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Version of section 35 from 2012-12-14 to 2019-07-29:
Marginal note:Regulations — Minister of Transport
35 (1) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport, make regulations
(a) [Repealed, 2001, c. 29, s. 72]
(b) respecting the issuance, amendment, suspension, reinstatement, cancellation or renewal of Canadian maritime documents;
(c) [Repealed, 2001, c. 29, s. 72]
(d) implementing, in whole or in part, an international convention, protocol or resolution that is listed in Schedule 1, as amended from time to time, including regulations
(i) implementing it in respect of persons, vessels or oil handling facilities to which it does not apply,
(ii) establishing stricter standards than it sets out, or
(iii) establishing additional or complementary standards to those it sets out if the Governor in Council is satisfied that the additional or complementary standards meet the objectives of the convention, protocol or resolution;
(e) respecting record keeping, information management and reporting for the purposes of this Part or Part 2 (Registration, Listing and Recording), 3 (Personnel), 4 (Safety), 6 (Incidents, Accidents and Casualties), 7 (Wreck), 8 (Pollution Prevention and Response — Department of Transport and Department of Fisheries and Oceans) to the extent that the Minister of Transport is responsible for that Part, 9 (Pollution Prevention — Department of Transport), 10 (Pleasure Craft) or 11 (Enforcement — Department of Transport) or the regulations made under subsection 136(1);
(f) respecting the form and manner of giving notice under this Part or Part 2 (Registration, Listing and Recording), 3 (Personnel), 4 (Safety), 7 (Wreck), 8 (Pollution Prevention and Response — Department of Transport and Department of Fisheries and Oceans) to the extent that the Minister of Transport is responsible for that Part, 9 (Pollution Prevention — Department of Transport), 10 (Pleasure Craft) or 11 (Enforcement — Department of Transport) or the regulations made under subsection 136(1);
(g) respecting the setting and payment of fees for services provided in the administration of this Part or Part 2 (Registration, Listing and Recording), 3 (Personnel), 4 (Safety), 6 (Incidents, Accidents and Casualties), 7 (Wreck) other than section 163, 8 (Pollution Prevention and Response — Department of Transport and Department of Fisheries and Oceans) to the extent that the Minister of Transport is responsible for that Part, 9 (Pollution Prevention — Department of Transport), 10 (Pleasure Craft) or 11 (Enforcement — Department of Transport) or the regulations made under any of those Parts or under subsection 136(1);
(h) specifying the services for the purposes of paragraph 36.1(1)(d); and
(i) specifying the services to which section 36.1 does not apply or the circumstances in which that section does not apply.
Marginal note:Aircraft
(2) For greater certainty, regulations made under paragraph (1)(d) in respect of preventing collisions may apply to aircraft on or over Canadian waters.
Marginal note:Regulations — Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
(3) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, make regulations
(a) implementing, in whole or in part, an international convention, protocol or resolution that is listed in Schedule 2, as amended from time to time, including regulations
(i) implementing it in respect of persons or vessels to which it does not apply,
(b) respecting record keeping, information management and reporting for the purposes of Part 5 (Navigation Services) or 8 (Pollution Prevention and Response — Department of Transport and Department of Fisheries and Oceans), to the extent that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is responsible for those Parts;
(c) respecting the form and manner of giving notice under Part 5 (Navigation Services) or 8 (Pollution Prevention and Response — Department of Transport and Department of Fisheries and Oceans), to the extent that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is responsible for those Parts; and
(d) respecting the setting and payment of fees for services provided in the administration of
(i) Part 5 (Navigation Services) or 8 (Pollution Prevention and Response — Department of Transport and Department of Fisheries and Oceans), to the extent that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is responsible for those Parts, or
(ii) regulations made under subsection 136(2).
2001, c. 26, s. 35, c. 29, s. 72
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More infighting among Dems: Guess who’s arguing over Hillary and Bernie now
By Deneen Borelli August 2, 2015
It looks like the previously reported disconnect between the labor union leadership and its members over 2016 presidential endorsements continues, and their conflicts may be larger than we thought.
The Washington Examiner reports:
Sen. Bernie Sanders is drumming up increasing support from the rank and file of the labor movement — and that is causing turmoil for top union leaders who fear the 73-year-old avowed socialist is a bad bet for the general election. But front-running candidate Hillary Clinton’s refusal to take more explicitly pro-union positions, especially on trade, have made it difficult for the leaders to keep a lid on the grassroots discontent.
A top source at one of the coalitions inside the AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest labor federation, who did not want to be identified, said Sanders, I-Vt., was by far generating the most excitement among his group’s rank and file. The members are excited by both his rhetoric and the fact that he has a long history of supporting union causes, a record Clinton cannot match.
Sanders’ support was so strong that when the AFL-CIO executive council met last week in the hopes of making an early presidential endorsement, its political subcommittee declined to make a recommendation, the source said.
Bernie Sanders is working hard to rally grassroots support behind his socialist agenda: He recently hosted an event that was streamed to viewers in all 50 states.
However, it’s important to keep the enthusiasm surrounding his campaign in perspective. The latest Quinnipiac poll still declares Hillary Clinton the uncontested frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, with 55% to Sanders’s 17%.
Cross-posted at DeneenBorelli.com
Posted in: PoliticsTagged: bernie sanders, elections, Hillary, Hillary Clinton, poll, video
Deneen Borelli is Outreach Director for FreedomWorks, a grassroots organization dedicated to limited government. She is a contributor at Fox News and has written for The Blaze, The Daily Caller, Los Angeles Times, and dozens of other publications. She is the author of the book ”Blacklash: How Obama and the Left are Driving Americans to the Government Plantation.”
Cartoon of the Day: Iran nuke fix
Study: ‘Gig’ economy puts 2 million Americans to work, accounts for 30% of all new jobs
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To Russia, with love: These liberal American journalists are all on Putin’s payroll
By LU Staff March 3, 2017
Eight days after the 2016 presidential election, Douglas Schoen — President Bill Clinton’s past pollster and advisor — charged that former defense intelligence chief Michael Flynn was “dangerously pro-Russian” because he participated in the tenth anniversary celebration of RT, the Russian state-owned television network formerly known as Russia Today.
Now a few weeks after Flynn resigned as Donald Trump’s national security advisor, Attorney General Jeff Sessions faces resignation demands from congressional Democrats making similar charges based on two meetings he held in 2016 with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.
Sessions recused himself Thursday from official investigations of alleged Russian meddling in the U.S. election.
But the Daily Caller News Foundation Investigative Group has learned that a great many liberal American political activists and journalists have much more than occasional meetings with RT. Many of them in fact draw regular paychecks from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s flagship TV network.
It’s rarely reported in the U.S. news media, but many of the liberal activists and journalists who participate in RT programming openly bash the United States and defend Russia.
The American “star” at the Dec. 10, 2015, RT celebration was Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein. Speaking on a panel titled “Frenemies,” which challenged the view that Russia was an “enemy state,” Stein condemned “this very simplistic defense of who is our friend and who is our enemy is counterproductive.” RT also was the sole television sponsor of the Green Party event that chose Stein as the party’s 2016 standard-bearer.
Besides Stein, other American participants included Max Blumenthal — son of Sid Blumenthal, who worked with 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Legendary TV host and celebrity interviewer Larry King also broadcast his shows on RT.
Max Blumenthal — a virulent opponent of Israel and U.S. foreign policy — charged Israeli leaders with “war crimes” and publicly praised the Iranian-backed terrorist outfit Hamas for its deadly attacks on Israel. Blumenthal praised RT for its coverage of Moscow’s role in Syria, telling conference participants, “I think RT was trying to do was to introduce an alternative narrative on the drive to war on Syria.”
Before Blumenthal spoke, an RT-produced video charged that “there are reports ISIS was trained by U.S. instructors in a secret base in Jordan to prepare to fight [Syrian President] Assad as ‘rebels.’” No one on the panel challenged the assertion.
Other Americans who spoke at the RT conference included two disaffected CIA analysts, the former mayor of Salt Lake City, who opposed the war in Iraq, an American professor who opposed dropping atomic bombs on Japan to end World War II, and a Christian Science Monitor reporter who denounced Western “disinformation” campaigns against Putin.
Also speaking at the conference was WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who appeared via video from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.
RT may be seeking credibility and legitimacy by recruiting American hosts. A year ago, RT hired former MSNBC anchor Ed Schultz as a prime-time host, reporter and political analyst.
Tyrel Ventura, daughter of former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (who also has a show on RT) and Sean Stone, son of left-wing filmmaker Oliver Stone, are co-hosts of RT’s “Watching the Hawks.”
Chris Hedges, a 15-year New York Times veteran reporter, hosts an RT show called “On Contact.” Hedges is highly critical of American foreign policy, even claiming ISIS is simply mimicking Israel’s founding fathers.
Thom Hartmann, a self-described “progressive” syndicate talk show host, heads up RT’s “The Big Picture” program.
Mike Papantonio served on the board of directors of Minnesota Democrat Sen. Al Franken’s short-lived talk radio network, “Air America.” Today, he hosts RT’s “America’s Lawyer.”
Huffington Post writer Matt Keiser hosts RT’s “Keiser Report,” which covers business.
Larry King’s RT shows are “Larry King Now” and “Politicking with Larry King.” Both are broadcast by RT under a licensing agreement with ORA TV. Jesse Ventura’s ORA show “Off the Grid” is on the RT network too.
ORA TV is a venture is jointly owned by King and Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim — who also is a major shareholder of the New York Times.
King has effusively praised Putin, saying, “I had an affinity with him. You try to get that with a lot of guests, but I really had it with him … he has qualities that have nothing to do with politics … they change a room.”
John Dickey, CEO of ORA TV, defended his partnership with RT, saying it was a “good fit” with his company.
“There’s a fit or else we wouldn’t be doing business with them and they wouldn’t be doing business with us,” Dickey told TheDCNF.
But Dickey quickly pointed to the “hypocrisy” of other news outlets like the liberal Washington Post and New York Times. The two newspapers regularly publish supplements called “Russia Beyond The Headlines.” The supplements are written by the Russian state-owned media company Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
“Those papers publicly, objectively and verifiably take advertising dollars from Russia, and they run inserts which to the average reader could be confused as editorial content or of content those papers support,” Dickey said.
Neither the Post nor the Times have disclosed the income they derive from publishing the Russian supplements.
RT also broadcasts a program from Russian media outlet Sputnik, which is hosted by former British Member of Parliament George Galloway and his wife.
Galloway became a pariah in the United Kingdom when he defended Saddam Hussein and publicly praised the deceased Iraqi dictator in a meeting. The RT host was later accused of raking in millions of dollars from the United Nation’s “Oil for Peace” program, charges he denied.
The British Labor Party had enough of Galloway when he urged British troops in the Middle East to “defy orders” in a 2003 Abu Dhabi TV program. He was expelled by the party for “bringing the party into disrepute.”
This report, by Richard Pollock, was cross-posted by arrangement with the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Posted in: Foreign Affairs, Media, PoliticsTagged: activism, Donald Trump, ISIS, liberal, Vladimir Putin
LU Staff
Promoting and defending liberty, as defined by the nation’s founders, requires both facts and philosophical thought, transcending all elements of our culture, from partisan politics to social issues, the workings of government, and entertainment and off-duty interests. Liberty Unyielding is committed to bringing together voices that will fuel the flame of liberty, with a dialogue that is lively and informative.
More fake news: CNN’s Don Lemon claims Loretta Lynch recused self during Clinton email probe
Authorities arrest culprit behind a number of the threats to bomb Jewish community centers
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Cash & Cline Show
Press Kit Cher
Press Kit Patsy
LISA IRION Tribute to Cher & Patsy Cline
Join the mailing list for the latest news!
* TRIBUTE TO CHER or TRIBUTE TO PATSY CLINE show
* LIVE BAND or RECORDED BACKING TRACKS
* VIDEO BACKDROP optional
* BEAUTIFUL COSTUME REPLICAS
* CORPORATE, PUBLIC, & PRIVATE EVENTS
Lisa is a seasoned character actress, with over 30 years experience in theater and as a world renowned tribute artist. In 2003, she launched her Tribute to Cher show, performing at casinos, corporate, private and public events across the USA and internationally. In 2006 and 2007, she received international tribute industry awards in Las Vegas, and has since been featured on shows in the USA and abroad, such as "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno", "Rachel Ray Show", Lifetime TV, and Great Britain's "Convention Crashers". She's been featured in publications such as "MORE Magazine", "The New York Times", Singapore's "Electric New Paper, and Washington D.C.'s "Wilson Quarterly".
In 2015, she debuted a 2 hour Tribute to Patsy Cline show to sellout audiences in Lafayette, LA. Soon after, she was offered the role of Patsy in a production of the musical, "Always, Patsy Cline", which sold out with standing room only for 3 weeks.
In 2018, Lisa debuted as Patsy Cline with acclaimed Johnny Cash tribute artist, Bennie Wheels in a new show called, THE CASH & CLINE SHOW, to full and sold out houses in the Fort Worth, Texas area.
Lisa resides in Lafayette, Louisiana with her husband, and has two adult children.
"She "brought the house down". What a superb performance...Her talent is amazing! Lisa has it all...the LOOKS, the VOICE, the MANNERISMS...she is just Exceptional. Best of all, is her ability to get the audience involved in the show, it makes audience participation an experience that becomes a most memorable event. Everyone just loved and enjoyed Lisa as Cher---the "TALK" goes ON and ON about the fun and excitement she gave to the night."
M. Langs - AMTRUST BANK
Florida Regional Office
"The show was Awesome. I want to see CASH AND CLINE again and again!!!!" - E. Leija
All contents on website copyrighted by Mary Lisa Irion.
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Tag: Batman games
“I’m Batman”, Part IV
…And we’re back.
Here at the final part of the Batman gaming retrospective. Let’s dive right into the next few Batman games, but I’m going to be tackling them slightly differently.
As we have 2 separate series coming up but both series with 3 games each. I’m going to do each series as a trilogy this time around.
First up we get a Batman game series from an unusual source.
Lego Batman: The Videogame, Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes and Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham: Released 2008, 2012 and 2014 respectively. Developed by Traveller’s Tales and Published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Available for iOS, Windows, Nintendo 3DS, OS X, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360m Xbox One and Wii U.
Who would have thought some of the best and most fun Batman games would come from LEGO? Well it’s true.
The LEGO games had already been around for a while with LEGO Star Wars and LEGO Indiana Jones, etc. So why not Batman too?
These games are infamous for their huge roster of characters, both heroes, villains and even vehicles each with their own special abilities. Explorable levels, humor, puzzles and overall just plain old fun gameplay.
Each one of the trilogy has been highly praised with favourable reviews for all 3 titles.
Seriously, if you’ve never played any of these games…go and do it now. Get all 3 as they are great fun.
With some very funny cutscenes and dialogue, plenty of replay value, 100’s of collectables and a great Co-Op mode. There’s so much crammed into each of these games it’s amazing. From 100’s of characters, to hidden extras and missions…including bringing back Adam West as Batman in a 1960’s Batman inspired mission.
They just remind me of old timey games when gaming used to be fun.
From the silliness and fun of LEGO we go into the next trilogy with a much more serious and darker tone.
Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City and Batman: Arkham Origins: With Asylum and City being developed by Rocksteady Studios while Origins was developed by Warner Bros. Games Montréal. All three games were published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and released in 2009, 2011 and 2013 respectively. Covering multiple formats including; Windows, PlayStation 3, Wii U and Xbox 360.
Said to be the defining Batman games and the one series that really makes you feel like you are Batman. Multi award winning, and selling millions upon millions of copies around the world. The Arkham series was actually a surprise hit when the first game was released.
No one was really expecting too much when Batman: Arkham Asylum was first announced and shown. But it became the big hit game of 2009 making Game Of The Year and winning various other gaming awards.
The Arkham series has gone on to massive critical acclaim from both gaming press and gamers. With rich and varied gameplay, a roster of great characters, unbelievably awesome combat that is easy to do but hard to master, collectables galore, in jokes and references to some of Batman’s illustrious life in the comics.
This series really is the pinnacle of the Batman games so far, and even though Origins is often thought of as being the bastard son of the franchise…it’s still a damn fine Batman game overall.
The series has always treated the comic book source and it’s fans with respect…yes even Origins.
The developers are clearly big Batman fans and stuff the games with plenty of references and things to find. As well as hiring comic book talent like veteran Batman writer, Paul Dini. Along with Batman voice actors from various projects like; Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill and Arleen Sorkin.
These games just ooze atmosphere and gameplay, as well as compelling and well told stories. Using Batman to the best of his abilities from free flowing combat, detective work and even stealth elements.
The Arkham series is highly praised and rightly so too. Again, just with the LEGO series, if you have not played these games yet, go get them now.
That just about wraps up my retrospective look at Batman in gaming. From the simplicity of the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 days, right up to modern day with the Playstation 4 and Xbox One.
Batman has been a part of gaming for almost as long as gaming has been around itself.
I know I didn’t cover every game and there are quite a few I missed out. But please, feel free to add some of your Batman gaming memories in the comments below.
Batman: Arkham Knight hits stores June 23rd 2015…be the Batman.
18/06/2015 18/06/2015 Steve PerrinArkham Asylum, Arkham Origins, Batman, Batman game series, Batman games, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Knight, Batman: Arkham Origins, iOS, LBoG: Retrospectives, Lego, Lego Batman, Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, Lego Batman: The Videogame, Little bits of gaming, Nintendo 3DS, OS X, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Rocksteady Studios, Wii U, Windows, Xbox 360m Xbox OneLeave a comment
“I’m Batman”, Part II
I’m still Batman.
Welcome back to part II of my retrospective look at the Batman games I grew up playing and even still play today.
We left off with one of the all time classic and best NES games, Batman: The Videogame, which was inspired by the Tim Burton film. But the NES game was not the last game based on the movie.
Batman: This one was an arcade only game released in 1990. Developed by Numega and published by Atari Games.
This was a simple scrolling beat em’ up and featured scenes based on the 1989 movie as well as stages where you use the Batmobile and Batwing. The game also used voices and images taken directly from the movie as well as featuring Danny Elfman’s amazing Batman score.
With you playing as Batman patrolling the streets of Gotham trying to stop The Joker.
The game was shallow and repetitive…but it was also good mindless fun. It’s an arcade game and designed to eat up your loose change.
For a scrolling beat em’ up, this was not a bad one at all. Not a great game, but it was good enough to warrant a play or several. Followed the film fairly closely too and was interspersed with scenes taken directly from the film.
As we leave Tim Burton’s Batman inspired games behind, Sunsoft just could not wait for the next film for their next Batman game.
Batman: Return of the Joker: The sequel to the NES Batman game that was based on the 1989 film. But this sequel NES game released in 1991 was made before the official Batman Returns movie sequel. (confused yet?)
Again Developed and published by Sunsoft.
There were various versions of this game released on other formats that all slightly differed from version to version, but it’s only the NES one I played.
Joker escapes Arkham Asylum and you playing as Batman having to survive through several side scrolling levels set in and around Gotham City. Batman is only equipped with a “Batgun” that fires various, selectable projectiles.
I didn’t find this one as enjoyable as the previous NES Batman game, it just did not have the same feel. This one felt more like a scrolling shoot em’ up. It’s was not a bad game at all…just not as good as the previous one. Still as it was from Sunsoft, you can again expect some great music. Worth a look.
Next up we get an official game based on Tim Burton’s sequel film; Batman Returns.
Batman Returns: Again, there were various version of this title. But I’m going for the SNES version for this retrospective as it was really damn good. Released in 1993, developed and published by Konami for the SNES.
Batman Returns was a scrolling beat em’ up with some really great little touches to add a lot of depth to this fairly shallow genre. Massively redundant and mindless…but it was also an awesome and satisfying experience.
Based on the film of the same name from Tim Burton, the game followed the film really well with you playing as Batman having to save Gotham City from Catwoman and the Penguin. The game also featured a stage where you get to use the Batmobile.
Very well received at the time and still fondly remembered as a great title.
Simple in its style, but full of great little features and details. Like being able to grab 2 henchmen at once and smash their heads together (see above image), or being able to throw enemies into the background smashing windows and denting lampposts, etc. The game followed the film really well and was intercut with amazing cutscenes with written dialogue taken right from the film as well as using Danny Elfman’s infamous Batman score to great effect.
Another thing that I always remember is how you could save Selina Kyle in the game just like in the film…”you missed.”
Well worth playing through if you can.
I’m going to stick with the SNES for my next pick of Batman games, this time based on the animated TV series.
The Adventures of Batman & Robin: Was an action/platformer released in 1994 for the SNES. Developed and published by Konami and based on the critically acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series.
You to play as Batman with Robin only appearing in cutscenes. Each level was based on one of the main villains with a rogues gallery like; The Joker, Poison Ivy, The Penguin, Catwoman, Two-Face, The Scarecrow, The Riddler, Clayface and even Man-Bat. Each level had it’s own flavour and style based on each of the villains which in turn was based on an episode of the TV show itself.
A really great game. Dark, moody and well animated…just like the TV show it was based on. As each level had it’s own villain based aesthetic and style. The game brought a great mix of gameplay styles that offered plenty of variation from simple beat em’ up to head scratching puzzles.
Next I’m going to tackle one of the worst Batman games ever made.
Batman Forever: Was Released in 1995 for the SNES, Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear, Game Boy and PC. Developed by Probe Entertainment and published by Acclaim. Lets be honest, it does not matter which version I talk about as they were all really, really, really bad.
Based on the third film in the Batman series of the same name. This game has you playing as either Batman or Robin, or even Co-Op 2 player…if you can find anyone that would want to play this game.
This was a side scrolling beat em’ up with some of the worst controls ever made in a game. Sluggish combat inspired by Mortal Kombat, awkward gadget selection and usage. Even bad level design with little to no idea of where to go or what to do.
I really have nothing to say here. It’s a terrible game and should be avoided at all costs, not even worth playing just for curiosity sake.
Still, there was more from Batman Forever yet.
Batman Forever: The Arcade Game: Also based on the movie of the same name, but not the same game as the previous version. Developed by Iguana Entertainment, Published by Acclaim and released in 1996. This was an arcade game but later ported to the Sega Saturn, Windows and PlayStation.
This was another one of those redundant scrolling beat em’ ups, but unlike the last Batman Forever game. This one was actually pretty decent. It was another mindless button mashing game and allowed you to play Co-Op as Batman and Robin trying to stop The Riddler and Two-Face.
Decent action romp with a pretty good combo system allowing you to do a 150+ hit combo on one enemy if you knew how. Plenty of powerups, weapons and gadgets to use along the way.
It is an inane button masher, but it still has some playability value in there and it’s far, far, far better than that previous Batman Forever game.
Worth a quick look.
So ends part II, but I will return in part III with the next Batman game based on the next Batman film. Same Batwebsite…yeah, I already did that one eh?
17/06/2015 18/06/2015 Steve Perrinarcade game, Arcade games, Atari, Batman, Batman and Robin, Batman Forever, Batman Forever: The Arcade Game, Batman game, Batman games, Batman Returns, Batman: Return of the Joker, Game Boy, Game retrospectives, Konami, LBoG: Retrospectives, Little bits of gaming, NES, NES game, Nintendo, PC, PlayStation, retro gaming, Retro gaming blog, Sega Game Gear, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, SNES, The Adventures of Batman & Robin, Tim Burton, WindowsLeave a comment
What's In A Name? The Character Connections Between Tarantino Movies
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by LymeScience Editor | posted in: Document repository, Stories | 0
In 2020, French doctors told the story of a school teacher who developed life-threatening toxic epidermal necrolysis with large blisters, 35% skin detachment (even in the eye and throat), and respiratory failure.
This happened after a predator doctor diagnosed “chronic Lyme” and prescribed a cocktail of 6 drugs & homeopathy. Chronic Lyme is a system of health fraud that was invented in the United States and exported to the rest of the world.
Photos of damage to skin and eyes from Lyell Syndrome can be found here and on Wikipedia.
LymeScience created this translation from the original French, published in Le Quotidien du Médecin.
“Fake Lyme, real Lyell! When non-compliance with HAS recommendations leads a patient to intensive care… “
Doctors from the Reference Center for Bullous Diseases at CHU Henri-Mondor and from the Reference Center for Tick-borne Diseases at CHI Villeneuve-Saint-Georges report the case of a serious drug eruption that occurred in a patient who was treated unjustifiably with a combination of anti-infectives for suspected chronic Lyme. They deliver their analysis in this column, published in full on lequotidiendumedecin.fr.
CONTRIBUTION – In June 2018, the French National Authority for Health (Haute Autorité de Santé, or HAS) published recommendations for good practice in the management of Lyme borreliosis or Lyme disease. In particular, these recommendations define the symptoms/persistent syndrome after a possible tick bite (SPPT) and propose a standardized treatment based on specialized regional hospital centers that have established close relationships with local physicians. The aim is to respond to a major public health challenge, i.e. to fight against medical wandering, to reduce treatment delays and, above all, to avoid inappropriate drug prescriptions for patients who turn to the healthcare system for poorly explained polymorphic symptoms.
This article was written in response to the recent treatment in our hospital (reference center for serious drug eruptions) of a patient in her forties (the patient’s consent was obtained before publication of this article) for Lyell syndrome (or toxic epidermal necrolysis), a serious drug eruption characterised by extensive epidermal and mucous membrane detachment that can lead to death [1].
A cocktail of six anti-infective drugs
This woman, a school teacher, whose main history was an erythema migrans treated with doxycycline seven years previously (according to the recommendations in force at the time) and recurrent genital herpes, had for eight months presented mechanical joint pain, episodes of asthenia and ill-defined food intolerances. The diagnosis of late disseminated Lyme disease had been suspected and a broad combination of anti-infectives was prescribed approximately three weeks prior to admission, combining praziquantel [anti-worm], ivermectin [anti-parasite], cotrimoxazole [an antibiotic also known as sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim or Bactrim], fluconazole [an antifungal also known as Diflucan], rovamycin [an antibiotic and antiparasitic also known as Spiramycin], desloratadine [an antihistamine also known as Clarinex], as well as homeopathy.
Two weeks after the start of this treatment, the patient developed oral erosions with a febrile maculopapular exanthema. Extensive bullae led to the diagnosis of Lyell syndrome 48 hours later. Intrinsic accountability (timing) was used for cotrimoxazole, fluconazole and rovamycin, but extrinsic accountability (drug notoriety) tended to favour cotrimoxazole, a drug at high risk for Lyell syndrome [2,3].
Fifteen days of resuscitation for negative Lyme serology
The patient was hospitalized in dermatology and quickly transferred to intensive care for respiratory failure. The maximum skin detachment was 35% and was associated with extensive ocular, laryngeal, tracheobronchial and esophageal involvement. After 15 days of resuscitation and a total hospital stay of one month, the patient returned home with epidermal skin and healing mucosal erosions. Lyme disease serology (ELISA test) was negative for IgG and IgM.
One quarter of preventable drug eruptions
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Lyell Syndrome are drug-induced in 85% of cases: they are the most serious form of drug eruptions. Overall mortality in the acute phase is 15%, but can be as high as 40%. More than half of the patients suffer long-term ocular, cutaneous, and psychological sequelae, which have a significant impact on quality of life [4]. The majority of SJS/Lyell are induced by high-risk drugs, including cotrimoxazole [3]. However, a French study has shown that nearly 25% of cases are preventable because they are linked to inappropriate use of medication: inappropriate indication, relapse despite a history of allergy, or self-medication. Allopurinol and cotrimoxazole are at the top of the list of inappropriate indications [5]. For our patient, it was indeed the prescription of several drugs, including at least one considered high risk, for a suspicion of undocumented Borrelia infection, which occurred after seven years of symptom-free interval since the episode of erythema migrans, and not complying with the HAS recommendations, which led to the occurrence of Lyell syndrome.
Three-part test for Lyme disease
The diagnosis of active Lyme borreliosis is based on a three-part test:
– A clear exposure to tick bites: here proven since there is a history of erythema migrans,
– A compatible clinical presentation: here unlikely in the face of non-specific clinical signs and multiple joint pain of mechanical schedule, unlike Lyme joint borreliosis where in more than 90% of cases it is a monoarthritis. Moreover, the clinical signs occurred after several years of symptom-free interval after treatment of migrant erythema,
– A positive serology in ELISA confirmed by Western-Blot: here the serology was negative, which is very rare in late disseminated forms, apart from severely immunocompromised patients. It should be noted that even if the serology had been positive in our patient, as the clinical signs were not very suggestive, this diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis would have also remained uncertain. A positive serology is a marker of Borrelia encounter and antibody production, but not a marker of disease activity. The clinical signs are at the forefront.
A trial antibiotic course for 28 days
Furthermore, the treatment is based on national recommendations (HAS, 2018; and Scholarly Associations Consensus Conference, 2019 [6]), similar to those in Europe and internationally. The diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis is sometimes difficult, since it can mimic many other pathologies. This is why in case of strong diagnostic suspicion, despite an incomplete three-part test, the HAS recommendations recommend the use of a doxycycline antibiotic test for a maximum of 28 days. These recommendations nevertheless emphasize the following points:
Any test antibiotic therapy exceeding 28 days should only be prescribed in research protocols validated by a personal protection ethics committee.
If there is no improvement in symptoms at 3 weeks, the antibiotic therapy should not be renewed, given the risk of side effects estimated to be greater than the hypothetical benefits expected for the patient.
To date, no acquired resistance of Borrelia to antibiotics has been described and five randomized studies have shown the lack of superiority of antibiotic therapy lasting more than one month, the lack of benefit of drug combinations, as well as the potentially serious side effects to which patients could be exposed in case of prolonged antibiotic therapy.
Doxycycline, the most effective oral molecule
The two most effective molecules and therefore the most used for the treatment of Lyme borreliosis are doxycycline, orally, and ceftriaxone, intravenously. It should be noted that the patient did not receive either of these two molecules in her multiple combination therapy. Praziquantel and ivermectin are ineffective antiparasitic agents for Borrelia. Fluconazole is an antifungal agent ineffective on Borrelia, probably prescribed to avoid fungal infections secondary to the anti-infectives. Rovamycin is moderately effective on Borrelia and is a second-line treatment for severe allergies. Azithromycin, also of the macrolide family, is preferred, but with fewer side effects. Finally, cotrimoxazole is not recommended for Borrelia infections because it is not very effective and should only be used for documented infections and in the absence of other alternatives given the potentially serious side effects (see Vidal).
Finally, since ticks can transmit other pathogens (Anaplasma, Rickettsia, etc.), the hypothesis of co-infections (rare with Borrelia) or other tick-borne vector-borne diseases is routinely raised in the management of these patients, but here again, the clinical signs are telling, with often obvious biological signs. In case of trial antibiotic treatment, doxycycline is also the first choice.
Benefit/risk balance
In infectious pathology, as in medicine more generally, the treatment proposed to the patient must be based on a favorable balance between the expected benefits and the potential risks. While risks are fortunately rare but often unpredictable for many drugs, benefits must be established conscientiously and honestly with valid and reproducible scientific data, and must be constantly re-evaluated and updated in light of new data. This is the foundation of modern scientific, ideally evidence-based medicine. Scholarly societies and other regional, national and international medical institutions thus issue, following a consensus methodology, opinions based on defined levels of evidence with varying strengths of recommendations [7].
Failure to comply with these recommendations primarily involves patients, who are both the losers and the victims of a game of deception in which they are most often unknowingly confronted and without knowing the rules, as illustrated by this clinical case. Doubts about the best treatment to propose must always benefit the patient and be based on scientific data. The rule of “primum non nocere” (first do no harm) prevails. Therapeutic risks must be discussed honestly with the patient. The unknown must remain in the field of medical research, which places this uncertainty in a regulatory framework that is structurally the most protective of patients [8].
It is through the promotion of research, the maintenance of the scientific honesty of each practitioner in the face of up-to-date medical knowledge, and respect for the trust of patients that is placed in us at each consultation that this type of event can be avoided.
[1] Duong TA, et al. Severe cutaneous adverse reactions to drugs. Lancet 2017;390:1996–2011.
[2] Arimone Y, et al. Updating the French method for the causality assessment of adverse drug reactions. Therapie 2013;68:69–76.
[3] Mockenhaupt M, et al. Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis: assessment of medication risks with emphasis on recently marketed drugs. The EuroSCAR-study. J Invest Dermatol 2008;128:35–44.
[4] Ingen-Housz-Oro S, et al. Health-related quality of life and long-term sequelae in survivors of epidermal necrolysis: an observational study of 57 patients. Br J Dermatol 2020;182:916–26.
[5] Chaby G, et al. Severe cutaneous adverse reactions due to inappropriate medication use. Br J Dermatol 2018;179:329–36.
[6] Gocko X, et al. Lyme borreliosis and other tick-borne diseases. Guidelines from the French scientific societies. Med Mal Infect 2019;49:296–317. (LymeScience discussion)
[7] Brozek JL, et al. GRADE Guidelines 30: The GRADE Approach to Assessing the Certainty of Modelled Evidence – an Overview in the Context of Health Decision-making. J Clin Epidemiol 2020.
[8] Harris IA, Naylor JM. Double standards in clinical practice ethics. Med J Aust 2014;200:76.
Dr. Nicolas de Prost, réanimateur, AP-HP, Henri-Mondor Hospital, Reference Center for Toxic Bullous Skin Diseases and Serious Drug Eruptions TOXIBUL, Créteil
Dr. Alice Raffetin, infectious disease specialist, Reference Center for Tick-borne Diseases, Ile-de-France/Hauts-de-France, Villeneuve-Saint-Georges Hospital Center, Villeneuve Saint-Georges
Dr. Sébastien Gallien, infectious disease specialist, Reference Center for Tick-borne Vector-borne Diseases, Ile-de-France/Hauts-de-France, AP-HP, Henri Mondor Hospital, Créteil
Dr. Saskia Ingen-Housz-Oro, dermatologist, Reference Center for Toxic Bullous Skin Diseases and Serious Drug Eruptions TOXIBUL, AP-HP, Henri Mondor Hospital, Créteil
Doctor and scientist commentaries, France, homeopathy, inappropriate prescribing, patient harms
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Home News Breaking News Rabbi Druckman: It’s a Rabbi’s Duty to Voice Opinions
Rabbi Druckman: It’s a Rabbi’s Duty to Voice Opinions
Rabbi Chaim Druckman, one of the Religious Zionism movement’s leaders, published a statement Friday opposing the limitation on rabbis’ freedom of expression, after Tzefas’ Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, the initiator of the controversial rabbis’ letter, was summoned to a police interrogation.
“As the Torah says, it is the right and duty of any rabbi to express his opinion,” wrote Rabbi Druckman.
“After the rabbis’ ruling there were people calling to arrest the rabbis, fire them or hurt them in any way possible,” he said.
“Such a lawsuit was filed with the court by the Reform and Conservative movements and by Hashomer Hatzair (the Socialist-Zionist youth movement), in an attempt to forbid the rabbis from ruling on public matters… Halacha rulings aren’t ‘racism’. The battle over the identity of the State of Israel plays a major part in the Israeli rabbis’ role,” he added.
Rabbi Druckman, who refused to sign the petition against renting and selling apartments to non-Jews, intends to recruit more rabbis to his cause. Afterwards he plans on sending the statement to authority officials, including Justice Minister Yaakov Ne’eman and Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein.
Meanwhile, Rabbi Drukman has also demanded that the summons be called off, together with other rabbis, Knesset members and religious Zionists.
Rabbi Eliyahu was ordered to report to the police station in Yerushalayim on Sunday. He told Ynet he had “requested to check whether (author) David Grossman, (former Minister) Yossi Sarid and (former Minister) Shulamit Aloni, who had protested against Jewish settlements in Shimon Hatzadik (Sheikh Jarrah) neighborhood, were also summoned for questioning, but they told me they weren’t. If you accuse me of racism but not them – it’s a double standard… It’s a rabbi’s right and duty to rule for those who ask for it. We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again in the future.”
A few months ago, following the publication of “The King’s Torah”, a book written by an Israeli rabbi dealing with halacha edicts on the murdering of non-Jews, Rabbi Druckman, who is known for being a moderate religious Zionist, objected to harming the rabbis’ freedom of expression regarding halacha rulings, regardless if he agrees with them or not.
{Ynet/Matzav.com}
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Home News Breaking News Report: Israel Improving Nuclear Abilities
Report: Israel Improving Nuclear Abilities
November 1, 2011 12:17 pm
Israel is extending its Jericho III missile’s range, developing intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities and expanding its nuclear-tipped cruise missile enabled submarine fleet, The Guardian, quoting an independent committee report, said Monday.
According to the British newspaper, the report was prepared for the Trident Commission, an independent cross-party initiative set up by the British American Security Information Council (BASIC).
“In the case of Israel, the size of its nuclear-tipped cruise missile enabled submarine fleet is being increased and the country seems to be on course, on the back of its satellite launch rocket program, for future development of an inter-continental ballistic missile,” the report said.
Israel currently has three submarines and two more being manufactured in Germany.
Earlier this year, the Der Spiegel reported that Germany had granted Israel’s request to provide it with a six Dolphin submarines said to be capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Dolphin submarines are manufactured in the city of Kiel in Germany. Experts estimate they are have the longest cruising range of all submarines. Some reports claim they are also able to carry and launch nuclear weapons.
Berlin had granted the request after several years during which Israel has been pushing for the deal.
Meanwhile, the world’s nuclear powers are planning on spending hundreds of billions of dollars modernizing and upgrading their nuclear warheads, The Guardian said. Despite budgetary issues and international rhetoric calling for nuclear weapons disarmament, the report points to “era of nuclear weapons.”
According to the report, the United States will spend some $700 billion on its nuclear weapons industry in the upcoming decade, while Russia is expected to spend &70 billion on cruise missile systems alone.
Other countries, including Israel, India, China and Pakistan, are also expected to spend significant amounts of money on their strategic weaponry systems.
The Basic report claimed that for countries such as Israel, Russia, Pakistan and France, having nuclear weapons is not just about deterrence. For Russia and Pakistan nuclear weapons are also designated for attacks, claimed the report.
{Ynet/Matzav.com Newscenter}
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5. Mind Game
Rather than going into some long rant about Mind Game, since I’ve yet to actually write about it on my site proper, I’ll just leave it at this: Mindgame is anime’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. ‘Nuff said, go watch it. Now.
4: Project A-Ko
The first anime I saw with full knowledge that this thing I’m watching is some silly cartoon made in Japan. Its placement is due to no small degree of nostalgia, but numerous rewatches have proven to me that it stands the test of time. It’s a wicked parody of 80’s anime, but at the same time it stands up on its own as an example of that era. The characters are endearingly over the top– even the ever-obnoxious C-Ko and her whining is charming in its own way (Even if you still wish she’d die a horrible firy death.). The rest of the movies in the series are pretty solid in their own right, and expand on the world and characters from the first movie, but A-Ko’s up here mainly for the sheer awesomeness of the first movie. It’s still the funniest anime I’ve ever seen.
3: Kemonozume
Damn Perfect. The story is simple. Monster loves monster hunter. Monster hunter loves monster. They give both societies the proverbial middle finger and kill everything that gets in the way of their undying love. It’s the anime equivalent of the 60’s Bonnie and Clyde movie in that regard, and just as brilliant. I love the music. I love the sexual nature of the series. I love the art and animation. It’s the closest an anime has come to capturing the magic of Aeon Flux, which happens to be the best series I’ve ever seen– anime, western animation, live action, whatever.
2: Cowboy Bebop
Also Damn Perfect. The only criticism I can level against the series is the way it demystified Faye and turned her into a generic “lost little girl.” Other than that, Cowboy Bebop is the perfect anime. While I’m all for being wowed by another series and having it uproot Bebop, I seriously doubt that’ll ever happen. Perfect storms like Bebop are once in a lifetime.
1: Space Adventure Cobra
No other anime series has clicked with me the way Cobra has. It “gets” the way I think. It plays off of the sci-fi genre in every way I like to see it exploited. The stories are filled with violence and deceit and tragedy and everything that makes life worth living. Cobra himself is the sort of iconic lead character on par with the likes of Superman or Indiana Jones– you know he’s gonna win out in the end, but he pulls off that level of invulnerability with such style and panache that you don’t really give a damn about that predictability. The world he lives in is bizarre and filled with all manners of awesome creatures. It’s everything I want to see in an anime, or any form of entertainment for that matter. Damn perfect.
Posted by Dan Carroll at 12:58 pm
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Islam hate suit hits technical snag
by MRN | Jan 1, 2013 | Archive 2012 | 0 comments
By Juggie Naran
Lawyers for top Pretoria academic Hussein Solomon, being sued for allegedly defaming Muslim religious schools, have put the applicants on notice that they intend to "take exception" to the legal papers before court.
"Taking exception" is a legal term meaning the papers are "vague and embarrassing" or lack information required to defend the claim.
In this case, Solomon’s lawyers allege that no link has been made between the Association of Islamic Madrassahs or its affiliates to the alleged defamatory statements.
In a speech at the seventh conference of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism in Herzliya in Israel in September, Solomon, a professor at the University of Pretoria, said Muslim organisations were being used for military training and were a breeding ground for terrorism.
According to papers lodged by the association's lawyer, Zehir Omar, the speech, or extracts of the speech, were "wrongful and defamatory".
"The speech, as a whole, is Islamophobic; it advocates hate towards Muslim educational institutions, such as the association and its members . . . linked with terrorism, either as terrorists or supporters of terrorism," said the association.
The original papers quoted extracts of Solomon's address. "I think you also have a situation where you have various Muslim organisations, mosques and madrassas and Muslim media, which is sort of psychologically preparing Muslims for terrorism, martyrdom operations. There is a siege mentality being created – 'they're out to get us, so we'd better get them first' . . . military training is occurring at various Muslim high schools . . . ," the transcript read. However, according to the counsel acting for Solomon, JH Stroh SC, in every defamation action the applicant must allege that the defamatory words published concerned the complainant or its members.
"In the premises, the alleged defamatory statements, as pleaded, are not reasonably capable of conveying to the reasonable reader that it refers to the plaintiff or any of its alleged member organisations," said Stroh.
Omar said he would be filing papers in response to the exception next week.
Published on the web by Sunday Tribune on June 29, 2008. ——————————————————————————–© Sunday Tribune 2008. All rights reserved.
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Voices of Manitoba
Stories of Homeland, Violence, and Migration: Memories and Histories of Refugees in Manitoba, 1945 to the Present
Refugees project description
Resources for refugees in Winnipeg
Postwar Refugee Voices
Salvadoran Voices of Manitoba
West End Voices
Migrants in Canada and around the world have drawn on memories of their homelands to make sense of the changing world around them. Violence, wars, dictatorships, oppressive regimes, and displacements of people, however, have made it ever-more difficult for refugees, exiles, expellees, and other forced as well as voluntary migrants to maintain or re-create the stable identities that allow them to contribute to their new communities. Under such trying circumstances, memories of homeland, violence, and migration have become both a burden that continually reminds migrants of the social injustices and human rights violations that have disrupted their lives and a means for crafting strategies of survival and integration.
While sociologists, psychologists, political scientists, and other scholars have developed rich research on forced migration, historians have largely ignored the history of refugees from wars and persecution in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America in the 20th and 21st centuries. Canadian immigration historians have studied several refugee groups in the mid-20th century, but focused on policy and social workers and, geographically, on Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. This research lacuna is particularly pronounced in the case of western Canada.
This project re-considers Canadian history from the 1940s to the present through the lens of refugees’ experiences, memories, and stories of homeland, violence, and migration. These three topoi–homeland, violence, migration–allow us to explore refugees’ victimization, their resistance, and their cultural creativity. Historians of forced migration have identified this “threefold process of violence, resistance, and creativity” (Rediker et al. 2007) as constitutive elements in forced migration history. This project collects refugees’ life stories as well as family interviews, documents their testimonies, and analyzes how refugees, individually and collectively, remember and narrate their experiences. It asks how refugees have made sense of their experiences and how their memories of victimization and resistance shaped their integration and community building in Canada. More broadly, this project asks about refugees’ use of history and memory for building meaningful lives in the present.
Migrants in Canada and around the world have drawn…
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Oil spill administrator says $5B in claims paid
The fund set up to compensate victims of last year's BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has paid more than $5 billion in claims, the fund administrator said Tuesday.
JACKSON, Miss. – The fund set up to compensate victims of last year's BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has paid more than $5 billion in claims, the fund administrator said Tuesday.
Washington D.C. lawyer Kenneth Feinberg also released a summary of payouts from the $20 billion fund, which was established in August 2010 to help people whose lives and businesses were hurt by the spill.
The report says the Gulf Coast Claims Facility had received 947,892 claims from all 50 states and 36 foreign counties. It said 359,441 claims were paid and 430,000 were denied. Some are pending. Others are still coming in.
"The GCCF has largely succeeded in its primary objective — to compensate those individuals and businesses who can demonstrate financial harm due to the Oil Spill," the report says. "The compensation program has not been perfect; but several midcourse corrections have been made in an effort to deal with the constructive criticism offered by victims of the spill, public officials, and others."
Critics say the claims process has been too slow, difficult to navigate and lacked transparency. The critics include Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, who sued Feinberg in July to get access to claims filed by coastal residents. Hood says he wants to make the claims process more transparent.
"The only success Mr. Feinberg has had is in coercing desperate victims of the spill to have to accept whatever was offered," Hood said in a written statement Tuesday. "At this point, only a little over 23 percent of Mississippi interim claimants have been paid. On average, businesses have been paid $5,421 in interim claim payments, and individuals $5,297. It looks like he did a good job for BP, not for Mississippians."
According to the report, Florida had the most paid claims, with 150,920 totaling more than $2 billion. Louisiana followed with 115,702 claims paid totaling about $1.5 billion. Alabama had 53,681 claims paid totaling $862 million. Mississippi had 30,193 claims paid totaling $387 million. All other paid claims, 8,945, totaled $262 million.
"Florida received the most GCCF compensation because it is the most populous state in the Gulf and we received the most claims from Florida," Feinberg said in a written statement. "In addition, Florida tourism suffered as a result of the spill even if the oil plume was limited from Pensacola to Panama City. The adverse impact of the spill on Florida tourism resulted in eligible claims from hotels and restaurants throughout the state."
The report said 61,558 new claims were received in the past three months, an average of 4,397 a week. The claims process is to remain in place until August 2013.
Eleven workers were killed April 20, 2010, when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded off the coast of Louisiana. Some 206 million gallons of oil spewed from the well a mile beneath the sea, according to government estimates.
Former New Mexico Police Chief Pleads Guilty in Firearms Case
US files charges in antiquities smuggling scheme
Consumers borrowed more on credit cards in March
Man Arrested Naked After Crashing Car
Endangered 1972 NYC public mural could be restored
Child hurt in shooting to come off life support
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Some Days Are Diamonds
A frank and fun conversation about pastoral ministry for, with and by Cumberland Presbyterians.
Wed., Oct. 17th
10:00 am Presentations-clergy panel
12:00 pm * Luncheon and program
*We will join other Scholar’s Week participants for a luncheon and program. Lunch is free for students. A $10 fee for outside participants’ meals will help us be good stewards of resources.
2:00 pm Continued Conversations
3:30 pm A Flowing Fountain
Because chocolate makes everything better!
Meet the Presenters:
Public Register Here
Rev. Micaiah Tanck was born in Colombia, South America, as a missionary kid of CP missionaries, Lynn and Nona Thomas. She grew up in ministry, and felt called toward it from a very young age. At the University of Alabama, she was called upon to serve a church in Hueytown, AL, and fell in love with pastoral ministry. She went to Princeton Theological Seminary where she met and married Brian. She received an MA in Spiritual Formation and, in 2015, graduated with an MDiv. Both spouses are now ordained ministers and, together, co-pastor Scottsboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Email: micaiah.thomas@gmail.com
Church Phone: 256.574.2595
Rev. Endia J. Scruggs was born in Madison County, AL. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Religion from the Heritage Bible College in Huntsville, Alabama. Ordained in the CPCA denomination she was the first woman to be called to an established congregation, the first woman to serve as moderator of the General Assembly and, then, the first moderator to serve two consecutive terms. She serves as pastor of the largest congregation in the CPCA, Madkins Chapel, in Huntsville, AL. She and husband, Elder Eddie L. Scruggs, are the parents of five adult children: Ronald, Tony, Stephanie, Sean, and Sabrina; and grandparents of two: Jerren Christopher and Jeremiah Canaan.
Email: madkinschapel@knology.net
Rev. Kip J. Rush was raised in Austin, Texas. A life-long Cumberland Presbyterian, he was nurtured in the St. Paul CP Church. Answering a call to the ministry Kip graduated from Bethel College and, in 1990, Memphis Theological Seminary. Ordained by Trinity Presbytery he has served churches in Texas, Georgia and Mississippi before coming to his present position as pastor of Brenthaven Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Brentwood, TN. Rev. Rush serves on the Board of Christian Education in Nashville Presbytery, the Board of Trustees for MTS, and a Nashville area college ministry called UKirk. He is married to Jodi and they have two adult daughters: Madison, a sixth grade teacher and Devin, who works for a healthcare non-profit.
Email: pastor@brenthaven.org
SEE ALL SCHOLAR’S WEEK EVENTS
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Melted and Molded
Apartment 3N
While She Is Away
My Sister’s House
Michael Calderwood
Thoughts From The Back Of The Room
Posted by Michael Calderwood in Cambria CCSD, Community Involvement, Local politics, Searching for Cambria's Reality, Words matter
Amanda Rice, Cambria, CCSD, Greg Sanders, Harry Farmer, Jerry Gruber Cambria, Jim Bahringer Cambria, Mike Thompson Cambria
The period between Thanksgiving and New Year is one of increasing activity for everyone. In Cambria, that includes such traditional events as Hospitality Night, Friends of The Fiscalini Ranch “Songs For The Season” Fundraiser, the opening of the Cambria Christmas Market (which I believe can be seen from space) and Cambria Center For The Arts Theater’s delightful production of “It’s A Wonderful Life”, which is open to all free of charge. The weather is cooling, the shops are looking festive and the line at the Post Office has begun to double back on itself as holiday greetings arrive and depart and packages are lugged in and hauled out. The rotating faces of the homeless stationed outside remind me that we still have a way to go to make the season a little brighter for everyone.
Cambrians are many things, but at the top of that list sit the twin sisters of Kindness and Generosity. We may grumble a bit as we dig a little deeper to pay our water bill, but that grumbling doesn’t even think about making an appearance when we reach again for that ten or twenty dollars to hand to the volunteers lining the driveway circling the Vet’s Hall every time a community member is faced with a difficult and often tragic situation. The sudden unexpected loss of a beloved community member draws a congregation to mourn together, remember together and celebrate a life well lived, together. People truly care about each other around here; as good as it is, it ain’t the spaghetti that draws a crowd.
The community demonstrates caring in other ways, most visibly in the political process. There are thousands of people in the community, and a really impressive number participated in the recent election, with a registered voter participation rate in the neighborhood of 87%. The run-up to election day was crowded with candidate forums, small gatherings at citizen’s homes, discussions at the Farmer’s Market and everywhere people would meet. Everyone had an opinion, a favored candidate, and carried a burning platform. Lines were drawn, sides taken, divisions hardened. But really, how deep did the divide go? My guess is that there are a handful of diehards on every side, a larger number adjacent, and an even larger number right in the neutral zone; not uncaring, not uninvolved, not ambivalent. Just people who kept their humanity standing in front of their partisanship. It was pretty noisy, and kind of ugly at times, but we all had our chance to speak with our votes.
No Electoral College Needed
With the election behind us, I looked ahead to the December Board meeting, where the newly elected and re-elected Directors would take their seats at the podium.
One major item needed to be addressed at the top of the session – electing the President and Vice President who would lead the Board in the upcoming year. This was an event eagerly anticipated by much of the community, and there was a lot of energy around the topic in the weeks between the election and the session. As with many things, there was a lack of clarity as to how the process actually works. Many believed that there was a rotational policy, where the officers would rotate through their terms. A subset of this belief was that the sitting VP (assuming re-election or in this case, continuation of his elected term) would become president, and a new Vice President was to be elected. Others believed that everybody got a turn with the gavel. Many felt that it was only fair that a sitting Director who had served a full term, but who had not been given a turn in either position was “due”. This viewpoint had some additional merit since this Director was the top vote-getter in this election, as well as in her previous run.
Where’s the Rulebook?
I remembered a bit of a conversation I had with one of the Directors earlier in the year, and I believed I had a good understanding of the “rules” surrounding this process. I wanted to be sure I had it right, so I sent an email to the Directors and asked for clarification of the rules, and for any “color” they might want to add.
My Email: “I’m doing a bit of research for my next piece and was hoping you all could give me your quick view on the nomination and election of Board execs – President and Vice President. There seems to be some confusion in the community about how that process works. My understanding from what I’ve read and heard is that there is no official rule/policy/bylaw that mandates a change in officers. There is a section on the CSD Website that says officers are chosen every year, but nothing that says “new” officers must be chosen. I’m trying to clearly separate the issues -what is “REQUIRED” versus what is “Past Practice” versus what is “Fair.” There is a perception in some parts of the community that everybody should get a turn with the gavel; some believe that it is a requirement, others believe that is a customary practice, others believe it is a position that is earned. So my simple (!) question – what is the current governing rule/regulation/bylaw that determines how these positions are filled? If you care to add any “color” to the response that would be helpful.”
Within two days I received independent responses from Directors Sanders, Thompson and Rice. They agreed on the facts, and also gave some interesting background. They all agreed I could share their feedback.
Greg Sanders: “Michael – the CCSD Board of Directors By-Laws, duly adopted by the Board, are very clear on the subject. Section 1.4 of the By-Laws states as follows:
“The President and Vice President of the Board shall be elected annually at the first regular meeting in December and the term of office shall commence immediately upon election and continue until replaced.”
That is the only provision of the By-Laws pertaining to the election of the President and Vice-President of the Board. There is nothing in the By-Laws regarding rotation, etc. The Board is free to use any criteria it chooses to select a Board President and Vice-President. The Board could, for example, decide immediately following an election that a candidate receiving the most votes should be selected as the President. Or, the Board could choose to ignore the election and select a President and Vice-President on the basis of some other criteria, or no criteria at all.
He also added some historical perspective: In my service on the Board… there has been no particular pattern followed. I served back-to-back terms as President of the Board in 2009 and 2010. The Board wanted continuity at a time when some very significant issues were under consideration. When I served from 2002-2010, Don Villeneuve, a fellow Board member, did not serve at any time as President. As I recall, he did not serve as Vice President, either. He resigned in 2008 (or thereabouts).
In my experience, selection of a Board President and Vice-President has been based on exigencies. Ilan Funke-Bilu served as either Board President or Vice –President when the District was involved in litigation with Chevron Corp. over MTBE contamination of the Santa Rosa Creek aquifer. He conducted most of the negotiations with Chevron. Having a leadership position enhanced his position vis-à-vis Chevron.”
Mike Thompson: “Good afternoon Michael—-To avoid any possible Brown Act violation, I won’t cc any of the other individuals you queried. You are correct in assuming that there is no official rule/policy/bylaw regarding Board elections. The only requirement is the ability to count to three…in other words, it takes two members besides yourself to gain election. Last year Gail indicated a desire to continue in the chair to see through the process of applying for the permanent permit for the SWF. I and two others felt that was in the best interest of the District. In the recent past, Greg Sanders was President for two consecutive terms, so there is precedence.”
Amanda Rice: “The way boards choose their officers has always struck me as kind of an awkward situation, primarily due to Brown act restrictions about talking to other directors about certain business items. I can’t, for instance, talk to directors to try and find out if there’s a consensus about who should be president or vice president. There is no rule or law that requires the officers to ever change; as long as somebody is in office they can serve as president or vice president.
Besides there being nothing specific about “how” officers are rotated, there is nothing that bestows any additional powers or authorities to any individual board member, whether they are president, vice president or non-officer directors. The bylaws give the president the job of chairing… the meetings and to the vp in the president’s absence.
Amanda then added some interesting color: “Last year the bylaws were amended to give the president some additional authority:
Designates or acts as a spokesperson for the board and a point person for gov’t relations.
Makes appointments to all committees subject to board approval.
May add an item to the agenda without the same required board majority of other directors. Can also approve the request of another director to add an item to the agenda, even without board majority.
The bylaws were also changed so that the general manager developed the agenda in cooperation with the president and vice president. Previously, the bylaws stated that the executive committee worked with the general manager to put together the agenda.
The bottom line is this – with the approval of the majority of the board, our bylaws give the president additional control of the direction of the board and therefore, of the district. I disagreed with the changes then. I disagree with them now. But they are the bylaws that I abide by as a director.”
So, one official bylaw. No official “Rule.” All for an office that has “no special power” except when it does. Got it? Good!
It was a blustery day in the hundred acre wood.
Fortunately, Pooh's thoughtful spot was in a sheltered
place. Now he sat down and tried hard to think of
Winnie the Pooh: Think... think... think...
Gopher: Say, what's wrong, sonny? Got yourself a
Winnie the Pooh: No, I was just thinking.
Gopher: That so? What about?
Winnie the Pooh: I... Oh, bother! You made me forget.
The Big Moment
I was a few minutes late due to the big ass rainstorm that picked the right day to show up. Despite the weather, the Vet’s Hall was packed with people eager to have their voices heard. There was a lot of great energy in the joint – not all positive of course; I got the sense that many of the attendees were staunch supporters of Amanda Rice, and they were not convinced the Board would honor their wish and select her as the new president. And so we begin.
Vice President Thompson did an “LBJ’, indicating he would not accept if nominated and would not serve if elected. Newly elected Director Harry Farmer, in his best “slow-jamming the news” voice, nominated Amanda Rice to fill the office of President. Wild applause from the audience! Discussion followed. Director Jim Bahringer spoke. He said that the politically easy thing for him to do would be to support Amanda, but in his view Director Greg Sanders would be a better choice to lead the Board, given the circumstances and work to be done over the next year. He felt Amanda should be Vice President this year, and President in 2018. This did not go over very well with the attendees. Public comment was fiery, with pointed and passionate comments along with a reading of the will – of the people who signed a petition calling for Amanda’s ascension, complete with the petitioner’s written comments. The nomination was defeated 3-2. Director Bahringer then nominated Greg Sanders and Amanda Rice for President and Vice President. More discussion, with Director Rice giving her reasoning as to why she would be the right choice for President. More cries from the people, lots of angry faces, fully expecting their hopes for change to be crushed.
A vote was called on the Sanders/Rice ticket. Monique straightened her Christmas sweater and called the roll:
Director Bahringer – NO.
Director Sanders – NO.
Vice President Thompson – NO.
Director Rice – NO.
Director Farmer – NOOOOO.
What? WOW!!!!! He voted against his own nomination!?!? This was really fascinating – a ripped-from-the-pages of a political thriller screenplay. I scanned the room for Aaron Sorkin. He wasn’t there, so I scanned the room for Aaron Wharton, who also wasn’t there. No matter – the drama continued.
Director Bahringer then immediately nominated Director Rice for President. Monique, now at the edge of her seat, again called the roll. The vote – 5-0. Amanda was President. She immediately nominated Greg Sanders for Vice President. Again Monique cheerfully called the roll – again 5-0. The CCSD Board of Directors was ready to go.
I know Kathe Tanner will report on the important discussions that followed, but I want to comment on the last Agenda item. A compensation increase for selected members of the CSD staff was put before the Board for a vote. The increase would be given in two steps in 2017. A 5.5% increase in January, a second 5.5% in June. At first blush an 11% increase is attention-grabbing and cause for serious discussion. The General Manager went through the reasoning behind the proposal, with one of the key points being very compelling to me. Over the last several years staffing levels have been reduced, with several positions eliminated and the attendant duties added to the responsibilities of the employees under discussion. So these positions carry more responsibility, and in my mind additional compensation should be given.
I understand arguing against the increases on financial grounds. I was distressed to hear that some members of the board and the public had views that were less than sensitive, culminating in a public comment that the employees “should be grateful they have a job.”
I continue to be confounded by the people who, in earlier public comment railed against the staff for not delivering information they have demanded (demands that add additional workload and are a time drain on an already overburdened team) are the same people who, in the same meeting, cried out loudly for “fairness” and “doing the right thing” in the election of the Board President would speak so forcefully against showing “fairness” and “doing the right thing” for the employees who give more than what is reasonable in service to the community.
The board did the right thing and approved the compensation.
Beautiful Cambria
Cal Fire
Cambria Fire Department
Cambria Healthcare District
Cambria Scarecrows
Cambria Schools
Coast Unified School District
Cambria CCSD
Educating a Community
Local Journalism
Measure A-18
Parcel Tax
Searching for Cambria's Reality
Treasured Finds
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Pakistan Zindabad!
xActor|January 11, 2019
I was born in Pakistan on January 10, 2000. I spent my 17 years of life living in the streets of Sheikupura, Pakistan. I like to tell others about the history of my country. As I have learned from my childhood days in school and my recent research, the history of the territories is old and interesting but the last 100 years have witnessed great political change and globalization for the people of my homeland.
As a modern nation Pakistan is young, like me, because it has only been in existence as a sovereign nation since August 14, 1947. Many different people have ruled that land centuries before and many events have taken place to craft the multifaceted people of Pakistan. Therefore, the culture is a mixture of the many religions and customs over thousands of years.
The culture of Pakistan is like its tasty food; a delicious biryani of spicy rice with a mixture of many masalas.
Pakistan is a country located in southwestern Asia. Pakistan is bordered by the countries of Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran, as well as the Arabian Sea. Pakistan was created, as an Islamic state, out of the partition of the UK’s Indian Empire, at independence on August 14, 1947.
Struggle for Independence
In 1858 the British took over the Mogul Empire because of its promise of wealth as the “crown jewel” of their world market place. India and Pakistan became known as the British Raj. The resistance to British rule was always a part of then Political, Economic and Social culture of the region.
In 1918 after World War 1 ended the British government became weak and a man named Mohandas Gandhi took advantage of that. As a student of Western law at Oxford University and an aware observer of the inequalities of imperialism, in 1920 Mohandas Gandhi became the leader of the Indian independence movement and the Indian National Congress. In 1935 he made the Government of India Act (This act recommended a federal form of govt. for India which enables the princes to participate in the political affairs of India) and created a new constitution but the British were still ruling at that time.
In 1939 the United Kingdom declared war on Germany and World War 2 began. While the British government was busy in war and using soldiers from the Raj to fight for them, Gandhi started telling people to stand for independence and doing protest. He had many friends with him and one of them was Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Later on Muhammad Ali Jinnah stopped helping Gandhi and went back to England because he knew that if India got Independence the all the controls were going to give to the Hindus which can make trouble for Muslims.
Then a very famous poet Allama Iqbal wrote a letter to Muhammad Ali Jinnah and tell him to come back and help Muslims. Allama Iqbal inspired Muslims from his poetry to stand for the separate Muslim homeland. He is called the “Spiritual Father of Pakistan.” In 1940 Muhammad Ali Jinnah demanded that a new country is formed from India for the Muslims. In disagreement with Jinnah were many influential Hindus.
Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru worked together for a united India. And the British government seemed to be intent on maintaining the political unity of the Indian subcontinent. In 1945 World War 2 ended which had a very bad effect on British. Its effect their economy very badly. In 1946 the British government agreed to grant India independence but there were still questions about Pakistan.
The Muslims desiring their own homeland held a “Direct Action Day” – ostensibly a day of strikes to support the creation of Pakistan. It ended up becoming a harrowing day of violence between Muslims and Hindus. At least 4,000 people are killed and more than 10,000 injured. After this there were many conflicts between Hindus and Muslims on the separate land. Some Hindus thought that it was good for our Economy to live together and Some said its better to have a separate land for peace. Most of the Muslims agreed on the separate land.
In 1947 Lord Louis Mountbatten becomes the Viceroy of India, responsible for overseeing the handover of power from Britain to India. He tries to maintain a united India, but the opposition from Jinnah and his supporters forces Mountbatten to reluctantly agree to divide the country. Jinnah led his movement with such skill and tenacity that ultimately both the Congress Party and the British government had no option but to agree to the partitioning of India. Pakistan thus emerged as an independent state in 1947. After partition, there were 330 million people in India, 30 million in West Pakistan, and 30 million people in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).” Once the lines were established, about 14.5 million people crossed the borders to what they hoped was the relative safety of the religious majority.
Jinnah became the first head of the new state. Faced with the serious problems of a young country, he tackled Pakistan’s problems with authority. He was not regarded as merely the governor-general. He was revered as the father of the nation. He worked hard until overpowered by age and disease in Karachi, the place of his birth, in 1948.
“With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.”
~Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
After Independence
At the start of independence after Muhammad Ali Jinnah die it was so hard to keep the people of Pakistan united and Pakistan was suffering from very hard economical problems. Pakistan was made on the name of Islam which mean peace but after the Muslims get independence they forgot that and stopped following what Quran and Authentic hadith says due to this Pakistan make more wrong decision and still doing the same. One of the results of that is the separation of Eastern Pakistan from Western Pakistan into Bangladesh.
Even after the independence Pakistan and India have been involved in four wars, including one undeclared war, and many border skirmishes and military stand-offs. They never accept each other from the heart.
Pakistan is a developing country and still facing many problems. These problems can never solve until people of Pakistan realized why they struggle for independence? why they make the separation? and why they appear on the map of the World? They get independence to follow the rules of Islam, They get separated so they can have freedom and they appear on the map of the world as a sign of a peaceful country.
Pakistan as a living country
The most part of Pakistan are completely safe to live. Pakistan is a country which has many beautiful places to visit.
Sources of research:
Place in Pakistan to visit
Pakistan culture
Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir
Shangrila resort, Skardu
Gojal Valley
Saiful Muluk
Badshahi masjid
Lahore Fort
Pakistan culture is the mixtures of many cultures which make it a colorful and beautiful.
Pakistan has four province each has its own culture
Shalwar Kameez (women)
Shalwar Kameez (For Men)
The Kurta Shalwaar
Waistcoat (With Shalwar Kameez)
The Sherwani
The Khussa
The Sindhi Ajrak & Topi
Peshawari Pagree
The Pakol Hat
Peshawari Chappal
The Karakul Hat
Dhoti (Lungi)
Balochi dress (For Women)
Balochi dress (For Men)
Pakistan is home to many dozens of languages spoken as first languages. Five languages have more than 10 million speakers each in Pakistan – Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki, and Urdu.
Urdu is the national language of Pakistan.
Pakistan has a rich history in all the arts, painting, architecture, textiles, and decorative arts, and sculptures. Traditionally, visual arts in Pakistan have been influenced by Islam’s preference for geometric shapes. These ancient designs often look “modern” to people in the West.
Pakistan also make many hands made decorative arts.
Pakistan also makes hand made arts on the tiles.
Some areas of Pakistan are extremely dangerous whereas others are absolutely safe for tourists. It’s important to do some proper research beforehand and, if you go to a sensitive area like Peshawar or the Swat Valley, just travel with caution. Pakistan is very traditional, so short tops, short skirts/shorts, tight or body-revealing clothes etc should be avoided.
People of Pakistan
Most people in Pakistan are lovely and kind. Its also depend on where you visit. Many people are educated if you visit Punjab. People are very helping but it is important to be careful because every community has some black sheep.
Over all Pakistan is a great country. It is still a developing country.
2 Responses to “Pakistan Zindabad!”
oshi on January 23rd, 2019 10:38 am
I like how you describe your country and everything that it has, how they dress, their languages, and everything. I wish I could go to visit one day your country and see how amazing that is, also, I’d like to wear one of those clothes, I like them.
xActor on January 24th, 2019 8:19 am
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The federal government has revealed plans to slash the 35 per cent levy paid on imported cars to 5 per cent.
By motownau on January 13, 2021
The federal government of Nigeria has concluded plans to slash the levy to be paid on imported cars from 35 percent to 5 percent, according to a new bill to be presented to the national assembly.
The bill which will come as a welcome development to Nigerians who have been financially impacted by a 2020 year plagued by the Coronavirus pandemic, is contained in the draft bill of the 2020 finance bill to be presented to the national assembly.
Details of the bill shared by the presidency also show that the import duty of tractors and motor vehicles for the transportation of goods has been slashed from 35 percent to 10 percent.
The bill also grants tax relief to companies that donated to the COVID-19 relief fund under the private sector-led Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID).
To improve ease of transacting businesses, the bill also proposes that software acquisition now qualifies as capital expenditure.
Zainab Ahmed, the minister of finance, budget, and national planning, had previously explained that the reduction in import duties and levies is targeted at reducing the cost of transportation.
Recall on Wednesday November 18, media aide of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande, tweeted on the reduction of import duty.
“President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is proposing more tax incentives in the 2020 Finance Bill including import duty reductions from 35 to 10% & 0% levies on tractors, transport vehicles & co, 50% reduction of minimum tax, specific TETFUND exemption.
“The reason for us is to reduce the cost of transportation which is a major driver of inflation especially food production,” she told state house correspondents at the end of the federal executive council (FEC) on Wednesday, November 18.
In 2019, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), the comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service had urged the federal government to reduce the levy paid on imported cars to 10 percent.
At the time, Ali argued that the levy, which is paid in addition to the 35 percent import duty, has discouraged importers; causing them to divert their importation to neighbouring countries and heightened smuggling.
NextKEY CHANGES INTRODUCED BY THE FINANCE ACT 2020
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Interview: Roy Ayers
Posted in interviews, Nottingham Post by Mike A on December 23, 2013
Originally published in the Nottingham Post
Your current touring schedule looks insane. You’re playing a large number of countries this month alone, including three separate trips to the UK. Is this a typical month for you?
Whatever they present to me when they do the booking, I just go along with it. I’ve been doing this for many years, and I’m 73 now. So it’s no problem; it’s great.
It’s the sort of schedule that could exhaust a man half your age. How do you maintain your energy levels?
I guess I maintain it by eating the right foods and staying healthy, not using alcohol or drugs, or anything like that. I keep my body clean; that’s the key to a healthy life.
Are you the sort of person that likes to get out and about, exploring each city you visit?
When I was young, but I don’t do that anymore. With most of the cities I’ve been to, I’ve travelled to them many times. I’ve been to Paris many times, and to London many, many times. So I don’t hang out anymore. It’s not even a thrill anymore. I just enjoy performing and sleeping and travelling.
Are there any places you’ve not yet played, that you would still like to visit?
The only place I haven’t been is most of the Middle Eastern countries. That’s because so many of them are having problems, like Syria and Egypt. I always wanted to go to Egypt. But I’ve been to almost every other country in the world. I’ve been to China, Russia, Brazil, and of course I work a lot in the USA.
How does your instrument, the vibraphone, handle all the travel? Is it a robust instrument?
I play a vibraphone called KAT. It’s small like a piano. It’s not huge, like the big vibraphone, so it’s easy to handle. Not only do I get the vibraphone sound, but I also get all kinds of synthesiser sounds. It’s very handy, very easy and portable.
How did you first start learning to play the vibraphone?
I got all of my musical training through Mr Samuel Browne, my high school teacher. He taught me musical history, and of course harmony. I graduated from there in 1958. And of course I’ve played with so many great artists. I went on to play with Herbie Mann, which was when I really started to get international recognition. I’ve worked with people like Herbie Hancock and Wayne Henderson from the Jazz Crusaders. I’ve recorded with Rick James, and I’ve done albums with George Benson. There’s so many great artists that I been with, like Guru’s Jazzmatazz and Donald Byrd, and I’m continuing to have a wonderful career.
Is the vibraphone difficult to learn?
It’s a difficult instrument, because it requires balance. When I was a little younger, I used to experiment with things. I used to put a towel over the top and play to people, because I remember where all the notes are. I got my first set of vibraphone mallets from Lionel Hampton when I was five years old, so I always wanted to be like Lionel Hampton. At one time, when I was very young, I was thinking I was going to be Lionel Hampton. When I grew up, my mother and father always played his music, so I was reared on Lionel Hampton.
Your music has never gone out of style. With some other artists, the audience will get older as they get older, but it’s not the case with you. You keep getting new generations turning up to your shows. Does that surprise you?
No, it doesn’t. It makes me feel good. As it happens, I have more sampled hits than anyone else in the music industry. It really made me feel good when they told me that. I have maybe 44, 45 songs that have been sampled by hip hop artists, and most of the songs that have been sampled have been hits, which is wonderful.
You’ve always been musically broad-minded. You’ve embraced jazz-funk, disco, Afrobeat, hip hop and house music. I’d like to know about your collaboration with the late Fela Kuti. What was it like, working with him?
It was a pleasure working with Fela Kuti in Nigeria. I spent almost a month over there with him. He was a mystery genius, because he taught his band, all of them, how to play in jail. He was a truly remarkable individual. Musically he was very on top of it, and he was a nice guy. I still have a couple of gigs that I did with him on video, in 1979. It’s never been seen, but it’s something that I plan on issuing later on. I have it in New York.
You’ve also worked with house musicians such as Masters At Work and Kerri Chandler. What was your first introduction to house music?
They come up with so much stuff over there in England, and that’s where I was exposed to it. I heard about it in New York, but I really heard about it on a much more popular level in England. It was so interesting to have all those kinds of transitions coming through my ears, because music continues to grow, and new expressions are happening, and I still continue to have a good time exploring new innovations.
What kind of band leader are you? Are you from the James Brown school of strict discipline, or are you more laidback?
I’m from the Herbie Mann school. He was the best leader that I’ve ever been with, and I run my band the same way. He was not very strict, but he was very organised and very together. He took care of business, and everybody got paid.
Do you always keep to the same set list, or are you open to requests?
Sometimes, in the middle of the show. I don’t mind them, if I have them planned. But sometimes people call for songs that I don’t retain any more; I’ve done 86 albums!
If I was asking for a song, it would be We Live In Brooklyn, Baby. Is that part of your repertoire?
We do that every night. We sing, “We live in Brooklyn baby, we’re trying to make it baby”, and then later on in the song we sing “We shop at Tesco’s, baby!”
Can’t Stop Won’t Stop and Goodtimes present Roy Ayers & Ubiquity live at The Approach on Sunday December 22.
« Curating Sound Performance – Nottingham Park Tunnel, Thursday December 12
15 Nottingham Music Picks for 2014 »
Stuff what I wrote in 2013 | troubled diva said, on January 3, 2014 at 4:05 pm
[…] Interview: Roy Ayers […]
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Tag: Sanitation
Central African Republic crisis ‘breaks my heart’ says senior UN aid official (29.05.2018)
The already serious humanitarian situation in Central African Republic (CAR) has worsened amid a spike in violence which threatens to overtake almost every area of the country, a top UN aid official said on Monday.
NEW YORK, United States of America, May 29, 2018 – One in four people has been displaced, according to Najat Rochdi, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for CAR, who said that this included areas that were formerly peaceful, such as the north and central zones.
Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Ms. Rochdi warned that severe acute malnutrition in six administrative regions is higher than 15 per cent – the emergency threshold – and infant mortality is at 18 per cent.
And amid severe funding shortages which have meant aid cut-backs, she told journalists in French: “It breaks my heart every time a child comes to me and says I’m hungry.”
Speaking later in English, she said: “Where you have kids, those little girls and little boys coming to you and looking at you and telling, ‘I’m hungry, I’m starving,’ it’s horrible, really horrible. Unfortunately the situation has worsened because we had in one year’s time an increase of 70 per cent of the internally displaced people. Meaning more children, more little girls and more little boys, meaning also that it’s a whole generation that is sacrificed because they are not going to school.”
She said it was very important to keep providing them with humanitarian assistance, which meant going beyond food distribution, beyond the access to water, beyond the access to health. “It’s just access to hope.”
Of the more than $515 million aid requirement needed in CAR for 1.9 million people, less than 20 per cent has been provided so far this year.
Fighting between the mostly Christian anti-Balaka militia and the mainly Muslim Séléka rebel coalition has plunged the CAR into civil conflict since 2012. A peace agreement was reached in January 2013, but rebels seized the capital, Bangui, in March of that year, forcing President François Bozizé to flee.
Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the CAR and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized the deployment of a UN stabilization mission, known by its French acronym, MINUSCA, in 2014 with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority.
The humanitarian community distributed high-energy biscuits to 1,500 children and debilitated adults who suffered from starvation and thirst for more than 72 hours during an outbreak of violence in Mbomou Prefecture, Central African Republic in May 2017.
The country’s huge natural wealth – in the form of diamonds, gold and uranium – continues to fuel the fighting, Ms. Rochdi explained, adding that there was “absolutely no problem” in areas “where you don’t have that much to steal.”
The violence reached the capital, Bangui, at the beginning of the month after almost a year of relative stability.
In that incident, 70 people were killed in clashes between security forces and armed militia, and thousands were displaced.
Ms. Rochdi said that UN troops had to intervene after Muslims were denied healthcare access.
The town of Bambari has also seen armed groups return, despite becoming a “safe haven for all communities” since last year, the UN official added.
The militia aimed to put pressure on the government to grant them an amnesty but this would be a “disaster” for the country, Ms. Rochdi insisted, before adding that efforts to prevent impunity had been stepped up and had resulted in a Special Criminal Court, which is due to start work in CAR next week.
Some of its “first clients” would be “high-profile leaders of armed groups,” Ms. Rochdi said, adding that CAR was one of the most dangerous places on earth for humanitarians, with six people killed this year and attacks on aid workers and looting happening on a “regular” basis.
Yet despite the instability and fact that funding levels in 2017 were only 40 per cent of what was requested, she maintained that it still made a substantial difference on the ground and had helped to prepare communities to withstand future shocks too.
It meant that more than one million people had access to water, that 7,000 tonnes of humanitarian assistance were delivered and more than 60,000 children were given an education.
In addition, the aid ensured that more than 70,000 farming families received a vital seed allocation, helping them to become more self-sufficient.
More than 17,000 children from six to 59 months suffering from severe acute malnutrition were also given support.
The most important thing was that the people of CAR had some sense that they had a future, Mrs Rochdi said, adding that humanitarian assistance “is making the difference between life and death”.
Aid is also “the best way for all of us to sustain peace in CAR”, she added, since the funding gave communities hope.
Author nilspeacePosted on May 29, 2018 May 29, 2018 Categories Africa, Army, Civil Service, Development, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, TransparencyTags 2015 Startegic Response Plan, Abusa, Accountability, African Union, anti-Balaka, Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, AU, Bangui, Brussels, Burundian Peacekeepers, C.A.R., Caatherine Samba-Panza, Cameroon, Carmen Perez-Salas, Cental Africa, Central African Republic, Central Africans, Charles Fomunyam, Civil Servants, civil war, Claire Bourgois, Crisis Team, Democratic Republic of Congo, Deployment, Dr. Chaloka Beyani, DRC, DRC Battalion, ECHO, EU, European Union, FARDC, Field Evaluation Mission, François Bozizé, Gabonese Peacekeepers, Human Development, Human Rights, Humanitarian, Humanitarian Affairs, Humanitarian Agencies, Humanitarian Organization, Internal Oversight Services, Internally Displaced People, International Peacekeepers, Kyung-Wha Kang, Militias, MINUSCA, Minusca Bangui, Ngaboko, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Ouaka, Ouaka Prefecture, Peacekeepers, Peacekeeping Mission, Pledging, Rapists, Reconciliation, Reuters, RoC, Samba-Panza, Sanitation, Secterian Violance, Seleka, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Exploitation, Transitional Authorities, UN, UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic, Unicef, United Nation, United Nations, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, Vengenace, Violence, WaterLeave a comment on Central African Republic crisis ‘breaks my heart’ says senior UN aid official (29.05.2018)
Joint Communiqué of the African Union and the United Nations on the Peace Process and the Situation in Bangui (12.04.2018)
BANGUI, Central African Republic, April 12, 2018 –
Joint Communiqué of the African Union and the United Nations on the Peace Process and the Situation in Bangui:
We, representatives of the African Union and the United Nations, decided to undertake a joint visit to the Central African Republic (CAR) to express our solidarity and full support to the Central African people and for the peace process in the Central African Republic. We also share a message of complete unity and common resolve of the African Union and the United Nations.
We are pleased in this regard that our visit coincides with the first meeting in Bangui of the International Support Group for CAR since the country’s return to constitutional order. During our visit, we will have the opportunity to talk with the Central African authorities, and have also held talks with President Touadéra.
Having arrived yesterday, we are also concerned about persistent tensions in the PK5 neighbourhood of Bangui. The operations conducted by the Government and MINUSCA on 8 April were aimed at putting an end to the activities of criminal elements that endanger the lives of peaceful citizens, in a neighbourhood that is also the economic hub of Bangui.
In these difficult times, we wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and we deplore the many wounded, to whom we wish a speedy recovery.
Above all, we wish to emphasize that this operation to restore order and State authority has the sole purpose to protect the people who seek our protection against the criminal elements who oppress them. We want to make it clear that we are determined to act to protect the entire population, across the country.
We strongly deplore and condemn the attempts to instrumentalise this operation, as well as the attacks perpetrated against peacekeepers, about 20 of whom have been wounded, and one who succumbed to his wounds.
We would like to remind you that any attack against peacekeepers is a war crime. Their authors and those who support them will certainly have to answer for their crimes in court.
We also wish to express that an offer of a peaceful settlement had previously been made to the targeted groups, who rejected it.
Finally, we wish to emphasize that, in close coordination with the Government of the Central African Republic, we are ready to use all means available to the international community to create conditions for the restoration of peace in CAR. Among these means, dialogue will be our first action followed by, if necessary, the use of force.
Our joint presence here, in collaboration with the Central African Government, is intended to reaffirm our unambiguous commitment to the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation in CAR, which, as the United Nations Security Council has stated, represents the only way forward to exit from crisis.
To the people of Bangui, we also call for calm. We ask them not to be victim to rumours and manipulation. Your authorities are working hard with MINUSCA to restore public order and ensure the protection of all civilian populations, without distinction.
Mr Smaïl Chergui
Peace and Security Commissioner of the African Union
Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
Author nilspeacePosted on April 12, 2018 April 12, 2018 Categories Africa, Army, Civil Service, Development, Election, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, National Security, Politics, TransparencyTags 2015 Startegic Response Plan, Abusa, Accountability, African Union, Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, AU, Bangui, Brussels, Burundian Peacekeepers, C.A.R., Caatherine Samba-Panza, Cameroon, Carmen Perez-Salas, Cental Africa, Central African Republic, Central Africans, Charles Fomunyam, Civil Servants, civil war, Claire Bourgois, Crisis Team, Democratic Republic of Congo, Deployment, Dr. Chaloka Beyani, DRC, DRC Battalion, ECHO, EU, European Union, FARDC, Field Evaluation Mission, Gabonese Peacekeepers, Human Development, Human Rights, Humanitarian, Humanitarian Affairs, Humanitarian Agencies, Humanitarian Organization, Internal Oversight Services, Internally Displaced People, International Peacekeepers, Kyung-Wha Kang, Militias, MINUSCA, Minusca Bangui, Ngaboko, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Ouaka, Ouaka Prefecture, Peacekeepers, Peacekeeping Mission, Pledging, Rapists, Reconciliation, Reuters, RoC, Samba-Panza, Sanitation, Secterian Violance, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Exploitation, Transitional Authorities, UN, UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic, Unicef, United Nation, United Nations, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, Vengenace, Violence, WaterLeave a comment on Joint Communiqué of the African Union and the United Nations on the Peace Process and the Situation in Bangui (12.04.2018)
UPDF Disengages from the Central African Republic (19.04.2017)
Author nilspeacePosted on April 19, 2017 April 19, 2017 Format ImageCategories Africa, Army, Civil Service, Development, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics, TransparencyTags 2015 Startegic Response Plan, Abusa, Accountability, African Union, Armed Forces of Central Africa, Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, AU, Bangui, Big Dominic Ongwen, Brig. Emmanuel Kanyesigye, Brig. Katsigazi Tumusiime, Brussels, Burundian Peacekeepers, C.A.R., Caatherine Samba-Panza, Cameroon, Carmen Perez-Salas, Cental Africa, Central African Republic, Central Africans, Charles Fomunyam, Civil Servants, civil war, Claire Bourgois, COS-LF, Crisis Team, Democratic Republic of Congo, Deployment, Dr. Chaloka Beyani, DRC, DRC Battalion, ECHO, Emmanuel Kanyesigye, EU, European Union, FACA, FARDC, Field Evaluation Mission, Gabonese Peacekeepers, Human Development, Human Rights, Humanitarian, Humanitarian Affairs, Humanitarian Agencies, Humanitarian Organization, Internal Oversight Services, Internally Displaced People, International Peacekeepers, Joseph Kony, Kyung-Wha Kang, Lord Resistance Army, LRA, Militias, MINUSCA, Minusca Bangui, Ngaboko, Obbo Town, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Okot Odyambo, Ouaka, Ouaka Prefecture, Peacekeepers, Peacekeeping Mission, Pledging, Rapists, Reconciliation, Reuters, RoC, Samba-Panza, Sanitation, Secterian Violance, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Exploitation, Transitional Authorities, Uganda People Defence Force, Uganda Peoples Defense Force, UN, UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic, Unicef, United Nation, United Nations, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, UPDF, Vengenace, Violence, Water1 Comment on UPDF Disengages from the Central African Republic (19.04.2017)
Note to Correspondents on the investigations into allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse against peacekeepers deployed in the Central African Republic (05.12.2016)
The Office of Internal Oversight Services has concluded its investigative process on the allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse against Burundian and Gabonese contingents deployed in Dekoa, Kemo prefecture, in the Central African Republic.
These allegations referred to incidents between 2014 and 2015. OIOS has conducted joint investigations with Burundian and Gabonese national investigative officers. Investigations started in April 2016, a few days after the allegations were brought to the attention of the United Nations and lasted for more than four months. The investigators relied primarily on the testimony of possible victims and witnesses given the lack of medical, forensic or any other physical evidence. This was due to the fact that the majority of the allegations referred to incidents that took place a year or more earlier. Everyone who came forward with claims, both minors and adults, were assisted by national and international partners.
Overall, 139 possible victims were interviewed and their accounts were investigated. By means of photo array and/or other corroborating evidence a total of 41 alleged perpetrators (16 from Gabon and 25 from Burundi) were identified by 45 interviewees; eight persons were unable to identify perpetrators through photo array or other corroborating evidence but were able to describe some distinctive traits; 83 were not able to identify perpetrators or provide corroborating evidence; and three accounts were considered unreliable. A total of 25 minors asserted they had been sexually abused. A total of eight paternity claims were filed, including by six minors.
The United Nations has shared the OIOS report with both Member States, including the names of the identified alleged perpetrators and has requested for appropriate judicial actions to ensure criminal accountability.
Responsibility for further investigations lies with Burundi and Gabon. The United Nations has requested from the Burundian and Gabonese authorities that they review the OIOS findings and conduct the interviews of the alleged perpetrators who had all been rotated out from Central African Republic before the allegations surfaced. The United Nations has asked for a copy of the final national investigation reports to be transmitted urgently.
The alleged perpetrators, if allegations against them are substantiated, and, if warranted, their commanding officers, will not be accepted again for deployment in peacekeeping operations.
MINUSCA has strengthened its prevention measures and reinforced its outreach among communities and peacekeepers across the country, especially in high-risk areas to improve awareness and reporting on sexual exploitation and abuse and other forms of misconduct. The Mission is also regularly monitoring conditions and behaviour of mission’s personnel and has partnered with United Nations agencies and implementing partners in Central African Republic that provide psychosocial, medical and legal assistance to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.
The United Nations condemns, in the strongest terms, all acts of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by peacekeepers or any other UN personnel and will maintain follow up so that perpetrators of these abhorrent acts are brought to justice.
Author nilspeacePosted on December 6, 2016 December 6, 2016 Categories Africa, Army, Civil Service, Development, Diplomacy, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, PoliticsTags 2015 Startegic Response Plan, Abusa, Accountability, African Union, Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, AU, Bangui, Brussels, Burundian Peacekeepers, C.A.R., Caatherine Samba-Panza, Cameroon, Carmen Perez-Salas, Cental Africa, Central African Republic, Central Africans, Charles Fomunyam, Civil Servants, civil war, Claire Bourgois, Crisis Team, Democratic Republic of Congo, Deployment, Dr. Chaloka Beyani, DRC, DRC Battalion, ECHO, EU, European Union, FARDC, Field Evaluation Mission, Gabonese Peacekeepers, Human Development, Human Rights, Humanitarian, Humanitarian Affairs, Humanitarian Agencies, Humanitarian Organization, Internal Oversight Services, Internally Displaced People, International Peacekeepers, Kyung-Wha Kang, Militias, MINUSCA, Minusca Bangui, Ngaboko, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Ouaka, Ouaka Prefecture, Peacekeepers, Peacekeeping Mission, Pledging, Rapists, Reconciliation, Reuters, RoC, Samba-Panza, Sanitation, Secterian Violance, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Exploitation, Transitional Authorities, UN, UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic, Unicef, United Nation, United Nations, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, Vengenace, Violence, WaterLeave a comment on Note to Correspondents on the investigations into allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse against peacekeepers deployed in the Central African Republic (05.12.2016)
South Sudan: UNICEF sounds alarm on ‘catastrophic’ food insecurity in country (06.08.2016)
5 August 2016 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said today that it is responding to a growing food security emergency causing malnutrition in children in both rural and urban areas of crisis-gripped South Sudan.
“The situation in South Sudan is catastrophic, and even more so for children,” UNICEF spokesperson Christophe Boulierac told a news briefing in Geneva, where he also pointed out that so far this year, the agency has treated 120,000 children under age five for severe malnutrition; a nearly 50 per cent increase over the same period in 2015.
Initially, UNICEF had been planning to provide support to 166,000 children in 2016, but that figure has been revised to more than 250,000, he added.
Seven out of the country’s 10 states have reached the malnutrition-rate-emergency threshold of 15 per cent, while in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, the malnutrition rate stands at 33 per cent, he explained.
UNICEF has also noted a sharp rise in malnutrition in South Sudan’s urban areas, including the capital, Juba, where the rates of children admitted for malnutrition to UNICEF-supported Al-Sabbah children’s hospitals were some 20 per cent higher in the first six months of 2016 than for the same period last year. The spokesperson cited the country’s inflation rate as one of the main reasons for the high increase, explaining that it made basic household staples too expensive for many families.
Mr. Boulierac stated that while UNICEF could not provide figures of children dying from starvation, “one quarter of a million children in South Sudan are facing severe malnutrition.”
According to the spokesperson, with a number of roads inaccessible, the ongoing conflict has further limited UNICEF’s ability to respond – leaving, in the most urgent cases, the more expensive option of air transport for delivering supplies.
Additionally, Mr. Boulierac stressed that “due to insecurity and the rainy season, UNICEF staff in South Sudan are unable to be fully mobile and deliver their goods and services.”
Mr. Boulierac said that of the $154.5 million UNICEF needs for South Sudan in 2016, the Fund had, to date, received only $52 million to assist with water and sanitation; child support services; nutrition; health; and education.
He indicated that more than 900,000 children have been displaced in the country, which – with 1.8 million children, or 51 per cent of school-age youngsters out of school – also had the highest proportion of out-of-school children in the world.
“An estimated 16,000 children had been recruited by armed groups, and there were concerns that the renewed violence would lead to a further expansion of that practice,” explained the spokesperson.
He also called attention to the fact that sexual violence and rape had been used as a weapon of war, saying “all the ingredients were there to be extremely concerned.”
Between 8 and 25 July, at least 72 civilian deaths and 217 cases of sexual violence had been documented in Juba alone.
The spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), William Spindler, added that the total number of South Sudanese refugees in the region stood at 917,418 – most of whom are sheltering in Uganda.
The recent fighting in South Sudan between rival forces – the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir and the SPLA in Opposition backing First Vice-President Riek Machar – erupted in and around Juba, on 7 July, close to the fifth anniversary of its independence.
The young country has faced ongoing challenges since a political face-off between the two leaders erupted into conflict in December 2013. The crisis has produced one of the world’s worst displacement situations with immense suffering for civilians.
Author nilspeacePosted on August 6, 2016 August 6, 2016 Categories Africa, Agriculture, Army, Business, Civil Service, Development, Diplomacy, Economic Measures, Economy, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, PoliticsTags Ahmed Warsame, Al-Sabbah, Bahr El Ghazal, Blue Nile State, Central Equatoria, Conflict, Dr Riek Machar, FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Food Crisis, Food Insecurity, FVP Taban Deng Gai, GAM, Gen. Taban Deng Gai, Global Acute Malnutrition, Government of South Sudan, Humanitarian Aid, Hunger, Hunger Catastrophe, Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, IPC, Joyce Luma, Local Economy, Maban, Mahimbo Mdoe, Malnutrition, Mr. Boulierac, Nutrition, PoC, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Refugee Camps, Riek Machar, Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, Salva Kiir Mayardit, SAM, Sanitation, Serge Tissot, Severe Acute Malnutrition, South Sudan, South Sudanese, SPLA, SPLA/SPLM, SPLM, Sudan People Liberation Army, Sudan People Liberation Movement, Taban Deng Gai, The UN Refugee Agency, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Protection of Civilians, UN Refugee Agency, UN World Food Programe, UNHCR, Unicef, United Nation Children's Fund, Unity State, Upper Nile, VP Riek Machar, Vulnerable Farmers, Western Equatoria, WFP, William Spindler, World Food ProgrameLeave a comment on South Sudan: UNICEF sounds alarm on ‘catastrophic’ food insecurity in country (06.08.2016)
Press Statement: Increased displacement out of South Sudan into Sudan fuelled by food insecurity
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 29 March 2016, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
UNHCR is concerned by the increasing number of South Sudanese fleeing into Sudan because of increased food insecurity caused by the ongoing conflict and deteriorating economic conditions. Heightened food insecurity and growing unrest in parts of South Sudan, especially in the north-western States of Northern Bahr El Ghazal and Warrap, have resulted in the flight of some 38,000 people into East and South Darfur since end of January. UNHCR fears the situation could quickly worsen as the nutrition situation in Upper Nile, Warrap, and Northern Bahr Ghazal grows increasingly serious.
The Government of Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission reported the arrival of 2,328 South Sudanese in El Meiram and 2,520 in Kharasana, in West Kordofan State. These new arrivals, which may be under-counted, have reached Sudan in poor health, many having risked their lives en route. They need humanitarian help including food, water, basic relief items, SGBV prevention and response as well as family reunification. UNHCR led a mission to El Meiram on 20 and 21 March to assess the level and nature of the needs. In East Darfur, an average of 500 South Sudanese – or 100 households – have been arriving per day, rising to over 150 households last week, with a total of 35,234 as of 23 March, and more are expected in the coming days.
They have mostly settled in Khor Omer IDP camp, with smaller numbers arriving in the villages of Adila, Bahr Alara, Asalaya, Abu Karinka and Abu Jabra. The situation is desperate with most new arrivals having travelled up to 4 weeks before reaching Khor Omer, carrying few personal belongings and in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. UNHCR will coordinate, along with OCHA, the overall humanitarian response, which focuses on the areas of protection, public health and nutrition, sanitation, basic relief items, SGBV prevention and response as well as child protection. UNHCR is also advocating for direct access to East Darfur to support the response.
In South Darfur, over 2000 new arrivals were registered in Beliel Camp. Many of them arrived with no identification documents and are in need of humanitarian assistance, in particular food and hygiene items such as soap and jerry cans. Many children have been separated from their families. UNHCR led an inter-agency needs assessment mission last week to determine the needs of both the new arrivals and the host communities, which are over-stretched as each household is hosting an additional 25 to 35 people. The assessment indicates that refugees have faced insecurity en route to Sudan, are now living in overcrowded conditions with many of them being sick and in need of medical attention.
The conflict that erupted in South Sudan in December 2013 has produced one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies with 2.3 million people forced to flee their homes, 678,000 of these across borders as refugees and 1.69 million displaced inside the country. Growing food insecurity and ongoing conflict are causing more and more South Sudanese to flee – either across borders or inside the country. They are among 2.8 million people across South Sudan officially classified as facing a ‘crisis’ or ’emergency’ of food insecurity, according to Fewsnet, the global body mandated to monitor such situations.
With the number of South Sudanese fleeing their country increasing rapidly, UNHCR is extremely worried that the 2016 South Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP) that covers the refugee programmes in the neighbouring countries, run by UNHCR and 39 partners, is only funded at 3 per cent. This leaves many lifesaving activities such as the provision of clean water, sanitation and health services, food and shelter severely underfunded.
Author nilspeacePosted on March 29, 2016 March 29, 2016 Categories Africa, Aid, Army, Business, Civil Service, Development, Economic Measures, Economy, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, PoliticsTags Abu Jabra, Abu Karinka, Adila, Asalaya, Bahr Alara, Basic Relief Items, Beliel Camp, Darfur, East Africa, East Darfur, El Meiram, Emergency, Fewsnet, Fleeing, Food Security, GoS, GoSS, Government of South Sudan, Government of Sudan, Humanitarian Access, Humanitarian Aid, Humanitarian Aid Commisson, Humanitarian Assistance, Humanitarian Response, Hygiene, IDP, Insecurity, Internal Displaced People, Kharasana, Khor Omer IDP Camp, Medical Attention, Northern Bahr Ghazal, Nutrition Situation, OCHA, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Omar Al-Bashir, President Al-Bashir, President Kiir, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Refugee, RRRP, Salva Kiir, Salva Kiir Mayardit, Sanitation, SGBV, South Sudan, South Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan, South Sudanese, South Suden, SPLM, Sudan, Sudan People Liberation Movement, UN, UNHCR, United Nation, United Nation High Commission on Human Rights, Upper Nile, Violence, Warrap, West Kordofan, West Kordofan StateLeave a comment on Press Statement: Increased displacement out of South Sudan into Sudan fuelled by food insecurity
Press Release: EU provides €5 million in humanitarian aid for the Burundian crisis (17.12.2015)
The European Commission has today released €5 million in new humanitarian assistance to help the increasing number of Burundians affected by the ongoing instability in the country.
The European Commission has today released €5 million in new humanitarian assistance to help the increasing number of Burundians affected by the ongoing instability in the country. The additional support brings total Commission humanitarian aid to help the Burundian people to €14 million in 2015.
More than 220 000 people, over half of whom are children, are estimated to have left the country since April this year to neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
“The humanitarian situation affecting Burundians is worsening. The refugee numbers are rising, with almost a quarter of a million people having now fled their homes. This is extremely worrying – both for Burundi, and for the neighbouring countries whose hosting capabilities have been stretched to the limit. Hosting government’s efforts in welcoming those who fled the violence are commendable. This additional EU funding will help address the refugees’ most pressing needs, notably in Tanzania. It will also contribute to humanitarian protection activities inside Burundi.” said EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.
The most urgent humanitarian needs to address remain shelter, water and sanitation, as well as health assistance to stop the possible surge of diseases and epidemics, notably cholera.
Following the announcement on 25 April 2015 that President Pierre Nkurunziza would seek a third mandate, provoking serious political division, Burundi has undergone a sustained political and security crisis – this crisis brought with it a surge in the number of refugees.
Tanzania has received the highest number of Burundian refugees so far (nearly 117 000) mostly to the Nyarugusu refugee camp, which was already hosting some 60 000 Congolese refugees. Nyarugusu has consequently become one of the largest and most overcrowded refugee camps in the world. While two news camps are under construction to decongest Nyarugusu, living conditions there continue to be dire. Hundreds of people still live in overcrowded mass shelters months after their arrival, while wet floors and cramped conditions increase risks of respiratory infections and waterborne diseases.
Author nilspeacePosted on December 18, 2015 Categories Africa, Aid, Civil Service, Development, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, PoliticsTags 2000 Arusha Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Burundi, Burundi, Burundi Crisis, Cholera, Christos Stylianides, CNDD-FDD, Crisis Management, Democratic Republic of Congo, Demonstration, DRC, Epidemics, EU, EU Commission, EU Commission for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, EU Funding, European Union, GoB, GoR, GoU, Government of Burundi, Government of Rwanda, Government of Tanzania, Government of Uganda, Health Assistance, Hosting Capabilities, Humanitarian, Humanitarian Aid, Humanitarian Situation, Inter-Burundian Dialogue, Nyarugusu, Nyarugusu Refugee Camp, Pierre Nkurunziza, Presidential Term Limits, Refugee, Rwanda, Sanitation, Security Crisis, Tanzania, Third term, Uganda, WaterLeave a comment on Press Release: EU provides €5 million in humanitarian aid for the Burundian crisis (17.12.2015)
As Delivered: UN Assistant Secretary-General Kwang-Wha Kang remarks to the EU Pledging Conference on the Central African Republic (Brussels – 26.05.2015)
Author nilspeacePosted on May 26, 2015 Categories Africa, Aid, Business, Civil Service, Climate, Corruption, Crime, Development, Economic Measures, Ethics, Europe, Governance, Government, Law, Politics, Tax, Trade, War History, Western-HemisphereTags 2015 Startegic Response Plan, Accountability, Brussels, C.A.R., Caatherine Samba-Panza, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Central Africans, Civil Servants, Claire Bourgois, Deployment, Dr. Chaloka Beyani, ECHO, EU, European Union, Human Development, Human Rights, Humanitarian, Humanitarian Affairs, Humanitarian Agencies, Humanitarian Organization, Internally Displaced People, International Peacekeepers, Kyung-Wha Kang, MINUSCA, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Pledging, Samba-Panza, Sanitation, Transitional Authorities, UN, United Nations, United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, Violence, WaterLeave a comment on As Delivered: UN Assistant Secretary-General Kwang-Wha Kang remarks to the EU Pledging Conference on the Central African Republic (Brussels – 26.05.2015)
Press release: Red Cross responds to growing need for regional assistance following Burundi pre-election violence (23.05.2015)
Nairobi/Geneva 23 May 2015 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is deeply concerned about the current situation in Burundi and its humanitarian consequences in the country and region.
Pre-election tension and violence have intensified in recent weeks in Burundi, resulting in a number of casualties in the capital of Bujumbura. More than 100,000 Burundians have fled across the country’s borders into neighbouring Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania.
The Rwandan Red Cross reports that 26,756 Burundians have crossed its border over the past three weeks, while UNHCR reports at least 76,520 Burundians have fled to Tanzania.
In Tanzania, the men, women and children, who fled their homes only with what they could carry, are also now facing a cholera outbreak. According to health officials, 33 people have died so far. The outbreak is feared to be worsening with more than 2,000 suspected cases now reported, increasing at the rate of 300 to 400 new cases per day, particularly in Kagunga and nearby areas. At least 15 suspected cases have been reported on the Burundi side of the border. Many cases of acute watery diarrhoea have also been reported.
“Over half of the refugees from Burundi who seek refuge in Tanzania are children who are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases like cholera. Many of the families arriving are female-led which makes them even more vulnerable to violence and insecurity,” said Finn Jarle Rode, IFRC regional representative, East Africa. “There are urgent needs in water and sanitation, health, first aid and shelter.”
IFRC is supporting National Red Cross Societies in Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania in responding to the urgent and rising humanitarian needs, especially those of woman and children who are the most affected in the current crisis, and to ensure close collaboration and coordination between the three National Societies.
On 20 May, IFRC launched an emergency appeal for 1 million Swiss francs to support the Tanzanian Red Cross Society in delivering assistance to 20,000 Burundian refugees with a focus on emergency health, water, sanitation, hygiene promotion, emergency shelter, and relief. Since the beginning of the crisis, staff and volunteers of the Tanzania Red Cross Society have been on the frontline of the response, providing people in need with immediate humanitarian assistance. A Field Assessment Coordination Team (FACT) has also been deployed to further evaluate the needs of the refugees and update the Red Cross response plan accordingly.
In Burundi, the Red Cross deployed three first aid mobile response teams in Bujumbura. They are offering onsite first aid treatment, evacuation of the injured to hospitals, and referrals of pregnant women caught up in the violence. Burundi Red Cross is monitoring the situation closely in all provinces and has pre-positioned stocks to be able to adapt its response to the fast changing context.
In Rwanda, the National Society has been supporting refugees at different entry points, in two transit camps and in one permanent camp with registration, first aid, psychosocial support, distribution of non-food items and helping separated family members regain contact with their loved ones.
“The Red Cross is on the front lines of this response, and currently, a lot remains unknown,” said Jarle Rode. “As the needs of those affected become clearer through our on-going assessments, we will undoubtedly have to seek significant additional resources to ensure affected people and families in Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania receive the humanitarian support they deserve.”
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 189 member National Societies. Together, the IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. It does so with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions. For more information, please visit www.ifrc.org/africa. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
Author nilspeacePosted on May 24, 2015 Categories Africa, Aid, Civil Service, Corruption, Crime, Daily Life, Economic Measures, Election, Ethics, Governance, Government, PoliticsTags Aid, Bujumbura, Burundi, Civil Society, CNDD-FDD, CSO, Disease, EAC, East Africa, East African Community, FACT, Field Assessment Coordination Team, Health Care, Human Rights, Humanitarian, IFRC, Kagunga, National Red Cross Societies, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Pierre Nkurunziza, Red Cross, Rwanda, Sanitation, Sickness, Tanzania, Tanzania Red Cross Society, The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, UNHCR, Watery DiarrhoeaLeave a comment on Press release: Red Cross responds to growing need for regional assistance following Burundi pre-election violence (23.05.2015)
Press Release: UNHCR and partners appeal for US$207 million for Burundi Emergency (23.05.2015)
Press Releases, 22 May 2015
Today the UN Refugee Agency and 17 partners launched the Regional Refugee Response Plan to protect and assist up to 200,000 Burundian refugees in the neighbouring countries.
Since early April, nearly 100,000 Burundians have fled political turmoil, violence and intimidation and sought safety in neighbouring Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As the situation in Burundi remains tense and violence continues to be reported, aid agencies fear that the number of refugees may double over the next six months.
“Burundi does not need another crisis”, High Commissioner Guterres said, referring to Burundi’s civil war that lasted from 1993 – 2005 and sent hundreds of thousands of Burundians into exile. “After the progress that had been made under the Arusha peace accords, it is heart-breaking that people have to flee their country again.”
Guterres praised the neighbouring countries for keeping their borders open and called on the international donor community to support the Regional Refugee Response Plan. “The authorities and host communities have been very generous in welcoming the refugees and allowing them to share local resources. I hope that the international community will match this generosity”.
Under the plan, participating agencies appeal for USD 207 million for basic protection and assistance activities until September 2015, when the plan will be reviewed. Arriving refugees will be registered and documented, undergo immediate health screening and receive food assistance and basic relief item such as blankets, mosquito nets, soap and plastic sheeting. In Tanzania and Rwanda, the refugees will be transferred to refugee camps, where they will receive shelter material, domestic items and have access to basic health and sanitation services. In South Kivu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, many of the new arrivals found shelter with long-staying Burundian refugees who had fled the civil war. The arriving refugees will eventually also move to a site, and UNHCR and its partners plan to reinforce local services and facilities to benefit both refugees and the host community. Providing clean water, sanitation and health services as well as shelter are the main priorities of the Regional Refugee Response Plan.
Author nilspeacePosted on May 23, 2015 Categories Africa, Aid, Civil Service, Daily Life, Development, Economic Measures, Ethics, Governance, Government, PoliticsTags Basic Health, Burundi, Clean Water, Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, EAC, East African, East African Community, Food, Health Service, Kenya, Political Turmoil, Refugee, Regional Refugee Response Plan, Republic of Rwanda, Rwanda, Sanitation, South Kivu, Tanzania, Uganda, UN, UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, United Nation, WaterLeave a comment on Press Release: UNHCR and partners appeal for US$207 million for Burundi Emergency (23.05.2015)
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Role of Missionary Kids in the Local Emerging Church
by David Hines
MKs’ personalities, values, and experiences reflect the values of the emerging Church. MKs, in fact, are in a unique position to contribute to the local church and shape its vision.
As missionary kids (MKs) return from the field, they face the struggles of reentry. Be it in school, the workplace, or the church, it takes time to adjust to life back “home”. Some MKs return with no doubt that they will reenter the field as missionaries. Others, like me, have no plans to return full time. Both groups face the same crisis: Where do we fit into our local church?
Both groups may be less likely to invest in and take ownership of a local congregation—one is focused on returning to the field; the other may experience reverse culture shock which hinders them from making meaningful connections in a local congregation. Thankfully, there is another group: those who have gotten plugged into the local church and have invested in it. MKs (and Third Culture Kids) bring with them a unique and invaluable set of experiences, personality traits, and skills to contribute to the local church, particularly when it comes to the trend of the emerging Church.
A myriad of terms can describe the trend of the emerging Church: “missional”, “organic”, and “postmodern”, for instance. For our purposes, I am content with Eddie Gibbs’ description: “Emerging churches are missional communities arising from within postmodern culture and consisting of followers of Jesus who are seeking to be faithful in their place and time” (Gibbs and Bolger 2005, 28).
MKs’ personalities, values, and experiences reflect the values of the emerging Church. MKs, in fact, are in a unique position to contribute to the local church and shape its vision. Let’s look at three key elements of the emerging Church and consider how MKs might champion those in their local church.
Value #1: The Missio Dei & the Missional Church
The missio Dei, or “mission of God,” is perhaps the principal element of the emerging Church. A return to the core teachings of Jesus has led to a renewed sense of importance and urgency with regard to the Great Commission. Evangelism becomes a way of life, rather than an event (Gibbs and Bolger 2005, 75). The missional Church “draws attention to the essential nature and vocation of the Church as God’s called and sent people. It sees the Church primarily as the instrument of God’s mission” (Gibbs 2000, 51).
Many MKs have been acutely aware of the missional nature of their parent’s work for as long as they can remember. As children, they knew that everything about their circumstances was a result of their parent’s response to “the call.” On the field, the job of being a missionary doesn’t stop; there’s no 9-to-5. MKs likely remember dinners interrupted by pop-in visitations, spiritual inquiries, or some church member’s uncle’s family emergency. They observed the urgency of the mission. Additionally, they saw the mission lived out at the local level, while also having an appreciation for the big picture of missions.
Gibbs identifies key transformations that the Church needs to undergo in order to adjust to the rapidly changing cultural context. Of one transformation, “from marketing-driven to mission-oriented,” he says,
Unfortunately, most pastors and church leaders have had no missiological training. Consequently, they resort to marketing strategies in place of missionary insights in their attempts to reach out to a population that is becoming increasingly distanced from the church. (2000, 36)
I do not mean to suggest that by simply being an MK one is inherently more effective at missional outreach than trained pastors; however, they do have unique training that many pastors likely do not have. By serving on boards and vision committees, MKs can make a significant positive contribution with regard to the missional nature of the church.
While MKs may have a clear and present understanding of the missio Dei, they may not be so quick to consider it in the context of the Western Church. Growing up, I viewed my host culture as the mission field and North America as “mostly Christian.” I assumed that just about everyone was Christian. In light of Gibbs’ admonition to adopt a missional stance in the North American Church, we will see that this is an area where MKs can greatly contribute.
However, it requires one important step: MKs need to take all their perceptions about the field (why they were there, the need for Jesus in the lives of those around you, the cultural differences) and apply those to the Western context. The message of the cross is just as foreign to most Western cultures as it is in other parts of the world.
Value #2: Postmodernism & Cross-cultural Ministry
The missional approach of the emerging Church forces the contrast between the culture of Christ and the culture of the world. Additionally, as a result of postmodernism, cross-cultural elements are even more prevalent. Globalization and immigration have led to an increasingly pluralistic society with increased ethnic diversity and differing worldviews (Guder 1998, 42). Younger generations have embraced postmodern values, favoring experience over the knowledge valued by their modern parents. The combination of value placed on experience and the faster moving, shrinking world have given rise to a sense of urgency.
MKs have learned to relate to, adapt to, fit in to, and live in different cultures. Initially developed as a survival tool, this chameleon-like nature can prove valuable in church leadership. MKs bring with them a different view of their Western culture. With this perspective, they can help the church relate to the changing culture that surrounds it.
Adaptability, however, is not the only benefit of these cross-cultural experiences. MKs have been forced to reconcile in their minds the differences between their cultures. Some suggest that after the adjustment of reentry, the MKs will end up with a more balanced view of both cultures, while retaining the benefits of each.
This forced reconciliation of cultures gives the MKs a discerning mind when it comes to sifting the elements of a culture. Anthropologist Charles Kraft described culture as “corrupt, but convertible” and as such, the Church must “ascertain which cultural elements are impure and reject them, while retaining elements that agree with the teachings of Christ” (Whitesel 2007, 61). When churches recognize that they are attempting to reach a completely different (and perhaps incompatible) culture, MKs can offer invaluable experiences and perspective.
According to one website, “The missional church will see themselves as representatives of Jesus and will do nothing to dishonor his name” (FriendofMissional 2010). Members of the emerging Church recognize that they are ambassadors to their community and the culture around them. One MK shared that as a child he and his siblings were quite aware that their actions reflected on their parents, both in their host culture and while on furlough. So too do members of the emerging Church represent Christ in a hostile culture.
The increased value placed on experience and being focused on the present in postmodern culture should resonate with MKs. Postmodern Christians do not want to merely hear about the plight of starving children in Africa; they want to get involved. This opens the door for MKs to share what they have seen God do and can give them a platform to influence fellow leaders.
The sense of urgency of a postmodern culture is a trait MKs share. Due to the mobile and transitory nature of their lifestyle, MKs have a strong sense of “the importance of now” (Pollock 1999, 100). This makes them more likely to take the initiative in meeting new people, recognizing that such an opportunity might not be there tomorrow.
Value #3: Relationships & Community
The emerging Church is frequently described as a community. It is not merely a group of individuals who show up on Sunday morning to listen to scripture, only to go back to their secular lives. The emerging Church builds relationships, and from these relationships grows a tightly-knit community that is accountable, missional, and quite the opposite of a consumer Christianity.
Gibbs explains it this way, “The depth of relationships determines the quality of the church gathering” (Gibbs and Bolger 2005, 106). The highly mobile life of an MK tends to lead them to develop a large number of relationships. More applicable for the emerging Church, however, is that MKs tend to develop deeper relationships more quickly. They tend to skip small talk in favor of deeper connections.
This ability stems from several factors. First, MKs have had a lifetime of practice meeting people and sharing conversations with them. Second, MKs have many experiences from which to pull and knowledge of various religions, worldviews, and cultural backgrounds to fuel conversations. Finally, they have a sense of urgency, as we discussed earlier. In general, MKs will prefer to quickly move past small talk to that which they consider meaningful, despite the transient nature of the relationships (Pollock 1999, 131).
MKs will likely have had unique experiences in a variety of communities, be it with fellow missionaries and expatriots on the field, in boarding school, or in a new church plant in an unchurched neighborhood (or people group). More importantly is the missional nature of those communities. When I was 10, my parents started a church plant in a neighborhood on the edge of town. I witnessed door-to-door visits and service projects lead to small group Bible studies and then to a house church, and eventually a new building. My parents worked their way into that community with a mission. They reached out to meet the needs of the people and got them involved in leadership.
Many MKs have examples like this from their own lives. They have seen their parents model missional living in full surrender and obedience to God. They have seen lives changed as a result of the Holy Spirit, and those lives invested back into the church for the cause of Christ. Not only have they been aware of the missio Dei all their lives, but they have seen it lived out and produce God-sized results. Through their experiences, developed characteristics, and observations, they have been uniquely equipped to contribute to the missio Dei.
Some MKs will return to the field, but those who don’t need to get involved in the local church. The culture around them is every bit in need of the life-changing message of Christ as the cultures in which they grew up. The local church needs MKs to get involved, serve, build relationships, help guide vision, and further the cause of Christ.
FriendofMissional. 2010. “What Is the Missional Church?” Accessed May 17, 2012, from www.friendofmissional.org.
Gibbs, Eddie. 2000. Church Next: Quantum Changes in How We Do Ministry. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.
Gibbs, Eddie and Ryan K. Bolger. 2005. Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Publishing Group.
Guder, Darrell L. 1998. Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm.. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Pollock, David C. and Ruth E.Van Reken. 2001. Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up among Worlds. London, U.K.: Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
Whitesel, Bob. 2007. Preparing for Change Reaction: How to Introduce Change in Your Church. Indianapolis, Ind.: Wesleyan Publishing House.
David Hines grew up on the mission field in Honduras and Costa Rica. He is a volunteer at Brookhaven Wesleyan Church in Marion, Indiana, and is pursuing an MA in Ministerial Leadership from Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University.
EMQ, Vol. 49, No. 2, pp. 298-303. Copyright © 2013 Billy Graham Center. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from EMIS.
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The Charitable And Religious Trusts Act, 1920
[20th March, 1920]
An Act to provide more effectual control over the administration of Charitable and Religious Trusts.
Whereas it is expedient to provide facilities ‘or the obtaining of information regarding trusts created for public purposes of a charitable or religious nature, and to enable the trustees of such trusts to obtain the directions of a Court on certain matters, and to make special provision for the payment of the expenditure incurred in certain suits against the trustees of such trusts; it is hereby enacted as follows:
2. Interpretation.
In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, “the court” means the court of the district Jduge 1[or any other court empowered in that behalf by the 2[State Government]] and includes the High Court in the exercise of its ordinary original civil jurisdiction.
Ins. by Act 41 of 1923, sec. 2.
2. Subs, by the A.O. 1950.
3. Power to apply to the Court in respect of trusts of a charitable or religious nature.
Save as hereinafter provided in this Act, any person having an interest in any express or constructive trust created or existing for a public purpose of a charitable or religious nature may apply by petition to the Court within the local limits of whose jurisdiction any substantial part of the subject-matter of the trust is situate to obtain an order embodying allo or any of the following directions, namely:-
(1) Directing the trustee to furnish the petitioner through the Court with particulars as to the nature and object of the trust, and of the subject-matter of the trust, and of the income belonging thereto or as to any of these matters; and
(2) Directing that the accounts of the trust shall be examined and audited:
Provided that no person shall apply for any such direction in respect of accounts relating to a period more than three years prior to the date of the petition.
4. Contents and verification of petition.
(1) The petition shall show in what way the petitioner claims to be interested in the trust, and shall specify as far as may be, the particulars and the audit which he seeks to obtain.
(2) The petition shall be in wirting and shall be signed and verified in the manner prescribed by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, for signing and verifying plaints.
5. Procedure on petition.
(1) If the Court on receipt of a petition under Section 3,after taking such evidence and making such inquiry, if any, as it may consider necessary, of opinion that the trust to which the petition relates is a trust to which this Act applies and that the petitioner has an interest therein, it shall fix a date for the hearing of the petition, and shall cause a copy thereof, together with notice of the date so fixed, to be served on the trustee and upon any other person to whom in its opinion notice of the petition should be given.
(2) On the date fixed for the hearing of the petition or on any subsequent date to which the hearing may be adjourned, the Court shall proceed to hear the petitioner and the trustee, if he appears, and any other person who has appeared in consequence of the notice, or who it considers ought to be heard, and shall make such further inquiries, if any, as it thinks fit. The trustee may and, if so required by the Court, shall at the time of the first hearing or which such time as the Court may permit, present a written statement of his case. If he does present a written statement, the statement shall be signed and verified in the manner prescribed by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, for signing and verifying pleadings.
(3) If any person appears at the hearing of the petition and either denies the existence of the trust or denies that it is a trust to which this Act applies, and undertakes to institute within three months a suit for a declaration to that effect and for any other appropriate relief, the Court shall order a stay of the proceedings and, if such suit is so instituted, shall continue the stay until, the suit is finally decided.
(4) If such undertaking is given, or if after the expiry of the three months no such suit has been instituted, the Court shall itself decide the question.
(5) On completion of the inquiry provided for in sub-section (2), the Court shall either dismiss the petition or pass thereon such order as it thinks fit:
Provided that, where a suit has been instituted in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (3), no order shall be passed by the Court. which conflicts with the final decision therein.
(6) Save as provided in this section, the Court shall not try or determine any question of title between the petitioner and any person claiming title adversely to the trust
6. Failure of trustee to comply with order under Section 5.
If a trustee without reasonable excuse fails to comply with an order made under sub-section (5) of Section 5, such trustee shall without prejudice to any other penalty or liability which he may incur under any law for the time being in force, be deemed to have committed a breach of trust affording ground for a suit under the provisions of Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and any such suit may, so far as it is based on such failure, be instituted without the previous consent of the Advocate General.
7. Powers of trustee to apply for direction.
(1) Save as hereinafter provided in this Act, any trustee of an express or constructive trust created or existing for public purpose of a charitable or religious nature may apply by petition to the Court, within the local limits of whose jurisdiction any substantial part of the subject-matter of trust is situate, for the opinion, advice or direction of the Court on any question affecting the management or administration of the trust property, and the court shall give its opinion, advice or direction, as the case may be thereon.
Provided that the Court shall not be bound to give such opinion, advice or direction on any question which it considers to be a question not proper for summary disposal.
(2) The court on a petition under sub-section (1), may either give its opinion, advice or direction’ thereon forthwith, or fix a date, for the hearing of the petition, and may direct a copy thereof, together with notice of the date so fixed, to be served on such of the persons interested in the trust, or to be published for information in such manner, as it thinks fit.
(3) On any date fixed under sub-section (2) or on any subsequent date, to which the hearing may be adjourned, the Court, before giving any opinion, advice or direction, shall afford a reasonable opportunity of being heard to all persons appearing in connection with the petition.
(4) A trustee stating in good faith the facts of any matter relating to the trust in a petition under subsection (1), and acting upon the opinion, advice or direction of the Court given thereon, shall be deemed, as far as his own responsibility is concerned, to have discharged his duty as such trustee in the matter in respect of which the petition was made.
8. Costs of petition under this Act.
The costs, charges and expenses of and incidental to any petition, and all proceedings in connection therewith under the foregoing provisions of this Act, shall be in the discretion of Court, which may direct the whole or any part of any such costs, charges and expenses to be met from the property or income of the trust in respect of which the petition is made or to be borne and paid in such manner and by such person as it thinks fit:
Provided that no such order shall be made against any person (other than the practitioner) who has not received notice of the petition and had a reasonable opportunity of being heard thereon.
9. Savings.
No petition under the foregoing provisions of this Act in relation to any trust shall be entertained in any of the following circumstances, namely:
(a) If a suit instituted in accordance with the provisions of Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, is pending in respect of the trust in question;
(b) If the trust property is vested in the Treasurer of Charitable Endowments, the Administrator-General, the Official Trustee, or any Society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860; or
(c) If a scheme for the administration of the trust property has been settled or proved by any Court of competent jurisdiction, or by any other authority acting under the provisions of any enactment.
10. Power of Courts as to costs in certain suits against trustees of charitable and religious trusts.
(1) In any suits instituted under Section 14 of the Religious Endowments Act, 1863, or under Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 the Court trying such suit may, if on application of the plaintiff and after hearing the defendant and making Such enquiry as it thinks fit it is satisfied that such an order is necessary in the public interest, direct the defendant either to furnish security for any expenditure incurred or likely to be incurred by the plaintiff in instituting and maintaining such suit, or to deposit from any money in his hands as trustees of the trust to which the suit relates such sum as such Court considers sufficient to meet such expenditure in whole or in part.
(2) When any money has been deposited in accordance with an order made under sub-section (1), the Court may make over to the plaintiff the whole or any part of such sum for the conduct of the suit. Before making over any sum to the plaintiff, the Court shall take security from the plaintiff, for the refund of the same in the event of such refund being subsequently ordered by the Court.
11. Provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure to apply.
(1) The provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, relating to, –
(a) The proof of facts by affidavit;
(b) The enforcing of the attendance of any person and his examination on oath;
(c) The enforcing of the production of documents; and
(d) The issuing of commissions;
shall apply to all proceedings under this Act, and the provisions relating to the service of summons shall apply to the service of notice thereunder.
(2) The provisions of the said Code relating to the execution of decrees shall, so far as they are applicable, apply to the execution of orders under this Act.
12. Barring of appeals.
No appeal shall lie from any order passed or against any opinion, advice or direction given under this Act 1.
1. In the application of thsi Act to West Bengal, a new section 13 providing that the provisions of thsi Act shall not, so far as they are inconsistent with those of the Bengal Wakf Act, 1934 (Ben. 13 of 1934), apply to any Wakf property in West Bengal, has been ins. see Bengal Wakf Act, 1934, section 81.
← The Sugar Cess Act, 1982
THE HINDU INHERITANCE (REMOVAL OF DISABILITIES) ACT, 1928 →
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Kirill Kirsanov of Team Russia (Russia Hockey/fhr.ru)
2021 NHL Draft: 5 Russian players to watch
The 2021 NHL Draft will see a number of Russian players near the top.
As one of the first countries to have leagues startup for the 2020-21 season, the Russian players in this class should have many eyes on them ahead of the draft.
Related: FCHockey’s Top-10 Preliminary Rankings – Russia
With FCHockey’s scouts already getting views on Russian prospects, our scouts agreed on five 2021 NHL Draft-eligible players that you’ll need to see this season. From the VHL, MHL, and even the KHL, there are a number of prospects that will be in first-round consideration in the upcoming draft.
Here are FCHockey’s five Russian prospects to watch this season:
Daniil Chayka, D, Krasnaya Armiya
Daniil Chayka may be a name that you already recognize, especially if you’re in Ontario. That’s because the Russian defender spent the last two seasons in the OHL with the Guelph Storm before heading over to Russia for the 2020-21 season.
Related: 2021 NHL Draft: 5 under-the-radar Russian players to watch
Chayka spent a year in the GTHL with the Toronto Jr. Canadians U16 AAA before making the jump to the OHL in 2018-19. Once there, he chipped in five goals and nine assists for 14 points in 56 games. He then played 20 games in the Storm’s run to the OHL championship and played another four games in the Memorial Cup, not recording any points. He was named to the OHL’s Second All-Star Team.
Then in 2019-20, Chayka started the season on Team Russia in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. As an alternate captain, he helped lead the team to a gold medal with two assists in five games. His OHL season saw his point totals jump, with 11 goals, 23 assists, and 34 points in 56 games.
“Chayka has an active stick in the d-zone and is a fairly fluid skater for a player his size,” said head Eastern Canada scout Dylan Galloway. ” On the offensive side of the puck, Chayka likes to jump up on the rush and contribute offensively through good puck transitioning and smart passing.”
More of a defensive defenseman, Chayka won’t be lighting the lamp often, but he is very much a player to keep an eye on in 2020-21.
Nikita Chibrikov, RW, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg
Right-winger Nikita Chibrikov isn’t exactly well-known by the widespread hockeyverse, but he is very much on the radar of draft enthusiasts and scouts. The forward has already cracked the KHL lineup in 2020-21, an impressive feat for a draft-eligible player.
He’s been well on his way for years though. In 2018-19, Chibrikov played at the U16, U17, and U18 levels in Russia for the Dynamo Moskva system, putting up 54 points (24 goals, 30 assists) at the U16 level and moving up to being an alternate captain with the U18s, adding another 15 points (eight goals, seven assists).
Then in 2019-20, the forward spent the majority of the season in the MHL, playing 32 games and recording three goals, 13 assists, and 16 points in 32 games. In the middle of the year, he impressed at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge for Team Russia, collecting eight points (three goals, five assists) in six games en route to a gold medal
Chibrikov is a fantastic skater who often displays very good top speed while carrying the puck on his stick,” said Crossover scout Brandon Holmes. “Using fluid crossovers to generate speed through the neutral zone and find space in the offensive zone.”
With Chibrikov now getting time in the KHL in the 2020-21 season, he should be top of mind when thinking of Russian prospects in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Kirill Kirsanov, D, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg
The second defensive defender on this list, Kirill Kirsanov has been excellent to start the 2020-21 season and should be trending up on draft boards if he continues this way. Along with Chibrikov, Kirsanov impressed enough at the MHL level to get the call up to the KHL squad. Again, that’s impressive for an 18-year-old.
Much like Chayka, Kirsanov won’t be racking up the points at this level or the next. He’s more of a pillar of defense which has been working for him. In 2018-19, for both the U17 and U18 squad, mainly with the U17s. There, he collected three goals, seven assists, and 10 points in 20 games. He also dressed for the gold-medal winning national team at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, adding two assists in six games.
Kirsanov started off 2019-20 winning again, this time at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, picking up another two assists in five games. He then spent the season in the MHL, scoring four goals and nine assists for 13 points in 40 games. The defender did briefly stop to play in the World Junior A Challenge, getting another goal and four assists in six games.
The Russian defender’s defensive awareness is extremely high-end,” said Eastern Canada and Crossover scout Josh Bell. “He reads plays very well, knowing when to apply pressure on the attacker and break up a play… He’s always working to be in the best position whether that’s in order to defend or receive a pass and support his teammates.”
Kirsanov’s proven that he can play at the top levels early on in this season, and is very much one to keep tabs on ahead of the 2021 NHL Draft.
Daniil Lazutin, C, SKA-Varyagi
If there was one player on this list coming into the season with the most hype, it’s Daniil Lazutin. The Russian centreman hasn’t had the best start in 2020-21 but if he can live up to his resume, he will be very much an intriguing player in this draft. He could even be worthy of a top-20 selection.
In 2018-19, Lazutin was already putting himself on the map for the 2021 NHL Draft. At just 15-years old, he put up 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 23 games t the U16 level. He got bumped up to the U18 level, captaining the team. In his eight games, he continued to impress with five goals, seven assists, and 12 points.
In 2019-20, he made the jump to the MHL, collecting four goals, seven assists, and 11 points in 32 games. HE also stole the show at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge for Team Russia, tallying four goals to go along with five assists and nine points in six games. He was named to the tournament All-Star Team and helped Russia win the gold medal.
With the puck, Lazutin is an extremely evasive player,” said Bell. “His creativity allows him to get around defenders and he protects the puck well. He’s not afraid to try and make plays… He’s a very active defender, closing the gap between him and his man, getting his stick in passing lanes, and making it difficult on his opponents.”
He’s been off to a slow start in 2020-21, but if he can regain his past year’s form he should be a first-round pick in this draft class.
Vladislav Lukashevich, D, Loko Yaroslavl
Finally, we come to another defenseman in Vladislav Lukashevich. If you’re noticing a trend in the defenders on this list, this is yet another one that hasn’t racked up the points in Russia. However, he does have some very intriguing two-way abilities that could see him get more points than Chayka and Kirsanov in the long run.
After spending 12 games in the Russia U17 league in 2018-19, collecting eight assists, Lukashevich skipped the U18 level altogether and went into the MHL in 2019-20. He played 36 games with Loko Yaroslavl, playing 36 games. In that time, he scored two goals and had four assists for six points. He also dressed for Russia in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, tacking on four points (one goal, three assists) and a gold medal to his draft-1 season.
“Lukashevich is a uniquely advanced and mature defenseman for his age,” said head Crossover scout Derek Neumeier. “His understanding of the defense position is incredible. He isn’t a rover, per se, but he does a fantastic job of moving his feet and getting himself into positions that benefit his team.”
This season, the defender has taken a big role with Loko, playing big minutes and starting to put up more points. If this continues, he could very well be selected in the first round come June.
Hughes focused on the present in draft year
Unpacking the Notebook: Arcuri, Clarke, Robidas & More
2021 WJC: 10 statistical takeaways from draft-eligibles
Get insider content and scouting reports you can’t find anywhere else.
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Tag Archives: Treaties
Gohmert on Trade Agreement Vote in House
Posted in Constitution, Financial, Politics, Survival | Tagged Barack Obama, Constitution, Louie Gohmert, Politics, TPP, Trade Agreement, Treaties | 1 Comment
Why Are TPA & TPP Being Referred to as Obamatrade?
By: Nancy Salvato
In an article by Connor Wolf called This Is The Difference Between TPP And TPA (Hint: They Are Not The Same Thing), he explains that these two bills are linked together because Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) is a means to fast track passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). I am confused by this line of reasoning because as a stand-alone bill, TPA is intended to provide transparency to all trade negotiations by soliciting public and congressional input throughout the process, however, TPP as a stand-alone bill, is a behemoth and most of the information to which the public has access has been leaked. Furthermore, it was negotiated behind closed doors. According to the verbiage of TPA, if TPP is not negotiated using TPA guidelines, the fast track option is negated. So why do news outlets and a wide range of legislators portray these two bills disingenuously? Bundling the TPA and TPP as one idea called Obamatrade is no different than bundling immigration reform and border security, which are two separate issues. One is about drug cartels and terrorism and the other is about how we manage people who want to immigrate to the United States.
Challenges TPA hopes to remedy throughout the negotiating process and in resulting trade agreements have parallels to challenges facing the US and its allies when agreeing to make war on the foreign stage. While one president may assure allies that US troops will assist in gaining and maintaining freedom, i.e., Iraq, a new administration or congress may change the terms, leaving a foreign country abandoned, with the understanding that the US cannot be relied upon to meet its agreed upon obligations. When negotiating foreign trade agreements, this same realization comes into play when negotiations that took place in good faith are undermined by a new administration or congress that change the terms. TPA hopes to create a set of consistent negotiating objectives when hammering out trade agreements, allowing agreements to transcend administrations and congresses.
The following excerpts from a letter written to President Obama from Sen. Jeff Sessions (R, AL) would alarm any person who understands the division of powers and checks and balances built into our rule of law. Posted in Exclusive–Sessions to Obama: Why Are You Keeping Obama Trade’s New Global Governance Secret? Sessions explains:
“Under fast-track, Congress transfers its authority to the executive and agrees to give up several of its most basic powers.”
“These concessions include: the power to write legislation, the power to amend legislation, the power to fully consider legislation on the floor, the power to keep debate open until Senate cloture is invoked, and the constitutional requirement that treaties receive a two-thirds vote.”
Understanding that Senators Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Representative Paul Ryan have gotten behind TPA, it would be short sited and irresponsible not to probe further into why they aren’t exposing these violations of our rule of law.
According to The Hill’s Daniel Horowitz in TPA’s ‘Whoa, if true’ moment, Cruz and Ryan have explained, “most of the content of the bill is actually requirements on the executive branch to disclose information to Congress and consult with Congress on the negotiations.” Congress would be informed on the front end, as opposed to debating and making changes to what was already negotiated. This is important because as Cato Institute’s Scott Lincicome and K. William Watson explain in Don’t Drink the Obamatrade Snake Oil:
Although trade agreements provide a mechanism for overcoming political opposition to free trade, they also create new political problems of their own, most of which stem from the inherent conflict in the U.S. Constitution between the power granted to Congress to “regulate commerce with foreign nations” (Article I, Section 8) and that granted to the president to negotiate treaties (Article II, Section 2) and otherwise act as the “face” of U.S. international relations. In short, the executive branch is authorized to negotiate trade agreements that escape much of the legislative sausage-making that goes in Washington, but, consistent with the Constitution, any such deals still require congressional approval—a process that could alter the agreement’s terms via congressional amendments intended to appease influential constituents. The possibility that, after years of negotiations, an unfettered Congress could add last-minute demands to an FTA (or eliminate its biggest benefits) discourages all but the most eager U.S. trading partners to sign on to any such deal.
TPA, also known as “fast track,” was designed to fix this problem. TPA is an arrangement between the U.S. executive and legislative branches, under which Congress agrees to hold a timely, up-or-down vote (i.e., no amendments) on future trade agreements in exchange for the president agreeing to follow certain negotiating objectives set by Congress and to consult with the legislative branch before, during, and after FTA negotiations. In essence, Congress agrees to streamline the approval process as long as the president negotiates agreements that it likes.
For a really good argument for fast tracking, watch the video that can be found here:
Here’s why the TPP is such a big deal 03:24
K. William Watson explains in What’s Really in the New Trade Promotion Authority Bill? TPA will actually bring more transparency to the negotiating process:
The current bill would require the administration to provide public summaries of its negotiating positions. This will give the public something concrete to debate without having to resort to conspiracy claims or wild theories. It will also help everyone see more clearly how negotiators intend to implement the negotiating objectives of TPA.
It will also require that every member of Congress has access to the full text of the negotiations from beginning to end.
If TPA actually does what it is intended, a bill like TPP could not possibly be held to an up or down vote because it would not have been negotiated using the processes as outlined. Or could it? This administration passed Obamacare, which is a tax; they wanted comprehensive immigration reform and secure borders yet they openly courted Latin American countries to bring their kids to the border; they said they’d be the most transparent administration but there has been a dramatic lack of transparency, one must pass the bill before knowing what’s in it.
Perhaps what it all boils down to is what Rick Helfenbein writes about in Trade promotion authority, a Washington drama:
There are other conservatives like Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) who remain adamantly opposed to giving the president (presumed) additional authority. Jones said of Obama and TPA: “Given his record, I am astonished that some of my colleagues are so eager to fork over even more of their constitutional authority to the [p]resident for him to abuse.”
While this article addresses the issue of TPA, it doesn’t begin to address the arguments against TPP, for example The Guardian’s C. Robert Gibson and Taylor Channing’s conclusion that, “Fast-tracking the TPP, meaning its passage through Congress without having its contents available for debate or amendments, was only possible after lots of corporate money exchanged hands with senators.” That is an article for another day.
Nancy Salvato directs the Constitutional Literacy Program for BasicsProject.org, a non-profit, non-partisan research and educational project whose mission is to re-introduce the American public to the basic elements of our constitutional heritage while providing non-partisan, fact-based information on relevant socio-political issues important to our country. She is a graduate of the National Endowment for the Humanities’ National Academy for Civics and Government. She is the author of “Keeping a Republic: An Argument for Sovereignty.” She also serves as a Senior Editor for NewMediaJournal.us and is a contributing writer to Constituting America. Her education career includes teaching students from pre-k to graduate school. She has also worked as an administrator in higher education. Her private sector efforts focus on the advancement of constitutional literacy.
Posted in Constitution, Financial, History, Politics, Survival | Tagged Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Barack Obama, Border Security, C. Robert Gibson, Cato Institute, Congress, Connor Wolf, Daniel Horowitz, Europe, Executive Branch, Fast Track, Immigration Reform, Iraq, Jeff Sessions, K. William Watson, Legislative Branch, Legislators, Marco Rubio, Media, Military, Nancy Salvato, Obamacare, Obamatrade, Paul Ryan, Politics, Rick Helfenbein, Scott Lincicome, Senators, Taxes, Taylor Channing, Ted Cruz, Terrorism, The Daily Caller, The Guardian, The Hill, TPA, TPP, Trade, Transparency, Treaties, United States, War |
Emergence of a National Police Force
By: Andrew Kopas – Guest Columnist
Stand Up America
With the recent shooting in Ferguson and deaths in New York City and Baltimore of residents there involved in criminal activity at the time of their arrests, there is an outcry from the likes of civil rights activist Al Sharpton and others for nullification of state’s rights and the takeover of local and state police forces nationwide by the Federal Government, specifically by the Executive Branch.
BESTPIX BALTIMORE, MD – APRIL 27 (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
In all of this, keep in mind that Obama has very successfully used “straw man” arguments to advance his objectives. In this particular case, the “straw man” argument being put forward is that all law enforcement agencies across America are inherently racist and that only his takeover of them will fix these racist organizations.
He has essentially painted a bull’s eye on the backs of our local and state law enforcement personnel and endorsed instead the criminal element in America that has responded by assassination style shootings of law enforcement personnel in NYC and most recently in Mississippi as well.
The nationalization of our local and state police forces is indeed a very bad idea and should be adamantly opposed by both the states and the general populace for several reasons.
First and foremost, it would bring ALL organized armed personnel, namely the American Military, Homeland Security, and all local and state police under the direct control of one man, namely Obama and any future Presidents of the United States.
That would in turn allow for tremendous abuses of that power that we have already seen in this Administration, such as use of the IRS and DHS against what he perceives to be his domestic enemies, namely anyone who opposes him and his policies.
Remember the National Police Force Obama Promised in 2008?
Secondly, if he decided to fully seize power and set aside the limitations of the Office of President imposed on him by the Constitution of the United States, which he has already done in a number of particulars such as with illegal immigration, failure to enforce DOMA, bypassing Congress unilaterally in matters of treaty negotiations, etc., there would be no armed force except the American people directly to stop him.
But without organization and leadership, the probability of that successfully happening on a national scale is remote.
In fact, he could use all of the organized armed forces at his disposal, including local and state police who would be under his direct control, to put down any such opposition that the people might undertake.
As reported in The Daily Bell on December 7, 2011, as early as 2009 Obama advocated “a civilian police force to match the size and power of our armed forces.” One has to ask the question “Why” such national control is required vs. local law enforcement properly trained and equipped to deal with any domestic terrorist threats?
His expansion of the Homeland Security Department has followed that pronouncement, as has his use of the NSA to go far beyond its mandate and monitor the communications of every man, woman and child in America.
And the fact that he is actively promoting and funding illegal immigration on a massive scale in America today without screening for terrorists crossing our borders begs the question of if he indeed wants to see an increase in domestic terrorist attacks like we have seen in many places across the USA such as at Ft. Hood, Oklahoma, Boston and most recently in Garland, Texas with the expressed purpose of forcing the need for such a national police force under his direct control to put down such attacks?
Obama has gone on record on more than one occasion to praise the Chinese Communist form of government and other authoritarian regimes that are essentially dictatorships based on central government control over all aspects of their citizens’ lives including how many children they can have, how they worship, how they communicate with each other over the Internet, and even how they assemble.
Do we want a man with the belief that an authoritarian form of government is preferable to a democratically elected government with clear separation of powers between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches as set for in our Constitution to have the kind of unlimited power that nationalization of our local and state law enforcement agencies would give him?
God forbid!
Posted in Constitution, History, Politics, Survival, Terrorism | Tagged Al Sharpton, Baltimore, Barack Obama, Boston, Chaos, China, Civilian Police Force, Communists, Congress, Constitution, Cops, Criminals, Demonstrators, DHS, DOJ, DOMA, Domestic Enemies, Executive Branch, Federal Government, Ferguson, Freddie Gray, Ft. Hood, Garland, Illegal Immigration, Internet, IRS, Judicial Branch, Law Enforcement, Legislative Branch, Martial Law, Maryland, Military, Mississippi, Missouri, New York City, NSA, Nullification, Oklahoma, Pamela Geller, Police, Politics, Protestors, Racism, Religion, State's Rights, Straw Man, Terrorism, Terrorists, Texas, Treaties, United States, Violence | 3 Comments
Iran Literally Fired a Shot Across an American Ally’s Bow, But Obama Won’t Dump His Disastrous Deal
By: Benjamin Weingarten
What, if anything, would cause President Barack Obama to step away from the negotiating table with Iran?
This is the question I find myself pondering in light of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy Patrol’s unchecked act of aggression on Tuesday against America’s interests in the Straits of Hormuz – an act that in a sane world would in and of itself put an end to the president’s disastrous nuclear deal with Iran.
As of this writing, reports indicate that the Iranian Navy Patrol fired shots at and ultimately seized a commercial cargo ship, the M/V Maersk Tigris, which flies under the Marshall Islands flag. Some believe Iran was even targeting a U.S. vessel.
An Iranian warship takes part in a naval show in 2006. (Photo: AP)
In a helpful dispatch, commentator Omri Ceren notes the significant implications of such an action given that the U.S. is: (i) Treaty-bound to secure and defend the Marshall Islands, and (ii) Committed to maintaining the free flow of commerce in the strategically vital waterways of the Middle East — as affirmed just one week ago on April 21 by White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, State Department Spokesperson Marie Harf and Pentagon Spokesman Col. Steve Warren.
The U.S. fulfilling its obligations to its protectorate, and acting to ensure vital shipping lanes remain open are not trivial matters.
Further, this act can be seen as a brazen test of the sincerity of U.S. resolve, as it was timed to coincide with the opening of the Senate’s debate on the Corker-Menendez Iran bill.
Yet there is a broader and perhaps more important context in which to consider what Ceren calls an act of “functionally unspinnable Iranian aggression.”
Even if we ignore the history of Iranian aggression against the U.S. and its allies since the deposal of the Shah in 1979, the firing upon and seizing of the Tigris marks the latest in a long series of such provocations that Iran has undertaken in just the last few months. Consider:
On February 25 the Iranian Revolutionary Guard blew up a replica U.S. aircraft carrier during defense drills
On March 24 it was reported that the Iranian regime had increased its naval threats against the U.S., including “[T]hreats to take over and sink American aircraft carriers and other warships; to close the Strait of Hormuz and Bab El-Mandeb; to carry out large-scale missile attacks inside and outside the Persian Gulf; and to mine the Persian Gulf”
On March 31 Basij militia chief Mohammad Reza Naqdi of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated that “erasing Israel off the map” is “nonnegotiable”
On April 1 it was reported that an Iranian military observation aircraft had “buzzed” an armed U.S. navy helicopter over the Persian Gulf during March 2015
On April 12 it was reported that Iran had been working to deliver surface-to-air missiles to the Houthis in Yemen
On April 13 it was reported that Iran had increased arm shipments to Hezbollah and Hamas
On April 14 Russia lifted its ban on the sale of missiles to Iran, no doubt with the firm support of the Iranians
On April 17 it was reported that Iran was sending an armada of seven to nine ships – some with weapons – toward Yemen
On April 18 Iran celebrated Army Day with calls of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”
On April 19 the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s deputy leader Gen. Hossein Salami declared that there would be no inspections of military sites under any nuclear deal, threatening “We will respond with hot lead [bullets] to those who speak of it…;” and
On April 24 the Iranian Navy Patrol intercepted the Maersk Kensington, a U.S.-flagged vessel
This rhetoric and action comports with Iran’s historic hostility toward the U.S. since the fall of the Shah. Lest we forget, this list of atrocities includes, but is certainly not limited to:
The 1983 bombing of the U.S. army barracks in Beirut
Aiding and abetting Al Qaeda with respect to the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on our nation
Funding, training and arming terrorists responsible for slaying American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
Would Iran’s most recent actions in the Strait of Hormuz coupled with the litany of other recent and historical bellicose acts lead one to question whether it is in the United States’ interest to continue negotiating with the mullahs?
Put more directly: In what respect can the U.S. consider Iran to be a reliable, honorable negotiating partner?
Iranian women hold an anti-US sign, bearing a cartoon of US President Barack Obama, outside the former US embassy in Tehran on November 2, 2012, during a rally to mark the 33rd anniversary of seizure of the US embassy which saw Islamist students hold 52 US diplomats hostage for 444 days. This year’s rally came just days before US presidential election in which Republican challenger Mitt Romney has made Iran’s controversial nuclear programme a top foreign policy issue. Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Concerning the content of the nuclear deal being negotiated, it should be noted that the Iranians have stated the agreement accomplishes the very opposite of what the American public been led to believe. With respect to sanctions, Iran says they will be fully lifted upon the execution of the accord. As MEMRI notes, in an April 9 address, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameini gave a speech in which he called America a “cheater and a liar” and
publicly set out the negotiating framework for the Iranian negotiating team, the main points of which are: an immediate lifting of all sanctions the moment an agreement is reached; no intrusive oversight of Iran’s nuclear and military facilities; the continuation of Iran’s nuclear research and development program; and no inclusion of any topics not related to the nuclear program, such as missile capability or anything impacting Iran’s support for its proxies in the region.
It is no wonder then that the nuclear deal has been lambasted on a bipartisan basis, including at the highest levels of the national security establishment. Even former Secretary of State James Baker is highly critical of the Iran deal – and his animus toward Israel, perhaps the primary casualty of the deal, may be second only to that of President Obama.
As to whether Khameini’s portrayal of the deal is accurate, former CIA analyst and Iran expert Fred Fleitz asserts that under the terms of the agreement, Iran will (i) be able to continue enriching uranium, (ii) not have to disassemble or destroy any enrichment equipment or facilities, (iii) not be required to “permit snap inspections and unfettered access to all Iranian nuclear facilities, including military bases where Iran is believed to have conducted nuclear-weapons work,” (iv) be able to continue to operate its Arak heavy-water reactor, a plutonium source, in contravention of IAEA resolutions and (v) be subjected to an eased sanctions regime that will be incredibly difficult to re-impose.
If this were not enough, so intent is the Obama Administration on reaching a deal that it has been reported that for signing this agreement, Iran may even receive sweeteners including a $50 billion “signing bonus.”
The contorted logic used by the president in defense of his progressive stance towards Iran is worthy of Neville Chamberlain. During an interview with New York Times soulmate Thomas Friedman, Obama opined:
Even for somebody who believes, as I suspect Prime Minister Netanyahu believes, that there is no difference between Rouhani and the supreme leader and they’re all adamantly anti-West and anti-Israel and perennial liars and cheaters — even if you believed all that, this still would be the right thing to do. It would still be the best option for us to protect ourselves. In fact, you could argue that if they are implacably opposed to us, all the more reason for us to want to have a deal in which we know what they’re doing and that, for a long period of time, we can prevent them from having a nuclear weapon.
Sen. Tom Cotton provides a necessary corrective in a recent interview:
I am skeptical that there are many moderates within the [Iranian] leadership … I think it’s kind of like the search for the vaunted moderates in the Kremlin throughout most of the Cold War, with the exception that we could always count on the Soviet leadership to be concerned about national survival in a way that I don’t think we can count on a nuclear-armed Iranian leadership to be solely concerned about national survival.
As for Lord Chamberlain, Sen. Cotton – he of that irksome letter to Iran — takes a more charitable view, noting:
It’s unfair to Neville Chamberlain to compare him to Barack Obama, because Neville Chamberlain’s general staff was telling him he couldn’t confront Hitler and even fight to a draw—certainly not defeat the German military—until probably 1941 or 1942. He was operating from a position of weakness. With Iran, we negotiated privately in 2012-2013 from a position of strength … not just inherent military strength of the United States compared to Iran, but also from our strategic position.
To those who recognize reality, this deal – coupled with our weak response to the ongoing provocations of the Iranian Government — not only threatens our national security and that of our allies, but reflects an utter dereliction of duty to uphold the Constitution, and protect our people against foreign enemies.
In a word, it is treasonous.
Posted in Constitution, History, Military, Politics, Religion, Survival, Terrorism | Tagged 9/11, Act of War, Acts of War, Afghanistan, Aggression, al Qaeda, Allies, Ayatollah Khameini, Bab el-Mandeb, Barack Obama, Benjamin Weingarten, CIA, Col. Steve Warren, Cold War, Constitution, Corker-Menendez Iran Bill, Fred Fleitz, Gen. Hossein Salami, Hamas, Hezbollah, History, Hitler, Houthis, Iran, Iranian Navy Patrol, Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Iraq, Islam, Israel, James Baker, Jihad, Josh Earnest, M/V Maersk Tigris, Maersk Kensington, Marshall Islands, Media, MEMRI, Middle East, Military, Missiles, Mohammad Reza Naqdi, Mullahs, Muslims, National Security, Netanyahu, Neville Chamberlain, New York Times, Nuclear Weapons, Omri Ceren, Pentagon, Persian Gulf, Russia, Sen. Tom Cotton, Senate, Shah, State Department, Straits of Hormuz, Terrorism, Terrorists, TheBlaze, Thomas Friedman, Treason, Treaties, United States, War, White HOuse, WWII, Yemen |
Full – Mark Levin EXPOSES how US Senate just GUTTED constitutional treaty power and GAVE IT TO OBAMA
Mark Levin EXPOSES how US Senate just GUTTED constitutional treaty power and GAVE IT TO OBAMA
Mark Levin exposes the treachery in the US Senate today, who he says just capitulated completely to Obama by gutting their own constitutional duty to approve treaties, giving it solely to Obama. So in short, Obama can make a treaty with the Islamo-Nazis in Iran without submitting it to the Senate and the Senate can only stop it if they can get enough nays to vote against it.
Posted in Constitution, Founding Fathers, History, Military, Politics, Survival | Tagged Barack Obama, Constitution, Iran, Islam, Jihad, Mark Levin, Military, Muslims, Senate, Terrorism, Terrorists, Treason, Treaties, War | 3 Comments
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Doherty in no mood to pull his punches as he finds himself on centre stage on Sunday
5th December 2008 By Latest News Leave a Comment
City defender Gary Doherty was in little mood to spare anyone's blushes ahead of this weekend's derby fixture – particularly when it came to events in South Yorkshire last weekend.
The manner of that 3-2 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday and, in particular, the way in which the Canaries folded like the proverbial pack of cards after the interval having played such a blinding hand before it, has merely heightened the air of unease surrounding Sunday's derby clash.
Depending on how managerless Charlton Athletic fare at Bloomfield Road some 24 hours earlier, it could only be goal difference that will be keeping Norwich out of the bottom three by the time Ipswich roll into view.
And with away trips to fellow strugglers Watford and high-flying Reading to follow thereafter, City's season is very much on a tight-rope. One more wobble now and the Norfolk club could be plunging headlong in the direction of Leeds and Leicester City.
Now is not the time for faint-hearts. Nor is it the time for any repeat of the Jeckyll and Hyde antics on offer against Wednesday. Not against the neighbours.
“We've got to get ourselves right,” said the 28-year-old.
“We were desperate in the second-half against Sheffield Wednesday. To go from world-beaters to rubbish in the second-half is disappointing – and something that we've got to put right.”
Mental strength, he warned, is going to be everything.
“Especially in a derby – think so,” said the one-time Republic of Ireland international, likely to find himself centre stage come Sunday lunchtime after Dejan Stefanovic's season-log injury and John Kennedy's one-match ban.
Which might have prompted a wry smile given that he was out of sight and out of mind for most of the summer and early autumn following that ankle injury sustained on the first tour game of Sweden. My, how the world has changed in four short months…
“You know that the cameras are going to be there, it's going to be a full house – so, yes, there's going to be a lot of pressure on us. Especially as we're not playing well at the minute.
“But that's up to us to get the fans on our side early in the game.”
Given where everyone north of the border is right now, repeats of last season's meeting when the Canaries found themselves 2-0 down at the break are best avoided. Particularly when there is no 'Tiny' Taylor on hand to launch a second-half fight-back.
Doherty – a veteran of both Spurs-Arsenal and Luton-Watford occasions – is well aware of what it all means.
“It's not just Norwich-Ipswich – any derby is massive for the fans,” he said. “But you do feel it on the pitch – that it means so much to everyone associated with Norwich. But, hopefully, like I say we can go out there and put on a great performance and get a great result.
“Because the feel-good factor if we win will be massive – and we've got two tough away games after that but we'll go into them with plenty of confidence is we get the right result on Sunday. It's just going to be massive.”
The fact that Ipswich are off in the distance both Championship place and Championship points-wise makes no difference, he said.
“I don't think so – not on derby day. I think if we win we can go five points behind them – and they've had a decent enough start. So it won't be all doom and gloom if we get the right result on Sunday – we'll go five points behind them and we'll be looking up the table again.”
Whether or not he leads the side outon Sunday is smething else for Glenn Roeder to ponder – the armband could yet go to Sammy Clingan. Or, indeed, Darel Russell. As Roeder himself admitted, there was the story of City's season in the fact that the club had already had four different skippers this year with the first, Mark Fotheringham, likely to find himself back on the bench again.
“It's been a great honour,” said Doherty. “And I've really enjoyed it. But the two lads that have been ahead of me [Russell and Fotheringham] in terms of captains are out of the team at the minute, so it's been nice for me to wear the armband.
“I've obviously thought about it [leading Norwich out on derby day] but it's something at the back of my mind at the minute. It's all about the result on Sunday. Not about who's captain.
“The game's so massive for us given the poor form we're in, it's just about making sure that we get everything right and put some smiles on people's faces.”
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Taiwan Receives First Michelin Star After Selling Most Expensive Beef Noodles
By JJ Foster - November 22, 2017
Taiwan has developed a reputation for being one of the most food-savvy places in the whole of Asia.
Now, it has reached a whole new level after one of its capital’s restaurants received a Michelin Star, the first in the country’s history.
Since opening his restaurant Niu Ba Ba in 1990 with his father, Chef Eric Wang has been selling what is believed to be the most expensive beef noodle soup on the planet. Naturally, this has raised heads amongst many food critics.
Even though most places in Taiwan sell noodles for no more than $6, Eric has been charging $325 (TW$10,000) for his. However, there is a good reason for this hefty price. People absolutely love it.
“I will be quite ecstatic for a moment, but there will be enormous pressure for me,” Wang said. Niu Ba Ba, which translates into “Beef Father,” does have a cheaper noodle option on the menu, coming in at TW$500.
However, Wang’s still able to sell at least three of his top-priced dishes per day.
According to Wang, the price is totally justified. This is because he spent TW$60 million, investing in the finest ingredients.
Also, he has spent much of his life researching how to make the best beef possible and how different kinds of beef work.
Wang’s keynote recipe utilizes four different types of meat, while the broth consists of four different tomatoes. Also, the noodles are made from Japanese flour, which increases the cost by six times.
“The price of our cheapest noodles seems astronomical to some, but our way of making beef noodles differentiates us from others.”
The restaurant is small and cosey. “It seats about 18 to 20 customers at most,” Wang said.
“We were less likely to focus on perfecting each bowl of noodles if there were more customers. It’s quality over quantity.”
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Notes From Exile
An original Jewish viewpoint; opinions expressed here are mine alone.
The Jewish Community Should Not Embrace Ayaan Hirsi Ali
April 12, 2014 April 12, 2014 / rachelhinda / 14 Comments
The fracas over Ayaan Hirsi Ali at Brandeis shows that Israel devotees cannot distinguish friend from foe. For obvious reasons, Jews should not count Islamophobes among our friends.
It’s Pesach again and our people still aren’t quite getting the holiday’s lessons, especially this one: ואהבתם את-הגר כי-גרים הייתם בארץ מצרים
After students, faculty and civil rights groups expressed objection, Brandeis University rescinded an invitation to anti-Islam critic Ayaan Hirsi Ali who was to receive an honorary degree at its spring commencement. Citing its commitment to the free exchange of ideas, Brandeis invited Hirsi Ali to speak at a later date in a forum that would not endorse her view. Predictably, this did not stop Hirsi Ali and her defenders on the extreme right from crying foul and declaring that she had been “silenced.” More astonishing, however, was the reaction from Tablet Magazine, a Jewish publication. Tablet obsequiously offered Hirsi Ali their first ever, impromptu “Moses award” and stated that while some of her statements “ought to be challenged” Brandeis should not have rescinded her award. The magazine also said the university subjected an “outspoken dissident…to public pillory.”
Well, let’s pretend that a prominent university scheduled an antisemitic public figure to speak and receive an award. I’m not talking about a critic of Israel or Zionism, but someone who openly opines that being Jewish is incompatible with Western values. Let’s pretend that the antisemitic speaker is himself of Jewish origins, who claims to denigrate our religion, community, and ancestry from a place of painful personal experience. Say this individual had called Judaism “a destructive, nihilistic cult of death” and had advocated for the closure of all Jewish day schools in the United States. Wouldn’t it be more than justifiable for a Jewish organization or two to have something to say about it? I sure hope so.
But let’s say for the sake of argument that Jewish organizations were to decide collectively that our antisemitic speaker should speak. Say that Jewish groups were to affirm that our community is tough enough and savvy enough to handle a rabid antisemite in a public setting. Say the Jewish organizations were to invoke the famous words of Justice Brandeis: “sunlight is the best disinfectant.” Would the Jewish organizations be at all justified in taking exception to the university offering our antisemitic speaker an award? I think they would be.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali claims (and her family disputes her account) that she was subjected to various forms of abuse as a girl growing up Muslim, including female genital cutting. She has stated that the abuse she allegedly endured is religious in its origin and that this kind of abuse is endemic to Islam, a religion which she claims has no moderate voice. Despite calling herself an atheist and a critic of all religions, Hirsi Ali singles out Islam for special opprobrium. In an interview with Reason Magazine, she states: “I accept that there are multitudes seeking God, seeking meaning, and so on, but if they reject atheism, I would rather they became modern-day Catholics or Jews than that they became Muslims.” She goes on to state that she believes Islam should “be defeated.” When the interviewer asks her if she meant radical Islam, she states “No. Islam, period. Once it’s defeated, it can mutate into something peaceful. It’s very difficult to even talk about peace now. They’re not interested in peace.” In other words, Hirsi Ali believes that Islam is incompatible with free societies and believes that pious Muslims are more loyal to their faith and their own kind than to the countries in which they live. Shouldn’t this sound at least a little familiar and a little troubling to Jews?
At Tablet, it seems not to be troubling at all. I think this can only be due to the fact that the debate on Israel has completely blurred our moral sense and our ability to empathize with the people some want to characterize as our ‘enemies’. Even though Palestinians and their armed organizations have Christian, Muslim, and secular members, right-wing Israel fanatics seem to find it easier to perpetuate the most pigheaded, unsophisticated stereotypes about Islam. How they think this solves Israel’s many problems in the world, I don’t know. But it seems to make them feel pretty righteous and it wouldn’t surprise me if it generates some money. Tablet claims that it condemned equally the cancellation of Rashid Khalidi’s talk at the Ramaz School, but these two instances can hardly be compared. Khalidi is a well-credentialed professor, a Palestinian, and a thoughtful critic of Israel. He is not merely a ‘controversial speaker.’ He has also never claimed that being Jewish is somehow illegitimate or suspect, the way Hirsi Ali does about being Muslim. He does not say that Jews should stop being Jewish. He is a participant in a debate about policy, he does not take issue with our communal identity or creed. The fact that Tablet’s editors would draw such a comparison is cause for concern because it indicates that the crazed tenor of the Israel debate encourages us to conflate a political adversary with someone who intends harm to Jews. It also seems that there is a section of the community that believes that casting Muslims and Islam in a negative light somehow adequately rebuts questions about Israel’s behavior toward Palestinians. This is obviously very silly and avoids the issues we must confront in order to achieve peace.
The Brandeis community and Muslim organizations did the right thing in challenging Hirsi Ali’s award and the university did the right thing in inviting her to speak in a neutral forum. It is sad that a Jewish publication is offering this woman an award in response when we should be the ones speaking out the loudest against her Islamophobia. This woman is not our friend. Nothing could be further from the truth.
For more on this topic, check out Ali Gharib’s excellent opinion piece in the Jewish Daily Forward
And thinkprogress’ roundup of the issue
After the Women’s March, Build a Progressive World
My Op-Ed in the Jewish Daily Forward
Rachel’s Soapbox: First Thoughts on Life as a Jew in Trump’s America
Down With Hipster Hamantaschen!!
Soften Your Edges: Parshat Beshallah
David Kane on Pursue Justice: For Young Amer…
Rebecca on Pursue Justice: For Young Amer…
Iakovos Alhadeff on Presbyterians: Fight Antisemit…
Fifi on Do Not Let Pamela Geller Speak…
Jeremiah HaberJ on White Nationalists Threaten Je…
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Jason Farago/ February 7, 2013
J.M. Coetzee, Curator?
The gravest novelist of our time dives into art world glitz
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Berlinde De Bruyckere, an artist known for her disturbing humanoid sculptures, announced last week that she wanted some outside assistance organizing her exhibition for the Belgian pavilion at this summer’s Venice Biennale—but instead of tapping a professional curator, she’s chosen a writer to help her mount the show. And not just any writer. She’s tapped J.M. Coetzee: the South African-turned-Australian author of such austere, even pitiless novels as Waiting for the Barbarians and Disgrace, the man who no-showed the Booker Prize ceremony both times he won and who, upon winning his inevitable Nobel, gave just a few interviews.
Given that the Venice Biennale has metastasized in recent years into an all-out plutocratic orgy featuring Louboutin-shod scenesters pushing and shoving to get onto Roman Abramovich’s yacht, “J.M. Coetzee, curator” sounds at first like a joke from some art world Onion—as unbelievable as Thomas Pynchon appearing on “Oprah” or Joan Didion doing a Reddit AMA. Coetzee may or may not be the greatest living writer in the English language, but he’s certainly the gravest. And while sending Coetzee to Venice may result in a fish-out-of-water surprise hit, I wouldn’t bet on it. He’s a writer whose whole career has been devoted to the virtues of seriousness, but in the funhouse of contemporary art, seriousness doesn’t look like a moral imperative. It looks like a stylistic tic, and I wonder if he realizes that.1
Coetzee, to be fair, has never been quite as reclusive as his uncompromising mien and even more uncompromising fiction suggests. At 72 he still gets around. He was in Poland last year for the premiere of an opera based on his novel Slow Man, for which he wrote the libretto.2 He gave a controversial commencement speech at Johannesburg’s University of the Witwatersrand a few months ago. Last autumn, in Albany, he unusually allowed a journalist to follow him on a bicycle ride, though he took no questions and, when the reporter got a flat, Coetzee left him in the dust and then declined a follow-up interview.
And I suppose that if Coetzee wants to join the art world, Berlinde De Bruyckere makes a good companion.3 Her sculptures concern themselves with some of the same themes as Coetzee’s novels: the body in extreme states, the relevance or irrelevance of Western cultural history, and, especially, the relationship between humans and animals. In her art, sun-starved leathery bodies, sometimes men’s and sometimes horses’, writhe in pain or terror inside antiseptic vitrines, or hang in lifeless suspension from hooks or off the sides of tables or plinths. In some cases the waxen forms are recognizable as partial bodies; in others, fragments are scrambled and grafted together into unsettling hybrid arrangements. Heads never appear, though unlike in Théodore Géricault’s paintings of broken or severed body parts, De Bruyckere’s figures don’t look incomplete. It’s as if they never had heads, or brains for that matter. They’re just dumb flesh, like the dogs at the veterinary clinic that Disgrace’s protagonist helps euthanize and throws in the incinerator.
But these are just thematic parallels, and I’m not sure if they go any deeper than the surface. Although De Bruyckere’s art can be harsh, it abstains from moral judgment. Coetzee’s novels certainly don’t. He’s not an easy moralist—his books are full of autoimmune responses, with every judgment modulated by a counterargument or a metafictional ploy—but a moralist all the same, one who believes that literature and art can affect human behavior, for good or ill. In Diary of a Bad Year, the barely veiled character John C says that “any serious novelist” must aspire to the standards of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky: “by their example one becomes a better artist; and by better I do not mean more skillful but ethically better.” And in Elizabeth Costello, Coetzee’s titular alter ego rails at the decidedly not fictional novelist Paul West, whom she accuses of deceiving readers into empathy with totalitarianism. “We can put ourselves in peril by what we write, or so I believe,” the fictional Costello (perhaps also the real Coetzee) tells West. “For if what we write has the power to make us better people then surely it has the power to make us worse.” How deeply Coetzee believes in the literary authority Costello defends can never be clear; that’s the slippery game he plays. But in Coetzee’s vision, the artist (in any medium) is playing for big, big stakes: he is fighting an ethical battle, and can endanger his immortal soul if he gets it wrong.
That is not a vision shared by too many writers nowadays. But it’s a thing unknown in the art world, where to claim that some creative endeavor can bring us closer to goodness or truth can only be seen as a ridiculous anachronism. Art is many things today—an image stream, a financial commodity, a social category—but it sure isn’t a means, as Joyce put it, to forge in the smithy of your soul the uncreated conscience of your race.4 I don’t think that De Bruyckere’s sculpture has the intelligence or authority of Coetzee’s novels. But I also don’t believe that a Coetzeean work of art, if such a thing existed, would occupy the same stratospheric position that his novels do in literary culture. Art today is just too broad a category, and in the service of too many goals, to allow for the kind of universal exclusionary judgment that has made Coetzee into such an icon. Without that apparatus, the seriousness that Coetzee exhibits in his novels, and presumably calls for in art, looks only like one particular style, a question of taste rather than morality.
More than his alleged reclusion, it’s the aesthetic divide between Coetzee and the mainstream of contemporary art that makes his participation in Venice such a head-scratching affair. Good luck to him, I guess, but I hope he knows what he’s in for. I suspect he’ll find much of the art on view decadent or irrelevant, just as he views much literature as failing to reach the heights of his Russian exemplars. But art’s pluralistic moment, unlike literature’s, has gone hand in hand with an unprecedented financial boom. And while Coetzee may find it a profitable enterprise to defend art’s highest calling from the silence of one’s study, with a Nobel diploma hanging above the desk, it’ll be quite a different experience to throw himself into the mess of the Giardini, to be elbowed aside by jetlagged art tourists or ignored on the way to a boozy lunch on the Grand Canal.
Jason Farago is a writer and art critic based in New York.
If the art world has a favorite novelist of recent years it can only be the late W.G. Sebald, who included images in his novels and who made a career of placing fragmentary material in impressionistic concatenation. Sebald has been the guiding star of several art exhibitions, such as Tate Modern’s Rings of Saturn; I doubt anyone is organizing a Disgrace exhibition.
Coetzeeophiles may recall, here, the opera that David Lurie, the protagonist of Disgrace, is trying to write: a chamber piece about the loves of Lord Byron. Lurie never finishes the work.
And Coetzee speaks Dutch, as you can hear in this lecture. Although he was raised in an English-speaking household, he learned Afrikaans at a young age (“Afrikaans is like a ghostly envelope that accompanies him everywhere, that he is free to slip into, becoming at once another person, simpler, gayer, lighter in his tread,” he wrote in his fictionalized autobiography Boyhood) and has published a volume of his translations of Dutch poetry.
That line, uttered by an ecstatic Stephen Dedalus, comes at the end of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Ulysses, for its part, was rewritten by none other than…the fictional Elizabeth Costello, whose claim to literary greatness is The House on Eccles Street, a reinterpretation of Joyce’s novel from the point of view of Molly Bloom.
Art, J.M. Coetzee, Venice Biennale, Jason Farago
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Obama: 'We are not at war against Islam'
[Updated at 12:25 p.m.] President Obama was asked about his thoughts on the Islamic center being built near ground zero in New York.
"All men and women are created equal, they have certain inalienable rights, and one of those is to practice their religion freely," Obama said. "You can build a church on a site, you can build a synagogue on a site, if you could build a Hindu temple on a site, you should be able to build a mosque."
Obama said he recognized the sensitivity in the area because of the 9/11 attacks and acknowledges that family members are continuing to experience pain and anguish over their losses.
However, he urged people to remember who our real enemies are.
"We are not at war against Islam. We are at war against terrorist organizations that have distorted Islam or falsely used the banner of Islam," Obama said. "If we're going to deal with the problems Ed Henry was talking about - reducing the terrorist threat - we need all the allies we can get."
Obama pressed that in fact, the anti-Islam sentiment and a war between the West and Islam is exactly what terrorist organizations are hoping for.
"Al Qaeda, that's what they've been banking on," Obama said. "The overwhelming majority of Muslims are peace-loving - are interested in the same things that you and I are interested in."
Obama stressed it is important that Americans do not believe the entire religion of Islam is offensive.
iReport: Share your thoughts on controversy surrounding Islamic Center
For more on Obama's question-and-answer session and analysis check out CNN's Political Ticker.
CNN analysts weigh in
[Updated at 12:17 p.m.] CNN's Ed Henry asked President Barack Obama whether he still agrees with his statement that it is crititical to capture Osama bin Laden and if he views it a failure that he hasn't been captured, despite Obama's promise to run a smarter war on terrorism than President Bush.
"I think capturing or killing bin Laden ... would be extremely important to national security," he said. "It doesn't solve all of our problems, but it is a high priority for our administration."
Obama touted success in forcing members of al Qaeda to retreat because of ramped up pressure on its leaders.
"They have been holed up in ways that have made it harder for them to operate - and part of what's happening is bin Laden has gone deeper underground," Obama said. "We have the best minds, the best intelligence officers, the best special forces who are thinking about this day and night, and they will continue to think about it day and night as long as I'm president."
[Updated at 12:07 p.m.] Obama said that although he has missed the deadline to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, "it is not for lack of trying."
"It's because of politics," he said.
He insisted that he believes the U.S. justice system is capable of handling procedures involving terrorist suspects and that military tribunals are not necessary.
"I am absolutely convinced that the American justice system is strong enough, that we should be able to convict people who murdered innocent Americans and that carried out terrorist attacks against us," he said. "We should be able to lock them up and make sure they don't see the light of day. We can do that, and we've done it before."
[Updated at 12:00 p.m.] Obama acknowledged that the looming expiration of Israel's moratorium on settlement construction is a "major bone of contention."
The internal politic pressures for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on this issue "are very difficult," Obama said.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Netanyahu have to figure out "how to help each other succeed," he added.
[Updated at 11:58 a.m.] Obama was asked about levels of corruption within the Afghanistan government and what is being done to curtail it.
"We are in the midst of a very difficult but very important project. I just want to remind people why we're there, the day before September 11. We're there because that was the place where al Qaeda launched an attack that killed 3,000 Americans. And we want to make sure we dismantle al Qaeda and that Afghanistan is never again used as a base for attacks against Americans and the American homeland."
Obama asked people to remember that Afghanistan is the second poorest country in the world and that change won't happen overnight, but his administration is working with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Obama criticized former President George W. Bush's administration for failing to provide adequate training of Afghan military forces.
"After seven years of policies in which we weren't even effectively training security forces, we're saying we're going to work with the Afghan government so they can be responsible for their own security. We're going to promote a political settlement in the region that can help to reduce the violence. We're going to encourage an Afghan government that can deliver services for its people."
He insisted that progress has been made in terms of rooting out corruption from the government in Kabul, but "we're a long way from where we need to be on that," he said.
The White House will continue to pressure Karzai on the issue of corruption, Obama said.
[Updated at 11:52 a.m.] Obama said that a proposed settlement for black farmers - who have historically been the target of racial discrimination by the federal government - is "fair" and "just."
The White House will continue to make funding of the settlement - now blocked in the Senate - "a priority," he said.
[Updated at 11:51 a.m.] Obama insisted Friday that skyrocketing medical costs will ultimately decline as more people are covered due to his administration's health care reform initiative.
[Updated at 11:44 a.m.] Obama was asked about Pastor Terry Jones in Florida, who had plans to burn Qurans on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and whether he was concerned that by having the secretary of defense call him, it was actually elevating his platform.
"The idea that we would burn the sacred texts of someone else's religion is contrary to what this country stands for. It's contrary to what this nation was founded on. My hope is that this individual prays on it and refrains from doing it," Obama said. "But I'm also commander in chief, and we are seeing today riots in Kabul, riots in Afghanistan, that threaten our young men and women in uniform, and so we have an obligation to send a very clear message that this kind of behavior or threats of action put our men and women in danger."
Obama said he doesn't think his administration is what elevated this story, but "in the age of the internet, this is something that can cause us profound damage."
"It's also the best imaginable recruiting tool for al Qaeda," he said. "We don't start having a bunch of folks all across the country think this is how to get attention. This is a way of endangering our troops. You don't play games with that."
[Updated at 11:40 a.m.] Obama conceded Friday that there are "enormous hurdles" to the new Middle East peace talks. His administration understood that "it was a risk for us to promote these discussions, but it is a risk worth taking," he
It is in the interests of America, the Israelis and the Palestinians to reach a comprehensive settlement, Obama said. The issue of Middle East peace must be dealt with if, among other things, Israel is to remain both Jewish and Democratic, Obama said. A settlement would also help the United States deal with Iran.
"If these talks break down, we're going to keep on trying," he said.
[Updated at 11:34 a.m.] Obama was asked about why he believes that nine years after the attacks on September 11, 2001, there is now a growing suspicion and resentment of Islam.
"I think that at a time when the country is anxious generally, and gone through a tough time, then you know fears can surface, suspicions, divisions can surface in a society, and so I think that plays a role," Obama said.
Obama then praised former President George W. Bush for his specific rhetoric on religion following the attacks.
"One of the things I most admired about President Bush was after 9/11, him being crystal clear about the fact that we were not at war with Islam, we were at war with terrorists and murderers who had perverted Islam ... to carry out their acts."
Obama said he was proud the country had rallied around the idea that we can't be divided because of religion or ethnicity - and hopes that is something that can continue.
"We are all Americans, we stand together," Obama said. "I think it is absolutely important now for majority of Americans to hang onto that thing that is best in us: a belief in religious tolerance. We have to make sure we don't start turning on each other."
"We are one nation under God. We may call that God different names, but we are one nation."
[Updated at 11:32 a.m.] Obama said Friday that one of the reasons he hasn't created a greater spirit of cooperation in Washington is because some GOP leaders decided when he took office that "we're going to sit on the sidelines and let the Democrats solve" the economic crisis.
Taking on tough issues with entrenched special interests creates "a lot of big fights," he said.
[Updated at 11:25 a.m.] Obama deflected a question Friday about whether his new economic plans should be referred to as another "stimulus" package. "Everything we've been trying to do is designed to stimulate growth," he said. "I have no problem with people saying the president is trying" to do that.
He was then asked about several pending Senate nominations - including judges and Homeland Security officials.
"I'm concerned about all Senate nominations these days," he said, noting he wasn't making a joke. "I've got people who have been waiting for six months to get confirmed that nobody has an official objection to ... and I can't get a vote on them."
Obama said it was frustrating when "you've got a determined minority" that is attempting to filibuster all of his nominations.
"They're just playing games," he said.
[Updated at 11:20 a.m.] President Obama was asked about why he waited so long to introduce his latest economic policies and if they are merely being used as a political weapon for the election season.
"We have this notion that we waited until now, but just on the small business issue alone, we have cut taxes for small businesses eight times," Obama said. "So we are hardly Johnny-come-latelys on this issue."
Obama touted a variety of policy successes as the reason the economy is better than it was when he took office.
"When you put all the things we did together, it made a difference," he said.
[Updated at 11:19 a.m.] Obama said there is room for discussion on competing tax plans.
"If the Republican leadership is prepared to get serious ... I would love to talk to them," he told reporters at the White House.
Obama insisted, however, that GOP plans to extend the Bush tax cuts for individuals earning over $250,000 are a bad idea.
[Updated at 11:13 a.m.] A reporter asked Obama about his assertion that Democrats wouldn't do well in the midterm elections in November if it would be a referendum on the economy.
"For 19 months we have steadily worked to avoid a depression, to take an economy that was contracting and making it grow again," Obama said. "But we're not there yet."
Obama acknowledged Americans' anger about the slow progress.
"And because I'm the president and the Democrats have controlled the House and the Senate, it's understandable that people are saying 'what have you done?' "
However, Obama said, the Republicans don't offer a better solution - in fact, their policies are worse.
"The Republicans' offers are exactly the ones that got us into this trouble," he said. "If you want the same kind of skewed policies that led us to these problems, the Republicans are ready to do that."
[Updated at 11:11 a.m.] Obama announced that Austan Goolsbee will be named chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers.
Goolsbee will replace Christina Romer, who stepped down this month as chair of the council, a panel of three White House officials who offer the president economic advice and help formulate policy.
[Updated at 11:08 a.m.] Obama on Friday once again urged the Senate to pass his small business jobs bill, arguing that it has been blocked by "a partisan (Republican) minority."
Obama praised Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, for announcing that he would not help GOP leaders block the bill.
[Updated at 11:02 a.m.] Obama said the goal of his latest proposals is to help jump-start an economy still dealing with the impact of the recession.
"Even though the economy is growing again ... the hole the recession left has been huge," Obama said.
"Millions of Americans are still looking for work."
He touted his administration's investments in infrastructure as a chance to remain competitive with other countries that are working on similar projects including high-speed rail.
[Posted at 10:50 a.m.] President Obama will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Friday, his first full-scale question-and-answer session at the White House in nearly four months and his seventh full-scale news conference at the White House since he took office.
The last presser was back in May when the president answered questions mainly about the oil spill. This one is expected to focus on the economy.
Filed under: Barack Obama • Economy
Has Mr. Obama asked leaders of Muslim countries to advise their citizens to refrain from burning the American flag and Bibles? I must have missed the reports about this. Surely he objects to and is willing to speak up about the same behavior that he mentions to U.S. citizens.
fridgerapper
This idiot won't have the slightest thought at killing bin Laden, until bin Laden's fellow basturds jump up and bite us on the ass once agin!
the vacation expert in the whitehouse needs to send US troops by the millions to kill bin Laden...until that event transpires, the US is doomed by AAARABS!!!
cretaceous1
the vacation expert in the whitehouse needs to OFF bin Laden. Until that transaction goes down, the US is gong to hell in a handbasket...or a coffin!
notallarereligious
I look forward to the day when leaders will stop wearing thier religion on thier sleeves and recognise that talking about religion and how they believe god does this or that or how they pray or mentioningoff the acceptable religios belives all teh while making no mantion of the 11% of us who are not religious and are either agnostic or athiest. It makes those of us who are not religious feel like we are not included, like we are second class citizens like we are discouraged from openly disbeliving . I was never happy about Obamas religious background and did not vote for him even though I am a life long dem. Futhermore, I have no doubt in my mind that anyone in public office who admitted they were agnostic[or atheist] would be crucified by the public and all politicians who want to stay in office. This is proof we are being discriminated against in every area of public life. If we cannot openly discuss our religious non belief without a negative consequence [not getting elected, not getting a promotion etc] how can we truly say this country is a haven for religious tollerance. So only those 'approved religions' will get that tollerence and muslims and those like me are on the black list at the moment.
if the flappyeard little chimp known as Obozoa actually got serious and spent some otherwise USELESS and WASTED bailout money to git rid of bin Laden, this would be his FIRST Major accomplishment in his career as Prez. Up until something of this caliber happens, Obozoa has done virtually NOTHING as president except serve as a figurehead of HOPE to BLACKQUES in this country...and that simply don't cut NO AZZ!!!
we have a prez. that is very dangerous to the health of America!
MUZLIMS are STINKIN AARABS! Most have never took a bath or shower except they have rolled in camel dung!
obama got punked
It's a simple fact. Obama got punked. It's ok to install a building that celebrates the racist religion of the muslim, at the location they blew up. This is a religion that says any other religion should be extinguished. The ones that are not attacking now, will be motivated to attack more and more with each accomplishment they make. This just influences the rest to do so. It gradually grows an army of religious pride.
Meanwhile it somehow more offensive to burn a book.
So mr huesaine who downplays everyone saying you are not from the united states and are a Muslim, what have you to say for yourself now?
Or should I hold this a tad longer and wait until the us is completely wiped out?
well Nobama, Islam, or at least a large part of its follower base, is at WAR WITH US. The sooner you get that the sooner we can rid ourselves and humanity of this scourge.
Nathan Resick
Obama hit the nail on the head about building this Mosque. Questions to the tea partiers on here: if 9/11 had been committed by a group of protestant Christians would you have a problem with a church being built near the site of the twin towers? If the answer is no then I defy you to find a reason for that other than bigotry, fear and ignorance.
Syed Hasan Askari
I love Obama. i read his book. He is a real inspiration and truly displays understanding of peace. i thanks God for replacing Bush (lol what a name) with him. to be honest i never expected such clarity of thought from a western leader. i'm pleasantly surprised. looking forward to coming to the U.S. and helping his cause.
September 14, 2010 at 6:27 am | Report abuse |
Carl R. Callison
The one that that matter to me most, will Christ know me. I have a sinful nature, Please Lord Jesus help our president. Thank you Lord, Jesus. Christ who was raise for the dead. and if you ask to come into your heart, you will be to understand God's meaning for us to be here.
Sorry Obama is not like me at all, I am not like him either. Infact you aren't like me either, no is the same we all have difrerent views. First thing I learn, in elementary schooll was the pledge of alligence. Did you learn that to? United we stand one nation under God. Get it. one nation. To mean people are coming here to rule us. Be wary of what Obama is doing. I am. But that is my right. And now Obama says exercisting our right will hurt our solidiers. Why aren't we scarring them, and isn't obama scarring people who will try and hurt our soilders in any form.. Scare them Obama don't scare us
obama says one thing does another ,keep up the good work obama with the predator strikes , get those muslims , oh yah we are not at war with muslims ..someone want to tell me who is trying to kill us and who we are killing
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Custom nanoparticle regresses tumors when exposed to light
A team of Penn State researchers is collaborating on a potential new method to treat cancer by delivering a unique nanoparticle to a localized cancerous area in mice and activating the treatment through light exposure.Image: Adobe Stock
Kevin Sliman
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A unique nanoparticle to deliver a localized cancer treatment inhibits tumor growth in mice, according to a team of Penn State researchers.
The nanoparticles, developed by Daniel Hayes, associate professor of biomedical engineering, have a specific chemistry that allows a microRNA (miRNA) to attach to it. A miRNA is a molecule that when paired to a messenger RNA (mRNA) prevents it from operating. In this case, it prohibits the mRNA in a cancer cell from creating proteins, which are essential for that cancer cell to survive.
In their study, the researchers delivered nanoparticles to the cancer cells of mice through an IV. Once the nanoparticles built up in the cancerous area, they used a specific wavelength of light to separate the miRNA from the nanoparticles. The miRNA then pairs with a mRNA in the cancer cell, causing the mRNA to stop making proteins. Eventually, the cancer cell dies.
Their paper appeared on June 22 in the journal Biomaterials.
“This delivery method gives you temporal and spatial specificity,” said Adam Glick, professor of molecular toxicology and carcinogenesis. “Instead of having systemic delivery of a miRNA and the associated side effects, you are able to deliver the miRNA to a specific area of tissue at a specific time by exposing it to light.”
Hayes said having temporal and spatial specificity is important when dealing with cancer treatments.
“miRNA can have vastly different effects in different types of tissue which can lead to unwanted side effects and toxicity,” Hayes said. “Delivering and activating miRNA only at the site of the tumor reduces these side effects and can increase the overall effectiveness of the treatment.”
Using this method, Yiming Liu, a biomedical engineering graduate student in the Hayes Laboratory, was able to show that skin tumors in about 20 mice that were given the miRNA coupled nanoparticle and exposed to light completely regressed within 24 to 48 hours and did not regrow.
Additionally, the specific miRNA that Hayes and Glick are using may be more effective in killing cancer cells than other similar methods.
“What is different about this as a therapeutic is that the miRNA that we are using can regulate a broad set of genes and is particularly powerful to treat a heterogenous disease such as cancer,” said Liu.
This could mean that the overall effectiveness of killing a cancer cell is higher because the treatment is attacking multiple points in that cell. It may also lead to a decrease of a cancer cell’s ability to become resistant to the treatment because the miRNA is able to pair with different mRNAs in the cancer cell, diversifying the ways in which it can stop the cell from producing proteins.
The types of cancer that might be responsive to this type of treatment include cancers in the oral cavity, the gastrointestinal system or the skin — anywhere that could be exposed to light via a fiber optic cable.
“We would like to develop this further for internal tumors that are more significant in terms of mortality, such as esophageal cancer,” Glick said.
Other authors on the paper include Jacob Bailey, a student in Penn State's Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, and Mohammad Abu-Laban, Shue Li and Cong Chen, students in Penn State's Department of Biomedical Engineering.
This research was supported by the Human Health and the Environment Seed Grant program, sponsored by the Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Cancer Institute, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Social Science Research Institute, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Materials Research Institute, Institute for Computational and Data Sciences and Institutes of Energy and the Environment.
Daniel Hayes
djh195@psu.edu
Adam Glick
adg11@psu.edu
Scientists take a step toward understanding 'jumping genes' effect on the genome
Pennsylvania could benefit from defining patient navigation
Human Health and the Environment seed grant recipients announced
Health and Medicine, Research
Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Medicine
Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Institute for Computational and Data Sciences, Institutes of Energy and the Environment, Materials Research Institute, Social Science Research Institute
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Baseball Minor League Baseball
Fresno Grizzlies celebrate taco trucks with amazing uniforms
Wednesday, July 22, 2015 Wednesday, July 22, 2015 2 min read Paul Caputo
Central California is the self-proclaimed birthplace of the taco truck, and to celebrate that local history, the Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, will take to the field as the Fresno Tacos for one game this summer.
For four years, the Fresno Grizzlies’ Taco Truck Throwdown has been one of the team’s biggest promotions of the season—at last year’s event, more than 27,000 tacos were sold by taco truck vendors from around the San Joaquin Valley. Until this year, the promotion was kept off the field, but that’s all about to change with the fifth annual Taco Truck Throwdown on August 6, when the Grizzlies take the field against the Albuquerque Isotopes in green, orange, and white taco-themed jerseys.
Having the team wear the taco-themed hats and jerseys, which were designed by the Grizzlies’ in-house graphic designers Dorian Castro and Andy Inman, allows the Grizzlies to combine the ingredients of a team promotion and their local community with the game on the diamond, and then wrap them all up in some kind of delicious, crispy, corn-based container.
“This is one of our largest-attended games of the year,” said Grizzlies Manager of Communications and Marketing Ryan Young, “and this is a way we can also give attention to the players on the field.”
The promotion is getting a huge reaction online, but for the team, the event is about more than just a whimsical (and awesome) wacky uniform.
“This isn’t a gimmick theme jersey like most you see,” Young said. “Taco Trucks have a long history in the Valley and we thought this served as a way for us to honor that heritage.”
Yahoo! Sports writer Mike Oz, who helped create the Taco Truck Throwdown back in 2011, wrote about the event, “For me, Taco Truck Throwdown is a way to highlight our community here in Fresno, an ag-rich area with a huge Latino population that makes it one of the country’s top food producers.”
There have been a million cheesy templated theme jerseys in minor league baseball, but the Fresno Tacos uniforms are a resounding win—not just because they’re fun and unique, but because they tap into an important aspect of the local community and an already-popular promotion at the ballpark. Also, they make us want tacos. Lots and lots of tacos.
fresno grizzlies, milb, taco truck throwdown, tacos
Indiana Pacers Unveil New “Hoosiers” Uniforms
Massive Leak Shows Images of 54 New NBA Uniforms for 2015-16
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 Thursday, January 7, 2021
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eBay’s Oliver to speak at iSchool convocation
School of Information Studiesspeakerssustainability
Bence Oliver ’95, Syracuse University alumnus and director of strategic sourcing at eBay, will deliver the 2013 convocation speech at the School of Information Studies (iSchool) on May 11.
“Bence embodies many qualities we hope our graduates will relate to,” says Barbara Settel, director of alumni relations and annual giving at the iSchool. “He is passionate about people and improving lives through his work, and as we say in the iSchool, ‘Remember the user.’ He thinks outside the box as we encourage our students to do.”
Oliver graduated from the iSchool in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in information management and technology, and worked briefly at Accenture and Intel. He was inspired to find a way for large corporations to benefit financially while helping the environment. Oliver followed his passion and transitioned to his position at eBay, where he was allowed a sabbatical to explore these possibilities and devote his efforts to the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF).
SELF is a nonprofit organization working to promote, develop and facilitate rural solar electrification in developing countries. Oliver’s work with SELF helped create a solar-powered irrigation system for village families to grow and sell their own food in Benin. Since returning from his trip, Oliver joined eBay’s Green Team, an initiative to promote green practices within eBay, practice community outreach and support government legislation. He is also the founder of eBay’s Sustainability and Renewable Energy Organization.
Julie Deutsch, an iSchool senior and class marshal, believes the senior class will be inspired by Oliver. “Knowing that Bence was an alumnus of the iSchool will automatically connect the students to his story. They will see the impact of information technology in today’s world. He will provide the students with another example of how to use their degree out in the real world. Students will see that no matter where they end up, they can also tie in the community.”
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Hawaii mayor calls Fla. man accused of violating quarantine rule a 'covidiot'
A Hawaiian mayor has labeled a Florida man a “covidiot” after he was accused of trying to avoid a mandatory traveler quarantine.
Capitol rioters intended to 'capture and assassinate elected officials,' prosecutors say
Federal prosecutors in a new court filing reportedly point to "strong evidence" that rioters who stormed the Capitol building last week aimed to "capture and assassinate elected officials."The prosecutors included this assessment while asking a judge to detain Jacob Chansley, one of the men who was arrested and charged following the deadly Capitol riot, Reuters reports."Strong evidence, including Chansley's own words and actions at the Capitol, supports that the intent of the Capitol rioters was to capture and assassinate elected officials in the United States government," the prosecutors wrote.Supporters of President Trump stormed the Capitol building on the day Congress was meeting to certify President-elect Joe Biden's election win, leaving five people dead. Trump was subsequently impeached for a second time for "incitement of insurrection" after delivering a speech calling on his supporters to march to the Capitol building.The prosecutors in the filing reportedly wrote that the charges against Chansley "involve active participation in an insurrection attempting to violently overthrow the United States government," adding that the "insurrection is still in progress." They also revealed that Chansley, who was photographed wearing horns at Vice President Mike Pence's desk, allegedly left a note for Pence that warned, "it's only a matter of time, justice is coming," Reuters reports. The filing, Politico writes, "spells out clearly the government's view of an ongoing 'insurrection movement' that is reaching a potential climax as Biden's inauguration approaches." More stories from theweek.com Trump's vaccine delay is getting suspicious 5 scathing cartoons about Trump's second impeachment The worst-case scenario for America's immediate future
Less than a week before the inauguration, Vice President Mike Pence has reportedly called Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to offer his congratulations.Pence and Harris spoke over the phone Thursday, with Pence congratulating the incoming vice president and offering "his belated assistance," The New York Times reported on Friday and The Associated Press confirmed.This is the first time Pence and Harris have spoken since their debate in October, and the call was "described as gracious and pleasant," the Times writes. President Trump has yet to speak with President-elect Joe Biden since the election, having spent more than two months falsely claiming to have won.Pence may invite Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, to the vice-presidential residence prior to next week's inauguration, according to the Times, though this is reportedly not set in stone due to scheduling issues created by the ongoing security concerns following last week's Capitol riot.Trump is reportedly expected to leave Washington, D.C. the morning of the inauguration. The president previously confirmed he will skip Biden's swearing-in, but Pence is expected to attend.More stories from theweek.com Trump's vaccine delay is getting suspicious 5 scathing cartoons about Trump's second impeachment The worst-case scenario for America's immediate future
The Confederate battle flag, which rioters flew inside the US Capitol, has long been a symbol of white insurrection
A historic first: the Confederate battle flag inside the U.S. Capitol. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty ImagesConfederate soldiers never reached the Capitol during the Civil War. But the Confederate battle flag was flown by rioters in the U.S. Capitol building for the first time ever on Jan. 6. The flag’s prominence in the Capitol riot comes as no surprise to those who, like me, know its history: Since its debut during the Civil War, the Confederate battle flag has been flown regularly by white insurrectionists and reactionaries fighting against rising tides of newly won Black political power. An 1897 lithograph shows changes in Confederate flag design. The ‘Southern Cross’ design, chosen to visually distinguish Confederates from Union soldiers in battle, became a symbol of white insurrection. Library of Congress via National Geographic The infamous diagonal blue cross with white stars on a red background was never the Confederacy’s official symbol. The Confederacy’s original “stars and bars” design was too similar to the U.S. flag, which led to confusion on the battlefields, where troop positions were marked by flags. The official flag went through a series of changes in attempts to distinguish Confederate from Union troops. The Confederacy would ultimately adopt the “Southern Cross” as its battle flag – cementing it as a symbol of white insurrection. While it is technically the battle flag, it has been used the most, and therefore has become known more generally as the Confederate flag. The Confederate battle flag figures prominently in this depiction of the 1864 battle of Franklin, Tennessee. Kurz and Allison, restoration by Adam Cuerden, via Wikimedia Commons The original emblem Six decades before the Nazi swastika became an instantly recognizable symbol of white supremacists, the Confederate battle flag flew over the forces of the insurgent Confederate States of America – military troops organized in revolt against the idea that the federal government could outlaw slavery. The founding documents of the Confederacy make its goals of white supremacy and preservation of slavery explicitly clear. In March 1861, Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens declared of the Confederacy, “its foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition.” The documents drafted by seceding states make this same point. Mississippi’s declaration, for instance, was very specific: “Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery – the greatest material interest of the world.” Rioting white students at University of Mississippi hoist a Confederate battle flag in a backlash against James Meredith’s attendance as the first Black student in 1962. Bettman via Getty Images Backlash against racial integration After the Civil War, Confederate veterans groups used the flag at their meetings to commemorate fallen soldiers, but otherwise the flag mostly disappeared from public life. After World War II, though, the flag surfaced as part of a backlash against racial integration. Black soldiers who fought discrimination abroad experienced discrimination when they came home. Racist violence against Black veterans who had returned from battle prompted President Harry Truman to issue an executive order desegregating the military and banning discrimination in federal hiring. Truman also asked Congress to pass a federal ban on lynching, one of nearly 200 unsuccessful attempts to do so. In 1948, the retaliation for Truman’s integration efforts came, and the Confederate battle flag resurfaced as a symbol of white supremacist public intimidation. That year, U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, a South Carolina Democrat, ran for president as the leader of a new political party of segregationist Southern Democrats, nicknamed the “Dixiecrats.” At their rallies and riots, they opposed Truman’s integration under the banner of the Confederate battle flag. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, white Southerners flew the Confederate battle flag at riots – including violent ones – to oppose racial integration, especially in schools. For example, in 1962, white students at the University of Mississippi hoisted it at a riot defying James Meredith’s enrollment as the university’s first Black student. It took the deployment of 30,000 U.S. troops, federal marshals and National Guardsmen to get Meredith to class after the violent race riot left two dead. Historian William Doyle called the riot – which featured the Confederate battle flag at its center – an “American insurrection.” Charleston, Charlottesville and the Capitol More recently, the Black Lives Matter era has seen an increase in violent incidents involving the Confederate battle flag. It has now featured prominently in at least three recent major violent events carried out by people on the far right. In 2015, a white supremacist who had posed with the Confederate battle flag online killed nine Black parishioners during a prayer meeting at their church. In 2017, neo-Nazis and other white supremacists carried the battle flag when they marched in Charlottesville, Virginia, seeking to prevent the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. One white supremacist drove his car through a crowd of anti-racist counterprotestors, killing Heather Heyer. [Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversation’s newsletter.] At the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, an image of an insurrectionist toting the Confederate battle flag inside the Capitol building arguably distills the siege’s dark historical context. In the background of the photo are the portraits of two Civil War-era U.S. senators – one an ardent proponent of slavery and the other an abolitionist once beaten unconscious for his views on the Senate floor. A man carries the Confederate battle flag in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, between portraits of senators who both opposed and supported slavery. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images The flag has always represented white resistance to increasing Black power. It may be a coincidence of exact timing, but certainly not of context, that the riot happened the day after Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff won U.S. Senate seats representing Georgia. Respectively, they are the first Black and first Jewish senators from the former Confederate state. Warnock will be only the second Black senator from below the Mason-Dixon Line since Reconstruction. Their historic victories – and President-elect Joe Biden’s – in Georgia happened through large-scale organizing and turnout of people of color, especially Black people. Since 2014, nearly 2 million voters have been added to the rolls in Georgia, signaling a new bloc of Black voting power. It should come as no surprise, then, that today’s white insurrectionists opposed to the shifting tides of power identify with the Confederate battle flag.This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Jordan Brasher, Columbus State University. Read more:Capitol siege raises questions over extent of white supremacist infiltration of US policeA second impeachment is just the start of Trump’s legal woes Jordan Brasher does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Asian American Police Officer From Texas Will Likely Face Charges for Rioting in the Capitol
What happened: The officer attended the riots in Washington D.C. and is accused of "penetrating" the Capitol, Click2Houston reports. During a press conference on Wednesday, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo discussed the officer in question. According to the New York Post, the officer — who was not named publicly by Acevedo — was placed on administrative leave.
Senator Ben Sasse (R., Neb.) on Friday called for the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol last week to be “prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” saying those who participated in the unrest that left five dead were “terrorists attacking this country’s constitutionally-mandated transfer of power.” Sasse’s comments come after the Department of Justice said in court documents that the rioters breached the Capitol with the intent to “capture and assassinate elected officials.” In a memo requesting that “QAnon shaman” Jacob Anthony Chansley be kept in detention, Justice Department lawyers in Arizona wrote that “strong evidence, including Chansley’s own words and actions at the Capitol” show that the intent was to harm elected officials. Sasse said it would be “wrong” of “rage-peddlers” to “try to whitewash the attack on the Capitol, saying that a few bad apples got out of control.” “Every American needs to understand what the Department of Justice has just made public: Investigators have strong evidence to suggest that some of the rioters who stormed the United States Capitol planned to kidnap and possibly assassinate the Vice President,” he said. “These men weren’t drunks who got rowdy — they were terrorists attacking this country’s constitutionally-mandated transfer of power,” he added. “They failed, but they came dangerously close to starting a bloody constitutional crisis.” He concluded: “They must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The FBI is investigating widespread calls for violence across the country and every American has an obligation to lower the temperature.” Last week, before the House impeached President Trump for a second time on an “incitement of insurrection” charge, Sasse had vowed to consider any articles of impeachment against Trump that came before the Senate. “The House, if they come together and have a process, I will definitely consider whatever articles they might move,” Sasse said in an interview with CBS. “I believe the president has disregarded his oath of office…what he did was wicked.”
The U.S. Forces in Korea (USFK) said on Saturday it has imposed a shelter-in-place order on two of its largest bases - U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan and Camp Humphreys - until Tuesday after a cluster of coronavirus infections. Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, is the largest U.S. military base overseas, housing the USFK headquarters and thousands of troops, civilian workers, and their family members. It was not immediately clear how many cases have been reported at the two bases, but the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said on Saturday a total of 18 people related to the U.S. base in Seoul tested positive this week so far.
What is impeachment, who invokes it and what did the House vote on? OLD
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About NSTPadmin2020-11-20T11:31:16+05:00
An Innovation Ecosystem and a Hub for International Business
National Science & Technology Park (NSTP) is the first fully integrated science and technology park (STP) and the first STP of the country; the initiative is meticulously aimed at kindling the knowledge economy of Pakistan by stimulating and nurturing innovation-led germination and growth of hi-tech entities. With over PKR 8 Billion being invested into the master plan, NSTP will emerge as an innovation powerhouse for businesses.
NSTP is the new national tech-pad where entrepreneurs and multinationals come together to discover, ideate, create, collaborate and break new ground. Kicking off with a portentous pilot, the NSTP will be home to an ornate assortment of tech start-ups, established R&D companies and research branches of renowned national and international industry leaders. The park is the country’s avant-garde cradle for disruptive technologies. Catering to a multispectral cluster, drawing on the nation’s and the region’s growth potential and market needs, 8 optimised high-tech themes have been carefully selected for the NSTP in the first phase, to maximise technological, economic and societal impact, not to mention creation of thousands of high-tech jobs. Moreover, dovetailed with the unparalleled knowledge, talent and R&D base of Pakistan’s #1 Engineering and Technology university, NSTP is also the first of its kind in the country to sport all the essential ingredients for an enabling and diverse innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
A flagship project of the National University of Sciences & Technology
(NUST), the NSTP not only capitalises on the strengths and core competencies of NUST, but also brandishes support from the Government of Pakistan. Longstanding and productive linkages with major industry movers and shakers including military-industrial-complexes, large public and private sector organisations and SMEs is another unique feature accrued due to the host university. Ensuring ease of business, providing tax rebates and exemptions, and other associated incentives are a few of the major value propositions of the NSTP and are incorporated in the ethos of its design.
NUST’s continued focus of almost 3 decades on institutionalising and consolidating the culture of research, innovation and entrepreneurship eventually culminated in the formulation of the NSTP, that will help to deliver NUST’s aim of making this region a place where technology-centric businesses, large and small, can thrive, create jobs, and provide the very best higher education, R&D and training opportunities.
If not for the love of science and innovation, the picturesque landscapes would be reason alone to vie for this prime real estate. But the range of ergonomically designed innovation facilities, a thriving entrepreneurial culture and maturely established patenting, marketing and technology transfer departments of the host university, and a panoply of amenities for sports and recreation are just some of the prized offerings that make it the first choice for all techpreneurs and research-focused businesses.
NSTP is built with sustainability in mind. Its thematic vision embraces the concept of providing every business on the Park with the benefits of setting high footprint not only in Pakistan but globally as well.
Businesses based at the Park will benefit from excellent road, rail and air connections to the rest of the country, Middle-East, South Asia, Europe and beyond. Located just off the Kashmir Highway, NSTP is in the heart of Islamabad, with many industries and universities within a radius of 50 km. Islamabad International Airport, less than 10 km away, offers direct flights across Middle-East, South Asia, Europe and further afield via the international hub at Dubai and Doha.
To become a thriving and dynamic international hub for scientific and technological R&D and innovation, by facilitating collaboration amongst research centres, universities, industry, communities and Governments, and creating products and services with positive economic and societal impact within the region and beyond.
To be Pakistan’s most technologically advanced R&D and innovation centre, stimulating growth of high-tech enterprises, fostering technological and socioeconomic growth, and contributing to development of Pakistan’s knowledge economy.
To build an innovation ecosystem stimulating creation of new technology businesses through entrepreneurship and incubation programmes.
To stimulate innovation-led economic growth of the country and region.
To promote commercialisation of research and development in association with local research centres and academic institutions.
To encourage active collaboration between private and public sector technology development.
To support emerging local start-ups and SMEs seeking to develop and export diverse technology-based products, services and intellectual property (IP).
To attract international technology-focused companies and research organisations to relocate their operations to Pakistan.
To create and enhance international and national strategic linkages to further growth and economic diversity.
Excellence: We strive for excellence and quality in everything we do. We learn from best global practices, and challenge ourselves to improve through strategic planning, collaboration and teamwork.
Integrity: We conduct ourselves in accordance with the highest standards of professional behaviour and ethics while dealing with tenants and industry, as well as students, researchers and faculty, keeping all processes and procedures transparent.
Teamwork and Collaboration: All departments at NSTP work in synergy and close collaboration to provide a strong support system for our researchers, faculty, students, tenant companies and industry.
Contribution to Society: We encourage, support and nurture Research and Development initiatives for the larger benefit of society, and help NSTP tenants maximise societal impact from their business operations.
International Association of Science Parks (IASP)
IASP is a worldwide network of Science & Technology Parks having 347 members from 77 countries. NUST is the only full member of IASP from Pakistan.
World Technopolis Association (WTA):
WTA is a multilateral international organisation created with the purpose to connect the advancement of science and technology with local development. NUST is the only associate member of WTA from Pakistan.
Inter-Islamic Network on Science & Technology Parks (INSTP):
INSTP is a platform for technological development among Muslim countries. NUST is member for INSTP as well as the only Pakistani member of its Executive Council.
NSTP pilot is the newest addition to NUST’s growing portfolio – it is an innovative project that will be home to a vibrant and high-tech entrepreneurial and business community of 100+ enterprises, from entrepreneurial start-ups to global multinationals. With over 110,000 square feet of office space, ample parking, state-of-the-art IT and easy access to NUST’s R&D ecosystem, NSTP pilot is the ideal location for enterprises ranging from ambitious tech-based start-ups to established international businesses looking for a base camp for R&D, intellectual capital, investments, collaborations and commercialisation. Surrounded by a vibrant network of like-minded innovators and entrepreneurs, the residents of NSTP will benefit from flexible office space set over 4 floors, as well as contemporary meeting rooms, smart conference rooms, cafes and a dedicated bank. Tenants will have additional advantage of R&D facilities within the park as well as on the NUST H-12 campus.
As We Grow: The NSTP will serve as the hub for innovation, not just for students, but for professionals and underprivileged individuals as well. The centre will be used to mentor and groom the youth while enabling them to contribute to the local economy as well as to compete globally. The Park will facilitate research and innovation, and create numerous job opportunities. The knowledge ecosystem, combined with continuous innovation in cutting-edge technologies, will prove to be an asset and a catalyst for Pakistan’s technological and socioeconomic progress.
Leveraging the university’s core strengths and unique position in the global technology arena, we focus on 8 key thematic areas – AgriTech, AutoTech, EdTech, EnergyTech, DefTech, FinTech, HealthTech, SmartTech.
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Only 30% of Fukushima residents happy with disaster recovery progress
Nearly 10 years after the 2011 earthquake-tsunami and nuclear disasters in northeastern Japan, only 30 percent of Fukushima Prefecture residents say reconstruction has been sufficient, a Kyodo News survey showed Thursday.
The figure was notably lower than 80 percent in Miyagi and 66 percent in Iwate prefectures, which were also affected by the natural disasters.
Photo taken Dec. 23, 2020, from a drone shows rows of public houses for residents who lost their homes in the disaster in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture.
The low number in Fukushima reflects how the nuclear meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant and subsequent evacuation orders have slowed reconstruction work.
Face-to-face surveys were conducted in November involving 100 residents in each of the three prefectures to ask about reconstruction of the communities where they lived when the magnitude-9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit the region March 11, 2011.
A total of 176 people, or 59 percent, across the three prefectures said reconstruction was “progressing” or “progressing to some degree,” while 123 people, or 41 percent, said there had not been enough progress. One person did not answer.
“My hometown is full of vacant plots of land,” said a man in his 50s who evacuated from Futaba, which hosts the Fukushima Daiichi plant, to Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture. “I cannot imagine the town becoming a place we can return to.”
Many respondents appreciated the rebuilding of infrastructure, but some said it has taken too much time. Among Fukushima residents unhappy with the reconstruction progress, many said they are disappointed that they are still not allowed to return to their hometowns due to radioactive contamination and that townscapes have not been restored.
Photo taken on Sept. 26, 2020, in Okuma, northeastern Japan, shows the disaster-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant where decommissioning work is taking place
Across the three prefectures, 66 percent said their lives were back on track as they were able either to move to public housing for disaster victims or build new homes. By prefecture, the rate was 80 percent in Miyagi and 70 percent in Iwate but significantly lower at 49 percent in Fukushima.
The cost of rebuilding homes and a decrease in income have also been a burden for residents.
“To reconstruct my house, I needed to get another loan (in addition to that for the home destroyed by the disaster). I won’t finish the payments until I’m 80 years old,” said Toshiyuki Naganuma, 58, who runs a construction firm in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture.
The local government in Natori declared the completion of the city’s recovery in March 2020. More houses have been built and tourists are returning. But Naganuma said that while “it may look like the city has recovered, reconstruction is not finished.”
“Jobs are still gone. My income is unstable,” said a man in his 40s who changed jobs three times after the disasters. He used to work at a restaurant in Rikuzentakata, Iwate, but sales dropped when construction workers and others engaged in work to rebuild the city left.
Yukihisa Ojima, 49, who operates a home appliance store in Rikuzentakata, worries about the city’s declining population. “Public facilities were rebuilt but things are slack for businesses here,” he said.
For those affected by the disasters, recovery means “getting back one’s life before the disasters,” said Jun Oyane, a professor at Senshu University and head of the Japan Society for Disaster Recovery and Revitalization.
“The next step after restoring infrastructure will be to focus on the varying needs of individual residents and to stand by them in rebuilding” their lives, he said.
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/01/13fd3540b365-only-30-of-fukushima-residents-happy-with-disaster-recovery-progress.html
January 9, 2021 - Posted by dunrenard | Fukushima 2021 | Fukushima, Reconstruction, Recovery
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← University of Wisconsin Hosts Oaxaca Weaver Tito Mendoza, October 7-12, 2011
Where To Go Next? Oaxaca, Of Course! →
Novelist, Poet and English Professor Robin Greene Leads Creative Writing Workshop
Posted on Monday, September 26, 2011 | 1 Comment
Robin Greene, novelist, poet, English professor, yoga practitioner, parent and wife, is a native New Yorker who is a “Southerner by choice.” She came to Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1989, and joined the faculty at Methodist University where she is now Professor of English and Writing, the Director of the Writing Center, and Literary Editor of Longleaf Press.
Greene recently completed “Augustus: Narrative of a Slave Woman,” a novel based on the oral history of a former Fayetteville slave compiled by the Works Progress Administration. It expertly weaves together Greene’s imagination of what happened with the sparse written legacy recorded in the Library of Congress archives. The book took Greene ten years to write and she included herself in the novel. “I exist as Professor Greene, an inquisitive English professor who finds her way into an old mystery,” she says. In a twist of events, the protagonist Sarah Louise Augustus, the former slave, emerges from the narrative to become the Professor’s teacher.
“The novel is a commentary on black feminism, race-specific reactions to historical inquiry, on sexuality and rape and the quest for identity,” explains Greene. In 2010, she was invited to teach American Slave Narrative as Literature at a university in Romania. And, then Norma Hawthorne selected her from an applicant pool of over 100 published writers and writing instructors to lead a creative writing retreat in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Women’s Creative Writing and Yoga Retreat (March 2-9, 2012) is a natural extension of Robin Greene’s reflective nature. In Oaxaca, Mexico each spring she offers coaching, inspiration and guidance to other women writers. “We come together as a supportive community and develop a spirit of strength that is often transformative,” Greene says. “The life of any artist is a complicated one, and emergent writers need to learn not only how to write but also how to make their lives work.”
Novelist and Poet Robin Greene in Oaxaca, Mexico
Greene is passionate about this: “Many writers need help to integrate the many demands on their time. It is hard to write, edit, publish, make a living, and be an effective parent.” Her own life experience tells her so.
When Robin Greene earned the Master’s degree in English from State University of New York at Binghamton and the Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, she was married and then became a mother. She knows what it takes to balance work, home, family, commitments, and creative endeavors. She goes on to say that, “Today, writers also need to be able to handle Social Media – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn—plus all sorts of electronic information systems.
Her nonfiction book, Real Birth, took Greene eight years to complete. Memories of Light and Lateral Drift, two volumes of poetry, were published after years of getting up at five o’clock in the morning before her family awakened, then writing for two or three hours in solitude before turning to the responsibilities of getting children fed and ready for school.
Greene knows how difficult it is to try to negotiate the many incongruent parts of a writer’s life. Her advice: “In order to write successfully, you must first schedule writing time. Writers must selfishly honor that time regardless of all other commitments.” She also believes that grammar is at the core of knowing one’s craft. She includes optional grammar mini-sessions in the writing retreat.
Writers must also have a commitment to lifelong learning. “A writer’s education is never complete,” she says. “Writers need feedback, need to understand the business side of writing, and show always focus on improving technique. This happens over a lifetime. Writers are marathon runners, not twenty-yard sprinters. It is why attending a professional development program like our women’s writing retreat can be so important and essential, no matter what your level or personal accomplishment.”
And for her next project? Greene is at work on a collection of open letters of advice and inspiration from a range of poets, from the “old masters” to the “younger, less established who are looking to find their way.” The book will offer guidance for emergent poets that is now offered at some of the best writing programs. She is now in the process of searching for a publisher! Does that sound familiar?
Resources: See Robin Greene’s website! You can Order Augustus: Narrative of a Slave Woman from Amazon
This entry was posted in Books & Resources, Creative Writing and Poetry, Photography, Workshops and Retreats and tagged blogsherpa, class, conference, course, creative, fiction, Mexico, non-fiction, novel, Oaxaca, poetry, retreat, school, workshop, Writing. Bookmark the permalink.
One response to “Novelist, Poet and English Professor Robin Greene Leads Creative Writing Workshop”
Pingback: Pablo Naruda 2011 Prize Finalist Inspired at Oaxaca Women’s Creative Writing + Yoga Retreat | Oaxaca Cultural Navigator : Norma Hawthorne
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Category: Exchanges
Category "Exchanges"
As Some Got Free Health Care, Gwen Got Squeezed: An Obamacare Dilemma
Gwen Hurd got the letter just before her shift at the outlet mall. Her health insurance company informed her that coverage for her family of three, purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, would cost almost 60 percent more this year — $1,200 a month.
She and her husband, a contractor, found a less expensive plan, but at $928 a month, it meant giving up date nights and saving for their future. Worse, the new policy required them to spend more than $6,000 per person before it covered much of anything.
“It seems to me that people who earn nothing and contribute nothing get everything for free,” said Ms. Hurd, 30. “And the people who work hard and struggle for every penny barely end up surviving.”
2018 Obamacare Health Insurance Exchanges: Competition and Choice Continue to Shrink
Insurer participation and competition in Obamacare declined again in 2018 at both the state and county levels. In 2017, nearly one-third of counties (32.8 percent) had only one insurer offering exchange coverage. In 2018, more than half (51.3 percent) of all counties face that situation. Many insurers have exited the exchanges; ones that remain offer higher premiums and narrow network plans. The emerging norm appears to be one in which major metropolitan areas have two or three insurers offering exchange coverage, while less-populous areas have only one. A health insurance monopoly offering overly expensive coverage that pays for only a very limited set of providers is deeply unattractive, especially to customers who previously enjoyed choice in both their insurance and medical care. Not surprisingly, consumers are looking to Congress and the President for help in escaping the soaring costs and shrinking choices that characterize the ACA exchanges.
Plans with More Restrictive Networks Comprise 73% of Exchange Market
New analysis from Avalere finds that plans with more restrictive networks, including health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and exclusive provider organizations (EPOs), continue to dominate the exchange market, with 73% of the 2018 market comprised of restrictive network plans, up from 68% in 2017 and 54% in 2015. Avalere analysis also found that deductibles for the most popular type of plan on the exchange—silver plans—will climb in 2018, to an average of $3,937, up from $3,703 in 2015, and each following year they will increase.
Health Insurer Centene Is Sued Over Lack of Medical Coverage
People who bought policies from Centene, a large for-profit health insurance company, filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday claiming the company does not provide adequate access to doctors in 15 states. “Members have difficulty finding–and in many cases cannot find–medical providers,” who will accept patients covered under policies sold by Centene, according to the lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington State.
“People signed up for insurance and they ‘discovered there were no doctors,”’said Seth Lesser, a partner at the law firm of Klafter Olsen & Lesser who is representing some of the policyholders.
Nevada Takes Steps Toward Leaving Federal Healthcare.Gov
Nevada is taking steps toward leaving the federal healthcare.gov and setting up a separate exchange operated by the state.
The Nevada Appeal reports that the Legislative Interim Finance Committee on Friday authorized state officials to spend $1 million to prepare a request for proposals and find a private provider.
Heather Korbulic, executive director of the state system, says changes are needed because healthcare.gov is steadily raising the rates it charges states that link their front-end systems to the federal exchange.
ACA’s State-Run Insurance Exchanges Fare Better Than Federal Marketplace
States that run their own Affordable Care Act insurance marketplaces significantly outperformed the rest of the country in attracting consumers to sign up for health plans for 2018, according to enrollment tallies released Wednesday.
Overall enrollment stayed essentially level from the year before in the 11 states plus the District with state-based marketplaces, while sign-ups in states that rely on the ACA’s federal exchange fell, on average, by more than 5 percent. Five states with hybrid systems did best of all, according to a report compiled by the National Academy for State Health Policy.
House GOP Warming to Obamacare Fix
Key House Republicans are warming to a proposal aimed at bringing down ObamaCare premiums, raising the chances of legislative action this year to stabilize the health-care law.
House GOP aides and lobbyists say that top House Republicans are interested in funding what is known as reinsurance. The money could be included in a coming bipartisan government funding deal or in another legislative vehicle.
Any action from Republicans to stabilize ObamaCare would be a major departure from the party’s long crusade against the law, but after having failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act last year, the discussion is shifting.
New Taxes Will Make Health Care More Expensive in Oregon
Oregon voters recently upheld a myriad of new taxes that were passed as part of a major health-care law last summer. The state government is planning to use the estimated $320 million in revenue to cover hundreds of thousands of residents who have enrolled through the Affordable Care Act. The outcome of this vote has serious implications anyone enrolled in a health-care plan in Oregon.
The referendum was on sections of House Bill 2391, which imposes a 0.7 percent tax on small hospitals as well as a 1.5 percent on individual and family health-care premiums. These revenue raisers are intended to generate more tax dollars for the state. But they also allow Oregon to receive $630 million to $960 million in federal Medicaid matching funds.
More Losers Than Winners If Congress Funds Disputed ACA Program
Using 2017 data: Out of 9,201,805 healthcare.gov enrollees, here’s how many would win and lose if the insurer subsidies were now funded:
Winners: 682,712 unsubsidized exchange enrollees enrolled in middle-of the-road “silver” plans
Losers: 1,621,325 enrollees who receive premium subsidies and don’t have silver plans
Likely losers: 1,706,780 enrollees with silver plans and incomes between 200%-400% of the federal poverty level.
Still Waiting for the ‘Affordable’ in the Affordable Care Act
Health care dominated the news cycle in 2017. Yet, for all the legislative wrangling and rhetoric, little changed this past year.
It is my job to listen to health-care consumers. They entered 2017 worried about the cost of coverage. They find themselves at the start of this year in the same place they ended the last. People want to know: What happened to the “affordable” part of the Affordable Care Act?
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Assignment On Changes For The Future
How many people in the world would donate their organs if it could help save the life of another? People die everyday waiting for someone to donate the matching organ. Imagine living a life day to day not knowing if there is a future. What if, instead of waiting for someone to die, for them to receive the organ, there were organs available when needed? Many individuals are living their lives of incurable diseases, while their family and friends watch helplessly. What if, instead of watching them helplessly, they can watch them grow stronger? Is it possible? Scientists say yes, but is there a price to pay? Stem cell research, with the proper funding, and available embryonic s ...view middle of the document...
The inner cell mass is made up of embryonic stem cells" (ISSCR). Human embryonic stem cells have only recently become available for research. Most of what scientists do know come from studies that has been performed on mice. "Among the types of cells derived from cultured mice ESCs are fat cells, various brain and nervous system cells, insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, bone cells, hematopoietic cells, yolk sac, endothelial cells, primitive endodermal cells, and smooth and striated muscle cells, including cardiomyocytes--heart muscle cells" (Commission n. page). There are hopes that with enough research, embryonic stem cells can be used to treat Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, spinal cord injuries, strokes, and debilitating diseases.Nancy Reagan, wife of former President Ronald Reagan, strongly endorses the research for stem cells. Former President Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1994, and recently passed away from Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes loss of memory and destroys the brain cells. Eventually the brain loses function because the cells have been destroyed. "In Alzheimer's disease, the injection of either embryonic or umbilical cord stem cells has been shown to significantly increase the laboratory animals' life spans and mental functions. Russian physicians, who have given embryonic stem cells to Alzheimer's patients at six month intervals, report that the improvements are better with stem cells than other therapies" (Ende n. page). As of now, there is no treatment for Alzheimer's disease using stem cells. However, scientists are still looking for a breakthrough that might help treat this disease.Another individual who has taken a stand for this research is Christopher Reeves, an actor, and quadriplegic. Reeves is a well-known advocate for stem cell research. He was paralyzed from a horse back riding incident in 1995, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down and left him relying on a ventilator to breath. People might say he was only advocating embryonic stem cell research in hopes to find a cure for himself. It was shown to be otherwise in a recent interview with Reader's Digest, where he was asked about his view on embryonic stem cell research, and he stated, "I advocate it because I think scientists should be free to pursue every possible avenue. It appears though, at the moment, that embryonic stem cells are effective in treating acute injuries and are not able to do much about chronic injuries" (Nash n. page). Christopher Reeves spent his years trying to do everything he could to help people find out more about spinal cord injury.In 1991, Micheal J. Fox, another advocate for stem cell research, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This disease affects the nerve cells in the brain that control muscle movements. This disease can cause tremors and loss of balance. Parkinson's disease gradually gets worse over time, but can be treated with medication in the early stages. "Restoration...
A Relationship That Changes For The Better
856 words - 4 pages Wendy Wasserstein's play Tender Offer is a dialogue between a father, Paul and his daughter, Lisa. Paul is too wrapped up in his business and work and never takes the time to talk to his daughter and find out what is going on in her life. When the play begins, Lisa and Paul do not seem to have a relationship at all, but we find in the end that their relationship changes and will be better in the future. This dialogue allows Paul and Lisa to
My Individual Plan For the future - Physical Education - Essay
1050 words - 5 pages Free My Future in Sport There are a number of reasons you don’t see as much sport being played by adults. Participation levels in sport decrease by 9.3% between the ages of 17-24, which is the age bracket in which most people graduate (The Heart Foundation, 2015). After people leave school, they may quit sport due to a lack of motivation, lack of time and a lack of opportunities to continue to play sports. Schools provide a number of opportunities
The Basis For John Adams's Uncertainty For The Future Prosperity Of America
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570 words - 3 pages changing environments. · Responsibility of change is internal to implement new structures & processes. · Need broad based participation. 3. Organisational Learning Approach (Wardell et. al.; Senge) · Aim is continuous improvement amidst changing circumstances. · Identifying problems and developing strategies to correct them. 4. Appreciative enquiry – IDEAS (Barret & Fry) · An approach that learns from successes to emulate for the future 5. Technology and Organisational Transformation (Barret & Fry) · Previously technology was used to re-engineer (transform) organisations. · Shift is now away from technical changes to more overall changes in school systems. Page 1 of 2
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Ontario premier denounces reports of violence at Queen’s Park anti-mask rally
Published Wednesday, October 21, 2020 10:59AM EDT Last Updated Wednesday, October 21, 2020 2:12PM EDT
Ontario Premier Doug Ford answers questions during the daily briefing at COVID-19 at Queen’s Park in Toronto on Thursdsay July 2, 2020. THECANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
OTTAWA -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford says there were reports of violence at an anti-mask demonstration at Queen's Park on Wednesday.
"We live in a democracy. I've told people if you want to protest, come down to Queen's Park, they're welcome to protest. What I do ask is not to be violent and I hear there was a little bit of violence out there and that's unacceptable," the Premier told reporters at Queen's Park.
"If they want to go out there and do cartwheels, jump up and down, hold signs up, shout and scream, that's fine. Violence is where we cross the line and we won't tolerate that for a second. If you're violent with the security folks here, or Toronto police or OPP, it's not going to end well for you."
The event follows comments from Kingston-area MPP Randy Hillier, who said he would gather a group of supporters without masks at Queen’s Park Wednesday to test what he called the Ford government's "unlawful orders."
In a video statement, the independent MPP said "I will not be protesting, I will be gathering with friends."
In a speech during question period on Tuesday, Hillier said COVID-19 restrictions were denying residents "freedom of mobility, freedom of assembly and our freedom to be with loved ones."
Hillier said he would gather with 25 "friends" to challenge the law on Wednesday and dared the Premier to enforce provincial orders against such gatherings.
"We always recommend taking the advice of public health officials,” Premier Doug Ford’s office said in a statement.
Kingston public health officials recently sent a letter to Hillier to discuss concerns about the information he shares online and in interviews that consistently goes against public health advice, including not wearing a mask, all the way to conspiracy theories, like the one he shared on Tuesdaythat accused a COVID-19 modeller of "fabricating" an "apocalypse."
Another modeller who couldn’t wait for an apocalypse, so fabricated one #onpoli https://t.co/MWlRcV4OVI
— Randy Hillier (@randyhillier) October 21, 2020
On Monday, Hillier posted a video to YouTube of an interview he conducted with Ottawa-based Dr. Neda Amani, who brands herself as a holistic medical doctor and is a graduate of the University of Toronto's school of medicine.
Dr. Amani, who has no background in epidemiology or infectious disease, downplayed the virus along with Hillier in a number of comments made throughout the video.
Amani said the "impact of the virus is minimal here" and the provincial restrictions put in place were far worse than the virus itself.
"I think right now our response is the disease," she said, despite over 3,000 deaths in Ontario and more than one million worldwide in less than eight months.
Amani said the risk to children was negligible and less than the flu, so the current restrictions put in place by the Ford government are an overreaction.
"We know that in children it's a negligible risk of getting sick or dying, we know it's less than the flu even," she said, without citing any evidence, adding residents were more at risk of dying in a car accidents than from COVID-19.
When asked for comment about the doctor’s remarks, a spokesperson for the College of Physicians and Surgeons said it doesn't comment on the conduct of individual physicians not currently facing disciplinary action.
"However, it's important that all physicians recognize the influence they may have, particularly when it comes to public health. The CPSO believes that countering public health best practices during COVID-19 represents a risk to the public and is not acceptable behaviour."
The College said investigations are done on a complaint basis.
Amani did not respond to a request for comment.
Hillier continues to push back online but a spokesperson for Hillier Monday didn't say when or if the MPP would respond to a request for comment made last week and said "it's up to him," whether he wants to respond.
After initially claiming Kingston health officials refused to meet him to discuss their concerns about COVID-19 disinformation, Hillier wouldn't say whether a virtual meeting was offered, as outlined by Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health.
Kingston public health officials say they’re willing to meet with anyone, including Mr. Hillier, “to answer questions about COVID-19 and recommendations of prevention.” https://t.co/32g5R47dbU
— Andrew Pinsent (@a_pinsent) October 16, 2020
KFL&A said Monday it would have no other comment on the topic of Hillier and said Friday its board had sent a letter to his office "expressing concern about his comments."
Ontario MPP Randy Hillier, seen in a 2018 scrum at Queen's Park. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)
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You are looking at 1-5 of 5 items for:
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Mind-Altering Drugs: The Science of Subjective Experience
Mitch Earleywine (ed.)
Psychology, Psychopharmacology
At least one third of Americans have used an illicit drug at least once. Drugs attract considerable attention in science, legislation, and the media. Nevertheless, people develop their attitudes ... More
At least one third of Americans have used an illicit drug at least once. Drugs attract considerable attention in science, legislation, and the media. Nevertheless, people develop their attitudes about drugs and drug users based on limited information, government policies are formed without a complete picture of the intoxication experience, and researchers often find themselves divided into camps based on the drug they study most often, limiting their ability to benefit from important work done on other drugs. A thorough and accessible review of the subjective effects of drugs and the dominant theories behind these effects will help inform readers about the experience of intoxication and help researchers learn from studies in other disciplines. This book will provide a clear sense of the theories and techniques behind the investigations of intoxication and how subjective experiences relate to addictive potential, which should help people make educated decisions about drug use, help researchers identify ideal ways to assess a drug's subjective effects, and help clinicians understand their substance-abusing clients better by providing insight into the intoxication that they seek.Less
Mind-Altering Drugs : The Science of Subjective Experience
At least one third of Americans have used an illicit drug at least once. Drugs attract considerable attention in science, legislation, and the media. Nevertheless, people develop their attitudes about drugs and drug users based on limited information, government policies are formed without a complete picture of the intoxication experience, and researchers often find themselves divided into camps based on the drug they study most often, limiting their ability to benefit from important work done on other drugs. A thorough and accessible review of the subjective effects of drugs and the dominant theories behind these effects will help inform readers about the experience of intoxication and help researchers learn from studies in other disciplines. This book will provide a clear sense of the theories and techniques behind the investigations of intoxication and how subjective experiences relate to addictive potential, which should help people make educated decisions about drug use, help researchers identify ideal ways to assess a drug's subjective effects, and help clinicians understand their substance-abusing clients better by providing insight into the intoxication that they seek.
Keywords: marijuana, cannabis, illicit drugs, intoxication, addiction, pot, drug enforcement
Pot Politics: Marijuana and the Costs of Prohibition
Marijuana use continues to attract interest and fuel controversy. Big, green pot leaves have adorned the covers of Time, National Review, and Forbes. Almost 100 million Americans have tried marijuana ... More
Marijuana use continues to attract interest and fuel controversy. Big, green pot leaves have adorned the covers of Time, National Review, and Forbes. Almost 100 million Americans have tried marijuana at least once. Groups such as The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana (NORML) and The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) have tens of thousands of members. Polls suggest that 70-80% of Americans support medicinal marijuana. At least 11 U.S. states have experimented with decriminalization and medical marijuana laws, with new initiatives appearing each year. Meanwhile, other groups such as Partnership for a Drug-Free America and Mothers Against Drugs protest legalization. Clearly, debate about marijuana policy shows no sign of abating. This collection of essays resulted from researchers, policy makers and citizens being asked to avoid oversimplification, to separate empirical findings from their interpretations, and to understand that some things may be neither good nor evil. The result is multiple perspectives from a variety of experts on an important problem with vast implications. The volume presents ethical, religious, economic, psychological and political arguments for cannabis policies that range from prohibition to unrestricted legalization. By presenting a unique perspective on overlapping issues, each chapter demonstrates how even recognized experts draw markedly different conclusions from the same data. Some contributors evaluate policy by weighing the costs and benefits of control while others eschew policy by presenting moral arguments against our attempts at control.Less
Pot Politics : Marijuana and the Costs of Prohibition
Marijuana use continues to attract interest and fuel controversy. Big, green pot leaves have adorned the covers of Time, National Review, and Forbes. Almost 100 million Americans have tried marijuana at least once. Groups such as The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana (NORML) and The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) have tens of thousands of members. Polls suggest that 70-80% of Americans support medicinal marijuana. At least 11 U.S. states have experimented with decriminalization and medical marijuana laws, with new initiatives appearing each year. Meanwhile, other groups such as Partnership for a Drug-Free America and Mothers Against Drugs protest legalization. Clearly, debate about marijuana policy shows no sign of abating. This collection of essays resulted from researchers, policy makers and citizens being asked to avoid oversimplification, to separate empirical findings from their interpretations, and to understand that some things may be neither good nor evil. The result is multiple perspectives from a variety of experts on an important problem with vast implications. The volume presents ethical, religious, economic, psychological and political arguments for cannabis policies that range from prohibition to unrestricted legalization. By presenting a unique perspective on overlapping issues, each chapter demonstrates how even recognized experts draw markedly different conclusions from the same data. Some contributors evaluate policy by weighing the costs and benefits of control while others eschew policy by presenting moral arguments against our attempts at control.
Keywords: marijuana, reform, NORML, Marijuana Policy Project, MPP, decriminalization, drug-free America, Mothers Against Drugs, cannabis, prohibition
Rethinking Cognitive Enhancement
Ruud ter Meulen, Ahmed Mohammed, and Wayne Hall (eds)
Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Cognitive Neuroscience
In view of the high expectations of cognitive enhancement and concerns about the potential risks of using cognitive technologies, this book critically engages with the scientific and ethical issues ... More
In view of the high expectations of cognitive enhancement and concerns about the potential risks of using cognitive technologies, this book critically engages with the scientific and ethical issues in cognitive enhancement. The book aims to inform critical readers and the public of the risks as well as the promises of cognitive enhancement. The book starts with reviewing the experimental (and other empirical) evidence regarding the possible improvements of human cognition by the use of neuropharmacological drugs, the limitations and possible side effects of the use of these drugs. The second major section includes chapters about various ethical, philosophical, legal, and social issues of the use of neuropharmacological drugs for cognitive enhancement, particularly the assumptions made about cognitive enhancement in healthy individuals in recent ethical discussions. A distinguishing feature about this book is that, for the first time, neuroscientists, neuropsychopharmacologists, ethicists, philosophers, public health professionals, and policy researchers work together to offer a multidisciplinary, critical consideration of the neuroethics of the use of psychopharmacological drugs for cognitive enhancement.Less
In view of the high expectations of cognitive enhancement and concerns about the potential risks of using cognitive technologies, this book critically engages with the scientific and ethical issues in cognitive enhancement. The book aims to inform critical readers and the public of the risks as well as the promises of cognitive enhancement. The book starts with reviewing the experimental (and other empirical) evidence regarding the possible improvements of human cognition by the use of neuropharmacological drugs, the limitations and possible side effects of the use of these drugs. The second major section includes chapters about various ethical, philosophical, legal, and social issues of the use of neuropharmacological drugs for cognitive enhancement, particularly the assumptions made about cognitive enhancement in healthy individuals in recent ethical discussions. A distinguishing feature about this book is that, for the first time, neuroscientists, neuropsychopharmacologists, ethicists, philosophers, public health professionals, and policy researchers work together to offer a multidisciplinary, critical consideration of the neuroethics of the use of psychopharmacological drugs for cognitive enhancement.
Keywords: ethics, neuroethics, cognitive enhancement, public health, philosophy
The Science of Marijuana
Leslie Iversen
Marijuana (cannabis) is the most widely used recreational drug after nicotine and alcohol. This book reviews the rapidly growing body of scientific evidence on cannabis—how it works, the role of ... More
Marijuana (cannabis) is the most widely used recreational drug after nicotine and alcohol. This book reviews the rapidly growing body of scientific evidence on cannabis—how it works, the role of endogenous cannabinoids in the brain and body, and the opportunities for new medicines based on such knowledge. The regulation of cannabis use varies considerably throughout the world. This book reviews the rapid changes that have occurred in liberalizing the medical use of cannabis, and in some instances the full legalization of cannabis use, with an emphasis on events in the United States and Canada. The advantages and disadvantages of liberalizing the medical and recreational use of cannabis are discussed in a neutral manner, leaving the reader to decide.Less
Marijuana (cannabis) is the most widely used recreational drug after nicotine and alcohol. This book reviews the rapidly growing body of scientific evidence on cannabis—how it works, the role of endogenous cannabinoids in the brain and body, and the opportunities for new medicines based on such knowledge. The regulation of cannabis use varies considerably throughout the world. This book reviews the rapid changes that have occurred in liberalizing the medical use of cannabis, and in some instances the full legalization of cannabis use, with an emphasis on events in the United States and Canada. The advantages and disadvantages of liberalizing the medical and recreational use of cannabis are discussed in a neutral manner, leaving the reader to decide.
Keywords: marijuana, cannabis, endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, medical use, cannabis laws
Understanding Marijuana: A New Look at the Scientific Evidence
Mitch Earleywine
Marijuana is the world's most popular illicit drug, with hundreds of millions of regular users worldwide. One in three Americans has smoked pot at least once. The Drug Enforcement Agency estimates ... More
Marijuana is the world's most popular illicit drug, with hundreds of millions of regular users worldwide. One in three Americans has smoked pot at least once. The Drug Enforcement Agency estimates that Americans smoke five million pounds of marijuana each year; and yet marijuana remains largely misunderstood by both its advocates and its detractors. To some, marijuana is an insidious “stepping-stone” drug, enticing the inexperienced, and paving the way to the inevitable abuse of harder drugs. To others, medical marijuana is an organic means of easing the discomfort or stimulating the appetite of the gravely ill. Others still view marijuana, like alcohol, as a largely harmless indulgence, dangerous only when used immoderately. All sides of the debate have appropriated the scientific evidence on marijuana in order to satisfy their claims. What then are we to make of these conflicting portrayals of a drug with historical origins dating back to 8,000 bc? This book examines the biological, psychological, and societal impact of this controversial substance. What are the effects, for mind and body, of long-term use? Are smokers of marijuana more likely than non-users to abuse cocaine and heroine? What effect has the increasing potency of marijuana in recent years had on users and on use? Does our current legal policy toward marijuana make sense?Less
Understanding Marijuana : A New Look at the Scientific Evidence
Marijuana is the world's most popular illicit drug, with hundreds of millions of regular users worldwide. One in three Americans has smoked pot at least once. The Drug Enforcement Agency estimates that Americans smoke five million pounds of marijuana each year; and yet marijuana remains largely misunderstood by both its advocates and its detractors. To some, marijuana is an insidious “stepping-stone” drug, enticing the inexperienced, and paving the way to the inevitable abuse of harder drugs. To others, medical marijuana is an organic means of easing the discomfort or stimulating the appetite of the gravely ill. Others still view marijuana, like alcohol, as a largely harmless indulgence, dangerous only when used immoderately. All sides of the debate have appropriated the scientific evidence on marijuana in order to satisfy their claims. What then are we to make of these conflicting portrayals of a drug with historical origins dating back to 8,000 bc? This book examines the biological, psychological, and societal impact of this controversial substance. What are the effects, for mind and body, of long-term use? Are smokers of marijuana more likely than non-users to abuse cocaine and heroine? What effect has the increasing potency of marijuana in recent years had on users and on use? Does our current legal policy toward marijuana make sense?
Keywords: marijuana, illicit drugs, pot, Drug Enforcement Agency, drug abuse, addiction
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Added on January 6, 2018 Guest Author #Syria , Palestine
‘The fall of Syria would have led the fall of Palestine’
It was quite pleasing to see the majority giving a big slap on the arrogant and rude Donald Trump who is trying his best to legitimize the illegal state of Israel. But we should not be complacent. It may be a welcome step but more needs to be done to liberate Palestine completely from the illegal occupation of Zionist occupiers. Palestine belongs to Palestinians who are its rightful inhabitants irrespective of caste, creed and religion. So only Palestinians have right on it. The occupiers will have to leave ultimately.
There is no doubt that Palestine will see the dawn of freedom by the grace of Allah Almighty but we need to find out what is the main hurdle which is delaying the attainment of this cherished dream. The most important parameter is to recognize our ‘Dushman’ (enemy). Once we are able to figure out who is our main foe then we will be in a position to overcome all barriers to achieve the noble cause. At least, we all should read and comprehend Surah Al-Munafiqun (Surah No. 63) which gives us a clear idea about identifying our Dushman.
Undoubtedly, America and Israel are the main enemies of Islam. They may offer you fortunes and all the luxuries of life but will take the priceless faith (Imaan) away from you. Their main motive is to capture the leading oil and gas producing region of the earth in order to dominate the world. They confront or support a particular ruler of the country depending on their self-centred interests.
America and Israel with full support from their Arab puppets orchestrated a civil war in Syria and dispatched terrorists there from various nationalities in order to topple the Bashar al-Assad regime as he was not following their scheme of things. Moreover, they used their propaganda machinery to portray Bashar al-Assad as a brutal and tyrant ruler. It was all done to change the regime in Damascus in order to replace it with their desired ruler who would have executed their master plan in Syria. The emergence of Russia, Iran and Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah destroyed all their evil intentions and Syria was saved from becoming another colony of the illegal Zionist Israel.
Six Zionist companies control 96% of the World’s Media which in turn controls the think tank of White House and they formulate policies which always suit Zionist Israel. The tragedy is that our media copies their content and feeds it to their viewers and readers which inturn badly impacts their outlook of the world. They believe what is shown to them. The groups like White Helmets and The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights which are hugely funded by US and UK showed the fake picture of the Syria to the world and helped the terrorists to hide their heinous crimes.
Let’s cite an example. On 17th September 2016, the fighter jets of US, UK, France, Denmark and Australia attacked the Syrian Arab Army at a carefully planned US-led air raid on Jabal al Tharda (Mount Tharda), overlooking Deir Ezzor airport, slaughtered over 100 Syrian soldiers and delivered control of the mountain to ISIS (Deash). Later on, they came up with the statement that it was a mistake. There are credible reports that US in the garb of fighting ISIS were arming terrorists in Iraq and Syria. Even injured ISIS terrorists were given medical treatment in Israeli medical camps. What more proof do we need that terrorist groups in Syria were backed by America, Israel and their allies. Moreover, after the defeat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria they are being moved to Afghanistan by their masters to cause more destruction there.
Bashar al-Assad supports the Palestinian cause vigorously and have no ties whatsoever with America and Israel. To get rid of President Bashar al-Assad was to get rid of one of the few Arab leaders who are an unwavering voice of Palestinian rights. So it was a well thought out plot to weaken the Damascus regime in order to weaken the Palestinian strong support.
Things in Syria did not just happen by chance nor was it some sort of “democratic” uprising. With enough money and weapons, you can start a ‘revolution’ anywhere in the world. Vile revolutions, like that in Syria, are carefully planned and well funded. The crisis in Syria was engineered by America and Israel with full backing of their Arab and western allies. This was part of the Hollywood style script written by skilled CIA agents, who had been given a mission to destroy Syria for the purpose of regime change.
Mainstream media played their role in the destruction of Syria as was directed to them. Let me cite you one instance where White Helmets took an iconic Aleppo boy Omran Daqneesh in their ambulance and made photos of him and circulated it to the whole world and portrayed it like he was injured in an air strike. This was staged in order to garner more support for the terrorists operating there against the regime. After the liberation of Aleppo in December 2016, the father of the said boy Mohammad Daqneesh revealed that his son was mildly injured but not in an airstrike. He was forcibly taken by the White Helmets in their ambulance for the photo shoot.
Foreign backed terrorists in Syria were using US and NATO weapons and arsenal. They were being provided all the tools and strategies to make hell out of Syria. It was all perpetrated only to topple the regime of Bashar al-Assad and to distract Muslim World from the Palestinian cause and pave the way for the Greater Israel.
Muslim Ummah needs to ponder. Terrorists like ISIS or Al-Qaeda have nothing Islamic. They are being created by Uncle Sam and their surrogate Zionist child Israel under the deceptive flag of Islam to divide the Islamic world which serves the evil intentions of their creators. Had they been Islamic, they would have attacked Israel long before. Even at one time when ISIS terrorists in Syria mistakenly attacked Israel, they apologized to them. One of the ISIS terrorist killed his mother because she didn’t want him to join this terror group. They follow the grand plan of America and Zionist Israel i.e. “Kill Muslims and grab their fortunes” and this was the same game plan in Syria to remove Bashar al-Assad come what may. The fall of Syria would have led the fall of Palestine.
When Imam Khomeini (R.A.) without any wealth and arsenal but strong belief in Allah Almighty and passion for the noble cause could bring the end of 2500 year old monarchy in Iran despite the fact that Raza Shah Pahelvi was then supported by the big powers of the world, why can’t we end the illegal occupation of Palestine from the Zionists with our strong will and commitment for the cause. Iran has achieved better results in Science & Technology since the Islamic revolution of 1979 and vehemently confronts America and Israel then why can’t other Muslim nations split all covert or overt ties with these countries and rely on their own strength bestowed to them by Allah Almighty and bring laurels to their countries. I hope better sense prevails on Muslim World and they will snap all ties whatsoever with America and Israel for the sake of Palestine and Islam. Palestine was snatched from us due to our fragmentation and it can be reclaimed only when the Muslim Ummah gets united and puts a unified resistance against the Zionists occupiers.
Author is a freelance writer and can be reached at javeedaliofkashmir@gmail.com.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are exclusively personal and do not mecessarily reflect the editorial policy of Oracle Opinions.
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Sakura Kokumai, from YMCA to Japan to host family, becomes first U.S. Olympic karate qualifier
By OlympicTalkMar 19, 2020, 11:59 PM EDT
Sakura Kokumai, a first-generation American whose parents are from Japan, became the first U.S. Olympic qualifier in the new Olympic sport of karate.
World Karate announced the first 40 global qualifiers on Wednesday, taking the four highest-ranked athletes per gender in the eight Olympic medal events after the final qualifying tournaments were canceled due to the coronavirus. One host-nation athlete from Japan also qualified per event.
Kokumai, a 27-year-old, eight-time national champion ranked fifth in the world in the kata discipline, was the lone American among those first qualifiers. It came at the end of a two-year qualifying process with more than 20 competitions.
“I’ve known for about two weeks, but I’ve just been waiting for that last confirmation,” Kokumai said, noting she found out via social media. “So that waiting part was super hard. But as soon as I got it … I think everything that I was holding on kind of released then. I was excited, happy, everything that I went through kind of just all the emotions came out all at once.”
The other karate discipline, kumite, is the head-to-head fighting discipline. In kata, athletes complete a series of predetermined movements and are judged on speed, strength, focus, breathing, balance and rhythm.
Kokumai, born in Hawaii, began taking karate lessons at age 7 at a local YMCA. She eventually moved to Japan to study (earning a master’s in international culture and communication), train and work.
“Karate in Japan is like what football is to here,” Kokumai said in November. “You can get scholarships, like sports scholarships, like big time from junior high, high school to college, and even after college you can find a job in a company and still do karate representing that company.”
Two or three years ago, Kokumai’s coach died and she moved back to the U.S. A family friend in Santa Clarita, Calif., offered a bedroom to her.
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted training for many U.S. Olympic hopefuls, but karate can be practiced anywhere.
“So that’s something we’re all thankful for, especially for kata athletes, for our discipline,” Kokumai said from California, where she has always trained by herself. “It’s a good thing that karate doesn’t need much equipment. All we have to do is keep on training with the space we have. So in that sense, I’m not too worried at all. I actually shouldn’t be because the environment for me hasn’t really changed in terms of training. So just trying to just praying that it all goes away.”
NBC Senior Olympic Researcher Rachel Thompson contributed to this report.
MORE: LeBron, Curry lead finalists for U.S. Olympic roster
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Kenneth "Bobby" Leight
Date of Death: August 31, 2017
South Chapel
1260 Front Royal Pike
Tuesday 9/5, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Tuesday 9/5, 2:00 pm
Location Not Available
Tuesday 9/5
Kenneth “Bobby” Leight, 72, of Frederick County, Virginia passed away Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Hilltop House Assisted Living Facility after a long battle with Huntington’s Disease.
Mr. Leight was born in 1945 in Winchester, Virginia, the son of the late Robert and Mary Pifer Leight. He was a graduate of James Wood High School, Class of 1963 and earned an Associate’s Degree from Lord Fairfax Community College. Mr. Leight was self-employed as an Orchard Consultant. He was a veteran of the United States National Guard, serving for seven years. Mr. Leight was a member of Winchester Moose Lodge; enjoyed hunting, fishing, and just being outdoors. He was an avid fan of the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Orioles.
Surviving is a daughter, Kim Leight of Raleigh, North Carolina and a son, Nathan Leight (Heather) of Stephenson, Virginia; grandchild, Brody Leight of Stephenson, Virginia; sister, Charlotte Moulden of Clear Brook, Virginia; and brother, Richard Leight (Mary Jane) of Clear Brook, Virginia.
Mr. Leight was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Leight Snapp.
A gathering of family and friends will be from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday at Omps Funeral Home, South Chapel with a funeral service to follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Don Moulden officiating. Interment will be in Shenandoah Memorial Park, Winchester, Virginia.
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federal reserve system definition economics
IV. Definition: A central bankis an institution that oversees and regulates the banking system and controls the monetary base. As the country's central banking authority, the Federal Reserve System operates in 12 designated regions (or districts) throughout the United States. It also sets the discount rate, which is the interest rate the Fed charges on loans made to financial institutions and other commercial banks. Each district is overseen by a Federal Reserve branch bank in a centrally-located major city. In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the Fed has paid increased attention to the risk created by the time lag between when payments are made early in the day and when they are settled and reconciled. The Fed was established by the Federal Reserve Act, which was signed by President Woodrow Wilson on Dec. 23, 1913, in response to the financial panic of 1907. Federal Reserve Education Lesson Plans. or Federal Reserve System n. 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The Fed has broad power to act to ensure financial stability, and it is the primary regulator of banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System. Federal Reserve System. The Fed is considered to be independent because its decisions do not have to be ratified by the president or any other government official. The first two are known as the Fed's dual mandate. It conducts monetary policy to manage inflation, maximize employment, and stabilize interest rates. The Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington DC. The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 officially gave the Federal Reserve the power over the country's monetary policy. Start studying Federal Reserve/Economics. Join the Fed’s Research Assistant Program: Serve the public, gain meaningful work experience, and expand your career options. The committee is responsible for monetary policy decisions, which are categorized into three areas—maximizing employment, stabilizing prices, and moderating long-term interest rates. How The Fed’s Interest Rates Affect Consumers. It acts as a fiscal agent for the U.S. government, is custodian of the reserve accounts of commercial banks, makes loans to commercial banks, and oversees the supply of currency, including coin, in coordination with the U.S. Mint. The central bank for the United States banking system and the institution that holds the primary responsibility for the making and execution of American monetary policies. The most important of these committees is the Federal Open Market Committee, which directs monetary policy. Federal funds rate is the target interest rate set by the Fed at which commercial banks borrow and lend their excess reserves to each other overnight. Requiring banks to have a reserve requirement serves to protect them and their customers from a bank run. Federal Reserve Act This act established the Federal System, which established 12 distinct reserve to be controlled by the banks in each district; in addition, a Federal Reserve board was established to regulate the entire structure; improved public confidence in the banking system The Federal Reserve System was founded to be a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary financial system. The Federal Reserve System is the central bank of the United States and provides the nation with a safe, flexible, and stable monetary and financial system. The Federal Reserve System (FRS) is the central bank of the U.S. The Federal Reserve (called the Fed for short) is the central bank of the United States. Over the years, events such as the Great Depression in the 1930s and the Great Recessionduring the 2000s have led to the expansion of … Federal Open Market Committee Today, the Federal Reserve System's duties fall into four general categories. 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The Beige Book is a Federal Reserve survey of the nation's economic conditions. He served as Assistant Secretary of Economic Affairs in the U.S. Department of Commerce, under President John F. Kennedy, and in 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him to an eight-year year term on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, … "Money Stock and Debt Measures - H.6 Release." More Economics Presentations It also addresses the general pace of business activity. Their open mouth operations are known to publicly declare the current interest rate. THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM. These banks are identified by the city in which they are located (e.g. § 225a ^ ""The Congress established two key objectives for monetary policy-maximum employment and stable prices-in the Federal Reserve Act. 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The federal reserve System, which was established in 1913 to stabilize the country's financial system, includes 12 regional federal reserve banks, 25 federal reserve branch banks, all national banks, and some state banks. Meaning / Definition of Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston oversees banks in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and parts of Connecticut. The Fed is a major force in the economy and banking. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is one of 12 regional reserve banks, serving Iowa and parts of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. Government document for which you pay a fixed price now in exchange for a higher amount later. T he Federal Reserve System (the Fed) has been the central bank of the United States since it was created in 1913. Download, graph, and track 767,000 economic time series from 102 sources. 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The New York Fed hosts free, interactive professional development workshops focused on increasing economic literacy for middle and high school students. For Kids. Accessed Jan. 13, 2020. The Federal Reserve Board (FRB) is the governing body of the Federal Reserve System, the U.S. central bank in charge of making monetary policy. As the novel coronavirus continues to infect Americans and hurt the country's economy, the 12 Federal Reserve Bank chairs have spoken about how the economy could recover in the future. The Federal Reserve has been on the job since 1913, and plays a huge role in managing the U.S. economy - whether some critics like it or not. On Dec. 15, 2015, the Fed raised the target rate to a range of 0.25% to 0.5%—the first rate hike in almost 10 years. These are based in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas, and San Francisco. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The main purpose of a central bank is to regulate the supply of money and credit to the economy. Free Presentations. The board of governors, the Fed's principal policy-making organization, plays a … A crisis in 1907 led to calls for an institution that would prevent panics and disruptions. The Federal Reserve System is the central bank of the U.S. It was founded in 1913 by the Federal Reserve Act to "provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system. The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is the Fed's monetary policy-making body and manages the country's money supply. Since the introduction of the Federal Reserve system in 1913, we must confront global monetary challenges as the fiat (by decree) monetary system – global floating currencies – may potentially catastrophically destabilize over time as the system collapsed in the … The Federal Reserve system is composed of three parts: the Board of Governors, the Federal open Market Committee, and 12 regional reserve banks. Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve's Board of Governors is responsible to set reserve requirements. Over the years, the role of the Federal Reserve Board and its influence on banking and the economy has increased. What Is the Federal Reserve System (FRS)? The federal reserve requirement is the amount of money the Federal Reserve requires its member banks to store in its vaults overnight. The Federal Reserve System was created by Congress in 1913. Legal Definition of Federal Reserve System. The board of governors, the Fed's principal policy-making organization, plays a … ... in apparent ignorance of the impossibility of combining this with the first definition. In particular, the Fed is known for watching for threatened inflation, and fighting it off by raising … 3. The Federal Reserve Board employs just over 400 Ph.D. economists, who represent an exceptionally diverse range of interests and specific areas of expertise. ^ 12 U.S.C. However, it is still subject to Congressional oversight and must work within the framework of the government’s economic and fiscal policy objectives. Federal Reserve System, from the Concise Encyclopedia of Economics. Rule: Whenever Federal regulation fails to prevent the negative outcome that has just come out, Congress adds more regulation. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia is responsible for the third district of the United States Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve System (FRS), also known as the Fed, is the U.S. central bank. Experience Economics through the Lens of the US Central Bank. The Federal Reserve System (Fed) The central bank for the US economy, with primary responsibility for maintiang the stability if the banking system, regulating commercial banks, overseeing the nation's money suppy, and implementing monetary policy. Federal Reserve System In the United States, the Federal Reserve System was established in 1913 by the Federal Reserve Act. It was created on December 23, 1913, with the enactment of the Federal Reserve Act, after a series of financial panics (particularly the panic of 1907) led to the desire for central control of the monetary system in order to alleviate financial crises. Download, graph, and track 767,000 economic time series from 102 sources. The Federal Reserve System is the central bank of the United States. Disclaimer: The economic research that is linked from this page represents the views of the authors and does not indicate concurrence either by other members of the Board's staff or by the Board of Governors. The Federal Reserve performs five general functions—conducting the nation's monetary policy, regulating banking institutions, monitoring and protecting the credit rights of consumers, maintaining the stability of the financial system, and providing financial services to the U.S. government. The FOMC includes the Board of Governors—known as the Federal Reserve Board (FRB)—the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and the presidents of four other regional Federal Reserve Banks who serve on a rotating basis. Its creation was precipitated by repeated financial panics that afflicted the U.S. economy over the previous century, leading to severe economic disruptions due to bank failures and business bankruptcies. Garland. Other income sources include interest on foreign currency investments, interest on loans to depository institutions, and fees for services—such as check clearing and fund transfers—provided to these institutions. The Federal Reserve (called the Fed for short) is the central bank of the United States. Conducting national monetary policy by influencing monetary and credit conditions in the U.S. economy to ensure maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term. The Federal Reserve System (FRS), variously referred to as the Federal Reserve or the Fed, is the central banking authority in the United States of America that is responsible for regulating the monetary and financial system in the country. The Fed is considered to be independent because its decisions do not have to be ratified. The Federal Reserve System A. Federal Reserve System: The central bank of the United States. The economic research and their conclusions are often preliminary and are circulated to stimulate discussion and … The Federal Reserve System (The Fed) Definition . Categories: Economics, Banking, The federal reserve System, sometimes known as the Fed, is the central bank of the United States. The Fed balance sheet is a financial statement published once a week that shows what the Federal Reserve (Fed) owns and owes. The U.S. Federal Reserve, also known as the Fed, is the central bank for the nation. Referred to simply as the Fed, it has broad power to take measures to ensure there is financial stability in the system. The Structure of the Fed 1. § 221), is the central Bank of the United States.The Federal Reserve is charged with making and administering policy for the nation's credit and monetary affairs and helps to maintain the banking industry in sound condition. The Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington DC. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is the Fed's monetary policy-making body and manages the country's money supply. The Federal Reserve Board (FRB) is the governing body of the Federal Reserve System, America's central bank. The Federal Reserve System is the central bank of the United States and provides the nation with a safe, flexible, and stable monetary and financial system. Graph and download economic data for Light Weight Vehicle Sales: Autos and Light Trucks (ALTSALES) from Jan 1976 to Oct 2020 about light weight, trucks, vehicles, new, sales, and USA. Banks will often turn to the Fed as a last resort where they can borrow money when there is nowhere else to go. The Federal Reserve System, established by the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C.A. Over the years, its role in banking and the economy has expanded. The FOMC increased the rate all the way to 2.25% to 2.5% during the first half of 2019. The central bank system of the United States. It was founded to provide the country with a safe, flexible, and stable monetary and financial system. The FRB is an independent non-governmental agency in charge of conducting … Colleges and Universities (PDF)," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2017-105 (Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, October, 2017). Federal Reserve System synonyms, Federal Reserve System pronunciation, Federal Reserve System translation, English dictionary definition of Federal Reserve System. or Federal Reserve System n. The US central bank, a system of 12 Federal Reserve banks, each serving member commercial banks in its own district. Each note has an eleven-digit serial number, consisting of letters and numbers (10 digits for $1 and $2 notes). The FOMC adjusts the target for the overnight federal funds rate, which controls short-term interest rates, based on its view of the economy. Letter from Chair Powell to Secretary Mnuchin regarding emergency lending facilities Recent Posting - 11/20/2020 . T he Federal Reserve System (the Fed) has been the central bank of the United States since it was created in 1913. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), on the other hand, is the Federal Reserve’s main monetary policymaking body. Reform of the Federal Reserve System in the Early 1930's: The Politics of Money and Banking. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is the branch of the Federal Reserve System that determines the direction of monetary policy. Large financial institutions are being pressured by the Fed to improve real-time monitoring of payments and credit risk, which has been available only on an end-of-day basis. The Federal Reserve System is composed of a central governmental agency in Washington, D.C., the Board of Governors, and 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks in major cities throughout the U.S. The Federal Reserve System (FRS), often just called "the Fed," is the central bank of the United States and arguably the most powerful financial institution in the world. Teacher Professional Development. Maintaining financial system stability and. ISBN 978-0-8153-0970-3. Disclaimer: The economic research that is linked from this page represents the views of the authors and does not indicate concurrence either by other members of the Board's staff or by the Board of Governors. The main purpose of a central bank is to regulate the supply of money and credit to the economy. The Board of Governors There are seven members on the Board of Governors, and each is appointed to a 14-year term by the president of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate. or Federal Reserve System n. The US central bank, a system of 12 Federal Reserve banks, each … The main purpose of a central bank is to regulate the supply of money and credit to the economy. Image by Sabrina Jiang © Investopedia 2020, Federal Reserve vs. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Definition. The Federal Reserve payments system, commonly known as the Fedwire, moves trillions of dollars daily between banks throughout the U.S. Banks in the U.S. are also subject to regulations established by the states, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (if they are members), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The Federal Reserve System (the Fed) has been the central bank of the United States since it was created in 1913. Federal Reserve Economic Data: A large online database of US and international time series data maintained by the St. Louis branch of the Federal Reserve System. The Fed supervises the nation's largest banks and provides financial services to the U.S. government. Supervising and regulating banking institutions to ensure the safety of the U.S. banking and financial system and to protect consumers’ credit rights. The Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington DC. As the country's central banking authority, the Federal Reserve System operates in 12 designated regions (or districts) throughout the United States. The Federal Reserve System, commonly known as the Fed, is the central bank of the U.S., which regulates the U.S. monetary and financial system. or Federal Reserve System n. The US central bank, a system of 12 Federal Reserve banks, each serving member commercial banks in its own district.
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Crime & Crime Prevention
What's the difference between mass murder and terrorism?
by Kate Kershner
The U.S. was quick to denounce 9/11 as an act of terrorism. Drawing the line between mass murder and terrorism isn't always that straightforward though.
© Bob Krist/Corbis
You open the morning newspaper to see a story about a person suspected of committing an atrocious act of violence that inflicted multiple casualties on an innocent population.
Is this a case of terrorism or mass murder?
You're probably not sure yet. Before you can respond, you have to ask some questions about the crime. You might ask about the suspect's motivations. Was the person acting on a religious ideology? For a political purpose? If so, are some ideologies or politics considered a bigger terrorist threat? If the person in our hypothetical story said, for instance, he was angry about abortion politics, is that a terrorist action or that of a lone mass murderer?
Next, what weapon(s) was used? A gun? Ricin? A bomb? Do any of those items lead you to make assumptions about the incident being classified as terrorism or mass murder? Sometimes it seems we're starting to use a more simple -- albeit flawed -- way to distinguish among acts that result in multiple people dead. If someone used a bomb, it's terrorism. A gun? Mass murder.
Of course, that's not an effective methodology, nor is it a fair assessment to mete out punishment. As we'll see, the definition of terrorism has evolved to describe the motivations behind the act, not the actor.
The FBI borrows the Code of Federal Regulations definition that defines terrorism this way: "the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives" [source: Department of Justice]. On the other hand, according to the FBI, a mass murderer kills four or more people during the same incident, without a significant time lapse in between. (Unlike, say, a serial killer who would take time between murders.)
That sounds straightforward enough, right? Mass murderers will kill indiscriminately for no political/religious/ideological purpose, and terrorists might take the same actions, but with the intent of saying that they are a protest of intimidation of a government or people.
Except, of course, many mass murderers really do think their actions are a protest or do intend to terrorize a population. So let's dive in more and explore some incidents where the definitions are harder to establish.
A Matter of Weapon, Intent or Some Combination Thereof?
So it appears that terrorism and mass murder are sometimes distinguished with an "I know it when I see it" assessment. And when we see the weapon being used, the public often has an easier time deciding who's a terrorist and who's a rogue: Guns are for mass murderers. Bombs -- or "weapons of mass destruction," as the pressure-cooker weapons constructed in Boston are referred to in the charges filed against the suspect -- are the domain of terrorists.
That's the idea that floats around the general population, anyway. As we saw, the U.S. government has clear-cut definitions for both terms, so no problem separating the two, right? Uh, not exactly. Remember terrorism is defined as unlawful force and violence used to "to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives."
Let's take, for example, the 2011 Arizona shooting that injured, among others, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and killed six others. Shooter Jared Lee Loughner was diagnosed, at one point, with schizophrenia, and although there was some discussion of his interest in conspiracy theories, it doesn't appear he was acting on a political or social agenda [source: Follman]. That being said, a targeted shooting of a political figure at a public event certainly could be seen as an attempt to intimidate a government or civilian population.
Examining the Giffords case, ask yourself this: If Loughner had used a homemade bomb -- or even anthrax or ricin -- to target a politician and cause collateral damage, would we (or media outlets, or the government) call him a terrorist?
On the other hand, were the Tsarnaev brothers' acts that much more ideologically motivated than someone like Nidal Malik Hasan, a U.S. Army psychiatrist charged with killing 13 people and wounding more than 30 during a shooting at Fort Hood in 2009? Hasan had reportedly opposed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and had attempted to contact al-Qaida [source: Lapidos]. Hasan, however, is slated to be tried in a military court without terrorism charges in 2013.
Internationally, there's also a struggle to define terrorism in relation to mass murder. Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people and injured 242 others in a series of bombings and a mass shootings in Norway in 2011, was charged with committing terrorist acts [source: BBC News]. However, the planning of the attack wasn't regarded as a terrorist action at the time because before 2012, Norway stipulated that more than one person had to be involved for something to be considered a terrorist plot [source: Criscione]. Essentially, Breivik planned a mass murder and then carried out a terrorist act.
So what's the difference between mass murder and terrorism? For now, there seems to be tacit (if not explicit) international agreement that terrorism is spurred by a specific ideology or political motivation, while mass murder is a more indiscriminate act of violence against an innocent population. While there is certainly overlap, we can usually distinguish the two based on the motivation of the suspect.
Lots More Information
Author's Note: What's the difference between mass murder and terrorism?
The most useful thing to remember when trying to distinguish between terrorism and mass murder is that there is no definitive answer. Not in the United States legal system, not in many other nation's laws and not in any international sense. Obviously, there's overlap in the definition of terrorism and mass murder. But how we punish people is affected by the charge brought against them, so it's an overlap that might become increasingly important to define.
How Terrorism Works
Does news coverage of mass murders lead to more mass murders?
How are terrorists tracked and what does it cost?
BBC News. "Norway attacks: Breivik charged with terror attacks." March 7, 2012. (May 9, 2013) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17286154
Brostoff, Marissa. "Mass murder vs. terrorism." Salon. April 28, 2013. (May 8, 2013(http://www.salon.com/2013/04/28/is_dzohkhar_tsarnaev_a_suspected_murderer_or_terrorist_partner/
Criscione, Valeria. "A year after Breivik's massacre, Norway tightens antiterror laws." The Christian Science Monitor. July 22, 2012. (May 9, 2013) http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2012/0722/A-year-after-Breivik-s-massacre-Norway-tightens-antiterror-laws
Follman, Mark. "Mass Shootings: Maybe What We Need Is a Better Mental-Health Policy." Mother Jones. Nov. 9, 2012. (May 21, 2013) http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/11/jared-loughner-mass-shootings-mental-illness
Gaynor, Tim. "Giffords faces Ariz. Shooter in court, Loughner receives life sentence." The Christian Science Monitor. Nov. 8, 2012. (May 8, 2013) http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/1108/Giffords-faces-Ariz.-shooter-in-court-Loughner-receives-life-sentence-video
Lapidos, Juliet. "Is Nidal Malik Hasan a 'terrorist'?" Slate. Nov. 11, 2009. (May 8, 2013) http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2009/11/is_nidal_malik_hasan_a_terrorist.html
Longmire, Sylvia. "When is mass murder considered domestic terrorism?" Homeland Security Today. Aug. 21, 2012. (May 8, 2013) http://www.hstoday.us/briefings/correspondents-watch/single-article/when-is-mass-murder-considered-domestic-terrorism/e17b4534480b252474617ecef34be643.html
Morton, Robert J. "Serial Murder." Federal Bureau of Investigation. (May 8, 2013) https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/serial-murder
United States Department of Justice. "Terrorism 2002-2005." Federal Bureau of Investigation. (May 8, 2013) http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/terrorism-2002-2005
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Last edited by Vudogor
Tuesday, July 21, 2020 | History
2 edition of Désirée, queen of Sweden and Norway. found in the catalog.
Désirée, queen of Sweden and Norway.
Hochschild, Karl Fredrik Lotarius friherre
by Hochschild, Karl Fredrik Lotarius friherre
Published 1890 by Dodd, Mead & company in New York .
Desideria, -- Queen, consort of Charles XIV John, King of Sweden and Norway, -- 1781-1860
Statement Tr. from the French of Baron Hochschild by Mrs. M. Carey
Désirée was also Queen of Norway. She visited Norway a couple of times, the first being time in [4] In Norway, she is most known as the protector of Eugenia stiftelse [The Eugenia Foundation] for poor girls in Oslo of Maria Schandorff, which she protected and often visited from until Désirée, Queen, consort of Charles XIV John, King of Sweden and Norway, Publisher Paris, E. Plan, Nourrit et cie; [etc., etc.] Collection americana Digitizing sponsor Google Book from the collections of University of California Language FrenchPages:
It made its way over to Sweden when Jean Baptiste and Désirée became King Carl XIV Johan and Queen Desideria of Sweden. Queen Desideria left the parure to her daughter-in-law, Queen Josephine of Sweden (grand daughter of Napoleon’s Empress Josephine), who gave it as a wedding gift to her granddaughter, the aforementioned Queen louise of. Désirée Finnegan has been appointed chief executive of Screen Ireland, taking over from James Hickey. Finnegan was most recently Warner Bros.' senior vp theatrical marketing and publicity Emea, having spent 15 years at the studio and working on campaigns including Dunkirk, The Lego Movie, the Harry Potter franchise and The Dark Knight trilogy. “Désirée brings a wealth and depth of.
Désirée Queen, consort of Charles XIV John, King of Sweden and Norway (), Charles XIV John King of Sweden and Norway (), Desideria consort of Charles XIV John, King of Sweden and Norway (), Desideria consort of Charles XIV John, King of Sweden and Norway (), Désirée, reine de Suède (), General Bernadotte, Napoleon I Emperor of the French Written works: Désirée. My mother gave the book to me when Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden was born. One of her names (3rd or 4th) is Desiree. It is the story of a young girl from Marseille who was betrothed to Napoleon. He dumped her for Josephine. She later married one of Napoleons Mareshalls - Bernadotte - who got himself elected as King of Sweden in /5(57).
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Désirée, queen of Sweden and Norway by Hochschild, Karl Fredrik Lotarius friherre Download PDF EPUB FB2
Désirée, Queen Of Sweden And Norway [Karl Fredrik Lotarius Hochschild (friherre)] on *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. This book was originally published prior toand represents a reproduction of an important historical work4/5(2).
Désirée, Queen Of Sweden And Norway Paperback – February 3, by Karl Fredrik Lotarius Hochschild (friher (Creator) out of 5 stars 2 ratings. See all 6 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions.
Price New from Used from 4/5(2). Désirée = Desiree, Annemarie Selinko Eugénie Bernardine Désirée Clary (8 November 17 December ), in Swedish officially Eugenia Bernhardina Desideria, was Queen of Sweden and Norway as the consort of King Charles XIV John (a former French General and founder of the House of Bernadotte), mother of Oscar I, and one-time fiancée of Napoleon Bonaparte/5.
Désirée by Annemarie Selinko (Book); The queen's fortune: a novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the dynasty that outlasted the empire by Allison Pataki (Book); Désirée, queen of Sweden and Norway by Karl Fredrik Lotarius Hochschild (Book). Queen Desideria of Sweden and Norway was the wife of King Carl XIV Johan (born Jean Baptiste Bernadotte).
She was born Bernardine Eugénie Désirée Clary, on November 8,in Marseille, France, the youngest of the nine children of François Clary, a wealthy French merchant, and Françoise Rose h Désirée and her sister Julie, their parents are the ancestors of the royal.
Désirée, queen of Sweden and Norway. New York, Dodd, Mead & Co., (OCoLC) Named Person: Désirée, Queen consort of Charles XIV John King of Sweden and Norway; Désirée, Queen consort of Charles XIV John King of Sweden and Norway: Material Type: Internet resource: Document Type: Book, Internet Resource: All Authors / Contributors.
InJosephine became Queen of Sweden and Norway at the accession of her spouse. She was crowned in Sweden 28 September There had been some opposition: the religious debate was more heated in the s than it had been inwhen Queen Desideria had been crowned, but Oscar solved the matter by declaring that he would not be crowned Father: Eugène de Beauharnais.
Bernadine Eugenie Clary, Désirée, Queen Desideria of Sweden and Norway The novel Désirée is a fictional tale written as a journal by the historical Désirée. Within the murky tale we read of guillotines, first loves, wars, history, family responsibilities, court intrigues, balls, parties and so very much more.
Reading a tale of truth and. For Désirée’s own version of events as told to her court chamberlain in old age, see K.F.L. Hochschild, Désirée, Queen of Sweden and Norway, trans. Carey (NY: Dodd, Mead & Company, ), which is available online in the Hathi Trust Digital Library.
Désirée (the person) Bernardine Eugénie Désirée Clary was a real person, and the novel Désirée by Annemarie Selinko is based on actual events in her life. Although the book varies from known facts in several places, and obviously much of it is the author's invention, Désirée really was engaged to Napoleon Bonaparte, married to Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, and crowned Queen Desideria of.
- Napoleon's sweetheart; Queen of Sweden. See more ideas about Queen of sweden, Napoleon and Sweden pins. - & Desiree Clary. See more ideas about Queen of sweden, Swedish royalty and Napoleon pins.
Désirée, queen of Sweden and Norway. (New York, Dodd, Mead & company, ), by Karl Fredrik Lotarius Hochschild and Martha Ward Carey (page images at HathiTrust) Désirée, reine de Suède et de Norvège, (Paris, E. Plan, Nourrit et cie; [etc., etc.], ), by Karl Fredrik Lotarius Hochschild (page images at HathiTrust; US access only).
Désirée Clary, Queen of Sweden and × ; 49 KB Elise Arnberg - Queen Desideria - S - Finnish National 1, × 1,; KB Enkedrottning Désiréé, hofmarsalk y of citizenship: France, Sweden. It covers the period from to when Napoleon is a young dirt-poor soldier who meets Désirée, the 14 year-old daughter of a silk merchant, to his rise and fall as the Emperor of France and her coronation as the Queen of Sweden and Norway.
Désirée Clary, later Queen of Sweden, by Robert Lefévre. This portrait is at Drottingholm This image is a side on view, as opposed to the full frontal view of the work by Lefévre below, which is now in the Royal Domain at Drottingholm. Désirée Clary, Queen Desideria of Sweden and Norway.
Unofficial Royalty: Désirée Clary; Born on November 8,in Marseille, France, Bernardine Eugénie Désirée Clary was the daughter of François Clary, a wealthy silk manufacturer and merchant, and Françoise Rose Somis. Descendants of Désirée, Queen consort of Sweden and Norway née Clary (9 generations) Duplicate branches O King Karl XIV Johan of Sweden and III of Norway (*O† ).
Désirée, later queen Desideria, was born Eugénie Bernardine Désirée Clary, in Marseille, France. It is told in the polemyc book of Queen Sofia of Spain by Pilar Urbano: Norwegian RF will be the only Scandinavian dynasty not known by a Gascon name untill the House of Westling succeeds in Sweden.
In Norway we pronounce the name of. Désirée () was a film that Marlon Brando was literally forced to make. Under contract to 20th Century-Fox, Brando had been assigned to The Egyptian () in the role of Dr.
Sinuhe (which eventually went to Edmund Purdom), but he walked out and went back to New York. Fox took him to court and sued him for $2 million.
As part of the settlement, Brando agreed to appear in another film. Book categories: History, Early Kings, Sagas, Later Kings, Karl XII, Christina, Palaces, Novels, DVDs, Scandinavia, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Vikings, Greenland History of Sweden.
A Concise History of Sweden by Neil Kent. This book sweeps through Sweden's history from the Stone Age to the present day.
Topics include the Vikings, the Scandinavian Union, the Reformation, royal absolutism. Prince Erik of Sweden and Norway, Duke of Västmanland: King Gustaf V of Sweden (*O† ) Prince Carl of Sweden and Norway, Duke of Västergötland: King Oscar II of Sweden and Norway (*O† ) King Karl XV of Sweden and IV of Norway: Sofia of Nassau, Queen consort of Sweden and Norway.In her husband becomes King of Sweden but Desiree does not go to Sweden untilwhen she goes with her daughter-in-law and at her own request is crowned Queen in I had not read a lot about Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars and I did enjoy this book.
This is a story based on the history of France in the 's/5(4).
akikopavolka.com - Désirée, queen of Sweden and Norway. book © 2020
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Persimmon Tree
An Online Magazine of the Arts by Women Over Sixty
ArtsMart
Troublemakers Making Trouble
The startling outcome of the presidential election has thrown much of our world into confusion. We here at Persimmon Tree want to make the magazine part of the fight for sanity and safety in the country and in the world. There is too much at stake to stick with business as usual.
To that end, we plan to include our thoughts and responses in forthcoming issues and we invite all of you to do the same. We are creating a section for short pieces (about 500 words) similar to the ones below by the members of our team; we will also consider longer pieces for the other sections. Beginning with the Spring issue, we will include your contributions; we are also thinking about posting (with your permission) some suggestions on our Facebook page. Of course, the magazine’s mission has always been to encourage and support women writers and artists over sixty; that mission still stands. But we can also be a forum for resisting chaos.
Sue Leonard, Editor: The evening of December 1, on the Manhattan 6 train, three men shouted, “You don’t belong here!” and “Donald Trump!” at an 18-year-old Muslim woman and tried to pull off her hijab. An 18-year-old. In Manhattan.**
I am an old hand at protesting. I lined up to march, with a million people, from the United Nations to Central Park for disarmament. I marched in Washington D.C. to keep abortion safe and legal and I brought my students. We sang “Bread and Roses” as did Judy Collins. I supported and then ran the Pledge of Resistance, hoping to prevent an American invasion of Nicaragua during the Sandinista years. I committed civil disobedience many times for many causes. But I have never felt the despair or anger I am feeling about the goals and members of the government taking power in January. So many groups are vulnerable because of their overt misogyny, racism, xenophobia, and contempt for science.
So far I have sent checks to organizations that are already moving into action. I have signed every petition that has come my way. And I have agonized about what else to do. The week after the election I did some research, looking up every website anyone suggested. I responded strongly to Planned Parenthood, but found, not surprisingly, that right now, they have many, many volunteers; I will return there if Roe v. Wade gets any shakier. Black Lives Matter also pulled at me. But the cause that resonated most strongly was the plight of immigrants; I was especially attracted to those groups that advocate for children on the verge of being deported; I plan to volunteer there.
I will say NO in any way I can. I will correct anyone who uses the term “alt-right” when they mean White Supremacists. Finally, if, indeed, the new administration registers Muslims, I will register, however one does that.
As the wonderful Grace Paley said, “the only recognizable feature of hope is action.”
**On December 15, the New York Times reported the story was fabricated by the young woman. Although there have been many hate attacks this year, this was not one of them.
Wendy Barker, Poetry Editor: Like so many of my friends, I woke up on November 9 feeling as if someone had died. As if I suddenly lived in another country, one whose values and actions were not only repellent but downright dangerous for me, my family, my friends, my communities, and the world. The world! With climate change at crisis point, to suddenly have in power a man (man?!) with no principles, a serious narcissist, sexual predator, cheat, scammer, misogynist, racist, Islamophobe, anti-Semite, and xenophobe who has unleashed such hatred and viciousness has brought me to despair. For days I was bent in deep depression. My students were stunned and depressed. I told them, “We must keep on keeping on. We must. Your voices are more important than ever. You must keep writing and we all must keep on keeping on.” In class, I quoted Yeats’ “The Second Coming” and Dickinson’s “I Dwell in Possibility.”
And then, on Saturday, November 12, my depression turned to fury. And energy. I wrote the director of our wonderful independent arts organization in San Antonio, Gemini Ink, and suggested that we organize a gigantic protest gathering of regional writers around the time of the inauguration. She and her staff got right on it, and now we have over a hundred people committed to participating on January 15. Turns out that, thanks to PEN America, communities all over the U.S. are organizing such events on January 15, MLK’s birthday.
We will not be silent. I will give all the money I can possibly manage to causes I believe in. I will do everything I can to feel that the little bit I can do, the little I can give, will make a difference. If in my twenties I was too busy teaching, trying to keep fourteen-year-olds in West Berkeley from overdosing down by the train tracks, now, in my seventies, I can become an activist.
On my refrigerator, on my desk, and in my purse, I keep this statement from the Talmud (and I’m not even Jewish, though my husband is): “Do not be daunted by the world’s grief. … You are not obligated to complete the work but neither are you free to abandon it.”
Linda Boldt, Editorial Board: In this year of the unexpected which now looks forward to the unpredictable, I’m finding it hard to get my bearings. In the public arena, I have long been questioning authority, fighting the good fight. I’ve been called a troublemaker but I’ve also been called a change agent. Where to put that kind of energy and involvement now?
I’ve been making trouble for about five decades: objecting to student government rules in high school, male and female dorm rules in college, the war in Vietnam through the ’60s and ’70s.
During my 30-year teaching career, I became a change agent for progressive education reform, which often involved being a troublemaker. I championed cooperative learning, child centered education, teaching as drawing out, not putting in.
When my son came out to me in the ’80s – he in his teens – I naturally became involved in groups for parents of LGBTQ children, and groups that worked with LGBTQ students.
At the school where I taught for most of my career, I agitated to see women, people of color, and gays included in the curriculum, from lower school classes about families to high school literature and history classes. For 12 years Sue Leonard and I organized monthly meetings of faculty/staff where we talked about the stuff that’s hard to talk about: race, class, gender identity.
We have a new president who likes to be unpredictable, so it isn’t possible to anticipate what a Trump administration will be. Is more going to be required of me if my neighbors are threatened by new laws, harsher conditions, random hate crimes? Which private institutions, religious or charitable groups are going to be most called on if some of our darker worries are realized? How can I then help them?
For now, I am holding my breath and paying close attention, to see where I might be most needed to continue to fight the good fight.
Kitty Cunningham, Editorial Board: I am not a troublemaker. I am nearly 82 years old and all my life I have avoided trouble. Born in the ’30s, raised during the ’40s and World War II, married in the ’50s, motherhood in the ’60s – I have defied convention but never made trouble, even as a teenager. I applaud my colleagues who have marched and protested but I can’t do it. Now my legs won’t do it either so I am confronted with dealing with the unbelievable horrors of Trump and Co. by signing and contributing money where I can. I am a firm believer that the arts can save people, but when the arts mean nothing to the politicos that makes me angry.
Marcia Freedman, Fundraising: I am 78 years old. In my past – from my thirties and forties, up though my fifties and sixties – I was known as a firebrand, a radical, out on the streets as well as in the parliament. But now, in my seventies, though I am still a political animal, my life is quiet, more oriented toward family and friends, more close in.
And then, a bit more than a year ago, Donald Trump began to win Republican primaries. I was overcome with a deep sense of dread that the man was a despot and he would be our next President. But I did not get out on the streets for Bernie Sanders, whom I supported, or Hillary Clinton whom I could support. I clicked to add my name to on-line petitions, donated on occasion the modest amounts I could afford, and followed the news ravenously. That was the extent of my activism. Truthfully, I did not recognize myself.
And now, Donald Trump has won the election, and I believe that he is a dangerous man and what he purports to represent and the people he is putting in positions of power are a serious threat to our democracy, which, after all is said and done, depends on the consent of the governed. The governed have now given their consent to an erratic, canny individual used to wielding power autocratically irrespective of any ethic other than his bottom line, deeply obsessed with “winning,” and craving the adoration of crowds. And now, by the look of things at publication date, he is surrounding himself with racists, fascists, and incompetents. It is truly, from my perspective, a frightening time. It is the first time in my life that I have felt that political activism was not just a choice, though an impassioned one, but a moral imperative.
So what am I going to do? Surely clicking and donating my occasional $35 is woefully inadequate to what I see as at worst the first serious threat to the foundations of our democracy in history, and at least a four-year orgy of roll-backs of everything I have fought for all of my life. What is this old, neglected body, which cannot walk two blocks without stopping to rest, capable of? I am in awe of those old women who continue to put their bodies on the line, but I cannot imagine being one of them. So what do I imagine I am physically capable of and energetically able to do that has a chance of disrupting the racist, misogynist, xenophobic, anti-Semitic zeitgeist that has overtaken our body politic?
I don’t have the answer to that yet, but I do have one lesson I’ve carried forward throughout my activist life. Organize. Start with those close in and move out from there. Know one another’s stories. Get close. When the shit hits the fan, be ready to respond as a caring unit. In the meantime, in all the small and large ways of possible resistance, do it. Do not be lazy. Do not avoid confrontation. Resistance is a full-time job. This is what I have been telling myself these past few weeks, reminding myself of what I already know.
It is time to come out of retirement.
Gena Raps, Music Editor: Growing up as a prodigy pianist at Juilliard, I was the child who was supposed to be perfect. And I worked hard to be perfect. Trouble-making years came after I met up with the impediments to making a career.
As a Juilliard graduate in the ’60s I thought the world my oyster. I didn’t know oysters were reserved for men. I was rudely awakened when my distinguished mentor explained that he had recommended my colleague to play with one of the top violinists in Carnegie Hall because the top fiddler wouldn’t go on stage with a woman. My colleague is now one of the top pianists playing regularly in our top concert halls.
Dedicated to the cause, my trio (of three women) played at international concerts of music by women, and went on tour. I aligned myself with UNIFEM (U.N. Development Fund for Women) and organized a concert tour of the Philippines for my New York students, representing the Fund and its call for women’s rights.
As a mature American and a New Yorker, painfully concerned about immigration, health care, and the environment, I protested Trump’s election at Trump Tower on November 10, 2016.
As a Jewish woman, I have been blessed to be part of the original Seder Sisters celebrating Passover in new and radical ways, started by E.M. Broner in 1975 and continuing to this day. In the early ’80s one Seder began “I’m Gloria Steinem and I’m a troublemaker.” As we went around the circle other women, such as Bella Abzug and her two daughters, Michelle Landsberg, and Letty Pogrebin, echoed the claim, raising our voices to the heavens, a circle of proud troublemakers.
As a pianist, I’ve brought to publication forgotten and unknown women composers and have performed and recorded their music.
None of this seems enough in the face of our new political reality. But it’s a good start. Join me!
Laura Laytham Zaki, Webmistress: Being asked to contribute this little bit to Persimmon Tree is both a serious honor and a double-edged sword. I am not yet a woman over sixty. I’ve been with Persimmon Tree since its inception but I’m only forty-one. I’m somewhere between Gen-X and Gen-Y, but sometimes feel like a premature millennial. I have two kids under the age of ten. Perhaps they are the biggest and best reason for me to resist.
When my eight-year-old son walked in the morning after the election and asked me who won, I couldn’t answer him. I just broke down and cried. He knew what that meant. There was fear in his eyes. My heart was broken. I wasn’t prepared to tell him that our country just voted an outspoken, misogynist, racist bigot to be our commander in chief.
I believe every one and every day can make a difference. I went vegetarian just before I turned 18. That was over 23 years ago. I’m raising my kids vegetarian too. You can’t eat a meal with me or go a day as my friend on Facebook without seeing or hearing my conviction in action.
The biggest and best thing I can do to resist is to raise my children to be better adults than the ones who voted for this next president. They need to learn to differentiate between fact and fiction. They need to understand that voting shouldn’t be just about what’s good for you. They need to speak, live, act, and vote with compassion and conviction.
Anyway, I named my son Lennon for a reason. Let’s just hope it works.
My daughter’s name is Jude. Like her namesake song says, now is the time for us to “take a sad song and make it better.”
Elizabeth Zimmer, Editorial Board: I’ve noticed, in the past few years, that Facebook has become my favorite “magazine,” a compendium of material edited by my “friends” (of which there are entirely too many) for the delectation of their friends, enabled by the Internet to be in our hands within hours of a thought dawning, a quote borrowed, a scene materializing, a showdown witnessed. But in recent months, and especially in the fraught weeks since the presidential election, it has become much more than that.
I have students who claim to get all their news from Facebook. I’m old enough to still be wedded to paper; newspapers and glossy weeklies and monthlies accumulate in all corners of my one-bedroom flat, but it’s clear that that the current activist strategy of choice is the Facebook post. The online site functions as a vast cooperative, a town square or watering hole where everyone with a spare moment drops in to find out what’s happening and how they can be part of the action.
This online community has several advantages over the “meat” universe. It’s always available, as against the gated environments of those who turn off their phones when they’re sleeping, or who simply send all their calls to voicemail. It generally provides a photo of the people you’re sharing thoughts with, and types out their names; as a result, next time you actually encounter these folks in the flesh, you might be able to greet them civilly. Because you’re not in the room with them, it doesn’t matter if they smoke. (Well, it does matter, and it’s still stupid, but at least you don’t have to breathe their exhaust.)
While my email overflows with commercial announcements, Facebook is still primarily personal, and political. We tell each other where the next play, poetry reading, or mass demonstration is forming; we form carpools to get to marches; we celebrate and sympathize and support. Especially as we age, and if we live alone, it provides a crucial lifeline that can be accessed economically. As the horrors of the impending administration become increasingly visible, it provides a place to organize, to fact-check, to find solidarity and companionship as we sort out strategies for keeping the United States a democratic haven for people of all persuasions. I may not be out marching anymore, but I’m certainly paying attention. I read Persimmon Tree for pleasure, but I interact with Facebook as though it were the bulletin board in my college student union, all those many decades ago.
Jean Zorn, Editorial Board: Like many of my friends, I’ve been an activist since my twenties. At Berkeley in 1964, we were part of one of the country’s first college anti-war rallies. We and about 3000 others, cheering Phil Ochs every time he came back for another encore of “Love Me, I’m a Liberal.”
Even before that, there’d been the civil rights marches and demonstrations and sit-ins in Oakland and San Francisco. And the Free Speech Movement – thousands of us in Sproul Hall Plaza, being sung into an administration building sit-in by Joan Baez. We couldn’t afford to go east for Mississippi Summer in 1964, so instead we worked for Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers in the migrant camps of California’s Central Valley.
After that, there was the anti-war movement and labor organizing in Madison, and Papua New Guinea’s peaceful fight for independence and control over its own resources. And then a lifetime of public service as lawyers and teachers.
We weren’t heroic; we were just a few among many. We are, still, a few among many who, like us, thought all we had to do was speak the truth and the country would wake up to its mistakes and correct them.
For a while, we thought the changes that had been made – the Voting Rights Act; Titles VII and IX; Roe v. Wade; the discrediting of adventures like Vietnam – were permanent, that no one could go back to the bad old ways. But then there were the Nixon ’70s. Surely, we thought, nothing can be as bad as this. And then we discovered the Reagan ’80s could be even worse. And, then, those rollback, rightwing eras were followed – no longer to our surprise – by even worse: the Baby Bush years. Pushbacks in Roe v. Wade, hollowing-out of the Voting Rights Act, nasty little wars destroying the Middle East, bigotry extending to yet more groups.
So here we are, just a few weeks short of a Donald Trump inauguration. Is it worse? Or does it just feel worse because he was ungovernable enough to say the racist, misogynist things that other people just think? Or because 62 million people heard what he said and voted for him anyway? Or because his immediate predecessor was so much his opposite – not just in race, but in grace and intelligence and thoughtfulness and caring. Or perhaps because the Democratic candidate was a woman, giving us so much hope that we were truly in a new era? Or is it because we are so much older now, and, as my friend Bill Rowen, who was also young when we were, wrote on Facebook this week:
I can’t begin to describe my feelings when I consider that I could live out the rest of my life under a Trump presidency. That is such a disastrous thought that I can barely contemplate it. … Although I do believe that the US and the world will recover from him, I don’t know if [we] will be around to see that happen.
So, yes, it is worse. And, it’s up to us to make sure Bill’s prophecy does not come true. So I am going to do what Bill is asking us to do; I’m going to join as many other people as I can to do something about Trump as fast as we can.
Nan Gefen, Publisher: Like most people I know, I am angry about the far-right takeover of the U.S. and afraid of what lies ahead. We’re witnessing the cooption of our country, and it is affecting me and those around me on every level. A friend recently told me she witnessed people arguing loudly at two separate tables in Chez Panisse, Berkeley’s upscale restaurant. A glass of water was thrown at one table, and someone stomped away angrily from the other. Such behavior is a sign of the times.
Since the elections, I’ve been besieged by email calls to action: Fight Trump on climate change! Protect abortion rights! Speak out against racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and injustice! I send money to more than the usual number of organizations, sign and circulate petitions, support demonstrations, and send news of protests to my list. This level of activism is my bottom line, what I’ve been doing regularly for decades, but it seems completely inadequate at this time when so much is at stake.
I won’t feel satisfied with my response to this crisis until I select one issue to fight and give myself over to it. Otherwise I am pulled in every direction, feeling guilty that I’m not doing more against police brutality or the power of Wall Street when I sign a petition for voting rights. I need to find my place, gather my resources, and commit myself to working hard. This does not mean ignoring all the other issues, but I am more effective if I concentrate my energy.
I’ve been here before. When I was concerned about the plight of Palestinians in the late 1980s, I cofounded Tikkun magazine and worked hard to make it succeed as a voice for Palestinian rights, and when I became aware in 2006 of the lack of publishing opportunities for women over 60, I created Persimmon Tree. I did these things because I believed it was my responsibility to do what I could about these issues.
As I think about my place now and in the years ahead, I am aware that my spirit is as strong as it ever has been but my body is less able. I’m not going to start another national magazine or go on the Million Women March in Washington D.C., as much as I wish I could. I will have to find my place at a different level, not as the head of a new project but as a member or supporter, contributing my skills as best I can. But I’ll be there in my own way, part of a community of people fighting to fend off the fascism that threatens to destroy our democracy. And for me, that’s what is important.
18 thoughts on “Troublemakers Making Trouble”
Peggy Bedell February 15, 2017 at 8:45 am
91 now, with legs that can’t walk more than a few yards but with a persisting, yes, persisting conviction that women can and must speak up in the face of irresponsible oppression, I will contribute money and I will talk to everyone around. We can’t let this continue.
Judy Baehr January 27, 2017 at 11:37 pm
Tonight is the first time I have ever heard of Persimmon Tree, having been drawn in by the word, “troublemaker.” I have now read every word here, and am heartened anew. I am, as are many of you, a senior citizen (age 71) living on Social Security and dependent for my health care on Medicare and Medicaid. I am the oldest of five sisters; I helped to raise one of my nieces; and I am now helping to raise that niece’s three children. I am a retired journalist and teacher and schoolchild nutrition program monitor — and I became a troublemaker in the 1960s when I came to the conclusion that we have a government that lies to us. In those days I could march, and did. I could write, and I did. I could teach, and I did. For civil rights, against the war in Vietnam. And I got a job with a newspaper where I was trained in computer-assisted research.
Like many of you, I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that we have in our White House an evil, amoral, ignorant individual who seems hell-bent on razing our “shining city on a hill.” He is the diametric opposite of everything I was ever taught to demand in our country’s leader. We cannot depend on him and his administration to protect us from the barbarians at the gates: they ARE the barbarians at the gates, rapidly transforming our democratic republic into a kleptocratic kakistocracy — a form of government by the worst elements in society, whose intent is to enrich themselves at public expense.
On June 16, 2015, the day after that individual rode down that escalator and announced his candidacy, I began to research him — every tiny shred of a story I could find, every tangled Internet thread — and it was all there, all the scoops, all the scandals, and shock piled upon shock. I won’t bore you with it all, but I can tell you that what you know is the tip of a “yuuuge” iceberg. I went all the way back to his grandfather, in Playboy and Esquire; in defunct New York gossip magazines like Spy; in countless tidbits from New York gossip columnists, old Howard Stern broadcasts, Mad Magazine; in poems like Woody Guthrie’s “Old Man Trump;” in books and on the Internet; on YouTube. Anyone who looks below the surface can find it. All the things his disciples obviously didn’t — and still don’t — give a damn about.
I’ve looked into his ties to Russia, those of his three oldest children, and those of 10 men involved in his campaign. I’ve looked into the collusion involving Betsy DeVos’ brother and the rogue New York FBI agents allied with Rudy Giuliani to intimidate James Comey and throw the election. I’ve looked into the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, and its 25th Amendment, Section IV, with an eye toward having him either impeached or declared mentally unfit to serve.
Unable to participate in the Women’s March (the spirit was willing, but the flesh is weak), I suggested a slogan to a friend who could and did march, carrying a sign with that slogan: “All men of quality respect women’s equality.” She and I are members of an “indivisibles” group, doing what we can to work in conjunction with our elected officials to resist the dangerous, morally reprehensible, and mean-spirited agenda of the present administration. I am limited in funds, but pledged to do what I can when I can to continue to resist.
Thank you for being here and issuing your call to action!
Phyllis Paoletti January 28, 2017 at 1:01 am
Judy, my friend, thank you so much for sharing this discovery (Persimmon Tree) with me. I’d never heard of it and it’s perfect for us and many others in our time of life. I, too, am living on a very fixed income and I also have pretty severe arthritis, both of which prevent me from either contributing money or attending marches. I definitely want to be a “troublemaker” in whatever ways I can though. Our political situation is dire and must be fought as often and by as many opposers as possible in whatever ways they are able.
Glenda January 23, 2017 at 10:53 am
I am pleased with your words on this matter and I feel much as you do. I have never been one to actively get involved in politics thinking I vote and that is all I need to do. But now I vow I will write to congress and make my views known. So many things the new president is already doing makes me ill as I think of all the women who have worked, struggled, to make changes that helped create equality of women in many ways. I grew up as many of you did in the age when women were almost like live in slaves for some husbands. I have seen women abused physically and mentally who could not afford to leave because they had several children to care for and had no education or means to provide for these children. When I see a man like Mr. Trump with his attitude toward women and his reputation with women, I cringe and fear for young women today who don’t realize they must continue to fight for the rights that were gained in the past decade. Although some of our young men today have a better education about gender, they could easily slip back into the old ways. I will urge the young women I know not to sit back as I have, but to speak out and make their voices heard. Thank you all.
Sally Palmer Thomason January 21, 2017 at 1:17 pm
Having enjoyed reading PERSIMMON TREE for a number of years, and enthusiastically endorse the concept of a literary/art journal for women over 60, I’ve thought several days before commenting on your new Troublemaker feature. As in the classroom or in any discussion, I strive for an open balance discussion of issues, which I feel you are inviting; but to introduce the concept as a protest, reinforced by a series of comments expressing the same view made me feel I’d wandered into a political rallly, a closed forum. Our whole society has become so divided I wonder if anyone really listens or wants to hear another viewpoint.
I admire yours and others dedication and enthusiasm for a cause and have compassion for those so upset by the election, but having followed politics for most of the 83 years of my life, and not being a part of the Washington/celebrity/intellectual/Wall Street/mainstream media elite, I do not share the outrage. I understand that new voices from folks who are hurting were heard in this election. Many votes for Trump were votes against the concentrated, centralized political power and, in some corners, corruption. I do not like President Trump’s style, I found many of his outbursts outrageous. I also thinks some of the accusaions against him are outrageous. I believe we have to give him a chance. I sincerely believe he wants the best for all Americans. I grew up during WWII and to me patriotism is a noble word. To me it means adherence to our basic American democratic values and freedoms and I believe our new President when he says, “patriotism can harbor no prejudice.”
SuziQ January 19, 2017 at 6:54 am
“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.” Toni Morrison
And if we are able, we march.
Judy Brady January 17, 2017 at 1:53 pm
I, too, am horrified at what will happen on January 20. But I have to say I am also saddened and disheartened by the tears and protestations of others, not because I am empathetic to their expressions, but because I am frightened by them. And that’s because so many of the expressions of regret exhibit a truly frightening lack of history and/or reality. We were not, for instance a “democracy” that we have lost to Trump. The fact that we are not a democracy — that, in fact, we are a country of egregious hypocrisy, class prejudice, enormous economic disparity, deep-running racism, sexism and homophobia, and all-too-compliant victims of corporate hegemony — is ignored in those sighs of regret. Please, can we be honest for a while? Please can we admit to the slaughter of the indigenous peoples when white people came here? Please can we be open about the fact that people stolen from Africa built this country and still suffer from being second-class (at best) citizens? Please can we speak of the hunger of our children, the sickness which goes untreated? Can we acknowledge the new slavery of our bloated prison system, overfilled with people of color? And can we who write things for publications like this please own up to the fact that millions of people who do not share our privileges are despised by us (and that includes me, too — I am guilty of that which I charge others) for being coarse, poor, ignorant and unrefined, who lead lives that most of us know absolutely nothing about and do not care to learn?
Until we are able to see ourselves in all our ugliness (instead of boasting of our merits and fictitious democracy), we can make no intelligent move as a people. With the possible exception of those who have the courage to be out in the streets, we are like Munch’s “The Scream”: visibly terrified but silent and intransitory.
“Nice” never got anyone anywhere. It won’t help us now, either.
Judy — you are my new BFF …
MaryLu McFall January 11, 2017 at 8:09 am
Just discovered your on-line magazine and read the Troublemakers essays. At 80 with only Social Security and a small (thanks Pence for no raise for years) retirement from Indiana, I have a narrow ability to contribute monetarily to any cause. I do sign on-line petitions, I do post and share for causes I believe in. I continue to hope we can not only survive the Orange Adverb King and his cohorts, but become stronger in pursuit of the overall good. I have self-published on Amazon, and have written about all kinds of things since childhood. But I have been totally depressed since the election about the end of Obama’s time in office and the awful unpredictables coming into office. I want the Democrats to come out of the cave where they have been sitting staring at the bonfire since the election. I hope you will find more loud voices, more physically able protesters, and writers who can express universal concerns in positive ways. I plan to post the Bill Rowen comment on my Facebook page, where I frequently write what I hope are prodding comments to those younger and more able to influence others than I. Sometimes I feel I have wasted too much time this life, but three sons, 8 grandchildren, 4 greats reflect my choices. Guilt is the most useless emotion. If I am inspired and feel courageous I will write something of quality and submit it. Keep on keeping on ladies.
suzi Q January 17, 2017 at 6:39 am
MaryLu: “I want the Democrats to come out of the cave where they have been sitting staring at the bonfire since the election.” Exactly! Maybe the country-wide (worldwide?) marches will prod them to move.
laura December 24, 2016 at 10:57 am
Greetings from the Resistance.
George Takei’s fantastic piece: Welcome to the Resistance: http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2016/12/21/george-takeiwelcome-resistance
Very similar to our own troublemakers concert!
Natalie Safir December 19, 2016 at 9:46 am
Here in the U.S. we are learning what Europeans have known for some centuries — that when fear, political despair and anger reach a certain level, they find their way into the literary arts and merge powerfully with song and the written word. At this unusual time of crisis for our country, I was proud to see Persimmon Tree take on the realities developing since Nov. 9. For me, it has felt like a ‘takeover’ from the start and grows steadily worse with Trump’s appointees, fiscal complexities and blatant disregard of the traditions and moralities of our country. An old friend, Mary H., now in her 90’s, remarked to me during the early W years, “what has become of sustained outrage in this country?” After feeling both outraged and impotent for weeks after the election, I realized that although in my 80’s, I am a writer, and write I must in order to “do something.” I now send emails to the major players in Congress and anyone else who wields power and influence. I applaud PT for publishing all the above comments and feel proud of my wise women friends fpr their contributions. Thank you.
Jane Morgan December 16, 2016 at 7:37 am
All of these essays and comments share the despair I am feeling. After so many years of progress on social issues, we face a future of sliding backward, even into a despotic regime. Thank you for your comments and encouragement.
Dawn Ramm December 15, 2016 at 1:34 pm
When I woke up that morning to hear the final results of the election I felt as if a very close friend had died. I guess I would describe that feeling as deeply felt grief. Then there was the desperate hope that he wasn’t as outrageous as he seemed. But as he picks his cabinet it becomes obvious that he is and I have become even more depressed. I am 80 years old and have never been a troublemaker. On Facebook, I have not shared anti republican views so as not to offend relatives and a few friends who lean toward the right. That will change. I think of my children and grandchildren and cannot lift myself from this despairing mood. In such a mood it is hard to act even though I know to act is the only solution. I will start with Facebook.
Quata Hathcote January 27, 2017 at 4:59 pm
speak to your children and grandchildren — in a loud voice — years from now they will remember you and your powerful words
Jacqueline Lapidus December 15, 2016 at 10:19 am
“Despair and anger” just about describes what I and most of my friends my age (70s) are feeling. Democracy in the United States is threatened; the corporate control described in Marge Piercy’s novel He, She and It (1984) is already here. Neo-fascism is rising here and in the European countries, taking nerve from the apparent election of a media-created monster who should never have got this far. Everything my parents and grandparents worked for throughout the 20th century–public education, collective bargaining, economic security, social mobility, religious freedom, gender equality, the peaceful coexistence of people from many different countries–seems to be unraveling. Like the editors, I’m not physically fit enough for mass demonstrations. But, my voice still carries to the back row. I know a thing or two about resistance and organizing for change. And, I can coach others. These guys ignore us at their peril.
CathyM December 15, 2016 at 9:23 am
Thank you SO MUCH for this uplifting and wonderful call to action!! I’ve shared it with fellow writers and also over at Daily KOS, where I’m part of a poetry sub-group, and often post poets of protest. I will look at your guidelines and send something soon. I hope you will be accepting protest poetry, as well.
Arlys Krim December 15, 2016 at 9:13 am
I too am outraged, fearful, worried about the future of our country come January 20, 2017. Living on a fixed income I am financially unable to contribute to causes that are at risk. However, I sign petitions and let my voice be heard when ever possible. Having always been silent about politics and hesitant to reveal my views, this travesty has awakened the dragon in me. I will do what ever I can to help organizations keep our country a democracy.
Yes, I want to subscribe.
copyright © 2016 All Rights Reserved - Persimmon Tree, an independent magazine, is published in association with Mills College, Oakland CA.
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Mimesis as Make-Believe: On the Foundations of the Representational Arts
Kendall L. Walton
Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 49 (2):161-166 (1990)
Kendall Walton
Reprint years 1991
DOI 10.2307/431705
Games and the Art of Agency.C. Thi Nguyen - 2019 - Philosophical Review 128 (4):423-462.
Models and Representation.Roman Frigg & James Nguyen - 2017 - In Lorenzo Magnani & Tommaso Bertolotti (eds.), Springer Handbook of Model-Based Science. pp. 49-102.
The Heterogeneity of the Imagination.Amy Kind - 2013 - Erkenntnis 78 (1):141-159.
Models and Fictions in Science.Peter Godfrey-Smith - 2009 - Philosophical Studies 143 (1):101 - 116.
The Fiction View of Models Reloaded.Roman Frigg & James Nguyen - 2016 - The Monist 99 (3):225-242.
View all 146 citations / Add more citations
Mimesis as Make-Believe: On the Foundations of the Representational Arts.Kendall L. Walton - 1990 - Harvard University Press.
Mimesis as Make-Believe: On the Foundations of the Representational Arts.Kendall L. WALTON - 1990 - Philosophy 66 (258):527-529.
Mimesis as Make-Believe: On the Foundations of the Representational Arts.Noel Carroll - 1995 - Philosophical Quarterly 45 (178):93-99.
WALTON, KENDALL Mimesis as Make-Believe: On the Foundations of the Representational Arts. [REVIEW]Colin Lyas - 1991 - Philosophy 66:527.
Kendall Walton, "Mimesis as Make-Believe: On the Foundations of the Representational Arts". [REVIEW]B. Gaut - 1992 - Journal of Value Inquiry 26 (2):297.
Precis of Mimesis as Make-Believe: On the Foundations of the Representational Arts.Kendall L. Walton - 1991 - Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 51 (2):379-382.
Mimesis as Make-Believe: On the Foundations of the Representational Arts By Kendall Walton Harvard University Press, 1990, Xiv + 450 Pp., £27.95. [REVIEW]Colin Lyas - 1991 - Philosophy 66 (258):527-.
Mimesis as Make-Believe: On the Foundations of the Representational Arts.J. M. Moravcsik - 1993 - Philosophical Review 102 (3):440.
Mimesis as Make-Believe: On the Foundations of the Representational Arts by Kendall Walton. [REVIEW]Gregory Currie - 1993 - Journal of Philosophy 90 (7):367-370.
Précis of Mimesis as Make-Believe: On the Foundations of the Representational Arts.Kendall L. Walton - 1991 - Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 51 (2):379-382.
Mimesis As Make‐Believe: On the Foundations of the Representational Arts.Rob Hopkins - 1992 - Philosophical Books 33 (2):126-128.
Mimesis as Make-Believe: On the Foundations of the Representational Arts. [REVIEW]V. A. Howard - 1993 - International Studies in Philosophy 25 (1):116-117.
Imagination, Games, Pictures: A Critical Examination of Kendall Walton's "Mimesis as Make-Believe".Thomas Richards Vartan Adajian - 1993 - Dissertation, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Impurely Musical Make-Believe.Eran Guter & Inbal Guter - 2015 - In Alexander Bareis & Lene Nordrum (eds.), How to Make-Believe: The Fictional Truths of the Representational Arts. De Gruyter. pp. 283-306.
Mimesis as Make-Believe.Kendall L. Walton - 1996 - Synthese 109 (3):413-434.
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Public service complaints system needs urgent reform
Which? wants the next Government to commit to reforming the public service complaints system, after finding at least 5.3 million people didn’t complain about their problem last year, and a number of those who did felt victimised or that nothing was done.
Which? is today submitting a report to all political parties calling for the next Government to take action to improve public services complaints handling, after our research found that last year half (49%) of people who had a problem with a public service provider, like a hospital, school or care home, didn’t make an official complaint. This equates to at least 5.3 million people across the UK.
The reasons putting people off complaining were not feeling it would be worth the effort (35%) and thinking nothing would be done about the problem (35%). One in seven (14%) didn’t complain because they were worried about receiving worse treatment as a result.
However, even when people did complain, they weren’t always happy with how it was handled. Only three in ten (31%) were satisfied with the way their complaint was dealt with and half (48%) felt their complaint was ignored. A similar percentage (46%) said complaining just added to their stress and a quarter (26%) said it had put them off complaining again.
In light of the failings in the public service complaints system, and a number of NHS scandals, the Government has said it is looking at how to reform this broken system, but it is crucial that the next Government takes this forward to deliver reform across the system.
Across public services, people who experienced a problem with the NHS were the least likely to speak up about it, with only four in ten (40%) complaining formally, compared to 51% for public services as a whole. Satisfaction with the way complaints about the NHS were handled was also lower (23%).
Over 60,000 people have supported our campaign to ‘Make Complaints Count’ so far, with nearly 14,000 leaving stories about their experiences. People told us that when they complained they felt victimised, that nothing happened as a result, and that those providing the service were more interested in protecting their staff and the image of the organisation than resolving complaints.
Others told us they felt the complaints system was too complex, there was a lack of support to speak up, and there wasn’t enough time to complain. Many are also concerned whistleblowers are not supported enough.
Our survey found six in ten (62%) would be more likely to complain about a public service if there was greater support to help them through the process and seven in ten (71%) would be more likely to if they knew it would result in direct action.
Which? executive director, Richard Lloyd, said:
“When things go wrong in public services it’s vital people feel able to speak up to help prevent the same thing happening again. But thousands have told us they faced barriers to complaining. We want the next Government to commit to urgently reforming the complaints system across all public services so that people feel confident it is worth complaining and things will change.”
As part of our campaign, we are calling on the Government to make complaints count by:
Requiring all regulators of public services to use complaints to trigger inspections;
Giving people access to independent support to help them complain;
Introducing a single public services ombudsman to deal with complaints effectively;
Allowing representative groups to make super-complaints on behalf of those impacted; and
Ensuring whistleblowers are listened to and their concerns acted upon.
In the first session in the next Parliament, the next Government should introduce legislation in the Queen’s Speech to address these issues, as well as establishing a single portal for public service complaints to direct people to the right place and a requirement across all public service providers to support and protect whistleblowers.
A sample of the 14,000 stories we heard from supporters:
“My brother-in-law died due to incompetence in hospital. The complaints system was stacked against his widow, my sister, and she eventually abandoned her complaint because of the difficulties she faced.” – Richard, West Midlands
“I am afraid to complain about my care. Whenever I have done, my care has become much, much worse.” – Sophia, South East
“We’ve raised concerns about our parents’ experiences in hospital, and whilst staff have listened sympathetically, we have had no confidence that any real action resulted.” – Ila, South East
“I am fed up of my complaints being ignored or passed around, and everybody else is blamed instead. I am physically drained by the way I am treated and ignored, that I do not have the strength to complain anymore.” – Joanna, London
“My mother suffered the most appalling indignities and had her basic human rights stripped while living in a care home. Institutional abuse is rife and is not even noticed. Staff who recognise it soon become part of the problem as whistleblowers end up being either ostracised or sacked.” – Sharon, East Midlands
You can see the full report and stories here: www.which.co.uk/psdossier.
The most common problems people experience with public services are quality (42%), waiting times (32%), and communication from professionals (29%).
Methodology: Populus, on the behalf of Which?, conducted an online survey of 4058 UK adults between 6th – 12th February. Data were weighted to be representative of all UK adults.
The figure of 5.3 million people not complaining formally is calculated by taking the number of people in the survey who did not make a formal complaint when they experienced a problem (i.e. did not complain to a representative of the service provider (e.g. member of staff) or feed back through another official channel (e.g. the ombudsman/regulator/MP)) – this is 10.5% of all respondents. This data is extrapolated to the total number of people in the UK, based on the latest ONS mid-year population estimates.
Press Release: Public Services
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Tag: Gary Frank
Weekly Comic 100s: Kylo Ren, Doomsday Clock, Batman Finale
Yeesh. Talk about a loaded week. Big finales, big debuts, and some Star Wars backstory we’ve been waiting years for. And of course, with big issues, come big upticks in pricing. Mostly at DC. They actually had the gall to charge $4.99 for the Tom King Batman finale. Oye.
But next week is largely a throwaway week. (Unless you’re Marvel. Kudos to them.) So I’ll be able to play a little catch up. So next week’s batch will include Family Tree #2, Shazam #9, Star Wars: Empire Ascendant, Batman/Superman #5.
But for now, we’ve got a lot to get to…
TITLE: Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren #1 (of 4)
ARTISTS: Will Sliney. GuruFX (Colors). Travis Lanham (Letterer). Cover by Clayton Crain.
I was ready to be mad at this issue for giving us stuff we should have gotten in one of the movies. As it turns out, this was benign.
In The Last Jedi, Luke says that after burning down the temple, Ben Solo left with some of his other students. Here, we learn that doesn’t quite mean what it sounds like. We also learn who the Knights of Ren are, which is welcome information.
Not the strongest first issue I’ve ever seen. But the intrigue around what happened to Ben Solo is enough to bring us back for more.
TITLE: Doomsday Clock #12
ARTIST: Gary Frank, Brad Anderson (Colorist), Rob Leigh (Letterer).
From the beginning, we’ve known this book has been building toward Superman vs. Doctor Manhattan. A symbol of hope against a symbol of cynicism. The implication being that Superman would ultimately get through to Doc, and bring about a change of heart.
We do get a scene like that in this issue. But it’s so brief, and frankly a little contrived, that it was hardly worth the two years of build-up.
That’s right, folks. Doomsday Clock #1 came out in November 2017. It’s taken us more than two years to get here. Really takes the edge off, doesn’t it?
ARTISTS: Mikel Janin, Hugo Petrus, Jordie Bellaire (Colorist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer). Cover by Tony Daniel.
Here we have yet another big finale that ends not with a bang, but with a whimper.
Tom King is a good writer. I believe that. But for whatever reason, this “City of Bane” story went on way too long, and he ended up overstaying his welcome on Batman. The truly sad part? There’s a good story in here if you rifle through it, and maybe rearrange some pieces.
On the upside? Mikel Janin’s work on Batman has been consistently great. As far as I’m concerned, he’s welcome back in Gotham any time.
TITLE: American Jesus #1
AUTHOR: Mark Millar
ARTISTS: Peter Gross, Jeanne McGee (Colorist), Cory Petit (Letterer). Cover by McGee and Frank Quitely.
A 14-year-old Hispanic girl becomes the modern-day Virgin Mary in a story written by the guy who did books like Kick-Ass and Nemesis? Sure. Sounds harmless enough…
Maybe it’s me, but the art in this book seems a little weird. Like the proportions are just a touch off. It’s minor, just just prominent enough to be noticeable.
There’s a lot of intrigue here, given the sensitive topic and Millar’s penchant for the outlandish. While there’s nothing blasphemous in this issue (at least as far as I can see), I figure it’s just a matter of time.
TITLE: Spider-Man #3 (of 5)
AUTHORS: J.J. Abrams, Henry Abrams
ARTISTS: Sara Pichelli, Elisabetta D’Amico (Inking Assistant), Dave Stewart (Colorist), Joe Caramagna (Letterer). Cover by Olivier Coipel.
Tony Stark pops up in this book, and now our story has an Avengers angle to it. That’s disappointing. This is a story about the legacy of Spider-Man, and the strained relationship between a father and son. So why not keep the lens focused on Spidey’s world, and not open things up to the larger Marvel Universe until later? We need to be focusing on Ben right now. Not some wacky take on Tony Stark as an old man.
On the upside, we get further into who Cadaverous is. Good stuff, with Pichelli’s art on point.
ARTISTS: Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas (Colorist), Wes Abbott (Letterer). Cover by Ivan Reis.
While it lacks the impact and sizzle of a Jim-Lee-drawn debut, this issue has some intrigue to it. We’ve got three mainstays in Deadshot, Harley, and King Shark. But we’ve also got a big group of new characters. They kind of look like what Marv Wolfman and George Perez would produce if asked to produce a modern team of superheroes.
Mind you, some of them are dead when we close the issue. But if even one of them sticks for a decent amount of time, that’s an accomplishment.
TITLE: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #46
ARTISTS: Daniele Di Nicuolo, Walter Baiamonte (Colorist), Katia Ranalli (Color Assistant), Ed Dukeshire (Letterer). Cover by Jamal Campbell.
A few little things I noticed that aren’t out of character per se, but perhaps show how these characters are different in this time period…
– Tommy’s more relaxed demeanor now that they’re seemingly no longer Earth’s last line of defense.
– Kimberly stepping up into more of a leadership role with the three new Rangers.
– Trini’s more sarcastic personality. It’s not how I would write the character, as she’s normally more reserved. But we can chalk it up to her gaining confidence through her experiences as a Power Ranger.
Panels of Awesomeness: Putin and Superman
CREATORS: Geoff Johns (Author), Gary Frank (Penciller), Brad Anderson (Colorist)
THE SCENE: After a tragic accident in which Firestorm turns hundreds of people into glass statues, presumably killing them, Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to declare war on the United States. Superman arrives to resolve the matter peacefully.
WHY THEY’RE AWESOME: Naturally, Doomsday Clock has been working hard to mimic the tone of Watchmen. The ticking clock, the sense of inevitable impending doom, etc. Taking that into consideration, along with current world events, I’m actually surprised it took eight issues for him to show up. It’s incredibly surreal seeing him on the page like this. Talking to an American icon like Superman, no less.
It’s all very surreal. Uncomfortable, even. Which of course, it’s supposed to be. Especially when we see Putin getting mad, and saying things like “We are at war…” The fact that Gary Frank’s Superman looks so much like Christopher Reeve just adds to the weirdness.
I really like the way Johns wrote Superman here. Peaceful. Non-violent. Only taking physical action when he has to, saving lives in the process. To some, that’s what makes Superman boring. But to yours truly, it’s just the opposite.
Posted in Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Epic Covers
Epic Covers: Doomsday Clock #5
ARTISTS: Gary Frank, Brad Anderson
THE ISSUE: As Watchmen characters continue to make an impact in the DC Universe, the Joker enters the picture.
WHY IT’S EPIC: So I have this thing that I call the “Alex Ross Theory of the Joker.” I pulled it from a passage in Mythology: The Art of Alex Ross. It’s his take on the Joker’s appearance, and what that famous chemical bath actually did to him physically. It goes like this…
“In my mind it wouldn’t have given him green hair and red lips – the chemical bath would only have turned his skin white. He adds the rest himself to complete the picture. There’s a panel at the end of Batman #1 in which the Joker is stabbed and we see that his chest is white. I never forgot that – The realization that his whole body was white. Eerie.”
You don’t see this idea represented much in the canonical DC Universe. That’s because DC relies so heavily on The Killing Joke, in which the Joker emerges from the chemicals with the green hair and red lips. But the Ross idea makes sense, all things considered. It lines up nicely with the theatricality that’s built in to the Joker character.
That’s why it’s so cool to see Gary Frank and Brad Anderson go that route with this variant for Doomsday Clock #5. Frank doesn’t get to draw Joker very often. But when he does, it’s a treat. Look at the wild insanity we see in those eyes. We see him inside the issue as well. But this right here is the coup de grace.
Micro-Reviews: Doomsday Clock, The Man of Steel, and More!
I’m Rob, and these are the comics I spent my hard-earned money on last week…
Doomsday Clock #5
This sucker is dense. It’s all drawn that Dave Gibbons nine-panel grid, and Geoff Johns wasn’t afraid to really pack in the dialogue. But in spite of that, it doesn’t feel like much happens here. There’s some cool progression in the Johnny Thunder story, some really nice world-building. But other than that, this issue felt “meh” compared to its predecessors.
On the plus side, expect to see this issue in a future installment of Epic Covers.
The Man of Steel #1
Brian Michael Bendis’ first full issue with Superman didn’t blow me away. But it’s got my attention. I’m more interested in how Bendis’ characterization of Superman than the actual story he’s telling. So far, so good.
Saga #52
There’s a bit of narration in this issue that really hit home for me. In Saga, Hazel is a young child. But she’s telling the story in past tense as an adult. As young Hazel is being promised something by her mother, the narration reads: “It’s difficult for children to accept that their parents aren’t gods, just regular people. And regular people will always disappoint you.”
Though it comes from a world of fantasy, that statement has more truth than anything I’ve read in quite awhile. Bravo, Brian K. Vaughan.
Batman: Prelude to the Wedding #1 – Robin vs. Ra’s al Ghul
I don’t have a hell of a lot of interest in these Prelude to the Wedding issues. But the premise of issue #2, Nightwing vs. Hush, sold me on the entire thing. Batman: Hush was the story that got me into picking up comics on a weekly basis. So I’ve got a soft spot for Tommy Elliot.
As for the issue itself, the interactions between Damian and Selina Kyle are strong. I’m very curious to see how that relationship develops over time.
Pestilence: A Story of Satan #1
I mean, c’mon. With a subtitle like A Story of Satan, how can you not take a look? I’m not normally drawn to stories set in medieval times. But the premise, and the fact that it’s published by AfterShock was enough to sell me on the first issue. As it turns out, they also sold me on the second one.
I wasn’t big on how this story ended. This whole issue felt a bit rushed. But it got us where we needed to go. The League is back in action, with Martian Manhunter back on the roster. I’m stoked for Justice League #1.
I’m still working on catching up with Babyteeth. This issue didn’t move the world for me. But I’ll be back for issue #6.
A Doomsday Clock #1 Review – I Have a Bad Feeling About This…
TITLE: Doomsday Clock #1
PENCILLER: Gary Frank
RELEAED: November 22, 2017
***WARNING: Full on spoilers lay ahead.***
Doomsday Clock #1 is a pretty good first chapter. Assuming you have an off switch for your conscience.
By now I really thought I’d be calloused to the idea of DC doing a sequel to Watchmen without the approval or involvement of author Alan Moore or artist Dave Gibbons. Not that they need it. They own the rights to the story and characters, and have been milking them ever since. Naturally, Moore has been sore about it for decades. Years ago the company even published several character-centric Before Watchmen prequel stories. So Doomsday Clock is hardly unprecedented. Throw in all the bits and pieces of Watchmen lore DC has sprinkled around since the Rebirth story began, and you’d think I’d be ready for this…
But Doomsday Clock #1 feels dirty just like Before Watchmen felt dirty. Realities of the publishing industry notwithstanding, this reeks of DC taking toys out of someone else’s sandbox. If you can ignore that side of things, I imagine Doomsday Clock simply becomes the latest Geoff Johns epic. But for many of us in the know, there’s a discomfort level to all this that isn’t going away.
Set several years after the events of Watchmen, we see that Adrian Veidt’s hoax to bring about world peace was only a short term success. Global tensions are at an all time high, as is the threat of nuclear war. Amidst all of this, Rorschach, or rather someone assuming the Rorschach identity, breaks two former supervillains out of prison to aid he and Veldt in setting the world right again. To do that, Doctor Manhattan must be found. But as we’ve seen, the former Jonathan Osterman has been busy making waves in the DC Universe. Worlds are about to collide.
When you come back somewhere after a long time away, you’re naturally curious to see what changed in your absence. Despite what you might call it’s lack of authenticity, parts of Doomsday Clock are intriguing from a world-building perspective. How exactly do things change after a giant alien squid is supposedly dropped on New York City? Not that much, apparently. The world we’re met with is very similar to the one we left. Distress over the airwaves, violence in the streets. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Even our narrator is the same, more or less…
Indeed, there’s a new Rorschach in town. We don’t know much about who he is, other than he works with Veldt, and has brown skin (shown above). I initially rolled my eyes at the idea of Rorschach being a “legacy character.” It’s a tried and true tool in the world of superhero comics. Have a dead hero? Just make a new one with the same M.O. But Rorschach had such a unique and distinct voice that it’s almost cringeworthy to use that trick with him.
But did they even have a choice? Rorschach is such a gigantic and integral part of Watchmen. We saw so much of that world through his eyes. You almost can’t revisit it without him. Plus, Watchmen had legacy characters. Like Doomsday Clock itself, I can see why you’d want to create another Rorschach, but something about it feels really wrong. And no, it’s got nothing to do with his race. Having him be black is fine. It doesn’t add or subtract anything, outside of making for a clever reveal.
Watchmen was never big on humor, per se. You can find things to chuckle about, but very little (if anything) is played for straight up laughs. That’s not the case with Doomsday Clock. There are a handful of funny lines and one full-on gag, most of which revolve around the ultra-serious Rorschach reacting to things. While the humor works, this isn’t a world we’re used to laughing at. Watchmen was big on darkness and despair. We see a rape, the murder of a pregnant woman, dogs being murdered with a meat cleaver, etc. So while it’s funny to see a character called the Mime pull imaginary weapons out of a prison locker (shown below), the tone shift takes some getting used to.
Technologically, the comic book industry has come a long way since Watchmen. The story had a pulpy aesthetic to it that was ultimately part of its charm. Doomsday Clock doesn’t try to replicate that. But I give artist Gary Frank and colorist Brad Anderson a lot of credit for making this look and feel like a story set in the same universe. The colors have a lot more depth and richness. But there’s nevertheless something familiar about those city streets we open up on, or the dark and dank feel of the prison. Letterer Rob Leigh even nailed Rorschach’s handwriting for the caption boxes. (Even though this isn’t the same Rorschach anymore. So does that even make sense?) Comparatively, Doomsday Clock is almost like switching your television from standard to high definition, with the one drawback being the loss of the pulp look.
Tacked on at the end of all this is none other than Superman. We flash back via dream sequence to Ma and Pa Kent driving a young Clark to senior prom. We’re reminded just how lonesome and isolated Clark’s secret can make him as he watches the other kids dance. We then see the tragic accident that killed his adoptive parents.
Oddly enough, this strikes me as a scene about Doctor Manhattan. Doomsday Clock is meant to be about a conflict between hope and cynicism. With the DC Universe representing hope, and Watchmen cynicism. Superman is, of course, an ever present symbol of hope and optimism. A man raised by loving parents who instilled him with a set of values and ideals. In contrast, Jonathan Osterman lost his mother at a young age, and was forced by his father to pursue a career in nuclear physics. Later, Doctor Manhattan’s powers left him increasingly isolated. He eventually regarded human life itself as insignificant. These are to men on polar opposite ends of a spectrum. Yet under different circumstances, Clark Kent could have become Doctor Manhattan. With a better upbringing, Jon Osterman could have been a symbol of hope…
With all this talk of hope and cynicism, Doomsday Clock has the potential to be very poignant, given the era we’re living in. But good or bad, it’s destined to have an asterisk next to it because of the circumstances with Watchmen and its creators. Much can be said about what rights creators should or shouldn’t have, as well as Moore’s less than sunny disposition. But what I keep coming back to is this: If I’d put my time, my energy, and my heart into making this world and these characters, and a big company was in a position to make a lot of money off them, I’d want to be listened to. I’d like to think certain things outweigh the importance of money. Like respect. Dignity. Integrity.
Perhaps that’s just blind hope.
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A Suicide Squad: The Black Vault Review – Squad vs. Zod
TITLE: Suicide Squad, Vol. 1: The Black Vault
AUTHOR: Rob Williams
PENCILLERS: Jim Lee, Philip Tan, Jason Fabok, Gary Frank, Ivan Reis
COLLECTS: Suicide Squad: Rebirth #1, Suicide Squad #1-6
If The Black Vault isn’t the most important and most notable Suicide Squad book DC has ever published, then it’s absolutely in the top two. This is the biggest that Suicide Squad has ever felt, and may be the best its ever looked.
Thanks to the movie, the Suicide Squad “brand” has never had more eyes on it. The Black Vault features almost all of the characters from the movie, including a few pages of the Joker. So it’s bursting with crossover appeal for casual moviegoers. With this in mind, DC loaded the book up with A-list artists, most notably Jim Lee. Indeed, the master of the modern superhero epic is drawing characters like Rick Flag, Captain Boomerang, and the Enchantress. Talk about something you don’t see every day…
Task Force X, a.k.a. the Suicide Squad, is a black ops group assembled by government agent Amanda Waller. Comprised primarily of imprisoned supervillains, the team is sent on covert missions. They serve as both soldiers, and built-in patsies. Should they refuse an order or become compromised, Waller detonates a nanite bomb in their skulls. Like the movie, in The Black Vault our team consists of Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Killer Croc, and the Enchantress. They’re accompanied by Colonel Rick Flagg and Katana.
Their latest mission sees our heroes sent to a secret Russian prison to neutralize a secret doorway to the Phantom Zone. In the process, the team meets none other than General Zod.
People can say what they want about Jim Lee’s influence, for better or worse, on DC’s “house style” right now. But when he’s in his element, he’s one of the all-time greats. Lee is at home with the dynamic and the awe-inspiring. As such, it seems like Lee’s work on the book starts out rather slow. He starts on issue #1 and has to re-tread some of the ground covered in the Rebirth issue, specifically Waller’s motivations. He takes us from the team’s home base at Belle Reve Penitentiary to the Russian facility, giving us a few cool shots in the process. He and Rob Williams also have a really fun take on Belle Reve, where the prison cells are plucked and moved by a giant claw arm.
But once Zod enters the story at the end of issue #2, Lee gets to flex his muscles. He makes Zod surprisingly large, literally twice the size of the other characters (save for Croc). But the ultra powerful Kryptonian against these mostly street-level characters makes for a fun fight, particularly when the big guy goes against Katana. At the end of issue #3, we bring in a few other characters to oppose the Squad. But the good stuff is with the general himself. Issue #4 gives us a cool interaction between Zod and Croc, and a nice climactic moment involving Rick Flagg. It’s not Lee’s best work. But it’s still pretty damn awesome.
The notoriously deadline-challenged Lee was massaged into Suicide Squad‘s a bi-weekly format with a reduced workload. He only had to produce 12 pages per issue, with the rest going to an oversized back-up story spotlighting a particular team member. I suspect most fans will find Gary Frank’s look at Harley Quinn the most enjoyable. While on a mission with Flag, she struggles with some of her more villainous impulses. These are personified, of course, by the Joker. I’m not in love with Frank’s rendering of Mr. J. But his Harley is delightfully expressive in a way that’s exaggerated, but not quite cartoony. Naturally, this compliments both her character and Williams’ script.
But artistically, Philip Tan gets “Best in Show” as far as these back-ups are concerned. In addition to the Rebirth issue, he does the Katana story for issue #3. Tan shows off his versatility with an anime-inspired look at her origin. The script isn’t the strongest, but Tan and colorist Elmer Santos provide visuals that range from haunting to downright heart-breaking.
Rick Flag gets a lot of quality page time here. The Rebirth issue is essentially about him. Williams writes him as unwaveringly loyal, even to his own detriment. He’s the conscience of the team. A good guy tasked with leading all these bad guys. Flag is easy to root for and empathize with. Considering he’s the least flamboyant and colorful character in this book, that’s a good thing.
On the other end of the spectrum, Zod is an oversized caricature of himself, spouting lines like…
– “Prostrate yourself before your general, sub-creatures!”
– “I will boil and eat your magic!”
– “I have incinerated your human flesh and reveled in it’s pungent stench!”
I understand humor is a valuable component here. But c’mon, really? You’ve got Harley for that. You’ve got Boomerang for that. We don’t need Zod for that.
On the subject of weird comedy, this book has a recurring bit about Killer Croc throwing up. Oddly enough, it works. Can’t say I ever imagined Jim Lee drawing that.
The Black Vault represents the first time Suicide Squad has been elevated to a top-tier title with A-list talent. That alone makes it one of the most noteworthy stories in the team’s history. And while this isn’t the best scripting I’ve ever seen, Rob Williams knows how to put together a good Suicide Squad story. One can argue the book has never been in better hands.
A DC Universe: Rebirth #1 Review – “How Could I Ever Forget You?”
TITLE: DC Universe: Rebirth #1
PENCILLERS: Ethan Van Sciver, Gary Frank, Ivan Reis, Phil Jimenez
Part of the idea behind the 2011 “New 52” reboot at DC Comics was to modernize and simplify the characters and continuity for new readers. They largely succeeded. A lot of great comics were sold, and new readers were given a fresh jumping-on point for the DC Universe.
But lets be honest. If you were a longtime DC Comics fan, you lost a lot more than you gained. The timeline of the DCU was condensed down to five or six years. As such, the characters lost a lot of their depth. Certain characters, relationships, marriages and families were altered, if not erased altogether. As such, this new DC Universe suffered from a lack of heart and emotional connection.
DC Universe: Rebirth #1 is DC’s attempt to remedy this problem by restoring some of these lost characters, and injecting some much needed love into the proceedings.
A LOT of big things happen in this issue. So lets touch on most of them individually…
Wally West returns, reunites with Barry Allen, warns of a new enemy. Most of us can relate to being forgotten about on some level. It’s heartbreaking. That’s the feeling Geoff Johns taps into when he shows us the plight of Wally West. Lost to time, left as mere kinetic energy in the Speed Force, he’s so desperate to be remembered. Even his former wife replies to his presence with a heart-wrenching: “I don’t know you.” So it’s a genuine tear-jerker when Barry suddenly does remember him, then wraps him in a hug and says: “How could I ever forget you?” After almost five years without Wally, this was every bit the epic reunion it was designed to be.
The explanation we get for the other Wally West, who’s set to become Kid Flash in upcoming issues, is a little corny. Something about them being cousins and both named after their great-grandfather. I’ll grant them that there was no easy way to get out of that scenario. There was bound to be confusion. At least Johns connected them. Hopefully that’ll be a unique meeting eventually.
I’m not clear on what Barry and Wally remember at this point. In this issue, Wally remembers his wife Linda Park, the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, his time with the Teen Titans, and other odds and ends. At least some of that seems to have been transferred to Barry. But Wally also says it’s becoming harder to remember his old life. I imagine more will be revealed in the new Titans series.
Per events in Justice League, also written by Johns, we learn there have apparently been three Jokers. I balked when I first saw this. Having three Jokers seemingly takes away the character’s unique evolution and versatility. Now, instead of one multidimensional Joker, we’ll have three one-dimensional Jokers. That, at least, is my takeaway from the revelation.
I am happy, however, that they didn’t give us any names. We didn’t find out The Joker’s real name is Jack Napier or anything like that. My love for The Killing Joke notwithstanding, I like my Joker somewhat de-humanized, conveying the idea that absolutely anyone could be behind that twisted grin. “One bad day” and what not. They may still do that, but hopefully they don’t.
It’s easy to make snap judgments about dramatic reveals like this. (Captain America, anyone?) But ultimately, it’s all about the story they’re telling. The true merit of this twist lies with what they do with it.
Wally reaches out to an elderly Johnny Thunder, who has been searching for the Justice Society. Justice Society got a little out of hand before the reboot. The team was split between two titles. If they’re bringing back the JSA, my hope is the team will be smaller. My question is, if the Society comes back does that mean the timeline gets adjusted so Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, and all those characters were indeed active during World War II?
Partnerships are established between Ted Kord & Jaime Reyes and Ray Palmer & Ryan Choi. Dr. Fate reveals that Jamie’s Scarab is actually magic. I hadn’t realized how much I missed Ted until this issue. Gary Frank perfectly captures that boyish enthusiasm, which is part of what’s so great about Ted. This new partnership with Jaime should make for good comics.
Ray Palmer has a line about Jean Loring in his scene with Ryan Choi, which seems to indicate that Identity Crisis is out of continuity. I’m a big Brad Meltzer fan (mostly). But if we have to abandon Identity Crisis in favor of a more hopeful DC Comics, with some of our favorites back in the picture, I’m okay with that.
Aquaman proposes to Mera. Jackson Hyde returns to the DCU. Well heavens to Betsy. Marriage is okay again! With the reboot, Superman, The Flash (both of them), and Aquaman all had their marriages retconned. Batwoman was also not allowed to marry her love interest. Arthur at least got to keep his relationship with Mera. This seems to be a very positive step away from the “heroes can’t be happy” approach DC seemingly had in place a few years ago.
Why Jackson Hyde wasn’t a part of the New 52 reboot is a mystery to me. They had spent all that time building him up in Brightest Day, and then he was just gone. Hopefully they can now capitalize on what for years has been a wasted opportunity.
And now, for the biggest reveal of them all…
Watchmen characters are incorporated into the DCU. Dr. Manhattan implicated as the mysterious force manipulating time. Ah, here’s the kicker. I mean, c’mon. We couldn’t have a villain manipulating the time stream somehow. We had to drudge up Watchmen again, as the book and the characters continue to be profitable 30 years after its original publication.
I won’t lie, there’s a certain excitement at the prospect of a post-Watchmen Dr. Manhattan interacting with the DC Universe. Seeing Batman find the iconic Comedian button with the bloodstain, hidden in the Batcave, of all places, was a legit shocker. Even watching Pandora perish the way Rorschach did was kinda cool.
But here’s my big question: Will it be worth it in the end?
The last time DC pulled this crew out of retirement was for Before Watchmen, a line of prequel miniseries’ featuring all the classic characters. It gave us some good stuff, particularly Darwyn Cooke’s Before Watchmen: Minutemen story. But even with all the A-list talent involved, when you look at Before Watchmen cumulatively, you aren’t left with a feeling of justification. The sense that this was worth doing without Alan Moore and arguably taking some of the luster off Watchmen.
I’m really hoping they thought about that before making this move. Is this going to be worth bringing Watchmen out of retirement Especially when we presumably won’t be seeing Dr. Manhattan, and whoever else pops up, in the context of their own world.
This oversized issue is divided into four chapters, plus an epilogue. For these various sections, Geoff Johns is working with three of his longtime collaborators. The MVP by far is Gary Frank, who draws chapter 2, and also assists with chapters 1 and 3. His art drips with pure humanity. When Wally bursts in on Johnny Thunder, we can feel the old man’s desperation, heartbreak, and fear. In the scene with Ted and Jaime, Ted’s enthusiasm is contagious. On the other hand, Jaime’s apprehension is palpable, and comes off very natural. Frank also draws the big reveal with Batman and the pin (shown above), and even drew the cover. What an amazing issue for him.
It’s very fitting to have Ethan Van Sciver on the pencil for chapter 1. As the artist on Green Lantern: Rebirth and The Flash: Rebirth, it creates a nice consistency. What’s more, having worked on those books, and contributed to projects like The Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night, his work inevitably conveys a sense of importance. He very much lives up to that, as its Van Sciver that gives us our first look at the returning Wally West.
In chapter 3, Ivan Reis gives us a gorgeous scene with Aquaman and Mera. But the scene with Wally and Linda, where he’s so sure she’ll remember him and he gets rejected…it’s amazing. Their faces, their body language, it’s just perfect. You can make an argument that this is the most important scene in the issue. The impact of Wally’s failure with Linda makes the scene where Barry saves him that much more impactful.
There’s a certain artistic symmetry to Phil Jimenez drawing the reunion between Barry and Wally. In Infinite Crisis, Jimenez drew Wally and his family disappearing into the Speed Force, as well as Barry briefly emerging from it. Now, he gives us an emotional sequence where Barry pulls Wally from the Speed Force. He was the perfect choice for this moment.
Finally, let’s talk about Geoff Johns for a moment. The guy gets his share of flack these days. He’s got a reputation as Mr. Retcon. And I’ll admit those early Justice League issues where pretty flawed. But by and large, he tells gripping and often emotional stories. In the case of DC Universe Rebirth #1, he and the team give us a much-needed break from the grim and largely joyless DC Comics we’ve come to know since The New 52 began. There’s a place for hope, love, and wonder in this universe. Most readers always knew that. Let’s hope DC never forgets again…
Image 1 from newsarama.com. Image Image 3 from pastemagazine.com. Image 3 from observer.com. Image 4 and 6 from observer.com. Image 5 from terrazero.com.
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A Shazam! Vol. 1 Review – The Latest Jump-Start
TITLE: Shazam! Vol. 1
COLLECTS: Justice League #0, 21, Back up stories from Justice League #7-11 14-16, 18-20
Remember in The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy and her group finally arrived at the Emerald City, and the various workers and beauticians essentially gave them all makeovers to prepare them for their visit with the Wizard? At various points in his career, Geoff Johns has been called upon to be the Emerald City of DC Comics. Over the years, characters like the Flash, Green Lantern, the Teen Titans, Aquaman, and even Superman have been summoned under Johns’ pen to be freshened up and sent back to readers.
Johns’ newest character project is Shazam, a.k.a. the superhero formerly known as Captain Marvel. And this time, he and frequent collaborator Gary Frank have a whole new continuity to work with, and very few restrictions on what they can and can’t do. That freedom is very apparent in what we see from our new Billy Batson.
The Billy we meet in Shazam is a razor-tongued, cynical 15-year-old who has been bounced between foster homes most of his life. Billy’s new home is with a young couple who have five other adopted children (among whom are the New 52 incarnations of Freddy Freeman/Captain Marvel Jr. and Mary Marvel). Their disposition is generally pretty rosey, but the bad tempered Billy isn’t buying it. Soon, Billy has other issues to deal with. A mystical subway ride brings him face-to-face with an old, dying wizard. Desperate to find someone to take on his power, the wizard senses good in Billy, and grants him the power to become Shazam, a fully grown adult superhero, and guardian of the world of magic.
Meanwhile, desperate to save his family, a scientist named Dr. Sivana releases the evil Black Adam after centuries of imprisonment. Now Shazam and Black Adam are on a collision course. But of course, our young friend is in way over his head.
I’ll rarely complain about Gary Frank’s art. Even when he’s drawing a story I hate, his art is still a joy to look at. His faces are always very lifelike, distinct, and expressive. He’s the perfect artist to draw young Billy’s youthful, exuberant expressions on the adult face of Shazam. And unlike a lot of artists, his superheroes don’t always look like jacked up bodybuilders. Granted, Shazam’s body is pretty muscled, but I think we can chalk that up to Frank creating a greater contrast between Billy and his magical counterpart. All in all, Shazam is gorgeous from an artistic standpoint.
The incorporation of Billy’s foster siblings, Mary, Freddy, Pedro, Eugene and Darla is a carryover from Flashpoint. I’m a huge fan. In one fell swoop, our hero now has a fully functioning supporting cast. Some are more developed than others, namely Freddy. But at the very least, we’ve got a good snapshot of each. And the way they all factor into Billy’s new powers (I’m not spoiling it!) opens some pretty interesting doors. There’s a lot of intrigue and potential wrapped up in Billy’s new foster family.
In releasing Black Adam, Dr. Sivana gets a glowing lightning bolt star across the right side of his face (Harry Potter much?). This allows him to “see” magic. No complaints here, and later it does pave the way for the rodent-like appearance we’re used to seeing from the character. But what does irk me is that Sivana is trying to harness the power of magic to “save his family.” But we never actually see any family, and he doesn’t mention specifics of any kind. I can only assume this is an idea Johns and Frank didn’t have time to dive further into, and intend to revisit later. C’mon guys! Don’t leave us hangin’!
DC has tried numerous times over the years to jump-start Captain Marvel/Shazam, and perhaps make him a marquee player in the shared universe. Shazam is a perfectly suitable, and wonderfully drawn beginning to a new continuity for the character. But as is the case with many new beginnings, what really matters is how they’re followed up on. Shazam was front and center in Trinity War, which was a good start. But of course, what we’re really waiting for is a Shazam ongoing series, which will hopefully reunite Johns and Frank. We’re ready when you guys are…
Image 1 from multiversitycomics.com. Image 2 from everydayislikewednesday.blogspot.com.
A Batman: Earth One Review – A Bumbling Batman
TITLE: Batman: Earth One
There are some interesting ideas in the pages of Batman: Earth One. But the book’s mishandling of the Batman character makes it something not worth sitting through just to experience those new ideas.
Though they have the noble purpose of exposing iconic characters to a broader audience, DC Comics’ Earth One line of graphic novels has never sat right with me. Why? I’m glad you asked…
1.It’s yet another attempt by DC to replicate the success of Marvel’s Ultimate line after the disintegration of the All Star line a few years ago.
2. It gives creators an excuse to keep needlessly rehashing origin stories, particularly but not limited to Superman’s.
3. Given the recent relaunch and continuity reshuffle that took place at DC via the New 52 initiative, introducing revamped alternate versions of these characters is somewhat redundant.
4. As I understand it, the All Star line didn’t work because the creators involved couldn’t adhere to a monthly schedule. That’s why the Earth One line consists of original graphic novels as opposed to monthly comic books. But given that these Earth One books are apparently only coming out on an annual basis per character, that leaves a pretty big window for these new readers DC is hoping to draw in to either lose interest or lose track of the second book.
All this being said, Superman: Earth One had it’s high points. Shane Davis’ art was especially impressive, we saw a new villain introduced into the Superman mythos, and the image of the hoodie-wearing, moody and broody Clark Kent is a memorable one. The book wasn’t at all necessary, nor worth all the hype it got. But it had its moments. Batman: Earth One has similar high points and moments, but in the end isn’t as successful as its predecessor.
In Earth One, we see a less experienced Batman take to the streets to find the man who murdered his parents. At his side is Alfred Pennyworth, a hardened war veteran who served alongside Thomas Wayne, and apparently handled a large portion (if not all) of Bruce’s training. As Batman takes on the criminal element in Gotham City, he’s plagued by inexperience and malfunctioning gadgets. All the while Mayor Oswald Cobblepot (who most fans know as the Penguin) is elbow deep in corruption, including a particular disturbing partnership with a child killer.
This book seems to want to put some of the “man” back in Batman by having him be less experienced, more prone to mistakes, and thus more vulnerable in the field. This would theoretically add more drama to all the action sequences. Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli pulled this effect off to perfection with the fire escape sequence in Batman: Year One. Like the entirety of Earth One, that scene is about Bruce’s inexperience and naivety when he first puts the costume on. It illustrates how even with expert fighting skills and years of training, it’s still extremely easy to mess up and get killed when you’re dressing up like Dracula and running around punching people. They did a similar scene with Bruce, Jim Gordon and the cops in Batman Begins. In both those sequences Bruce looked entirely competent. He was just inexperienced.
In Batman Earth One, Bruce does not look competent. He looks like an idiot who’s had some karate training and now thinks he’s qualified to single-handedly take on the underworld and solve the mystery of who killed his parents. The mistakes he makes in this book don’t endear him to us as someone who’s human and fallible. They make him look like an arrogant fool who constantly needs to be bailed out by his butler (who by the way, looks a lot like Jeremy Irons).
On one of the first pages in this book there’s a scene where Batman, who at this point has looked as grim and scary as always, aims out his grappling gun and fires it, only to have the ropes become a tangled mess (shown above). Given Batman’s wide-eyed look and his subsequent tumble from a rooftop into a pile of trash, I’m not sure if Johns and Frank were going for laughter here, but from a tonal standpoint it just doesn’t work. There’s a similar scene where Batman tries to swing from a building, but his body contorts and he ends up crashing through a window. He lands on a table covered in assorted food, and in one shot we seem him covered in a mix of blood and misguided dinner. Is this funny? Is this dramatic? What are we thinking here?
Oddly enough, the most interesting character we see in this book is Harvey Bullock, who regular Batman fans know as a portly, unshaven cop with bad habits. In Earth One, Bullock is a cop show host who comes to Gotham for the sake of publicity and fame, but deep down he also has good intentions. He’s partnered with Jim Gordon, who’s had his hope sucked dry by this brutal and corrupt city. Frankly, I’d much rather have read a book about Bullock and Gordon than a bumbling Batman and his grumpy butler. Harvey’s naive game show host demeanor is a fun contrast to Gordon’s worn down state of being. Both also characters go through distinct transformations, and end the book at very different places than they started.
The book also makes Martha Wayne a member of the Arkham family, as in Arkham Asylum. We see that she grew up in the house that will presumably become the asylum later, and there’s a history of mental instability in her family. This opens the door for a more literal take on the question of whether Batman is as crazy as his villains. It doesn’t go anywhere in this book, but it’s interesting.
We also meet a frightening serial killer called “the Birthday Boy.” I can’t say much about him without spoiling things. But he’s another character I’d rather have spent time with than our arrogant, bratty title character. I never thought I’d be saying that about Batman…
Regardless, Gary Frank’s art is as strong as it’s ever been. The most notable aspect of the Batman costume he creates here is that he shows us Bruce’s eyes through the cowl, instead of drawing the white slits that have been one of the character’s trademarks since he was created. It’s a nice change, as Bruce’s eyes obviously give us a better illustration of whatever emotion he happens to be feeling in the scene. Similarly, Jim Gordon’s eyes sometimes have that far away look, which is a nice unspoken look at his mental state.
In a way, that shot of the grappling gun is exactly like what happened to Batman: Earth One. At first glance it looks pretty cool, but things get fowled up pretty quickly. In that moment we’re not sure what to think, except that what we’re seeing is yet another rehash nobody asked for. I’m hopeful that the writing of these Earth One books will pick up in quality once they get around to characters like Wonder Woman, the Flash, and others whose origins haven’t been trampled on quite as much as Superman and Batman.
Image 1 from multiversitycomics.com. Image 2 from ifanboy.com. Images 3 and 4 from comicvine.com. Image 5 from pixshark.com.
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Home Politics US GREEN ECONOMY GROWTH DWARFS DONALD TRUMP’S HIGHEST HOPES FOR THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY
US GREEN ECONOMY GROWTH DWARFS DONALD TRUMP’S HIGHEST HOPES FOR THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY
2 November 2019 7 April 2020 Politics
Lucien Georgeson, UCL and Mark Maslin, UCL US green economy growth dwarfs Donald Trump’s highest hopes for the fossil fuel industry
While US President Donald Trump may be “the world’s most powerful climate change denier”, our latest research suggests that he took over over a thriving green economy.
According to new data, by 2016 it was generating more than US$1.3 trillion in annual revenue and employed approximately 9.5m people – making it the largest green market in the world. It’s been growing rapidly too – between 2013 and 2016, both the industry’s value and employment figures grew by 20%.
For some time, economic data on the green economy in many countries has been lacking. In the US, the Bureau of Labor Statistics stopped measuring jobs in the green economy in March 2013 due to budget cuts. This meant that US politicians were not able to make informed decisions about the relative merits of supporting green industry or backing fossil fuels – as Trump had pledged to do on his 2016 campaign trail.
To fill this knowledge gap, we analysed massive databases to record the latest available business transactions from every country in the world. We estimated sales revenue and employment figures across 24 economic sub-sectors covering renewable energy, environmental protection, and low carbon goods and services – collectively termed the green economy. We used this same standardised method across all countries, allowing us to make meaningful comparisons between them.
Our study estimates that revenue in the global green economy was $7.87 trillion in 2016. At $1.3 trillion, the US made up 16.5% of the global market – the largest in the world.
Our analysis also suggests that in the US, nearly ten times more people were employed in the green economy and its supply chains (9.5m) than employed directly in the fossil fuel industry (roughly 1m) – that is, miners, electricity grid workers, infrastructure manufacturers and construction workers. This wide gap comes despite the US fossil fuel industry receiving huge subsidies, estimated at $649 billion in 2015 alone.
America first?
Importantly, the green economy has been growing faster than Trump’s wildest dreams for the fossil fuel industry. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump set out his “America first” energy policy, promising to add 400,000 new jobs to the fossil fuel industry. During the campaign, he suggested that he could increase the industry’s economic output by $700bn over 30 years.
Our data indicates that the green economy grew by over $60bn per year 2013 and 2016. This dwarfs Trump’s best hopes for growth in the fossil fuel industry, which equate to an annual increase in value of $23bn.
Employment in the US green economy also grew by the equivalent of 1.5m full-time jobs during this time, whereas coal mining jobs declined by 37,000 over the same period.
A precarious green economy position
These are strong numbers. But after three years of faltering support, the US’s position as a world leader in the green economy is precarious.
Up to now, Trump’s campaign rhetoric has not been backed up by major policy changes, although his rollback of a number of Obama era regulations has likely helped the fossil fuel industry in the short term. But unlike Trump, competing superpowers are strongly backing renewables.
China, for example, has emerged as a global climate leader in the wake of Trump’s determination to pull out of the Paris Agreement. In 2017, it announced plans to invest USD$361 billion in clean energy by 2020 to generate 13 million jobs. This investment alone could go a long way to closing the gap between the value of the US’s green economy and that of China’s, the second largest in the world. Other countries are also poised to overtake the US in the race to shape the global green economy.
How Japan’s renewables-powered Olympics could kick off a global race for clean energy
Fossil fuel industry sees the future in hard-to-recycle plastic
The Green New Deal – popularised by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and others – is an ambitious policy agenda that could reestablish the US’s commitment to the green economy. It proposes massive investment in renewable energy and an environment-friendly public works programme of gargantuan scale. Phasing out direct fossil fuel subsides could free up some of the funding required for such investment.
It’s not for us to say whether the Green New Deal is right for the US. But what our data does say loud and clear is this: if you want a strong economy that supports thousands of new jobs, then supporting its green quarters is essential. And of course, it will help our imperiled living planet too.
Click here to subscribe to our climate action newsletter. Climate change is inevitable. Our response to it isn’t.
Lucien Georgeson, Researcher, Green Economy and Sustainable Development, UCL and Mark Maslin, Professor of Earth System Science, UCL
Bronze Age Discovery Reveals Surprising Extent of Britain’s Trade With Europe 3,600 Years Ago
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Redneck Vodka Story
If you head west from H-town on I-10 towards the Texas Hill Country, somewhere between the Brazos River and Ol’ San Antone, you’ll come to a little map dot that many people don’t notice. That’s why we did.
Turn right off the interstate then after a couple of miles, take another right between the post office and the “Home of Earl Campbell Sausage”, you’ll discover a winding, farm-to-market road that leads to a small Texas ranch and a simple wooden back porch.
This porch is where our story begins
Of course this infamous porch was attached to a farmhouse, complete with a metal roof, wooden steps and yes, a wooden swing. It was here, 2 friends – self-described “Rednecks” – would roost for the weekend drinking beer & moonshine, smoking cigars, debating life and fixing the world. Friends and family often joined in for a little fishing or hog hunting, celebrating holidays or just savoring a weekend of peace and quiet – unless of course there was “an important football” game on TV. (Aren’t they all important on any given weekend?)
James with his family
One of these weekends, James, a business man from the Houston area, joined the conversation. Somewhere between debating the best BBQ, country music song lyrics and the way the world is changing, the conversation turned to spirits. (Somebody probably needed a refill.) They carefully considered the finer points of craft beers, small batch bourbons and their favorite moonshine experience. Of course, Michael talked about the time he kicked back with Robert Earl Keen on his tour bus drinking ‘shine. Then the topic of the “stories” behind the best brands soon escalated — from legendary recipes to the newest celebrity offerings. Where was it created? By whom? Why did they name it that?
James on Ronnie Milsap’s Tour Bus
Jerry, who has been in the beverage business for more than 30 years, said he was on the lookout for a really good Texas Bourbon or Whiskey and maybe a vodka. He was looking for something unique with true character in addition to a great flavor profile.
James, usually a soft spoken, stay-out-of-the-spotlight kind of guy, got on his soapbox and said he’d love to see a product that just bluntly says what’s important to the everyday, working person. Forget the fantasy world of the rich and famous. Talk about everyday men and women and what matters to them. The people who get up, go to work, pay the bills and take care of family. The ones who are thankful for the military that defends our life and liberty and the police and firemen who protect us.
James & his daughter at the Astros’ game
Despite working in Houston’s oil & gas industry now, he’s not forgotten the early years spent in the timber business and the trucking industry in East Texas. He said we should appreciate the working class and the hard work they contribute and respect the values they have. Certainly not the glamorous world of the rich and famous, but give a nod to the people with a strong work ethic that value simple things in life. A redneck perhaps.
Hence the name “Redneck Vodka”
Jerry at RCC
After a spirited debate – and a lot of laughter – Jerry said he’d gladly distribute a product like that. For him, growing up hunting and fishing later turned into a hobby and passion for competitive pistol shooting. Later that lead to training at Blackwater, becoming a firearms instructor specializing in handguns, and then being licensed as a protection officer (a.k.a. bodyguard, which is how he got to know Michael) and a private detective. Although he chose to make his life’s work in the beverage industry, shooting and working as a private security contractor are two things he loves. It’s that sheepdog mentally of protecting the herd that may not be able to protect themselves. Therefore, the 2nd Amendment tops his list for our constitutional rights that must be protected.
Jerry (right) hunting with the guys at the ranch.
After more humor and debate, Michael, a radio talk show host was on board. From a humble upbringing in East Texas, Michael is now host of his own talk radio show, “The
Michael Berry Show” on iHeartRadio. With audiences in major radio markets across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Oregon and New York, he is ranked #13 by Talker.com — the bible of talk radio. Before radio, Michael who has law degrees from both the University of Texas and the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, worked in the legal field, was a real estate developer and also a former City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Houston.
Through his work, he has championed the causes for first responders, our military, working folks, entrepreneurs and people just doing the right thing. As the spokesman for PTSD Foundation of America and Camp Hope, it was clear that he was perfect to serve as the spokesperson for Redneck Vodka.
He is absolutely passionate about our freedoms and the people who defend them. Mortified after the Veterans Day Parade in 2017 was cancelled by the City of Houston, he took to the airwaves and announced that he would personally host a Veteran’s Day Parade at RCC in Stafford, Texas. He invited everyone to participate or watch the parade honoring our veterans.
The 2017 Veterans Day Parade in Stafford, Texas hosted by Michael Berry and the RCC.
Michael Berry takes the stage to personally thank our Veterans at the RCC.
So at 6 pm the next day – within 37 hours after he announced it to his listeners (and his staff) – celebrity grand marshals Dan Pastorini, former NFL quarterback of the Houston Oilers & Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, beloved Houston philanthropist and owner of Gallery Furniture, lead a parade of fire trucks, a marching band, war veterans, military vehicles and classic cars out of the parking lot of RCC and paraded through Stafford with hundreds of citizens lining the street. It looked more like a scene out of a Norman Rockwell painting than an annual parade in a major Metropolitan area, but it was a heartfelt and sincere way to honor our Veterans and show them we will never forget their service to our country.
Citizens, as well as Veterans of all ages, lined the streets of Stafford, Texas to watch the Veterans Day Parade.
That’s just the kind of guy Michael is.
The perfect spokesman for Redneck Vodka.
And so friends, Redneck Vodka was born.
Of course, they knew from the beginning how some people may misinterpret the use of the word “Redneck”. But this Redneck trio agreed the simple principles of hard day’s labor in sometimes harsh elements was what helped build our country and will always have great value.
The origin of the word Redneck maybe decades old but the symbolism holds true today. These values also remain the guiding principles and foundation for millions of Americans regardless of their skin color, where they live or what kind of work they do.
Today, we may toil with technology instead of manual tools. The harsh elements you’re burned by might be company politics or social media, not the weather. But regardless the conditions, the Modern-day Redneck will continue to labor so that he or she can protect and provide for the things that matter – family, good people and freedom.
It is these principles and values that we want to celebrate with Redneck Vodka.
To frame our vision, Michael, who is passionate about our rights and duties as citizens (as well as proper grammar and punctuation), penned a couple paragraphs that would articulate the spirit of Redneck Vodka. We loved it so much we printed it right on the bottle. So, when someone questions the word “Redneck”, we simply reply –
“Just read the label.”
We believe so much in our system of belief and values that we printed it right on the back of the bottle.
This product was created solely for those red-blooded Americans with the courage to stand for what’s right – even when they stand alone – and who love their children and parents, honor our Veterans, and appreciate all First Responders. They live by the Golden Rule, salute the flag and always stand up for “The Star-Spangled Banner.” This vodka has been known to induce patriotism, chivalry, and an abiding respect for our Constitution, including the Second Amendment, which gives us the power to defend the First.
Please be advised that Redneck is not a skin color, heritage of a name or geographic location. It is a system of values as we’ve just stated. Everyone is invited to follow the Redneck creed as articulated herein: Drink responsibly, love deeply, praise generously, and treat others as you’d like to be treated. This fine concoction is dedicated to anyone – Modern-Day or Old School Redneck – who embodies the Redneck Spirit.
—- God Bless America —-
Join the Redneck Community
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Copyright 2020 Redneck Vodka | Please Drink Responsibly
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Rethinking Resource Sharing Initiative
Past Innovation Award Winners
Discuss the Manifesto
Rethink the Manifesto
STAR Checklist
STAR Libraries
Report Definition
Visioning the Future
2017 Innovation Award News Release
VIVA, The Virtual Library of Virginia consortium, is recognized for its
Whole E-Book Interlibrary Lending Initiative
CHICAGO, June 24, 2017 —The Rethinking Resource Sharing Initiative has announced that the winner of the 2017 Innovation Award is VIVA, The Virtual Library of Virginia consortium, for its whole e-book interlibrary lending initiative. The consortium was recognized for its innovative contribution to resource sharing at the American Library Association’s 2017 Annual Conference in Chicago. Carrie Cooper, Dean of University Libraries at the College of William and Mary, accepted the award on behalf of the VIVA consortium.
The Rethinking Resource Sharing Innovation Award comes with a $500 stipend and honors individuals and/or institutions for improving access to information through resource sharing in their library, consortium, state and/or country. The purpose of the award is to showcase innovation in resource sharing and to encourage other librarians and libraries to make changes in their resource sharing operations to improve information delivery to library users.
VIVA is a consortium of the 72 non-profit academic libraries within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its members include the 39 public colleges and universities, 32 non-profit independent colleges and universities, and the Library of Virginia. The consortium was founded in 1994, in large part to enable greater and more efficient resource sharing among its member libraries. In VIVA’s 20-plus year history, over 2 million books, journal articles and other items have been shared among its libraries.
The 2017 Innovation Award recognizes VIVA for embodying the principles of the Rethinking Resource Sharing Manifesto in its whole e-book interlibrary lending initiative, in particular the principle that “Library users shall be given appropriate options for delivery format, method of delivery, and fulfillment type.” As VIVA Director Anne Osterman states in her letter of nomination, “There is no question that receiving the whole e-book in a robust PDF format is a better experience for library borrowers than receiving only a chapter, an image-only version that does not allow text searching, or nothing at all.” Osterman further explains that “this is a permanent change to VIVA’s resource sharing practices . . . and it has given VIVA even greater momentum in advocating for these rights in all future e-book contracts. We have heard from many libraries and consortia that plan to advocate with renewed energy for the right to lend whole e-books, and we hope that this is a turning point for resource sharing of e-books.”
Funding for the 2017 Innovation Award is generously provided by Atlas Systems, developers of software solutions for libraries, including ILLiad for managing interlibrary loan and document delivery services, Ares for course reserves, and Aeon for special collections and archives.
The Rethinking Resource Sharing Initiative is an international ad hoc group that advocates for a complete rethink of the way libraries conduct resource sharing in the context of the global internet revolution and related developments.
Margaret Ellingson
margaret.ellingson@emory.edu
Copyright © 2021 Rethinking Resource Sharing Initiative. All Rights Reserved. The Magazine Basic Theme by bavotasan.com.
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Home Arts Belief Systems
On Oct. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., through Chop Suey Books, Virginia Pye will be at Dinamo restaurant, where there’ll be food, wine and fortune cookies; she will also participate in various panels for the James River Writers Conference, Oct. 16 to 18 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center
by Harry Kollatz Jr.
In the summer of 1937, the Chinese Communists were good guys, at least to the peasants they were attempting to help. They were more aware of the modern world than the hill country warlords were, and they organized to thwart attacks from the invading Japanese. This is the setting of Virginia Pye’s sophomore novel, Dreams of the Red Phoenix, in which her protagonist is a tall, outspoken American woman named Shirley Carson whose minister husband, Caleb, is presumed dead.
On Oct. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., through Chop Suey Books, Virginia Pye will be at Dinamo restaurant, where there’ll be food, wine and fortune cookies; she will also participate in various panels for the James River Writers Conference, Oct. 16 to 18
“This isn’t a political novel, but in one way or another, everything is,” Pye says. “This is a ground-level view of how it was that the Communists won hearts and minds of peasants and the poor when confronted by the ruthlessness of the Japanese. Then, well, things eventually change.”
Her grandmother, Gertrude Chaney Pye, served as a missionary in China from 1909 to 1941, and while her story is not that of the Red Phoenix’s protagonist, enough string existed to weave a greater story. “My grandmother stayed in China after losing a child,” Pye explains. “Her husband died and she stayed, and when her son, my father, returned to the United States for college, she still stayed. She finally had to leave after Pearl Harbor. I’ve wondered why she remained after so much loss in a rugged place. She found mission and a community.”
Finding a sense of purpose and a way to make a difference in the world was important at a time when women in society were often relegated to support roles. “My grandmother had chutzpah,” Pye says. So does Shirley Carson — and it gets her in trouble.
Pye’s debut novel, River of Dust, set in the Chinese high desert and also involving a mission family, took years for her to complete. In contrast, she wrote the first draft of Red Phoenix “fast and furiously,” then spent a year revising it.
“In this story, people are called upon to act in moments of extreme stress,” Pye says. “You see their true character in those moments.”
Author of 'Dreams of the Red Phoenix,' Virginia Pye. (Photo by Terry Brown)
This past summer, she moved from Richmond to Boston with her husband, John Ravenal, who left his position as curator of modern and contemporary art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to direct the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. “But I’m keeping an apartment in Richmond,” Pye says. She’ll maintain her involvement with the James River Writers and Art 180. “I’ll be keeping up my literary citizenship.”.
Meet the author: On Oct. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., through Chop Suey Books, Virginia Pye will be at Dinamo restaurant (821 W. Cary St.), where there’ll be food, wine and fortune cookies; she will also participate in various panels for the James River Writers Conference, Oct. 16 to 18 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center
Japan Communism China authors Virginia Pye books
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What is the Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub?
The Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub (RSH) aims to support organisations in the aid sector to strengthen their safeguarding policy and practice against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEAH). The Hub’s core offer is this online open-access platform bringing together quality assured guidance, tools, support and research on safeguarding, serving any organisation working in the international aid sector. However, smaller, local organisations in developing countries are the focus of the Hub’s offer as they tend to have less access to safeguarding resources than international organisations.
RSH has launched this Online Hub – a one-stop shop for relevant and accessible safeguarding materials on June 1st 2020. The Hub also signposts users towards quality assured safeguarding service providers and creates opportunities for meaningful engagement through discussion forums and live events. Any organisation working in the aid sector can access the Online Hub to learn, share and improve their approaches to SEAH and safeguarding more broadly. Additionally, a National Hub is being piloted in Ethiopia that offers both virtual and face-to-face services. The Ethiopia Hub page on the website provides contextually relevant resources in local languages as well as access to a free call-down service for tailored advice and support on safeguarding for eligible CSOs in Ethiopia.
The Hub is also be a repository for the increasing volume of SEAH safeguarding materials, much of which has been developed in recent years in response to high profile SEAH cases within the sector. There are also important contributions dating back further over the last two decades, a reflection of the dedicated and determined work of activists, leaders, survivors, researchers and others working in this area. Where the Hub staff or its users identify major gaps in evidence, guidance or opportunities, we will look for ways to fill them, in collaboration with other partners and networks.
The Hub will evolve in response to user engagement and feedback. We want people who come to the site to become regular visitors, to actively engage in discussions, to share new materials, information and opportunities – and to feel a sense of ownership.
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The Audiovisual Essay
Practice and Theory in Videographic Film and Moving Image Studies
ABOUT THE AUDIOVISUAL ESSAY WEBSITE
FRANKFURT PAPERS
MANU YÁÑEZ
CARLOS LOSILLA
VINZENZ HEDIGER
CRISTINA ÁLVAREZ LÓPEZ & ADRIAN MARTIN
SCREENING PROGRAMME: FROM FOUND FOOTAGE FILM TO THE AUDIOVISUAL ESSAY
[IN]TRANSITION, 1.3, 2014: Videos and Reflections
CHRISTIAN KEATHLEY
PAM COOK
MICHAEL CHANAN
KEVIN B. LEE
ADRIAN MARTIN
TIMO CROMM
CRISTINA ÁLVAREZ LÓPEZ
HENRIKE LINDENBERGER
IAN GARWOOD
MIKLÓS KISS
THOMAS VAN DEN BERG
REFLECTIONS ON AUDIOVISUAL ESSAYS
Adrian Martin, “A Voice Too Much.” De FILMKRANT (2010)
Kevin L. Ferguson on VOLUMETRIC CINEMA (2015)
Covadonga G. Lahera on INFLAMES (2009)
Hoi Lun Law on ANGST/FEAR (Adrian Martin & Cristina Álvarez López, 2014)
‘HOW TO’ GUIDES
HOW-TO VIDEO ESSAYS by Greer Fyfe and Miriam Ross
TEACHING WITH VIDEO by Jeremy Butler, Kelli Marshall, Drew Morton, Matthew Thomas Payne and Benjamin Sampson
HOW LONG IS A PIECE OF STRING?
On the Practice, Scope and Value of Videographic Film Studies and Criticism
TRANSCRIPT, SLIDES & VIDEOS
VIDEO 1: Richard Misek
VIDEO 2: Erlend Lavik
VIDEO 3: Skipping Rope (in Film Studies and Videographic Assemblage)
VIDEO 4: Uncanny Arrival at a Railway Station
VIDEO 5: All That Pastiche Allows Redux
VIDEO 6: Joan Webster Shares a Smoke
VIDEO 7: Film Tweets
VIDEO 8: Extract from Unsentimental Education
VIDEO 9: The Chosen Maiden (and on Vine)
AUDIO RECORDING OF THE PRESENTATION
A Presentation Given at the Audiovisual Essay Conference, Frankfurt Filmmuseum/Goethe University, November 23-24, 2013.
By Catherine Grant
The essay freely associates what can be found associated in the freely chosen object. It doesn’t insist stubbornly on a realm transcending all mediations.
T.W. Adorno, “The Essay as Form“, 1959 1
(Thanks to Lara Perski for expertly and patiently unravelling the below, very, very long piece of string)
Thank you so much for inviting me here. [Frankfurt] is a really special place to come to in regard to the essay as form [ – Adorno, author of my epigraph, wrote his famous work on the essay form here]. I am sure various speakers will refer to that genealogy. But I’m just delighted to be speaking in a conference on the audiovisual essay. It is, I think, the first time that form has been singled out for discussion in a conference anywhere in the world, to my knowledge, so it’s wonderful to be here.
In terms of practice and theory [the conference subtitle] I am definitely going to be speaking about practice, and about the theory that comes out of practice. And that is a real shift around for me because I was, I think, for many years, a theorist. Solely a theorist, working alongside filmmakers, who were practitioners, but always looking on at them and seeing what they did as somehow different from what I do. But in the last, I guess, six years now that’s not been true and I, in lots of different ways, have been involved in what I would call practice around film studies.
But I am involved in film studies practice, which is […] the focus of my talk. I am going to use the term videographic film studies (and film and moving image studies). I will refer to the essay as a specific category within that, but I am talking about a slightly broader field. And I think I am really speaking about online work — work that has circulated publicly online — and I [hope] the reasons for those choices will become clear.
When Adrian [Martin] and Cristina [Álvarez López, the conference organisers] invited us, I think all of the speakers got the same email, possibly in a different language, but one of the [sentences] in it was this one: “For we have noticed an intriguing resistance to this work, [this was the reason why this conference needed to happen now]: within various pockets of the academic world either the shrug off ‘It’s nothing new’ or the more aggressive ‘these are just tools for analysis, not analysis itself’.” And I think this is the thing that really struck me as really interesting to look at right now. It’s going to come up in a number of ways in the presentation, but it’s certainly the case that in the world at the moment there are probably only, I’d say, fewer than thirty people [publicly] making videos in a [film studies] academic context. Even though it’s easy to do so now. So I am interested in [this resistance] as a phenomenon: […] why are people still preferring to publish and carry out their research in pretty conventional and traditional written formats? Even though, of course, we are here to discuss why this is changing and how it might change more.
For me, videographic film studies, including audiovisual essays, is creative; I’d say primarily these are creative [forms]. But they are creative critical (sometimes I don’t even use a comma to separate those two terms!). Creative, critical, and performative film studies practices. Performative because they use the object themselves. They use reframing techniques, remixing techniques, applied to film and moving image excerpts. And in the particular forms I am interested in – the online videographic forms – we’ve got a spectrum emerging [in relation to these practices], as Christian Keathley [has written] in his work on this,2 between, at one end purely explanatory essays – in a way one might even see some sorts of film scientific methods emerging are beginning to use this end of the spectrum: like Tim Smith’s work on eye tracking in cinema.3 Smith is partly exploring that ideographically, or at least presenting it videographically. And then at the other end (I won’t say who’s at the other end!)… There is […] you might say a purely poetic end of the spectrum, about which people might maybe question more “why is this film studies?” “What is film studies about this?”
Where all of our work is situated is, I think, an interesting question. I am trying to explore different parts of the spectrum myself, not in a particularly systematic way. But it just occurs to me, for different projects, that different places on that spectrum are important.
But one of the questions that really strikes me at the moment, working as an academic who is having to justify what I do all the time (this is the context of contemporary humanities academia), is this one: should we be aiming to translate written film studies into audiovisual ones? What is the relationship between this body of work of written film studies and this emerging body of work of audiovisual film studies? Or […], should we embrace from the onset that we are creating new scholarly forms that may or may not have particular reference to earlier forms? Should we be less anxious about this process? And I am very clearly arguing that yes, we should be less anxious about it. Partly because these new forms are not replacing the old forms. I don’t think they will ever replace the old forms, they are not really about replacing the old forms. They are living alongside the old forms and some of us are doing both, and I have to do both in my job, although as Adrian [Martin said in his introduction to my presentation, it seems] I certainly find it easier to [work with] the new forms.
[The] essential question I am posing in my talk, though, is the one in my title, how long is a piece of string? – which Wiktionary very usefully defines as “(often humorous) used as a response to a question such as ‘How long will it take?’ or ‘How big is it?’ when the length or size is unknown, infinite, or variable.” And that is the position I feel we are in, in this field: unknown, infinite and variable in different ways. We are clearly at a stage of primary exploration of potential formats, [in terms of] the scope of these studies, these essays, and also – it is not a word we often use in discussing academic work, since it has got such nasty economic associations – but what is the value of this work? And lots of writers have already been writing about that, I think Christian Keathley, Adrian and Cristina have [all] contributed essays to a collection I [commissioned and guest-edited] of around forty pieces of work on digital film studies,4 on digital forms of film studies; but around twenty of them dealt specifically with the video essay. So lots of people are weighing up the value of this work at the moment, […] the value as alternatives but also as additions to hegemonic and conventional text-based academic research and publication processes and forms.
Now in my [university] context, working in the UK where we are, you know, subject to [audits on on our published work], humanities research [often] still simply means weighty monographs and journal articles. And, in a way, I am “getting away with” my work because I am putting my videos into the [academic] context of written articles [published in online journals]. [Then] my colleagues – wonderful as they are – can, if they like, ignore the videos, and look at the written work which is about the videos, and in a way that [might make] more sense to them. So there is a real problem [about] how academics spend their time. Can we justify making these things? Are they just seen as playful extras to our serious academic work? And although this isn’t stopping me, it is a serious concern about being able to do this as a paid academic, and I suppose [also about the] academic and intellectual freedom that we are otherwise generally encouraged to exercise.
So I am saying that, at the moment, especially in the UK and America where a lot of the video essays are being produced – especially in America – that there are pressures to codify [this work in order to support its role in academic career structures]. And in a way we might say that holding an event like this forges a space for that kind of codification, if we want it to. I would really warn against that, though, and say there are dangers to prematurely doing this. It will probably happen. I happen to know that various journals are being set up [to publish] audiovisual work and the discussions taking place to establish those journals is absolutely about what length should [videos] be, how “big” should they be, should they have footnotes, should they have annotations, should people always write a commentary about their work to accompany it? So there is a lot of that kind of discussion going on. But I am absolutely warning against us trying to copy the signifiers of weightiness in writing in the audiovisual version of our work. And in a way that is why I am a little bit more sceptical than many about the term “essay”. I will come back to that but I think “essay” has a certain code imbedded in it.
One of the things I am going to clearly argue to my colleagues and others at the moment is that this work doesn’t have to have any difficulties in assimilating it into an academic context. [The qualities listed in the adjacent slide here] are actually UK government criteria about what our research is supposed to do, and our work is judged against these in our system of awarding our work one to four stars according to how well it achieves these criteria. I think these are very interesting definitions […] but […] we are not expected to do [achieve each] of them equally. And so when you start looking at them in relation to written work or audiovisual work, you see it makes no difference: these are supposed to apply to science as well. So, you know what? There really is no problem, unless we want to there to be one, and of course that’s the problem: some people do want to have a problem with the audiovisual essay.
[As an aside, recently,] I happened to see a reference to a [very favourable Humanities] book review […]. But even this [great] review of the book, which is on one of the most untraditional subjects in contemporary psychosocial/gender studies, is obsessed with length […] an obsession [which is] particularly anxious in the context of non-traditional work.
So [we probably shouldn’t be surprised that] there is an anxiety about [whether] audiovisual essays are “proper,” [about] whether they are “real research!” But this [anxiety] isn’t new. I wanted to take us back to the days of the early digital video essay work – 2011! – and to an earlier [workshop] which didn’t focus solely on the kinds of things we are looking at today but had a strand that did. [I have embedded video interviews at the conference with the two participants who talked about video essays below.]
Conversation with Richard Misek, presenter at the Remix Cinema Workshop, 24-25th March 2011, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford (http://remixcinema.org/). Relevant section transcribed here.5
Conversation with Erlend Lavik, presenter at the Remix Cinema Workshop, 24-25th March 2011, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford (http://remixcinema.org/). Relevant section transcribed here.6
OK, so they both talk about length and Erlend Lavik’s take [in the second video is that] he’s definitely drawn to the longer form. [Richard Misek is also] drawn to the longer form, as we’ll see. But I’m [equally] interested in hearing how Richard talks [in the video above] about new knowledge. Because ultimately that’s what we are wanting to do when we research things, is to find new things out, to produce new knowledge about something. And I think that that’s certainly what audiovisual essays have the potential to do. But I also believe this kind of new knowledge may [sometimes] be different and I [hope to] come back to that.
So, two and a half years ago it may have looked like length was going to be a desired academic objective or focus [for audiovisual essays] but, possibly for the reasons that Richard mentions [in his interview], that’s not quite how it’s working out. Erlend went on a year later (in this issue of Frames that I edited) to discuss some of these issues in detail and he really makes a very strong case for longer work to be produced in the resulting article.7 And he refers to the tradition of the essay, the Adorno essay I was talking about […], but also Philip Lopate.
[Indeed, Erlend Lavik’s] position is quite similar to Philip Lopate’s, but he didn’t just kind of write about it, he also did it. He made, not an hour long piece, but a 36 minute long study of all of the different […] series of The Wire and various stylistic motifs in a long form video essay.8 And as you can see, it’s had [now, well over] 72 thousand plays. You know, that’s a lot! I have to say, as somebody publishing online video you know, it’s much more the usual case, if you do something that’s decent, to get two or three thousand views. I don’t know your experience with this. So this is a lot. It’s a kind of blockbuster of the video essay genre. […]
It’s a very, very accomplished piece of work. As is Richard Misek’s work that he’s also gone on to make: indeed, the film he was talking about making, a long study of Eric Rohmer and the topography of Paris in his films, has just been shown at the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival […].9 So, in the end, he did finish this work, “which combines elements of the essay film”, I’m reading from the promotional statement here, “biographical documentaries, speculative fiction, and mashup. Rohmer in Paris provides an unconventional tour of Rohmer’s films, of modern Paris, and of how we engage with cinema.”
But Richard has also – and this is typical of the often dispersed publishing styles of online videographic work – published a little bit of it already. Again, he published it in the issue of Frames I guest-edited in 2012,10 but it’s available on the internet separately from that journal as well. […]
So these guys are academics, and they are presenting their work as academics, and they are discussing it as academics – they’re also writing about it separately as academics. But they are also part of the phenomenon about which Mark Betz in, I think, one of the best essays about film studies old and new,11 has written this killer sentence — on how the internet has changed cinephilia in general, and [how] the repressed film culture [that gave rise to film studies has] come back, or burst back online. All of [the things] that we no can longer do straightforwardly as academics, we can do online – or, we can certainly enjoy online – and there is a greater continuity between academic work and cinephile culture, and film culture more broadly, online. [This] unleashed spirit is very much connected to the audiovisual forms which populate the internet. And this should remind us, and in fact does it remind me, of an earlier stage of our discipline when that’s exactly the spirit in which our work was produced. You know, the late 60s and the 70s when there was a period of experimental, and often political, cinema; we have a period of experimental, and [occasionally] political, film studies again.
[We shouldn’t forget that] some of the most well-known theorists in our discipline were also filmmakers. And they weren’t all filmmakers in the [sense] that they had been trained as filmmakers; they were [often] avant-garde, artisanal, DIY, get up and do it, get money or don’t get money, get equipment, or don’t get equipment, work with people who can do it or don’t: making all of those kinds of decisions about creating things and working through practice to produce new knowledge. And, as I say, we cannot know completely in advance the processes and forms that will help produce new knowledge. We need to have a notion that what we do is not just research but it’s experimental.
The DVD of Riddles of the Sphinx has just been released by the BFI, which is wonderful – it has great things on it as well, and lots of interviews have appeared around it. But what Laura [Mulvey] says in this interview12 is wonderful: “Both Peter [Wollen] and I were very excited by the chance to transfer the theoretical ideas that we’d been working on in essays into a visual form. We were inspired by the possibilities of what that meant and where we were positioning ourselves within the debates of the time.” And yet I am quite interested in how their theory comes first and practice comes afterwards. And that’s kind of an issue for us, in what order do we do things?
So you know I am very much arguing, as I do alongside Christian Keathley here in our joint proposal for [the 2014] Society of Cinema and Media Studies conference, that “it’s too early to foreclose the possibilities by overly regulating precise material forms” and he and I (who are working together some of the time, at the moment)13 propose that, for the foreseeable future, the true experimentation and dialogue that we can best have, is to “help the scholarly video find or invent its own forms.”
Now, I may not always want to call my work “essays” but I do see what I do as essaying. In other words trying out things, you know, trying [them] out within a particular space, “writing using the very materials that constitute our object of study but re-thinking conventional critical forms”, as Christian Keathley put it in his earlier essay on this from 2011 in Andrew Klevan and Alex Clayton’s book The Language and Style of Film Criticism, and in another comment: “lots of experimenting must be done.” So while, yes, I do find it easier to make [shorter] videos, I am actually making lots of little videos because I think lots of experimenting must be done. So this is a sort of conscious thrust in my work.
But it connects, for me – because of my online context – with something Timothy Corrigan said in his now classic book on the essay film from 2011 […]: “The essayistic describes the many-layered activities of a personal point of view as a public experience.”14 And for me that dialogue is coming from doing this in public and sharing it online and, very fortunately, also at events like this today.
So I’m kind of experimenting, I think pretty consciously now, with the idea of rhetoric. I don’t impose these ideas on things in advance but I am aware that what I am doing is developing some kind of rhetoric. I’m working with invention (inventio) and imitation (imitatio) from classic rhetorical tradition [for instance]. I am copying things, I’m copying essay films, I’m copying other forms of documentaries, and so on, and seeing what they feel like. I’m also copying [or remixing] written work, which I’ll come back to.
I have a lab for this experimentation, or a workshop. A kind of studio, a digital-virtual studio. I use iMovie, because it’s easy. I also use some other programs, that are much more difficult, for some specific things. But generally I keep going back to iMovie because for me it feels like a word processor, something I know really well, that I don’t really have to think about too much [or in which the interface gets in the way]. I can just do stuff and what I can’t do I kind of learn how to overcome. So you know, I couldn’t do split screens in iMovie for a long time and then I worked out how you could do these with iMovie. […] So that’s the process, a kind of trial and error, and not worrying if I get things wrong or right.
And I’m also aware that when the work is shared online there is [potentially] a similar sort of virtual lab-studio-workshop-conference space-debate and discussion. And this is so for a video like Touching the Film Object, which I’m not going to show today but is one of the works I’m proudest of, and one, I think, that’s saying something, and producing some new knowledge even though it’s a collage of existing things. I am aware that what we are doing with this kind of work is providing an active viewing space within the duration of the video for live co-research: a framed experience for participant observation, which particularly through its online distribution dialogically invites responses, if you’re lucky.
Now in scholarly settings, even the simplest videographic act of presenting a clip, or an assemblage of compiled film sequences, involves medium-specific forms of argumentation, that’s one of the things that I’m finding. You know, literally when you [select or create] a clip and you put it up for viewing, you’re saying something. It may not be like a conventionally worked out academic argument — it may be easier to see [forms of argumentation in] more complex pieces. […] But the selection and presentation of audiovisual evidence, montage and mise-en-scene, titling, sound editing and other creative effects, in other words, all the things you might do to present [or remix] that clip, all aim in this field to draw, as Virginia Kuhn has put it, “from a broader notion of pathos, logos, and ethos than that which has been reified in the age of print literacy.”15 So we are not only producing new knowledge but we are expanding what that might be. And I think it does involve affect, feeling, emotion.
I am going to present one of my videos now […]. It’s one I published two years ago, called Skipping Rope, which a few of you may have seen, but I’m going to show it in a version I made for a conference with, as you will see, a sort of preamble. So there are two preambles to this video, two prefaces. Please be indulgent with me. It’s quite long: six minutes.
[Skipping Rope] was going to be an explanatory essay when I started out. The urge was “let’s do this thing we couldn’t do before” […], this thing that [film theorist D.A. Miller, whose work I discuss in the video was, seemingly, also interested in] doing. In his 1991 article,16 he talks about a bootleg videotape which actually allowed him to see the edits he hadn’t been able to see in a film screening of Hitchock’s Rope so easily, or at least he hadn’t been able to capture them all, be certain he had them all. So [that bootleg video was] his fetish object, and for me there was obviously a fetishistic edge to this particular videographic work […]. I couldn’t make it without remembering how I felt reading D.A. Miller’s essay, which, if you’ve ever read it [you’ll know], is very difficult to understand. It’s a kind of high point of queer theory and, you know, you really have to struggle with this piece, so that [struggle] was in there somehow, too.
And then you have to make aesthetic decisions: how do you show the edits? Somebody else has actually made a [skilful and properly explanatory] video [with this function] very recently in which the editing choices are more conventional, quite fast and snappy looking. But I never wanted to do it like that. I [also felt compelled to connect up my video] with music. Music makes a big appearance in [much] of the work that I do. Here, I chose to use Poulenc’s music that Hitchcock uses in the film, without knowing why I was doing that, really. And so all these elements produce an experience which is quite far from the straightforward explanatory collection of the edits that I had set out to make. And it’s as if you kind of can’t help but do it the way you do it. And of course this other aspect is [connected to] the play that goes on throughout this video work, [play] with writing and the idea of movement and stasis, writing and the audiovisual – again, something that I really didn’t know that I was doing when I’d started [research for this work].
But one reflection [on the video essay format] that says some of this better than anything else is Cristina Álvarez López’ essay “Double Lives, Second Chances”,17 first published in Transit. Cine y otros desvíos and then translated for the issue of Frames where she talks about, in a way, what D.A. Miller was going through when he wrote his essay [on Rope]. […] Miller clearly had a desire to create an object that showed the edits, that showed the kind of intense “homosexual moments” around the edits in the film, but he couldn’t [have done that easily then]. So the desire to make these objects precedes them: it was explored in writing first and is still explored in writing. People don’t have to make video essays to make video essays — they can make them in their writing, too [and in their heads, in a virtual form of découpage], which I think really was made apparent to me in [Cristina’s] work.
For me, an essay – and that essay in particular – is definitely a search to find out what one thinks about something. So I wanted to collect these edits but I wanted to find out what I thought about them in the light of having been exposed to D.A. Miller’s earlier work [on Rope]. But you could also see that, for me, video essays are not always purely audiovisual, [made without the use of] text. They are quite often, for me, these kinds of quite rich text objects. They use text [and typography] in all sorts of ways. I recently made an assemblage [for my research] of the word “this” in Michael Snow’s work So Is This, which is originally a film completely obsessed with text, and I am obsessed with the text in it. So there is something about text that I am definitely drawn to in exploring these forms.
Jonathan Rosenbaum wrote about this […] for Moving Image Source18 in a brilliant essay called “The Mosaic Approach” where he is talking about digital video culture generally and especially the [critical] work that is on DVDs, and in forms of DVD commentaries in particular. He writes, “The fact that these commentaries belong to a hybrid form [at least, commentaries that he particularly likes, which involve text] — existing somewhere between reading and watching, like various computer-related activities— is part of what seems forward-looking about them. Developments in fragmented, mosaic forms of print criticism can be spotted elsewhere […] What all these forms of criticism suggest is not merely a less linear way of approaching film experience but also a more interactive methodology.” And he really nails it for me because these videos — [while] it is great showing them here [in the cinema of the Filmmuseum in Frankfurt] — are not made for this kind of [large-scale] projection experience. [Mine] are made to be seen on little screens where there are other things going on around them, including text: our activity of watching them can often be very similar to other activities of “reading-viewing”. These activities are becoming convergent, as media generally is [obviously]. […] Context is forging these forms.
Like other video essay practitioners, I have begun to look — I mean not to codify too early, obviously, but just to kind of look — at what I’m doing, looking back at what I’ve done with my body of work now [up to 90 videos produced by September 2014], and at what other people have done. I’m just beginning to see common themes and strands [in this emergent work], so I would say generally that this is the common theme and strand of videographic film studies, the work that is sampled, re-edited and re-mixed. But if one might say that there are some [specific] emergent forms and techniques: voice narration over film excerpts is clearly one of them. In a way it’s still the most common [element]: Richard Misek’s Rohmer in Paris has a voiceover, most of the videos that Kevin Lee has made have, Matt Zoller Seitz – [they all tend towards using] voiceover.
I used voice over in my very first essay, as well as in a couple I haven’t yet published, but basically I don’t [tend to] use voiceover – you could ask me why, if you like. I don’t like it, basically.19 But what I do quite like as an alternative is to use text commentary or quotation over film excerpts.
Another common practice, as you saw [also] with Skipping Rope, is altered motion experiments, whether something is slowed down or sped up. You also have film comparisons going on, whether they are comparisons of a particular thing within a film – intrafilmic comparisons, or between films – interfilmic comparisons. So you have the phenomenon of the super cut, which is an internet phenomenon but scholars are increasingly using that idea, and obviously Skipping Rope is a [kind of] super cut of all the edits in Rope.20 But compilation films, assemblages, collages in general, and within that category of comparative film videos you have sequential comparative montages. I think tomorrow, one of those that I made is going to be shown [in the screening programme at the Audiovisual Essay workshop], True Likeness, which is one clip after another, comparing moments from Peeping Tom and Code Unknown. But also, and this is where I think Cristina’s work has been so inspirational, split screen and multiple screen comparative montages [abound now], some of which I’ve also messed around with. But recently I’m making a lot more work [based on] comparative montage through superimposition, so I’m going to show that as well [shortly].
So all of these different ways that one can compare different film texts seem to be really significant [in the audiovisual essay form]. I’ve written quite a lot about this, including this particular article, which looked at why I moved from doing sequential ones to doing split screen and multiple screen comparisons, but basically I’m going to turn this last part of my talk to, in a way, the research that I’m doing through this, not just the forms but the research.
I have always been interested in and have been writing about authorship, and film authorship in particular, so issues of adaptation, remaking, intertextual connections have been one of the primary [themes] of my research. And in a way I think it is probably why I was so drawn to videographic film studies work, because that’s what it does really well. When Richard Misek would say that space is the thing these [videos] do really well, I would say that comparison is the thing that these forms also do particularly well. And in this, I’ve been very struck by Mikhail Iampolski’s writing; he kind of dreamt of some of these possibilities even before we could work with them digitally, when he wrote in his book The Memory of Tiresias that “by inserting the source of a cinematic figure into a film as its subtext, the intertext can also function as a generative mechanism”. I guess a lot of my work in the last few years has been about putting this [sentence] into practice, about literally putting the intertext in, alongside or over, or synchronously side by side with the film to explore all those kinds of connections.21
So [as I move gradually towards a conclusion] I’m just going to show a whole series of short videos, to discuss some of this [videographic work on intertextuality]. [The below video] was one of the first film studies that I made [in this vein.]
That’s the only time I’ve used an entire film! (Actually it’s not the only time but one of the very rare times that I’ve used an entire film. Is this Fair Use? That’s an interesting question, but one for another occasion.) […] Even though [when I started to think about this comparison] I wasn’t necessarily going to be talking about the uncanny — I literally just wanted to put the trains together — the feeling of the film juxtaposition took over in the editing, along with decisions about how big the screens should be, and about where they should be, and about what you are really trying to do with it, and the music and the sound editing come in again, too.22
Here’s another one [of these experiments]. This is slightly longer. This is a remade version of an earlier video. The original one was called All That Pastiche Allows. I made [the new one] a couple of weekends ago for an academic celebration of film scholar Pam Cook’s career — her work makes an appearance in this video.
At this event, I had the pleasure of showing the video to an audience that included Richard Dyer and Pam Cook, and this experience intensified the feeling that had gone into making it, which was very much in the first version of the video, because it was a [deeply felt] tribute to Richard Dyer’s work. And then watching the earlier video through again, some time after making it, I realised that actually it was demonstrating something else that I hadn’t read when I made it, which was what Pam Cook had written about pastiche in one of these films. In a way, both [versions of these videos began anew] with this idea of the feeling of pastiche: in Richard Dyer’s book he very much argues that pastiche is not an empty form, it’s a full form, a form full of feeling, and so the video, I think, certainly demonstrates that, as well as the notion of knowing while you feel and feeling at the same time as you know new things. It was the affectively loaded experience, in my own remaking, of re-looking [so closely] at what the camera’s doing, and watching it repeatedly in my video editing programme [in two different sustained periods of study] at the way that it was set up [with the split screens], showed me that there was a inverse mirroring going on. [But being immersed in it over and over again precisely with the music playing, further intensified the whole experience] and I suddenly started to see something completely new [in this case] about remaking in general and about adaptation as a process [that I hadn’t really seen before:] that is, that at times it’s about multiplication, it’s about intensification, it’s about, to use a word I’ve used in a recent video essay I’ve made with Andrew Klevan, magnification. And that really was something I hadn’t thought about like that before […].
So here’s another video I made for the Pam Cook event, and again it does something new, because I’d reached a point at which I felt the forms that I had been using – split screen and sequential montage – really weren’t enough to do this comparative work anymore.
And you know, it’s kind of fun this piece, but I think there’s something really moving for me in it, and something that is quite dense, although that’s possibly not so readily apparent [to others…]. [The foregrounded film scene in the video] is obviously from I Know Where I’m Going, the Powell-Pressburger film, but the music is taken from a later scene in Sunrise – not the one which is superimposed – in which the Man has a vision of the Woman From the City with whom he is obsessed [and whom he] desires. This later scene is presented as a superimposition [rather like my video]. And I just kind of thought “Yeah, actually we need superimposition here. We need to place the two together”, which, of course, raises all sorts of ethical questions about what we are doing with film extracts, which I’m not going to answer now. I just raise and allow that to be a question about altering extracts and what does that mean when we do it, because I’m altering them more and more, I’m noticing, in my work. [But, above all, it is curious to me how I got the idea for doing this kind of research from Murnau, applying his technique to the work of comparison as I explored Pam Cook’s idea of the palimpsest.]
This whole vein in my work has definitely come from a desire to make films speak together, which I’ll come on to a little bit in just a second. But I want to show that Pam Cook this week posted this video. Pam had never made a video essay before and it was at that conference, that celebration of her work, where she saw that and loved it, decided she needed to “write” about her own work in this form and here she did.
So here we have remaking gone mad. I’m inspired by her work, she [then remakes something, too]… This could go on and on. But I really love this, because apart from the fact she made a different decision about altering the time of the films, so you can see the original sequences a lot more clearly in her piece, there is a different kind of encounter staged. So there, in that whole decision [in all these differences], you are working out what this means to people [to work in these ways]. The encounter that I created was the one […] I really had to make. I had to [cover over the poor quality of the clips I used]. So I had to use effects to remove the pixellations, which made it a lot darker. […]
The [really brief videos] videos that I’ve just shown come out of an experiment with superimposition through the use of dissolves [ – simultaneous comparison can, of course, be performed very quickly!]. In the last minutes of my talk, I’m going to return to the question of length, with which I began.
When you are making these videos [for online circulation], you know from very early on that the shorter they are, the more people watch them. Cristina and I were kind of swapping notes on this last night, and about three minutes is the optimum length. So I wanted to see how, if you make them shorter, would more people watch them? And so I wondered, “what can I do in thirty seconds?” I had long thought about the connection between these moments in Blackmail and Carnival of Souls. And I’m writing about Carnival of Souls quite a lot at the moment and I have taught Blackmail many times, and I mean, you know, it’s a film made on the cusp of [the technological and industrial transition between silence and sound in cinema], so questions pertaining to the soundtrack are particularly important. And I was interested in how bird song is often used in films for these moments of interiority. In the Blackmail sequence, bird song takes the character into herself; in Carnival of Souls it takes her out of an absorption [or entrapment] in herself in a particular moment. So I thought it was a perfect thing to explore at that length […].
I’ve also been kind of looking at this issue of length in Benjaminian terms, as “small, fleeting pictures”. When Walter Benjamin was reflecting on montage this was the phrase (in English translation) used when he was looking at this sort of resemblance . Writing about his work, Gary Smith draws attention to the similarity between the Pound’s and Eisenstein’s ideogrammic methods of meaning production. So this idea of moving historiography into a more graphic cinematic mode of presentation whose “rapid-fire juxtaposition of ‘small fleeting pictures’ would serve to unsettle a ‘professional coziness’ of traditional historicism,” sounds like a useful project to me!23
So experimenting with “small, fleeting pictures” is something I’m consciously doing, and it’s very easy to do things that are of really short lengths now online, because we’ve got all of these new apps, and there are obviously GIFs.24 But I am particularly interested in Vine, a whole social network of people sharing tiny videos using mobile phone camera technology. Vine seems like a good place to start for exploring some really short length videos, because Vine videos are maximum of seven seconds. But what I’m really interested in with Vine is [that] they’re looped, so it’s seven seconds but it could be endless, you know, and some of them you really want to watch for a long time.25
So I kind of thought, what can I do with this. And you have to start with an idea, even if then things completely take you away from that initial idea.26 But there’s a moment in that very first video essay that I made that completely obsessed me. And this was a traditional sort of voiceover video essay that I’m still pretty happy with although technically it’s terrible, the sound quality is particularly bad. But I’m just going to show you the moment in the original video essay, which was a study of Chabrol’s Les Bonnes Femmes.
VOICE OVER TRANSCRIPTION: “On high, the glitterball doesn’t just glitter; it mirrors. It witnesses and fragments what lies beneath: the ‘special occasion’ that punctures the endless dull time which imprisons us all. But we are held by the spectacle, waiting for something to happen. And then it does: the troubling moment when the character – as in so many other New Wave films – returns our gaze. What does she want to happen? And what do we want to happen?” […]
When I made this video I had an idea about what I wanted to do but actually it was great because I really allowed the film and my love of the film dictate what I actually looked at. And it was [one of the] the longest ones I’ve published, I think thirteen minutes or so. Seems so long now. But, of all of the things in [it], that particular sequence was the one I loved in the film but also in my voiceover, because I happened, even on the first take to put that line, “And then it does”, at exactly the right moment, when she looks at us. So the feeling I engender in the video is the feeling I had watching it, which is this charge – a kind of libidinal charge, if I’m honest – of the character connecting with you in the way, first of all, you are not expecting, but it is [a look] full of a communicative potential, I think. And so I thought, “Oh, Vine, I can do something with that. It’s a short moment, let’s see what I can do with it.” So you know, this kind of re-making, re-forming, re-visualising, re-audiovisualising something has led to this [next video].
I’m going to do more of these [Vines on direct address] because I’ve actually made a much longer video with Tom Brown on direct address [more generally] in the cinema, so I’m clearly going to go back to some of the things we’ve been talking about there and see if Vine will help illuminate them, and I’m not sure that it does! But when I made it I decided to re-edit it, unusually for Vine because people usually just film [things and instantly upload them online]; I actually edited my video and added music that doesn’t come from Les Bonnes Femmes; it comes from Debussy, and this I really love. It’s just the opening notes of “The Chosen Maiden”, because that seemed to me to be what this moment was about: this woman is being picked up in a night club, she is chosen, but I’m also chosen when the character looks at me, so that’s the feeling that I wanted explore. I will just let it loop for a few seconds.
Now of course it doesn’t do it, it doesn’t really give you the charge. But the charge of actually filming it gave me the charge, [the charge of capturing it]. Because you can’t really do very much in six seconds with a mobile phone filming a screen playing a film, but there is something about re-filming that I am now beginning to explore. And re-filming takes me back to Riddles of the Sphinx, because when I did a little video for Film Studies for Free with Laura Mulvey using the DVD audio commentary over Riddles of the Sphinx and she allowed me and the BFI allowed me to pick any moment I liked from that commentary and make it a little video, the moment I picked was when she was describing the re-filming technique that they used for the sphinx footage in that film. And so there is something about re-filming that I think has potential for this form as well. So we are not just editing found footage that exists in a digital form already, but we are actually then re-creating our own journeys around that footage.
But finally to return to the question of length: this is really how I’m conceiving of my work at the moment, even if it’s longer than seven seconds or six seconds, and maybe even five minutes or ten minutes long: I’m still seeing my work now as short or small video or ideographic sketches. Oh, sorry, studies; sometimes made of sketches. So the idea of the study as a sketch towards something perhaps, for an on-going collection of work. These individual pieces may sometimes form the basis for larger or longer pieces of audiovisual work, or written work, or multimedia practice more generally. I’m returning to Jonathan Rosenbaum’s conception of the internet as this sort of mosaic form. You know, it’s particularly interesting because [so often] you see your [online video] work represented back to you as little thumbnail images of the chosen [display] picture, which is sort of like the front page of your video. And these [tile forms] are forever shifting, they are forming a kind of virtual mosaic, and they are shared around very much [in these ways ideogrammatically] in the online context. They are also broken up and re-formed. And the more people do this the more that dialogue [about them will be generated].
I just wanted to finish [by, in a way, asking] what is this all about in terms of new knowledge. What is this all about in terms of studies. I have spent my whole [career to date], I guess, focusing in a very [conventional] academic way on my writing, and [it’s clear to me now that audiovisual work] frees me up in some ways […], but I do believe this is also doing something theoretically [for me] as well. But if it’s doing anything theoretically, especially at this more poetic end where my video work seems to be gravitating to at the moment [as the above mild ravings testify], it’s around [Adrian Martin’s idea] of “mad poetry”,27 a kind of intense theorising, something that’s coming from somewhere that feels less consciously controlled than [conventional understandings of] academic rigour that we’ve had in the past [might lead us to believe]. And I think that this [might be] the threat of this work. So you know, in a way, one way of defending [these emerging practices is to] defend the [full] spectrum of the work, which is what I do. So, at the [explanatory] end, I’m very happy to have the scientific studies, they are just not the ones I choose to make, but I want that spectrum to exist as long as people [whose work is] at that end of the spectrum are happy for the other end of the spectrum to exist. It’s when mad theorising is argued against [a foreclosing of it before we know what it might produce in terms of new knowledge] that I become very defensive. So, for me, in terms of the [so-called] “crisis of the humanities” at the moment, it’s important to defend the range of work that we do. And this is a really new and exciting part of it. Thank you for letting me speak about it.
Transcribed by Lara Perski
Edited and abridged by Catherine Grant
Catherine Grant, ‘How long is a piece of string? On the Practice, Scope and Value of Videographic Film Studies and Criticism’, The Audiovisual Essay: Practice and Theory of Videographic Film and Moving Image Studies, September, 2014. Online at: https://reframe.sussex.ac.uk/audiovisualessay/frankfurt-papers/catherine-grant/
Catherine Grant is Senior Lecturer in Film Studies at the University of Sussex. Author and editor of numerous film studies videos, as well as of written studies of intertextuality, film authorship and adaptation theories, she runs the Film Studies For Free, Filmanalytical and Audiovisualcy websites and, in 2012, guest edited the inaugural issue of online cinema journal Frames on digital forms of film studies. She is the founding editor of the REFRAME digital publishing platform, and is also founding co-editor (with Christian Keathley and Drew Morton) of [in]TRANSITION, a new videographic film and moving image studies journal. Her latest project is the website you are currently visiting on The Audiovisual Essay: Practice and Theory in Videographic Film and Moving Image Studies which she hopes will further encourage discussion and practice of this form.
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Theodor W. Adorno, ‘The Essay as Form’, The Adorno Reader. Trans. Bob Hullot-Kentor & Frederic Will (Oxford: Blackwell, 2000. 92–111). ↩
Christian Keathley, ‘La caméra-stylo: Notes on Video Criticism and Cinephilia.’ In The Language and Style of Film Criticism, ed. Alex Clayton and Andrew Klevan (London: Routledge, 2011). ↩
See David Bordwell’s blog entry on Tim Smith’s work here: http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/2011/02/14/watching-you-watch-there-will-be-blood ↩
Frames Cinema Journal, Issue 1.1, July 2012: Special Issue on Film and Moving Image Studies Reborn Digital. Online at: http://framescinemajournal.com/?issue=issue1. ↩
Transcription of relevant extract: “It is about representations of Paris in the films of Eric Rohmer and it took a form of a remix of Eric Rohmer’s films and it was a way of, I guess, exploring movie images by using movie images. And so kind of create a kind of dialogue between voice over and re-cut images, to provide some kind of new knowledge on Rohmer. So it’s a work of digital film criticism, I suppose. My current research interest in Rohmer is focused on cinematic representations of urban space and I have a couple of projects in which I’m using remixes as a way of looking into that. It’s very time intensive and I think that’s why a lot of remixes tend to be only two or three minutes long. Not just because they run out of things to remix, but just because it takes so much time. So you know (…) articles of six-seven thousand words and you can do that in maybe a month or six weeks, but the equivalent when you put visuals into it, is exponentially longer. So I’ve been working on this for a year now, really, and I’m no where near finished (…). I’ve been noticing themes and a lot of themes are about rhythm, about camera movement, about space, about editing choices, so I’m not sure really, like the previous speaker before me said, you know this is like a fantastic kind of latent form of criticism which may take off, you know, it could be really big. But I’m not necessarily sure, I don’t see every academic doing this, no matter how media literate they become over next however many years. I think it does push towards a certain kind of subject matter rather than another. And I think that kind of spatiotemporal stuff is very much at the heart of it.” Conversation with Richard Misek, presenter at the Remix Cinema Workshop, 24-25th March 2011, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford (http://remixcinema.org/). Online at: http://youtu.be/WDDYMFscEYQ. ↩
“What I was talking about is not so much a report on practices that already exist but more a kind of vision for the kind of film criticism that I personally would like to see more of. Film criticism that uses the medium itself, film. So it’s film criticism that is audiovisual, that uses clips from the object of study in order to illustrate and explain the way that film… sorry, the way that literary critics have always been able to do. One of the reasons that I’ve become interested in digital film criticism is that there is a lot of confusion about what are the practices and what are the legal norms here. And my argument would be that I can easily imagine a piece of audiovisual film criticism that is, let’s say, an hour long, that uses a lot of visual quotations that I would argue are obviously fair use, to use the American expression. And I think it’s important to kind of fight for our digital rights. I think this is an area that is so obviously not something that infringes or is a copyright infringement because it performs an important function, it’s a piece of criticism and also the result, the audiovisual work that results from it is in no way in competition with the source material.” Conversation with Erlend Lavik, presenter at the Remix Cinema Workshop, 24-25th March 2011, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford (http://remixcinema.org/). Online at: http://youtu.be/WtAgW1kHUNI. ↩
Erlend Lavik, ‘The Video Essay: The Future of Academic Film and Television Criticism?’, Frames Cinema Journal, Issue 1.1, 2012. Online at: http://framescinemajournal.com/article/the-video-essay-the-future/. Also see, in the same issue Erlend Lavik,’ ‘Some Reflections On My Video Essay Venture “Style in The Wire”‘, Frames Cinema Journal, Issue 1.1, 2012. Online at: http://framescinemajournal.com/article/some-reflections-on-my-video-essay-venture/. ↩
Erlend Lavik, ‘Style in The Wire”, Vimeo.com, April 4, 2012. Online at: https://vimeo.com/3976899. Also see, as in endnote 7, Lavik’s detailed discussion of the making of his video: ‘Some Reflections On My Video Essay Venture “Style in The Wire”‘, Frames Cinema Journal, Issue 1.1, 2012. Online at: http://framescinemajournal.com/article/some-reflections-on-my-video-essay-venture/ ↩
Rohmer in Paris (Richard Misek, 2013). See the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/89741361. ↩
Richard Misek, ‘Mapping Rohmer: A Video Essay’, Frames Cinema Journal, Issue. 1.1, 2012. Online here: http://framescinemajournal.com/article/mapping-rohmer-a-video-essay/ ↩
Mark Betz, ‘Little Books’, in Lee Grieveson and Haydee Wasson (eds), Inventing Film Studies (Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2008), 319-341. ↩
Chris Fennell, ‘Laura Mulvey on Riddles of the Sphinx (1977)’, BFI News, 2013/Updated January 15, 2014. Online at: http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/interviews/laura-mulvey-riddles-sphinx. ↩
See, for example, Catherine Grant and Christian Keathley, ‘The Use of an Illusion: Childhood cinephilia, object relations, and videographic film studies’, Photogénie, 0, June 2014. Online at: http://www.photogenie.be/photogenie_blog/article/use-illusion. ↩
Timothy Corrigan, The Essay Film: From Montaigne, After Marker (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011), 13. ↩
Virginia Kuhn, ‘The Rhetoric of Remix’ In ‘Fan/Remix Video,’ edited by Francesca Coppa and Julie Levin Russo, special issue, Transformative Works and Cultures, no. 9, 2012. Online at: http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/358. ↩
D.A. Miller, ‘Anal Rope,’ in Diana Fuss (ed.) INSIDE/OUT: Lesbian Theories, Gay Theories (London: Routledge, 1991): 119 ↩
Cristina Álvarez López, ‘Dobles vidas, segundas oportunidades’, Transit. Cine y otros desvíos, August 12, 2011. Online at: http://cinentransit.com/inland-veronica/; Cristina Álvarez López, ‘Double Lives, Second Chances’, Frames Cinema Journal, 1.1, July 2012. Online at: http://framescinemajournal.com/article/double-lives-second-chances/. ↩
Jonathan Rosenbaum, ‘The Mosaic Approach’, Moving Image Source, August 18, 2010. Online at: http://www.movingimagesource.us/articles/the-mosaic-approach-20100818. ↩
In general terms, I agree with Adrian Martin in his short essay on this for De FilmKrant: Adrian Martin, ‘A Voice Too Much’, FilmKrant. 322. 2012. Originally online at: http://www.filmkrant.nl/av/org/filmkran/archief/fk322/engls322.html. Now online at: https://reframe.sussex.ac.uk/audiovisualessay/reflections/adrian-martin-a-voice-too-much/ ↩
See Miklós Kiss, ‘Creativity Beyond Originality: György Pálfi’s Final Cut as Narrative Supercut’, Senses of Cinema, 67, July 2013. Online at: http://sensesofcinema.com/2013/feature-articles/creativity-beyond-originality-gyorgy-palfis-final-cut-as-narrative-supercut/. ↩
See Mikhail Iampolski, The Memory of Tiresias: Intertextuality and Film, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998, 246. I wrote about this kind of experiment, including this video, here: Catherine Grant, ‘Déjà viewing? Videographic experiments in intertextual film studies’, Mediascape : UCLA’s Journal of Cinema and Media Studies, Winter 2013. Online at: http://www.tft.ucla.edu/mediascape/Winter2013_DejaViewing.html. ↩
Again, see my “Déja-Viewing” essay in Mediascape, op. cit.. ↩
Gary Smith, Benjamin: Philosophy, Aesthetics, History (University of Chicago Press, 1989), p. 23, citing Benjamin, Das Passagen-Werk, ed. Rolf Tiedemann, vol. 5 of GesammelteSchriften (Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp, 1971-82), 1034. ↩
See Manu Yáñez’s essay at this website for an interesting discussion of GIFs in film cultural contexts: M. Yáñez, ‘Thought, Action and Imagination’, (Frankfurt Papers) The Audiovisual Essay: Practice and Theory of Videographic Film and Moving Image Studies, September, 2014. Online at: https://reframe.sussex.ac.uk/audiovisualessay/frankfurt-papers/manu-yanez/. ↩
The discussion that follows has since been written up and published as follows: Catherine Grant, ‘The Shudder of a Cinephiliac Idea? Videographic Film Studies Practice as Material Thinking’, ANIKI: Portuguese Journal of the Moving Image (Thematic Dossier on Cinephilia) 1.1, 2014, Online at: http://aim.org.pt/ojs/index.php/revista/article/view/59/html. ↩
See Cristina Álvarez López’s discussion about this aspect elsewhere at this website: ‘From Idea to Concept (Extract)‘, The Audiovisual Essay: Practice and Theory of Videographic Film and Moving Image Studies, September, 2014. Online at: https://reframe.sussex.ac.uk/audiovisualessay/reflections/intransition-1-3/cristina-alvarez-lopez/. ↩
‘In So Many Words’, Frames Cinema Journal, Issue 1.1, 2012. Online at: http://framescinemajournal.com/article/in-so-many-words/. ↩
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About Transition Plans Our Latest Steps Forums of Mayors Lessons Learned News Witnesses Contact
Forums of Mayors
Municipalities guarantee a just transition.
Summary of the 3rd Forum of Mayors
The mayors of European coal municipalities met at the Third Forum of Mayors for a Just Transition in Bytom. This edition of the Forum was unique – due to the pandemic and was organised in a virtual formula. Nevertheless, more than 100 people took part in the event, including 40 mayors from Poland, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Romania. Is Europe closer to a just transition of mining regions?
The host of the event – Mr. Mariusz Wołosz, Mayor of Bytom – talked about the unsuccessful transformation experiences of his city and the challenges facing the decarbonising EU economies. The event included a debate with the participation of, among others, Professor Jerzy Buzek[1], and workshops in subgroups where mayors and employees of regional governments could share their experiences on the transition process. What did those participants share?
ON THE WAY TO CLIMATE NEUTRALITY
Farewell to coal is a challenge not only for the Polish economy. Several EU countries are facing this challenge. This year’s talks at the Forum of Mayors focused on preparations for the launch of the Just Transition Fund, set up by the European Commission to support coal and industrial regions in building a secure future. As Professor Jerzy Buzek noted:
– A well-conducted mining transformation is an opportunity for many European economies, where coal still plays an important role as an energy material. (…) If we are to succeed with the European Green Deal, we must succeed with a Just Transition. It is fundamental for every European, not just those depended on the coal industry. This really is our common problem. (…) The Just Transition Fund itself is an expression of support for citizens living in areas which are going to undergo the most profound changes. This fund is an important element of the European Green Deal.
Normunds Poppens, the European Commission’s Deputy Director-General for Regional and Urban Policy, was invited to discuss and present the state of preparation of the process in the EU. Poppens stressed the serious threat of climate change. Countering it is, in his opinion, one of our most important responsibilities. Therefore, Normund Poppens pointed out the actions taken by the European Union to combat the climate crisis. In addition to the European Green Deal or several ambitious climate targets, he has identified a plan for a just transition as one of the most important but also very difficult projects. As he said, its greatest challenge is not to leave any country, region or person behind. The Just Transition Fund is much more than money for mitigating the effects of transformation – these are funds for reorganising the labour market towards a sustainable development of regions (both urban and rural), supporting green businesses, workers, but also local authorities and the local community. However, a detailed action plan is needed, created with the participation of all stakeholders, including NGOs dealing with the topic of just transition, such as WWF.
NGOs are one of the stakeholders supporting the process in many countries. Above all, they support transparent and bottom-up planning. As the CEO of the WWF Poland Foundation, Mirosław Proppé, said:
– Planning the mining transformation is one of the most important tasks that we are facing. It is necessary for the cities to be able to benefit from this transformation effectively. However, in order to plan any programmes or projects, it is necessary to give an exact date for the departure from coal. (…) Transformation projects cannot be ideas “from behind a desk”: they cannot be brought in a briefcase, from Warsaw. Everyone should be involved in the process of finding new solutions: local and regional governments, local communities, social organisations and NGOs.
The need to involve local governments through a bottom-up approach, and to identify their needs and barriers to development were also clearly heard in all voices. The needs are also often linked to the lack of decisions at the national level, as the speakers mentioned. It also became clear quite quickly that building strategies to stimulate economic growth with a bottom-up approach is not easy. To this end, the countries involved are bringing cooperation at local government level closer. A just transition is part of the international effort to achieve EU climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest.
Local government officials themselves, among other things, spoke about the need to finance both the so-called hard projects (related to energy, revitalisation or infrastructure) and the so-called soft projects (health, education, tourism) from the Just Transition Fund. As mayors stressed, both types of these projects must be treated with equal attention. What should be given importance? It was pointed out that entrepreneurs will not invest in a region where there will be no places for families and opportunities to spend time after work for their employees. It is also not a matter of strongly supporting old business models, but of seeking new ones. Attention was also drawn to the mistakes made during restructuring processes in many regions of Europe, including Upper Silesia, for example.
As Mariusz Wołosz, President of Bytom, explained during the inauguration of the event:
– Bytom is an example of a city that has been particularly affected by mining restructuring processes. Today we are meeting representatives of cities from all over Europe, which are struggling with the same problems as Bytom. Our aim is to share our experiences in order to work together to find solutions to mitigate the effects of the mining transformation in Europe. It is not possible to carry out the process of mining transformation effectively without the participation of local authorities – it is the local authorities that will be the pillar of a just transition, because they are the source of information about the real needs of the inhabitants.
THE MAYORS’ FORUM FOR JUST TRANSFITION
The Forum of Mayors is an international platform for the exchange of experience and knowledge dedicated to the mayors of EU coal municipalities, which was created with the support of WWF, within the framework of the Regions Beyond Coal project. They included their demands in the Declaration for a Just Transition signed by 61 coal municipalities. The inauguration of the Forum took place in 2018 in Kozani – in Western Macedonia, a region of Greece. The second edition took place a year later, in the German town of Weisswasser, a lignite mining region. The next meeting is planned for September 2021 in Bulgaria.
See a video „We are from here!” – a documentary about Just Transition in Poland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOiwCZVarFk
[1] Jerzy Buzek is a current Member of the European Parliament; former Polish Prime Minister of Poland, former President of the European Parliament and current Chairman of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy in the European Parliament (ITRE)
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All Americans owe it to our country to see what’s happening at the border
There's a widespread system of criminalization, commodification and dehumanization that pervades every corner of our immigration and border apparatus.
Asylum-seekers line up for a donated meal while living in limbo south of the border near Brownsville, Texas. Photo courtesy of Aaron Alexander
Aaron Alexander
(RNS) — Just across the U.S. border in South Texas, a few steps into Mexico, a young couple from Nicaragua holds their 2-year-old son, who is, and will forever be, unable to make a sound from his mouth. He was recently shot in the neck while inside his home, another victim of the pervasive violence in his home country.
His parents left their other children with family to bring him here, to our country, in search of refuge and a chance to give him a new kind of life — one worthy of his human potential.
That’s where their tragic Nicaraguan story ends, and their tragic American story begins. They live outside now, 24 hours a day, seven days week, as they inhabit a newly formed ad hoc tent town for people waiting for legal entry into the United States. Today is their 67th day in the camp, wearing the same clothes, using sanitary wipes to wash and walking in the same shoes worn throughout the long journey.
The Gonzalez family, from Nicaragua, waits south of the U.S. border while seeking asylum. Their son was shot in the neck during violence in Nicaragua. Photo courtesy of Aaron Alexander
We know this because we spoke with them just a couple of days ago — looked into their eyes, felt their fears, embraced their dirt-stained and weary figures.
Our simplest pleasures — warm food, a shower, clean clothes — are for others the stuff of a royal moment. Rabbis in Washington, D.C., we live in the talk capital of the world; we constantly hear the stats, the stories, the fears and the injustices. But it is something else entirely to stand in proximity to this particular, man-made brand of human suffering.
You may wonder why two D.C. rabbis, with seven of their congregants, chose to board a plane for the Rio Grande Valley and walk into Mexico to serve those awaiting entry into our borders.
Quite simply: It is precisely because we are leaders driven by faith, and God, that we see ourselves as obligated to interact directly with the stories of desperate humans seeking refuge, just as the Jewish people did less than 70 years ago, here in America, and throughout most of our history across the world.
“For the majority of Americans, most of what happens on the border continues to remain out sight and out of mind,” writes Francisco Cantú in “The Line Becomes a River.”
So we traveled to McAllen and Brownsville, Texas, to force on ourselves, upon our hearts, a vision of the border that would cut through the endless debates that distract from basic human dignity.
It was in Brownsville, home of Texas Southmost College (aptly named) and an official U.S. port of entry, that we met the young family from Nicaragua, alongside a few dozen others also living outside a few feet from the walking bridge to America.
Not so long ago these refugees and asylum-seekers would present themselves at our borders and declare their intent for asylum, and then enter what was already a dysfunctional system, a veritable web of “we don’t really want you here” communicated through policy and procedure.
But even that degree of welcome has recently changed.
At the midway point of the walking bridge stand two Border Patrol agents. They stop each person who presents, letting through only those who already possess papers. Others, primarily would-be asylum-seekers, are sent back to Mexico. For those who don’t make it across, the next trial in their journey immediately begins, because in order to declare asylum at the border one must be chosen by Mexican Border authorities to enter.
Rabbi Aaron Alexander visits with a man while visiting asylym-seekers on the U.S.-Mexico border near Brownsville, Texas. Photo courtesy of Aaron Alexander
So they wait. Outside. 24 hours a day. If they leave they may not hear their name called and could lose their chance to cross the bridge. Which means, essentially, our government is knowingly creating the need for people to live in further degradation, doubly homeless.
As we walked back over the bridge from Mexico to Brownsville, we had a nearly palpable feeling of an unearned privilege, an accident of birth, and a deepened awareness of the uniquely special promise of what this country holds for those who seek to dwell in its borders.
In a two-hour meeting with young lawyers from the McAllen office of the Texas Civil Rights Project, we were provided with facts that mirrored what we had observed: Child separation continues, even after a presidential executive order purportedly stopped it.
Ports of entry are arbitrarily closed for days, increasing illegal border crossings. Expedited removal is becoming normalized. Border Patrol agents can now turn over for deportation those crossing into our country, without their going before a judge, without any due process.
There’s a widespread system of criminalization, commodification and dehumanization that pervades every corner of our immigration and border apparatus. It’s been this way for a long time, but in the last two years the worst parts of it have been exacerbated.
We aren’t immigration experts, nor are we naive. We know all doors can’t remain endlessly open. We understand why borders matter. But the act of adding more and more locks to an already locked door is to quite simply deny humans the chance to feel their humanity.
The Talmud teaches: “Pity the one with no courtyard but who still builds a fence.”
In other words, extra barriers with a dearth of internally consistent values are morally specious. And they inevitably lead — intentionally or not — to more violence, and more human suffering.
Our obligation is to make this American problem less distant. Please, head to the border. Most of us are separated only by an airplane flight.
Your witness matters. Your presence matters.
(Rabbis Lauren Holtzblatt and Aaron Alexander lead Adas Israel Congregation, a Conservative movement synagogue in Washington, D.C. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily represent those of Religion News Service.)
What four strangers of different faiths learned while living together during a pandemic
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From pueblos to dude ranches, Pecos National Historical Park is a goldmine of Southwestern history
In less than two miles, the New Mexico park’s Ancestral Sites Loop Trail takes you through hundreds of years of history and colliding cultures
By Jersey Griggs
The Spanish Mission Church, built using adobe bricks, stands amongst the remnants of the convento. | Photo: Jersey Griggs
From where I stand, the high desert of New Mexico spreads out before me, unfurling like a rugged blanket beneath low-hanging clouds. In one direction, a ruin looms on the landscape; behind it, the Sangre de Cristo mountains are shrouded by lingering fog. In the other direction, brown grass flutters in the wind, and a nearby cactus proffers its yellow fruit toward the sunlight. At an altitude of 6,940 feet, it’s chilly and a bit blustery, but the vista is beautiful and the land hums with an undeniable energy.
It is early March and I have made an impromptu visit to Pecos National Historical Park, located 30 miles east of Santa Fe, New Mexico. From the moment I arrive at Pecos, I can tell there is something different about this place. For one thing, it’s practically empty, especially when compared to other national park sites.
View of Pecos from the Ancestral Sites Trail, with a kiva in the distance. | Photo: Jersey Griggs
“We are one of the least visited parks in New Mexico,” says Becky Latanich, chief of interpretation and education at Pecos National Historical Park. “And that’s kind of a lovely thing to be.” I can’t help but agree. When I embark on the 1.25-mile Ancestral Sites Loop Trail on a late Sunday morning, there’s not a single soul in sight.
A historical goldmine
In addition to being free of crowds, the park’s history is remarkable. Representing an incredible intersection of cultures and historical events, it offers much more than initially meets the eye. “The thing that makes Pecos the most unique from other sites in the Southwest is that there is so much history that happens in a relatively small area,” Latanich says.
The list of historical events is, indeed, long. As an archeological site, the park practically offers a physical timeline of Southwestern civilization. It depicts the lives of the early Pecos, a community of Native people of the pueblo tradition who lived on the mesa. It also contains the story of Spanish missionaries, relaying the oft-repeated tale of European colonization—but with a unique twist. Situated along the historic Santa Fe Trail, it’s the site of the Battle of Glorieta Pass, a Civil War skirmish that stopped Confederate troops from gaining control of New Mexico. Lastly, it serves as an example of dude ranching during the 20th century.
The yellow fruit of a cholla cactus. | Photo: Jersey Griggs
The Convento Kiva. | Photo: Jersey Griggs
The story of the Pecos
As I walk along the designated path, I find myself immersed in the story of the Pecos people, who resided here for hundreds of years. This particular landscape—high on the ridge, close to water sources, and tucked beneath the low-slung mountains—served as the perfect backdrop for the Pecos to prosper, and to ultimately become one of the biggest pueblos in the region.
Out of everything I see in the park, I am most fascinated by the kivas. The below-ground, rounded rooms, made out of dirt, water, and straw, were typically used for political meetings or religious ceremonies. And while remnants of these subterranean rooms are found throughout the southwest, Pecos has two reconstructed kivas that can be accessed via rough-hewn ladders.
To enter the kiva, I climb down the ladder into a circular, earthen room. Shafts of light stream from the entryway above, but otherwise the kiva is dark and warm—a welcome respite from the wind. In addition to being a ceremonial space, Latanich explains that the kiva had different functions within the Pecos community. “Men who were weavers in society would go down there on a hot day and would weave their turkey feather blankets or their rugs,” Latanich says. “They’d talk, solve problems, and do what people do when they come together as a group.”
Inside the kiva, a multi-purpose subterranean room often used for religious ceremonies, there is a fireplace and a ventilation shaft. | Photo: Jersey Griggs
The entry to the kiva also doubled as a chimney. | Photo: Jersey Griggs
Two cultures combined
Back above ground, I continue along the Ancestral Sites Loop Trail. When I reach the remnants of the convento—or the church convent—the story of Spanish influence unfolds. When Francisco Vasquez de Coronado first arrived in this region in 1541, he was seeking two things: gold and to establish a new colony for Spain. And while the Pecos people were able to redirect Coronado and his men, and avoid being overtaken, their cunningness was short-lived. Just 50 years after Coronado, the Spanish Missionaries arrived and it became clear that the Europeans were here to stay.
The arrival of the Spanish missionaries left an indelible print on the pueblo. Over time, some of the Pecos actually began to align with the missionaries, resulting in an ideological divide between the Northern and Southern Pueblos. Historians speculate that the South was more allied with the new arrivals.
Admiring the size of the Spanish Mission Church. | Photo: Jersey Griggs
In 1680, Po’pay, an inspiring leader from the Northern San Juan Pueblo, united many of the region’s pueblos and successfully revolted against the Spanish. This particular incident is the first example in U.S. history of an Indigenous people finding victory in the expulsion of European influence.
During Po’pay’s revolt, the original Spanish Mission Church at Pecos was torched to the ground. Latanich likens the building to a “mega church”—at 5,000 square feet, the whitewashed building had six bell towers and 20-foot-high walls.
Today, the remnants of a different church stand at Pecos, one that was built 12 years after the revolt when the Spanish returned to the mesa. While time may have eroded the church down from its original 3,000 square feet, its remaining footprint still feels massive. Everything from the adobe bricks to the intricate floor tiles all seem to fit together like a mosaic.
Leaving and returning
By the time I finish walking the trail loop, I’ve learned that the Pecos left their pueblo in 1838. After suffering a dramatic decline in population at the hand of Comanche raids, drought, and disease, the remaining survivors moved on to other pueblos across New Mexico.
The Spanish Mission Church stands amongst the ruins of the Convento, which served as church offices. | Photo: Jersey Griggs
To recognize the Pecos descendants and their rich history, the park now hosts an annual event called Feast Day. Every August, community members from both the Pueblo of Pecos and the neighboring Pueblo of Jemez are invited to honor the patron saint of the Pecos Mission. In addition to a church service, the day culminates with traditional dances from the Jemez and lots of freshly baked biscochitos, the official cookie of New Mexico.
Pecos is also making some exciting new structural updates, including a revamped museum and a second visitor center that will showcase more in-depth stories about the Civil War, Santa Fe Trail, and dude ranching. I long to return and walk my dog on one of the longer park trails, obtain a permit to fly fish on the Pecos River, or partake in a full moon pueblo tour on a warm summer evening. “It’s a magical discovery,” Latanich says to me as I leave.
Due to the spread of COVID-19, many points of interest are currently closed and travel is not recommended. Please check with businesses and parks directly for the latest information on hours, and follow your state and local guidelines. Stay safe!
Explore all U.S. national parks
HistoryNational Historical ParkNational Park WeekNew MexicoPuebloSanta Fe
Jersey Griggs
Jersey Griggs is a freelance writer and editor for hire. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including travel, wellness, and outdoor recreation. She currently lives on the coast of Maine with her husband and pup, but she's always asking herself the age-old question: mountains or ocean?
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Watch two of the Star Wars Trilogy movies in 4K
Technology, TV and Movies
Hot on the heels of my weekend post about Harmy's Despecialized Editions of the original Star Wars Trilogy movies, Six Colors maven and all-around good guy (and my ex-boss) Jason Snell pointed me to something I'd previously only seen briefly referenced in a few spots: Project 4K77.
Project 4K77 is, as you might guess from the name, a 4K version of the 1977 Star Wars movie. The group has also completed Project 4K83 (Return of the Jedi), and is now working on Project 4K80 (The Empire Strikes Back).
What's really amazing about the 4K77 project is that it is not an upscale of lower-resolution footage. Instead, as explained on the 4K77 page…
…97% of project 4K77 is from a single, original 1977 35mm Technicolor release print, scanned at full 4K, cleaned at 4K, and rendered at 4K.
Because this is a scan of the original film, it's grainier than the Harmy releases—and there may be some actual film effects like scratches visible at times (I haven't yet watched the full movie, so I'm not sure).
But it is a full 4K, and it's a very different experience than is Harmy's version. As an example, here's the same still as I used in my prior post, but this one was taken from 4K77 (again, click to see the larger version):
Without looking back at the other blog post, it may not be obvious just how different these two versions are…but this composite photo makes it obvious:
There's a lot more detail in Chewie's fur, and the scene is much lighter than in Harmy's version. (It's a bit too white in the windows near the top of the photo; the details are getting blown out.) Due to the cut direction I used, you can't see it, but the red color on the background equipment is much richer on the 4K77 version. Keep in mind this is a 4K resolution image, though I scaled it down here—so it should look much better than would Harmy's version if you're watching on a big screen.
Unfortunately, there's not a nice "How to get 4K77" guide for you to follow, as their is with Harmy's Despecialized Editions. The 4K77 project page suggests that usenet is the best source for their versions, and they're probably available in torrent form if you're willing to go that route. (I can't share where I found my versions, but I will say that it wasn't on usenet.)
Again, as with Harmy's Despecialized Editions, these are fan-made creations that you should never buy or sell, and it is technically illegal to have them, even if you do (as you should) own the original movies on another medium.
I'm not sure which version I prefer—Harmy's seems closer to what my memory thinks the movies were like, but there's no denying the appeal of a 4K version to watch on our big screen TV.
Watch the Star Wars Trilogy movies in their original form
A neat detail in Star Wars: The Last Jedi [Coded Spoiler]
Solving a wavy issue with a Sony 4K Blu-ray player
A deep dive into the Apple Arcade—Part Four
Kitchen upgrade: Sliding shelves
2019 iMac vs Late 2014 iMac—Ripping addendum
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Shrines of Philadelphia
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Miraculous Medal
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Our Lady of Czestochowa
St. Gianna Molla
Art, Film, Poetry
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~ Saints, Shrines and Sacred Places
Tag Archives: St. John XXIII
Saint John Paul II Canonization Day
Posted by Brian in Our Lady of Czestochowa, Saints
canonization, Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, Pauline Fathers, Saint, Saint John Paul II, Shrine, St. Faustina, St. John XXIII, St. Paul the Hermit, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa
Saint John Paul II, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
Yes, April 27 is the day St. Pope John Paul II was canonized. He attended the Second Vatican Council initiated by Pope John XXIII, who also was canonized on this day.
Born Karl Wojtyla, Pope John Paul was an actor, poet, athlete, playwrite, priest and philosopher.
As Charles Chaput, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia stated: He proved by his life the words of St. Irenaeus that “the glory of God is man fully alive.”
St. John Paul II visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa on two occasions while a cardinal. Karol Cardinal Wojtyla first visit was in 1969 and again in 1976 while attending the Eucharistic Congress held in Philadelphia. He became the 264th Pope of the Catholic Church two years later in 1978. John Paul II was the first non Italian pope since Pope Adrian VI who died in 1523.
Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul II with the Marian Cross. The Letter M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to whom he held strong devotion.
John Paul II created Divine Mercy Sunday which is celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. It is originally based on the devotion to the Divine Mercy that Saint Faustina Kowalska reported as part of her encounter with Jesus.
St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun reported visions and visitations from Jesus and conversations with Him. She could read souls!
John Paul II beatified Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska on April 18, 1993 and canonized her on April 30, 2000.
St. Paul the Hermit, a strong influence at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
The Pauline Fathers, like John Paul II, have a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Their main monastery is in Czestochowa, Poland, where they continue to reside. The Pauline Order received permission from the Holy See to establish a monastery in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and subsequently built Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine.
In the main church is the Miraculous Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, which was blessed by Pope John XXIII on February 10, 1962, who also became a saint. The Icon of Our Lady hangs behind the altar in the main nave and depicts the Holy Trinity. God the Father, with His arms stretched out like the wings of a large bird, enfolds Jesus Christ and all God’s people. Above them is shown a dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit. Below them, a choir of angels, with their golden horns, extol the glory of God.
The Chapel of Divine Mercy, within The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. John Paul II died on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday, April 2, 2005.
Entrance to the shrine complex.
Feast day is October 22nd, the anniversary of his inauguration to Pope in 1978.
Saint John Paul II Embraces The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa
On April 27, 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis canonized Blessed Pope John Paul II. He attended the Second Vatican Council initiated by Pope John XXIII, who is also being canonized on this day. Born Karl Wojtyla, Pope John Paul was an actor, poet, athlete, playwrite, priest and philosopher. As Charles Chaput, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia stated: He proved by his life the words of St. Irenaeus that “the glory of God is man fully alive.”
John Paul II created Divine Mercy Sunday which is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. It is originally based on the devotion to the Divine Mercy that Saint Faustina Kowalska reported as part of her encounter with Jesus. St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun reported visions and visitations from Jesus and conversations with Him. John Paul II beatified Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska on April 18, 1993 and canonized her on April 30, 2000.
The Order of St. Paul the Hermit was founded during the first half of the 13th century in Hungary. The members of the Order were actual hermits who lived in the caves in Hungary. For their patron they chose St. Paul the Hermit, thereby acquiring the name “Pauline Fathers”. John Paul II had an affection for the Pauline Fathers religious order, and helped persevere the order in Poland. The Pauline Fathers, like John Paul II, have a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Their main monastery is in Czestochowa, Poland, where they continue to reside. The Pauline Order received permission from the Holy See to establish a monastery in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and subsequently built Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa, located at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa on Adoration Day.
This chapel is a replica of the chapel found at the Jasna Góra Shrine in Poland. At the heart of the chapel is a copy of the Miraculous Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, blessed by Pope John Paul II, now a Saint.
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Our Lady of Mount Carmel with St. Thérèse of Lisieux at Philadelphia Carmel
Aura of Saints Peter and Paul on their Feast Day at the Cathedral Basilica
Norbert’s Feast Day at Daylesford Abbey
St. Philomena, The Daughter of Light
St. Rita of Cascia’s National Shrine on Her Feast Day
Ignatian Spirituality at Old St. Joseph’s: God’s Creation Shines
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The Cover Art
Jan Van Eyck, “The Adoration of the Lamb” 1432 from the Ghent Alterpiece. Detail: The red altar where the lamb stands reads, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world” and “Jesus the way, the truth, and the life”, both quotes from Gospel of John. In this image and in the book of Revelation the Lamb is Jesus. Directly around the Lamb on the altar are angels who are carrying the instruments in the Passion scenes, like the cross and crown of thorns.
gichontree
There's beauty in sacred spaces; from the stories they tell in architecture, stained glass windows and icons; to the rituals and liturgy that arises our soul. Inside a shrine, the angels and saints praise God with us. I hope to relay the message for the kingdom, power and glory of God, now and forever.
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Superconductivity up to 32 K in a new family of the Hg-containing (Pb, Hg) (Sr, La)2CuO5-δ (1201) system
R. S. Liu, D. S. Shy, S. F. Hu, D. A. Jefferson
A new family of superconductors with a maximum Tc of 32 K were observed in the Hg-containing (Pb0.5Hg0.5) (Sr2-xLax) CuO5-gd (1201) system for the composition range 0.8 ≤x≤ 1.0. The chemical composition and crystal structure of this system have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction including the Rietveld refinement, electron diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. We have identified the phase responsible for the superconductivity to be similar to (Pb, Cu) (Sr, La)2CuO5 or (Ti, Pb) (Sr, La)2CuO5 (the so-called 1201 phase) with a space group of P4/mmm and lattice constants of a=3.7908(2) A ̊ and c=8.6915 (6) A ̊ for the x=0.8 sample in (Pb0.5Hg0.5 (Sr2-xLax)CuO5-δ. The disordering of the hole reservoir layer of (Pb, Hg)O due to the displacement of the oxygen ion from its ideal position (0.5, 0.5, 0) to (0.33, 0.5, 0) was found by Rietveld refinement for powder X-ray diffraction data of the x=0.8 sample. This displacement may give rise to the appearance of the superlattice spots along the [102]* direction with a modulation factor close to 4 in the electron diffraction pattern viewed down [010].
Physica C: Superconductivity and its applications
https://doi.org/10.1016/0921-4534(93)90066-Y
Published - 1993 Nov 1
10.1016/0921-4534(93)90066-Y
Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Superconductivity up to 32 K in a new family of the Hg-containing (Pb, Hg) (Sr, La)<sub>2</sub>CuO<sub>5-δ</sub> (1201) system'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Rietveld refinement Chemical Compounds
Superconductivity Chemical Compounds
X ray powder diffraction Chemical Compounds
Electron diffraction Chemical Compounds
electron diffraction Physics & Astronomy
superconductivity Physics & Astronomy
High resolution transmission electron microscopy Chemical Compounds
Lattice constants Chemical Compounds
Liu, R. S., Shy, D. S., Hu, S. F., & Jefferson, D. A. (1993). Superconductivity up to 32 K in a new family of the Hg-containing (Pb, Hg) (Sr, La)2CuO5-δ (1201) system. Physica C: Superconductivity and its applications, 216(3-4), 237-242. https://doi.org/10.1016/0921-4534(93)90066-Y
Superconductivity up to 32 K in a new family of the Hg-containing (Pb, Hg) (Sr, La)2CuO5-δ (1201) system. / Liu, R. S.; Shy, D. S.; Hu, S. F.; Jefferson, D. A.
In: Physica C: Superconductivity and its applications, Vol. 216, No. 3-4, 01.11.1993, p. 237-242.
Liu, RS, Shy, DS, Hu, SF & Jefferson, DA 1993, 'Superconductivity up to 32 K in a new family of the Hg-containing (Pb, Hg) (Sr, La)2CuO5-δ (1201) system', Physica C: Superconductivity and its applications, vol. 216, no. 3-4, pp. 237-242. https://doi.org/10.1016/0921-4534(93)90066-Y
Liu RS, Shy DS, Hu SF, Jefferson DA. Superconductivity up to 32 K in a new family of the Hg-containing (Pb, Hg) (Sr, La)2CuO5-δ (1201) system. Physica C: Superconductivity and its applications. 1993 Nov 1;216(3-4):237-242. https://doi.org/10.1016/0921-4534(93)90066-Y
Liu, R. S. ; Shy, D. S. ; Hu, S. F. ; Jefferson, D. A. / Superconductivity up to 32 K in a new family of the Hg-containing (Pb, Hg) (Sr, La)2CuO5-δ (1201) system. In: Physica C: Superconductivity and its applications. 1993 ; Vol. 216, No. 3-4. pp. 237-242.
@article{2970540d04864162aca7eb7d57bffa51,
title = "Superconductivity up to 32 K in a new family of the Hg-containing (Pb, Hg) (Sr, La)2CuO5-δ (1201) system",
abstract = "A new family of superconductors with a maximum Tc of 32 K were observed in the Hg-containing (Pb0.5Hg0.5) (Sr2-xLax) CuO5-gd (1201) system for the composition range 0.8 ≤x≤ 1.0. The chemical composition and crystal structure of this system have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction including the Rietveld refinement, electron diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. We have identified the phase responsible for the superconductivity to be similar to (Pb, Cu) (Sr, La)2CuO5 or (Ti, Pb) (Sr, La)2CuO5 (the so-called 1201 phase) with a space group of P4/mmm and lattice constants of a=3.7908(2) A ̊ and c=8.6915 (6) A ̊ for the x=0.8 sample in (Pb0.5Hg0.5 (Sr2-xLax)CuO5-δ. The disordering of the hole reservoir layer of (Pb, Hg)O due to the displacement of the oxygen ion from its ideal position (0.5, 0.5, 0) to (0.33, 0.5, 0) was found by Rietveld refinement for powder X-ray diffraction data of the x=0.8 sample. This displacement may give rise to the appearance of the superlattice spots along the [102]* direction with a modulation factor close to 4 in the electron diffraction pattern viewed down [010].",
author = "Liu, {R. S.} and Shy, {D. S.} and Hu, {S. F.} and Jefferson, {D. A.}",
doi = "10.1016/0921-4534(93)90066-Y",
journal = "Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications",
T1 - Superconductivity up to 32 K in a new family of the Hg-containing (Pb, Hg) (Sr, La)2CuO5-δ (1201) system
AU - Liu, R. S.
AU - Shy, D. S.
AU - Hu, S. F.
AU - Jefferson, D. A.
N2 - A new family of superconductors with a maximum Tc of 32 K were observed in the Hg-containing (Pb0.5Hg0.5) (Sr2-xLax) CuO5-gd (1201) system for the composition range 0.8 ≤x≤ 1.0. The chemical composition and crystal structure of this system have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction including the Rietveld refinement, electron diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. We have identified the phase responsible for the superconductivity to be similar to (Pb, Cu) (Sr, La)2CuO5 or (Ti, Pb) (Sr, La)2CuO5 (the so-called 1201 phase) with a space group of P4/mmm and lattice constants of a=3.7908(2) A ̊ and c=8.6915 (6) A ̊ for the x=0.8 sample in (Pb0.5Hg0.5 (Sr2-xLax)CuO5-δ. The disordering of the hole reservoir layer of (Pb, Hg)O due to the displacement of the oxygen ion from its ideal position (0.5, 0.5, 0) to (0.33, 0.5, 0) was found by Rietveld refinement for powder X-ray diffraction data of the x=0.8 sample. This displacement may give rise to the appearance of the superlattice spots along the [102]* direction with a modulation factor close to 4 in the electron diffraction pattern viewed down [010].
AB - A new family of superconductors with a maximum Tc of 32 K were observed in the Hg-containing (Pb0.5Hg0.5) (Sr2-xLax) CuO5-gd (1201) system for the composition range 0.8 ≤x≤ 1.0. The chemical composition and crystal structure of this system have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction including the Rietveld refinement, electron diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. We have identified the phase responsible for the superconductivity to be similar to (Pb, Cu) (Sr, La)2CuO5 or (Ti, Pb) (Sr, La)2CuO5 (the so-called 1201 phase) with a space group of P4/mmm and lattice constants of a=3.7908(2) A ̊ and c=8.6915 (6) A ̊ for the x=0.8 sample in (Pb0.5Hg0.5 (Sr2-xLax)CuO5-δ. The disordering of the hole reservoir layer of (Pb, Hg)O due to the displacement of the oxygen ion from its ideal position (0.5, 0.5, 0) to (0.33, 0.5, 0) was found by Rietveld refinement for powder X-ray diffraction data of the x=0.8 sample. This displacement may give rise to the appearance of the superlattice spots along the [102]* direction with a modulation factor close to 4 in the electron diffraction pattern viewed down [010].
U2 - 10.1016/0921-4534(93)90066-Y
DO - 10.1016/0921-4534(93)90066-Y
JO - Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications
JF - Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications
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Museums in Busselton
scroll=y®ion=busselton&type=museums
ArtGeo Cultural Complex
Website: http://www.artgeo.com.au
Immerse yourself in art, history and architecture at the ArtGeo Cultural Complex! Walk through the heritage listed buildings and feel the history between their walls.
Museums:Local History
Historical Sites:Buildings,Prisons
Open Days:Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday,Sunday
The City of Busselton’s ArtGeo Cultural Complex is a creative hub for the visual and performing arts housed in heritage-listed buildings on Queen Street, close to Busselton’s much-loved foreshore. Once linked to the Jetty, the heritage-listed Courthouse, built in 1860, is one of the oldest buildings in Busselton and played an important role in its settlement history.
Walk through the buildings and feel the history within their walls. Explore the gaol cells and imagine being locked up for 14 days for disorderly conduct in a public place behind one of the heavy wooden doors.
The Courthouse Gift Shop reflects the transition from colonial courthouse to modern-day art house. Once inside, you'll discover a tempting range of high quality locally crafted art, jewellery, pottery, cards, photography and woodwork.
Set in the rear courtyard of the complex, there are two artist in residence studios featuring ceramic artist Tracie Anderson and jewellery designer Nalda Hoskins. The general public are welcome to visit these studios, which were once stables, to see the artists at work.
The cultural precinct is also home to the Busselton Art Society, the Busselton Woodturners' Association and the children's theatre group Acting Up. A sheltered courtyard, bush food garden and life-size bronze sculptures augment the ambience of the precinct.
Open daily 10am to 4pm, free entry.
Old Court House
Website: https://www.margaretriver.com/members/old-court-house/
Constructed between 1860–1897, the Court House operated as a judiciary, government administration centre and land agency, servicing the growing settlement's need for law and order.
Today, the Old Court House provides a fascinating glimpse of life in the township some 160 years ago.As part of Busselton's burgeoning cultural precinct, which includes the ArtGeo Gallery and the Weld Repertory Theatre, the Court House also functions as a creative arts hub and heritage site. The precinct provides performance and exhibition space, artists' studios and workshops, guided tours, cafe and retail outlet for regional arts and crafts. The Wadandi people are the traditional owners of the land on which the Court House was constructed.
Wonnerup House (Temporarily Closed)
Website: https://www.margaretriver.com/members/wonnerup-house/
Visit this "National Trust home of Australia" for a beautiful glimpse into yesteryear.
Open Days:Monday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday,Sunday
Featuring a restored earlier House (1838), which was later converted to a dairy and kitchen and, also, a magnificently restored homestead (1859).
Wonnerup House is easy to find: From Busselton, travel east along Peel Tce as this turns into Layman Rd. Travelling south from Perth, look for the alternative scenic route travel through the Tuart Forest and Wonnerup House is on Layman Rd. Plenty of parking for cars, buses and caravans.
St Mary's Anglican Church
Website: https://www.bunburyanglican.org/busselton.html
Built by the early settlers in the 1840's, this beautiful historic building is the oldest stone church in the state, and is still a place of worship for the Busselton Community today.
Historical Sites:Churches
The construction of St Mary’s Anglican Church commenced in 1844, using limestone and jarrah with sheoak shingles for the roof. The church was consecrated in 1848.
Visitors can wander around the graveyard and read the inscriptions on many of the settlers' tombstones, which are still in their original state. These include those of the Bussell family, one of the first European families to settle in the area.
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‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Will Not Explore Snoke’s Past
The quickest way to undermine a villain’s effectiveness and make them less interesting is by explaining their back story; the more mysterious a villain is, the more intimidating and compelling they’re likely to be. And that appears to be the approach Rian Johnson is taking with Star Wars: The Last Jedi — if you were hoping for an explanation of Supreme Leader Snoke’s origins, you won’t find it here.
Lucasfilm recently began the process of slowly pulling back the curtain on The Last Jedi, revealing new character details and sneak peeks, and shedding (a little) additional light on the latest installment in the Star Wars saga. While there’s still plenty of questions left to be answered in the upcoming sequel, at least one will remain a mystery: The origins of Supreme Leader Snoke, the enigmatic villain played by mo-cap master Andy Serkis.
While speaking with Empire, director Rian Johnson says he “wasn’t interested in explaining” where Snoke comes from, and for good reason:
We got the whole story of Palpatine’s rise to power in the prequels, but in the original films he’s exactly what he needs to be, which is just ‘The Emperor.’ He’s a dark force: the scary thing behind the thing. That was entirely how I approached Snoke. I wasn’t interested in explaining where he came from or telling his history, except where it serves this story.
And honestly, he’s right. Look at horror franchises, for instance: Jason, Freddy, Leatherface, Jigsaw — you name it; as the sequels explored their back stories and justified their motives, they all became far less impactful. The boogeyman is scary because we don’t know his motives, who he really is or where he comes from; we fear the unknown. The Wizard of Oz is another example: When the curtain is pulled back to reveal the titular Wizard as nothing more than a normal, human man, his power is lost. He’s no longer awe-inspiring; he’s just some random dude with a cool machine.
We’re always going to want to know where Snoke comes from, but that desire is part of what makes villains like his so effective, and no explanation could come close to being half as satisfying as the numerous possibilities posited by the unknown.
All of which is to say I fully support Rian Johnson’s refusal to explore Snoke’s past. Besides, it’s not as if the new Star Wars films are short on origin stories — we’re witnessing the evil evolution of Kylo Ren, whose deeds could very well cast a long shadow over the universe in future sequels. As for Adam Driver’s brooding villain, Johnson says we’re still watching him become a bad guy:
Star Wars boils down to the transition from adolescence into adulthood. That’s the heart of these films and Rey is most obviously the one that hangs on. But it’s also Kylo. In the originals you project entirely onto Luke, while Vader is the scary other — he’s the minotaur. The fascinating thing about Kylo and Rey is that they’re two sides of something. We can all relate to Kylo: to that anger of being in the turmoil of adolescence and figuring out who he’s going to be as a man; dealing with anger and wanting to separate from his family. He’s not Vader — at least, he’s not Vader yet — and that’s something I really wanted to get into.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters on December 15.
Adam Driver Promises the Unexpected for Kylo Ren in ‘The Last Jedi’
Filed Under: Adam Driver, Andy Serkis, Rian Johnson, Star Wars: The Last Jedi
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Home > All Other Industries > Other Industries E - I > C. B. Hewitt & Bros., Inc. - New York 1926
C. B. Hewitt & Bros., Inc. - New York 1926
Product #: newitem195850956
Beautiful certificate from the C. B. Hewitt & Bros., Inc. issued in 1926. This historic document was printed by the Goes Company and has an ornate border around it with a vignette of an eagle. This item has the signatures of the Company’s President, George Frederick Hewitt, Jr. and Secretary, Fred L. Reeves and is over 84 years old.
C. B. Hewitt & Bros., 23-25 Greene St., New York, 2004
C. B. Hewitt & Bros. were paper manufacturers and wholesalers, and they arrived late at 23-25 Greene St. The company began in 1870 at 48 Beekman St., where they were located until around 1918/19.
C. B. Hewitt was Charles Bloomfield Hewitt (1844-1901), who was in the wholesale paper business with John C. Ely at 34 Platt St. before he formed his own business. J. C. Ely was a venerable paper dealer whose listing was included in the New York Times's list of "Business Firms ... among the best and most reliable in the City of New-York" (2 May 1853, p. 6).
C. B. Hewitt became C. B. Hewitt & Brother in 1872, then C. B. Hewitt & Bros. in 1884. The first brother to join Charles B. Hewitt was Edward G. Hewitt (1836-?), an older brother, and the second brother was George Frederick Hewitt (1849-1922), a younger brother. These three constituted the makeup of C. B. Hewitt & Bros. until 1901.
This advertisement comes from Trow's New York City Directory of 1878 when there was only one brother. This one comes from the Commercial Register in Trow's New York City Directory of 1882 when there still was only one brother. This one comes from Lain's Brooklyn Directory of 1891 when there were two brothers.
The 1870 U. S. Census (non-population schedules) recorded C. B. Hewitt, Binders Boards, with $50,000 capital and raw materials valued at $6700. They employed an average of 16 workmen, and paid annual wages of $10,000. They worked full time only 9 months in the year. Earnings from the past year's production (300 binders' boards) totaled $30,000. (Various dictionaries define "binder's board" as "a cardboard used by bookbinders to make covers for books.")
Charles B. Hewitt died in Cannes, France, while on a trip to Europe. The New York Times (15 Dec. 1901, p. 13) account reads, "Charles Bloomfield Hewitt, head of the New York paper firm of C. B. Hewitt & Brothers, nephew of ex-Mayor Abram S. Hewitt and brother-in-law of Edward M. Shepard, died yesterday in Cannes, France. With him at the time of his death were his wife and two of his three daughters... Mr. Hewitt was born in Bloomfield, N. J., fifty-seven years ago, and was the son of Francis Hewitt, eldest brother of ex-Mayor Hewitt. He was educated at Cooper Institute and was a Twenty-third Regiment veteran. He married Miss Shepard, sister of Edward M. Shepard, and became engaged in the paper business. His home at 182 Congress Street, Brooklyn, was the scene of Mr. Shepard's daily receptions to reporters during the recent municipal campaign."
The following description of Hewitt appeared in the Hardware Dealers' Magazine, Volume 24, 1905, "C. B. Hewitt & Bros., 48 Beekman street, New York, are manufacturers of Building, Roofing and Insulating Papers. One of their sample cards contains samples of 'Venetia' rosin sized Sheathing, 'Venetia' Insulating Paper for cold storage refrigerating purposes, 'Cottage' rosin sized Sheathing, U. S. Fiber Plaster Board which is used instead of plaster. Neponset Red Rope Roofing Fabric, Neponset Black Building Paper, Neponset three-ply Insulating Paper, 'Old Hick' Red Rope Paper for insulating and sheathing purposes; Florian fireproof deadening felt to be used between double floors; No-Noise Felt, 'Red Hawk' Red Rope Roofing Paper, 'Black Hawk' Waterproof Sheathing, etc. The concern also make a specialty of Hardware wrapper papers. They have a large trade on all grades of woodworking glues." An advertisement for Hewitt is found in the Google Book version of Hardware Dealer's Magazine, 1905.
Edward G. Hewitt died some time between 1910 and 1920, and the youngest brother, George F. Hewitt, died in 1922. His son, George Frederick Hewitt, Jr. (1888-?), assumed control at that time, but his tenure seems to have lasted only a short while. By 1930 when C. B. Hewitt moved to Greene St., leadership had passed out of the family. The New York Times (21 Jan. 1930, p. 48) reported, "C. B. Hewitt & Bros., Inc., Robert A. Alberts, president, has bought the five-story building at 23-25 Greene Street, between Canal and Grand Streets, from the 23 Greene Street Company, Inc. The structure is to be used for a warehouse and offices by the Newitt [sic] company now at 16-24 Ferry Street. The firm, organized 62 years ago, makes and imports glue and gelatine." This advertisement for Hewitt dates from 1920 when they were located at 16-24 Ferry Street.
Hewitt stayed at 23-25 Greene St. until 1966/67. At that time they became a division of George W. Millar & Co.
History from OldCompany.com (old stock certificate research service).
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Solomon Ports help repair Choiseul bay PSS dining hall
EducationNews
Solomon Ports has handed over a total of SBD$105,000 to Choiseul Bay Provincial Secondary School of Choiseul Province, Friday 13 March.
The fund will go towards the full repair and renovation of the school’s kitchen and dining hall building, which has been in dire state for decades.
A cheque was handed over to the school’s principal Mr. Murray Rotoava by the SOE’s Chief Financial Officer Mr.George Rausi today at SIPA headquarters.
In receiving the cheque, Mr. Rotoava thanked Solomon Ports for accepting and recognizing the school’s plight and stepping in to improve the dining hall building.
He said the dining hall was in the same state as it was in the 90’s, when he was a student himself at the school.
“Usually when it rains, students find it really difficult and not safe to cook inside, because the rainwater just goes right in the dining hall,” he said.
“ This is a huge step for us, this assistance will help us provide a clean , dry and safe environment for the students to cook and eat their meals, which we have been trying to improve over the years but were not successful because of financial difficulties.”
Meanwhile, Solomon Ports Chief Financial Officer Mr. George Rausi said the SOE was happy and honored in giving back to the community and especially to schools out in the provinces.
He said this is the first time Solomon Ports gave such assistance to Choiseul province and that it was good to help improve rural provincial schools as well.
“We hope this will give a clean and hygienic environment to the students, and we hope this will also improve their learning environment,” he said.
“We also have some staff here at Solomon Ports who are former students of this school, and we are happy to give back to this school for contributing to the development of Solomon Ports.”
Gov’t to gazette ban on imported pork
SIFF denies allegations of nepotism, bias, and unfair treatment
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New Burns Fellowship Program Supports Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Research
Author: Carrie Gates
A new interdisciplinary fellowship program launched by the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Educational Initiatives (IEI) will train graduate students in state-of-the-art quantitative methods, allowing them to examine the impact of educational policies, programs, and practices.
Mark Berends
“This is a game-changer in terms of attracting quality students, focusing their programs of study on rigorous methods of research, and helping them land outstanding placements afterward,” said Mark Berends, professor of sociology and director of IEI’s Center for Research on Educational Opportunity.
Beginning in fall 2016, the Rev. James A. Burns Fellowship is open to prospective students applying to Ph.D. programs in economics, political science, psychology, and sociology who plan to pursue educational research.
IEI fellows from those departments, along with faculty from the Notre Dame Center for STEM Education, the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, and other affiliated centers will train the students.
“Students in the Burns Fellowship program will be able to create and carry out field studies, apply rigorous statistical methods to outcome data, and understand the impact of educational reforms,” Berends said. “To be able to bring those things together is invaluable.”
Named for the Rev. James A. Burns, C.S.C.—a president emeritus of Notre Dame who was known for his passion for education—the fellowships will be awarded to five incoming graduate students each year. Burns Fellows will receive an annual top-off award for up to five years, as well as professional development funding for research and travel.
Nicole McNeil
“This exciting program will strengthen the connections among students and faculty on campus who are dedicated to understanding and improving education,” said Nicole McNeil, ACE Associate Professor of Psychology. “I’m looking forward to my psychology students gaining more exposure to the ways scholars in other disciplines think about research in education.”
In addition to completing coursework in their chosen field, the students will participate in two interdisciplinary courses and a seminar series featuring world-class educational researchers such as Adam Gamoran, president of the William T. Grant Foundation, who will speak at Notre Dame next year.
The first course will offer an in-depth look at how different disciplines—economics, political science, psychology, and sociology—conduct educational research, while the second will delve into designing, managing, and analyzing experiments.
“By engaging in a community of researchers with different approaches and assumptions, students will gain a broader perspective,” McNeil said. “Ultimately, these students will have an easier time generating and producing research that is relevant and accessible to parents, teachers, principals, and policymakers.”
Giving students the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary research teams and alongside faculty who are overseeing experiments—such as William Evans and James Sullivan in the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities—is one of the most valuable aspects of the program, Berends said.
“Those kinds of research experiences are going to be critical for students,” he said. “There are great projects the faculty are doing that have national import, and also fit the mission of the University in a way that contributes to, and hopefully, has an impact on Catholic education.”
The program will further enhance Notre Dame’s role shaping and advancing the educational landscape of the United States, Berends said.
“A truly interdisciplinary program like this will be great not only for the students who participate and the faculty who teach in it,” he said, “but also for the University through its involvement in examining educational policy, programs, and practices.”
Originally published by Carrie Gates at al.nd.edu on December 08, 2015.
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Cassini Spots Daytime Lightning on Saturn
PASADENA, Calif. – Saturn was playing the lightning storm blues. NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has captured images of last year’s storm on Saturn, the largest storm seen up-close at the planet, with bluish spots in the middle of swirling clouds. Those bluish spots indicate flashes of lightning and mark the first time scientists have detected lightning in visible wavelengths on the side of Saturn illuminated by the sun.
“We didn’t think we’d see lightning on Saturn’s day side – only its night side,” said Ulyana Dyudina, a Cassini imaging team associate based at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. “The fact that Cassini was able to detect the lightning means that it was very intense.”
Images can be found at http://www.nasa.gov/cassini , http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov and http://ciclops.org .
The storm occurred last year. The lightning flashes appear brightest in the blue filter of Cassini’s imaging camera on March 6, 2011. Scientists aggressively heightened the blue tint of the image to determine its size and location. Scientists are still analyzing why the blue filter catches the lightning. It might be that the lightning really is blue, or it might be that the short exposure of the camera in the blue filter makes the short-lived lightning easier to see.
What scientists do know is that the intensity of the flash is comparable to the strongest flashes on Earth. The visible energy alone is estimated to be about 3 billion watts lasting for one second. The flash is approximately 100 miles (200 kilometers) in diameter when it exits the tops of the clouds. From this, scientists deduce that the lightning bolts originate in the clouds deeper down in Saturn’s atmosphere where water droplets freeze. This is analogous to where lightning is created in Earth’s atmosphere.
In composite images that show the band of the storm wrapping all the way around Saturn, scientists have seen multiple flashes. In one composite image, they recorded five flashes, and in another, three flashes.
“As summer storm season descends upon Earth’s northern latitudes, Cassini provides us a great opportunity to see how weather plays out at different places in our solar system,” said Linda Spilker, Cassini project scientist, based at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. “Saturn’s atmosphere has been changing over the eight years Cassini has been at Saturn, and we can’t wait to see what happens next.”
The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Cassini-Huygens mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. The Cassini orbiter and its two onboard cameras were designed, developed and assembled at JPL. The imaging team is based at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colo.
Jia-Rui Cook 818-354-0850
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
jccook@jpl.nasa.gov
IMAGE ADVISORY: 2012-212
King Moon
Beyond Our Solar System Poster - Version A
Earth Poster - Version D
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Govinda Mainali: Amnesty International calls for reform of fundamental flaws in Japan's criminal justice system illustrated by the case.
STORY: "Mainali case must lead to reform of daiyo kangoki system," by Amnesty International. published on July 31, 2012.
GIST: "Amnesty International welcomes today's decision by the Tokyo High Court in the case of Govinda Prasad Mainali. The Court rejected a challenge by the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office to its previous order in June 2012 directing a retrial in the case of Mainali, imprisoned for the past 15 years for murder.........Although the High Court has ordered a retrial on issues relating to the investigation, Mainali's case also highlights other fundamental flaws in Japan's criminal justice system that remain unaddressed. After the initial arrest in 1997, Mainali's lawyers were not permitted to be present during interrogations. Under the daiyo kangoku (substitute prison) system, suspects are detained for up to 23 days with limited access to a lawyer. Lawyers are not permitted to be present during interrogations. In April 1997, one of Mainali's lawyers tried to visit him at Shibuya Police Station but was refused access by the police, who said that he had been sent to the Prosecutor's office in connection with the murder case. On arriving at the Prosecutor's office, the lawyer was refused access once again and was told that his client was undergoing 'voluntary' interrogation. Mainali told his lawyers that during interrogations conducted in detention during the pre-trial daiyo kangoku system, the police had shaken, pushed, beaten and kicked him and used a table to pin him against a wall. Although the District Court ordered the authorities to pay 350,000 ¥en in damages for the denial of access to the lawyers, there was no independent investigation into Mainali's complaints of ill-treatment. Mainali's case is the latest in a series of miscarriages of justice in Japan and also highlights the serious problems with Japan's daiyo kangoku (substitute prison) system. Amnesty International also calls therefore on the Japanese government to: ** Abolish or reform the daiyo kangoku system to bring into line with international standards; ** Ensure that detainees are entitled to have legal counsel present during interrogation sessions; ** Ensure audio and video recordings and transcripts of all interrogation sessions, including a record of the identity of all persons present. The recordings and transcripts should also be made available to the detainee and their lawyer. ** In addition, establish audio and video surveillance of all areas of custody facilities where detainees may be present, except where this would violate detainees' right to privacy or to confidential communication with their lawyer or with a doctor. Recordings should be kept in secure facilities for a reasonable period and in the event of a complaint be made available for investigators, individuals who have made a complaint and their representatives.".
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.noodls.com/viewNoodl/15364497/amnesty-international-australia/japan-mainali-case-must-lead-to-reform-of-daiyo-kangoku-sys
For Wikipedia background on this case go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Yasuko_Watanabe
Posted by Harold Levy at Tuesday, August 21, 2012
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European Refugees Oral History Project
Education & Policy
SU_A_36
Country of origin: afghanistan
Year of settlement: 2014
Age on arrival: 31
City: antwerp
Language of the interview: Dari
Login to view the video
[i] [name] .
[r] Good day.
[r] I am [name] . I am from Afghanistan. I lived in Russia for 22 years. I have been in Belgium for four years. My parents live in Antwerp. I have three brothers and they live in the Netherlands. I have a sister who lives in Russia. Since I came to Belgium I have a calm life and in general everything is fine here.
[i] In which city of Afghanistan were you born?
[r] I was born in Kabul and lived there until I was nine years old.
[i] What are your memories of Afghanistan?
[r] I remember my childhood and other children. our games, quarrels with children. Also, I remember our house, also streets, dealing with neighbors, jokes, my school. My school was called “Doosti”, which means “Friendship”. I found the name very nice and meaningful but now the school is called “Alfatr”. I remember my grandmother and aunts we visited. They also lived in Kabul. I usually have nice memories but I also remember the efforts. For example, my sister was back home too late and my parents were very worried. I was still too small to understand everything about war, murder and fear. I only remember my childhood in Afghanistan.
[i] How old were you when you left Kabul?
[r] I was nine.
[i] What was it like for you?
[r] I remember it was early in the morning. We took our things and put on our clothes. I knew we were going somewhere but I had no idea we would never return. I haven’t gone back to Afghanistan since then. I don’t remember much. Only that it was really early in the morning and still dark. I don’t remember much. And I remember that I was not so happy.
[i] Do you remember your clothes or what you took with you?
[r] No, actually nothing, just a backpack.
[i] Do you have any memories of Afghanistan?
[r] I still have pictures of the streets and the other houses. I remember more of my friends with whom we played together, mostly beautiful memories. Also from the time when I had to visit a hijab. A big hijab and as a girl I always had to put it on outside the house. I had a friend named Bahar. One day at school we heard a lot of noise. It was the beginning of the civil war. On the way home she was very frightened by the noise. She covered her ears with her hands and started screaming. I was not afraid and it was not scary for me. But for her it was very difficult. So I asked her to come home with me. But she didn’t come with me and I went home alone. My mother asked if she was okay and she told me not to let her be alone. And then later her brother went to get them. I don’t remember very well. I also remember the time when we had to go to the basement once the bombardments started. It was very dark and we were only with women and the girls and children. As a child everything seemed very strange to me and I did not know exactly why we did this. Still memories of the time of war, one day the whole family of our neighbour came to us. They were all sad and crying. I asked my mother why and she told me that we should help him because they had lost their house.
[i] You went to Russia when you were 9 years old. Do you remember anything about your journey? I don’t remember much. I remember taking the train to Tashkent. There was another family traveling with us. They had some little girls. I remember we were playing together. I also remember another girl who was a bit older. Our journey took four days. For Moscow we also stayed in another city whose name I forgot. It was very cold. It is always cold there. There was a room where only the mothers and the babies could rest. Until the next train to our destination we had to find another place to keep us warm. The next train was planned for the next morning. I was very cold and my feet were almost frozen. I kept moving but that didn’t help much. My father gave me his gloves that were really thick and I started to put on them to keep me warm. I remember it so well. We stayed in Moscow for a few months with an Afghan family of our friends. I remember seeing ostrich eggs for the first time. They made us breakfast with the eggs and I had no idea what kind of eggs they were. After a few months we moved to another place in Moscow. There I could go to the school. Then we had too little stuff. We were migrants. My mother made me and my sister two coats. The coats were very warm but not so beautiful. At school it was okay, not bad. There were some who weren’t so friendly.
[i] Where you lived, did other migrants live there as well?
[r] No, only Russian people.
[i] Wasn’t it difficult to go to school?
[r] It was difficult, but not too difficult.
[i] Did you have trouble with the language?
[r] Yes, I didn’t understand anything. But I had a very good teacher. She motivated me a lot and she helped me with my lessons. There we had the same teacher for the first three years. I started school at the age of three and she was very patient with me. In general, it is easier for children and they learn the language faster. In the meantime we had moved a few times and finally we moved to another district, closer to the centre of Moscow. My father used to study at university there and his friends suggested that we move there. We lived in that district most of the years of our stay in Russia. At school I was bullied a lot by the students. It was very difficult, especially in the beginning. At school I was first in the third category of students. The third was the category of children with a low social class. That’s why we had a lot of children who had a bad upbringing. After three years I went to category B. There it was much better.
[i] What was your biggest problem at school?
[r] The problem was dealing with the other students. They always bullied me and I was excluded.
[i] Do you remember more of that time?
[i] Were there other Afghan students at school as well?
[r] Close to us there was also other Afghan family. Then the daughter said I could go to category B. Six months later the family went to another country in Europe as a migrant. It was difficult for me again. She was my only friend and I had no other contact with the rest.
[i] Living as a refugee is not easy. How did you experience everything as a child or teenager in a foreign country?
[r] As a refugee, you are different from other people, that’s right. But it wasn’t just the difference, people look at you as someone inferior. I always felt that. For example, looking for a job, although I could speak the language well, but because of the accent they knew that I was a migrant.
[i] How could your parents find their way?
[r] It was very difficult for my parents
[r] because they had to take care of us. We were a big family. In order to make money, they had to do everything. There was a school where the children of refugees could be taught. My mother worked there as a volunteer with a very small fee. For her it was nice to be able to help the children of her compatriots. It was also fun for her to do the same work as her education as a teacher. So she did it with pleasure and for a little bit of money. She was busy for a while but the school was closed after a while. Finding a job was very difficult. Working especially at lower level if you stay legal you can work of course. There I finished my studies.
[i] What did you study?
[i] At university?
[r] Yes, but it was difficult to find a job. I found a job really difficult.
[r] Why did you study history?
[r] We had to choose a profession and I always found history or political science interesting. But I went for history. Here in Belgium I enrolled in the faculty of political science.
[i] What did you study here in Belgium?
[i] What was the subject of your thesis in Russia?
[r] It was about the international relationship between Afghanistan and Russia between 1979 and 1989. And it was about the historical documents and writings. I found it very interesting to do a study on this subject.
[i] Why did you emigrate to Belgium?
[r] My family was already in Belgium. I didn’t feel very well there in Russia. I went to a therapist because I didn’t feel well. I really wanted to be closer to my family. That’s why I thought I’d come to Belgium to continue my studies and to build my life here. Immediately I felt much better here. Like another world, close to my parents and with all possibilities.
[i] Your parents came to Belgium for you?
[r] My father 14 years ago and my mother 5 years after him.
[i] Didn’t you go to Belgium with them before?
[r] I had applied for family reunification but that was not possible because I was already an adult.
[i] Did you live with your brothers and sisters?
[r] Then I lived alone with my sister. My brothers were also outside Russia.
[i] Wasn’t it difficult?
[r] Yes of course. I always felt lonely.
[i] During your stay in Russia, how much did the Russian culture influence your Afghan culture? Were you closer to Russian or Afghan culture?
[r] To be honest, I have both the Russian mentality and the Afghan mentality. I sometimes think about it and I think I have a more Russian mentality.
[i] In which aspects do you identify as Russian?
[r] For example, Russian people are people who don’t talk behind each other’s backs and don’t gossip. I like that very much and I am like that.
[i] How do you see the difference between the two religions?
[r] You mean the difficulties of practicing my religion?
[r] For me, religion is a personal matter. For myself and my own life. At school, the discussion was also more general.
[i] Did you find it difficult to practice your religion?
[r] I don’t remember much. It really wasn’t difficult for me.
[i] How was school?
[r] In school, the children who bullied me, or called me “black.
[i] They called you “black”?
Yes, but there were also children who were nice. There was someone from the Soviet Union who was very nice. And sometimes we talked about the other children who treated us badly.
[i] Didn’t you ever have a Russian girlfriend?
[r] I had some girlfriends but never a Russian girlfriend. I knew a girl who was Russian and very nice but we weren’t friends. I knew someone a few years younger than me and we were good friends. There was also someone else who called “Zina” and we were also friends.
[i] How long did you wound in Russia?
[r] Almost 22 years.
[i] And four years ago you came to Belgium?
[r] Yes, it was 2014.
You arrived by plane?
[r] Yes
[r] I felt very positive and good. It was like a new start in my life. I had my family here. I had a lot of hope. When I left the plane, I saw everyone in my family waiting for me. I could see everyone again after all these years. The first years I was so happy to learn the language and do my studies. The years after that were also nice but the first years were really special. I had so much energy and optimism for my future.
[i] Did you start learning your studies and the language right away?
[r] I immediately started with the language. I had previously enrolled in Linguapolis. And a few days after my arrival, I started learning the language.
[i] What was it like for you to learn Dutch?
[r] I have been studying Dutch in Russia for two years. Once I was sure I could come to Belgium, I found an academic institute where my sister and I could learn Dutch. We had a very good teacher and for two years we learned Dutch every week. Sometimes we would study extra lessons at home. In Belgium I continued with the language, but it was difficult. I went on anyway, but it was still interesting for me to continue studying.
[i] How long did it take for you to speak the language fluently?
[r] I studied a year and a half at Linguapolis.
[i] In which language did you usually communicate?
[r] Usually in Dutch, although I couldn’t speak so perfectly.
[i] What other languages do you speak?
[r] Dari is my mother tongue. With my family I always speak Dari. With some people I could speak in English.
[i] Could you use your Russian language here?
Yes, in university I had two other classmates. With them I always speak in Russian. We try to speak as much as possible in Dutch but sometimes also in Russian.
[i] After you finished your language course, did you start your studies at the university?
[r] Actually not no. I had to take the ITNA test first, but I wasn’t very patient and I decided not to continue studying. I wanted to find work.
[i] Were you also working in Russia?
[r] Yes, in Russia after my studies I started looking for a job. I wanted something closer to home. I found a vacancy in a high school near my home. I called and we made an appointment and it went well. In September, I called back and they said I could start working. After a while I had to stop because I didn’t have the right diploma as a teacher. As a stranger it was really hard to find work. For example, in the school I had to change my name, first name and surname had to be both Russian.
[i] And you did that?
[r] Yes indeed. They introduced me to the students with a different name.
[i] By what name?
[r] To Alexin.
[i] How long did you work there?
[r] Almost a year. But it was really hard. I actually replaced another woman who was on maternity leave. That was for a period of two years. But I couldn’t work anymore. Dealing with the students was really difficult, and I realized it wasn’t the right job for me.
[i] What would you like to do?
[r] I really like teaching and I like to do it. I also taught at another school that was for foreigners’ pupils. I taught history there. It was different there. I found it useful to help the newcomers. I did that for a semester, and I really enjoyed it. The pupils were also older and that differs from smaller pupils.
[i] When your stay in Belgium was in order, what was your goal and plan for your future?
[r] First I wanted to do my master studies and then find work. For me it was also important to have my own family.
[i] Do you miss Afghanistan more or Russia?
[r] Afghanistan In the beginning when I was outside I always thought somewhere that we would go back to Afghanistan. I was waiting to go back. But as I got older I realized that it wasn’t going to happen, and I stopped hoping. I used to think that maybe I could go back and see my country again and visit my family. But I’m afraid I wouldn’t feel well there. My mentality, my life experience, everything is totally different now. So I think I may stay for a few days, but no longer. There are still some people who still live there. I would also like to see my home from my childhood back. I’m curious to see what’s left of that place. A few days ago I watched a movie about Kabul and all the places there. I found it very interesting. Therefore, if possible, I would like to go back to my country.
[i] How do you see the difference between Russia and Belgium in terms of flight life and migration?
[r] In Russia in the 90’s it was very bad. There was a new system in the country and there was a lot of control over the people. For parents it was worse. As a child I could understand that. That was really not pleasant, you felt a lot of tension. I don’t have enough pleasant memories of that time. Here in Belgium everything was pleasant for me. I was reunited with my parents. The weather was much better here. The nature here, even the rain I like. For me, everything here is pleasant.
[i] What are you doing now?
[r] I work as an administrative assistant for a driving school. My boss is also an Afghan and he is a fine person. Now that I do my job well and know everything, I enjoy working there.
[i] What exactly do you do?
[r] I deal with administrative matters. I register the clients for the exams and lessons. I monitor everything and make sure everything is in order.
[i] Are you satisfied with your job?
[r] Yes, I do. I work from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and I’m really working on it. If there are any Afghan clients, I speak to them in the Dari. We also have Russian clients and I can speak to them in Russian. Sometimes in English or French.
[i] Do you have other ambitions for your future work in Belgium?
[r] I like my current job but I’m looking for another job with a better salary. Because I want to buy a house and I have to borrow money. Then we can have children and so on.
[i] Are you in contact with the Afghan community here in Belgium?
[r] Occasionally. Especially for big holidays like New Year’s Eve or other Afghan parties. Only during these feasts do I see other Afghan people.
[i] Do you have a large circle of Belgian acquaintances?
Not that much, honestly. I always wanted it, especially when I was a student. Because it’s good to practice my language and also to get to know the mentality of people. But friendship never happened.
[i] Why?
[r] I don’t really know. I get along very well with my neighbours. We talk sometimes and they are very open-minded. But some are more closed. Maybe I’m closed. I don’t know.
[i] Have you experienced discrimination here in Belgium?
[r] No, fortunately not. I didn’t hear anything either.
[i] How did you meet your husband?
[r] I met my husband during an Atlas course. My guide at Atlas told me to take part in it. There were a lot of Afghan people in the course and I met my husband there. Since then we kept in touch and almost a year and a half later we married together.
[i] What course?
[r] StressCop. It was a very nice course, very informative and also nice people. Later my husband asked me to marry him. And I talked to my parents. He also had to talk to my parents separately. And that’s how we got married.
[i] Do you have a child?
[r] Not for the time being.
[i] In the future, when you have children, what culture do you raise them with?
[r] I would certainly try to teach them my own culture. For that is like my roots. In addition, children are also going to learn the culture from here anyway. I like the culture from here very much. There are so many good things here that I appreciate. The system of real democracy. I find that very pleasant. I think it’s great that I can combine these two cultures. That of society and the environment here, and that of my homeland.
[i] Which aspects of your own culture would you like to pass on to your children?
[r] For example, hospitality, the history of my country, and I hope that my children will later show interest and want to know more for themselves. Also the language of my homeland. I think it is possible for my children to learn my mother tongue without relegating them to Dutch.
[i] Do you have any hobbies?
[r] When I have time, I’m usually busy studying language or doing housework. I used to make embroidery that I like, but for the time being I don’t have much free time because I work full-time. That’s why when I’m at home and have time, I usually study.
[i] When you arrived in Belgium as a migrant, what kind of help did you get to rebuild your life here?
[r] Do you mean what I wanted from the government?
[i] I mean, in what ways did the government help you to build your life here?
[r] In different ways. For example, I could take a language course almost for free. I had the opportunity to continue my studies. I could also do volunteer work at ATLAS and I also received a fee. That way I could save some money. I had also done an internship that was also from the government and I also earned money. I mean I could gently develop my life in different ways. By volunteering I could gain a lot of experience and softly I could grow a lot and learn a lot.
[i] What are the most important things in life for you?
[r] Among other things, family is important to me. Family for me is the only thing that gives meaning to your life regardless of the circumstances. I appreciate being able to spend my life close to my family, my parents. Another important thing for me is my marriage. To have a family with my husband and to have children. This is possible if you think about everything and focus on building a good life. These are the most important things for me in life.
[i] What do you think about the family structure in Belgian society?
[r] The family structure is about the same everywhere. What is different here is living together. Here couples can live together without being married. I’m not saying it’s okay or not okay. It’s just another form. Some people think it’s better and that’s okay of course.
[i] What do you think about women’s rights here in Belgium?
[r] Women’s rights? There is a big difference between here and Afghanistan.
In what sense?
[r] In Afghanistan we haven’t finished with development yet. The mentality of the people is also not yet open-minded. Therefore the women are not able to defend their rights. They get no rights and they suffer from this injustice. And the same story for their children.
[i] As a woman here in Belgium, can you achieve your goals without restrictions?
[r] Of course. Here you get the chance to study. To follow an education. Here everything is facilitated for you if you want to achieve something. If you work hard, you can achieve everything here without restrictions. No one here is saying that you shouldn’t do anything because you are a woman. Nobody stops you or blocks your way. The only thing I have heard here is that if you are looking for a job, your nationality, your name, etc., you can reduce your chances. You’ll find it everywhere. There are always people who are not so open-minded to think objectively. There are many people who are like that.
[i] Have you ever experienced such a thing that your country of origin did not give you equal opportunities?
[r] Here? I’m not sure, but I know I’ve been looking for a job a lot and never got a positive answer. They always said that my CV was not suitable for their vacancy.
[i] That you weren’t suitable for the job?
[r] Yes indeed. I like to do social work. But I didn’t have a diploma. It is possible to get a diploma, but I didn’t do it. I could only find my current job through an acquaintance of ours. A friend of my sister-in-law worked there. She invited me to get my driver’s license. When I went there, I realised that they were looking for an employee. I asked if it was possible to work there. Then I applied for the vacancy and I could get the job. I was fortunate enough to find that job by chance, but it’s true, finding a job is very difficult. Especially for administrative work is very difficult. I’ve been here for four years, but it’s not that long. You have to learn the language, sometimes you have to learn another language like French. For example, I applied for a job at the reception and they asked me if I could speak French. My English is not very good either. I have to study that further. Apart from the French language, distance is another factor. For some jobs, you have to travel far. For example, working in a reception centre is also good, but normally it’s not easy to get there. That’s not always easy. Another factor is work experience or a high diploma.
[i] Have you also followed an integration course here in Belgium?
[r] No, I just did an exemption test.
[i] What is that?
[r] This is a kind of test instead of the course. If your supervisor in Atlas agrees that you do not have to take the course, you can only take a test. You answer some questions and if you have passed, you will receive a certificate.
[i] What do you think about the recent flow of refugees from countries like Iran, Syria, Iraq, Africa etc. to Europe?
[r] Who come to Belgium or Europe or the US, in general all refugees are forced to leave their countries by unrest and war. Especially for the women who don’t have a good life in some countries. For example, in Afghanistan, women are oppressed by men and they are beaten by men. They are forced to do business without their permission. They do not have autonomy and freedom because there is a lot of pressure from the family and society. And that is why the women are fleeing to other countries. In Syria there is a war. It is everyone’s right to lead a peaceful life. That is why people flee their country.
[i] Do you see this flow of refugees as a positive or a negative thing for Belgian society?
[r] I understand that for some Belgian people it is not so pleasant that too many people are received in their country. I can’t really say whether it’s positive or negative.
[r] Do you think there are problems in the Afghan community here in Belgium?
[r] What are the difficulties for the Afghan newcomers? Of course, finding a job and loneliness. People who have no family. People who are single, such as a young woman or a young man. I like the fact that sometimes there is a sense of community between the Afghan people here. That makes them feel at home when they come together and practice their culture. That’s one little thing that makes them happy.
Are you homesick, too?
[r] Do you mean that I miss my country?
[i] No, I mean that you feel at home here.
[r] In comparison with Afghanistan or Russia? I only have my memories of Afghanistan from my childhood. Sometimes I think about that time. About Russia, at the beginning that I arrived in Belgium, I was very happy that I didn’t live there anymore. But now I sometimes think about the time there, my studies or my work.
[i] What was it like for your three brothers to rebuild a life here?
Yes, my brothers work very hard too. My young brother learned the language very quickly and studied very hard. Now he is an anaesthetist. He also has a boxing club with two other friends. He likes to box and he does that as a hobby. My oldest brother is a gerontologist in the Netherlands. He sometimes tells about the difficulties he had in the beginning. About his stay at the shelter and the challenges then. Sometimes he had to walk to the shelter for a long time until midnight. Or when he had to leave the shelter and find a house. He had nowhere to sleep. So he worked at McDonald’s until late. But after that was closed he had to find a place to sleep and return to work in the morning. Then he met an Afghan person who offered him a small place to sleep for free. That’s the kind of trouble he’s been through. But now he has a good life. He has a family with two girls. And he has bought a house. My other brother also came here from Russia. He is still studying for a bachelor’s degree and has two other subjects to graduate from. Afterwards he has to find a job. His wife is studying for a master’s degree in law and also works with the children.
[i] How did it go for you when you were looking for a house here?
[r] When I arrived, I was staying at my parents’ house. My husband used to live in another apartment that was a real one. Later that apartment was declared uninhabitable. That’s why my husband was looking for a house. Then he found our current home on Immoweb. Then we visited the house and the owner was very friendly and my husband got a contract. After our Afghan wedding I came here and we started to live together. Here we find it very nice, quiet neighborhood and friendly neighbors. We are happy here.
[r] What is the difference between an Afghan wedding and a Belgian wedding?
[r] An Afghan marriage is something else in terms of process. I haven’t seen a Belgian wedding yet.
[i] Did you register your marriage here in the town hall?
[r] No, we didn’t.
[i] I have no other questions. Do you want to add something more as someone who has lived in three different countries, or as a newcomer in Belgium?
[r] No, I’m glad I had the chance to come here and stay close to my family. We are happy to have so many nice people in our society who have helped us in difficult times. I hope that there will come a time when no one will be forced to leave his country, his family and his parents. I hope we have less violence and war in the future in the world.
[r] Thank you very much [name] for sharing your story with us. It was very enriching.
[r] Thank you to you.
Team BMP
Dutch project Ongekend Bijzonder
Stichting BMP
Gebouw Kaap Noord
Asterweg 19 C7
E-mail: speciallyunknown@stichtingbmp.nl
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News Dismissed professor Kaboğlu says purge is a dishonor to academics
Dismissed professor Kaboğlu says purge is a dishonor to academics
İbrahim Kaboğlu, a professor of constitutional law.
İbrahim Kaboğlu, a professor of constitutional law and one of 330 academics dismissed in a recent government decree, has said ongoing purges in Turkey are a dishonor to academics and that they strip academics of all rights.
Dismissed from Marmara University, Professor Kaboğlu told the Cumhuriyet daily on Saturday that the purges could also be considered an insult to the gains of Turkish society as a whole.
Calling the purges an act against honor, Kaboğlu said it would be less harmful if the perpetrators of the purges would kill the victims since he has been stripped of all his rights as an academic.
Kaboğlu also said he suspects that the president, the prime minister and the cabinet members who signed the latest decree might not know that his name is among the purged academics.
In December, Kaboğlu told the Cumhuriyet daily that the switch to an executive presidency in Turkey would be even worse than Ottoman rule under the sultan. “Even the sultan did not have a party,” said Kabaoğlu of the government’s proposal that the president be officially tied to a political party, in apparent reference to current President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“This is beyond a sultanate,” Kaboğlu commented, saying that the plan for a new constitution in order to implement an executive presidency would be the biggest turning point in Turkish history since all prerogatives of the government would be vested in the president. According to the new proposal, said Kaboğlu, it would be impossible for Parliament to pass any legislation without presidential approval. The controversial proposal had been recently approved by Erdoğan and issued in Official Gazette on Friday.
Meanwhile, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said on Friday that 330 academics who were sacked from their positions at Turkish universities will be re-evaluated by the Higher Education Board (YÖK) in the face of mounting reactions.
According to the new decree issued on Tuesday night, 4,464 people working in government service, including teachers, academics, police officers, soldiers, members of the judiciary and journalists, were purged from their jobs.
A total of 7,316 academics have been purged in Turkey as part of a post-coup crackdown.
Over 135,000 people, including thousands within the military, have been purged due to their real or alleged connection to the Gülen movement since the coup attempt, according to a statement by the labor minister on Jan. 10. As of Feb. 1, 89,775 people were being held without charge, with an additional 43,885 in pre-trial detention due to their alleged links to the movement.(turkishminute.com) Feb. 11, 2017
State of emergency victims in Turkey earn less than $150 a month: report
US official says investigation into Turkey’s Halkbank still underway
Turkish gov’t aims to bring researchers back home after dismissing thousands of them
Turkish court sentences German-Kurdish singer Cane to 6 years in prison
Hearing at ECtHR reveals Turkish prosecutor denied access to vital information
Turkish court sentences journalist Ali Ünal to 19,5 years in prison over alleged Gülen links
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News Paralyzed by ill-treatment in Sivas prison, Turkish police officer dies at 33
Paralyzed by ill-treatment in Sivas prison, Turkish police officer dies at 33
These two images were taken days before Kadir Eyce was sent to jail for depositing money in Bank Asya, a Gülen movement-linked lender, and after he was released pending trial. (Photo: Turkey Purge)
Kadir Eyce, a 33-year-old police officer who was jailed due to alleged links to the Gülen movement, has died several weeks after he was released from prison due to health problems.
According to photos and tweets posted by family members on Twitter, Eyce had been denied food and water in jail, thereby losing 45 kilograms in three months.
A lawyer representing Eyce told Turkish media that when he was arrested he weighed 90 kilograms. Pictures posted on social media also revealed the extent of the ill-treatment against the jailed police officer, causing serious concern about the fate of thousands of civilians who have been kept in prisons under poor conditions across the country.
The police officer reportedly died at a Sivas Hospital on Tuesday. He was denied treatment at the hospital even though he was suffering from severe gastrointestinal pain for days. They only allowed him to receive treatment in his cell. When he was finally transferred to a hospital, it was almost too late. “His body was beyond recognition,” said Emel Eyce, the wife of the police officer.
Against the background of massive crackdown on critics and opponents in Turkey and widespread torture practices in detentions and prisons, as of March 21, 2017, fifty-four people were reported to have lost their lives, most under suspicious circumstances and under lock-up in the last eight months according to a report released by Stockholm Center for Freedom (SCF). Since March 21, with the death of four more people under similar conditions the number has currently reached to 58 since failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016.
In some cases, deaths are believed to have taken place after severe torture suspects were subjected in Turkey’s prisons and detention centers. In several cases, suspects reportedly took their lives immediately before an imminent arrest or right after the release, raising suspicions of a foul play on the part of authorities. The psychological pressure by the government and trauma of being targeted as part of an unprecedented witch-hunt campaign targeting critics and dissidents in Turkey have also played a role in some reported suicide cases, many believe.
Turkey experienced a military coup attempt on July 15, 2016 that killed over 240 people. Immediately after the putsch, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government along with Turkey’s autocratic President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pinned the blame on the Gülen movement.
Although the movement strongly denies having any role in the putsch, the government initiated a widespread purge aimed at cleansing sympathizers of the movement from within state institutions, dehumanizing its popular figures and putting them in custody.
As of April 11, 2017, the names of victims who lost their lives under suspicious circumstances and under lock-up since July 15, 2016 as follow:
(SCF with turkeypurge.com) April 11, 2017
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Secondary SchoolsBishop Vesey's Grammar SchoolCharity
By Sutton School Life
MP Andrew Mitchell has praised the efforts of Sutton schools who have donated thousands of times to good causes.
Sutton Coldfield’s MP has praised the Royal Town’s schools for their ‘remarkable efforts and generosity’, after students, parents and staff collected thousands of donations to help struggling families and homeless people and over the winter.
Andrew Mitchell MP said: “Everyone in Sutton Coldfield should be rightly proud of the remarkable efforts and generosity shown by pupils at all of our schools, and the organisational determination of teachers, staff and parents.
Just some of the donations at Arthur Terry.
“Literally thousands of items have been donated to the Food Bank at the Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church, making a real difference to so many people over the winter. Other appeals and campaigns organised by schools have supported individual charities and good causes.
“All of our schools have had a very difficult time throughout the pandemic and I have no doubt that local teachers will continue to face considerable challenges in 2021. I was already full of admiration for the work that has been done by our schools – but to see that they have also managed to organise so many inspirational charitable collections before Christmas was simply terrific.
Ben Songhurst with Ellie Holmes and Amrita Dhutti and some of the care parcels created by the Plantsbrook Sixth Former’s appeal.
“It illustrates that the schools in Sutton Coldfield not only provide a great education, they also inspire the younger generations of Suttonians to engage with the community, and care about those who have fallen on harder times.
“I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who has played a part in this remarkable effort.”
Among the donations made via Sutton schools were:
A vanload containing thousands of items donated by students at the Arthur Terry School. After the collection on December 2, the mountain of donations was so big it filled half the floorspace of the school’s hall before it was crammed into the van for delivery. The school, which is part of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, also put together hampers which were shared within the community.
The Vesey community donated almost 1000 items to the Food Bank at Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church.
Plantsbrook School Sixth Former Ben Songhurst, from Boldmere, came up with a plan to put together care parcels for the homeless, containing non-food items such as toiletries and new underwear. As a result, volunteers from the Food Bank at Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church visited Plantsbrook to pick up 65 individually-wrapped Christmas parcels after the entire school community responded to Ben’s appeal.
At Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, caring students Krishan Patel, Laura Jaison and Yuan Sagala organised a collection of almost 1000 items, after they mobilised class tutors to help spread the message to all years and put up posters around the school.
And Bishop Vesey’s Giving Tree returned to the Gracehurch Shopping centre in the run-up to Christmas. Students unveiled the tree, which was donated by William Wheat and Son, in Sutton Town Centre with all the necessary COVID restrictions in the place, supporting homeless charity St Basil’s, Birmingham City Mission, the Salvation Army and the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce’s chosen charity – the Sutton Coldfield YMCA.
“I was already full of admiration for the work that has been done by our schools – but to see that they have also managed to organise so many inspirational charitable collections before Christmas was simply terrific,”
– sutton mp andrew mitchell
arthur terry
bishop vesey
bishop veseys grammat school
Sutton School Lifehttps://suttonschoollife.co.uk
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Lost for Words?
We’ve all had moments when we can’t quite find the right word. Whether it’s midway through a time-constrained press release, when writing a particularly delicate email, or even when chatting with a friend. Sometimes, the right word just escapes us.
Working in the communications industry, we’re able to immerse ourselves into the world of etymology, exploring and experimenting with new means of conversing with audiences. It’s something that excites us and challenges us in equal measure on a daily basis – especially as our languages evolve with each new generation.
The TV show Countdown is an often-discussed topic at SQN Towers. (For the purposes of this blog, we’ll forego last week’s winning word ‘bumhole’, which has since become the most searched-for word on OxfordDictionaries.com. Susie Dent’s Twitter account @susie_dent is a must-follow for anyone interesting in broadening his or her English vocabulary. Just this morning, we were gifted probsolutely: a definite maybe. Wonderful.
Our overseas friends have an even greater wealth of words at their disposal, something that was referenced in The Times newspaper this morning. Tim Lomas of the University of East London has listed 216 words, denoting emotional state, in his Journal of Positive Psychology with the aim “to provide a window onto cultural differences in constructions of wellbeing, thereby enriching our understanding of wellbeing”.
Similar lists have appeared on Buzzfeed for some time, (by the same Buzzfeed staff author it appears – a man after @ChrisHughesPR‘s own heart? – Ed) and offer a fascinating look into the composition of foreign lexicons. We’re something of a team of linguists here at SQN, with German, French, Italian and Spanish among those languages we can dine out on, so we love this sort of thing.
From ah-un (Japanese for unspoken communication between friends) to the glorious Schnapsidee (an idea dreamt up under the influence of alcohol), there are an abundance of words that, quite frankly, I’d like to steal.
Particular favourites of mine: Tsundoku (Japanese: the act of buying a book and leaving it unread, often piled together with other unused books – beautiful!); Waldeinsamkeit (German: the feeling of being alone in the woods); and Tyvsmake (Norwegian: to eat small pieces of food when nobody is watching, especially while cooking – come on, who doesn’t do this?!)
The world is full of wonderful words, many of them unearthed in our own native language; it’s our job as communications professionals to find and embrace them. Tim Lomas hopes his list will ‘expand the emotional vocabulary of English speakers (and indeed speakers of all languages), and consequently enrich their experiences of wellbeing.”
Few things, it seems, are truly ineffable. It might just be a case of knowing in which language to look.
Written by SQN’s Director of PR and Communications, Chris Hughes. Not the Facebook one, the other one. You can follow him on Twitter @ChrisHughesPR.
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ALF_DrGregoryHageman.jpg
Dr. Gregory Hageman recently spoke to US Congressional leaders, briefing them on dramatic advances in age-related macular degeneration research since 2005, when his and three other research teams first identified Complement Factor H, (CFH), a gene variant strongly associated with increased risk for developing AMD. These new findings may change the way age-related macular degeneration is treated - and potentially cured.
The identified gene, Complement Factor H (CFH), and its protein product are normally engaged in the control of a portion of the body’s immune system. Normal levels of healthy CFH protein may protect against AMD, while variants in the gene result in poor regulation of this system and can lead to the development of age-related macular degeneration.
Hageman expects that Phase 1 clinical trial on a therapy using the CHF protein in an augmentation strategy similar to that of treating diabetes with insulin could start as early as mid 2009.
He also noted that since most of the CFH is made in the liver, liver transplant recipients offer an opportunity to study what occurs when an individual receives a different form of CFH following transplantation. Researchers hope that these liver studies will reinforce the concept of providing age-related macular degeneration patients with doses of the protective protein or, in the future, with gene therapy approaches that would allow the liver to produce the protein on its own.
Check the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research website for more information on this research.
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Episode 11 - Jimmy Stewart
Tall, lanky, and with that unmistakable drawl, Jimmy Stewart made memorable impressions in classic films from It’s a Wonderful Life to Mr. Smith Goes to Washington to Vertigo. Stewart was a polished radio performer, whether he was starring in his own western drama The Six Shooter or making visits to appear on Suspense. Though some of his best known screen roles are as upstanding, honest heroes, Suspense gave Jimmy Stewart the opportunity to play desperate men in dangerous situations. We’ll hear him in “Consequence” (originally aired on CBS on February 21, 1946) and “Mission Completed” (originally aired on CBS on December 1, 1949).
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Iconic Films Featuring Ray-Bans
Fashion is an ingrained part of our culture. From musicians, to actors and writers, we are greatly influenced by the the creative industry and the media that we consume. Often associated with certain memories and moments, such as Audrey Hepburn donning her iconic black dress and pearls in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, fashion can be defined by particular films.
One accessory that is consistently shown in films are a pair of popular Ray-Ban sunglasses. The Wayfarer, arguably their most sought after design, has appeared in a plethora of classic films, such as The Blues Brothers and Reservoir Dogs, whilst their distinctive aviator range made an appearance in Top Gun.
Founded in 1937 by American company Bausch & Lomb, Ray-Ban started their career by producing sunglasses for the US army, before moving on to create a range for the general public. Instantly recognisable due to their familiar shape and branding, Ray-Ban’s are used consistently in films, music videos, and are worn by an abundance of celebrities and influencers alike.
Here are our top picks of the best classic films featuring the iconic sunglasses brand:
Rebel Without A Cause, 1955
Whilst only active in the acting circuit for five years, James Dean certainly made an impression with the seven films and smattering of television appearances. His most iconic film was Rebel Without A Cause by far.
In the film, Jim Stark (James Dean), is a troublemaker who has moved to a new town. Here, he strikes a friendship with disturbed classmate Plato, falls for local girl Judy and gains an enemy in the form of Buzz, the neighbourhood tough kid. When Buzz challenges Jim to a drag race, the troublemaking days of Jim’s past are about to be revived again.
Highly rated among critics and movie fans alike, this film so happens to be the film where his character, the troublemaking teen Jim Stark, wore a pair of Ray Ban’s Clubmaster sunglasses.
The Blues Brothers, 1980
The ninth highest grossing musical film of all time, The Blues Brothers, starring Dan Aykroid and John Belushi, sees them sent on a “mission from God.” After serving a three year prison sentence for robbery, Jake Blues and his brother Elwood discover that the Catholic orphanage that they grew up in is in danger of closing, unless $5,000 in property taxes is remitted to the Cook County Assessor’s Office. After attending a gospel church service led by The Reverend Cleophus James (soul legend James Brown), the Blues Brothers have a plan to raise the funds needed to keep the orphanage open-tour as a blues band. From this point on, Blues Brothers features car chases, catchy musical performances by the band and renowned performers (Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and James Brown to name a few), as they race to make the money back for their old home.
The Blues Brothers are not only remembered for the music, but also the brothers signature black suit, tie and sunglasses style. The sunglasses in question were Ray-Ban’s iconic Wayfarers.
Risky Business, 1983
Considered a classic 80s comedy, Risky Business stars a young Tom Cruise as Joel, a privileged teenager who is left alone in the family home with a Porsche at his disposal whilst his family are away. Joel, through his scheming friends, finds himself entertaining a call-girl called Lana. After meeting Joel’s friends, Lana spots a business opportunity, and suggests bringing in some of her stunning colleagues. Initially Joel disagrees with the idea, that is until the Porsche accidentally falls into Lake Michigan, requiring a quick boost of cash to put the situation right.
Tom Cruise’s cocky teen Joel wears a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers throughout, which have become synonymous with the film.
Top Gun, 1986
Another Tom Cruise hit, Cruise stars as Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a skilled United States Naval Aviator. As students at the United States Navy’s elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, this daring young pilot is quickly moved up to the Top Gun Naval Flying School after saving his wingman’s life during an encounter with a pair of MiG fighters over the Persian Gulf. The film follows Maverick’s struggles to be the best pilot at the flying school.
In Top Gun, Tom Cruise wears a pair of Ray-Ban’s Aviator sunglasses, already made popular with the US Army back in the 1930s.
Reservoir Dogs, 1992
Regarded as one of director Quentin Tarantino’s highest rated films, Reservoir Dogs is regarded for its soundtrack, cinematography and iconic suited style.
Six criminals, who are strangers to each other are hired by a crime boss called Joe Cabot to carry out a diamond robbery. However, things do not go to plan after the police show up at the robbery, and a shootout occurs, killing two of them, a few policemen and civilians. When the remaining men assemble at the rendezvous point (a warehouse), they start to suspect that one of them is an undercover cop.
Ray-Ban’s Wayfarer sunglasses are worn by the surviving six men with the most iconic scene of the film making it onto posters and front covers worldwide, complete with this fashionable accessory.
Men In Black, 1997
Men In Black follows “J” (Will Smith), the newest recruit to the Men In Black (code name MiB) agency, a top secret organisation that protects the world from extra terrestrial beings. J teams up with “K” (Tommy Lee Jones). When a flying saucer crashes into earth, the alien surviving the crash, part of the “Bug” race in the galaxy, takes the body of a farmer and heads to New York in search for a super energy source called “The Galaxy.” Agents J and K must stop the bug before he escapes with the galaxy and threatens the universes peace.
When people think of Men In Black, they no doubt think of the black shades, black tie and black shade combo that the MiB wear. The shades in question are of course Ray-Ban’s classic black Wayfarer style.
Shop the full collection of Ray-Ban sunglasses in store or online here at Zee & Co.
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Sub Genre
Flicklist
Reframe Project
Sub-Genre is a strategic consulting company specializing in developing campaigns to connect films with audiences.
Sub-Genre works from ideation to implementation on all aspects of building audiences for niche films and new media, and delivering this content to audiences through customized distribution and marketing campaigns. We focus particularly on brands making films and branded content.
Brian Newman, founder of Sub-Genre, consults on content development, financing, distribution and marketing to help connect brands and filmmakers with audiences. Click here for a list of current and past Sub-Genre clients.
Brian is also the producer of the The Outside Story (narrative, premiere Tribeca, 2020), and Love & Taxes (narrative); and executive producer of Shored Up, The Invisible World (docs) and Remittance (narrative). Click here for a list of Sub-Genre film projects.
Brian has served as CEO of the Tribeca Film Institute, president of Renew Media (known for the Rockefeller Fellowships) and executive director of IMAGE Film & Video (producers of the Atlanta Film Festival). Brian serves on the advisory board of the Camden International Film Festival. He was born in North Carolina and has an MA in Film Studies from Emory University.
Brian is a frequent keynote speaker on branded content and the future of film and new media. He is known as a serial entrepreneur and leader in the film industry, having led:
the merger of Renew Media and the Tribeca Film Institute, combining two nonprofits into a leading media center;
the launch of the Reframe Project to digitize and make accessible thousands of “stuck on the shelf” films;
the start-up, Flicklist, an app to help people find the best films to watch;
development of the Sundance Institute’s Transparency Project, an effort to aggregate and make available the financial data on hundreds of indie films.
He has served on the boards of Grantmakers in Film & Electronic Media (GFEM, now Media Impact Funders, as Vice Chair and Treasurer); Muse Film & Television, Rooftop Films (Chair) and IndieCollect (Co-Founding Board Member).
© 2021 Sub Genre
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The Stromata
Magisterial Reformation
Chapter 2. Zwingli Recognises Infant Baptism As Unscriptural
“I do not know, what to make of it,” says Hans Hottinger concerning Zwingli, “today he preaches one thing and tomorrow he recants it. And particularly he has preached years ago that the infants should not be baptized, but now he says, they should be baptized.”
By John Horsch
19th Century, 20th Century, Anabaptist, Mennonite, Protestant, Western Christian
From Infant Baptism and Its History Among Protestants
In Baptism, Church History, Presbyterianism, Protestantism, Voluntary Principle
Ulrich Zwingli, in the first period of his reformatory labors, frankly questioned the practice of infant baptism. He wrote in July, 1523, in his Exposition of the Articles (article eighteen):
The rite of Confirmation became customary only after a general beginning had been made to baptize the children in their infancy, or immediately after birth. Confirmation was introduced that the faith which was confessed for them by their fathers and mothers through their godfathers might not be unknown to them [since they were instructed previous to confirmation]. Although I know, as the ancients indicate, that from the earliest times infants were sometimes baptized, it was nevertheless not so common a custom as it is in our time, but the general practice was, as soon as they arrived at the age of reason, to form them into classes for instruction in the word of salvation (hence they were called catechumens, i.e. persons under instruction) and when they steadfastly believed in their hearts and confessed with their mouths, they were baptized.
Balthasar Hubmaier, one of the spokesmen of the Anabaptists, wrote in his reply to Zwingli’s Book ‘On Baptism’:
In the year 1523, about the day of Philip and James [May 1], I have conferred with you [Zwingli] on the moat of Zurich upon the Scriptures which treat on baptism. Then and there you agreed with me in the opinion that children should not be baptized before they were instructed in the faith; you said, this was the custom in times of yore, therefore such were called catechumens. You promised to mention this in your forthcoming book, as you also did in article XVIII on Confirmation. Anyone can read it and find your opinion clearly expressed. Sebastian Ruckensberger of St. Gall, at that time prior of the cloister Sion at Klingnau, was present.
To his friend Thomas Wyttenbach Zwingli wrote on June 15, 1523: “It is useless to wash a thousand times in the baptismal water him who does not believe.”In a letter to Fridolin Lindauer in Bremgarten he said, October 20, 1524: “God has commanded to baptize those who have previously believed.” “More and more Zwingli looked upon baptism as an act for believers,” says the Zwinglian theologian Usteri, “namely an act of confession and of acceptance of definite duty.”
It is worthy of notice that Zwingli, even after he had decided that infant baptism must not be abandoned, did not hold that this practice is commanded in Scripture. He says in December, 1524: “To come to the subject of infant baptism, observe that those who would not baptize them have no clear scriptural commandment that infants should not be baptized, and again, those who baptize them have no clear Scripture which commands that they should be baptized. — So we find in the New Testament neither a command nor a prohibition of infant baptism.” Zwingli’s defence of the practice of the state-church was based on the supposition that the baptism of infants is not forbidden in Scripture.
We have Zwingli’s own testimony to the effect that for some time he openly favored the abolition of infant baptism. He says in 1525: “When we readily accepted the opinion that the signs [ordinances] strengthen the faith, we naturally contradicted infant baptism; for baptism can not strengthen the faith in the instance of infants, for they can not believe. For the error misled me also some years ago that I thought it would be much better to baptize children after they have arrived at a good age.” Hubmaier, commenting on this statement of Zwingli, says: “Yes, this was your opinion; you have set forth this view in writing and have preached it from the pulpit; many hundreds of people have heard it out of your own mouth.”
Conrad Grebel, the foremost leader of the Swiss Anabaptists, wrote in December, 1524, to the Council of Zurich: “I am convinced that Zwingli is of the same opinion concerning baptism as we, and I do not understand for what reason he does not confess it. But this I know with certainty, if only God’s Word is permitted to prevail, no one may disprove this opinion.” “I do not know, what to make of it,” says Hans Hottinger concerning Zwingli, “today he preaches one thing and tomorrow he recants it. And particularly he has preached years ago that the infants should not be baptized, but now he says, they should be baptized.” A Zwinglian chronicler of Zurich also testifies that Zwingli preached against infant baptism.
“It is an altogether true and therefore very sincere confession,” says August Baur, the author of the most notable work on the Zwinglian theology, “which Zwingli makes in his Book on Baptism, when he says, the error misled him some years ago that he believed, it were far better to abandon infant baptism,” and Usteri says: “Zwingli does not leave us in the dark concerning the position which he first took on the question of infant baptism.” W. Hadorn also testifies that Zwingli, and other reformers had at first similar opinions about infant baptism as those who later became the leaders of the Anabaptists. Another Zwinglian historian says: “The abolition of the baptism of new-born children was without any doubt an altogether consequential point in the program of the earlier theology of Zwingli.” This is clear testimony to corroborate the statement of the Moravian Anabaptist chronicler who informs us that Ulrich Zwingli, together with Conrad Grebel recognized infant baptism as uncalled for, but somewhat later, when Grebel and Mantz urged the necessity of faith-baptism, Zwingli would not consent to it.
Source: Infant Baptism: Its Origin Among Protestants and the Arguments Advanced for and Against it by John Horsch on Archive.Org
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Afghanistan Is Falling Apart And More American Troops Won’t Change That, US Intel Chief Says
More U.S. boots on the ground in Afghanistan are unlikely to improve the security situation in a fragile country, the...
By Jared Keller May 12, 2017
More U.S. boots on the ground in Afghanistan are unlikely to improve the security situation in a fragile country, the federal government’s top intelligence official told Congress on Thursday, casting a shadow over tentative plans to deploy thousands more American troops to eradicate jihadi terror organizations and finally bring the 16-year-old conflict to a close.
Testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee on May 11, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told lawmakers that the U.S. intelligence community believes “the political and security situation in Afghanistan will almost certainly deteriorate through 2018, even with a modest increase in military assistance by the United States and its partners,” Reuters reports.
That the DNI sees a tough road ahead in Afghanistan is unsurprising: In an unannounced visit to Kabul in April to meet with U.S. military personnel and Afghan officials, Secretary of Defense James Mattis conceded that 2017 would be “another tough year” for the multinational coalition beating back the rising tide of the Taliban and ISIS.
In Coats’s assessment, the Kabul government’s weakness; the home army’s continuing poor performance, the Taliban’s resurgence, and ISIS’s rise all portend a few more bad years for Afghans — and U.S. forces downrange. From his opening statement (emphasis ours):
The overall situation in Afghanistan will very likely continue to deteriorate, even if international support is sustained. Endemic state weaknesses, the government's political fragility, deficiencies of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), Taliban persistence, and regional interference will remain key impediments to improvement. Kabul's political dysfunction and ineffectiveness will almost certainly be the greatest vulnerability to stability in 2017.
ANSF performance will probably worsen due to a combination of Taliban operations, ANSF combat casualties, desertions, poor logistics support, and weak leadership. The ANSF will almost certainly remain heavily dependent on foreign military and financial support to sustain themselves and preclude their collapse.
Although the Taliban was unsuccessful in seizing a provincial capital in 2016, it effectively navigated its second leadership transition in two years following the death of its former chief, Mansur, and is likely to make gains in 2017. The fighting will also continue to threaten US personnel, allies, and partners, particularly in Kabul and urban population centers.
ISIS's Khorasan branch (ISIS-K) — which constitutes ISIS's most significant presence in South Asia—will probably remain a low-level developing threat to Afghan stability as well as to US and Western interests in the region in 2017.
To be fair, the American intelligence community has been dramatically wrong before, but Coat’s testimony makes the Pentagon’s plans to expand U.S. military operations in Afghanistan by between 3,000 and 5,000 troops look unlikely to significantly change the course of the 16-year war effort.
There are currently 8,400 American service members deployed to Afghanistan, while NATO partners contribute an additional 4,900 troops. In February, Gen. John Nicholson, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that “a few thousand” more American troops could effectively advise and train Afghan security forces and provide more flexibility for air strikes against jihadi targets.
In Coats' view, a mini-troop surge is only a stopgap before U.S. and Afghan government officials find another resolution to the conflict. In his Thursday testimony, Coats told lawmakers that Afghanistan will continue to depend on foreign militaries for political and security support “until it contains the insurgency or reaches a peace agreement with the Taliban.” Even Mattis admitted during his Kabul visit in April that he, too, was open to the possibility of a political resolution.
Jared Keller View Jared Keller's articles
@jaredbkeller
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FBI, CIA Join NSA In “Backdoor” Searches On Americans
Alex Wilhelm 7 years
Thousands of Americans were targets of so-called “backdoor” warrantless surveillance by the NSA and other intelligence agencies last year, according to a letter sent to Senator Ron Wyden.
The missive, written by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to the Senator in response to a question posed earlier this month, is plainspoken. The Office also stated that the searches in question are not based on an exploited legal “loophole.”
The House recently voted to curtail such searches by defunding them.
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows the government to collect information on foreign targets that are, to use its own language, “reasonably believed to be outside of the U.S. at the time of collection.” It can’t target United States persons by law, and it isn’t allowed to reverse-target — picking a foreign target with the hopes of picking up the communications of someone thought to be in the United States.
The information collected under Section 702 authority may include the communications of Americans picked up in the process of collecting data on foreign targets. The stored information can then be queried by the NSA, and its intelligence brethren, using search terms to find the communications of Americans. Hence the term “backdoor.”
How many Americans are caught up in the mix? According to the letter, the NSA used such queries to search the communications content of 198 U.S. persons in 2013. It also made around 9,500 metadata queries for the communications of U.S. persons in the period. The number of people impacted by the meta-data searches isn’t clear.
The CIA made 1,900 queries of Section 702-sourced information “using specific U.S. person identifiers” in 2013.
Ominously, the FBI also has access to some of the pooled data, but doesn’t count how often that it queries it using U.S. person identifiers.
Senator Wyden isn’t pleased with the data. In a statement, he indicated that “[w]hen the FBI says it conducts a substantial number of searches and it has no idea of what the number is, it shows how flawed this system is and the consequences of inadequate oversight.”
Scale is also something to keep in mind. The ODNI states in its letter that “collection under Section 702 is not bulk collection, but is targeted collection based on specific identifiers.” Senator Wyden disagrees (Emphasis: TechCrunch):
While intelligence officials have often argued that it is impossible to estimate how many Americans’ communications are getting swept up by the government under Section 702, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has noted that the NSA acquires more than two hundred and fifty million Internet communications every year using Section 702, so even if US communications make up a small fraction of that total, the number of U.S. communications being collected is potentially quite large.
In short, using a law named the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, the NSA and the CIA and the FBI are able to search and read the content of the communications of Americans. Brilliant.
IMAGE BY FLICKR USER TIM G PHOTOGRAPHY UNDER CC BY 2.0 LICENSE (IMAGE HAS BEEN MODIFIED)
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Latin America’s Groupon Mafia
Nathan Lustig 3 years
Nathan Lustig Contributor
Nathan Lustig is an entrepreneur and managing partner at Magma Partners, a seed-stage investment fund in Santiago, Chile.
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The founders of PayPal and its employees have produced many highly successful companies over the years. In fact, PayPal’s founding team often is referred to as the “PayPal Mafia” because they’ve had such an impact on the startup ecosystem. Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, Reid Hoffman and many other former PayPal employees have shaped some of the world’s biggest tech firms, founding companies like YouTube, Tesla, SpaceX, LinkedIn, Yelp and many more.
This serial entrepreneur success story, where one company breeds a remarkable crop of entrepreneurs, is reminiscent of a similar phenomenon taking place in another part of the world. The story starts with another U.S. company, Groupon, during a period of rapid international expansion around 2010-2011, and takes place in Latin America.
The story of ClanDescuento
In 2010, Daniel Undurraga and Juan Pablo Cuevas, both Chilean entrepreneurs, along with Swedish entrepreneur Oskar Hjertonsson, launched a company called Needish in Chile. The platform, a classified ads portal sort of like a Craigslist for Chile, quickly garnered millions of visits per month and put the team on the map.
However, lacking a viable way to reach profitability, Undurraga and Hjertonsson needed to pivot the company. After seeing Groupon’s success in the U.S., they launched ClanDescuento, a clone for the Chilean market.
Groupon, meanwhile, was taking off in the U.S., and by this time the company was armed with a billion-dollar valuation from its investors. Groupon also faced pressures from increased competition, and from 2010-2011, the company went on a wild buying spree, acquiring as many of its copycat competitors around the world as it possibly could.
Having lived in San Francisco for almost five years, Undurraga was infatuated with the wide variety of on-demand services available.
While that was happening, and using the Needish database, the ClanDescuento team started sending daily email offers to its users, quickly gaining popularity in Chile. After just three months of operations, ClanDescuento generated significant revenue. Its founders decided they wanted to expand ClanDescuento to the rest of Latin America, so the team took a trip to Silicon Valley, with the idea of raising funding for their expansion. They ended up in a meeting with Andrew Mason, the founder of Groupon, who proposed turning ClanDescuento into what would become “Groupon Latin America.”
In June 2010, after just months of operations, Groupon acquired ClanDescuento. Under the new name “Groupon Latin America,” and with significant financial backing, the team (which now included Daniel Undurraga, Oskar Hjertonsson, Felipe Henríquez Meyer and Juan Pablo Cuevas as the CEO) was able to continue growing their operations across Latin America.
Saying goodbye to Groupon
For the next few years, the ClanDescuento founders led Groupon Latin America and managed more than 1,000 employees. But for these entrepreneurs, along with many other Groupon Latin America employees, building businesses across the region was much more interesting.
In February 2013, Hjertonsson and Undurraga moved away from the world of daily deals to Silicon Valley. There, they launched a new group-photo service called Seahorse. The idea didn’t quite take off and just as Seahorse was winding down, Juan Pablo Cuevas, Needish’s third co-founder and the first investor in Seahorse, was also planning to leave Groupon Latin America after having successfully run the company for several years.
By the end of 2014, the three Needish founders were back together, this time with another idea more in line with their previous success.
Cornershop is born
In January 2015, Cornershop, an on-demand delivery service for the Latin American market, was born. Having lived in San Francisco for almost five years, Undurraga was infatuated with the wide variety of on-demand services available and realized that Latin Americans would enjoy similar services, too. On top of that, nobody else in the region was providing them.
With a US$2.5 million investment obtained through private capital, the three ClanDescuento founders launched Cornershop in Mexico and Chile. Not only was Mexico the largest market in Latin America, but Undurraga and his partners knew the market very well from their time working at Groupon Mexico. They also decided to base their engineering team in Chile, and launched the delivery service there, as well.
Less than a year in, Cornershop raised another US$6.7 million to accelerate its growth in Mexico and Chile. In May 2017, the company closed an impressive US$21 million round led by Accel Partners. These million-dollar fundraising rounds are nothing short of impressive for a Latin American startup, and are proof that investors certainly see promising potential in Cornershop.
Other Groupon member successes
As for the other members of Groupon Latin America, Felipe Henríquez Meyer, the CFO of Groupon Latin America from June 2010 to June 2013, went on to become a managing partner at Nazca Ventures (now Mountain Nazca Latin America), an early-stage venture capital fund that invests in Latin American companies.
Last year, when Groupon announced its decision to refocus its efforts in only 15 markets (in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa) and to seek strategic alternatives for the remaining 11 Asian and Latin American markets, Mountain Nazca began purchasing Groupon businesses in five Latin American markets. By April 2017, it had acquired the remaining Groupon platform in the region, Groupon Brazil, bringing Henríquez’s involvement with Groupon full circle. In November, Mountain Nazca announced the acquisition of Brazil’s leading online player, Peixe Urbano, buying it back from the Chinese web and search giant Baidu.
Then there is Daniel López Rivas, who worked for Needish and as the social media manager at Groupon Latin America. Rivas went on to launch Hoblee, a content-sharing platform, but is now back with the original Needish team doing marketing for Cornershop. Many other members of the original Needish development team, such as Oscar Giraldo and Gert Findel, also moved into Groupon’s offices upon the acquisition. Nico Brenner, a product manager at Needish, later founded Praiseworthy, an employee review and feedback management software.
Patricio del Sol, who worked as the head of marketing and as the senior product owner for Groupon Latin America from 2011 to 2013, went on to become the co-founder of Admetricks, a platform that provides business intelligence services for online advertising.
It will be exciting to see if Groupon Latin America will continue churning out extraordinary entrepreneurs.
Daniela Lorca Nuñez, Desiree Grinspun and Pablo Viojo, the three founders of Babytuto, an e-commerce platform that offers baby products in Chile, also worked at Groupon Latin America and recently raised more than half a million dollars for their new venture. Camila Veloso, who held various sales roles at Groupon Chile, went on to launch Kosleeping in Chile, an e-commerce platform also featuring high-quality mother and baby products.
Manolo Atala was the CEO of Groupon Mexico in 2010 to 2012 and later became the CEO of Groupon North LatAm, which included Mexico and the Caribbean, until 2013. After that, he joined the Cornershop management team and co-founded Pulpomatic, a fleet management software company in Mexico.
Felipe Parragué, who also had a brief stint at ClanDescuento before joining Groupon Mexico under various roles, founded Denda, an e-commerce platform for environmentally friendly and sustainable products with operations in Chile and Mexico.
Then there is Federico Malek, the founder of Wallooz in Argentina, which was acquired by Groupon in 2010. During Malek’s time at Groupon, he saw a market opportunity for retail e-commerce in Argentina; soon after leaving Groupon he received funding to start Avenida.com, an online shop featuring a wide variety of products much like Amazon. By 2015, Avenida.com had raised US$50.5 million.
This certainly isn’t all of the success stories that have emerged from the Groupon Latin America ecosystem. With more than 760 employees in Groupon units across Latin America, an ever-growing support system of investors, advisors and mentors, as well as a renewed focus thanks to Mountain Nazca, it will be exciting to see if Groupon Latin America will continue churning out extraordinary entrepreneurs, especially in the e-commerce space, for the foreseeable future.
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Cilic vows to fight on
Due to the round-robin format the 29-year-old still maintains a slim chance of qualifying for the knockout stage. If youth prevails over experience tonight, and Alexander Zverev defeats Roger Federer, then the Croatian will still be in the mix for a semi-final spot.
If the Swiss maestro defeats the talented German though, the Croatian will be eliminated and off to sunnier climes on Thursday.
“I'll definitely watch tonight, but I don't know who I will support,” said the world No.5 after his tough loss to Jack Sock. “Anyway, I'm just going to try to focus on this last match, to play Roger, and still continue to play well.
“I am frustrated, a little bit disappointed with both losses. But it's part of sport so I’m just going to regroup, get a little bit refreshed and try to play another good match (on Thursday)."
Despite becoming a familiar face at the season-finale in recent years, Cilic has struggled in London. In eight previous matches at the ATP’s blue ribbon event he has won just once.
A player of the Croatian's standing would expect a better return than one win in eight, however he believes his performances have merited more. “It’s definitely not a great record,” admitted the former US Open champion, when asked about his struggles at the O2 arena.
“I felt that I played well even last year. In those three matches that I played, even with Stan (Wawrinka), I had good chances at least to win. So I’ve been just, you know, a couple points away from closing those matches – I’ve been a little bit unfortunate.
“What makes the difference I think with these top guys, if you don't take your chances, it's one point here and there. I’m going to try to be a little bit more stubborn in my preparations maybe for my next match and hopefully again next year.
“Hopefully I'm going to perform better.”
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It’s no longer news that the Liberal government of Canada under Justin Trudeau and his “social justice” cronies Gerald Butts and Chrystia Freeland have pulled out the stops in an effort to destroy the major source of Canada’s energy sector, the oil-gas-pipeline industry in the province of Alberta.
The oil sands have effectively become a dead letter. Every pipeline project has been quashed and energy companies have decamped for sunnier climes. The decline in Alberta’s GDP is pegged at 11.3 per cent. Unemployment and under-employment are rampant. The Alberta secession movement has acquired momentum and a political party, Wexit Canada, rebadged as the Maverick Party, has been formed—although the province’s Conservative premier Jason Kenney remains a staunch federalist and majority sentiment remains “loyalist.”
What Canadians do not seem to understand is that as Alberta goes, so goes Canada. For more than 50 years Alberta, Canada’s energy producing breadbasket, has been a major net contributor to the rest of the nation via the Equalization Formula in which “have” provinces subsidize their “have not” counterparts.
As Canada under the Liberal administration has now become a heavily indebted “have not” country, Alberta was its last remaining mainstay—until Alberta itself imploded thanks to the energy crushing policies of the federal government. It is now a “have not” province.
Indeed, as Canada goes Green, Canada goes broke, forcing it to increase its debt load and enact burdensome domestic programs that will impoverish its citizens and devastate the productive classes. At a steadily approaching inflexion point, Canada will face the spectre of default—a time-honored South American prospect.
In an article for the National Post, former Conservative leadership candidate Leslyn Lewis shows why she would have been a far better choice for the Conservative nomination than the waffly, Andrew Scheer-like Erin O’Toole. Lewis reveals how the new creeping socialism operates, confiscating not our property but our wealth via various levies like a home equity tax, a ubiquitous carbon tax, a new tax on the private sale of homes costing home owners a portion of their retirement savings, and a “perpetual debt scheme reminiscent of Argentina.”
What is taking place, she warns, is “a quiet and bloodless revolution that seeks to control our lives through economic dependency.” Conrad Black believes “the government… has lost its mind”—though more likely it is acting quite deliberately, in full knowledge and intent, cleverly pursuing a soft totalitarian agenda. Meanwhile, most Canadians linger in a condition of blissful oblivion as the country they believe is theirs and continue to be proud of is being insidiously stolen from them before their very eyes.
Regardless, Canadians on the whole believe in big government and continue to vote left, ensuring that Trudeau’s Liberals and the New Democratic Party (NDP) helmed by Jagmeet Singh will likely retain control of parliamentary business and national policy. A recent Angus Reid poll indicates that nearly 60 percent of Canadian women would vote today for either the Liberals or the NDP under these two leaders. Such are the wages of feminism.
Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces—aka the “Laurentian Elite”—trend massively socialist, as do the major conurbations like Halifax, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. There can be no doubt that socialism is the name of the game. Trudeau has boasted that China’s “basic dictatorship” is his favorite political system and, as Spencer Fernando writes, is far too week to stand up to Chinese Communist pressure.
Trudeau, we recall, lamented the passing of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, “join[ing] the people of Cuba in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader.” Similarly, Jagmeet Singh had this to say: “He saw a country wracked by poverty, illiteracy & disease. So he lead [sic] a revolution that uplifted the lives of millions. RIP #Fidel Castro.”
Trudeau’s approval rating has taken a hit of late but carrots count in moving the dray electorate forward. A new Angus Reid poll indicates where his strength lies province by province. Many Canadians are happy to allow the government to borrow hundreds of millions to subsidize their idleness with a monetary COVID response package, dubbed CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit), recently increased by 20 percent, rendering it difficult for many entrepreneurs and businesses to hire service personnel who relish living off the government dole.
Nevertheless, despite his many false promises, numerous scandals, proroguing of parliament for several months on the pretext of mitigating COVID, fiscal incontinence, 600 million dollar media bribe (sugar-coated as a “bailout”), and overall economic witlessness (“the budget will balance itself”), Trudeau’s carrots to select beneficiaries enable him to retain a considerable voting constituency and markedly improve his chances of re-election.
Indeed, The Liberal Party can count on an ample war chest. A recent special report here at The Pipeline demonstrated that, of the top ten third-party spenders that influenced the previous election, eight of them were leftist groups, outspending their rivals on the right by a factor of over 15 to 1. The CBC poll tracker indicates that the Conservatives are currently trailing the Liberals by 5 percentage points but, as the propaganda arm of the Liberals and favorite son Trudeau, its results should be met with a degree of skepticism.
Nonetheless, the Conservatives are likely no match for the combined electoral clout of the Left in this country. The cash-strapped, media bête noire, the People’s Party of Canada, is the best option for Canada’s (and Alberta’s) future, but it may not garner a single parliamentary seat—as was the case in the last election. This is to be expected. The Liberals may form a minority government once again, but with the NDP hitching a ride it would in any case be tantamount to a majority. Canada’s premier columnist Rex Murphy speculates, with considerable evidence, that Trudeau and Singh have formed “a (silent) concordat.”
Alberta had better get its act together before the Overton window closes. Alea iacta est.
Canada: Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste
Last week I wrote about the fear among Democrats that the U.S. might be heading for a significant economic recovery before the election in November, such that the Trump campaign would be able to point to "the most explosive monthly employment numbers and gross domestic product growth ever" (in the words of Obama Administration senior advisor Jason Furman), and ride that good news to reelection. Well, yesterday morning we all woke up to news which suggests that that upward trajectory might be beginning. After months of catastrophe, with Great Depression-like unemployment figures, the May jobs report showed that the economy added 2.5 million jobs in that period, the most ever in a single month.
The news was so surprising that left-wing rags like the Washington Post had to frantically delete their pre-written tweets about how terrible the report was:
Great work, guys. pic.twitter.com/Rx1lLHJxrB
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) June 5, 2020
Of course, we aren't out of the woods yet. An unemployment rate of 13 percent is still pretty bad, even if things are heading in the right direction. And, as I argued last week, Joe Biden's willingness to squander our gains on his ideological program (or that of his advisors while he naps in the Lincoln Bedroom), including his announcement that he would definitively kill Keystone XL pipeline upon entering the White House, should make us all wary about trusting him to save the economy.
Well, up in Canada we can see what it looks like to have people already in power whose instincts are invariably ordered toward ideology over job creation or the cost of living. We've already covered Trudeau's doubling the nation's carbon tax during the pandemic, a decision which ran counter to what basically every other nation in the world was doing. We also discussed his oil and gas aid package, which seemed ordered towards the end of an industry which accounts for roughly 10 percent of Canada's GDP.
This is the path Trudeau has committed his nation to, and it doesn't seem like it is going to slow down anytime soon. Dan McTeague, president of the indispensable Canadians for Affordable Energy, has been writing recently about the return of Justin Trudeau's college drinking buddy, Gerald Butts, who grew up to be an environmental activist, director of policy for then-Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty, and eventually Trudeau's chief adviser. Butts, you may recall, was forced to resign in the run up to the 2019 election for his role in the SNC-Lavalin scandal.
Now that that election is over, McTeague reports that Butts is back in Ottawa serving on a new task force called Resilient Recovery. "The task force," explains McTeague, is "made up of green industry and environmental leaders [and] says its goal is to help seize a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity to build things in a “better” way post the COVID-19 pandemic." If you guessed that that means taking advantage of a crisis to get Canada even more entangled in the Green Energy industry than it already is and make it harder for oil and gas companies to operate, you win.
Butts: I'm ba-ack.
In the course of two articles, McTeague argues that Canadians should be aware of, and concerned by, this "green energy at any and all costs" task force, and especially by Butts' inclusion in it. Butts has the ear of the prime minister and a history of making life harder for Canadians. McTeague has taken the time to remind us of that history. In his first piece, he examines Butts' work in the McGuinty government in Ontario:
Gerry Butts is known as one of the architects of Dalton McGuinty’s disastrous Green Energy Act. The GEA hurt Ontarians (and is still hurting them), resulting in energy bills increasing by 70% from 2008 to 2016. Ontario’s claim to fame became its high energy rates - the highest in all of North America. Big manufacturers across the province began to flee for friendlier economic climates. Even former premier Kathleen Wynne said in her 2018 campaign that because of the Green Energy Act many families were having to choose between paying their energy bills and feeding their families.
The GEA originally promised the creation of 50,000 green energy jobs. The government later admitted that that number was not based on any formal analysis, that many of the jobs would be temporary, and that it did not account for the lost manufacturing jobs due to the increased energy prices. Wind and solar were incredibly expensive to produce... and the consumer was the one who had to make up the difference. How? Through a hidden tax euphemistically called the Global Adjustment Fee which suddenly started to appear on Ontario energy bills. A Global News article from 2016 stated that for every $100 in usage that appeared on your bill, $23 was actual electricity cost, while the other $77 was from the “Global Adjustment Fee”.
After a few years out of government, Butts jumped onboard the Trudeau train after the Liberals won their majority in 2015, and brought his wealth of experience making everyday life more expensive for Ontarians to Canadians more generally. That part of his career is covered in McTeague's second piece:
The costs of Butts’ climate agenda are apparent in the policies that the Trudeau government put in place during its first term, the most important (and destructive) of these being the carbon tax. It is no surprise that the mastermind behind the Ontario green energy debacle would help create expensive and ineffective policies at the federal level. The carbon tax adds at least 7 cents per litre of gas at the pump for Canadians. Because it applies to all energy sources, the hidden costs – on food and services and our competitiveness – will be even greater, and the carbon tax will increase annually by large increments.
Other expensive and anti-industry policies that were launched during Butts’ time in Ottawa include Bill C-69 (an overhaul of Canada's regulatory and resource project approval system) and C-48 (the oil tanker moratorium act). These have meant significant new and unnecessary regulatory burdens that restrict resource development, drive away investment, and have the effect of making energy more expensive.
Though Canada's May jobs numbers crept up somewhat, just like America's, Canada is still experiencing record unemployment. Bombardier just announced that they'ree laying off 2,500 workers. This is still a time of crisis, and for any recovery to be really resilient, it needs a laser focus on getting people back to work and getting the economy back on track. Gerald Butts' resumé speaks to the fact that he is more than willing to prioritize environmentalist virtue signalling over the benefit of ordinary Canadians.
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Sean Watkins Looks Back at ‘Nickel Creek’, 20 Years Later
Shervin Lainez
In recent months, Sean Watkins has felt like every day is trash day.
His work schedule as a musician stalled due to the novel coronavirus quarantine, the weeks have simultaneously dragged on and flown by, he explains, giving him deja vu every time his scheduled, once-per-week garbage pickup day rolls around.
"I would go to take the trash out [the week before]," Watkins explains, "and then, all of a sudden, I wake up [a week later] and I'm like, 'Oh, it's trash day ... Wasn't that just yesterday?'"
It's a particularly 2020 problem, but it's also an apt way to explain how Watkins, his sister Sara Watkins and their longtime friend and collaborator Chris Thile made it to March of this year without realizing 20 years had passed since they, as Nickel Creek, had released their self-titled major-label debut album.
"I didn't even really realize it [until] there was an NPR article earlier this year that talked about how our first record was 20 years old this year," Sean admits. "Chris texted Sara and I was like, 'Holy s--t, was it 20 years ago? This is crazy.' And we were like, 'We should have planned to do something.'"
Fortunately, someone had something in the works: In early November, Craft Recordings reissued Nickel Creek's three albums from the 2000s -- 2000's Nickel Creek, 2002's This Side and 2005's Why Should the Fire Die? -- in high-resolution audio format, both digitally and on vinyl.
"We're always gonna be playing, getting back together and playing and doing things; there's certainly been chats about what we could do next," Watkins shares. "But the main thing is, just for this year, we just want to celebrate where we've been -- and, you know, everybody loves vinyl."
Nickel Creek were barely teenagers when they began playing together, and had released two albums independently -- 1993's Little Cowpoke and 1997's Here to There -- by the time they hit the studio with bluegrass icon Alison Krauss to work on their self-titled project, their first for Sugar Hill Records. Krauss, too, had started her career young, and was in her late 20s when she produced the trio; Watkins describes her relationship with Nickel Creek as that of "cool older sister," and admits that she elevated their work immensely.
"The album that we would have made had Alison not been producing us, we would have been extremely embarrassed by," he says. "There's always going to be cringe moments, but at this point, I think we're far enough removed from it that we can really appreciate it ... At this point, we look back and we're like, 'Wow, we were innocent little kids ... and we hadn't lived much life at all.'"
Nickel Creek earned the Watkinses and Thile critical acclaim, a platinum-certified album, two IBMA Awards, and Grammy and CMA Awards nominations. The album arrived about nine months before the Coen Brothers' George Clooney-starring O Brother, Where Art Thou? and its smash-hit soundtrack put bluegrass in the pop culture spotlight.
"I feel like it was just a wave of consciousness about bluegrass and old-time and instrumental music ... and so many people loved it that it really brought a sense of awareness to this kind of music," Watkins reflects of the T. Bone Burnett-produced project, "and it was the perfect kind of storm of things that really helped us."
Top 10 Country and Americana Albums of the 1990s:
NEXT: 11 Songs That Helped Define Alt-Country in the '90s
Filed Under: Editor's Picks, nickel creek, Sean Watkins
Categories: Albums, Bluegrass, Country News, Exclusives
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Top 10 Country Cheating Songs
Christina Vinson
In country music, there are love songs, heartbreak songs, fight songs, uplifting songs ... and cheating songs. The latter are a sort of specialty in the genre, with some of the its most iconic tunes focusing on the subject of cheating: being cheated on, doing the cheating, reasons for cheating.
Country music's cheating songs are told from the viewpoints of the mistress, the spouse involved in the affair and the dejected one. They range in feeling, from fiery anger to tongue-in-cheek confidence to deep and sorrowful heartache. Some have been around for decades, while others are a bit newer -- but they all focus solely on the subject of cheating (though country music also has some hit revenge songs!).
Read on to learn The Boot's picks for country music's best songs about cheating. The variety of these tunes shows the versatility and relatable nature of country music.
"Who's Cheatin' Who"
"Who's Cheatin' Who" was originally recorded by Carly McClain in 1980 and became her first No. 1 hit. Almost two decades later, Jackson released the same song on his record Everything I Love, and it peaked at No. 2. "Who's Cheatin' Who" is still a crowd favorite at Jackson's concerts and lyrics such as "A heart is on the line each and every time / Love is stolen in the shadows of the night" add real depth.
"The Window Up Above"
Jones once said he wrote "The Window Up Above" in 20 minutes. The song's lyrics are absolutely gut-wrenching, as a man realizes his wife's betrayal and even hears her whisper "that our marriage was all wrong" to her lover. The 1960 hit peaked at No. 2 and spent a whopping 34 weeks on the chart; it has since been recorded by many other singers, including Loretta Lynn, Leon Russell and Mickey Gilley, the latter of whom made it a No. 1 hit.
"She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)"
In March of 1975, Stewart released "She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)" from his album Out of Hand. It became his only No. 1 hit and stayed within the Top 40 for nine weeks. It was penned by Wayne Carson, and its confessional lyrics ("The truth is, I'm not man enough / To stop her from doing me wrong") steal the show.
"White Liar"
You know a song has made its mark when the Country Music Hall of Fame displays the original copy of its lyrics. Lambert released "White Liar," co-written by Natalie Hemby, in August of 2009; it was the second single from her album Revolution and became her second Top 10 hit, peaking at No. 2. More importantly, though, "White Liar" will make anyone think twice about telling a little white lie ...
"Reasons I Cheat"
"Reasons I Cheat" was never released as a single -- it appears on Travis' debut studio album, which dropped in 1986 -- but its lyrics certainly make their mark. The song finds its narrator offering a list of reasons for why he cheats: He didn't get a promotion, he needs someone to soothe his pride, his age keeps showing and more. So the story goes, this song is part of the reason Warner Bros. executive Martha Sharp signed Travis to his record deal; she heard him sing it at the Nashville Palace, and the rest is history.
"Whoever's in New England"
"Whoever's in New England" garnered McEntire her first-ever Grammys trophy, for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. It is the title track and first single from her 1986 record and, notably, helped the singer with her big country breakthrough.
"Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?"
This saucy song was Twain's first single from her album The Woman in Me, and her first country hit; it peaked at No. 11. Twain co-wrote "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" with (ironically), her husband at the time, Robert John "Mutt" Lange. The song was certified gold in 1995.
"You Ain't Woman Enough (to Take My Man)"
One of Lynn's signature songs, "You Ain't Woman Enough (to Take My Man)" is from her 1966 album of the same name. The song and album did well: The title track peaked at No. 2, and the album became her first No. 1 record on the country charts -- and her first to chart on the all-genre Billboard 200. The song was inspired by a real-life experience, and after listening, fans will know not to cross Lynn's man: "It'll be over my dead body, so get out while you can / 'Cause you ain't woman enough to take my man," she sings.
"Stay"
"Stay" is one of the hardest-hitting songs on this list, and fans agree, as it has sold more than 2 million copies. It was the first Sugarland song solely penned by Jennifer Nettles, and was released in September of 2007, from the duo's Enjoy the Ride album. The song peaked at No. 2, staying there for four weeks. "Stay" won two Grammys: Best Country Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Country Song.
Released in October of 1973, "Jolene" quickly became a one of Parton's most famous songs. In it, a woman begs the beautiful red-haired Jolene to not steal her husband. The song has been certified gold and recorded by many other artists, including the White Stripes, Pentatonix (who nabbed a Grammys trophy for their cover of "Jolene," which features Parton), Olivia Newton-John, Mindy Smith, Ellie Goulding, Miley Cyrus and others. It's also inspired other songs: In late 2017, country artist Cam released "Diane," which she's dubbed a response to "Jolene."
What's Your Favorite Country Song About Cheating?
Share you pick for country music's best cheating song with us in the comments section below!
NEXT: Top 10 Country Songs About Being Single
Filed Under: Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, Editor's Picks, gary stewart, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Sugarland
Categories: Country News, Exclusives, Lists, Songs
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International Programmes Travel
Kat-Katha in Delhi: A Safe Haven In A Red Light District
By Travel/Exchange Desk October 15, 2013 November 14, 2013
3 Comments on Kat-Katha in Delhi: A Safe Haven In A Red Light District
by Keay Nigel Tan, with Enxin Wong
As part of the USP Cultural Immersion Programme, Reuben, Enxin, Abigail and I came to India in July 2013 to study at the University of Delhi for one semester abroad.
Students currently on USP’s Cultural Immersion Programme in India. Left to Right: Nigel, Enxin, Abigail and Reuben
India is truly one of the best places in the world to study the meaning and explore the beauty of cultural diversity. The list of fascinating things about Indian society is endless: its history; the numerous languages; the various (common and bizarre) ways of life; the different religions, sects, etc. Now, two months in, the whole experience of being here still feels pretty surreal. The truth is, the cultural shock never really goes away with time. Living here is a constant, daily learning journey, as we open up ourselves to the different experiences and the different people we meet along the way.
The first time we visited Kat-Katha, it was the 15th of August 2013, India’s Independence day. It was a public holiday for all, and the four of us were invited by a couple of Singaporean friends who are currently working for the Singapore Embassy in Delhi to the celebration party held at Kat-Katha. It was a hot and humid day, and the street was crowded and bustling when our car rolled into G.B. Road at noon. Little did we know that G.B. Road is the biggest red light area in Delhi.
View of G.B. Road from the main classroom of Kat-Katha
Garstin Bastion Road, which most people refer to as G.B. Road, sits in the old city of Delhi. It runs parallel to the railways that branch out from New Delhi Railway Station, the second-busiest and one of the largest railway stations in India, which is less than 10 minutes’ walk away from G.B. Road. Both sides of G.B. Road are lined with shophouses just three or four stories high. Most of the ground floor shops sell hardware, such as automobile parts and other kinds of machinery, while several of them are workshops. These shops draw their shutters down at night, and the sex trade takes over. The second and third stories of the shop houses are where the brothels, or kothas, reside. Kat-Katha is located on the second storey of one of the buildings situated near the mouth of G.B. Road.
Mechanical and repair shops line the ground level. Looking out onto G.B. Road from the dark windows and brightly colored balconies on the second and third stories, the sex workers would observe the happenings on the noisy street below and wave and call out to the men passing by.
Kat-Katha means “a story told using puppets.” Initiated by 26-year-old Gitanjali Babbar, a journalist-turned social worker, Kat-Katha is a ground-up initiative aimed at touching lives at the grassroots level. Its objective is to “enable and empower women working in brothels to fulfill aspirations that give them new avenues of sustenance, personal freedom, self-reliance and acceptance of their work and themselves.” Such aspirations include activities like arts and crafts, dancing, tailoring, weaving, and basic education. Besides serving as a haven for the sex workers working in G.B. Road, who are called didis (elder sister) by the volunteers, Kat-Katha also functions as a daytime school for the sex workers’ children. Kat-Katha occupies about one-third of the space on the second story of the building. The space is divided into four sections: The playing area, the office area, the main classroom, and a smaller classroom. To get to the small classroom, you’ll have to go past all the other three rooms in that order.
Colourful wall mural painted by volunteers in the playing area.
For the Independence Day celebration, about 30 to 40 of us gathered in the main classroom—about the size of three single rooms of Cinnamon College combined together in a long, rectangular space. The celebration party began with a sharing session where everyone present, adult or child, shared about what freedom means to us. Thankfully, Gitanjali and other volunteers were there to help to translate the thoughts of the didis and the children to us.
Next, we had a sing-along session. A guitar was brought in and the small cozy room was soon filled with the sweet voices and the clapping of the didis, the children and the volunteers. Despite the sweltering heat and humidity in the crowded room, there was a sense of peace that was calming and heartening. Looking around and seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces, I felt honoured to be welcomed as a stranger, as an outsider. It was an intimate meeting of the people whose lives have been changed because of Kat-Katha’s activities. It was a celebration of hope and love, and of the relationships that have been forged through acceptance and faith in one another. Being immersed in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and support, tears welled up in my eyes. Here, we saw each other, not as different people from different walks of life, but as just human beings—each capable of loving, having fun and appreciating even the simplest joys in life. It was a beautiful and precious moment for me.
In this picture of the playing area, the didis, the children and the volunteers gathered around to watch a special dance item by three boys.
Reuben and I returned to Kat-Katha several more times after the Independence Day party to hang out with the children. We are eager to learn more about the life of the didis and their children, and we hope to contribute to this cause in whatever way we can. We are currently in the midst of discussing with the volunteers how our visits to Kat-Katha could be more meaningful. For one, the idea of conducting an arts and crafts lesson for the children had come up; however, we are still unsure of when such a session can be slotted into Kat-Katha’s timetable. Nonetheless, exciting plans and ideas are being tossed around at the moment.
I look forward to sharing with you more of Kat-Katha’s happenings and the life stories of the people of G.B. Road. Stay tuned!
You can find out more about Kat-Katha at http://www.kat-katha.org.
Tags: Cultural Immersion Enxin Wong Keay Nigel Tan
Published by Travel/Exchange Desk
View all posts by Travel/Exchange Desk
Keay Nigel says:
Reblogged this on NAMASTE! and commented:
Finally up! Took more than a month. I will be more hardworking from now on I promise! Nonetheless, enjoy the read!
Amanda Kwek says:
Hey guys, this is really cool. May we reblog this on GoBeyond.SG?
The Cinnamon Roll says:
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Tamil Nadu government rolls out 100% tax exemption for e-vehicles
The Tamil Nadu government has rolled out 100 percent tax exemption on electric vehicle in a major boost to the adoption of electric vehicles in the State; the Tamil Nadu government has passed on order for 100 per cent exemption of motor vehicle tax for battery-operated vehicles (BOVs). The State government had earlier issued orders for a 50 per cent concessional rate of lifetime tax in respect of battery-operated two-wheelers and four-wheelers of non-transport vehicles. However, after careful examination it has decided to grant a full tax exemption for all BOVs.
All BOVs, both transport and non-transport (EVs), are exempted from payment of motor vehicle tax under the Act from November 3, 2020 to December 31, 2022, said the government order dated November 2. The Tamil Nadu government has been making several efforts to emerge as an attractive center for electric mobility. Last year, it launched a separate policy for EVs, paving the way for fresh investments by several players into EV manufacturing and associated areas.
In March 2020, the State government announced it would also plan a futuristic EV charging station using solar power at a government campus. This EV charging station will offer slow and fast charge features. Depending on the success of this model, the government is all set to ramp up the number of such stations in the city.
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Who is Tin Hau?
In Hong Kong, you can’t escape the name Tin Hau. Everywhere you go, the goddess follows you. Of Hong Kong’s three hundred plus temples, more than eighty are dedicated her. So who is Tin Hau?
Tin Hau is the Cantonese name for the Empress of Heaven (天后 Tiān Hòu). She is a Chinese goddess who is not only popular in Hong Kong, but has a strong claim for the most worshipped goddess in the world, with a few hundred million followers. Her temples can be found anywhere the Chinese went from California to Japan. Her influence is particularly strong in the South of China which is completely understandable based on her origins and what she is responsible for.
Tin Hau hails from the island of Meizhou in Fujian Province, where she is known by the name “Mother Ancestor” (媽祖 Māzǔ). Her story says that she was a mortal named Lín Mòniáng (林默孃). Born in around 960 CE to the Lín family, she was given the name Mòniáng, meaning “Silent Girl”, as she did not cry as a baby. The Lín family, like the others on the island, fished for their living and her father and brothers would go out on the boat every day. In the meantime, she learned the womanly arts, such as weaving and also studied Taoism and practiced Buddhism.
One morning, Mòniáng’s father and brothers went out to sea as usual. While the local fleet was out, a terrible typhoon struck. At the same time, Mòniáng fell into a trance while weaving. In this state, she astral projected to sea and picked up her father and brothers. As she was bringing them back, her mother woke her, causing her to drop one of her brothers. The next day, only her father and all but one of her brothers returned, while all of the other fishermen were lost at sea. The story the goes on to say that at the age of 27, she ascended to heaven to take her place among the immortals.
Historically, she was likely a local shamaness who was so revered in life, that after her death, the islanders continued to ask her for help. Soon after her death, she became a local goddess to the fishermen of her island. They saw her as a sea deity and protector of sailors. The family’s small ancestral temple, where she had been enshrined following her death, began seeing non-family members coming to worship her. As her popularity increased and fame spread, the temple grew and more halls were added. All over Fujian and Guangdong, more temples started to appear. Once the goddess’ powerful reputation started, it escalated fairly quickly, creating the cultic worship known as Mazuism. Reports of the goddess intervening during crises at sea and appearing to help those in need circulated among the sea-faring communities of Southern China. Even the great Ming dynasty Muslim admiral of the Treasure Fleet Zhèng Hé (鄭和) was devoted to the goddess and kept a shrine to her on his ship.
Through the successive Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, emperors gave her grander and grander titles. The Imperial household of China never actively worshipped the deities of Chinese Folk Religion (Shenism), preferring instead to stick to the doctrines of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. It paid, however, to keep the people happy, by endorsing their popular gods. This is how, as her prominence grew, she went from a local goddess to Heavenly Consort (天妃 Tiān Fēi) and finally to Tin Hau, the Empress of Heaven. While her rank increased, her responsibilities did not change and she still had domain over the seas.
The sea is the reason for her popularity in South China. In the southern part of the Middle Kingdom, sailing and fishing were way of life for the majority of the population. While there are many sea gods in the region, such as Tam Kung and Hung Shing, something about Tin Hau captured the hearts of the seafaring Southerners. All of the ethnic groups adopted her, not just her native Hoklo people. Hong Kong was not only a fishing community in its own right, it was a magnet for Chinese families who wanted to make their fortunes off the sea and eventually on the back of British trade. Groups from all over China came to the territory and as they did, they built temples to the goddess to protect their endeavours on the waters. Tin Hau’s birthday is on the 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month. On that day, all of her temples in Hong Kong are alive with activity.
In Hong Kong, you are never far from the sea. That means you are never far from Tin Hau. As land has been reclaimed, some formerly sea-front temples have found themselves inland. So whether by the coast or in the city, you can see the goddess, accompanied by her demonic guardians Thousand Li Eyes (千裡眼 Qiānlǐ Yǎn) and Favourable Wind Ears (順風耳 Shùnfēng Ěr), wherever you go. Though she is not a native of Hong Kong, like most of its other inhabitants, she has become very much settled into the territory. If you don’t know Tin Hau, you don’t really know Hong Kong at all.
This article was originally published on the now defunct Hong Kong Temple Map website.
Filed Under: Hong Kong Temple Map, Mother Goddess, Shenist Tagged With: Chinese, Fujian, Hoklo, Mazu, Sea Goddess, Tian Hou, Tin Hau
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Director Thibaut Duverneix makes a visual take on a relationship with an expiry date. The video expresses what happens at the end of this four weeks. It reveals the pain of letting someone into your life then letting them go on purpose. The sexy mini film toys with infidelity, dance, polygamy, monogamy, loneliness, the body, the body in parts, lost love, and the masochistic pain of falling in love and putting everything on the line knowing there is a deadline.
The new single, “4weeks,” tells an unconventional love story.
This duet is not your typical love song. It asks a question…
What if two people falling in love make a hard choice: They decide to have a relationship that lasts only four weeks. No more, no less… Exactly four weeks, then it’s over.
They’d have to enjoy every single moment. They’d know if they can’t be together forever without it changing, without their love fading, then why not be together for just four weeks… and make it all amazing?
Hoodies at Night frontman describes the idea that sparked the song, “It’s like knowing when you’re gonna die… you’d live your life to the fullest. Maybe the same can be said for relationships. Maybe, if you put an end to it, right from the start, you can love with a more open heart.”
The song starts off as a sugary sweet, melancholic ballad as the couple makes their dark choice…
“This could be the best weeks of our lives
But I don’t want you to stay…”
As the song advances, the music hits hard and the sweet melancholy turns into a badass explosion of synths and beats. It’s like the listener is falling in love and hitting the wall at the same time.
What would you do if you were in a relationship you knew would last only four weeks? Would you live fully? Would you love fully? Right up until the end?
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© 2016 - thibaut duverneix. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Vietnam quarantines area with 10,000 residents over coronavirus
More than 10,000 people in villages near Vietnam’s capital were placed under quarantine Thursday after six cases of the deadly new coronavirus were discovered there, authorities said.
In the first mass quarantine outside of China since the virus emerged there in late December, the Son Loi farming region about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Hanoi will be locked down for 20 days, the health ministry said.
Checkpoints have been set up around the six villages that make up Son Loi, said an AFP team on the outskirts of the area in Binh Xuyen district.
Health officials wearing protective suits sprayed disinfectant on vehicles. Police warned people wanting to enter the quarantined area that while they would be allowed in, they would not be able to leave.
The order comes after the health ministry reported that five people have been infected with the virus. It later announced the sixth case.
They all originated from a female worker who was sent to Wuhan in central China — where the virus originated — for training.
The disease then spread to her family and her neighbours, including a three-month-old baby.
So far, only the female worker has fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital, according to updates from the ministry, while the others remain in a “stable” condition.
‘Cannot get out’
The Son Loi area of roughly 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) is made up of farmland. Many of the 10,600 residents also commute to nearby factories for short-term labour jobs.
Villager Tran Van Minh told AFP that authorities had already advised them to avoid large gatherings, though the cluster of infections in his village likely began due to Tet lunar new year celebrations last week.
“The woman infected her family and neighbours after Tet visits,” he said, adding that he and his family remain in good health.
But “life has been badly affected,” he told AFP by phone, adding that much of the labour force is reliant on jobs in construction and house painting.
“Now we cannot get out and even if we do, clients don’t welcome us that much as before.”
Authorities in Son Loi began handing out face masks after the Tet holiday ended on January 30. Since then children and elderly have largely been confined to their homes.
Minh said he was not worried about running out of food, but he hoped “the epidemic will end soon”.
More than 1,350 people have died in China from the virus, and nearly 60,000 others have been infected since it was first detected in Hubei province in December.
While thousands have recovered, scientists and pharmaceutical companies are racing to test a vaccine and treatment to better target the virus — though health experts say it could be months before it is readily available. (Text courtesy of The Guardian)
Fire guts section of Obasanjo’s Ogun residence
Japanese man aged 112 named world’s oldest man
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We Three Queens: A Triad of Royal Biographies Debuts
If pop culture is your barometer, confident men are brains and confident women are bitches. Princess Diana was melodramatic and manipulative; Britons want Charles to be the next King. Michael Cera can be lauded for his Zen-like poise in interviews; meanwhile his Broadway co-star Tavi Gevinson apparently epitomizes her generation’s self-absorption because she revs herself up for performances by saying, “I am awesome and mighty and cannot be made small.”
But women have been boasting for a long time. “I am the wild horned bull coming from heaven … I am the falcon who glides over the lands … I am the jackal.” Thus spoke Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh of ancient Egypt. If Hatshepsut’s preening tells us anything, it’s that prominent women have actually toned it down since ancient times. You don’t see Miley Cyrus defending whichever outfit just raised eyebrows by saying, “Look, y’all, I’m a falcon.”
We hear Hatshepsut speak in The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut’s Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt, a new biography by Kara Cooney. October also brings Isabella: The Warrior Queen, by Kirstin Downey, about the Castilian monarch who, with her husband Ferdinand, bankrolled Christopher Columbus. And then there’s Victoria: A Life, by A.N. Wilson, about Britain’s long-reigning Queen. Any of these books, perhaps especially Cooney’s, might aspire to be the next Cleopatra: A Life, Stacy Schiff’s best-selling, Pulitzer Prize–winning 2010 biography of another famous pharaoh.
It’s exciting to see such a noble group of women celebrated all at once, so I would love to say that this tripartite release (from different publishers) is indicative of some feminist trend that signifies widespread interest in the lives of authoritative women. But then I’d be ignoring A.N. Wilson’s book, which is so laden with details of war, politics and interior design that whenever he mentioned actual humans I laughed out loud from sheer relief.
Victoria is less about its title figure than the men in her life: how fat they were, how gay they were and how handsome. This isn’t necessarily surprising, given how Wilson has made hay of such details as the pre-eminent British biographer of entire eras; he is the author of lauded books like The Victorians (2002), After the Victorians (2005) and The Elizabethans (2011). But in Victoria, he undermines the Queen’s diary entries and letters–in which she talks about her loneliness, her physical yearning for her husband Prince Albert and her psychologically loaded phobia of wigs–by saying that she had an “almost unbounded capacity for self-dramatization and self-pity.” Wilson defers to Victoria’s male contemporaries instead of taking her seriously. Perhaps this dismissiveness was echoed by the men in Victoria’s life and contributed in some way to her abiding loneliness? Just a thought.
Queen Isabella of Castile, on the other hand, acted like a badass, and Kirstin Downey knows it. Set mostly in the 1400s, a period when the best that most women could hope for was to survive their teen pregnancies, Isabella is a tale of feminist ambition that reads like a pulpy novel. (Don’t be a snob–that’s a good thing.) Everyone in the Spanish kingdom seemed to be having sex with everyone else, often not consensually. Yet Isabella managed to remain a virgin until marriage. Not only did she choose her husband against the wishes of her brother King Enrique, who attempted to land one for her, but following Enrique’s death, she crowned herself, becoming the first female ruler in any part of the world for generations. She presided over the expulsion of the Muslims who had occupied Spain since the 8th century–as well as the expulsion or forced conversion of Spanish Jews–while allowing her husband, technically her proxy, to think he was in charge. (History rightly faults them both.) She taught herself Latin and hired instructors for her daughters and ladies-in-waiting, changing the course of education and women’s involvement in public affairs. I like to think that when Isabella bragged, she bragged in Latin–a language her husband Ferdinand didn’t understand.
Like Isabella, Hatshepsut relied on a “facade of mutuality” with men to ensure domestic peace. She told anyone who would listen that her royal status emanated originally from her father King Thutmose I and, after his death, from her brother turned husband Thutmose II. (Hatshepsut and her brother tried their damnedest to produce a male heir, but the gods wouldn’t oblige.) When Thutmose II died, Hatshepsut ran out of Thutmoses to link her to the throne. Her PR move was awe-inspiring: she proclaimed to the world that her power came directly from the god Amen. To prove it, she sent hundreds of men on a terrifying voyage to enrich her court with treasures and commissioned scores of self-congratulatory public works.
In Kara Cooney’s engrossing and compulsively readable biography, she writes, “Through the millennia, we have called powerful women many things–bitches, witches … seductresses.” Cooney suggests that Hatshepsut was a master at avoiding such epithets. She made sure that statues representing her carried attributes of both genders (breasts, but no skirt) and had sex with an 11-year-old half brother, all to align herself with those in power. No civil wars were waged by Hatshepsut, and no protests were staged against her; she reigned with the full support of every man around her. Her story is perhaps the most feminist of all three, because everyone who could get in her way stayed out of it. They needed a king. And they knew she was the right woman for the job.
Hale is an essayist and the author of No One Else Can Have You, a novel
This appears in the October 27, 2014 issue of TIME.
11 Audiobooks to Lighten the Mood This Dreary Winter
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Dear Police Unions: Please Stop Asking Jocks To Apologize
Andrew Hawkins #16 of the Cleveland Browns walks onto the field while wearing a protest shirt during introductions prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on Dec. 14, 2014 in Cleveland.
Joe Robbins—Getty Images
By Sean Gregory
December 17, 2014 4:59 PM EST
Gregory is a TIME senior writer.
On Sunday, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins wore a t-shirt that said “Justice For Tamir Rice And John Crawford III.” Rice, a 12-year-old, was shot by a Cleveland police officer in a park last month; the boy had been carrying a toy gun. Crawford was shot by police in in Beavercreek, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton, while holding an air rifle in a Walmart this summer; a grand jury did not indict any officers.
“It’s pretty pathetic when athletes think they know the law,” Jeff Follmer, president of the Cleveland police union, wrote in a statement to a local TV station. “They should stick to what they know best on the field. The Cleveland police protect and serve the Browns stadium and the Browns organization owes us an apology.”
Neither the Browns nor Hawkins said “I’m sorry.”
On November 30, five St. Louis Rams players made the “hands up, don’t shoot” pose during game introductions, in support of Michael Brown and Ferguson protestors. The St. Louis police union was similarly peeved. It released a statement saying the officers were “profoundly disappointed with the members of the St. Louis Rams football team who chose to ignore the mountains of evidence released from the St. Louis County Grand Jury this week and engage in a display that police officers around the nation found tasteless, offensive and inflammatory.” The union called for player discipline and “a very public apology” from the NFL and the Rams. Although the police organization and the Rams debated whether private correspondence between a team official and the union qualified as an apology, the team publicly stood by its players.
Public opinion has moved against police officers. Some misguided people are painting them with a broad brush, saying all cops are bad. As the son of a retired New York City police sergeant, I strongly disagree with this sentiment. That’s why I’m asking police unions to please stop belittling professional athletes.
These apology demands come off as defensive. They don’t help public perception; they don’t help the tense relationship between law enforcement and many communities. These athletes aren’t painting all cops as racists. They are exercising a right to free speech. The right to believe that a 12-year-old boy should not have been shot. To believe that an unarmed Michael Brown did not deserve to die. Sure, officer Darren Wilson said Brown never raised his hands to surrender. A few witnesses said he did. The St. Louis Rams have a right to believe the witnesses.
And why single out athletes for reprimand? Unions don’t seem to be firing out angry letters to peaceful protestors. To be fair, not every union is singling out athletes. Before a December 8 game in Brooklyn, NBA stars LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Deron Williams, Kevin Garnett, and other players wore “I Can’t Breathe” shirts in warmups, to protest the death of Eric Garner, the Staten Island man who died after an officer put him in a chokehold. He uttered “I can’t breathe” before he died; a grand jury acquitted the officer. The New York police union did not publicly blast the players.
And official police department representatives generally have been much more measured. Cleveland Division of Police Chief Calvin D. Williams said on Tuesday: “The Division of Police respects the rights of individuals to peacefully demonstrate their personal views and opinions. Mr. Hawkins was certainly well within his rights to express his views and no apology is necessary.”
Yes, athletes have a larger platform than the average dissenter to spread a message. But if you don’t agree with the message, that doesn’t mean you go after them. Jocks have a first amendment right not to stick to sports. Why should law enforcement chastise law-abiding athletes?
Sign up for Inside TIME. Be the first to see the new cover of TIME and get our most compelling stories delivered straight to your inbox.
Write to Sean Gregory at sean.gregory@time.com.
TIME Ideas hosts the world's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. We welcome outside contributions. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.
College Basketball Needs To Shut Down During The COVID-19 Pandemic
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These five patents offer hints about what an Apple car could look like
Talk of a possible Apple car is back.
Apple (AAPL) hasn't commented publicly on its plans for the project, nicknamed Titan, so it's not clear exactly what will come of the effort. Some who follow the company think it could release a whole Apple-branded, electric, self-driving car. Others think it's more likely Apple will partner with existing automakers to sell an operating system (iDrive, maybe?), self-driving tools or other technology.
There are some clues available, though. Apple holds a host of patents for car-related inventions that offer a peek at what an Apple car could look like. Patent documents filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office paint a picture — albeit a relatively vague one — of a luxury vehicle designed to be highly automated and user friendly.
Here are a few of Apple's most interesting car-related patents.
'Augmented virtual display'
This invention could be a big one for Apple, making it easier for people to use their iPads, Macs or other devices while riding in a car, especially a self-driving one, without getting car sick.
The patent describes a virtual reality system that would help prevent passenger motion sickness by providing "augmented or virtual" displays correspondent with physical motions the passenger is experiencing.
In one example, the system could project content a passenger wants to view, such as a book, as virtual content outside and at a distance from the car. In this way, a passenger could read the page as a fixed object in the external environment while still seeing visual cues about the car's movements, allowing them to "work, view, or read in comfort without experiencing motion sickness as may occur if the passenger was trying to work or view the content on a physical screen on a portable computing device sitting on their lap," the patent states.
"Thus ... the VR system may aid in productivity, as passengers in vehicles may more comfortably perform work while riding in the vehicle," it says.
What's more, it notes that VR experiences in a moving vehicle could provide "enhanced immersive virtual experiences" to passengers that aren't possible from, say, a VR entertainment system in one room of your home.
'Climate control'
This invention reads basically like a mostly automated climate control system for your car.
It uses sensors inside and outside a vehicle, in addition to other potential inputs, to measure such data as the temperature of car seats or certain passenger body parts, or the amount of sunlight radiating onto a window or sunroof. That information can be used by the climate control system to create a comfortable environment inside the car for passengers.
The system is also designed to communicate with wireless user devices to access information such as "user health data, user activity, user preferences" to further inform the ideal climate inside the car.
Based on the description, a car with this technology might be able to sense, based on the temperature of the leather seats and other data, that it's a hot day outside. And it might know, by communicating with your iPhone, that you just went on a run. Thus, it could automatically adjust the climate settings in the car
to help cool you off.
'System and method for dynamic privacy and window tinting'
Conventional car windows can't adapt the amount of light they let through to factors like who is riding in the vehicle, what they're doing or what the weather is like outside, this patent notes, and therefore would "benefit from many improvements."
The invention described in this patent is a tinted film covering on the exterior of a vehicle that adjusts based on data from various sensors, as well as "explicit" and "implicit requests or commands for tinting."
For example, at nighttime, the system could automatically lessen the tinting level so a vehicle passenger could see light through the window, such as from streetlights and other cars. But if the passenger closed their eyes, it could darken the tint to make sleeping more comfortable, according to the patent.
"As an additional example," the patent states, "an occupant of the vehicle may place packages in a rear zone of the vehicle. The tinting system of the vehicle may automatically adjust the tint of the adjustable exterior facing surface to prevent others from viewing the packages."
While the invention is discussed in the context of a vehicle, the patent adds that it could also be used for privacy and tinting in other environments, such as residential or commercial buildings.
"Method for locating a vehicle"
This invention could help prevent the minutes (hours?) of wandering the parking garage when you forget where you left your car.
It's a method whereby your "portable computing device" — say, your iPhone — could communicate with either your car or the parking structure using a wireless connection like Bluetooth to help locate your vehicle. The location is determined using sensors on the car and in a parking garage.
One of Apple's car-related patents describes an invention wherein a wireless connection between your car and phone could help you locate your car in a parking structure.
In some cases, other information could be provided in addition to or instead of location data, including payment information such as "rates to be charged for parking, where and how to pay, and/or how much is owed depending on the particular parking location and duration of parking," the patent states.
'Charging station with passive alignment mechanism'
Most of us are familiar with the annoyance of having to get out of the car to get gas when it's raining, cold or dark outside. What if, with an electric vehicle, you didn't have to exit the car to plug it in? That's what Apple's aiming to enable with this invention.
"Exiting a vehicle to connect (it) to a charging station may be inconvenient for the operator," the patent states. It adds that cars that need to be manually plugged in wouldn't be able to be charged without a human operator present, an issue the company apparently also wants to address.
With this tool, an electric car could auto-connect to a charging station without human help after being parked next to the charger (either by a driver or with its self-driving capabilities). The charger also has an optional mechanism for adjusting its height, to ensure the plug can reach the car's charging port.
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Coronavirus news - live: UK deaths up by 150 as UN chief warns divided world is failing Covid challenge
Samuel Osborne
17 October 2020, 4:52 pm
Under a new three-tier system, English cities will be subject to lockdown measures corresponding with the severity of covid-19 outbreaks in their areas (Getty Images)
More could have been done if countries had worked together to fight the coronavirus, the secretary general of the UN has said, as he warned more than 100 million people could be forced into poverty and hunger due to a lack of international “unity”.
It comes as a further 150 people died after contracting the virus in the UK, along with an additional 16,171 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, more than half of England - 28 million people - has been placed under heightened coronavirus restrictions.
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June 29, 2019 Lorihanna Shushkova
Eredivisie 2018/2019 Tactical Analysis: Matthijs de Ligt at Ajax and could he fit into Sarri’s Juventus?
It is the end of an era for Juventus as the five consecutive title-winning manager Massimiliano Allegri will no longer lead the team. The club board decided that after five successful years with the Italian specialist, they want to see the club go in a different direction.
They won it all in Italy, but it seems that the few disappointing Champions League campaigns took the lead and resulted in a managerial switch.
There were some controversial opinions on the team’s new head coach Maurizio Sarri following his inconsistent first Premier League season coaching Chelsea. He had some ups and downs but luckily, the Blues ended the season at the top, winning the Europa League and securing Champions League football for next season.
This has surely affected the decision on Juventus’ next manager, as the club recognized Allegri’s replacement in him.
This raised a lot of questions on what’s going to be the team’s tactical approach, how is he going to implement his Sarriball philosophy, and is he good enough to keep them at the highest level.
The transfer window is another matter that’s been discussed since his appointment since there are no signs of the Black and Whites being active out there. Even though there is one certain player that is heavily linked with the club and might be just enough for them to dominate once again.
One of the most talked about young talents Matthijs de Ligt is said to have agreed on terms with the Bianconerri. He created wonders as Ajax’s captain and played a huge part of their title-winning campaign. De Ligt has shown what he is capable of and might turn out to be the perfect replacement for Giorgio Chiellini or Leonardo Bonucci as they enter the twilight of their career.
They are the key figures for Juve’s defensive achievements and the team needs to start looking for replacements so the transition can be smooth and successful.
But how in fact, can the Dutch centre-back impact the teams’ performance and integrate with his teammates-to-be?
This tactical analysis will look into how Sarri could use De Ligt’s strengths in order to secure a strong performance in his first season on board.
Mentality and adaptation
Some of the most valued qualities in the players are their mentality and attitude. Fitting to a new club at such a young age and managing to implicate the manager’s vision and tactics means a player needs to be calm, confident and respectful. De Ligt is only 19 years old but has shown a maturity beyond his age. Being a leading figure for his teammates and showing impressively strong decision-making has brought him under the spotlight and made him fans’ favourite.
In the last few years, this leading figure for Juventus has been Chiellini. The 34-year-old is one of the reasons for the outstanding defensive performance Juventus pull out. His presence is immensely important, but it is unlikely that he has many more active seasons ahead of him. Allegri already started the transition experimenting with different back lines throughout the season.
Due to Andrea Barzagli’s departure, Sarri might not have the opportunity to rotate the players frequently enough and yet have a solid defensive line. No matter his age, De Ligt seems like the only realistic option to replace Barzagli now and Chiellini in the future, showing the same strong mentality.
Although he is a centre-back, his role is much more expanded and colourful. The youngster has shown an outstanding ability to find the balance in his performance. Not only he brings solidity to Ajax’s back line, but he also has a great contribution to their offensive actions.
His positioning is on a very high level and not only does he manage to quickly transition defensively but he is also aware of his teammates’ positioning and takes responsibility to cover them whenever they happen to be out of position.
This could be extremely helpful in the later stages of Juventus’ games as Bonucci and Chiellini often get tired which leads to some individual mistakes. This extra support from De Ligt could help in closing newly opened gaps.
De Ligt allows defending with two. In here he is covering depth after Tottenham sent a long ball. He actually managed to stop the dangerous attack.
The Dutchman is extremely important for gaining back possession and providing the ball to more advanced areas. With his 11.67 recoveries on average per 90 minutes, he manages to take control and slow down the tempo when the team is under pressure.
His ability to win the ball back inside the box, while making minimal contact showcases Matthijs’ tackling ability and is a great example of how to get the possession back without risking giving away a penalty kick.
His height is also key for his performance, especially when defending set pieces. With his 1.89 m, he often takes on his opponents and wins his aerial duels.
Although the youngster tries to go up the pitch he always keeps an eye of his position and goes back there precisely. Hight defensive line
Attacking ventures
He likes to keep things simple, although he is one of the best passers among the Eredivisie’s defenders.
He averaged a pass completion rate of more than 91.6% last season which makes him a perfect fit to Juventus, especially having in mind Sarri prefers possession football. De Ligt might be the needed support to the pivot of Miralem Pjanic as he could help with the build-up. His intelligent positioning and passing abilities might allow Pjanic to offer more in advanced areas instead of staying in the defensive midfield role most of the time.
De Ligt’s passing map vs De Graafschap.
The graphic above shows De Ligt’s passes in the 4:1 win over De Graafschap. He ended the game with an impressive 95% pass accuracy and as it could be seen he covered wide areas. As already mentioned his role goes further.
As seen in the graphic below, he is equally important in all phases of the game, which gives more freedom to his teammates’ actions. That is one of the reasons Ajax’s style of play is so attractive.
De Ligt has a few options for a pass but notices Huntelaar who could move off the ball and escape from his marker. He frequently helps with long balls which would give more freedom to his teammates and help the team allocate more players in the final third and increase their chances to score.
Matthijs is used to help to the midfield too where he contributes with some long balls and great passing skills.
How to use him: 3-5-2 and 4-1-3-2
It’s hard to predict what Sarri’s “go-to” formation would be. But there are definitely a couple of schemes that De Ligt could be used perfectly in.
He could be equally useful in both 3-5-2 and 4-1-3-2. Juventus haven’t played their best games when using a back three, but with the 19-year-old in the squad, this might change.
Using Alex Sandro and Joao Cancelo as wing-backs and having a solid three of De Ligt – Bonucci – Chiellini might work perfectly for Juve. Starting the attacks from the back using the more experienced players and positioning De Ligt slightly forward in order to distribute the ball either to the wing-backs or Pjanic, might change the dynamics of the game and allow the team to keep the ball in the opposition’s half for long periods of time.
Pjanic is equally good in his attacking actions and in his defensive midfield responsibilities. That’s why Juve’s forward line could benefit from De Ligt’s presence at the back.
Using him in a 4-1-3-2/ 4-1-2-3 formation out of possession and then transforming to a two-man backline might work out too. The full-backs would be able to give additional support up front, relying on De Ligt’s control and strong decision-making for covering their own half.
He received praise from the Bianconerri’s ex-coach Fabio Capello too:
“If Juve signs De Ligt then it’s over. Again. And we go directly to the season after. He is the best defender out there. He allows you to defend with two, freeing up the full-backs”
The pass map above indicates Ajax’s top passing links against Utrecht. De Ligt is involved in most of the team passes, which is exactly the right way to use him. His control is extremely important, especially when the defensive line is highly positioned as there is no room for mistakes.
He could be used when taking set-pieces too due to his height and aerial abilities.
De Ligt actually scored against Juventus in the Champions League. He scored a header after a corner kick, being left to sneak behind and win his aerial duel. That’s why he would be helpful defensively and offensively too. He would bring more awareness when defending set-pieces, and be a threat during attacking set-pieces.
Maurizio Sarri needs a perfectly clear game plan in order to keep up the good work. Through the analysis, we can safely assume Sarri will bring a different approach from what we’ve seen from Juventus in the last few years. He needs to make sure he makes the right moves and requests the right transfers in order to not only challenge the Serie A title again but also reach the ultimate goal – a Champions League trophy.
De Ligt gained irreplaceable experience in this year’s competition with Ajax, showing an outstanding performance against one of the best European teams. Despite being so young he looks completely ready to conquer the top and Juventus might be the perfect place to do it.
If you love tactical analysis, then you’ll love the digital magazines from totalfootballanalysis.com – a guaranteed 100+ pages of pure tactical analysis covering topics from the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga and many, many more. Buy your copy of the June issue for just ₤4.99 here, or even better sign up for a ₤50 annual membership (12 monthly issues plus the annual review) right here.
Senior football performance analyst with years of experience in sports journalism and the betting industry. Interested in all aspects of the beautiful game and has a huge appreciation of intelligent deep-lying playmakers.
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Adult Amateur Soccer, Premier Development League (PDL)
Houston FC Begins Second Season in PDL With A Similar Focus and New Approaches
Date: April 30, 2018Author: txsoccerjournal 3 Comments
After dwindling to one Texas team during the 2016 season, the Premier Development League (PDL) made a comeback for the 2017 season when four new Texas clubs began play in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference. In 2018 a modicum of stability has been established as all these clubs return and two new teams have been added. A very positive development for high-level amateur soccer in the state.
Houston FC is one of these returning second year Texas clubs and, despite a challenging first season, has come back with a renewed focus and the kind of new initiatives one sees from a club that intends to be around for a while.
The PDL, part of the United Soccer League (USL), is one of a handful of leagues that comprise the unofficial fourth-tier of the US Soccer League system. Featuring mostly college and other youth players, who are able to retain their amateur status, the PDL season runs from May to August. There are 6 Texas teams in the PDL Mid South Division, four in south Texas and two in the north. The Division is filled out by defending champion OKC Energy U23. Houston’s AHFC Royals and Corpus Christi FC are the two new Texas teams added this season.
Houston FC was formed in early 2017 when owner Jeff Fetzer, other investors and Head Coach Bruce Talbot came together to fill a gap they saw for local college players who needed a place to play during their summer break. Not an easy task, given the challenges of making a mark in a crowded large-city soccer environment. Establishing a club in a market with multiple other high-level amateur and professional soccer teams like Houston is very different than in a market like, for example, Corpus Christi that doesn’t face this level of competition. From the beginning though, the focus for Houston FC has been all about player development and the club views this as a way to establish a long-term differentiated presence in their complex large community.
“Our main objective is player development” said Fetzer. “If we can start making an impact on the schools that the players will be attending in the future or are currently attending, I think that the attraction (for Houston FC) will come from within the soccer community rather than growing an attraction around a venue or an event.”
Fetzer also rightly points out that despite the size of Houston, the soccer community is smaller than seems possible and completely intertwined. “We just have to focus on doing what is right..treat their players as professionals and have high expectations of what goes on in those summer months.” This he believes will lead to the positive word-of-mouth within the soccer community that will eventually lead to long-term enduring success for Houston FC.
Houston FC Head Coach Bruce Talbot returns for a second season
During its first season, Houston FC finished at the bottom of the Mid South Division with a 2-10-2 record. Despite the challenges faced during the inaugural season, Coach Bruce Talbot saw promise in the club’s 2017 performance.
“[The top finishers in the PDL Mid South] had a lot of experience. Over the course of the season you could see them get better and better and we [shifted focus] to developing younger players and you could see a switch in competitive spirit. We played two Under-16 kids in our last game just to get them experience and we tied 2-2.” Talbot continued, “Overall our games were competitive, and I was not displeased at all with how we played.”
Talbot has had a long career in soccer coaching and training. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, he went to school at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Early in his career Talbot trained under legendary college coaches like UNC’s Anson Dorrance and owes much of his philosophy and approach to youth development to these mentors. Locally, Talbot was involved in training at high-level Texas youth soccer clubs before being selected to lead Houston FC during its first season. In fact, it was at one of these youth clubs that Talbot was introduced to owner Jeff Fetzer, who was also involved at the same club as a parent and volunteer.
Houston FC looking good in their @capellisport warmup gear. Beautiful night to take on @HDLFCGamecast in a preseason @USLPDL @NPSLSoccer matchup. #Path2Pro #WeAreHouston #StrikeBlackGold pic.twitter.com/LFP1R1DLIm
— Houston FC (@houstonfcpdl) April 28, 2018
Talbot has a core of players rostered at this point but says, due to college schedules, that he will not be able to set his complete initial roster until a few weeks into the season. The roster will mostly consist of players with Houston connections, but the club will be bringing in some from other national schools too. Talbot pointed out one interesting side-benefit of having a mix of non-Houston players…the possible future college opportunities that could come for younger Houston FC players if the out of state player has a good experience during the summer and spreads the word back at their home school. He anticipates that his roster will be younger than last season, will include ten Under-18 players and 12 to 18 returning players from the first year. Some of these will predominately play on the reserve side and Under-23 team they are assembling.
He plans to roster 26 for the PDL team, but also has a unique philosophy that will lead to having 50 or so kids involved with his program this summer. “I don’t want to say no to anybody. If you pass the first week of training and are OK with where your placement is, you are more than welcome to stay.” Many of these players who will not see significant PDL minutes have seen substantial time during the preseason against high level opponents like Corpus Christi FC and NPSL’s Houston Dutch Lions.
Coach Talbot and his staff on sidelines during 2017 PDL action
Talbot also discussed the short period of time he has these players and the values he hopes to impart, much of which was instilled in him by his mentors many years ago. “The first and foremost thing our ownership and myself agree on is that we have to have impeccable citizenship. It’s easy to put together all the best players, but in such a short period of time I just want to make sure they have a positive experience, but also that they go away teaching my younger players how to behave when things don’t go your way.” Talbot continued, “The values we teach at our training are trust, discipline, commitment and a love of soccer. It might be corny, but I believe in that and I will not negotiate those values.”
The club will likely need to embody these values to navigate the challenging 2018 schedule. A slate of matches that already comes fast and furious during a compressed spring/summer season, will be complicated by a stretch of five away games to finish the season, coming immediately after a six-game midseason homestand.
Off the field Houston FC is pleased to have an off-season to better organize business, player recruiting, and technical operations that were virtually impossible to complete in the first season. The club announced that they would be joining the PDL just three months before the 2017 season started, allowing only time to accomplish basic internal tasks like hiring technical staff, establishing a roster and finding a place to play.
“Our intention [in the first year] was really focused all around the players. Are we developing good players and are we returning players to their colleges better than when we received them” said Fetzer. ” [Because of the short lead time] we didn’t engage as much with the community as we did with the soccer world, such as working with coaches and their players.”
Houston FC players celebrate a goal against FC Cleburne during 2017 PDL season
One key step forward in 2018 will be to play all home games at a single location, instead of splitting them between two venues (most of the matches at Rice University) as happened last year. Sorrels Field at Houston Baptist University (HBU), also home to the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Huskies, will serve as Houston FC’s new home this year. The stadium seats 500 and has a natural grass field. Houston Baptist’s campus is located on the southwest side of the City, roughly equidistant between Downtown Houston and Sugar Land, a rapidly growing suburb in adjacent Fort Bend County which currently doesn’t have a high-level amateur team. The club believes that this stable location will open a different area for the team to establish a new base of supporters.
“I believe HBU will be more successful for us, especially in some of the outlying communities that don’t want to fight rush hour traffic getting to the Medical Center area [where the Rice University stadium is located].” said Fetzer.
The club took a bit of an unconventional approach last season by building from the top of the pyramid down, unlike cross-town rivals AHFC Royals who are building their first PDL season off a platform provided by a long and successful youth program. Houston FC had a relationship with another local youth soccer program last year, but have recently announced a major initiative to establish their own two-tiered youth development program to allow the club to implement its philosophies at all age levels and provide a source of future players for the PDL club.
Fetzer described their new youth development initiative as “highly developmental and not looking to put together a trophy seeking group of teams.” The focus will be on players who aspire to play in college or beyond. The club will enter its teams into an inner-city soccer league on the near north side of Houston, where their U23 team has already been playing.
Further details on this initiative can be found in this link:
Introducing The Houston FC Factory, Houston's Newest Youth Program – https://t.co/7uwHAfivzF pic.twitter.com/TvvxV2sRXy
There have been many positive steps in a short period of time from a club with a long- term vision. The focus right now, however, is on the PDL season that begins on May 11th when they host Corpus Christi FC at Sorrels Field. Coach Talbot talked about his pragmatic goals for Houston FC’s second season.
” I would love to be more competitive in every game, I want our training to be more competitive, innovative and enjoyable for our players, to [create] a more professional environment-especially for the guys coming back from college. We would love to make the playoffs, finish in the top half, but we want people to respect us for the culture they see our guys are creating.” He continued, “We want to learn from our mistakes so that next year we are a little better than we were before.”
An enduring philosophy like this seems to separate Houston FC from an unfortunate stream of Texas high-level amateur soccer clubs in the past that didn’t establish a solid base and burned out quickly. This second year PDL team has big plans to reach the next level and there is no reason to expect that Houston FC, who seem to have their feet firmly planted on the ground, can’t achieve these dreams.
Images courtesy of Houston FC
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3 thoughts on “Houston FC Begins Second Season in PDL With A Similar Focus and New Approaches”
Pingback: 2018 PDL Season Begins This Weekend – Texas Soccer Journal
Marcos Puchols says:
txsoccerjournal says:
I am curious, what part of the post are you are reacting to?
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Ulster Unionists calls for tourism strategy which focuses on Northern Irelands potential
The Ulster Unionist Party has called on the Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster, to deliver a long awaited tourism strategy for Northern Ireland. During a debate calling for the Executive to support Tourism Ireland’s Irish Homecoming 2013 initiative, the Ulster Unionists highlighted the need for a Strategy to boost Northern Ireland’s tourism industry.
Speaking after the debate, Ulster Unionist DETI spokesperson Sandra Overend MLA said:
“Tourism is an extremely important part of our economy and it is vital that we make best use of Northern Ireland’s potential in this area. The value of tourism in promoting economic growth and in helping us achieve a shared future cannot be underestimated.’
“Recent figures show that there have been improvements within our tourism industry and it is important that we work to build on this. I would hope the DETI Minister will aspire to meet, or exceed, the current Programme for Government targets given how far short her Department fell in respect of the 2007-2011 targets.
“Today’s motion called on the Executive to encourage and support Tourism Irelands plans for “The Gathering: An Irish Homecoming” in 2013. While this initiative will undoubtedly play a role in boosting the Republic’s economy, it is important to remember that the schedule of events is for the benefit of the Republic of Ireland. What some of the other Parties fail to recognise is that Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are in competition. We are in competition for Foreign Direct Investment, we compete to attract jobs and our tourism industries are competitors.’
“It would have been more relevant if today’s debate had been to discuss the fact that Northern Ireland doesn’t currently have a Strategy which is dedicated solely to the tourism sector. It has been two years since a draft Strategy was produced and the Enterprise Committee are yet to have sight of the finalised document.’
Ulster Unionist DCAL spokesperson Robin Swann said:
“Given the funding and emphasis that is currently being placed on tourism by the Republic’s government, it is important that the Northern Ireland Executive is on the top of their game when it comes to promoting the many high profile events over the next number of years.’
“The Titanic centenary and all that came with it has already generated positive media worldwide. Looking forward we have the decade of centenaries, the Irish Open, the World Police and Fire Games, the Signature Projects and the Olympics. Therefore, it is clear that we have a number of projects in Northern Ireland to focus on and we must ensure that we do all we can to use them to maximise our tourism potential.’
“Of course the Northern Ireland Executive should be looking at the aspects of The Gathering which it can capitalise on but we cannot afford to “encourage and support” it at the expense of our own events.’
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← Lawrence Solomon: Why Ukraine should break up
Lawrence Solomon: Canada needs Quebec →
Lawrence Solomon: When Quebec will leave
Posted on March 14, 2014 by Lawrence Solomon
(March 13, 2014) If Quebec becomes a have-province obliged to subsidize English Canada, Quebecers will vote for independence.
By Lawrence Solomon, published by the National Post on March 13, 2014
Quebecers aren’t like the rest of us and, as they have many times made clear, they don’t want to be like the rest of us. At a time of their choosing, likely to their benefit and to Canada’s loss, Quebec will leave.
Quebec almost did vote to leave in 1995 — more than 49% cast a vote for the “Yes” side — a remarkably close outcome considering that Quebec and Canada in 1995 were then coming out of a recession, suffering from high unemployment and running massive government deficits. When times are tough, people cling to the little they have. That almost half the populace — and fully 60% of francophones — was willing to cast its fate to the wind in such anxious times demonstrates Quebecers’ enduring desire to be “maîtres chez nous,” masters in their own house.
Since 1995, the ever-present cultural differences between Quebec and the Rest of Canada have, if anything, grown, as Quebecers’ embrace of their Charter of Values startlingly demonstrates. In a way, Quebec has already left in all but name — Canada’s parliament now recognizes Quebecers as “a nation within a united Canada” and the province has negotiated for itself so many distinct powers and privileges that, according to McGill Law Professor Daniel Weinstock, the result has been the “gradual de-Canadianization of Quebec.”
Because the Supreme Court of Canada has validated the right of Quebec to formally leave Canada following a clear referendum victory, the only important remaining factor deterring a majority from voting to leave Canada is the same factor that in 1995 tipped the balance in favour of staying — the economic consequences of leaving.
Today, the economics argue for staying. For one thing, our federal governments over the past 20 years have proven themselves to be among the world’s best at running economies, certainly faring better than Quebec’s governments have fared. For another, Quebec is a recipient of almost $8-billion a year in equalization payments. Quebecers today would see a departure from Canada as both costly and risky when the gains to be had from a more formal, de jure rather than de facto sovereignty would be largely symbolic.
Tomorrow, the economics could change. It is easy to imagine a federal government once again bereft of fiscal discipline, say if a free-spending Justin Trudeau came to power and hobbled the Canadian economy, much as Barack Obama did for the U.S. It is also easy to imagine Quebec’s economic fortunes turning. Newfoundland and Saskatchewan — over many decades have-not provinces — both became have provinces in the last decade through their resource wealth. Quebec, Canada’s largest province with an area almost half-again that of Ontario, has immense untapped natural resource potential able to propel it, too, to have-province status.
For this reason, Quebec Premier Pauline Marois last month entered the petroleum fracking business through two joint ventures to develop oil and gas on Anticosti Island, one of several hydrocarbon-rich regions that developers have been eyeing. The province pegs its potential gains in profits, royalties, and taxes at $45-billion over the next 30 years, a sum that could be wide of the mark in either direction — other jurisdictions have consistently underestimated the potential for both shale oil and shale gas. In several U.S. states, private landowners alone, for shale gas alone, are today reaping royalties at a comparable or greater clip than Quebec anticipates in future from both oil and gas in several revenues streams.
Even modest gas production could be a game changer, by spurring a conversion of electric heating — now used wastefully in Quebec — to gas heating, thus freeing up Quebec’s enormous potential for electricity exports. But Quebec shouldn’t need to produce its own gas to better capitalize on its existing hydropower. According to a 2009 study by the Montreal Economic Institute, the province is losing more than $10-billion a year merely through uneconomic uses of its electricity system — an amount that exceeds the entire equalization grant that Quebec receives. Over 30 years, that $10-billion-plus a year would amount to almost seven times the monies projected from oil and gas.
If Quebec became a have province, whether by fully capitalizing on its hydropower or by landing a windfall through its oil and gas or other resources, the stage would be set for a successful referendum, all the more so if the federal government was seen as incompetent at managing the Canadian economy. For good measure, separatists would also revive old grievances to remind Quebecers of historic injustices, made all the more vivid, we can be certain, by yahoos in English Canada who could be counted on to stomp on the Quebec flag and otherwise mobilize the Yes vote.
Quebecers in this ascendant Quebec would then ask themselves, “do we want to make equalization payments to the English, with whom we thankfully have nothing in common, or do we want to be fully independent masters in our own house.” The question answers itself.
Lawrence Solomon is executive director of Urban Renaissance Institute.
Lawrence Solomon: Canada needs Quebec
About Lawrence Solomon
Lawrence Solomon is one of Canada's leading environmentalists. His book, The Conserver Solution (Doubleday) popularized the Conserver Society concept in the late 1970s and became the manual for those interested in incorporating environmental factors into economic life. An advisor to President Jimmy Carter's Task Force on the Global Environment (the Global 2000 Report) in the late 1970's, he has since been at the forefront of movements to reform foreign aid, stop nuclear power expansion and adopt toll roads. Mr. Solomon is a founder and managing director of Energy Probe Research Foundation and the executive director of its Energy Probe and Urban Renaissance Institute divisions. He has been a columnist for The Globe and Mail, a contributor to the Wall Street Journal, the editor and publisher of the award-winning The Next City magazine, and the author or co-author of seven books, most recently The Deniers, a #1 environmental best-seller in both Canada and the U.S. .
View all posts by Lawrence Solomon →
This entry was posted in Nation states, Natural Resources and tagged Anticosti, fracking, Hydro-Quebec, oil and gas, Quebec, sovereignty. Bookmark the permalink.
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Home/Politics/Sen. Hawley Calls for International Investigation of Chinese Communist Partys Role in Suppressing Truth About CCP Virus
Sen. Hawley Calls for International Investigation of Chinese Communist Partys Role in Suppressing Truth About CCP Virus
WASHINGTON—Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is in only his second year as a U.S. senator and, at 40, he is the youngest member of “the worlds greatest deliberative body,” but none of that keeps him from having a high profile in Washington—and in Beijing.
The latest illustration of Hawleys impact is a tweet he circulated March 18 calling for “a full, international investigation of #China Communist Partys actions that helped turn #coronavirus #COVID19 into a global pandemic — and #China needs to be prepared to pay other countries for the havoc the CCP has unleashed.”
The Missouri Republican was responding to Lachlan Markay, an investigative journalist with the Daily Beast, who said that “a Wuhan lab that identified COVID-19 as a highly contagious pathogen in late December was ordered by local officials to stop tests and destroy samples. Beijing is now scrambling to censor the story.”
The CCP virus, or novel coronavirus, has to date spread to virtually every country in the world and has caused at least 9,989 deaths, including 174 in the United States, according to the latest available data.
China, with a reported 3,245 deaths, Italy with 3,405, and Iran with 1,284, are the nations hit hardest by the disease, which to date has taken its heaviest toll among the elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Hawley is often in the headlines on issues involving China. Last week, he closely questioned witnesses during a Senate hearing on the dangers to Americans of the current extreme dependence by the United States on drugs and medical supplies such as surgical masks and ventilators made in China.
Hawley earlier had introduced the “Medical Supply Chain Security Act of 2020” that authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require manufacturers to “report imminent or forecasted shortages of life-saving or life-sustaining medical devices to the FDA just as they currently do for pharmaceutical drugs.”
The measure also allows the FDA to “expedite the review” of essential medical devices that require pre-market approval, and gives the agency new authority to compile information from manufacturers on their operations.
The information to be compiled includes “sourcing of component parts, sourcing of active pharmaceutical ingredients, use of any scarce raw materials, and any other details the FDA deems relevant to assess the security of the U.S. medical product supply chain.”
The measure is needed, according to Hawley, because the United States has become almost totally dependent upon China for more than 150 drugs, including antibiotics, generics, and branded products.
In October 2019, at the height of massive demonstrations by hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong citizens demanding protection of their civil liberties against abuses by mainland China, Hawley flew there, spoke to multiple leaders of the protests, and posted a video on Twitter talking about his support for the movement.
That video resulted in a clash with the CCPsRead More – Source
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October 4, 2010 October 31, 2015 film festivals, reviews Leave a comment VIFF
VIFF ’10: Day Two
Of Love and Other Demons – An adaptation of a Gabriel García Márquez story that I haven’t read, Hilda Hidalgo’s first film is about a teenaged girl in 19th Century Cartagena, the daughter of a Marquis, who gets bit by a rabid dog. Despite the Marquis’ disbelief, he is unable to prevent the local Catholic authorities from imprisoning her under suspicion of demonic possession (apparently the Devil works through rabies). The priest assigned to examine her of course falls in love with her (she’s not a stunning beauty, but has a fabulous head of red hair, three feet long and shockingly clean for the 18th century) to the detriment of his ecclesiastical career. More straightforward than I would expect from García Márquez, the film is essentially an ecofeminist parable about the evils of patriarchy, imperialism and the Church and its destructive effects on the environment (the girl is frequently seen communing with insects, and one of the reasons she’s suspected of being possessed is that she can speak the African languages of her family’s servants). It does leave open the much more interesting possibility that the girl actually is possessed, with the devil using her to wreak havoc with the nobility and Catholic hierarchy in the later stages of the Spanish Empire.
Get Out of the Car/The Indian Boundary Line – A pair of shortish features, both exploring hidden elements in everyday geography. Thomas Comerford’s The Indian Boundary Line is about a treaty line running through what is now Chicago. The line was supposed to establish the Northwestern limit of American expansion, leaving much of Western Illinois and Southeastern Wisconsin for the Indians. The film is split into separate sections, each showing a part of the line as it is now (three parks, an intersection, a normal urban street) with accompanying voiceover (personal reminiscences, treaty language, bits of Little House on the Prairie). For the most part it’s pretty interesting, though there’s a central section where the voiceover is a list of GPS coordinates that goes on interminably. More fun is Thom Anderson’s Get Out of the Car, a tour of visual oddities in Los Angeles, with a particular focus on out of use billboards and giant murals of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The soundtrack is mostly older recordings that were made in LA, though occasionally we hear what appear to be passersby heckling Anderson as he films, which can be pretty funny. Where The Indian Boundary Line shows the history that surrounds our everyday world, Get Out of the Car tries to highlight the beauty in the urban decay and ugliness we walk past every day. I haven’t yet had the chance to see Anderson’s acclaimed Los Angeles Play Itself, but this only makes me want to that much more.
Poetry – This is the first Lee Changdong film I’ve seen, and I’m kind of mixed in my response to it. On the one hand, it’s a wonderful character study of a 66 year old woman, raising her grandson and working part-time as the caretaker for an elderly man who takes a poetry class on a whim and struggles to find poetic inspiration in the world around her. On the other hand, it’s the story of a grandmother who learns that her son is part of a group of kids who gang-raped a classmate until she killed herself, and is being pressured by the other boys father’s to come up with hush money for the girl’s parents. I really like that first movie, the second seem unnecessarily exploitive, as if Lee thought audiences wouldn’t be interested enough in the grandmother’s story if there wasn’t some horribly hyperbolical sexual violence mixed in somewhere. The unreality of that part of the film (not just in its setup but also its coincidence-driven plot mechanics) doesn’t necessarily undermine the rest of the film, but it is fairly distasteful. The performance by Yun Junghee as the old woman is magnificent.
Icarus Under the Sun – A very low-budget film made by two Japanese women (one wrote and directed and stars, the other shot, directed and plays a supporting role) that’s a grungy, realist account of a young woman trying to find her way in Tokyo. She gets a job at a mahjong parlor and befriends the eccentrics who work and hang out there: the blind ex-thief owner, the slightly crippled boy named after Alain Delon, the crazy woman who loves the blind owner, etc. Of all the young adult coming of age films we’ve seen at the several festivals we’ve been to, this is bar far the most serious and probably also the most DIY. The dreariness of the girl’s life (always in darkness, the various characters dislike of sunshine is a key motif) is almost oppressive. In the end, she manages to escape into the daytime, but I don’t know that the catharsis is enough to compensate for the misery of the first 75 minutes of the film. I needed some air.
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Ancient History / Early Modern History
The Battle of All Time ~ A guest post by Erik Von Norden
December 5, 2014 Susan Abernethy13 Comments
Erik Von Norden joins The Freelance History Writer with a delightful summary of how the world arrived at the current yearly calendar. Erik is a practicing attorney living in the north woods of Vermont, USA. You can follow him on his blog: The Theory of Irony
(c) the author
Consider that our whole concept of time is off by several years due to a small math mistake by a sixth-century monk named Dionysus Exiguus (Dennis the Really, Really Short). By way of explanation, it seems about 525 this monk suggested to the Pope to begin using Christ’s birth as the standard point to start counting history – 1 AD or Anno Domini or Year of Our Lord – whatever you like. So, he set to figuring out exactly when that was. Dionysus looked up the traditional date given for Rome’s founding, 753 BC, and then he subtracted down all the years until reaching Jesus Christ’s birth. Problem is, the Gospels put the nativity during King Herod’s reign, but archeologists and theologians now know Herod died in 4 BC. In fact, modern scholars agree Christ came into this world sometime between 4 and 7 BC, thus Jesus was born in the era “Before Christ.”
For the first few centuries, the Roman-Christian world had used all sorts of calendars. Many people standardized time by the conquest of Spain in 38 BC, while some employed the crucifixion of about 33 AD. A smattering of folks began with the accession of Diocletian in 284 and others, the date of Constantine’s coronation in 312 – called “The Indication.” Most of them had very limited needs and marked only the span of their own king’s reign with so-called “regnal years,” though it would be tough to say how inane this could be. Say for argument’s sake a royal proclamation announcing a military alliance got issued “in the eighth year of the reign of King Theodore the Third.” In another realm just across the river, the identical decree might be dated “in the seventh year of Queen Theodora the Fourth.” At the outset, coordinating troop movements between the two allies would be hampered. But assume further King Theodore’s coronation happened to be on Easter, a “movable” feast, and now each of his regnal years could be shorter or longer than 365 days. Add to this that different sovereigns came to power on different movable feast days and you are only beginning to get an idea. And, it got worse. Rather than just regnal years, some went so far as to mark off time in dynasties, for example “the 96th year of the House of Theodore.” Others erred due to lunar and solar year variations, to the extent they even understood such things, and each of the world’s religions offered its own calendar. Or, what have you.
Dionysus Exiguus began to grasp these problems, but not entirely. His year started on Easter, which in the West landed on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Or, a date floating all around March and April. Unless you came from the East, where it was different. This monk unbelievably came to think so little of his own idea that he reverted to dating letters by Constantine’s Indication and the notion almost died. Nonetheless, Dionysus’ system did catch on glacially. Borrowing from it, an author named Venerable Bede used the concept of BC and AD when writing his monumental “Ecclesiastical History of the English People” in 731. Other scholars did too, however due to their increasing study of Roman law and interest in almanacs they settled back on the ancient New Year’s Day of January 1st. The Catholic Church initially saw this as a return to Paganism and opposed the idea – a surprising position, one might add, given that the early Church had co-opted several Pagan holidays. But by the 1500’s, the trend towards using January 1st had reached a tipping point. Pope Gregory XIII (reign, 1572 – 1585) acquiesced to the inevitable and in 1582 he endorsed the calendar upon which the modern world could peacefully agree.
But, not without a fight first. For centuries more the Protestants of Northern Europe refused to recognize the new “Gregorian” calendar, which they saw as a papal dictate, even if it made complete common sense. The same thing happened in Orthodox Eastern Europe and likewise in the far more populous non-Christian world. This led to some comical results. For example, many biographers listed Benjamin Franklin’s birth date according to old Julian calendar and some used the new Gregorian date, while others gave both. Even better, Sir Isaac Newton – arguably the greatest scientist of them all – based his chronology on the voyage of Jason’s Argonauts, a myth that never really happened. Such farce somersaulted all the way into the mid-1700’s, by which time the months had long lost synch with the seasons they were supposed to be counting. Then came a fun twist. In 1751, Philip Dormer Stanhope, the Fourth Earl of Chesterfield (1694 – 1773) – I love that name – came up with a wonderful face saving device the Protestant, English-speaking world could swallow. He started referring to the Gregorian Reform as the “New Style,” so by act of Parliament the English New Year’s Day was backed up from March 25th to January 1st. And to bring seasons and months back into alignment, the day immediately after September 1, 1752 was moved forward to September 14, 1752. Wiping out, on paper, two weeks of history.
The rest of humanity refused to be outdone for pure silliness. The Russian Empire, a big part of the Orthodox world, for centuries declined to accept even this. The Russians couldn’t digest the thought of a Protestant compromise to a Catholic idea, so they kept to the old Pagan Julian calendar. That was, until 1919 when the Communists took over, imposed atheism and adopted the Gregorian version. For the record, it took a godless government to impose a Christian calendar on a Christian people. The Japanese likewise refused to follow the British lead until their own program of Westernization in 1873 and the Chinese did not do so until their Communist revolution in 1949. Again, atheist government and Christian calendar. By that time political correctness had seeped into the West and many Christian academics, as well as those in non-Christian countries, eventually got around to dropping AD altogether in lieu of the more culturally sensitive “CE” (or Common Era). Strangely, this turned out to be more accurate because our old friend Dennis the Really, Really Short had erred slightly, in the first place.
calendars, Dionysus Exiguus, Gregorian calendar, History of time, Julian calendar, Russian Empire, time, Venerable Bede
Eleanor of Castile, Queen of England
The Coronation Chair
13 thoughts on “The Battle of All Time ~ A guest post by Erik Von Norden”
The Battle of All Time: How the World Arrived at the Current Yearly Calendar – Brewminate says:
[…] published by Susan Abernathy at The Freelance History Writer, 12.05.2014, under the terms of a Creative […]
Lauriana Petit Main Sauvage says:
Very interesting. Of course, I was aware of some of this but other things are definitely new to me. Like the story of how the Protestants refused to adopt the Gregorian calendar (although makes perfect sense considering the time when this happened).
You mentioned English speaking Protestant countries, which makes me (being Dutch myself) wonder: Did the Protestants on the continent, in The Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia, adopt the calendar reform sooner (probably because they had more direct interaction with Catholic nations and/or didn’t have separate countries by 1582)?
Oh, and there’s one major power in both the history and the present day you didn’t mention (of course this blog post would have been way too long if you had discussed everything in detail): the muslim nations. I know the religious calendar of Islam works with a lunar year and counts from the escape of Mohammed from Mecca to Medina but I don’t know how much or how little this is still used for non-religious purposes.
I know Turkey, a secular nation with a largely muslim population, is using the Gregorian calendar and I guess it was introduced there by the first a-religious government of the territory: That of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk after the Great War (although there were some attempts at modernization and westernization before that and I can’t find anything about it right now, so I’m not sure)
Jo Woolf says:
It has always boggled my mind, this alternative calendar business, and as for the taking away of two whole weeks…. daylight robbery! great post! 🙂
Reblogged this on First Night History.
mariegm1210 says:
I’m going to buy your book as soon as it comes out, Erik! Please let us know when!
Erik Von Norden says:
Working on it as fast as I can. Just check the website from time to time.
Dr. George Brooks says:
Two minor corrections: Dionysius Exiguus only used the AD system on the Easter Tables, which had to be calculated according to the Metonic Cycle in 19 year chunks. And the first history to use them was written by Isidore of Seville about a century before the Venerable Bede’s “Ecclesiastical History of the English People”–but it was the vastly more popular work of Bede that began to make the system commonplace among Western intellectuals in the Middle Ages.
My dear esteemed Dr. Brooks:
I bend one knee to a man who seems to possess more knowledge than all the computers of the world working simultaneously. Isidore of Seville was in fact a scholar ahead of his time, and, Dionysius Exiguus did not plan to involve all that he did, so to speak. In fairness, I take your corrections to mean I could have been more specific, and that criticism is both constructive and well received. Might we agree the Venerable Bede was one of the more underrated figures in Western Civlization?
-Your Humble Servant,
Erik,
Nicely done. I had projected Diogenes’ development of this for the second book in the Pivotal Moments of History series I am working on. (The sinking of the White Ship is the nearly completed first book.) The tidbits on the conquest of Spain, and the Indication are new to me, and I had actually forgotten Newton’s version.
Thanks. If you could say something more about your books, or if you have a blog or website, I would certainly check them out.
-Erik.
rafterd1972 says:
What a great, funny and interesting post. It makes you wonder about the frailties of human thought. So what else is new? Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so very much for the kind words.
This is REALLY REALLY interesting as I’ve had to grapple with time changes in t6th century Scotland trying to work out when New Year was & also 19th century Russia (Old Style)..
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