly for the easily offended – Do it in the Library by Jonny and the Baptists. Also, a nice happy general song about libraries and the Dewey rap (by Joan McElfresh) and another dewey rap (by Melvil). A very specific one about the competence or otherwise of Ed Vaizey when it comes to libraries is What’s wrong with Ed Vaizey? by John Dougherty. You could also try this Adele-inspired pro library music video If you love to read.
Starting a blog is a useful communication tool both for those interested in the campaign and for the media. Examples are the web pages of Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries and Save Doncaster Libraries
Statistics. It’s always useful to quote facts and figures in argument and to add weight to the case that the cuts are being unequal (which can have a strong legal bearing). The following stats may be used to your advantage in demonstrating comparable library usage, expenditure and poverty levels:
Poverty in England – A postcode searchable database of poverty by area is at http://www.cuf.org.uk/povertyinengland.
Guardian datablog on UK library stats at http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/dec/11/library-visitors-books-issued-fall-performance-data#data.
Cipfa stats on provision and funding of libraries by library authority – http://www.cipfastats.net/librariesprofilesdcms/.
Financial times austerity audit map showing cuts by local authority (not the same as library authority) – http://ig.ft.com/austerity-map/.
Telephone tree. A useful approach if a piece of information needs to be distributed through a group fast perhaps to be aware of an important piece of information or be able to gather at very short notice. This is where everyone “has two people on their tree to call, those people in turn have two people to call and so on. It’s something that is useful for emergency get togethers – eg if someone sees the council piling into the library in order to close it. Everyone needs the numbers of people at the top of the tree to call in order to start the cascade.” (with thanks to the Brent campaign).
UNISON. This is the main trade union for library staff. Contact the local branch office to see what library staff are really thinking about the cuts/closures (they may well have been ordered not to talk to campaigners), to co-ordinate the campaign and for other support.
Unite with other groups. The chances are your local council is not just closing one library. Other groups will form to save “their” library. It’s more effective to combine these groups into a joint campaign in order to share time, information and, as importantly, to ensure one group does not get played off against another (“well, x said they could run the library by themselves with £5000, why can’t you?”). One big petition is better than ten different ones as the suspicion will be that people have signed different ones. Examples = Gloucestershire (FoGL), Dorset (AdLib).
Visual props. Use something to grab people’s attention. For instance, rigging up a fake “mobile library” van in Killyleagh attracted not only local press attnetion but also the interest of a passing visiting Dutch pastor who stopped and gave a Youtube video interview on why closing libraries is a bad idea which was then used in publicity … these things can snowball.
Visit to parliament. Get a coachload of campaigners, go to London and “green card” a bunch of local MPs to meet them there. For good measure, write briefing notes for campaigners and arrange to hand in a petition to 10 Downing Street. Use your own hashtag for the day for Twitter and let celebrities know so they can send in support. Sounds impossible? Lincolnshire did it.
World Record attempt. Bound to gain media interest. Get over 200 and you stand a chance of beating the record for a reading relay while at the same time as promoting the cause of literacy/libraries for all.
Write to the Secretary of State. See “legal action” page – “Libraries are a statutory service, governed by the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act. Many areas stand to lose a significant number of their community libraries, mobile services and frontline staff. The Secretary of State is required under the Act to intervene when a council’s library service is in breach of its statutory obligations. Receiving numerous letters from library users, authors and organisations will alert the Secretary of State to public concern. Letters will request him to exercise his powers of intervention under the 1964 Act.”. A sample letter is here. You can also email the Prime Minister.
Write to your local MP. Contact details of your MP can be found at TheyWorkForYou
Xcite your supporters and potential supporters by thinking up a gimmick like an “A to Z” page and shoehorning your facts into it for increased publicity.
Youtube it. Videos are a useful addition to your campaign website, facebook page etc eg. “We Love Libraries” above from the Somerset campaign.
Zombies. Your campaign could do with a gimmick, why not this one?
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Redditch 1°c
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Travel Update
West Midlands Trains replaces managing director
West Midlands Trains (WMT) has replaced its managing director amid growing concern over the performance of its services, the company has announced.
Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde has been succeeded by Julian Edwards, who has been a director at the firm since 2017.
The pair will work together until Easter “to ensure a smooth transition”, the operator said in a statement.
Mr Chaudhry-van der Velde decided last year he would “take a career break before moving onto new ventures”, the company added.
West Midlands mayor Andy Street issued an ultimatum to the “woeful” operator last month.
He will demand that it is stripped of its franchise unless services improve by the end of January.
Whether it is JanChaudhry-van der Velde, Julian Edwards, or both in charge, if a reliableservice is not restored by midnight on January 31 then my request to remove the franchise from West Midlands Trains will be sent to the DfT. 18 days to go.
— Andy Street (@andy4wm) January 13, 2020
Responding to the appointment of Mr Edwards, the mayor said “a change in management does not change my ultimatum”, adding: “Eighteen days to go.”
WMT runs London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services, which have deteriorated since May as timetable changes to introduce more trains have worsened the impact of disruption.
Another timetable change in December failed to improve performance in the short term.
Office of Rail and Road figures show 44.8% of WMT services arrived at stations within one minute of the timetable between October 13 and November 9, compared with the average across Britain of 59.3%.
Mr Edwards said: “This is an exciting time to be joining WMT as passengers will start to see the benefits of our £1 billion investment programme.
“The last six months has been very difficult for West Midlands Trains.
“I would like to thank Jan for addressing many of the issues, including settling the dispute with the RMT, delivering a 3% discount for season ticket holders, introducing more rolling stock in December and the recent timetable changes that are already making a positive impact on train performance.
“There is still much to do.”
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New Economy Internet Companies Embrace Red Hat Linux For Oracle 8i
Red Hat Linux Chosen for its Integration with Oracle Databases and Ability to Increase Operation Speeds
RALEIGH, N.C — November 28, 2000 —
Red Hat, Inc. (Nasdaq:RHAT) the leader in developing, deploying and managing open source Internet infrastructure solutions, today announced that new economy companies are using Red Hat Linux Enterprise Edition for Oracle 8iTM. eDelights.com, Empower IT, Inc., Idaho Medicade, Internection, Pace Analytical Services, Inc., Really Easy Internet and StreetZebra.com all leverage Red Hat Linux Enterprise Edition for Oracle 8i to optimize performance and usability improvements for their enterprise-class database operations. For more information on what these companies and others are saying about Oracle on Red Hat Linux, please visit http://www.redhat.successes.com.
Red Hat Linux Enterprise Edition for Oracle 8i is an optimized, certified version of Red Hat's award-winning open source operating system. It includes the Red Hat Linux OS, with fully open source kernel and system-level optimizations for running I/O-intensive database applications as well as usability and installation enhancements, featuring a fully supported, certified Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and Motif 2.1.
"Oracle selected Red Hat Linux because of our leadership in the industry and ability to improve enterprise-class database operations," said Paul McNamara, vice president, products & platforms of Red Hat. "As one of the first major database vendors to embrace Linux, Oracle has proven to be the database of choice. Together we deliver a solution that offers enhanced performance and usability that e-businesses require to manage their mission-critical enterprise applications."
Enterprise Edition is designed for deployment on production database servers and includes an annual system support contract, as well as annual OS maintenance and updates. Expert Red Hat support and OS Maintenance help ensure that production databases are updated and supported year-round, providing maximum reliability. Server support provides for unlimited incidents over a 12-month period, and offers resources for problem determination by both Oracle and Red Hat.
About Pricing and Availability
Red Hat Linux Enterprise Edition Optimized for Oracle 8i is available through Compaq's and Red Hat's value-added distribution channels, including Keylink/Pioneer (www.keylink.pios.com) and Hallmark/AVNet (www.hallmark.avnet.com). Available in the U.S. and internationally, the enterprise edition can be purchased through value-added distribution and can be ordered directly from www.redhat.com or call 888.REDHAT.1 or 1.919.542.0012.
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Red Hat Announces Alliance with Leading Distributor Ingram Micro
Red Hat and Ingram Micro Partner to Bring Official Red Hat Products to Retail Customers
リサーチトライアングルパーク — 1998年 10月 17日 —
Responding to increased demand at the retail level, Red Hat® Software, Inc. and Ingram Micro, one of the largest software distributors, partnered to bring the Official Red Hat Linux 5.2 Operating System, as well as other Red Hat products, to the major retailers, including chains such as Best Buy and Electronics Boutique, catalog retailers, and on-line resellers.
The Red Hat and Ingram agreement enables retail customers to purchase the Official Red Hat Linux OS with 90 days of installation support directly from Red Hat. While Red Hat Linux's licensing model allows other publishers to sell unofficial Red Hat Linux, the Official Red Hat Linux 5.2 will be the only officially supported version of Red Hat Linux available at retail.
"Our partnership with Ingram will allow us to deliver our officially supported product through to end-users world-wide," said Lisa Sullivan, Director of Sales and Marketing, Red Hat Software. "The demand for official Red Hat Linux has been overwhelming at retail outlets, and we're pleased to answer that demand through a distribution arrangement with Ingram."
The announcement of this agreement coincides with Red Hat's announcement of new authorized reseller programs that will provide unprecedented support and sales programs to corporate users running Official Red Hat Linux on mission-critical applications at the enterprise level.
Said Paul McNamara, Vice President of Enterprise Computing, "This is an opportunity for the Enterprise Computing Division to reach corporate buyers and resellers who are committed to buying from channels that they know and trust. The Ingram distribution gives the Red Hat name tremendous reach and considerable clout."
The Red Hat/Ingram deal begins with the distribution of the Official Red Hat Linux 5.2 release and will follow with subsequent releases, including the long-awaited release featuring the GNOME desktop environment.
Only the Official Red Hat Linux 5.2 comes with a software application disk and 90 days of installation support from Red Hat Software.
For more information about Ingram Micro, please see http://www.ingrammicro.com.
Visit our web site at http://www.redhat.com. Reviews encouraged.
Common with UNIX footnote
LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. Red Hat is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
将来予想に関する記述
Red Hat PR へのお問い合わせ
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Home International Swiss Re confirms strategy and targets, outlines plans for further profitable growth...
Swiss Re confirms strategy and targets, outlines plans for further profitable growth in Reinsurance
At today’s Investors’ Day, Swiss Re confirms its strategy, targets and capital management priorities, underlining its unique client access, leading risk knowledge and capital strength as key drivers of success. The Reinsurance Business Unit is the foundation of the Group’s strength, with increasing earnings power. Corporate Solutions is focused on returning to profitability and leveraging its competitive advantages. Life Capital is creating economic value for the Group by expanding its open book business. Swiss Re’s capital position remains very strong.
Swiss Re’s Group Chief Executive Officer Christian Mumenthaler said: “Swiss Re’s strategy is centred around diversifying our access to risk pools by leveraging our risk knowledge, unique client access and capital strength. We are winning an increasing proportion of reinsurance business through our capabilities in underwriting large transactions and providing innovative solutions. We are investing in research and technology to give us an edge in accessing growing risk pools, such as natural catastrophe, and drive forward our Corporate Solutions and Life Capital businesses. The Group’s superior capital strength allows us to capture such opportunities and maintain attractive shareholder returns.“
An integral part of the Group strategy relies on monetising its research and development (R&D) capabilities, thereby cementing Swiss Re’s position as the leading risk knowledge company. The Group is running 80 R&D programs with 450 dedicated FTEs and investing about USD 300 million a year in key technology projects. The aim is to strengthen Swiss Re’s proprietary risk knowledge and to advance its capabilities to enter new risk pools, compete and advise. In particular, digital platforms such as iptiQ, the digital B2B2C business, and Magnum, the leading automated underwriting solution for L&H Re, are becoming a significant business driver.
Asset Management maintains a high-quality investment portfolio
Asset Management is consistently generating attractive returns by taking an industry-leading ESG approach, leveraging its financial markets expertise and benefiting from its flexible investment platform built on latest technology and advanced analytics. The running yield has been stable at 2.9% for the last four years due to concentration in high quality, longer-maturity securities. Asset Management continues to lead the way in responsible investing, which for example is reflected in Swiss Re being a co-initiator of the UN Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance launched in September 2019.
Industry-leading reinsurance franchise focused on profitable growth
The Reinsurance Business Unit remains the core engine of profitability for the Group, delivering a market-leading combination of shareholder returns and capital repatriation. P&C Re’s average performance remains strong despite significant natural catastrophe claims in recent years. L&H Re delivers peer- leading returns underpinned by global diversification and strong growth in Asia.
Transactions and Solutions are becoming ever more important to Swiss Re’s offering and demonstrate significant further growth potential. Transactions, which contributed approximately 30% to the Business Unit’s economic profit in 2018, continue to be in demand because they can meet a range of client needs, such as greater capital efficiency or reduced earnings volatility. With Solutions, Swiss Re helps its clients to deliver on their strategic priorities, such as improving profitability, developing new products or increasing efficiency. The percentage of clients with whom Swiss Re partners on Solutions has grown from 15% to 25% in just two years.
Portfolio steering key to manage growth, profitability and risk exposure
Reinsurance is pursuing a targeted growth strategy supported by robust portfolio steering. Based on expected loss trends, pricing outlook and risk management, the Business Unit is expanding its natural catastrophe franchise, while managing exposure in casualty reinsurance.
Swiss Re intends to further grow and diversify its natural catastrophe portfolio, with a positive effect on earnings. The natural catastrophe reinsurance market is forecast to grow to about USD 40 billion over the next four years from USD 30 billion now, according to Swiss Re Institute. It delivers attractive returns to the Group thanks to proprietary risk knowledge and diversification benefits.
In September 2019 Swiss Re established its Alternative Capital Partners unit in Group Finance by combining its ILS, Retro and Syndication teams. Making use of a broad range of third-party capital vehicles, the unit will enable Reinsurance to grow its natural catastrophe book, while proactively keeping Group peak exposures within risk limits. Alternative Capital Partners follows a differentiated partnership approach and offers third-party investors an opportunity to benefit from alignment with Swiss Re’s underwriting views
Swiss Re’s Group Chief Financial Officer John Dacey said: “The establishment of Alternative Capital Partners enhances our already flexible capital structure. It allows us to consider all sources of capital holistically.“
Swiss Re’s casualty reinsurance portfolio is well diversified and prudently reserved, giving the Group scope to absorb volatility. The Group is taking targeted actions to improve profitability and manage risk within this portfolio to address a challenging US liability market environment.
Corporate Solutions focuses on returning to profitability
Corporate Solutions remains key to Swiss Re’s differentiation strategy and is focused on returning to underwriting profitability. Corporate Solutions is making good progress with the implementation of the announced management actions to reposition the business. The next steps in business transformation will focus on de-commoditisation of its core portfolio, selective growth with differentiating capabilities such as innovative risk solutions, and expansion through tech-driven initiatives.
The pricing momentum for Corporate Solutions remains strong. Price quality for the Corporate Solutions portfolio improved by 10% in the first nine months of 2019, and this positive price momentum is expected to continue.
Life Capital creates significant economic value through iptiQ
Life Capital continues its transition from a closed book consolidator to a growing primary B2B2C business that leverages technology and data. In particular, iptiQ, the digital B2B2C insurance platform, is developing dynamically and has demonstrated impressive growth both compared with InsurTechs and more traditional insurers. iptiQ now has 28 distribution partners on its platform selling more than 4 000 policies a week across both L&H and P&C businesses, with significant expansion opportunities geographically.
In the closed book business, Swiss Re’s mid-term goal to reduce its ownership and deconsolidate ReAssure remains unchanged. In the meantime, the Group continues to support ReAssure’s growth strategy and benefit from its performance and gross cash generation. ReAssure targets surplus generation of GBP 2.1 billion over the period from 2019 to 2023, with this target replacing a Life Capital gross cash generation goal.
Investors’ Day webcast
Swiss Re’s 2019 Investors’ Day can be followed via a live webcast, starting at 11:00 GMT. For more information, please click here.
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Bushfire insurance losses will mount but remain manageable for Australian P&C insurers
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Best pirate games on PC
A treasure chest of pirate games to plunder
Article Type All PC Game News PC Game Reviews Guides Features
Feature: Music to your ears
The best game soundtracks you can listen to for free right now
By Katharine Castle • 4 months ago • 42
Another month, another big video game publisher puts a great big dollop of video game music online for zero pennies. This time, it's Bandai Namco, who have just uploaded every single Tekken soundtrack onto Spotify because, well, apparently everyone loves Tekken. I've never partaken in a Tekken, but with track names like "Massive Stunner" and "Lonesome City Jazz Party 1st", I'm already 100% convinced the…
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Tagged with Arkane Studios, Broken Rules Games, Capcom, CD Projekt Red, feature, Gaijin Games, game music, Microsoft, soundtrack, Supporter, Tale of Tales, The Chinese Room, Ubisoft, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Burly Men at Sea, Celeste, Child of Light, Crypt of the NecroDancer, Dishonored 2, Everybody's Gone To The Rapture, Fez, Final Fantasy VIII, Octopath Traveler, Okami HD, Old Man's Journey, Ori and the Blind Forest, Oxenfree, Pikuniku, Rayman Legends, SteamWorld Quest: The Hand of Gilgamech, Sunset, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Thomas Was Alone.
Feature: Get jacked, yeah?
TH3 W0R5T35T W0R5T H4CK1NG M1N1G4M35 3V3R
By Alec Meer • 1 year ago • 75
Cyber Monday is, of course, a pure and honest celebration of all things cyber. We hack the planet as one, united against corporations, capitalism and the class divide. Then we all burn our 4K televisions and go off to have a massive rave-orgy in an abandoned sewer. Such is the way of the Cyber Monday Warrior. But it's not all talking in C++ and overthrowing…
Tagged with Cyber Monday 2018, feature, hacking, Alpha Protocol, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, BioShock, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Fallout 3, Fallout 4, Mass Effect, Prey.
Feature: Listen to us say the same lines over and over
Podcast: Who are your favourite NPCs?
By RPS • 2 years ago • 51
Ah, the non-player character. Stoic endurer of all our sadistic whims. It’s time the monsters on the RPS podcast, the Electronic Wireless Show, made tribute to these humble little robots, whether they’re annoying companions, side characters, or disembodied human heads. Let’s talk about some of our favourites.
Tagged with Beyond Good and Evil, Broken Sword, feature, npcs, Podcast, The RPS Electronic Wireless show, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Half-Life 2, metal gear solid, Papers Please, Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered, Starman: Tale of Light, The Crew 2, The Curse of Monkey Island.
Feature: Words read: 2 / 1921
The RPG Scrollbars: Saving World Quests
By Richard Cobbett • 3 years ago • 55
Previously in this column, somehow not taken up by the industry as of yet, I suggested that the word 'quest' was being somewhat damaged of late by the fact that it can be anything from 'Kill the Great Red Dragon' to 'bring me some orange juice.' I advocated a system where instead, tasks were split between two basic categories - what used to justifiably be…
Tagged with feature, RPG, The RPG Scrollbars, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda, Red Dead Redemption, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Feature: 19 of the best bargain PC games right now
Our Steam Sale Picks, Round Two
We already chose 13 of our favourite games in the current Summer Steam sale, but more games have been discounted since. So, based on the entirely correct hypothesis that you all have completed every single one of our first round games and are now thirsting for more, here are 18 more to throw your spare change at. Everyone on the RPS team has picked three…
Tagged with feature, Mount & Blade: Warband, sale, Steam, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons, Californium, Child of Light, Dishonored, Far Cry 3, Hand of Fate, Helldivers, Mark of the Ninja, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Mirror's Edge, Regency Solitaire, Rocket League, Saints Row IV, Subnautica, The Stanley Parable, Universe Sandbox ², Viscera Cleanup Detail.
How Cross Should We Be About Assassin’s Creed Syndicate And Other Delayed PC Versions Of Games?
Assassin's Creed Landahn is out! But not on PC, as we have to wait till next month before we can leap across all of Victoriana like an acrobatic chimney sweep. Far Cry Primal, the caveman sequel, will also arrive on PC the month after its February appearance on the console box. While this sort of situation isn't quite as common as it used to be,…
Tagged with feature, verdict, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Assassin's Creed Syndicate.
Feature: Bestest Biffs
The 25 Best Action Games On PC
By John Walker • 4 years ago • 165
You probably like action games. But which ones should you like best?! We've narrowed it down to 25, and then put them in the unimpeachably correct order. Read on for details of the best action biff-zap-collect-me-do gaming you can stuff down your trousers.
Tagged with Batman: Arkham City, Best Action Games, best games, best pc games, bestest games, Beyond Good & Evil, feature, Oni, The RPS Bestest Best Games, Tomb Raider: Legend, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Darksiders II, dead rising 2, Gang Beasts, Grand Theft Auto IV, Grow Home, Hotline Miami, Just Cause 2, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, Mafia, Max Payne, MechWarrior 2, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Project Eden, Red Faction Guerrilla, Resident Evil 4 HD, Saints Row IV, TowerFall Ascension, Westerado: Double Barreled.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – A Succinct Playthrough
By Philippa Warr • 4 years ago • 10
Sign up to read this RPS Supporter exclusive article!
Tagged with RPS Supporter Program, Supporter, Ubisoft, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.
Feature: In Defense Of Slow Travel
Journeys In Games: Let’s Talk About Fast Travel
By Brendan Caldwell • 5 years ago • 177
I first noticed the feeling when I stopped at an inn. They had a roaring fire, plenty of food and wine, and there was a dog lying at my feet. Skyrim had never felt more welcoming. I was replaying the game with some mods installed. One mod took away all the dragonborn stuff and left me starting as a simple bandit schmuck. Another mod made…
Tagged with Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin, feature, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Dark Souls II, Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Feature: And on the 9th day Ben said "oh wow it's still going"
Best Steam Summer Sale Deals: Day 9
By Ben Barrett • 5 years ago • 57
What are the best Steam Summer Sale deals? Each day for the duration of the sale, we'll be offering our picks - based on price, what we like, and what we think more people should play. Read on for the five best deals from day 9 of the sale.
Tagged with feature, Steam Summer Sale 2015, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Fallout: New Vegas, Just Cause 2, resident evil 4, The Stanley Parable.
Feature: A pirate's life for me
Pricking A Pirate’s Conscience: Back In Black Flag
This doesn't happen to me too much, given the siren call of the virtual stack of videogames that wobbles atop my mental to-do list each day (oh woe is me, etc), but I keep finding myself drawn back to Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. In a 'secretly looting Spanish frigates when I'm supposed to be working on something else' sort of way. For several days…
Tagged with feature, Ubisoft, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.
Feature: Captain Hypebeard
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Revealed (Last Week)
By Brendan Caldwell • 7 years ago • 80
When Man In Suit came on stage and said that Ubisoft were the best possible company to tackle piracy, I roared with laughter. But the other two billion journalists sitting in the ornate hall stayed deadly quiet. I didn’t understand. Then six black flags (six black plastic posters) were dramatically unravelled over the balconies to either side of us and Man In Suit announced the…
Tagged with Ubisoft, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.
Assassin’s Creed 4 Gets Pirated
By Alec Meer • 7 years ago • 109
Because - haha - there are pirates in it. Hahah. But you thought - haha - that I was saying the next Assassin's Creed game had leaked to Bittorrent. Haha. Hah. Heh. Huh. I am neither funny or clever. You know it, I know it, the tiny baby Jesus knows it. Let's just talk about the leaked reveal of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag instead.…
Tagged with Ubisoft, Assassin's Creed III, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.
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IE zero-day vulnerability exploited more widely than previously thought
Security researchers identified attacks that exploited the vulnerability to target organizations in Taiwan since at least July
Lucian Constantin (IDG News Service) 27 September, 2013 15:50
A recently announced and yet-to-be-patched vulnerability that affects all versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) has been exploited in targeted attacks against organizations in Taiwan since the beginning of July, according to security researchers.
Microsoft published a security advisory about the vulnerability, which is identified as CVE-2013-3893, on Sept. 17 and warned users that it is "aware of targeted attacks that attempt to exploit this vulnerability in Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9.
The company released a Microsoft "Fix it" workaround that customers can manually download and install in order to mitigate the vulnerability. However, no patch has yet been released through Windows Update.
On Saturday, researchers from security firm FireEye reported that a known hacker group has been using the vulnerability to target organizations in Japan as part of an attack campaign dubbed "Operation DeputyDog" that started on Aug. 19. They believe that this is the same group that managed to break into the computer network of security firm Bit9 as part of a different attack campaign in February and used one of its systems to digitally sign several pieces of malware.
New evidence found by researchers from security firms Websense and AlienVault suggests that the new IE zero-day -- yet unpatched -- vulnerability was also used to target organizations in Taiwan.
On Sept. 25, Websense detected an attack against one of its customers -- a major financial institution from Japan -- that was using an exploit for CVE-2013-3893. When they investigated the incident, they found that the exploit code was hosted on a server based in Taiwan and the malware installed by the exploit was calling back to a command-and-control domain name registered in March.
Looking at past telemetry data, they identified a potential victim organization in Taiwan that was communicating with the same command and control server as far back as July 1, 2013.
"These C&C communications predate the widely reported first use of this attack infrastructure by more than six weeks, and indicates that the attacks from this threat actor are not just limited to Japan," the Websense researchers said Thursday in a blog post. These older attacks are most likely linked to Operation DeputyDog, but they have enough variations to indicate that different high-profile attack teams may be using the same tool sets, they said.
Security researchers from AlienVault also believe that the new IE vulnerability was used to attack organizations in Taiwan, because they found a variant of the exploit hosted on a subdomain of Taiwan government's online e-procurement system.
Users who visit the main website for the first time will get redirected to the exploit page, AlienVault researcher Jaime Blasco said in a blog post.
The vulnerability affects all versions of Internet Explorer, but the exploits seen so far target only Internet Explorer 8 and 9 running on Windows XP and Windows 7 systems. Websense estimates that nearly 70 percent of Windows-based PCs are vulnerable.
More from Schneider Electric
Tags Microsoftpatch managementmalwarespywareonline safetyintrusionwebsenseFireEyeExploits / vulnerabilitiesDesktop securityAlienVault
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A Rebellious Hope
By Neal Gorenflo, originally published by Shareable
Op-Ed: The English translation for the Rural Social Innovation manifesto was not ready when Alex Giordano asked me to write the preface to it. I agreed expecting the manifesto to be like many I’ve read online, relatively short and easy to digest. I thought I could quickly write an introduction. This was not to be. Alex and Adam have put together an impressive, unique, and in-depth manifesto packed with world-changing ideas delivered in a style that powerfully communicates the spirit of RuralHack and its partners — a rebellious hope that rests on a firm foundation of pragmatism and a love of people and place. Indeed, Rural Social Innovation manifesto is unlike any manifesto I’ve read.
For starters, it’s front loaded with and is mostly composed of a series of profiles showcasing the ideas of the people behind the Italian rural social innovation movement. In this way, it’s like the Bible’s New Testament with each disciple giving their version of the revolution at hand in a series of gospels. It says a lot about this manifesto that the people in the document come first, not the ideas. The gospel of each rural innovator not only transmits important ideas, but gives up to the reader individuals who embody the movement. These are the living symbols of the movement who are not only individual change agents themselves but representatives of their unique communities and their streams of action in the past, present, and planned into the future. This gives the manifesto a unique aliveness. It’s not a compendium of dry ideas. It’s a manifesto of flesh in motion and spirit in action.
There’s Roberto Covolo who has turned negative elements of Mediterranean culture into a competitive advantage through the upgrading the dell’ExFadda winery with the youth of the School of Hot Spirits.
There’s Simone Cicero of OuiShare testifying about the promise of the collaborative economy and how it can help rural producers capture more economic value while building solidarity.
There’s Jaromil Rojo who asks, “How does the design approach connect hacker culture and permaculture?”
There’s Christian Iaione of Labgov who is helping bring to life a new vision of government, one in which the commons is cared for by many stakeholders, not just the government.
And there are many more of who share their projects, hopes, and dreams. All the same Alex and Adam do the reader the favor by crystallizing the disciples’ ideas into a crisp statement of the possibilities at hand.
To extend the New Testament metaphor, the subject of these gospels isn’t a prophet, but a process, one that is birthing a new kingdom. The process is a new way to run an economy called commons-based peer production. This is a fancy phrase which simply means that people cut out rentseeking middleman and produce for and share among themselves. The time has finally arrived that through cheap production technologies, open networks, and commons-based governance models that people can actually do this.
This new way of doing things is the opposite of and presents an unprecedented challenge to the closed communities and entrenched interests that have for so long controlled the politics and economies of rural towns and regions. The old, industrial model of production concentrated wealth into the hands of the few while eroding the livelihoods, culture, and environment of rural people. It impoverished rural people in every way while pushing mass quantities of commodity products onto the global market. It exported the degradation of rural people to an unknowing public. What’s possible now is the maintenance and re-interpretation of traditional culture through a new, decentralized mode of production and social organization that places peer-to-peer interactions and open networks at the core. In short, it’s possible that a commons-based rural economy can spread the wealth and restore the rich diversity of crops, culture, and communities in rural areas.
What’s also possible is a new way for rural areas to compete in the global economy. The best way to compete is for rural areas to develop the qualities and products that make them most unique. In other words, the best way to compete is to not compete. This means a big turn away from commodity products, experiences, and places. This may only be possible through a common-based economy that’s run by, of, and for the people.
It may be the only way that rural areas can attract young people and spark a revival. Giant corporations maniacally focused on mass production, growth and profit are incapable of this. Yet many rural communities still stake their future on such firms and their exploitative, short-term, dead-end strategies. The above underscores the importance of this manifesto.
The transition to a new rural economy is a matter of life or death. The rapid out-migration from rural areas will continue if there’s no way for people to make a life there. The Italian countryside will empty out and the world will be left poorer for it. A pall of hopeless hangs over many rural areas because this process seems irreversible. While this new rural economy is coming to life, its success is uncertain. It will likely be an uneven, difficult, and slow transition if there’s a transition at all. It will take people of uncommon vision, commitment and patience to make it happen. It will take people like those profiled in the coming pages who embody the famous rallying chant of farm worker activist Dolores Huerta, “Si se Puede” or yes we can.
Editor’s note: This is a version of the preface written for the Rural Social Innovation manifesto. Read the full version here. Header image from the Rural Social Innovation manifesto
Tags: new economy, peer-to-peer production, rural communities, the commons
The Commons and Climate Change
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Neal Gorenflo
Neal Gorenflo is the co-founder of Shareable, an award-winning news, action, connection hub for the sharing transformation. An epiphany in 2004 inspired Neal to leave the corporate world to help people share through Internet startups, publishing, grassroots organizing, and a circle of friends committed to the common good. Subsequently, Neal has become an expert on sharing through 10...
Curry First
running of time to save planet; enormous immediate action required; maybe begin with issue too often ignored; serious cut back on consumption; stopping buying things one already has or ...
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The Tale of Two Sharing Cities: Part One
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by email: info@restoringyourpast.co.uk or call: 07905 274013
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Close to completely disappearing, this early 1900's portrait was split into separate colour layers, before adjustment, then recombined, restored and enhanced with added detail. The missing image area at the bottom of the picture was recreated to complete the composition.
This very early studio portrait was taken over 100 years ago, and is now so faded that this wonderful picture can hardly be seen. Before restoring any damage to the image, it was split into separate colour layers and each one was adjusted to retrieve as much of the feint detail as possible.
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Retail sales hit 2016 high, driven by food growth
By Grace Bowden2016-10-11T06:00:00+01:00
Total sales rose 1.3% in September
Like-for-like sales were up 0.4%
Food sales rose 1.6% on a three-month basis
Retail sales growth in September hit its highest level this year, and food delivered its best quarter in nearly three years.
On a like-for-like basis retail sales rose 0.4% in the five weeks to October 1, while total sales reached their highest level in 2016 excluding Easter distortions, up 1.3%.
According to the BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor, last month’s total sales rise follows a 3.9% increase during the same period last year.
However, the 12-month sales average recorded its slowest rise since records began in 1995, up 0.9%.
Sales growth in September was bolstered by rising food sales, which were up 1.6% on a three-month basis, the category’s biggest sales increase since November 2013.
IGD chief executive Joanne Denney-Finch said: “In encouraging news for food and grocery companies, the growth seen through the summer months continued into September.
’Reason to feel optimistic’
“Although the sales growth remains modest, grocery retailers and manufacturers have reason to feel optimistic as Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas come on to the horizon.”
Non-food retail also had a stronger month in September, up 0.5%, although womenswear fashion sales continued to suffer due to unseasonably warm weather.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Sales growth of non-food items remained sluggish. Despite a flurry of back- to-school purchases, clothing sales in particular had a more challenging month.”
KPMG’s head of retail Paul Martin added: ”The shoe was truly on the right foot for children’s footwear, with the category leading the way in the month.
“No doubt timely in-store promotions helped to capture the attention of shoppers, while the August bank holiday that fell into this month’s figures also helped to boost sales.”
Retail sales growth ‘ground to a halt’ in January
Retail sales growth “ground to a halt” last month after a strong end to the Christmas trading period, according to the latest industry figures.
Store openings tumble as Brexit jitters dampen expansion plans
High street shop openings reported a “dramatic” decline in the first half of the year as vacancy rates surpassed store openings.
Argos’s Bodson at the helm of digital and marketing post-acquisition
Argos digital director Bertrand Bodson’s remit has been expanded to include marketing and customer experience at Sainsbury’s-Argos.
Retail sales fall for fifth consecutive month, say ONS
Retail sales continued to fall during December, according to the latest Office for National Statistics data.
The retail weather forecast from Saturday January 18 to Friday January 24, 2020
Christmas footfall fell as Black Friday bought trading forward
Retail footfall declined in December as Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales in November brought Christmas trading forward.
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The Baron's Ward
by Isabella Berdyna Zysk
The Best People
by Marc Grossberg
Dark Opius
by Muffy Wilson and Dariel Raye
The Legend of the Avatars
by Tutmozis (Márk Jusztin)
Stuart Duffelmeyer and the Masters of Plagues
by Dewey B Reynolds
RESCRIPT the Story You're Telling Yourself
by Colleen Georges
Face Difficult Conversations with God on Your Side
by Rebecca Finley
Miracle On Aisle Two
Mark of the Medallion
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Written in Their Stars
by Elizabeth St.John
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by Fito Kahn
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by Kerry Reed
AnnaPolis Summers
I Survived Bullying!
by Linda Heavner Gerald
Contact Author - Linda Heavner Gerald
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
What do you name a daughter whose family name is Polis? Well, Anna, of course. Then she becomes AnnaPolis. It might be cute, but children bear the burden of the name they’re given at birth. And, when the name comes attached to a position of wealth and importance, there’s a lot to live up to. Anna’s parents are wealthy. She attends a prestigious private school and she has a good circle of friends. At least, she believes they’re good friends. But, upon entering middle school, and then high school, the pressure builds and tensions mount. The ‘good friends’ of childhood become the mean girls of middle and high school. And then there are the bullies. The ones, boys and girls, who take advantage of you.
Growing up is never easy. What happens in one’s youth affects the adult one becomes. Anna can bear witness to that fact. Not only is she scarred from her growing-up years, she is shocked to discover that the bullies and mean girls in her school have parents who continue to be just as bullying and mean as their offspring. But what Anna has to endure, though, haunts her into adulthood, yet it’s nothing to the disease that consumes her body and almost takes her life. There are chilling diseases in society: bullies and meanness. There are chilling diseases of the body. Anna suffers them all and they haunt her until, through her talent with the written word, she meets her ghosts head on and fights, taking back her life and making it her own.
Linda Heavner Gerald’s novel, AnnaPolis Summers, is a powerful, coming-of-age novel that addresses the issues young people struggle with over and over again. Using a journal type unveiling of the plot, the author becomes Anna and reveals her story as she sits back on a summer evening and relives her past through her own writing. Through this journey, Anna discovers the why’s that formed her and almost destroyed her and unravels another Anna, a survivor, a strong woman with a creative force that helps her overcome her struggles and fears. The reader is instantly attracted to this young woman as she tells her story, as her life is unveiled in heart-wrenching reality. A raw story to the core.
Romuald Dzemo
AnnaPolis Summers: I Survived Bullying! by Linda Heavner Gerald is a story that brilliantly documents one young woman’s history with bullying. Taking the reader through the intense, emotionally charged moments of life, from middle school through university, she unveils the ugly visage of bullying, letting readers feel the pain that is felt by millions of children across the world. Born into a wealthy family, Anna's childhood was idyllic, with a lot of fun memories, especially sailing the family yacht, Honey, to Annapolis. But the worst period of her life was during her studies at Duke University, where she encountered a foe who almost destroyed her life. What is it that kept her going and how did she find the strength and the courage to fight back?
Linda Heavner Gerald writes with unusual candor and honesty, allowing readers to gaze into the depths of Anna's soul to feel her pain, her anxiety, and the frustrations of being treated badly for no good reason. The narrative voice is strong and compassionate and it echoes directly to the heart of the reader. Here is a story that underscores the powerful message that anyone can be bullied, but it also communicates courage to the unfortunate ones out there who suffer derision and contempt from their peers. AnnaPolis Summers: I Survived Bullying! is beautifully written and the author has the gift of injecting humanity into her characters, allowing readers to connect with them and to feel the world from their perspective. It is a touching story, one that you won’t want to put down once you open the first page.
Rabia Tanveer
AnnaPolis Summers: I Survived Bullying! by Linda Heavner Gerald is a novel about bullying and how it affects the lives of the victims. On the surface, Anna is a healthy young teenager who has it all. Coming from an affluent family where the father provides his children with everything, the mother loves them with all she has, and a maid who is more than just a help, Anna seems to have it all. But despite all the good in her life, Anna is not happy and has not been for a very long time.
Anna is a victim of bullying and there is nothing that she can do to stop it. No one understands, not her parents or even her siblings. Only a few of her friends stand by her and understand her, but that is not enough to stop this monster from invading her life and mind. Anna is the only one who can save herself from this life of depression. This is the story of AnnaPolis, a young girl who was bullied, but rose up against the odds and survived.
I am just in love with the way Linda Heavner Gerald wrote this novel. It was written simply yet without diminishing the power of the topic and the theme. The excellent flow and language brought even more emphasis to bullying and how it can destroy the lives of its victims. Anna was a strong character, one that was not interested in becoming the victim, and she stood up to fight for herself. Her determination was commendable and I enjoyed her inner ramblings! They gave such bright and colorful insight into her life and her character. I enjoyed this novel very much.
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Bible Sticks
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What Does GOD Do All Day?
The Mundane Man's Rational Inspiration of OmniGod, the Universe, Mankind, Selfless Integrity, Assiduous Responsibilities, Religion, Ethics, Love, Literate Reasoning and Education, Science, Evolution, Environment, Government, and Commerce.
by JaVee
Contact Author - JaVee
Reviewed by Fiona Ingram for Readers' Favorite
What Does GOD Do All Day? by JaVee is a monumental work spanning three decades of the author’s investigation into and the insight derived from his study of the human condition, human history, human existence and their relationship with the concept of OmniGod, an omnipotent and omniscient force. The author warns the reader at the outset that this is a work demanding an open mind. The title asks the question; truly what does God do all day? And the author replies that no one can actually answer that question. Perhaps our minds are too small - we have “finite intelligence and brain capacities” - to conceive of the magnitude of the concept of an OmniGod? “No one can conceive or imagine all the wonders that exist unseen and unseeable in the Universe.”
This work is an exercise in social studies, history, theology, philosophy, and is not advised as a quick read. In fact, the number of pages making up the contents alone would be enough to put off the philosophical dilettante. The author’s research on the thought of a cohesive, unified principle of existence shows as intense and extensive, and dedication to solving this dilemma must have consumed the author in both mind and body. The author describes how, in the beginning, his own limitations and preconceived attitudes hindered his being able to answer his own question. Gradually, however, the author began to perceive with more clarity what he was looking for and what others should be seeking to find. He advises that he has no time for the “irrationality of naïve fools,” and I tend to agree.
What is integrity? What is responsibility? What is self, selfishness, and selflessness? The human condition seems to be the perpetrator of much of humankind’s ills. The author, in explaining the concepts, does not suffer fools gladly. In answering questions about the concept of a god, and the rightful method of worship, the author has strong and perhaps conflicting opinions that might not sit well with more traditional theological viewpoints. I found these strong opinions actually refreshing in their honesty and making absolute sense to the reader who will also think, “Yes, that’s true…”
The author explores religion, religious dogma, fanaticism and beliefs, and shows, sadly, the reality of how religion has drifted so far away from original truths and universal and moral laws. No one is spared in the author’s castigation of various religions’ limitations and failures. The atrocities that have been perpetrated in the name of religion are beyond belief when one looks at the history of religion over a few thousand years. This is just a small fraction of the magnitude of topics the author has encompassed in this magnum opus, truly a work of breathtaking proportions. The author can sometimes be dogmatic in how he condemns society for its failures, weaknesses, immoralities, vanities, superficialities, cultural obsessions, hero worship of prominent personalities, and other various deficiencies (including superstitions and mindlessness), but all throughout this work the voice of reasoning, the voice that says “this is not right” rings loud and true. Although the future is unknowable, no sane, rational thinker could argue with the author in this statement: “Mankind has reached a perilous fork in its existence and, if mankind does not achieve universal literacy, rational reasoning, and assiduous responsibilities swiftly, then mankind will destroy a habitable Earth and itself.” In my opinion, what humans have done to the Earth that was entrusted to their care has little or nothing to do with God. We have no one to blame but ourselves.
Readers may not agree with some of what the author has to say, but will have to concede that most of what he points out is valid. I don’t think any review is able to encompass the grand scale of topics and varied subjects for discussion covered in this work. Anyone interested in history, humankind, philosophy, theology and open-minded thinking and who enjoys a good, hearty discussion will appreciate what the author has produced. This is not for the narrow-minded.
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Realistic Dove
About Dan Fleshler
Errors in book
AIPAC American foreign policy American Jews Charles Freeman Israel Israel lobby
Two myths about Charles Freeman and the Israel lobby
March 11, 2009 March 11, 2009 Dan FleshlerComments(100)
I’ve patiently tried to dissect who was responsible for the Charles Freeman fiasco and to discern what it portends for the Obama administration. Some commentary on the commentary:
Myth #1: The “Israel lobby” and AIPAC per se were not behind the opposition to Freeman; it was just a bunch of loud neocons.
AIPAC has publicly denied that it lobbied against the appointment. Joe Klein writes that Freeman: “ pins his departure on ‘the Israel Lobby,’ which is imprecise. He was the victim of a mob, not a lobby. The mob was composed primarily of Jewish neoconservatives–abetted by less than courageous public servants like Senator Chuck Schumer, who has publicly taken credit for the hit.â€
Similarly, Jim Besser (a great reporter whom I admire) writes that he “saw no evidence the “lobby†— meaning AIPAC itself – was involved in the anti-Freeman effort, although that effort was sparked to a considerable degree by Steve Rosen, a former top AIPAC employee, and there’s plenty of evidence the more right-wing elements of the pro-Israel movement were heavily involved.”
Sorry, fellas. Very reliable sources inform me that Josh Block, an AIPAC spokesperson, contacted bloggers and journalists expressing concern about Freeman. That is probably what Freeman referred to when he mentioned “easily traceable e-mails” in the announcement that he was giving up the fight. Trust me on this one. I had to think twice about writing it because I want Block, who is generally very nice to critical journalists at the AIPAC Policy Conferences, to be nice to me. There is no way I would have written it unless it were manifestly true, and important.
Even it were not true, it is simply inconceivable that Mark Kirk, Charles Schumer and other Congressfolk who publicly objected to Freeman would have done so without the encouragement –or winks and nods– of AIPAC. The Hill is where it lives and breathes, and nothing this important could have been orchestrated without its blessing.
Myth #2: The Freeman fracas proves that the conventional Israel lobby has the power to dictate Middle East policy by ensuring that no one willing to criticize Israel will get a hearing in the Administration. Here is Andrew Sullivan on the meaning of power in Washington: “You get to dictate to a president who he can and cannot appoint to his own intelligence staff. This was not a Senate-confirmation issue. And it was not because of some financial or tax issue. It was because of what he believed. And a president is simply not allowed to have that kind of diversity of view in his administration. And he knows this is a battle he shouldn’t fight.â€
Almost, but not quite…The Freeman affair shows that the lobby knows how to convey the IMPRESSION that it has the power to dictate Middle East policy, and that it will make life miserable for any President who wants to take an independent course on Israel. Ron Kampeas of the JTA has an interesting take on this:
I’d like to argue that if, theoretically, a critic of Israel’s occupation had been appointed to a sensitive, senior security position without Freeman’s baggage, jampacked with apologias for the Saudi and the Chinese dictatorships, such a person would have been a serious test of the pro-Israel lobby’s power. I’d like to argue the point, but I don’t have to: Samantha Power, after all, handles multilateral organizations on the National Security Council.
Samantha Power, who accused Israel of war crimes, who called for moneys for Israel to be diverted to the Palestinians, who called for an interventionary force to protect the Palestinians from Israel. And yes, I know the White House placated pro-Israel figures by saying that her work would be confined to Darfur and other non-Israel issues. And then her first assignment was: Durban. With nary a pro-Israel complaint. With the blessing (not that it would have mattered, I think) of one of Freeman’s fiercest critics, Marty Peretz.
Freeman’s appointment was not a serious test of the lobby’s power. Not even close. He had enough extra baggage to make him an easy mark. It is an example of a pattern that is familiar to those who follow the lobby closely: it only picks fights that it knows it can win, at least when it comes to assaulting individual reputations. One important goal of these very occasional battles is to demonstrate the ability to affect political outcomes in order to make the political elite more docile. As one Congressional staffer told me: “They only kill the deer when it is wounded and in the middle of the road.”
This whole Freeman affair is an example of what my wife, who is in the ad biz, calls “power puffery.” AIPAC and its allies manipulate perceptions and create exaggerated notions of their resources and influence, and foster the widespread belief that both elected and appointed officials cross swords with the lobby at their peril.
But the Hill is filled with an increasing number of Representatives and Senators who don’t hesitate to criticize Israel and even the Israel lobby, and nothing ever happens to them. There can and should be many more. For example, if anyone is a logical target for AIPAC’s wrath, it is Rep. Jim Moran, the Virginia Dem who blamed Israel’s supporters for the Iraq War and was roundly condemned by his own party in 2002. He’s been re-elected twice. The AIPACers know they can’t beat him, so they haven’t tried (at least they haven’t tried very hard). I get into all of this is in much more detail in my book. Sorry, can’t give away more now.
Yes, Hobbes was mostly correct: ‘The perception of power is power.†But that is true only if people allow it to be true, if they don’t bother to scrutinize carefully the extent to which someone can actually do what he wants you to believe he can do. Samantha Power got the Durban portfolio, for God’s sake! Of course, Obama will take political risks if he relies on people who want to help him chart a truly independent course in the Middle East. But the risks are not as great as the lobby, and the critics who help it puff up its power, want us to believe. And that is good news.
Dan Fleshler
https://realisticdove.org
American foreign policy American Jews Israel Israel lobby Israeli occupation Mearsheimer and Walt Palestinians
Aaron David Miller: The pro-Israel community has won, so stop “geshraying” already
March 11, 2008 Dan Fleshler
Aaron David Miller has a stirring piece in the LA Times that deserves to be quoted in full. A note on my headline:”geshray” is Yiddish for “wail.” Other than that, believe it or not (is everyone sitting down? Get ready…), I have nothing to add! Nothing more needs to be said, as far as I’m […]
American foreign policy American Jews Iran Iraq Israel Jeffrey Goldberg
Jeffrey Goldberg breaks major taboo: says interests of U.S. and Israel might diverge
June 3, 2009 June 3, 2009 Dan Fleshler
There is a ridiculous canard that American Jews who speak out against Israel are “courageous.” These days, it requires no bravery to say almost anything you want to say about Israel in a public forum (unless, of course, you are a politician, or an official in a mainstream Jewish organization). But what Jeffrey Goldberg just […]
Gaza Strip Israel Palestinians
Tearstreaked notes from the news cycle: Gaza assault timing “couldn’t be better”
January 1, 2009 January 1, 2009 Dan Fleshler
Happy New Year, information warrriors. I spent half an hour trying to write an angry riff on what follows, as I am still appalled by Israeli behavior. Then my mind wandered. I pictured a junior IDF information officer, staring at a memo sent in advance of the possible ground operation, asking him to answer the […]
Jewish-Muslim engagement on domestic issues isn’t enough
The inconvenient truth of two narratives
100 thoughts on “Two myths about Charles Freeman and the Israel lobby”
Richard Witty says:
I don’t doubt that individuals within AIPAC participated in the suggestion and even direct character assassination. How can you be sure to what extent that occurred?
E-mail is very easy to bulk mail, and to falsify addresses. Ask any professional spammer.
I guess you’re saying that they wanted Freeman and others to know that it was AIPAC and “supporters”.
What specifically was Freeman accused of?
zoya says:
Give it up, Witty. You just make a fool of yourself.
Zoya,
I’m a skeptic. I take seriously my responsibility to not defame others without some knowledge, and limited to what I actually know.
If I don’t know but suspect, I state that my impression is a suspicion, not knowledge.
I don’t know the facts about Freeman, and am unwilling to weigh in in condemnation or even criticism, until I have some basis of knowledge.
Peter H says:
I agree with the gist of the post, and it’s probably true that Freeman’s comments about Israel, in and of themselves, would not have been sufficient to sink his nomination. That being said, the comparison to Samantha Power is problematic. Freeman was not an academic celebrity the way that Samantha Power is, and didn’t have the kind of network of support that Power has. More importantly, how much has Power really written about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Yeah, she’s touched on it in a few essays, but it’s far from being a major focus of her writing; certainly nowhere near as extensively as Freeman has.
And Power isn’t exactly squeaky clean on past matters either re: Bosnia. I am not too distinguished on her views on Israel but Peter did make a good point: she is somewhat of a celebrity, like Albright.
Freeman’s baggage is really not that much baggage when held up in the spotlight. Alot of it was mangled and contorted to fit into a good smear campaign (and that whole Saudi thing is rather embarrassing since so many who serve have or have had ties to Saudi money.).
As we would have it, Freeman would not be where he is (or was) today if it were not for this “baggage”. What a paradox.
Dan Fleshler says:
“Freeman was not an academic celebrity the way that Samantha Power is, and didn’t have the kind of network of support that Power has”
True. That reinforces my second argument. They knew they were less likely to win with Power. It doesn’t matter that her focus hasn’t been on the Is-Pals; she let loose with enough opinions to qualify her as a candidate to be a target. But she didn’t pass the test.
Richard Silverstein says:
Dan: Block is quoted in the NYT as saying Aipac “took no position on Freeman.” You’ll note that at no time does he deny he spread material against Freeman. Smearing him in private is diff. than “taking a position” on him. This is plausible but mendacious deniability.
One blogger I read (can’t remember the name) asked Block point blank whether Aipac was “informing” people about Freeman’s history. His reply: “No comment.” That is all ye need to know.
You’re giving Block far too much power to be afraid of crossing him. He’s not God & he’s not even your Jewish mama. He’s just a paid PR flack earning too much money for doing really nasty things to people like Chas. Freeman. I doubt he considers you or I more than a fly in his ointment.
Phil Weiss is in a foul mood because of Freeman’s exit and kicked me and other defenders of Israel off his site this evening.
Unless I was going to talk about exporting Jews, the Jewish conspiracy, or how Freeman was brave (not!) for stamping his feet, Phil didn’t want to hear it.
It’s probably a good thing I’m banned because his blog is a very negative atmosphere. He’s attracted haters, and there is no meaningful dialogue there.
Anyway, I agree that it wasn’t the Jewish Lobby that ousted Freeman. I don’t agree that it was strictly neocons though.
I think the guy rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
Apparently Nancy Pelosi took issue with his remarks about China. I heard she’s been heavily involved in human rights issues in China and she was disgusted by what he said re: Tiannamen.
I didn’t have a definite opinion on him one way or the other until he pulled out and acted like a volatile, graceless sore loser. Now I’m just grateful that we found out about him before it was too late.
He’s a very divisive individual–and the concern about him was spot on.
BTW–hopefully I’m not repeating old news everyone already knows…but Freeman apparently contacted Laura Rozen of Foreign Policy and insisted that Charles Schumer wasn’t involved in this.
His name has been thrown a lot, so I figured I’d mention it. 🙂
Suzanne,
You will probably feel more welcome here. The whackos leave Dan alone, by and large. I don’t generally care much about these strictly inside-the-Beltway tiffs. They are tiresome and don’t usually teach me anything useful. But Schumer is my Senator, so I checked him out. He may not have had anything to do with it, but his office sent a statement claiming credit for it, according to Greg Sargent:
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/middle-east/schumer-takes-credit-for-getting-chas-freeman-ousted/
Read the actual wording of the comments and compare it to the headline.
Again, so what was Freeman accused of?
I can’t find anything substantive written except for the fracas.
Go to Steven Rosen’s blog :http://www.meforum.org/blog/obama-mideast-monitor/2009/02/alarming-appointment-at-the-cia.html
Rosen is the guy who started it, on Feb. 19th:
“This is a profoundly disturbing appointment, if the report is correct. Freeman is a strident critic of Israel, and a textbook case of the old-line Arabism that afflicted American diplomacy at the time the state of Israel was born. His views of the region are what you would expect in the Saudi foreign ministry, with which he maintains an extremely close relationship, not the top CIA position for analytic products going to the President of the United States.
“Here is a sample of his views on Israel, from his Remarks to the National Council on US-Arab Relations on September 12, 2005: “As long as the United States continues unconditionally to provide the subsidies and political protection that make the Israeli occupation and the high-handed and self-defeating policies it engenders possible, there is little, if any, reason to hope that anything resembling the former peace process can be resurrected. Israeli occupation and settlement of Arab lands is inherently violent. …And as long as such Israeli violence against Palestinians continues, it is utterly unrealistic to expect that Palestinians will stand down from violent resistance and retaliation against Israelis. Mr. Sharon is far from a stupid man; he understands this. So, when he sets the complete absence of Palestinian violence as a precondition for implementing the road map or any other negotiating process, he is deliberately setting a precondition he knows can never be met.”
There are other accusations, including the funding he received from Saudi clients and his defense of the Saudis’s attempts to modernize. But they are relatively easy to find.
Oh yeah, Richard Witty is a real skeptic, except when it comes to “Hamas” and their “shelling civilians,” a ridiculously trumped-up charge necessary to keep Gaza 2008/09 from looking like the criminal Israeli war of aggression it was. Neither does his skepticism extend to anything written by Alan Dershowitz or other notorious fact-free Zionist partisans.
Skepticism is useful and I am all for delineating what “the Lobby” is and isn’t; at the same time, it’s clear at this point that hair-splitting is a conscious obfuscatory strategy among Israel apologists and Lobby-deniers.
Unless I was going to talk about exporting Jews, the Jewish conspiracy, or how Freeman was brave (not!) for stamping his feet, Phil didn’t want to hear it.
Obviously Phil just hates the JOOOOOOOOOOOOOS, right Suzanne? That’s the only logical explanation for anyone raising questions about Zionist corruption and power politics in the U.S.
Your comments on his site are beyond useless; you’re a closed-minded Jewish bigot and war-monger whose indoctrination into eternal victimhood makes you paranoid, hysterical, disruptive, and passive-aggressive. I’m pretty sure Phil didn’t really even ban you–but don’t let the facts stop you from screaming “pogroms!”
Is that the sum total of the accusation, or was there more?
Please review what was and is still said of Rahm Emanuel’s prospective appointment (some true no doubt, but intended to INFLUENCE Obama’s internal staff decision).
Its fear based. “We fear that Rahm will do this in a biased manner.” “We fear that Freeman will do this in a biased manner.”
Neither holier and more transparent than the other.
What is the content? is the important question.
If there are substantive doubts stated as doubts (Shumer’s public comments at least), then it is not irrational to voice them. And, it is the responsibility of the candidate to address them.
Although I am skeptical of Commentary, there was a posting on Stephen Walt’s blog inquiring why Freeman’s supporters did not publicly and clearly describe the basis of their SUPPORT for his candidacy.
Instead it was treated as nearly solely a partison question relative to the fetished distorter. (You know the mote in the eye question. Lots of distortion going around from multiple sides, and a lot of adrenaline, and NOT a lot of reasoning.)
Do we need to demonstrate the cliche of the left, of how divisive and willing we are to similarly assassinate character?
MM, I don’t have the time or energy to regularly monitor comments but did catch this last one. The last paragraph is a collection of insults and not much more. Let’s try for substantive conversation, OK? Thanks in advance
Teddy–I’ll take your word for it that the exchange here is mostly civil. 🙂
MM is in denial about the climate at Mondoweiss, but anybody can go there and read it for themselves.
And yes, I was banned. My posts don’t show up.
It was lazy of me to continue posting there. I don’t frequent a ton of blogs and started posting there by default. Bad decision, really. There’s little intellect there, zero logic or rational thought. And immaturity up the wazoo.
I’m not going to get into any baiting here with MM & ilk….if the tone here is balanced and civil, I will certainly be the same.
One of the reasons I wasn’t too hung up on Freeman’s appointment was because I heard that his views had no effect one way or the other on the work he’d be doing.
of course, I took that at face value and didn’t really try to educate myself about what exactly he’d be doing. I don’t even know if that information is widely available.
Has anybody explored that at all?
His job as I understand it would be to select intelligence data collected for communication upstream to National Security staff and eventually the president. I don’t know what relation the position has to the CIA, which would ultimately be under Podesta.
The failings during the Iraq War and prospectively prior to 911 in conveying interpreted data upstream was a conspicuous lapse of the Bush administration.
‘The responsibilities of the chairman of the NIC vary according to the decision of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Freeman, if chosen for the post and confirmed by the Senate, is expected to play an important role in shaping the National Intelligence Estimate, which is one of the main tools in forming the national security policy on a broad range of issues, including Iran. Freeman could also take part in the daily intelligence briefings provided to Obama.’
Suzanne, I bet you your comments don’t show up because of some technical issue (cookies?) Phil doesn’t have time to filter comments and even if he did he would have filtered chril berel before you. From checking the last thread there, this guy is alive and kicking.
re: chairman of NIC responsibilities: I can JUST IMAGINE the conspiracy theories flying around as to why he was pushed out of that job. haha!
Peter—maybe it was a glitch. I’d rather be on a less divisive blog though. I was getting way too snarky and emotionally invested in my opinion–and it started eating away at my time.
Did you read the Washington Post editorial on his resignation?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/11/AR2009031103384.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
“It wasn’t until Mr. Freeman withdrew from consideration for the job, however, that it became clear just how bad a selection Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair had made. Mr. Freeman issued a two-page screed on Tuesday in which he described himself as the victim of a shadowy and sinister “Lobby” whose “tactics plumb the depths of dishonor and indecency” and which is “intent on enforcing adherence to the policies of a foreign government.” Yes, Mr. Freeman was referring to Americans who support Israel — and his statement was a grotesque libel. ”
If there was a campaign, its leaders didn’t bother to contact the Post editorial board. ”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/washington/12lobby.html?hp
“Just how controversial the choice would be became clear on Tuesday, when Mr. Freeman, a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia under the first President Bush, angrily withdrew his name from consideration and charged that he had been the victim of a concerted campaign by what he called “the Israel lobby.—
With opposition to Mr. Freeman mounting, many in the White House were debating the wisdom of the selection, despite Mr. Blair’s public support for him. “In conversations with people associated with this administration, I NEVER DETECTED ANY ENTHUSIASM FOR THIS PICK,†said Ira N. Forman, executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council.”
Freeman’s anger.
This morning, I expect multiple blog posts describing the conspiratorial mass media, which may be true relative to a small pond. Freeman’s public anger though contrasted with Obama’s reflectiveness.
Y. Ben-David says:
Suzanne-
If it makes you feel any better, I was finally banned by MJ Rosenberg at TPM-Cafe, a supposedly “progressive” site. It seems Israel bashers have a problem with freedom of speech. Fortunately, this site is more civilized.
What were you banned for?
looks like they lifted the ban at MOndo. I tried once more last night and it didn’t appear. But then both posts were up this morning. I find it hard to believe it was a tech problem that involved only me. Maybe Phil saw my post here. lol!
In any case, engaging with negative people breeds one’s own negativity. So I’m going to try to make a switch and have constructive dialogue.
Richard, the op-ed and NY times article express my sentiments exactly. It was like he was caught red-handed and lashed out. That’s the perception.
It doesn’t hurt him because he is retired. But now there is red alert regarding any cabal seeking to undo AIPAC.
Richard-
I was frankly fed up with his endless rants about his claims that there is this gigantic conspiracy led by AIPAC and “The Jewish Lobby” to drag the US into wars and carry out other policies that supposedly are against the interests of the US (i.e. support for Israel and opposition to unreasonable Arab demands), and in addition to his claims that American Jews who support “Right-wing” positions in Israel are “disloyal” Americans. I finally said that one could do the same thing about what he is doing and exptrapolate that he is “really” a paid-for spokesman of the Arab lobby. I later said it is probably not really the case, so he should stop claiming that there is this AIPAC conspiracy he is endlessly harping on (he is now making several postings a day on this issue, whereas before the Gaza war he was making 2 or 3 posting per week). He then warned me I would be banned if I continued this line, which I didn’t. The discussion then turned to his claim that American Jews who support “right-wing Israeli positions” are really “disloyal Americans” because they are supposedly supporting a position that damages America’s interests. Other commentators there, in addition to myself pointed out that Americans have freedom of speech and freedom of association and can try to influence American foreign policy in any way they see fit, and in fact, others, besides the Jews do this, such as the anti-Castro Cuban lobby, the Greek lobby which can be said to interfere with US relations with an important NATO ally, Turkey, the Irish lobby, etc, etc, yet MJ Rosenberg doesn’t claim they are disloyal American as he does Jews. It was at this point I was banned. He even removed my existing comments on the “disloyalty” thread while leaving some replies to them hanging there in space. The fact is he has repeatedly said I had no business posting there because I live in Israel and because I am, as he defines it, “an extremist”, but he hadn’t threated to outright ban me up until now. I think it is important ot note that the Freeman case was going on at the time (I did not post any comments regarding it), but it is interesting to note what Suzanne stated about her being banned by Phil Weiss…..it seems that these people somehow believed that Obama’s election was going to bring about at major change in policy regarding Israel (and , thus AIPAC’s role in this) in the direction that Weiss and Rosenberg were hoping, and seeing this defeat was a shattering blow to their hopes, so perhaps they are taking out their frustrations on their critics.
Y. Ben-David
It occurs to me reading your post that a lot of this boils down to a left-wing vs right-wing power struggle–and the Jewish aspect is almost (but not quite) incidental.
I haven’t thought this through so the logic may be flawed.
Certainly there is an emotional component around the issue of Israel for Jews.
But if you take that all away, would a similar fight be going on between non-Jews on both sides?
In other words, would the same conditions be in place because of ME logistics, American interests, etc…
I wrote this hastily, and I have to run, so hopefully what I’m trying to say makes sense.
message to Suzanne says:
looks like they lifted the ban at MOndo. I tried once more last night and it didn’t appear. But then both posts were up this morning. I find it hard to believe it was a tech problem that involved only me. Maybe Phil saw my post here. lol!
Many people had problems with posting. It started when Typepad changed the community software sometimes last year. Me included. It took me quite a while to realize the reason. I still have occasionally problems including disappearing mails, which I haven’t studied close enough. My default assumption is always, I must have made a mistake or there is a software problem. If you can’t post and end up on the Typepad interface. Go back reload the site and post again. It helps of couse to copy the message before, just in case. I doubt Phil censored you. What exactly happened?
The problem with your presence on Phil’s list is that it is much harder to see what is purely reactive and what may in fact be attraction to antisemitic lines of thought. You are harming your cause more than you help it. Constant generalizations, stereotypes and invectives aren’t especially helpful to open up people to your point of view.
At the moment you among the most divisive forces on the list.
Why can you see the negative aspect of Freeman’s anger so clearly, including your reactions, but not consider the result of your own that drives you to really outrageous statements sometimes?
message to Richard says:
This is something really easy to check, Richard. You only need to look at the header.
Strictly, this is an interesting scenario, but why would someone falsify an address and still we see a familiar crowd picking up its contents?
Who posted to me anonymously here?
In any case, the problem with my presence on that blog, similar to the ever civil, ever patient Witty, is that I bother to show up at all.
The statement about constant generalizations, stereotypes and invectives describes EVERYONE there, including Phil.
That is not a blog for balanced discussion. Period.
If stormfront, david duke, vanguard etc–as well as onsite anti-semite groupthinkers are endorsing his blog…something stinks in Denmark. 🙂
The other thing I didn’t like about this divisive Freeman incident is that it potentially harmed Obama’s careful positioning as a centrist.
I don’t know Blair all that well or where he’s coming from…but now all the nutters on the right have new fuel to add regarding his affiliations with Ayers, his patriotism, his religion etc.
Maybe it was politics as usual, but it sure didn’t help Obama.
I tend to think he’d been too overwhelmed to study this carefully, and it was an appointment that slipped by him. I skeptical that he knew much about Freeman before now. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s how it appears until proven otherwise.
This is somewhat true, but it is funny coming from your mouth, Suzanne. When I first started following comments there I was taken aback by a lot of commentators with hardly concealed antisemitism, but I was equally surprised by a lack of a well-articulated opposition. The situation only got worse since then (I drop by from time to time to check comments on some posts) and the addition of the likes of chris berel and you, sorry to say, did not help, since you never contribute anything to the discussion except for sparring with the other side. Eurosabra is a bit better in this respect but even s/he ignores the discussion as soon as s/he has no good rejoinder (faced with facts contradicting his assertions.)
I know that this will anger you but I am telling it to you straight and hope you will see it as a fair and constructive criticism. In your case, from what I saw, I feel that you don’t have a good command of facts on the I/P conflict and most of your comments there (admittedly, some of them hilarious) came as knee-jerk reactions to the comments by critics of Israel as well as the antisemites I mentioned.
Thanks so much for your daddy-esque constructive criticism. Considering that I have already acknowledged my own role in the love fest over there…your statement is a bit after-the-fact– don’t you think?
The more objective reality is that I made BOTH substantive and reactive comments (admittedly more of the latter) over there–but YOU are too biased to see that.
The truth is, like I said, it is NOT a place for balanced exchange.
Do we want to keep harping on it ad nauseum or should we move on?
🙂 No prob, accept your point as well.
Any chance we can avoid the personal attacks?
The appeal of this site is substantive discussion, rather than sniping.
I think there are number of issues that this brouhaha raises.
There still seems to be underlying conflict between the more traditional intelligence and defense “realists” that historically have ignored or hated Jews frankly. It seems in some ways a replay of 1948, with Marshall submitting a tentative resignation to Truman if he “gave in” to the Zionists.
There definitely is the prospect that the US will reject its commitments to Israel in favor of commitments further east (all in the name of “the Iraq war was not for oil”).
There are obviously very large fights among old oil money over foreign policy. Cheney/Bush vs Baker/realists.
Oil companies are among the very few that thrived so far during the recession, with ENORMOUS amounts of cash. Coming out of a recession/depression those with cash are at great advantage coming into the next growth cycle. You know social change in power dynamics.
The fight will obviously go on, with likely many caught in the middle. Both conclusions are guessing and picking their single issue to consider.
For example, I genuinely think that Freeman confirmed that he was the wrong man for the job, on merit, by the excessive tone of his “resignation” letter. Even if true, it was undiplomatic, graceless, an illustration of the degree of anger in him, and his willingness to allow it influence his public presentation. For example, like those that he accuses, his letter was mass-mailed (from what I read).
To have let the fear that the Israel Lobby would be exposed motivate not objecting to an unqualified candidate, would have been a worse motivation, an enabling of poor judgement.
If he was a confidently appropriate candidate (including demeanor under pressure), the implications about the Israel Lobby as corrupting influence might have been right. If he was the wrong candidate and only the Israel Lobby stepped up to point that out, then the country owes the Lobby an acknowledgement rather than condemnation.
How is the norm of character assassination reduced as an acceptable means of determining qualifications or other decisions?
Not by indulging in it (as I just did in forming a judgement about Freeman without really knowing his work at all, except my reaction to the tone of his letter.)
but YOU are too biased to see that.
cozy attitude. Bias is always something others have. This surely helps a lot in life.
Has balance any meaning without looking at the argumentative load in the opposing sides of the scales? I don’t think you tried to be balanced, but you are partisan. Strictly no problem. The problem, here I agree with Peter D. is that you substitute argument with invectives. Not always, but more frequently than not.
Balance for you is the mainstream perception, the power perception. You drew my anger when you attacked two persons with no argument at all and perceivable no understanding for them. You simply perceived them as enemies. Immediately attacked them and used invectives.
Do you know now, who I am?
A riddler.
Go find a room.
Richard W, did you consider that maybe the guy saw this letter as an opportunity to expose what he considers an ill, rather than just behaving ungracefully under pressure? In that case it was a brilliant move, since all of a sudden the words “Israel Lobby” appeared on the pages of MSM worldwide, especially in the US. Thus, he was able to transform his defeat into an opportunity to expose the almost untouchable issue.
He could have been a guerilla, in his last public voice.
His letter did not say “see, I was the right man for the job”.
oh jaysus…Witty’s anonymous critic shows up expressing abandonment issues over my departure from THAT BLOG. haha!
Peter wrote: “did you consider that maybe the guy saw this letter as an opportunity to expose what he considers an ill, rather than just behaving ungracefully under pressure?”
Maybe, but it’s all in the perception. I believe in general, people don’t take kindly to someone who looks like they are whining. Even if they are correct in what they say. It’s one of those unfair things in life.
As for Richard speculating about whether or not he’s right for the job–I’ve never worked for Intelligence so I know diddly squat about whether his views potentially compromised the position.
His statements about China etc were pretty offensive in any kind of context. In the end, too little is known about the man or the job for any of us to truly form an educated opinion, imo. ( Unless somebody here works in Intelligence??? )
The other question is…what is the truth (not speculation) about why various sectors wanted him out of that job?
And appended to that question: was he a political pick or a purely qualified pick? Or a little of both?
I am getting the feeling that the ongoing crisis in the Zionist Left is reaching unprecendented levels of despair. Here are a couple of examples:
(1) Richard Silverstein has a thread today entitled “AIPAC-THE LYING LIARS OF THE ISRAEL LOBBY” (“lying liars”? as opposed to “truthful liars”?) His passionate views are garbling his expressing of his views.
(2) MJ Rosenberg has a thread today at TMP CAFE which he calls a “FIRESTORM” of opposition to the Israel Lobby’s supposed success in getting Freeman to withdraw his nomination for the post he was seeking. He has a hypertext link under the word “FIRESTORM”. I would have assumed that there would have been a whole series of articles from around the US referenced, instead there was ONE article by himself in the Los Angeles Times, which then refers to another op-ed piece by the Times. Nothing else, no “firestorm”.
I feel a lot of rage and frustration from Silverstein who seems to be bursting out with epithets (while keeping his language clean) and Rosenberg, grossly inflating the response to his pet subject. I didn’t see any other TPM commentator even refer to it.
What is happening here? As I pointed out above, Rosenberg used to post 2 to 3 pieces a week, but since the Gaza War, it has gone up to 2 to 3 pieces every day.
I am using them as examples of part of the the American pro-Zionist Left. They along with the more mainline parts of this movement are truly in an existential crisis, but their part of it is truly immersed in immense rage and frustration-there are no other words for it. Why is this?
First of all, Labor Zionism has inherent contradictions in its ideology….Jewish nationalism combined with socialism and universalism. The socialism has long-ago died so this leaves the tension between the essentially incompatible Jewish nationalism and universalism. For Rosenberg, this manifests his insistence that American Jews who don’t agree with his far-Left fringe views on Israel are “disloyal Americans”.
Secondly, the death of the “peace process”. This has lead to despair that any peace agreement can be reached. But instead of blaming the Arabs, who are the cause of this impasse, they blame Israel (and the Israel Lobby) by claiming that it is the Arabs who want peace, and if only Israel were pressured enough there would be peace. The election of Obama and the choice of harsh critics of Israel like Freeman were supposed to herald a new era in which, finally, the magic forumla would be found to make peace and an American Administration would finally use force against a recalcitrant Israeli gov’t to make it happen. Freeman’s withdrawal, and Obama’s incoherent policies are indicating that nothing is going to change. (of course, as I indicated, those who think Obama can really make a difference and removing “pro-Israel” advisors like Dennis Ross and replacing them with critics of Israel would cause peace to break out are only deluding themselves, because the impasse is on the Arab side).
Third, the fact that the outgoing government, a government of the Left, without the “usual suspects” Likud/settler/Haredi-Ultra-Orthodox
parties in the coalition, not only led Israel into an impasse in the so-called “peace process”, but bequethed Israel TWO wars within THREE years, both of which are now viewed as failures, not to mention the ongoing hostage crisis involving Gilad Shalit that can only be resolved by a complete capitulation to HAMAS demands which would mean a total, complete, unmitigated defeat by Israel (Churchill’s words).
Thus, there is no “political savior” on the horizon for this Left in despar which would allow them to say “if only so-and-so were in power, there would be peace”
Fourth, the fact that the classical Zionist Left parties, i.e. Labor and MERETZ suffered a devastating defeat in the Israeli elections, in addition to the fact that the Israeli public INCLUDING THE LEFT, overwhelmingly supported the Gaza war. Even classical pro-Zionist Left figures like Eric Yoffe blasted J-Street for its “neutral” position during the Gaza war, and I do note they have been pretty quiet since then.
This, it seems to me explains the anger we see emenating from these figures. The question I have is: “how representative of the Zionist Left are people like Rosenberg and Silverstein?”-is the fact they are well-known in cyber-circles mean they are representative of anyone other than themselves? We see polls show that the Gaza war did not affect support for Israel in the general American public very much if at all. Is this true of the Jewish community as well? If Silverstein and Roseberg really speak for a significant number of Jews, are we going to see this group finally turn their back on Israel and the Jewish people entirely and go in the direction of Phil Weiss? ….or are they essentially a fringe phenomenon? There are people like this in Israel…a good example is Avraham Burg, who has pretty much turned his back on Zionism and is someone who curses Israel at every opportuntiy. Richard Silverstein viewed his book as a major break in Israeli society, indicating that that a significant part of Israel society is adopting his (Silverstein’s) views, but it was explained to him that Burg is not taken seriously by more than a handful of people in Israel, which upset Silverstein to hear. The proof, of course, that this is the case is the major turn to the Right in the elections and the mass support for the Gaza War.
Thus, it is unclear if we are on the verge of a major crisis within the Zionist camp or not. Is the Zionist Left on the verge of giving up on Israel (as Silverstein and Rosenberg are doing) or not?
Y B-D,
You just wrote:
If Silverstein and Roseberg really speak for a significant number of Jews, are we going to see this group finally turn their back on Israel and the Jewish people entirely and go in the direction of Phil Weiss?… Is the Zionist Left on the verge of giving up on Israel (as Silverstein and Rosenberg are doing) or not?”
I don’t know Richard Silverstein except through his writing but MJ Rosenberg is a friend. He loves Israel, cares about its future and believes that you –and those who share your ideology –are helping the democratic Jewish state to commit suicide. The fact that he is out there, plugging away, means he is not turning his back on Israel. Just the opposite. He is facing Israel squarely, with all of its contradictions, and trying to help it survive in spite of you.
Is the Zionist Left on the verge of giving up on Israel (as Silverstein and Rosenberg are doing) or not?
It is hard to predict. Certainly a lot of people not only from the Zionist Left but even mainstream American Jews are going to try to dis-associate themselves from Israel. I cannot imagine a flow in the opposite direction (such as happened after the Six Day War.) Those with strong “Israel right or wrong” attitude won’t be affected, but for those somewhat ambivalent every operation like Gaza, every day the misery of the Palestinians continues and finds its way into the news, makes them question their support of Israel. But the real extent of this sift is hard to gauge or predict at the moment.
P.S. “Lying liar” is a figure of speech.
The common thread that I see about Phil Weiss and Richard Silverstein (I don’t know Rosenberg), is that their approach is based on what they oppose, rather than what they support.
You did say that Yitzchak, I think.
That leaves very little momentum and nothing created.
Socialism has two elements to it. One is the concept of sharing (whether charity or neighborly cooperation). The second is that the agency of that sharing is the state, rather than informal or entirely voluntary organizations.
I would hope that nature and spirituality would never let us forget that sharing and helping one another is a self-evident good. It is the real rising tide that lifts all boats. And, that that charitable urge should be so strong that whether the state or individuals or a combination does it, it results in every single individual having a path and realization of success in their lives.
To hope for anything less on any grounds is to curse the world.
That is the spirit that I seek to realize with Israel and with Palestine. Seeing some succeed by less than ethical means, and seeing others fail by artificial obstacles, makes a tension, a discomfort.
There are tangible problems that must be solved, and opportunities for improvements in well-being that must be pursued, that we are entirely distracted from currently.
An example. There was a poster on Silverstein’s blog who referenced a joint Israeli/Palestinian solar energy project that was similar to one that I had attempted to organize twelve years ago. The tone of his comments though was so critical that if he was one of the organizers it must have created a tension among the group, even to have difficult issues unnecessarily reinforced.
I don’t hear about groups collaborating on “loving the land” that they both claim to love. (There definitely are some and deserve GREAT support in all respects.) I don’t hear much about assisting the others’ public health, that when neglected enables the spread of disease and excessive social burden all unnecessarily.
I’m disappointed with the negativity. I’m disappointed with it among Israelis, usually stated as dismissal of the others’ lives and needs. I disappointed with the it among dissenters, that demonstrate such little self-restraint in their judgemental comments and such little commitment to those they claim to want to help.
We talk so much, and do so little.
I agree with a lot of what Richard says…and I, too, am tired of all the finger pointing.
Everybody wants to dwell on the past, it seems–and that does nothing for Israel or Palestinians in 2009.
It seems to me that the number 1 problem is that the Pals are economically and politically unstable. I’m sure we can sit around all day and speculate as to why (which some people prefer to do)–but the fact of the matter is that they can’t get it together. No matter how much money or aid comes their way.
They are just too vulnerable. It makes them untrustworthy, and also–human nature–the Israelis have no respect for them and run all over them. Part of it is due to mutual hatred, it seems to me, but much of it has to do with the lack of balance in power.
There is no way to change the dynamic, imo, until you change the balance of power.
So I lean towards Gaza & West Bank being absorbed, respectively by Egypt and Jordan. It will give the Pals more stability, better bargaining power for water rights and zoning etc–and it assures Israel that they are living next to a neighbor who prefers life over death.
I was pleasantly surprised to find out this Israeli General feels similarly. And perhaps it is something being discussed behind the scenes.
It’s either this or the 5-state solution (second best, but again, the Pals can’t seem to run a state without self-imploding, so I’m doubtful):
Reassessment of Palestine
Richard, over at Peace In The Middle East, Charles Lechner is trying mightily hard to find websites that cater to ALL points of view, from Likud to Hadash, from PFLP to Fatah to Hamas and from everyone involved.
It should be newsworthy that there are many organisations that attempts to bridge the gap between the two warring enemies. I heard on CBC Radio that there were many Israelis and Palestinians working together to figure out the water problems in the West Bank. BUT that is overshadowed by the overpowering structure of division that sees the biggest discreptancy of distribution between Israeli and Palestinian.
Unlike yourself Richard, I’m not disappointed with the negativity. I expect it. I’m actually surprised there isn’t more pessimism, especially on the part of the Palestinian side. I certainly can not pinpoint how you came to such an attitude, but Israelis deal with occupation-life and all the baggage that comes with being under attack and attempting to go on with life as if it were normal.
I understand that sentiment. It seems that we go on and on and on, in a roundabout of debates and philosophy about what should happen, how it should happen and where things go wrong and where it can go right, and yet the situation appears unchanged, and sometimes even worse.
“Everybody wants to dwell on the past…”
There is a difference between “dwelling” and recognising it. Moving forward is one thing, but how could such a strategy be effective when nothing is addressed which involves SO MANY.
“It’s either this or the 5-state solution (second best, but again, the Pals can’t seem to run a state without self-imploding, so I’m doubtful)…”
Or Israel could commit itself to a two-state solution and give Palestinians sovereignty. Would “dwelling” on the past forget about how and why the Palestinians are so “unstable” economically?
I just don’t understand why everyone else seems to know what is best for the Palestinians. No one cared about them before and now this is their way of benevolence? There has to be major steps to build here but this whole idea of “absorption” failed thirty years ago. Ironic that this attempt to assess the situation for 2009 has led it back to 1970 when the Palestinians were routed by civil wars in Jordan and Lebanon. Funnily enough, the Palestinians were more stable back then economically than they were now, and this is the best solution they can muster to IMPOSE on Palestinians.
Joshua–you’re just finger pointing again, boxed into the same old dynamic with no incentive for Israel to change…and I’m telling you right now–it’s a recipe for 40 more years of the same crap.
Screw the moralizing and the misguided idealism. If Jordan and Egypt are up for absorption (certainly there are Palestinians who have expressed interest) then go for it.
It boils down to whether Jordan & Egypt feel differently than they did 30 years ago. If General Giora Eiland is talking about it, then presumably Egypt and Jordan are at least thinking about it.
In any case, Israel is not my sovereign nation, and they are going to do what they’re going to do. I’m glad they are looking into this.
Final thought…they can arguably be absorbed into an autonomous confederacy and maybe evolve towards statehood. I have no idea how that works. But ANYTHING is better than the status quo.
They can’t make it on their own. Deal with it and move on.
I have no problems with “evolving” into anything here to improve the situation. Your insistence on “finger-pointing” really absolves the power that is still expropriating land that led to the situation we are faced with in the first place.
Personally, my own reading of Jordan and Egypt sees them are very reluctant to take in Palestinians. Mubarak and Abdullah aren’t exactly the Palestinians best friends either.
“In any case, Israel is not my sovereign nation, and they are going to do what they’re going to do. I’m glad they are looking into this.”
You speak as if it is though. So then if they are “looking” into a one-state solution, would you be glad too if it improves the situation.
I am also skeptical whether your solution would improve ANYTHING at all. Simply giving Palestinians another form of citizenship without any rights of sovereignty will NOT make the situation better at all. By all accounts, it seems Israel will have every leverage in the West Bank and there will be two laws for two sets of peoples, the same situation it is NOW.
This whole “ANYTHING is better” than what it is now may sound profound, but most are refusing to advocate the one-state solution when that is partly different from what it is now. So clearly there are things that are worse.
“Incentive for change…”
I really don’t understand this at all. “Incentive” to “change” a situation where you allude is so despicable that “ANYTHING is better” really deconstructs how silly your idea is, how misconstrued your viewpoint is and how truly illusory this attempt to move on really is. If Israel needs an “incentive” to change the status quo, clearly it is the one who is imposing the conditions of the hopelessness for the Palestinians (as they are the ones in clear control of their lives here). But yet you want them to have “incentives” to “change” a situation that they benefit so mightily from (ie the occupation is a haven for profit and Israeli settlers gain what they want by waiting out the occupation). The situation is untenable for the Palestinians; the case cannot be made that it is for the Israelis (unless you’re one of those Zionists who care about the character of Israel). Bibi is in NO hurry to do anything about the Palestinians. There is no emergency in the Knesset about what to do. They just shell out “proposals”; how is that different from the previous forty years?
“Final thought…they can arguably be absorbed into an autonomous confederacy and maybe evolve towards statehood.”
Or they could be absorbed into Israel and evolve that way? I find all of this just as kooky.
“Screw the moralizing and the misguided idealism.”
Easy for you to say; you aren’t screwed by checkpoints, outposts and a status quo that has “ANYTHING” being better.
Dayem, Joshua…you come across like the Palestinians are your special wards of state and everybody else can just shut up. Downright territorial.
A lot of good that’s done them.
You’re boxed into this delusion that you can make the Israelis bend to your will–but anybody can see that is NOT going to happen. It hasn’t and it won’t. Accept it.
You also seem to think the Palestinians have leverage and a host of options and they don’t. That’s reality. They are the weak player in this game and it’s time to start facing that fact and considering REALISTIC options.
That, my friend, means you need to start considering Israel’s concerns as well.
As for Palestinians being more economically stable 30-40 years ago…it was because they were able to work in Israel.
That’s over with. Kiss it goodbye.
If General Eiland is talking about possible absorption, then it is arguably up for consideration. Whether you approve or not.
One General does not mean a thing. You make alot of assumptions, ie Palestinians have no leverage. If General Eiland is “talking about possible absorption” and you’re speaking for a situation that “ANYTHING is better than the status quo”, it seems they have a lot of leverage. In fact, Israel insists on solutions to make the situation better for Palestinians since they occupied them. You missed the point about the scenario of 30 years ago: WE ALL KNOW why they were economically better and yet they are still using the same solutions as they did back then when things were better for the Palestinians. Now they are worse off and it’s still the same old thing over and over.
Incorrect that I am a bastion for the Palestinians: I just want justice here. Simply ignoring what has happened in the past won’t relieve a thing and it won’t make things better. Palestinian Israelis are better off and their situation is regarded as untenable; what to speak of the refugees who still want rights? What do you say to those who are still continually dispossessed and those who have lost so much in this conflict?
Alot of things have changed. Alot of things are “over with”. This “peace process” should be kissed goodbye honestly.
Israelis can do what they want whether I like it or not; they do it every day. So will the Palestinians whether I agree with it or not and there is alot that I don’t agree but I definitely don’t wish to impose more solutions on them when they have a clear focus on independence. That to me is reality. You want to try to make Palestinians accept something they clearly don’t want, we’ll see how that happens.
I think you make a mistake in thinking that the Palestinians have done this all on their own. There has been so many hands on this conflict that it’s difficult to know where the occupation ends and where the Palestinian self-governance begins (that’s not to say that the Palestinians aren’t making their own mistakes, they do it an awful lot). How about stopping the occupation? That hasn’t happened.
Weak versus strong really is a narrow point of view. Colonialism is a lesson that should never be forgotten. Just because one is weak does not mean that one has no cards to play with. This conflict may be so one-sided but that’s the way it looks now. The suffering must stop and both sides really need a retooling here but rest assured, the Palestinians can continue to resist and the Israelis can keep occupying and that really is untenable for Israel in the long run, no matter how many times they want to keep the land.
Giora Eiland is a puffed balloon that hardly ten people in Israel take seriously. There are several problems with the Jordanian option or the Egyptian option. One is that neither Jordanians nor Egyptians have the slightest inclination of having anything to do with them. You could say: “but the Israelis also don’t have inclination for a solution”. Fair enough, with a couple of major differences: Palestinians are mostly Israel’s problem. Israel is trying to get rid of them, so, it is not in the same position as Egypt or Jordan on whom Israel could hypothetically try to foist them. Second, is that there is no moral imperative in the eyes of the world for Egyptians or Jordanians to accept anything of the kind, while there is one for Israel to solve the Palestinian problem. You say “Palestinians lack leverage etc”, but this also is bound to change. The world is getting tired of Israeli behavior and more and more people even in the US are beginning to realize that Israel is more a liability than asset. Every Chas Freeman-type victory is a small defeat that sooner or later will eat away at the public support of Israel in the States. Then Israel will be cornered from all directions. Both Israelis and Palestinians think that time is on their side. I am not sure about the Palestinians but it is definitely not on the side of Israel.
Uri Avnery has a nice piece on the Jordanian option:
The Jordanian Option is a euphemism. Its real name is “Anti-Palestinian Option”. That’s what it’s all about. Everything else is unimportant.
THAT MAY explain the curious fact that since the 1967 war, no effort has been made to realize this “option”. The High Priests of the Jordanian Option, who preached it from every hilltop, did not lift a finger to bring it about. On the contrary, they did everything possible to prevent its realization.
For example: during Yitzhak Rabin’s first term as prime minister, after the 1973 war, Henry Kissinger had a brilliant idea: to return the town of Jericho to King Hussein. Thus a fait accompli would have been established: the Hashemite flag would wave over West Bank territory.
When Foreign Minister Yigal Allon brought the proposal to Rabin, he was met with an adamant refusal. Golda Meir had promised in her time that new elections would be held before any occupied territory was returned to the Arabs. “I am not prepared to go to elections because of Jericho!” Rabin exclaimed.
The same happened when Shimon Peres reached a secret agreement with King Hussein and brought the finished product to the then prime minister, Yitzhak Shamir. Shamir threw the agreement into the waste bin.
I don’t know if Israel was lying when it said that it was willing for a fair peace following Oslo. The recognition of Palestinian assertions hasn’t really improved since 1995 or so, and the degree of settlement construction truly does divide prospective Palestine.
If Israel is not willing for a sovereign Palestine, then the two-state solution is dead in fact. Netanyahu is adamently opposed to a fully sovereign and viable Palestine.
If Netanyahu isn’t able to form a government, what happens? Does it go to another election? Its been three weeks and he doesn’t have a coalition yet.
The precipice posturing is so unsettling. Precipice posturing relative to Iran. Precipice posturing relative to Gaza borders.
So many poor judgements. So many horrible consequences that prospectively could have been avoided with communication links.
I still end up at the quandry relative to Hamas. If they had affirmed that they regarded Israel as valid, accepted (in whatever language they wanted to use for that), then a reconciliation process could have occurred. I don’t accept the sources that embellish their floating a couple times a medium term hudna. A hudna is a waiting game, an agreement to avoid each other, not a commitment to reconcile.
I don’t know if reconciliation is possible with the horror that Hamas inflicted on Israel in the 90’s, and the experience of last month’s military actions in Gaza.
I sincerely wish that Hamas would say, “Enough already, we’re done with this method of “resistance”. We’ll make the best of what we’ve got”.
That’s what a state does.
Its also very upsetting to me to see the tenor of dissent shift towards functional advocacy for Hamas, and the anti-semitism that they share with opportunistic demonizing propagandists.
It very much upsets me to see Phil repeat ad nauseum the “Israel Lobby” rancor, rather than INVEST in supporting J Street, or even a sober pro-active single-state orientation, or better yet, collaborative cross cultural tangible projects.
Thats what I mean by talk rather than act.
They don’t realize the shifting to anger, imprinted into actual hatred.
If there was even a viable path, a viable goal stated, then that adding pressure might result in some good, but when adding pressure is adding pressure to a pressure cooker (no prospective path or goal), then the outcome is violence.
Only someone without children would consider encouraging revolution. We need parents and particularly mothers to lead dissent, rather than the gamut of young and childless for whom revolutionary actions have such limited consequences.
What is also not discussed is that this gives perfect legitimacy for further expropriation as all of this land grab would have been legalised. No punishment there for the dispossession.
What more of an incentive could they have to continue to fault another “peace process”?
You are wrong when you say that Hamas does not have options.
It has options similar to the PLO had options, to reconsider its permanent nature of objection to the existence of Israel, and from that sincere reconsideration to actually develop civil relations around common goals.
In resuming the shelling of civilians following the formal end of the cease-fire, it confirmed that it was NOT undertaking that reconsideration.
Noone in a state of war has good options. Israel cannot consider killing 1300 individuals (however many were aggressors) a good outcome. The best that they can say is that it was a necessity. (Which they can’t say honestly.)
The point is that thinking that Hamas is not mature enough to pick a path that actually fixes things, is an insult to them, a statement that they are adolescents, rather than adults.
Their actions have and do affect a great deal.
Again, I conclude that Hamas shelling Sderot after the cease-fire ended, added at least 10 seats to Likud and Israel Beitanyu.
A change would affect a different electoral result in Israel, a prospect of idealism and hope, rather than a long-term endurance.
…the horror that Hamas inflicted on Israel in the 90’s, and the experience of last month’s military actions in Gaza.
A perfect Wittycism.
Whatever… You are incorrigible. A couple of weeks it looked like you were finally shifting in the right direction, speaking of stopping supporting Israel if Netanyahu is elected. Apparently, since then you figured a perfect escape: “Hamas elected Netanyahu! Israel has nothing to do with it!”
Regarding your criticism of Phil and other radicals, you clearly have no idea that in politics there is something called “moving the center” (Naomi Klein’s words). Without “radicals” like Phil J-Street would be radical and AIPAC the center.
And, Richard, I’ve been meaning to tell you many times, it’s “no one”. There no word “noone” in English language.
“Long-term endurance” is the ONLY option. Giora Eiland is somewhat more perceptive than other members of the power structure in Israel who deluded themselves during the Oslo euphoria…he has finally realized that the Palestinians neither want a state nor are capapble of running one if they had it. But then he falls into the old wishful thinking mode that motivated the Oslo believers in the first place…that somehow the Arab world is going to bail Israel out by taking the Palestinian hot potato out of Israel’s hands. The delusion is that the Egypt and Jordan are concerned about the Palestinians and want to improve their lives, so they would presumably take over and administer the Palestinian territories so that there can be peace with Israel.
The only problem is that no one in the Arab world wants peace with Israel. The Arab countries, particularly those bordering Israel face a difficult dilemma. On the one hand, the Arab world agrees that the existence of a Jewish state within ANY borders is an intolerable humiliation for the Arab/Muslim world and it must be eradicated. On the other hand, it has been shown that eradicating Israel is not easy (prior to 1948 it was based on Palestinian terrorism, from 1948-1973 it was assumed that direct military force applied by Israel’s neighbors would do the trick, when this failed, it reverted to Palestinian terrorism in the 1970’s up through the recent suicide bomber war, now it is shifting to long-range rocket attacks based in neighboring territories that have no central government to restrain them-i.e. Lebanon and Gaza. Future plans include a possible Iranian nuclear weapon-but through all of this Israel has only grown stronger). On the other hand, the neighboring Arab countries need to stabilize their regimes and provide for some minimal standard of living for their populations and constant mobilization against Israel, while useful for maintaining internal discipline and for getting the people’s minds off their problems, is a serious drain on their countries economic system. Jordan has maintained a policy since 1970 of maintaining quiet on their border with Israel because they fear an exodus of Palestinians from Judea/Samaria into their country which is a matter of self-interest.
In reality, the Arab world views the Palestinian as nothing more than cannon fodder, and they have no interest in “improving their lives”. If you find this shocking, especially considering how we have always been told that “all Arabs are brothers” and “all Muslims love one another”, then all you have to do is look at the indifference the Arab world showed to the years-long bloodshed in civil wars in Lebanon and Algeria, the popular support for the “resistance” in Iraq which consists, to a large degree, of attacks on the civilian population (much more than direct attacks on the American military presence), the popularity in the Arab street for tyrants like Saddam Hussein, etc. In fact, where was the famous “rage of the Arab street” in the recent Gaza War? While it is true that the Arab regimes try to prevent demonstrations, even those in favor of the Palestinians (in fact, the only place in the Middle East where Arabs can conduct spontaneous anti-Israel demostrations is in Israel) didn’t put up much of a show. For heaven’s sake…there were almost no demonstrations in support of the Gazans by the Palestinians in Judea/Samaria!
Thus, we see that there is no real political pressure in the Arab world to “help improve the lives of the Palestinians”, so Giora Eiland’s proposals are a non-starter. A Palestinian state is no understood by most Israeli’s to also be a non-starter. So we are back to Richard Witty’s “tsumud”, an Arabic word meaning long-term endurance. I believe that the Arab world will eventually see that radical political Islam is leading them to a dead-end (although it is currently viewed as being in the ascendancy, with the Iranian bomb being the next milestone) just as Communism collapsed, when that happens the Arab-Israeli conflict can be addressed with a new openness and good will, but we are not at that stage, and it will be many years before we are. Most Israelis now understand what I am saying, and this is no doubt adding to the rage of Richard Silverstein, MJ Rosenberg and those who agree with them. If they can not accept this situation, then they will have no choice but to finally turn their backs on Israel because what they want is simply not achievable.
I said substantive comments. You don’t want to look at Hamas, that’s your selective ignorance. I’m seeking a path to actually improve things, rather than end up with “I told you so” as the only good outcome, but the objective conditions end up horrible.
Yitzchak,
I differ with you on fundamental conclusions. The primary one is your assertion that “Palestinians neither want a state nor are capapble of running one if they had it.”
In 1947, with the severe conflicts between Irgun and Haganah (that periodically expressed in internal warring), it appeared the Israel was not able or willing to self-govern. It was desirable for Jews and for the world that an Israel emerge that could govern, and Irgun reluctantly yeilded to a more civilized approach.
The hope is that Hamas will do so similarly, either in relation to Fatah (unlikely) or relative to other prospective leaders that offer the acknowledgement of Israel’s existence, without the historical baggage of either Hamas or Fatah.
The current reality is that land is being stolen slowly but strategically, that does in fact harm. Whether you see it in this light is irrelevant. It is occurring, and amounts to a violation of Torah, a violation of civil law, a violation of international law. (Thats a lot of law to violate).
By “violate” I mean that strategems are applied to take parcels of land by decree without regared to civil or in many cases, existing Israeli law, nor with any opportunity of due process that affirms the color-blind application of property laws. (That constructs an irony for Netanyahu’s advocacy of free-market principles.)
The standard of title within civil oriented law is the standard of consent of the reasonable person.
On questions of sovereignty, the term “violate” applies to the very rational objective to optimize the status of relative “consent of the governed”.
The point of this for Israel, is that to employ a long-term strategy of “endurance” RATHER than reconciliation, is that that status has costs.
There are reasons to undertake those costs in some conditions, and there are conditions in which those costs amount to a POOR CHOICE.
The current wisdom of all the right-wing parties is that it is plausible that the Palestinian residents, and the Arab world will eventually accept that they are subordinate in former Palestine, and happy with the status that individuals’ and collectives’ land may be expropriated without due process.
I think that is a ludicrous assumption. Its the result of a thinking that has renounced the two virtues of a mensch (compassion and intelligence/design imagination).
I get how you got there, but I note that as a failing rather than as a source of pride. Its good to be tough, if your toughness is for a reasonable goal. This is toughness for a corrupted one.
The common word that applies to both standards of sovereignty (what is the jurisdiction and standard of law and process applied within the jurisdiction), and of title (the application of law to specific individual relations, claims, remedy) is the word “CONSENT”.
It is the root concept of peace.
Unless you formally and clearly renounce peace as any objective of yours (thereby renouncing a significant portion of historical Jewish aspiration), then I would consider seeking and building alternatives.
Are you one of the people, like Islamic Jihad, that would advocate harming those that seek and achieve reconciliation whether respect between individuals, respect between communities, respect between nations?
Your assessment of the intent of the Arab World, conflicts with the twice affirmed offer by all of the Arab states (with the exception only of Hamas’ abstention – somehow invited even to abstain) to recognize and establish full diplomatic relations with Israel.
Maybe it was a ploy, only propaganda. But, the reality on the ground, is that there have been many exchanges around Netanyahu’s pet integrated Middle Eastern economic free market zone.
The conflict in pre-state Israel between the underground groups (ETZEL and LEHI) and the organs of the yishuv (i.e. the Establishment) was not over who would run the yishuv, everyone agreed that it would be run democratically, there dispute was on hard they yishuv should push the British to get out. The Yishuv set up the infrastructure of state institutions long before the British left. The situation of the Palestinians is not all analogous. There is no agreement on who should run their regime. While it is true that there were apparently democratic elections once, the losers were not prepared to accept their loss and the winners thought they had the right to more power than the other side was prepared to give them. More importantly, the Palestinians have failed to set up the infrastructure of a modern state apparatus (tax collection, judiciary, law enforcement, etc). Of course, this problem is endemic throughout the Arab world. This is the reason not one is a western-style democracy (there is an attempt to set up one in Iraq, but it is being propped up by American bayonets, we’ll see how it works after the American presence is drawn down substantially), and I include Lebanon in this because although there are free elections there, political power is not divided up along the lines of the results but are determined by confessional groups and the feudal warlords who are the real power in the country. All Arab states are run by strongmen and their all-pervasive mukhabarat (secret police) apparatus. Some are more tolerant of dissent than others, but none are really democracies, including those that do have elections such as Kuwait and some of the Gulf States.
It was assumed that when Arafat arrived, he would set up a dictatorship along these lines that would suppress violence against Israel. Recall that Rabin said “Arafat will rule with BAGATZ and B’TZELEM”, i.e. without need for judicial restraint and concern for human rights. Odd how Israelis who brag about being a democracy would say something like that. But I guess Rabin realized that if the Palestinians were a true democracy, there could never be peace because if the true will of the Palestinian “street” were expressed, there would only be terror, not peace, as in fact we saw when the elected HAMAS to power.
In any event, Arafat didn’t do what Rabin wanted and Rabin admitted to Boogey Ya’alon shortly before he was murdered that Oslo wasn’t working out.
Your reasoning is not really reasoning. There are institutions of governance in Gaza as well as in the West Bank. They will end up calling your bluff.
That is the WRONG argument for you to make. Like my analogy that Hamas elected Netanyahu, your prescription results in Netanyahu electing Hamas.
You know well that I am no apologist for Hamas, and an advocate for their permanent civil participation in a government that recognizes Israel.
Your statement was that it was permanently impossible for an Arab state to function as a state. Thats a ludicrous statement. The development of state institutions is a learned relative process. By the same token that Palestine is in a state of learning (or not), Israel is in a state of unlearning.
Think about the term LAW, please, Yitzchak.
Also, you embellish the history of Israel’s factions. They were intent on an internal power struggle, and remain so. Please consider some of the statements from the right-wing settlement rabbis that have periodically advocated for violently confronting the IDF in conditions, even advocating for civil war periodically.
You can’t advocate for it both ways. “I support the rule of law in Israel”, except when it is applied to me.
ummmm….I was the one who brought up Giora Eiland.
Yitchak–I’m not over there in Israel, so I don’t know the reality on the ground firsthand…and I definitely do not discount the Islamist mindset that pervades the Arab states.
But sometimes I wonder if certain Israeli elements aren’t a tad too paranoid. And by that, I mean paranoid similar to the way the US was about the Soviet Union. It turned out in retrospect that we overestimated their intentions and capabilities. Not that they didn’t have any, mind you…but we assumed evil intent to conquer the globe in everything they did.
I have my own paranoia about radical Islam, but I’m trying to temper it…because I think it takes on a life of its own after awhile.
In any case, I don’t really see the Palestinians being capable of running their own state. I’m not sure what their foundational economy would be–and it seems like they’ve always relied on surrounding countries, most notably Israel for wages etc. That just seems to flimsy, and perhaps one of the main reasons they can’t stabilize.
If I’m wrong about their economy, someone please correct me. I’m just doubtful there is potential for solid economic infrastructure.
ooops! Sorry for misspelling your name wrong. I meant Yitzchak.
Looks like the House and Senate are firmly denying that AIPAC contacted them about Freeman or influenced their position.
Apparently his own past remarks came back to bite him in the butt. He hung himself.
“I’m close to AIPAC. If they did come out against Freeman, I was not in the loop because no one called me to say a word about Charles Freeman,†said [Rep. Alcee] Hastings.
Congress members say no contact from AIPAC on Freeman
Thomas Mitchell says:
Yitzhak,
There were elements within Lehi who definitely did not want Israel to be democratic. Eldad led a faction that talked about setting up a kingdom. His whole Sulam circle after 1948 was based on this.
Considering your grasp of Israeli politics where you set up Sharon as a leftist–apparently anyone to the left of the Yesha Council is a leftist in your mind, do we really want to have you explaining to us what the Arabs really think?
Part of the problem is looking at “the Arabs” as a monolith in the same way that American conservatives used to look at the Communist World long after the Sino-Soviet split had broken out into the open.
there could never be peace because if the true will of the Palestinian “street†were expressed, there would only be terror, not peace, as in fact we saw when the elected HAMAS to power.
I wonder whom they could elect to please you, YBD – Ha-Ikhud Ha-Leumi? Did it ever occur to you that they might want to elect Hamas not because of their views on terror but because they were the better alternative internally?
I didn’t read most of the comments that has followed since I last commented. (No time to do it justice and I am happy that this blog is getting ALOT more attention now from both sides of the conflict.) This did stick out for me though, naturally because it was directed at me in particular:
I don’t recall ever stating that Hamas “does not have options”, but I am willing to consider how limited these options are, as we are all aware, they are the weaker power here. How does a weaker power ever consult what to do when faced with such a stronger opponent who has even bigger backing behind them?
This will be short as there really is no time but juxtaposing “options” with “options similar to the PLO had options” is NOT a very good path for Hamas to take because said “options” is what led to this impasse. It’s total backward logic to revisit an episode for Hamas to consider when it failed and in some cases accelerated the death of the two-state solution and it was the impetus for a Hamas rise in the first place.
Also, I have not read through every comment, but it seems this circle of commenting by Witty ultimate goes to back to the faults of Hamas. Why? Wasn’t this about Chas Freeman?
If the topic drifts, it drifts.
You did state that “Hamas had no other option”.
The PLO committing to non-violence made a possible path to reconciliation. It can be very confidently argued that Hamas terror at the time of Oslo, was intended specifically to make reconciliation between Israel and Palestine IMPOSSIBLE, that in that CHOICE, THEY controlled the outcome of history.
Sorry to yell. Sometimes dissent doesn’t bother to read back a bit, instead favoring opportunistically selective “evidence”. And, then describing any conclusion that is not condemnatory of Israel as “Orwellian”.
Thomas-
The LEHI, unlike the ETZEL, was not part of a political movement. It had pro-Communists such as Yitzhak Shamir (!) and Yellin-Mor, in addition to Haredim and pro-Revisionist types. One reason Avraham Stern broke from them was because he supported parts of the Labor movement’s platform, which the Revisionists strongly objected to. You are correct that Eldad had strong anti-democratic tendencies, but on the Right he was a tiny minority. The vast majority of the Right supported Begin’s Herut (which evolved from the ETZEL and Revisionimst movement) which fully accepted Israel’s democratic system.
“The vast majority of the Right supported Begin’s Herut (which evolved from the ETZEL and Revisionimst movement) which fully accepted Israel’s democratic system.”
After military confrontation with the Haganah, when Etzel attempted to ship in weapons to preserve its militia status (similarly to Hamas in Palestine, or Hezbollah in Lebanon).
The Haganah, by then the IDF, refused asserting that the state had the monopoly on military, and not a faction.
They yeilded so that they could participate at all.
Its a good lesson for Hamas, but your history is a little revisionist.
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/dreyfuss/417420?rel=hp_picks#pid417625
Interview With Charles Freeman
The only thing I regret is that in my statement I embraced the term ‘Israel lobby.’ This isn’t really a lobby by, for or about Israel. It’s really, well, I’ve decided I’m going to call it from now on the [Avigdor] Lieberman lobby. It’s the very right-wing Likud in Israel and its fanatic supporters here. And Avigdor Lieberman is really the guy that they really agree with. And I think they’re doing Israel in. “
I’ve decided I’m going to call it from now on the [Avigdor] Lieberman lobby.
He just looks more childish by the minute. It shows that he bleats stuff out impulsively and then retracts it 10 minutes later.
As for the lobby being pro Avi Lieberman–I think Freeman has just shot himself in the other foot.
I don’t think his claim is true, and he’ll be hard-pressed to prove it. Let’s see if he retracts that statement next.
Americans should thank everyone who opposed this nutberger’s appointment.
This is a bad stain on Obama’s presidency. He’s got his work cut out for him regarding the financial downturn, and the last thing he needs is that joker associated with his name.
I consider that more specific definition of who and what politics he is opposing to be progress.
My main objection to the term “Israel Lobby” was/is its vagueness and implications of monolith and conspiracy.
I dislike the term extremely. I dislike it when Phil uses it and periodically flirts with the David Dukish application of the term. I even dislike it when Dan uses the term.
I prefer a term that is more specific so as to actually communicate a clear distinction.
The phrase itself resembles and evokes fascistic suggestions, and elements of the Walt/Mearsheimer thesis resembles fascistic invocations “indirectly”, but at other points in their work, they disavow that supporters of Israel are monolithic, in fact very diverse; or “control the media” as there is an active and unreliable blogosphere and access to worldwide press over the web.
The natural consequence of “there is a united Israel Lobby that conspires to distort American foreign policy interests” is to then structure the exclusion of Jews (or anyone with suspected sympathies at all towards Israel) from any official position.
A black kid can become president (thankfully), but a Jewish could then never.
You are incorrect about the ETZEL wanting to maintain a separate armed force in Israel. The arms were to go to Jerusalem, and you must recall that Jerusalem was NOT to be part of the state of Israel according to the UN Partition Plan. Thus, even after the state was proclaimed on May 14, 1948, its jurisdiction did not extend to Jerusalem, and ALL the armed groups…i.e. Haganah, Palmach, ETZEL and LEHI continued to maintain their separate identities there. The agreement that was supposed to defuse the Altalena crisis said 80% of the weapons were to go to the IDF, and 20% (as the ETZEL understood it) to the ETZEL in Jerusalem (the Haganah negotiators later claimed that the 20% was to be divided among all the groups in Jerusalem.) Thus, Begin accepted the democratic rules from the beginning regarding the state of Israel.
In fact it was the Palmach (then identified mostly with “progressive” MAPAM) that wanted to maintain a separate armed force WITHIN the state of Israel and Ben-Gurion finally had to have a show-down with them. Even after they backed down, they maintained clandestine, illegal arms dumps on their kibbutzim for several years. One just turned up recently and it was reported in the news.
Palmach was a branch of the Haganah and was renamed the IDF when Israel achieved independance.
You are revising history, Yitzhak. Perhaps in the person to person “tradition” of the revisionist parties, you’re interpretation is accurate, but the conflicts between Irgun and the IDF predated the Altalena and the Altalena affair got to a military confrontation over the “right” of the Irgun to remain as a militia within a state.
Rather than as a political party.
It took a realitively small amount of force to accomplish that re: the Irgun.
Obviously, you still bear some resentment that Irgun yeilded.
Good thing that Irgun did yeild. Otherwise Israel would be in a similar state of civil war as Palestine is.
Its self-talk to consider the West Bank as Israeli. It conflicts with all consistent applications of law.
Better to be consistent.
Richard, I am sorry but you are wrong. The ETZEL had ALREADY merged with the IDF prior to the ALTALENA incident. The argument was whether the arms would go to Jerusalem or not, which as I stated was not part of the state of Israel at the time. The ETZEL never said it wanted an independent armed militia within the state of Israel. I am NOT giving you “revisionist” history…all the histories of the period talk about the the confrontation between the PALMACH and Ben-Gurion. Ben-Gurion never appointed a PALMACH veteran to be Chief of Staff because he frankly didn’t trust them. He also had the SHABAK spy on the their affiliated MAPAM party. The first PALMACH veteran to be named Chief-of-Staff was Rabin who was appointed by Prime Minister Levi Eshkol.
Richard, that’s certainly one way of looking at it. I saw it as an attempt to make a more precise and harmful connection to someone who has been deemed the “apartheid” kind of Israel.
Why doesn’t he just name names? I, for one, would like to know which lobby/organization supports Avi Lieberman wholesale.
On an unrelated note: Lieberman appears to want reform for civil marriages. I don’t know exactly what kind of reform or in what context (is it exclusively marriages between non-Jews?)
There are so many different reference orientations in Israeli politics, to make one numb.
Israel Beitanyu is a civil party, adamently opposed to compromise to the religious parties. It has been a BIG obstacle in Netanyahu’s effort to form a coalition, as Kadima is wary, Labor is wary, Shas and other other religious parties are wary of being in a government with Israel Beitanyu over the religious legislation.
Yitchak,
You haven’t convinced me that Irgun had determined to renounce its desire to remain a militia. From my read, they did so reluctantly, and the Altalena incident was a turning point, not before.
Even so, the parallel point about Hamas remains. The PA and Hamas have been fighting harshly since Oslo, and even when Hamas announced that it was pursuing electoral political strategy “rather” than militancy, they abandoned that promise very very quickly and aggressively.
They never yeilded to be part of a democratic Palestine without asserting their “right” to revolution.
Richard, the Israeli parliamentary system is beyond confusing to me. That’s why I’m wondering if Freeman is talking out of his butt.
Besides being vague about whom he is talking about stateside, I didn’t quite understand what it meant in the context of Israeli elections.
What exactly is he trying to say?
I’m not sure what you’re asking Suzanne.
The Israeli parliament is similar to Great Britain and other parliamentary systems.
When people vote, they vote for a party, not necessarily for a person (although each party’s candidates are presented in priority order). It takes a majority (more than 50%) to form a government.
If a majority does not vote for a single party, then the leading party is usually asked to form a coalition of it and other parties. This election in Israel, Kadima received the most votes, but had been unable to form a coalition before the election (when the head of Kadima resigned, Olmert, and his second on the list, Livni took over the party head). The president of Israel instead asked Likud to form a new government, in his estimation as more likely to form a majority government (the prime minister is the most important for governing. The power to determine who will have priority to form a new government is the president’s only real power).
Israel’s politics are as divided as the US, though in this election, they shifted to the right (as the US shifted to the left).
As Bradley Burston stated in an article in Haaretz today, the reason was missiles.
He stated that in the first Gulf War when Israel was shelled from Iraq, citizens realized that an on-the-ground buffer zone was not going to help them with security, that forming a peace was the most effective, which stimulated the efforts that led to Oslo.
But, as that peace did not bear out, and instead resulted in frequent traumatic unilateral rocket fire from Gaza, in this case rockets were what stimulated a distrust of prospects for peace.
I agree with him. My feeling is that Hamas elected Netanyahu, and even willingly. He stated that Hamas has consistently stated that they can wait, that they can irritate and propaganda forever until Israel disappears.
Maybe things will change. They haven’t yet.
I may be missing some majorly obvious point here…I know ZOA, AIPAC, whoever– makes no bones about support of Netanyahu, that’s pretty transparent and he’s hardly considered radical except by those on the left. My perception is that he’s hawkish & hardline more than extreme right.
–but I had no idea that the same organizations were collectively supporting Avigdor Lieberman or Yisrael Beitenu, as Freeman implies.
Your statement that “Israel Beitenu is adamantly to compromise with the religious parties” is incorrect. While it is true that this could be said about MERETZ and the late SHINUI party, it is not correct about Israel Beitenu. They do have difficulties with certain things that are of importance to their Russian olim constituency, such as proposals for civil marriage, but the party goes out of its way to point out it is not anti-religious, it is not opposed to the Rabbinate and is not for separation of state and religious as are the two other parties I mentioned. In fact, in 2003 the Israel Beitenu ran on a joint list with the Right-wing, largely religious National Union.
Shas stated that they would NEVER participate in a government that Israel Beitanyu was in.
Other parties have stated similarly.
Maybe it was just rhetoric, who knows.
Maybe they share the willingness to revise Torah for nationalistic opportunism.
SHAS was in a coalition with Israel Beitenu in the outgoing government (Israel Beitenu left because of Olmert’s policies regarding the Palestinians) and SHAS will sit in a coalition with them in the next government.
Maybe so. But its not what they say.
The point is of severe tensions between the anti-religious parties and the religious ones.
There are multiple issues that divide the state.
Do you get my comment on revising Torah for nationalist opportunism.
“I am the Lord thy God
“Thou shalt not steal
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s possession
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor”.
I don’t call settlers that base their “right” to settle on Torah. I call them revisionists. Don’t you?
“I don’t call settlers that base their “right†to settle on Torah. I call them revisionists. Don’t you?”
Have to agree, Richard. The settler issue is just about my only criticism of Israel. (they could afford to loosen up on civil marriage law too, imo)
Disproportionate use of force etc is arguable as are some of the disputed border details.
But the settler issue is one long, unending big headache.
Among other things, it’s fed into the paranoia that Israel wants to take over the entire ME (as if the OT isn’t gratifying enough lol! )
One thing I’ve wondered about: Did settlement develop as a political tactic partly because leaders presumed peace with Palestinians was a pipe dream?
Settlement was early.
Pent up demand for settlement in the West Bank and near Jerusalem and Hebron was opened up when Israel took over the West Bank in the 67 war.
The majority of sites referred to as the Davidic and subsequent kingdoms were in the West Bank, NOT on the coast, which is the current Israel.
When Jordan renounced its claims and appeared to transfer title over state lands to Israel in what 1994?, Israel interpreted that as an actual transfer of the legal rights that Jordan had by international law.
The Palestinians and solidarity didn’t interpret that in the same way, obviously.
Its still unsolved.
Too many damn ambiguities.
As has been said a hundred times, title questions are confused re: Palestine as a large number of residents claimed their right to live their by their residency, permission from the actual land-owners.
So, it has always been an ambiguous situation, as to the different social codes of the degree of rights that ownership title affords. Israelis assume the western model, where title affords them the right to do anything not prohibited explicitly by law, including the right to evict a non paying resident.
Most that criticize Israel’s history, behavior, are really only aware of political arguments, and are largely ignorant of the confused status of title regardless of who was governing or occupying.
You are overstating the “religious/non-religious tension” situation. Yes, there is some tension. But the one party that based its entire platform on anti-religious policies SHINUI, and that managed to get 15 seats in 2003 completely collapsed in the 2006 elections when they got ZERO. Yes, there is some tension between SHAS and the secularist Russians, but that won’t prevent them from sitting in the same coalition, just as it didn’t in the past.
Jordan didn’t have any international rights to Judea/Samaria. No one except Britain and Pakistan ever recognized their occupation of Judea/Samaria in 1948.
The first settlement official approved by the government in the wake of the Six-Day War in 1967 was Kfar Etzion, which was actually simply the re-establishment of a settlement that existed before 1948, was approved as a response to the infamous pan-Arab resolution of August 1967 known as the “3 Nos of Khartoum” (1) No peace with Israel, (2) No recognition of Israel and (3) No negotiations with Israel (Yes, I know post-Zionist history Avi Shlaim has completely reinterpreted them as meaning “yes” to all threes, but such a stupid interpretation is an insult to all of our intelligences and our understanding of the English language, so I reject it). Maybe the intention was that the Arabs should make peace before Israel settled the whole area.
Sorry Richard (and this is VERY LATE) but I rechecked every comment I posted and not one had “Hamas had no other option”, perhaps you may have mixed myself with another one you are battling with.
I don’t how the I/P conflict compares to others in terms of people arguing over the minutiae (and interpretation) of past events. So I don’t know if it’s historically par for the course.
But it seems like a profound waste of time. I know that might sound naive. And I’m certainly concerned about the one-sided and often outright lying that goes on at blogs like Mondoweiss.
I wonder what the alternative is to getting trapped into a non-ending debate. Maybe it’s as Dan suggested, some lurkers need to hear argument and counter argument.
I guess I’m more interested in solutions than dwelling on this stuff.
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I rarely create comments, however i did a few searching and wound up here Two myths about Charles
Freeman and the Israel lobby at Realistic Dove. And I do have 2 questions for you if you do not mind.
Could it be only me or does it look like a few of the comments
look like they are left by brain dead people? 😛 And, if
you are writing at other social sites, I would like to keep up with everything
new you have to post. Could you list of all of all your communal sites like your twitter
feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?
Leave a Reply to Richard Witty Cancel reply
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info@saveourheroesproject.org
Preferred Lawyers
Typical Military Process
Triple Murder, False Rape Allegations and the corruption of both a police department and the U.S. Army
Triple Murder, False Rape Allegations and the corruption of both a police department and the U.S. Army…Update in the False Accusation and Wrongful Conviction Case of Army Major “Kit” Martin:
“NCFM has an update in the case of Army Major Kit Martin about the November 2015 unsolved triple homicide in Pembroke, Kentucky. One of the murder victims was Calvin Phillips, a married man involved in an extra marital sexual affair with Major Martin’s dangerous, bigamist, convicted felon, lying and conniving ex-wife; Joan Harmon-Guerra.
Followers of the Major Christian “Kit” Martin saga may recall Harmon-Guerra accused him of child abuse, sexual assault, even international spying. Because of politically correct pressure to end sexual assaults in the military, Major Martin suffered undue command influence, albeit a General more concerned with his career than standing tall for his soldiers. After thorough investigations, civilian authorities cleared him of Harmon-Guerra’s accusations. Then, the Army piled on even more charges a year and a half later. Fortunately, in this case, truth prevailed. At courts-martial, Major Martin was acquitted of hateful Harmon-Guerra’s false, malicious and ruinous accusations.
Regardless, army prosecutors had to save face and Major Martin fell to two minor trumped-up misdemeanors. He then spent several weeks incarcerated at Ft. Leavenworth, forfeited pay and benefits, and was dismissed from the Army (dishonorably discharged).
Phillips, became a key defense witness in Major Martin’s courts-martial, but murdered before the courts-martial began. Police found him dead by gunshot wounds, at home, in his basement, directly across the street from Major Martin’s house.
Also found dead were Phillip’s wife Pam and their neighbor, Ed Dansereau. Both discovered shot dead in Pam’s torched Nissan so badly burned initial identification was impossible.” (NCFM)
http://ncfm.org/2016/09/news/false-allegations/rape-allegations-news/ncfm-update-in-the-false-accusation-and-wrongful-conviction-case-of-army-major-kit-martin/
By Save Our Heros|September 7th, 2016|False Allegations, Military Investigations, Military News|Comments Off on Triple Murder, False Rape Allegations and the corruption of both a police department and the U.S. Army
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Save Our Heroes’ Writes Navy Secretary, Demands Court Martial of Navy JAG, Vice Admiral James Crawford
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SF Outside Lands festival security cranked up to 11
Local // Bay Area & State
Steve Rubenstein Aug. 11, 2019 Updated: Aug. 11, 2019 10:59 a.m.
1of4Police officers equipped with rifles at Outside Lands on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, in San Francisco, Calif.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle
2of4San Francisco police officials at Outside Lands on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, in San Francisco, Calif.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle
3of4The double fencing at Outside Lands on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in San Francisco, Calif. Officials spoke about increased security measures for the festival.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle
4of4There is extra fencing at the Outside Lands festival this year, 2019, because of heightened security concerns in light of recent mass shootings.Photo: By Steve Rubenstein / S.F. Chronicle
A long line of portable chain link fencing snaked around the west end of Golden Gate Park on Friday, something like a see-through Great Wall of China.
Dogs sniffed. Guards patrolled. Giant portable searchlights prepared to cast a Checkpoint Charlie glare onto Kennedy and King drives. Nasty-looking vehicle barriers blocked gates. The SWAT team was up and running.
Welcome to the world of rock concerts in the security-conscious summer of 2019.
No fewer than 23 metal detectors awaited customers at the main gate of the Outside Lands music festival. It was something like San Francisco International Airport, minus the planes. Beefy guards checked pockets, purses and packs.
More than one arriving festival goer dumped more than one beer into the bank of trash barrels.
“We know that what’s at the front of everyone’s mind is public safety,” Mayor London Breed said. “Keeping you all safe is going to be our No. 1 priority .”
Arriving rock fans said they were prepared for all the rules. They carried their non-metallic stuff in see-through backpacks. Bring a bag more than 6 inches wide and you cannot get in, never mind that you paid $1,595 for a three-day VIP ticket.
“I’m not scared of crowds,” said a grinning Kellie Rogaczewski, of Reno, the first person to pass through the metal detector on Friday morning. “I think crowds are scared of me.”
She and two friends had driven through the night, arrived at the gate at 3 a.m. and hunkered down in sleeping bags. At sunrise they took their sleeping bags back to their parked car. A sleeping bag is too big to fit into a mini-backpack.
Dee Cannon of Berkeley said she put on her Outside Lands wristband a week ago, when it arrived in the mail, just to make sure she was ready for the security gauntlet.
“I don’t like crowds, but I’m willing to put up with it to see the bands,” she said.
Police Chief Bill Scott wouldn’t say exactly how the cops planned to do things, because talking too much about security isn’t secure.
The plan, Scott said, “is about everybody not having to think about their personal safety.”
The website said festival organizers would “prefer that fans come bag free.” For non-bag-free fans, the rules are: clear backpacks OK, fanny packs OK, drawstring bag OK, regular backpack not OK.
Festival goers tried to keep their minds on the music, but it was hard to forget that a gunman killed 9 people in Dayton on Sunday, a gunman killed 22 people in El Paso last Saturday and a gunman killed 3 people in Gilroy on July 28.
Organizers said on their website that the festival was “in line with best practices implemented at major festivals worldwide” and said there would be an “increased presence” of private guards and San Francisco police officers.
“We share everyone’s heightened concern,” the announcement said. “We are addressing the current incidents that have occurred around the state, country and world.”
The security guards were vigilant. One of them spotted a reporter who was counting the number of metal detectors at the gate.
“What are you doing?” the guard asked.
“Counting the number of metal detectors at the gate,” the reporter replied.
“OK,” the guard said. after checking the reporter’s credentials.
On Thursday, festival promoter Gregg Perloff gazed at the sea of police and security uniforms at the site.
“I’ve never felt so safe in my whole life,” he said.
Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com
Steve Rubenstein
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Chronicle staff writer Steve Rubenstein first joined The Chronicle reporting staff in 1976. He has been a metro reporter, a columnist, a reviewer and a feature writer. He left the staff in 2009 to teach elementary school and returned to the staff in 2015. He is married, has a son and a daughter and lives in San Francisco. He is a cyclist and a harmonica player, occasionally at the same time.
SF Zoo’s new koala needs a name. Contest will raise money for his relatives Down Under
Arp, arp, arp. Sea lions still hanging around Pier 39 — 30 years later
This San Francisco warehouse is full of either junk or possibilities
Tesla driver dies after car bursts into flames in Pleasanton crash
Woman struck and killed on freeway after two-car DUI collision in San Mateo
Pedestrian struck, killed on Interstate 280 in SF
Longtime local political aide to run for SF Richmond District’s supervisor...
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Star Ocean Comes To PC For First Time With The Last Hope 4K
Experience the earliest moments in the Star Ocean timeline with this re-release of Star Ocean: The Last Hope.
Star Ocean has been sadly unavailable to PC-only gamers up until this point but Square Enix is reaching back to 2009 to deliver The Last Hope to Steam. Originally released on Xbox 360 and PS3, Star Ocean: The Last Hope will feature 4K support, Steam achievements, and support for controller input or keyboard and mouse.
The Last Hope wasn't the most well received in the series and isn't even the most recent title, so why did Square Enix go with this one? We don't have a definitive answer, but the game does stand as the very first when considering the series chronologically. Does this mean Square Enix will be eventually releasing all of the others in chronological order? We can only hope.
This 4K edition of The Last Hope will be coming to the PlayStation Store in addition to Steam for $20.99 on November 28, 2017. PlayStation Plus and Steam users will be able to grab it for 10% off up until December 12 and the PS4 version will include a system theme and 12 avatars if snatched up before January 8th.
Star Ocean series
Charles Singletary posted a new article, Star Ocean Comes To PC For First Time With The Last Hope 4K
mobab
Still need to beat this.
I've played almost every jrpg series known to man but I could just never get into the star ocean series
aasyranth
I just beat this one (PS3 version) the other month as my first Star Ocean game. I loved it, and I was pretty burnt out on JRPGs
roushimsx
The remake of the first one on PSP was solid as fuck (aside from the main character's portrait having crazy rape eyes). Fun gameplay, short adventure (~20hrs) without a whole lot of fluff. Despite the shit localization, the second game on PS1 was fucking incredible (not sure if the PSP remake fixed that). The gameplay in that one was just pure tits and the story was crazy fucking good.
omnova
I really loved the third one but they've always been hit or miss. This one's story is absolute trash but the gameplay is okay and the music is fantastic.
Vincent Grayson
Sure, why the fuck not. I'll happily play this again.
Well shit, there's one more RPG I need to pick up. Been wanting to play this for years and it sure would be nice to play it on the ol' PC.
CyCo_PL
I've had this on 360 for years but never actually played it... I should do that maybe
btw, is this the international version?
Mcvittie
Damn. Star ocean is probably the best looking rpg on snes. They didn't keep up with the cutting edge then
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3 and out: Bears offense wakes up in 2nd half to beat Giants
By SEAN HAMMONDFollow Nov. 25, 2019
Khalil Mack photo by USA TODAY Sports
The Bears offense woke up in the second half for a 19-14 win over the New York Giants on Sunday at Soldier Field.
THREE MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
1. Following a woeful first half, offensively, the Bears turned it around after halftime. On the first possession after the break, QB Mitchell Trubisky and the offense marched 60 yards in just under three minutes and scored a touchdown to take the lead, 10-7. WR Allen Robinson scored a 32-yard touchdown on a pass from Trubisky. After struggling throughout the first half, the Bears finally showed some life.
2. While LB Khalil Mack was held out of the box score in last week’s loss to the Rams, he made his best play in several weeks on Sunday. Mack had a strip sack in the third quarter, which was recovered by DL Nick Williams at the Giants’ 3-yard line. It set up a 2-yard touchdown run for Trubisky.
3. The Bears defense came up with one last stop on fourth down with the Giants deep in their own territory. Prince Amukamara broke up a fourth-down pass to seal the win. Moments earlier, Giants QB Daniel Jones had found WR Golden Tate for a 23-yard touchdown on fourth down to bring New York within 19-14 with 4:17 to play.
THREE THINGS THAT WORKED
1. Pressure up front: The Bears defensive front continually pressured Jones. By attracting the attention of multiple linemen, Mack created created holes for his teammates. Mack had his strip sack in the third quarter that set up the Bears at the Giants’ 3-yard line. Giants running back Saquon Barkley failed to get much going on the ground.
2. No. 1 receiver: Robinson had one of his best games of the season. He caught six passes for 131 yards with a touchdown. He was especially effective in the second half, hauling in catches of 23 yards and 32 yards on the Bears scoring drive after halftime, and making another catch for 49 yards later in the third quarter. WR Anthony Miller had a nice game, too, making six catches for 77 yards.
3. Healthy QB: Trubisky’s hip injury did not appear to bother him on Sunday. The much talked about hip pointer kept him out of the final possession last week against the Rams. Only once Sunday, after taking a hit early in the game, did Trubisky show any visible signs of issues. Even then, he walked it off between plays and seemed to be fine the rest of the game.
THREE THINGS THAT DIDN’T
1. First-half miscues: First there was a Trubisky interception in the end zone. He threw into heavy coverage and simply shouldn’t have thrown the ball. Later, there was a penalty flag for illegal hands to the face called on center Cody Whitehair. The penalty against Whitehair came on a huge completion from Trubisky to Robinson that would have gone down as one of the Bears’ best offensive plays of the season, if not for the penalty. Instead it sent them backward.
2. Extra point mayhem: A strange series of events following Trubisky’s third-quarter touchdown run had fans scratching their heads. First, coach Matt Nagy burned a timeout before the two-point try. The Bears completed the attempt but drew a penalty for offensive pass interference. They elected to take the penalty yards on the extra point try, but a 12-men on the field penalty sent them back further. All in all, it added up to a 48-yard missed extra point try by Eddy Pineiro.
3. More O-line shuffling: OL Bobby Massie left the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury. The right tackle is one of the Bears’ most experienced linemen. The line is already without Kyle Long, and already playing with two relatively inexperienced linemen.
The Bears meet the Detroit Lions at 11:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day at Ford Field in Detroit. The Bears won the first matchup, 20-13, on Nov. 10.
Hub Arkush: Are Bears coaching changes for better or worse?
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Bears legends Covert, Sprinkle named to 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame centennial class
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McHenry County's League of Women Voters sets candidate's forum in Crystal Lake
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SHEFFIELD BUSES, TRAMS & TRAINS
Sheffield Transport Print.
By boginspro, July 9, 2018 in SHEFFIELD BUSES, TRAMS & TRAINS
boginspro 164
Sheffield History Pro
Sheffield History Member
Location:Northern Isles of Orkney
I came across this online and thought that it just shows how good Sheffield Transport was -------- http://www.cooperline.com/gs_bus_details.asp?id=47 -------
lysander 73
Location:Mosborough
Interests:Local History, transport, politics
It somehow doesn't quite look right! ....It seems to be an an impression based on a photo ... the Telegraph and Star tower looks to be too tall....but it does show a vibrant city centre with its vital transport links very apparent . Note, none of the vehicles are carrying adverts as the City was reluctant for many years for its transport to carry such "capitalist" trappings. It also shows a city centre before the one way systems were introduced!
RLongden 106
It’s not far off though and a great painting, capturing the movement and vibrancy of the city, as you say.
Looking at photos of the vicinity and approximate date of the painting, it is quite true to detail, with the tramlines, road markings and buildings.
Much better than I could ever hope to paint, given I am in no way endowed with any artistic talent whatsoever!
Hats off to Mr / Ms G. S. Cooper!
Looking at the link posted by ‘boginspro’, I did some further research and it’s clear that George Sidney Cooper was a huge talent in the world of transport art...
In addition to the scene in this post, there are two other images of various buses and trams, operated by Sheffield Transportation, which are fabulous in their detail and reality...
http://cooperline.com/gs_bus_details.asp?id=86
http://cooperline.com/gs_bus_details.asp?id=127
And here’s a link to the main page, about the man himself and an index to numerous other collections of images, all hugely impressive...
http://cooperline.com/gs_index.asp
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‘Ghostbusters’ Animated Movie Finds a Director Whose Work You Saw During Super Bowl 50
Posted on Tuesday, March 8th, 2016 by Ethan Anderton
Some fans are still reeling from the debut of last week’s Ghostbusters trailer, and star Leslie Jones has already responded to some backlash about the portrayal of her character in the first footage from Paul Feig’s reboot of the classic franchise. But that’s not stopping Sony Pictures from moving full speed ahead with more Ghostbusters entertainment.
The studio has just locked down a director to be at the helm of the developing Ghostbusters animated movie set up at their own Sony Pictures Animation, and while he’s not a household name in feature film animation, you undoubtedly saw his work during Super Bowl 50 and countless other times.
THR reports Sony Pictures Animation has hired Fletcher Moules to direct the Ghostbusters animated movie. Moules is the man behind the ongoing series of Clash of Clans commercials, including this Super Bowl ad featuring Liam Neeson:
As well as this Clash of Clans spot featuring Christoph Waltz and James Corden:
These commercials annoy me to no end, mostly because I don’t care at all about this game. But at the same time, the animation style is pretty cool, and Moules does seem to have a knack for directing cool action in an animated world. That’s exactly the kind of filmmaker that the animated Ghostbusters movie needs.
Other work from Moules also includes some involvement in the creature department for Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, so that’s pretty cool. Plus, if you’ve been to an AMC Theatres location, Moules directed that pre-movie bumper with the little round helicopters dropping off a Coca-Cola into a cuphholder landing dock. You can see a bunch more of his previous work at Fletcher Moules’ own website right here.
Ghostbusters co-creator and director Ivan Reitman will act as producer on the movie, but there’s still no script for this one just yet. And since this is an animated movie, we’re bound to be waiting awhile before we see this one in theaters.
This is all part of Sony Pictures big investment in Ghostbusters that also includes the founding of Ghost Corps, a production banner that has Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd developing movies that all take place within a new Ghostbusters cinematic universe. There’s already been talk of another Ghostbusters movie with Anthony & Joe Russo at the helm and Channing Tatum and Chris Pratt as the leads, and if this summer’s reboot is successful, you can expect a sequel probably.
Frankly, I think the Ghostbusters animated movie has the potential for a lot of fun, but will it tread the same ground as the original movie and the reboot? It would really need to do something different in order to stand out, but we don’t know any of the story details yet, so we’ll just have to be patient for now.
‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ International Trailer Includes a Bit of Additional Proton Pack Action
‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ Trailer Breakdown: Everything Happens for a Reason
‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ Trailer: There’s Something Strange in the Neighborhood
Sequel Bits: ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’, ‘Insidious’, ‘Bad Boys For Life’ and More
Animation, Family Films, Sony, Ghostbusters
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Muscling Your Way Back Into Your Narrative
by DoolinDalton
by Brian Thornton
We've all been there–going great guns on a project, and then, suddenly REAL LIFE strikes, and drags you (frequently kicking and screaming) out of your narrative, and by the time you've got REAL LIFE tamed and wrestled to the ground, hog-tied and branded, your head's been out of the story for so long you're having trouble picking up where you left off.
After all, it's not a pensieve and we're not all Harry Potter, able to dip our face in it and drop right into the middle of the story.
So what to do in such an instance.
I've recently found myself on the horns of just such a dilemma, so I did what any evolved, 21st century writer does: I crowdsourced it by putting the question out to my Facebook writer friends earlier today.
And I have to say, I was both pleased and heartened by the response, not just from writer friends, but from non-writers as well. So I thought I'd share the responses here.
See below, and if you feel like weighing in with some free advice or just how this reminds you of this or that funny story, please feel free to drop a response into our comments section.
And how, without further ado, here they are:
"Not a writer, but i have an idea. when i read i put myself in the story, i become one of the characters. at the very least, in my mind i am in the room with them. try reading your story from the view point of one of the characters. it might put you back into where the story was headed. or, it might just show you a different direction to take it."
"This happens to me a lot. I just begin to rewrite it from word one. I don't even consider moving forward for a day or two."
"Not a (fiction) writer, but I would think the process might be similar to reading the story. If there's a long break between reads in the middle of the book, I sometimes have to go back and reread all or a major part, just to get the thread of the book back in my brain. Perhaps going back and re-reading what you wrote will pull you completely through the story you've written, and re-remind you of where you were going with it...."
"I review my notes and outline then I edit the last few things I wrote. I have to do that all the time!"
"Once when I was stuck I wrote a "behind the scenes" scene of my characters talking about me, bitching about the long wait, complaining about plot holes and where they wanted their character arcs to go. It was fun and was, uh, scary what obnoxious opinions they had of me. Good luck!"
"Hire Bob Towne or Johnny Milius for the rewrite, while I grab a gimlet or six at the Brown Derby with Diane Keaton and Jackie Nicholson, then hit the links for a quick eight with Ronnie Reagan. At least that's what I'd do if I were Bob Evans."
"Read and re-read it until I finally get back in the groove."
"Plant ass in chair. Type."
"May have to go in seclusion for inspiration."
"Tough spot. Was recently there myself. But yeah, as has been stated, ass in chair, start typing. It also helped me to review my plot notes, do a re-read and reattach myself to the feelings that got me started in the first place. Ask yourself: Why did I start this mad scheme way back when?"
"I agree---re-read, that's what I did after I brought my old, old word processor online and looked to see if there were any stories I could salvage!"
"Re-read from the beginning. Then plant your ass in the chair and type. You can have some coffee."
"Write a tangent with the characters doing something that is not plot related. Kind of like letting school kids get a recess. It might get you back into the groove and you might get a short story out of it."
"As someone said, reread from the beginning or some other interesting spot. How about mood music?"
"I have to read it from the beginning, typically in one sitting with a notebook handy to make notes. Sometimes I forget what my characters have been up to! ... I just read the posts above mine: Glad to know that retracing the plot from the beginning is something you all do as well!"
"Hemingway said never leave off at the end (of a scene or chapter). Always start up more action then go right to it. Works for me. So does re-reading previously written section."
"I spend a few days being really cranky and kinda sneaking back up on it..."
"Whenever you leave your thread, jot a note of how to reframe and focus in. Survival tactic for to-do lists, dissertations, homework, vacation planning, blah, blah."
"I go back and re-read. If it's been a few days, I go back a few chapters. If it's been a while, I start from the top and read through."
There you have it, folks. The fruit of my crowdsourcing on this issue. Again, if you feel like being heard on the subject, please do leave a comment of your own.
Tune in two weeks from now to see which approaches worked for me, and which didn't. And a sincere thank you to all of my Facebook homies who chimed in with helpful l suggestions!
Posted by DoolinDalton at 00:33 4 comments
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By Mark Adams, chief film critic2014-05-19T11:19:00+01:00
Dir: Bennett Miller. US. 2014. 134mins
The strikingly dark and tragic story of the unlikely relationship between a repressed and deeply eccentric millionaire and two champion wrestlers, Bennett Miller’s impressively sustained Foxcatcher is a wonderfully taut and thoughtfully unnerving drama likely to attract awards attention thanks to three very different lead performances that dovetail perfectly.
There is a sense of scale to the film given its astute use of locations as well as an intriguing balance between a moneyed American family whose lineage runs through generations of powerful individuals and two blue-collar men who found fame through wrestling.
While much attention will be heaped on Steve Carell’s prosthetic nose and his moody performance as troubled millionaire John Eleuthère du Pont, it is the nuanced performances by Mark Ruffalo and Channing Tatum that act as the perfect balance for Carell’s haughty obsessive. Director Bennett Miller’s ability to let his story gradually develop and allow complex characters to be gently revealed is perfect for this intriguing period story that gather’s momentum towards a shocking climax.
While hefty in terms of running time – it runs over two hours – there is a sense of scale to the film given its astute use of locations as well as an intriguing balance between a moneyed American family whose lineage runs through generations of powerful individuals and two blue-collar men who found fame through wrestling.
The opening scenes of archive footage of wealthy folk out fox-hunting sets the scene for the background to the fabulously wealthy du Pont family (who made their money in munitions) and the Foxcatcher estate, now overseen by heir John du Pont (Carell) and his elderly mother (Vanessa Redgrave, whose cameo performance in a couple of telling scenes is quietly memorable).
Olympic Gold Medal winning wrestler Mark Schultz (Tatum) is invited by du Pont to move to the family estate to form a team to train for the 1998 Seoul Olympics at his new state-of-the-art training facility. For quiet and intense Mark it is the chance to escape from the shadow of his more outgoing and popular brother Dave (Ruffalo), with him finding a father-figure of sorts in the distracted, self-obsessed and cold du Pont.
For du Pont his obsession with wrestling is a chance to promote himself and also acts as a contrast to his mother’s passion for horses. In a rare audience with his mother she dismisses wrestling as ‘low’. There is a homo-erotic subtext to the growing relationship between du Pont and Mark (with the wrestling a very physical but non-explicit manifestation) as he also introduced him to drugs and hard drink, but du Pont’s manipulative tendency causes a rift between them when he recruits Dave to come and join the wrestling team.
The relationship between the three men gets darkly complex, with du Pont eventually taking offence to the fact that blood is stronger than water (or even the hefty wages he pays them) as Dave sides with his brother as he tries to prepare for the Olympics. But du Pont is not a man to be trifled with, with a repressed darkness gradually taking over him and eventually leading to a tragic incident.
International sales: Annapurna International, www.annapurnapics.com
Producers: Megan Ellison, Bennett Miller, Jon Kilik, Anthony Bregman
Executive producers: Chelsea Barnard, Ron Scmidt, Mark Bakshi, Michael Coleman, Tom Heller
Screenplay: E Max Frye, Dan Futterman
Cinematography: Greig Fraser
Editors: Stuart Levy, Conor O’Neill, Jay Cassidy
Production designer: Jess Conchor
Music: Rob Simonsen
Main cast: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Vanessa Redgrave, Sienna Miller, Anthony Michael Hall, Guy Boyd, Dave ‘Doc’ Bennett
In Competition
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Laissez F'Airbnb
Is AirBnb Making Matters Worse For Affordable Housing?
The city council wants to regulate Airbnb more aggressively. A real affordable housing solution—or just real political theater?
By Josh Feit 9/14/2016 at 8:00am Published in the October 2016 issue of Seattle Met
Image: Doug Chayka
Queen Anne resident Denise Derr’s testimony in front of the city council’s neighborhood committee this summer was filled with the kind of one liners that seemed perfectly crafted to draw populist cheers of support from the packed crowd. After all, she had a winning Seattle cause—preserving neighborhood character. And she had the perfect villain, Airbnb, the high-profile company that, much like Uber, makes its profits in what is derisively known as the gig economy.
“Will the new sharing economy be a caring economy?” Derr, one of 200 Seattleites who showed up that afternoon, asked to the approval of committee chair and city council member Tim Burgess.
Burgess was proposing new, stiff regulations on Airbnb and other online short-term rental platforms that would cap the number of days that owners who don’t live on the property themselves can rent to short-term tenants—or possibly bar them from renting at all. Burgess, who bears the label of the stuffy conservative on the council, finally seemed to have a populist issue in hand. And the angry neighbors on his side.
Derr took the microphone to praise his proposal. His regulations, she said, would protect single-family neighborhoods from losing their charm to an impersonal networking concern like Airbnb. “Will non–owner occupied Airbnbs have a negative effect on the sense of community?” she asked rhetorically.
There was a smattering of polite applause for Derr, but it was the next speaker, Charlie Cunniff, in opposition to Burgess’s regulations, who brought down the house. A gray-bearded 61-year-old in owl glasses, Cunniff recently moved into a 600-square-foot place in Columbia City to scale back for retirement and to be closer to his grandchildren, leaving his Fremont duplex after 13 years.
Burgess’s regulations were aimed at people like Cunniff, who was now renting out the Fremont place short term through Airbnb. “Basically, it pays our day-to-day living,” the retiree later told me. “It’s how we keep ourselves going, food and gas and presents for the kids. Utility bills.”
The crowd, fired up in solidarity with Cunniff’s testimony, eventually earned a scolding from a frustrated Burgess after they jeered a city staffer who supported the proposal. The day hadn’t gone as Burgess imagined.
The ease and convenience of its online platform—hosts advertise short-term rentals with a cut going to the company—has allowed Airbnb to go from an experiment in the “sharing economy” to running in 35,000 cities around the world. There are about 2,900 hosts in Seattle, a fraction of which, like Cunniff, rent out units not in their home but at secondary, off-site properties they own.
Burgess frames his proposal in terms he hopes will endear him to Seattle’s left: Off-site Airbnb hosts are exacerbating the housing crisis by squandering precious long-term rental housing stock. “We have whole floors of apartment buildings that have been taken off the housing market,” he told The Seattle Times. “We have entire buildings that essentially have become hotels.”
The thing is, though, off-site Airbnb hosts don’t exactly fit the bill of a real estate spectator or corporate bogeyman.
No, Cunniff is practically a sitcom caricature of an old-school Seattleite: A former director of an environmental nonprofit and a retired city economic development bureaucrat, he first moved to Seattle in 1979 and ended up staying after he “met a girl and got a gig selling solar panels.” His girlfriend (now wife) worked at a bar in the 1980s and booked bands like Soundgarden.
The long line of hosts who showed up to testify against the proposal at that June 15 council hearing—including a lesbian couple saving for retirement, a West Seattle man whose job had been phased out, and a host who caters to families of cancer patients—not only defied the bad-guy stereotype and Burgess’s game plan, it upended the script in another important way.
Courtney Kaylor, an attorney representing Sea to Sky Rentals, which manages short-term rentals, capped her testimony with a line the council doesn’t hear too often: “Please tax us.”
Cunniff agreed. “The short-term genie is out of the bottle,” he told council. “Rather than fighting us,” he went on, gesturing to the crowd as it became apparent they were on his side, “ask the genie, all of us, for more money.”
The statement, which robbed Burgess of the moral high ground, is a reference to the tax that traditional hotels pay—an extra 7 percent convention center tax on top of the 9.6 percent sales tax that both hotels and Airbnb-style companies already pay the city.
Cunniff and his fellow Airbnb hosts were suggesting that rather than capping short-term rentals, a more sensible way to address the housing crisis would be to direct the tax revenue toward affordable units.
The idea appealed to other council members, including the youngest. Council member Rob Johnson later told me he’s trying to move Burgess away from the cap model and toward a revenue approach. “We need to recognize that this business isn’t going away anytime soon, so let’s find a way to assure we’re not legislating people out of business, and instead collecting revenue to help preserve and create affordable housing.”
Citing the crowd’s Don’t cap us, tax us testimony, council member Mike O’Brien asked if the city could also create a brand new tax. When a city staffer told O’Brien the city didn’t have that authority—state law doesn’t currently allow lodging taxes to subsidize housing costs—he drew some cheers of his own when he quipped back: “We can ask all these folks in the audience to come with us to Olympia.” (The proposal is now on hold until winter, after a second public hearing featured more mom-and-pop type hosts—this time decked out in lime green T-shirts that said “Save Seattle’s Short-Term Rentals”—telling stories about how important their Airbnb income had become.)
But the more fundamental flaw in Burgess’s effort to tie Airbnb’s business to the housing crisis appears to be the data. Airbnb says 87 percent of Seattle’s 2,900 hosts rent out of their own homes. It also says between just 165 and 300 units are in competition with other units on the long-term rental market. That’s a a minuscule fraction of Seattle’s housing stock of more than 320,000 units.
Low-income advocacy group Puget Sound Sage, which backs Burgess’s effort, estimates that the number will be much higher in just three years—between 1,000 and 1,600 off-site units—theorizing that the fastest growth in Airbnb’s business comes from hosts who manage more than one unit at a time. It’s more likely, they reason, that people who manage more than one unit have off-site properties.
But Airbnb spokeswoman Alison Schumer says Puget Sound Sage’s data “draws inaccurate conclusions that misrepresent our community.” Entrepreneurs who manage multiple properties, for example, may have portfolios that represent several individual on-site hosts. Airbnb contends that this may have skewed Puget Sound Sage’s guesstimate.
The fastest-growing segment of hosts, Schumer says, are senior women. Which leads to another key point: Seattle’s Airbnb hosts made $30 million in 2015. And Airbnb reports that 34 percent of hosts, the biggest group, spends the income on their mortgages and rents, while 36 percent make a yearly income below $79,000.
Short-term rental income is key to people like Robert Porter, a laid-off 55-year-old West Seattle host for VRBO, another rental platform. Porter spent his retirement money on a second property (a foreclosed home that had sat empty for four years) thinking he’d make the money back and live off the rental income into retirement. The cap the council is considering for off-site hosts—90 days—wouldn’t be enough to break even. “My job’s been phased out,” he told the council, and the rental “is the only way we can go forward.”
I asked Denise Derr, the Queen Anne resident who spoke in favor of council member Burgess’s proposal, why she felt so strongly about regulating Airbnb. She answered with a question. “Will a profit-motivated Airbnb owner who lives elsewhere vote to support our schools or plant a tree for future generations?”
Cunniff, who as one of Airbnb’s 2,900 Seattle hosts has helped bring 151,000 guests and $178 million into the economy in 2015, told me he’s always voted for the school levy and will continue to.
Remember, he’s happy to be taxed.
Airbnb, Affordable Housing
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Choose your speciality
Known officially as the Republic of Colombia, the republic is run under a presidency under President Juan Manuel Santos and Vice President Angelino Garzon. It is home to over 47 Million people and covers over 1.1 Million square kilometres of land.
The country shares borders with Panama in the northwest, Venezuela on the east, and Brazil, Peru and Ecuador on the south. It also has two ocean borders on the Pacific and Caribbean seas.
Stone Age History
Colombia’s history can be traced as far back as 43,000 BC, but it was in 10,000 BC where evidence of hunter-gatherer societies near present-day Tibito in Bogota existed that is considered the dawn of Colombian civilization. Around 9,000 BC, the hunter-gatherers had become concentrated around the highlands of Colombia.
Bronze Age History
By 2,000 BC, the hunter-gatherer societies in the highlands had formed a permanent village settlement in northern Colombia and had split into three main groups; the Quimbayas whom had begun to occupy the western slopes of the Cordillera Central, the Caribes whom lived around the borders in the northwest between Colombia and Venezuela and the Chibhas whom had settled in the eastern areas of Colombia.
Iron Age History
Towards the end of the 3rd Century BC, the Chibcha had split into two tribes: the Tairona whom settled in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Muisca whom had taken over their predecessor’s lands in the Cordillera Oriental in the eastern ranges of Colombia. Both tribes spoke dialects of the Chibcha language and both had advanced their civilizations significantly through deforestation and the use of cultigens.
The Quimbaya, meanwhile, had developed a spectacularly masterful level of skill with goldsmithing and had constructed various gold items including statuettes, storage containers, sarcophagi, fruits and other rarities. One of the most interesting being the Quimbaya airplanes which are supposed to depict birds, amphibians, fish and the like, but curiously resemble modern aircraft.
Despite these technological and skill-based advances, the Carib had rapidly become warlike and held regular raids on other groups nearby. The Carib also begun to spread to nearby islands in the Caribbean and had raided Arawakan groups in the region, fully exterminating and assimilating the Taino tribes completely. However, it is known that they co-existed fairly peacefully with another tribe, the Galibi, for most of their occupation of the area.
1st Century – 15th Century History
The various civilizations continued to thrive, with the Quimbaya reaching their peak between the 4th and the 7th Centuries AD. Then in the 10th Century AD, the Quimbaya vanished mysteriously, leaving only their structures and golden items behind. Even the Quimbayan language vanished in its entirety.
16th Century – 19th Century History
The Spanish arrived at the Cabo de la Vela in 1499 and from that moment on; they made repeated attempts to establish a settlement along the northern coast, but only succeeded some 26 years later on the grounds of Santa Marta. Cartagena, the next settlement, was established in 1533, and due to its close proximity to the Sinu civilization, a Muisca tribe nearby, one of the locals observed the Sinu Zipa’s (the ruler) tradition where the Zipa would cover himself in gold, float out to the middle of Lake Guatavita on a large regal raft and offer gold trinkets to the goddess of the lake. This combined with the golden remnants of the disappeared Quimbayan civilization is what started the legend of El Dorado and caused a rush of colonialists to the country. In 1549, the Spanish Royal Audiencia gave Bogota the status of the capital of New Granada (which is what comprised most of Colombia today).
Almost two hundred years later in 1717, New Granada became a Viceroyalty, which was temporarily removed and then re-established in 1739 with Santa Fe de Bogota as its capital city. The Viceroyalty also gave the country control over neighbouring Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama and gave the Spanish access to northern South America and Latin America through nearby Mexico City and Lima.
In 1810, news that southern Spain had been conquered by Napoleon and that the Spanish Supreme Central Junta had dissolved reached the Viceroyalty of New Grenada as well as the nearby Viceroyalty of Venezuela and the countries began to set up their own juntas to compensate, essentially claiming independence. However, these caused rapid successive shifts in power as leaders were repeatedly ousted and replaced, starting with Viceroy Antonio Jose Amar y Borbon of Bogota being deposed by popular pressure only five days after the establishment of the junta in Bogota. After Borbon’s deposition, arguments over the successor broke out and after mob protesting and repeated arrests. The region splintered apart and saw widespread military intervention on repeated occasions.
Following this in 1811, Bogota transformed itself into the state of Cundinamarca and developed a constitution, establishing it as a monarchy under the absent Ferdinand VII of Spain. It attempted to start the “Congress of the United Provinces” and invited other nearby nations to try to start a confederation. This Congress established the United Provinces of New Granada later on that year, but Cundinamarca itself rejected the union and declared independence from the union. Many other regions of New Granada also split off and formed their own kingdoms, governments and confederations. However, the disputes didn’t settle and erupted into civil wars in 1812 and 1814, by 1816, the state of Cundinamarca was forced to submit to the union after losing the war and its capital, Bogota.
The conflicts had generated two distinctive political parties, the Conservative and the Liberal parties, and these two parties began to dominate Colombian politics. The Conservative party wanted a more centralized government while the Liberals wanted a decentralized government. The parties began to hold presidency for roughly equal amounts of time and held regular free elections. After Great Colombia was dissolved in 1830, the military was forced to intervene to stop rioting, and then it was forced to take control once more in 1854, however, within one year the military returned rule to civilian control within one year. In 1863, the country became the United States of Colombia and in 1886 it became the Republic of Colombia that we see today. Due to the rivalry between the Conservative and Liberal parties, civil war erupted in 1899, culminating in the loss of over 100,000 lives.
Riots and warring between the Conservative and Liberal parties continued into the 20th Century, and the United States’ intervention further fuelled the fire as they attempted to influence the area with the construction of the Panama Canal in 1903 and subsequently ended up with Panama declaring independence as a nation. A further 300 thousand people died in the 40s and 50s during the violence between the ruling parties. In 1953, the military was forced to intervene again and they successfully performed a coup d’état, ousting Conservative President Laureano Gomez and instating General Gustavo Rojas as ruler, and although enjoying quick support to begin with, he was overthrown himself by the military and both political parties in 1957 when he failed to restore democratic rule and openly repressed the people.
In 1957, Laureano Gomez and Liberal President Alberto Lleras issused the Declaration of Sitges which proposed the joining of the two parties, allowing them to jointly govern the nation in what they called the National Front. The new government began rapidly reform the country’s law, in particular, that surrounding land entitlement, within the years between 1968 and 1969 alone the Colombian Institute for Agrarian Reform set up by Alberto Lleras Camargo issued over 60 thousand land titles to farmers and workers. However, the National Front system began to be seen as a form of political repression, especially after the fraud committed by Conservative candidate Misael Pastrana in 1970. This fraudulence caused the creation of the guerrilla group M-19 (19th April Movement / Movimiento 19 de Abril) as a response. The National front was phased out in 1974.
For the next eight years leading up to 1982, each presidential group attempted to end the insurgencies trying to undermine the political system in the country. Both parties repeatedly claimed to support the weak and poor castes against the more powerful and richer classes in the country and had a somewhat Communist perspective on the matter. The insurgent groups, M-19, FARC and ELN (National Liberation Army) being the biggest, had grown significantly and found popular support with many people, resulting in harsher measures by the government in an attempt to further supress the militant groups.
At the same time, the illegal drug trade had become a big problem in the country and Colombian drug lords had begun to hold significant power in the region and developed an uneven relationship with the guerrilla groups. This led to the kidnapping of family members of the drug cartels and the subsequent forming of the MAS (Muerte a Seceuestradores / Death to Kidnappers), an assassin group. The MAS began to take measures to move through the government to push legislation attempting to stop the extradition of Colombian nationals to the US Victims of Cartel Violence. These measures were extreme and included the bribery and murders of various politicians. Despite a negotiated cease-fire with the M-19, it failed when the factions resumed fighting in 1985 after the guerrillas claimed that official security forces had assaulted and threatened their members. In the same year, the M-19 stormed the Colombian Palace of Justice and held the Supreme Court Magistrates hostage in an attempt to put President Betancur on trial, resulting in a bloody crossfire.
Meanwhile the FARC guerrilla forces and the UP Political Party had attempted to join together, but tensions rose when the FARC refused to disarm and demobilize. The government also accused the FARC of continuing to recruit for their guerrilla forces as well as kidnapping, extorting and politically intimidating voters of the UP. In 1986, Virgilio Barco came into power and further attempted to negotiate with the guerrilla forces and to confront the drug cartels. The UP at this time suffered more losses through assassinations by the drug cartels and the guerrilla forces and further assassinations followed until 1990 when Cesar Gaviria was elected.
In 1991 the elections for a Constituent Assembly of Colombia wrote a new constitution and fairly successfully were able to pacify the guerrilla groups. The new Constitution brought in various reforms which were seen as far more modern and democratic than the prior 1886 Constitution. In 1994, Liberal Ernesto Samper came into office and he turned the government’s eyes to the narcotics traffickers which, although somewhat successful, had pulled the focus away from domestic reforms and once again began to see guerrilla violence and hostage-taking of both political and military officials. He was replaced in 1998 by Conservative Andres Pastrana whom won in one of the first elections with a high voter turnout and low political unrest and saw a new presidential campaign which focused on collaboration with the US Government to combat the illegal drug trade.
Although the Colombian peace process was fairly successful in the coming years, the Pastrana presidency also saw unemployment rates soar up above 20% due to a string of economic problems and little support by the government. Additionally, although smaller in scale, the various cartels and guerrilla groups became more diverse in nature and became rapidly harder to combat. Although the ELN and FARC groups agreed to participate in the peace process, they didn’t actually agree directly to end the conflict and guerrilla attacks by the groups have continued to occur regardless. These problems continued on and forced the hand of the president, unveiling the ‘Plan Colombia’ in 1999 which attempted to deal with the limited government presence, the frequent violence, the illicit drug trade and social inequities in general. The US approved $1.3 Billion in an assistance package to Colombia in hopes of helping their government revive their economy and combat the narcotics trade.
21st Century History
Peace negotiations rapidly began to crumble and in 2002, Liberal politician Alvaro Uribe was sworn in as president. Uribe’s father had been killed by left-wing guerrillas and as such he quickly took action to try and crush the FARC, including employing civilians controversially to act as informants to the police and armed forces. Later on in the same year, the Democratic Security and Defence Policy came into play, this saw more attention focused on the national security and armed forces of Colombia.
By 2004 it had become apparent that the situation inside of Colombia had improved somewhat and that the economy had also seen a slight boost, but a lot still has yet to be done and this is mainly due to the lack of freely allocated funds and credits in the country. Additionally, despite Uribe’s policies against crime and guerrilla activity being relatively successful (and subsequently seeing the title of World’s Biggest Cocaine Producer being lost by Colombia), it’s been noted that they also breach human rights significantly and have given the armed security forces too much power, resulting in its abuse.
Uribe was re-elected in 2006 after the constitution was changed to allow prior-presidents to be re-elected.
In 2008 through demonstrations by millions of Colombians against the FARC and ELN, the two groups rapidly began to demobilize and the military forces of the Republic of Colombia have subsequently been strengthened.
Columbia managed to take the title of the 3rd Largest Oil Producer in South America and produced over a million barrels a day. Since 2012, Peace Process talks in Cuba between the Colombian government and Rebel groups (especially the FARC-EP) have taken place and huge breakthroughs have been accomplished recently as a result. In 2013, the National Administrative Department of Statistics reported that over 30% of the country’s population had been living below the poverty line, 9% of which had been lifted out of extreme poverty (amounting to about 820,000 in number).
Hola Holl-ah Hello/Hi
Adios Ah-dee-oss Good Bye!
Habla usted Ingles / Espanol Hah-blah oo-stead In-gulls / Ess-span-yoll Do you speak English / Spanish?
Mi nombre es… Mee nom-breh ess My name is…
Me pueden ayudar? Meh pweh-dehn ah-yoo-dah Can you help me?
Estoy buscando… Ess-toy boos-can-doh I’m looking for…
Si / No See / Noh Yes / No
Gracias Grah-see-as Mr / Mrs / Miss
Hoy / Ahora Hoi / Ah-hoar-ah Today / Now
Hoi / Ah-hoar-ah Mah-nar-nar / Aay-err Tomorrow / Yesterday
Este / Que / Aqui / Hay Ess-tey / Kay / Ah-kee / Haay This / That / Here / There
Above are a few common Spanish phrases to help you get around.
Over 99% of the population speaks the Spanish Castilian dialect due to its majorly Spanish roots back in the 16th Century. However, it should be noted that over 65 Amerindian languages (of which around 850 thousand people are speakers), 2 Creole languages and the Romani language are also frequently spoken within the country with a grand total of over a hundred different languages being used within the country’s borders. Native languages include Chibchan, Cariban, Tupian, Arhuaco, Quechuan, Choco, Saliba, Witoto, Tucano, Guahibo, Macu, Bora, Andoque, Cofan, Kamentsa, Ticuna, Yagua, Awa-Cuaiquer, Guambiano, Paez, Tinigua and Yaruro.
In 1991, the new Colombian Constitution guaranteed the freedom of all faiths through Acts 13 and 19, but due to history the country is mainly Catholic with around 82% of all Colombian inhabitants following the faith. A further 13% or so are Protestant Christians, making around 95% of the population Christian in nature.
However, many other faiths exist in the country with 2% being Atheist and 3% following other faiths including Seventh-Day Adventism (1%), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (0.8%), Jehovah’s Witnesses (0.7%), the Baha’i Faith (0.4%), Judaism (0.05%), Buddhism (0.05%), Islam (0.02%) and Taoism (0.01%). Some native beliefs do also exist but these are largely isolated communities.
Museums, Galleries & Architecture
Architecture in Colombia is more often than not derived from European Colonial buildings, especially Spanish Andalusian and are very frequently gothic in nature as is visible in Las Lajas Cathedral, Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture and in many areas of Bogota and Medellin. However, recent years have also seen many Neoclassical buildings, those of the Mudejar variety and even some Art Deco structures such as the Romelio Martinez Stadium and the Garcia Building in Barranquilla.
Clothing, Dress Style & Etiquette
Today, most Colombians wear typical western-style clothing with those in the city centres veering towards dark-coloured suits and those in the suburbs preferring loose shirt, skirts and trousers. However, traditionally the clothing worn varied greatly and traditional outfits can still be seen during national festivals such as the Carnaval de Barranquilla.
Women often wear La Pollera Colora (a brightly coloured skirt with ruffles and lace around the neck and knee lines) and Men will wear something similar with more of an emphasis on fitted trousers and shirts (with the aforementioned ruffles and lace at the openings). Common Colombian clothing pieces worn by both genders include the Sombrero (a wide-brimmed hat) and the Ruana (a poncho-like cape).
Literature, Poetry, Music & Dance
Colombian music sees a unique blend of European Spanish Guitar with percussion instruments and large gaita flutes seen in the indigenous population but also sees its percussion structure and dance forms coming from Africa. These influences have seen many unique genres rise to fame including the Cumbria, Joropo, Vallenato, Salsa and Bambuco. Additionally, rock, pop and classical music are also widely popular and have seen many artists find international stardom including Shakira (Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll) and Juanes (Juan Esteban Aristizabal Vasquez).
Throughout the year, Colombia has over a hundred festivals which differ greatly from region to region and town to town, however, across the country a fair few days are celebrated across the board.
In January, Ano Nuevo (New Years’ Day) and Dia de los Reyes Magos (the Epiphany) are celebrated on the 1st and the 6th respectively. Then March sees Dia de San Jose (Saint Joseph’s Day) on the 19th and one or both of Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday) and Viernes Santo (Good Friday) in late March or Early April.
May 1st sees Primero de Mayo (Labour Day) celebrated, and then the Ascension del Senor (Ascension of Jesus) celebrated 39 days after Easter Sunday, which lands some time usually in May. June sees Corpus Christi (Body of Christ) and the Sagrado Corazon (Sacred Heart) celebrated 60 and 68 days after Easter Sunday, respectively, as well as the days of San Pedro y San Pablo (Saint Peter and Saint Paul) celebrated simultaneously on the 29th.
On July 20th, the Declaration of Independence is celebrated with another public holiday, followed by the Battle of Boyaca on August 7th and La Asuncion (Assumption of Mary) on August 15th.
The last quarter of the year sees the Dia de la Raza (Colombus Day) celebrated on the 12th of October, followed by All Saints’ Day on November 1st, the Independence of Cartagena on the 11th of November and La Inmaculada Concepcion (Immaculate Conception) on the 8th of December. Finally, the year is topped off with Christmas Day, or as it’s called in Colombia, Navidad, on the 25th of December.
For pumpin’ tunes and jumpin’ music, head over to the Maroma Nightclub in Bogota, the club is located in Zona Rosa and plays a blended mix of Colombian cool tunes and popular western music.
Armando Records nightclub in Bogota is better for the bigger parties, spanning three entire floorsl La Terraza, La Cochera and Armando Allstars, and sees varied music styles on each floor including chilled out, hard-partying with in-house DJs and a blend of Salsa and Reggaeton.
For something more sophisticated maybe you’d prefer the San Sebastian Bar, also in Bogota, they feature Argentinian Dance Classes on Wednesdays in Tango, Paso Doble, Milonga and Bolgero styles and on the weekends the club’s very own in-house band plays electric tunes to get the party started!
For a more sociable evening, the Quiebra Canto Bar Club is the place to be, on Wednesdays a ton of foreigners are attracted to the scene and on most other days the scene becomes a salsa club for those with fire in their feet.
Two for one cocktails during the week? Yes please! The Jhonny Cay Reggae Bar has this amazing deal on during the week and plays cool reggae and calypso music all week long. The club is located in the La Zona T district of Bogota and is named after the Caribbean Island, Jhonny Cay.
The country uses the Colombian Peso as currency and uses the international currency code COP. Although it has been sub dividable in the past down into 8 and 10 Reales as well as 100 Centavos, today it is not sub dividable into any other coinage. COL 1890 is equal to about $1 or £0.60.
Today, Coins are available in 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Peso variants.
Bank Notes are available in 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 variants.
Colombia’s economy today is worth around $365 Billion (£217 Billion) and sees around 4.3% GDP Growth Annually. The country’s main sectors are in Services (52.7%) Industry (38%) and Agriculture (9.3%), and employ around 92.2% of the population. Within these sectors, the biggest industries are in textiles, food processing, oil, clothing, footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement, gold, coal and emeralds. Colombia mainly trades with the US (39.4%), Spain (5.1%), China (4.9%) and the Netherlands (4.3%).
Banking in Colombia is very similar to countries in the west and in urban areas ATMs are widespread, but they may be less so in more rural areas. Bank Accounts come in two varieties; Current Accounts and Savings Accounts. Current Accounts allow one easy access to his or her bank account with minimal effort, but offer low interest rates, however, Savings Accounts are to the contrary and will offer higher interest rates but won’t necessarily allow the same ease of access that a Current Account would.
National Taxes are applied to all Colombian Nationals and to all Foreign Nationals whom have lived in the country for over five years. Tax types include: Income Tax, Stamp Tax, Value Added Tax and Local Taxes.
Income Tax scales based on your income:
Below $28,000 (£17,000) – 0%
$28,000 to $44,000 (£26,000) – 19%
$44,000 to $106,000 (£63,000) – 28%
Over $106,000 – 33%
Stamp Tax is paid in varying amounts on all official documents such as contracts sent from one party to another. Value Added Tax (VAT) is paid at a rate of 16% on all goods and services with exceptions to public transportation, water supply and sanitation and the transportation of hydrocarbons and natural gas.
Local Taxes vary greatly based on the constituency and may include:
Tax on Lottery Winnings (including out-of-state)
Tax on Beer, Liquor or Cigarettes
Tax on Gasoline or Automobiles
Tax on Gasoline
Tax on Slaughterhouses
Tax to Register Academic Degrees, Patents and/or Names
Tax on Advertising
Tax on Real Estate and both Industrial and Commercial Establishments
Influenced through Indigenous, Spanish and African input and recently seeing both Arab and Asian influences also having effect, Colombian Cuisine sees a great variety in its foodstuffs and has ingredients included from the Caribbean shoreline, the mountainous regions, the Pacific coast, ranch lands and jungle environments. Although dishes vary from region to region greatly, especially prominent is Colombia’s coffee, which has found critical acclaim worldwide. Common ingredients include rice, cassava, maize, potatoes, legumes, chicken, beef, goat, pork, fish, seafood of varying types, cape gooseberry, araza, feijoa, dragon fruit, granadilla, mangostino, guava, papaya, lulo, blackberries, passionfruit and soursop.
Dishes across Colombia may include Ajiaco (chicken, potato and corn stew with the guasca herb), Tamales (steamed corn wrapped in a corn husk and filled with varying fillings including chicken, peas, potatoes, carrots and rice), Changua (milk soup with eggs), Aborrajado (deep fried plantains with cheese), Empanadas (pastry filledwith meat or vegetables) and Lechona (a roast pig stuffed with yellow peas, rice, onions and spices).
Citizens with passports from one of the following countries do not require a Visa to enter Colombia:
Citizens with ID Cards from the following countries may enter Colombia:
Citizens from the following countries wishing to transit through Colombia must also have a Transit Visa:
Government spending on Healthcare in the 21st Century has accounted for around 20% of all government expenditures and due to the geography of the location, the level of healthcare varies dramatically between rural and urban locations. Overall the country has over 60 thousand physicians, 24 thousand nurses and 34 thousand dentists working within the country.
The biggest issues the country faces are Tropical diseases such as Malaria, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever, Chagas Disease, Leishmania, Rabies, Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus and West Nile Virus, Snake Bites due to the shortage of antivenom supplies, Malnutrition ranging up to 23% in Iron Deficiency Anemia and up to 21% in others, Strokes, Respiratory Diseases, Road Accidents, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Homicide (averaging at around 17,000 homicides a year), Measles and HIV/AIDS.
Colombia’s railways span over three thousand kilometres, around 150 kilometres of which are 1,435mm gauge and the remainder being 914mm gauge. Seven of the country’s ten cities are linked by rail but it is considered majorly underused due to a lack of interest, seeing only around 160 thousand.
Roads are more frequently used and span over 163 thousand kilometres, of which around 70% are paved. Highways are managed by the Colombian Ministry of Transport through the National Roads institute, with their security overseen by the Highway Police unit of the Colombian National Police.
The country has some of the most airports in the world, with around a thousand being fully-functional, around 10% of which having paved runways but only two of which being more than 3047 metres in length and around 40 of which being regional airports, the busiest of which being Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport which handles 22 million passengers and over 550 million tons of cargo a year. There are also two heliports in the country.
However, Colombia’s largest transportation network for international cargo lies in its sea ports, which handle around 80% of all cargo and see the most transported in the ports of Barranquilla, Cartagena and Santa Marta on the Caribbean Coast, and Buenaventura and Tumaco on the Pacific Coast. However, other notable ports include Bahia de Portete, Puerto Bolivar, Turbo, Leticia and San Andres. Inland waterways are also highly popular methods of navigation, especially among the locals, and span over 18 thousand kilometres with 11 thousand of which being navigable via riverboat, many linking to Brazil, and carrying around 6 million passengers each year. Ships weighting over a thousand gross registered tons number 17 in total, this includes 13 cargo, 4 bulk, 3 petroleum tanker, 1 container and one liquefied gas, as well as seven ships registered in foreign countries.
Embassies in Colombia include:
Algerian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Algeria in Bogota, Colombia
Carera 11 Nº 93-53, Bureau 302 Bogota DC, Colombia
ambalgbg@cable.net.co
08.30AM-12.30PM and 13.00PM-16.00PM
Ambassador: Mr. Omar Benchehida
Argentinian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Argentina in Bogota, Colombia
Av. 40 A Nro. 13-09, Piso 16, Ap. Aereo 53013, Bogota, Colombia
ecolo@mrecic.gov.ar,embargentina@etb.net.co
Australian Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Calle 69#7,-51, Apt 302, Bogota, Colombia
Austrian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Austria in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 9, No. 73 - 44, Piso 4, Edificio Fiducafe, Bogota, Colombia
(+57) (1) 326 36 90
bogota-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Austrian Consulate in Barranquilla, Colombia
Consulate of Austria in Barranquilla, Colombia
Via 40, No. 64, 198, Zona Industrial, Loma No. 3, Barranquilla, Colombia
oloewy@sempertex.com
Austrian Consulate in Cali, Colombia
Consulate of Austria in Cali, Colombia
Carrera 13, No. 14-27, Cali, Colombia
karnar_cia@hotmail.com,hzangen@yahoo.com
Tue, Thu: 08.00-10.00
Austrian Consulate in Cartagena, Colombia
Consulate of Austria in Cartagena, Colombia
Edificio Chambacu Business Center - Piso 6, Apartado Aereo 1626, Cartagena, Colombia
(+57) (5) 66 47 450
hschwyn@schwyn.com
Mon, Tue, Wed: 09.00-12.00
Austrian Consulate in Medellin, Colombia
Consulate of Austria in Medellin, Colombia
Carrera 43A, No. 7-50, Oficina 701, Torre Empresarial, Apartado Aereo 1453, Medellin, Colombia
consuladoaustria@epm.net.co
Mon, Wed, Fri: 09.00-12.00
Austrian Consulate in San Andres, Colombia
Consulate of Austria in San Andres, Colombia
'La Bombonier', Avenida Juan XXIII, Apartado Aereo 35, San Andres Colombia
Barbadian Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Honorary Consul of Barbados in Bogota, Colombia
Avenida 19, 106A 83, Bogota, Colombia
gilbertosanchezr@msn.com
Belgian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Belgium in Bogota, Colombia
Calle 26 - n 4 A-45 - piso 7-Edificio KLM, Bogota D.C., Colombia
, Apartado aereo 3564 - Bogota D.C.
+ 57 1 380.03.70
http://www.diplomatie.be/bogotafr
Bogota@diplobel.fed.be
De lunes a jueves de 9:00 a 12:30 y de 13:30 a 16:00
Belgian Consulate in Barranquilla, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Belgium in Barranquilla, Colombia
Calle 77B, n 57-141, Officina 812, Centro Empresarial las Americas, Barranquilla, Colombia
+ (57) (5) 360.26.66
juanrulseco@epm.net.co
Belgian Consulate in Bucaramanga, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Belgium in Bucaramanga, Colombia
P/a Comite de Cafeteros - Parque Industrial, Parque Industrial de Bucaramanga, Via Palenque, Cafe Madrid., Bucaramanga
, Apartado aereo 16 - Bucaramanga
sergio.mantilla@cafedecolombia.com
Belgian Consulate in Cali, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Belgium in Cali, Colombia
Parque tecnologico de la Umbria , Universidad San Buenaventura, Via Pance, Cali - Colombia
+ (57) (2) 524 0425
consulado_belgica_cali@iptotal.com
Belgian Consulate in Cartagena, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Belgium in Cartagena, Colombia
Edificio Vina del Mar - Cra 6 N 6-57, Apto 1201 Bocagrande, Cartagena
, Apartado aereo 116, Cartagena
+ (57) (95) 655.01.87
tempocaribe@epm.net.co
Belgian Consulate in Medellin, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Belgium in Medellin, Colombia
Diagonal 75B n 2A-120 - Oficina 309, Edificio Promotora Medica de las Americas, Medellin
gjuribe@lasamericas.com.co
Embassy of Bosnia- Herzegovina in Colombia
Calle 26 - n°4 A-45 - piso 7 Bogota D.C.
+ (57) (1) 380.03.70 /
Bolivian Embassy in Santafe De Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Bolivia in Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Transversal 20 No 124-25 , Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Santafe de Bogota
(57)(1) 2136308 or 2137852
57)(1) 6123151
embassy@colomsat.net.co
Brazilian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Brazil in Bogota, Colombia
Calle 93 No. 14-20 piso 8
http://bogota.itamaraty.gov.br/pt-br/
secom2@brasil.org.co
Bulgarian Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Colombia
Sr. Carlos Umana Trujillo, Calle 70 # 4-60, Bogota D. C., Colombia
cumana@brigardurrutia.com.co
Canadian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 7 No. 115-33 Piso 14, Bogota, Colombia
(011 57 1) 657 9800
http://www.bogota.gc.ca
bgota@international.gc.ca
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m.- 12:30p.m., 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Canadian Consulate in Cartagena, Colombia
Consulate of Canada in Cartagena, Colombia
Edificio Centro Ejecutivo Bocagrande, , Carrera 3, #8-129, Oficina 1103, Cartagena, Colombia
(011 57 5) 665-5838
honcartagena@enred.com
Chilean Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Chile in Colombia
Calle 100 Nro 11 B-44; , Apartado Aereo 90061.Bogota
57(1) 620 6613
57(1)6193863
embajadachile@cable.net.co
Chilean Consulate in Barranquilla, Colombia
Consulate General of Chile in Barranquilla
CRA. 51 B N 82-254 Of.61
Chilean Consulate in Bucaramanga, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Chile in Bucaramanga
Calle 28 N 20-06
conchilebu@hotmail.com
Chilean Consulate in Cali, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Chile in Cali
CRA. 98 N 18-49 P.1
57(032)3157986 - 3319090 ext.3299
57(092)3157986
fdelilidg@telesat.com.co
Chilean Consulate in Cartagena De Indias, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Chile in Cartagena de Indias
Carrera 4#5-74 Bocagrande Cartagena de Indias
araceliml02@yahoo.com
Chilean Consulate in Medellin, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Chile in Medellin
Carrera 48 N 12 Sur-70, , Oficina 808 El Crucero
57-034-3135265/2209 - 3135264
wfmedellin@epm.net.co
Chinese Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 16 No. 98-30, Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia
http://co.china-embassy.org
chinaemb_co@mfa.gov.cn
Chinese Consulate in Barranquilla, Colombia
Chinese Consulate General in Barranquilla, Colombia
Calle 80 no.51-69 Apto 25, Barranquilla, Colombia
consuladochino@dinanet.net.co
Costa Rican Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Costa Rica in Bogota, Colombia
Street No. 103. 16-60 Chico , Northern Bogota, Colombia
(00571) -218-1999 / 636-2681
http://www.embajadadecostarica.org
info@embajadadecostarica.org
Cuban Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Cuba in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 9na. No. 92-54, Chico, Bogota, Colombia
http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/colombia
embacuba@telmex.net.co
Monday to Friday: 9.00am - 12:00 pm. Rest of Cuban holidays
Ambassador: His Excellency Jorge Ivan Mora Godoy
Cypriot Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Cyprus in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 6, No. 86-57, Apto 702 , Bogota, Colombia
+57 1 621 0227, Mob: +57 316 267 5521
e.eliades@yahoo.com
Czech Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bogota, Colombia
Avenida 7, No. 114-33, Oficinas 603-604, Edificio The Royal Bank of Scotland, RBS, Bogota D.C.
http://www.mzv.cz/bogota
bogota@embassy.mzv.cz
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 07.45 - 16.15 Opening Hours For Public: Monday, Wendesday, Friday 09.00 - 12.00
Czech Consulate in Barranquilla, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in Barranquilla, Colombia
Calle 76 # 57-44, Local 9, Barranquilla
0057-5-3533452, 3533453
barranquilla@honorary.mzv.cz
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 09.00 to 12.00
Czech Consulate in Cartagena De Indias, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Calle Cochera del Hobo No. 38-87, Barrio San Diego, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
cartagena@honorary.mzv.cz
Czech Consulate in Medellin, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in Medellin, Colombia
Calle 50 No. 42-54, Medellin, Colombia
medellin@honorary.mzv.cz
Danish Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Royal Danish Consulate General in Colombia
Carrera 11, No. 73-20, Oficina 201, Codigo Postal: 1101
http://www.ambbrasilia.um.dk/en/servicemenu/Contact/ConsulatesInColombia/
tkl@etb.net.co
Danish Consulate in Barranquilla, Colombia
Consulado Real de Dinamarca, Calle 77 No. 74-111, Postadr.: Apartado no. 939
ramit@telecom.com.co
Consul: Carlos J. Recio
Danish Consulate in Cali, Colombia
Consulado Real de Dinamarca , Avenida 4 Norte No. 4n-46 , Barrio Centenario, Postadr.: Consulado Real de Dinamarca , Apartado Aereo 99
henryjensen@hotmail.com
Consul General: Knud Henry Jensen
Dominican Consulate in Cali, Colombia
Dominican Republic Consulate in Colombia
Carrera 38 No. 6-23, 3 floor
(+57-2) 5571939, 5141760
(+57-2) 6836885
consudomcali@uniweb.net.co
Dominican Consulate in Santa Marta, Colombia
Carrera 21 No. 15-99, los Bancos Building, Office 804
(+57-54) 33526
Dominican Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Transversal 29 No. 120-59, Sta. Bárbara
(+57-1) 2138645, 6291459, 3592560
Ecuadorian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Ecuador in Colombia
Av. Cll 72 No 6 - 30 Piso 7, Edificio Fernando Mazuera
(+57-1) 212 65 12 /23 / 25 /49
(+57-1) 212 65 36 / 41
mecucol@cable.net.co
Lunes a Viernes 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Ecuadorian Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Consulate General of Ecuador in Bogota, Colombia
Calle 67 N. 7-35, Oficina 1102, Piso 11, Edificio Plaza 67.
(0057-1) 3175328 / 3175329
(0057-1) 3175324
cecubogota@mmrree.gov.ec
Ecuadorian Consulate in Cali, Colombia
Edificio Torre de Cali, Calle 19 Norte Nº2N-29, Oficina 23-02C
cecucali@uniweb.net.co
Ecuadorian Consulate in Cartagena, Colombia
Centrol - Calle Gastelbondo,, Local No. 18. Edificio Sto. Domingo, Apartado Aéreo 4255
Ecuadorian Consulate in Ipiales, Colombia
Consulate of Ecuador in Ipiales, Colombia
Carrera 7ma. No. 14-10 y Calle 14, 2do. Piso.
coecuipi@telecom.com.co
Egyptian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Egypt in Colombia
TRANSVERSAL 19 A # 101-10 Santafe De Bogota
(571) 2562940 - 2561976 - 6163401
Salvadoran Embassy in Colombia, Colombia
Embassy of El Salvador in Colombia
Carrera 9, 8015, Ofic 503, Edificio El Nogal, Santafe
0571 349 6775 or 0571 349 6770
elsalvadorcolombia@cable.net.co
Salvadoran Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of El Salvador in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 9, 8015, Ofic 503, Edificio El Nogal, Santafé de Bogotá
Finnish Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Finland in Colombia
Avenida El Dorado No. 69A-51, Interior 1, Piso 5, A.A. 75155, Santa Fe
(00 57 1) 410 9349 or 412 4111
(00 57 1) 410 9393
oficina.berlin@t-online.de
Finnish Consulate in Barranquilla, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Finland in Barranquilla, Colombia
Juan Manuel Ruiseco & Co., Calle 77B Nro. 57141, Centro Empresarial Las Americas, Piso 8, Oficina 812
juanruiseco@etn.net.com
Finnish Consulate in Cali, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Finland in Cali, Colombia
Av 4 Norte # 4N-46
lhjensen@telesat.com.co
Finnish Consulate in Cartagena, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Finland in Cartagena, Colombia
Carrera 10 No. 5A - 26, Edificio Mainero, Piso 3, Apto 301, Castillo Grande
mamapebles@hotmail.com
Finnish Consulate in Medellin, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Finland in Medellin, Colombia
Calle 17 A Sur 47-35, Apartado Aereo 1468
jaue1940@hotmail.com
Finnish Consulate in Santa Fe De Bogota, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Finland in Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia
Avenida Eldorado No. 69A-51, Interior 1, piso 5, A.A., 75155
Santa Fe de Bogota
(+57-1-) 410 9349, 412 4111 ext. 5029, 426 9999 (direct)
(+57-1-) 410 9393
maria.t.botero@marshmc.com
Honorary Vice-Consulate of Finland in Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia
Vice-Consulado Honorario de Finlandia, Eratrading Colombia Ltda, Transversal 5A # 127-46, Torre 6, Apto 501
(+57 1) 647 10 28 / 06 85
faberaco@coldecon.net.co
French Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of France in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 11, n' 93, 12 apartado areo, 29611
presse@ambafrance-co.org
French Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of France in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 11, n' 93-12 Apartado Aereo, 29611 Bogota
consulat@ambafrance-co.org
German Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Germany in Bogota, Colombia
Cra. 69 No. 25B-44, piso 7, Edificio "World Business Port" (edificio El Tiempo) , Bogota, Colombia
http://www.bogota.diplo.de/Vertretung/bogota/de/Startseite.html
info@bogota.diplo.de
German Consulate in Barranquilla, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Germany in Barranquilla, Colombia
Calle 77 B No. 57 - 141, Ofc. 309, P.O Box Apartado Aéreo 668, Barranquilla., Centro Empresarial de las Americas, Barranquilla, Colombia
(57-5)3685384
http://www.bogota.diplo.de/Vertretung/bogota/es/seite__honorarkonsul.html
consulalemanbq@hotmail.com
German Consulate in Cali, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Germany in Cali
Calle 1 B Nr. 66 B - 29, Cali, Valle del Cauca
(0057 2) 3 23 44 35 /( 57-2)3234435/ (57-2)3238402/ (0057 310) 8 22 75 87 Mobile
(0057 2) 3 23 37 84
consuladoalemancali@lycos.com
Monday to Friday: 8:30 to 11:00 am
German Consulate in Medellin, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Germany in Medellin, Colombia
Cra. 48 No. 26 sur - 181, local 106, Centro Integral Las Vegas, Medellin, Colombia
( 57-4)3346474
mconsulalemanmed@une.net.co
German Consulate in Cartagena, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Germany in Cartagena, Colombia
Diagonal 21 # 53-25 Piso 2, Bosque, Avenida Principal, Cartagena, Colombia
fbolle@costa.net.co
Monday to Friday: 2:30 to 4:30 pm
Greek Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Greece in Bogota
Carrera 12 A No 78/18, Santa Fe De Bogota D.C., Colombia
(00571) 2113576, 6107854 -
(00571) 2111845, 6203947
Greek Consulate in Cartagena, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Greece in Cartagena
Carrera 9, Esq. Edificio Castillo del Mar , Castillo Grande, Cartagena, Colombia
Greenlandic Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Royal Danish Consulate General in Columbia
Cra. 10 No. 96-25, of. 611, Apartado No. 88 731, Bogota 8, D.C
danconsu@andinet.com
The Faroe Islands and Greenland are part of the Kingdom of Denmark. As a main principle, the Danish Constitution stipulates that the foreign and security interests for all parts of the Kingdom of Denmark are the responsibility of the Danish government.
Guatemalan Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Guatemala in Bogota, Colombia
Diagonal 145 No. 32 A-38 Edificio Marte, Apto. 604 Barrio Nueva Autopista, Cedritos, Bogotá , Colombia
00-57-1 614-4052
embcolombia@minex.gob.gt
Guatemalan Embassy in Cartagena, Colombia
Embassy of Guatemala in Cartagena, Colombia
Edificio Comercios La Matuna,Oficina 312, Cartagena Colombia
0057-095 664-0120 / 0057-095 664-0122
0057-095 660-2760
Haitian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Haiti in Colombia
Calle 106, No. 23-57, Sante Fe
Honduran Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Honduras in Colombia
Calle121 No. 11 D-23
info@embajadadehonduras.org.co
Horario de Atención Consular: Lunes a Viernes de 9:00 am - 12:15 pm Horario de Atención Embajada: Lunes a Jueves de 9:00 am a 12:00 pm 2:00 pm a 4:00 pm Viernes de 9:00am 1:00pm
Honduran Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Consulate of Honduras in Bogota, Colombia
Calle121 No. 13. 59
+(571) 215 74 92 / +(571) 637-0680
emhoncol@andinet.com
Hungarian Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Hungary in Colombia
Calle 92 No 15-48 Oficina 404
609-65-75, +57-311-531-1128
hchungria@gmail.com
Honorary Consul: Dr. Ildiko Szegedy-Maszak
Hungarian Consulate in Cartagena De Indias, Colombia
Cartagena de Indias (Bocagrande) Carrera 1 Numero 6-106 Edificio MAT ADENTRO, , Office 101
665-8291; 0057-315-735-40-45
lequerica@ieee.org
Honorary Consul: Ricardo Lequerica
Indian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of India in Colombia
Carrera 7 # 71-21, Oficina 1001 Torre B, Multifinanciera, Edificio Bancafe
00-57-1-3174865, 3174876
00-37-1-3174976
http://www.embajadaindia.org
indembog@cable.net.co
Monday to Friday 8:30am a 5:00pm
Indonesian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Indonesia in Bogota, Columbia
Carrera 11 No. 75-27 , Bogota, Columbia
(571) 2119735 - 2172404
3262165/66
http://www.indonesiabogota.org.co
eindones@colomsat.net.co,stafpol@colomsat.net.co
Irish Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Ireland in Bogota, Colombia
De Las Americas 56-41
+ 571 4466114
gomezconsulirlanda@smurfitkappa.com.co, machadoconsulirlanda@cttas-smurfitkappa.com.co
Honorary Consul: Carlos Gomez Lecompte Diplomatic Representation for Colombia is handled by the embassy in Mexico (Mexico City)
Israeli Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Israel in Bogota, Colombia
Calle 35 No. 7 - 25, Piso 14
http://bogota.mfa.gov.il
info@bogota.mfa.gov.il
Monday to Thursday: 9:00 am - 12:00pm
Italian Embassy in Bagota, Colombia
Embassy of Italy in Bagota, Colombia
Calle 93, B, n. 9-92
Bagota
+57(1) 2187206
http://www.ambbogota.esteri.it
ambbogo.mail@esteri.it
Jamaican Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Jamaica in Colombia
Avenida 19 No.106A-83 Of 304, Apartado aereo: 102428, Santafé de Bogota
571- 612-33-89/612-33-96 & 612-35-98 (DIRECT)
emjacol@cable.net.co
CHARGE D'AFFAIRES & CONSUL GENERAL - MRS ELAINE SANCHEZ
Jamaican Consulate in San Andres, Colombia
Optica San Andres, Local 2, Transversal 2, San Andres Island
robinsonai@hotmail.com
HONORARY CONSUL: MR SAMUEL ROBINSON DAVIS
Japanese Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Japan in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 7. No. 71-21, Torre B Piso 11, Edificio Avenida Chile, (Apartado Aereo 7407)
http://www.colombia.emb-japan.go.jp/
Lebanese Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Lebanon in Bogota, Colombia
Lebanese Embassy , Calle 74 Nº 12-44, Calle 74 Nº 12-44, Bogota, Colombia
(+57) 1 212 8360/(+57) 1 235 7792
emblibanco@hotmail.com
Maltese Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Malta in Bogota, Colombia
Las Villas, Apartado Aereo No. 65-30, Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia
0057 (01) 522 0563
maltaconsul.bogota@gov.mt
Mexican Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Mexican Embassy in Colombia
Teleport Business Park, Calle 113 No. 7-21, Edificio Teleport Business Park, Oficina 204
http://www.sre.gob.mx/colombia
emcolmex@etb.net.co
Moroccan Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 13 A No. 98, Bogota
sifamabogot@aldato.com.co
Dutch Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Holland, Netherlands in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 13 No. 93-40 Floor 5, Apartado Aereo 4385, Bogota, Colombia
(+57) 1-638 4200
bog@minbuza.nl
Monday-Thursday 08:00-16:30 Friday 08:00-13:30
Dutch Consulate in Barranquilla, Colombia
Consulate-General Barranquilla, Colombia
Calle 77B No. 57-141 Oficina 806, Barranquilla, Colombia
jslagter@epm.net.co
Dutch Consulate in Cali, Colombia
Consulate Cali, Colombia
Carrera 39 No. 11-165 Acopi-Yumbo, Cali, Colombia
consuladopaisesbajoscali@vdl.com.co
Dutch Consulate in Medellin, Colombia
Consulate-General Medellin, Colombia
Calle 52 No. 47-42 Oficina 1001 Edificio, Coltejer, Medellin, Colombia
consulholanda@diagonal-colombia.com
Kiwi Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
New Zealand Consulate in Bogota
pearsona@cable.net.co
Honorary Consul: Annette Pearson
Nicaraguan Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Nicaragua in Bogota, Colombia
Calle 108A No. 25-44, Entre La Avenida 19 y Autopista Norte
co.embajada02@cancilleria.gob.ni
Nicaraguan Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Consulate of Nicaragua
Carrera 19 No- 106-91, Urbanizacion Santa Barbara
Norwegian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Royal Norwegian Embassy in Bogota
Edificio Fiducafe, Piso 8, #801, Carrera 9 no. 73-44
+ 57-1-317-7851
http://www.noruega.org.co/
emb.bogota@mfa.no
Ambassador Vibeke Knudsen
Norwegian Consulate in Cali, Colombia
Royal Norwegian Honorary Consulate in Cali
Calle 4 No 27-52,, Barrio San Fernando
+57-2-557-5780 or 557-5043
http://www.noruega.org.co/Embassy/Informasjon-Ambassade/consulados/cali/
Rodrigo.otoya@girosyfinanzas.com
0800 - 1200 and 1400 - 1800
Consul Rodrigo Otoya Dominguez
Norwegian Consulate in Buenaventura, Colombia
Royal Norwegian Honorary Consulate in Buenaventura
Edificio Rldan, alle 8A No. 3-52, Oficina 201
+57 2 242 21 54, 242 39 73
http://www.noruega.org.co
Viceconsul Miguel Antonio Caro Niño
Norwegian Consulate in Barranquilla, Colombia
Royal Norwegian Honorary Consulate in Barranquilla
Cra. 52 No. 85-24
http://www.noruega.org.co/Embassy/Informasjon-Ambassade/consulados/barranquilla/
kgl.norskconbaq@roscoltda.com
Consul Christian Ostbye
Pakistani Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Honorary Investment Counsellor of Pakistan in Colombia
Diogonal 109 No. 18-72,, Santa Fe de Bogota- Colombia
http://http://www.cpbizcouncil.com/
pakbiz@une.net.co
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
Palestinian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Palestine Special Mission in Colombia
Calle 45 No. 14-76 , Santa Fe De Bogota
57-1-2877691 / 2877904
jerusalem@telesat.com.co
Panamanian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Panama in Bogota, Colombia
Calle 92 # 7A-40
+57 (1) 257-5067/8
http://www.empacol.org
administrador@empacol.org
Monday-Friday 9 am - 1 Pm
Paraguayan Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Paraguay in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 7 No 72-28 - of. 302
(+57) (1) 347-0322
embapar@etb.net.co
Peruvian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Peru in Colombia
Calle 80A Nro 6 -50
http://www.embajadadelperu.org.co
lbogota@cable.net.co
Peruvian Consulate in Barrannquilla, Colombia
Consulate of Peru in Barrannquilla, Colombia
Calle 98 Carrera 65 Esquina, Barranquilla, Colombia, -, -
Barrannquilla
suribe@argos.com.co
Filipino Consulate in Bogota, Colombia
Consulate of Philippines in Bogota, Colombia
Avenida 15-119-24, Piso 2
(+57) (1) 2155696 / 33 or (+57) (1) 2159695
(+57) (1) 2155959
Polish Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Poland in Bogota
Calle 104a, No 23-48, PO Box 101363
http://www.bogota.polemb.net
jacek.perlin@msz.gov.pl
Polish Consulate in Barranquilla, Colombia
Consulate of Poland in Colombia
Carrera 57 nr 72-44
gerencia@arriendosdelnorte.net
Polish Consulate in Ibagué, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Ibagué
Carrera 3 No 3-47 Hotel International Casa Morales B/la Pola, Ibagué Tolima, , -, -, -
(00-57) 315-390-3361
(00-57-1) 263-76-20
consuladopoloniaibaque@hotmail.com
Polish Consulate in Cartagena De Indias, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Cartagena de Indias
Carrera 3 No. 8-129, Oficina 1501, edif. Centro , Ejecutivo Bocagrande, , -, -, -
benny.schuster@ibsseguros.com
Polish Consulate in Medellin, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Medellin
Calle Circular 4 No. 66B-09, , -, -, -, -
grestrepos@grupoargos.com
Portuguese Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Portugal in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 12, 93-37 oficina 302 / 303, Bogota, Distrito Capital, Colombia
(00 57 1) 622 13 34 - 622 23 45 - 622 13 56
(00 57 1) 622 11 34
Romanian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Romania in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 7, no. 92-58
(00) (57) (1) 2566438 or 2566458
(00) (57) (1) 2566158
ambrombogota@etb.net.co
Russian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 4, 75-00 Apartado Aerero, 90600, Bogota , D.E. Colombia
+57 1 212-1881, 212-5560
http://www.colombia.mid.ru
embajadarusia@cable.net.co
Slovenian Embassy in Zagreb, Colombia
Embassy of Slovenia in Croatia
Savska cesta 41/anex/II
vzg@mzz-dkp.gov.si
Spanish Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Spain in Bogot, Colombia
92 Steet No. 12-68
Swedish Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Sweden, Bogota Distrito Capital
Calle 72 No. 5-83, Edificio Avenida de Chile, piso 8, Bogota D.C., Colombia
ambassaden.bogota@foreign.ministry.se
Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 12 noon Visa (applications and processing): Visa section Monday-Thursday 9 to 11 a.m., Consular section, Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8
Swedish Consulate in Medellin, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Sweden, Medellin
Calle 16 A sur No. 30-53, El Poblado, Medellin, Colombia
consulsueciamedellin@yahoo.com.mx
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 12 noon
Swedish Consulate in Cartagena, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Sweden, Cartagena (Colombia)
Av El Pastelillo No 24-134 Manga, Cartagena, Colombia
hb@enlacecartagena.com,hb@enred.com
Monday-Friday 8 to 11 a.m., 2 to 5 p.m.
Swedish Consulate in Cali, Colombia
Honorary Consulate of Sweden, Cali
Av. 4 Norte No. 4N, 46 Cali - Valle, Colombia
+57 (2) 661 4428, 667 3015
Swiss Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Switzerland in Colombia
Cra. 9a no 74-08, Piso 11, Edificio Profinanzas
vertretung@bog.rep.admin.ch
Swiss Consulate in Cali, Colombia
Consulate of Switzerland in Colombia
c/o Pension Stein, Ave. 4 Norte, No. 3-33
Swiss Consulate in Medellin, Colombia
Carrera 68, No. 48 D - 48
Taiwanese Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Representative Office of Taiwan in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 11 No. 93-53, Oficina 501 Santafe de Bogota, D.C., Colombia, S.A.
(002-57-1) 635-0969
(002)-57-315-6492913
oftaipeisec@etb.net.co
British Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Great Britain in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 9 No. 76-49, Piso 9, 8th and 9th Floors, Bogota, Colombia
ppa.bogota@fco.gov.uk
Monday to Thursday: 8:30 to 11:30 Friday: 8:30 to 10:30
American Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Calle 22D-Bis # 47-51, Carrera 45 # 22D-45, Bogota, D.C., Colombia
http://bogota.usembassy.gov/
8:30 AM to 12:00 noon, Monday through Thursday
The American Citizen Services unit assists U.S. citizens with application for new or renewed passports, registration of citizens living in or traveling to Colombia, security information for citizens planning to travel to Colombia, registration of U.S. citizens born in Colombia, voter registration, social security and veteran's benefits, provision of federal income tax forms, notarial service for documents being used in the United States, and certain emergency services, including prisoner protection and documentation of the deceased.
American Consulate in Barranquilla, Colombia
Consular Agency of United States in Barranquilla, Colombia
Calle 77B # 57-141, Oficina 511
conagent@metrotel.net.co
Uruguayan Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Uruguay in Bogota, Colombia
Edificio , Carrera 9, N 80-15, Piso 11
(00 571) 235 2968 or 235 1462 or 235 2748
(00 571) 248 37 34
urucolom@elsitio.net.co
Uruguayan Consulate in Cali, Colombia
Consulate of Uruguay in Colombia
Calle 67 Norte N 8-N-65
(+57-2) 654115, 672080
(+57-2) 650730
Venezuelan Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
Embassy of Venezuela in Bogota, Colombia
Carrera 11, N 87-51, Piso 5, Edificio Horizonte Bogota
http://www.consulvenbucaramanga.com/consulados.htm
evenezu3@gaitana.interred.net.co
Venezuelan Consulate in Medellin, Colombia
Consulate of Venezuela in Medellin, Colombia
Calle 32-B, N 69-59, Barrio Belen Rosales, Apartado Postal 8804, Medellin, Colombia
094-2350359 / 094-3511614 / 094-3514909
consulado@emp.net.co
Colombia uses the Country Code +57 and has over 31 million mobile telephone subscribers and over 8 million landline users. Coverage of the region exceeds 90% and Colombia Telecom is responsible for around a third of all lines in place with the remaining two thirds split fairly evenly between around 30 other operators.
There are over 21 million internet users with around 4 million of these being mobile internet users and this equates to around 39% of the population having an online presence with around 600 thousand internet hosts. Today the biggest Internet Service Providers are Telecom, ETB, EPM, Coldecon, Telmex Colombia S.A, TV Cable SA, CableCentro, Cable Union de Occidente, TV Cable Promision SA, Dinanet and Telecom Occidente, these provide Broadband Connections in 1MB, 5MB, 10MB, 20MB and 50MB variations, including limited Fibre Optic coverage. The country’s top code is .co.
It’s important to note that even though most people enjoy free use of the Internet, journalists are regularly threatened, assaulted and murdered. Additionally, minimal censorship of the internet exists to both restrict children’s access to pornography and to remove child pornography online.
Colombia has over 60 Television stations, seven low-power stations and around 12 million television receivers are commonly used. The country also has around 520 radio stations with around 85% being AM, around 10% being FM and the last 5% being Shortwave.
Colombia’s climate range varies greatly and includes a wide variety of climate types all across the region including Tropical Mountain Range, Tropical Savannah, Tropical Rainforest, Steppe and Tropical Desert.
In the Northern reaches of Colombia, the Tropical Mountain Range climate is most prominent, but this can be further split down into five more climate types that vary based on the altitude of the region.
Up to 1km above sea level, the Warm Climate Thermal Floor can be seen and temperatures stay constantly above 24 degrees Centigrade ( Fahrenheit) but may rise as high as 30 degrees Centigrade ( Fahrenheit), accompanied by heavy rain.
Between 1 and 2km above sea level, the Temperature Climate Thermal Floor may be observed and sees temperatures typically between 17 and 24 degrees Centigrade ( Fahrenheit), accompanied by between 2000 and 2500mm of rain annually.
Between 2 and 3km above sea level, the Cold Climate Thermal Floor is present and temperatures between 10 and 17 degrees Centigrade ( Fahrenheit) are commonplace, annual rainfall is at around 2000mm typically.
Between 3 and 4km above sea level, the Paramo Climate Thermal Floor is visible and sees temperatures at constantly below 10 degrees Centigrade ( Fahrenheit), with rare rainfall but frequent snowfall.
The Glacial Climate Thermal Floor at 4km above sea level is considered the country’s coldest weather conditions with practically non-existent rainfall, constant snowfall and temperatures constantly below 10 degrees Centigrade ( Fahrenheit), few living species inhabit regions hosting this sub-climate.
In the Eastern areas of Colombia, the Tropical Savannah climate is seen and has temperatures between 24 and 27 degrees Centigrade ( and Fahrenheit), the climate varies a little due to the rainy and dry seasons produced by trade winds from the north east which periodically switch every six months.
In the West, the Steppe climate is the most frequent and sees temperatures being more moderate in nature, with a dry season for 5 months followed by a rainy season.
In the Southern depths of Colombia, the Tropical Rainforest climate is most visible in the Amazon Rainforest Basin and other nearby regions and sees hot and humid conditions with heavy frequent rainfall.
The Tropical Desert climate is located primarily in the centre of Colombia and sees consistently high temperatures with extremely small amounts of rainfall, usually during a singular month of the year, without a mountain barrier nearby, trade winds from the northeast are carried through the desert, producing humid conditions and droughts alike.
Designed to perfection and located along the brilliantly blue coastline on crystal white beaches, the Royal Decameron Baru has been developed with a modern tropical style in mind and has been specially adapted to blend the hotel in with the surrounding natural environment. The hotel houses five bars, four restaurants, three swimming pools and a seven-thousand-person-capacity convention centre and has facilities to allow its guests to experience water sports as well as to just kick back, relax and catch a little sun.
With a colonial era stylization and built in the country’s age-old city of Santa Marta, the Casa de Isabella is located strategically in the Centro Historico, the city’s oldest district, alongside many other buildings that reflect a colonialist Mudejar architectural style. The hotel gives its guests access to beautiful green courtyards, a personal rooftop pool, complimentary iPads, Apple TV and, of course, the swiftest Broadband available.
Meanwhile in San Andres, the Lodges Mar y Sol keeps a traditional architectural style combined with a great use of open spacing and Colombian Caribbean décor, complimented with large balconies and beautiful views allowing for exquisite experiences of the Colombian sunsets. The hotel comes fully equipped with facilities to provide guests with delectable meals, cool refreshing drinks and a quick getaway for quiet relaxation.
Lovingly restored and reinvigorated, the Casa San Agustin in Cartagena welcomes its visitors with warm western vibes through colonial-era architectural motifs combined with brightly coloured furnishings. The hotel is particularly notable for its well-known restaurant and bar, serving up a storm of custom-crafted cocktails.
Or perhaps you’re more interested in the country’s pre-colonial history? The Merecumbe Hotel is widely renowned for its signature natural hut rooms, furnished with comfy modern fittings and décor but incorporating a breezy palm roof to ensure cool evenings in the hot weather. The hotel is located just a short walk from Dream Beach on the Caribbean coast and provides many facilities for its guests including a restaurant, wine list and a massage room.
For the most part there are practically no restrictions children face entering Colombia that adults would not face, but it should be noted that children can only bring goods worth up to half the value of the adult maximum (normally worth around $2500), but additionally, children are exempted from airport tax.
For pets to enter Colombia, pets must be vaccinated for Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Parvovirus, unless under the age of four months in which case the former is not required. Then, within 8 days of travel a certified veterinarian must complete the Veterinary Certificate for Colombia (both an original and another in Spanish), the veterinarian must be accredited by the governmental authority of the exportation of animals for your country. This often means a Rabies Certificate must also be filled out. It’s highly recommended to both put your pet on a flea and tick prevention program and having your pet microchipped prior to entering Colombia.
The following breeds (and any cross breeds) of dog are banned in Colombia:
Education in Colombia is broken down into four main stages; Nursery School, Elementary School, High School and University.
Nursery School is provided to most children over one year of age through Community Homes sponsored by the National Institute for Family Welfare, the Community Homes see mothers from the community taking care of both their own children as well as children from the nearby neighbourhood, although it should also be mentioned that there are a fair amount of private Kindergarten schools. When a child successfully learns how to read and write, they enter Elementary School.
At age five most children enter Elementary School for five years of formal education. This stage of school has a 90% attendance rate and sees a high quality of knowledge from teachers in urban areas; this is contrary to rural areas where teachers are frequently poorly qualified or not qualified at all. However, a new method of teaching titled Escuela Nueva has been being used in rural schools and has seen great success with many rural schools outperforming urban ones.
At the age of around 11 or 12 the student enters High School which is separated into Basic Secondary (grades 6 to 9) and Mid Secondary (grades 10 & 11). Mid Secondary begins to specialize the student in a particular ‘track’ which leads to a qualification at the end, these include the Academic, Industrial, Commercial, Pedagogical, Agricultural and Social Promotion fields as well as qualifications in Arts and Business.
University education requires a qualification from the tracks in Mid Secondary to enter and provides both Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees including Specializations, Masters and PhD programs, with most degrees lasting around 3 years.
Most schools in Colombia will require 2 Years of Experience as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in either Education or a relevant subject with a PGCE/QTS/GTC/GTP. All teachers are expected to be native speakers of English and trained in the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.
It should be mentioned that although TEFL and similar certificates are not considered full teaching qualifications, teachers with these certificates will be preferred over those without. Additionally, teachers with international experience will be preferred.
Make sure to check out our guide on Work Permit and Visa Restrictions.
Food in Colombia is relatively cheap and you’ll see a meal at a restaurant go for between COP 8000 and 48,000 ($4.20 to $25 or £2.50 to £15), whilst regular food goods are even cheaper still. A litre of water costs around COP 1500 ($0.79 or £0.47), a litre of milk costs about COP 2200 ($1.20 or £0.69), 500g of bread costs around COP 2500 ($1.30 or £0.78) and 12 eggs cost around COP 3800 ($2 or £1.20).
Meanwhile, luxuries are comparable and see a litre of beer at COL 4000 ($2.10 or £1.30), a bottle of mid-range wine at COL 25,000 ($13 or £7.80) and a pack of cigarettes at COL 3600 ($1.90 or £1.10).
Finally, housing costs are extremely cheap and see the rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre at COL 600,000 ($320 or £190), a 1 bedroom apartment outside of the city centre at COL 640,000 ($340 or £200), a 3 bedroom apartment in the city centre at COL 1.25 Million ($650 or £390) and a 3 bedroom apartment outside the city centre at COL 1.26 Million ($660 or £400).
If you want to truly explore the country, you haven’t done it until you’ve hiked into the country’s deepest depths and sought the ruins of forgotten times, and Sal Si Puedes is the best guide, the ol’ veteran of the hikes, and will make sure you reach your chosen location with swiftness.
Or perhaps you’re a footy fan? The Independiente Santa Fe is known for its dedicated attitude and top-notch level play. The club has won seven national championships including one in 2012 and has existed for over sixty years.
The Poseidon Dive Centre is highly reputed as having one of the best safety records in the country and takes on all levels of divers from the inexperienced to the masters. Best of all, it offers a relaxed atmosphere with coffee and several day courses to get you started!
Maybe you’d like to get your toes tapping, your feet fleeting and your body bouncing? The Son de Luz in the Alameda neighbourhood gives private lessons and group lessons alike and teaches a variety of styles to practitioners of all experience levels.
Or maybe you’re just looking to get into shape and make some friends along the way? The House Gym is a leader in the fitness industry and creates custom training sessions adapted for each and every one of its members.
Colombia’s biggest issue is undoubtedly the warring between multiple factions including the left-wing guerrilla fighters such as the FARC and ELN, the right-wing paramilitaries such as the AUC, the Drug Cartels and the State. Sadly, the civilian population has been known to be frequently dragged into the crossfire between these groups, often with individuals being targeted for ‘collaborating’ and as a result being extorted, kidnapped and assassinated.
The Illegal drug trade is also one of the bigger issues the country faces and sees exportation of Cocaine, Marijuana and other mainly-psychoactive drugs exported by one of several Drug Cartels.
Tourists and foreigners being kidnapped in Colombia remains low, but is still known to occur and recently it’s become more common for thieves to expose travellers to chemicals through aerosol or paper hand-outs before assaulting and robbing them.
General Emergency – 112 or 123
Police – 156
Ambulance – 132
Fire – 119
Traffic Accident – 127
Kidnapping – 165
Languages & Phrases
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Education, Students & Private Schooling
Education Jobs, Qualifications & Requirements
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Safety, Security, Crime & Emergency Numbers
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Home / Services / Indigenous Health / Women & Children
Many families come to the area for a fresh start and are often isolated. These programs help support and maintain their cultural identity as Indigenous people and connection to culture.
About The Indigenous Women and Children Program
Community women can engage with the program around their specific health needs, but will also be linked in with other networks and referrals. The program can also work with children and youth to ensure the needs of the family are considered.
Women’s specific Indigenous issues which strengthen cultural identity and connection
MH + AOD support
Support for pregnant women
Family violence support especially links with Star Health’s family violence program
Ongoing women’s group providing both cultural and health education
Teamwork with other IAEP workers
What can I expect from this service?
We will provide services that are cultural sensitive to the Aboriginal community.
As Star Health provides a wide range of health services, we can link you with the service(s) that are most suitable for your needs.
What does Star Health do that’s different?
We have a dedicated Indigenous Access team of staff.
All our staff are highly experienced and qualified professionals.
How do I access Indigenous Women and Children Program?
People who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander can access this service. It is available from Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm. The service may be delivered at the Star Health site in St Kilda and in the community.
This service is free of charge.
Call 9525 1300 and ask to speak to the Indigenous Access Coordinator.
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Contact + Map
Overview WORSHIP AT ST. DAVID'S 2019 WORSHIP SERVICE REVIEW 2018 WORSHIP SERVICE REVIEW JUNE TO DECEMBER, 2017 WORSHIP SERVICE REVIEW JAN-JUNE 2017 WORSHIPPING AT ST. DAVID'S 2016
WORSHIP SERVICE REVIEW JAN-JUNE 2017
Rev. Kelley's reflection this morning was entitled, "What the World Needs Now." Readings came from the book of Genesis, chapters 16 and 21. The tenor of the message was reflected in the resounding singing of the final hymn, "One More Step Along the World I Go!"
As usual, honouring the fathers in our community was marked by our annual Aboriginal Sunday service. Through song, word and drumming we were led by Dorothy, Chantal, Cheryl, Brendan and Clarence as we recalled our past and dreamt of possibilities for our future. Rev. Peggy presided, Nancy, along with Marian's June Sacred Service team, provided hospitality (bannock), the PSALT looked after sound and projection and Shirley's scripture reading team all contributed to our Sunday morning service.
The Kairos Blanket Exercise retold the story of native and European interactions over the centuries. Led through prayers, songs and story, we were guided to a reminder and a better understanding of the ways in which our lives have intermingled. A link to the Exercise can be found on the Home page. Even the arrangement of our worship experience encircling the blankets and the Aboriginal artifacts enhanced our worship experience. Our guest, William Belgrade, opened the exercise with a song sung in his aboriginal language. Thank you, William.
"I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together." Rev. Peggy challenged us this morning to reflect upon the importance of St. David's in our individual lives. And we applauded when she concluded.
Clare Beers and the Men's Chorus offered their talents to our worship service this morning. Their first anthem, "Faith is Like a Child," featured Bob Betty on the clarinet. The selection was arranged by Garret Krause who, along with Colleen Charter, offer their talents on a regular basis as accompaniests.
Following our service, the congregation gathered for a twice yearly meeting of SDUC Foundation and the annual Budget meeting for the Church Year of 2016-2017. The Budget, as prepared by the Finance Committee and approved of by Council was passed by the congregation as was Proposal (Remit) #4 which called for the restructuring of the UCC.
"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great; rise up and attack the day with enthusiasm."
Rev. Peggy chose as a theme for reflection, "The Spiritual Energy of Enthusiasm." Through song, visuals and amazing readings and ideas, the music and leadership lead us in meaningful worship. The Angel Voices along with Lesley How & Dana Young, soloists, (accompaniest, Colleen Charter) lent their ministry of song. Alan Dohn's performance of "The Holy City" piano solo as our postlude was incredible.
Rev. Peggy's reflections are available in print if you happened to miss worship service on Sunday.
Following service, we gathered outside for our annual spring barbeque. Lots of great food and even greater comraderie.
Rev. Kelley's Reflection on Sunday provided us with a renewed vision of what it means to be Canadian and the benediction called us to ".. go from this place to live anew in the world. We remember those who have shown us the way to shine.Help us to also shine with our God light, so that together we will create a Canada, where everyone is valued, and where there is enough for all.
May it be so.
SEEDS FOR MEDITATION
“We are, in part, very much the people we choose to admire, and our [Canadian] national character can, in some measure, be limned by the actions we choose to esteem. Our age, hag-ridden by the tinsel fame of hollow celebrity, calls for the counterbalance of real worth and real achievement being given deeper regard, of holding up those who neither have fame nor are seeking it, acting in casual nobility and with real care.” Rex Murphy in The National Post October, 2014
“We have described for you a mountain. We have shown you the path to the top. We call upon you to do the climbing.” Justice Murray Sinclair in KAIROS literature
Presiding over Sunday morning's service were the people and staff of St. David's and they did an amazing job of leading us in worship. The Ministry of Families team, led by Alison Demeter, along with the Faith Quest children and youth (and Rev. Peggy) walked us through "God's Garden." Little ones dressed as lambs and stars, sprouts and flowers invited us to share in the wonders of God's creation. With song and script the little and not so little voices offered us a wonderful finale to their year of study devoted to spiritual practices. Thank you, team.
On Sunday we were pleased to welcome performers from Hillhurst United's Coming Out In Faith event. We had 3 special guests who shared their personal stories about how faith has intersected with their sexuality and gender identity. Special music was offered by Dean Lauderdale.
At the congregational budget meeting during the church year, July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 we committed to raising the necessary amount of congregational givings to balance our budget. This past Sunday was "Giving Sunday" where we were reminded of the importance of gratitude and generosity in life and in community. The "Light-Bearing and Salt-Seasoning" ad hoc committee were on hand early to prepare a delicious luncheon for us, in gratitude for the gifts each person brings to St. David's. Thank you to the team. We look forward to several more activities and events that will help us meet our goals and fulfill our ministerial plans for St. David's -- Mothers' Day Cake Sale, May Silent Auction, etc.
“The Dead Sea is the dead sea because it continually receives and never gives.” Anonymous
“Charity begins at home and generally dies from lack of outdoor exercise.” — Anonymous
“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.”
“Stewardship is the act of organizing your life so that God can spend you.”
— Lynn A. Miller, author
EASTER WEEK TO APRIL 16, 2017
Maundy Thursday Observance, April 13, 2017, 6:00 p.m. St. David's Community came together to share a Potluck Supper and Communion on Thursday evening. Dressed in robes and appropriate head gear, a troupe of familiar actors consisting of adults and children reenacted the "Last Supper" and Alison along with Kelley led us through a special Communion service and "Shalom" song to remind us of Jesus' command to his disciples that they should love and service one another.
Good Friday Contemplative Worship, April 14 at 10:00 a.m. was a very special service of story and song led by Rev. Peggy, Rev. Kelley and Alison, Ministry of Families.
Easter Sunday, April 16, a wonderful celebration of rebirth and renewal brought together a string, reed and percussion ensemble, the "Arise" dancers as well as a large and enthusiastic combined choir to lead in the most holy day of the Christian calendar. A resounding rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus brought the service to a close as members of the congregation joined with the choir. Long lines of congregants placed flowers on the cross as they processed to the front of the church and later, Hot Cross Buns were served in the T.M.Room and enjoyed by everyone gathered to mark Easter and the beginning of a new church year.
For Christians the message of Easter is that Jesus is risen, he is risen indeed. The declaration that Jesus is risen is a way of proclaiming that he had been rejected by the Jewish authorities and executed by the Roman authorities as a threat to the Roman Empire and was vindicated by God. For the early Christians, Jesus rose again in their hearts and they committed their lives to a ministry in which justice was pursued, the oppressed were accepted, the poor received care, and God’s love was lived.
"When love awakens in your life, in the night of your heart, it is like the dawn breaking within you. When love awakens in your life, it is like a rebirth, a new beginning." (Celtic spiritualist John O"Donohue)
Palm branches marked the occasion at SDUC this morning as did participants in the service dressed in period costumes. Eric Nyland and Betsy Woolner, along with Alison, Rachelle, Tiana and Taylor helped to enact a drama and dialogue between Rev. Peggy and Rev. Kelley as they brought the story of Palm Sunday to life. The Chamber Choir, led by Brent with accompaniest Garrett Krause offered their gift of music to the service.
Rev. Kelley presided at Sunday morning service, focussing her reflection on "Walking the Reconciliation Road." The sanctuary choir assisted in the service as did the April Sacred Service team.
"Gratitude and giving thanks are expressions of blessings that shape our lives so be grateful again, and again and again, and say thanks again and again and again."
Rev. Peggy continued her series on Salt-Seasoning and Light-Bearing with her reflection entitled "Modeling Gratitude - Saying Thanks." Light streamed in through the sky lights with the promise of blue skies, warm sunshine and spring days.
The Third Sunday of Lent brought together Sally's team as ushers, greeters, coffee makers, set-up, and clean-up crew helped to make the service extra meaningful. The "Gratitude" paper bags, each individually identified created opportunities for visiting as we all searched out our bags and then re-examined the things for which we were grateful last week. Rev. Peggy continued with her series on Salt Seasoning and Light Beaming following the Covenanting Service with the Ministry of Families for Nooshin Esmaeili, Trent Burke and Abby Hunter. Cake was the attraction in the TM room after service, the room suitably decorated with balloons and streamers.
As we gathered Sunday morning, we were greeted with smiling faces and little brown baggies. Inside were slips of paper that invited us to reflect upon and jot down things, people, events... for which we were grateful. Later in the service, we were asked to draw a Gratitude Slip from another's baggie, read it and live with the gratitude during the coming week. Next week we can add to our slips.
This was the official launch of our SALT AND LIGHT STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM - a five week giving program. It is our invitation to "focus on saying thanks and modeling gratitude as a foundation to our giving." Further information can be found in the file attachment below.
Special music this morning was offered by the Chamber Choir featuring Brittany Rae, Jo Galinis-Ursel, Ruth Cross and Eric Nyland.
The new team for Sacred Service had their inaugaral morning as an integral part of the worship experience at St. David's. Thank you, Sally and Bob. With the Value of the month for March being "Mindfulness", the ACTS committee will be lighting the candle each morning. Sunday was my turn. Rev. Peggy's service was built on the concept of Salt Seasoning and Light Beaming. The UCC has developed a stewardship program called Salt and Light to remind us that we, as congregants, have a major role to play in the service of the ministry at St. David's. Matt. 5: 13-20. Gratitude is the foundational value of this program.
"Find time to be quiet, in transcendence, to reconnect to that which is within."
The Angel Voices offered their gift of song to the worship service Sunday morning. Heather and Bill Chubb-Way offered their experience with the Hearts and Hands Foundation as a "Sacred Encounter" reliving their trips to Guatemala where they have helped build cooking stoves for the Mayan people. The service, built on the theme of Sacred Encounters, challenged us to seek and to recognize the presence of the divine in our lives each day.
Sunday morning's service was centered around Black History Month. Readings, by Eldon Godfrey, included Psalm 137, Galatians 3: 26-29 and a very moving excerpt from the "I have a dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr. This was a very timely topic. Thank you, Rev. Kelley.
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have winthin you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world". Harriet Tubman
"The Value of You" was the focus on Sunday morning's service. The Chamber Choir's selections lent a meditative ambience as did the reflection led by Rev. Peggy.
Affirmation of self: Adapted from "Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul"
"Creator, when I am fully aware of my value and worth I can center myself at will. I am familiar with a place of peace and empowerment inside. I am not divided agains myself by inner conflicts, I can transcend local disturbances and remain unaffected by them. I see the world from an expanded perspective. My inner world is organized."
A highlight of the service occurred when we as a congregation covenanted with Luke Kushneryk who will be joining us in worship and at church over the next few months with the Peer Partnership Programme, Campus Ministry.
Rev. Peggy's Reflection this morning was entitled "The Spirituality of Encouragement." This month, encouragement was our value and each Sunday, a member of the worship committee, shared with us a short talk on the meaning of encouragement in his or her life. We were invited to spend a couple of minutes at the beginning of her reflection to share with another congregant an experience about one person whose encouragement made a difference in our lives.
"Encouragement matters. It matters because it is empowerment.
The more we encourage each other, the more we are empowered to value ourselves and one another, to put away judgments, to live our positive values, to see in each other the image of God and to love one another."
The Yalda family, hosted by the Refugee Committee, shared a bit of their experience thus far as Calgary residents. Abid, Ida and the four children, in English, addressed the congregation and later shared cake in the T.M. room. The Angel Voices ministered in song and our guest accompaniest this morning was Colleen Charter who shared her musical talent on piano and organ.
The Seed of Meditation in the Sunday bulletin reminded us that "The dignity of every person must be respected and protected at every stage and in every condition." The service prepared us for a workshop following service sponsored by SDUC Pastoral Care Ministry entitled "Medically Assisted Dying." Many St. Davidians gathered to share in a light lunch and a presentation featuring Dr. Mike Trew and Evie Wallace as we dealt with a timely topic.
Watch for upcoming additions to the Worship Ministry for Rev. Peggy's Blog, Sunday morning Sermons and Hymns.
Ministry of Families
Adult Spiritual Development - ACTS Ministry
PSALT
Affirming Ministry
Finance & Stewardship
Muffin Ministry
SACRED SERVICE MINISTRY
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SteamPhotos.com
About & Updates
Cass Scenic Railroad (West Virginia)
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park - Cass, West Virginia
Photos from Cass Railfan Weekends (2008 & 2015), featuring Cass's Shay and Heisler steam locomotives and West Virginia Central's FP7 and BL2 diesels. The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad (Durbin, West Virginia) and their Climax #3 are also included. Since 1963, the Cass Scenic Railroad has operated tourist trains over the former logging railroad built in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company. For excursion information, visit the Cass Scenic Railroad Website.
Cass Scenic Railroad
Oats Creek water tank (MP 7.5)
© Copyright 2005-2020 Christopher Muller
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021 809 1100 / R310 Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
PICNICS AT SPIER
FARM CAFE
VADAS SMOKEHOUSE AND BAKERY
Werf Cellar
Vineyard Segway Tour
Spier Artisan Studio
Hotel Shop
Craft Market
The team behind Spier’s wines and vines is quite a passionate bunch who, besides spending most of their time crafting, blending and tasting our wines, also finds time for their other interests.
Cellar master Frans Smit needs little introduction after having our flagship Bordeaux-style blend named in his honour! Frans is the ultimate terroiriste, and spends a good deal of time studying vineyard charts. His favourite cultivars are Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot from Spier’s own farms – little wonder that he went for a Bordeaux-style blend with the flagship wine!
On style of wine, Frans favours those with great mid-palate weight. At harvest time he’s more concerned with the colour of the grapes than the balling of the juice – a system shown to work well in Australia (there – we always knew that colour coordination counts!) Frans’ idea of the perfect holiday is braai tongs in one hand, Spier wine in the other, and miles and miles of endless Kalahari sand.
Our white winemaker, Jacques Erasmus, made his first wine at age 12 using Chenin Blanc grapes he found on his home farm in the Worcester Valley. He stored it in the household fridge – much to his mother’s delight (well, not exactly) – and Chenin Blanc to this day remains a favoured cultivar. Jacques has been with Spier since 2003 and was part of the team that contributed to Creative Block 2, a wine that won a trophy at the SA Young Wine Show in 2009. It seems fairly likely therefore to conclude that his style has improved somewhat since his home winemaking days!
Jacques spends much of his free time at home in the great outdoors with his wife Esmari, daughter Karlien, son Stephan and Staffordshire Terrier Tinta.
From Hughes de Beauvignac in Languedoc-Roussillon to Duckhorn Wine Company in the Napa Valley, red winemaker Johan Jordaan’s harvest experience spans the winemaking world. A keen traveller, Johan loves to learn about world cultures and gain insights into varied winemaking styles.
Johan’s first love (other than wife Lizanne) is our very own home grown Pinotage, a cultivar he says that is “not to be cast aside”. It would seem in that case that he is in the right place – with the Spier Private Collection Pinotage a winner of many awards.
Viticulturist Johann Smit is best known as the man who tirelessly traverses the vineyards in pursuit of the best grapes possible, but he is also an avid grower of giant-sized pampoen. So famous is he for his award-winning produce that he recently rated a full page in Wineland magazine. Little slips by his sharp eye and a good thing too, with a growing list of awards attesting to his methods, and his strong collaboration with the winemaking team.
Johann’s love for the great outdoors goes well outside the vineyards, with diving, hunting, fishing and African safaris amongst his favoured pastimes. He also loves to cook for his wife Izanne and their two children; which, he says his wife just loves!
Let's keep the conversation going
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Wine Ranges
- Signature Collection
- Creative Block
- 21 Gables
- Frans K Smit
- Private Collection
- Vintage Selection
- Spier Secret
- Méthode Cap Classique Brut
- Spier Organic
- Seaward
© 2018 Spier Wine Farm
Spier Map
VADAS SMOKEHOUSE & BAKERY
Open daily for lunch 12:00 to 15:00,
dinner 18:00 to 23:00
(kitchen closes @ 21:00)
Closed 25 & 31 Dec dinner
SPIER FARM CAFÉ
Tuesday - Sunday 8:00 to 16:30
Closed on Mondays
Breakfast: 06:30 to 11:00
Lunch and light meals from 12:00 to 17:30 in the winebar
Dinner: 18:30 to 22:00
Open daily from 09:00 - 18:00.
Booking essential.
+27 (21) 809 1157 or www.segwaytours.co.za.
Pre-booked baskets:
Collection from 12:00 to 14:00
Picnic area open daily 11:00 to 16:30
Sunset picnics from 2 Dec - 19 Jan:
Open 11:00 to 21:00
Open daily from 09:30 to 17:00 (closed on Christmas Day)
+27 (21) 858 1826 or www.eagle-encounters.co.za
Open daily from 10:00 to 17:30 during summer months
(October to the first week of May)
For prices and bookings, contact www.sueheathcockprojects.co.za
Summer: Open daily from 08:00 to 20:00
Winter: Open daily from 08:00 to 19:00
+27 (21) 809 1100 or
thespa@spier.co.za
Open daily from 08:30 to 17:00
Open from Tuesday to Sunday 08:00 to 17:00.
For more information, email: studio2@spierartstrust.co.za
Meet us at the Kids' Clubhouse at the hotel, or call +27 (21) 809 1100.
We’re open during weekends and school holidays from 08:00 to 17:00.
The Clubhouse can also be opened on request.
Monday and Tuesday 09:00 to 16:30
Wine sales until 17:00
Wednesday - Sunday 09:00 to 17:30
Contact us on +27 (21) 809 1143/7
Your contact information will not be disclosed or used for other purposes.
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Anna Faris: Hugh Hefner’s Honorary New Girlfriend
Anna Faris will star in the upcoming “The House Bunny” (which features the men’s magazine mogul and his three busty blondes), and has since been spending quite a bit of time at the iconic Playboy Mansion.
Anna Farris, who added that she’s been made a real-life honorary girlfriend, revealed, “I was just there yesterday. Hef has been an incredible support system; it’s thrilling to see him act.”
The blonde beauty also shared that the fans should wait for the September issue of Playboy. It is still uncertain of the September issue is a centerfold. Although Anna sweated it out to be picture-perfect for the part, being a girlfriend didn’t involve too much mental stress.
She revealed, “I did very little to emotionally prepare — I worked out, got hair extensions and bought lots of padded bras.”
But speaking of Hef and his girlfriends, it seems things weren’t quite so sunny at the annual Fourth of July bash at the mansion on Friday.
According to some partygoers, there was a bit of a tiff among the girls and Kendra wasn’t speaking to Holly or Bridget.
An eyewitness revealed, “They didn’t even exchange glances. I don’t know what happened, but Kendra made sure to keep her distance.”
It has been speculated for quite some time that 23-year-old Wilkinson is getting ready to fly the coop, having been busy focusing on building her own brand-name independent of the “Girls Next Door.”
Only time will tell, but last time we spoke to Hef, himself, just a few weeks ago, he said that it’s quite amazing they’ve all been together for this long.
He added, “Girls will be girls, and there are moments where they will disagree. The amazing thing, quite frankly, is that we’re all together after six years.”
Categories Other Celebrities Tags Anna Faris, girlfriend, honorary, Hugh Hefner, new, The House Bunny Leave a comment Post navigation
Angelina Jolie Gives Birth, Brad Pitt Was “Very Emotional”
Miley Cyrus: Photo Scandal Again?
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Oklahoma linebacker Frank Shannon suspended
Written By Greg Garno
(AP Photo) https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sporting_news/e2/48/frank-shannon-oklahoma-041614-ap-ftr_1r4mcbwhw7pvz1wp3by71htkk0.jpg?t=-754630889&w=500&quality=80
University of Oklahoma president David Boren announced Monday that linebacker Frank Shannon is suspended for the year, but the school has been unable to enforce the decision.
Shannon was initially suspended June 18, as reported by The Oklahoman, after a Title IX investigation by the school uncovered an alleged sexual assault from January. He appealed the decision after the original announcement, which prevented him from being suspended.
MORE: Offseason incidents piling up | SN Top 25
The University brought the case to the Supreme Court on Monday, asking it to overturn an earlier ruling that allowed Shannon to remain enrolled in school and participate in football activities.
"The University is unable to enforce its process at this time," Boren said in a statement. "The University has and is taking every legal step possible to move this process forward. The university is currently seeking to enforce its decision so that it may be in compliance with federal law requiring responses by institutions to such matters in a timely manner. With the fall semester beginning August 18, time is of the essence."
According to Boren's statement, the investigation included "the Title IX Office inquiry, a hearing panel comprised of faculty and staff, and an appeal to the chief student affairs officer."
Last season, Shannon recorded 92 tackles while helping lead the Sooners to a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama.
The school said federal privacy law and other legal considerations prohibited it from making further statements.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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Vape users, businesses rip Baker's sales ban
By Chris LisinskiState House News Service
Opponents of the Baker administration's temporary ban on all vaping products came out in force Friday to slam the emergency regulation in the only public hearing scheduled on its impact.
One after another, speakers who packed the hearing to standing room only argued that the governor's step was draconian and would harm local businesses or drive users toward an illicit market. Applause was frequent, and at least one attendee wore a shirt bearing the message "I Vape, I vote."
Many shared personal stories of addiction to cigarettes that had only been curbed with vaping products.
"If there's going to be nicotine still sold in cigarettes, I should be allowed to smoke nicotine in a vape, especially if it's a healthier alternative," vape user Kyle Oliva told Department of Public Health officials at the hearing.
Gov. Charlie Baker ordered the ban Sept. 24 amid a national outbreak of vaping-related lung illnesses, hoping that a four-month pause on all sales of vape products would allow officials to gather more definitive information about the cause of those illnesses and deaths.
The ban was shortened to three months, now set to expire Dec. 24, after a judge ordered the administration to refile its ban on nicotine vaping products as an emergency regulation. That ruling asserted that only the Cannabis Control Commission could pull medical marijuana vaping products off shelves, and the commission's executive director later did so as a quarantine.
Three Massachusetts deaths have been linked to the outbreak so far.
Many speakers at Friday's hearing, however, argued that a blanket ban on all vaping products unfairly punishes legal, regulated nicotine for potential problems with THC-containing cannabis vapes or illicit products.
Boston University School of Public Health professor Michael Siegel pointed to a Nov. 8 announcement from the Centers for Disease Control that vitamin E acetate, often added as a thickening agent to products that contain THC, had been identified in 29 out of 29 samples from patients afflicted with the illness.
The only "rational action" for state regulators to take in the wake of the CDC's update, Siegel argued, was to discontinue the ban from applying to nicotine products.
"Not only is this ban not preventing any outbreak cases — because those cases are not being caused by the banned products — but the ban is likely making the outbreak worse," Siegel testified. "Why? Because youth who can no longer access nicotine e-liquids are simply switching over to many of the sweet, fruity, alcohol-based and other attractive flavors that are readily available in THC vape products."
Several attendees at Friday's hearing said their businesses had been devastated by the ban. Jonathan Lau, who owns The Vape Shop in Brighton, told reporters that he had to lay off three employees and has $50,000 to $60,000 in products he cannot sell. He said he will likely need to file for bankruptcy.
"I myself am stuck with two leases for another two years on locations that I can't sell anything out of, or at least I can't sell my flavored nicotine to help people quit smoking," he said.
Lau brought his children to the microphone with him at Friday's hearing, and his 6-year-old son Jayden closed his father's testimony by asking officials why vaping was banned but not smoking.
Separate from Baker's temporary prohibition on sale of all vaping products, the Legislature agreed this week on a bill that would permanently bar businesses from offering any flavored tobacco product, including what would be a first-in-the-nation ban on mentholated cigarettes.
Lawmakers argued the flavor ban is necessary to prevent addictive nicotine products from being marketed toward youth, but speakers fired back at Friday's hearing that flavors can be a helpful tool to help smokers switch from combustible cigarettes to vaping.
Baker has not indicated if he supports the menthol component or what his plans are regarding the bill.
The Supreme Judicial Court will hear oral arguments on Dec. 9 in a lawsuit the Vapor Technology Administration filed against Baker's vape ban.
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PERSONAL INJURY BLOG: Insurance Law
At Strype Injury Lawyers, securing your future is our life’s work. We do not settle files to appease insurance companies.
Accidents, Car Accidents, Insurance Law, Personal Injury News
Report the accident to the police or a collision reporting centre (CRC) within 24 hours.
What to do in a hit and run accident
1. If anyone was injured during the hit and run accident, call 911.
2. Ask anyone who may have witnessed the incident to get information about the driver, car(s) involved and accident.
Don’t forget to get their contact information in case the police or your insurer needs to follow up. If possible, gather the following:
Licence plate number
The other vehicle’s make, model and colour
Description of the other driver
Direction the other vehicle was headed
Location, time and cause of the accident
Photos of the damage to your vehicle, especially if the other car’s paint is visible where the impact took place
Photos of the accident scene
Description of damage to the other vehicle
3. Report the accident to the police or a collision reporting centre (CRC) within 24 hours.
Your report helps the police apprehend the guilty party. Give them all the information you’ve gathered, as well as the names and numbers of any witnesses.
Can I Get Collision Reports Online?
Yes, once the report has been filed and processed, you can get a copy of your collision report online through Service Ontario. They can be ordered online 20 days after the collision report was filed. To gain access to the report you will be required to supply your driver’s license number, collision report number, and MTO collision reference number. $12 fee applies.
Order a collision report online here.
Ontario Collision Reporting Centres
There are more than 30 collision reporting centres dispersed across the province of Ontario.
GTA Collision Reporting Centres
Collision reporting centre Toronto : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Newmarket : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Scarborough : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Mississauga : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre North York : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Whitby : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Brampton : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Ajax (Durham) : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Halton North : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Halton South : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Halton West : Contact Information
Hamilton and Niagara Region Collision Reporting Centres
Collision reporting centre Niagara Falls : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Welland : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre St. Catharines : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Hamilton Central : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Hamilton East : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Hamilton Mountain : Contact Information
Additional Collision Reporting Centres In Ontario
Collision reporting centre Barrie : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Bellville : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Brantford : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Chatham-Kent : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Guelph : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Ottawa : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre London : Contact Information
Collision reporting centre Kingston : Contact Information
OPP collision reporting centre: Contact Information
NOTE – Not all cities have an accident reporting centre. If you are involved in an accident in a towns or rural area in Ontario that does NOT have a reporting centre, call the local police department.
Get a full list of Ontario collision reporting centres here.
4. Notify your auto insurance company.
If you want to file a not-at-fault insurance claim, note that most insurance companies require that any hit-and-run damage be reported to the police within 24 hours for the claim to be considered a hit-and-run.
1. Don’t follow a driver who flees the scene.
Not only is it unsafe, but you might miss getting eyewitness accounts. Instead, call the police and provide any identifying information to them.
2. Don’t wait to call the police or your auto insurance company.
The official accident report will help police look for the missing driver and will be useful when you file your accident claim.
How does a hit-and-run affect your auto insurance premium?
A hit-and-run accident claim is paid out under the collision coverage of your auto insurance policy. You may be able to avoid this cost if you have a $0 deductible coverage included on your policy. Note that hit-and-run accidents are typically the only accident in which you are not at fault for which you will be required to pay your collision deductible.
However, if the driver who hit your car can be identified, the loss may be paid out under the Direct compensation property damage coverage of your policy which is normally not subject to a deductible. For this reason, it’s always best to speak to any potential witnesses.
All is well that ends well
A “hit and run” is when a person involved in an accident leaves without identifying itself. What to do if you are the victim of a hit and run?
Settlement process in a hit and run
Police report release
Contact the police as soon as possible. They will fill in and give you the number of the report. Note that some police forces no longer draw up reports for hit and runs. This does not affect your claim. You can then contact your insurer or broker directly.
Contact your insurer
Call your insurer or broker as soon as possible. Send him a copy of the police report number.
Appraise the damage
Your insurer will examine your vehicle to appraise the damage and establish the cost of repairs. He may suggest a garage for the repairs. You may also choose your own.
Agree on a settlement
Your insurer will repair your car according to the terms and conditions under your policy.
Indemnity payment
Depending on the agreement, your insurer may indemnify you or reimburse the garage directly.
You will be compensated if you purchased collision coverage (“All Perils” or “Collision or Upset” under Section B of your policy). Your insurer will indemnify you within 60 days following receipt of your request and the supporting documents. For a speedy claims settlement, make sure you have all the relevant documents handy.
The insurer will deduct the amount of the policy deductible from the compensation. A number of insurers offer no deductible coverage for hit and runs. Check it out!
January 9, 2020 /by Admin
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Accidents, Car Accidents, Insurance Law, Personal Injury News, Road Safety
Lawyer tries to overhaul civil jury process
Jeff Strype, Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Lawyer, Toronto
A Toronto personal injury lawyer is not giving up his fight to reform the province’s civil jury process, despite a setback in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
In Kapoor v. Kuzmanovski, Regional Senior Justice Peter Daley ruled against the plaintiff’s motion to either exclude anyone who pays car insurance premiums from the jury pool or give him the right to challenge them for cause.
But plaintiff’s counsel Jeff Strype has already applied for leave to appeal the decision to the Divisional Court, claiming drivers should be struck in these cases due to an inherent conflict of interest created by the risk large damage awards pose to their own premium levels.
He says he would like to see Ontario follow the lead of other jurisdictions, such as Quebec and the United Kingdom, where juries are no longer allowed in motor vehicle cases. In others, such as B.C., he says reforms such as a legislated right to challenge jury panel members for cause and expensive jury fees have helped level a playing field that otherwise seems tilted in favour of insurance companies.
“I think we have a serious problem; we’re the last bastion of the civil jury in the free world, with the possible exception of the U.S., where they have their own issues,” says Strype, the principal at Strype Injury Lawyers in Toronto. “I think I speak for the plaintiffs’ bar when I say that this has to be remedied. We need some more openness and transparency about how these triers of fact are arriving at their verdicts.”
Trying motor vehicle accident cases without a jury would also have the added benefit of saving time and courtroom space in an era of squeezed resources, according to Strype. As well as the problems caused by judicial shortages, he says, civil cases are more likely to be shunted as the knock-on effects are felt from the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R. v. Jordan, which imposed strict deadlines on criminal cases heard in Superior Court.
“Jury cases take twice as long as judge-alone trials, so that could them free them up to do so much more work,” Strype says.
Read the whole article here: Law Times News Article
December 4, 2018 /by Admin
https://www.strype.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-strype-shield-white.png 0 0 Admin https://www.strype.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-strype-shield-white.png Admin2018-12-04 08:32:582018-12-04 08:32:58Lawyer tries to overhaul civil jury process
Car Accidents, Insurance Law
Auto insurer fights paying a teen with catastrophic injury
“It was a gotcha moment that didn’t go so well for an insurance company determined to play hard ball with a mentally ill young woman.
For 16 days — more than double the usual length of an arbitration — the lawyer for RBC Insurance, now Aviva, hammered away at S.P., insisting she wasn’t really left seriously injured after she was rear-ended in a 2010 collision when she was just 17.
Witnesses testified S.P. was a shadow of the person she was before the accident. Once a good student who aspired to be a lawyer, her mental health had deteriorated to the point where she was suicidal, repeatedly hospitalized, prone to angry outbursts, forced to drop out of college after a breakdown and incapable of holding down a job.
Of course, the insurer tried everything in their arsenal to prevent having to pay out. How low they will go is just astounding. …”
Read the whole article by Michele Mandel, award-winning columnist for the Toronto Sun currently writing about justice issues: http://torontosun.com/news/local-news/mandel-shameful-attempts-by-auto-insurer-to-fight-paying-a-teen-with-catastrophic-injury
Each day Strype Injury Lawyers work with people whose lives and families have been destroyed by the negligence of others.
With more than 50 years of experience, Strype Injury Lawyers have built a reputation for legal excellence and client advocacy. Our approach is simple: if a reasonable out-of-court settlement can’t be reached, we will take your case to court and litigate to obtain fair compensation.
Contact us today and tell us about your situation. Our team of personal injury lawyers, paralegals, insurance, financial, disability, benefits and administrative professionals are here to listen and help.
https://www.strype.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-strype-shield-white.png 0 0 Admin https://www.strype.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-strype-shield-white.png Admin2018-01-18 16:44:302018-01-18 17:00:47Auto insurer fights paying a teen with catastrophic injury
Birth Injuries, Insurance Law, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury News
Michelle Kungl’s incredible journey: Disability and disability insurance
Ontario’s narrow and rule-bound social assistance system: does it cover medical and disability-related expenses.
From the moment she was born, Michelle Kungl has been fighting — for her life, for independence, for every breath. She has battled every obstacle with a warrior’s spirit, but now, as an adult, she is up against her most daunting barrier yet: Ontario’s rule-bound social assistance system.
Michelle overcame impossible medical odds as a child. But as an adult she is fighting her most frustrating and seemingly impossible battle yet — convincing Ontario’s narrow and rule-bound social assistance system that she is disabled enough to receive help to cover her extraordinary medical and disability-related expenses.
For more than two decades, Pooran and other disability advocates have been urging Queen’s Park to ease the onerous reporting requirements and strict income and asset rules that govern ODSP. He is accompanying Michelle and Lyn to a meeting with provincial officials early next month to discuss her case.
Although Pooran acknowledges Michelle is somewhat unique — few with her level of disability work full time — her experience highlights the problem most people on social assistance face when they try to work or receive income from other sources. More than 900,000 Ontarians rely on social assistance, including more than 490,000 on ODSP. Barely 10 per cent of individuals receiving ODSP have employment income.
It is a key issue Community and Social Services Minister Helena Jaczek asked a provincial working group to address last summer as part of a review of Ontario’s income security system. The group’s 10-year blueprint for reform, is expected in October.
In the meantime, a ministry spokesperson said the government has already increased the amount individuals and families can deduct from their earnings for disability-work related expenses from $300 to $1,000 a month.
Read this whole story by By Laurie Monsebraaten Social justice reporter in here. See photos, here.
Read about accident benefits, on our site, here.
https://www.strype.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/insurancedisputes.jpg 1067 1600 Admin https://www.strype.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-strype-shield-white.png Admin2017-09-05 14:00:022017-10-02 09:04:50Michelle Kungl's incredible journey: Disability and disability insurance
Car Accidents, Insurance Law, Personal Injury News
Auto insurance rates rise again, putting promised cuts in the rearview
Province previously said it’d reduce premiums by an average of 15 per cent.
Auto insurance rates in Ontario rose again in the second quarter of 2017.
Approved rates posted by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario show an average increase of 0.76 per cent.
Last quarter, rates went up by an average of 1.24 per cent.
Read more, here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/auto-insurance-rates-go-up-1.4212510
Strype Injury Lawyers have decades of experience and success trying complex automotive accident cases.
Catastrophic automotive accidents can transform a person’s life in a matter of seconds. Our goal is to leverage our experience and expertise to secure the maximum possible settlement needed to fund your post-injury medical and lifestyle needs.
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Strype Injury Lawyers: Access to Justice
Court delays deny access to justice for personal injury victims
Virtually every week, media headlines shine a spotlight on the trial delays plaguing our courts. But this coverage tells only half the story of the hurdles faced by personal injury victims in Ontario when it comes to gaining fair access to justice.
As we’ve seen in several high-profile cases such as the Supreme Court’s decision in R v Jordan—in which the Court decided that criminal cases in provincial courts should take no longer than 18 months from the charge to the end of trial—criminal charges, even grievous ones, are sometimes ‘stayed’ or dismissed because they were not dealt with expeditiously.
Those charged with a crime in Canada are entitled to trial within a reasonable time under s. 11(b) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
There is, however, another unintended consequence of that Supreme Court ruling. Because criminal trials take precedence over civil actions and because we have a serious shortage of judges, civil proceedings are often unreasonably delayed, sometimes for years on end. A civil suit in Ontario may require six to eight years from the date that the Statement of Claim is issued until resolution.
The impact on personal injury victims
Victims who are injured in a motor vehicle accident or another catastrophic event are often unable to work, and as a result, must survive financially on accident benefits in the interim—amounts that tend to be a mere fraction of their regular income. This hardship often results in significant stress, mental health issues, divorce and family breakdown.
Furthermore, because of the way that accident benefits are structured, insurers can arbitrarily cut off those benefits, which they do routinely.
The unfair settlement loophole
Insurance companies exploit these facts and delays to their advantage. They fully understand that their own clients are often desperate to settle for much less than they deserve, because they are facing bankruptcy. To compound the pressure, they routinely seek multiple court delays of six months to a year for various reasons, and consistently refuse to make reasonable—or any—offers of settlement. They know that a trial will be set so far in the future that their client will be forced to accept minimal compensation just to survive.
Even if a trial date is determined, that only indicates its opening day. Because of the problems in the court system, civil trials are routinely interrupted, or canceled at the last minute and rescheduled many months into the future. This is not only unfair to the plaintiffs, it also forces their lawyers to spend inordinate amounts of time preparing for a trial, then more time at a much later date as they work to review the case once again.
Insurance companies benefit with every delay in the resolution of a case, all at accident victims’ expense.
Jury trials for injury cases
The worst-case scenario for an accident victim is a trial by jury. Those trials take 50 per cent longer than trials by judge alone, largely for procedural reasons.
The situation is so dire that in Brampton, for example, jurors are being bused back and forth every day to other locations such as Milton or Orangeville, because of the shortage of judges and trial space. Juries, on the other hand, are subconsciously aware that substantial awards will affect their own car insurance rates, and often award sums that fall far short in addressing accident victims’ medical and ongoing support needs.
The case for timely justice in civil law
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that an accused in a criminal case has the right to be tried “within a reasonable time frame”, and that the court “has a role to play in changing courtroom culture and facilitating a more efficient justice system.”
This ‘access to justice’ standard should apply to civil cases as well.
– Strype Injury Law
Get more information about the process of personal injury trials or settlements – contact Strype Injury Law today.
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Accident Benefits & Tort
TTC Accidents
LET US EXPLAIN YOUR RIGHTS
Learn more about your rights after an accident, contact us for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION with a Toronto Lawyer
Email us or call us today at:
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Strype Injury Lawyers
We represent clients throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and surrounding communities.
Our top priority is helping you rebuild your life in the months after suffering a catastrophic injury.
Former MPP advocates for phones down law to combat distracted walking
The Vision Zero Road Safety Plan
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Officials announce what’s believed to be Canada’s first vaping-related illness
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Tragedy highlights the hidden dangers of high heels
AuthorKate Sweeney
It was reported in the media last week that Sian Thomas, a 38-year-old old pub landlady had died in an extremely rare accident after falling over in high heeled shoes. The inquest heard that she stumbled after catching her heel in the hem of her dress, causing her to fall, sustaining bruising to her knee.
Following this, she joked about her accident on Facebook describing the fall in lighthearted terms. In what the coroner described as "fantastically rare" circumstances, she developed an embolism as a result of the bruise and tragically died two days later from a blood clot on the brain. The verdict was given as accidental death.
This rare but tragic case highlights that sometimes woman's footwear can be inappropriate and downright dangerous. We're not talking about Lady Gaga type skyscrapers, but ordinary stilettos, wedges or even flip-flops worn by woman every day to work and to every kind of social occasion. Women love shoes - its in our nature to look at pictures of A-list celebrities on the red carpet, and covet their Louboutins or Jimmy Choos.
However a survey carried out some time ago by insurance firm Sheila's Wheels confirmed that 10% of the women surveyed admitted to having an accident or a "near miss" in their vehicle because their shoes had slipped off or got stuck between or underneath the pedals. Astonishingly a quarter of the women surveyed said that they would not bother to change their shoes before they started driving, even if they knew that the footwear they were wearing was unsafe.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents had confirmed that on past figures, around 7,000 trips to Accident and Emergency Departments around the country had been caused by high heeled shoes. This is no doubt also not helped by people consuming alcohol whilst wearing heels. The RoSPA's advice has been, particularly as we are approaching the winter months, and no doubt with the advent of snow and ice across the land, that people should wear lower heels when walking from venue to venue, and change into their "party" shoes when they arrive.
The message seems to be to carry on having a good time but please watch your step!
By personal injury executive, Pauline Smith
Consumer & Dispute Resolution
Court of Protection - Healthcare & Social Services
Criminal Defence & Appeals
Motoring & Haulage
Can I make an injury claim on behalf of a loved one following an accident in their care home?
Credit hire - why hire two vehicles?
Personal injury claims - evidencing losses
How do I know if my personal injury solicitor is right for me?
Dupuytren's Contracture recognised as an industrial disease
Can I make a claim against my employer if I am injured at the Christmas party?
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School-supply donations needed
Project Fresh Start has more registered families, and needs supplies to accommodate.
School-supply donations needed Project Fresh Start has more registered families, and needs supplies to accommodate. Check out this story on stevenspointjournal.com: http://spjour.nl/1TlHujC
Stevens Point Journal Media Published 1:23 p.m. CT July 30, 2015 | Updated 12:08 p.m. CT Aug. 11, 2015
This is the first year Project Fresh Start has offered online registration, and expects a 30 percent rise in registered families.(Photo: File photo)
Correction: This story has been changed to correct the date of the school supply distribution to Aug. 15.
STEVENS POINT – More families are signing up to benefit from Project Fresh Start than usual, and those kids may not receive all the school supplies they need if United Way doesn’t boost its yearly average for donations.
Kayla Rombalski, Volunteer Center director with United Way of Portage County, said its new online application feature is likely the cause of the spike in registration. Families must pre-register to receive a guaranteed spot at the school-supply drive Aug. 15, and the online convenience has spurred a 30 percent increase in signups compared to last year, Rombalski said.
Project Fresh Start is an annual school-supply drive that provides essential materials to students in Portage County who qualify for the free and reduced-price lunch program. Last year, Project Fresh Start served 1,154 students in need.
On average, Rombalski said United Way of Portage County receives about $65,000 in donated school supplies every year, which wouldn’t be enough to cover the 30 percent increase this year. When Project Fresh Start organizers see there aren’t enough school supplies, Rombalski said the organization uses its donated funds to purchase the remaining supplies. However, those shopping trips are limited, she said, because the organization only has so much money to spend.
“That will pose a challenge,” Rombalski said. “We need to decide which items are the most important, and which items we need to provide to every child.”
Related:Stevens Point Journal joins school-supply drive
While families must register to receive their own spot Aug. 15, Project Fresh Start also provides school supplies to families who show up the day of. Those students must wait until the registered families are served, though, and Rombalski said there’s a chance those students won’t have supplies to choose from if Project Fresh Start runs out of donations.
There are donation sites available around town, including at the Stevens Point Journal. Community members can drop off school supplies at the Journal office, 1200 Third St., any time between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Journal will collect donations until Aug. 12.
Rombalski said the supplies Project Fresh Start needs but most often lacks are durable backpacks for older students. Otherwise, the list of supplies are mixed in terms of need. Rombalski said Project Fresh Start has a lot of crayons already, so they fall at the bottom of the list.
Community members don’t need to go out and buy everything a child needs for school, Rombalski said.
“We’re only going to get to 2,000 glue sticks one glue stick at a time,” Rombalski said. “Even if you just go out and buy a few things, that really makes a difference to us.”
David Lockett, director of elementary education with the Stevens Point Area School District, said school supplies are essential to student confidence, especially on the first day of school.
He said when teachers ask students to take out their notebook and a pencil, kids who don’t have those items are put in a spot they “don’t know how to deal with.” Lockett said the Stevens Point community has done a good job of making sure Portage County students have what they need in years past.
“It makes them (students) feel confident and ready to learn,” Lockett said. “Emotionally, I think it puts them in a better spot.”
Allie Richter, a volunteer with Project Fresh Start since 2005, said the most rewarding part about working with the project was the reactions kids have about their new supplies.
“It’s adorable watching them (kids) get so excited about the small things we take for granted,” Richert said. “Things they wouldn’t normally have.”
Lauren French can be reached at 715-345-2258 and Lfrench2@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter as @Laurenkatef22.
Read or Share this story: http://spjour.nl/1TlHujC
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Find out the latest church community and conservation project news.
Image Credit: daysey, Swindon Photographic Society
Worship & Community
Young Church
1000 Years of History
St. John Family Monuments
Conservation Project
Get all the latest news and views from the St Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze team.
Volunteers invited to join St. Mary’s Project Education & Events team
Are you inspired by St Mary’s 1000 year history? Do you enjoy engaging with young people? Do you have some […]
St Mary’s is part of the West Swindon and the Lydiard Tregoze Church Partnership, comprising the multi-denominational churches (Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and United Reform Church) of Toothill, Westlea, Holy Trinity Shaw and St Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze.
Church Partnership Office: 01793 874221
St Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze
Lydiard Park, Swindon SN5 3PA
© 2020 St Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze.
Website by Sanders Web Works
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Sabrina Aggarwal was born outside of Philadelphia, but has spent a lot of time in India, Guatamala, Europe, Africa, and now calls Jersey City "home". While her "day job" is in healthcare PR, her personal passion lies in photography, with a focus on humanitarian and travel, hence the name of this exhibit, "Faces, Places, Spaces". Her photography work has been featured in Travel & Leisure, the Jaipur Literary Festival and Mercy Corps and her photography influences include Steve McCurry and Sebastio Selgado. She's always had a desire to help people, explore new countries and learn about different cultures, and hopefully this is evident in her work.
Periamma (www.periamma.org)
Sabrina Aggarwal
www.sabrinaaggarwal.com
aggarwal.sabrina@gmail.com
Faces, Places & Spaces
Sabrina Aggarwal | New Jersey, United States
Photographer: Sabrina Aggarwal
Exhibit Title: Faces, Places & Spaces
On the prowl, leopard in Kruger Park, South Africa
"Faces, Places and Spaces" takes the viewer from Peru to Guatemala, Cuba, India, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Japan. The theme focuses on the fact that faces, places and spaces transcend borders - a smile, anticipation, hunger, laughter, and much more. What we often think divides us is merely perception. When you look at many of the faces in this exhibit, you'll find commonalities in the glimmer of an eye, a mustache and pride.
Affiliated NGOs
Sabrina Aggarwal | Faces, Places & Spaces | United States
Have you Herd, elephant breastfeeding in Kruger Park, South Africa
Going Places, Havana, Cuba
Rajasthani regality, Jaipur, India
Boy in window in Antigua, Guatemala
Coffee maker, Cape Town, South Africa
School teacher, Kampala, Uganda
School children, Kampala, Uganda
Three-year old 'anticipated' for her first dance performance in Tamil Nadu, india
Three-year old anticipated for her first dance performance in Tamil Nadu, India
Teenage Maasai Warrior, Maasai Mara, Kenya
School children going home from school in Tamil Nadu, India
Invitation to dance, Tamil Nadu, India
Laughter as Medicine, Kampala, Uganda
Mysterious Geisha, Kyoto, Japan
Young girl waits in anticipation before town parade in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala
A blue and white long and winding road in Cusco, Peru
A grandfather and grandson in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala
Shrine gates in Kyoto, Japan
Civilized in Machu Picchu
The perfect archway in Antigua, Guatemala
A mother and child in Tamil Nadu, India
The many colors of Bo Kaap, South africa
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Intel’s Coffee Lake processors hold their ground against new Ryzen chips
By Darren Allan 2018-07-03T13:21:27.183Z
At least according to statistics from one German retailer
New sales stats from a popular German tech retailer have cast some light on the current state of the processor market, showing that while AMD has fought back with the recent launch of its Ryzen 2nd Generation chips, the firm hasn’t done enough to break the dominance of Intel’s Coffee Lake CPUs.
According to Mindfactory.de, which we’ve seen figures from in the past, Intel captured 55% of its processor sales in June 2018, compared to 45% for AMD. So it’s still a fairly tight race between the two chip giants, but AMD has failed to recover all the ground it has lost to Intel’s 8th-gen CPUs.
Read more: Intel Core i9-9980XE
As you may remember, with the launch of the original Ryzen processors, AMD really turned things around, and actually took the majority share of processor sales according to this particular retailer – by a margin of 56% to 44% by the time August 2017 rolled around.
Intel had grabbed the majority share back come the end of last year, though, and pulled away to take a 61% market share in January and February of this year, off the back of new Coffee Lake chips.
That lead has since diminished, actually dropping to 51% in May, but Intel has now moved up to a 55% share in June as mentioned.
In other words, the launch of the Ryzen 2nd Generation processors in April has had something of an impact in helping AMD to claw back market share, but Intel is still holding strong as the majority power despite Ryzen’s successor.
Of course, it’s worth underlining that this is a very limited data sample set of just one source, which we can only draw limited conclusions from. But it’s still interesting to see the relative fluctuations nonetheless, and the fact that Ryzen 2nd Generation apparently hasn’t made nearly the same impact as the original CPUs.
Bestselling chips
AMD’s bestselling processor remains to be the Ryzen 5 1600, which, according to stats revealed in April by the German retailer, is the firm’s all time bestseller (and has only been outsold by six Intel chips). Of the Ryzen 2nd Generation chips, the Ryzen 7 2700X put in a strong showing – it was the second-best processor for AMD in terms of sales.
Neither of those offerings could hold a candle to Intel’s top dog, however: the mighty Core i7-8700K. The Core i5-8600K and Core i5-8400 were also very strong sellers for AMD’s rival.
Further interesting observations include the fact that Intel’s Coffee Lake processors represent no less than 47% of all CPUs sold – so very nearly half of all the chips flogged.
And if you look at revenue rather than unit sales, Intel’s position is even stronger, with the company taking 62% of the money being spent on processors by punters.
That’s because Intel is better maintaining its prices, whereas AMD is lowering its price tags, particularly when it comes to the original Ryzen chips which have been reduced considerably compared to their recommended price at launch.
We’ve picked out the best laptops of 2018
Via Wccftech.com
See more Processors news
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How tech will turn you into a grinch this Christmas
By Gary Marshall 2013-12-24T10:13:00.357Z
Techy? 'Tis the season to be taken for granted
Quick! Pull the stocking over your head and HIDE!
Christmas. It's a time for people to weep at advertisements for supermarkets, for drunken uncles to offend entire families with a single joke and for gran to start peeling off her tights at the dinner table because her feet are too hot. And if you're a geek, it's even worse.
Picture the scene. It's Christmas morning, and hurrah! Santa has been! And he's brought you a PS4 or an Xbox One!
That's brilliant, and while the fact that you pre-ordered it in an in-store punch-up months ago has ruined the surprise somewhat, your heart sings with gaming joy as you unbox it, plug it in - and discover that there's a 10-petabyte day-one patch that must be downloaded before you can even think about playing a game.
And of course, everyone else in the street has the same console, and they're online, and downloading the patch, and ruining the internet for everything and everyone else. Netflix? You'd be lucky to get an animated GIF.
Still, at least that gives you time to do other things. Things such as taking part in the hot new sensation that's sweeping the nation: acting as IT support to a bunch of six-year-olds.
At some point last year, it seems that all of the toy companies got together and decided on four key things: one, that wherever possible even the simplest toy would require a secure wireless internet connection; two, that if a toy used batteries, those batteries must never be the AA or AAAs we've got in our kitchen drawers but WTF models such as LR44s and CR2032s; and three, that those batteries had to be placed in compartments secured with the smallest, fiddliest screws imaginable.
Why oh why oh Wi-Fi
There was a fourth decision, and it's by far the worst one: it's the move to give even the smallest, cheapest toy a companion app. Our parents used to moan about shelling out for batteries for our toys. That was nothing. Today, we're expected to hand over £400 tablets so junior can make their Furby flutter its eyelashes. And woe betide you if you try to palm the kids off with an Argos MyTablet or ALDI's £80 Android: they know it isn't an iPad, and they'll wait until you nod off in your chair and then run up £1,000 in in-app purchases out of sheer spite.
Still, there's always your console… nope, it's still patching.
Time to visit the folks.
It's a well known fact that parents dread hearing certain phrases, such as "I've decided to become a pole dancer" or "I've crashed your car into a gathering of nuns" - but parents don't realise that we dread hearing things from them too. Whose soul hasn't shrunk into a tiny ball at the words "would you mind having a look at the computer? I'm sure it won't take long" on a frosty Christmas morning, especially if they're accompanied by Satan's little helpers "wireless printer" and "Windows XP"?
It's not just your parents, either. No matter where you go, the slightest indication that you can navigate a TiVo box or connect a USB device the right way round means you're the butt of a terrible traditional joke:
"What's got an Intel processor, a Seagate hard disk and EVERY SINGLE VIRUS EVER INVENTED?"
"I don't know! What's got an Intel processor, a Seagate hard disk and EVERY SINGLE VIRUS EVER INVENTED?"
"Let us know when you've fixed it! Merry Christmas!"
Cheer yourself up with a look back at TechRadar's best articles of 2013
See more World of tech news
Zoho Projects review
AMD’s RX 5600 XT gets a speed boost to answer Nvidia’s big RTX 2060 price cut
What we want to see from Taika Waititi’s Star Wars movie
Could 2020 be the year laptops change for good?
Mass Effect trilogy remaster may have just been teased by Bioware
Huawei pitches its alternative to Google Play Store
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Brocade networking additions extend reach in the SDN space
by Scott Reeves in Data Centers on October 9, 2013, 12:43 PM PST
Scott Reeves looks at some recent announcements by Brocade that are aimed at cementing their place as a network and SDN vendor.
Brocade bought Foundry networks in late 2008; at the time, it was expected that the absorption of Foundry would mean that Brocade would offer more switches running IP and Ethernet, in addition to the existing product line of Fibre Channel switches. This has certainly been the case, and has given Brocade more leverage in the “traditional” networking areas of Ethernet and IP. On September 18 this year, an announcement was made by Brocade about new advances that will move their technology further into the Software Defined Networking space. A new switch also featured in the announcement.
Virtual Cluster Switching (VCS)
Brocade state that they now have Storage Aware Networking as one feature of the new VCS fabric. The new VCS virtual fabric is also touted as being hypervisor agnostic. However, the significant new feature is the ability to support 100GbE in the VCS fabric.
Another feature is VCS Auto QOS. This feature allows storage traffic to be given priority over other traffic. The capability that VCS has to support 100GbE should make it possible to support high capacity mixed environments comprising storage and other traffic on the network. Brocade has released a “blueprint” for the implementation. This contains various information on how to best utilise Brocade’s switches and VCS, as well as providing guidelines on segregation of layer 2 traffic by traffic types.
A new switch
One of the selling points of VDX 6740 switch is that it has ASIC support for OpenFlow 1.3. There are several other features such as having 32 ports that can run any of Fiber Channel, Ethernet or FCoE. The ports can run at 10GbE or at 40GbE.
Photo Credit: Brocade
A new router
Brocade is looking to strengthen its hand in the software defined networking space by releasing the new Vyatta 5600 router (PDF). The stated speed is 10GBps per x86 core. The 5600 router runs the Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) component. The router also supports Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) routing. It will not be available till early 2014.
The announcements by Brocade are twofold. The switches aim to further consolidate Brocade’s existing market in Ethernet switches, whilst the Vyatta 5600 router aims to further entrench Brocade in the NFV space. Both developments suggest Brocade is looking ahead to virtualization and cloud futures.
Comment and share: Brocade networking additions extend reach in the SDN space
By Scott Reeves
Scott Reeves has worked for Hewlett Packard on HP-UX servers and SANs, and has worked in similar areas in the past at IBM. Currently he works as an independent IT consultant, specializing in Wi-Fi networks and SANs.
Data Centers Networking Hardware Virtualization Storage Cloud Data Centers on ZDNet
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