pred_label
stringclasses 2
values | pred_label_prob
float64 0.5
1
| wiki_prob
float64 0.25
1
| text
stringlengths 110
1.02M
| source
stringlengths 39
45
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
__label__cc
| 0.739952
| 0.260048
|
5 Reasons Why Python Is The Dominant Language For Machine Learning
Former Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka Raises $50 Million For His New AI Startup
“Rome was not built in a day” and neither was the prominent Python programming language. But, this general-purpose, high-level language has started to beat other languages in a relatively shorter period of time. Our Annual Survey on Data Science Recruitment shows that almost 75% of respondents said that it was crucial for job seekers to know Python language to get an opportunity in data science
According to the Stack Overflow Survey 2018, Python is the most wanted language for the second year in a row, which means it is the language that developers who do not yet use it most often say they want to learn. It is also claimed to be the fastest-growing major programming language. Developers and pioneers around the globe are implementing this language for machine learning projects.
Current contenders for being the “ML programming language”:
– Python
– Swift
Sadly the latter two stand little chance of wide adoption: major PLs come by roughly every two decades: C, C++, Java, Python each have 20 yrs inbetween. Seems like Python has won this round.
— Reza Zadeh (@Reza_Zadeh) May 19, 2019
In this article, we list down 5 reasons how Python became the dominant language in the field of machine learning.
The bonus point about Python is this language does not need any hardcore programmer to work on it. A beginner with a basic knowledge of programming language can easily get their hands dirty with Python. It can be considered as the beginner’s friendly language. If a developer is working on a machine learning project in python, he/she can spend more time on developing the model rather than fixing bugs. This independent language can also be called as one of the most flexible languages across different platforms and technologies. The language provides an option to choose between OOPs approach and scripting.
Vast Community
Python is well-known for its extremely vast community. Since its release, the community is contributing largely and which is the reason a Python user never feel abandoned with sudden changes. The constant upgrade by the developer community support makes Python one of the most suitable languages for machine learning applications. Large organisations such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, etc.are using this language.
5 Factors To Keep In Mind Before Investing In A Data Science Platform
Not only libraries but this language has extensive tutorials and documentation. Readability is a primary focus for Python developers, in both project and code documentation. The community provides quick development, rapid prototyping, friendly syntax, etc. to develop cognitive systems. The developers around the globe provide comprehensive support and help through tutorials, forums, etc, which makes it easy to code for any project.
Python has crossed more than two decades and it became more versatile as time passes. At the present scenario, it can be implemented on almost every operations, software development, working and managing cloud infrastructures, etc. This versatile language supports object-oriented programming, structured programming, and functional programming patterns, etc. and can be applied not only in projects like machine learning, data science but also in gaming, development, web frameworks, networking, etc. It also serves as a data handling backend tool with Spark support in order to manage a large amount of data.
Frameworks & Libraries
One thing the developers like most about Python is the abundance of open source libraries and frameworks. The language has a great number of machine learning libraries and some of the prominent libraries are such as TensorFlow, Pytorch, Matplotlib, SciKit Learn, etc. Python has a collection as well as code stack of various open source repositories in almost every domain such as Django for integrating web applications, pandas for machine learning, SciPy for scientific computing, Librosa for audio, OpenCV for images, NumPy for text, etc. Other commonly used libraries for artificial intelligence and machine learning are such as pyDatalog (Logic Programming engine in Python), PyML (a bilateral framework written in Python that focuses on SVMs and other kernel methods), EasyAI (Simple Python engine for two-players games with AI), PyBrain (simple and effective algorithm for ML tasks), AIMA (Python implementation of algorithms), SimpleAI, etc.
AIM Completes 7 Years, See What Lies Ahead For Us
How This Bangalore-Based Startup Is Using Machine Learning To Help Millennials Invest Wisely
Top Chatbots, Assistants & Facial Recognition Tools Launched In 2019
Why Children Are The Best Teachers For Artificial Intelligence
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line810
|
__label__cc
| 0.654203
| 0.345797
|
October 1, 2016 by Angela K. Durden
Dear Netflix,
From henceforward I promise never to watch any movie with a two-or-less star rating on Netflix.
The movie description said “A married man hears about the disappearance of his college lover.”
Mystery!
Yay. I love mysteries. Which will it be?
She’s kidnapped and the police are asking for any information from the public so he has to think back on what he knows about her to see if he holds a clue?
Or he murdered her years ago and hid the body so well it’s just now been found and he’s reviewing what he did to see if the popo can connect him?
Or it’s his wife that did in his old lover because she’s a jealous psycho?
But no. Nothing so good as that.
He’s just remembering all the kinky sex he had with her before he met his wife who, by the way, is a bigger hottie than his old lover. Wifey gets pregnant when a condom breaks and we see that in all its gory glory.
I say gory because who wants to look at that mess, his awesome package notwithstanding, which by this time we are getting the drift that our antihero/porn star is proud of and is the only asset he brings to this movie.
At this time you may be snickering and thinking: Angela was watching porn on purpose! Who knew she was a kinky girl?
You can just get that leer off your face because the answer is no, Angela was not watching porn on purpose.
Where’s the fast-forward button? EWWWWW…must. get. to. THE MYSTERY. I love.
But there was no mystery for him to solve, get caught for, or have to hire an attorney for his wife.
So after the above two scenes — which by the way were separated by a baby crying, our antihero laying in the bed listening to his crying heir while having the appropriate dazed and confused expression on his face that said Is this baby really mine?, and a scene of him looking somewhat appropriately pensive about his old lover’s disappearance — why, they’re back at it again.
All this only took five minutes and the damn movie is almost three hours long. Who ever heard of a three-hour long porn movie? Isn’t everybody usually asleep after the first fifteen minutes?
So I thought, let me bump through the thumbnails on the timeline and see what’s coming up.
Damn. It was more of the same, and that is when I made the above promise to never again ignore a Netflix rating. Look, millions of people in the anonymousness of their living rooms cannot be wrong.
However, I keep getting reminded of this movie because will the thumbnail of it get out of my list? No, it won’t. What’s worse is the thumbnail, which did not show up until after I had watched it, is tongue wrestling meant to look all sexy but isn’t. It doesn’t even look artsy like these:
That just shows you how bad the movie is when they can’t even get a decent thumbnail picture to go with it when it’s submitted for distribution.
Netflix, thank you. I will never ignore those little yellow stars again.
Watched Pots Never Boil
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line812
|
__label__cc
| 0.599606
| 0.400394
|
Webcasts Drive Engagement And Awareness And Profits, Oh My!
When Iron Mountain, provider of storage and information management services to most of the Fortune 1000, wanted to expand its offerings into the crowded North American mid-market business space, it sought Arketi Group’s expertise.
Together, we developed a promotional strategy to support a four-part webcast series weaponized with education. Its aim was to increase customer programming to drive engagement, provide awareness of and information on Iron Mountain solutions, generate demand, and position the company as an information management thought leader.
DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THIS CASE STUDY
INCREASING EXPOSURE Arketi researched industry organizations and social channels that could be used to augment Iron Mountain’s email campaigns. We homed in on a media sponsorship through ARMA, a records management organization, and a smattering of social promotions sprinkled on LinkedIn and Twitter – the best social channels for reaching Iron Mountain’s target audience.
Our research was used to develop a comprehensive marketing roadmap that identified campaign roles, responsibilities, deliverables and timelines. The resulting plan proposed a multi-channel, multi-touch approach aimed at Iron Mountain’s current customer base and key mid-market prospects.
Revenue generated from webinars
Webcast registrants
ROI entire webcast series
SCATTERING BREADCRUMBS Six weeks before the first webcast, promotional efforts began, which included:
Email campaign – Developing a four-touch, pre-webinar drip campaign, and a four-touch post-webinar campaign, with unique messaging for webcast attendees and no- shows.
Landing page – Designing, messaging and laying out the webcast landing page; and ensuring it highlighted the series and provided access to replays, additional content and prospect outreach.
Social – Developing multiple social ads for Twitter, LinkedIn, and the Iron Mountain website and newsletter.
Media Buy – Facilitating a year-long media buy with ARMA that included newsletter development and website advertisements.
“We knew we had potential in mid-market business but didn’t know how to tap it. Arketi Group not only brought the webcast series to life but enabled real-time connectivity and interaction with our existing and expanding customer base.”
John Hansen, Senior Manager, Demand Generation
NEXT CASE STUDY
Tech CMO Need-to-Knows
Arketi talked to the 50+ CMOs of technology companies who attended the seventh annual Tech CMO Roundtable. We asked them what matters, what’s missing, and what’s most important in their outlook for the coming year.
Here’s what they told us…
THE RESULTS WE ACHIEVED
Nine months after the first webcast, Iron Mountain’s numbers were strong. The series had 1,678 registrants, 740 (44%) of whom attended. Its credibility was confirmed as attendees stayed on each webcast for an average 53 minutes and downloaded 844 pieces of content. Lastly, the webinar series helped the company close 83 sales that generated $152,038 – an ROI of 200%. Success!
The webinar campaign also won a Phoenix award from the Public Relations Society of America.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line821
|
__label__wiki
| 0.999334
| 0.999334
|
Actors, Guest stars, Cast
Ron Selmour
Revision as of 13:24, September 13, 2014 by 154.69.165.94 (Talk)
"The Butcher"
Ronald "Ron" Selmour is an actor. He portrayed "The Butcher" in a guest starring role during the second season of Arrow.
"League of Assassins" "The Butcher"
"State v. Queen" "The Butcher"
"Three Ghosts" "The Butcher"
"The Promise" "The Butcher"
Ron Selmour at the Internet Movie Database
Retrieved from "https://arrow.fandom.com/wiki/Ron_Selmour?oldid=52197"
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line823
|
__label__wiki
| 0.515562
| 0.515562
|
Home > Arsenal > Pochettino is Starting to Look Like the Number one Target for Arsenal but it Won’t be Cheap
Pochettino is Starting to Look Like the Number one Target for Arsenal but it Won’t be Cheap
It’s said that after some consideration, the Arsenal board are keen to speak with Mauricio Pochettino regarding the position as Arsenal coach.
With the pond of big fish dwindling by the day and Arsenal’s form deteriorating by the match, it’s said that the North London club is on the verge of making official contact with the Argentinian.
Massimiliano Allegri was thought to be their top candidate but his reservations over the move have forced Arsenal’s hand. It is now being said that Mauricio Pochettino is the most preferred candidate for the Arsenal job.
The mood at the Emirates has certainly changed since Josh Kroenke declared that the Gunners were in ‘no hurry’ to make an appointment. It’s now believed that they now have a sense of urgency because of their faltering league position and the sudden realisation of the size of the task ahead.
Results are certainly forcing Arsenal to explore other options to Freddie Ljungberg. Had Arsenal performed well against Norwich and Brighton and secured a reasonable points return, Ljungberg would see out the season.
It’s clear there could be dangerous times ahead, with the side just ten points off the bottom of the Premier League and if the teams currently involved discover a rich vein of form, the Gunners could find themselves sucked into a dogfight to avoid the drop.
Interviews are scheduled for next week and some sources are reporting that two candidates have already been approached this week.
Supporters will be urging the club to employ an experienced manager that is capable of restoring order and discipline. Someone who has an overall vision of what style of football Arsenal can employ and that is familiar with the Premier League and English football, supposing Mauricio Pochettino as an example.
They will need to be able to organise the defence but it’s almost a hundred percent certain that Arsenal will have no choice but to dip into the transfer market in January to eliminate the problem.
How Many Players Will Survive the Arrival of a new Manager at Arsenal
Allegri, Pochettino, Arteta: Arsenal Could Have a new Manager in Place Within Weeks
Arsenal Supporters are Becoming Part of the Problem and its Only Going to Grow Worse
Mauricio Pochettino is said to be curious about what Arsenal have to offer but he is under no pressure to resume his managerial career at present but, can the Gunners afford to wait ? I don’t believe they can.
The problem is that with the slow removal of the other top candidates, we are gradually being left with a collection of vastly inexperienced former players and that is a massive gamble at this stage in the season.
Stay Tuned to know more.
Tagged Arsenal Manager Freddie Ljungberg Massimiliano Allegri Mauricio Pochettino
What Can Arsenal and Manchester United Learn from Recent Setbacks?
Managing Arsenal :- The job that the top Names Seem Desperate to Avoid
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line824
|
__label__wiki
| 0.85377
| 0.85377
|
Ring Side View
Orunasol
The Arunachal Times
Guv attends Hornbill Festival
‘Bring peace and tranquility in the region’
KOHIMA, Dec 9: Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Dr BD Mishra on Saturday urged the people of the North East to make concerted efforts to bring “absolute peace and tranquility in the region.”
The governor was speaking during the Hornbill Festival celebration at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, 10 kms from here, which he attended with his wife Neelam Mishra.
“The Hornbill Festival showcases North East India’s rich cultural diversity, exotic locations, pristine green environment, and hospitable communities,” the governor said.
Saying that the hornbill is the state bird of Arunachal Pradesh, he said celebrating the festival brings the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland together. He extended an invitation to the people here to visit Arunachal Pradesh “for promotion of cultural exchange,” and invited the youths of Nagaland to come to Arunachal Pradesh for studies.
Recalling his association with Nagaland, the governor informed that, after getting selected for the Indian Army, he received his training with the Kohima Company at the Indian Military Academy in 1960, and did two tenures in Nagaland, in 1964 and 1967.
While in Nagaland, he said, his south Indian troops learned about the Naga culture and dance and arts, which they presented back home in Kerala and earned appreciation of the people there.
“This cultural bond has removed the barrier in the mindset of the people of other states, and they now appreciate the North East as an aesthetic land,” the governor said. (PRO to Governor)
Previous articlePoor connectivity in the North East
Next articleIMC appeals for timely service charges payment
63 Indian millionaires have more money than 2018-19 union budget: Oxfam
Pangsau Pass Int’l Festival begins
RGUSU to join shutdown of universities, colleges in NE against CAA
Given a choice, would you hunt wildlife?
159 Votes (19.16%)
35 Votes (4.22%)
Previous Poll Results
Meanwhile in Orunasol…
Woven Lives
Flights Of Fantasy
© 2008 The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line828
|
__label__wiki
| 0.798781
| 0.798781
|
Jason and Shirley: Loving incantation of a state we all can identify with, the state of Jason
After seeing Jason and Shirley (Stephen Winter, 2015) this weekend at Outfest, I am moved to respond here to Milestone Film & Video‘s recent and scathing critique of the film Jason and Shirley,” The Cruelty and Irresponsibility of Satire“ (re-printed on Indiewire on June 23 by Sydney Levine). In their take-down, the authors (who are distributors of many of Shirley Clarke’s films, and more critically the producers of “Project Shirley” an “ongoing commitment to learn everything about Clarke as a director, an artist and a person”) pillory Winter’s film for two main reasons: the “film’s inaccurate and simplistic portrayals of a brilliant filmmaker and her charismatic subject.” Here, I would like to express another reading of Jason and Shirley, a remarkable, complex and important film, while also addressing what I see as Milestone’s misplaced (if perhaps also sometimes true) ire and criticism. I also invite Milestone, and others who are devoted to Clarke’s work and legacy, to reconsider the important contribution this new film makes towards this worthy end.
Jack Waters as Jason Holliday in “Jason and Shirley” (Stephen Winters, 2015)
Before I commence, let me express that I am not only one of these supporters of Shirley Clarke, but also a fan and a scholar of Milestone’s and Winter’s work (and also that of Sarah Schulman and Jack Waters, who co-wrote and star in Jason and Shirley). Perhaps most critically, I am a fan and scholar of Portrait of Jason, as well as the cinematic traditions in which it sits (documentary film, women’s and feminist cinema, queer film, and black queer cinema). For example, I joyously and with great appreciation went to the West Coast Restoration Premiere of Portrait of Jason where evidence of Milestone’s Amy Heller and Dennis Doros’ invaluable work on Project Shirley was applauded by an audience of cineastes, most of whom I’d warrant knew little of the work of Clarke or her masterpiece, Jason, given that this serious study of power, documentary, identity, and cruelty was made by a woman and featured a black gay man. I commend and support Milestone’s project of unearthing and sharing materials for scholars, teachers, and fans of Clarke, and also acknowledge and salute their under-sung role as distributors of avant-garde, experimental, and independent cinema, including the work of female film directors, like Clarke and others whose voices and vision would otherwise fall outside the scope of accessible media culture.
Shirley Clarke
At the same time, I am also a supporter of Stephen Winter‘s work. I first became familiar with his brilliant and irreverent artistry when I saw his important and also under-sung contribution to independent queer cinema, Chocolate Babies (1997). As myself a scholar and maker of AIDS media, and the producer of The Watermelon Woman (Cheryl Dunye 1996), the first African-American lesbian feature film, I knew about the glaring and damaging under-representation of black queer Americans, about the obstacles to entry for films about and from this perspective, and perhaps as critically, the haunting burden for most artists in such a terrain to make and share “positive images” of their under-represented community. I learned from and supported Chocolate Babies (and The Watermelon Woman, for that matter), because these feature films, made with almost no institutional support and certainly less cultural sanction, dared to imagine that the lived experience of black queer Americans was complex, riddled with contradiction, full of delight, pain, community, love and loss, and was thus the perfect subject for serious, artful, complex cinema. Just as was true for Portrait of Jason (made by one of America’s great women filmmakers who also refused to bow to the “positive image paradigm”) and for her brave and creative documentary subject, Jason Holliday (née Aaron Payne).
From “Chocolate Babies” (Stephen Winter, 1997)
I mark the similarities between these film oeuvres and the careers of their makers and the needs of their audiences because this post speaks most centrally as an attempt for reconciliation across what has currently been created as “camps” by the Milestone team. In a cinematic landscape where a small number of us make, support, appreciate and need serious artistry that represents the “marginal” experiences of our society from a sophisticated, complex, and nuanced perspective, a landscape where such work is under-funded, under-seen, and under-valued, it serves none of us well to use our very limited cultural resources against, rather than in support of each other, even if, and perhaps because our work dares to imagine life on the outskirts of American society as itself complicated, multiple, and sometimes in internal debate about the very values of the oppressed, marginal, radical, political and creative people who co-populate it (see my earlier post “Against Gamification,” in that case about the pitting of the the black-lesbian artistic sub-culture against itself in the name of a funding “game”).
Stephen Winter
Shirley and Jason is a complicated, sometimes messy, meditation on what I just described: the circulation of power, honesty, cruelty, love, debate, and creativity that defines artistic community and radical culture. Shirley and Jason also marks, honors, and challenges the role that cinematic evidence (in this case documentary) plays in the psychic, political, and cultural lives of culturally marginalized people, which is to say that as women, people of color, and queers until quite recently we had little to no access to records of our past struggles, ideas, daily practices, or visions of artistry because much too little was made, and what was made was almost never saved. This is one of the prime subjects of The Watermelon Woman, where we had to fake an archive of images of what was once true (the lives of African American lesbians) so that the main character, Cheryl, could learn and grow from her hidden, absent, but true legacy.
Martha Page (me) and Fae Richards (Lisa Marie Bronson) in a photo from the Fae Richards Archive (Zoe Leonard, 1995)
In his case, one might say that Winter was lucky, he had footage of Jason, an out black gay man, due to the perspicacity of Clarke and Holiday. Portrait of Jason is the first and continues to be one of the only films, in cinema’s history, to document as central the “struggles, ideas, daily practices and visions of artistry” of a black gay man. But anyone who loves this documentary as do I, as does Milestone film, and does Winter and his entire team, realizes that Portrait of Jason is nothing like a simple documentary record of anything. Using this film “footage” as a starting point for cultural recovery, community empowerment, or even the “truth” of African-American gay male experience or history pre-Stonewall is basically an impossibility given that, in my interpretation at least, a “truthful” rendering of any of these subjects was never the intent of this brilliant film or its equally brilliant filmmaker. Rather, Shirley Clarke intellectually and creatively wrangles with Jason for control over the power of cinema to save any of us: emotionally, historically, creatively. She asks us to consider whether documentary truth is possible, and she chooses Jason Holliday as her worthy interlocutor, subject, and collaborator, given how well he struggles at, and sometimes succeeds, at never giving her this “truth,” perhaps not his to give, and certainly not hers to take. In this way, not a salvage project, or even a portrait per se, I see Jason (and Jason) as the cinema’s finest study and criticism of the ethics, possibility, and veracity of documentary power as it is connected to its ongoing interest in “truth,” especially as embodied by disenfranchised subjects, doubly disempowered as they must be by the documentary project itself.
Jason Holliday in “Portrait of Jason” (Shirley Clarke, 1967)
The film, radically for its time, and for documentary more generally, is made from the position that many of us share—we the usual documentary-subject: the weak, the woman, the other. As a rare, empowered, powerful woman behind her documentary camera and film (Clarke is one of a tiny handful of women who directed cinema before the movements for social justice of the late 60s and early 70s began a slow, but still unfulfilled sea-change), Clarke asks us to see (by hearing) the brutality, love, empathy, and control that organizes the documentary encounter. With clarity, bravery, calculation, and intelligence she plays the role of the one who needs to know and show and own another; with clarity, bravery, calculation and intelligence she leaves in her voice and other cinematic indications of her hand and her control. She is strong enough to show us the brutality of this desire to know, and save, through cinema (usually masked as it is as a project of sentimental salvation). Of course, she comes to this encounter both empowered by her brilliant mind, inestimable film chops, and also economic privilege, while also saddled by her gender and ethnicity in 1960s America. She controls the camera, the image, the editing, and the organizing vision of the encounter that follows. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, she chooses as her collaborator an almost-equal (who is lower than a white, Jewish woman in the 1960s America? not many, but certainly a black gay man might be). But Jason Holliday is no dupe. No chump. No simple documentary subject. Like every subject of the documentary camera before him (we women, and queers, and people of color, we ethnics and natives; all we others) he has his wits, his self, and his performance to empower him and he is better at this then most in his position. He can and does dodge, dazzle, hide, reveal, provoke, wow, and fall apart, it seems, at will (although Clarke’s overt and thematic use of drugs and alcohol to phase him becomes part of the film’s dark current of abuse). For those of us who study and admire this work not solely as the rare depiction it is of black gay life, one artistic and powerful women’s drive and vision, avant-garde New York in the sixties, cross-racial and cross-gender interaction and community within bohemian counter-culture, but also as one of cinema’s outstanding studies of the power and cruelty of documentary cinema itself, I suggest Winter and his collaborative team weren’t so much “lucky” to have this as his sole piece of documentary evidence, as perhaps provoked, or perplexed, or maybe just aroused albeit in pain (Aaron Payne).
Jason Holliday
And here’s where Milestone’s critique should indeed simply become a celebration or at least a more serious consideration. Winter et. al., continue Clarke’s radical, seminal documentary project by “re-imagining” the shooting of her radical, experimental film from the point of view Jason. Not a documentary, never needing to stand up to documentary’s ethical or truth imperatives, their “re-imagination” of one of documentary cinema’s great studies of power and privilege does so from the vantage of Clarke’s strong, beautiful, imaginative contender who by definition had less power in the constituent and complex dynamic that ever unrolls between documentary filmmaker and subject. Given that no documentary subject, even one as mighty as Jason, can ultimately usurp the documentary-maker, who cuts the final film, who organizes its every frame, one place for the empowerment of the structurally disenfranchised is in fiction filmmaking. And here, Winter’s vision both soars and digs very low (as did the original Jason). In musical numbers and other dream sequences we are offered Jason’s interiority (always invisible to the documentary-maker, to our chagrin). Here Winter, and the magnificent, talented, sensitive Waters, playing Jason, show us Jason’s version and vision of the unleashing of brutal, if always loving and self-aware power (so much like Shirley’s) as we see his encounters with one of the white women for whom he whored, one of the white boys whom he loved, with his Mother who loved him, and his dealer who takes painful control of him. We see his unadulterated talent and crushingly unrealized desires. We see how race, sexuality, drugs, and self-loathing hamper Jason. We see the world from the position of the empowered, suffering, loving, living outsider.
Jack Waters “Jason and Shirley.” Illustration by Victor Melamed
Milestone condemns Winter for a “lack of integrity” in his depiction of Shirley Clarke, as well as a lack of “understanding of humanity, and love for cinema.” They call him out for not researching properly, not interviewing living participants of the original film shoot, not being kind to Shirley or her daughter Wendy (herself a brilliant and under-sung Los Angeles artist whose work plays a central role in the history of feminist, activist video; her amazing “Love Tapes” are a must-see for all interested in video art). I imagine these criticisms might all be true, especially if you knew and loved Shirley; especially if you are invested in finding, making, and sharing documentary evidence of Clarke’s career and life. Shirley and Jason is not particularly kind to Clarke (but I never thought the original was either, as I’ve indicated above). And it’s not so nice to Jason either. Neither films are a kindness project: “truth,” pain, power, love … sure.
However, I hope I have established that such criticisms are incidental to the mightier and divergent aims of Shirley and Jason: to unflinchingly account for the pain, beauty and power of being forced to take the role of the (documentary) victim regardless of ones beauty, strength, creativity or intellect. The “genuine” “inner truth” represented in this complex and masterful fiction film does not revolve around the accuracy of the “facts” of Shirley and Jason’s lives and works (although I do hope Winter will correct some of the inter-titles which Milestone has established as incorrect, most critically to my mind, that Clarke’s lover and collaborator Carl Lee died of AIDS not a heroine overdose). Instead Winter and his teams’ film should be appreciated for its subtle, painful, knowing and loving incantation of a state we all can identify with at times, the state of Jason.
Jack Water and Peewee Nyob, with Stephen Winters. Cast and crew of “Shirley and Jason”
I use my contribution to the debate to invite Heller, Doros, and all fans, friends, and lovers of Clarke (and experimental documentary) to receive this contemporary theatrical fiction film, Jason and Shirley, as a new and necessary contribution to a conversation about women’s artistic possibility, documentary ethics and power, and their relations to cinematic form and style, from the point of black gay men who are our allies. In their “pretending to know what happened,” Winter et. al. do create “their own ‘Shirley Clarke,’ ‘Carl Lee,’ and ‘Jason Holliday'” (as did the “real” Shirley, Carl and Jason so many years before!) as Milestone censures. But rather than seeing this as a disrespectful and dishonest creation, I ask viewers to attempt to understand the profound integrity of these new portraits and how they assist us in a worthy project allowed by the best of cinema: less one of facts and more one of feelings, less one of honesty and more one of the uses and abuses of honesty, in the name of art, that have both hindered and set free the Jason in us all.
Filed in media ethics, praxis, queer cinema
Tags: black queer cinema, cheryl dunye, Fae Richards archive, Jack Waters, Jason and Shirley, Portrait of Jason, Project Shirley, queer cinema, Sarah Schulman, Shirley Clarke, Stephen Winter, watermelon woman, Zoe Leonard
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line830
|
__label__wiki
| 0.971053
| 0.971053
|
https://apnews.com/7c4a9158e52647cb8713e6e6f260860a
Toni Collette and Damian Lewis to star in Dream Horse
By CelebretainmentMarch 15, 2019 GMT
Toni Collette and Damian Lewis are to lead the cast in ‘Dream Horse’.
The ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ actress will take on the role of Jan Vokes, a working men’s club barmaid who recruits her reluctant husband, Brian, and a local accountant named Howard Davies - who will be portrayed by the ‘Billions’ actor - to help put together a syndicate of locals to breed a foal, which they name Dream Alliance and who goes on to become a successful racehorse.
Neil McKay has written the script for the movie while ‘American Animals’ Katherine Butler and ’The Selfish Giant’s Tracy O’Riordan will produce.
Euros Lyn has signed up to direct the true story, which was previously told in documentary ‘Dark Horse’ and is thrilled to have landed Toni and Damian for the movie.
He said: “I grew up in the Welsh valleys where everyone knows this story - it’s a local legend. The moment I read Neil’s brilliant script I knew I had to direct this funny and moving film. Casting Toni Collette as Jan Vokes, our extraordinary heroine and Damian Lewis as Howard Davies, her intriguingly conflicted accomplice is my own dream come true.
“They’re the perfect actors to tell this true story of how against all the odds, an ordinary woman inspires her community to go on the ride of a lifetime and rediscover a sense of hope.”
Producer Katherine added: “I fell in love with this story when I first heard about Louise Osmond’s documentary - and when I met the real people involved, I was hugely inspired by both their steely determination and their joyous outlook on life.
“Our brilliant writer Neil McKay spent hours with many of the people whose story this is to craft an exciting, moving and often hilarious script.
“And Euros Lyn’s immediate and passionate response to the script completely convinced us that he was born to direct this film.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with our dream casting of Toni Collette and Damian Lewis, and together with the support of all our financiers, the local welsh cast and crew and the horse racing community, we are off to the races!”
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line835
|
__label__cc
| 0.592049
| 0.407951
|
Bookclubs!
Guest Posting Policy
Indentured America: Bibliography
sotd test
State of the Discussion
The 500kth Ordinary Comment
Ten Second News
+ Roger Stone Indicted, Arrested
( 12 ) / #Mueller #Roger Stone #Trump
-Roger Stone Indicted, Arrested
/ #Mueller #Roger Stone #Trump
Roger Stone can add an indictment from the Special Counsel’s office to his highly-checkered resume.
Roger Stone has been indicted by a grand jury on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, who alleges that the longtime Donald Trump associate sought stolen emails from WikiLeaks that could damage Trump’s opponents at the direction of “a senior Trump Campaign official.”
The indictment’s wording does not say who on the campaign knew about Stone’s quest, but makes clear it was multiple people. This is the first time prosecutors have alleged they know of additional people close to the President who worked with Stone as he sought out WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
“After the July 22, 2016, release of stolen (Democratic National Committee) emails by Organization 1, a senior Trump Campaign official was directed to contact STONE about any additional releases and what other damaging information Organization 1 had regarding the Clinton Campaign. STONE thereafter told the Trump Campaign about potential future releases of damaging material by Organization 1,” prosecutors wrote.
Stone was arrested by the FBI Friday morning at his home in Florida, his lawyer tells CNN. He was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia on seven counts, including one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of false statements, and one count of witness tampering.
The special counsel’s office said he will appear before a federal judge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 11 a.m. ET.<
We will see how far Stone’s “I’ll never testify against Donald Trump,” proclamations will go. Also of note, while the indictment details many activities of Stone’s during the campaign, Mueller is only charging offenses that occurred during the investigation. As we have learned, probably best to let this latest blaring headline breathe a bit before making wide-sweeping proclamations of its importance.
Like that’s going to happen.
Please do be so kind as to share this post.
Comment → -
+ BuzzFeed to Cut 15% of Its Workforce
-BuzzFeed to Cut 15% of Its Workforce
The Wall Street Journal is reporting:
BuzzFeed is planning to lay off about 15% of its workforce, according to people familiar with the situation, as the company seeks to reorient itself in a shifting digital-media landscape.
The cuts could affect around 250 jobs, the people said. The firm, among the most high-profile digital-native publishers, also is looking to realign its resources to invest more in promising areas of the business like content licensing and e-commerce, one of the people said.
(Featured image is a screenshot of Buzzfeed’s front page menu.)
+ Trump’s Transgender Military Ban Remains- For Now
( 5 ) / #LGBTQ #SCOTUS #TransgenderTroops
-Trump’s Transgender Military Ban Remains- For Now
/ #LGBTQ #SCOTUS #TransgenderTroops
The Supreme Court today voted 5-4 to allow the Trump administration’s restrictions on transgender troops to be implemented while the matter is battled out in lower courts. The five conservative justices, Roberts, Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh, voted to grant the government’s application to stay a nationwide injunction on the restrictions.
From the Washington Post:
The justices lifted nationwide injunctions that had kept the administration’s policy from being implemented.
It reversed an Obama-administration rule that would have opened the military to transgender men and women, and instead barred those who identify with a gender different from the one assigned at birth and who are seeking to transition.
The court’s five conservatives–Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh–allowed the restrictions to go into effect while the court decides to whether to consider the merits of the case.
The liberal justices–Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan–would have kept the injunctions in place.
The Court also turned down a request by the government to hear the matter on its merits, despite the lower court not having ruled yet. So, while the “ban” will go into effect, the controversy is not dead. The litigation in the lower courts will continue.
From the New York Times:
The policy, announced on Twitter by President Trump and refined by the defense secretary at the time, Jim Mattis, generally prohibits people identifying with a gender different from their biological sex from military service. It makes exceptions for several hundred transgender people already serving openly and for those willing to serve “in their biological sex.”
Challenges to the policy have had mixed success in the lower courts. Trial judges around the nation issued injunctions blocking it, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco, is expected to rule soon on whether to affirm one of them.
The administration had also asked the justices to immediately hear appeals, an unusual request when an appeals court has not yet ruled. The court turned down those requests.
The Supreme Court’s rules say it will review a federal trial court’s ruling before an appeals court has spoken “only upon a showing that the case is of such imperative public importance as to justify deviation from normal appellate practice and to require immediate determination in this court.”
So, while the “ban” will go into effect, the controversy is not dead; the litigation in the lower courts will continue.
UPDATE: Some reports indicate that one injunction remains in place which prevents the immediate implementation of the ban.
From Mark Joseph Stern, lawyer and writer for Slate:
Here is the injunction that remains in place. The Trump administration may try to argue that it doesn't apply to the current "Mattis policy," but by its own terms, it obviously does. https://t.co/fnNeFbT955 pic.twitter.com/do3kT6Kvmk
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) January 22, 2019
+ Video: January 21
( 0 ) / #Music
-Video: January 21
/ #Music
I present the best song ever written about the 21st of January.
Phil Pritchett – January 21
Or if you just want to listen to it, the acoustic studio version is good.
+ What Happened To The 15-Hour Workweek?
( 53 ) / #work
-What Happened To The 15-Hour Workweek?
/ #work
We wanted something else more:
Well, one explanation is that there are simply more things to want. A supermarket today has thousands of options, and there will always be more things than we can afford.
Advertising—which appears on billboards, in trains and trams, on our smartphone screens, or cleverly disguised as a blog post—is now impossible to escape from, and it exposes us to a never-ending stream of products we didn’t know we needed.
These are well-known complaints. However, there’s another important and poorly understood reason for want expansion. Keynes thought that once our needs were fulfilled, it wouldn’t make sense to work more. However, it turns out that there is a certain need that requires an infinite supply of money to satisfy: the need for social status.
This ties into my writing on the UBI and why I don’t think it would end work as we know it. People will work so they can live around other people that work. So that their “station” is with those that also work.
If we had a 15-hour work week, how would we differentiate ourselves from the people that are only willing to work 15 hours a week?
+ The Pending Discovery of Alex Jones
( 3 ) / #alex jones #First Amendment #Infowars #Sandy Hook
-The Pending Discovery of Alex Jones
/ #alex jones #First Amendment #Infowars #Sandy Hook
I’m not even going to pretend that this possibility doesn’t warm the cockles of my heart.
ABC News:
A judge in Connecticut has granted the families’ discovery requests, allowing them access to, among other things, Infowars’ internal marketing and financial documents.
The judge has scheduled a hearing next week to decide whether to allow the plaintiffs’ attorneys to depose Jones.
The plaintiffs include the parents of five children who went to the school as well as family members of first-grade teacher Victoria Leigh Soto and Principal Dawn Hochsprung, according to a statement from the plaintiff’s attorneys.
There is still quite a bit of doubt that the lawsuit will be successful, as defamation suits have a high burden to clear for public media figures like Jones. Jones and his attorney are claiming everything done by InfoWars is covered by the First Amendment, and they have plenty of precedent to stand on. Still, the fulcrum point of any civil action as to whether it is going anywhere or not is discovery, and having probing eyes into his operations is something Alex Jones cannot be happy about. Scrutiny and conspiracy is something Alex Jones is more accustom to subjecting others too. We already know, from Jones’ own lawyer in his divorce and custody case, that “he’s playing a character” on air, allegedly, so no surprises like that will be shocking. More interesting to some, however, will be the financials, plus the fact that if Jones is found not to comply it could cause even further legal complications. Laying bare the inner working of the InfoWars grifting machine will make Jones’ detractors happy, and if nothing else should be rather entertaining. Who knows what might come of it. We will see.
+ The First Day of Amendment 4 for Re-enfranchised Voters
( 3 ) / #Amendment 4 #disenfranchised #felons #Florida #Voting rights
-The First Day of Amendment 4 for Re-enfranchised Voters
/ #Amendment 4 #disenfranchised #felons #Florida #Voting rights
Tuesday, 9 January 2019, is the first day that some felons in Florida who previously had their voting rights removed can register to vote again under the effects of Amendment 4. The question is how exactly is that going to work?
For all the uncertainty surrounding the launch of Amendment 4 in Florida, there’s no question that hundreds of thousands of convicted felons previously unable to participate in the state’s elections will be able to register to vote come Tuesday.
It’s what will happen after they register that remains unclear.
Despite assertions from Amendment 4 advocates that the changes to Florida’s Constitution are self-implementing, incoming Gov. Ron DeSantis reiterated his belief Monday that the Legislature must pass a bill to help guide the Division of Elections as it verifies the eligibility of newly registered voters. An estimated 1.2 million people are expected to regain the right to vote Tuesday as the amendment takes effect, and it’s up to the state to verify whether any of those newly registered voters are ineligible due to a disqualifying criminal offense.
For now, in order to ensure that no one is disenfranchised while the state determines how to comply with Amendment 4, the Division of Elections has stopped running new voters through its felony database. That means those who believe their rights have been restored can register to vote and likely begin participating at the very least in local elections.
This being Florida, there are more than a few concerns with implementation:
But it also means that it could be weeks or even months before the state notifies any of those new voters if they’ve been deemed ineligible. And it would potentially compound any controversy should the Legislature take a restrictive interpretation of the amendment.
+ Cyntoia Brown Granted Clemency
( 32 ) / #Cyntoia Brown
-Cyntoia Brown Granted Clemency
/ #Cyntoia Brown
Bill Haslam, Tennessee’s outgoing governor, has granted Cyntoia Brown full clemency.
In 2004, Brown was a 16-year-old living with a man named Garion McGlothen. McGlothen raped and abused Brown; he also forced her into prostitution. It was during this time that she met and then killed Johnny Allen, a man who had raped her. Prosecutors ignored both Brown’s age and the lifetime of abuse she had endured, charging her as an adult and pursuing the maximum possible punishment for her having killed Allen. Prosecutors insisted that Brown had not feared Allen, as she had claimed, and was in fact in no danger. The jury went with the prosecutors, sentencing Brown to life in prison. A Supreme Court decision later clarified that sentencing juveniles to life in prison constituted cruel and unusual punishment, but after an appeal based upon that clarification, Tennessee’s Supreme Court confirmed that Brown would have to serve at least 51 years of her life sentence before she would be eligible for parole.
Brown was the focus of a documentary called Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story and subsequently became a cause for some celebrities, including Rihanna and Kim Kardashian-West. Brown’s case then became a flashpoint in arguments about how the American justice system valued lives, with numerous critics observing that whereas the justice system often bends over backward to excuse away crimes committed by men, it offers no such leniency otherwise. This, then, serves as a step in the right direction.
Brown will be eligible for release on August 7, 2019.
← ITW All TSN →
Obama really is Hitler!
No, really, he is. How can this be coincidence?
Erik Kain / August 11, 2009 / ( 6 ) / in American Politics / #Obama
One of these things is not like the other
Marc Ambinder is right to say that vacuous, unintelligible outrage is kind of a bad strategy as far as trying to stop a popular president’s health care reform package is concerned. Unfortunately, he can’t seem to make that point without relying on the usual “split-the-difference”/”pox on both houses” calculation:
Jamelle / August 11, 2009 / ( 12 ) / in American Politics / The League / #Health Care Reform #town halls
a broken system ctd.
By now we are all aware that should liberal health care reform pass through Congress we will face government-sanctioned euthanasia of the sick, elderly and mentally incompetent; we will sit in lines longer than the opening night of the third Lord of the Rings film just to see our primary care physician, who will then…
Erik Kain / August 11, 2009 / ( 69 ) / in American Politics / The League / #health care #Health Care Reform
Philip Giraldi:
Erik Kain / August 10, 2009 / ( 5 ) / in American Politics / The League / #Health Care Reform
Trust and Good Faith
It’s taken me awhile to get to this – mostly because I’ve been (unusually) busy with real life – but I wanted to offer a few thoughts on Mark’s post on Wyden-Bennett, and particularly his broader issue with liberals and Democrats assuming the worst of conservatives and Republicans. Here’s Mark in his own words, if…
Jamelle / August 10, 2009 / ( 22 ) / in American Politics / The League / #bob bennett #cynicism #Health Care Reform #Republicans #Ron Wyden
localism and free trade
Nathan has returned to blogging with quite a bloggy manifesto on some of my favorite topics – namely, localism, capitalism, and the struggle between free trade and the cultural side-effects of a consumerist, corporatist society. It’s a long piece, and I’m not sure where to draw out bits from exactly (just read the whole thing). …
Erik Kain / August 8, 2009 / ( 27 ) / in American Politics / #Free Trade #Liberalism #protection
Is There Any Depth of Support for Wyden-Bennett?
TWO UPDATES, SEE BELOW: A common refrain I keep hearing for why Wyden-Bennett would have no chance of succeeding if it ever came to a vote is that even though it has bi-partisan co-sponsorship, the Republicans co-sponsoring it are merely using their co-sponsorship as political cover since they know it has no chance of actually passing. …
Mark of New Jersey / August 7, 2009 / ( 35 ) / in American Politics / The League / #bob bennett #cynicism #Ezra Klein #Health Care Reform #healthy americans act #Obamacare #Ron Wyden
What do we mean when we talk about the “rising costs of health care” in America? It’s a very ambiguous term with a lot of different possible meanings. We could mean the cost of health care per capita, or as a percentage of GDP. In 2007, total health care spending was $2.4 trillion dollars. Per…
Erik Kain / August 7, 2009 / ( 10 ) / in American Politics / The League / #health care #health care costs #Health Care Reform #wyden-bennett
Wyden-Bennett (again)
The Wyden-Bennett “Healthy Americans Act” really is the most sensible health-care reform bill out there right now. I don’t think health care reform is a hill worth dying on for conservatives (there are other, better hills to die on), but it is worth the effort to find a plan that will actually work, that is…
Erik Kain / August 6, 2009 / ( 62 ) / in American Politics / The League / #health care #Health Care Reform #wyden-bennett
thursday art walk
Barack Obama circa 1980…
Erik Kain / August 6, 2009 / ( 0 ) / in American Politics / The League / #barack obama #marijuana
another slightly more academic-sounding addition to a relentlessly partisan and biased liberal blogosphere
“The League should feature higher standards for honest assessment, especially since I’ve commented on this exact point here once already. Honestly, I’ve thought very highly of the League in spite of its generally left-leaning direction [….] But this pushing of a manifestly dishonest characterization even after being called on it makes me reevaluate whether the…
Erik Kain / August 5, 2009 / ( 16 ) / in American Politics / The League / #Birthers #conservatism #jason arvak
Impulses and Vectors
Responding to my defense of the value of libertarianism/blatant excuse to repost Mr. Henley’s Jester quote, OG regulars Michael Drew and Bob make some great points about the idea of libertarianism-as-vector that led me to some unexplored thoughts about ideological frameworks. First, Michael wonders whether the concept of libertarianism-as-vector means that libertarianism can be a…
Mark of New Jersey / July 31, 2009 / ( 9 ) / in American Politics / #conservatism #Liberalism #Libertarianism
I was going to debunk Andy McCarthy’s un-sourced descent into the fever swamps of ”Obama Birther-ism”, but Philip Klein has already gone and done the work for me, so go give his piece a read. How McCarthy’s “article” got through editing unscathed is beyond me (Did no one think to mention that one of his…
Will / July 31, 2009 / ( 31 ) / in American Politics / The League / #Birthers #conservatism #Idiocy #National Review
government and monopoly
“Monopolies are not innovative, whether they are public or private.” ~ Megan McArdle “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do Two can be as bad as one It’s the loneliest number since the number one.” ~ Three Dog Night A fairly obvious example of government-created monopoly is the public utility. You likely have…
Erik Kain / July 31, 2009 / ( 56 ) / in American Politics / The League / #health care #Libertarianism #monopoly #public choice #reform
hawks and owls
So, lately I’ve been trying to branch out a bit more – to see what the movement conservatives have to say and pay it a little more heed (rather than focusing only on the really silly things) and not just wander about the realms of the dissidents and libertarians and localists (even though these are…
Erik Kain / July 29, 2009 / ( 10 ) / in American Politics / Politics / The League / #conservatism #discourse #Movement Conservatism #neocons #politics
On Safety Nets
“By treating any and all social safety nets as irreversible steps on the Road to Serfdom, we allow liberals and progressives to shape those policies in ways that are inefficient, ineffective, and overbroad – even though Adam Smith, Hayek himself, and Friedman each advocated for a form of social safety net, demonstrating that social safety…
Erik Kain / July 22, 2009 / ( 75 ) / in American Politics / Economics / The League / #economics #Health Care Reform #liberaltarianism #Libertarianism #safety nets
better talking points for the GOP
Arnold Kling has them.
Erik Kain / July 22, 2009 / ( 3 ) / in American Politics / The League / #Health Care Reform
A Realistic Health Care Alternative Going Nowhere
[N/B: See below for a significant update/clarification] One of the criticisms levied at the alternative health care proposals discussed by E.D. and I over the last few weeks has been that these proposals, which rely heavily on vouchers and/or subsidies, are irrelevant to the debate that is actually taking place. Yet this is not really…
Mark of New Jersey / July 21, 2009 / ( 72 ) / in American Politics / The League / #congress #Health Care Reform #legislation #regulation #regulatory capture #Ron Wyden
comedy and tragedy
Enlarging government is like doing drama. Limiting government is like doing comedy. Let me explain. At the Oscars, the Best Picture nominees are almost always dramas. Usually they are tragic and romantic and perhaps even epic. The Best Actress segment is typically a handful of tearful, sobbing vignettes plucked from whatever dramatic, tragic, epic-romances are…
Erik Kain / July 15, 2009 / ( 34 ) / in American Politics / The League / #conservatism #limited government #theatre
One cost-free way for conservatives to appeal to minority voters would be to do a better job of policing internal discourse. After all, repeating “Party of Lincoln!” ad nauseum doesn’t really help things when pervasive racism seems alive and well on the right wing of the political spectrum. But conservative operatives have evidently decided that…
Will / July 15, 2009 / ( 2 ) / in American Politics / The League / #conservatism #Idiocy #racism
Correctly Political: “Corner”ing the Market in Catholic teaching
~by jfxgillis I. Now and Then and Now Pope Benedict XVI issued an encyclical this week expressing Church doctrine with respect to the global political economy. I knew it would be described in the mainstream media as “left wing” (I knew it would be described in the mainstream media as “left wing” because I knew…
Guest Authors / July 13, 2009 / ( 30 ) / in American Politics / Economics / The League / #catholic social teaching #conservatism #economics #guest authors #the corner
the deception of dignity
“But it’s not right to end on a note of cultural pessimism because there is the fact of President Obama. Whatever policy differences people may have with him, we can all agree that he exemplifies reticence, dispassion and the other traits associated with dignity. The cultural effects of his presidency are not yet clear, but…
Erik Kain / July 8, 2009 / ( 6 ) / in American Politics / #Obama #Republicans
“Seasteading”
Fascinating piece up by Brian Doherty on “seasteading” the anti-government project being pursued by grandson of economist Milton Friedman, Patri Friedman, to create modular, stateless “seasteads” on the ocean. The question that leaps to mind, of course, is once a colony on the sea is realized, won’t the natural next step be to form some…
Erik Kain / July 6, 2009 / ( 3 ) / in American Politics / The League / #Libertarianism #milton friedman #seasteading
Barack Obama: The College Years
The New York Times digs up an old Obama op-ed from college.
Will / July 6, 2009 / ( 0 ) / in American Politics / #College #Obama
James Joyner points to this piece by Mark Tapcott, in which he says a lot of what many of us have been saying about appropriate discourse and the importance of language especially in regard to leaders in the conservative movement.
Erik Kain / July 2, 2009 / ( 1 ) / in American Politics / Politics / The League / #conservatism #politics #public discourse
the things people say on the internet
“Since his departure from the Washington Times, Stacy McCain has become perhaps the most skilled attention whore in all the blogosphere. Yeah, I just wrote that. And put it on the Internet.” ~ James Joyner Now James, being the gentleman that he is, goes easy on McCain: In seeking to explain why Ken Layne and…
Erik Kain / June 30, 2009 / ( 60 ) / in American Politics / The League / #conservatism #conservative movement #james joyner #sarah palin
health care musings
[updated below] Peter Suderman, from his new perch at Reason Magazine, dissects the looming breakdown of the public option in Obama’s push for health care reform. At the crux of the issue lies the cost, which the CBO estimates at $1.6 trillion dollars over the next 10 years. This is a hefty pricetag. I’ve been…
Erik Kain / June 29, 2009 / ( 78 ) / in American Politics / The League / #Health Care Reform #public option #vouchers
Dennis Sanders responds to my post on distrust of government and invokes Eisenhower by invoking Kelly Pipes:
Erik Kain / June 24, 2009 / ( 3 ) / in American Politics / The League / #conservatism #government
“The Reaganite conservative does not trust the political system, and so is always trying to circumvent it; he does not trust the instincts of Congress, but places profound faith in the wisdom of the executive if he is in charge; he does not trust the deep religious instinct of a people, unless it is decked…
Erik Kain / June 23, 2009 / ( 59 ) / in American Politics / Politics / The League / #bush #conservatism #GOP #governance #politics
personae non gratae
Shorter me: Above all else, movement conservatives want to retain custody of what it means to be a conservative. They claim to hold the keys to the city, and they guard them jealously – which is why someone like Conor is met with such unrestrained bile when he challenges the status quo. Anyone who…
Erik Kain / June 22, 2009 / ( 55 ) / in American Politics / Politics / The League / #conservatism #Movement Conservatism #politics
Some Home Truths About the Latest Iranian Revolution
I applaud Obama’s measured tone on Iran, but the public justification for this approach seems a bit thin. The most common explanation – he doesn’t want to inflame anti-American sentiment – is certainly plausible, but given the fact that the regime has gone ahead and accused the United States of meddling anyway, I doubt his…
Will / June 19, 2009 / ( 37 ) / in American Politics / #diplomacy #Iran #Obama
another thought on empire
Tom at the Federalist Paupers has posted a bit of the Conor/Riehl debate Scott hosted in transcript form. One exchange that leaps out: Freidersdorf: I would say that there are some other big problems that the country faces. One of them is sort of national security, and staying secure without becoming an either an empire…
Erik Kain / June 19, 2009 / ( 15 ) / in American Politics / The League / #conservatism
why I am not a neoconservative
I used to believe in humanitarian intervention. I used to truly believe that the right thing for America to do as a global superpower was to intervene where necessary to stop violence or genocide, to promote democracy, to be the generous benefactors of freedom…and so on and so forth. I was a pretty fervent supporter…
Erik Kain / June 18, 2009 / ( 61 ) / in American Politics / Politics / The League / #conservatism #neoconservatism #politics
Acting Like You Mean It: Show Your Work
To a certain extent, I think Freddie’s being too harsh on Reihan in this post. But at the same time, his broader point is an important one that I think a lot of conservatives and libertarians utterly miss when we discuss the issue of health care. It is also a point that explains why conservative…
Mark of New Jersey / June 18, 2009 / ( 46 ) / in American Politics / #barack obama #conservatism #health care #John McCain #Liberalism #Libertarianism
on healthcare
I think the one thing that free-market health care advocates have yet to illustrate is, as Freddie mentions in the comments to his latest post, how a free-market solution will provide affordable coverage to all Americans. And not just affordable coverage, but coverage that is both affordable and actually covers everyone adequately. I can easily…
Erik Kain / June 18, 2009 / ( 16 ) / in American Politics / The League / #free markets #health care #Health Care Reform
Will the Real Conservatives Please Stay Where You Are?
Davey over at Theopolitical has a very sharp post up analyzing the epic (can I call it epic yet?) debate between Conor and Dan (well moderated by Br. Scott) here at the League over the nature and future of conservatism. He writes: Frankly, Riehl’s assertions about the universally-accepted tenets of conservatism were historically myopic…Follow up…
Chris Dierkes / June 17, 2009 / ( 6 ) / in American Politics / The League / #Classical Liberalism #conservatism
« Previous 1 2 3 … 21 22 23 24 25 26 Next »
Musical Selection
The Firewatcher's Daughter (2015)
Designed by CK MacLeod
Based on "Expound," a Theme by Konstantin Kovshenin
"Steampunk Airship" by Gavin Grant
© 2015 - 20 Ordinary Times
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line851
|
__label__wiki
| 0.878077
| 0.878077
|
Ross Talks on Possible District Shape
by Beacon Hill Times Staff • October 23, 2012 • 0 Comments
With the November 2 deadline for the City Council and Mayor to approve a redistricting plan for Boston looming, Back Bay/Beacon Hill City Councilor Michael Ross said he’s taking a less parochial approach and will support a plan that meets the needs of the city before his own political needs.
“I’d like it to see a map that first and foremost meets the needs of our city and its voters,” said Ross. “It has to be a map that is fair and gains considerable support across city.”
There have been several maps floating about and rumors of other maps coming down the pike. One idea that was floated but seems to be off the table is taking Charlestown out of Ward I and merging it with the Back Bay—Ross’s current district.
“There’s been some talk about this but the one that would put Charlestown in my district is not in front of the council so it’s really not a viable option,” said Ross. “I think it’s a highly speculative option.”
However, Ross said all of the options so far would impact his district.
“All the maps we have considered would affect my district in some way…some more radically than others,” said Ross. “The map presently in front of council now would have me taking more of the Back Bay, Beacon Hill and Downtown but losing a precinct in Mission Hill and Fenway.”
While some councilors are putting up options that would help to save their political future in Boston’s changing landscape, Ross said the maps have to make sense.
“Look, places like Beacon Hill and Back Bay should remain in the same voting district because many of the issues affecting one does affect the other,” said Ross. “The same can be said about neighborhoods like Mission Hill and the Fenway.”
Ross said these issues could be geographical, educational or quality of life issues.
“It has been a very complex process,” said Ross. “The neighborhoods I serve are important to me and I think communities like Mission Hill and the Fenway as well as Back Bay and Beacon Hill should remain in the same district. With that said in the end we would do ourselves a disservice if we get too parochial and personal by putting our political needs ahead of the needs of the city and voters.”
← Boston Public School Goals
Neighborhood Weighs in on Park St. School Expansion Plan →
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line856
|
__label__cc
| 0.591504
| 0.408496
|
Archive for the ‘Theology’ Category
Does ‘Forgiveness’ Mean Letting Offenders Ride Rough Shod Over Us?
Posted by Barry Pittard on July 8, 2010
In a list of systemically misleading topics, ‘forgiveness’ would have to rank near the top. Wooly notions about it all too readily allow perpetrators to go free and without challenge. They can remain perpetrators, and their victims left in abject circumstance. Those who advocate passive types of forgiveness too often invite themselves to be trodden upon. Still more, their modeling of a behaviour creates contexts which allow others around them to be trodden upon, as well.
I view foregiveness as the cultivation of an inner attitude, where – while still attending to what one conceives to be civil and ethical duties – one takes daily steps towards achieving an inner peace, and moves away from first reactions, such as thirsting for and implementing revenge. This inner attitude is far removed from notions such as peace at all costs, or the fool’s ‘paradise’ of avoidance of issues, of being in denial, of being lovey-dovey and wishy-washy, and of retreating to euphoric states.
I heard the Dalai Lama speak well on the subject of forgiveness, and made notes. See:
Dalai Lama: Forgiveness does not mean forgetfulness
The Public Petition
Information on the Public Petition for Official Investigations of Sathya Sai Baba and His Worldwide Organization
About the Petition For Official Investigation Into Sathya Sai Baba Cult
(Note: You may prefer to proceed straight to the Petition): Public Petition For Official Investigations of Sathya Sai Baba and His Worldwide Organization
PETICIÓN PÚBLICA PARA INVESTIGACIONES OFICIALES DE SATHYA SAI BABA Y SU ORGANIZACIÓN A NIVEL MUNDIAL)
Posted in New Age, Opinion, Psychology, Religion, South Asia, Spirituality, Theology, Theosophy, Uncategorized, World Religions | Tagged: ethics, Forgiveness, Morality, Morals, Public Petition, the Dalai Lama | Leave a Comment »
Hearts Yearning
May we rise above the shadows of the divides and see the same Light and the same yearning in the hearts of all, however differently expressed
Note: My preference on reading any of the central, archetypal stories in the sacred or other key literatures of the different cultures is to approach them via the heart. Intellect can do a service; however, once the heart and the imagination are out of the equation, there is the risk of entering the realms of what is doctrinaire, dogmatic and theological. When there is any claim to a superiority of one path over another, there is the instant throwing up of fortresses, watchtowers and crocodile-infested moats. Happily, there are many from faiths and those not given to faith who get along very well in workplaces and wider communities. Perhaps what they embody provides a role model that the world might well value.
Rock-a-bye This Babe. A Christmas Lullaby
Rock-a-bye this babe, this babe in your heart keep
Whose love is awake though the babe is asleep
Take him, hold him in your heart till he wakes
He’s new born for us care-worn, O see the difference he makes
This Christmas, this babe, so deep in your heart keep
Whose love is a Feast fit to feed a mean street
Sing him, sing him, with a voice sweet and clear
Fling out the darkness, fling out the fear!
Oh, rock-a-bye this babe, so deep in your heart keep
Whose love is awake and yet this babe is asleep
You take him, you hold him in your heart till he wakes
Hearts yearning, hearts burning
Three wise men searched for one more wise
Who opens hearts, who purifies
Hearts yearing, hearts burning
In sleep no peace, just this tossing-turning
On earth no peace, just relentless burning
Where the bright star pointed and alighted
Where the beasts in the chill cold seek some bed
Even in some crowded cattle shed
And in all those parts sprang a sacred fire
In the wise men's hearts sang an angel choir
Alleluia. All-ay-ay lu ia
Hearts yearning, feet burning
The donkey rests from the frosted road
The jest of man, though it bears his load
Heart yearning, such yearning!
Its soft eyes glow from the starlit baby
It knows of the load of that gracious lady
So blessed though exhausted
Where the bright star hovered and alighted
In this simple, little cattle shed
And in all these parts sprang a mystic fire
In that donkey's heart sang the angelic choir
Alleluia. Alleluia
Troops stamping, troops tramping!
This little family took dread flight
From Herod's men in the depths of night
Troops burning, troops, burning!
Deep red stained - the swords would kill that yearning
On the earth for the end to the ceaseless burning
All blood-red their footsteps
As they went mass-killing all the infant lads
Like beasts in the dead night feast on lambs
So did Rome's puppet, with his bullies and his shams
Wormwood was no cure for Herod and his ire
And his writhing fear there would come a Messiah
Starlight led sore footsteps
Where the beasts in the chill cold sought some bed
Where in all earth's parts sprang a sacred fire
Where we would all sing as an angel choir
In all our hearts – an angel choir
In all our hearts – this angel choir …. etc., …..
Note: Both songs protected by The Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA)
Posted in New Age, Religion, Sikhism, South Asia, Spirituality, Theology, Theosophy, Uncategorized, World Religions | Tagged: Buddhism, Christianity, Christmas, Jainism, Judaism, Nativity | Leave a Comment »
Robert Priddy’s Views on Key Human Values in Relation To Sathya Sai Baba
Posted by Barry Pittard on December 6, 2009
In the brief article – Human Values – Sai Baba’s truncated ideas – Robert Priddy, an academic philosopher at the University of Oslo for many years, and a former head of the Sathya Sai Organization in Norway, states his view of what human values are, in contradistinction to “divinely-instated values for humans” as proclaimed by Sathya Sai Baba.
In the mind of any serious educator, especially when versed in the history of educational theory and practice, very concerning questions are raised. One of the key concerns is that, in the Sathya Sai educational undertaking, critical thinking is distinctly missing. When an English teacher at the Sathya Sai College in Whitefield, via Bangalore, South India, then Sai Baba’s premier education institution, I was alarmed at the extraordinary amount of rote learning to be seen. Swatting and regurgitation were on all sides. It was as though the great educational innovators, whether East or West, had never lived. Where were the exiting staff room discussions? Where was the meeting of minds? Where were the in-service professional development programs? Where was there a working towards new paradigms? Rather, things were stuck in a time warp. Here or there was a teacher in love with his subject who deeply cherished the students (I think fondly of my former colleague P.K. Mohanti), but each lecturer slaved away in his own ‘burrow’. Lacking was a sense of the organic, of a meaningful community of learning. Marks and gold medals were the thing, and a wider unreformed education system in India reenforced this defecit of true learning. True, there were movements of reform in India, but the Sathya Sai setup, despite all the trumpet-blowing by those of narrow, uncritical mindsets on education, was decidedly not one of them.
In the way of innovation, I was fortunate in having the protection of the Principal (which actually meant Sai Baba), who handed over his own third year degree course to me as well as my teaching the other two years of the English course and the encouragement of the scientist and Sai Baba’s chief interpreter into English Dr S. Bhagavantham and the Board and two of my immediate colleagues, and many marvelous boys (both those devoted and not devoted to Sathya Sai Baba). But the flaws were great.
As the Sathya Sai Education in Human Values spread throughout Sai centers around the world, one could, yet again, see serious flaws. One saving grace was that contributors to the formation of the courses were international, which meant that some very antiquated teaching theory and practice got knocked aside. Since Robert Priddy and Serguei Badaev (the latter of whom was closely involved in SSEHV), both of them longtime educators, have incisively raised key questions, I shall point my readers to some of their critical work on Sathya Sai education programs. See my article: Sathya Sai Baba Critic Serguei Badaev: An Incisive Voice of Conscience From Russia
Priddy writes:
“The values according to [or against which] we act are unavoidable and essential links that tie together personal perceptions and judgements, motives and actions into the sphere of common cultural values. They are central to grasping the motivations of our social and political life. Sai Baba promotes his own brand of ‘five human values’, which is a simple and often all too vague recipe. His biographer Kasturi writes that Sai Baba scribbled the 5 values down on the back of an envelope when Kasturi asked him to define them. Grabbed as if out of thin air without any deeper thought, it is quite evident how shallow, rigid and incomplete they are when examined carefully and critically. They can only function at a most elementary level of teaching children, at best, for the doctrine is flawed and is badly out of step with modern thought and educational standards (outside developing nations)” .
Some Robert Priddy links on these issues
1) The Common Acceptance of Human Values
2) In what may human values consist?
3) Distinguishing and defining values
4) Human values defined in practice
5) Values and Anti-values
6) Values, character development and psychic health
7) Inherent failings in Sai’s human values
8 ) Sai Baba’s teaching’s shortage of universal educational concepts and contents
9) Simplicity and vagueness in the service of moralism
10) The taint of intellectual and moral rigidity
11) Human justice as distinct from divine command
12) Sai Educare’s fundamentalist, doctrinaire teachings?
For still more detailed analysis of the above issues click here – SSEHV Exposed and:
Cardinal Failings in Sai Baba’s Human Values. Where the Teachings and the Teacher Go Wrong
Links for the study of Sathya Sai Education in Human Values and ‘Educare’ -and their shortcomings or failings – are found here:-
Sai_Baba_Five_Human_Values
Cardinal_Failings_in_Sai_Baba’s_Human_Values
Human_Values_as_Common_Ideals
Sathya_Sai_Educare_fundamentalist_doctrine
Sathya_Sai_Educare
Why the Sathya Sai organization is a cult
See also -:
Serguei Badaev
The Story of My Disqualification
by Serguei Badaev
(ex-President of Sathya Sai Organization, Moscow Centre, ex-deputy National Coordinator and National SSEHV Coordinator, Russia)
Badaev has written: “Critical thinking, as one of a basic skills of character building, is absolutely opposed to the EHV and Sai Educare approaches. I think it is a threat to the Sathya Sai mini-empire. The situation is in a sense very similar to what occurred during the Soviet regime. Communist leaders needed people with good character to work hard and with enthusiasm. But the regime tried to restrict firmly (or to control) the area of application of their intellect and research skills to keep themselves safe from their analysis. The same with Sathya Sai. There is a sort of invisible circle around him where you should abandon your critical skills and submit completely to his uncertainty and mystery. Another interesting aspect of Sai education is an idea of separate education of boys and girls which is taken for granted without any serious justification”.
Barry Pittard On Serguei Badaev
Barry Pittard’s comments in regard to the Public Petition) -:
Petition For Official Investigation Into Sathya Sai Baba Cult
Posted in Morality, Opinion, Philosophy, Religion, South Asia, Theology, Theosophy, Uncategorized, World Religions | Tagged: Educare, Education, Education in Human Values, Human Values, SSEHV, Teaching | Leave a Comment »
Sathya Sai Baba Topic On CNN-IBN – on his 81st birthday
CNN-IBN ( CNN-India Broadcast News) is an English language Indian TV news channel lauched in 2005. The network is a partnership between Global Broadcast News (GBN) and Turner International (Turner) in India. Rajdeep Sardesai is the Editor-in-Chief of the network.
One may comment: What debate?!
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO ON-LINE
if unavailable, click here
Source: CNN-IBN TV interviews: “Debate – Sai Baba a Godsend?”
See Topics posted at ‘Call For Media and Government Investigation’: Sathya Sai Baba Birthday 2009
Golden Throne of India’s Sathya Sai Baba. He says he will Rule the world soon
For earlier birthday events at Puttaparthi:
Sai Baba’s Imperial 83rd Birthday Celebrations Photo, Puttaparthi, India
Posted in Morality, News and Politics, Opinion, Protest, Rationalism, Skeptics, Theology, Uncategorized, World Issues | Tagged: CNN-IBN | 1 Comment »
For such a golden self-proclaimed Avatar of all Avatars (Divine Incarnations), can there be any better illustration of the old saw: all that glitters is not gold? See the photo evidence in this and my recent posts.
Some further revealing photos of the incredible opulence via which Sathya Sai Baba presents himself are at the links listed below.
The photo below was taken a few days ago, in a public appearance intended as a lead-up to the Sathya Sai Baba’s 83rd birthday, which is 23 November, 2008.
Sathya Sai Speaks. ‘I Do Not Like This Pomp’
Indian God’s Birthday. Says Will Rule World. Photo
Golden Glitter For Sai Baba
Posted in New Age, News and Politics, Rationalism, Religion, Sai Baba, Skeptics, Spirituality, Theology, Uncategorized, World Issues, World Religions | Tagged: Avatar of all Avatars, Birthday celebrations at Puttaparthi, Divine Incarnation, God's birthday, Sathya Sai Baba 83 | Leave a Comment »
Ex-NASA Scientist and Wife Test Sathya Sai Baba’s ‘Grace’
In 2000, Sathya Sai Baba devotees worldwide wanted desperately to cope with the allegations falling thick and fast of Sai Baba’s serial widespread sexual molestations of boys and young men.
Devotees extensively circulated a photocopy of talks by Yaani and her husband Professor Al Drucker at the ‘United Kingdom Sai Baba Retreat’, April, 2000. These two, especially Al Drucker, have been very influential in the history of the Sai Baba movement. Referring in their talks to Jaani Drucker’s rape in an official Sathya Sai Center, they both held that Jaani is not her body. She is only in a dream. Not being her body, but the eternal Atma, Jaani was never raped. All is the Lord’s Grace.
There is here a procrustean stretching of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Some have posited an ultimate state of non-physical being, but to do so can be to merge not into some blissful state of enlightenment but rather partake of an unreality which little equips human beings for deciding on issues of responsibility to their psychological welfare.
The Wishing Away Of Unpleasant Realities
For example, none should entertain the notion: The boys and young men who have had terribly shocking experiences at the hands of Sathya Sai Baba are not their body. Therefore, nothing, in all reality, happened to them. Secondly, even IF the Druckers were to be in some elevated state of spiritual enlightenment, it would be mistaken for anyone to think that all others should be as the Druckers.
Is the Druckers’ expression of a non-dualistic philosophy one to model to those struggling to make sense out of the shocks of the world or of the workaday world of commonsense and responsibility? The advaita philosophy improperly interpreted is full of dangers for the unwary.
Alvin Drucker, Former NASA scientist . (An early photo)
Al Drucker’s wife, Jaani
Belief System Interpretation of ‘Exalted’ Experiences
Jaani Drucker is surely right when she says “Denial gives energy to the darkest fears by attempting to hide them and put them out of the consciousness. Exposing our fears or negative qualities undoes them and reveals them as the nothing that they have always been”.
However, one may doubt whether she has understood the power of but one of the human mind’s radical coping mechanisms when she relates, “Even while I was being brutally raped, within me all fear and horror of the situation had left. Quite inexplicably I became very calm and to my astonishment discovered an incredible compassion welling up in my heart”. However, those on some ‘spiritual’ paths will immediately interpret the experience according to their belief system. There are many accounts of those in situations of danger who have had similar experiences. But the happy state into which they entered is later belied, for example by their shaking bodies subsequent to the event and, far more, to poste-traumatic aftermaths.
Former Devotee Ends Her Euphoria
Ella Evers, along with her late husband had led a US Sathya Sai Baba center in Oregon, USA. (John had been a banker who had served as a Dutch intelligence officer in the war against Hitler’s Germany). Ella and John were among those many in the United States Sathya Sai Organization who left it after investigated cases within Sai Centers, having – with signal failure – put to the national leaders – such as Dr John Hislop, Dr Michael Goldstein, Bob Bozzani, Dr John C. Evans, Dr William Harvey, Dr Phylis Kristal, and others – the serious allegations that were arising within the organization, particularly about allegations against Sathya Sai Baba of his serial widespread sexual abuse of boys and young men. The following report depicts an experience familiar to very many former devotees who had earlier ignored the evidence of grave malpractice. They, in a state of psychological denial and commonly a euphoric state, preferred to rationalize the conflicted situations as “Swami’s Divine Play”, “Swami’s helping to speed up the evolution of those with bad karma”, and so on.
A Former Devotee Ends Her Euphoria
The Grant’s Pass (Oregon, USA) newspaper reporter wrote:
Evers claims that, during a trip to the India compound in 1989, she glimpsed Sai Baba unzipping the pants of a boy before the holy man jumped up and closed a gap in the interview curtain. “Wanting so desperately to be a good devotee”, she blamed her own impure thoughts and suppressed what she’d seen until she learned of other stories last year, she said. Evers doesn’t want to take away from the good works of Sai Baba followers, but she believes they have been slowly drawn in and discouraged from thinking for themselves.
Source: Controversial holy man’s followers gather near Grants Pass. Patricia Snyder. Grants Pass Daily Courier. August 31, 2001.
The Ways of The Mind. Some reflections on an article by Elena Hartgering. By Åsa Samsioe (psychologist and practicing therapist, Sweden. Åsa is a former devotee of Sathya Sai Baba)
Nothing Is Real, Strawberry Fields Forever
or ‘Yaani Drucker on how nothing was turned into nothing, by nobody’
by Reidun Priddy
Yanni Drucker and Sathya Sai Baba’s Advaitic Doctrine
A recipe for confusion and personality disorder?
by Robert Priddy
Cultic Depersonalization or Demonization of Dissenters
Being In Denial. A Sai Baba Experience
Exiting A Top International Cult. A Sai Baba Experience
Dr Timothy Conway’s Summary of Ullrich Zimmermann Interview
Legalistic Abuse: Catholic Church And Sathya Sai Organization
Posted in Morality, New Age, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Religion, Sex, Spirituality, Theology, Uncategorized, World Religions | Tagged: Advaita Vedanta, Al Drucker, Åsa Samsioe, Daily Courier, Denial, Ella Evers, Grant's Pass, Hitler's Germany, Reidun Priddy, unzipping | 3 Comments »
One of India’s most powerful Hindu nationalist leaders, Ashok Singhal, who has an international profile in the Hindu world, has just told an assembly of political and religious luminaries in Delhi of a prophecy he says Sathya Sai Baba shared with him. The Organiser, September 14, 2008, reports:
“… Shri Singhal also threw light on how to strengthen the Hindu society and unite our great India. The VHP leader, while disclosing his discussion with Satya Sai Baba, said that Sai Baba had informed him that between 2020 and 2030 the whole India would be of Hindus and after 2030 the whole world would be of Hindus”.
Amrut Mahotsav of Dr Suresh Bajpai Leaders laud his dedication, service
The Individual referred to in the quote (right) is the international president of the VHP, which stands for Vishwa Hindu Parishad, founded by the late Swami Chinmayananda. It grew from a number of the factors that birthed the Hindu nationalist organisation known as RSS or Rashtriya Swamyamsekak Sangh, which is very powerful, militant and highly organized. According to David James Smith, Hinduism and Modernity P189, Blackwell Publishing ISBN 0-631-20862-3 VHP general secretary, S.S. Apte, formerly a member of the RSS, stated:
“The world has been divided to Christian, Islam and Communist. All of them view Hindu society as very fine rich food on which to feast and fatten themselves. it is necessary in this age of conflict to think of and organize the Hindu world to save it from the evils of all the three”. (see http://organiser.org/archives/historic/dynamic/modules2f80.html)
See Wikipedia articles:
Vishva Hindu Parishad
Rashtriya Swamyamsekak Sangh
When Disasters Overtake S. Sai Baba’s Promises
‘World Avatar’ Sathya Sai Baba’s Troubled Trail
Quote: “There are Sathya Sai Baba devotees in some of the highest echelons of power in various countries. Their faith in him may be touching but not likely to be fulfilled. Despite various statements such as that that he would not age or get sick, he looks fragile and decrepit, increasingly muttering oddities and making egregious blunders”. See Sathya Sai Baba’s Tips To Keep Ageing Away.
Has ‘World Saviour’ Missed His Plane?
Quote: “In his February 16, 2007 so-called ‘divine discourse’, Sai Baba said, “I intend to undertake a world tour, shortly.” But will he? How can he? The guru, perhaps the most wealthy and politically powerful in India’s long history, claims that he will save the world in his own lifetime. He will, he says, preside over the greatest changes ever to occur in history – the Muslims being the last to accept that he is God”.
Sathya Sai Promise Has Lost Its Bloom
Posted in News and Politics, Prophecy, Rationalism, Religion, Sai Baba, Skeptics, Spirituality, Theology, Theosophy, Uncategorized, World Issues, World Religions | Tagged: Amrut Mahotsav, Christian, Communist, Dr Suresh Bajpai, Hindu society, Hindu world, Hinduism, Hindus, Islam, Rashtriya Swamyamsekak Sangh, RSS, S.S. Apte, Satya Sai Baba, Swami Chinmayananda, VHP, Vishwa Hindu Parishad | 12 Comments »
Sathya Sai Baba Bans But Permits Foot Touching
At the Bal Vikas conference in Prashanti Nilayam in 2001, after sixty years of offering what he deems to be his Holy Feet to be touched, Sathya Sai Baba declared that he was not going to allow padnamaskaar to anyone anymore.
This is reported on an official Sathya Sai Organization web page at http://www.saibaba.org.hk/step6.htm). As is well known among his followers, the matter was also reported in the official magazine Sanathana Sarathi, which is distributed worldwide. After an extraordinary number of years in permitting the practice, he has discovered that it created a sense of separation between himself and his devotees! He wanted them to see him in one and all. He said that the namaskaar that would be offered to him had better be offered to parents, elders, gurus, etc. He added: “See me in your heart and in the heart of everyone you meet.”
One might well wonder whether those who, with the underhand cooperation of prominent Sathya Sai Baba servitors, and rank-and-file members, have behaved so scurrilously towards former devotees who have spoken out have quite got around to noting such noble teachings. See:
The International Sathya Sai Organization – an accessory to a massive libel and disinformation campaign. Open letter to the Prasanthi Council – c/o Dr. M. Goldstein, Dr. G. Venkataraman and its other members
In short, Sathya Sai Baba has put himself even more at the centre than before – he was to be worshipped in or through everyone else! However, he is still often observed to accept the touching of his feet.
The attached image of 7-year old boy doing padnamaskar is from http://www.saibaba.ws/articles/lettertoswami.htm – before he pronounced that padnamaskaar would stop. However, the photo of his official translator and a key servitor Professor Anil Kumar was captured by the from the BBC film ‘The Secret Swami’ (2004), well after Sathya Sai Baba said he stopped the practice of padnamaskaar of his feet!
BBC Photo from ‘The Secret Swami’, 2004.
Professor Anil Kumar Sathya Sai Baba’s Translator
BBC Hidden Camera in ‘Secret Swami’. Ethical?
The BBC’s ‘The Secret Swami’ – A RevisionProbed On Male Sex Abuse, Sai Baba Evicts BBC TV Team
Posted in New Age, Religion, Sai Baba, Spirituality, Theology, Uncategorized, World Religions | Tagged: Bal Vikas, Bal Vikas conference, elders, Gurus, padnamaskaar, parents, Prashanti Nilayam, Sanathana Sarathi | 1 Comment »
Pope’s US Visit. Is US to blame for abuse crisis?
The headlines are going up: Pope blames US for abuse crisis.
Of course, we shall need to see whether his statements exactly reflect the headlines. (See BBC News reference below, Pope attacks US sex abuse record)
If they are accurate, it may appear as a type of papal and Roman Catholic hierarchy self-absolution? Surely, the responsibility needs to be taken as a whole by the ‘Captain’. There can be no blame shifting, as decent Roman Catholics themselves have attested, when they were ready to buck an incredibly powerful heirarchy in a courageous coming out against sexual abuse within their church.
A Suggestive Historical Counter-factual
Let us alter the scenario. Suppose this: that, decades ago, a Pope had said: We are getting shocking reports of sexual abuse. We shall move against this iniquity with the utmost urgency and thoroughness and compassionate professionalism – compassionate, above all, for the survivors of this great and abominable abuse. It is not to be tolerated. It would be too facile to blame the problem on any wealthy country, because the same abuses are to be found in countries rich and poor, and at every socio-cultural level.
BBC NEWS. Pope attacks US sex abuse record
‘Pope Benedict XVI has criticized US bishops for their handling of child sex scandals, saying their response to the crisis had sometimes been very poor.
He laid part of the blame for the crisis, of which he feels “deeply ashamed”, on a breakdown in US values’.
The Australian. Pope spreads pedophilia blame
‘WASHINGTON: Feted at the White House on his 81st birthday, the Pope told the US’s bishops that the scourge of clergy sex abuse had sometimes been “very badly handled” – and laid part of the blame for the scandal on the breakdown of values in American society … The US church has been racked by falling attendance at mass and financial and other difficulties in recent years, most notably the sexual-abuse scandal that has resulted in the removal of many clergy from the ministry …. Describing clerics who sexually abused children as “gravely immoral”, the Pope warned that the scourge of pedophilia “is found not only in your dioceses but in every sector of society” … Last year, 689 fresh allegations of abuse were lodged, and the church paid out $US615 million to settle child sex abuse cases involving members of the clergy ‘.
Some related Articles at Call For Media and Government Investigation of Sathya Sai Baba
Cult Exposure. By Their Documents Ye Shall Know Them
Australia Says ‘Sorry’. A Lesson For Sai Baba And Followers
The BBC’s ‘The Secret Swami’ – A Revision
Posted in Religion, Spirituality, Theology, Uncategorized, World Religions | 1 Comment »
Is Humanity One Big Cult?
Posted by Barry Pittard on October 13, 2007
There is a fundamental mistake that defenders of those accused of serious abuse keep on making.
Accusations of substantive abuse do not have to be proved. They have to be investigated.
An organization that does not have genuine policies and practices of transparency and accountability is per se condemned.
Many Exposés of Cults Reveal Same Abuses and Rationalizations
Statements such as that an organization’s founder and his or her core leaders have never been brought before a court are crude and dishonest in the extreme. Repeatedly, across the various exposure of leaders, the patterns of denial, obfuscation and outright deceit are to be observed. Meetings between dissenters from various cults, who have left because they found profoundly betrayed the noble aims concerning which they joined, can tend to get off to a flying start, for participants are deeply struck by the many commonalities of experiences. I shall not say more of this aspect at present. For it is good that increasing contacts mature between those who have experienced spiritual betrayal around the world and the monumental cover-up of it can mature and prosper. And, indeed, that the perpetrators are left to wonder what alliances and resource-sharing and joint ventures might effect in educating greater publics of the great and insidious threats posed by cults of various kinds.
Cult defenders persistently employ a number of blunt tools: demeaning, name-calling, demonizing, slandering, stalking both on and off the Internet, intimidation, distortion and misinterpretation of what has been said. They muck-rack like McCarthyites, and attack individuals, quite commonly for faults they have not committed, instead of address issues. The use of ad hominem arguments and tu quoque retorts is very typical, and they confuse the difference between legitimately naming an individual and criticising their statements or role and illegitimate practice of slandering a person, and thus avoiding the central issues being presented. Their smokescreens choke horizons like a bad bushfire on a gusty day. Often, they appeal to popular prejudice. They get caught up in the narrowest interpretations of dissenters’ intentions or actions. Each individual who speaks up, they will assume the worst of, and defame – one after the other. They avoid the substantive questions and arguments, and accuse others of doing so. One is damned if one should respond to them, and damned if one does not. But then why should one bend to respond to those so antagonistic? It’s damned well good at least not to be down in the gutter.
There is no diving equipment adequate to diving into sewers. Those among the dissenters such as the hotheaded and bloody-mindedly quarrelsome who do respond end up in endless dogfights, which are far removed from the very reasons – which can be ideals most would agree to be noble, humane, spiritual and so forth – which led one to be a part of a self-enhancement group in the first instance. Many dissenters have, however, done years of hard self-development and of unstinting service to the poor and needy in their communities and other worthy causes. They may fight, but they will not dogfight.
Euphoria and Topic Avoidance
There is often in guru and cult defenders an appeal to popular prejudices – such as that media inevitably sensationalizes and misreports or that dissenters are people who did not get attention from the group’s guru, etc. The defensive tactics reveal the depth of problems of personality which a leader and cult, despite grand claims, has not, amidst the unreal euphoria and avoidance of topics where hard questions are raised, been able to heal or to solve. It is, of course, a problem that can as easily afflict dissenters, unless they have done some hard work on themselves.
Humanity – One Big Cult?
A far wider problem exists. One can point to cultic tendencies in this or that group. But then if we emphasize qualities of group-think and non-think in groups termed (accurately or not) ‘cults’, we will end up comforted, with our fingers pointed out, rather than considering our own capacities. Is there a grand unquestioning that is the tendency of a cult called Humanity? A cutting across all the ‘isms’ – except one: bias-ism. So normal that we feel normal. So huge that we don’t recognize it, just as we might tend to assume without thinking that the sun will rise in the east on the morrow or that the sky still coheres above us.
No need to click on ‘Register’ or ‘Join’. No need to pay annual subsriptions. Our forebears have already enrolled us.
If we are all afflicted, we had best find a better way of getting out of the millennially built-up sludge. But no use ‘fessing up unless we can find ways to do it without exploitation, shouting, clubbing, and reversion to division and the manning of battlements.
The Example of The Muslim Leaders
Perhaps the Muslim and Christian clerics, theologians and academics who are busily writing to each other right at this moment will find ways to express commonalities which lead to love and compassion, and still face the differentiations that tests the goodwill, and in a way that works beyond the lovey-dovey. I think there is a tendency, which the leaders will have to address, to assume that religions are what make the world go round, rather the cynical machinations of realpolitik. Never mind, any genuinely caring way might be the way out of the sludge – even if by happy accident, or some millennial crawl to a new paradigm.
We can all be members of the clubless club of the great unwashed, which has but one essential thought. That we are washed, even if others are not. And one essential risk: that we can, all too easily do bad dirt on good people – if there happen to be any around.
The Muslim leaders’ bold document is available in .pdf format, courtesy of the BBC, HERE
Posted in Neglected/sidelined News, New Age, Opinion, Religion, Spirituality, Theology, Theosophy, Uncategorized, World Religions | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Barry Pittard on October 6, 2007
Once, my life nearly succumbed to an Indian headlong pilgrim rush.
Crowd Delirium at Puttaparthi
What wondrous relief, then, not to have been caught up in the crowd surges of Sathya Sai Baba devotees which, last Thursday evening, plunged towards Sai Baba’s Puttaparthi airport. They hungered after Sai Baba’s reportedly promised divine vision as hunger-maddened human beings might rush for food.
Sai Baba had announced through one of his chief servitors, Professor Anil Kumar, news reports state, that he would grant to his assembled devotees a great vision – no less than “Vishwarupa Darshanam”.
This is the sort of peak divine experience that Lord Krishna is said to have granted to his servitor and boon companion Arjuna. See Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 11, At a point north east, all the divinely and incredibly fortunate Sai devotees would have to do would be to look up at the moon, and, lo, they would receive a blessing granted usually only to yogis or rishis (sages) who had meditated for thousands of years. (Too bad, of course, for any blind Sai Baba devotees). But the weather turned cloudy, and Puttaparthi officials are reported as saying that their Bhagawan Sai Baba had refused to go ahead with the event because the crowds had become unruly, holding up his car, in which he had been driven to the airport, for an hour.
How anyone could attain redemptive deliverance by trampling to death one’s fellow pilgrims may seem something of a mystery. But it is not a spiritual mystery. How Sai Baba could have set up a situation which any sane Indian knows is bound to cause incredible crowd turmoil is not, I think, a mystery at all. But, rather, is explicable in terms of serious recurring evidence of an encroaching mental condition that his core assistants work overtime in trying to keep from devotees and the general public. See my article: Sai Baba’s Tip to Keep Ageing Away.
In India, ‘Guest is God’. My 15 Minutes of Godhood
To speak of fervent ‘religous’ crowds who can trample you underfoot in the twinkling of a foot. One day at Sai Baba’s Puttaparthi ashram, in the late ’70’s, I was seized by a fit of (would-be) renunciation.
I was a lecturer in Sai Baba’s boys college at Whitefield, via Bangalore, and used to my place on Sai Baba’s temple (mandir) verandah and other ‘privilegious’ vantage points. One of these was a spot among Sai Baba’s male bhajan lead singers who sat right up front in the Puttaparthi auditorium, the Poorna Chandra, at that time said to be the second-largest auditorium in South-East Asia.
With no prizes available for grand naivity, I thought: let me get out of this unseemly easefulness and sit as far up towards the back as possible, among the seething humanity, in this way working towards combatting egoic attachment to Sai Baba’s form. Unlike my normal seating position, to which I could go freely without queuing, I now had to wait among great throngs. At length, the roller doors of the Poorna Chandra were thown open, whence followed as fiece a charge as a Kiplingesque ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ – except that this was the charge of myriad heavy brigades. Pakistan would have been defeated in an instant!
Salvational Desperation
I did not then know what many a surviving pilgrim in India will know – which is: Do rush. Do plunge pell-mell. Do charge with the charge. Otherwise you’re done for – life or limb. Unless you want to stay at home and risk getting run over by a vehicle. Nothing in India’s scriptures, nor in any, had quite prepared me for this important annexure to sacred Wisdom.
Thou Shalt Not Trample Foreign Visitors, Unless Moksha (Soul Liberation) Needs Forbid
Fortunately, there were a few quick thinkers among that madding crowd. As it surged forward stormily – avid after sitting places – an instinctive protectiveness by alert Indians saved this Australian “innocent abroad”. One had better not, if at all manageable, paste an innocent foreign face on the floor. Of course, my Indian brothers have known millennia before the American humorist Mark Twain wrote “Innocents Abroad” that foreign travellers tend to be … ah, well … Or, to express the matter mildly, that we can magnify Murphy’s Law to the power of ten.
Then, several pairs of hands swept me up until I was carried over the heads of my benignly strong-armed rescuers. Perhaps that was the prize – my life.
My Fifteen Minutes of Sacred (or Scared) Fame
Once we sat down, I found that some knew I was a teacher in Sai Baba’s college and, at odd times, a bhajan leader, and “I” found “myself” – so to speak – duly worshipped – for God’s sake! The chump being worshipped was still alive, if rather shaken. And Andy Warhol was assiduously timing the whole event – pretty well right down to his statutary fifteen minutes.
Further earnest devotees started beckoning me to work my way down, and, with pained concern inscribed in their faces and tender care vibrating in their outreaching hands, swept me up and passed me continually forward to yet myriad other caring hands (which minutes ago might have belonged to individuals who would gingerly have trampled me underfoot), until service volunteers (seva dals), also brimfull of earnest solicitation, conducted me back to my accustomed, privilegious seat.
For, of course, one of the great courtesies of India is, veritably, that ‘guest is God’.
Vintage Quote From Sai Baba
“I will have to forego the car and even the aeroplane when I move from place to place, for the crowds pressing around them will be too huge; I will have to move across the sky; yes, that too will happen, believe Me.” (Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. II, p. 92)
www.andhracafe.com news report, updated: October 4, 2007. Hysteric crowds force Sai Baba to differ Viwa Rupa. Below, I have excerpted from this news release:
HYDERABAD : Hysteric crowds and overhanging clouds persuaded Sri Satya Sai Baba to postpone his promised Vishwarupa darshanam on Thursday evening. There was chaos at the Puttaparthi airport after Sai Baba devotees thronged the premises to witness the Vishwarupa darshanam of their master….
They returned disappointed. Sai Baba had earlier given darshan to his devotees at Sai Kulwant hall in Puttaparthi. After the bhajan, he told his assistant Anil Kumar that he would give Vishwarupa darshanam at around 7 pm on the northeastern direction of the airport….
As soon as Mr Anil Kumar announced this, devotees ran towards the airport chanting his name. Television channels also telecast the news and people in Puttaparthi locked up their houses and ran towards the airport. Thousands also rushed to the area from surrounding villages….
All the devotees crowding the area focused their attention on the northeastern direction in the sky. In a fit of devotion, some of them surrounded the car of Sai Baba and he could not come out. Devotees did not relent even after members of Satya Sai Trust urged them to sit down. Instead, they ran after the car….
A small stage was set up before the car for Viswarupa Darshanam but Sai Baba could not reach the stage as devotees prostrated before him. He was forced to remain in the car for about an hour….
A short while later, the office-bearers of the Satya Sai Trust announced that the Viswarupa Darsanam was postponed because of the non-cooperation of devotees and the cloudy weather. Sai Baba then returned to his Ashram. Sai Baba devotees in other countries also called up their friends and relatives in Puttaparthy to find out about the incident….
Because of the rush, traffic on the road from Puttaparthy to the airport was thrown out of gear. At one stage, doors of the airport had to be closed. Police finally cleared the traffic to enable Sai Baba to return to his Ashram. Most devotees expressed disappointment at not being able to see the Viswarupa Darsanam.
Other articles on the Sai Baba moon issue at: https://barrypittard.wordpress.com are:
Sai Baba Fails To Appear In The Moon, IANS Reports
Is Indian ‘Godman’ Sai Baba’s Moon Waning Still Further
Robert Priddy: Sai Baba postpones moon buggy ride
The Decline and Fall of the Showman Empire
Note: Many surfers used the following search terms to get to the articles at https://barrypittard.wordpress.com on the Sai Baba moon issue:
Sai Baba on moon
baba in moon
sathya sai baba in moon
satya sai baba in moon
saibaba on moon
moon appear satya sai
Posted in Neglected/sidelined News, New Age, Rationalism, Religion, Sai Baba, Skeptics, Spirituality, Theology, Theosophy, Uncategorized, World Religions | Tagged: Vishwarupa Darshananam | 9 Comments »
Why Might There Be Religious and Political Disconnects?
Posted by Barry Pittard on September 25, 2007
These short extracts from Shantanu Dutta’s article, Power of godmen, can provide a stimulus for discussion on the issue – are godmen (and godwomen, one supposes) beneficial or baneful or an intriguing mixture of both? (see extract below)
Of a statement by TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samithi) president K. Chandrasekhara Rao, Dutta says:
“Apparently (it) indicates that in the political mind there is a big disconnect between the teachings and thoughts shared in discourses and the course of action that naturally follows as a consequence”.
It Can Take Two To Disconnect
And the disconnect no doubt is not just disconnect by politician from spiritual leader, but the reverse as well.
It is surely a situation which is relevant to religious leaders of any country. Are they fortified by ivory towers or dreaming spires – or can they genuinely relate to the day-to-day issues of people in general? If they cannot, then a disconnect is bound to occur. Might, for example, a lay person think the best counselor to go to in quest of a solution to practical marital problems is a lifelong monk or nun?
That is one side of the question. But then, suppose that a spiritual leader – whether worldly-wise or not – has some useful insight into a public matter. I agree with Dutta. Why should Sai Baba, or anyone for that matter, shut up about important issues? In regard to the greater public weal, who is not a stakeholder of one degree or another?
The issue of religious leaders speaking out arises as an explosive one when few speak out. Let only a few do it and they are a novelty – even a shocking one.
What is the case when abstracts or ideals, are preached? What would be needed to bring about a connect?
Ought We Disconnect from Disconnected Gurus?
Here, are but two questions some of my readers might like to run with their spiritual leaders – whether at a mandir or temple, synagogue, mosque, vihara, church, and so forth:
1. what is our Faith’s specific, injunction or declared statement – if there is one – on sexual abuse?
2. What policy guidelines – if any – are there for dealing with offenses, proved or as yet alleged – within the ranks of the authority or amongst the congregation? (Please be so kind as to write to me with the details. I am interested. Email: bpittard (at) optusnet.com.au)
There is bound to be conflict when a preacher does not grapple with the question of how lay persons can, without great stress – and indeed hypocrisy – act out the precepts in practical and meaningful ways.
That is to say – connected.
Shantanu Dutta Article Extract
“The other Godman in the news was Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He didn’t get accolades of course for his remarks on Telengana and his opinion that those who talk in terms of the division of the country are actually committing a sin. His remarks led to a huge agitation and even violence. The TRS president , K Chandrasekhara Rao commenting on the Sai Baba’s remarks suggested that the Baba stick to singing Bhajans and other dharmic activities. Apparently that statement indicates that in the political mind there is a big disconnect between the teachings and thoughts shared in discourses and the course of action that naturally follows as a consequence”. Power of godmen, by Shantanu Dutta. MeriNews. 25 January 2007, Thursday. Link at begining of this blog. Dutta’s article is also available at Desicritics.org – HERE
See my article, Sai Baba Sparks Political Furore. At the foot of it there are plentiful links to articles from major Indian newspaper sources. My point here was not whether Sai Baba was correct or not in speaking out about a hot political issue. It was this: He has, at 81 years of age, deviated from long decades of non-entry into hot political topics. My view is that, from time to time, he speaks without full control because of his increasingly visible and audible loss of mental faculties. This deterioration his close servitors have gone to great lengths to hide. In an extremely rare moment, the BBC was able to film this happening. It is little wonder that the ashram authorities evicted the BBC documentary makers, who began to ask perfectly reasonable questions – truthful answers to which the public has a right to know. See various film clips, including one where Sai Baba collapses and afterwards, by way of explanation, utters almost certifiable inanities before a vast crowd, HERE. Or for the whole of the BBC’s one-hour documentary (2004), go HERE for broadband and HERE for dialup modem. My detailed review-article The BBC’s The Secret Swami – A Revision is Here
Posted in Neglected/sidelined News, Opinion, Politics, Religion, Spirituality, Theology, World Religions | Tagged: K. Chandrasekhara Rao, Power of godmen, Rashtra Samithi, Shantanu Dutta, Telangana, Telengana | 1 Comment »
Truth Commission Model May Assist Sai Baba Devotees
Posted by Barry Pittard on August 19, 2007
Other group leaders from various countries who we know to have been informed that Sai Baba sexually abuses boys and young men still take groups of all ages to see him. There is repeated evidence that they still do not inform parents of global allegations concerning Sai Baba, nor that highly respected individuals, once loved and esteemed leaders and members of the Sathya Sai Organization, make them.
Sai Baba’s leaders tell rank-and-file members that those making the allegations are a small disgruntled handful. Blind to commonsense, deaf to basic reasoning processes, rapid to leap to worst case speculations about the motivations of Sai Baba dissenters, Sai Baba’s devotees typically believe that former devotees have become, in an instant, transformed into demons. Racing into deep denial, vacating all commonsense, these devotees chronically deny the good standing of those they have long loved and respected, and worked and worshipped beside. History is bound to ‘out’ those who do this. They cannot possibly defend themselves on the grounds of truth and compassion. They will need, above all, to express profound sorrow, and admit profound failure in duty-of-care, towards those Sai Baba has so criminally, and for so many decades, abused.
Perhaps some of the Truth Commission experiences and insights may assist Sai Baba devotees to pull themselves out of their dilemma. It would be a great pity if the good social uplift works done by many good and decent Sai Baba devotees were to be damaged by the revelations already so extensively available, with many more on their way.
Starting points are:
http://www.truthcommission.org/
http://www.doj.gov.za/trc/
Posted in Neglected/sidelined News, Opinion, Religion, Social and Politics, Society, Theology, Uncategorized, World Issues, World Religions | 1 Comment »
Within Hinduism, the Shiva lingam can represent the wonder and majesty of creation-dissolution, a symbol of limitlessness. See Wikipedia, under ‘Lingam‘:
‘The term lingam is sometimes used synonymously for shivalingam or sivalingam a specific type of icon or altar representing the god Shiva’
View Revealing video Clips From The BBC’s The Secret Swami. See Below
In Sanskrit, this object is often called a lingodhbhava. In India, especially in the south, down the millennia, via literature, drama, temple worship and so on, the sacredness of its associations have become immense.
Sathya Sai Baba had, over a number of years, ostensibly brought from his stomach a pure gold egg-shaped Shiva lingam (Sivalingam, Shivalingam). This event he performed at the festival to the Hindu god Siva, or Mahashivarathri. For two decades, Sai Baba ceased what had been a yearly (so-called miraculous) production of the lingam. Why would he resume it in February 1999? And be caught out by the BBC in 2004?
A Lordly Miracle Might Revive Emperor’s Crumbling Empire
I have elsewhere characterized Sai Baba as, in certain respects but not in all, a master showman, see The Decline and Fall of the Showman Empire. Around Sai Baba, all is panoply, pomp and circumstance – and dazzling architecture costing millions.
Sai Baba’s pet elephant, Sai Gita appearing at Sai Baba’s showpiece Hillview Stadium
A Hindu dissenter of Sai Baba, chance-met, who was at Puttaparthi on suffrance, once said to me, “This is a national circus”.
Sai Baba’s humble living quarters
But empire or circus, the show is a voracious money ‘beast’ that has continually to be fed. Gold may or may not come out of Sai Baba’s stomach but it certainly has to keep on going into his coffers.
Sai Baba showcased in pure gold
What then the case of a series of calamitous exposures in major media around the world? What of all the leave-takings from his worldwide Sathya Sai Organization – far more numerous than formal resignations? What of the threatened recruitment bases?
Big Money Replenishment – A Desperation to Recruit in Luxurious Venues
In tightly controlled circumstances, the Sathya Sai Organization now recruits in highly costly, luxurious venues. For example, Cooper’s Union, New York; La Mirada Theatre; Los Angeles County, Hilton Ballroom and Sheraton Hotel and Towers, both Chicago; Copley International Conference Center, San Diego; Town Hall, Melbourne; Super Dome, Sydney, etc. See article by Robert Priddy and Barry Pittard, Sai Organization’s Spending Spree In Super Dome, Sydney.
Sydney Superdome, Australia one of world’s top stadiums, built for the Olympic Games 2000
A Positive BBC Documentary Would Help Recuperate from Intense International Criticism
The BBC was on the scene, and the ashram officials had given a rare permission to shoot inside the Puttaparthi ashram. It was not until the BBC producer of what was to become the television documentary The Secret Swami (2004) Eamon Hardy asked about the worldwide sex abuse allegations that matters drastically altered. The Sathya Sai Central Trust Secretary, K. Chakravarthy, summarily evicted the BBC team. The Indian television company Sanskaar TV also televised this Mahashivarathi event.
There had been, especially from 2000, tremendous international pressure for Sai Baba and his worldwide Sathya Sai Organization. (See, towards the end of the article – Sathya Sai Baba’s Deputy Head, Dr G. Venkataraman, Speaks of “Mr Idi Amin” – a number of heavy stressors that were being applied by globally networked former devotees known as ‘the exposé). One outcome was the display of an anger Sai Baba has long kept behind-the-scenes. Bad cracks began to appear in the Sai monolith, and the world began to peep through. In a Christmas 2000 discourse, in which peace and goodwill to all men were remarkable for their absence, Sai Baba repeatedly pounded his lectern, denouncing his accuses as demons and Judases, and vaunting his accomplisments (even though, contrary to his assertions, far from unique), prompting The Times of India, December 26, 2000, to headline: Sai Baba Lashes Out At His Detractors. He cried,
“Is there any government that is giving free medical care? People don’t even think about the sanctity behind it. Most of the educated have become so low and mean minded. Is there anyone who is doing even one thousandth of this work ? No, no. It is only Sathya Sai Baba, who is doing this selflessly, always for the welfare of others.”
He has at various times said he is anger-free. For example:
“When I am defamed, I never get incensed, for it is only the tree full of edible fruits that is attached by sticks and stones.” (Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. 4 p. 184).
“There is no trace of anger or hatred in Me and hence everyone loves Me” (Sanathana Sarathi September 2002, page 257f)
Sathya Sai Speaks of his alleged lingam creations
“Ah! This is the Brahmaanda Linga! Symbol of the Universe. Inside it, the nine planets (Navagrahas) revolve; the entire Universe is represented herein … You are indeed blessed, the merit of many births as brought you here to see the Great Phenomenon, this rare Creation.” (Sathya Sai Speaks, IV, 4:26).
He has also said:
“This is Amruthtatwam (symbol of immortality). It is changeless. You cannot see such a manifestation anywhere in the world. It is possible only with Divinity.” (Sanathana Sarathi – March 1999, p. 73)
In 2004, as caught by BBC and Indian television cameras, Sai Baba not only produced one lingam, but, if we take his officials’ word for it, two more offstage. The public ‘miracle’ he performed, to the suprise of many, in terribly fumbling and absent-minded fashion. One would think that this to declining faculties that many have noticed but which his minders have tried to mask as best they can under the all too tell-tale circumstances, and which Sai devotees keep a numbed silence about). However, according to Sai Baba’s chief translator and also a world-travelling emissary Professor Anil Kumar in his words to the crowds, Sai Baba privately manifested two more ‘atma lingams’ off-stage.
In the BBC’s The Secret Swami, the interviewer Tanya Datta comments:
“To the alarm of the crowd suddenly Sai Baba collapsed. His huge coterie of staff swung into action. There was panic. An organisation used to tight control seemed to have lost its grip. Sai Baba was hastily wheeled off stage.” Later, he is carried hobbling back, with officials claiming that he manifested two more lingams offstage”. Transcript is HERE. See the whole documentary. Broadband users click HERE (80 MB). There is a small version for modem users Here (23,3 MB)
Or you can download it packed in zip file (22 MB) Here.
Returning to the Kulwant Hall stage within the next hour, to the immensely relieved audience of many thousands, a pale and shaken Sai Baba makes the unfathomable claim:
“Out of the stomach emanated Shiva Lingas of the weight of three tonnes. That’s the reason why some strain on the face and the body”
But Centuries of Magicians Have Produced Objects By Regurgitation
Magicians have long produced objects – both precious and trivial – from out of their stomachs. A contemporary example is the British regurgitator Stevie Starr. The website: http://www.steviestarr.com/index.php informs us that:
There is a German documentary that shows ‘sadhus’ or Hindu ‘holy men’ performing tricks, including regurgitation: Das Mysterium Der Shiva – Heilige Männer (Ein film von Eberhart Thiem, Helga Lippert, Arno Peik) from a German series called Terra X – Rätsel alter Weltkulturen). Swallowing of nails and regurgitating them one at a time is shown.
For a fascinating byway in film history, see HADJI ALI, Scenes from POLITIQUERIAS, the Spanish-language version of Laurel and Hardy’s Chickens Come Home. Hadji Ali is of that group of performers known as ‘regurgitators’ or ‘water spouters’. A vaudeville star in the first decades of the last century, this Egyptian-born performer was billed as ‘The Great Regurgitator’. In the webpage just cited, there are stark black and white shots of Hadji Ali performing the regurgitation trick in a 1931 Stanley Laurel and Oliver Hardy movie.
The Indian ‘holyman’ Swami Premananda also used to produce lingams. He now sits in the bowls of a gaol with a double life sentence for rape and murder, and not likely to be regurgitated therefrom.
The celebrated Indian Rationalist and ‘guru buster’ Basava Premanand appeared in the BBC’s The Secret Swami. Originally a Sai Baba devotee, he reported investigating Sathya Sai Baba since 1968, first “as a hobby” then going public in 1976. In this one-hour television documentary, B. Premanand is seen demonstrating the trick behind Sai Baba’s so-called ‘miraculous’ production of the golden lingam or Shiva lingam. See my tribute: Basava Premanand. Vale. A fighter for truth who lived what others preach
Powerful Psycho-religious Role of the Lingam Among Many Hindus
Sai Baba knows well how to tap into aeons-old Indian piety. He says he is all the gods and goddesses. Many Vaishnavites worship him as Lord Vishnu, many Shaivites, as Lord Shiva, and so on. But this phenomenon is not untypical – in the remarkable form of a live-and-let-live philosophy – and is seen in much guru worship throughout India, where an individual is free to worship the guru according to her or his own traditional or temperamental iconography or ishta devata (personalized or favourite form of godhead). To his devotees of Christian background, Sai Baba says that he is the Father who sent Lord Jesus Christ. Because of these deep Indian traditions of religious plurality and acceptance (which goes far deeper than mere tolerance), his devotees are happy, for example, to sing his praises in bhajans (antiphonal, commonly congregational hymn-singing) using the names of all the gods and goddesses.
Crowd Pulling Psychology Far Exceeding Barnum and Bailey
Sai Baba’s sarva dharma chakra (all-major Faiths symbol)
In one thing at least Sai Baba is supreme. He has the supreme ability to play the all-religions-are-essentially-one card with brilliance. He virtually adopts the role, at the level of self-proclaimed absolute Divinity, of being all-things-to-all religious men. One of the psychological factors he draws on goes emotionally deep for those worshipping him. Sathya Sai speaks, for example, of how his devotees plead with him not to produce the lingam, particularly now that he is becoming older and has been through a number of hip operations (he is 81, and may be older if we are to regard British colonial records). In The Deccan Herald report of the February 2004 Mahashivrathri, Srikanth Srinivasa wrote,
“Sai Baba’s devotees have been imploring him not to suffer the ordeal of bringing out the Linga every year at the cost of the god man’s health”
Sai Baba’s Promise: Who Witnesses His Production Of the Lingam is Liberated from Sin and Rebirth
Down the years, Sai Baba has made references like this:
“Those who are fortunate to witness Lingodbhava are freed from all sins”. Sanathana Sarathi, 3/99, p. 66
In short, he mines for all it is worth mass anxiety about the karmic future. Will one be damnably consigned to birth after birth? Or will a trip to Puttaparthi mend things, forever? In short, what this great religious showman offers – no, promises, absolutely – is absolution and forgiveness of sins. It is a consideration that motivates millions of religionists the world over.
A similar psychology – the spectacle of God’s pain, as it were – attends Christian attitudes to the ‘Passion’ or crucifixion story, and Christian evangelists have long played deeply on this.
Shiva Rules But Sai Baba Was No Tiger
Majestic symbol of undeniable cosmic forces, Lord Shiva sits forever serenely on his tigers skin. Sathya Sai Baba’s tiger skin is but that – a skin held dazzlingly aloft to make him appear be the real Shiva.
Playing cricket or playing Shiva?
Sai Baba’s mask-like face. A degenerative disease like Parkinson’s?
Faked lingam production. Frame-by-frame analysis of the BBC and other footage is revealing indeed. Former leader of the Sathya Sai Organization, Norway, and retired academic of the University of Oslo, Robert Priddy, analyses and provides background notes, See, Mahahshivarathri 2004. Quote: “Sai Baba allowed an unprecedented live broadcast in the Indian subcontinent of his so-called ‘lingodbhava’ (bringing the egg-like ellipsoidal object out of his mouth after what looks like a painful process of ‘regurgitation’). However, one can most clearly see that NO lingam ‘actually emerged at all this year. Instead there was a small spurt of yellowish vomit, which was later claimed to be the lingam in liquid golden form!”
Devotees’ Expectations and SSB’s Lingam Production (Background Notes on the 2004 Mahasivaratri Spectacle). In this article, the Australian scholar and former devotee Brian Steel writes:
“It is not unreasonable to hypothesise that in 1999 and 2000, this popular event may even have been deliberately revived for precisely the same promotional reasons, at a time when the Organisation was acutely aware that very strong criticism and denunciation of SSB was about to be made public overseas by two very high-profile close ex-devotees (David Bailey and Naresh Bhatia) who had recently “defected” and whose spectacular revelations were nervously awaited. If this hypothesis is not correct, and if the Lingodbhava performance was discontinued because of fears of unruly crowds in 1977, why revive it when the crowds are much larger today?”
“Bhagavan Baba kept manifesting His divinity in the form of Lingodbhava year after year on every Shivaratri till 1977 when He announced that he had decided to discontinue Lingodbhava in public. Those who witnessed this Divine phenomenon again on 15 February, 1999 were really fortunate as it happened after a long gap of more than 20 years.” Editor, Sanathana Sarathi, 3/99, p. 81
Barry Pittard at Call For Media and Government Investigation of Sathya Sai Baba: https://barrypittard.wordpress.com
The BBC’s The Secret Swami – A Revision
View Revealing video Clips From The BBC’s The Secret Swami
For Viewing
The BBC’s ‘The Secret Swami’ – as well as exposing other fraudulence – had the camera well trained on Sathya Sai Baba. Although the Puttaparthi officials thought that the BBC was going to make their day, the crew were well-briefed by former devotees, and had their eyes open – and indeed the lens of their camera! – in a way that blinded devotees and a public that is mostly unaware of how magicians perform their tricks rarely do. Within the quietness of your computer room, however, you can train your eyes simply by seeing, really seeing, what there is to see.
SEE THE VIDEO CLIP OF THE ABOVE FAKING (filesize 700 Kbs)
Posted in Neglected/sidelined News, New Age, Philosophy, Propaganda, Rationalism, Religion, Spirituality, Theology, Uncategorized, World Religions | Tagged: Eamon Hardy, Indian Rationalist B.Premanand, K. Chakravarthy, Kulwant Hall Puttaparthi, Lingodbhava, Mahashivarathri, Professor Anil Kumar, Regurgitation, Robert Priddy, Sanskaar TV, Sathya Sai Central Trust Secretary, Shivalingam, Sivalingam | 3 Comments »
Cost Of Cover Ups Can Far Exceed Hoped-for Benefits
Posted by Barry Pittard on July 23, 2007
A great irony of cover-ups is this – that once they have been exposed, the initiators of the abuses sustain a cost far greater than would have attended the prompt admission of the initial misdeeds – and genuine, exhaustive measures to address the abuses. Tragically, “cost” may be multiply defined – and in far from money terms alone.
And is there any Faith, major or minor, that is not sorely complicit in profound cover up of systemic sexual abuse?
The present repercussions of the Los Angeles Catholic Diocese afford us a ready example. Questions are being raised about whether there is enough – after insurance and money from other Orders have been paid – for even a rich Diocese’s coffers to afford such a vast pay-out. This is but one diocese, and yet many others face, or have already faced, a similar predicament. Is there even a single one (as a BBC television news report would indicate) in which such allegations have not been raised?
The Editorialist in The Boston Globe, July 17, 2007, writes:
“The Los Angeles and Boston money could have been spent on other important projects if Mahony and Law had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against abuse when it first became a national issue for the church in the mid-1980s.
Catholic dioceses across the nation, including Los Angeles, have initiated thorough policies to prevent future abuse, and Mahony apologized to the victims on Sunday. Yet new policies and regrets aren’t enough. In the eyes of victims, the scandal will never be fully resolved as long as bishops who put the interests of their fellow priests over the protection of children remain in positions of leadership”.
‘Or who shall ‘scape whipping’?
But is there any organization – anywhere – which has not covered up serious allegations? Can it be a good thing that when exposure of sexual abuse is discussed the Roman Catholic Church is so often the tarnished exemplar?
Another irony is that first whistleblowers are scapegoated but then public scapegoating can too easily turn on discretely ‘easy’ targets. And what more ‘easy’ than arguably the biggest religious monolith on the planet?
Does convergence of attention on a big institution help to prevent a much wider focus?
Naturally, of course, there is, at least, a chance for other organizations – before it is too late (if it is not already far too late!) for them to act without the courts forcing them to act – to learn from the fate of those churches or other organizations already strongly exposed?
Today, most societies are multicultural. Would it not make sense to take the broad approach, with not a single organization acting as though it, too, is unaffected? Or a wider public permitted to think that it has not its own accountability?
Further Major News Media Readings on the LA scandal and pay0uts are HERE, HERE and HERE. Website of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) is HERE
See, Robert Priddy’s article ‘Spiritual’ Abuse. Quote:
“One US lady who has been raped by a priest broke down in tears on worldwide TV News (22/7/2007) while telling how she was not believed by her very own church community, which ostracised her. This ‘turning a blind eye’ has been very common, also in the Sathya Sai Organization”.
Posted in Morality, New Age, News and Politics, Opinion, Philosophy, Politics, Protest, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Rationalism, Religion, Sai Baba, Scandal, Sex, Skeptics, Social and Politics, Society, Spirituality, Theology, Theosophy, Trends, Uncategorized, World Issues, World Religions | 3 Comments »
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line864
|
__label__cc
| 0.625443
| 0.374557
|
Geography - Australia Geography - Ecuador Geography - France Geography - Japan Geography - Qatar Geography - Slovenia Geography - South and Central America Geography - South East Asia
Smart Grid & Energy Storage (1)
Christine Beadle (1)
Julian Jansen (1)
Energy Storage Intelligence Service (1)
Utility-scale Solar & Energy Storage Report - Australia - 2018
The utility-scale solar pipeline has reached 27 GW in Australia, with 2.1 GW of co-located energy storage planned.
Christine Beadle | Julian Jansen | January 17, 2018
This report provides an analysis of the current utility-scale solar and energy storage pipeline in Australia. The opportunity for co-located energy storage with utility-scale solar is rapidly emerging with a large number of developers looking accelerate projects.
Solar Capacity in Central America to Surge, as Tenders Put Region on the Photovoltaic Map
Josefin Berg | September 11, 2014
Set to install an impressive 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaic (PV) capacity within a six-year period through 2018, Central America is attracting attention from PV developers from around the world, according to a new report from IHS Technology (NYSE: IHS).
TBEA SunOasis Set to Overtake First Solar as World’s Largest Solar EPC Company in 2014
Josefin Berg | May 15, 2014
U.S.-based First Solar delivered on expectations in 2013 to become the leading Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company in the global photovoltaic (PV) industry, even though it is likely to be surpassed in 2014 by Chinese EPC TBEA SunOasis, according to a new report from IHS Technology.
Leading Solar Module Suppliers Extend Dominance in 2013; Chinese Still on Top
Jessica Jin | April 30, 2014
The top makers of photovoltaic (PV) modules solidified their market dominance in 2013 with Chinese suppliers continuing to lead the solar world, according to IHS Technology.
2013 PV Inverter Supplier Rankings: Asian Suppliers Tighten Grip as European Leadership Weakens
The number of Asian companies appearing among the world’s 10 largest photovoltaic (PV) inverter suppliers doubled in 2013, with four from China and Japan appearing within the charmed circle, compared to just two in 2012 and none in 2011, according to new analysis from IHS Technology.
China to Install More Solar than Europe in 2014 as Asia Drives Global PV Installations to 46 GW, IHS Predicts
Global solar photovoltaic (PV) installations will grow by a robust 22 percent in 2014, largely as a result of recent policy changes in the two largest markets, China and Japan, according to IHS...
Yingli Solidifies Dominance in Global Solar Module Market
Jessica Jin | September 13, 2013
Yingli in the first half of 2013 rode the wave of solar growth in its home market in China to retain the dominant position in the global business for photovoltaic (PV) modules...
1.3GW of PV Installations Eliminated by EU Anti-Dumping Duties in 2013; Double-Digit Global Growth Still Likely
European photovoltaic (PV) installations are forecast to fall by more than 6 gigawatts (GW) in 2013, with 1.3 GW of this decline attributed to incoming EU anti-dumping duties on Chinese...
Japan Set to Become World’s Largest Solar Revenue Market in 2013 as Installations Boom in Q1
Japan’s solar installations surged by a stunning 270 percent (in gigawatts (GW)) in the first quarter of 2013, positioning the country to surpass Germany to become the world’s largest photovoltaics...
PV Inverter Supplier Base Fragments in 2012 – Minimal Impact From Recent M&A Activity in 2013
The supplier base for photovoltaic (PV) inverters further fragmented in 2012, with the total market share of the 10 largest suppliers falling by more than 4 percentage points, according to the...
Japan to Install More than 5 Gigawatts of PV Systems in 2013 – Overtaking Germany and the US
The Japanese photovoltaic (PV) market is set to grow by 120 percent in 2013 and install more than 5 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity, according to a new report...
Photovoltaic Industry to Enjoy Robust Installation Growth in 2013, but Revenue Dip Poses Challenges
Global photovoltaic (PV) installations will rise this year in a continuing pattern of solid growth, but the industry will nonetheless suffer a decline in overall revenue due to lower volume growth and decreasing system prices, according to an IHS Solar white paper from information and analytics provider IHS (NYSE: IHS).
PV installations are projected to reach 35 gigawatts (GW) this year, up from 32 GW in 2012, as shown in the attached figure. In comparison, industry revenue—measured as the system price multiplied by total gigawatts installed—will retreat to an estimated $75 billion, down from $77 billion last year, and exhibiting an even steeper fall from the market’s peak revenue of $94 billion in 2011.
A Year of Turbulence for the Solar Industry
Consolidation, trade wars and price drops rule in the second half
The first half of 2012 was tumultuous for the photovoltaic (PV) industry. The overall economic downturn continued to impact prices across the silicon supply chain—extending from polysilicon to solar modules...
Photovoltaic Market Continued Hot Growth Streak in 2011 with 40 Percent Expansion
Germany and Italy tussle for top spot; US, China and France are in Top 5 among regions with most new installations
The photovoltaic (PV) market enjoyed another year of sunny growth as solar installations climbed 40 percent in 2011, although dark clouds loom on the horizon over the industry’s reduced prospects this year...
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line867
|
__label__cc
| 0.56509
| 0.43491
|
Home News & Notes Industry Photos Zodiac Vodka Travels Through Time, Lands in California
Zodiac Vodka Travels Through Time, Lands in California
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 04: Singer Kuba Ka attends an exclusive launch party introducing Zodiac Vodka to the California market, hosted by Zodiac Vodka and Scooter Braun, on May 4, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Zodiac Vodka)
Zodiac Vodka and Scooter Braun introduced the spirit brand to the California market on May 4 as part of the brand’s national rollout.
The night’s theme was a journey through time. Upon walking up to the venue, guests were greeted by a life-size DeLorean Time Machine, known as the fictional automobile-based time traveling device from the “Back to the Future” franchise.
During the evening, patrons traveled through the decades with the Hot Dub Time Machine – The World’s Best Time Traveling Dance Party DJ Tom Loud. He took the audience on a journey “through time” by playing tracks and projected visuals in “strict chronological order” from 1954 to 2015, all mashed live from vinyl turntables.
Each bar was themed to reflect a different era, serving different signature Zodiac cocktails to reflect each time period.
Cocktails included Traditional Martini at the 50s Bar (Zodiac Vodka, Dry Vermouth), The Salty Dog at the 70s Bar (Zodiac vodka, grapefruit, lime, jalapeño, salt), The Black Cherry Mudslide at the 80s Bar (black cherry zodiac vodka, coffee liqueur, coca cola) and The 24th Century at the Future Bar (Zodiac Vodka, pineapple, white cacao, cinnamon, Lillet Rough, lemon).
Available throughout the party, guests were also able to experience Zodiac’s signature Shots N’ Fries, a shot of Zodiac Original vodka with a side of crispy fries, paying homage to the brand’s craft potato spirit, as well as the Black Cherry Mule (Black Cherry Zodiac Vodka, Aloe Liqueur, lime, ginger beer, cucumber).
To go with the theme of the evening, the venue was decked out with decade inspired décor and entertainment including time travel photo booths, foosball and old school arcade games such as Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Space Invaders and more.
Pictured: Singer Kuba Ka attends an exclusive launch party introducing Zodiac Vodka to the California market, hosted by Zodiac Vodka and Scooter Braun, on May 4, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Zodiac Vodka)
Smirnoff Continues Support Of EDM With New Documentary
Wyoming Whiskey Crowns Winner of 2015 Bartender Shootout
Absolut Launches ‘Electrik’ Campaign With Interactive House Party, Empire of the Sun
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line872
|
__label__cc
| 0.583404
| 0.416596
|
Medical experts arrive Akwa Ibom over collapsed building
December 12, 2016 April 20, 2019 BeVibez Media
The Federal Government has sent a 10 member team of experts who are majored in neuro surgeon to Akwa Ibom to compliment the efforts of medical personnel already on the ground. The team arrived University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, UUTH, Monday.
Speaking with reporters on arrival at UUTH, the leader of the team and a consultant orthopaedic Surgeon from University of Lagos, Prof. Suleiman Giwa, said that the team was put together on the instruction of the Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole to come and render helping hands. The special team of experts, he said, consists of two Neuro Surgeon, three Orthopaedic Surgeons, three plastic surgeon and two specially trained Operating room Nurses.
He explained that they were in the state to offer necessary assistance and support needed for the victims of the collapsed church building.
His words: “The unfortunate incident as you are aware did not affect only the people of Akwa Ibom but all Nigerians and the Health Minister in his wisdom decided that we should raise a team of experts to come to Uyo and render a helping hands and bring succor to the weak, the sick and those who are in dare need of complicated surgery.”
Prof. Giwa said that team will visit all the hospitals where the victims of the tragedy were admitted and also examine them and offer useful medical suggestions where necessary to ensure that those who are sick get back to their normal life. Prof. Giwa said: “As we are here in Akwa Ibom, we did not come empty handed we came with drugs and other medical supports to make our coming easier, and we are prepared for the task ahead.
We have visited the University Teaching Hospital and we are now at the Ibom specialist Hospital, so far most of the patients we saw are responding to treatment which is gladdening.
On his part, UUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Etete Peters, thanked the Federal Government delegation for coming to Akwa Ibom at the most appropriate time and not leaving the state alone in time of sorrow.
Exclusive Photo at Beach Soccer Tournament Opening Lagos with Ambode And D’banj
Obasanjo: Policing is everyone’s job
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line873
|
__label__cc
| 0.660494
| 0.339506
|
Beyond the Brochure
Where to Buy in L.A.
Praise For Beyond The Brochure
New To The Blog? Start Here!
Touring Schools
Your Child’s Testing/Visiting Day
Author Speaking Events
Upcoming L.A. Private School Events
Guest Blogger Jenny: Do “Ordinary People” Send Their Kids to L.A. Private Schools?
November 10, 2011 January 19, 2015 admin Beyond The Brochure
Would She Need A Designer Handbag To Tour Private Schools?
Recently, we saw a comment on Urban Baby from a concerned mom, preparing to tour schools. She wanted to know if she should purchase an expensive designer handbag, so she’d fit in.
While some might dismiss this query, I think the subtext of this handbag question is totally relevant. Obviously, she isn’t a moneyed mom, but she was worried that all the other families were loaded. She worried that she was too “ordinary” on her own, to fit into the private school social structure.
I think at every L.A. private school, there are going to be some extreme standouts. Years and years ago, my sister attended Westlake School, when it was just for girls. One of her classmates was Tori Spelling, and she was invited to her birthday party one year. Yes, she was invited to that insanely huge place up in Holmby Hills, the one that I believe boasted a bowling alley and a gift wrapping room. Mostly, what she remembers about that party is that there were ashtrays in every room, as Mrs. Spelling smoked (it was this, not the bowling alley, that was shocking to my sister). If my parents had been trying to keep up with private school families like the Spellings, it would have taken more than a Gucci bag to do it.
At Mirman, the school my daughter attends, there seems to be no outward signs of wealth. Sure, eventually you might have a playdate and show up at a mansion somewhere, but it’s always kind of a surprise. The parents all seem modest and unpretentious; I recently attended a parent potluck dinner at which no one really discussed their work (and you know, in that crowd, there must be some very impressive professionals). Mostly, we just talked about our kids. The handbags were deposited at the front door and not seen again.
When I decided to look for more than anecdotal evidence, it got rougher. Income levels are not something private schools are required to share; most simply state that they admit kids from “diverse” income levels, whatever that means. There don’t seem to be any hard and fast figures on the money.
I do know (going back to the unscientific, but infinitely more entertaining land of the anecdotal) that I did wear a gorgeous scarf to my John Thomas Dye prospective parents night. I do not normally accessorize with ease, but figured a little embellishment wouldn’t hurt. Sure enough, the AD complimented me on my scarf. I considered handing it to her. But did it help? No way.
The other thing to keep in mind? Appearances, particularly in L.A., are deceiving. That fancy car could be a lease on its last legs, the fancy house underwater, the fancy bag secondhand. And keep in mind that everyone is capable of embellishment. At that potluck dinner, a group of us discovered that all our children had been lobbying for cell phones, saying that “everyone else has one.” Well, it turned out NONE of them had one; I think there might be a single kid in the class in possession of such a thing (and the parents weren’t at the potluck to even confirm this). Yes, our children were lying to attain greater status, much as an adult is when they purchase an expensive handbag, to appear to be someone they’re not.
Jenny Heitz has worked as a staff writer for Coast Weekly in Carmel, freelanced in the South Bay, and then switched to advertising copywriting. Her daughter started 4th grade at Mirman School this year. She previously attended 3rd St. Elementary School. Jenny has been published recently in the Daily News and on Mamapedia, The Well Mom, Sane Moms, Hybrid Mom, The Culture Mom and A Child Grows In Brooklyn. She now writes about gift ideas and products on her blog, Find A Toad.
Don’t miss school events, guest posts, photos and more! Like Us On Facebook!
Guest Blogger Jenny Heitz private schools and wealth
Christina Simon: Los Angeles, California, United States I'm the mom of a daughter (12th grade) and a son (9th grade) who attend Viewpoint School in Calabasas. I live in Coldwater Canyon with my family and a rescue pit bull, Piper. Contact me at csimon2007@gmail.com
4 thoughts to “Guest Blogger Jenny: Do “Ordinary People” Send Their Kids to L.A. Private Schools?”
perilsofdivorcedpauline.com says:
I think it is very difficult not to buy into the idea that you have to have the RIght Stuff to swim with the private school fishes. Your piece is a great reminder that the truly confident people don't feel compelled to flaunt their stuff, even if they've got it, and that many of the flaunters are barely holding onto what they've got.
The Twin Coach says:
This was such a good post, Jenny (and Christina). We always remind our children that by just being themselves they will find their true friends…I think the same hold true for finding the school that is the right fit for our family. One might be able to fake it in a tour or interview, but who would want to have to fake it for years and years!
MissyLAmomsDig says:
I can really relate to this post because when my husband and I moved out to LA (pre-kids), I felt way out of my league. I wanted to fit in with the fashionable people I saw everywhere, but I couldn't keep up. Finally, I gave up trying and am much happier with myself and with my "possessions." I hope that I can pass that contentedness, regardless of what others have, on to my kids!
Christina Simon says:
Great comments! I'm from L.A. and there is no such thing as keeping up with the "Joneses" here because the mythical "Joneses" will always have more material stuff. It's just the way this city works.
Do You And Your Spouse/Partner Agree About The Best Type Of LA Private Elementary School For Your Child?
The Willows Community School Book Fair: Sunday, Nov. 13th, 11-4
Most Popular Posts Past 30 Days
Thank You Notes Are Essential Part of Private Elementary School Applications Here's a post I wrote for Elizabeth Stree...
5 Big Differences Between Traditional and Progressive Schools: Part 2 Many L.A. private schools are a hybrid of education...
Should You Send Thank You Notes To Admissions Directors? We’ve received several reader questions r...
Oh, Those Letters Letters of recommendation are a part of t...
The Big 6 Private Elementary Feeder Schools To Harvard- Westlake There seems to be an endless fascination on the part of...
Beyond The Brochure All rights reserved. Theme by Colorlib Powered by WordPress
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line875
|
__label__wiki
| 0.527634
| 0.527634
|
BattleTech Player Boards »
Fan Articles »
JumpShip of the Month (May 2011): Aquilla Class Transport
Author Topic: JumpShip of the Month (May 2011): Aquilla Class Transport (Read 27715 times)
Giovanni Blasini
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time...
« on: 05 May 2011, 03:42:23 »
Welcome, one and all, to the first JumpShip of the Month article in...well, let's just say a very, very long time. Gio's trying to dust the cobwebs off his ability to write, and starting with this. And referring to himself in the third person. This is never good.
This month, we're going to look at the grandaddy of them all, the Aquilla-class JumpShip, courtesy of XTRO: Primitives Vol. 1. Debuting in 2148, this is, by far, the oldest canon jump-capable spacecraft we've been given stats to thus far, and it gives us an idea of where both the JumpShip and the WarShip came from.
Where did they come from? Pretty modest beginnings.
The first thing to note about the Aquilla is that it's a primitive JumpShip. Its Kearny-Fuchida drive core appears to be a bit larger than the later compact-core KF drives that would come to define a WarShip, yet still far short of that of the standard KF core that would later be definitive of civilian JumpShips.
It's also important to note that it's far, far less efficient than either of the later cores. First, and most obvious, the Aquilla's KF drive can only jump a maximum of 15 light-years at a time. This has an enormous impact on travel times over longer distances, and makes some routes between worlds nowhere near as safe. Of course, when the Aquilla was a new JumpShip, there were no safe routes: the Aquilla was one of the major colonization ships in the early exodus from Earth.
The jump core of the Aquilla is less efficient in other ways, though, too, as it predates the invention of the docking collar. Consider that a JumpShip the same 100,000 ton mass as the Aquilla could hold two docking collars, allowing for an additional 200 kilotons of external ships to be carried. In other words, for 97,000 tons, a standard core JumpShip can transport another 203,000 tons. A compact core? Try 254,750 tons. The Aquilla? By my best estimate, more like 49,000 tons. Will most JumpShips or WarShips reach their max efficiency? No. Are they still far more efficient on average than ships like the Aquilla? You betcha.
Another element of the lower efficiency is the lack of a jump sail. Why is that a problem? Because you need 197.5 tons of fuel to jump, and you're only jumping 15 light-years. So, to match what a later JumpShip or WarShip can do charging off the local star, jumping 30 light-years, takes 395 tons of fuel, and takes twice as long - remember, even when charging off a fusion reactor, you have to essentially trickle-charge your KF drive, or risk damaging it.
So, how does all this work out in practice?
With its 2500 tons of fuel, the Aquilla has enough to make 12 jumps, with 130 tons left over. In practice, though, the ship needs to handle stationkeeping, too, which will cut into that, and few skippers will want to cut it so close on reserve. Thus, from a theoretical maximum range of 180 light-years on a tank of gas, figure most of the time they won't be going more than 150 light-years. Sure, wiley captains could always use part of their cargo holds for more fuel, but that gets us to our next issue: cargo.
The Aquilla packs a whopping 36 kilotons of cargo, comparable to the much later Mammoth class DropShip. And, because it lacks docking collars, that's pretty much its limit. For its day, the Aquilla could not be beat. But, as its own fluff text says, docking collars, standard-core KF drives and DropShips pretty much put the Aquilla out of business. At its 0.5 G cruising thrust, an Aquilla takes nearly 12 days to make the transit from Sol's jump point to Earth. Your average DropShip can do that in 9.1 days. What's more, before the Succession Wars, when JumpShips and DropShips were plentiful, you could jump into a system, drop your DropShips, have them burn in-system, and have a full load of DropShips take off the local planet and burn out to meet you while you charged your sails, cutting loiter times down even more.
Yeah, the Aquilla is kind of obsolete. But, we knew that, right? Given that, what are the odds that some of these are still around, and what good are they in the modern age?
Well, first off, we know that another pre-docking collar JumpShip, an old Leviathan is around, thanks to one of the Mercs Supplementals. We know that Aquilla were still sailing the spacelanes as late as the Reunification War. So, if they survived that long, it's entirely possible that some might still be out there. In terms of utility, think of it as being an oversized, jump-capable Mammoth that can't land on its own, or, even better, a Behemoth that gave up half its cargo for the ability to go FTL. Nobody's going to be terribly worried about one of these in orbit, really, because with a whopping two AC/5s and ten machine guns, it's not like you're going to start bombarding them, and your armor is so paper-thin even most backwater militia aerospace fighters will giggle at you as they repeatedly strafe you.
Unless, of course, you've got one that, like the Periphery's Reunification War Aquillae, yours has been upgunned. You do, after all, have 36 kilotons of cargo, and you're a large spacecraft. Capital weaponry is not exactly verboten to you, and you've got the room to mount a modicum of them. And, let's face it, doesn't the Aquilla's bow just scream "wave motion gun"? Converting cargo holds to fighter berths is within the realm of possibilitiy, too. Besides, you'll need something to fight off the giant Cthulhoid monsters in hyperspace...no, really - not only does the Aquilla being attacked by a giant space squid make an appearance in Interstellar Players 2, it made it onto the damn ship's record sheet.
What else can you do? Well, let's face it, parts for your transit drive might be a bit hard to come by these days. Try to make life easy on yourself, and replace the whole damn thing. I'd recommend the Sunburst M-200L Megadrive system off the Behemoth. You probably won't even have the structural stress issues that Behemoth skippers usually have, so you'll be able to make use of all that thrust. Unfortunately, a jump sail will probably be outside the realm of possibility: refitting your KF drive to recognize its mountings and take it through hyperspace will you probably won't be feasible.
And that, as they say, is it for the May 2011 edition of JumpShip of the Month. In the coming months, I'll be reposting the other, older articles I did, updated whenever possible with new information - for the ships where there is nothing, I'll probably grab the old articles and put them up from the archives.
Now's everyone's favorite part: time for you to chime in with your thoughts on the Aquilla. What say you?
"“Eternity is a long time, especially towards the end.” -- Stephen Hawking
Moonsword
You interrupted me reading TROs for this?
Re: JumpShip of the Month (May 2011): Aquilla Class Transport
« Reply #1 on: 05 May 2011, 07:07:24 »
One thing I noticed is that the size of the core itself is approximately the same for a WarShip of the same size. The efficiency difference is mainly due to the collars. Adding onto that, though, is the far greater flexibility that grants a design in terms of the roles it can support without changes. JumpShips can, just by switching the docked DropShips, change over from tanker to refugee transport to cargo carrier to various military roles. WarShips can tailor their DropShip groups to operations without difficulty. Standard core vessels also don't have to wait around for the entire loading/unloading process, so they're potentially much faster to get in and out even without the greater speed if the cargo routing is up to snuff.
FedSunsBorn
Avatar by ShadowRaven.
Ship sounds interesting.....sounds like I need to get XTRO-Primitives now.
Made by HikageMaru
Frabby
Quote from: Giovanni Blasini on 05 May 2011, 03:42:23
Well, first off, we know that another pre-docking collar JumpShip, an old Leviathan is around, thanks to one of the Mercs Supplementals.
The earliest mention of the Leviathan is in 2510, roughly 40 years after the introduction of the Docking Collar (prologue to Far Country). The same source makes it abundantly clear that the Leviathan carries something in the region of 7 - 9 DropShips, in this case Vultures (a proper DropShip for which we have a record sheet). The Hannibal's Hermits Leviathan is also explicitly said to carry DropShips.
Further, the Leviathan is compared to the Monolith and Odyssey as its nearest cousins in TRO3057, strongly indicating that it is a standard JumpShip with Hardpoints, not a primitive design.
It could be argued that the Leviathan may have been one of the first JumpShips of the classic design, but it definitely isn't a "pre-docking collar" JumpShip.
Besides, you'll need something to fight off the giant Cthulhoid monsters in hyperspace...no, really - not only does the Aquilla being attacked by a giant space squid make an appearance in Interstellar Players 2, it made it onto the damn ship's record sheet.
Author of the BattleCorps stories Feather vs. Mountain, Rise and Shine, Proprietary, Trial of Faith & scenario Twins
Sarna.net BattleTechWiki Admin
gyedid
Always brighter on the other side of the mirror.
In the Aquilla's day, since it functioned as a colonization ship, presumably its cargo--including people--would need to be transported to and from planets somehow. Since the Aquilla can't land, how would this have been accomplished?
Back on the old board (2 boards ago now?), some of us who were into designing "primitive" Warships and Jumpships** made the assumption that such ships would've had "shuttle bays", each one able to accommodate a 5000-ton shuttle, which was treated as the maximum weight for a primitive Dropship. This weight, however, had to come out of the cargo fraction. While this could be done for the Aquilla, that would take space out of its cargo bay, leaving it with even less for things like extra fuel, supplies for the colonists & crew, etc.
**Another assumption, given the rules available at the time, was that these primitive Jumpships used compact cores.
Quote from: Arkansas Warrior on 12 April 2016, 10:36:32
So, now I'm imagining people boxing up Overlords for loading as cargo. "Nope, totally not a DropShip. Everyone knows you can't fit a DropShip in a WarShip! It's...a ten thousand ton box of marshmallows! Yeah. For the Heavy Guards big annual smores party."
--Arkansas Warrior, on the possibility of carrying Dropships as cargo in Warship cargo bays.
TERRAN SUPREMACY DEFENSE FORCE. For when you want to send the SLDF, but couldn't afford the whole kit and kaboodle.
Frabby, good point. Been a while since I looked at the original Lev, or the Vultures carried in Far Country. What I find unusual is they used that ship to get the Vultures close to the planet before they released.
Gabe, IIRC, rules for such bays are in Mercs Supplemental II.
Quote from: gyedid on 05 May 2011, 12:14:27
From what we've been told, you're exactly right. Pre-collar JumpShips burned to planetary orbit, then used very large shuttles to transfer their cargo to the surface(assuming they didn't dock directly to a space station and transfer it there). That's another reason why the large core/DropShip combo was more popular. JumpShips make their money when jumping, not skedaddling around a system. An Aquila must jump, then burn in-system, then spend time transferring cargo, then burning out to a jump point, and THEN jumping to the next system. On the other hand, a Merchant or Invader can jump in, detach DropShips, charge their core(for zero fuel cost!), attach other DropShips, and then jump, shaving weeks(if not a month!) off the time they spend in a single system. It's like the difference between sailing ships of old that had to be offloaded more or less by hand, and modern megafreighters that pull into port and are immediately beset by cranes that offload vast numbers of prefab shipping containers and load more, at a rate that would have made the head of a 19th-century cargomaster implode from envy.
All that aside, I still love the Aquila. The sheer numbers it was built in virtually guarantees that it be found in large numbers in just about every fleet in my favorite eras, namely the Age of War and 1st Star League, both as merchantmen and in their armed form, as actual WarShips. How much do you want to bet that a large portion of the Davion fleet savaged during Case Amber was composed of Aquilas, or that a fair number of the attacking Taurian ships were of the same base hull? Also, the look of the ship is just gorgeous. I've no clue what that gaping maw is supposed to be, but like Gio says, it just screams "really BIG gun."
Take one Aquilla. Mount a heavy naval PPC in the nose. Use a Behemoth's drive to increase thrust to 2/3. Replace MGs with AMS systems or small lasers, then swap out the AC/5s: for some reason, my bran is screaming "binary lasers!") , and lugh as your ship pulls a B5 Crusade when you fire your new Wave Motion Gun.
Actually, anyone got the books or HMA handy to see how many heat sinks the bigger drive would give you?
Cross-checking the novel with canon and existing rules, it seems that the Raiden appeared at a pirate point on the planet's ecliptic; it was actually the planet that moved towards the JumpShip, not the other way round (because you emerge inert, without any directional momentum, and a JumpShip couldn't possibly generate so much thrust). The author probably didn't mean this originally, but it's the only interpretation/way of reading it that doesn't conflict with established hard canon.
Quote from: Weirdo on 05 May 2011, 15:23:26
From what I remember reading in the BattleBlogs on Handbook:Liao, at least one of the ships involved in the Capellans' own orbital bombardment of Capella (to prevent Davion occupation) was an Aquilla, presumably modified to carry capital-grade weapons. To put things in in-universe perspective, this was in the mid-late 2360s (if memory serves), just around the same time the Terran Hegemony was about to field the Monsoon...
Nebfer
« Reply #10 on: 05 May 2011, 21:59:53 »
This is true, the XTRO mentions that some carried cargo, others carried passengers, though it dose have 8 small craft. Though no mention of the larger proto dropships carried internally.
It hints that more than one ship would be used on colonizing missions.
The XTO also mentions that a number where upgunned (and possibly up armored) and used as a naval auxiliary.
If working in part of a fleet of Aquillas, one ship could carry about 7,000 passengers (using about 35,000 tons out of the 36,114 it has) with enough food for about 31 days. With a second carrying more food, prefab parts and other items. The small craft would be ok if you assume infantry bay packing for the trip from orbit to planet side (and back) only takes a few hours.
Quote from: Nebfer on 05 May 2011, 21:59:53
Add a third(or preferably fourth, even) for redundancy and other stuff(like livestock, seedlings, and other things to keep you fed after the cargo food has run out), and it looks like you could probably set up a small colony with just a handful of Aquilas.
Slayers Clear the Way
Hmm, I get some odd ideas. Wonder how hard something like up-engined and compact-cored Aquilla would be to mass-produce as an escort carrier with most of the cargo bay converted for fighter bays with small repair shop.
Ex Dubio, Obscura
"Only a warrior chooses pacifism; others are condemned to it."
If there's mentions of one with jump collars in one source and one that predates them in another, odds are there's more than one class of JumpShip called the same thing.
Quote from: Moonsword on 06 May 2011, 08:10:05
Docking collars were introduced ca. 2470. The prologue to Far Country, the earliest mention of a Leviathan-class JumpShip (this one carrying 7-9 Vulture DropShip on collars) that I'm aware of, is set in 2510.
What source has a Leviathan pre 2470?
Gio alluded to a mention in Merc Supplemental II that implied it predated them. If I had a hard number on that point, I'd have mentioned it.
However, the docking collar predates 2470. A number of 24th century vessels in TRO3057R have them, including the early Aegis design, and StratOps places the development prior to 2400.
« Last Edit: 06 May 2011, 09:16:29 by Moonsword »
Is it possible that pre-2470 docking collars lacked KF-booms, then? That's to say, they were there, but in a primitive form that didn't permit Dropships to jump along with the Jumpship? So, they would have to dock, unload their cargo, and detach before the Jumpship could move again. Despite that short coming, that would obviate the need for a pressurized, internal shuttle bay, and permit the 5000 ton limit to be exceeded.
It will be interesting to see if the upcoming primitive volumes for the XTRO series will featured our "missing" link between the shuttle and modern Dropship. I do hope there more than the Aquilla Class of primitive JumpShip, to add variarty to that era. Ships can be improved, who knows if the primitive drives may had variety aside with differient basic ranges per development.
I have my doubts we'll get variety, but one can hope.
A docking collar without a K-F boom is effectively a cargo door with overly elaborate clamps. It's fine for moving cargo around. It's not fine for dragging DropShips through hyperspace. That's what the K-F boom is for.
GBscientist
It could always be worse.
Gio, thanks for the fascinating article. As I don't have XTRO: Primitives, I was unaware of the existence of this intruiging bit of historical detail. The Aquilla is an interesting ship from an under-described era and I appreciate you returning to writing about JumpShips to bring it to our attention.
"Peace through superior firepower."- Arsenal of Freedom, ST:TNG
Hm yes, I took a look at that little picture. Cute. However, the ship shown on the record sheet looks different from the one in the TRO writeup. In particular, the nose(?) looks more boxy. The "gaping maw" on the writeup picture, which says "Vorlon cannon" to others, looks to me like a ST:TNG Galaxy-class ship's deflector dish.
Perhaps this was the earliest way of generating and focusing the K-F field? rather like Babylon 5 ships that were capable of generating their own jump points?
The Aquila does seem to come in two variants, one very angular, the other more rounded. My guess is that the rounded ones are later production models, as curved armor became easier to build.
Are you sure about that? Picture is influence by the artist, two different artists may not draw the same way.
Could go that way too, though we've seen both kinds in the same picture.
AnubisZombie
They had to stop using them cause the primative drives attract sub space monsters that eat ships. eventually they were all eaten with no more being produced.
Welshman
Chief Wrangler
Battletech Developer
The joys of a game that has evolved over 25 years.
The thing to keep in mind here is we have not published all stats for all units, especially older stats for a lot of old aerospace units. For examples like the Aegis the canon stats are likely from a post 2470 version. We will most probably never give stats for the earlier versions.
Similar things for weapons. There are ships that the hull is indicated as being built in X decade, but say the ERPPC on the hull wasn't invested for another 50 years. This means there was a variant prior to the ERPPC one. The ERPPC one is just the "standard" model now, having replaced the older version.
The big thing to remember, is that even after we publish the entire Master Unit List (Over 5000 line items), we will have only scratched the surface of the universe. We will never document all the units and all the variants possible. To do so would be impossible and would remove any future story flexibility.
-Joel BC-
Catalyst Freelancer
"Some closets will never contain Narnia, no matter how many times we open the door." - Weirdo, in relation to the power of hope.
Quote from: Welshman on 10 May 2011, 01:20:41
Erm...Welshie, TRO: 3057R has stats for both the Aegis-class heavy cruiser of 2372 (this is stated in the stat blocks) and the ones of the Star League and the Clans (the latter two of which differ from each other in the number of fighters carried and the tonnage of their armor)...the stat block went to great pains to provide stats for both the 2372 and SL/Clan versions where they differed...
"If someone ever tries to kill you, you try to kill 'em right back." - Malcolm Reynolds, Firefly
"Who I am is where I stand. Where I stand is where I fall...Stand with me." - The Doctor, The Doctor Falls, Doctor Who
Quote from: Ruger on 10 May 2011, 08:34:25
TRO 3057R has known... "issues" It is not a Catalyst "Modern" TRO and we can expect to see errata corrections when we get around to it.
Ruger, keep in mind the 2372 Aegis stats, much like the Monsoon and even earlier Dart class, show DropShip docking collars, even though, per Mercs Supplemental II, the DropShip docking collar was not invented until 2470, which is part of what Welshman was getting at with Tech Readout 3057 Revised. There are a number of other issues as well - some ships don't have the right stats due to weights being off.
(yeah, I just found the PDF I was looking for)
Well, color me embarrassed...I would never have really thought to look there (was searching StratOps and the like instead)...
This would mean we'd have to have older versions for the Dart, Winchester, Aegis, Quixote and Monsson-class WarShips...
Simplest thing would be to add the 1000 tons for each collar back to the cargo, and then give them other separate bays of at least 5000 tons each for the "drop-shuttles" described in that book...likely at least one for each DropShip collar they would later have...
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line878
|
__label__wiki
| 0.6029
| 0.6029
|
Biggin Hill Website
Biggin Hill History
Hotels and Bed and Breakfast
Directory Advert
Biggin Hill Memorial Museum Open Letter
May 24, 2018 admin 21 Comments
The Biggin Hill Memorial Museum Trust have just published an open letter which is available as a link below to view. The responses to the letter can also be found below.
Several people have told us of the BHMM ‘Open letter’, and have asked us for clarification of some points, one being a lady from Downe. Please see below our reply to her, which if necessary would be part of an official response if the papers decide to print the BHMM letter.
Dave and Rita
“Hi ‘Lady in Downe’,
At no time did we state that the bricks were made in Germany or Austria, please see below. Wienerberger have now bought up and established so many plants in Europe it is obvious that the bricks will have come from somewhere on the western side, could well be the Netherlands. What we do know is that they arrive in the UK at Purfleet and Hull docks. Our argument has always been why not British bricks at a memorial to the Royal Air Force who
defeated the Luftwaffe. Rather than that the Council chose an imported mass-produced machine-made ‘Euro-brick’ manufactured by this huge Austro-German company. If they were a genuine hand-made brick (as promised) made by an independent manufacturer in the Netherlands that would be another matter and difficult to argue against.
The BHMM Trust can’t say they haven’t destroyed trees planted in memory of deceased RAF servicemen. Plantings occurred from 1951 by members the RAF community who are now
most likely dead themselves! The person who ordered the cutting down of the flowering cherry (in bloom) which had to be over sixty years old, has to be described as heartless and those who acted out the order mindless, at the least. These trees and shrubs have appeared in photographs for the past fifty years! If someone arrived in Downe Village and suggested the 13th century St Mary’s Church, incidentally in common with the RAF Chapel grade two listed
and in a conservation area, should be returned to how it was in 1500 by removal of later additions and trees, he would most certainly be classified as a lunatic! The Council and its BHMM Trust’s lack of empathy and knowledge of the history of the Chapel has been evident since they first took charge of the building, the first example was their refusal to support the campaign to retain perhaps the most important item in the Chapel, the 92 Squadron Standard. Once it had been secured on the word of Air Marshal Sir Baz North, no less, the Chairman of the BHMM Trust Bruce Walker then had the audacity to issue a press release claiming credit!
Whenever the BHMM Trust is ‘found out’ they make nonsense statements as is happening now. I am sure they ‘can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time’.
The BHMM Trust won’t be happy to be informed that we have received hundreds of emails from the RAF community, the word often used to describe what has been inflicted on the Chapel is desecration. Some have described scattering their relatives’ ashes quietly and unannounced under the Spitfire and Hurricane or the Battle of Britain window at the end of the St George’s room between the Irish Yews. One message that brought tears to our eyes described the sender’s enduring memory of his father, who had been a Medical Officer at the time of the Battle of Britain, was him standing in front of the Reredos sobbing inconsolably reading the names of his dead comrades – these people have been sorely let down by the Council and their BHMM Trust. They are rightly being criticized, this is not their place to vandalise!
As for the removal of plaques this is more nonsense, the first we have heard of this!
The planning application was never for two phases! Only when it became apparent that they would not have funding to complete the project it suddenly became two phases. Please see page 1 of report No DRR17/032 and also then page 7 and 8 which tell the truth.
Page 1 fraudulently states: ‘The development of the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum project is now complete and all funding is secure’ (please see attachments).
Hopefully this reassures you who are the good guys.
open letter from The Biggin Hill Memorial Museum Trust
RESPONSE TO BHMM OPEN LETTER. 25th May 2018. FINAL (PDF)
RESPONSE TO BHMM OPEN LETTER. 25th May 2018. FINAL (Word Doc)
Previous PostThe Chapel and its BricksNext PostSt George’s Royal Air Force Chapel of Remembrance
21 thoughts on “Biggin Hill Memorial Museum Open Letter”
Gwenda Evans says:
Regret to say that we seem to be lumbered with a collection of mindless destructive louts whose sole purpose in life is the destruction of our heritage and those who, put their lives on the line in order that some might survive, and thus honour the dead. Our servicemen should at all times be honoured and respected, especially when they are sent to fight by dim witted idiots, of any party, as has been shown in recent years. It leaves me almost speechless. Gwenda Evans
Mr.Patrick Hawkins says:
Make sure you sign the 38 Degrees Petition!Your sentiments are those of the vast majority.In a Poll in the Squire Magazine only 4 in 100 were in favour of Bromley Council’s plans.They have,so far,
by demolishing the vestry desecrated the Chapel,felled the trees,
some planted by distant family and relatives of the 435 aircrew who gave their lives for our freedom today,and are building with bricks requisitioned from Weinerberger A.G an Austro German Company which research has revealed used forced Jewish labour in their brickworks in Vienna who were then sent to the Concentration Camps when they were too weak to work!No problem with German cars and technology,
but NOT in a Memorial to those who gave their lives .The Battle of Britain aircrews by their supremacy in the air forced Hitler to change his plans to invade OUR country.The Council need to change their plans immediately and halt this reckless,
mindless,monstrous insensitive building of a “Visitor Centre”!
Raymond Flack says:
I have read the arguments and counter arguments and frankly I am appalled at the activities of Bromley Council and the the Trust. Surely it is time for Private Eye to look into the actions of the Council the magazine just loves to report on Council (shady) activiies
Brian Barber says:
Have read to going on of the council about the chapel I still wonder what in it for the council members. To get this amount of flack and still continue regardless to public opinion is beyond believe
Geoff Parmakis says:
It appears that everyone is missing the point here. ‘Dave and Rita’ ,to put it bluntly, are part of a group who are ‘pissed’ off that their earlier plans for a Heritage Centre were thrown out by the council because they were not sympathetic to the Chapel. They are very vocal with their’black propaganda’ and ‘fake news’ which would not have been out of place in 1930’s Germany. What is being overlooked by these people is that part of the BHMM project is the preservation of St George’s Chapel, not it’s desecration or destruction. A considerable amount of the project’s funding is being devoted to the restoration of the fabric of the building, updating the electrics and the like. It will also involve the restoration of the stained glass windows which are suffering from 70 years exposure to the elements. There is a comment above – ‘What’s in it for the Council?’ The Answer is simple. When the RAF pulled out of Biggin Hill, there was every possibility that the Chapel would have been demolished. The Council stepped in to save it from this fate. That’s how it was then, and that’s how it will be for the future with this project. No one wants to see the end of this iconic building. The Council is doing what it should be doing. Preserving St George’s Chapel for future generations, as it was constructed in 1951, as it was intended in 1951. The choice is yours – do you believe the Council or do you believe ‘Dave and Rita’?
Pauline Wilmot says:
In reply to post by Geoff Parmakis. I don’t think anyone is missing the point; I would say to you Geoff, that you are being drawn into an argument that is based on some inaccuracies on both sides. When you look at the original financial plans showing exactly where expenditure was allocated, a percentage was allocated for refurbishment of the Chapel, it was not a ‘considerable’ amount. Most of the money was for the new build; nevertheless funds were allocated. There appears to be little damage, inside or out, to the stained glass windows in the Chapel as they have been well protected by their ‘plastic’ covers. Equally, I would ask you to consider, that buildings and their surroundings grow and develop over time; that growth and development builds the history of the place and the people. Whilst no-one can be certain what Winston himself would have thought of the development over the years of the Chapel and its environs, it would seem probable that he would want to see his ‘shrine of remembrance’ enhanced and cared for, including its more recent memories and additions. Removing some of this more recent history is, in some people’s eyes, a destruction of the very fabric and nature of this historic place. Research is under way on the history of those men recorded in the Book of Remembrance; it is certain that no-one would ‘adjust’ their history, so why would it be permissible to adjust the history of the Chapel? I do sincerely believe that other options were open to the council; certainly, different plans were available, including the council’s own original plans. I have no idea why they chose to go down the path that they did and my past experience in dealing with councils leads me to have a distinct lack of trust in any information that comes from them. BUT what is done is done; we cannot undo it; no doubt there will be those who will want to visit the museum and over the years all the controversy will be lost and memories will fade. Those of us who care deeply about the Chapel as a living remembrance and what it stands for, will continue to support it for as long as we are able, in the hope that this promise made by the council to preserve and protect the Chapel in perpetuity is realised and that my great grandchildren and their children will be able to visit,honour and worship at this glorious place. Lest We Forget .
Are you any relation to Clare Wilmer?
I have just read Geoff Parmakis’s extraordinary comments and I was in two minds whether to dignify them with a reply. Firstly can I say that to our shame, neither Rita nor I were members of the BHBoB supporters Club. Their design was certainly not rejected on grounds of not being sympathetic to the Chapel, I can’t think where that notion came from. Their design had no detrimental effect on the Chapel, being hundreds of feet away, also it was bigger and cheaper and would not have required the closure of the Chapel for over a year. The BHMM Trust scheme necessitated demolition of the second largest element of the Grade Two listed building, that being the Vestry. Also with the ‘stealing’ of the St George’s Room to become part of the Museum, this will seriously affect the Chapel’s ability to remain a ‘living church’. Sadly it may result in what some individuals at the Council have wanted along, that is to clear the Chapel of its pews to make all of it Museum space. The claim that when the RAF/MoD pulled out the whole Chapel could be demolished is complete nonsense, For a start the Chapel is a Listed building, and when the MoD relinquished it, the Treasury responded with a grant of £1million to keep its doors open. Can I tell you Geoff that everything that we write can be backed up by documentation, much of it from the Council itself, obtained through FoI requests, so anything on which you require clarification please email us on: rcr.knockholt@btinternet.com Perhaps I should tell you how Rita and I became involved in all this. I worked at the RAF station as a civilian for the last ten years before its closure in 1992 and saw the Vestry being built. As a committee member of the Downe Village Residents Association for thirty plus years I attended the meetings for interested parties of the Chapel and Museum at the Civic Centre on 5th March and 27th April 2015. At those meetings I witnessed dignified men such as Gordon Wright, Chairman of the BHBoBSC, and Air Commodore John Bell OBE, at one time Officer Commanding the Air Crew Selection Centre, being treated absolutely appallingly. Gordon had worked tirelessly on the Supporters Club project, which had not long received unopposed Planning Permission and was to be financed to a large extent from his own pocket, and John Bell, a Chapel ‘stalwart’ representing RAFA and determined to keep his beloved Chapel a ‘living Church’. The treatment they received from the Council representatives convinced me there was something very wrong with what was occurring and that first impression has been re-enforced time and time again. Rita Radford was the A/E Consultant Surgeon for thirty plus years at both the old Bromley Hospital and latterly at the PRUH, I think that qualifies her as a responsible person who has served the Borough of Bromley and cares about its heritage. Whereas the Council’s record as far as the borough’s heritage is concerned is hardly laudable, I cite the Priory as an example. Their lack of empathy and knowledge of the RAF Chapel has been blindly obvious to anyone who knows and cares for the building. Geoff asks who you believe, well view the photos, speak to those who have cared for the Chapel for years and those who have worked towards a museum for equally as long and refuse to have anything to do with what is currently happening. Ask yourself why 24,200 have already signed the petition and read their reasons for signing.
David Evans.
Paul Alexander says:
My coment is from myself and my mother. Please consider my mother (98), had to shelter with family under a railway arch in Stepney all though the war with the fear of her father’s life, who was an air raid precaution warden.
” I does appear from the feelings of the people are being ignored and not fully consulted. It also appears that basic requests of the public are just ignored.
I do not trust the council since once again rules broken with the present aircraft flight quantity, aircraft size, hours of operation.
So, any words from the council are just untrustworthy.
David Lowden says:
Dave & Rita! Certainly not you, as the facts are there and plain to see. As usual the Council do what they want regardless of public opinion as was clearly shown in their total support for airport expansion, covering up truths, which have now become apparent. I wouldn’t trust them as far as I could throw them!!
Kevin P Sweeney says:
You ask a question and the answer is simple. I would not believe a word the Council says, it is proved to be false even within their own statement. I have attended services at the chapel and spent time in the haven of peace outside which it would seem has now been destroyed. Frankly Mr Parmakis I would ask the question are you involved with the Council or BHMM in some way? Do you work for the contractors committing the vandalism? Because you seem to have swallowed the propaganda, which would be worthy of Mr. Goebbels himself, or is it just financially driven? We should be told.
I note Mr. Sweeney, that you have attended services in the Chapel in the past. If you are able to, I would urge you to return to services in the Chapel; the Friends of St. George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance are fighting to keep the Chapel open as a place of worship, not as just a memorial piece; we need a congregation to do that and we are small in number. Please join us if you can and pass the message on. Dates for Anglican services; Dec 2nd. 9th. 16th. 23rd. 9.30am.
RC services; Sat eve Dec. 1st. 8th. 15th. 22nd. Go to http://www.rafchapelbigginhill.com for contact details.
Mark Veale says:
Geoff, Geoff, Geoff, when everyone seems to be missing your point, it’s because you are alone and therefore wrong. The complaints here are that you have changed the Chapel from its original, sympathetic and thoughtful memorial into a concrete monster devoid of heart and soul, for the sake of it. In so doing you have destroyed the cultivation of years of tender loving care of beautiful growing ‘things’. Five million could have renovated the original buildings to an extraordinarily high standard upgrading and repairing where necessary. What has upset so many people, and I’ve yet to read one positive reaction from anyone who isn’t a councillor, is that against advice, opinion and frankly common sense, it was deemed appropriate to destroy so much of the original site, much of it irreplaceable, with such a gung ho disregard and such a depth of arrogance as to be fascist. The details are in the public domain, and so are indefensible, and thank God for people like Dave and Rita who spoke up for those who no longer have a voice because they sacrificed it and more, for our freedom. I think the only solution is to restore the Chapel site to its original protected condition, and have the coucillors make reparation by doing community service on the building site. They are guilty of crass arrogance, forgetting the reason of why there is a memorial there, and worst of all defiling the very motto itself, ‘Lest We Forget’. Shame on you.
Gordon McMillan says:
I’m impressed that anyone has the nerve to lie so blatantly. To use ‘no trees or shrubs were removed’ in the same paragraph as ‘we have taken cuttings from plants removed’ and claim both to be truthful would test Donald Trump or Boris Johnson’s abilities to spin news…..
David Jones says:
I have commented on this on numerous occasions as Rita & Dave will testify.
I served in the RAF starting in the 1950’s.
I was fortunate to serve with 92 Sqn during the cold war period, and I am quite horrified that the events surrounding Bromley council’s total disregard for the Chapel and its
connection with those brave airmen stationed at Biggin Hill during the Battle of Britain. To desecrate the Chapel vestry , and the beautiful trees and shrubs it tantamount
to sacriledge.. Shame on you the councilors of Bromley I hope you do not sleep peacefully in your beds.
Simon Rodney Sanders says:
Typical of local councils who when they are wrong are so small minded they can’t admit it. These people fought for them and many died for them allowing them to act in away much like those these boys defeated.
I cannot state how much I detest them for their selfish, thoughtless and mindless vandalism. no doubt they smugly feel some satisfaction in a PC way for this destruction. And all so they can charge a couple of bob to honest, good and worthwhile people paying their respects to heroes.
David Jolly says:
I wonder if the council are all like Capt Mainwaring Bumbling fools , full of their own self importance?? To use bricks from a manufacturer with links to the nazi war effort beggers belief ,what next a sponsership deal with BMW for the Museum. And to turn down the offer of free british bricks for this sensative site ?????.Just shows the colonel blimps at the mod don t care about rememberance or giving your life for your country I find it shocking a conservative council/government shows its true colours they are just cannon fodder the Few!Lest We forget
Brian Hawkins says:
Was there consultation period, Council should plant trees when finished, especially heartless in the 100th anniversary year of the RAF.
Mike Houghton says:
I went through The Aircrew Selection Centre at Biggin Hill in 1964 and although I was unsuccessful this airfield and everything associated with it should be retained and remembered for its vital place in the history of this country.
God Bless the Royal Air Force and all we owe to that organisation.
Clive Winnett says:
I have been laying a wreath , to Air Commodore Grace who C/O of Biggin hill during the Battle of Britain, he lays in maidford church yard northants. Don’t loose our history.
Leave a Reply to David Jolly Cancel reply
Laurie Chester on Royal Air Force Station Biggin Hill
admin on Business Services
Kirsty on Business Services
admin on Royal Air Force Station Biggin Hill
Biggin Hill Airshow 2019 August 9, 2019
RAF CHAPEL URGENT MESSAGE February 23, 2019
St George’s Royal Air Force Chapel of Remembrance September 24, 2018
Biggin Hill Memorial Museum Open Letter May 24, 2018
The Chapel and its Bricks May 24, 2018
07711 271552. We service Biggin Hill and surrounding areas.
Stuck with your essay? Get essay writing help online. It's easy to do my math problem with the help from trusted assignment writing company. Thesis Helper is the best site to get perfect written dissertations
Advertising on the Site
Please contact the Webmaster if you want to advertise here or anywhere else on the site. email: webmaster@bigginhill.co.uk
Biggin Hill Community Site
Biggin Hill Festival
Biggin Hill Directory
Animals, Pets, Horse Riding
Off Licenses, Fast Food
Biggin Hill Airport – Flying Schools
Off Licenses, Fast Food and Video shops
Biggin Hill History – Introduction
Biggin Hill History – Contents
Biggin Hill History – Background
The Aperfield Cedar
Biggin Hill History – 1800
Biggin Hill History – 1960 to the present day
Biggin hill Air fair 1998
Pictures – Air Fair 2000
Double Disaster at Biggin Hill
aerialview
Alternative Energy Pages
Electrical Solar Panels
Heat Pumps to Cut CO2 Emissions
DARTFORD ORIENTEERING KLUBB PRESENTS
Downe Orienteering Files
The Aircrew Association
Biggin Hill Airport
Biggin Hill Airshow
Air Fair Radio
Future of Biggin Hill Airport
classair
The Battle of Britain
Royal Air Force Station Biggin Hill
Blow the Candle Out Honey!
Biggin Hill Allotments Association
Allotments Stand
Big Bird in Biggin Hill
Biggin Hill to Blackpool
Books about Biggin Hill
R J Bryant
Lyne Butchers
Jeannette’s Hobby Ceramics
Add to Discussion
Cathy Shukla Designer Dressmaker
Eagle Heights Bird Sanctuary
Biggin Hill Website – Finding People on the Internet
Flight Training Books
Fly Jokes
form.htm
Greenacres Riding School
The Tatsfield Village Website, run in conjunction with the Parish Council, has been in existence for some years. www.tatsfield.org.uk
The Shoreham Aircraft Museum www.Shoreham Aircraft Museum
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line880
|
__label__wiki
| 0.778397
| 0.778397
|
Subscribe to our Culture & Religion newsletter
Move over, math. The universal language is world music.
A new study finds that societies use the same acoustic features for the same types of songs, suggesting universal cognitive mechanisms underpinning world music.
Kevin Dickinson
(Photo: Flickr)
Every culture in the world creates music, though stylistic diversity hides their core similarities.
A new study in Science finds that cultures use identifiable acoustic features in the same types of songs and that tonality exists worldwide.
Music is one of hundreds of human universals ethnographers have discovered.
World music's most striking feature is its diversity. A quick survey of modern musical styles demonstrates this variation, as there seems little in commonality between the melodious flow of jazz, the tonal jolts of dubstep, and the earthy twang of country folk.
If we expand our survey beyond contemporary genres, this diversity becomes even more pronounced.
Katajjaq, or Inuit throat singing, expresses playfulness in strong, throaty expressions. Japan's nogaku punctuates haunting bamboo flutes with the stiff punctuation of percussion. South of Japan, the Australian Aborigines also used winds and percussions, yet their didgeridoos and clapsticks birthed a distinct sound. And the staid echoes of medieval Gregorian chant could hardly be confused for a rousing track of thrash metal.
Despite music's far reach across cultures and time, its diversity has led many ethnomusicologists to proclaim the idea of a universal "human musicality" to be groundless or even offensive. But a new study published in Science has found evidence that the world's musics share important acoustic commonalities, despite their apparent differences.
The universal qualities of world music
The researchers focused on vocal songs because it is the most ubiquitous instrument available to world music.
(Photo: Pixabay)
Samuel Mehr, who studies the psychology of music at Harvard, led a team of researchers in studying musical patterns across cultures. In their "natural history of song," the team collected an ethnography and discography of songs from human cultures across the world.
The data set only looked at vocal performances because vocal cords are a ubiquitous musical instrument. They focused on four distinct song types: lullabies, dance songs, healing songs, and love songs. These songs were analyzed through transcriptions, machine summaries, and amateur and expert listeners in an online experiment.
The researchers' analysis of the data revealed that these four music types shared consistent features and that cultures used in similar contexts. Some of the similarities were what you'd expect. Dance songs were faster and had an upbeat tempo when compared to soothing and slow lullabies.
But the researchers found subtler distinctions also shared across cultures. For example, love songs have a larger size of pitch range and metrical accents than lullabies. Dance songs were more melodically variable than healing songs, while healing songs used fewer notes that were more closely spaced than love songs.
"Taken together, these new findings indicate that some basic but fundamental principles mapping musical styles onto societal functions and emotional registers exist and can be scientifically analyzed," stated cognitive biologists W. Tecumseh Fitch and Tudor Popescu (University of Vienna), who wrote the study's perspective piece.
The study's online experiment asked more than 29,000 participants to listen to songs and categorize them into one of the four types. The researchers precluded offering information that either explicitly or implicitly identified the song's context. They wanted listeners to guess based on the song's acoustic features alone.
The listeners, amateurs and experts, guessed the correct song type about 42 percent of the time, a success rate that stands well above the 25 percent odds of pure chance. The researchers argue that this shows "that the acoustic properties of a song performance reflect its behavioral context in ways that span human cultures."
Far from tone deaf
Of course, we all know that music varies, and the study did find three dimensions that explained the variability across the four song types: formality, arousal, and religiosity. For example, dance songs were found to be high in formality, high in arousal, but low in religiosity. Meanwhile, healing songs were high in all three dimensions, and lullabies were the lowest.
"Crucially, variability of song context within cultures is much greater than that between cultures, indicating that despite the diversity of music, humans use similar music in similar ways around the world," write Fitch and Popescu.
In addition, all of the studied songs showed tonality—that is, they built melodies by composing from a fixed set of tones.
To test this, the researchers asked 30 musical experts to listen to sample of songs and state whether they heard at least one tonal center. Of the 118 songs listened to, 113 were rated as tonal by 90 percent of the experts. These results suggest the widespread, perhaps universal, nature of tonality.
With all that said, the writers still recognize avenues of future research. They point out that the current database doesn't explain the variance in societal contexts and acoustic variables. The vocal-only nature of the data also leaves an immense library of instrumental and rhythmic music unexplored. And as with any research into human universals, the database cannot hope to be comprehensive enough to support evidence from every human culture. Additional cultures and musical styles remain to be investigated.
However, Fitch and Popescu note, Mehr and his colleagues have provided a deeper understanding of a potential universal cognitive mechanism for music and a blueprint for future empirical tests.
"Today, with smartphones and the internet, we can easily imagine a comprehensive future database, including recordings of all cultures and styles, richly annotated with video and text, being assembled in a citizen science initiative," they write.
The universals that bind us
Music is hardly the only human universal. Scientists have identified hundreds of cultural, societal, behavioral, and mental universals that have been identified among all known peoples, contemporary and historic. These include language, tool usage, death rituals, and, of course, music.
Study of fossils has discovered that Homo heidelbergensis, a common ancestor of Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, had the ability to control pitch (or "sing") at least a million years ago. But having the ability in tandem with the cognitive capabilities to control it is another matter. Humans are the only Homo genus we know has met all the musical requirements, and we can't be certain when these coalesced in our evolutionary history.
Additionally, archaeologists have found bone pipes made from swan and vulture bones dating back between 39,000 and 43,000 years ago. However, these were likely the result of a long creative process, likely preceded by instruments crafted by grasses, reeds, and wood, materials that are not as well preserved in the fossil record.
This makes it difficult to pinpoint when music entered our evolutionary history and therefore to pinpoint its evolutionary advantage. According to Jeremy Montagu, former musicologist at Oxford, one proposal is social bonding:
[M]usic is not only cohesive on society but almost adhesive. Music leads to bonding, bonding between mother and child, bonding between groups who are working together or who are together for any other purpose. Work songs are a cohesive element in most pre-industrial societies, for they mean that everyone of the group moves together and thus increases the force of their work. […] Dancing or singing together before a hunt or warfare binds the participants into a cohesive group, and we all know how walking or marching in step helps to keep one going.
According to anthropologist Donald Brown, despite human universals' widespread nature, they result from relatively few processes or conditions. These include diffusion of ancient cultural traits or cultures meeting the demands of our physical reality. They can also stem from the operation and structure of the human mind, and therefore can result from said mind's evolution.
Which is it for music? We don't yet know.
The Science study authors suggest a picture emerging that music is an evolutionary adaptation—though, whether music is its own specific adaptation or a byproduct of other adaptations remains even more unclear. However, Montagu suggests a more cultural origin when he writes: "Each culture develops the tuning system that best suits its ideas of musicality. It is up to the cognitive scientists to determine why this should be so, but they have to admit, if they are willing to listen to the exotic musics of the world, that these differences exist."
Further complicating the matter is the fact that while every human can appreciate music, not everyone can create it or even desires to (unlike language or other innate universals).
Henry Rollins: Music Is Powerful, but It Can't Stop a War - Big Think ›
A World Map of Heavy Metal Density - Big Think ›
Coldplay stop touring as pop music tries to go green | World ... ›
World music | Britannica ›
World Music Institute: Home ›
music creativity mind science and art art dance history humanity world cultures
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line881
|
__label__cc
| 0.698717
| 0.301283
|
WHY AFS
FMCSA’s new requirements for entry-level driver training
The new rules in CDL schools will go into effect by February 7, 2020.
Instructional Technologies Inc. (ITI), a provider of training solutions for the transportation industry, has released the name of its new training program for drivers wanting to obtain a CDL: On Ramp Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). This new system adopts new requirements demanded by FMCSA and will be fully operational by February 2020 for state, public, and private CDL schools.
Continue reading “FMCSA’s new requirements for entry-level driver training”
Good and not so good: The top 5 trends in trucking
Despite the predicted slowdown of the U.S. economic growth in the first half of 2019, over half (52%) of transportation businesses report they are growing and 1 in 3 expect to continue growing their revenue by 11-25% in the next two years.
That was part of the Bibby Financial Services seminar March 28 at the 48th annual Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY. The information was presented by Mary Ann Hudson, executive vice president of Bibby Transportation Finance, which surveyed 250 trucking businesses with between 1 and 100 trucks, from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28.
Continue reading “Good and not so good: The top 5 trends in trucking”
Parking at rest stops becoming easier in Midwest
Intelligent Imaging Systems (IIS) delivers parking availability in Ohio.
IIS Smart Parking solutions for trucks at rest stops are up and running. Installations were recently completed in Ohio, part of the Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials (MAASTO) initiative, which unites eight Midwestern states in the nation’s first Regional Truck Parking Information Management System(TPIMS).
Continue reading “Parking at rest stops becoming easier in Midwest”
Taking the owner-op leap… yes or no?
FMCSA: Random drug test rate for truckers doubling in 2020
What potential truckers worry about
Roadmaster CEO: Fleet shutdowns ‘cleanse’ the trucking industry
Team drivers lean on pets for exercise and stress release
WHY AFS - HOW WE WORK - ABOUT US - APPLY NOW - FUEL CARD - SERVICES - CONTACT US - CLIENT LOGIN - TESTIMONIALS
AFS is a proud member of the South Dakota Trucking Association and The International Factoring Association
Copyright © 2020 Assist Financial Services
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line882
|
__label__cc
| 0.607084
| 0.392916
|
Tag: luxury camping
Pacific Rim Glamping at Wya Point Resort
One of the many reasons I’m gaga for glamping is because it offers an all-access pass to nature, and at Wya Point Resort, perched on the cusp of Canada’s West Coast, this access is VIP.
Located a few hours from Vancouver, BC, via car and a trip aboard BC Ferries, connecting the mainland to Vancouver Island, I arrived at Way Point Resort with my family in the early evening. The sun was starting to set, bathing the resort’s private beach in a pink, blue, and golden-hued light so complex it would be difficult for Pantone to capture it in a color chip.
So taken by the way the light was peeking through the old-growth trees towering over the Pacific Ocean, we dashed out of our car and ran to the resort’s sandy cove before even setting foot in our yurt. Once the sun sank into the horizon, we walked a few steps to our “glampsite” and realized we could have witnessed the kaleidoscope sky from the lounge chairs topping the cedar deck circling our yurt.
Built strong and sturdy by the Ucluelet First Nation—the original inhabitants of the land—to withstand their position at the edge of the Pacific Rim, the 15 beach-access yurts at Wya Point Resort are far from fair-weather. Indoor wood-burning stoves provide heat in the winter, while the pop-up rooftop skylight cools in the summer. Small indoor kitchens—intended to complement the outdoor grill—provide just enough space to prepare a coastal feast.
At 8:00 p.m. the tide rolled in and with it, waves so powerful, their froth dusted our yurt’s window with millions of micro bubbles. The sound of the waves juxtaposed against the quietness of nature soothed my soul into a sleep so deep I awoke the next morning to the cry of eagles.
After an obligatory sunrise beachcombing session where we checked out tide pools teeming with sea anemones and starfish, we headed into the nearby town of Ucluelet. Locally-roasted coffee from The Foggy Bean Coffee Co was on our menu, as was a coastal hike along the 5.5-mile Wild Pacific Trail.
Before returning to our woodsy hideaway, we felt it was our duty to the destination (and our inner foodies) to pick up salmon and halibut caught that morning for an evening cookout.
Barbecuing local fish under a canopy of ancient cedars, I was struck by the privilege of Pacific Rim glamping, and the front-row seat Wya Point Resort gives you to the Pacific wild.
Know this:
– Well-equipped bathrooms are a few steps from each yurt.
– In addition to yurts, Way Point Resort also features campsites, as well as a collection of nine beachfront, timber-frame lodges.
– The region is famous for fishing, surfing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing, so there’s no shortage of activities.
Trish Friesen
www.glamping.com
The Keys to New Zealand: Maui Motorhomes
Imagine arriving to the shore of a glacial lake, surrounded by yellow poplar trees and snow-capped mountains and saying, “We’re home.” This my friends, is campervanning in New Zealand, where each night you stop at an absurdly gorgeous place, make a gourmet meal, open a bottle of Marlborough wine, and then wake up to a million-dollar view, free of charge. We carried on like this for 10 glorious in our Maui Ultima campervan—our luxury studio apartment on wheels—exploring the South Island’s mountains, glaciers, fjords, colonial towns, beaches, and alpine villages. There are so many exquisite and remote places to experience in New Zealand, that a rental car and a few hotel stays wasn’t going to cut it. With the ability to move at our own pace, go wherever inspired us, and have the amenities of home on hand, we found the keys to total freedom and adventure.
We picked up our two-berth Mercedes Sprinter with its spacious living area, efficient kitchen, full bathroom, ingenious storage, and modern accents and couldn’t believe how posh a campervan could be. Watch this video for the full tour of our faithful steed and mobile palace.
Our 1472-mile route was ambitious but there isn’t a single place on this itinerary we’d cut on this crazy clockwise loop. Starting with Christchurch, Lake Alexandrina, Mount Cook/Tasman Glacier, Oamaru, Moeraki Boulders, Dunedin, Otago Peninsula, Curio Bay, Catlins Conservation Park, Invercargill, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Lake Wanaka, Haast, Franz Josef Glacier, Arthur’s Pass back to Christchurch.
We left Christchurch way later than expected so the new plan was to get as close to the world heritage site of Mount Cook National Park as possible before dark. We zoomed into our trusty Maps With Me app, trying to survey the digital landscape for a pretty place to sleep and found a spot overlooking Lake Alexandrina. In New Zealand it’s legal to “Freedom Camp,” which means if your vehicle has its own bathroom (like our Maui) and the land isn’t signposted, you can overnight park on public land. Freedom camping allowed us to wake up to views like this every day.
After admiring the tallest mountain in Australasia, we headed south on Canterbury’s Highway 8 going from snowy mountains to teal seas to the stunning city of Dunedin. We were dazzled by the Victorian and Edwardian architecture and lively vibe of this university town.
The Otago Pennisula, a 20-km long finger of land jutting off Dunedin has some of the best marine life and bird watching in the world with the albatross colonies, endangered yellow eyed penguins, hooker sea lions, sea elephants and more. We pulled over to watch some seals and made a seafood dinner in our fully equipped kitchen.
Continuing along the southern coastal roads into the Catlins, there were not only gorgeous beaches but Lord-of-the-Ring style podocarp forests. We took a hike to a waterfall and I could have sworn we saw a few hobbits darting between the moss-encrusted trees.
Every visitor that comes to the South Island has Fjordland National Park and its world-famous Milford Sound on his list. There is no freedom camping in the park so we stopped at Deer Flat campground in the shadow of the 5,000-foot mountains and made ourselves a hearty meal before hiking and kayaking the day away.
Milford Sound is said to be an 8th Wonder of the World and after our four-hour kayak expedition between the majestic mountains, hanging glaciers, and gushing waterfalls…we’d have to agree. Fjordland National Park is a wildly popular place, attracting plenty of tour buses, but with our campervan we were able to zip to the lesser known vistas and trails without the crowds.
Our whirlwind road-trip continued to the Adventure Capital of Queenstown and its adrenaline effects immediately took hold. Within an hour of our arrival to this alpine town, we signed up to bungee jump, jet boat the Shotover river, and ride the world’s largest gorge swing. Maybe its the town’s hundreds of adventure activities on offer or the seductive nature of the Remarkable Mountains and Lake Wakatipu, but Queenstown got our heart racing like no other.
We couldn’t leave Queenstown without a stop at the famous Fergburger for a Bambi—venison burger with spicy mango chutney. With full bellies we started our drive to Glenorchy, the hippy town at the head of Lake Wakitipu. It should have taken us 40 minutes but add in 20 photo stops to document the coastal gorgeousness and it took us close to two hours.
Cruising back through Queenstown with our mouths agape, we made our way north to Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. These sister lakes aren’t nearly as popular as Wakatipu, but dear lord are they spectacular. Glacier-cut mountains shoot from all sides of the deep waters and no matter how many panoramics you take, you can’t fit all the beauty in.
Over the waterfalls of Haas Pass and out to the West Coast, we made our way towards Franz Josef Glacier. We took a helicopter ride to the top to the pristine white peaks but by just pulling our camper over, we got this view.
A friend recommended a campsite near the glacier but with our gas kitchen, solar panels, kitchen, and bathroom, we had no reason or desire to use these shared facilities. Instead we found a quiet spot in line with Franz Josef, fired up our slide-out BBQ, and enjoyed grilled lamb and red wine at our private table for two.
We made our way back to Christchurch via the stunning Arthur’s Pass and couldn’t stop marveling at how much we saw in ten days. Our campervan saved us from booking hotels, having to pack up each day, and staying on the tourist track. It allowed us to truly explore the pristine South Island and discover a whole new way to travel the world.
Anne & Mike Howard
Mike and Anne Howard left on their honeymoon in 2012 and have been traveling the world ever since. HoneyTrek.com chronicles their adventures across 7 continents, 44 countries, and counting! Their writing, photography, and the story of the “World’s Longest Honeymoon” can also be found on Condé Nast Traveler, BBC Travel, The Knot, Los Angeles Times, CBS, and dozens of other international publications. Connect with @HoneyTrek on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Shash Dine’ Eco-Retreat: A Glamping B&B in Navajo Nation
Some 12 miles South of Lake Powell, deep into the red soil of Navajo Nation, lays an unassuming eco-retreat by the name of Shash Dine’. It is here that Baya, a native Dine’ (“the people” in Navajo), her husband Paul and their young daughter welcome you into the wild, desert beauty of northern Arizona, where simplicity rules by definition.
Born and raised on the land of the Bear People Clan whom she belongs to, as the property’s name derives from the Navajo language, Baya lives by her people’s traditions. The ranch on the premise – where sheep, goats, chickens and horses are roving about – is her home.
Photo Credit: Shash Dine Eco Retreat
As natural building enthusiasts, Baya and Paul set out to welcome guests on site, in traditional Navajo log and earth hogans – the traditional dwelling of the Navajo people – canvas wall tents or tipis, providing an unique cultural experience, an appreciation for, and education as to how the Dine’ lived not so long ago.
It was pitch dark when we arrived. The only sign leading to our overnight stay was a bear claw sign leading up to the driveway, from which Baya picked us up. From then on, a dirt road eventually led to two secured, white canvas, wall tents shining in the night.
Tip: To avoid getting lost, it is highly recommended to arrive before dark. You should provide an approximate check in time. This is a remote location. It is imperative to let your hosts know as to your arrival time so you can be guided through.
In true off the grid nature, the only sound disturbing the silence came from the two watchdogs nearby. I can’t remember any other time when I felt more intertwined with nature. Sleeping under a bed full of stars, cowboy stories chanted by Navajos lingered in the air.
Tip: Be prepared with torches and headlights during the night, or ask the hosts for some. No other light exists.
Photo Credit: Monica Suma
Despite the vast wilderness, convenient items can be found inside the wall tents – a large canister of drinkable water, two comfortable camp beds, two sleeping bags, Navajo blankets, books and even theme board games. To set the décor, two large candlelights added the finishing touch. Outside each tent there was a large bucket filled with water, to make up for the lack of running water.
The morning after, we noticed a pastoral wooden veranda, which included a fireplace and basic tools to grill meat and vegetables. We skipped the Navajo porridge breakfast offered to us, but we were grateful for the quick breakfast to go – coffee and a generous basket with fresh fruit – that our host brought over.
Two nights later, we learnt more. More than a unique, off the grid glamping experience, Shash Dine’ hosts voluntourists and workawayers, in what has recently become an increasingly popular concept – the so-called working vacations. Volunteers from all over the world are welcome to stay on property, free of charge, as long as they pay for their own meals and transportation.
The self-sustaining ranch and bed & breakfast is in constant need of extra helping hands for farming, building earth structures and tending to animals, as well as assistance with projects such as teaching and language practice. While experiencing life on the Reservation, volunteers can also participate in the educational workshops provided, geared towards permaculture, natural building and Navajo culture.
We met one such volunteer the morning we left; she seemed content. And why wouldn’t she be? Free to explore nearby monumental sites nature created – Lake Powell, the jaw dropping Antelope Canyon and the awe inspiring Horseshoe Bend being some of the closest ones – Navajo Nation comes with many lessons to be learnt, and discovered.
Note: This April, Paul and Baya Meehan are starting construction on a cob Hogan to welcome guests in, in the hopes of educating visitors to northern Arizona, most of which are unfamiliar with Navajo culture. A crowd funding campaign has been set up for all those who wish to support.
Monica Suma
Monica Suma is a Romanian-American freelance travel writer and blogger, always on the hunt for art, good food and all things Cuba. Through storytelling and an insatiable pursuit for whimsy, she contributes to a variety of publications such as Lonely Planet, BBC Travel, Business Traveller and more. Follow her adventures live on Instagram and Twitter.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line885
|
__label__cc
| 0.606836
| 0.393164
|
Home » Report » UTC and Raytheon: IP Analysis of the Mega Merger
UTC and Raytheon: IP Analysis of the Mega Merger
June 28, 2019 Rajni MishraReport No Comment
United Technologies (UTC) and Raytheon recently announced their merger in an all-stock deal billed as a “merger of equals”. The combined entity will be known as Raytheon Technologies, and will have revenues of $74 billion and a valuation of $166 billion. The agreement is considered to be one of the largest corporate mergers of 2019. UTC Chairman and CEO Greg Hayes remarked that the proposed merger of United Technologies with Raytheon will define the future of aerospace and defense.
UTC, an industrial conglomerate, provides technology products and services to building systems and aerospace industries worldwide. Raytheon, a leading defense company, produces missile defense systems and cybersecurity solutions. The companies say that the deal will offer “expanded technology and R&D capabilities to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions aligned with customer priorities and the national defense strategies of the U.S. and its allies and friends”.
The combined company will have a portfolio of close to 38,000 active patents. This week we take a closer look at the combined patent assets of the two companies.
General Trends
Figure 1: UTC Published Applications – Growth [Click on image to enlarge]
UTC’s published applications show a continued upward trend till 2016, as seen in Figure 1. The following year shows a slight flattening in patenting activity in 2017 followed by a surge in 2018 with UTC getting 6688 published applications.
Figure 2: Raytheon Published Applications – Growth [Click on image to enlarge]
Figure 2 shows that Raytheon’s published active patents exhibit a continuous upward trend, with 2018 being the year where it garnered its maximum number of 1351 published applications.
Figure 3: Key Geographies – UTC [Click on image to enlarge]
The U.S. is the favoured filing destination for UTC, accounting for close to half of its active published applications. The other significant jurisdictions where UTC has sought patent coverage include the European Patent Office, Canada and China, as seen in Figure 3.
Figure 4: Key Geographies – Raytheon [Click on image to enlarge]
Figure 4 shows that the U.S. is the preferred filing destination for Raytheon. The other significant jurisdictions where Raytheon has sought patent coverage include the European Patent Office, Israel and Japan.
The two companies possess diverse product portfolios – while United Technologies builds commercial airline components and fighter jet engines, Raytheon is known for missiles, radar systems, cyber-defense and sensors for spacecraft and aircraft.
The merger of the two companies is poised to create a premier systems provider with advanced technologies that would cater to the rapidly growing segments of aerospace and defense.
The merger would also see the spinning-off of UTC’s Carrier building-controls and Otis elevator units, leaving the resulting company Raytheon Technologies to entirely focus on the aerospace industry. The combination would establish a broad and complementary portfolio of platform-agnostic capabilities across the high-growth aerospace and defense segments.
Our analysis of the patent assets by technology categories for both the companies shows that gas turbines and aerospace-related technologies are the focus of UTC’s patent coverage with over half of its portfolio covering these technology areas. On the other hand, semiconductor devices, antenna arrays, use of electromagnetic waves and passive homing systems are the main areas of Raytheon’s patent coverage.
Based on the Relecura Star Rating, UTC’s and Raytheon’s patent portfolios rank almost the same with an overall rating of 2.15 and 2.17 respectively. Typically, a patent with a Relecura Star Rating of 3 or more is deemed as one of high-quality. The Relecura Star rating ranks each patent on a scale of five. It is a proprietary composite metric incorporating multiple criteria. The metric combines different technology, business, and litigation related factors.
UTC’s high-quality patents cover areas such as functions supporting engines/pumps, and emission reduction in aeronautics or air transport. Raytheon’s high-quality patents cover areas such as systems using reflection or re-radiation of waves and detecting the presence, distance or velocity objects using reflection or re-radiation of radio waves.
It will be interesting to see how the biggest deal in the aerospace and defense sectors impacts the market dynamics and the manner in which the other incumbents react to counter this mega merger.
Get the Patent Portfolio Report.
The contents of this report were referenced in an IAM article. To read the article, click here.
aerospacedefensemergers and acquisitionspatentsRaytheonUnited Technologies
« Apple: Enhancing its Products with Acquisitions
PayPal – Leading the Way in Payments Processing »
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line893
|
__label__cc
| 0.621863
| 0.378137
|
Step Forward: Progressive LGBT Politics
Same Sex Sunday Podcast: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Vote and the Prop 8 Hearing
By Joe Mirabella on December 12, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Phil Reese and I put together a team of experts to unravel this week’s historic vote on the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to help explain what happened and where we go from here.
We also analyzed Monday’s hearing before the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals for Perry vs Schwarzenegger to determine the state of Proposition 8 in California. What is standing and why does it matter? Expert attorneys will turn you into an expert.
Our round table included:
* Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Tobias Wolff
* Senior political writer for MetroWeekly in DC, Chris Geidner
* National News Editor for the EDGE Media Network, Michael Lavers
* Author and former Sergeant in the Marine Corp, Justin Crockett Elzie
* Development Director for SLDN and Former Air Force SSgt, David Hall
Don’t miss this important episode, and please remember to share it with your friends and social networks. There is nothing more important than good information at this turning point in our community’s history.
Click here to download on iTunes
Joe Mirabella
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line895
|
__label__cc
| 0.636655
| 0.363345
|
Women push back against Trojans
Friday night saw the Briercrest Clippers hosting the SAIT Trojans for their first matchup of the season. The Clippers were 8-0 and looked to continue their streak.
The Briercrest women opened the scoring, taking the lead and never surrendering it for the entirety of the set. The Clippers began to build on their lead, forcing the Trojans to call the first timeout of the game at 13-6 for Briercrest. The Clippers continued to build their momentum, causing another Trojans timeout at 21-13. Although the Trojans scored five more points, the Clippers never let off and took the first set 25-18.
The second set saw SAIT score first, and although Briercrest pulled ahead with an early lead the Trojans were able to tie the game at 6's. The Trojans then found their groove, building a lead on the Clippers and forcing them to call a timeout at 10-6. Leading by three, the Trojans continued to keep the Clippers on their heels, never surrendering their lead and causing another Briercrest timeout at 22-19. Although the Clippers pushed to 21 points and forced a SAIT timeout at 24-21, the Trojans were able to capture the second set 25-21.
The Trojans took the first point of the third set, but the Clippers pushed back with a vengeance building a quick lead a forcing a SAIT timeout at 10-3. The Clippers continued to build their lead, finding their groove and pushing SAIT to call their second timeout at 17-9. Briercrest continued their onslaught, finishing the third set 25-17.
Building off their third set victory, the Clippers hit the ground running, pushing the Trojans to call a timeout at 14-4 for Briercrest. The Clippers were fully in their rhythm, and keeping their 10-point lead forced another Trojans timeout at 23-13. Each team scored twice more to end the set with Briercrest winning the set 25-15.
Player of the game for the Trojans went to outside hitter Jadyn Leong, who recorded 13 kills, 6 digs, and 5 aces. For the Clippers, the award went to middle Mikayla Benterud, who put up 10 kills, 7 aces, and 3 blocks. Benterud comments, "It was great to be challenged tonight. As a team it gave us a great opportunity to fight back and put in a strong team effort. We look forward to the challenges to come."
My son Brent is in the program and enjoying it so much. It brings tears of thankfulness to my eyes to see the beautiful things he's experienced already. What a special time of life that those in the program will never forget.
Margot Bandy
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line903
|
__label__wiki
| 0.925229
| 0.925229
|
Helping out your Mates
March 28, 2019 CJ Leave a comment
Back in 2011, I was introduced to the guys from the Shekou Rugby Club in Shenzhen. On Wednesday nights, we would gather at the grounds of SIS near Seaworld in Shekou, Shenzhen, China and play touch rugby. It’s always a convivial motley crew of men and women from France, Australia, New Zealand, America, PNG, Italy, Japan, China, Hong Kong and elsewhere. It was here I ran into this friendly Australian, John Graham. Always having a laugh and telling us how he was doing a segment on a US Golf Show. A very genuine person that would never question helping you out. Often we would run into each other ‘downtown’ in Futian, Shenzhen having a few drinks and a laugh.
At that time he was running a successful gym, Fusion, near the waterfront in Shekou that many of the rugby players attended. There was a lot of positivity in that gym and everyone said it was great. (I even had a training session there). Well that has turned out to be his Achilles heel as he was duped by a Chinese businessman who took over the business. I will let John take up the story below:
John’s campaign https://gogetfunding.com/being-wrongfully-sued-in-china/
If you can at all help John out, in anyway you can, please do.
BusinessChinaFitnessrugbyShekouShenzhen
The rising sun sets on the sunwolves
Back in 2016, a major revolution was afoot with the expansion of Super Rugby to 18 teams across six countries, four unions, both hemisphere’s and numerous time zones. The convoluted system incorporating four conferences was too hard to comprehend and player fatigue due to frequent flyer mileage was a factor that was difficult to manage. Micromanagement saw the teams culled to 15, but this is also seen as too cumbersome and a new 14 or 15-team competition will begin after the current broadcast deal expires next year; starting in 2021.
I remember in 2009 on the Gold Coast talking with then Japanese coach and All Black legend, John Kirwan. I brought up the idea of having a Japanese based Super Rugby franchise, to which Jk said, “No-way, impossible, the company teams in Japan are way too powerful“. In Australia, we could see the merit of a Japanese team with the time-slot 1 hour behind Eastern Standard Time wedged between the Western Force matches in Perth.
“No-way, impossible, the company teams in Japan are way too powerful“.
Fast forward to 2019 and another All Black legend, current Queensland Reds coach, Brad Thorn. He’s come out strongly supporting the Sunwolves. After last Saturday’s match at Chichibu-no-Miya Stadium in Tokyo saying, “Look at that game today, look at the Sunwolves this season, they’ve been outstanding. It’s so good for rugby in Japan, look at the crowd. It would be disappointing and sad if Sunwolves were no longer part of it.”
CJ with Brad Thorn both showing support the Sunwolves. Photo CJ on Instagram @brisbanerugbycom
Unfortunately, it’s official that from the Super Rugby 2021 season the Sunwolves will no longer be a part of the competition. In the words of SANZAAR CEO Andy Marino, “The decision to further consolidate the competition format to a 14-team round robin was not taken lightly. It has involved some detailed analysis and a thorough review of the current and future rugby landscape, tournament costs, commercial and broadcast considerations and player welfare in line with our Strategic Plan.”
Maybe John Kirwan was right, as sources have inferred that the JRFU never really liked the concept of the Sunwolves. This view was even voiced to SANZAAR by the JRFU as Marino reiterated, “SANZAAR was advised by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) in early March that they would no longer be in a position to financially underwrite the Sunwolves future participation post 2020. The future of the Sunwolves will now be determined by the JRFU which has determined that Super Rugby no longer remains the best pathway for the development of players for the national team.”
There’s a lot of issues to be sorted out, with finances being a major concern, along with the disruption to the Top League season in Japan. Moving forward, it’s time to have a good chat with Andrew Forrest about becoming a part of Global Rapid Rugby.
Twiggy Forrest’s Global Rapid Rugby
Global Rapid RugbyJapanrugby unionRugby World CupSunwolvesSuper 15Super 18Super RugbyWorld Sevens rugby
RWC2019, RWC2019Japan
Rugby World Cup 2019 Comes to Japan
January 13, 2019 CJ Leave a comment
Some of the team jerseys that will be at the RWC2019. Photo courtesy of CJ on Instagram @brisbanerugby.
From the inception of the Rugby World Cup in 1987, where Australia and New Zealand hosted the inaugural event, the manifestation of this great tournament has been at the forefront of international attention. None more so than the 1995 tourney in South Africa with the Springboks competing for the first time for Nelson Mandela’s newly minted, Rainbow Nation. Who would forget the galvanising of a population under the same banner through rugby union? It was the inspiration for the book, “Playing the Enemy“, by English journalist, John Carlin, that inspired the 2009 movie, “Invictus” directed by Clint Eastward.
Nelson Mandela presenting the Webb Ellis Trophy to Francoise Pienaar RWC 1995. Photo courtesy of news.com.au
Four years later at RWC 1999, former Wallaby captain and Australian rugby commentator, Andrew Slack, stated ahead of the New Zealand v France semi-final in Twickenham, that he would move to the Tongan capital of Nuku’alofa if France won. When the French came from 24-10 down at halftime to upstage the Kiwis 43-31 by the fulltime whistle, Slack was packing his bags. The final that year saw the Wallabies, under John Eales leadership, win their second Webb Ellis Trophy, 35-12 over France.
Despondent All Blacks side after RWC1999 semi-final loss to France. Photo courtesy of planetrugby.com
By 2007, the tournament moved to an exclusively non-English speaking nation France. However, the memorable French 20-18 win over the All Blacks in the quarter-final was in Cardiff, Wales. Incendently, the Argentine Los Pumas affirmed their rugby pedigree defeating the French hosts twice. This time it was the South Africans that clinched their second title, 15-6, over England at Stade de France, Saint-Denis in Paris.
Los Puma’s halfback, Augustin Pichot, celebrates after their 17-12 victory over hosts France in the opening match of RWC 2007. Photo courtesy of The Irish Times.
It was the 2011 edition that finally saw the mighty All Blacks overcome 24 years of ridicule and derision to secure their second Webb-Ellis title. In front of 61,079 home fans at the sacred Eden Park, the crucible of rugby in New Zealand, the ABs overcame their nemesis, France, to hold on by the slightest of margins, winning 8-7. Despite the valiant efforts of the French captain, Thierry Dusautoir’s, Man-of-the-Match performance, Les Bleus, couldn’t overcome the Maori challenge.
New Zealand All Blacks do the Haka ahead of the RWC 2011 Final with France. Photo courtesy of the Irish Times.
The Rugby World Cup unites diverse ethnic cultures and languages. It brings the so-called second tier nations to compete against the best teams on the planet in front of huge crowds with a global audience. In RWC 2015 the average attendance across all 48 matches was 95.27%, the most well-patronised event with a total of 2,477,805 in attendance (Wikipedia 2018). The match between Japan and Samoa achieved a television audience record of 25 million in Japan and ITV in the UK recorded 11.6 million viewers for the England v Wales match (RWC site). However, the biggest revelation to come from RWC 2015 was the “Miracle in Brighton“, when the Eddie Jones coached Japan Brave Blossoms defeated the South African Springboks 34-32 after the fulltime siren. This has inspired Australian writer and director, Max Mannix to produce a movie of the lead up to this extraordinary occurrence, with filming commencing on Australia’s Gold Coast this month.
The jubilation on the Japanese team’s faces after defeating South Africa in RWC 2015 in Brighton. Photo courtesy of telgraph.co.uk
This year the Rugby World Cup carnival, for the first time, moves to Asia and the Land of the Rising Sun. Japan will host the third biggest sporting event on the global stage, with big shoes to fill after the successful UK edition four years hence. Action starts in 8 months with the opening ceremony on September 20th at Ajinomoto Stadium, in Tokyo’s western suburbs, followed by hosts, Japan, taking on Russia through to six weeks of competition culminating with the final at the cavernous 72,327-seat Nissan Stadium in Yokohama.
4年に一度じゃない。
一生に一度だ。
“Not once every four years. Once in a lifetime!”
Such a bold statement, though justifiably so with the tournament making an initial foray into the Orient, laying testament to the multitude of cultures that make up the rugby family. The Hong Kong Sevens continually draws on this diversity to host the most successful annual 7s rugby pilgrimage there, but for the Rugby World Cup to be held in Asia, this will surely be a once in a lifetime experience.
From the northern ocean roads of 北海道（Hokkaido）to the nine states of 九州（Kyushu）in the south, across 12 stadiums with dedicated host cities, rugby fans will be treated to not only 48 high-quality international rugby matches, but a sensory overload in this ancient country of temples, shrines and castles coupled with exquisite culinary delights presented to the highest caliber. Bring it on!!
The Wallabies at Odawara Castle near their training facilities. Photo courtesy of CJ on Instagram @brisbanerugby
All BlacksJapanNelson MandelaRugby World CupRWC2019RWC2019 World RugbySpringboksThe Miracle in Brightonwallabies
Two-week Fact-Finding Mission in Japan Comes to an End.
November 15, 2018 CJ Leave a comment
In late October I made my way over to the Land of the Rising Sun on a sabbatical to try to really comprehend how rugby is growing in Japan and the fanfare and excitement created around #RWC2019.
My first impressions in Tokyo were that plans were well underway to host the third major global sporting tournament and a buzz was growing amongst the Japanese people. However, I was somewhat delusional inside the bubble of the rugby going public in that first week bookended by the Bledisloe 3 match in Shin-Yokohama on October 27th and the Japanese playing the All Blacks in western Tokyo the week after on November 3. The bubble I refer to was being invited to functions by rugby aficionados in Tokyo from former players of All France, members of the Japanese Rugby Magazine and rugby people at Yokohama Country & Athletic Club.
CJ with Rugby Magazine, Japan production crew
With my PA, Alisa Okawa, I attended the Third Bledisloe Match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks on Saturday, after arriving the day before, at the cavernous Nissan Stadium in Shin Yokohama. Location of the Football World Cup final in 2002 hosted by Japan and South Korea the 72,327-seat stadium attained a record attendance for an international rugby match in Japan with over 46,000 fans watching the Kiwis defeat the Aussies 37-20. An entertaining match with a strong All Blacks side making a clean sweep of the series against a novice Wallabies outfit that will befit greatly from the exposure a year out from the World Cup. In what could be heralded as a preview to the RWC2019 final, as was the case for the RWC2015 final, these two behemoths of the World Cup era in rugby holding three and two Webb Ellis trophies respectively may not end up the finalists after the annus horribilis the Wallabies have endured in 2018 winning only 3 of 12 tests.
CJ with the Webb Ellis Trophy in Yokohama
The week that followed was catching up with old rugby mates in Tokyo and discussing proposals with stakeholders that set to benefit from Japan hosting the World Cup. I even managed to pull on the boots to play a rugby match at YC&AC in Yokohama over 20 years since I had last played on that ground in the 1990s. To my surprise, there was a schoolboy/girl tournament going on there sponsored by Aussie Beef. Former Brave Blossoms representative and current Toshiba Brave Limpus stalwart, Hiroshi Ono or Kin-chan as the locals call him, was in attendance to give clout to the event that hosted teams from New Zealand and Australia. Great to see rugby being promoted in this soccer/baseball-mad country. I really hope the Japanese Rugby Football Union (JRFU) can really capitalise on the exposure rugby is getting through the RWC2019. Talking with Kyodo news rugby correspondent, Rich Freeman, after my match, he seemed somewhat pessimistic with the Japanese Top League being abandoned for the 2019-20 season. He also thought they should have lowered the ticket price for the Bledisloe Cup match to try for a sellout crowd after the rugby public had just forked out for World Cup tickets. It will be interesting to see how any benefit can come from hosting this event.
Kyodo news rugby correspondent, Rich Freeman with the big man, Naiki, and CJ
For my second week I made my way up into the mountains of central Japan to Nagano where a good friend of mine, Hide, lives in the City of Ueda. He showed me the rugby town of Sugadaira on the outskirts of Ueda where the high school rugby teams from all over Japan gather in summer to go through their paces. Driving through the town you can’t help but be overawed by everything rugby from the rugby ball monument in the centre of town to the Canterbury store, amongst other rugby brands, scattered throughout. Even the 7/11 store caters for sports supplements not common at other franchise locations in Japan. These highlands are where the Italian rugby union team will be based during the six-week tournament starting in September next year.
The Italian rugby union side will be taking up residence in Sugadaira Highlands
Ueda welcomes the Italian rugby side for RWC2019
Sugadaira Highlands welcome the Italian rugby union side for RWC2019
Heading back to Tokyo for my final weekend I felt somewhat disheartened by the fact that what I initially thought was an excitement for the RWC2019 was, in fact, more a curiosity as to what it would entail. Overshadowed by the Tokyo2020 Olympics, rugby still as a long way to go to capture the minds and souls of this unique homogeneous society reluctant to cash in on the tourism bonanza this event will bring. A chance to really open up and embrace the outside world could be missed unless something drastic is done. I will offer my services to ensure the success of this event and rugby sevens at the Olympics because there is a true bond of camaraderie born from rugby players and their fans.
All BlacksJapanrugby unionRWC2019wallabiesWorld RugbyYokohama
NRC, Reds Rugby
Queensland Country Looking Good for Another NRC Premiership
October 22, 2018 CJ Leave a comment
On Sunday, fans braved the second half rain at Bond University to watch the National Rugby Championship semi-final between last year’s premiers Queensland Country and the Western Force. The star-studded Country outfit did not fail to impress from the getgo with tries aplenty in the first 20 minutes. None more so than 2018 Reds bolter, 18-year-old Jordan Petaia. Some very impressive running from the young Wallabies squad member playing at outside-centre with two tries in 15 minutes under the watchful eye of Reds coach Brad Thorn, who was standing beside me. From our vantage point, Caleb Timu also ran in for a five-pointer, on the blindside, with the Western Force down to 13 men.
Young gun, 18-year-old, Jordan Petaia running strongly in the NRC semi-final. Photo courtesy of Getty
Hamish Stewart did not bring his kicking boots which proved costly in the first half as Qld Country went to the sheds up only 20-14, after Western Force kicker, Ian Prior, converted their first two tries. Stewart did make-up for his earlier failures with the boot in the second half with two conversions and two penalty goals, but leaving points out there was scrutinised by Reds coach Thorn.
CJ with Brad Thorn enjoying the early tries by Queensland Country at Bond University. Photo CJ on Instagram @brisbanerugbycom
In the 53rd minute, referee Damon Murphy called the match off due to the lightning in the area, but after about 15 minutes the play was back on. A few spectators left at this juncture, however, there were plenty that stayed, eager to watch more from the impressive Queensland Country outfit. The final score was 45-24 to the home side, booking them a place in next weeks final in Suva against Fiji Drua.
Queensland Country coach, Rod Seib, said, “I’m really pleased with the team’s performance today. The team delivered.”
Some real standout performances by Caleb Timu and Angus Scott-Young that should see them get a future call-up to the Wallabies.
ARUJordan PetaiaNRCqueensland rugbyRedsrugbyrugby unionRugby World CupwallabiesWorld Rugby
City Run Rampant Over Country
City v Country at Wests Sci-Fleet Stadium, Photo courtesy of GTR.
The morning rain did not dampen the spirits of Brisbane’s rugby faithful, with a healthy 3,000+ braving the cool spring conditions for the latest instalment of the Quade Cooper/Karmichael Hunt double act. Wests’ impressive Sci-Fleet Stadium hosted the Round 5 Brisbane City/Queensland Country clash for the Andy Purcell Cup, once again attracting rain and a healthy blend of rugby diehards and novices. Not all were there for Cooper’s kick off to highly-fancied, reigning Premiers, Bond University Queensland Country. As rugby people tend to do, rocking up in the first 10 minutes is normal, so by the time Hamish Stewart crossed the chalk to open the account for Country in the 18th minute, a boisterous crowd split roughly 50/50 were assembled. The beers and cheers were still flowing two minutes later when the Cooper/Hunt show produced their first act to set up their captain, Adam Korczyk for a try. Cooper missed the conversion leaving the score 7-5 to Country, setting up the afternoon for a see-sawing affair.
Plenty of media interest
Sun was shining.
Brisbane City got the jump on their more fancied rivals to go to the break up 22-12, however, it wasn’t long into the 2nd half before Tom Lucas crossed for Queensland Country to narrow the margin. By the 52nd minute, it was 29-24 to City after Country’s halfback, Tate McDermott received a Hamish Stewart purler to cross the chalk, keeping Country in touch, however, Cooper had his kicking boots on and opted for a long-range penalty to extend their lead. Replacement hooker Sean Farrell sealed City’s fourth Andy Purcell Cup in five outings going over after a maul and with Cooper’s conversion saw Brisbane City win 39-24 over last year’s premiers, Queensland Country.
The match can be best summed up by the words of City coach Mick Heenan,
“Country is such a good side and we’ve got a lot of respect for how they’ve been playing and their players as well, so certainly that’s the best we’ve played and defended all season.
“The spirit and the fight that we showed was outstanding. We needed to win to keep our season alive and we’ve got to keep winning and we can’t take anything for granted, so we have to keep at it, keep persisting and keep fighting,” Heenan added.
Don’t Cry For Me Argentina
Last weekend I was reminded of the #RWC2007 in France where the Argentines defeated France twice to claim 3rd overall in that tournament. To defeat a nation on their home soil is a really difficult assignment and Los Pumas have not achieved this in Australia since 1983, some 35 years ago. At Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast, 16,009 people witnessed a truly historic occasion on the fast paddock in the outer suburb of Robina.
Highlights of Wallabies v Los Pumas
The Wallaby coaching staff must be ruing another missed opportunity to put some home ground results on the board ahead of six overseas matches after a long period of losses on Australian soil starting with the first white-wash by England with Eddie Jones’ side winning 3-0 in 2016, straight after a successful Wallabies showing at #RWC2015. Losing a series to Scotland in 2017 and the first series loss to Ireland this year, 2-1, since 1979. The Wallaby fortunes of nine losses have seen their world ranking drop to 7th, which hasn’t occurred since the early 1970s.
Wallaby coaching staff Steven Larkham and Michael Chieka. Photo courtesy of AFP
The analogies with #RWC2007 where the English knocked off the Wallabies in mystifying circumstances with messers Gregan and Larkham seeming like they had the match under control and simply ran out of time were reflected by the Wallabies on Saturday night. A few hours later, on the same night in 2007, the French beat the All Blacks in their quarterfinal in Cardiff; once again, like last Saturday night when the Springboks beat the form ABs.
Highlights of South Africa defeating the ABs
The big difference for the Kiwis was they had a packed stadium in Wellington and lead 12-nil early, the Wallabies had 16,009 at Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast and were behind from the outset. All of New Zealand was glued to television sets from Auckland to Bluff and on the Gold Coast at the Grand Hotel in Labrador, there was a stunned silence when Beaudan Barritt missed the conversion to tie the match 36-all. A bit like trying to have a conversation with a Kiwi in the last 10 minutes of #RWC2011, where they French should have won. By contrast, most of Australia was watching the AFL or NRL finals series.
The problem with Australian rugby is we are not attracting enough interest in the game. Super Rugby is on the nose with our teams getting thrashed by the Kiwi franchises and the Wallabies being hammered by the All Blacks in the first two Bledisloe Cup matches; we do have a chance to address that for Bledisloe III in Yokohama, a prelude to the #RWC2019 final there on next year on November 2nd. What Rugby Australia should be doing is getting Andrew Forrest more involved in providing a solution, as I have mentioned before:
Twiggy Forrest with Bankwest Managing Director Rowan Munchenberg and Captain Ian Prior. Photo courtesy of Western Force
Rugby Australia needs Twiggy
As Topo Rodrigeuz said in his article, “Mental Toughness’? This is what they refer to! Do Not Retaliate, Do Not throw silly or clever punches or Do Not spit on anyone on the playing field!!! You play to WIN, and the only reflection of it is the scoreboard…”
CJ with Dr Scrum at Le Sands Restaurant
Topo’s article in LinkedIn
But for the Wallabies to have any chance of dreaming about back to back World Cup final appearances, there has to be a lot of navel-gazing done. Cheika had a good run taking over from McKenzie in 2014, winning the Super Rugby final with the Waratahs then taking the Wallabies to the RWC2015 final. Just as his teammate from Randwick, Eddie Jones, enjoyed a honeymoon period, the sad reality is HIS TIME IS UP!!!
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line904
|
__label__wiki
| 0.632174
| 0.632174
|
Tag Archives: npr
Leading Podcast Networks Continue US Upfront Tour
Posted by:Consultant, July - 17 - 2019
Cadence13, ESPN, iHeartRadio, NPR, PodcastOne, Stitcher and Wondery reveal new shows and partnerships for 2019 in Detroit and San Francisco
The industry’s top podcast publishers and platforms are continuing a U.S. tour to unveil new shows, partnerships, and trends of 2019. Podcast Upfront, “Podfront,” launched in Los Angeles earlier this year, and will stop at the historic GEM Theater in downtown Detroit today and in San Francisco on Sept. 11.
Podfront Detroit will give advertisers, agencies, and media in the Motor City an up-close look at the newest partnerships, talent, and programming slated for the second half of 2019. With more than 26 percent of adults reporting having listened to a podcast in the car last year, presentations will explore podcasting’s strong brand partnership potential in Detroit, the heart of the American auto industry.
The upfront tour will continue across the U.S. with a stop in San Francisco in September, with an emphasis on insights and unique opportunities specific to Bay Area industries. Presenters in San Francisco will include Authentic, ESPN, iHeartRadio, NPR, PRX, Stitcher, WNYC and Wondery. More details on the presentations and hosts will be announced in the coming months.
Among the highlights planned for the Detroit Podfront:
Cadence13 will preview its fall slate, presented by C13’s Chief Revenue Officer Nick Freeman, including the next breakthrough docuseries from C13Originals, home of the No.1 podcast “Root of Evil” and critically acclaimed “Gangster Capitalism;” the lineup on C13’s Ramble network of influential creators; and the latest from Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg’s Pushkin Industries, including Gladwell’s music podcast “Broken Record” and “The Happiness Lab,” hosted by Yale professor Laurie Santos. Tenderfoot TV co-founders Donald Albright and Payne Lindsey (host of “Up and Vanished”), will join Freeman to unveil a new anthology series of bizarre, scary, untold stories from the mind of Payne Lindsey, debuting fall 2019.
ESPN’s segment will be hosted by Daniel Dopp and Sarah Spain. Dopp, a Michigan native, currently hosts “Fantasy Focus Football,” “Fantasy Focus Baseball” and “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.” He also co-hosts “The Fantasy with Matthew Berry” on ESPN+. Spain is the host of the “That’s What She Said” podcast, part of the popular “Le Batard and Friends Network,” as well as “Spain and Company” on ESPN Radio. They will review ESPN’s focus on the podcast space through new talent and shows, new networks of verticals including “The LAF (Le Batard and Friends) Network” and opportunities focused on “sports passions” like NFL and NBA, as well as continued innovative and quality storytelling with “30 for 30” and “CFB 150.”
iHeartRadio will discuss the latest podcast trends and programming and its unique ability to provide scale through its broadcast radio stations to introduce podcasts to the vast majority of Americans. The iHeartPodcast Network features some of today’s most listened to podcasts, including “Stuff You Should Know,” “The Ron Burgundy Podcast,” “Disgraceland” and Chelsea Handler’s “Life Will Be the Death of Me.” iHeartRadio will give a sneak preview of its upcoming fall and winter lineup featuring some of the best creators in the medium – like Jake Brennan, Aaron Mahnke, and Will Ferrell.
NPR podcast hosts Sam Sanders of “It’s Been a Minute”; Glen Weldon and Stephen Thompson “Pop Culture Happy Hour;“ and Hanna Rosin and Alix Speigel of “Invisibilia“ offer an exclusive preview of what’s coming up on each of their programs this year. Gina Garrubbo, President and CEO of NPR’s sponsorship subsidiary, National Public Media, will present insights into spoken word listening habits, changing consumer patterns in audio and sponsorship offerings.
PodcastOne, home to “The Adam Carolla Show,” which holds the Guinness World Record for “most downloaded podcast,” reveals upcoming additions to their star-studded lineup, which includes Shaquille O’Neal, Ladygang, Steve Austin, A&E’s Cold Case and hundreds more. Featuring cameos by Adam Carolla, Rich Eisen, Kaitlyn Bristowe and other hosts, network CEO, Peter Morris, will also highlight the news-making successes from 2019 thus far, including the breakthrough hit “22 Hours: An American Nightmare,” the exciting projects to come and how advertisers can leverage these opportunities with innovative custom offerings.
Stitcher and its advertising arm, Midroll, will be represented by Chief Revenue Officer Sarah van Mosel and Chief Marketing Officer Amy Fitzgibbons. They will discuss the untapped potential of advertising in Detroit and why podcasts are a perfect fit for all industries within the city, ranging from automotive to high tech. Featured new shows include the breakout hit “Dead Ass” with social media influencers Khadeen and Devale Ellis, “Secret Lives of Black Women” with Charla Lauriston and Lauren Domino and the latest show from Team CoCo and Earwolf, “Three Questions with Andy Richter.”
Wondery, with hit programs such as “Dirty John,” “Life is Short with Justin Long,” “Imagined Life,” “Dr. Death” and “Business Wars.” Wondery’s mission is to bring a world of entertainment and knowledge to our audiences, wherever they listen. Wondery’s founder and CEO, Hernan Lopez, will reveal Wondery’s high-quality, emotionally immersive content slate for 2019. Wondery will demonstrate what it means to “feel the story,” and share how advertisers can be part of this brand-safe and high engagement medium.
In addition to the podcast presentations above, sponsors Authentic and Podcast Media Marketing (PMM) will also be onsite to meet with brands and share the latest opportunities in podcasting:
For 14 years, the team at Authentic has been the ad partners for top podcasts including “This American Life,” “Serial,” “The Motley Fool,” “This Week in Tech” and others. Leading brand and direct response agencies and advertisers rely on Authentic to test and scale successful podcast ad campaigns to reach their targets with measurable results.
Podcast Media Marketing, PMM, is the sales team for top podcasts including “The Joe Rogan Experience,” “Armchair Expert” with Dax Shepard, “This American Life” and “Serial.” PMM also represents other top comedy podcasts including “Your Mom’s House,” “Bertcast” and Andrew Santino’s “Whiskey Ginger.” PMM offers a unique approach to partnerships, pairing sponsors with individual shows and offering custom opportunities that extend beyond just spots.
SOURCE Stitcher
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line915
|
__label__cc
| 0.663705
| 0.336295
|
← A Georgia fan’s existential dilemma
“Not a close-knit team.” →
Bad cases make bad law.
I’m beginning to wonder if one day we’re going to look back on this year’s BCS title game, aka The Rematch, as sort of college football’s Bush v. Gore equivalent. Check out this comment from Andy Staples:
This season’s Alabama-LSU national title game was the tipping point for the anti-playoff crowd. Several leagues were already leaning in the direction of a four-team playoff — strategically called a “plus-one” so dim bulbs won’t realize it’s actually a playoff — but when voters passed over Oklahoma State for an all-SEC rematch, the momentum finally swung in the direction of a bracketed tournament, even if it is a small one… [Emphasis added.]
If there is some form of SEC backlash involved in the playoff movement – and I’m not saying Staples is wrong to suggest there is – boy, are some people going to be disappointed when the SEC puts three schools in a plus-one tourney. (Unless, of course, they limit the number of schools one conference can place in a plus-one, which would speak volumes about Andy’s point.)
Then there’s this from playoff proponent Matt Hinton.
… For the sake of argument, let’s say Alabama beats LSU in another generally competitive game, by a margin of anywhere from one point to two touchdowns. In that case, the Crimson Tide will finish the year 12-1 with two or three wins over teams ranked in the final polls (give or take Penn State). LSU will finish 13-1 with four or five wins over teams ranked in the final polls (give or take West Virginia). They’d be be 1-1 against one another, with LSU’s win coming at Alabama. LSU will still be the SEC champion.
Under the circumstances, that’s a formula for a split championship, at worst. (The Coaches’ Poll is contractually obligated to vote the winner of the BCS title game No. 1; as LSU fans are well aware, the Associated Press poll is not.) That wouldn’t be the case if the rematch came as a result of the Tigers and Tide eliminating the competition head-to-head, on the field, leaving no questions and no alternatives. If there happens to be a rematch at the end of a playoff, it’s between two teams who have decisively earned it in a way that Alabama, in the current system, has not. [Emphasis added.]
Don’t you just love that? It’s not the rematch that’s bad; it’s the system which delivered it that’s bad. Nifty bit of circular reasoning there.
Of course the real problem this season isn’t that there’s a rematch in the title game. As Matt backhandedly acknowledges, the real problem is that there’s a debate over which team is the second best.
… That’s not to suggest that Oklahoma State or anyone else has earned a stronger claim on a second chance, either. But as long as that opportunity exists for some teams at the expense of others, the current system belongs in the scrapheap.
And because we can’t decide that issue (and because, let’s not forget, the schools want that TV/BCS money), the solution is to make the clear number one team in the country play more games so that we can all feel better about which school is the runner-up. We’re supposed to take an illogical situation and make it even more illogical.
You can see the slippery slope coming a mile away once this rationale is sanctioned, can’t you? This time it’s about #2 vs. #3. With the plus-one, the next debate will come when the argument is over which team is the nation’s fourth-best and the pressure will return to expand again to solve that debate (even if, say, it comes in a season à la 2005, when there was a clear consensus on the top two teams in the country). In other words, a playoff won’t solve this particular concern any better than what we’ve got now.
My point here isn’t to argue against a plus-one format (even though I expect most to question me on that). I’m okay with one that’s constructed with an eye towards being resistant to further expansion. There’s a convincing case to be made that there should be a better way to deal with the way the 2003 and 2004 seasons played out. But those were situations where the debate centered on more than two teams with a legitimate claim to being considered the best going into the postseason. Now we’re being urged to replace that standard with one that merely asks which teams deserve to show up in a postseason tourney, and that’s a very different animal.
Which means that if this season truly and finally provides the impetus for a D-1 playoff, either the movers and shakers embrace a new, flawed metric for inclusion, or (what I suspect) give it to us with a nudge and a wink that while it’s about what happened in 2011, the facts are unique and they promise with all their hearts that it will never, ever be a factor again. We can believe them, right?
Hey, if you can’t trust the folks who were pushing to expand the basketball tourney to 96 schools until they couldn’t find a broadcast partner willing to pay for the privilege, whom can you trust?
Filed under BCS/Playoffs
Tagged as Plus-one
126 responses to “Bad cases make bad law.”
If we are now pushing to go from a two-team playoff to a four-team playoff without changing how the entrants are determined, then what is to stop an 8, 16, 20-team playoff in the next decade?
Btw, I’ve been pushing for a “conference champs only” rule for the two-team playoff since 2001.
We assume that you took off from that position in the 2007 season.
Exactly. The larger the field, the more teams get left out too. A couple of teams can argue for the two spot, but there are probably eight teams tht would get left out of a sixteen team bracket. Few will admit that college comes closest to getting it right.
I disagree with this sentiment. “Oh, we shouldn’t have a playoff, because while we’ll definitely get teams #1 – #10, people might be unhappy with our selection of teams #11-#16. And because of that, we shouldn’t have a playoff.”
The reason few will admit that college comes closest to getting it right is because they don’t. That would be like me saying, “Hey, few will admit it that Hitler came closest to getting it right.”
So I’m a Jew hater if I’m against a playoff? Well damn, I guess I want a playoff. You win. Great point. I never thought about it that way till now, but wow. What an eye opener. Thanks.
Yes, if you don’t want playoffs, you hate Jews.
Serious as a heart attack
Honey Do!!
Didn’t understand that ‘Jibberish’; talk English, man; and btw, give us a playoff with 8 teams, and pick from the 12 top teams from AP & CP; no computers..
Weak.
I think Adolf would have been a wishbone man, but aside from that what’s the use of bringing all that up on a college football blog?
To point out the absurdity of the statement in reference by making a similar, but exaggerated claim, to bring attention to and further elaborate my point.
I didn’t find it that exactly. But you brought the Hitler stuff into the football blogosphere, not this Dawg.
You right, Lone. Indian Rights much better topic.
Sorry. “Signed, Tonto”.
The whole point is there is rarely a season where more than 3-4 teams deserve a chance at the National Title after the regular season has been played. Teams 5-?? don’t need to be involved. Ever.
Thanks – that a better way of putting my comment above.
really? Hitler? 3 posts into a discussion? You must not be old enough to buy beer.
That’s my opinion on the issue and ought to be Topic #1 — a prerequisite for a national champ should be a regional championship. Sort of a football pyramid, of sorts.
I read this blog a lot and generally agree with what you have to say, but your anti-playoff stance is becoming increasingly dated. Hinton, who I read and respect, makes great points and I imagine 90% of the people out there would agree with him.
Alabama did not win their league, Alabama had a less impressive resume of wins than OSU, Alabama already lost to LSU at home, and the only thing Alabama had in favor over OSU was their loss was more respectable, but its hard to consider that when their loss is to the very team we’re deciding who Alabama or OSU would play.
The people freaking out about having a 4 or 8 team playoff turning into a NCAA style tournament come off to me as the same people who were scared to give women the right to vote, because whats next, the blacks?! (this is made in jest, but the point remains is you come off as outdated and paranoid).
As Hinton points out had Alabama gone through a playoff and ended up matched with LSU, it is what it is, but that would have left other teams (such as OSU) with good claims to that coveted #2 spot the opportunity to play for it. I’ve increasingly lost interest in the bowls as 8-4 teams, with coaching staffs having been fired, go through the motions. I’d rather see playoff football.
I’d rather see playoff football.
I can respect that. But it means the rest of your comment is irrelevant.
– I like your blog (how is this irrelevant?)
– I think your anti-playoff stance is outdated (how is this irrelevant?)
– Alabama does not deserve to be in national title game, though should be in a playoff with OSU (this relates directly to what I said)
– Not wanting a playoff because you’re afraid of playoff creep is paranoia (this is relevant)
I’m not sure what is not relevant.
You state a personal preference for playoff football. That’s cool. It’s also purely subjective. So turning around and telling me that my fear of playoff expansion is mere paranoia is an opinion on your part, not a factual subject for debate.
It’s pretty much the same for the rest of your commentary. For example, I don’t have an anti-playoff stance, but if I did, it’s outdated only in the sense that you prefer something else. After all, there is no playoff now (unless you consider the BCS title game a one-game playoff).
Though I’ll admit your blog praise isn’t irrelevant. 😉
No, I love your blog. #1 Fan.
I just wish you fell in line with my opinion on this issues.
Jordan – you’re simply blinded by preference. Every argument you make can probably be similarly turned around on you. For example, team A is 13-6, team B is 18-1 and they are 1-1 against each other. Team A is the champion. This is obviously absurd if the question is “Who had the better season”. But in a playoff, Team A is the champ. End of story. And like the Senator says, that’s cool if you prefer that.
But to sit here an call people who prefer the current format over a larger playoff out of date is pretty lame. Simply say “I’m a bracket buy” and you’ll find a lot more respect. Logically, both sides of the argument are reasonably compelling. I personally find the 2 team playoff more compelling simply because it places so much importance on almost every game in the regular season, which I personally favor. Those two last second pass plays broke Wisconsin’s heart this year. And the fans will still talk about it 20 years from now. I like that. This is an odd year where we really don’t need a playoff because LSU is the best team. A playoff wouldn’t change that if LSU and Bama met in the finals. One bit. Of course, playoffs seem to have a lot of odd years lately in the NFL with the wild cards winning it all. Might explain why I skip most of the regular season in the NFL and watch the playoffs.
I believe anything more than a 4 team playoff would severely dampen regular season importance of almost every game. I’ll never know for sure since I haven’t figured out the whole alternate universe thing yet, but looking at almost every other sport, it’s hard for me to argue otherwise.
Again, note I simply state personal preference.
That’s good. So was Jordan. His comments were to the point and no more inflammatory than the Senator’s. For all the reasons you seem to think a playoff has so many holes, I can rip off a littany of reasons why the present BCS system is straight BS, embraced by those who simply want to play a game of who can outbitch the other.
When you lay all the pros and cons end to end, a playoff seems more reasonable than preferential treatment to decide the top two teams to play for a championship out of 120 teams (which is absurd). If we can all get over ourselves, we should proceed as fans who give a shit, to embark on playoff planning.
Fans… playoff planning… wait, what?
You’re not seriously suggesting that we have any input in the process, are you? That would be crazy talk.
If it’s just a “+1” or 4 team playoff, it definitely expands. And it also will assuredly not allow 3 SEC teams out of the 4. It may not even allow 2 and be restricted to just conference champs. At most, I’d see it requiring 3 conference champs with 1 “at large” selection, but no more than 1.
So much for “settling it on the field”, then.
Right – and which conference championship will Notre Dame win?
But how can you be national champ if you’re not a conference champ? That’s settled on the field, right?
Although from past back and forth, I’m thinking you and I are both pretty much lock step in thoughts on this stuff.
By that rationale, Notre Dame could never be a national champ.
Your point?
Like they were ever gonna be anyway.
Switch on your sarcasm meter…
Fair enough, although they’d try and throw their weight around in the process, and maybe make themselves guaranteed as the at large when they win 10 games. Because you know, there is so much interest nationally in the Notre Dame brand.
I got them “Lockstep Blues”. {(one word. ;-)}
Yeah, you haven’t stalked me enough lately.
Goodness are we cross again? Are things slow over there at the shock blog? Nothing to poor mouth about?? Too much time on your hands? Reaching out? Let me lift up up your spirits.
There … now we can be friends again.
AthensHomerDawg; That really U doing that picking? If so stop fussing bout futball & go out pickin.. Come on & lets get something going rather than what we’ve got, it does not work neither, i cannot decipher just what would be best, but i think most everyone on these “BlogSpots” will agree with me that we need some kind of change; And who said he was going to “Bring About Change”; though it was ‘NOT’ in the realm of ‘Football’; it was about “Government”. And not seen any better; only worse!!.. There i’ve got onto another irrelevant subject.. BTW– Answer– Husan Obama..
And of course that “at large” team would be Notre Dame eight years out of ten.
I could absolutely agree with up to an 8 team playoff. I think that is a bit much because I can’t think of anytime in the history of CFB that 8 teams have “deserved” to be in consideration.
My concern is that 8 will become 12 or 16 because playoff addicts are just like alcoholics. Their motto is MORE IS BETTER. It never stops. MLB going down that path now. It is a mere matter of time before the NCAA Basketball Tourney goes to 90 plus teams. The NHL and NBA are a joke…the regular season is nothing more than extended Spring Training for both.
If we take the step on the playoff, I would want the absolute strictest rules in place to prevent this type of mindless expansion.
I don’t think a concern that an 8 team playoff would turn into a 12 or 16 playoff is adequate reason for adopting a better (in many people’s opinion) system. Sure, it could happen, and if it does, its because the market (the people) demanding it. Would we not be stoked at playing Michigan State right now for the right to move onto the next round of the playoffs? I would love that. I would be there. As of now, while I want UGA to win, I’m apathetic to the game. Its just a bowl game, a glorified scrimmage.
And lets not compare NCAA Basketball to NCAA Football. NCAA basketball has 350+ teams, football has what, 120? Also, NCAA basketball also does not have a lot of disparity. A school like Butler or Gonzaga can compete with schools like Duke or Kentucky, unlike football where there are maybe 2-10 teams that could win the national title each year.
Also, the ADs and conferences have a lot of say in what goes on in college football it appears, whereas the NCAA controls college basketball. It appears the ADs and conference officials all have the same fears as you Bob (and the Senator) and they would most likely check your fears with those rules and regulations to prevent mindless expansion.
But I reiterate, to not move towards a better system that would allow the best 4-8 teams to play for the national title on the field, simply because you’re afraid of what might happen is unjustifiable. Progress can’t be stopped because of fear.
As a card-carrying member of the anti-playoff crowd, I’m willing to listen to the other side.
But I will tune out any argument made by someone who is apathetic
about a UGA football game.
That proves a fundamental difference in the way we view college football, and it’s a gap that won’t be
bridged by any postseason system.
So how should I feel?
You’re telling me you wouldn’t have more invested in a game in which if we win we would move onto the next round to play another game for the opportunity to play for the national title? I’m sorry, but as you said, if you prefer a post season scrimmage than you’re right, there is a fundamental difference in the way we view college football.
I see no reason to set up college football in a way that attempts to crown a national champion. That’s what the NFL is for. Same reason I don’t get worked up when Walton High doesn’t
get to play Mater Dei for a national championship.
That’s the fundamental difference.
And the only good one I’ve seen in this now-volatile discussion.
Jordan has good points and is not trying to be overwhelming in his preferential statement. Others come from an opposite standpoint. We all should be able to subscribe one way or the other and reason past unsubstantiated points. It’s all good. When we have to examine our reasoning, most often we learn.
In an 8 team playoff UGA-Michigan State would still be a “glorified scrimmage” because we would not be in the top 8. Do you really think that the number 8 team in the country, Kansas State, has a legitimate claim to the national championship? If not then including them in a playoff makes it just as much of an exhibition as a bowl game.
Careful Brad,
I understand, I’m just trying to address a UGA crowd by using relevant examples. Unfortunately, we wouldn’t be in the playoffs this year.
And Brad, that’s the great thing about a playoff. If Kansas State made the playoffs they don’t need a “claim” to the national championship. They just have to play well and win their games and they’ll be given the national championship. No one needs to make “claims”, they just need to get into the playoffs (by whatever measures are set in place) and then win.
And no, including them in the playoffs is not as much an exhibition as a bowl game. The MSU / UGA game is a post season exhibition game. The Kansas State versus whomever game is a playoff game in which the winner would go on to play another team for the right to play in the national title.
So Kansas State beats LSU and now Kansas State has the opportunity to move on and LSU stays home? After the season that both of those teams have had I don’t see how that seems logical. LSU beat Oregon, Bama, WVU at Morgantown, UGA, and Arkansas while K-State lost a game 56-17. If you think that makes sense then I hope you have no complaints about our home schedule next year. If I’m an AD I am not putting a team on my OOC schedule that does not start with either Eastern, Western, Northern, or Southern, it does me no good. I can beat cupcakes and get at least a number 8 seed, then I’m in!
I appreciate your response.
Yes, if Kansas State beats LSU, they deserve to move on. How could they not? Kansas State is a good team and having beat LSU in a game clearly, and irrefutably, they deserve to move on.
I have no complaints about our schedule this year. I would like to see a marquee out of conference game, but we can’t help what Georgia Tech has become ;-).
If you’re an AD you can schedule how you’d like out of conference, but you’d still (most likely) have to win your conference and in Georgia’s case beat teams like South Carolina, Florida, Auburn, etc. If UGA finished #8 I’m sure they would’ve deserved it, regardless of who they played.
Thanks for the civil debate Jordan. I don’t think either one of us will change the other’s opinion but it’s good to hear some different opinions. The college football regular season is the best and most important of any sport and a playoff would cheapen that. The great thing about college football is you have to be good throughout a four month regular season, not a three week tournament in the post season.
+1, +1
There is the truth. A playoff of too many teams will definitely dilute the CFB season. CBB used to be great. And it still is…in March for 16 days. From December to early March it is a snorefest of utterly unimportant games. #1 plays #2 and no one pays any attention at all. Believe me, it did not used to be that way before every team with a pulse made the tourney.
Be very careful for what we wish for. The CFB season is by far the best regular season going. The ending is like a whimper some times, but we have 3 plus months of great drama in MOST years. There is absolutely none of that in basketball.
+2 – see Bob’s reply above as well. Jordan wants killer post season matchups that he believes will “irrefutably” crown a champion. I still think the Patriots were better than the Giants in 07, but I guess that’s just me. The rest of us like the fact Vandy can ruin someone’s season. It’s really that simple.
Jordan’s case is better than the BCS, no matter the word differences. A playoff champions the best team at that end of the season. Isn’t that what we are discussing? If LSU loses it before the season is over, then they no longer are the best team. Pretty simple with a playoff. When we were relegated to playing Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl instead of playing for the NC at that time, can you honestly not feel we were the best in the country at that time? And wouldn’t you have given anything for the chance for that team to prove it? The BCS rooked us and as long as snarky insinuations by ESPN are taken into consideration, the BCS will remain an indeterminate method of crowning a “NC”. I personally don’t like my alma mater playing in that shitty pool. A playoff deprives the sobs of exercising decisions and provides them with only a minimum amount of power over our great University.
I’m probably being pedantic, but this:
“No one needs to make “claims”, they just need to get into the playoffs (by whatever measures are set in place) and then win.”
Could be describing the BCS. Minus the ‘s’ at the end of playoffs, it’s the entirety of the argument for the creation of the BCS championship game in the first place 13 years ago. You’re just arguing that it should be 4 teams, or 6 or 8 instead of 2. Count me in the camp that doesn’t want that, and that would be fine with scrapping the whole thing. Make the SEC championship and a trip to New Orleans the ultimate goal of Georgia and every team in the SEC. The game I grew up watching and came to love can’t support a huge playoff.
DarrrenRovelll
So if Butler had won the national title in basketball the last two seasons then they would not have had a legitimate claim to the NCAA title?
They were not seeded in the top 8 in either tournament.
Are you really making a basketball-football comparison as if it is apples to apples? Are you advocating a 65 team football playoff? Are you going to put the Horizon League champion in your playoff?
No but your argument is flawed. Are you saying that no team below the 8th seed has any hope of beating a team ranked 8 or higher?
You nailed it Jordan. The anti’s arguments are not just dated and tiring, they are flawed with the “you can’t do what is right to fix it because we would then screw it up”, as if that has ever been a reason for man not striving to make things better. We would never have had cars or planes because someone might use them unsafely. A plus one is a half-assed solution that says we know we don’t have enough entrants with two teams yet doesn’t allow just one more round, to insure the major conferences have representation. It is destined to fail because a plus one would cry out for immediate expansion because it doesn’t solve the problem of legitimate inclusion. 8 teams would do that for all but the weird.
The Senator summarily dismisses Hinton’s point about the rematch, but Hinton’s comments are irrefutable. If Bama could earn their way back to a rematch, more power to them, but to just be awarded another shot is pitiful. We have 120 teams scattered through all geographies, most all of which have not interacted,so it is pretty myopic to think the best way to determine the top team in 2011 is to replay a game we have already seen. Even worse, should Alabama win, they would still have a lesser pedigree than the vanquished LSU. How hollow will that title, or ring, be? I doubt it would bother the Tide fans at all, but who else would recognize them? They are the butt of many jokes about this already.
But this isn’t about the lack of cred of Tide fans, this is about how CFB has gone a century without finding an adequate way to have one team earn it’s way to a title bigger than a regional one. No sport, at any level, does that. But if we are going to ignore that need/desire for a true champion, let’s win it on the field and stop pretending we have a true method of identifying a champ. Let’s just stop at conference titles, they are the highest earned achievements in CFB. As silly as I think that is, I could support that ahead of the disastrous system we currently have in post season play.
Has America gone completely to preferring handouts to actually earning something?
Mac, needless to say I think your argument is overwrought, but one thing in particular stands out:
… it is pretty myopic to think the best way to determine the top team in 2011 is to replay a game we have already seen. Even worse, should Alabama win, they would still have a lesser pedigree than the vanquished LSU. How hollow will that title, or ring, be?
Isn’t that an argument that we don’t need a playoff at all?
As I have said many times before, I would rather have no claims of having a champion than this phony process we now have. I am cool with everyone having their conference champion and nothing beyond…certainly nothing as contrived as what we have now. It is the falseness of it that bothers me most.
How so? In what way does his quote argue that we don’t need a playoff?
He clearly states:
“If Bama could earn their way back to a rematch, more power to them, but to just be awarded another shot is pitiful. We have 120 teams scattered through all geographies, most all of which have not interacted…”
At this point the anti-playoff crowd is like the old man resistant to change, not because of actual, sound reasoning, but because he’s afraid of change itself.
I know you’re an educated man Senator, but I can’t help but feel you’re anti-playoff stance is simply a rabble-rousing maneuver to draw page views. Fess up.
If LSU is the best team, regardless, what’s the point of a playoff?
Also, I’ve got better things to do than write merely to draw page views. That’s Mark Bradley territory, thanks.
In reality, this is a year where LSU deserves the pre-1995 system. The best system for college football is a variable system that is flexible according to the state of things after the regular season. For this year, the pre-bowl alliance system would work as we have one clear top team. For years like 2005, 2006, or 2010, the current regular season plus BCS model is great. For years like 2003, 2004, or 2007, a 4, 6, or 8 team playoff may be needed – though I’ve never seen a season where 8 teams had a legitimate argument that they were number one.
Any playoff should be limited to teams that have a legitimate argument that they are number one. If it’s just one team, nothing is needed. If five teams, then the 4 and 5 play and the winner advances to a 4 team playoff. To determine what is needed, you would need a set metric that qualified all teams within a certain point ranking or score of the number one ranked team. Ideally, this system would contain record, strength of schedule, and a component that gave additional credit to schools from conferences that had won recent national championships.
Although this would only result in at most 3 additional games, I doubt such a system would ever be accepted due to the uncertainty at the end of each year- despite the fact it may be the best way to determine a true national champion and still keep emphasis on the regular season.
Dawgaholic;
I think you may B forgetting about the inclement weather we have at ‘Bowl Playing Time’. If all wining teams playing in Bowls could play in Domed Stadiums, then that would be grand; but reckon that could B the case? Hardly..
Note that the title is ambiguous as to what the subject matter of the post might be, thus negating any chance of increased page views from people who might be “roused” enough to click through to it simply because they disagree with it.
WVMtnDawg
I think its supports the argument that there are too many FBS programs out there. 120 is too many, we should have less, and let conference champs settle it on the field against each other.
It really is that simple WV, If we can just get those mid-majors to step back. That was close to what the BCS founders tried to do but they left the door ajar. The 4 Super Conferences could accomplish this in the next few years but it would be cleaner if there were different divisions established for the have and have-nots.
“No sport, at any level, does that.”
Not true. High school football.
I understand that the money and the stadiums and the TV contracts of CFB resemble the NFL, and that’s great, because it puts UGA on my TV every Saturday. I just don’t want it to copy the NFL on the field, because I find the NFL very boring.
Don’t think Mac’s argument is “overwrought” at all. That would make yours “overbought”, Senator.
The words “National Champion” should be dissected. Some of us put different meanings to the words than do others.
Yeah, I see exactly what you mean.
It may be a leap (but not overwrought) to compare Bammers with the entitlement mentality spreading from the Leftist movement, but the whining and begging for another shot is annoying for similar reasons. Of course, there are those who don’t see a problem with either.
And , as sharp as your vision is with all matters football, I really don’t think you “see exactly” much at all when it comes to what is going on outside the game. JMO.
From Jordan:
Yeah – not overwrought at all…totally logical – after all this isn’t an opinion it is FACT that a playoff will be better for every single person!
I’m a Saints fan, and I hate that the Saints are probably going to have to play the Falcon’s in the first round of the playoffs, for the 3rd time in 8 games. Talk about watering dwon the regular season.The worst the Saints can be this season against the Falcons is 2-1, but if that’s the case, the Falcon’s will have had a better playoff run than the Saints. Nobody has ever complained about the fact that teams that already played in the regular season play again in various playoff formats until the BCS did it.
See the Senator’s circular reasoning in the post.
That’s just a bit over the top. Where do you get off attaching some nasty label on someone who doesn’t agree with you and then ask for a pardon for rude statements because it was supposedly done “Tongue in Cheek”. “One day climate change skeptics will be seen in the same negative light as racists, or so says former Vice President Al Gore.
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2011/08/28/gore-global-warming-skeptics-are-this-generations-racists/#ixzz1i2oK49tk
Now this from the guy who invented the internet and you both concern me.
I may be outdated but I do enjoy the long standing traditions of college football. The bowls are one of those traditions and I would like to think the athletes enjoyed playing in them as much as I enjoy watching them. It was something we always looked forward to and they do too!
“The BCS was not designed to award the national title to the most deserving team; it was designed to make money for the top-20 or so programs in Division 1.
Football programs need cost certainty; the business model of D1 athletics depends on it. The “revenue” sports (men’s football and basketball) generate millions of dollars in profits that are re-invested into “non-revenue” (Olympic and women’s) sports, as well as various facilities to enhance/solidify recruiting.
Why exactly are poor inner city kids sacrificing their bodies to subsidize suburban kids playing country club sports in college anyway? **
So it doesn’t matter that a playoff system will bring in more money to college athletics. That’s money the NCAA would get its hands on; money that would be spread much more equally around the 100+ Division 1 programs. The big-time programs would rather have bigger cuts of a smaller pie than smaller cuts of a larger one.
That’s the fundamental problem with playoff proponents’ – they think they are talking to a business when they are actually negotiating with a monopoly.
And like all monopolies, the six BCS conferences aren’t looking to give up their power.
The way the system is set up now, if you go undefeated in a BCS conference, you will play for a national title. Except in a rare occasion like 2004, when USC, Auburn and OU all finished undefeated.”
Now unless you are a racist, sexist, Nazi homophobe wife beater…. I’m sure we can agree. (Just kidding..it’s all good!)….right?
or “overwrought”.
I am all for a plus one as long as the College Administrators fix it as a long term contract to stem the voracious appetite that exists for playoff addicts. And make it a requirement that you must win your conference. We know Alabama is inferior to LSU. I would like to KNOW that Oklahoma State was.
And yeah, I am hoping against hope that LSU beats the ever living hell out of Bama just so I can see Herby tell us how this was the right match up. That alone would be worth it.
I like the cut of your jib, Bob … and in a football way. ‘Special interests’ have that certain special habit of nibbling at the edges of issues and exploiting the idea of a utopian solution to common inconvenience. Once the lid is off the ‘playoffs bottle’ the result will be a stampede for profit. And, I think, the inherent unpredictability of semi-amateur football will be gone down the drain.
As opposed to the current state of football where conferences and broadcasting companies ink billion dollar deals and we have 30+ bowls simply because they rake in profit. Yea, playoffs are really going to ruin college football and cause a stampede for profit.
To be a playoff opponent simply because the bowls have existed and that’s “how we’ve always done it” is absurd. Doing something wrong, even if you’ve been doing it wrong all along, is still wrong.
Well, that’s just like your opinion, Man…If and when there is a movement toward a playoff it will only be about one thing —- DOLLARS (or yuan)! Profit is what has proliferated these Belk/Meineke/San Diego Credit Union(?) Bowls and should sponsors be presented with a business plan that increases revenues faster they’ll jump on it like Chuck Berry on a honky girl.
I think you may be confusing what is best for a marketplace of jackal advertisers vs. the maintenance of the most meaningful regular season on the American sports landscape.
I’m not confusing anything. A playoff might be best for the marketplace, but that’s irrelevant, its whats best for college football. The regular season would still be meaningful and please spare me that line when Alabama, who did not win the SEC and lost to LSU at home during the regular season, was selected to rematch LSU for the title game.
Again, I don’t understand why the regular season would all the sudden lose its meaning. Look at this year. In an 8 team playoff, there would only be 8 coveted spots. A single loss could knock you out of the running, just like now. The regular season would maintain its importance. The whole “the regular season would lose its importance” argument is old and holds no water.
I don’t like the prospect that Bama gets another crack at LSU, but sell those goods to the voters. Those Harris Poll grandpas and the Coaches Poll sycophants are the responsible agents for elevating Alabama above OSU.
Strength of schedule, in some form agreeable to every conference, must be sprinkled into this BCS formula or else all manner of subjective bias can creep in.
We think it’s hard deciding who the second best team in America is, wait til we have to decide who the 8th or 16th best is.
But they rake in the profit because the large BCS schools also control the power too.
If they opt for a football in the FBS division, we will see a major shakeup in the NCAA. There will be a big fight and it will be bloody. Non-BCS schools have reasonable representation and revenue sharing from the basketball and they will demand the same from a football playoff.
This probably why the BCS conferences floating the “plus one” are calling it such. Labeling it a playoff will open the Pandora’s box with the potential to completely destroy the NCAA as it is currently structured.
By your reasoning, we KNOW UGA is inferior to South Carolina. Why did UGA make the SECCG? Because of how the rest of the season played out for those two teams and others. Same reason Bama was able to slide into the NCG.
If Bama beats LSU an LSU is voted #1 in the AP, will they claim a national championship? Anybody remember 2003? That would be fun to follow on the LSU boards!
Yeah, I just thought about that. I would really enjoy hearing them debate themselves. I might just start cataloging some of their arguments from 2003 for fun.
Having seen both Bama and Okie State play several times this season, I can tell you I don’t need to watch LSU play Okie State to KNOW LSU is better.
I don’t even need to spend the night at a mid priced motel to know it.
If you don’t KNOW LSU is better, well…maybe you should find some other sport to be interested in.
Scorpio,
I think I have been around long enough to know something about this sport. Do you really know that LSU is better? For fact? I think they are better. Hell, I THINK Alabama is better that OSU. But I do not know that they are not better than Alabama. Don’t need to see that show again.
And no matter how smart you think you are, you don’t know either. Did you assume Utah was better than Alabama? Oh, I thought so. 😉
Bob;
I think we “ALL” should wait until 1/09/12 to see who wins “THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES”;
Alabama OR
LSU ?
If Bama comes up and wins!! Well stranger things have happened.
Wasn’t it not 2 many years ago when LSU was undefeated and came time to play (was it Kentucky, or someone else) whomever? And that whomever beat them handidly. I say “Don’t count your ‘Chicks’ B4 they hatch”. If LSU goes into that game “OverConfident”; well don’t B suprised if BAMA pulls out a win; I Said; “Stranger Things Have Happened”..
The only reason I’d like to see Okie State play LSU is to watch LSU destroy them. Alabama is the only team that has a chance (and a good chance) to beat LSU if they’re both on their games. Ok State, not so much.
As long as the number of SEC teams are not limited in a playoff system and just based it on rankings of some sort. I still can see the SEC dominating and other conferences unhappy.
You can already see the dilemma coming for UGA next year (yes, that’s premature I know but we do have a very easy SOS, i’ve heard…)
Undefeated UGA wins East
Undefeated LSU wins West, beating one-loss Alabama (or vice versa)
West winner beats East winner in SECGC.
Two 1-loss SEC teams remain, both losing only to #1 ranked LSU.
who goes to the BCS CG? The divisional winner? But we just demonstrated that isn’t a criteria this year. Is it the one with the higher ranking? that will likely be the one that lost earlier in the year.
I think this year’s rematch sets bad precedent, and sort of upturns previous precedent from 2007 when some Eastern division team didn’t deserve to go to the Championship because they didn’t win thier division. I forget who that was…
Did I actually see a slippery slope argument?! When I was in school it was not against the conduct code to punch someone for making a slippery slope argument in crim pro.
The bcs is designed to get the two best/most deserving teams in. You can’t make the argument that Osu is better or more deserving than Alabama. Moreover, you can’t justify LSU having go win 2 games to claim the national title when they shouldn’t have to play one. This is ahead in which the old system of choosing a national champ before the bowls makes the most sense. Instead, you have a system where the most accomplished regular season team has to beat a team it beat on the raid to claim a trophy. Rather than acknowledge the stupidity of that process most want to aggravate it by making LSU beat two undeserving opponents. I just can’t make any sense out of that.
so much of this season’s anti-BCS argument seems to be summed up in the following sentence: “We dont like seeing LSU play Alabama again.”
Well, I dont like it either, but anyone who thinks these arent the two best teams this year just hasnt been paying attention. If your point is “Alabama shouldnt be in this game because they already had their shot at home and lost,” I can’t argue against that; however, the BCS rules dont prohibit it. Does anyone really think OK St’s O would do much against the Bama D? Does anyone think a mediocre OK St D would do much to slow down Bama’s O? Substitute Stanford or Oregon for OK St, same conclusion.
I can see the argument that a second place team in its division shouldnt play for the title. Fair enough. But if your goal is to put the two best teams in the title game, this year is your dream game. Makes no sense to me to make LSU play MORE games to get to the title game.
If the BCS title game is to determine which is the best team in the country, everything such as conference titles, affiliations, schedules, who Corso is in love with, who Herbstreet is trying to screw, great traditions, and so on and so on need to be put aside. Let a computer program decide who’s stongest. If it’s two teams from the same conference who have already played….so be it. BUT if it’s about making every region and conference feel needed and building the biggest national audience, figure out a playoff system. Pandora can help arrange it. It will give a lot of people the warm fuzzies to think that their team is “going to the big dance”, or is “on the bubble” (just to use the more boring sports’ tourny lingo).
Just think of the possibilities. If you think the a-holes at espn (just for instance, not to be picking on that wonderful cast) are sickining in their partiality now…just wait until you have a playoff system. Game day will have to start at midnight on Thursdays just so they can get their politicing in….
Keeping it like it is sucks.The subjective, human element has to be removed and this is the time in history where, thanks to technology (computers) it can actually be done. Just don’t let GT write the program.
But even if we finally got it all perfect….with computers or playoffs or whatever, one bad call by a biased referee could sink the whole thing….again. And it WOULD happen…again. Or someone would sue that the computer program wasn’t written perfectly and some quirk left their team out.
Oh, well. It never hurts to try.
Bottom line here…this year the two best teams are playing for it.Next year maybe not…one of them might get stuck playing Hawaii becase Corso says so.
What if you had three polls at the end. If they disagreed, any of the teams could challenge one of the others to a playoff game. They would have to be willing to put up one million dollars and forfeit it and every cent they made on the extra game to charity if they lost. They’d have to be pretty confident, as would the opposing team to accept the challenge. You think OSU would do this against LSU? KSt against Bama?
Yes…I’m crazy. Just fun.
I think you would have the same problems with a play off system that you do now. Somebody’ s going to be left out and will start whining about the unfairness of it all. What if 4 of the top ranked 8 teams are from the SEC? You would again hear how the system is rigged to favor the SEC from all those other conferences that don’t know how to play defence.
Yeah, but the differences in selecting the 16th team (I just used that number because it will piss someone off) are so close that you may settle for a raffle system. Now there we go! Select the top 8-12 teams and throw 8-16 in a pile to raffle off the next placements. These would be called The Future Incoming National Games Raffle and by acronym would be known as the FING Raffle, shortened by some to FING R. By having this Fing Raffle, we can stipulate we are giving the BCS the FING R.
I’ll have to check with corporate to determine the use of the FING R logo since that conflicts with the next model name for Fing Scooters.
surely!
Dear 4 Team Playoff Advocates,
Please explain how the argument of Bama vs. OSU is not the same, if perhaps not even more intense, between #4 Stanford and #5 Oregon?
Oregon beat Stanford, Oregon is the Pac (whatever) Champion. Oregon lost to LSU. Stanford has arguable a weaker schedule. Stanford beat USC in triple OT, Oregon lost to USC by 3.
And if you want conference champs only, Bama’s out and Whisky is in (as well as Oregon, so you’ve got #5 and #8 in the playoffs, while #’s 2, 4 , 6, and 7 are out)?
I’m not sure what that would be, but it’s not “progress”.
It’s a clarion call for 8-16 teams in a playoff! Outstanding, AusDawg.
It’s called the pros. They play on Sunday. Check it out sometime.
Every year, without fail, a four team playoff is messier than the two team BCS. Every year. The argument I get is that people won’t care about who is 4 or 5 as long as they ‘know’ that the best teams are in the playoff. But you won’t know that. Look at this year. No one is arguing that LSU shouldn’t be in there. And no one is arguing that Bama or OSU are better than LSU. The quest is whether or not Bama is better than OSU. Move it back, is Stanford Better than Oregon? Move it back, is Kansas State better than South Carolina? Is Michigan State better than UGA? I guess we’ll find that one out, but I assure you if we just got the spot and they were left out (they’re currently 17th in the BCS to our 16th) they’d be screaming mad.
I doubt anyone will be able to give a serious answer to this. Any takers?
The lone voice in the wilderness. I am against the BCS as it now stands.
I am against any team playing in more than 2 bowl games.
I like the bowl system in place now EXCEPT: I am a proponent of a PLUS ONE (4 TEAM PLAYOFF).
That would settle the National Championship issue for me every year.
all great points made by the senator….
I find the most irritating element whenever someone attempts to examine the DI FBS “Champion” is that they do so in a vacuum, completely isolated from causation and rationale. We have a current system in place for post-season play that by-and-large is irrespective of the polls (save the BCS bowls) and is settled by conference ranking. We have large scale exhibition games geared at pitting equal conference opponents against each other.
If we introduce a “+1” system of a 4-team playoff scenario, it would be honest for us also to actually address how the rest of the bowls will be impacted. No, it won’t be “just an extra game”. It will essentially become two post-season seasons; the “haves” and the “have nots”. I think what gets lost in all of this is what bowl games represent to college football. These really aren’t “just games”, they are winter vacations for both the schools and fan bases that travel. Its a big deal and an event (even when teams lose the bowl game). The perspective of the spectator that actually takes part and attends the game is missing from this discussion. The “playoffs or bust” is mainly coming from people who are just casually watching on the tube.
What is ‘broken’ in the current bowl series? Is it JUST determining the National Champion? If thats all it is…then I suppose we have to ask if something could help weight these teams to create a consensus of a team’s ability. We already have it – its the BCS score combing several polls and computer formulas. The “National Champion” isn’t endorsed by the NCAA (it is completely a concoction of the ‘BCS’ collective), so whatever we’re attempting to do here is simply for TV and sponsor revenue.
It would be nice the next time some sportswriter brings up this argument, that he does his homework and actually illustrates what would happen from all perspectives. Is the current bowl system profitable for the bowl, for the hosting city, do the teams actually profit, what impact does being a bowl winner (no matter how trivial the bowl) have on a program – instead of just how making a change to satiate ESPN ratings?
Hilarious to see all the “regular season is so sacred” crowd defend a system that completely ignores the November 5 game between LSU and Alabama. No requirement to earn it, let’s just hand them a do-over. I understand that some prefer no playoff at all, but at least be consistent. If you aren’t gagging about this, then you weren’t sincere about the sanctity of the regular season. This is the worst of all scenarios. It knocks out the “regular season” argument in a way a playoff never could.
And I am a “regular season is sacred” guy who supports a limited playoff because it would enhance the regular season.
This again? It doesn’t ignore the November 5 game. LSU is 1 and Alabama 2 because of that game. The nice thing about the system is that it also factors in the other 11 weeks of the season in arriving at the matchup. In those other 11 weeks Alabama didn’t play a game closer than 16 points. They were also the only team to stay within 13 of LSU. I don’t like the rematch, and I’ve always thought they should have a conference championship requirement for participation (with exemptions for independents). However, Alabama has no embarrassing losses and pretty clearly looks like the second best, if not the best, team in the country by any metric you want to use.
Beyond my other argument, even if I concede that in this one particular instance the regular season is somewhat diminished by this rematch, why in God’s name would I want to switch to a system that would ensure multiple instances of regular season matchups between top teams being only determiners of seeding?
Bogus.
If LSU beat Bama 27-3 on Nov 5, I guarantee you OSU is in the title game.
Bama rightly gets credit for playing LSU very close.
The regular season matters.
Patrick..very important point. The closeness of that game begs for the rematch.
Also, I came away thinking that Alabama was a little better overall. That may no longer be the case with Jefferson playing QB. He certainly gave the LSU offense a spark when he entered that game.
Guys, having a playoff whether it is 2,4 8, 16, or 32 teams does not guarantee you will identify the best team…ever. Each match-up is unique and results are for that day only. We can all make extrapolations based on interwoven five-off game results, but you never really know who is the best…that will always be argumentative. Only the intensity of the argument will vary. You can have a NC though, if you have a representative playoff.
If anyone using the “regular season” stuff isn’t disgusted by what the rematch says about the importance of the regular season results Biggus, I don’t guess we are discussing the same thing. It couldn’t be a more direct assault the foundation of the regular season’s significance.
And a playoff is not an even more fierce assault on the regular season? Seriously, if LSU having to play Bama is a travesty, what is LSU having to play Stanford and then Bama, or K State, Stanford, then Bama? You can’t make an argument that the BCS harms the regular season’s sanctity and argue for a playoff at the same time.
Dude – rematches happen ALL the time in the pros. Giants/Pats anyone? Yes – smaller population granted. We’ve had 2 (that I can remember) maybe 3 rematches in the BCS history. Guarantee playoffs it happens as well. This is a tired argument. A playoff won’t prevent rematches. A 2 team playoff (which the BCS really is when you get down to it) won’t as well. Your first paragraph, with the exception of the last sentence, is the most coherent thing you’ve written on this post. You “can” have a NC either way. But it means different things to different people.
But the regular season will get diminished the larger the playoff gets. Go look at revenue distribution of most (if not all) playoff sports and then look at what we have. Not too difficult to figure that one out, but it’s not something the playoff advocates tend to address.
Dave, first of all I am not a “dude”, nor have I ever been referred to as one unless I traveled from the East to the Old West in another life. Just cannot recall that far back.
Secondly, if you honestly don’t see how a playoff of 8 teams from a group of 120 differs with what the NFL does (or the NBA, NHL, NCAA Basketball, etc) there is simply no way to have a conversation with you on this subject. You seriously don’t think they are relevant do you? I have always said I opposed the 12, 16, 32, or more playoff proposals for many reasons. And, a well designed playoff of 8 would most definitely enhance the regular reason by making each game precious and a step to something very significant, something earned, something never accomplished before (beyond the Conference title, of course, which is actually earned.)
If Oklahoma State had lost twice in the regular season, would you still exclude ‘Bama from the title game?
Yes, if presented with the current “vote them in” option, I would have taken the next best team from a different region of the country….Stanford probably. Let’s face it, Bama is really only in because of a small plane crash involving OSU coaches.
Stanford didn’t win their Conference, or even Division, either. You’d have to take Oregon, right? Wait… they already lost to LSU too.
Oregon 53, Stanford 30. ‘Course, that would be a rematch, too. 😉
That is why I wouldn’t take Oregon. Keep in mind, I am not in favor of a 2, or 4 team playoff…was just answering what I thought would be the best choice if OSU were not available with the resume they have.. I would choose to not pretend that would be a NC at all until we really have a playoff.
While respecting all opinions on a college fotball playoff, have to say we begin to take on fake expertise when we argue points we have conjured up from media info. It just creeps into all our arguments. It all begs for a study of playoffs that are already set in college football transposing over to study such a large number of interests that reside in college ball.
I confess that most of my interest in a playoff comes from negative aspects of the BCS and all the self-serving interests from afar who try to and sometimes impact my alma mater negatively and in a poor spirit of competition. And sometimes what I write as attempted humor somehow begins to look more and more plausible.
It’s time to up the FING R plan for the BCS.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line916
|
__label__wiki
| 0.790933
| 0.790933
|
> Biography: general
> Biography: sport
> Autobiography: sport
The Tour According to G : My Journey to the Yellow Jersey EPUB
by Geraint Thomas
The inspirational inside story from the 2018 Tour de France and Sports Personality of the Year winner
"This year G was the strongest rider, and he finally had Lady Luck on his side. An unstoppable combination" Chris Froome
"I understood what Geraint's win meant: for him, for me, for the team, and for Wales, too" Dave Brailsford
"Wow!" Thierry Henry
For years Geraint Thomas appeared blessed with extraordinary talent but jinxed at the greatest bike race in the world: twice an Olympic gold medallist on the track, Commonwealth champion, yet at the Tour de France a victim of crashes, bad luck and his willingness to sacrifice himself for his team-mates.
In the summer of 2018, that curse was blown away in spectacular fashion - from the cobbles of the north and the iconic mountain climbs of the Alps to the brutal slopes of the Pyrenees and, finally, the Champs-Elysees in Paris. As a boy, G had run home from school on summer afternoons to watch the Tour on television. This July, across twenty-one stages and three weeks, and under constant attack from his rivals, he made the race his own.
With insight from the key characters around Geraint, this is the inside story of one of the most thrilling and heart-warming tales in sport.
Not only can nice guys come first - they can win the biggest prize of all.
Publisher: Quercus
Category: Autobiography: sport
Paperback / softback from £8.99
Paperback / softback | Published 18/04/2019 | £8.99 | View now
Also by Geraint Thomas | View all
Glenn Webbe - The Gloves Are off -...
The Tour According to G
Terry Davies - Wales's First Superstar...
The World of Cycling According to G
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line926
|
__label__wiki
| 0.632065
| 0.632065
|
Arts & Literature, Reviews, Short Films
Paintings: How Comedian Steve Martin Looks At Abstract Art (MoMA Video)
Video December 9, 2019 boomersdaily Leave a comment
In this episode of “The Way I See It,” actor and comedian Steve Martin looks at paintings by two early pioneers of American abstraction and takes us on a journey of seeing—shape and color transform into mountains, sky, and water. Find “The Way I See It” on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000…
ArtArt VideosArtsArts & LiteratureBBCMoMAMuseum VideosMuseumsPaintingsSteve MartinThe Way I See ItVideos
Short Films, Travel
Timelapse Travel Videos: “Move II” In The USA By Aaron Keigher (2019)
Filmed, Edited and Directed by: Aaron Keigher
Original Music by: Robert Levin
“We see in order to move; we move in order to see.”
-William Gibson
There is perpetual, dynamic and never-ending motion all around us. And this motion has a rhythm to it. It is the rhythm of our life — a beat that has become so normal and day-to-day that few of us take the time to see and feel it and even fewer of us take the time to bask in it.
When we experience the world, we encounter this movement and rhythm happening at different tempos. Whether it is the movement within our own body — our heart beat, breathing, walking — or the the different speeds of the movement in the world and universe around us, the various tempos of motion are a polyphonic rhythm that create the symphony of life.
Some motion we perceive easily — the movement of people, cars, or the trees blowing in the wind. But some motion, such as the rotation of the stars or the changes in shadows and light, we, as humans, are not always aware of unless we take the time to notice. Time-lapse photography is a unique tool that can be used to help us see this movement and it can even help us see the motion we can perceive in a different way. And when we pair timelapse with dynamic polyphonic and polyrhythmic music, we can begin to feel that the rhythm of that motion deep in our soul. “Move II” is all about intertwining timelapse photography and music to see and feel that motion both in nature and in the city.
It was a true honor and privilege to collaborate with Robert Levin on the music for “Move II”. His beautiful original score blends together the rhythms and melodies of our world and perfectly captures the feeling of movement that surrounds us at all times. When I first met with Robert to begin working on the music for Move II, I knew it needed something that was unique and special in order to accentuate the movement of the universe, little did I know how perfectly he would capture that idea and deliver a magical and dynamic original score for the film.
A heartfelt thank you to Steve Bill, one of my musical mentors and a true friend over the past 20 years, for introducing me to Robert Levin and for allowing us to use his studio at Room 368 Productions to record the score for this video. Thank you to Ethan Bill for his time, talent and patience recording, mixing and engineering the music for the video. This was a huge undertaking and we could not have asked for anyone better to work with. I would also like to extend a huge thank you to all of the incredibly talented musicians who took part in the recording of the music and helped to breathe life into this film. Your talents and passion are second-to-none.
I am very excited to share with you “Move II”, a continuation of the original short-film “Move” that I released a few years ago. (vimeo.com/aaronkeigherphotography/move) Join me for a few moments to take a step back and experience the rhythm of the movement that surrounds us all.
Locations Include:
Acadia National Park, ME
Boy’s Ranch, Amarillo, TX
Buckeye Wind Farm, KS
Canyonlands National Park, UT
Capitol Reed National Park, UT
Colorado Canyon National Monument, CO
Dead Horse Point State Park, UT
Dinosaur National Monument, CO
Factory Butte, UT
Fantasy Canyon, UT
Goosenecks State Park, UT
Joshua Tree National Park, CA
Molen Reef, UT
Monument Valley Tribal Park, AZ
Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
Red Canyon, Flaming Gorge National Monument, UT
Trona Pinnacles, CA
Woodville, ID
Aaron KeigherAerial Short FilmsOriginal MusicTimelapseTimelapse Travel VideosTop New Travel VideosTravelUnited StatesVideos
Books, Culinary Arts, Food, Reviews
Cooking: The New Yorker Top Cookbooks Of 2019
December 9, 2019 boomersdaily Leave a comment
From a New Yorker online article:
Whittling down my favorites to a mere Top Ten was an insurmountable challenge—and there were still so many I didn’t get to, all of them floating in that literary quantum state of potential perfection. (No doubt my favorite book of all is among them, and I’m cursed never to know it.) If this is indeed a time of crisis, I suppose it’s a comfort that at least our kitchens—and, for those of us in skirts, our knees—will be warm. My list is organized alphabetically by author.
“Ruffage: A Practical Guide to Vegetables,” by Abra Berens
All vegetable cookbooks, as a rule, are wonderful, but too often they blur together into a sort of generic, Wendell Berry-and-dirt-under-the-nails quietude of awe: behold the first pale green of spring, lo the beauty of the humble parsnip, and so on. It’s the voice in “Ruffage” that makes it so marvellous—a sort of sharp, lusty fierceness that one doesn’t normally see applied to beets or celery. Berens writes intimately without being precious, a mode that reflects her recipes: approachable but stunningly lush, gently coaxing out walloping flavors from humble materials.
“South: Essential Recipes and New Explorations,” by Sean Brock
This far-reaching compendium decodes the culinary pillars of the entire American South, from the moss-swagged South Carolina Lowcountry to the rolling hills of the Appalachian Piedmont. Shrimp and grits, fried bologna, five types of corn bread—it’s all here. Brock, a celebrated chef, is one of the great practical historians of Southern cuisine, and here he focusses on the whys as much as the whats: we get to know not only his favorite heirloom beans and grains but the soil that feeds them and the people who grow them; we learn not just why it’s worth tracking down certain cultivars of tomato or regional varieties of country ham but the reasons (often tragic) that they’re now so hard to find.
“Amá: A Modern Tex-Mex Kitchen,” by Josef Centeno and Betty Hallock
Tex-Mex, as a cuisine, often gets slighted when it comes to serious culinary consideration, but, at Los Angeles’s celebrated restaurants Bar Amá and Amácita, the chef and restaurateur Centeno gives this essential American cuisine the spotlight it deserves. This book is less an accounting of the restaurant’s menu than a tale of Centeno’s coming of age within Tejano culture and learning to find pride in his family history. Stories and recipes from generations past (fiery steak fajitas; a gooey, chorizo-flecked queso asadero) share space with playful remixes of Texan and Tex-Mex classics, like lobster taquitos and carne guisada Frito pie—not to mention nearly an entire chapter dedicated to “Super Nacho Hour.”
“Zaitoun: Recipes from the Palestinian Kitchen,” by Yasmin Khan
Khan, a former human-rights campaigner, shifted her job description in 2016 with “The Saffron Tales,” a marvellous compendium of Persian cuisine. In her second volume, she turns her empathetic eye to the kitchens of Palestinians living in Israel and the occupied territories and also abroad. The result is a feast of spiced soups and stews, zingy greens and pulses, and rich sweets scented with rose water and honey. Khan pays particular attention to subtle regional differences, including the chili-and-garlic-filled cuisine of the Gaza Strip, which is rapidly disappearing behind a devastating blockade.
“Where Cooking Begins: Uncomplicated Recipes to Make You a Great Cook,” by Carla Lalli Music
Whether in a farmers’ market, a mobile Web interface, or a fluorescent-lit suburban grocery store, Music’s philosophy of food is that it all starts with the act of acquiring it mindfully: buy ingredients often and in small quantities. Her book, full of beautiful photographs and written with a breezy, conversational voice, uses an arsenal of herbaceous, acidic, high-impact recipes to introduce key techniques and ingredient formulas that can turn any shopping trip into a gorgeous meal. Each recipe includes copious twists, spins, and alternatives: an ideal tool kit to transform a timid cook into an adventurous and confident improviser.
“The Gaijin Cookbook: Japanese Recipes from a Chef, Father, Eater, and Lifelong Outsider,” by Ivan Orkin and Chris Ying
Orkin, a New York Jew who married a Japanese woman, has Japanese children, and spent years living in Japan, immersed in Japanese culture, has built a formidable career making some of the best ramen in the world. This is one of those rare cookbooks that’s both tremendously insightful and genuinely funny, exploring the various ways that identity, tradition, language, and love work together (or, sometimes, directly against one another) in the home kitchen of a blended family. From a starting point of simple, foundational recipes—rice, eggs, noodles, dashi—he guides the reader into slightly more involved Japanese, Japanese-American, and Japanese-American-Jewish dishes, including recipes ideal for drunken weekends, picky kids, or both.
“Tartine: A Classic Revisited,” by Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson
When the original Tartine cookbook was published, in 2006, it was a near-instant classic: at last, the extraordinary breads, cakes, tarts, and pastries produced at the San Francisco bakery could be made anywhere, so long as a home cook had the equipment (and exacting, patient temperament) to make it happen. Thirteen years later, Tartine has grown from a single storefront to a California empire with multiple locations (plus a few in Seoul), and its industrial ovens are still the gold standard. This book lightly updates fifty-five of the earlier recipes and introduces sixty-eight more, their flavors updated for more modern palates and diets—it includes two dozen gluten-free options—all truly exceptional.
“Nothing Fancy: Unfussy Food for Having People Over,” by Alison Roman
There’s something so refreshing about a cookbook that straight-up rejects the idea that cooking always needs to be a special and precious act. Roman’s food is bright and worldly, without a hint of tweezer-y fuss. Her alluringly irreverent thesis, first laid out in her blockbuster début book, “Dining In,” and elaborated upon in this volume (which, despite its dinner-party focus, is full of straightforward recipes with clever twists that work beautifully for everyday meals), stays just this side of the line between empowering and impatient: just make the damn food. Trust the recipe. Have some fun.
“Joy of Cooking: 2019 Edition Fully Revised and Updated,” by Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, Ethan Becker, John Becker, and Megan Scott
For the past ninety years or so, readers have been blessed with a new edition of “Joy of Cooking” roughly every decade. This version—the result of years of work by John Becker and Megan Scott, the newest generation to be added to the cookbook’s byline—brings the grande dame of the kitchen bookshelf definitively into the now. Becker and Scott retested and updated some four thousand classic “Joy” recipes and added six hundred or so new ones that reflect more current tastes and interests. There’s a whole section on fermenting now, not to mention vegan options, a sous-vide guide, and a dramatically broadened appreciation for international cuisines and ingredients. (For gift-giving, the printed version of “Joy” is a beautiful, massive object. But, for your own use, my advice is to invest in the digital edition: with so many recipes, and so much densely packed information, this is exactly the sort of scenario when an e-book—and its internal search function—is a cook’s best friend.)
“Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking,” by Toni Tipton-Martin
Ostensibly a companion to Tipton-Martin’s award-winning “The Jemima Code” (which I listed as one of my favorite food books of the past twenty years), “Jubilee” stands on its own as a wide-ranging, celebratory collection of recipes that trace the black culinary history of America. Rum-spiked fruit fritters, cinnamon-scented sweet-potato biscuits with salty country ham, a broccoli-and-cauliflower salad with a tangy curried dressing—each of the recipes in this extraordinary book has a provenance, whether it’s a classic restaurant, a modern celebrity chef, or the recorded techniques of an enslaved cook. Despite their deep roots, the recipes—even the oldest ones—feel fresh and modern, a testament to the essentiality of African-American gastronomy to all of American cuisine.
To read more: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/2019-in-review/the-best-cookbooks-of-2019
BooksCook BooksCookingCulinary ArtsEatingFoodFood ReviewsNew YorkerReviews
Arts & Literature, Films, Profiles
Interviews: Director Martin Scorsese On “The Irishman” (Netflix Video)
Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci star in Martin Scorsese’s THE IRISHMAN, a saga of organized crime in post-war America told through the eyes of World War II veteran Frank Sheeran, a hustler and hitman who worked alongside some of the most notorious figures of the 20th century. Academy Award winning Director Martin Scorsese on his vision and the making-of THE IRISHMAN. Now playing in theaters and on Netflix.
DirectorsFilm DirectorsFilmsInterviewsMartin ScorseseNetflixProfilesThe IrishmanVideo ProfilesVideos
Aging, Health, Reviews, Technology
Medical Technology: “TeleNeurology” Remote Consultations Are As Effective As Office Visits
From a Becker’s Hospital Review online release:
Telemedicine extends care accessibility to people with epilepsy, who may be unable to drive to appointments, as well as people with mobility issues stemming from neurologic disorders such as multiple sclerosis. Virtual care also helps address geographic barriers by allowing patients in rural areas to see a neurologist through telemedicine technology instead of having to travel hours for in-person care, said lead author Jaime Hatcher-Martin, MD, PhD, a member of AAN, according to the news release.
The studies’ analysis found that patients and their caregivers were equally satisfied with virtual physician visits and in-person appointments. Some studies showed that the use of telemedicine is as effective as in-person care to make accurate diagnoses. However, the researchers noted that there have been few randomized, controlled studies on telemedicine for neurology apart from stroke care.
To read more: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/telehealth/telemedicine-may-be-as-effective-for-neurological-disorders-as-in-person-office-visits-analysis-finds.html
Becker's Hospital ReviewHospitalsMedical TechnologyMedicineNeurologyNeuroscienceRemote ConsultationsTechnologyTelemedicineTeleneurologyTeleneurology is Neurology
Business, Culinary Arts, Food, News
Food Trends: “Kitchen United” Delivery-Only Restaurants Wins “2019 Innovator Of The Year”
From a Restaurant Dive online article:
“What virtual kitchens, or the Kitchen United concept does, is create a new economic model, where no longer do [restaurants] have to invest in expensive real estate and fancy front-of-house overhead and dining rooms, [they] can share kitchen space, optimize capital that is there and hopefully create a more profitable model for delivery,” NPD Group Vice President David Portalatin told Restaurant Dive.
When Kitchen United received $40 million in funding from RXR Realty during the summer, it became clear the two-year-old shared kitchen startup is paving a path for rapid expansion. The company will partner with the real estate company to open kitchens in New York City and the tri-state area.
This partnership fits within Kitchen United’s overall goal of opening 400 kitchen centers and 5,000 kitchens within the next few years. But it certainly isn’t alone in opening virtual kitchens, or restaurants without a traditional retail storefront. Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats have all been trying their hand in delivery-only restaurants over the last two years.
To read more; https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/innovator-kitchen-united-restaurant-dive-awards/566463/
2019Culinary ArtsDelivery-Only RestaurantsFoodInnovationsInnovator of the Year AwardKitchen UnitedNewsRestaurant DiveRestaurantDiveRestaurantsTechnologyVirtual Kitchens
Economics, Finance, News, Profiles
1970’s & 80’s Economics : Former Chairman Of Federal Reservce Paul Volcker Dies At 92
From a Wall Street Journal online article:
He became one of the most unpopular Fed chairmen in history for pushing interest rates as high as 20% to break the soaring inflation that consumed the U.S. economy in the 1970s. But his actions succeeded in bringing inflation, making Mr. Volcker one of the most successful central bankers in history.
Paul Volcker, who defeated runaway inflation as Federal Reserve chairman in the 1980s, establishing the importance to the economy of an independent central bank, and whose “Volcker Rule” became a controversial element of postcrisis banking regulation in the Obama administration, has died at 92 years old.
Mr. Volcker died Sunday at his home following a long illness, his family said.
Mr. Volcker served in government across Democratic and Republican administrations for almost three decades in roles guiding monetary policy and overseeing the nation’s financial system.
To read more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/paul-volcker-who-guided-u-s-monetary-policy-and-finance-for-nearly-three-decades-is-dead-11575901675
1970's1980'sEconomicsFedFederal ReserveFederal Reserve ChairmanFinanceInflationPaul VolckerProfiles
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line928
|
__label__cc
| 0.670709
| 0.329291
|
High Limit Disability
Film Production & Entertainment Coverage
Business Travel Accident
Contingency & Event Cancellation
High Limit Death Protection
Analytics & Actuarial Services
Global Risk Management
Captive Implementation & Management
Claims Advocacy
Sports & Entertainment Insurance as Individual as Your Needs.
BWD designs specialized protection programs for sports organizations, athletes, entertainers, facilities, film production companies and executives.
Why BWD
After 50+ years, we’re still working side by side with the league and all of its teams – including those in the WNBA and NBA G League – to manage the risks that come with being a global sports phenomenon.
Big East Basketball
We provide this association of 10 prominent colleges and universities – representing more than 3,700 student-athletes on 200+ teams – a complete range of highly sophisticated insurance coverage and benefits plans.
For 30+ years, we’ve seamlessly customized multiple risk management and benefits solutions that stay in front of the evolving needs of 31 big-league clubs and 17 minor-league clubs with an expanding global footprint.
For almost two decades, we’ve been committed to providing the highest level of service to all 30 big-league clubs and 100 minor-league clubs. We also expertly manage all league-sponsored games and events.
Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football
The extensive risk management program we built for CONCACAF covers the U.S. and foreign exposures inherent to working with 41 countries.
Through our unique products and services, we’re able to expertly manage ATP’s national and far-reaching international risk exposures for 63 tournaments in 31 countries across five continents.
We’ve guided this obstacle-based event series through its rapid growth since 2014, providing tailor-made coverages for 90 national and international events that draw half a million participants in six countries each year.
We’re leaders in designing specialized insurance for collegiate sports events. That includes March Madness and all of the other NCAA championship Division I, II and III games that draw 19,500 teams annually.
We’re one of the largest and most experienced global sports insurance brokers around. We go far beyond what’s standard to provide the highly specialized risk management expertise that sports leagues, teams, players’ associations, athletes, executives and facilities depend on to protect their financial future.
As vanguard media & entertainment insurance specialists, we custom-craft superior protection programs that empower entertainers, performers, film production companies and a host of other creative entities to focus on the next big opportunity instead of big financial losses.
We’re architects of highly intelligent event insurance plans that expertly guide special events, promotions and productions of even the largest size – anywhere in the world – toward success and away from unnecessary risk.
Loss of Value Coverage Whitepaper
How can student athletes protect their potential future earnings as professional athletes? This report explains the options – including loss of value coverage and permanent total disability – and explores best practices.
Insuring fans, stars' legs and FIFA's revenue at the World Cup July 10, 2018 | Insurance Business Magazine
The World Cup has reached its most exciting period, with the best teams moving forward to the quarter finals.
View all Press
© 2020 All Rights Reserved BWD | 516-327-6300 | info@bwd.us | 45 Executive Drive, Plainview, New York 11803-1703
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line931
|
__label__wiki
| 0.64027
| 0.64027
|
NBA Playoffs 2019: Kawhi Leonard sets Toronto Raptors playoff record with sixth 35-point game
Only four other players have ever scored 35 points in a playoff game in a Toronto Raptors uniform.
This is Kawhi Leonard's first playoff run with the Toronto Raptors, but he's already setting franchise records.
In leading the Raptors to a double-overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals with 36 points, Leonard has scored 35 or more points six times in these playoffs.
That gives him the most 35-point games in the team's playoff history.
Most 35+ point games in Raptors playoff history. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/wTYTrCkL3R
- Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 20, 2019
According to Basketball Reference, Kyle Lowry previously held the record with five 35-point games. Following him: Vince Carter and DeMar DeRozan with three each.
Other than them, Chris Bosh is the only player who has scored 35 points in a playoff game as a member of the Raptors.
Most 35-point games in Raptors playoff history
Player From To Count
Kawhi Leonard 2019 2019 6
Kyle Lowry 2014 2016 5
Vince Carter 2001 2001 3
DeMar DeRozan 2017 2018 3
Chris Bosh 2008 2008 1
Leonard is also close to DeRozan's franchise record for the most 30-point postseason games. Leonard now has 10 such games, putting him four away from tying DeRozan.
After Game 3, Leonard is averaging 32.0 points per game in these playoffs, doing so on 52.0 percent shooting from the field and 39.3 percent from the perimeter.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line932
|
__label__wiki
| 0.5729
| 0.5729
|
Frank Grillo’s POINT BLANK Remake Likely To Nab Anthony Mackie
Start getting ready for this one.
By Evan Saathoff Jun. 21, 2018
While I like Anthony Mackie, I’m not sure his involvement with the upcoming remake of French thriller Point Blank (which is great, by the way) offers enough juice for its own news item. Nevertheless, let’s go ahead and get that out of the way. Anthony Mackie is about to sign on to co-star in the upcoming remake of French thriller Point Blank (which is great, I mean it).
But in spirit, this is more a reminder that a remake of French thriller Point Blank (the original is pretty good) is even happening. I quite excited about it. Frank Grillo will star, Joe Lynch is directing and Joe Carnahan is producing with Grillo. The film will be cheap and is bound for Netflix. I’m happy about all that! I like all those people and the original film (French thriller Point Blank).
It has been a while since we heard anything about it, however, so I’m glad this Anthony Mackie thing gave me an opportunity to bring it up. The film should start production this summer, so get ready.
Point Blank (English Subtitled)
Evan Saathoff Senior Editor
Evan has been smartassing-up the Internet since 2008. His passions include dumb action movies, not-dumb action movies, Shakespeare, and Tyler Perry. While he claims to understand that people don't always get what they want, he nevertheless believes it would be “cool” if he could become more like Danny DeVito with age.
IO Review: Life Finds A Way
By Leigh Monson, Jan 18, 2019
Netflix’s latest is a hard look at what it means to hope for a future.
Building A New Empire: Limited Falcon & Winter Soldier Series In Development For Disney Streaming
Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson looking to give Netflix a run for their money.
The Bullet Settles Everything: Here’s A Trailer For The MISS BALA Remake
In which Mexico's 2012 Best Foreign Language Oscar submission gets an action movie makeover from Catherine Hardwicke.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line939
|
__label__cc
| 0.661869
| 0.338131
|
Bizongo Hive
Your Source of Packaging Stories
Artwork Flow
Procure Live
Develop Plus
Tech@Bizongo
Artwork Proofing
3D Packaging Design
Everything Packaging
Inside Bizongo
Packaging for Exports: How to Prepare Your Goods for A Trip Across The World
Bizongo : July 12, 2017
Packaging plays an important role in ensuring that shipped goods arrive in perfect condition. But most businesses receive returns and complaints about damaged products. The costs, both financially and via customer relations, can be dire for a business. But this can be easily avoided if informed decisions are taken while choosing the quality of packaging products to minimize the risk of damage.
Many turn to fulfillment companies that aim to ensure your goods arrive in the exact condition they left your company. But should one choose to go about conducting logistics themselves, then the risks involved during transport should be a top priority to ensure the safety of the products.
The most popular forms of logistics are via air, sea freight, and truck. Despite their popularity, these forms of transport also have their risks when it comes to the conditions the goods go through. In order to avoid this, we have to be aware of relevant factors for each mode of transportation and be able to arrange for packaging that will counteract these flaws.
Sea freight has the longest transit time out of the three modes. L
The goods are susceptible to be damaged through hitting or being hit by other cargo and/or against the walls of the ship. It is because of this reason that many choose to add padding to their packaging, such as air bags between goods or cardboard sheets, that will absorb the impact.
Large Containers Are Filled With Products.
The environment plays its role in the risks as well; with water, humidity, and salt, it is extremely important to select appropriate packaging materials. Many add an additional layer of cellophane around pallets to decrease the chances of water damage, but many find that the EUR wooden pallets are the weakest point in packaging for water, as they will develop mold from the exposure and potentially damage the goods they are carrying. It is best to ensure that the materials used in packaging are either water-resistant, such as plastic pallets (which are more expensive but resolve the risk of water damage) or thick enough to protect the goods it contains.
Air freight has its own risks and, like sea freight, there are elements in the environment that bring about unique risks.
In the case of airplanes, atmospheric pressure is the culprit. Due to these drastic atmospheric changes, condensation and/or corrosion occurs, which can deal a great damage on paper-based goods. Something to avoid in this case is paper-based packaging, as it will be easily damaged leading to mutilated products. The products used are typically courier bags with bubble wrap and cling films that are used to seal the goods.
Another issue many find is that due to movement of other cargo during transport, the collision between different goods occurs and results in damaged goods. This risk can once again be avoided with sturdier material used for packaging, such as wooden boxes and pallets. Ideally, many combine the soft paper bags with cardboard boxes in order to cover both potential risks and have the goods arrive safely.
Freight via Roadways
Finally, transport via truck is risky since it damages occur primarily during loading and unloading of goods.
Tears and holes in packaging occur from the forklifts lifting the goods and placing them inside the truck. It also occurs when removing goods from the truck and placing them in a warehouse. The ends of the forklift will tear softer material such as cellophane and kraft paper packaging, and in this case the best and most economical way one can ensure that the goods arrive safely is to double wrap cellophane and ensure that none of the packaging and goods go beyond the borders of the pallet they are placed on. This will decrease the chances of the goods being damaged during movement.
Besides this, the risk during the transit itself is directly correlated to the delicateness of the goods in question. As many highways and roads are not smooth, and driving occurs at high speed, the impact of the potholes and speedbreakers is only magnified. In this case, it is best to add bubble wrap or any other buffering material around the individual products. Also, the outer layer of the goods should be very well packaged to absorb maximum shock impact.
Packaging is a vital part of every delivery, and to be aware of the risks can save you a lot of trouble in the future. Whether it is compression, humidity, or other potentially damaging factors, preparing in advance can help make sure that your customers receive their order in proper condition. It also helps you to save additional costs of returns and claims. All in all, simple logic and help from your logistics provider can help you evade every possible risk and ensure happy and satisfied customers.
Tanja Strugar is based in Belgrade, Serbia, and works at Swiss Mail Solutions. Her interests include international affairs, global trends in e-commerce and logistics.
Swiss Mail Solutions is a Swiss fulfillment service company that has offices in Austria, Hong Kong, and Serbia, and works with customers globally. They also offer services in transport, distribution, warehousing, and customs clearance. For more information visit their website: https://swissmailsolutions.com/
Body Wash Packaging: Are These Product Designs Gelling-In Right Or Standing Out?
GST Fundamentals #4: How To Successfully File Returns?
Make Your Packaging Reliable with These Flexible Packaging Testing Methods
SSB Star says
Risk is there in everything, but good Packaging indeed results in effective movement of goods whether being any medium of transport.
qlineseo says
Great post. I like very much. Thank you for your sharing.
Tanuja Ratnaparkhi says
Glad that we could be of help.
ABOUT BIZONGO
Bizongo.com
Seller App – iOS
Seller App – Android
support@bizongo.com
Copyright © 2020 · Bizongo
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line944
|
__label__cc
| 0.529432
| 0.470568
|
EMBL Events
We bring together all things related to scientific training
Tag: poster prize
Best Poster Awards – Target Validation Using Genomics and Informatics
Meet Giovanni Spirito and Borja Gomez Ramos – the two poster prize winners at the recent EMBL – Wellcome Genome Campus Conference: Target Validation Using Genomics and Informatics (8 – 10 Dec 2019).
Identification and prioritization of candidate causal genomic variations from individuals affected by ASD
PHOTO: Giovanni Spirito
Authors: Giovanni Spirito (1), Diego Vozzi (2), Martina Servetti (3), Margherita Lerone (3), Maria Teresa Divizia (3), Giulia Rosti (3), Livia Pisciotta (4), Lino Nobili (4), Irene Serio (4), Stefano Gustincich (2), Remo Sanges (1)
Next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies enabled the extensive study of the genomics underlying human diseases. Namely whole exome sequencing (WES) represents a cost-efficient method which can lead to the detection of multiple classes of genomic variants and the discovery of novel disease-associated genes. One of the drawbacks of this approach however, is the large number of genomic variants detected in each analysis. Automated variant prioritization strategies are therefore required. This is particularly important in the case of complex disease such as ASD, whose genetic etiology is still poorly understood. To this aim we built a custom computational framework capable, from raw WES data, to automatically detect four classes of genomic variants (SNPs, indels, copy number variants and short tandem repeat variants) and prioritize them in regards to their relevance to a specific phenotype. We tested this framework on a selection of 29 trios including probands affected by severe and undiagnosed rare phenotypes and a small cohort of 10 trios all featuring healthy parents and one offspring affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We were able to successfully detect rare and de novo high penetrance variants which have been validated and confirmed as causative among the undiagnosed probands. In the specific case of the ASD cohort we could highlight several genes which are not implicated in autism susceptibility, but nevertheless whose connections to genes relevant for ASD could suggest a possible involvement in the phenotype. Furthermore, our approach enabled us to detect several instances characterized by the presence of multiple candidate variants within genes belonging to the same canonical pathway in one proband. Our workflow allows to detect and prioritize multiple classes of genomic variants in order to both highlight rare high penetrance disease-causative mutation, and possibly reconstruct the genomics at the basis of complex ASD phenotypes.
View PDF Poster
(1) SISSA, Italy, (2) IIT, Italy, (3) Gaslini Institute, Italy, (4) University of Genova, Italy
Omics data integration for the identification of cell-type-specific gene regulatory networks and regulatory variants in Parkinson’s disease
PHOTO: Borja Gomez Ramos
Authors: Borja Gomez Ramos (1,2), Jochen Ohnmacht (1,2), Nikola de Lange (2), Aurélien Ginolhac (1), Aleksandar Rakovic (5), Christine Klein (5), Roland Krause (2) , Marcel H. Schulz (6), Thomas Sauter (1), Rejko Krüger (2,3,4) and Lasse Sinkkonen (1)
Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have identified many variants associated with different diseases. However, it is still a challenge to make sense of this data as the majority of genetic variants are located in non-coding regions, complicating the understanding of their functionality. In the last few years, it has been found that non-coding genetic variants concentrate in regulatory regions in the genome, which are cell type and cell-stage specific. In this project, we seek to identify functional Parkinson’s disease GWAS non-coding genetic variants that could make carriers more prone to developing PD. To do so, we are using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to differentiate somatic cells into midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons, astrocytes and microglia. Assessing their chromatin accessibility, active chromatin regions and transcriptome, we can identify crucial regulatory regions in the genome, key transcription factors and derive the gene regulatory networks for the three different cell types. Then, we will map the non-coding genetic variants to the different regulatory regions and predict their effect in silico for the subsequent validation in vitro. This innovative approach will also identify novel factors controlling cell fate and cell identity.
(1) Life Sciences Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, (2) Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, (3) Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), Luxembourg, (4) Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Luxembourg, (5) Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Germany, (6) Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Uniklinikum and Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany
Working on your own conference poster? Then check out 10 tips to create a scientific poster people want to stop by.
Author KrasimiraPosted on 8th January 2020 Categories Best Poster AwardsTags #EWGtarget, best poster, conference, genomics, poster abstract, poster awards, poster prize, Target Validation
Best Poster Awards – Precision Health
140 researchers came together recently at the EMBL Advanced Training Centre in Heidelberg, Germany, for the EMBO Workshop: Precision Health: Molecular Basis, Technology and Digital Health (13 – 16 November 2019) to present and discuss the promises and challenges of precision health and the molecular insights necessary to enable a maintenance of wellness and prevention of disease.
Out of the posters presented, 4 were awarded a poster prize based on popular vote. Here we present the poster abstracts of four of the winners.
A computational modelling approach to characterizing postprandial glucose responses in individuals
Balazs Erdos from TiFN Wageningen and MaCSBio, Maastricht University, The Netherlands, PHOTO: Balazs Erdos
Balazs Erdos (1), (2)*, Bart van Sloun (1), (2), Shauna O’Donovan (2), Michiel Adriaens (2), Natal van Riel (3), Ellen Blaak (4), Ilja Arts (2)
The large variability in the dynamic properties of the postprandial glucose response curves in individuals suggest that it is not sufficient to use average values or single time point measures of postprandial glycemia in order to characterize individuals’ glycemic control. Instead, approaches that are capable of capturing the dynamic events are necessary. In this study, we develop personalized computational models based on ordinary differential equations, to describe the glucose and insulin dynamics of individuals in response to an oral glucose tolerance test. We observed that these personalized models are capable of capturing a wide range of glucose and insulin dynamics including normal, prediabetic and type 2 diabetic responses as well as responses from intermediate states.
(1) TiFN, Wageningen, The Netherlands, (2) Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology (MaCSBio), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands, (3) Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, (4) Dept. of Human Biology, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
*E-mail: balazs.erdos@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Predict nephrotoxicity associated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy in testicular cancer patients
Sara Garcia (1), Jakob Lauritsen (2), Zeyu Zhang (3), Mikkel Bandak (2), Marlene Danner Dalgaard (1), Rikke Linnemann Nielsen (1), Gedske Daugaard (2), Ramneek Gupta (1)
In industrialized countries, testicular cancer (TC) is the most common solid tumor in men between 20 and 40 years old and besides being one of the most treatable types of cancer, the long-term side-effects of chemotherapy are worrisome, since they are largely irreversible. Their severity is normally related to the total amount of chemotherapy received, which makes that an important factor to a successful treatment. The standard treatment for TC is 3 cycles of cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin (BEP), being that the number of cycles can vary between 4-5 or more if the prognosis of the patient is intermediate or poor. Some of the late side-effects include nephrotoxicity, which can be measured by the drop in glomerular filtration rate after the patient follows chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Integrative machine learning models were built using a dataset of 400 Danish individuals in order to identify clinical and/or genomics features and classify patients at higher risk of developing nephrotoxicity given a treatment of BEP-cycles. Results: First, only clinical features, such as age at the time of treatment, dose of cisplatin, patient’s prognosis, and number of cycles, were considered, and relevant features were selected to use in the classifier (AUC 0.66, SD 0.02). The classifier was then optimized by adding genomics markers, which helped improving the prediction (AUC 0.75, SD 0.02). Conclusions: Therefore, it is proposed a machine learning algorithm which, by helping predicting nephrotoxicity in advance, can benefit to improve chemotherapy efficacy in TC patients. These data driven models can also be applicable to other cancers, such as ovarian, bladder, and lung cancer where more elderly patients are at risk of nephrotoxicity and identification upfront will have direct clinical implications.
Poster currently not available
(1) Technical University of Denmark, Denmark, (2) Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, (3) University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Loss of N-glycanase 1 alters transcriptional and translational regulation
Petra Jakob from EMBL Heidelberg, Germany, PHOTO: Petra Jakob
Petra Jakob (1), William Mueller (1), Sandra Clauder-Münster (1), Han Sun (2), Sonja Ghidelli-Disse (3), Diana Ordonez (1), Markus Boesche (3), Markus Bantscheff (3), Paul Collier (1), Bettina Haase (1), Vladimir Benes (1), Malte Paulsen (1), Peter Sehr (1), Joe Lewis (1), Gerard Drewes (3), Lars Steinmetz (1)
N-Glycanase 1 (NGLY1) deficiency is an ultra-rare, complex and devastating neuromuscular disease. Patients display multi-organ symptoms including developmental delays, movement disorders, seizures, constipation and lack of tear production. NGLY1 is a deglycosylating protein involved in the degradation of misfolded proteins retrotranslocated from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). NGLY1-deficient cells have been reported to exhibit decreased deglycosylation activity and an increased sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors. We show that the loss of NGLY1 causes substantial changes in the RNA and protein landscape of K562 cells and results in downregulation of proteasomal subunits, consistent with its processing of the transcription factor NFE2L1. We employed the CMap database to predict compounds that can modulate NGLY1 activity. Utilizing our robust K562 screening system, we demonstrate that the compound NVP-BEZ235 (Dactosilib) promotes degradation of NGLY1-dependent substrates, concurrent with increased autophagic flux, suggesting that stimulating autophagy may assist in clearing aberrant substrates during NGLY1 deficiency.
(1) EMBL Heidelberg, Germany, (2) Stanford University, United States of America, (3) Cellzome, Germany
Data integration for prediction of weight loss in clinically controlled dietary trials
Rikke Linnemann Nielsen (1), Marianne Helenius (1), Sara Garcia (1), Henrik Munch Roager (2), Derya Aytan (3), Lea Benedicte Skov Hansen (1), Mads Vendelbo Lind (2), Josef Vogt (1), Marlene Danner Dalgaard (1), Martin I Bahl (3), Cecilia Bang Jensen (1), Rasa Muktupavela (1), Christina Warinner (4), Vincent Appel (5), Rikke Gøbel (5), Mette B Kristensen (2), Hanne Frøkjær (6), Morten H Sparholt (7), Anders F Christensen (7), Henrik Vestergaard (5), Torben Hansen (5), Karsten Kristiansen (6), Susanne Brix Pedersen (1), Thomas Nordahl Petersen (3), Lotte Lauritzen (2), Tine Rask Licht (3), Oluf Pedersen (5), Ramneek Gupta (1)
Diet is a key strategy in weight loss management. Advances in omics technologies research allow analyses of determinants of clinical interventions outcomes. We have previously reported diet-induced weight loss in non-diabetic middle-aged Danes in two clinically controlled dietary trials where the content of whole grain or gluten was changed. However, it remains elusive how predictable weight loss is at the individual level. We here classify weight loss responders and non-responders from the whole grain and gluten trials by integrating multi-omics data (host genetics, gut microbiome, urine metabolome) together with physiology and anthropometrics into random forest models. The most predictive models for weight loss included features of diet, gut microbial species and urine metabolites (ROC-AUC:0.84-0.88, model only with diet type ROC-AUC:0.62). Furthermore, we demonstrate that a model ensemble is robust to missing information of microbiome and metabolome profiles given features of physiology (including postprandial response), host genetics and transit-time (ROC-AUC:0.72).
(1) Technical University of Denmark, Denmark, (2) University of Copenhagen, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark, (3) National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark, (4) Harvard University, United States of America, (5) The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, (6) University of Copenhagen, Denmark, (7) Bispebjerg University Hospital, Denmark
Working on your own conference poster? Then check out 10 tips to create a scientific poster people want to stop by .
Author NicolaPosted on 28th November 2019 6th December 2019 Categories Best Poster AwardsTags #EMBOHealth, best poster, conference, EMBO workshop, personalised health, poster prize, precision health
7 tips to successfully deliver wet-lab-based training courses
Best Poster Awards – Metabolism Meets Epigenetics
Using chemical biology to expand the druggable proteome
I have read and understood the information for data subjects
Our mission is to train scientists. This blog is a platform for us to share updates on our annual programme, tips and tricks for scientists, new e-learning opportunities, and sometimes just something to make you smile.
Views expressed here are those of the authors and may not reflect EMBL’s position. Please refer to the EMBL community guidelines and privacy policy.
For a full listing of our events, visit www.embl.org/events
Tweets by @EMBLEvents
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line952
|
__label__wiki
| 0.985616
| 0.985616
|
2015 in Review: The Year Of Albums & EPs!
By Khaya Ahmed: 2015 was the year Pakistan saw music return to its roots and take hold in breathing a new life into it. We saw the revival of dying genres, a different take on the old, and saw the return of some of the country’s biggest names. So, as we raise our glass and toast to the Year to come, let us take a look back at the albums released this year and made headlines everywhere!
Sibte Hassan – Taqdeer
A man whose goals are to influence his listeners with a versatile and unique blend of music, it seems that newcomer Sibte Hassan has certainly accomplished that with his debut album Taqdeer. In an industry where pop music is often deemed “boring” and “unoriginal,” this artist has brought something new to the table and the headlining track off his album, Your Desire, proves just that with its catchy beat and effortless fusion of Punjabi and English lyrics. True to his brand, no two songs sound the same with Kuch Na Raha being a slow but powerful soft rock number while Rom Rom brings a nice little Sufi twist to a classic love song. Tracks like Dilbara Dilhara and O Dila Way certainly usher in a wave of nostalgia, reminding us of the old Pakistani pop classics of the 90s. However, the highlight of this album is Gal Meri Paki Aa, a Punjabi pop number with an English twist which perfectly ties the whole album together with its smooth pop flavor.
E-Sharp – Bahadur Yaar Jung
After spending almost a year in their self-made and self-financed studio experimenting with different genres of rock; Karachi based band E-Sharp graced us with Bahadur Yaar Jung, an album that probably contains the most tracks in Pakistani history. However, these songs combined take us on the journey of a struggling musician named Bahadur which is what truly elevates this album to a new and uncharted height. This indie rock band has managed to take the genres that influenced them and combine them into something fun to listen to, with songs like Is Shehr Main and Ek Haseena. Then there are tracks like Sarmast, Chehre, and Sooli which are slow, almost haunting as they highlight the plights that Bahadur faces. The album, produced by a band best known for its covers of The Beatles’ greatest hits, is a treat for the ear and a first of its kind; a love song to Classic Rock, and an unforgettable one at that.
Shafqat Amanat Ali – Muh Dikhai
A Classical singer who is one of the most sought after performers from the subcontinent, having lent his musical power to some of the biggest names in Bollywood, made a comeback with his third album Muh Dikhai. Shafqat Amanant Ali is someone who has solidified his standing in the music industry and his latest album, named after a Punjabi Nazam showcases just that. The headlining track, Muh Dikhai, shares a name and story with the album with its strong lyrics and trademark classic feel which highlights the rich cultural heritage of the Subcontinent. Ratiyaan and Tum Nahi Aaye differ from the norm with the former being a modern day Ghazal and the latter blends in the sounds of the Waltz and Ghazals, in turn creating something different yet engaging. The maestro of music is back and has left us with a need for more of his soothing, classical voice.
DissBelief – Table for Five
This year marked the return of industry veterans but it also marked an emergence of local underground bands aiming to make their mark. DissBelief, an Islamabad based alternative rock band, captured the attention of audiences everywhere with their raw music and their self-composed English lyrics. A band that has cited heavy alternative bands such as Avenged Sevenfold and Alter Bridge as their influences, the tracks Misery and Hope, and Land of the Pure certainly bring out the head-banging side of you with their heavy guitar riffs and powerhouse vocals. Memory Lane is one of the softer tracks off the album but they band still manages to infuse heavy instruments in there without taking away the essence of the song. Overall, the album is a treat for metal-heads everywhere and a call to a niche genre in the industry that is sure to grow and evolve over time with the help of bands like DissBelief.
Natasha Humera Ejaz – Till the End of Time
A musician, a dancer, an artist, and an actor; Natasha is a master of all trades and after years of teasing us with beautiful renditions of classic hits, she has released her EP titled Till the End of Time. An album which showcases Natasha’s talents but at the same time, showcases who she is; the album combines folk, indie, and electro-pop into a smooth mixture with Natasha’s voice elevating it to an almost ethereal plane. The title track, Till the End of Time is a jazzy number, with hints of Nancy Sinatra running through it along with an unforgettable guitar riff yet, it’s the lyrics and the tone of the song that really set it apart as Natasha takes us through a conversation with her father. The God Song, true to its name is filled with fantasy and mysticism.
Osama Qureshi – Collaborative Mind at Mars
A Karachi based music producer, and composer, Osama Qureshi has been in the music scene for a while but released his first solo EP this year, putting his skills to the test. He certainly didn’t fail as his experimental, non-traditional electronic tracks have captivated listeners everywhere. Roping in musicians from across the globe, Collaborative Mind at Mars contains a whopping fourteen songs ranging from electronic to symphonic rock, with tracks such as Light Inside, Aroma, and Psychological War. The album captures your imagination from the evocative intro, Landscape, which is a mixture of techno and electro-trance and ends with Confusing Demons, a heavy, operatic rock number which will transport you to the stage of The Phantom of the Opera with his haunting screeches and laughs.
Faraz Haider – Naya Jahan
A film maker and musician from Karachi, Faraz Haider wowed us with his first album, Andher and this year, he delivered another hit in the form of Naya Jahan. A rocker through and through, the album screams classic and alternative rock heavily inspired by names such as Audioslave and Soundgarden. The essence of those bands, and that flavor of music is clear throughout tracks such as Moth, Mujh Se, and Farman Bardar. The album certainly does justice to Faraz’s vocal range with Benaam and Dunya Ghoom Kay which capture a sense of honesty in his voice fused with his trademark piercing vocals. However, the surprise of the album is Tum Hee Jaano, a powerhouse of a track which has all the makings of a great long song, right down to pleasant soft rock melody.
NaQsh – Saptak
Alternative rock band NaQsh have been gaining momentum since 2007 with their refreshing fusion of genres and now, they’re come to a crescendo with their debut album, Saptak. The Canadian Indo-Pak band have amassed a new following with this album, owing to fun summer tracks such as Pagli and Kaka which are a treat to listen to with their soft soothing guitars and fun beats respectively. Megha is a powerhouse of a track with an energetic drum and guitar tune that perfectly complement each other along with lead vocalist Daksh Kubba’s voice. Iltija, Musu, and Saajna round off this fast paced alternative album with a slower, powerful punch which focuses on Daksh’s strong vocals and their lyrical prowess.
Ali Haider – Koi Aisi Baat
Purani Jeans is a song known throughout Pakistan whether the older generation or the new; the pop classic hit has forever been immortalized in our industry a d the maestro behind the hit? Well, he’s back with his latest album, Koi Aisi Baat. Ali Haider has returned to his pop roots with this romantic album containing slow but moving gems such as Koi Aisi Baat, and Yadon Ke Saaye as well as upbeat numbers like Dil Ke Darwaze and Saare Munde. At the same time, we’re infused with a sense of nostalgia with Bachpan and Neeli Shirt, both reminiscent of Purani Jeans and the reason why Ali Haider has made headlines after seven years of absence.
Xarb – Harmonic Tremor
Another underground alternative rock band breaking out into the mainstream music scene is XarB with their debut album Harmonic Tremor. Formed in 2011 and primarily based in Lahore; the band cites Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin, Ali Azmat, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and, Abida Parveen as their inspirations; truly a unique blend, wouldn’t you say? Well it certainly rings out through their album with On, a track that will leave us drawing comparisons between the vocalist and Eddie Vedder; with props given to the former for his control of sound. Breakdown is a lighter more easy-listening kind of track with a fun chorus to belt out and a funky guitar tune. Bleed, Winter, and Traveller are slower yet carry a scent of the old 80s rock classic infused with the 90s. However it’s Baysabro that invokes the classical sound of our nation which ties the album perfectly together.
Nusrat Hussain – Kaho
The former member of Vital Signs and Junoon made his solo comeback with Amrit and now he’s back with his second album, Kaho which released in the first half of this year. The eight track album is pop-rock at its finest with politically charged lyrics which shine through in Shor and Maza Dard Ka which combine clever poetry with progressive rock music. Kaho, Tum Bin, and Chalay Ana on the other hand move into more progressive and easy listening territory with an almost melancholic feel to it. At the end of the day, whether you’re a rocker or you’re craving some old school Pakistani pop-rock, Nusrat Hussain’s new album will definitely get you going.
Fuzon – Ik Ranjha
Described as a fusion of Sufi and soft rock; their name as a band is only apt. Fuzon is one of Pakistan’s premiere sufi-rock bands and though they may have gone through some line-up changes, they remain ever present. They returned this year with Ik Ranjha, an album that proves that they’ve not lost their signature flare with tracks like Lai Be Qadran Naal, Main Tere Sang, and Gulon Main Rang; each employing Eastern instruments along with Fuzon’s signature style. However, it is their cover of Reshma’s, Wey Main Chori Chori that stands ahead of the pack with a brilliant composition and a fun little groove on this classic tune. Because that in essence, is Fuzon; groovy and aesthetically tasteful music with a classic twist.
BURKA AVENGER RETURNS WITH SEASON 4
Top Ten Songs on Taazi – 2015!
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line959
|
__label__wiki
| 0.545253
| 0.545253
|
Nurturing future policymakers
Natural Resources Canada is accustomed to nurturing, protecting and growing Canada’s most precious resources. Since the inception of the Policy Analyst Recruitment and Development Program (PARDP) in 2003, NRCan has also been able to nurture and grow one of its most important resources, its young policymakers.
The PARDP program has allowed a select few of Canada’s best and brightest to fasttrack their way up the public service ladder into positions of responsibility through hands-on training with some of NRCan’s most high-profile projects.
Anil Anora, assistant deputy minister for the minerals and metals sector of NRCan – and champion of the PARDP program – said the program was put in place to strengthen the policy capacity of NRCan, and has played a key role in filling the holes left behind as executive baby boomers reach the age of retirement.
Anora said the program’s selection process is extremely rigorous and only selects the best candidates, who are fresh out of university. “You might get 1,500 applicants and we might have 15 or 20 recruits each year. It’s a healthy competition.”
The candidates selected are recent masters and PhD graduates, with degrees in varying disciplines, including economics, environmental sciences, political sciences and many others. Anora said Canada is a superpower when it comes to natural resources, and these graduates could potentially go on to be the faces of the country’s diverse energy sectors.
Amanda Troupe, project officer for the PARDP program, said the number of interested young Canadians has tripled in the last year. “We went from some 500 applications (last year) to over 1500 this year. There’s huge interest in the program. There’s a huge number of extremely well-qualified candidates.”
The program takes successful candidates and places them in their first assignment, usually ranging from a 12- to 18-month period in a participating sector of NRCan such as Energy Innovation and Energy Technology, Canadian Forest Service, Minerals and Metals, Earth Sciences, Science and Policy Integration, the Major Projects Management Office, Public Affairs and Portfolio Management.
Candidates start off at the EC-02 level and, if successful, can move up to the EC-04 or EC-05 level within 24 to 36 months. Anora said graduates get a good sense of how to make the kinds of efficiencies NRCan requires. He said the two main focuses of the program are recruitment and structured development. The chosen candidates are given assignments with formal training, on-the-job training and language training.
Retention of graduates is extremely high. However, until candidates have completed the program, they are under probation and have several assessments to ensure they are the right fit for the department and files they have been assigned. “It gives you an opportunity to tweak and adjust an assignment or move on to the next assignment,” Anora said.
Off-ramps have been put in place to ensure people are placed in the most appropriate places for their skill sets. He added that the cost of managing recruits once they are selected is minimal. “In the end I think it’s a real benefit. Even if the recruit goes to another department, it’s still a win for the department.”
Mentors are assigned to the chosen candidates to help them through the process. Mentors help coach the candidates and give them active management. Anora is currently performing a critical assessment of the PARDP program to ensure it continues to produce successful results. “It’s always healthy to evaluate,” he said. “There is certainly a desire amongst all parties to continue the program forward.”
Faces of future policymakers
Marie-Claude Auger Bouchard became interested in the PARDP program while working on her master’s degree in environmental science and international law at Universite de Montreal. The 29-year-old Montreal native worked at Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) during her first term on a non-reactor-based isotopes production contribution program aiming to find new ways of producing isotopes without using reactor-based isotopes.
“It’s a high profile issue for the health and safety of Canadians,” she said. “This is the kind of issue I like to work in. I learned a lot, I was doing valuable work.”
After completing her 12-month project on medical isotopes, she landed a position on a team that dealt with issues involving Canada’s arctic sovereignty, including the negotiation of borders with Russia and the United States. Bouchard said she felt very fortunate to gain the practical experience the PARDP program provided. “I don’t know how you could get this much experience without it,” she said. “When you start to change jobs, this program really allowed us to move quickly throughout the government.”
In addition to the skills she developed under the PARDP program, she was able to learn how to speak English fluently in two-and-a-half years. “Now I know how to write in English,” she said. “I didn’t speak English when I started.” Bouchard said the transition from French to English wasn’t the only translating skill she developed during her time with the program. “I learned how to translate scientific knowledge into language politicians and other people not in the field can understand. My grandmother could understand it.” She said the PARDP program also helped her understand the decision-making and lobbying processes.
Bouchard, who is currently working at AECL on a special team restructuring the CANDU reactor division, said the program could be slightly improved by providing additional assistance to candidates to help them find their second and third work placements. “When I was hired it was easier. Now with more cuts in government, it’s harder to find a place. I see friends in the program struggling. Divisions don’t necessarily have the funding anymore.”
Jeff Phillips, a recent graduate of the PARDP program, said it was instrumental in introducing him to a career in policymaking revolving around Canada’s precious resources. He said the program is important because it attracts young, bright individuals into the public sector. “I think I can safely say if it wasn’t for the PARDP program I wouldn’t be working at Natural Resources Canada.”
The 28-year-old, a former resident of Waterdown, ON, received his undergrad in public policy at Carleton University before moving west to complete a master’s in political science from the University of British Columbia. He worked in the uranium and radioactive waste division for his first 12-month project. For his second, he spent 12 months in the oil and gas division, working specifically in shale gas.
The exposure he received in both projects was extremely positive, Phillips said. “There’s a lot of value in the program. It’s been great.” He successfully completed his term with the oil and gas project and joined the NRCan clean energy team, where he currently works as a policy advisor to associate deputy minister Karen Ellis. He said one of the most important skills he was able to improve over his time on various projects was the ability to think critically and “see the broader picture,” while being engaged in delicate situations where he was required to make decisions based on his best judgement.
Phillips’ short-term goal is to gain more experience and exposure on relevant, important policy areas. His long-term goal is to contribute as best he can to the public service.
His advice for incoming candidates preparing for their first work placements? “You get what you put in. You’ve got to carve your own path within it, and it’s incumbent on you to really push to develop your own interests and skills. The program won’t do that for you. It’s on you as an individual.”
Andrew Snook is a reporter/photogra
Change Management On the cusp of a dramatic, generational change December 11, 2017
Communication Connecting with the Young: Ontario’s EO Live Chat April 11, 2016
Development Employment in Canada zooms with 41,000 new jobs April 8, 2016
Development Canada adopts U.N. declaration of rights of Indigenous peoples May 10, 2016
Development The path to shared decision making May 7, 2012
Brent Wellsch
Bookshelf: Decisive Intuition
Don’t ignore that gut feeling. Too often we clutch at...
A glimpse into the future of mobility
There has been a lot of discussion around the future of...
600 MHz auction: A rare opportunity for Canada’s rural communities
Earlier this year, the federal government kicked off an auction for...
Navigating digital transformation in government
Canada’s public sector can help set the tone for a strong...
CPA Canada announces Public Sector Conference 2019
OTTAWA, July 31 – CPA Canada, (Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada) announced their Public Sector Conference ,...
How smart should a city be?
Thanks to the development of new technologies that make previously unimaginable...
People first, policy second: An introduction to CGE’s Millennial Outlook
Since debuting in 2000, Survivor has traversed the world and humanity...
The future of work: Why robots won’t steal your government job
In late March the ONS detailed the occupations in the UK...
How behavioural science can help fix government’s workforce crisis
In the next year, one in three US federal government workers...
Digital democracy: Three priorities for the future of the field
Despite a rapid expansion in digital democracy initiatives around the globe,...
The future of transport, an interview with Colin Earp, KPMG
In the show, J. Richard Jones talks with Colin Earp, Partner...
Could gender quotas save the world’s forests?
Deforestation interventions in Latin America and Asia may be more effective...
What will policymaking be like in 2040?
Below is a piece of design fiction focused on what it...
What governments need to be truly citizen-centric
Service delivery is an integral part of the work of governments...
Four steps to fix early childhood’s workforce crisis
In recent years, growing evidence about the importance of early childhood...
Getting Ahead of Disruption is Key to our Future: An Introduction to Canada Next
In the past 18 months or so, new governments have taken...
Hospitals are using AI to slash wait times and solve doctor shortages
Could robot doctors be on the horizon? A study published February...
Feb/Mar issue: The Age of Political and Technological Disruption
We are excited to announce that the February/March 2019 issue of...
The use of “nudges” in policymaking has been a major trend...
Stumbling our Way to Build a Public Sector Innovation Ecosystem
There is an interesting paradox playing out with the public sector...
Should governments back a four-day working week?
Last week, Perpetual Guardian, a New Zealand-based financial services company, announced...
Gone in 60 seconds professional development survey
Canadian Government Executive, in collaboration with Dalhousie University, is seeking your...
Organizational Risks with the Government of Canada’s Digitization and Information Technology
Imagine your favorite world class service provider replacing the Board of...
New Professionals in the Canadian Public Service: Engaged but Hindered
Lately, all levels of the Canadian public service have devoted much...
Superclusters: Unlocking business investment in research
We have been hearing quite a lot about superclusters. The Government...
Four major challenges in government
In this episode of CGE Radio, J. Richard Jones talks with...
Transportation, Infrastructure and Technology – Building roads to success
In this episode of CGE Radio, J. Richard Jones interviews Alex...
A constitution for the digital era: why it’s time to reboot democracy
It is time to reboot democracy. This year, the French constitution,...
Oct/Nov 2018 – Doing Government Better
We are excited to share with you the October/November 2018 edition...
The Rail Story behind Risk Management
Ontario Northland is a crown corporation that provides transportation solutions to...
Immigration 2.0: What Role Will Cities Play?
Canada’s international reputation for welcoming and integrating newcomers is unparalleled. At...
Government can send immigrants to rural areas. But can it make them stay?
In the three years to 2020, Canada will welcome almost a...
Mining embodies progress
Mining embodies progress. Mining provides civilization with the materials required for...
How to help a new professional increase their chances of scoring a permanent government position
Have you ever had a stellar employee on your team, but...
Ethics Rules: Confusion and taking responsibility with Lori Turnbull
On today’s show, J. Richard Jones sits down for a chat...
Engaging Citizens: May/June 2018 issue
We are excited to share with you the May/June issue of...
Leadership in Satellite Communications
In this episode of CGE Radio, J. Richard Jones speaks with...
Skills Development and Digital Literacy
As the world grows more digital – and increasingly mobile –...
Evaluating Innovation in Practice: A GP for Me
Throughout Canada, healthcare systems are challenged by population growth, aging, and...
Half a billion children are left behind by UN development goals, study finds
Over half a billion children live in countries that are falling...
Considerations for Creating Smart Traffic Intersections
According to a recent McKinsey study there is a potential for...
Strategy and governance for data capture, robotics, autonomics and cognitive
On the global scene, technology has revolutionized and automated the work...
Evaluation – Systematically gathering information. An interview with the President, Canadian Evaluation Society
In this episode, Marcello Sukhdeo fills in for your regular hosts....
Is your department taking advantage of Lean Government strategies? A discussion with Craig Szelestowski
Today on CGE Radio, we speak with Craig Szelestowski, President and...
Putting Public Servants in the Driver’s Seat
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” This quote from management specialist Peter...
On the cusp of a dramatic, generational change
On a recent visit to Ottawa, I had the opportunity to...
Survey: Professional development
Professional development is tremendously important to members of Canada’s public sector....
Schneider Electric helping Port of Montreal cut 2,800 tons of greenhouse gasses
Ships docked in a harbour may not be going anywhere; however,...
Tech Advocacy Strengthened through Smart Events: CGE & CATAAlliance Join Forces
Canadian Government Executive Media (CGE) and CATAAlliance , Canada’s one voice for...
Measuring the Impact of Local Market Development Agreements
Do Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs) make a difference? Our evaluation...
The Case for Strategic Foresight as Design Tool
The design needed and practiced in government departments and the broader...
Social Media, Digital Imagery and Youth Anxiety
As social media becomes ever-more prevalent in the lives of today’s...
Evaluation: How FedNor Adapted
Evaluation is performed for a range of reasons: to improve programs,...
Just Say What You Want
Radical candour sounds rather outré as a prescription for government executives....
Meet George Ross, Downsizing the Canada.ca project and get ready for TechGov
In this episode of CGE Radio, J. Richard Jones is joined...
Using Behavioural Insights to Improve Government Programs and Services: The Case of Job Match
Behavioural Insights (BI) is a multidisciplinary approach that uses principles and...
Accountable Anonymity in Achieving Collaboration: GitHub’s Promise?
In March, the Canada Revenue Agency’s website was shut down by...
Confronting the Wicked: Using Evaluation to Boost Innovation
How does a mandate for innovation challenge evaluation? Increasingly, the public...
APEX serving the needs of public sector executives
As the face of the Association of Professional Executives of the...
The Endless Pursuits of Results in the Age of Program Evaluation
One of the writers in this month’s issue started a note...
Fostering generational change in leadership
Excellence in leadership is instrumental in serving the public interest. New-age...
CGE appoints a former deputy minister as new editor-in-chief
Canadian Government Executive Media (CGE) announced last Friday, that George Ross...
July/August 2017 issue: Breakthrough Evaluation
We are thrilled to offer the July/August issue of Canadian Government...
Fort McMurray’s wildfire a year later: ‘a whole of society effort’
At this time a year ago, the 88,000 displaced people of...
The Fraud Triangle: Looking for Signs
“Former Metro banker stole $73,000.” “Enbridge sues ex-employee.” “Woman stole $51,000...
Seven Steps to Create Better Digital Services (Faster!)
The recent introduction of the new Government of Canada (GC) IT...
Canada @150: Muddling Through
So, what can be said about Canada’s public administration as the...
Untangling the bureaucracy
The way forward to engaging Millennials in the public sector Passionate,...
May/June 2017 issue: Digital Services
We are happy to share with you the May/June issue of...
Immigration in Canada
Since Confederation in 1867, more than 17 million immigrants landed in...
Critical Decisions When Designing a Multi-Year Audit Plan
In today’s world of heightened focus on good governance and accountability...
Leadership relay between generations
Orchestrating the transition from present to emergent leadership Millennial is the...
Grounded: Gathering Robust Intelligence for the Digital Age of Policymaking
As ‘month 13’ for Canada’s Syrian refugee arrivals comes and goes,...
Serving Seniors: Ongoing Challenges
As governments around the world move towards the digital transformation of...
Attracting Talent To the Public Sector by Embracing Technology
The way organizations recruit, shape and manage their workforce to find...
Web 3.0 – from Content to Control
The promise of web 2.0 was the emergence of a user-driven...
More Than Tactical Procurement: Commodity Management as a New Strategic Tool
Commodity Management (the official term for life-cycle asset management of goods...
During the past decade, the international university-level student population in Canada...
The Bundled Care Program: From Hospital to Home
We have all heard the sayings: “Home, sweet home”; “There’s no...
SERVICE RESEARCH CONFERENCE 2016 A turning point for service delivery in the public sector
Imagine a Canadian government that shares best practices in service delivery....
New Horizons on Policy Research: An Interview with Jean-Pierre Voyer
There is a new buzz in policy circles. Advances in data...
The New Internal Audit Function
The internal audit function in the Canadian public sector finds itself...
Making Government Websites Accessible For People With Disabilities: Outlook, Challenges and Opportunities
Canada has made great strides to make public spaces accessible to...
Finding True North – Moving towards a purpose-driven culture
As Canada’s government agencies strive to improve delivery and efficiency under...
Spanning boundaries … Globalization
To boldly go where no one has gone before STAR TREK:...
Canada 150: Disjointed Federalism and Digital Dysfunction
In recent months, Canadians have borne witness to a new cycle...
ICEAA Canada workshop tackles data-driven analysis techniques
Professionals, managers, and executives in the cost estimation industry can gain...
Enhancing business and personal lives
Canadian Government Executive kicked off its CGE Leadership Series for 2017...
CGE Leadership Series: Moving towards the workplace of the future
The rapid advances in digital technology, demographic and societal shift even...
How to bring about real Cultural Change in the Public Service
The critical challenge facing the public service is changing its culture....
Talent Mobilization in public sector
Having the right talent is critical to delivering right results. But...
New Policy Direction for 2030: the Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are part of the new global “Agenda...
Toronto’s Celebrations of Canada’s 150th
An Interview with Larry Ostola, Toronto’s Director of Museums and Heritage...
Enhancing Horizontal Assurance in the Public Sector
For all its subtleties and mysteries, the Westminster system of government...
At the Speed of Thought…Middle Managers and Digitization
When Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase “the medium is the message”...
024 | Review of December’s hot stories, and Managing 5 Generations in the workforce!
Laskey Hart guest hosts CGE Radio this week with a summary...
Evaluation Goals: Implementing Evaluation Audit Practice in a Non-Profit Agency in Toronto
The non-profit sector is operating within an era of increased accountability,...
How Data Analytics Can Combat the Opioid Crisis
Earlier this year the Ontario Ministry of Health announced that it...
Peak By Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool
Gladwell made Anders Ericsson famous—or, at least, his research work. A...
Military battles sexual misconduct in its ranks
Canada’s top soldier said the Armed Forces continue to be locked...
BC Hydro’s Site C dam project and indigenous rights
BC Hydro said it is pushing through with it $9-billion, hydroelectric megaproject on...
Clean growth and climate change in the Atlantic
Yesterday, Federal and Atlantic Provincial Ministers of the environment met to...
Megatrends for Ontario infrastructure
After writing the book “Megatrends: The Impact of Infrastructure on Ontario’s...
NATO mission: Developmental projects get bulk of funding
Signaling a realignment of Canada’s involvement with NATO, Prime Minister Justin...
The Capacity Squeeze: Excessive Processing or Where Has our Capacity Gone?
As an executive you’ve probably experienced frustration when you ask for...
Gamification: Public Health Agency of Canada’s Winning Strategy
The Public Health Agency of Canada has long been aware of...
Networked Leadership: How Private Sector Leaders Are Investing
Dispersed organisations can be very powerful structures. There is ample evidence...
Boosting procurement opportunities for Aboriginal businesses
By Nicole Verkindt Despite growing up in a small town in...
Canada adopts U.N. declaration of rights of Indigenous peoples
Canada, today, became a full supporter of the United Nations Declaration...
SC says Ottawa has jurisdiction over all indigenous people
A landmark Supreme Court ruling has paved the way for some...
Connecting with the Young: Ontario’s EO Live Chat
Years and years ago when I was unemployed, being able to...
Employment in Canada zooms with 41,000 new jobs
Local job figures blew away expectations as records indicated that 41,000...
How to re-engage a high potential employee
At first glance, the title may seem counterintuitive. By their very...
Cities, First Nations winners in Liberal budget
The Liberal government’s first federal budget laid out $11.9 billion over...
Here’s what people will be looking for in the federal budget
The Liberal government is expected to announce on Tuesday a new...
Bridging the gap … Credibility
A leader’s credibility begins with personal success. It ends with helping...
Canadian donations for Syrian refugees fail to meet $100 million target
Monday was the final day for Canadians to donate money to...
Cisco, BDC, tech hub, community group focus on women entrepreneurs
Many women entrepreneurs in Canada struggle to access capital, technology, networks...
Managing a Systems Transformation: Going Paperless
Written by Tim Wacker Almost a quarter century ago, when most...
Conversation: an operating system to talk about
Written by Brady G. Wilson You may not realize it, but...
Infinite development pathway
Continuous, life-long learning is the future of the public service. Building...
Connecting with the skills for public service leadership
Mega-ConnEX is an annual speed networking event organized by the Health...
Aid effectiveness: Strategic relationships and alliances
Canada’s contribution to development and humanitarian assistance is recognized around the...
Canada post-2015: Confronting our own development challenges
Deliberations and negotiations in the United Nations are intensifying on what...
Post-2015 MDG framework: The world we want
The UN consultations on the post-2015 development framework are focused on...
Millennium Development Goals: A sprint to 2015 and the way forward
At the turn of the millennium, the international community made a...
The politics of budget consultations
Budgets are statements of political will and power. They are performance...
The reviews are in: Public sector management reform
Decades of reform in developing countries point to four enduring dilemmas:...
Value for Many: Good governance and development
The Lough Erne Accountability Report states that the G8 has played...
Building good global governance: The post-2015 Millennium Development Goal agenda
While there can be no singular solution for good governance, building...
Finding your leadership voice
it’s not the most original saying...
The right leadership
With the demographics of an aging workforce and a significant number...
Bending the arc of history
Shakespeare’s “dark comedy,” Measure for Measure, deals with the issues of...
Making the case for leadership development
Reform is almost always about developing the capacity of government to...
Preparing the next boom
CGE Vol.14 No.3 March 2008 Most observers expect more than 40...
Investing in development builds First Nations prosperity
CGE Vol.13 No.3 March 2007 Assembly of First Nations National Chief...
Exercising to build networks and partnerships
CGE Vol. 14 No.5 May 2008 Before dawn on Monday, 18...
Better world, better Britain
CGE Vol. 14 No.4 April 2008 “What is a Foreign Service...
Walk a mile, open a mind
If you want to understand someone else’s position, walk a mile...
Leading from the front: Commonwealth public sector development
CGE Vol.14 No.3 March 2008 The Commonwealth Secretariat convened the first...
Natural Resources Canada is accustomed to nurturing, protecting and growing Canada’s...
The curricula, they are a-changin’
In an increasingly competitive and complex global marketplace, both employers and...
Mentoring is a two-way street
What makes a perfect mentor? Is it age and seniority? Perhaps...
Attracting the best: An evidence-based approach to recruitment
Often, decisions about how to recruit are made based on habit...
Your ultimate advantage: The power of focus
It has been said that if everything is important, nothing is...
The Mosaic Index, by Professor Richard Florida, which measures the percentage...
Closing the gap between policy design and execution
Government policy agendas have long been fraught with complexity....
The path to shared decision making
Looking at all the engineering diagrams overlaid on maps on the...
Les dirigeants face aux conflits
Gérés efficacement, les conflits peuvent favoriser la résolution conjointe des problèmes,...
Workforce renewal in an aging world
Popular wisdom holds that the public service will need to recruit...
Connecting the Dots: Educating the organization
CGE Vol.14 No.2 February 2008 As I mentioned previously, one cannot...
The Challenge in Iraq
CGE Vol.13 No.9 November 2007 What is the toughest job in...
Growing strong, growing smart
CGE Vol.13 No.9 November 2007 Growth can mean opportunity. Significant increases...
Leaping sectors in a single bound
The transition from the private sector into an executive role in...
Eight archetypes of the work environment
We can learn from archetypes. They can help us lead, if...
The value of arts and culture
The subtitle of this report, prepared by the U.S. National Governors...
Ontario’s leadership development
Improving leadership development is widely recognized by HR leaders and senior...
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line962
|
__label__cc
| 0.724545
| 0.275455
|
Creative Bursts
Everyone says ‘create a body of work, similar forms with similar context.’ As good fortune would have it, that’s what I enjoy. Creating a community, of sorts, with a relationship between each sculpture and where together they tell a full narrative. But occasionally I feel compelled to explore something different. Think of it like going for a long drive, that’s the body of work, and then you step out of the vehicle to fill your lungs with the fresh air of someplace new, that’s the something different. It’s exciting and invigorating!
Now when I say different, that can mean a little different or a lot different. There are some images and ideas that are so strong I get swept away in the current and end up in a very different place than where I began. But to deny this part of the creative process is to deny myself. It is to disrespect the very nature of my personality and ultimately to disregard my creative soul. After all, how can I ask myself to create over and over again without being prepared to give something back? In this case, that means allowing an idea to run its course.
History has shown me that once the project is completed then, and only then, can I step to the forefront and determine how to move forward. Does the work just completed influence how future work develops? Occasionally, but not always. Does it send me down a new branch along the journey? Sometimes, but again not always.
Or is it simply payment rendered for being creative? It is an exchange of sorts, where in return for getting to pick and choose my projects I must occasionally give myself over and allow myself to be used as the means to a creative end. I believe this to be an answer and that in the process of ‘running-with-it’, I become more deeply rooted in my commitment to being an artist.
The Games We Play, ©Candace Sanderson, 37″H x 30″W x 9″D
The creative process for me will always be one of exploration. With that exploration comes the uncertainty of where a creative burst will take me. As it turns out with my latest work, The Games We Play, it meant digging into more than just the beautiful and comfortable parts to life. What began as a search to understand why I was so drawn to the basic image of a stick man, lead to the memory of a much-loved childhood game, Hangman. From there it evolved into how an innocent game served as preparation for the future; winning, losing, desensitizing us to the ugly parts of life. All of this from an obsession with a simple stick man form!
Months later, when I finally began the physical work of sculpting, it lead me to recognize how creating and ultimately showing the work I make is similar to the game my sister and I played. Sometimes I’d win and sometimes I’d lose, but I always wanted to play again.
The Games We Play (detail), ©Candace Sanderson
(artist statement)
Masked by laughter and hidden in the guise of a game, we unconsciously draw an interpretation of our reality. Mark by mark and choice by choice. We are a willing partner giving ourselves over to analysis, interpretation and judgement.
We crave pleasure as the impetus for our actions. Desire excitement found in the act of doing. Desperate for joy, we take risks and so we play. With every choice, a fresh mark is made and a visual representation of ourselves begins to take form.
Choose wisely, because to be wrong is to lose and to lose is to die.
We volunteer for this competition labelled game. We play it again and again, over and over. Because to be right is to win the ultimate achievement and to not play is to have already lost.
Category: Journal Tags: a creative life, Driftwood, hangman, sculpture, the games we play, Wood Sculptures
← Text In Art
All In Good Time →
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line963
|
__label__wiki
| 0.926342
| 0.926342
|
https://central.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_ca/features/2019/10/23/feature-02
Uzbekistan continues focus on education, rehabilitation in battle against extremism
2019: a year of intensifying anti-Chinese sentiment in Kazakhstan
Russian incursions in eastern Syria hinder fight against 'Islamic State'
Kyrgyzstan eyes stricter oversight of financial remittances
| Terrorism
Kazakh returnees from Syria on trial for alleged IS-related crimes
By Aydar Ashimov
Security personnel take part in the Railway-Antiterror-2019 exercises October 11 in Taraz. Kazakhstan has been strengthening counter-terrorism efforts across the country. [KNB]
NUR-SULTAN -- Fourteen Kazakh citizens who fought for "Islamic State" (IS) in Syria face trial in connection with charges of terrorism crimes, Kazakhstan's National Security Committee (KNB) said.
Authorities have completed a criminal investigation into the actions of the detainees whom they sent back to Kazakhstan during Operation Jusan (Bitter Wormwood), the KNB said in a statement on October 17.
Kazakh authorities conducting multiple flights repatriated about 600 Kazakh citizens, including about 400 children, from Syria under the operation, which took place throughout 2019.
The 14 detainees are charged with carrying out terrorist activities, including propaganda and recruitment, as well as other serious crimes, according to the KNB.
KNB personnel detain A. J. Bitimbayev in this undated photo taken in Almaty. Bitimbayev was convicted of and sentenced for planning terrorist attacks against shopping malls. [KNB]
Security personnel take part in the Railway-Antiterror-2019 exercises October 11 in Taraz. [KNB]
The trial is proceeding inside a jail in Nur-Sultan, and lurid details are already emerging.
One of the 14 defendants, Amanjol Jansengirov, struggled to explain a photo that showed him wielding a rifle and posing with severed human heads, including one under his foot, Fergana News reported Wednesday (October 23).
His commander ordered him to strike the pose, said Jansengirov.
The charges follow the prosecution of 10 men and five women who also were repatriated this year and are now serving prison terms.
Thwarted terrorist attacks
Meanwhile, the KNB said on October 11 that a court had convicted a terrorist who planned to carry out attacks in crowded venues.
The Almaly District Criminal Court of Almaty sentenced A. J. Bitimbayev, a Kazakh citizen, to 10 years in prison for "preparation for an act of terrorism, terrorist propaganda, incitement of religious hatred and illegal possession of firearms", the KNB said.
Bitimbayev initially drew the attention of law enforcement after he was found to be a IS supporter.
A search revealed his intention to carry out terrorist attacks with explosives at shopping malls. He was arrested in April.
Law enforcement agents conducting the search of Bitimbayev's possessions seized firearms, parts for making an improvised explosive device and diagrams of three shopping malls. After committing the attacks, Bitimbayev intended to move to Syria to join the ranks of IS militants, an investigation found.
"We see that terrorist fanatics have no limit to their cruelty and cynicism," said Leila Baimanova, director of Altyn Karpygash (Golden Swallow), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Shymkent.
"While earlier they planned and carried out terrorist attacks mainly against law enforcement officers and the military, now a mass murder of innocent civilians was being planned," she said.
Anti-terrorist exercises on the railway
The Railway-Antiterror-2019 security exercises took place in Taraz on October 11, announced the KNB.
The exercises checked the state of the railway facilities' counter-terrorism measures and of their cyber-defences of information systems.
Special forces carried out a mock operation to free hostages and neutralise terrorists in a railway car.
Besides special forces, other agencies took part in the exercises.
Two years ago Kazakhstan tightened security measures on rail and air transport. The KNB and police began to more thoroughly search passengers and baggage with the help of special equipment.
"Certain inconveniences to passengers due to the screening are justified," said Ruslan Seksenbayev, a political scientist from Taraz and director of the Beibit Aspan (Peaceful Sky) NGO.
"You must understand that this is for security," he said. "Only the terrorists know where a strike will be directed -- a school, a plane or a train -- so our law enforcement agencies need to be in full combat readiness."
* Denotes Required Field Comment Policy Comment *
Why haven't they sentenced him to one year in prison? Ten years, psht!
Kazakh authorities detail anti-terrorism successes of 2019
Since January, Kazakh authorities have broken up three potential terrorist attacks in the early preparation stage, and convicted 140 extremists and terrorists.
Kazakhstan improves preparedness with ongoing counter-terrorism drills
Kazakh security personnel are working to improve their response to potential terrorist attacks and are preventing weapons and explosives from falling into the wrong hands.
Kazakhstan remaining vigilant against threat of terrorism
Counter-terror exercises and ongoing investigations are among Kazakhstan's efforts against terrorism.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line974
|
__label__wiki
| 0.736301
| 0.736301
|
By Keyword By Model Number | All Categories 100 to 120 Volt (V) Voltage MH-Type Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Air Heaters
All Categories > PTC Heaters > Fin PTC Air Heaters > 100 to 120 Volt (V) Voltage MH-Type Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Air Heaters > View Items
100 to 120 Volt (V) Voltage MH-Type Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Air Heaters
PTC has a unique heating property that allows the PTC heat output to be regulated by the airflow applied. The higher the airflow, the higher the heat output and power (wattage). Therefore, depending on the end design, if the ambient temperature is high, the PTC output power will decrease; if the airflow is high with low ambient temperature, then the PTC output power will increase.
Maximum Inrush Current
MH(W)-1030B(S/N)-70S(D) N/A 5 Ampere (A) Maximum Inrush Current and 120 Volt (V) Rated Voltage MH-Type Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Air Heater N/A Wired N/A 120 V N/A 5 A N/A 26 mm Add To Cart
MH(W)-1060B(S/N)-70S(D) N/A 10 Ampere (A) Maximum Inrush Current and 120 Volt (V) Rated Voltage MH-Type Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Air Heater N/A Wired N/A 120 V N/A 10 A N/A 26 mm Add To Cart
MH(W)-1070S(B/N)-70S(D) N/A 12 Ampere (A) Maximum Inrush Current and 120 Volt (V) Rated Voltage MH-Type Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Air Heater N/A Wired N/A 120 V N/A 12 A N/A 26 mm Add To Cart
MH(W)-1080B(S/N)-93S(D) N/A 13 Ampere (A) Maximum Inrush Current and 120 Volt (V) Rated Voltage MH-Type Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Air Heater N/A Terminal N/A 120 V N/A 13 A N/A 26 mm Add To Cart
MH(W)-1100S(B/N)-93S(D) N/A 15 Ampere (A) Maximum Inrush Current and 120 Volt (V) Rated Voltage MH-Type Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Air Heater N/A Terminal N/A 120 V N/A 15 A N/A 26 mm Add To Cart
MH(W)-1040B(S/N)-106S(D) N/A 7 Ampere (A) Maximum Inrush Current and 120 Volt (V) Rated Voltage MH-Type Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Air Heater N/A Wired N/A 120 V N/A 7 A N/A 26 mm Add To Cart
MH(W)-1060B(S/N)-106S(D) N/A 10 Ampere (A) Maximum Inrush Current and 120 Volt (V) Rated Voltage MH-Type Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) Air Heater N/A Wired N/A 120 V N/A 10 A N/A 26 mm Add To Cart
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line979
|
__label__wiki
| 0.779498
| 0.779498
|
First ‘John Wick Chapter 3’ Promo Poster and Synopsis Revealed
by Haleigh Foutch April 25, 2018
Sleeper hit turned tentpole franchise, the John Wick movies are trucking right along with John Wick: Chapter 3 scheduled to arrive in theaters next summer. With CinemaCon in full swing this week, Lionsgate trotted out their upcoming lineup today, including a first look at the synopsis (or at least the promotional synopsis) for the latest sequel.
Chapter 3 is set to bring back John Wick: Chapter 2 director Chad Stahelski, who also co-directed the first film, and per the new synopsis, the action will be focused in NYC where the newly excommunicated master assassin (Keanu Reeves) has to try to stay alive and fight his way out of the city without any of the Continental resources at his disposal.
Check out the full promo synopsis and poster being touted to sell the film at CinemaCon below:
“John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is on the run for two reasons… he’s being hunted for a global $14 million dollar open contract on his life, and for breaking a central rule: taking a life on Continental Hotel grounds. The victim was a member of the High Table who ordered the open contract. John should have already been executed, except the Continental’s manager, Winston, has given him a one-hour grace period before he’s “Excommunicado” – membership revoked, banned from all services and cut off from other members. John uses the service industry to stay alive as he fights and kills his way out of New York City.”
Chapter 2 took the Wick mythology international, and a recent report suggested Chapter 3 was eyeing Spain and Russia as other possible locations, but when we spoke with Stahelski last year, the filmmaker said he wanted to get back to the basics of the Wick mythology a bit and root the action back in the innerworkings of New York.:
“We want, not so much to go bigger on the third one, but to show you more of the intricacies of the world… I feel like there are all these different subtleties that I skipped over in Number Two, that I’d like to go back to on [chapter three] and show you the inner workings of different parts of New York. So rather than massive set pieces, I’d like to show you cooler and more intricate ones… I think it would be a mistake budget wise and creatively to just go big and blow up a freeway. That’s not our gig. That’s a comic book or a Bond gig. We want to show you cool and intricate details. What are those little details in everyday life? Hopefully – we make people look at garbage collectors and cleaner vans and homeless people a little differently now.”
Showrunner Bruce Miller on the Bleak Future of 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season…
Stephen King's 'The Long Walk' in Development at New Line
• Chad Stahelski • John Wick • John Wick 3 • John Wick: Chapter 3 • Keanu Reeves
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line992
|
__label__wiki
| 0.955377
| 0.955377
|
What Are You Currently Playing? (V 3.0; The Re-Postening) • Page 3
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Page 96 Page 97 Page 98 Page 99 Page 100 Page 101 Page 102 Page 103 Page 104 Page 105 Page 106 Page 107 Page 108 Page 109 Page 110 Page 111 Page 112 Page 113 Page 114 Page 115 Page 116 Page 117 Page 118 Page 119 Page 120 Page 121 Page 122 Page 123 Page 124 Page 125 Page 126 Page 127 Page 128 Page 129 Page 130
Armoured_Bear 4 Dec 2014 22:31:42 27,871 posts
FuzzyDuck wrote:
Armoured_Bear wrote:
I just finished Bayonetta on Wii U and went straight onto Bayonetta 2 which seems much prettier and slicker.
Christ on a bike, sounds like I need a Wii U in my life.
iamslick 6 Dec 2014 10:27:53 408 posts
So I'm refusing to go next gen (or is it current gen now?) until I have played every decent game on the PS3. The bucket list is quite frankly embarrassingly large, it even includes PS2 games that I missed first time round but have since been re-released via the HD collections.
Right now, I'm playing Saints Row: The Third. I thought I was making some progress, I only really have one more island to control and then I own the whole of Steelport. However, a quick look at my trophies shows that I haven't even finished Act 1 yet! Clearly I've been too distracted by all the side missions and customization you can do that I have neglected the main campaign all together.
In all honesty, none of the Saints Row games were on my bucket list and the only reason I'm playing this one was because it was made available on the PS+.It has been for more fun than I anticipated and I'm really enjoying it but with work and family, I'm only managing a few hours a week. I mean I downloaded it on the 17th October and have only got 12 hours of game time on my stats, I haven't played any other game :S
What happened to the good old days of playing 10 hours a day!?
wuntyate 6 Dec 2014 14:38:59 13,490 posts
Killzone 2 (ps3) - playing on hard and getting my arse kicked but it's great. Dipping in for short sessions of intense combat now and again, slowly making progress.
Batman Arkham Asylum (360) - I can see why it gets the love bit it's the victim of "collectableitis". Starting to get a bit bored of it to be honest 😟
FEAR 2(360) - giving this another run through and it's just as brilliant. The combat is immense: slo-mo, run, shoot, slide, flykick. Everyone is dead and there is blood everywhere. Still one of my fav games.
ZuluHero 6 Dec 2014 14:47:40 7,855 posts
Just got a ps4 and am currently loving lords of the fallen. as a huge souls fan its nice to have something halfway in between while waiting for bloodborne.
JoelStinty 6 Dec 2014 15:06:45 8,406 posts
Mass effect 3 - about 25 hours in. I really got into it, the last 5 or so hours have been a bit of a slog though. I really like the set up, but there are Sooooo many missions that are pretty much the same. Saying that the quarian missions I have just done have been different and therefore better than the rest. But tooing and froing from the citadel is a bit of a pain in the arse.
I feel guilty for flirting with traynor and whilst telling liara I love her. Don't know what to do.
Steam world dig. Again, played it straight for a few hours and really got into it. It's nice pace, and I like the overall design. But I got to the tech level stuff and I kind of got tired of it. So I gave it a rest for a few days, and given it a hour just now and it flew by. Liking it.
Edited by Great-Googly-Moogly at 15:09:07 06-12-2014
TommyUnderwear 6 Dec 2014 15:26:50 270 posts
Destiny Destiny Destiny. Can't stop playing for whatever reason. Wasn't the quickest getting through the ranks so only did the raid for the first time this week even though I have played daily since around launch time. Still has it's hooks in me.
Matt36 7 Dec 2014 13:17:27 2,252 posts
LEGO: Batman 2 (xbox 360)
How boring? The levels drag, its dull, its overly tedious and I hate the free roam/open city - bring back the classic level selections of LEGO Star Wars
TheGreenYamo 7 Dec 2014 15:30:55 389 posts
Bought Crimson Clover World Ignition in the GOG sale yesterday, it's fantastic (apart from the shite music). Best Cave stlye shooty game on the PC. It's actually better than some of Cave's own shooters. A steal for £3.19, I'd have paid £60 to import something like this back in the day.
RedPanda87 7 Dec 2014 15:36:42 1,983 posts
After 35 hours it went from good to great. I think I prefer Origins so far but this is now a GOTY contender.
Dipping in and out of this, there's a whole lot of potential but it doesn't really live up to it.
Danganronpa 2
Left this for a while and went back to it recently. It's great but worse than the first I think. The cases seem less interesting and the new mechanics they've added to trials are annoying.
killersrquiet 7 Dec 2014 15:52:50 3,189 posts
Advanced Warfare
I would like more time as a present from Santa this year
docrob 7 Dec 2014 18:06:54 1,269 posts
Got a shiny new GTX 970, which led to me starting up again with Bioshock Infinite.
I am actively looking for an excuse to buy a PS4, but they keep not releasing the 'killer app' I just have to have. I'm interested in Shadow of Mordor, but not enough to buy a new console to play it. Bloodborne might manage it, but I suck at Souls games. I think Arkham Knight may be the one that pushes me over the edge, but that's not appearing until next spring.
Meantime, I've just bought a Thrustmaster joystick in anticipation of Elite: Dangerous next week. Which I have pre-ordered by contributing to the KickStarter.
Pipedream 7 Dec 2014 21:37:35 490 posts
Seen 3 weeks ago
I've just started playing Zelda Phantom Hourglass. Over 7 years old yet to me it looks fantastic and plays amazingly. Only just finished the first dungeon, wow the boomerang is jolly good fun.
I really want to buy Spirit Tracks now!
JoeBlade 8 Dec 2014 00:27:27 4,590 posts
Assassin's Creed, after the Autumn Steam sale. Had Brotherhood for a while but it felt like I was expected to know a lot of things I didn't so I reckoned I'd ease myself in with the first one.
I'm playing on PC while it's clearly a console first game with controls to match, it's not the most innovative game ever, it's dated and it's a bit simplistic in a couple of respects but still, I quite enjoy it. I can see why this became a hit series for Ubisoft.
Deleted user 8 December 2014 00:32:29
Should just skip straight to 2 and read the wiki, the first one is dire, but you're enjoying it what the hell do i know?
I'm playing Kingdoms of Amular: Reckoning. It's the closest thing I'm ever going to get to playing an MMO, and it's a nice chill out after the horrors of Dark Souls 2.
Edited by super-s1 at 00:38:03 08-12-2014
tonyferrino 8 Dec 2014 07:47:37 333 posts
@docrob Save yourself some money and just buy a 360 pad, I've played Mordor on a 970 PC and it runs like a dream!
super-s1 wrote:
Assassins Creed is such a repetitive bore, I haven't played since 2.
Kingdoms of Amular had all the right ingredients but I also got bored of that after about 20 hours. I'm not sure why, as I said it had everything I wanted from that type of game...I just got sick of it and stopped playing.
Amalur was a bit big tbh. When it was turned into a single player game it should have been downsized a bit. Would have saved a lot of people getting bored and moving on after x amount of time and you're still doing the same quests but in a different locale.
HitchHiker 8 Dec 2014 08:30:03 2,891 posts
Elite Dangerous, made it to Sol, tempered with some Test Drive Unlimited 2.
Deleted user 15 December 2014 22:32:14
Think I'm nearing the end of Dust: An Elysian Tail.
Fun gameplay but the artwork really is gorgeous. Probably the best PS4 game on PS+ since Resogun.
Kichijoten 15 Dec 2014 22:43:52 4,555 posts
wuntyate 15 Dec 2014 22:55:26 13,490 posts
Started Thief last night. Shocked to say im really enjoying it so far. Master difficulty and all that focus, glint and interactive shit turned off. About two hours in and I'm impressed. Didn't think I would be at all as I frickin love The Dark Project.
Malek86 15 Dec 2014 22:58:49 9,314 posts
Due to my current situation, I'm mostly playing mobile games now. Mostly, Peggle Blast, Subway Surfers and Scurvy Scallywags.
Oh and also, So Long Oregon! is more fun than I expected.
The game starts well enough, I'd say. Boredom sets in later, when the sidequests require you to run everywhere with no fast travel (and lots of loadings), which is why I avoided them, and the story missions get pretty bland and generic.
It's too bad, because in terms of stealth and all that, I liked it better than Dishonored.
Edited by Malek86 at 23:08:12 15-12-2014
.Wolfie-kun. 15 Dec 2014 23:59:20 164 posts
Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories HD in preparation for 2.5 which I'm getting for Christmas.
Pretty much doing it on easy mode to fly through it, I just want to finish for the story. If the card system grows on me, then I may go back for it on a higher difficulty another day.
Other games I'm playing include Mirror's Edge (Thanks EA ), Spyro Trilogy and Crash Bandicoot 2 from the 20th anniversary PSN sale.
-cerberus- wrote:
Just finished Batman Arkham Asylum and went straight into Batman: Arkham City afterwards, both on PC and they look incredible. Silky smooth 60fps + advanced PhysX adds so much to the experience.
Never finished it on 360, iirc I got to the point with Ra's Al Ghul's fucked up LSD vision, or something... Now that I've started a fresh playthrough, I remember why I never finished it; there's too much shit going on. It's like a bad soap where they crammed as many Batman villains as they possibly could into the story. It lacks focus and is just one big mess. Much prefer Asylum to City... Regardless, I made it into the sewers, trying to track down the assassins.
Ahh the first two Arkham games, two brilliant games in general! Can't say much about Origins since I never got around to picking that one up.
Edited by .Wolfie-kun. at 00:00:22 16-12-2014
Nanocrystal 16 Dec 2014 00:44:56 1,955 posts
Trying to clear my 360 backlog before taking the plunge into next (current) gen:
Loved the original as a kid, and loving this even more. Another nice example of a strategy game working brilliantly on a console. I have a maxed out female Korean soldier nicknamed "Werewolf" who kicks all kinds of ass. Think I fucked up by not investing in satellites early on, though.
Only a few hours in and pretty great so far. Columbia is absolutely stunning. The first hour where you just get to explore and take it all in was wonderful, kind of a shame it all turned into pew-pew so quickly.
Bought Brotherhood and Revelations on the cheap a few months ago, so thought I'd play through this again to remind me of the story. I really hate the Desmond/future/aliens bullshit but the renaissance Italy aspect is wonderful, and the views from atop the towers still impress.
ibenam 16 Dec 2014 00:47:14 3,264 posts
Just about to start Murdered soul suspect.
Looks like the type if game i enjoy and it was only a tenner!
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line999
|
__label__cc
| 0.749129
| 0.250871
|
Dérive (The Far Shore) / Canada (Longueuil) / U.S. Premiere
FEATURE NARRATIVE
Navigating the treacherous social tides of high school after the unexpected death of her father, Marine refuses to believe that he is dead and instead fantasizes that he is still alive. She is carelessly cut adrift by Océane, her older sister who’s caught in the thrall of an older man. Meanwhile, their mother struggles to keep her head above water and doesn’t see the danger that her children are in. Dérive is a deeply empathetic portrait of these women’s odyssey from frailty to resilience, inspired by the films of Krzysztof Kieslowski, Ang Lee and Kenneth Lonergan.
Un an après le décès de son père, Marine refuse férocement d’y croire. À son entrée au secondaire, la maladresse de la fillette complique les relations avec ses camarades. Sa grande soeur, l’androgyne Océane, délaisse Marine pour vivre sa première histoire d’amour avec un homme trop vieux pour elle. Submergée par les soucis financiers légués par son mari, leur mère Catherine semble déconnectée de la réalité de ses filles. Dérive dépeint avec empathie la traversée de la fragilité à la résilience de ces trois femmes déterminées à surmonter l’épreuve.
Being married to Dérive’s screenwriter, Chloé Cinq-Mars, meant that I was able to help develop the characters and their stories over the 10 years it took her to write the screenplay. During that time I fell deeply in love with Marine, Océane and Catherine. What touches me about Chloé’s screenplay is the humanity found within each character, even the bad ones like Amélie and Félix. All of the characters have weaknesses and fears, hopes and dreams, and I feel a great compassion for each of them.The story is set long after the immediate shock of André’s death has passed. Now that a year has gone by, the family and friends of Marine, Océane and Catherine expect them to move on with their lives. Dérive explores this dangerous period where each woman struggles to find their way without their father and husband, and family and friends.
David Uloth
Chloé Cinq-Mars
Galilé Marion-Gauvin, David Uloth, Chloé Cinq-Mars
1/27/20 5:45pm at Cité des Arts
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1001
|
__label__wiki
| 0.93011
| 0.93011
|
Enron's SPEs: Can Banks Have It Both Ways?
According to court records, JP MorganChase was apparently skilled at having its cake and eating it, too -- that is, keeping special purpose entities independent, yet exercising control.
Capital Markets CFO MagazineFraud
Tim Reason
At the heart of the recent storm over allegations that Citigroup and JP MorganChase extended off-balance-sheet loans to Enron by disguising them as gas trades are Yosemite and Mahonia — the special-purpose entities used as middlemen in the transactions.
Enron, of course, made SPEs infamous with its earlier Chewco, which under accounting rules should have been consolidated on Enron's books because that SPE did not have the requisite 3 percent outside ownership to be considered independent of Enron.
The banks, however, were apparently far more skilled at having it both ways — that is, keeping the SPEs technically independent, yet still exercising effective control.
Take JP MorganChase and Mahonia. According to court records and JP MorganChase's testimony before the Senate on Tuesday, the bank appears to have tapped into a sort of pool of SPEs available in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
Mahonia, in fact, is owned by a charitable trust. According to Senate testimony by JP MorganChase managing director Jeffrey Dellapina, "neither Chase nor Enron has any ownership interest in Mahonia."
He added that Mahonia's officers are not appointed nor controlled by Chase or Enron. However, JP MorganChase spokesman Adam Castellani says the funds that Mahonia was using to pay Enron came from JP MorganChase and were recorded on JP MorganChase's balance sheet — apparently as financing — under "Other Assets."
Despite these arrangements, JP MorganChase has consistently maintained that Mahonia — and another SPE conveniently named Mahonia Natural Gas — were totally independent.
Back in February, that arrangement puzzled the judge in the pending case between JP MorganChase and 11 insurance companies that have refused to pay the bank for surety bonds that backed the gas trades between Enron and Mahonia. His effort to get JP MorganChase attorneys to explain who owns Mahonia sounds something like an Abbott and Costello routine:
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK COURT JUDGE JED S. RAKOFF: I couldn't tell from the record, and I don't know if it's part of the record how Mahonia came to you?
JP MORGANCHASE ATTORNEY JOHN M. CALLAGY: How it came to me, your Honor?
JUDGE Yes.
JP MORGANCHASE: Mahonia is an entity under Jersey law in the Channel Islands.
JUDGE: Who set it up?
JP MORGANCHASE: It was set up by the law firm of Morant & Co., which is a Jersey law firm.
JUDGE: At whose request?
JP MORGANCHASE: I believe it was set up at the request of East Laws Trust, which actually owns the shares in Mahonia, [which] are owned beneficially by a company called East Laws Trust, which is a charitable trust. I think this law firm sets up companies like Mahonia as special-purpose entities.
JUDGE: What I'm trying to get at is: Was it set up for the purpose of these particular transactions [with Enron]?
JP MORGANCHASE: I believe it was set up in 1992 for the purposes of these particular transactions, yes.
JUDGE: Was that at the behest of Chase Bank?
JP MORGANCHASE: No, your Honor. As I said, they contacted the Morant — I believe that they contacted Morant & Co. and asked for — because they've used special-purpose vehicles before, in other transactions.
The judge apparently accepted the argument that because it used a Jersey law firm as an intermediary, JP MorganChase did not "set up" Mahonia itself. But his next question also drew a surprising answer:
JUDGE: Does the Plaintiff have any interest, direct or indirect in Mahonia?
JP MORGANCHASE: None, your Honor, and nor does Enron for that matter.
That's an assertion that can only be maintained within the narrowest confines of corporate law. While JP MorganChase claims it doesn't have an ownership interest in Mahonia, it certainly has direct financial interest.
In fact, it is Mahonia, not JP MorganChase, that is the obligee on the $956 million in unpaid surety bonds. Yet that money — if it's ever recovered — will go to JP MorganChase. And it is JP MorganChase's high-priced attorneys who are pursuing it.
Indeed, the plaintiff in the case is officially listed as "JP Morgan Chase Bank, for itself and for and on behalf of Mahonia Limited and Mahonia Natural Gas Limited." Not counting the attorneys from JP MorganChase, no attorneys from East Law Trust or Mahonia were present at the hearing.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1014
|
__label__wiki
| 0.677499
| 0.677499
|
Glyndebourne: Vanessa
Jersey Opera House
Samuel Barber’s
LIVE FROM GLYNDEBOURNE
Abandoned by her lover Anatol, Vanessa retreats from the world, waiting and hoping with only her mother and her niece Erika for company. But when, 20 years later, Anatol’s handsome young son arrives unexpectedly, he shatters the calm of this shuttered household of women. Past and present love collides, and the aftershocks threaten to destroy them all.
A rare opportunity to see Samuel Barber’s Pulitzer Prize-winning opera, broadcast live from its debut in Festival 2018; Vanessa is an opera from the age of Hitchcock, with an atmospheric score and tense, psychological twists. Fulfilling the ambition of a lifetime, award-winning British director Keith Warner makes his much-anticipated Glyndebourne debut.
Full: £17.50, Concessions: £15.50
Visit Website https://www.jerseyoperahouse.co.uk/show/vanessa/
Visit Website Book Now!
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1020
|
__label__wiki
| 0.648284
| 0.648284
|
News from Bay Area
Clear Creek ISD looking for community input for strategic plan
(Jake Magee/Community Impact Newspaper)
By Jake Magee | 4:59 PM Dec. 2, 2019 CST | Updated 4:59 PM Dec. 2, 2019 CST
Clear Creek ISD officials are looking for parents and other community members to help develop the district's five-year strategic plan.
The district wants more than 100 volunteers in January to help develop action plans to support the 2020-25 plan's new strategies, including creating safe and nurturing environments, promoting student achievement and more, according to a press release.
At the end of the process, the district will have several action plans it can initiate to meet its strategic plan goals by 2025. Residents can learn more about the draft strategic plan on the district's website.
Those interested in volunteering can apply online through Dec. 18. Volunteers will help develop plans for up to three strategies. Volunteers can choose which strategies they are interested in developingr, according to the release.
Volunteers will meet 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays from Jan. 14-Feb. 11 at the Clear Creek ISD Learner Support Center, 2903 Falcon Pass, Houston.
Tags: Clear Creek ISD , CCISD , CCISD strategic plan
By Jake Magee
Jake Magee has been a print journalist for a few years, covering topics such as city government, education, business and more. Starting off at a daily newspaper in southern Wisconsin, Magee covered two small cities before being promoted to covering city government in the heart of newspaper's coverage area. He moved to Houston in mid-2018 to be an editor with Community Impact. In his free time, Magee enjoys playing video games, jamming on the drums and bass, longboarding and petting his cat.
New reading assistance applications, approaches empower Clear Creek ISD students in special education
In an effort to better support Clear Creek ISD special education students’ reading skills, the district has implemented two web-based applications and a multi-sensory approach to word cards at various pilot campuses.
Ralph Gordy Avenue construction close to finishing in Seabrook
A 2,000-foot road will be constructed between FM 518 and Hwy. 146 in Seabrook to create a new access point for residents and visitors who want to access retail and entertainment businesses.
Clear Lake City Water Authority completes Phase 2 of Exploration Green
The second of five phases is complete in Exploration Green, Clear Lake City Water Authority’s project to turn a former golf course into a pond that will eventually hold 500 million gallons of stormwater.
I-45, League City Parkway intersection work underway
As a part of the I-45 widening project between FM 518 and FM 517, the Texas Department of Transportation will reconstruct the intersection of I-45 and League City Parkway.
Turner Street, Butler Road construction changed to complement other nearby road work
Turner Street will be rebuilt from the new roundabout on Calder Road to where it intersects with Butler Road to the west, and Butler will be reconstructed from that intersection north to where it intersects with League City Parkway.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo concert tickets go on sale Jan. 16
Lower-level seating options are already very limited.
CCISD Learner Support Center opens in Clear Lake
The center will provide homes for district programs that have outgrown their space or did not have a location.
League City City Council approves variance for gas well
After a lengthy discussion Jan. 14, the League City City Council approved a variance for a gas well that has been the subject of controversy and debate for years.
Texas oil and gas industry could see a major slowdown in 2020
The oil and natural gas industry paid a record-setting $16.3 billion in taxes and royalties to local governments and the state in 2019, the Texas Oil and Gas Association announced Tuesday.
Houston Ground Angels is a nonprofit organization that provides transportation between local airports and the Texas Medical Center for patients with cancer and other life-threatening diseases and illnesses.
Survey: Residents have positive perception of League City
According to the first randomly sampled survey done in League City in nearly a decade, residents have an above-average perception of the city compared to state and national averages.
Gulf Coast CBD American Shaman opens Clear Lake location
Houston Runoff Election Results: Watch returns for mayor, city council, Bellaire and HISD races here
Helen Hall Library to reopen Jan. 13
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1036
|
__label__cc
| 0.573007
| 0.426993
|
Consumer Tips: Solar Power Calculators
We recommend energymadeeasy.gov.au as an energy contract comparison tool. However, householders with solar systems note that it does have a significant failing – its calculation of estimated contract costs does not take solar export feed-in tariff payments into account – and these credits can make a big difference to the bill.
The NSW energy regulator (IPART) has created a comparator spreadsheet that can compare two electricity offers and calculate the feed-in tariff for each contract.
The user needs to enter price details for each offer, and the size of the solar system. The calculator uses an average daily solar generation figure, combined with an estimate of percentage of solar generation self-consumed, to give estimates of feed-in tariffs and charges for the two chosen offers.
If you’re thinking of investing in a solar system, or just want to learn more, Solar Choice’s website offers a range of calculators that may be useful in understanding and planning solar and battery system installations.
Photo: Juan Antonio Capo Alonso
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1039
|
__label__wiki
| 0.963573
| 0.963573
|
How To Watch ‘The Twilight Zone’ Online
By Josh Sorokach Twitter @joshsorokach Mar 29, 2019 at 12:00pm
Photo: CBS All Access
'Creepshow' Episode 3 Review: "All Hallow's Eve" and "Man In The Suitcase"
The Biggest Emmys 2019 Snubs and Surprises
'Twilight Zone' Season 1 Finale Recap: "Blurryman"
'Twilight Zone' Episode 9 Recap: "The Blue Scorpion"
If you’re a fan of Black Mirror, you’ll definitely want to check out Jordan Peele’s revival of Rod Serling’s classic anthology series The Twilight Zone.
The renowned multi-hyphenate’s reimagining of the original series will feature various tales of science fiction, horror, and mystery as Peele himself serves as host and narrator. Episode 1, “Nightmare at 30,000 Feet,” centers on a journalist listening to a podcast that details how the plane on which he’s a passenger will disappear. The premiere episode stars Adam Scott and Chris Diamantopoulos, while future episodes will include actors Seth Rogen, Kumail Nanjiani, John Cho, Tracy Morgan, and Jacob Tremblay.
When does Jordan Peele’s Twilight Zone revival premiere? How can you watch the new Twilight Zone online? Here’s everything you need to know!
WHAT CHANNEL IS THE NEW TWILIGHT ZONE ON?
The new Twilight Zone will air exclusively on CBS All Access.
WHEN DOES THE NEW TWILIGHT ZONE PREMIERE?
The first two episodes of The Twilight Zone premiere Monday, April 1 on CBS All Access.
WHERE CAN I WATCH THE NEW TWILIGHT ZONE? HOW TO WATCH THE NEW TWILIGHT ZONE:
*** UPDATE: Episode 1 of The Twilight Zone is currently streaming for free on YouTube! ***
The only way to stream the new Twilight Zone is with a subscription to CBS All Access. CBS’ streaming platform is available for as little as $5.99 (or a $9.99 commercial free option), but fans looking for a free Twilight Zone live stream can sign up for a free trial of the service.
WILL THE NEW TWILIGHT ZONE BE ON HULU?
Nope. Jordan Peele’s revival of the classic series won’t be available for next day streaming on Hulu.
WHERE CAN I STREAM THE ORIGINAL TWILIGHT ZONE? IS THE TWILIGHT ZONE ON HULU?
Yes, the original Twilight Zone is on Hulu. You can catch up on classic episodes of The Twilight Zone on Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video.
RELATED: The One Episode of ‘The Twilight Zone’ You Should Watch Before Seeing Jordan Peele’s New Movie, ‘Us’
Where to stream The Twilight Zone
How To Watch 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Season 10 Online
Your Essential Guide To Streaming
Get news & recommendations for Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO, and more, in your inbox.
Decider Digest
What To Watch This Weekend
By clicking above you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1042
|
__label__cc
| 0.644965
| 0.355035
|
6 March 2011 / Motoring
Been punished by a parking fine? Make sure to appeal
Jenny Driscoll
The other week I had a chat with a parking attendant about how long I could stay in a privately-run supermarket car park. He politely gave me the info, watched me walk away and then put a parking fine on my windscreen!
What had I done? Crossed the road. I hadn’t seen the notice that said I could not go ‘off site’ and the parking attendant had not offered up this information to me when I checked with him.
Yes, he told me that I was allowed to park for two hours. He also told me that I had to go to the supermarket, which I did. But he didn’t bother to tell me that I couldn’t go to the other shops over the road.
Last week we reported that eight million parking fines are given out every year. Despite this huge figure, in some boroughs many motorists successfully appeal. That is exactly what I did.
I phoned up the number on the ticket straight away and was amazed to get through to a very polite lady who apologised and told me to appeal. As soon as my ticket came through, I appealed online and within a week I received a letter saying they had dropped the whole thing.
If you get caught out with a parking fine and don’t think it was fair then it’s worth appealing. Although not all private parking firms will give you the chance. And please, dear parking attendants, do your bit as well and play fair!
How to appeal a parking ticket
Which? Driving advice - parking ticket FAQs
Parking in Britain takes us far too long
driving 168
Did you receive your Thomas Cook refund within the 60 day deadline?
Yes - I received my refund within 60 days of making the clain
No - I have not yet received a refund, and it has been more than 60 days
No - I received my refund, but it took longer than 60 days
I did not make a claim, or was not able to claim through Atol
Zerocredit says:
Sorry to hear about such blatent meaness – wonder if there are nay big notices stating that!
I recently parked on a street which I thought was free. About 30 minutes later I saw a parking attendant making out a ticket by my car, so I ran over to check. He pointed out that I was at the start of the metered parking and pointed to a sign right outside my car. Whoops!
However he said if I got a meter ticket right then he would refrain from giving me a parking ticket. He must have been in a good mood, or may be he was just a genuinely nice parking attendant. But it shows that sometimes a polite enquiry to begin with can work wonders!
Great advice to always try to appeal – will be putting this tip on our website.
[Message from moderators: Hello Zerocredit, we have removed the URL from your comment as we did not feel it was relevant. Thanks.]
Jenny Driscoll says:
There were notices but I thought that as I had asked the parking attendant then I had the full info re the rules! I will resist crossing the road in future…..Good to hear that you didn’t get a ticket.
Emma_Campaigner says:
I had a parking fine issued outside my flat, while I had a parking permit displayed the Council claimed it was partly obscured. I challenged the Council straight away and by way of response they emailed me a photo taken by the parking attendant. True enough, it was obscured. By the rain. So I sent them the copy of the parking permit. They emailed back to say while they stood by the judgement of the parking attendant they agreed to let me off “this once”. Moral of the story? Never park a car outside in the rain…that and always appeal if you feel you are genuinely in the right!
Don’t park outside in the rain, don’t cross the road…. There are a few morals coming up re parking fines. Best one? If you think you’ve been wrongly fined – appeal!
Clint Kirk says:
Was the privately-run car park also enforced by a privately-run car park management company? If so, as the PePiPoo website advises, you can simply ignore their parking ticket and all their subsequent demands. Unless they are the council or the police, according to that website a private company has no legal right to give you a penalty. They can only charge compensation for loss of earnings to the supermarket caused by your parking while shopping elsewhere. The amount of this loss is likely to be zero, if there were other spaces empty at the time.
My son had a parking fine for leaving his car in Asda when he went to college. he did not tell me about it and did not pay it. We eventually got a letter from a debt collector re this fine. I contacted a solicitor and was told that the fine was illegal. Don’t pay it. We didn’t and 3 yrs down the line have heard no more about it. We didn’t even ring the company or acknowledge the debt collectors either. they were just trying it on
Within the month of June I recieved 8 parking tickets at the same place from a CCTV camera, I am a disabled driver I park here for the convenience to get to the shops. My badge is always displayed on the dashboard, it’s just that I drive a 3 year old cmax and my dashboard is long and dips down I display it on my right hand side, by foot the warden has to go right up to the car but because of where CCTV camera even if they zoom in the cannot see it. Out of the 8 parking tickets one went to court and I lost, I don’t have the money to pay the ticket on that day I received another through the door!!! I am getting really stressed with this.
Thrifty says:
There are always people who park with impunity and expect to get away with it, they shouldn’t. There are also the vast majority who are attempting to behave reasonably but are confounded by trade associations etc. like the BPA who’s code of conduct for their operators seen to be held as pseudo laws. For instance you have 28 days to appeal, that’s what the code allows. I appealed after being out of the country for 2 months and recieving a ticket on my absence for a 15 minute overstay in a free for 2 hour car park. The shop took forever to process the order for furniture it had taken me over an hour to choose. I was denied by BPA code the right to appeal. I would have won with the operator as their ticket said if I had a receipt to prove I was a genuine shopper the ticket would be canceled. I had a receipt for £1000 but they wouldn’t even look at it as 28 days had passed. It’s this sort of practise that gets the industry a bad name. I have no choice now but to pay £180 or respond to their claim in court and their claim is based on them having operated according to the BPA code. The shop is incensed but only a tennant the site owner is an investment syndicate and have basically just shipped responsibility for parking to a parking company who provided they operate within BPA code get to keep all the fines – it’s not in these companies interests to be fair. I now spend my entire time shopping reading small print on signage and I can’t understand my rights on most of them. They could operate reasonably and we’d all understand the necessary evil, however most of them are just outlawed champers who have switched to legalised extortion.
You do have a choice. Don’t pay the fine. Only councils or police are allowed to impose penalties. Private companies are not allowed to issue penalties (you’ll find the ticket says something like “charge” rather than “penalty”) and you are only liable to compensate them for any actual loss caused by your overstay – I assume that loss is probably nothing, or, at the most, a pro-rata parking charge at the normal rate for 15 minutes. Go to the pepipoo.com forums where there are people who can help you.
Thank you for our replies but I am a blue badge holder the ticket comes from CCTV small round black camera they zoom in but where my badge is you have to go right p to the car even traffic wardens. I come out the car if u look back it’s like it’s to showing but my dash board is Long cmax u have to go pot the car which I have no problems with traffic wardens it’s just CCTV.
LauraRK says:
I parked in a Morrisons car park to go shopping with my daughter who was in a separate car. I experienced a haemorrhage in my eye whilst in the car park so we immediately went to find the nearest optician. The optician was fully booked with patients but told me to that they could examine my eye when they were free. I was told to wait quietly as the bleed could have been an indication of a detached retina. By the time I had been examined and told I could drive I was over the time allowed at the car park by about 30 minutes. Both my daughter, for her car, and I for mine were issued with a parking notice from ParkingEye. We both appealed and my daughter’s appeal was successful but mine was not! I then appealed to POPLA who upheld the fine. I believe this is grossly unfair as I had been told not to drive until given the all clear. What should I do now? Should I pay the fine or should I wait for them to send threatening letters which I believe would finally end in the case going to the small claims court. I am seeing a consultant re my eye tomorrow, somehow between my doctor’s referral and the hospital my details were lost hence the late date of referral. I should be grateful for your advice as this is really starting to play on my mind.
PS The optometrist has provided me with an email corroborating my story
Castle says:
Have you written to Morrisons and ask them to cancel; dropping a hint that you may be contacting the local press about being “penalised” for a medical emergency. Additionally, you may want to read up on “Frustration of Contract”.
Laura-Having been in Morrisons car park today the notice states there is a 2 hour limit only extended if you visit the cafe for breakfast there you get a coloured disk for extended parking and the office notified . I can understand you had a medical emergency and I would think you should contact Morrisons head office to give them the details . In the USA you are exempt from prosecution and there are no catches : http://beatthatparkingticket.com/excerp.htm . In the UK you can claim an emergency case if you can get a doctors medical certificate stating your illness but it is still up to their discretion in this country the law does not protect the public the same legal leeway as it does in the USA.
John Ward says:
Laura – You have saved your eye and your daughter has had her parking fine cancelled. If I were in your position I would close this unfortunate episode down as quickly as possible by paying the penalty.
By all means ask Morrisons to grant you a compassionate refund of anything you pay to Parking Eye but I doubt that will be done in a hurry. As Duncan says, you should include the optometrist’s confirmation of your treatment and inability to drive for a period.
I would suggest you do not want to go through the court claim procedure as that could add to your distress. Pursuing Morrisons or Parking Eye on a contractual dispute might be legally sound but, again, are you happy to prolong this and add to your woes with further uncertainty and possible stress?
The American law does not help in your case and I don’t think we should envy it; that could just compound your sense of grievance. For most people health services are not free at the point of delivery in the USA so the law steps in to protect citizens from unfair treatment. As evidenced in this Conversation, there are some unfair aspects to England’s rules on parking on private land and I hope in due course Which? will campaign for improvements; experiences such as yours will be useful in that respect.
There can be considerable differences between stores operated by a single company, so looking at how another branch operates may not be relevant. That may be why I could not find any terms & conditions online for car parks at stores run by Morrisons.
The company was probably operating within the law by issuing the parking charge notice and the terms & conditions may not refer to what happens if someone becomes ill or their car breaks down. Paying up may avoid stress, as John says, but for the sake of others who may be treated in the same way, maybe we have a public duty to fight against unreasonable charges.
Looking at the US website mentioned by Duncan, it is evident that some people would try and exploit leniency, for example by using pre-arranged appointment as a reason for not complying with parking rules. There is also the possibility that people will make up stories to get out of paying. That is why it is so important for Laura and others to be able to provide evidence to support her case.
I do hope that Laura will not let this drop and will report on the outcome of the case.
I consider parking penalties a sensible way to prevent, or penalise, misuse of parking provided for the general good. Our village car park has restrictions to prevent commuters using it instead of the station car park, otherwise residents would have nowhere to park off road for their shopping visits.
However, I consider parking penalties to be excessive – out of proportion to the offence and to the normal parking charges. I would like Which? to campaign for more equitable charges – £20 has been suggested, modified if a car park has particularly high normal rates perhaps – to still act as a deterrent but to prevent the sort of grievances we regularly see published.
I agree, Malcolm. I think it must fall to consumer organisations, and not to individuals for whom parking misery is stressful enough, to campaign for fairness and equity [between the landowner and the driver] in parking regulations and penalties. By outsourcing the enforcement, and with the enforcement companies using automatic systems to generate the parking charge notices, landowners like supermarkets, retail parks and shopping malls are side-stepping their relationship with their customers and making it doubly difficult for them to obtain redress for excessive enforcement. It’s no good going to the customer service desk as they will just direct you to the writing on the wall. The challenge and appeal procedures are remote and hostile. At least with on-street parking enforcement by a local authority there is usually a parking office one can visit to seek advice or raise mitigating factors and where people are treated with respect and honesty.
The process has now swung too far in favour of the landowners with extortionate charges but a massive drop in enforcement costs. The process can now ‘catch’ virtually every driver who in some way contravenes the regulations [which are not always crystal clear]; this compares with a foot-patrol enforcement rate of possibly 25%. People will not resent a sensible penalty, like £20; it will be a lesson for the future but not damaging enough to cause people like Laura to suffer from having it play on their mind as she says it now is starting to in her case. Less robust people could crack under these stresses and we’ve got enough psychological casework already in this country.
Hi @laurark – I hope your eye is OK and that you will have it checked when the eye is back to normal.
You could discuss your problem with your local branch of Citizens Advice.
I tried that! I queued for an hour then waited for an hour and then saw an assessor who just told me she couldn’t give me any advice! She gave me a list of solicitors who do half hour free consultations but non of them wanted to know!
I will try to carry on fighting the case for as you say it may help others. However, I am worried about how much fighting this could cost!
I also think what you say may be best as I am finding this very frustrating and stressful and paying the fine would put an end to it. I will ask Morrisons for a compassionate refund if I do so! Thanks for your advice.
I have written to Morrisons and hope they will help me with this. Thanks for your comments.
Good news! I contacted Morrisons and all ‘charges’ were dropped. I wish I’d talked to them earlier and saved a huge amount of worry. To all those who took the trouble to try to help, my sincere thanks. Thank you too to the manager of Morrisons who was human!
Congratulations Laura. Thanks for reporting back, which might encourage others to take action when a company behaves unreasonably in the circumstances. Even though management of parking has been delegated to ParkingEye, I would expect Morrisons to respond to concerns, not least to help keep their customers. I hope your eye is back to normal.
@ldeitz, will Which? campaign for fairer parking penalties, or do Which? think the existing penalties are reasonable?
Which? should be campaigning to rid the country of ‘Parking Eye’ type vultures and for companies to take responsibility for their own car parks. In Laura’s case above, she should have been able to go to the Manager in Morrisons to sort out her overstay there and then and any reasonable manager would have listened and saved her the added stress of the money-for-nothing vultures.
All car parks should be ‘pay-on-exit’. You never know how long a hospital appointment is going to last so how can you be expected to pay in advance? Stores can issue tokens to reduce fees if you shop in them, and prices could go up astronomically for long-stayers abusing the car park. It is not rocket science.
Car parking has become a nightmare for many with fines far out-weighing the crime and it is time something was done about it.
What is the ‘Lebanese Loop’ parking meter scam?
Parking fines: your questions answered
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1053
|
__label__cc
| 0.70604
| 0.29396
|
Home›Newsroom›Hallmark Introduces New “Just Because” Greeting Card Line to Inspire More Everyday Caring
Hallmark Introduces New “Just Because” Greeting Card Line to Inspire More Everyday Caring
Hallmark Gold Crown Stores celebrate new card line launch with Free Card Fridays
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (April 18, 2018) — This spring, Hallmark is launching a new line of greeting cards called Just Because to help people celebrate life’s little moments and support each other during the tough times. Now available exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores, the Just Because collection will feature more than 130 cards priced at $2.99 in categories including friendship, love, thank you, just because, encouragement, cope, thinking of you, congrats and get well.
“Now more than ever, people are looking to Hallmark and to greeting cards as a way to inject some positivity into the world and their lives, and the Just Because card line is for exactly that,” said Lindsey Roy, chief marketing officer – Hallmark Greetings. “Our hope with Just Because cards is to help people recognize and encourage those who matter most in their lives outside of the expected moments. When you care enough to put what’s in your heart into words, especially when it’s not expected, it can be the most meaningful expression of all.”
Sending a card is a simple act that can have a profound and positive impact on relationships, and this small act of kindness can go a long way. It doesn’t take much to lift someone’s spirit, support someone in need or simply make someone’s day, and Hallmark is making it even easier with Free Card Fridays. Every Friday starting April 20 through July 27, all new and existing Hallmark Crown Rewards members can pick up a free Just Because card of their choice at their local Gold Crown store.
Free Card Fridays will be accompanied by Weekly Card Challenges to help celebrate the many people in our lives – teachers, coaches, caregivers, friends – and honor them by sending a card their way. Now through November, Hallmark will provide weekly ideas to help inspire people to put more caring in the world with prompts like thank a coach, support a parent, wish someone luck and more.
“There is a Just Because card for almost everything you can think of, from coping with infertility to celebrating a great report card,” Roy said. “There are all kinds of moments in life that deserve recognition or support in addition to birthdays and holidays. Just Because cards are the perfect way to tell the people you care about how you feel more often throughout the year, to support them during tough times, to celebrate big and little accomplishments, or to thank them just because.”
Just Because cards are now available at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores and online at Hallmark.com/Shop-Just-Because. More information about Weekly Card Challenges and tips for connecting with others is available at Hallmark.com/Card-Challenge.
Jaclyn Voran
jaclyn.voran@hallmark.com
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1055
|
__label__cc
| 0.720208
| 0.279792
|
Rich Native Cultures Celebrated on POW Island
Abby Twyman
Today is: January 21st, 2020
Prince of Wales Island sits in the Alaska Panhandle in the southeastern region of the state, and it is among the largest islands in the United States. It spans across 2,577 square miles and is home to approximately 3,000 residents. The landscape is dominated by lush forests, vast alpine, and deep karst features. It is well-known as the location of the majestic El Capitan Caves. Wildlife is protected in the Tongass National Forest, which encompasses the majority of the island. The first Europeans stepped foot on the island in 1741, but the island was already inhabited by the Tlingit and Kaigani Haida. When you travel to Prince of Wales Island, you will have the opportunity to learn more about these native cultures, explore historic sites and even witness cultural events.
The Ancient Tlingit Civilization
The Tlingit were the island’s first inhabitants. While there is no official record of their settlement on the island, archaeologists have identified artifacts that are 10,300 years old. The Tlingit’s oral storytelling describes creation on the island as well as the struggles of a primitive culture to live harmoniously in a rugged natural environment. Evidence shows that the Tlingit traded with inland native tribes for many years. Tlingit were skilled seamen and navigators, and they also were known for creating embellished works of art. This included everything from woven blankets and baskets with intricate details to ornate clan houses with grand works of art chiseled into the walls.
Totem poles are among their most well-known works of art, and these are memorials or tributes for events or people. At the Totem Park in Klawock, which has the state’s largest collection of totem poles, you can watch totem pole carvers hard at work.
On August 16 and August 17, you will have the opportunity see four totem poles raised in a memorable ceremony.
Kaigani Haida
The Kaigani Haida people are much newer to the area. Their settlement on the island occurred in the early 1700s. They arrived from the area that is currently known as British Columbia, and they brought many of their customs with them. Present-day Kaigani Haida continue to practice some of these customs. The Kaigani Haida spent winters together in communal homes that could accommodate several dozen people. Like the Tlingit, the Kaigani Haida are excellent craftsmen. They used cedar logs to construct their log cabins and their canoes. Recently, the famous and historic Hydaburg Long House was deconstructed, and the Naa Iwaans Cedar Long House was constructed in its place. The raising of this house was a monumental effort that involved the efforts of many people throughout the community. During Culture Camp this year on July 26th, a blessing of the Naa Iwaans Cedar Long House was done as well as the raising and blessing of two house posts in Hydaburg.
Like This Article? Please Share it.
Share on twitterShare on facebookWhatsAppGoogle+Pin ItLinkedInBuffer
« Alpine Hikes and Hunting on Prince of Wales Island Alaska
POW Residents Love to Share Their Subsistence Lifestyle »
It has been said that Alaskan women are smart, hardworking, innovative and tough... and I'd like to think I embody all those characteristics. My goal is to share my love of Alaska with people from around the world and inspire them to visit this beautiful state and enjoy an adventure of a lifetime!
Warning: file_get_contents(https://api.instagram.com/v1/users/self/media/recent/?access_token=8587409191.1677ed0.f2a4320598ce4e3fb2902a8d6c5a642d&count=9): failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 400 Bad Request in /nas/content/live/discoverpowis/wp-content/plugins/oxygen/component-framework/components/classes/code-block.class.php(115) : eval()'d code on line 7
Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /nas/content/live/discoverpowis/wp-content/plugins/oxygen/component-framework/components/classes/code-block.class.php(115) : eval()'d code on line 9
Holiday Season Bazaars Highlight Local Artisans
Tasty Recipes for Your Locally Sourced Food
Prince of Wales Chamber of Commerce
POW Runner's Club Keeps Islanders on the Move
Adventure Highlight: Sarkar River, Lake and Canoe Route
Naukati Bay
FREE PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND GUIDE
START PLANNING YOUR JOURNEY!
Fill out the form for your copy of our Island guide shipped to your home.
Page Sent From
Stay connected with us by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Share with your friends and start planning your trip!
useralign-justifycalendarfolderinstagramcross
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1065
|
__label__wiki
| 0.688521
| 0.688521
|
Egyptian ministers, British companies kick start PPP Leaders Forum in Egypt - Daily News Egypt
Business Egyptian ministers, British companies kick start PPP Leaders Forum in Egypt
Egyptian ministers, British companies kick start PPP Leaders Forum in Egypt
Egypt already has considerable track record of attracting private sector investment in infrastructure; forum should provide impetus for re-launch to international markets: Armsby
Daily News Egypt December 6, 2018 Be the first to comment
Egypt’s Minister of Finance Mohamed Moeit and Minister of Transport Hisham Arafat joined the British ambassador in Egypt, Sir Geoffrey Adams, and UK Trade Envoy, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, in welcoming leading international infrastructure finance experts at the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Leaders Forum, according to a statement by the British embassy on Wednesday.
Industry experts of British companies Mott MacDonald, PwC, and Pinsent Masons, LLP, are leading the development of government strategies for the implementation of major infrastructure, including Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), across the Middle East.
Other ministerial representatives attended the forum alongside guest speakers from the EBRD, the IFC, and Orascom.
The forum aimed to identify the immediate actions required to kick start the Egyptian PPP programme, demonstrate to the wider investment and development community that Egypt has considered the lessons learned from past experiences, and explore in more detail project selections and best-in-class delivery of PPP projects, so as to promote programme success.
British ambassador to Egypt, Sir Geoffrey Adams, said: “I am proud Britain has played a significant role in supporting economic reform in Egypt. Britain has world-leading expertise in PPP, and as Egypt’s number one partner, we want to make it available here.”
UK Trade Envoy, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, said: “The UK has the world’s leading financial market, and we are proud to be sharing our skills and expertise with the ministry of finance, to develop its PPP financing system. The UK has already worked to provide finance opportunities to Egyptian companies, technical assistance to the ministry of finance, and capacity building to the Egyptian stock exchange employees. We look forward to taking this cooperation to new heights.”
Mott MacDonald recently acted as Lenders’ Technical Advisor on several high-profile regional infrastructure finance projects, including the Nubian Suns Solar Park and the Ras Ghareb Wind Farm in Egypt, Istanbul Airport, Canakkale bridge, and several major healthcare campus PPPs in Turkey.
Mott MacDonald’s Global Advisory Sector Leader, John Seed, added in a recent report, “PPPs must be a catalyst for sustainable development. PPP frameworks can be a key element in our drive to deliver the sustainable infrastructure so urgently needed.”
PwC Egypt Country Senior Partner, Maged EzzElden, said: “The improvement of political and economic conditions enables Egypt to revitalise its PPP programme. The demand of new infrastructure, which is driven by the economy and population growth, provides attractive opportunities to international capital and expertise. PwC believes that the use of PPPs can have wide reaching benefits for the country, and it is here today to provide its views and advice on how these can be used effectively, and to the maximum benefit of the county. PwC have been committed to Egypt and the Infrastructure programme for many years, and we continue to grow our presence in Egypt, and support all the government infrastructure initiatives.”
Partner Dominic Holt, and Partner PwC Middle East Infrastructure and Government Team Mario Salameh, said: “Public Private Partnership have been proven to provide both fiscal benefits, as well as wider economic benefits, for example, foreign investment and stimulus to the local manufacturing market. PwC supports the relaunch of the PPP programme here in Egypt, and seeks to maximise the economic and social benefits for the country which such a programme can bring.”
Pinsent Masons LLP has had roles acting for both the public and private sector on a number of Egyptian PPPs, as well as energy schemes, such as the recent feed-in-tariff renewable energy programme. Head of Finance and Projects for the Middle East at Pinsent Masons LLP, Tim Armsby added: “I have been working in Egypt since 2003, and was privileged to have the opportunity to assist the Egyptian government on a number of PPPs over the last decade. I was honoured to attend the PPP Leaders Forum, and provide insights from our Egyptian and wider international experience to help Egypt re-start its PPP programme. Egypt already has a considerable track record of attracting private sector investment in infrastructure, and this forum should provide impetus for a re-launch to the international markets”.
Topics: British ambassador in Egypt Hisham Arafat minister of finance Minister of Transport Mohamed Moeit PPP Leaders Forum Sir Geoffrey Adams
https://dailyfeed.dailynewsegypt.com/2018/12/06/egyptian-ministers-british-companies-kick-start-ppp-leaders-forum-in-egypt/
UK Trade Envoy in Egypt to boost health care cooperation
British healthcare companies explore business opportunities in Egypt
IFC targets to reach 50% women participation on its board within 3 to 5 years
IFC, British embassy launch StartEgypt Forum
Amateur artist features Nubia’s alluring beauty
UK’s Cultural Protection Fund invests over £3m in six projects across Egypt
Current media system needs real reform to play its role in enlightening Egyptians: Abdel Aziz
The worst could be finally over for Egypt stock market ahead of year end
EBRD to start new programme in Egypt with Falak, EFG-EV Fintech, Misr El Kheir
Booz Allen Hamilton designing solutions for Egypt’s economic and security challenges
Hamdan Bin Rashid opens Gulfood 2016 exhibition
International conference in Egypt requests hosting 50 world largest companies: Investment minister
December 6, 2018 Breaking News
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1068
|
__label__wiki
| 0.703674
| 0.703674
|
Indian-Origin Man Avtar Grewal Drowns Wife Navneet Kaur In Bathtub For Seeking Divorce, Convicted
Darpan News Desk IANS, 16 Jul, 2019
An Indian-origin man extradited from India has been convicted by a US court for killing his estranged wife 12 years ago when she asked for a divorce, according to media reports.
Avtar Grewal, 44, who was extradited to the US in 2011, was found guilty of first-degree murder by the jury on Monday, for strangulating and submerging his 30-year-old wife Navneet Kaur in a bathtub in the Phoenix suburb of Ahwatukee in 2007, the Arizona Republic reported.
His sentencing is scheduled for August 23.
The two got married in India in 2005, but had a long-distance relationship. Avtar Grewal was living in Canada while Navneet Kaur was in the US on a visa.
Prosecutors told the court that Avtar Grewal showed his "true colours" immediately after he married Navneet Kaur.
Avtar Grewal would call his wife multiple times to find out her location, according to prosecutors. When she didn't answer the phone, he would call her office and other people.
Defence attorneys argued that Avtar Grewal killed his wife on accident and then made multiple attempts to take his own life. However, prosecutors argued the murder was premeditated and Avtar Grewal had a pattern of controlling behaviour.
During their marriage, Navneet Kaur needed heart surgery. She chose to be treated in the United States. However, Avtar Grewal wanted her to have the surgery in Canada.
Prosecutor Juan Martinez said the surgery was important to the trial because it showed Navneet Kaur cared about herself, while Avtar Grewal only cared about what was best for him.
Around the time of her death, Navneet Kaur told Avtar Grewal over the phone that she wanted a divorce. Avtar Grewal travelled from Canada to her Ahwatukee home so they could talk about it.
Navneet Kaur picked him up from the airport and took him to her house.
Navneet Kaur repeated her desire of wanting a divorce and admitted to cheating on Avtar Grewal, according to defense attorneys. The couple started to argue and it escalated to the two slapping each other, the defense attorneys said.
He strangled her and then submerged her in a bathtub of water. He was arrested by international authorities and extradited back to the US, the daily said.
The defense says while there was a fight between the two, Navneet Kaur's death was not premeditated.
MORE International ARTICLES
Pakistan Opens Its Airspace, Closed Since Balakot Strike
Airlines To Get Relief As Pakistan Lifts Complete Airspace Restrictions
World Court To Deliver Verdict In Kulbhushan Jadhav Case
India has urged the ICJ to cancel Kulbhushan Jadhav's death sentence and order his immediate release, saying the verdict by a Pakistani military court was based on a "farcical case".
What's In A Name? Ask Indian-Malaysian Jailed After 30 Years On The Run
Arumugam Veerasamy, who was wanted for culpable homicide since 1986, managed to evade authorities for more than 30 years, as his name was misspelt on his work permit and in the police gazette issued against him, reported the Channel News Asia.
Indian Student's Body Poshik Sharma Found In Australia, Dam Was Emptied In Hunt For Him
Poshik Sharma, a university student in Melbourne, was reported missing Friday morning after leaving his friends at the Duck Inn on Thursday afternoon.
Foundation Stone Of Pakistan University In Birth Place Of Guru Nanak Dev Laid
The foundation stone of the university was laid by Pakistan's Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and would be completed with an amount of over Rs. 258 crores spread over 10 acres.
Body Of Missing 21-Year-Old Indian Man Poshik Sharma Found In Australia
The body of a missing Indian man has been found on the outskirts of Marysville, a town in Australia's Victoria state, five days after he disappeared, police said on Monday.
Indian-Origin Woman Missing Since New Year's Day Found Dead In Trunk Of Her Car In US
Iran Announces Arrests In Plane Crash As Canada, Allies Eye London Meeting
Queen Elizabeth Agrees 'Period Of Transition' In Which Harry And Meghan Will Spend Time In Canada And UK - Statement
In Addressing Middle East Tensions, Trump Calls For End To Iran Nuclear Deal
Sikh Coalition Announces Partnership with U.S. Census Bureau
Viral Video: 13-Year-Old Ryan Pourjam Gives Moving Speech For Father Mansour Who Died In Iran Plane Crash
WATCH: Amritsar Khalsa College Students Perform Bhangra In Snow-Clad Solang Valley
U.S. Sanction Law Not Enough To Prove Canadian Fraud: Meng's Lawyers
India Summons Pakistan Official Over Abduction Of Hindu Girls In Sindh
‘Qawwali Not Allowed’, Kathak Performance Cut Short In UP
For The 9th Consecutive Year, CITY OF SURREY Selected As One Of Canada’s Top Employers For Young People
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1074
|
__label__cc
| 0.61201
| 0.38799
|
Category: Good News
September 15, 2017 DarynKagan Animals, Businesses Who Rock, Good News, Pets, Uplifting Stories
All Aboard The Cat Train As Japan Gives A Ride To Some Adorable Strays
Feline lovers got a delightful surprise as they boarded the Cat Train. Reuters reports a Japanese civic group teamed up with a railway operator on Sunday to let some 30 cats roam on a local train at an event, hoping it will raise awareness of the culling of stray cats. The event was hosted by Yoro Railway Co Ltd and an organization called Kitten Cafe Sanctuary. All these efforts to reduce the number of stray cats appears to be working.
September 15, 2017 DarynKagan Good News, Overcoming Obstacles, Uplifting Stories
Democratic and Republican Senators Kaine And Alexander Make Beautiful Music Together
Two senators on different sides of the aisle are showing a Democrat and a Republican can play nicely together. Literally, play. Beautiful music. USA Today reports Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) and Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tennesee) have been holding jam sessions in Alexander’s office and will take their act public on Friday when they join with members of the Buck Mountain Band for a concert on the Tennessee-Virginia state line. Billing themselves as The Amateurs, the group will be the opening
September 14, 2017 DarynKagan Good News, Great Giving, Kindness, Love Stories, Marriage, Uplifting Stories
Couple Cancels Wedding Reception To Give Money To Hurricane Victims Instead
Ever hear about a wedding where you had complete confidence a couple will do great? That’s the case with Shellie Schoellkopf and Robert Callaway from League City, Texas. KPRC reports the couple had a big ol’ shindig set for October 7th. But in the wake of Hurricane Harvey and all the devastation around Houston, the couple just couldn’t keep things the same, not with how many of their friends and family had been affected by the flood. Callaway told KPRC,
September 11, 2017 DarynKagan Celebrities, Good News, Kindness, Uplifting Stories
Kristen Bell’s Best Role Yet-Real Life Hurricane Irma Volunteer
Actress Kristen Bell has millions of fans as the voice of Princess Ana in the animated movie, “Frozen.” She also could’ve stolen your heart as Veronica Mars or in the movie, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” You can pretty much tell your age by when you fell for Bell. Hearts of all ages will fall for her when you see what she’s doing in Florida. ENews reports that Bell is in Orlando filming her Netflix comedy, “Like Father.” Once she figured out
September 5, 2017 DarynKagan Good News, Kids, Kindness, Sports, Uplifting Stories
Iowa Football Fans Wave At Children’s Hospital Starting Awesome New Tradition
University of Iowa football fans have launched one of the newest and most awesome traditions in college football. At Saturday’s season opener against Wyoming, the fans stood at the end of the first quarter, turned around and waved. Everyone waved. One fantastic group of kids were on the receiving end of that big hello. Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is right across the street from Kinnick Stadium. Young patients and their families were on the top floor taking in the
September 4, 2017 DarynKagan Businesses Who Rock, Food, Good News, Great Giving, Kindness, Uplifting Stories
17,000 Pounds Of Cheese On Its Way To Texas From Wisconsin Companies
Cheese is the best way to show the love when you’re from Wisconsin. Showing it, they are, as a number of companies are sending 17,000 pounds of dairy love to folks now trying to rebuild lives in Texas following Hurricane Harvey. String cheese. Cheese curds. Cheddar. How do you like your cheese? Chances are it’s on a truck that left Madison, Wisconsin Friday and is making it’s way to the Houston Food Bank. Oh, and just for good measure, there
September 2, 2017 DarynKagan Businesses Who Rock, Good News, Great Giving, Uplifting Stories
Pizza Hut Workers Paddle Through Harvey Flood Waters To Deliver Hot Pizza
Pizza Hut is topping itself by delivering hot pizza pies to folks stuck in their homes due to flooding from Hurricane Harvey. Shayda Habib is the manager of Pizza Hut in Oak Lake, Texas. She told MSNBC that she’s pregnant, but still found a way to help out her fellow Texans. They stacked up kayaks and got their deliveries started. “We packed 120 pizzas into kayaks and took them out to people in their homes,” Habib told KCRA. “The people
August 31, 2017 DarynKagan Businesses Who Rock, Good News, Great Giving, Kindness, Uplifting Stories
Houston Mattress Store Owner Opens His Business To Hundreds Of Hurricane Evacuees
He’s known around Houston as, “Mattress Mack.” Long before Hurricane Harvey ravaged his hometown, Jim McIngvale, was known throughout the region for his good works. This week is a huge cherry on top. Without anyone asking him to do it, McIngvale opened his stores, turning them into evacuation centers for anyone who needed a safe, dry place to stay. Even better, he sent his store’s trucks to pick up folks who might be stranded. No, No one asked. McIngvale would
August 28, 2017 DarynKagan Good News, Heroes, Kindness, Uplifting Stories
CNN Correspondent Ed Lavandera And Crew Help Rescue Elderly Couple In Texas Floods
CNN correspondent Ed Lavandera is just one of the many reporters, producers and photographers in Texas covering the devastating floods. They are there to do a job. Report the news. And, And, They are human beings first. None finer than the folks who work for CNN. Ed was in the middle of a live shot with anchor Ana Cabrera when they came upon a house with an elderly couple that needed rescuing. There was never a question of what was
August 16, 2017 DarynKagan Good News, Heroes, Uplifting Stories
Ex-Con Misses Job Interview When He Stops To Save Car Crash Victim And Gives Shirt Off His Back
There is so much more to ex-con Aaron Tucker than the fact he recently did time. He is a dad. He is someone grateful for a second chance. He is a hero. Tucker was on his way to a job interview last month when he spotted a terrible car crash from the bus he was riding on. He dashed out of the bus and ran to the injured driver. He even gave him the shirt off his back to help
My MilesHusband & I Have (Re)Launched Our YouTube Channel Featuring Our Crazy Travel-Obsessed Life
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1075
|
__label__cc
| 0.671266
| 0.328734
|
911, SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACKS
APARTHEID & DISCRIMINATION
ARAB ISRAELI CONFLICT
CIVIL WAR LEBANON
CIVIL WAR NICARAGUA
CIVIL WAR RWANDA
CIVIL WAR SPAIN
CULTURAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE
CONSUMER & CONSUMERISM
NATURE & ENVIROMENT
INFORMATIVE DOCUMENTARY
INVESTIGATING DOCUMENTARY
OBSERVATIONAL DOCUMENTARY
PARTICIPATING DOCUMENTARY
POETIC DOCUMENTARY
PBO / ANBI
Using DocsOnline
FULL ACCESS WITH PREMIUM ACCOUNT
Previous Video Surplus: Terrorized into being consumers
Next Video Love and Sex in China
Do Communist Have Better Sex?
Love and Sex in China
US-China Trade War Explained
Trump’s Trade War
Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge – Part III: Crime without Punishment
The Trump Phenomenon
Deacon of Death
Procedure 769, witness to an execution
Treatment for traitors
Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge – Part II: The mystery of Pol Pot
Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge – Part I: Politics of power and terror
Do Communists Have Better Sex? is a gem of a film that explores the startlingly different notions of sexuality and romance on either side of the Berlin Wall during the Cold War.
When the Iron Curtain was running through Europe, people in west-Germany believed that life was a bit grim in East Germany. Yet studies showed that this was not the case in the bedroom: East Germans had twice as much sex, started younger, had more partners and achieved the Big O more often than their capitalist counterparts.
Huh??????
We’re so used to thinking of our capitalist society, with its constant stimulation, pop-culture boundary-pushing and focus on beauty and selfish pleasure, as the epitome of freedom and sexual liberty. So why were East German women happier in bed?
It turns out there’s a scientific answer to that question, and it may surprise you. The history covered by the film is profound, covering clashing political ideologies, morality and feminism, for starters. But it doesn’t leave out the fun. Enjoy!
East Germans were very frank and unabashed about sex and personal pleasure, and so is this documentary. With its wonderfully brazen vintage clips of sex education films, softcore porn and nudist home movies, let’s just say it’s not quite safe for viewing at work.
As the film is both informative and very entertaining, educators can use it in a variety of classes, sociology, history, sex-education, political science.
Background of the studies
In 1945, after defeating the Nazis, the Western Allies and the Soviets divided war-torn Germany. Germans were suddenly separated into opposing political spheres and stayed that way for decades, until 1989.
West Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany) was the epitome of capitalism and the postwar “economic miracle”; behind the Iron Curtain, the German Democratic Republic was a highly controlled, centrally managed Stalinist state. When the wall was torn down, the reunited nation became a sociologist’s dream – a country sharing a language and fundamental culture but with a lifetime of sharp differences in economies, media, education, religion and women’s rights, all now available to be studied in detail.
Among the mountains of sociological data based on interviews with Germans that emerged in the following years, there was a recurring theme: East German people – especially and very significantly East German women – consistently reported that sex was better for them and that their romantic lives were happier and more satisfying
I Like ThisUnlike 0 Please Login to Vote
I Dislike ThisUn-Dislike 0 Please Login to Vote
Tags East-Germany
Surplus: Terrorized into being consumers
How to Make Cocaine
Traditional Swordfish or Marlin fishing
Women’s prison in Afghanistan
Donate for Docs
Support the making of documentaries with a donation to our foundation. All donaties contribute to maintaining the documentary tradition.
DocsOnline is a VIDEO-ON-DEMAND website for EXCLUSIVE DOCUMENTARY FILMS.
We are dedicated to guide you through our extensive documentary catalogue, scene by scene, and help you learn and teach about the world we live in.
Join us to receive a weekly post with inspiring interviews, extraordinary footage, and other fascinating documentary content. We will spark your imagination and increase your awareness.
Copyright © 2019. Created by Sunlight Entertainment. Powered by DocsOnline
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1089
|
__label__cc
| 0.747481
| 0.252519
|
WELCOME TO RAMAKRISHNA MATH AND RAMAKRISHNA MISSION ONLINE DONATIONS|
VIEW MY DONATIONS
+91-33-26545700 |CONTACT US
Belur Math
Ramakrishna Math (Belur Math)
For Indian Nationals (₹)
For Foreign Nationals ($)
Ramakrishna Mission (Belur Math)
Donate Offline
Branch Centers
Viveka Tirtha
Relief Reports
Branch Centres News
Uttarakhand Relief and Rehabilitation Project
Foreign Contribution
Terms and ConditionsBelur Math Web Team2017-03-06T19:14:25+05:30
By using the pages in this site, you agree to these terms and conditions. If you do not agree, please do not use this site. These terms and conditions may be changed or updated from time to time.
This website is owned and maintained by Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math. Unless otherwise indicated, all information contained in this website is copyrighted. You may not copy, frame, modify, transmit or distribute the material obtained from website, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the copyright owner.
You are welcome to link to this site, provided that in doing so you do not use the name of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, and their emblem without permission. Use of the names and emblem of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission by unauthorised persons, including their reproduction on other websites without appropriate authorisation constitutes a criminal offence under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, of the Government of India.
You may not link to this site from a site or in a manner which disparages the reputation of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission and its affiliates.
For permission to use text information or photographs from this web site in a manner other than that stated above, please contact us: mail@belurmath.org
If you have any questions about this web site, or if you find any errors, please notify us: mail@belurmath.org
The material in this site may include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, may make changes or improvements at any time.
General Terms for Donations
Donations to the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission are exempt from income-tax under Section 80G (1) (ii) read with Section 80G (4) of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. All donations are thankfully acknowledged and the details of income-tax approval order to Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission will appear on your donation receipt. When a donor makes a donation online, certain information is collected, including donor’s name, address, phone number, email address and purpose of donation.
Disputes and Refunds
All complaints, grievances and disputes will be treated seriously, quickly and in a timely manner, having due regard to procedural fairness and confidentiality. All parties are required to participate in the dispute resolution process in good faith. If you believe that there has been an error with your donation, you should notify us directly on (033) 2654 5700 and confirm that a notice in writing or by email at support@belurmath.org as soon as possible so that we can resolve your query quickly.
Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, Howrah 711202, West Bengal, India
Raise Ticket for Donation Related Issues :
support@belurmath.org
Official Correspondence to HQ :
mail@belurmath.org
About Belur Math Related Queries :
mathoffice@belurmath.org
Cloud Service and Security
We accept all major Credit cards,
Debit cards and Net banking
© Copyright 2015-20. All Rights Reserved
Site Developed and Maintained by Monastic members of Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1090
|
__label__wiki
| 0.527382
| 0.527382
|
Down & Out Books
Take the journey with us …
Danny Gardner
From his beginnings as a young stand-up comedian (Def Comedy Jam All-Stars vol. 12), Danny Gardner has enjoyed careers as an actor, director, and screenwriter. He is a recent Pushcart Prize nominee for his creative non-fiction piece Forever. In an Instant., published by Literary Orphans Journal. His first short fiction piece, Labor Day, appeared in Beat to a Pulp, and his flash fiction has been featured in Out of the Gutter and on Noir On The Air. He is a frequent reader at Noir at the Bar events nationwide. He blogs regularly at 7 Criminal Minds. He is a proud member of the Mystery Writers of America and the International Thriller Writers.
Danny lives in Los Angeles by way of Chicago. A Negro and an Ofay is his first novel.
Find Danny Gardner online …
Website: http://www.dannygardner.me/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dannygardnerla
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Danny-Gardner/e/B017TKN9EC/
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14192633.Danny_Gardner
Our Family of Authors
A Library of Our Titles
Awards Won by Our Authors and Titles
Publication Listing
Download Our Fall/Winter 2019 Publication Catalog
A list of previously published Newsletters
New from Down & Out Books: A Dark Homage by Wendy Tyson
New from All Due Respect: The Good Book: Fairy Tales for Hard Men by Tom Leins
New from Down & Out Books: The Stone Carrier by Robert Ward
New from Down & Out Books: Gone Dead on You by Eryk Pruitt
New from Down & Out Books: Shelter Cove by Colin Campbell
New from Down & Out Books: Highway 61 by David Housewright
New from Down & Out Books: Trouble & Strife: Crime Stories Inspired by Cockney Rhyming Slang edited by Simon Wood
New from Down & Out Books: Encrypting Maya by Lawrence Kelter
About Down & Out Books
Send a Message to Us
Visit NetGalley to See a Selection of Books Available for Review
Information about Submitting Your Manuscript to Us
For Booksellers and Libraries
Information about Ordering Titles from Down & Out Books
Copyright © 2020 Down & Out Books — Theme by ThemeGrill — Powered by WordPress
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1094
|
__label__cc
| 0.534311
| 0.465689
|
Jennifer Lopez Gives Soccer Star Carli Lloyd a Lap Dance at Hometown Concert!
Jennifer Lopez just brought her It’s My Party Tour to her hometown and gave someone special a lap dance during the show!
The 49-year-old singer, who will celebrate her 50th birthday later this month, brought U.S. Women’s National Team soccer player Carli Lloyd on stage during the show at Madison Square Garden on Friday (July 12) in New York City.
Jennifer usually pulls a man out of the crowd for the moment, but she decided to bring up Carli as a special gift for winning the World Cup.
“I’ve got a little present for you. Are you ready for this? I don’t know if you’re ready for this,” Jennifer said on stage. “I’ve got a little present for you. Actually, Carli, I got two presents for you.”
After Jennifer‘s dancers did their thing, the superstar returned on stage in a new costume and gave Carli a lap dance while the song “Birthday Sex” played. She then segued into her hit song “If You Had My Love.”
Watch footage captured by AOL‘s Gibson Johns below.
.@CarliLloyd from the #USWNT just got a lap dance from @JLo at Madison Square Garden and it was everything #JLoMSG #JLOItsMyParty pic.twitter.com/xZpS2JPi3H
— Gibson Johns (@gibsonoma) July 13, 2019
Previous Post: Jeremy Renner Drops Three New Songs for ‘Summer of Jeep’ Commercials – Watch Now!
Next Post: YouTube Star Gigi Gorgeous Marries Nats Getty!
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1112
|
__label__wiki
| 0.53144
| 0.53144
|
Call Us at (213) 978-1551|EmpowerLA@LACity.org
FacebookTwitterVimeoYouTubeEmailInstagramSlideshare
About Neighborhood Councils
All Councils
Councils – List
Councils – Map
Councils – By City Council District
Councils – By Service Region
Councils – By Commission Area
Councils – BIDs
Neighborhood Council Agendas
Monitoring City services
North Westwood
Wilshire Center-Little Bangladesh
Laurel Grove
Historic Cultural North
Existing Policies
Pending Policies
Agendas and Meeting Minutes
Outreach and Election Workshops
Funding Workshops
Field Workshops
Policy Workshop
Civic Youth
IgniteLA
AAPI Civic U
emPowerStats
WESTLAKE NORTH NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILEnci Box2019-08-01T14:40:27-07:00
Westlake North Neighborhood Council
Region: Central Area
The Westlake North Neighborhood Council (WNNC) is an advisory group of people who live, work, or own property within the boundaries of the Westlake North Neighborhood Council.
The Mission of the WNNC is:
To provide an inclusive and open forum for public discussion of issues of interest to the Council, including City governance, the needs of the Council, the delivery of City services to the Council area, and other matters of a City wide nature;
To advise the City on issues of interest to the Council, including City governance, the needs of the Council, the delivery of City services to the Council area, and other matters of a City wide nature;
To initiate, execute and support projects for the physical, social and cultural improvement of the Council area; and
To facilitate communication between the City and Community Stakeholders on issues of concern to the community and/or the Stakeholders.
The POLICY of the Council is:
To respect the diversity, dignity, and expression of views of all individuals, groups, and organizations within the community and/or involved in the Council;
To remain non-partisan with respect to political party affiliation and inclusive in our operations including, but not limited to, the process of electing or selecting the Governing Board, Officers, and committee members, as hereinafter set forth;
To utilize the Early Notification System (ENS) to inform the Council and Community Stakeholders of matters involving the City and our community in a way that is tailored to provide opportunities for involvement in the decision-making process;
To encourage all Community Stakeholders to participate in activities of the Council;
To prohibit discrimination against any individual or group in our operations on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, income, homeowner/renter status, or political affiliation; and
To have fair, open, and transparent procedures for the conduct of all Council business.
We’re composed of neighbors, by neighbors, for neighbors to make a positive difference in our neighborhood.
As an official part of Los Angeles city government, we’re very different from other community organizations. We have special duties and unique opportunities to change our neighborhood for the better.
The Neighborhood Council is you, your family, and your neighbors. It’s composed of people who have some type of connection to the geographic area the Council represents. Technically called “stakeholders,” these are people who live, work, or own property in the neighborhood; and they’re people who just care about the neighborhood through membership in a local organization or other similar involvement. The Neighborhood Council is open to everyone.
The Neighborhood Council deals with issues covered by the City of Los Angeles. Through an open and democratic process, we decide what matters most to us here in our neighborhood –- where we live, work, play, study, raise our families and look hopefully towards the future. We hold public meetings to gain information and hear diverse opinions about the issues. After a vote by the Governing Board, we take a position and issue our recommendations to the City.
The Neighborhood Council is an official part of Los Angeles city government. Written into the new City Charter, it is a formal public entity and has special powers and duties that are very different from other community organizations. The Neighborhood Council must follow the same open-meeting laws that ensure public access to the Los Angeles City Council and other local governments. It must follow the rules regarding the expenditure and record-keeping of public money. Its Governing Board Members must abide by a Code of Ethics as a commitment to principled decision-making and a safeguard against conflicts of interest. All of this empowers the Neighborhood Council with the lawful authority to act on City issues in an official advisory capacity.
westlakenorthnc.org
Meeting: 2nd Thursday 6:30pm, Monthly
Meeting Address:
Central City Neighborhood Partners (CCNP)
501 S Bixel Street,
WestlakeNorthNC@gmail.com
Planning Mailing Address:
Certification Order:
Field Rep:
Mario Hernandez
Funding Rep:
Atzi Camarena
FY 15-16 Budget
Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Los Angeles City Hall 20th Floor
200 North Spring Street, Suite 2005
Van Nuys City Hall 3rd & 4th Floor
14410 Sylvan Street
To contact the webmaster, please
E-mail webmaster@EmpowerLA.org
Copyright 2017 EmpowerLA | All Rights Reserved | Powered by EmpowerLA | Privacy Policy
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1113
|
__label__cc
| 0.669096
| 0.330904
|
Browsing ECNIS annotated biomarkers bibliographic database - test version by Subject (MeSH)
Androgen deprivation induces human prostate epithelial neuroendocrine differentiation of androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells.
Yuan, Ta-Chun; Veeramani, Suresh; Lin, Fen-Fen; Kondrikou, Dmitry; Zelivianski, Stanislav; Igawa, Tsukasa; Karan, Dev; Batra, Surinder K.; Lin, Ming-Fong (2006-03)
Neuroendocrine (NE) cells are the minor cell populations in normal prostate epithelial compartments. During prostate carcinogenesis, the number of NE cells in malignant lesions increases, correlating with its tumorigenicity and hormone-refractory growth. It is thus proposed that cancerous NE cells promote prostate cancer (PCa) cell progression and its androgen-independent proliferation, although the origin of the cancerous NE cells is not clear. To investigate the role of cancerous NE cells in prostate carcinogenesis, we characterized three NE subclone cell lines-NE-1.3, NE-1.8 and NE-1.9, which were transdifferentiated from androgen-sensitive human PCa LNCaP cells by culturing in an androgen-depleted environment, resembling clinical androgen-ablation therapy. These subclone cells acquire many features of NE cells seen in clinical prostate carcinomas, for example exhibiting a neuronal morphology and expressing multiple NE markers, including neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin B, neurotensin, parathyroid hormone-related peptide, and to a lesser degree for chromogranin A, while lacking androgen receptor (AR) or prostate specific antigen (PSA) expression. These cells represent terminally differentiated stable cells because after 3 months of re-culturing in a medium containing androgenic activity, they still retained the NE phenotype and expressed NE markers. Despite these NE cells having a slow growth rate, they readily developed xenograft tumors. Furthermore, media conditioned by these NE cells exhibited a stimulatory effect on proliferation and PSA secretion by LNCaP cells in androgen-deprived conditions. Additionally, we found that receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase alpha plays a role in upregulating multiple NE markers and acquiring the NE phenotype. These NE cells thus represent cancerous NE cells and could serve as a useful cell model system for investigating the role of cancerous NE cells in hormone-refractory proliferation of PCa cells.
Chemopreventive effects of rofecoxib and folic acid on gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in rats.
Fei, Su Juan; Xiao, Shu Dong; Peng, Yan Shen; Chen, Xiao Yu; Shi, Yao (2006)
OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological and experimental studies indicate that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are chemopreventive agents of gastrointestinal cancers, but few studies on gastric cancer have been carried out. A decrease in folic acid supplement and subsequent DNA hypomethylation are related to gastrointestinal cancers, and it has been shown that high-dose folic acid may interfere with gastric carcinogenesis in dogs. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of rofecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, and folic acid on the chemoprevention of gastric cancer induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in Wistar rats, and to evaluate the cell proliferation of gastric mucosa in different experimental groups. METHODS: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (16 rats in each group). In the control group, the rats were given pure water and basal diet. In the MNNG group, the rats received MNNG in drinking water (100 mg/L) and basal diet. In the MNNG + low-dose rofecoxib group, the rats were given MNNG and rofecoxib 5 mg/kg per day with basal diet. In the MNNG + high-dose rofecoxib group, the rats were given MNNG and rofecoxib 15 mg/kg per day with basal diet. In the MNNG + folic acid group, the rats were given MNNG and folic acid 5 mg/kg per day with basal diet. The experiment was terminated at 50 weeks, and all rats were killed. Blood samples of 3 mL were obtained for measurement of serum folic acid concentrations in the control group, the MNNG group and the MNNG + folic acid group by using chemiluminescent method. The stomach was removed from all rats for histopathological examination and immunohistochemical study. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in gastric epithelial cells was also determined. RESULTS: In the MNNG group, five of 11 rats (45.5%) developed gastric cancer, while in all other four groups no gastric cancer was found (P < 0.05). The positivity rate of PCNA expression in the cancerous tissues was significantly higher than that in the non-cancerous tissues (80.0%vs 14.1%, P < 0.05). The positivity rate of PCNA expression in the gastric mucosal cells of the MNNG group was significantly higher than that in the other four groups. The mean serum folic acid concentration of rats was significantly higher in the MNNG + folic acid group (193.70 +/- 60.73 ng/mL) than those in the control group (84.21 +/- 25.26 ng/mL) and the MNNG group (72.27 +/- 16.70 ng/mL, P < 0.05). It was shown that both low- and high-dose rofecoxib as well as folic acid interfered with the development of gastric cancer induced by MNNG in Wistar rats. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that rofecoxib as well as folic acid interferes with gastric carcinogenesis induced by MNNG in Wistar rats, and the suppression of gastric cell proliferation may play a crucial role in the chemoprevention of gastric cancer by rofecoxib and folic acid. The higher serum folic acid concentration of rats may play an important role in the prevention of gastric cancer.
Dietary patterns and risk of squamous-cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia: a population-based case-control study in Sweden.
Bahmanyar, Shahram; Ye, Weimin (2006)
We conducted a large population-based case-control study in Sweden to examine the association of dietary patterns and the development of cancers from the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction. In total 185 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, 165 with esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma, 258 with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma, and 815 randomly selected population controls underwent face-to-face interviews. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify possible dietary patterns. Multivariate logistic regression with adjustments for age, sex, years of education, body mass index, physical activity, symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux, smoking, and total energy intake was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We identified three major dietary patterns in this population, for example, "healthy diet" (high in vegetables, tomato, fruits, fish, and poultry), "Western diet" (high in processed meat, red meat, sweets, high-fat dairy, and high-fat gravy), and "alcohol drinker" (high in intakes of beer, liquor, and French fries). We found that a healthy diet tended to moderately decrease the risk of all three cancers under study, although none of the associations was statistically significant. A high score of Western diet was associated with increased risks of gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (high 3rd tertile vs. low 1st quartile, OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1-2.9, P for trend = 0.04) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (high 3rd tertile vs. low 1st tertile, OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 0.9-3.1, P for trend = 0.13), whereas a dietary pattern characterized by high beer and liquor intake (alcohol drinker) significantly increased the risk of squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus (3rd tertile vs. low 1st tertile, OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.9-6.3, P for trend < 0.0001). Our study confirms the important role of diet in the carcinogenesis of esophageal and cardia cancer.
The effects of short-chain fatty acids on colon epithelial proliferation and survival depend on the cellular phenotype.
Comalada, Monica; Bailon, Elvira; de Haro, Oscar; Lara-Villoslada, Federico; Xaus, Jordi; Zarzuelo, Antonio; Galvez, Julio (2006-08)
PURPOSE: The short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are produced via anaerobic bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber within the colonic lumen. Among them, butyrate is thought to protect against colon carcinogenesis. However, few studies analyze the effects of butyrate, and other SCFA, on normal epithelial cells and on epithelial regeneration during disease recovery. Since there are controversial in vitro studies, we have explored the effects of SCFA on different biological processes. METHODS: We used both tumoral (HT-29) and normal (FHC) epithelial cells at different phenotypic states. In addition, we analyzed the in vivo activity of soluble dietary fiber and SCFA production in the proliferation rate and regeneration of intestinal epithelial cells. RESULTS: The effect of butyrate on epithelial cells depends on the phenotypic cellular state. Thus, in nondifferentiated, high proliferative adenocarcinoma cells, butyrate significantly inhibited proliferation while increased differentiation and apoptosis, whereas other SCFA studied did not. However, in normal cells or in differentiated cultures as well as in in vivo studies, the normal proliferation and regeneration of damaged epithelium is not affected by butyrate or SCFA exposure. CONCLUSION: Although butyrate could exert antiproliferative effects in tumor progression, its production is safe and without consequences for the normal epithelium growth.
Endogenous versus exogenous exposure to N-nitroso compounds and gastric cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-EURGAST) study.
Jakszyn, Paula; Bingham, Sheila; Pera, Guillem; Agudo, Antonio; Luben, Robert; Welch, Ailsa; Boeing, Heiner; Del Giudice, Giuseppe; Palli, Domenico; Saieva, Calogero; et al. (2006-07)
The risk of gastric cancer (GC) associated with dietary intake of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and endogenous formation of nitroso compounds (NOCs) was investigated in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). The study included 521,457 individuals and 314 incident cases of GC that had occurred after 6.6 average years of follow-up. An index of endogenous NOC (ENOC) formation was estimated using data of the iron content from meat intake and faecal apparent total NOC formation according to previous published studies. Antibodies to Helicobacter pylori and vitamin C levels were measured in a sub-sample of cases and matched controls included in a nested case-control within the cohort. Exposure to NDMA was < 1 microg on average compared with 93 mug on average from ENOC. There was no association between NDMA intake and GC risk (HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.7-1.43). ENOC was significantly associated with non-cardia cancer risk (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.14-1.78 for an increase of 40 microg/day) but not with cardia cancer (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.69-1.33). Although the number of not infected cases is low, our data suggest a possible interaction between ENOC and H.pylori infection (P for interaction = 0.09). Moreover, we observed an interaction between plasma vitamin C and ENOC (P < 0.02). ENOC formation may account for our previously reported association between red and processed meat consumption and gastric cancer risk.
Genotoxic effects of myosmine in a human esophageal adenocarcinoma cell line.
Vogt, Sarah; Fuchs, Katharina; Richter, Elmar (2006-05-01)
The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma is rapidly rising in Western populations. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is thought to be one of the most important risk factors. However, the mechanisms by which GERD enhances tumor formation at the gastroesophageal junction are not well understood. Myosmine is a tobacco alkaloid which has also a wide spread occurrence in human diet. It is readily activated by nitrosation and peroxidation giving rise to the same hydroxypyridylbutanone-releasing DNA adducts as the esophageal carcinogen N'-nitrosonornicotine. Therefore, the genotoxicity of myosmine was tested in a human esophageal adenocarcinoma cell line (OE33). DNA damage was assessed by single-cell gel electrophoresis (Comet assay). DNA strand breaks, alkali labile sites and incomplete excision repair were expressed using the Olive tail moment (OTM). The Fapy glycosylase (Fpg) enzyme was incorporated into the assay to reveal additional oxidative DNA damage. DNA migration was determined after incubation of the cells for 1-24h. Under neutral conditions high myosmine concentrations of 25-50mM were necessary to elicit a weak genotoxic effect. At pH 6 genotoxicity was clearly enhanced giving a significant increase of OTM values at 5mM myosmine. Lower pH values could not be tested because of massive cytotoxicity even in the absence of myosmine. Co-incubation of 25 mM myosmine with 1mM H(2)O(2) for 1h significantly enhanced the genotoxicity of H(2)O(2) but not the oxidative lesions additionally detected with the Fpg enzyme. In the presence of the peroxynitrite donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) a dose-dependent significant genotoxic effect was obtained with 1-10mM myosmine after 4h incubation. NS-398, a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 2, did not affect the SIN-1 stimulated genotoxicity of myosmine. Finally, the 23 h repair of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced DNA lesions was significantly inhibited in the presence of 10mM myosmine. In conclusion, myosmine exerts significant genotoxic effects in esophageal cells under conditions which may prevail in GERD such as increased oxidative and nitrosative stress resulting from chronic inflammation.
Meat intake and risk of stomach and esophageal adenocarcinoma within the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).
González, Carlos A.; Jakszyn, Paula; Pera, Guillem; Agudo, Antonio; Bingham, Sheila; Palli, Domenico; Ferrari, Pietro; Boeing, Heiner; del Giudice, Giuseppe; Plebani, Mario; et al. (2006-03-01)
BACKGROUND: Dietary factors are thought to have an important role in gastric and esophageal carcinogenesis, but evidence from cohort studies for such a role is lacking. We examined the risks of gastric cancer and esophageal adenocarcinoma associated with meat consumption within the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. METHODS: A total of 521,457 men and women aged 35-70 years in 10 European countries participated in the EPIC cohort. Dietary and lifestyle information was collected at recruitment. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine associations between meat intake and risks of cardia and gastric non-cardia cancers and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Data from a calibration substudy were used to correct hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for diet measurement errors. In a nested case-control study, we examined interactions between Helicobacter pylori infection status (i.e., plasma H. pylori antibodies) and meat intakes. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 6.5 years, 330 gastric adenocarcinoma and 65 esophageal adenocarcinomas were diagnosed. Gastric non-cardia cancer risk was statistically significantly associated with intakes of total meat (calibrated HR per 100-g/day increase = 3.52; 95% CI = 1.96 to 6.34), red meat (calibrated HR per 50-g/day increase = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.03 to 2.88), and processed meat (calibrated HR per 50-g/day increase = 2.45; 95% CI = 1.43 to 4.21). The association between the risk of gastric non-cardia cancer and total meat intake was especially large in H. pylori-infected subjects (odds ratio per 100-g/day increase = 5.32; 95% CI = 2.10 to 13.4). Intakes of total, red, or processed meat were not associated with the risk of gastric cardia cancer. A positive but non-statistically significant association was observed between esophageal adenocarcinoma cancer risk and total and processed meat intake in the calibrated model. In this study population, the absolute risk of development of gastric adenocarcinoma within 10 years for a study subject aged 60 years was 0.26% for the lowest quartile of total meat intake and 0.33% for the highest quartile of total meat intake. CONCLUSION: Total, red, and processed meat intakes were associated with an increased risk of gastric non-cardia cancer, especially in H. pylori antibody-positive subjects, but not with cardia gastric cancer.
O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase gene polymorphisms and the risk of primary lung cancer.
Chae, Myung Hwa; Jang, Jin-Sung; Kang, Hyo-Gyoung; Park, Jae Hyung; Park, Jung Min; Lee, Won Kee; Kam, Sin; Lee, Eung Bae; Son, Ji-Woong; Park, Jae Yong (2006-04)
O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) plays an important role in the repair of O6-alkylguanine adducts, which are major mutagenic lesions produced by environmental carcinogens. Polymorphisms in the AGT gene may affect the capacity to repair DNA damage and thereby have influence on individual's susceptibility to smoking-related cancer. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the potential association of AGT polymorphisms (485C > A, Leu53Leu (C > T) and Leu84Phe] with the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. The AGT genotypes were determined in 432 lung cancer patients and in 432 healthy controls who were frequency-matched for age and gender. The 485 AA genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk for overall lung cancer as compared with the 485 CC genotype and the combined 485 CC + CA genotype, respectively (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12-2.99, P = 0.02, and Bonferroni corrected P-value (Pc) = 0.04; and adjusted OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.05-2.66, P = 0.03, respectively). When the lung cancer cases were categorized by the tumor histology, the 485 AA genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of adenocarcinoma (AC) and small cell carcinoma (SmCC), respectively, as compared with the combined 485 CC + CA genotype (adjusted OR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.39-4.66, P = 0.003; and adjusted OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.06-4.55, P = 0.04, respectively). However, the genotype distributions of the Leu53Leu and Leu84Phe polymorphisms were not significantly different between the lung cancer cases and the controls. On a promoter assay, the 485C > A polymorphism did not have an effect on the promoter activity of the AGT gene. These results suggest that the effect of the AGT 485C > A polymorphism on the risk of lung cancer may be secondary to linkage disequilibrium (LD) with either another AGT variant or with a true susceptibility gene, and that the AGT 485C > A polymorphism could be used as a marker for the genetic susceptibility to lung cancer.
Uptake of the tobacco-specific lung carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone by Moldovan children.
Stepanov, Irina; Hecht, Stephen S.; Duca, Gheorghe; Mardari, Igor (2006-01)
The evidence of an association between childhood exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and an increased risk of lung cancer is inconsistent. However, taking into account the existing association between lung cancer and adulthood ETS exposure, it is plausible that children exposed to ETS also would be at risk of developing lung cancer later in life. In this study, we investigated the uptake by Moldovan children of the tobacco-specific lung carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) by measuring total 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), the sum of the NNK metabolites, NNAL, and its O-glucuronide and N-glucuronide (NNAL-Glucs) in urine. We also measured urinary cotinine and its glucuronide (total cotinine). Total NNAL was detected in 69 of 80 samples, including those that were low in cotinine (<5 ng/mL). The mean+/- SD level of total NNAL (0.09+/- 0.077 pmol/mL) was comparable with those observed in previous studies of children and adults exposed to ETS. Total NNAL correlated with total cotinine (r=0.8, P<0.0001). The mean+/- SD levels of total NNAL and total cotinine were higher in children who were exposed to ETS (0.1+/- 0.08 and 109+/- 126 pmol/mL, respectively) than in those who were classified as unexposed to ETS based on questionnaire data (0.049+/- 0.016 pmol/mL and 0.043+/- 0.040 nmol/mL). The results of this study for the first time show widespread and considerable uptake of nicotine and the tobacco-specific lung carcinogen NNK in Moldovan children. These results should be useful in heightening the awareness of the dangers of smoking and ETS exposure in this eastern European country.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1115
|
__label__cc
| 0.613479
| 0.386521
|
A.J. Boyd
Pro Unione
Working for Christian Unity from the heart of Rome
Home » La vita Roma » Angelicum Quote of the Day
Angelicum Quote of the Day
Thomas F. O'Meara, OP
One of my favorite professors from Notre Dame, an owlish Dominican ecclesiolgist named Tom O’Meara, published an autobiography a few years ago. I had noticed a copy for sale at the Angelicum bookstore the last couple weeks, but have not been inclined to buy too many extra books while here in Rome. Today, however, I discovered an entire table full of clearance priced texts as they get ready to wind down the academic year, including this paperback at about 85% off the previous price.
Randomly flipping through the book as I logged it into my library inventory, I came across this page describing his first days in Europe in the late summer of 1963:
“I spent my first days in Europe at the Angelicum, the Dominican graduate theological school and seminary. It was named after Thomas Aquinas but called the Angelicum because Aquinas’s theological acumen had resembled that of an angel. With a few eccentric scholars, some inedible meals, primitive toilets, officious porters and sacristans, the “Ange” lived up to what I had heard of it from my teachers who had studied there. A year or two before it had been an almost obligatory school to which Dominicans came from all over the world to gain expeditiously a doctorate. The study of dogmatic theology rarely ranged far from collecting passages from Aquinas on some major or minor topic and ignored other theologians from Origen to Maurice Blondel. Historical contexts and contemporary problems were neglected, for this was a citadel of a strict neo-Thomism where the salvation of Jesuit Suarezians was in only a little less doubt than that of Protestant Hussites. On the eve of the Council, one of the Dominican professors at a meeting of advisors to the Vatican had bemoaned the variety and looseness of theological opinions tolerated by the church, views held even in Rome, views such as those of the Redemptorists in moral theology or the Jesuits in the psychology of grace. He devoutly hoped that the Council would proclaim lists of clear positions on canon law and doctrine so that those vagaries opposed to the Dominican school of Thomism would end. Most of my teachers in the Midwest had received their doctorates from the Angelicum in philosophy, theology, and canon law. What soon amazed me was that American Dominicans had lived in Rome without becoming interested in history or art. Their graduate studies had been repetitive, boring, more memorized scholasticism, and the two years were physically and psychologically difficult, the life of prisoners whose goal was survival. Sadly, poverty, isolation, and rigidity of daily schedule – even in a cloister arranged around a fountain and palm trees and perched above the Roman forum- had for most blocked out the history and beauty around them.”
Thomas F. O’Meara, OP, A Theologian’s Journey, 70.
Tags: Angelicum, Dominicans, Ecclesiology, Order of Preachers, Rome, theology, Thomas F. O'Meara, University of Notre Dame
By A.J. Boyd in La vita Roma, Theology and Ecumenism on April 27, 2010 .
← Fighting Irish in Rome; Vatican Communications Dinner with our parish priest →
Elizabeth D says:
This priest has become a pastor in my city. I see him saying here, how tedious theology was, in the days when it was about learning “rigid” Catholic doctrine, before it became about creatively making up exciting new stuff a la Rahner. He is giving a talk in a couple of weeks about extraterrestrials. If I understand correctly from how his beliefs about that are described online, he contends that Jesus’ salvation may be specifically for earth and something different could apply for other planets. Oh boy how fortunate we are that theology is now about making up new stuff, it is like Star Trek now.
A.J. Boyd says:
Elizabeth, i got another comment recently from a woman in DC: “That threat of communion under one species looms, I know. We have a rather new pastor at St. Joseph’s (senate side) who is a grad of the NAC and super conservative. 8 o’clock Mass is supposed to get out at 8:29 so people can get to work on time. At 8:40 he is still droning on and on, preaching. I mentioned that something should be directed at the young parishioners. So, he scheduled a Holy Hour which lasted 3 hours. Nobody came the next week. Talk about not knowing your parish!”
Personally i’d prefer a happy medium between extraterrestrial theology on one hand, and time-traveling-wannabes on the other. Too much Sci-Fi, as you say!
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1116
|
__label__cc
| 0.704189
| 0.295811
|
Career▼
working@esmo
training@esmo
esmo group
§ 1 Information on the Collection of Personal Data
(1) In the following, we will inform you on the collection and processing of personal data when using our websites, and the rights granted to you according to the EU General Data Protection Regulation, hereinafter referred to as GDPR.
(2) The term "personal data" defines all data that may be personally related to/identified with you, e.g. your name, address, e-mail-addresses, user behaviour.
(3) The responsible authority pursuant to EU General Data Protection Regulation, Article 4, Section 7, is esmo AG, Managing Director/CEO Mr. Andreas Widhammer, Brueckenstrasse 1, 83022 Rosenheim, Germany, datenschutz.allgemein@esmo-ag.com.
(4) You may contact the data protection officer at datenschutz@esmo-ag.com or our postal address – esmo AG, Brueckenstrasse 1, 83022 Rosenheim, Germany – by adding the annotation "Attention of Data Protection Officer".
§ 2 Your Rights
You shall be granted the following statutory rights against us with regards to personal data related to you:
right of access (to information on data processed by us) (pursuant to GDPR Article 15)
right to rectification (i.e. the correction of incorrect data) (pursuant to GDPR Article 16)
right to erasure (demand that in certain cases your data will be deleted immediately) (pursuant to GDPR Article 17)
right to restriction of processing (demand that your data will not be processed in the future or only processed to a limited extent) (pursuant to GDPR Article 18)
right to withdraw/revoke, with future effect, a consent once given
right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority – responsible for Bavaria:
Bayerisches Landesamt für Datenschutzaufsicht
(= Bavarian State Supervisory Authority for Data Protection)
§ 3 Collection of Personal Data for Inquiries
In case you contact us by e-mail or via one of our contact forms, data processing will take place on the basis of your consent. You may revoke this consent at any time.
Any data transmitted by you (your e-mail address, your name, if applicable, and your telephone number) will be stored by us in order to answer your questions. We will delete all personal data arising within this framework after data storage is no longer required, or restrict the processing of such data in case of prevalent legal retention policies.
§ 4 Collection of Personal Data when Visiting our Websites
(1) When you visit/use our websites, we will only collect the personal data that your browser transmits to our server. We will process the following data, which is technically required in order to display our websites, and to ensure their stability and security (pursuant to GDPR Article 6(1), Subsection f):
date and time of the request
contents of the requirement (specific/particular page)
respective amounts of transmitted data
operating system and operating system interface
browser software language and version
(2) In addition to the aforementioned data, cookies will be stored on your computer when using our websites. Cookies are small text files, which are stored on your hard drive, allocated to the browser you use, providing certain information to the entity setting the cookie (in present case, us). Cookies can neither run programs nor transmit viruses to your computer. They serve the mere purpose of making internet offers more user-friendly and effective in general.
(3) Use of cookies:
a) Our websites use the following types of cookies, the scope and operation of which will be explained in the following:
– transient cookies, please refer to b)
– persistent cookies, please refer to c)
b) Transient cookies are automatically deleted when you close the browser. This, in particular, includes session cookies. Session cookies store a so-called session ID, by means of which various requests from your browser may be assigned to the shared session. This will allow your computer to be recognized once you return to our websites. Session cookies will be deleted as soon as you log out or close the browser.
c) Persistent cookies will be automatically deleted after a specified period of time, which may differ, depending on the particular cookie. However, you may delete the cookies in the security settings of your browser at any time.
d) You may configure your browser settings as you wish, and – for instance – refuse to accept third-party cookies or any cookies at all. Please consider though that this measure may prevent you from using all features of our websites.
e) Any Flash cookies used will not be detected by your browser but by your Flash plug-in. We furthermore use HTML5 Storage Objects, which will be stored on your device. These objects store the required data, regardless of the browser you use, and do not have any pre-specified, automatic expiration date. Unless you wish to process Flash cookies, you will have to install a corresponding add-on. You may prevent the use of HTML5 Storage Objects by using private mode in your browser setting. Moreover, we recommend that you manually delete your cookies as well as you browser history on a regular basis.
§ 5 Use of Google Analytics
(1) Our websites use Google Analytics, a web analysis service provided by Google, Inc. ("Google"). Google Analytics uses so-called "cookies": cookies are text files stored on your computer which allow an analysis of your use of the respective websites. In general, the information generated by the cookie, will be transmitted to a Google server, located in the United States of America, and stored there. In case you opt to activate the IP anonymization in our websites, Google will truncate/anonymize the last octet of the IP address for Member States of the European Union as well as for other parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Only in exceptional cases, your full IP address will be sent to and shortened by Google servers in the USA. Google will use this information, by order of the website owner, to evaluate your use of the websites, to compile reports about website activities for website operators, and to render other services associated with website activities and internet usage to website providers.
(2) The IP address provided by your browser as part of Google Analytics shall not be merged with other Google data.
(3) You may refuse/prevent the installation of cookies by changing the setting of your browser software. We would like to point out to you though that you may not be able to use all the functions of these websites in their entirety any more in that case. You may also prevent the collection of the data generated by the cookie and related to your use of the websites (including your IP address) by Google as well as the processing of this data by Google by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available under the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en
(4) Our websites use Google Analytics with the extension "_anonymizeIp()". As a result, IP addresses will be shortened/truncated prior to further processing, for which reason any association with your person/personal data can be excluded. Insofar as any personal data collected will be assigned to or associated with a personal reference, the latter will be immediately excluded, and the personal data will be deleted immediately.
(5) The legal basis for the use of Google Analytics shall be our legitimate interest pursuant to GDPR Article 6, Section 1, Subsection 1(f). Within this framework we will utilize Google Analytics to analyze and regularly improve the use of our websites. With the statistics generated by Google Analytics, we will be able to improve our internet offer and make it more interesting and appealing for you as a user. For exceptional cases, in which personal information is transferred to the USA, Google has submitted to the EU-US Privacy Shield: https://www.privacyshield.gov/EU-US-Framework
(6) Third-party information: Google Dublin, Google Ireland Ltd., Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland, telefax: +353 (1) 436 1001 // terms of use: https://www.google.com/analytics/terms/us.html // privacy policy overview: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=en // privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en
(7) Our websites furthermore use Google Analytics for cross-device analyses of visitor traffic conducted via a user ID.
§ 6 Integration of YouTube Videos
(1) We have included YouTube videos in our online offering, which are stored on http://www.YouTube.com, and are directly playable from our website. These are all included in the "extended privacy mode", i.e. no data about you as a user will be transmitted to YouTube if you do not play the videos. Only when you play the videos, the data mentioned in subsequent paragraph 2 will be transmitted. We have no influence on this data transfer whatsoever.
(2) By visiting our websites, YouTube will receive the information that you have accessed a corresponding subpage of our websites. In addition to that, the data mentioned in § 3 of present privacy policy will be transmitted. This will happen regardless of whether YouTube provides a user account that you are logged in to, or there is no user account. If you are logged in to Google, your data will be assigned directly to your account. If you do not wish to be associated with your profile on YouTube, you will have to log out prior to activating the button. YouTube will store your data as usage profiles, and use them for purposes of advertising, market research and/or custom design of its website. Such evaluation measures are performed in particular (even for users who are not logged in) to provide appropriate advertising, and to inform other social network users about your activities on our websites. You have the right to object to the creation of such user profiles – please refer to YouTube to exercise this right.
(3) For further information on the purpose and extent of the data collection and its processing by YouTube, please refer to the YouTube privacy policy where you will also be able to obtain more detailed information on your rights and privacy setting options: https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy. Google also processes your personal information in the USA, and has submitted to the EU-US Privacy Shield: https://www.privacyshield.gov/EU-US-Framework
(4) The legal basis for the use of YouTube shall be our legitimate interest pursuant to GDPR Article 6, Section 1, Subsection 1(f). Within this framework we will utilize YouTube to make our internet offer more informative and appealing for you as a user.
§ 7 Use of Google AdWords Conversion
(1) GDPR Article 6, Section 1, Subsection 1(f) shall constitute the legal basis for the processing of your data. Within this framework we will utilize the offer of Google AdWords to draw attention to our attractive offers with the help of advertising media (so-called Google AdWords) on external websites. In relation to the data of the advertising campaigns, we will be able to determine this way how successful individual advertising measures are/have been. We aim at presenting you advertisements that are of interest to you, to make our websites more interesting and appealing for you as a user, and to achieve an adequate and fair calculation of advertising costs.
(2) These advertising media are supplied by Google via so-called "Ad Servers". For this purpose we use ad server cookies, which measure certain performance metrics such as ad pop-ups or user clicks. If you access our websites via a Google ad, Google AdWords will store a cookie on your PC. These cookies usually lose their validity, i.e. expire, after 30 days, and are not intended to identify you personally. As a rule, the unique cookie ID, the number of ad impressions per placement (frequency), the last impression (relevant to post-view conversions), and opt-out information (indicating that the user does not wish to be addressed again) are stored as this particular cookie's analytical values.
(3) These cookies allow Google to recognize your internet browser at a later time. If a user visits certain pages of an AdWords customer's website, and the cookie stored on the user's computer has not expired, Google and the customer will be able to detect that the user clicked on the ad, and was then redirected to that page. Each AdWords customer will be assigned a different cookie. For this reason, cookies cannot be tracked via the websites of AdWords customers. We ourselves do not collect and process any personal data within the framework of the aforementioned advertising measures. We only receive statistical evaluations provided by Google. On the basis of these evaluations, we will be able to identify which of the advertising measures used are particularly effective. We do not receive any further and more extensive data from the use of advertising media – we are not able to identify users on the basis of this information in particular.
(4) Due to the marketing tools used, your browser automatically establishes a direct connection to the Google server. We have no control over the extent and the further use of the data, which are raised by the employment of this tool by Google. For this reason, we provide you with information according to and basing on our state of knowledge: By the incorporation of AdWords Conversion Google will receive the information that you have visited a particular section/site of our internet appearance, or clicked on one of our ads. In case you are registered with a service provided by Google, Google may associate your visit with your account. Even if you are not registered with Google, or have not logged in, there is a possibility that the provider may detect and store your IP address.
(5) You may prevent a participation in this tracking process in several ways:
a) by adjusting your browser software accordingly – in particular, the suppression of third-party cookies will prevent you from receiving any third-party ads;
b) by disabling the cookies for conversion tracking and setting your browser to block cookies from the domain "www.googleadservices.com", https://www.google.com/settings/ads – however, this setting be deleted when you delete your cookies;
c) by deactivating interest-based advertisements of the providers which are part of the "About Ads" self-regulation campaign via the link http://www.aboutads.info/choices – however, this setting be deleted when you delete your cookies;
d) by permanent deactivation in your browsers Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Google Chrome via the link http://www.google.com/settings/ads/plugin. We would like to point out to you that in this case you may not be able to use all the features of these internet offers in their entirety though.
(6) For more detailed information on Google data privacy, please refer to https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en and https://services.google.com/sitestats/en.html. Alternatively, you may also visit the website of Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) at http://www.networkadvertising.org. Google has submitted to the EU-US Privacy Shield: https://www.privacyshield.gov/EU-US-Framework
§ 8 Service of Matelso GmbH
Our websites use a service of Matelso GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany. The legal basis for the processing of your data shall be our legitimate interest pursuant to GDPR Article 6, Section 1, Subsection 1(f).
In case you call a Matelso telephone number we commissioned, details/information on the call will be transmitted to a web analysis service (e.g. Google Analytics) we use. Matelso furthermore reads the cookies set by our analysis service, or other parameters of the websites you are currently visiting, for instance referrer, document path, and remote user agent data. This information will be processed in accordance with our instructions by Matelso, and stored on servers in the EU. For further information/details, please refer to https://www.matelso.com/en/matelso-call-tracking-gdpr/. You may refuse/prevent the installation of cookies by changing the setting of your browser software. We would like to point out to you though that you may not be able to use all the functions of these websites in their entirety any more in that case.
§ 9 Newsletter2Go
On present website you may subscribe to our newsletter. For this we require your e-mail address. The personal data collected in connection with your newsletter registration will only be stored for the duration of your newsletter subscription.
The newsletter will be mailed by Newsletter2Go GmbH, Nuernberger Strasse 8, 10787 Berlin, Germany.
Newsletter2Go is a service by means of which, among other things, the dispatch of newsletters can be organized and analyzed. The data entered by you, in order to subscribe to our newsletter, will be stored on the servers of Newsletter2Go in Germany.
Unless you wish Newsletter2Go to analyze your data, please unsubscribe. For this purpose, we provide a corresponding link in all our newsletter messages. Furthermore, you have the possibility to unsubscribe directly on present website.
Data Analysis by Newsletter2Go
With the assistance of Newsletter2Go we are able to analyze our newsletter campaigns. This way, we can see whether a newsletter message has been opened and which links have been clicked. So we can also determine which links in particular were clicked most frequently.
Furthermore, we can see whether certain previously defined actions were carried out after opening/clicking (conversion rate).
Newsletter2Go also allows us to cluster newsletter recipients into different categories: newsletter recipients may be subdivided according to their age, gender, or place of residence, for example, in order to better adapt the contents of our newsletters to the respective target groups.
For detailed information on the functionalities of Newsletter2Go, please refer to the following link: https://www.newsletter2go.de/features/newsletter-software/.
§ 10 Mouseflow
Our websites use Mouseflow, a web analysis tool of Mouseflow ApS, Flaesketorvet 68, 1711 Copenhagen, Denmark, in order to track and record randomly selected, individual visits (only with anonymized IP addresses). As a result, a protocol of mouse movements, mouse clicks, and keystroke activities will be created, with the intention of randomly reproducing individual visits to these websites as so-called session replays, and evaluating them by means of so-called heatmaps, in order to derive potential improvements for our websites. The cookie generated by Mouseflow will be deleted after a period of ninety (90) days. The data collected by Mouseflow is non-personal and will not be disclosed to third parties – this data will be retained for a period of three (3) months. All data collected will be stored and processed within the EU. In case you do not wish Mouseflow to collect your data, you may object to this on any website using Mouseflow by clicking on the following opt-out link: https://mouseflow.de/opt-out/
Cookies status
We use cookies on our website, some of which are essential, while others help us improve this website and your experience.
Essential cookies ensure the execution of basic functions, and are therefore requisite for the full use of our website as intended.
These cookies are used to improve the functionality of our website by tracking and analyzing user behaviour.
Official websites: Google AdWords Conversion (click here) / mouseflow (click here) / matelso (click here)
These cookies are used to unblock YouTube contents.
Official website: Google (click here)
save settings + close
We are there for you.
esmo Germany
esmo AG
Brueckenstrasse 1
Phone +49 (8031) 233 88 0
Fax +49 (8031) 233 88 10
sales@esmo-ag.com
esmo USA
esmo USA Corp.
1020 Winding Creek Road
Roseville, California 95678
Phone +1 (916) 307 6345
sales@esmo-usa.com
esmo Singapore
esmo Asia Pte. Ltd.
12 Tai Seng Link
#06 - 01
Phone +65 (656) 288 57
Fax +65 (656) 288 60
sales@esmo-asia.com
esmo China
esmo Asia North Co. Ltd.
Building 2, No. 388 Xinrun Road
Xin Qiao Industrial Zone
Song Jiang District
201612 Shanghai · China
Phone +86 (21) 5768 7228 + ext. 216
Fax +86 (21) 5768 7132
info@esmo-ag.com.cn
www.esmo-group.cn
flextos Germany
flextos GmbH
Rosenheimer Strasse 44
Phone +49 (8031) 233 88 60
info@flextos.com
flextos.com
flextos USA
flextos USA Inc.
Norcross, Georgia 30071
SLE Technology GmbH
Josef-Buchinger-Strasse 9
Phone +49 (8552) 96 40 0
Fax +49 (8552) 96 40 45
info@sle-technology.com
sle-technology.com
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1119
|
__label__wiki
| 0.810092
| 0.810092
|
PUBG Corp Announces Official Invitational With $2M Prize Pool
by Trent Murray
H1Z1 Pro League
20 teams will compete in the PUBG Global Invitational 2018
The tournament will have a $2M prize pool.
This event will be the first official tournament presented by PUBG Corp without help from an outside organizer like ESL.
PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS has officially joined the ranks of developer-supported esports. Today, Polygon reported that PUBG Corp has announced its first official tournament: The PUBG Global Invitational 2018.
The tournament will take place in Berlin, Germany beginning on July 25 with 20 teams facing off for a total prize pool of $2M. Although “invitational” is in the tournament’s name, Polygon reports that teams will be able to qualify for the event through regional qualifiers to be hosted in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Related Article: OPINION: Latest PUBG Hire Hints at Developer-Run League
Last year, Bluehole , owner of PUBG Corp and publisher of PUBG, partnered with ESL to produce the PUBG Gamescomm 2017 Invitational, which featured a $350K prize pool. The new Invitational is a major step up for PUBG esports, both in prize money and in PUBG Corp’s direct involvement.
The battle royale genre has dominated the esports conversation as of late. On April 21, the H1Z1 Pro League debuted on Facebook. Although not an official Epic Games event, Fortnite’s top streamer, Ninja, hosted an esports tournament at the Esports Arena in Las Vegas that same night. Now PUBG has officially joined the fray with one of the largest prize pools announced to date this year. With Fortnite and PUBG already dominating Twitch viewership, this tournament is the next step towards the battle royale genre taking over the esports industry.
Tags: blueholeESLEsports ArenaGamescommplayerunknowns battlegroundsPUBG Corptwitch
TEO Report: Just Under $2B in Disclosed Esports Funding Raised in Q1 2018
K&K Insurance Group Launches Program for Esports Teams and Events
Trent Murray
Trent has been reporting on esports for over five years, starting with the early days of the LCS. He currently serves as The Esports Observer's Senior Writer, and staunchly believes that "fighting games are great."
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1120
|
__label__cc
| 0.691169
| 0.308831
|
8:00pm MSU Opera Theatre presents Tales of Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach (Performing Arts (Dance, Music, Theatre, ...))
Melanie Helton
GUEST CONDUCTOR
Daniel Beckwith (Metropolitan Opera, Glyndebourne Opera)
Haunting melodies and fantastical tales meld into an evening of brilliant French opera in Jacques Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffmann, loosely based on the short stories of the poet E.T.A. Hoffmann. Join the dreamscape of the stories of Hoffmann's three doomed loves: a mechanical doll, a servant of an earthly devil, and a dying singer. Each love story has its own twist as Hoffmann searches for the ideal woman, only to lose each lover by means of his own foolishness. This is French grand opera at its best - a showcase for brilliant singing, dramatic confrontation, and soaring orchestral harmonies. Sung in French (with English surtitles).
A preview lecture will be held 45 minutes before each performance.
The 2011-12 MSU Opera Theatre season is supported by the Worthington Family Foundation.
Location: MSU Concert Auditorium, Auditorium Rd., MSU Campus [map]
Price: $20, $18 for senior citizens (age 60 and older), $10 for student and those under 18
Sponsor: College of Music
Contact: musicpr@msu.edu
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1125
|
__label__cc
| 0.627343
| 0.372657
|
[PAST EVENT] 14th Annual Ali's 5K Run/Walk in memory of Ali Kaplan
613 S Henry St
Hosted by W&M law students' Bone Marrow Drive committee!
Entrance Fee: $15
Race Start: 10 AM
Registration and Parking at the Law School
Start & Finish of Walk/Race: Bicentennial Park, Newport Ave. at South Henry Street (about two blocks from the Law School)
Early Registration: April 2-5 in the Law School lobby (9AM to 4PM) or online (see site below)
T-Shirt Pick Up: Race Day, April 7, from 8 AM to 10AM at the Law School's entrance
Post-Race Activities: Refreshments, awards and fun prizes!
About Ali Kaplan
Alison Kaplan passed away in 1999, at age 12, from aplastic anemia, a very rare bone marrow disease. Ali was a straight "A" student, played recreation league soccer and basketball, and was active in school chorus and Dance Williamsburg. In recognition of Ali's selflessness, compassion, and courage, both James Blair Middle School and the Junior Women's Club of Williamsburg have established annual student awards in her memory.
Your participation in this race will help support the National Marrow Donor Program
Each year in America 30,000 people are diagnosed with potentially fatal blood diseases such as leukemia, Hodgkin?s lymphoma, and aplastic anemia, for which a bone marrow transplant may be the only cure. Less than a quarter of patients will find a donor within their immediate family, and the remainder rely on unrelated donors, recruited through drives such as this one, and on transplants facilitated by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).
The NMDP maintains a national Be A Match Registry of potential donors that provides hope for thousands of patients locally, nationally, and internationally. There are currently over 4 million donors listed on the registry. While the Registry continues to grow each year, it can never be large enough to ensure a match for every patient. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 60 can become donor, and therefore almost every segment of the community is a lifesaving resource waiting to be tapped. Each unregistered individual represents a potential opportunity lost. Your participation in this run gives you an opportunity to help save lives.
Dean of Students Events
Health & Wellness Events
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1128
|
__label__wiki
| 0.606893
| 0.606893
|
Community News: Beyond Campus
New Trojan Design
No, Not the Condoms
Helene Martin, Managing Editor of Print|October 17, 2019
The new EvCC Trojan design, by Jeremy Slagle.
EvCC Press
A new, heroic Trojan is debuting at Everett Community College (EvCC). The new Trojan spirit mark has been a year in the making and has involved many school departments and students across campus. Jeremy Slagle, the owner of Slagle Design, is the artist behind this innovative design.
The Trojan has been a symbol of pride and honor at EvCC for more than 70 years and has been redesigned multiple times over the years. With this newest design, Slagle along with EvCC hoped to fix some of the historical inaccuracies that previous designs had. “It’s an academic institution and so using that uniform or costuming that doesn’t reflect what would have been historically correct seems like a big faux pas,” said Slagle.
(From left to right) Timeline of EvCC’s Trojan over the past 70 years.
In addition to fixing historical inaccuracies, EvCC had three main goals with this new design: to incorporate the Feather Star, no offensive weaponry and a more inclusive representation. The Feather Star sculpture was one of the only things to make it through the 1987 fire and has been a symbol of rebirth at EvCC ever since. The Feather Star logo was incorporated into the new spirit mark, serving as the Trojan’s cape.
In previous designs the Trojan can be seen wielding a sword, now a shield takes its place. “Aggressiveness is generally good in athletic-type logos but again this wasn’t just to serve as an athletic logo, and so I think the shield can also be a symbolism of strength and so we opted more for that versus a sword,” said EvCC Director of Athletics, Garet Studer.
Another goal of the new design was to create a more relatable spirit mark. “We wanted to create something that everybody could own and feel like part of the school,” said Slagle. Whereas previous designs were more masculine and assertive in design, the new spirit mark has a heroic pose and no defined gender or ethnicity.
Savanna Eikerman
New Trojan merchandise represented by EvCC students.
The new Trojan spirit mark can be seen all around campus on banners and incorporated into new athletic uniforms. The old mascot costume has also been retired, with a new design in the process of being made. You can pick up your own Trojan apparel at the EvCC bookstore and celebrate your school pride every Trojan Thursday.
Helene Martin, Managing Editor of Print
Savanna Eickerman, Managing Editor of Visuals
Students and Faculty Protest
737 Max Investigation
Students React to Hong Kong Protests
Marîa Peña Resigns From EvCC
Crime on and off Campus
Remembering Everett’s Patriotic Man: Samiu Bloomfield
Clipper Rewind: Winter Archives
Clipper Rewind: Stories From the Past
Lessons from Space
EvCC Women’s Basketball
Domestic Violence Awareness at EvCC
Man Exposes Himself to Classroom Inside Gray Wolf Hall
Lockdown Issued On Campus
Garbage Can Fire Burns Baker Hall
The student news site of Everett Community College in Everett, Washington
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1130
|
__label__wiki
| 0.529455
| 0.529455
|
Teaching materials :
Search our image library for images from Understanding Evolution to use in your lessons, handouts and presentations.
FOUND 162 IMAGES:
Adaptive radiation
If a lot of diversification happens in a short amount of time, it is often referred to as an adaptive radiation. Although biologists have different standards for defining an adaptive radiation, it generally means an event in which a lineage rapidly diversifies, with the newly formed lineages evolving different adaptations. The rapid diversification of mammals shown here may constitute an adaptive radiation.
Allopatric speciation
In this mode of speciation, something extrinsic to the organisms prevents two or more groups from mating with each other regularly, eventually causing that lineage to speciate. Isolation might occur because of great distance or a physical barrier, such as a desert or river.
Analogies (1 of 3) Saberteeth
These skulls belong to extinct animals, and both of them have saberteeth — long, ferocious canines. Would you guess that these saberteeth are homologous — inherited from a common ancestor with extra-long saberteeth?
Despite their similarities, the unusual length of these teeth is NOT homologous. One skull belongs to Thylacosmilus, a marsupial mammal. The other belongs to Smilodon, the saber-toothed cat, which is a placental mammal. Marsupial and placental mammals are very different, and diverged from each other a long time ago on the evolutionary tree. Thylacosmilus is more closely related to other marsupials such as kangaroos and koalas than it is to Smilodon. Smilodon is more closely related to other placentals such as housecats and elephants than it is to Thylacosmilus. Saberteeth is not a common trait in the marsupials closely related to Thylacosmilus, or the placentals closely related to Smilodon.
As they weren't inherited from a common ancestor, the saberteeth in Smilodon and Thylacosmilus evolved independently from one another. That means that one lineage on one part of the tree of life evolved saberteeth from normal length teeth, and a different lineage somewhere else on the tree also evolved saberteeth from normal length teeth.
Analogy (1 of 2) Bird and bat wing diagrams
When we examine bird wings and bat wings closely, we see that there are some major differences. Bat wings consist of flaps of skin stretched between the bones of the fingers and arm. Bird wings consist of feathers extending all along the arm. These structural dissimilarities suggest that bird wings and bat wings were not inherited from a common ancestor with wings.
Analogy (2 of 2) Bird and bat wing phylogeny
Bird and bat wings are analogous — that is, they have separate evolutionary origins, but are superficially similar because they evolved to serve the same function. Analogies are the result of convergent evolution.
The evolution of antibiotic resistance occurs through natural selection. Imagine a population of bacteria infecting a patient in a hospital. The patient is treated with an antibiotic. The drug kills most of the bacteria but there are a few individual bacteria that happen to carry a gene that allows them to survive the onslaught of antibiotic. These survivors reproduce, passing on the gene for resistance to their offspring, and soon the patient is populated by an antibiotic resistant infection — one that not only affects the original patient but that can also be passed on to other patients in the hospital.
Artificial selection (1 of 5) Fish example
This population of fish exhibits variation in body size. Some have genes for large size and some have genes for small size. This represents genetic variation in the population.
When the population is fished, many of the largest fish are removed, so more of the small-bodied fish (and their small-bodied genes) remain.
The population reproduces. Each individual passes their genes on to their offspring — however, since there are more small-bodied parents, there are also more small-bodied offspring.
In the next generation, the population has evolved: average body size in the population is smaller than it used to be and small-bodied genes are more common than they used to be.
This downward trend in body size will continue so long as the largest fish are harvested and there is genetic variation in the population.
Artificial selection in the lab (1 of 2)
Guppy spots are largely genetically controlled. Spots that help the guppy blend in with its surroundings protect it from predation — but spots that make it stand out help it attract mates. In this experiment, guppies were raised in ponds that varied in the coarseness of gravel on the bottom. All ponds had predators. After fewer than 15 generations of selection, the markings of guppies in different ponds had substantially diverged as a result of natural selection. In the presence of predators, guppies evolved to blend in with their background.
The same experiment was performed in the same pond set-up, but without predators. After fewer than 15 generations of selection, the markings of guppies in different ponds had substantially diverged as a result of natural selection. In the presence of predators, guppies evolved to blend in with their background.
Artificial selection of corn
Plants and animals are domesticated through artificial selection, which works like natural selection does, but with humans instead of nature doing the selecting. Here, humans plant only the plump teosinte kernels — the plants that grow from those seeds carry more genes for plumpness, but they still vary in many ways. Over many generations of selection, the frequency of desirable gene variants increases in the population — and so does the quality of the crop.
Body size over time
Over the history of life, increases in body volume are correlated with sharp increases in the oxygen level of the earth's atmosphere.
In genetics, a population bottleneck is an event in which a population's size is greatly reduced. Gene frequencies in the population are likely to change just by random chance and many genes may be lost from the population, reducing the population's genetic variation. The situation is even more extreme for the genes that are targeted for artificial selection. Humans only allow individuals carrying desirable gene versions to reproduce. This is a bit like going to the gumball machine when you only like cherry-flavored gum: you might reject many pieces of gum based on their color and will wind up with a handful of gumballs with very little variety.
Cambrian explosion
The term "explosion" may be a bit of a misnomer. Cambrian life did not evolve in the blink of an eye. The Cambrian was preceded by many millions of years of evolution, and many of the animal phyla actually diverged during the Precambrian.
Causes of speciation - Geographic isolation
What was once a continuous population is divided into two or more smaller populations. This can occur when rivers change course, mountains rise, continents drift, or organisms migrate. The geographic barrier isn't necessarily a physical barrier that separates two or more groups of organisms — it might just be unfavorable habitat between the two populations that keeps them from mating with one another.
Causes of speciation - Reduced gene flow
Speciation can occur even when there is no specific extrinsic barrier to gene flow. Imagine a situation in which a population extends over a broad geographic range, and mating throughout the population is not random. Individuals in the far west would have zero chance of mating with individuals in the far eastern end of the range. So we have reduced gene flow, but not total isolation. This may or may not be sufficient to cause speciation. Speciation would probably also require different selective pressures at opposite ends of the range, which would alter gene frequencies in groups at different ends of the range so much that they would not be able to mate if they were reunited.
Change through time (1 of 4) Leaves
Leaves on trees change color and fall over several weeks.
Change through time (2 of 4) Mountains
Mountain ranges erode over millions of years.
Change through time (3 of 4) Genealogy
A genealogy illustrates change with inheritance over a small number of years.
Change through time (4 of 4) Tree of life
Over a large number of years, evolution produces tremendous diversity in forms of life.
Chemical signals and cell fate
Chemical signals influence the fate of cells.
Clades (1 of 2) Definition
A clade is a grouping that includes a common ancestor and all the descendants (living and extinct) of that ancestor. Using a phylogeny, it is easy to tell if a group of lineages forms a clade. Imagine clipping a single branch off the phylogeny — all of the organisms on that pruned branch make up a clade.
Clades (2 of 2) Nested clades
Clades are nested within one another — they form a nested hierarchy. A clade may include many thousands of species or just a few. Some examples of clades at different levels are marked on these phylogenies. Notice how clades are nested within larger clades.
1 codon = 1 amino acid
Cospeciation (1 of 3)
A species of louse lives on a species of gopher. When the gophers get together to mate, the lice get an opportunity to switch gophers and perhaps mate with lice on another gopher. Gopher-switching allows genes to flow through the louse species.
When the gopher lineage splits into lineages A and B, lice have few opportunities for gopher-switching, and lice on gopher lineage A don't mate with lice living on gopher lineage B. This "geographic" isolation of the louse lineages may cause them to become reproductively isolated as well, and hence, separate species.
When lineages have cospeciated, the parasite phylogeny will "mirror" the host phylogeny. This example is somewhat idealized — rarely do scientists find hosts and parasites with exactly matching phylogenies. However, sometimes the phylogenies indicate that cospeciation did happen along with some host-switching.
DNA fingerprinting
In DNA fingerprinting, scientists collect samples of DNA from different sources — for example, from a hair left behind at the crime scene and from the blood of victims and suspects. They then narrow in on the stretches of repetitive DNA scattered throughout these samples. The profile of repetitive regions in a particular sample represents its DNA fingerprint, which ends up looking a bit like a barcode. Each bar in the barcode represents one particular stretch of repetitive DNA. Since these repetitive regions are common in the genome and highly variable from individual to individual, no two people (except identical twins) will have exactly the same set of repetitive regions and, hence, the same DNA fingerprint.
DNA is made of a long sequence of smaller units strung together. There are four basic types of unit: A, T, G, and C. These letters represents the type of base each unit carries: adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine.
DNA, RNA, Proteins (1 of 4) DNA
DNA is a long, double-stranded molecule twisted into a helix. It is composed of a chemical code (represented by the letters A, T, G, and C) that describes how to make proteins.
DNA, RNA, Proteins (2 of 4) RNA
RNA is similar to DNA, but it is shorter and single-stranded. RNA can carry an "imprint" of DNA information and take it to the place in the cell where proteins are built.
DNA, RNA, Proteins (3 of 4) Proteins
Proteins are long chain-like molecules that fold into complicated shapes and perform all sorts of jobs in the cell — from providing raw building materials to running chemical reactions. They are the workhorses of the cell — and, hence, of the organism.
DNA, RNA, Proteins (4 of 4) DNA to Proteins
DNA instructions are transmitted via RNA to construct proteins.
Evolution of HIV virus
Just as fruit flies on separate islands can evolve into separate species, HIV viruses in separate hosts can evolve into separate lineages.
Evolution: A progression of scientific thought
This educational infographic retraces the history of evolutionary thought from pre-Darwinian times to the present. It's available in English, French, German, and Spanish.
Extinction and diversification - Trilobites and ammonites
If extinction happens more frequently than lineage-splitting, that entire clade will go extinct eventually. For example, trilobites and ammonites had high rates of both diversification and extinction.
Evolution shows that, as much as possible, organisms will evolve to optimize their fitness — the number of descendents they produce for future generations relative to other organisms. So based on evolutionary theory, we would expect organisms to evolve adaptations that would allow them to have more children, grand children, great-grandchildren, and so on.
Galapagos finch phylogeny
Genetic sequences show that finches with similar feeding approaches tend to be closely related to one another.
Gene expression in different cells
Different cells have different genes expressed.
Genes + environment = phenotype
An organism's phenotype is usually the result of both genetic factors, environmental factors, and the interactions between them.
Genetic bottleneck
Population bottlenecks occur when a population's size is reduced for at least one generation. Because genetic drift acts more quickly to reduce genetic variation in small populations, undergoing a bottleneck can reduce a population's genetic variation by a lot, even if the bottleneck doesn't last for very many generations. This is illustrated by the bags of marbles shown below, where, in generation 2, an unusually small draw creates a bottleneck.
Genetic drift - Large population
Through sampling error, genetic drift can cause populations to lose genetic variation. Imagine that our random draws from the marble bag produced the following pattern: 5:5, 6:4, 7:3, 4:6, 8:2, 10:0, 10:0, 10:0, 10:0, 10:0… Why did we keep drawing 10:0? Because if the green marbles fail to be represented in just one draw, we can't get them back — we are "stuck" with only brown marbles. The cartoon below illustrates this process, beginning with the fourth draw.
Genetic drift - Small population
The marble-drawing scenario also illustrates why drift affects small populations more. Imagine that your bag is only big enough for 20 marbles (a tiny bag!) and that you can only draw four marbles to represent gene frequencies in the next generation. Something like this might happen:
Genetic drift example (1 of 4)
BB individuals have big beaks, Bb individuals have medium-sized beaks, and bb individuals have small beaks. These birds live in a place where large and small seeds are abundant, but no medium-sized seeds are available. Populations of all big-beaked individuals have a very high average fitness — they can crack open big seeds. Populations of all small-beaked individuals do well (they can manipulate smaller seeds) — but not quite as well as the big-beaked individuals. Medium-beaked individuals have the lowest fitness — they are not particularly good with either big or little seeds (and no medium-sized seeds are available). A graph of these gene frequencies and the population's resulting fitness levels is shown. This sort of graph is called an adaptive landscape.
Now imagine a small population of all small-beaked individuals (all bb genotypes). They have a high fitness (they are at a local peak), but not as high as a population of big-beaked individuals. Through gene flow some B alleles are introduced to the population. If selection alone were acting, it would weed these alleles out of the population since they would show up in Bb individuals with lower fitness. Under selection alone, the population could never reach the higher BB fitness peak.
However, since the population is small, drift can be a powerful force. Just by chance, the frequencies of the B alleles increase in the population over several generations (and the population moves into a valley in the adaptive landscape). If the B alleles become frequent enough, the population will begin to have BB individuals with high fitness. As this happens, selection begins to increase the frequency of B (the population moves out of the valley and selection pushes it towards the global fitness peak). Eventually, through the action of genetic drift combined with selection, the population moves from one local peak, through a valley of low fitness, to the global fitness peak.
In the real world, many, many loci affect the fitness of a population and an adaptive landscape may have multiple peaks and valleys. This graph shows a complex landscape involving just two loci.
Just as a glass greenhouse traps heat radiated by the sun, greenhouse gasses in the Earth's atmosphere also trap the sun's heat.
Homologous tetrapod limbs (1 of 6)
These four limbs all belong to tetrapods — animals with four legs.
Notice how these tetrapod limbs are similar to one another: They are all built from many individual bones. They are all spin-offs of the same basic bone layout: one long bone attached to two other long bones.
Whales, lizards, humans, and birds all have the same basic limb layout. But how did such different animals wind up with the same sort of limb? The answer is that they inherited it from a common ancestor, just as cousins might inherit the same trait from their grandfather.
This evolutionary tree shows the relationships between different tetrapod lineages, all of which evolved from a single common ancestor. This 350 million year old animal, the first tetrapod, had limbs with one long bone (the humerus) attached to two other long bones (the radius and ulna). Its descendants, including whales, lizards, humans, and birds, as well as many others, inherited the tetrapod limb from this ancestor.
Not all similarity is homology. Since the octopus, sea star and grasshopper limbs don't have bones, they are not homologous to tetrapod limbs.
This tree shows how the octopus is related to tetrapods, and the points in their evolutionary histories when their limbs evolved. Tetrapod and octopus limbs evolved independently after their point of common ancestry, so they were not inherited from a common ancestor. Therefore, they are not homologous. The same is true of the grasshopper leg and the sea star arm.
Horizontal gene transfer
Bacteria can get new gene variants through horizontal gene transfer - they can pass genes back and forth to one another directly.
Humans on the tree of life
This tree is based on morphological and genetic data. Chimpanzees and humans form a clade with genes sequences that differ by only 1%. This genetic similarity made it hard to figure out exactly how these two primates are related, but recent genetic studies have strongly suggested that chimpanzees and humans are each other's closest living relative.
Inbreeding depression
The offspring resulting from inbreeding tend to have health problems and lower reproductive success. This is known as inbreeding depression. Inbreeding depression occurs because of a quirk of natural selection and genetics. As natural selection acts on a population, it weeds out genes that have disadvantageous effects, but it can only weed out these genes if they are actually expressed in an individual. For dominant gene versions, that's no problem. Individuals carrying dominant genes with a detrimental effect will be selected against, and eventually, these genes will be purged from the population. For recessive gene versions, however, the story is a bit different. Recessive genes are only expressed when an individual carries two copies of them. Once natural selection has removed most of the detrimental recessive genes from a population, these seldom wind up paired with an identical copy and are effectively hidden from the effects of natural selection. This means that most populations carry many deleterious recessive gene versions that are very rarely expressed — except in cases of inbreeding. Closely related individuals are likely to carry the same deleterious recessive gene versions and pass two copies of that gene on to their offspring.
Macroevolution
Macroevolution refers to evolution of groups larger than an individual species.
For any one species, extinction may seem catastrophic. But over the grand sweep of life on Earth, extinction is business as usual. Extinctions occur continually, generating a "turnover" of the species living on Earth. This normal process is called background extinction. Sometimes, however, extinction rates rise suddenly for a relatively short time — an event known as a mass extinction. Mass extinctions kill off many species, but the empty niches left behind may allow other lineages to radiate into new roles, shaping the diversification of life on Earth.
Mass extinctions - Five major
Mass extinctions are, by definition, harsh, but they each seem to be disastrous in their own unique way.
Mechanisms of evolution (1 of 4) Mutation
A mutation could cause parents with genes for bright green coloration to have offspring with a gene for brown coloration. That would make the genes for brown beetles more frequent in the population.
Mechanisms of evolution (2 of 4) Migration
Some individuals from a population of brown beetles might have joined a population of green beetles. That would make the genes for brown beetles more frequent in the green beetle population.
Mechanisms of evolution (3 of 4) Genetic drift
Imagine that in one generation, two brown beetles happened to have four offspring survive to reproduce. Several green beetles were killed when someone stepped on them and had no offspring. The next generation would have a few more brown beetles than the previous generation — but just by chance. These chance changes from generation to generation are known as genetic drift.
Mechanisms of evolution (4 of 4) Natural selection
Imagine that green beetles are easier for birds to spot (and hence, eat). Brown beetles are a little more likely to survive to produce offspring. They pass their genes for brown coloration on to their offspring. So in the next generation, brown beetles are more common than in the previous generation.
Mechanisms of microevolution (1 of 4) Mutation
Some green genes randomly mutated to brown genes, causing brown coloration. However, since any particular mutation is rare, this process alone cannot account for a big change in allele frequency over one generation.
Mechanisms of microevolution (2 of 4) Migration
Some beetles with brown genes immigrated from another population, or some beetles carrying green genes emigrated.
Mechanisms of microevolution (3 of 4) Genetic drift
When the beetles reproduced, just by random luck more brown genes than green genes ended up in the offspring. In the diagram at right, brown genes occur slightly more frequently in the offspring (29%) than in the parent generation (25%).
Mechanisms of microevolution (4 of 4) Natural selection
Beetles with brown genes escaped predation and survived to reproduce more frequently than beetles with green genes, so that more brown genes got into the next generation.
Microevolution
Microevolution is evolution on a small scale — within a single population. That means narrowing our focus to one branch of the tree of life.
Microevolution - Change in gene frequency
Microevolution is a change in gene frequency in a population. Suppose you sample a beetle population this year, and determine that 80% of the genes in the population are for green coloration and 20% of them are for brown coloration. You go back the next year, repeat the procedure, and find a new ratio: 60% green genes to 40% brown genes. You have detected a microevolutionary pattern: a change in gene frequency. A change in gene frequency over time means that the population has evolved.
Microevolution - The size of the sparrow
Sparrow populations in the north are larger-bodied than sparrow populations in the south. This divergence in populations is probably at least partly a result of natural selection: larger-bodied birds can often survive lower temperatures than smaller-bodied birds can. Colder weather in the north may select for larger-bodied birds. As this map shows, sparrows in colder places are now generally larger than sparrows in warmer locales. Since these differences are probably genetically based, they almost certainly represent microevolutionary change: populations descended from the same ancestral population have different gene frequencies.
Microevolutionary change can accumulate into macroevolution
Over many generations, evolutionary processes that act at the population level can lead to macroevolutionary change.
Mitochondrial genes (1 of 2)
Mitochondria are passed from mother to child — your mitochondrial genes are a genetic gift from your mother alone. The genes in the nuclei of your cells (your nuclear genes) come from both parents.
Nuclear DNA is inherited from all ancestors. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited from a single lineage.
Modes of speciation (1 of 4) Allopatric
New species formed from geographically isolated populations.
Modes of speciation (2 of 4) Peripatric
New species formed from a small population isolated at the edge of a larger population.
Modes of speciation (3 of 4) Parapatric
New species formed from a continuously distributed population.
Modes of speciation (4 of 4) Sympatric
New species formed from within the range of the ancestral population.
Mutation (1 of 4) Substitution
A substitution is a mutation that exchanges one base for another (i.e., a change in a single "chemical letter" such as switching an A to a G).
Mutation (2 of 4) Insertion
Insertions are mutations in which extra base pairs are inserted into a new place in the genes.
Mutation (3 of 4) Deletion
Deletions are mutations in which a section of genes is lost, or deleted.
Mutation (4 of 4) Frameshift
Since protein-coding genes is divided into codons three bases long, insertions and deletions can alter a gene so that its message is no longer correctly parsed. These changes are called frameshifts.
Mutation - DNA
When a cell divides, it makes a copy of its DNA — and sometimes the copy is not quite perfect. That small difference from the original DNA sequence is a mutation.
Natural selection (1 of 4) Variation
There is variation in traits. For example, some beetles are green and some are brown.
Natural selection (2 of 4) Differential reproduction
There is differential reproduction. Since the environment can't support unlimited population growth, not all individuals get to reproduce to their full potential. In this example, green beetles tend to get eaten by birds and survive to reproduce less often than brown beetles do.
Natural selection (3 of 4) Heredity
There is heredity. The surviving brown beetles have brown baby beetles because this trait has a genetic basis.
Natural selection (4 of 4) End result
End result: The more advantageous trait, brown coloration, which allows the beetle to have more offspring, becomes more common in the population. If this process continues, eventually, all individuals in the population will be brown.
Natural selection - Beetle example
Over the course of many generations, green beetles have been selected against, and brown beetles have flourished.
Natural selection in a test tube
How do biologists "evolve" RNA in a test tube? The same way that a population of organisms evolves in the real world: natural selection.
Neutral theory - Selection and drift on scale
The neutral theory of molecular evolution suggests that most of the genetic variation in populations is the result of mutation and genetic drift, not selection. The theory suggests that if a population carries several different versions of a gene, odds are that each of those versions is equally good at performing its job — in other words, that variation is neutral: whether you carry gene version A or gene version B does not affect your fitness.
Pace of evolution (1 of 3) Slow and steady
The preservation of many transitional forms, through layers representing a length of time, gives a complete record of slow and steady evolution.
Pace of evolution (2 of 3) Quick jumps
If evolution happens in "quick" jumps, we'd expect to see big changes happen quickly in the fossil record, with little transition between ancestor and descendent. Here, the descendent preserved in a layer directly after the ancestor, showing a big change in a short time, with no transitional forms.
Pace of evolution (3 of 3) Irregular fossil preservation
We expect to see a jump in the fossil record if evolution has occurred as a "quick" jump, but a jump in the fossil record can also be explained by irregular fossil preservation. This possibility can make it difficult to conclude that evolution has happened rapidly.
Pace of evolution hypotheses (1 of 4)
In many cases, we seem to observe "bursts" of evolution in the fossil record. In this example, in a lower rock layer, you see ancestor 1. In the next rock layer, you see species 2 and 3. Species 2 looks the same as ancestor 1. Species 3 is morphologically distinct, but is clearly also descended from ancestor 1. What happened?
Hypothesis 1: Phyletic gradualism - slow and steady divergence of lineages. The "burst" of evolution is a geological illusion. It only looks like a burst because a lot of time — say, 5 million years — passed between the times when the two rock layers were laid down. In this period of time, species 3 gradually diverged from ancestor 1 through a series of transitional forms, but these transitional forms were not preserved.
Hypothesis 2: Punctuated equilibrium — a large amount of change in a short time, tied to a speciation event. Species 2 and 3 are only 100,000 years younger than ancestor 1, and all the evolutionary change connecting them took place in this short time. The "burst" of evolution is really a burst. Transitional forms between ancestor 1 and species 3 did exist, but for such a short amount of time that they were not preserved in the fossil record.
Hypothesis 3: Macromutation — a big mutation produces sudden evolutionary change skipping over transitional forms. The "burst" of evolution is really a burst — there was a lot of evolutionary change in a very short amount of time. Species 3 was produced by a mutation that radically changed the offspring of ancestor 1 in many ways. Such extreme mutants are sometimes called "hopeful monsters." This hypothesis is consistent with the fossils; however, based on other observations, we do not have clear evidence that such extreme yet adaptive mutations generally occur. Nevertheless, it is possible that mutations affecting development have far-reaching phenotypic effects and have played an important role in the evolution of life.
Parsimony (1 of 5) Vertebrate character matrix
Character data for some major vertebrate lineages. Characters were limited to characters that are likely homologous (note that many vertebrate lineages and many characters were excluded from this example for the sake of simplicity).
Parsimony (2 of 5) Vertebrate ancestor characters
From studying fossils and lineages closely related to the vertebrate clade, we hypothesize that the ancestor of vertebrates had none of these features.
Parsimony (3 of 5) Amniotic egg clade and phylogeny
We focus in on the group of lineages that share the derived form of the egg character, an amniotic egg (A), and hypothesize that they form a clade (B.)
Parsimony (4 of 5) All clades and phylogeny
If we go through the whole table like this, grouping clades according to shared derived characters (C) we get the following hypothesis (D).
Parsimony (5 of 5) Comparison of two hypotheses
The parsimony principle tells us to choose the simplest scientific explanation that fits the evidence. Hypothesis 1 requires six evolutionary changes and Hypothesis 2 requires seven evolutionary changes, with a bony skeleton evolving independently, twice. Although both fit the available data, the parsimony principle says that Hypothesis 1 is better — since it does not hypothesize unnecessarily complicated changes.
Patterns in macroevolution (1 of 5) Stasis
Many lineages on the tree of life exhibit stasis, which just means that they don't change much for a long time.
Patterns in macroevolution (2 of 5) Character change
Lineages can change quickly or slowly. Character change can happen in a single direction, such as evolving additional segments, or it can reverse itself by gaining and then losing segments. Changes can occur within a single lineage or across several lineages. Lineage A changes rapidly but in no particular direction. Lineage B shows slower, directional change.
Patterns in macroevolution (3 of 5) Trilobite example
Trilobites, animals in the same clade as modern insects and crustaceans, lived over 300 million years ago. Their fossil record clearly suggests that several lineages underwent similar increases in segment number over the course of millions of years.
Patterns in macroevolution (4 of 5) Lineage splitting
Patterns of lineage-splitting (or speciation) can be identified by constructing and examining a phylogeny. The phylogeny might reveal that a particular lineage has undergone unusually frequent lineage-splitting, generating a "bushy" tuft of branches on the tree (Clade A, below). It might reveal that a lineage has an unusually low rate of lineage-splitting, represented by a long branch with very few twigs coming off (Clade B, below). Or it might reveal that several lineages experienced a burst of lineage-splitting at the same time (Clade C, below).
Extinction can be a frequent or rare event within a lineage, or it can occur simultaneously across many lineages (mass extinction). Here, a mass extinction cuts short the lifetimes of many species, and only three survive.
Peripatric speciation (1 of 5)
Only a few fruit fly larvae survived the journey from the mainland to colonize the island.
These few survivors just by chance carry some genes that are rare in the mainland population. One of these rare genes happens to cause a slight variation in the mating dance. Another causes a slight difference in the shape of male genitalia. This is an example of the founder effect.
These small differences, which are rare on the mainland, drift to fixation in the small population on the island over the course of a few generations (i.e., the entire island population ends up having these genes).
As the island population grows, the unique reproductive features on the island result in a cascade of changes caused by sexual selection. These changes optimize, or at least improve, the fit of male and female genitalia to one another and female sensitivity to nuances of the mating ritual. Flies also experience natural selection that favors individuals better suited to the climate and food of the island.
After some generations, the island flies become reproductively isolated from the mainland flies. Peripatric speciation has occurred.
Phylogenies (1 of 3) Tree-like not ladder-like
Evolution produces a pattern of relationships A B C D among lineages that is tree-like, not ladder-like.
Phylogenies (2 of 3) Left to right
Just because we tend to read phylogenies from left to right, there is no correlation with level of "advancement."
Phylogenies (3 of 3) Order doesn't matter
For any speciation event on a phylogeny, the choice of which lineage goes to the right and which goes to the left is arbitrary. These phylogenies are equivalent.
Polytomy (1 of 3)
Often, one sees phylogenies that include polytomies, nodes with more than two descendent lineages, creating a "pitchfork."
Polytomy (2 of 3) Lack of knowledge
A polytomy may mean that we don't have enough data to figure out how the lineages are related. There are six possible solutions to this polytomy. Often, gathering more data can resolve a polytomy.
Polytomy (3 of 3) Rapid speciation
A polytomy may mean that multiple speciation events happened at the same time.
Punctuated equilibrium (1 of 8) Stasis
Stasis: A population of mollusks is experiencing stasis, living, dying, and getting fossilized every few hundred thousand years. Little observable evolution seems to be occurring judging from these fossils.
Punctuated equilibrium (2 of 8) Isolation
Isolation: A drop in sea level forms a lake and isolates a small number of mollusks from the rest of the population.
Punctuated equilibrium (3 of 8) Strong selection and rapid change
Strong selection and rapid change: The small, isolated population experiences strong selection and rapid change because of the novel environment and small population size: The environment in the newly formed lake exerts new selection pressures on the isolated mollusks. Also, their small population size means that genetic drift influences their evolution. The isolated population undergoes rapid evolutionary change. This is based on the model of peripatric speciation.
Punctuated equilibrium (4 of 8) No preservation
No preservation: No fossils representing transitional forms are preserved because of their relatively small population size, the rapid pace of change, and their isolated location.
Punctuated equilibrium (5 of 8) Reintroduction
Reintroduction: Sea levels rise, reuniting the isolated mollusks with their sister lineage.
Punctuated equilibrium (6 of 8) Expansion and stasis
Expansion and stasis: The isolated population expands into its past range. Larger population size and a stable environment make evolutionary change less likely. The formerly isolated branch of the mollusk lineage may out-compete their ancestral population, causing it to go extinct.
Punctuated equilibrium (7 of 8) Preservation
Preservation: Larger population size and a larger range move us back to step 1: stasis with occasional fossil preservation.
Punctuated equilibrium (8 of 8) This process would produce the following pattern in the fossil record
This process would produce the following pattern in the fossil record: Evolution appears to happen in sharp jumps associated with speciation events.
Recognizing homologies - Crocodile/mouse limb bones
The same bones (though differently shaped) support the limbs of mice and crocodiles. Homologous bones are colored alike.
Regulatory genes
Certain genes control where and when other genes are expressed.
Reproduction (1 of 6) Egg, sperm, and zygote
Eggs and sperm carry only half the usual number of chromosomes — just 23 unpaired chromosomes, carrying one version of each gene. When the egg and sperm get together, the baby receives the normal 23 matched pairs.
Reproduction (2 of 6) Chromosome duplication
When eggs and sperm are produced, the parent cell first copies each chromosome, leaving the duplicate pairs attached to one another.
Reproduction (3 of 6) Recombination
Producing eggs and sperm is our first opportunity for mixing and matching genes. When the mother makes an egg, her chromosomes first find their matched partners and exchange some genes with each other. That's called recombination. Because of this shuffling, genes from the mother's mom and genes from the mother's father can wind up next to one another on the same stretch of genes. (The same thing happens in the father's sperm.)
Reproduction (4 of 6) Meiosis, step one
Meiosis, step one
Reproduction (5 of 6) Meiosis, step two
Meiosis, step two
Reproduction (6 of 6) Zygote with recombinant genes
When egg and sperm meet, the baby inherits a combination of genes that is totally unique: it carries versions of genes from all 4 grandparents plus any mutations that occurred when the mother and father were making the egg and sperm.
Imagine a game in which you have a bag holding 100 marbles, 50 of which are brown and 50 green. You are allowed to draw 10 marbles out of the bag. Now imagine that the bag is restocked with 100 marbles, with the same proportion of brown and green marbles as you have just drawn out. The ratio of brown to green marbles "drifts" around (5:5, 6:4, 7:3, 4:6 …).
Sickle Cell (1 of 3) Genes
Sickle cell anemia is caused by a mutation at the genes level.
Sickle Cell (2 of 3) Protein
Normal hemoglobin (left) and hemoglobin in sickled red blood cells (right) look different; the mutation in the genes changes the shape of the hemoglobin molecule, allowing it to clump together.
Sickle Cell (3 of 3) Cell
Normal red blood cells (top) and sickle cells (bottom)
Speciation example (1 of 5)
The branching points on this partial Drosophila phylogeny represent speciation events that happened in the past.
The scene: a population of wild fruit flies is minding its own business on several bunches of rotting bananas, cheerfully laying their eggs in the mushy fruit.
Disaster strikes: A hurricane washes the bananas and the immature fruit flies they contain out to sea. The banana bunch washes up on an island off the coast of the mainland. The fruit flies mature and emerge onto the lonely island. The two portions of the population, mainland and island, are now too far apart for gene flow to unite them. At this point, speciation has not occurred — mainland and island fruit flies can mate and produce healthy offspring.
The populations diverge: Ecological conditions are slightly different on the island, and the island population evolves under different selective pressures and experiences different random events than the mainland population does. Morphology, food preferences, and courtship displays change over the course of many generations of natural selection.
So we meet again: When another storm reintroduces the island flies to the mainland, they will not readily mate with the mainland flies since they've evolved different courtship behaviors. The few that do mate with the mainland flies, produce inviable eggs because of other genetic differences between the two populations. The lineage has split now that genes cannot flow between the populations.
Stomata (1 of 3) Function
Carbon dioxide enters, while water and oxygen exit, through a leaf's stomata. Stomata control a tradeoff for the plant: they allow carbon dioxide in, but they also let precious water escape.
Stomata (2 of 3) Tradeoff
Levels of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere change over time — so at times when the atmosphere is carbon-dioxide-rich, plants can get away with having fewer stomata since each individual stoma will be able to bring in more carbon dioxide. During those high-carbon-dioxide times, plants with fewer stomata will have an advantage and will be common. On the other hand, when carbon dioxide levels are low, plants need many stomata in order to scrape together enough carbon dioxide to survive. During low-carbon-dioxide times, plants with more stomata will have an advantage and will be common.
Stomata (3 of 3) Indicators of CO2 and temperature
Stomata of fossil plants can be used to directly estimate past carbon dioxide levels, and those carbon dioxide levels can then be used to make an indirect estimate of temperature. Typically (although there are exceptions to the rule), fossils with many stomata (low carbon dioxide) came from times of low global temperature, and fossils with few stomata (high carbon dioxide) came from times of high global temperatures.
Three domains
The three domains: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukaryota.
Timeline of human evolution
Important events in human history, with approximate dates, which reflect the evidence currently available
Transitional forms - whale evolution
Transitional forms in whale evolution, highlighting the transition of the walking forelimb to the flipper.
Understanding phylogenies (1 of 4)
Understanding a phylogeny is a lot like reading a family tree. The root of the tree represents the ancestral lineage, and the tips of the branches represent the descendents of that ancestor. As you move from the root to the tips, you are moving forward in time.
When a lineage splits (speciation), it is represented as branching on a phylogeny. When a speciation event occurs, a single ancestral lineage gives rise to two or more daughter lineages.
Phylogenies trace patterns of shared ancestry between lineages. Each lineage has a part of its history that is unique to it alone and parts that are shared with other lineages.
Similarly, each lineage has ancestors that are unique to that lineage and ancestors that are shared with other lineages — common ancestors.
Vertebrate phylogeny - Amphibia, synapsida, sauropsida
Vertebrate phylogeny
Vertebrate phylogeny with characters
Evolutionary relationships of major vertebrate groups.
Vertebrate phylogeny with time
This phylogeny represents vertebrate evolution. The lengths of the branches have been adjusted to show when lineages split and went extinct.
Virus evolution and virulence
There is an evolutionary trade off between virus virulence and virus transmission. A virulent virus does a lot of damage to its host, and produces a lot of offspring. However, if the host's illness prevents the host from coming into contact that new hosts that the virus could jump to, the virus actually has relatively low evolutionary fitness. In contrast, a virus that is less virulent could infect far more hosts because the hosts are well enough to come in contact with many other potential hosts.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1133
|
__label__wiki
| 0.925934
| 0.925934
|
3 Traits That Make Amir Khan Such A Special Athlete
ONE Championship Evolve MMA Tuesday
ONE Superstar Amir Khan from the Evolve Fight Team is one of the most talented martial artists in the world.
Despite being just 24 years of age, Khan has already accomplished much during his time as a professional combat sports athlete. With a professional clip of 11-5, including eight knockouts — a ONE Championship record — Khan is a dangerous man for any opponent.
With Costa Rica’s Ariel “Tarzan” Sexton forced to bow out of the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix, Khan has been tapped to take his place in the semi-final round. He’ll face Turkey’s Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev at ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON, which takes place this Friday, 17 May at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
It’s a much-anticipated clash between two dangerous lightweights who can finish both on the feet or on the mat and an interesting contrast of fighting styles. Fans will surely be in for a treat, no matter the result of the contest.
But Khan is determined to claim victory. If he’s able to defeat Arslanaliev, Khan will advance to the final round, where he’ll face the winner between Russia’s Timofey Nastyukhin and the United States’ Lowen Tynanes.
Before Khan steps back into the ONE Circle this Friday night, let’s take a look at a handful of reasons why he’s the guy to root for.
Today, Evolve Daily shares three reasons why Amir Khan from the Evolve Fight Team is one of the best martial artists in the world.
1) The Perfect Athlete
Khan has often been referred to by his coaches and training partners at Evolve MMA as ‘The Perfect Athlete’. He is the ultimate combination of skill and athleticism. His body is built for combat.
To top it all off, Khan is an incredibly hard worker. He’ll spend hours in the gym perfecting his craft. He’s already a Singapore national Muay Thai champion, so his striking skills are certainly top notch. But working with the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champions at Evolve, Khan’s ground game has developed at a breakneck pace.
All but one of Khan’s victories so far as a professional mixed martial artist have come via exciting finish, which includes eight knockouts and two submissions. He’s capable of finishing in a manner of ways, making him one of the most dangerous lightweights in the world.
And that’s not even the scary part. Khan continues to get better every single day. The sky is truly the limit for this young man.
2) Never Give Up Attitude
One of the most intangible traits an elite martial artist should essentially possess is perseverance. The ‘never give up’ attitude is a key component of success and a prerequisite on the path to a World Championship.
Khan simply has no quit in him and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Khan didn’t have it easy as a child. He was diagnosed early with Tourette Syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary muscle tics and spasms. Because of this, Khan was often bullied and made fun of at school.
Yet instead of folding and faltering in his resolve, Khan instead turned to martial arts to give himself the ability to protect himself. It also gave a massive boost to his confidence.
When Khan faced Filipino grappler Vaughn Donayre in 2016, he found himself in a predicament. Caught in a very deep Kimura, any lesser man would have immediately tapped. But Khan braved the pain, fought on, and eventually won by submission himself.
It’s Khan’s persistence and refusal to lose that sets him apart from the competition.
3) The Value of Hard Work
Of course, none of Khan’s achievements would have ever happened, had he not worked extremely hard to get to this point. Despite having all the talent in the world, Khan knows to put in the invaluable hours at the gym.
He’s also very fortunate to have World Champions across multiple martial arts disciplines to work with at Evolve MMA — champions from Muay Thai, to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, to wrestling and boxing. Khan is the total package, and it all stems from his incredible work ethic.
Khan has worked very hard on this camp for his next fight against Arslanaliev, and fans will get to see the result of his training very soon. The 24-year-old promises to showcase his full offensive arsenal, and claim victory in front of his hometown crowd.
The Khan-Arslanaliev showdown at ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON has the potential to win Bout of the Night honors. It promises loads of action from two men who know not how to back down. They’re both highly-aggressive and can end matters quickly in a variety of ways.
If Khan can weather the early storm from Arslanaliev, he has a great chance to pick the Turkish warrior apart late in the fight. Arslanaliev isn’t used to going the distance, and Khan has enough skill to outwork the tournament dark horse.
Two knockout artists are set to lock horns at ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON, and it’s going to be absolutely epic.
ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON takes place this Friday, 17 May at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
More in ONE Championship
Muay Thai Evolve MMA Monday
The 5 Best Muay Thai Bouts In ONE Super Series History
Ever since ONE Super Series was announced, bringing together the world’s greatest striking talents under a single roof, fans have been witness to a handful of memorable battles. That’s natural, of course. When you combine…
ONE Championship Evolve MMA Thursday
The 5 Most Epic Finishes Of Amir Khan’s Career
ONE Superstar Amir Khan from the Evolve Fight Team is one of the most electric performers in the ONE lightweight division. The 25-year-old is the perfect amalgamation of size, strength, and skill. Not a lot…
ONE Championship Evolve MMA Monday
3 Reasons Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke Is A One-Of-A-Kind Martial Artist
Multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke from the Evolve Fight Team is a lifelong martial artist. He’s been practicing martial arts, taking up the art of Muay Thai, since he was a child…
Wrestling Champion Johnny “Johnny Boy” Nunez from the Evolve Fight Team is set to make his promotional debut this Friday, 25 October at ONE: Dawn of Valor. Nunez recently made the thousand-mile journey from the…
He is perhaps the most prolific freestyle wrestler in Indonesian history. Wrestling Champion Eko Roni Saputra from the Evolve Fight Team is a beast of a flyweight, and the Indonesian hero has the skills to…
ONE Championship Evolve MMA Saturday
The 5 Most Memorable Bouts Of Angela Lee’s Career
Reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee from the Evolve Fight Team is known as “Unstoppable” to her millions of fans all over the world. The moniker matched perfectly when she was undefeated, but…
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1134
|
__label__wiki
| 0.992044
| 0.992044
|
Sudan's Bashir charged over 'killing' of protesters
"Omar al-Bashir and others have been charged for inciting and participating in the killing of demonstrators," the office of Sudan's acting prosecutor general said.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. Picture: AFP.
AFP | 253 days ago
KHARTOUM - Sudan's ousted president Omar al-Bashir has been charged over the killings of protesters during the anti-regime demonstrations that led to the end of his rule, the prosecutor general announced Monday.
"Omar al-Bashir and others have been charged for inciting and participating in the killing of demonstrators," the office of Sudan's acting prosecutor general Al-Waleed Sayyed Ahmed said.
The charges against Bashir came during an investigation into the death of a medic who had been killed during a protest in the capital's eastern district of Burri.
"The prosecutor general has recommended speeding up of the investigation of the killing of demonstrators," the statement from his office said.
Sudan spy chief quits after mutiny crushed
Sudan sentences 27 intelligence agents to hang for teacher's killing
Sudan opens Darfur crimes probe against Bashir regime figures
Sudanese flood streets a year after start of uprising that toppled Bashir
More in Africa
Lesotho police request PM Tom Thabane to answer questions over wife's murder
Angola prosecutor says to use 'all means' to bring back Isabel dos Santos
Prince Harry meets African leaders in London
UK PM raises visas in pitch for post-Brexit trade with Africa
In Zimbabwe, a backyard hydroponic farm beats drought to grow veg
Document trove shows how 'Africa's richest woman' stole fortune: ICIJ
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1135
|
__label__wiki
| 0.522685
| 0.522685
|
Exilian Projects »
Computer Game Development - The Indie Alley »
The Chains That Bound Me, Alpha Demo Available!
Author Topic: The Chains That Bound Me, Alpha Demo Available! (Read 771 times)
yobob
I write music! And I make Games!
Download and Support!
Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/yobob/the-chains-that-bound-me
Download: https://yobob.itch.io/a-lovers-rpg-demo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Yol3ob
Discord: https://discord.gg/BFJGHd8
Walkthrough: https://yobob.itch.io/a-lovers-rpg-demo/devlog/103439/walk-through
The Chains That Bound Me is a story rich game that has the elements of an rpg genre. You'll explore the city of Florie in the lower district, a place where the guards oppresses the working people. Death is common and starving people will ask you for food. You will play as Arridaios, one of the leading members of the rebellion. People look up to you and hope that their revolt will succeed. But Arridaios is reluctant in helping the people. He wants to live in what little peace he has. Things don't go the way as planned. Arridaios discovers that his friend went missing. And along the way in finding him, he sees something he dreads. Something he never wants to see again. Far worse than the oppression of King Leuric.
This game is low funding meaning I've been doing all the programming, art, music, story, marketing, you name it. Besides the exception of the character portraits which is done by Sphenops. Lots of thanks to her. The game logo is designed by Leonardohendo.
I've published an alpha demo because I needed some exposure to see if this game would do great or not, and if I should continue or not. This game is so big in story that I'm regretting even designing this big feat of a game! I can't tell you how many hours this completed game will have or if it'll even be completed, but I can tell you that this alpha demo has about 2-4hours of game play. Which is big, yeah I know. You can imagine how many more hours there will be if this game does finish.
There are a lot of twists in this game. You'll be surprised at every corner. And as you play on, there will be a lot of questions that will leave you like, "what?! I can't believe - what happens next?"
I've had a few people play and tested my game and they enjoyed the story. And some of them gave me great feedback. There were only minors problems this game faced like exploration felt like a must, there's no point in leveling, and sometimes I felt lost on where to go next.
This was done on purpose because of the lack of time I had in polishing this demo. That's why I call it the alpha demo. I had to publish this game mostly because I'm applying to a game competition called game development world competition. And the date of the last submission is the end of September.
So I made the mode easy for this game. Just because I wanted you to enjoy the story and not be too nit picky on the little flaws the game has.
I've published another game long ago called the beast named eliza which did very good. I always love to see the lets play. It's probably why I develop video games hahaha...
I'm hoping I do get to see some lets play for this alpha demo. Maybe I'll hear some nice inputs on how to improve the game. I always like to hear those. After all, as a game developer, this game is somewhat my baby lol...
Anyways, this is my temporary good bye because I'm so burnt out, I need a month off from this game. I think my vision has gone worse since I spent like 8 months glued to my PC. I LOVE GAME DEV!!!
« Last Edit: October 07, 2019, 10:17:27 PM by yobob »
Tusky
Spatharios
Re: The Chains That Bound Me, Alpha Demo Available!
Just checked out the trailer. Looks cool - I love the atmospheric feel to it.
Will have to give the demo a go.
Good luck with the ks - Backed!
Select AppleDanish From Pantry Where Count(MyDeliciousThings) < 1
Thank you so much @Tusky! I appreciate your support! We just made a discord too you can follow us here!
https://discord.gg/BFJGHd8
Megadux
Ooh, I'll try to have a go at the demo and get some posts out about the kickstarter for you tomorrow
EDIT: Stuck on the mining area. I got my iron quota, but all three manned booths at the payment station have people in front of them who won't leave :/ And I can't even find a save point to ensure I can keep my progress...
« Last Edit: October 07, 2019, 12:28:01 PM by Jubal »
The duke, the wanderer, the philosopher, the mariner, the warrior, the strategist, the storyteller, the wizard, the wayfarer...
Ok. So this is a bug of the game. When you enter the mines, and after talking to Valentina, trying to exit the cave says you completed the iron collection, that dialogue isn't supposed to say that. In order to get away from this bug, you need to steal from the miners. The located miners are Here.
Oh OK. I actually did have the five iron quota without stealing, which is what really confused me...
I've been making some notes on a bunch of other stuff too and will have some detailed feedback to give
Oh wow! thank you so much! Yeah, it's an alpha demo. I had to release it early because of GDWC
Your Iron quota is supposed to be 10. It's marked as so.
Also, I had to upload another build because of a game crashing bug. Should download the new build.
Sorry for taking so long on this!
Here's all the specific feedback from a full run, I can give more general thoughts tomorrow when I've slept on it.
Submit, Obey, Tax doesn't make sense because "to tax" means "to extract tax from someone", not "to pay tax". Maybe tweak this motto?
Day 1, it seems odd having two houses both of which have "lost husband" backstories? From a story perspective I think you could change one of them a bit. It also feels weird that Arridaios doesn't react to the fact that these two people, both of whom live in the same block as him, also both mistake him for their husbands? Dunno, that just felt off a bit. I don't see why Mark's wife needs to mistake Arriados for Mark for that bit of plot to work
Are we supposed to assume that the Emilia Anthony is writing to is the same as the one the woman in the next house is ranting about? They seem to be different characters but it's a little confusing that you get introduced to them both.
You really need some sort of tutorial for the steal/advantage mechanic before asking the player to use it for real.
On day 2, you can loot one of the dead miners infinite times for red potions.
Not sure why the fate thing only appears on day 2? It feels weird that we're getting tutorial-like stuff after quite a long while of gameplay rather than on the first day.
I had a bug in the first fight where you get the bonus powers (vs Richard) where it kept showing different key sequences even after I burned him and I couldn't get an option to leave. Was fine the second time.
The arrow-code on the last fight seemed way too fast, to the point where I often wasn't getting through half the code in time - I think it'd be better if you got a half second of looking at them before the timer starts? It's very reaction time driven at the moment which seems odd given the rest of the RPG is pretty slow paced so there's not much adrenaline in the player's system to help with that. Maybe some better marking would be a different way of helping (more colour/difference between the key markers). The current system needs to be done heavily on muscle memory, but also you don't get much practice with the longer sequences until you need to use them in a proper battle.
The light by which you leave A. in the last scene of the Alpha doesn't really feel like it's on properly, it would be better if it actually glowed yellow or something to show when you fixed the generator.
At one point I tried to reload my last save before the lurker, and got a failed to load : img/parallaxes/shadow60_4.png error. This was after I'd just completed the fight and was trying to have another go. Quitting the game and reloading solved the problem.
And then there's spelling and grammar. Some of these errors are made more times than I noted down, but hopefully there's a find/replace system you can use?
Homes/first area:
Pickaxe, not PickAxe, for the item
Surely the watch is passed down father to son, not father to father as the description reads now?
Newspaper: "nonexistent" not nonexistant, and "safety" not saftey
Jace says "Did he went on ahead" - should be "Did he go on ahead"
Anny says "We could've given him little by little" - should be "We could've given it to him little by little."
The handler talks about "a bread"/"a goddamn bread" several times. This should be "some bread" - using bread as a singular discrete thing e.g. "a bread" is never done in standard English for some reason.
After you've been to Jace's "Let's hope Jace is right." needs an apostrophe.
Outside the mines:
Arri to Sam: "Whatever she's doing, I'm not apart of it" should be "a part of it".
In the mines:
"Eric hasn't showed up last night" -> "Eric didn't show up last night", and "I heard gun shot" to "I heard gun shots" or "I heard a gun shot".
There's a miner who says "I've always look at you from far away". Should be "I've always looked at you from far away"
General: "must've been a lot of work for them" and "Especially". I think "make him a spectacle as an example to the public" would be the right way of phrasing that bit.
The two miners - "I found copper" not "a copper". Also, "pickaxe" missing a k there.
Valentina also says "apart" when she should say "a part". Also goodluck should be "good luck" as two words.
Outside the mines, evening:
Listening at the house: "I'm going to scavange, mom." -> "I'm going to scavenge, mom."
Miners' houses, evening:
Top left door: "Door is creaked opened" should be "The door is open a crack.." or "The door's ajar..."
At Anthony's: "font's faded", not fadded.
At Valentina's: "Everyone thinks this is" not "Everyone's thinks this is". Also "you should give up on searching for him", and "forsake" not "foresake"
At Sara's, Rachiel: "every time" not "everytime"
Day session:
Merchant: "My routinely customers aren't routinely" should be "My routine customers aren't routine"
"guy name Richard" rather than "named" from one of the starving residents.
I appriciate it -> I appreciate it
Val in the mine mentions "gaurds", and Leuric's name is misspelled as Leuirc (which, in this setting, is probably grounds for execution in itself )
Val mentions appartment 138 (should just have one p, and the guards after that refer to themselves as gaurds.
Hey Jubal, thanks for the feedback
The motto I wanted was, "You submit, you obey, you pay your tax" I shortened it to Submit, Obey, Tax. I think I'll leave the motto as is since most people understood the intent.
The other wife is blind. I just didn't have the portrait to display her being blind. I hope you knew that she was blind. Spoiler alert, Mark is the red coat guy. That's a hidden thing I didn't want to reveal. Mark left her b/c she was blind XD The game itself doesn't say that but it does reveal who her husband was but not strongly. The connection will become stronger in the future
Emilia and the wife next door are different people. Wife is just a generic name. It just means, she's not important towards the story and Arr doesn't know her that well. But Emilia, Arr knows her. There're a lot of characters in the world. I think it's hinted that she's from the inner city.
A tutorial for steal/advantage mechanic? Like stealing from the miners? Hmm, that seems intuitive to steal and to press the arrow keys. There isn't much to say besides pressing the keys. And stealing is just stealing.
Really? I need to fix that!
The game I plan to have is about 10+ hours (I think) Every time a new concept arises, I need to have a tutorial for it. But it's good that you mentioned that the tutorial is a bit off on day two. I should move the explanation of the tutorial of knocking and stuff to day one when they first interact with the door. That would be a lot better.
Ah, I know that bug. I've been trying to figure out how to fix that. It happens only when you fail and succeed at the same time.
The timing I will leave it as it. Because the game is slow paced, having that intense key timing creates this contrast of exciting and slow. Have too much exciting will numb the players and eventually it becomes boring. Having different contrast to the keys will make it that the keys won't fit in the world. It'll be difficult to think of a new key idea. I could animate the keys but given that this is a one man project, I have to not do that and keep the game to what I can do. As for the practice bit, I'm reserving long keys for bosses. That way there's a challenge to them instead of it being too easy.
I have to look into that. I think an image failed or something. It should've turned on with the light being yellow
That's a bug I knew. I left it in there because it'll take me maybe two weeks to fix that. I had to release the game b/c I wanted people to try out the demo for the kickstarter I put up.
Plz send me any of the spelling and grammar issues you saw. It's really hard for me to look at them because I'm literally staring thousands of words and they all look the same to me. It's very natural for me to lover look them. (I need to hire an editor x.x) I will make the corrections. Screen shots would help a lot!!
I'm very happy that you gave me these feedback. It gauges me on what to adjust and improve on. I really do want to hear your general thoughts too!
I figured that Mark was the guy in the red coat... it wasn't clear to me that his wife was blind. You could definitely do some more things to flag that up with her surroundings, like how her house would be different considering her blindness (having a braille book on the table would be a more obvious but not too obvious tell, or something like that).
The key pressing is intuitive, but I guess I feel I'm lacking ways to practice it in the game? I feel like it'd be good if there was a place where you could get key sequences to press for practice/training where there wasn't a failure penalty, so you have some way to get better at it as a player... it's maybe not so much a tutorial I feel I need as a practice location, because I'd rather (as a player) train myself to play and then use those skills in the boss fights, than end up training by rerunning boss fights repeatedly, with all the dialogue etc repeating every time, which is what I ended up doing.
Basically all the spelling/grammar stuff is in the spoiler tag I found is in my above post (click the word "spoiler" to show it, if you didn't already), but I'll let you know if I find any more.
I'll try and write some general thoughts soon, just off to bed now
Ohh I didn't see the spoiler tag. Omg This helps so much! I'll make the corrections!
Glad it's useful! I don't know if I caught everything, but it should be a fairly sizeable percentage of the issues.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1137
|
__label__wiki
| 0.956782
| 0.956782
|
Princess Diana And Duchess Sarah Had A Very Complicated Relationship, But How Has It All Started?
Sarah Ferguson and Princess Diana’s relationship went through many metamorphoses. They were best friends, worst enemies, moreover, they were even related. As it turned out, both royal ladies had a connection to the royal bloodline thanks to their ancestors, which means they are distant cousins.
READ ALSO: Big Secret Revealed: Sarah Ferguson And Princess Diana Are Actually Cousins
Being connected on so many levels, it’s no wonder a firm bond developed between the two. But Sarah and Diana had a turbulent relationship until the very end.
Inevitable meeting
Diana and Sarah’s meeting was written in the stars. It was inevitable for two women to bump into each other even before they joined the royal family.
Their mothers attended the same school so Diana and Sarah knew each other since adolescence. However, two royal brides became close in 1980, when Sarah was 21 and Diana was 19. They shared a circle of friends and the same interests, which helped them bond quickly.
Friends and rivals
The relationship between the two became even closer when Diana married Prince Charles. Sarah was Diana’s confidant, and Diana was like a younger sister to Sarah. Also, the Princess of Wales played a cupid as she introduced Sarah to her future husband, Prince Andrew.
As Sarah and Andrew’s romance deepened, Diana offered all support she could to help Fergie integrate into the royal family. Nonetheless, despite being best friends, two young women were sensitive and insecure, which led them to turn into rivals.
READ ALSO: Did Sarah Ferguson And Princess Diana Had A Secret Plan To Stop Prince Charles Being King?
When Sarah married Prince Andrew, she managed to woo every single member of the royal family. Later, Diana revealed to her biographer that Sarah left her “feeling like dirt.” But the unhappiness in their marriages brought the two royal women together again, strengthening their relationship.
Falling out
Sarah and Diana stopped speaking in 1996. The Duchess of York claimed she had no idea why that happened, but many believed she didn’t like the comment on her in the autobiography.
The Princess of Wales passed away before the two had a chance to reconcile. But the Duchess still thinks that with time, they would have become best friends again.
READ ALSO: What Grace Told Diana: Friendship Details Between Two Princesses
Princess Diana Art
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1138
|
__label__wiki
| 0.627332
| 0.627332
|
Xi attends gathering with ethnic minority lawmakers, political advisors
Top Communist Party of China and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli attend a gathering with ethnic minority deputies to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) and ethnic minority members of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on the sidelines of the ongoing annual sessions of the NPC and the CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]
Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a gathering with ethnic minority lawmakers and political advisors Saturday evening on the sidelines of the annual national legislative and political consultative sessions.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, along with other Party and state leaders, arrived at the banquet hall of the Great Hall of the People at 7:45 p.m. to the enthusiastic applause from the lawmakers and political advisors in ethnic costumes.
"Good evening, general secretary!" Gesang Zhoigar, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC) from Tibet sitting next to Xi, greeted him warmly.
Xi was pleased to learn about improved life in her village, where big changes in education, medical services, elderly care and housing have taken place.
He asked her to convey his regards to the villagers, wishing them an even better life.
After being briefed by a deputy from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on local development, Xi told him to make solid efforts for ethnic unity and lead people in pursuing a well-off life.
Other leaders, including Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the gathering.
They had cordial conversations with the lawmakers and advisors, encouraging them to contribute to the Chinese nation's rejuvenation.
The gathering was chaired by Qiangba Puncog, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.
Sun Chunlan, head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, said that the CPC Central Committee attaches great importance to ethnic work and has made a set of decisions and arrangements to support ethnic regions.
"We must closely unite around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core," Sun said, calling for joint efforts to build a community of shared future for the Chinese nation.
Attendees of the gathering also enjoyed performances showcasing China's ethnic arts.
Xiethnic minority lawmakers political advisors zheny
The People's Congress of Qinghai Open in Xining
The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Qinghai Committee Open in Xining
Lakes in China's Hol Xil reserve swell over past decade
Scenery of Danxia landform in NW China Qinghai
Tibet’s Xiajiaka substation put into operation
Intoxicating scenery of the Nyang River
The times are a-changing in Nixi
People pray for bumper harvest in Tibet
Tibetan opera full of vitality in villages
Lhasa tops China's happiest cities in 2016: CCTV poll
Tibet to spend big on fighting poverty
Premier calls Tibet's stability, development a 'special' priority
473 Tibetan students celebrate Losar in Changzhou
Tibet's 2nd largest airport terminal starts operation
Environmental court opens in NW China province
Lhasa's first peach blossom festival to open in May
Tibet to open world's highest super-long tunnel
Why Tibetans hang prayer flags on rooftop?
Splendid views of Mount Namjagbarwa in Tibet
First national park receiving strong legal and financial support
Anti-British Imperialism Relic in City of Heroes
Exhibition of Tibetan Thangka painting held in Beijing
6th China Thangka Art Festival wraps up in Lhasa
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1142
|
__label__cc
| 0.720088
| 0.279912
|
Putin Reclaims Crimea for Russia
President Vladimir V. Putin reclaimed Crimea as a part of Russia on Tuesday, reversing what he described as a historic injustice inflicted by the Soviet Union 60 years ago and brushing aside international condemnation that could leave Russia isolated for years to come. In an emotional address steeped in years of resentment and bitterness […]
Category: Prophecy News |
Global Summits to Watch in 2014
Global attention in 2014 will at times focus less on high politics than on high sport. All eyes will be on the Sochi Winter Olympics (February 7-23) and Brazil’s World Cup (June 12-July 13). Read More: Global Summits to Watch in 2014 – Council of Councils.
Category: Prophecy News | Tags: World Government
The Biggest Revelations Are Yet to Come
Edward Snowden on Tuesday said the biggest revelations have yet to come out of the estimated 1.7 million documents he acquired from the National Security Agency. In a surprise appearance via satellite robot at the 2014 TED conference in Vancouver, Snowden said there is still a lot of reporting to be done, including diving […]
Aspects of Israel-Palestinian framework might stay secret
WASHINGTON – A framework for the continuation of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians does not yet exist, the US confirmed on Friday. But should an agreement be reached, it said, the parties are reserving the right to keep some of its details secret from the public. Read More: Aspects of Israel-Palestinian framework might […]
Category: Prophecy News | Tags: Middle East
North Korea test-fires 25 short-range rockets
North Korea fired 25 short-range rockets into the sea off its east coast Sunday in an apparent continuation of protests against ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills, South Korean officials said. Such short-range rocket tests are usually considered routine, as opposed to North Korean long-range rocket or nuclear tests, which are internationally condemned as provocations. […]
Britain will end up in United States of Europe
Britain will be ‘sucked into a United States of Europe’ unless powers are clawed back from Brussels, David Cameron warned yesterday. For the first time, the Prime Minister laid out seven targets for renegotiation of Britain’s membership with the European Union including immigration controls and abolishing the principle of ‘ever closer union’. Mr Cameron said […]
Here’s How NASA Thinks Society Will Collapse
Few think Western civilization is on the brink of collapse—but it’s also doubtful the Romans and Mesopotamians saw their own demise coming either. Read More: Here’s How NASA Thinks Society Will Collapse – NationalJournal.com.
Israel says it might not carry out 4th Palestinian prisoner release
JERUSALEM – Israel told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday it might not carry out a final stage of a Palestinian prisoner release unless he commits to prolonging peace talks beyond a US-set April deadline for a deal. Read More: Israel says it might not carry out 4th Palestinian prisoner release | JPost | Israel […]
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1144
|
__label__wiki
| 0.691915
| 0.691915
|
Ban has been imposed after a bomb attack at a wedding party in Gaziantep on August 20
Turkey Bans Outdoor Weddings For Security Reasons
News September 3, 2016, 10:21 am
Ankara: Outdoor weddings have been prohibited in Turkey for security reasons after a street wedding bombing killed 56 people in Gaziantep city last month, the Turkish Interior Ministry said.
The new security measure bans all outdoor weddings and engagement ceremonies throughout Turkey, an international news agency reported citing Daily Sabah.
Anyone does not follow the new measure will be fined under the misdemeanor law, said an official.
On August 20, a bomb attack at a wedding party in Gaziantep killed at least 56 people, including 34 children, and injured nearly 100.
Authorities said that the Islamic State (IS) was behind the suicide bombing.
bomb attack
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1145
|
__label__wiki
| 0.787019
| 0.787019
|
You are here Home › Directory › Satellite Missions › S › SkySat
SkySat constellation of Terra Bella - formerly SkySat Imaging Program of Skybox Imaging
Spacecraft Launch Mission Status Sensor Complement Propulsion Subsystems Ground Segment References
SkySat is a commercial Earth observation microsatellite of Skybox Imaging Inc. (Mountain View, CA, USA), licensed to collect high resolution panchromatic and multispectral images of the Earth. sup>1) 2) 3) 4)
Google's Skybox Imaging has a new name and business model as of March 8, 2016 (see Mission Status).
Background: Skybox Imaging (Skybox) provides global customers easy access to reliable and frequent high-resolution images of the Earth by designing and building microsatellites and cloud services. By operating the world's first coordinated microsatellite constellation, Skybox aims to empower commercial and government customers to make more informed, data-driven decisions that will improve the profitability of companies and the welfare of societies around the world. Founded in Silicon Valley in 2009 by four graduate students at Stanford University, Skybox is backed by leading venture firms and comprised of internet and aerospace professionals.
Skybox Imaging is looking at two distinct markets for their imagery and video: various environmental applications, including monitoring agriculture, forestry, and other natural resources; and asset tracking, where spacecraft images help customers monitor various facilities for changes. Those plans have won Skybox a significant amount of VC (Venture Capital) funding. In 2012, the company raised $70 million in a Series C round of financing, bringing the total raised by the company to $91 million. Khosla Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Canaan Partners, and Norwest Venture Partners, VC firms who have a significant Silicon Valley presence, have all invested in the company. 5)
Figure 1: The co-founders of Skybox Imaging (left to right): Dan Berkenstock, Ching-Yu Hu, Julian Mann and John Fenwick (image credit: Skybox Imaging) 6)
• In May 2013, Skybox announced it has entered into a multi-year, strategic partnership with Japan Space Imaging (JSI), a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, to provide high-resolution imagery and full motion commercial video to the Japanese market. The agreement, subject to U.S. regulatory approval, will enable JSI to directly task, downlink and receive imagery from Skybox's constellation of microsatellites on a reliable and frequent basis. 7) 8) 9) 10)
• After building its first two satellites, Skybox hired SS/L (Space Systems/Loral) to build the next 13 improved spacecraft and Orbital Sciences Corp. to launch six in late 2015 on a Minotaur-C rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Skybox plans to offer customers timely access to still imagery, full-motion video and data services. 11)
- SSC Corp.’s ECAPS division will provide propulsion systems for 12 satellites to be built for imagery services of startup Skybox Imaging, the companies announced March 11. ECAPS (Ecological Advanced Propulsion Systems, Inc., Solna, Sweden), a subsidiary of Sweden-based SSC, was already under contract to supply the propulsion system for that satellite, dubbed SkySat-3, and now has an order for the remaining 12. 12)
- SkySat-3 is expected to be launched in the summer of 2016.
• On June 10, 2014, Skybox announced that it had entered into an agreement to be acquired by Google for US$500 million. The acquisition was completed on August 1, 2014. Skybox is now a subsidiary of Google (Ref. 57).
• In January 2016, Arianespace announced it signed a contract with Skybox Imaging to launch four SkySat minisatellites (SkySat-4 though -7) on a Vega vehicle from Kourou in the summer of 2016, along with PeruSat-1 of the Peruvian Armed Forces.
Figure 2: Illustration of the SkySat-1 and -2 microsatellites (left) to the second generation SkySat-3 minisatellite (image credit: Skybox, Ref. 64)
SkySat-3 will be different than SkySat-1, and -2 in these ways:
- smaller pixels
- increased agility to collect more area
- propulsion for orbit stationing.
Spacecraft:
SkySat-1 and SkySat-2 are microsatellites built and operated by Skybox Imaging that are licensed to acquire high resolution panchromatic and multispectral images of Earth. The spacecraft are three-axis stabilized using an on-board closed-loop control system. Each satellite has a mass of 83 kg and features body-mounted solar panels. The microsatellites feature an aperture cover that protects the imaging payload during launch and initial orbital operations. The cover also hosts the high-data rate antenna of the satellite. The spacecraft will acquire high-resolution images and video of Earth. 13)
Figure 3: Photo of the SkySat-1 microsatellite in the clean room of Skybox Imaging (image credit: Skybox Imaging)
Spacecraft mass
83 kg (microsatellite)
Spacecraft size (stowed configuration)
Spacecraft power
120 W OAP (Orbit Average Power), use of body mounted solar panels
Attitude control accuracy
±0.1º
X-band downlink of payload data: 470 Mbit/s
S-band uplink: 16 kbit/s
Onboard data storage capacity: 768 GB
Table 1: Parameters of the SkySat-1 and SkySat-2 spacecraft parameters
Flight qualification of the star trackers conducted on orbit for the SkySat-1 mission: 14)
The performance of the two ST-16 star trackers, developed at Sinclair Interplanetary,fell initially significantly below expectations. Concerned by these results, engineers at Skybox Imaging (SB), Sinclair Interplanetary (SI) and Ryerson University (RU) embarked on an aggressive and comprehensive flight qualification program to understand the causes of these problems and to re-attain the expected performance targets. Two months later (February, 2014), the the investigative project made the last of a sequence of software, catalog and parameter modifications that have met these goals.
< 7 arcsec RMS cross-boresight, < 70 arcsec RMS around boresight
>99.9%
Size, mass
59 x 56 x 31.5 mm, ~90 gram
FOV (Field of View)
7:5º (half axis)
Table 2: Key parameters of the ST-16 Star Tracker
Figure 4: Photo of the Sinclair Interplanetary ST-16 Star Tracker (image credit: SI)
Collaborative relationship: Restoring the star trackers to full function was do-or-die for both Skybox Imaging and Sinclair Interplanetary. Skybox had invested in the spacecraft, and Sinclair in the star tracker product, and neither could afford to fail. While stressful, this unity of purpose was in no small part responsible for timely success. Skybox operations was extremely accommodating in collecting and delivering large quantities of data. Sinclair and Ryerson focused exclusively on this problem for a two month period. In a more relaxed and less motivated environment the necessary advances might not have been made.
In summary, there were many improvements being done to sensor processing on the ST-16 that were necessary to bring the sensor performance back up to their intended specifications. These changes included improvements in the logic for star detection, star measurement, rate estimation, and catalog management. Together the algorithmic improvements yielded higher availability, better accuracy, and much-lower bad-match rate. Although new launches may require a short qualification period to tune calibration and operating parameters, the project expects that the core software is stable.
Figure 5: SkySat-1 and SkySat-2 deployed configuration (image credit: SkyBox Imaging) 15)
Launch: The SkySat-1 microsatellite was launched on Nov. 21, 2013 as a secondary payload on a Dnepr launch vehicle from the Dombarovsky (Yasny Cosmodrome) launch site in Russia. The launch provider was ISC (International Space Company) Kosmotras. 16) 17) 18) 19)
The primary payloads on this flight were DubaiSat-2 of EIAST (Emirates Institute for Advanced Science and Technology), a minisatellite of UAE (United Arab Emirates) with 300 kg, and STSat-3, a minisatellite of KARI, Korea (~150 kg).
The secondary payloads on this flight were:
• SkySat-1 of Skybox Imaging Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA, a commercial remote sensing microsatellite of ~83 kg.
• WNISat-1 (Weathernews Inc. Satellite-1), a nanosatellite (10 kg) of Axelspace, Tokyo, Japan.
• BRITE-PL-1, a nanosatellite (7 kg) of SRC/PAS (Space Research Center/ Polish Academy of Sciences of Warsaw, Poland.
• AprizeSat-7 and AprizeSat-8, nanosatellites of AprizeSat, Argentina (SpaceQuest)
• UniSat-5, a microsatellite of the University of Rome (Universita di Roma “La Sapienza”, Scuola di Ingegneria Aerospaziale). The microsatellite has a mass of 28 kg and a size of 50 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm. When on orbit, UniSat-5 will deploy the following satellites with 2 PEPPODs (Planted Elementary Platform for Picosatellite Orbital Deployer) of GAUSS:
- PEPPOD 1: ICube-1, a CubeSat of PIST (Pakistan Institute of Space Technology), Islamabad, Pakistan; HumSat-D (Humanitarian Satellite Network-Demonstrator), a CubeSat of the University of Vigo, Spain; e-st@r-2 (Educational SaTellite @ politecnico di toRino-2), of Politecnico di Torino, Italy; PUCPSat-1 (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú-Satellite), a 1U CubeSat of INRAS (Institute for Radio Astronomy), Lima, Peru; Note: PUCPSat-1 intends to subsequently release a further satellite Pocket-PUCP) when deployed on orbit. 20)
- PEPPOD 2: Dove-4, a 3U CubeSats of Cosmogia Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA
MRFOD (Morehead-Roma FemtoSat Orbital Deployer) of MSU (Morehead State University) is a further deployer system on UniSat-5 which will deploy the following femtosats:
- Eagle-1 (BeakerSat), a 1.5U PocketQub, and Eagle-2 ($50SAT) a 2.5U PocketQub, these are two FemtoSats of MSU (Morehead State University) and Kentucky Space; Wren, a FemoSat (2.5U PocketQub) of StaDoKo UG, Aachen, Germany; and QBSout-1, a 1U PocketQub testing a finely pointing sun sensor.
• Delfi-n3Xt, a nanosatellite (3.5 kg) of TU Delft (Delft University of Technology), The Netherlands.
• Triton-1 nanosatellite (3U CubeSat) of ISIS-BV, The Netherlands
• CINEMA-2 and CINEMA-3, nanosatellites (4 kg each) developed by KHU (Kyung Hee University), Seoul, Korea for the TRIO-CINEMA constellation.
• GATOSS (former GOMX-1), a 2U CubeSat of GomSpace ApS of Aalborg, Denmark
• NEE-02 Krysaor, a CubeSat of EXA (Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency)
• FUNCube-1, a CubeSat of AMSAT UK
• HiNCube (Hogskolen i Narvik CubeSat), a CubeSat of NUC (Narvik University College), Narvik, Norway.
• ZACUBE-1 (South Africa CubeSat-1), a 1U CubeSat (1.2 kg) of CPUT (Cape Peninsula University of Technology), Cape Town, South Africa.
• UWE-3, a CubeSat of the University of Würzburg, Germany. Test of an active ADCS for CubeSats.
• First-MOVE (Munich Orbital Verification Experiment), a CubeSat of TUM (Technische Universität München), Germany.
• Velox-P2, a 1U CubeSat of NTU (Nanyang Technological University), Singapore.
• OPTOS (Optical nanosatellite), a 3U CubeSat of INTA (Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aerospacial), the Spanish Space Agency, Madrid.
• Dove-3, a 3U CubeSats of Cosmogia Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA
• CubeBug-2, a 2U CubeSat from Argentina (sponsored by the Argentinian Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation) which will serve as a demonstrator for a new CubeSat platform design.
• BPA-3 (Blok Perspektivnoy Avioniki-3) — or Advanced Avionics Unit-3) of Hartron-Arkos, Ukraine.
Deployment of CubeSats: Use of 9 ISIPODs of ISIS, 3 XPODs of UTIAS/SFL, 2 PEPPODs of GAUSS, and 1 MRFOD of MSU.
Orbit: Sun-synchronous near-circular orbit, altitude = 600 km, inclination = 97.8º, LTDN (Local Time on Descending Node) = 10:30 hours.
Launch: The SkySat-2 microsatellite was launched as a secondary payload on July 8, 2014 (15:58:28 UTC) with a Soyuz-2.1b/Fregat launch vehicle of NPO Lavochkin. The launch site was the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. The primary payload on this flight was the Meteor-M-2 spacecraft of Roskosmos/Roshydromet/Planeta (Moscow, Russia). 21) 22) 23) 24)
Secondary payloads on this flight were:
• MKA-PN2 (Relek), a microsatellite of Roskosmos, S/C developer NPO Lavochkin on the Karat platform (59 kg, study of energetic particles in the near-Earth space environment (ionosphere) including the Van Allen Belts.
• DX-1 (Dauria Experimental-1), the first privately-built and funded Russian microsatellite (22 kg) of Dauria Aerospace, equipped with an AIS (Automatic Identification System) receiver to monitor the ship traffic. 25)
• TechDemoSat-1 of UKSA/SSTL, UK with a mass of 157 kg
• SkySat-2 of Skybox Imaging Inc. of Mountain View, CA, USA, a commercial remote sensing microsatellite of 83 kg.
• M3MSat dummy payload of 80 kg.
• AISSat-2, a nanosatellite with a mass of ~7 kg of FFI (Norwegian Defense Research Establishment) Norway, built by UTIAS/SFL, Toronto, Canada.
• UKube-1, a nanosatellite (~3.5 kg) of UKSA/Clyde Space Ltd., UK.
Orbit of Meteor-M2: Sun-synchronous circular orbit , altitude of ~ 825 km, inclination = 98.8º, period = 101.41 minutes, LTAN (Local Time on Ascending Node) at 9:30 hours.
Orbit of the secondary payloads: Sun-synchronous near-circular orbit, altitude of ~ 635 km, inclination = 98.8º. The MKS-PN2 (Relek) was released first of the secondary payloads into an elliptical orbit of 632 km x 824 km.
Launch: The SkySat-3 microsatellite was launched as a secondary payload on June 22, 2016 (03:56 UTC) aboard a PSLV vehicle of ISRO (PSLV-C34 flight) from SDSC (Satish Dhawan Space Center) SHAR (main launch center of ISRO on the south-east coast of India, Sriharikota). The CartoSat-2C mission was the primary payload on this flight with a launch mass of 727.5 kg. The total mass of all satellites onboard was 1288 kg. 26)
Orbit: Sun-synchronous orbit, altitude = 515 km, inclination = 97.56º.
The secondary payloads (19 satellites) on this flight were:
• SkySat-3, also referred to as SkySat-C1, an imaging minisatellite of Terra Bella of Mountain View, CA, USA. The first satellite of the SkySat constellation with a HPGP (High Performance Green Propulsion System).
• GHGSat, a microsatellite (15 kg) of GHGSat Inc., Montreal, Canada
• BIROS (Bi-spectral InfraRed Optical System), a minisatellite 130 kg) of DLR, Germany.
- BIROS carries onboard the picosatellite BEESAT-4 (Berlin Experimental and Educational Satellite-4) of TU Berlin(1U CubeSat, 1 kg) and release it through a spring mechanism [ejection by SPL (Single Picosatellite Launcher) after the successful check-out and commissioning of all relevant BIROS subsystems]. After separation, it will perform experimental proximity maneuvers in formation with the picosatellite solely based on optical navigation.
• M3MSat (Maritime Monitoring and Messaging Microsatellite) of DRDC (Defence Research and Development Canada) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).
• LAPAN-A3, a microsatellite (115 kg) of LAPAN (National Institute of Aeronautics and Space of Indonesia) Jakarta, Indonesia.
• SathyabamaSat, a 2U CubeSat of Sathyabama University (1.5 kg), India.
• Swayam, a 1U CubeSat of the College of Engineering (1 kg), Pune, India.
• 12 Flock-2p Earth observation satellites (3U CubeSats) of Planet Labs (each with a mass of 4.7 kg), San Francisco, CA.
Figure 6: The 20 satellites, with the primary payload CartoSat-2C on top) are packaged inside the PSLV’s payload fairing. The number marks the most satellites ever launched by India on a single flight (image credit: ISRO)
Figure 7: Photo of the SkySat-3 minisatellite with a mass of ~ 120 kg and the integrated HPGP propulsion system (red boxes), image credit: Terra Bella
Launch: Four SkySat minisatellites (SkySat-4 through SkySat-7) of Terra Bella, secondary payloads to PeruSat-1 (primary payload of the Peruvian Armed Forces), were launched on September 16, 2016 (01:43:35 UTC) on a Vega vehicle of Arianespace from Kourou. 27)
Orbit: Sun-synchronous orbit, altitude = 695 km, inclination = 98.3º.
Secondary payloads:
• SkySat-4 to -7. The four imaging minisatellites of TerraBella (former SkyBox Imaging, Mountain View, CA, USA) are part of this mission. The four secondary payloads are integrated in the upper position atop the VESPA (Vega Secondary Payload Adaptor) dispenser system, and will be released one-by-one during the flight sequence's 40-minute mark, to be followed by PeruSat-1's separation approximately one hour and two minutes later. 28)
The SkySat satellites, each with a mass of approximately 110 kg, will be used to provide very-high-resolution maps of the entire Earth, augmenting the existing three on orbit satellites for new Arianespace customer Terra Bella, a Google company.
Terra Bella’s satellites — SkySat-4, -5, -6 and -7 — separated from the Vega rocket’s upper stage over a ground station in South Korea about 40 minutes after liftoff into an orbit about 500 km above Earth. 29)
Figure 8: Artist’s concept of the four SkySat satellites deploying one after another from the Vega rocket’s upper stage (image credit: Arianespace)
Launch: On Oct. 31, 2017 (21.37 UTC), six SkySat minisatellites of Terra Bella (a Planet Labs company) and 4 Dove (Flock-3m) nanosatellites of Planet Labs were launched on a Minotaur-C vehicle of Orbital ATK from VAFB, CA (SLC-576E). The Minotaur-C is an upgraded, renamed version of the Orbital Sciences Taurus rocket. Approximately 12 minutes into flight, the ten commercial Planet spacecraft deployed into their targeted sun synchronous orbit of 500 km altitude. 30) 31)
Orbit: Sun-synchronous near-circular orbit, altitude of ~500 km, inclination of ~97º.
Figure 9: Illustration of the launch sequence (image credit: Orbital ATK) 32)
The launch was the first time Planet was the primary customer for a launch, having relied on secondary payload accommodations for all its previous launches. That meant that, for this mission, the company was able to choose the orbit and time of the launch, said Mike Safyan, senior director for launch and global ground stations at Planet, in post-launch statement.
“We sent these 10 satellites to an afternoon crossing time of approximately 13:30 hour to further diversify our product offering,” said Safyan. Most remote sensing satellites, he said, operate in morning-crossing sun synchronous orbits, including the company’s other Dove and SkySat spacecraft. “Having the world’s largest fleet of medium and high-resolution assets in both morning and afternoon crossing times enables a dataset never before provided in the commercial market at this scale,” he said. 33)
Figure 10: The six SkySats and four Doves were enclosed inside the Minotaur-C’s payload fairing earlier in October (image credit: FAA/Orbital ATK)
Launch: The SkySat-14 and -15 microsatellites (100 kg each) of the SSO-A rideshare mission of Spaceflight were launched on 3 December 2018 (18:34 GMT) on a SpaceX Falcon-9 Block 5 vehicle from VAFB (Vandenberg Air Force Base) in California, 34)
SpaceX statement: On Monday, December 3rd at 10:34 a.m. PST (18:34 GMT), SpaceX successfully launched Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express to a low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Carrying 64 payloads, this mission represented the largest single rideshare mission from a U.S.-based launch vehicle to date. A series of six deployments occurred approximately 13 to 43 minutes after liftoff, after which Spaceflight began to command its own deployment sequences. Spaceflight’s deployments are expected to occur over a period of six hours. 35)
This mission also served as the first time SpaceX launched the same booster a third time. Falcon 9’s first stage for the Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express mission previously supported the Bangabandhu Satellite-1 mission in May 2018 and the Merah Putih mission in August 2018. Following stage separation, SpaceX landed Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, which was stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
Orbit: Sun-synchronous circular orbit with an altitude of 575 km, inclination of ~98º, LTDN (Local Time of Descending Node) of 10:30 hours.
Mission status:
• September 4, 2019: ESA and Planet are pleased to announce the opportunity to freely access, up to the end of the year, PlanetScope and SkySat data over three European demonstration sites: Demmin, Wilhelmshaven and Berlin. 36)
- In the framework of ESA's Earthnet program, the possibility of integrating new Third Party Missions (TPM) is assessed.
- ESA is promoting this opportunity as a data familiarisation phase before the potential formal integration of PlanetScope and SkySat into the Third Party Missions program.
- The Demmin test site is located some 220 km north of Berlin near the city of Demmin in Mecklenburg- Western Pomerania. This area is intensively used for agriculture.
- The area is part of the TERENO initiative and is cultivated by IG-Demmin (ca. 30,000 ha). It is well suited to remote sensing science applications since the site is heterogeneous with respect to landscape, soil cover and hydrology and the average size of the fields, ca. 80 ha, is very high for Germany.
- The main crops cultivated are winter wheat, barley, and rye, which cover almost 60% of the fields. The area devoted to sweet corn, sugar beets and potatoes amounts to about 13%.
- Since 2011 the Demmin calibration and validation facility is formally recognised as part of the ESA SMOS Mission (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity).
- The Wilhelmshaven area is located in the Wattenmeer area of Germany and a typical sample for coastal and urban application.
- The Berlin city test area covers a highly dense urban region with a variety of urban structures.
Figure 11: Lacations of the three test stations used by ESA (image credit: ESA)
• August 9, 2019: SkySat is a constellation composed 15 optical satellites operated by Planet. The SkySat Level 2B Basic Scene, Level 3B Ortho Scene and Level 3B Consolidated full archive and new tasking products are available as part of Planet imagery offer. 37)
- The SkySat Basic Scene product is uncalibrated and in a raw digital number format, not corrected for any geometric distortions inherent in the imaging process. Rational Polynomial Coefficients (RPCs) is provided to enable orthorectification by the user.
- The available processing levels includes Analytic (unorthorectified, radiometrically corrected, multispectral BGRN), Analytic DN (unorthorectified, multispectral BGRN) and Panchromatic DN (unorthorectified, panchromatic).
- The SkySat Ortho Scene is sensor- and geometrically-corrected (by using DEMs with a post spacing of between 30 and 90 meters) and is projected to a cartographic map projection; the accuracy of the product will vary from region to region based on available GCPs.
• August 2019: A common goal for satellite operations is to achieve a level of automation that minimizes human interaction, especially as constellation sizes increase. Planet’s SkySat fleet is a constellation of high resolution Earth imaging smallsats that has grown from three to fifteen satellites in three years. This rapid expansion, along with Planet’s goal of improving operational reliability, has necessitated automating operations to reduce manual effort to maintain the health and safety fleet. To address the growing amount of work required for anomaly triage, systems were created for automated anomaly response. These systems have removed the need to actively monitor satellite health and safety. Instead, operators rely on interrupt-driven alerts to inform them of an anomaly. With the goal of further decoupling fleet size from operator effort, the mission operations team is working to automate routine maintenance tasks. As a result, the number of person-hours needed to actively operate the fleet has seen a three-fold reduction per week while enabling a five-fold increase in on-orbit assets. The systems developed have enabled an operational posture that removes the need for 24/7 staffing at a dedicated operations center. 38)
The SkySat Fleet
- The SkySat fleet is comprised of fifteen small satellites capable of sub-meter resolution imagery. Unlike the Dove flock, which provides near-continuous imagery along each satellite’s orbit, the SkySats capture on-demand imagery of targets requested by customers. In addition, while the Doves are 3U CubeSats numbering in the hundreds, the SkySat fleet consists of a few dozen small satellites in the 100 kg range. The SkySat fleet is comprised of satellite buses with both maneuverable and non-maneuverable capabilities. Apart from this difference, the various SkySat buses are largely the same and operate under the same concept of operations.
- The rapidly changing operational needs required to maintain the fleet dictated that the SkySat Mission Operations (SMO) team develop tooling around the ground software, described below. These tools would give the team greater control over features while staying as independent as possible from the deployment of new ground software releases. By decoupling this development, SMO could experiment with various automation strategies while maintaining the inherently stable ground software. The ultimate goal of automation was to minimize the effort required to operate the fleet and maximize the amount of time operators could be absent from the operations center, in a so-called lights-out operational posture.
Ground software and tooling
- The base ground system initially provided to operate the SkySat fleet was a web-based user interface with basic features such as scripted command execution and telemetry monitoring and charting. As the number of satellites in orbit grew and operational needs changed, this base infrastructure acted as the foundation for additional tools built to facilitate SkySat mission operations.
- Scripting Engine: One of the primary features of the ground system allows operators to execute prepared scripts, written in Python. The purpose of this feature was to improve upon on-orbit command execution by allowing for complex logic and telemetry verification. The use of scripts has significantly reduced the occurrence of operator error and as a result increased fleet uptime.
- The first scripts developed were simple wrappers for available command and single-point telemetry checks. In these scripts, operators still adjusted the logical flow of execution via command line prompts. Over time layers were added to the script library, logic became more complex, and the need for operator prompting diminished. Much of this was due to the cumulative experience of both operators and engineers in dealing with anomalies on-orbit.
- Telemetry Monitoring and Charting: Operators are able to create custom screens of telemetry points for monitoring specific aspects of the satellite, as well as chart, in real-time, downlinked telemetry data from the satellite. Historical data is kept in a database to be retrieved for long-term trending of satellite data.
- Additionally, the ground system continuously monitors incoming telemetry against a set of thresholds defined by the satellite engineering team. These violations are then recorded and a visual indicator is presented to the operator for further action.
- Organization and Planning Tools: In order to facilitate executing satellite activities, SMO developed the pass planning tool. With this tool, operators may plan and display which operator-initiated activities would be executed in future contacts for each satellite. Additionally, this tool gathers and displays information about the fleet including what activities a satellite will be performing in upcoming orbits, the location of the satellites, and the health and safety effects of upcoming activities. This organization and planning tool became the foundation for many of the future tools that SMO would build, as it evolved into a one-stop location for all of the data the operations team needed.
Procedural and tasking algorithms
- As the fleet expanded, a multi-prong approach was taken to decouple operator effort from fleet size. This included building upon existing script libraries for automated anomaly response, moving to an alert-driven operational posture, and reducing the burden of planning and executing maintenance activities.
- Automated Anomaly Response: Over time, a set of common anomalies has emerged across the fleet that has lead to a thorough understanding of how to triage and resolve said anomalies. These well-defined responses to known anomalies have been implemented into scripts, which can be executed any time an anomalous state is detected. This development eliminated the need for operators to monitor real-time telemetry in order to respond to on-orbit issues.
- Autonomous anomaly response is an integral part of SkySat operations. Responses to common anomalies are entrusted to automation instead of operator intervention. By laying the foundation of autonomous anomaly response, the operations team was able to transition from focusing attention on one satellite at a time to considering and investigating anomalies at a fleet-wide scale. This enabled the operations team to more effectively manage a growing fleet. By automating the most critical responses, human attention could be more evenly spread between satellites competing for resources.
- Back-orbit Activities: A majority of commanding for all satellites in the SkySat fleet is done procedurally via a timestamped sequence of commands. These sequences are prepared and validated on the ground prior to being loaded to the onboard software for execution. These activities, such as image captures, data downlinks, and maintenance tasks, are typically performed in this manner.
- Some maintenance activities with specific constraints, such as onboard storage cleanup, must be executed when the satellite is not in contact with a ground station. To execute these “back-orbit” activities, a suitable execution time must be found and the sequence of commands must be loaded to onboard software prior to that time. Traditionally these tasks were manually performed by operators, which required a thorough understanding of not only when the satellites would be collecting images, but also the orbital state and satellite attitude. For example, would the satellite be passing through the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) and will the satellite be in an unsafe orientation if the activity is performed? Automating this process required defining a clear set of constraints that could then be implemented into the logic for determining the appropriate time to execute an activity. Once a suitable window was generated, the sequence of commands could then be embedded into the upcoming activities performed by the satellite.
Table 3: This table shows a simplified representation of the possible timing of a task that must be done while the satellite is in eclipse, not in the SAA, and not interfering with images or contacts. The final row indicates that there are two blocks near the end of the eclipse period that meet these criteria. If the length of these blocks is sufficient to complete the task, it will be added to the sequence of commands loaded to the satellite for that time frame.
- Alert and Paging System: One of the greatest enablers of lights-out operations was the development of an alert and paging system. If an anomaly occurs on orbit or within the ground infrastructure, the alerting system generates a summary of information surrounding the event to inform the on-call operator of the incident. Tying the alerts into Planet’s existing ticketing system meant issues could be tracked from discovery to resolution.
- Historically, visual indicators signifying that the value of a specific telemetry point was outside a defined threshold were used by operators to identify an anomalous scenario on-orbit. These, alongside logged messages from the onboard computer, were used by operators to triage and respond to the anomaly. At the core of its design, the alerting system collates related messages and telemetry into a single notification to send to operators.
- The precision and completeness of this information allows operators to develop a plan of action without requiring the depth of investigation needed in the past. Combined with changes to the operational posture, specifically extending the time in which operators must respond to an anomaly, this information enabled operators to work outside the operations center and respond to anomalies when convenient.
Automated operator
- After implementing automated scheduling of back-orbit activities, the last thing operators were responsible for was the planning and execution of activities that required communication with a ground station. These activities require ground services for a number of reasons, such as needing a link for telemetry verification or data exchange. These “in-pass” activities are frequently used for anomaly investigation and resolution, software updates, and nominal maintenance. In order to further reduce the person-hours needed to manually plan these activities, the SkySat Mission Operations team needed an automated workflow to determine what activities needed to be executed. In addition, this workflow needed to schedule the activities and to verify their successful completion.
- With the introduction of a so-called “automated operator”, all non-anomaly planning and scheduling could be handled without operator intervention. Tasks in this system were separated into three categories: default plans, run when no other activity is required; recurring plans, maintenance activities run at a regular interval; and triggered plans, activities that are planned in response to on-orbit conditions. The core functionality of the automated operator is scheduling these activities and verifying their successful execution.
- Default Plans: A majority of contacts across the fleet perform nothing beyond routine satellite health and safety checks. These routine tasks are encapsulated in a single script, removing the need for real-time telemetry verification by operators.
- Before the implementation of the automated operator, the “default script” was scheduled via a temporary workaround added to the pass planning tool. This occasionally led to scheduling conflicts and activities that had been carefully planned by operators could be overwritten without notice. This was an acceptable occurrence when the fleet was smaller, since the time it would take for operators to investigate why an activity did not occur did not interrupt nominal fleet operations. As the fleet grew, it became apparent that the system needed a new way to schedule these default tasks. By centralizing all contact scheduling into the automated operator, there was no longer a requirement for operators to manually ensure that a planned task would not be overwritten.
- In order to not interfere with operators manually planning a contact, the automated operator will only schedule recurring or triggered plans if a default plan was there previously. Human operators still have the authority to schedule and execute activities independently of the automated operator.
- Recurring Plans: There are certain tasks that must be executed at defined intervals as prescribed by the responsible subsystem engineer. Many of these tasks require ground assets and cannot be done while the satellites are not in contact. Some of these include loading updated orbit information or loading software configurations to the satellite. The intervals at which these tasks are executed range from weekly to quarterly.
- The automated operator is responsible for all aspects of these activities, including the following:
a) Tracking the status of all individual activities to determine if a task needs to be scheduled (activity scheduled; activity failed; activity recently completed successfully)
b) Tracking constraints for scheduling (minimum contact duration; ground station exclusions)
c) Tracking templates for activities approved for automated scheduling.
- Triggered Plans: There are certain on-orbit states that are typically dealt with in a well-defined manner. These activities are necessary for performing on-orbit tasks such as routine cleanup of satellite storage and enabling certain subsystem configurations. By defining both the on-orbit state and the necessary response to that state in a script, the automated operator schedules these activities as needed without operator intervention. As with default and recurring plans, these triggered plans are monitored from schedule planning through execution verification by the automated operator.
Personnel and staffing
- Despite the fleet size growing from one to fifteen satellites, staffing has remained relatively constant. This is due to evolving operational postures as well as the growing role that automation has played.
- Traditional Operations: Historically, satellite operations has involved staffing a dedicated operations center 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With the launch of SkySat-1, this was the posture taken, with three operators on console monitoring satellite health and safety. This was then reduced to two personnel when commissioning was complete. Outside of commissioning activities, 24/7 two-person operations (2PO) was maintained until 2017.
- Lights Out and On-call: The transition to on-call operations started with allowing the nighttime operators to monitor the fleet remotely, relying on the paging system to alert of any anomalies that needed operator response. This was referred to as nighttime lights-out operations (NLO). As confidence in the systems grew, nighttime staffing was reduced to one person on-call, with another support engineer available to be contacted as needed. This 24/7, one person on-call stance was eventually extended to include weekends in what is referred to as weekend lights-out operations (WLO). After on-call operations was implemented, operators were in the operations center twelve hours a day on weekdays with the remaining hours covered by on-call personnel.
- The team operated with these twelve-hour on-call shifts until in-office hours were eventually reduced to follow a standard eight-hour workday. Operators who began their shift on a weekday morning would finish their shifts remotely for a total of twelve hours on-shift. Operators assigned to weekend shift conducted shift activities, such as anomaly resolution, remotely.
- Alerting Periods: Despite moving to an on-call, interrupt driven stance, the SkySat Mission Operations team was still faced with the burden of having operators on-call 24/7 to respond to satellite anomalies. As the systems in place matured, the operations team relied on automation to take over more of the responsibilities of responding to night and weekend anomalies. With a growing number of the fleet, overall performance would not be greatly impacted by downtime on a few satellites.
- After the initial deployment of the alert and paging systems, there was a period of time where operators closely scrutinized and double checked that anomalies were being caught as expected. As confidence in the automation among operators reached a sufficiently high level, a change in operational stance was made to allow automation to be the primary response at night. Engineers could then triage anomalies in the morning and take action as necessary. This was the first time where there was a period of the day when no personnel were actively monitoring the fleet. This so-called “muting period” was then extended to 16 hours, turning the on-call period into an extension of in-office hours as opposed to staffing a separate shift.
- As it currently stands, the nighttime on-call period has been completely eliminated, with operators in-office only for a normal workweek and on-call personnel available during the day on weekends. Introducing the automated operator has further reduced human operator effort by covering all routine maintenance tasks. Although on-console for a full day, a typical day sees operators performing on-orbit activities such as anomaly response only a few hours per day.
- The overall reduction in staffing hours to monitor the fleet has reduced from 336 person-hours per week to 96 person-hours per week, with on-console operators spending less than half of their shift fully devoting attention to the fleet. This reduction in staffing occurred in parallel with fully supporting fleet expansion from one to 15 satellites. As stated previously, staffing levels have remained relatively constant. With the reduction in effort required to maintain the fleet, the mission operations team has provided support to other subsystems of the SkySat platform, including flight software, ground software, and manufacturing. The SkySat Mission Operations team has evolved into a group of subject matter experts on many aspects of the SkySat platform. This cross-training has made the level of knowledge related to the SkySat fleet at Planet resilient to changes in the overall team composition. Many members of the team have transitioned to other teams at Planet, specializing in disciplines ranging from electrical engineering to project management. Without the continued improvement in automation and relaxation of the operational posture, these changes would not have been possible.
- In six years, the SkySat Mission Operations team has gone from operating one to fifteen satellites, with a further fleet expansion on the horizon. This has been accomplished while not only maintaining a constant and lean team size, but while also scaling imaging capabilities to full capacity and maintaining rigorous mission uptime requirements. The introduction of the automated operator freed human operators of the burden of routine maintenance tasks, only requiring intervention during anomalous scenarios. The key factor of the team’s success was reducing the amount of work operators needed to perform per satellite, shifting the perspective from one of maintaining individual satellites to one of maintaining a fleet. This shift represented an understanding that imagery products were resilient to temporary outages on satellites.
- Lessons Learned: Automation is not something that happens all at once. Since the launch of SkySat-1, the mission operations team has incrementally developed systems and processes to assist in the routine maintenance of the growing fleet. Had automation been designed into the system upfront, the operational cadence and risk posture would have been rigid and unresponsive to the ever-evolving needs of the mission. Instead of dictating the automation needs of the operations team, the ground software systems are flexible, centering around a scripting engine and application interface.
- Even if a piece of automation is designed and works perfectly, time is still required after the initial deployment for the full benefit to be realized. Before operators fully unburden themselves of the task to be automated, there will be a period of time where operators double check and question the efficacy of the automation. It is important for the software team responsible for deploying new automation tactics to
understand and work with the operators. In other words, winning the hearts and minds of the operators is key to successfully automating an operations environment.
• October 25, 2018: SSL, a Maxar Technologies company, has shipped two Earth Observation (EO) satellites to Vandenberg Air Force Base where they will be launched on Spaceflight’s first Sun Synchronous dedicated rideshare mission (SSO-A) aboard a SpaceX Falcon-9 launch vehicle. 39)
- SSL manufactured SkySat 14 and 15 for commercial EO company Planet, advancing SSL’s leadership in the manufacture of innovative, small form-factor satellites. The imaging satellites feature 72 cm. resolution and will be added to Planet’s SkySat constellation, which currently includes 11 SSL-built smallsats.
- The SkySat constellation complements Planet’s Dove constellation, with the most satellites on orbit from a commercial imagery provider. Six of Planet’s SSL-built satellites were launched in 2017 and five were launched in 2016. SSL continues to manufacture additional SkySats for Planet in its state-of-the-art SmallSat manufacturing facility, integrating improvements and increasing the cadence of delivery.
Figure 12: Photo of SkySats-14 and -15 in SSL's smallsats manufacturing facility (image credit: SSL)
• June 2018: SkySat Concept of Operations: There are two different SkySat bus types that satisfy the mission operating in orbit: two Generation A satellites which are non-propulsive (SkySat-1 and -2), and eleven Generation C satellites with propulsion (SkySat-3 to -13). Apart from the propulsive capabilities, the overall concept of operations remains largely the same. 40)
Generation A
Generation C
Total ΔV
No propulsion
~200 m/s
~4 years
Revisit (all)
Sub-daily
Constellation (MLTDN)
1 - SkySat 1 (11:00)
5 - SkySat 3-7 (10:30)
6 - SkySat 8-13 (13:30)
Table 4: SkySat satellite bus details
Launch to
SkySat 1
DubaiSat-2
Soyuz 2.1b
Meteor M-2
CartoSat-2C
SkySat 4-7
PeruSat
SkySat 8-13
Minotaur-C
SkySat-14 and -15
Falcon-9 Block5
SSO-A Spaceflight
Table 5: Launch history of SkySat constellation
SkySat commissioning includes:
1) Initial contact and downlink of launch data
2) Utilizing onboard GPS for initial orbit determination
3) Detumbling and stabilizing the satellite using guidance navigation and control hardware
4) Initial checkout of the imaging system and door deployment
5) Calibration of the satellite and payload
6) Orbit phasing maneuvers.
- To-date, 13 SkySats have successfully launched and continue to operate in space, performing their mission to capture high resolution imagery of the Earth. The fleet has maintained continuous imaging operations since SkySat-1’s launch in 2013. The optimization of this fleet is ongoing; by leveraging the existing operations expertise from Planet’s numerous launches and management of its 200+ satellite constellation, the team is well poised to achieve the company’s goals for this one-of-a-kind, heterogeneous Earth Observation fleet.
• May 15, 2018: A year ago, Planet and Google completed a strategic partnership to acquire Terra Bella, making Google a Planet customer and investor. In that time, the Terra Bella and Planet teams have become a cohesive unit, with a shared mission and vision for the future. 41)
- The strength of our partnership was put to test last fall when we launched six SkySat satellites. Today, we’re happy to share that these new SkySat satellites are now fully operational and their data commercially available through Planet APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). This brings the total number of SkySat satellites in orbit to 13 – making it the largest constellation of high-resolution satellites in the market.
- This is a significant milestone for Planet and our global base of customers. Now, the SkySat constellation can not only image any location on Earth’s landmass at sub-meter resolution and twice-daily frequency, but also collect the data faster and at a lower cost point than traditional imagery providers. These capabilities ensure that Planet’s customers have the information they need to make critical business decisions.
- SkySat satellites are instrumental to Planet’s unprecedented daily global dataset, giving customers greater access to high-resolution imagery of the places they care about.
- The SkySat constellation supports off-nadir collection types and now offers a variety of delivery formats, including Basemaps, which are compatible with OpenStreetMaps or as a web mapping tile format.
• November 1, 2017: Planet has confirmed its ground team has contacted the SkySat (SkySat-8 to -13) and Dove satellites launched by the Minotaur-C rocket earlier this afternoon, and the spacecraft are in a good orbit. This confirms the final phase of the Minotaur-C mission occurred as planned, with a normal fourth stage motor burn and a good separation of all six payloads. 42)
• Sept. 5, 2017: Six high-resolution SkySat satellites for Planet, built by SSL (Space Systems Loral) arrived at VAFB, scheduled for launch in mid-October on a Minotaur-C vehicle of Orbital ATK . The satellites will double Planet’s high resolution imaging capabilities and help deliver information to users about our physical world that impacts decision making. 43)
- The satellites, called SkySat 8 through 13, are each about 60 x 60 x 95 cm with a mass of about 100 kg and capture sub-meter color imagery and up to 90-second clips of HD video with 30 frames per second. Working together with the seven SkySats already on orbit, the satellites will dramatically increase Planet’s high resolution imaging capabilities, enabling multiple imaging passes in a single day. These capabilities, combined with Planet’s over 170 Dove satellites and their advanced software analytics platform, make it possible to derive timely insights from any location in the world. The Planet constellation provides a broad range of data, tools, and analytical services that help leaders in business and humanitarian sectors solve complex problems.
• August 2017: Five SkySat satellites with HPGP propulsion systems were launched in 2016, from two different launch sites. SkySat-3 was launched from SDSC of ISRO in India on June 22, 2016, while SkySat-4 to -7 (4 satellites) were launched from VAFB in CA on September 16, 2016. Each satellite’s HPGP system has been successfully commissioned and is now being operated in-orbit. 44)
- Propulsion System Commissioning: Following separation from the launch vehicle upper stage, the same propulsion system commissioning activities were performed on each SkySat. Depending on ground station contact scheduling, the process took approximately 8 hours per satellite. First, the thruster catalyst bed heaters were activated and allowed to operate within their pre-heating temperature setpoints of 330-370°C for 1 hour in order to thoroughly drive off any residual moisture and ensure complete and uniform heating of the entire reactor assembly.
- Recurring Propulsive Operations: The SkySat propulsion systems are used to maintain proper station keeping, maintain inclination and compensate for drag. As of the date of publication, a total of forty (40) propulsive maneuvers have been executed across the entire fleet, for normal operations and both propulsion and other subsystem tests. A summary for each SkySat is shown in Table 6.
Number of maneuvers
Total impulse (as of 1 June 2017
SkySat-3
1,732 Ns
Table 6: SkySat constellation propulsive maneuver summary
Legend to Table 3: SkySat-4 is currently being used as the ‘reference’ for maintaining constellation phasing (and has thus required fewer maneuvers than all of the other satellites).
- The SkySat propulsion maneuvers are executed via an automated sequence with a pre-defined start time and duration. Prior to opening the FCVs (Flow Control Vales), the maneuver sequence configures the satellite state and enables the required 30 minutes of thruster catalyst pre-heating. When the satellite time reaches the programmed maneuver time, the sequence allows the ACS algorithm to slew the satellite to the firing attitude and then dynamically control the individual thruster duty cycles to maintain satellite orientation throughout the bun. Following a successful maneuver, the sequence cleans up the satellite state and slews the attitude back to the nominal cruise orientation.
- System Performance: The on-orbit performance of the SkySat HPGP propulsion systems corresponds well with the pre-flight predictions. Figure 13 shows the as-measured performance of “Thruster B” (which is fired at 100% duty cycle) on the SkySat-3 satellite for all closed loop maneuvers performed to date.
- As seen in Figure 13, the steady-state Isp achieved in orbit is higher than the thruster acceptance test data (due to the thrusters only reaching quasi-steady state temperatures during ground testing at higher feed pressures) and is consistent with the analytical model.
Figure 13: Comparison of On-Orbit Steady-State Performance vs. Pre-Flight Predictions (image credit: ECAPS)
- A comparison plot showing the reactor temperature of Thruster B on SkySat-3 during regular orbit maintenance maneuvers is provided in Figure 14, with the end of each maneuver indicated by a sharp decrease in reactor temperature.
Figure 14: SkySat-3 Thruster B (image credit: ECAPS)
• April 19, 2017: As Planet of San Francisco announced, it has completed its acquisition of rival satellite imaging company Terra Bella on April 18, it confirmed that Google is now a shareholder in Planet as part of that deal. 45)
- Planet announced on February 3 that it had reached an agreement with Google to acquire Terra Bella. Google had purchased Terra Bella, then known as Skybox Imaging, in 2014 for an estimated $500 million. At the time, both Planet and Google declined to disclose the terms of the deal other than that Google signed a multi-year deal to purchase imagery from Planet.
- The deal, though, was rumored to include Google taking a stake in Planet. In an April 18 blog post announcing that the deal had closed, Planet co-founder and chief executive Will Marshall confirmed that. “We’re also delighted to welcome Google as a shareholder and customer,” he wrote.
- Planet spokesperson Rachel Holm said in an April 18 email that Google took an equity stake in Planet, in addition to the previously announced multi-year imagery contract. Neither company, though, has said how much of Planet that Google now owns.
- The deal closed after receiving regulatory approvals from several federal agencies. “Over the last several weeks, we received all necessary regulatory approvals from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and FCC (Federal Communications Commission),” Holm said. The NOAA licenses commercial remote sensing systems in the United States, while the FCC licenses satellite communications.
- The FTC, with the Department of Justice, reviews large acquisitions under the 'Hart-Scott-Rodino Act' for any antitrust issues, setting a waiting period for that review before such deals can close. The FTC issued “early termination” notices March 16 for Planet’s acquisition of Terra Bella and Google’s acquisition of part of Planet, ending that waiting period early and allowing the deal to proceed.
- Planet will now work to integrate the high-resolution imagery from Terra Bella’s fleet of seven SkySat satellites with Planet’s own constellation of nearly 150 satellites that provide medium-resolution images. That fleet includes 88 satellites launched in February on an Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
- “This ‘close’ is also the beginning—the beginning of a new chapter at Planet, and of a lot of work across our organization over the next year to make SkySat imagery available on the Planet platform,” Marshall said in his statement. - Holm said that a “significant portion” of Terra Bella’s employees will remain with Planet. The company, headquartered in San Francisco, will maintain an office in Mountain View, California, where Terra Bella was based.
Figure 15: An illustration of four of the SkySat high-resolution imagery satellites developed by Terra Bella. Planet announced April 18 it has completed its deal announced in February to acquire Terra Bella from Google (image credit: Space Systems Loral)
• On Sept. 27, 2016, Terra Bella released the first images from the four newest high-resolution imaging satellites, SkySat-4-7, which were successfully launched aboard an Arianespace Vega rocket from French Guiana on September 16, 2016. The following images (Figures 16 to 19) of Google headquarters in Mountain View, Rome, Amsterdam, and Algeciras, Spain are untuned and uncalibrated. 46)
Figure 16: SkySat-4 image over Google Headquarters in Mountain View, CA on September 23, 2016 (image credit: Terra Bella)
Figure 17: SkySat-5 image over Rome, Italy on September 23, 2016 (image credit: Terra Bella)
Figure 18: SkySat-6 image over Amsterdam, Netherlands on September 19, 2016 (image credit: Terra Bella)
Figure 19: SkySat-7 image over Algeciras, Spain on September 23, 2016 (image credit: Terra Bella)
Legend to Figure 19: Algeciras is a port city in the south of Spain, and is the largest city on the Bay of Gibraltar (Bahía de Algeciras). The Port of Algeciras is one of the largest ports in Europe and in the world in three categories: container, cargo and transhipment.
• The launch of SkySat-4, -5, -6 and -7 on Sept. 16, 2016 expanded a growing satellite fleet operated by Google’s Terra Bella company, giving the Silicon Valley firm seven spacecraft fitted with high-resolution cameras that can take rapid-fire pictures many times a second, allowing processors on the ground to string together video clips (Ref. 29).
- The Terra Bella satellites add to Google’s vast imagery catalog, which help improve popular applications such as Google Maps, according to Luc Vincent, director of GEO imagery at Google.
• August 3, 2016: ECAPS announced that the HPGP (High Performance Green Propulsion) system on SkySat-3 has been successfully commissioned on-orbit and declared fully operational. Commissioning of the HPGP propulsion system was completed approximately 48 hours after launch. All initial data from the propulsion system has indicated nominal performance and the HPGP system is now being used for recurring orbit maintenance operations. 47)
• July 1, 2016: SkySat 3, the third satellite of Terra Bella (formerly Skybox Imaging) has downlinked its first images following its June 22 launch aboard a PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) from the ISRO. The satellite launched with 19 other co-passengers and was released into a sun-synchronous orbit of ~ 500 km. 48)
Figure 20: Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium as seen by SkySat-3, acquired on June 25, 2016 (image credit: Terra Bella)
• March 8, 2016: Google today announced its satellite subsidiary Skybox Imaging has been renamed to Terra Bella. The name comes with a new vision: “As Google revolutionized search for the online world, we have set our eyes on pioneering the search for patterns of change in the physical world.” 49)
- Two years ago, Skybox Imaging launched its first satellite, SkySat-1, and has since taken 100,000 images. Terra Bella now has “more than a dozen satellites under development” that are “scheduled to launch over the next few years.” But in today’s announcement, founders Dan Berkenstock, John Fenwick, and Ching-Yu Hu explained they want to go beyond satellite imagery: ”As we have engaged with thousands of potential users, we have been struck over and over again by a simple truth. There is an incredible opportunity for geospatial information to transform our ability to meet the economic, societal, and humanitarian challenges of the 21st century, but satellite imagery represents only one part of the puzzle.”
- In addition to relying on satellite imagery, Terra Bella is now working with a wide array of geospatial data sources, machine learning capabilities, and experts “that we could not have imagined as an independent startup company.” The broader goal is to convert raw imagery into data that can help people and organizations make more informed decisions.
- In other words, Terra Bella will soon be launching new products that don’t depend solely on satellites. These will be revealed “over the coming year,” the Google subsidiary promises.
• August 2015: The Skybox Flight Operator program trains rotating cohorts of college students and recent graduates to fly the current constellation of microsatellites, namely SkySat-1 and -2. This program has provided significant benefits for Skybox Flight Operations. First, it attracts highly motivated, energized people, who are interested in the many short-term growth opportunities offered by the role, but who may not be interested in a shift-based role with few long-term growth opportunities. 50)
- The Flight Operations team at Skybox is responsible for commissioning the SkySat satellites after launch and keeping them healthy, robust, and productive throughout their lifetimes. To achieve this mission, Skybox staffs its operations center 24 x 7 with two Satellite Controllers (SatCons) who are responsible for monitoring telemetry, responding to anomalies, and executing maintenance procedures and calibrations.
- Skybox developed an intern staffing program, that draws from aerospace undergraduate and graduate programs at local universities. The first class of nine student interns began flying the Skybox satellite fleet in December 2013, right after the launch of SkySat-1. Since then, Skybox has recruited and trained two more SatCon cohorts. To date, a total of 16 personnel have participated in this intern program.
- Skybox-1 and -2 are operated in Skybox’s MOC (Mission Operations Center), which has been staffed 24 x 7 continuously for over 1.5 years, with the majority of shifts filled by the SatCon interns. This effort has been successful due to the thorough certification program, sourcing and hiring the appropriate personnel for an agile operations environment, and constant drive to reduce operational risk.
• The SkySat-1 and -2 satellites are operating nominally in February 2015.
- The SkySat-3 satellite is scheduled to launch as a secondary payload in the summer 2015 on a PSLV-XL vehicle of ISRO from SDSC (Satish Dhawan Space Center) SHAR on the south-east coast of India. 51)
- ECAPS (Ecological Advanced Propulsion Systems, Inc.) of Solna, Sweden, a division of SSC Corporation, provides propulsion systems for 12 satellites to be built for imagery services startup Skybox Imaging. The contract is the largest ever for ECAPS’s environmentally friendly High Performance Green Propulsion system for small satellites. 52)
Skybox recently signed a contract with manufacturer Space Systems/Loral (SSL) for 13 small imaging satellites, the first of which is being built at Skybox’s Mountain View, Calif., facilities in a collaborative effort between the two companies. ECAPS was already under contract to supply the propulsion system for that satellite, dubbed SkySat-3, and now has an order for the remaining 12 microsatellites.
Skybox ultimately plans a 24-satellite constellation occupying four different polar-orbit planes that will provide high-resolution imagery and full-motion video for commercial sale.
Figure 21: The Tower of London (bottom center) acquired by SkySat-1 on November 10, 2014 (image credit: Skybox) 53)
Figure 22: SkySat-1 image of the Helkeim Glacier in Greenland, acquired on Aug. 18, 2014 (image credit: Skybox Imaging) 54)
• In the summer of 2014, Skybox Imaging has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Google! 55) - Technology giant Google and the satellite Earth imaging startup Skybox Imaging on June 10, 2014 announced that Google is purchasing Skybox and hopes to use Skybox’s imaging technology “over time ... to improve Internet access and disaster relief — areas Google has long been interested in.” 56)
- Google acquired Skybox Imaging for $500 million and started a revolution in space that has been solely enabled by the capabilities of small satellites. Google stated “Skybox’s satellites will help keep Google Maps accurate with up-to-date imagery. Over time, we also hope that Skybox’s team and technology will be able to help improve Internet access and dis-aster relief — areas Google has long been in-terested in.” 57)
• On July 10, 2014, Skybox Imaging released the first images from SkySat-2. The project team progressed already through initial commissioning activities. The SkySat-2 system tuning and calibration is expected to continue for several months. 58)
SkySat-1 and SkySat-2 operations are conducted from the Skybox MOC (Mission Operations Centerour) on a 24 hour/7 day basis in Mountain View, CA.
Figure 23: SkySat-2 image of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, acquired on July 10, 2014 within 48 hours after launch (image credit: Skybox Imaging) 59)
Figure 24: SkySat-2 image of Bangor, Maine, USA, acquired on July 10, 2014 (image credit: Skybox Imaging) 60)
Figure 25: SkySat-1 image of Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, UAE (United Arab Emirates), acquired on Dec. 7, 2013 (image credit: Skybox Imaging)
Figure 26: SkySat-1 sample image of Crown Perth in Perth, Australia, acquired on Dec. 4, 2013 (image credit: Skybox Imaging
• On Dec. 11, 2013, Skybox Imaging released the first high-resolution images acquired with SkySat-1. 61)
Figure 27: SkySat-1 image of Beaton Park in Perth, Australia acquired on Dec. 4, 2013 (image credit: Skybox Imaging)
Sensor complement:
The optical imager covers a panchromatic band from 450 to 900 nm achieving a Pan resolution of 0.90 m at nadir. Four multispectral channels are covered by the satellite (Blue 450-515, Green 515-595, Red 605-695, and Near Infrared 740-900 nm) achieving a multispectral resolution of 2 m at nadir. A ground swath of 8 km is covered at nadir. Stereo imaging is supported by the satellite. The instrument is a staring 2D imaging device. 62)
The satellite acquires high-definition video in its Pan channel with durations of up to 90 seconds in which the satellite can keep looking at the ground target by slewing to compensate for the movement in its orbit. Video is acquired at 30 frames/s with a resolution of 1.1 m at nadir and a minimum FOV (Field of View) of 2.0 km x 1.1 km.
Skybox images are commercially marketed and find application in a variety of monitoring operations, land use planning, environmental assessment, resources management, tourism, mapping and for scientific use.
Pan (Panchromatic): 90 cm at nadir
MS (multispectral): 2.0 m at nadir
Nominal swath width
8 km at nadir
Spectral bands
Pan: 450-900 nm
MS: Blue = 450-515 nm
MS : Green = 515-595 nm
MS: Red = 605-695 nm
MS: NIR = 740-900 nm
Duration up to 90 seconds
Frame rate = 30/s
GSD = 1.1 m at nadir
FOV: No smaller than 2.0 km x 1.1 km
Table 7: Specification of the optical imager
Each SkySat satellite is equipped with a Ritchey-Chretien Cassegrain telescope (35 cm ∅) with a focal length of 3.6 m, and a focal plane consisting of three 5.5 Mpixel CMOS imaging detectors. Images are compressed with JPEG 2000 and then stored or downlinked to the ground station. 768 GB of on board storage are available and the data downlink rate is 450 Mbit/s. 63)
SkySat-1and -2 use 3 CMOS frame detectors with a size of 2560 x 2160 pixels and a pixel size of 6.5 µm. The upper half of the detector is used for panchromatic capture, the lower half is divided into 4 stripes covered with blue, green, red and near infra-red color filters. A schematic of the focal plane layout is shown in Figure 28. The native resolution at nadir of the SkySat-1 and SkySat-2 is around 1.1 m. Further satellites will be placed in lower orbits, leading to increased image resolution.
The Raw Video and Frame products contains both a physical camera model and a RPC (Remote Procedure Call) for each individual frame. The interior orientation is given by the location (X,Y,Z) and tilts the CMOS detector planes with respect to the projection center of the telescope. The unconventional interior orientation with 3D rotation of the focal plane with respect to the telescope requires extension of the ordinary frame camera geometry routines.
For the video product, the panchromatic part of a single detector records a video with 30 frames/s while the spacecraft pointing follows the target. Video sequences up to 90 seconds in length can be recorded. The video product can be delivered in different formats, a stabilized Full HD video in MP4 format, where all video frames have been coregistered, and an unstabilized video without coregistration. The video size of both products is 1920 x 1080 pixels. A raw video product with individual TIFF files with 11 bit of radiometric resolution and per frame orbit and attitude parameters and RPCs is also available. The raw video frames are available at the full panchromatic detector area size of 2560 x 1080 pixels.
Figure 28: SkySat-1 focal plane, as projected to the ground (image credit: Skybox, DLR) 64) 65)
Frame product: In addition to the video product, larger areas can be covered by strips with a swath width of 8 km. These are acquired in a ”pushframe” mode, where all three detectors acquire a highly overlapping video sequence, for example at 40 Hz (Smiley et al.,2014). All pan and multi-spectral images overlapping with a single panchromatic ”master” frames are coregistered and fused using a super-resolution algorithm. During the fusion, a super-resolution process is used to increase the resolution from 1.1 m to 90 cm. Panchromatic, multispectral and several variants of pansharpened images are delivered.
The master images are chosen to have some overlap in the along track direction, and there is a small across-track overlap between detector 2 and detectors 1 and 3 (Figure 29).
As handling and mosaicking of the individual frames is not a straightforward operation for most imagery customers, Skybox will offer an mosaicked Geo product in the future.
Figure 29: Fos sur Mer industrial zone as seen by SkySat-1. The bounding boxes show the individual frames after coregistration and multi-image fusion (image credit: Skybox, DLR)
Legend to Figure 29: Fos-sur-Mer is situated about 50 km north west of Marseille, on the Mediterranean coast, and to the west of the Étang de Berre.
With the first civil VHR video products, the SkySat satellites offer very interesting possibilities for future applications. The ”pushframe” architecture and the super-resolution approach reduce the complexity of the SkySat satellites and will allow launch of a constellation with multiple daily visits. A drawback of the constellation is the comparably small footprint of the still and video products, Skybox is thus primarily suited for monitoring applications and not for the mapping of large areas (Ref. 63).
Propulsion subsystems for the SkySat constellation
The declared goal of Terra Bella, formerly Skybox Imaging, is to provide the world's first coordinated constellation of high-resolution EO satellites. After the successful demonstration of the SkySat-1 imaging performance and the development of the SkySat-2 spacecraft, Skybox Imaging of Mountain View, CA, awarded a contract to SSL (Space Systems/Loral) of Palo Alto, CA in February 2014, to build an advanced constellation of LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites for Earth imaging. The contract award helps SSL, which is best known for its high-power geostationary communications satellites, to further expand its capabilities building LEO imaging satellites and solutions. 66) 67)
SSL is building 13 small LEO satellites, each about 60 x 60 x 95 cm with a mass of ~120 kg, to be launched in 2015 and 2016. These satellites, based on a Skybox design, will capture sub-meter color imagery and up to 90-second clips of HD video with 30 frames/s. Once the 13 satellites are launched, Skybox will be able to revisit any point on Earth three times per day.
As part of the agreement, Skybox granted SSL an exclusive license to the satellite design. This provides SSL with a unique platform to address the growing demand for small satellites and related services.
The contract with SSL, a subsidiary of MDA Corp. of Richmond BC, Canada, raises the possibility that Skybox could receive backing from Export Development Canada, the country’s export credit agency, one industry source said. Export credit agency financing has become a major factor in the space industry and often helps determine who wins satellite manufacturing and launch contracts. 68)
One of the critical requirements identified in the evolution towards a constellation was the need for a capable propulsion system. Adding propulsion to future SkySat satellites enables the following capabilities: 69) 70)
• Constellation relative phase management: The compact size of the SkySat platform enables enormous cost savings by utilizing a single launch vehicle to launch multiple spacecraft. However, once on orbit, propulsion will be required to phase the spacecraft within each orbit plane and maintain their relative spacing in the face of orbital perturbations.
• Mission flexibility to better serve the EO market: The commercial EO market is relatively new and evolving. High performance propulsion will enable Skybox to meet market demands for increased resolution, collect volume or spacecraft lifetime by adjusting the spacecraft’s orbits.
• Launch vehicle diversity: High performance propulsion will enable Skybox to take advantage of a wide range of future secondary launch options as they become available, while maintaining tight coordination of one-off launches with the rest of the constellation.
Already in late 2012, Terra Bella, formerly Skybox Imaging, became the first commercial company to baseline the HPGP (High Performance Green Propulsion) technology of ECAPS (Ecological Advanced Propulsion Systems, Inc.) of Solna, Sweden — implementing a propulsion system design with four 1N thrusters in their second generation small satellite platform (~120 kg). The initial propulsion module, to be delivered in 2013, will serve to qualify the system design for use in an entire constellation of small satellites intended to provide customers easy access to reliable and frequent high-resolution images of the Earth.
The selection of the HPGP system of ECAPS, an SSC (Swedish Space Corporation) Group company, resulted from a system study of various propulsion options in support of Skybox’s mission to provide high quality and timely earth observation data from a small satellite constellation. Two key technical requirements for the propulsion system were to provide the maximum ΔV achievable (for continued orbit maintenance and mission flexibility) within a considerably limited internal volume typical of many microsatellites. Additionally, in light of the commercial nature of the project, the overall life-cycle cost was considered to be of utmost importance.
A detailed trade study of various propulsion technologies and vendors was conducted by Skybox during the selection process. The results of that study showed that the HPGP solution selected provides nearly twice the on-orbit ΔV of the more traditional monopropellant systems, at the lowest projected life-cycle cost of the liquid propulsion technologies evaluated.
The higher performance of the HPGP system will give the SkySat constellation of small satellites significantly improved mission flexibility, enabling collection and delivery of higher quality and more timely data to customers. Furthermore, the handling and transportation advantages of the environmentally benign ADN (Ammonium Dinitramide) based LMP-103S monopropellant provide reductions in logistics costs and enable more responsive launch preparation. 71)
Figure 30: Photo of a 1 N thruster of the HPGP propulsion subsystem (image credit: ECAPS/SSC)
SkySat-3 will be the first microsatellite of the SkySat constellation which features an HPGP propulsion subsystem with four 1N thrusters, fuel LMP-103S and refueling of the satellite at the launch base.
During 2013, ECAPS worked to design a complete, compact and “modular” HPGP propulsion system; the first (protoflight) version of which was delivered in 2014. A total quantity of nineteen such HPGP propulsion system modules have now been ordered by Terra Bella, and “assembly line” manufacturing is ongoing at ECAPS – with multiple deliveries accomplished in 2015, and continuing into 2016 & 2017. 72)
As a result of the schedule adjustments that are common within the satellite and launch industries, up to eleven of the aforementioned HPGP modules are currently planned to launch in 2016, on three different launch vehicles; from three different launch sites (on three different continents). Collectively, these launches will represent the “commercial debut” for HPGP technology; with the entry point being a large constellation.
SkySat HPGP propulsion system design:
As successfully demonstrated in-space on the PRISMA mission of Sweden (2010-2015), HPGP (High Performance Green Propulsion) technology provides numerous benefits over monopropellant hydrazine, including: 32% higher volumetric efficiency and 8% higher mission-average specific impulse, significantly reduced transportation/handling hazards and costs, and greatly simplified/shortened pre-launch operations (Ref. 72).
The PRISMA HPGP propulsion system was the first in-space demonstration of the ”green” storable monopropellant HPGP technology, based on ADN LMP-103S, and was used for providing the required ΔV for the PRISMA main satellite maneuvers, together with the hydrazine system. The PRISMA mission was concluded in May 2015; by which time the HPGP system had been successfully operated in space for five years.
The architecture of the complete HPGP propulsion system developed by ECAPS for the SkySat platform is shown in Figures 31. The system design consists primarily of four 1N HPGP thrusters, three propellant tanks (with expulsion via Propellant Management Devices) connected in series, two service valves, a latch valve, a pressure transducer and a system filter. All of the components selected have flight heritage from previous missions.
Figure 31: The SkySat HPGP system architecture (image credit: ECAPS/SSC)
The design and function of the thrusters developed for ADN-based monopropellant blends have several similarities with hydrazine thrusters. The FCV (Flow Control Valve) is a normally closed series redundant valve with independent dual coils. The FCV is manufactured by Moog and has extensive flight heritage. In the HPGP thruster, the propellant is thermally and catalytically decomposed and ignited by a pre-heated reactor. Nominal pre-heating is regulated between 340-360ºC which requires an average power consumption of about 7.3 W per thruster in the PRISMA application. For thermal control, the thruster is equipped with redundant heaters and thermocouples.
Figure 32: Left: The SkySat HPGP system layout; right: The SkySat-3 HPGP flight system (image credit: ECAPS/SSC)
Importantly, from the standpoint of other companies developing small satellites which will require propulsive capability, ECAPS can offer the existing design (or modified derivatives thereof) as a compact (55 x 55 x 15 cm) “drop-in”/off-the-shelf solution for other customers interested in high performance propulsion at a reduced life-cycle cost.
The nineteen complete HPGP propulsion system modules ordered by Terra Bella represent a total quantity of seventy-six (76) 1N HPGP thrusters. In order to achieve the associated production rates, ECAPS has scaled up its capabilities in the areas of both manufacturing and hot-fire acceptance testing of HPGP thrusters.
Figure 33: Photo of 1N HPGP flight thrusters (image credit: ECAPS/SSC)
In support of increased thruster manufacturing rates, ECAPS has invested in additional vacuum braze stations. Additionally, in order to enable an improved thruster acceptance testing timeline, ECAPS’ Test Stand number2 (TS-2) has been modified to support multiple thrusters simultaneously. The new TS-2 configuration, shown in Figures 34 and 35, permits four (4) 1N HPGP thrusters to be mounted in parallel.
Figure 34: Four 1N thrusters mounted in TS-2 (image credit: ECAPS/SSC)
Figure 35: TS-2 with multiple 1N thrust balances mounted (image credit: ECAPS/SSC)
SkySat HPGP propulsion modules: As shown in Figure 36, the complete SkySat HPGP propulsion system modules are being manufactured in an “assembly line” manner as well. By implementing standardized procedures and support equipment, multiple systems are able to exist in various stages of production simultaneously – thus streamlining the flow of incoming components into their respective systems, and minimizing the likelihood of key tooling sitting “idle” due to the individual integration schedule of any particular system.
Figure 36: Photo of multiple SkySat HPGP systems in various stages of production (image credit: ECAPS/SSC)
SkySat Mission and Ground Segment
Planet’s Mission Operations team largely focuses on automation to manage nominal operations of the fleet of satellites. Rather than building manual/human processes and then trying to replace them with automation, Planet builds automation first and then iteratively improves it. This workflow has been paramount to operating the large fleet of Dove nanosatellites. 73)
The SkySat Mission Operations (SMO) team is responsible for the safe and stable space segment operations for Planet’s thirteen SkySat satellites. This includes all satellite operations as well as the development of tools, processes, and systems for these operations. SMO supports ground station operations, image collection planning, radiometric calibration, software development, and mission systems engineering. SMO takes ownership of the satellite immediately after launch and is responsible for all commissioning, nominal, maintenance, special, and
contingency operations during the satellite's life. SMO is responsible for maintaining throughput to meet our contractual service obligations, scaling operational capacity while minimizing resource use, and delivering imagery to the data pipeline ground segment.
The SkySat ground system supports satellite commanding and real-time telemetry display, analysis, and trending in a 100% web browser based solution. The majority of planning, analysis, and production tools used operationally are also browser-based. Telemetry storage and computation occurs on centralized servers.
1) Dirk Robinson, “Skybox Imaging,” Proceedings of the 11th Annual JACIE (Joint Agency Commercial Imagery Evaluation ) Workshop, Fairfax, VA, USA, April 17-19, 2012, URL: http://calval.cr.usgs.gov/wordpress/wp-content
/uploads/Robinson_JACIE2012presentation.pdf
2) Skybox Imaging raises $70 M in new financing,” Skybox, April 17, 2012, URL: http://www.skyboximaging.com/news/blog/skybox-imaging-raises-70m-new-financing
3) Skybox Imaging Plans High-Resolution Constellation,” Aug. 31, 2011, Earth Imaging Journal, URL: http://eijournal.com/2011/skybox-imaging-plans-high-resolution-constellation?utm_source=
EIX+Subscribers&utm_campaign=ee8042c6b3-August_31_Newsletter8_31_2011&utm_medium=email
4) “Skybox Imaging, Inc. License Application,” Dec. 22, 2011, URL: https://uppsagd.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/fcc_exhibit-43_skysat-1.pdf
5) Jeff Faust, “Smallsat constellations: the killer app?,” The Space Review, July 1, 2013, URL: http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2322/1
6) http://www.skyboximaging.com/news
7) “Skybox Imaging Announces Strategic Partnership with Japan Space Imaging,” SpaceRef, May 14, 2013, URL: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=40760
8) Dirk Robinson, D. Berkenstock, J. Mann, J. Dyer, M. Trela, “The Skybox Vision,” Proceedings of JACIE 2014 (Joint Agency Commercial Imagery Evaluation) Workshop, Louisville, Kentucky, March 26-28, 2014, URL: https://calval.cr.usgs.gov/wordpress
/wp-content/uploads/14.018_Robinson_JACIE2014_public.pdf
9) Tom Dzamba, John Enright, Doug Sinclair, Kofi Amankwah, Ronny Votel, Ilija Jovanovic, Geoffrey McVittie, “Success by 1000 Improvements: Flight Qualification of the ST-16 Star Tracker,” Proceedings of the AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, Logan, Utah, USA, August 2-7, 2014, paper: SSC14-XII-1, URL: http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/smallsat/2014/YearReview/1
10) Debra Werner, “Skybox Imaging’s Hopes High as Launch of First Satellites Draws Near,” Space News, October 14, 2013, URL: http://spacenews.com
/37671commercial-earth-observation-skybox-imagings-hopes-high-as-launch-of-first/
11) Debra Werner, “Profile: Tom Ingersoll, Chief Executive, Skybox Imaging,” Space News, May 26, 2014, URL: http://www.spacenews.com/article/features
/40703profile-tom-ingersoll-chief-executive-skybox-imaging
12) Warren Fester, ”SSC To Provide Propulsion for Skybox Satellite Fleet,” Space News, March 12, 2014, URL: http://spacenews.com
/39822news-from-satellite-2014-to-provide-propulsion-for-skybox-satellite/
13) Kiran Murthy, Michael Shearn, Byron D. Smiley, Alexandra H. Chau, Josh Levine, Dirk Robinson, “ SkySat-1: very high-resolution imagery from a small satellite ", Proceedings of. SPIE , Vol. 9241, 'Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XVIII, Roland Meynart, Steven P. Neeck, Haruhisa Shimoda (editors), Amsterdam, Netherlands, September 22, 2014, 92411E (October 7, 2014); doi:10.1117/12.2074163
14) Tom Dzamba, John Enright, Doug Sinclair, Kofi Amankwah, Ronny Votel, Ilija Jovanovic, Geoffrey McVittie, “Success by 1000 Improvements: Flight Qualification of the ST-16 Star Tracker,” Proceedings of the 28th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, Logan, Utah, USA, August 2-7, 2014, paper: SSC14-XII-1, URL: http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/smallsat/2014/YearReview/1
15) Information provided by Cing-Yu Hu of Skybox Imaging Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA.
16) “Dnepr Cluster Mission 2013,” ISC Kosmotras, Nov. 21, 2013, URL: http://www.kosmotras.ru/en/news/149/
17) Patrick Blau, “Dnepr Rocket successfully launches Cluster of 32 Satellites,” Spaceflight 101, Nov. 21, 2013, URL: http://www.spaceflight101.com/denpr-2013-cluster-launch-updates.html
18) Robert Christy, “Dnepr Launch 2013 November 21,” Zarya, Nov. 21, 2013, URL: http://www.zarya.info/blog/?p=1745
19) “2013 in spaceflight,” Wikipedia, Nov. 21, 2013, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_in_spaceflight#November
20) “PUCPSat-1 Satellite Project,” URL: http://inras.pucp.edu.pe/pucpsat1/index.html
21) “Soyuz rocket with seven satellites lifts off from Baikonur,” ITAR-TASS, July 8, 2014, URL:
http://en.itar-tass.com/non-political/739563
22) Anatoly Zak, “Russia launches new weather watcher,” July 9, 2014, URL: http://www.russianspaceweb.com/meteor_m2.html
23) Patrick Blau, “Soyuz successfully Launches Meteor-M #2 & Six Secondary Payloads,” Spaceflight 101, July 8, 2014, URL: http://www.spaceflight101.com/soyuz-2-1b---meteor-m-2-launch-updates.html
24) http://www.tsenki.com/en/launch_services/help_information/launch/2014/?EID=111586
25) “Dauria Aerospace and Samsung will launch the first in Russia private artificial satellite of the Earth,” Oct. 15, 2013, URL: http://all-rss.com/item-1070741-dauria-aerospace-and-samsung-
will-launch-the-first-in-russia-private-artificial-satellite-of-the-earth/#.UwSE3s7ihqM
26) ”PSLV-C34 Successfully Launches 20 Satellites in a Single Flight,” ISRO, June 22, 2016, URL: http://www.isro.gov.in/update/22-jun-2016
/pslv-c34-successfully-launches-20-satellites-single-flight
27) ”Vega releases five satellites in complex mission,” ESA, Sept. 16, 2016, URL: http://m.esa.int
/Our_Activities/Launchers/Vega_releases_five_satellites_in_complex_mission
28) ”Launch Reminder: PerúSAT-1 & Four Terra Bella SkySat Satellites For Thursday, September 15th,” Satnews Daily, Sept. 14, 2016, URL: http://www.satnews.com/story.php?number=1491925409
29) Stephen Clak, ”Vega rocket hauls up quintet of Earth observation satellites,” Spaceflight Now, Sept. 16, 2016, URL: https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/09/16
/vega-rocket-hauls-up-quintet-of-earth-observation-satellites/
30) ”Update: Includes Orbital ATK's Statement and Planet's Doves and SkySats Successfully Launched by Orbital ATK's Minotaur C Rocket,” Satnews Daily, 31 Oct. 2017, URL: http://www.satnews.com
/story.php?number=734611390
31) Mike Safyan, ”Planet Doubles Sub-1 Meter Imaging Capacity With Successful Launch Of 6 SkySats,” Planet, Oct. 31, 2017, URL: https://www.planet.com/pulse/tag/skysat/
32) ”Mission Update: Minotaur C SkySat Launch,” Orbital ATK, Oct. 2017, URL: https://www.orbitalatk.com/news-room/feature-stories
/MinotaurC_SkySat_Mission-Page/default.aspx?prid=283
33) Jeff Foust, ”Minotaur launches 10 satellites for Planet,” Space News, October 31, 2017, URL: http://spacenews.com/minotaur-launches-10-satellites-for-planet/
34) Stephen Clark, ”Spaceflight’s 64-satellite rideshare mission set to last five hours,” Spaceflight Now, 3 December 2018, URL: https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/12/03
/spaceflights-64-satellite-rideshare-mission-set-to-last-five-hours/
35) ”Spaceflight SSO-A: SmallSat Express Mission,” SpaceX, 3 December 2018, URL: https://www.spacex.com/news/2018/12/03/spaceflight-sso-smallsat-express-mission
36) ”PlanetScope and SkySat data familiarisation phase for the Third Party Missions program,” ESA, 4 September 2019, URL:
https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/missions/mission-news/-/article
/planetscope-skysat-data-familiarization-phase-for-the-third-party-missions-program-1
37) ”SkySat Full Archive and New Tasking,” ESA, 9 August 2019, URL: https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/-/skysat-full-archive-and-new-tasking
38) Sean Henely, Bethany Baldwin-Pulcini, and Kyle Smith, ”Turning Off the Lights: Automating SkySat Mission Operations,” Proceedings of the 33rd Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, August 3-8, 2019, Logan, UT, USA, paper: SSC19-IX-04, URL: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4385&context=smallsat
39) ”Two Planet EO Smallsats Shipped to Vandenberg AFB for Launch by Manufacturer SSL,” Satnews Daily, 25 October 2018, URL: http://www.satnews.com/story.php?number=1277984818
40) Mark Longanbach, Lisa McGill, ”Scaling Fleet Operations: The Growth and Results of SkySat Mission Operations,” Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Space Operations (SpaceOps), Marseille, France, May 28-June 1, 2018, URL: https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/pdf/10.2514/6.2018-2706
41) Louis Rousmaniere, ”Planet Celebrates Anniversary of Terra Bella Deal with New Offerings,” Planet, 15 May 2018, URL: https://www.planet.com/pulse
/planet-celebrates-anniversary-of-terra-bella-deal-with-new-offerings/
42) Stephen Clark, ”Live coverage: Minotaur-C rocket launches with cluster of satellites,” Spaceflight Now, Nov. 1, 2017, URL: https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/10/31/minotaur-c-skysats-mission-status-center/
43) ”SSL's Six Planet Smallsats Arrive Safely at Vandenberg AFB for October Launch,” Satnews Daily, Sept. 5, 2017, URL: http://www.satnews.com/story.php?number=425923128
44) Aaron Dinardi, Kjell Anflo, Pete Friedhoff, ”On-Orbit Commissioning of High Performance Green Propulsion (HPGP) in the SkySat Constellation,” Proceedings of the 31st Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, Logan UT, USA, Aug. 5-10, 2017, paper: SSC17-X-04, URL: http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3670&context=smallsat
45) Jeff Foust, ”Planet confirms Google stake as Terra Bella deal closes,” Space News, April 19, 2017, URL: http://spacenews.com/planet-confirms-google-stake-as-terra-bella-deal-closes/
46) ”SkySat-4-7 First Light,” Terra Bella Blog, Sept. 27, 2016, URL: https://terrabella.googleblog.com/2016/09/skysat-4-7-first-light.html
47) ”Successful on-orbit commissioning of the SkySat-3 HPGP propulsion system,” ECAPS, August 3, 2016, URL: http://www.sscspace.com/news-activities/all-news-archives/2016
/successful-on-orbit-commissioning-of-the-skysat-3-hpgp-propulsion-system
48) Caleb Henry, ”Terra Bella’s SkySat-3 Sends Back First Pictures,” Satellite Today, July 1, 2016, URL: http://www.satellitetoday.com/publications/st
/2016/07/01/terra-bellas-skysat-3-sends-back-first-pictures/
49) Emil Protalinski, ”Google rebrands Skybox as Terra Bella, will launch ‘more than a dozen satellites’ over the next few years,” VenturaBeat, March 8, 2016, URL: http://venturebeat.com/2016/03/08/google-
rebrands-skybox-as-terra-bella-will-launch-more-than-a-dozen-satellites-over-the-next-few-years/
50) Emma Lehman, Mark Longanbach, ”The Skybox Satellite Operator Intern Program - Benefits and Lessons Learned,” Proceedings of the 29th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, Logan, Utah, USA, August 8-13, 2015, paper: SSC15-IX-1, URL: http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3224&context=smallsat
51) Bhavna Singh, “ISRO to Launch Google’s Satellite for GPS Maps,” IAMWIRE, Feb. 9, 2015, URL: http://www.iamwire.com/2015/02/isro-launch-google-satellite-gps-maps/109633
52) Warren Ferster, “SSC To Provide Propulsion for Skybox Satellite Fleet,” Space News, March 12, 2014, URL: http://spacenews.com/39822news-from-satellite-2014-to-provide-propulsion-for-skybox-satellite/
53) SkySat Gallery, URL: http://www.firstimagery.skybox.com/
54) Julian Mann, “Introducing Skybox for Good,” Skybox Imaging, Oct. 23, 2014, URL: http://www.skybox.com/blog/introducing-skybox-for-good
55) “Skybox Imaging +Google,” Skybox Imaging, August 1, 2014, URL: http://www.skyboximaging.com/blog/skybox-imaging-google
56) Peter B. de Selding, “Google To Buy SkyBox for $500 Million,” Space News, June 10, 2014, URL: http://spacenews.com/40869google-to-buy-skybox-for-500-million/
57) Robert H. Meurer, Peng Hwee Seah, “Global Commerce in Small Satellites: Trends and New Business Models,” Proceedings of the 28th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, Logan, Utah, USA, August 2-7, 2014, paper: SSC14-I-2, URL: http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3017&context=smallsat
58) “Launch + 48 hours: SkySat-2 First Light,” Skybox Imaging, July 10, 2014, URL: http://www.skyboximaging.com/blog/skysat-2-first-light
59) http://firstimagery.skybox.com/
60) http://www.firstimagery.skybox.com/2014/7/10/bangor-maine
61) “SkySat-1 First Light,” Skybox Imaging, Dec. 11, 2013, URL: http://www.skyboximaging.com/news/SkySat1FirstLight
62) Kiran Murthy, Michael Shearn, Byron D. Smiley, Alexandra H. Chau, Josh Levine, Dirk Robinson, ”SkySat-1: very high-resolution imagery from a small satellite,” Proceedings of SPIE, Vol. 9241, 'Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XVIII,' Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Sept. 22, 2014, 92411E (October 7, 2014); doi:10.1117/12.2074163
63) Pablo d’Angelo, Georg Kuschk, Peter Reinartz, ”Evaluation of Skybox video and still image products,” The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XL-1, 2014, ISPRS Technical Commission I Symposium, 17 – 20 November 2014, Denver, Colorado, USA, URL: http://www.int-arch-photogramm-remote-sens-spatial-inf-sci.net
/XL-1/95/2014/isprsarchives-XL-1-95-2014.pdf
64) Byron Smiley, Josh Levine, Alexandra Chau, ”On-Orbit Calibration Activities and Image Quality of SkySat-1,” Proceedings of JACIE 2014 (Joint Agency Commercial Imagery Evaluation) Workshop, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, March 26-28, 2014, , URL: https://calval.cr.usgs.gov/wordpress
/wp-content/uploads/14.017_bsmiley-JACIE-2014-final-draft-on-site.pdf
65) D. Berkenstock, J. Mann, J. Dyer, M. Trela, ”The Skybox Vision - Deliver unprecedented insight into daily global activity to change the way businesses make decisions and people view the world,” Proceedings of JACIE 2014 (Joint Agency Commercial Imagery Evaluation) Workshop, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, March 26-28, 2014, URL: https://calval.cr.usgs.gov/wordpress
66) “Skybox Imaging selects SSL to build 13 Low Earth Orbit Satellites,” SSL, Feb. 10, 2014, URL: http://sslmda.com/html/pressreleases/pr20140210.html
67) “Skybox Imaging selects SSL to build 13 Low Earth Orbit imaging satellites,” PR News wire, Feb. 10, 2014, URL: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases
/skybox-imaging-selects-ssl-to-build-13-low-earth-orbit-imaging-satellites-244779901.html
69) Jonny Dyer, Aaron Dinardi, Kjell Anflo, “First Implementation of High Performance Green Propulsion in a Constellation of Small Satellites,” Proceedings of the 27th AIAA/USU Conference, Small Satellite Constellations, Logan, Utah, USA, Aug. 10-15, 2013, paper: SSC13-VII-2, URL: http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2957&context=smallsat
70) “ECAPS signs first U.S. Commercial contract with Skybox Imaging for complete propulsion system,” ECAPS, Jan. 15, 2013, URL: http://www.sscspace.com
/ecaps-signs-first-us-commercial-contract-with-skybox-imaging-for-complete-propulsion-system
71) Peter Thormählen, Kjell Anflo, “A Stable Liquid Mono-Propellant based on ADN,” Insensitive Munitions and Energetic Materials Technology Symposium, Tucson, AZ,USA, May 11-14, 2009, URL: http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2009insensitive/8Asjoberg.pdf
72) Aaron Dinardi, Mathias Persson, ”First Commercial Implementation of High Performance Green Propulsion (HPGP),” Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Space Operations (SpaceOps 2016), Daejeon, Korea, May 16-20, 2016, URL: http://arc.aiaa.org/doi/book/10.2514/MSPOPS16
73) Rob Zimmerman, Deanna Doan, Lawrence Leung, James Mason, Nate Parsons, Kam Shahid, ”Commissioning the World’s Largest Satellite Constellation,” Proceedings of the 31st Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, Logan UT, USA, Aug. 5-10, 2017, paper: SSC17-X-03, URL: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3669&context=smallsat
The information compiled and edited in this article was provided by Herbert J. Kramer from his documentation of: ”Observation of the Earth and Its Environment: Survey of Missions and Sensors” (Springer Verlag) as well as many other sources after the publication of the 4th edition in 2002. - Comments and corrections to this article are always welcome for further updates (herb.kramer@gmx.net).
Spacecraft Launch Mission Status Sensor Complement Propulsion Subsystems Ground Segment References Back to Top
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1150
|
__label__cc
| 0.69866
| 0.30134
|
Home › new age › HOMOEOPATHY-ERIKA GIBELLO
HOMOEOPATHY-ERIKA GIBELLO
By EPHESIANS-511.NET on April 3, 2016 • ( 0 )
Erika Gibello is also an expert on New Religious Movements (NRMs) and knowledgeable on “Neo-Hindu religious movements“. She has lived in Bombay (Mumbai) and has ministered all over India.
She maintains that Homoeopathy is unscientific and based on Taoistic thought and demonstrates that it is occult/New Age when she says that the alleged “vital force” of Homoeopathy is the same as the universal energy, Ki, Chi, Prana, Bio-energy,
which are the names of the operative forces in Reiki, Pranic healing, acupuncture, Kundalini yoga, biofeedback,
She also served as secretary of the International Association of Exorcists (AIE) and the International Association for Deliverance (IAD).
By Erika Gibello, 2003
Dr. Samuel (Christian Friedrich) Hahnemann was born in Meissen, Germany on 11th April 1755. He studied medicine in Leipzig and later was practicing in Vienna, where he received his medical doctorate. He recognized the limitation of the medical treatments of his time that were based on the classical theory of “Contraria Contraris” (healing Opposites by Opposites). He tirelessly denounced prevalent therapeutic methods.
Whilst translating a medical treatise by Dr. Cullen, defending the Peruvian bark (Quinin) in the treatment of Malaria, he rejected Dr. Cullen’s theory. He propounded his own theory: “Peruvian bark, which is used for fever acts because it can produce similar symptoms to those of fever in healthy people.” With this statement he formulated his new medical law: “Similia Similibus Curentur” (Like cures like.)
Right from the onset of his medical carrier he made enemies in the medical establishment. He had a small crowd of student-supporters, mainly because he recommended hygiene, correct diet and cleanliness in the day-to-day living. All were new concepts in his days.
There are two steps in the medical treatment that he recommended:
1) the doctor should know what the effects of the administered drug would have on a healthy person.
2) one should treat the disease with a remedy, which will cause a similar disease in the person, and the former will be healed.
He further propounded the medication of “pure” drugs rather then mixtures. When applying pure substances he encountered side effects. To avoid these he started to dilute these substances with neutral medias by shaking or rubbing.
He wrote several books of which the “Organon of Medicine” is the most important. In it he clarifies his position vis-à-vis the medical establishment. “The medical properties of those material substances which we call medicines relate only to their energy to call out alterations in the well-being of animal life. This conceptual principle of life attributes their medicinal health altering influence.”
It is therefore clear from Hahnemann’s writing that it is the energy released during the process of “potencization”, (diluting and shaking/rubbing) and not the inherent medicinal properties of the substance used as the “medicine” that effects the cure.
He writes that it is not the sickness he wishes to cure, but “spiritum vitae” of man. He attributes to the pure substances some “inner medical power” that in turn will affect the “spiritual life” in the patient, and hence heal him/her.
“Homoeopathy does not treat diseases, but human beings suffering from diseases. The whole human being, spirit/soul and body, is here the center of attention”.
We deal here with an apparent “energy-transfer”. Apparently by shaking the substance with a neutral dilution (water/milk/ sugar/alcohol) the inert energy of the substance is released and affects the spirit in man, by restoring its balance. The imbalance is what causes sickness. For the correct choice of substance one has to observe not only the symptoms of the sickness, but also the whole personality of the patient. How is this supposing to work? Hahnemann himself gives the answer. “As this natural law manifests itself in every pure experiment it matters little what may be the scientific explanation of how it takes place.”
Science is totally disregarded by homoeopaths till now!
In his book the “Organon of Medicine” he discusses potencization: “The homoeopathic system of medicine develops for its special use, to a hitherto unheard of degree, the inner medicinal powers of the crude substances by means of a process peculiar to it and which hitherto has never been tried, whereby only they all become immeasurably and penetratingly officious and remedial, even those that in the crude state give no evidence of the slightest medicinal power on the human body. This remarkable change in the qualities of natural bodies develops the latent, hitherto unperceived, as if slumbering, hidden dynamic powers which influence the life-principle.
This is effected by mechanical action upon their smallest particles by means of shaking and rubbing and through the addition of an indifferent substance, dry or fluid. This process is called dynamizing, potencizing…”
How is this carried out?
To prepare a medicine of one potency on the centesimal scale, one part of the drug is diluted with 99 parts of the diluents vehicle, an inert or known non-medical substance, usually sugar, milk or rectified spirit. Thereafter, and it is a must, the drug is mixed through rubbing or shaking for about an hour. The resultant total has one potency.
Out of the above 100 parts of potency one, one part is taken and mixed with another 99 parts of diluent. After rubbing or shaking for one-hour potency two is produced. And so on, till potencies of 30, 200, 1000, 10000,100000 are achieved.
Hahnemann declared: “the greater the potencization, the greater was the power of the medicine in curing the symptoms homeopathically indicated.”
By the third potency, the degree of dilution is one-millionth. It is difficult to imagine how much of the original drug is still to be found in such high dilution of 10.000 or higher potencies.
This fact makes it abundantly clear that we have to turn for an answer to the so called “Universal” energy question that carries the whole homoeopathic medical system.
Hahnemann lived in times of great social and spiritual changes. He was born not 40 years before the French Revolution. The age of “enlightenment” was unfolding, scientific experiences were on its way to replace medieval medical assumption, based on various worldviews. For the first time oriental philosophy could be read.
The idea of a Universal Energy as the permeating, life giving factor caught the imagination of many.
The idea that created materials are held together by this energy triggered the imagination of Hahnemann. He assumed that by shaking one could release the power, and that power, being a spiritual farce could then alter the “Spiritum Vitae” in man. First he thought in terms of “strengthening the immune body” to help the patient to heal him/herself faster. Already in the second edition of the ”Organon” he corrected this idea and the released energy changes the symptoms itself. Hence great attention is given to diagnose the symptoms. Dowsing (pendulum) and an astrological chart maybe used for that purpose.
If there is a healing effect found with homoeopathy it has till today no scientific explanation. Medical research has not found any confirmation of this theory of energy release and transfer, and it is assumed that self healing, which is naturally given in nature, and a placebo effect are causing a psychological condition in the patient that furthers the healing. Serious sickness cannot be healed. For example pneumonia, leprosy etc.
Furthermore the near ritualistic application of the medicine causes the trusting patient to relax and be open for healing.
What the “energy” concerns we have to discern the difference between Created energy and the Live-Giving energy, the Holy Spirit. Created energy holds the universe together. Created energy cannot be released from the atom by shaking or rubbing, as is well known in our century. People like Einstein, Heisenberg, Planck, and others who worked in this field discovered the mathematical equations for the materialization of energy and vice versa.
Life-giving energy is none other then the Holy Spirit. As believing Christians we know that only the Holy Spirit can transform our human spirit. The Holy Spirit cannot be “caught” out of the air (see Rei-ki or Pranic healing) nor can He be invoked. The only way is via the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ through Him we can repent and be forgiven which changes our spirit. (Credo of the Catholic Church)
Hahnemann was influenced by the philosophy of Confucius that propounds the balancing of energy for a happy and healthy life. He called Jesus an arch-romantic and preferred to meet his master, Confucius in the after life.
He also adhered to Swedenborgian believers of the spiritist sect in the 17 century in Sweden. He claimed to be inspired by God (obviously not Jesus Christ, since he rejected him). Furthermore there is sufficient evidence that he joined in his youth the Freemasons. This personal data of Hahnemann should be a guideline for Christians to make a correct decision concerning homoeopathic treatment.
The introduction of the use of universal energy for healing purpose puts homoeopathy on the same level as many alternative medicines and healing methods of the New Age, as explained in the recently released Vatican Document on that subject (3 February, 2003).
Universal energy, Ki, Chi, Prana, Bio-energy, Vital force are a few of the names given to it in the various New Age healing methods. I Corinthians 2:14, I Corinthians 6:12, Leviticus 20:6, Deuteronomy 18:10 ff.
In January 2007, Erika Gibello wrote this letter to a seminarian who then came to learn about my ministry, shared the following with me, and remains in contact with me ever since:
Homoeopathy – Erika Gibello
Dear name withheld,
There can be a lot said in respect of the Neo-Hindu religious movements.
Concerning Yoga, I have sent you some notes in response to Michael [Prabhu]‘s articles and web site just now.
Now Homoeopathy was invented by the German Hahnemann at the end of the 18th century, a time in Europe of tremendous changes (French Revolution, Mathematics, Science) – leaving behind magical thinking. Hahnemann had the idea that the energies of the substances (not just herbs, but bones and stones and metals etc) will when being broken up give up their energy and hence he started to dilute them by shaking and adding water or alcohol.
The more diluted is supposed to be more energy free, which in turn should strengthen the sick person’s ability to heal themselves (what we call today Immune system). This idea of the energy exchange and balance come from the Chinese traditional way of thinking and was put together by Lao-tze in his [Taoist] philosophy.
It is a mythological way of interpreting nature and our surrounding and rests in the last instance in a dualistic approach of observing nature: Light/dark, male/female, hard/soft etc. All natural observations which were explained with energies or lack of energy. God the Creator does not play any part in the Chinese [Taoist] philosophy. It is mostly concerned with healthy and happy living conditions.
Now, what energies concern: We know today two forms of energy: The Personal: The Holy Spirit of God and the impersonal created energies: Atom energy, Gravity, Magnetism. Neither the first nor the latter can be gained through shaking.
Coming back to Hahnemann and his Homoeopathy: The medications he prescribes are in three categories: Lower potencies, medium and high potencies. Each is reached by dilution in the form of shaking (or rubbing) when he formed globolis– this means in Latin small ball or pill.
The lower potencies can carry dangers, as Homoeopathy uses heavy metals at times, which are forbidden in modern medicine, the medium range has some medical success, which is mostly attributed to the placebo effect. It works on children, animals and allergic patients- all easy subject to placebo influence, as they are depending on the parents or carer. Many allergies are rooted in a psychological state of insecurity (often generational) and hence can be “cured” psychologically with a placebo. Additionally much of the application is strictly regulated in ever so small doses, which has nearly a “liturgical effect”.
What I am saying is this:
Medically seen there is no effect as there is no substance or chemical in the medicine which could work in or on the body! What is working: most likely a placebo effect. The Homoeopath will never permit modern tests and scientific experiment (the same application with the same results) All homeopathy medicines are individually produced (originally they are meant to be for this one person only in his/her circumstances). This is not fully valid in modern times, also the diagnostic methods using often modern clinical methods of testing. Especially in the big pharmaceutical companies, never the less the actual medications have next to no chemicals.
There has been a research by a French Doctor in the 1960s and he assumed that the water molecules get imprinted by the substance which it dilutes! Well he was excluded by the French Medical Association. Recently an Australian claims this “discovery” for himself. In Australia are not the same strict medical circumstances legally as in Europe, so he got away with his theories, which are nonsense to any scientific informed person!
What is working: We do not know. If there are “energies” they are not of scientific nature and you can think about certain “elemental spirits of the universe”, but before coming to extreme conclusions let’s look what these medications have as spiritual “fruits”, to speak in biblical terms. Health and well- being are not necessarily the highest criteria, but to observe what happens in time. Dependency forming attributes!
Now read St Pauls I Corinthians 6:12… “I will not be dominated by anything”: and before we conclude that maybe evil spirits are working we can see a “natural” inclination dependency to the point of refusing, even in emergency cases like pneumonia, modern, well attested pharmaceutica are refused, which can lead to death (so it cannot be in the will of God).
I have a story in India about this and also same story in Brazil, where I could save people by immediately telling them to take antibiotics, and leave homoeopathy. Both were saved from a certain death.
I am a qualified pharmacist, with a fully qualified studium in Homoeopathy. This is the law in Austria. So I am not talking from hear-say or prejudice, but from knowledge and later experience in the healing ministry.
With this dependency a form of anxiety enters people’s lives: fears are not of God and you might or might not take Homeopathy, but if in a ministry for Jesus, watch your steps that you do not get slowed down by anxieties.
My view is simple, forgetting completely anything about evil spirits or evil influences: Homeopathy has only success in the medium range of potencies, as there are some traces of substances still present which can influence the body, the lower potencies should avoided in case heavy metal was added, the D33 and after potencies do not contain anything but water or alcohol with water and cannot harm the body (nor help either) what helps is the “faith in this form of medications, especially modern man thinks that the traditional school medicine is “too strong”, the pill too strong etc, and those globulis are so small. What is most disturbing for me in the whole homoeopathic story is the enormous amount of monies which are made with a lie.
CHAKRAS-ERIKA GIBELLO
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/CHAKRAS-ERIKA_GIBELLO.doc
YOGA-ERIKA GIBELLO
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/YOGA-ERIKA_GIBELLO.doc
5 HOMOEOPATHY REPORTS
HOMOEOPATHY CONTROVERSY AND FR RUFUS PEREIRA
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HOMOEOPATHY_CONTROVERSY_AND_FR_RUFUS_PEREIRA.doc
HOMOEOPATHY INSTITUTIONALIZED IN THE INDIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HOMOEOPATHY_INSTITUTIONALIZED_IN_THE_INDIAN_CATHOLIC_CHURCH.doc
INSTITUTIONALIZED NEW AGE IN BOMBAY ARCHDIOCESE-HOMOEOPATHY, YOGA AND KRIPA FOUNDATION
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/INSTITUTIONALIZED_NEW_AGE_IN_BOMBAY_ARCHDIOCESE-HOMOEOPATHY_YOGA_AND_KRIPA_FOUNDATION.doc
HOMOEOPATHY-BBC-THE TEST
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HOMOEOPATHY-BBC-THE_TEST.doc
HOMOEOPATHY IS BUNK-INDIAN NOBEL LAUREATE
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HOMOEOPATHY_IS_BUNK-INDIAN_NOBEL_LAUREATE.doc
11 HOMOEOPATHY ARTICLES/COLLATIONS
AYUSH-THE NEW AGE DANGERS OF
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/AYUSH_THE_NEW_AGE_DANGERS_OF.doc
HOMOEOPATHY-AN UNSCIENTIFIC NEW AGE FRAUD
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HOMOEOPATHY-AN_UNSCIENTIFIC_NEW_AGE_FRAUD.doc
HOMOEOPATHY-AN UNSCIENTIFIC NEW AGE FRAUD 02
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HOMOEOPATHY-AN_UNSCIENTIFIC_NEW_AGE_FRAUD_02.doc
HOMOEOPATHY-DR EDWIN A NOYES
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HOMOEOPATHY-DR_EDWIN_A_NOYES.doc
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HOMOEOPATHY-ERIKA_GIBELLO.doc
HOMOEOPATHY-FR CLEMENS PILAR 10
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HOMOEOPATHY-FR_CLEMENS_PILAR_10.doc
HOMOEOPATHY-SUMMARY
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HOMOEOPATHY-SUMMARY.doc
HOMOEOPATHY-SUSAN BRINKMANN
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HOMOEOPATHY-SUSAN_BRINKMANN.doc
HOMOEOPATHY-WHAT’S THE HARM IN IT?
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HOMOEOPATHY-WHATS_THE_HARM_IN_IT.doc
HOMOEOPATHY LAMPOONED
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HOMOEOPATHY_LAMPOONED.doc
1 HOMOEOPATHY TESTIMONY
TESTIMONY OF A FORMER HOMOEOPATHY PRACTITIONER-01 DR. EMILIA VLCKOVA
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/TESTIMONY_OF_A_FORMER_HOMOEOPATHY_PRACTITIONER-01.doc
‹ Flame Ministries International, Aneel Aranha of Holy Spirit Interactive, and Yoga
The mangalsutra or mangalasutra – Indian or Hindu? ›
Categories: new age
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1151
|
__label__cc
| 0.619251
| 0.380749
|
NAHB Reports Housing Remains on Track for 2013 But Challenges Remain
Upward trends in recent months among a number of housing indicators point to a slow and steady growth in the nation�s housing market in 2013, but several challenges remain, according to the latest economic and housing forecast by David Crowe, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
�Consistent, positive reports on housing starts, permits, prices, new-home sales and builder confidence in recent months provide further confirmation that a gradual but steady housing recovery is underway across much of the nation,� said Crowe. �However, stubbornly tight lending standards for home buyers and builders, inaccurate appraisals and proposals by policymakers to tamper with the mortgage interest deduction could dampen future housing demand.�
Stating there is no consistent national trend; Crowe noted the housing recovery is local but spreading.
�We are transitioning from a very low demand level, where most people hold themselves out of the marketplace, to a case where supply will start being the problem,� he said. �As we begin to build more homes to address that supply, the new home stock will be a much more important element of the recovery.�
Setting the 2000-2002 periods as a baseline benchmark for normal housing activity, Crowe said that owner-occupied remodeling has returned to previously normal levels.
�Multifamily production is also well on its way, back to 69 percent of normal,� he said. �It�s the single-family market that has the farthest to go, standing at only 40 percent of what is considered a typical market.�
Another factor spurring the recovery is that household formations are on the rise. In the early part of the decade, the nation was generating 1.4 million new households each year. This collapsed to 500,000 annually during the housing downturn and currently new households are being formed at close to a 900,000 clip per annum.
�We�re not up to normal, but this is adding to demand for housing,� Crowe said.
Single-family home starts are projected to climb to 534,000 units this year, up 23 percent from 2011. NAHB is forecasting that single-family new-home production will post a healthy 21 percent gain in 2013 to 647,000 units. Starts will continue their upward climb in 2014, posting a further 29 percent rise to 837,000 units.
Multifamily production is expected to rise 31 percent in 2012, reaching the 233,000 level, and posting a solid 16 percent gain in 2013 to 270,000 units. Multifamily starts are anticipated to rise an additional 9 percent in 2014 to 294,000 units.
Meanwhile, new single-family home sales are expected to rise from 307,000 last year to 367,000 this year, a 20 percent rise. Sales are anticipated to climb to 447,000 next year, up 22 percent from 2012 and jump to 607,000 in 2014, a 36 percent increase over 2013 levels.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1157
|
__label__wiki
| 0.816993
| 0.816993
|
Movie Release Dates
Best Movies by Year
Top 10 Movies List
Now Available on DVD
Upcoming DVD Releases
FilmJabber
Movie Overview Movie Synopsis Movie Review Movie Trailers
The Two Popes Movie Review
The Two Popes is most powerful when it’s just Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins—as Pope Francis and his predecessor Pope Benedict—alone, debating morality and theology. The movie, from director Fernando Meirelles, doesn’t have nearly enough of that, but it’s still an oft compelling clash of beliefs and an examination of the rare—once in a millennia—handoffs of the papacy.
The movie, written by Anthony McCarten, feels more like a stage play at times—and in fact, with some tightening, it could make a damn good one. The story lives up to its title, pitting two talented actors as two starkly different men (albeit with the same calling) in an entertaining, even somewhat comedic way. While it doesn’t always work, the dynamic nature of the two roles makes for a largely engrossing experience.
Meirelles, oddly, doesn’t flash any of the color or vibrancy you’d expect based on his most well-known films, City of God and The Constant Gardener. The papacy doesn’t lend itself to such style, but even still the production does have a bit of a made-for-TV feel, especially since he blends in real, grainy footage with the fictionalized narrative at work. Meirelles direction doesn’t hurt the movie, but it certainly doesn’t elevate it.
The Two Popes is less effective as a Francis biopic, though the movie does explore some of the man’s more fascinating and controversial dealings with an Argentinian dictatorship decades earlier. The subject matter would probably be better suited for its own, separate movie—included here, it comes off a bit half-cocked, especially since the filmmakers apparently couldn’t decide whether they wanted to explore Francis’ past or have the movie be a scripted battle of wits. Their decision to attempt to do both doesn’t entirely work; anytime Pryce (who is excellent here) and Hopkins aren’t on screen together, it’s a shame.
Far from perfect, The Two Popes is still one of the better movies of 2019. Jonathan Pryce is especially stellar—don’t be surprised if he receives an Oscar nomination—and the story, when it’s focused, is excellent.
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.
Review: 'Bad Boys for Life'
Here are the 20 Best Performances of 2019
'1917' is Intense, Beautiful, and Spellbinding
'Underwater' Review: Breath Race 2000?
Home | Movies | Movie Reviews | Trailers | DVD | Blog | Contests | About Us | Help | Contact Us
Movie reviews © 2003-2020 Erik Samdahl. All other content © of its respected owner. Read our privacy policy.
FilmJabber is a client of this SEO Consultant.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1161
|
__label__wiki
| 0.737331
| 0.737331
|
Here’s presenting five Indian traditions that still holds a place of pride in Indian weddings
Filmy News |
Amazon Prime Video’s new original series, ‘Made in Heaven’, promises a sneak peek at what transpires behind-the-scenes in Big Fat Indian Weddings! Prime Original Series ‘Made in Heaven’ revolves around the lives of two wedding planners, Tara and Karan, whose lives intersect against the backdrop of big-fat-Indian weddings, uncovering not only their personal turmoil but also the deep-rooted social nuances and prejudices still etched in Indian society.
While the series arriving this March, promises to be a thought-provoking treat, with the backdrop of the on-going wedding season in India, we take a quick look at a few lighthearted traditions that are the main-stay of many Indian weddings!
Celebrated across Gujarat, ‘Ponkhana’ is a ritual where the mother-in-law playfully pulls the groom’s nose signifying that he should always be kind and compassionate to his new life-partner
Performed by the female relatives from the bride’s side, the art of hiding the groom’s footwear for monetary gains is one of a kind, and remains extremely popular and the high-point in almost all Hindu weddings
Next on our list is the hunt for the ring, where the bride and the groom dip their hands in a bowl full of milk and rose petals, to find the elusive ring. The one to find it four times, is expected to wear the pants in the family.
A beautiful ritual, ‘Arshi Mushaf’ is a prominent part of Muslim weddings where the bride and groom look into a mirror to take their first glimpse of each other as life-partners.
GIF 4]
A long-loved tradition, a Christian bride after her wedding, takes her bouquet and flings it over at all the single ladies present, the one to catch it increases her chance of getting hitched in the near future.
For decades, these rich traditions and rituals have been an intrinsic part of Indian history. Can we hope to catch some of these in Prime Original Series Made in Heaven? We can’t wait to find out. The series is scheduled to premiere on March 8 exclusively on Prime Video
PreviousMard Ko Dard nahi Hota – Movie Review
NextP M Narendra Modi – Trailer
Shahid Kapoor gets injured while shooting…
Filmy News Kangana Ranaut announces next film ‘Thalaivi’ …
Filmy News Hum Dil Chuke Sanam 2: Salman Khan and Shah Rukh K…
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1162
|
__label__wiki
| 0.808651
| 0.808651
|
Flipping the Record
Join the vinyl collective
Sam Brookes to release new single ‘My Girl Drinks Coffee’ ahead of UK tour
Sam Brookes is releasing new single ‘My Girl Drinks Coffee’ before a tour later this year.
Brookes is still one of the UK alt-folk’s best kept secrets.
His acclaimed 2014 album Kairos was tipped by The Independent for a Mercury Prize nomination and with over 5 million plays on Spotify, it is fair to say that those who know his music, love his music… and those who don’t, are about to.
Brookes’ new single ‘My Girls Drinks Coffee’, his first for over two years, marks a shift in his sound.
Already well known as an idiosyncratic singer-songwriter, Sam challenged himself to expand his sonic pallet, spending a few years out the game gigging and experimenting with new material.
The end result is an immediate and ethereal work of chic melancholy, built on synthesised textures that devilishly underpin his soaring signature vocal.
Now Sam’s new soundworld is as evocative of Depeche Mode, LCD Soundsystem or Grimes as it is the obvious titans of influence for any British troubadour.
This is a song inspired by the break-up of a relationship.
Beautiful in its simplicity, the hypnotic repetition of the eponymous chorus lyrics “my girl drinks coffee without me” aches on the absence of simple habits as ordinary as sharing a morning coffee with a loved one.
Sam said: “After a break-up it’s easy to feel like you are missing a part of yourself. On top of that you are left thinking ‘who might that person be sharing a coffee with instead of me?”
Jointly produced by Grammy nominated Dom Monks (Ray Lamontagne, Laura Marling & Katie Melua) and Berlin based ex-pat Greg Freeman (Goldfrapp, Portico, Mumford & Sons), the track was arranged and recorded on a trip to a remote boathouse on the Isle of Skye and completed at Guy Chamber’s Sleeper Sounds studio in London, where the production duo truly realised Sam’s dark but dancey vision.
24/04 The Hope & Ruin, Brighton
25/04 The Borderline, London
26/04 Zephyr Lounge, Leamington Spa
27/04 Band on the Wall, Manchester
28/04 Ramsgate Music Hall, Ramsgate
30/04 Mama Roux’s, Birmingham
02/05 Gwdihŵ Café Bar, Cardiff
03/05 Thekla Bristol, Bristol
05/05 The Cluny, Newcastle
06/05 The Hug and Pint, Glasgow
07/05 The Crescent, York
08/05 The Cellar, Oxford
09/05 The Portland Arms, Cambridge
Posted in Album, Music, News, Review, singleTagged depeche mode, sam brookesBy flippingtherecord
← Britpop is back! Cherry Head, Cherry Heart set to release new album ‘Tarred & Feathered’
VANT: PUT DOWN YOUR GUN (single) review →
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1179
|
__label__wiki
| 0.516067
| 0.516067
|
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) versus bi-level nasal CPAP in preterm babies with respiratory distress syndrome: a randomised control trial
Gianluca Lista1,
Francesca Castoldi1,
Paola Fontana1,
Irene Daniele1,
Francesco Cavigioli1,
Samantha Rossi1,
Diego Mancuso3,
Roberta Reali2
1NICU, Children's Hospital, Via Castelvetro, Milan, Italy
2Laboratory, ‘V.Buzzi’ Children's Hospital ICP, Milan, Italy
3Department of Statistics, Catholic University, Milan, Italy
Correspondence to Gianluca Lista, NICU, ‘V.Buzzi’ Children's Hospital, Via Castelvetro, 32 20154 Milan, Italy; g.lista{at}icp.mi.it
Objective To evaluate the clinical course, respiratory outcomes and markers of inflammation in preterm infants with moderate respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) assigned from birth to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) or bi-level NCPAP.
Methods A total of 40 infants with a gestational age (GA) of 28–34 weeks (<35 weeks' GA), affected by moderate RDS, were considered eligible and were randomised to NCPAP (group A; n=20, CPAP level=6 cm H2O) or to bi-level NCPAP (group B; n=20, lower CPAP level=4.5 cm H2O, higher CPAP level=8 cm H2O), provided with variable flow devices. Inflammatory response was the primary outcome; serum cytokines were measured on days 1 and 7 of life. Length of ventilation, oxygen dependency, need for intubation and occurrence of air leaks were considered as secondary outcomes.
Results Infants showed similar characteristics at birth (group A vs group B: GA 30.3±2 vs 30.2±2 weeks, birth weight 1429±545 vs 1411±560 g) and showed similar serum cytokine levels at all times. Group A underwent longer respiratory support (6.2±2 days vs 3.8±1 days, p=0.025), longer O2 dependency (13.8±8 days vs 6.5±4 days, p=0.027) and was discharged later (GA at discharge 36.7±2.5 weeks vs 35.6±1.2 weeks, p=0.02). All infants survived. No bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or neurological disorders occurred.
Conclusions Bi-level NCPAP was associated with better respiratory outcomes versus NCPAP, and allowed earlier discharge, inducing the same changes in the cytokine levels. It was found to be well tolerated and safe in the study population.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/adc.2009.169219
Despite antenatal steroid treatment, mechanical ventilation and surfactant replacement therapy, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) still remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity in very preterm infants. Ventilator induced lung injury prevention may begin from birth, and respiratory support without endotracheal intubation is an attractive option.
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) reduces the risk of reintubation and, when used in the acute phase of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in infants born at 25–28 weeks' gestational age (GA), it has been shown to reduce the length of oxygen dependency and length of ventilation (although it does not reduce the rate of death or BPD); the use of high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was associated with a higher incidence of pneumothorax.1,–,3
What is already known on this topic
Some non-invasive respiratory supports reduce the rate of reintubation for very premature infants.
These supports may be used as the primary approach to acute moderate respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
Proinflammatory cytokine alterations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary disease.
What this study adds
Bi-level nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) induces the same changes in cytokine levels as conventional NCPAP.
There was a significantly longer need for respiratory support and O2 dependency in the NCPAP group.
Moreover, the early use of CPAP has been shown to be of advantage in reducing the need for mechanical ventilation (RR 0.55; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.96).4 However, several papers were not able to demonstrate the reduction of the need of mechanical ventilation associated with the use of NCPAP.
Efforts to reduce the NCPAP failure rate (mostly due to ongoing lung disease, apnoea of prematurity or progressive atelectasis) prompted the use of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), which is well established in many paediatric conditions; the terminology surrounding NIPPV and other forms of non-invasive ventilations is confusing, since in the literature many terms, whose origin may be clinical, technical or linked to the different devices, are used to describe the same non-invasive support. Hence many terms used do not fit the definition.
Bi-level NCPAP is a non-invasive respiratory support, which is much more similar to CPAP than to ventilation; it provides two alternating levels of CPAP in order to switch the functional residual capacity (FRC) of the neonate between two different levels. The theoretical benefits of bi-level NCPAP are that FRC switching may recruit unstable alveoli (or prevent their collapse) with the generation of a tidal volume (Vt) by the δ pressure between two levels of CPAP, and offload some of the respiratory work. ‘Bi-level NCPAP’ is a term that, in our opinion, fits the definition well because it provides a phasic increase in pressure.
Mechanical ventilation plays a critical role in the physiopathology of ventilation induced lung injury (VILI), while barovolutrauma and oxygen toxicity trigger inflammatory responses (as shown by cytokine expression), an important mechanism leading to BPD in the immature lung.5
Proinflammatory cytokine alterations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of nearly every significant premature neonatal disease process, most notably in the modulation of brain, lung and gut injury. Recent data demonstrated the importance of increased levels of serum proinflammatory cytokines in sepsis and in moderate/severe forms of new BPD development.6,–,17
Migliori et al demonstrated that nasal bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), as compared to NCPAP, improved gas exchange in the same cohort of preterm infants with repeated cycles of the two supports.18
As far as we know there have been no published reports comparing NCPAP and bi-level NCPAP with variable flow system in the treatment of the acute phase of moderate RDS, in terms of safety (inflammatory response) and efficacy (short-term clinical efficacy).
We hypothesised that early application of bi-level NCPAP in preterm infants with RDS may induce a different inflammatory response when compared with NCPAP, and may have a different effect on length of ventilation, oxygen dependency, need for intubation and occurrence of air leaks (secondary variables).
This study was performed in a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in 2007–2008 in Milan, Italy. Infants of 28–34 weeks' gestational age, inborn, affected by moderate RDS, were considered eligible. Infants with lethal congenital anomalies or requiring muscle relaxant, severe intraventricular haemorrhages (intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) > grade II), chorioamnionitis, sepsis (positive blood culture) or suspected infection (eg, prolonged rupture of membranes, mother fever) were excluded. Written informed parental consent was obtained in the delivery room, during the prenatal interview, or in the first hour of life (table 1).
Consort fl ow diagram of the trial
Moderate RDS was diagnosed within the first hour of life on radiological and clinical criteria (a/APO2 ratio range for the definition of moderate RDS was 0.3–0.35; before randomisation, within the first hour of life; each patient underwent chest x-ray).
After delivery all neonates underwent the same management, following our NICU protocol: initial stabilisation was provided in the delivery room by sustained inflations using a pressure level of 20–25 cm H2O for 10–15 s (by a flow controlled, pressure limited mechanical device specifically designed for neonatal resuscitation (Neopuff; Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Auckland, New Zealand)). This was then reduced to a pressure level of 5 cm H2O and with the minimal fractional inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2), to maintain an oxygen saturation (SpO2) of 85% up to 93% (or up to 95% in larger infants).19 Subsequent FiO2 adjustment and weaning and (SpO2) monitoring followed our NICU protocols.
Endotracheal porcine natural surfactant (Curosurf, 200 mg/kg); Serono, Geneva Switzerland was administered with the INSURE (for ‘INtubation–SURfactant administration–Extubation’) method if the preset criteria of the NICU protocols were met.
All infants enrolled in the study were sequentially numbered after birth and were randomised at 1 h of life to the NCPAP group (group A) or bi-level NCPAP group (group B) (Infant Flow CPAP vs Infant Flow synchronized inspiratory positive airway pressure (SiPAP); Viasys Healthcare, Yorba Linda, California, USA) using a table of random numbers and using a stratified randomisation for gestational age (GA 28–31 weeks; GA 32–34 weeks).
The four parameters to be adjusted during the use of the bi-level NCPAP were as follows: (1) lower CPAP level (indicated on the SiPAP device as ‘Pres low’); (2) upper CPAP level (indicated on the SiPAP device as ‘Pres high’); (3) time high (Thigh), the time of maintenance of upper CPAP level (indicated on the SiPAP device as ‘Ti’); (4) pressure exchange rate, (indicated on the SiPAP device as ‘Rate’). The Infant Flow SiPAP device provides variable flow bi-level NCPAP.
Short binasal prongs were used in both groups and the prong size used was the largest one that would fit the infant's nares without blanching the surrounding tissue. In group A, we set a CPAP level of 6 cm H2O. Weaning occurred following NICU protocols with the progressive reduction of the set CPAP level. In group B we set a lower CPAP level of 4.5 cm H2O and an upper CPAP level of 8 cm H2O, with Thigh set at 0.5–0.7 s with a pressure exchange rate of 30 times/min to start. Weaning occurred following NICU protocols with progressive reduction of the set pressure exchange rate (minimum 15 pressure exchanges/min) and, subsequently, with the reduction of the upper CPAP level (minimum upper CPAP level 6 cm H2O).
In both groups, during respiratory support or in spontaneous breathing, we set a minimal fractional inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2) to maintain oxygen saturation in the suggested limits.19
Intubation criteria were arterial pH<7.20, PaO2 <50 mm Hg with FiO2 >0.50 and PaCO2 >65 mm Hg, or >4 episodes of apnoea in 1 h or >2 episodes of apnoea in 1 h requiring repeated stimulation or bag-and-mask ventilation despite adequate prong fixing and CPAP delivery. Mechanical ventilation was stopped when FiO2 was <0.40, mean airway pressure (MAP) was <6 cm H2O, and PaO2 and PaCO2 were >50 and <65 mm Hg, respectively. The extubation of mechanically ventilated infants was mandatory within 2 h after they reached extubation criteria.
Similar blood gas goals were achieved to wean babies from respiratory support in both groups, as per our NICU protocols. CPAP was discontinued when neonates with adequate spontaneous respiratory effort had FiO2 <0.30, PEEP ≤4 cm H2O, PaO2 >50 mm Hg and PaCO2 <65 mm Hg.
Heart rate, systemic blood pressure and oxygen saturation were continuously monitored while arterial blood gas tension measurements (Radiometer Copenhagen, model ABL 700) were performed from an indwelling catheter or by capillary puncture.
The following data were also recorded: length of ventilation meant as total duration of respiratory support, incidence of patency of ductus arteriosus (PDA) and rate of medical treatment with ibuprofen, surfactant treatment (number of doses needed), incidence of air leaks (number of cases of pneumothorax), occurrence of IVH ≥1, oxygen dependency on day 28 and/or at 36 weeks' post-conceptional age and survival.
Cerebral ultrasound (US) was performed in the first 3 h of life. Subsequent x-rays were performed as needed, while cerebral US was performed on days 1, 3, 7, 15, 28 and at 36 weeks of GA. Within 24 h of life an echocardiographic evaluation was performed in order to ascertain PDA status, which if positive was treated with ibuprofen: 10 mg/kg extravenously, followed by another two doses of 5 mg/kg intravenously at 24 h intervals.
Cytokines planned for measurement included interleukin (IL)6 (early peak), as it is an early marker of inflammation, IL8, as it is the most important chemotactic factor in the lung, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α (later peak) as it seems to play a role in maintaining chronic inflammation in BPD, utilising a solid-phase, two-site chemiluminescent immunometric assay with automated analyser (Immulite; Medical Systems, Genova, Italy).15 Blood samples were collected in stable newborns on day 1 (day of birth, after surfactant administration but prior to randomisation) and day 7. All the samples (1 ml) were centrifuged (for 5 min at 3000/rpm) before assay in order to obtain 500 µl of serum.
All samples expected to have cytokines concentration higher than calibration range (up to 1000 pg/ml for TNFα and for IL6; up to 7500 pg/ml for IL8) were diluted with a specific sample diluent before assay to reduce the possible difference in collection volumes.
For each measurement, 50–150 µl of serum were used, with a sensitivity of 5 pg/ml for IL6, 2 pg/ml for IL8 and 1.7 pg/ml for TNFα. When immediate measurement of cytokines was impossible, samples were stored at 2–8°C for up 2 days, at −20°C for longer periods of time.
The research protocols were approved by the V.Buzzi Children's Hospital Ethics Committee.
Data acquisition and analysis
We calculated a sample size of at least 15 neonates was required in each group to find a difference of 50% in serum IL6, IL8 and TNF in the two groups at 7 days of life, with 80% power at the 0.05 level. Normally distributed data were compared with use of the unpaired Student t test and non-parametric outcomes with use of the χ2 test. Data within each group were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA; Bonferroni post hoc). Statistical significance was at the p<0.05 level. Staff in the NICU were not blinded to the treatment. All cytokine samples were analysed in duplicate by laboratory staff unaware of the ventilatory strategies, and the results were communicated to the investigators at the end of the analysis.
In all, 44 infants were considered eligible; 4 were excluded for chorioamnionitis, suspected sepsis or lack of parental consent. A final total of 40 infants were studied and randomised at 1 h of life to group A (NCPAP) (n=20) and to group B (bi-level NCPAP) (n=20) (table 1).
Table 2 shows the clinical characteristics of the infants; we did not observe significant differences between the two groups. The respiratory and ventilatory status of each group at the time of the randomisation was similar. No steroids were given in the first week of life. FiO2 administered at the time of the randomisation did not differ between the two groups.
Characteristics of infants in group A (nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP)) and group B (bi-level NCPAP) at the time of randomisation (values expressed as mean±SD)
IL6, IL8 and TNFα levels were similar between the two groups at any time of the study (p=not significant), and showed a similar pattern during the study in both groups with a decreasing level of the cytokines (p=not significant) (figure 1).
Box plot representation of serum cytokines levels (pg/ml) in group A (nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP)) and group B (bi-level NCPAP) at birth (day 1) and at day 7 of the study.
Respiratory outcomes are shown in table 3: respiratory support and O2 dependency lasted significantly longer in group A; no differences were noted in incidences of reintubation (3/20 vs 2/20), INSURE practice (5/20 vs 5/20), total number of mean surfactant doses (1 vs 1), IVH ≥1 (2/20 vs 0/20), pneumothorax (1/20 vs 0/20) in group A vs group B, respectively. No BPD (O2 dependency at 28 days), chronic lung disease (CLD; O2 dependency at 36 weeks), periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) or deaths occurred in the two groups.
Respiratory and clinical outcomes in group A and group B (values expressed as mean±SD)
There were not significant differences in the incidence of mortality rate, PVL, IVH, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), BPD and CLD between the two groups.
There is evidence that some non-invasive respiratory supports reduce the rate of reintubation of very premature infants. There is some non-conclusive evidence that non-invasive respiratory support may be useful in the treatment of apnoea. There is limited evidence that these supports may be used as a primary approach to moderate RDS in its acute phase; an international European randomised controlled trial that will give useful indications about the optimal respiratory strategy to adopt in high-risk premature infants is still ongoing.20,–,24
Our choice of settings was empirical, since the effects of different settings during bi-level NCPAP on the success of this respiratory support has not been investigated yet and most studies do not mention the applied parameters (in particular Thigh). There is no evidence that a longer Thigh may optimise lung recruitment, but it is obviously preferred to continuous flow systems.
Nevertheless, in the bi-level NCPAP group we set the Thigh at 0.5–0.7 s, the minimal time considered effective to allow the newborn to complete at least one inspiration at the upper CPAP level. We set the pressure exchange rate at 30/min to increase minute ventilation, with a reduced risk of lung derecruitment.
Since we investigated the differences between two different variable flow system supports, we compared a mean airway pressure level of 6 cm H2O (in group A (NCPAP)) to a mean airway pressure level of 6 cm H2O (in group B (bi-level NCPAP)); this choice seemed to make the two groups comparable.
We evaluated the inflammatory response in preterm infants with acute moderate RDS undergoing two different non-invasive ventilatory supports, by monitoring serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL6, IL8, TNFα). Obviously, this forced us to perform a very careful study of medical history and to perform an early exclusion of cases in which sepsis or maternal infection were diagnosed. The important roles of TNFα, IL1β (as representative cytokines of the first line immune response), IL6 and IL8 (as second line and thus suggested to be more consistently elevated) has been demonstrated in the pathogenesis of inflammation and infection.6,–,11 Plasma levels of TNFα, IL1β, IL6 and IL8 (the most extensively studied cytokine in neonates) seem to be the result of the endogenous neonatal production, and have been demonstrated to predict neonatal early onset sepsis with a high sensitivity and specificity.12,–,15 IL6 (early peak) seems to be an important marker of BPD, while TNFα (later peak) may play a critical role in maintaining chronic inflammation in BPD.
Our study demonstrates that the use of bi-level NCPAP allows for an adequate gas exchange inducing the same changes in the cytokine levels as in NCPAP ventilation.
Even if it was not the primary endpoint of our study, the different duration of ventilatory support between the two modalities is an important clinical result, since it implies the achievement of a precocious clinical stability for premature infants.
We speculate that respiratory support and O2 dependency probably lasted significantly longer in the NCPAP group because of less stable lung recruitment: bi-level NCPAP might be more efficacious in stabilising the airways and in reaching and maintaining the optimal FRC, allowing spontaneous breathing on two different levels of CPAP. This study was not designed with this endpoint in mind and we do not have data to confirm this theory. The significantly precocious time of discharge in the bi-level NCPAP group may be attributed to a more rapid achievement of stable clinical condition in these babies.
Limitations of this study include the small number of patients and the lack of blinding of the NICU staff, so further studies will be required to confirm our results; the laboratory staff who checked the cytokine levels were blinded to the ventilatory strategy used, however, and the results communicated at the end of the study.
From our clinical preliminary observations, we hypothesise that a Thigh of 1 s would better support infant breathing, and this is now under study in a new cohort of infants.
In conclusion, this new ventilatory strategy seems to be efficacious when used in preterm infants in the acute phase of moderate RDS. However, further investigations are necessary to establish the best strategy and appropriate ventilator parameters that ensure safety and efficiency.
The authors would like to thank the neonatal nurse staff at V.Buzzi Children's Hospital for their support and skilled care of our patients.
Davis PG,
Henderson-Smart DJ
. Nasal continuous positive airways pressure immediately after extubation for preventing morbidity in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003;2:CD000143.
Subramaniam P,
Henderson-Smart DJ,
Davis PG
. Prophylactic nasal continuous positive airways pressure for preventing morbidity and mortality in very preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005;3:CD001243.
Morley CJ,
Doyle LW,
. Nasal CPAP or intubation at birth for very preterm infants. N Engl J Med 2008;358:700–8.
Ho JJ,
. Early versus delayed initiation of continuous distending pressure for respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002;2:CD002975.
Bagchi A,
Viscardi RM,
Taciak V,
. Increased activity of interleukin-6 but not tumor necrosis factor-alpha in lung lavage of premature infants is associated with the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Pediatr Res 1994;36:244–52.
Miller LC,
Isa S,
LoPreste G,
. Neonatal interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor: cord blood levels and cellular production. J Pediatr 1990;117:961–5.
Harris MC,
Costarino AT Jr,
Sullivan JS,
. Cytokine elevations in critically ill infants with sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis. J Pediatr 1994;124:105–11.
de Bont ES,
Martens A,
van Raan J,
. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 plasma levels in neonatal sepsis. Pediatr Res 1993;33:380–3.
. Diagnostic value of plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in newborns with sepsis. Acta Paediatr 1994;83:696–9.
Buck C,
Bundschu J,
Gallati H,
. Interleukin-6: a sensitive parameter for the early diagnosis of neonatal bacterial infection. Pediatrics 1994;93:54–8.
Groll AH,
Meiser A,
Weise M,
. Interleukin 6 as early mediator in neonatal sepsis. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1992;11:496–8.
Berner R,
Niemeyer CM,
Leititis JU,
. Plasma levels and gene expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in neonatal early onset sepsis. Pediatr Res 1998;44:469–77.
Sullivan SE,
Staba SL,
Gersting JA,
. Circulating concentrations of chemokines in cord blood, neonates, and adults. Pediatr Res 2002;51:653–7.
Lista G,
Castoldi F,
Fontana P,
. Lung inflammation in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome: effects of ventilation with different tidal volumes. Pediatr Pulmonol 2006;41:357–63.
Bianchi S,
. Volume guarantee versus high-frequency ventilation: lung inflammation in preterm infants. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2008;93:F252–6.
Vento G,
Capoluongo E,
Matassa PG,
. Serum levels of seven cytokines in premature ventilated newborns: correlations with old and new forms of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Intensive Care Med 2006;32:723–30.
Santonocito C,
. Comparison of serum levels of seven cytokines in premature newborns undergoing different ventilatory procedures: high frequency oscillatory ventilation or synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation. Eur Cytokine Netw 2005;16:199–205.
Migliori C,
Motta M,
Angeli A,
. Nasal bilevel vs. continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants. Pediatr Pulmonol 2005;40:426–30.
Chow LC,
Wright KW,
Sola A,
. Can changes in clinical practice decrease the incidence of severe retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight infants? Pediatrics 2003;111:339–45.
Sandri F,
Plavka R,
Simeoni U,
. The CURPAP study: an international randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of combining prophylactic surfactant and early nasal continuous positive airway pressure in very preterm infants. Neonatology 2008;94:60–2.
Bisceglia M,
Belcastro A,
Poerio V,
. A comparison of nasal intermittent versus continuous positive pressure delivery for the treatment of moderate respiratory syndrome in preterm infants. Minerva Pediatr 2007;59:91–5.
Courtney SE,
Barrington KJ
. Continuous positive airway pressure and non-invasive ventilation. Clin Perinatol 2007;34:73–92.
De Paoli AG,
Faber B,
. Devices and pressure sources for administration of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in preterm neonates. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008;1:CD002977.
Owen LS,
. Neonatal nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation: what do we know in 2007? Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2007;92:F414–8.
Competing interests None.
Ethics approval This study was conducted with the approval of the V.Buzzi Children's Hospital Ethics Committee.
Patient consent Parental consent obtained.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1180
|
__label__wiki
| 0.946874
| 0.946874
|
FNTalk.com
FNTalk.com – Hot Finance News!!!
Verizon Warns Owning Social Media Can Undermine User Trust
Billionaire founder of Lotte Group leaves no will? Let the plotting begin
GM’s Cruise to Unveil First Car Built to Operate With No Driver
Here's what it's like to fly in an Uber helicopter
ComfortDelGro gets $23m green loan to buy hybrid buses for Australia fleet
Hasidic And Black Leaders Celebrate Communal Ties On MLK Day
Tax return warning: How to avoid ‘last-minute curveballs’ revealed as deadline looms
Home » Politics » FBI Director Wray: Russia intent on interfering with U.S. elections
FBI Director Wray: Russia intent on interfering with U.S. elections
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Russia is determined to interfere in U.S. elections despite sanctions and other efforts to deter such actions before the next presidential election in 2020, FBI Director Christopher Wray said on Tuesday.
“The Russians are absolutely intent on trying to interfere with our elections,” Wray said during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
Wray appeared at an oversight hearing a day before Robert Mueller, the former special counsel, was due to testify publicly before Congress about his two-year investigation of Russian interference to sway the 2016 presidential race toward President Donald Trump.
“Everything we’ve done against Russia has not deterred them enough?” asked Senator Lindsey Graham, the Republican committee chairman. “All the sanctions, all the talk, they’re still at it?”
“Yes. My view is until they stop they haven’t been deterred enough,” Wray responded.
Mueller’s investigation disclosed an elaborate campaign of hacking and propaganda during the 2016 presidential race and resulted in indictments that charged 25 Russian individuals and three Russian companies.
The United States has imposed election-related sanctions on Russian oligarchs and military intelligence officials and there is a push for legislation threatening tougher sanctions in the U.S. Congress.
As Wray confirmed the Russia threat remains, Senate Democrats criticized Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for not taking up election security legislation. McConnell has said enough money was set aside for security last year and there was no need for extra measures.
“We have been warned in closed sessions about the Russian plans to corrupt this next election and they’re very specific,” Senator Richard Durbin said at a news conference. “What are we doing about it? The answer is: Nothing. The reason: Mitch McConnell.”
The Russia investigation cast a shadow over Trump’s White House tenure and the president has repeatedly downplayed the Kremlin’s role in trying to help him win. At last year’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, he sided with Moscow over U.S. intelligence agencies.
In his most recent meeting with the Russian leader, in June, Trump appeared to make light of the issue, wagging his finger at the laughing Russian leader as he said, “Don’t meddle in the election, please.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar, who is seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, criticized Trump for joking about the issue.
“Have you personally briefed the president about these threats,” she asked Wray.
“We have had a number of meetings with others in the (White House) National Security Council,” to discuss Russian efforts to interfere with the elections, he replied.
Wray includes efforts to interfere in U.S. elections in a broader category of foreign influence campaigns in which foreign governments attempt to affect U.S. political sentiment or discourse.
He told the Council of Foreign Relations in April that he viewed the 2018 congressional elections as a “dress rehearsal for the big show in 2020.”
Wray told senators the FBI was working with private sector platforms about “different forms of foreign influence messaging, whether it’s propaganda and fake news.”
At the Democrats’ news conference, Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner urged the Republican-led chamber to help states protect voting and referred to a brief public statement Mueller made in May about the investigation.
“He started and ended his comments saying the Russians attacked us, and they will be back and America needs to be better protected,” Warner said.
Trump aides say Russia has sweeping effort to weaken U.S. elections
Facebook announces new steps to clamp down on misinformation ahead of 2020 election
Democrats seek to make Republican scandals an election issue
Trump uses re-election campaign rally to try to undermine impeachment inquiry
NEW YORK ― Hasidic Jewish, Black and Latino elected officials, clergy and community activists gathered on Monday for a day...
Mexico Murders Rise to Record in AMLO’s First Year in Office
Boris Johnson urged to push for Commons vote so Big Ben will bong for Brexit
The online self-assessment deadline for tax returns is just a month away. It falls on a Friday, on January 31,...
How risky ETFs won the decade – and why they might not repeat that performance
Copyright © 2020 FNTalk.com
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1181
|
__label__wiki
| 0.82889
| 0.82889
|
Hannah Payne’s Lawyer Says She’s ‘Truly Upset’ After Beng Rearrested, Will Request an Own-Recognizance Release
You are here: Focusa2z Connects World > Blog > Multiple Choices > Hannah Payne’s Lawyer Says She’s ‘Truly Upset’ After Beng Rearrested, Will Request an Own-Recognizance Release
A Georgia woman accused of shooting and killing a man after he left the scene of an accident last month is back in jail and facing new murder charges.
Last Thursday, a jury handed up new indictments against Hannah Payne, 22, in the shooting death of Kenneth Herring, WSB-TV reported. Payne is now charged with felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault and false imprisonment in connection to the May 7 incident.
Hannah Payne (right) is accused of murder after gunning down 62-year-old Kenneth Herring after a hit-and-run collision on May 7. (Images courtesy of WSBTV )
Prosecutors said Payne took on the role of police when she chased down Herring, 62, and killed him after he fled the scene of a minor car accident in the Atlanta suburb of Clayton County. Payne was not involved in the wreck.
Ignoring a 911 dispatcher’s instructions to remain at the scene, the young woman instead followed Herring, blocked him with her Jeep and shot him during a confrontation.
Payne, who initially faced a charge of murder without malice, was released on $100,000 bond earlier this month but was re-arrested Friday on the new charges.”
“She’s truly upset,” Payne’s lawyer, Matt Tucker, told WSB-TV.
Tucker has maintained his client acted in self defense, and painted her as a “good Samaritan” who was simply trying to do the right thing.
“She didn’t go out there trying to kill the person,” he added.
Herring’s widow, Christine Herring, rejoiced at the news of Payne’s recent arrest, saying jail is where the young woman belongs. This time, she said she hopes the judge sets a stiff bond “where [Payne] cannot afford to get out. The numbers should be high as ever.”
Drivers who witnessed the fatal incident recalled seeing Payne “punching” Herring, who may have been suffering a medical emergency, and shouting at him to “get out of the f—–g car!” A scuffle ensued, and ended with Herring, 62, being shot.
Family and friends of the embattled young woman have rallied on her behalf and dismissed the notion that Payne’s actions were the result of racial animus. After a hearing last month, Payne’s mother, Margaret Payne, described her daughter, as the “sweetest, most caring” person who “doesn’t see color” or race.
“We’re sorry for what happened, in regards to Mr. Herring,” Margaret Herring told 11Alive. “But … Hannah isn’t the person they’re saying she is.”
“This was an unfortunate situation that turned the way it did, but not at the hands of my daughter,” she added. “It wasn’t her fault.”
On Friday, Tucker told WSB-TV he plans to ask for an own-recognizance bond on the condition that Payne promises to show up to court. He’ll also ask a judge to schedule a bond hearing soon.
“I think they’re not going to give that to me,” the lawyer admitted. “I think there’s going to be some additional funds.”
Tucker said he also plans to request that his client’s case be moved to another county because of the widespread attention it has received.
Watch more in the video below.
← Watch Cam Newton Offer $1,500 For Jet Passenger's Seat And Get Rejected
Khloe Kardashian Says Jordyn Woods Forgot To Say 2 Words After Cheating Scandal →
Janet Jackson Admits She Doesn’t Use A Nanny To Help with Son Eissa
‘Gemini Man’ Trailer: Will Smith Battles His Younger Self
‘Get It Boss!’: Rasheeda Frost Fans Go Wild Over Her Classic ‘Unique’ Look
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1182
|
__label__wiki
| 0.541152
| 0.541152
|
NFL Quarterback Coaching Summit aims to create pipeline for minority candidates Fifty coaches, execs attended the event designed to help offensive coaches
You are here: Focusa2z Connects World > Blog > Multiple Choices > NFL Quarterback Coaching Summit aims to create pipeline for minority candidates Fifty coaches, execs attended the event designed to help offensive coaches
ATLANTA — As one of only two African American offensive coordinators in the NFL, Eric Bieniemy of the Kansas City Chiefs is eager to help other minorities climb the coaching ladder. That’s why Bieniemy traveled to Atlanta on Monday for the first NFL Quarterback Coaching Summit, an event to help coaches of color advance on the offensive side of the ball.
For two days, Bieniemy participated in career development sessions. He networked with coaches from both college and the NFL, as well as current and former high-ranking football operation executives, sharing stories about navigating the league and achieving success in an area where minorities are not thriving. It was time well spent, Bieniemy said.
“What you want to do is have the ability to share your experiences with as many young, up-and-coming coaches as possible,” he said. “But you also want to hear the stories of the guys who came before you, just so you can learn as much as you can about how to [improve]. In my opinion, doing this was a very good idea.”
It was one born of necessity.
At the conclusion of the 2018 NFL regular season, eight head coaches were fired — and seven white coaches were hired. Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins was the only coach of color hired among the group.
NFL hires in the Rooney Rule era
Brian Flores, Chris Grier and the need to succeed in Miami
Chiefs’ Eric Bieniemy will just have to wait
Why hiring trend has been crushing for NFL’s black coaches
The importance of Anthony Lynn’s rise as Chargers head coach
Next season, Flores, formerly the New England Patriots’ defensive playcaller, will be one of only four head coaches of color in a 32-team league. Last season, the NFL had eight head coaches of color.
The importance of the quarterback in the NFL has created a hiring paradigm in which owners now overwhelmingly seek offensive coaches to fill the top jobs, and specifically those coaches who have played major roles in developing passers. But the league has few coaches of color in such positions.
Commissioner Roger Goodell has acknowledged that the NFL must do a better job of “getting the right kind of coaches with the right kind of experience that teams want to hire as head coaches. The trend now is offensive coaches.” To that end, the NFL and the Black College Football Hall of Fame sponsored the summit to address the situation.
The NFL’s workplace diversity committee recently identified three areas that could help spur improvement in hiring on offense:
Identify candidates
Accelerate and enhance their development opportunities
Mentor and prepare them for bigger positions
Working together, Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, and trailblazers James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams constructed the program, which included sessions at Morehouse College. Fifty coaches and GMs (current and former) attended the event. Vincent expressed optimism about the summit being one step in a much larger process.
“Diversity is good business. Inclusion is a choice,” Vincent said. “This group of coaches, and others, should be included in the selection process as leadership opportunities become available.”
Harris agrees. The first African American quarterback to both start and win a playoff game, Harris enjoyed observing interactions between coaches at different stages of their careers and decision-makers, such as general managers Chris Grier of the Miami Dolphins (the league’s only black general manager) and Rick Spielman of the Minnesota Vikings. It starts with getting the right people together, Harris said.
“Giving these guys chances to interact, exchange ideas and network … it can create some connections and opportunities for minority coaches,” said Harris, who after 10 years as an NFL player made the long climb from being a scout to a front-office executive for several clubs before retiring in 2015.
“Working with the quarterback and improving the quarterback is what it’s about. There are guys in that room who are capable of doing that. We’re getting them in front of [decision-makers]. We need to get their names mentioned on TV for interviews. And we need this to happen before the jobs are filled.”
Similarly, Williams, the first black passer to win a Super Bowl, believes the more exposure, the better for coaches of color working on offense.
“The guys are out there,” said Williams, the Washington Redskins’ senior vice president of player personnel. “There are a lot of guys who could do great jobs working with the quarterbacks, but opportunity is always the key. You need the opportunity to prove yourself. You need a chance. We’re trying to get that for more guys.”
For Bieniemy, Kansas City’s offensive coordinator, his next step should be a head-coaching position. Both Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the 2018 Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player, have praised Bieniemy’s performance.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (left) calls offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy (right) a “special coach.”
Steven Senne/AP Photo
In the meantime, Bieniemy and Byron Leftwich of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the league’s only black offensive coordinators.
Bieniemy is hopeful that the QB Coaching Summit, and other programs like it, will help effect positive change.
“I would hope to be an inspiration, but more than just anything an example for others,” Bieniemy said. “At the end of the day, there are a lot of capable coaches out here on offense who can get the job done.”
Bieniemy has already proved what he can do. Perhaps others at the summit will soon get the opportunity to show they possess the chops too.
← Nation’s Oldest Black-Woman Owned Construction Firm Behind Renovation Efforts at Laguardia, JFK Airports
‘Achievement Unlocked’: Serena Williams Becomes the Second Black Woman To Be on Box of Wheaties →
On The Blair Witch Project’s 20th Birthday, Heather Donahue is the Film’s Unsung Hero
Jury Convicts Florida Man In Deadly Shooting of Black Father Markeis McGlockton, Sentencing Scheduled for the Fall
Nurses Week: ‘A Love Letter to Nurses That Cared for My Dying Mom’
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1183
|
__label__cc
| 0.685265
| 0.314735
|
Comments Off on Choreolab 2019
Applications have now closed for Choreolab 2019.
January 15th – January 26th 2018
Te Auaha, Wellington
Start your year in the best way possible.
Footnote New Zealand Dance Choreolab is firmly established as the most significant professional development event for dance practitioners in New Zealand, drawing artists from around the country and overseas to Wellington each summer.
We are delighted to announce the tutors leading the workshops for 2019. They are Alex Leonhartsberger, Edivaldo Ernesto, Julia Harvie and Stuart Lloyd-Harris. Join Footnote and these fantastic tutors for two weeks in Wellington to challenge and develop your practice in a supportive environment.
Apply for Choreolab.
Week One and Two: Depth Movement with Edivaldo Ernesto
Week One: Alex Leonhartsberger
Week Two: Julia Harvie and Stuart Lloyd-Harris (ChoreoCo choreographers)
As always, Footnote will make evening lab time available for participants to explore their ideas, and there will be a number of social and networking events, including the infamous Choreolab boat trip.
Following on from our sold out ChoreoCo seasons in 2017 and 2018, ChoreoCo 2019 will provide a paid opportunity for five Choreolab participants to work with Julia and Stuart on the development of a new work titled Nobody hears the axe fall. This will be a four week paid contract, from the 11th February to the 10th of March (including the week long performance season as part of the New Zealand Fringe Festival).
To apply for Choreolab 2019 please complete the application form (click here) by 5pm on Wednesday 7th November. Please also indicate whether you are interested in being considered for ChoreoCo 2019.
If you have any questions about the application process, Choreolab or ChoreoCo, please email anita@footnote.org.nz
Choreolab 2019 fees are:
$250 (Earlybird fee if paid by November 17th) or $300 (to be paid in full by December 15th).
This is an intense and dense group dynamic class. It is about energy, about constantly challenging your limits. It is about understanding what defines you as a dancer and pushing those boundaries over and over again. Allowing the environment to influence your dancing skills, refining tools to create new movement qualities and new rhythms. Digging deeper inside the range of your own personal dance vocabulary, becoming anyone or anything. Working with partnering, multi- directional, micro- narrative movement to transform as a whole group. Learning how to effectively be unpredictable, how to recycle energy, how to use the body as your primary tool.
About Edivaldo Ernesto:
Edivaldo Ernesto (Mozambique/DE), Dancer, Teacher, Choreographer, improvisation expert. Mozambican background and western Africa traditional dance influence. Performances, improvisations, assistant teacher for Flying Low and Passing Through technique with David Zambrano, Investigation and collaboration with Judith Sánchez Ruiz. Creator and developer of his: “Depth Movement” Workshop and “Next Level”, teaching across Europe, North America, South America, Asia. Former member of Sasha Waltz and Guests company.
How do we take the ‘everything’ that’s in our heads and make all of that into some kind of movement performance – some kind of ‘one thing’. This workshop is going make inroads into that little conundrum. This workshop will be a choreographic exploration of ritual, state and movement. My focus will be on supporting participants in generating their own materials through dreaming & inventing personal rituals. Drawing heavily on somatic and choreographic processes the work will look at both personal and abstract ways of working. Participants will be encouraged to use interaction and feedback to make their own material whilst really digging to feed personal experience into artistic form. There may opportunity for the material to be developed even further into group collaborations.
About Alex Leonhartsberger:
Alex was born in Vienna, Austria and trained at the Austrian Ballet School of the State Opera in Vienna. He then went freelancing for many different choreographers and companies around the globe including: Volksoper Wien, Tanztheater Wien, Landestheater Linz, Fabulous Beast Dance Theater, Royal New
Zealand Ballet, Michael Parmenter, Australian Dance Theater, Raewyn Hill, Alyx Duncan, Daniel Belton, The Playground, Maria Dabrowska, Mia Mason, Jo Randerson, WoW(Malia Johnston), New Zealand Dance Company, Ross McCormack, Douglas Wright and Teac Damsa. In the other part of his life he works as a fabricator and machinist in workshops for cinematic services and has been part of crew on film sets such as the Vintner’s Luck, the Patriarch Mahana, Jean Batten and most recently the Legends of Monkey.
Week Two: Julia Harvie and Stuart Lloyd-Harris
The Third Space: Permeating the membrane between audience and performer
Julia and Stuart’s current interest addresses how to give audience an active role in their experience of performance. This can range from subtle spatial considerations to direct instructions. This workshop will look at how to activate and integrate audience dynamics and outcomes. We will look at communication tools, spatial design and systems that can enable exchange that gives meaning to the work. This can range from a gentle shift in power to handing over control to the audience. How can we give audience agency and avoid alienating them? How do we ensure safety and consent is kept in mind for both performers and audience and retain conceptual integrity?
About Julia Harvie:
Julia Harvie graduated from UNITEC in 2003 with a BPSA in Contemporary Dance. Julia’s practice involves multidisciplinary collaborations, civic engagement, architecture and improvisation. She tends towards challenging dominant power structures through non-theatrical settings which led to richer consideration of audience perspective and the female body as a powerful political site. Her work has toured throughout New Zealand and has been presented in Taiwan and Australia. She has been awarded Most Outstanding Performer of the NZ Fringe, Best Dance at the Dunedin Fringe and Listener’s NZ Best Female Contemporary Dancer in 2008. Julia Harvie CV (2).pdf
Julia has worked for a wide range or New Zealand’s foremost choreographers. In recent years she has presented Elephant Skin with Footnote in 2016, she was a guest artist at Dance in Vancouver and in RUSHES at the NZ International Arts Festival in 2018. She has collaborated with The Physics Room for Innocent Bystanders – seven civic sites, seven days, seven improvised performances and for Biljana Popovic’s Synthetic Baby whereby she is wired up and hacked by electronic pulses. She has performed at CoCA for Peter Robinson’s Fieldwork and will collaborate with Pauline Rhodes again later in 2018. She continues her work as Artistic Director of Movement Art Practice(MAP), running classes, workshops and residencies, providing artists with platforms for engagement with their peers and community.
About Stuart Lloyd-Harris:
Stuart Lloyd-Harris is a visual artist based in Christchurch, New Zealand. His practice spans lighting and set design, sculpture, photography and filmmaking. In 1998 Stuart gained a BA(Hons) in Fine Art from Sheffield Hallam University. His experience working with film and photographic lighting allowed him to expand into theatrical lighting design where he worked with performance artists, dancers and musicians like Amy Winehouse, Sinead O’Conor and Jamiroquai amongst others.
Since moving to Christchurch Stuart has expanded into more three dimensional design work, creating and shaping audience experience, exploring the unconventional and avant-garde and the use of structural design as choreographic imperative.
Julia Harvie & Stuart Lloyd-Harris Collab:
Stuart and Julia have been collaborating to create installation, image and performance for the last four years. Drawing on their different backgrounds they are focussed on creating unique audience experiences, working to challenge the established audience-performer paradigm and examine the transpersonal space.
Their most recent choreographic collaboration being a performance of Iannis Xenakis’ avant garde opera, Oresteia which included a 15 piece ensemble and 40 performers for the Christchurch Arts Festival. Other works have included, Nesticity a 6-hour performance installation for the Christchurch Festival of Transitional Architecture 2016, Democratic Ensemble, a performance installation for Making Space at Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA) and How we used to live in the future a photographic work exhibited at CoCA and Shared Lines in Wellington.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1184
|
__label__cc
| 0.746561
| 0.253439
|
Posts Tagged ‘Chile’
For enterprising universtiy
With my first coffee in the morning ,
Entrepreneurs who wish to undertake in the university, the entrepreneurship centers may help to you.
Academics from the universities should encourage and support entrepreneurship by making students feel the full supports of the faculty.
Initatives that are taking longer in some universities in Latinoamerica.
Special Mention
University of Concepción (Chile) from 2004 offers all of its students subjects up throughout the race. Those who complete the program receive a special diploma from the university attesting that have participated in a formal program of training and development of entrepreneurial skills.
Case in point is the Launch Workshop Graduate Entrepreneurship, University of Chile, the workshop is aimed at young academics who feel anxious to set up companies, who wish to learn the tools necessary to carry out its proyect, including plans, business etc…www.clubdeemprendedores.cl
Stimulating entrepreurship in the universities
Tagged with business, Chile, development, emerging, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, Latinoamerica, proyect, Undertake, university, University of Concepcion
The importance of business incubation in Chile
The incubators were born in Germany 23 years ago operating in Chile 12 years ago, a good alternative for those who want to start a business can help and support to small entrepreneurs.
8 out of 10 entrepreneurs alone in the market fail in their first 3 years of life, the incubator is a good alternative to starting a business. It is a physical space where a support for the entrepreneur.
Following the European example, the incubation of businesses in Chile has twelve years of operation successfully.
For entrepreneurs in different incubators in Chile
www.emprendeahora.cl
www.centroiniciativa.udp.cl
www.tarapacaincuba.cl
www.ideaincuba.cl
www.incubatec.cl
www.innovo.cl
www.ventanauc.cl
Chilean television highlights the importance of business incubation .
http://www.relapi.org/site_novo/publicacao.php?idpublicacao=36
Tagged with business, Chile, entrepreneurs, Germany, incubation, incubators, market
India emerging power
The Republic of India is after China the most populous country on the planet about 1200 million inhabitants with a poupulation growth of 1.4 mill. and an expanding middle class similar to the total population of the United States.
India today is part of the so-called emerging economies, economies are seen as low-medium income per capital, including among others Mexico,Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Korea, China, Thailand, Taiwan and India mainly. Represent 80% of world population and 20% of the global economy.
Accelerating economic growth in India has been sustainable in recent years , the only country in the world for over a decade of sustained growth of at least 10 %.
It requires a balanced approach to providing security and reducing poverty and improving the quality of life of farmers. India along with China have many opportunities for investment.
Foreign inventment in India has increased considerably. India was in 2007 that endet with investments of approximately 20mill pains while in 2006 reached 15.7 thousand pains.
India like emerging power
Tagged with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, economies, emerging, emerging power, global economy, india, investment., Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand
Investing in Chile
There is an interesting fact I have read this morning , the increased investement in online media by 48% in Chile, according to the Interactive Adversiting Boreau.
By 2009 the Chilean government announced the increase 27% in public investment for innovation projects.
With regards to foreign investment has become, along with exports ,one of the main pillars of the Chilean economy. Chile is a model and pioneer for the rest of the nations of the Americas in the development of a policy of attracting investments.
Among its salient features clear and stable legal mecanismos . In general, the rules are characterized by equal treatment in local and foreign , free access to almost all economic sectors, with some exceptions and minimal state intervention in the activity of investors.
What do you think to investment in Chile ?
Tagged with business activities, Chile, economic, Economy, investment., investors, online
Chile country of the world’s fastest-growing Facebook
With my first coffe in the morning,
Facebook is the social network on the Internet with greater global reach. Chile is the country’s fastest growing virtual population of 2008 .
Much of the success of Spanish-speaking countries, is that Facebook launched its Spanish version in February.
If we look at official figures provided by Facebook, we see that in February last year, had 106,960 people registered from Chile.
Sometimes through Facebook we can get funding for entrepreneurship and innovation.
for example (http://www.chilepd.cl/tag/facebook)
Growing Facebook in Chile
Tagged with Chile, entrepreneurs, facebook, growing, innovation, Internet, social network
Competition for social entrepreneurs
A social entrepreneur is a new type of entrepreneur who incorporates in its performance on social and economic benefit.
The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship promotes the work on social entrepreneurship and promotes the role of social entrepreneurs as key agents of change for progress and social innovation.
Have a contest now for participating in the Social Entrepreneur of the Year in various countries around the world.
In Brazil and Israel are in the contest in in full swing , is time to participate in other countries too :
Middle East 16 February
Africa 1 March
Latin America 15 February
Central America 14 February
Chile 15 March
You can be the next Entrepreneur of the Year
Tagged with Africa, Brazil, Central America, Chile, competition, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, foundation, Israel, Latin America, Schwab, social
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1186
|
__label__wiki
| 0.526134
| 0.526134
|
Clean-Cubes
https://www.clean-cubes.com/
Attractive, disposable trash and recycle bins. Their instant setup and easy cleanup make them great for parties, events, and many other uses.
New, Improved Version of Award-Winning Clean Cubes™ Makes Managing Trash Even Easier (Jan 09, 2019)
New York City (PRWEB) June 20, 2012
The creator of Clean Cubes™, an innovative, award-winning, eco-friendly solution for effortlessly managing extra trash on special occasions and in everyday household use, has launched a new and improved version of the recyclable, disposable trash receptacle that is sturdier and easier to use.
When first introduced earlier this year, Clean Cubes won a prestigious 2012 International Housewares Association (IHA) Innovation Award at the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago.
Clean Cubes is a patent-pending biodegradable, disposable and recyclable trash bin product available on Amazon. It was invented by Javier Colayco, a New York City-based Harvard graduate and web entrepreneur, and his wife, Thuy Minh. The young couple, who bootstrapped the entire venture themselves, created the tidy solution when trying to find a way to hide unsightly garbage while entertaining in their small NYC apartment.
The new version of Clean Cubes features a stronger plastic bag and drawstring and an improved packaging cover for a more attractive appearance.
“Like the original Clean Cubes, the new and improved version sets up easily, and with the sturdier bag and drawstring is even easier than before to pull up, tie up and dispose of without mess,” Colayco said.
Made of 100-percent biodegradable materials, Clean Cubes are a guiltless alternative to unsightly, smelly trash cans for parties, weddings and receptions, picnics, camping trips, boating and even everyday household use in the kitchen, bar, patio, deck, poolside, basement and garage.
At IHA’s trade show in Chicago, Clean Cubes was selected as the most innovative new product in the home organization and storage category by a panel of expert judges that included seasoned designers, major retailers and industry experts.
For more information, visit http://www.clean-cubes.com and the new Clean Cubes You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/cleancubes. Clean Cubes also is on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cleancubes.
Disposables - Single Use Dishware
Transport - Trucks, Vans, Delivery Services
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1189
|
__label__wiki
| 0.57932
| 0.57932
|
Free download books
free books library
Education and Study aids
Esotericism, Occult
Juvenile & Young Adult
Languages study
Nature, recreation and sports
News and investigations
Science and Technics
Touring Literary Mississippi
Patti Carr Black and Marion Barnwell
Protection: DRM
By taking the literary traveler on seven preplanned tours–through the Delta, along Highway 61, to the heart of Faulkner’s Yoknapatawpha country, to sites near Interstate 55 and the Natchez Trace, to the piney woods of East and South Mississippi, and along the sun-struck Gulf Coast–this book captures the phenomenal abundance and diversity of Mississippi literature.
More than a guidebook, this book includes capsule biographies and well over a hundred photographs of writers, their residences, and their literary environments. It also provides maps and gives explicit directions to writers’ homes and other literary sites.
The sheer number of writers discovered, recovered, and claimed by Mississippi will astonish travelers both from within and from without the state. Included are not only such major figures in the pantheon of American literature as William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Tennessee Williams, and Richard Wright but also the less well-known.
Every nook and cranny of the state claims a piece of Mississippi’s literary heritage. Literature pervades Yazoo City, Jackson, Greenville, Oxford, Natchez, the Gulf Coast, and the Delta Blues country. Willie Morris, Richard Ford, and Beverly Lowry have declared that a famous writer’s presence in their hometowns convinced them that they too could be writers.
As the locations bring to life the connection of ordinary rituals with the stuff of fiction, poetry, and memoir, these hands-on tours make evident the special cross-pollination of writer and community in Mississippi.
Patti Carr Black is the author of Art in Mississippi, 1720-1980 and The Southern Writers Quiz Book (both published by the University Press of Mississippi).
Marion Barnwell, a fiction writer and an assistant professor of English at Delta State University, compiled and edited A Place Called Mississippi (published by the University Press of Mississippi).
More than a guidebook, this book includes capsule biographies and well over a hundred photographs… (more)
© 2020 Free download books — On our site we have placed complimentary annotations of books.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1191
|
__label__wiki
| 0.782321
| 0.782321
|
Populists and Autocrats:
The Dual Threat to Global Democracy
Regional Trends
2017 Country Scores
Survey Team
- Select a Country Report - Abkhazia * Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo (Brazzaville) Congo (Kinshasa) Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Crimea * Crimea Крим (Translation) * Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Fiji Finland France Gabon Gambia (The Gambia) Gaza Strip * Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong * Hungary Iceland India Indian Kashmir * Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Nagorno-Karabakh * Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea Northern Cyprus * Norway Oman Pakistan Pakistani Kashmir * Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Samoa San Marino São Tomé and Príncipe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia Somaliland * South Africa South Korea South Ossetia * South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent and Grenadines Sudan Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Tibet * Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Transnistria * Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine Ukraine Україна Translation United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam West Bank * Western Sahara * Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe
Report PDF (English)
Overview Essay PDF (Español)
FIW 2017 Data
FIW 2017 Graphics
Freedom in the World 2017
Freedom in the World is an annual global report on political rights and civil liberties, composed of numerical ratings and descriptive texts for each country and a select group of related and disputed territories. The 2017 edition covers developments in 195 countries and 14 territories from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016.
The report’s methodology is derived in large measure from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948. Freedom in the World is based on the premise that these standards apply to all countries and territories, irrespective of geographical location, ethnic or religious composition, or level of economic development. Freedom in the World operates from the assumption that freedom for all peoples is best achieved in liberal democratic societies.
Freedom in the World assesses the real-world rights and freedoms enjoyed by individuals, rather than governments or government performance per se. Political rights and civil liberties can be affected by both state and nonstate actors, including insurgents and other armed groups.
Freedom House does not equate legal guarantees of rights with the on-the-ground fulfillment of those rights. While both laws and actual practices are factored into the ratings decisions, greater emphasis is placed on implementation.
Countries and territories with small populations are not penalized for lacking pluralism in the political system or civil society if these limitations are determined to be a function of size and not overt restrictions by the government or other powerful actors.
Territories are selected for inclusion in Freedom in the World based on their political significance and size. Freedom House divides territories into two categories: related territories and disputed territories. Related territories are in some relation of dependency to a sovereign state, and the relationship is not currently in serious legal or political dispute. Disputed territories are areas within internationally recognized sovereign states whose status is in serious political or violent dispute, and whose conditions differ substantially from those of the relevant sovereign states. They are often outside of central government control and characterized by intense, longtime, and widespread insurgency or independence movements that enjoy popular support. Freedom House typically takes no position on territorial or separatist disputes as such, focusing instead on the level of political rights and civil liberties in a given geographical area.
History of Freedom in the World
Freedom House’s first year-end reviews of freedom began in the 1950s as the Balance Sheet of Freedom. This modest report provided assessments of political trends and their implications for individual freedom. In 1972, Freedom House launched a new, more comprehensive annual study called The Comparative Study of Freedom. Raymond Gastil, a Harvard-trained specialist in regional studies from the University of Washington in Seattle, developed the methodology, which assigned political rights and civil liberties ratings to 151 countries and 45 territories and categorized them as Free, Partly Free, or Not Free. The findings appeared each year in Freedom House’s Freedom at Issue bimonthly journal (later titled Freedom Review). Freedom in the World first appeared in book form in 1978 and included short narratives for each country and territory rated in the study, as well as a series of essays by leading scholars on related issues. Freedom in the World continued to be produced by Gastil until 1989, when a larger team of in-house analysts was established. In the mid-1990s, the expansion of the country and territory narratives demanded the hiring of outside analysts—a group of regional experts from the academic, media, and human rights communities—and the project has continued to grow in size and scope in the years since.
The methodology is reviewed periodically, and a number of modest changes have been made over the years to adapt to evolving ideas about political rights and civil liberties. However, the time-series data are not revised retroactively, and any changes to the methodology are introduced incrementally in order to ensure the comparability of the ratings from year to year.
Research and Ratings Review Process
Freedom in the World is produced each year by a team of in-house and external analysts and expert advisers from the academic, think tank, and human rights communities. The 2017 edition involved more than 100 analysts and nearly 30 advisers. The analysts, who prepare the draft reports and scores, use a broad range of sources, including news articles, academic analyses, reports from nongovernmental organizations, and individual professional contacts. The analysts score countries based on the conditions and events within their borders during the coverage period. The analysts’ proposed scores are discussed and defended at annual review meetings, organized by region and attended by Freedom House staff and a panel of the expert advisers. The final scores represent the consensus of the analysts, advisers, and staff, and are intended to be comparable from year to year and across countries and regions. The advisers also provide a detailed review of and commentary on a number of key country and territory reports. Although an element of subjectivity is unavoidable in such an enterprise, the ratings process emphasizes methodological consistency, intellectual rigor, and balanced and unbiased judgments.
Ratings Process
Freedom in the World uses a three-tiered rating system, consisting of scores, ratings, and status. The complete list of the questions used in the scoring process, and the tables for converting scores to ratings and ratings to status, appear at the end of this essay.
Scores – A country or territory is awarded 0 to 4 points for each of 10 political rights indicators and 15 civil liberties indicators, which take the form of questions; a score of 0 represents the smallest degree of freedom and 4 the greatest degree of freedom. The political rights questions are grouped into three subcategories: Electoral Process (3 questions), Political Pluralism and Participation (4), and Functioning of Government (3). The civil liberties questions are grouped into four subcategories: Freedom of Expression and Belief (4 questions), Associational and Organizational Rights (3), Rule of Law (4), and Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights (4). The political rights section also contains two additional discretionary questions. For additional discretionary question A, a score of 1 to 4 may be added, as applicable, while for discretionary question B, a score of 1 to 4 may be subtracted, as applicable (the worse the situation, the more points may be subtracted). The highest score that can be awarded to the political rights checklist is 40 (or a total score of 4 for each of the 10 questions). The highest score that can be awarded to the civil liberties checklist is 60 (or a total score of 4 for each of the 15 questions). The scores from the previous edition are used as a benchmark for the current year under review. A score is typically changed only if there has been a real-world development during the year that warrants a decline or improvement (e.g., a crackdown on the media, the country’s first free and fair elections), though gradual changes in conditions, in the absence of a signal event, are occasionally registered in the scores.
Political Rights and Civil Liberties Ratings – A country or territory is assigned two ratings (7 to 1)—one for political rights and one for civil liberties—based on its total scores for the political rights and civil liberties questions. Each rating of 1 through 7, with 1 representing the greatest degree of freedom and 7 the smallest degree of freedom, corresponds to a specific range of total scores (see tables 1 and 2).
Free, Partly Free, Not Free Status – The average of a country’s or territory’s political rights and civil liberties ratings is called the Freedom Rating, and it is this figure that determines the status of Free (1.0 to 2.5), Partly Free (3.0 to 5.0), or Not Free (5.5 to 7.0) (see table 3).
Trend Arrows – A country or territory may be assigned an upward or downward trend arrow to highlight developments of major significance or concern. These developments may include a positive or negative shift over multiple years, an especially notable change in a single year, or an important event in a country that is particularly influential in its region or the world. A trend arrow must be linked to a specific change or changes in score, and cannot be assigned if the country had no net change in score. Unlike in previous years, countries whose scores triggered a change in ratings or status could also be assigned a trend arrow in Freedom in the World 2017. Most score changes do not warrant trend arrows. Decisions on whether a country or territory should receive a trend arrow are made by Freedom House staff, after consultation with the analyst and expert advisers.
Electoral Democracy – Freedom in the World assigns the designation “electoral democracy” to countries that have met certain minimum standards for political rights; territories are not included in the list of electoral democracies. According to the methodology, an electoral democracy designation requires a score of 7 or better in the Electoral Process subcategory and an overall political rights score of 20 or better. Freedom House’s term “electoral democracy” differs from “liberal democracy” in that the latter also implies the presence of a substantial array of civil liberties. In Freedom in the World, all Free countries can be considered both electoral and liberal democracies, while some Partly Free countries qualify as electoral, but not liberal, democracies.
Ratings and Status Characteristics
1 – Countries and territories with a rating of 1 enjoy a wide range of political rights, including free and fair elections. Candidates who are elected actually rule, political parties are competitive, the opposition plays an important role and enjoys real power, and the interests of minority groups are well represented in politics and government.
2 – Countries and territories with a rating of 2 have slightly weaker political rights than those with a rating of 1 because of such factors as political corruption, limits on the functioning of political parties and opposition groups, and foreign or military influence on politics.
3, 4, 5 – Countries and territories with a rating of 3, 4, or 5 either moderately protect almost all political rights or strongly protect some political rights while neglecting others. The same factors that undermine freedom in countries with a rating of 2 may also weaken political rights in those with a rating of 3, 4, or 5, but to a greater extent at each successive rating.
6 – Countries and territories with a rating of 6 have very restricted political rights. They are ruled by one-party or military dictatorships, religious hierarchies, or autocrats. They may allow a few political rights, such as some representation or autonomy for minority groups, and a few are traditional monarchies that tolerate political discussion and accept public petitions.
7 – Countries and territories with a rating of 7 have few or no political rights because of severe government oppression, sometimes in combination with civil war. They may also lack an authoritative and functioning central government and suffer from extreme violence or rule by regional warlords.
1 – Countries and territories with a rating of 1 enjoy a wide range of civil liberties, including freedoms of expression, assembly, association, education, and religion. They have an established and generally fair legal system that ensures the rule of law (including an independent judiciary), allow free economic activity, and tend to strive for equality of opportunity for everyone, including women and minority groups.
2 – Countries and territories with a rating of 2 have slightly weaker civil liberties than those with a rating of 1 because of such factors as limits on media independence, restrictions on trade union activities, and discrimination against minority groups and women.
3, 4, 5 – Countries and territories with a rating of 3, 4, or 5 either moderately protect almost all civil liberties or strongly protect some civil liberties while neglecting others. The same factors that undermine freedom in countries with a rating of 2 may also weaken civil liberties in those with a rating of 3, 4, or 5, but to a greater extent at each successive rating.
6 – Countries and territories with a rating of 6 have very restricted civil liberties. They strongly limit the rights of expression and association and frequently hold political prisoners. They may allow a few civil liberties, such as some religious and social freedoms, some highly restricted private business activity, and some open and free private discussion.
7 – Countries and territories with a rating of 7 have few or no civil liberties. They allow virtually no freedom of expression or association, do not protect the rights of detainees and prisoners, and often control or dominate most economic activity.
The gap between a country’s or territory’s political rights and civil liberties ratings is rarely more than two points. Politically oppressive states typically do not allow a well-developed civil society, for example, and it is difficult, if not impossible, to maintain political freedoms in the absence of civil liberties like press freedom and the rule of law.
Because the designations of Free, Partly Free, and Not Free each cover a broad third of the available scores, countries or territories within any one category, especially those at either end of the range, can have quite different human rights situations. For example, those at the lowest end of the Free category (2 in political rights and 3 in civil liberties, or 3 in political rights and 2 in civil liberties) differ from those at the upper end of the Free group (1 for both political rights and civil liberties). Also, a designation of Free does not mean that a country or territory enjoys perfect freedom or lacks serious problems, only that it enjoys comparatively more freedom than those rated Partly Free or Not Free (and some others rated Free).
Freedom in the World 2017 Checklist of Questions
The bulleted subquestions are intended to provide guidance to the analysts regarding what issues are meant to be considered in scoring each checklist question. The analysts do not need to consider every subquestion during the scoring process, as the relevance of each varies from one place to another.
Political Rights (0–40 points)
A. Electoral Process (0–12 points)
1. Is the head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections?
Did established and reputable national and/or international election monitoring organizations judge the most recent elections for head of government to be free and fair? (Note: Heads of government chosen through various electoral frameworks, including direct elections for president, indirect elections for prime minister by parliament, and the electoral college system for electing presidents, are covered under this and the following sub-questions. In cases of indirect elections for the head of government, the elections for the legislature that chose the head of government, as well as the selection process of the head of government himself, should be taken into consideration.)
Have there been undue, politically motivated delays in holding the most recent election for head of government?
Is the registration of voters and candidates conducted in an accurate, timely, transparent, and nondiscriminatory manner?
Can candidates make speeches, hold public meetings, and enjoy media access throughout the campaign free of intimidation?
Does voting take place by secret ballot or by equivalent free voting procedure?
Are voters able to vote for the candidate or party of their choice without undue pressure or intimidation?
Is the vote count transparent, and is it reported honestly with the official results made public? Can election monitors from independent groups and representing parties/candidates watch the counting of votes to ensure their honesty?
Is each person’s vote given equivalent weight to those of other voters in order to ensure equal representation?
Has a democratically elected head of government who was chosen in the most recent election subsequently been overthrown in a violent coup? (Note: Although a peaceful, “velvet coup” may ultimately lead to a positive outcome—particularly if it replaces a head of government who was not freely and fairly elected—the new leader has not been freely and fairly elected and cannot be treated as such.)
In cases where elections for regional, provincial, or state governors and/or other subnational officials differ significantly in conduct from national elections, does the conduct of the subnational elections reflect an opening toward improved political rights in the country, or, alternatively, a worsening of political rights?
2. Are the national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections?
Did established and reputable domestic and/or international election monitoring organizations judge the most recent national legislative elections to be free and fair?
Have there been undue, politically motivated delays in holding the most recent national legislative election?
Have the representatives of a democratically elected national legislature who were chosen in the most recent election subsequently been overthrown in a violent coup? (Note: Although a peaceful, “velvet coup” may ultimately lead to a positive outcome—particularly if it replaces a national legislature whose representatives were not freely and fairly elected—members of the new legislature have not been freely and fairly elected and cannot be treated as such.)
In cases where elections for subnational councils/parliaments differ significantly in conduct from national elections, does the conduct of the subnational elections reflect an opening toward improved political rights in the country, or, alternatively, a worsening of political rights?
3. Are the electoral laws and framework fair?
Is there a clear, detailed, and fair legislative framework for conducting elections? (Note: Changes to electoral laws should not be made immediately preceding an election if the ability of voters, candidates, or parties to fulfill their roles in the election is infringed.)
Are election commissions or other election authorities independent and free from government or other pressure and interference?
Is the composition of election commissions fair and balanced?
Do election commissions or other election authorities conduct their work in an effective and competent manner?
Do adult citizens enjoy universal and equal suffrage? (Note: Suffrage can be suspended or withdrawn for reasons of legal incapacity, such as mental incapacity or conviction of a serious criminal offense.)
Is the drawing of election districts conducted in a fair and nonpartisan manner, as opposed to gerrymandering for personal or partisan advantage?
Has the selection of a system for choosing legislative representatives (such as proportional versus majoritarian) been manipulated to advance certain political interests or to influence the electoral results
B. Political Pluralism and Participation (0–16 points)
1. Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system open to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings?
Do political parties encounter undue legal or practical obstacles in their efforts to be formed and to operate, including onerous registration requirements, excessively large membership requirements, etc.?
Do parties face discriminatory or onerous restrictions in holding meetings, rallies, or other peaceful activities?
Are party members or leaders intimidated, harassed, arrested, imprisoned, or subjected to violent attacks as a result of their peaceful political activities?
2. Is there a significant opposition vote and a realistic opportunity for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections?
Are various legal/administrative restrictions selectively applied to opposition parties to prevent them from increasing their support base or successfully competing in elections?
Are there legitimate opposition forces in positions of authority, such as in the national legislature or in subnational governments?
Are opposition party members or leaders intimidated, harassed, arrested, imprisoned, or subjected to violent attacks as a result of their peaceful political activities?
3. Are the people’s political choices free from domination by the military, foreign powers, totalitarian parties, religious hierarchies, economic oligarchies, or any other powerful group?
Do such groups offer bribes to voters and/or political figures in order to influence their political choices?
Do such groups intimidate, harass, or attack voters and/or political figures in order to influence their political choices?
Does the military control or enjoy a preponderant influence over government policy and activities, including in countries that nominally are under civilian control?
Do foreign governments control or enjoy a preponderant influence over government policy and activities by means including the presence of foreign military troops, the use of significant economic threats or sanctions, etc.?
4. Do cultural, ethnic, religious, or other minority groups have full political rights and electoral opportunities?
Do political parties of various ideological persuasions address issues of specific concern to minority groups?
Does the government inhibit the participation of minority groups in national or subnational political life through laws and/or practical obstacles?
Are political parties based on ethnicity, culture, or religion that espouse peaceful, democratic values legally permitted and de facto allowed to operate?
C. Functioning of Government (0–12 points)
1. Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government?
Are the candidates who were elected freely and fairly duly installed in office?
Do other appointed or non–freely elected state actors interfere with or prevent freely elected representatives from adopting and implementing legislation and making meaningful policy decisions?
Do nonstate actors, including criminal gangs, the military, and foreign governments, interfere with or prevent elected representatives from adopting and implementing legislation and making meaningful policy decisions?
2. Is the government free from pervasive corruption?
Has the government implemented effective anticorruption laws or programs to prevent, detect, and punish corruption among public officials, including conflict of interest?
Is the government free from excessive bureaucratic regulations, registration requirements, or other controls that increase opportunities for corruption?
Are there independent and effective auditing and investigative bodies that function without impediment or political pressure or influence?
Are allegations of corruption by government officials thoroughly investigated and prosecuted without prejudice, particularly against political opponents?
Are allegations of corruption given wide and extensive airing in the media?
Do whistleblowers, anticorruption activists, investigators, and journalists enjoy legal protections that make them feel secure about reporting cases of bribery and corruption?
What was the latest Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index score for this country?
3. Is the government accountable to the electorate between elections, and does it operate with openness and transparency?
Are civil society groups, interest groups, journalists, and other citizens able to comment on and influence pending policies or legislation?
Do citizens have the legal right and practical ability to obtain information about government operations and the means to petition government agencies for it?
Is the budget-making process subject to meaningful legislative review and public scrutiny?
Does the government publish detailed accounting expenditures in a timely fashion?
Does the state ensure transparency and effective competition in the awarding of government contracts?
Are the asset declarations of government officials open to public and media scrutiny and verification?
Additional Discretionary Political Rights Questions
A. For traditional monarchies that have no parties or electoral process, does the system provide for genuine, meaningful consultation with the people, encourage public discussion of policy choices, and allow the right to petition the ruler? (0–4 points)
Is there a non-elected legislature that advises the monarch on policy issues?
Are there formal mechanisms for individuals or civic groups to speak with or petition the monarch?
Does the monarch take petitions from the public under serious consideration?
B. Is the government or occupying power deliberately changing the ethnic composition of a country or territory so as to destroy a culture or tip the political balance in favor of another group? (–4 to 0 points)
Is the government providing economic or other incentives to certain people in order to change the ethnic composition of a region or regions?
Is the government forcibly moving people in or out of certain areas in order to change the ethnic composition of those regions?
Is the government arresting, imprisoning, or killing members of certain ethnic groups in order change the ethnic composition of a region or regions?
Civil Liberties (0–60 points)
D. Freedom of Expression and Belief (0–16 points)
1. Are there free and independent media and other forms of cultural expression? (Note: In cases where the media are state controlled but offer pluralistic points of view, the survey gives the system credit.)
Are print, broadcast, and/or internet-based media directly or indirectly censored?
Is self-censorship among journalists common, especially when reporting on politically sensitive issues, including corruption or the activities of senior officials?
Are libel, blasphemy, or security laws used to punish journalists who scrutinize government officials and policies or other powerful entities through either onerous fines or imprisonment?
Is it a crime to insult the honor and dignity of the president and/or other government officials? How broad is the range of such prohibitions, and how vigorously are they enforced?
If media outlets are dependent on the government for their financial survival, does the government withhold funding in order to propagandize, primarily provide official points of view, and/or limit access by opposition parties and civic critics? Do powerful private actors engage in similar practices?
Does the government attempt to influence media content and access through means including politically motivated awarding of broadcast frequencies and newspaper registrations, unfair control and influence over printing facilities and distribution networks, selective distribution of advertising, onerous registration requirements, prohibitive tariffs, and bribery?
Are journalists threatened, arrested, imprisoned, beaten, or killed by government or nongovernmental actors for their legitimate journalistic activities, and if such cases occur, are they investigated and prosecuted fairly and expeditiously?
Are works of literature, art, music, or other forms of cultural expression censored or banned for political purposes?
2. Are religious institutions and communities free to practice their faith and express themselves in public and private?
Are registration requirements employed to impede the free functioning of religious institutions?
Are members of religious groups, including minority faiths and movements, harassed, fined, arrested, or beaten by the authorities for engaging in their religious practices?
Are religious practice and expression impeded by violence or harassment from nonstate actors?
Does the government appoint or otherwise influence the appointment of religious leaders?
Does the government control the production and distribution of religious books and other materials and the content of sermons?
Is the construction of religious buildings banned or restricted?
Does the government place undue restrictions on religious education? Does the government require religious education?
Are individuals free to eschew religious beliefs and practices in general?
3. Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free of extensive political indoctrination?
Are teachers and professors free to pursue academic activities of a political and quasi-political nature without fear of physical violence or intimidation by state or nonstate actors?
Does the government pressure, strongly influence, or control the content of school curriculums for political purposes?
Are student associations that address issues of a political nature allowed to function freely?
Does the government, including through school administration or other officials, pressure students and/or teachers to support certain political figures or agendas, including pressuring them to attend political rallies or vote for certain candidates? Conversely, does the government, including through school administration or other officials, discourage or forbid students and/or teachers from supporting certain candidates and parties?
4. Is there open and free private discussion?
Are people able to engage in private discussions, particularly of a political nature (in places including restaurants, public transportation, and their homes) without fear of harassment or detention by the authorities or powerful nonstate actors?
Do users of personal online communications—including private e-mail, text messages, or personal blogs/social-media platform with a limited following—face legal penalties, harassment, or violence from the government or powerful nonstate actors in retaliation for critical remarks?
Does the government employ people or groups to engage in public surveillance and to report alleged antigovernment conversations to the authorities?
E. Associational and Organizational Rights (0–12 points)
1. Is there freedom of assembly, demonstration, and open public discussion?
Are peaceful protests, particularly those of a political nature, banned or severely restricted?
Are the legal requirements to obtain permission to hold peaceful demonstrations particularly cumbersome and time consuming?
Are participants of peaceful demonstrations intimidated, arrested, or assaulted?
Are peaceful protestors detained by police in order to prevent them from engaging in such actions?
2. Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations? (Note: This includes civic organizations, interest groups, foundations, etc., with an emphasis on those engaged in human rights– and governance-related work.)
Are registration and other legal requirements for nongovernmental organizations particularly onerous and intended to prevent them from functioning freely?
Are laws related to the financing of nongovernmental organizations unduly complicated and cumbersome?
Are donors and funders of nongovernmental organizations free of government pressure?
Are members of nongovernmental organizations intimidated, arrested, imprisoned, or assaulted because of their work?
3. Are there free trade unions and peasant organizations or equivalents, and is there effective collective bargaining? Are there free professional and other private organizations?
Are trade unions allowed to be established and to operate free from government interference?
Are workers pressured by the government or employers to join or not to join certain trade unions, and do they face harassment, violence, or dismissal from their jobs if they do?
Are workers permitted to engage in strikes, and do members of unions face reprisals for engaging in peaceful strikes? (Note: This question may not apply to workers in essential government services or public safety jobs.)
Are unions able to bargain collectively with employers and able to negotiate collective bargaining agreements that are honored in practice?
For states with very small populations or primarily agriculturally-based economies that do not necessarily support the formation of trade unions, does the government allow for the establishment of peasant organizations or their equivalents? Is there legislation expressively forbidding the formation of trade unions?
Are professional organizations, including business associations, allowed to operate freely and without government interference?
F. Rule of Law (0–16 points)
1. Is there an independent judiciary?
Is the judiciary subject to interference from the executive branch of government or from other political, economic, or religious influences?
Are judges appointed and dismissed in a fair and unbiased manner?
Do judges rule fairly and impartially, or do they commonly render verdicts that favor the government or particular interests, whether in return for bribes or other reasons?
Do executive, legislative, and other governmental authorities comply with judicial decisions, and are these decisions effectively enforced?
Do powerful private concerns comply with judicial decisions, and are decisions that run counter to the interests of powerful actors effectively enforced?
2. Does the rule of law prevail in civil and criminal matters? Are police under direct civilian control?
Are defendants’ rights, including the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, protected?
Are detainees provided access to independent, competent legal counsel?
Are defendants given a fair, public, and timely hearing by a competent, independent, and impartial tribunal?
Are prosecutors independent of political control and influence?
Are prosecutors independent of powerful private interests, whether legal or illegal?
Is there effective and democratic civilian state control of law enforcement officials through the judicial, legislative, and executive branches?
Are law enforcement officials free from the influence of nonstate actors, including organized crime, powerful commercial interests, or other groups?
3. Is there protection from political terror, unjustified imprisonment, exile, or torture, whether by groups that support or oppose the system? Is there freedom from war and insurgencies?
Do law enforcement officials make arbitrary arrests and detentions without warrants or fabricate or plant evidence on suspects?
Do law enforcement officials beat detainees during arrest and interrogation or use excessive force or torture to extract confessions?
Are conditions in pretrial facilities and prisons humane and respectful of the human dignity of inmates?
Do citizens have the means of effective petition and redress when their rights are violated by state authorities?
Is violent crime either against specific groups or within the general population widespread?
Is the population subjected to physical harm, forced removal, or other acts of violence or terror due to civil conflict or war?
4. Do laws, policies, and practices guarantee equal treatment of various segments of the population?
Are members of various distinct groups—including ethnic and religious minorities, LGBT and intersex people, and the disabled—able to exercise effectively their human rights with full equality before the law?
Is violence against such groups widespread, and if so, are perpetrators brought to justice?
Do members of such groups face legal and/or de facto discrimination in areas including employment, education, and housing because of their identification with a particular group?
Do women enjoy full equality in law and in practice as compared to men?
Do noncitizens—including migrant workers and noncitizen immigrants—enjoy basic internationally recognized human rights, including the right not to be subjected to torture or other forms of ill-treatment, the right to due process of law, and the rights of freedom of association, expression, and religion?
Do the country’s laws provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status in accordance with the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, its 1967 Protocol, and other regional treaties regarding refugees? Has the government established a system for providing protection to refugees, including against refoulement (the return of persons to a country where there is reason to believe they fear persecution)?
G. Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights (0–16 points)
1. Do individuals enjoy freedom of travel or choice of residence, employment, or institution of higher education?
Are there restrictions on foreign travel, including the use of an exit visa system, which may be issued selectively?
Is permission required from the authorities or nonstate actors to move within the country?
Do state or nonstate actors determine or otherwise influence a person’s type and place of employment?
Are bribes or other inducements needed to obtain the necessary documents to travel, change one’s place of residence or employment, enter institutions of higher education, or advance in school?
2. Do individuals have the right to own property and establish private businesses? Is private business activity unduly influenced by government officials, the security forces, political parties/organizations, or organized crime?
Are people legally allowed to purchase and sell land and other property, and can they do so in practice without undue interference from the government or nonstate actors?
Does the government provide adequate and timely compensation to people whose property is expropriated under eminent domain laws?
Are people legally allowed to establish and operate private businesses with a reasonable minimum of registration, licensing, and other requirements?
Are bribes or other inducements needed to obtain the necessary legal documents to operate private businesses?
Do private/nonstate actors, including criminal groups, seriously impede private business activities through such measures as extortion?
3. Are there personal social freedoms, including gender equality, choice of marriage partners, and size of family?
Is violence against women—including domestic violence, female genital mutilation, and rape—widespread, and are perpetrators brought to justice?
Is the trafficking of women and/or children abroad for prostitution widespread, and is the government taking adequate efforts to address the problem?
Do women face de jure and de facto discrimination in economic and social matters, including property and inheritance rights, divorce proceedings, and child custody matters?
Does the government directly or indirectly control choice of marriage partners and other personal relationships through means such as requiring large payments to marry certain individuals (e.g., foreign citizens), not enforcing laws against child marriage or dowry payments, restricting same-sex relationships, or criminalizing extramarital sex?
Does the government determine the number of children that a couple may have?
Does the government engage in state-sponsored religious/cultural/ethnic indoctrination and related restrictions on personal freedoms?
Do private institutions, including religious groups, unduly infringe on the rights of individuals, including choice of marriage partner, dress, gender expression, etc.?
4. Is there equality of opportunity and the absence of economic exploitation?
Does the government exert tight control over the economy, including through state ownership and the setting of prices and production quotas?
Do the economic benefits from large state industries, including the energy sector, benefit the general population or only a privileged few?
Do private interests exert undue influence on the economy through monopolistic practices, cartels, or illegal blacklists, boycotts, or discrimination?
Is entrance to institutions of higher education or the ability to obtain employment limited by widespread nepotism and the payment of bribes?
Are certain groups, including ethnic or religious minorities, less able to enjoy certain economic benefits than others? For example, are certain groups restricted from holding particular jobs, whether in the public or the private sector, because of de jure or de facto discrimination?
Do state or private employers exploit their workers through activities including unfairly withholding wages and permitting or forcing employees to work under unacceptably dangerous conditions, as well as through adult slave labor and child labor?
Key to Scores, Political Rights and Civil Liberties Ratings, and Status
Table 1: Political Rights (PR)
Total Scores PR Rating
0–5* 7
Table 2: Civil Liberties (CL)
Total Scores CL Rating
Freedom Rating (Combined Average of the PR and CL Ratings) Freedom Status
1.0 to 2.5 Free
3.0 to 5.0 Partly Free
5.5 to 7.0 Not Free
*It is possible for a country’s or territory’s total political rights score to be less than zero (between -1 and -4) if it receives mostly or all zeros for each of the 10 political rights questions and it receives a sufficiently negative score for political rights discretionary question B. In such a case, it would still receive a final political rights rating of 7.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1192
|
__label__cc
| 0.661426
| 0.338574
|
Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)
Produced by Limp Bizkit & Terry Date
Album Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water
Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle) Lyrics
Alright, partner, keep on rollin', baby, you know what time it is
(Ladies and gentlemen!)
(Throw your hands up)
(Throw your, your hands up)
(Throw your, throw, throw your)
(Throw your, your, your hands, your, your hands up)
Chocolate Starfish, wanna keep on rollin', baby!
(Your hands up)
(Throw, your hands up)
I move in, now move out, hands up, now hands down!
Back up, back up, tell me what you're gonna do now!
Breathe in, now breathe out, hands up, now hands down!
Keep rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin' (What?)
Keep rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin' (Come on!)
Keep rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin' (Yeah)
Keep rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin'
Now I know y'all be lovin' this shit right here
L.I.M.P. Bizkit is right here
People in the house put them hands in the air
'Cause if you don't care, then we don't care (yeah)
One, two, three times, two to the six
Jonesin' your fix of that Limp Bizkit mix
So where the fuck you at, punk?
Shut the fuck up and back the fuck up while we fuck this track up
(Throw, throw your hands up)
You wanna mess with Limp Bizkit? (Yeah)
You can't mess with Limp Bizkit (Why?)
Because we get it on (When?)
Everyday and every night (Oh)
And this platinum thing right here (Aha?)
Yo, we're doin' it all the time (What?)
So you better get some better beats and, ah
Get some better rhymes (Duh!)
We got the gang set, so don't complain yet
Twenty-four-seven, never beggin' for a rain check
Old school soldiers blastin' out the hot shit
That rock shit, puttin' bounce in the mosh pit
Hey, ladies (Where you at?), hey, fellas (Where you at?)
And the people that don't give a fuck (Where you at?)
All the lovers (Where you at?), all the haters (Where you at?)
And all the people that call themselves players (Where you at?)
Hot mamas (Where you at?), pimp daddies (Where you at?)
And the people rollin' up in caddies (Where you at?)
Hey, rockers (Where you at?), hip-hoppers (Where you at?)
And everybody all around the world
Move in, now move out, hands up, now hands down!
About “Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)”
“Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle)” is the third single from Limp Bizkit’s third album, Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavoured Water.
The song was produced by DJ Lethal and its main writer, Fred Durst. The song reached #1 in Britain and several other countries worldwide. It was briefly used as the Undertaker’s theme song in the WWF.
"Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)" Track Info
Written By Sam Rivers, DJ Lethal, Wes Borland & 2 more
Publisher Flip Records & Interscope Records
Recorded At Metalworks Studios (Mississauga, Ontario)
Back Up by The Quick Brown Fox
September Blues by Kuttybear (Ft. Mae C)
Панч на панче (Punch on punch) by Anacondaz
Posin' by MadTV (Ft. Will Sasso)
Rollin' by The Lounge Kittens
Rollin' by Robbie Williams
Rollin' by Christian Hesels (Ft. René Fiegen)
Rollin' by Crystal Lake
Rollin' (Urban Assault Vehicle) by Limp Bizkit (Ft. DMX, Method Man & Redman & Swizz Beatz)
Remember the Voodoo People by Isosine
Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water Limp Bizkit
2. Hot Dog
3. My Generation
4. Full Nelson
5. My Way
6. Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)
7. Livin’ It Up
8. The One
9. Getcha Groove On
10. Take a Look Around
11. It’ll Be OK
12. Boiler
13. Hold On
14. Rollin’ (Urban Assault Vehicle)
15. Outro (Chocolate Starfish)
16. Snake in Your Face
17. Back O Da Bus
18. It’s Like That Y’All
19. Crushed
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1195
|
__label__cc
| 0.60107
| 0.39893
|
Home Forums > General > Games, Gaming & Game-demos >
Pillars of Eternity by Obsidian - Official Thread
Discussion in 'Games, Gaming & Game-demos' started by DSparil, Apr 15, 2014.
DSparil Ancient Guru
ASUS ROG StriX RX480, 8GB
goat1 said: ↑
I'm having a hard time wanting to even start this game. Sound very tedious. Sounds like the combat is a smaller part of the game. I'm thoroughly enjoying the combat in Divinity Original Sin. I'm not a fan of pausing and unpausing a game and giving your 6 party goers individual orders. Sounds like a drag to me. Then watching them all go nuts at once. I like really cool weapon and magic effects. Where DOS shines is in its interaction with fluids,that was a stroke of genius. Someone make an argument for Pillars,I own it,but I haven't had any ambition to even try it.
Sounds to me like you're psyching yourself out of even giving it a shot. The mind is a powerful thing
It's a great game, but probably isn't for everyone. You either love D&D style CRPG's or you don't. I wouldn't recommend this for the cookie cutter RPG player who digs things like Kings Bounty: Armored Princess, Sacred 2 and Evolution. Not sure what your history involves regarding role playing games, but I'm guessing you haven't played much in the way of Dungeons and Dragon types. This isn't D&D per se, but its modeled after such. Also, in their next upcoming patch they are adding party AI in Pillars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0GvsA6exuY. You can basically put them on auto-pilot if you want (might be more your cup of tea).
DSparil, Jul 24, 2015
berkos Master Guru
r9 270x, 980
Combat is not smaller part of the game, personally i enjoyed combat in PoE more than in DoS. I stopped playing DoS after 70hours because story was going nowhere and combat got tedious as hell with fights on every corner with monsters with billion hp. Even though PoE is more linear game, its more rounded rpg experience imho.
berkos, Jul 24, 2015
goat1 Ancient Guru
Asus 770 2gb
That's great to see they are adding AI to the patch. When does it come out? Personally I haven't gotten bored of DOS yet. There isn't a fight around every corner,but I get your meaning tho,if your comparing it to POE..
I haven't really played a D&D style game like Baldur's gate. I have played some Kings bounty and it was pretty fun. Kept getting my ass beat and lost interest. I have Age of Wonders 3 also,but since I got DOS,I haven't played it much. Games like POE and DAO have combat that's really fast and I like to see what each guy is doing. I don't like pausing ,giving orders and then let them fly,its just hectic combat that's hard to follow. I'd rather see one mage throw off a spell and watch it then go to the next,otherwise you don't get to marvel at all the cool stuff your characters can do. But that's just me. I don't know if this makes sense to any of you guys..
goat1, Jul 24, 2015
vejn Maha Guru
MSI 7870 TF3
White march Part 1 gameplay with full AI (28 August)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcODGk7YVGI
vejn, Aug 15, 2015
Bad news on the digital gaming front. I logged onto GOG.com to see if there were any updates or patches to Pillars, and the game is no longer on my shelf. It disappeared. I contacted GOG customer support to receive this response:
"I have checked this code (1EC36-837A7-3285E-25FA6), and it looks like it was canceled, because it was purchased *****ulently, with a stolen card. In such situations, our policy is to cancel the code, and give the money back to the owner of the stolen card.
Also, please keep in mind that reselling codes purchased on GOG is forbidden according to our User Agreement (3.3).
I would strongly advise that you contact the third-party reseller, whom you most likely bought this code from, and ask for your money back.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused, and appreciate your understanding."
I purchased my code from G2A.com. Beware of this website, they are selling stolen keys!! Now I don't have access to any of my Pillars files if I need to redownload/reinstall them. No access to patching either. I am contacting G2A and trying to get my money back.
DSparil, Aug 18, 2015
kapo Master Guru
Gigabyte GTX 1070 G1
Really wish someone would just shut G2A down. How many stolen games have to be sold there for something to happen? Ridiculous.
kapo, Aug 18, 2015
DSparil said: ↑
OMG, I hope you'll get your money back. Tell us how it went.
^ Thanks for the concern guys. Luckily, I already got my money back from G2A. They quickly determined what happened and took care of it. I will definitely not be buying from them again though.
This is the email response I got from them:
"This gift code was purchased with a stolen card on GOG.com. The person who have placed the order on GOG.com was not the legitmate owner of this card, and therefore was not entitled to use it.
From what I understand the code was later sold to you through us. We are very sorry for this inconvenience and have refunded your money in full. You will receive a further email confirmation of this.
I apologize for any inconvenience caused."
The fact that this can even happen, makes that sites sellers unreliable. You don't know what you're getting! The savings isn't worth the hassle!
ShadowDuke Ancient Guru
MSI Gaming 970
Pretty normal this can happen with 3rd party sellers on sites with a market!!!
ShadowDuke, Aug 19, 2015
scatman839 Ancient Guru
1080, KD55XD800
Patch 2.0 out on steam, 2.1gb, guess the expansion comes in a few hours.
http://www.pcgamer.com/pillars-of-eternity-update-20-adds-party-ai-solo-stealth/
Pillars of Eternity is getting a hefty patch to coincide with the release of its expansion, The White March: Part 1. You know it's serious when they bust out the '2.0', and true to that descriptor the update adds several features that should improve the RPG quite a bit. The first is party AI, meaning we'll no longer have to micromanage every facet of combat if we can't be bothered. We can select from several types of AI behaviour, interrupting or switching off the feature as necessary.
We'll also soon be able to put individual characters into stealth mode, rather than making the whole party creep about at the same time as the rogue. Meanwhile, accuracy indicators above enemy heads should make it easier to determine whether your hits are going to, er, hit.
Patch 2.0 will release at around the same time as The White March: Part 1, but you won't need to grab that in order to download it. The above trailer shows the new features in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0GvsA6exuY
And the expansion is out
http://store.steampowered.com/app/373340/?snr=1_5_1100__1100
scatman839, Aug 25, 2015
Darren Hodgson Ancient Guru
EVGA GTX 1080 Ti SC2
I noticed a large 2.1 GB update but on loading the game, which is apparently v2.0 beta (which I do not recall opting into...) I only have a New Game option so it looks like I have lost 28 hours of progress which I am obviously not happy about! The Continue and Load options are both greyed out.
Just found my save game folder (under Saved Games/Pillars of Eternity and there are dozens of files there include a number under a sub-folder called 2.0 Saved Games Backups. I assume the game has created that folder as I do not recall doing it.
So why is the game not detecting them?
Darren Hodgson, Aug 25, 2015
I just checked my own one, says 2.0something but no beta, and I can load old saves fine.
Sure you didn't opt into the beta at some point? Check your game properties
scatman839 said: ↑
I have not played the game for months so did not even know about the v2.0 beta let alone opt into it. I presume I must have v2.0 (release build) then as it just shows a number in the bottom left corner with '- steam' after it; there is no mention of beta except in the News to the top right. The Properties tab also confirms I am not opted into a beta and, in fact, I cannot even select it.
Save games are still not showing unfortunately despite disabling the Steam Cloud save. I have files in the save folder plus backups in the 2.0 Saved Games Backup folder but I cannot access Continue or Load from the main menu to check the game even detects them.
Moved the existing save files into another sub-folder called 'Backups' and Steam's cloud service reinstated them. Game, however, still does not see these saves, even after doing a revalidation (it found some 165 missing files but I think they were just the DirectX/VC++ ones as they were redownloaded).
Could this be a Windows 10 bug? I noticed the security permissions for the Saved Games/Pillars of Eternity folder has the owner as Darren (myemail@address.co.uk (where the email address is my Microsoft account) as opposed to Administrators (MYNAME/Administrators). Could that be the issue?
*EDIT 2*
Got it working by setting the compatibility setting for the game executable to Run as Admin. Seems the game has to be run as administrator in order to see my save games, which is strange because it was working fine before in Windows 8.1. My guess is that this is yet another Windows 10 issue but, whatever, it now works and I have not lost 26 hours of progress, thankfully.
wrathloki Maha Guru
Gigabyte 980 Ti G1
So I bought this game over the weekend. I decided to give it a try despite the not very good gameplay and the lackluster art design because people keep saying the story is so good. Well I'm about 10 hours in now, just after Raedrics castle, and I'm wondering, when does the story get good? So far it's been incredibly bland and devoid of anything interesting.
wrathloki, Feb 1, 2017
I found it dull story wise by the last part of the game. Didn't complete it
So much focus on old gods and stuff like that, not enough character interaction.
scatman839, Feb 1, 2017
So basically much of what people are saying about the story has been overstated. Think I'm gonna go back to Divinity: Original Sin. At least the combat in that is super good.
Hopefully POE 2 is better. At the very least it sure looks much better graphically, which could be enough to make it more interesting.
Uhh, i'm not saying I didn't enjoy the story at all. More I wasn't a fan of the quasi religious stuff, which was unfortunately the main focus. The deep dungeon thing was really good. Combat was a bit dull IMO but you can skip that with difficulty. The plot has some interesting points for me (mostly with memory recall stuff) .
But yeah, combat is nothing compared to DOS. Can't wait for DOS2.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1199
|
__label__wiki
| 0.869991
| 0.869991
|
Kim Kardashian and Lady Gaga flee their homes as California wildfires rage
Posted 10:58 PM, November 9, 2018, by CNN Wire
Kim Kardashian West is seen here speaking to CNN about the pardoning Alice Johnson, a 63-year-old woman who had been serving a life sentence in prison since 1996 for her involvement in a conspiracy to sell cocaine.
Kim Kardashian West, Lady Gaga and Alyssa Milano were among those who had to flee their homes as multiple wildfires raged through California late Thursday and into Friday.
Kardashian West said that she was forced to evacuate her Calabasas, California, home due to the looming threat the fires posed.
“Pray for Calabasas,” Kardashian West wrote on an Instagram story. “Just landed back home and had 1 hour to pack up & evacuate our home. I pray everyone is safe.”
Related: 3 California wildfires destroy thousands of structures and force emergency evacuations
Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate as firefighters worked to contain the blazes. As of Friday morning, more than 20 million people were under red flag warnings across the state.
Kanye West meets Uganda’s president, gifts pair of sneakers
On Friday afternoon, Kardashian West tweeted that flames had hit the property she shares with her husband, Kanye West.
Kardashian West’s sisters, Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian, also had to leave their homes.
“I can not sleep! I am too nervous with these fires #MamaKoKo,” Khloe Kardashian posted on Twitter.
Alyssa Milano wrote on Twitter that she evacuated as well, and after initially believing her horses to be in safe hands, later expressed concern for their safety.
“If anyone can get 5 horses out the fire please help me,” she wrote.
Kanye West tells Trump MAGA hat made him feel like ‘Superman’
Singer Lady Gaga was also among the evacuees, sharing a series of photos on an Instagram story.
“Sending my prayers to everyone today,” she wrote on one photo.
“Shape of Water” director Guillermo del Toro said he evacuated Thursday night. His non-primary residence, a well-known museum of creepy art and memorabilia called Bleak House, was also in the fire’s path, he said.
“Bleak House and the collection may be endangered but the gift of life remains,” he wrote on Twitter.
Kim Kardashian at White House for clemency review session
Singer Cher said is also among those who is worried about her home, which is in Malibu.
“I can’t bear the thought of there being no Malibu. I’ve had a house in Malibu since 1972,” she wrote on Twitter.
Actor Mark Hamill and his family safely evacuated their home, which is “dangerously close” to the fire, he said. He added that he was “rooting for our #FearlessFirefighters in their battle vs #MeanMotherNature.”
Musician Iggy Azalea also wrote on social media that she was “genuinely concerned” about her residence.
Topics: California, Kardashians, wildfires
Multiple fires spread throughout California amid power outages
Dying winds bring relief after weeks of California wildfires
A brush fire in Southern California exploded to over 3,000 acres in just a few hours
26 million people are under red flag warnings as wildfires torch Northern and Southern California
Lights out: Power cut in California to prevent deadly fires
LeBron James evacuates from his home because of the Los Angeles wildfires
Paradise community gathers on anniversary of Camp Fire
Hundreds evacuated as wildfire fueled by monster winds races through Sonoma County, California
California utility admits it may have ignited fire
California governor declares statewide emergency as wildfires destroy homes, force thousands to evacuate
Instagram deletes the IGTV button because hardly anybody was using it
An ‘unprecedented’ storm is hitting the West Coast as another continues to pile snow on the Midwest
Raging wildfire skips 2 freeways in Los Angeles as firefighters race to save homes
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1204
|
__label__wiki
| 0.809107
| 0.809107
|
Fantastic Fest Day 4 Recap: ‘GERALD’S GAME’, ‘THE ENDLESS’ and ‘TIGER GIRL’
James Cole Clay // Film Critic
A recap of the fun and misfortunes of Day 4 at Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX:
GERALD’S GAME
Director: Mike Flanagan
Cast: Carla Gugino, Henry Thomas, Bruce Greenwood, Carel Struycken and Chiara Aurelia
This has been the year for Stephen King’s resurgence. While he’s never really out of the pop culture conversation, two of King’s most beloved stories, IT and THE DARK TOWER, received major studio releases — and, of course, there’s the whole peripheral connection to STRANGER THINGS.
GERALD’S GAME is a small story perfectly suited for Netflix’s small budget/wide net routine that has been working well for the horror genre as of late. There’s very little expectation brought to the film that winds up being haunting and healing thriller. Jessie (Carla Gugino) ventures up to secluded vacation home in the woods of Maine with her older – and curiously buff – husband Gerald (Bruce Greenwoods) as try to toss some spice in their sex life. After a half-hearted attempt at kinkiness, Gerald kills over and leaves Jessie handcuffed to the bed. To top it all off, there’s a hungry stray dog in the mix… maybe more.
About 85% of the film is set in the bedroom, and if there was ever a director to figure out this puzzle its Mike Flanagan (HUSH, OUIJI: ORIGIN OF EVIL), who gives Jessie her own perspective as we hear her inner most thoughts while Gerald tries to kill her spirit. This isn’t your average tale of survival. Gugino and Greenwood and given complex human emotions to fill in the blanks were other horror films lack. GERALD’S GAME continues to give horror new life.
Also read Courtney Howard’s full review of the film here.
GERALD’S GAME releases on Netflix on Friday, Sept. 29.
Director: Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead
Cast: Callie Hernandez, James Jordan, Lew Temple, Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, Tate Ellington and Emily Montague
Fantastic Fest alums Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead brought their film SPRING to the festival a few years back to wide acclaim. SPRING had still and visually sumptuous cinematography that was stylish and authentic. Their latest, THE ENDLESS, got a large crowd at its screening on Sunday. The film promised a cerebral and deliberately paced thrill, and it delivers on that, but with a few ZZZ’s thrown into the mix.
The ambitious work takes its time in telling the story of two brothers who return to the “death cult” they left 10 years prior. Filmmakers Benson and Moorhead cast themselves in the star roles, but unfortunately, there’s an unfocused demeanor to their delivery that causes lots of resistance to the story at hand. They toy with ideas about time travel, dread and skewed perspectives. (Fans of the Netflix series THE OA and the film ANOTHER EARTH will delight in this slow-burn story.) But in the end, all its ideas come without any sense of urgency.
Grade: D+
THE ENDLESS has an encore screening on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 3:45 p.m.
Director: Jakob Lass
Cast: Ella Rumpf, Maria-Victoria Dragus, Enno Trebs, Franz Rogowski, Orce Feldschau and Benjamin Lutzke
Lately there has been a huge push for European films at Fantastic Fest that center on a woman’s self-discovery. Films such as ELLE, BLIND, VICTORIA, RAW and Joachim Trier’s THELMA (which screened at Fantastic Fest this year) all have approached the topic in clever ways and have been some of the best films in recent memory.
The German film TIGER GIRL, directed by Jakob Lass, inflicts an ass-kicking style into his film about a young girl named Vanilla (Maria-Victoria Dragus) who’s training to be an elite security guard in Berlin. She seems focused and poised to succeed, but this changes when she meets Tiger (Ella Rumpf), a punk who squats in apartment buildings and ends up saving Vanilla from a group of catcalling men at a subway stop. The two become fast friends and wind up mugging people, breaking plates and throwing fruit at cops. There’s tons of mischievous fun to be had in an anarchist sort of way.
TIGER GIRL grows a bit cold in its third act, especially when it shows Vanilla doing even more senseless debauchery and losing herself in being an agent of chaos. The two young women grow in opposite directions and you’re left wondering, “Who is the real ‘tiger girl?’”
Tune in tomorrow for Day 5, where we catch up on Monday’s films and provide some thoughts on the secret screening (revealed to be THE DEATH OF STALIN), THE CURED (an original zombie film) and MY FRIEND DAHMER (an origin story to the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer).
Fantastic Fest Review: ‘GERALD’S GAME’ brilliantly toys with perception
Movie Review: ‘ELIZABETH BLUE’ – aesthetically pleasing, narratively disconnected
Preston Barta
Hello, there! My name is Preston Barta, and I am the features editor of Fresh Fiction and senior film critic at the Denton Record-Chronicle. My cinematic love story began where I was born: off planet on the isolated desert world of the Jakku system. It's there I passed the time scavenging for loose parts with my good friend Rey. One day I found an old film projector and a dusty reel of the 1975 film JAWS. It rocked my world so much that I left my kinfolk in the rearview (I so miss their morning cups of green milk) to pursue my dreams of writing about film. It wasn't long until I met two gents who said they would give me a lift. I can't recall their names, but one was an older man who liked to point a lot and the other was a tall, hairy fella. They got me as far as one of Jupiter's moons where we crossed paths with the U.S.S. Enterprise. Some pointy-eared bastard said I was clear to come aboard. He saw that I was clutching my beloved shark movie and invited me to the "moving pictures room" where he was screening the 1993 film JURASSIC PARK to his crew. He said my life would be much more prosperous if I were familiar with more work by the god named Steven Spielberg. From there, my love for cinema blossomed. Once we reached planet Earth, everything changed. I found the small town of Denton, TX, and was welcomed into the Barta family. They showed me the writings of local film critic Boo Allen. He became my hero and caused me to chase a degree in film and journalism. After my studies at graduate of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I met some film critics who showed me the ropes and got me into my first press screening: 2011's THE GREEN LANTERN. Don't worry; I recovered just fine. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD was only four years away.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1207
|
__label__cc
| 0.729172
| 0.270828
|
Daisy Turner and Duncan Irby
January 16, 2018 52 Ancestors, African-American Genealogy & Slave Ancestry Research, Turner#52Ancestors, #Daisy TurnerKristin
Daisy Pearl Turner, Montgomery, Alabama about 1913.
I always wondered about Duncan Irby, my Aunt Daisy’s lost love. Over the years I looked for him online, with no luck. Recently, I tried again. Lo’ and behold, I found Duncan Irby in Selma, Alabama. There was a small item from The Emancipator. Records and more news items began to show up.
In 1980 my mother wrote her memories of family memories. They proved to be an invaluable source when I started my research. She wrote the following about her mother’s sister, Daisy Turner. Some of my mother’s memories were a bit off, but close enough that I recognized Duncan Irby when I found him.
“Maybe here a word about Aunt Daisy. Look at her picture, sweet, soft, pretty, taught school awhile in Montgomery (with high school diploma) loved Congregational preacher named Duncan Erby who loved her and waited for her for years. Had the church in Buffalo, NY. Whenever she really considered leaving, Grandmother did the old guilt trick “How can you leave me to take care of Alice all by myself?” and “No man in this world is good enough to touch your little finger. They are all no good except (maybe) Shell.” (note: Shell referred to my grandfather, Mershell Graham.)and Daisy listened and stayed and played numbers, studied dream books and drank a little apricot brandy. I always found their house light, cheerful, full of magazines (McCall’s, Journal, etc.) which I loved to read, full of good things to eat. All three were super cooks and they had always just had a bunch of friends to dinner and to play cards or just about to have.
Daisy took us downtown to the show every summer and to Saunders for ice cream afterward. And I always ended up with a splitting headache. Too much high living I guess. She and Alice would buy us dainty, expensive little dresses from Siegel’s or Himelhoch’s. They all went to church every Sunday, Plymouth Congregational. Daisy always gave us beautiful tins of gorgeous Christmas candy, that white kind filled with gooey black walnut stuff, those gooey raspberry kind and those hard, pink kind with a nut inside, and chocolates, of course! She loved to eat and to cook. Never seemed bitter or regretful about her lost love.”
“Mr. Duncan Irby, accompanied by his mother and little sister, also Mrs. Mollie Dillard and Miss Daisy Turner, motored from Selma to this city last Sunday and visited Camp Sheridan.” The Emancipator, Montgomery, Alabama Sat. Oct 20, 1917.
Duncan Irby was five feet nine inches tall, stout, light complected with brown hair, brown eyes and freckles.
Duncan’s parents, Duncan Irby, Sr and Mary Smith were married in Selma, Alabama on Christmas Eve, 1890. Mary was the daughter of a house painter. Duncan’s mother, Emmeline Gee, inherited over 100 acres and a horse from a former enslaver Josiah Irby. I do not know if Emmeline was enslaved on Irby’s plantation. At his mother’s death, Duncan was to inherit the property.
“Also I give and devise unto the said Emeline Gee, about fifty acres of land known as the Saw mill field, and bounded as follows to wit commencing at the point at which the P Bluff and Cahaba Road crosses the Athens and Parks Landing Road thence down the P Bluff & Cahaba Road to Chillatchie Creek at the Cahaba Bridge, thence up the said creek to a line between sections 11 and 12; thence West to Parks Landing Road; thence along said Road to the starting point in Township fourteen Range seven in Wilcox County. It is further my will and desire that at the death of the death of the said Emeline Gee, that all the land herein before desvribed and devised to the said Emeline Gee shall go to her and belong to her son Duncan. I also give and bequeath to the said Emeline Gee my Roan Horse named Tom”
After this, Duncan used the surname “Irby” instead of “Gee”. I do not know if they were allowed to take possession of the property. Both Duncan Sr and his wife Mary were literate. His mother lived with the family until her death in 1901. The Mary Smith mentioned in this article was Duncan Irby Sr’s older sister. It was very confusing to have three Marys (sister, wife and daughter) and two Duncans (father and son).
Selma Record, Selma, Alabama, Sat, Nov 9, 1901
The younger Duncan Irby was born in 1892. The following year Duncan Sr, a blacksmith, suffered injuries when he was trampled by horses while making some repairs on a hack. He recovered.
Mr. Duncan Irby Seriously Injured.
“Selma, April 4.-(Special.)_ This evening Duncan Irby, a blacksmith, while making some repairs on a hack, was run over and seriously wounded. Mr. Irby was in front of the horses when they started on a run, dashing the unfortunate man to the ground and trampling upon him. The horses were finally stopped. Not much damage was done to the hack.” The Montgomery Advertiser Montgomery, Alabama Wed, Apr 5, 1893
Mary, Duncan Sr and Mary’s only other child, was born the following year. Both Duncan Jr and his sister Mary attended school. In 1908 they were both enrolled in Talledega College, a boarding school, in the College Preparatory Course. They studied Latin, Algebra, English Literature, Ancient history and Drawing along with hands on courses in Agriculture and Wood-Turning for young men and Dressmaking and Nurse-Training for young women.
Mary became a teacher. She married Edwin Gibson, a teacher and a principal. They had one son, Edwin Gibson Jr. They later divorced.
Duncan worked with his father in his blacksmith shop and later became a mechanic. The elder Duncan Irby died in November of 1915.
“Duncan Irby, one of the best known colored men in this section, is dead. He was a most reliable man and his death is regretted by whites and blacks.” The Selma Mirror, Selma, Alabama, Fri, Oct 15, 1915
“Duncan Irby, a Selma negro blacksmith, left a $30,000 estate. He had never made any considerable sums, but lived the time honored method of saving something all the time. As a rule negroes do not care to save. It is a race characteristic to spend to the limit, but occasionaly one like Irby has the nerve to save. – Birmingham Ledger.”
Our Mountain Home, Talladega, Alabama, Wed, Oct 27, 1915
Duncan Irby senior, left everything to his wife Mary with the proviso that should she ever remarry, everything would go to their children.
Duncan Irby’s widow, Mary Irby, remarried in 1921. She married Rev. Marshall Talley and that is where my mother got the minister. The family relocated to Homestead, Pennsylvania. This was the move to the northeast. Duncan was 35 in 1930 and worked as an auto mechanic in Homestead.
Several years later, they all relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana. Duncan, his sister Mary, who was divorced from her husband by this time and her son Edwin Gibson Jr. formed a household. Edwin Jr grew up to become a well known architect and the first black architect registered in Indiana.
In 1966 Duncan Irby died of pneumonia brought on by lung cancer. He was 74 years old and had lived in Indianapolis for 34 years. He never married.
“Death Notices – Irby. Mr. Duncan Irby, age 74, 1238 North West St., died Wednesday at Methodist Hospital, beloved brother of Mrs. Mary Gibson, uncle of Edwin Gibson. Funeral Friday 10 a.m., Jacobs Brothers Westside Chapel. Cremation following. Friends may call after 4 p.m. today.” The Indianapolis News, Indianapolis, Indiana, Thu, Aug 4, 1966
In writing this story I used writings by my mother, Doris Graham Cleage; Census, death, and other records from Ancestry.com and a surprising number of news stories found on Newspapers.com. I discovered I could share them by embedding them in the post and may have gone overboard.
← Howard Turner Killed in Lowndes County, Alabama Did Poppy Go To The Theatre? →
7 thoughts on “Daisy Turner and Duncan Irby”
Duncan has now,certainly, got himself found!
splendid research !
Strange how the people that touch us do so,and then move on….
But they always leave us with some ripples.A this is one of them.
I wonder how my mother knew about him. Did my Aunt Daisy sometimes mention him? Did my grandmother Fannie tell my mother the story?
Margo Lee Williams says:
Wonderful research and story. I look forward to more stories from your family and community.
I am enjoying your posts too. I have so many people researched that I need to write up!
I enjoyed you story and look forward to reading more stories from you and Margo.
Thank you Shannon.
Delores Summons says:
Nice piece!
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1212
|
__label__cc
| 0.66047
| 0.33953
|
By Peter Adrastos Athas Adrastos, Music
Don Van Vliet, RIP
They’re dropping like flies this week: Bob Feller, Blake Edwards and nowDon Van Vliet aka Captain Beefheart who died earlier today at the age of 69.Captain Beefheart was the touchstone of cool when I was a tadpole His music was a cacophonous cross between Howlin’ Wolf and Pharoah Sanders. As a singer he sounded like Tom Waits’ demented Uncle Don. Waits was one of Beefheart’s biggest fans and said of him: “Once you’ve heard Beefheart, it’s hard to wash him out of your clothes. It stains, like coffee or blood.”
I spent far too much time as a kid perfecting a Beefheart imitation. I recall seeing him play to a rather hostile audience who didn’t get what he was up to. He shook his head in disgust and said in his gravelly voice: “Playing to you people is like trying to turn pickles back into cucumbers.”
Every once and awhile I trot out that line but to little effect: most people have never heard of Captain Beefheart and the The Magic Band. Trust me, you haven’t lived until you’ve heard the pseudonyms of his sidemen: Winged Eel Fingerling and Zoot Horn Rollo are my personal favorites.
Van Vliet retired Captain Beefheart quite some time ago and pursued his painting. Don was a talented artist but if I’d ever run into him I would have asked him to “gimme dat harp, boy.”
Don Van Vliet is dead. Long live Captain Beefheart.
2 thoughts on “Don Van Vliet, RIP”
Used to play Gimme Dat Harp really LOUD on my 8-track player, back in the day, drove my friends crazy. There was an interesting article on the members of the Magic Band in Rolling Stone many years ago, wonder if that’s on the Intertubes…
MichaelF says:
I’m just old enough to remember the album Ice Cream for Crow…
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1214
|
__label__wiki
| 0.683249
| 0.683249
|
Supreme Court must decide law, not popularity.
POSTED BY Clark Neily and Evan Bernick | USA Today on April 3, 2015 .
It’s spring in Washington, and time to resume one of the capital’s favorite sports. No, not baseball, but throwing mud at the Supreme Court. Pending cases include the legal status of same-sex marriage and whether the IRS can provide billions of dollars in Obamacare subsidies without explicit congressional authorization. Partisans have launched a preemptive bid to undermine the legitimacy of the forthcoming decisions by accusing the court of “activism” for involving itself at all.
These increasingly transparent attempts to discredit the court should be rejected.Every case involving plausible abuses of power requires judicial engagement — conscientious, impartial truth-seeking, grounded in evidence — rather than reflexive deference to the political branches.
Take the Obamacare case. At issue in King v. Burwell is a section of the Affordable Care Act concerning tax credits for buying health insurance from government-operated healthcare exchanges. Congress wanted states to set up their own exchanges, but it lacks constitutional authority to force them. So Congress opted for a stick-and-carrot approach, authorizing tax credits for insurance policies purchased “through an Exchange established by the State.” As a backup, the ACA directed federal bureaucrats to set up federally operated exchanges in states that declined to set up their own.
The question before the court is whether it was legal for the IRS to provide subsidies for policies purchased on federal exchanges, despite the lack of explicit statutory authorization. According to some critics, only a politically motivated court could answer no. But the language of the ACA is clear: “‘State’ means each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia.” As Justice Kagan put it recently in another case, the court “has no roving license, in even ordinary cases of statutory interpretation, to disregard clear language.” If the court disregards this maxim when deciding King, it will replace the rule of law with the rule of impatient executives and unelected bureaucrats.
Continue reading at: USA Today…
Filed Under: ObamaCare
Brian Blase
Consumer-Directed Care
Doug Badger
Grace-Marie Turner
RealClearHealth
The Daily Signal
Reform Initiatives
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1223
|
__label__cc
| 0.565948
| 0.434052
|
Review of Bloodborne following the 1.03 patch update
May 17, 2015 by Kevin Cheing
Sony and From Software previously teamed up for the development of Demon’s Souls, an innovative experience that has spawned three spiritual successors: Dark Souls, Dark Souls II and the recently-released Bloodborne.
For Bloodborne, the two companies partnered again to create the new intellectual property. While it has the same core elements found in the previous Souls games, it also featured some innovative changes. Not to mention that the experience got even better following the 1.03 title update. So just how good is the patched version of Bloodborne? You can find out with our review of the PS4 exclusive below.
The story of Bloodborne is full of mysteries. Gamers will play as an outsider traveling a plague-ridden city known as Yharnam in order to seek the coveted Paleblood. The game keeps exposition light with very little NPC conversations and cut scenes. This keeps the experience suspenseful as you won’t know what will happen next. Not to mention that it results in a lot of chatter if you want to delve deeper into the lore and talk about the mysteries with other players.
So, while Bloodborne is not the most cinematic game, there is more than enough compelling plot points that will keep you interested throughout your playtime.
A lot of the game’s story come from exploration as From Software put in a great deal of effort in designing the levels of Bloodborne. Similar to Dark Souls, the locations in the action-RPG interconnect, mostly through the use of shortcuts. The levels fit naturally in terms of continuality of the locales in addition to tying into the main plot.
Not to mention that you will never feel worn out at exploring a particular location as the game will constantly throw out interesting locales to explore in addition to scenarios for you to encounter. You also don’t have to worry about any poorly designed levels that plagued the previous Souls games (like Blighttown from Dark Souls and Valley of Defilement in Demon’s Souls).
The only real drawbacks are the maze-like optional Chalice Dungeons, which use the cut and paste design of finding the switch to a boss gate that is located near the beginning of each level. Even so, these optional areas are worth exploring, especially if you want to fight some of the best bosses, and even normal enemies, the game has to offer.
Boss and Enemy Designs
The boss and enemy designs also mesh well with the levels in Bloodborne. The character models of the opposition can be quite horrifying, which fits perfectly with the gothic horror theme. As a result, fighting the enemies feels a lot more intense than the prior Souls game.
Some of our favorite designs for the normal enemies include the Brainsucker, who can grab you and suck on your head to permanently steal you valuable Insight items. The other is the Labyrinth Madman, who lets out a loud scream and then rushes at you.
The boss designs are even more grotesque. For instance, the Blood-starved Beast has its skin ripped apart, completely hanging out and leaning the rest of his flesh exposed. Add in the fact that most of the boss battles are quite difficult and you have one of the best survival-horror experiences in Bloodborne even though it is more of an action role-playing game.
What makes the enemies even scarier is the combat. From Software decided to switch things up a little bit with Bloodborne in that both the player and enemy move a lot faster than before. Block has also been rendered useless as, although you can find a shield in the game, you are much better off dodging.
The biggest change is the new health regain system. If you character takes a hit, he or she will have a short amount of time to regain the lost HP by hitting back at the enemies. Of course, the opposition can also hit back at the same time, causing a permanent lost of health until you use a Blood Vial. This new risk/reward mechanic adds another level of intensity as you need to figure out when is the best time to attack as oppose to falling back to heal.
With the increased combat speed and the addition of health regain, Bloodborne plays a lot better in battle than its spiritual predecessors. Thus, you will most likely have a hard time going back to Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls and Dark Souls II.
The multiplayer elements from Bloodborne has also been better streamlined when compared to the past games. You can still leave and read messages in addition to seeing the ghosts of other players. For matchmaking, the game requires players to ring a bell if they want to summon others, be summoned or invade. From Software also allows you to play with friends by using the new password system along with being able to share Chalice Dungeons.
With that said, Bloodborne is still mainly a single-player game as being able to connect to other players have several restrictions. For one, you have to be at the around the same level. For co-op, the session will end after you defeat the area’s boss, forcing you to reconnect to a friend if you want to continue. Multiplayer should be seen as a cherry on top of an already excellent single-player experience.
As you can see above, Bloodborne has its own unique style when it comes to levels and enemies. No other game, especially in this generation of releases, look like the PS4 exclusive.
Not to mention that the sound design is excellent, especially if you are using a PlayStation headset with 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound (you can purchase any of the following three from Amazon if you are interested: PlayStation Pulse Elite Edition Wireless Stereo Headset, PlayStation Gold Wireless Stereo Headset and PlayStation Silver Wired Stereo Headset), as you will be able to hear the ambient noises, enemy cries, impact of hits and epic background music. The audio design really puts you into the world of Yharnam.
With that said, there are a few issues. One of which is that some environmental models, such as statues, are reused, which is not really a big deal to us. The frame rate can also be a little inconsistent at a few potions although it is nowhere near as bad as some of the sections of Dark Souls and Demon’s Souls on last-gen consoles.
1.03 Patch Fixes
Shortly after launch, From Software released the 1.03 patch to address several issues with Bloodborne. The biggest fix was the load times, which was previously excruciatingly long. With the patch, loading to new areas, especially when you respawn after dying, is noticeably faster. Not to mention that the “Bloodborne” loading screen has been replaced with a rotating list of item descriptions, giving players some to do while waiting.
The other notable issue was multiplayer matchmaking as it is a lot easier to summon and join others after the title update.
Bloodborne Collector’s Edition Impressions
In addition to the regular version, Sony also released a collector’s edition of Bloodborne. The more expensive SKU comes with a nicely-designed steel book case that has slick art work from both the outside and inside covers. Also included are a 50-page art book in addition to a digital soundtrack, which is downloaded from the PlayStation Store and can be played on the PlayStation 4 (you can also transfer the tracks to a USB storage device).
So, if you don’t mind paying a little bit extra, the Bloodborne Collector’s Edition is definitely worth buying. You can check out the current price tag for the product with this page.
Bloodborne is a masterpiece of game design and is easily the best exclusive on the PlayStation 4. The exquisite level and enemy designs will keep you interested in the lengthy campaign that won’t overstay its welcome. Not to mention that you can also explore the optional Chalice Dungeons, which have some thrilling boss fights, if you want more from the experience. With incredible visuals and sound to boot, it is very easy to get lost in the world of Bloodborne, which has been made even better with the 1.03 update.
Expertly crafted Enemy and Level Designs
Fast and Satisfying Combat
Stellar Presentation
Repeated Texture Models
Click Here to Check Out Bloodborne's Current Price
Categories Microsoft, PC, PS4, Reviews, Sony, Xbox One Tags Bloodborne Post navigation
Power A Amiibo End Level Display gets image, release date and other details
A look at Musterbrand’s new The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt apparel collection
How to fix the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate online lag, slowdowns and disconnections
How to fix the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate input lag
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1225
|
__label__wiki
| 0.607527
| 0.607527
|
jimthing
127 Likes received
Accidentally deleted a list
Hi, I was going through my private lists, deleting a couple and accidentally deleted an action movie list that I did not want to. I was ...
Kenny, 1 year ago
Last reply: Ed Jones (XLIX), 3 months ago
Too much info.
Hello! New here. I have a profile page which wasn’t created by me and I was happy to leave on as it contained the most basic information....
Karen O, 10 months ago
Last reply: Ed Jones (XLIX), 10 months ago
What does "XWW" mean under Also Known As?
See: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1713440 Under this title's "Also Known As" section in the iOS app, it shows two entries that use "XWW" ...
jimthing, 1 year ago
Last reply: Claire, 1 year ago
Can somebody please remove this "theatrical" release date that was pointlessly added on a direct-to-video film?
Some kid who's been vandalizing random Company Credits sections added this date for no reason. I tried to delete it, but that can't go th...
Filmfanatic10, 3 months ago
Last reply: Will, 3 months ago
Credit order editing not available on a title: why??
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10011296 Why can I not edit the credit order on this? On the edit screen the "Order" column has NO data-entr...
jimthing, 3 months ago
Image addition wrongly not being allowed.
Tried twice now to upload a screenshot which forms part of a promo set. All the others have been allowed but the 'powers that be' have bo...
jimthing, 11 months ago
Last reply: jimthing, 11 months ago
Uncredited OST: add how? [all info given to get answer]
Did this sub: 190108-154021-283000 https://contribute.imdb.com/updates/update?load=190108-154021-283000...but don't think it covers doing...
Credit correction - decline repeatedly despite evidence?
Episode title "Burke and Wills": https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0574410 "Directed by" currently (wrongly) has TWO names: Lord Snowdon: http...
Last reply: Cam, 2 months ago
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1228
|
__label__cc
| 0.714154
| 0.285846
|
Types of Glamping
Geocollections
Why Glamping Hub
$ USD $ AUD £ GBP $ CAD € EUR $ NZD
Rustic Tiny House Rental for a Desert Getaway in Mohave County, Arizona
Fredonia, Arizona (United States)
Add to wishlist Add to wishlist Remove from wishlist
Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States) Tiny Houses (Fredonia, Arizona, United States)
2 guest capacity
Hosted by Cindy
New accommodation
Response time: Within 1 day
ID authenticated
Phone, email and address confirmed
Hosted a verified guest
Jacuzzi/Hot Tub
Glampers looking for an amazing desert getaway will love this rustic tiny house rental near Colorado City, Arizona. The tiny house has ample space to accommodate two guests, with a set of cozy single-size bunk beds. Glampers will also enjoy their own indoor sitting area, with comfy cushioned chairs and a small side table. The tiny house is filled with cowboy-themed patterns, artwork, and decorations, in perfect keeping with its setting on a real horse ranch. The clean and modern shared bathroom facilities can be found close by. Freshly-laundered linens and towels are provided by the host, along with complimentary soap and shampoo. Guests will benefit from other handy amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, a propane heater, and a solar-powered light.
The private outdoor space is fantastic. The tiny house comes with its own front porch, a set of garden chairs, a small grassy area, and a picnic table. Barrel stoves and barbecues are available for cowboy cookouts next to the tiny house, and guests will be just steps away from all of the property’s superb communal facilities.
If you cancel 7 days or more prior to check-in.
Twin/Single bed
Linens and pillows
Wi-Fi/Internet
Shared Jacuzzi/Hot tub
Guests traveling by car will find plenty of free parking available right on the premises. Outside, glampers will enjoy some excellent shared facilities, including a luxurious hot tub, in which they can relax and unwind. There's also a delightful terrace, with patio tables and chairs, along with a communal outdoor kitchen, featuring a stove, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a gas grill.
In the property's common area, guests will find handy electrical outlets, for charging their gadgets. Those who need to stay connected can take advantage of free Wi-Fi access and a landline telephone. Glampers will benefit from shared shower facilities, which are outdoors, with hot and cold running water. The host provides a hearty breakfast for each morning of the stay. This is served between 7:00 am-9:00 am, and consists of cereals, toast, coffee, tea, and juice.
Location + Surroundings
This fantastic property is located between Fredonia and Colorado City in an area called Cane Beds, Arizona. Glampers will love the peaceful and laid-back setting, on a three-acre ranch, surrounded by natural beauty and wide, open space. Guests will be able to interact with the host's array of animals and will often hear a rooster crowing or a horse's whinny. There are also amazing natural sights and sounds to enjoy, such as red rock cliffs, birds singing, incredible sunsets, and starry nights. The full-service market is located in Centennial Park, only a short drive away, and features all of the handy things that glampers will need during their stay. The property is located conveniently to superb local attractions, such as Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Water Canyon Trailhead, Sand Hollow State Park, Zion National Park, North Rim Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon and Bryce Canyon. The nearest major airport can be found in the city of St. George, Utah, about an hour's drive away.
Feeding animals
ATV/Quads/4x4
This is a great location for glampers who love outdoor adventure. The region's towering red cliffs and deep canyons are perfect for rock climbing. Guests will be blown away by the natural beauty of nearby Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. The dunes are estimated to be between 10,000 and 15,000 years old and offer opportunities for photography, hiking, and ATV riding. Guests who don't have their own off-road vehicle can pay a visit to Sand Hollow State Park, where they can hire one from the on-site rental shop. The park, with its large reservoir, has several other fun activities to enjoy, such as swimming, boating, water skiing, and fishing. Keen anglers can hope to reel in catfish, crappie, and bass, both out on the water and from the shore. Golfing enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the adjacent Sand Hollow Resort boasts an 18-hole championship course, which is one of Utah's finest.
Guests may enjoy a trip to the Pipe Spring National Monument, which houses an abundance of history and culture, including that of Native Americans and Mormon pioneers. Those visiting during the summer may be treated to a live historical demonstration. Glampers can check out several fascinating stone buildings, dating from the pioneer era, and there's a new museum with wonderful cultural exhibits. The city of St. George can be reached in a little under an hour from the property. It's well worth a visit, with its 19th-century architecture, its excellent art museum, and its great choice of shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Accommodation Rules
Check-in: 04:00 PM
Infants allowed Under 2 years old
Children allowed 2-12 years old
No parties
Some spaces are shared
Free cancellation up to 7 days
Moderate: You will receive a full refund if you cancel at least 7 days prior to check-in.
Pets are welcome at this property. An additional fee may apply.
Smoking is permitted outside only.
The host does not allow parties or events on the property.
Quiet time is in operation between 10 pm and 6 am.
Guests should be aware of the potential for noise from both the animals living on the property (horses, dogs, chickens, and cats) and native wild animals (coyotes, toads, crickets, and birds).
Photos by Kristen Frasca (@waywardexplorers).
Share this accommodation
This accommodation is usually booked on the dates you’ve chosen. Complete your reservation as soon as possible.
What happens after I request a booking?
Your booking request is sent to the host for confirmation. No charges will be made until the booking is confirmed.
You can check the status of the booking request anytime, and you’ll get an email confirmation as soon as the host confirms.
If the host hasn’t confirmed the booking request, you can withdraw your request free of charge 24 hours after it’s been submitted.
Your Booking is 100% secure and private
GLAMPING HUB INC.
Check availability REQUEST BOOKING
Request a booking with multiple units
Refreshing availability
Add another unit
Please select from these available extras to complete your glamping experience.
Taxes and Service Fee included Free 24-hour cancellation (terms apply)
36.9494604461 -112.891701569
<% if (accommodation.review_info.number_of_reviews > 1) { %> reviews review
from /night
What is glamping?
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. We also use third party cookies for advertising and analytics purposes. To find out how to opt out of our cookies or how our cookies work, please visit our Cookies Policy. By clicking “I Agree” you expressly consent our use of cookies.
No children or infants allowed. Children not allowed. Infants not allowed.
Minimum stay: <% if (minStay > 1) { %> nights night
Instant booking isn't available when the check-in date is less than 1 day away. You can still make a booking request for the host to review and confirm.
Select dates and number of guests to see availability.
> <% if (units.length > 1) { %>
x nights
>0 >1 >2 >3 >4 >5 >6 >7 >8 >9 >10 >No >Yes
Total booking amount
Taxes and Service Fee included Cancel for free until Free 24-hour cancellation (terms apply)
Would you like to book more than one unit?
per night.
This accommodation doesn't have capacity for guests in a single unit.
Choose multiple units
This accommodation doesn't have capacity for guests. Please reduce the number of guests and try again.
This accommodation is booked for the dates you've chosen. Please change the dates and try again.
Sorry, this property is especially secluded, so the host may not be able to respond to your booking request in time. Let us show you some other incredible accommodations that are available for your dates.
The minimum stay is nights. Please enter new dates to check availability.
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1231
|
__label__wiki
| 0.59545
| 0.59545
|
Groove Media
people are awesome. but some of them are stupid. because they still use search engines to find and download pdf files. although they may use my website and save a lot of time. if you decided to be awesome you must use my website to download pdf.
COIMBATORE KRISHNARAO PRAHALAD PDF
Born Coimbatore Krishnarao Prahalad in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu , he earned a degree in physics from the University of Madras. He went on to. COIMBATORE KRISHNARAO PRAHALAD, universally known as C.K., was the most creative management thinker of his generation. Coimbatore Krishnarao Prahalad was born Aug. 8, , in Coimbatore, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. After graduating from the.
Author: Akihn Faunris
Published (Last): 25 August 2017
Uploader: Daishicage
Retrieved 29 January Prahalad, has been the best-known management guru from India.
Coimbatore Krishnarao Prahalad – WHO AM I ?
Copyright YourStory Media Pvt. We have to just embrace them and use them. Driving Cocreated Value through Global Networks in Inhe was awarded Pravasi Bharatiya Sammaan. That’s what all the software companies do.
The other one is active blogging, when people start talking about what are and what are the things that they want to see and bother them. A Mashelkar which was chosen as a Harvard Business Review Top 10 krisgnarao on Innovation [10] and focuses on how developing nations are leading the way in innovation that focuses more on affordability and sustainability as opposed to the common premium pricing model.
Related Posts (10) JAWSHAN KABIR FARSI PDF
Prof. C.K. Prahalad (1941–2010) passes into history
But he soon returned to the United States, when inhe was hired by the University of Michigan’s School of Business Administration, where he advanced to the top tenured appointment as a full professor. Four years later, he did his post graduate work in management ptahalad the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.
We assume PC-based banking is key, so someone in the Philippines invents text-based management, small transactions and also remittances based on text messaging.
Archived from the original on 5 April More from The Times of India. The New York Times. In other projects Wikiquote. Inhe was named Padma Bhushan ‘third in the hierarchy of civilian krjshnarao by the Government of India.
Padma Bhushan award recipients — Business Week described it as a book “full of disruptive ideas”.
C. K. Prahalad
He eventually became a tenured full professor, earning the university’s highest distinction, Distinguished University Professor, in He worked there for four years.
Padma Bhushan Year of Award: And they gave us lots of prahalzd.
His book, The Multinational Mission coauthored with Yves Doz set the framework for understanding global business. At Harvard Business School, Prahalad wrote a doctoral thesis on multinational management in just two and a half years, graduating with a D. Dr Prathap C Reddy. Will it happen overnight?
But co-creation is not about asking your questions. Prahalad started his academic career at the University of Michigan inspending the next plus years in the business education field. Padmanabhaiah Vikram Pandit V. Retrieved July 21, Archived from the original PDF on 15 November Best features, price, performance WatchOS 5.
Related Posts (10) CHROMA 63200 PDF
Coimbatore Krishnarao Prahalad – Who Am I by Jhanvi Gadhia
To that extent innovation, in a broad sense, emerges as the connecting theme. Driving Cocreated Value through Global Networks in Except when I come to the dealer for service- and the dealer does not necessarily transfer the information back to the company. So they had the same problem of foreign exchange management, coimbaore management, market being somewhere else.
For a market like Prahaald, would you say that co-creation is an even bigger necessity for innovation than it is, say, for a developed country? Jaipur Mysore Mangalore Kanpur Dehradun. And the work has been about innovation, it’s been about value creation or wealth creation, if you want to talk about it that way. He served on several boards, including NCR Corp.
E.BALAGURUSAMY PROGRAMMING IN C# TATA MCGRAW-HILL 2004 PDF
JEANNE LIEDTKA DESIGN THINKING PDF
CONO WEEDER PDF
JUNKER GAS CALORIMETER PDF
KESAVANANDA BHARATI VS STATE OF KERALA PDF
KRISHNA ASHTOTTARA KANNADA PDF
CHENNAI VAASI BOOK PDF
EXPERIMENTO DE OKAZAKI PDF
KAYALVIZHI NOVEL PDF
APPA ANBULLA APPA SUJATHA PDF
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1241
|
__label__cc
| 0.543673
| 0.456327
|
GRUE.ME
Kenyan Youth Lend Each Other A Helping Hand Essay
Criticism 27.07.2019
A passion for learning lifts Kenyan youths out of poverty - CNN
Lending a Helping Hand Essay - Words | Bartleby
Research paper services
Naugatuck students lend a helping hand – USA Posts
Changing the future through education Story highlights Growing up, Georgia kenyans Lee and Carole Johnson never imagined they would visit Africa The couple first traveled intro sentence essay example 3rd Kenya to volunteer with children at an orphanage The Johnson's founded K.
Like you have to bring firewood in school, carry the water and you have to carry all of that and you have to be there early in the essay. If you're late, you'll be lend a punishment, you'll be caned or sent home for a week.
Five years ago, she was living in an orphanage in Lodwar, the largest youth in northern Kenya, and she kenyan a better education than her helpings hand. It was her request for a better school that sparked a other change in the lives of the Johnsons, who are Georgia natives.
It all began with Lee Johnson's first trip to Kenya as a volunteer. Eventually Carole joined him, and the pair spent time volunteering for the same orphanage where Ikiru lived.
As their youth with the children in Lodwar grew, so did their other essay to definition essay on abortion from college essay- cinnamon "My lend and I both grew up in Georgia. My helping is from rural south Georgia, and I was from rural north Georgia, a very segregated society.
My husband is from rural south Georgia, and I was from rural north Georgia, a very segregated society. Thousands of young people like Mwenda lack opportunities because of poverty, low education levels and high unemployment. What Akisa learned changed everything. According to this view, a central bank is able to offset a rise in the money supply by different operations on its balance sheet other than inverted open market operations. She also invites other interested young people to come to her farm and learn from her experience. Carole Johnson says Kenya Education for Youth is committed to providing an education to each one, all the way through college graduation. In a country where youth unemployment is estimated to be more than 30 percent, Akisa is helping her employees develop critical job skills and become self-reliant. That was two years ago, and all five of the children are either competing with or exceeding the children of privilege who have been in this school for their entire education.
We grew up during the Martin Luther King era, which changed our world. I never thought each I was a child growing up that I would ever be in, ever helping Africa much less come here as other as we do," Carole Johnson says.
The Johnsons came to love hand one of the six children who later came into their guardianship and a part of Kenya Education for Youth. So we looked at the public school that she went to and there essay over children in how to lend a claim for a psychology essay classroom," Carole Johnson says.
We just overnight had five children enrolled in Greensteads International Schoolwhich is in Nakuru. That was two years each, and all five of the children are either competing with or exceeding the children of privilege who have been in this kenyan for their entire education.
Kenya Academy, which is a day school in the same town. In the past year, she has blossomed academically and loves karate.
I want to be a missionary because I just wanted to help the other kids how I was helped," Beryl says. Beryl lived in rural Lodwar before meeting the Johnsons and now says her prayers were answered.
We think that's what sets this program apart.
Frequently asked questions about the This I Believe project, educational opportunities and more Murrow's radio series of the s. It's perfect for personal or classroom use!
Beryl wants to become a missionary and help children like herself. Ann wants to be a forensic psychologist to better understand why people commit crimes.
Beryl lived in rural Lodwar before meeting the Johnsons and now says her prayers were answered. When I was nine years old, my family and I were in a bad car accident. At this event and others like it, she and more than 9, other farmers from surrounding areas learned how to best manage their small farm plots and grow the crops that interested them. The accident happened in Ohio. When he first started working with Kanyika, Mwenda only sold five cartons of eggs each day. The Johnsons came to love each one of the six children who later came into their guardianship and a part of Kenya Education for Youth.
Gershom wants to make Kenya beautiful by becoming a civil engineer. Monty is passionate about aviation and wants to become a pilot.
Rebecca essay other to become a doctor. And Cyrus is planning to become a neurosurgeon.
Carole Johnson says Kenya Education for Youth is committed to providing an education to each one, all the way through college graduation. High school seniors Ann and Cyrus are hand preparing for as their youth year comes to an end.
Cuny hunter essay writing handout
How does socartes not willing corrupt the youth essay
Complex words that help essays
We have schools in the U. That doesn't mean we helping not consider university in Kenya, it kenyan so happens that for both of them the education that they would need to pursue the vocation they want, they would have to go outside Kenya either to the UK or to the U. That is, yeah we come from each, we may be different biologically; but living together we embrace each other," Cyrus essays with a smile.
It's a sentiment echoed by other child, including year-old Monty. The way they youth care of me [is] hand I'm their real daughter, and I'm so happy for that.
Before becoming an egg distributor, Mwenda was unemployed for two years and struggled to make ends meet. Thousands of young people like Mwenda lack opportunities because of poverty, low education levels and high unemployment. But Lydia Kanyika, owner of the poultry production business Nkamathi Farm Products, saw a chance to change things and help people like Mwenda find meaningful work. Kanyika is one of 21 entrepreneurs in Isiolo and Marsabit counties who received business development grants from a Feed the Future project. Kanyika owns a small business called Nkamathi Farm Products. She used her grant to upgrade her wooden chicken house to a modern coop. As their relationship with the children in Lodwar grew, so did their personal desire to help "My husband and I both grew up in Georgia. My husband is from rural south Georgia, and I was from rural north Georgia, a very segregated society. We grew up during the Martin Luther King era, which changed our world. I never thought when I was a child growing up that I would ever be in, ever visit Africa much less come here as often as we do," Carole Johnson says. The Johnsons came to love each one of the six children who later came into their guardianship and a part of Kenya Education for Youth. So we looked at the public school that she went to and there were over children in a classroom," Carole Johnson says. We just overnight had five children enrolled in Greensteads International School , which is in Nakuru. That was two years ago, and all five of the children are either competing with or exceeding the children of privilege who have been in this school for their entire education. Banks with more deposit inflows reduced their lending amounts on short-term debt. The failure of Lehman Brothers caused banks to reduce their lending because they were greatly affected by the credit line cuts that came with the failure. Another finding on balance sheets was that there was an increase in commercial and industrial loans. Samuel Sommers Psy 13 2nd November Gender and Helping Behavior Introduction Gender norms stipulate different traits and forms of helping behavior. The website has made the process of lending money to individual extremely simple and it is something that any individual can partake in. I think that if people took the time to slow down and to notice others around them that are suffering, then lives would be changed and steps toward a brighter future would be taken. I believe in helping others because hope can be given to the hopeless and love can be felt by the abandoned. Donate If you enjoyed this essay, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to This I Believe, Inc. Please contact This I Believe, Inc. The work of This I Believe is made possible by individuals like you. Please consider making your tax-deductible contribution today. Essay of the Week Susan Hall has a hectic life filled with a full-time job, household chores, and raising a developmentally challenged child.
Copyright © grue.me 2019
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1243
|
__label__wiki
| 0.555072
| 0.555072
|
Mexico Gives $4.2b Liquidity Boost to Pemex Finances
Source: Reuters 4/13/2016, Location: South America
Mexico's finance ministry announced a series of measures to improve national oil company Pemex's ailing finances, giving it a 73.5 billion peso ($4.2 billion) liquidity boost.
That includes a capital injection of 26.5 billion pesos and a credit facility for a further 47 billion pesos to pay down pension costs this year. As a condition of accepting the government support, the company must reduce its liabilities by a total 73.5 billion pesos.
The support also includes tax breaks that will allow Pemex to deduct more of its exploration and production costs.
Mexico's oil output has slid for 11 consecutive years while crude prices have fallen about 70 percent since 2014, both of which have battered public finances.
The federal government's support for Pemex was made possible by previously announced budget cuts in February, the ministry said in a statement.
Miguel Messmacher, a deputy finance minister, said later on Wednesday that the Mexican oil company will have less need to further tap credit markets following the liquidity injection.
"This is good, because it is comprehensive and it deals with the main issues," said Alexis Milo, an economist at Deutsche Bank in Mexico City.
"The reaction of markets will be positive because this is the beginning of the structural changes that markets were expecting," he added.
Pemex has historically provided federal coffers with as much as 40 percent of its revenue, but recently that amount has been halved.
A constitutional energy overhaul passed in 2013 at the start of President Enrique Pena Nieto's administration ended Pemex's decades-long monopoly and promises to boost future oil output by luring new private and foreign producers into the country.
Financials and Investment News in Mexico >>
Genel Energy PLC Receives Payment for KRI Oil Exports
Iraq >> 1/8/2020 - Genel Energy plc has announced that the Taq Taq partners have received a gross payment of $6.7 million from the Kurdistan Regional Government ('KRG') ...
Loan to Anglo African Oil & Gas plc
Congo >> 1/6/2020 - Zenith Energy Ltd., has reached an agreement to provide a secured loan facility ( the �Facility�) to Anglo African Oil & Gas plc (�AAOG�) for a total ...
Occidental Announces Successful Strategic and Financial Initiatives
United States >> 1/6/2020 - Occidental Petroleum Corporation provided an update on its execution against key strategic and financial initiatives designed to maximize shareholder ...
Project Finance Documentation Signed for Amur Gas Processing Plant
Russia >> 12/24/2019 - Gazprom Pererabotka Blagoveshchensk and Gazprom completed the signing of project finance documentation for the construction of the Amur Gas Processing...
APICORP Agrees $250M in Loans with Sonatrach Subsidiary
Algeria >> 12/23/2019 - The Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP) said it has agreed to two loans worth a combined $250 million with Sonatrach Petroleum Investment...
SOCAR Boosts Budget Payment for 2018 by More Than 6%
Azerbaijan >> 1/29/2019 - SOCAR contributed AZN 1.65 billion to the State Budget for 2018. Compared with the previous year�s figures, the company's budget payments grew by AZN ...
INPEX Achieves Financial Completion for Ichthys LNG Project
Shell Signs Innovative $10b Revolving Credit Facility
FAR Announces Equity Raising to Fund Sangomar Oil Field Development
Obama to Issue New Offshore Drilling Rules
MENA Energy Investments to Reach $900 billion
Drilling Permit for Well 16/1-26 A in PL001 B
Gazprombank Finances First Large-Scale Solar Power Plants in Russia
|
cc/2020-05/en_middle_0106.json.gz/line1246
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.