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Nielsen Completes Arbitron Acquisition
The Deadline Team
More Stories By The Deadline
R. Kelly Arrested On Federal Sex Trafficking Charges
‘Wolf Of Wall Street’ Producer Riza Aziz Pleads Not Guilty To Laundering $248 Million
Bushwick Bill Dies: Geto Boys Rapper Was 52
NEW YORK, NY, September 30, 2013 – Nielsen Holdings N.V. (NYSE: NLSN), a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy, today announced that it has successfully completed its acquisition of Arbitron Inc., an international media and marketing research firm.
“This is a great day for Nielsen and a natural step in our evolution,” said Nielsen Chief Executive Officer David Calhoun. “Arbitron will allow us to analyze and understand an additional two hours of the U.S. consumer’s day while bringing us another opportunity to provide advertisers with metrics on the effectiveness of the mediums that they advertise on.”
Arbitron is being rebranded Nielsen Audio and will be integrated into Nielsen’s U.S. Watch business segment, which provides information and insights primarily to the media and advertising industries across television, online, mobile and radio. With Arbitron, Nielsen now measures eight hours a day per person of dynamic media consumption.
“Our combined capabilities offer opportunities to measure unmeasured areas that are important to the industries and clients we serve, like streaming audio, out-of-home measurements for television consumption and deeper measurement of multicultural audiences in the U.S.,” said Calhoun. “Globally, this is an opportunity to expand our measurement of consumer behavior and introduce audio measurement capabilities in new markets.”
As previously disclosed, Nielsen entered into an agreement on December 17, 2012 to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Arbitron for $48 per share or a total of $1.3 billion purchase price, funded by cash on hand and recent debt financing. Nielsen expects $0.26 of accretion to adjusted net income per share during the first full year of operations, and $0.32 of accretion to adjusted net income per share during the second year, reflecting an incremental $0.06 in year two.
Nielsen will update its full year guidance to include the impact of the Arbitron acquisition during its Q3 2013 earnings conference call, which will be held October 23.
Nielsen Co
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Nate Boyer: Seattle Seahawks Offer 34-Year-Old Former Green Beret A Free Agent Contract
May 04, 2015 12:14 PM ET
For Nate Boyer, working his way on to the University of Texas football team was a breeze.
When he showed up to walk-on tryouts as a 30-year-old freshman, the former Green Beret and staff sergeant in the Texas National Guard immediately impressed then-head coach Mac Brown. Boyer’s military temperament and hard-nosed work ethic quickly earned him a spot on the team, but after starting the last three seasons as the Longhorns long snapper, he’s ready to take on a new challenge.
At 5’11,” Boyer is far from the prototypical NFL long snapper, but his pedigree has convinced at least one team to take a chance on him; after he went un-selected during this past weekend’s 2015 draft, the Seahawks offered Boyer a free agent contract.
Though his chances of making the Seahawks final 53-man roster this fall remain low, Boyer is certainly up to the challenge.
Yeah, I’ve done things that are more difficult. You can’t really compare the two in a lot of ways, but this is a huge challenge in itself. This is the best athletes in the world. Just to get an opportunity and be able to compete… And I’m playing for a great team in a great city. I couldn’t be anymore thrilled. Just for the chance that’s all you can ask for.
[h/t NFL]
Tags : national football league seattle seahawks university of texas
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Figures of Queens, Wells Cathedral West Façade
ca. 1183-1260 (building)
Wells, Somerset, England, United Kingdom
15/5/3090.0094410076052
Wells Cathedral, Wells, England
fa$05cades
object sculpture
Trefoil arches
crocket
plant-derived motifs
queens (people)
Kings (people)
Image: 10 3/8 x 7 1/4 in.
26.3525 x 18.415 cm
Data from: A.D. White Architectural Photographs, Cornell University Library
http://cidc.library.cornell.edu/adw/albumen.htm
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
The images in this collection are in the public domain and are believed to have no known U.S. copyright or other restrictions. The Library does not charge for permission to use these materials and does not grant or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute them. However, as a good scholarly practice we recommend that all patrons cite the Library as the source of the reproduction. For a more detailed explanation please read the Library Guidelines for Using Public Domain Text, Images, Audio, and Video Reproduced from Cornell University Library Collections at http://hdl.handle.net/1813.001/CULCopyright.
The Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library, is home to the Andrew Dickson White Architectural Photographs Collection of approximately 13,000 nineteenth- and early twentieth-century photographs of architecture, decorative arts and sculpture. White (1832-1918), the first president of Cornell University, established the collection by donating several thousand images from his personal architectural library. The Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, in collaboration with the Department of Preservation and Conservation and the Cornell Institute for Digital Collections, undertook a project to preserve, house, catalogue and digitize the entire collection.
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Category Archives: Pope
The Dutch Pope
Posted on March 2, 2019 by dirkdeklein under Catholic Church, History, Pope, the Netherlands
When you think of Popes you wouldn’t think that a small country like the Netherlands ever would produce a Pope. But yet it did.
Born as Adriaan Florensz Boeyens in Utrecht on March 2 1459. He would become thr head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 9 January 1522 until his death on 14 September 1523. He would be the only Dutchman so far to become pope, and was the last non-Italian pope until John Paul II, 455 years later.
He was designated the title Pope Adrian VI or also Hadrian VI. Adrian was resented by the Romans as an outsider. He took up the task of reforming the church. Pope Adrian VI took over from Pope Leo X, who had been Pope from 1513 to 1521.Pope Leo had left the papacy in chaos. The treasury was depleted by wars, construction, and private leisure activities.
Adrian chose to keep his birth name. Immediately, the stern theologian made sure that people understood . he was not the sovereign’s puppet. He embarked on a program of reformation to replenish the treasury by putting an end to unnecessary spending
Adrian VI tried to unite the Christians in a crusade against the Turks, he failed in this. Swiftly the Turks under Suleiman the Magnificent conquered Rhodes.
Adrian also underestimated the early stages of the Lutheran revolt. Adrian did condemn Luther as a heretic, but he took no defensive actions against the Lutheran movement. Ironically the country he was born in would later become one of the most Lutheran countries in Europe.
Adrian VI died in Rome on 14 September 1523, after one year, eight months and six days as pope. Most of his official papers were lost after his death.
I am passionate about my site and I know a you all like reading my blogs. I have been doing this at no cost and will continue to do so. All I ask is for a voluntary donation of $2 ,however if you are not in a position to do so I can fully understand, maybe next time then. Thanks To donate click on the credit/debit card icon of the card you will use. If you want to donate more then $2 just add a higher number in the box left from the paypal link. Many thanks
Papalartifacts.com
Britannica.com
The SS ransom demand of September 26-1943.
Posted on September 26, 2018 by dirkdeklein under History, Holocaust, Italy, Pope, Pope Pius XII, Vatican City, World War 2
The killing of innocent lives is despicable enough but trying to make a profit out of it in the most deceitful way is beyond evil. Giving people hope that someway they will survive, where there really was no intention of sparing their lives,sickens me to the core.
Shortly after the armistice between Italy and the Allied forces on 8 September 1943, the German military occupied Rome and Herbert Kappler was appointed as Chief of the Security Police and Security Service for all SS and Order Police units deployed in Rome.
On September 26 Major Herbert Kappler, delivered a 36-hour ultimatum to the city’s Jewish community, requiring a ransom payment of fifty kilograms of gold, as well as 100 million Italian lire, to the SS headquarters in Rome , to avoid the mass arrest and deportation of Rome’s Jews to concentration camps.
The Jewish community ,via Israel Zolli, the Chief Rabbi of Rome told the Vatican about the ransom and asked if they could help because the Jews did not have the 50 kg of gold to fulfill the ransom demand. The Vatican’s replied on September . 27, that the Pope,Pius XII, was willing to lend,interest free, the 110 pounds of gold to the Jewish community.
But, by September. 28, the Jewish community received donations of Jews and non-Jews exceeding 110 pounds. The loan of the Vatican was therefor no longer required.
However, on October 16, 1943 the Nazis, in conjunction with the Italians, conducted a roundup of the Jews in Rome and 2 days later on October 18,1,035 Jews were deported to Auschwitz.
Rabbi Israel Zolli survived and converted together with his 2nd wife and daughter ,to Catholicism in 1945.
In 1948, Kappler was tried by an Italian military tribunal and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Gaeta military prison. In 1977 he escaped prison, because he had been terminally ill, he only weighed 47 KG, His wife was able to carry him ot in a suitcase.6 months after his escape he died.
1978-What a Year
Posted on June 8, 2018 by dirkdeklein under History, Pop culture, Pope, Pope John Paul II
1978 must have been one of the most significant years well at least in a pop culture way, the amount of classic movies that were released that year and classic songs is just phenomenal.
Lets start with some of the songs.
Written by an 18 year old Kate Bush taken from the album which was partially produced by Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour.
It was Kate Bush’s first single and reached Number 1 in January 1978 and stayed there for 4 weeks. It was the first song composed and written by a woman to reach number one in the UK.
I deliberately did not say the Bee Gees because in 1978 the Bee Gees and their younger sibling Andy Gibb all had several songs in the charts.
The Bee Gees had several hits from the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever and Barry Gibb’s ‘Grease; sung by Frankie Valli also topped the charts.
Where Andy Gibb had success with songs like “Shadow Dancing” and “An Everlasting Love”
Dreadlock Holiday
A reggae song by 10CC. Although they had been around for a while and did have other hits like ‘The Wallstreet shuffle’ and ‘ Rubber Bullets’ this British Rock band did get their biggest hit in 1978 with a Reggae Tune.
But the list of massive hits goes on with artists like Michael Jackso,Eric Clapton,Kansas,The Rollong Stones, Paul McCartney and the Wings and ABBA.I could go on forever, therefore swiftly moving to movies
Starting off with the aforemention:
The most successful musical ever and although I am not a great musical fan, Grease did something to my psyche, I absolutely love the movie. I am not going to say too much about it, I will leave the music to the talking. This is my favourite song of Grease, it might surprise you that is not one of the countless hits.
Finishing up with one of the best movies ever made
Co-written and directed by Michael Cimino about a trio of Russian American steelworkers whose lives are changed forever after they fought in the Vietnam War. The same Michael Cimino would cause the demise of United Artists less then 2 years later.
But the Deer Hunter is still in my Top 5 of all tine favourite movies.
By the way 1978 was also the year of 3 popes
Pope Paul VI dies at age of 80.
John Paul I Becomes Pope from August 26th , 1978 and dies just 33 days later on September 28, 1978
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla becomes Pope John Paul II
Posted on September 17, 2017 by dirkdeklein under Curse, History, Pope, Sports, Taoiseach
Don’t worry I have suddenly turned by page into some paranormal or horror blog site. But today was an important day in the Irish sporting agenda.It was the day of the All Ireland GAA senior Gaelic Football final between Mayo and Dublin(again).
Mayo did not win the final since 1951,and today was no exception, this is believed to be due to a curse.
The Curse of ’51 allegedly prevents Mayo from winning the Sam Maguire Cup(picture above} ever again, or at least until the death has occurred of every member of the last winning team from 1951.
It remains unbroken—despite the team reaching the final on eight occasions since then, they have either completely collapsed on the day or been undone by a series of other unfortunate events.
The legend tells us that while the boisterous Mayo team were passing through Foxford on the victorious journey home, the team failed to wait quietly for a funeral cortège to pass by on its way to the graveyard. The presiding priest consequently put a curse on Mayo football to never win a subsequent All-Ireland Final until all members of the 1951 team are dead.
In 1989, Mayo reached their first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final since their last victory in 1951 only to lose to Cork. In 1996, a freak point by Meath at the end of the final forced a replay, which saw Mayo concede another late score that would deny them victory. Kerry bridged an 11-year title gap against them in 1997 with a three-point win, before torturing them by eight points in 2004 and thirteen points in 2006
Mayo returned to the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final in 2012. Even with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Rome seeking divine intervention through Pope Benedict XVI the day before,
the “Kafkaesque black farce”continued from where it had left off—with Donegal allowed bridge a 20-year gap between titles, helped in no small part by a nightmare opening quarter for Mayo as Michael Murphy—whose father is from Mayo—launched a rocket of a shot into the goal after three minutes. Then, in the eleventh minute, Colm McFadden seized the ball from the grasp of Kevin Keane and slid it into the net for a second Donegal goal. Mayo only got on the score sheet after sixteen minutes and never led at any point during the match. They eventually lost with thirteen points to Donegal’s two goals and eleven.
They lost again in 2013, this time by a single point to Dublin.
They qualified for the 2016 Final on 18 September 2016 where they faced Dublin the curse seemingly struck again when they scored two own goals in the opening half before drawing with Dublin in the last few minutes of the game. They faced Dublin again in a rematch on the 1st October 2016 but lost by a point.
Following the death of Fr Peter Quinn in January 2016, there now only remains 3 living members of the 1951 All Ireland winning team, Pádraig Carney, Paddy Prendergast and Dr Micky Loftus of Crossmolina.
Today they lost again to Dublin by 1 point. So the curse has not yet been lifted.
Mayo however is not the only team to be cursed, following are a few more examples.
The Boston Red Sox
Some allege that there was a curse placed on the Boston Red Sox, who failed to win a World Series after 1918, apparently due to the selling of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.
Before the sale, the Red Sox had won four titles in seven years (1912–1918). After the sale, the Yankees went on to win 27 World Series Championships. The “curse” was broken when, after 86 seasons, the Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 0 in the 2004 World Series
Hibernian F.C
Scottish football side Hibernian endured a 114-year wait to win their third Scottish Cup, eventually doing so against Rangers in the 2016 final.
Prior to this success, Hibs had lost an agonising ten straight Scottish Cup finals in a drought stretching back to 1902. Hibernian’s hoodoo was made all the more noteworthy by their relative success in other major Scottish footballing honours – the Leith side won four league titles and three league cups whilst remaining fruitless in their search for Scottish Cup glory. In spite of remaining a prominent force within Scottish football and building notoriously excellent sides such as the Famous Five and Turnbull’s Tornadoes, Hibs were for so long unable to lift the oldest trophy in world football.
Some Hibs fans attributed the absence of Scottish Cup success to a curse which a gypsy woman allegedly placed upon the club during the chairmanship of Harry Swan.Whilst renovation works were being carried out at Hibernian’s Easter Road stadium in the 1950s, a harp crest – which had been displayed on the South Stand symbolising Hibernian’s founding Irish roots – was removed and subsequently did not reappear when work had finished.During the 2015-16 season, Hibs’ modern day badge (which includes the harp) was placed upon the facade of the West Stand at Easter Road.Less than eight months after the harp had been reinstated onto the walls of Easter Road, Hibernian were once again Scottish Cup winners after more than a century in the making.
Birmingham City F.C
English football side Birmingham City F.C. played 100 years under an alleged curse from 1906 to 2006.As the legend goes, the club moved from nearby Muntz Street into its current location at St Andrew’s, building the stadium on land that was being used by the Romani people.
After they were forced to move, the angry Romani people put an 100-year hex on the stadium.
Throughout the years many Birmingham City managers would try to remove the curse but with little success. Former manager Ron Saunders tried to banish the curse in the 1980s by placing crucifixes on floodlights and painting the bottom of his players’ boots red. Another manager, Barry Fry, in charge from 1993 to 1996, urinated in all four corners of the pitch after a clairvoyant said it would break the spell. On Boxing Day 2006 the curse was finally lifted and on that day Birmingham City celebrated a 2–1 win over Queens Park Rangers F.C,and would eventually win a place in the Premiership. Just over four years after the alleged curse ended, Birmingham City finally won the first major final in their history – beating Arsenal 2–1 to win the League Cup at Wembley.
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February 22, 2018, 08:12 GMT-0500 Counter-Strike
FACEIT to host the next CS:GO Major in London
FACEIT is returning to London for one of the biggest events of the year.
Sam Nordmark
Photo via ECS/FaceIt
London will be playing host to the second and final Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major of 2018.
FACEIT will be bringing CS:GO back to the SSE Wembley Arena on Sep. 20 to 23, where the world’s best teams will be competing for $1 million.
This will be FACEIT’s third time using the historic venue to host a CS:GO event, as the company hosted the LAN finals of the first and third season of its Esports Championship Series in the past. FACEIT will run every aspect of the Major, from the online qualifiers to the offline finals.
The field will include 24 total teams, after the expansion of the Major system to encompass the offline qualifier as part of the main event for last month’s ELEAGUE Major: Boston. Cloud9 will look to defend their Major title after winning on home soil, with other top teams like FaZe Clan, SK Gaming, and London-based Fnatic holding Legend spots.
The ongoing season of the ECS will also be bringing its LAN finals to the SSE Arena just three months before the Valve Major—a reflection of FACEIT’s commitment to making London a top esports destination. Co-founder Michel Attisani told Dot Esports in December that London was “becoming a staple for live esports events in Europe.”
The event is still a good while off yet—but that’s plenty of time for teams to prepare themselves for the showpiece event. Judging by previous timelines, the qualification road could get underway in around June.
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Contracts for April 23, 2018
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Baltimore, Maryland, is awarded a $101,770,338 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic Communication Center at Naval Station Norfolk. The proposed new construction will consist of a multi-story, steel-framed building with a reinforced concrete exterior, brick façade and secured area construction. The building roof will be constructed to accommodate radio frequency antennas and an antenna distribution system. The building interior will include administrative spaces, support spaces, equipment/operational spaces with open architecture, diverse building entries for telecommunication cables, maintenance/training spaces and storage spaces. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2016 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $101,770,338 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with three proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-18-C-1134).
Vet Industrial Inc.,* Bremerton, Washington, is awarded $9,046,229 for firm-fixed-price task order N4425518F4134 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N44255-17-D-4007) for the construction of a multi-story nuclear repair facility at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton. The work to be performed provides for a multi-story, steel-framed, reinforced concrete masonry nuclear repair facility with a built-up roof and concrete foundation. The facility will include laboratory, light industrial, personnel support, storage, and administrative areas. Work will be performed in Bremerton, Washington, and is expected to be completed by November 2019. Fiscal 2017 military construction (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $9,046,229 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Washington, is the contracting activity.
The KeyW Corp., Hanover, Maryland, was awarded a $17,365,667 cost-plus-fixed-fee completion contract for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency research project. Work will be performed in Hanover, Maryland, with an expected completion date of April 2022. Fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation funding in the amount of $762,102 are being obligated at time of award. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR001118C0085).
DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY
AT&T Corp., Columbia, Maryland, was awarded a firm-fixed-price modification to exercise Option Year 2 of a previously awarded, sole-source contract for the Northstar Long-Haul Telecommunications Network and associated transmission circuits for an Ultra-High Frequency/Line of Sight communications system network. The face value of this action is $13,708,765 and is funded by fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $44,051,012 with a lifecycle value of $74,600,000. Performance will be at various sites geographically dispersed across the continental U.S. The performance period of this action is May 1, 2018, to April 30, 2019. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity (HC1013-16-C-0001, P00011).
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Archive for May, 2009|Monthly archive page
I’m feeling wordy
I see Souter is retiring.
we didn’t get that in tonight. fuck. we didn’t get that in. when did this news break?
this is what you get with a 10:30 deadline, you miss shit like this. and even if we weren’t rushing to beat it, we should have gotten this. not that it’s terribly important that a small daily gets this in, but a Supreme Court justice retiring is national news. and needs to be mentioned, prominently.
a lot of stuff happened in the news today, so let’s recap.
but before we begin: you know, I read the news for a living. and I must admit that despite a lot of other bullshit that comes along with it, it’s not a horribly bad job to have.
Chrysler has declared bankruptcy. that’s a lot of jobs in Ohio, Michigan and Kokomo. here are the terms:
1. The new company will be run by a nine person board, with six independent members appointed by the government and three appointed by Fiat, including an employee. The board will elect a chairman and select a chairman “with the concurrance of Fiat,” (current CEO Robert) Nardelli said.
2. Fiat will start with a 20 percent stake, in value and voting rights, in the new company, increasing it to 35 percent based on performance.
3. the US and Canadian governments get a collective 10 percent. and the union health fund trust gets 55 percent, without equivalent voting rights.
the union gets a majority stake. wow.
as the Detroit automakers have shuddered over the last few months, the UAW has been questioned a lot. they’ve lost a lot of members in the last couple of years. but at the same time, they’ve been throwing a lot of money at Democrats, and it looks like it’s paying off.
because now they have Chrysler.
in other union news, the Boston Globe might be forced to close because its management — the NY Times Company — wants concessions from its assorted unions to save an annual $20 million. this could happen tomorrow. the Boston Globe is 137 years old.
no one seems to the the word, or the idea of unions. now I understand that we’re watching the collapse and reorganization of the American auto industry, and unions (or in this case the United Auto Workers) are heavily involved in that situation, but unions seem to catch blame in this day and age an awful lot, and I have to question how much of that is assigned fairly.
if I said ‘union’ in my office, two things could happen: I would be laughed at, and then I might be taken seriously and fired. not that I’m interested in unionizing at all; that’s just anecdotal. but many opinions I hear of organized labor are pretty poor. and that’s fine, they’re entitled to them. but the feeling I get is that any gains made by the union are usually seen setbacks for profitability, for success. labor is either a neutral, and tolerated, or a negative, and the problem.
sure they can be a negative force. but why is the general concensus that they are usually? why are we of this opinion? I don’t understand why a healthy labor movement is so awful for the economy. labor’s been shrinking for a while now, and as that has happened, wages have grown stagnant, the rich have grown fewer and richer, and the economy has recently exploded while we’ve been paying bankers eight-figure salaries to trade in things they literally made up. like credit default swaps. do you know what a credit default swap is? it’s Bullshit, with real-world implications. the phrase “financial products” makes the blood rush to my head.
the unions in this country provide what the governments of most first-world countries do on their own: health care and decent pensions. even when we’re not spending $3 trillion, like Obama is suggesting now, we spend most of our budget on the military. don’t forget all those wars we gotta fight.
swine flu has arrived in Virginia. oh jesus christ. board up your windows.
there are two cases of suspected swine flu in the state, and one is in central Virginia, near Richmond. I have no fear of catching swine flu. at all. but I know people will read the shit out of that story in a newspaper, which is exactly why it’s been on our front page for three days this week. also: I have the pleasure of knowing the reporter who has been assigned to write these stories. we had barbeque for lunch on tuesday.
swine flu is another topic that gets ridiculed a lot at work. “the media is hyping it up. there’s no story, what’s the big deal, no one’s gonna die, everyone’s running around, panicking like assholes.” I’ve been a part of this as well, but I’m starting to dovetail in my criticism. is the media overhyping it? yes. in our case, it may be ridiculous to put swine flu in a blowout package on the front page, but again, that shit sells papers. and it will sell even more tomorrow, when it’s noticed that there was or is swine flu 100 miles down the road. so I get the decision to put it out front.
but the ridiculing of the response, I don’t. the man-on-the-street response is stupid, yes, but when you hear the World Health Organization calling for more flu vaccines to be distributed and warning a pandemic is imminent, it’s because it’s responding to a fast-moving virus. if it spreads, it’ll get big and mutate, and then it gets dangerous. the reason that not many people are going to become sick is not because swine flu isn’t a big goddamn deal. it’s because the response is swift, to the point, and massive.
so. hundred of schools closing across the country? maybe a little drastic. Texas cancels all its high school sporting events? fuck it, why not. who likes track and field anyway?
the Bulls won in triple overtime against Boston. I am getting on the bandwagon on this one. I am, once again, a Chicago Bulls fan. not that I paid any attention during the regular season. but they won at home in triple overtime, and they couldn’t have done it against a bigger bag of dicks than the Celtics.
I swear. it’s like they’re paying Rondo to act the villain, what with him clubbing Miller as his big dumb ass went for the layup at the buzzer in game 5, and then throwing Henrich into the scorer’s table in game 6 … after tripping Heinrich and planting his face into the floor in game 5. that kind of shit — and shit like Joaquim Noah stripping Paul Pierce, dunking on his ass and fouling him out with 40 seconds left in the game — makes for entertaining hoops, and it’s a motherfucker that I have to work on saturday night during game 7, which Boston will win. homecourt, afterall.
I need to find my Looney Tunes 3-peat shirt from 1994.
I’m also paying attention to the Blackhawks for the first time in my life, and they came back from 3-down in the third period to lose on a rebound in the 18th minute tonight in the conference semis at Vancouver. but I don’t anything about hockey. so I’m not going to pretend.
and elsewhere
watched a movie last night called ‘The Fountain’, directed by Darren Aronofsky. I think that’s his name. it’s kind of hard to follow, but I get its gist, and it looks great. I like it. very ponderous. I’d have liked to have seen it on the big screen, with big sounds.
the people I watched it with, we watched it all the way through the credits, which could have been because everyone was too lazy to get up and turn off the television, or because the movie made you think, and it was kind of lovely. I like to think it was the latter.
and I hung out with Galia on Saturday night. a thousand miles away from and a few years after the last time I saw her.
I spent a lot of time with Galia in college. two years as a roommate, and one spring break in a car for eight days, and a lot of hanging out. anyway, she’s legit, and Saturday night was a lot of fun. gria. and I’ve got her bed, and I’m about to get in it, and it’s really god damned comfortable.
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Biodiversity in Logged Forests Far Higher Than Once Believed
New research shows that scientists have significantly overestimated the damage that logging in tropical forests has done to biodiversity, a finding that could change the way conservationists think about how best to preserve species in areas disturbed by humans.
By Fred Pearce • March 7, 2013
Researchers have discovered a significant flaw in large swaths of ecological research into the impact of logging on tropical forests: Scientists have been dramatically overestimating the damage done by loggers, skewing conservation strategies paid for by the donations of millions of environmentally minded citizens.
Logged tropical forests, new research suggests, are much more valuable for biodiversity than previously thought. Our understandable preoccupation with protecting pristine ecosystems may be blinding us to the fact that the forests that have been selectively logged deserve conservation, too. One immediate and troubling implication is that schemes backed by conservationists in Indonesia and elsewhere to turn “degraded” forests into palm oil plantations will do far more damage to nature’s biodiversity than the original logging.
“Logged forests in the tropics are too vast, vulnerable, and important to ignore, given their large conservation potential,” says William Laurance of James Cook University in Cairns, Australia, who did not participate in the research but backs the importance of the new findings. “It is vital that we recognize their key role for conserving tropical nature.”
‘Logged forests in the tropics are too vast to ignore, given their huge conservation potential,’ says one expert.
The research, published in January in the journal Conservation Biology, finds that at least two-thirds of scientific studies into the impact of logging on forests are guilty of “pseudo-replication.” Horrible word, but it describes a statistical trap that researchers often fall into when comparing sets of data to tease out the effect of some impact.
In this case, it means that ecologists comparing logged forests with nearby unlogged forests have usually assumed that all the differences in species that they find are the result of logging. But this is rarely true. All bits of forest, even close neighbors, are different — often dramatically so. The simple statistical comparisons pick up the pre-existing natural differences as well as the effects of logging. Typically, these flawed analyses have produced figures for the damage caused to forests by logging that are higher than the reality.
The analysis covered 77 studies over the past decade, investigating everything from the butterflies of Thailand and the woodpeckers of Borneo to Kenyan trees, India forest birds, the bryophytes (non-vascular plants) of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, Amazonian bats, lianas in southern China, the birds of Bolivia, and the termites of the Malaysian state of Sabah. Of these 77 studies, 52 were guilty of pseudoreplication, five were definitely not guilty, and the jury was out on a further 20.
The new research is not from some pro-logging group. The lead authors are Benjamin Ramage, a respected conservation ecologist from the University of California at Berkeley, and Douglas Sheil, a former director of the Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation in Uganda, who is now at the Southern Cross University in Lismore, Australia.
New research undermines a forest conservation ethos that concentrates on protecting the pristine.
Their discovery of this previously unnoticed flaw at the heart of conservation science is a damning indictment. It undermines the findings of hundreds of research studies published over many years — studies that have underpinned a forest conservation ethos that concentrates almost exclusively on protecting the pristine.
A rethink will be required. Most existing research on the ecological effects of logging “cannot be trusted,” the authors say, adding, “The problem is so pervasive that the severity and precise nature of the bias cannot be reliably calculated.” But they conclude that it means “the effects of logging have been exaggerated and… the current body of literature provides little indication of the true nature of [logging] effects.”
These startling conclusions are supported by forest ecologists who are highly critical of runaway logging, such as Laurance and Jeffrey Sayer of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
They also back up research in Sabah on the island of Borneo, by David Edwards of James Cook University in Australia. Reporting in the Proceeding of the Royal Society B in 2010, he found that even after repeated logging, forests there typically retain 75 percent of their biodiversity. Edwards’ study concentrated on birds and dung beetles as representative of overall biodiversity. More than two-thirds of the 179 bird species and a similar proportion of the 53 dung-beetle species survived at 18 sampling sites across a large logging concession covering a million hectares, despite the entire concession being logged over twice.
Sayer goes even further. He says that in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, “biodiversity in logged-over concessions is in better condition than many of the protected areas.” In the concession areas, farmers are kept out, whereas most protected areas are essentially abandoned by the authorities and thus open to invasion. In the Congo basin of Africa, he says, “the intensity of logging is so low that only an expert can really tell the difference between forests in concessions and those in protected areas.”
‘Biodiversity in some logged concessions in Borneo is in better condition than in many protected areas,’ says a scientist.
There is little clear-cutting by loggers in the tropics, except where forests are being razed for agriculture. Most logging is selective, with only the most commercially valuable species cut. Other trees may be damaged by the bulldozers and heavy equipment used to construct roads and remove the timber, but most survive, along with the wildlife that depend on them.
Many forests become permanent timber estates that are repeatedly logged. In a recent paper in Science, Edwards and Laurance estimate that more than 400 million hectares of tropical forests — an area half the size of the contiguous United States — are now part of such estates. Most surviving forests in Southeast Asia have been logged at least once. “Few truly undisturbed forests exist,” they wrote.
Despite their growing importance, logged forests have traditionally been shunned by conservationists in favor of protecting surviving scraps of virgin forest. But Laurance says the new findings about how the conservation value of logged forests has been underestimated will add fuel to the argument that, in the 21st century, logged forests are of increasing value to the planet’s biodiversity and can no longer be shunned.
“Conservationists ignore [logged forests] at their peril,” says Edwards.
This revisionist thinking mirrors that articulated by, among others, Peter Kareiva, chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy, who attacks our romantic notions of the environment as something fragile and separate from humans and questions whether there is any truly pristine nature left anywhere. Even the Amazon was thoroughly worked over by pre-Columbian societies.
Wilderness is a myth, say the new ecologists. They question our obsession with putting nature in a glass cage and poo-poo our antipathy to alien species. We have no choice but to see ourselves as a functioning part of all ecosystems, they argue.
This more sanguine view of forest degradation is hardly embraced by all conservation scientists. Two years ago, the well-known conservation activist, Thomas Lovejoy, now of George Mason University in Virginia, co-authored a letter in Nature that bore the headline “Primary Forests Are Irreplaceable for Sustaining Tropical Biodiversity.” The letter argued that even though few truly undisturbed forests exist, those that remain contain more biodiversity than comparable degraded forests. Ironically, another co-author was Laurance. Yet Laurence points out that logged forests are still more biodiverse than other types of disturbed forests, and given the huge extent of logged areas, he argues that conservation has to embrace them.
Certainly neither Laurance nor his colleagues maintain that the latest research on logging and biodiversity should be treated as a green light for clearing forests. Far from it. For one thing, the roads created by loggers make forests vulnerable to invasions by farmers and ranchers, who may be far more destructive. But it does suggest that well-managed permanent forest estates could be part of the solution to biodiversity loss, rather than the problem — and that conservationists should devote more attention to that task, even if it lacks the romance of protecting the pristine.
Nobody argues that the latest research should be treated as a green light for clearing forests.
By concentrating their attention on what is lost, conservationists have often ignored what survives. And the new study reveals that the statistical failings of their analyses of the losses have served to underestimate how much remains.
All this is a real break from the orthodoxies of conservation ecology and our often simplistic ideas about deforestation. A reevaluation of the conservation of other kinds of degraded ecosystems may be required. Even invasions by farmers may not be the end for forest biodiversity, says Sayer. “Forests that regenerate on abandoned farmland are often surprisingly rich in biodiversity, including some species that are often thought of as [only found in] natural forests,” he says.
There are important implications for practical conservation. Conservationists have traditionally concentrated their lobbying and activities on the ground towards protecting untouched “conservation hotspots,” a term pioneered by Russell Mittermeier, president of Conservation International.
No environmentalist should want to do anything to encourage logging of pristine forest — and some fear that any recognition of the conservation value of logged forests might encourage this. But ignoring logged forests can sometimes be counterproductive to biodiversity conservation.
That is what is happening in Indonesia, where some conservationists are backing a billion-dollar government plan, announced in 2010, to save pristine rainforests by encouraging palm oil and other plantation agriculture to instead move onto “degraded land.” The pristine forests, meanwhile, will be conserved so as to generate carbon credits.
MORE FROM YALE e360
Busting the Forest Myths: People as Part of the Solution
The long-held contention that rural forest communities are the prime culprits in tropical forest destruction is increasingly being discredited, Fred Pearce writes, as evidence mounts that the best way to protect rainforests is to involve local residents in sustainable management.READ MORE
The Washington-based World Resources Institute is among those groups supporting that strategy, by mapping Indonesia’s degraded land. It says this will help the government to divert “new oil palm plantation development onto ‘degraded lands’ instead of expanding production into natural forests.”
Much depends on what the government decides will count as “degraded lands.” And the WRI’s mapping may help protect some logged forests. But Laurance says that a lot of the 36 million hectares — an area larger than Germany — that has been designated as “degraded” in Indonesia is precisely the kind of logged forest that could be almost as rich in species as natural forests.
“Preventing degraded forests from being converted to oil palm should be a priority of policy-makers and conservationists,” says Edwards. The danger is that conservationists end up on the wrong side — complicit in forest destruction and biodiversity loss.
Join the conversation: Biodiversity in Logged Forests Far Higher Than Once Believed Show comments →
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Home Details Proposal Top Of the Class
A Wayne State University graduate takes the stage to receive two high honors
Giuseppa Nadrowski
Photography By Studio 41 Photography
FOR ASHLEY SHULTS (née Fardell) May 5, 2016 was destined to be an unforgettable day. She and her fellow Wayne State University classmates were going to accept their hard-earned degrees on stage at Ford Field. But for Ashley, a bachelor’s in criminal justice wasn’t the only honor she would be accepting. Her then boyfriend, Anthony Shults, had plans to orchestrate a wedding proposal that would make “Hollywood stop.”
The couple met in March 2012 while working together at The Capital Grille in Troy. Not long after, they began dating. “I knew from the moment I met him I was going to marry him,” says Ashley, now a student at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. “I just didn’t know when.”
Wanting to give Ashley the perfect proposal, Anthony appropriately asked her father for her hand in marriage. Once he landed on exactly how he would propose, he found himself seeking approval from another, albeit unusual, source — Wayne State University. He’d decided to propose during the spring 2016 commencement ceremony. “I knew how important that day was for her,” he says. “She had worked so hard, I just wanted it to be a perfect day for her.”
For Ashley Shults, four years at Wayne State University culminated with a pop-quiz from her sweetheart. With a single ‘yes,’ she passed with flying colors.
“He always jokes that I wanted a proposal that the whole world would know about,” Ashley says with a laugh. “I don’t remember saying that, but this is what he says I said.”
“[Wayne State wasn’t] exactly on board, though,” Anthony admits. “I told [them,] ‘You guys are either going to work with me, or I’m going to hop over the gate and do this myself.’ It was on from there.”
The graduation ceremony was set to begin at 10 a.m. with students required to be there a half-hour prior. Ashley was sitting among her fellow graduates when she noticed Anthony and her sister — whom he drove with to the ceremony — were nowhere to be found.
“I see my family, I see his family, I see all my friends that I had invited to the graduation,” she says, reliving the moment. “But I don’t see him, and I don’t see my sister. So I start panicking.”
Backstage, Anthony was having a microphone attached to him and her sister was preparing to record the proposal, which would later be shared with all their friends and family on social media.
The newly engaged couple’s monumental moment received a standing ovation from an unsuspecting crowd at Ford Field.
“At about 9:45, a gentleman over the microphone says, ‘Ashley Fardell, I need you to come to the stage.’ So, I’m freaking out. You never know what could be going on,” she says. “I go up to the stage and the gentleman says to me, ‘Are you Ashley?’ I said, ‘yes,’ and then he said, ‘I just want to let you know that your name in the roster of our booklet is spelled wrong.’ I just looked at him and said, ‘You called me up to the stage for this?’ ”
“He says to her, ‘Give me one minute, I need some help. Stand right here,’ ” recalls Anthony, who at that moment was still having his microphone attached. “She’s like, ‘What do you mean, stand right here?’ He literally just left her on that big stage by herself!”
And that’s when Ashley, perplexed at what was going on, turned around and noticed she wasn’t onstage alone afterall. There was Anthony, whom she describes as “the sweetest, most genuinely kind-hearted man.” As he walked toward her on stage, he held a Shinola watch box — a clever ploy.
Meet Mr. and Mrs. Shults. The young couple strides through Birmingham, where they wed last year.
Ashley thought she was receiving one of the beloved Detroit timepieces as a graduation gift. Instead, inside the box was the ring — a custom-made diamond design inspired by similar styles she’d pinned on Pinterest.
Then, in front of a roaring crowd of nearly 2,000 people, Anthony got down on one knee. “You would have thought I scored a touchdown,” he says. “I couldn’t hear myself anymore. Everyone was just going crazy.”
As he proposed, Anthony recited quotes inspired by a song near to them, John Legend’s 2013 ballad, “All of Me.”
“There is nothing in the world that could have been better than that moment for me,” she adds. “To graduate from college is an amazing thing in itself, but to graduate college with a degree and then have the man of your dreams propose to you, it was something that my emotions could not handle!”
The following year on a perfectly sunny 75-degree day, the couple married at The Reserve in Birmingham. On the day of their wedding, Ashley took her own turn in crafting a monumental moment by surprising Anthony — an avid collector of retro Jordan’s — with matching pairs of all white retro 4 Pure Money sneakers coolly engraved with their initials — AMS — and their wedding date, Aug. 5, 2017. “He was blown away!” she says.
The couple wore the matching sneakers on the way to their Costa Rican honeymoon.
Ashley and Anthony now live in Madison Heights where they purchased a home last fall for themselves; their Samoyed pup, Koda; and domestic short-haired Calico, Mica.
“It was all just perfect,” Anthony says. “It’s not often that someone gets to actually marry their other half.”
Want to share your proposal? Send your story to rvoigt@hour-media.com for your chance to be featured in a future issue.
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Mission Propossible
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Home » About Donald A. Gardner Architects, Inc.
About Donald A. Gardner Architects, Inc.
Crafting Your Dreams
We've been designing dream homes for nearly four decades and a lot has changed in that time: Styles, preferences, options, not to mention personal tastes. One thing that hasn't changed is the fact that every home is unique - the perfect home depends on the family or individual. Since 1978, Donald A. Gardner Architects, Inc. has been redefining the residential, pre-design house industry. And there's a reason why thousands of satisfied homeowners and builders choose our plans above any others in the industry every year: trust. We've earned a reputation over the years for giving people the three things they want most in a home plan selection process:
Award-winning designs
Flexible, service-oriented approach
Multiple options available
The Best Designs at the Best Value
We have the expertise, the skill and the passion to give both homeowners and builders just what they're looking for. Each of our plans is a unique interpretation of the American family home and includes and open floor plan, custom-styled features, an abundance of amenities, and a broad range of square footages. Happy clients nationwide and in 18 vastly different countries prove that we deliver on our promise - to provide quality designs that fit the lives and budgets of today's active families.
Our mission is to be the most highly respected provider of pre-designed house plans in the country - for both homeowners and builders.
We will achieve our mission by:
Designing innovative, accurate, and technically complete house plans
Providing efficient distribution of our plans to chosen markets
Our success depends on our ability to:
Attract and nurture superior talent
Meet our customers' needs
Establish lasting relationships
Founded in 1978, Donald A. Gardner Architects, Inc. began as a part-time business. By 1984, it became a full-time company. Now, this full-service residential firm has spawned Donald A. Gardner Interactive, LLC and Donald A. Gardner, Incorporated. Committed to excellence, Donald A. Gardner Architects, Inc. has won numerous industry awards for its house plans, has been showcased in multiple Parade of Homes, St. Jude Dream Home Giveaways and national magazine publications.
Donald A. Gardner, AIA, NCARB moved from New York to attend Clemson University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1963. After serving two years in the Army Corps of Engineers, including a tour of Vietnam, he returned to Upstate South Carolina to pursue his career. Don worked with several architectural firms throughout the next fourteen years, gaining experience in commercial, institutional, industrial, and residential design. In 1978, he founded Donald A. Gardner Architects, Inc.
Award-winning portfolio house plans, plan modifications, marketing products and assistance for developers and builders.
Over 1,100 portfolio house plans. Over ¼ million homes built nationwide and in eighteen different countries. Designed and built in numerous resort and community developments in the Southeast.
Southern Living™, Better Homes and Gardens™, Home, House Beautiful, Builder, Home Planners, South Carolina Homes & Gardens, and Builder/Architect.
Learn about the Don Gardner Difference
Learn about the Don Gardner Design Difference
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Over the last two decades years, our publications have become an indispensable tool for Japanese companies in Europe.
We publish a range of Personnel Handbooks, written in Japanese, for Japanese companies operating in the UK and Germany. We also publish comprehensive guides to salaries in major European countries: the latest version of this, the European Salary Survey 2015-2016, covers eight major European countries and includes case studies on innovative recruitment and retention strategies.
In 2014 we published the first edition of the “Understanding EU Employment Law: A handbook for Japanese Companies in Europe”. This new publication is intended to help Japanese companies operating in the EU understand the EU-level requirements and regulations that all employers must follow.
The UK and German handbooks are updated and re-published every two year. The latest versions are the 2016/2017 editions. Each edition will be supplemented in autumn 2017 by an update. The handbooks are available as handbook only or as a handbook + supplement set.
More details are available on the order forms, which can be downloaded below. Samples are also available for download below; just click on the image.
To order a copy, please fill in the relevant form and email it to us at handbook@ejc.co.uk or fax it to us on 0207 250 0980.
For more information on EJC publications, please contact EJC
© 2012 The Europe Japan Centre All rights reserved.
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Eleanor Taylor
Illustration Club
Eleanor Taylor Illustration and Print
Eleanor Taylor was brought up in the Scottish Borders. She studied Architecture and after graduating spent several years working in Spain and London, including as a designer for Harrods.
The creator of over forty books for children including Beep Beep, Let’s Go! the best selling, No Trouble At All and A Little Bit of Trouble, written by Sally Grindley, Run, Rabbit, Run for which she won the English 4-11 Award for The Best Children’s Illustrated Book of 2001. Eleanor is the creator of the Hogwarts Crest for JK Rowling.
She is currently illustrating the new Peter Rabbit (Frederick Warne) and Winnie the Pooh (Egmont Books) titles.
When not illustrating Eleanor finds time for her two other interests, printmaking and teaching.
Now, with her husband and three children, Eleanor divides her time between London and their home, Octopus House, in Gibraltar.
I teach primary and secondary age children. Look at the illustration club page to get more information on my workshops and individual tutoring.
I am represented by Felicity Trew at Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency. http://carolinesheldon.co.uk
Please contact Felicity if you have any enquiries about illustration commissions.
My instagram showcases various commercial and personal print projects that I am currently working on. Follow me to keep up to date.
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Brexit may not hit bilateral climate action
By Isabel Hilton, 27 June 2016
The Third Pole, Great Britain
On the morning of Friday June24, the UK awoke to a position in the world that had changed irrevocably. Overnight, the result of the referendum called by Prime Minister David Cameron on the UK’s 40-year membership of the European Union (EU) was delivered: 53% of those who voted had chosen exit. The UK and the EU are now in uncharted territory.
Within hours, Cameron announced his resignation, adding further uncertainty to the political landscape; the British pound nose-dived and the governor of the Bank of England urgently sought to calm the financial markets. Whilst nobody can be sure what is in store, the overwhelming weight of expert opinion predicts difficult times for the UK economy.
The referendum revealed a deeply divided nation: Scotland and Northern Ireland, London, university graduates and the under 25s voted strongly to remain. Wales and provincial England voted — in some cases narrowly — to leave.
I betray no secrets when I say that we are deeply disappointed by the result. However, the task now is to understand what it means and what its impacts will be on the UK, on Europe, on climate policy, and on relationships with the wider world, including China and India.
Long and costly divorce
The process of disentangling the UK from the EU will be long and costly. In formal terms, it will involve invoking Article 50, which sets out a two-year time frame for departure. The whole process is likely to take much longer: four decades of legislation will have to be examined, as will more than 12,000 regulations, to determine which will be kept and which discarded; powers will have to be repatriated, and a parliament that has in its majority supported remaining in Europe will now have to approve the many steps required to exit. At the same time, the UK will be obliged to seek new trading relationships, not only with 27 EU members, but with all the countries with which, until now, the UK has traded under EU agreements.
To add to the domestic complications, there is now renewed uncertainty about the future of the UK itself: since Scotland voted clearly to remain in the EU, there will certainly be pressure to renew a bid for independence that was narrowly defeated in a referendum only two years ago.
What will this mean for the UK’s foreign policy, its climate policy and its relationships with the wider world, including the US, China and India? Clearly the British state’s time and attention will be bound up in the aftermath of this political and economic earthquake for many years to come. This will make it a less active member of the international community, unlikely to resume its former leading position in, for instance, international climate diplomacy for some years.
Today, the only clear decision is that the UK will leave the EU. The terms of that departure and of the UK’s future relationship with Europe will not be settled for months, if not years.
Climate priorities
We have spent a decade working towards the profound economic, social and industrial transformations required to avoid catastrophic climate change, and towards a world in which nature and our own human species can thrive in a clean, healthy and productive environment. The UK has been proactive in climate policy inside the EU and beyond. It remains, for us, an urgent priority.
Separate INDCs now
Like other EU member states, the UK’s climate policy has hitherto been bound into a wider European framework, as have the regulations that govern domestic environmental policies. In the past, the UK was a positive voice in Europe in support of climate action. Now the EU may have to revise its INDC (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions) to reflect the withdrawal of the UK and to consider whether other targets need to be reset. The UK’s departure will weaken and distract an EU already shaken by multiple crises. In this new landscape, there is a risk that climate and environmental policies will be seen as second order priorities.
The UK also has its own history of climate action: it signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1995 and passed its own Climate Change Act in 2008, committing the country to at least an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on 1990 levels by 2050. The UK will remain a Party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and a signatory to the Paris Agreement.
Domestically, the fifth carbon budget under the Climate Change Act will shortly be agreed; the UK’s Electricity Market Reform will continue to support low carbon energy and the commitment to phasing out coal by 2025 is unchanged. The UK will almost certainly ratify the Paris Agreement, although it will have to submit its own separate INDC.
None of this is immediately altered by the referendum vote. However, withdrawal will have implications for the UK’s role in the EU internal energy market, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, the Effort Sharing Decision on climate action and the EU’s collective commitments to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The UK’s trading relationships have also been bound up with Europe for 40 years. Now it must choose between other options, from membership of the European Economic Area (EEA), the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) or neither. In addition, the UK will have to reach new trading relationships with the rest of the world, with implications for its role in clean technology markets, energy imports, and inward investment in the energy sector.
In recent years, the UK has pursued an active and positive relationship with China and India, seeking synergies in energy and climate policy, in low carbon development, and in the constructive combination of markets, innovation and technology. There is no reason to suppose that the UK would actively seek to downgrade such important relationships. But many have pointed out that a UK that has sacrificed its influence in the world’s largest trading bloc is a diminished partner, and one that will find it difficult to persuade others to consider it a priority.
Will we see a loss of momentum in China’s low-carbon technology investments in the UK? Earlier this year, the high-end UK automobile company Aston Martin signed a deal worth £50 million with China Equity to develop an electric sports car; the Chinese carmaker Geely promised an extra £50 million for research and development into a zero emissions version of the UK’s distinctive black cabs; and a UK bus company agreed a £660 million deal to build electric buses in partnership with China’s BYD. It remains to be seen if such ventures will prove as attractive if the UK is no longer a gateway to the EU.
Today, the UK needs £100 billion of investment in its energy sector to update its power stations and develop low-carbon energy. The referendum result may have negative implications for inward investment, including that from China, as the UK’s economy comes under pressure and its relationship with its major market in Europe changes.
The referendum result is likely to cast new doubts over one flagship UK-China project in particular — the £6 billion investment by China General Nuclear Power Corporation in the troubled plans for Hinkley Point Cnuclear plant in Somerset, in south-west England. The project’s main developer is the French company, EDF, and China has promised to take a 33.5% equity stake. China also promised to provide finance for new nuclear reactors at Sizewell in Suffolk, in return for being allowed to build and operate a Hualong reactor at Bradwell in Essex. Repeated delays have already shaken confidence in Hinkley Point C. Today’s wider uncertainties may prove fatal.
It is up to the people of the UK now to defend today’s climate and environmental gains and to push them forward. Despite the shock and unavoidable uncertainty that we feel, this remains a key priority, if, as of now, one that is rather less straightforward than it was.
An earlier version of this article was published on chinadialogue.net. Isabel Hilton is CEO and Editor of chinadialogue.net
Ganga floods Uttarakhand as ministries bicker over dams
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The Hawaii Commitments: A new roadmap for conservation
India’s ignored drylands could be key to climate-resilient agriculture
Governments, traders urged to stem Congo Basin timber trade
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ERIC CHURCH CELEBRATES WITH FANS IN SURPRISE-FILLED WEEK
Monday, June 15, 2015 - 12:30pm
Named ‘Country’s Preeminent Alpha Male’ by Rolling Stone, the singer/songwriter shares special moments with Church Choir all over the map
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (June 15, 2015) – Even by Eric Church’s always-rising expectations, last week was a pretty damn good week.
The acclaimed country rocker known for his blue-collar attitude put in extra work last week with some of his most memorable performances, partied with Church Choir members at a secret party and raised more than $20,000 for his Chief Cares charity fund.
Church capped a week of heartfelt and personal performances on Sunday night at the CMA Music Festival at LP Field where he started his set with Little Feat’s “Sailin’ Shoes” and finished the night with a surprise performance during Keith Urban's set of their shared #1, "Raise 'Em Up." The Little Feat cover was part tribute to his favorite band and part history lesson for fans who may not know of that seminal rock ‘n’ roll group’s impact on modern country music and Church’s own sound.
“I’m a huge Lowell George fan,” Church said of Little Feat’s late guitarist. “There are two huge influences on my life, The Band and Levon Helm, and Lowell George is my favorite guitar player ever. He’s just my guy. I grew up on those records. To me, musically that’s the DNA of who I am and that’s the DNA currently of what country music should be.”
The week of memorable performances started Wednesday night when the North Carolina native performed his latest single “Like a Wrecking Ball” – a performance that will be immortalized as the music video, premiering on CMT this Wednesday – from 2014’s smash success The Outsiders at the CMT Music Awards before walking across Lower Broadway to Ryman Auditorium for Marty Stuart’s Late Night Jam.
There he played The Band’s “The Weight” for fans and caught everyone by surprise by offering an off-the-cuff cover of Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” with that quartet’s Karen Fairchild and Phillip Sweet along with special guests Chris and Morgane Stapleton.
“It was when (Stuart) welcomed Eric Church onstage a little after 1:00 a.m. that the evening truly heated up, reenergizing a crowd that had taken their seats hours earlier,” Rolling Stone wrote of the night, noting of “Girl Crush”: “Here was country's preeminent alpha male singing the year's most sultry torch song - and the fans hearty enough to still be awake ate it up. Fairchild stepped in to finish the song, balancing Church's growl with her own purr.”
Then on Friday night, Church pulled another surprise out of his ball cap, opening his own The Outsiders World Tour stop for a record crowd at The Amphitheater at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama. He played an acoustic set for 45 minutes, then brought out his band for his regular show. He then joined Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival Tour at the Georgia Dome on Saturday night in Atlanta before returning to Nashville with the Atlanta Journal Constitution raving, “Between his clenched fists and grimaces, it was obvious that Church feels every note he sings and plays,” before acknowledging, “Church offers a refreshing blast of originality in a country music market that can get mired in sterility.”
Church also raised money for his own charity, opening “The Outsider’s Joint” pop-up store in East Nashville during the festival. Shoppers had a chance to buy rare and unique items, helping Church raise more than $20,000 for the Chief Cares 501c3 non-profit charity run by Church and wife Katherine. The charity serves more than 2.5 million people around the globe with charitable giving. For more information on Chief Cares Fund, visit http://www.ericchurch.com/chiefcares.
Church will resume The Outsiders World Tour, which has already set five venue attendance records, on June 20 at the Black Diamond Harley-Davidson in Marion, Illinois. For a full list of tour dates, visit www.EricChurch.com.
Ebie McFarland / Scott Stem
ebie@ebmediapr.com / scott@ebmediapr.com
Ailie Birchfield
UMG Nashville
Ailie.birchfield@umusic.com
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Central Banks and their functions
CB Functions, Central Banking, Macroeconomics
By: Valeria Popa
How did central banks appear?
The European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve Bank, the Bank of England and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand are just a few examples of central banks which make the subject of the most widely read financial newspapers nowadays. They are national banks which provide financial services, usually working as intermediaries between the government and the commercial banks.
It is argued that modern central banks have their roots in the medieval times when the Knights Templar used to deposit Pilgrims’ money in exchange of a coded piece of paper, when they were going to the Holy Land in Jerusalem. (Sanello, 2003) This was the first form of central banking as we know it. However, around 1609, the Bank of Amsterdam was the first public bank to “offer accounts not directly convertible to coin”. (Quinn, 2006)
While some economists agree with this early beginning of the central banking system, there are others who think that it was only in 1694 when the Bank of England was established that central banks started to form. Modern central banks, however, appeared in the 20th century, as most economists agree.
So how does a central bank work?
When the golden standard (GS) was used in order to fix the prices of the world currencies, the role of central banks was just to ensure the convertibility of gold, since price stability was maintained by the limited amount of gold existing on the market. In other words, whenever a country was facing a deficit in the balance of payments, its central bank had to increase the discount rate (the interest rate at which the central bank used to lend money to commercial banks) to allow a gold outflow and vice versa.
However, when the GS was abandoned and especially after WWII and the Great Depression, central banks became more and more important and their role as instruments of inflation control increased. Just like today, central banks can perform open market transactions or operations (OMO) through which they either buy or sell government bonds, bills, or other government-issued notes, according to agreed monetary policies. This way, central banks can control the money supply in a country, and hence influence the prices and the inflation rate.
In addition to their impact at the macroeconomic level as described above, central banks have a role to play at the microeconomic level as well. Often called the “lender of last resort”, central banks can lend funds to commercial banks when they need it. When they borrow a significant amount of money, commercial banks entail an increase of money supply, hence the inflation rate rises. To control the amount of funds lent to commercial banks, and therefore the inflation rate, central banks can either increase or decrease the discount rate, which is the rate of the funds borrowed.
How will central banks look like in the future?
As seen during the last financial crisis, the role of central banks as lender of last resort can cause moral hazard. Commercial banks can lead themselves to insolvency if they apply careless policies such as giving away credits too easily. Therefore, they end up borrowing huge amounts of funds from the central bank, when they can actually tighten their credit policy.
According to a recent report released by the Bank of England, central banks nowadays can do much more than being simple intermediaries between the government and the commercial banks. Instead, they can and have started stepping forward, by ensuring a certain level of liquidity into the market.
Another direction of the central banks nowadays is towards more transparency of their operations than a couple of years ago. The financial crisis was the turning point in this regard, since every decision taken had to be clearly explained and well justified.
Quinn, S. and Roberds, W. (2006). An Economic Explanation of the Early Bank of Amsterdam, Debasement, Bills of Exchange, and the Emergence of the First Central Bank
Sanello, F. (2003). The Knights Templars: God’s Warriors, the Devil’s Bankers, Taylor Trade Publishing, pp. 207–208.
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HomePosts tagged 'Miss USA'
Miss USA
July 5, 2015 July 4, 2015 fasab Business, Current Events, Politics, Rants advantage, America, American public is ready for a leader with a proven track record of success, best candidate, BIG question mark, Boringtown, breach of contract, break off ties, Bush, Bush and Bush, business background, business world, cancellation, career politicians, children, connected, controversy, Current Events, Democrat competition, Democratic hopefuls, Democrats, dithering Obama administration, dodgy decision leads, Donald, drop Trump-related merchandise, Dubya Bush, dullest election campaigns in history, Dullsville, Dynasty, economy, egos on the grand scale, Eighty percent of Central American girls and women are raped crossing into the United States, election race, election races, entertaining, family history, Florida Governor, foreign affairs, foreign policy and national security expertise, fourth floor next to the white flags, front-runner, GOP Presidential candidate, Governor, hard act to follow, hasty decision, Hillary Clinton, horse, horse's ass, host, hypocrisy department, illegal immigration, In a democracy the voters sometimes get it wrong, Jeb, Jeb Bush, Jeb versus Hilary, Joe Biden, lackluster video message, legitimate or crazy, lift America's spirit, limelight, lose money, Macy's, Macy's decision, make a good President, Mark Cuban, Miss Universe, Miss USA, more wealth for Trump, Mr Wonderful, national security, NBC, new star, no high profile rival, nonsense, Opinion, other people paying for their mistakes, pageants, pander to every minority viewpoint, partiality, People, politician, politicians, politics, post-Trump era, practical terms, President, presidential bid, presidential candidate, presidential election, pun, Rants, reality show, Republican camp, Republican nomination, ride out the storm, run away from controversy, Senators, Shark Tank, skeleton, social issues, social media, sue NBC, super wealthy, sweat shops, tell it how it is, The Apprentice, the big seat in the White House, the Donald, Thoughts, top dollar, Trump, tumble from their closets, TV companies, Univision, unsuccessful bids for the Oval Office, Vice President, war-mongering Presidency, White House job, would-be's
Say what you like about him, but he is entertaining. Trump is already making what was looking like one of the dullest election campaigns in history into something worth looking at – just now and again though.
The latest nonsense comes from the business world, namely Macy’s, NBC and Univision.
Macy’s has decided to drop Trump-related merchandise, and the other two are going to break off ties (pun, tee-hee!) with the Donald.
The Macy’s decision is fairly clear, they’d rather run away from controversy and lose money than ride out the storm. I wonder do they sell goods manufactured in the sweat shops of the world, often by children? Maybe we should look in their hypocrisy department – fourth floor next to the white flags if I remember correctly?
However, no one knows exactly what the NBC and Univision decision means in practical terms. For example, will they sell their half of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants and if they do who will they sell it to? Or will they buy Trump’s half which will mean giving him top dollar for the shows because I don’t think he will let them away softly. In fact he would be within his rights to sue NBC for breach of contract relating to the pageants if this dodgy decision leads to a cancellation.
Either way it will be more wealth for Trump, which is probably what the move was designed NOT to do when they were thinking about it. That’s assuming they did think about it, which appears increasing unlikely.
Neither has NBC given great thought as to who is going to host “The Apprentice” in a post-Trump era. They’ve hinted that they are going to look for a new star to replace Trump on the long-running reality show, but he’ll be a hard act to follow. Maybe it’s a chance for another dose of the limelight for the Shark Tank’s Mr Wonderful or even Mark Cuban, both of whom seem to thrive on the small screen and both of whom seem to have egos on the grand scale.
This hasty decision also leaves a BIG question mark about the partiality of these TV companies during the election race. Will they – or perhaps better, can they – continue to cover Trump fairly as a presidential candidate?
Then there’s former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, part of the Bush, Bush and Bush super wealthy and well connected dynasty who want the big seat in the White House again. Jeb has said his decision to run for the Republican nomination will be based on two things: his family and whether he can lift America’s spirit.
After the great job his father and big brother did as President in lifting America’s spirits (a little sarcasm there) how could the voters do anything other than make him the GOP Presidential candidate? Oh dear me!
Despite the family history, Bush seems to be making good progress so far. But he had an easy start, because prior to the arrival of Trump on the scene he had no high profile rival. He still holds a significant lead over the second-place Trump.
Some think Jeb Bush would be the best candidate to handle illegal immigration and social issues. Just like his brother perhaps, see video.
On the economy Trump would probably be favorite, especially after the way Dubya Bush let spending go out of control during the latter stages of his war-mongering Presidency.
Apart from these two, although there are numerous others in the field,there does not seem to be any other close runners. Not yet anyway. But things in election races can always change suddenly as a skeleton or two tumble from their closets.
Trump is trying to capitalize on his business background. There is no doubt that that gives him an advantage over the career politicians. In business Trump lives or dies by his decisions. As for the Senators and Governor would-be’s, they are used to other people paying for their mistakes not them personally. It’s a significant difference in the mindsets of the two types of contender.
There is no doubt that Trump is correct when he says that the “American public is ready for a leader with a proven track record of success.” This is particular so after eight years of a dithering Obama administration.
Whether or not “Eighty percent of Central American girls and women are raped crossing into the United States,” one would have thought that America was ready for someone who wasn’t afraid to tell it how it is, instead of trying to pander to every minority viewpoint be it legitimate or crazy.
In politics a bit of controversy is always…
what’s the word….
“Entertaining?” That’s it.
As if to emphasize the fact, contrast what is going on in the Republican camp with the Democrats.
Hillary Clinton launched her presidential bid via a lackluster video message on social media way back in April and she continues to be the overwhelming front-runner among Democratic hopefuls for the White House job.
In fact the Democrat competition has turned into an amalgamation of Dullsville & Boringtown. There’s only one horse (make that horse’s ass) in the running. What she needs to blow all that cash for I don’t know. Build a hospital ward for the poor you dummy, you’re already selected.
Vice President Joe Biden, who has twice before made unsuccessful bids for the Oval Office – in 1988 and 2008 – might make another one, unsuccessful one that is. Recently he has said he thinks he’d “make a good President.” He is perhaps basing that on comments in the press that he is known for his foreign policy and national security expertise. He shouldn’t, because during the past eight years he has shown absolutely no grasp of either foreign affairs or national security.
Of course, it may well be that come the actual Presidential election next year, it will be Jeb versus Hillary and dull as they are the Democrats may win again. In a democracy the voters sometimes get it wrong.
In the meantime I’m still finding the Donald’s entry into the fray, what’s that word again….
“Entertaining!”
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Māliņš
Place of birth: Riga
Citizenship: Latvia
Position: Goalkeeper
First football school: Auda (Riga)
First coach: Andrejs Egorovs
Auda from Riga was Germans' first football school. In 2006 he was on the list of Skonto Riga in the Latvian championship, but did not play any matches. Next year Māliņš was loaned to Olimp Riga (27 games, 62 goals conceded). In 2008 Germans returned to Skonto and was the first-choice goalkeeper for two years. In 2011 and 2012 Māliņš was named best goalkeeper of Latvian Championship.
Germans even scored one goal while playing for Skonto. 13 August 2011 his team was trailing 0-1 at home against Jurmala. And on 94+ minute the goalkeeper joined the attack and scored a goal!
Māliņš played in the youth Latvian national teams and U-21 team. Currently he is a part of the senior Latvian national team.
In winter 2013 Germans arrived to BATE on probation while the team was preparing for the second leg of Last 32 Europa League game against Fenerbahce. After that the goalkeeper spend another probation with the Yellow Blues in Spain and convinced the coaches about his skills and abilities.
The contract of the player will last for a year.
Germans Māliņš: happy to keep a clean sheet
01 december 201316:15
FC BATE goalkeeper has an amazing mood before going on holidays.
Germans Māliņš: happy to be here
14 march 201317:00
BATE's new signing comments on his move
Germans Māliņš joins BATE
Latvian international signed a 1-year contract.
BCh BC R SC FM UCL All
2013 14 1186 - 12 1 1 28 10 4 - - - - - - - - 7 7 3 -
2013/14 2 210 - 2 - - 2 1 - 1 - - - - - - - 2 1 - -
2014 10 900 - 10 - - 15 4 2 4 - - - - - - - 6 4 1 1
2014/15 - - - - - - 6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Total 26 2296 - 24 1 1 51 15 6 5 - - - - - - - 15 12 4 1
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Archive for the ‘Actor Shirley Maclaine’ Category
Paranormal Talk with Shirley MacLaine . DiscoveryDisclosure
Author and actress Shirley MacLaine shared opinions on such topics as 2012, reincarnation, and fear-based religion. “Religion was the jailer of man’s minds for many, many hundreds of years,” she mused, “and now you could say that science is.” MacLaine revealed that Stephen Hawking confided in her that the renowned scientist believes he is the reincarnation of Sir Isaac Newton. “He doesn’t just think it, he believes it. He knows it,” she declared. On the propensity for comedians to make light of her well-known esoteric beliefs, MacLaine quipped that “the only thing I’ve been insistent on, if people make jokes about me, is that the jokes be funny.” Over the course of MacLaine’s appearance, she also talked about her conversations with President Jimmy Carter and Dennis Kucinich about UFOs as well as her thoughts on a “new species” of humans emerging on the planet.
Shirley MacLaine has been nominated for six Academy Awards, won the Oscar for Best Actress is 1984 for “Terms of Endearment,” has appeared in more than fifty films, and has won three Emmy awards and ten Golden Globe Awards. Shirley is the author of ten international bestsellers and her latest work is Sage-ing While Age-ing. She currently resides in Malibu, California, and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
MacLaine was married to businessman Steve Parker until their divorce in 1982. They had a daughter, Sachi. In April 2011, while promoting her new book, I’m Over All That, she revealed to Oprah Winfrey that she had an open relationship with her husband. According to her, she had had affairs with prime ministers and leading actors.
MacLaine has a strong interest in spirituality and metaphysics. Many of her best-selling books, such as Out on a Limb and Dancing in the Light, have it as their central theme. Her interests have led her to such forms of spiritual exploration as walking El Camino de Santiago, working with Chris Griscom,[citation needed] and practicing Transcendental Meditation.
Her well-known interest in New Age spirituality has made its way into several of her films. In Albert Brooks’s romantic comedy Defending Your Life (1991), the recently deceased lead characters, played by Brooks and Meryl Streep, are astonished to find MacLaine introducing their past lives in the “Past Lives Pavilion”. In Postcards from the Edge (1990), MacLaine, playing a character loosely based on Debbie Reynolds, sings a special version of “I’m Still Here”, with customized lyrics created especially for her by composer Stephen Sondheim. One of the lyrics was changed to “I’m feeling transcendental — am I here?” In the made-for-television movie These Old Broads (2001) — written by Reynolds’ daughter Carrie Fisher — starring MacLaine, Debbie Reynolds, Joan Collins, Elizabeth Taylor, and Carrie Fisher, MacLaine’s character is a devotee of New Age spirituality.
She has such a serious interest in UFOs that she has given numerous interviews on CNN, NBC, and Fox news channels on the subject through 2007–2008. In her book Sage-ing While Age-ing (2007), she mentioned her alien encounters and witnessing of Washington DC UFO incidents in the 1950s.
Tags:Actor, chris griscom, Conciousness, dennis kucinich, Entertainer, Extra Terrestrial Life, golden globe awards, president jimmy carter, science, shirley maclaine, sir isaac newton, Spirituality, UFO Disclosure
Posted in Actor Shirley Maclaine, Coast To Coast Radio, Education, Extra Terrestrial Life, George Knapp, Paranormal, Politics, Spirituality, World Affairs | 1 Comment »
You are currently browsing the archives for the Actor Shirley Maclaine category.
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Pramukh Swami Maharaj
His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj (born Shantilal Patel; ordained Shastri Narayanswarupdas; 7 December 1921 – 13 August 2016) was the guru and Pramukh, or president, of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, an international Hindu socio-spiritual organization. BAPS regards him as the fifth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan, following Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, and Yogiji Maharaj. He was believed by his followers to be in constant communion with Swaminarayan, and ontologically, the manifestation of Akshar, the eternal abode of Swaminarayan.
Quotes about Pramukh Swami Maharaj[edit]
People around the world are starting to realize that power and material objects do not yield peace. They are turning to spirituality and religion to fill a void in their lives. Religion and spirituality is the key. Your sadhus are setting an example of content, co-existence and selfless service. There is an ideal for all of mankind. His name is Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama, in Sadhu Aksharvatsaldas, Eternal Virtues, pg 227.
When I look into his eyes, they are filled with integrity. I saw in his eyes that he is a man who has not come ahead by eclipsing others. He has come forward by always placing others before him.
Bill Clinton, Former President of USA, Eternal Virtues, pg 229.
I feel a very strong and divine aura in his presence. I feel at peace in his presence. I forget about all my worries and difficulties. He truly loves people unconditionally. That is why he is able to counsel and take part in their difficulties and problems. Their problems become his problems. I can see it in him.
A.P.J Abdul Kalam, Former President of India, Eternal Virtues, pg 231.
I had the fortune to meet Pramukh Swami Maharaj ten years ago. I was impressed then and I am impressed now. I experience spirituality like never before. It is unique. Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s spirit of social reform is living through Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister of UK, Eternal Virtues, pg 231.
I consider myself blessed to have closely interacted with Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj for years. He has deeply inspired me.
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, Opinions on Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Ancient India was known for its sadhus, sages and sadgurus. Out of all the sadhus in India, Pramukh Swami Maharaj is different. There is no doubt about his work. It rises above the rest. This is not specific to India; it is known all over the world. He is the walking and talking form of India’s spirituality and morality.
Lal Krishna Advani, Former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Eternal Virtues, pg 231.
I have heard and read a great deal about you. Today, I realize that it is all true. You are culturally, morally and socially changing our country. You have inspired some of the nation’s greatest engineers, technologists, scientists and philosophers to give back to the community. Only God can inspire them. He inspires them through you.
Giani Zail Singh, Former President of India, Eternal Virtues, pg 231.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s humility and selfless love have touched my heart.
HRH Prince Charles, Eternal Virtues, pg 229.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life is an example of spiritual beauty. That beauty shines throughout India and the world as he continues to guide mankind on the path to spirituality. He loves unconditionally and forgives. Revenge and vengeance are never to be seen in his life. This is illustrated in his credo: “In the joy of others lies our own…”
Rowan Williams, Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Eternal Virtues, pg 229.
Tributes[edit]
Blessed with the kind of wisdom and faith that transcended boundaries, Pramukh Swami Maharaj spent his life using the power of his inner goodness to lift others up. He was a trusted ear and revered voice for countless people, and the lessons of his humility stirred not only the hearts of his followers, but also of men and women across the globe who were fortunate enough to have crossed his path. By paying tribute to a man who believed in the worth of all people and dedicated himself to serving those in need, we are reminded of the ways our common humanity will always bind us together – and of the enduring obligation we have to love and care for one another in the world we share. May the memory of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj continue to guide you, and may his legacy give us the courage to be our best selves.[1]
Barack Obama, 44th President of USA.
Pramukh Swami didn’t just teach virtues – he lived them every day. That’s what made him a Guru to millions of devotees around the world. From the Akshardham Mandir in New Jersey to the countless temples that he blessed in the United States, Pramukh Swami built a global faith and community founded on Vedic values. Bill was fortunate enough to visit with his Holiness, both here in the United States and at the Akshardham Mandir in Gujarat. In meeting many of his followers, I’ve been touched by his wisdom as well. Pramukh Swami’s deep sense of devotion led him to spend his life revitalizing communities in need...His example helped his followers find more harmony – both with others, and within themselves. And we hope that humanity will build upon his legacy for generations to come.[2]
Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State of USA
I know Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s commitment and dedication to his religion and to humanity. I am guided by Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s words that religion does not grow by the quantity of followers, but by the depth of spirituality.[3]
Cory Booker, Senator, USA
I loved him. He was so very kind to me. My association with him was far too short but he left an indelible imprint on me and my family. I also received his personal blessing, something that I feel has protected and guided me. He is the kind of leader that is so needed in the world today. Kind-hearted, warm, and approachable. Empowering and validating of others. Never calling attention to himself but to the contributions of others. He was a brilliant thinker (he solved a riddle that had plagued me for 20 years in about 2 minutes) who never flaunted his intellect but instead used it to illuminate, motivate and inspire. I loved his humor. Even as an American with no facility for Hindi or the Gujarati dialect I could observe his impact and watch the smiling faces and hear the laughter of his followers as he told touching and humorous personal stories. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity I had to know him personally. My life is richer because of it and I have been forever changed. My heart is with you all.[4]
Sam Cardon, Award winning composer
Pramukh Swami Maharaj, About BAPS
HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
Wikipedia has an article about:
Retrieved from "https://en.wikiquote.org/w/index.php?title=Pramukh_Swami_Maharaj&oldid=2383589"
Hindu gurus
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Privatized water ‘not solution’
Posted on September 26, 2001 by Environment Probe
Maureen Murray
Turning Ontario’s drinking water operations over to private hands in an attempt to fix the ills in the system would be tragic, the Walkerton inquiry was told yesterday.
"We are by no means arguing for the status quo. But the private sector option is not the solution," said Ron Crawley, representing the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
"It would be a tragedy if water was privatized in the province," Crawley told Mr. Justice Dennis O’Connor, who heads the inquiry.
A delegation from the Canadian Environmental Law Association echoed Crawley’s sentiments. "How much sense does it make for a municipality to contract out a resource that at the end of the day, the taxpayer is still on the hook?" asked Paul Muldoon, the group’s counsel and executive director.
Those opposed to privatization of water utilities said their major concern was loss of public accountability, because private companies are more likely to operate behind closed doors in the name of protecting their competitive interests.
John Jackson of the Canadian Environmental Law Association noted that it took his group a year through a Freedom of Information request to get a copy of the contract a private firm signed with Hamilton-Wentworth to operate the municipality’s water system. Jackson said the copy of the contract arrived with sections blacked out.
The naysayers of privatization also argued a profit-driven company is less likely to strive to exceed minimum government standards and to make future improvements in the system once a contract is locked in place.
"We are by no means arguing for the status quo . . . (But) it would be a tragedy if water was privatized in the province."
– Ron Crawley, Canadian Union of Public Employees
They pointed to the fact that water management companies are in the hands of a few multinational corporations, which are likely to be more responsive to their international head office than to the needs of a local municipality. Several delegations, including Energy Probe Research Foundation, have previously argued before O’Connor that the private sector can provide the expertise and financing to properly operate the province’s drinking water systems.
Speakers yesterday told O’Connor that money needs to be spent to help municipalities improve staff training and operation of their water treatment plants. But water is too special and important a resource to take out of public control, Crawley said.
O’Connor said he was a little concerned that Crawley was categorically opposed to private operations even if the residents in a given municipality decided it was their best option. "I do have some difficulty with any concept that . . . the public shouldn’t have its way," O’Connor said.
O’Connor wrapped up the last day of public hearings of Part II of the inquiry, which is considering recommendations to improve the future safety of Ontario’s drinking water.
After presiding over two town hall meetings in October – one in Ottawa and the other in Toronto – O’Connor will get down to the business of writing his final reports to the government, based on 100,000 documents and submissions from hundreds of witnesses from all walks of life.
He is expected to submit his report at the end of this year on Part I of the inquiry, which specifically addressed the contaminated water crisis in Walkerton that claimed seven lives and left 2,300 ill in May, 2000. His report on Part II will likely be completed early next year.
This entry was posted in Water and Wastewater by Environment Probe. Bookmark the permalink.
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Political pigsty
Posted on July 20, 2005 by Environment Probe
With the passage of a new Planning Act last month, Manitoba’s NDP government furthered its 33-year campaign to foist factory farms on an unwilling public, ensuring that neither individual property rights nor the desires of a local community can stop large farm operations that create nuisances or pollute the environment.
This Orwellian act, presented as one that would "strengthen local decision-making" and "increase the flexibility of councils to respond to local concerns," does just the opposite: It concentrates power in the hands of the provincial government, thwarting communities’ efforts to mitigate the threats posed by intensive livestock operations.
The act requires municipalities to produce development plans designating areas in which livestock operations will or will not be allowed. The plans will address farm size, siting and setback issues, but will not distinguish between different types of livestock operations or farming practices. All development plans will require the approval of the provincial government, which may alter or replace them at will. It is the province, rather than a municipality, that has the final say.
After receiving an application for a large livestock operation, a municipality may approve or reject it, but not impose conditions of its own making. It may merely require the project to conform with its provincially approved development plan or to implement the recommendations of a provincially appointed technical review committee. Although the municipality may require the proposed farm to plant a "shelter belt" of trees or cover its manure storage facilities, it can do nothing else to reduce potential odours. Under no circumstances may it impose other conditions on the storage, application, transport or use of manure – not even those, now common, requiring farmers to inject manure into the soil rather than spread it on the surface of their fields.
How can a government that professes to be "committed to maintain[ing] the local control over land-use planning issues" justify such restrictions on municipal freedom? Apparently, local control must be balanced against provincial interests. In the words of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Scott Smith, "there are certain overriding principles that are critically important to the government."
One of those overriding principles, it seems, is that livestock farmers require a predictable planning process. Restricting municipal freedom, the Minister’s press secretary explains, will let farmers know what they’re getting into. It will provide greater certainty.
The Planning Act is just the latest in a string of NDP laws enabling livestock operations to trump other interests. The party’s determination to overcome local resistance to factory farms dates back to the early 1970s, when an expanding hog farm outside Winnipeg became embroiled in a dispute with its neighbours, Michael and Carolyn Lisoway.
The Springfield Hog Ranch was huge by the standards of the day. Its barn accommodated 2,000 hogs at once and its sewage lagoons stank for miles around. In 1971, the Lisoways complained to Manitoba’s Clean Environment Commission, which ordered the farm to reduce the number of hogs to 800 within one year and to eliminate the lagoon system within 30 months.
The provincial government – led by the NDP’s Edward Schreyer – came riding to the farm’s rescue. Rather than enforcing the commission’s order, it amended the Clean Environment Act to subject commission orders to appeals to the government. The amendments gave the minister control over all matters relating to environmental contamination, along with the authority to stay, cancel, vary or replace orders made by the commission. In 1973, the government went further, passing a regulation exempting all livestock production operations from commission oversight. Those two changes paved the way for an Order-in-Council freeing the Springfield Hog Ranch from the orders imposed by the commission.
The Lisoways fought back. They sued the farm for nuisance. The court found that the farm violated its neighbours’ property rights. Its "disastrously offensive" odours interfered with their use and enjoyment of their property. The court awarded $10,000 in damages to the Lisoways and ordered the farm to abate the nuisance within eight months.
Enraged, the provincial government lost no time in ensuring that future courts could not issue similar decisions. In 1976 – just six months after the release of the Lisoway decision – it introduced the Nuisance Act, protecting farms and other businesses from common-law liability for the odours they generated. No longer could courts award damages or issue injunctions against offensive livestock operations.
The Nuisance Act marked a fundamental shift in Canadians’ rights. Rural residents lost their age-old right to enjoy their property, free from disturbing odours. Farmers, on the other hand, gained a new right – one that came to be known as the right to farm. In the following years, every other Canadian province would follow Manitoba’s lead.
Over the years, Manitoba has expanded the right to farm with a Farm Practices Protection Act exempting farmers from liability, not just for odours but also for noise, dust, smoke and other disturbances. But the NDP has always understood that such exemptions would provide insufficient certainty to farmers. Even when debating the 1976 Nuisance Act, then attorney-general Howard Pawley called for stricter land-use controls and planning legislation to limit residents’ rights outside cities, and so minimize future conflicts.
The need for provincially driven planning remained a theme for Manitoba’s NDP, whether in power or in opposition. Eight years ago, when debating amendments to the Farm Practices Protection Act, the party called for provincial involvement in upfront, long-term planning "so that we can see the industry grow."
And grow it does. Between 1975 and 2003, hog production in the province increased more than eight-fold, rising from 870,000 to 7.3 million hogs. Farm size has also increased dramatically. In 1976, the average farm produced fewer than 200 hogs. By 2001, that number had grown to more than 1,500.
The 1976 Nuisance Act, subsequent farm practices protection acts and today’s Planning Act have all contributed to the growth of livestock operations in Manitoba. They have done so by disempowering the local people – first individuals and later communities – who are adversely affected by farms and by consolidating decision-making in the hands of politicians committed to agricultural expansion at all costs.
Combined, the acts are a central planner’s dream. And little wonder. As the NDP’s Smith said of a Conservative MLA who challenged his changes to the Planning Act, "He, I guess, likes blue and I like orange."
This entry was posted in Agriculture by Environment Probe. Bookmark the permalink.
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> Mutations - Radiation Issue: 2011-3 Section: University
Nowadays, the use of mobile phones is widely said to be harmful and dangerous for human health. It is already known that the emitted radiation might have serious consequences on the organism, but what radiation is in fact, whether ionized or not, and in which way it harms our organism, is a question of high significance these days.
Radiation is an energy which is transported in wave-like and particle-like properties. Examples of
radiation in everyday life are microwaves, radio, television, and the x-rays used in medicine.
Some chemical elements emit ionized radiation, which means they convert an electrically neutral atom into either a positive or negative ion, with the addition or the abortion of electrons.
CONSEQUENCES OF RADIATION IN THE ORGANISM
Radiation causes ionization to the molecules of alive cells. In small doses of radiation, like the ones we receive every day, cells recover from the damage easily. In higher doses, up to 100 rem, cells may not be able to recover the damage and this is why they might die or change their permanent form. Most cells that die are of low importance and our organism can easily replace them. However, the ones that are mutated form irregular cells which, in some cases, may be carcinogenic. So this is the origin of our increased concern over concern if someone is constantly exposed to radiation.
In even higher dose, cells cannot replace themselves and the tissues cannot function. If the doses increase (>300 rem), then problems are created to the immune system and the organism cannot fight the diseases and the contamination. In the highest doses of radiation, and if medical care is not provided, 50% of the patients die in 60 days time.
MUTATIONS AT THE GENETIC MATERIAL
In some cases, radiation may not manage to make the cell die, but to alter the DNA in a way that can leave the cell alive with a modified DNA. The DNA molecules are extremely long chains of atoms, wrapped around of proteins and organised in structures, the chromosomes, in the cell.
Great damage to the DNA is caused by gamma rays, which, if they go through the cell, ionize the atoms. This means they enable the removal of electrons from them, forming positive ions or charged atoms. The molecules near the DNA are likely to be ionized and to react, causing the break of chemical bonds and the rearrangement of its elements. This DNA disruption at the body cells will have a minimal influence on the human descendants. However, it will cause disorders to the cell divisions (mitosis, meiosis) so, it can generate cancer.
However, if the ionization happens in genetic cells, like spermatozoa or/and ova, the damage might be more serious and genetic mutations usually appear at the descendants of the organism. The main symptoms that the descendants can have is hexadactyly, which is the development of a sixth finger in the hand or foot, and the lack of the pigment melanin, which is the modification of one of the genes that control the production of a pigment, the melanin.
Nuclear power plants generate high portions of ionized radiation during the fission of the operation.
This way, atomic energy is released, which is nowadays used by some countries for the production of electric energy. In addition, it is used for war and for the construction of the atomic bomb.The nuclear fission products are radioactive and any explosion could turn fatal for the land.
The main alive examples of the effect of radioactivity are the two atomic bombings in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and the nuclear accident of Chernobyl, Ukraine, as well as the recent accident in Japan. The first case refers to the Second World War. In August 1945, Americans use for the first time the atomic bomb in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leaving the whole humanity speechless. Until today, victims have surpassed the 220.000 and the genetic mutations of the next generations have been tremendous. Apart from the casualties, there were a lot of people radioactively poisoned. The environment, the air, the ground, food and water were polluted, but also the clouds transferred the pollution to nearby areas.
The nuclear accident in Chernobyl happened in 1986 and it still has an obvious impact on the health of the people in the area and on the environment. The radiation exceeded the Ukrainian boundaries and even reached Sweden. The genetic and the teratogenetic cases increased a lot. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the percentage of cancer was multiplied by a thousand in 10 years’ time. Many of the actual residents in the area grow old earlier and develop several kinds of problems. In addition, centuries are estimated to be needed until the atmosphere is cleaned by the radiation released in 1986.
However, one of the most important and recent accidents is the one that happened in the nuclear station on
Fukushima, Japan in spring 2011. The catastrophe came as a consequence of the 2011 Sendai earthquake and the tsunami that followed. The old installations, the insufficient security system and the bad conservation of the plants were the main factors of the accident. It is estimated that the radiation emitted surpasses by 400 times the annual average and can be compared with the Chernobyl rates. The effects on the residents’ health will be really harmful and it is almost certain that they will suffer from several kinds of cancer and long-term problems.
Nevertheless, humans have now started to learn
from their mistakes and take more precautions concerning the use of energy that can have radioactive results. The security measures have increased, as a similar event could have catastrophic consequences affecting all humanity.
http://artofwise.gr/html/categories_content/anadromes/megaloimystes_dimokritos.html
www.ehow.com/list_5892623_effects-radiation-dna-mutations.html
www.geschichteinchronologie.ch/USA/SF1-2005_atombombe-schwarzer-regen-auf-Hiroshima-und-Nagasaki-ENGL.html
www.greatdreams.com/war/1945.htm
www.funforever.net/archives/chernobily-20-years-later/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushi-ma_Prefecture#2011_earthquake_and_subsequent_disasters
Journal “National Geographic” April 2006, Vol. 16.
www.ecn.cz/c10/child.jpg
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www.efhmerides.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/fukusima.jpg
http://villageofjoy.com/chernobyl-today-a-creepy-story-told-in-pictures
www.vtaide.com/png/atom.htm
http://peiramatiko.uom.gr/lykeio/teacher/zarf/3Lyk_thet/6_kef/2_3.pdf
Vasiliki Samara :: 26/06/2012 :: Pageviews: 2108
Experimental School of University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece
Vasiliki Samara
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Teen singer with epilepsy to perform benefit concert in honor of late Disney Channel star
July 12, 2019 /0 Comments/in CBD Cannabis Oil Medical Recreational Health, Uncategorized /by Steve
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. – A young Colorado singer is using her voice to help save lives.
Fifteen-year-old Amber Mackenzie has been singing, dancing and acting since she was a toddler. She loves musical theater, has recorded her own album and is even in the middle of a concert tour to share her music.
“I really want to help other kids and adults with the same things I have,” Amber told FOX31.
She was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was just a baby. While her grand mal seizures are mostly under control with the help of CBD oil, she still experiences smaller seizures every night while she’s asleep.
“I have an emfit monitor under my bed in case I have a convulsive seizure. I have on that I put on my finger and then I also have a baby monitor,” she said.
According to her mother, Teresa, the nightly seizures usually last three to four minutes. She must constantly monitor her daughter while she is having a seizure. If Amber’s seizure doesn’t end quickly, her mom has to dial 911 or administer emergency medication.
“People are like wait, you’re always with your mom 24/7? You have a baby monitor? You sleep with all these monitors? And I’m like, yes,” Amber said. “I have little to no privacy.”
While the constant monitoring may seem burdensome to some, the teen says she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“If I didn’t have my monitors, I probably wouldn’t be here today,” she said.
Due to the type of seizures she experiences, Amber is at risk for “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy”, also known as SUDEP.
SUDEP is likely what caused the death of 20-year-old Disney Channel star Cameron Boyce, who had a fatal seizure in his sleep over the weekend.
“It was really close to home,” Amber said of his passing.
Amber and her family started a foundation called “Performers with Purpose”. She performs donation-based concerts to raise money to purchase monitors for others with epilepsy and to give back to organizations that have helped her.
Now, she says her mission is more important than ever in light of Boyce’s death.
“I’m actually more determined to spread epilepsy awareness,” Amber said. “He’s actually made me want to strive to be a better person from hearing his story because when I’m gone, I really want to make a difference.”
Amber Mackenzie will be performing a benefit concert for epilepsy awareness in honor of Cameron Bryce at 7 p.m. Friday, July 19, at Spotlight Performing Arts Center, 6328 E County Line Rd. #102, Littleton.
All proceeds from the show will be used to purchase monitors for epilepsy patients.
https://i2.wp.com/elocure.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/promo387173187.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1 675 1200 Steve https://elocure.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/cbd-oil-Cannabinoid-buy.png Steve2019-07-12 16:02:502019-07-12 16:02:50Teen singer with epilepsy to perform benefit concert in honor of late Disney Channel star
Global CBD Hemp Oil Market 2019:2026, by Top Indsutries – ENDOCA, CBD American Shaman, Gaia Botanicals, Isodiol – Market News Store July 16, 2019
Utah farmers and entrepreneurs compete to grow medical pot | Health Members of Congress Hear Testimony Urging an End to Federal Marijuana Prohibition...
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(-) Remove Religion filter Religion
Reproduction (17) Apply Reproduction filter
People (14) Apply People filter
Outreach (2) Apply Outreach filter
People's Padre: An Autobiography (1954), by Emmett McLoughlin
Emmett McLoughlin wrote People's Padre: An Autobiography, based on his experiences as a Roman Catholic priest advocating for the health of people in Arizona. The Beacon Press in Boston, Massachusetts, published the autobiography in 1954. McLoughlin was a Franciscan Order Roman Catholic priest who advocated for public housing and healthcare for the poor and for minority groups in Phoenix, Arizona, during the mid twentieth century. The autobiography recounts McLoughlin's efforts in founding several community initiatives throughout Phoenix, including the St.
Subject: Outreach, People, Publications, Religion
Pope Pius IX (1792-1878)
Pope Pius IX, born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, marked his contribution to the abortion debate by removing the distinction between an "animated" and "unanimated" fetus from Catholic doctrine, and established the edict that a human should be protected starting from the moment of conception onward. This proclamation made abortion at any time of gestation punishable by excommunication. Pope Pius IX's decision became Canon Law of the Catholic Church.
Subject: People, Religion, Reproduction
Barry Morris Goldwater (1909–1998)
Barry Morris Goldwater was a Republican Arizona Senator and US presidential candidate in the twentieth-century whose policies supported the women's reproductive rights movement. Goldwater, a businessman and Air Force reservist, transitioned into politics in the 1950s. He helped align popular support for a conservative Republican Party in the 1960s. Throughout his life, he worked to maintain personal liberty and to limit governmental intrusion into citizens' private lives. Goldwater, influenced by his wife Margaret (Peggy) Goldwater, supported women's rights to abortions.
Subject: People, Reproduction, Legal, Religion
Pope Paul VI (1897-1978)
Pope Paul VI, born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini, has been crucial to the clarification of Roman Catholic views on embryos and abortion in recent history. His 1968 encyclical "Humanae Vitae" spoke to the regulation of birth through various methods of contraception and sterilization. This encyclical, a result of Church hesitancy to initiate widespread discussion of the issue in a council of the Synod of Bishops, led to much controversy in the Church but established a firm Catholic position on the issues of birth control and family planning.
Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)
Pope Pius XII was born Eugenio Maria Giuseppi Giovanni Pacelli on 2 March 1876 in Rome, Italy, to Virginia and Filippo Pacelli. Known for his oft-disputed role in the Roman Catholic Church's approach to the Nazis and World War II, Pope Pius XII also contributed a number of important documents regarding conception, fertility, abortion, and reproductive control to the Vatican's collection of writings and doctrine on procreation.
Pope Innocent XI (1611-1689)
Pope Innocent XI, born Benedetto Odescalchi, made considerable contributions to the Roman Catholic approach to embryology by condemning several propositions on liberal moral theology in 1679, including two related to abortion and ensoulment. His rejection of these principles strengthened the Church's stance against abortion and for the idea of "hominization," meaning the presence of human qualities before birth.
Casti Connubii (1930), by Pope Pius XI
"Casti Connubii," a papal encyclical given by Pope Pius XI on 31 December 1930, served primarily as a reaffirmation and expansion of the issues discussed in Arcanum, an encyclical written by Pope Leo XIII. It was released to address new threats to marriage and conjugal unity, and indeed is translated "On Christian Marriage" or "On Chastity in Marriage." The document explores the meaning of Christian marriage and emphasizes its threefold purpose as borrowed from St.
Subject: Religion
St. Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225-1274)
Widely known as a key contributor to the Roman Catholic Church's body of doctrine, St. Thomas Aquinas also published an opinion on the moral status of embryos and fetuses that seems contradictory to the Catholic Church's current standpoint on the matter. Born in Naples, Italy, around 1225 (scholars debate the exact year of many of his life events) to wealthy nobility, Thomas Aquinas quickly proved himself a pious and astute scholar with an insatiable desire for logic and understanding.
Subject: People, Religion
Pope John Paul II (1920-2005)
Pope John Paul II's views on abortion and embryology have been very influential to the Roman Catholic Church. He strictly forbade abortion and other threats to what he regarded as early human life in his encyclical entitled "Evangelium Vitae," meaning the "Gospel of Life." His authority on moral and social issues was highly regarded during his lifetime.
Pope Gregory XIV (1535-1591)
Pope Gregory XIV, born Nicolo Sfondrati, reversed the bull of Pope Sixtus V, Effraenatum, under which an abortion at any time of gestation can be punished by excommunication. He supported the Aristotelian distinction between an "animated" and "unanimated" fetus, making abortion of an unanimated fetus punishable by lesser means. This decision contributed to the historical debates within the Roman Catholic Church on when a fetus has a soul, and when abortion was punishable by excommunication.
Pope Sixtus V (1520-1590)
Known for dropping a long-held distinction in the Catholic Church between the animated and unanimated fetus, Felice Peretti was born in Grottamare, Italy, in 1521, son of a Dalmatian gardener. In his early years, Peretti worked as a swineherd, but soon became involved in the local Minorite convent in Montalto, where he served as a novice at the age of twelve. He went on to study in Montalto, Ferrara, and Bologna, continuing his devotion to religious life, and in 1547 Peretti was ordained as priest in the city of Siena.
Pope Pius XI (1857-1939)
Pope Pius XI, born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was born to the wealthy owner of a silk factory on 31 May 1857 in Desio, Italy. He was ordained to the priesthood at the age of eighteen, at which time he began a long life devoted to study, peacekeeping, and the betterment of societies around the world. Pius XI is noted here for his contribution to the Roman Catholic Church's early twentieth century approach to issues regarding contraception and abortion, which was presented in his December 1930 encyclical "Casti Connubii."
Father Frank Pavone (1959- )
Father Frank Pavone, a key proponent of the Roman Catholic Church's pro-life movement, has devoted his life's work to ending abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, and other techniques and procedures that he believes threaten human life from conception to death. His contributions to the pro-life movement include founding a new religious order called the Missionaries of the Gospel of Life and participating in high-profile protests and television interviews for the pro-life cause.
Eclipse of Reason (1987)
Eclipse of Reason is a 1987 anti-abortion documentary film directed, filmed, and narrated by Bernard Nathanson, an obstetrician in the US. American Portrait Films released the film in 1987 featuring Nathanson’s commentary and footage of an abortion of a four-month-old fetus. The film also featured the testimony of women who had suffered following similar procedures. In Eclipse of Reason, Nathanson equates the fetus to a person, likening abortion procedures to murder and arguing for the illegalization of abortion.
Subject: Outreach, Religion
Mother Teresa (1910-1997)
Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic nun known for her charitable work and attention to the poor, was born 26 August 1910. The youngest child of Albanian parents Nikola and Drane Bojaxhiu, she was christened Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu and spent her early life in the place of her birth, present-day Skopje, in the Republic of Macedonia. In addition to her unwavering devotion to serve the sick and the poor, Mother Teresa firmly defended traditional Catholic teachings on more controversial issues, such as contraception and abortion.
Mizuko Kuyo
Mizuko Kuyo is a Japanese Buddhist ceremony that focuses on a deceased fetus or stillborn child. This ceremony was originally developed to honor Jizo, a god believed to be responsible for transporting dead fetuses or children to the other world. The practice has become more popular in the last half century due to the growing number of abortions taking place and the particular views that Japanese Buddhists have about fetuses and abortion.
Subject: Religion, Reproduction
"Declaration on Procured Abortion" (1974), by the Vatican
As various societies around the world began legalizing abortive procedures or liberalizing government stances on abortion, the Roman Catholic Church's leaders felt the need to respond to these changes by clarifying the Church's position on procured abortion. One incident in particular that may have inspired the "Declaration on Procured Abortion" is the landmark case in the United States Supreme Court in 1973: Roe v. Wade.
"Effraenatam" (1588), by Pope Sixtus V
"Effraenatam," the brain-child of Pope Sixtus V, was released as a papal bull in the year 1588. Papal bulls are formal declarations issued by the pope of the Roman Catholic Church and are named for their authenticating leaden seals (bullas). This particular document became famous for its official forbiddance of all procured abortions. "Effraenatam," meaning "without restraint," is often regarded as a specific response to increasing rates of prostitution and procured abortions in the Papal States, though this is not discussed in the actual document.
The Time Has Come: A Catholic Doctor's Proposals to End the Battle over Birth Control (1963), by John Rock
In 1963, Roman Catholic fertility doctor John Rock published The Time Has Come: A Catholic Doctor's Proposals to End the Battle over Birth Control, a first-person treatise on the use of scientifically approved forms of birth control for Catholic couples. The first contraceptive pill, called Enovid, had been on the market since June 1960, and Rock was one of the leading researchers in its development. In The Time Has Come, Rock explicitly describes the arguments for and against the use of birth control from both a religious and a scientific perspective.
Subject: Publications, Religion, Reproduction
Evangelium Vitae (1995), by Pope John Paul II
The encyclical entitled "Evangelium Vitae," meaning "The Gospel of Life," was promulgated on 25 March 1995 by Pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy. The document was written to reiterate the view of the Roman Catholic Church on the value of life and to warn against violating the sanctity of life. The document focuses on right to life issues including abortion, birth control, and euthanasia, but also touches on other concepts relevant to embryology, such as contraception, in vitro fertilization, sterilization, embryonic stem cell research, and fetal experimentation.
Roman Catholic Church Quickening
Although the concept of quickening was not developed initially by the Roman Catholic Church, much of their histories are intertwined. Quickening, the point at which a pregnant woman can first feel the movements of the growing embryo or fetus, has long been a pivotal moment in pregnancy. Historically, it has also been a pivotal moment for law and the Church in deciding the criminal and religious sanctions for women who intentionally procured an abortion.
St. Augustine (354-430)
St. Augustine of Hippo, born Aurelius Augustinus to a respectable family in the year 354 CE, is now considered one of the foremost theologians in the history of the Catholic Church. His writings, including his philosophy regarding life in the womb and the moral worth of embryos, influenced many other great thinkers of his time and throughout history.
Humanae Vitae (1968), by Pope Paul VI
The "Humanae Vitae," meaning "Of Human Life" and subtitled "On the Regulation of Birth," was an encyclical promulgated in Rome, Italy, on 25 July 1968 by Pope Paul VI. This encyclical defended and reiterated the Roman Catholic Church's stance on family planning and reproductive issues such as abortion, sterilization, and contraception. The document continues to have a controversial reputation today, as its statements regarding birth control strike many Catholics as unreasonable.
Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas
The principal work of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Summa Theologica is divided into three parts and is designed to instruct both beginners and experts in all matters of Christian Truth. It discusses topics central to Christian morality, ethics, law, and the life of Christ, providing philosophical and theological solutions to common arguments and questions surrounding the Christian faith. The views presented in this body of writing are currently upheld in large part by the modern doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.
“Misericordia et Misera” Section 12 (2016) by Pope Francis of the Catholic Church
Misericordia et Misera (Mercy with Misery) was a letter written by Pope Francis and published in Rome, Italy, on 20 November 2016. Through the letter, Pope Francis gives priests the ability to grant forgiveness for abortion. Before Pope Francis’s letter, priests had some ability to grant forgiveness for the Catholic sin of abortion, but bishops had to grant that ability to the priests individually. Prior to the letter, the official rules of the Catholic Church did not state that priests could forgive abortion-related sins.
Subject: Publications, Religion
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Anti-tank guided missile
For other uses, see Air-to-ground missile.
Find sources: "Anti-tank guided missile" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile of the United States Army
The 9M133 Kornet tripod-mounted ATGM of the Russian Ground Forces
An anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), anti-tank missile, anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) or anti-armor guided weapon is a guided missile primarily designed to hit and destroy heavily armored military vehicles.
ATGMs range in size from shoulder-launched weapons, which can be transported by a single soldier, to larger tripod-mounted weapons, which require a squad or team to transport and fire, to vehicle and aircraft mounted missile systems.
The introduction to the modern battlefield of smaller, man-portable ATGMs with larger warheads has given infantry the ability to defeat light and medium tanks at great ranges, though main battle tanks (MBTs) using composite and reactive armors have proven to be resistant to smaller ATGMs.[1] Earlier infantry anti-tank weapons, such as anti-tank rifles, anti-tank rockets and magnetic anti-tank mines, had limited armor-penetration abilities or required a soldier to approach the target closely. As of 2016, ATGMs were used by over 130 countries and many non-state actors around the world.[2]
PARS 3 LR fire-and-forget missile of the German Army
The RAF's Brimstone missile is a fire and forget anti-tank missile
Germany developed a design for a wire-guided anti tank missile derived from the Ruhrstahl X-4 air to air missile concept in the closing years of World War II.[3] Known as the X-7, it was probably never used in combat and allegedly had serious guidance to target issues.[4] It never entered service, though a few were produced.[5]
The SS.10 is the first anti-tank missile to be widely used. It entered service in the French Army in 1955. It was also the first anti-tank missile used by the US Army and Israeli Defense Forces.
The Malkara missile (from an Aboriginal word for "shield") was one of the earliest anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). It was jointly developed by Australia and the United Kingdom between 1951 and 1954, and was in service from 1958 until gradually replaced by the Vickers Vigilant missile in the late 1960s. It was intended to be light enough to deploy with airborne forces, yet powerful enough to knock out any tank then in service (it used a 26 kg HESH warhead).
First-generation manually command guided MCLOS missiles require input from an operator using a joystick or similar device to steer the missile to the target. The disadvantage is that the operator must keep the sight's cross hairs on the target and then steer the missile into the cross hairs—i.e. the line-of-sight. To do this, the operator must be well trained (spending hundreds of hours on a simulator) and must remain stationary and in view of the target during the flight time of the missile. Because of this, the operator is vulnerable while guiding the missile. The first system to become operational and to see combat was the French Nord SS.10 during the early 1950s.
Second-generation semi-automatically command guided SACLOS missiles require the operator to only keep the sights on the target until impact. Automatic guidance commands are sent to the missile through wires or radio, or the missile relies on laser marking or a TV camera view from the nose of the missile. Examples are the Russian 9M133 Kornet, Israeli LAHAT and the American Hellfire I missiles. The operator must remain stationary during the missile's flight.
Third-generation guidance systems rely on a laser, electro-optical imager (IIR) seeker or a W band radar seeker in the nose of the missile. Once the target is identified, the missile needs no further guidance during flight; it is "fire-and-forget", and the missile operator is free to retreat. However, fire-and-forget missiles are more subject to electronic countermeasures than MCLOS and SACLOS missiles. Examples include the German PARS 3 LR and the Israeli Spike.
Most modern ATGMs have shaped charge HEAT warheads, designed specifically for penetrating armor. Tandem-charge missiles attempt to defeat ERA. The small initial charge sets off the ERA while the follow-up main charge attempts to penetrate the main armor. Top-attack weapons such as the U.S. Javelin, and the Swedish Bill are designed to strike vehicles from above, where their armor is usually much weaker.
CountermeasuresEdit
Spike (missile), capable of making a top attack flight profile.
Countermeasures against ATGMs include spaced, perforated, and composite armors, explosive reactive armor, jammers like the Russian Shtora, and active protection systems (APS) like the Israeli Trophy and the Russian Arena.
Armor systems have continued in development alongside ATGMs, and the most recent generations of armor are specifically tested to be effective against ATGM strikes, either by deforming the missile warhead or fuzing to prevent proper denotation (such as in slat armor) or using some form of reactive armor to 'attack' the missile upon impact, disrupting the shaped charge that makes the warhead effective. Both come with the downside of significant weight and bulk. Reactive armor works best when a vehicle is specifically designed with the system integrated and while developments continue to make armor lighter, any vehicle that includes such a system necessitates a powerful engine and often will still be relatively slow. Inclusion of such armor in older vehicles as a part of a re-design is possible, as in the numerous types derived from the T-72. Slat armor is lighter and as such can be added to many vehicles after construction but still adds both bulk and weight. Particularly for vehicles that are designed to be transported by cargo aircraft, slat armor has to be fitted in the field after deployment. Either approach can never offer complete coverage over the vehicle, leaving tracks or wheels particularly vulnerable to attack.[citation needed]
Jamming is potentially an effective countermeasure to specific missiles that are radar guided, however, as a general purpose defense, it is of no use against unguided anti-tank weapons, and as such it is almost never the only defense. If jamming is used continually, it can be extremely difficult for a missile to acquire the target, locking on to the much larger return from the jammer, with the operator unlikely noticing the difference without a radar screen to see the return. However, any missile that has a back up tracking system can defeat jamming.
Active protection systems show a great deal of promise, both in counteracting ATGMs and unguided weapons. Compared to armor systems, they are very lightweight, can be fitted to almost any vehicle with the internal space for the control system and could, in the future, be a near-perfect defense against any missiles. The weaknesses of the systems include potential developments in missile design such as radar or IR decoys, which would drastically reduce their chance to intercept a missile, as well as technical challenges such as dealing with multiple missiles at once and designing a system that can cover a vehicle from any angle of attack. While these may be answered and allow for lightweight, highly maneuverable vehicles that are strongly defended against missiles and rockets that are extremely well suited for urban and guerrilla warfare. However, such a system is unlikely to be as effective against kinetic energy projectiles, making it a poor choice for fighting against tanks.[citation needed]
Traditionally, before "fire-and-forget" ATGMs were used, the most effective countermeasure was to open fire at the location where the missile was fired from, to either kill the operator or force them to take cover,[6] thus sending the missile off course. Smoke screens can also be deployed from an MBT's smoke discharger, and used to obscure an ATGM operator's line of sight. While fire-and-forget missiles have definitive advantages in terms of guidance and operator safety, and include abilities such as top attack mode, older missiles continue in use, both in the front line armies of less developed countries, and in reserve service the world over, due to their lower cost or existing stockpiles of less advanced weapons.
List of anti-tank missiles
List of missiles
^ "T-90 tank". Archived from the original on 2008-01-29. Retrieved 2008-01-29. is tested against ATGMs.
^ MAJ Michael J. Trujillo and MAJ Frank Adkinson. Getting Left of Launch: Guided Missiles and the Threat to Our Force. https://www.dvidshub.net/publication/issues/33494
^ B. I. Yevdokimov (27 July 1967). "ANTITANK ROCKET MISSLES" (PDF).
^ https://www.forecastinternational.com/samples/F656_CompleteSample.pdf
^ John Stone (2000). The Tank Debate: Armour and the Anglo-American Military Tradition. Harwood Academic Publishers. p. 78. ISBN 9058230457.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Anti-tank missiles.
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Tag: Panama Papers
Tuesday, January 2nd 2018 - 11:13 UTC
Panama Papers enable tax authorities worldwide to recoup US$ 500 million
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Monday, November 6th 2017 - 07:34 UTC
Paradise Papers reveal how the rich and famous, corporations and individuals evade taxes
Some 400 reporters from 67 countries have scoured 13.4 million secret documents and uncovered tax-evasion techniques used by the super rich and high-ranking politicians, German media reported on Sunday.
Thursday, October 19th 2017 - 20:12 UTC
Killing of Maltese journalist sends shockwaves across the European Union
The killing of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia sent shockwaves across Europe a day after her car exploded near her home, prompting the European Commission to condemn it in the “strongest possible terms”.
Monday, February 13th 2017 - 10:59 UTC
Panama Papers office raided as part of the Petrobras/Odebrecht investigation
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Monday, June 27th 2016 - 06:53 UTC
Panama opens long-delayed US$ 4.5bn canal expansion: massive litigations looming
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Friday, May 13th 2016 - 08:49 UTC
Anti corruption summit turns the spotlight on rich countries banks and real estate brokers
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Wednesday, May 11th 2016 - 14:03 UTC
Panama Papers are becoming an additional challenge for President Macri
Argentine Federal Judge Sebastian Casanello has sent legal requests to Uruguay, United Kingdom, Ireland, Panama and Brazil, and likewise ordered local financial institutions in the country to provide data on the Macri family accounts as part of an ongoing investigation of the Argentine president overseas assets in so called tax havens, which emerged from the latest release of Panama Papers by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
Prominent economists call for global tax transparency arguing poor countries are the biggest losers
New global rules forcing companies to report taxable activities country-by-country publicly have been called for by a group of 300 prominent economists. In a letter to world leaders, the group urges the UK to “take a lead” in the push for more tax transparency and argues that poor countries are the biggest losers from tax havens.
Sunday, April 24th 2016 - 08:26 UTC
International major effort to cooperate on tax issues and halt evasion and elusion
The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are joining forces with other international organizations to cooperate on tax issues and develop new tools and standards to halt tax base erosion and evasion.
Thursday, April 14th 2016 - 02:50 UTC
Cristina Fernandez back on stage; attacks Macri and his policies and the Judiciary
Argentine ex president Cristina Fernández addressed thousands of militants that rallied outside Buenos Aires City main courthouse building where earlier in the day she testifies on the dollar future probe conducted by a Federal Judge.
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Articles » Magazines » BOMA
Talent: Commercial real estate’s other sustainability issue
Find good candidates for jobs through an industry pipeline from colleges and outside industries
by John Salustri — Originally published in the March/April 2018 issue of BOMA Magazine — Sustainability is a topic very much in vogue these days. We hear it applied to our buildings, our wildlife, our forests. We hear it every time actor-turned-activist Leonardo DiCaprio steps off his private jet to comment on the environment.
Practitioners of commercial real estate are facing their own sustainability issues as they scramble to address the needs of a client base in the midst of watershed changes—both technological and social. Gee-whiz concepts, such as coworking, optionality, the Internet of Things and cybersecurity, are wreaking havoc on the traditional knowledge base of the industry, particularly for those in operations and management. Meanwhile, a younger and more diverse population is taking over the workforce (meaning, both our tenancies and our companies), with different needs and different professional expectations.
As if these disruptors—to use another phrase that is all the rage these days—were not enough, the herd is dwindling. According to some accounts, the average age of a property manager today is around 50.
An Endangered Species?
These challenges invoke serious questions: Who will fill the ranks as baby boomers retire? How does an industry that is largely older, white and male better reflect a changing client base? And, how do we ensure all professionals have access to cutting-edge and ongoing education so they may address a new suite of corporate needs? The proper answers to these questions will arm practitioners for the future and attract a new generation to the fold. How we answer will determine if we, as an industry, can guarantee an ongoing crop of engaged and knowledgeable professionals. It also will determine whether or not real estate can win the war for talent.
It is a battle being fought against some formidable alternatives. “Tech is the bright, shining object for millennials,” says Marc Intermaggio, executive vice president of BOMA/San Francisco. Intermaggio points to an odd irony: “Property management may not seem like the sexiest career in the world. But, LinkedIn and Salesforce have several buildings in our local area, and these all have to be managed.”
All of which, of course, speaks to the sector’s relative lack of visibility. This multitrillion-dollar business differs from comparable industries, such as tech, airlines or insurance, in that it really has no public face, no branding—and, therefore, is off the radar of many future superstars. “People will see a name on a building,” says Henry H. Chamberlain, APR, FASAE, CAE, president and chief operating officer of BOMA International. “But, they don’t think about the people who own the building, those who lease and maintain it or handle the tenant improvements.”
Education to the Rescue
There is some good news in this potentially dire picture. First, more than 40 colleges and universities around the United States offer some degree-granting program in commercial real estate.
The other good news is that industry associations like BOMA are not sitting idly by with the expectation that higher education alone will ensure an ongoing stream of future leaders. Both leadership and the rank-and-file are hard at work on initiatives to expose the profession to a wider and more diverse audience and step up the educational opportunities—for newcomers and senior practitioners alike (see “No Property Manager Left Behind,” page 26).
There are three cutting-edge examples of this educational effort. One is now celebrating its 20-year anniversary; the second is due to launch this spring; and the third is a grassroots initiative working directly with a local university.
The Real Estate Associate Program (REAP) is a two-decades-old initiative designed to “funnel”—in the words of REAP Interim Executive Director Ken McIntyre—top talent into commercial real estate and simultaneously promote a more diverse industry. “Senior management across the commercial real estate industry, for the most part, hasn’t felt compelled to address its diversity disparity,” says McIntyre, who also is founder and managing principal of consulting firm Passport Real Estate. “And, by disparity, I mean what the industry population looks like versus the population of the country.”
In fact, according to the 2013 Commercial Real Estate Diversity Report, white men dominate the senior executive level of CRE by more than 77 percent, while black, Hispanic and Asian men together total less than six percent and non-white women comprise fewer than one percent. But, McIntyre is quick to point out that, in relative terms, the industry is making great strides. “Until 25 years ago,” he explains, “commercial real estate consisted of privately owned businesses,” which could essentially make up their own rules. Private equity and the public markets changed all that, and “every day, there are more firms interested in exploring what diversity should and could mean for them. Change takes time, and that snowball is increasing in size.”
McIntyre estimates that REAP has funneled some 1,000 college-trained, skilled businesspeople into the real estate workforce over its existence. The vehicle is a 10-week, 20-class program that serves as introductions to such topics as financial analysis; valuation and budgeting; asset and property management; brokerage and investment sales; development; market analysis; and leasing and lease analysis.
Currently, the course is offered in nine cities around the country: New York; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Chicago; Dallas; Los Angeles; Kansas City, Missouri; and Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Entry into the program is no cakewalk, states McIntyre, even for these candidates, many of whom, he says, “have either undergraduate or graduate degrees from Ivy League schools. They’re also in careers at hedge funds, law firms and a range of other backgrounds.” For the most recent spring semester in New York, there were 100 applications for only 40 seats, which were filled only after a rigorous screening process. The candidates also pay their own way.
A major part of REAP, in terms of the industry’s sustainability, is its networking aspect. “There are now 1,000 graduates who can serve as mentors to those currently in the program,” notes McIntyre. “They also can access their alumni associations and clubs and get in front of minority students who may never have heard of real estate.”
A robust job bank exclusive to alumni helps drive the initiative to its ultimate goal, McIntyre explains. “A firm like JPMorgan Chase alone has five different real estate groups, and it owns or manages 80 million square feet around the world. They send us listings of job openings at least once a quarter,” as do other major, global firms that have seen the value of REAP. “If an alum is looking for a job, they may not go to those corporate websites, but they’ll go to ours,” notes McIntyre. “We’re aggregating jobs for all of our graduates. “In this war for talent, it is our vision to become the foremost resource for minority talent in the commercial real estate industry,” he continues. And, in that war, the ranks of potential leaders are destined to swell. McIntyre says REAP is working on a new strategic plan that promises a rollout to more cities. In addition, “my goal is to have 1,000 people graduate in the next five years,” essentially doubling its output.
“The workforce is getting more diverse,” adds BOMA International’s Chamberlain, “and we need to reflect that. We need to build the population of mid-tier professionals who will take over these companies in the next 10 years. That’s why programs like REAP are important.” And, it is why BOMA is on the board of REAP, along with a number of other real estate associations. A host of major real estate companies, including CBRE, Duke Realty, JLL and Kimco, are sponsors of the program.
Building Awareness and Communities
Another initiative, due to launch this spring, bands together no fewer than 23 industry associations, including BOMA, to spread the word about commercial real estate as a profession. It is dubbed Careers Building Communities.
Angela Cain, CEO of corporate real estate association CoreNet Global, is one of the professionals on the effort’s steering committee, and she explains that Careers Building Communities, or CBC, is a portal that “will direct interested visitors to each association’s website. The goal is to introduce visitors to the skills and educational requirements of different real estate-related careers.” In addition, the site will feature overviews of careers, interactive quizzes and links to pertinent videos. “We recognized a greater opportunity beyond our individual efforts to educate students in high school, vocational schools and college about careers that perhaps they never knew existed,” she says. “In the war for talent, it’s imperative that we find ways to advance the professions we serve, and it’s a value-add for our existing members to fill that talent pipeline.”
The associations, of course, can be goldmines for both current and aspiring professionals hoping to expand their industry knowledge base, she points out. They are “the best resources for professionals at any stage of their careers for real-world best practices, learning from seasoned practitioners and exchanging ideas in trusted, neutral environments. We’re finding new, better, innovative ways to collaborate and educate current and future talent.” CBC will deliver that message and “give visitors the opportunity to choose the path they think is best for their career objectives.”
Indeed, associations can be goldmines—if the messaging remains clear and cutting-edge, that is. “‘Build it and they will come’ isn’t going to cut it anymore,” says Cain. “There are more choices and opportunities to learn and connect than ever. Associations need to keep what works, throw out what doesn’t and move on. The associations that run more like start-up businesses and less like traditional institutions will remain relevant.”
And, relevance is the key word. It has been, really, since the job-slaughtering days of the Great Recession. Even today, notes Cain, the issue keeps “many association executives up at night. They must challenge themselves to stay relevant with programs and services that appeal to a younger audience. They connect, learn, grow and belong differently, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach that will work.” The balancing act here is to avoid neglecting the continuing educational needs of their more senior members, she adds.
BOMA International’s Chamberlain, who also is a steering committee member, agrees that relevance is a goal for which all of the associations strive. “We all have to work constantly on creating a strategic business partnership with our constituents,” he says. “For us, we believe being involved in BOMA is good business. It’s a great strategy for developing your team, doing better business, enhancing net operating income and increasing asset value, while positioning yourself for future success.” And, that is specifically the message the Careers Building Communities portal is designed to spread.
Grassroots Approaches
Initiatives that both attract tomorrow’s leaders and spread the gospel of commercial real estate as a career choice aren’t being handled solely at the national association level. Local association BOMA/San Francisco is a prime example of this push, with a program dubbed “CREATE,” shorthand for Commercial Real Estate Alliance for Tomorrow’s Employees. Much like the national initiatives, CREATE is a joint venture with other local real estate groups, including nearby BOMA/Oakland-East Bay.
The goal, as stated on its website, is to provide “funding and support for college-level instruction, job shadowing and internship opportunities relevant to employers, in order to meet the hiring needs of building owners, investors, operators and service firms—at a time when we expect an industry employee turnover of nearly 50 percent in the next five years.” The funding comes through the BOMA/San Francisco Foundation that Intermaggio also oversees.
In the midst of this war for talent, Intermaggio calls operations and management the “stealth side of the business,” since most of the colleges and universities offering real estate programs focus on finance, architecture or construction and development, while operations gets less play. But, this opens “vast opportunities to strengthen college education on the property operations side.”
CREATE addresses that opportunity by funding San Francisco State University’s Commercial Real Estate Certificate Program, which is comprised of four courses. It also funds a new CREATE Fellows Program that Intermaggio explains is a “mile-wide, inchdeep exposure to the industry. It’s based on BOMA International’s Foundations of Real Estate Management classes. And, we also teach some of the soft skills—interviewing techniques and building a résumé. It reaches 6,000 students in the College of Business. We’re getting greater exposure than we did in the early days.” And, since the fellows program is fully funded by CREATE, “students don’t pay a nickel.”
To date, through the certificate program alone, 18 scholarships have been funded to the tune of $58,000, and 37 students have worked as commercial real estate interns since 2014. Companies active in the program include Shorenstein, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield and Kilroy Realty. BOMA/San Francisco is certainly not the only local organization, inside BOMA or out, that has ongoing education as a focus. However, to the best of his knowledge, Intermaggio says, “no one else is actually providing college classroom instruction, coupled with such initiatives as career counseling, paid internships and mentoring.”
No matter if it is at the local, national or international level, industry associations are taking note that commercial real estate is in the midst of major demographic, technological and operational changes. And, they are tackling the issue head on, redefining what “relevance” means in this new environment—and, in so doing, they are ensuring the long-term sustainability of commercial real estate.
No Property Manager Left Behind
It has been said that the future belongs to the young. It always has, but the present belongs to us all and, despite the focus on young and emerging professionals in the programs described here, more seasoned practitioners of the real estate arts are not forgotten.
According to BOMA International President Henry Chamberlain, the association is continuing to craft courses geared specifically to those proven professionals who want to “develop the financial skills that are becoming a much bigger piece of the puzzle.” As property and asset management draw closer bonds in today’s doing-more-with-less approach to business, property managers need to enhance their skills. BOMA International has been rolling out courses as part of its new Asset Management Series targeted to mid-level property professionals, and it continues to offer robust educational programming for practitioners of all levels at the BOMA International Conference & Expo. “I also see us coming out with asset management programs and creating professional networks for those senior folks,” he says. “We have to expand our menus and enhance the community of senior professionals.”
BOMA/San Francisco Executive Vice President Marc Intermaggio points to the ongoing development of seminars and workshops to keep practiced pros at the top of their game. “BOMA/San Francisco had a program recently on protecting your building against cyberthreats,” he says. “In these days of the Internet of Things, when even the towel dispensers in the restrooms can have an internet connection to let the supplier know when inventory is low, the gateways for hacking are enormous.” The ongoing learning experience is further reinforced by sessions ranging from developments in insurance markets to new tech tools, he states.
CoreNet Global also is concerned about how current property professionals are tackling the future of our industry, and another newly launched initiative takes their needs into full consideration. “FutureForward2025 is aimed at making bold predictions about the association in the year 2025,” explains Angela Cain, CEO of CoreNet Global. “We have teams of futurists, sociologists, economists and association professionals convening to explore the drivers of change in the corporate real estate profession—and the world at large.”
While certainly beneficial to the up-and-comers, FutureForward2025 takes in all stakeholders. “Senior executives will be, perhaps, the most vulnerable in the year 2025 and beyond,” she says. “When robots and artificial intelligence rule the earth, what skills will be needed that machines can’t do? We need to be thinking beyond the here-and-now, and our members do, too. What career-shaping role should CoreNet Global play? Engaging a diverse mix of members at every career level will help us figure that out.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John Salustri is editor-in-chief of Salustri Content Solutions, a national editorial advisory firm based in East Northport, New York. He is best known as the founding editor of GlobeSt.com. Prior to launching GlobeSt.com, Salustri was editor of Real Estate Forum.
BOMA Magazine is the official magazine of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International. It is a leading source for the latest news, issues and trends affecting the commercial real estate industry.
Sustainable, resilient facilities: Part 1, Understanding your assets February 23, 2019 In "Sustainability » FEA (Facility Engineering Associates, P.C.)"
From electronics recycling to waste diversion — find out which campuses are leading the way in sustainability initiatives October 26, 2018 In "Developments » Industry Awards"
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: How do facilities managers contribute? March 23, 2019 In "Sustainability » Leonardo Academy"
Sustainability performance continues to go up globally, according to GRESB — see how, and make sure your facilities are keeping up September 26, 2018 In "Surveys and Trends"
Building the business case for green June 15, 2019 In "Magazines » BOMA"
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The Cable: How the NSA Scandal Is Roiling the Heritage Foundation How the NSA Scandal Is Roiling the Herita...
How the NSA Scandal Is Roiling the Heritage Foundation
Ever since ex-senator and Tea Party kingmaker Jim DeMint took over the Heritage Foundation earlier this year, mainstream Republicans have been fretting that he’d turn the prominent conservative think tank into a political proxy for the most extreme elements of the GOP. The debt-deniers and defund-Obamacare die-hards who propelled the government into a shutdown have ...
By Shane Harris
| October 16, 2013, 4:52 PM
UNITED STATES - MAY 6: Former Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., president of the Heritage Foundation, conducts a news conference at the Foundation's offices, to discuss the U.S. Senate's "Gang of Eight" immigration bill and how the amnesty portion would have negative effects on the economy. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Ever since ex-senator and Tea Party kingmaker Jim DeMint took over the Heritage Foundation earlier this year, mainstream Republicans have been fretting that he’d turn the prominent conservative think tank into a political proxy for the most extreme elements of the GOP. The debt-deniers and defund-Obamacare die-hards who propelled the government into a shutdown have found a political, if not quite intellectual center of gravity at Heritage. Now, hawkish Republicans who have long embraced strong national security authorities have reason to believe that Heritage is mounting an opposition on that front, too.
Recently, Heritage refused to publish two papers about the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs written by a prominent conservative attorney. Why? Because he concluded that the programs were legal and constitutional, according to sources familiar with the matter. It was a surprising move for a think tank that has supported extension of the Patriot Act — which authorizes some of NSA’s activities — and has long been associated with right-of-center positions on national security and foreign policy.
But the paper’s conclusions did not sit well with DeMint, the sources said, who worried about offending or alienating more libertarian lawmakers such Sen. Rand Paul, a DeMint ally and leading critic of NSA’s collection of Americans’ phone records, as well as Tea Partiers, who according to a recent poll think that government counterterrorism policies have gone "too far" in restricting civil liberties. It’s those groups that brought DeMint his greatest influence as a lawmaker and made him a national political heavyweight.
It was not clear that DeMint personally ordered the papers be spiked, but sources who would not speak on the record strongly implied that it was his call.
The decision not to publish the papers is even more surprising because of whom Heritage had asked to write them: Steven Bradbury, who ran the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel during the second half of the Bush administration. It was a logical choice, since Bradbury was intimately familiar with the complicated statutory issues in play and had provided his analysis of national security law to President Bush and other administration officials, some of whom had helped launch and run the NSA operations and other counterterrorism programs. David Addington, the former legal counsel and chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, and one of the key architects of early NSA surveillance operations, is a vice president at Heritage.
But the think tank’s decision not to publish Bradbury’s opinions did not bury them.
Cully Stimson, a senior Defense Department official in the Bush administration who now runs Heritage’s national security law program, called Benjamin Wittes, the editor in chief of the national security blog Lawfare and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Stimson "asked me whether Lawfare might be interested in [the papers], and I was delighted to publish them," Wittes told The Cable. "We asked Steve to consolidate them into a single paper, and there were some subsequent revisions as well because of the document release that took place in the intervening period," Wittes said, referring to the government’s decision in August to declassify a large number of documents about NSA programs.
Wittes said the final paper "had its origins in a project that did not come to fruition at Heritage." He referred all questions to the think tank "about what the dispute was internally."
Attempts to reach Bradbury and Stimson for comment were unsuccessful.
For some Republicans who describe themselves as closer to the party’s center, or to its traditional roots in strong executive branch security authorities, Heritage’s decision not to publish Bradbury’s NSA defense was just another example of the hard-right turn the group has taken since DeMint became its president.
"The Heritage Foundation used to be a place where you had a debate of ideas. Now it’s much more tactical, how to raise money," said John Feehery, the president of Quinn Gillespie Communications and the longtime spokesperson for ex-Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert.
A former intelligence official who recently met with members of the Heritage staff about national security issues says he came away feeling that "they were looking for a hard right agenda. Anything that the administration did was wrong. And they had that right wing paranoia with regards to intelligence. What the NSA was doing and how they were doing it."
Libertarians and Tea Party members are hardly the only groups outraged over NSA spying, of course. A legislative attempt to significantly curtail NSA’s authorities nearly passed the House this summer, drawing rare bipartisan support.
But Heritage’s critics say DeMint is using his platform to launch a conservative insurgency, seizing on controversial and often divisive policy arguments. Several sources contacted for this story, who spoke on the condition of anonymity when discussing Heritage’s inner workings, said they were uncomfortable with DeMint’s involvement with Heritage Action for America, the nonprofit political advocacy arm of the foundation that is run by a separate group of leaders. DeMint speaks frequently at Heritage Action events.
Critics also pointed to the recent departure of some Heritage staff as signs of an exodus prompted by DeMint’s leadership. Mike Franc, who ran congressional relations at Heritage, left the organization this year to work for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the House majority whip and a key member of the leadership team with which Tea Party members have been locked in internecine warfare. Derek Scissors, an expert on Asian economic issues, left Heritage for another conservative think tank, the American Enterprise Institute. And Matthew Spalding, a Constitution scholar, recently stepped down as the head of the B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles and Politics at Heritage. He’s now an adjunct fellow with the Kirby Center in Washington.
"DeMint is trying to run a rogue operation over there," Feehery said. "There’s going to be an effort to crack down on ideas that don’t fit his narrow definition of what a conservative is."
Feehery added that the shift in positions would not be limited to national security matters and predicted that Heritage would continue to abandon fundamental positions with which it has long been associated. "I guarantee they won’t be [pro] free trade when DeMint is done with them."
Another prominent conservative, who spoke anonymously, described the evolution at Heritage more bluntly: "The lunatics have taken over the asylum."
Twitter: @shaneharris
Tags: North America, NSA, Politics
If Islam Is a Religion of Violence, So Is Christianity 62400 Shares
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RetailSteve Jobs
Steve Jobs Thought the Apple Store Genius Bar Was ‘So Idiotic’ At First
Aric Jenkins
Jobs speaks to members of the media during an Apple product unveiling event in San Francisco, California on Sept. 1, 2010. Photograph by David Paul Morris — Bloomberg via Getty Images
Steve Jobs was not too keen on the idea of Apple stores’ trademark Genius Bar: The late CEO reportedly called the concept “idiotic” at first.
Speaking on the Recode Decode podcast, former Apple (AAPL) retail chief Ron Johnson detailed his interviewing process at the tech giant back in 2000, and Jobs’ initial reservations about what is today a mainstay at Apple stores around the globe. According to Johnson, the two men “clicked from Day One,” but Jobs hated his vision for the Genius Bar, where customers can receive hands-on hardware repairs or take lessons to learn how to operate new Apple products.
“I remember the day I came in and told Steve about the Genius Bar idea and he says, ‘That’s so idiotic! It’ll never work!’” Johnson explained. “He said, ‘Ron, you might have the right idea, but here’s the big gap: I’ve never met someone who knows technology who knows how to connect with people. They’re all geeks! You can call it the Geek Bar.’”
“And I said, ‘Steve, kids who are in their 20s today grew up in a very different world. They all know technology, and that’s who’s going to work in the store.’”
After that, Johnson said Jobs was sold on the idea, and the CEO had the phrase “Genius Bar” trademarked. By the next year, 2001, Apple opened its first retail stores and unveiled the iPod, which would go on to sell over 100 million units within the next six years.
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Techinternet privacy
California Planned on Strengthening Internet Privacy. It Didn’t.
Seven months ago, California legislators first began debating a bill that would have prevented Internet providers from collecting and selling user data without permission. But when the state assembly wrapped up its 2017 session, that proposal never got a vote.
The bill, called A.B. 375, was originally introduced on Feb 9 (though it was greatly revised in the months that followed). Had it been passed, it would have required service providers—which include telecom companies such as Verizon and AT&T—to obtain a customer’s permission before that data was used, shared or sold. It would also have prevented providers from charging customers who refused to grant that permission a higher fee.
The lack of a vote comes on the heels of the federal repeal of Obama-era privacy rules by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier this year. Legislators, though, did leave the door open for voting on it again in 2018.
Still, privacy advocates are blasting California lawmakers. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, one of the oldest nonprofits advocating for digital rights, said “the legislature demonstrated that they put the profits of Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast over the privacy rights of their constituents.”
Proponents of the bill were hoping a passage by the legislature would have been a call to action for other states, as more than 20 others have considered passing their own Internet privacy bills.
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BriefingCrime
Texas Official Admits to Stealing $1.2 Million in Fajitas
Holy frijoles! Texas officials have arrested a county employee and charged him with stealing $1.2 million worth of fajitas over a nine-year period.
The Cameron County District Attorney’s office booked Gilberto Escaramilla, an employee of the local Juvenile Justice Department, for first degree felony theft, according to the Brownsville Herald. A search of his home found packets of fajitas in his refrigerator.
The beef bust came when a delivery driver called the Juvenile Justice Department’s kitchen to alert them of an incoming order of 800 pounds of fajitas. Problem is: the kitchen doesn’t serve fajitas.
That’s when the driver said he’d been delivering them there for nine years.
Escaramilla allegedly admitted to the crime when confronted by the department. He was arrested in August and made bond, but was charged with the more serious first-degree theft last week, after officials learned the extent of amount he had stolen.
The Texas paper reports that officials say they believe Escaramilla has been reselling the fajitas, rather than gorging himself on the Mexican favorite. Two customers, they say, are assisting with the investigation.
“If it wasn’t so serious, you’d think it was a Saturday Night Live skit, but this is the real thing,” said District Attorney Luis V. Saenz, tells the Herald. “He would literally, on the day he ordered them, deliver them to customers he had already lined up.”
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Miss Indian Schmindean American-ian
September 16, 2013 January 26, 2016
All right, let’s talk about the real issues for once. The real, white-centered, heterosexual, whole pig-eating, cow-dung shoveling truth. The world is about to end because of an Indian (not the Native American kind, the “Arab” kind of Indian). And her hot body, white pearly teeth, and white-person accent are to blame.
Just kidding. But, if you don’t keep up with the Miss America pageant, which in and of itself is completely problematic, sexist and racist, a brown-skinned woman won. Before we discuss, let’s put aside a discussion of the pageant as a whole, and pretend that it’s a totally legit competition.
Last night a woman, born in the United States, raised in New York and mostly in the Midwest, with ancestors that were born in India, won Miss America. The Facebook and Twitter comments following her crowning in protest called her an Arab, a terrorist, and some so eloquently wrote “9/11 was 4 days ago and she gets miss America?” and “So miss america is a terrorist” (way to capitalize that “A”). So, as a white gal feeling some cultural shame and feeling that I need to educate my white/”American” comrades and in the hopes that all Arabs, Indians/Asians, Blacks, and basically every other race won’t completely lose all faith in the Caucasian race, here are a few explanations:
Regarding geography: I suppose we should start with the obvious (or maybe not so obvious)- Indians and “Arabs” are not the same. People who are of Arab descent hail from the Middle East and the northern hemisphere of Africa. India is to the east and sometimes west of many Arab countries, and is actually just a stone’s throw away from China. Comparable to Chicago and the rest of Illinois. They’re close, but oh so very, very far away.
Regarding terrorists: white people can be terrorists. Black people can be terrorists. Women can be terrorists. In fact, right at this moment, there’s a woman on the FBI’s most wanted list. And she’s not an Arab (can also be pronounced, Aye-Raab)! True, a lot of Aye-Raaaaaabs are indeed terrorists, and totally forget about the fact that we are fighting a war in Arab country right now, and our government needs to justify why we are there by making Arabs seem evil. Arab horror films, novels and actions figures due out this Christmas season.
Regarding “American” women: the net is all aflutter with peanut gallery commentary that Theresa Vail should have won; she hunts, she’s from Kansas, she has tattoos, she’s blonde, and she’s white. By this logic, Davuluri didn’t win because she doesn’t live in a trailer. But I digress. Theresa Vail, like Nina Davuluri, was born in the United States, and I am willing to bet my boxed blonde hair that her ancestors probably aren’t originally from the good ole’ U.S. of A. This is not to say that Theresa Vail lives in a trailer, or is a dumb southerner, but simply because she possesses the aforementioned attributes, she does not have a golden ticket to the top of the Miss America list.
Regarding “American” women who hunt: Twitter troll Maria Gruba (whose page has mysteriously disappeared), a real American hunts. In 2008, according to Vegetarian Times magazine, 7.3 million Americans (also pronounced ‘Mericans) were vegetarians, and that was five years ago! Just think of all the un-‘Merican citizens who have betrayed their meat-eating flag since then!
Regarding why Nina Davuluri could actually be considered an American: she was born in America; she wears a bikini in public; she has big hair; she loves world peace; and according to the New York Miss America website, she believes in a healthy lifestyle…obviously a terrorist if you don’t love Mickey Ds. And really, who cares whether or not she was born in the U.S. (because you know haters are going to ask for proof in two shakes), she’s trying to spread good will towards all, empower women, and she’s living the American dream. Her family came to the U.S. 30 years ago, they made a life, and now their beloved daughter is catalyst for positive change. When it comes down to it, isn’t that what being American is really all about?
Posted in: Feminist Musings, Uncategorized | Tagged: Miss America 2013, Nina Davuluri, Theresa Vail
The Last Five Books
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2 thoughts on “Miss Indian Schmindean American-ian”
Just when I think the future of the human race is doomed (because of the furor surrounding this pageant), someone like you comes along and brilliantly satirizes it, restoring my faith in humanity!
jilliemae says:
That’s high praise, to quote Andy S. as Nicolas Cage.
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Far Cry 4 Will Not Have A Split-Screen Co-Op Campaign Says Ubisoft
Abdullah Raza
E3, 2014 held a lot of surprises and announcements. One of them being the next game of the super popular Far Cry series. Everyone who plays video games knows about the Far Cry series and it is a game that never disappoints. There were rumors about this game back in March and it has to be one of the worst kept secrets of the year. In May, Ubisoft officially announced Far Cry 4 and said that the game will be released on the 18th of November.
At E3, Ubisoft showed the fans some Far Cry 4 gameplay at the Sony Press Conference. The gameplay started off with the protagonist, Ajay Ghale, on a mission to destroy an enemy caravan. Things go south and Ajay has to escape in order to survive. Ajay jumps off a cliff, deploys his wing suit and glides down to a beautiful valley. There he gets to a enemy fortress which he has to infiltrate and capture. That’s when Ajay calls for back-up and we see another character on a mini helicopter who helps our character infiltrate the base and helps us by killing a few enemies as well.
This indicated a co-op campaign or at least a few co-op mission but fans wondered if players would be able to play these co-op missions on Split-Screen or will they only be able to play these missions online.
During the E3 Preview of Far Cry 4, PlayStationLifeStyle got a chance to talk to the Technical Director Cedric Decelle about the games multiplayer. PlayStationLifeStyle asked whether the game will be a Split-Screen or a Online Co-Op only, to which Decelle replied by saying “online co-op only”. This will answer the question fans have been asking for quite some time now.
PlayStationLifeStyle also asked Decelle about the competitive multiplayer for Far Cry 4 and he replied by saying, “This is a secret for now.” So Ubisoft have something up their sleeve with the competitive multiplayer and hopefully they will reveal their secrets soon.
We can’t count out the possibility of a Split-Screen Co-Op as the game is still in development and there is still a chance for change.
We can expect to see more info regarding the game in August at GamesCom. Hopefully we will see a Co-Op campaign because the idea of 2 players playing together and taking on the enemy sounds a lot more fun than a solo campaign.
Far Cry 4 comes out on the 18th of November and it will be available on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC.
Far Cry 4 Fary Cry PC Playstation 3 Playstation 4 Sony Ubisoft Ubisoft Montreal Xbox One
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Microsoft Confirms The Acquisition of Minecraft Developer Mojang
Microsoft has confirmed that they have bought Minecraft developer Mojang. This deal has been rumored to cost them $2.5 billion.
Minecraft is an incredibly popular world builder simulator that originally launched on PC in 2009. It has been downloaded more than 100 million times on a wide variety of devices including smartphones, PC, and consoles. Minecraft was recently released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and was in-development for the PlayStation Vita.
Speaking on this occasion, Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox Division confirmed the deal and added:
Our relationship with Mojang began when we initially talked to the team about bringing Minecraft to the console. Minecraft quickly became the top online game on Xbox Live, with over two billion hours played on Xbox 360 in the last two years. That working relationship set the ground work for other opportunities. We’ve long seen the incredible potential of Minecraft.
At Microsoft, we believe in the power of content to unite people. Minecraft adds diversity to our game portfolio and helps us reach new gamers across multiple platforms. Gaming is the top activity across devices and we see great potential to continue to grow the Minecraft community and nurture the franchise. That is why we plan to continue to make Minecraft available across platforms – including iOS, Android and PlayStation, in addition to Xbox and PC.
Phil Spencer has stressed that Microsoft has no plan of dropping support for their rival platforms. A PlayStation Vita version of Minecraft was currently in-development, to be released soon. The game was also released recently on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
What do you think about this news? Let us know in the comments below.
Microsoft Minecraft
Minecraft Update Version 1.94 Full Patch Notes For PS4
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Weird MLB 14: The Show Glitch: Textures Fail To Load On The PS4
Glitches are common in most video games, and the same is the case here in Sony’s latest MLB 14: The Show in the PS4.
According to various reports, MLB 14: The Show is having issues with loading the textures of the game on the PS4. This glitch results in a weird look where most of the characters and environment textures fail to stream and load in the game. You can take a look at this glitch in the image below.
You can also see this glitch in action in the form of a video below.
[youtube width=”602″ height=”350″ video_id=”TuoDoELzTMY”]
MLB 14: The Show is one of the many games to be offered as ‘Day 1 Digital’ program, although due to technical reasons, it wasn’t made available to these users day 1. If you are interested in knowing the install size of the digital version of the game, it is about 37.5 GB. The game also supports cross-save with the Vita and PS3 version of the game, so you can carry over your progress between either of these versions and continue from there.
Have you experienced any glitches in MLB 14: The Show on the PS4? Let us know in the comments below.
MLB 14: The Show PS4 Sony
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Samurai Shodown Review (PS4)
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Women, Vatican, Terry Mattingly, Sex, Pope Francis, LGBTQ, International News, Clergy, Catholicism, Podcasts
Do Catholics have one -- singular -- sexual-abuse crisis? No, the reality is worse than that
We have now — at the Vatican’s clergy sexual abuse meeting — reached a stage in the proceedings that will be familiar to reporters who frequent ecclesiastical meetings of this kind.
After a few headline-friendly opening remarks, there will usually be a long parade of semi-academic speakers who offer complex, nuanced and ultimately unquotable remarks about the topic of the day. As a rule, these papers are written in deep-church code that can only be understood — maybe — by insiders.
Long ago, I covered a U.S. Catholic bishops meeting that included pronouncements on the moral status of nuclear weapons. During one address, the speaker veered into Latin when stating his thesis. At a press conference, I asked the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin if that passage in Latin had been (in my words) a “preemptive strike on American headline writers.” The cardinal smiled and said one word — “yes.”
Try to quote that in a hard-news story.
At the end of things, reporters can expect a formal statement prepared by the powers that be that organized the event. We can also expect some kind of television-friendly rite of repentance.
At this point, it’s probably easier to focus on what is not being said, rather than what the Vatican’s chosen speakers are carefully saying. Also, we can look back into the history of this crisis, in order to anticipate what will end up happening. We did a little of both during this week’s “Crossroads” podcast (click here to tune that in).
Pope Francis stated that the goal of this event was to take concrete steps to stop the abuse of “children,” the “little ones.” The church has been rocked by a “pedophilia” crisis, he said.
That’s what was said. Journalist Sandro Magister offered this commentary on what was not said:
… The big no-show was the word “homosexuality.” And this in spite of the fact that the great bulk of the abuse tabulated so far has taken place with young or very young males, past the threshold of puberty.
The word “homosexuality” did not appear in the pope’s inaugural discourse, nor in the 21 “points of reflection” that he had distributed in the hall, nor in the introductory talks by Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, and, in the afternoon, Cardinal Rubén Salazar Gómez
Scicluna on the contrary, when questioned in this regard at the midday press conference, said that “generalizing on a category of persons is never legitimate,” because homosexuality “is not something that predisposes one to sin,” because if anything what causes this inclination is “concupiscence.”
This is consistent with one viewpoint that’s common in the Catholic establishment: This crisis is about pedophilia. Period.
This can be seen in a must-read feature at the Atlantic about the work of Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, a crucial figure in efforts to boost reform efforts during this long, long crisis. For example, Pope Francis put O’Malley in charge of the new Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors back in 2014.
However, O’Malley has gone further than that — even calling for an investigation into who promoted former cardinal Theodore McCarrick and who protected him during decades of rumors about his private affairs.
One of the buzz topics in Rome, these days, is why O’Malley is not playing a major role in the current conference. Has he been too blunt, too candid, for the circle around Pope Francis?
However, here is the short quote that I want to note in the Atlantic piece. During the interview, O’Malley kept “bringing up a document called the Dallas Charter. This document, written in 2002, established reporting practices, disciplinary standards, and safeguards” for handling abuse accusations against priests (as opposed to bishops). There is solid evidence that the Dallas Charter has been effective. Thus, there was this:
The problem, O’Malley repeatedly suggested, is mostly fixed in the U.S. It just requires tinkering around the edges.
Wait, what is “the problem” — singular — that has been fixed? Is it accurate to say that this crisis, which started making headlines in the mid-1980s, is about “one” problem or “one” issue"?
Stop and think about this: Are we talking about “one” kind of abuse? At the very least, there are five different kinds of sexual scandals linked to Catholic clergy.
* Sexual acts with pre-pubescent children, both male and female (pedophilia).
* Sex with teen-agers (ephebophilia), almost always with young males. Reports have indicated this is about 80 percent of the crisis.
* The abuse of laity — male and female.
* The abuse of seminarians under the direct control of church leaders. See also, the abuse of nuns.
* Consensual sex between clergy and adults — male and female — that violate celibacy vows.
So is there “one” problem? Note that this list doesn’t even address the crucial issue of church leaders covering up accusations and even proof of these various sins and, in most cases, crimes.
Some conservatives want to say that the whole crisis — singular — is about homosexuality. Many other Catholics want to say that homosexuality has nothing to do with the crisis. Both approaches fail to explain crucial details and patterns in this tragic drama.
The bottom line: The abuse of children and teens is at the heart of this crisis. But that’s just part of the story. Note this passage in the Atlantic piece, which looks to the future:
Problem solving in the early years was all about crisis management: Acknowledge the wrongdoing. Remove the offenders and those who covered up their actions. Settle the lawsuits. Put local policies in place to keep children safe in the future.
The problems that have lingered since then are much more structural in nature, and arguably more intractable. This is the era that O’Malley and his generation of senior clergy will be remembered for: the years after the initial crisis, when even the sincerest reformers were often stymied by bureaucracy, reticence, and delay.
Enjoy the podcast. And keep reading the news and commentary out of Rome. Let us know what you see and hear, in our comments pages.
Tagged: clergy sexual abuse, Sandro Magister, pedophilia, ephebophilia, Rome, Atlantic, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Dallas charter, Theodore McCarrick, Homosexuality
Newer PostThe 'Catholic Church' destroyed files about abuse cases. OK, who did this? Where? Everywhere?
Older PostFriday Five: Centers of the religion news universe, plus Alexa orders toilet paper during sermon
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GA Artist Feature: Sunny Eaton
The soul of Nicaragua
Girls Surf Too
Mayan Medicine
Beach Rhythm
Little Boxes
Sunny Eaton
Hierve El Agua
“My adventure was more than just my desire to travel or to be free from the constraints of doing the same thing every day. It was for more than a bucket list item. It was for more than just, me.
It was for you.
You – who are unable to be single or do anything alone.
You – who don’t know who you are because you are scared about getting out of your comfort zone.
You – who have daughters and are inadvertently raising them to be hyper-concerned about being a victim.
I’m not brave. I’m not fearless. I just refuse to let those emotions rule my thoughts. I believe in overcoming all obstacles, and that means the “what ifs” of life and in adventure.
To make decisions based on extremes doesn’t just put boundaries on where your feet go, it limits your mind and more importantly, your heart.
The spirit of my adventure was to harness the influential women of the past to empower the fearful women of today. I did it to challenge you to say, “Why can’t I?””
— Veronica Remsbottom
Sunny Eaton, Esq., born in 1976, at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Raised by a mother made of steel and high hopes.
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology Major – Ball State University; Juris Doctor (JD) University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law
Sunny Eaton was predestined to follow a winding path, ultimately becoming what she was always meant to be: an attorney and a nomad photographer. Moving around a lot throughout her childhood, she went to high school in Germany, and Tennessee. In previous iterations, Eaton has been a family therapist, a foster parent recruiter, a behavioral science specialist in the Army and the Shoney’s mascot bear.
These days, Eaton is a criminal defense attorney, a partner at Eastside Legal in Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to that she was an attorney with the Nashville Public Defender’s office, a position she held with pride, and the place where she began to understand how much about life, and the world, she had yet to understand. She learned precisely how vitally important it is to shed light on the realities of people, and truths of their stories, beyond the surface narratives of a case summary or statistical representation.
Out of a constant, pounding desire to discover these truths, and to live a life less ordinary, Sunny has been living life on the road since 2015, traveling by car down the Pan-American Highway through Mexico and Central America, with her wife, Karin and their dog, Gracie. South America is next on the docket.
A love of adventures and an obsession with the details of the world around her, have naturally led her to a passion for photography. Eaton considers herself an average photographer who has stumbled into a world of extraordinary subject matter.
She photographs the world around her as she sees it. Not the poverty-stricken, violent Central America burned into our brains from media sensationalism, but the current realities: the people, the beauty, the everyday ordinary existence of a misunderstood, highly underrated region that she just can’t get enough of.
The social justice warrior in Eaton has not allowed her to simply travel and turn her back on the issues facing people at home. It was most surprising to her that she was unable to do so. Out of a need to be involved, to do something, anything, while on the road, Eaton formed The LGBT Legal Relief Fund (www.lgbtlegalrelieffund.com), an organization that connects LGBT individuals and families with supportive, knowledgeable attorneys willing to help them obtain legal protections at a discounted or free rate. The Fund, when able, assists with filing fees, adoption home studies and additional legal costs.
Sunny Eaton is currently compiling a book on women of the road, a study of those who travel and adventure regularly across borders by car, motorcycle and bicycle.
Website and Social Handles:
www.vagabroads.com
IG: @thevagabroads
photo gallery (constantly changing and updating): www.vagabroads.smugmug.com
FB: www.facebook.com/vagabroads
GIRL ATTORNEY ARTIST FEATURE:
The GA ARTIST FEATURE comes to us, from my childhood memories of when my dad received his monthly copy of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). JAMA has always featured on the cover - as in, the entire cover - a PIECE OF ART. Not a body part, not a doc, not a piece of medical equipment - but, ART. Even when I moved away to go to college (+/- a million years ago), my dad would tear off the covers/art he thought I would like, and mail them to me. JAMA’s decision to put art front, center, top – struck me then, as it does now, that no matter the work, life, and journey of an adult – ART can and should be a priority. It teaches, inspires, encourages, and challenges. It is with these intentions, and high hopes, for the ARTIST FEATURE that the GIRL ATTORNEY, LLC website will feature the art of artists - who are also GIRL ATTORNEYS.
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The Journey of Card Games
There is no exact record of when or how the card games have emerged, however, it is quite known that this type of game is a classic amongst all countries and cultures. Some card games were created and used by different cultures, but, in the 1400s the French created the most used card deck on the globe, thus, solidifying the card games as an important and constantly present game. With that said, in this article, you will be presented to some aspects and history of card games that can, or not, be already known.
First of all, card games were created centuries ago with the intent of creating a joyful pastime that could gather two or more persons. As time went by, its simplistic, yet fun, the capacity of joining people together resulted in it becoming a famous type of game that can be played amongst friends, family or even strangers. Furthermore, its capacity of providing entertainment anywhere – because of its portability – and for short space of time, besides not requiring the player to think hard all the time, allowed its popularity to rise even more. If that not enough, most of the card games can be played as desired because there are no written rules, therefore, it can be changed to adapt to the players’ wants and needs.
While most card games are informal and can be passed through generations, which will change the rules or not, some other games are already officialized and have a distinct set of rules which the player needs to respect. Poker (Texas Hold ‘Em), for example, is an American card game which requires bets from the players. It possibly originated from workers of the Gold Rush, who, after a long day of work, wanted to have fun by playing cards together. It first started as a friendly competition with a simple – and sometimes futile – bets, but, as time went by, the game acquired bigger proportions and started to require valuable things as bets. Furthermore, after the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed, the Poker got bigger and bigger and is currently quite a popular card game, even being shown on the television now.
Other games, such as Solitaire, were created to be played through rounds by a group of people, but, as it evolved, it eventually became a one-person game, where the player plays against the deck itself. Unlike Poker, Solitaire was the first card game to be made for computers, remaining as the most famous card games for PCs up until this day. While Poker requires the player to have an online connection to be able to play against others, the Solitaire allows the user to play anywhere with or without the internet connection.
There is no record of how card games have emerged, however, it is true that it is the most famous and old type of entertainment. Therefore, the card games have accomplished their goal of bringing different groups of people together without the formality of a serious game. This type of entertainment is the most advisable one if you are looking for some fun and light-hearted diversion, or even some high-quality alone time. On the other hand, it is also perfect for those who desire to join a competitive match with important and courageous decisions, such as bets.
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Manoranjan Mohanty - Book Talk: "China’s Transformation: The Success Story and the Success Trap"
Monograph Series
New Frontiers in Asian Scholarship
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Apr 9 4:00–5:30pm
K262, CGIS Knafel, 1737 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA
Manoranjan Mohanty (Distinguished Professor, Council for Social Development, New Delhi; Honorary Fellow, Institute of Chinese Studies; Former Professor of Political Science, University of Delhi)
Chair: Elizabeth Perry (Henry Rosovsky Professor of Government, Harvard University; Director, Harvard-Yenching Institute)
Co-sponsored with the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies
The book provides insights into the economic and social transformation that China has undergone from 1979 to the present. Based on the author’s research in China for over three decades, China’s Transformation: The Success Story and the Success Trap shows how its ‘reform and open door’ policy evolved and helped achieve tremendous economic success. However, it also generated serious social and environmental problems. The book presents that the consequences of this success story of growth are so strong that it has been difficult for China to change its main development path to achieve a desirable level of equity and sustainability. The author describes this as the ‘success trap’ that China is currently grappling with. The author argues that China’s reform path is grounded in the premises of the European Industrial Revolution backed by strong sociopolitical forces at home, indicating that a major change in the development path is unlikely. However, all indications point to a strong and prosperous China as a rising world power in the coming decades, trying to cope with the sociopolitical problems in its own way.
About the speaker: Manoranjan Mohanty is a renowned political scientist and China scholar whose writings have focused on theoretical and empirical dimensions of social movements, human rights, the development experience and the regional role of India and China. As Vice-President of the Council for Social Development (CSD) and Editor of CSD’s social science journal Social Change, published by SAGE, he brings a wealth of experience from both policy and practice perspectives. He is also Chairperson, Development Research Institute, Bhubaneswar, and Honorary Fellow, Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS), Delhi. Until 2004, he was Director, Developing Countries Research Centre, and Professor of Political Science at University of Delhi where he taught until his retirement. Former Chairperson and Director of ICS and former Editor of China Report, he has been on visiting assignments in several universities and research institutes in India and abroad including University of California, Berkeley; Institute of Far Eastern Studies, Moscow, Oxford, Beijing, Copenhagen, Lagos; University of California, Santa Barbara; and the New School, New York. Professor Mohanty has been a part of the founding and evolution of ICS, the Developing Countries Research Centre at University of Delhi and Gabeshana Chakra and Development Research Institute in Odisha. He has also been closely involved with the People’s Union for Democratic Rights, Delhi, and the Pakistan–India People’s Forum for Democracy since their inception. He was part of the founding process of the Boao Forum for Asia in China and REGGEN, the Third-World sustainable development network in Brazil. His other contributions include ‘China’s Reforms: The Wuxi Story’ in China after 1978: Craters in the Moon (2010), Ideology Matters: China from Mao Zedong to Xi Jinping (2014), ‘Political Discourse on Public Sector Reforms in India and China’ in Public Sector Reforms in China (2014) and ‘India, China and the Emerging Process of Building a Just World’ in Building a Just World: Essays in Honour of Muchkund Dubey (2015).
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Football - Mens Sports
Longhorns in the NFL: Week 11 via TexasSports.com | Horns Illustrated
Posted on November 19, 2014 by James Schleicher |
(image via ESPN)
(Story via TexasSports.com)
In week 11 of the NFL season, 37 Longhorns were on rosters and two were coaching, representing a total of 22 organizations. Here is how they fared:
• OLB Sam Acho made one tackle for a loss in Arizona's 14-6 victory over the Detroit Lions. The Cardinals are 9-1 on the year, and have a three-game lead in the NFC West Division over the defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers.
• C Lyle Sendlein started up front for the Cardinals, and helped the offense pass for 306 yards in the victory.
• OLB Alex Okafor started, recording two sacks and three total tackles in the win. Okafor leads the Cardinals with five sacks this season.
• OG Justin Blalock started and helped the Falcons to 346 total yards of offense and a 19-17 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
• OT Jonathan Scott was inactive for the game.
• PK Justin Tucker and the Ravens were on a bye.
• CB Aaron Ross is on injured reserve.
• Aaron Williams rcorded four tackles in the Bills' 22-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Williams is fifth on the Bills with 43 tackles this year.
• WR Marquise Goodwin was inactive for the game due to hip and rib injuries.
• RB Fozzy Whittaker ran the ball three times for 11 yards (3.67 ypc) in the Panthers' 19-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He also had a 46-yard kickoff return in the game.
• CB Carrington Byndom is on the practice squad.
• RB Chris Ogbonnaya was inactive for the game
• OG Trey Hopkins is on the injured reserve list.
• DE Lamarr Houston will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.
• DT Henry Melton, OL Donald Hawkins, OL Tony Hills and the Dallas Cowboys were on their bye week.
• DT Chris Whaley is on the injured reserve list.
• DE Cory Redding started and recorded a quarterback pressure in the Colts' 42-20 loss the the New England Patriots.
• DT Roy Miller and the Jaguars were on a bye.
• RB Jamaal Charles rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries (8.0 ypc) in Kansas City's 24-20 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Charles also caught two passes for 19 yards (9.5 ypc) on the afternoon. It was his first 100-yard rushing game of the season and the 22nd of his career. Charles has 10 total touchdowns on the year, the third most in the league, and has scored at least one TD in the last five games.
• LB Derrick Johnson is on the injured reserve list and will miss the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
• DS Cullen Loeffler successfully snapped for two made field goals and four punts in Minnesota's 21-13 loss to the Chicago Bears.
• DE Brian Robison started and recorded a quarterback pressure in the loss.
• S Kenny Vaccaro started and recorded three tackles in the Saints' 27-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Vaccaro is third on the team with 49 tackles this season.
• CB Chykie Brown deflected a pass and made three tackles in the Giants' 16-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
• CB Tarell Brown started and deflected a pass and made four stops in Oakland's 13-6 loss to the San Diego Chargers. He is fifth on the team with 46 tackles this year.
• LB Emmanuel Acho made two stops in the Eagles' 53-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
• S Adrian Phillips was active but did not play in San Diego's 13-6 win over Oakland.
• PK Phil Dawson made three field goals and an extra point in the 49ers' 16-10 win over the New York Giants. Dawson has made 19 of 22 field goals on the year and is 10th in the NFL with 79 points this season.
• S Earl Thomas started and led the team with 11 tackles in the Seahwaks' 24-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Thomas also forced two fumbles and broke up a pass in the game. He is second on the team with 62 tackles and tied for second with five pass breakups.
• S Michael Griffin started and recorded seven tackles, including one for a loss, and deflected two passes in the Titans' 27-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. Griffin leads Tennessee with 70 tackles this year, and is tied for second in interceptions (2) and sacks (3).
• QB Colt McCoy was active for Washington's 27-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but did not play.
• LB Keenan Robinson once again led the Redskins' defense with seven tackles, including two for a loss, in the game. Robinson has 83 tackles this season which is the 10th most in the NFL.
• DE Jackson Jeffcoat was reassigned to the Redskins practice squad.
• LB Brian Orakpo is out the remainder of the season with a torn pectoral.
• OT Michael Huey was signed to the practice squad.
NFL Week 11
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What Small-Animal Pet Is Most Popular in Each State?
Lil’ Bub Shows the World: ‘Different Is Beautiful’
Advice From Most Veterinarians About This Stinks
TrustedHousesitters analyzed more than 3.5 million posts made on social media to reveal the most talked-about pets in the U.S.
Hedgehogs, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters and mice all ranked near the top as the most-loved small-animal pets
If you’re considering a ferret, rabbit, hedgehog or other small animal as a pet, please do not buy one from a pet store, as you’ll likely be supporting “ferret mills” or “rabbit mills,” which are the equivalent of puppy mills; adopt one from a rescue organization instead
Cats and dogs are by far the most popular pets in the U.S., but they're not the only ones. There are hamsters and hedgehogs, rabbits and ferrets, and a host of other wonderful creatures bringing daily joy to pet-loving Americans.
What's more, the popularity of different pets varies by state, according to a recent study by TrustedHousesitters.1 They analyzed more than 3.5 million posts made on social media to reveal the most talked-about pets in the U.S., according to state. If you're wondering which pet is most popular where you live, aside from the usual cats and dogs (and assuming you live in the U.S.), this is the time to find out!
Most Talked-About Small Animal Pets by US State — Cats and Dogs Excluded
The study broke down talked-about pets into multiple categories: dogs, cats, small animals, reptiles and "everything else." Here we've focused on the most popular small animal pets in each state.2
Most popular in: Alabama, Connecticut, Minnesota, Oregon, Wyoming
Hedgehogs are small, quill-covered animals native to Europe, Africa and Asia, but in the U.S., their popularity is growing as pets. African pygmy hedgehogs (a descriptive name, not a true species) are the domesticated type kept as pets. While undoubtedly adorable and curious creatures, hedgehogs are nocturnal (so they are noisy at night) and can easily become overweight when kept in captivity.
Many pet owners are unaware that they require regular exercise (including an exercise wheel) and supervised time outside of their cage for mental and physical health. Further, hedgies can and do bite, especially if not well-socialized or if startled or frightened.
These pets are illegal in some cities and states, so know the laws in your area before moving forward. If you decide a hedgehog is right for your family, avoid purchasing one via the exotic pet trade, which may capture animals from the wild, and adopt a domesticated hedgehog from a rescue organization instead.
Most popular in: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin
Ferrets can be affectionate and entertaining pets, but, like hedgies, are not legal in all states and cities. They also have a love of chewing everything and anything. In fact, I've removed plenty of foreign objects from the bellies of ferrets, including pencil erasers — swallowed by three different ferrets in one week.
To prevent ferrets and other small pets from ingesting something that could cause an intestinal blockage, be sure to supervise them closely when they're out of their cage and provide suitable chewing options to satisfy this natural urge. Ferrets also require multiple-level houses that allow them to run, tunnel and hide (look for cages exclusively designed for ferrets), as well as a meat-based diet and lots of time outside of their cage.
Most popular in: Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas
There are more than 3 million pet rabbits in the U.S.,3 which require special care, including a species-appropriate diet of fresh hay and vegetables and treats such as apples, raspberries, bananas, pineapples and strawberries. Rabbits should be kept indoors, as they're sensitive to extreme weather and temperatures.
While a large cage is required, rabbits still need plenty of time to roam around outside of the cage in a bunny-proofed area. Rabbits (like guinea pigs, chinchillas and rodents) have teeth that keep growing, so it's natural for them to chew objects to help grind down their teeth.
So be sure your rabbit doesn't have access to dangerous items like electrical cords or children's toys. The key is to provide safe objects for your bunny to chew, including wooden chew toys. There are many rabbits looking for homes at rescue organizations across the U.S.
Most popular in: Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah, West Virginia
Syrian hamsters (the most popular type for pets) are solitary and must live alone (one hamster only per cage). They grow to about 6 inches in length and have an average lifespan of 1.5 to 2 years. In addition to the "basics" — food, water, a wheel for running — hamsters will enjoy a place to hide, burrow and sleep inside their enclosure, so be sure to put a small box with an entrance hole or a small flower pot in the cage.
Hamsters also like to crawl through tunnels, which you can easily make at home out of cardboard toilet paper or paper towel tubes. Cage enrichment items, such as hammocks, ledges and chew toys, should be considered essential as well, as they've been shown to make your hamster happier.
Most popular in: New Jersey
Mice are nocturnal, social creatures that do best in pairs or more (but be sure to keep same-sex pairs). They enjoy cages with several levels and "furniture" to mimic surroundings similar to the burrows where their wild counterparts live. This will cater to their nesting instinct, and they enjoy nesting materials made up of long strips of paper or cloth along with opaque or semi-opaque nest-boxes.4
If you're considering a ferret, rabbit, hedgehog or other small animal as a pet, please do not buy one from a pet store, as you'll likely be supporting "ferret mills" or "rabbit mills," which are the equivalent of puppy mills. Adopt one from a rescue organization instead.
1 Trusted Housesitters, The Most Popular Pets by State
2 Insider July 19, 2018
3 AVMA, 2012 U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics
4 Lab Animals. 1998 Jan;32(1):36-41
Previous Article Lil’ Bub Shows the World: ‘Different Is Beautiful’
Next Article Advice From Most Veterinarians About This Stinks
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The Witch’s Broom, part I
Helen Hwang and others at the Mago Circle have been sharing ideas about the sacred broom, and I felt inspired to do a bit of research regarding the use of this magical tool in Western witchcraft. Quickly pulling books off my shelf, I soon had a pile of information that was far too extensive for a blog post. I think I’ll stay with this topic for a few weeks, however, and approach a piece of the subject each week from a different perspective.
The first thing that we have to grapple with when we talk about the broom as a magical tool is that the sacred broom is not really a broom, not in the way it is commonly understood as a utensil for sweeping debris off the floor. So what is it? Is it the act of sweeping that makes the broom magical? Is it a cleaning application in the realm of etheric energies? Is it some quality in the materials sewn into the part that sweeps? Is it some quality in the handle? Does it relate to the broom’s relationship to the house? As we will see, all of these things play into the magical power of the broom.
When we talk about witches riding their brooms, the cliched expression is “riding on their broomsticks.” Yet we don’t ordinarily refer to the handle of the broom in other contexts. For example, if I wanted someone to pass a broom to me, I would say, “hand me the broom,” not “hand me the broomstick.” Magically speaking, the stick in broomstick warrants examination.
Witches in animal form on a riding pole. From a 15th century French witch-hunting manual.
In Witchcraft for Tomorrow Gardnerian priestess Doreen Valiente says,
The wand is the magical weapon of invocation; but among witches it sometimes took the form of the riding pole, upon which they performed the traditional jumping dance to make the crops grow tall. This dance was probably the origin of the idea that witches used broomsticks or staffs to fly through the air upon….
To dance over the ground with a pole or staff between the legs is an obvious phallic gesture of the old fertility rites. Hence the end of the riding pole was often carved in the shape of a phallus. This, however, marked the staff as an obvious magical object, an adjunct of the Old Religion that was dangerous to have leaning against one’s cottage wall in the times of persecution. So the phallic riding pole had its carved end disguised with a bunch of twigs and became the witch’s broomstick.
Despite (or because of) its phallic symbolism, the broom is traditionally a woman’s magical tool, although Radmir Ristic in Balkan Traditional Witchcraft says there was at one time a type of broom associated with threshing that men used. The type of wood used in the handle influences the magic. Ash, the World Tree in Germanic lore, is the most common traditional wood, but there are no hard and fast rules here.
The broom in the photograph is my own broom. It is a handmade broom given to me as a gift. Instead of a phallic tip, there is the face of a bearded man carved into the handle. The wood is mesquite, which is the tree witches in the Sonora Desert commonly use for magical implements. It is a medium sized, thorny tree with hard wood and very tiny leaves. The flowers, like the wood, are highly aromatic and attract legions of bees. The honey has a strong distinctive flavor. Mesquite produces pods that can be ground into flour or boiled to make a sweet thick beverage. Since the mesquite tree produces sweet abundance in a tough environment, it brings a life-giving, sustaining quality to the broom magic, similar to the wood from the World Tree.
My next installment of this series will discuss the “sweepy” part of the broom.
Ristic, Radomir. Balkan Traditional Witchcraft. Translated by Michael C. Carter, Jr. Los Angeles: Pendraig Publishers, 2009.
Valiente, Doreen. Witchcraft for Tomorrow. Custer, WA: Phoenix Publishing, 1987.
Categories: Magical Tools
Tags: broom
2 Comments on The Witch’s Broom, part I
Welcome, Pagan Blog Project!
The Pagan Blog Project.
Good Morning, Little Dove
Mourning Doves. Photo by R.L. Sivaprasad.
The Iseum (space of worship) chartered through me by The Fellowship of Isis is called The Temple of the Doves. Why doves? The dove is one of the feathery creatures most beloved of the goddess, and a particular favorite of a divinity close to my heart: the goddess Ishtar.
Reverence for the dove is ancient and enduring, possibly extending back to the Stone Age. According to Marija Gimbutas, “Small birds were sculpted, engraved, and painted throughout prehistory. In Minoan Crete they appear perching on shrines, pillars, and the Goddess’s head. Unfortunately, it is not possible to recognize the species of birds portrayed, except in a very few cases.” Since doves and other pigeons like to roost in large buildings, and the first building complexes were places of worship, the religious significance of the dove may have grown up around the temple. Devotees would have assumed the doves came to bring messages from the sky gods or to carry prayers back to them. These doves would not have been exclusively the subjects and messengers of any god in particular, instead serving the deity of the temple where they lived.
As we move from decayed artifacts to religious writing, the sacred role of doves becomes less obscure. Sumerian hymns refer to doves as temple inhabitants and the dove plays an important role in both the Babylonian and Hebrew accounts of the Great Flood. Doves and other pigeons were commonly sacrificed in Mesopotamia, the Levant and (to a lesser extent) Egypt. Dove sacrifice was particularly important in early Judaism, and doves are the most frequently appearing birds in the Old Testament. Doves would have been sacrificial candidates due to their value (they were used for food and fertilizer) and their easy availabilty, but their temple association was probably a key component. The demand for sacrificial doves was so high that, inconceivable as it sounds, doves and other pigeons were actually bred in large numbers for the temples.
Scholars believe that the dove association with the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar came late, which fits with my surmise that doves originally served many mistresses. Astarte, who is a fertility goddess like Ishtar, had an extensive cult throughout the Levant and is unquestionably linked with doves. Today it is the dove, rather than the original lion, that goddess worshippers most often associate with Ishtar. The dove’s plump, curving features, her gurgling coos and her soft, sweet melodies carry a voluptuous aura which naturally evokes this goddess of sexual love.
The early Christian sects, who worshipped a feminine form of wisdom they called Sophia, linked Sophia with the white dove, also one of Aphrodite’s many animal totems. Recognition of Sophia withered under patriarchal Christianity, though her worship has been revived in some of the more liberal churches. Her dove emblem continues as the symbol of the Holy Ghost.
Doves have always been close personal friends of mine. As a child, I would sit in my room listening to the mourning doves on the wires outside my window, and it felt like they were speaking to my heart. Even today, I think their music is one of the most beautiful and soothing sounds in nature.
Cooper, J.C. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols. London: Thames and Hudson, 1978.
Gimbutas, Marija. The Language of the Goddess. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1989.
MacKenzie, Donald A. Myths of Babylonia and Assyria, 1915. Sacred Texts.
Walker, Barbara. The Woman’s Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985.
More information about the pigeon family here.
Tags: Astarte, doves, Ishtar, Mesopotamia
It’s nice to see the celebration of love flourishing again in the land of Ishtar.
It’s Witchcraft
Ol’ Blue Eyes Sinatra
Song by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh
It’s such an ancient pitch
But one I wouldn’t switch
Cause there’s no nicer witch than you
The Divine Woodpecker
Gilded Flicker. Photo by Glenn Seplak.
One of the most startling experiences for people new to the Sonora Desert is the loud metallic rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat that rattles the early mornings. It sounds like a machine gun. It’s made by Mars, the god of war, in his woodpecker form.
When I first moved to the desert, the earliest thought that would enter my drowsy morning brain was, “Those stupid woodpeckers. They don’t know the difference between a tree and a heating vent.” But when you decide people or animals are doing something because they’re stupid, it’s usually because you yourself are ignorant. Desert Gilded Woodpeckers love those aluminium roof vents because they make a loud noise. Mars is also the god of metal. And they’re not looking for battle; they’re showing off for the girls. Woodpeckers make noises to signal that they’re looking for a mate. Or they’re defining territory. Or they’re drumming for some other reason, but at any rate the whole purpose is to make the biggest racket possible. They think that’s really cool. In time the rattling becomes like the coyote chorus: one of those familiar comforting sounds of the desert.
Mars was not, originally, the god of war. He was the father-god who brought bread to the divine Roman twins while their wolf-mother nursed them. Male woodpeckers do most of the work scraping out the family home, and they help incubate eggs and care for the young. A woodpecker god would naturally be the archetype for the nurturing male.
Robert Graves agrees that Mars was not originally a war god, calling him a “Spring-Dionysus” figure. During the Greco-Roman era, Mars became conflated with the Greek Ares, who according to Graves was originally a Thracian god given the hateful “war god” moniker as a reflection of Athenian attitudes toward the Thracians. Classical Greeks had a more ambivalent attitude toward war than Romans of the early Common Era, viewing war as a threat to prosperity rather than a means of sustaining it.
Properly speaking, no deity is a war deity, or else they all are. When people go to war, they invoke their protective deity to aid them in the battle, be it Athena or Mars or Andraste. I’ve seen pictures of rebels with the Virgin Mary painted on their rifle butts, and we certainly wouldn’t call her a warrior goddess. In glossaries a good three-quarters of the Celtic goddesses are identified as warrior goddesses, but this mostly reflects the understanding of the Romans, who focused their studies on the behavior of their Celtic adversaries in war.
After Mars became conflated with Ares, he gained a great deal of prominence as a war deity in a culture that was by this time centered (and dependent) on military prowess. Still, Mars was also invoked as father and civic leader, reflecting an importance among the Latin tribes that long preceded Rome’s ascendance as a military power. That he was not necessarily seen as a war deity is reflected in the other gods he became conflated with, such as Mars Nodens (for the Celtic healing god Nodens) or Mars Silvanus (for the Roman–possibly Etruscan–god of the countryside).
The modern strict association of Mars with war has affected how we view the planet Mars, the astrological sign of Aries (ruled by Mars), and even the beginning of spring. Michael Jordan says that March is named for the god Mars because of “its violent weather.” We do think of March as violent, but is it really, compared to say, November, when harsh weather begins, or February, when bitter cold can claim toes and noses? Was the March weather violent in Italy 3,000 years ago? When we think of Mars as woodpecker rather than warrior, the association with the first month of spring doesn’t take a lot of thought or empirical data. This is when woodpeckers are dating–and making a lot of racket in the process.
We think of Aries people as combative, but are they really? Do people view Aries, and do Aries view themselves, as combative due to the warrior reputation of Mars? Comparing Aries to woodpeckers, would aggression be interpreted as defense of territory and protection of vulnerable dependents?
We think of the planet Mars as bloody, because it’s red, but is Mars stained with bloodshed or red like the throat, head or wings of the various woodpecker species?
Mars is now retrograde, a phenomenon that only happens every couple of years. For me, retrogrades are times when we review, reflect and re-examine things. Perhaps this is a good time to be rethinking Mars.
Robert Graves. The Greek Myths. London: Penguin Books, 1960.
Michael Jordan. Encyclopedia of Gods. New York: Facts on File, 1993.
For another unconventional look at Aries, see my post from 2009 from Yellow Birch School.
Why would anyone provide acoustic support for woodpeckers? The folks at this site have a blueprint if you’re interested.
Tags: Aries, Mars, wolves, woodpeckers
Sometimes the Monkeys Win One
A chuckle for those who haven’t seen it yet. Vermont correctional inmates pull an adolescent prank. As a social worker I’ve encountered my share of game players, as well as professionals who became distraught each and every time they were outfoxed. Myself I try not to take it personally and to say, “Oh well, another alcoholic/addict/sociopath tricked me. Isn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last.”
Sorting Through the Games
Lovers' trump from Visconti tarot, Italy circa 1445. Photo courtesy of Cary collection of playing cards, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.
My very old-fashioned family of origin would casually tell fortunes as they indulged in their passion for card playing. Actually, they called it “what the cards were saying,” and it was based on the patterns that emerged during the game. During my very first game of euchre, my great-grandmother drew cards that disconcerted her and my mother. “I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything,” my mother insisted, though she later voiced apprehension in the car on the way home while my father tried to reassure her. Meanwhile my grandmother, having received a portent that the end was nigh, became nostalgic and sorted through an old box of keepsakes, trying on the wedding ring she no longer wore. We know this because the ring was on her finger and the contents of the box were spread on the bed beside her when she was found the next morning, dead from an unsuspected heart problem. Of course my mother suffered self-recriminations later, having recognized and explained away the signs. I’m not sure that anything could have been done. There is a place in the hospital for people who have received a death message in a euchre spread, but it’s not on the cardiac floor.
Euchre is a game which evolved, like so many others, from the French triomphe: the tarot. While today the tarot is usually associated with divination or instruction, it was once a form of entertainment. The tarot cards, in turn, developed from sets of cards introduced by Arabs into Italy and Spain in the fourteenth century. These Arabic cards had ten numbered cards in four suits–sticks, swords, coins and cups–along with three decorative cards for each suit. These cards were much like the ordinary playing cards we have today.
Conventional wisdom tells us the tarot continued solely as a game for centuries and only much later became a form of divination. This is highly implausible. In the medieval and early modern mind, the world was not divided into discrete categories of meaning and non-meaning. Everything had meaning; and pictures, whether well or badly drawn, were highly symbolic in their content. In a world where God (or the devil) spoke continually, divination could not be delegated to a separate sphere of life. Whatever the four suits meant to the Arabs (and they undoubtedly meant something), the suits in the card deck, the numbers on the cards, and the king, queen, knight and knave all held significance in the mind of the European player. With the introduction of the “trumps” — the major arcana — deeper and more complex meanings could be garnered. Divination would naturally be occurring in the course of a game because meaninglessness and triviality had not yet been invented.
Yet this is not the only reason for supposing the cards were fraught with divinatory meaning from the first time they were shuffled. When historians describe tarot as a “game” this is actually a euphemism for gambling. Early card games — not just the tarot — were a channel for gambling passions. Anyone who has known a gambler knows the extreme significance placed on the elements of the game. Eventually everything
surrounding the bet becomes so steeped in meaning that life outside the gambling arena takes on a comparative sense of unreality. In this regard it is interesting that in China, where the very earliest playing cards have been documented, passion for gambling is longstanding and integral to traditional culture, while divinatory insight is complex, preoccupying and pervasive. Gamblers have no corner on the market for superstition, but to suppose that tarot cards were used for centuries in gambling before they were used for divination stretches credibility.
Several German keys for divination with playing cards appeared between 1505 in 1543, and an Italian system appeared in 1540. These books are usually not considered relevant to tarot divination because they refer to ordinary playing cards. Around 1750 the first written summary of divinatory meanings for the major arcana appeared. This is the sole basis for the common assertion that tarot card divination did not exist for the three centuries following development of the tarot. Why a written manual so late in the game? One explanation is that during the eighteenth century a broad array of sciences were being systematized and recorded, many for the first time. We would expect a tarot key to appear during this time, and the absence of an earlier one does not preclude the existence of tarot divination before this time. Indeed, it says very little one way or the other.
Playing cards and tarot are not much different in origin and early usage, and divination does not occupy a separate, contained sphere of life. It is plausible and consistent with the few available facts to assume that tarot cards were used for divination from the beginning.
Rita Aero. Things Chinese. Garden City, NY: Dolphin Books, 1980.
International Playing Card Society, History of Playing Cards
Jean-Claude Flornoy, Tarot History and Tarot Divination
Mary K. Greer, Lola Lucas, K. Frank Jensen, Timeline of the Occult and Divinatory Tarot
Paul Huson. Mystical Origins of the Tarot. Rochester, VT: Destiny Books, 2004.
Robert Swiryn. The Secrets of the Tarot. Kapaa, HI: Pau Hana Publishing, 2010.
Tarotpedia, Francesco Marcoloni
Trionfi, Oldest Evidence for Divination with Cards
Categories: Tarot
Tags: divination, pagan history
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OPINION: Can technology save the liberal arts?
Study looks at online and traditional classrooms
by Loni Bordoloi Pazich
Loni Bordoloi Pazich, program director at The Teagle Foundation.
It’s a balancing act.
Liberal-arts colleges remain under pressure to reduce the cost of attendance while maintaining a commitment to academic excellence.
Recent research points to technology as part of the solution.
Gains in student learning, in well-designed online or hybrid courses, are comparable to or may exceed those from in-person instruction — while simultaneously offering cost advantages.
The Teagle Foundation partnered with Ithaka S+R to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of an initiative designed to achieve these aims.
Related: How to save the humanities? Make them a requirement toward a business degree
The Teagle grant supported course-sharing and online module development at more than 35 institutions and organizations, and engaged more than 180 faculty and staff between 2014 and 2017. Here is what we learned:
Student learning in hybrid and traditional classrooms is comparable. At a minimum, we wanted to ensure we were doing no harm. We found that faculty-reported gains in student learning in Teagle-funded hybrid or online courses were comparable to gains in traditional classrooms, in line with research findings to date. For instance, nearly half of participating faculty reported that the depth of learning in their hybrid courses surpassed the depth of learning in analogous, traditionally taught courses. Another 43 percent reported that the depth of learning was equivalent in the two kinds of courses.
Technology may bend the cost curve over the long run, but program areas need to be strategically selected. It’s not uncommon for campuses to offer incentives to faculty who incorporate technology into individual courses. While that approach might be beneficial for individual faculty members, it misses an opportunity to build a program that harnesses technology and is financially sustainable. The goal must be to develop a coordinated set of courses that can be shared and/or rotated so that individual campus partners can field more courses and programs than they might be able to on their own.
“Ultimately, the process of engaging with technology validated and enhanced faculty members’ commitment to teaching and learning in the arts and sciences.”
For example, three of the liberal-arts colleges in the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges of Pennsylvania have jointly developed a minor in Documentary Studies as part of their film and media studies offerings. The participating campuses have co-designed required components for the minor, which is delivered in a hybrid mode and on a schedule that rotates among the campuses through cross-registration.
Similarly, five of the insitutions in the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges are working to develop a “virtual” department in Native American and Indigenous Studies and are developing a shared roster of courses in history, literature, philosophy and religious studies that emphasize the knowledge and experience of indigenous peoples in North America. The program provides students with access to scholars who would otherwise be out of reach. For example, the one archeologist on staff across the five participating campuses developed an anthropology course, delivered as a hybrid seminar in the spring and followed by a summer field school where students excavated indigenous artifacts on Block Island, 13 miles off the coast of Rhode Island.
Support is necessary for hybrid learning approaches to be successful. One recent survey found that 23 percent of faculty have worked with instructional designers. In the Teagle-funded projects, that figure exceeded 90 percent. More than 77 percent of faculty participating in the Teagle grants reported needing no more than 25 hours of an instructional designer’s time in developing and teaching their courses over the course of a semester; a subset of 44 percent of faculty needed fewer than 10 hours of time. The collaboration with instructional designers reduced frustration and enabled faculty members to invest their energy in what they do best, which is delivering their subject-matter expertise.
Related: Dealing with digital distraction
Even if you build it, students may not come. Building a student audience for these courses may take more time and coordination than initially expected. In Teagle-funded hybrid courses, only four percent of faculty reported enrollment higher than for similar face-to-face courses. The subject matter of the courses likely contributed to this finding, as did logistical and scheduling barriers that limited the number of students from other campuses who enrolled in the courses. Greater cross-institutional coordination on these issues is another way in which a strong consortium could prove valuable.
Weekly Update Future of Learning Higher Education Mississippi Learning
Technology can lead to an unexpected renewal in teaching — both online and in traditional classrooms. Faculty members are often stereotyped as being reflexively anti-technology, but we found that engagement with instructional technology improved their attitudes about it and even helped them rethink their roles and practices as instructors. For example, faculty, librarians and instructional designers at four campus partners — St. Norbert, Augustana and Elmhurst Colleges, and Illinois Wesleyan University — collaboratively designed a series of online modules that teach fundamental skills to first-year students. The experience of reflecting on topics such as evaluating sources or crafting presentations, from the perspective of novice learners, helped faculty develop their programs.
Participants across the funded projects reported two other unanticipated benefits. First, they appreciated the ability to spend more class time on in-depth discussion and application after students learned foundational concepts primarily outside of class.
Second, they were able to diversify the student make-up of their courses, and introduce a broader range of perspectives that enhanced classroom discussions.
Ultimately, the process of engaging with technology validated and enhanced faculty members’ commitment to teaching and learning in the arts and sciences. In fact, the experience was so positive that three-quarters of the participants will run their hybrid courses again in the 2017-18 academic year.
In an anonymous survey, one faculty member wrote, “I would encourage my peers to engage in hybrid/online teaching because it not only benefits students but also the faculty members who participate in this additional mode of teaching and learning!”
This story was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for our newsletter.
Loni Bordoloi Pazich is program director at The Teagle Foundation, responsible for the foundation’s “Hybrid Learning and the Residential Liberal Arts Experience” initiative. A full report, with findings from the evaluation, is available here.
Loni Bordoloi Pazich
Loni Bordoloi Pazich is program director at The Teagle Foundation, responsible for the Foundation’s “Hybrid Learning and the Residential Liberal Arts Experience” initiative. See Archive
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Home > Course Catalog > All Talk: Dialogue Intensive
All Talk: Dialogue Intensive
Dialogue can be the bane of a writer’s existence or great fun. In this class, we’ll aim for the latter. Through eavesdropping, roleplay, scenes from Mad Men, and even a smidgen of applied linguistics, we’ll work on writing dialogue that is realistic, lively, and rich in subtext. We’ll read stories and excerpts from the likes of Lydia Davis, Toni Morrison, Sam Lipsyte, and Etgar Keret. Students will write one new scene and come away with techniques for countless more.
Instructor: Anca Szilágyi
$85.50 Member Price:
$95.00 General Price:
Anca Szilágyi
Anca L. Szilágyi is the author of Daughters of the Air, a novel which Shelf Awareness called “a striking debut from a writer to watch” and which The Seattle Review of Books called “a creation of unearthly talents.” Her prose appears in Lilith Magazine, Los Angeles Review of Books, and Electric Literature, among other publications. She is the recipient of awards from Artist Trust, 4Culture, Jack Straw Cultural Center, Made at Hugo House, and Vermont Studio Center.
Teaching philosophy: Compassion is at the heart of both good teaching and good writing. Having an open mind to students’ needs and desires is essential to helping them get inspired and stretch their minds and their art. Variety and flexibility, therefore, drive my approach to teaching writing. I am committed to bringing students a range of practical tools and creative stimuli.
Writers I return to: Anton Chekhov and Mavis Gallant, Jorge Luis Borges and Italo Calvino, Margaret Atwood and Angela Carter
Favorite writing advice: "Whenever you're stuck in a piece of writing, think of what's most unholy. Then do that." -Heather McHugh
Past Student Feedback:
“I really enjoyed your class. It’s the most helpful one I’ve taken to date, and in large part because of the time you take for individual feedback. I also thought the story selection for readings was spot-on, and the exercises were fun and generative. I have a few new stories from those exercises that I’m excited to delve into further.”
“Anca is incredibly knowledgeable and kind in her critiques. I learned a lot just reviewing stories with her and the class. This has directly affected my own writing.”
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Tag Archives: Christian Broadcast Network
Brian Houston’s convenient memory loss on how he treated his “best friend”
Posted by churchwatcher in Associations, Brian Houston's Beliefs, Hillsong Associations, Hillsong Conference, Hillsong Fascism, Hillsong Scandal, Hillsong Testimonies, Hillsong worship, Insiders, Marketing, News Headlines
bobbie houston, Brian Houston, bullock, CBN, Christian Broadcast Network, cover up, coverup, deceit, geoff bullock, Hillsong cult, Hillsong music, hillsong worship, houston, levin, liar, lies, Live Love Lead, Live Love Leer, Live Love Lie, Meeuwsen, mental disorder, narcissist, narcissistic, people in glass houses, psychopath, sociopath, tanya levin, Terry Meeuwsen, worship
One reason why we started Church Watch was because we noticed popular cults starting to rewrite their history. Specifically C3 and Hillsong.
In his book, ‘Live Love Lead,’ Brian Houston of Hillsong lied about his history in how he dealt with his father’s crimes and victims (he also added new information to the story that was not disclosed at the Royal Commission). The stories he told the media also contradicted his story at the Royal Commission.
He has also been promoting the lie that he started CLC/Hillsong (switching histories to suit whatever agenda). He also insists that he founded his church at Hills in 1983. This is now being refuted as well.
The philosophy with Hillsong is this: if your history doesn’t make you look good, change it or cover it up. And Brian Houston has had lots of experience with this (as we are about to find out).
EIC – no morals, no ethics, no Christianity. Just a network to promote stuff that sounds Christian to consumers.
Recently, Brian Houston was focusing on the Evangelical Industrial Complex (EIC) in America to sell his new book ‘Live Love Lead.’ Terry Meeuwsen appeared to make Houston nervous while he promoted his material on the Christian Broadcast Network. She raised the issue of Houston’s terrible experience losing his “best friend” in 1995. His body language indicated that he clearly was not comfortable with Meeuwsen throwing this experience in his face. (Watch at 7:10 onwards.)
CBN TRANSCRIPT
Terry Meeuwsen: “… When I think of Hillsong, I think of praise and worship because those songs are sung in my own church and the churches of so many of us. And God actually used the disappointment and the surprise of a leader leaving – a key lead- THE leader of your worship team, and yet God did an amazing thing.
Brian Houston: “You mean right back in 1995?
Terry Meeuwsen: Yeah.
Brian Houston: So it’s 20 years ago? It’s true.
We were on the edge of recording with ah- Integrity Music here in America. And of course we’re Down Under, like, you know, its already amazing that, that um- people were reaching out to us.
And so, the week that it was about to happen – and ah- I still don’t even understand it. I still to this day don’t understand it. But our worship leader walked out. [Behaviour gets antsy] And literally walked out. Like literally left my life- left our lives- and he was like a best friend, so there’s huge grief involved. [Rubs loose tooth?] And uh-
But the incredible thing in it all is that the only person I could turn to was a lady called Darlene Zschech. And of course Darlene Zschech is well-known now around the globe. So I kind of, as well as I could, I gently pushed her forward. I rang Integrity Music. And incredibly they never had a woman lead one of their projects at that time. So it was quite a big thing for them. But it turned out to be an amazing story.”
[Drinks cup of water]
That worship leader and “best friend” to Brian Houston in 1995 was Geoff Bullock.
Geoff Bullock was the man that gave Christian Life Centre the name Hillsong and helped put Hillsong on the map for it’s outstanding musical events and it’s famous music. Just like many others who made Hillsong what it is today, Brian Houston simply rode on the coat-tails of his “friends” who made Hillsong what it is.
So how does Brian Houston treat his best friends? Did he really suffer memory loss on the CBN set? To answer that question, we will look at Brian Houston’s book ‘You Can Change the Future’, Tanya Levin’s book ‘People in Glass Houses’ and finally read what Geoff Bullock himself said about his experience.
Tanya Levin wrote about Geoff Bullock in her book ‘People in Glass Houses’:
“Geoff left Hillsong in late 1995. I knew that his marriage had broken down and had remarried but, not having stayed in touch with the Christian music scene, not much else. The Geoff that I shared cappuccinos with was the same man as always. Same piercing blue eyes, soft mannerisms, and a voice born for the BBC. Geoff is not, by nature, an AoG salesman. Rather he represents a large group of artists who are attracted to the Pentecostal church by the opportunity for creative expression for Jesus.
What I didn’t expect was the brokenness. Although I had worked with people from a diversity of backgrounds for years, I assumed all the old wise men of God were naturally of stronger character than me, Over the time we spoke I found it not to be so. It was Geoff’s openness and willingness to talk that prepared me for a world of people damaged for the long-term by the work of Hillsong and the AoG.
Geoff says he remembers having episodes of mania when he was a child, although he wasn’t diagnosed with symptoms of any kind until after he left Hillsong. He sees a therapist to work on his long periods of depression, which are often followed by episodes of intense creativity. The other obstacle in his life is the nightmares he suffers dating from the time with Hillsong, an off-shoot of his post-traumatic stress diagnosis.
As the Hillsong conference expanded in the late eighties, so did Geoff’s responsibilities and pressures. He and his wife, Janine, were expected to spend infinite hours away from their children to run the music department. International interest in the music grew and so did Geoff’s profile. The couple travelled extensively with the Praise and Worship team, and personally with their old friends Brian and Bobbie. Despite the bright lights and the glory, his music career at it’s peak, Geoff was finding less satisfaction and spirituality in what he was doing.
After the most successful conference yet, Hillsong ’95, Geoff went to Brian and told him he was leaving. It was time, he felt, spiritually, to pursue other interests. Nothing personal.
Geoff Bullock had left a career with ABC-TV as a production manager to become a pastor with the Hills Christian Life Centre in 1978. For nearly twenty years he was able to use those skills to produce Hillsong music, and the show that accompanied it. During that time he wrote, produced and performed countless songs, and released seven albums. Because Hillsong still uses those songs, has remixed them and re-released them, Geoff’s royalties are growing at the same rate as Hillsong.
Which is lucky for Geoff. Hillsong did everything in its power to prevent his future success. Due to speak at a bible college occasion soon after leaving, he received a phone call with a sudden apology. Hillsong had informed the bible college that any associations with Geoff Bullock meant no further association with Hillsong. Christian magazines were told the same thing. Piles of the CD Geoff was about to release were found dumped at a tip in Blacktown, not far from Hillsong headquarters.
In Bobbie’s I’ll Have What She’s Having, this period is clearly referred to (the emphases are hers):
In July 1995, we witnesses a wonderful HILLSONG Leadership Conference. It was our 9th conference and in our nation and in our context of influence, to put it delicately- ‘we put the wind up the devil!!!’ Stories would flood into our offices of churches and towns being turned upside down with a revival spirit. God is good (all the time). Brian and I took a week to tie up loose ends and then together with our friends Pat and Liz Mesiti we took a little holiday. (I think God was just being terribly kind to give us a rest, because he knew what lay around the next bend.)
We came home a week later, stepped off the plane (‘hello, hello … lovely to see you … we missed you all … had a lovely time!’) and literally all hell broke out with one of our key people. It was the first and only time that something like this had happened to us. (I must admit prior to that conference I sensed something brewing, and had called our pastors wives to prayer.)
… For the next several months it was as though demons came out of the woodwork on every front. When attacks come from every side it is a sure sign that you are doing something right (which is contrary to some people’s belief). We experienced a barrage of attack-cancer, accidents, stinking thinking, people throwing in the towel, disloyalty in our team that disappointed our heart, devil induced confusion, opposition and fine thread ‘cancerous attitude’ bent on contaminating and taking out this particular Body of Christ.
Eventually, a Hillsong board member had lunch with Geoff. ‘We tried to destroy you,’ he told him. ‘until we realised you weren’t a threat.’ Geoff continues to work and write music, though he gave up performing years ago.
The nightmares remain one of the most intrusive spillovers from the old days. Three of four times a week he dreams about Hillsong events, being humiliated by Brian’s demands, being screamed at, berated and bullied along the way. His psyche is deeply affected. He is very aware that he, too, became a bully. Years later, Geoff has tried to make amends to many people he treated ruthlessly in order to avoid punishment from above.
At the end of our first meeting at a café, Geoff is exhausted. He tells me he feels drained by the remembering. I realise I have stumbled into a much more serious affliction in people’s lives than I had anticipated.”
Source: Tanya Levin, People in Glass Houses, Published: Black Inc., Melbourne, VIC: 2007, pg. 242-4.
Brian Houston writes of his best friend this way in his book ‘You Can Change the Future’ (a book that attempted to cover up his father’s crimes as a paedophile and exalted as a role model for others to follow):
Commitment to the right vehicle
“When I was a little boy, I had a scooter. As I got older, I rode a three-wheeled trike before I got my first bicycle. One day my father took me down to the shops and as I sat impatiently waiting for him in the car, all of sudden [sic] he came around the corner with a shining green bicycle. It was my pride and joy. Of course getting my first car was an unforgettable moment in my life. It was a ’57 Austin A50. It was also green and it cost me $650.
Many people desire to make an impact on the generations but rely on old vehicles to get there. Imagine me trying to fulfil my overseas speaking engagements via my original scooter or bicycle! You need the right vehicle and the right associations to enable God to take you forward. You may have a great vision to impact the earth, but alone you cannot do as much as you could together with others. If you are in associations which are holding you back or on a vehicle that is moving too slowly, stretch yourself by stepping into the mainstream and being committed to going forward.
I have been blessed to pastor at least four world-class songwriters, and many others heading in the same direction. I cannot take credit for their anointing or their God-given gifts, but I do have a sense of satisfaction about their opportunity. The Hillsong Church is a vehicle that has taken their songs to the world. One of these writers, who severed their link to our church several years ago, told me how they were writing more songs than ever before. Interestingly, it is only the songs that were written within the local church that I have heard anybody singing. It seems as though the local church was the vehicle which God was blessing.
Currently, the most sung praise and worship songs in Australian churches have emerged from the life of our church. Obviously that association with Hillsong Church has been very fruitful for people like Darlene Zschech, Ruben Morgan and Russel Fragar. They have obvious talent, a beautiful anointing, but also the right vehicle. Talent and anointing on their own aren’t enough, but placing the right people, in the right place, at the right time, has enormous potential.”
Source: Brian Houston, You Can Change the Future: Living Beyond Today and Impacting the Generations Ahead, Published: Maximised Leadership Incorporated, Australia, 2000, pg. 131-2.
And what did Geoff Bullock had to say about his experience? This is a very insightful interview exposing what Bullock went through, discussing areas of Hillsong’s philosophy, methods and dirty tactics which lead to his swift removal.
And Houston claims he has no idea why Geoff Bullock, his best friend, walked? What other lies and smear campaigns has Brian Houston written about in his book ‘Live Love Lead’? What other media organisations and Christian groups has he publicly mislead and lied to about his past life?
Let the sledge BEGIN!
Terry Allen from the Christian Faith wrote this piece back in 2010:
Geoff Bullock opens up …
We all know his music and we each have a favourite. He is Geoff Bullock. But what do you know about the man? About Geoff as a Christian? About Geoff as a sufferer of bi-polar disorder?
Join Geoff as he discusses his life and ministry with Terry Allen.
Geoff, what have you been doing for the last decade or so?
Oh, what a question! What have I been doing for the last 10 years? I would say I have been learning grace and un-learning working to prove myself.
Now, that is not just in a spiritual situation, that is in a whole of life situation: in my relationships with my kids, with my friends, with [wife] Victoria, especially as a step-father. Learning how to be rather than to do.
Spiritually, that has huge impacts on my life. I wrote two books at the beginning of the century, which was the beginning of that journey. Jesus’ story painted in a way that I hope you could see or visualize the impact he was making on society and the lives of broken hearted people; people without hope.
In the last 10 years I suppose, I would say, combined with that, I have been battling with mental illness: bi-polar type two which has caused all manner of symptoms in my life which has been confronting. One of the main ones being high levels of anxiety, which has seen me come and go publically three times.
I am now 10 years on and I feel the illness is manageable and the greatest gift, I think, is that I have been forced to learn insight into the way I think and the way that I do. I have learnt that by reflection on my past and reflection on the times where I can see the illness in that.
Also, over the last decade, I have had a most surprising return to public profile to tie that journey in to the life of Christ and the hope we see in the cross. So, I think that’s what I’ve been doing.
Life as a Christian, especially with bi-polar disorder, must be difficult. Some Christians believe it is demonic & should be dealt exclusively by prayer. How have you managed it?
Well, the first thing I want to wade in swinging is that I wish the evangelists and those who visit churches, and they arrive one day and leave the other, who drop such dangerous bombs on people’s medical situations; I wish they would go and do some research by sitting down with a psychiatrist and realizing how dangerous their teaching is.
You wouldn’t dare say that to someone with diabetes, but this irresponsible message; all it does is heighten the symptoms twice. You know, they go off medication, they get worse and then, getting worse, they think they must be possessed by demons, so that makes them feel worse and then they are totally without an anchor. Of course the hope of medication and a good psychiatrist is taken away from them, so I get furious about that.
And it’s also totally irrelevant to the gospel. There’s no resemblance to the life of Christ whatsoever. So, those are my little swinging punches.
For me, I do a lot of thinking, prayerful thinking and I think about the life of Christ all the time. Trying to strip away all of the things we’ve said culturally and theologically: strip it away. The drama that was Jesus when he walked into somebody’s life or somebody’s social circumstances: that is of great help to me.
I have a little saying: receiving grace compels us to begin the journey towards becoming gracious. Receiving grace is free but becoming gracious will cost you everything. It will cost you every opinion you have in your life and every bias.
So that has made a huge difference in the way I react to my symptoms because often my symptoms are feelings of rejection and a lack of affirmation and a feeling of isolation.Then I will expect people to do as I want them to do which is to work to prove their love for me as I am working to prove my love for them. So meditating on the life of Christ helps me to challenge that works based expectation of myself and others.
Bi-polar disorder is often suffered by artistic and creative people and one of the symptoms is depression. Have you suffered depression?
Yes, I’ve been absolutely lost in it. It was in 2007, actually it started back in November 2006, I remember vividly when i suddenly realised that I was falling into depression, I was sitting on a sun drenched balcony overlooking the sea and feeling absolutely miserable and that lasted for just on a year.
Obviously, talking to my GP and then my psychiatrist, I began a journey of trying to balance medication and cognitive therapy. I ended up as a day patient at a psychiatric clinic in Sydney, which I think was the beginning of helping me to have insight and, strangely enough, 2008 saw the rebirth of what I’m doing now and I spent a good 18 months of it depressed, but it was wonderful having a mission.
Have you ever felt Christian condemnation over your condition?
No, I don’t think I’ve ever been in that situation, but look, I can be a little outspoken and I have thought really deeply about my condition and so I feel that I have ammunition now. If, for example someone said to me, “Oh, it’s the devil”, which did happen to me once: one of my very, very oldest friends: he is not a man with insight. He does not think deeply and so he has a book of rules that he applies. He started a conversation with me about my depression being demonic and I think my response was strong enough for him to realize that even if he thought I was wrong, he would be wise to step away.
15 years ago you left Hillsong. Why?
Well, I’ve got to say that I was always a round peg in a square hole there. From the beginning of Hillsong’s association with the Word of Faith churches in America, their prosperity doctrine and their very works-based doctrine of spiritual and physical rewards, I just could not tie the gospel together with what they were saying. Not when I looked at Jesus at the cross; I couldn’t understand how they combined the grace of Jesus found in the gospel with the laws of conditional blessings and rewards found in the Old Testament.
They teach that Jesus rewards us according to our works. That is not the work of Christ. Grace is never a reward. We receive grace as a gift according what Jesus accomplished for us.
I actually tried to leave in 1992, but got turned around. It’s important that I say I chose to stay and rededicate all that I could to continue being part of their vision and the outworking of it.
Then, in 1995, I had two major things happening: I had this sensation that I really didn’t know Jesus. I knew Paul’s Jesus, I knew the epistles’ Jesus and Hebrews and I knew my movement’s Jesus: all the preachers and teachers who came through and spoke about him, but in my own life I felt I did not have this sense of meeting him. And so I started a search.
That’s when I wrote the song Jesus, God’s righteousness revealed. Towards the middle of the year, I started to really burn out because I was trying so hard to prove myself worthy of being who I was and trying to prove myself worthy of God’s presence on a Sunday: I had this poor, misguided feeling that if I play really, really well, God will come. It might sound stupid to say it, but it was where I think lots of Church musicians still are.
But after Hillsong ’95 I just felt so broken and so failed, I thought, “Look, I could just fall over dead and no one would notice.” But then I had this profound sense, and it grew: in fact, I would say it was the strongest spiritual encounter I had with God, where he said, through a whole lot of ways, to do something: that I had to go.
And it took three months and a whole lot of conversations, but eventually I wrote a letter and handed it on by a friend. I didn’t have the courage to do it to their face, but I knew that if I didn’t do what I felt God was saying… I had a choice: either I follow God or follow the church.
In the end, I’d rather build my relationship, my spirituality, on trying to discern what God’s saying to me and that’s how I left. And it really was the great divorce. It was unnecessarily bitter and divisive and that I found very confusing.
By saying it was bitter and divisive, do you mean you were stabbed in the back?
Yes, absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt. There were letters written to other churches, there were approaches made to other churches, there was a statement made to the whole church leadership team. They just couldn’t understand what I was doing, but in the end that’s just human and it’s very painful.
One of the hardest things was when my marriage ended three months later people jumped to a conclusion which was so far from the truth. This sad piece of gossip is still believed to be the truth.
Even last weekend I had to retell my story to put events back into the order that they occurred. It would have been lovely if Hillsong helped to put things right. However I simply became the invisible and forgotten man and that hurts deeply. Very deeply. I would have thought that my work there was seen as a blessing.
Unfortunately, I don’t think that rift has ever been repaired. There is nothing to indicate that it has.
Has there been any reaction at Hillsong in recent times to your current ministry?
Well, firstly, I made contact within six months with Brian Houston who was my very best friend at the time. This is really painful stuff and I can fully understand how he felt. I tried to explain as I was slowing gaining insight into what eventually would be bi-polar. I talked about co-dependency, I talked about my spirituality and I would often find that Brian would understand and ‘get it’. I had a chance to go and see most of the elders and senior pastors at that time and try to explain that I was sorry it happened the way it happened. I could have handled it a whole lot better: I handled it very, very poorly. I suppose we both did, but I can only be accountable for myself.
I met with Brian many, many times because I didn’t like the thought that he thought ill of me and misunderstood me, but I also felt that I had wounded him in a way that I wished I hadn’t and that somehow I could take those wounds away or help heal them. So, we’ve had good contact, but as far as the church is concerned, nothing. There’s just been silence, absolute silence.
I must say, when I left and obviously it was getting rather sad, I decided not to contact any of my friends because I felt that if I did, the worst thing they could do is try to understand me because then they would misunderstand the church and I didn’t want to put my friends in the middle of something that was unnecessary but very human. So, I walked away too and that has to be understood.
Funnily enough, I could see something of my bi-polar going way back to when I was 17 and I was at a very good school in Sydney and all of a sudden I decided I had to leave and I left at the end of year 11. I’ve had almost no contact with that school ever since.
The same thing when I left the ABC and the same thing when I left Hillsong. There is a part of me: I just cut my ties and run.
In realising this I have to take responsibility for my actions and not blame others for my sense of isolation. This is a difficult lesson to admit. I must have hurt so many people. However, no matter how I set about leaving I always come back to believing that i made the right decision.
You wrote some of our generation’s favourite songs. They are ones we all sing in Church. How does that make you feel?
Weird. I’ve always been a musician and always written songs but it hadn’t really defined me all that much, so it was very weird when all of a sudden I was writing songs that were defining me. My claim to fame in the early to mid 80’s was that I was a former cameraman with the ABC. I worked on virtually all their programs for 10 years, so that was my claim to fame.
Then I wrote The Power of Your Love and The Heavens Shall Declare and off it all went. And I have really badly battled with it at times because I would feel it placed on me a responsibility to try to be someone I wasn’t. And that was hard and unnecessary, but I would still feel this pressure. People would come and tell me these stories and I wouldn’t know how to answer.
The way I relate to it now is that I just feel like I have very successful children, which I gave birth to. They’ve now gone and travelled the world, they’ve made a huge impact in their own right and I look back remembering their birth, but looking at their independence. I think that’s by and large how I relate to it now.
Many of the songs you wrote, you now sing with revised lyrics. Why?
Well, I suppose it’s because I remember who I was when I wrote the song. I remember my approach to God and I remember what was a real disfunctionality. Yes, it was the result of an undiagnosed illness, but it was also an error of theology. An error of grace or rather an error of works in grace.
When Paul says in Galatians, “You foolish Galatians.” ‘You silly things. It had to be done by the Spirit; what are you doing completing it by works?’
Well, that was me. I sort of felt like it was a one-time grace or two-time grace. You went back to God asking for forgiveness, you hung your head in shame, but then you tried to prove yourself worthy of it all. I was constantly striving and therefore constantly burning out.
I was so fierce on myself. I would just push myself and push myself and I would never receive any comfort because I would always be measuring myself and coming up short. I didn’t count myself worthy of comfort. I could never be than man of god that significant others were telling me I should be.
In the middle of this sad and broken time I became aware, ever so gently, that grace was embracing me. I started to realise that I hadn’t fallen from grace, I had fallen into it. I was no less righteous; I had simply lost my sense of self righteousness. Yes, there were consequences but I became increasingly aware that Jesus had come to give me hope and to help me to be accountable to all these consequences.
So, grace became my only anchor, sort of like lifeboat drill. When you’re a sailor and you do lifeboat drill it is usually in an Olympic swimming pool, but when you are in the middle of Bass Strait, you suddenly discover how effective this lifeboat is.
And so the phrase, “Lord, I come to you,” I was saying that in frustration. “Oh Lord I’m sorry. I should be there with you but I’m not. Here I come again. I come to you again.” And then the prayer, “Lord, hold me close” is like saying “Please hold me close because I don’t think you are holding me close at the moment. I think perhaps you turned away again because you are as frustrated with me as I am.”
The wonderful truth is that the “Lord you come to me to let my heart be changed, renewed flowing from the grace that I found in you” that the “weaknesses that I see in me are being stripped away by the power of your love.” Isn’t that so wonderful? Sometimes I wonder if we simply don’t understand what God has already done for us in Jesus.
So I changed that song to a confession of what God has done. It’s not “hold me close” but “you hold me close”. No matter how dry and disappointed I am, to be able to say to myself, “It’s okay, he’s holding you. You’re depressed, life is tough, but nothing’s changed between you and God. You’re not a disappointment.” And perhaps that also relates back to my experience with my father.
You would hope every Christian, certainly evangelicals, would be pleased that you are looking for ways to ground your songs in God’s word, because if they are not Scriptural we should not be singing them. However, in the case of The Power of Your Love, and I’m thinking in particular of that line you mentioned: “Lord I come to you,” Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all you who are weary and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” So the idea of us coming to God is not un-Biblical, therefore there is no need to completely re-hash all of your songs is there?
No, but you see the greatest thing about Jesus saying “Come to me,” is he wasn’t calling to me from the other end of heaven waiting for me to work and struggle all the way to him. Jesus came to mankind to say “Come to me”. And that’s outrageous when you really think about that. God put on flesh to come personally. I mean, he could have sent a postcard, he could have written in the sky, but he came personally to dwell as a human being.
Jesus has come to hold us close, to draw us to his side, to comfort us, to speak healing to our wounded souls. He comes propelled by a mission of such eternal and unconditional love.
For this current generation, singing in church has become synonymous with worship. Why is that? And how would you describe the current state of Christian music?
First, I think we need to look at ‘worship’ again. And I think ‘worship’ as our response to Jesus could be a whole lot of other things before we turn it into songs. The intimacy between a husband and wife is expressed many ways before it becomes a love song and that love song will speak of a life of love rather than a love song about love itself.
And I think we’re in error here. I’m not saying don’t sing or play. I think that’s fabulous; it gets down into the soul. Many of the lyrics we sing are great theological truths, mind you, many of them aren’t, but if we could get a grip on God becoming flesh to come to us, Jesus living a life of grace, love, forgiveness, mercy with his last dying words announcing forgiveness and then living a life that responds to his life. How wonderful could that be.
For me worship is my response to the grace of Jesus. This response is my choice to become gracious, to become loving, accepting, merciful, forgiving. This journey needs grace for every step, however, this journey will start its work of transformation in me and hopefully through my life: a worship that flows from grace becoming graciousness in us. A worship that is seen in our relationships with the world around us. A worship that cries “grace” to our leaders, the media, our friends and our enemies.
Does this mean we don’t sing anymore? Not at all. It simply means that our songs are more about worship rather than being worship. Yes, of course there is time for celebration, for adoration, for a corporate time of singing songs of love thankfulness but we will be on a wonderful journey discovering that there is so much more than we have ever realised. I think our songs would be more wonderful, but I think our worship lives would be even more wondrous and I think the way the church’s interaction with our world could be far more a work of love than us simply singing songs on a Sunday morning.
So now I’m wondering what elements have to go in to make a good Christian song. Is it difficult to write a song which has both a good “hook” and good theology?
Yes it is. I must admit, these days I write from experience first, or from meditation first. Almost every song I write is about brokenness being repaired in the most extraordinary way. So I start, I suppose, with my own sense of being overwhelmed with who God is when I see him from my own brokenness.
Then I try and work that into good poetry that has flow, a little bit of repetition but especially that each line contains a picture that is bigger than the words. Then, working that into a melody that can fly; that can float, so you can close your eyes and be caught up in just a beautiful melody.
Or you can turn the melody off, just read the words and become caught up in the words: a piece of poetry. But you put it together and I suppose I hope that people go, “Oh, my goodness, that’s me. How wonderful!” That it hits their life, not just their soul.
You have been a Christian for over 30 years. You’ve had highs and lows. Looking back over that time, what can you say you have learnt about God and what advice would you give to a young Christian about how they should prioritise their life?
What I’ve learnt about God is just the overwhelming amazement that God would do the Jesus story. He didn’t have to. He just didn’t have to. He lived in this huge creation of trillions and trillions of stars and constellations and whatever. That God would make a bee line to broken people finds me simply awestruck!
It appears to me that Jesus did not come to establish Christianity, he did not come to start a movement, he came to meet one person here, and one person there. Broken people, hopeless people, people like me, like you. Jesus did not come to reward us; there’s no reward in it. He came to give hope and he came to affirm the most unlikely people.
Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why he was crucified, because he put everybody’s nose out of joint, he was a disappointment to so many people who wanted a messiah in the image of their needs and theologies. Jesus was not a preacher of righteousness, he was a bringer of hope to the unrighteous, the poor in spirit. He didn’t start a campaign to overthrow the Romans, he affirmed a Roman centurion as having more faith than all of Israel.
He allowed a prostitute to anoint him with oil with her hair… Jesus was decidedly “ungodly”. This Jesus excites me because the more I look at him, the more I meditate on his life, the more grace I see.And that’s a growing thing, it continues in my life. This is the truth, it’s not just something I’ve learnt to do to get myself seminars & concerts. It is a constant source of amazement.
So I would say to a young Christian, “Look, this is different to any other relationship you’ve got. You don’t have to prove yourself worthy. You don’t have to dress up, know the right words to say or the right actions to make. You are totally free to be just who you are. You don’t have to have faith. There is no hurry. Ahead of you is a lifetime of discovery. Jesus offers his life, he holds it out to you. It’s free. It’s a gift. God comes to bring hope to the good times and the bad times, the times when we make mistakes, some truly awful mistakes. This Jesus shows us an acceptance that gives us the hope that we can walk forward with his comfort, his peace, his grace and his love. I have found that, in my life, a life that has had its considerable challenges, that I am slowly being renewed and transformed. And that’s really quite amazing.
Geoff, thank you for what you have given in service of the kingdom over the years and for enriching the lives of so many congregations who have sung your songs over and over. We pray the Lord will bless your ministry in whatever time remains. May you make the most of it.
Thank you for the opportunity of being part of what you are doing. And if you hear of anybody who wants that message, you know where I am.
Source: By Terry Allen, Geoff Bullock opens up…, Christian Faith, http://www.christianfaith.com/resources/geoff-bullock-opens-up, Published 29/09/2010. (Accessed 20/09/2015.)
Once again, Brian Houston comes across as an unstable man, ruling with an iron fist in a movement where he demands things are done his way. If Geoff Bullock was his “best friend”, why did Brian Houston and his empire destroy him? Why is everything always about Brian Houston? How come Houston is the victim… again?
Geoff Bullock repented of his sins and sought reconciliation to those he damaged. However, Brian Houston still refuses to show any sign of the Holy Spirit. No conviction of sin. No repentance. No seeking reconciliation of those he has destroyed.
Only lies, slander and cover up in his books and on national television. Lastly, if this is the way Brian Houston treats his “best friend”, you have to wonder how he treats people he doesn’t know.
WATCH, DISCERN, AVOID
Peter Frølich-Ceresi… on Hillsong’s Bible Hack
Timothy on Hillsong’s Bible Hack
LOL on Hillsong’s Bible Hack
churchwatcher on Hillsong’s Bible Hack
Kel on Hillsong’s Bible Hack
Tattoos, Bieber, Bla… on About Hillsong Church Wat…
Have Christians lost the art of biblical discernment?
A valuable BTWN resource addressing dangers in evangelicalism
Dear Church, it’s time to break up with Emo Jesus.
Cult Of Hillsong: “Sin Files” on Members & Attendees?
Good Christian Radio Resources
Good Church Resources
Good Discernment Websites
Feeling Supportive?
Must-Read Christian Books
The opinions expressed on this site do not necessarily represent the views of all contributors. Each individual is responsible for the facts and opinions contained in his posts. Generally we agree but not always.
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Abby Lee Miller Reveals Why She Can’t Walk After Cancer Battle: The Tumor ‘Choked’ My Spine
Whoopi Goldberg Admits She’s Still Not ‘100%’ Five Mos. After She ‘Nearly Died’ From Pneumonia
Political News Editor
The world almost lost Whoopi Goldberg after her terrifying battle with pneumonia, but ‘The View’ cohost is on the mend. She tells fans that her health is improving by the day, but slowly.
Whoopi Goldberg gave fans a much-needed update about her health following her dramatic pneumonia diagnosis in February, revealing that while she’s doing better, “It’s going to be awhile before i’m back to 100%.” The View cohost, 63, said in a new interview that she’s “very, very lucky” to be alive after contracting the potentially deadly lung infection, which sidelined her from the talk show for six weeks. She told People that she had been feeling rotten on and off for weeks before seeking medical treatment, believing that she had a simple cough and cold. It wasn’t until chatting about her symptoms with her longtime friend, Dr. Jorge E. Rodriguez, that she knew something was wrong. He immediately called her an ambulance after hearing her wheezing on the phone and going in and out of consciousness. “I knew the way the EMT looked at me that I was really sick,” Whoopi recalled. “All the color drained out of his face.”
Whoopi was admitted to the hospital with a 103 degree fever and had to have her lungs drained with a needle twice. “It really took me down, but I’m getting there,” Whoopi said, adding that she feels she’s 70% well, and is slowly working toward a full recovery by making her health her first priority. Since returning to The View on March 18, the EGOT winner does four shows a week instead of the full five. “I’ve cut down on a lot of the stuff that I would normally be doing and I have to rest. There’s no getting around it. In the morning I go and do the show, then afterward I have my other work, and be 3 o’clock, I have to sit down. I have to stop. It’s taking a little while, but I’m getting there.”
About 50,000 Americans die each year from pneumonia, and Whoopi nearly became one of them. “The doctor told me, ‘Listen, you’re not going anywhere tomorrow and you’re not going anywhere next week because you are really sick. You were this close to dying,” she recalled. “In my mind I wasn’t that sick. I hope that this is a cautionary tale for people. You have to take the time to take care of yourself.” She added that the harrowing experience gave her a new outlook on life. “I realize that life is pretty good. Thank God I’m still here. I wouldn’t have been able to finish my book, say things to my grandkids and my great-grandkids. And I’m also just lighter. Don’t get me wrong, people still make me mad, but I don’t get as angry anymore because it’s a waste of time to me now. I’m grateful to be alive.”
More Whoopi Goldberg News:
Bella Thorne Cries & Claps Back At Whoopi Goldberg After Shaming Her For Taking Nude Pics
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Icterus parisorum
Blackbirds (Icteridae)
ICTPAR
The Scott's Oriole has a large range, estimated globally at 2,200,000 square kilometers. Native to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this bird prefers subtropical or tropical shrubland or hot desert ecosystems. The global population of this bird is estimated at 1,600,000 individuals and does not show signs of decline that would necessitate inclusion on the IUCN Red List. For this reason, the current evaluation status of Scott's Oriole is Least Concern.
Scott's Oriole: Medium-sized oriole with black hood extending onto breast and back. Belly and rump are bright yellow. The wings are black with yellow shoulder patches and two white bars. Tail is yellow with thick black tip and central line. Strong direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Scott's Oriole: Breeds in southern California, southern Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas. Spends winters mainly south of the U.S.-Mexico border. Found in desert grassland prairies and mountain canyons, particularly if yucca or palms are present; nests in pinyon-juniper woodlands, sycamores, and cottonwoods.
Scott's Oriole SONGS AND CALLS
Scott's Oriole A1
Call is a repeated, harsh "chuck".
Song is a series of whistled notes, rising and falling in pitch.
"cherk", "jug", "shack", "zhet"
It is one of the first birds to start singing each day, starting before sunrise. It can be heard at all times of the day and throughout most of the summer.
The Scott's Oriole is closely associated with yuccas in much of its range. It forages for insects on the plant, eats nectar fromthe flowers, weaves its nest from fibers taken from dead leaves, and hangs the nest from live leaves.
This bird was named by Darius N. Couch in honour of General Winfield Scott. Although it was later discovered that it had previously been described by Bonaparte, the common name was retained.
A group of orioles are collectively known as a "pitch" and a "split" of orioles.
Black-vented Oriole
The largest taxonomic order of birds, the PASSERIFORMES (pronounced pas-ser-i-FOR-meez), is divided into one hundred eighteen families and encompasses over half the world's known bird species, including many familiar birds such as finches, swallows, thrushes and blackbirds.
The blackbird family, Icteridae (pronounced ik-TER-i-dee), includes one hundred and four species in twenty-seven genera found only in the New World.
There are fifty-seven species of blackbirds in thirteen genera that occur in North America; included in this family are the long-tailed grackles, brightly colored orioles, and the meadowlarks and bobolink of the grasslands.
Blackbirds such as the Red-winged Blackbird are known for their highly social flocking behavior while orioles are more known for their colorful plumage and woven hanging nests. In the case of the meadowlarks, it is their pleasant prairie songs that bring them recognition.
Most blackbirds and orioles are slender, long-tailed birds while the grassland loving meadowlarks, Bobolink and cowbirds have chunkier bodies and short tails. Despite these differences in body shape, all blackbirds share a sharp, straight bill that can be used to forage for both small creatures and grain. All blackbirds also have fairly long legs and strong feet.
Males of several blackbird species have mostly black plumage highlighted by iridescence or bits of bright color such as red markings in the wings or staring yellow eyes. Females lack such attention getting aspects to their plumage but make up for it with subtle browns and streaked patterns that camouflage them while sitting on their nests. Streaked, cryptic plumage also helps hide both sexes of meadowlarks while orioles stand out with striking orange, yellow and black plumages.
In the United States and Canada, blackbird species are primarily birds of non-forest or second growth habitats including wetlands and in the case of meadowlarks and the Bobolink, grasslands. The lone forest dependent species is the Rusty Blackbird; a bird of wooded swamps.
Most blackbirds are short distance migrants that leave the cold north for the milder winters of the southern states although the orioles and the Bobolink undertake long distance migrations to Central and South America.
Most blackbirds are very social in nature with some species taking this behavior to an extreme in southern fields and wetlands during the winter months. In such areas, wintering flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds and grackles can form conglomerations of tens of thousands of birds that fill the country air with their rusty calls and sound of rushing wings.
The Icteridae include some of the most abundant bird species in North America. Nevertheless, two species, the Rusty and Tricolored Blackbirds, are threatened or endangered because of loss of their wetland habitats. One species, the Slender-billed Grackle, is presently listed as extinct, also due to the loss of its wetland habitat.
The blackbird family includes the only brood parasites in North America; the cowbirds. Like the Old World Common Cuckoo, instead of building their own nests, cowbirds leave their eggs in the nests of other species; a behavior that has a negative impact on the host species' nestlings and has contributed to the decline in many songbird species populations. Many species of grackle are mimics, having the ability to reproduce some sounds they commonly hear around them; for those living in developed areas, car alarms are a frequently learned and reproduced sound.
Belly X
The ventral part of the bird, or the area between the flanks on each side and the crissum and breast. Flight muscles are located between the belly and the breast.
Shoulder X
The short feathers overlying the median secondary coverts on the top of the wing. They are located near the back and can be seen as the “first row” of feathers on the birds wing. They are also called marginal coverts and lesser secondary coverts.
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ADELAIDE FILM FESTIVAL Wednesday August 12, 2015
Adelaide Film Festival highlights announced
Suzie Keen
Wednesday August 12, 2015
A scene from SPEAR, a film by Bangarra Dance Theatre artistic director Stephen Page.
Wednesday August 12, 2015 Comments
New movies starring Anthony LaPaglia and Kate Winslet, Oscar-winning director Scott Hicks’ latest film, and the screen debuts of two prominent Australian dance and theatre makers will be highlights of this year’s Adelaide Film Festival.
The world premiere of Hicks’ Highly Strung – described as a story of the passion and obsession surrounding the rare 18th-century Guadagnini violins, and featuring the Australian String Quartet – will open the festival on October 15.
“It’s great to see him back on the big screen in Adelaide with a film that’s been made here,” festival creative director Amanda Duthie says of Hicks, who also directed music films Shine, based on the life of pianist David Helfgott, and 2007’s Glass: A Portrait of Phillip in Twelve Parts.
“It [Highly Strung] is really an exploration of these extraordinary instruments that are all antiques but are carried around and played and enjoyed and give so much pleasure … they still incite so much love and even obsession after all these years.”
Other highlights announced today ahead of the full program release on September 9 include A Month of Sundays, the new comedy-drama by director Matt Saville (The Slap) which was filmed in Adelaide and stars Anthony LaPaglia, and The Dressmaker, based on Rosalie Ham’s novel of the same name and featuring Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth and Judy Davis.
The artistic director of Adelaide’s Windmill Theatre, Rosemary Myers, will make her film directing debut with Girl Asleep, an adaptation of the company’s play presented at last year’s Adelaide Festival.
Described as a girl’s own adventure, the story sees a teenager propelled to a weird parallel place on her 15th birthday and features a cast including Adelaide rising star Tilda Cobham-Hervey, from the 2013 Film Festival hit 52 Tuesdays.
Both Girl Asleep and Bangarra Dance Theatre artistic director Stephen Page’s film, SPEAR, were supported by the HIVE Fund, which encourages cross-genre screen-based projects. SPEAR features dancers from Bangarra, and follows the journey of a young Aboriginal man caught between the traditions of his culture and contemporary urban life.
“Here you have Rosemary Myers and Stephen Page, who are so well regarded in theatre and dance, bringing all of those powers and all of those skills to the big screen,” Duthie says.
She says Myers, already highly respected for her theatre direction, is a born filmmaker.
“It [Girl Asleep] is completely divine … an amazing feature debut.
“The transition from stage to screen is pretty seamless. What’s noticeable is how utterly fresh her direction for the screen is. There’s a feeling you are watching something special.”
Closer Productions, the SA-based collective behind 52 Tuesdays, will present feature documentary Sam Klemke’s Time Machine, which sprung from American filmmaker and satirist Sam Klemke’s project to document every year of his life on film, beginning in 1977.
There will also be a special 21st anniversary screening of Rolf de Heer’s cult classic Bad Boy Bubby at Port Adelaide’s Waterside Workers Hall during the Film Festival.
The film, about a man who finally escapes after 30 years spent trapped in his mother’s apartment, will be presented for the first time in binaural sound thanks to microphones that sound recordist James Currie placed under lead actor Nicholas Hope’s wig. Audience members at the Waterside screening will wear headsets so they are “plugged into” Bubby’s experience.
“It’s startling to think that 22 years after Bad Boy Bubby confounded everyone, including me, by winning five prizes at the Venice Film Festival, and 21 years after it was released to an unsuspecting general public, the film is still ticking away, being shown, being seen, being loved and loathed in probable equal measure,” de Heer says.
The 2015 Adelaide Film Festival will include the opening at the Samstag Museum of visual artist Hossein Valamanesh’s new work, Char Soo, a four-screen video projection filmed in an Iranian bazaar.
The 2015 Adelaide Film Festival will run from October 15-25.
Adelaide Film Festival
More Arts & Culture stories
Suzie Keen Tuesday, July 16
Steve Evans Monday, July 15
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You are here : India » Nct Of Delhi » North » Sadar Bazar » Delhi » Delhi
Delhi Municipal Corporation (Sadar Bazar Part)
Delhi Municipal Corporation (Sadar Bazar Part), with population of about 1.3 lakh is a part of the main city Delhi city, located in Sadar Bazar sub district of North district in the state Nct Of Delhi in India. There are 6 wards in the city, among them Dmc (u) Ward No 88 is the most populous ward with population of about 46 thousand and Dmc (u) Ward No 80 is the least populous ward with population of 1978.
The city is home to about 1.3 lakh people, among them about 70 thousand (54%) are male and about 60 thousand (46%) are female. 79% of the whole population are from general caste, 21% are from schedule caste. Child (aged under 6 years) population of Delhi municipal corporation (Sadar Bazar part) is 12%, among them 53% are boys and 47% are girls. There are about 26 thousand households in the city and an average 5 persons live in every family.
Hindus contribute 50% of the total population and are the largest religious community in the city followed by Muslims which contribute 47% of the total population and Jains are the third largest religious community here with 2% population.. Female Sex ratio per 1000 male in Hindus are 829 in Muslims are 900 and in Jains are 913.
130,188 65,031 60,869 353 747 334 2,759 2 93
69,837 35,556 32,042 191 385 167 1,442 0 54
Total about 94 thousand people in the city are literate, among them about 52 thousand are male and about 42 thousand are female. Literacy rate (children under 6 are excluded) of Delhi is 82%. 84% of male and 79% of female population are literate here.
Delhi has 35% (about 45 thousand) population engaged in either main or marginal works. 58% male and 7% female population are working population. 56% of total male population are main (full time) workers and 2% are marginal (part time) workers. For women 6% of total female population are main and 1% are marginal workers.
7.3% 6.4% 0.8% 92.7%
Overview of Delhi Municipal Corporation (Sadar Bazar Part)
District North
Sub District Sadar Bazar
No of wards 6
Delhi 69,174 561.3
Wards in Delhi Municipal Corporation (Sadar Bazar Part) (urban part)
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SASKATOONEXPRESS - August 17-23, 2015 - Page 17
Scheer gives thumbs up to UFC card As for the rest of the card, Scheer expects fans will definitely get bang for their bucks. “I’ve seen some of the names of some of the other Canadians that they are bringing on the undercard,” said Scheer. “There were some guys that were on the Ultimate Fighter, when Canada faced Australia. “Some of those guys are really good. It will be interesting to see how their skills have developed since the Ultimate Fighter show.” The card is made of five preliminary fights and six main card battles. The four other main card fights feature three ath-
letes from Montreal. Patrick Cote (22-9) faces Josh Burkman (28-11) of Draper, Utah, in a welterweight fight; Chad Laprise (11-0) battles Francisco Trinaldo (17-4) of Amarante, Piaui, Brazil, in a lightweight tilt; and Olivier Aubin-Mercier (7-1) takes on Tony Sims (12-2) of Denver, Colorado, in another lightweight match. The main card is rounded out by a women’s straw weight tilt between Maryna Moroz (6-0) from Volgorsk, Ukraine, and Valerie Letourneau (7-3) of Coconut Creek, Florida. The Fight Night card is subject to change.
Answers on page 19
don’t understand very much, but everyone likes to watch someone else get punched in the face.” Holloway rides a five-fight winning streak heading into Saskatoon. Out of his 13 wins, five have come via knockout. One was by submission and the rest desisions. Oliveira has won two of his last three fights. Out of his 20 wins, six have come via knockout, nine by submission and five by desision. Scheer expects fans will come away with a good impression of the UFC after seeing the fight between Oliveira and Holloway, which is set for five rounds. “I think it has the potential to be an allout slugfest,” said Scheer. “(Holloway), he is like Hawaiian tough. He will bring his best fight to the forefront. In that fight, I would pick Oliveira for the win just, because he is more well-rounded.” The co-main event was originally set to be a welterweight bout between Rick Story and Erick Silva. Story (18-8), who is rated 10th on the UFC’s welterweight rankings, suffered an injury near the end of his training camp and had to pull out. Replacing Story will be Neil Magny, who is the UFC’s 15th ranked welterweight. Magny (15-5) fought at UFC 190 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 1, where he lost by submission in the second round to Demian Maia of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Before that setback, Magny, who is from Brooklyn, N.Y., had won seven fights in a row. Silva (18-5) has won three of his last four fights, including his last two. The Brazilian has won 11 fights by submission and four by knockout. Scheer was hoping to see the originally scheduled fight between Story and Silva. While Story won’t be in Saskatoon, Scheer expects Silva will put on a good performance.
Darren Steinke Saskatoon Express roy Scheer believes Saskatoon’s upcoming UFC card will give casual and new fans the thrills they are looking for. “I think it is a great opportunity for people who were not fans before to kind of catch the bug,” said Scheer, who is the owner and trainer of Saskatoon’s Scheer’s Martial Arts. “It is one thing to watch an event on TV. It is different to sit at ringside or be in the building and feel the energy of the crowd and the people that are there when you are in a live event. This card is going to be great, because there are some really good fights on it. It should be exciting.” The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Fight Night 74 is set for 4 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the SaskTel Centre. It will mark the first time the top professional promotion in mixed martial arts holds a card in Saskatchewan. Scheer, who trains and promotes local MMA fighters, gives the Saskatoon card high marks. It might not contain names that everyone would know, such as undefeated women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, but Scheer expects lots of action. The main event of the 11-bout card is a featherweight clash between Charles Oliveira (20-4) of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Max Holloway (13-3) of Oahu, Hawaii. Holloway sits fifth in the UFC’s top-15 featherweight rankings, while Oliveira is rated eighth. “Obviously, the Oliveira fight is going to be a good fight,” said Scheer. “That is going to be a scrap. Both of those guys are the kind of guys who are going to stand in front of each other and light each other up. That is very easy for the average or new UFC fan to understand. A lot of AS70378.H17 Aaron the grappling portions of the fight, they
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Saskatoon Express
Saskatoon Express, August 17, 2015
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Street Date: September 16, 2014
Artist Website: BoilingPointBand.com
Rock music is alive and well. Indie band Boiling Point is a prime example of this, especially with their latest release, More. The album opens with the guitar shredding title track. Musically, the production quality is at full capacity and sounds like something that could be heard any day on the radio. The theme of the track is pretty obvious, as lead singer Eric Biorklund sings, "We were made for more," and calls people to rise above circumstances. This premise of overcoming adversity is carried through the album, especially on "Brand New Day" and "Stay With Me." "Put Your Hands Up" is a pure pump-up song but doesn't really feel like anything more than a filler track. However, I'm sure it's a fun song to hear during a live performance. Showcasing a softer side to the band are songs like "When You've Lost It All" and "Ordinary Girl;" their sound resembles what has been released in recent albums by bands like The Museum and The Afters. More concludes with the contemplative "Reason." It's a somewhat melancholy way to end the album as it contrasts with the title track. Instead of reiterating that "we were made for more." it asks for a reason for the life that we live. The contrast is kind of nice to hear but also makes the theme feel purposefully disjointed, which is confusing but intriguing. The truth is, Boiling Point has got the full rock package - killer guitar licks, excellent versatile vocals, slamming drums, and you can feel the music in the speakers. Lyrically, the songs don't sound too different from what may be heard on any mainstream radio station, but as this band is growing and maturing, they have the potential to become a staple band within the CCM scene. Folks looking for some good solid rock with a positive twist will find exactly what they want and need with this album.
No stranger to the limelight, having played their share of big music festivals, indie pop rock band Boiling Point is ready for their next full-length album, More. It's easy to see why the band is popular; their style of music blends poppy hooks and enough alternative rock elements to keep it from being a straight pop album. I can picture this music being consumed by a wide number of Christian music fans. Musically, More is pretty solid, with tracks like "Stay With Me" and "Leave It All Behind" featuring some of the album's best musicianship. "Stay With Me" almost sounds like what you'd get if you mixed House of Heroes with a little hint of Stellar Kart (but only enough to add the pop element to it). The album does have its setbacks as well, though. Nothing too major, but they're fairly evident. There are times when lead vocalist Eric Bjorklund's vocals don't seem to fit the music too well. His vocal style is akin to Kutless' Jon Micah Sumrall (albeit poppier), and the music doesn't really follow suit. It's noticeable mostly in the first song, "More," which has potential to leave the listener dismissing it from the start. But as More progresses, Bjorklund begins to sound more in tune with his surroundings (until the painful chorus of "Put Your Hands Up," that is. It's a good song otherwise, but the chorus of "Put your hands up, put your hands up, come on, put your hands up! Are you ready to go?" doesn't fit the song in the slightest). "When You've Lost It All" is also a notable misstep; it's a paint-by-numbers AC radio contemporary pop anthem that comes directly after a very upbeat rocker (using the term in the relative sense). It's easily the weakest track on this album, and it's surprising, as they end the album on a similar, downbeat worship song and, this time, it's actually not bad. While areas of improvement are clear and necessary for Boiling Point to make a truly great album, their hard work in writing these ten songs ended up making More into a rather enjoyable album. I would recommend it to fans of bands like Phao or A Rotterdam November, who would probably enjoy this album more than most. - Review date: 8/9/14, Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com
Record Label: 13|13b Music
Album length: 10 tracks: 35 minutes, 35 seconds
More (3:39)
Brand New Day (3:27)
When You've Lost It All (3:30)
One Day (3:08)
Stay With Me (3:01)
Put Your Hands Up (3:15)
Ordinary Girl (4:05)
Leave It All Behind (3:59)
Reason (3:51)
Jesus freak Hideout (Ryan Barbee): You guys are really stepping into the Christian market at full-steam. How did you guys come together as a band?
Eric Bjorklund: For all four of us, music was a big part of our lives growing up. We all followed different paths, but those paths eventually came together and led us to form Boiling Point as a way to share God with other people through music. I had the opportunity to travel and do music in different places: I worked as a musician in New York City for a while, then did a program in Colorado for worship leaders. While in Colorado, I felt a pull to form a band back in Minnesota, and Boiling Point came into being soon after that. I had some original songs, so we got together and worked them up for a local battle of the bands. We struggled a bit initially, but with some hard work and perseverance, we grew to the point where we are blessed to be getting some amazing opportunities.
JFH (Ryan): Seriously - the production quality of the album is top notch! How was the recording process?
Eric: Thanks for the compliment! The recording process was probably equal parts frustrating/challenging and exciting/fun! Frustrating for the fact that we were pushed very hard to write the best songs possible and then back those songs up with a great performance in the studio. It was exciting because even when there were times we wanted to pull our hair out, we could tell that this album had the potential to change our future as a band and great potential to reach people. That made the whole process very fun - when you have to stretch to go to the next level is when you grow and succeed. Even though we are an indie band, I think this album is up to par with bands that have major label backing.
JFH (Ryan): What song impacted you all as a band the most and why?
Eric: I can only speak for myself, but the song that impacted me the most in the studio was "Goodbye." My brother (the drummer) and I had lost our mom to cancer less than 9 months before recording that song and I had a tough time getting through the verses without being really emotional. In a way, every time I sang those verses, I felt like I was saying goodbye to my mom all over again. So singing those lines and melodies over and over was very hard for me.
JFH (Ryan): What do you all hope to accomplish with your music?
Eric: In all honesty, we are trying to provide a message of hope and grace through our music. Sometimes, that takes us to a lot of different kinds of venues because we want that message to be available to all. As individual band members, we have all found hope and grace through Jesus Christ and we hope that our lives demonstrate that same kind of love and compassion. At the same time, faith is frequently something that develops over time, so we hope to plant as many seeds as possible with our music. We hope the fruit of those seeds leads to bigger questions about God and faith.
JFH (Ryan): What has been your favorite performance venue to perform in?
Eric: We have had the honor to play the Sonshine festival main stage in Willmar, MN a couple of times. That has to be one of my favorite venues to play because it was so surreal. Our dream has always been to play on that stage someday. When "someday" became "today," that was a pretty cool moment in life because it showed me that with some hard work and dedication, many things that seem impossible, can be possible.
JFH (Ryan): Just because it's an interesting song… What's the story behind "Ordinary Girl"?
Eric: I think the best way to answer this question is by talking about an article I read a few days ago in my local paper. The headline of the article was Young girls asking the world: 'Am I ugly?' and the world answers. In the article, it talked about a 13-year-old girl who had posted a video on YouTube asking the general public if she was pretty or ugly. The girl got all kinds of feedback and sadly a lot of it was negative. The song "Ordinary Girl" is about empowering girls to know that they are beautiful regardless of what people do or say about them. I can't imagine how hard it would be to be a young girl growing up in this culture. One thing I do know, however, is that we all have unique gifts, unique talents and a unique future in which we can use those things that God has given us for a unique purpose. I don't believe that people or the gifts given are accidents. I believe we all have a purpose for this time and place and I hope that when girls listen to this song, they feel empowered to know that they are beautiful just as they are and that they have a hope and a future that needs their talents. I also hope the song conveys that we are all most beautiful when we own who we are every day.
JFH (Ryan): If you all had to go on a world tour with any band… who would it be with?
Eric: If we ever HAD to do a world tour, it would be amazing to do it with the band Switchfoot. Those guys are the real deal. If we ever have the honor of being as successful as those guys, they are definitely the model for how we would choose to be as a band - completely humble and willing to talk to anybody. It would be crazy amazing to do a tour with them.
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Tent set up to host the Rosh Hashonah prayers
This is a picture of a different event as we are not allowed to photograph on Rosh Hashono
Over the past years, more and more people attend our Rosh Hashono prayer services. Which is why the Jewish Community of Ulyanovsk made the decision to build a tent to host the many parishioners.
The tent was set up with a men’s section, a women’s section and a special dining section.
Many people came to celebrate Rosh Hashonah this year. The beautiful prayers were hosted by a cantor that was flown in from America especially for the High holidays. Much to the community’s joy, the cantor is a Kohen – something that we are missing in Ulyanovsk.
The prayer services were extremely moving! Throughout the prayers, our Rabbi has commented on the meaning of the prayers and inspired the crowd with stories.
The Shofar was blown, both in the morning and in the afternoon, while it was still light outside for the 100 people that came to hear the Shofar.
After the prayer services, we had a grand festive meal. It started with dipping an apple into honey, as is customary to do throughout the holiday of Rosh Hashonah. It symbolizes our wish for a happy, healthy and “sweet” new year.
Every participant received two special gifts. 1- our fourth published calender. 1- a book named “the history of the Jews of Russia”.
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Baseball team gives up big fourth inning and falls in OEC opener
Saddleback (15-2, 1-0) 0 1 2 8 0 0 3 0 0 14 10 0
Irvine Valley (10-8, 0-1) 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 9 4
2B: Willie Lajoie
3B: Chad Crosbie
HR: Spencer Heinsius; Mike Jarvis
Irvine Valley's baseball team jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead against the top-ranked team in Southern California on Tuesday afternoon at home in the Orange Empire Conference opener.
But that top squad, Saddleback, responded with the next 11 runs, including scoring eight runs in the top of the fourth inning and went on to a 14-3 victory.
Irvine Valley, which was ranked No. 20 in So. Cal., saw its record drop to 10-8 overall, while Saddleback improved to 15-2 overall.
It as the Gauchos' ninth straight win.
Irvine Valley scored two runs in the bottom of the first against Saddleback ace right-hander Tanner Brubaker. Brubaker had given up just one earned run in his 35 innings on the season heading into Tuesday.
IVC sophomore first baseman Cooper Moore knocked in a run with a groundout and then sophomore catcher Ryan Gaynor singled through the left side of the infield to drive in Moore.
After loading the bases, but not scoring in the top of the first inning, Saddleback came back with a run in the second inning to make it a 2-1 game.
Saddleback took the lead for good at 3-2 with two runs in the top of the third inning and then the Gauchos put the game away with eight runs in the top of the fourth inning.
The scoring for Saddleback in the inning started with a solo home run by Spencer Hensius off of Irvine Valley freshman starting pitcher Jason Farese.
Willie Lajoie had an RBI double, Mike Jarvis drove in a run with a single, Chad Crosbie walked to bring in a run and Jo-Jo Quintanilla and Brett Auerbach each had two-run singles to give Saddleback an 11-2 lead.
Irvine Valley scored its final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI groundout by sophomore shortstop Colin Conroy.
The Lasers had nine hits in the contest to 10 for Saddleback.
But IVC didn't help itself in the game with four errors. Laser pitchers also issued eight walks and hit two batters.
Farese took the loss on the mound to see his record slip to 3-3. He went two innings and gave up three runs on two hits and six walks with one strikeout.
Freshman Paul Colignon was a bright spot for IVC, entering the game in the fourth inning and going a strong five innings. He allowed three runs (just one earned) on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts.
Freshman center fielder Ben McConnell and sophomore right fielder Zack Stack each went 2 for 4 and Conroy was 1 for 2 with two walks and one RBI for the Lasers.
Jarvis was 2 for 4 with a walk, three runs scored, a home run, and three RBI and Quintanill, Heinsius and Auerbach each drove in two runs apiece for Saddleback.
Brubaker ended up going seven innings and giving up three runs on eight hits and one walk with three strikeouts.
The two teams play again on Thursday at 2 p.m. at Saddleback.
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MSTV Flops: A Look at THE SINGLE GUY
Welcome to a new Wildcard Wednesday! In this week’s post, we’re looking at the Must See TV Thursday flop of all Must See TV Thursday flops: The Single Guy (1995-1997, NBC), which ran for two seasons, mostly in the cushy post-Friends slot at 8:30 on Thursdays, hammocked between that aforementioned hit and Seinfeld. I don’t know about you, but when I think of “MSTV Flops,” the first show that comes to mind is The Single Guy. Although it wasn’t the first comedy to strike out under this brand umbrella (you remember Madman Of The People?) and it didn’t manage to eke out visible mid-level runs — like Veronica’s Closet and Suddenly Susan, despite definite mediocrity — The Single Guy is rivaled only by Caroline In The City (which premiered that same season after Seinfeld) as the most physically reminiscent hammock of the two low-concept “singles in the city” tentpoles. This was intentional. As we’ve explored, NBC wanted to replicate the look and feel of its two Thursday successes so that their sizable audiences would stick around and become fans of these new series, thereby allowing the network to evangelize and spread its sitcom dominance to other nights. (Like it did by moving Frasier and Wings to Tuesdays in 1994-’95, and Mad About You and Hope & Gloria to Sundays in 1995-’96.) But none of NBC’s past and future attempts, while sometimes qualitatively worse, is as egregiously responsible for the negative connotations associated with the “singles in the city” template as The Single Guy, which unlike Caroline, never proved it could stand on its own outside Thursday.
Now, we mentioned in yesterday’s post about how the presence of physically similar series of a “lesser” quality eventually influenced critical reception of Friends, which was then resented because its success inspired the network to green-light inferior copycats (and on other networks too; ’95-’96 was loaded with short-lived “singles in the city” variations — so many that it was only natural to be sick of them). And then, after Friends was thoroughly resented enough, the opposite occurred — annoyance with Friends, regardless of its basically maintained quality, became a roadblock in these new MSTV shows’ ability to secure early critical approval. (Never mind that Friends remained impressive in the Nielsens, both in the totals and the desired 18-49 demo.) But this post isn’t about Friends… even though it sure feels like it. After all, with a premise centered around a young man in New York City looking for love… well, take your pick: are we describing Joey, Chandler, Ross, or Jonathan Eliot? Obviously, we’re talking about Jonathan, a struggling bachelor and writer played by David Schwimmer lookalike (and not to mention, his old school friend) Jonathan Silverman, who had worked with Kauffman and Crane on an unsold pilot prior to Friends called Couples (gee, sounds kinda similar, huh?), and then later guested on a first season episode of Friends as the doctor who delivers Ross’ son.
Another Friends face in the main cast was Jessica Hecht, better known today as Susan Bunch. Cast as Janeane, Jonathan’s married friend with a kid, Hecht had the unenviable task — with co-star, Mark Moses (Desperate Housewives) as her husband, Matt — of representing the boring normalcy that Jonathan professed to desire, but had heretofore avoided. In contrast — or rather, not contrast enough — were the secondary couple, who’d just been married, the manic Sam (Joey Slotnick, Boston Public) and the uptight Trudy (Ming-Na Wen, ER). They, a little less happy and perfect, represented perhaps a more attainable goal for Jonathan, who was, amongst his group of pals in the big city, “the single guy.” Rounding out this regular cast was Hollywood legend Ernest Borgnine, playing Manny, the doorman for Jonathan’s building; he’d dispense advice, even if he wasn’t the best dispenser. Beyond the Friends associations, meanwhile, were the Seinfeld associations, which began with series creator Brad Hall (Saturday Night Live, Watching Ellie) — husband of the latter’s leading lady (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) — and included the use of the same backlot (you’ll recognize the Seinfeld street here, redressed time and time again), and, unlike Friends, an individual lead at the center of the ensemble (á la Jerry).
In addition to the problem that plagues most of the short-lived series we cover here — a lack of definition afforded to the regular players, and I mean all the regular players; in this case, the bland protagonist included — one of the reasons that I think The Single Guy failed to creatively ignite in its first season is related to these associations with Friends and Seinfeld. Unlike those two hits, which had tonally appropriate perspectives (romantic optimism and cynical realism, respectively) supporting its characters’ comedy, Hall’s The Single Guy lacks a well-articulated tone and doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. A romantic comedy, like its lead-in? Or a narratively sarcastic prestige piece, like MSTV’s biggest hit? This nonexistent thematic purpose is translated in the series’ projection of its comedy, which is perennially muted — stories are seldom inherently funny, they often lack a big comedic centerpiece (which both Friends and Seinfeld were pros at ensuring), and, to the bigger point mentioned above, they’re not inspired regularly enough by the personalities of the regulars. As always, it comes down to character. While we root for Jonathan simply because of his centripetal position (a.k.a. “the title tells us to”), we never really get to know him well enough to predict how he’ll react; I mean, we know how he’ll react after a “comedic” set-up because the series is rarely surprising, but this isn’t because we know his character. Rather, we know the clichés — the familiar jokes and stories.
Additionally, a talent of Borgnine’s stature is, needless to say, completely wasted (and narratively superfluous — a variation of the “cop on the beat” that NBC first wanted shoved into Friends to expand its demos), while each of the non-single regulars eludes tangible definition. Sam and Trudy ultimately feel more comedically inclined than Janeane and Matt — and part of this comes from the fact that, within the pilot, the first two actually are thrown some laughs, thus suggesting potential flaws — but that’s perhaps because we know the former couple has two seasons of airtime, and the latter couple (Hecht and Moses) only has one. That’s right, there was a Season Two, but changes were in order. Even though the show earned a renewal because it came in as the year’s #6 most-watched series, with a smaller deficit from its lead-in (#3’s Friends) than #4’s Caroline In The City (from #2’s Seinfeld), The Single Guy was still NBC’s lowest-rated program of the night (excepting Boston Common, which was tested at 8:30 in between February and May Sweeps, and came in at #8). Because of this, and not-so-great reviews, the Peacock brass decided that, unlike Caroline, Jonathan was not yet ready to make it on his own in a different night… This meant, however, that sometime during the 1996-’97 season, the show needed to find its sense of self, its own audience, and, eventually, its non-Thursday time slot. And this couldn’t happen without some tweaks.
Yet the big issues — defining the characters so that they could motivate plot, locking into a sense of comedy-massaging tonal identity — were ignored in favor of surface changes, “facelifts,” if you will. Obviously, the most boring of the two couples was dropped and replaced by two single characters — a blonde British divorcée named Marie (played by The Wonder Years‘ Olivia d’Abo, who appeared as a different character in the 1995 pilot) and Russell (Shawn Michael Howard), a young law student working at the local bagel shop where, guess what, now all the regulars “hang out.” (Sound familiar?) Marie was clearly positioned as a new love interest for Jonathan, and her introduction into the main ensemble as a vehicle that could make him no longer “the single guy” — a.k.a. the physical vessel through which he finds growth (and that’s part of the problem; Jonathan’s objective is external and dependent on narrative concerns, not on anything intrinsic that is to be explored within his persona) — is perhaps smart given the premise. But it also represents an attempted shift to a thematic identity closer to Friends’ rom-com sensibilities. And, for as much as the audience would decry the series for becoming even more like its two superior neighbors than it was in Season One, the show itself wasn’t interested in adopting Friends‘ optimistic conceit. Neither was the network, apparently, as the year’s premiere (entitled “Pilot Redux” and written by Hall) — which established the course for Jonathan and Marie — was shelved until June 1997, after the cancellation.
The ratings were not improving — they remained good, by the standards of any other night, but not Thursday — and the show wasn’t any better received. In fact, as indicated, some felt the network was being too ham-fisted in its attempts to make the series look more like Friends/Seinfeld. So, after leading the first half of the second season, creator Brad Hall left and the show-running reins were handed over to Michael Davidoff & Bill Rosenthal (The Golden Palace, The John Larroquette Show, Working), who had joined the staff at the start of the year. The series then pivoted; it added another new regular — a womanizing neighbor (played by Dan Cortese) who could make Jonathan feel self-conscious — gave Sam and Trudy a baby, and dropped the Jonathan/Marie angle in favor of a relationship between Marie and Russell. Additionally, an arc was planned where Suzanne Pleshette as Jonathan’s mom would date his new boss, played by Keene Curtis. (You remember him as John Allen Hill on Cheers.) But after an introductory episode under Hall’s tenure, and an additional script without his name (but likely conceived when he was still around) — that also included Peter Boyle (then on Everybody Loves Raymond) as her ex-husband — Pleshette was dissatisfied with the third script she was handed, and following production, decided not to do any of her additional shows.
As for the other changes, the primary issues remained… The second year has a slightly better sense of comedy than the first, although the ideas feel cheaper and less earned (from character). More to the point, these new regulars are no better defined than the old ones; by this time, Sam and Trudy look the best by default, simply because they’re not as bland and underexposed as the other ensemble members. Dan adds nothing to the cast but a pretty face, and while the Marie/Russell relationship is far more interesting than the Jonathan/Marie idea (which, I nevertheless think was an understandable, if predictable, new hook), neither have personalities consistent from week-to-week. Marie, generally, is an airy actress, but her utilization in story is all over the map, and Russell, sorry to say, is seldom able to do anything but set up stories by setting up jokes. Furthermore, though I love to see Pleshette and think her episodes are among the show’s most enjoyable, she wouldn’t have been a fix either. You see, The Single Guy, in knowing it was weak, decided not to address the root cause of its malaise (character), and instead resorted to all sorts of get-ratings-quick tricks and gimmicks to push past and ignore its shortcomings. (Because, hey, if you’re a hit, then it doesn’t matter if you’re still s**t.)
A lot of these stunts came from casting — most of which occurred during Sweeps periods and concerned bona fide stars, although others were more “TV famous.” Here are the highlights. Season One saw John Kassir, Illeana Douglas, Jack Black, Conan O’Brien, George Plimpton, Marie Osmond, Renee Taylor, Paula Abdul, and Amanda Peet — along with Boyle, and two MSTV connections, David Schwimmer, who appeared as Ross in an episode highlighted below, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who donned a bad wig and played “Danger Girl” (in an episode also highlighted below). Season Two featured turns from Mariska Hargitay, Brian Doyle-Murray, Arye Gross, Maureen McCormick, Rodney Dangerfield, Jeffrey Combs, Dana Ashbrook, Davy Jones, Wendie Malick, Al Roker, Jenna Elfman, Molly Shannon, Don Rickles (as Sam’s father, in an entry discussed below), Jonathan Lipnicki, Paula Marshall, Ellen Travolta, Kristin Davis, and Dan Butler — along with Boyle, Pleshette, and Curtis… As you can see, it’s a long list, and while some weren’t treated as star turns (and a few of these names had their big successes in the years after The Single Guy), they nevertheless collectively prove the point: the show was resorting to superficial gimmicks instead of working through practical long-lasting fixes. Thus, when the series was moved to Wednesday nights in late March ’97 — as the final test of its ability to survive outside the Thursday incubator — its fate should have been a forgone conclusion.
When we discuss the series today, we discuss it in relation to MSTV. We talk about how it resembled Friends and Seinfeld, but wasn’t as original as either of them. Many also talk about how, after a substandard first season, the show was retooled to become — not more unique, but rather more like the shows to which it had previously been compared. That’s all true and valid, and I’d argue that The Single Guy was, indeed, the first BOMB in this category — the first failure so obviously patterned off the hits. Yet the main takeaway I have for you now is that all of those concerns are secondary compared to the fundamental reason the show didn’t work: The Single Guy relied on its homogenized premise, believing this to be the principal reason for the success enjoyed by similarly constructed Thursday night hits, and it not only didn’t offer characters as comedically story-providing or emotionally engaging as its neighbors’, but it also didn’t take the opportunity to remedy these issues when, based on the ratings it earned simply because of its location, the series had the chance after Season One (and again in the middle of Two) to “make good” and work through solutions that could have turned the series from forgettable, familiar tripe to decent MSTV companion piece. There was no real improvement.
But it’s seminal for those studying the phenomenon that was Must See TV, for again, it’s one of the first misbegotten shows to define the genre. Also, it featured the work of many talented scribes who’d have better endeavors elsewhere, including David Kohan & Max Mutchnick (Boston Common, Will & Grace), Steve Paymer (Mad About You, Soul Man), Jay Kogen (The Simpsons, Frasier), and John Masius (St. Elsewhere, Touched By An Angel) in Season One, and Gayle Abrams (Spin City, Frasier), Rachel Sweet (Dharma & Greg, Hot In Cleveland), and Will Gluck (Working, The Michael J. Fox Show) in Season Two. Accordingly, I am able to share a list of notable episodes. Notice, however, that I’m featuring “notable” episodes — not best. There aren’t enough objectively worthwhile outings to make that list, but there are more than enough “fascinating because of X, Y, Z” offerings to highlight. So, here are twelve episodes of The Single Guy worth paying attention to — if you can find ’em. As of this writing, the series has not been released on home video, but the entire run circulates. They are listed in AIRING ORDER.
Season One (1995-1996)
01) Episode 6: “Neighbors” (Aired: 11/02/95)
Jonathan hangs out with Ross, while each believes the other is gay.
Written by David Kohan & Max Mutchnik | Directed by Sam Weisman | Production No. 100105
On the first night of November Sweeps, as Lea Thompson was popping in on Friends and both Matthew Perry and Jonathan Silverman had cameos on Caroline In The City, David Schwimmer’s Ross crossed over to The Single Guy, participating more heavily than any other guest in this big Thursday gimmick. Schwimmer and Silverman were old buddies, and they have chemistry here, although the narrative — of each thinking the other is gay, born from a variety of small misunderstandings (like the fact that Jonathan is staying with a gay couple, his neighbors, while his own place is repaired) — is a thin, one-joke, not-character-driven premise that lacks a big crescendo. I wouldn’t recommend this if not for Ross. However, note the credited authors: Kohan and Mutchnik, who’d later explore similar ideas on a hit MSTV series of their own…
02) Episode 7: “Mugging” (Aired: 11/09/95)
Jonathan dates a woman who is only excited when in dangerous situations.
Written by David Kohan & Max Mutchnik and Richard Doctorow | Directed by Sam Weisman | Production No. 100107
Seinfeld was notorious about not indulging all the network’s cross promotional stunts… unless there was a personal connection, like when Seinfeld allowed Kramer to appear on Resier’s Mad About You, and here, when Louis-Dreyfus did a favor to her husband and made an ostentatious appearance as “Danger Girl,” Jonathan’s latest love interest, who only gets aroused when there’s some sort of threat to her life. It’s a comedic idea — a Victory in Premise — and Louis-Dreyfus is always fun to watch… even if the teleplay doesn’t inlay great character stuff for anyone else, and the comedy, as usual, lacks a climactic punch to instill a sense of memorability. Again, if not for the appearance of one of MSTV’s finest, I wouldn’t be singling out this episode of The Single Guy. But for its inherent curiosity value, you won’t want to miss it. Also, Mimi Kennedy guests.
03) Episode 8: “Sister” (Aired: 11/16/95)
Jonathan can’t stop sleeping with Janeane’s sister Paula during her Thanksgiving visit.
Written by Steve Palmer | Directed by Sam Weisman | Production No. 100108
Still in Sweeps, Illeana Douglas guest stars — in her first of two appearances — as Janeane’s sister, who becomes a, ahem, “friend with benefits” to Jonathan over the course of her visit for Thanksgiving. This isn’t an original premise — we’ve seen this kind of fare before — and as usual, the show doesn’t add anything to the proceedings by way of comedy that indicates this telling to be in any way superior. However, for the standards suggested by the show itself, this is one of the better outings — the Thanksgiving dinner (with Jack Black, who makes the first of two appearances himself as Sam’s inept employee) comes close to being a great crescendo… until it, naturally, is let down by a Jonathan/Janeane scene… Nevertheless, I’d highlight this entry even without Douglas or Black, because it really is slightly better than most.
04) Episode 10: “Midnight” (Aired: 12/14/95)
Jonathan wants to reunite with an ex whom he sees out with a date on New Year’s Eve.
Written by Jay Kogen | Directed by Sam Weisman | Production No. 100110
John Kassir and Steve Hytner (Kenny Bania on Seinfeld) make small appearances in this episode, which is otherwise free of any major star turns. (No surprise, though; those are primarily reserved for Sweeps!) What I appreciate about this installment is that there’s actually an indication that the five young regulars can function collectively as an ensemble (à la the Friends) — and it comes in a single moment of physical comedy where they all try to retrieve Jonathan’s terrible date’s cell phone number, so they can call her into work and he can be freed to go pursue an ex that he sees with another man (Hytner) and for whom he’s been pining. Also, there’s a unity of time, place, and action for most of the entry that contributes to its quality.
05) Episode 12: “Nineteen” (Aired: 01/11/96)
Jonathan dates a 19-year-old and Janeane tries to prove she’s still young.
Written by Jim McCoulf | Directed by Sam Weisman | Production No. 100113
Another Victory in Premise, this outing contends with the naturally comedic idea that Jonathan would date a 19-year-old, a fact that further becomes uncomfortable when he meets her father and realizes just how much they have in common. Yet again, this isn’t something unique that we haven’t seen before — Wings did a similar episode with Joe and a 19-year-old, and heck, Friends did a story the season prior with Monica and an even younger man. But this is another offering with a slightly elevated comedic brain, and I appreciate that it thematically connects the A-story to the B-story with the otherwise boring Janeane, who tries to prove her own youth by getting a tattoo (thus beating Friends to one of its similar stories by a month).
06) Episode 18: “Poetry” (Aired: 03/07/96)
Jonathan falls for a columnist who eviscerates his latest book.
Written by Paul Barrose | Directed by Craig Zisk | Production No. 100117
After excluding all of the February episodes, which were generally built around guest stars (and not the kind fascinating for us because of their MSTV connotations), I’m highlighting the first of only two excursions that aired in between the two Sweeps periods. This is a relevant outing because it introduces the first love interest for Jonathan who has any sense of permanency, Jensen Daggett as Charlie McCarthy, a contrarian critic who gives his latest book a terrible review, and for whom he, predictably, falls — setting up an arc that’s intended to carry the show into the next season, where “the single guy” may no longer be single. Once again, we’re not dealing with anything original or hilarious, but the sense of focus increases its engagability.
Season Two (1996-1997)
07) Episode 23: “Mounted Cop” (Aired: 09/19/96)
Jonathan fears retribution when he dumps a cop; Trudy seeks contraband bras from Marie.
Written by Rachel Sweet | Directed by Craig Zisk | Production No. 100203
Although the intended premiere (discussed below) was indeed scheduled to air as the season opener, it was bumped at the last-minute in favor of this offering, which was considered a stronger comedic showing. (Personally, I think both episodes are relatively funny, and the disruption in continuity wasn’t worth the swap…) Leaving viewers to piece together the clues of all that has changed, this entry operates with a sense of narrative dovetailing reminiscent of Seinfeld, as Jonathan’s finite romance with a cop (Mariska Hargitay) and his fear of retribution from her family of cops (including Brian Doyle-Murray) meets a subplot in which Trudy asks Marie to score her some imported Cuban bras, leading to a climactic (yes!) NYPD Blue parody.
08) Episode 32: “Deepest Cut” (Aired: 12/12/96)
Jonathan accidentally stabs his abrasive mother.
Written by Stephen Godchaux | Directed by Kim Friedman | Production No. 100211
This is the last produced episode for which creator Brad Hall remains credited as an Executive Producer, and it’s the first appearance of Suzanne Pleshette as the title character’s mother. She was right in insisting that her role was never better written than in the debut, and that’s interesting, because this sense of nuance — evidenced here and slightly muted in her later appearances — isn’t felt for other big guests in the first half of Season Two, which is largely forgettable en masse. But, the idea is easily funny — man accidentally stabs his obnoxious mom — and the guest actress’ presence gives an added legitimacy that the series often lacks (even with Borgnine as one of its regulars). Also, former NBC sitcom star John Mendoza appears.
09) Episode 38: “Mother Love” (Aired: 02/06/97)
Jonathan’s mother dates his boss; Marie develops feelings for Russell.
Written by Suzanne Myers & Cody Farley | Directed by Andrew Tsao | Production No. 100217
In her last of three offerings — the second of which featured Peter Boyle, then in the first year of Everybody Loves Raymond, making his last of two appearances — Suzanne Pleshette’s Sarah begins a romance with Jonathan’s boss, played by Keene Curtis (who recurs three times in the back nine). During production week, the leading lady from The Bob Newhart Show took issue with the depiction of her character, and despite some of her concerns being rectified before it was filmed, she decided not to appear again. Frankly, this isn’t the best of her trilogy, but there’s nothing inordinately and unbelievably stereotypical in her characterization either, and although her inclusion isn’t a fix for broader issues, it would have been nice to see her again. Meanwhile, in the notable subplot, the show introduces, sans much motivation, Marie/Russell.
10) Episode 39: “Big Baby” (Aired: 02/13/97)
Sam’s father visits as Sam and Trudy get their adopted child.
Written by Rachel Sweet | Directed by Andrew Tsao | Production No. 100218
Right in the heart of February Sweeps, Don Rickles appears as the show’s latest special guest star, playing Sam’s dad and exhibiting the indelible persona evidenced in all of his television work. There’s no doubt that this installment’s legitimate enjoyability is derived more from what he brings to the table, as opposed to what the show provides for him. But to the teleplay’s credit, it marries the visit of Sam’s dad (and all the laughs therein) to a larger arc that the show has been building, in which Sam and Trudy decide to adopt. In this episode, they’re surprised when they’re given a son a little older than they thought. The thematic tissue connecting both father-son stories is smart and counters Rickles’ effortless hahas with welcome weight.
11) Episode 41: “Johnny Hollywood” [a.k.a. “Jonathan Hollywood”] (Aired: 04/02/97)
Jonathan goes to Hollywood to talk about adapting his novel into a screenplay.
Written by Rob Cornick & Cory Jachnuk | Directed by Linda Day | Production No. 100220
The last few episodes are credited to authors who weren’t on staff, but instead of feeling disconnected to the rest of what was produced (because the show never really locked into a definable identity), there’s a freedom here at the end of the run that is both cathartic and conducive to greater risk-taking, which, by design, leads to greater rewards. This is another premise-led offering, sans much character, but it’s a cheeky commentary on the series itself, for the A-story (which includes Sex And The City‘s Kristin Davis as a Hollywood executive) is about Jonathan’s attempts to remain true to his artistic vision in the face of studio interference. There’s one meta joke where Jonathan says they want his lead character to get married, even though he’s supposed to be single! (Two weeks later, Jonathan would get married.)
12) Episode 44: “Pilot Redux” (Aired: 06/01/97)
Jonathan loses his apartment, his job, and his girlfriend on the same day.
Written by Brad Hall | Directed by Craig Zisk | Production No. 100202
Pushed aside in September for what was deemed a funnier entry, this is an important show that introduces Marie — her divorce, her career, and the projected romance with Jonathan that Season Two looks to follow — and gets the show out of its cliffhanger with Charlie McCarthy, so that “the single guy” is single again. But beyond being narratively needed, it’s actually one of the most comedic teleplays — with great planting and pay-off for several gags. Also, Dan Butler (of Frasier) guests… Now, guides cite this installment as un-broadcast, but my research shows that NBC did make it available to affiliates for June 1st, where it could have been offered as last in a block of (otherwise rerun) comedies following an NBA play-off. As a result, it was seen selectively in (mostly) Pacific and Mountain Time Zones, where the game was carried live.
Come back next week for another Wildcard post! And tune in Tuesday for more Friends!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 1995, 1996, 1997, best episodes, brad hall, david schwimmer, don rickles, ernest borgnine, friends, illeana douglas, jessica hecht, joey slotnick, jonathan silverman, julia louis-dreyfus, keene curtis, mark moses, ming-na wen, MSTV, multi-camera sitcom, must see tv, must see tv thursday, nbc, olivia d'abo, peter boyle, season one, season two, seinfeld, shawn michael howard, sitcoms, suzanne pleshette, television, the single guy, two season
9 thoughts on “MSTV Flops: A Look at THE SINGLE GUY”
Jon H
I only remember seeing THE SINGLE GUY a couple times in S2, since I didn’t really discover SEINFELD until fall 1996, after I’d seen it late night in syndication. I do remember liking that Ernest Borgnine was on this show, and I enjoyed seeing him interact with Don Rickles was on this show as Sam’s dad as well.
Hi, Jon! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Indeed; thanks to Rickles, his episode is a highlight.
TV Talking Heads
Out of impressed curiosity, how did you come to find out in your research that the delayed season two premiere didn’t air nationally?
Hi, TV Talking Heads! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I scoured the digital newspaper archive at newspapers.com and studied the local listings.
well done. :)
Chris C
Hi Upperco,
Aplogies for the incoming wall of text—it’s just that I never see anyone bring up “The Single Guy.”
First, I’ve got to agree with you about the wishy-washy tone of the show. While I like the show and consider it underrated (at least in terms of how well the cast play off each other), you’re definitely on the money that it couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. Some episodes were happy and upbeat; others were kinda glum and dreary, and others felt kinda mean-spirited. While other sitcoms at the time had a similar mix of styles, TSG just seemed to bounce around, making it a bit of a mess, tonally.
I also agree that the second season (at least the first half) was funnier (if not a tiny bit better) than the first season. It gave us more of Ernest Borgnine, Sam & Trudy’s adoption plot was a nice hook (and the twist that it was a child instead of a baby was a nice subversion), and I felt that Marie and Russell were a better fit than Janeane and Matt. And Keene Curtis is always a treat to see be a smug jerk!
I never knew about the change in showrunners midway through Season 2, but that does explain a lot. The sudden change in course definitely threw me off a little bit. While Dan Cortese had some great lines, I felt his character was just kinda pushed to the forefront way too much. He was a nice foil for Johnny, but I think it would’ve helped if the “cocky, confidant, womanizer” traits were given to Russell, who didn’t really have too much to do besides be “cool.” While I agree that the Johnny/Marie relationship was a little on the predictable side, I far preferred their chemistry (the episode “Double Date” I feel could’ve been on your Notables list, if for nothing else than the pair’s ending scene in the hallway). Russell/Marie literally felt like it came out of nowhere, and the two just didn’t seem to click. Furthermore, while predictable, I feel that Johnny/Marie would’ve been a great source of character development (which was something severely lacking in the show). There were so many angles they could’ve gone with it—Never Married vs Recently Divorced, the dysfunctions of a relationship between two starving-artist types, comparing/contrasting between them and Sam and Trudy, etc…Plus, if two characters from the first season were removed because fans found them boring, why would you add two new single characters just to have them be a couple?
I think for me the biggest problem with the show (in addition to the episodes’ stories not really ending, but just kind of…stopping) was the premise itself. It’s about how Johnny can’t seem to find love. It kind of kills any suspense whenever the episode has a Girl of the Week. “Is Johnny gonna end up with her?” Well no. Why would he? It’s called “The Single Guy.” In a way, it’s kind of a proto-How I Met Your Mother: except HIMYM pulled it off a little better, alternating between Girl of the Weeks, Longer Relationships, and Non-Relationship episodes that fleshed out Ted’s character. I feel TSG could’ve been saved if it had done a little more of that. Either that, or switch up who the “Single Guy” is each season. Season 2 ended with Johnny married, but what if Sam and Trudy got a drunk/quickie/other reason divorce? Season 3 could’ve had Johnny grow by being in a stable(ish) relationship, and there could be some opportunities for character growth and drama for Sam and Trudy. Do they get back together? What are they like single? Maybe they realize they got married too quick? And how would that play out with a child in tow?
Two more points, because this is getting way too long as it is: Not sure if you know this, but TSG was originally pitched as an hour-long block of two back-to-back shows: The Single Guy and The Single Girl. The two would live in the same building but never interact with each other—the only bridging character being the doorman of the building, hence, Ernest Borgnine. I don’t know how well it would’ve worked—it never really made it past the concept stage, but it would’ve been an interesting “mini-series”-esque experiment for a season or two. It might’ve worked if actions from one show influenced what happened in the other (like the “Run Lisa Run” episode of The Simpsons).
Finally, how did you get a hold of “Pilot Redux?” I’ve been looking for it everywhere, but all the (few) sets I could find had all episodes but that one. Even the set I ended up buying claimed it had it but didn’t. I don’t like having all but one (especially when’s an important one). If you could help me out (or even just point me to a transcript), I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks for writing an awesome article!
Hi, Chris! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Thanks for the tidbit about Hall’s original pitch being one of two companion series. It reveals just how little he was thinking of character, even from inception. I think this type of structural gimmick with occasional narrative overlap — because, of course, it’d be hard to imagine The Single Guy and The Single Girl *not* hooking up at some point during a Sweeps month — would have been a distraction from the core issue: the lack of definition afforded to the regulars.
Although critics would have savaged the series, no matter what, due to its physical similarities to other MSTV hits (thereby suggesting a lack of originality), the reason we can’t claim today that THE SINGLE GUY didn’t deserve such derision is because it truly didn’t have the same kind of memorable characters that populated both SEINFELD and FRIENDS.
To that point, I think you’re right that this series’ title seems to suggest a limited premise, but I think we’ve seen examples over the past few decades that indicate just how much audiences are willing to go along with premise shifts, as long as they’re borne out by evolutions from characters in which we are emotionally invested.
You brought up HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. I don’t count myself a fan of that series, but for those that do, their regard for its capably defined characters excused the show’s difficult relationship with its thesis-spawned story — sometimes heavy on exploring the “who’s the mother” gimmick and sometimes *completely* devoid of it. This isn’t an exact example of an evolved premise, but it represents how characterizations can overcome a concept that’s seemingly overbearing.
In this regard, while the writers and the network may have felt hamstringed by “The Single Guy” moniker, the truth of the matter is, it doesn’t matter. If we cared about Jonathan Silverman enough and watched as he entered into a seemingly motivated relationship, we wouldn’t object that he’s not technically living up to his show’s title. Once again, his lack of definition is what’s stifling — not the premise.
As for “Pilot Redux,” I’m not sure of the source. I know the series was syndicated overseas, so it’s possible it comes from a foreign broadcast. If you’re interested in obtaining a digital copy, please subscribe to this blog using your preferred email address and I will send it your way!
Thanks for subscribing, Chris!
I have emailed you at your msn address.
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Tag Archives: 1×13
THE XENA SCROLLS: An Opinionated Episode Guide (113 & 114)
Posted on April 17, 2014 by upperco
Welcome to another Xena Thursday! Today, we’re continuing our chronological coverage of every single episode of Xena: Warrior Princess — both the episodes that I have previously highlighted AND the episodes I’ve yet to feature. Complementing my thoughts are the thoughts of those who worked on the series: mostly actors, writers, directors, and producers. I have done months of research for the acquisition of the quotes you’ll see over these next 67 weeks (as there are 134 episodes and I’ll be covering two episodes per week). They come from a variety of sources, including the original special feature-laden DVD releases, The Chakram Official Newsletters, both the Topps and Titans Official Xena Magazines, the fan kits, and other assorted print and video interviews. So in addition to sharing my thoughts, these posts will also contain information and musings from the Xenites that matter most — the ones who brought this exciting series to the small screen.
13. Season 1, Episode 13: “Athens City Academy Of The Performing Bards” (Aired: 01/22/96 | Filmed: 10/24 – 10/27/95)
Gabrielle cons her way into a prestigious storytelling competition and ends up helping a fellow bard who is under pressure from his father to win.
Written by R.J. Stewart & Steven L. Sears | Directed by Jace Alexander | Production No. 876916
Let’s face it, this episode is boring. There’s little Xena, little conflict, and little action. Out of the entire first season, I probably watch this installment least. However, there are things that I respect and appreciate about this episode. Most specifically, I like that Gabrielle, who even in these first 13 episodes has already established herself as a storyteller, gets the opportunity to “follow her dreams” and study at a prestigious barding school. It’s dramatically satisfying (not to mention necessary for her continued existence in the series) that Gabrielle, after getting what she thinks she wants, decides she’d rather be out living the stories than talking about them. It’s a nice moment, and good for the character’s development. Also, as clip shows go, the idea of using Gabrielle’s barding — a wonderful and foreign (to us today) Ancient Greek form of oral storytelling — is clever, and it’s amusing to have the Xena clips interspersed with shots of old films. Meanwhile, the supporting cast in this installment is functional, but bland, and though there’s minimal Xena (as Lucy was in desperate need of a break), O’Connor is more than capable of handling the episode herself — granting further exploration of Gabrielle’s evolving characterization. So though the episode, by its very design, isn’t extraordinary, it’s vital and surprisingly well-placed in the series’ overall arc.
CAST & CREW COMMENTARY:
Steven L. Sears (Writer/Producer): “R.J. and I were sitting in the House of Blues, trying to figure out what kind of a clip show to do, and I said we had a natural in the sense that Gabrielle is a bard and likes to tell stories. R.J. snapped his fingers and said, ‘What if she wants to go to the Academy and tell these stories?’ We then decided that it would be a competition, so we would hear stories from other people, and we didn’t want them to show Xena clips, because that would make them the equal of Gabrielle. With Stallonus, every time he talked, it was a fight scene from some cheesy Hercules movie. We then had to figure out our other characters, so we just went on until we figured what clips would fit each particular character, and then we said, ‘What story is Orion going to tell?’ because he has to tell the story that wins the competition, and I believe it was Rob who said, ‘Spartacus!’ It was the perfect piece for Orion, and we acknowledged Kirk Douglas’ award-winning role. I think it’s one of the most creative clip shows ever done.” (Starlog Magazine #246 – January 1998)
Lucy Lawless (Actor, Xena): “[This] was Renee’s story, and I thought she did a great job. I really enjoyed the show. I thought the young guys were funny. And for a clip show, it was very entertaining.” (The Official Guide To The Xenaverse by Robert Weisbrot – 1998)
Renee O’Connor (Actor, Gabrielle): “[By this point in the series] I already had a couple of love interests, and then [this] particular role – [Orion] – came up… so there was a choice on how to play it, whether it should be another quest for an experience in life romantically that Gabrielle would have, or someone who would just be a friend. I thought it would be a great way to show that men and women could have relationships, be friendly and compete with each other on an equal basis, so that created another aspect to Gabrielle.” (Starlog Magazine #236 – April 1997)
14. Season 1, Episode 14: “A Fistful Of Dinars” (Aired: 01/29/96 | Filmed: 11/09 – 11/17/95)
Xena is drawn into a treacherous treasure hunt that forces her to team up with a desperate assassin and a ruthless warlord — who happens to be her former fiance.
Written by Steven L. Sears & R.J. Stewart | Directed by Josh Becker | Production No. 876918
I featured this episode as #50 on my list of the 60 best episodes. Read my thoughts here.
Steven L. Sears (Writer/Producer): “We were talking about Westerns and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre [while writing this episode]. [We] put Xena in a position of using two people; one she wanted to avoid completely, and another person who was totally evil. She had to use them to get to her greater goal and at the same time not let them know it. You throw into the mix an assassin who kills anything that displeases him, and her ex-fiance, somebody who’s so seductive and manipulative, who could say to Gabrielle, ‘I talked Xena into marrying me.’ What’s interesting is that after that episode aired, one of the big questions was: Was he really trying to manipulate again, or had he truly changed? We wanted him to say something where the audience would sit back and say, ‘You know, he’s a nice guy,’ and in the very next scene, Xena says, ‘Did he say that to you? That’s exactly what he does,’ so the audience would constantly be off-balance.” (Starlog Magazine #246 – January 1998)
Lucy Lawless (Actor, Xena): “[This] was a good, fun one to shoot. Josh Becker [the director] has got a really good eye for the overall story, and knows how to see the world from each character’s perspective. And Jeremy [Roberts, as Thersites] was a pleasure to work with. And the young boy who runs away and gets killed at the beginning of the episode was so intense. And [how] we found out it was because to prepare himself for the role he had not eaten or slept for three days, so he could get into character for this brief role.” (The Official Guide To The Xenaverse by Robert Weisbrot – 1998)
Josh Becker (Writer/Director): “[One of my] big early [contributions to the series] was that I asked Lucy why she kept grimacing in the first [few] episodes, and I urged her to knock it off. I kept saying to her, ‘You’ve got a beautiful smile, show it.’ ‘But I want to look tough,’ Lucy would say. ‘Xena’s the toughest babe on the block, she can afford to smile,’ [I said]. So Lucy began to smile more… The co-star on [my] first episode was Jeremy Roberts… Lucy and Renee … completely enjoyed Jeremy’s performance and graciously let him steal his scenes. It was an extremely fun, enjoyable shoot, and I brought it in on time and on budget with no overtime. Everyone was pleased. One bit of funny stuff from [this] episode made it into all of the Xena gag reels from there on out. At the very end of the episode, Xena and Gabrielle are standing at the edge of a volcano and Xena is holding the Ambrosia, a prop made of hard plastic about the size of a basketball. The two cameras were both way the hell down inside the volcano’s crater. Lucy was supposed to throw the Ambrosia in the crater as far as she could, past the lower camera. So, Lucy and Renee step up, exchange a pair of dialog[ue], Lucy turns and heaves the Ambrosia into the crater, and in the world’s luckiest shot, like making a full-court basket, the Ambrosia hit the cameraman right in the head. He was ultimately uninjured, but nobody knew that for a second. And meanwhile, the second camera was still running on a closer shot of Lucy and Renee, who were supposed to finish the scene and exit, except that Lucy thought that she might possibly have just killed one of the cameramen, and the look of concern and horror on her face was, while still delivering her lines, priceless.” (Rushes by Josh Becker)
Robert Field (Editor): “At one point during the director’s cut, [director] Josh [Becker] turned to me and said, ‘You cut my pan out… why did you cut my pan out?’ What had happened was, there is a scene where Xena and Petracles are trying to get to the ambrosia cave before Thersites does. The two of them come through this beaded curtain and stop. The camera then pans across this large room ending on a door that Thersites comes through holding Gabrielle at knifepoint. In the interest of time and pacing, I edited out the pan so that we cut from Xena and Petracles coming through the curtain directly to Thersites and Gab coming in the door. When I explained my reasoning to Mr. Becker, he looked at me and said, ‘You just don’t like good cinema, do you?’ I have never stopped laughing about that one, and [director] Rick Jacobson loves to tease me about it, even today. Whenever I do something he disagrees with he asks me that infamous question!” (Titan: The Official XENA Magazine, Issue #11 – October 2000)
Come back next Thursday for the next two Xena episodes! And tune in tomorrow for an all new Film Friday!
Posted in Xena Tagged 1995, 1996, 1x13, 1x14, a fistful of dinars, athens city academy of the performing bards, gabrielle, josh becker, lucy lawless, renee o'connor, robert field, season one, steven l. sears, xena
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home Insights Article Detail
The immigration impact of Brexit - has Britain lost its lustre?
It cannot be denied that immigration, with all of its real and imagined consequences, was for many people a key element in the EU Referendum.
So how has the decision to leave been received by migrants who currently live in Britain? One must be careful with anecdotal evidence, especially when expressed in the immediate aftermath of such an important decision. Of key concern, though, is the impact across sectors that rely on overseas nationals to deliver the service levels we have come to expect.
For example, a substantial minority of NHS staff are from overseas and from the European Union. Fullfact states1:
EU migrants make up a significant proportion of NHS staff – over 10% in the case of doctors – but not as large a proportion as non-EU migrants.”
“Are we welcome here?”
The decision has already fed into how some medical professionals feel about the UK, with the following quotes coming AuntMinnieEurope.com2 - an online community for radiologists and professionals in the medical imaging industry:
"One comes to the U.K. for stability and also because it is part of the EU. If these two elements change now, then what binds us here when there are other countries in Europe that have the characteristics we first sought in the U.K.?" (Source: EU Nationals voice anxiety post Brexit; June 2016)
"I've never felt that my patients were concerned about my nationality or that they would prefer a British doctor, but we are in panic mode and Brexit begs the question: Are we welcome here?" (Auntminnieeurope.com op.cit.)
Similar feelings were expressed all over the web immediately after the vote and whilst they may temper as the vote recedes, they will almost certainly be present once Article 50 is enacted.
Do such emotions translate into behaviour? We cannot be 100% sure, but it seems perfectly possible. Another radiologist voices their concern;
We don't know exactly how it will impact us yet, but will it make me and others more likely to leave the U.K.? Yes. And will it make recruitment from Europe more difficult? Definitely." (Auntminnieeurope.com)
EU migration into the UK over time
Migration into the UK has been particularly marked post 1992, coinciding with one of the longest and biggest booms in recent UK economic history, with real GDP growth averaging around 2.8% per annum. Such GDP growth often attracts labour from overseas and in this case the UK is no exception. However, there are two distinct phases during this period; according to the Migration Observatory1 :
Average annual net migration to the UK during 2004-2014 was 245,000, which represents about three to four times the annual average of 65,000 during the period 1991-1999.
What happened during this period? Most migrants cite work and study as reasons for coming to the UK. Let’s look at the data since 1997. According to the ONS article mentioned above, between April to June 1997 and April to June 2016 the number of non-UK nationals working in the UK increased from 966,000 to 3.45 million, that is to say from 3.7% to 10.9% of UK-nationals.
Non-UK nationals working in the UK, not seasonally adjusted
Source: ONS, UK Labour Market Statistical Bulletin, August 2016
What are the characteristics of people coming into the UK?
As the Bank of England summarises3“...migrants into the UK from other EU15 countries and from outside the EU tend to have higher levels of qualifications than the domestic workforce...”
So, the UK attracts a range of migrants across all levels, but the greater proportion come with a degree and this effect is magnified when looking at non-EU migrants.
What is drawing such an amount of highly qualified people to the UK? There are a host of factors, but the economic returns are key.
In labour economics we would look at the decision to undertake tertiary education (i.e. getting a degree) as an element of human capital. Like all capital investment decisions we would imagine the returns to this investment would be reflected in higher lifetime earnings compared to those who have not made such investment in capital.
Measurement of this is potentially difficult but the UK’s national statistics agency, the Office for National Statistics (or ONS), has recently carried out some excellent work in this area looking at the UK as a whole.
What do we mean by human capital?
“the knowledge, skills, competencies and other attributes embodied in individuals or groups of individuals acquired during their life and used to produce goods, services or ideas in market circumstances.” (OECD, 2001)5
Why does it matter? The ONS points out;
“Firstly, it has been shown that individuals’ labour market outcomes are linked to their human capital. In general, individuals with low skills or levels of education are more likely to be unemployed and face social exclusion.
Broadly, the measure used by the ONS is the present value of all future income streams earned by an individual throughout their lifetime; to provide a figure for this requires estimates of working life, likely or possible income stream(s) and a suitable discount rate. Notwithstanding this, the ONS estimate that returns to human capital in the form of a degree amount to £628,000 versus £274,000 for those with no formal qualifications.
There appears to be clear advantage to gaining a degree or above in terms of lifetime returns. This matters to the UK after the referendum decision because a potential migrant will look for the highest returns on their investment in human capital.
This return would be influenced by macro factors such as GDP growth rates, employment growth and overall economic conditions whilst micro influences might include schooling, taxation, legal frameworks and potential for career advancement. There is also evidence that institutional quality and governance effectiveness increases a destination's attractiveness for highly-qualified migrants.
The UK would be expected to rank quite highly on these factors; however, there appears to be increasing global competition for highly skilled and educated workers.
A recent paper by the EU Commission cites a Gallup survey 6 finding: “33 % of all highly-educated workers intending to migrate prefer the EU/EEA, compared to 19 % that prefer the United States”
However, on further analysis there are wide variations with the EU as destination countries. Research into criteria for the EU’s ‘blue card’ system indicated the following preferences between countries: “...several Member States, notably Germany (32 %), France (11 %), the Netherlands (8 %) and the United Kingdom (7 %), on par with the United States (30 %), Canada (27 %), Norway (14 %) and Australia (11 %).” (EU op.cit)
Therefore the UK ranks below our major competitors as a preferred destination for inward migrants. The perception is that migrants are somehow fortunate to be coming into the UK to work whereas, given the likely growth outside developed nations over the next decade, we need to see the UK as one of a portfolio of destinations among which talent can choose.
Potential UK employers of that talent need to make case for the UK to be a preferred destination for the highly qualified and to provide a framework that clarifies the pathways for maximising the returns to human capital.
What might happen now?
In economics it is often relative prices that influence behaviour, not absolute prices. If we look at relative incomes in the EU, as shows by the data below, it is clear that the UK offers attractive salary returns compared to other EU destinations.
But will this continue? Since the referendum outcome the pound has devalued against the Euro by around 12%. This immediately reduces the attractiveness of the UK in terms of wage levels in the migrants’ domestic currency. This is unlikely to change (and quite clearly may worsen) for two reasons: setting Article 50 in motion and triggering at least 2 years of negotiations and, the recent QE announced by the Bank of England that will serve to keep the value of the £ low. This also has an effect on the value of remittances made from the UK. The returns to labour might therefore be lower in the future for migrants into the UK.
Source: Eurostat, http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do
On the supply of labour the EU recognizes, “The EU already faces structural skills shortages and mismatches in certain sectors that have the potential to limit growth, productivity and innovation (e.g. healthcare, ICT and engineering) and thus slow down Europe’s continued economic recovery and limit its competitiveness. (EU op.cit).
The UK also suffers staff shortages in the same areas as the EU7 and it relies on non-EU as well as EU migrants to fulfil its labour needs. If we are outside the EU it is possible that the UK looks less attractive. Previously such workers might go to the EU and subsequently onward to the UK. However, this avenue will now be blocked for them (or it will be potentially more difficult). Moreover, at the moment the UK is successfully recruiting from outside the EU, but it will soon be competing directly with the EU for these people.
The relationship appears asymmetric
If we look at the relationship between the UK and EU in terms of job numbers we can see further pressure on the UK arising from a squeeze on labour movement.
If we examine job searches by destination country, the UK is the dominant location searched for. The graph below shows how popular is the UK when residents from other EU countries undertake a job search.
Graph: Share of all EU15 cross-border job searches by destination country
Source: Adapted from INDEED Blog; Not That Into EU? Insights on Job Search, Migration and the EU Referendum
14 June 2016 by Mariano Mamertino
When the criteria are changed and we look at the percentage of a countries’ job searches that focus on the EU, we can see the UK is out of the picture. In fact the UK ranks 15th in this category; jobseekers from mainland EU countries focus a lot more on the UK than UK jobseekers on the EU.
Graph: Share of searches by origin country that go to other EU15 countries
14 June 2016 Mariano Mamertino
To summarise, the UK has so far received a lot of migrants and has been able to offer competitive salaries compared with other parts of the EU. The UK does however rank behind other parts of the EU when looking at job seekers from outside the EU, and both the EU and UK face shortages and global competition for highly skilled and qualified staff.
Prior to the referendum, the UK was the prime focus for job searches originating from the EU, but post Brexit, continued low interest rates and QE that keeps the value of the pound on a lower path will reduce the value of the UK salary. This, combined with the absence of freedom of movement, may reduce the appeal to work in the UK and decrease the inward flow of highly skilled and qualified migrants.
The implication is clear: once we leave the EU, the UK is likely to become a far less attractive destination for highly qualified staff.
Retaining and attracting staff with the correct skills into the UK and preventing salary inflation of current staff at these levels is going to be a key problem: employers should start working on a refined structured process for ongoing recruitment and clear talent pathways very soon.
EU Immigration and NHS staff, July 2016
Auntminnieeurope.com, June 2016. This is a website for radiologists and the radiology profession
EU membership and the Bank of England October 2015
ONS, Measuring the UK’s Human Capital Stock August 2012
ONS, Human Capital Estimates 2015, August 18th 2016
EU Commission 7 June 2016; Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of highly skilled employment
OXFORD ECONOMICS, THE RECRUITMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS BY LONDON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FIRMS, March 2016
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Power Trip’s ‘Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe)’ Wins Metal Song of the Year – 2017 Loudwire Music Awards
Graham Hartmann
KEVIN RC WILSON, Loudwire
Power Trip are your winners for Metal Song of the Year at the 2017 Loudwire Music Awards! The new school thrashers took home the Hand of Doom for their devastating cut “Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe).”
“Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe)” is arguably the standout track on Power Trip’s breakout album, Nightmare Logic. The group owe this award strictly to their fans, who voted for “Executioner’s Tax” via our Loudwire Music Awards partner Apple Music. Voting was tabulated from Aug. 15 - Oct. 2, with fans casting an official vote by streaming a nominated song for a minimum of 30 seconds. The song with the largest number of streams has been calculated, and it was “Executioner’s Tax.”
Power Trip had some stiff competition in this category, facing off against Body Count’s “No Lives Matter,” Obituary’s “Sentence Day,” Pallbearer’s “I Saw the End,” Municipal Waste’s “Amateur Sketch” and DragonForce’s “Ashes of the Dawn.”
"When we started this band, we just wanted to see the world," said singer Riley Gale, before proclaiming, "Watch out old timers, we're here."
Congratulations to Power Trip for taking home the Hand of Doom trophy for Metal Song of the Year!
Power Trip, "The Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe)"
Source: Power Trip’s ‘Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe)’ Wins Metal Song of the Year – 2017 Loudwire Music Awards
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ESPNcricinfo is the world's leading cricket website and among the top five single-sport websites in the world. Founded in 1993, ESPNcricinfo's content includes news, live ball-by-ball coverage of all Test and one-day international matches and features written by some of the world's best cricketers and cricket writers. The site also includes in-depth statistics on every one of the 3000 international and 50,000 first-class cricketers to have played the game. Now a wholly owned subsidiary of ESPN Inc., the world's leading multimedia sports entertainment company, ESPNcricinfo is available to cricket fans through the online media and on a host of mobile platforms and handheld devices.
Alle Datensätze: C I T
Cricket Player Statistics, 1971 - 2017
Quelle: ESPN Cricinfo
Zugriff am: 22 Dezember, 2017
Cricket Player Statistics, 1971 - 2017 This dataset covers cricket players statistics on batting, bowling, fielding, all rounders across Test, ODI, T20 matches.
International Cricket Council Ranking List, 1877 - 2018
Zugriff am: 11 September, 2018
Team Records in Cricket, 1975-2018
The Complete Records Of One Day International Cricket from the year 1970 to 2018 Jan 3rd.
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Gov. Gregoire appoints Alan Haight to lead Department of Licensing
DOL Director Alan Haight
OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced she has appointed Alan Haight as director of the Department of Licensing. Since 2008, Haight has been deputy director of the agency and most recently served as acting director, replacing Liz Luce – who announced her retirement in May.
“Alan has spent nearly a decade at the Department of Licensing and understands this agency inside and out,” Gregoire said. “I’m impressed with his focus on customer service and his ability to develop strategies that improve customer satisfaction while reducing costs. I welcome Alan to my cabinet, and trust Washingtonians statewide will be pleased with Alan’s leadership and skill.”
Haight joined the Department of Licensing in 2003, and led the agency’s consolidation and management of its telephone customer service center activities. His leadership in that role earned him the Governor’s Award for Internal Process Management. In 2005, Haight was appointed as DOL’s assistant director of the finance and administration division where he played a critical role in improving performance management and earned the Governor’s Award for Leadership. Haight was appointed deputy director of DOL in 2008 – and has been successful in reducing the agency’s budget by $4 million without significant customer disruption or job loss within the agency.
“The Department of Licensing, like all of state government, is faced with very difficult challenges,” Haight said. “Delivering critical services to our customers with higher quality and at a lower cost is a constant challenge that we should be mindful of in both good and bad economic times. I welcome the challenge this position poses and the opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of Washington state.”
Prior to joining DOL, Haight served as marketing director for Primus Knowledge Solutions in Seattle. He also spent 28 years at U.S. Bancorp, where he was senior vice president.
This entry was posted on Monday, August 1st, 2011 at 1:29 pm and is filed under DOL, Online renewals. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
One Response to Gov. Gregoire appoints Alan Haight to lead Department of Licensing
Congradulations Alan!
Now that SB 5800 is nearly in effect for Washington Dual-Sport Motorcycle Citizens… I Hope you will do a better job then your predecessor as you “welcome the challenge this position poses and the opportunity to continue to SERVE the citizens of Washington State.”
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Pastor’s Picks For Dealing With People Like Me
My parents had some talks with their pastor about my views, and I’m wondering what they told him. I’m an Atheist—that dreaded word that no Fundamentalist Christian wants to hear in regards to their offspring. On top of that, I am writing a book about my views, and even worse, delving into the history of how religions grew, which reveals that ideology is as fragile as a house of cards.
My partner and I love to debate with my parents every time I uncover some new piece of research. I get excited about my project and love to share what I’m working on. Michael, on the other hand, struggles to understand why my parents believe. He has a high opinion of them, which doesn’t match up with his low opinion of their bizarre faith. In response to our queries, my parents offer up quotes, though we keep hoping for words that come straight from their own thoughts. It never happens. Instead, they run through the usual church-approved clichés of Pascal’s Wager, the fiction of science, and “don’t believe everything you read,” which can easily be used against their literal belief in the Bible.
So Pastor Lee gave my parent’s some guidance on how to counter my arguments with “evidence.” This led to two books by Josh McDowell—77 Faqs About God And The Bible: Your Toughest Questions Answered and The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict. Though I wasn’t interested in borrowing the books, somehow I was sent home with them anyway.
McDowell’s bio reads like the usual bag of tricks lifted straight from the pocket of C.S. Lewis. He was a 19 year-old agnostic who wanted to prove faith wrong. With five more years to go before his frontal lobe was fully developed, he found evidence for faith. From there he attended all manner of Christian universities to become the big-time Christian author that he is now. He has 115 books to his name, many of them co-authored. That’s at a rate of about 3 books a year.
The first book I was given, 77 Faqs About God And The Bible: Your Toughest Questions Answered, had me at the title. It’s important to note the spelling chosen here—not Facts but Faqs—either way it’s ridiculous. Each chapter begins as an apologetics question followed by an “answer.” But that’s the problem—there are no answers to be found. There are opinions, suppositions, feelings, but nothing founded on fact or even research.
My favorite example is, “Does God have a gender?” According to McDowell, God does not have a gender based on the scripture where Jesus refers to his followers as a brood of chicks that he wants to protect like a mother hen. Therefore God is both paternal and maternal.
McDowell is missing the big picture. This is mainly because I’m sure he’s part of the crowd that believes the world is only 5,000 years old. The invention of patriarchal Abrahamic religion—which evolved from the Indo-European religion of the Storm God—was a direct attack against Goddess-centered beliefs and matriarchal societies. Over the course of thousands of years, beginning in the Neolithic period, women slowly began to lose their rights as the god of war succeeded the gods of agriculture. Eventually women went from being landowners and traders to becoming the property of men.
Gods always have a gender. Man is the author of the current god, and that god is most certainly male. He began as the Father God, and within Christianity, he is the father and son in one. It is now forgotten that the Mother Goddess birthed him, and that she was once the head of the trinity. The mysterious Holy Spirit now holds her place at the table.
Lets move on to McDowell’s magnum opus, The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict. In this book he claims that since all ancient cultures have a story about a massive flood, the story of Noah must be true. McDowell missed the course on metaphor. I’m sure there was a massive flood at one time, and this natural disaster spawned many legends. Legends grow, and legends evolve. Every culture had a different hero in the tale and a different version of the story. These cultures thrived on myth—the spoken word tales were both an entertainment and a cautionary tale. Ideas spread throughout the globe in the same way they do today—just a lot more slowly. The beliefs of Ancient Mexico share similarities with the beliefs of Ancient Egypt. It is absolutely incredible that distance makes no difference in the spread of legends and beliefs. This does not make the Bible factual. It is not meant to be—it is a religious book after all, and nothing about religion is based on facts. It’s based on politics, power, and control wielded through the weaponry of fables.
McDowell also shares that since several historical sources mention the existence of Jesus (Josephus for example) the story of his life must be true. Existence and story, however, are two different things. All you need to do is read a celebrity gossip magazine to understand this truth. What people say and what really happened are two different things. None of McDowell’s sources verify claims to a virgin birth or a resurrection—claims that were also made around all other savior gods in history, some who “lived” thousands of years before Jesus, displaying all the same signs of divinity that he apparently did.
Reading McDowell’s vague allusions brought up some anger issues that I thought I had fully worked through three years prior. For every Atheist argument, McDowell claimed that the research—which was directly quoted from the Bible—was taken out of context. This was all he could come up with. Perhaps what McDowell is really saying is that it’s taken out of the context of being in an obsessive relationship with a violent and jealous god whose misdeeds are ignored in order to fantasize that he’s all-loving and all-forgiving. Since I am no longer in a relationship with an imaginary deity, I can see the contradictions clearly, and in truth believers see them as well, they simply choose to ignore them.
Emotionally, those two books brought up all my fears about being trapped in stupid. My nightmares came back—the ones where I can’t escape Christian high school and I can never get out or grow up or have my own views. At least this time, I had the strength to say, “I don’t belong here.” After about a week, I wrote my feelings down, and the dreams went away.
The problem with McDowell’s books is that they only make sense to believers, which is of course his target audience. Christians say that those who don’t believe are sinners, but I say that not believing is the ethical choice. Growing up, I always knew it was wrong that we looked at outsiders as fallen people who couldn’t help themselves. I always knew it was wrong that as a female I was less than. I knew it was wrong when I was told not to ask questions. Looking back, I can’t imagine how my superiors actually succeeded in getting me to believe that the Bible was true. Sure, I wondered why stories like that didn’t still happen today. Religion is a game of pretend—seek and you shall find smoke and mirrors.
My parents are never going to let go of the hope that I will come back to God. Though we communicate our feelings and views openly, it still feels like I’m barely ever heard. My mother used to condemn people for their superstitions. She didn’t realize that she was at all superstitious, but that’s what religion is. I wish that they could see it. Maybe it’s just enough that religion ends with me.
June 1, 2014 § 3 Comments
For about six years now, I have been writing about the books I read here at The Synchronistic Reader, and my blog on a previous site. I’ve enjoyed the experience, and grown a lot from the gift of getting to process books through writing, and interacting with you, the readers.
In the past several months, however, the format has begun to feel stale for me, and I’m realizing that it’s time to make some changes in my life and re-prioritize. The blog takes up a large portion of my time, and I feel that I need to use that time wisely towards finishing my current book project, and shifting towards freelance journalism to promote that book.
I’m also feeling drawn to move past the straight memoir format into other styles of writing. I’ve noticed that through the years, I’ve told some of the same stories more than once. It’s time to stretch my writing chops and share the stories of other people, maybe even some fictional characters eventually.
I will be using this site as a way to keep all of you updated with news, upcoming publications, and random musings. Thank you so much for being a part of The Synchronistic Reader, and I hope that you’ll stick around for the upcoming ride.
In the meantime, enjoy The Book Experience Project over at Knotted Tree Press – a foray into the influences behind writing my memoir, No End Of The Bed
C.S. Lewis Verses Sigmund Freud
May 17, 2014 § 4 Comments
In the book The Question of God – C.S. Lewis And Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, And The Meaning Of Life by Dr. Armand M. Nicholi, Jr., it is obvious that the author takes the side of Lewis with his mention of a lifelong fascination for the transformative aspects of faith. He presents Freud as a floundering pessimist, while it appears that post-conversion Lewis has all the answers. Nicholi’s title suggests that Lewis and Freud actually did debate, when in reality they may have never met, and Lewis wrote his points against Freud several years after Freud’s death.
The two men share some common themes – both based their atheism on a pessimistic worldview and lived in a time when there was less evidence to support a godless existence. The main difference between the two men is that Freud was a Jew and C.S. Lewis grew up as a Protestant. Protestantism never left the core of Lewis, and his friends (including Tolkien) hounded him through his atheistic years, discussing issues of faith late into the night. His peers played a major role in his conversion.
I’ve always questioned why an Atheist would become a Christian. In reading this book, I realized how limited the range of knowledge was just a hundred years ago. Lewis never actually believed that God did not exist. He only wished it. He had as much faith in that as a Christian has for the existence of God.
According to Freud’s theories, this wish correlates with the strained relationship Lewis had with his father resulting in a desire against authority figures. It’s no surprise that after the death of his father in 1929, Lewis converted to Christianity just two years later in 1931. Perhaps his unresolved issues led to a wish for a sense of authority over his life. Strangely enough, my father also converted just shortly after his father’s death, leading me to believe that this might be a common reaction to the loss of a parent.
“The very idea of an ‘idealized Superman’ in the sky – to use Freud’s phrase – is ‘so patently infantile and so foreign to reality, that … it is painful to think that the great majority of mortals will never rise above this view of life (Nicholi, 36).”
I haven’t lost either of my parents, so it’s hard for me to understand the need to find an imaginary replacement figure. But I will always remember, as clear as though it’s happening in the present, the months after my mom lost her mother. I was only nine years old, but somehow, from that time forward I began to feel that I was the mother and she was the child. It was a strange flip-flop that confused me and left me feeling overwhelmed.
To pre-conversion Lewis, since God allowed terrible things to happen, it seemed better that God not exist at all. This is an extremely weak argument, having more to do with the character of God rather than whether or not he exists. In the end, Lewis felt that his own knowledge of good and evil proved God’s existence. But does it?
In religious thinking there is the belief that morals are something separate from us. We don’t know how to behave unless God shows us how. Except that we do behave as long as our needs are met. It’s the same with all primates (because, yes we are primates) and all other species of animals.
As long as food, sex, and land isn’t hoarded by alphas, and as long as the population doesn’t get out of hand, there is no need to commit crimes or start wars. A friend just told me a story of an anthropologist who married a Venezuelan woman from a far-flung tribe in the jungle. They had a child together, but six years later, she couldn’t take it here anymore, and she went back to her village. She felt isolated in the States, and she missed the close-knit community and tight network of support in her village. Togetherness was the root of her happiness.
“‘The idea of a universal moral law as proposed by philosophers is in conflict with reason.’ He writes that ‘ethics are not based on a moral world order but on the inescapable exigencies of human cohabitation (Nicholi, 60).'”
Values differ between cultures according to the needs of the community. A culture that subsists on nomadic hunting and gathering would be disturbed by our obsessive need to hoard property and our lack of community within a massive population. However, according to Lewis, there is a universal moral order that does not change much from culture to culture. This imperialist attitude reflects his own shortsightedness and lack of education on the outside world. A master on the literature of Western Civilization, the stories he loved to read didn’t exactly fill in the gaps on world cultures.
Nicholi relays the change in Lewis post-conversion: “It happened when he was thirty-one years old. The change revolutionized his life, infused his mind with purpose and meaning, and dramatically increased his productivity; it also radically altered his values, his image of himself, and his relationships to others. This experience not only turned Lewis around, but turned him outward – from a focus on himself to a focus on others (Nicholi, 77).”
New Christians exhibit the changes of a person who is in love – but since the love object is imaginary and apparently all-powerful, the experience is heightened by fear, unworthiness, and the joy of escaping everyday reality.
When my mom first converted, no one outside the church really wanted to deal with her. She wrote her Catholic father that he would go to hell unless he converted. She answered every phone call with, “Hello, Jesus loves you!” and posted a yellow sign in the back window of her minivan that said, “Smile if Jesus Loves You!” It was all very in your face, and her siblings still struggle to forgive her for her actions. I’m amazed that my parent’s marriage survived through the eight or so years that my dad wasn’t a Christian.
Today, my mom is much more mellow, but still likes to put in her two cents. Nature is not at work – no, it’s always a miracle. And to her, an Atheist could never win a debate against a Christian. She is enmeshed in faith, and is happy with the blinders that block out the rest of the world. I love her, but it’s always bothered me that this faith, or the way that she chooses to live, keeps her locked in a fantasy. Overall, this has been my experience of churchgoers (and I lived among thousands of Christians in numerous denominations through the first half of my life).
Though Freud had many insights into psychology and is known as the father of psychology, he wasn’t the greatest example of a human being. He had a difficult life, faced life-threatening anti-Semitism, and partially because of this his ideas were met with a lack of acceptance. There was war and many deaths of loved ones. He suffered from depression, and found that small doses of cocaine lifted his spirits.
Nicholi uses Freud’s struggles to show that his life was a failure without the comfort of faith. But why should a Jew convert to Christianity in the first place? And why is Christianity the only faith given here as an example?
According to the Christian faith, it’s the only religion that transforms the believer from the inside out. I’ve never seen this to be the case. Instead I’ve seen people trying desperately hard to be good even though their impulses are testing them otherwise – the emphasis on avoiding “evil” makes the “dark side” ever more enticing. I never encounter this sort of obsession with non-believers, and everyone is much more relaxed and well adjusted.
To post-conversion Christians, just as in a relationship, that initial feeling of being in love evolves into a more stable steady love. The lover still behaves, but hidden away from the people who judge the most is a sea of inner desires. To share how you really feel is to run the risk of losing family and the community at large. The more that is hidden, the more it grows, becoming distorted and almost impossible to get a handle on. I don’t know of a Christian who hasn’t gone through some form of inner battle, and the best survivors are those that are control freaks. There is not much there in the way of pure honesty, especially regarding the self. In fact, when I first left the church, I was on a high of honesty for years, not caring how much I shocked people. It was just so freeing to be completely honest.
Throughout my years as a Christian, C.S. Lewis was the ultimate intellectual authority on Christianity. He brought issues concerning faith to the forefront of his stories and discussions. He took his beliefs beyond theology, and made it seem more like philosophy. Unfortunately his arguments don’t hold up since there was no room for facts. He was the perfect candidate for Christianity precisely because he was easily swayed by the emotions he felt through great pieces of literature.
He was always a Protestant – the fifteen or so years that he rejected it were not as much rejection as a wish against and avoidance of what he felt to be true. In his words, “God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself… (Nicholi, 105).” Once again, our feelings, experiences, and morals are seen as something apart from ourselves and separate from nature.
“… Lewis wrote in a letter to a friend that ‘Christ promises forgiveness of sins. But what is that to those who, since they do not know the law of nature, do not know that they have sinned (Nicholi, 73)?”
What exactly is this law of nature and why wouldn’t natural beings that are of nature be privy to it? Putting nature into submission of a purported law is silly and egotistical. Lewis is not much next to the extreme power of nature. The fact that he was mortal is the first clue in this. Nature had little regard for him, and has little regard for all of us. Nature and religion are two very different things. Religion is a manipulation for order. Nature is a balance between supply and demand. The truth is, there would be fewer problems in nature if there were less of us living on the planet.
I think it’s very difficult for most Christians to understand that Agnostic Atheism is not necessarily a pessimistic worldview. I know that it is for some, but for me personally, I don’t feel that way at all. I feel that it’s the most realistic worldview there is. I have an ultimate respect for the grandness of nature, and the fragility of existence. I have no desire to exist forever as a spirit, or reside in an uneventful place like heaven – I’ve been in many beautiful mansions, and all they are is lonely. I feel empathy for other beings because I see that we are all as one. Since I love myself, I know how to love other people. It’s not that hard to figure out. And as for God, I’ve never seen any evidence of his existence, and it’s certain that I never will. That’s not to say that I don’t think there might be other beings in the universe. Wherever and whoever they are, they are nothing like the controlling egomaniac that humans have fashioned for themselves.
It is obvious that earth is a place meant for growing, and not things that are made out of magic. Ancient people groups had no way of understanding existence without the assistance of myth to soothe the masses. I find it unbelievable that people are still choosing to live that same way today. Faith is presented as a comfort, but compared with what is actually written in the Bible, it should be sending believers into a tailspin of fear and frenzy.
I wouldn’t wish a belief in God on anyone. Far from being “perfect” – he’s presented as jealous, insane, bloodthirsty, ready to ask his followers to commit genocide on the drop of a hat. The concept of God and what he demands is in total rejection of all that we naturally are. To believe in a being that is so contrary to us as a species is to make life much more difficult and full of conflict than it ever has to be. The idea of God can make anyone go crazy – and it has on occasions too numerous to count. All you have to do is mention the date “9/11” and religious extremism presents itself loud and clear. Extremism has been a dominating force for centuries.
I’ve been told that I should question why I write about religion, and whether or not it’s honorable to cause people to question what they believe. I see nothing wrong and everything right with asking people to stop believing and start seeing with their own two eyes. For one thing, rational thinkers make for rational societies. Losing faith and analyzing it for what it really is was a painful and necessary process for me. Without that, I would have never found my own wellbeing. I like to spread that happiness.
Overall, though, I think that most of the readers who enjoy these posts are people who think as I do. I find it difficult and painful to read books that speak from the opposite point of view. For this fact, reading The Question Of God was not easy. Freud certainly had his hang-ups, but I didn’t enjoy how the author constantly pitted him against Lewis, presenting one man as the winner and the other as the loser. And all the while, Freud’s theories rang loud and true for me. Not to mention, they are the groundwork for which the author has based his life career on as a professor of psychiatry.
Suburban Malaise
February 4, 2014 § Leave a comment
When I bought Darcey Steinke’s novel Jesus Saves at a warehouse sale, I hoped that her words would speak directly to me, and they did. It’s a rare thing to find that sense of total communion with another writer. Set in a suburban malaise, Jesus Saves is about two girls. Sandy Patrick, who has been kidnapped, and Ginger, who suffers disillusionment at the crossroads between her struggling pastor father and a boyfriend intent on obliterating his own life.
Sandy Patrick escapes her brutal conditions into an imaginary world with a bear and a butterfly and a white unicorn that comes to try and save her. She protects her mind from trauma by staying far away in the land of make-believe, but in the meantime, her body is falling apart.
“The powerful scent shrunk her tiny as a figurine left under a doll house bed. He wouldn’t need the van now; he could carry her in a velvet flute case, or in his pocket, like a Barbie doll, her tiny toes brushing his leather belt, her head resting against a copper penny warmed by his groin (Steinke, 64).”
For the characters who haven’t been kidnapped by the man referred to as the troll, there is a different sort of prison. Grown women who dress like children; department stores with rooms made up of facades; fast food; and mega-church pastors who tell feel-good stories about television, sports, and success.
The shiny veneer of suburban life masks the constant sense that there is a troll lurking behind every little girl’s back. And in the avoidance, blood and gore pervade around make-believe land. Pretend becomes the only savior until the game is over. No one seems to know how to fight back. No one but Ginger, who refuses to buy into the trap – whether it’s in church or in fairytales or suburban facades.
“On Sundays, the wafers on the sterling plate and the wine in the medieval-style goblet took on an aura and import, became what they called holy, but backstage their glamour was diminished, no more important now than saltine crackers and Boone’s Farm wine. Holiness was like that, you could never trap it or examine its uncanny elements (Steinke, 75).”
When I was nine years old, we moved from a suburb of Chicago to Woodinville, Washington. Compared to our 1960’s era ranch house in the Midwest – which was nestled between the train tracks and the highway – our brand new house in the Northwest seemed like a mansion. It’s two and a half stories high with four bathrooms, a twenty-foot foyer and a pond with lush forest in the back. The house was part of a new development where all of the homes looked rather similar with small variations on layout and finish.
The community surrounded an older house tucked behind high hedges at the end of a dirt road just down from us. Attached to the corners of metal link fencing were surveillance cameras, which seemed completely bizarre in such a low-key neighborhood full of people going to jobs at Microsoft.
I only remember going down that road once in all the time Mr. Anderson lived there. A seven-year old girl at the end of our street made an attempt and received a nasty letter to her parents. In it, he demanded that they never allow her to walk down that road again, or else. But he didn’t own the road, and there was another house across from his.
Sometimes we heard shots ring out. The old couple across the street, who served us tea and displayed their knick knacks in glass cases, told us that one time Mr. Anderson’s bullet barely missed the head of an old guy eating breakfast in the nook of his kitchen. I pictured the nook as being exactly the same as ours, except maybe facing to the east instead of west. I saw the window shatter, and imagined the bullet lodged in the man’s wall – the shock on his face, the realization as he inspected the damage. There was talk of banning gunfire in the neighborhood. But I don’t remember if anything ever came of it.
I didn’t like the world of people when I was young. I enjoyed sitting in the forest at the back of the pond, hidden by one hundred-year old stumps and nurse logs, stroking my Dutch rabbit while smoking rolled up bits of newspaper. Life seemed real in the forest, in a way that it never did in school or inside the sterile house where I was under pressure to do certain things and act a certain way. The forest was the only place where I was allowed to be myself, and simply be. The rabbit listened to my diatribes against humanity for hours. Sometimes she made snorting sounds like a pig. Even though she hated people just as much as I did – truly dangerous with her sharp buckteeth – she felt safe with her soft chin and tickly whiskers nestled between my chin and collarbone.
One day I was walking along the deer trails alone, further out than I normally go. I saw Mr. Anderson in the distance with his rifle strapped across his shoulder. He was large and frightening and seemed more like a shadow than a person because I never saw his face. I sensed that he was coming right towards me. I turned and started to walk as fast as I could back to the clearing. His steps grew louder and faster as twigs broke beneath his boots.
When I made it back, I turned to look, but he was nowhere to be seen – like the mirage he always was. He represented the wild danger of what this place once was – a last frontier. Our suburban houses were whitewash over pine trees, cougars, coyotes, old farmsteads, and the Native American tribes that I still felt in the ground and the remaining trees. The present and the past were so at odds with each other that Mr. Anderson finally moved away – hopefully into the mountains where his breed was the norm. We could all breathe easier after the troll left.
They clear-cut the forest when I was seventeen. Men climbed the trees like monkeys, and chainsaws roared for hours. They left it raw and ripped to shreds. The only thing left was muddy tracks from the trucks that hauled the trees away. Wildlife destroyed, coves and crannies and a century of growth – since the last forest fire – gone. There was a strange law that said after a clear-cut, you had to wait seven years to build a new development. But seven years came and went, and no one ever built a thing. The government came to the rescue, purchased the land and made it a forest preserve with nature trails. So now you can walk muddy trails, gazing at nondescript saplings that all look the same for miles. It’s been about eighteen years, and I’ve enjoyed watching nature take the land back.
If I was the bear, I’d head for the Cascade Mountains like Mr. Anderson should have. But the bear still hangs around and catches salmon in a nearby creek, and balances his enormous weight on the railings of back decks, stealing bird food.
“The bear sighed as if he were made out of caramel, a quivering baritone that intermingled with the prickly static moving in and out of the troll’s lungs (Steinke, 117).”
I went the opposite direction. I’m rarely ever in a place where the air feels wet and naked and the quiet hangs over you like a shroud. Somehow, I ended up right back next to a freeway in the city.
My mother drove by and saw an ambulance in front of my building and called me when she got home. “Are you okay?” Her voice wavered and I could hear the urgency in her voice. She’d worried for the last twenty miles and forty-five minutes.
“Mom, you’re so suburban. There are ambulances here all the time. At the halfway building across the way, there’s an ambulance almost every day.”
I live in a mass of humanity, and in masses, people are dying all the time. If not dying, they’re falling, breaking bones, having a stroke, or threatening to commit suicide. One man in our building had a stroke, didn’t realize it, and was so out of sorts that he only ate ice cream for a week and lost a ridiculous amount of weight.
I’m not afraid of death. I like to be reminded that life is short because it makes me work harder and love stronger. There’s only one shot to give life everything that I have, and playing it safe is just another way of being half-dead. I’m inspired by people that are fighters – the ones that never give up. Like my ninety-year old neighbor who still walks up steep hills even though her knees are bad and her bones are literally falling apart. The only reason why she’s still going is because she’s too stubborn to give up. I don’t think she gives trolls a second thought, and when you’re old, it seems, your value to trolls decreases.
If I have a child, we might read books about magical bears and hookah smoking caterpillars and flying ponies. But I won’t shelter them from reality. I’ll teach them to be strong, fully present, and ready for any twist in circumstance. I won’t sugarcoat the facts or lead them to believe that life is easy. When I was young, I thought I could map my whole life out, but it doesn’t work like that. I’m glad that it doesn’t.
Dodging trolls has made me stronger, and no matter where I go, the world is always like the forest. You have to stay alert, allow yourself to be fully tapped into your intuition, and listen for the sound of crunching leaves. In the midst of that, the world is also so beautiful that at times it’s too much to handle. A gift that could be snatched away at any moment. All we have to do in the meantime is be alive in the best way that we know how – work hard, love strong, give all.
Lessons On Conquest
January 16, 2014 § 5 Comments
Tonight, my sister’s family is boarding a plane that will lead them back to Wewak, Papua New Guinea. They have been doing their work there for eighteen years, and on this furlough, they were home longer than they have ever been – a year and a half – due to a new policy of needing full financial support before returning.
They are Wycliffe Bible Translators – trained in linguistics to use the blueprint of the Roman alphabet to produce a written language for a small village known as Pouye. This is one language of the 1,000 languages in PNG, out of the 6,000 languages in the world.
At the start, my sister and brother in-law learned to speak Pouye, then determined which letters are used in the language. After this map, they comprised the written language, taking into account cultural differences. Then they began the process of teaching the people to read and write, and of course, instilling them with their faith.
I could tell numerous stories about their time there, but I’ll never know what it’s really like to live the way they do. Each time they are preparing to go back, I keep hoping that they won’t go. And each time they come home, I watch patiently as they go through culture shock. It literally takes them a full year to reacclimate and catch up to all that they have missed.
Because my nieces are often so isolated, I didn’t really think that my oldest niece, Cynthia, would become a full-on teenager. But it’s happened – she’s fifteen and begging for a new phone every year. In that phase where she’s not fully present, rapt over social media, selfies, and games on her phone. Half young woman, half slightly awkward – but next time I see her, she’ll be eighteen, and that last half will probably be gone.
I was so amused, this time around, that the girls are at the age where they’re developing their own opinions. Mom and Dad are no longer the ultimate end-all be-all. They had journals of secrets and a complex magic club. Cynthia told us, “There are more pros than cons to the witch doctors where we live.” Being a super herbalist healer myself – due to years of no medical insurance – I had to agree. Though you wouldn’t want to be the unfortunate tourist who purchased the wrong kind of wooden statue – the one with a hex on it to keep the tourists out. The only way to reverse the hex, she told us, is by burning the token.
I’m trying to hold it together as I think about all of the memories I have with my nieces. All the times they spent the night and we ate ice cream and pizza, made paintings with watercolor and gouache, went to the museum where Cynthia pointed out the blonde voodoo doll that looks just like Leah, shopped at my herbal store where we bought pestles and mortars, toured a historic boat that functions as a hotel, went to the zoo, or the park. There is so much more I wish we could have done.
Since Cynthia is in high school, when they get back she’ll be going to a boarding school at a mission base on the other side of PNG. It makes me feel a little uneasy that she’ll be so far away from her family. Being the youngest sister myself, I relate a great deal to Leah. She often feels like the underdog, though she is talented and witty with an incredible imagination. My older sister left home when I was twelve, and now Cynthia is leaving when Leah is almost twelve as well. I keep seeing history repeat itself.
Being apart, they will change a great deal. Leah will come into her own and feel less overshadowed, but she’ll also feel lonely without her sister. Cynthia will become more independent, focused on making her own decisions, forming her own thoughts through her love of writing and art.
If this is the last term for my sister and brother-in-law, I also wonder what the next phase of their lives will be. What will they do? Will they teach? My sister has shown that she can acclimate, and has been working as an assistant Spanish teacher. But my brother-in-law seems more uncertain of his place outside of missionary life. He is known there as a leader, but here, he hasn’t had the opportunity to establish himself in that way. It seems important that he find his footing here in the states, eventually.
All four of them have kept moving so constantly that gypsy life is ingrained in them. They all fear the idea of staying in one place for more than a year. In that constant movement, there is little chance for a complete life to take root. I only say this, because for a long time, I lived that way as well. It’s the “Hello, Goodbye” lifestyle. We’re never able to completely work out our issues because there is never enough time together.
I get nervous being one on one with my sister. I attempted to have lunch with her once – the second time we were alone together since she got married. Her silence makes me want to fill the air with words. I wonder if she expects me to ask her questions, but I don’t know what questions to ask, and I prefer that she fill in the blanks without my prodding. She told me that I talked too much. I am an open book, and she is a closed one – she knows me so much better than I will ever know her. I have no idea how to solve her mystery.
There are many things we never say. We never bring up the fact that I didn’t become the Super-Christian that she so wanted me to be (including the time that she tried to send me to a rehab camp in Texas for straying Christians). They’ve read some of my writing, but no one ever brings it up. And we never discuss that I have mixed feelings about what they do for a living.
In Guns, Germs & Steel by Jared Diamond, the course of our evolutionary development is traced through the conquest and spread of civilization. His book offers a total education in how human society functions through the game of winners and losers. At one point he asks, “Why was proselytizing religion (Christianity and Islam) a driving force for colonization and conquest among Europeans and West Asians but not among Chinese (Diamond, 419)?”
As countries, empires, languages, and people groups have come and gone, China has remained Chinese, with an unchanging language and power structure for longer than almost anywhere. It is an insular large land mass, and though as a culture they have made leaps and bounds in technology and invention, an absolute leader has always stalled the process, causing a sort of catch-up game hundreds of years later.
In Europe, however, there are many small countries with open communication. If one leader is not buying a concept, another one will. If the concept is successful, the other leaders have to adopt it or risk getting swallowed up by the more successful country. This model pertains not only to countries but to corporations, organizations, governments, and religion.
Christianity is a conquest religion. First come the missionaries, then comes the government. The big businesses are drawn by untapped resources and cheap labor, which leads to total cultural take-over.
In the past eighteen years, a lot has changed in Papua New Guinea. Its resources have encouraged development – and if you want to rent a home there, $4,000 a month is on the low-end. I wouldn’t be surprised if land gets bought up right from under the feet of the natives. It’s the same old story.
In the 1970’s, the highlanders had been farming with stone tools for thousands of years while those in the swamp areas existed on a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Before humans ever arrived, large mammals existed there, but since then, there has been so little protein, that cannibalism existed until modern Australians threatened the human-eaters with guns. Society there developed in utter isolation from the original Asian population that first founded it (certain people groups that looked much different back then than they do today).
“… difficulties of terrain, combined with the state of intermittent warfare that characterized relations between New Guinea bands or villages, account for traditional New Guinea’s linguistic, cultural, and political fragmentation (Diamond, 306).”
This fragmentation and geographic isolation kept New Guinea from developing as a civilization, though until three thousand years ago, it was actually more advanced than Australia, the islands of Bismarck, and the Solomon Archipelagoes.
To most Papua New Guineans, technology is “white man’s magic.” Western medicine and an encouragement to decrease warfare has improved the population. Is it patronizing to ask that a culture remain untouched so that we can enjoy the Stone Age from afar? Is it patronizing to take over? Rather than answers, there is the inevitable progression of globalization.
Quickly, the old traditions disappear, replaced with our customs, our food, our business, our religions. The first thing they are given to read is the Bible. Not their own stories, but the stories of a once tiny tribal religion that began in the Fertile Crescent – a place so raped of its natural resources that it is now only a dessert.
Within my family, there are eight different people with differing life experiences, belief systems, and lifestyles among three different generations. Maybe all of that difference keeps us balanced. When we come together, it can be a challenge. There is always an awkward moment, or the thing that someone says that makes me angry. In a sense, we understand more fully who we are when confronted with the opposite point of view. It seems to work for us – the small groups with mostly open communication that create innovation – kind of like Europe, or Microsoft, or Capitalism. In all of that difference, we find success.
Free Free Free!!!
January 8, 2014 § 2 Comments
Are you feeling the post-holiday penny pinch? Well, here’s my gift to you. Starting today, the e-book version of No End Of The Bed will be free through Sunday. Please spread the word, and spread the copies. Enjoy it!
Click Here For Your Free E-book!
January 8, 2014 § Leave a comment
I have strayed far away from my roots in poetry. Neglected the vague for the purely visceral. Yet there is nothing vague about the poems by Sharon Olds in Stag’s Leap, or any of her other previous works. I’m pleased that she won the Pulitzer Prize for this release. She truly deserves it.
Stag’s Leap confronts the shreds of her life as she moves through the process of a divorce. Olds never hides behind her words. Instead, she uses them to strip herself bare to us. Embraced by her raw vulnerability, we find ourselves. We find parts that we didn’t know existed. She is teaching us our human condition. This is how poetry achieves relevance in a world that seeks to distract us from our inner core.
I’ve heard that the most difficult aspect of divorce is losing two combined minds. My husband, Michael, is a natural people person. He’s taken over all the social aspects of our life that I tend to lack the energy for. At work, people naturally trust him, and he feels fulfilled by solving their problems and dealing with confrontation. As for me, this sort of work gives me a lot of anxiety. I run the internal workings – the daily chores at the building we run, the budget, the groceries, the smooth flow of our home, most of the cooking, and random work that provides extra income. While I work hard to write almost every morning, I spend the afternoons doing my share to contribute.
Our balance doesn’t always work perfectly. There is often a lot of pressure for me to bring in more money, but I’m doing the best I can for now and trying to figure out how I can do better. Michael’s lack of balance comes from neglect around our apartment. He doesn’t realize that all of the piles of things he leaves undone end up being finished by me. Instead of contributing to my efforts, he multiplies the amount of cleaning that I do. Those small issues, however, rate low next to the chaos we experience without the other bridging the gaps.
“… When he loved me, I looked
out at the world as if from inside
a profound dwelling, like a burrow, or a well. I’d gaze
up, at noon, and see Orion
shining… (Unspeakable, Olds, 4).”
In marriage, a cocoon is woven. For years, we fought against it, held it back, and kept going out every night as though we were still single. Little by little, we began to find that the rest of the world really annoyed us. Why should we waste our time on excess baggage when our favorite person was right at home?
Our social life went from quantity to quality. At first there was imbalance – spending a lot of time with people I didn’t choose, who didn’t choose me either – Michael’s friends. I appreciate our differences, but when I talk about the things I love, their eyes glaze over. It shifted when we began to cultivate friendships as a duo – finding people who enrich our interests and vice versa. Now I can appreciate all of the people in our lives because my needs are being met.
I still look at my husband and think, ‘Who is this person that I’ve chosen to spend my life with, and how did this happen?’ It’s still a mystery to me. We are completely opposite and yet exactly the same – a complete contradiction. In the beginning I thought we’d never run out of things to talk about. That’s still true, as long as we keep living our separate lives, coming home with fresh energy to share. To be happy as a duo, you first have to be happy as a solo.
Michael is certain that we will never get divorced. I say, that if we ever separate, there’s no point in getting a divorce, because I will never marry again. If that were ever to happen, I’d probably end up right back with him. His ridiculous quirks, daily dramas, sensitivity, and jokes – I’ve become so accustomed to all of him that I’ve forgotten what life looks like without his presence.
There is the other running scenario, further in the future. The one where, being sixteen years older than I am, he passes away, and I’m a widow with a lot of life left to live. He’s certain that I’ll move to Paris, start smoking cigarettes, and surround myself with young protégés. I don’t know what I’ll do, but maybe I would move away. Even though Seattle is my home, there would be too many memories to live with.
When someone dies, someone who feels like your right hand, you’ve got to find whatever method you can to not die right along with them. Some people think it’s romantic when a spouse dies a week after the loss of their partner. I personally, find that to be depressing and the sign of a life turned too far inward. The only way to move forward is to rebuild your life completely.
I used to fear coming to this point in our relationship, when one of us has to say goodbye. I’m no longer afraid. I trust in my abilities of reinvention. I’ve spent enough time alone to know what it’s like, and I don’t really mind solitude. The thing that helped me let go of the fear was a documentary that follows several older women in London. Some of them have been without their partner for over twenty years. They haven’t succumbed to stereotypes of age, they’re not afraid of starting over, and they live passionate, exciting lives. Their style is a way of life. In short, they show us that growing old can be very beautiful, opening us up to new facets of life.
Unfortunately, the full-length documentary has been removed, but here is a taster and a link to purchase the full-length film.
http://www.wellparkproductions.com/filmography/fashion.html
“So the men are gone,
and I’m back with Mom. I always feared this would happen,
I thought it would be pure horror
but it’s just home, Mom’s house… (Telling My Mother, Olds, 10).”
We are lucky to find our best friends and lovers. Their presence makes pesky details less abrasive. They distract us with pure joy at having someone who really understands. They often present the challenge of ‘how do we grow with each other?’ The comfort of their arms is like a sedative, the struggle to retain the self, sometimes immense. Yet they are the only true source for our personal growth. Through them, we expand beyond ourselves.
“… I am glad not to have lost him
entirely, but to see him moved
at the whim of the sky, like a man in the wind,
drawn as if on a barge resting on
updrafts, mild downdrops, he is like
an icon, he is like a fantasy… (Slowly He Starts, Olds, 74)”
In our culture, we are taught to avoid grief, to pop a pill and be done with it. But you can never get to the happy well-balanced place unless you work through your full range of emotions. Masking a feeling only prolongs the ache. Separations, death – these are not experiences to be afraid of. They are a time to search the self, and begin again. As long as you are alive, there is time for new beginnings. Even at the point when you feel lucky to have made it this far. In fact, I feel that way already.
As the years pass and Sharon Olds moves through the steps of letting go, we realize, her ex-husband remains mapped onto her body and through her mind. He no longer exists in the way he did before he left her. But his presence is permanent. Distant, but always a part of her – joined through their children and their thirty years together.
“… We fulfilled something in each other –
I believed in him, he believed in me, then we
grew, and grew, I grieved him, he grieved me,
I completed with him, he completed with me, we
made whole cloth together, we succeeded,
we perfected what lay between him and me,
I did not deceive him, he did not deceive me,
I did not leave him, he did not leave me,
I freed him, he freed me (What Left?, Olds, 89).”
Have you experienced the loss of a partner through separation or death? How did you cope, what did you learn in the process, and how did you come out on the other side? What was the positive that came out of the negative? Please share below.
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Home Cannabis & Marijuana Law Nebraska Elkhorn
Elkhorn, Nebraska Cannabis & Marijuana Lawyers
John Stevens Berry Sr.
Lincoln, NE Cannabis & Marijuana Law Attorney with 54 years experience
(402) 817-6550 2650 North 48th Street
Cannabis Law and Criminal Defense
John Stevens Berry, Sr. has appeared in court in 24 states and two foreign countries. Following his military service, he was briefly associated with the Henry B. Rothblatt Offices in New York in 1970 and 1971, where he tried a number of high-profile cases. He returned to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1971 and has continued to have a regional criminal trial practice. In 1986, he was Civilian Defense Counsel in the biggest drug bust in the history of Japan. He has conducted seminars for practicing lawyers in Kansas City, Missouri, and Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, and has been invited to the...
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The OneCLE Lawyer Directory contains lawyers who have claimed their profiles and are actively seeking clients. Find more Elkhorn, Nebraska Cannabis & Marijuana Lawyers in the Justia Legal Services and Lawyers Directory which includes profiles of more than one million lawyers licensed to practice in the United States, in addition to profiles of legal aid, pro bono and legal service organizations.
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Stacey with her daughter Katie
TOO EASY: How I almost killed my own daughter
by Mark Furler
18th Apr 2019 4:44 PM | Updated: 6:18 PM
A SUNSHINE Coast woman who cancelled an abortion at the last minute is bravely sharing her story in the hope that it will save unborn lives.
Stacey McBride Wilson says her life has been 'so much richer' because of her decision to have her daughter, Katie, now 14, despite intense pressure to terminate the pregnancy.
She said what was looked like the 'worst thing in the world' as a teenager had become her greatest gift.
The wellness coach, fitness instructor, speaker and educator has become an Emily's Voice ambassador to promote greater awareness among women about the alternatives to abortion.
While Stacey says she has had overwhelmingly positive feedback to her story, she admits there have been some negative reactions.
"My intention is not to judge others,'' she explains. "I'm just sharing my story.''
"This is the path I chose. I just want to show there is an alternative to abortion.''
She says it was important that both the pros and cons of abortion were fully explored. "I have not met anyone who has had an abortion who is happy that I have had an abortion.''
STACEY'S STORY
When I found out I was pregnant at 16, it wasn't exactly how I expected my final year of high school to pan out. I'd only been with my boyfriend for four months. The condom broke one night, Valentine's day actually. But no problem. We went to the emergency room of our local hospital and I took the morning after pill. "Phew," I thought, "I'm so glad there are options like this available."
But then a few weeks passed, and I had a suspicion that I might be pregnant. I just felt different. Not wanting to entertain the thought or believe my worst fear I pushed it to the back of my mind and carried on as normal. But I couldn't let it go. I did a pregnancy test, which came up negative. What a relief! Little did I know that condoms, morning after pills and pregnancy tests aren't 100% accurate.
Weeks later there was no longer denying it; at 18 weeks pregnant I began to feel my daughter moving inside of me. Shock, fear, panic and shame gripped me. This couldn't be happening!
I was always a good girl. At least, down in the depths of my heart, I knew what was right. I'd been raised in a Christian home. I went to church with my parents. I was only having a bit of fun, nothing unlike what all my friends and peers around me were doing.
Worst fears confirmed
My worst fears were confirmed with a second pregnancy test. What now?!
Overwhelming embarrassment, fear and shame enveloped me. Oh the shame. I wanted as few people as possible to know about this. The few people I did tell encouraged me that abortion was the best option.
When each of them asked me what I wanted to do, or whether I wanted to keep the baby, I said I wanted an abortion. I wanted this problem to be fixed and fast. I didn't actually want an abortion, I just felt like I had no other option.
How easy is it to book an abortion when you're 16?
The internet was relatively new at the time, and there was this thing called Google. So I Googled unplanned pregnancy trying to find out some more information and links for abortion clinics.
From my memory, the resources I found all pointed towards abortion. I found a few clinics online, made some enquiries and booked in the one that could fit me in soonest. I was already 18 weeks pregnant and I knew abortions weren't performed after 20 weeks.
There was no suggestion of needing to see my doctor, or have an appointment with a counsellor. This clinic allowed me, a 16-year-old girl, to book myself in for an abortion without any need for support or consent from my parents, or anyone else.
When I booked in for the abortion, I could already feel her moving inside of me. How I disconnected myself from this fact, I still don't know; the shock, the fear, the panic, the shame I guess.
Then I had to tell my parents. That was the worst. But with matters already settled in my mind and heart, I told them I was going to have an abortion and was already booked in for a few days' time. I could see their hearts breaking.
They are strongly against abortion and made their position known to me, but also made it clear that they loved me and nothing I do would change that.
We drove down from my small country town to the big city of Brisbane in the middle of the night ready for my appointment the next day. I was in utter torment; I couldn't sleep at all that night.
The abortion clinic
Walking into the abortion clinic was one of the worst moments of my life. Pro-life campaigners met me in the carpark as I walked to towards the doors of the clinic.
I can remember their faces, pleading with me, willing me to make a different choice to the one I'd already made. I felt so overwhelmed and ashamed. I just wanted to be invisible. I wanted this all to be over, quickly.
I sat in the waiting room and the contrast of how it was decorated and how I was feeling struck me. The waiting room was a bright yellow with so many happy paintings and fresh flowers scattered around. I wanted to scream.
I looked around at the other women in the waiting room, wondering how they were feeling inside. They all looked so calm and normal, like they were about to go in for some sort of routine check up.
Those moments of waiting and wondering were horrible. Then it was my turn. As I sat in with the doctor for the pre-screening she asked me some brief questions, and did an initial scan. She turned to me and said, "Ok, everything looks fine, are you ready?"
Everything looks fine?
I asked her if everything with the baby was healthy and ok.
She said yes.
I asked the doctor if she could tell if it was a boy or a girl.
A scan showing Katie sucking her thumb in her mother's womb before she was born.
The moment that changed everything
Something inside me in that moment changed. What was I doing?
I told her I wanted to see the scan. She turned the screen to me and there she was, Katie, 19 weeks, perfect and healthy, sucking her thumb. And I was about to terminate her. I drew on every bit of courage I had (which in that moment didn't feel like much) and told her I didn't want to go through with it.
To say things were easy from that moment onwards would be telling a lie, BUT the huge wave of peace in the depths of my being far outweighed the challenges.
Life after unplanned pregnancy
Despite my pregnancy, I completed year 12, and went on to complete not just one, but two uni degrees in education. I also have numerous other vocational qualifications in health and fitness, and as of this moment right now I run my own holistic health and wellness business. I'm also happily married and the three of us feel like the perfect fit. Truly, life is so very sweet. I love my life. And I wouldn't change a thing.
When I found myself in a crisis pregnancy, it may have seemed like my life was over. But I now know that my life, and the life of another, had only really just begun. I can't imagine my life without Katie - and when I do, when I think back to how close I was to not having her, it brings me to tears.
This all comes down to the value of life. And I believe that a life is a life of value with a purpose from the moment of conception.
All the goodness that makes Katie was put inside her from the moment she was conceived. No matter how she was conceived, from that moment, she had purpose, a personality, and so many gifts and talents and abilities. I am so grateful that the world doesn't miss out on the beauty and flavour of what my Katie girl adds to it.
Entertaining the what-ifs
But what if I had gone along with the suggestion of those strong influences in my world at the time? What if I'd partnered with the stereotype of a teenage pregnancy that society offers? The only portrayal of the situation I found myself in are overwhelmingly negative. The opinions and expectations of someone in my position are anything but positive.
I am so very grateful my story has a happy ending. But how many other young women find themselves in a crisis pregnancy and don't have anyone offering a positive narrative of what their life could look like, if they continue with their pregnancy? How many others succumb to the pressure and lack of hope offered in such a situation? How many Katies does the world miss out on? My heart breaks to think of how many lives have been lost in this way.
It was all too easy for me, a young girl in a crisis moment of her life, to have an abortion. Despite the fact that I could already feel movement in my womb; my baby moving inside of me. Despite the fact that I was already showing. Despite no counselling offered to enable me to fully understand what I was about to do.
Abortion is too easy
Obtaining an abortion is easier than obtaining medication. Think about that for a moment. A forever, life altering decision and event is easier to undertake than to gain prescription medication.
When you are in a moment of crisis, you are compromised. I was young, terrified and believed that abortion was the only option otherwise my life would be ruined. What is needed is a greater value of life and more support for women in crisis of challenging pregnancies.
To gain counselling and support and to even be told that there is an alternative and that they are capable to navigate this and even thrive, rather than abortion being offered as their only option.
There are countless stories of women grief-stricken and heartbroken from proceeding with a termination. Women who have been coerced or pushed to believe that this was their only option by those in positions of great influence at such a crucial time.
Speaking from experience, when finding yourself in a crisis pregnancy you are extremely vulnerable and compromised in your judgement.
I am yet to hear a story of any woman who went through with a crisis pregnancy who is grief stricken or heartbroken.
It all sounds good on paper but when we get to the heart of the matter and think about each of these babies as a person, a person who could be the next Steve Jobs, or Prime Minister, or some other great leader, or perhaps a mum destined to raise an amazing family, or a teacher influencing the future generations to come, that's when this whole argument for abortion falls apart.
A positive message for life
I am so glad that organisations such as Emily's Voice offer a positive message when it comes to unexpected pregnancy. Their work to fight for the unborn and the message they share is vital in changing our current culture that allows women so easily to make an irreversible choice that many, if not most, will later regret. This issue deserves emotion. It deserves passion.
This truly is a matter of life and death. My Katie girl was just moments from death, and by some miracle was given life. There are thousands others, approximately 80,000 each year, who should also be given that chance.
Stacey's story originally appeared on Emily's Voice website.
Outrage after girl, 11, gives birth
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AFL Saints’ figurehead insisting no decision has been made on the club’s next coach.
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Home » Reviews » Optimal iPad for Your Purposes: 6th-gen iPad
Optimal iPad for Your Purposes: 6th-gen iPad
Darren Eisner May 19, 2018
At the beginning of the tablet history, back in 2007-2008, the new device type was considered by some observers as capable to crowd the laptops out of the market. However, ten years later, the prediction is far from being the truth. Moreover, it is the tablets themselves that show signs of decay or at least a flounder. The reason is the increasingly powerful (and larger) smartphones shipped recently both by Apple and by some other market players.
Actually, the tablets keep competitive owing largely to Apple’s models, and, to a lesser extent, to those produced by Samsung and Microsoft. The overall gloomy prospects are partly mitigated by tablets’ growing positioning as an educational appliance. In Apple’s tablet line, the most recent model has been the 6th generation 9.7-inch iPad recently presented in Chicago largely as an educational device. One of the model’s most significant novelties is the Apple Pencil support. Of the remaining improvements, the most serious is the A10 Fusion processor previously installed on iPhone 7.
In this context, let us try to find out whether the Apple’s newest tablet is capable to revert the long-term sluggish market trend. For this to be done, we will analyze, one by one, the model’s main aspects and produce a conclusive verdict, which will be the answer, in particular, for those wondering which iPad to buy.
Regarding the appearance, 6th-gen iPad has definitely no news. The model strongly resembles the iPad Air. The available colors (Silver, Space Gray and Gold) don’t bring any novelty either. The model’s solid build, comparatively light weight (under a kilo) and slimness (7.5 mm) are certainly in favor of its design, but not sufficient to call it perfect. Much less so as the 6th-gen’s design and build are not completely free from shortcomings. Among them are the thick bezels and lack of a stereo sound unit.
Representing hardly anything new in the appearance, the model could have brought some serious improvements inside. Unfortunately not. While the substitution of the previous chipset with the Apple A10 Fusion is undoubtedly a step forward (compared to the previous generation), it is still anything but a breakthrough. The chipset is fine but weaker than the A10X Fusion already established in the 10.5-inch iPad Pro. The storage of 2GB RAM (with 32 GB and 128 GB variants available in the Wi-Fi-only and Cellular versions respectively), is overall OK. The cameras (8mp on the rear, 1.2mp on the front) remain the same as in the previous version, but, sincerely, they are not so important for a tablet.
What’s worse is that the tablet is equipped with a first gen Touch ID sensor (located on the home button), which is considerably inferior to the more recent versions (at least in terms of speed and reliability).
The 9.7-inch diagonal display (a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels) producing a pixel density of 264 PPI is a familiar feature. The verdict for the display is similar as for other aspects. It has no clearly outdated features, it is reliable and provides a high-quality image. However, it lacks significant novelties and is not free from shortcomings.
Unlike Apple’s modern iPhones, the 6th-gen iPad ships without DCI-P3 gamut support and has no TrueTone chops (like on the iPad Pro). This definitely makes sense taking into account the model’s attractive price tag. However, the lack of the useful features brings a few negative consequences. Thus, when watching movies, one can notice some lack of image quality, especially in dark scenes.
READ ALSO Prynt Pocket Review
The support of Apple Pencil is probably the most significant point in favor of the latest iPad’s display. However, the feature is not free from shortfalls either. For instance, when you use the Pencil, you can notice quite a considerable air gap.
Already starting to use the 6th-gen iPad, you may be upset by the slow and unpredictable Touch ID sensor. Especially after some experience of using Apple and Android modern phones with their highly responsive fingerprint sensors. It’s difficult to explain why Apple did not install, on t
he model, its second-gen Touch ID, which is charmingly fast especially compared to the first version.
An important issue is related to multitasking with the modest and half-outdated 2 GB of RAM in the iPad’s regular version. The issue consists in the fact they are hardly compatible. While the iPad Pro allows easy toggling between more than two apps at a time, with the 6th, the third app is hardly possible. And, if you are using the third app in a slide-over, the two previously opened in split-view just won’t work.
The Apple A10 Fusion is a serious improvement enabling an overall smooth performance in most possible modes. Though a certain lag can be noticed, especially when you use the Apple Pencil when it seems that ink follows the Pencil tip. However, such shortcomings are far from critical. And the model’s function with such loads as streaming video, multimedia apps or AR stuff proves to be quite decent.
In general, in spite of various issues, the latest iPad’s performance should be assessed as quite reliable.
The 6th-gen is equipped with an 8mp rear camera (an f/2.4 aperture and 1.12 micron pixel size), and a front 1.2mp camera with an f/2.2 aperture. The front one supports FaceTime HD calling, so you can enjoy the feature with a reliable data connection.
The rear camera performs fine, especially in the bright outdoors. Being inferior to those on the new iPhones, it still provides acceptable quality functions. Thus, the photos taken on it are quite suitable for the purposes of quick social sharing.
The battery life on the new device is very competitive, the drain is slow. As a tablet, the device will be normally used for media consumption for several hours a day. In such a work mode, the device may last without recharging for 3 days or more, which is a decent level. However, the charging procedure will last long as well. Thus, with the delivered charger, it would take about four hours. So, before travel, you should take care of the device’s recharge.
Verdict and Recommendations
The 6th-gen iPad brings very little new to the market thus illustrating the overall condition of the tablet segment.
However, if you wish a tablet now, the 9.7-inch iPad will be certainly your best choice. The reason is simple: the absence of really serious competitors. In practice, it is only the last year’s Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 that can be another option. But the model comes with numerous issues that probably surpass those detected on the new iPad.
In spite of the above-described shortcomings, the 6th-gen iPad is generally a high-quality tablet (especially for its modest price). And it is a strong competitor in its niche because its probably only competitor is the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, which is definitely better but also definitely dearer. So the conclusive verdict is strongly in favor of the 6th-gen iPad as a budgetary versatile device with an acceptable and smooth performance.
Darren Eisner
Darren Eisner is a writer. The main aim of his blogging is to help people understand the modern technology progress. That also includes many articles regarding Mac industry. He gives useful daily tips for readers. Darren can express his thoughts in any review regarding the latest devices or updates.
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Updates for Mac: Matias Has Presented New Wired Aluminum RGB Backlit Keyboard
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Glory of ChristOther BlindingChrist's Own GloryAgeControlling Your ThoughtsUnbelieversPerfection, DivineCommitment, to the worldChrist, Names ForSatan, Kingdom OfSatan, Titles ForThe Light Of ChristDarkness, As A Symbol Of SinCultsRevelation, In Ntevil, origins ofSpiritual Warfare, Causes OfHeart, Fallen And RedeemedBlindingSpiritual Blindness, Results Of Sin
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words.” So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the Lord came to me: ...
Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. ...
For the last 5 years, the in-house design team at the Faithlife Corporation has illustrated one Bible verse every day. This art has found its way onto t-shirts, magnets, and postcards—and now, a beautiful picture book. In print for the first time, art from Faithlife's Verse of the Day series paired with uplifting devotionals will encourage and inspire you.
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. ... Christian Gifts
He also made two capitals of molten bronze to set on the tops of the pillars; the height of the one capital was five cubits and the height of the other capital was five cubits. There were nets of network and twisted threads of chainwork for the capitals which were on the top of the pillars; seven for the one capital and seven for the other capital. So he made the pillars, and two rows around on the one network to cover the capitals which were on the top of the pomegranates; and so he did for the other capital. The capitals which were on the top of the pillars in the porch were of lily design, four cubits. There were capitals on the two pillars, even above and close to the rounded projection which was beside the network; and the pomegranates numbered two hundred in rows around both capitals. Thus he set up the pillars at the porch of the nave; and he set up the right pillar and named it Jachin, and he set up the left pillar and named it Boaz. On the top of the pillars was lily design. So the work of the pillars was finished. Christian Gifts
“Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.” And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” ...
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. ... Christian Canvas Art
and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship. "And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, and the ark of testimony, and the mercy seat upon it, and all the furniture of the tent, the table also and its utensils, and the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering also with all its utensils, and the laver and its stand, Christian Canvas Art
And it will come about in that day, that every place where there used to be a thousand vines, valued at a thousand shekels of silver, will become briars and thorns. People will come there with bows and arrows because all the land will be briars and thorns. As for all the hills which used to be cultivated with the hoe, you will not go there for fear of briars and thorns; but they will become a place for pasturing oxen and for sheep to trample. Bible Verse Wall Art
"Now I am sending Huram-abi, a skilled man, endowed with understanding, the son of a Danite woman and a Tyrian father, who knows how to work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone and wood, and in purple, violet, linen and crimson fabrics, and who knows how to make all kinds of engravings and to execute any design which may be assigned to him, to work with your skilled men and with those of my lord David your father.
"You shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, six of their names on the one stone and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, according to their birth. "As a jeweler engraves a signet, you shall engrave the two stones according to the names of the sons of Israel; you shall set them in filigree settings of gold.read more. Christian Canvas Art
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. ...
“Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him for my priesthood. These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests. They shall receive gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. ... Share Your Faith Products
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And King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre. He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work. He cast two pillars of bronze. Eighteen cubits was the height of one pillar, and a line of twelve cubits measured its circumference. It was hollow, and its thickness was four fingers. The second pillar was the same. He also made two capitals of cast bronze to set on the tops of the pillars. The height of the one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other capital was five cubits. There were lattices of checker work with wreaths of chain work for the capitals on the tops of the pillars, a lattice for the one capital and a lattice for the other capital. ... Christian Canvas Art
"You shall have no other gods before Me. "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,read more.
"You shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, six of their names on the one stone and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, according to their birth. "As a jeweler engraves a signet, you shall engrave the two stones according to the names of the sons of Israel; you shall set them in filigree settings of gold.read more.
Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. ... Christian Gifts
And it will come about in that day, that every place where there used to be a thousand vines, valued at a thousand shekels of silver, will become briars and thorns. People will come there with bows and arrows because all the land will be briars and thorns. As for all the hills which used to be cultivated with the hoe, you will not go there for fear of briars and thorns; but they will become a place for pasturing oxen and for sheep to trample. Christian Canvas Art
Being Cleansed From SinSittingLikenessExpiationGod Made Visible In ChristGod's Glory RevealedPerfection, DivineGospel, Historical Foundation OfAdoration, Of ChristGod Is TranscendentLight, SpiritualExaltation Of ChristChrist's NatureAccuracyRevelation, In NtHoliness, Believers' Growth InGlory, Revelation OfGlory Of GodDivinity Of ChristEarth, God SustainingSelf ImageImage Of God
Solomon the son of David established himself in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great. Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to all the leaders in all Israel, the heads of fathers' houses. And Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness, was there. (But David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place that David had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.) Moreover, the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, had made, was there before the tabernacle of the Lord. And Solomon and the assembly sought it out. ... Bible Verse Wall Art
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← Marfa Public Radio Hires Reporter for the Permian Basin
After Tight Senate Race In Texas, Left-Leaning Groups Set Sights On Latinos For 2020 →
Texas Education Board Set To Approve Curriculum Some Say Is Historically Inaccurate
After a politically-charged September meeting, the State Board of Education meets this week to approve “streamlined” social studies curriculum standards. Teachers’ responses are mixed.
By Kathryn Lundstrom, Texas Tribune
Approaching the podium, Dallas middle school teacher Ron Francis faced the circle of 15 large, wooden desks at the Texas State Board of Education’s September meeting. The board was discussing changes to the social studies curriculum standards, the result of a 10-month-long process to cut back on what teachers have to cover in the classroom.
But Francis, a 6-foot-tall Army veteran who teaches in Highland Park ISD, was more concerned about what the board wasn’t cutting. The standards currently list slavery alongside three other causes for Texas’ involvement in the Civil War, which he said downplays its historical role.
“Get rid of tariffs, states’ rights and sectionalism,” Francis told the board bluntly. “Thank you.”
This week, the board will vote on final changes to curriculum standards, which proponents say provide teachers with clarity. But they’re still historically inaccurate, according to Francis and other critics. The updated standards still include states’ rights and sectionalism, now relegated to “contributing factors” in Texas’ participation in the Civil War, while slavery has been elevated to a “central role.”
That’s not good enough for Francis. “The lies they’re telling are a little smaller than the lies they used to tell,” he said.
But not all Texas teachers choose to step into the fray around the board’s process, which for more than a decade has been characterized by fierce political battles among the board’s liberal, moderate Republican and social conservative factions, each vying to determine what children should be learning. Instead of leaning into the “culture wars,” many teachers said they lie low and wait for the next set of standards, since they have some wiggle room on how they teach those lessons in the classroom.
“I’m not supposed to teach reconstruction,” said Marcy Emerick, who teaches 11th grade U.S. History at Akins High School in Austin ISD. “But we spend a day on it.” This year, Emerick said she made a present-day connection to the institutionalized racism of the Civil War’s aftermath by showing a video of last May’s white supremacist rally in Charlottesville and discussing the removal of Confederate monuments.
But sometimes she can’t teach all the historical lessons she feels are necessary, because of the demands of preparing students for standardized tests. Reviewing the board’s current proposal for cutting back the standards, she looked at a line that struck the mention of immigrant contributions.
“Could I still teach that? Yes, I can. Can I still teach that and still squeeze in everything else?” she mused. “If the whole goal was to make this simpler, that didn’t happen.”
Still, many teachers are grateful for the streamlining efforts, however minimal the changes might be. At United ISD in Laredo, high school teacher Gaby Mondragon looked over the proposed changes to the standards. “This does help me,” she said. When she noticed a strikethrough over Clarence Darrow, an attorney in the 1925 Scopes Trial, she paused. “That makes sense,” she said. While teaching the trial last year, she’d decided not to stress the names of the lawyers – “and then it was on the exam.”
Reminders of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR test, are woven throughout Mondragon’s lessons. In a lesson on World War II this fall, she paused after mentioning the Munich Conference, starring it on her smart board. “Star,” she told her students, “because it might come on the STAAR.” Students in eighth and 11th grades take the social studies STAAR test.
But for teachers who teach a grade with no STAAR test, interpretation of the standards can be slightly less rigid. Francis, whose seventh-graders don’t take the state standardized test, says he requires his students to search for evidence in primary source documents to support reasons other than slavery for Texas’ involvement in the Civil War. “As we do that, it becomes pretty clear that slavery was the cause of the Civil War,” Francis told the board in September. “You can’t find evidence to prove that anything else was.”
Like most social studies teachers, Francis works to keep his personal politics out of the classroom. “I don’t share my political leanings with the children because that would be inappropriate,” said Francis. “I specifically tell the children that history is a search for the truth and it isn’t political. History can’t be conservative or liberal, the truth just is.” His head-on approach to controversy, though, is relatively uncommon.
Julie Woodard, a sixth-grade teacher in Rockwall ISD, sometimes avoids looking at her students when she knows she’s covering a sensitive subject. “I will have times when I just look at the clock,” said Woodard. “I say, ‘folks, we have different opinions in the room and I’m going to share this and this information.’”
Woodard doesn’t share any of her own politics with the kids. “I mean, they know that caramel apples are my favorite food group and they know that my grandkids are the cutest on the planet,” she said, “but when it comes to something of a sensitive nature, that’s not when you share your personal opinion.”
For Mondragon, teaching along the border, there’s a reticence to bringing up politics explicitly – though evidence of the political nature of her subject is sprinkled throughout her classroom décor. On one wall, she has a poster that reads, “We did not cross the border, the border crossed us,” a rallying cry of immigrants’ rights activists. And notably missing from the long line of presidential portraits is the 45th – instead, a painted caricature of President Trump leaned against the wall at the front of the room.
But Mondragon’s students said they want more guidance from their teachers about how to talk about politics. “It’s really difficult with all these political parties,” said Laura Delgado, a junior in Mondragon’s AP U.S. History class. “We always believe what social media says.”
“It’s really messy,” said junior Rebecca Gomez. “I want to know about it and I want to tell my mom about it.”
They want a class specifically on civic engagement – something that would help them to feel more confident about how to vote when they come of age next year.
Emerick’s students in Austin were confident about their political knowledge, and skeptical about what they learned in elementary and middle school social studies classes. “I just know they leave stuff out to make America look good,” said Eli Gutierrez, 17. “Like Columbus.”
“We just don’t learn the true stuff about what happened in our country,” said Sophia Romane, a blue-haired junior in Emerick’s class. Recalling lessons that her eighth grade Texas history teacher had given, she said, “We killed a lot of people to get this land. Very not OK.”
But not every student had the same memory of their Texas history courses. Ty Denton, 16, said that the way the Civil War was taught in his middle school – the same as Romane’s – was “from a very one-sided perspective.”
“I personally don’t think it was taught very well,” said Denton. His teacher portrayed the South as “very bad and racist,” he said. “It’s not fair to look at the Southern ideal as bad.”
Marci Deal served on the work groups that recommended the last round of social studies curriculum standards changes in 2010. As the social studies supervisor for Hurst Euless Bedford ISD, Deal tells her teachers to “stick to the facts, stay away from the controversial issues.” But inevitably, there are controversial components to the social studies lessons.
Her perspective aligns with where the board appears to be going on its Civil War standards. “Is slavery a huge part of the Civil War? Absolutely,” said Deal. “Does that mean states’ rights or sectionalism didn’t play a part? Of course not.”
And that’s the narrative that could prevail when the board meets this week from Tuesday through Friday. Recommendations that were made in work groups and accepted during the September meeting are up for a public hearing, discussion and a final vote.
“I think we were able to make big improvements,” said Jennifer Hamzy, a high school teacher in Northwest ISD who served on two of the board’s social studies streamlining work groups this year. “No one is every going to agree with everything.”
If the board votes to pass the new standards as expected, they’ll go into effect next school year.
And that means that Francis will likely keep up his fight against the standards that, he argues, “misrepresent the causes of the Civil War” and “minimize racial oppression in the U.S.”
“I’m not interested in anybody’s political agenda,” said Francis. “I’m interested in teaching accurate history.”
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“Texas education board set to approve curriculum some say is historically inaccurate” was first published at by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
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← Upcoming Events for artist KARA MARIA
Major Amy Elkins Acquired by the Newcomb Museum / Tulane University →
Ending Soon: Josh Azzarella Featured Show on ARTSY
Mark Moore Fine Art is proud to present artist JOSH AZZARELLA’s new body of work in an exclusive ARTSY online exhibition ending on July 7, 2019. In this new series of photo-based works, Azzarella explores time and space and contemporary culture through the medium of film.
View this exhibition now at: http://bit.ly/2ZNjTOO
Josh Azzarella (b. 1978, Ohio) creates videos and photographs that explore the power of context in the authorship of memory, oftentimes utilizing seminal moments in pop culture and news media to create accessible confrontations with historiography. By illuminating the individual encounter with communal experiences, Azzarella evaluates the perception of realness – which can ultimately be rooted in both the fantastic as much as the pragmatic.
“Time exists somewhere between memory and anticipation” – Carlo Rovelli
Ones first impulse is to think of time as a large expanse. However, time is also that slim moment between what has just happened and what we anticipate will happen next. In cinema, this moment materializes in the unimaged space between two frames of film – 1/24th of a second.
This body of work collects pieces of film that have been screened in cinemas throughout the world, and which portray moments of transition in the narrative. One image or understanding is leaving the frame, and another is about to appear; the black space in between is for a moment the liminal space between these realities. These fragments are scanned and enlarged (including their scratches, blemishes, and detritus gained from use) and reproduced at large scale.
Further, the mechanics of the projector and the lens system in the theater have been undone. When a film is viewed using a projector, the film is fed through the projector upside down and backwards and the mechanics of the lens corrects the image so it is oriented properly. Undoing the corrections creates images that are upside down and backwards, both of which complicate our understanding of images with which we may be familiar.
Josh Azzarella was the recipient of the 2006 Emerging Artist Award and related solo exhibition from The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum (CT). He has previously shown at the California Museum of Photography (CA), University Art Museum, Long Beach (CA), Vancouver Art Gallery (Canada), Kavi Gupta Gallery (IL), Academie der Kunste (Berlin), Sean Kelly Gallery (NY), Catharine Clark Gallery (CA), Mississippi State University (MS), the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (CA) and DCKT Gallery (NY). His work is included in the permanent collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (CA), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (CA), the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PA), the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (TX), the San Diego Museum of Modern Art (CA), the Margulies Collection (FL), Western Bridge (WA) and JP Morgan Chase (NY). He lives and works in Easton, PA.
For additional information on the work on this artist, please contact us or go to: www.markmoorefineart.com
#joshazzarella #markmoorefineart
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Marquis Who's Who Top Executives
The leading source for prominent executives in the Marquis community
Featured Executives
Steven Jay Kumble
by Marquis Who's Who ModeratorPosted on November 8, 2017 November 8, 2017
Title: Founder, Chairman
Company: Corinthian Capital Group, LLC
Location: Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Steven Jay Kumble, Founder and Chairman at Corinthian Capital Group, LLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Finance.
Mr. Kumble assumed his role as chairman of the board of Corinthian in 2005, bringing with him 19 years of experience as chairman of the board of Lincolnshire Management in New York, New York. In addition to his invaluable finance experience, he has also been a prolific proponent in education, and has been a member of the dean’s advisory board at Harvard Law School since 2006. Mr. Kumble also volunteers his time as vice chairman of the board of directors at LIU Post, and as a chairman emeritus and member of the board of the Governor’s Committee for Scholastic Achievement in New York City, which he has served since 1981.
An alumnus of the prestigious Yale University, Mr. Kumble initially entered law by earning a JD from Harvard University in 1959, and was admitted to practice in New York state in 1960. He was a founding partner of Finley, Kumble, Wagner, Underberg, Manley & Casey from 1968 to 1987 and specialized in corporate law. In 1985, he formed Lincolnshire Management with the late Frank C. Wright Jr., head of special buyout finance at Hanover Trust Company. Managing transactions involved over one billion in enterprise values and growing the company to $900 million of institutional and individual funds, Mr. Kumble earned a reputation in finance and has served as a director with Goodrich Investors Group, GIT Realty and Mortgage Investors, Transcontinental Communications, Southeastern Public Service Co., Cobra Industries, and National Airlines.
Before starting his career, Mr. Kumble served to the rank of first lieutenant with the U.S. Army with the First Infantry Division and the 10th Mountain Division. After many years of excellence in his field, Mr. Kumble was awarded an honorary LLD from Long Island University, and continues to be a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the Harvard Club, the Wanumetonomy Golf & Country Club, and the Yale Club of New York City. He has been a longtime member of Phi Beta Kappa, and in Florida he has joined The Breakers Palm Beach. He is a recipient of the Marquis Who’s Who Humanitarian Award and the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as a Marquis Who’s Who Industry Expert. He was selected for the pages of Who’s Who in Finance and Business, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in the East, Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, and Who’s Who in the World. In his free time, Mr. Kumble enjoys skiing and golf. He is the proud father of Charles Todd and Roger Glenn, as well as the husband of Angela Marie Giguere.
Contact Mr. Kumble
Posted in Administration, Financial Services, Law/Legal IndustryTagged army, chairman, corporate, education, enterprise, finance, investor, law
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THE man and story behind Jesus Christ was a Roman hoax designed to control the people, a scholar has sensationally claimed.
‘Jesus was a myth designed to control the people’
Christianity is a baseless religion that was designed by the Roman empire to justify slavery and pacify the citizens, according to controversial Biblical scholar Joseph Atwill.
In a blog on his website Mr Atwill wrote: “Christianity may be considered a religion, but it was actually developed and used as a system of mind control to produce slaves that believed God decreed their slavery.”
The scholar argues that at the time, Jewish sects in Palestine were awaiting a ‘warrior Messiah’, which became an increasing problem after the Roman Empire failed to deal with the problem with traditional means.
As a result, the rulers resorted to psychological warfare which would appear to give the citizens what they wanted, while at the same time making sure they followed their rules.
Was Jesus Christ a real person?
Mr Atwill added: “They surmised that the way to stop the spread of zealous Jewish missionary activity was to create a competing belief system
“That’s when the ‘peaceful’ Messiah story was invented.
“Instead of inspiring warfare, this Messiah urged turn-the-other-cheek pacifism and encouraged Jews to ‘give onto Caesar’ and pay their taxes to Rome.
“Although Christianity can be a comfort to some, it can also be very damaging and repressive, an insidious form of mind control that has led to blind acceptance of serfdom, poverty, and war throughout history.”
Mr Atwill even goes so far to say that “to this day, especially in the United States, it is used to create support for war in the Middle East”.
He says he first discovered this revelation when noticing Jesus is “the only fictional character in literature whose entire life story can be traced to other sources”.
Jesus and the two Marys
By comparing the New Testament to the ‘War of the Jews’ by Josephus – the sole surviving account of first century Judea – he found the parallels between the two are uncanny.
Mr Atwill: ”What seems to have eluded many scholars is that the sequence of events and locations of Jesus ministry are more or less the same as the sequence of events and locations of the military campaign of [Emperor] Titus Flavius as described by Josephus.
“This is clear evidence of a deliberately constructed pattern.
“The biography of Jesus is actually constructed, tip to stern, on prior stories, but especially on the biography of a Roman Caesar.”
Source: Express
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Brain study reveals clues to treating Fragile X syndrome
Scientists have discovered how the brain can self-correct disruptions in processing, pointing the way towards possible new treatments for autism and intellectual disability.
Targeting faulty brain function with a new drug treatment helped the brain to self-correct, improving cell function and reducing seizures in tests with mice.
The findings by researchers studying Fragile X syndrome – an inherited form of autism – could aid development of therapies and add to the understanding of the condition, which causes learning disabilities and seizures.
Scientists made their discovery using mice whose genetic make-up mirrored that seen in the DNA of people with the syndrome.
Researchers discovered that enhancing a brain receptor – known as the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4 – with drugs led to normalised brain activity and reduced seizures in mice.
The study, led by scientists at the University of Edinburgh's Patrick Wild Centre, focused on an area of the brain known as the hippocampus, which is linked to learning and memory.
Experts say the findings open new avenues toward developing drug therapies and may shed light on why existing approaches to treatments have failed.
Fragile X syndrome affects about one in 4,000 boys and one in 6,000 girls in the UK. There are no treatments available to overcome the associated learning difficulties.
Our findings give us insights into how Fragile X syndrome affects the brain on a cellular level. Our next steps will be to understand more about the role of the M4 receptor in brain signalling in Fragile X, and its potential role in future drug development studies.
Dr Emily Osterweil, Patrick Wild Centre for Research into Autism, Fragile X Syndrome and Intellectual Disabilities, University of Edinburgh
The study, partly funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society, was published in the journal Neuron.
Source: University of Edinburgh
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Recently, the social-networking giant Facebook has been the subject of business litigation by Yahoo! Inc. In that case, Yahoo! is seeking triple damages for what it claims is the infringement of its intellectual property, including 10 patents involving Internet privacy, advertising and information sharing.
And this is not the first time that Facebook has been the subject of such litigation. In fact, last year Facebook was among the top 28 targeted defendants in intellectual property cases.
In the hopes of expanding its patent protections, and in an effort to protect itself from these and similar lawsuits, Facebook has recently acquired 750 patents from IBM Corporation. The patents Facebook recently acquired involve various areas of technology that concern Facebook's business.
IBM can be considered as the king of patents as it has in fact been a leader in the patent acquisition area during the past 19 years. Last year alone, it was the recipient of more than 6,000 patents. No wonder IBM has been offering some of its patents for sale to other Internet companies.
Facebook's other major competitors, Google Inc. and Microsoft, each already has a stockpile of patents to protect their interests. Will this new acquisition of patents by Facebook protect it from future intellectual property lawsuits?
Investors in Florida who are considering purchasing a share in Facebook would certainly hope so, but that may not be realistic. As Facebook's business expands and changes, it is expected that it will continue to be the target of business lawsuits from other rivals who are concerned about protecting their own businesses.
Source: Bloomberg Businessweek, "Facebook Is Said to Buy 750 IBM Patents to Boost Defenses," Brain Womack, March 22, 2012
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Terry Jones’ opinion of Richard III….
I am a great fan of Terry Jones’ writing/opinions when it comes to medieval history, and today just happens to be Terry’s birthday.
That he supports King Richard II I already knew, but I did not know he also thinks highly of King Richard III. What I write below is taken from a book, which itself was originally inspired by the television series Terry Jones’ Medieval Lives, produced by Oxford Films and Television for BBC Television and first broadcast on BBC2 in 2004. It was first published in hardback 2004, and in paperback in 2005.
So, it has to be emphasised that Jones’ opinions were expressed before Richard’s remains were discovered in Leicester. Before so much more had been discovered about that much-wronged king. Jones was a Ricardian at least as far back as 2004. And please do not think that anything in the following paragraphs is my opinion, I merely take from Jones’ writing in order to convey his view of Richard III. So the comments about the bones displayed in the Tower, and Richard’s second coronation in York are his views. The illustrations are my additions. Please buy the book, it’s well worth reading.
Toward the end of the book, when he reaches the matter of Richard III, he expresses his view by launching straight in that the king we all know (from Shakespeare) is very different from the actual man who sat on the throne between 1483-5. Jones refers to the Bard’s character of Richard III as a ‘cardboard cut-out’, to be ‘booed and hissed’, but points out that this creation was written when the Tudors were on the throne. Tudor propaganda is to blame for the wilful and cruel destruction of the real Richard III. An extraordinary effort was made to create the story that Richard plotted to seize the throne of England and then ruled as a brutal tyrant.
Anthony Sher as ~Shakespeare’s Richard III
Medieval kings ruled by consent, which mostly meant the consent of the nobility of southern and central England, with the earls
In the north being gradually edged aside, which eventually led to the Wars of the Roses, which had ended with Edward IV defeating the northern nobility.
Edward chose his brother Richard to govern in the north, and Richard duly arrived in 1476 with 5000 men. This might have been deemed a threat by the city fathers, but according to their records: ‘After greetings were exchanged, the duke addressed the civic officials within Bootham Bar, saying that he was sent by the king to support the rule of law and peace.’
And so he did, devoting himself to the minutiae of government and justice. He heard pleas on quite small matters:
‘Right and mighty prince and our full tender and especial good lord, we your humble servants, havnyg a singler confidence in your high and noble lordship afore any other, besecheth your highnesse. . .concerning the reformation of certain fish traps. . . In 1482 the York gave him gifts, ‘for the great labour, good and benevolent lordship that the right, high and might prince have at all times done for the well of the city.’ Richard was presented with: ‘6 pike, 6 tenches, 6 breme, 6 eels and 1 barrel of sturgeon’, a local speciality of spiced bread, and fourteen gallons of wine to wash it all down.’
Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville
But the darkest story to damn Richard for posterity was the deaths of his two nephews, the sons of Edward IV. Edward, when dying, named his 12-year-old son, another Edward, as his successor. He also designated Richard as Lord Protector, the guard the kingdom and the boy himself until the latter was of age. Richard was in the north when the king died on 9 April 1483, and did not know what had happened. The little king-to-be was in the hands of his mother’s family, the ambitious Woodvilles, who had no intention of giving up power to Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Keeping him in the dark, they began to rush the boy to London, intending to have him crowned on 4 May, but Richard found out, and intercepted them. Outwitted them too. Taking charge of the boy, he escorted him to London, where the future king was installed in the royal apartments at the Tower. The coronation was rescheduled for 22 June, but on the 13th of the month, an extensive plot against Richard was exposed. This caused Richard to see that his younger nephew, another Richard, was placed in the Tower. The boys were thus together, and then the coronation was deferred until November.
Evil Richard with Edward V
This was because on 22 June, Dr Edward (sic) Shaa, brother of the mayor of London, declared to the citizens of London that Edward IV’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, which had taken place in secret, had been illegal because the king was precontracted to marry Lady Eleanor Talbot.
Richard of Gloucester had been a dutiful and loyal lieutenant for Edward IV, and had spent many years governing the north in his name. Richard was ‘popular, widely trusted, knew everyone and was a capable administrator’. Now he had learned that the children of the Woodville marriage were illegitimate. This meant that Richard himself was the rightful successor.
Everyone agreed with this, and he was acclaimed king on 26 June and crowned on 6 July. Then the princes seem to have vanished, and in due course Tudor spin would make it seem that Richard had them killed.
The Coronation of Richard III
King Louis the First and Last (see http://www.catherinehanley.co.uk/historical-background/king-louis-of-england), is generally regarded as not being a king of England because he had no coronation. However, the eldest son of Edward IV is counted as Edward V, even though he was never crowned and certainly did not rule. Jones believes this was entirely due to Henry Tudor, who had no ‘meaningful’ claim to the throne, but had seized it in 1485 when Richard was killed at the Battle of Bosworth. Henry, a usurper, saw how helpful it would be for him if Richard could be designated a regicide. That was why the boy Edward was recognized as a king, even though he never had been. And if anyone had a motive for killing the boys in the Tower, it was Henry Tudor!
‘The bones of two children are still on show in the Tower [sic], proof of Richard’s wicked deed. They were discovered in the seventeenth century, and examined in 1933, when they were said to be vital evidence of the crime. But no-one knows when they date from.’
Everything we know of Richard reveals him not to have been a tyrant. To quote Jones: ‘Almost the first thing he [Richard] did on becoming king was to pay off £200 he owed to York wine merchants. Now there’s a tyrant for you!’
Next Richard, with his queen, Anne, rode north with his entire court, to stage a second coronation. The city of York was notified in advance by the king’s secretary:
‘Hang the streets thorough which the king’;s grace shall come with clothes of arrass, tapestry work and other, for there commen many southern lords and men of worship with them.’
The city put on a particularly lavish display, and all the city fathers, with the mayor, wore scarlet robes as they rode with the king and queen. York seemed to be made of cloth, and the monarchs stopped to watch ‘elaborate shows and displays’.
Of course, all this did not go down well with southern lords. It plunged still farther when Richard gave his northern friends plum places at court. That was why the unworthy outside, Henry Tudor, gained support. He had no real right to claim the throne, but he managed, through treachery, to kill Richard at Bosworth.
Henry Tudor is crowned at Bosworth
York was devastated. ‘King Richard late mercifully reigning upon us was through great treason of the Duke of Northfolk and many others that turned ayenst him, with many other lords and nobles of these north parts, piteously slain and murdred to the great heaviness of this city.’
The only reason we have been brainwashed into believing ill of Richard III is because the Tudors were clever and forceful when it came to spinning their side of events. Henry Tudor’s reign commenced shakily, so he invented a bogeyman.
When Richard was alive, writer John Rous wrote of him as ‘a mighty prince and especial good Lord’. Under the Tudors, Rous ‘portrayed him as akin to the Antichrist’: ‘Richard spent two whole years in his mother’s womb and came out with a full set of teeth’. Shakespeare also wrote under a Tudor monarch, and his sources were Tudor documents.
‘Propaganda, thy name is Henry.’
Reconstruction of Richard III
Posted by viscountessw in anniversaries, battles, Book Reviews, sources, The play's the thing and tagged "Medieval Lives", "Tudor" propaganda, Battle of Bosworth, bigamy, bones, Bootham Bar, Coronation, Council of the North, Edward IV, Edward V, Garden Tower, Henry VII, illegitimacy, John Howard Duke of Norfolk, John Rous, Lady Eleanor Talbot, Lord Protector of the Realm, Louis VII, motive, plots, pre-contract, Ralph Shaa, Richard III, Tanner and Wright, Terry Jones, Wars of the Roses, wine merchants, Wydevilles, York
5 thoughts on “Terry Jones’ opinion of Richard III….”
Nell Corkin on 01/02/2019 at 12:18 am said:
Except there are no bones “on show in the Tower.” Are there?
jrlarner on 01/02/2019 at 12:32 am said:
Not on show in the Tower, but in an urn in Westminster Abbey
Verona on 25/06/2019 at 7:04 pm said:
Actually isn’t the 2nd coronation in York was that of Richard’s son when he was made Prince of Wales? It is the tradition of the King (or Queen) to crown his heir as Prince of Wales.
viscountessw on 01/02/2019 at 9:08 am said:
Yes, a blooper – but the passage is a quote. I’ve added a [sic] to show I know it’s wrong. Thanks for drawing my attention to it.
wordynerdbird on 12/02/2019 at 1:16 am said:
I’ve read Jones’ book, and it’s very good.
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Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer and songwriter. She has released many chart-topping albums and singles over the course of her career, and has won 12Grammys and numerous other awards.
In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including Gram Parsons, John Denver, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, The Band, Mark Knopfler, Guy Clark, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan,Rodney Crowell, Neil Young and Steve Earle.
Biography[edit source | editbeta] Edit
Early years[edit source | editbeta] Edit
Harris is from a career military family. Her father, Walter Harris, was a military officer and her mother Eugenia was a wartime military wife. Her father, a member of the Marine Corps, was reported missing in action in Korea in 1952 and spent ten months as a prisoner of war. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Harris spent her childhood in North Carolina and Woodbridge, Virginia, where she graduated from Gar-Field Senior High School as class valedictorian. She won a drama scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she began to study music seriously, learning to play the songs of Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez on guitar. Leaving college to pursue her musical aspirations, she moved to New York, working as a waitress to support herself while performing folk songs in Greenwich Village coffeehouses. She married fellow songwriter Tom Slocum in 1969 and recorded her first album, Gliding Bird. Harris and Slocum soon divorced, and Harris and her newborn daughter Hallie moved in with her parents in the Maryland suburbs on the edge of Washington, D.C.[1]
With Gram Parsons Edit
Harris soon returned to performing as part of a trio with Gerry Mule and Tom Guidera. One night in 1971, members of the country rock group The Flying Burrito Brothers happened to be in the audience. Former Byrds member Chris Hillman, who had taken over the band after the departure of its founder Gram Parsons, was so impressed by Harris that he briefly considered asking her to join the band; instead, Hillman recommended her to Parsons, who was looking for a female vocalist to collaborate with on his first solo album, GP. Harris toured as a member of Parsons' band, The Fallen Angels, in 1973, and the two of them shone during vocal harmonies and duets. Later that year, Parsons and Harris worked on a studio album, Grievous Angel. Parsons died in his motel room near what is now Joshua Tree National Park on September 19, 1973 from an accidental overdose of drugs and alcohol. Parsons' Grievous Angel was releasedposthumously in 1974, and three more tracks from his last sessions with Harris were included on another posthumous Parsons album, Sleepless Nights, in 1976. There was one more album of recorded material from that period that was packaged with the name, Live 1973, but was not released until 1982.
The working relationship between Harris and Parsons is of great importance in country and country-rock music history. Parsons offered Harris a study in true country music, introducing her to artists like The Louvin Brothers, and provided her with a musical identity; Harris' harmony and duet vocals, on the other hand, were lauded by those who heard them, and helped inspire Parsons' performances. His death left her devastated at an emotional and musical crossroads. She eventually carried on with her own version of Parsons' musical vision, and was instrumental in bringing attention to his achievements. Harris' earliest signature song, "Boulder to Birmingham", written shortly after Parsons' death, showed the depth of her shock and pain at losing Parsons. It was, according to best friend Linda Ronstadt, the beginning of a "lifetime effort to process what had happened", and was just the first of many songs written and/or performed by Harris about her life with (and without) Parsons.
The Hot Band[edit source | editbeta] Edit
[1][2]Hot Band member James Burton
Warner Brothers A&R representative Mary Martin introduced Harris to Canadian producer Brian Ahern, who produced her major label debut album, Pieces of the Sky, released in 1975 on Reprise Records. The album was surprisingly eclectic, especially by Nashville standards, including cover versions of The Beatles' "For No One", Merle Haggard's "Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down" and The Louvin Brothers' "If I Could Only Win Your Love". It also featured "Bluebird Wine", a composition by young Texas songwriter Rodney Crowell, who was the first in a long line of songwriters whose talents Harris has championed. The record was one of the most expensive country records produced at the time, featuring the talents of James Burton, Glen Hardin, Ron Tutt, Ray Pohlman, andBill Payne, as well as two tracks ("Before Believing" and "Queen of the Silver Dollar") that were cut with the Angel Band. Two singles were released: "Too Far Gone", which initially charted at No. 73 (a 1979 reissue hit No. 13), and Harris's first big hit, "If I Could Only Win Your Love", a duet with Herb Pedersen (later a founding member of The Desert Rose Band), which peaked at No. 4.
Executives of Warner Bros. Records (Reprise Records's parent company) told Harris they would agree to record her if she would "get a hot band". Harris did so, enlisting guitarist James Burtonand pianist Glen Hardin, both of whom had played with Elvis Presley as well as Parsons. Burton was a renowned guitarist, starting in Ricky Nelson's band in the 1950s, and Hardin had been a member of The Crickets. Other Hot Band members were drummer John Ware, pedal steel guitarist Hank DeVito, and bassist Emory Gordy, Jr., with whom Harris had worked while performing with Parsons. Singer-songwriter Crowell was enlisted as a rhythm guitarist and duet partner.[2] Harris's first tour schedule originally dovetailed around Presley's, owing to Burton and Hardin's continuing commitments to Presley's band. The Hot Band lived up to its name, with most of the members moving on with fresh talent replacing them as they continued on to solo careers of their own.
Elite Hotel, released in December 1975, established that the buzz created by Pieces of the Sky was well-founded. Unusual for country albums at the time, which largely revolved around a hit single, Harris's albums borrowed their approach from the album-oriented rock market. In terms of quality and artistic merit, tracks like "Sin City", "Wheels", and "Till I Gain Control Again", which weren't singles, easily stood against tracks like "Together Again", "Sweet Dreams", and "One of These Days", which were. While Elite Hotel was a No. 1 country album, the album did sufficiently well as a crossover success with the rock audience. Harris appealed to those who normally disapproved of the country market's pull toward crossover pop singles ("Together Again" and "Sweet Dreams" both topped the country charts). Elite Hotel won a Grammy in 1976 for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.
Harris' reputation for guest work continued. Aside from contributing to albums by Linda Ronstadt, Guy Clark and Neil Young, Harris was tapped by Bob Dylan to perform on his Desire album, but entirely uncredited. Harris also filmed one of the studio sequences, owing to her touring schedule, in The Band's The Last Waltz, singing "Evangeline".
Burton left the Hot Band in 1976, choosing to remain with Elvis Presley's band, and was replaced by English guitarist Albert Lee. Harris's commercial apex was Luxury Liner, released in 1977, which remains one of her definitive records. On Luxury Liner, Harris's mix of songs from Chuck Berry ("(You Never Can Tell) C'est La Vie"), Gram Parsons (the title track and "She"), The Carter Family ("Hello Stranger") and Kitty Wells ("Making Believe") illustrate a continuity and artistic merit to country music often overlooked at the time. Despite Top Ten singles with "C'est La Vie" and "Making Believe", the album's best known track is the first recorded cover of Townes Van Zandt's classic "Pancho & Lefty", which would be a No. 1 hit for Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard in 1983. At the end of 1977, Crowell left the Hot Band to pursue a solo career; his replacement was bluegrass multi-instrumentalist and singer Ricky Skaggs.
Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town signaled a slight change of direction from Harris's previous three albums. Rather than mixing classic and contemporary, the album is made up largely of recently written songs, though from a wide variety of writers. "Two More Bottles of Wine", written by Delbert McClinton, became Harris's third No. 1 single, "To Daddy", written by Dolly Parton, went to No. 3, and a third single, "Easy From Now On", went Top Twenty. The album included two songs apiece from Crowell ("I Ain't Living Long Like This" and "Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight") and songwriter Jesse Winchester ("Defying Gravity" and "My Songbird"), and Utah Phillips' "Green Rolling Hills".
The Roots Records[edit source | editbeta] Edit
In 1977 (January), Harris married Brian Ahern.[3] Their (Harris' second) daughter, Meghann, was born in 1979. During this time, Harris cut three studio albums that reflected a shift toward traditional country (going somewhat against the grain, as the industry was about to embrace a more polished Urban Cowboy sound). The first key to the change in direction was her Grammy Award-winning 1979 album Blue Kentucky Girl. Apart from a cover of The Drifters' "Save The Last Dance For Me", the album was largely made up of classic-styled country material in the vein of Loretta Lynn and Kitty Wells. One of her best-loved albums, the record includes songs ranging from The Louvin Brothers' "Everytime You Leave" to Willie Nelson's "Sister's Coming Home" to Gram Parson's signature "Hickory Wind". Wesley Rose took special interest in Harris' recording of "Beneath Still Waters", which became a No. 1 smash.
A Christmas album, Light of the Stable, was released in 1979; its title track featured backing vocals by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Neil Young, all three of whom Harris had been working with sporadically since the mid-1970s, and with whom she would continue to collaborate through the 2000s. (Harris, Parton and Ronstadt began working on a planned trio album during this time, though it would remain unfinished for nearly a decade; a few of the tracks recorded for the project surfaced on the women's respective solo albums in the interim.) The album is largely acoustic, featuring readings of traditional fare such as "Silent Night", "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "The First Noel".
In the 1980s, Harris pursued country music's history even further with the bluegrass-oriented recording of Roses in the Snow, featuring Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Albert Lee, Emory Gordy Jr. and Jerry Douglas. Harris's versions of the traditional "Wayfaring Stranger" and Paul Simon's "The Boxer" were strong singles.
In 1980, Harris recorded "That Lovin' You Feelin' Again" with Roy Orbison. The duet was a Top 10 hit on both the Country and Adult Contemporary charts. They would win the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. She would also be featured on Paul Kennerley's concept album The Legend of Jesse James, which also featured Levon Helm of The Band and Johnny Cash.
Pop-chart success, songwriting[edit source | editbeta] Edit
In 1981, Harris reached the Top 40 on the Billboard pop chart with a cover of "Mister Sandman"—again Top 10 Country as well as Adult Contemporary—from her Evangeline album. (The album version of the song was a track from the ill-fated Trio sessions with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, but neither Parton's nor Ronstadt's record companies would allow their artists' vocals to be used on the single, so Harris re-recorded the song, singing all three parts for thesingle release of the song.)
Harris moved to Nashville in 1982. White Shoes in 1983 included an eclectic pairing of the rockish reading of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" with a remake of the Donna Summer hit "On the Radio", as well as tracks from a diverse group of songwriters such as Hot Band member Crowell, Sandy Denny and T-Bone Burnett and was her last album produced by Brian Ahern until All I Intended to Be in 2008.
Harris's major-label releases thus far had included few self-penned songs, but in 1985 her songwriting skills were much in evidence with the release of a concept album The Ballad of Sally Rose, for which she co-wrote all of the songs. The album was semi-autobiographical in theme, based loosely on her relationship with Parsons. Harris described it as a "country opera", and a "huge commercial disaster".[4] Her co-writer and producer on the album was Englishsongwriter and musician Paul Kennerley, writer of the hit singles "Born to Run" (on Harris's 1981 Cimarron album) and "In My Dreams" (on White Shoes). Kennerley also produced her next album, Thirteen. They were married in 1985 and divorced in 1993.
In 1987, nearly a full decade after they'd first attempted to do so, Harris teamed up with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt for their long-promised and much-anticipated Trio disc. The album was the biggest commercial success of Harris's career, spending five weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Country Albums chart (also quickly reaching the Top 10 on the Pop Albums chart), sold several million copies and produced four Top 10 Country hits, including "To Know Him Is To Love Him", which hit No. 1. The disc was nominated for the coveted Album Of The Year Grammy award (given to U2 that year for The Joshua Tree) and the three women won the statuette for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal; the album's Linda Thompson-penned track "Telling Me Lies" reached No. 3 Country, No. 25 Adult Contemporary, and was also nominated for a Grammy as 1987's Best Country Song.
Harris also found time in 1987 to release a solo album, Angel Band, featuring traditional gospel songs, on which she worked with, among others, rising country star Vince Gill.
In 1989, she recorded two songs with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on their album, Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume II. In a snippet of studio chatter included on one of the tracks, she talked during the recording session about her beginnings and how music had changed:
Years ago I had the experience of sitting around in a living room with a bunch of people and singing and playing, and it was like a spiritual experience, it was wonderful. And I decided then that was what I was going to do with my life was play music, do music. In the making of records, I think over the years we've all gotten a little too technical, a little too hung up on getting things perfect. We've lost the living room. The living room has gone out of the music, but today I feel like we got it back.
1989's Bluebird album, which featured contributions from Marty Stuart, Bonnie Raitt, and Kate and Anna McGarrigle, included the singles "Heartbreak Hill", which reached No. 8 on the U.S. country singles chart, and "Heaven Only Knows", which reached No. 16, the most recent top-twenty chart singles of Harris' career. The following year's Brand New Dance album received favorable reviews, but marked the beginning of a chart and airplay decline for Harris.
Around 1991, she dissolved The Hot Band and formed a new band of acoustic musicians—Sam Bush on fiddle, mandolin and vocals, Roy Huskey, Jr. on bass and vocals, Larry Atamanuik on drums, Al Perkins on banjo, guitar, Dobroguitar and vocals, and Jon Randall on guitar, mandolin and vocals—which she named The Nash Ramblers. They recorded a Grammy Award-winning live album in 1992 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, which led to the $8 million restoration of the facility into a premium concert and event venue. It was her last album with Reprise Records. She has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1992.[5][6]
New directions[edit source | editbeta] Edit
By the 1990s, Harris started receiving less airplay as mainstream country stations began shifting their focus to the youth-oriented "new country" format. As with Brand New Dance, 1993's Cowgirl's Prayer—Harris' first studio album after her switch to Elektra Records—was critically praised but received very little airplay,[7] and its lead single, "High Powered Love" charted very low, peaking at No. 63, prompting her to shift her career in a new direction.
In 1995, Harris released one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the decade, Wrecking Ball, produced by Daniel Lanois, best known for his work with U2, Peter Gabriel and Bob Dylan. An experimental album for Harris, the record included Harris's rendition of the Neil Young-penned title track (Young himself provided guest vocals on two of the album's songs), Steve Earle's "Goodbye", Julie Miller's "All My Tears", Jimi Hendrix's "May This Be Love", Kate and Anna McGarrigle's "Goin' Back to Harlan" and Gillian Welch's "Orphan Girl". U2's Larry Mullen, Jr. showed up to play drums for the project. The album received virtually no country airplay whatsoever, but did bring Harris to the attention ofalternative rock listeners, many of whom had never listened to her music before.
Harris then took her Wrecking Ball material on the road, releasing the live Spyboy in 1998, backed with a power trio comprising Nashville producer, songwriter and guitarist Buddy Miller and New Orleans musicians, drummer Brady Bladeand bassist-vocalist-percussionist Daryl Johnson. In addition to performing songs from Wrecking Ball, the album updated many of Harris's career hits, including "Boulder to Birmingham".
Also in 1998, she appeared prominently on Willie Nelson's moody, instrumentally sparse Teatro album, produced by Wrecking Ball producer Lanois.[8]
During the summer of 1997 and 1998, Harris joined Sarah McLachlan's all-woman musical touring festival, the Lilith Fair, where new artists like Patty Griffin could share new experiences and ideas with seasoned musicians like Harris and Bonnie Raitt.
In January 1999, Harris released Trio 2 with Parton and Ronstadt. Much of the album had actually been recorded in 1994, but remained unreleased for nearly five years because of record label and personnel disputes, conflicting schedules, and career priorities of the three artists. Trio 2 was much more contemporary-sounding than its predecessor and was certified Gold. It included their version of Neil Young's classic "After The Gold Rush", which became a popular music video and won another Grammy—this one for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. Harris and Ronstadt then released a duet album, Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions, later the same year. The two superstars toured together during the fall months in support of the disc. Both albums made the Top 10 of Billboard's Country Albums chart and did well on the pop side as well.
Also in 1999, Harris paid tribute to her former singing partner Gram Parsons by co-executive producing Return of the Grievous Angel: A Tribute to Gram Parsons, an album that gathered together more than a dozen artists. Harris performed duets with Beck, Sheryl Crow and The Pretenders on this album's tracks.
In 2000, Harris released her solo follow-up to Wrecking Ball, Red Dirt Girl, produced by Lanois protégé Malcolm Burn. For the first time since The Ballad of Sally Rose, the album contained a number of Harris's own compositions. LikeWrecking Ball, the album's sound leaned more toward alternative rock than country. Nevertheless it reached No. 5 on Billboard's Country Albums chart as well as a healthy No. 54 on the pop side. It also won Harris another of her 12 Grammy awards, in the category of Best Contemporary Folk Album.
Harris also accompanied on alternative country singer Ryan Adams' solo debut Heartbreaker and on Tracy Chapman's fifth album Telling Stories.
Also in 2000, Harris joined an all-star group of traditional country, folk and blues artists for the T-Bone Burnett-produced soundtrack to the Coen Brothers film, O Brother, Where Art Thou? The soundtrack won multiple CMA, ACM and Grammy awards. A documentary/concert film, Down from the Mountain, featured the artists performing music from the film and other songs at the Ryman Auditorium. Harris and many of the same artists took their show on the road for the Down from the Mountain Tour in 2002. In 2003, Harris supplied the finishing touches in harmonizing with the Dixie Chicks on a song they were recording in the studio, "Godspeed".
Recent work[edit source | editbeta] Edit
Harris released Stumble into Grace, her follow-up to Red Dirt Girl, in 2003. Like its predecessor, it contained mostly self-penned material. In 2004, Harris led the Sweet Harmony Traveling Revue tour with Gillian Welch, David Rawlings,Buddy Miller and Patty Griffin. They performed singly and together and swapped instruments.
On September 9, 2005, Harris participated in "Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast", a series of concerts simulcast by most American television stations to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. She performed with Beth Neilsen Chapman and the Dixie Chicks, harmonizing on Patty Griffin's song, "Mary".
[3][4]Harris playing in Rotterdam, Netherlands (2006)
In 2005, Harris worked with Conor Oberst on Bright Eyes' release, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, performing backup vocals on three tracks. In July, she joined Elvis Costello on several dates of his US tour, performing alongside Costello and his band on several numbers each night. Harris and Costello recorded a version of Costello's song, "The Scarlet Tide", from the soundtrack of the movie Cold Mountain. July also saw the release of The Very Best of Emmylou Harris: Heartaches & Highways, a single-disc retrospective of Harris's career, on the Rhino Entertainment label. This same year, Harris appeared as a guest vocalist on Neil Young's widely acclaimed Prairie Wind. She also appeared in theJonathan Demme documentary-concert film Neil Young: Heart of Gold, released in 2006.
[5][6]Harris performing in the Netherlands withMark Knopfler
All the Roadrunning, an album of collaborations with former Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler, was released in April 2006 and supported by a tour of Europe and the US. The album was a commercial success, reaching No. 8 in the UK and No. 17 in the US. Selections recorded during the All the Roadrunning tour performance at the Gibson Amphitheatre were released as a CD/DVD package titled Real Live Roadrunning in November 2006. In addition to several of the compositions that Harris and Knopfler recorded together in the studio, Real Live Roadrunning features solo hits from both members of the duo, as well as a few classic tracks from Knopfler's days with Dire Straits.
Harris is featured on A Tribute To Joni Mitchell, released on April 24, 2007. Harris covered the song "The Magdalene Laundries" (originally on Mitchell's 1994 album, Turbulent Indigo). She sang "Another Pot O' Tea" with Anne Murray on Murray's album Anne Murray Duets: Friends and Legends, released November 13, 2007, in Canada and January 15, 2008, in the U.S.
Harris wrote a song called "In Rodanthe" for the 2008 film Nights In Rodanthe.
A solo album, All I Intended to Be, was released on June 10, 2008, to critical acclaim. It reached Top Five of Billboard's Country Albums chart and the Top 20 of the Pop Albums chart. Contributors include Buddy Miller, the McGarrigle sisters, Vince Gill, Phil Madeira, and her 'Trio' sister Dolly Parton. She toured with an ensemble she dubbed the Red Dirt Boys, featuring Phil Madeira on accordion, guitar, and keyboards, Colin Linden on guitar and banjo, Rickie Simpkins on mandolin and fiddle, Chris Donohue on bass, and Bryan Owings on drums.[9] It did not include Miller, who was touring with Robert Plant, Alison Krauss and T Bone Burnett at the time. In 2009, Harris toured with Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin, and Miller as "Three Girls and Their Buddy". Madeira, Simpkins, and Donohue performed with her in late 2008, and in 2009, appearing on "A Prairie Home Companion" and at MerleFest and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. In September 2009, Owings rejoined the Red Dirt Boys with Miller for the remainder of 2009.
In April 2009 Harris became a grandmother. Her daughter gave birth to a daughter, Prudence.[10]
In 2010, Harris regrouped with the latest version of the Red Dirt Boys—Madeira, Owings, Donohue, and Simpkins—for Lilith Fair summer dates and a scheduled US autumn tour.
According to an interview with Bonnie Tyler by Digital Spy, Emmylou Harris will be teaming up with her on Tyler's upcoming album. Harris will do backing vocals on a song, written and produced by Wayne Warner. A new solo album, Hard Bargain, was released on the Nonesuch label on April 26, 2011. It reached No. 3 on Billboard's Country Albums chart and the Top 20 of the Pop Albums chart.
PBS host Tavis Smiley interviewed Harris in a program that aired on April 20, 2011. In the interview Harris spoke of being a straight-A student in high school, which led her to being selected as valedictorian, and recounted learning to play guitar by memorizing three chords.[11]
The 2012 single "Emmylou" by Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit on their album The Lion's Roar is, in part, a tribute to Harris, with its lyrics referring to her relationship to Gram Parsons.
In September 2012, she will be featured in a campaign called "30 Songs/30 Days" to support Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, a multi-platform media project inspired by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s book.[12]
Old Yellow Moon, an album of duets featuring Harris and former Hot Band member Rodney Crowell, was released on February 26, 2013.[13]
Activism[edit source | editbeta] Edit
In 1997 and 1998, Harris performed in Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair, promoting feminism in music. Since 1999, Harris has been organizing an annual benefit tour called Concerts for a Landmine Free World. All proceeds from the tours support the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation's (VVAF) efforts to assist innocent victims of conflicts around the world. The tour also benefits the VVAF's work to raise America's awareness of the global landmine problem. Artists that have joined Harris on the road for these dates include Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bruce Cockburn, Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, Joan Baez, Patty Griffin, Nanci Griffith, Willie Nelson, and Lucinda Williams. Harris is a supporter of animal rights and an active member of PETA.[14] She founded, and in her spare time assists at, an animal shelter in Nashville.[15]
She became a member of the newly formed Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2011.[16][17]
Awards and other honors[edit source | editbeta] Edit
Grammy Awards[edit source | editbeta] Edit
2005 Best Female Country Vocal Performance ("The Connection")
2001 Album of the Year (O Brother, Where Art Thou?)
2000 Best Contemporary Folk Album (Red Dirt Girl)
1999 Best Country Collaboration with Vocals ("After The Gold Rush", with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt)
1998 Best Country Collaboration with Vocals ("Same Old Train", with Alison Krauss, Clint Black, Dwight Yoakam, Earl Scruggs, Joe Diffie, Marty Stuart, Merle Haggard, Pam Tillis, Patty Loveless, Randy Travis, Ricky Skaggs & Travis Tritt)
1995 Best Contemporary Folk Album (Wrecking Ball)
1992 Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (Emmylou Harris & The Nash Ramblers At the Ryman, as Emmylou Harris & The Nash Ramblers)
1987 Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (Trio, with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt)
1984 Best Country Vocal Performance, Female ("In My Dreams")
1980 Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group ("That Lovin' You Feelin' Again", with Roy Orbison)
1979 Best Country Vocal Performance, Female (Blue Kentucky Girl)
1976 Best Country Vocal Performance, Female (Elite Hotel)[18]
Country Music Association Awards[edit source | editbeta] Edit
1980 Female Vocalist Of The Year
1988 Vocal Event of the Year (Trio, with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt)[19]
Other honors[edit source | editbeta] Edit
VH1's 100 Most Influential Women in Rock and Roll (1998) - Number 22 out of 100
Billboard's Century Award recipient (1999)[20] - inducted by Sarah McLachlan
CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music - No. 5 ranking (2002)
Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on February 12, 2008[21]
Inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2009.
Awarded an honorary doctorate of music from Berklee College of Music in 2009.
Retrieved from "https://music.fandom.com/wiki/Emmylou_Harris?oldid=85055"
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Wellness & Preventive Medicine
Wellness Institute Menu
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Home / Institutes & Departments / Wellness & Preventive Medicine / Integrative & Lifestyle Medicine / Staff / Nutrition Staff
Nutrition Staff
Beth Bluestone, RD, LD
Beth is a Registered Dietitian specializing in weight management, chronic disease prevention, integrative and functional medicine, and healthy cooking.
Learn more about this provider
Ms. Bluestone provides nutrition services at the Lyndhurst Campus and Amherst Family Health Center.
Anna Kippen (Ryazanskiy), MS, RDN, LD
Anna Kippen is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Cleveland Clinic Wellness & Preventive Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Anna has several years of experience in the nutrition science and health management area, with an MS degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as a Bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University with a minor in psychology. She completed her dietetic internship at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center and is licensed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in the state of Ohio.
Anna believes that food is the best medicine, and takes a whole-body approach to decreasing inflammation and promoting good health using evidence-based research and practices. She understands that every client is an individual, and is passionate about working together with you to find ways to incorporate appropriate lifestyle changes to improve your quality of life and meet your personal goals. She specializes in weight management, chronic disease prevention and management, integrative and lifestyle medicine, and healthy cooking.
Ms. Kippen is available for nutrition consultations in both English and Russian.
Ms. Kippen provides nutrition services at the Lyndhurst Campus and Lakewood Family Health Center.
Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RDN
Kristin Kirkpatrick is the Lead dietitian and manager of Wellness Nutrition Services at Cleveland Clinic Wellness & Preventive Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a best-selling author, an experienced presenter, and an award winning Dietitian. Kristin has been seen on both local and national shows such as the TODAY show, NBC Nightly News and the Dr. Oz show and has contributed to several national Newspapers and magazines such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, TIME, Runners World, Oprah, Martha Stewart Living, Food Network, Costco Connection, Self and Women’s Health. The Huffington Post named Kristin “one of 35 diet and nutrition experts you need to follow on twitter.”
Kristin is a sought after national speaker on a variety of nutrition and wellness related topics. In addition, Kirkpatrick writes for TODAY.com, the Huffington Post, US News and World Report and is a featured expert on Cleveland Clinic's Health Essentials. Kristin also serves on Dr. Oz’s Medical Advisory Board as well as the Advisory Board for Lose it!
Kristin has over 17 years of experience in the health management area, holds an MS in Health Promotion Management from American University in Washington, D.C., and a BA in Political Science from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She is licensed as a Registered Dietitian in the state of Ohio. In May 2012, Kristin received the Ohio Outstanding Dietetic Educator of the year award and, in 2013, received alumni of the year from her high school, Gilmour Academy.
In her free time, Kristin enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her husband Andy, her 2 sons Jake and Boden and their goats and dogs in their home outside of Cleveland.
In January 2017, Kristin published her first book, Skinny Liver: A Proven Program to Prevent and Reverse the New Silent Epidemic—Fatty Liver Disease (read an excerpt).
Find Ms. Kirkpatrick as a contributor on Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials.
Acupuncture Staff
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Nutritional Videos Featuring Kristin Kirkpatrick
Breaking down breakfast
The healthiest foods to plant in your garden
Health benefits of gardening
Grocery shopping for your heart
Pumpkins pack a healthy punch
Best and worst bbq foods
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France: Hollande, a Triumph with European Scope
Posted by MLToday | May 7, 2012 | Electoral Politics
After 17 years of conservative governments, the triumph of the Socialist Party (SP) candidate Francois Hollande in the presidential elections is considered today a political change in France with European scope.
French President-elect Hollande won Sunday’s election with 51,67 percent of the votes, compared to 48,33 of his rival Nicolas Sarkozy, according to data provided by the Ministry of Interior, after counting 99 percent of the ballots.
In his first speech to the nation, from the town of Tulle, the newly elected president committed to work for a European Union (EU) where economic growth, employment and prosperity prevail.
"Europe is watching us. Austerity can not be a fatality", affirmed Hollande who has raised his willingness to renegotiate the treaty of fiscal stringency adopted in March this year by 25 of the 27 EU countries.
At a time of popular discontent in the region by welfare cuts and the loss of jobs, President-elect considers necessary to counterbalance the austerity policies.
"That will be my mission, to give European construction a new dimension. And I’ll tell that as soon as possible to the European and German partners", he said.
The elected president also called for implementing a tax on financial transactions, create Eurobonds to finance infrastructure and provide a new role for the European Central Bank, among other projects to stimulate economic development.
The victory of the Socialist Party candidate and the hope that this election marks a change in the direction of the block taking into account the economic turbulence in the eurozone, was noted by several media in the continent.
For the French newspaper Liberation, the triumph of Hollande recalls the victory won by Francois Mitterrand in 1981, and revives images that seemed doomed to the history books.
While Patrick Apel-Muller, LÃHumanite finds that this success is indicative of the strong desire for change.
The United Kingdom newspaper The Independent said that the victory of the Socialist Party candidate against Sarkozy announces a change in the way Europe faces the crisis.
Hollande triumphs against Sarkozy’s austerity policy or, titled the conservative newspaper The Times, while Portugal’s Jornal de Negocios expressed the hope to transform the legacy of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and take a different approach to the crisis.
In Italy, the daily La Stampa reflected the triumph of the Socialist Party in the polls with an article titled: Paris Changes and Europe Changes.
Paris, May 7 , 2012
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Carmen Esquivel, Prensa Latina
The Corporate Candidate
Obama Has Bombed Seven Nations. Clinton Claims He Has Not Been Militaristic Enough
On the Presidential Elections in November in the US.
Comcast-Owned MSNBC in the Tank for Joe Biden’s Presidential Run
by Carmen Esquivel, Prensa Latina time to read: 2 min
Electoral Politics A Fiery Speech in the Greek Parliament
Electoral Politics The ÂLeft Government is Dangerous for the P…
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The Peabody Institute
The Peabody Art Gallery
Toward the end of the nineteenth century, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie argued that the wealthy had a moral obligation to give away a portion of their assets. He advised fellow millionaires to make their benefactions during their lifetimes to ensure that the funds were directed towards the uses they intended. Carnegie cited the man who had inspired his philosophy of charitable giving.That man was George Peabody.
Hailed in his lifetime as "the most liberal philanthropist of ancient or modern time," Peabody is recognized today as the founder of modern philanthropy. To be sure, his benefactions have been overshadowed by the much larger contributions of later donors, but it was he who set the example for and established the pattern followed by Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and the other great philanthropists of the nineteenth century. The Peabody Donation Fund, which provided housing for London's poor and the Peabody Education Fund, which helped to heal the wounded South, were the prototypes for the modern philanthropic foundation, but it was not until the twentieth century that these models were widely emulated.
In 1815, George Peabody persuaded his partner Elisha Riggs to move their firm, Peabody & Riggs, to Baltimore. They settled into larger quarters in Old Congress Hall and added banking services to the firm's business. Their banking ventures quickly became a source of great profit. By 1822, Peabody & Riggs branches were established in Philadelphia and New York.
George Peabody's $2 million gift establishing the Peabody Education Fund supported education at all levels in the eleven former Confederate states and West Virginia. Many northerners and southerners alike believed this ambitious venture was the surest means of healing the wounds left in the wake of the Civil War.
The first meeting of the trustees of the Peabody Education Fund was held
at Willard's Hotel in Washington, D.C., on February 8, 1867. There, former governors of northern and southern states mingled for the first time since the beginning of hostilities. When the trustees gathered a month later in New York City the occasion was recorded by renowned Civil War photographer Matthew Brady.
The Peabody Education Fund, which established a public education system for the states of the American South, was George Peabody's largest single benefaction. Taking a position that was astonishing for that era, Peabody insisted on providing educational opportunities for all races. General Ulysses S. Grant, Admiral David G. Farragut, and the governors of New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, and South Carolina were among those chosen as trustees for the Fund. Peabody was awarded a Congressional Medal for his benefaction.
I feel most deeply, therefore, that it is the duty and privilege of the more favored and wealthy portions of our nation to assist those who are less fortunate; and, with the wish to discharge so far as I may be able my own responsibility in this matter, as well as to gratify my desire to aid those to whom I am bound by so many ties of attachment and regard, I give to you, gentlemen, most of whom have been my personal and especial friends, the sum of one million of dollars, to be by you and your successors held in trust, and the income therefore used and applied in your discretion for the promotion and encouragement of intellectual, moral, or industrial education among the young of the more destitute portions of the Southern and Southwestern States of our Union; my purpose being that the benefits intended shall be distributed among the entire population, without other distinction than their needs and the opportunities of usefulness to them.
-- George Peabody, February 7, 1867
President Millard Fillmore arranged for transportation of American wares to Britain for the Great Exhibition of 1851 but Congress, plagued with the slavery controversy and suspicious of the British, denied funding for actual U.S. participation in this "speculative venture." The American exhibits languished on the English docks as the British press heaped scorn on the former colony. George Peabody, recognizing the importance of his country making a good showing, put up the £3,000 (about $15,000) needed to install the American exhibits in London's Crystal Palace.
During George Peabody's time in London there were acres of slums with tenements where basements were awash in sewage. Upstairs rooms were so crowded with humanity that the dead often lay packed amid the living for days. Women stood by their infants and small children to protect them from rat bites. Dank rooms with piles of rags for furniture might hold as many as thirty humans sleeping on straw-filled bags.
There was no central water supply. Water, often brought in from sources not far from sewage outlets, was furnished by a variety of private companies. Cholera outbreaks were frequent and lethal. For a time George Peabody considered establishing a network of drinking fountains for the city.
The Peabody Donation Fund, which provided housing for London's poor, and the Peabody Education Fund, which helped the American South recover from the devastation of the Civil War, were prototypes for the modern philanthropic foundation, but it was not until the twentieth century that this method of directing money to good causes was widely emulated.
Founded in 1857, Baltimore's Peabody Institute was the first major cultural center in an American city. It provided Baltimore with a research library, scholarly lectures in the humanities and sciences, an academy of music, and a gallery of art. When The Johns Hopkins University was established in 1877 the Peabody Board of Trustees passed a resolution calling for the two institutions to affiliate at the earliest possible time. A century later, in 1977, the Peabody Institute affiliated with The Johns Hopkins University.
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Gastroesophageal Relux - GERD Raising Awareness About an Unknown Killer
Aug 6, 2018 -edited
Mindy Mordecai & John Lipham, MD, University of Southern California discuss ECAN's role in raising GERD awareness
ECAN spreads the word about the link between acid reflux and esophageal cancer
John Mordecai, better known to his many friends as Monte, was “a healthy guy,” remembers his wife, Mindy. He was a runner. He didn’t eat sugar and kept to a low-fat diet. But for many years, he experienced unexplained choking fits that woke him up in the middle of the night.
Mindy asked him to talk to his doctor about this strange symptom, but he always said that it wasn’t a big deal, that he was fine. Neither Monte nor Mindy knew that the choking was a symptom of acid reflux, where stomach acid sloshes back through the valve supposed to contain it and into the esophagus: the long, muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
And neither knew that acid reflux was a risk factor for a type of deadly esophageal cancer—or that if caught early, cells in the esophagus that may become cancerous can be eliminated, saving lives.
In 2007, Monte was diagnosed with a tumor the size of a golf ball in his esophagus. Despite a year of grueling treatment, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and eventually new targeted drugs, his cancer spread throughout his body. He died in the spring of 2008. His daughters were only 9 and 12 years old.
Mindy was furious. “When I first discovered that my husband was going to probably die of a preventable disease, I can’t even describe the rage in my belly,” she says.
While Monte was sick, says Mindy, “my focus was on trying to find a way to save his life and take care of my kids. But after he died…how were we going to make sure this didn’t happen to other families? Someone had to.”
In the last few months of Monte’s life, their older daughter, Mara, a passionate ballet dancer, had begun organizing a fundraiser called “Dance for the Cure,” to raise money for esophageal cancer awareness in their hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. Though Monte didn’t live to see the event, it was a resounding success, raising more than twenty thousand dollars. The next year, they did it again.
“And after we did that, I thought, ‘this isn’t enough,’” remembers Mindy. “We could raise awareness in Baltimore, but it isn’t just people in Baltimore who are at risk for this horrible disease.”
“The last thing I really needed to do when I was trying to raise my two kids by myself was start a non-profit. But I grew up in a family where we were taught that if you could make a difference, that’s your job. And I thought, I have to at least try,” she says.
Mindy took out a home-equity line of credit loan and launched the Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN) out of the basement of her house in 2009. In the eight years of its existence, the fledgling group— now funded by donations and in its own office space— has made large strides in increasing both the awareness of the risk of esophageal cancer and the attention the disease receives from the medical community.
Reflux and Risk
Since the 1970s, the number of cases of a type of esophageal cancer called adenocarcinoma began rising rapidly in the United States.1 A major risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma is acid reflux.2 The cancer has a horrendous survival rate: only about 20 percent of patients will be alive 5 years after diagnosis.3
Many people experience acid reflux as heartburn, a burning pain in the chest. Others with reflux never experience heartburn, but have other symptoms such as a persistent sore throat, a consistently hoarse voice, a regular cough, or, like Monte, choking when lying down at night, explains Mindy.
Either way, over time, reflux can lead to a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, where cells lining the esophagus die and are replaced with a type of cell that normally lines the intestines. People with Barrett’s have a greatly increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.4
A false sense of security can accompany Barrett’s because the pain that may accompany reflux often goes away. This happens because the new cells are less sensitive than the esophageal cells they replaced. When the pain disappears, patients often think that their reflux has stopped, but it hasn’t, and neither has the damage to the esophagus, explains John Lipham, MD, associate professor of surgery at the University of Southern California and ECAN’s current board chair.
And treating the reflux with medications once Barrett’s has developed doesn’t seem to reduce the risk of progression to cancer. “There will always be a risk of cancer: Barrett’s in and of itself is a precancerous condition,” explains Bruce Greenwald, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Maryland, and ECAN’s past chair and current board member.
In addition to the false sense of security that arises in those cases when Barrett’s develops and the pain of reflux disappears, another reason that many people never tell a doctor about their reflux symptoms is that many powerful anti-reflux drugs are now available over the counter, explains Dr. Lipham. “People are self-medicating, and if their symptoms are gone, they believe their reflux is gone, and they don’t actually go to a doctor about the issue until they have a big tumor in their esophagus,” he warns. “If you have heartburn more than two or three times a week, or heartburn severe enough that you need to be on drugs like Prilosec OTC or Nexium 24HR, you need to bring that to the attention of your healthcare provider, because you may need to be checked for Barrett’s,” adds Dr. Greenwald. “And don’t think that because you have no more heartburn [while taking medication] that the risk is not there.”
Though treating reflux can’t prevent Barrett’s from progressing to cancer, the good news is that Barrett’s with precancerous changes (called dysplasia) can be eliminated, reducing cancer risk. A procedure called ablation can remove the precancerous cells in the esophagus, “We have excellent scientific studies to show that we prevent cancer by eradicating Barrett’s esophagus with dysplasia. That’s been a major breakthrough in the last 5 or 10 years,” says Dr. Greenwald.
Currently, existing guidelines don’t clearly define which people with reflux should be screened for Barrett’s esophagus, because only a small minority will ever develop the condition. The available screening technique, called endoscopy, requires patients to go under anesthesia and is relatively costly, limiting its wide use.
Some newer technologies under development may help bring esophageal cancer screening to a larger population, explains Dr. Lipham. These include a small sponge called the Cytosponge that can be swallowed and pulled back out to collect esophageal cells, some easy-to-use imaging technologies, and a breath test. Importantly, these tests could be used in a primary care doctor’s office, eliminating the need to see a specialist just for screening.
Having a cheap, universal screening test could also get around the problem that 40 percent of people with reflux never experience any symptoms. But it will likely be years before any new technique becomes widely used, says Dr. Greenwald. In the meantime, people will need to talk with their doctors and make individual decisions about whether or not to undergo endoscopy to look for Barrett’s based on their personal risk factors, he adds.
Raising Awareness and Advocating for Research
In its relatively short life, ECAN has done much to get esophageal cancer on the national radar
and to advocate for increased research funding for what has been a neglected disease. In their early days, the group launched the designation of April as Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month in states across the nation. Today, it is observed by governments, businesses, and organizations across the country and around the world.
ECAN also pushed for esophageal cancer to be included in the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI’s) project known as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). That nationwide research project aimed to identify common genetic mutations among specific cancer types, which could be future targets for treatment or markers of risk. Results from the esophageal cancer research project, published this January, shed new light on the cellular changes driving the disease. 5 “I feel like, if we accomplish nothing else as an organization, that was important,” says Mindy.
But they’re not stopping there. ECAN is currently advocating for esophageal cancer to be included in NCI’s new Cancer Moonshot initiative, which is allocating almost two billion dollars for research to accelerate new cancer treatments. They’re petitioning the Food and Drug Administration to change the labels of over-the-counter acid reflux medications to include a warning that reflux can cause cancer and that the drugs do not reduce that risk.
And they continue to get information about esophageal cancer awareness in front of people who have likely never heard of the disease or considered their risk: in the news media,6 on film—in partnership with the estate of Humphrey Bogart (see Box)—with comedians across the country who participated in their “No Laughing Matter” night, at sporting events, and more.
Thanks to a generous private donation, ECAN is now hiring a second full-time staffer and holding a fundraiser to take their activities to the next level. This year, ECAN commissioned a national survey that found that only 14 percent of Americans know that reflux can cause cancer. “I’d like to use that as a baseline, and then do it every year, and see if we’re moving the needle,” she explains.
She likens it to recent skin cancer prevention efforts. “We all know about the sunscreen story now, but there was a day that we didn’t,” says Mindy. But to put things in perspective, she explains, esophageal cancer kills about 6,000 more Americans than melanoma—the deadliest skin cancer— every year.3,7 “We can [raise awareness] about reflux as well, and I think we have to,” she says.
Although women do have a lower risk of esophageal cancer than men, “if you’re someone who has reflux, or if you have some of these other symptoms, or if you have other people in your family with Barrett’s or esophageal cancer, get checked, even if you’re a woman,” urges Mindy.
“Also, we’re wives, partners, mothers, sisters—we can make a difference in the lives of the men we know, and when we see someone who’s popping the Tums or the Prilosec, or has those other symptoms, encourage them to be checked. And when they brush it off like it doesn’t matter, we can point out that it does. It doesn’t take that much, and it can save their life,” she concludes.
Two examples of ECAN videos can be found online:
Screenings for Screenings—A Bogart Movie Trailer
PSA with Jeff Foxworthy
Brown LM, Devesa SS, Chow WH. Incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus among white Americans by sex, stage, and age. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2008;100(16):1184-118.
Lagergren J, Bergström R, Lindgren A, Nyrén O. Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux as a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma. New England Journal of Medicine. 1999 340(11):825-31.
The American Cancer Society: What Are the Key Statistics About Cancer of the Esophagus? Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/esophagus-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed March 29, 2017.
Sharma P, Katzka DA, Gupta N, et al. Quality indicators for the management of Barrett’s esophagus, dysplasia, and esophageal adenocarcinoma: international consensus recommendations from the American Gastroenterological Association Symposium. Gastroenterology. 2015 Nov;149(6):1599-1606.
Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network. Integrated genomic characterization of oesophageal carcinoma. Nature. 2017541(7636):169-175.
Mordecai M. “Obama’s sore throat could be a lifesaver.” The Detroit News. December 11, 2014. Available at: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2014/12/11/obama-sore-throatlife-saver/20234759/. Accessed March 29, 2017.
The American Cancer Society: Key Statistics for Melanoma Skin Cancer? Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed March 29,2017.
Key Statistics for Esophageal Cancer
The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for esophageal cancer in the United States are for 2009:
Obama’s sore throat could be a lifesaver
President Obama’s sore throat may off alert Americans reflux disease is serious.
www.detroitnews.com
Key Statistics for Melanoma Skin Cancer
The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates and statistics for melanoma skin cancer in the United States are located here.
Treatment & Management of Esophageal Cancer
Overview of treatment and for esophageal cancer
Overview of Esophageal Cancer
Signs, Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer: Who's at risk? How is it diagnosed?
Keytruda Promising in PD-L1 Positive Esophageal Cancer
KEYNOTE-081 clinical trial; Keytruda improves survival in advanced esophageal cancer
Esophageal Cancer Newsletter
Stay Current With Esophageal Cancer Treatment Advances & Connect with Others
Mucosal Resection & Esophagus Sparing Surgery for Cancer of the Esophagus
NCCN Recommends Endoscopic Mucosal Resection & Esophagus Sparing Surgery for Barretts and Early Stage Esophageal cancer
Treatment of Recurrent Esophageal Cancer
Understand treatment options for recurrent esophageal cancer and the role of clinical trials
Proton Beam Therapy May Improve Outcomes for Esophageal Cancer
Minimally Invasive Surgery a Viable Option for Esophageal Cancer
Lancet study suggests minimally invasive surgery equivalent to open esophagectomy
FDA Approves Cyramza™ in Combination With Paclitaxel for Esophageal Cancer
Cyramza™ in Combination With Paclitaxel for Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma
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Flooding Reported at Travis, Girard Streets - Aug. 8
5:38 a.m. - Due to flooding, the intersection at Travis Street and Girard Street is closed. Access to the faculty/staff garage at Academic/Girard Buildings will be via Wood Street, which will be operated as a two-way street today, Tuesday, August 8.
UPDATE 6:09 A.M. - UHD is open today, Aug. 8. Due to flooding, the intersection at Travis St. and Girard St. is closed. Access the Girard Garage via Wood St. which will be operated as a two-way street today. Students, faculty and staff are urged to exercise caution and make decisions based on personal safety.
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Jessica Thompson Somol
Humans Trump Gadgets: How our focus on quick technology wins in global health is distracting us from the fundamental business of health care delivery
In response to the provocative blog post by James Militzer (“Needed: Boring Health Care Solutions”) last month on NextBillion, I would like to add the perspective of a nonprofit organization working in the global health care delivery space today.
The funding community’s thirst for technological solutions in the global health care space has resulted in a manic search for the latest gadget or pharmaceutical reformulation that will serve as a silver bullet in reducing the unnecessary deaths that occur in poor communities around the developing world. We see the private sector’s overemphasis on technology to drive profitability now reflected in the new products capturing the attention of grant-makers and impact investors on the hunt for the ultimate scalable solution.
The superlatives are daunting. Many of the most respected funders in the global health care space have adopted the language (and expectations) of venture capitalists during the explosive growth of the late 1990s. More and more we see grant guidelines searching for “disruptive” “innovative,” “groundbreaking” technologies that have the potential for “global impact” and “scale.” As a result of this skewed attention to feverish growth, it is devices, technology platforms (e.g. mHealth) and reformulated medications that capture the imagination of some of the top funders in the social impact and social innovation space. Somehow the business of health care delivery has fallen by the wayside.
Proper health care is integrated by definition. Think of the hundreds of decisions we make daily to keep ourselves healthy: hand-washing, eating well, drinking enough water, brushing our teeth, not texting while driving, getting enough sleep, taking our allergy meds, the list goes on. Effectively improving the health of a person, a family, a community, requires an integrated health care delivery platform (fancy term) that involves a place for people to receive care when they are sick that also serves up lifesaving information in the form of health education so people can learn to keep themselves and their families healthy.
There is another, less sexy name for this kind of delivery platform: primary care.
According to 2011 World Health Organization statistics:
“Nearly four in every 10 deaths in low-income countries are among children under 15 years. People predominantly die of infectious diseases: Lower respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, diarrheal diseases, malaria and tuberculosis collectively account for almost one-third of all deaths in these countries.
“Ninety-nine percent of the 6.9 million children who died before reaching their fifth birthday lived in low- and middle-income countries. The major killers of these children were pneumonia, prematurity, birth asphyxia and birth trauma, and diarrheal diseases. Malaria caused about 14 percent of under-5 deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Maternal deaths have dropped … but are still unacceptably high: Nearly 800 women die due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth every day.”
That’s 2.6 million deaths caused each year by infectious diseases, illnesses that are preventable and treatable. Deaths from these causes can be avoided when people have access to preventative health education about clean drinking water, sanitation, hand-washing and bed nets, as well as to basic health care interventions like condoms, antibiotics, oral rehydration therapy and anti-malarials. And 800 mothers’ lives could be saved each day with access to antenatal care and a trained birth attendant during childbirth in a well-supplied facility.
At Containers 2 Clinics (C2C), we believe the key is delivering these solutions in an integrated, well-functioning, consistent and reliable format – say, for instance, at a primary care clinic that actually opens each day, whose staff is well trained and empowered to do their jobs with functioning medical equipment and a reliable supply chain to keep the clinic stocked with the materials and medications they need. It is these processes and the people who implement and operationalize them daily, working in concert, that are the real lifesavers in these settings.
And, while user fees are a contentious issue in the global health arena, we believe that cost recovery is a critical element of any truly sustainable development solution. Over time, fees will reduce the burden of annual fundraising to maintain clinical operations in perpetuity.
The problem is that primary care is, as Militzer points out in jest, “boring” to funders looking for the cure-all to the top killers in the developing world. Proper primary care is messy, complex, difficult to measure, culturally specific (and therefore difficult to standardize and scale) and, above all, requires patience. But it is the integration of systems – trained personnel, supply, inventory control, maintenance, health education and outreach, demand creation and data collection and synthesis, financial management – that comprise a successful primary care solution in a community and allow it to remain serving that community for years to come.
While health care delivery may be more difficult to track and measure than an innovative device, it is, in fact, the vehicle through which such innovations must pass to reach their beneficiaries. Without a consistent delivery platform, with all its functioning components, even the best technologies will not realize the scale and impact funders seek.
As Ban Ki-moon, U.N. secretary general, once said, “We know what works. … The answers lie in working together to strengthen health systems and ensure universal access to essential services and lifesaving interventions.”
Primary care, despite its pedestrian, common, basic nature, has many of the answers and innovations we need to save lives. The medications are fairly simple, the equipment easy to provide and maintain and the staff are straightforward to train and supervise. I would suggest that the innovation the global primary health arena needs more than anything else is the interest of the media in care delivery models and the patience of funders to see them successfully implemented and supported over time so that these simple solutions can be accessible to the people whose lives are at risk every day.
Jessica Thompson Somol is the executive director of Containers 2 Clinics, which provides comprehensive care to women and children by turning shipping containers into fully-equipped, fully-stocked clinics.
Entrepreneurship, Environment, Health Care, Technology
health care, public health, rural healthcare delivery, scale, sustainability, technology
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Home Admissions Fergusson College Merit List 2019 released for B.A./ B.Sc. /B.Voc. Self Finance
Fergusson College Merit List 2019 released for B.A./ B.Sc. /B.Voc. Self Finance
Fergusson College Merit List 2019: The Fergusson College invites application for the admission to the course for the session 2019-2020. Candidates interested in taking admission will be required to fill up the Application Form and submit it before the due date. The admission to the Fergusson College is provided on the basis of the Merit List published by the College. The Merit List is prepared on the basis of the marks secured by the candidate in the qualifying examination. It should be noted that only those candidates who have submitted the Application form will be able to download the Merit List which will be followed by the Counselling procedure. Merit List will carry the details such as the Application Number, candidates’ name, marks secured in the qualifying examination, marks secured by the candidate as per the merit provided by the Fergusson College. For more of the details of the Fergusson College Merit List go through the article mentioned below.
Fergusson College is releasing the General Merit List for the admission to UG courses on 11th June 2019. Candidates who successfully submitted the Application form can check their names in the Merit list. The direct link of the Merit List will be available here.
Check here for Fergusson College admission merit list 2019
Check here for Fergusson College admission notification 2019 for various courses
Fergusson College Merit List 2019
The Institute will be releasing the Fergusson College Merit List 2019 on its official website and the candidates who have successfully submitted the Application Form will be eligible to download the list. The Merit list of Fergusson College will contain the names of the candidates who have been selected for the further admission procedure. Since there will be no entrance exam conducted by the Institute, the admission will be provided solely on the basis of the Merit. It’s important to provide correct details regarding the marks at the time of the Application Form submission. The Merit List will be released for the course as offered by the Fergusson College. The List will contain the names of the candidates and the aggregate of marks on the basis of which the counselling procedure will be conducted. The merit will be prepared in the descending order. If there is a tie between two candidates, the preference will be provided to the candidate with higher subject marks, wherever applicable.
Steps to Check the Fergusson College Merit list 2019
Visit the official website of the Fergusson College. The link will be provided in the article.
Navigate for the Admission Portal.
The Link of the Merit List will be provided on the admission portal.
Provide the required credentials, if asked.
The Merit List can also be uploaded directly in the PDF format for the Degrees separately.
The Merit List will be available on the website. Candidate will be required to look for their name and other details in the list as per the Degree they applied for.
Details regarding the Counselling procedure will also be available in the Merit List. The important dates and the day of reporting at the Fergusson College for admission will also be mentioned in the list.
Contents Mentioned on the Fergusson College Merit List 2019
Candidates can go through the details mentioned on the merit list. Counselling will be conducted after the release of the Merit List for the final admission to the session 2019-2020.
Preparation of Fergusson College Merit List 2019
The Merit List is prepared by the authorities of the Fergusson College for admission to the Program. The criteria of the admission are decided on the basis of the marks secured by the candidate in their Senior Secondary Exam or equivalent. The information provided by the candidate should be valid and correct, any form of misleading information will lead to the cancellation of the candidature. The Final allotment of the seat is done through the Counselling Procedure.
Document Required at the time of the admission
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2 Fergusson College Merit List 2019
3 Steps to Check the Fergusson College Merit list 2019
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Posts Tagged short stories
The Undercover Soundtrack – Annalisa Crawford
Posted by Roz Morris @Roz_Morris in Undercover Soundtrack on October 19, 2016
The Undercover Soundtrack is a series where I host a writer who uses music as part of their creative environment – perhaps to connect with a character, populate a mysterious place, or hold a moment still to explore its depths. This week my guest is prizewinning short story writer and Costa Awards finalist Annalisa Crawford @annalisacrawf
Soundtrack by Cherry Ghost, REM, Gary Jules, Queensryche, Colin Hay, Fort Atlantic, The Shins
I envy songwriters—it’s such a wonderful gift to be able to say something important so concisely and memorably. I’ve tried it, and it’s really hard. I’ll leave that to my singer-songwriter husband, and all the other talented musicians out there.
Music inspires me, allows me to delve into realities I never knew I could create, and elicit the deepest of emotions. The melodies flow into my writing and I have a penchant for repetition and alliteration, which I edit into more manageable pieces for the final draft.
So far, I’ve had a lot more success with shorter fiction. A lot of the time one song hits just the right note for that particular piece—either it’s there at the beginning, guiding me along, or I’ll hear it while struggling with a certain scene or character, and it’ll make sense of my story. Isn’t it strange that whenever a song takes on a special significance, you hear it everywhere you go?
Our Beautiful Child
In 2013, I wrote two stories that were set in the same town, featured the same pub, and contained characters that leapt from one to the other. I was trying to write a third story, because I knew they’d work perfectly as a trilogy, but that third story was being elusive.
One of my favourite songs was False Alarm by Cherry Ghost. Every time I heard it, I had a very heartwarming feeling, like arriving at home after a hard days’ work or snuggling up with my husband. I knew there was a story within those chords—I could sense it, I could feel my fingers tingling.
The first verse talks about being dragged down, and I had the image of a woman submerged in a river or lake. I was commuting a lot at that time, an hour’s journey each way, including a 30-minute walk, and inevitably I’d hit this song during the walking part—I remember muttering to myself, “There’s a story here, I know there’s a story.” (Luckily there was never anyone around!)
But it hung in the air, just out of reach.
One morning, I stopped mid-stride because I had it. And, oh it was perfect. I went home that night and the story fell into place, evolved, became something so exciting, and the submerged woman was the centerpiece of it all. In my head, this story and this song are inextricably linked. Our Beautiful Child became the title story, and definitely one of my favourites out of everything I’ve ever written.
Everybody Hurts by REM
I don’t mean to write sad stories, but my characters are usually broken in some way. Everybody Hurts could be the soundtrack to most of my stories. I once described it as the soundtrack to my own life! I see it as an uplifting song, that we all have times when we suffer, but there are people who will help.
There are two stories that were inspired by this—one directly, one indirectly.
In Omelette (from That Sadie Thing and other stories), Josie’s friend is gravely ill and she’s in need of support. She’s hurting, her friend is hurting, and a waitress—by doing nothing more than offer her an alternative to her usual lunch order—gives that comfort. I wrote Omelette, listening to this song, with tears running down my cheeks. I could imagine Josie sitting at her table, listening intently to the song on the radio, singing softly to herself.
The indirect story is Cat and the Dreamer. Julia hurts, enough to attempt suicide, which fails. The book is about her life afterwards—the refrain about holding on is just so perfect for her, because around the corner everything changes, she just needs to wait just a little bit longer.
The Girl who is Good (That Sadie Thing and other stories)
I grew up listening to—and loving—the Tears for Fears original of Mad World, but some of the covers have a more emotional impact. The Gary Jules version, used on the Donnie Darko soundtrack, is the one that resonates with the main character, the unnamed girl in the title. She’s torn between being the person her parents want her to be and the person she wants to be—she’s completely overwhelmed by her own reality. All around her, there are definitely familiar faces, but she stares at them as though they are strangers, isolated. At one point in the story, she’s looking at the reflection of herself and her parents in a window, and doesn’t recognize them.
Mad World, in all its incarnations, has a dreamy, surreal feel—try to listen past the lyrics and allow yourself to float away with the tune. The ending of this story would not exist without this song. I didn’t know where I was going with it, writing myself into a dead end. Then suddenly The Girl did something completely unexpected, but totally fitting for this track. You’ll have to decide what happens for yourself, though.
Some of my characters just need a hug, and Beth is definitely top of the list. Silent Lucidity by Queensryche is the musical equivalent. Right from the opening lines and with a voice that reminds me of melted chocolate.
Beth’s life is preordained, she wanders through the big moments, not really taking part. She marries her first boyfriend, and has three children with him—but her affair is unplanned, and changes her life in ways she couldn’t possibly imagine.
Again, this track has a surreal quality, drawing the listener along into a crescendo. Reading the lyrics for this post, I realised how perfect they really are. Beth wants to fly, it’s all she ever wanted—to soar high and achieve her dreams—and this song carries her.
You. I. Us
Finally, recently I published my fourth short story collection, You. I. Us. I wrote the first draft of these stories very quickly and spent most of the time listening to all the best songs from the TV show How I Met Your Mother—fast, upbeat, quirky, they perfectly fitted the short vignettes I was writing. Two of my favourites are Let Your Heart Hold Fast by Fort Atlantic and Simple Song by The Shins. As they’re more upbeat than the rest of the songs I’ve featured, I’m going to finish with them. If you’re a fan of the show, you know exactly which scenes these tracks come from, don’t you?
Annalisa Crawford lives in Cornwall UK, with a good supply of moorland and beaches to keep her inspired. She lives with her husband, two sons, a dog and a cat. Annalisa writes dark contemporary, character-driven stories. She has been winning competitions and publishing short stories in small press journals for many years, and is the author of four books, Cat & The Dreamer published by Vagabondage Press, That Sadie Thing and other stories, Our Beautiful Child published by Battered Suitcase Press and You, I. Us published by Vine Leaves Literary Press. She won 3rd prize in the Costa Short Story Award, 2015. Find her on her website, Facebook and Twitter @annalisacrawf
Annalisa Crawford, Battered Suitcase Press, Cat & The Dreamer, Cherry Ghost, Colin Hay, contemporary fiction, Costa Book Awards, dark fiction, Donnie Darko, Fort Atlantic, Gary Jules, hint of paranormal, How I Met Your Mother, I. Us, music and writers, Our Beautiful Child, Queensryche, REM, short stories, Tears For Fears, That Sadie Thing, The Shins, The Undercover Soundtrack, undercover soundtrack, Vagabondage Press, Vine Leaves Literary Press, writing with music, You
‘A song that makes sense of my story’ – Annalisa Crawford
To introduce this week’s guest I’ll quote the opening line of her post: she says she envies songwriters because they are masters of the concise. She writes short stories and quite often doesn’t know where an idea will go, but finds her way by listening to a song, letting the words flow, trusting the music. A cover version of Mad World gave her a particularly dreamy, haunting tale about a girl struggling with identity. The post captures so well what we do, whether short or long form. From conciseness – a spark or a song – we get depth, a whole world. Anyway, do drop by on Wednesday for the Undercover Soundtrack of multi-award-winning short story writer Annalisa Crawford.
Annalisa Crawford, contemporary fiction, Mad World, short stories, The Undercover Soundtrack, undercover soundtrack, writers and music, writing with music
The Undercover Soundtrack – Ryan W Bradley
Posted by Roz Morris @Roz_Morris in Undercover Soundtrack on February 3, 2016
The Undercover Soundtrack is a series where I host a writer who uses music as part of their creative environment – perhaps to connect with a character, populate a mysterious place, or hold a moment still to explore its depths. This week my guest is multipublished novelist and former Arctic construction worker Ryan W Bradley @rwrkb
Soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel, Morphine, Ennio Morricone, Sam Elliott
My Little Town
Music unlocks ideas. I love writing beginnings and endings but middles test my patience. Once I know how a story is going to end I just want to be there already, which often results in me taking extended breaks from what I’m working on. I don’t put on certain music trying to coax out the missing puzzle piece, it just happens.
The original version of Nothing but the Dead and Dying was named after a different story in the collection, Glaciers. But sometime into the process of sending the manuscript to agents and editors another book called Glaciers came out and the more attention it got the clearer it became that I would have to change my title.
I was driving home from work listening to Simon and Garfunkel when My Little Town came on. It’s my favorite song of theirs, primarily because of the point where it stops being soft and the music builds aggressively and the lyrics get increasingly dark. Suddenly this little town isn’t idyllic and that’s where it gets good. That’s the meat. I’ve listened to the song hundreds of times, but on one occasion a particular line grabbed me as the title. I reflexively checked the name of the song because I couldn’t believe they hadn’t used it.
If a single phrase could possibly encapsulate the stories I was trying to tell of blue collar people and towns in Alaska, this was it. I instantly knew I had the new title for my book, and subsequently one for a story I’d been working on set in my home town, Wasilla, certainly a town full of bleak desires and dreams.
Like Swimming
One of the bands I revisit most often is Morphine. Their songs are a little bit Beat and a little bit Noir, they are soothing and catchy. And there are more than enough turns of phrase and lyrical tidbits that serve to inspire the writing-minded. Though the story I named after this song shares very little with the song itself, it’s a testament to the power of earworms. Morphine is a band that sticks with you, and those are the bands whose influence becomes invisible over time.
When I worked in the Arctic our job was to be invisible. The goal was that when we finished our projects a stranger wouldn’t be able to tell we had done the work in the first place. This is not so different from how the world around us becomes part of what we create. The music, films, books, and art—not to mention the people and places—that stick with us become a part of what we in turn create. Whether we realize it or not.
The Morricone Factor
Usually my writing is tied to what I was listening to while writing it. But the stories of Nothing but the Dead and Dying are more about what I was not listening to. Because they were written over such a long period of time (roughly six years from the first story to the last), there’s no way to quantify the music that created the fabric of the process. In fact, this book, more than anything else I have written, may show the least musical influence. But like a glacier, what we see on the surface is only a small portrait.
Writing this book was about tone from the very beginning. It was about feel. As soon as I decided to put together a collection of stories about blue collar Alaskans (which was after writing just three or four stories), it was clear that they would be bound by an environment, one far beyond the landscape of the state, deep into the psyche of its inhabitants.
I rarely listen to classical music or music without vocals in general. I need the voices and the words. I need songs that move fast. If you want to know my favorite song on an album it’s usually going to be either the most up-tempo song, or the one that sounds most Beatles-esque. When it comes to classical music one of two exceptions is Ennio Morricone.
Morricone could set a mood with music in his sleep. His film scores create barren landscapes full of violence and loneliness. If I were charged with finding a musical equivalent of my stories, there’s no doubt it would be one of Morricone’s scores (here, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly). I can hear the ominous notes resounding in every sentence, every glimmer of hope a character is given, and the emptiness of the hopes removed.
When a voice is music
Allow me to be a cheater. They may not be songs or albums but voices are musical. They can stick in your head just like songs, they can inspire your imagination, or make you feel any of the emotions a strong note or lyric can.
In the end my writing boils down to a voice and it is that of actor Sam Elliott. I am obsessed with some people’s voices, but none more than his. I hear it in my head when I write. It helps me craft the tone of my sentences. When I revise, I read out loud and I do it in a Sam Elliott impersonation. The words are different in his voice, I experience them in a different way and it affords me a chance to feel them as foreign objects. I am not repeating myself, but removing myself. I am allowed to be some version of an audience.
Ritual and routine
Putting words down on the page, stringing them into semi-coherent sentences and paragraphs is not hard, but it couldn’t possibly be harder. This is why writers have rituals and routines. We find a way to make the writing a little easier and we cling to it. I don’t need to create a mood to write, but what I do need is a key. Music is a key. It can feed an idea or expand it. Music helps me focus, the way that doodling while in a meeting does. People joke about getting their best ideas on the toilet or while in the shower, for me that is, more often than not, listening to music while driving to and from work.
Writing is easy. Until it isn’t. But I’ve found that when I’m the most lost, when I put a story aside and wonder if it’s even solvable, it is a song at some random time and place that will make the pieces come together.
Ryan W. Bradley has pumped gas, painted houses, swept the floor of a mechanic’s shop, worked on a construction crew in the Arctic Circle, fronted a punk band, and more. He now works in marketing for an audiobook publisher. He is the author of eight books, including Code for Failure and Winterswim. His latest book is Nothing but the Dead and Dying, a collection of stories. He received his MFA from Pacific University and lives in Oregon with his wife and two sons. You can find him on his website or stalk him on Twitter: @rwrkb
Alaska, Code for Failure, creative writing, Ennio Morricone, how to cure writer's block, literary fiction, Morphine, music for writers, Nothing But The Dead and Dying, Ryan W Bradley, Sam Elliott, short stories, short story collections, Simon and Garfunkel, stories set in Alaska, The Undercover Soundtrack, Winterswim, writer's block, writing and music
The Undercover Soundtrack – Garry Craig Powell
Posted by Roz Morris @Roz_Morris in Undercover Soundtrack on June 17, 2015
‘Sleaze, self-obsession and sentimentality’
Once a week I host a writer who uses music as part of their creative environment – perhaps to connect with a character, populate a mysterious place, or hold a moment still to explore its depths. This week’s post is by award-winning writer, creative writing teacher and keen musician Garry Craig Powell
Soundtrack by Julie Zorrilla, Evanescence, David Bowie, Phil Collins, Celine Dion, Chopin, the Beatles
Under the glitter
Those who know Dubai well see, beneath the surface glitter, that the city is sleazy, sordid, and corrupt. So I thought as I sat in Trader Vic’s, an ersatz ‘Polynesian’ bar — think dugout canoes, matting, masks, and Filipina waitresses — listening to a Cuban band beside a young woman from Kazakhstan whose motives for chatting with me were puzzling. In my story Kamila’s Price, Trader Vic’s becomes Lord Jim’s and the girl becomes a Polish actress turned waitress who has lost her job and is trying to muster the courage to sell herself for the first time, to an Englishman named Colin (not my alter ego, obviously!)
As for the music:
…invisible hands flapped bongo skins, strummed guitars. A song rose in a soft swell, maracas hissing and scratching, punctuating the susurration of the singers’ Spanish.’
Alternating between carefree rumbas and sentimental songs like Bésame Mucho by Julie Zorrilla, it is a kitschy and poignant contrast to what is actually going on.
A novel in stories
Stoning the Devil (Skylight Press, 2012) is a novel-in-stories or story cycle, comprised of twelve closely-linked narratives set in the Emirates, six of them directly inspired by music. Their mostly female protagonists struggle to fulfil themselves in a society dominated by men — not only Arabs, but European men too, who at times take gleefully to the patriarchal mores of the Gulf.
A Woman’s Weapon opens thus:
Over and over, the woman on MTV Asia sang in her woeful voice that she was broken, broken. White as a ghoul, the singer reminded Fayruz of herself—not physically, but on some level too deep to fathom.’
Fayruz, Colin’s Palestinian refugee wife, is listening to the Seether song, Broken, featuring Amy Lee of Evanescence. (Whom I see, on revisiting the video, I misremembered somewhat!) This cringe-worthy song struck me from the first as an anthem for the self-obsessed, the self-pitying and immature, and I at once associated it with Fayruz, who, though older than typical Emo fans, is still struggling with the traumas of her youth during the civil war in Beirut, and with an unfaithful husband. She sees herself as a victim, as the singers of the song do.
Pretentious, overblown
Moving Crucifixion is a comedy whose protagonist, Marwan, is Fayruz’s brother. Married to another Palestinian refugee, Randa, and yet seeking extra-marital excitement on the dating site Lebaneselovers.com, he begins a flirtatious game with an anonymous woman, teasing one another with lyrics from David Bowie’s Hang On to Yourself. On his way home from the bank where he works, however, Marwan listens to a Phil Collins song. The one I imagined (but did not mention) was the pretentious, overblown In the Air Tonight. For me it captured Marwan’s mood and character. Once again the music provides ironic atmosphere: it turns out that Marwan is flirting with someone he knows very well indeed.
Some of the stories feature young Emirati students as protagonists, and in the first one, Titanic 2, the reader is plunged into the highly romantic, wild fantasies of Alia and her cousin, Badria, for their university lecturer, who turns out to be Colin; these fantasies are fuelled by the melodramatic movie and of course by the Celine Dion song. Here is Alia in the shower:
Now, as the water licked her eyelids and trickled between her lips, she hummed the Titanic theme song. (…) Alia imagined Jack kissing her, Jack sketching her naked, and her hand pressed against the steamed-up window of the car in the hold while they made love. First Leonardo di Caprio’s hands were on Alia’s breasts; then it was the other one, Rose’s nasty dark fiancé, who was her lover.’
Contrary to western stereotypes, these women have active erotic imaginations.
Chopin and chopsticks
In the meantime, Kamila has indeed become a prostitute, and in The King of Kandy she is brutally attacked by three young Emirati males — led by Sultan, Badria’s brother — in a Dubai hotel room. As she pleads with the Sri Lankan front desk manager to call the police, she hears a compatriot of hers playing Chopin on a piano in the lobby. This evokes half-conscious nostalgia for her home country of Poland — which she will be unable to return to if the police arrest her as well as her assailants. She then hears the pianist somewhat heavy-handedly playing Penny Lane, ‘a cheerful song with wistful overtones’. The music suggests the world Kamila must give up if she gets her revenge. The story ends with one of my favourite lines:
How could a Pole butcher Chopin like that?’
The subtext is what Kamila must be asking herself: How could I have ruined my life so utterly?
Alia returns in The Jinni Crouching Behind Her. Now pregnant — having failed to seduce Colin, she has blackmailed a Bangladeshi security guard into having sex with her — and taken by Badria into the desert to try out an abortion potion of camel spit and ants (these actually exist and are said to be effective) she contemplates a further dilemma: she has been betrothed, against her will, to Badria’s brother, the rapist Sultan, and remembers the engagement party, which featured an Egyptian female pop star performing. I used to play in a band in the Emirates, and we once opened for a real Egyptian diva, who inspired this description:
Onstage, beside Alia, an Egyptian singer in a skintight leopard-print cat suit had swung her hips and wailed, flung her hair and gyrated like a belly dancer. The song had been frenzied, galloping hoofs on the sand, bass a sick thumping heart, keyboard skirling, violin shrieking.’
I used her as sort of pathetic fallacy—to underline Alia’s passionate and reckless nature.
Summarised, Stoning the Devil no doubt sounds melodramatic. Perhaps it is — but if so I hope I have created a melodrama of Wagnerian proportions. And, like Isolde or Brünnhilde, my protagonists, for all the oppression and brutality they suffer, turn out to be formidable opponents.
Garry Craig Powell was born in England and educated at the universities of Cambridge and Durham. His novel-in-stories Stoning the Devil (Skylight Press, 2012) was on the longlist for the Frank O’ Connor Short Story Award and the Edgehill Short Story Prize. He teaches creative writing at the University of Central Arkansas, and has just completed a novel about the Italian playboy, poet, war hero and proto-fascist statesman, Gabriele D’Annunzio. He also plays and sings in a band, Slings and Arrows. His website is here and his Facebook author page is here.
Arab Emirates, Celine Dion, Chopin, dating, David Bowie, Dubai, Edgehill Short Story Prize, Evanescence, female protagonists, Frank O' Connor Short Story Award, Garry Craig Powell, Julie Zorrilla, literary fiction, Phil Collins, short stories, Skylight Press, Stoning the Devil, story cycle, The Beatles, The Undercover Soundtrack, undercover soundtrack
The Undercover Soundtrack – Jan Ruth
Posted by Roz Morris @Roz_Morris in Undercover Soundtrack on December 17, 2014
‘Summoning Christmas in July’
Once a week I host a writer who uses music as part of their creative environment – perhaps to connect with a character, populate a mysterious place, or hold a moment still to explore its depths. This week’s post is by contemporary romance author Jan Ruth @JanRuthAuthor
Soundtrack by Katherine Jenkins, Sarah Brightman, The Pogues
Christmas music; what’s the first track that springs to mind? It’s usually always Slade, that staple of commercial radio and drunken office parties. And as much as we may hate this stuff being regurgitated every year, it wouldn’t be the same without it, such is the power of music and the way it can ‘set a scene’.
The brief – to myself – was three, longish-short stories set in my usual comfort zone of Snowdonia, North Wales, UK. I wanted to make them all very different from each other, and I’ve chosen four pieces of music which I feel sure heavily influenced my dormant festive muse.
I started my Christmas selection back in July and it was a tall order to find the mood when the sun was beating down on the parched Welsh mountains. This is where music plays a massive part, well, that and mince pies. I relied quite heavily on baked goods as husband objected to Christmas music in high summer, and even considering earpieces there’s always a certain level of wailing-along to contend with. So, an empty house, a dangly piece of bald tinsel and plenty of icing sugar…
Rudolph the Brown-Nosed Reindeer – Rejoice by Katherine Jenkins
Rick isn’t looking forward to his lonely corporate Christmas, but it’s the season of goodwill and magic is in the air.
An off-beat love story, with all the hierarchy of the Christmas office party to contend with. It’s time Rick wore his heart on his sleeve, or is it too late? Lessons in love from an unlikely source, in this case, Rudolph. This story has its wry fun, but Rick-the-Reserved is in major denial. Oh, he’s the tall dark sensitive sort but there’s a limit to self-preservation and he’s in danger of losing what’s under his nose. Rejoice is one of those tracks that seems to become richer with every listen, rather like peeling away the layers of doubt and indecision – something my main character needs to examine. Rick would do well to listen to the lyrics of this track and take some of them to heart. Above all, it managed to transport me to the snowy forest in the story. Can you hear the snow dripping and the fire crackling in the grate?
Jim’s Christmas Carol – Angel by Sarah Brightman
Santa and Satan pay a visit. One brings presents, the other an unwelcome presence.
Paranormal reality? Jim’s played with fire and it’s time he got his comeuppance, but from who?
Paranormal isn’t something I seek out to read, let alone write, but Sarah Brightman’s track Angel was one of the triggers for this story. Jim’s Christmas Carol isn’t a serious tale, it does have an element of farce about it, but Brightman’s track (and especially the video) is interesting in that the words and the imagery can be interpreted in many different ways, a bit like Jim’s Christmas Carol. And a lot like our kaleidoscope of beliefs when it comes to religion, guardian angels and all things paranormal.
Home for Christmas – The Pogues: Fairytale of New York (You WILL sing, and you will tap your feet.)
‘Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fa la-la la-la, la-la la-la. Tis the Season to be jolly…’
Romantic-comedy. Pip might accidentally find her true vocation, but the folly of her fibs are about to catch up with her…
The local village play, Deck the Halls, not only saves Philippa Lewisham from herself but promises an entirely different direction for New Year. She’s something of an old-fashioned girl, hiding behind a carefully fabricated facade of career-driven feminism – but she’s very much a fun-loving party-girl too, who’s perhaps lost her way a little.
I love the drunken fun of the Pogues song. It never fails to make me feel Christmassy, and lots of scenes in Deck the Halls take place in the village pub and the old school hall with a jangly old piano. In this story I flirt with romantic comedy and yes it does have a happy ever after, but I can’t bear mushy sentiment in books, film or music, so for me, The Pogues track IS Christmas.
Deck the Halls or Deck the Hall (which is the 1877 title) is a traditional Christmas, yuletide, and New Year carol. The melody is Welsh dating back to the sixteenth century, and belongs to a winter carol, Nos Galan. Merry Christmas! Nadolig Llawen!
Jan Ruth lives in Snowdonia, Wales, UK. This ancient, romantic landscape is the perfect setting for her fiction, or for just daydreaming in the heather. Jan writes contemporary stories about people, with a good smattering of humour and drama, dogs and horses.
Home For Christmas is available now. Full-length novels by her include: Silver Rain, Wild Water, Midnight Sky and White Horizon, plus two collections of short stories. Find Jan on Facebook, Twitter and her website.
The Undercover Soundtrack will be taking a Christmas snooze, and returns on January 7th. Merry everything.
authors, Christmas, Christmas Carol, Christmas carols, Christmas music, Christmas songs, contemporary fiction, Desert Island Discs, drama, entertainment, Home For Christmas, Jan Ruth, Katherine Jenkins, music, music for writers, music for writing, My Memories of a Future Life, Nail Your Novel, North Wales Yes, paranormal, playlist for writers, romance, Roz Morris, Sarah Brightman, short stories, Slade, Snowdonia, The Pogues, The Undercover Soundtrack, undercover soundtrack, Wales, Welsh mountains, Women Writers, writers, writing, writing to music, yuletide
The Undercover Soundtrack – Amanya Maloba
Posted by Roz Morris @Roz_Morris in Undercover Soundtrack on July 30, 2014
‘Thoughts circulating in a lyric or a line’
Once a week I host a writer who uses music as part of their creative environment – perhaps to connect with a character, populate a mysterious place, or hold a moment still to explore its depths. This week my guest is fashion writer, stylist and author Amanya Maloba @Amanya_M
Soundtrack by Erykah Badu, Tyler The Creator, Peter Tosh, Outkast, Shabazz Palaces, Q-Tip, Florence + the Machine
I’m a notorious lone wolf — I spend most of the day alone. I’m also an avid people-watcher and work best surrounded by movement and chaos. How do I reconcile these traits? People repellents, also known as large headphones, large sunglasses, and an unwavering jawline. These allow me the ability to situate myself in bustling environments and maintain my inner solitude and concentration, without the distractions of small talk. This also means that most of my day is characterized by a continuous flow of music, affecting my disposition and writing. Most of the vignettes in my collection, Harvest, were written as direct results of the combination of the thoughts circulating in my mind with a lyric or mood from one of the many songs I listen to. Though Harvest emerged as a unified collection, the music that inspired it is far from cohesive.
Harvest follows a young girl, Sukari, as she navigates through different spaces and times, learning about herself through her past, present, and future worlds. I wrote many of the pieces while living abroad in London and traveling throughout Europe, so this sense of transience is one that I’m intimate with. Traveling has always brought me comfort knowing that I get to escape from one place and step into the unknown adventures of a new place. Conversely, constant movement generates a certain sense of anxiety, between wondering if my physical self will be safe in the new place, if my soul will be over or under stimulated, and, of course, the dread that arises when your heart longs for someone thousands of miles away and wondering if they feel the same about you. Window Seat by Erykah Badu conveys the simultaneous comfort and anxiety that comes from wanting to escape, and begs the question whether the constant movement comes from a place of bravery or cowardice. I like to think it’s a bit of both, and like Badu’s voice, the prospect of leaving is at once haunting and mystical.
One of my favorite pieces in Harvest, Dinner is Served (Karibu), is also the most honest and unapologetic. My intention was to write it in such a way that, depending on how much you identify with the protagonist, you’ll either feel like someone is preaching your truth or feel uncomfortable in recognising your role as the perpetrator.
I will kill you with every bite you take, but you will continue to eat because I am the finest cuisine you’ve ever had. I will be your last meal. Dinner is served.
Yonkers by Tyler The Creator echoes the same unapologetic declaration of self between the minimalism of the beat and the (arguably) shocking lyrics. Though I don’t co-sign all of the lyrics, the idea of making people who so desperately want to consume you, your aesthetic, and your culture uncomfortable is one that I do support. The beat of Yonkers along with Tyler’s vocal delivery make you want to nod your head and enjoy the song, however this is nearly impossible if you’re actually listening to the lyrics. This is something that I wanted to achieve with Dinner is Served (Karibu), and to some extent, Harvest as a whole. As a writer I feel no obligation to entertain — I’m not here to make anyone feel warm and fuzzy. My job is convey the truth to the best of my ability regardless of whether the reader feels hurt in facing it.
Another one of my favorite vignettes is Complaints from Five Guests of Heaven. The piece is comprised of five different complaints from guests staying at the mythical hotel. Each of room numbers corresponds to the assassination dates of radical thinkers and activists that I admire. I chose to have these people issue complaints that are in keeping with the manner in which they were killed or their beliefs to show that though many people admire them posthumously, their theories and legacies are largely still being disrespected, making it impossible for them to rest in peace. Mystic Man by Peter Tosh is a song not only referenced in the piece, but is also applicable to the nature of any truly great person. The notion of being rooted at once in the past, present, and future expresses the fluidity of time and also the power of thinking beyond the constricting notions of time. Even though these people were physically murdered (directly or indirectly) for their philosophies, their words and power are still present, confirming Tosh’s conviction that he’s a man of the future.
Another theme that runs throughout Harvest is encountering and navigating young love. I’ve never been a fan of corny ballads or depressing love songs, movies, or books — I don’t find the two lovers coming together in the rain cathartic or applicable to any type of love I’ve ever known or witnessed. Prototype by OutKast and A treatease dedicated to The Avian Airess from North East Nubis (1000 questions, 1 answer) by Shabazz Palaces are two love songs that I can fully get behind. Both speak to the nuances of love rather than some grand notion and both manage to be sensual and sexual without falling into the trap of misogyny. Life is Better by my favorite MC, Q-Tip, manages to beautifully blend romantic and artistic love through the lyrics and blur the distinction between musical styles through its production and composition. The way one type of love illuminates another is true in my own experience and is evident in pieces such as Beignets and Trumpets (I): Visitor, where food, music, and romance are all swirled together with the same sensuality.
Originally the title for Harvest was going to be What the Harvest Gave Me, a nod to one of my favorite Frida Kahlo paintings, What the Water Gave Me. Florence + The Machine has a song by the same name, which is also in part inspired by Virginia Woolf’s suicide. The idea of killing off one version of oneself, in Virginia Woolf’s case wading into water with stones in her pockets, and stepping into another confirms the power of reinvention that Sukari finds with each place she steps into.
Amanya Maloba is a fashion writer, stylist, and author. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago. Her fashion writing and photography has appeared in numerous publications including the Huffington Post, Refinery29, and CollegeFashionista. Amanya has also participated in style campaigns with Finish Line and eBay. Harvest, published in July 2014 by Vine Leaves Press, is Amanya’s first collection of fiction. Amanya’s style and writing is influenced by her Kenyan heritage as well as her time living in London and miscellaneous travels. Find her on her website and on Twitter @Amanya_M
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‘Thoughts circulating with a lyric or a music line’ – Amanya Maloba
My guest this week admits she is antisocial. She likes to people-watch from behind wide sunglasses, and cocooned inside big headphones. She says her day is characterised by a constant flow of music, which has fed directly into the set of vignettes in the short fiction collection she has just published. I particularly have to thank her for introducing me to one of her special trigger tracks, by Florence + the Machine, as there’s something in it I might need for Ever Rest. And so the muse hops from mind to mind; I hope it will to yours too. She is Amanya Maloba and she’ll be here on Wednesday with her Undercover Soundtrack.
Amanya Maloba, authors, constant flow, contemporary fiction, Desert Island Discs, drama, entertainment, fiction collection, Florence + the Machine, Harvest, headphones, literary fiction, music, music for writers, music for writing, My Memories of a Future Life, Nail Your Novel, playlist for writers, Roz Morris, short fiction, short stories, The Undercover Soundtrack, undercover soundtrack, Vine Leaves Press, Women Writers, writers, writing, writing to music
The Undercover Soundtrack – Jonathan Pinnock
Posted by Roz Morris @Roz_Morris in Undercover Soundtrack on May 22, 2013
‘It’s never a bad thing to let the reader feel a bit uneasy’
Once a week I host a writer who uses music as part of their creative process – perhaps to tap into a character, populate a mysterious place, or explore the depths in a pivotal moment. This week’s post is by award-winning fiction and non-fiction writer Jonathan Pinnock @jonpinnock
Soundtrack by Richard Thompson, The Adverts, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Asha Bhosle
I very rarely listen to music when I’m writing because it seems to play havoc with the creative bits in my brain, so with one exception – which we’ll come to later – none of the music that inspired the stories in “Dot Dash” was actually in the background when they were being written.
That said, there is a lot of music lurking behind Dot Dash. A couple of the stories were inspired by two of my favourite Richard Thompson songs: The Amazing Arnolfini and His Wife by The Great Valerio, and Piss and Patchouli by Beeswing. The Great Valerio wasn’t a direct influence, I guess, but I think it planted in my mind the idea that a tightrope walker – or indeed a tightrope-walking couple – could make for a powerful metaphor as well as being able to induce a sense of vertigo in the reader. It’s never a bad thing to make the reader feel a bit uneasy, and if you’re going to stage an argument, halfway across Niagara Falls is as good a place as any.
Beeswing – one of the most poignant songs ever written – has a closer relationship to my story, in that both are about a relationship with a self-destructive free spirit, and the choices to make between settling down and cutting loose. In the end, I gave John Martyn a namecheck in the story rather than Richard Thompson himself, probably because Thompson’s still a bit of a geek’s idea of a folk singer. I remember spotting a reference to him in Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity and thinking to myself that it was absolutely spot on.
The first full-length story in the book, Convalescence, owes a lot to Gary Gilmore’s Eyes by The Adverts, taking the premise of that song – what if you were given the eyes of a serial killer? – just a little bit further. The wonderful thing about punk was that it not only gave anyone permission to pick up a guitar and play, but that it also gave them permission to write a song about almost anything and this is an excellent example of that.
There’s one story in the book, Unfinished Symphony, that is actually about a piece of music – a beautiful, minimalistic piece deriving from nature that reduces an audience to tears. The problem is that the piece I’ve described in the story could never really exist! However, I think the composer that comes closest is probably Einojuhani Rautavaara, who wrote the extraordinary Cantus Arcticus, a concerto for Birds and Orchestra.
The one time that I did specifically listen to a piece of music for inspiration was when I was writing Mr Nathwani’s Haiku, when I wanted – somewhat presumptuously – to locate an Asian voice. So I put on a wonderful Asha Bhosle compilation, The Golden Voice of Bollywood, and by the time the CD had finished playing, I had the bare bones of the story down.
Jonathan Pinnock leads a dual life. In one half, he runs a software development company. In the other he is a writer of fiction and non-fiction. His Scott Prize-winning short story collection Dot Dash is published by Salt. His novel, Mrs Darcy versus the Aliens is published by Proxima Books. Find him on Twitter at @jonpinnock and on his website and blog.
Asha Bhosle, authors, contemporary fiction, Desert Island Discs, drama, Einojuhani Rautavaara, entertainment, great valerio, Jonathan Pinnock, literary fiction, literature, male writers, music, music for writers, music for writing, My Memories of a Future Life, Nail Your Novel, playlist for writers, Richard Thompson, Roz Morris, Scott prize, short stories, short story, The Adverts, The Undercover Soundtrack, undercover soundtrack, writers, writing to music
‘A minimalist piece that reduces an audience to tears’ – Jonathan Pinnock
A change of gear this week. This is the first time I’ve hosted a writer who is talking about short stories. A lot of music lurks behind his award-winning first collection, inspiring the plot, mood and characters. Various signature songs have passed through his imagination to become a tightrope-walking couple, a doomed relationship, a person given the eyes of a serial killer and a haunting piece of music derived from nature. His name is Jonathan Pinnock and he’ll be here on Wednesday with his Undercover Soundtrack.
authors, award-winning, contemporary fiction, Desert Island Discs, drama, entertainment, Jonathan Pinnock, literary fiction, literature, male writers, music, music for writers, music for writing, My Memories of a Future Life, Nail Your Novel, playlist for writers, Roz Morris, Salt Publishing, Scott prize, short fiction, short stories, signature songs, soundtracks, The Undercover Soundtrack, undercover soundtrack, writers, writing, writing to music
‘Thank Christ for music’ – Nigel Featherstone
My guest this week says he has simple requirements of a good story: he wants to be moved. And so when he writes he seeks to do the same. But he was struggling to get inside the skin of the mother-son duo in his latest novella I’m Ready Now – until some songs took him by surprise. He is Nigel Featherstone, an award-winning novelist, short-story writer, creative journalist and founder of an online literary journal – and he’ll be here on Wednesday with his Undercover Soundtrack.
authors, contemporary fiction, Desert Island Discs, drama, entertainment, I'm Ready Now, literary fiction, literary journal, literature, male writers, music, music for writers, music for writing, My Memories of a Future Life, Nail Your Novel, Nigel Featherstone, novella, novellas, playlist for writers, Roz Morris, short stories, short story, The Undercover Soundtrack, undercover soundtrack, writing to music
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Tag Archives: james doohan
Star Trek: The Next Generation Movies – Part 1
A little while ago, I did a couple of review on the original Star Trek movies. Overall, it’s an epic series of movies, save for a few bad eggs. There was still a lot more great than bad, so I was pleased. It would be wrong to talk about those movies and leave the more recent Next Generation movies in the dark. Wether you like the original series or The Next Generation better is a different story. I personally think that both have their own unique strengths that hold them both up very well. That may be a cop out answer, but you can’t make me choose. Anyway, let’s get started with the first part of my reviews.
The first movie to feature The Next Generation cast was the 1994 film Star Trek: Generations. The interesting thing about this one is that it also features some cast of the original series. Could it possibly live up to that kind of potential?
In the past, James Kirk (William Shatner), Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig), and Montgomery Scott (James Doohan) are guests for the maiden voyage of the USS Enterprise-B. After answering a distress call involving ships caught in an energy ribbon, the Enterprise-B also gets damaged and Kirk is apparently killed. In the time of the the Enterprise-D, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the rest of the crew are called to investigate an incident on a space observatory where they find Dr. Soran (Malcolm McDowell), an El-Aurian who was also saved from the energy ribbon by the Enterprise-B. It soon becomes clear that Soran’s motives to get closer to the ribbon are not scientific, but personal as he will do anything, including destroy an entire planetary system to just reenter the ribbon, which is a place that time does not exist and a person can travel and do whatever they want. In order to stop Soran, Picard relies on an old Starfleet legend: James Kirk, who has also been trapped in the ribbon for all these years.
There isn’t really a whole lot to say about Generations. It’s great to see the crew of The Next Generation finally get their own big budget movie, and it’s also cool to see some older faces from the original series in the same movie. There isn’t much inherently wrong with this film, but by the time the credits begin to roll you can’t help but feel you’ve watched a weak entry into the series. The best way to describe this movie is just as a longer and more expensive episode of The Next Generation. The whole plot involving the energy ribbon and being able to enter it and travel in time is just the kind of thing you would see in one of the cool episodes of the series, but I’m not sure that’s enough to really carry a feature film.
That’s not to say that there aren’t some stand out parts of Generations. The crew all do great in their first time together on the big screen, and McDowell’s villainous performance as Soran is both tragic and sinister which makes him a perfect fit for this series. There’s also some excellent comedic relief since Data fits himself with Doctor Soong’s emotion chip that he gets off Lore towards the end of the series. Finally seeing Data truly understand emotions is funny and, in some odd nerdy way, makes me proud. This isn’t an excellent entry into the series, but it also isn’t a bad one. This movie has enough to make fans happy, but will also leave them wanting a bit more. I say it’s worth a watch.
Two years later in 1996, the crew of The Next Generation got their very own movie where no other character from the original series made an appearance. This film was Star Trek: First Contact.
Ever since being assimilated by the Borg, Captain Jean-Luc Picard has never fully recovered from his experience. Now, he’s forced to face his most dangerous enemy yet again as they begin their assault on Earth. After defeating the Borg Cube, a sphere is released from the ship and sent through time with the plans of killing Zefram Cochrane (James Cromwell) before he can create the first warp engine and establish first contact with an alien race. This will make humanity more susceptible to the Borg and their mission of assimilation. Luckily, the Enterprise manages to travel through time as well, and fight back the Borg and aid Cochrane in his attempts to repair the warp engine. For those left on board the Enterprise, however, things don’t look so good as the Borg sneak onto the ship and wage an all out war with the crew.
Take everything cool in Generations and make it even cooler, and the result is First Contact. This is how you make a high quality Star Trek film. So far, this is one of the best entries in the entire franchise, including the original series. For starters, the Borg are my favorite villains in Star Trek, and making them the main antagonists for this film was a great idea. It brings a lot of the canon from the show and adds even more to it, while also revealing the man Cochrane really was, rather than the hero Star Fleet has made him out to be. There’s a lot of themes about humanity and what it means to be human and good, which seems to be the prime directive for the writers of Star Trek. It’s themes like this that feel all the more highlighted when you’re watching a feature film rather than an episode on t.v.
Along with improving the villain and the storytelling, First Contact also amps up the action and characterization. The main draw to watch Star Trek is to see the crews, whoever they may be, work together in such unison that no problem appears to big for them to handle, even at the most dire of moments. In this film, the crew is split up doing equally important things, which means their screen time is never wasted. On Earth, the scenes are much quieter, but the Enterprise is where all the action is. There’s one scene in particular that takes place on the outside of the Enterprise that might be my favorite scene in any Star Trek movie. The space battle in the beginning is another highlight in an already outstanding film.
For fans of The Next Generation, this is the Star Trek movie for you. It shows all of the strengths and weaknesses of the characters very clearly while also beefing up the canon that has already been established. There’s great acting, a great villain, and many memorable scenes that will keep your eyes glued to the screen.
So that’s just the start of my reviews for The Next Generation movies. Up next, I’ll be looking at Insurrection and Nemesis.
Tags: action, adventure, battle, blockbuster, brent spiner, drama, film, first contact, franchise, gates mcfadden, gene roddenberry, generations, james doohan, jonathan frakes, levar burton, marina sirtis, michael dorn, movies, patrick stewart, review, sci fi, science fiction, sequel, series, space, star fleet, star trek, the next generation, thriller, walter koenig, war, william shatner
Star Trek (1979-1991) – Review Part I
Star Trek is one of those shows that changed the way people watched television and is definitely a prime example of something that was way ahead of its time. From philosophical question to sociological arguments to the first interracial kiss ever broadcast, this show changed things for the better. Other than that, it also provided some excellent science fiction adventure with a group of characters that have only become more beloved as time went on. It’s surprising that the original series only lasted 3 seasons. What isn’t surprising is that that wasn’t the end. After the third series ended, Star Trek: The Animated Series finished off the final two of their five year mission, but the films are what people seem to remember the most. From 1979 to 1991, six films were released, some of which define cinematic excellence and some that make me think if the film makers ever watched Star Trek.
The first of the films to be released is the appropriately named Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
Some years after being head of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Admiral James Kirk (William Shatner) now holds a high ranking position in Starfleet, but longs for the days in which he was traveling the unknown reaches of space. He soon gets his chance to step back into the captain’s chair when an enormous space cloud is seen destroying Klingon war ships (woo!) but also heading straight for Earth (boo!). It’s up to Kirk and his trusty crew including Spock (Leonard Nimoy), McCoy (Deforest Kelley), Scotty (James Doohan), and Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) to pilot the Enterprise onto the course of the cloud and learn how to stop whatever it is controlling it. What the crew learns about the cloud is shocking to say the least, and relates back to Earth in a much more direct way than they could have possibly imagined.
At the start of this movie, it really feels like you’re back into Star Trek. Klingons, murderous space clouds, and Earth in peril are all ingredients to make this a successful movie. Well, too bad director Robert Wise was more interested in making a rip off of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Don’t be fooled by the name Star Trek. This is nothing like it, and what’s worse it is unbelievably boring! For example, the first time we see the Enterprise with Kirk is supposed to be a special moments since he hasn’t seen it, and at the time neither had audiences, for quite a while. Instead of making it a nice moment, the scene goes on and on and on with shots of Kirk looking at the ship, Kirk looking at Scotty, space, and random bullshit. I swear it goes on for at least ten minutes. There are many scenes like that and a really random, trippy sequence that also seems to go on forever.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture has all the right parts to make it a cool science fiction movie and an acceptable entry to the Star Trek franchise. All of the plot elements are in place, and towards the end it starts getting really cool, but unfortunately that doesn’t completely save the movie. This is the longest of the original Star Trek movies and it really doesn’t need to be considering the narrative material. Overlong scenes of just space and environments might have worked in Kubrick’s space ballet that is 2001, but it obviously is the completely wrong way to go about doing a Star Trek film.
The series really needed help to get it out of the mire. Enter a new director, new writers, and a story that wraps up a season 1 episode and we have the miracle that is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
On a routine mission for Starfleet, Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig) is sent to investigate a planet that just so happens to be where Kirk banished an old enemy, Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Monalbán) a genetically enhanced dictator from 20th century Earth. Khan has vengeance in his soul for Admiral Kirk, who is back at Starfleet headquarters working with Spock to train the new cadets, one being an overachieving Vulcan, Saavik (Kirstie Alley). The training mission on the Enterprise soon gets out of hand when it is revealed that Khan is planning on stealing the Genesis device, a machine that has the capability to create life, but also destroy it when used improperly. When the two finally meet, the most important battle the Enterprise has ever faced begins.
The Wrath of Khan is an excellent example for the phrase “back to formula.” Wouldn’t Norman Osbourne be proud? After the monstrosity that was the first film, this second entry is more than just a breath of fresh air. It’s everything a Star Trek film should be, and maybe ever a little more. The fact that the writer went back to a little season 1 episode called Space Seed is just the first reason why this movie is such a success. Obviously the writers and the director have seen the show and knew exactly how the movie should feel. There’s lots of excitement, humor, outrageous science, and dialogue that push “hamming it up” to the extreme. What’s not to love here?
Any fan of Star Trek will be quick to say that The Wrath of Khan is the best film in the series and maybe even in the entire franchise. The action is stunning and the story is really cool, but hasn’t Star Trek always been about the characters? The answer is yes. Yes it has, and they’re finally back like themselves again. Just to be clear, even though the story is fun doesn’t mean it’s stupid. This is a well written, well executed film that puts the pseudo philosophical bullshit of the first film to shame. This is Star Trek at its finest, and quite possibly cheesiest.
The Wrath of Khan was actually the beginning of what is know as the Star Trek Trilogy because the next two films would also follow the same story arc presented in the second film. Following up The Wrath of Khan is an entry that I believe can be held in just as much regard as it’s predecessor. This movie is Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.
Right after the events of The Wrath of Khan, the Enterprise is on its way back to Earth while Spock’s body has landed on the planet created by the explosion of the Genesis device in the nebula. Back on Earth, things are pretty weird. Kirk is depressed after the news of the Enterprise being decommissioned and McCoy is acting like he’s losing his mind. Kirk soon gets a visit from Spock’s father, Sarek (Mark Lenard), who informs Kirk that Spock’s being was transferred to before he died and needed his body in order for his being to be returned. It turns out Spock transferred his being into McCoy. Meanwhile, on the Genesis planet, Saavik (Robin Curtis) and Kirk’s son David (Merritt Butrick) find Spock reborn as a child with no mind and must protect him from the planet that’s tearing itself apart. Soon, Kirk and his crew arrive and find a Klingon Bird-of-Prey sitting in wait led by the sadistic Kruge (Christopher Lloyd), who wants the secrets to the Genesis device.
Just as I was writing this, I realized just how stuffed and preposterous the whole movie is.This doesn’t change the fact that I love it. If The Wrath of Khan can be compared to that episode that everyone likes and considered to be a classic, The Search for Spock is that crazy season 3 episode that is surprisingly effective and entertaining. This film is a lot darker than its predecessor, but I feel like the entertainment value is just as high. Christopher Lloyd goes absolutely crazy as Kruge even though he’s the last actor I ever would have though would make a great Klingon. It’s also cool seeing the story carry over from The Wrath of Khan. Plus that fight scene in the end is enough to make any fan of the original series remember all of the brawls that Kirk was constantly getting himself into.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock is a great entry into the series. The movie does have some shortcomings and weaknesses, but nothing that really hurts the movie at all. I’m just curious as to why they decided to bring Spock back, especially after Nimoy was only interested in coming back for The Wrath of Khan only if Spock dies. Well, I’m fine with whatever the reason and it was cool seeing Leonard Nimoy have a chance as director as well. Any fan of Star Trek should appreciate this entry, even if it shouldn’t be considered as perfect.
Well, that wraps up the first part of the original Star Trek movies. We still have three movies to go, so keep an eye out for part 2!
Tags: action, adventure, classics, deforest kelley, franchise, gene roddenberry, george takei, james doohan, james kirk, leonard nimoy, nichelle nichols, ricardo montalban, science fiction, spock, star trek, television, the search for spock, the wrath of khan, william shatner
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For in-depth information and safety tips, please visit NAA’s Autism Safety site.
Drowning is among the leading causes of death of individuals with autism. Please click here for a list of YMCA locations that offer special needs swimming lessons, and be sure that your child’s last lesson is with clothes and shoes on.
Overall Mortality
In 2008, Danish researchers found that the mortality risk among the autism population is twice as high as the general population
In 2001, a California research team found elevated deaths in autism and attributed it to several causes, including seizures and accidents such as suffocation and drowning
Wandering/Elopement
Roughly half, or 48%, of children with an ASD attempt to elope from a safe environment, a rate nearly four times higher than their unaffected siblings
In 2009, 2010, and 2011, accidental drowning accounted for 91% total U.S. deaths reported in children with an ASD ages 14 and younger subsequent to wandering/elopement.
More than one third of ASD children who wander/elope are never or rarely able to communicate their name, address, or phone number
Two in three parents of elopers reported their missing children had a “close call” with a traffic injury
32% of parents reported a “close call” with a possible drowning
Wandering was ranked among the most stressful ASD behaviors by 58% of parents of elopers
62% of families of children who elope were prevented from attending/enjoying activities outside the home due to fear of wandering
40% of parents had suffered sleep disruption due to fear of elopement
Children with ASD are eight times more likely to elope between the ages of 7 and 10 than their typically-developing siblings
Half of families with elopers report they had never received advice or guidance about elopement from a professional
Only 19% had received such support from a psychologist or mental health professional
Only 14% had received guidance from their pediatrician or another physician
Source: Interactive Autism Network Research Report: Elopement and Wandering (2011)
Source: National Autism Association, Lethal Outcomes in ASD Wandering (2012)
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has recently published an important document for first responders and search and rescue personnel for cases involving an individual with special needs. Please visit this link, print and share this document with your local police, sheriff and fire departments.
Restraint/Seclusion
It’s estimated that over the last five years, more than 20 students, many with disabilities, have died due to seclusion and restraints being used in schools.
A 2009 Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation reported that thousands of students have been physically injured and emotionally traumatized as the result of restraint and seclusion
Currently there is no federal law that prohibits the use of restraints that restrict breathing, and locked seclusion, in public and private schools.
Dangers include: Death by asphyxiation; Bodily injury; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Heart, gastrointestinal and pulmonary complications; Decreased appetite and malnutrition; Dehydration; Urinary tract infections; Incontinence; Agitation; Depression/withdrawal; Loss of dignity; Sleeping problems; Humiliation; Anxiety; Increased phobias; Increased aggression, including SIB (self-injurious behavior)
Source: United States Government Accountability Office, Selected Cases of Death and Abuse at Public and Private Schools and Treatment Center (2009)
65% of parents reported that their children with Asperger’s syndrome had been victimized by peers in some way within the past year
47% reported that their children had been hit by peers or siblings
50% reported them to be scared by their peers
9% were attacked by a gang and hurt in the private parts
12% indicated their child had never been invited to a birthday party
6% were almost always picked last for teams
3% ate alone at lunch every day
Source: Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing (2009)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls suffer from sexual abuse before the age of 18.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey, the country’s largest and most reliable crime study, reports that every two minutes a person is sexually victimized in the United States—and the numbers for individuals with disabilities are even higher.
A study done in Nebraska of 55,000 children showed a child with any type of intellectual disability was four times more likely to be sexually abused than a child without disabilities (Sullivan & Knutson, 2000). While no specific numbers exist for individuals with autism, research suggests that this population is extremely vulnerable.
NAA has set up 3 specific Autism & Safety groups on Facebook. Join these pages for relevant news, action alerts and updates pertaining to these topics.
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National Alliance: Evolutionary Diversity and Cosmotheism
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Phiona Mutesi, Black Chess Genius, Gets the Jewish Spotlight
SPLC’s Supposed “Post-Election Hate Incidents”
Jew Noah Smith Champions the “White Genocide Acceptance” Movement
Israel to Coordinate With Google, YouTube, to Censor Palestinian Videos of Conflict
Pew Study: Vast Majority of Whites Are Resisting Racial Mixing
Zuckerberg’s Sister: Don’t Let the “Racists” Take Over the Classics!
The Celts, Part 1
Rosemary Pennington · 3 October, 2015
Their origins and prehistory
by Nick Griffin
“The whole nation is war-mad, both high-spirited and ready for battle, but otherwise simple, though not uncultured.”
— Strabo, 1st century A.D. geographer
“Golden is their hair and golden their garb. They are resplendent in their striped cloaks, and their milk-white necks are circled with gold.”
— Virgil, 1st century B.C. poet
“CELTS”: If the name means anything to the average American, it probably calls to mind a parade in Boston on St. Patrick’s Day, when even the beer is dyed green. Beyond a vague notion that the Irish, Scots, and Welsh share a romantic common heritage in some way different from the English whose language they mainly use, the Celts lie forgotten and irrelevant in the mists of time. Such ignorance is one of the symptoms of a race on the verge of collective suicide, for those with no knowedge of, or pride in, their forefathers are no more likely to have any concern for future generations of their kinfolk either. (ILLUSTRATION: The Celtic God Cernunnos, a.k.a. the “horned God,” depicted on the Gundestrup cauldron found in Denmark. This masculine God represents fertility, life, animals, wealth and the underworld, and was worshiped throughout Gaul and the British isles.)
Yet the Celts are regarded by historians as “the fathers of Europe.” Genetically as well as culturally they played a major part in laying the foundations for the great achievements of the White race. Just as important, many of the mistakes they made which condemned them to defeat and collapse contain lessons today for those striving to save our race from sinking forever into a sea of color, ignorance, and eternal filth. Let us, then, find out more about the Celts. Who were they? Where did they come from? What sort of lives did they lead? How did they rise to dominate much of Europe? And why did they fall from such a pinnacle into the scattered obscurity of today’s “Celtic fringe”?
The Celts first burst into recorded history in the writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans in about 500 B.C. The great city-state civilization of Greece had been established centuries before by fair-skinned Nordic invaders from the north who had subdued and enslaved the Mediterranean aborigines. Already headed down the slippery slope of racial integration with their conquered subjects, and consequent ruin, the Greeks still maintained advanced standards of life and learning. They founded trading settlements in France, Italy, and Asia Minor, and even sailed out into the Atlantic, turning north to the British Isles and beyond.
The Greeks discovered that the area of central and northwestern Europe was dominated by a huge number of tribes who, although independent and often even at war with each other, possessed a common culture and common origins. They wrote the name by which these people referred to themselves as Keltoi and counted them, along with the closely related Scythians from the steppes of southern Russia, and the Persians and Libyans, as one of the four great barbarian peoples of the world. Among various reporters, the fifth century B.C. historian Herodotus recorded that the Celtic lands stretched from the headwaters of the Danube to all but the west coast of Iberia.
The Celts, then, were already a mighty and widespread people when they appear in recorded history. To trace their origins we must go back far into prehistory, where sometimes conflicting theories seek to make sense of the scattered evidence of archaeology.
Nora Chadwick, late professor of Anglo-Saxon at Cambridge and internationally renowned authority on the origins and customs of the Celtic peoples, in her book The Celts (1970) traces Celtic prehistory to the end of the third millennium B.C. The crucial evidence is the spread throughout east-central Europe — modern Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria — of a distinctive type of socketed axe head, often found in graves under distinctive circular barrows. Clearly weapons of war, these were first made of polished stone, but their makers were also quick to adopt the new science of bronze working which appeared in Slovakia and the Carpathians in the first half of the second millennium B.C.
It has long been held that these “Battle-Axe People” were responsible for the initial spread of the Indo-European race and language. This conclusion is based not merely on archaeological evidence, but also on the study of the similarities among the languages which later developed from the Indo-European, or Aryan, tongue. Although all the languages involved have changed a great deal over thousands of years, linguistic changes follow certain philological rules. For example, the original Indo-European vowel e often remained an e in Latin, but mutated to i in the Celtic tongues and became a in the Sanskrit of ancient Aryan India. Thus the Latin word for king, rex, is paralleled by Celtic rix and Sanskrit raj.
Consonants also changed according to predictable patterns. The Indo-European p sound at the beginning of words, for example, was retained in Sanskrit and Latin, and in the modern descendants of the latter, such as French. Meanwhile it mutated in German and English to v or f, and disappeared altogether in old Irish. Aware of these facts, we can at once see the common origins of Sanskrit pitar, Latin pater, Irish Celtic athir, German vater, and English father.
Whoever spread the language, one further example will suffice to show how even some of the now most diverse tongues of Europe spring from the same roots. There is an old and optimistic Baltic proverb, the meaning of which in English is: “God gave the teeth; God will also give bread.” In Lithuanian this reads: Dieva dawe dantis; Dievas duos ir duonos; in Latin: Deus dedit dentes; Deus dabit et panem; in modern Welsh, which derives directly from one branch of ancient Celtic, the first half of the proverb is: Duw rhoddodd y danedd. Translated into ancient Sanskrit, it would read: Devas adadat datas; Devas dadat apidhanas. From these it is possible to reconstruct the theoretical Indo-European original: Deivos ededot dntns; Deivos dedot dhonas.
When we also discover that English “tooth” once had the plural form “tand “, and that consonants such as d, g, p, b, and v have, in effect, swapped places with each other several times over the last two thousand or so years, we begin to see the less obvious connection between these examples as well as the collection of similar phrases which are found if the exercise is repeated with various modern Germanic languages such as Dutch, English, German, and Danish.
Such studies show that Celtic was closely related to the Italic language which gave rise to Latin, and also clearly connected with the Germanic, Slavonic, and Hellenic tongues, as well as with those of many of the early civilizations of the Middle East, including Persian, the recently rediscovered language of the Hittites, and the Sanskrit of northern India, which is preserved in texts dating back to 2,000 B.C. The waves of Indo-European warriors and civilization builders which spread the common parent of this great family of languages even reached as far as China.
Thousands of miles to the west, the Battle-Axe carriers seem to have collided with another distinctive people. Known today as the Beaker Folk, after the pottery drinking vessels found in so many of their graves, they inhabited a wide area from Bohemia to Britain and south into parts of Iberia, from which they may have spread northwards in the first place. They too were mainly pastoralists, although they favored sheep rather than the cattle associated with the immigrants from the east. Their chief weapon was the bow, firing arrows tipped with flint. This should not give the false impression that they were primitive savages, for they used bronze and possessed an advanced knowledge of astronomy. They also had developed a sufficiently sophisticated social organization to enable them to build the great megalithic observatories, such as the lines of giant stones at Carnac in Brittany and the huge stone circles at Stonehenge, Avebury, and nearby Silbury Hill, the last being the largest prehistoric structure in Europe.
Silbury Hill in Wiltshire England
The two groups merged, although the Battle-Axe element seems to have been dominant. From this time, around 2,000 B.C., the materially simple self-sufficiency of late Neolithic times is transformed into a society dominated by a warrior aristocracy equipped with bronze weapons and displaying their power and wealth with well made and decorated personal possessions which already have a uniquely “European” style, different from those of the emerging civilizations of the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.
Throughout this period there is a growing disparity between the grave goods of ordinary people and those buried with the aristocracy. At least some of this new-found wealth came from the growing trade in copper, tin, amber, and, no doubt, furs and other perishables, with the urban centers to the east and south.
This well developed Bronze Age culture is named after Unetice, a village south of Prague where particularly good examples of its artifacts, dating from around 1,800 B.C., have come to light. The area was a trading crossroads, and wealth and metalworking skill accumulated rapidly.
Within 300 years a fresh wave of Battle-Axe migrants from the east appears to have arrived without conflict, bringing with them the custom of raising round burial mounds like the kurgans with which they had covered their dead on the steppes. Under their influence the rich grave of a chieftain was marked by the tumulus from which this transformation of the older Unetice Culture takes its name. This Tumulus Culture spread beyond the bounds of its predecessor, stretching as far as Hungary in the east, but shifting its center of gravity westward into Bavaria.
In spite of this change, the close similarities between the artifacts discovered from these periods shows that there was a great deal of continuity. There is clear evidence for the development of local “schools” of metal working, and the steady continuation of trade also points to peaceful development. Toward the end of the second millennium B.C., however, technological innovation — this time the development of heavy, bronze slashing swords and armor and shields of the same metal — again seems to have sparked off a period of more violent expansion. Around 1,200 B.C. the tumulus inhumations give way to a new funerary rite in which the dead were cremated and their remains deposited in pottery urns buried in cemeteries without tumuli. The grave goods buried with them, however, remain fundamentally the same, and there is some overlap between the two customs, so archaeologists generally agree that this so-called Urnfield Culture was the result of a change in ritual rather than of a further large-scale invasion. Certainly there is no archaeological evidence of cremation back on the Russian steppes from which the earlier invaders had come.
On the other hand, it is clear that this time did see the widespread disruption of the eastern Mediterranean by “pirates from the north.” Around 1,200 B.C. the Mycenaean and Hittite civilizations, both already in decay as their rulers mixed with the non-Aryan natives, were devastated by the blonde invaders with their newfound superiority in warfare. The folk from the north who swept into Greece at this time were known as the Xanthoi — the Golden Ones — a name which reflected their ideals of nobility and greatness as well as their appearance. This wave of fresh Nordic blood laid the foundations of classical Hellenic civilization, particularly its Dorian branch, which was later to reach a peak in the city-state of Sparta. It was also at this time that the Egyptians recorded incursions of bands of tall, fair-haired warriors from across the sea.
All these upheavals probably resulted from technological advance among the peoples living on the upper reaches of the Danube and the Rhine, which shifted the interests of the aristocracy away from trade and toward warfare, plundering, and conquest on an epic scale. This would also account for the rapid development of hill-forts and larger houses which call to mind the great halls of local kings and their war bands which are featured so often in the poetry and sagas of later “Dark Age” Europe.
Their art by this time shows direct links in style with that of the later Celts, and the evidence of place-names shows that they spoke an early form of Celtic. These proto-Celts dominated the east and central European homeland of their forefathers, but also spread across the Rhine to the west and the Alps to the south. It is not possible to point to an exact date from which the term “Celt” may be used accurately, although the next development noted by archaeologists is universally accepted as involving a fully Celtic people and culture.
Georg Ramsauer, mid-19th-century director of the Hallstaat State Mine, near Salzburg, Austria, was fascinated by the discovery in the salt mine of the well-preserved body of a prehistoric miner. Inspired to find out more, he began to excavate a huge cemetery nearby. Some 2,500 graves revealed that from about 770 B.C. a society of aristocrats ruling over a settled peasantry used salt from the mine as the basis for widespread trade. The wealth and patronage of its rulers created a highly-skilled school of craftsmen utilizing a strong, new metal. The Iron Age had arrived.
The art and economy of this new culture, now named after the finds at Hallstaat, show close continuity with those of the earlier Urnfield folk of the same area, and it seems probable that they themselves adopted ironworking. But there is also widespread evidence that the Hallstaat period saw the arrival of the domesticated horse in central Europe. From the eighth and seventh centuries B.C. bronze harness mounts and horse-bits become widespread throughout eastern and central Europe and are even found as far west as Wales. At the same time, the Hallstaat chieftains adopted the practice of wagon burial, which, like the use of the horse, first appeared in the steppes to the east.
All this points to the arrival of another group of immigrants. The power and prestige created by their horses would have either made them natural new overlords or, if they were insufficient in numbers to take over completely, encouraged the established aristocracy to adopt their technology and customs. Since the move away from cremation was widespread but not universal, and since the two rites co-existed for much of the period, the latter is probably closer to the truth.
The discovery of iron had a revolutionary effect on the farming economy, as well as on warfare. Where their forebears had been largely confined to exploiting areas of light loess — soil deposits laid down by the wind as the glaciers had retreated — farmers with the new iron axes and heavy, iron-tipped plows, were able to clear and cultivate dense forests on heavier ground. Within a couple of generations this must have led to a very significant and accelerating population increase. Then, as boys grew to manhood, they were cheaply armed with weapons of higher quality than those owned by the most powerful chieftains of their grandfathers’ days.
This expanding population stimulated further trade with the civilizations to the south and east, but growing self-confidence also encouraged local craftsmen to new heights of skill in their own very distinctive style of sweeping abstract designs merging with the heads of fantastic animals and birds. The earliest burials to preserve these new developments are found along the Upper Danube, in Upper Austria and Bavaria, and in Bohemia. If we want to pinpoint a specific area, this may be regarded as the birthplace of the historic Celts.
By the start of the sixth century B.C. the pressure of population and perhaps the ambitions of young nobles led to rapid expansion to the west. Indeed, the whole center of the Celtic domain shifted into the Upper Rhine, southwest Germany, Switzerland, and Burgundy.
Two particularly fine graves tell us a great deal about the people involved. A grave mound at Vix, near Chatillon-sur-Seine in Burgundy, was found to contain the remains of a young woman of about thirty. She was laid on the frame of a wagon, whose four wheels had been removed and placed against the east wall of the wooden chamber. As in all such graves, no animals were buried, but complete sets of horse harness were provided for use in the next world. The rich grave goods which surrounded her show that she lived in a wealthy society which held women in high esteem. They included a magnificent, five-foot high wine krater from the Greek settlement at Massalia, modern Marseilles.
This evidence of the high standing of women is supported by literary references. Plutarch, for example, says that Celtic women were allowed to speak at tribal assemblies, while the surviving stories from Celtic Ireland tell us of queens, such as Maeve, who were as powerful in their own right as Boudicca and Cartimandua appear to have been in the Roman account of the conquest of Britain.
Another large burial mound was excavated in 1978 at Hochdorf near the Black Forest. The tomb consisted of two rooms with oak-beamed walls and roof, topped with a 24-foot pile of stone. In the burial chamber itself, one late summer around 550 B.C., a six-foot tall man of about 40 was garlanded with flowers and laid on a bronze couch covered with wool blankets and badger skins. He was decked in gold: even his shoes bore strips of gold. In the outer chamber, piled with bowls, knives, and cooking pots, was a cart with four well-made, iron-bound wheels. A row of ornate drinking horns hung on the wall, no doubt for use in the next life when the chieftain would wake and refresh himself from a large, bronze cauldron, which had originated in a Greek colony in southern Italy. When excavated it still held the sediment of the mead buried with him more than 2,500 years earlier.
The Hallstaat influence spread rapidly. Initially, at least, this may well have involved bands of marauding young warriors rather than complete tribal units. Finds in southeastern Britain dating from the seventh century B.C., for example, have produced Hallstatt warrior gear without the evidence of domestic crafts which normally accompany them in Europe. Such adventurers in all probability established themselves as a new ruling class over the previous inhabitants and, to a greater or lesser extent depending on their numbers, intermixed with them.
The Picts, the early inhabitants of Scotland. Also known as the “painted people”
The same had happened with the earlier invasions of Neolithic Aryans and Bronze Age Celts. While, for example, the Goidels of Ireland appear fully Celtic, their Pictish neighbors in the west of Scotland seem to have retained a number of pre-Aryan customs, particularly matrilineal descent, which indicate that a significant portion of their population was descended from the aboriginal inhabitants of the land. This pattern of conquest followed by gradual integration was probably repeated a number of times.
The influx of Hallstaat warriors at this time may account for the sudden change in the Greek name for the British Isles. In the sixth century B.C. the term the Greeks used was Albion. Within 200 years though, Greek geographers began describing these westerly islands as Pretannia (Britannia). In all probability the change was the result of the dominance of the iron-using invaders’ Brythonic dialect, which replaced the older Goidelic tongue everywhere except in Ireland.
Back in continental Europe, the heart of the Celtic world saw further developments. Swords became longer, used for slashing, with short daggers used for in-fighting. The typically Celtic, long, wooden shield, edged with iron and sometimes covered with beautifully worked beaten bronze, also became common. The design of some helmets and armor still shows a degree of influence from the Greeks and Etruscans, as do some of the more elaborate hill-forts built during the sixth century. Evidence of burning and destruction at many sites points to widespread warfare during this period. This may have been merely inter-tribal cattle raiding, as is recorded in many of the later stories which survived in Ireland, but it also can be taken to support the theory that the cultural changes shown by the archaeological record reflect large-scale territorial expansion by particular groups.
By about 500 B.C. a final change in the military equipment of the Celts of the heartland, together with a further refinement of their artistic skills, led to the evolution of the La Tene culture, which takes its name from the village in Switzerland where a major find in 1858 first drew attention to the development. During construction work on the edge of Lake Neuchatel, a drainage operation exposed a row of blackened timbers. Subsequent excavations showed these to be the remains of a long pier, from the end of which votive offerings of harness, tools and weapons, and stunningly beautiful eating and drinking utensils, had, over several hundred years, been cast into the water in a typically Celtic sacrificial rite. The La Tene site is actually on the southeastern edge of the initial range of the new development, which seems to have been centered on the Middle Rhine.
Clearly directly evolved from the earlier Hallstaat style, this full flowering of the Celtic artistic genius is very closely identified with the aristocracy, which either gained or consolidated its power through the sudden development of a light and technologically advanced, two-wheeled war chariot. This immediately calls to mind the ancient stories preserved in Ireland of heroes racing past enemy lines casting spears at their opponents at the start of a battle.
Modern Celtic artwork that depicts the traditional knotwork around the edge, with wolves inside the circle.
The chariot owners showed off their status by commissioning local craftsmen to make drinking goblets, wine flagons, cauldrons, and personal ornaments of gold, bronze, coral, and, more rarely, silver. These masterpieces were richly decorated with intricate designs, repeated to cover every available space. Initially they were influenced by imports from Etruscan Italy, Greece, and beyond, but even obvious borrowings were heavily adapted and combined with the swirling knotwork which remains the hallmark of Celtic art. As Chadwick comments, the La Tene style “might be considered the first truly indigenous art of temperate Europe.”
The sudden flowering of the La Tene Culture coincided with the beginning of a vigorous expansion in all directions: an expansion which continued for several centuries. Further settlements were established in Britain and in Gaul. In the north the new arrivals reinforced the already Celtic population, but further south, in Aquitania, they rapidly mixed with the native Iberians to create a hybrid Celto-Iberian population and culture.
Example of Celtic knotwork that represents eternity, everlasting love and the circle of life in some interpretations.
A similar dilution of Celtic blood took place following the invasion of the Iberian peninsula itself. Greek writers begin to refer to Celts in Iberia from the fifth century B.C. Herodotus states that they were the most westerly people in Europe, except for the Cynetes, in what is now Portugal. In 350 B.C. the Greek writer Ephoros compiled a history of the world and noted that the Celtic domain extended to Cadiz.
However, the survival of place-names in the languages of the native Iberians and Ligurians in even the main areas of Celtic settlement in Spain shows that large numbers of the earlier inhabitants survived. In some areas the chiefs of Celtic war bands were probably accepted as leaders by the natives. The leading figures in the later Celtiberian war of independence against the Romans all bear Celtic names.
Other groups of Iberian Celts seem to have held their own territory by force of arms, for whereas most of the Celtic place-names in Gaul are based on words such as “field” and “plain,” suggesting peaceful settlement, the majority in Spain include the suffix –briga. This is cognate with German –burg and indicates a strongly defended hill fort. Notable examples include Segobriga (Segorbe) and Laccobriga (Lagos). Just as the chains of forts in Thuringia, on the eastern edge of the Celtic world, probably mark the shifting frontier between the Celts and their close cousins the Germans, so those at the western extremity show us settlers threatened by a numerous aboriginal population.
Even the well-organized civilizations of Greece and Rome were hard-pressed by the Celtic expansion. According to Livy’s The Gallic Wars, the Celts of Gaul, impelled by overpopulation, formed a confederation under Ambicatus, king of the Bituriges. He sent out two colonial expeditions, each under the command of one of his nephews. Sigovesus led one column eastward through the forests of Germany and down the Danube, while Bellovesus commanded an invasion of Italy over the Alps in 396 B.C.
Certain areas north of the River Po had already been settled by Celts in the previous century, and the estimated 300,000 newcomers passed through these peacefully. Further south, however, the cities of the Etruscan civilization were looted and destroyed. The people of the Boii tribe, whose original homeland still bears the name Bohemia, seized the countryside around their new settlement, which we know today as Bologna. Related tribes founded other towns, including Milan.
After a brief pause, the push south continued in 387 B.C. A Roman army sent to oppose them was so terrified by the war cries of some 30,000 Gauls that the soldiers panicked. The Roman force was utterly destroyed, and the triumphant Celts swept southward. A powerful army under Brennus completed the humiliation by occupying Rome and extracting an enormous ransom of gold before withdrawing to the north.
For the next 40 years Celtic armies terrorized Italy. Rome was attacked three more times, and much of central and northern Italy was repeatedly looted and laid waste.
Livy, however, also records that the ill-disciplined tribesmen often drank themselves into oblivion and grew fat on the rich but easy pickings. The invaders were decimated by plague and later by famine. Even worse, they had no idea of the power of organization. Where the Celts had tribal loyalties and reckless individual bravery, the Romans had devotion to the state and iron discipline.
Rome raised and trained new armies from the south and, around 349 B.C., went on the offensive. According to the Graeco-Roman historian Polybius, the Celts, once again marching to plunder Rome, were so surprised to encounter serious opposition that they fled. A series of Roman victories drove the surviving Celts back to the north. By 335 B.C. they were forced to accept harsh peace terms and settled down in Cisalpine Gaul (i.e., Gaul on the Italian side of the Alps), as the Romans named the new Celtic colony, noted for its productive agriculture.
Nothing is known directly of the movements of the colonial expedition sent out by Ambicatus to the east. Around this time, however, Celtic settlements appeared along the lower Danube and in parts of the Balkans. By 369 B.C. the Gaulish population of the region was strong enough for Celtic mercenaries to play a notable part in the Peloponnesian War.
From then on, Celts were regularly employed by the Greeks, both in their own civil wars and against their neighbors to the east. In 335 B.C. a delegation of Celts from the Adriatic paid court to Alexander the Great, who asked whether it were true that their people feared nothing. “Only,” they replied, “that the sky might fall.”
Hellenic civilization was by now fading rapidly, owing to widespread race-mixing between the Indo-European masters and their aboriginal slaves. In 280 B.C. the Celts moved to take advantage of this decadence. Two Celtic armies routed the Macedonian army. Macedonian resistance ended when a third army of Celts, commanded by another Brennus, arrived the following year to deliver the coup de grace. Brennus’ army was estimated at 150,000 foot and up to 20,000 horse and almost certainly included many former mercenaries with experience of Greek military organization.
In any event, having dealt with the Macedonians, Brennus marched on Greece. A largely Athenian army tried to hold the strategic pass at Thermopylae but was defeated much more easily than the Spartans had been two centuries earlier. Town after town went up in flames. Even Delphi was sacked and its sacred oracle looted. Some confusion followed, and Brennus was wounded, according to the Greeks by the god Apollo himself.
The Celts withdrew in good order, but Brennus, disgraced by the withdrawal and injury, committed suicide, and his mighty host broke up. A Celtic kingdom was established in Thrace, but a combination of interbreeding with the earlier inhabitants and pressure from its Greek neighbors meant that it was quickly Hellenized and overwhelmed.
Other Celts took service under various warring Greek rulers or moved northward founding various towns, including Belgrade. A thin line of Celtic place-names even runs along the coast of the Black Sea north of the Danube, with a scattering of La Tene artifacts being found in southern Russia, including a cemetery near Kiev, and as far as the Sea of Azov.
An army of 10,000 Celts with a similar number of dependents were invited to Asia Minor by a local king in 278 B.C. They quickly found it more profitable to operate on their own account, ravaging and extracting tribute from the terrified cities. Their antics were curbed eight years later by a crushing defeat at the hands of a Syrian force equipped with elephants. The majority then settled on a series of poor plateaux henceforth known as Galatia, now in Turkey.
The Dying Gaul
A generation later they backed the losing side in a local civil war and were repeatedly defeated by Attalus of Pergamum. To celebrate the victory, the Greeks created a series of magnificent bronze statues. The Romans copied several of these in marble, including the Dying Gaul of the Capitol and the Ludovisi group showing a Celt, having killed his wife, stabbing himself with his sword rather than surrender.
From then on, the Galatians stayed quietly in their new homeland. For several hundred years though, no prince in the East could do without his corps of Gauls. A revolt in Upper Egypt in 186 B.C. was put down with the help of Gaulish troops. During a lull in the campaign, four of them wandered into a deserted chapel of Horus, leaving grafitti telling how they caught a fox there.
The mercenaries quickly learned Greek, but as late as the fourth century A.D., St. Jerome wrote that the Galatians still also spoke a Celtic dialect similar to that used by the Treviri tribe of the Belgae. Other evidence bears this out. The leaders of the initial invasion and the settlements they founded often had Belgic names, and statues show that many of them wore the wide trousers for which the Belgae were always noted.
At the other end of Europe, Belgic immigrants probably also were responsible for the fresh continental influences which appeared in the British Isles in the last few centuries before the Roman invasion. Several items dredged from the mud of the River Thames — including a delicately embossed, horned helmet and the famous Battersea Shield — are among the finest examples of La Tene art in the world. In addition to this impressive war gear, changes in pottery and fortifications also can be seen as evidence of successive waves of settlers from the continent, some arriving as new overlords, others settling in new areas to establish island offshoots of continental tribes.
Having outlined the traditionally accepted view of the “coming of the Celts,” it must be noted that this migrationist school has in recent years been challenged by a diffusionist model, according to which such changes spread slowly through pre-existing populations as a result of emulation. In this theory the desire of local rulers to “keep up with the Joneses” is the chief agent in spreading new technology and cultural fashions. The diffusionists make the superficially convincing analogy of archaeologists several thousand years hence explaining the sudden appearance of highway networks, filling stations, and the rusted remains of automobiles in terms of aggressive expansion by the “Car People.” Since, they argue, we know this to be untrue, why should we imagine that the prehistoric spread of chariots, battle-axes, or styles of pottery was different?
It must be understood, however, that many of the advocates of this diffusionist view are motivated by egalitarianism. Their views owe less to the realities of history than to their ideological and emotional commitment to the myth of human equality. According to the diffusionists, the populations of prehistoric Europe were essentially the same in their temperaments and capabilities. Cultural and technological innovations are assumed to have arisen at random in this undifferentiated mass, before spreading in slow-moving ripples from these various centers. In this view, “Celt” is an almost entirely cultural designation with no connection to ethnicity.
According to the diffusionists, therefore, there was never a “Coming of the Celts”: they were already in possession of their lands before slow, cumulative cultural change made them into Celts. And, having developed this identity, they did not burst out in waves to impose it on much of Europe, either as colonists or as a ruling aristocracy.
As is so often the case though, such Politically Correct theorizing has litlte basis in reality and is totally at odds with the surviving contemporary reports. Classical commentators such as Strabo and Lucan noted the clear racial differences between the population of Gaul and that of Britain, and the fact that, while both groups were much fairer than the Mediterraneans, the pure Germans were blonder still. In a triumph ordered by Caligula, a parade of “German” prisoners was boosted for the benefit of the onlookers by the simple expedient of including a number of unusually tall Gauls whose hair was bleached for the occasion.
Caesar makes it clear that the inhabitants of Aquitania — roughly the area south of the Garonne valley — were much more like the mixed Celt-Iberians of Spain than their purely Celtic neighbors to the north. Many classical writers reported that typical Celts were tall and muscular with blue eyes and blonde or — like Boudicca, the warrior-queen who led the anti-Roman revolt by the southeastern British tribes — red hair.
The fourth century Byzantine writer, Ammianus Marcellinus, was drawing on first-hand reports from the first century B.C. when he commented: “Nearly all the Gauls are of a lofty stature, fair and of ruddy complexion: terrible from the sternness of their eyes, and of great pride and insolence. A whole troop of foreigners would not be able to withstand a single Gaul if he called his wife to his assistance, who is usually very strong and with blue eyes.”
Tacitus agrees on the generally Nordic nature of the Celts, but comments on the notable exception of the tribe occupying South Wales: “The dark faces of the Silures, their usually curly hair, and the position of Spain opposite, are evidence that the ancient Iberians crossed the sea and settled there.”
The diffusionist denial of the role of mass tribal migrations or warrior-aristocracy conquests in the ethnic history of various parts of Europe is also guilty of ignoring many reliable classical references to just such events. In his De Bello Gallico, Caesar tells us: “The inland part of Britain is inhabited by tribes declared in their own tradition to be indigenous to the island, the maritime part by tribes that migrated from Belgium to seek booty by invasion.” He also makes it clear that this was a recent development.
Unfortunately for the trendy theory that changes in grave goods are unrelated to changes in population, the pottery of this time found in southern England shows a sudden increase in continental influence. So the literary and archaeological evidence bear out the migrationist view.
Many Celtic place-names also give us glimpses of past migrations. Thus the Belgic Parisii not only held the area around the future capital of France, but also had a branch in Yorkshire, England. The Brigantes are best known in history as a powerful tribe in northern England, but it is likely that the town of Bregenz on Lake Constance marks their original home in the Celtic heartland, from which another wandering offshoot eventually reached Spain and founded the settlement of Brigantium on the site of modern Corunna.
Other Roman writers noted that the Celts themselves had an ancient tradition that they had come from low-lying areas on the fringes of the North Sea, from which they were driven by floods. It is very likely that this was an accurate folk memory of the rise in sea level which resulted from the melting of the northern ice cap during the unusual warmth of the middle of the Bronze Age, or of the return to much colder and wetter conditions which marked its end and would have led to repeated floods along the lower reaches of rivers such as the Rhine.
The traditions of classical Irish literature refer in detail to mass folk migrations, stating that their island had been invaded by five successive groups of settlers, and that the Celts themselves had arrived long after settlers from Spain had built the megalithic tombs which dot the landscape.
The Irish epic, the Tain Bo Cualnge — The Cattle Raid of Cooley — actually gives us a picture of a Celtic army setting off to war, followed by their families and cartloads of possessions: “Thereafter the hosts set out upon their march. It was difficult to attend to that mighty army, which set forth on that journey, with the many tribes and the many families and the many thousands whom they brought with them that they might see each other and know each other and that each might be with his familiars and his friends and his kin on the hosting.”
Livy’s history of the Gallic wars, and the even more detailed records of the last great Celtic invasion of Italy at the turn of the second century B.C., also give us direct accounts of mass migrations, telling of the widespread upheaval among the Celtic tribes which began when the Cimbri abandoned their homeland, probably in Jutland, and poured south. They were joined by the Teutones — whose name is of Celtic origin and means “people” — whose leaders, like those of the Cimbri, all bore Celtic names. The Cimbri attacked those of the Boii who had remained in Bohemia, then marched to the eastern Alps.
Defeated by a Roman army at Noreia in 113 B.C., the Cimbri moved into Gaul and annihilated two Roman armies. The horde then split up. Half rampaged homewards through Gaul, where the Belgae in the north later boasted that they were the only people to stand up to them, a success they attributed to the martial vigor inherited from their own “Germanic” origins from across the Rhine several centuries before. A 6,000 man Cimbri rearguard left behind in Belgium became an important tribe in its own right only fifty years later.
The other half marched into Spain to seek new land there. In 103 B.C. they returned to Gaul and linked up again with the Teutones. Together they swept through the Brenner Pass into Italy, but were smashed at Vercellae in 101 B.C. The following year the remainder clashed with the legions at Aix-en-Provence. Most were butchered, but thousands were dragged back to Rome as slaves.
The largely empty old territory of the Teutones was quickly filled by fully Germanic tribes. Where the Celto-German border at the start of the La Tene period was in Thuringia and Saxony, Germanic villages and forts now spread rapidly to the Rhine.
The modern liberal dogma of change through gentle ripples of peaceful emulation fits ill with this reality of wandering tribes bringing terror and destruction to everything in their path before being wiped out themselves by the next people destined to dominate Europe.
The diffusionist theory also calls for the rejection of the idea that cultural, military, and linguistic changes are often the result of changes in the ruling elite. The politically aware student of liberalism will not be surprised to note that it is very fashionable nowadays to downplay the role of elites and to explain everything in terms of economic determinism.
Indeed, grateful though we must be to the outstanding modern British scholar of prehistory, Professor Colin Renfrew, for his book Before Civilization, which established that our ancestors were early innovators rather than barbaric imitators of the cultures of the Near East, we must disagree with the neo-Marxist sentiments with which he concludes his later book, Archaeology and Language. Having criticized what he sees as the traditional Eurocentric and ethnocentric basis of historical analysis, he expresses the Politically Correct hope that from now on “we can attempt to rethink these issues, with less emphasis on specific ethnic groups and their supposed migrations, and rather more upon the underlying economic and social processes at work.” Clearly the professor’s groundbreaking scholarship is not matched by a similar ability to think for himself when he ventures into the realm of politics.
Certainly Renfrew’s rejection of elite dominance and mass migration bears little resemblance to the facts. Having denied that elite dominance is a major factor in producing linguistic change, he has to admit in passing that out of the four still-living Celtic tongues, two — Scots Gaelic and Breton — are entirely the result of this very process. The inhabitants of the north and west of Scotland originally spoke Pictish or a dialect of the Brythonic tongue which later developed into Welsh. It was only in the fifth century A.D. that the Ulaid of Ulster sent colonists over the narrow sea to Scotland to escape the attacks of their southern Irish neighbors. This new settlement, speaking a dialect of Goedelic Gaelic, gradually expanded until its language entirely replaced the earlier Brythonic and Pictish ones. As we shall see, the history of Breton is similar.
Nor does Renfrew take his brief quest for analogies in other times very far. It is a fine irony for a man writing in modern English to deny that a small group of well-armed and vigorous foreigners can take over an entire society and drastically alter its language. For the fact is that more than half of our vocabulary is of Latin origin, and that most of that portion entered our speech via French, as the result of the conquest of a population of several million by about six thousand French-speaking cutthroats who, unlike the natives, had perfected the art of fighting on horseback.
For at least a hundred years after 1066 it was possible that Norman-French would take over from Old English completely. Only King John’s loss of his French lands and the subsequent long struggle of later kings to regain them created an upsurge in nationalist feeling in England which led to French falling from favor and the recovery of the prestige of a much changed version of English.
The rise of Latin and of the Roman Empire is another classic case of elite dominance. Hungary — which, up until 1919 in particular, included millions of Slovaks, Ukrainians, and Serbs under the rule of Magyar gentry — shows up on Renfrew’s language map as an island of non-Indo-European speech in the heart of Europe. This was the result of another of the great invasions which have happened throughout recorded history but which the diffusionists deny took place in prehistory. Since human nature is unchanging, and since inequalities between different peoples, both innate and technological, have always existed, there is no reason why mass invasions and takeovers by warrior bands should have been any less frequent before and during Celtic times than they have been since.
Having said that, Renfrew is right to say that when we see a particularly dramatic change in population and language, whether sudden or gradual, we may expect to find its roots in some major practical development in the economic, military, or technological field which took place either at the same time or shortly before. As he argues so convincingly, in the prehistory of Europe and a large part of the Middle East as far as India, the only event significant enough to have led to such a widespread dispersal of Indo-European speakers is the introduction of agriculture.
Similarly, there is no doubt that a very significant military advantage would have been enjoyed by the first people to learn to make weapons of bronze and later of iron, and by the first folk to ride the horse or chariot into battle. In each of these changes we have the practical motor for change by elite dominance.
The idea that the first group to make each of these advances wouldn’t have taken advantage of them at the expense of neighboring peoples is too absurd for words. It is a basic part of human nature which can still be seen at work all over the world today, except on behalf of a White race softened by generations of drivel about “equality” and letting the ugly, the stupid, and the botched inherit the Earth. Our ancestors had no such qualms, which is why the archaeological evidence of burnt villages and periods of major fortification work bears out the classical accounts of widespread disruption at the start of both the Bronze and Iron Ages, and again with the introduction of the war chariot.
While it is certainly going too far to regard a simple change of fashion in prehistoric pottery as indicating the arrival of a new people, wherever we find evidence of a major increase in the effectiveness of the weapons of war, there is every reason to suppose that it upset the balance of power and led to the creation of new elites, if not to the displacement of entire tribes.
In the 1934 English translation of his monumental The History of the Celtic People, French expert Professor Henri Hubert uses linguistic evidence to make a convincing case for two major periods of expansion coinciding with the coming of bronze and iron. The first included the Nordic descent into Greece and Italy, as well as the breaking off of the linguistically conservative Goidels, whose language survives today in the Q-Celtic tongues of Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man.
By the time the dawn of the Iron Age led to the second great expansion, the language in the Celtic heartland had changed substantially. In particular, the consonant q or k had mutated into a p . The new dialect of the militarily and culturally dominant iron users became dominant throughout Gaul and mainland Britain, which is why modern Welsh, Breton and Cornish are described as P-Celtic. Only in remote Ireland did the older language survive.
Whatever the exact timescale of their dispersal and language changes, the Celts at their peak dominated a vast swath of Europe: from Spain to the Balkans, from the estuary of the Elbe to the southern foothills of the Alps, from the windswept Atlantic coast of Ireland to the forests of central Germany. Their influence went even further. Celtic ornaments have been found in Sweden, and some of the finest examples of La Tene craftsmanship are votive offerings recovered from the peat bogs of Denmark. These were made in the Celtic heartland, but seem to have been obtained by the local Germanic chieftains through trade with their southern neighbors. The magnificent Gundestrup Cauldron, for example, is made of silver from the middle Danube, and its typical Celtic decorations include an elephant. We have noted the role of Gaulish soldiers of fortune in Asia Minor and the settlements on the edge of the Black Sea. Even the Romans learned from them, borrowing their chariots, many of their words, and their long shields.
The Germans learned even more. Many important military, political, and economic terms in German were borrowed from the language of the Celts, including those for “hostage,” “office,” and “value.” The Celtic word for “inheritance” — orbe in Irish — gave the Germans Erbe. Where the King of a Gaulish tribe was known as the Rix, the old German Gothic tongue changed the word to Reiks, from which derived the modern Reich. The German for “breastplate” comes from the same Celtic root as the Irish and Welsh words for “chest,” bruinne and bron respectively.
The fact that the Germans learned the word for “iron” from their western neighbors suggests that the Celts very early came to influence or even to dominate the Germanic tribes to their east. It is even possible that groups such as the Teutones were partly or largely Germanic, but with an aristocracy descended from Celtic warbands, as we have already seen may well have been the case among the Celtiberians far to the southwest.
This study of the Celts will be published tomorrow on nationalvanguard.org, first with a much closer look at the customs and culture of the Celts and then with the sad record of the Celts’ disastrous clash with Caesar’s legions.
Source: National Vanguard magazine, Number 115, November-December 1995
From ATTACK! to National Vanguard
“Aryan” Is the Correct and Proper Name of Our Race
Vanguardism: Hope for the Future
In Defense of Hitler and his National-Socialism
Who We Are #17 -- The Goths Who Sacked Rome
How to Pray Like an Indo-European
The Roman State and Genetic Pacification
Tags:CeltsEuropean prehistoryIndo-EuropeanNational VanguardNick GriffinRomansthe White Race
Jewish History, Jewish Religion: The Weight of 3,000 Years
The Myth of the Big Business / Nazi Axis
UK: Daily Mail Attacks Penguin Books, National Vanguard, and Author Pedro Baños
Let Us Dream of Something Marvelous
The Definitive Debunking of the Cheddar Man Lies
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my antics
on November 3, 2012 at 11:36 am Comments (76)
The URI to TrackBack this entry is: https://nursemyra.wordpress.com/2012/11/03/happy/trackback/
On November 3, 2012 at 12:01 pm NickQ said:
Looking great nursemyra….good to see you again.
On November 3, 2012 at 12:04 pm Syncopated Eyeball said:
Excellent! Good for you. X
On November 3, 2012 at 12:10 pm lioniella said:
Happy smiling girl!
On November 3, 2012 at 12:37 pm normadesmond said:
dear, your newel post is larger than yourself.
On November 4, 2012 at 4:52 am Laura said:
That’s what she said.
On November 3, 2012 at 1:17 pm ian in hamburg said:
Happy see you, too! 🙂
Lost my to
On November 3, 2012 at 3:57 pm G. B. Miller said:
You’re looking good. 😀
Glad to here that you’re starting to get your mojo back. 😀
On November 3, 2012 at 4:03 pm John Erickson said:
Looking VERY. Happy, pretty, fill in the adjective of your choice! 😀
On November 3, 2012 at 7:26 pm bschooled said:
…And gorgeous!
On November 3, 2012 at 7:43 pm daisyfae said:
Delighted to see your smile! 😀
On November 3, 2012 at 8:30 pm dinahmow said:
Woo-hoo! Happiest smile I’ve seen in a while. 🙂
On November 3, 2012 at 10:37 pm Carl D'Agostino said:
Look refreshed
On November 4, 2012 at 1:17 am melbo said:
You are back! And looking beautiful of course! Makes my day just to see you.
On November 4, 2012 at 3:49 am Rincewind said:
Sexy as usual and just brought me a big smile when I saw an email from Nursemyra in my inbox. Bliss…
On November 4, 2012 at 5:12 am Anaglyph said:
On November 4, 2012 at 5:31 am duncanr said:
Wow, you look stunning !!!!!!!!
Good to see you back 😆
On November 4, 2012 at 11:20 am Nota bene said:
Scorchio!
On November 4, 2012 at 12:33 pm David said:
What a nice surprise! You look happy in the photo. Pretty too. Thanks for popping in, 🙂
On November 4, 2012 at 12:48 pm looby said:
That’s a very eloquent picture. And blimey, you’re a looker!
On November 4, 2012 at 1:20 pm bearmancartoons said:
Look who showed up. Good to see you.
On November 4, 2012 at 7:12 pm Tammy said:
So good to see you and to know that you are happy!
On November 4, 2012 at 8:35 pm The Unbearable Banishment said:
Lovely to see you. Hello from the soggy U.S. East Coast.
On November 4, 2012 at 9:36 pm Shaun Downey said:
Looking good Nursie. I hope this means you’re back
On November 5, 2012 at 12:03 am kenju99 said:
Welcome, welcome back!! (I hope)
On November 5, 2012 at 4:10 am coyote said:
Perfect! Glad it’s going well.
On November 5, 2012 at 6:27 am zmkc said:
Glad. Have fun.
On November 5, 2012 at 2:17 pm cew said:
Happy happy joy joy
On November 5, 2012 at 4:31 pm spilledinkguy said:
I’m so happy to see you, N.M!
And even happier still to see that you are happy!
On November 6, 2012 at 1:30 am healingmagichands said:
What they all said, in trumps. You LOOK happy, and you look wonderful and I am glad to see it. Anyone as special as you deserves happiness.
On November 6, 2012 at 8:54 am Steamboat McGoo said:
Lookin’ just FINE, Nursemyra!
On November 8, 2012 at 7:15 am Jim said:
So nice to see you back, Nursemyra!
On November 8, 2012 at 8:05 am lululabonne said:
Best news ever – great to see you xxx
On November 8, 2012 at 12:03 pm Marvin the Martian said:
How nice to hear from you.
On November 8, 2012 at 2:49 pm Hospitable Scots Bachelor said:
Hope life takes many happy turns for you FROM NOW ON. wELCOME BACK
On November 8, 2012 at 9:08 pm Ellen said:
Great to see Nurse M. lighting up the feed reader again! And delighted that you are feeling happy.
On November 9, 2012 at 2:37 am Binky said:
Glad you’re happy. You look it!
On November 9, 2012 at 10:59 am John M. said:
looking good, darlin’
xoxo, miss you
On November 10, 2012 at 3:03 am mikulpepper said:
Now I’m happy, too.
On November 12, 2012 at 7:34 am Kirk said:
Well, Helllloo Nurse! Good to see you back, especially looking like that.
On November 12, 2012 at 8:43 pm Scott said:
Great to see you again–and to see an actual picture of you!
Glad you’re feeling great too!
On November 16, 2012 at 12:13 pm terrashield said:
Looking good there, Nurse 🙂
On November 18, 2012 at 12:29 pm Jack said:
You’re a hot chick but I’m not sure I’m digging the purple hair.. 🙂
On November 28, 2012 at 3:30 pm Anne said:
On December 23, 2012 at 9:42 pm healingmagichands said:
Happy solstice, nursemyra
On December 24, 2012 at 2:17 pm 63mago said:
Merry Christmas, Nurse Myra! 🙂
On December 24, 2012 at 8:40 pm John Erickson said:
May you have the merriest, most joyous of holidays, my lady. I look forward to hearing from you in the New Year – may it bring you every hope and joy!
On December 28, 2012 at 11:41 pm Kevin said:
Yay! Happy is good. Hope you had a cool Yule!
On December 31, 2012 at 11:45 am Tammy said:
You’re looking good!! 😉
On December 31, 2012 at 12:59 pm 63mago said:
Happy New Year, Nurse Myra!
On January 12, 2013 at 5:20 pm cmblake6 said:
MYRA!!!!!!!!!! Hope your rest was productive, but from the dates it looks like you just decided to tell us you were still alive. We miss your wit and brilliance! Lassie, come home!
On January 30, 2013 at 11:30 pm The Necromancer said:
On March 4, 2013 at 8:06 am Jenny Woolf said:
Hope you’ll start blogging again soon, I miss your unusual take on life. But I’m delighted to see this happy photo!
On March 8, 2013 at 12:15 am Gray Dawster said:
Nurse Myra I have sent you an invite so hurry on over and watch out for any wayward Dragons, in other words find some girlie armour, a nicely sharpened sword and a suitable shield just in case 🙂 lol
gray Dawster aka Andro xx
On April 9, 2013 at 6:57 pm healingmagichands said:
I so miss your posts, Nursemyra. But I also sort of “get” that this blog was a place to work through your grief, and now that you are on the other side you don’t need it so much. So I am happy for that while missing your unique take on life. Blessed be, my dear.
On April 21, 2013 at 9:22 am Mel said:
Still think of you each day and hope all is well. xx
On May 26, 2013 at 1:06 am Bunk Strutts said:
When you comin’ back NurseM? The Gimcrack has always been a nice place filled with slightly disturbing oddities.
The posts are cool, too.
On June 2, 2013 at 4:57 pm 63mago said:
Just peeping in. hope you are happy.
On June 25, 2013 at 11:51 am Carl D'Agostino said:
Thanks recent visit/comment. Look forward to your return to posting.
On July 16, 2013 at 8:03 pm Thombeau said:
Gorgeous! Wishing you well, sweetie!
On August 2, 2013 at 2:42 am doctoratlarge said:
I guess, figuring out this nurse would prove to be a delightful task indeed
On August 27, 2013 at 11:39 pm 63mago said:
… just having a look …
On October 2, 2013 at 4:43 am cmblake6 said:
MYRA! Still nowt, eh? Shame, that. I will keep looking from time to time, hope to see something new someday.
On January 1, 2014 at 1:10 am 63mago said:
Happy New Year !
Thanks, same to you xx
On January 1, 2014 at 10:28 am archiearchive FCD said:
Happy New Year, Myra. Hope it is filled with good things for you.
So far so good. Am loving Tasmania. Best wishes to you and yours for 2014 Archie xx
On January 3, 2014 at 4:06 am John Erickson said:
Well, hello there! Here’ hoping you had a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year!
From the only blogger who considers himself active, while spending FAR more time away than you have! 😀
On March 7, 2014 at 5:29 am reverb said:
,,,hey Nurse, I really like bangs…
On May 7, 2014 at 2:49 pm Megan (Best of Fates) said:
This is the best possible update you could post!
On May 13, 2015 at 9:45 am doctoratlarge said:
Nurse Myra, do you have any idea what happened to Donald Mills who wrote the blog called “The Problem With Young People Is…”? No post in a long long time. Sorry for the trouble
On May 13, 2015 at 10:01 pm nursemyra said:
No I’m sorry I don’t.
On March 8, 2018 at 7:33 pm theonlycin said:
Hellooooooo, where are you blogging nowadays? I came to look for you and you’re gone. Sob!
On April 18, 2019 at 6:34 pm nitejay1 said:
I recently discovered your blog and its like a just discovered a hidden treasure of warmth and wit and so refreshing!! I hope you are well nurse myra
Leave a Reply to healingmagichands Cancel reply
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Police defend arrest of 12-year-old boy in western Michigan
Published: Tue, June 18, 2019 9:31 AM Updated: Tue, June 18, 2019 9:31 AM
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Police in a western Michigan city already under scrutiny for alleged discrimination are defending their actions in the arrest of a 12-year-old black boy, saying they had to handcuff the child while they sorted out a confusing situation.
Grand Rapids police said they were called Friday about a fight involving 15-20 people and that the boy was arrested after he was seen chasing and hitting a man with a wooden pole. Police said he kicked officers as he was being detained, and he was arrested for resisting and obstructing a police officer and disorderly fighting.
The boy's mother, Bernice Jones, said her son was playing and chasing a cousin, and that police overreacted. She said she tried to tell police to "hold on" because he was just 12.
The department summarized its response in a Facebook post following a witness' post criticizing officers , who were described as mostly white. The department also on Monday opened an investigation to determine if the case was handled properly, though no officers were placed on leave.
"Not knowing the youth's age or the circumstances of what was going on, the officer placed the youth in handcuffs," the post reads. "The youth then began to resist the officer. A large crowd already in the neighborhood observed this and became upset that a 12-year-old was being arrested.
"This required the assistance of additional officers until the circumstances surrounding the situation could get sorted out."
Police said they removed the handcuffs after the youth was placed in a police car and his mother told officers of his age. The witness, Ted Jauw, noted in his post that the department has a youth-interaction policy created after criticism over the handcuffing of a girl in 2017.
"The officer who handcuffed the boy made a snap decision that should have been handled differently," Jauw wrote. "Given the other choices he was now supposedly trained to have. No one was de-escalating the situation. No one was using the judgment that had been granted in that change in policy.
The boy was taken to the Kent County Jail where he was processed and released to his mother.
Police said they later received another call about the mass fight that had sent officers to the neighborhood in the first place. They returned and arrested the man responsible.
Michigan's Civil Rights office earlier this year announced it was investigating about two dozen complaints accusing the Grand Rapids Police Department of discrimination. Those complaints include allegations that police discriminated against a mentally ill war veteran in November by contacting immigration officials even though he's a U.S. citizen.
CommentsPolice defend arrest of 12-year-old boy in western Michigan
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Glenn W. Johnson
Lieutenant Colonel Glenn W. Johnson was born in Springerville, Arizona and received his BS in Criminal Justice from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. Commissioned into the Infantry through ROTC as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1994, his military education includes Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, a Graduate degree in Defense Analysis specializing in Terrorism from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and the Command and General Staff College.
He has served as a platoon leader in 2/9 Infantry, Camp Casey, Korea and 2/7 Infantry, Ft. Stewart, Ga as well as an Infantry Company Executive Officer. After graduation from the Special Forces Detachment Officer Qualification Course in 1999, he was assigned to A Company, 1/5 Special Forces Group (Airborne) where he commanded Special Forces Operational Detachment A – 513 and B Troop as part of the Combatant Commanders In-extremis Force (CIF). While serving in A-1/5 SFG(A), LTC Johnson participated in the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and deployed as the Crisis Resolution Element on the Horn of Africa as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, and then deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Following Detachment Command, he was assigned to the National Assessment Group in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2007, LTC Johnson was assigned as a Global War on Terrorism planner with 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) where he was again deployed to Afghanistan. Upon his return from overseas, he took command of C Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). This was followed with the command of Operations Detachment, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). In 2010, LTC Johnson became the Professor of Military Science for Northern Arizona University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In 2011, after coming out on the Command Select List, LTC Johnson took command of a Security Forces Assistance Team and returned to Afghanistan. LTC Johnson is currently assigned as the Director of the Defense Analysis Common Operational Research Environment (CORE) Lab and Chief of the Unconventional Warfare Fusion Cell at the Naval Postgraduate School.
Revisiting the Social Movement Approach to Unconventional Warfare Mon, 12/01/2014 - 2:40am
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Local Newsvideo
Amazon Prime Now Delivers to Alexandria, Virginia
Amazon Prime Now is now available to customers in Northern Virginia
Got to get something really fast? Amazon Prime Now provides a one-hour delivery service now available in Northern Virginia (including Alexandria) for tens of thousands of items. The service, however, is exclusively for Amazon Prime members.
Prime Now one-hour delivery service is expanding to Northern Virginia from Springfield to Arlington to Alexandria. The ultra-fast service, offered exclusively as a benefit to Prime members, provides one-hour delivery on tens of thousands of daily essentials from staples like paper towels, milk or ice cream, to electronics such as laptops and Kindle devices.
In Northern Virginia, Prime Now is available from 8 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. Two-hour delivery is free and one-hour delivery is available for $7.99.
You can visit the website or download the Prime Now app on iOS and Android devices.
Tags:Alexandria VirginiaAmazon Prime NowNorthern Virginia
Burke & Herbert Bank Welcomes New Board Member
MISSING: 30-year-old Alexandria, Virginia Woman
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7096 open access dissertations and theses found for:
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241 - 270 of 7096 displayed. < Previous | Next >
Self-Compassion as a Moderator between Stress and Eating Behavior
by von Holst, Haley, M.A. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2017: 40 pages; 10275388.
Alcohol disorder with hip or knee surgery: Postoperative alcohol disorder-related costs and length of stay
by Vidal, Elisa M., M.S. California State University, Long Beach. 2014: 60 pages; 1569384.
The role of the intuitive function in addiction recovery
by Dakin, Cary Elizabeth, Ph.D. Pacifica Graduate Institute. 2014: 258 pages; 3613771.
A psycho-educational support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adolescents regarding the coming out process: A grant proposal
by Reid, Kristen Elyse, M.S.W. California State University, Long Beach. 2016: 68 pages; 10096081.
Full Text - PDF (575.2 KB)
Trauma, emotional distress, race and ethnicity, gender, Greek affiliation, and year-in-school as predictors of nonmedical use of prescription drugs among undergraduate college students
by Jeffs, Patrick Thomas, Ph.D. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 2013: 130 pages; 3563178.
College Students' Experiences with Mental Health: Sorority Members, Anxiety, and Depression
by Burns, Kerry Lynn, Ed.D. Johnson & Wales University. 2015: 105 pages; 3700708.
Wine, mead and ale: The rhetoric of alcohol in Greek and Germanic mythology
by Froyd, Sean Melvin, Ph.D. Pacifica Graduate Institute. 2009: 228 pages; 3417875.
The value of human life: An individual-level determinant of violence
by Tcherni, Maria, Ph.D. State University of New York at Albany. 2011: 180 pages; 3454530.
Effects of a cognitive dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program among college students
by Tedrow, Alison Marie, M.S. California State University, Long Beach. 2015: 68 pages; 1585970.
Source Protection and Drinking Water Quality in the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé, Panama
by Miller, Leigh Burgess, M.S. Michigan Technological University. 2017: 53 pages; 10246067.
Creating a curriculum for eating disorder recovery patients and their support network
by Reeves, Erin, M.S. California State University, Long Beach. 2016: 49 pages; 10240182.
College Students' Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs
by Ventola, Lynn A., Ph.D. TUI University. 2014: 136 pages; 3586864.
Motivational interviewing as a targeted prevention approach for physically aggressive dating couples
by Woodin, Erica Margaret, Ph.D. State University of New York at Stony Brook. 2007: 114 pages; 3334947.
Water Quality and Quantity in Intermittent and Continuous Piped Water Supplies in Hubli-Dharwad, India
by Kumpel, Emily, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley. 2013: 108 pages; 3616477.
Thorfin of Nibor: A Tone Poem for Wind Ensemble and Choir
by Spinella, Jake Robert, M.M. University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 2015: 89 pages; 1594333.
Supplemental files
Physical, chemical and isotopic characteristics of groundwater and surface water in the lake chilwa basin, malawi
by Missi, Charles, M.S. Oklahoma State University. 2018: 58 pages; 10811532.
Beverage choice impact on hydration and performance for the recreational athlete
by O'Neal, Eric Kyle, Ph.D. The University of Alabama. 2010: 90 pages; 3423024.
Older adults: Medication and alcohol abuse
by Fahs, Leslie, M.S.W. California State University, Long Beach. 2010: 146 pages; 1486637.
A school-based prevention program for youth: A grant proposal
by Watkins, Kira, M.S.W. California State University, Long Beach. 2013: 65 pages; 1523188.
Arsenic speciation of swine urine for possible use in human exposure assessments
by Naught, Laura Eisinger, Ph.D. University of Missouri - Columbia. 2013: 177 pages; 3577952.
Parental substance abuse and adulthood mortality in treatment-seeking male veterans with combat-related PTSD
by Schutz, Kerri E., Psy.D. Pepperdine University. 2011: 79 pages; 3466397.
Modeling chlorine residual and disinfection byproduct formation in circulating distribution systems
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Life goals and eating disorders among adolescent girls in Birmingham, Alabama
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Measuring socio-economic position using an asset index: Do geographical factors matter?
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Sedimentation enhancement by fabric inclined settling screen to decrease disinfection by-production formation potential
by Cao, Liu, M.S. University of Missouri - Columbia. 2014: 166 pages; 10180872.
Transport of Semi-Volatile and Non-Volatile Contaminants in Direct Contact Membrane Distillation
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A study of methamphetamine and other illicit drug usage among youth
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Race for water resources among Beaufort / Jasper, SC and Effingham / Chatham, GA counties
by Khan, Adil A., M.S.U.S.P. Savannah State University. 2013: 108 pages; 1537007.
Coping styles and levels of perceived stress in persons recovering from substance abuse
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Home › Publications & resources › PSC Publications › State of the sectors report › State of the sectors 2017 › How to read this report
The observations and findings presented in this report, draw on the sources of information described in this section. This information is interpreted and reported in the context of: ongoing consultation and engagement; consideration of cases and issues examined in an oversight capacity; and interactions with public authorities, leaders and public officers through a variety of advisory and capability-building programs and activities.
Analysing the public sector environment
The Public Sector Commissioner (the Commissioner) has a specific role in administering several pieces of legislation, including the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (PSM Act), Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003 (PID Act), parts of the Corruption, Crime and Misconduct Act 2003 (CCM Act) and the Integrity (Lobbyists) Act 2016.
The Commissioner collects data from public authorities and reports on compliance with—and outcomes of—a range of legislative processes and issues involving the workforce. In analysing our public sector environment, the Public Sector Commission (the Commission) relies on authorities providing timely and accurate responses to its surveys. It should be noted, that an authority’s systems and capability impacts on the data collected and reported.
Impact of change on the annual survey program
In April 2017, the Western Australian Government announced wide-reaching public sector reforms. This included a number of significant Machinery of Government (MOG) changes that resulted in the amalgamation of 41 public sector agencies, to 25 departments. These changes came into effect on 1 July 2017.
The changes significantly impacted the Commission’s activities in the second half of the 2016/17 year, including its survey program which forms the basis for this report.
In addition to structural reforms, a number of reviews and inquiries were initiated by Government early in 2017. The Service Priority Review (the review) aims to address the functions, operations and culture of the public sector in order to drive lasting reform of service delivery, accountability and efficiency.
The review is due to be completed before the end of 2017 and will consider—among other things—the current and future public sector workforce. The Commission has been assisting the review by providing data, information and insights.
Public authorities’ perspectives
Data and perspectives presented on public authorities are the result of two annual surveys conducted by the Commission.
The Public sector entity survey (PSES) seeks to obtain the views and details of operations of public sector agencies.
This year, MOG changes impacted on the administration of the PSES. To preserve high response rates and data quality, the Commissioner conducted the PSES earlier than usual. The 106 public sector agencies responding to the PSES in May and June 2017 provided information for the nine-month period, 1 July 2016 to 31 March 2017. A 100 per cent response rate was achieved for the PSES.
Due to the reduced reporting period for the PSES, 2017 data is not directly comparable to the 2016 data, which should be taken into account when reading this report.
The Integrity and conduct survey (ICS) contains the views and details of operations from 261 other authorities for the period 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017, with authorities providing their responses in July 2017. The majority of these authorities were not impacted by MOG changes, and were able to report for the full 12-month period. A 72 per cent response rate was achieved for the ICS.
Where data or perspectives presented in this report are a combination of information from both surveys, readers should take into account the discrepancy in the reporting periods.
Employee perspectives
Each year the Commission selects a sample of public sector agencies and surveys employees on their perceptions about their role, team and agency. The Employee perception survey (EPS) was administered in February 2017 and asked 10 802 public sector employee across 15 public sector agencies for their views, with 54 per cent (5794) of employees responding.
Workforce trend data
The Commission collects workforce and diversity data quarterly from public sector agencies through the Human resource minimum obligatory information requirement (HRMOIR). Agencies have a responsibility to submit accurate data. Diversity data from all other authorities is sourced from the Equal employment opportunity survey (EEO survey) conducted on behalf of the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment. The survey was administered by the Commission in March and April 2017. These data sets describe authorities’ workforces, and highlight changes over time. Workforce data about the public sector is current as at 30 June 2017 and workforce data about other authorities is current as at 31 March 2017, unless otherwise stated.
Where is our data sourced?
473 authorities were approached to provide information as part of our data collection program that informs this report
Employee perception survey 15 public sector agencies
Public sector entity survey 106 public sector agencies
Integrity and conduct survey 363 authorities
Equal employment opportunity survey 158 authorities
Human resource minimum obligatory information requirement 96 public sector agencies
Other data sources
Data on minor misconduct and other Commission operations is sourced from the Commission’s Enterprise Information System. Comparative data and other quotes are referenced as citations as they occur through the report. A list of references is provided in the back of the report.
Accessing the series
Visit State of the sectors report homepage to find previous State of the sectors reports and statistical bulletins.
return to State of the sectors report homepage
Page last updated 19 October 2017
State of the sectors 2017 - Sustaining public trust through change: Full report | 2.75 MB | Online version
State of the sectors statistical bulletin 2017 - Sustaining public trust through change | 5.62 MB | 836.04 KB
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Persian Rugs are so much more than a comfy piece of furniture to rub your toes in. It is a vital part of the Persian culture and known more as an art piece than as a bit of furniture. Their history, which some interpret dates back to 500 B.C.E, can be divided into three periods of Persian rugs over the course of time.
The Zoroasterian Period
Found in a grace of a Scythian prince, the Pazyryk carpet was discovered during an archaeological excavation in the Pazyryk Valley of Siberia in 1949. This is the earliest known example of Persian rugs, although most archaeological discovereies from this era are usually no more than a few remaining worn out bits of fabric.
The Islamic Period
Starting in the 8th century C.E., the Azarbaijan Province in Iran became the most powerful carpet weaving area in the world. During the reigns of the Seljuq and Iilkhanate dynasties, carpet weaving expanded and flourished to such a poresitigious degree that a mosque in northwestern Iran even chose to have itself covered in Persian rugs.
The Modern Period
Today, modern Persian carpet production has been mostly mechanized, although hand woven carpets are still produced and available from all around the world. In fact, Iran exported over $500 million worth of hand woven carpets annually since 2002 (although many other countries produce replicas available for cheaper costs).
tags: hand woven carpets, Islamic Period Persian Rugs, modern Persian carpet, Modern Persian Rugs, Pazyryk carpet, Persian rugs, Zoroasterian Period Persian Rugs
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Learning About a Saint: St. John the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco (commemorated on July 2)
Author’s note: as I read “The Life of Saint John, Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco,” I was especially struck by the life and love of this saint. I began to research further and found online many accounts of his life on earth and of miracles resulting from his prayers both during this life and since his departure from it. What a blessing to be able to learn about such a recent saint! I feel as though I have met a dear (and very holy) old friend. Although his commemoration day has already passed for this year, I’d like to introduce you to my new old friend, so that you can introduce your Sunday Church School students to him as well.
On July 2, we commemorate St. John Maximovitch, the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco. Who is this saint, and why do we commemorate him? This blog will offer a small glimpse into his life, as cited in the book The Life of Saint, Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco, compiled by Maria Naumenko and illustrated by Gabriela Moustardas.
Born in southern Russia on June 4, 1896 to well-off parents, John Maximovitch (baptized “Michael”) was a frail boy who loved to study. Throughout his growing up years, Michael was exposed to true holiness as his family attended church regularly and took him to visit holy icons and the relics of holy people. These experiences had a profound and lasting impact on his life.
He studied in a military school and then got his law degree before his family was forced to leave Russia because of the Russian revolution. When the revolution happened, his family escaped to Belgrade, Yugoslavia, where Michael studied theology and got his theological degree in 1925. During these years, he met and was mentored by Archbishop Anthony Khrapovitsky, who tonsured Michael as a monk named John, and ordained him to the diaconate.
John was a very humble man all of his life. For example, when he was summoned to Belgrade to be consecrated as a bishop, he told someone who he met on a streetcar that he had been accidentally summoned to see another monk named John be ordained bishop. The next day, when he met up with the same woman again by chance, he told her that the mistake was even worse than he had originally expected, for they actually wanted to make HIM the bishop, but he felt unworthy of the position!
After his ordination, Bishop John was sent first to Shanghai to look after the many Russians who had fled the Soviets in Russia and ended up in China. While he was there, he tenderly cared for his flock. Besides his pastoral work, he assisted in the completion of a cathedral, improved religious education, and cared for many orphans.
In his extreme humility, the bishop did not care about how he looked. Despite his status in the church, he wore clothing made from inexpensive material and usually walked barefoot. Even when he was told to wear sandals, since the Russian word for “wear” means “carry,” he fulfilled the decree by tucking the sandals under his arm so he was, indeed, “carrying” sandals!
Bishop John visited the sick daily, praying for them and doing whatever he could to help them. For example, once a woman who was thrown from her horse. She had her skull crushed but couldn’t be operated on (to remove the skull pieces pressing into her brain) because her pulse was so faint and the doctors knew she would not survive surgery. The bishop visited her and prayed over her for 2 hours. The woman’s pulse returned to normal. The surgery was able to happen, and was a success, through the prayers of the holy bishop. To this day, he cares for the sick and he intercedes for people who ask for his help, whether or not they are Orthodox!
When communism moved into China, (the now Arch)bishop John moved with his people to Tubabao, Philippines. This island, usually regularly buffeted by typhoons, was calm for two years and three months. During that time, Archbishop John walked around in the refugee camp every night, praying for his people and blessing the camp. (His prayers were powerful, for only two months after he and most of his flock left the island, a typhoon came through that flattened the entire camp.)
When the Russian refugees were relocated to the USA and Australia, Archbishop John was assigned to Western Europe. He oversaw the French and Dutch Orthodox Church, and gathered information on saints from that region that were part of Orthodoxy before the Latin Church left. Living in Europe didn’t sway the archbishop’s manner of dress: he continued to dress simply, and as a result, the French called him “St. John the Barefoot.”
Eventually, Archbishop John was sent to San Francisco, California. He worked hard to care for his flock, and also to enable the construction of the cathedral dedicated to the icon of the Theotokos, “Joy of All Who Sorrow.” He had plenty of opportunity for sorrow with that project, as opponents falsely accused him and stood in the way of the building. He patiently continued on with his work, blaming only the devil for the troubles once the cathedral was successfully completed.
During this part of his life, the Archbishop wrote sermons and encouragement to his people. Some of these have been published in English as well as Russian. All are full of his wisdom and contain answers to many questions about the Orthodox Faith.
Throughout his years of ministry, the archbishop always arrived early to church and stayed late. One reason it took him so long to leave was that, each time he left the church, he reverenced the icons as if he were saying goodbye to dear friends. On July 2, 1966, he was visiting St. Nicholas’ Cathedral in Seattle along with the “Kursk” icon of the Mother of God. On this night, he stayed particularly late – 3 hours after the service, to be exact – praying in the cathedral. After he left the cathedral, he went next door to a parish house, and reposed in the Lord.
For 28 years, people visited his remains, which were buried in a chapel below the cathedral in San Francisco. When they visited, people would often ask Archbishop John to pray for them. They would also write petitions on slips of paper and place them beneath his mitre. Archbishop John continued his work after departing this life, and even today he continues praying on behalf of his people. Many miracles have happened because of his prayers. Glory to God for His work through the prayers of His servant!
In 1993, Archbishop John’s relics were discovered to be incorrupt. His relics, along with the way that he lived and the miracles God has performed in response to his prayers both during this life and since his repose, were evidence enough for him to be recognized as a saint of the Holy Orthodox Church. He was glorified as such on July 2, 1994. Today, his relics are housed in a special shrine in the cathedral in San Francisco. His prayers continue on for all who request them.
St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, please intercede for us and for our salvation!
The Life of Saint John, Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco is a book for young people that was compiled by Maria Naumenko and illustrated by Gabriela Moustardas. It is available here: http://www.holytrinitypublications.com/en/Book/64/The_Life_of_Saint_John,_Wonderworker_of_Shanghai_and_San_Francisco_for_Young_People.html_
Find a dvd about St. John’s life here: http://hvcbookstore.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=54
Find the troparion and kontakion to St. John here: http://antiochian.org/node/37811
Find the supplication service to St. John here: http://hvcbookstore.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=350
The following are additional resources to help your Sunday Church School students learn more about St. John the Wonderworker:
Find wonderful ideas of ways to celebrate St. John Maximovitch’s commemoration together with children here: http://charmingthebirdsfromthetrees.blogspot.com/2012/07/festal-learning-basket-saint-john-of.html
Find an easy-to-read life of St. John Maximovitch appropriate for use with younger children, a printable (and colorable) icon, a map of his journeys, and an activity page related to his life on pp. 38-41 of this free downloadable resource: http://dce.oca.org/assets/files/resources/american-saints.pdf
Print this double-sided brochure-style story of the life of St. John Maximovitch, and study it with older children: http://www.asna.ca/saints/st-john-maximovich.pdf
Older children and/or adults will benefit from watching this documentary about St. John the Wonderworker (with English subtitles). It features photos of the saint that were taken throughout his life, as well as stories from his life and interviews with people whom he has helped. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSOoD9cCBoo
“St. John [the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco] did not isolate himself from the world, but he was not of this world. First and foremost he was a man of prayer. He completely surrendered himself to God, presenting himself as a ‘living sacrifice’ and he became a true vessel of the Holy Spirit. His work as an apostle, missionary and miracle worker continues even now.” ~ from http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2013/06/st-john-maximovitch-wonderworker.html
Discuss this quote with older students: Talk about ideas of how to live like that: not isolated, but also not of this world. Discuss ways to present one’s self as a living sacrifice. Talk also about some of the miracles God has worked through the continuing prayers of St. John. Spend some time praying and asking St. John to pray for each student and the concerns that they may have for their family and/or fellow parishioners.
This entry was posted in Educational Resource, Ideas, Lifestyle, Saints and tagged Christian Life, Holiness, Humility, Saints, simple life, spirituality on July 3, 2015 by orthodoxchristianparenting.
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3 thoughts on “Learning About a Saint: St. John the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco (commemorated on July 2)”
orthodoxchristianparenting Post author July 3, 2015 at 8:22 pm
Here are additional resources to help you learn about St. John Maximovitch:
Read the life of St. John the Wonderworker here: http://www.pravmir.com/living-proof-burning-faith-st-john-shanghai-san-francisco/
or here: http://www.orthodox.net/saints/john-maximovitch-brief-life.html
or here: http://www.saintjohnwonderworker.org/life-of-st-john/
or here: http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/johnmx1.htm
or here: http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/54575.htm
Listen to this concise recounting of his life: http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/saintoftheday/st_john_maximovich_archbishop_of_shanghai_and_san_francisco
See photos from (and related to) St. John’s life here: http://www.pravmir.com/in-the-footsteps-of-st-john-of-shanghai-and-san-francisco/
Find more here: http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/Holy_Fathers/St._John_Maximovitch/
Hear Fr. Serge Kotar tell the story of St. John, including Fr. Serge’s experience with the uncovering of St. John’s relics, told in the chapel where the relics were first housed, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p94cQYHBQJY&index=10&list=PLCA40F9190CF902EA
Read more about the uncovering of St. John’s relics and watch the glorification service here: http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/80365.htm
Read this book written by St. John the Wonderworker: http://store.ancientfaith.com/products/Orthodox-Veneration-of-the-Mother-of-God.html
St. John Maximovitch prayed constantly for his flock during his life on earth. Although he has fallen asleep in the Lord, he continues to intercede for the lives of those who ask for his help. Here are a few examples:
Read blogger and author Matushka Constantina Palmer’s blog on how St. John intervened in her family’s life after she asked for his prayers, here: https://lessonsfromamonastery.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/how-st-john-maximovitch-became-our-slava/
Listen to these episodes of Ancient Faith Ministries’ podcast “The Illumined Heart” which recount the stories of St. John the Wonderworker’s continued intervention in the lives of people, even since his repose. http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/illuminedheart/my_days_with_st_john_the_wonder_worker_-_part_1
http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/illuminedheart/my_days_with_st_john_the_wonder_worker_-_part_2
http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/illuminedheart/my_days_with_st._john_the_wonder_worker
http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/illuminedheart/my_days_with_st._john_the_wonder_worker_-_part_6
http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/illuminedheart/visited_by_st._john_maximovitch_-_an_epilogue
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Selenium deficiency promoted by climate change
by ETH Zurich
Credit: Mick Lissone/public domain
Selenium is an essential micronutrient obtained from dietary sources such as cereals. The selenium content of foodstuffs largely depends on concentrations in the soil: previous studies have shown that low selenium concentrations are associated with high pH and oxygen availability and low clay and soil organic carbon content. In Europe, as is known from regional studies, selenium-poor soils are found particularly in Germany, Denmark, Scotland, Finland and certain Balkan countries.
To date, however, little has been known about the global distribution of selenium. Using data mining techniques - involving the assessment of datasets originally collected for other purposes - scientists from Eawag and five other research institutes have now modelled global soil selenium concentrations. The sixteen datasets assessed (1994-2016) comprised a total of 33,241 soil data points. Analysis of selenium concentrations in the top 30 centimetres of soil, together with 26 environmental variables, indicated the dominant role of climate-soil interactions in controlling soil selenium distributions.
The main factors influencing soil selenium concentrations are precipitation and the so-called aridity index (potential evaporation:precipitation ratio). Precipitation leads to leaching of selenium from the soil. At the same time, precipitation can have a positive effect on selenium concentrations since the oxygen content is lower in wet than in dry soils, which means that the selenium is less soluble and thus less mobile. In addition, frequent precipitation leads to a low soil pH, which promotes the binding of negatively charged selenium to soil particles. Higher selenium concentrations are most likely to occur in areas with low to moderate precipitation and high clay content, while lower concentrations are found in arid areas with high pH and low clay content.
In the light of these findings, the scientists modelled mean soil selenium concentrations for the periods 1980-1999 and 2080-2099. Under a moderate climate change scenario, selenium levels are predicted to increase in parts of Australia, China, India and Africa. Overall, however, selenium levels are expected to decrease: by the end of this century (2080-2099), 66% of croplands are predicted to lose selenium (mean decrease of almost 9% compared to 1980-1999). Particularly affected are agricultural areas of Europe and India, China, southern South America, southern Africa and the south-western United States (see map).
These losses could have implications for human health - at present, up to 1 billion people are thought to be affected by low dietary selenium intake. According to the authors, this study serves as an early warning for humanitarian organizations and the agro-industry. Fertilizers containing selenium could be used to combat selenium deficiency, as has been done in Finland since 1984. In addition, selenium additives could be used in animal feed.
Selenium status influence cancer risk
More information: Selenium deficiency risk predicted to increase under future climate change, PNAS, www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1611576114
Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Provided by ETH Zurich
Citation: Selenium deficiency promoted by climate change (2017, February 20) retrieved 16 July 2019 from https://phys.org/news/2017-02-selenium-deficiency-climate.html
Coal ash selenium found in fish in N.C. lakes
Selenium protects men against diabetes
New findings in the link between selenium and cancer
Lentils provide breakthrough in disease prevention
Selenium supplements could be harmful to people who already have enough selenium in their diet: study
tblakely1357
So how many different ways will Global Warming kill us? The count must be in the thousands by now.
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Haiti: international aid is necessary to (re)build differently | The World Outline
The main actor working locally now is the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), where Brazil has a leadership status. Besides the much-needed humanitarian aid, the mission has also been a key partner in rebuilding the infrastructure and systems necessary for governmental functionality, as well as providing aid in areas such as food security and health.
To deal with the security problems, Brazil announced the export of the pacifying police model to be applied to Haitian ghettos. This cooperation agreement was signed a few months ago and military personnel from Rio de Janeiro will travel to Haiti until the end of the year to implement the Pacifying Units. However, Brazilian authorities warn that the type of violence varies between the two countries; in Rio de Janeiro the phenomenon is connected to drug dealing and trafficking, whereas in Haiti it is associated to the lack of social policies.
Besides political problems, Haiti still needs to overcome social problems, such as homophobia, where street attacks to homosexuals are a common scenario. The UN is urging more international aid, with an appeal to raise USD 100 million to help 2 million in risk of malnourishment, communicable diseases and natural disasters, as hurricane season approaches.
After more than 3 years after the earthquake, thousands of people still live in tends, thus deteriorating the already bad health conditions of these citizens. Malnourishment and Cholera outbreaks are common, and the international aid has yet to reach thousands of neglected Haitians. via | The World Outline
Categories: English, Haiti, Human Rights
Tagged as: Aid, Brazil, Cholera, Haiti, Rio de Janeiro, United Nation, United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti
Réactions de Mme Marie Laurence Jocelyn suite à sa nomination – Radio Television Caraibes
Haiti Gold: Eurasian Minerals Provides an Update on the Programs in Haiti – Yahoo! Finance
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Historic 1890 Windermere School House
Posted by Jeffrey G. Funk P.A. on Monday, February 27th, 2012 at 10:28am.
The historic 1890 Windermere Schoolhouse, located at 113 West Seventh Avenue, Windermere, FL in the 34786 zip code, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. Also known as the Armstrong Parramore House, the schoolhouse was built in 1890, renovated around the year 2000, and is the oldest historical site in Windermere.
The building served the community as a schoolhouse until 1916. The structure was also utilized as a community center, holding social and religious events, as well as a voting center and meeting place for the Town of Windermere Woman's Club.
In 1995, the schoolhouse structure and land was donated to the Town of Windermere by Manuel "Perry" & Eunice Armstong Parramore. Today, the schoolhouse remains situated on the original plot of land as it was first constructed on. The 1890 Windermere Schoolhouse is the last remaining historic schoolhouse in all of Orange County, Florida.
Additional Windermere, FL Information: Windermere Real Estate
Windermere Featured Communities
Casa Del Lago
Casabella at Windermere
Keene's Pointe
Lake Butler Sound
Sawyer Sound
Tildens Grove
Windstone
Jeffrey G. Funk, P.A.
Realty Executives Central Florida
7932 West Sand Lake Road • Suite 302
Email: jeff@realtyinorlando.com
Orlando Area Information
Orlando Resources
Central Florida Real Estate Market Update
Orlando Community Events
Central Florida Parks and Recreation
Central Florida Historical Information
We had traveled to Orlando from our home in Canada many times and often thought about buying property there. In 2010 we decided to pursue our dream and contacted…
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SQL Server Developer Edition Price Drops to $49 Friday
Microsoft will drop the price of the Developer Edition of SQL Server 2000 by 90 percent on Friday, from $499 to $49.
The company announced the price cut in June at its TechEd show in Dallas. The move brings the Developer Edition into line with the practice of some other database vendors who offer development editions for free or at a very low cost.
The Developer Edition has all the functionality of SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition, but the End User License Agreement prohibits customers from installing or using it in live server environments. The Developer Edition can be upgraded to Enterprise Edition.
Unlike the Standard and Enterprise editions of SQL Server, the Developer Edition can be run on non-server platforms including Windows 2000 Professional and Windows NT 4.0 Workstation.
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Posts Tagged ‘Induced pluripotent stem cell’
Stem Cell Transplants Can Trigger Immune Reaction to Cell’s Mitochondria
Posted in Cell Biology, Signaling & Cell Circuits, Embryology, Regenerative Biology and Medicine, tagged immune rejection, Induced pluripotent stem cell, regenerative medicine, SCNT, somatic cell nuclear transfer, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine on November 21, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Previously unseen immune reaction identified for stem cell transplants.
Reporter: Stephen J. Williams, Ph.D.
Reposted from Healthinnovations at http://health-innovations.org/2014/11/21/previously-unseen-immune-reaction-identified-in-stem-cell-transplants/
Mouse cells and tissues created through nuclear transfer can be rejected by the body because of a previously unknown immune response to the cell’s mitochondria, according to an international study in mice by researchers at the Stanford University, MIT and colleagues in Germany and England. The findings reveal a likely, but surmountable, hurdle if such therapies are ever used in humans, the researchers said. The opensource study is published in Cell Stem Cell.
Stem cell therapies hold vast potential for repairing organs and treating disease. The greatest hope rests on the potential of pluripotent stem cells, which can become nearly any kind of cell in the body. One method of creating pluripotent stem cells is called somatic cell nuclear transfer, and involves taking the nucleus of an adult cell and injecting it into an egg cell from which the nucleus has been removed.
The promise of the SCNT method is that the nucleus of a patient’s skin cell, for example, could be used to create pluripotent cells that might be able to repair a part of that patient’s body. One attraction of SCNT has always been that the genetic identity of the new pluripotent cell would be the same as the patient’s, since the transplanted nucleus carries the patient’s DNA.
The hope has been that this would eliminate the problem of the patient’s immune system attacking the pluripotent cells as foreign tissue, which is a problem with most organs and tissues when they are transplanted from one patient to another.
Stanford University have raised the possibility in the past that the immune system of a patient who received SCNT-derived cells might still react against the cells’ mitochondria, which act as the energy factories for the cell and have their own DNA. This reaction could occur because cells created through SCNT contain mitochondria from the egg donor and not from the patient, and therefore could still look like foreign tissue to the recipient’s immune system.
That hypothesis was never tested until the team took up the challenge. There was a thought that because the mitochondria were on the inside of the cell, they would not be exposed to the host’s immune system. The current study found that this was not the case.
The team used cells that were created by transferring the nuclei of adult mouse cells into enucleated eggs cells from genetically different mice. When transplanted back into the nucleus donor strain, the cells were rejected although there were only two single nucleotide substitutions in the mitochondrial DNA of these SCNT-derived cells compared to that of the nucleus donor. The team were surprised to find that just two small differences in the mitochondrial DNA was enough to cause an immune reaction.
Until recently, researchers were able to perform SCNT in many species, but not in humans. When scientists at the Oregon Health and Science University announced success in performing SCNT with human cells last year, it reignited interest in eventually using the technique for human therapies. Although many stem cell researchers are focused on a different method of creating pluripotent stem cells, called induced pluripotent stem cells, there may be some applications for which SCNT-derived pluripotent cells are better suited.
The immunological reactions reported in the new paper will be a consideration if clinicians ever use SCNT-derived stem cells in human therapy, but such reactions should not prevent their use. This research informs the medical community of the margin of safety that would be required if, in the distant future, researchers need to use SCNT to create pluripotent cells to treat someone. In that case, clinicians would likely be able to handle the immunological reaction using the immunosuppression methods that are currently available.
In the future, scientists might also lessen the immune reaction by using eggs from someone who is genetically similar to the recipient, such as a mother or sister.
Source: Stanford University School of Medicine
The generation of pluripotent stem cells by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has recently been achieved in human cells and sparked new interest in this technology. The authors reporting this methodical breakthrough speculated that SCNT would allow the creation of patient-matched embryonic stem cells, even in patients with hereditary mitochondrial diseases. However, herein we show that mismatched mitochondria in nuclear-transfer-derived embryonic stem cells (NT-ESCs) possess alloantigenicity and are subject to immune rejection. In a murine transplantation setup, we demonstrate that allogeneic mitochondria in NT-ESCs, which are nucleus-identical to the recipient, may trigger an adaptive alloimmune response that impairs the survival of NT-ESC grafts. The immune response is adaptive, directed against mitochondrial content, and amenable for tolerance induction. Mitochondrial alloantigenicity should therefore be considered when developing therapeutic SCNT-based strategies. SCNT-Derived ESCs with Mismatched Mitochondria Trigger an Immune Response in Allogeneic Hosts. Schrepfer et al 2014.
SCNT (somatic cell nuclear transfer)
Possible ways to generate immune-compatible derivatives of pluripotent cells. From Nature Reviews
FIGURE 1 | Possible ways to generate immune-compatible derivatives of pluripotent cells.
From the following article: Derive and conquer: sourcing and differentiating stem cells for therapeutic applications
In genetics and developmental biology, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a laboratory technique for creating an ovum with a donor nucleus. It can be used in embryonic stem cell research, or in regenerative medicine where it is sometimes referred to as “therapeutic cloning.”
Cardiotoxicity and Cardiomyopathy Related to Drugs Adverse Effects
Posted in Advanced Drug Manufacturing Technology, Cardiovascular Pharmacogenomics, Cell Biology, Signaling & Cell Circuits, FDA Regulatory Affairs, Frontiers in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disorders, Genome Biology, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, tagged Adverse effect, Cardiomyopathy, Cardiovascular Disorders, Conditions and Diseases, Drug development, drug trial failuress, drug withdrawal costs, Ejection Fraction, health, Induced pluripotent stem cell on April 11, 2013| 5 Comments »
Curator: Larry H Bernstein, MD, FCAP
This is the second part of a series on toxicities of therapeutic medications, the first being on the impact on drug development of early phase failure to identify toxicities that are found in late stage trials and result in withdrawal. This portion will go into details of identifying the effects clinically and give some examples. In the future, the design of therapies, the identification of high probability successful genomic targets, and more accurate patient selection will transform the approach to development, clinical trials, and clinical use of pharmaceuticals in patients.
Cardiotoxicity and Cardiomyopathy
refer to: What are cardiotoxicity and cardiomyopathy?
The Scott Hamilton Cares Initiative
http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/cardiotoxicity-and-cardiomyopathy.aspx
Cardiotoxicity is a condition of heart muscle functional impairment from toxicity as an
adverse secondary effect of taking an essential medication, or
as a result of interactions between prescribed medications that result in heart damage,
usually dose and time related.
If severe, the adverse effect of chemotherapy may lead to cardiomyopathy. While cardiomyopathy might be a result of treatments, such as chemotherapeutic medications, it may also caused by a group of diseases or disorders, leading to
damaged myocardiocytes, and the injury leads to
insufficient cardiac output, referred to as
heart failure.
Cardiomyopathy has many causes, singly or in combination:
viruses – such as,
coxsackie B,
systemic inflammatory disorder
systemic lupus erythematosis
Amyloidosis – amyloid protein deposits in the myocardium alone, and/or other organs
Infection –
bacterial (tetanus),
parasitic (Chaga’s disease)
Chronic or long-term alcohol use (B vitamin deficiency)
Endocrine disease, such as hyperthyroidism
Thiamine and Vitamin B deficiency
Medications – anthracyclines.
Anthracyclines may be used to treat leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, breast cancer, and sarcoma. A commonly used anthracycline is called doxorubicin (Adriamycin®).
cardiomyopathy may also result from genetic defects
illegal drugs and toxic substances, cocaine, may also produce serious myocardial damage
With certain drugs, such as doxorubicin, there is a dose at which these cardiotoxic effects on the heart may occur.
An echocardiogram, or a radionuclide ventriculography scan, is performed
prior to initiating a cardiotoxic medication
to determine baseline cardiac function., and
repeated at intervals to monitor heart function while receiving cardiotoxic medications.
The ejection fraction (EF) is a percentage of blood pumped out into the body during each heartbeat. An EF of 50%-75% is considered normal.
The lower the ejection fraction, the more severe the heart failure may be.
This may determine if the cardiotoxic drug has caused cardiomyopathy.
Symptoms of cardiomyopathy:
fever and aching of the joints,
all characteristic of a flu-like illness.
Or, sudden heart failure or sudden cardiac death without any prior symptoms.
swollen feet and ankles
distended neck veins
dyspnea while reclining
history & physical examination
Dexraoxane HCL – doxorubicin
Biomolecular Screening for Drug Toxicity
Multiparameter In Vitro Assessment of Compound Effects on Cardiomyocyte Physiology Using iPSC Cells
O Sirenko, C Crittenden, N Callamaras, J Hesley, Yen-Wen Chen, et al.
A sufficient percentage of drugs fail in clinical studies due to cardiac toxicity that the development of new, sensitive in vitro assays that can evaluate potential adverse effects on cardiomyocytes is needed. Cell-based models are more clinically relevant than those used in practice. Human-induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes are especially attractive because
they express ion channels and
demonstrate spontaneous mechanical and electrical activity
similar to adult cardiomyocytes.
This study introduces techniques for measuring the impact of pharmacologic compounds on the beating rate of cardiomyocytes with ImageXpress Micro and FLIPR Tetra systems. The assays employ
calcium-sensitive dyes to monitor changes in Ca2+ fluxes
synchronous with cell beating,
This method allows monitoring of the
beat rate
amplitude, and
other parameters.
The system detects
concentration-dependent atypical patterns caused by
hERG inhibitors and other ion channel blockers.
both positive and negative chronotropic effects on cardiac rate can be observed and
IC50 values determined.
This methodology is well suited for safety testing and can be used to estimate efficacy and dosing of drug candidates prior to clinical studies.
J Biomol Screen Jan 2013;18(1): 39-53 http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1087057112457590
Estimating the risk of drug-induced proarrhythmia using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.
L Guo, RMC Abrams, JE Babiarz, JD Cohen, S Kameoka, et al.
Early prediction of drug-induced toxicity is needed in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to decrease late-stage drug attrition.
Cardiotoxicity accounts for about one third of safety-based withdrawn pharmaceuticals.
This study reports a high-throughput functional assay, detailing a model that accurately detects
drug-induced cardiac abnormalities.
It employs
induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs).
Using 96-well plates with interdigitated electrode arrays detect
assess impedance,
the rhythmic, synchronous contractions of the iPSC-CMs
Treatment of the iPSC-CMs with 28 different compounds with known cardiac effects resulted in
compound-specific changes in the beat rate and/or
the amplitude of the impedance measurement.
Changes in impedance for the compounds tested were comparable with the results from a related technology,
electric field potential assessment obtained from microelectrode arrays.
Using the results from the set of compounds,
an index of drug-induced arrhythmias was calculated,
which enabled the determination of a drug’s proarrhythmic potential.
This system of interrogating human cardiac function in vitro opens new opportunities for predicting cardiac toxicity and studying cardiac biology.
Toxicol Sci. Sep 2011; 123 (1):281-9 21693436
Determination of the Human Cardiomyocyte mRNA and miRNA Differentiation Network by Fine-Scale Profiling.
JE Babiarz, M Ravon, S Sridhar, P Ravindran, B Swanson, et al.
This study is a detailed comparison of the mRNA and miRNA transcriptomes
across differentiating human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes and
biopsies from fetal, adult, and hypertensive human hearts
Gene ontology analysis of the mRNA expression levels of the hiPSCs differentiating into cardiomyocytes
revealed 3 distinct groups of genes:
pluripotent specific,
transitional cardiac specification, and
mature cardiomyocyte specific.
Hierarchical clustering of the mRNA data revealed that the transcriptome of hiPSC cardiomyocytes
stabilizes 20 days after initiation of differentiation.
But analysis of cells continuously cultured for 120 days indicated that
the cardiomyocytes continued to mature toward a more adult-like gene expression pattern.
Analysis of cardiomyocyte-specific miRNAs (miR-1, miR-133a/b, and miR-208a/b) revealed
an miRNA pattern indicative of stem cell to cardiomyocyte specification.
A biostatistitical approach integrated the miRNA and mRNA expression profiles revealing a
cardiomyocyte differentiation miRNA network and
identified putative mRNAs targeted by multiple miRNAs.
Together, these data reveal the
miRNA network in human heart development and
support the notion that overlapping miRNA networks
re-enforce transcriptional control during developmental specification.
Stem Cells Dev. 2012 Jul 20;21 (11):1956-65 22050602
Comparative Gene Expression Profiling in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Cardiocytes and Human and Cynomolgus Heart Tissue.
D Puppala, LP Collis, SZ Sun, V Bonato, X Chen, B Anson, et al. Compound Safety Prediction.
Cardiotoxicity is one of the leading causes of drug attrition. Current in vitro models insufficiently predict cardiotoxicity. The authors describe
the gene expression profile of human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiocytes (iCC)
post-thaw over a period of 42 days in culture and
compare this profile to human fetal and adult as well as
adult cynomolgus nonhuman primate (NHP: Macaca fascicularis) heart tissue.
The results indicate that iCC express relevant cardiac markers such as
ion channels (SCN5A, KCNJ2, CACNA1C, KCNQ1 and KCNH2),
tissue specific structural markers (MYH6, MYLPF, MYBPC3, DES, TNNT2 and TNNI3),
transcription factors (NKX2.5, GATA4 and GATA6), and
lack the expression of stem cell markers (FOXD3, GBX2, NANOG, POU5F1, SOX2, and ZFP42).
A functional evaluation of contractility of the iCC showed
functional and pharmacological correlations with myocytes isolated from adult NHP hearts.
The results suggest that stem cell derived cardiocytes may represent
a novel in vitro model to study human cardiac toxicity with potential ex vivo and in vivo translation.
Toxicol Sci. Sep 14 2012;: 22982684
Characterization of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Cardiomyocytes:
Bioenergetics and Utilization in Safety Screening.
P Rana, B Anson, S Engle, Y Will. Compound Safety Prediction. Pfizer Global R&D, Groton CT.
Cardiotoxicity remains the number one reason for drug withdrawal from the market and FDA issued black box warnings; thus
demonstrating the need for more predictive preclinical safety screening,
especially early in the drug discovery process.
Whereas hERG screening has become routine to mitigate proarrhythmic risk,
the development of in vitro assays predicting additional on- and off-target biochemical toxicities
will benefit from cellular models exhibiting true cardiomyocyte characteristics
such as, native tissue-like mitochondrial activity.
An hypothesis was tested for using human stem cell derived tissue cells by using a combination of
flux analysis,
gene and protein expression, and
toxicity-profiling techniques
to characterize mitochondrial function
in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human cardiomyocytes
in the presence of differing carbon sources
over extended periods in cell culture.
Functional analyses demonstrate that iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes:
1) are capable of utilizing anaerobic or aerobic respiration depending upon the available carbon substrate,
2) are bioenergetically closest to adult heart tissue cells when cultured in galactose or galactose supplemented with fatty acids, and
3) show a dose dependent toxicity profile to a variety of kinase inhibitors with known clinical cardiac liabilities.
Furthermore, gene and protein expression analyses revealed that in comparison to adult cardiac tissue,
iPSCs-derived cardiomyocytes possess a qualitatively similar expression pattern of mitochondrial genes,
an up-regulation of apoptotic and antioxidant genes, and
a mitochondrial transcription pattern that is similar across different carbon substrates
despite showing changes in protein levels and functional bioenergetic adaptation.
Toxicol Sci. 2012 Jul 27;: 22843568
Decreasing cardiac chamber sizes and associated heart dysfunction in COPD – role of hyperinflation.
H Watz, B Waschki, T Meyer, G Kretschmar, A Kirsten, M Claussen, H Magnussen
This study examined the relationship of
lung function with heart size and heart dysfunction and
associated consequences for 6-minute walk distance (6MWD)
in patients with COPD of different severity.
METHODS: 138 patients with COPD (GOLD I-IV)
the size of all cardiac chambers,
left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (relaxation and filling), and
global right ventricular dysfunction (Tei-index)
were measured by echocardiography .
lung function (spirometry, bodyplethysmography, diffusion capacity) and
6MWD …. were measured.
RESULTS: Size of all cardiac chambers decreased with GOLD stages. Overall,
moderate relationships existed between
variables of lung function and cardiac chamber sizes.
Static hyperinflation (inspiratory-to-total lung capacity ratio [IC/TLC],
functional residual capacity, and residual volume)
showed stronger associations with
cardiac chamber sizes than
airway obstruction or diffusion capacity.
IC/TLC ratio correlated best with cardiac chamber sizes and was
an independent predictor of cardiac chamber sizes
after adjustment for body surface area.
Patients with an IC/TLC ratio <!–= 0.25 had a significantly–>
impaired left ventricular diastolic filling pattern and
a significantly impaired Tei-index
compared to patients with an IC/TLC ratio > 0.25.
An impaired left ventricular diastolic filling pattern was independently associated with
a reduced 6MWD.
An increasing severity of COPD is associated with a decreasing heart size.
Hyperinflation in patients with COPD might have an important role with respect to
heart size and
cardiac dysfunction
Chest. Feb 26 2010;: 20190002 Cit:4
Cardiovascular Events After Clarithromycin Use in Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Analysis of Two Prospective Cohort Studies
S Schembri, PA Williamson, PM Short, A Singanayagam, A Akram, et al. British Medical Journal
Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and community acquired pneumonia are common causes of admission to a hospital.
Antibiotics, including clarithromycin, are commonly prescribed during acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, especially
in the presence of increased breathlessness,
sputum volume, and
purulence.
Use of macrolide antibiotics in community acquired pneumonia has been consistently associated with improved short term mortality in observational studies,
and national and international guidelines therefore recommend their use in combination with β lactams for patients admitted to hospital.
Widespread use of macrolide antibiotics has been accompanied by concerns about adverse effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
A retrospective study of erythromycin use in 1,249,943 patients identified an increase in deaths from cardiovascular disease.
Azithromycin was shown to have a similar association with increased cardiovascular deaths
during the time of administration.
CLARICOR (Effect of Clarithromycin on Mortality and Morbidity in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease trial) was a double blind, placebo controlled trial
showing that a two week course of clarithromycin administered to patients with coronary heart disease
increased cardiovascular and all cause mortality
The increased mortality rate (clear of pulmonary infection)
persisted for three years after discontinuation of the drug.
A recent meta-analysis of 17 trials of antibiotics in coronary heart disease showed
increased long term mortality after macrolides, primarily due
to increased deaths from cardiovascular disease.
However, no studies have examined the long term effect of clarithromycin on cardiovascular events and mortality in patients
after acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or community acquired pneumonia.
Therefore, this prospective cohort study was undertaken to examine the association of clarithromycin with cardiovascular events
in the setting of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and community acquired pneumonia.
Population.
1343 patients admitted to hospital with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
and 1631 patients admitted with community acquired pneumonia.
Main Outcome Measures.
Hazard ratios for cardiovascular events at one year (defined as hospital admissions with
acute coronary syndrome, decompensated cardiac failure, serious arrhythmia, or sudden cardiac death) and
admissions for acute coronary syndrome (acute ST elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, and unstable angina).
Secondary outcomes were all cause and cardiovascular mortality at one year.
268 cardiovascular events occurred in the acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cohort and
171 in the community acquired pneumonia cohort over one year.
After multivariable adjustment, clarithromycin use in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and acute coronary syndrome—
hazard ratios 1.50 (95% confidence interval 1.13 to 1.97) and 1.67 (1.04 to 2.68).
After multivariable adjustment, clarithromycin use in community acquired pneumonia
was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 1.68, 1.18 to 2.38)
but not acute coronary syndrome (1.65, 0.97 to 2.80).
This association was found between clarithromycin use in acute exacerbations of COPD and
cardiovascular mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.52, 1.02 to 2.26)
but not all cause mortality (1.16, 0.90 to 1.51) .
No association was found between clarithromycin use in community acquired pneumonia and all cause mortality or cardiovascular mortality.
Use of β lactam antibiotics or doxycycline was not associated with increased cardiovascular events in patients with
acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, suggesting an effect specific to clarithromycin.
Timing of Cardiovascular Events
The study found no significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events while patients were taking clarithromycin in the COPD cohort
(hazard ratio 1.73, 0.71 to 4.25), but
an increased risk was present after the clarithromycin course ended (1.41, 1.05 to 1.89).
In the community acquired pneumonia cohort, the hazard ratio for association between clarithromycin use and cardiovascular events
was 1.84 (0.75 to 4.51) during clarithromycin use and 1.66 (1.14 to 2.43) after the antibiotic was stopped.
Association With Duration of Antibiotic Use
Longer courses of clarithromycin were associated with more cardiovascular events. The median duration of treatment was seven days in both cohorts.
Less than three days of clarithromycin treatment was not associated with cardiovascular events in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cohort
(hazard ratio 0.89, 0.50 to 1.57) or the community acquired pneumonia cohort (0.63, 0.15-2.65), compared with patients who did not receive clarithromycin.
Effect of Age and Cardiovascular Risk Status
The hazard ratios of the effect of clarithromycin on cardiovascular events in such patients were
1.35 (0.94 to 1.95) in those with a high cardiovascular risk and 0.88 (0.20 to 3.96) in those with a low risk.
The lowest hazard ratios for cardiovascular events were in patients aged 60 or below (1.01, 0.36 to 2.91).
The hazard ratio was 1.47 (1.01 to 2.14) for patients aged 60-79, and a higher risk was associated with
clarithromycin use in patients aged over 80 (hazard ratio 1.68, 1.05 to 2.69).
Use of Other Antibiotics
Use of β lactam or doxycycline was not associated with increased cardiovascular events
(hazard ratios 1.06 (0.83 to 1.37) and 0.96 (0.61 to 1.51), respectively)
in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cohort compared with patients not receiving antibiotics.
Possible Explanations for Findings
There was a strong association between prolonged (more than seven days) courses of clarithromycin and
cardiovascular events,
which strengthens the case for a true biological cause.
The association between duration of antibiotic treatment and cardiovascular events
could also represent residual confounding by severity of illness.
How do the results point to the effect on outcome after cessation of the drug? The authors support an ischaemic mechanism.
Clarithromycin may activate macrophages, leading to an inflammatory cascade resulting in more vulnerable plaques that
over time may lead to acute coronary syndromes or sudden cardiac death by plaque rupture.
Prolonged courses of clarithromycin (more than seven days) may be associated with
increased risk of cardiovascular events,
especially in patients with a pre-existing history of coronary heart disease.
This may be of particular importance given recent data supporting long term macrolide use
to prevent exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Biomarkers Role in Drug Development
Biomarkers: An indispensible addition to the drug development toolkit
Biomarkers are becoming an essential part of clinical development. In this white paper, Thomson Reuters explores
the role of biomarkers as evaluative tools in improving clinical research and the challenges this presents.
The potential of biomarkers to
improve decision making,
accelerate drug development and
reduce development costs
is discussed with insights into a faster alternative to the conventional drug development approach and the promise of
safer drugs,
in greater numbers,
approved more quickly.
The attrition rate for drugs in clinical development is high: the percentage of tested products
entering phase I trials that eventually gain regulatory approval has been estimated at a paltry 8%.
Many of these failures happen late in clinical trials, with the consequence that expenditure in clinical drug development is increasing.
One study calculated that the cost of developing a drug increased by over 50% between 2002 and 2007. The related concern is that
very few drugs are making it out of the clinical research pipeline.
In 2007, the FDA approved just 17 new molecular entities and 2 biologic licenses, the lowest number since 1983.
The problem is mainly due to a gap in the industry’s ability to predict a drug candidate’s performance early, and with a large degree of certainty.
The convention in clinical research has been to measure the performance of novel therapies using clinical outcomes. This approach is
laborious, inexact and, as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA ) puts it, decades old.
Why and what kinds of biomarkers do we determine are ESSENTIAL?
Biomarkers — a measure of
a normal biological process in the body,
a pathological process, or
the response of the body to a therapy —
may offer information about
the mechanism of action of the drug,
its efficacy, its safety and
its metabolic profile.
They feature heavily in the FDA ’s Critical Path Opportunities List for their potential
to speed the development and approval of medical products.
Moreover, they can predict drug efficacy more quickly than conventional clinical endpoints.
The first three examples are measures of drug efficacy and treatment response, but are not indicators of TOXICITY.
In 1960, researchers discovered that some patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a form of adult leukemia
in which there is a proliferation of myeloid cells in the bone marrow,
have a specific genetic change associated with their cancer, a shortened version of chromosome.
The Philadelphia chromosome is caused by a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22. The consequence of this genetic swap
is the creation of the BCR-ABL ‘oncogene’;
this cancer-causing gene produces a protein with elevated tyrosine kinase activity
that induces the onset of leukemia.
Researchers were able to use the Philadelphia chromosome as a biomarker
to indicate which patients would benefit from drug candidates (tyrosine-kinase inhibitors)
specifically targeting the rogue protein.
The drug imatinib (Gleevec) is a Tyr kinase inhibitor and
decreases the proliferation of Philadelphia chromosome+ cells,
slowing the progression of the disease.
Specific mutations in the BCR–ABL gene were biomarkers that predicted resistance to imatinib,
leading to the development of newer tyrosine-kinase inhibitors dasatinib and nilotinib.
In the late 1980’s, scientists discovered that HIV viral load could be used as a marker of disease progression
Viral load was used to show that patients receiving combination therapy had
a higher reduction in viral load than those on monotherapy.
Eventually, the viral load biomarker was used in the development and assessment of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)
treatment regimens taken by many people living with HIV today.
The HER-2 gene and receptor was also discovered in the mid 1980’s. Between 20–30% of breast cancer patients show an
over-expression of the HER-2 receptor on their cancer cells (usually postmenopausal).
This biomarker indicates a higher risk of adverse outcomes, but it gave clinicians a new target for novel therapies, and
the antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) was developed
to target HER-2 receptors in these ‘overexpressing’ patients.
Preventing Drug Development Disasters
The need for biomarkers to guide clinical research is perhaps best highlighted in the stories of recent drug development failures.
Between 1995 and 2005, at least 34 drugs were withdrawn from the market, mainly as a result of hepatotoxic or cardiotoxic effects.
Many of us are familiar with the withdrawal in 2004 of the anti-inflammatory drug rofecoxib (Vioxx) due to concerns about its
increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and more recently with
the extremely serious adverse effects in the phase I clinical trial and subsequent failure of the monoclonal antibody, TGN1412.
TG N1412, a ‘superagonist’, produced by the firm TeGenero, stimulates an immune response. While originally intended to treat B cell
chronic lymphocytic leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis, it had been tested pre-clinically with no toxic or pro-inflammatory effects.
In 2006, six healthy male volunteers took part in a phase I clinical trial to test the safety of the candidate. Within 90 minutes of receiving the drug,
all six men were experiencing the beginnings of a ‘cytokine storm’, a term that describes
a cascade of proinflammatory cytokine release
leading to organ failure due to hypotension.
Although all the men survived, they required weeks of hospitalization. The cost of a failure, such as TGN1412,
in terms of patient health and lost resources is huge.
The TGN1412 trial failure highlighted a need for improved preclinical safety testing. It has been suggested that had procedures using safety biomarkers to
guide dosing and predict the toxicity of this drug been used, the disaster may not have occurred.
Biomarkers today
Today you “would not even conceive” of developing a new drug without simultaneously looking for biomarkers for
efficacy,
safety, and
to measure the pharmacodynamics of the drug,
says Dr Jeffrey Ross, Head of Pathology at the Albany Medical Center in New York, involved in the original work on HER-2.
The field of oncology is leading the way in the use of biomarkers in drug development. “Clinical trials are designed upon biomarker assays,”
“abstracts of phase II and III cancer trials talk about what biomarkers were selected.
In vivo biomarkers,
imaging biomarkers,
blood and tissue based biomarkers,
One example of a biomarker in use in oncology is circulating tumor cells (CTCs), a biomarker present in the blood of cancer patients.
At the moment, CTCs are used in the development of anti-cancer drugs as
an objective and direct measurement of the response of the cancer to a novel agent.
The way that clinical trials had been done previously was to enroll all patients
with a given disease independent of gene or phenotypic makers.
By selecting a population with the particular gene which is predicted
to be important for response to a novel therapeutic, then
a smaller clinical trial should be sufficient to see whether it works or not.
The chemotherapy drug irinotecan (Camptosar) is an example of personalized medicine,
using a biomarker to guide both clinical practice and subsequent clinical trials.
Irinotecan is used to treat advanced colorectal cancer. Once administered, irinotecan is
activated to the metabolite SN-38, and then
eventually inactivated in the body by the UGT1A1 enzyme.
In 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration added a warning to the label of the drug, stating that patients
homozygous for a particular a version of the UGT1A1 gene — the UGT1A1*28 allele,
associated with decreased UGT1A1 enzyme activity —
should be given a reduced dose.
Because patients with this allele clear the drug less quickly from their body than the rest of the population,
they effectively receive a greater exposure to the drug from the same dose.
As a consequence, they are at higher risk of potentially life-threatening side effects such as neutropenia (a decrease in white blood cells) and diarrhea.
The toxicity of irinotecan has long been a concern, and this biomarker now allows clinicians to better identify those patients who are at high risk of
serious side-effects (about 10% of the population are homozygous for UGT1A1*28).
And while this pharmacogenomics information has helped improve the clinical use and efficacy of irinotecan, it has also fed back into
the development of other drugs; this new understanding prompted the use of the UGT1A1 biomarker to guide other studies,
including several new irinotecan and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimens.
Using preclinical biomarkers as evidence of efficacy
biomarkers can accelerate research by substituting for clinical symptoms as a measure of efficacy.
biomarkers can also replace clinical symptoms when it comes to measuring drug safety
an efficacy biomarker plus a safety biomarker will define not just whether a drug will work, but also what kind of dose might be relevant in humans
Improving efficacy in cardiology
Consider the role of inflammatory marker C-reactive-protein (CRP) in cardiovascular disease. CRP is released by inflamed atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries
of individuals with coronary heart disease, and increased levels of CRP are associated with a greater risk of plaque rupture, but also of a silent heart attack.
CRP is being used as a biomarker to measure drug efficacy, in particular whether rosuvastatin (Crestor)
reduces the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality
in apparently healthy individuals with low LDL-cholesterol levels but elevated CRP.
The JUPITER study (Justification for the Use of Statins in Primary Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin) was halted in March 2008
due to firm evidence that the drug is indeed more beneficial than placebo and
improves the prognosis of individuals with high CRP levels.
A related biomarker of cardiovascular risk called neopterin. Just as CRP is produced by inflamed atherosclerotic plaques at risk of rupture,
neopterin is produced by activated macrophages in this inflammatory process. Circulating neopterin levels are higher in patients with ACS and may be
a marker of coronary disease activity. In addition, “Neopterin could also potentially be a marker of drug efficacy because
if you reduce the number of active macrophages in the plaque or the circulation, the levels of neopterin also decrease,” says Dr Juan Carlos Kaski,
Professor of Cardiovascular Science and Director of the Cardiovascular Biology Research Centre at St George’s University of London.
Other uses of biomarkers
These types of biomarkers can be used to drive critical ‘go/no go’ decision in drug development
Mechanistic or ‘target’ biomarkers can be used in pre-clinical or phase I trials to measure the pharmacological effect of the drug, i.e.
whether the drug interacts with its receptor, enzyme, or protein target,
whether it is distributed to the site where it needs to act,whether there is some
form of downstream pharmacology, and
the dose ranges in which the drug is pharmacologically active.
Drugs such as 5-HT4 receptor agonists (e.g. cisapride, mosapride), used in gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), stimulate
the secretion of aldosterone as a side-effect.
Although aldosterone is not linked to GERD (and can’t be used as a biomarker of the disease), the hormone can be used
as a mechanistic biomarker in drug development to assess whether
novel 5-HT4 agonists in development have a pharmacological effect.
Discovering new biomarkers
The fundamental issue we have to deal with, both with target selection and developing better biomarkers,
is a better understanding of pathophysiology.
The clinical need is huge, not least in diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an illness about which we know very little.
“COPD has very few markers to indicate severity and disease progression,” says Dr Trevor Hansel, Medical Director of the National Heart &
Lung Institute Clinical Studies Unit in London. Many pharmaceutical companies have begun to invest in ‘omics’ —
genomics,
proteomics,
metabonomics —
to begin to sort through this mountain of molecules and characterize biomarkers based on a molecular understanding of disease.
The ‘omics’ approach enables
the detection of small changes in tissue composition through protein profiling technologies such as
mass spectrometry and gel electrophoresis.
Essentially, it is about capturing a molecular profile from a clinical sample and converting this into
information about a clinical condition — for example the stage of disease or
what players are involved in the disease pathways.
“We will be able to look at diseases and catagorize them based on
biochemical or physiological findings, rather than just on symptoms” … David Roblin, Pfizer
Companion Diagnostics and the Drug–Diagnostic Codevelopment Model
Jan Trøst Jørgensen Drug Development Research Nov 2012; 73(7):390-397. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ddr.21029
The concept of using a predictive or selective diagnostic assay in relation to drug development goes back to the 1970s when
the selective estrogen receptor modulator, tamoxifen (AstraZeneca) was developed for metastatic breast cancer.
Clinical data showed that the estrogen receptor status correlated well with the clinical outcome when the patients were treated with tamoxifen.
It is only within the last decade that this model has gained widespread acceptance. The drug and the diagnostic are interdependent, and
if the development project proves successful, the companion diagnostic assay (CoDx) will end up determining the conditions for the use of the drug.
This gatekeeper role obviously requires that the CoDx assays adhere to the same strict rules and regulations that are known from the development of drugs.
For any CoDx assay, it must be documented that it is robust and reliable and that it possesses clinical utility. The article focus on some of the most important
aspects of the CoDx development process with emphasis on the clinical validation and clinical utility but also other critical issues, such as,
the biomarker selection process,
determination of the cut-off value, and
the analytical validation.
Detecting Potential Toxicity in Mitochondria
Brad Larson, Principal Scientist; Peter Banks, Scientific Director; BioTek Instruments, Winooski, Vt.
Mitochondrial dysfunction may be
inherited,
arise spontaneously, or
develop as a result of drug toxicity.
Mitochondrial toxicity as a result of pharmaceutical use may damage key organs, such as the liver and heart. For example,
nefazodone—a depression treatment—was withdrawn from the U.S. market after it was shown to
significantly inhibit mitochondrial respiration in liver cells, leading to liver failure. Troglitazone, an anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory,
was withdrawn from all markets after research concluded that it caused acute mitochondrial membrane depolarization, also leading to liver failure.
Drug recalls are costly to a manufacturer’s bottom line and reputation, and more importantly, can be harmful or even fatal to users. As drug
discovery continues to evolve, much lead compound research now includes careful review of its interaction and potential toxicity with mitochondria.
Cytotoxicity and ATP production are measured in cancerous and normal hepatocytes using a known inducer of cellular necrosis. (All figures: BioTek Instruments)
Cell-based mitochondrial assays in microplate format may include
mitochondrial membrane potential,
total energy metabolism,
oxygen consumption, and
metabolic activity;
and offer a truer environment for mitochondrial function in the presence of drug compounds compared to isolated mitochondria-based tests.
Combining more than one assay in a multiplex format increases the amount of data per well while decreasing data variability arising from running the assays separately.
The aggregated data also provides a more encompassing analysis of the drug’s effect on mitochondria than a single test.
http://www.dddmag.com/articles/2012/08/detecting-potential-toxicity-mitochondria
Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Decisions on implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) using left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and Midwall Fibrosis: Decisions on Replacement using late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular MR (LGE-CMR) (pharmaceuticalintelligence.com)
Amyloidosis with Cardiomyopathy (pharmaceuticalintelligence.com)
Beta-Blockers, Left and Right Ventricular Function, and In-Vivo Calcium Influx in Muscular Dystrophy Cardiomyopathy (plosone.org)
Cellular Dynamics Announces Presentations at the Society of Toxicology’s 52nd Annual Meeting … (biomedreports.com)
Doctors Not Informed of Drug Side Effects During Sales Visits (healthland.time.com)
Inverted takotsubo cardiomyopathy (doctorrw.blogspot.com)
Accurate Identification and Treatment of Emergent Cardiac Events
(https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/03/15/accurate-identification-and-treatment-of-emergent-cardiac-events/)
Predicting Drug Toxicity for Acute Cardiac Events (https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/03/15/predicting-drug-toxicity-for-acute-cardiac-events/)
Human cardiac muscle (Photo credit: Carolina Biological Supply Company)
English: Non-sustained run of ventricular tachycardia on telemonitoring from a patient with chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Doxorubicin 3D model Русский: Трёхмерная модель молекулы доксорубицина (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Personalized Medicine: An Institute Profile – Coriell Institute for Medical Research: Part 3
Posted in Bio Instrumentation in Experimental Life Sciences Research, Biological Networks, Gene Regulation and Evolution, Biomarkers & Medical Diagnostics, Cardiac & Vascular Repair Tools Subsegment, Cardiovascular Pharmacogenomics, Cell Biology, Signaling & Cell Circuits, Chemical Biology and its relations to Metabolic Disease, Chemical Genetics, Coagulation Therapy and Internal Bleeding, Computational Biology/Systems and Bioinformatics, Disease Biology, Small Molecules in Development of Therapeutic Drugs, Genome Biology, Genomic Testing: Methodology for Diagnosis, Metabolomics, Molecular Genetics & Pharmaceutical, Personalized and Precision Medicine & Genomic Research, Pharmaceutical R&D Investment, Pharmacogenomics, Pharmacotherapy of Cardiovascular Disease, Population Health Management, Genetics & Pharmaceutical, Proteomics, Reproductive Andrology, Embryology, Genomic Endocrinology, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and Reproductive Genomics, Resident-cell-based, Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine, Technology Transfer: Biotech and Pharmaceutical, tagged Biology, Cancer - General, DNA, DNA Sequencing, Human Genome Project, Induced pluripotent stem cell, National Institutes of Health, Personalized medicine, Single-nucleotide polymorphism, Stem cell on January 13, 2013| 16 Comments »
Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN
Cancer Diagnostics by Genomic Sequencing: ‘No’ to Sequencing Patient’s DNA, ‘No’ to Sequencing Patient’s Tumor, ‘Yes’ to focus on Gene Mutation Aberration & Analysis of Gene Abnormalities
How to Tailor Cancer Therapy to the particular Genetics of a patient’s Cancer
THIS IS A SERIES OF FOUR POINTS OF VIEW IN SUPPORT OF the Paradigm Shift in Human Genomics
‘No’ to Sequencing Patient’s DNA, ‘No’ to Sequencing Patient’s Tumor, ‘Yes’ to focus on Gene Mutation Aberration & Analysis of Gene Abnormalities
PRESENTED in the following FOUR PARTS. Recommended to be read in its entirety for completeness and arrival to the End Point of Present and Future Frontier of Research in Genomics
Research Paradigm Shift in Human Genomics – Predictive Biomarkers and Personalized Medicine
https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/13/paradigm-shift-in-human-genomics-predictive-biomarkers-and-personalized-medicine-part-1/
LEADERS in the Competitive Space of Genome Sequencing of Genetic Mutations for Therapeutic Drug Selection in Cancer Personalized Treatment
https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/13/leaders-in-genome-sequencing-of-genetic-mutations-for-therapeutic-drug-selection-in-cancer-personalized-treatment-part-2/
Personalized Medicine: An Institute Profile – Coriell Institute for Medical Research
https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/13/personalized-medicine-an-institute-profile-coriell-institute-for-medical-research-part-3/
The Consumer Market for Personal DNA Sequencing
https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2013/01/13/consumer-market-for-personal-dna-sequencing-part-4/
Personalized Medicine: Institute Profile – Coriell Institute for Medical Research
Coriell Institute for Medical Research, founded in 1953 and based in Camden, New Jersey, is an independent non-profit research center dedicated to the study of the human genome. Expert staff and pioneering programs in the fields of personalized medicine, cell biology, cytogenetics, genotyping, and biobanking drive our mission.
The emerging field of personalized medicine draws upon a person’s genomic information to tailor treatments and prescription drug dosing to optimize health outcomes. The Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative® (CPMC®) research study is seeking to understand the usefulness of genetic risk and pharmacogenomics in clinical decision-making and healthcare management.
Coriell has a distinguished history in cell biology. We are building upon this expertise by playing an important role in induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell research. Induced pluripotent stem cells are powerful cells which can be made from skin or blood cells, and they are revolutionizing the way human disease is studied and how drugs are developed. Skin cells from a patient diagnosed with heart disease are being genetically reprogrammed into stem cells, and then transformed into beating cardiac cells. Researchers can now examine the heart-diseased cells to better understand the progression of heart disease and develop treatments and cures. Drug efficacy and safety can also be tested in this laboratory environment, providing an efficient model of drug discovery that delivers drugs to patients sooner. This technology, called “disease in a dish,” offers researchers the potential to study the myriad of human diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, muscular dystrophy, and diabetes.
In addition to pioneering cutting-edge research initiatives, Coriell offers custom research services – including cell culture, cytogenetic analyses, and molecular biology – to the scientific community. Furthermore, Coriell’s Genotyping and Microarray Center is one of the nation’s largest centers, with high-throughput DNA analysis, CLIA-certified genotyping platforms systems from Illumina and Affymetrix.
Essential to the Institute’s support of international scientific research is the Coriell Biobank. From this renowned cell bank, we manage and distribute the world’s most diverse collection of cell lines, DNA, and other biological resources. The Coriell Biobank provided support to the Human Genome Project, a worldwide program to map the entire human genome, and to the International HapMap Project, a project providing an efficient tool to identify disease-causing genes.
The Coriell Cell Repositories provide essential research reagents to the scientific community by establishing, verifying, maintaining, and distributing cell cultures and DNA derived from cell cultures. These collections, supported by funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and several foundations, are extensively utilized by research scientists around the world.
The Business Aspects of the Institute
What is the CPMC Study?
CPMC Technology
CPMC FAQs
CPMC Advisors and Partners
Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells
iPS Cell Research at Coriell
Biobank Catalog
Working with Coriell
Genotyping & Microarray
Research Design & Expertise
Quality at Coriell
What is a Biobank?
How Coriell Banks Cells
Biobank Technology
http://www.coriell.org/
http://www.coriell.org/assets/pdfs/discover-winter2012.pdf
http://www.ccr.coriell.org/
http://www.coriell.org/about/coriell-faqs
What is the Coriell Institute of Medical Research?
Founded in 1953, Coriell Institute for Medical Research is an independent, non-profit research organization dedicated to the study of the human genome and to supporting national and international research by providing biomaterials from its renowned biobank.
How did the Coriell Institute start?
Lewis L. Coriell, MD, PhD, a virology researcher and pediatrician, recognized the need for scientific research that would translate into better patient care. After seeing how his research helped to bring the Salk vaccine to polio patients across our nation, Dr. Coriell founded the South Jersey Medical Research Foundation. It was renamed the Institute for Medical Research in 1966 to recognize its broader reach, and, in 1985, to honor Dr. Coriell’s retirement, his name was added. For a look at our history, visit our timeline.
http://www.coriell.org/about/our-history
“You set up an experiment to test the theory, and most of the time it’s not the way you thought it would be. But that’s the way you learn. You go from hypothesis to hypothesis. And it’s exciting because that’s the way we learn to treat, to diagnose, and to prevent illness.”
Lewis L. Coriell, MD, PhD
Virologist and Pediatrician
June 19, 1911 – June 19, 2001
Lewis L. Coriell was born in the farming community of Sciotoville, in southern Ohio. While he was still a young child, his family moved to Montana toward more promising agricultural opportunities. It has been written that “the aspects of character, personality, temperament, and intellect that marked Dr. Coriell’s exceptional professional life… can easily be traced to his Montana upbringing.”i
Education and Early Career
Beginning his academic journey at the University of Montana, Lewis Coriell completed undergraduate studies in biology and subsequently earned a master’s degree in bacteriology and immunology in 1936. That same year, he married fellow student Ester Lentz; they would remain by each other’s side for the next 60 years. The newlyweds moved to the University of Kansas so he could pursue doctoral studies in immunology. While there, Dr. Coriell published his first article on an aspect of science he would revolutionize: The storage of cells by freezing them. Lewis Coriell earned his doctorate in 1940 and was awarded his medical degree in 1942. The young researcher was drawn to the field of virology – the study of viruses as they evolve and infect. At this time, bacterial infections presented themselves most often in children. This combination led Dr. Coriell to seek out a residency in pediatrics. As none were immediately available, he chose a cardiology residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. MI. As it happens, the Coriells’ time in Detroit was brief.
By 1943, World War II was raging and Dr. Coriell was called to service with the United States Army Medical Command’s Biological Research Division at Fort Detrick, MD. It was here that his research in cell cultivation began. After the war, Dr. Coriell began his ideal pediatric residency under Dr. Joseph Stokes, Jr., physician-in-chief at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). To his delight, Dr. Stokes placed great emphasis on research and was instrumental in attracting federal funds to research childhood disease at his institution. The ability to translate research into patient care inspired Dr. Coriell. He saw how research was essential to the treatment of his patients suffering the devastating effects of viruses like small pox, mumps, and polio.
Adventures in Cell Culture
By the time Dr. Coriell arrived in Philadelphia, virologists knew they had to grow viruses in cell culture to prepare purified viruses for the manufacture of vaccines. However, contamination was rife in the laboratory and proving to be a major obstacle. At CHOP, along with his colleagues, Dr. Coriell perfected the technique to culture human tissue in a sterile host that does not produce its own antibodies. The ability to sustain living human cells in culture, and keep them from being contaminated, led to a key breakthrough in polio research – it enabled scientists to grow the polio virus and work toward the first vaccine.
Moving to Camden and Taking on Polio
By the early 1950’s, an acute infectious disease called polio was spreading from person to person very quickly across the United States, striking fear into citizens, costing children their lives and crippling those who survived. In 1949, Dr. Coriell arrived in Camden, NJ, as medical director of Camden Municipal Hospital, one of the country’s last infectious disease hospitals and home to the majority of the region’s polio patients. In 1951, Dr. Coriell was appointed field director of the Polio Prevention Study and directed the successful gamma globulin field trials.
By 1954, the Salk polio vaccine could be made in large quantities and was ready for human clinical trials. Based on his success shepherding the gamma globulin field trials, Dr. Coriell was chosen by the National Poliomyelitis Foundation to evaluate the Salk polio virus vaccine clinical trials in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The success of the evaluation program led to the release of the Salk vaccine on the national level. Before the trials began in 1955, approximately 20,000 new polio cases were being reported each year. By 1960, cases were reduced to 3,000 per year. By 1979, that number was just 10 each year. Recognizing his contribution, Dr. Coriell received the 1957 International Poliomyelitis Congress Presidential Medal. Soon after, he became chairman of the Committee on the Control of Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics which formulated the vaccination procedures for all children in this critical period.
In 1953, Dr. Coriell initiated a campaign to build the first non-profit academic medical research institute in South Jersey. Under his guidance, the Institute for Medical Research began research in cancer, human cytogenetics, infectious diseases, and methods to improve cell culture techniques. The history of the Institute’s accomplishments included Dr. Coriell’s foresight in calling for the establishment of a central tissue culture bank and cell registry to certify and maintain cell cultures. It began with a partnership with the National Institutes of Health to create the first standardized cell repository. Today, the Institute is home to the world’s most diverse collection of cell lines and DNA samples available to researchers.
Working with his colleague, Dr. Gary McGarrity, Dr. Coriell applied infection control technology – specifically laminar flow – to create the laminar flow hood that is vital to infection control in laboratories, operating rooms, and hospital rooms around the world.
Dr. Coriell’s pioneering techniques for characterizing, freezing, and storing non-contaminated cell cultures in liquid nitrogen constitute one of the greatest contributions to modern human genetics.
Dr. Coriell retired in 1985. To honor the occasion, the institute he founded was renamed the Coriell Institute for Medical Research. He remained involved in several ways, as a member of the board and often speaking with groups about the Institute’s history. Following his retirement, Dr. Coriell was elected president of the prestigious College of Physicians of Philadelphia, the oldest medical society in America. Dr. Coriell is the only New Jersey physician to receive this honor.
Dr. Coriell, a pioneering researcher and physician, died on June 19, 2001, in Southern New Jersey. It was his 90th birthday.
A Legacy in Science
Dr. Coriell’s accomplishments in science are indeed many. Perhaps Dr. Coriell’s most enduring legacy was his generosity in knowledge and his ability to bring scientists together to explore research questions and collaborate on solutions. Several important names in science were drawn to join or spend time at the Institute; they included Warren W. Nichols, Ray Dutcher, Richard Mulivor, Etienne Lasfargues, Jesse Charney, Arthur Greene, Daniel Moore, and collaboration with Drs. Albert Levan and Joe Hin Tijo, who first discovered that humans have 46 chromosomes.
Dr. Coriell also created an institute that is a well-respected resident of the Greater Philadelphia region and known as a leader in research worldwide.
Coriell Today
Dr. Coriell’s vision is now our vision. Today, Coriell staff and scientists collaborate on scientific ideas and programs to improve human health.
The Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative® research study is studying the utility of using your genetic information to tailor treatments and medications for you. And building on Dr. Coriell’s innovations in cell biology, we are playing an important role in cutting-edge stem cell research to unlock the code of human disease, including Parkinson’s and heart disease. Coriell offers a range of custom research services that have long supported national and international science. In the field of biobanking, Coriell supports research all over the world from its renowned and diverse cell collections.
Our innovation today is a testament to Dr. Coriell’s pioneering past. More importantly, our innovation is a commitment to your future.
i O’Donnell, John. Coriell; The Coriell Institute for Medical Research and a Half Century of Science. Massachusetts: SHP, 2002.
Where is the Coriell Institute located?
Coriell is located at 403 Haddon Avenue, Camden, NJ 08103. For directions, click here
We recommend that you park at 3 Cooper Plaza, a parking garage associated with the hospital, located directly across the street from Coriell. There is also a second hospital parking lot located on Benson Street, which is a block from the Institute.
For what is the Coriell Institute known?
Coriell Institute is a leader in the emerging field of personalized medicine – often called genome-informed medicine – which is the practice of using genetic information to better understand a patient’s risk for disease and response to medications. The Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative is a research study designed to study the utility of genetic information in clinical decision-making and patient care.
Coriell is also playing an important role in exploring the promise of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell biotechnologies. [Pluripotent refers to how cells can grow into many different types of cells.] We can take skin cells and reprogram them – essentially turn back time – to behave like a stem cell. These cells can then be triggered, using specific proteins, to become cardiac cells, neurons (brain cells), or insulin-producing pancreatic cells, amongst others. Over the years, Coriell has developed an extraordinary expertise in the culture of human cells, and much of the standard practices in cell culture were developed at Coriell. This includes the techniques for freezing and thawing cells, and sterile handling of cultures. As a result of our cell biology expertise, scientists from every major research center in the world draw upon the Coriell Cell Repositories, maintained in the world’s leading biobank, which contains cell lines and DNA representing approximately 650 diseases.
Who is on the Coriell Institute staff?
Coriell is home to approximately 120 scientific and operational staff. Michael Christman, PhD, is Coriell’s President and CEO; he is an expert in genomics and genetics. Joseph L. Mintzer is Coriell’s Executive Vice President and COO and manages the fiscal and operational aspect of the institute. Meet the rest of the Coriell leadership team here.
Who is on the Coriell Institute Board of Trustees?
Coriell is guided by a diverse Board of Trustees that includes corporate, medical, financial, and philanthropic leaders. Chairman of the Coriell Board is Robert P. Kiep III. Learn more about the Coriell Board of Trustees here.
How is Coriell Institute funded?
Coriell Institute has an annual operating budget of $17 million, about $11 million of which comes from federally- and state-funded grants and contracts. Private and corporate philanthropy provides the seed money to initiate new programs in science at Coriell – science that has the opportunity to advance discoveries in research which may not be occurring at other research institutes.
How can I support the research mission of Coriell Institute?
While the majority of Coriell’s operating revenue is derived from federally- and state-funded grants and contracts, the Institute also relies on private, foundation, and corporate philanthropy. Your support can advance the emerging field of personalized medicine to improve the practice of medicine. Your support also allows Coriell to pursue and support research in adult stem cell biology and genomics seeking to unlock the code of human disease. There are many ways to give to Coriell: Outrights gifts, through your workplace giving programs, planned giving, volunteering your time and expertise, or attending or hosting a Coriell event. Visit our fund development page to learn more about how you can support scientific research.
How does Coriell Institute support international research?
The Coriell Cell Repositories offers essential research materials to the scientific community by establishing, verifying, maintaining, and distributing cell cultures and DNA. Since the first NIH-sponsored repository was established in 1964 – Coriell has distributed hundreds of thousands of cell lines and DNA samples to researchers in 64 countries. More than 7,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published citing almost 12,000 Coriell Repository samples.
What research services does Coriell Institute provide? Coriell offers several best-in-class custom research services.
Coriell’s Genotyping and Microarray Center – one of the nation’s largest centers and CLIA-certified in 48 states – is a high-capacity facility with high-throughput systems from Affymetrix and Illumina.
The Coriell Institute Cytogenetics Laboratory is a state-of-the-art facility that combines conventional and molecular cytogenetic analyses with copy number and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analyses by microarray. The laboratory is equipped with a network of five Applied Spectral Imaging work-stations that are used to perform G-banded karyotyping, and Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH).
Coriell also offers many preparative and diagnostic nucleic acid and molecular biology services, all subject to extensive quality controls.
And, the Coriell biobank is regarded as the most diverse collection of cell lines and DNA available to the international research community.
Does Coriell Institute engage in gene therapy or stem cell clinical trials?
Coriell Institute does not pursue research using human embryonic stem cells, nor do we conduct clinical trials on stem cell technologies. If you are interested in gene therapy or stem cell-related clinical trials, please visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.
What education does Coriell offer?
Coriell offers a course in cell culture: Advanced biology coupled with the history, theory, and techniques of maintaining live cells in long-term culture is offered to students.
Coriell also invites a limited number of motivated students into the Institute to participate in a Summer Experience program to gain insight into the workings of an independent research institute
How can I stay informed on what is happening at Coriell Institute?
Sign up for our email updates and you’ll receive periodic research news, notable donations, and upcoming events. Visit our Media Center regularly to read the latest news articles and Coriell press releases.
How can I get a quick overview of Coriell Institute?
Read our Coriell Fast Facts for a basic introduction to the Institute. For more information, explore the About section of our website.
Are Coriell Institute scientists and staff available for speaking engagements?
As their schedules permit, Coriell’s scientific and operational staffs enjoy the opportunity to highlight the work occurring at Coriell. Many hold joint faculty appointments at our region’s universities and teach an array of topics from business management and healthcare policy to the science of cell culture and stem cell research.
Coriell also participates in several outreach programs each year, including science festivals and conferences. We also host tours of our laboratories for business and governmental leaders and middle school and high school students.
16. Is Coriell Institute affiliated with Cooper Medical School of Rowan University?
Yes; Coriell is looking forward to welcoming the new medical school and will be integral in teaching genetics and genomics to the next generation of healthcare providers.
The Power of Stem Cell Science
The promise of stem cell research lays in its application in understanding the progression of human disease, the ability to cure disease and reverse injury, and to better target therapies to optimize our health outcomes. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology has the ability to revolutionize the way human disease is studied. Creating iPS cell lines from various rare and common disease states, as well as from various populations, will open the doors for pre-clinical research studies.
Let Our Expertise Make Your Research a Success
Coriell offers a range of custom research services that have long supported national and international science. Whether you are requesting a cell line for your research studies or submitting DNA samples for genotyping analysis, Coriell is committed to providing you with flexible, innovative, and results-oriented research services. Our laboratories are built to foster scientific collaboration, and your research will benefit from this collaborative environment.
Coriell’s Biobank and Cell Culture Laboratory have established the gold standard in the cryopreservation of biomaterials and the capacity to support varied research worldwide. The diverse collections of biological specimens managed by Coriell offer the scientific community the highest quality specimens, which are necessary for successful research endeavors. Since the first repository – a National Institutes of Health collection – was established at Coriell in 1964, hundreds of thousands of cell lines and DNA samples have been distributed to researchers in 64 countries; more than 7,000 peer-reviewed papers have been published citing almost 12,000 biospecimens from the Coriell Biobank.
Making Medicine Personalized for You
Our health is determined by many factors: the genetics we inherit; our innate personal traits of race, age and gender; our individual behavior; our family and community networks; and at the macro level, our economic, cultural, and environmental conditions. These factors are different for every person and will change over their lifespan. So too is a person’s experience with disease and how they respond to drugs or other medical interventions. Personalized medicine intends to make medical treatment as individual as the biology of one’s disease.
Personalized medicine has the potential to offer patients and their doctors several advantages, including:
The ability to make better informed clinical decisions.
A higher probability of desired health outcomes by using better-targeted therapies.
The reduced probability of adverse reactions from medications and treatments.
A focus on prevention and prediction of disease, rather than reaction to it.
Earlier disease intervention.
Reduced healthcare costs.
Preserving cells today for research tomorrow
Dr. Lewis Coriell’s pioneering techniques for characterizing, freezing, and storing cell cultures in liquid nitrogen constitute one of the greatest contributions to modern human research. Today, the Coriell Biobank is regarded as the most diverse collection of cell lines and DNA available to the international research community. In addition to these high-quality biospecimens, Coriell also maintains tissue, plasma, serum, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid.
Few organizations have the history of innovations in repository science that have been developed and implemented at Coriell. For nearly 60 years, Coriell has set the standard in biobanking services, including the experimental design, collection, processing, distribution, cryogenic preservation, and information management of human biomaterials used in research. By developing and maintaining biorepositories as national and international resources for the study of human diseases, aging, and neurological disease, Coriell is committed to providing the scientific community with well-characterized, cell cultures and DNA preparations, annotated with rich phenotypic data.
Catalog Collections
NIGMS Human Genetic Repository The Human Genetic Cell Repository, sponsored by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, provides scientists around the world with resources for cell and genetic research. The samples include highly characterized cell lines and high quality DNA. Repository samples represent a variety of disease states, chromosomal abnormalities, apparently healthy individuals and many distinct human populations.
NINDS Human Genetics DNA and Cell Line Repository The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is committed to gene discovery, as a strategy for identifying the genetic causes and correlates of nervous system disorders. The NINDS Human Genetics DNA and Cell Line Repository banks samples from subjects with cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy, motor neuron disease, Parkinsonism, and Tourette Syndrome, as well as controls.
NIA Aging Cell Repository Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the AGING CELL REPOSITORY, is a resource facilitating cellular and molecular research studies on the mechanisms of aging and the degenerative processes associated with it. The cells in this resource have been collected over the past three decades using strict diagnostic criteria and banked under the highest quality standards of cell culture. Scientists use the highly-characterized, viable, and contaminant-free cell cultures from this collection for research on such diseases as Alzheimer disease, progeria, Parkinsonism, Werner syndrome, and Cockayne syndrome.
NHGRI Sample Repository for Human Genetic Research The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) led the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) contribution to the International Human Genome Project, which had as its primary goal the sequencing of the human genome. This project was successfully completed in April 2003. Now, the NHGRI’s mission has expanded to encompass a broad range of studies aimed at understanding the structure and function of the human genome and its role in health and disease.
American Diabetes Association, GENNID Study The purpose of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), GENNID Study (Genetics of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, NIDDM) is to establish a national database and cell repository consisting of information and genetic material from families with well-documented NIDDM. The GENNID Study will provide investigators with the information and samples necessary to conduct genetic linkage studies and locate the genes for NIDDM.
The Autism Research Resource The State of New Jersey funded the initiation of a genetic resource to support the study of autism in families where more than one child is affected or where one child is affected and one demonstrates another significant and related developmental disorder. This resource now receives continuing support from the Coriell Institute for Medical Research. An open bank of anonymously collected materials documented by a detailed clinical diagnosis forms the basis of this growing database of information about the disease.
IPBIR Repository The purpose of the IPBIR – Integrated Primate Biomaterials and Information Resource is to assemble, characterize, and distribute high-quality DNA samples of known provenance with accompanying demographic, geographic, and behavioral information in order to stimulate and facilitate research in primate genetic diversity and evolution, comparative genomics, and population genetics.
HD Community BioRepository HD Community BioRepository is a secure, centralized repository that stores and distributes quality-controlled, reliable research reagents. Huntingtin DNAs are now available and antibodies, antigenic peptides, cell lines, and hybridomas will be added soon.
USIDNET Repository The USIDNET DNA and Cell Repository has been established as part of an NIH-funded program – the US Immunodeficiency Network (www.usidnet.org) – to provide a resource of DNA and functional lymphoid cells obtained from patients with various primary immunodeficiency diseases. These uncommon disorders include patients with defects in T cell, B cell and/or granulocyte function as well as patients with abnormalities in antibodies/immunoglobulins, complement and other host defense mechanisms.
CDC Cell and DNA Repository The Genetic Testing Reference Material Coordination Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Coriell Institute for Medical Research announce the availability of samples derived from transformed cell lines for use in molecular genetic testing. The DNA samples prepared from these reference cell lines are available through the Coriell Cell Repositories. Diseases include cystic fibrosis (CF), 5′ 10′ methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency (MTHFR), HFE-associated hereditary hemochromatosis, Huntington disease (HD), fragile X syndrome, Muenke syndrome, connexin 26-associated deafness, and alpha-thalassemia.
Leiomyosarcoma Cell and DNA Repository The Leiomyosarcoma Cell and DNA Repository has been established with an award from the National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation. This foundation provides leadership in supporting research of Leiomyosarcoma, improving treatment outcomes of those affected by this disease as well as fostering awareness in the medical community and general public.
COHORT Project The Cooperative Huntington’s Observational Trial Repository has been established as a resource for the discovery of information related to Huntington’s disease and its causes, progressioin, treatments, and possible cures. This is a growing bank for DATA and SPECIMENS to accelerate research on Huntington’s disease.
YERKES Repository The Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University is an international leader in biomedical and behavioral research. For more than seven decades, the Yerkes Research Center has been dedicated to advancing scientific understanding of primate biology, behavior, veterinary care and conservation, and to improving human health and well-being.
NEI-AREDS Genetic Repository The Age-Related Eye Disease Study was designed to learn about macular degeneration and cataract, two leading causes of vision loss in older adults. The study looked at how these two diseases progress and what their causes may be. In addition, the study tested certain vitamins and minerals to find out if they can help to prevent or slow these diseases. Participants in the study did not have to have either disease. (Enrollment was completed in January 1998.) Eleven medical centers in the United States took part in the study, and more than 4,700 people across the country were enrolled in AREDS. The study was supported by the National Eye Institute, part of the Federal government’s National Institutes of Health. The clinical trial portion of the study also received support from Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceuticals and was completed in October 2001. Learn about the results of the clinical trial on the National Eye Institute’s website: http://www.nei.nih.gov/amd/.
The Wistar Institute The Wistar Institute collection at Coriell contains cell lines that have been developed by Wistar scientists. These materials are offered for non-commercial research conducted by universities, government agencies and academic research centers. The Wistar Institute collection currently contains a group of hybridomas that produce monoclonal antibodies that are useful in influenza research and vaccine development. Melanoma cell lines, derived from patients with a wide range of disease ranging from mild dysplasia to advanced metastatic cancer, will be added shortly. More information on The Wistar Institute, its research and scientists can be found at www.wistar.org.
J. Craig Venter Institute Human Reference Genome (HuRef) The Human Reference Genetic Material Repository makes available DNA from a single individual, J. Craig Venter, whose genome has been sequenced and assembled. The DNA samples are prepared from a lymphoblastoid cell line established at Coriell Cell Repositories from a sample of peripheral blood. The DNA samples are available in 50 microgram aliquots. The lymphoblastoid cell line is not available for distribution..
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Polly Arnold
Professor Polly Arnold OBE FRS
Twitter@ProfArno
wwwwww.homepages.ed.ac.uk/parnold
ORCID0000-0001-6410-5838
Polly holds the Crum Brown Chair of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh. She obtained degrees from Oxford and Sussex and was a Fulbright postdoctoral fellow at MIT before returning to the UK to a lectureship in 1999. Her research is focused on the design and synthesis of highly reactive f-block complexes that can activate inert small molecules such as carbon oxides, dinitrogen, and hydrocarbons, and that can provide fundamental information on structure and bonding at the bottom of the periodic table. www.homepages.ed.ac.uk/parnold.
Polly is an active advocate for inclusion and diversity in STEM. Since her production of ‘A Chemical Imbalance’, supported by the Rosalind Franklin award from the Royal Society in 2012, she has given lectures around the world, advised the Government and industry, and appears regularly on TV, radio, and in print media, to discuss the importance and benefits of diversity in the STEM workforce www.chemicalimbalance.ed.ac.uk. She was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to chemistry and women in STEM.
Crum Brown Chair of Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh
Chemistry, inorganic
Organometallic and coordination chemsitry, f-block, homogeneous catalysis, small molecule activation
Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award and Lecture
Used her award to promote the female role models at the University of Edinburgh.
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Missouri Law Review
A Service of the Law Library
Home > Law Journals > MLR > Vol. 65 > Iss. 4 (2000)
Must We Talk about That Reasonable Accommodation--The Eighth Circuit Says Yes, But Is the Answer Reasonable
Jill S. Kingsbury
Jill S. Kingsbury, Must We Talk about That Reasonable Accommodation--The Eighth Circuit Says Yes, But Is the Answer Reasonable , 65 Mo. L. Rev. (2000)
Available at: https://scholarship.law.missouri.edu/mlr/vol65/iss4/4
All Issues Vol. 84, Iss. 1 Vol. 83, Iss. 4 Vol. 83, Iss. 3 Vol. 83, Iss. 2 Vol. 83, Iss. 1 Vol. 82, Iss. 4 Vol. 82, Iss. 3 Vol. 82, Iss. 2 Vol. 82, Iss. 1 Vol. 81, Iss. 4 Vol. 81, Iss. 3 Vol. 81, Iss. 2 Vol. 81, Iss. 1 Vol. 80, Iss. 4 Vol. 80, Iss. 3 Vol. 80, Iss. 2 Vol. 80, Iss. 1 Vol. 79, Iss. 4 Vol. 79, Iss. 3 Vol. 79, Iss. 2 Vol. 79, Iss. 1 Vol. 78, Iss. 4 Vol. 78, Iss. 3 Vol. 78, Iss. 2 Vol. 78, Iss. 1 Vol. 77, Iss. 4 Vol. 77, Iss. 3 Vol. 77, Iss. 2 Vol. 77, Iss. 1 Vol. 76, Iss. 4 Vol. 76, Iss. 3 Vol. 76, Iss. 2 Vol. 76, Iss. 1 Vol. 75, Iss. 4 Vol. 75, Iss. 3 Vol. 75, Iss. 2 Vol. 75, Iss. 1 Vol. 74, Iss. 4 Vol. 74, Iss. 3 Vol. 74, Iss. 2 Vol. 74, Iss. 1 Vol. 73, Iss. 4 Vol. 73, Iss. 3 Vol. 73, Iss. 2 Vol. 73, Iss. 1 Vol. 72, Iss. 4 Vol. 72, Iss. 3 Vol. 72, Iss. 2 Vol. 72, Iss. 1 Vol. 71, Iss. 4 Vol. 71, Iss. 3 Vol. 71, Iss. 2 Vol. 71, Iss. 1 Vol. 70, Iss. 4 Vol. 70, Iss. 3 Vol. 70, Iss. 2 Vol. 70, Iss. 1 Vol. 69, Iss. 4 Vol. 69, Iss. 3 Vol. 69, Iss. 2 Vol. 69, Iss. 1 Vol. 68, Iss. 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Raiding the Rock Vault LIVE – The Mayan, Los Angeles, CA
Posted on December 3, 2012 by Robyn Weiss
Far from the beaten path of the glitz and glitter of Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, lies downtown L.A., which itself is filled with gems hidden on the small one way streets that traverse through town, such as the Mayan. No one would ever believe this venue houses a 5,000 square foot stage making it the perfect place to see a multi-media show as guests buzzed back and forth about what they were going to see. No one really knew what to expect; they had an idea but it always goes differently in your head.
Standing in front of the stage, people admired the set design and smiled when at about 8:20pm, the lights went down and we were transported to a time capsule if you will; as the door of the Rock Vault slid open revealing vocalist Andrew Freeman, (Lead Vocals and Guitars – Lynch Mob, The Offspring) who strutted out with intense energy and a grin from ear to ear as he tore into My Generation by The Who, backed by world-class musicians Howard Leese (Guitar – Heart, The Paul Rodgers Band), Joe Lynn Turner (Lead Vocals – Rainbow, Deep Purple), Tracii Guns (Guitar – L.A. Guns, Guns N’ Roses), Robin McAuley (Lead Vocals – MSG, Survivor), John Payne (Lead Vocals and Bass – Asia), Paul Shortino (Vocals – Rough Cutt, Quite Riot), Jay Schellen (Drums – Hurricane, Asia), Lorraine Lewis (Vocals – Femme Fatale) and Michael T Ross (Keyboards – Lita Ford, Hardline, Angel).
The Mayan rocked for two hours and change as the story of rock n’ roll from the 1950s to the 1990’s played out in live music, narration (by acclaimed actor Richard Malmos), dance and visuals cast upon two screens to the left and right of the stage. Written by vocalist and guitarist John Payne (Asia) and Grammy-award winning record producer, David Kershenbaum, Raiding the Rock Vault is a welcomed and entertaining ride. This is not what some might consider a gig as much as a true interactive show. Guests were able to get so close to the stage at this particular club; without realizing it, they were part of the show; dancing and singing along. While that may or may not be the goal in most venues the band plans to visit, this was a special evening. When Payne and the crew hit the road with Raiding the Rock Vault, there is no way this production will be able to go into a small club or venue; there is just too much that would get lost in the translation.
These men have nothing to prove; they made their bones long ago so getting on stage for Raiding the Rock Vault, is a labor of love. As the years rolled forward on the LED screens, the band performed songs, which made an impact during the history of that time. Every song played was spot on and tight, but stand-outs were Hotel California (Eagles), Jump (Van Halen) Living On A Prayer (Bon Jovi), and Armageddon (Def Leppard).
The troupe from Raiding the Rock Vault, did one night only for the Los Angeles crowd and for this being their first show played out live, Payne and his crew should be proud; they put together a great event and you get to learn something on top of it; “ah-ha” moments are cool. They’re currently rehearsing and getting ready to bring the show to U.S. audiences in early spring making this possibly one of the hottest tickets in 2013, as different musicians will sit in on different nights depending on the town the tour is in and the celebrity musicians visiting at the same time. If you’re a ‘rock of the ages’ fan and have a true fascination with the roots that have brought us forward to today, don’t miss Raiding the Rock Vault; a different spin on classic rock.
Click here to more photos from this Raiding the Rock Vault.
www.raidingtherockvault.com/
www.facebook.com/RaidingTheRockVault
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