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North Korea to Deport American Detained for Illegal Entry
16 Nov 2018, 18:05 GMT+10
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - North Korea said Friday that it will deport an American citizen it detained one month ago for illegally entering the country.
The announcement suggests that North Korea still intends to improve ties with the United States despite stalled nuclear diplomacy. In the past, North Korean often held American citizens it arrested for similar charges for months before high-profile U.S. figures traveled to Pyongyang to secure their freedom.
In May, North Korea released three American detainees in a goodwill gesture weeks before leader Kim Jong Un's summit with President Donald Trump in Singapore in June. The three Americans returned home on a flight with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Their release was a striking contrast to the fate of Otto Warmbier, an American university student who died days after he was released from North Korea in a coma after 17 months in captivity.
On Friday, the Korean Central News Agency said the U.S. citizen was detained on Oct. 16 for illegally entering the country from China. It said the U.S. citizen told investigators that he was under the direction of the Central Intelligence Agency.
It said North Korea decided to deport him but did not say when.
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Home » News » Canada Soccer's 100th
Moment 2: Canada wins CONCACAF Gold Cup
Posted on 1 June 2012 in Canada Soccer's 100th
In 2000, Canada won its second confederation title, winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup to qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001. Undefeated in five matches, Canada famously defeated Mexico on a quarter-final golden goal before knocking off Trinidad and Tobago in the semi-final phase and Colombia in the championship final. After draws against Costa Rica and Korea Republic in the opening two matches, Canada won its first elimination match in fine fashion on 20 February after Richard Hastings scored two minutes into extra time. Canada then won its next two matches 1:0 and 2:0 before captain Jason de Vos lifted Canada's second CONCACAF trophy.
Goalkeeper Craig Forrest was named the tournament's most valuable player while Carlo Corazzin won the Top Scorer award. Canada also won the Fair Play award.
One year after Canada's confederation win, Canada participated in the eight-team FIFA Confederations Cup, finishing seventh overall after a draw and two losses in the group phase. Canada lost 0:3 to Japan, drew 0:0 with Brazil, and then lost 0:2 to Cameroun. Defender Jim Brennan was selected a tournament all-star. As it turns out, the tournament would prove to be the swan song for Forrest's international career, who made his 56th and final appearance on 4 June 2001.
The Canadian Soccer Association celebrates its 100th anniversary throughout the 2012 calendar year. While soccer (football) has been played in Canada since 1876, the Canadian Soccer Association (or the Dominion of Canada Football Association as it was known in the day) was inaugurated on 24 May 1912. As part of the centennial celebrations, the Canadian Soccer Association will unveil the "Top-10 Moments" in Canadian soccer history as well as engage soccer fans to select the "All-Time Canada XI" teams for men's and women's football. The celebrations will culminate with Canada's two Centennial Matches - a Women's International Friendly on 30 May in Moncton and a Men's International Friendly match on 3 June in Toronto.
Tickets to Canada's 3 June Centennial home match - as well three FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June, September and October - are available via Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.ca / 1.855.570.7500) with full details at CanadaSoccer.com/seetheerise. Also to celebrate Canada's 100th anniversary, Canada's men's and women's national teams will wear a special blue Centennial Kit tailored by Umbro. The kit will be worn exclusively by the men on 3 June and by the women for a second Centennial match on 30 June at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, UT, USA. Limited quantities of Canada's Centennial clothing line - including jersey, anthem jacket and cap - are available exclusively at CanadaSoccer.com.
Association announces All-Time Canada XI - women's team
Association announces All-Time Canada XI - men's team
Moment 1: Canada participates in FIFA World Cup
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Higgins: When Nation ruled World
BILL HIGGINS
In the mind's eye, things always appear more vibrant upon reflection, which is why five years ago tonight feels better now than it did then, but not as good as it will be 10 years from now.
It was at exactly 11:37 p.m. on Oct. 27, 2004, when the Red Sox finished off the St. Louis Cardinals and won their first (but not last) World Series. It was at that moment when the Earth – well, Red Sox Nation, anyway – stopped spinning.
If you lived it, you'll never forget it. It was a night that will last a lifetime.
The 2009 World Series begins tomorrow, and it seems a forgone conclusion the Yankees will beat the Phillies and claim supremacy of the baseball universe. Good for them.
But five years ago the Pinstripes were mere steppingstones on Boston's stairway to heaven. No matter how many championship flags are unfurled from the billion-dollar edifice in the Bronx, the Yankees will never escape their colossal collapse to the Sox in '04. New York won Game 3 of the ALCS 19-8 to take a 3-0 lead in the series, and then melted into the abyss like the Wicked Witch. How bloody (sock) sweet! That, too, gets better with time.
In the World Series, the Red Sox ran out to their own 3-0 advantage and then closed the deal like champions, sweeping the Cards in four straight.
I was on the Times sport desk that climactic night, editing the section and coordinating our coverage with news side. Colleague Rob Duca was in St. Louis writing his rear end off. There were reporters and photographers and designers and other editors all around the newsroom, everyone scrambling to pull together the pieces on a tight deadline. The energy was frenetic. And then the phone rang.
My son, Sean – the same kid who fell asleep in a box seat three rows from the field at Fenway when he was 5 – was calling from college in New Jersey. Now a passionate Red Sox fan, he knew what this meant. Few words were spoken and none were necessary.
I turned away from people around my desk and, choked with emotion, momentarily forgot about the tasks at hand. I was awash in all those trite but true feelings of fathers and sons and generations bonded by baseball.
I gathered myself and got back to business. When we put the paper to bed that night – I can still remember the headlines: “Finally!” flashed Page 1; “Believe It,” blared the sports cover – it was well after midnight. Oct. 27 had rolled into Oct. 28, my daughter Sabrina's birthday.
Eighteen years earlier, she was born on the night the Red Sox imploded against the Mets in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. The symmetry of it all could not be ignored.
It was very late when I left the office, but much too early to call it a day. Local establishments – even some that may have stretched closing time on this magical of all evenings – were dark.
But while the lights may have been out, I knew a place where the back door would still be open. And my ticket in was a fresh-off-the-press, first edition copy of history. I had proof in black and white that yes, indeed, the Red Sox were World Series champions for the first time in all our lives. My buddies had proof in a green decanter of Tullamore Dew. This, of course, was something to celebrate. I was still buzzed with adrenaline. They were just buzzed. It was special.
Before I went home to the Yankee fan I love, my brother and I kept a promise to the Old Man. We visited his grave, only a fly ball away from where we grew up on Main Street. We splashed a toast of good Irish whiskey on his headstone and had a spot ourselves. This, too, was a celebration, and so many, many years in the making.
Yes, we are here today to relive the past, but what is baseball if not nostalgic. Five years ago seems like yesterday. Another World Series will be played this week and another champion crowned, most likely the Yankees.
So enjoy Marsha, Gary, Rich, Howard, Victoria, Don and all the rest of you. This is your time to revel.
Sean, Sabrina and I, along with Jim, Peter, Davey, Chris – and all the boys at the corner by the back door – we all know how you feel. Been there, done that. We won't spoil your party. You got what you paid for.
We'll just sit back and relish all that was so good five years ago, a vintage victory that gets better with time.
Sports Editor Bill Higgins can be reached at 508-862-1151 or bhiggins@capecodonline.com.
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» KidsFlash » Citizenship question fight continues as Trump administration tries to fast-track decision to Supreme Court, Congressional Democrats introduce legislation to block question from 2020 Census
Citizenship question fight continues as Trump administration tries to fast-track decision to Supreme Court, Congressional Democrats introduce legislation to block question from 2020 Census
Written by: Sarah Hughes
Following a federal judge’s decision to block an untested, unnecessary question about citizenship status from appearing on the 2020 Census questionnaire, the Trump administration last week filed a formal request to expedite the decision to the Supreme Court. This request to bypass the typical appeals process and fast-track the decision to the nation’s highest court comes after the administration sought at least a dozen delays in the case to decide whether the addition of the question violated federal law.
In January, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman found that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross violated a “smorgasbord” of rules when he decided to add the question to the 2020 Census, against the advice of experts and the Census Bureau’s own research. Experts caution that asking every resident of the United States about their citizenship status on the 2020 Census will depress response rates, putting federal funding in jeopardy for communities across the country and skewing important data for the next 10 years.
Whether the courts will grant the Trump administration’s request to expedite the decision remains to be seen. In the meantime, other efforts to prohibit the question from appearing on the 2020 Census are underway in Congress. Last week, Representative Carolyn Maloney of New York introduced the Census IDEA Act, which would block the citizenship question from the 2020 questionnaire and require a three-year review process for questions proposed to the decennial census. A similar bill is expected to be introduced soon in the U.S. Senate. Stay tuned for more information on how you can make your voice heard in support of these bills and help ensure a fair and accurate census count for your community.
About Sarah Hughes
Sarah Hughes is Vice President of Research Initiatives for the Colorado Children’s Campaign. In this role, she leads the organization’s research and data analysis efforts, including the development and publication of the annual KIDS COUNT in Colorado! report, and provides research and data support to inform and advance the Children’s Campaign’s policy agenda. She also co-chairs the organization’s internal Equity Team. Prior to joining the Children’s Campaign, Sarah worked in communications and spent several years working and volunteering with kids in various capacities. She holds a Master of Social Work with a specialization in Advocacy, Leadership and Social Change from the University of Illinois and a B.S. in Business and Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis. She lives in Denver with her husband and their two crazy dogs.
Blog Categories Select Category 2018 Election Guide Capitol Update Child Health Development Early Childhood Fast Facts It’s About Kids K-12 Education Legislative Ballot Measure 2018 Outreach Research The West Steps Uncategorized
Website Privacy Policy: Colorado Children’s Campaign
Job Announcement: Government Affairs Director
Colorado Children’s Campaign Strategic Framework, 2018 through 2020
2016 Annual Report: Colorado Children’s Campaign by the Numbers
Featured Luncheon Partners
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My wife came home and caught me...
The universe is so huge that if there...
I confess that I never told you I loved...
Ok so, I have been selling products on...
I'm a young female teacher everybody...
He's such a dumbasss
I seriously think my husband has a stupid gene. Would you believe this:
He looked at a box of cake mix once and thought that they were already made, all you had to do was open the box and heat them up. He does not read labels, he just assumes stuff off the top of his head.
Another thing that makes him look like a moron is he'll say "thing" instead of take the time to find the appropriate word for something. He used to call my treadmill a "running thing." He called my new sports bras a "running thing."
It frustrates me so much, and it really makes me wonder if this is why he's 52 years old and only making $26,000 a year. All his siblings and even our nieces and nephews make 2x-4x that.
It really is a shame because he's a wonderful, smart, intelligent, hard-working, loving person. But when he does these stupid things I yell at him and storm out of the room telling him to "read the f****** label!" I know that isn't how you solve the problem but I'm at my wits' end.
I wish their was some way to get him to use better vocabulary without emasculating him.
Relationship CONFESSION 7.3 years ago By Anonymous
Husband imagine Wish Sexual
You said he's a dumbass,but also intelligent! Make your mind up,woman!! You sound like the dumbass to me!
I can see how that would be frustrating, but it doesn't sound like it's something new. And it doesn't sound like he's makes any effort to change things. Maybe he has a learning disability that has never been looked into so he avoids reading things like labels. Is it possible that he can't read or read well? There are people who slip through the cracks and still find jobs. It's possible he just doesn't care, maybe he's just content with his life and how he lives it. Or maybe he knows that you'll read the labels or correct him.
Oh that's great. He's an intelligent bla bla bla man, but he doesn't make that much money as his siblings. You're a b****. And I feel bad for him to be with a b**** who makes fun of him like that.
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Home →Security →Security Programs Aren't as Efficient as IT Thinks
Security Programs Aren't as Efficient as IT Thinks
Operations teams are frustrated by "a façade of program maturity," as each level of security is buffering the level above in an effort to appear more efficient.
Too Many Vulnerabilities
The survey respondents identified an average of 10 new vulnerabilities per system per month,
Redundant Vulnerabilities Create Stress
Very large enterprises (VLEs) manage more than 1 million vulnerabilities, most of which are duplicates across common OSs and apps. Ensuring that they are properly managed and mitigated puts pressure on the staff.
Vulnerabilities by Industry
Banking, finance, insurance: 82% Manufacturing: 80% Retail, Wholesale: 78% Government: 67% Infrastructure: 64%
Overwhelmed by Threat Alerts
79% of security teams said they are overwhelmed by the volume of threat alerts. As with vulnerabilities, banking, finance and insurance lead (88%), despite having the highest budgets.
Do More, Faster!
All levels of security operations are being asked to increase their productivity. Manufacturing organizations are at the top for stress, possibly because they are less prepared to fight cyber-wars than their finance and government counterparts.
Manual Patching Drives Stress
79% of respondents said their organization's patching approval process was manual and involves emails, spreadsheets, and other electronic documents for tracking and approval.
Too Many Alerts Cause Stress
The respondents said they have to manually reprioritize over half of the threat alerts they receive. This significantly raises stress and feelings of being overwhelmed.
Over-Inflated Opinions
87% of the respondents said they have a mature patching process, but 79% use emails and spreadsheets during that process, which can produce errors. This indicates respondents' over-inflated opinions of their security programs.
Inefficient Alert Systems
30% of incident alerts are false positives, and analysts spent an average of 20 to 30 minutes investigating each incident. As a result, teams fall behind on alerts, creating a backlog of 64% of tickets.
Wasted Time
Security systems wrongly prioritize 52% of tickets. Tools must be made smarter by providing context for the technical, financial and behavioral aspects of incidents. This will reduce false positives and misclassified alerts.
Operations teams are frustrated and stressed due to "a façade of program maturity," as each level of security is buffering the level above from many stress-related issues in an effort to appear more efficient, according to a new study. This results in an "overinflated opinion of program security program maturity," said the authors of "A Day in the Life of a Cybersecurity Pro," a study commissioned by Bay Dynamics. To understand what management and personnel working in cyber-security, fraud, risk and compliance do to support operations, Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) surveyed 400 North American respondents. Surprisingly, lack of budget was only a minor frustration. Rather, a dearth of people was a top concern, but the report said that is a symptom of a much larger security problem. The respondents range from vice presidents to C-level executives to the frontline operations staff. Fifty-three percent work in very large enterprises (VLEs), 19 percent in enterprises, and 27 percent in the midmarket. They represent banking, finance, insurance, manufacturing, healthcare, retail and wholesale infrastructure, professional services and the federal government.
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More than Just Rewards
More than Just Rewards2014-04-152014-04-15https://www.clarkcollegefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clark-college-logo-2.pngClark College Foundationhttps://www.clarkcollegefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clark-college-logo-2.png200px200px
Roma Bergstrom’s single motherhood journey sets foundation for helping others
by Rhonda Morin
Roma Bergstrom and Richard Paz are generous Clark College donors who believe in supporting the local community.
Her day started at 6:30 a.m.; waking her four children, ages 12, 9, 7 and 6, to prepare them for school. With four hours of sleep, having closed the Marion and Pom’s Pub for the second time this week, Roma Bergstrom dragged her tired body out of bed to start another day. She would pack lunches, work her day job at the local paper mill, Crown Zellerbach Corp., race to a kid’s baseball game and throw together a meal for a family dinner before heading out to sling drinks for the locals at one of her two weekly waitressing jobs.
“I would tell my kids I could come to their game—but only for two hours—because I had to get back to work,” Bergstrom said, adding “See those special baseball shoes you’re wearing? Those are because of my tips.”
Bergstrom was continuously reminded of the demeaning nature of the cocktail waitress job when customers shouted, “Hey toots, how about a drink here?” She didn’t like it, and the behavior made her even more aware of other women around her who had less than she did, such as no high school diploma and fewer prospects.
“Those jobs taught me a lot. But more than anything, they humbled me,” she said. “And raising four kids by yourself knocks a whole lot out of you.”
Bergstrom was raised in the railroad town of Ellinwood, Kansas. One mile by one mile, if you drive too fast down the highway that splits the town in half, you would likely miss catching a glimpse of any of its 2,100 residents.
The family moved to Ellinwood when little Roma, the youngest of three sisters, was two. Her father took a truck-driving job, which enabled the blue-collar family to live in a comfortable home at the edge of town. Her dad would eventually learn welding and open a small business to support his family.
A self-described feisty girl, Bergstrom was not in the habit of doing what she was told to do, and her trickster spirit, sometimes led to trouble. Like the time she and her friends lit a pile of manure on fire on a neighbor’s porch.
It was not a complete surprise to her parents when, at the age of 18 and with her high school diploma in hand, Bergstrom defiantly said she was marrying Arnie Link, her high school sweetheart.
Baseball, kids and ironing
Life was fast and exciting for a while for the Links. Arnie joined the Kansas City Athletics, a minor baseball league before it was sold and became the Kansas City Royals. After two years of playing ball, he took a job as a laborer in the local oil fields.
Four children came within six years while the couple lived in Kansas. To make ends meet, Bergstrom took in washing and ironing. Each week, she would cook the starch and wind the clothing through the ringers of her trusty Maytag. At the time, Bergstrom also managed a housing complex where single men lived and gladly paid to have their washing done.
Link’s work in a pump shop did not bring in enough to support the family, so Bergstrom also sold woolen clothing door-to-door and ran a daycare.
Following a few job transfers, the family settled in Vancouver, Wash., in 1971. A year later, Bergstrom divorced Link, securing her role as head of the household and main breadwinner.
Earning respect
She taught her children about the rewards of hard work by demonstrating it every day. She purposely introduced her children to all her bosses, particularly for the moonlighting jobs, so that the children were aware of Bergstrom’s responsibilities. She said these introductions made a difference; the employers always treated her fairly and permitted a flexible schedule. This proved to her that one needs to earn an employer’s respect.
“My kids were raised with nothing. But it made them work harder,” said Bergstrom. “That’s how you get respect—you work hard and you respect yourself. You’ll know when you’re doing a good job, but the true reward comes when someone else recognizes it.”
She worked in customer service within the chemical products division at Crown Zellerbach. It was during this period of her life that she was introduced to Clark College. In the early 1980s, the company paid for a portion of the tuition for courses in computers and software programming.
Bergstrom jumped at the chance to take classes and even added a bit of fun; she enrolled in a belly dancing class. “My girlfriend and I were on campus one day and saw these people having the best time dancing. We thought it looked so fun,” she said.
Bergstrom Nutrition
While working at Crown Zellerbach, Roma began dating George Bergstrom. He had two adolescent boys and when they married, she again took on the role of juggling parenting and her career.
There were changes in the regional paper mill business in the 1980s, and seeing an opportunity, George, a chemical engineer, and Roma decided to branch out on their own. They purchased a sulfur compound called methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), formed a co-partnership with another couple and opened a small business in 1988 selling the chemical to the equine industry. Bergstrom Nutrition turned a profit within two years.
As the business grew, a production plant was built on West 8th Street in Vancouver, where the first ultra-pure form of MSM was created. Bergstrom Nutrition invested in safety and efficacy research and with the passage of dietary supplement legislation in 1994— the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act—was well-positioned to introduce the ingredient to consumers beyond the barn. Twenty-five years later, its trademarked ingredient, OptiMSM, is sold throughout the world and most often found in joint health supplements.
“George was a brilliant and funny man,” said Bergstrom. “Oh, how he could make me laugh. Together we established certain values for our business and family. One of those values is to ensure our grandchildren and employees would have access to a higher education or the opportunity to improve their skills.”
George died in 2003 leaving Roma as CEO to continue their vision. The company offers employees tuition reimbursement for classes that advance their knowledge and skills; many have taken courses at Clark College.
“I retired last year as CEO, placing my children on the board with the charge to create a legacy business continuing the elements that make us a good place to work,” said Bergstrom.
Her priority to financially support her grandchildren in their higher education pursuits has ground rules. “If they get in trouble, whether it is alcohol or drugs, I’m done. They also have to maintain their grades. I don’t mean barely passing; they have to maintain good grades.”
Bergstrom acknowledges that mistakes will happen and she often practices reconciliation. “Life is not fair and don’t expect it to be. Just work your way through it,” she said.
Helping other people work through tough times in their lives has become the hallmark of her life. She and her current husband, Richard Paz, offer scholarships through Clark College Foundation, because they believe education is the antidote to poverty and despair.
Through their generosity, there will be fewer single moms in Southwest Washington who have to work three jobs to provide for their families. And that is more than OK for Bergstrom.
Keeping it in the community
Roma Bergstrom raised and supported four children by always working, sometimes at three jobs. This didn’t leave much time or money for a college education.
Today, thanks to a successful business career, and in memory of her late husband George, who had a strong belief in education, Bergstrom can provide for her family and those who have a desire to learn.
“I was a single mother. Had someone offered me help to go to school, I would have taken it in a heartbeat,” Bergstrom said.
She and her husband Richard Paz, give to Clark College Foundation because of the college’s relationship and commitment to the community. “We want to keep it here, in this community,” she said, adding, “I’ve been rewarded and blessed and that’s why I want to reward others.”
Clark College, clark college foundation, donors, fundraising
Exceptional Fundraising Award Bestowed on Clark College Foundation
A Lesson They Can WearNews, Partners Magazine
Trees and technologyNews
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California Utilities Propose Storage for Energy Resilience and Equity, But More Needs to be Done
March 22, 2018 /in Resilient Power Project, Energy Storage, Clean Energy Finance Seth Mullendore /by Clean Energy Group
Author: Seth Mullendore, Clean Energy Group | Project: Resilient Power Project
Three of California’s largest utilities recently proposed more than 100 megawatts of utility-owned energy storage to support resiliency in critical public facilities and $6 million in incentives for customer-owned storage at multifamily affordable housing properties. If approved by the California Public Utilities Commission, the proposals would represent a great success for resilient power and improved energy equity in California.
However, with only a fraction of the proposed investments aimed at bringing the direct economic benefits of storage to low-income communities – over 140 megawatts in utility-owned projects versus around 6 megawatts for affordable housing – they also highlight the disparities inherent in many clean energy technology programs.
The proposals came about due to California Assembly Bill 2868, which was enacted in 2016. AB 2868 requires the state’s three investor-owned utilities, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE), to propose program investments for up to 166 megawatts of distributed energy storage each, for a total of 500 megawatts. These investments are in addition to the state’s original energy storage utility mandate of 1,325 megawatts. The bill directs the utilities to prioritize programs and investments that serve the public sector and low-income customers, with the goals of reduced emissions and delivering customer benefits.
Advancing Community Resiliency
SDG&E’s proposal calls for adding up to 166 megawatts of energy storage to power critical public services during outages. The majority of this amount, about 100 megawatts, has already been assigned to seven proposed projects. Each of these energy storage projects would support multiple critical community facilities, including several fire stations and public libraries, along with a police station, a water pumping station, and the Polinsky Children’s Center, which is San Diego County’s emergency shelter for children who cannot remain at home due to abuse or neglect. During a grid outage, the storage systems, which will be sited at existing SDG&E substations, will allow the facilities to continue running critical loads as local microgrids powered by on-site renewables and stored energy.
These projects are an excellent example of how utility deployment of energy storage can and should be directed to deliver social benefits. The projects are also designed to deliver economic benefits: when the storage systems are not being called on to provide resilient power, they will be bid into the California Independent System Operator market to generate market revenues and serve as resource adequacy capacity to SDG&E. These economic benefits go to the utility, with the idea that they will eventually flow back to all ratepayers.
In selecting the projects, SDG&E prioritized several factors including local air quality standards, based on the state’s environmental justice screening tool, and community income levels. Despite these priorities, only three of the seven projects, representing 40 MW of storage are directly located in low-income communities, five of the projects are located in disadvantaged communities (DACs), a designation that takes into account environmental and social factors. And while community resilience is a valuable benefit, none of the economic benefits will directly go to the communities where they’re being developed. SDG&E expects to spend more than $280 million on the projects.
SCE and PG&E also propose utility-owned energy storage projects that could provide resiliency in their AB 2868 plans. SCE has proposed 40 megawatts of storage at distribution substations, with a priority for locations serving high levels of customers on California’s rate assistance program, California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE), and those located in DACs. The projects are not designed to serve specific facilities, but SCE notes the possibility that the systems “could also provide emergency and backup power for local emergency resiliency and/or intermittent outages depending on the size of the system installed and local distribution needs at the time.”
PG&E has proposed energy storage developments on the distribution system that would support improved resiliency at military installations, correctional facilities, and public transportation stations. The projects haven’t been defined yet, but they would range in size from 1 megawatt to 20 megawatts. PG&E has stated a preference for projects located within low-income communities.
Unlike some of the projects being pursued by SDG&E, the ultimate benefits to low-income communities for the projects proposed by SCE and PG&E are questionable. To achieve the goals of AB 2868, the utilities should be required to justify these projects on the basis of clear benefits to the communities in which they are being developed. This justification could take a number of forms, such as powering critical community services during outages, as in SDG&E’s proposal; implementing local workforce training and development programs; or allocating a portion of revenues generated by the systems to programs benefiting local residents.
Incentivizing Energy Equity
In the long run, the larger opportunity, and need for additional attention by low-income community and environmental justice advocates, may be the behind-the-meter storage incentive programs proposed by SDG&E and SCE. Unfortunately, this is also where the disparity in investment levels is most clear.
In their proposals, SDG&E and SCE both lay out plans for energy storage incentives targeted to support installations paired with new or existing solar at multifamily affordable housing properties. The programs are designed to work with properties participating in the state’s solar affordable housing programs, Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) and the new Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH). The proposed storage incentive programs provide rebates for property owners to purchase storage systems or lease them through a third-party arrangement. Unlike the utility-owned investments, the economic benefits of these systems would go directly to affordable housing tenants and owners through Virtual Net Metering (VNEM), which splits solar and storage savings among individual residential units and a property’s common areas.
This is all good news, but the relative size of the programs is less than what it should be. SDG&E’s Expanded CARE Pilot Program has a budget of $2 million and a 2-megawatt storage deployment goal, representing less than 1 percent of the utility’s total proposed budget. SDG&E has identified nearly 700 properties that could qualify for the Expanded CARE Pilot Program. The proposed incentive aims to reach about 24 of them. SCE’s program is designed to incentivize up to 4 megawatts of energy storage at affordable housing – 10 percent of the proposed utility-owned investment in storage.
Like other California programs, utilities should be directed to devote a specified level of their AB 2868 storage investments to projects directly benefiting low-income communities and DACs. For instance, the state’s behind-the-meter energy storage incentive program, the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), established a 25 percent carve-out for customer-serving projects in DACs and low-income communities. AB 532 allocates 25 percent of Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) funds, which support renewable energy and research, development, and demonstration programs, for projects benefiting DACs and another 10 percent for projects benefiting low-income communities. At the very least, the utilities’ AB 2868 proposals should reflect the same proportion of investments to support projects benefiting these underserved communities.
While the proposed pilot programs appear to be no more than a small commitment by the utilities, they may have much bigger implications for the future of low-income storage programs.
As noted by SDG&E in its supporting testimony,
“Although SDG&E’s pilot program proposal is modest in terms of MW subscription (up to 2 MW), it intends to provide unique test cases and a model for expansion of this pilot at Expanded CARE sites that help seniors, homeless and other customers in need.”
If successful, the programs could be replicated by other California utilities and viewed as a model for utilities in other states.
The proposed incentive programs represent the success of efforts by Clean Energy Group and our partners in California to date, as well as the need for much more work going forward. The justification and design of the programs relied heavily on materials produced by Clean Energy Group.
From SDG&E’s testimony,
“As outlined in a report by Clean Energy Group, California Housing Partnership, and the Center for Sustainable Energy, additional incentives for storage are needed, and without them low-income customers will not be able to obtain energy storage and the benefits of resiliency, despite efforts to reserve funds for their use in programs such as the Self-Generation Incentive Program (‘SGIP’).”
The report cited, Closing the California Clean Energy Divide: Reducing Electric Bills in Affordable Multifamily Rental Housing with Solar+Storage, was also used to set the incentive level for the pilot program:
“SDG&E proposes a $1.20/Wh incentive, in addition to the Investment Tax Credit (“ITC”), to cover the full cost of energy storage for Expanded CARE facilities. The costs used to calculate the proposed incentive along with other key assumptions were obtained from the report Closing the California Clean Energy Divide: Reducing Electric Bills in Affordable Rental Housing with Solar + Storage.”
The original intent of this report was to justify inclusion of storage incentives within SOMAH, known only as AB 693 at the time. The concept of including storage incentives as part of the solar program was ultimately opposed by utilities and not included in the final implementation plan. Now, it appears that SDG&E and SCE have expanded their thinking on the issue. According to SDG&E’s calculations, their proposed incentive represents the full cost of installing and maintaining the system for 10 years. SCE is proposing somewhat lower incentives, starting at 75 cents per watt-hour.
Clearly, these programs are just a start. Along with expanding their scope, funding, and adoption by other utilities, work still needs to be done to ensure that the original pilots are a success.
To begin with, the following issues need to be addressed:
Both SDG&E and SCE’s programs focus on shifting solar energy consumption to periods of higher electricity pricing under time-of-use (TOU) rate tariffs. (For more on how changes to California’s TOU rates can erode the value of solar, see Clean Energy Group’s report Solar Risk: How Energy Storage Can Preserve Solar Savings in California Affordable Housing.) This can deliver savings to both owners and residents, which is great, but misses the larger potential economic benefit for many properties – demand charge savings. While technically possible, reducing demand charges with storage is not allowed under existing VNEM regulations.
SCE’s proposed incentive, while higher than incentives available through SGIP, may not be high enough for owners to realize economic benefits without being able to tap into demand charge savings. With no clear economic incentive to invest in storage, affordable housing owners may not opt to participate in the program.
The programs don’t include any upfront funding to support independent technical assistance to help affordable housing owners figure out the economics and proper sizing of storage systems. Supporting owners with funding for objective, preliminary project assessments will be key to ensure full participation and the ultimate success of these programs.
As promising as these proposed affordable housing storage incentive programs may be, the utilities could certainly be doing more, and they will need to be pushed to do so. It took the advocacy community to get AB 2868 enacted, and it took independent analysis to convince the utilities that storage could work for low-income communities. It will take much more of the same to close the gap between utility-benefiting investments and low-income community-benefiting investments.
If done right, these modest initial programs could prove to be models for closing the clean energy divide in California and beyond.
This blog post was also published in The Energy Collective.
https://www.cleanegroup.org/wp-content/uploads/bigstock-Solar-Power-5890065-Copy.jpg 330 480 Clean Energy Group https://www.cleanegroup.org/wp-content/uploads/Clean-Energy-Group-logo-275x70.png Clean Energy Group2018-03-22 12:47:042018-03-28 10:36:20California Utilities Propose Storage for Energy Resilience and Equity, But More Needs to be Done
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CCTV Script 30/06/16
Published Mon, Aug 22 2016 1:50 AM EDT
– This is the script of CNBC's news report for China's CCTV on June 30, Thursday.
Welcome to CNBC Business Daily, I'm Qian Chen.
As realization around the world set in that the U.K. would vote to leave the EU, the British pound started swooning. Not long after, the currency hit a 31-year low against the dollar.
Some around the world rushed to buy the fallen currency. Travel to the U.K. became instantly cheaper, with British Airlines even promoting a flash sale, tweeting, "Your dollar has never gone further."
For those living abroad and paid in British pounds, however, the decline is immediately painful.
Abigail Nokes, a Researcher and Programme Manager, moved to Singapore with her U.K-based company last year. Her salary is paid in British pounds, which is now forcing her to assess her personal finances. "I'm fortunate my partner is paid in Singapore Dollars and so won't need to make too many changes," she said.
Nokes said she would now be converting less of her salary into Singapore Dollars, compared to normal.
"I'm still hoping that things will calm down a little and it will steady back, although I worry it won't fully recover," she added.
The impact isn't only effecting Britons, however.
Ben Peek, an author based in Sydney, writes for a publisher in the U.K., and his primary income is in pounds. Before Friday, his salary translated to roughly double the Australian dollar, he said, but now he's taking an unexpected pay cut.
"It's too early to see how it will impact the U.K. publishing scene," Peek told CNBC. "Hopefully the impact will be minimal, but everything is quite fluid at the moment, so next week, it might be different."
The pound is getting slight relief this week after falling even further on Monday, but the record two-day 12 percent drop has few analysts forecasting any type of rebound.
The currency exchange market is seeing mass amounts of money transfers.
World First Asia is a foreign exchange transaction firm with offices spread from Hong Kong, U.K. and the U.S.
In the Singapore region, the company has seen a nearly 40 percent increase in registration for its services in May, compared to the previous month and June is on track to set another record.
Given the volatility, World First Asia is also seeing large usage of its clients buying firm orders, which are automated trades made immediately as a currency reaches a certain level desired by their client.
Justin George, a Senior Engineer, who relocated from U.K. last year, was taken by surprise following the currency decline, but considered himself lucky for transferring a bulk of his GB pounds into his SGD account, just days before the vote.
"I thought that paying transfer commission fees may be a better option to taking a hit if the pound value dropped," he said. "Looking at the outcome now, it was a lucky decision."
Still, the steep decline of the pound has left him in disarray. "I anticipated a slight fluctuation following the vote, but to see the pound fall circa 10% against the US Dollar within hours was shocking," he said.
Part of George's salary is paid in SGD, so he doesn't anticipate an immediate impact on his lifestyle, but for his long-term investments back home, he's less confident about. "I'm hoping that this drop in value is only short term and that the country can negotiate deals to bring the value back to previous levels."
CNBC's Qian Chen, reporting from Singapore.
Follow CNBC International on and Facebook.
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Europe Economy
Asia Economy
Sandy's Economic Cost: Up to $50 Billion and Counting
Steve Liesman | @steveliesman
Published 11:54 AM ET Fri, 9 Nov 2012 CNBC.com
Early estimates of the economic impact of Hurricane Sandy put the total loss between $30 billion and $50 billion, making it one of the costliest storms in U.S. history.
Victor J. Blue | Bloomberg | Getty Images
But forecasters acknowledge that their estimates are highly preliminary and the financial toll could rise as the extent of damage from the historic storm becomes more apparent.
The unique nature of the hurricane — the destructive storm surge and the vast and densely populated region affected, accounting for about a quarter of the nation's economic activity — raises questions about whether the normal models used to gauge losses will fully capture the costs of Sandy.
Two principal factors account for the losses: lost economic business activity and insured and uninsured property losses. These will be somewhat offset by economic activity from the cleanup and rebuilding, but there is a substantial debate about just how much of an offset this provides.
(Read more: Storm Recovery Could Take Weeks as Millions Struggle)
While some analysts have suggested there could even be a net positive impact, when all the spending is added up, economic research on the impact of hurricanes suggests that is not the case.
"It would be naïve to put forward the view that a hurricane is in some sense a stimulus for the economy," wrote IHS Global Insight U.S. Economists Gregory Daco and Nigel Gault. "There's no guarantee that reconstruction activity will be extra activity, on top of what would otherwise have occurred, rather than a substitute for that activity."
Real Cost of Crippled East Coast 10:20 AM ET Wed, 31 Oct 2012
Mark Zandi, of Moodys.com, estimates that two days' worth of business activity in the region could be lost, valued at around $20 billion. Meanwhile, catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide has put the potential insured losses at $7 to $15 billion. These losses are normally about half of total losses since some are either uninsured or covered by the government.
In fact, in this case, since so much damage was the result of storm surges, the percentage of uninsured claims could be significantly higher. The uninsured category also would include flood damage to airports and the New York City subway system, which will make claims for the bulk of its losses to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(Read more: Price Gouging Hits New Level)
But using the general rule of thumb, total insured and uninsured losses could total $14 to $30 billion. Adding that to the lost business activity would make this a $34 to $50 billion event, which is almost what IHS Global Insights has calculated.
By contrast, the two costliest hurricanes in U.S. history to date were Katrina, with estimated losses of $146 billion, and Andrew, with loses estimated at $44 billion.
Real Estate Magnate Assesses NYC Damage 8:44 AM ET Wed, 31 Oct 2012
But there are offsets and Zandi and other economists note that there will be considerable rebuilding that will accompany the storm. Because the storm hit early in the quarter, Zandi points out that if $20 billion is spent cleaning up and rebuilding, the actual measured impact on gross domestic product could be zero.
IHS is doubtful. They note that the rebuilding often takes the place of investment elsewhere and often not everything is rebuilt.
"The effect on growth for the fourth quarter will not be catastrophic but might still be noticeable, especially in an economy with little momentum anyway," IHS wrote.
The debate begs the question of whether such natural disasters can ultimately stimulate an economy. Eric Strobl, of the Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, who has studied the impact of hurricanes for more than a decade, found that hurricanes at the local level are usually negative for growth.
Looking at the impact of storms from 1970 through 2005, he found they usually take off about half a percentage point from local county-level growth, a big number considering that average growth at that level is only 1.68 percent. Strobl found hurricane effects generally negative at the state level and negligible at the country level.
What about the infusion of money from the federal government and insurance companies from outside the affected area? Strobl suggests that has costs as well.
"Resources used to replace destroyed capital cannot be used elsewhere and hence growth may even at the level of the state be less in the much longer run,'' he wrote in his paper. "Similarly, funds used to reimburse insurance claims and provide disaster relief assistance, while perhaps not coming directly from the affected state will have to be sourced somewhere, and thus sacrificed from other potentially more nationally growth enhancing uses."
In other words, destroying plant, property and equipment is not a positive long-run growth strategy. Where an economy can benefit, however, is in rebuilding destroyed assets better than they were.
If, for example, New Jersey were to rebuild its coastline with greater storm surge protection than previously existed, and if the housing stock is replaced with better homes that are sturdier, than on net the nation's capital stock will be improved.
Much will be determined in the coming days and weeks, economists say. The ultimate price tag could rest on how quickly power and transportation are restored and how quickly funds are allocated to rebuilding.
Steve LiesmanCNBC Senior Economics Reporter
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Sweeping their way into provincials?
Published on: January 20, 2014 | Last Updated: January 20, 2014 6:27 PM EST
Members of the bantam girls’ curling team, Katelyn Dumoulin, Hilary Groulx, Brittany Martin, Calie DeJoseph and Angele Lavigne, played in the regionals in December that was held at the Cochrane Curling Club.
“Although they worked very hard they placed second, which did not give them a spot for the Provincials,” said coach Rhonda Dumoulin. “They are now currently practicing hard for the North Eastern Ontario Athletic Association. At the end of February they will go for the qualifiers.”
If they win, it will be onto the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations.
In January the team played in the annual Polar Spiel held in Cochrane, against mostly adults. Coach Dumoulin said they played hard and were really challenged. They won their first game then lost the next two, each by one point, which knocked them out of the tournament.
In December they also held a very successful fundraiser for a 2-minute dash at Cochrane Valu-Mart, with a chance to win up to $1000 of groceries. The winner was Lynn Bailey.
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10 Things That Really Happen Behind the Scenes at Concerts
Pee buckets are a real thing!
You've probably seen video of Katy Perry reading lyrics from a teleprompter. Or maybe a photo of Miley or AC/DC doing the same. There are actually a few of these shots floating around on the Internet, which may make you wonder: Is it really that difficult to remember the lyrics to your own songs? And what else don't I know about goes on behind the scenes at big shows? Do pop stars have personal chefs? And, most important, are "pee buckets" a real thing? Cosmopolitan.com spoke to three audio engineers for some answers: Rachel Ryan, currently touring with PHOX; Shelly Steffens, who works with Neko Case; and Mick* (not her real name) a pop and rock veteran who has worked with everyone from boy bands to Gwen Stefani to Kesha, to come up with these 10 things you probably assumed but never knew about concerts.
1. Performers use teleprompters more than you realize.
Do artists forget their lyrics that often? "It's not so much that," says Mick. "It's that, especially when you've got a huge repertoire of songs 50 or 60 songs and you don't do the same set every night, sometimes it's like, 'I haven't played this song in five years!' I think many artists don't completely rely on the teleprompter, but it's just there in case."
2. They also use backing tracks.
Depending on the artist, backing tracks are used either for singing along or lip-syncing. "I can't give away any names," says Steffens, "but [the latter] for sure still happens pretty regularly." Band members will also take some extra help. "Some drummers have audio clicks fed into their in ear monitors so they can keep a steady rhythm during a song."
3. They put textured tape on their shoes to help prevent slips and falls.
There's also lots of neon-colored gaff tape, for stage blocking and safety too. "Every day someone lines the edge of the stage, the risers, the stairs, anything that can be a potential trip hazard," says Mick. "And a lot of times they'll build a 'faux-rail,' a strip of wood that they'll bolt or screw onto the sides of the stage to keep things from rolling off because the equipment is on wheels."
4. Bad lighting might cause them to fall anyway.
"If they're being blinded by the spotlight, sometimes it's a little hard to see," says Mick. "Or even between songs, when they black out for a second or two — if you're not totally paying attention, or you are in the zone, it's one little step, and down you go." She's actually seen it happen. "I did Gwen Stefani's tour where the set had, like, a 6-foot high-rise that the band was on. At the end of the show, when the band was taking their bows, one of her keyboard percussion players was right at the edge of the riser and he couldn't see. He took a step and he went right down off. Luckily he was OK, but it could have been disastrous."
5. Personal chefs will often accompany artists on tour.
"It's tough when you're on tour and you're stuck eating dried-out chicken breast day after day after day," says Mick. "It's very hard to stay healthy on tour, so a lot of older artists will either bring full catering or a chef that travels with them. And the chef will go grocery shopping during the day to the farmers' markets and then come back and cook whatever the artist wants to eat."
6. A crew member is usually tasked with backstage decorating.
Most arenas are basically just sports venues — which means backstage is ugly. "The dressing rooms for the band are usually the locker rooms that the sports teams use," says Mick. "We generally have someone on the crew that goes in there first thing in the morning and makes the atmosphere much nicer. They'll hang up tapestries and candles and whatever, just to make it a little more homey and comfy. They'll bring in rentals of chairs and things like that too, so you're not sitting on a wooden bench. You're spending hours there, you want to be comfortable."
7. Some people are divas, naturally.
Says Mick: "There used to be a TV show called Top of the Pops in London. I was there with an artist and there was another very high-profile artist coming in the following week. I can't say who it was, but the people at the show were complaining about how they had to repaint all of the dressing rooms a specific paint color, they had to buy these 1,000 count Egyptian cotton sheets. There wasn't even a bed in the dressing room! And they also required specific floral arrangements. It was pretty outrageous."
8. Sometimes riders are actually used as a negotiating technique — and they may not come from the artist herself.
Sometimes the demands come from the crew members or the people surrounding the artist. "Sometimes when you have really high-profile artists, they tend to have a lot of people that make a lot of these decisions, and they're not necessarily making them for the artist, they're making them for themselves," says Mick. "The big thing people used to make fun of was Van Halen [wanting] no brown M&Ms. Sometimes, though, there are weird little things in contracts like that, that are kind of like an out. If all else fails, and things are really messed up and the show can't happen, that kind of gives them the out of like, 'Oh, you didn't meet our rider, you didn't meet our requirements, so we can't do the show.'"
9. Just like children, if band members are bickering, they get separated.
The managers will send them to their own dressing room. And sometimes they'll even get their own tour bus, if the budget allows. "Ironically, feuding bands makes for a more interesting show," says Mick, "because you've got that animosity up there and it creates this invigorating energy."
10. Yes, sometimes performers pee in a bucket.
"Pee buckets and vomit buckets are definitely real," says Mick. "They're not used as frequently as you'd imagine, but it's one of those things if you're onstage, especially for the artists that play long sets, you can't stop the show. So you go behind the back line, with the bass rig or under the stage or wherever you can." They don't preemptively put the buckets out there, however. "It's more of a situation like, the guitar player suddenly realizes he has to go to the bathroom and he'll run over to the guitar tech and say, 'I gotta pee, get me something!'" Rock and roll.
Follow Vanita on Twitter.
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At home with William Fox-Pitt
Kate Green May 3, 2013
William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk trot up before the ground jury at the first horse inspection at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.
Country Life visits William Fox-Pitt at home..
Even William Fox-Pitt’s best friends wouldn’t accuse him of being obsessively punctual and, indeed, he eventually materialises for our interview at dusk, returning from cross country practice in a swirl of charming apologies and hurling the pigs their tea.
In the meantime, his sons, Oliver, seven, and Thomas, six, have been only too pleased to help: their father’s favourite pudding is apple crumble, they tell me, he likes dancing to the Rolling Stones, he’s banged his head on every doorway in the farmhouse (William is 6ft 6in tall) and his hobby is rare-breed chickens. It’s all accurate information. ‘It’s true, I could easily switch off and become a poultry fancier,’ William admits, still in jodhpurs but now ensconced in a kitchen armchair with a gin and tonic. ‘I’d like not to have to make that awful decision [about when to retire from eventing]. I’m hoping that one day I’ll wake up and say “You know what? I’ll give up”. I think Alice [his wife, Channel Four Racing’s Alice Plunkett] would drink three bottles of Champagne if I did.
He’s not allowed to retire quite yet, however. If he wins the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials this weekend-and it’s eminently possible, despite his reticence-he’ll achieve the Rolex Grand Slam of four-star victories at Kentucky, Burghley and Badminton and take home $350,000 (about £230,000), rare riches for this most dashing of equestrian sports.
It’s been achieved once before, by his friend Pippa Funnell 10 years ago, but there are so many variables involved in getting a horse to its peak for one competition of this highest level, never mind three, that it presents a frenetic challenge that can make all but the most level-headed nearly ill with pressure. ‘The sport is less forgiving nowadays compared with when I started 20 years ago,’ William points out. ‘There can’t be a weak link, or at least only an occasional one.’ Fortunately, William, whose autobiography is aptly entitled What Will Be, is famously calm under fire -outwardly, anyway (he deals with nerves by sleeping)-which is why he’s invariably been appointed anchorman in his 15 appearances for the senior British eventing team. He professes not to be worrying about the Grand Slam because ‘it’s so unlikely’. ‘I’ve never had too much of an obsession,’ he explains. ‘Every year, I have ambitions and aims for the horses, and when they get to those events, I want them to do well, but I’ve never worried too much about specific goals. I was lucky to win Burghley young [at 25 in 1994] and, although it didn’t stop the hunger, it did take the edge off the tension. It was the best thing that could have happened to me.’
The London Olympics was mooted as his swansong, but he didn’t win a gold medal-Britain took silver and he only finished 27th-and the rumours turned out to be premature. ‘The dangerous thing is when you set yourself a goal. When the Olympics were announced seven years before, I thought I’d be 43 and with no life left in me. I had it in my mind “what better time to retire?”,’ he says. ‘But then you spend seven years forming a close relationship with owners and you acquire several lovely horses that you can’t bear to sell. Now, I’ve got all those good horses that I don’t want to see anyone else on. Some will never be sold, some have been injured, and I’ve still got them all. How can I throw away that opportunity for the first time in my career? I’ve had amazing horses along the way, but I haven’t ever had them all at once.’
He mentions Chaka, the first of a record six Burghley winners; Cosmopolitan, provider of the first (disastrous) Olympic ride, in 1996, and first individual medal (European silver) in 1997; Stunning, the horse that got him back onto the British team in 2001 after a four-year hiatus; and two more Burghley winners, Ballincoola and the superstar of them all, Tamarillo, also responsible for his sole Badminton win, in 2004. He has some 18 horses to ride now, including the prolific winners Parklane Hawk and Oslo, which are his likely Badminton rides. William is undeniably blessed, not least with his Jilly Cooperesque good looks. His family is entrenched in the sport: his supportive mother, Marietta, represented Britain in the 1960s and organised a horse trials at Knowlton Court, the family home in Kent. An Etonian, he’s one of few riders to have a degree (in French) and probably the only one to have spent a gap year canvassing for George Bush. He has won more international competitions than any other rider, his horsemanship is peerless, and he is deservedly held in affection for his approachability and thorough niceness, for William has time for everyone. Best of all, he has a blissful family life in rural Dorset with a wife he says has taught him to laugh at himself, living on an estate he inherited from a cousin. It was not ever thus, however, for, whatever the naysayers think, no ambition that involves a horse is guaranteed.
After university and against parental advice, William set up an eventing business away from home with his then girlfriend, Wiggy, a union that ended in tears. There were highlights -he was the first Briton to be world number one in eventing-but at Badminton, in 1992, his horse broke its neck in front of thousands of spectators, resulting in vicious tabloid coverage, and his first senior cap ended ignominiously when the horse ground to a halt, thus eliminating the British team for the first time in decades. William has yet to win a European, World or Olympic title, and his sons like to remind him he’s ‘the second best rider in the world’-last year, he was ranked number two. He feels London 2012 was a missed opportunity. ‘The [team] gold medal was so close and yet so far,’ he recalls. ‘A few years ago, it was Britain’s cycle at the top and it’s such a shame it didn’t cover the Olympics. But you can’t become fixated.’ He adds: ‘For me, the greatest sadness was that it didn’t happen for Yogi [Briesner, team manager]. No one deserved it more. You could feel his pain. But I still loved it. London is etched on my brain, every single detail of it.’ Essentially, however, it’s William’s wholesale, uncomplicated enjoyment of the sport that drives him. He loves his horses-friend and teammate Mary King once said that any horse was lucky to be ridden by William-and can talk forever about their personalities. Ballincoola was ‘an Irish worrier’, Macchiato ‘would have chain-smoked if he was human’, and Tamarillo was ‘an unpredictable, spooky Arab’.
He’s always been sentimental about animals-aged eight, he made extra pocket money when his guinea-pig population exploded impressively from two to 86. The Fox-Pitt family now includes three generations of lurcher, a lop-eared rabbit (her mate met a traumatic end in a lurcher’s jaws), plus silkie bantams and Buff Orpingtons-the cockerel is on medication for concussion, thought to be caused by over-enthusiastic mating in a low-ceilinged chicken-house. Recently, William’s eyes lit up at an advertisement for an African grey parrot, but that was a step too far for Alice. However, she had to accept William’s present to her two days after the birth of their daughter, Chloe: a pair of pigs, Bubble and Squeak. ‘They were meant to be micro-pigs and I had a vision of [the fictional pig] Babe sweetly asleep on straw, but these were more like wild boars,’ laughs William. ‘I felt dreadfully suburban when I went to collect them, for some reason in a nice jacket and shoes and carrying a box labelled The White Company. Eventually, the man selling them wrestled one into the box and I carried it delicately back to the car, at which point, the pig torpedoed out of the box and covered me with muck.’ The world of eventing is not yet ready to give William up, but when it does, it’s going to be farming’s gain.
* Follow Country Life magazine on Twitter
Images: Phil Mingo/Horse and Hound
Ffordd Pen Llech is not only steeper than Baldwin Street, it's also much harder to spell. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
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Here’s where you’ll find 4th of July fireworks in Greater Hartford
By Susan Dunne
The fireworks in Connecticut run through the end of June through a bit past mid-July. (Getty Images/Getty Images)
“The rockets’ red glare. The bombs bursting in air.” If you hear and see these things, you know it’s the Fourth of July.
Scores of venues and towns in the Greater Hartford area are planning fireworks displays from the end of June through mid July. Many of the fireworks shows are part of festivals, carnivals and ball games.
This list is pretty comprehensive, but we’ve probably missed a few. Check websites for details and schedule changes.
June 27 to July 1
Fireworks festival: June 29 from 5 to 10 p.m. (fireworks at 9:30 p.m.). On the banks of the Connecticut River at Harbor Park and on the City Hall lawn, 245 deKoven Drive. Live music, crafts, face painters, circus performers, food vendors. Connecticut State Troubadour Nekita Waller will perform. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Rain date June 30. Free. middletownct.gov.
Lake Compounce
Smoke on the Water: June 29 at 9:30. Lake Compounce, 186 Enterprise Drive in Bristol. Park open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Crocodile Cove open noon to 7 p.m. Admission to park $25.99 to $46.99. lakecompounce.com.
Firefighters and Fireworks festival: June 27 to 29 from 6 to 10 p.m. (fireworks are June 28 at 9:30 p.m.). Veterans’ Memorial Park. The Windsor Locks Fire Department Annual Carnival has food, rides, games, bingo, and a parade on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. Fireworks raindate June 29. Free. wlfd.com.
Many of the fireworks festivals also feature parades. (Courant file photo)
Touch-a-Truck: June 29 from 4 to 9 p.m. (fireworks at 9). Hebron Lions Fairgrounds, 347 Gilead St. Food, trucks, live music. Rain date June 30. Free. facebook.com.
Coventryfest: June 29 from 4 to 9:30 p.m. (fireworks at 9). Coventry Lake at Patriots Park, 124 Lake St. Games, rides, craft and food vendors, hot dog-eating contest, live music. Rain date June 30. Free. coventryfest.org.
July 3 to 7
July in the Sky: July 2 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Henry Park, 120 South St. Vendors, food booths, trucks, the Push, Pull and Pedal Patriotic Parade. The event will end with fireworks at about 9:20 p.m. Rain date July 9. Free. facebook.com/vernon.fireworks.
Postgame pyrotechnics: July 3, 12, 13, 26, 27. Dunkin’ Donuts Park, 1214 Main St. in Hartford. The Hartford Yard Goats’ games start at 7:05 p.m.; fireworks follow. $10 to $24. The park will also have fireworks on Aug. 2, 3, 9, 10, 23, 24. milb.com/hartford/schedule/2019-07.
The Great American Boom at Stanley Quarter Park on July 4. (Richard Messina / Hartford Courant)
The Great American Boom: July 4 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. (fireworks at 9:15 p.m.). Stanley Quarter Park, 451 Blake Road. Food vendors, carnival games, inflatables, live music. Picnics welcome. $5 wristband for rides; $15 family pack. Rain date July 5. newbritainct.gov.
New Britain Bees: July 4 after the game. New Britain Stadium, 230 John Karbonic Way. The Atlantic League’s New Britain Bees play the Somerset Patriots starting at 6:35 p.m. Fireworks follow Admission $8 to $11. nbbees.com. (Fireworks after the games on Aug. 10 and Sept. 14.)
Quassy
Blast at the Beach: July 4 from 8 to 11:30 p.m. 3-D Fireworks and Special Blast at the Beach party at Quassy Amusement Park, Lake Quassapaug, Route 64 (2132 Middlebury Road) in Middlebury. DJ, free 3-D fireworks glasses, food and beverages available for purchase, fireworks at 10:15 p.m. $10. quassy.com.
As Seen from the Water: July 4 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. RiverQuest cruise from Eagle Landing State Park on Little Meadow Road (Route 82) in Haddam, to search for fireworks along the cruise route. Ages 13 and older only. Bring own picnic basket and beverages. $50. ctriverquest.com.
Oh, Beautiful: July 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center, 22 Iron Horse Blvd. Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Asylum Hill Congregational Church Choir present “Celebrate America!’ a concert of patriotic tunes and songs from movies, followed by fireworks display. Rain date July 6. $25 to $40. hartfordsymphony.org.
Taste at Enfield: July 5 to 7 (fireworks on July 7 at 9:45 p.m.) On the town green at 820 Enfield St. Sample food from Enfield restaurants. Hours are July 5 from 5 p.m. to midnight; July 6 from 11 a.m. to midnight; and July 7 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Free. enfieldcelebration.org/events/fireworks.shtml.
James “Dutch” Fogarty 4th of July Celebration: July 6 at 7 p.m. (fireworks at 9 p.m.) Manchester Bicentennial Band Shell, 60 Bidwell St. Live music by the North Cove Rogues and Mass-Conn-Fusion. Rain date July 7. Free. manchesterbandshell.com.
The fireworks on the Hartford Riverfront are July 13 at 9 p.m., and follow a three-day food truck festival.
July 11 to 20
Food trucks and Fireworks: July 11 to 13 (fireworks July 13 at 9 p.m.) at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza in Hartford. Hours of the Riverfront Food Truck Festival are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. all three days. Fireworks are also visible from Great River Park in East Hartford. Free. riverfront.org/events/fireworks. from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tunxis Hose Company No. 1 Carnival and Firemen’s Parade: July 11 to 13 (fireworks July 12 at 9 p.m.) Behind Union School, 173 Union St. Carnival grounds open at 6 p.m. July 11 is family nights, with discounted ride bracelets. Fireworks raindate July 13. tunxishose.com
Life. Be In It Extravganza: July 17 to 20 (fireworks July 20 at 9:30 p.m.) at Mill Pond Park, 123 Garfield St. Helicopter rides on Wednesday, craft beer tasting on Friday, arts and crafts on Saturday and live bands, carnival and food trucks every night. Hours are Wednesday to Friday 5 to 10 p.m.; July 20 10 a.m. until after the fireworks. Free. newingtonct.gov/1423/extravaganza.
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Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
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House OK's spending bills to reopen government, but shutdown expected to continue
House Democrats put their new political muscle to the test by passing bills to fund the government, but the White House threatened a presidential veto.
House OK's spending bills to reopen government, but shutdown expected to continue House Democrats put their new political muscle to the test by passing bills to fund the government, but the White House threatened a presidential veto. Check out this story on desmoinesregister.com: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/03/government-shutdown-house-democrats-want-reopen-shuttered-agencies/2463374002/
Michael Collins and David Jackson, USA TODAY Published 11:01 p.m. CT Jan. 2, 2019 | Updated 7:15 a.m. CT Jan. 4, 2019
With the partial government shutdown stretching into 2019, here's what you need to know about the effects. USA TODAY
House Democrats will move Thursday to reopen the government, setting up a confrontation with President Donald Trump as a partial government shutdown enters its 13th day.(Photo: Erik S. Lesser/epa-EFE)
WASHINGTON – The newly minted House Democratic majority pushed through a series of spending bills on Thursday to reopen the federal government, but congressional Republicans dismissed the effort as pointless political theater and the White House threatened a presidential veto as a partial government shutdown neared its third week.
Just hours after Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi reclaimed the speaker’s gavel and Democrats returned to the power for the first time in eight years, the House sought to end the 13-day shutdown by voting 241-190 to fund eight of the nine shuttered departments.
The legislation would fund all eight departments for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. It passed largely along party lines, with seven Republicans joining Democrats in supporting the bill.
The House alsovoted 239-192, again mostly along party lines, to fund the Department of Homeland Security at current spending levels through Feb. 8. Five Republicans backed the legislation.
The legislation includes $1.3 billion for border security but none of the funding that President Donald Trump is demanding to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The temporary funding would enable the department to reopen and buy more time for Congress and the White House to resolve their standoff over border wall funding.
The spending package is part of a strategy by Democrats to put pressure on Trump and congressional Republicans as the impact of the shutdown becomes more pronounced across much of the country.
“Let’s open the government, and let’s get to work,” said Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., and chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee.
But Trump and GOP lawmakers showed no signs of retreating.
The White House Office of Management and Budget issued a statement suggesting Trump would veto the bill if it lands on his desk.
“The administration is committed to working with the Congress to reopen lapsed agencies but cannot accept legislation that provides unnecessary funding for wasteful programs while ignoring the nation’s urgent border security needs,” the statement said.
At the White House, Trump made a surprise appearance in the press briefing room a few hours before the vote to make his case for additional border security funding. Flanked by border agents, the president claimed that he has "never had as much support" as he has for his stance on his proposed border wall.
"We need protection for our country," Trump told reporters. "Without a wall, you cannot have border security."
Trump referenced a tweet he wrote hours earlier featuring a video of migrants rushing the border and told the agents, members of the National Border Patrol Council, that "you've done a fantastic job."
Trump also took to Twitter early Thursday and accused Democrats of playing politics with the shutdown.
"The Shutdown is only because of the 2020 Presidential Election," he wrote. "The Democrats know they can’t win based on all of the achievements of 'Trump,' so they are going all out on the desperately needed Wall and Border Security."
In the GOP-controlled Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., warned again that he would not call for a vote on any proposal that doesn’t have “a real chance” of passing and getting a presidential signature. The Senate previously approved a bill to fund the government through Feb. 8, but that plan died when Trump said he would not sign it.
McConnell dismissed the Democratic bills as “not a serious attempt” to end the budget standoff. “I would call it political theater, not productive lawmaking,” he said.
Meanwhile, the White House has invited congressional leaders to a meeting Friday morning to continue talks about ending the shutdown.
Nine federal departments and several smaller agencies – representing a quarter of the federal government – shut down Dec. 22 when their funding lapsed and congressional Democrats and the White House failed to strike a deal to keep them open.The shutdown forced some 800,000 federal employees to go on furlough or work without paying.
More: Government shutdown, Day 4: Pelosi blames Trump for using 'scare tactics' over border wall
More: The shutdown is hurting people, leaving Americans in uncertainty: Today's talker
More: Government shutdown: How it could hurt the economy
More: How long will the federal shutdown last? Here are lessons from previous budget battles.
The sticking point has been Trump’s insistence on $5 billion in funding for a border wall, even though he promised repeatedly during his presidential campaign that he’d make Mexico pay for the structure.
In a last-ditch effort to keep the government open, the House voted in late December, largely along party lines, to give Trump $5.7 billion for the wall in one of the GOP majority’s final acts. That measure never got a vote in the Senate, guaranteeing the shutdown would begin two days later.
The shutdown’s impact is starting to become more visible in many places after the holidays, when most government offices were already scheduled to be closed.
In Washington, the Smithsonian Institution closed 19 museums and the National Zoo on Wednesday because of a lack of funds. The Smithsonian had been able to remain open through Jan. 1 by using the previous year's funding.
Some national parks reported human feces, overflowing garbage, illegal off-roading and other damaging behavior. The shutdown forced furloughs of hundreds of thousands of federal employees, leaving many parks without most of the rangers and others who staff campgrounds and otherwise keep parks running. Joshua Tree National Park in California closed its campgrounds after the loss of sanitation workers resulted in overflowing toilets.
It's unknown when the thousands of federal workers who have been placed on furlough or forced to work without pay will see their next paycheck. In the past, including the 16-day shutdown in 2013, federal workers received back pay. There’s no guarantee that will happen this time because Congress and the White House would have to work together to pass a law mandating the back pay.
Contributing: John Fritze, USA TODAY; Calley Cederlof, Visalia Times-Delta
Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/03/government-shutdown-house-democrats-want-reopen-shuttered-agencies/2463374002/
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Man charged in alleged assault at school bus stop
ASHEBORO — An Asheboro man was charged with misdemeanor assault after an alleged incident Wednesday with a 12-year-old waiting for a morning school bus.
Joshua Ryan Mitchell, 32, 1105 Cornell St., was charged after an Asheboro police officer met with the boy and his mother, said Major Jim Smith of the Asheboro Police Department.
Smith said the boy reported that while he was waiting for a bus shortly before 8 a.m. at the corner of Draper and Rayburn streets in north Asheboro, a man yelled at him, pushed him and punched him in the side. An independent witness gave a similar account, Smith said, but when an officer later spoke with Mitchell, he denied it.
According to a report, Mitchell’s son goes to school with the boy who was at the bus stop.
"Evidently the two young men are not getting along," Smith said. "This is what is alleged by the father."
Mitchell is scheduled for a first appearance on the charge on Nov. 25 in Randolph District Court.
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Milestones > Couples >
Couple to celebrate golden anniversary
James Vallem and Mae (White) Vallem are celebrating 50 years of marriage. They were married Nov. 16, 1968, in Yakima, Washington. Celebrating the love they’ve shared and the legacy they’ve built, their five children and...
Anniversary: Larry and Reta Osborn
Larry and Reta Osborn, of Hamilton, will celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 1, at Hamilton Hall. Larry and Reta, who were married June 14, 1958, in Craig, and...
Same-sex couples in Wash. state start wedding vows
Scores of same-sex couples crowded Seattle City Hall for a day of wedding ceremonies on Sunday, the first day they could marry after the state's voter-approved gay marriage law took effect.While numerous weddings were taking place across the state, both private and public, the city hall weddings were the largest public event, with more than 130 couples taking part. The city set up five separate chapels to accommodate the revelers. From 10 a.m. through 5 p.m., cheers and applause regularly broke out as marriages became official.After couples married, they exited city hall, greeted by a steady rain and dozens of supporters who shouted "congratulations" and offered flowers as they descended a large staircase to the street."I don't even have words for this," said Caren Goldenberg of Seattle, who married her partner of seven years, Casey Evans. "It just makes me really proud of my city."
May 1, 2011 – Engagement Announcement
Melissa D. Hall and Jacob A. Nitschke, of Las Vegas, Nev., announce their plans to wed on May 1, 2011, in Las Vegas. The bride-to-be is a 1997 graduate of Pace High School in Pace,...
Jan 23, 2011 – Engagement Announcement
Kathleen Marie Button and Grayson James Lewis, of Silt, announce their engagement. Kathleen is the daughter of Doug and Jean-Marie Button, of Clark. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Napa, Calif., in...
Jan 5, 2011 – Engagement Announcement
Dave and Brenda Lyons, of Craig, announce the engagement of their son, Bo Lyons, to Myranda Chesnut, daughter of Jerry Leabo, of St. Johns, Ariz., and Donna Churchwell, of Grandbury, Texas. Arrangements are pending.
Katherine Jesse Houck and Konrad Wilhelm Lehnert announce their engagement. Katherine is the daughter of Carl P. and Joan M. Houck, of Steamboat Springs. Konrad is the son of Werner S. and Mary Lehnert, of...
Dec 16, 2010 – Anniversary Announcement
Clint and Jean Cooper, of Calhan, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Dec. 16, 2010. They will be honored at a reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, at the LDS Church...
Nov 20, 2010 – Anniversary Announcement
Lloyd G. Lockhart and Annabeth Light Lockhart, of Steamboat Springs, celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary Nov. 20. They were both born in Routt County and, except for time during the war and college years, have...
Nov 20, 2010 – Wedding Announcement
Tim and Kelli Litzau were married Nov. 20, 2010, at Crooked Vine Winery in Livermore, Calif. Tim is the son of Rob and Lynne Litzau, of Steamboat Springs. Kelli is the daughter of Lorry and...
Oct 16, 2010 – Anniversary Announcement
Beth and Charles Mansfield will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary at 2 p.m. Saturday in the dining hall at Sunset Meadows I, 633 Ledford St. Family members and friends are invited to attend. Cards...
Oct 10, 2010 – Wedding Announcement
Yvonne Steinmueller and Capt. Jason Kalow, United States Army, were married Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010, at the Chapel of Niagara Falls. Yvonne is the daughter of Rainer and Ingrid Steinmueller, of Schweinfurt, Germany. Yvonne works...
Melissa Savage, of Vilonia, Ark., and Scott Schnackenberg, of Steamboat Springs, were married Oct. 10, 2010, at Fish Creek Falls in Steamboat. Melissa is the daughter of Horace and Regina Savage, and Scott is the...
Oct 9, 2010 – Anniversary Announcement
Family and friends of Gene and Loretta Counts are invited to celebrate the couple’s 60th anniversary from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010, at Shadow Mountain Club House, 1055 Moffat County Road 7....
Oct 8, 2010 – Wedding Announcement
Sharon Davis Rogan and David Madison Smith Jr., both of Steamboat Springs, were married Oct. 8, 2010, at the United Methodist Church in Steamboat Springs. A celebration party was held at The Steamboat Grand. Sharon...
Celebrating 60 years of marital bliss, Wayne and Becky Ehle were married Oct. 7, 1950, in Los Angles in a double wedding with Becky’s sister and husband. Both couples celebrated the double wedding, double diamond...
Susan Dressen and Lee Findell, both of Steamboat Springs, were married Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, at Alpine Mountain Ranch and Club in Steamboat. The couple was surrounded by friends and family. They were attended by...
Mary Dean and Shawn Stevenson, of Craig, married Oct. 1, 2010. Mary Dean’s parents are David and Carol Balleck. Shawn’s parents are Keith and Teri Stevenson. Friends and family will be invited to a reception...
Sep 26, 2010 – Anniversary Announcement
Please come help us celebrate 60 years together Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Steamboat Springs Community Center. A light lunch will be provided. RSVP by Sept. 15 to Debbie...
Sep 25, 2010 – Wedding Announcement
Emma Simmins, of Steamboat Springs, and Eric Scherer, of Minnetonka, Minn., were married Sept. 25, 2010, in Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library in Steamboat Springs. Emma is the daughter of Tom and Mary...
Campus Community-Use Coordinator
Campus Community - Use Coordinator Colorado Mountain College Steamboat Springs Please go to: www.coloradomtn. edu/employment…
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Restore Notre Dame as the Spiritual Center of Paris
Joseph and Marie Meaney
Notre Dame brûle! (“Our Lady is burning!”) News flashes and sirens spread this horrible news Monday night at the start of Holy Week 2019. One of the most beautiful and iconic cathedrals in the world, visited by more people than any other monument in Europe or the world, was engulfed in flames during the most sacred week of the Christian calendar. Paris is unimaginable without Notre Dame since building started in the twelfth century. Generations of laborers spanning centuries erected stone by stone this shrine of the Catholic Faith. In a few hours, hellish flames brought the roof crashing down.
Was it an accident? Some see a terrible symbol amid the burning wreckage of the Church’s current disarray caused by clerics inflamed with lust and forsaking their vows of chastity. Many churches have been vandalized recently (about two acts of vandalism per day in France in 2017 alone—something barely covered by the news). In Paris, since the beginning of 2019, the church of St. Sulpice was set on fire and St. Denis (where most French kings were buried) was seriously damaged. Hosts were glued to a cross made from excrement at Notre Dame des Enfants in Nîmes, ciboriums filled with consecrated hosts were stolen in Lusignan and Talmon, etc.
Certainly, it is one more wake up call for the eldest daughter of the Church, the land where Our Lady has appeared more often than anywhere else. Incredible Gothic cathedrals and magnificent ancient churches are almost taken for granted in France. Now, we have graphic proof of how quickly it can all go up in flames. Brave men nonetheless saved the relics of the Passion of Christ, St. Louis’s hair shirt, and other precious items from the inferno. The rooster on the steeple containing part of the Crown of Thorns as well as relics of St. Denis and St. Genevieve, the patron saints of Paris, has been found in the ruins, but it is not clear if the relics are still inside. It is considered the “spiritual lightening rod” of the city and on it is written “A fulgur et tempestate et omni malo libera me Domine” (“From lightening, storm and all evil deliver me, O Lord”).
People in the crowds watching the flames prayed in the streets, standing as close as they could to Notre Dame. A few weeks ago over 100 young men came to a private meeting with the Archbishop of Paris, Monseigneur Aupetit, to explore the priesthood when only 30 were expected—and this in the midst of the sexual abuse scandals. There are even martyrs today in France. Father Jacques Hamel, an 86-year-old priest, was knifed to death by Jihadists on the altar while celebrating Mass in a small French village in 2016. Colonel Arnaud Beltrame was killed in 2018 after offering to exchange places with a mother held hostage by an Islamic terrorist in southern France.
Yet Catholicism is in crisis, and not just in France. But the past can give us hope. Few remember that the faith seemed destroyed after the French Revolution; for decades the majority of people no longer married in church nor had their children baptized. Then the Curé d’Ars entered the stage, new religious congregations founded schools that evangelized the middle and upper classes, the miraculous medal and Lourdes left their mark such that France was sending out half of the world’s Catholic missionaries by the end of the nineteenth century. When virulently anti-Catholic Freemasons ran the government at the turn of the twentieth century, there was a vibrant Church for them to persecute. They drove out all contemplative religious orders, yet thousands of monks came back for the First World War to give spiritual succor to the soldiers in the trenches and then refounded their monasteries. They successfully defied the government to try and exile them again. The Renouveau Catholique in the first half of the twentieth century made an impact on the culture and vocations flourished until the Sexual Revolution and the rejection of Humanae Vitae started its corroding effects, bringing about the spiritual wasteland we see today.
Surrounded by pain and tremendous loss, a choice awaits the French and all of us. The burning Cathedral of Notre Dame reminds me of Christ telling the weeping women of Jerusalem that they should not cry over him, but over their own children. Notre Dame is a symbol of the Christianity that Europe has been trying to forget and even destroy; yet worse awaits us if we don’t convert. The “gilets jaunes” demonstrations and acts of vandalism manifest the deep anger in a society that—for all of its many material comforts—could easily cascade into a revolution, something to which this people is prone. A society which kills its own children cannot be at peace, as Saint Mother Teresa stated often. Did not Marie-Julie Jahenny (1850-1941) receive private revelations from Christ that Paris would burn down, torched by its inhabitants (something confirmed by other modern mystics), if it did not convert?
The choice is ours. On a practical, human level, much effort will be made to rebuild Notre Dame just as there were desperate attempts to save the cathedral (400 firefighters were on the scene within 15 minutes). Within 24 hours, €750 million were pledged, mainly from major French companies. As President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday evening in front of the burning church: “We will rebuild this cathedral again all together.” Yet art historian Alexandre Gardy added: “We will not reconstruct Notre Dame; we will repair it. But we have lost it.” Notre Dame Cathedral will never be the same. But the only way to make its heart beat again will not be its reconstruction—however important that may be—but if Parisians and pilgrims from everywhere come back to pray in it.
Editor’s note: Pictured above, smoke billows as flames burn through the roof of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris on April 15, 2019, in the French capital. (Photo credit: FABIEN BARRAU/AFP/Getty Images)
Tagged as church desecration / vandalism, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, persecution of Christians, Sexual Revolution
By Joseph and Marie Meaney
Joseph Meaney is the new President of the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. He earned his doctorate in bioethics from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome in 2015. Marie Meaney received her doctorate and an M. Phil. in Modern Languages from the University of Oxford. She is the author of Simone Weil’s Apologetic Use of Literature: Her Christological Interpretations of Classic Greek Texts (Oxford University Press, 2007). Before returning to the United States in 2019, the Meaney family lived for several years in Paris, France.
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Reproductive Rights Glossary for the Unwoke
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In 2017 CROMSOURCE marked the 20th anniversary of providing high quality level of outsourced services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries.
After a ten year career in big pharma contributing to the worldwide development of one of the biggest blockbuster products, on July 15 1997 Oriana Zerbini MD founded CROM. The Company’s first clinical operations office was opened in the historical center of Verona, Italy.
Shortly afterwards, the Company expanded into Central and Eastern Europe establishing the first subsidiary in Warsaw, Poland, and so becoming one of the first CROs to be active in this region.
From its inception, the company was built on a foundation of stability, integrity, and high levels of customer satisfaction – all of which have led to a high rate of repeat business. The commitment to providing services of the highest quality to support its clients resulted in the achievement of the ISO Quality Management certification in 2002.
Since 2000, the Company has successfully executed on its plan to develop into an international CRO capable of delivering global clinical trials to clients around the world. Geographical expansion was initially accomplished entirely organically, with the establishment of additional subsidiaries in Poland, UK, Germany, Ukraine, Russia and the US.
In April 2011, CROM acquired MSOURCE, a medium-sized, European CRO with an established presence throughout Western Europe (Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, UK, Spain, and Poland), in both clinical research and the growing area of clinical resourcing/staffing. The company rebranded as CROMSOURCE, offering clients a truly comprehensive in-house service portfolio including biometrics and flexible resourcing services.
Also in 2011, CROMSOURCE became the first CRO to provide a ‘One Trial One Price’ fixed budget guarantee. As a result of its experience and capabilities, the Company has been able to build on this pledge to create an ‘End-to-End Guarantee’ for select clients and contracts. In an industry where the majority of clinical trials are delayed and over-budget, CROMSOURCE offers clients a business commitment to deliver projects on-time and on-budget.
In May 2012, the Company acquired Pleiad Inc. in order to add further presence in the US and formally established the Cambridge, Massachusetts office as its US headquarters. The acquisition of Pleiad also bolstered the medical device expertise of CROMSOURCE.
CROMSOURCE assumed operational control of the early phase clinical research unit known as Centro Ricerche Cliniche (CRC) in 2012. When the original owner (a top 10 global pharmaceutical company) chose to relinquish its investment in the unit, the facility’s team and cutting edge equipment were moved to a nearby teaching hospital and became the CROMSOURCE Early Phase facility. The strategic location of the facility in Verona, Italy, ensures that EU-wide regulatory timelines and procedures are adhered to while project costs remain significantly lower than in most EU countries.
In 2014 the Company opened its new headquarters in Verona, Italy. This new building is adjacent to the old facility, which remains in use by CROMSOURCE. On the technology side of the business, Techorizon (the IT Company founded by CROMSOURCE in 2009) launched its innovative THeClinical suite of online research tools and its FeRMI platform – providing advanced technology solutions, which together facilitate and improve the CROMSOURCE-client interface, site feasibility, research data management, and analytics.
In 2015 the flexible resourcing business (operating since 1994) was reorganised and rebranded as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CROMSOURCE – TalentSource Life Sciences.
In 2016 the CROMSOURCE strengthened its global executive team and its overall organisation focusing on the further development of its North American capabilities relocating the US Headquarters to larger facilities in Waltham, MA (resulting in nearly three times the available space for office- and visiting field-based personnel) and opening a third US office in Cary, NC.
View Our Publications
It is a pleasure to work with CROMSOURCE. I really appreciate the transparency and efficiency in the communication. They are committed to the client and consider any project as if it is their own. They are responsive with a proactive problem-solving attitude. The client’s goal is their own goal! We really feel CROMSOURCE part of our team!
Medical Devices Company - EU
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A life less ordinary resurfaces through the medium of letters. Louise Hunt reports
When physiotherapist Margaret Halstead went through the effects of her late mother, Jessie Goodger, she uncovered a trunk that had belonged to a family friend, Kathleen Mary Jackson, full of letters she had sent during World War II. The correspondence to Jessie Goodger reveals Kathleen Jackson’s fascinating experience of being sent on active service to work as a physiotherapist and masseuse for India Command, but the abrupt end to the correspondence has reawakened the mystery of what happened to Kathleen.
A dynamic force
Kathleen Jackson became good friends with Jessie Goodger when she stayed with the family as a lodger while working for Grimsby district general hospital. Born on 22 April 1907, she had trained as an orthopaedic nurse and radiographer before becoming a physiotherapist. Her hospital posts included Cornwall, Manchester, Leicester and the Stamborough’s Hospital, Watford, just before leaving for India in 1943. ‘She was very specialised in orthopaedics,’ says Margaret Halstead, describing Kathleen as a ‘go-getting girl’, who was revered by her family. Indeed, she reveals Kathleen’s long-lasting impression on their lives may be partly responsible for her own career choice. ‘Mum was always impressed by Kathleen, and I was brought up with a background of tremendous respect for physiotherapy,’ she says. Kathleen’s dynamism is evident in a letter written during the crossing to India. She writes: ‘These days of sun, comparative idleness and ever-changing scenery are a wonderful tonic, and I feel desperately fit despite the heat. I arise at 6am and take the women’s P.T. class at 6.45am and then have a cold sea water bath before breakfast at 7.30am. The morning is spent walking the promenade deck, and attending language classes that will be used when I reach my destination.’ However, she was not averse to the odd vice as she notes ‘sweets and cigarettes are plentiful and cheap. Rationing seems a nightmare of the past in these luxurious surroundings’. It is unclear exactly what her role with India Command was, but during that period the command was responsible for campaigns in British India, British Ceylon and Burma, as part of the south east Asian theatre of World War II. In July of 1943 Kathleen Jackson was posted with India Command, Ahmednagar, where she was sent to heal an officer with infantile paralysis. ‘That was all I was supposed to do apparently, but was bored with so little to do, and so scouted round for work,’ she writes in her first letter from India. ‘I discovered a marvellous massage and rehabilitation department, complete with magnificent gymnasium but no staff to run it except for an army trained P.T. corporal. So with his help I have got it organised and am now healing about 40 cases daily. The shag is that I am only here as a temporary posting, and expect to be swept away at any moment. But it seems that the hospital authorities are anxious that I should stay and that we should have this as one of the physiotherapy training centres.’
Tropical conditions
She assures her friend that life is not all work, with many social activities and ‘lovely’ living quarters. ‘My room feels like a church... and one is waited on hand and foot by native bearers I have never been so lazy in my life. Naturally, there are millions of creepy things, lizards, outsize beetles and flies everywhere.’ In September Kathleen is moved to a military hospital in Lucknow, where conditions are less enjoyable. ‘The summer here has been simply dreadful. It is quite impossible to describe the appalling heat, and the effort to do heavy work in it is terrific. One feels sick the whole time, sleep is impossible and one is constantly drenched with perspiration day and night.’ Fatigue and weightloss lead Kathleen to being sent to recuperate in the hills for six weeks. She next writes from Lucknow in March, presumably 1944, where she says the rehabilitation centre has grown so enormous she and her team are treating 450 patients daily. She is in charge of supervision and lecturing of the orderlies, and also treats a private patient in the evenings. In this letter, Kathleen Jackson reveals that she has been asked to work in a civil hospital after the war and ‘will probably accept’. She asks Jessie Goodger to sell the contents of her trunk. ‘I shall not need it again and feel that I’d get a good price.’ She writes again in April 1944 while on a trekking holiday in Ranikhet, on a hill station at 7,000 ft, ‘situated in glorious mountains covered with forests of eucalyptus and pines. Behind are the snows of the Himalayas a wonderful, unforgettable sight’. In May, Kathleen Jackson responds to the news that her beloved Spaniel Robs, whom Jessie Goodger had been looking after, has had to be put down. She writes: ‘Naturally, I felt a bit sad knowing he had gone he was such a great friend, but you certainly did the kindest thing.’ In the same letter she excitedly tells the news that she is to be repatriated and flown back to the UK later that month, and requests that she meet up with Jessie Goodger in London before starting a new job. Her last lines are: ‘The weather here is now desperately hot about 110 degrees fahrenheit in the shade. The thought of packing in these conditions makes me feel sick. Although I shall be very sad at leaving this place, it will be good to see a green English field.’ ‘Nobody knows what happened to Kathleen Jackson after that,’ says Margaret Halstead. ‘Mum always hoped she would reappear, but she must have died, otherwise she would have kept on writing.’ Kathleen Jackson’s letters, and other personal effects, including her physiotherapy text books, will be housed in the CSP’s archive at the Wellcome Trust, along with this article in Frontline, so her memory will live on. fl
Louise Hunt
CSP history
CSP annual Congress in Liverpool - 2nd report
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Q & A: The 'God particle'
This undated image made available by CERN shows a typical candidate event including two high-energy photons whose energy (depicted by red towers) is measured in the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter. The yellow lines are the measured tracks of other particles produced in the collision. The pale blue volume shows the CMS crystal calorimeter barrel. (CERN)
Kieron Lang, CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Wednesday, July 4, 2012 9:51AM EDT
Last Updated Wednesday, July 4, 2012 11:03AM EDT
Has the announcement scientists have discovered strong evidence of the so-called 'God particle' left you confused? CTVNews.ca answers your biggest questions about the discovery and its significance.
Q: What is the "God particle"?
A: "God particle" is a nickname popularized after Leon Lederman's book “The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question?” was published in 1993. Lederman had wanted the title to refer to a “goddamn particle,” but his editor thought it too profane. The edited name has stuck, however, as it encapsulates the significant role scientists say it plays in our understanding of what makes the universe work as it does.
The layman’s term refers to the much-more complicated Higgs boson, a subatomic particle named after the man who first theorized about its potential existence back in the mid 1960s. (University of Edinburgh researcher Peter Higgs is apparently not amused by the nickname, however, as it turns out he's an atheist.)
Q: OK, so what is a Higgs boson?
A: In physics, the Higgs boson is believed to play a key role in giving mass to all the elementary particles of the universe.
Q: So what does that mean exactly?
A: Believe it or not, some of the universe's fundamental building blocks have mass while others don't. In their efforts to understand why, physicists came up with the idea of an all-pervasive energy field (similar to the way gravity is everywhere, yet can't be seen) that interacts with particles.
According to the theory, the so-called Higgs field exists, invisibly, throughout the entire universe. Massless particles such as photons can pass through the field entirely unaffected, scientists posit. Other particles interact with it, however, acquiring mass as they do.
In other words, the Higgs field is key to energy becoming matter. A boson, which is another word for a composite particle, is an elementary particle of the Higgs field. Scientists have concentrated on finding a boson because its existence is theoretically easiest to prove. Proving the existence of such a particle, they say, necessarily proves the existence of the field.
Q: Why's it so important?
A: If the Higgs field did not exist, or had a zero-value, particles passing through it would either be massless or very light. If that were the case, atoms would disintegrate and matter would not exist. That means no planets, and no people, animals or things on them either.
Q: So, how have scientists been trying to prove its existence?
A: Because the Higgs field is believed to be uniformly distributed throughout the universe, its existence is hard to prove directly. But scientists convinced that the fact particles have mass proves it's out there waiting to be found have concentrated on the relatively easier task of finding just one tiny particle of it.
In order to come up with one, they've been concentrating tremendous amounts of energy on a single point -- by smashing protons into protons inside the high-tech Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN) near Geneva, Switzerland.
Q: So will we be able to lay eyes on this "God particle"?
In short, no, because the Higgs particles are too short-lived to be seen directly. In more than 1,000 trillion collisions the teams at CERN have managed to produce a few. But the Higgs boson decays so quickly the researchers have to sift through the atomic debris for evidence of the particles it decays into.
The hunt is also complicated by the fact those same by-products are produced by other background processes triggered when protons collide.
The only way to overcome any confusion is by repeating the experiments and gathering more and more data along the way.
New subatomic evidence points to elusive 'God particle'
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1751 CVE-2018-19463 94 Exec Code 2018-11-22 2018-12-21
zb_system/function/lib/upload.php in Z-BlogPHP through 1.5.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by using the image/jpeg content type in an upload to the zb_system/admin/index.php?act=UploadMng URI.
1752 CVE-2018-19462 94 Exec Code Sql 2019-06-07 2019-06-09
admin\db\DoSql.php in EmpireCMS through 7.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via SQL injection that uses a .php filename in a SELECT INTO OUTFILE statement to admin/admin.php.
1753 CVE-2018-19459 119 Overflow 2018-11-22 2018-12-18
Adult Filter 1.0 has a Buffer Overflow via a crafted Black Domain List file.
1754 CVE-2018-19457 434 Exec Code 2018-11-22 2018-12-18
Logicspice FAQ Script 2.9.7 allows uploading arbitrary files, which leads to remote command execution via admin/faqs/faqimages with a .php file.
1755 CVE-2018-19453 434 2019-04-10 2019-04-11
Kentico CMS before 11.0.45 allows unrestricted upload of a file with a dangerous type.
A use after free in the TextBox field Mouse Enter action in IReader_ContentProvider can occur for specially crafted PDF files in Foxit Reader SDK (ActiveX) Professional 5.4.0.1031. An attacker can leverage this to gain remote code execution. Relative to CVE-2018-19444, this has a different free location and requires different JavaScript code for exploitation.
A command injection can occur for specially crafted PDF files in Foxit Reader SDK (ActiveX) Professional 5.4.0.1031 when using the Open File action on a Field. An attacker can leverage this to gain remote code execution.
A command injection can occur for specially crafted PDF files in Foxit Reader SDK (ActiveX) 5.4.0.1031 when parsing a launch action. An attacker can leverage this to gain remote code execution.
A File Write can occur for specially crafted PDF files in Foxit Reader SDK (ActiveX) Professional 5.4.0.1031 when the JavaScript API Doc.exportAsFDF is used. An attacker can leverage this to gain remote code execution.
In Foxit Reader SDK (ActiveX) Professional 5.4.0.1031, an uninitialized object in IReader_ContentProvider::GetDocEventHandler occurs when embedding the control into Office documents. By opening a specially crafted document, an attacker can trigger an out of bounds write condition, possibly leveraging this to gain remote code execution.
1761 CVE-2018-19447 119 Exec Code Overflow 2019-06-17 2019-06-18
A stack-based buffer overflow can occur for specially crafted PDF files in Foxit Reader SDK (ActiveX) 5.4.0.1031 when parsing the URI string. An attacker can leverage this to gain remote code execution.
A File Write can occur for specially crafted PDF files in Foxit Reader SDK (ActiveX) Professional 5.4.0.1031 when the JavaScript API Doc.createDataObject is used. An attacker can leverage this to gain remote code execution.
A command injection can occur for specially crafted PDF files in Foxit Reader SDK (ActiveX) Professional 5.4.0.1031 when the JavaScript API app.launchURL is used. An attacker can leverage this to gain remote code execution.
A use after free in the TextBox field Validate action in IReader_ContentProvider can occur for specially crafted PDF files in Foxit Reader SDK (ActiveX) Professional 5.4.0.1031. An attacker can leverage this to gain remote code execution. Relative to CVE-2018-19452, this has a different free location and requires different JavaScript code for exploitation.
1765 CVE-2018-19436 89 Sql 2018-11-22 2018-12-18
An issue was discovered in the Manufacturing component in webERP 4.15. CollectiveWorkOrderCost.php has Blind SQL Injection via the SearchParts parameter.
An issue was discovered in the Sales component in webERP 4.15. SalesInquiry.php has SQL Injection via the SortBy parameter.
An issue was discovered on the "Bank Account Matching - Receipts" screen of the General Ledger component in webERP 4.15. BankMatching.php has Blind SQL injection via the AmtClear_ parameter.
ClipperCMS 1.3.3 allows remote authenticated administrators to upload .htaccess files.
Codiad 2.8.4 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary code by uploading an executable file.
/panel/uploads in Subrion CMS 4.2.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a .pht or .phar file, because the .htaccess file omits these.
An issue was discovered in sysstat 12.1.1. The remap_struct function in sa_common.c has an out-of-bounds read during a memmove call, as demonstrated by sadf.
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Plikli CMS 4.0.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) id parameter to join_group.php or (2) comment_id parameter to story.php.
An issue was discovered in Artifex Ghostscript before 9.26. LockSafetyParams is not checked correctly if another device is used.
In YXcms 1.4.7, protected/apps/appmanage/controller/indexController.php allow remote authenticated Administrators to execute any PHP code by creating a ZIP archive containing a config.php file, hosting the .zip file at an external URL, and visiting index.php?r=appmanage/index/onlineinstall&url= followed by that URL. This is related to the onlineinstall and import functions.
1775 CVE-2018-19374 264 +Priv 2019-04-30 2019-05-02
Zoho ManageEngine ADManager Plus 6.6 Build 6657 allows local users to gain privileges (after a reboot) by placing a Trojan horse file into the permissive bin directory.
FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x before 2.9.8 might allow attackers to have unspecified impact by leveraging failure to block the jboss-common-core class from polymorphic deserialization.
FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x before 2.9.8 might allow attackers to have unspecified impact by leveraging failure to block the openjpa class from polymorphic deserialization.
FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x before 2.9.8 might allow attackers to have unspecified impact by leveraging failure to block the axis2-transport-jms class from polymorphic deserialization.
GitLab Community and Enterprise Edition 8.9 and later and before 11.5.0-rc12, 11.4.6, and 11.3.10 has Incorrect Access Control.
XMPlay 3.8.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (stack-based buffer overflow) via a crafted http:// URL in a .m3u file.
modules/orderfiles/ajax/upload.php in the Customer Files Upload addon 2018-08-01 for PrestaShop (1.5 through 1.7) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading a php file via modules/orderfiles/upload.php with auptype equal to product (for upload destinations under modules/productfiles), order (for upload destinations under modules/files), or cart (for upload destinations under modules/cartfiles).
In SeaCMS v6.64, there is SQL injection via the admin_makehtml.php topic parameter because of mishandling in include/mkhtml.func.php.
pkg/sentry/kernel/shm/shm.go in Google gVisor before 2018-11-01 allows attackers to overwrite memory locations in processes running as root (but not escape the sandbox) via vectors involving IPC_RMID shmctl calls, because reference counting is mishandled.
1784 CVE-2018-19332 352 CSRF 2018-11-17 2018-12-18
An issue was discovered in S-CMS v1.5. There is a CSRF vulnerability that can add a new user via the admin/ajax.php?type=member&action=add URI.
1785 CVE-2018-19328 22 Dir. Trav. 2018-11-17 2018-12-18
LAOBANCMS 2.0 allows install/mysql_hy.php?riqi=../ Directory Traversal.
An issue was discovered in JTBC(PHP) 3.0.1.7. aboutus/manage.php?type=action&action=add allows CSRF.
The GPCIDrv and GDrv low-level drivers in GIGABYTE APP Center v1.05.21 and earlier, AORUS GRAPHICS ENGINE v1.33 and earlier, XTREME GAMING ENGINE v1.25 and earlier, and OC GURU II v2.08 expose functionality to read and write arbitrary physical memory. This could be leveraged by a local attacker to elevate privileges.
The GDrv low-level driver in GIGABYTE APP Center v1.05.21 and earlier, AORUS GRAPHICS ENGINE v1.33 and earlier, XTREME GAMING ENGINE v1.25 and earlier, and OC GURU II v2.08 exposes ring0 memcpy-like functionality that could allow a local attacker to take complete control of the affected system.
SRCMS 3.0.0 allows CSRF via admin.php?m=Admin&c=manager&a=update to change the username and password of the super administrator account.
Centreon 3.4.x allows SQL Injection via the searchVM parameter to the main.php?p=20408 URI.
1791 CVE-2018-19296 20 2018-11-16 2018-12-28
PHPMailer before 5.2.27 and 6.x before 6.0.6 is vulnerable to an object injection attack.
Sylabs Singularity 2.4 to 2.6 allows local users to conduct Improper Input Validation attacks.
1793 CVE-2018-19290 77 DoS 2018-11-30 2018-12-28
In modules/HELPBOT_MODULE in Budabot 0.6 through 4.0, lax syntax validation allows remote attackers to perform a command injection attack against the PHP daemon with a crafted command, resulting in a denial of service or possibly unspecified other impact, as demonstrated by the "!calc 5 x 5" command. In versions before 3.0, modules/HELPBOT_MODULE/calc.php has the vulnerable code; in 3.0 and above, modules/HELPBOT_MODULE/HelpbotController.class.php has the vulnerable code.
Centreon 3.4.x allows SNMP trap SQL Injection.
1795 CVE-2018-19277 91 Bypass 2018-11-14 2019-05-17
securityScan() in PHPOffice PhpSpreadsheet through 1.5.0 allows a bypass of protection mechanisms for XXE via UTF-7 encoding in a .xlsx file
Passing an absolute path to a file_exists check in phpBB before 3.2.4 allows Remote Code Execution through Object Injection by employing Phar deserialization when an attacker has access to the Admin Control Panel with founder permissions.
Centreon 3.4.x allows SQL Injection via the main.php searchH parameter.
The web service on Epson WorkForce WF-2861 10.48 LQ22I3(Recovery-mode), WF-2861 10.51.LQ20I6, and WF-2861 10.52.LQ17IA devices allows remote attackers to upload a firmware file and reset the printer without authentication by making a request to the /DOWN/FIRMWAREUPDATE/ROM1 URI and a POST request to the /FIRMWAREUPDATE URI.
Buffer overflow in apply.cgi on TRENDnet TEW-632BRP 1.010B32 and TEW-673GRU devices allows attackers to hijack the control flow to any attacker-specified location by crafting a POST request payload (with authentication).
Buffer overflow in network.cgi on TRENDnet TV-IP110WN V1.2.2 build 68, V1.2.2.65, and V1.2.2 build 64 and TV-IP121WN V1.2.2 build 28 devices allows attackers to hijack the control flow to any attacker-specified location by crafting a POST request payload (without authentication).
Total number of vulnerabilities : 41580 Page : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 (This Page)37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 585 586 587 588 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 661 662 663 664 665 666 667 668 669 670 671 672 673 674 675 676 677 678 679 680 681 682 683 684 685 686 687 688 689 690 691 692 693 694 695 696 697 698 699 700 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720 721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 729 730 731 732 733 734 735 736 737 738 739 740 741 742 743 744 745 746 747 748 749 750 751 752 753 754 755 756 757 758 759 760 761 762 763 764 765 766 767 768 769 770 771 772 773 774 775 776 777 778 779 780 781 782 783 784 785 786 787 788 789 790 791 792 793 794 795 796 797 798 799 800 801 802 803 804 805 806 807 808 809 810 811 812 813 814 815 816 817 818 819 820 821 822 823 824 825 826 827 828 829 830 831 832
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Gold Star Families Kids Camp strives to help…
Gold Star Families Kids Camp strives to help siblings of soldiers killed in combat
By Melissa Pinion-Whitt | Melissa.Pinion-Whitt@inlandnewspapers.com |
PUBLISHED: May 16, 2010 at 12:00 am | UPDATED: September 6, 2017 at 8:58 am
When Laura and Joe Landaker lost their son, Jared, in a 2007 military helicopter crash over Iraq’s Anbar Province, they turned to each other to cope with the grief.
But their surviving son, Jason, became silent, reclusive and took pain pills.
Laura Landaker soon discovered her son, now 34 years old, wasn’t the only sibling of a fallen soldier whose struggle to survive the heartbreak was slightly different than that of a soldier’s parents.
“It’s really hard to be in a family like that,” the Big Bear City woman said. “It’s hard enough for the parents to talk to each other about the grief, but where does the child go to?”
Landaker hopes that the San Bernardino Mountains may be the answer to that question.
Her son, Jason, eventually pulled himself out of his grief and went back to school to either pursue teaching or aeronautical engineering. But she doesn’t want that journey to be as difficult for other military siblings.
Her family is trying to develop something called Gold Star Families Kids Camp, a retreat for children, adults and parents of fallen soldiers.
“It’s just a safe haven to help them cope and maybe have some beautiful days up in Big Bear where they can get away from the pain and the grief,” Landaker said.
It’s one of the latest projects of Landaker’s Seven Stars Foundation, established to help military families and organizations.
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Jared M. Landaker, who was assigned to fly casualty evacuations in the heart of fighting, was killed Feb. 7 when the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter he was flying was shot down by a surface-to-air missile.
Clay Hodson, a foundation board member, said they are currently looking at locations to hold the camp, along with other details.
“It’s on the drawing board,” he said.
Laura Landaker said she envisions children coming to the camp to go canoeing, fishing and hiking, as well as participate in arts and crafts.”
Funding for the camp is coming, in part, from a memorial golf tournament the foundation held Friday at the San Bernardino Public Golf Course.
Hodson said about 50 golfers were expected for the tournament, along with another 22 people for an awards dinner.
“We’re trying to make the leap into something bigger,” he said. “In order to do that you have to raise more money.”
Donations may be made to Seven Stars Foundation at P.O. Box 2481, Big Bear City, 92314, or at www.sevenstarsfoundation.com.
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Melissa Pinion-Whitt
Man found safe after going missing in Long Beach
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CU Boulder researchers part of international…
CU Boulder researchers part of international focus on ‘wild card’ glacier
Linda Welzenbach / Courtesy photo
University of Colorado Boulder doctoral student in geography Tasha Snow in front of an iceberg offshore from western Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier.
Tasha Snow / Courtesy photo
International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration scientists return from a day of seal tagging near Thwaites Glacier.
There’s no question that ice is flowing rapidly out of western Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier, threatening to contribute to dangerously rising sea levels in coming decades that could swamp cities and irrevocably upend the lives of people around the globe.
The key uncertainties surrounding the dynamic now unfolding there and making the region something of a glaciology wild card, are simple; how much, and how fast?
Scientists believe that between the Thwaites Glacier and neighboring Pine Island Glacier, the amount of ice that could funnel out of them and into the Amundson Sea combined could lead to 3 meters of sea level rise; the Thwaites Glacier by itself could produce 80 centimeters of sea rise.
Several researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder are part of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration, a five-year international effort to study every aspect of what is happening at the 74,000-square-mile glacier that launched April 1, 2018, and is currently funded through March 31, 2023.
CU Boulder doctoral candidate Tasha Snow sat down Thursday, along with one of her advisors, CU Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences senior research scientist Ted Scambos, to discuss the ongoing project, a partnership jointly supported by the National Science Foundation and the United Kingdom’s Natural Environment Research Council.
Snow returned March 27 from a two-month stint at Thwaites Glacier aboard the icebreaking research vessel Nathaniel B. Palmer. Scambos was most recently down in the region — his nineteenth trip to Antarctica — in November and December.
“It’s the most incredible place in the world,” Snow said of Antarctica, which she has now visited three times. “It’s one of the few untouched frontiers in the world. I’m a person who loves to observe and experience a place in its natural state.”
The front of the Thwaites Glacier stretches for about 120 kilometers.
“The location we went to in front of Thwaites Glacier, no one has been before, no one has mapped that area before, ships have never been in some of the locations that we went to,” Snow said.
“There have been ships that have been nearby, but there is an entire area that has never been mapped, no bathymetry (sea floor mapping), no ocean measurements, no anything, before.”
In addition to Scambos and Snow, Betsy Sheffield, a professional research associate from CU Boulder’s National Snow and Ice Data Center, is project coordinator for the project’s Science Communication Office. Bruce Wallin, a professional research assistant from NSIDC, and various individuals in the CU Engineering department are also involved with instrument programming and development for one of the specific projects that are part of the initiative.
Precedent for a feared scenario
Scambos is co-principal investigator on the project’s Science Coordination Office, the primary mission of which is to coordinate the initiative’s eight funded research projects, which in the acronym-happy world they inhabit, are known by colorful monikers including THOR, PROPHET, GHOST and TIME.
Scambos said, “There are precedents in the record of sea level rise, where we have had a meter of sea level rise, within a century — actually, even more than that — and nobody is quite sure how and where that ice came from. But now it seems like we’re beginning to identify the processes that could lead to something like that. And maybe that is going to play out on Thwaites Glacier.”
He was referencing what is known to scientists as Meltwater pulse 1A, estimated to have occurred between 13,500 and 14,700 years ago.
“That’s the most rapid sea level rise that’s accurately dated in the geologic record. And it was right at the end of the last Ice Age,” Scambos said. “At the end of the last ice age, we saw events that would be disastrous if they played out in the present-day world. And that’s the kind of thing that’s lining up, or we think could be lining up, with Thwaites Glacier.
“And it’s not just Thwaites. There are other areas of Antarctica that appear to be capable of this sort of thing.”
And because ice sheets such as Antarctica lose some of their gravity as they shed their mass, the ice they lose converts into sea level rise that pushes north. That means coastlines in the Northern Hemisphere — including the United States — would be most severely affected.
Synergized science
Individual studies under the overall project umbrella are examining separate questions, but data and findings will be integrated, with teams coordinating their research efforts.
On Snow’s recent southern stint, three of the projects were represented. They were THOR (focusing on offshore research), TARSAN (a ship-based project studying how atmospheric and oceanic processes are influencing the behavior of the ice shelves) and GHC (which is gathering information about past ice sheet behavior and relative sea level change in the Thwaites Glacier system).
The level of collaboration between teams on the most recent research cruise, Snow said — specifically, pioneering mapping of the ocean floor by the THOR team — enabled the TARSAN group’s scientists to put a $4 million unmanned submersible vehicle under the floating portion of the ice shelf a full year ahead of schedule.
“We’re bringing groups together to kind of synergize the science being done, to get a lot more out of the research than what would be done, if any of these groups did it by themselves,” Snow said.
“And that’s what played out on this cruise. Everybody felt they had got more out of it than they expected to get. It really lays the groundwork for the next years’ research that are going to happen.”
The study is currently funded at a level of $50 million to $60 million, and will ultimately involve 80 to 100 scientists, with 30 to 40 going down each research season.
The size of the Thwaites Glacier has been likened to Great Britain and the state of Florida. Scambos prefers a comparison to Idaho, because, although Idaho is a little larger, it is vaguely similar in shape.
For Coloradans, he likes to compare it to the area of the state west of the Continental Divide, with the front of the glacier equating to about the span from Denver to Fort Collins.
“Is that area between Denver and Fort Collins going to move fast enough to empty most of that whole Western Slope within the next 50 to 100 years?” he asked, extending the comparison of the melting glacier. “It’s still a little mind boggling.”
He noted that a glaciologist in 1990, based on observations made at that time, would not have bet on such a dire scenario.
But since the start of this century, Scambos said, “We began to see several areas light up, so to speak, thinning faster, with lots of flow, lots of calving (of icebergs) and some processes that we’d never seen before, like breakups of ice the size of Boulder County in just a few weeks. So it’s a little hard to imagine, as a human being. But as a scientist who has watched the progression of change over the last 30 years or so, I don’t want to rule it out.
“Because, the consequences are too great and the models are there, saying, this looks like it could really take place.”
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The New Orleans Middle East Film Festival continues through Sunday at 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. , New Orleans. The festival includes 72 acclaimed and award-winning new films from or about Afghanistan, Anatolia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. Films are shown with food, music and visual art. Festival passes are $75 and include admission to all festival events. Tickets to individual events are $8 each for the general public, $7 for students and seniors, $6 for members and $3 for patrons. Day passes are $12 for the general public, $11 for students and seniors and $10 for members Mondays through Fridays. Day passes are $15 for the general public, $14 for students and seniors and $13 for members on Saturdays and Sundays. For information, visit www.nolamideastfilmfest.blogspot.com or call 504-827-5858 (recording) or 504-352-1150 (live person).
The Military Round Table Discussion Group meets every third Tuesday of the month at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma. The group, sponsored by the Regional Military Museum, meets for coffee and conversation from 5 to 6 p.m., then stays for a lecture by varying guest speakers. The meetings are open to the public, no membership required. For information, call the museum at 873-8200.
A free Diabetes Education Day featuring Chef John Wright, hosted by Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital, is set for 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the hospital, 4608 La. 1, Raceland. Diabetes Education Day is a community event offering nutritional tips, a cooking demonstration by Chef Wright and an hour-long question-and-answer session with registered nurses. Local residents are encouraged to attend. Admission is free, but registration is requested. To register, call 537-8350.
"Let's Paint" Beginners Oil Painting Class for adults, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Chauvin Branch Library, 5500 La. 56. Admission is free, but registration is required.
Fall Craft Workshop for teens, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Gibson Branch Library, 6363 Bayou Black Drive.
A New Orleans-based film company will hold auditions for its upcoming feature film, to be shot in Terrebonne Parish, from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1546 La. 665, Pointe-aux-Chenes. The company, Court 13, is seeking Pointe-aux-Chenes area residents 30 and up. The action-drama film centers on a girl and her relationship with her father as a storm approaches. For information or to schedule an audition, call Annie at 504-383-3409 or e-mail AnnieCourt13@gmail.com.
A SoLa Art Workshop for ages 11 to 14, presented by the Nicholls State University Art Department and South Louisiana Center for the Arts, is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Nicholls students will be teaching under the direction of Jean Donegan, Nicholls Professor of Art who will observe during each 2-hour session. There is a $20 materials fee for each student. To register, call 876-2222.
Free Hispanic Film Night featuring "Madeinusa," 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the East Houma Branch Library, 778 Grand Caillou Road. Refreshments will be served.
Story time for preschoolers-third-graders, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursdays at the East Houma Branch Library, 778 Grand Caillou Road.
The 2010 Independence Day Events Planning Group sponsored by the Regional Military Museum is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Terrebonne ParishMain Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma. The group is scheduled to meet the third Thursday of each month. For information, call the museum at 873-8200.
The Louisiana Chapter of the French-American Chamber of Commerce will hold its 13th annual Beaujolais Nouveau Festival, celebrating the worldwide release of the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau, from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, 1 Poydras St. No. 169, Riverwalk, New Orleans. By French tradition, on the third Thursday of November, the Beaujolais Nouveau wine is shipped immediately from vineyards and flown to cities across the world. The event includes food prepared by New Orleans chefs, accompanied by the Beaujolais Nouveau, and a selection of Beaujolais Crus. Tickets are $45 for members and $55 for non-members. The price includes wine and food. For ticket reservations, call Karen Martin at 504-523-5281 or e-mail beaujolaisnouveau@gmail.com.
Thanksgiving Craft Workshop for ages 2 to 8, 11 a.m. Friday at the Grand Caillou Branch Library, 200 Badou Drive, Dulac.
Teen Wii and Dream Catcher Workshop, 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Dularge Branch Library, 837 Bayou Dularge Road.
The Cajun comedy "The Great Big Doorstep" by Francis Goodrich and Albert Hackett opens Friday at Bayou Playhouse, 101 Main St., Lockport. The play runs through Dec. 13. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. Sunday shows are at 2:30 p.m. The story centers on the Crochet family, who live in a one-room rent shack in the back bayous of 1940s South Louisiana. They dream of owning their own home after finding a grand plantation front doorstep floating down the Mississippi River. The play is based on the novel by Louisiana author E. P. O'Donnell. The Nov. 28 show includes a special event for the Ya-Ya Queenz, to help the group raise money for Relay For Life/The American Cancer Society, particularly for breast cancer research. The benefit begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception on the back deck of the playhouse. Food and drinks will be served. The play begins at 7:30. Ticket price for the Ya-Ya Queenz Benefit is $55. For information, call 888-99-BAYOU (22968) ext. 1 or e-mail boxoffice@bayouplayhouse.com.
View more calendar online at dailycomet.com.
"The Kingfish," a play by Larry L. King and Ben Z. Grant and presented by the Bayou Playhouse of Lockport, runs now through the end of the year at the InterContinental New Orleans, 444 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans. Shows start at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays. The off-Broadway revival of "The Kingfish," a one-man show depicting the life and times of Huey P. Long, features New Orleans' own John "Spud" McConnell, actor and WWL Radio host, as the legendary Louisiana governor. McConnell has received national acclaim for his on-stage portrayals of Louisiana's most colorful characters including Huey P. Long, Earl K. Long and Ignatius J. Riley. The play is directed by Perry Martin. Tickets are $35. For tickets or information, call 888-946-HUEY (4839) or visit www.kingfishonstage.com.
The Thibodaux Main Street Farmers Market is open from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturdays at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve's Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 314 Saint Mary St., Thibodaux.
The 2nd Annual Atchafalaya Double Trouble Bridge Run 5K Run/Walk, presented by the Tri-City Track Club, is set for 8 a.m. Saturday in Morgan City. The 5K race begins at the corner of First and Greenwood streets in downtown Morgan City. Entry fees are $18 for members of the Tri-City Track Club, $20 for non-members registering in advance and $25 for same-day registration. Fees include a free T-shirt and admission to post-race festivities, including free food and drinks, music, a children's area and an awards ceremony. For registration forms, visit www.tricitytrackclub.com. For information, call Lisa Parsiola at 312-4864 or e-mail Tricitytrackclub@gmail.com.
The Bayou Region START! Heart Walk is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Southdown Plantation, 1208 Museum Drive, Houma. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. For information, call Kimberly Landry at 888-352-3824 extension 7722 or e-mail kim.landry@heart.org.
The Terrebonne Parish Tree Board and Acorns of Hope will sponsor "Trees Are Our Friends," an hour-long program for children and parents at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma. Following the program, children and parents can help plant trees at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., Houma. Admission is free and open to the public. For information, call Jennifer Robinson at 873-6567.
Free Family Movie featuring "Up" (rated PG), 3 p.m. Saturday at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma.
Bingo for adults, 4 p.m. Saturday at the East Houma Branch Library, 778 Grand Caillou Road. Refreshments will be served.
The monthly fais-do-do held by Holy Family Assembly 2215 is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the KC Home on Shrimpers Row in Dulac. The event includes Cajun, French and country music and dancing with music provided by Delbert Dugas and The Red River Band. Meals will be sold for $5 a plate. Tickets are sold at the door. The event also includes door prizes and a 50-50 raffle. Raffle tickets are $1 each. For information, call Allen Trahan at 868-0377, Al Voisin at 872-6737 or 855-7008 or Ricky Boudwin at 851-4519.
A fundraiser lunch to benefit 2-year-old Hunter Babin, son of Paulette Griffin and Scott Babin, is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the St. Joseph Elementary School Cafeteria, 501 Cardinal Drive, Thibodaux. Hunter was born with three major heart defects. He is preparing for his second open-heart surgery at Boston Children's Hospital. Lunch plate tickets are $7 each. Donations will also be accepted. For information or to buy tickets, call Paulette at 859-3722 or visit Chinese Chef's Restaurant, 361 N. Canal Blvd., in the Rienzi Shopping Center in Thibodaux.
Santa Claus is scheduled to be at Southland Mall, 5953 W. Park Ave., Houma, at the following times and dates: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Nov. 26, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 27, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 28, noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 29, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 4-5, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 7-10, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 11-12, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 13, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 14-16, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 17-19, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 20, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 21-23 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24.
A free Thanksgiving Dinner for Terrebonne Parish seniors and citizens in need is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the East Houma Bingo Hall, 425 Grand Caillou Road, Houma. The meal is sponsored by the Krewe of Hercules, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office, Terrebonne Parish District Attorney's Office and the Terrebonne Council on Aging. For information, call 868-8411.
Guitar Hero Game Day for ages 9 to 12, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma.
Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero for children and teens, 10 a.m. Nov. 23-25 at the Chauvin Branch Library, 5500 La. 56.
The Bayou Blue Branch Library, 198 Mazerac St., holds English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for Spanish speakers needing help learning English. Free ESL classes are held at 10:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays.
Storytime and crafts for pre-kindergarteners through third-graders, 1 p.m. Mondays at the Bourg Branch Library, 4405 St. Andrew St.
The Wii Can Do It Group for senior citizens participates in low-impact exercise using the Nintendo Wii gaming system from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma, and at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and Saturday at the Mobile Library parked at the Grand Caillou Gym in Dulac. Bowling and golf are available. Water is provided.
Craft for pre-kindergarteners and kindergarteners, 3 p.m. Mondays at the East Houma Branch Library, 778 Grand Caillou Road.
Wii Gaming Night for children and teens, 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays at the Bourg Branch Library, 4405 St. Andrews St.
Babygarten storytime for newborns to 18-month-olds, 6 p.m. Mondays at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma.
Beeswax Candle Craft for children and teens, 2 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Grand Caillou Branch Library, 200 Badou Drive, Dulac.
Mexican Train Dominoes for fifth- through seventh-graders, 1 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Dularge Branch Library, 837 Bayou Dularge Road.
Donations are being accepted to help Sloudies "Keith" Jordan, a local man facing another round of chemotherapy treatments, following his third major surgery for colon cancer. Keith was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006. He underwent radiation and chemotherapy, as well as his first major surgery. The cancer returned in 2008, leading to another major surgery plus radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Keith discovered in September that the cancer has returned again. He underwent his third major surgery, and had a kidney removed due to damage from extensive radiation and chemotherapy. Donations to help him continue fighting the disease can be made at any Regions Bank under the account "Sloudies Keith Jordan."
Local child-care providers can bring story time to children in their care through the Lafourche Parish Public Library's "Bringing Books to Life" outreach program, which works with daycares, preschools, Head Start programs and Even Start programs. The library system's youth-services assistants read stories and sing songs to and interact with children through action verse and finger plays. The library's Youth Services Department also loans and delivers library books to these locations to help promote early literacy. For information, call Youth Service Coordinator Trinna Holcomb at 438-3117.
Local veterans groups are seeking community donations to hold a Deployment Dinner for local soldiers deploying for Iraq in January, as well as to help the soldiers with supplies needed when stationed overseas. Any type of donation is welcome, including money and items that can be used for door prizes. The meal is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., Houma. The event honors National Guard 256th Infantry Brigade of Houma and Thibodaux, companies Charlie and Delta, respectively. The dinner is being hosted by a number of local veterans groups. Those interested can donate at any branch of South Louisiana Bank in the account of American Legion-LA National Guard Deployment Fund or mail to the attention of Jack Croker, 134 Wayne Ave., Houma, LA 70360. Donations are tax-deductable. For information, call Jack Croker at 876-6598.
Peg Patterns Workshop for teens, 1 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Montegut Branch Library, 1135 La. 55.
Turkey Craft Workshop for fourth- through sixth-graders, 2 p.m. Nov. 28 at the East Houma Branch Library, 778 Grand Caillou Road.
Introduction to Spanish for adults, 4 p.m. Nov. 28 at the East Houma Branch Library, 778 Grand Caillou Road.
The Lewis and Clark Circus is set for 5 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28-29 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., Houma. Gates open at 4 p.m. Admission is $10 in advance and $15 at the gate for adults (plus service fees), $5 for children 14 and under and free for children 14 and under with coupon available at www.lewisandclarkcircus.com.
The Moscow Ballet presents its "Great Russian Nutcracker" at 8 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts, 801 N. Rampart St., New Orleans. The classic holiday production features classical ballet dancing, hand-crafted backdrops and world-renowned life-sized puppets. This year's "Great Russian Nutcracker" includes several new characters, revived puppets and renewed hand-painted backdrops. Partial proceeds from the event benefit the Kingsley House. Tickets can be purchased at www.nutcracker.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.
Guitar Hero Game Day for teens, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma.
The Idlewild Plantation Christmas Lighting runs Nov. 29 through Dec. 31 at the plantation home in Patterson. Visitors can take a driving tour along a path through Kemper Williams Park, filled with displays of Christmas lights and Christmas music. Admission is $2 per car.
Historic homes in St. Mary Parish Parish will be decorated for the Christmas holidays throughout December. The Grevemberg House in Franklin will feature a traditional Victorian Christmas Tree, seasonal greenery and displays of traditional fruits and foods of the Victorian Period. Oaklawn Manor, the residence of Louisiana's former governor, Mike Foster, will be decorated with a different style of tree in every room. Admission is $10 per tour.
Winter Wonderland Storytime for pre-kindergartners through third-graders, 4 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Dularge Branch Library, 837 Bayou Dularge Road.
Tickets are on sale for the musical stage production of "The Color Purple," set to run Dec. 1-6 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater, 1419 Basin St., in Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans. The show, which counts Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones among its producers, is part of the theater's Capital One Broadway Across America series. "The Color Purple" performance schedule is 8 p.m. Dec. 1-2, 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 3, 8 p.m. Dec. 4, 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 2 p.m. Dec. 6. American Sign Language performance is 2 p.m. Dec. 6. The show, based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the film by Steven Spielberg, was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The Grammy-nominated score includes gospel, jazz, pop and the blues. Tickets start at $25. Tickets are available at the Mahalia Jackson Box Office, by phone at 800-982-ARTS (2787) or online at www.Ticketmaster.com and www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. For groups of 15 or more, call 504-287-0398 or 800-941-7469.
The Nicholls State University Ceramics Club will hold a Pottery Sale from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 4 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Ceramic Studio at the rear entrance to Talbot Hall on the campus of Nicholls in Thibodaux.
The Bayou Chapter of the Louisiana State Poetry Society will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 in the boardroom on the second floor of the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma. The meetings are free and open to the public.
Nicole Dion-LeBlanc with Keller Williams Realty and Lynn T. Ramagost with Assurance Financial Group, are teaming with the USDA, Pat's Coat's for Kids and the Assumption Parish Food Bank to inform Assumption Parish residents about USDA programs that could help them and to collect coats and nonperishable food items to help residents in need. The informational event is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Pierre Part Library, 2800 La. 70 S. A USDA seminar led by Wanda Holmes, a single-family housing specialist, is set for 10 a.m. to noon. Holmes will discuss USDA programs for homeowners and homebuyers. Kevin Boone, renewable energy coordinator for the USDA, will discuss programs available for Assumption residents, including the USDA Rural Development's Renewable Energy for America Program which offers grants, guaranteed loans and combination grant/guaranteed loans to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses buy and install renewable-energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. Also that day, residents can drop off coats or donate money to help locals stay warm. Most needed are children's sizes 6-14. Make checks payable to "Pat's Coats for Kids" or pay with a VISA or MasterCard by calling 225-248-1408. Assumption food-bank volunteers will collect nonperishable food that day. For information, call Nicole at 225-289-5055 or e-mail nicole@for-sale-for-rent.com or call Lynn at 225-717-7144 or e-mail lramagost@afgloans.com.
The Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival is set for 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 5 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 6, with a preview of the carnival from 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 4, all at Louisiana's Medal of Honor Park, 1292 Barriere Road, Belle Chasse. The festival includes local seafood and citrus, live music and dancing, helicopter and carnival rides, children's activities, the 5K Run/Walk for the Oranges and orange-eating and peeling, shrimp-peeling and de-heading, catfish-skinning, oyster-shucking and duck-calling contests. Music includes performances by Big River Band, Southern Cross, Rockin' Dopsie, Ernie Wilkinson and the Hot Sauce Band, Kayla Woodson and Bucktown All Stars. Entry fees are $4 for adults and $2 for ages of 3 to 12. Children under 3 get in free. For information, visit www.orangefestival.com.
The 20th Annual Bowl for Breath, a fundraiser to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 5 at Creole Lanes, 1371 Tunnel Blvd., Houma. Minimum donations are $25 per bowler. Sponsorships are available. Bowlers can raise money to earn various prizes, including a Sony Blu-Ray Disk Player, a digital camera and others. For information, call event chairs Robbin and Jed Pitre at 632-3604.
The 3rd Annual Historic Church Christmas Musicale is set for 4 p.m. Dec. 6 in downtown Franklin. Guests visit three historical churches for musical entertainment, including: St. Mary's Episcopal Church with a performance by Pat Brown; Asbury Methodist Church for gospel music; and the Church of Assumption for a bell choir performance. The event begins at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 805 1st St., Franklin. Guests walk from one church to the next, ending at First United Methodist Church for light refreshments. Each musical performance lasts about 20 minutes. Admission is free.
Pharr Chapel United Methodist Church, 517 Federal Ave., Morgan City, will hold its Christmas program, "Night in Bethlehem," featuring the music ministry of Pharr Chapel, at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Admission is free and open to the public.
Professional actors and local elementary-school children will put on a Christmas play, "Frosty the Snowman," at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium, 705 Myrtle St., at 6 p.m. Dec. 7. Admission is $5 per person at the door or $4 in advance.
The 14th Annual Christmas Tree Festival is set for Dec. 10-Jan. 1 at the Louisiana State Museum in Patterson. Christmas trees decorated by area children will be on exhibit. The Christmas Tree Festival Open House will be held at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the museum. Visitors can view decorated Christmas trees and hear children from local schools sing holiday carols.
The 21st Annual Christmas by Candlelight is set for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12 on Bernice Street in Morgan City. Residents of Bernice Street have decorated their homes and will light luminaries along the roadway to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season.
The Houma-Terrebonne Community Band will hold its annual Christmas Concert at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 in J.C. Penney Court inside Southland Mall in Houma. Admission is free and open to the public.
The St. Mary Arts and Humanities Council presents "Nutcracker La Louisianne" at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium, 705 Myrtle St.
A free Christmas Dinner for Terrebonne Parish seniors and citizens in need is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 20 at the East Houma Bingo Hall, 425 Grand Caillou Road, Houma. The meal is sponsored by the Krewe of Hercules, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office, Terrebonne Parish District Attorney's Office and the Terrebonne Council on Aging. For information, call 868-8411.
The United Houma Nation Banquet, "Christmas avec les Indiens," is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Houma Municipal Auditorium, 880 Verret St., Houma. Music by Reaux Sham Baux. Admission is $8 for ages 13 and up, $5 for ages 12 and under. No alcohol permitted. For information, call 772-1621 or 226-7664.
The Tuneweavers Christmas Concert featuring traditional Christmas music is set for 2 p.m. Dec. 21 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 3217 2nd St., Berwick. Admission is free.
The South Lafourche Public Library, 16241 E. Main St., Cut Off, is looking for personal collections to display at the library, such as collections of Coca-Cola memorabilia or dolls. The library is seeking collections of small collectible items � both old and new � for display. All collections will be housed in locked display cases. If you have a collection you think others might want to see, call branch librarian Helen Brunet at 632-7140 or visit the library to discuss your collection with her.
Houma-based South Louisiana Center for the Arts is offering a Glee Club program, a choral music group for ages 6 to 16, with an emphasis on contemporary music. The club is named after the Fox television show "Glee." The glee club is accepting new members. Registration fees are $15. Members also buy a $10 Glee Club T-shirt. For information, call SoLa Center for the Arts at 876-2222.
Houma-based South Louisiana Center for the Arts is now offering a class for mothers and young children called "Mommie, Music, and Me." The class includes music and activities for very young children. For information, call SoLa Center for the Arts at 876-2222.
Talking globes to help people with learning disabilities and visual impairment, including blindness, will soon be available at the Martha Sowell Utley Memorial Library, 314 St. Mary St., Thibodaux; the Lockport Public Library, 720 Crescent Ave.; and the South Lafourche Public Library, 16241 E. Main St., Cut Off. The globes were donated in recognition of National Disability Employee Awareness Month by the Lafourche Mayors' Committee, a group that works to increase awareness, provide support and advocate for people with disabilities. People without disabilities can also benefit from the globes.
Children ages 5 to 11 can receive free books on their birthdays as part of a new program at the Martha Sowell Utley Memorial Library, 314 St. Mary St., Thibodaux. The library received a $5,000 grant from Entergy to encourage children to read on their birthdays. Children who register their birthdays with library staff can return on their birthdays to pick up a free Newberry or Caldecott award-winning children's book. To register, children must have a valid library card.
The United Houma Nation will hold Tribal Council meetings at 10 a.m. Jan. 9 at the United Houma Nation's main office, 20986 La. 1, Golden Meadow. For information, call Charlene M. Soares at 537-8867 or e-mail charlene@unitedhoumanation.org.
On exhibit through Dec. 31: Handmade quilts by local artist Ann Hitt at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma.
On exhibit through Dec. 31: Thibodaux resident Emile Hebert's Panhandle Pete collection at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma. The collection includes Western paraphernalia of the Old West and Hollywood West, including an array of model antique and western guns.
On exhibit through Jan. 9: "Clementine Hunter: Plantation Life," a collection of more than 60 paintings and other objects decorated by Clementine Hunter, in the Louisiana State Museum at 118 Cotten Road (U.S. 90) in Kemper Williams Park in Patterson. The exhibit, one of the largest of Hunter's work in recent years, presents her intimate views of plantation life. Hunter was born in December 1886 in the Cane River region of Natchitoches Parish. From 1900 until her death in 1988, she lived at Melrose Plantation. The owners, John and Carmelita Henry, were passionate supporters of art and literature and encouraged Hunter to pursue her creative ability. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. For information, call 399-1268.
On exhibit through Feb. 13: "Of People and Places: Contemporary Art from the JP Morgan Chase Art Collection," an exhibit of 40 works, at the LSU Museum of Art, 100 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge. For information, visit www.lsumoa.com.
The 2010 Independence Day Events Planning Group, sponsored by the Regional Military Museum in Houma, begins meeting at 4 p.m. the third Thursday of each month in the boardroom on the second floor of the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma. All are welcome to help in planning for next year's Fourth of July festivities in Houma. Call the Regional Military Museum at 873-8200.
The Divorce/Separation Recovery Group meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month, including Nov. 11, at the St. Bridget Church Annex Building, 2076 W. Main St., Schriever.
H.E.L.P. Corp. holds its general meetings at 6:30 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month at The City Club, 7861 Main St., Houma. This month's guest speaker is Alex Burke. For information, visit HELPcorp.org or call Kelli McNamara at 879-4485.
The New Hope meeting of Overeaters Anonymous, 10:15-11:30 a.m. Thursdays at Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Civic Center Blvd., Houma. Call Janice at 879-1341 or visit www.oa.org.
American Legion Post No. 31 on Legion Avenue in Houma meets at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month. Meals are provided. For information, call Jack Croker at 876-6598.
The Military Round Table Discussion Group sponsored by the Regional Military Museum meets at 5 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma. The event is free and open to the public. For information, call 873-8200.
TOPS LA Chapter No. 368 of Houma meets from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, with weigh-ins from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m., at the Bayou Blue/Coteau Lions Club, 2221 Bayou Blue Road.
Terrebonne High School Class of 1967 meets the third Saturday of each month, 11:30 a.m. at Golden Corral restaurant, 1724 Martin Luther King Blvd., Houma. Classmates and their guests are invited to attend. Call Ella at 879-1366.
The Bayou Cajuns Chapter of the nonprofit Cajun French Music Association, 6:30-9:30 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month at the Jolly Inn, 1507 Barrow St., Houma. Meetings include a potluck supper, live Cajun music and dancing. No cover charge. Bring your favorite covered dish. Meetings are free, but membership in the group is $20 a year per family. Call Margaret Neil at 851-1867 or Linda Carrere at 876-3818.
Terrebonne Fellowship Masonic Lodge No. 481, first and third Wednesdays of the month at the lodge on Bayou Gardens Boulevard in Houma. Supper at 6:30 p.m. Meeting at 7:30 p.m.
The Louisiana State Poetry Society's Bayou Chapter meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Terrebonne Parish Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma. People of all ages are welcome to come and discuss the lives and works of many poets and share their poetry. You do not have to join the society to come meet fellow poetry lovers and writers. E-mail Daniel Dupre, president of the Bayou Chapter, at danieldupre@bellsouth.net.
Le Krewe Du Bon Temps holds its general membership meetings at 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at the Larose Civic Center, 307 E. Fifth St., Larose. All members are encouraged to attend.
TOPS Chapter LA 325 of Houma meets every Thursday at St. Louis Church parish hall in Bayou Blue. Weigh-ins begin at 5 p.m. and meetings start at 6:30 p.m.
AA meeting, sponsored by the No Name Group of AA, 7 p.m. Mondays in the meeting room in the back of St. Ann Hospital, 106 Cypress St. off La. 1, Raceland. Meetings are closed.
The Easy Does It Club, or the EDIC, holds Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at 10 a.m., noon, 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and Sundays; and at 10 a.m., noon and 8 p.m. Saturdays at 101 Munson Drive, Houma. The club holds Narcotics Anonymous meetings at 8 p.m. Mondays, Fridays and Sundays at 101 Munson Drive, Houma. The club also holds Cocaine Anonymous meetings at 8 p.m. Wednesdays at the same address. All meetings are open. Call the 24-hour hotline at 800-285-3989. For information, call 876-9855.
American Legion Post No. 31 meets at 7 p.m. every second Thursday of each month at the post, at the corner of Legion and Williams avenues. A meal is served at each meeting. New members are invited. Call the post at 872-0885 or Jack Croker at 876-6598. The Ladies American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 31 meets at the same time and location.
The United Veterans League meets at 6 p.m. every fourth Monday of the month at 350 S. Van Ave., Houma. The league helps with military funerals, flag ceremonies and other veterans' activities. The league is open to anyone. Call Ray Ordoyne at 226-0429.
Codependents Anonymous meetings are held every Monday at 7 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 716 Jackson St., Thibodaux. Call 447-8159 or 526-8565 for information.
Terrebonne Chapter No. 988 of the AARP meets at 11 a.m. every third Monday of the month at the Piccadilly Cafeteria, 6803 W. Park Ave., Houma. New members are needed. Dues are $5 a year.
Les Reflections du Bayou meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the CZM office (the old annex building), 101 W. 112th St., Cut Off.
The Military Roundtable Discussion Group sponsored by the Regional Military Museum meets at 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma. A social hour runs from 5 to 6 p.m. Lectures begin at 6 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Call the Regional Military Museum at 873-8200 or drop in at 1154 Barrow St., Houma. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
TOPS Chapter 417 of Lockport meets every Thursday at Lockport Lower Elementary School. Weigh-ins are 5:15-6:15 p.m. Meetings are 6:30-7:30 p.m. Call Maude Crochet at 532-6135.
TOPS Chapter LA 325 of Houma meets every Thursday at the St. Louis Church parish hall in Bayou Blue. Weigh-ins begin at 5:30 p.m., and meetings start at 7 p.m.
A multiple-sclerosis support group, 7 p.m. Thursday at Terrebonne General Medical Center's OutReach Center in Southland Mall in Houma.
The Lafourche Parish Office of Community Action is accepting applications for its energy-assistance program, known as LIHEAP at the following sites: Martin Luther King Park, 1445 Martin Luther King Drive, Thibodaux; Galliano Annex, 101 W. 112th St., Cut Off; and the old Wal-Mart Building, 4876 La. 1, Mathews. LIHEAP aims to help those having trouble paying their energy bills. Documentation needed includes: proof of income, license or ID, Social Security numbers for every member of the household, dates of birth for everyone in the household, current electric or gas bill. For income guidelines and other information, call Stephanie Washington at 446-6731, Robin Cheramie at 632-3989 or Latoya Manuel at 537-7603.
Al-Anon meetings are held in Houma at the following times and places: 6 p.m. Sundays at St. Matthew's Episcopal School library, Belanger Street, contact Bev at 851-6440; noon Tuesdays and 7 p.m. Wednesdays at 728 Belanger St., contact Linda at 226-1698; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 728 Belanger St., contact Linda at 537-8585; and 10 a.m. Fridays at First United Methodist Church, 6109 La. 311, contact Louise at 872-4860. An Alcoholics Anonymous meeting is also held at 6 p.m. Wednesdays. It's an open meeting. For information, call Melody at 227-0415.
"Shoulders to Lean On," a support group for family and friends of prisoners, meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month at the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church of Houma, 7382 Main St., Houma. Call 879-1942 or 876-1671.
Alcoholics Anonymous at 7 p.m. Monday-Friday at 728 Belanger St., Houma; also at 6 p.m. Sundays and at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 243 Barrow St., Houma; and at 6:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 728 Belanger St., Houma; also the AA Easy Does It Club meets at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 101 Munson Drive, Houma.
TOPS Chapter 462 in Dularge, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dularge Recreation Center. Call Carla 879-4293.
The Crescent City Sound Chorus of Sweet Adelines International holds auditions for new members every Monday evening at 7 p.m. at Delgado Community College, 615 City Park Ave., New Orleans. The auditions take place on the third floor in the Music Room. For information, call 898-0951 or 504-835-7760 or visit www.crescentcitysound.com.
Overeaters Anonymous meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma. Call Jane at 876-7660 or visit www.oa.org.
TOPS LA No. 426 meets on Mondays in the Annunziata Catholic Church Cafeteria, 2011 Acadian Drive, Houma. Weigh-ins are 4:30-5:30 p.m. Meetings are 5:45-6:45 p.m.
Acting classes are offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at Vanessa Cloke's home, 4157 St. Louis St., New Orleans. For information, call 504-292-6254 or e-mail v_cloke@yahoo.com.
B.R.I.D.G.E.S., Building Recovery for Individual Dreams and Goals through Education and Support, a peer-to-peer support and education group for those diagnosed with a mental illness, now has education and support meetings in Houma, Napoleonville, Morgan City, Raceland and the Galliano area. For a meeting time and place, call (800) 805-7934.
Hospice of South Louisiana needs volunteers to help year-round with patient services and office work at 6500 Main St., Houma. Call Marcelle at 868-3095.
Terrebonne Folklife Culture Center: Activities weekly include French and Spanish language, duck carving, songbird carving, quilting, soap carving and Cajun-dance classes. Registration $5 plus small donation at classes. Cajun band 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 875-6545 or 879-1924.
VFW Post No. 3700 bingo, 1190 Barrow St., Houma holds bingo at 7 p.m. Tuesday weekly. Includes progressive blackout and horse race. Call Ed Morris at 851-5092.
Terrebonne Churches United Good Samaritan Food Bank is open at 254 Magnolia St., Houma from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and Saturdays, and 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays. No appointments necessary. Call 851-5523.
Bayou Eagles Native American Dance Group invites people to learn more about native culture and dance, Dulac Community Center, 125 Coast Guard Road. Call 563-7483.
TOPS of Thibodaux meets at 10 a.m. each Friday at Peltier Park in Thibodaux.
The Terrebonne Parish Mobile Library is now serving patrons of the North Terrebonne Branch Library, closed temporarily for renovations, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Mobile Library will be in the parking lot of the North Terrebonne Branch, 4130 W. Park Ave., Gray. On Wednesdays, the Mobile Library will return to its regular spot in Grand Caillou. The mobile library offers full service, including book and material circulation, Internet usage, and printing from computers. For information, call the Mobile Library at 804-1646.
Yoga classes with Instructor Stacy Walker begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 6:15 a.m. Wednesdays at Studio 371, 371 School St., Houma. For information, call 791-8140.
The Houma Shrine Club Dune Patrol meets at 7 p.m. every second Thursday of the month at the Houma Shrine Club on the Houma Airbase, 200 Moffet Road, Houma.
The Houma Shrine Club Clown Unit meets at 7 p.m. every fourth Thursday of the month at the Houma Shrine Club on the Houma Airbase, 200 Moffet Road, Houma.
The United Houma Nation Election Board announces a special election to fill the vacancy for District 7, which includes all of Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes and parts of Jefferson Parish. Candidates must reside in that district. Any tribal member interested in candidacy for the seat should request a qualifying packet from the following address: United Houma Nation, 20986 La. 1, Golden Meadow 70357. Candidates have until 4 p.m. July 24 to submit formal applications of intent and qualify for this seat. If more than one candidate qualifies, the election will be held Sept. 26.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to help youth with disabilities in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes can do so at any branch of South Louisiana Bank. Donations should be made to the account of "John Crochet For Severely Handicapped Youths," a nonprofit organization. All proceeds go to helping the disabled youth of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes gain special equipment, such as wheelchairs, to make their lives easier. Donations will also be used to make wishes come true for youth with terminal illnesses. For information, call John Crochet at home at 851-4148 or on his cell phone at 804-1469.
Terrebonne High School Alumni Association provides scholarships, equipment, computers and more to Terrebonne High School. Call 879-4563.
Blood donors needed: The region is experiencing a critical need for blood donations, especially Type O blood, according to Terrebonne General Medical Center. Blood donors can donate at the hospital's Blood Donor Center, open 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Call 873-4025 or 873-4029 to make an appointment. The Blood Donor Center is on Belanger Street across from the parking garage in the Annex Building.
Bingo at VFW Post No. 5097, 1004 Tiger Drive, Thibodaux. Every Monday at 7 p.m. Come support your veterans.
Bridge: Duplicate bridge game open to public at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at The Homestead, 1132 Cottage Drive, Houma. Call 872-3839.
Modeling classes will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of each month at the Lisa Park Gym, 6639 Lisa Park Ave., Houma. Proceeds benefit research into Down's Syndrome. For information, call Mary Duplantis at 876-0301.
Belly Dance Classes are held on Monday evenings with Instructor Jessica Martin at Studio 371, 371 School St., Houma. For information, call 688-6283.
Oil-painting classes taught by local artist Gail LeCompte are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Drive, Houma. Bring a 16-by-20-inch canvas, easel and sack lunch.
Wii Games and Crafts for all ages, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays at the Terrebonne Parish Mobile Library, parked at the Grand Caillou Gym.
The United Veterans League offers a chapel service as a final tribute to deceased veterans. The service includes a reading, playing of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" while the group files by and salutes, a gun salute by the Rifle Squad and "Taps" and folding and presentation of the flag to the family. Call Ray Ordoyne at 851-2665 or Willie Boudreaux at 594-3727.
The Houma-Terrebonne Community Band practices at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Southdown Stadium on St. Charles Street. People of all ages who play any instrument are invited to join. Call 397-0545, e-mail info@htcb.org or visit www.htcb.org.
The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council for South Louisiana is a non-profit organization providing prevention education, referral and assessment services. Programs offered through the group, known as ADAC, include strengthening families, super-conflict resolution and a children's program. Call Andrea DeHart at 879-2273.
"Join My World" is a newly formed nonprofit group aimed at increasing awareness and education for those affected by autism. Call Michelle Simon at 804-6453 or e-mail her at mrs1md@gmail.com.
Do you enjoy building scale models of aircraft, armor, cars, trucks, ships or figures? A Houma area scale-model builder is organizing an informal general-interest club to pro-mote the hobby and give scale-model enthusiasts a forum for sharing tips and techniques. Call Bruce Jenkins after 6 p.m. at 876-7394 or e-mail bj342@charter.net.
Louisiana Modeling Academy is accepting registrations for modeling classes and contests at the Ramada Inn, 1400 W. Tunnel Blvd., Houma. All proceeds benefit research into Down Syndrome. Call 876-0301.
VFW Bingo: 7 p.m. every Tuesday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall, 1190 Barrow St., Houma. Features progressive pull tabs and pickle jar. Call 876-3296. Adult volleyball is held from 9:30 a.m. to noon every Wednesday at the Dularge Gym, 1330 Dr. Beatrous Road. Free and just for fun. For people age 18 and up only. Call 879-4340.
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Elliott Puckette
24 x 30.5 inches
Untitled 5-7
24 x 18 inches each
Danziger Projects, in association with the Paul Kasmin Gallery, is pleased to present an exhibition of new works on paper by Elliott Puckette. This will be the artist's first exhibition with Danziger Projects and her first New York exhibition in four years.
Elliott Puckette was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and studied at the Cooper Union in New York City. She began exhibiting in New York in 1989, and since then her work has been regularly exhibited in America and around the world.
For more than a decade and with great consistency, Puckette has practiced her own distinctive form of abstraction, producing paintings and works on paper that appeal to both the mind and the eye. Her work is at once formal and non-objective. Beginning with a history of looking at script, Puckette creates a calligraphic line that engages questions of direction, form, color, and boundary. Bringing to mind a musical score, or a skater's trace, the journey each line takes is always unique. Asked how she knew how long a line should be or where it should go, Puckette answered "I know when to stop when I have answered the question, has the line done what it is supposed to have done?"
While in Puckette's paintings the line is literally carved out of fields of colored ground with a razor blade, in the works on paper the deductive process is reversed. Starting with a blank piece of handmade paper, Puckette begins with what she describes as "a few gestures". A composition is then carefully and painstakingly developed. Finally, the line (or sometimes lines) is meticulously painted in colored ink, waxing and waning as it journeys around the paper. While the artist may take into account the nature of each piece of paper, the finished works are impressive feats of decisiveness. (As the writer Daisy Garnett remarked, Puckette's lines may be ambiguous but they are never random!)
The finished works hint at deeper meaning in the manner of music or poetry. They are unapologetic in their relationship to beauty while utterly distinctive in their authorship. Indeed one of Puckette's many achievements has been to infiltrate abstraction from a uniquely original direction. Like Pollack's drips and Marden's loops, the linear swoops and arabesques of Puckette's work are a visual language all her own.
Elliott Puckette's works are in the permanent collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, The New York Public Library and the Fogg Art Museum in Boston.
For more information please contact the gallery at 212 629 6778 or at: info@danzigerprojects.com
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Curtis Franklin Jr.
Teach Your AI Well: A Potential New Bottleneck for Cybersecurity
Artificial intelligence (AI) holds the promise of easing the skills shortage in cybersecurity, but implementing AI may result in a talent gap of its own for the industry.
Ann Johnson is leaning forward from her seat in the lobby of a tourist-district Hilton as she shares her excitement about the promise of AI. "Microsoft sees 6.5 trillion security signals a day," she says. "AI helps rationalize them down to a quantity that humans can deal with."
As corporate vice president in Microsoft's Cybersecurity Solutions Group, Johnson spends a lot of time thinking about tools to make human security analysts more effective. "The goal is to reduce the number of humans required - since there aren't nearly enough humans to do the work - and automate simple remediation, leaving humans to do more complex work," she explains.
The shortage of qualified security analysts is an issue that the IT security industry has been dealing with for years. There is little question that technology tools - from better analytics engines, to increased automation, to artificial intelligence - are seen as methods for dealing with the shortage. But will the fact that artificial intelligence, like its human analog must be carefully trained, limit its ability to help the industry out of its expertise deficit?
A Blank Slate
Whether the technology is labeled artificial intelligence or machine learning, it is almost never a "one size fits all" proposition. Heather Lawrence, a data scientist at the Nebraska Applied Research Institute, explains: "Every client's environment is different," she says. "The machine learning algorithm needs to learn on the client's data."
And every AI engine deployed in a real-world situation must be trained on environment-specific data, whether the AI is looking at a problem as narrowly defined as stopping phishing messages - or as broad as a generalized SIEM.
WatchGuard Technologies, for example, uses AI as part of its anti-malware protection product. "There's definitely a 'big data' aspect behind the training, as we're training machine learning algorithms," says Corey Nachreiner, WatchGuard Technologies' CTO. "We gather millions and millions of files that, over time, have been known to be bad; and millions and millions of files that have been known to be good and we throw them through these various types of machine learning algorithms."
These millions of files are where AI can slow down, because the files don't appear by magic. Someone (or a team of someones) must choose the files and make sure that they're in a format usable by the AI engine. And someone must make sure that the files chosen train the AI to do the right thing.
Intelligence v. Learning
Training is the critical ingredient in AI, but is it also crucial for machine learning (ML) success? For that matter, is there a meaningful difference between AI and ML when it comes to their application in security?
"When people use 'AI' in cybersecurity, more often than not they are referring to the application of machine learning, either unsupervised or supervised, for various tasks," says David Atkinson, founder of Senseon and former commercial director of Darktrace. He explains that, for him, machine learning is where the engine is looking at a known set of data, and through analysis produces a predictable range of outcomes. Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, can produce outcomes that lie completely outside the range of predicted results because its techniques can go beyond those reachable through linear algorithms.
It's not just that commercial security companies haven't developed the technology to do "true" AI - in most cases customers wouldn't be comfortable with the possibilities AI presents, says Ariel Herbert-Voss, a Ph.D candidate at Harvard University. "We like to have things that are interpretable; you want to know why your algorithm is making a particular decision because if you don't know, then you might be making some terrible, horrible decision," she explains.
Whether your preferred term is AI or ML, training is as vital to success as the specifics of the engine, both to increase the chances of application success and to keep the AI from turning to evil purposes.
At the DEF CON hacker conference back in August, Nebraska Applied Research Institute's Lawrence spoke in the AI Village about techniques for mis-training an AI engine - and how those engines can be protected. Because both AI and ML engines learn from the data they receive, she said, flooding one with bad data results in bad lessons-learned. Perhaps the most famous example of this was the infamous "Tay" chatbot Microsoft created in 2016. Designed as a machine learning bot that would learn to converse with humans on Twitter, Tay was taught to be an abusive racist in less than 24 hours in a concerted effort to feed it bad information.
Lawrence pointed to the stickers recently developed by researchers at Google that tricked image recognition systems into seeing toasters where none existed. The key, she said, is in understanding how the AI system learns, and the factors it uses for recognition.
Sven Cattell, a researcher at EndGame, explains how that understanding can be so difficult to develop. For example, consider the dimensions of objects in the theoretical space where they exist - a space that may have many more dimensions than the four-dimensional world humans inhabit. Most people are quite comfortable thinking about the three dimensions in which we move, plus one more for time. Four dimensions is what we're taught in geometry and trigonometry classes.
But these four dimensions used by human brains to figure out virtually everything about our environments can be insufficient for machine-based AI. AI engines may need to resort to representing objects in many dimensions — hundreds, in fact. Humans who have to build and train the AI then must employ such an advanced mathematics model to train AI to analyze tasks that range from visual recognition to treating the multiple dimensions of potentially malicious human behavior. That's why training the AI — building the models the system will use to understand and act upon — is a rigorous discipline.
Moving the Bottleneck
The paradox this creates is that the AI seen as a potential fix for the shortage of trained security professionals yet there's a shortage of skilled AI trainers.
"At the end of the day it's people building these systems, and it's people maintaining these systems, and it's people using these systems," says Harvard's Herbert-Voss. "You have very few machine learning professionals that can handle and clarify and gain meaning from the data, right? So in [my] presentation [at DEF CON] there was a number of 22,000 professionals worldwide as estimated by elementAI that can perform research in this area," she says.
And as the discussion progresses, those professionals may be as much a limiting factor as anything else on how quickly AI can rescue security from its talent deficit.
It's not just a question of throwing bodies at the problem — they need to be the right bodies, notes Microsoft's Johnson. "We have learned that volume isn't the key in training," she says. "Diversity is the key in type, geography, and other aspects. That's important because you have to have non-bias in training."
Bias can include things like making assumptions about gender, social network profiles, or other behavioral markers, and items like looking for a specific nation-state actor and missing actors who are from other areas, she explains.
Even with the difficulty in training AI and ML engines, though, machine intelligence is increasingly becoming a feature in security products. "We are incrementally building the presence of AI in security," Johnson says. "It's not flipping a switch."
One of the issues around human resources is that the people with expertise in security and the people with expertise in training AI engines are rarely the same people. "Data scientists don't have the subject matter expertise about which devices are vulnerable or why are they're acting in a particular way," Nebraska Applied Research Institute's Lawrence says. "These are questions that most data science professionals don't have answers to. And then on the flip side, cybersecurity experts they have all of this data and they don't understand how to train the machine learning algorithms to get alerts, or get additional automation to reduce their overhead or their labor."
Ultimately, she says, "I think it's kind of an amplification effect, where you have one group of subject matter experts and another group of data science experts - both of which the talent pool is lacking."
Hybrid Win
For Chris Morales, head of security analytics at Vectra, the answer to both shortages is an approach in which AI augments human effort rather than seeking to replace it.
"Machine learning allows us as defenders to adapt much more quickly in real-time to threats that are constantly changing," he says. "What machine learning is good at doing is learning over time and adapting. As environments change, the machine can start to change."
Morales explains his thinking. "The threat constantly changes and adapts; and if we have a changing landscape, and we have a changing threat, we don't know what's going to happen next."
But machine learning is well suited to those dynamic environments. "I think that's going to continue to be true that machine learning allows us, as defenders, to adapt much more quickly, in real time, to threats that are constantly changing," he says.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Security Teams
The Enigma of AI & Cybersecurity
The Double-Edged Sword of Artificial Intelligence in Security
Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Cybersecurity
Black Hat Europe returns to London Dec 3-6 2018 with hands-on technical Trainings, cutting-edge Briefings, Arsenal open-source tool demonstrations, top-tier security solutions and service providers in the Business Hall. Click for information on the conference and to register.
Curtis Franklin Jr. is Senior Editor at Dark Reading. In this role he focuses on product and technology coverage for the publication. In addition he works on audio and video programming for Dark Reading and contributes to activities at Interop ITX, Black Hat, INsecurity, and ... View Full Bio
State of the Cloud
Essential Elements of a Penetration Test
How Enterprises Are Using IT Threat Intelligence
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David Lagana
Being a Champion
September 15, 2017 David Lagana
Rick Martel (AWA World Champion) / Ric Flair (NWA World Champion)
This picture should bring a smile to your face. I know it does to mine.
It represents an era, a feeling, a vibe that is important to me. I realize a lot of you weren’t born when this photo was taken. Rick Martel (as AWA Champion) and Ric Flair (as NWA Champion) were the class men of their organization. They were champions. Don’t worry, this isn’t a long tangent about titles not meaning anything but more importantly what the idea being a champion means.
Being a champion means being the best. An idea that should drive each and every one of us. It’s the acknowledgment, a reward. One that requires days, weeks, months, years, decades of hard work. Every champion has a different story beyond the one written for them by others. Every person’s journey is very unique and ultimately very personal. FYI, this is beyond simply a wrestling post.
A championship belt is a physical item. Actually being a champion is totally etherial. In reality, it’s how you carry yourself, it’s how you live your life, it’s the every day struggles and victories that build a legacy. The physical item is traded around as part of the never ending narrative in all sports; every sport has its version. It’s the feeling that comes with it and the chase that is the story here. We all chase being the best - the value proposition that goes with success. The title is a viewed award. I’m sure if you’ve ever held a championship title, you’ve spent time looking in the mirror… alone. That time is when you’re honest with yourself. There is no cameras, no fans, no other voices but your own. And even then you’re trying to convince yourself of that moment.
Being a real champion means being honest with yourself on your journey. By attacking the part of you that drives you and the reasons you “lace them up.” Again, this is not just a wrestling post. Why do you get up? Why do you chase that title belt? Is it ego? Is it to get money? Is it recognition for a past you’re either running away from or running towards. Deep sh*t, right? The energy we create is the energy we not only attract but also foster the growth of. Positive or negative. There is never just one meaning in why we do things. There is always more below the surface.
The chase of glory and gold reveals the drive of a man/woman. The pinnacle moment of raising the title over our head celebrates that chase. The fight and work to remain on top illuminates the dedication. Upon defeat, the ability to dust ourself off, look up at the mountain peak we’re just at and decide what’s next is the ultimate full-circle journey into who we really are.
I’m about 99.9% sure I’ll not be hold a professional wrestling title over my head. If you’ve met me or ever watched me do anything athletic, you’ll understand why. But as I said, this is not a wrestling post. It’s about each of our journeys to be a champion in our own lives. I’ve lived each of these steps and crave each more because they help me grow and get better. Every time I get knocked down in the dirt I wonder how I can get back up to that peak again. It sure looks far doesn’t it? My peak is different than yours; everyone has their own journey and path. Celebrate it, embrace it, live it. Your journey is solely yours - lived, executed and defined by you. The title belt you hold up at the end of your story is the sweetest when you’re truly your own champion.
davidjlagana@me.com
Tags NWA World Champion, Pro Wrestling, WWE
Day Four - Creating Every Day!
September 5, 2017 David Lagana
I set out on a mission a few days ago to create everyday. I at first thought it should be a daily video but I realized that sometimes a video just won’t manifest. That’s the thing about creativity - it’s about doing the work. It’s funny I write this on Labor Day. Our American holiday of rest. The first Monday of every September set aside for the last big bash of the summer. And yet, I create. Because if you want to be successful you need to put in the work. Even on a set aside holiday.
The life of being a creative person (writer, performer, director, technician) means there are no bounds to where/how/when you get the opportunity to create. Yesterday, WWE announced that they would be putting on a live show on Christmas Night and New Years night. I’m not here to defend/endorse this decision nor am I here to vilify it either. It’s a business decision. A media machine like WWE is a giant beast, constantly needing to be being fed. I worked every Monday holiday during my six years in WWE. I worked New Years Day 2007 for WWE. It’s the job. The biggest money drawing days in professional wrestling during the 70s and 80s in some territories was Thanksgiving Night and Christmas Night. Talents/creatives go where the work is, when the work happens.
Our time is valuable; as is the audience’s time. So Labor Day is a time for rest. Yet, I wanted to create. My thought on the video I wanted to do didn’t get past the starting blocks but I knew I am on a mission. If you haven’t checked out the vlogs - watch them here. Sometimes, we can’t show off the creative work we’re doing because it’s not ready, it’s in process or it’s not very good. The goal of my daily creative challenge is simply - start, execute, finish something everyday. Not to worry about anything beyond the task at hand. Why this challenge?
Everyone has a different approach to their creative process. Writer’s block, as it’s called, is really just our mind working hard. Resistance by the mind is this weird natural defense to stop outside stimulus from coming at us. Every have a thought and wanted to share it with a group but afraid of what people will say? That’s your mind creating and then stopping. Seems Twitter has gotten rid of some of this filter for some; but also protects from actually seeing the feedback. There are a few great books about getting rid of these types of blocks. The War of Art (http://amzn.to/2w2Uhxo) and Creativity, Inc (http://amzn.to/2xMumfJ). Both are written by powerhouses of creative that show that if you approach your creative journey differently, you’ll find the way.
I have always worked well in a rhythm. In writing for professional wrestling for 15 years, there is a crazy rhythm to writing for the sport. As described above, it’s a beast that constantly wants to be fed. You don’t get 10 weeks to perfect one show or promo. Sometimes you get 10 minutes. The key is being ready. Creating everyday sharpens your skills; making key, critical decisions at moments of creative inspiration to complete the task. It’s not about excuses, writer’s block or anything other than simply doing the work. No matter the day. And if you don’t feel like it - that’s fine. Just keep on creating when you want but realize the more prepared you are, the better you’ll be.
If you want to talk creative, feel free to comment below or reach out via various social networks.
THE GO HOME DILEMMA
April 26, 2017 David Lagana
Moments stick with us. Take a moment to run through your happiest moments. Take the first one that pops into your mind, hold onto it and realize that it didn’t just happen. Lots of decisions, execution and hard work brought you to that joy. Now, think about the reverse of that. The worst moment of your life saw a lot of decisions and execution spiral into this darkness. These moments are fueled by life choices. And as a writer, a creator, an entertainer it’s our job to create stories that engage an audience in ways that tap into themes everyone can relate to. The most relatable theme – HOME.
When I was younger, I remember playing out in my very suburban New Jersey neighborhood deep into dusk. This isn’t about espousing the “good old days” of when kids used to playy outside; it’s about the moment when it was over. If a parent wanted their kid to come home, they would scream out the back door - “JOHNNY…. COME HOME!” Now, this one friend would always test the limits of when he would answer this call to go home. It always stuck with me because it was a battle of wills on when he would return home even though we all knew when it was time.
What inspired this topic in my mind was that this was the “Go Home” week for WWE’s Payback show. In professional wrestling the term “Go Home” has two meanings. The final show before a major event is called the “Go Home” show. It’s that last chance to convince a consumer that this event is worth your time, money and most importantly attention. The other “Go Home” in wrestling is the moment in the match when the story has reached the important part to bring it to it’s conclusion. Every match has this moment; the art is executing it to a maximum effect to deliver the proper finish. In storytelling, some might say the “Go home” moment is where our hero has lost everything and now must do one final action to “win the day”. In some circles, this is called ALL IS LOST.
If you’re expecting a deep dive on the booking of the “Go Home” week of Payback, I’m sorry that’s not what this is about. I can happily point you to fantasy booking related sites and podcasts who will spend hours on that. I want to engage in a dialogue/discussion on the importance of our own self awareness in our own “Go Home” moments. There are moments in our lives, our stories where major change happens. These moments define the core of our character. Yet these slices of time shouldn’t define us because the change might not be about us. Instead, it’s what we decide to do from this moment. Do we let it destroy us, retreat into an existence of suffering off it or does it to motivate us into the next amazing chapter in our story.
In 2008, my professional life came under major change – causing me to face such a moment. For a short amount of time I slipped into a state of “what do I do now.” Interestingly enough, the entire world faced a similar challenge with the collapse of the housing/finical market that same year. I remember sitting in a Panera Bread in late summer of 2008 having lunch with my friend Kat… stunned at the collapse that was there. One thing I did during that entire year was write; almost every day. I used to get paid to write for my job but not for my soul. That flipped completely and the spirit inside me wanted to communicate what I was feeling inside me. It was this lightbulb switch that I feel my own writing evolved. Even in writing other people’s stories, I was able to infuse a little of my own self into them. I am grateful for the major change my life undertook in that period because I felt I grew inside it
In 2016, I faced another “go home” moment where I knew change needed to happen again. I found that solace again in my own story. It was not a business decision more than an investment in myself. The money is the money. It’s the choices made in that moment to not let these moments define myself but instead lead to great change. The spirit inside me lit up by 2008 is a blaze now in 2017. I can’t tell you if this moment makes me a success. I’m a person, trying to make the most out of moments. Exploring every possible avenue to expand my skills, abilities and chances for success rooted out of my own work. I’m here to tell you I don’t have all the answers. Anyone who tells you they have them all is lying to two people… you and themselves. I simply see such a large shift about to happen again. And this isn’t just about professional wresting. This isn’t about our politics. It’s about media, culture and life.
I literally thought of this post a few days ago as I was driving home from North Carolina. I’ve chatted with various people across many industries about “changes” happening. Actual change takes time and sometimes I read the news making it out like “this internet is changing the world”. The internet is not a new concept, heck I was an early adopter of it back in 1991. The market lets you know when change happens. The execution and adoption of how people use the changing technologies have caused major brands, media companies to see a truly different future.
A few stories stood out to me over the last few days. A funny one was the fact there are still a handful of Blockbuster stores open in the United States. The internet didn’t kill Blockbuster – being resistant to change of the market did. Netflix mailing DVDs was a new idea, one that the major brand Blockbuster scoffed at. We all see the power Netflix has now by being the change there. The other just happened this morning with the layoffs at ESPN. This is truly tied to the change in the way people consume media. Stories abound that less people are watching ACTUAL television. That there is a drop in the hours watched on physical TV. ESPN has seen subscriber numbers drop due to “cord cutting”. This morning, ESPN announced they were cutting 100 employees including on-air talent like Ed Werder. Today is a “go home” moment for Ed and his first public statement tells you what he’s doing in this moment. “I have no plans to retire”.
I hope that this makes you all think about your own moments; the ones we are actually in control of. The choices and decisions we make for our own story. Trust me, we are the writers of our own story. If you don’t think you’re truly in control of your path then you need to put the device down in your hand. I want you to look at the power it has and then take a minute to clear your mind of the stress of things you’re not in control of. I took heavy stock at what I was good at and better yet, what I wanted to get better at. I picked up a camera this year to tell more stories. I am starting to write like this again to tell my story. I am not selling you anything other than a simple idea… you have control. By the way, it will be hard. My business partner and I always talk about the differences in people – some sell their ability to do the work and others can execute; they do the work.
In your “go home” moment, will you do the work?
Please feel free to comment below, tweet me or check out my vlog - DavidLagana.com/Vlog
Tags ESPN, WWE, Pro Wrestling, Blockbuster, Netflix
WHEN THE MIRACLE MEETS EC3… THEIR SACRIFICE FOR THE GOOD OF WRESTLING. →
March 26, 2017 David Lagana
This morning I just started tweeting. One tweet turned into seven all about tonight’s show Sacrifice on Pop TV. The subject was the continuing conflict of “The Miracle” Mike Bennett vs. Ethan Carter The Third. The seven tweets didn’t feel enough.
Words. There are a lot of them that come into play in putting together any creative endeavor. Communication is built upon language and the words strung together in creating emotions. The story that brings Mike Bennett and EC3 together is one that shines the light on good communication.
A few years ago, a talent reached out wanting a chance. That talent was EC3. He came to our team in the hopes of proving what he believed about himself. Since that first day he walked out on Impact over thirty months ago, he has evolved. The rich, entitled character who gained entry via nepotism, has had his universe change around him. He’s been forced to adapt to the changing landscape. If you’ve followed along his journey, it’s been meteoric success in his opponents, stories and. arc. In that time, the performer has taken the skin of the character and made it his own. He’s proven that the word to be sum up his ability — versatile.
In the last year, two other talents joined our family. Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis-Bennett. In different universes, our paths have crossed before. One a prodigy in hopes of teaching an audience he was better than he thought, the other a one dimensional archetype of a man’s vision of women. They both came to this company looking for a new challenge. They wanted to show those who put them in a box that they could expand past their confined existence. Even though the word attached to the new character, their success was no “miracle.” It was based upon hard work, talent and drive. Much like EC3
On January 12th, The Miracle meet EC3 for the first time. Watch here. In reality, the first confrontation was scheduled for the January 5th edition of Impact but timing and circumstance changed that. These two powers are seemingly drawn together for similar reasons. It’s these reasons that make them excellent dancing partners. In their first confrontation, their characters didn’t play traditional roles, instead simply a conversation that hinged on character traits. And in that confrontation, the dye was cast for the future.
In working with both, our team has seen such great ability, adaptability, and longevity. Josh Mathews uttered that these characters might be destined to this forever. Great chemistry fueled by common goals and desire to out do the others. In front of the camera and behind the scenes, this has been the rocket fuel to grow the business. In a social media world destined to eat itself, swimming in negativity, these two characters are growing and battling it out over their work. Who can out do the other in promos, wrestling matches and growth of character. From 9pm to 11pm every Tuesday, they are putting their work on display for an audience looking for something deeper from their wrestling program.
Tonight, they have a match that it built upon the concepts discussed in here. The “Sacrifice” theme built upon EC3 never having been pinned or submitted in the thirty months and in “The Miracle” Mike Bennett being undefeated since walking in the door of TNA Impact Wrestling. Great conflict tied to backstory, character conflict and physical action. The payoff on tonight’s show can/will take their story in a new direction. And isn’t that what we want from all forms of entertainment. A built up expectation that leads to a decisive conclusion that takes the story in a whole new direction. That is the goal in Mike Bennett vs. EC3 tonight and the audience won’t be disappointed.
The Journey of Gail Kim →
Originally Posted to Medium on June 17, 2016
Six AM comes very early. Over my fifteen years traveling for wrestling, I’ve spent many an early morning at the airport. Security lines are interesting places, especially at that time of day and even worse on holidays. On the day before Thanksgiving 2007, I was traveling from Tampa, Florida where we had just finished Smackdown to Little Rock where I was spending the holiday with a friend. And at that very early morning hour, I saw someone who I hadn’t seen in over three years — Gail Kim.
I’ve worked with hundreds of talents across four different companies during the last two decades. Each have such amazing stories of what got them there, what obstacles they had to over come, and their triumphs to find peace, success and happiness in their personal and professional lives. Time always tells the best story, not a single interaction or moment. Memories, like the catching up with Gail in 2007 at the Tampa Airport, all came flooding back this past week when it was announced that Gail was being inducted in the TNA Hall of Fame.
There was a lot of emotion this week in Orlando. Obviously the incidents involving the shooter at the Pulse Nightclub and the senseless loss of life weighs heavy on our minds. We need to, as a culture, be more accepting of others. Not let hate in our heart or the thoughts in our mind hurt others anymore. Differences need to be celebrated, not cut down. Our entire company stood together with the city of Orlando less than twenty hours after the shooting to show our support. To see an audience of people gather so quickly in the city of this tragedy was very powerful. They were not afraid instead want a night of entertainment to try to take the horror of that day off their mind. The silence in the audience for the tribute before Slammiversary was powerful; full of. so much raw emotion from the audience and performers. We all must work every day to continue pushing love into the world instead of hate. Take a moment and read Josh Mathews blog about this here — http://bit.ly/JMBlog3
We continued to work this week and two nights later, the roster assembled again on the stage for the announcement of the 2016 TNA Hall of Fame Inductee. It was a pure surprise for Gail. You could see the emotion in her eyes the moment it happened. She felt the love from everyone on that stage and the wrestling business after having worked so hard over the last fifteen years; through ups and downs to build a body of work that everyone respected. I did get emotional in that moment because I was so happy for her. I’m not only being a fan of hers but am lucky to have been there through some of her. best times and some of her worst.
I first met Gail in 2002 when she came in for a WWE tryout in Toronto. She was one of three women (Traci Brooks, Gail Kim and Beth Phoenix) being looked at that day. On that day, Gail got signed but the other two did work hard to make it in in the business. Ironically enough, Gail made her WWE debut across the border in Buffalo less than a year later and in her first match won the WWE Women’s Championship. On that day, I remember being assigned to Gail Kim’s promo after she won the match. Gail will admit, promos were not her strong point and in going back and looking — that promo didn’t make the show. From what I remember, we recorded it to be “during the break” and the decision was made not to air it. Gail’s first run in WWE had it’s moments but there was always this feeling that her promos held her back.
In the late fall of 2004, Paul Heyman and I were assigned to work with a few talents in the pre-tape room to see what skills could be built upon; Gail was one of them. On that day, in Peoria, we felt like Gail was making some real progress. She had confidence and showed improvement. Was she the Rock that day, no. We planned to take the tape to show those who requested it to show the progress. That tape was never seen as she was cut that week as the Diva division was “going in a different direction.”
Working with a talent to find their confidence is a very delicate process. We all have these feelings about ourselves; how we perceive our talent and how the world sees us. There are times that require tough love, times that require hand-holding, and time to let the talent fly on their own. Gail has always wanted to be the best and prove that she can do anything. Her leaving WWE in 2004 could have been the end. But instead, she took time to evaluate her future and ended up going to TNA Wrestling.
Gail’s career hit its stride in the mid-2000s during her time competing In the Knockout Division. And in 2007 when I saw her at the Tampa Airport, she was really hitting high gear. She had just won the Knockouts Title at Bound for Glory and was on the doorstep of her program with Awesome Kong. Six AM conversations at airports are usually about what you did the night before but I saw how happy she was with her career. This was also a few months before my end at WWE and I wish I had felt the same. My happiness level was no secret to those who knew me in 2007. And like I had said earlier, time tells the best stories. This early morning at the airport was simply a time stamp at where we both were at our lives.
Fast forward to 2011 and life rapidly changed for the both of us. Gail had returned to WWE years earlier but they never capitalized on the magic she had in TNA even having Awesome Kong on the same roster in WWE. Her frustration boiled over, eliminating herself from a battle royal and leaving WWE. Her return to TNA Wrestling came almost simultaneously as I went to work for the company in 2011. Gail talks about the best thing that happened to her during her second tour of WWE was meeting her husband celebrity chef Robert Irvine.
Getting to work with Gail from 2012–2016 in TNA has been so rewarding for me. Gail’s in-ring work continued to be. top-notch. She was the leader of the Knockouts Locker room and set the standard for the quality of wrestling. Gail is very passionate in her approach to the business and wanted to capture people’s attention. Her program with Taryn Terrell did just that. Taryn, like Gail, came to TNA to prove that the woman you saw in WWE was not who she really was. It was in these series of matches that they both proved who they really were. Gail fought to not only get the Last Knockout Standing match but the ladder match in Vegas. The program is one of my favorites because it caught people off guard and changed perception on these two talents.
During this past year, Gail Kim has done some of the best promo work of her career. In working with her, it was about finding what inside the story she was passionate about. What she could communicate with heart behind it. The conflict with Maria Kanellis hit dead center on Gail’s love for not only wrestling but TNA. This is the place that made Gail Kim the performer she is; let her be her. You felt that in her speech when she was announced as the TNA Hall of Famer inductee. The raw emotion of Tuesday given by the fans and her peers showed she earned this honor and more importantly the respect that goes along with it. I am proud to see Gail grow over the years not only professionally but personally. And I’m glad to call Gail a friend!
If you liked the article, please recommend it, comment, share, RT, do all the things that people do in this social age.
DavidLagana.com
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Stargirl Alert: Joel McHale Cast as Starman
By Tim Beedle Wednesday, December 12th, 2018
Acclaimed actor and television personality Joel McHale has landed the role of Starman on the upcoming DC Universe series, Stargirl. However, it’s probably not the Starman you’re expecting.
Announced earlier today on Variety, McHale will be playing a version of Starman referred to as “Golden Age Starman,” a character’s whose human identity is more traditionally associated with a different character (but more on that later). Here’s the official description:
Joel McHale plays rich socialite Sylvester Pemberton, aka Starman. A courageous and confident Super Hero, Starman is a member of the Justice Society of America—DC’s original Super Hero team, which first appeared in ALL STAR COMICS #3 in 1940. Starman wields a mysterious anti-gravity weapon called the Cosmic Staff. His longtime partner is his sidekick, Stripesy, better known as Courtney Whitmore’s stepfather, Pat Dugan.
If you’re familiar with Stargirl’s story in the comics, you’ll likely notice a few changes. The biggest is that Sylvester Pemberton has never been Starman in the comics. He’s best known as the former Star-Spangled Kid, though he did eventually adapt the similar sounding name of Skyman in the mid-1980s. However, other details remain the same. As the Star-Spangled Kid, Pemberton did operate with Dugan’s Stripesy as his sidekick, he did use Starman’s Cosmic Staff for a time, and he was a member of the JSA.
Still, it sounds like Stargirl may streamline Courtney’s origin a bit. In the comics, she discovered the Star-Spangled Kid’s suit and cosmic belt among her stepfather’s things, stole them and began operating as the new Star-Spangled Kid. Eventually, she was given the Cosmic Staff by the retired Jack Knight, at which point she adopted the name Stargirl. By making Sylvester Pemberton the series’ Starman, it allows the writers to sidestep Courtney’s earliest adventures as part of the duo known as Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E., which while interesting and fun, probably aren’t all that necessary to see brought to the show.
McHale is probably best known for his role on the influential comedy series Community and for hosting E!’s The Soup for twelve seasons, but he’s also recently been seen on The X-Files and The Great Indoors, and leading his new Netflix series, The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale.
DC Universe’s Stargirl promises to follow Courtney as she inspires an unlikely group of young heroes to stop the villains of the past, and aims to reimagine Stargirl and the very first superhero team, the JSA. Stargirl focuses on the character that started executive producer Geoff Johns’ career as a comic book writer when he created her in 1999, and was lovingly inspired by his late sister. According to Variety, Johns will write the premiere episode and serve as the series’ showrunner.
Keep an eye here on DCComics.com for more Stargirl news as it breaks, and be sure to subscribe to DC Universe so you don’t miss this much-anticipated new series when it premieres next year.
"Elseworlds" Brings the World's Finest to The CW
Stargirl, stargirl casting, stargirl series, stargirl tv show, starman, starman casting, joel mchale, joel mchale cast as starman, cosmic staff, sylvester pemberton, golden age starman, star-spangled kid, courtney whitmore, stripesy, pat dugan, dc universe, dc universe series, dc universe original, dctv, #dctv, casting news, Breaking News
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You are here: Home / Archive / Unum bragged about ‘driving government thinking’ on incapacity benefit reform
Unum bragged about ‘driving government thinking’ on incapacity benefit reform
By John Pring on February 15, 2013 Category: Archive, News Archive
An insurance company set to make huge financial gains from incapacity benefit (IB) reform bragged about “driving” the government towards those reforms, evidence obtained by Disability News Service (DNS) has revealed.
The US insurance giant Unum has repeatedly denied attempting to influence IB reform over the last two decades, despite mounting evidence that it has done so.
Unum is the largest provider of “income protection insurance” (IPI) in the UK, and tougher welfare rules – including replacing incapacity benefit with employment and support allowance (ESA) – are likely to persuade more people to take out IPI, boosting the company’s profits.
Unum even launched a major media campaign in 2011 just as the coalition began a three-year programme to reassess about 1.5 million existing IB claimants through the new, stricter test, the work capability assessment (WCA).
Now DNS has secured a copy of a Unum document on the assessment of “incapacity”, which was published in 2005.
The document was written by Michael O’Donnell, then the company’s chief medical officer and now in the same role at Atos Healthcare, which carries out WCAs on behalf of the government.
O’Donnell says in the document that Unum has “always been at the leading edge of disability assessment and management”.
He adds: “We know that our views and understanding are not yet in the mainstream of doctors’ thinking, but Government Policy is moving in the same direction, to a large extent being driven by our thinking and that of our close associates, both in the UK and overseas.”
Unum has admitted there has been widespread criticism of its past actions in the US, mainly over its refusal to pay out on large numbers of genuine insurance claims by disabled people, a record mentioned in last month’s Commons debate on Atos and the WCA.
But Unum has also faced criticism in the UK. In a parliamentary debate in 1999, MPs accused the company of refusing to pay out on valid insurance claims from disabled people who had lost their jobs due to ill-health or disability.
Unum continues to dismiss claims that it pushed the government to introduce the ESA/WCA system.
In 2011, John Letizia, Unum’s head of public affairs, told Disability News Service (DNS): “At no time have we influenced the government on the design of the reforms to the welfare state or on the level of benefits that claimants receive.”
And in the same year, at the Conservative Party conference, Unum’s chief executive, Jack McGarry, said: “We haven’t tried to influence the welfare agenda around reducing welfare or making it harder to claim. To my knowledge we have not done that.”
This week, Letizia told DNS again that Unum had not attempted to influence the government’s welfare reform agenda.
He said: “We will never ever deny that there were discussions between Unum and the previous government and there continue to be [with the coalition].”
But he added: “In all the discussions going back over the last five years on welfare reform Unum made absolutely no attempt to influence government policy on the welfare debate, on the ESA or WCA or personal independence payment or disability living allowance, in setting the government agenda.”
After DNS shared the document with Letizia, he declined to comment further.
Mo Stewart, the disabled activist who has done most to highlight concerns about Unum, said the new evidence was “very significant”, and called for an independent inquiry into the role of the company in influencing UK welfare reform, particularly when it had such a “disturbing past history”.
She said: “This entire situation confirms the dangers of a government that confuses its priorities, and places the welfare budget as a much higher priority than the needs of its own chronically sick and disabled people.”
She added: “The WCA is a replica of the assessment system used by Unum to resist funding insurance claimants.
“It is a bogus, dangerous assessment and, with this evidence, it is now time that this DWP medical tyranny was ended.”
A DWP spokesman said: “The WCA was designed from the outset with the involvement of a wide range of experts and disability representative groups and has been subject to rigorous independent review.”
‘Muddled’ blue badge reforms ‘are to blame for renewal delays’
UN debate will be reminder of true inclusive education
IDS breaks pledge on PIP waiting-times, as tens of thousands still queue for months
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Discipline: Eventing
Based In: Rutland
Richard events successfully up to 5* level, and is an accredited UKCC level 2 Coach, operating from his base in Leicestershire. Where he keeps 12 horses in training for eventing, breaking and bringing on to compete himself as well as selling some along the way. His wife has five dressage horses at the same yard which has excellent facilities including dressage and jumping arenas, all-weather gallops, cross country course and a large indoor barn housing the stables.
Richard’s wife Victoria currently competes very successfully in dressage at Small Tour level both Nationally and Internationally, and is also a highly skilled dressage coach at all levels.
Richard started riding at the age of eight years old, competing in showjumping and eventing for the Pony Club both Burghley and the Cottesmore. After leaving school Richard went and trained with Dane Rawlins in East Sussex to get a better foundation in dressage, where he met his wife Victoria. Richard then moved back to Leicestershire to set up his eventing yard at the age of 20.
Richard’s best horse to date was Highland Ford, whom he retired In 2016. Highland Ford was owned by David and Jane Miles and had numerous top 10 placings in 1,2,3 and 4* throughout his career with Richard, including 5th at Blenheim in the CCI4*-L in 2013 and 9th at Pau 5* in 2012.
2017 was a turbulent year for Richard after a freak accident in the lorry park at Bramham Horse Trials in June meant that he lost a finger after trapping his wedding ring during a fall in the lorry. At the time he was lying 10th after a cross country round that was described as one of the best rounds of the day in the CCI4*-L and had his sights firmly set on a top ten finish. After a few days in hospital, Richard returned home and focused on trying to get the same horse, Alfies Clover who Richard co-owns with Sandra Martin and Dinah Saunders, to Burghley, just 11 weeks later.
The loss of his finger affected Richard’s riding at Burghley hugely, leaving him with very little grip and in constant pain, despite this he managed a very credible 22nd place, with which he was delighted considering the build-up they had had.
Richard is regaining much of his grip and has been able to adapt his riding style to accommodate his lost finger he is also not riding quite as many horse each day in order to give his hand a rest. Richard is very excited about Alfie’s future saying he is an extremely talented horse quite capable of winning at four-star level and is really looking forward to 2018.
Alfie's Clover is fed on Staypower Cubes. It supports the immense demands at top level and undoubtedly contributed to his excellent performance at Burghley.
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Reviews » Blu-ray Reviews » The Landlord (Blu-ray)
The Landlord (Blu-ray)
Kl Studio Classics // R // May 14, 2019 // Region A
Review by Jesse Skeen | posted July 8, 2019 | E-mail the Author
Hal Ashby's little-seen 1970 directorial debut comes onto Blu-Ray from Kino. A young Beau Bridges plays Elgar, part of a rich white family in Long Island who hasn't done much with his life and doesn't really need to. He wants to move out on his own though, so he buys an old apartment building in Brooklyn with the plan to rip out most of the insides and design his own home with high ceilings. It's not too clear why he chose this building in this area; the big shock is supposed to be that the population is mainly poor black people when he's a rich white person, but he seems open to embracing cultures different than his own. His plans get put on hold when he meets the building's residents. Pearl Bailey steals the movie as Marge, who first greets him with a shotgun telling him to leave but then invites him inside for lunch once he explains he's the new landlord where they quickly connect despite their differences. He then meets Fanny (Diana Sands) who stops by for a visit. He soon realizes that it would be a bad idea to make these people leave and find new homes, especially when Fanny says that he "could pass for a human being" right before her husband (Louis Gossett Jr., credited here simply as Lou Gossett) drives him out with a bow and arrow. He decides instead to give the building some much-needed improvements that the previous owners neglected.
Elgar's rich family is simply baffled as to why he's purchased this building- his parents immediately exclaim that it's in "a colored neighborhood." His mother, played by Lee Grant who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in this role, is incredibly ditzy and self-absorbed- but later bonds with Marge over another impromptu lunch when she visits the building to give some decorating advice. The residents increasingly take a liking to Elgar though, even inviting him to one of their parties as one of the only white people there. It's after this event that he spends some more time at Fanny's apartment and ends up sleeping with her while her husband is doing a short stint in jail. At the same time he falls in love with dancer Lanie (Marki Bey) at a local bar- who could pass for white but discloses that she's actually biracial.
While The Landlord is mostly remembered for addressing racial issues, it easily shows the contrast between the rich and poor as well- and in some ways the poor characters are better off than the rich ones. As Elgar still visits his family a few times, we see that they clearly have a few screws loose, in an isolated world playing croquet and other stereotypical ‘rich people' activities, while the building tenants are more down to earth and realistic about life. The tone is quite similar to Harold and Maude which Ashby directed the following year, with quick random flashbacks and sudden cuts that almost make no sense- the first minute in fact features a shot from Hal Ashby's own wedding for an unapparent reason, and there are several flashbacks to Elgar as a child in school where the teacher asks "How do we live?" The movie is somewhat interesting visually but not very good looking, mainly because of the dilapidated setting in which most of it takes place. Many shots in the building are quite dark as well, while scenes at Elgar's family's lavish home are bright yet a bit sterile. Perhaps this Blu-Ray will sell a bit better just because it hasn't been widely available in other formats before, otherwise this isn't a top "upgrade" candidate which I'll discuss next.
Picture, Sound and Subtitles:
The film is presented in its proper 1.85 ratio, from clean elements. Focus, even on credits, appears a bit soft but likely intentional. Colors are never overly bright. As said, most of this movie's settings are not exactly visually pleasing but of course that is the point. The dual-layered disc shows no compression artifacts, even in the darkest moments- you will of course need to have your brightness and contrast adjusted properly or you may not even be able to tell what is happening in some instance. As this movie was released by United Artists, which has had a habit of updating the opening logos of their movies going back to the first tapes from Magnetic Video in the 1970s, I was quite pleased to see that this transfer retains the original United Artists opening with its Transamerica byline. Yes, we know the two are no longer affiliated with each other but they were when this movie was released and it always bothers me when these things are altered. Hopefully the original openings will remain on future releases.
The mono audio is nothing special, the quality is about on par with other optical sound tracks of this era with sound not being a huge priority during the production. It's encoded in 2-channel DTS Master Audio and stays properly centered. Subtitles are included which appear to show dialogue and song lyrics but not off-screen sounds.
Most of Kino's discs have had sparse extras but there are nearly 90 minutes' worth here, all shot on 24fps hi-def video. The first features Beau Bridges, wearing the same shirt used in parts of the movie, discussing the racial and cultural issues addressed including how he was perceived by the neighborhood's real residents during filming. Lee Grant appears next with her own recollections, and the most interesting segment features producer Norman Jewison talking about his working relationship with Hal Ashby and his unfortunate early death. Ashby had edited Jewison's In the Heat of the Night prior to this; the studio had wanted Jewison to direct The Landlord but Ashby was suggested as Jewison was busy preparing for Fiddler on the Roof. The movie's trailer is included in hi-def, along with the trailer for Where's Poppa? in standard-def widescreen and Ashby's Coming Home in standard-def 4x3.
The Landlord wasn't a huge success upon release and it's been largely absent from home video since its inception, appearing only on a "manufactured on demand" DVD from MGM and on Netflix streaming shortly after that had just started. This disc likely won't have wide distribution either but will give the movie a chance to be seen better than it has in decades, and the recent insights from Bridges, Grant and Jewison are welcome additions as well.
Jesse Skeen is a life-long obsessive media collector (with an unhealthy preoccupation with obsolete and failed formats) and former theater film projectionist. He enjoys watching movies and strives for presenting them perfectly, but lacks the talent to make his own.
Find the lowest price for 'The Landlord (Blu-ray)'
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Hoosick Falls Electricity Rates
Commercial Electricity in Hoosick Falls
^ The average commercial electricity rate in Hoosick Falls, NY is 5.99¢/kWh.[1]
Residential Electricity in Hoosick Falls
^ The average residential electricity rate in Hoosick Falls, NY is 11.74¢/kWh.[1]
Industrial Electricity in Hoosick Falls
^ The average industrial electricity rate in Hoosick Falls, NY is 4.79¢/kWh.[1]
Hoosick Falls, NY Electricity Statistics
Commercial electricity rates in Hoosick Falls
The average commercial electricity rate in Hoosick Falls is 5.99¢/kWh.[1]
This average (commercial) electricity rate in Hoosick Falls is 60.23% less than the New York average rate of 15.06¢/kWh.[2]
The average (commercial) electricity rate in Hoosick Falls is 40.63% less than the national average rate of 10.09¢/kWh. Commercial rates in the U.S. range from 6.86¢/kWh to 34.88¢/kWh.[2]
Residential electricity rates in Hoosick Falls
The average residential electricity rate in Hoosick Falls is 11.74¢/kWh.[1]
This average (residential) electricity rate in Hoosick Falls is 33.37% less than the New York average rate of 17.62¢/kWh.[2]
The average (residential) electricity rate in Hoosick Falls is 1.18% less than the national average rate of 11.88¢/kWh. Residential rates in the U.S. range from 8.37¢/kWh to 37.34¢/kWh.[2]
Industrial electricity rates in Hoosick Falls
The average industrial electricity rate in Hoosick Falls is 4.79¢/kWh.[1]
This average (industrial) electricity rate in Hoosick Falls is 28.51% less than the New York average rate of 6.7¢/kWh.[2]
The average (industrial) electricity rate in Hoosick Falls is 28.19% less than the national average rate of 6.67¢/kWh. Industrial rates in the U.S. range from 4.13¢/kWh to 30.82¢/kWh.[2]
New York Electricity Rates & Consumption
Commercial electricity in New York
Commercial electricity rates in NY [3]
The average commercial electricity rate in New York is 15.06¢/kWh, which ranks 2nd in the nation and is 49.26% greater than the national average rate of 10.09¢/kWh.[3]
Commercial electricity consumption in NY [3]
Commercial electricity consumption in New York averages 6,101 kWh/month, which ranks 21st in the nation and is 2.2% less than the national average of 6,238 kWh/month.
Commercial electricity bills in NY [3]
The average monthly commercial electricity bill in New York is $919, which ranks 5th in the nation and is 46.1% greater than the national average of $629.
Learn more about commercial electricity in New York
Residential electricity in New York
Residential electricity rates in New York [3]
The average residential electricity rate in New York is 17.62¢/kWh, which ranks 3rd in the nation and is 48.32% greater than the national average rate of 11.88¢/kWh.
Residential electricity consumption in NY [3]
Residential electricity consumption in New York averages 603 kWh/month, which ranks 46th in the nation and is 33.22% less than the national average of 903 kWh/month.
Residential electricity bills in NY [3]
The average monthly residential electricity bill in New York is $106, which ranks 24th in the nation and is 0.93% less than the national average of $107 per month.
Learn more about residential electricity in New York
Industrial electricity in New York
Industrial electricity rates in New York [3]
The average industrial electricity rate in New York is 6.7¢/kWh, which ranks 22nd in the nation and is 0.45% greater than the national average rate of 6.67¢/kWh.
Industrial electricity consumption in NY [3]
Industrial electricity consumption in New York averages 140,240 kWh/month, which ranks 23rd in the nation and is 25.04% greater than the national average of 112,158 kWh/month.
Industrial electricity bills in NY [3]
The average monthly industrial electricity bill in New York is $9,390, which ranks 23rd in the nation and is 25.48% greater than the national average of $7,483.
Learn more about industrial electricity in New York
Household Income in Hoosick Falls, NY
Hoosick Falls, NY Income Breakdown [4]
Income Summary for Hoosick Falls, NY
Electric bills: The average residential electricity bill in New York is about $106/month, ranking 24th in the U.S. and 0.93% less than the national average of $107.[5]
Income: Hoosick Falls vs. Nation [4]
Additional information about Hoosick Falls
About Hoosick Falls
Hoosick Falls is a village located in Rensselaer County in the state of New York, and has a population of approximately 3,501.[6]
More about Hoosick Falls utilities
For more information about Hoosick Falls electricity, or for additional resources regarding electricity & utilities in your state, visit the Energy Information Administration.
Additional Cities in NY
Cayuga Heights
Oriskany Falls
West Winfield
Local Electricity Rates in Hoosick Falls, NY
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Home Celeb Biography Tamera Mowry Height, Age, Husband, Family, Biography & Net worth
Tamera Mowry Height, Age, Husband, Family, Biography & Net worth
Tamera Mowry (born July 6, 1978) is an American Actress and Model from Los Angeles, California. She is famous for her role in the TV series “Sister, Sister“. Furthermore, the 40-year-old actress later played a major breakthrough role in the medical drama “Strong Medicine’. She portrayed the character of Dr. Kayla Thornton. Her real birth name is Tamera Darvette Mowry-Housley.
Moreover, Tamera also appeared in the “Roommates”, “Things We Do for Love”, and “Tia & Tamera”. The actress is currently one of the hosts of the talk show “The Real”. Mowry also won the Image Award for Outstanding Actress for “Sister, Sister” in 1999 and 2000.
Tamera Mowry niece killed in a California mass shooting
On 7 November 2018, Tamera’s niece Alaina Housley was among the 12 people killed in a California mass shooting. This incident happened late night on Wednesday at Borderline bar in Thousand Oaks. In addition, the family was searching for Alaina earlier. According to a source, a gunman named Ian David Long opened fire when he entered the nightclub.
Tamera’s husband Adam Housley also shared a post on the social media site for the help. However, they came to know about the sudden demise of their beloved soul. Alaina Housley (born 2000) was a student at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.
Housley family is still in a shock and requested privacy to deal with the horrible incident. Moreover, the suspect also killed himself after police arrived on the incident.
This beautiful actress was born on the 6th of July 1978 in Gelnhausen, Germany. As of 2018, the age of Tamera Mowry is 40 years old. Her father “Timothy Mowry” is an ex-serviceman in the army. Later, her father served as a custody officer for the City of Glendale Police Department. Tamera’s mother “Darlene Mowry” serves as her children’s manager.
Furthermore, the actress has three siblings: a twin sister Tia and two younger brothers Tahj and Tavior. Her twin sister is younger than Tamera for about 2 minutes. The sisters became born-again Christians when they were 8-year-old. Mowry enrolled Pepperdine University to study psychology.
Personal Affairs, Boyfriend & Children
Tamera dated Adam Housley (Fox News Correspondent and journalist) for almost six years. Later, the couple tied the knot on May 15, 2011, in California’s Napa Valley. They welcomed their first child, a son Aden John Tanner Housley, on November 12, 2012.
Furthermore, Tamera also has a daughter Ariah Talea Housley born on July 1, 2015.
Full Birth Name Tamera Darvette Mowry-Housley.
Nick name Tamera.
Profession 1. Actress.
2. Model.
Age Forty (40) years old (As of 2018).
Date of Birth (DOB), Birthday 6th July 1978.
Birthplace/Hometown Gelnhausen, Germany.
Zodiac Sign Cancer.
Ethnicity Mixed Ethnicity.
Famous for 1. Her role in TV series "Sister, Sister".
2. Starred in Twitches and Twitches Too.
Parents Father: Timothy Mowry.
Mother: Darlene Mowry.
Siblings Twin-sister: Tia Mowry.
Brother; Tavior Mowry, Tahj Mowry.
Tamera Mowry Husband & Relationship
Marital Status Married.
Husband/Spouse Name Adam Housley.
Son Aden John Tanner Housley.
Daughter Ariah Talea Housley.
College/ University Pepperdine University.
Favorite Celebrities Actor: Johnny Depp.
Actress: Kate Winslet.
Favorite Color Pink.
Love to do Reading, Shopping, and Traveling.
Favorite Food Italian Food.
Net Asset Approx. $10 million USD (As of 2018).
Debut Movie 2002 The Hot Chick as Sissy.
Television Debut Flesh 'n' Blood as Penelope (1991).
Some Lesser Known Facts about Tamera Mowry
She and her sister convinced their parents to shift to Los Angeles, California, from Germany in order to pursue their acting career.
Tamera is also a beautiful singer and she also showcased her talent on many occasions.
Mowry sang the covers of ‘You Can’t Hurry Love”, “Amazing Grace”, and “I’m Going Down”.
Furthermore, she and Tia also sang the theme song of “Sister, Sister” during season 5 and 6.
Read Also: Bio Profile of Chris Pine & his Personal Facts
As of 2018, the estimated Net worth of Tamera Mowry is $10 million US Dollar.
Her height is around 5 Feet 4 Inches (164 centimeters).
The actress belongs to Mixed ethnicity as her mother is of Afro-Bahamian descent and father has English ethnicity.
Mowry received the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Hall of Fame Award in 1998.
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Ozzy Osbourne: I'm the Luckiest Man in the World
The Bill Clinton of metal talks his old druggy days, recovery, reuniting Black Sabbath, his wife, Miss Piggy, and learning to laugh
By Mick Stingley
A heavy metal icon both as a co-founder/frontman of Black Sabbath and as a multi-platinum solo artist, Ozzy Osbourne has sold over 100 million records. He's also become known over the years for his MTV reality show The Osbournes and his Ozzfest annual summer tour. Last year, Ozzy returned to Sabbath for his first album with them since 1979, 13. The album was number-one in nine countries and the single "God Is Dead?" earned them a Grammy for Best Metal Performance. Following a sold-out world tour, Ozzy spent most of 2014 out of the spotlight. But recently the Ozzman announced some big plans for 2015, including a destination concert event in Mexico called "Ozzfiesta" and a new album and tour with Black Sabbath, to be the band's swan song. On October 14, Epic Records/Legacy Recordings released Memoirs of a Madman, a career-spanning collection of 17 of Ozzy's greatest hits.
We recently talked to Ozzy about his plans for next year, and he reflected on his troubled past, expressed his desire to have Bill Ward return as Sabbath's drummer, and shared his feelings about Miss Piggy.
ESQUIRE.COM: So you've gotten back with Black Sabbath again and you're doing Ozzfiesta, but putting the solo career on hold?
OZZY OSBOURNE: I'm not one of these guys to do my solo stuff one night and Black Sabbath the next. I can't do that, you know. It's too much to handle. So with the Black Sabbath thing, the record company wants us to do one more record, and we've decided to do one more tour, and at the end of the tour we just disband and I go back to doing my solo stuff. And that's why I released Memoirs of a Madman, to let people out there know I'm still functioning as a solo artist.
ESQ: And you will go back to recording as a solo artist in the future?
If this is Black Sabbath's last hurrah, then we'll have ended it on an up note rather than when I left in 1979 and everybody was fucked up on one thing or another.
OZZY: Absolutely! What I'm really happy about is, if this is Black Sabbath's last hurrah, then we'll have ended it on an up note rather than when I left in 1979 and everybody was fucked up on one thing or another and I was marked out as being the worst, you know. It ended on a bad note, so... The only thing sad about it is I hope Bill Ward can get his stuff together to do this because... one of the biggest things I'm proud of in my life was that Black Sabbath wasn't a band that was created by some business mogul in London or New York. That we were four guys who had a great idea and it worked from record one, and we still... Would you believe that it took 45 years to get our first number-one album in America? It was amazing to me.
ESQ: And you deserve all the accolades that came with 13. Do you think that you'll repeat that success on this next album?
OZZY: You know what? We never thought it could with the last one. But you know, Rick Rubin, who produced it, for years he would see me and say, "Don't forget, if you ever get back with Black Sabbath, I want to produce the album." And when we did that album, he said, "Just forget the word 'heavy metal.' Just remember the first album." I go "What the hell's he on about, the first album?" 'Cause the first album, for us, well for me, was like a live album.
ESQ: What was the process like for the first 1970 album?
OZZY: We'd never recorded in a recording studio before. We pulled up, took our gear in, played. Twelve hours it was done. Lo and behold, January comes around, the record comes out, and it's like a major hit. From that moment on my life forever changed. And so I'm really proud of the way it happened because it was no hype. Black Sabbath wasn't like the Bon Jovis of the time. We were just a bunch of guys that were against the grain of society. And we sung about things that people thought back then. But now everyone knows the drugs and war and all that shit, you know?
ESQ: Have you started writing songs for the new Black Sabbath album?
OZZY: No. Although I texted [guitarist] Tony [Iommi] the other day. I said, "It would be a great idea if you could send me some musical ideas so I can try and work some melodies around so we don't have to go searching for the song structure." So I'm not starting from a cold block, you know?
ESQ: You've collaborated with a number of artists over the years...
OZZY: Oh, yeah!
ESQ: And you've released some unusual covers, some of which are on your 2005 box set Prince of Darkness. "Born to Be Wild" with Miss Piggy, you did "Stayin' Alive" with Dweezil Zappa.
OZZY: You know, that Dweezil thing was just a goof! Seriously... [sings] "Stayin' alive!" But you know, if Ozzy Osbourne did "Stayin' Alive," I'd get pilloried. I'd get fuckin' tarred and feathered! But I like to do different things to keep my head going, you know what I mean?
ESQ: Sure.
Whatever you put on a track, somebody somewhere will put it out someday.
OZZY: Sometimes it works out okay, but I only do these things for a goof. I mean, believe me: I'm not a big Miss Fucking Piggy fan! You know, you gotta be careful about what you do. I remember I did the song with Lita Ford "Close My Eyes Forever". She was being managed by my wife. I went to the studio and it kinda half got written. So I went back to England the following week and my wife phones me and says, "You know that song you were writing?" And I go, "What song?" She said, "That song, Lita wants to come down and work it out with you." So I fly back to L.A. and I do the song and I said, "You know what Lita? You can have it. I don't want nothing from it. You can have the song." I get on a plane, I go back to England, and then I get another phone call. It's my wife and she said, "Can you come back out? She wants to do it with you." I go, "Do what?" And she goes, "That fuckin' song!" I go "Okay" and I record the song, go back to England again, and a couple weeks later they want to do a video. And I'm going, "This is getting fuckin' ridiculous now!" So I must have done like five million masters, but it turned out okay and I was pretty happy with the end result and she was. So that's what I mean when I do stuff like "Stayin' Alive" and "Born to Be Wild" with Miss Piggy. When I went 'round to Dweezil Zappa and did "Stayin' Alive"—crap, it wasn't meant to be released! Whatever you put on a track, somebody somewhere will put it out someday.
ESQ: I was wondering if you have a lot of unreleased material. I know you have a cover of "Hi Ho Silver Lining," the Jeff Beck song, that's never been released.
OZZY: Oh, well the Jeff Beck song, I was like "Flies are in your pea soup?" What the fuck does that mean? It will turn up someday. I don't remember everything I recorded, but if I recorded it, you'll hear it. I don't know when or where. When I was fucked up all the time I did some crazy shit, you know? My memory doesn't go, "Oh, when you had half a pound of fucking cocaine up your nose, you did this fucking thing!" You know? I'll go, "When did I do that?" I don't really remember it all. [laughs]
ESQ: There is a band, Pentagram, I wonder what you think of them. They were kind of known as "the American Black Sabbath" and the singer, Bobby Liebling, struggled with his own addictions...
OZZY: Oh, yeah. Absolutely. I saw the video…
ESQ: The documentary Last Days Here.
OZZY: Very, very sad story, because he's a guy... He's the only child of his elderly mom and dad and he lives in a crack-smoking, heroin-using world. And why that guy is still alive is beyond me. I mean, I've been there, done it, and by the grace of God, I got out of it. But, you know, I hope the guy doesn't die.
ESQ: He's cleaned up. I saw him last year at the Maryland Deathfest.
I say to myself every day, 'God, you're fucking lucky, Ozzy!'
OZZY: Is he? That's great! I hope he has because that video was like a good reason not to get stoned. And you know, for what it's worth: That could have been me. That could have been any number of people. That's why I say to myself every day, "God, you're fucking lucky, Ozzy!"
ESQ: You are, you're the luckiest guy.
OZZY: I am. It got to the point where no one would be in my company because I was being unreliable, unpredictable. And it was never a good idea to go, "I know, I'll go and get two eight-balls of coke and a pipe and smoke this crack. And now we'll create this." All that ever came from crack was misery, broken hearts, and fuckin' broken minds.
ESQ: Now, years later, there's a petition to have you knighted.
OZZY: Oh, I know. If I get knighted, that would be the cherry on the cake. I really don't think it's going to happen. I mean, when I met the Queen a few years ago, she said to me [does an imitation of Queen Elizabeth] "Ooh, so this is what they call variety, is it?" I'm like, "What the fuck does that mean?"
ESQ: Not to change the subject radically, but you've been married to Sharon for 32 years now. She's become very visible in the mainstream in U.S. on TV. Were you surprised by her success outside of music management?
OZZY: No, because The Osbournes was a great springboard for anyone in my family. My daughter did well. My son's doing well behind the camera. And my wife did well. We've been offered a lot of TV stuff, but I'm not a big fan of TV. It's an unavoidable situation being Ozzy Osbourne, people want you to go on chat shows, and I'm not good at it. I don't feel comfortable doing it. But saying that, my wife's got a career out of it. My wife loves doing TV. My wife's a natural. In actual fact, last weekend, for the first time ever I went up to Niagra with her, in Canada, to watch her do a question-and-answer thing. And she was—fucking hell—she was so calm, so collected, so clever. She was just brilliant. And I thought, "God, I didn't realize you were that good." I don't say to my son, "You can't do that!" Or to my daughter, "You can't do that!" I don't have the right to. If they know the consequence, they're free to do what they want.
ESQ: Has it occurred to you that you and Sharon are kind of like the Bill and Hillary Clinton of rock and roll?
OZZY: [laughs] No! We don't. One thing I try to stay away from is talking politics. I don't understand them. I don't. I don't understand how we all go nuts for a few months to get the people into office and then they never do a fuckin' thing they said they were gonna do anyway! If there's a job ad in the newspaper saying "Builder wanted" and you show up for the job and they say "Can you do this?" and you say "Yeah, yeah!" And they go "Start Monday" and then Monday they say "Can you do what you said?" and you say "No," you'd be fuckin' fired! So what's the deal with politicians, eh? I don't get it. They should all start to play rock and roll, I think.
ESQ: What can you say about your personal style, when you're not onstage performing?
OZZY: Listen, if I go out with a jacket and a pair of trousers that my wife doesn't like, you can bet your ass it ain't in my wardrobe the following day. I say that it gets lost in the sky. I'll go, "Darling what happened to that leather coat?" And she'll go, "What leather coat?" If it wasn't for my wife, I'd be walking around in denim jeans all day, every day. And easygoing footwear. She's got me 15 pairs of shoes that I won't wear and I never will wear. I remember one time, I had a couple of suits made for some function or something—oh, it was when Tommy Mottola married Mariah Carey. Many, many moons ago. And I ended up getting three suits. I said, "Why is it I have to get...?" And my wife said, "Knowing you, you'll probably put your foot in the ass of one pair of pants and spill something on the other one. So you're getting three suits."
ESQ: Is there anyone over the years who has impressed you musically?
OZZY: New music to me ain't new music. New music is rehashed old music. Most of the time. My wife and I went to see Bruno Mars when we were in Vegas. He's a good entertainer. My biggest influence when I was growing up was the Beatles. I really, really don't think there'll be another band like the Beatles. Ever. I mean, they shook the world in such a way that people in the Amazon jungle know who they are.
ESQ: A lot of famous bands got their start opening for you or Sabbath, and later you showcased a lot of new bands at Ozzfest. Do you think you'll ever bring back Ozzfest?
OZZY: There's a good possibility. I think Ozzfiesta is a kind of OzzFest. I don't know whether it's going to be on such a scale as we did before. I don't know. I wouldn't mind doing it again, it was great fun. And, you know the one thing I was really proud of is that we'd give kids a fuckin' stage to get their music heard.
ESQ: Yeah, I hope you bring it back.
OZZY: Because nowadays, the industry is not even an industry anymore: The whole game has changed. And the kids aren't getting a place to get their stuff across. I mean, Ozzfest spawned so many new, great bands—Slipknot and so many bands.
ESQ: Any final words of wisdom?
OZZY: One day at a time. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow and I can't relive yesterday but I live in the moment if I can. Because I'm getting a bit older every day now—I'm 66 in December—so if you can, laugh when you don't really think you want to laugh. Just look at yourself and say, "Am I lucky or am I not?"
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Home History News wires white papers and books Marcus Tullius Tiro
Marcus Tullius Tiro
World Eras
104 b.c.e . - 4 b.c.e .
Slave, secretary, freedman, friend
Unfree Roots. Born a slave, Tiro was raised in the household of Marcus Tullius Cicero, the father of the famous orator. Because Tiro was only two years younger than Cicero (the orator), he likely became Cicero’s companion in childhood. That Tiro’s master had him educated in Latin and in Greek as well is evident from his service to Cicero as a secretary. Tiro assisted Cicero in his career as an orator by taking down his speeches in a special shorthand (Tironian notation) that he developed himself. Cicero often credited Tiro with the care and editing of his manuscripts. As part of the family, Tiro looked after Cicero’s children and associated with the friends of the orator on a regular basis.
A Special Client. In May or June of 53 B.C.E Cicero freed Tiro, but that did not end his association with the orator. Now as Marcus Tullius Tiro he was a client of Cicero, but more importantly he was a devoted friend. Letters between Tiro and Cicero’s son Marcus (while Marcus was away studying in Athens) suggest that the friendship extended to all generations of the family, even after he was freed. Quintus, the orator’s brother, praised Cicero’s decision to free Tiro, a man to be valued for “his literary talents, charming conversation, and wealth of knowledge.” In 51 B.C.E Tiro contracted malaria but lived for another fifty years with the affliction. After Cicero’s death in 43 B.C.E. Tiro, together with Cicero’s best friend Atticus, published volumes of Cicero’s letters to his friends and family. Tiro himself wrote a biography of Cicero, but the work has not survived.
Ernst Badian, “Marcus Tullius Tiro,” in The Oxford Classical Dictionary,edited by Simon Hornblower and Antony Spawforth (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999), p. 1564.
John Percy Vyvian Dacre Balsdon and Miriam T. Griffin, “Marcus Tullius Cicero,” in The Oxford Classical Dictionary, edited by Simon Hornblower and Antony Spawforth (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999), pp. 1558-1560.
"Marcus Tullius Tiro." World Eras. . Encyclopedia.com. 16 Jul. 2019 <https://www.encyclopedia.com>.
"Marcus Tullius Tiro." World Eras. . Encyclopedia.com. (July 16, 2019). https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/marcus-tullius-tiro
"Marcus Tullius Tiro." World Eras. . Retrieved July 16, 2019 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/marcus-tullius-tiro
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Home Women Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps Fry, Shirley (1927—)
Fry, Shirley (1927—)
Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia
American tennis player. Name variations: Mrs. K.E. Irvin. Born Shirley June Fry in June 1927 in Akron, Ohio; married K.E. Irvin.
Won the French Open (1951), beating Doris Hart; won the French Open doubles championshipwith Doris Hart (1950, 1951, 1952, 1953); won Wimbledon's women's doubles with Doris Hart (1951, 1952, 1953); won the U.S. Open (1956); won the U.S. Open doubles championships with Doris Hart (1951, 1954); with Vic Seixas, won the mixed doubles Wimbledon championship (1956); won the Australian singles title (1957).
An outstanding all-round player, Shirley Fry's chief competitors were Doris Hart , Louise Brough , and Maureen Connolly . Twelve years after starting her career, Fry took the Wimbledon singles title in 1956, beating England's Angela Buxton . She had more success in doubles play at Wimbledon, winning the women's doubles with Doris Hart in 1951, the longest set played in the event to that point, as well as in 1952 and 1953 when they triumphed 6–0, 6–0 in the finals. Hart and Fry also took the U.S. women's doubles title in 1951 and 1954. In all, the duo took 12 major doubles events. Fry won two other singles titles, beating Althea Gibson in each final contest, the U.S. and Australian Opens.
"Fry, Shirley (1927—)." Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. . Encyclopedia.com. 16 Jul. 2019 <https://www.encyclopedia.com>.
"Fry, Shirley (1927—)." Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. . Encyclopedia.com. (July 16, 2019). https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/fry-shirley-1927
"Fry, Shirley (1927—)." Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. . Retrieved July 16, 2019 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/fry-shirley-1927
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EPAM Systems Makes to Top 100 on VAR500 list of North America's Technology Integrators
Press Release: JULY 7, 2011
Newtown, PA — July 7, 2011 — EPAM Systems, Inc., a leading software engineering and IT services provider with development centers across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), today announced it has been recognized by Everything Channel as a part of CRN’s 2011 VAR500 list, which ranks the top technology integrators in North America. Featuring the highest producing technology integrators and solution provider organizations in the IT channel, the VAR500 rankings consider earnings from hardware sales, software sales and managed IT services. EPAM placed #92 in the 17th annual ranking significantly advancing on the list from #213 in 2010.
The VAR500 is a list of the largest value-added resellers, solution providers and integrators in North America by revenue size. Revenue size is determined by the amount of annual products and services sold over the course of 2010.
“The VAR500 represents the top performing solution providers in the IT community,” said Kelley Damore, VP, Editorial Director, Everything Channel. “Vendors of all sizes rely heavily on the VAR500 list to find those solution providers best suited to sell their products. VAR500 honorees are considered trusted business advisors, integration experts, and invaluable partners. Even more importantly, they solve customers’ biggest IT business problems through product integration, training, consulting and services.”
“Through partnering with major vendors like SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, EMC, salesforce.com and others, we have been able to integrate their best in class capabilities within many of the industry-specific, customized solutions we develop and support, offering them an efficient way to expand their reach in the markets and industries that we serve”, said Arkadiy Dobkin, EPAM CEO and President. “This recognition from Everything Channel is a welcome validation of our efforts over this past year to continue extending and optimizing the value we bring to both our partners and our clients.”
VAR500 Executive Conference and Awards
The 2011 VAR500 list was announced at the VAR500 Executive Conference and Awards, an elite two-day conference designed for high level executives to meet with VAR500 companies to discuss business models, technology offerings, and partnerships. Held June 13-14 at the Sawgrass Marriot in Jacksonville, Florida, the conference focused on channel marketing strategies and direction, offering actionable content to the top Solution Provider organizations in North America. Attendees learned the secrets for uncovering new market opportunities from industry experts, peers and fellow VAR500 companies.
Everything Channel
Everything Channel is the premier provider of IT channel-focused events, media, research, consulting, and sales and marketing services. With over 30 years of experience and engagement, Everything Channel has the unmatched channel expertise to execute integrated solutions for technology executives managing partner recruitment, enablement and go-to-market strategy in order to accelerate technology sales. Everything Channel is a UBM company. To learn more about Everything Channel, visit us at http://www.everythingchannel.com.
About United Business Media Limited (www.unitedbusinessmedia.com)
UBM (UBM.L) focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting and monitoring; and, the development and monetization of B2B communities and markets. UBM’s businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities - from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists – with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.
Established in 1993, EPAM Systems, Inc. is a leading global software engineering and IT consulting provider with delivery centers throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Headquartered in the United States, EPAM employs over 6,500 professionals and provides services to clients worldwide using a global delivery model through its client facing and delivery operations in North America, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Russia, Belarus, Hungary, Ukraine, Poland, and Kazakhstan.
EPAM's core competencies include complex software product engineering for leading global software and technology vendors as well as development, testing, maintenance, and support of mission critical business applications and vertically oriented IT consulting services for global Fortune 2000 corporations.
EPAM is recognized among the top companies in IAOP's "The 2011 Global Outsourcing 100", featuring EPAM in a variety of sub-lists, including “Leaders – Technology” and “Leaders – Entertainment & Media”. The company is also ranked among the best global service providers on "The 2011 Global Services 100" by Global Services Magazine and NeoAdvisory, which includes EPAM in the list of the world's "Top Outsourced Product Engineering Vendors" for the 3rd year running.
www.epam.com
For further information, please contact: press@epam.com
EPAM Systems reasserts its leadership status in Central and Eastern Europe on IAOP’s 2011 Global Outsourcing 100 List
EPAM named a salesforce.com premier partner
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hit the ground running
How To Get A Testimonial From The President
How did comedian Dan Nainan get testimonials from Steve Wozniak, Hillary Clinton, President Obama, and countless celebrities? He just asked.
[Photo: Flickr user www.GlynLowe.com]
By Stephanie Vozza 3 minute Read
A testimonial from a high-profile person can help boost your career, especially if you speak at events or freelance for large companies.
Comedian Dan Nainan is often booked to perform at large corporate events, and one of the promotional tools he uses is celebrity testimonials. President Barack Obama says he is hilarious and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg calls him “hysterical.” In fact, you can watch them deliver their praise–along with Steve Wozniak, Hillary Clinton, and many other famous people–on a video he posted on his website.
“Anyone can get a photo with a celebrity,” says Nainan. “Instead, I ask for a video testimonial after they’ve seen me perform. They’re almost always happy to oblige; I think it’s because I’ve done a great show and they enjoyed it.”
The Three-Second Rule
Nainan has been able to get high-profile people to compliment his work by using one simple technique: He asks–but he says timing is everything. Request a testimonial when your work is fresh in the other person’s mind, says Nainan.
“If you give a great presentation, people are almost hypnotized,” he says. “Two days later, they might not be as open. And if you bomb, don’t ask. In general, people who are caught up in the moment will be happy to help quickly without thinking.”
Don’t stand there thinking, ‘How should I approach them?’” Don’t think about it; just ask.
Approaching them immediately is imperative, says Nainan, who uses the “three-second rule” he learned from the book Big Game Hunting: Networking with Billionaires, Executives and Celebrities by Christopher Kai. “Don’t stand there thinking, ‘How should I approach them?’” he says. “Don’t think about it; just ask. Nothing is worse than wishing you had asked and regretting it later.”
Nainan still regrets not asking tennis player Steffi Graf for a testimonial after he performed at an event she attended, and uses the experience as a lesson for not hesitating in the future.
Properly Phrase The Ask
Nainan says how you ask is also important: “I’m as low a celebrity as you can get, but sometimes people ask me for photos and autographs,” he says. “I always say, ‘Hey no problem.’ This has helped me understand the mindset of the other person when I ask.”
Nainan says it’s important to be polite and respectful. He also doesn’t frame the ask as a yes/no question, such as, “Would you mind giving me a testimonial?”
“I say, ‘Hey, if you enjoyed my show, would you say a few words?” he says. “I have the camera on and running, so the process is very quick and easy.”
Be In The Right Spot
It also helps to put yourself in the right place at the right time. When Nainan got President Obama’s testimonial, he was performing at a gala where the president was speaking.
“I sat at the closest table to the president’s podium,” he says. “It looked like open seating, and I didn’t have any hesitation claiming a spot. When [Obama] came out to meet people, he walked down a line, and I was there waiting.”
Be Your Own Cameraperson
Instead of giving a camera to a friend, Nainan suggests you handle it yourself. “Don’t count on anybody else,” he says. “If you tell them, ‘Don’t touch the red button,’ they’ll almost always touch the red button.”
Nainan learned this lesson when he asked a friend to record him with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak; his friend stopped filming to fix Nainan’s tie. “I couldn’t believe I had to ask Steve Wozniak for a do-over,” he says. “When I met the president, I made sure my camera was running and I held it myself.”
Then Use The Social Proof
Once you get the testimonials, use them. Nainan sends the feedback reel to potential clients. He puts the video on his website and puts a link to it at the bottom of his email signature. He’s also using the quotes on the back cover of his forthcoming book.
“When you’re sending someone references, you cannot get a better testimonial than the President of the United States,” he says. “In general, if you want something it sometimes takes moxie. The worst that can happen is they says ‘no.’”
Hit The Ground Running Newsletter
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40 felonies filed against 17-year-old
On behalf of The Law Firm of Frank Stanley, PC posted in Felonies on Monday, April 8, 2019.
Teenagers in Michigan who like to prank others might not know where to draw the line. Certain pranks are severe enough to be classified as crimes that could put them behind bars. An example is a teenager in another state who thought it was fun to make prank calls and landed up being charged with 40 felonies and multiple misdemeanors.
The 17-year-old faces multiple counts of swatting, which is a form of harassment that involves making deceiving calls to emergency services. The aim is to get them to send swat teams and emergency responders to nonexistent emergencies. These can include reports of murder, bomb threats, hostage situations and other faked incidents. The teenager's pranks and swatting allegedly ranged from making harassing calls to his neighbor to reporting emergencies that had SWAT teams deployed to fake emergencies.
Authorities warn that if something should go wrong and an innocent person is harmed during such an incident, the person who made the false report could be held responsible. He or she could be criminally charged for the actions of police officers. One such swatting call in 2017 led to a fatal shooting and the person who made the call received a 20-year jail sentence.
According to court documents, this teenager now faces more than 70 criminal charges, 40 of which are felonies. Technology allows law enforcement to identify those who make swatting calls easily. Anyone in Michigan who is in a similar situation might not have realized that he or she crossed the line from pranking to swatting. This is where the skills of an experienced criminal defense attorney come in. Legal counsel can protect the client's rights and develop a strong defense strategy in pursuit of the best possible outcome.
Tags: Felonies
Related Posts: Felony charges: 23-year-old man claims to be missing teenager, DNA test may tell which twin committed the felonies, Felonies: DNA evidence can even solve carjacking cold cases, Felonies: Social media can provide damning evidence in trials
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First Guaranty Bank’s Adam Johnston announced as one of Independent Banker’s 40 Under 40: Emerging Community Bank Leaders
First Guaranty Bank’s Adam Johnston has been named one of Independent Banker’s 40 Under 40: Emerging Community Bank Leaders. The first-annual, nomination-based award recognizes up-and-coming community bankers who demonstrate exceptional potential in leadership, innovation and community work.
Johnston has worked for First Guaranty Bank since 2011 and serves as the organization’s SVP/North Louisiana Regional Manager. He received his Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Milsaps College and went on to obtain his MBA in finance from LSU Shreveport. Johnston has also attended LBA Leadership School and the Graduate School of Banking. In addition to his academic excellence, Johnston has served the Young Professionals Initiative with the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, the Louisiana Bankers Education Council as a past president, and the North Louisiana Economic Partnership as Chairman-Elect.
Johnston’s commitment to community outreach and achievement is driven by his desire to promote economic growth and well-being within his community. “Community banking is the purest form of microeconomic development in action,” said Johnston. “My vision is to elevate the quality of life of my community, and we accomplish this goal by interacting with our community to better understand their needs.”
“This group of young professionals should give all of us a sense of pride and optimism as we look to the future of America’s community banks,” said Matt Kusilek, publisher, Independent Banker. “Now more than ever, this industry sees the value of the energy and ideas of people like our emerging leaders, who believe in the importance of the community banking model. We’re really pleased to be able to highlight their accomplishments so far and look forward to what they’ll do next.”
Johnston will be featured in the June 2019 issue of Independent Banker, which will be showcased on the Independent Banker website and accessible via the digital issue of the magazine.
About Independent Banker
Independent Banker is the number-one source of community banking news for ICBA members. Published monthly, the magazine features best practices from experts, stories from community banks themselves, thought-provoking features and news of how ICBA is fighting for the industry on Capitol Hill. Learn more at independentbanker.org
About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America®, the nation’s voice for community banks of all sizes and charter types, is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education and high-quality products and services. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at www.icba.org
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Keep calm and carry on -- for the sake of your long-term health
Reacting positively to stressful situations may play a key role in long-term health, according to researchers.
In a study measuring adults' reactions to stress and how it affects their bodies, researchers found that adults who fail to maintain positive moods such as cheerfulness or calm when faced with the minor stressors of everyday life appear to have elevated levels of inflammation. Furthermore, women can be at heightened risk.
Inflammatory responses are part of the body's ability to protect itself via the immune system. However, chronic -- long-term -- inflammation can undermine health, and appears to play a role in obesity, heart disease and cancer.
These findings add to growing body of evidence regarding the health implications of affective reactivity -- emotional response -- to daily stressors. The researchers report their results in a recent edition of Health Psychology.
Nancy Sin, postdoctoral fellow in the Center for Healthy Aging and Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State and her colleagues showed that the frequency of daily stressors, in and of itself, was less consequential for inflammation than how an individual reacted to those stressors.
"A person's frequency of stress may be less related to inflammation than responses to stress," said Sin. "It is how a person reacts to stress that is important."
Sin's findings also highlight the important -- but often discounted -- contributions of positive affect in naturalistic stress processes.
"Positive emotions, and how they can help people in the event of stress, have really been overlooked," Sin said.
In the short-term, with illness or exercise, the body experiences a high immune response to help repair itself. However, in the long term, heightened inflammatory immune responses may not be healthy. Individuals who have trouble regulating their responses may be at risk for certain age-related conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, frailty and cognitive decline, Sin said.
"To our knowledge, this paper is the first to link biomarkers of inflammation with positive mood responses to stressors in everyday life," said Jennifer E. Graham-Engeland, associate professor of biobehavioral health, Penn State.
A cross-sectional sample of 872 adults from the National Study of Daily Experiences reported daily stressors and emotional reactions for eight consecutive days. Blood samples of participants were obtained during a separate clinic visit and assayed for inflammatory markers.
Subjects were interviewed by phone every day for eight consecutive days. They were asked to rate their positive and negative emotions, as well as whether or not they encountered stressors. This enabled researchers to evaluate a person's emotional response on days when they experience stressors, and compare it to days when they do not.
"We calculated reactivity scores to see how participants generally reacted to stressors," Sin said. "Then we used it to predict two markers of inflammation."
The researchers used several different types of stressors, among them were arguments and avoiding arguments at work, school or home; being discriminated against; a network stressor, i.e., a stressful event that happens to someone close to the subject; and other stressors.
"We examined both positive and negative affective reactions to stress and compared the effects of stress exposure with responses to stressors," Graham-Engeland said. "Little is known about the potential role of daily stress processes on inflammation. Much of the relevant past research with humans has focused on either chronic stress or acute laboratory-based stress -- methods that do not fully capture how people respond to naturalistic stressors in the context of daily life."
Data came from the second wave of the Midlife in the United States Study, a national survey designed to investigate health and well-being in midlife and older adulthood. Its goal is to expand understanding of how daily mood and stressful events may relate to inflammation and health.
Additional authors on this project include David M. Almeida, professor of human development and family studies, Penn State, and Anthony D. Ong, associate professor of human development, Cornell University.
The National Institutes on Aging funded this study.
A'ndrea Elyse Messer
aem1@psu.edu
@penn_state
http://live.psu.edu
NIH/National Institutes on Aging
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Comment on the UK’s position paper on ECJ Jurisdiction
Comment on the UK’s position paper on the jurisdiction of the ECJ
The UK government has consistently stated that when we leave we will leave the jurisdiction of the ECJ. Supporters of this view say that plenty of other countries who have trade deals with the EU don’t have to accept the jurisdiction of the ECJ. They argue that cases should be decided by British judges, and that a foreign court should not have the power to strike down laws passed by Parliament.
Any national court, from the Magistrates court to the Supreme Court, can give a ruling on a point of EU law without referring the case to the ECJ. Under the “Acte Clair” doctrine, if a point of EU law is really clear and obvious then there is no need to refer the case to the ECJ. However, if a national court is unsure how best to apply EU law in a specific case, and would like guidance from the ECJ on how to interpret the law, then they can choose to refer the case to the ECJ for what is known as a preliminary ruling, which is where the ECJ will give a ruling which the national court can then follow. One of the reasons that national courts are happy to make a reference for a preliminary ruling to the ECJ is that the ECJ has an unsurpassed knowledge of EU law, and most national court judges are not necessarily specialists in this area. Going forward, if it is no longer possible to refer cases to the ECJ, then
a) UK judges will need to substantially increase their knowledge of EU law.
b) There is a real risk of regulatory divergence between the rulings of the ECJ and the UK Courts, particularly over the longer term.
The other argument put forward is that a foreign court should not have the power to strike down laws passed by Parliament. First off, it is worth looking at the situation where this might arise. Where a Directive is agreed at EU level, it then has to be implemented at UK level, and this is usually done by passing either an Act of Parliament or a Statutory instrument which gives effect to the Directive. However, there are times when the implementing legislation does not actually conform to what was agreed in the Directive, either because of poor drafting or more commonly, because the government are trying to wriggle out of their legal obligations. In the event of a conflict between an EU law and a national law, you apply the parent Directive, as that is what you agreed to do as a legal obligation. In that situation, where a clear conflict arises between a Directive and a national law, then UK judges are required to disapply the national law and apply instead the provisions of the parent Directive. The law is not struck down by either the ECJ or by UK judges. Instead a “declaration of incompatibility” is issued, which alerts the government and Parliament that there is a problem with the way that law has been implemented. The implications of this can be far reaching. For example, under the E-Privacy Directive phone hacking is illegal - end of. This was implemented using the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act which stated that phone hacking is ok if you think the other person would be ok with it (even if they weren't)
Personally, I have little issue with this. If one takes on legal obligations then I think it is reasonable to honour them. So, if at EU level, you have agreed to the provisions of a Directive then I see no problem in implementing that correctly and if you don’t then it is reasonable to fall back on what was originally agreed. It is not the case that the ECJ can wake up one morning and strike down without any justification, huge areas of the UK Statute book. That is just nonsense.
Finally, the other argument put forward for leaving the ECJ is that plenty of other countries have trade deals without having to accept the jurisdiction of the ECJ. That is perfectly true.
But the UK is not just looking for a trade deal. According to the White Paper it also wants to maintain the Open Skies policy, which allow companies like Easyjet and Flybe to provide low cost air travel across Europe. The UK also wants to maintain and develop further judicial cooperation in criminal matters, including having continued access to Europol, the Schengen Information System, the European Criminal Records Information System, the European Arrest Warrant and the Passenger Name Record. The importance of these systems was highlighted in the UK Governments White Paper, which said
the UK is one of the biggest contributors to Europol systems, supporting police forces across the UK and Europe in the fight against cross border crime
the UK currently participates in all 13 of Europol’s current operational priority projects. We are driving, or co-driving, almost half of Europol projects against serious organised crime
from 2004 to 2015 we extradited over 8,000 individuals accused or convicted of a criminal offence to other EU countries using the European Arrest Warrant
Schengen Information System II is a European-wide alerts system that includes alerts for wanted or suspected criminals. From April 2015 to April 2016, over 6,400 foreign alerts received hits in the UK, allowing UK enforcement agencies to take appropriate action, whilst over 6,600 UK-issued alerts received hits across Europe
the UK has been a leading proponent of the new EU Passenger Name Records rules, which mean information will soon be collected in all Member States that will make it harder for organised criminals and terrorists to hide their movements
the UK is the fourth largest user of European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS). In 2015/16 the majority of the over 155,000 requests for overseas criminal convictions information were made to EU countries through ECRIS. EU Member States also benefit from notification messages we provide about their nationals who have been convicted in the UK, with the vast majority of the over 46,000 notifications made through ECRIS.
The problem with the governments position paper on the ECJ is it wants to have its cake and eat it. It wants continued access to all of these systems that benefit the UK. They are not part of trade but are instead some of the real benefits that you gain as an EU Member. The EU’s open skies policy has benefited the UK economy and UK consumers enormously, as has the UK’s participation in science projects. Judicial cooperation in civil matters means that businesses and individuals can enforce their rights through mechanisms like the European Small Claims procedure.
However, one of the essential criteria if a country wants to participate in these systems, such as judicial cooperation in criminal matters, is that that country must accept the jurisdiction of the ECJ, and also EU data protection principles.
This means the government has to chose. It can go for a straight trade deal in which case it can withdraw from the jurisdiction of the ECJ, and pull out of judicial cooperation in criminal and civil matters, open skies, and Euratom. However, by doing so, we would also fall out of the information sharing systems that help keep people safe, such as ECRIS. You can “control your borders” by having lots of people at border posts. But that is no good to you and a false illusion of control, if by doing so you lose vital information which tells you who is coming in to your country and what their intentions are likely to be. Napolean was quoted as saying that a spy in the field was worth 10,000 men on the ground, and the same principle holds true today. Intelligence sharing is a key weapon in the fight against crime and terrorism, and infinitely more valuable than just having lots of people looking menacing at border control posts.
The other alternative is the UK can accept the jurisdiction of the ECJ, and data protection principles, and then carry on participating in judicial cooperation in criminal and civil matters, open skies, and Euratom.
What it can’t do is pull out of the jurisdiction of the ECJ and continue to have access to all the same, non trade benefits you get as an EU Member. Theresa May’s insistence on withdrawing from the jurisdiction of ECJ is stupid and misguided and will make the UK less safe. A “deep and special partnership” which includes elements of EU Membership, such as judicial cooperation, open skies and Euratom, will inevitably include acceptance of the ECJ as the trade off for taking part in such systems. The sooner the government face up to these legal and political realities the better.
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Guernsey Expands On CISX Closure
The Channel Islands Stock Exchange (CISX) has published an operational statement providing more detail on the shock closure of the exchange to new listings announced earlier in the week.
Fiona Le Poidevin, Chief Executive of Guernsey Finance – the promotional agency for the Island's finance industry internationally, said: "We welcome this operational statement as importantly it provides clients with greater certainty about the current and future direction of the exchange.
"Firstly, it is important to recognise that the CISX is still accepting certain listings applications from existing debt issuers, existing trading companies and existing open and closed ended funds. In addition, the exchange has clarified that whilst it is not currently processing any new applications for issuers that are not already listed on the exchange, it has sole and absolute discretion to consider applications on a case by case basis.
Kevin Stewart, Guernsey's Commerce and Employment Minister, said: "Following constructive discussions today, I would like to reiterate that there remains active dialogue with a range of stakeholders, including engagement with the Chairman of CISX in his efforts to review the structure of the exchange. The GFSC has also given a commitment to work closely with the CISX. In the immediate term, I have been assured that personnel at the CISX are committed to continuing to work closely with trading partners in order to assess and manage the ongoing business needs of existing clients."
Vic Holmes, Chairman of the Guernsey Investment Fund Association (GIFA), said: "Clearly the initial news concerning the CISX has been extremely disappointing for the local investment community and also our client base. However, I am pleased to see the way in which the CISX is working with government, the regulator and industry now to provide greater clarity to our clients. This operational statement is very much welcomed and we now look forward to news about the structure of a new exchange."
Gregg Le Tissier, Chairman of the Guernsey Investment Managers and Stockbrokers Association (GIMSA), said: "The last few days have been an extremely challenging time for our members, many of whom have a very close relationship with the CISX as market makers and sponsors. Hopefully the release of this operational statement means that we have begun to turn the corner and can transition speedily to the new exchange."
Miss Le Poidevin added: "The CISX has been an important part of the fabric of the funds and wider investment management industry in the Channel Islands for the last 15 years and we are now also working closely with our colleagues in Jersey to ensure that this will remain the case in the future. The operational statement issued by the exchange allows advisers to give their clients greater clarity and we look forward to receiving further information regarding a newly structured exchange which will play its part in ensuring the ongoing success of the Channel Islands as premier investment centres for many years to come."
Tags: Expatriates | Tax | Investment | International Financial Centres (IFC) | Offshore | Alternative Investment |
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Expatriate Health Insurance News: Ireland expects expat support in Rugby League World Cup
September 18, 2013 by Expatriate Healthcare
Big sporting events are a great way of bringing a sense of patriotism out in everyone and it can be particularly poignant for expatriates, as it gives them a link with home.
This will no doubt be the case for many fans of rugby league living all over the world as the sport's World Cup kicks start in Cardiff next month.
A total of 14 nations will battle it out over the course of the tournament, which is this year being hosted by England and Wales.
The Irish team has already spoken out about the importance of expats in supporting the players, hoping that the community in England will spur the national side on.
Their first fixture is against Fiji at the Spotland Stadium in Rochdale on October 28th and represents a good opportunity for Irish expats in the Manchester area to come together.
Assistant coach Ged Corcoran, told the Irish Independent: "We have a great Irish community in Manchester. I hope many will be coming down to support their national team."
He knows how difficult this first match will be as he was part of the 2008 team who saw their dreams of winning the World Cup shattered by Fiji in the quarter finals.
It will be imperative for Ireland to do well in the fixture if they wish to get their 2013 campaign bid for the title off to a good start.
Ireland have been drawn in Group A, along with England, Australia and of course Fiji. After their first fixture they will then play England on November 7th who will have a home advantage in Huddersfield.
The final of the World Cup will be held at Old Trafford on November 30th and it will be up to the travelling fans and expats living in the local area to give Ireland the support to help them get there.
A Guide for Retiring to Cyprus
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Grammys 2019: Celebs capture attention in pro-Trump outfits
The singer is known for her outspoken Grammy dresses.
Author: Suzanne Nuyen, TEGNA
Published: 8:15 PM EST February 10, 2019
Updated: 4:00 AM EST February 11, 2019
This year's award shows have been pretty tame so far, but the Grammys just got political.
Singer Joy Villa showed up in a silver border wall inspired dress in support of President Trump's plan to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. Her outfit features barbed shoulders and a red purse that says "Make America Great Again." The phrase "build the wall" is written on the dress's train.
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Villa expressed her support for the President. "Unemployment is down," she said. "I am totally for President Trump, and it's only been one year. I can't wait for the next seven years!"
Villa, who performs under the name Princess Joy Villa, has become known for her over the top Grammy dresses. In 2017, she wore a blue dress featuring the phrase "Make America Great Again, and in 2018, she wore a white dress featuring a baby inside of a rainbow uterus with the phrase "choose life."
Villa wasn't the only celebrity with a pro-Trump outfit this year, however. Singer Ricky Rebel wore a blue suit jacket featuring the phrases "Make America Great Again" and "Trump 2020."
He told Entertainment Tonight in an interview that the outfit was supposed to represent "what an alpha is."
Meanwhile, the Grammy Awards had a different message. The show started with a performance of "Havana" by Camila Cabello. Eagle-eyed fans saw J Balvin sitting on a bench during the performance with a newspaper that said "Build Bridges, Not Walls."
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JACKSONVILLE-JAGUARS
Jaguars fire offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett
The Jacksonville Jaguars have fired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
Author: WTLV Staff
Published: 9:59 AM EST November 26, 2018
Updated: 2:30 PM EST November 26, 2018
The Jags lost their seventh straight game Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
The team released the following statement on its website Monday morning:
The Jaguars made a major offensive change Monday morning.
Nathaniel Hackett, the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator since November of 2016, on Monday was relieved of his duties.
“We would like to thank Nathaniel for his hard work and dedication to the Jaguars organization, and we wish him and his family the best moving forward,” Head Coach Doug Marrone said in a statement. “These are always tough decisions, but as the head coach, I have to do what I think is best for this football team.”
Hackett, the Jaguars’ quarterbacks coach in 2015 and 2016, took over as offensive coordinator with nine games remaining in the 2016 season.
The Jaguars, after finishing sixth in total offense and first in rushing offense in 2017 – Hackett’s first full season as coordinator – rank 21st in the total offense and 15th in rushing offense this season.
The Jaguars will hold a press conference at 2:45 p.m., which can be viewed here.
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Exclusive: New Poster for Acclaimed Documentary 'The Overnighters'
Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance? We're excited to debut the brand new poster for Jesse Moss' highly acclaimed, extraordinary documentary The Overnighters which was just released in theaters last weekend by Drafthouse Films. It's a must see doc this year. The poster features a handful of quotes from critics all over, praising the "masterwork" doc calling it "riveting", "powerful" and "explosive". It is all of these things and much more, an incredible discovery out of Sundance this year hoping to go all the way at the Oscars next year. We're lucky to be quoted on this as well, out of my own Sundance review, where I call it a "wildly captivating real world ride." Take a look at the new poster below and catch this in theaters now.
I was lucky to meet with director Jesse Moss for an interview last week (read in full here) and we spoke about how he made such an outstanding doc, how he captured all of this intimate footage. A brief excerpt:
Jesse: "There's no alchemy to it, in a way. First of all, it helps to be alone and to not be a crew. I mean the camera is not small. It's on my shoulder. It's big, actually. So you are not unobtrusive. I think I've also been well-trained both in my own experience as a filmmaker and the people that I've worked with in terms of just really kind of going for it and being sensitive at the same time, aggressive and sensitive." [Read the entire interview here]
The Overnighters is now playing in select theaters from Drafthouse Films. For tickets & theaters visit here.
Watch the official trailer for The Overnighters here and read Alex's Sundance review, quoted on the poster.
The Overnighters is written, directed and produced by filmmaker Jesse Moss. I caught the doc late at the Sundance Film Festival but was blown away, calling it in my review "a refreshingly modern documentary, an utterly compelling, nuanced film that precariously balances the big questions of one of the great dilemmas of this day and age." Highly recommended. Jesse Moss spent 18 months in North Dakota as a one-man-documentary-crew intimately capturing extraordinary portraits of broken men and examining the tension between the moral imperative to "love thy neighbor," and the response of one small town congregation and community. Drafthouse Films will be releasing The Overnighters in select theaters starting October 10th.
Jesse will be doing Q&A's in Austin at the Alamo Drafthouse S Lamar this coming weekend (Oct 17th), then the SF/Berkeley Landmark on Oct 24th before going to LA's Nuart for the Oct 31st opening weekend in LA.
Find more posts: Documentaries, Indies, Posters
No. Some people are just born to die.
DAVIDPD on Oct 16, 2014
looks like hes having a p1$$
mind me on Oct 17, 2014
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Editorial: How the Original 'Star Wars' Redefined the Blockbuster
by Dan Marcus
As Star Wars – the original film, A New Hope – turns 38 this year (it opened May 25th, 1977), it's hard to imagine a time when Star Wars wasn't an ingrained part of our pop culture. For a second, just imagine a world where lightsabers aren't a thing and the Millennium Falcon is just a figment of George Lucas's imagination. There's no denying Star Wars has infiltrated almost every aspect of our culture and as we prepare to embrace a whole new chapter of the Star Wars legacy with this December's Star Wars: The Force Awakens, let's take a look and see how Star Wars has changed movies – and pop culture – permanently.
Back in the summer of 1977, going to the movies was a much different experience than it is today. For example, there are the obvious differences – back in 1977 there was no internet and we weren't inundated with set photos galore, teasers for trailers and behind-the-scenes videos at every chance we could get. The state of the movie industry itself was so remarkably different in the way we anticipated movies. When George Lucas was making Star Wars, there was no great anticipation. No movie blogging journalists writing pieces just like this one – it was an entirely different landscape. You could say that Lucas had the benefit of making a movie without expectations – even though he had to deal with the weight of delivering a movie to a bunch of studio executives that had zero confidence in Lucas or the film he was making.
The fact that 20th Century Fox had zero expectations for Star Wars undoubtedly benefited Lucas in the long run – he was able to sell the sequel rights so he could hold onto the merchandising rights, which ended up working out very well for the then young, fledgling filmmaker (as seen here). Even though he was running behind schedule, going over budget and working on something that everyone thought was going to burn out like a space ship crash landing on a planet – Lucas didn't have to deal with the internet. He didn't have to deal with a hundred different opinion articles determining if he was going to do a good job or a slew of paparazzi and onlookers taking set pictures and videos, spoiling the film's most significant moments.
Even though Lucas had a lot stacked against him when he was directing Star Wars in 1976, he didn't have to deal with an entirely different stack of cards. It reminds me of the current situation with Josh Trank and Fox's own Fantastic Four reboot. Trank already had a lot he had to contend with - Fantastic Four being his first major production, taking on a huge comic-book property and essentially rebooting a stale franchise – but it seems with reports suggesting behind-the-scenes drama he had an even more difficult time than one might expect. I almost feel bad for Trank, having to juggle the responsibilities of his first major production with pleasing a rabid fanbase, executives and having the weight of the internet on his shoulders, poking and prodding at his every decision. Who knows what really happened behind-the-scenes on Fantastic Four – but something tells me hundreds if not thousands of fans weren't nitpicking or dissecting Lucas and the behind-the-scenes drama he dealt with while he was making Star Wars (and he was dealing with a lot of problems).
When Star Wars came out, it came out during a time in which movies were like concerts, with people lining up sometimes miles from the theater entrance. While that still happens now, when Star Wars came out it was a relatively unknown occurrence. There were some fairly ground-breaking films that came out in the 70's and 80's – Steven Spielberg' Jaws being one of them – but Star Wars almost came out of nowhere and ignited a firestorm of feverish devotion and awe from moviegoers that has lasted nearly four decades.
When people were waiting in line for Star Wars, there's a good bet many people probably didn't know what they were about to see. They probably saw some footage or a poster and thought it looked like a good time. However, when a big event movie opens in today's movie climate, by the time it debuts in theaters almost everyone knows something about it. With Star Wars: The Force Awakens, of course people know somewhat to expect because it's a sequel. However, with our internet age of non-stop blogging, set photos, trailers, magazine covers and more – we'll probably know a decent amount going into the theater on December 18th. Thanks to J.J. Abrams and his "Mystery Box", we hopefully won't know too much – but we'll likely know more than those audience members did when they sat in that theater for the very first time on May 25th, 1977 – having little idea just what they were going to experience.
Big, summer event movies like Jaws and Star Wars altered the moviegoing experience from going with your friends or family to a movie maybe every Friday night to the thing to do that summer. People lined up in droves, watched it multiple times and dissected every detail as if they were starved for more. It was a time where these kinds of movies weren't exactly that commonplace and the notion of franchises and sequels weren't quite crystallized yet. When we go see a movie like Mad Max: Fury Road, we expect there will probably be a sequel. Even with The Force Awakens, we know there will be more films to follow (unless The Force Awakens bombs – which, let's face it, is not going to happen in this galaxy or the next). When audience members got out of their chilly theaters in 1977 and walked into the hot summer air, they probably had no idea if they'd see Episode V or not. Heck, most probably had no idea it was actually the fourth film in the middle of two – and soon to be three – trilogies. To them, it was just a really good time at the movies.
A lot has changed from the summer of 1977 to the summer of 2015 and beyond. How we anticipate movies has changed – for better or worse – and "blockbuster" movies like Star Wars and countless others have changed the landscape of cinema forever. Now, when a popular movie like Suicide Squad is in production, there are literally hundreds of people posting set photos, analyzing officially released photos until the very last detail and speculating 24/7 on what the film might be about. It would be interesting if Lucas was making his Star Wars in today's atmosphere and how that might or might not have influenced him during the filmmaking process. Would people care when he released the first official photo of Darth Vader or Luke Skywalker or Princess Leia? Of course, Lucas also benefited from the fact that Star Wars was a completely original creation at the time – how many of those do we see anymore? It doesn't happen very often.
So, with the 38th anniversary of Star Wars, let's appreciate the impact it has had not only on the movie landscape but with how we anticipate these big, summer event movies as well. With Star Wars: The Force Awakens, we are in a somewhat unique position with the Star Wars franchise. For the first time in a very long time, we have no idea what is going to happen. With the prequel trilogy, we knew where certain things were going to go – we knew Anakin Skywalker was going to become Darth Vader, and so on. With these new movies starting this December, the slate is wiped clean all over again.
In a way – if we avoid all the set photos, abundant spoilers and rampant speculation as much as we can, as much as possible – we can almost be just like those moviegoers when they sat down in theaters back on May 25th, 1977. We know what we will be watching – but for the first time in a long time in the franchise's history we won't know exactly what we will be watching – and to me that's an incredibly exciting prospect. Right now it's a very exciting time to be a Star Wars fan, and movie fan in general. There's so much to look forward to seeing on the big screen, if only we can wait until it hits theaters. What do you think? Do you think Star Wars has helped change the way we anticipate movies today?
Find more posts: Editorial, Star Wars
Nice one. Another thing is that these days we get two blockbusters per week in the summer blockbuster season. Back then you had a blockbuster or two a year. I think less films being released back then helped those films becoming more popular and getting a bigger cult following. Imagine a bad movie like Transformers 4...if we...as you described...not being too much spoilered by all of the things happening online AND if it would be the only big budget blockbuster of...say...a whole summer season...it could've become a cool movie just for that. But with all the movies we get nowadays it's really like our expectations are almost never completely fulfilled and the one-movie blockbuster audience is pretty much divided into several different movies.
filmtogo on May 25, 2015
When I was younger, I asked my parents if they remember the first time they saw STAR WARS. Their answer, "No."
DAVIDPD on May 25, 2015
Solid article. Fully agree. I'm not old enough to remember the 'theatrical' days of Jaws and Star Wars. But I do fondly remember -as a young teen- having to tape (on a VCR kids!) a TV featurette (which broadcasted after midnight) back in 1996 (pre internet, at least in my house) to learn anything about Indepence Day beyond the epic poster (White House Down :p) and some short TV commercials. And then stepping into to movie theatre and still being completely overwhelmed by the mostly unknown spectacular events unfolding on the big screen. Oh how times have changed! Running a small movie blog (http://www.moviepulp.be) myself over here in Belgium I understand the urge to re post every tid bit you find online about e.g. the new Star Wars. But just -as you guys at Firstshowing- we carefully try to avoid any spoilers and mostly stay away from teasers for teaser trailers and the tiring overload of information about the big event movies released today ... . Enough is enough dear movie studios!
Kenneth Peeters on May 25, 2015
Now i think of it i remember always one thing of star wars and that where the paintings of ralph mcquarrie they just facinated me! It was also the onley book i bought of a movie to stay in the universe.But that wasn't that strange as you explained in this perfect article,because there was no you tube! Thanks again for bringing me back to my teenage years,filled with star wars,star trek,the twilight zone,saturday night fever ( very good music) and the hope that i would be great in something!
ari smulders on May 25, 2015
✪✪✪✪----.⌘⌘⌘ first < http://www.NetCash9.Com ........
KevinTPhillippi on May 25, 2015
I don't remember waiting in a queue to see Star Wars in 1978. Australia had a small population and the only large lines were during Saturday night in a large city like Sydney or Melbourne where young people, couples with children would go out for the night. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to see in person because I was just a teenager who watched movies at my local cinema on a Friday or Saturday night. The were no large crowds but I do recall many teenagers, families, and young adults flocking to see Star Wars IV when it was screened. This was the era when they showed double features.
Mike Zarquon on May 26, 2015
I thing I'm missing something here. "Let's take a look and see how Star Wars has changed movies – and pop culture – permanently." The article was an interesting read, but had nothing to do with this question. Or are your saying Star Wars is responsible for the existence of teaser trailers and blogs?
Johan Sunegård on May 28, 2015
Hi Johan! I wanted to touch upon the impact "Star Wars" has had on our pop culture and movie industry as a whole - as a result of the original "Star Wars" blockbuster movies are now the norm and how we anticipate those blockbusters has also changed, in part due to the societal impact left by the original '77 film.
Dan Marcus on Jun 8, 2015
I think Star Wars changed movies because it open the eyes of studios that teenagers and kids will see 'fun' movies over and over and they didn't always need to make serious dramatic movies. That of course is not a bad thing because I love The Godfather and Star Wars, yet they're two vastly different movies. The negative was through the years studios started dumbing down summer movies making them only for teenagers and kids and it has resulted in bland comic book movies and constant sequels or prequels. A movie like Jurassic World will be king of the box office this summer, can anyone remember a great one liner or a memorable scene that will be talked about 20 years from now?
Dave on Aug 23, 2015
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Many from North opt for military
School-record 24 prepared to serve country
Jennifer Sami
Updated: June 6, 2014, 12:06 a.m.
The following members of the class of 2014 from North Forsyth High School are entering the military:
* Air Force: Alexander Hanson
* Army: Keenan Aldrich and Kaitlin Newberry
* Marine Corps: Paxton Brownlee, Joshua Day, Jacob Denson, Michael Gerchman, Corbin Glover, Ara Johnson, Heath King, James Lane, Melissa Mannon, Jacob McClain, Chase McFarling, Katie Mulko, Brandon Randle, Ben Strube, Jessie Vlaun, Austin Weldon and Jacob Wood
* National Guard: Aaron Bohan and Derrick Roughton
* Navy: Michael Carter and Chelsea Workman
Source: North Forsyth High School
NORTH FORSYTH — In the nearly two decades Maj. Charles Kelly has been teaching the Marine Corps JROTC program at North Forsyth High, he’s never seen such dedication to military service as shown by the school’s class of 2014.
Twenty-four recent North graduates will be entering the military ranks, with 17 of them enlisting in the Marine Corps. In addition, one graduate is going into the Air Force and two each are entering the Army, Navy and Georgia National Guard.
“This is the largest number of students and the largest percentage of the graduating class that has elected to serve our nation immediately after graduating from high school,” Kelly said.
“Having this many from one class is exceptional and it well represents our county’s educational, ethical and patriotic standards.”
In addition to enlisting, Samuel Kemp, April Castillo and Chris Cooper received an Army, Marine Corps and Navy scholarship, respectively. Clay Barton was also appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which Kelly said is a huge accomplishment given the stiff competition.
“A student has a better chance for being admitted to Harvard than to be accepted to attend one of our academies,” he said.
A total of four graduates were selected for a course of study that will lead to receiving a commission in the military, which Kelly said may be a county record to have that many future officers come from a single graduating class.
He also noted that two other graduates are in the process of enlisting in the Marines, adding that the majority of the 17 students were part of North’s JROTC program.
“Successfully completing two years of JROTC will give them an automatic promotion after completing basic training/boot camp,” Kelly said. “While taking JROTC does provide a solid background for a recruit, it certainly is not mandatory to succeed in the military. I think that any service member who is willing to work had and learn will be successful.
“The county should take genuine pride in our students’ willingness to leave the security and comfort of home to serve in the military.”
Kelly said he and Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jack "Gunny" Snook have seen more than 175 graduates, including their own sons, enter the military after graduating from North.
“No matter which service they joined, we cannot help but feel a sense of extreme pride in their decision to serve,” he said. “They are becoming our brothers and sisters in the military profession. They are becoming a part of our family.
“These young men and these young ladies are in for the ride of their lives.”
How teachers can get free school supplies from this local nonprofit
Forsyth County Schools to offer free student health screening
Students visit Washington, D.C., for Sawnee EMC sponsored leadership conference
Why this Forsyth County grad is spending her summer in Ireland
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Fortinet Named one of British Columbia's Top Employers in 2015
SUNNYVALE, Calif., February 2, 2015 − Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT) − global leader in high performance cyber security solutions, today announced it was named one of Mediacorp Canada Inc.’s “British Columbia’s Top Employer for 2015.” Now entering its 10th year, BC's Top Employers award is an annual competition organized by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers. This special designation recognizes the British Columbia employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. The full list of this year’s award winners can be found here: http://www.canadastop100.com/bc/
Fortinet, founded in 2000, is a worldwide provider of enterprise cyber security solutions. The company’s Burnaby, BC workforce includes a research and development team that consists of 550 developers and engineers, focused on driving innovation in the industry, as well as the FortiGuard threat research team that is dedicated to discovering and protecting customers from threats 24/7. Fortinet has a global workforce of more than 2,800 employees.
"Our project has never been about finding over-the-top employee benefits and perks,” said Anthony Meehan, publisher at Mediacorp Canada, Inc. “It has instead always been focused on discovering exciting places to work where employees can make a difference and are enthusiastic to come into work."
The BC's Top Employer award, which is part of the Canada's Top 100 Employers competition, is the largest editorial project of its kind in Canada, with thousands of employers taking part in each year's application process. The distinguishing feature of the project is that its editors publish detailed reasons, providing transparency in the selection of winners and practical guidance for job-seekers about exceptional workplaces. Each employer is graded by Mediacorp editors on eight key areas: (1) Physical Workplace; (2) Work Atmosphere & Social; (3) Health, Financial & Family Benefits; (4) Vacation & Time Off; (5) Employee Communications; (6) Performance Management; (7) Training & Skills Development; and (8) Community Involvement. The same eight criteria have been applied since the competition was launched 15 years ago.
About Mediacorp
Founded in 1992, Mediacorp Canada Inc. is the nation's largest publisher of employment periodicals and guides. Since 1999, the Toronto-based publisher has managed the annual Canada's Top 100 Employers project, which includes 19 regional and special-interest editorial competitions that reach over 13 million Canadians through a group of newspaper and magazine partners. The publishing firm also operates the popular job search engine, Eluta.ca, which brings job-seekers new job postings from employer websites and editorial reviews from the Canada's Top 100 Employers project. Last year, more than five million Canadians used Eluta.ca, making it the most visited Canadian site among job search engines.
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from FMC and Content Creators Coalition
Washington, D.C. — The Content Creators Coalition (c3) and the Future of Music Coalition release the following statement reacting to President Trump’s budget, which if enacted by Congress would eliminate programs supporting arts and culture, including the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting:
“The arts play a vital role in our culture. They help define us as a people. They help unite us as a nation. They help inspire us to explore the unknown. They help drive our economy and create American jobs. For these reasons and more, President Trump’s proposed budget that guts the arts programs is indefensible.
“As artists, musicians, and music lovers, we stand united in asking Congress to reject these cuts, retaining support for the arts and culture, by fully funding the NEA, NEH, and CPB.
“The fact is that federal spending for the arts in the U.S. is already shockingly low. In comparison to other countries, it is an international embarrassment. And yet, even with such a small budget, the NEA supports industries that employ millions of Americans and generate billions of dollars every year in revenue and tax dollars. NEA programs nurture musicians, songwriters, designers, actors, filmmakers — all people who make up the music and film industries, two of the biggest exports in our economy. Specifically, the arts and culture industries support 4.8 million jobs and represent 4.2% of the nation’s GDP.
“More importantly and despite its limited budget, the NEA supports an incredible array of arts initiatives. It is essential to arts programs in marginalized, rural, and minority communities. This means access to culture, stronger arts communities, and as a growing body of research shows, a healthier society.
“The NEA is the only organization that makes grants to arts programs in every congressional district. Over the past few years, bi-partisan support on Capitol Hill has grown, and for good reason. It is a win-win — economically and culturally, and it supports the creative soul of our country.
“Equally shameful and senseless is the proposal to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which is the primary means of federal support to public radio and television. Many musicians rely on these stations to reach audiences and launch their careers. These stations elevate and sustain precious American traditions that corporate broadcasters won’t touch, with a local focus that algorithmic discovery can’t match. Elimination of federal support would be a disaster for musicians and for cultural diversity.
“Thankfully, over the past few years, we’ve actually seen growing bi-partisan support for these agencies on Capitol Hill. The Appropriations Committee should continue standing with the American people in supporting the arts. And Congress should build its budget priorities around serving the needs of our diverse citizenry, rather than rubber stamping the fringe views of the Heritage Foundation, an extremist organization that advocates for transphobic bathroom laws, racist voter suppression efforts, and has long worked to gut arts programs.
“Congress must stand up for the arts.”
National Endowment for the Arts
About Future of Music Coalition
Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research and advocacy organization that seeks a bright future for creators and listeners. FMC works towards this goal through continuous interaction with its primary constituency — musicians — and in collaboration with other creator/public interest groups. More
FMC Press Release
kevin [at] futureofmusic [dot] org (Kevin Erickson )
Communications Associate
p: 202-822-2051 x121
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No More Waking Up in a Bathtub Full of Ice
© Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library/Corbis
How could 3D printers eliminate the need for organ donors? What are the benefits of printing human tissue? What progress has been made so far? Join Jonathan, Lauren and Joe as they explore the future of printed organs.
Male Speaker 1: Brought to you by Toyota. Let's go places. Welcome to Forward Thinking.
Jonathan: Hi there everyone. Welcome to Forward Thinking. I am host number one, Jonathan Strickland. And with me are hosts two and three, introduce yourselves.
Jonathan: And what are we talking about today, Joe?
Joe: Well, we're going to be talking about 3D printing, and to start off a little bit, 3D printing is basically exactly what it sounds like. The way you print a document today is that you get an image of what that document would look like on your computer, and that's digitally rendered. It's sent to the printer and then the printer creates that in the real world with ink on a page. Now, of course, that's basically, for all intents and purposes, two-dimensional. Extend that another dimension. Now you have a machine that takes a digital model and it creates a three dimensional object. So this is what we would call additive manufacturing. So you can take any kind of moldable material like plastic, or glass, or metal, and you can create an object with a printer that lays on tiny layers, one little bit at a time, to create any object you can design in a digital way.
Jonathan: Cool, yeah. And this is used in a lot of different fields, including, in manufacturing, a lot of prototypes are made this way, because prototypes, traditionally, the way that people would make a prototype model of a product, would be to take some sort of material and carve away at it until you reach whatever your destination product is.
Joe: Hence additive manufacturing instead of subtractive manufacturing.
Jonathan: Exactly, because you're subtracting material to get to what you want, but with 3D printing, you're just adding what is needed. So there's not really - you don't have that problem of waste like you would if you were carving or melting stuff away.
Joe: So here's an even cooler thing that we could do with 3D printing, though. Of course you can make a chess piece or an action figure.
Jonathan: Those are both on my list.
Joe: Right. What if you could make a kidney or a liver?
Jonathan: So you're talking not for dinner, but for actual medical purposes.
Joe: An organ that works.
Jonathan: That is phenomenal, and there are people who are working on that.
Lauren: Yeah, it's actually hypothetically not all that very far off. Researchers have just recently created the first live human - well, they're working towards the first live human tissue. They have create a 3D printer that, instead of using ink or plastic or whatever else you would put in a printer, it deals out these droplets of embryonic human stem cells in a nutrient soup, and it does this so gently and so precisely that the cells remain living and remain capable of developing into different cell types.
Jonathan: So, what you could do is, by using these stem cells and using the appropriate type of tissue, you could print them in such a formation as to create an organ. That's kind of like the goal we're talking about here.
Lauren: That's the end goal. Right now, they're basically just printing little layers of soup, and saying, "This soup could become something someday.
Jonathan: Layers of soup. That sounds like a great name for a band.
Joe: Isn't that a Frank Zappa album?
Jonathan: It might very well be. Kids, ask your parents. Yeah, this is some really cool applications here.
Joe: Well yeah. They already think they can do some really amazing things with this. Just one example is, imagine there's a burn victim who has lots of cellular damage all over the surface of the body. Now, in some cases if the burns are small enough you can get skin grafts that would help cover up the burned areas, but imagine if there are a lot of burns, you can't cover it with skin grafts. Well, you could print, with a medical 3D printer, you could print a layer of cells to go over the burned areas that could help the wound heal faster, and help prevent infection and contain disease.
Jonathan: And that's incredibly important with burns. Infection is one of those things that can make a serious condition a critical condition, and that's true for any major injury. In fact, I was reading about a potential - actually I wasn't reading, I was watching. There was a great video, a TED Talk, by Anthony Atala, and this dates back to 2011, when he was talking about a potential new technology that what it would do is scan someone who has suffered a wound, and then after scanning the wound, would immediately start to print repairs to the body. So that could be everything from muscle tissue to ligaments to bone to even skin, so that it would be a multi pass system. The first pass would be the scan, the next pass would be printing. And it would probably scan and print, scan and print, and you would heal wounds incredibly rapidly, not quite so fast as in the series that we all love, Star Trek.
Lauren: Yeah, it's not quite a tricorder yet.
Jonathan: Not yet, but that's a phenomenal idea. And beyond that, there's the idea of just printing out a replacement organ based upon the patient's cells, so that the organ has a high - does not have as high a risk of being rejected by the body. So, that's something we all know about. In order to get a transplant these days you have to have an organ donor, and that donor has to be compatible with the patient. By printing, you could print out an organ that's already compatible with the patient, and that reduces the chance the body will reject the organ. You're never going to reduce that chance to zero, at least not based on our understanding of how the human body works right now, but you could definitely impact it.
Lauren: And all of this is pretty far off. I mean, like I said, they are right now using embryonic human stem cells. If we could move into using pluripotent stem cells, made from adult.
Jonathan: Sure, adult stem cells, where it's - the issue here is that embryonic stem cells have the opportunity to develop into lots of different kinds of tissue. Adult stem cells tend to be already a little specialized. They're limited in what kind of tissues they can become based upon most of our applications right now. But this would give us many more options, right? When we need to print up material. Also, I should point out that 3D printers can work in biomedical materials, not just actual human tissues.
Lauren: They've been practicing with using different artificial human tissue that can be printed out and then, using a very focused laser, zapped into an appropriate form to form, for example, a blood vessel.
Jonathan: And this is incredible stuff. It's also very tricky because there are only so many materials that you can introduce to a human system without the risk of infection or rejection.
Joe: But one application outside the human body, of course, would be research. If you could manufacture organs that you could do research on without endangering actual human tissue that's attached to somebody.
Lauren: Or a cute fuzzy bunny rabbit.
Joe: Or having to take it.
Jonathan: Yeah, think about pharmaceutical tests. Now granted, this raises up a lot of ethical questions. I'm sure people would ask, "Is it ethical to create artificial - " You're creating real organs using this 3D printing technique. Actually, if you used any technique to do this, but 3D printing is the one we're concentrating on. If you were to create those organs, is it ethical to be able to do these sorts of tests. For my perspective, I tend to think yes. I think that's far more ethical than having to ask for a volunteer population or to take animals which have no ability to consent to this sort of testing, and to think, like, "Okay, well, we've developed a new drug that's meant to fight off a particular disease, but we don't know how it would affect healthy tissue."
This would be a way of being able to do those tests in a manner that's not going to put at risk the life of an actual person. So it could be incredibly effective. Also, I think it's important to remember that for us to reach that amazing future where we have the $6 million man, not all of those parts need to be robotic in nature. We can create bigger, faster, stronger organs because we'll have the technology.
Joe: No way.
Jonathan: I just want a stomach that lets me eat ghost peppers without feeling badly afterward, because I love the spicy. But you know, hey, the show is not all about how does Jonathan take future technologies and bend them to his own will. Though it kind of is, really.
Lauren: It's not?
Joe: 80 or 90 percent.
Jonathan: Okay. All right, so no, I definitely want that. But seriously though, the potential benefits here are phenomenal. It means that we could get to a point where there won't be a place for you to put on your driver's license that you're an organ donor, because it's not necessary. Which would be a wonderful world to live in where people who have a desperate need for an organ transplant aren't in a waiting game where they have no idea when, if ever, they will receive an organ.
Lauren: And hopefully eliminate an organ black market, all of that kind of scary territory.
Jonathan: Sure, yeah. I mean, if we're talking about something that is widely distributed, in particular, then you have eliminated an entire possible black market. You've reduced the risk of people being forcibly submitted to organ transplants.
Joe: Oh, where you have the story of the bathtub and the ice.
Jonathan: Waking up in the bathtub with the ice, yeah.
Lauren: We'll have no more jokes about bathtubs full of ice.
Joe: But, do we want to live in that world, where we don't have that joke?
Jonathan: That's okay, because we have other jokes, like, "Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?
Joe: Those police procedural episodes.
Jonathan: And there's also the hook that's hanging from the door handle. There are plenty of other urban legends that we can concentrate on.
Joe: Oh, that's true. The next generation of prosthetics could make that story history too.
Jonathan: That's true. Well, you know what, I'm confident that our futuristic world will generate all new urban legends for us to really focus on. You know?
Joe: That's true. You'll have, I don't know, the robot hanging off the back of the car.
Jonathan: Exactly. Yes, the robotic arm, and thinking the robot has a -
Joe: The robot has escaped.
Jonathan: The crazed robot that roams the hills. Oh man, I look forward to telling that urban legend around a digital campfire one day. But yeah, getting back to the 3D printing of the human tissue, to get a little more serious, this is something that I'm really genuinely excited about. It's this thought of being able to really improve the health conditions of people who desperately need it, and of course we're all starting to live longer. Our health has improved over time so that our life spans have extended quite a bit, and that means that there are more opportunities for things to fail, so more and more of us are going to be in an experience where something like this might be necessary. So to see this technology starting to blossom today and know that within a generation or two, it may be sophisticated enough where an organ donor is something that just, you've only heard about in -
Lauren: History textbooks.
Jonathan: History textbooks, or visiting me in the old folks home, while I sit there and talk about the old days when you had to wait for a donor. So I am genuinely excited about this and I can't wait to see how it continues, and so that wraps up our discussion here on 3D printing and human tissue. We've got so much more to say. Guys, make sure you visit our website. It's fwthinking.com, that's fwthinking.com. We take these topics and we really break them down in video format, in this audio podcast, and blog posts, and we really want to hear from you and what you are interested in and the sort of things that get you excited about the future, because this really needs to be a conversation. So make sure you join us, and we will talk to you again really soon.
Topics in this Podcast: medicine, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, health
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PS3 /
for PS3
(Last checked 2 seconds ago)
CONSIDERING PRE-OWNED?
Guaranteed to work
Neo-Paris, 2084: Personal memories can now be digitized, bought, sold and traded. The last remnants of privacy and intimacy have been swept away in what appears to be a logical progression of the explosive growth of social networks at the beginning of the 21st century. The citizens themselves have accepted this surveillance society in exchange for the comfort only smart technology can provide. This memory economy gives immense power over society to just a handful of people.
A visionary 3rd person action adventure, Remember Me puts players into the role of Nilin, a former elite memory hunter with the ability to break into people's minds and steal or even alter their memories. The authorities, fearful of her knowledge and capabilities have arrested Nilin and wiped her memory clean. After her escape from prison, Nilin sets out on a mission to recover her identity, helped by her last and only friend. This search for her past leads to her being hunted by the very people that created this surveillance society.
Trailers & Videos Playlist
Speculative, stunning vision of our future - Discover Neo-Paris 2084, where augmented reality and memory digitization have taken control of people's lives.
Play as Nilin, an elite memory hunter with a clouded past - Become the most wanted memory hunter in Neo-Paris and experience the power to break into people's minds to steal their memories. Gain the information you need directly from people's heads, to complete your missions and recover your own memory.
Memory Remix - This innovative new gameplay mechanic allows players to use Nilin's powers and alter parts of people's memories in real-time gameplay. This will change characters' complete perspective on their self-image and the people around them, which can have grave consequences for the world in 2084.
A balanced mix of combat and exploration - Fight your way through the different environments Neo-Paris has to offer, using Nilin's proficiency in martial arts, as both hunter and prey!
Localized voice over – Remember Me will include fully localized voice over in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian as well as subtitles in Russian, Polish, and Brazilian Portuguese.
Thursday, 6th June 2013
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2 Florida hoops players suspended after arrest
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan has suspended forwards Erik Murphy and Cody Larson after they were arrested and charged with breaking into a car.
Donovan says he is "very disappointed with the news" and the players have been suspended from "basketball-related activities." Donovan says he will not comment further until he gets more information and meets with the players.
Police say witnesses spotted Murphy and Larson breaking into a car outside a restaurant/bar. The car owner reported nothing missing.
Murphy and Larson were charged with one felony count of third-degree burglary. They were booked at the St. Johns County Jail about 4 a.m. Sunday and later released on $5,000 bond.
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Alfred Leslie, born in New York City in 1927, began as an Abstract Expressionist painter, but in the 1960s moved to an intense, large-scale realism. He studied at New York University in 1946-57 with Tony Smith, Hale Woodruff, John McPherson and William Baziotes. Unlike most artists who spend years struggling to establish themselves, Leslie quickly gained a reputation as a second generation Abstract Expressionist. When he made his transition to realism, he was as easily recognized in that genre.
Geometric abstraction and collaged realistic elements were sandwiched between Leslie’s initial Abstract Expressionism and the ultimate realism of his artistic evolution. The process was completed in the course of only two or three years in the mid-1960s. All of Leslie’s paintings, whether abstract or realistic have tended toward monumental size. His portraits may be as large as nine feet high, and are painted with a metallic hardness of surface rather than the softness of flesh.
In the 1970s the artist returned to realism and sought to link timeless spiritual beliefs and past artistic tradition with the present in the creation of a contemporary context for biblical subject matter and the themes and compositions of Caravaggio.
Alfred Leslie’s paintings are in the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C.; Kuntshalle, Basel, Switzerland; Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minnesota; Museu de Arte Moderna, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; and the Museum of Modern Art and Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City.
Matthew Baigell, Dictionary of American Art
Michael David Zellman, 300 Years of American Art
Alfred Leslie was born in the Bronx, New York City, on October 20, 1927. He attended New York University from 1946 through 1947, the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and the Art Students League, where he studied with Tony Smith, William Baziotes, Hale Woodruff and John McPherson. He served in the United States Coast Guard in 1945 and 1946. He taught at a Adult Education Program in Great Neck, New York from 1956 through 1957 and at the San Francisco Art Institute during the summer of 1964.
A second-generation Abstract Expressionist, Leslie turned to figure painting in the early 1960s, long before the movement toward figure painting was fashionable. His technique as a draftsman is formidable. He experimented with filmmaking, writing, set designing and photo-realism in the 1950s and 1960s.
Leslie is a slight, loquacious, one-time physical-culture enthusiast. His wife, Constance West, often poses as a model for him.
Written and submitted by Jean Ershler Schatz, artist and researcher from Laguna Woods, California.
Robert Hughes in Time magazine, January 31, 1972
Newsweek Magazine, June 7, 1976
Contemporary Artists, 2nd Edition
Dictionary of Contemporary American Artists, Paul Cummings
Time Magazine, January 12, 1968
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The Challenges and Opportunities of Introspection in Psychology: Theory and Method
Psychology is often described as the study of behavior and experience. Behavior refers to outer activities accessible to third-person observation, while experience refers to inner (mental) processes of a more private character. While psychologists have developed an ingenuous methodological repertoire to ...
Psychology is often described as the study of behavior and experience. Behavior refers to outer activities accessible to third-person observation, while experience refers to inner (mental) processes of a more private character. While psychologists have developed an ingenuous methodological repertoire to research human behavior via third-person methods, the toolbox for dealing with the experiential domain and its ultimate first-person character – the so-called qualia component – is underdeveloped. The first-person character of qualia experience can only be captured through first-person research, but psychology has a turbulent relationship to the first-person science of introspection – and quite understandably so because a naïve and untrained form of introspection is prone to a host of confounds.
But just as third-person experimentation has been cultivated and developed into a rigorous and systematic method, introspection can also be cultivated and developed. It would have been an opportunity for the young discipline to advance and cultivate a solid form of introspection to address phenomena that can – because of their first-person nature – only be captured from a first-person perspective (e.g., the qualia aspect of self or consciousness). But because the naïve and spontaneous introspective methods were unreliable, they did not produce solid results. Instead of advancing introspection to better address this, first-person aspects of psychological phenomena are often disregarded as being merely epiphenomenal. They are dismissed from the scope of enquiry altogether –not because they are in principle inaccessible or non-existing, but because they are inaccessible with the conventional methods that we use.
This Research Topic seeks to provide an overview over the challenges and opportunities of introspection in theory and method. On the one hand, we seek to address ongoing epistemological debates in the psychological and philosophical literature. This includes the general question about the legitimacy of introspection as a meaningful research method. It also includes a distinction of different types of introspection (e.g., introspection on the results vs. the processes of cognition) – and what these can achieve vs. not achieve (cf., the account of auto- vs. heterophenomenology). Moreover, it includes a dialogue on how research on introspection in the philosophical and psychological domains can inform each other.
On the other hand, we also seek to study the methodological and theoretical implications of introspective research with a particular emphasis on specific phenomena in psychological research (e.g., memory, thought, etc.). Different approaches exist: at one extreme, introspection is used to study the first-person characteristics of psychological phenomena; at the other extreme, introspection is used to refine and guide the study of third-person characteristics of psychological phenomena. In this Research Topic we seek to compile contributions from both ends, seeking to enquire into the method of introspection proper, as well using and advancing the method to research psychological phenomena. Introspection is virtually non-existent as an approach in the sense that the researcher studies her own mental state to advance the theory of psychological phenomena. As outlined above, however, it is exactly this which is needed – and we are certain the dialogue around this will trigger an intense debate.
Keywords: introspection, first-person research, methodology, consciousness research, qualitative research
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Bailout for the People: “The Cook Plan”
Theme: Global Economy
Basic Income Guarantee Network Annual Conference, New York , N.Y. , February 27-March 1, 2009
This system is not free enterprise, and it is not capitalism.
It is a cancer that is destroying the world.
Isn’t it Finally Time to Enact a Basic Income Guarantee?
The lack of individual and family income security in the midst of a highly-developed economy is a travesty under any circumstances, but the basic contradiction of “poverty in the midst of plenty” that has plagued the world since the start of the Industrial Revolution is becoming much worse in the early years of the 21st century as the Recession of 2008 picks up speed.
Winston Churchill spoke on the subject when giving the Romanes Lecture at Oxford University on June 19, 1930, a few months after the crash of the U.S. stock market that started the Great Depression. He said:
“Who would have thought that it would be easier to produce by toil and skill all the most necessary or desirable commodities than it is to find consumers for them? Who would have thought that cheap and abundant supplies of all the basic commodities would find the science and civilization of the world unable to utilize them? Have all our triumphs of research and organization bequeathed us only a new punishment: the Curse of Plenty? Are we really to believe that no better adjustment can be made between supply and demand? Yet the fact remains that every attempt has failed. Many various attempts have been made, from the extremes of Communism in Russia to the extremes of Capitalism in the United States . They include every form of fiscal policy and currency policy. But all have failed, and we have advanced little further in this quest than in barbaric times. Surely it is this mysterious crack and fissure at the basis of all our arrangements and apparatus upon which the keenest minds throughout the world should be concentrated.
Evidently we’ve learned nothing since Churchill spoke. Isn’t it shameful—or just surprising—that since the proponents of “post-modern” economics restructured the U.S. economy around the concept of a deregulated financial sector over the past 30 years, income and wealth disparities between rich and poor have become much worse?
Perhaps we are finally ready to reopen the question of whether human beings have a right to a sufficient income to keep body and soul together. This question has been mostly lost since President Ronald Reagan declared in his 1981 inaugural address that, “Government is not the solution to the problem; government is the problem.”
But it is only government that can authorize and implement what is today called a Basic Income Guarantee (BIG). Otherwise, if government is trapped in the ideological straightjacket Reagan and his fellow conservatives put it in, then the only possible paradigm is Social Darwinism—survival of the fittest. Today it is not difficult to see that implementation of a BIG, had it been put in place when the concept still had political life in the 1960s and early 1970s, would have gone a long way toward ameliorating human distress from poverty along with assuring a degree of economic justice. And we would clearly be much better off today.
The last serious efforts at a BIG were President Richard Nixon’s Family Assistance Plan, which passed the House but was defeated in the Senate in 1970, followed by implementation of the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income families, enacted in 1975. Since then, every step toward economic “reform” has been one permutation or another of trickle-down economics, including the supply-side tax cuts of the Reagan and Bush II administrations.
Of course, the purpose of the move to deregulate the financial industry that has been going on for the past generation was supposed to have been to create a new “ownership” society based on having our money “work for us.” But the deregulated bubble economy has now blown up, exposed as the biggest fraud in history.
Yet even in the midst of massive government bailouts for the banks and the as-yet-to-be-implemented economic stimulus proposals for the people, a BIG is never mentioned, not even by progressives. One problem with BIG is that its proponents always presented it as a transfer-of-wealth program, where a portion of the earnings of people with earned incomes would be diverted to support those in need. Even the idea of diverting military expenditures to a BIG could be viewed as a transfer program, since a smaller war machine would mean a reduction of salary and benefit payments to military personnel and civilian contractors.
In other words, even those in favor of BIG have viewed it as a kind of charity. As such, it is likely safe to say that BIG has little, if any, chance to be implemented within the U.S. at any time in the foreseeable future, at least in an amount to have an impact.
But there are other ways to look at the problem. One way is that of the Social Credit movement, where a regular dividend payment to individuals is seen not only as fair but is viewed as a necessary balancing force within a developed economy. But Social Credit concepts, while once a force in the British Commonwealth nations, is virtually unknown in the U.S. Another way is shown by the Alaska Permanent Fund (APF), where residents enjoy by right a share of the resource wealth of the state.
Both Social Credit and the APF as models for action will be discussed in this paper. The paper focuses on the U.S. , though the concepts are universally applicable, and proposes a method of providing a BIG as part of a program to rebuild the economy from the bottom up. I call this program, based on dividend-type approaches, a “Bailout for the People,” as opposed to the bank bailouts that are adding trillions of dollars to the national debt. I have presented it previously in articles on the internet as “The Cook Plan.” (Richard C. Cook, “How to Save the U.S. Economy,” Global Research, October 10, 2008 at http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=10508)
Such a program is urgently needed. There is no time to waste in rescuing our citizens from the onrushing catastrophe that is befalling an economy where both manufacturing and family farming were long ago gutted to create today’s anemic service economy. If things continue to go as they are today, there could be U.S. citizens starving within a year, and Congress knows it.
A Historic Collapse
As the recession of 2008 deepens, with precipitous declines in employment, business activity, home appraisals, consumer confidence, and retail sales, it is evident that the U.S. and the world are facing the possibility of an economic collapse of Great Depression severity, or worse. Violent crime and stress-caused illnesses are increasing. Behind each statistic is a human being or family that suffers.
Amazingly, it took a full year of economic distress, from December 2007, when economic activity last peaked, to a conference call on November 28, 2008, for the Business Cycle Dating Committee of the National Bureau of Economic Research to declare that a recession had actually been taking place during that period. As late as September 15, 2008, Republican presidential candidate John McCain said, “the fundamentals of our economy are strong,” a statement that repeated what President George W. Bush had been intoning ever since the housing bubble began its rapid deflation in 2006.
But even with the economists and politicians finally acknowledging reality—it was the recession that propelled Barack Obama to victory in November—the situation is actually worse than they say. A recession is defined as declining Gross Domestic Product. But there is a big difference between the type of GDP that represents transactions that do not add to the real productivity of the nation—as often happens with financial paperwork—and economic output that puts money in the pockets of consumers and workers.
If economic health is measured, for instance, by immediate consumer purchasing power, it is telling that M1—the money in cash and checking accounts—has been decreasing, when adjusted for inflation, since December 2003. That was five years ago! The decrease began soon after the Federal Reserve started raising interest rates following three years of cuts—over 500 basis points—that created the housing bubble in the first place.
With the recession now settling in, with the official unemployment rate approaching seven percent, and with the number of underemployed or no longer seeking work running at a similar rate, there has not been a greater need for a Basic Income Guarantee in the last generation. But the federal budget deficit has been added to significantly by Secretary of the Treasury Paulson’s $700 trillion financial industry bailout, along with other loans and bailouts to rescue Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, insurance giant AIG, and additional emergency loans from the Federal Reserve under Chairman Ben Bernanke.
No one really has a handle on how much government money has been committed, though $4+ trillion is a reasonable guess. The size of the bailout compared to government spending for major projects in the past is shown in terrifying detail in the following graphic by www.voltagecreative.com/blog.
Still to come are any loans Congress or the Treasury will end up authorizing to save the auto industry and the costs of Obama’s economic stimulus package that may approach $1 trillion.
The severity of the crisis and the disastrous effects on working people are shown by the insistence by many politicians that rescue of the auto industry be dependent on the willingness of the United Auto Workers to agree to the gutting of their wage and benefit package. This, along with the huge number of layoffs in the financial industry, shows that even massive bailouts will not save the jobs or livelihoods of millions of people.
During the coming year the ratio of the federal deficit to GDP, which peaked at 125% in 1945, will likely exceed that record amount. The difference is that at the end of World War II American consumers enjoyed a high rate of savings because of fulltime employment due to wartime spending, combined with a dearth of consumer goods. After the war, these savings became available for economic growth that paid down the national debt. Today, consumer savings are virtually non-existent. And there is no assurance that more spending will achieve anything like the full employment of the World War II era.
So the nation is in uncharted territory, a scenario that is being repeated around the world with growing poverty, the decline of economic growth, and imposition of austerities by the International Monetary Fund. Under such circumstances, a Basic Income Guarantee, were anyone to consider it, cannot be a simple transfer program, as described above, where those still with money are required to share a significant portion of it with those who don’t have it. Rather new methods of funding must be found.
The Failure of Economics
So what is really wrong with the economy? Some say the housing bubble is to blame, where the banks made credit so easy to get that the prices of homes inflated beyond their real value. Others blame it on the “toxic debt” from subprime mortgages that investment banks packaged and sold to unwary investors. Others blame the unregulated U.S. financial system that generated huge amounts of speculative investments, accomplished through bank leveraging, that now have gone sour.
Here’s what economist Joseph Stiglitz wrote recently in Vanity Fair:
“Of course, the current problems with our financial system are not solely the result of bad lending. The banks have made mega-bets with one another through complicated instruments such as derivatives, credit-default swaps, and so forth. With these, one party pays another if certain events happen—for instance, if Bear Stearns goes bankrupt, or if the dollar soars. These instruments were originally created to help manage risk, but they can also be used to gamble. Thus, if you felt confident that the dollar was going to fall, you could make a big bet accordingly, and if the dollar indeed fell, your profits would soar. The problem is that, with this complicated intertwining of bets of great magnitude, no one could be sure of the financial position of anyone else—or even of one’s own position. Not surprisingly, the credit markets froze.”
Stiglitz is a former World Bank economist, winner of the Nobel Prize, and now a noted critic of the world financial system. But what is puzzling, besides the fact that Stiglitz buys into the basic validity of the world’s debt-based monetary system, is his apparent failure to recognize the role of collapsing consumer purchasing power as a principal cause of the freezing of the markets.
Individuals can no longer get loans because they can’t afford to repay them. Businesses can’t get loans because consumer income is insufficient to buy their products. Within the U.S., consumer purchasing power has fallen not only because of the export of so many manufacturing jobs to low-paying overseas labor markets like those in China, but also because workers have not shared in the benefits of constantly rising productivity. See the following chart from www.Heritage.org that compares growth in productivity to median household income over almost 40 years:
As stated, for commentators like Stiglitz, or like Paul Krugman, another Nobel Prize winner who writes for the New York Times, the debt-based monetary system run by the banks is a “given” as the unchallenged centerpiece of the world economy.
Here is Krugman’s prescription from a November 18, 2008, column:
“What the world needs right now is a rescue operation. The global credit system is in a state of paralysis, and a global slump is building momentum as I write this. Reform of the weaknesses that made this crisis possible is essential, but it can wait a little while. First, we need to deal with the clear and present danger. To do this, policymakers around the world need to do two things: get credit flowing again and prop up spending.”
But even as Krugman and others argue for more government spending to prime the economic pump and restore employment—a few more trillion added to the national debt can’t hurt, they say—such spending can only take place through deficit financing funneled through the banking system. So their answer to a crisis marked by overwhelming public and private debt is more debt. Some call this “Keynesian economics,” and as Richard Nixon famously said way back in 1971, “We are all Keynesians now.”
The problem is that the world has changed radically since John Maynard Keynes wrote in the 1930s at a time when the banking system had discredited itself with the economic collapse that started the Great Depression. Then, the banks were contracting the currency and causing a liquidity shortage. But they were brought to heel by the federal government under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. To get things moving again, the government ran its own low-cost credit programs through agencies like the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. And while the government borrowed for job-creation programs like the WPA and CCC, business and household debt weren’t even close to what they are today.
What has happened since then is that the full-employment industrial state that was brought into existence by the New Deal and World War II, and which produced so much wealth that a BIG—then defined as a negative income tax—actually was taken seriously as a matter of discussion in the 1960s, no longer exists. Instead of the industrial state, we have what could be called the international empire of usury.
By the late 1960s the industrial state was in decline. The key event took place in 1971 when Nixon removed the gold peg from the dollar and world currencies began to float. From that point on, credit became separated from production, and people began to look to paper profits through currency, resource, and asset speculation as the source of wealth.
Also during the 1970s, the U.S. government worked with OPEC to bring about radical increases in petroleum prices. The flood of “petrodollars” which resulted financed the growing U.S. trade and fiscal deficits and caused a sharp rise in inflation. When the Federal Reserve under Paul Volcker began to attack the inflation with interest rates that would exceed 20 percent, the worst recession since the Great Depression followed. The recession lasted from 1979-83 and wrecked the U.S. industrial economy. Never before in U.S. history had the financiers wielded such dictatorial—and destructive—power.
The last straw came when the financial industry began to be deregulated to take advantage of the orgy of greed that had been made possible by government policy. Accordingly, every period of economic growth since the 1980s has been a financial bubble, including the merger-acquisition bubble of the Reagan/Bush I years, the dot.com bubble of the 1990s, and the housing/equity/derivative bubble of the 2000s.
During this time, the U.S. became one of the most grievously mismanaged nations in history, with every president since Reagan making their own contributions to the madness. The loss of manufacturing jobs that started with the Volcker recession accelerated under President Bill Clinton, who signed NAFTA and gave China most-favored-nation status. Economists like Stiglitz and Krugman, not to mention those who cling to the myth that what we have today is really free-market economics, fail to recognize the tremendous sea change that has made the U.S. economy dysfunctional to its roots. This means that none of their solutions can solve the problem.
Let me also observe, with respect to the tender concern that economists have that the credit markets get up and running again, doesn’t this also illustrate the human tendency to “kiss the whip that scourges”?
The financial system holds everyone hostage, including citizens, politicians, and economists too. A good analogy might be “Stockholm Syndrome,” where, according to Yahoo.com:
“Captives begin to identify with their captors initially as a defensive mechanism, out of fear of violence. Small acts of kindness by the captor are magnified, since finding perspective in a hostage situation is by definition impossible. Rescue attempts are also seen as a threat, since it’s likely the captive would be injured during such attempts.”
There is not a single academic or popular economist writing today who admits that the international empire of usury we have been watching collapse is a qualitatively different phenomenon from anything seen before and that it has nothing to do with any of the concepts we are so familiar with such as democracy, economics, or even capitalism. A better concept might be one drawn from medicine—what we are seeing is a rapidly metastasizing case of terminal cancer. The host of this cancer is the population of the U.S. , and the cancer of debt is deadly. The progressive prescriptions of people like Stiglitz and Krugman, and even those of president-elect Barack Obama, are like offering a pair of crutches to a cancer patient so ill he can no longer even stand up.
The international empire of usury has a long pedigree. It goes back to ancient Sumeria, when debtors first began to be sold into slavery. Excessive debt ruined many of the Greek city-states and helped wreck the Roman Empire . During the Middle Ages, usury was such a scourge that the Catholic Church outlawed it.
The current phase of the empire dates to the creation of the Bank of England, which was a privately-owned banking institution that made its money by lending to the British government so it could fight its wars. The Bank of England was cloned on American soil when the Federal Reserve System was created by Congress in 1913. The bankers had previously tried take control of the U.S. through the First and Second Banks of the United States but had been defeated by democratic forces led initially by Thomas Jefferson.
Since the founding of the nation, there has been a struggle within the U.S. between pro-and anti-bank forces. The banks finally saw complete triumph in the 1970s when the philosophy of monetarism took over and assured that a chronic insufficiency of real money in the economy would be answered by an exponentially growing amount of bank-generated debt. Monetarism was not directed solely by figures within the U.S. Rather it was part of a worldwide financier conspiracy. The “Reagan Revolution” which facilitated it was matched by “Thatcherism” in the U.K. and similar regimes around the world.
Since American economists have failed so egregiously, we are forced to turn elsewhere for explanations. The triumph of usury—i.e., cancer—was ably described by New Zealand author Les Hunter in his 2002 book, Courage to Change: A Case for Monetary Reform.
“It was the artificial scarcity of money imposed by the application of
monetarist policies that caused the usurious system to mutate from the industrial and allowed the collection of usury in amounts greater than that forthcoming as industrial economic rent. What has come to be practiced is a corruption of the investment practices that, in the past, and particularly in the industrial systems, had driven civilization forward.
“As investment proceeds within a usurious system, debt securities are accumulated and valued by the holders as income-earning assets. Of course, unlike the industrial assets such as the powered machine, a debt security produces nothing that is real.
“However, monetary income received as interest from compounding debt does give claim on current output—wealth at the point of sale—as does any form of economic rent once it has been collected in a monetized economy. Within usurious society, the rich are made richer and the poor, poorer, for no justifiable reason.”
How did this come about? Hunter writes in terms similar to those I used previously:
In the late 1960s, an aberrant socio-economic phase emerged: the usurious state, in which the control over money, rather than the ownership of machinery, is the most important lever of economic and social power. Investment in debt, and the speculative buying and selling of paper assets, are the most significant means of accumulating personal wealth.
Hunter provides the following list of characteristics of usurious systems, features that are agonizingly familiar:
Crushing debt;
A widening gap between rich and poor;
Share markets subject to collapse;
Currency meltdowns;
Mounting social distress;
A pervading belief that the free market should be allowed free reign;
Banks driven by profit but holding tremendous power through their ability to create and extinguish the national currency, that is, money.
Hunter’s analysis is light-years ahead of U.S. economists, who, even when playing the role of an “official” opposition, really only enable the international financial elite to continue their looting unabated. Of course industrial society is at the mercy of the financial predators, because large quantities of money are needed for the economy to function. Hunter continues:
“The accumulation of usurious debt—money-lenders’ assets—became possible because those in business have an absolute requirement for access to sufficient working funds to pay costs. (The payment of costs is the main means of generating the national income; investment makes up the difference.)
“The money needed as working funds is defined as M1, which is the sum of base-metal coin, notes, and cheque money. It is this money that is accepted as the national currency. In many nations, applying monetarist policy has given business’s working funds—as the ancillary factor of production—sufficient scarcity value that significant amounts of usury, as the relevant form of economic rent, can be, and are being, collected.
Monetarism rests on one basic lie—that higher interest rates slow inflation. Actually higher rates kill economic activity. This is not slowing inflation; it is wrecking human life. In the long run, higher rates add to inflation by increasing the proportion of costs that go to pay interest. This system is not free enterprise, and it is not capitalism. It is a cancer that destroying the world.
The bankers’ takeover of the world economy that began in earnest in the 1970s cannot be undone by Barack Obama’s economic stimulus program or any other progressive nostrums. Thus, the goal of creating up to five million new jobs is not likely to succeed, simply due to the enormous amount of debt the productive economy is currently carrying.
The amount of debt is staggering. If we count individual, household, business, and government debt, that figure now exceeds $40 trillion, including the recent bailouts. What the General Accounting Office calls “unfunded liabilities” of the federal government, due to future costs of entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare, adds another $60 trillion. This doesn’t include outstanding debt for derivatives, most of it bank-leveraged, which, according to the Bank for International Settlements, may amount to $1.28 quadrillion worldwide.
Growth in debt through 2006—understated, compared to figures derived by independent analysts—is shown by the following chart based on Federal Reserve figures. Note that virtually all of the debt has been incurred since removal of the gold peg and that its growth is exponential.
The economic geniuses who write for newspapers like the Washington Post or give advice to the Federal Reserve have come up with solutions like slashing Social Security and Medicare benefits or selling more U.S. assets to creditor nations like China . They refuse to propose the obvious, which is that the debt must be written off as soon as possible and the monetary system changed to prevent further debt to be accumulated. Nor do they realize that debt; i.e., credit, should be viewed solely as a means of generating working capital, not a permanent millstone around the neck of humanity.
To overcome today’s tragedy requires a political revolution to remove the bankers from power. Today they control the political process in the U.S. and around the world. They control the powerful intelligence agencies of the Western nations. They control international agencies such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization. They also control the Western military machine, with NATO now being sworn to protect Western “neoliberalism,” which means the bankers’ empire.
The only U.S. political figure who has called for revolution is Dr. Ron Paul, Republican candidate for the 2008 presidential nomination and author of legislation to abolish the Federal Reserve. In the opinion of this writer, the only people who have a right to speak of “change” in today’s political and economic environment—including Nobel laureates—are those who support this revolution. There is no other way to fight the unlawful takeover of power by the financiers.
Of course it’s not only politicians, pundits, and economists who have failed. We are all responsible for our own lives and actions. If the American people wanted a just economic system and were willing to do what was necessary to get it, they could have it—now.
Approximately 20-30 percent of the people in the developed world are doing just fine financially. They are either professionals, technical experts who are indispensable in making the world economy function, former government employees on pensions, or a small minority who live off compound interest—i.e., the bankers and their dependents. Most of this 20-30 percent, particularly the latter group, do not seem to have a great deal of compassion for the majority within their own nations and even less for the billions of underprivileged people around the world.
For the remaining 70-80 percent who realize, with the recession now having arrived, that their livelihoods are on a slippery slope downward, possibly taking them toward personal and family catastrophe, they need only one thing—MONEY!
For many of these it would be nice to have a job, or a better job. But jobs are not the answer, even though any time a politician, economist, activist, or commentator offers an opinion on how to improve the economy they say MORE JOBS!
And they are completely wrong.
The way to generate income security is not to give someone a job. It is to give them money. If we began with this simple fact the economy would soon generate far more jobs than people could fill. Of course some of these jobs would be low-paying or even volunteer jobs, which would be acceptable provided that people still had enough to live on and had opportunities to earn more.
For the world economy to function and for there to be enough produced to support everyone at a decent standard of living, not everyone has to work. In fact too many workers get in each other’s way. In 2007 world GDP was $55 trillion. The population was 6.6 billion. Per capita that’s $8,300. It’s not a large sum, but in many countries the cost of living is far lower than in the developed nations of the West.
The productivity of a modern industrial economy is phenomenal. It surpasses the wildest dreams of generations past. The problem today is not a shortage of goods and services. It is too many goods and services. There is a worldwide glut of automobiles. The same goes for many other products such as clothing, CD players, TVs, and most consumer products. This does not mean that threats like climate change or resource depletion should be ignored. The reason these threats are not being faced is that industry must work so hard to cut costs and keep prices down in the face of the catastrophic shortage of consumer purchasing power.
So why do we need more jobs? Only because we are too cheap and so poorly informed that we fail to realize that a cash payment to everyone, at least at a subsistence level, should be viewed as a dividend. It’s something everyone should receive as the benefit of our incredible producing economy. It should be treated as a HUMAN RIGHT.
The situation does not require that someone else should be taxed in order for that dividend to be provided. This is not a transfer payment. It is not a share-the-wealth scheme. It is the acknowledgement by the economic system that the universe is bountiful and abundant. Modern industry has tapped into that abundance. Today the abundance is being stolen by the bankers and their debt-based monetary system. This is what must be taken back by, and on behalf of, “We the People.”
If you want to read the history of dividend-economics, study the history of the worldwide Social Credit movement. I am not going to repeat that history here. I have written about it in many articles over the past two years, most of which can be found at www.GlobalResearch.ca. It’s one of the basic themes in my new book, We Hold These Truths: The Hope of Monetary Reform (Tendril Press, 2008). You can find a lot of information about Social Credit on the internet, including the website for the Michael Journal in Canada at www.michaeljournal.org.
One of the world’s leading experts on Social Credit is Wallace Klinck of Alberta , Canada , who provides the following commentary on the crisis:
“The base cause of our essential economic, and social, afflictions is…a fundamental and widening disparity between effective consumer income and financial prices—resulting essentially from a basic flaw in national financial cost accountancy involving a premature withdrawal of credit because of added allocated capital charges in consumer prices. The consequent widening deficiency of effective purchasing-power forces the consuming public increasingly into dependency upon debt.
“We are now witnessing the inevitable, entirely predictable, and devastating results of such folly (or more likely, high policy). Governments are forced to make a futile attempt to ameliorate this problem by assuming debt to compensate or accommodate the ballooning private debt. I am sure that the financial powers look on with almost puzzled amusement as we engage in a sterile debate about the evils of interest and usury when we obviously have no strategy to deal with the rapid expansion of debt upon which interest is demanded. We waste our energy on a misguided and sterile debate while ignoring the fact that the consumer is charged with capital depreciation but not credited with capital appreciation.
“In other words, we blindly forgo our inheritance for a mess of pottage. You only pay interest on debt—eliminate debt and you have effectively eliminated any tribute of interest or ‘usury.’ There should be no need for any overall national consumer debt at all—consumers in aggregate should always be provided sufficient income to purchase the entire final product of industry without resorting to borrowing. The physical cost of production has been provided in full when goods are completed, and the financial means to liquidate the financial costs of that production should be made fully available as each ‘cycle’ of production is completed.
“Whatever the costs to industry, including interest or service charges, the consumer should always be in a position to liquidate them with his or her financial income. Being increasingly inadequate under the orthodox system of financial accountancy, that consumer income must be supplemented from a source which originates outside the price-system and does not, therefore, create new financial costs through its issue. The mechanisms to achieve this condition recommended by Social Credit are the payment to all citizens of a National Dividend and to all retailers a compensatory payment in order to effect a falling price-level, i.e., a Compensated Price.
“When the expenditure of human labor is being rapidly replaced by other factors of production, as it is in a most spectacular manner, talk of there being ‘no free lunch’ is entirely irrational from the standpoint of reason, downright sacrilegious from a theological standpoint, absolutely disastrous from an economic and social perspective—and absurd from a philosophical aspect.”
I strongly recommend that readers try to understand and absorb what Mr. Klinck is saying. He is explaining why everyone doesn’t have to work all the time for us to enjoy a decent standard of living. People in the U.S. understood this in the 1950s, when a single breadwinner could support a family. Does anyone wonder why conditions have changed so much for the worse since then? In a private message to me dated December 13, 2008, Mr. Klinck made the following observations on jobs vs. income:
“I find it quite maddening that we have these recent desperate appeals for industrial state ‘bailouts’ to help industry go on producing even more unsalable goods, when it should be quite obvious that what needs ‘subsidizing’ is consumption and not production. Of course, as we know from a Social Credit perspective, these appeals are based on a number of major misconceptions about national cost accounting, the purpose of industry, work, and life in general. I think that this erroneous and indelibly entrenched ‘moral’ mindset is our biggest obstacle. For instance, I heard extended appeals on television today from the Canadian Autoworker’s Union for protection of their ‘jobs’, etc. If only we could show them that it is their incomes and not their ‘jobs’ which should be preserved. They are so obsessed with ‘work’ that they are blinded to reality.”
We have another well-developed plan for monetary reform here in the United States with the American Monetary Act proposed by the American Monetary Institute. (www.monetary.org) This plan would eliminate public debt for federal government expenditures by returning to a Greenback-type system of direct government purchasing like we had during and after the Civil War. Public expenditures would focus on the creation of infrastructure assets as the basis for the monetary system. The American Monetary Act became part of the platform of Congressman Dennis Kucinich in his 2008 congressional campaign. The Act also contains a dividend provision.
Lessons from the Alaska Permanent Fund
We can find one small but extremely important example of dividend economics in the U.S. by examining the Alaska Permanent Fund which paid every resident of Alaska a dividend of $3,269 in 2008 out of state resource revenues. The APF was set up in 1976 when Alaska voters passed a constitutional amendment calling for a direct payment to individuals rather than turning the money over to the state bureaucracy for “social services.”
Today the Alaska Permanent Fund is a shining—and rare—example of economic democracy at work. At first the APF made dividends incremental based on a person’s years of residency, but the U.S. Supreme Court declared this provision unconstitutional. The Alaska legislature responded by providing equal dividends to all residents of six-months or more. The first dividend, amounting to $1,000, was paid on June 14, 1982.
The APF dividend is not a welfare payment. It is a resident’s fair share of the bounty of the Earth. There are no means tests, no lines to wait in, no bureaucrats snooping around to find out what someone used the money for. The APF has not ruined the character of those who get it. A millionaire receives the same payment as a person living in poverty. Spent into circulation, the money becomes part of the lifeblood of the community without having to be repaid and with no interest being charged. Deposited into banks, the money capitalizes consumer borrowing and economic growth.
In the Fall 2008 Newsletter of the U.S. Basic Income Guarantee Network there appeared an editorial on the Alaska Permanent Fund by Karl Widerquist, one of the leaders of the worldwide BIG movement, now a professor at Reading University in England . This editorial is reprinted as follows:
“EDITORIAL: The Alaska Dividend and the Presidential Election (The views expressed in this editorial are my own and do not represent the views of USBIG or its membership. -Karl Widerquist)
“Most people will be surprised to learn that the Republican vice-presidential nominee and the Democratic presidential nominee have both endorsed the Basic Income Guarantee. In one form or another both support policies to guarantee a small government-provided income for everyone. As reported in the USBIG Newsletter earlier this year, Obama has voiced support for reducing carbon emissions with the cap-and-dividend strategy, which includes a small BIG.
“Sarah Palin, like most Alaskan politicians, supports the Alaska Permanent Fund (APF). Existing rules caused the APF dividend to reach a new high of 2,069 this year. That much had nothing to do with Palin. But, whatever else you might think of her, she deserves credit for adding $1200 more to this year’s dividend.… She proposed it to the legislature, and pushed it through, resisting counter proposals to reduce the supplement to $1000 or $250.
“Most people who learned about Palin at the Republican National Convention in August would probably be surprised to learn that such a hard-line conservative supports handing out $16,345 checks to even the poorest families. Actually, families the size of Palin’s will receive $19,416—no conditions imposed besides residency, no judgments made.
“The support of politicians like Palin provides evidence against the belief that BIG is some kind of leftist utopian fantasy with no political viability. In the one place BIG exists it is one of the most popular government programs, and it is endorsed by people across the political spectrum.
“The APF has not become an issue in the campaign, and I doubt she has plans to introduce a similar plan at the national level, but when the issue has come up, Palin has taken credit for it as a conservative policy. In an interview on the Fox News network, Sean Hannity confirmed that Palin increased the Alaska dividend by $1200 this year. Hannity commented, ‘I have to move to Alaska . New York taxes are killing me.’
“Sounding like some kind of progressive-era land reformer, Palin replied, ‘What we’re doing up there is returning a share of resource development dollars back to the people who own the resources. And our constitution up there mandates that as you develop resources it’s to be for the maximum benefit of the people, not the corporations, not the government, but the people of Alaska .’
“Tim Graham, writing for the conservative website Newsbuster.com criticized NPR’s Terry Gross for asking questions that implied opposition to the APF in an interview with Alaska Public Broadcasting host, Michael Carey. Graham writes, ‘Gross walked Carey through the idea that it’s not hard for Palin to be popular in Alaska when she’s handing every family a $1200 check from all the oil business. She then elbowed Carey about how that money could have been better “invested” (as Obama would say) in government programs.’ Suddenly conservatives are ridiculing people they assume do not support unconditional grants.
“Palin justified a tax increase on the oil companies to support higher BIG on the PBS Now program before she was nominated for vice-president. ‘This is a big darn deal for Alaska . That non-renewable resource, of course, is so valuable …. And of course [the oil companies] they’re fighting us every step of the way when we say, “Well we wanna make sure, especially as it’s being sold for a premium, that we’re receiving appropriate value.” … The oil companies don’t own the resources. They have leases and the right to develop our resources for us. And we share a value, we’re partners there, because they do the producing for us. But we own the resources.’ …
“The lesson here is that the APF is a model ready for export. Readers of this newsletter will know that governments in places as diverse as Alberta , Brazil , Iraq , Libya , and Mongolia have recently thought seriously about imitating the Alaska model.
“Some might be tempted to think that the APF isn’t a true BIG and it isn’t motivated to help the poor. Not so: Jay Hammond, the Republican governor of Alaska who created the APF, came all the way to Washington, D.C., to speak at the U.S. Basic Income Guarantee Network conference in 2004. He told me that his intention was to create a BIG to help everyone—most especially the disadvantaged. If he had his way the APF fund would now be producing dividends four to eight times the current individual level of $2,069.
“Others might dismiss the Alaska model saying that it is a unique case because Alaska has so much oil wealth. Again, not so: Alaska ranks only sixth in U.S. states in terms of per capita GDP, with an average income just over $43,000 in 2006, more than $15,000 per year less than number-one Delaware, and only $6,000 per year ahead of the national average. Any other state or the federal government can afford to do what Alaska has done.
“ Alaska has oil wealth; other states have mining, fishing, hydroelectric, or real estate wealth. Governments give away resources to corporations all the time. The U.S. government recently gave away a large chunk of the broadcast spectrum to HDTV broadcasters at no charge. Offshore oil drilling will soon be expanded on three coasts. Everyone who emits green house gases and other pollutants into the atmosphere takes something we all value and—so far—pays nothing.
“What was different about the Alaskan situation was that Jay Hammond was there to take advantage of the opportunity. With the Alaska model in place, it will be just a little easier for next person at the next opportunity.”
There have been other times in U.S. history when the government “gave away” wealth. An example was the Homestead Act of 1862 which opened the American heartland to settlement and helped create one of the world’s most productive agricultural regions. There was also a time when anyone who walked into a U.S. Mint could have their gold or silver stamped into coinage—free of charge.
So why isn’t a dividend like the one provided through the Alaska Permanent Fund paid to every U.S. resident or, for that matter, to every person in the world? Please don’t make up any phony “economic” answers to this question. The answer is obvious—everyone else is being cheated by the monetary system.
The “Cook Plan”
What I am modestly calling the “Cook Plan” is simply to pay each resident of the U.S. a dividend, by means of vouchers for the necessities of life, in the amount of $1,000 per month per capita starting immediately as our fair share of the resources of the Earth and the bounty of the modern industrial economy. The money would then be deposited in a new network of community savings banks to capitalize lending for consumers, small businesses, and family farming.
I am calling it the “Cook Plan” because I have been advocating such measures for almost two years, every since I published my first article on the subject in April 2007 entitled: “An Emergency Program of Monetary Reform for the United States .” (See Global Research at http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=5494)
The dividend would total about $3.6 trillion, which, not by coincidence, is the amount of new debt U.S. residents must incur each year from banks simply to exist. That borrowing, of course, is on top of borrowing in past years, because most people do not entirely pay off old loans before taking out new ones. Debt in this country in recent years has been cumulative, with interest constantly compounding. The annual dividend I have proposed would bring a halt to this “grip of death,” as it has been termed by British author Michael Rowbotham in his book: The Grip of Death: A Study of Modern Money, Debt Slavery, and Destructive Economics.
Because we have all been brainwashed to believe that the only sources of government funding are through taxes or the national debt, it is difficult to believe that a dividend of $3.6 trillion could be paid to residents by other means. In fact it could, and it would not even require a fund to be set up like the Alaska Permanent Fund that is replenished by resource revenues. According to Social Credit theory, the dividend fund could be created sui generis; i.e., it could be created out of “nothing.”
And why not? John Maynard Keynes pointed out, and everyone realizes today, that the banking system does just this in creating money “out of thin air.” It’s what many people refer to as “printing money,” which the Federal Reserve is doing on a massive scale in bailing out the financial system. The banks that belong to the Federal Reserve use the purchase of Treasury debt as collateral, but the money itself is simply issued as credit. The trouble is we end up paying interest on it, which is why the interest on the national debt in the fiscal year 2009 budget totals more than $500 billion.
Issuance of credit is mis-defined as the private property of the banks. But as I point out in the “GAP Chart” at the end of my book We Hold These Truths: The Hope of Monetary Reform:
“The goal of a stable, democratic economic system is achieved by a correct definition of credit. Credit actually is the means of calling forth the productive potential of the people. By law it should be part of the public commons, not the private property of the banks, and treated as a utility like electricity, water, and clean air. Availability of credit should be a basic human right, part of ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’”
Today the banking system has a monopoly on credit which it has seized unlawfully from the government, where, under the U.S. Constitution, Congress alone, according to Article II, has the prerogative to “Coin money and regulate the value thereof.” There is no reason except bankers’ propaganda why the federal government, as authorized by Congress, could not issue credit through a citizens dividend, by direct government spending, or by other means such as loan guarantees or lending for infrastructure. This would be real economic democracy.
The “GAP” Chart is presented in its entirety as follows:
As I explain in the book:
“In order for people to be able to pay for a nation’s GDP, sufficient purchasing power must be generated. Purchasing power is what British economist John Maynard Keynes called ‘aggregate demand.’ But the income that is generated through wages, salaries, and dividends is never enough to consume the GDP, because a portion must be withheld (saved) as retained earnings for future investment. This is the ‘gap.’ The way society decides to fill the gap reflects whether it views itself as an empire, where the rich profit at the expense of the few, or a democracy, where all members of society have the opportunity to prosper. Under the imperial design, the ‘gap’ is viewed negatively and filled by bank lending at usurious rates of interest, foreign conquest, the economic growth imperative, aggressive trade policies, or inflation of the currency. But when, by contrast, the ‘gap’ is viewed as an opportunity to further democratic ideals, it can be monetized through public control of credit and issued as direct government spending, a citizens dividend, or low-cost credit. This monetization of savings reflects a definition of credit as a public utility, not the private property of the banks. Keynesian economics tries to compromise between the imperial and democratic ideals by using government debt to monetize savings, but this ultimately destroys the currency through bankruptcy or inflation. Today we are at a late stage of imperialistic monetary policies which have led to financial collapse. Democratic management of credit has been tried at various times in U.S. history with great success but never on a sufficient scale to transform the economy. It is now time to take decisive measures to replace the economics of empire with those of democracy.
Again, what this model does is show how we can monetize the productive potential of the nation that today is withheld by businesses from payout as wages, salaries, and dividends through the withholding of retained earnings. It is these retained earnings that the business will utilize later to renew its processes of production through investment. But while these funds are idle, their creative potential still exists. That potential is the “energy source” for new consumer purchasing power. It is real, though, like electricity, invisible until harnessed. The logic is similar to the explanations of Social Credit by Wally Klinck.
Under the “Cook Plan” the U.S. Treasury would issue the dividend against an account that represents the productive potential of the nation once the money is spent. The dividend would not be inflationary, because it would be matched by production of goods and services within the physical economy. In fact it would have far less tendency to inflate because it would not have bank interest charges added to it. And once created it would remain in circulation—or deposited as savings—because it would not have to go back to a bank to be canceled as loans now do. Savings would be an important part of the plan, because today citizens have completely lost the ability to save in the usury-based economy where cancellation of bank credit along with the interest charged sucks up all available cash from people’s pockets.
Under the “Cook Plan,” the dividend would be issued as vouchers as a temporary measure until the program caught on and it was clear the money would be spent responsibly. The vouchers would be redeemable at any location licensed to do business for necessities of life such as food, housing, transportation, clothing, communications, or business/home maintenance. In fact they could be used for most purchases except things like the lottery, alcohol, entertainment, etc.
Once received in transactions, providers would then deposit the vouchers in the community savings bank that had been set up in their locality. In order to maintain membership in the bank, providers would be required to keep a certain amount of money on deposit to capitalize lending by the bank within the community. Loans would be made available under the bank’s fractional reserve privileges and would be issued at low rates of interest, preferably no more than one percent plus a premium for default insurance, depending on the credit status of the borrower. Persons eligible for lending would include individuals, householders, students, small businesses, local manufacturing concerns, family farmers, etc.
It should be obvious that this system will completely transform and revitalize local economies in any nation where it is implemented. One of the worse features of today’s usury-based economy takes place when global businesses in league with the banks come into communities and destroy local businesses by underpricing them. Then these businesses extract all the liquidity from the community, where people usually are so cash-poor they buy with credit cards, and return only a fraction to the low-wage workers they employ.
The “Cook Plan,” with the direct injection of purchasing power into the community through vouchers, combined with a new system of low-cost credit, would transform this dire situation completely. It would allow people to live and prosper without dependence on credit cards, government job-creation programs, or government welfare bureaucracies. And it would allow a resurgence of volunteer activities and work at low-paying professions such as education and the arts.
It Must Be Done Now
Obviously it would take time—though not much time—to work out all the details of the program, as well as to explain how it would interface with monetary reform proposals like those of the American Monetary Institute or resource-based dividend systems like the Alaska Permanent Fund. But in principle, the “Cook Plan” is sound.
In any case, we cannot afford to wait. Conditions today are nearing an emergency. Thousands of people are losing their jobs every day as the recession turns into a monster. Something must be done that has never been done before. Let President Barack Obama implement his massive public works program to create jobs. Meanwhile, let the “Cook Plan” be implemented, a plan that draws on much of the wisdom that has been dormant in recent decades as the usury-based economy has suffocated the life out of the world’s economy. It is now time to put that wisdom to work. “We the People” deserve to live in freedom on this beautiful planet, no matter what the bankers say.
Wally Klinck sums it up in words that describe every “supply-side” scheme ever invented, of which the empire of usury is just another permutation:
“The so-called financial ‘crisis’ derives from a faulty financial price-system which generates consumer prices more rapidly than it distributes incomes, forcing consumers to rely increasingly on creation of new money issued as repayable debt in the form of bank loans. When liquidity becomes eroded to the point where borrowing can no longer be sustained, the whole financial edifice collapses like a deck of cards. The mass foreclosure which ensues reveals the confiscatory nature of the financial system, manifesting a tragedy of human effort.
“In a free society and rational economic system, producers should get their money from consumers. Subsidizing producers so that they can create more goods for which consumers lack income to purchase [i.e., supply-side economics] is lunacy. What is needed is enhancement of consumer income to balance aggregate purchasing power with aggregate prices in each cycle of production. This would place consumers in a position to determine the viability of producers. The physical cost of production is fully met as production progresses. There should be no aggregate need for consumer debt whatsoever.
“If society had followed the Social Credit policy of C. H. Douglas who advocated Consumer Dividends and Compensated Retail Prices instead of the Fabian Socialist social debt policy of the late economist John Maynard Keynes, none of the current madness would have occurred. We would be enjoying increasing prosperity with falling prices and increasing leisure as should be the case in any modern and civilized society.”
Richard C. Cook is a former U.S. federal government analyst. His book on monetary reform, We Hold These Truths: The Hope of Monetary Reform, is now available. His website is www.richardccook.com. He is also the author of Challenger Revealed: How the Reagan Administration Caused the Greatest Tragedy of the Space Age. He can be reached at [email protected].
Copyright © Richard C. Cook, Global Research, 2008
Articles by: Richard C. Cook
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Condi Rice, Christine Lagarde: “Women of Power” Honored by America’s Academia
By William Boardman
Theme: Women's Rights
The American Condoleezza Rice, 60, Iraq War architect, and the French Christine Lagarde, 58, International Monetary Fund managing director, have little in common beyond being women of power who have contributed to the misery of millions of people they never cared to meet. And now they have another quality in common, cowardice under fire, albeit only verbal fire after they were invited to speak at college commencements.
Rutgers University invited Rice to speak (for $35,000 and an honorary degree) and Smith College invited Lagarde (compensation undisclosed).
Student and faculty objections to Rice started in February and continued to grow for months. The Rutgers administration held firm, Rice kept quiet. On April 28, some 50 students staged a sit-in at the Rutgers president’s office. The president refused to talk with them and they dispersed when Rutgers threatened to arrest them.
In a letter ironically foreshadowing his bald hypocrisy on free speech and academic freedom, Rutgers president Robert Barchi had written in March:
We cannot protect free speech or academic freedom by denying others the right to an opposing view, or by excluding those with whom we may disagree. Free speech and academic freedom cannot be determined by any group. They cannot insist on consensus or popularity.
Students and faculty objected to Rice for her participation in lying her country into war in Iraq, and even more so for her defense of widespread American use of torture in the “global war on terror.” An online petition by a 1991 Rutgers grad collected 694 signatures opposed to Rice, and campus petitions gathered hundreds more. In a lucid indictment of Rice’s apparent criminality, published in The Chronicle of Higher Education the day before Rice withdrew, Rutgers history professor Jackson Lears wrote:
Rice sanctioned the use of torture and has continued to defend it even after a top aide warned that she and her colleagues were violating the law. To invite her to address the Rutgers graduating class, and then to award her a doctor-of-laws degree, is a travesty of all the ideals the university embodies. Our students deserve better. Most of all, they deserve the truth.
Officially, Rutgers showed no interest in truth, history, morality, etc.
Rice did not engage issues like war or torture in her withdrawal statement, arguing instead that the crucial issue was the party-time nature of commencements. She said she was “honored to have served my country,” without mentioning any specifics. She did not explain why her controversial performance in office wasn’t as obvious to her in February as it became in May. Bowing out of the May 18 graduation as of May 3, Rice’s statement on her Facebook page read in part:
Commencement should be a time of joyous celebration for the graduates and their families. Rutgers’ invitation to me to speak has become a distraction for the university community at this very special time…. I understand and embrace the purpose of the commencement ceremony and I am simply unwilling to detract from it in any way.
Despite Rice’s belated withdrawal, Rutgers faculty and students went ahead with a planned, six-hour teach-in on May 6 because, as three participating professors wrote, “we concluded that the need remained for a scholarly exposition of Dr. Rice’s responsibility in the lies leading to the Iraq war and the implementation of the unprecedented torture policies under the Bush administration.”
In an exercise of actual academic freedom, Rice was invited to the teach-in when it was first planned, but she did not attend. President Barchi expressed the corporate position that Rutgers stood “fully behind” inviting Rice to the commencement (where only the speaker has freedom of speech). The teach-in (on YouTube) began shortly after that official statement, and the professors wrote:
It was an event that will be remembered because there has not been one like it for a very long time. The lecture room of the Student Activities Center was packed by a crowd of more than two hundred students and faculty members, many sitting on the floor, others standing anywhere they could, all listening with the utmost attention to the poignant speech of human rights attorney Jumana Musa, then to the illuminating exposés of our panelists, to whom Rutgers University – the real Rutgers – is forever indebted.
And we all stood up to applaud the six students who represented the ‘No to Rice’ movement that organized the demonstrations of the last ten days: the enthusiastic commitment they expressed to humanistic values was a reminder that there is real hunger among our students for more knowledge of history, of foreign cultures, of the very notion of ‘culture,’ of political science, of economics, as well as a deep interest in questions related to ethics, public policy and the place of media in our culture. Students like these give a special meaning – and responsibility – to our teaching and research.
Rutgers was against students learning about unapproved reality
No free speech was harmed in the unfolding of these events, except at the Rutgers president’s office (where student speech was met with threats of arrest). By cutting and running, Condoleezza may have lost a paid venue (her net worth is about $4 million), but she has hardly been muzzled; on the contrary, her exercise of her own free speech got us into a deceitful, destructive failure of a war for which millions of Iraqis continue to pay with their own freedom and lives. The Rutgers administration lost students’ respect for promoting an apparent war criminal, but there’s no sign the administration is sensitive to any of that.
Academic freedom is a big winner at Rutgers, where faculty let some air and light into the discussion of 15 years of American crimes against humanity that are usually left to fester down the memory hole. And perhaps the biggest winners are Rutgers students, whose determined integrity allowed their voices to be heard on an issue of principle that the Rutgers administration got wrong on both substance and morality.
Like Rutgers, Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, announced its choice of commencement speaker in February and protest began soon after, but the two protests are very different responses to two very important elephants in our collective cultural-political living room. Where Rice is emblematic of the elephant of illegal war, torture, war crimes, and crimes against humanity about which we are not supposed to speak, Lagarde represents the much tidier elephant of financial plunder and economic “austerity” that probably leaves millions more innocent people to suffer and die without hope.
It’s not that Christine Lagarde sold people an illegal war as Rice did, but as head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since 2011, she carries out a prior ordained policy that is as inhumane as it is merciless. In Ukraine now, some people are hoping that $17.1 billion from the IMF will somehow help to save a country that can hardly pay for gas these days. But that $17.1 billion is not a gift, it is a loan to a country that can’t support its current debt load, and so, thanks to the IMF, Ukraine can look forward to another decade or more of even worse debt servitude than it has suffered in the past. The IMF’s $17.1 billion is typically reported as a good deed, but there are 46 million Ukrainians (except for a small number of oligarchs and bankers) who will have no reason to be grateful for this “beneficence.” The IMF has just bought the right to be the unelected ruler of Ukraine, and the purchase is so sweet, the Ukrainians will have to pay for it – with interest.
Objections to Lagarde are institutional and philosophical
Christine Lagarde is a well-regarded attorney whose specialties were antitrust and labor issues. She has held several French government posts, including Minister of Finance. She was the first female chairman of the international law firm Baker & McKenzie. She is an undeniably accomplished woman about whom the worst, easily available personal criticism is her apparent callousness toward the Greeks in 2012. Any real skeletons she may have remain tucked away in her closet.
Opposition to Lagarde at Smith was not personal, as an online petition made clear:
By selecting Ms. Lagarde as the commencement speaker we are supporting the International Monetary Fund and thus going directly against Smith’s values to stand in unity with equality for all women, regardless of race, ethnicity or class. Although we do not wish to disregard all of Ms. Lagarde’s accomplishments as a strong female leader in the world, we also do not want to be represented by someone whose work directly contributes to many of the systems that we are taught to fight against. By having her speak at our commencement, we would be publicly supporting and acknowledging her, and thus the IMF.
Even if we give Ms. Lagarde the benefit of the doubt, and recognize that she is just a good person working in a corrupt system, we should not by any means promote or encourage the values and ideals that the IMF fosters. The IMF has been a primary culprit in the failed developmental policies implanted in some of the world’s poorest countries. This has led directly to the strengthening of imperialist and patriarchal systems that oppress and abuse women worldwide.
Smith’s trustees haven’t said why they wanted to honor the IMF
Not surprisingly, Smith’s administration stood by its invitation to Lagarde, and there is little evidence of campus ferment even at the low level on the Rutgers campus. There was one report of a quiet campus sit-in by 40 students earlier in May. But apparently Lagarde is thin-skinned as well as guarded in her public persona. According to Smith president Kathleen McCarthy in a May 12 letter to the college community, Lagarde withdrew “in the wake of anti-IMF protests from faculty and students, including a few who wrote directly to her,” which might seem pretty thin-skinned for someone with a net worth of $4 million (and annual, untaxed income of about $630,000) whom Forbes ranked as the 7th most powerful woman (35th most powerful person) in the world.
According to McCarthy, Lagarde retreated with the same lame excuse Rice used, not wanting to be a party-pooper. As quoted by McCarthy, Lagarde wrote: In the last few days, it has become evident that a number of students and faculty members would not welcome me as a commencement speaker. I respect their views, and I understand the vital importance of academic freedom. However, to preserve the celebratory spirit of commencement day, I believe it is best to withdraw my participation.
Back in February, Lagarde observed that income inequality was increasing globally, citing the United States and India in particular. Delivering a lecture in London, she said, “In India, the net worth of the billionaire community increased twelve-fold in 15 years, enough to eliminate absolute poverty in this country twice over…. [Inequality] leads to an economy of exclusion, and a wasteland of discarded potential.” She did not suggest doing anything particular about this kind of global impoverishment for the vast majority of people on the planet.
Reaction to Lagarde’s reneging on a commitment is reportedly mixed on the Smith campus. Unlike at Rutgers, there is no teach-in or other communal effort to explore the issues raised by IMF activities. The argument, as in President McCarthy’s letter, is limited to supporting or opposing the choice of a speaker, and is not about the vast damage the IMF does in the name of economic stability. And it’s also not about the startling cowardice of a powerful woman who can’t find the wee bit of courage it might take to face a bunch of 20-something, well-mannered Smith College women who might disagree with her or even, God forbid, say something rude to a global administrator of cruel and unusual policies. What is it with these people who lack the fortitude to speak to an audience not in total awe of their magnificent selves?
As Katherine Sumner, Smith ’14, wrote: “It was in a Smith classroom that I first learned about the problems that the IMF has wrought on the Global South, and how those problems have affected women’s lives for the worse. As a graduating senior, I would be disappointed, to say the least, if a representative of that institution were honored and endorsed by a community that I am a part of.”
Needless to say, that is not the perspective with which this story is covered in mainstream media, where actual issues of substance and the events are presented with a tone of supercilious trivialization, as in the Washington Post story that began: “The commencement speaker purity bug has hit Smith College.” [Emphasis added.]
Rice and Lagarde were not subjected to “commencement speaker purity” or any other form of censorship. They were faced with coherent intellectual challenges to the core value of some of their most significant activities, and they did not rise to that challenge. And they bailed. They exercised self-censorship, deploying a spurious excuse rather than even attempting to engage in a serious debate. They did not act boldly and address the legitimate concerns of students and faculty with honesty and respect. That would have been too close to actual academic freedom. Instead these women of power fled the field rather than face an audience that might show disappointment. They retreated when the game wasn’t rigged in their favor; they folded when the institution failed to guarantee them commencement audience purity.
William M. Boardman has over 40 years experience in theatre, radio, TV, print journalism, and non-fiction, including 20 years in the Vermont judiciary. He has received honors from Writers Guild of America, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Vermont Life magazine, and an Emmy Award nomination from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
The original source of this article is Reader Supported News
Copyright © William Boardman, Reader Supported News, 2014
Articles by: William Boardman
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ESG Improves Facilities and Reduces Costs at Lincoln Elementary School District #156
September 25, 2009 16:09 ET | Source: Energy Systems Group
CALUMET CITY, IL--(Marketwire - September 25, 2009) - Students of Lincoln Elementary District #156 now have a new and enhanced playground and will benefit from a number of building renovations. The renovations were completed by Energy Systems Group (ESG), a specialized energy service provider, and will provide the school district with over $52,400 in energy and operational savings annually.
The renovation of the east playground area included improvements to the drainage system, and a new, smooth, play surface which improves drainage and utilization by the district. In addition, the SMARTE fall protection pads installed around the play equipment result in the highest possible fall protection rating commercially available.
In addition to the new playground, Energy Systems Group has implemented a number of energy efficiency measures. Key facility upgrades provided by ESG's Chicago-based team include two new heat exchangers for roof top units, lighting occupancy sensors throughout the school district, window and door replacements in the elementary school wing, roof replacement and repair, and new flooring in three classrooms.
"The Lincoln School leadership is dedicated to providing our students with quality resources and facilities," said Dr. Darryl Taylor, school superintendent. "The renovations and new equipment installed will not only improve our students' learning environment, but will further position our school district towards becoming green and more energy efficient."
"We commend Lincoln Elementary District on this innovative collaboration to upgrade their buildings and playground, thereby enhancing their students' educational environment and comfort, while reducing their energy costs and carbon footprint," said Dan Legler, ESG account executive.
Energy Systems Group (ESG) is an award-winning energy services company that specializes in delivering sustainable energy solutions which allow building owners to maximize their energy efficiency and operational performance, while reducing their carbon footprint. Through its core business of performance contracting, Energy Systems Group provides customers with innovative energy efficiency, technology, and long-term financing solutions for modernization of their facilities and energy infrastructure. Renewable energy solutions and assets are adding a whole new dimension to the company's growth. To learn more about Energy Systems Group, visit www.energysystemsgroup.com.
Contact Information: Contact: Meram El Ramahi Marketing Communications Manager 812-492-3734
Energy Systems Group
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Based in Part on the Works of L. Ron Hubbard.
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Democrats and Republicans also have found themselves at odds over the concept of climate change and whether human activities have contributed to the phenomenon of global warming. Democrats embrace the theory of climate change as a man-made problem, while many Republicans are either reluctant to acknowledge it or disagree with the science behind it.
Graham said that while Republicans have “sharp, clear ideas about taxes and everything else, we need to come up with a good environmental agenda to show the public at large that the party cares.”
From a political optics perspective, the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus could emerge as pragmatic conservatives’ answer to the liberals’ Green New Deal — a controversial, far-reaching environmental policy blueprint championed by self-described Democratic socialist U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
“I think we’ll come up with some pretty good packages (of legislation), hopefully bipartisan,” Graham said. “I’d like to see a different proposal than the Green New Deal. ... I don’t think you’re healing the environment by destroying the economy.”
But changing deeply ingrained public opinion on which party cares most about the environment — and finding common ground between the two parties to actually advance legislation — will require Graham and others to thread a very delicate needle.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced the Green New Deal. The resolution addresses two main topics: climate change and income inequality.
‘Climate change is real’
Graham is one of relatively few Republicans willing to say openly that he believes “climate change is real.”
He was one of just three U.S. Senate Republicans in 2017 to uphold an Obama-era rule curbing methane emissions. He spent political capital to broker a compromise on sweeping climate change legislation in 2009 and 2010 that ultimately floundered.
Graham also comes from a state where many residents link increased intensity of hurricanes and flooding to shifting weather trends, fostering environmentalist streaks in its Republican elected officials: Former U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis now runs a group called “RepublicEn” that encourages Republicans to acknowledge climate change, ex-U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford received honors from national environmental groups as a member of Congress and Gov. Henry McMaster has helped lead the charge against oil and gas drilling off the South Carolina coast.
Poll: Climate change denial drops in SC, but residents more polarized over the cause
Yet in a sign of just how divided the two parties are on climate policy, Graham has only a 12% lifetime rating on the League for Conservation Voters legislative scorecard, which tracks how lawmakers vote on environmental issues.
John Tynan, executive director of Conservation Voters of South Carolina, told The State he wasn’t entirely surprised Graham’s lifetime score with the influential national environmental group was low “as environment and conservation issues become more partisan in D.C.”
The highest rating Graham has ever received from the League for Conservation Voters, going back to 1995, was a 31% score in 2013.
“Sen. Graham has still consistently been among the top Republicans in the Senate on these issues,” Tynan said, adding, “Unfortunately, you can be a top Republican on these issues if you are in the 20 or 30% range.”
Meanwhile, from a preliminary list of priorities the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus wants to tackle — including “ensuring safe drinking water,” “fixing our national parks” and “reducing ocean plastic pollution” — only one bullet point mentions climate change: “Doubling down on innovation by investing in basic research and development of cleaner, more efficient technologies, including nuclear energy, storage, and carbon capture to address climate change.”
The omission of the politically weighty phrase also was apparent during President Donald Trump’s speech on Monday where he sought to highlight his administration’s strong environmental record ahead of his 2020 re-election bid, as critics pointed to his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord as among the clearest signs his record is weak.
At the press conference to launch the caucus on Wednesday, Graham, an ally of the president, said, “I would encourage the president to look long and hard at the science (of climate change) and find the solution.”
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat, spoke on the floor of the Senate defending policies that combat climate change and challenging Republicans to acknowledge whether they believe climate change is real.
Emma Dumain works out of the McClatchy Washington bureau, where she reports on South Carolina politics for The State, The Herald, The Sun News, The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette. She was previously the Washington correspondent for the Charleston, South Carolina Post and Courier. Dumain also covered Congress for Roll Call and Congressional Quarterly.
Obstruction of Justice: What the Special Counsel investigated
Rep. Ralph Norman rejected on House floor for bringing abortion bill
By MARK SHERMAN and CONNIE CASS Associated Press
MORE POLITICS & GOVERNMENT
Powerful donors pad Lindsey Graham’s coffers for 2020 re-election bid
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Mike Penning MP thanks Hightown for 50 years of support to local residents
Hemel Hempstead MP, the Rt Hon Mike Penning, invited staff, stakeholders and involved residents from Hightown Housing Association to a House of Commons reception to thank them for their hard work in providing housing, care and support to thousands of local people.
It was also the first event to mark 50 years since Hemel Hempstead-based Hightown was set up in July 1967 to help meet affordable housing needs in the area, with its first properties being built on the Cornfields estate.
The charitable housing association now manages over 5,300 homes, principally in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire and employs more than 800 staff, mainly in its care and supported housing schemes.
As a close neighbour to some of Hightown’s homes in Hemel Hempstead, the Rt Hon Mike Penning MP praised the dedication of the organisation’s staff in delivering the services they provide to their residents. “I have seen the commitment of Hightown staff first hand. Organisations like Hightown are a real lifeline to many people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to rent or buy a home in their local area.” he said.
Hightown’s Board Chair Tony Keen and Chief Executive David Bogle were among those attending the Commons’ event hosted by the Rt Hon Mike Penning MP.
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Twenty-One Gun Salute
Sailors' Tattoos
Goats and the U.S. Navy
Navy Athletics
The Sailor’s Creed
The Ship’s Bell
Striking the Flag
Unofficial Navy Certificates
Precedence of Forces in Parades
Precedence of the Naval Reserve in Parades
Passing Honors, National Anniversaries, and Solemnities
Naval Honors to George Washington
Ships Passing Washington's Tomb
Rocks and Shoals: Articles for the Government of the U.S. Navy
Plank Owners
Ship Naming
The Evolution of Ship Naming in the U.S. Navy
Change of Command
The Navy Hymn
Commissioning Pennant
Ship Launching and Commissioning
Heritage-Customs and Traditions
Infographic-graphics-banners
Origins of the Twenty-One Gun Salute
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, embarked on Indianapolis, receives a 21-gun salute from Coast Guard Cutter Mojave, during the presidential fleet review off Ambrose Light, New York, 31 May 1934.
The practice of firing gun salutes has existed for centuries. Early warriors demonstrated peaceful intentions by placing their weapons in a position that rendered them ineffective. Starting in the fourteenth century, as firearms and cannons that contained only one projectile came into use, discharging the projectile before entering a friendly port demonstrated that they were unloaded.
The rendering of gun salutes in odd numbers may be traced to the superstition that odd numbers were considered lucky. Seven, for example, was believed by early civilizations to have mystical powers. Forts ashore, which could store gunpowder more readily and in greater quantity than on board ship, would sometimes fire three shots for each shot fired afloat. Salutes with an even number of guns came to signify that the captain or ship master had died on the voyage.
For many years, the number of guns fired for various purposes differed from country to country. By 1730, the Royal Navy was prescribing twenty-one guns for certain anniversary dates, although this was not mandatory as a salute to the royal family until later in the eighteenth century.
Several famous incidents involving gun salutes took place during the American Revolution. On 16 November 1776, the Continental Navy brigantine Andrew Doria, Captain Isaiah Robinson, fired a salute of 13 guns on entering the harbor of St. Eustatius in the West Indies (some accounts give 11 as the number). A few minutes later, the salute was returned by 9 (or 11) guns by order of the Dutch governor of the island. At the time, a 13 gun salute would have represented the 13 newly formed United States; the customary salute rendered to a republic at that time was 9 guns. This has been called the “first salute” to the American flag. About three weeks before, however, an American schooner had her colors saluted at the Danish island of St. Croix. The flag flown by Andrew Doria and the unnamed American schooner in 1776 was not the Stars and Stripes, which had not yet been adopted. Rather, it was the Grand Union flag, consisting of thirteen alternating red and white stripes with the British Jack in the union.
The first official salute by a foreign nation to the Stars and Stripes took place on 14 February 1778, when the Continental Navy ship Ranger, Captain John Paul Jones, fired 13 guns and received 9 in return from the French fleet anchored in Quiberon Bay, France.
The U.S. Navy regulations for 1818 were the first to prescribe a specific manner for rendering gun salutes (although gun salutes were in use before the regulations were written down). Those regulations required that “When the President shall visit a ship of the United States’ Navy, he is to be saluted with 21 guns.” It may be noted that twenty-one was the number of states in the Union at that time. For a time thereafter it became customary to offer a salute of one gun for each state in the Union, although in practice there was a great deal of variation in the number of guns actually used in a salute.
In addition to salutes offered to the President and heads of state, it was also a tradition in the U.S. Navy to render a “national salute” on 22 February (Washington's Birthday) and 4 July (the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence).
A 21 gun salute for the President and heads of state, Washington's Birthday, and the Fourth of July became the standard in the United States Navy with the issuance of new regulations on 24 May 1842. Those regulations laid out the specifics:
“When the President of the United States shall visit a vessel of the navy, he shall be received with the following honors: The yards shall be manned, all the officers shall be on deck in full uniform, the full guard shall be paraded and present arms, the music shall play a march, and a salute of twenty-one guns shall be fired. He shall receive the same honors when he leaves the ship.”
“Upon the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, the colors shall be hoisted at sunrise, and all the vessels of the navy shall, when in port, be dressed, and so continue until the colors are hauled down at sunset, if the state of the weather and other circumstances will allow it. At sunrise, at meridian, and at sunset, a salute of twenty-one guns shall be fired from every vessel in commission mounting six guns and upwards.”
“On the twenty-second day of February, the anniversary of the birth of Washington, a salute of twenty-one guns shall be fired at meridian from every vessel of the navy in commission mounting six guns and upwards.”
Today, the national salute of twenty-one guns is fired in honor of a national flag, the sovereign or chief of state of a foreign nation, a member of a reigning royal family, and the President, former Presidents, and the President-elect of the United States. It is also fired at noon of the day of the funeral of a President, former President, or President-elect, on Washington’s Birthday, Presidents Day, and the Fourth of July. On Memorial Day, a salute of twenty-one minute guns is fired at noon while the flag is flown at half mast.
Gardner W. Allen, A Naval History of the American Revolution 1: 159-60 (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1913).
Naval Documents of the American Revolution 7 (Washington, D.C.: Naval History Division, Dept. of the Navy, 1976).
Naval Regulations, Issued by Command of the President of the United States of America, January 25, 1802 (Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 1970).
Rules, Regulations, and Instructions for the Naval Service of the United States... (Washington, D.C.: E. De Kraft, 1818).
Rules and Regulations for the Navy..., 27th Cong. 3d Sess., H. Doc. 148 (Washington, D.C., 1843).
This infographic shares the history of the military gun salute ─ a centuries old practice for rendering honors. Click to download. (U.S. Navy graphic by Annalisa Underwood/Released)
Salutations with a Bang! The Military Gun Salute
Published: Wed May 16 11:34:25 EDT 2018
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Advice on potential fraud regarding Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
| Published on August 16, 2017
Home / HK News / Advice on potential fraud regarding Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
Former Senior Judge at the Court of Protection, Denzil Lush, has given his opinion regarding Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) and the potential for fraud in a radio interview for BBC Radio 4 and the BBC has published the article here.
Whilst reading this article may encourage fears that making an LPA will automatically lead to fraud and abuse, Former Senior Judge Lush’s comments must be taken in context. Following a career spanning 20 years at the Court of Protection, Former Senior Judge Lush will have seen the worst situations of financial abuse that can arise between families and this will shape his own view.
However, significant numbers of LPAs are created every year. Many will not cause issues and work in the way that they are intended to. Naturally success stories are not going to make the headlines in the same way and it is misleading to assume that making an LPA will lead to fraud.
Former Senior Judge Lush has advocated the Deputyship route over making an LPA. In terms of avoiding financial abuse his comments are correct. Those people subject to a Deputyship Order can be assured that their Deputies must fulfil reporting requirements from the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), they are supervised in their activities and required to enter into a security bond in case the Donor’s assets are mismanaged.
There has so far not been any mention of the costs of obtaining a Deputyship Order, in our experience this can be between £1,200 and £1,500 + VAT of legal costs and a £400 court fee, or the fact that obtaining an order from the Court of Protection usually takes 6 – 9 months.
In our opinion, Former Senior Judge Lush’s comments should be interpreted to highlight the need for professional advice when considering an LPA. Solicitors have a role to play in ensuring that the public understands the nature and extent of the power that is granted and the pitfalls of not carefully considering the choice of Attorney(s) before completing the arrangement.
The OPG and Ministry of Justice have been keen to advertise the LPA as a simple document that anyone can prepare. This strategy, whilst having the positive effect of bringing LPAs into public consciousness, fails to identify the issues that need to be considered when making one and is only likely to lead to personal applications for basic LPAs which make no provision for differing situations and no advice has been taken on their merits. Such LPAs may later be found to have led to fraud and financial abuse.
Another serious flaw in the OPG’s message, is that in suggesting that anyone can make an LPA and it is easy to do so, vulnerable people may find themselves pressured to enter into an arrangement allowing financial access to difficult family members, carers or friends that do not have their best interests at heart.
A clear way to address this issue and the concerns that Former Senior Judge Lush clearly has voiced, would be to reiterate the role of the Certificate Provider (a person that signs the LPA to state that those making the document understand the nature of it) and to require that the Certificate Provider be a trusted professional, such as a solicitor or doctor, rather than a friend or neighbour.
All too often a Certificate Provider will be appointed who will not be aware of their responsibilities. This Certificate Provider will not necessarily be able to judge capacity or spot signs of undue influence.
There are undoubtedly issues with the current LPA system and the ‘dumbing down’ of its importance perpetuated by the Ministry of Justice and OPG. However, an LPA remains an essential tool in the armoury of protecting and safeguarding affairs of the elderly and vulnerable and Former Senior Judge Lush’s comments should be seen as a warning against the system, not against the concept of an LPA.
Our message is clear – obtain legal advice and speak to a professional and we can ensure that the LPA you make is right for you. Contact your local branch and speak to the Private Client department to find out more about the process of creating an LPA.
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Watch The Emotional New Trailer for the Amy Winehouse Documentary
An extended look at the upcoming film.
By Kate Goodacre
Update, 5/20: Following its debut at Cannes Film Festival over the weekend, a second trailer for the upcoming Amy Winehouse documentary, Amy, has been released. The new film features never-before-seen interviews and home footage of the late singer to tell her story. The film debuted over the weekend to rave reviews at Cannes, calling it "as gripping as a thriller," Digital Spy reports. Watch the emotional new trailer video below:
Original Post, 4/2: Go behind the scenes with a young Amy Winehouse in the first trailer for the forthcoming film about her life.
Amy uses previously-unseen archive footage and unheard tracks to tell Winehouse's story in her own words.
Amy reunites filmmaker Asif Kapadia with his colleagues from Senna, the award-winning 2010 documentary about three-time Formula 1 drivers' champion Ayrton Senna.
Universal Music UK chief David Joseph has promised that Amy will offer "a very complicated and tender" look at the award-winning musician's life, intending to capture "the very heart of what she was about".
Winehouse rose to fame with her 2003 debut album Frank, which earned her a Mercury Prize nomination.
Her 2006 follow-up Back to Black featured the hit single 'Rehab' and won Winehouse five Grammys in 2008.
She also battled drug and alcohol problems throughout her career and her turbulent personal life, including her troubled marriage to and subsequent divorce from Blake Fielder-Civil, made her a frequent tabloid target.
Winehouse passed away from alcohol poisoning in July 2011 at the age of 27.
Following her death, the Amy Winehouse Foundation was established in her name by her family, working to support vulnerable and disadvantaged young people, including those with drug and alcohol dependency.
From: Digital Spy
More From Film, TV & Theatre
First Look at 'My Brilliant Friend' Season 2
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Hear Beyoncé Sing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
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Remembering Amy Winehouse
An Amy Winehouse Musical Might Be in the Works
Amy Winehouse: Unplugged
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Amanda Knox documentary previews with two trailers
Watch Rare Footage of Amy Winehouse in the Studio
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Imran Ahmad
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Eric Chiu
HyTrust
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Risk Management on a Budget
How Cloud Can Lead to Savings in Continuous Monitoring Jeffrey Roman (gen_sec) • September 21, 2012
Budgets are a big issue today for those managing their risk management frameworks, says NIST's Ron Ross, who offers his advice on using cloud as a means to save money and improve IT infrastructure.
See Also: Live Webinar | Embracing Digital Risk Protection: Take Your Threat Intelligence to the Next Level
See NIST Issues Risk Assessments Guidance
Ross, a senior fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, encourages the use of automation to increase consistency, effectiveness and timeliness of security control implementation within organizations. However, he points out that some automation tools are very expensive.
To overcome certain challenges, he encourages enterprises to consider a cloud approach, which allows for standardization, optimization and consolidation in the IT infrastructure.
"When you translate that it means you build a leaner and meaner infrastructure which hopefully can save significant amounts of money with regard to the IT that an organization deploys," he says in an interview [transcript below], excerpted from a webinar he conducted for Information Security Media Group entitled Risk Management Framework: Learn from NIST.
By reducing an enterprise's digital footprint, it can lead to reduction and better management of complexity. The money saved through the cloud, Ross says, can be reinvested into stronger cybersecurity measures, including automated tools.
"Make a list of the things that are most important," he says. "Buy those automated tools first and they're going to give you the greatest return on your investment."
In the webinar, Ross shares his insights on how to:
Understand the current cyberthreats to public and private sector organizations;
Ross - lead author of NIST Special Publications 800-30 and 800-37, the authoritative guidance on risk assessment and management - specializes in security requirements definition, security testing and evaluation and information assurance. He leads NIST's Federal Information Security Management Act Implementation Project, which includes the development of key security standards and guidelines for the federal government and critical information infrastructure.
He also heads the Joint Task Force Transformation Initiative Working Group, a joint partnership with NIST, Defense Department, intelligence community and Committee on National Security Systems, to develop a unified information security framework for the federal government.
Ross serves as the architect of the risk-management framework that integrates the suite of NIST security standards and guidelines into a comprehensive enterprise security program.
Automated Tools
ERIC CHABROW: In your webinar, you spoke of encouraging the use of automation to increase consistency, effectiveness and timeliness of security control implementation. But many organizations today are under severe budget restraints. How expensive are these automated tools and how can those managing their risk management framework justify the additional costs to their bosses?
RON ROSS: [It's a] big issue today - budgets - and making sure we're lean and mean and cost-effective is going to be the order for everybody. Automated tools, some are very expensive. Some are not expensive. They have a range of different prices across the board. There are different types of tools to do different things. Some can check your inventory by doing a scan of the network looking at all the different pieces on the network. You can have a scanning tool that would look at the different configuration settings.
My advice where you're concerned about resources is that instead of going out and bringing a laundry list of things to the boss that you want to buy that may or may not pass muster, I think you have to go back to the three tiers on the risk management process in 800-39 and look at them. At tier two, we talk about the enterprise level, enterprise architecture today, and this also relates to cloud computing. Enterprise architecture allows us to standardize, optimize and consolidate the IT infrastructure. When you translate that it means you build a leaner and meaner infrastructure which hopefully can save significant amounts of money with regard to the IT that an organization deploys. If you can demonstrate those good savings with enterprise architecture and possibly go into cloud computing where we have ranges of different cloud deployment models from public to private to hybrid to community, cloud computing can save a considerable amount of resources as well.
That's where I would start, because if you can reduce the digital footprint it reduces and allows us to manage complexity. We can save money on the IT infrastructure and then possibly reinvest some of that money into stronger cybersecurity measures to include some of the automated tools. Now that doesn't mean you have to wait until you re-engineer the entire enterprise architecture. I would just be very judicious in which tools you select. Make a list of the things that are most important. Buy those automated tools first and they're going to give you the greatest return on your investment and then rack and stack like everybody always has to do when we have to make tough decisions. That's the way I would recommend starting the process.
Cloud Approach to Risk Management
CHABROW: You mentioned cloud computing. How does cloud computing change the way organizations approach the risk management framework?
ROSS: This applies whether it's a public or a private cloud on each of those ends of the spectrum. It's about not having all of the information resources owned by the individual's organization. Whether it's applications, computing power, secondary storage space or the facility that houses all of the IT, all of that in cloud computing can be done in an on-demand type of a process. If you look at all the IT we own and operate today, there are a lot of dead times. The IT is not being used 24/7 in most cases. That's one of the greatest, I think, drives toward the cloud computing model.
It's kind of like "just-in-time" in the supply business where you only keep enough supplies on hand to manage your business activities day-to-day. You don't have a lot of excess inventory. That's the same principle and if you can do this in a very good enterprise architecture focus, which means you're streamlining the operation, consolidating, standardizing and optimizing all the IT assets, you then get a tighter group if you will. You get a much more effective way of deploying the information technology and that reduction in complexity can lead to better cybersecurity solutions. We in essence know a lot more about how the IT is connected, how it's working and we can deploy our safeguards and countermeasures more effectively. There's great promise in the cloud.
ERIC CHABROW: If you do your risk management assessment you could see where you're balancing the savings that the cloud offers with potential other risks, and then you can make an intelligent decision.
RON ROSS: This is all about building a trust relationship. Defining good sets of requirements for the providers, putting the expectations exactly where you want them and then having a process by which the providers can come back and tell you what they've done - that's the trust relationship that has to be there so any customer can feel good about sending their critical data out to that cloud system.
Another Big Fine After a Small Breach
Demand for Health InfoSec Pros Grows
The New Threat Intelligence
https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/risk-management-on-budget-a-5118
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Healthy Aging > aging well
Choose Category aging wellalzheimer'sbody imageempty nestermenopause
Blood Test Might Yield Early Warning of Alzheimer's
TUESDAY, Jan. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Leaky blood vessels in the brain may be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, researchers say.
READ: 7 Early Signs Of Alzheimer's
They followed 161 older adults for five years and found that those with the most severe memory declines had the greatest leakage in their brain's blood vessels, regardless of whether the Alzheimer's-related proteins amyloid and tau were present.
The findings could help with earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's and suggest a new drug target for slowing down or preventing the disease, according to the researchers from the University of Southern California.
"The fact that we're seeing the blood vessels leaking, independent of tau and independent of amyloid, when people have cognitive [mental] impairment on a mild level, suggests it could be a totally separate process or a very early process," said study senior author Dr. Berislav Zlokovic. He is director of the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute at the university's Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles.
"That was surprising, that this blood-brain barrier breakdown is occurring independently," Zlokovic added in a university news release.
The blood-brain barrier prevents harmful substances from reaching brain tissue. In some people, this barrier weakens with age.
"If the blood-brain barrier is not working properly, then there is the potential for damage," explained study co-author Arthur Toga, who is director of the Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute at Keck.
"It suggests the vessels aren't properly providing the nutrients and blood flow that the neurons need. And you have the possibility of toxic proteins getting in," Toga said.
"The results were really kind of eye-opening," said study first author Daniel Nation, an assistant professor of psychology. "It didn't matter whether people had amyloid or tau pathology; they still had cognitive impairment."
The findings were published recently in the journal Nature Medicine.
The next step in this research is to determine how soon mental decline occurs after damage to brain blood vessels.
The number of Americans with Alzheimer's is expected to nearly triple to about 14 million by 2060, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
SOURCE: University of Southern California, news release, Jan. 14, 2019
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Rob Richie, Contributor
Rob Richie is the Executive Director of the non-partisan election reform group FairVote.
A Fair Way to Choose Candidates for Republican Debate: Learning From the Oscars
The Republican Party is holding its first presidential debate on August 6, to be televised on Fox News. Fox has decided against inviting all 17 declared presidential candidates to the main debate, and will limit inclusion to the 10 candidates with the highest average poll rating among five recent credible (if still undefined) national polls of Republican voters. The controversy over its decisions points to a better way: lessons from how the Oscars came to be nominated with the fair representation (or "proportional representation") form of ranked choice voting.
With seven candidates to be relegated to a pre-debate forum in the afternoon -- albeit an inclusive one for which Fox recently dropped its requirement of one percent standing in the polls -- there is much controversy over criteria for inclusion. Some critics like Larry Sabato call for an expanded number of participants in at least this first debate, perhaps by randomly dividing the field into two debates to be held one after the other. Others suggest new standards to establish an even smaller field of the most credible candidates.
Cutting candidates certainly is not an easy call. Of the 17 Republicans, 14 are either a current or former governors or U.S. Senators, with two of the remaining three (Donald Trump and Ben Carson) sure to make Fox's top 10. That leaves on the sidelines six prominent Republicans who have won statewide, along with the field's only woman (businesswoman Carly Fiorina).
I'll set aside the question of being as inclusive as possible and focus on a fairer way for Fox to pick its ten candidates. But first, let's acknowledge the elephant in the living room. Even though the major parties go out of their way to be inclusive in debates during their nominating process, they have colluded to block any presidential candidates other than their own from general election debates.
With a board co-chaired by two prominent major party activists, the self-appointed Commission on Presidential Debates has established an indefensible debate inclusion rule for the general election that has kept all independents and minor parties out of the debates since Ross Perot's first presidential run in 1992. It requires candidates to have an average of 15 percent in national polls despite the Catch-22 of such candidates being likely to be relegated to second-class media status in large part to the assumption they won't be in the debates.
Applied to this year's Republican field, the Commission's 15-percent threshold would leave Fox's stage with exactly one candidate: Donald Trump. The absurdity of that outcome underscores the case for broader debate inclusion, at least in the first Commission-sponsored debates. As a start, the call by Change the Rule for a process to guarantee a third voice in the debates, deserves strong support.
Anyone who thinks the Republican debate could be effective even when including just three of the current candidates as opposed to two of them should support Change the Rule's call for changes for general election debates.
Let's return to Fox's Republican debate. As a start, consider a party's goals for debates, such as:
• See how potential nominees articulate their policy proposals and hold up under pressure.
• Allow a full airing of the diversity of perspectives within the party.
• Attract as many potential voters to watch so that the party's eventual nominee is stronger in the general election.
• Help identify the candidate best able to represent the party and win the general election.
Applying these criteria, it's important not to have an overly majoritarian perspective in the early debates. While the ultimate nominee should reflect true majority support among party backers, these debates are a time to hear more voices within the party, not just echoes. Allowing the party's diversity of views to have time on the stage means that those backing those views have more reason to watch -- and ultimately care about and be invested in the eventual nominee.
So that means striking some ideas based on finding which 10 candidates comes closest to reflecting majority views within the party. For example, a poll could ask each respondent to select 10 candidates, and the top 10 would go to the debate. But this "winner-take-all" approach could block out important views within the party with passionate followers -- for instance, a Rand Paul or Ben Carson.
For implications for rules for debate inclusion, let's turn to people who know something about how to attract and hold an audience: the Academy of Motion Pictures, which organizes the Oscars every year to celebrate achievement in movies. Notably, eight decades ago the Academy adopted the practice for selecting all multiple nominees in all major categories with ranked choice voting (or, in wonk talk, "the single transferable vote"). Their goal was to have a system that maximized the number of Academy voters who felt they had a stake in the outcome on Oscar night - that is, the number who helped some person or movie get nominated.
Here's how their ranked choice voting system works when selecting more than one winner:
• Academy voters rank potential nominees in a given category in order of preference. Every voter has one vote, but ranks backups to help ensure their vote counts. For voters', it's literally as easy as 1-2-3.
• The share of the vote necessary to earn a nomination is determined. That threshold is the lowest share of the vote that only the winning number of candidates can achieve. When the Oscars have five nominees for Best Actor, that means it takes about 17% of the vote to be sure of winning a nomination - that's because once five actors have 17%, there's only 15% left for the next highest vote-getter. With 10 candidates getting to the debates, that means that 9.1% would do it.
• Right now, of course, few candidates have at least 9.1% support in the polls. The tallying process essentially simulates what happens in presidential caucuses. First, imagine if every voter were standing behind their favorite candidate. If your favorite has more than 9.1% support, then that candidate has earned in the debate, and some of you can go to your second choice. (More precisely, an equal portion of each ballot goes to the first choice for a total of 9.1%, and the remaining value of each ballot is added to the totals of the second choice.) Once all the votes have been counted for next choices, we're now left with some winners and mostly candidates still short of the threshold. At that point, the last-place candidate is eliminated, and all that candidate's votes are counted for the next choice on each ballot at full value. This process of distributing votes continues until 10 have been selected.
• For the Oscars, ranked choice voting means that some 83% of Oscar voters typically help elect a "candidate" in their category -- best actor, best director and so on. (For Best Picture, they modified this counting process a few years ago when allowing an undefined number of movies to be nominated - still using a ranked ballot and still generally trying to make sure that as many Academy voters have a hand in nominating a process, but changing the specific counting rule.) For picking 10 candidates to debate, you'd have more than nine in ten Republicans feeling directly represented on stage, with most of the rest happy with one or more of the candidates.
For Fox, this process would mean not relying on the mathematically-questionable task of averaging five polls that will leave some candidates out due to a tiny difference that will be far less than the polls' margin of error. Instead, they would do a single poll in which they ask respondent to rank the candidates in order of preference - asking people to rank 10 should be fine, and something most Republican voters would be ready to do at this point. We already see plenty of use of "second choice polling," as I wrote about last week with Molly Rocket. This poll would be a time to push poll respondents to think more about the candidates in a survey that was focused only on the task of identifying candidates for the debate.
This same ranked choice process could be used as debates proceed. If they decide to narrow who's on stage after Iowa and New Hampshire, for example, they could have Republicans living in states holding the next contests to use ranked choice voting to five debates, for example, and later on reduce the field to three or even two.
Going forward, Republicans would also be wise to use a ranked choice voting ballot in each primary and caucus to determine that contest's real winner. Guides to parliamentary procedure like Robert's Rules of Order recommend ranked choice voting when people can't vote repeatedly in person, and hundreds of significant organizations do so -including nearly every political party in Canada and the United Kingdom, such as the Labor Party's leadership contest right now. That is, when you establish your number of winners as one, it takes getting a majority of the vote in the final "instant runoff" round of counting to win. If maintaining his frontrunner status in polls, for example, Donald Trump would need to show he wins one-on-one against his toughest opponent.
That's what the Oscars have been doing for Best Picture ever since they allowed up to 10 nominations. Instructively, they still allow a "plurality vote" when there are only five nominees in categories because it can make for good television- e.g., the "upsets" that keep people watching are almost always by a person or movie that is benefiting from a split in the majority. For Best Picture, however, the Academy decided it was more important to get the outcome right. That same calculus should govern how we vote for president, starting with large field nomination contests.
There's probably not time for Fox to change its rules for August 6, but let's hope organizers of upcoming debates find a better way to determine who's on stage. Ranked choice voting would be a good place to start.
Republican Party Presidential Debates Donald Trump Ranked Choice Voting Elections 2016
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Ato Boldon at the press conference ahead of the IAAF World U20 Championships Bydgoszcz 2016 (Getty Images) © Copyright
18 JUL 2016 General News Bydgoszcz, Poland
With adrenalin on a high, Boldon awaiting brilliance in Bydgoszcz
For Ato Boldon, nothing is as nerve-wracking as not being on the track.
The Trinidadian sprinting great may have retired from the sport more than a decade ago, but even today, the rush of adrenalin and anxiety that comes from coaching the next generation surpasses anything he felt in his competitive days.
“It’s the worst,” says Boldon, who coaches Trinidad and Tobago’s Khalifa St Fort, one of the leading contenders for the women’s 100m title at this week’s IAAF World U20 Championships Bydgoszcz 2016.
“I’ve been in four Olympic finals, I do live TV to a billion people for a living, and none of that stresses me. The minute Khalifa has to run, my stomach is upset, I can’t sleep, I’m nervous, I’m anxious. It’s taken me to a place I’m most uncomfortable with.”
Boldon is one of the IAAF Ambassadors who has travelled to the Polish city this week for the biennial gathering of the world’s best teenage athletes. At the pre-event press conference on Monday, he admitted that there’s one race he's looking forward to above all.
“I’m inherently biased but the women’s 100m is going to be great,” he said.
The event will pit world U18 champion Candace Hill of the United States against Poland’s Ewa Swoboda, the world U20 indoor 60m record holder. However, it will be no surprise to Boldon if his protegee upsets the odds and takes the title on Thursday night.
“Khalifa has been improving and is ready to run very, very well,” he said. “I know she’s capable of winning. She’s such a gamer and every time she’s in a big meet she comes through.”
Successful transition
As coaches go, few are better placed to guide St Fort through the maze from U20 level to senior ranks. After all, 24 years ago he was the same age as her, 18, standing on the start line in Seoul for the 1992 edition of this championships.
Boldon had just come off a disappointing Olympic debut, exiting in the heats in both the 100m and 200m at the Barcelona Games, so the World Juniors provided the perfect platform to re-establish his star credentials.
“I got beaten pretty badly at the Olympics and people back home were like: ‘is this guy any good?’” recalls Boldon. “It was redemption for me.”
Boldon claimed gold in both the 100m and 200m in Seoul, running 10.30 and 20.63, performances that catapulted his name into the spotlight as a future star of sprinting. By now he knows, better than most, how long a road must be travelled in order to emulate that success as a senior. It took Boldon until 1997 to achieve it, when he took gold over 200m at the IAAF World Championships in Athens.
“Many people get lost in between,” he says. “I was aware even at the time that it didn’t necessarily mean I would be successful [at senior level]. You have to start from the bottom rung again, but winning motivated me and signalled that I had the ability.”
Spark of motivation
Boldon is quick to note, however, that there is still hope for those who don’t come away from Bydgoszcz with a medal.
“There are some who come here and don’t win, and that also sparks them out be great,” he says. “Everybody starts to lose at a certain level and that’s the point: they’ll figure out here if they’re good enough, whether they need to work harder or whether they have maxed out their ability. They’ll realise that this is the best in the world they're against and ask: do I have what it takes to be successful?”
Boldon has been in Bydgoszcz for the past number of days and is expecting a strong showing from the hosts, both on and off the track, when action begins on Tuesday morning.
“The fact they have two or three legitimate gold medal shots will help,” he says. “I would really like to see the fans come out because athletes perform better when they have a bigger audience.”
And what advice would Boldon give to the 1512 athletes who are set to take to the stage this week?
“Enjoy it,” he says. “It’s important to make lasting friendships because the competition will come and go and you’ll go back and forth your entire career. I enjoyed my World Juniors. Now that I’m the old guy on the other side of the fence, you realise the friends you make here will still be friends when you can’t compete any more.”
Cathal Dennehy for the IAAF
18 JUL 2016 General News Press conference highlights – IAAF World U20 Championships Bydgoszcz 2016
18 JUL 2016 Series First impressions – Ruswahl Samaai
Khalifa St Fort and Candace Hill in action in the girls' 100m final at the IAAF World Youth Championships Cali 2015 (Getty) © Copyright
All pages related to this article
Ato Boldon
Ewa Swoboda
Khalifa St Fort
Candace Hill
IAAF World U20 Championships Bydgoszcz 2016
18 JUL 2016 Press conference highlights – IAAF World U20 Championships Bydgoszcz 2016
16 JUL 2016 Provisional entry list as at 16 July – IAAF World U20 Championships Bydgoszcz 2016
15 JUL 2016 Preview: women's 100m – IAAF World U20 Championships Bydgoszcz 2016
06 JUN 2016 Ambassadors warm up for IAAF World U20 Championships with unique event in Bydgoszcz
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Surana Telecom and Power Ltd Management Discussions.
Surana Telecom and Power Limited was incorporated as a Private Limited Company on 14.08.1989 as Surana Petro Products Private Limited and was engaged in the business of manufacturing of Petro Products such as Petroleum Jelly and Telecom products such as Jointing Kits. Thereafter, the Company was converted into a Public Limited Company on 09.07.1993. In 1994, the Company ventured into the Telecom sector with the production of Optic Fibre Cables and consequently, name of the Company was changed to Surana Telecom Limited on 05.08.1994. In 2007 the Company diversified into the power sector with the manufacturing of low tension and high tension power cables. In order to reflect the diversity, the name of the Company was again changed to Surana Telecom and Power Limited on 11.10.2007.
Solar PV leads the way in power generating capacity and is considered a cost-competitive source of new generation in many emerging markets across the world. Solar energy is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available. Solar energy is lauded as an inexhaustible fuel source that is pollution- and often noise-free. India has some of the richest solar resources in the world. Modern technology can harness this energy for a variety of uses, including generating electricity, providing light or a comfortable interior environment, and heating water for domestic, commercial, or industrial use. India receives solar energy equivalent to over 5000 trillion kWh/year, which is far more than the total energy consumption of the country. If the means to make efficient use of solar energy could be found, it would reduce our dependence on non-renewable sources of energy and make our environment cleaner.
GLOBAL SCENARIO:
Worldwide growth of photovoltaics is extremely dynamic and varies strongly by country. New installations totalling more than 97 GW in 2017 took global solar PV power generating capacity to nearly 400 GW by year-end, a 32% increase versus the end of 2016. Capacity has nearly quadrupled in the past five years. It shows renewables, excluding hydro, made up three-fifths of net power capacity growth in 2017 and supplied a record 12% share of global electricity generation. Renewable capacity expansion continues to be driven mostly by new installations of solar and wind energy, which together accounted for 85% of all new capacity installed in 2017. Asia accounted for 64% of new capacity in 2017 (up from 58% last year), resulting in a total of 919 GW or 42% of global capacity. According to IHS Markit, new PV installations in 2018 are expected to hit 108 GW globally. China, India and the US are expected to hold their top positions as leading 3 global PV markets in 2018. The top 3 are forecast to contribute two-thirds of the total 108 GW of new PV installations in 2018. However, impending trade cases in India and import tariffs in the US may impact the balance of global supply and demand.
The renewable industry is experiencing a level of policy uncertainty that may be unprecedented even for an industry accustomed to the shifting sands of federal and state policy. But despite short-term uncertainty, renewable energy is well- entrenched and growing wind and solar markets are finally reaching the scale and scope to expand exploration of new technologies that show potential to further reduce costs and spark growth. The pace of growth will likely moderate as markets mature, and US policy uncertainty may cause additional challenges along the way. But longer term, powerful enablers such as robust customer demand across multiple business segments and global regions, declining prices, decarbonization, digitalization, and the drive to boost resiliency will likely underpin continued strong growth.
INDIAN INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
Solar power plants in India had a combined output of 25.9 billion kWh in the fiscal year through March 2018, marking a 92% year-on-year jump, according to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). In spite of the increase and the expansion of installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity, solar accounted for only 1.98% of the countrys total power generation. At the same time, thermal power generation had a 79.28% share of the overall electricity generation mix, indicating Indias huge dependence on coal power.
At the end of fiscal 2017/18, India had 345 GW of installed power capacity, of which 70 GW came from renewables. This represents a share of 20.32% of its total power generation mix, which rose by 2.8 percentage points from the previous fiscal year. Indias cumulative solar power capacity at the end of March, 2018 totalled 22 GW. Solar tariffs reached a record low of 2.44 per unit at an auction held by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for 500 MW of projects at the Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan in May 2017, but have been rising slowly since then. Even so, solar tariffs compare favourably with the cost of thermal power. There is also the fear of safeguard duty being imposed on imported solar equipment.
The Governments revised solar installation target of 100 GW by 2022 has recently clashed with Prime Minister Modis Make in India initiative to promote domestic manufacturing. The recently announced 70 per cent preliminary safeguard duty recommendation, the ongoing anti-dumping case and a 7.85 per cent port duty on imported modules have created an atmosphere of regulatory uncertainty that is taking a toll on the industry and slowing down installation activity.
Indias rooftop solar sector also witnessed steady growth last year, alongside a rise in grid-connected utility-scale solar. Rooftop solar accounts for about 1.6 GW of the 20 GW of capacity installed so far. As in previous years, rooftop solar installations have been lagging. Total rooftop capacity stood at 2.4GW as of March 2018, with around 1GW having been added in 2017-18, against a target of 40GW by 2022. Growth in rooftop solar slowed down marginally in the year due to GST and safeguard related uncertainty. The new
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) policy designed to further its growth. MNRE recently announced a new programme that would provide distribution companies incentives for commissioning rooftop solar projects.
BUSINESS OUTLOOK:
The company is consolidating its Solar Power Generation portfolio. It is presently operating 20 MW of Solar Power capacity under the ownership of the company/its subsidiary and a further capacity of 3 MW is expected to be operational by the end of July, 2018. On account of consolidation of Solar Portfolio the business outlook looks bright.
WIND POWER GENERATION:
Indias wind energy sector has just capped a rough year. Amid a major overhaul of the wind energy tariff-determination mechanism, multiple policy issues, and flat power demand, capacity addition took a big hit in the last financial year. New windmill installations fell to a five-year low between April 2017 and March 2018, according to data from the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA). The country saw an addition of just 1,762 megawatts (MW) of capacity, a sharp fall from the record high of 5,400 MW in the preceding year. Indias total wind energy capacity now stands at 34,042 MW, a little over half the Narendra Modi governments target of 60,000 MW by 2022.
The fall was largely due to faulty implementation of a major policy change by the government. Starting June 2016, it let firms bid for projects at competitive prices rather than have a regulator fix the tariffs. Yet, there werent as many auctions for projects, resulting in muted capacity addition. Subsequently, wind power producers faced the threat of various state electricity utilities backtracking on power purchase agreements. The governments obsession with solar power, too, played a role, as policymakers focused away from wind. Meanwhile, wind power tariffs crashed to record lows of 2.43 per unit in December 2017, casting doubts over long-term project viability. However, the worst may now have passed. For one, the policy uncertainties have been cleared. States like Maharashtra and Gujarat have already come out with auctions and more are in the offing, both at the state and central levels. The ministry of new and renewable energy has committed to auctioning10,000 MW of projects in 2018 and another 10,000 MW in 2019.
OUTLOOK:
The Indian government has committed to a target of 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, including 100 GW of solar capacity and 60 GW of cumulative wind power capacity. The government has also indicated its support for rapidly growing the power sector, renewables being a core part of this strategy. The outlook remains stable.
RISKS AND CONCERNS:
The Companys businesses and operations are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which are no different from any other company in general and our competitors in particular. Such risks are the result of both the business environment within which the Company operates and other
factors over which there is little or no control. These risks can be categorised as operational, financial, environmental, health and safety, political, market-related and strategic risks. The Company has sufficient risk management policies in place that act as an effective tool in minimising the various risks that the businesses are exposed to during the course of their day-to-day operations as well as in their strategic actions.
INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEM AND ITS ADEQUACY
The Company has adequate Internal Control Systems and Procedures with regard to purchase of Stores, Raw Materials including Components, Plant and Machinery, equipment, sale of goods and other assets. The company has clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all managerial positions and all operating parameters are monitored and controlled.
The company has an Internal Audit System commensurate with its size and nature of business. M/s Sekhar & Co., a firm of Chartered Accountants, are acting as Internal Auditors of the Company. Periodic reports of Internal Auditors are reviewed in the meeting of the Audit Committee of the Board. Compliance with laws and regulations is also ensured and confirmed by the Internal Auditors of the company. Standard operating procedures and guidelines are issued from time to time to support best practices for internal control.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE & OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE:
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE:
Capital Structure:
The Equity Share Capital of the Company as on 31st March 2018 is 135,759,963 comprising of 135,759,963 Equity Shares of 1 each fully paid.
Other Equity:
The Other Equity of the Company for the current year is 765,267,866 .and in the previous year was 710,159,806.
Property, Plant and Equipment:
During the year, the Company has added Property, Plant and Equipment amounting to 26,080,444 as against 23,429,470 in the previous year. The total net block of assets as on 31.03.2018 is 596,880,100
Inventories:
Inventories, as on 31st March, 2018 amounted to 28,025,284 and in the previous year is 100,173,909
Trade Receivables:
Trade Receivables amounting to 21,198,956.as on 31st March, 2018 and 52,787,047 in the previous year.
Cash and Bank Balances:
Cash and Bank balances with Scheduled Banks, as on 31st March, 2018 amounting to 3,560,271 which includes amounts deposited with banks as Security and margin Money Deposit and accrued interest.
Loans (Noncurrent):
Loans and Advances amounting to 280,686,671 as on 31st March, 2018 as against 239,494,096/ in the previous year.
Other Current Assets:
Short Term Loans and Advances amounting to 6,652,559 as on 31st March, 2018 as against 27,458,260 in the previous year.
Current Liabilities amounting to 49,542,604 as on 31st March, 2018 as against 90,426,706 in the previous year.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE:
During the year 2017-18, the Net turnover of the Company was 235,345,624 and 266,532,956 in the previous year.
Other Income as on 31st March, 2018 is 20,581,897 as against 8,589,218 in the previous year.
Depreciation and Amortization:
The Company has incurred a sum of 71,867,146 towards depreciation and amortization for the year and 74,127,977 in the previous year.
Net Profit:
The Net Profit of the Company after tax is 23,059,602 and 17,614,048 in the previous year.
Earnings per Share:
Basic Earnings Per Share for the year ended 31.03.2018 is 0.17 for Face Value of 1 and 0.13 per share for the year ended 31.03.2017.
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS:
The Company believes that the quality of its employees is the key to its success in the long run and is committed to provide necessary human resource development and training opportunities to equip them with skills, which would enable them to adapt to contemporary technological advancements.
Industrial Relations during the year continues to be cordial and the Company is committed to maintain good industrial relations through negotiations, meetings etc.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:
Statements in the Management Discussion and Analysis describing the Companys Objectives and Expectations may be Forward-Looking Statements within the meaning of applicable Securities Laws and Regulations. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Companys Operations include economic conditions affecting demand/supply and price conditions in the domestic and overseas markets in which the Company operates, technological obsolescence, changes in the Government Regulations and Policies, Tax Laws and other Statutes and other incidental factors.
NARENDER SURANA DEVENDRA SURANA
MANAGING DIRECTOR DIRECTOR
(DIN-00075086) (DIN-00077296)
Place: Secunderabad
QuickLinks for Surana Telecom And Power Ltd.
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Playground Prank
By Jeffrey Freedman April 15, 2019 Personal Injury
Ah, the carefree days of high school senior pranks. On the brink of graduation and about to become adults, many students feel the need to engage in humorous activity. At best, these pranks cause inconveniences. At worst, people get hurt.
Seniors at Sophia B Wright in New Orleans, LA learned the hard way that not everyone is amused by childish antics. After participating in a water fight inside and outside the school, many students are facing harsh punishments.
According to the school, this “harmless” prank caused personal injury and building damage. As a result, some students were expelled, and others were suspended and banned from future activities, including prom and graduation.
The school asserts that they warned parents that if their children participated in the prank, they would be punished. But while the students admit they were also warned, the consequences were not specified, and they said they never envisioned they would be so severe.
The school’s principal, Sharon Clark, says that “it is possible damage caused by these students will result in criminal and civil actions.” The affected parents are fighting back.
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Collision On QEW Causing Delays In Mississauga
Peel Police Asking For Public's Help In Connection To Shooting In Mississauga
Highway Crash Causing Heavy Delays in Mississauga
New Air Passenger Protection Regulations Now in Effect in Canada
One on One with Rising Teen Tennis Star from Mississauga, Bianca Andreescu
by Ashley Newport on January 31, 2019
While it's certainly not unusual for incredibly talented people to emerge from Mississauga—it is Canada's sixth largest city, after all—few people have been spoken about more excitedly in recent weeks than Bianca Andreescu.
The 18-year-old tennis player, who currently lives in Vaughan but hails from Mississauga (and currently attends Bill Crothers Secondary School in Markham), has had an absolutely incredible year. In January, Andreescu made headlines when she defeated world-famous tennis champion Venus Williams on Jan. 4 in the 2019 ASB Classic Quarterfinal in Auckland, New Zealand
Prior to her impressive win against one of the world's best known tennis stars, she defeated Caroline Wozniacki in another huge upset. Andreescu has also bested other well-known and acclaimed athletes, including Kristina Mladenovic and fellow Canadian Eugenie Bouchard.
Most recently, she won her first WTA (Women's Tennis Association) title in the Oracle Challenger Series in Newport Beach, California and made it to No. 68 in the world ranking. Prior to that, she sat at 152. Soon, she'll be competing again in the Netherlands as part of Canada's Fed Cup roster.
Over the past few years, Andreescu has competed in a number of grand slam tournaments, including Wimbledon, the French Open, the Australian Open and the U.S. Open.
inSauga.com was lucky enough to chat with the rising tennis star about her passion for the sport, travel, her strangest fan encounter and her plans for the future.
This interview has been condensed for length and clarity.
How long have you been playing tennis?
I started playing tennis when I was 7, so I've been playing for 11 years.
What made you choose tennis? Does anyone else in your family play?
My parents never played tennis, but I was an active child growing up, so they basically threw me into a lot of sports and one day they threw me into tennis and here I am. When I did pick up a tennis racket, I was still doing dance and soccer. I was pretty good at all three, but I fell out of love with the other two and stuck with tennis.
How often did you play tennis growing up?
I started playing tennis in Romania because my parents had work there and we were going back and forth, but when I wanted to get serious about it, we moved back and I started training at the [Ontario Racquet Club] in Mississauga.
At 10 or 11, I tried out for Tennis Canada and they picked me up.
How has Tennis Canada helped you?
They've been supporting me so much. Win or lose, they treat you the same. They have incredible facilities in Toronto and Montreal, and Montreal is where I train mostly now. They have knowledgeable coaches and fitness trainers.
How many tournaments have you played in?
Probably about 15 major tournaments. The biggest ones are the grand slam tournaments such as the French Open, Wimbledon, Australian Open and the U.S. Open.
How did it feel to defeat Venus Williams?
She's a legend, it's the highlight of my career. I was shocked, but now I'm just super proud of myself. I had nothing to lose [in my match against her], so i went out there and gave my all. I was going for my shot and that seemed to work really well.
Did you get a chance to talk to her off the court?
We didn't chat before the match, she wanted to stay focused! I did a charity event with her two years ago and we exchanged a few sentences here and there. She's very kind and that's what I noticed about her.
How do you deal with all the travel?
That's the lifestyle and I love it. I never get sick and tired of it, I love traveling around the world and tasting different types of cuisines and meeting new people. Italy was very beautiful and Italian is my favourite cuisine. I probably gained a couple pounds, but it was so worth it.
What was another really big moment for you in your career?
It was when I won Les Petits As in France, as it's one of the most prestigious 14-and-under tournaments in the world. I had a taste of how the tour would be looking. They had a big audience, and you give interviews and meet fans. I really enjoy doing that.
How do you feel about meeting fans?
I love socializing with them, they're very supportive and hopefully they can continue on this journey with me for awhile.
Any strange or funny fan encounters?
During the Australian Open doubles finals, a bird actually pooped on Carson Branstine's—my partner—hat during practice and one of the fans asked for her towel [that had the poop on it]. That’s a dedicated fan.
Does your family travel with you?
My parents sometimes come with me, usually to the Grand Slams. Usually a tennis coach and a fitness coach will travel with me.
You were recently at the Australian Open. What did you do off the court?
I went to the beach in Australia, and I ate because they have really good restaurants around the tournament site and hotel. I also went to the zoo and it was amazing because I'd never seen koalas or kangaroos up close, so that was pretty exciting.
What other tournaments do you have coming?
I'll be playing the Fed Cup in the Netherlands, it's a pretty big team tournament. Then I'll be going to Indian Wells in California and then doing the Miami Open in Miami. All of the grand slams will be after that.
How has your success made you feel?
I think it's definitely a privilege. I'm so grateful I can experience this. It's not easy, you have to train and put in the hours on court, but it's all worth it. I love the sport, I love to travel and meet people.
How have your friends and family reacted to your success?
They're very proud of what I've accomplished. I'll be with my friends this week while I'm home and I'm excited for that. Their support means a lot to me. My parents—we've been through a lot together—so it means a lot to see what I've accomplished.
How punishing is your fitness and training regimen?
I would say it's a punishing schedule. It depends on the person, but I like to be in the gym for an hour or an hour and a half and find a good balance with on-court training. During the tournaments for example, I won't do a lot of strength training, I'll do a lot of agility work. Outside of competitions, I'll do strength and stamina work. It's more about smart work than hard work, as you have to work on specific details.
Have you ever been injured?
With me being through a lot, the injury part stands out the most. I've been injured a lot, and I've been dealing with a back issue, so I'm glad it held up [in competition]. I've been playing match after match and I think all the work I'm putting in at the gym is paying off. I also have an ongoing issue with my hip that causes groin and back pain, so we're trying to find ways to heal it and prevent it in the future.
What else do you hope to accomplish over the course of your career?
I want to become number 1 in the world and I want to win as many grand slams as I can. I want to make history and be an inspiration to a lot of people and do a lot for the sport and women's tennis and women's sports in general. I also want to improve as a tennis player and a person.
How do you plan to promote women's sports?
The WTA (Women's Tennis Association) is doing a lot and I play for the WTA, so when they do a clinic, I'll join if I can. Hopefully I can create my own organization in the future.
What other athletes do you admire the most?
Outside of tennis it's Lebron James, he's an incredible athlete and spokesperson. After all he's been through in his childhood and what he's become, he’s a great inspiration. I also admire Kim Clijsters, a former tennis player. I'm [also inspired by] Simona Halep, who's on the tour right now.
What advice would you have for an up and coming tennis player or athlete?
Follow your dreams and dream big, as my mom always told me. Anything is possible and tennis is a beautiful sport.
All photos courtesy of Tennis Canada
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Islandport Press
About Islandport Press
Lies in the Dust
A Tale of Remorse from the Salem Witch Trials
Written by Jakob Crane
Illustrated by Timothy Decker
Softcover, 128 pages, 6 x 9, graphic novel/historical fiction, ages 12+
Available as an e-book in these formats:
Apple iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch
About this Book:
In Salem’s dark days of 1692 and 1693, young girls pointed fingers and accused others of witchcraft, sentencing them to torture, or even death. When the cloud lifted, and the accusations were shown to be false, the girls faced little, if any, penalty. Were they sorry? No one knows. Only one girl, Ann Putnam Jr., felt moved to show remorse publicly. Fourteen years after the trials, Ann wrote a letter of apology. This is her story. This searing graphic novel is a wholly unique portrayal of an untold aspect of the Salem Witch Trials. Through the author’s extensive primary research and the artist’s creative re-imagining, the reader is taken inside the head of Ann Putnam, the only girl to apologize for sending 24 people to their death.
“Crane and Decker spin an airy, atmospheric graphic-novel examination of a legacy of guilt . . . All is illustrated with Decker's fine-lined drawings that evoke both the surreal details of the accusations and the pastoral Colonial setting . . . its attempt to understand the effects of the trials on one of its villains is provocative, to say the least. Haunting."
"...stark and affecting graphic novel… Lies in the Dust approaches the familiar history with a unique paradigm by exploring the powerful role words played in the tragedy. “Witch,” “evil,” and “guilty” led to the grave, and “innocence” was rarely understood. "
Chelsey Philpot, The Boston Globe
For the full review, visit here.
"History teachers will appreciate this easy-to-read account, while students who are fans of the witch trials or the European influence on America will appreciate and understand the power of a word such as witch."
". . . a unique perspective on the Salem witch trials, events propelled by dangerous words . . . it illuminates a dark and fascinating period of the region’s history."
The Portland Press Herald
Accused: Fairfield’s Witchcraft Trials
Jakob Crane will have a graphic art exhibition at the Fairfield Museum in Connecticut that tells the tale of the witch trials that took place in Connecticut, almost a half-century before the Salem trials.
In 17th century New England religious beliefs and folk tradition instilled deep fears of magic, evil, and supernatural powers. How else to explain unnatural events, misfortune and the sudden convulsions and fits of local townspeople? In this exhibition, the fascinating history of Connecticut’s witchcraft trials is illuminated by author and illustrator Jakob Crane. In graphic novel form, powerful depictions of the events and characters are reimagined through storylines and pen and ink drawings.
Sept 25, 2014 - Jan 5, 2015 at the Fairfield Museum and History Center, 370 Beach Road, Fairfield CT. FMI: (203) 259-1598
Jakob Crane is a writer and visual artist who is native to New England. After graduating from Lesley University College of Art and Design, Crane worked as a writer and illustrator for numerous newspapers and publ
About this Illustrator
Timothy Decker is the author/illustrator of the critically acclaimed books, The Letter Home, For Liberty: The Story of the Boston Massacre, Run Far, Run Fast, and The Punk Ethic. He
The Door to January
By Gillian French
The Fog of Forgetting (paperback)
By G.A. Morgan
By Sarah L. Thomson
By Jean Mary Flahive
Uncertain Glory
By Lea Wait
info@islandportpress.com
Yarmouth, Maine 04096
Connect with Islandport Press
© Islandport Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2019
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More than 100 New Terracotta Warriors of Qin Dynasty Unearthed in China [PHOTOS]
June 12, 2012 11:58 BST
More than 100 life-size terracotta warriors have added to the Terracotta Army of China's Qin Dynasty as archaeologists announced on Monday about the new statues that have been excavated on the outskirts of Xi'an province in China.
The new terracotta warriors, about 110, were unearthed at an excavation site inside the No1 pit of the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, which is actually the mausoleum of Qin Dynasty's Qin Shi Huang (221-210 BC), the first emperor of China.
All the terracotta warrior statues were found over a period of three years of excavation and are in well-preserved state and colourfully painted, according to archaeologists, who said that 11 more statues are yet to be excavated.
The terracotta army was discovered in 1974 and opened to the public on China's National Day in 1979. The museum is built over the site of the excavation itself and was inscribed as Unesco's World Heritage List in 1987.
"The small figures are all different; with their horses, chariots and weapons, they are masterpieces of realism and also of great historical interest," Unesco mentions about the mausoleum, which is "one of the most fabulous archaeological reserves in the world."
The ancient archaeological site has three pits, considered as a treasure trove of Qin Dynasty's military affairs, art and technology. According to the official Website of the mausoleum, over 8,000 life size terracotta sculptures of warriors and their horses and more that 10,000 bronze weapons have been excavated from the pits so far. Current estimates suggest that about 6,000 statues of warriors and horses are still buried in the first pit alone.
The mausoleum represents a unique funerary art where Qin Shi Huang lies buried in his tomb surrounded by his army, represented by terracotta warriors, buried along with him in a belief that they would protect their emperor in his life after death.
According to Unesco, the terracotta army of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum must have represented the exact number of the imperial guards, and the newly excavated 110 statues are among the other thousands of terracotta warriors, which still remain to be unearthed.
Check out the pictures of the terracotta warriors from latest excavation:
A member of an archaeology team unearths the head of a terracotta warrior inside the No.1 pit of the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, on the outskirts of Xi\'an, 11 June, 2012. REUTERS
A member of an archaeology team unearths a terracotta warrior at the excavation site inside the No.1 pit of the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, on the outskirts of Xi\'an, 11 June, 2012. REUTERS
Members of an archaeology team work at the excavation site inside the No.1 pit of the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, on the outskirts of Xi\'an, 11 June, 2012. REUTERS
Tomb No. 1, the largest of three pits where China\'s army of terracotta soldiers are buried, in the ancient Chinese capital of Xian, October 16, 2004. REUTERS/Viktor Korotayev
Hundreds of Terracotta warriors, which were unearthed during the first excavation from 1978 to 1984, stand inside the No.1 pit at a museum in Xi\'an, Shaanxi province, June 10, 2009. REUTERS/CHINA DAILY
Tourists file past terracotta warriors at the excavation site located on the outskirts of the Chinese city of Xian, October 14, 2009. REUTERS/David Gray
Horses of the buried terracotta army are displayed in Xian, China, November 25, 2007. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
Unearthed terracotta warriors from the Xian period on display at a museum in the ancient Chinese capital of Xian, July 4, 2004. REUTERS/China Photos
A Terracotta warrior is displayed at a Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Pavillion, August 6, 2008. REUTERS/Oleg Popov
Hundreds of Terracotta warriors, which were unearthed during the first excavation from 1978 to 1984, stand inside the No.1 pit at a museum in Xi\'an, Shaanxi province, June 13, 2009. REUTERS/Stringer
Restored terracotta warriors stand in front of unrestored ones in a row at the excavation site located on the outskirts of the Chinese city of Xian, October 14, 2009. REUTERS/David Gray
Terracotta warriors stand in rows at the excavation site located on the outskirts of the Chinese city of Xian, October 14, 2009. REUTERS/David Gray
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ERC Advanced Grants 2018
Thu . 30 Aug . 16h00
Advanced Grants are designed to support excellent Principal Investigators at the career stage at which they are already established research leaders with a recognised track record of research achievements. Applicant Principal Investigators must demonstrate the ground-breaking nature, ambition and feasibility of their scientific proposal.
Size of ERC Advanced Grants
Advanced Grants may be awarded up to a maximum of EUR 2 500 000 for a period of 5 years. The maximum award is reduced pro rata temporis for projects of a shorter duration. This does not apply to ongoing projects.
However, up to an additional EUR 1 000 000 can be requested in the proposal to cover (a) eligible "start-up" costs for Principal Investigators moving to the EU or an Associated Country from elsewhere as a consequence of receiving the ERC grant, and/or (b) the purchase of major equipment and/or (c) access to large facilities. As any additional funding is to cover major one-off costs it is not subject to pro-rata temporis reduction for projects of shorter duration. All funding requested is assessed during evaluation.
Profile of the ERC Advanced Grants Principal Investigator
ERC Advanced Grant Principal Investigators are expected to be active researchers and to have a track record of significant research achievements in the last 10 years which must be presented in the application. There is little prospect of an application succeeding in the absence of such a record, which identifies investigators as exceptional leaders in terms of originality and significance of their research contributions.
Thus, in most fields, Principal Investigators of Advanced Grant proposals will be expected to demonstrate a record of achievements appropriate to the field and at least matching one or more of the following benchmarks:
10 publications as main author (or in those fields where alphabetic order of authorship is the norm, joint author) in major international peer-reviewed multidisciplinary scientific journals, and/or in the leading international peer-reviewed journals and peer-reviewed conferences proceedings of their respective field;
3 major research monographs, of which at least one is translated into another language. This benchmark is relevant to research fields where publication of monographs is the norm (e.g. humanities and social sciences).
Other alternative benchmarks that may be considered (individually or in combination) as indicative of an exceptional record and recognition in the last 10 years:
5 granted patents;
10 invited presentations in well-established internationally organised conferences and advanced schools;
3 research expeditions led by the applicant Principal Investigator;
3 well-established international conferences or congresses where the applicant was involved in their organisation as a member of the steering and/or organising committee;
International recognition through scientific or artistic prizes/awards or membership in well-regarded Academies or artefact with documented use (for example, architectural or engineering design, methods or tools);
Major contributions to launching the careers of outstanding researchers;
Recognised leadership in industrial innovation.
Award granted: up to EUR 3,5M (2,5+1)
Deadline: 30 AUG 2018
Call ERC-2018-ADG
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Connectionism is an approach to the study of human cognition that utilizes mathematical models, known as connectionist networks or artificial neural networks. Often, these come in the form of highly interconnected, neuron-like processing units. There is no sharp dividing line between connectionism and computational neuroscience, but connectionists tend more often to abstract away from the specific details of neural functioning to focus on high-level cognitive processes (for example, recognition, memory, comprehension, grammatical competence and reasoning). During connectionism's ideological heyday in the late twentieth century, its proponents aimed to replace theoretical appeals to formal rules of inference and sentence-like cognitive representations with appeals to the parallel processing of diffuse patterns of neural activity.
Connectionism was pioneered in the 1940s and had attracted a great deal of attention by the 1960s. However, major flaws in the connectionist modeling techniques were soon revealed, and this led to reduced interest in connectionist research and reduced funding. But in the 1980s connectionism underwent a potent, permanent revival. During the later part of the twentieth century, connectionism would be touted by many as the brain-inspired replacement for the computational artifact-inspired 'classical' approach to the study of cognition. Like classicism, connectionism attracted and inspired a major cohort of naturalistic philosophers, and the two broad camps clashed over whether or not connectionism had the wherewithal to resolve central quandaries concerning minds, language, rationality and knowledge. More recently, connectionist techniques and concepts have helped inspire philosophers and scientists who maintain that human and non-human cognition is best explained without positing inner representations of the world. Indeed, connectionist techniques are now very widely embraced, even if few label themselves connectionists anymore. This is an indication of connectionism’s success.
McCulloch and Pitts
Parts and Properties of Connectionist Networks
Learning Algorithms
Hebb’s Rule
The Delta Rule
The Generalized Delta Rule
Connectionist Models Aplenty
Elman’s Recurrent Nets
Interactive Architectures
Making Sense of Connectionist Processing
Connectionism and the Mind
Rules versus General Learning Mechanisms: The Past-Tense Controversy
Connectionism and Eliminativism
Classicists on the Offensive: Fodor and Pylyshyn’s Critique
Productivity and Systematicity
Anti-Represenationalism: Dynamical Stystems Theory, A-Life and Embodied Cognition
Where Have All the Connectionists Gone?
Connectionism Freeware
1. McCulloch and Pitts
In 1943, neurophysiologist Warren McCulloch and a young logician named Walter Pitts demonstrated that neuron-like structures (or units, as they were called) that act and interact purely on the basis of a few neurophysiologically plausible principles could be wired together and thereby be given the capacity to perform complex logical calculation (McCulloch & Pitts 1943). They began by noting that the activity of neurons has an all-or-none character to it – that is, neurons are either ‘firing’ electrochemical impulses down their lengthy projections (axons) towards junctions with other neurons (synapses) or they are inactive. They also noted that in order to become active, the net amount of excitatory influence from other neurons must reach a certain threshold and that some neurons must inhibit others. These principles can be described by mathematical formalisms, which allows for calculation of the unfolding behaviors of networks obeying such principles. McCulloch and Pitts capitalized on these facts to prove that neural networks are capable of performing a variety of logical calculations. For instance, a network of three units can be configured so as to compute the fact that a conjunction (that is, two complete statements connected by ‘and’) will be true only if both component statements are true (Figure 1). Other logical operations involving disjunctions (two statements connected by ‘or’) and negations can also be computed. McCulloch and Pitts showed how more complex logical calculations can be performed by combining the networks for simpler calculations. They even proposed that a properly configured network supplied with infinite tape (for storing information) and a read-write assembly (for recording and manipulating that information) would be capable of computing whatever any given Turing machine (that is, a machine that can compute any computable function) can.
Figure 1: Conjunction Network We may interpret the top (output) unit as representing the truth value of a conjunction (that is, activation value 1 = true and 0 = false) and the bottom two (input) units as representing the truth values of each conjunct. The input units each have an excitatory connection to the output unit, but for the output unit to activate the sum of the input unit activations must still exceed a certain threshold. The threshold is set high enough to ensure that the output unit becomes active just in case both input units are activated simultaneously. Here we see a case where only one input unit is active, and so the output unit is inactive. A disjunction network can be constructed by lowering the threshold so that the output unit will become active if either input unit is fully active. [Created using Simbrain 2.0]
Somewhat ironically, these proposals were a major source of inspiration for John von Neumann’s work demonstrating how a universal Turing machine can be created out of electronic components (vacuum tubes, for example) (Franklin & Garzon 1996, Boden 2006). Von Neumann’s work yielded what is now a nearly ubiquitous programmable computing architecture that bears his name. The advent of these electronic computing devices and the subsequent development of high-level programming languages greatly hastened the ascent of the formal classical approach to cognition, inspired by formal logic and based on sentence and rule (see Artificial Intelligence). Then again, electronic computers were also needed to model the behaviors of complicated neural networks.
For their part, McCulloch and Pitts had the foresight to see that the future of artificial neural networks lay not with their ability to implement formal computations, but with their ability to engage in messier tasks like recognizing distorted patterns and solving problems requiring the satisfaction of multiple 'soft' constraints. However, before we get to these developments, we should consider in a bit more detail some of the basic operating principles of typical connectionist networks.
2. Parts and Properties of Connectionist Networks
Connectionist networks are made up of interconnected processing units which can take on a range of numerical activation levels (for example, a value ranging from 0 – 1). A given unit may have incoming connections from, or outgoing connections to, many other units. The excitatory or inhibitory strength (or weight) of each connection is determined by its positive or negative numerical value. The following is a typical equation for computing the influence of one unit on another:
Influenceiu = ai * wiu
This says that for any unit i and any unit u to which it is connected, the influence of i on u is equal to the product of the activation value of i and the weight of the connection from i to u. Thus, if ai = 1 and wiu = .02, then the influence of i on u will be 0.02. If a unit has inputs from multiple units, the net influence of those units will just be the sum of these individual influences.
One common sort of connectionist system is the two-layer feed-forward network. In these networks, units are segregated into discrete input and output layers such that connections run only from the former to the latter. Often, every input unit will be connected to every output unit, so that a network with 100 units, for instance, in each layer will possess 10,000 inter-unit connections. Let us suppose that in a network of this very sort each input unit is randomly assigned an activation level of 0 or 1 and each weight is randomly set to a level between -0.01 to 0.01. In this case, the activation level of each output unit will be determined by two factors: the net influence of the input units; and the degree to which the output unit is sensitive to that influence, something which is determined by its activation function. One common activation function is the step function, which sets a very sharp threshold. For instance, if the threshold on a given output unit were set through a step function at 0.65, the level of activation for that unit under different amounts of net input could be graphed out as follows:
Figure 2: Step Activation Function
Thus, if the input units have a net influence of 0.7, the activation function returns a value of 1 for the output unit’s activation level. If they had a net influence of 0.2, the output level would be 0, and so on. Another common activation that has more of a sigmoid shape to it – that is, graphed out it looks something like this:
Figure 3: Sigmoid Activation Function
Thus, if our net input were 0.7, the output unit would take on an activation value somewhere near 0.9.
Now, suppose that a modeler set the activation values across the input units (that is, encodes an input vector) of our 200 unit network so that some units take on an activation level of 1 and others take on a value of 0. In order to determine what the value of a single output unit would be, one would have to perform the procedure just described (that is, calculate the net influence and pass it through an activation function). To determine what the entire output vector would be, one must repeat the procedure for all 100 output units.
As discussed earlier, the truth-value of a statement can be encoded in terms of a unit’s activation level. There are, however, countless other sorts of information that can be encoded in terms of unit activation levels. For instance, the activation level of each input unit might represent the presence or absence of a different animal characteristic (say, “has hooves,” “swims,” or “has fangs,”) whereas each output unit represents a particular kind of animal (“horse,” “pig,” or “dog,”). Our goal might be to construct a model that correctly classifies animals on the basis of their features. We might begin by creating a list (a corpus) that contains, for each animal, a specification of the appropriate input and output vectors. The challenge is then to set the weights on the connections so that when one of these input vectors is encoded across the input units, the network will activate the appropriate animal unit at the output layer. Setting these weights by hand would be quite tedious given that our network has 10000 weighted connections. Researchers would discover, however, that the process of weight assignment can be automated.
3. Learning Algorithms
a. Hebb’s Rule
The next major step in connectionist research came on the heels of neurophysiologist Donald Hebb’s (1949) proposal that the connection between two biological neurons is strengthened (that is, the presynaptic neuron will come to have an even stronger excitatory influence) when both neurons are simultaneously active. As it is often put, “neurons that fire together, wire together.” This principle would be expressed by a mathematical formula which came to be known as Hebb’s rule:
Change of weightiu = ai * au * lrate
The rule states that the weight on a connection from input unit i to output unit u is to be changed by an amount equal to the product of the activation value of i, the activation value of u, and a learning rate. [Notice that a large learning rate conduces to large weight changes and a smaller learning rate to more gradual changes.] Hebb’s rule gave connectionist models the capacity to modify the weights on their own connections in light of the input-output patterns it has encountered.
Let us suppose, for the sake of illustration, that our 200 unit network started out life with connection weights of 0 across the board. We might then take an entry from our corpus of input-output pairs (say, the entry for donkeys) and set the input and output values accordingly. Hebb’s rule might then be employed to strengthen connections from active input units to active output units. [Note: if units are allowed to have weights that vary between positive and negative values (for example, between -1 and 1), then Hebb’s rule will strengthen connections between units whose activation values have the same sign and weaken connections between units with different signs.] This procedure could then be repeated for each entry in the corpus. Given a corpus of 100 entries and at 10,000 applications of the rule per entry, a total of 1,000,000 applications of the rule would be required for just one pass through the corpus (called an epoch of training). Here, clearly, the powerful number-crunching capabilities of electronic computers become essential.
Let us assume that we have set the learning rate to a relatively high value and that the network has received one epoch of training. What we will find is that if a given input pattern from the training corpus is encoded across the input units, activity will propagate forward through the connections in such a way as to activate the appropriate output unit. That is, our network will have learned how to appropriately classify input patterns.
As a point of comparison, the mainstream approach to artificial intelligence (AI) research is basically an offshoot of traditional forms of computer programming. Computer programs manipulate sentential representations by applying rules which are sensitive to the syntax (roughly, the shape) of those sentences. For instance, a rule might be triggered at a certain point in processing because a certain input was presented – say, “Fred likes broccoli and Sam likes cauliflower.” The rule might be triggered whenever a compound sentence of the form p and q is input and it might produce as output a sentence of the form p (“Fred likes broccoli”). Although this is a vast oversimplification, it does highlight a distinctive feature of the classical approach to AI, which is the assumption that cognition is effected through the application of syntax-sensitive rules to syntactically structured representations. What is distinctive about many connectionist systems is that they encode information through activation vectors (and weight vectors), and they process that information when activity propagates forward through many weighted connections.
In addition, insofar as connectionist processing is in this way highly distributed (that is, many processors and connections simultaneously shoulder a bit of the processing load), a network will often continue to function even if part of it gets destroyed (if connections are pruned). The same kind of parallel and distributed processing (where many processors and connections are shouldering a bit of the processing load simultaneously) that enables this kind of graceful degradation also allows connectionist systems to respond sensibly to noisy or otherwise imperfect inputs. For instance, even we encoded an input vector that deviated from the one for donkeys but was still closer to the donkey vector than to any other, our model would still likely classify it as a donkey. Traditional forms of computer programming, on the other hand, have a much greater tendency to fail or completely crash due to even minor imperfections in either programming code or inputs.
The advent of connectionist learning rules was clearly a watershed event in the history of connectionism. It made possible the automation of vast numbers of weight assignments, and this would eventually enable connectionist systems to perform feats that McCulloch and Pitts could scarcely have imagined. As a learning rule for feed-forward networks, however, Hebb’s rule faces severe limitations. Particularly damaging is the fact that the learning of one input-output pair (an association) will in many cases disrupt what a network has already learned about other associations, a process known as catastrophic interference. Another problem is that although a set of weights oftentimes exists that would allow a network to perform a given pattern association task, oftentimes its discovery is beyond the capabilities of Hebb’s rule.
b. The Delta Rule
Such shortcomings led researchers to investigate new learning rules, one of the most important being the delta rule. To train our network using the delta rule, we it out with random weights and feed it a particular input vector from the corpus. Activity then propagates forward to the output layer. Afterwards, for a given unit u at the output layer, the network takes the actual activation of u and its desired activation and modifies weights according to the following rule:
Change of weightiu = learning rate * (desiredu - au) * ai
That is, to modify a connection from input i to output u, the delta rule computes the product of the difference between the desired activation of u and the actual activation (the error score), the activation of i, and a (typically very small) learning rate. Thus, assuming that unit u should be fully active (but is not) and input i happens to be highly active, the delta rule will increase the strength of the connection from i to u. This will make it more likely that the next time i is highly active, u will be too. If, on the other hand, u should have been inactive but was not, the connection from i to u will be pushed in a negative direction. As with Hebb’s rule, when an input pattern is presented during training, the delta rule is used to calculate how the weights from each input unit to a given output unit are to be modified, a procedure repeated for each output unit. The next item on the corpus is then input to the network and the process repeats, until the entire corpus (or at least that part of it that the researchers want the network to encounter) has been run through. Unlike Hebb’s rule, the delta rule typically makes small weight changes, meaning that several epochs of training may be required before a network achieves competent performance. Again unlike Hebb’s rule, however, the delta rule will in principle always slowly converge on a set of weights that will allow for mastery of all associations in a corpus, provided that such a set of weights exists. Famed connectionist Frank Rosenblatt called networks of the sort lately discussed perceptrons. He also proved the foregoing truth about them, which became known as the perceptron convergence theorem.
Rosenblatt believed that his work with perceptrons constituted a radical departure from, and even spelled the beginning of the end of, logic-based classical accounts of information processing (1958, 449; see also Bechtel & Abrahamson 2002, 6). Rosenblatt was very much concerned with the abstract information-processing powers of connectionist systems, but others, like Oliver Selfridge (1959), were investigating the ability of connectionist systems to perform specific cognitive tasks, such as recognizing handwritten letters. Connectionist models began around this time to be implemented with the aid of Von Neumann devices, which, for reasons already mentioned, proved to be a blessing.
There was much exuberance associated with connectionism during this period, but it would not last long. Many point to the publication of Perceptrons by prominent classical AI researchers Marvin Minsky and Seymour Papert (1969) as the pivotal event. Minsky and Papert showed (among other things) that perceptrons cannot learn some sets of associations. The simplest of these is a mapping from truth values of statements p and q to the truth value of p XOR q (where p XOR q is true, just in case p is true or q is true but not both). No set of weights will enable a simple two-layer feed-forward perceptron to compute the XOR function. The fault here lies largely with the architecture, for feed-forward networks with one or more layers of hidden units intervening between input and output layers (see Figure 4) can be made to perform the sorts of mappings that troubled Minsky and Papert. However, these critics also speculated that three-layer networks could never be trained to converge upon the correct set of weights. This dealt connectionists a serious setback, for it helped to deprive connectionists of the AI research funds being doled out by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Connectionists found themselves at a major competitive disadvantage, leaving classicists with the field largely to themselves for over a decade.
c. The Generalized Delta Rule
In the 1980s, as classical AI research was hitting doldrums of its own, connectionism underwent a powerful resurgence thanks to the advent of the generalized delta rule (Rumelhart, Hinton, & Williams 1986). This rule, which is still the backbone of contemporary connectionist research, enables networks with one or more layers of hidden units to learn how to perform sets of input-output mappings of the sort that troubled Minsky and Papert. The simpler delta rule (discussed above) uses an error score (the difference between the actual activation level of an output unit and its desired activation level) and the incoming unit’s activation level to determine how much to alter a given weight. The generalized delta rule works roughly the same way for the layer of connections running from the final layer of hidden units to the output units. For a connection running into a hidden unit, the rule calculates how much the hidden unit contributed to the total error signal (the sum of the individual output unit error signals) rather than the error signal of any particular unit. It adjust the connection from a unit in a still earlier layer to that hidden unit based upon the activity of the former and based upon the latter’s contribution to the total error score. This process can be repeated for networks of varying depth. Put differently, the generalized delta rule enables backpropagation learning, where an error signal propagates backwards through multiple layers in order to guide weight modifications.
Figure 4: Three-layer Network [Created using Simbrain 2.0]
4. Connectionist Models Aplenty
Connectionism sprang back onto the scene in 1986 with a monumental two-volume compendium of connectionist modeling techniques (volume 1) and models of psychological processes (volume 2) by David Rumelhart, James McClelland and their colleagues in the Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) research group. Each chapter of the second volume describes a connectionist model of some particular cognitive process along with a discussion of how the model departs from earlier ways of understanding that process. It included models of schemata (large scale data structures), speech recognition, memory, language comprehension, spatial reasoning and past-tense learning. Alongside this compendium, and in its wake, came a deluge of further models.
Although this new breed of connectionism was occasionally lauded as marking the next great paradigm shift in cognitive science, mainstream connectionist research has not tended to be directed at overthrowing previous ways of thinking. Rather, connectionists seem more interested in offering a deeper look at facets of cognitive processing that have already been recognized and studied in disciplines like cognitive psychology, cognitive neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience. What are highly novel are the claims made by connectionists about the precise form of internal information processing. Before getting to those claims, let us first discuss a few other connectionist architectures.
a. Elman’s Recurrent Nets
Over the course of his investigation into whether or not a connectionist system can learn to master the complicated grammatical principles of a natural language such as English, Jeffrey Elman (1990) helped to pioneer a powerful, new connectionist architecture, sometimes known as an Elman net. This work posed a direct challenge to Chomsky’s proposal that humans are born with an innate language acquisition device, one that comes preconfigured with vast knowledge of the space of possible grammatical principles. One of Chomsky’s main arguments against Skinner’s behaviorist theory of language-learning was that no general learning principles could enable humans to produce and comprehend a limitless number of grammatical sentences. Although connectionists had attempted (for example, with the aid of finite state grammars) to show that human languages could be mastered by general learning devices, sentences containing multiple center-embedded clauses (“The cats the dog chases run away,” for instance) proved a major stumbling block. To produce and understand such a sentence requires one to be able to determine subject-verb agreements across the boundaries of multiple clauses by attending to contextual cues presented over time. All of this requires a kind of memory for preceding context that standard feed-forward connectionist systems lack.
Elman’s solution was to incorporate a side layer of context units that receive input from and send output back to a hidden unit layer. In its simplest form, an input is presented to the network and activity propagates forward to the hidden layer. On the next step (or cycle) of processing, the hidden unit vector propagates forward through weighted connections to generate an output vector while at the same time being copied onto a side layer of context units. When the second input is presented (the second word in a sentence, for example), the new hidden layer activation is the product of both this second input and activity in the context layer – that is, the hidden unit vector now contains information about both the current input and the preceding one. The hidden unit vector then produces an output vector as well as a new context vector. When the third item is input, a new hidden unit vector is produced that contains information about all of the previous time steps, and so on. This process provides Elman’s networks with time-dependent contextual information of the sort required for language-processing. Indeed, his networks are able to form highly accurate predictions regarding which words and word forms are permissible in a given context, including those that involve multiple embedded clauses.
While Chomsky (1993) has continued to self-consciously advocate a shift back towards the nativist psychology of the rationalists, Elman and other connectionists have at least bolstered the plausibility of a more austere empiricist approach. Connectionism is, however, much more than a simple empiricist associationism, for it is at least compatible with a more complex picture of internal dynamics. For one thing, to maintain consistency with the findings of mainstream neuropsychology, connectionists ought to (and one suspects that most do) allow that we do not begin life with a uniform, amorphous cognitive mush. Rather, as mentioned earlier, the cognitive load may be divided among numerous, functionally distinct components. Moreover, even individual feed-forward networks are often tasked with unearthing complicated statistical patterns exhibited in large amounts of data. An indication of just how complicated a process this can be, the task of analyzing how it is that connectionist systems manage to accomplish the impressive things that they do has turned out to be a major undertaking unto itself (see Section 5).
b. Interactive Architectures
There are, it is important to realize, connectionist architectures that do not incorporate the kinds of feed-forward connections upon which we have so far concentrated. For instance, McClelland and Rumelhart's (1989) interactive activation and competition (IAC) architecture and its many variants utilize excitatory and inhibitory connections that run back and forth between the units in different groups. In IAC models, weights are hard-wired rather than learned and units are typically assigned their own particular, fixed meanings. When a set of units is activated so as to encode some piece of information, activity may shift around a bit, but as units compete with one another to become most active through inter-unit inhibitory connections activity will eventually settle into a stable state. The stable state may be viewed, depending upon the process being modeled, as the network's reaction to the stimulus, which, depending upon the process being modeled, might be viewed as a semantic interpretation, a classification or a mnemonic association. The IAC architecture has proven particularly effective at modeling phenomena associated with long-term memory (content addressability, priming and language comprehension, for instance). The connection weights in IAC models can be set in various ways, including on the basis of individual hand selection, simulated evolution or statistical analysis of naturally occurring data (for example, co-occurrence of words in newspapers or encyclopedias (Kintsch 1998)).
An architecture that incorporates similar competitive processing principles, with the added twist that it allows weights to be learned, is the self-organizing feature map (SOFM) (see Kohonen 1983; see also Miikkulainen 1993). SOFMs learn to map complicated input vectors onto the individual units of a two-dimensional array of units. Unlike feed-forward systems that are supplied with information about the correct output for a given input, SOFMs learn in an unsupervised manner. Training consists simply in presenting the model with numerous input vectors. During training the network adjusts its inter-unit weights so that both each unit is highly ‘tuned’ to a specific input vector and the two-dimensional array is divided up in ways that reflect the most salient groupings of vectors. In principle, nothing more complicated than a Hebbian learning algorithm is required to train most SOFMs. After training, when an input pattern is presented, competition yields a single clear winner (for example, the most highly active unit), which is called the system’s image (or interpretation) of that input.
SOFMs were coming into their own even during the connectionism drought of the 1970s, thanks in large part to Finnish researcher Tuevo Kohonen. Ultimately it was found that with proper learning procedures, trained SOFMs exhibit a number of biologically interesting features that will be familiar to anyone who knows a bit about topographic maps (for example, retinotopic, tonotopic and somatotopic) in the mammalian cortex. SOFMs tend not to allow a portion of the map go unused; they represent similar input vectors with neighboring units, which collectively amount to a topographic map of the space of input vectors; and if a training corpus contains many similar input vectors, the portion of the map devoted to the task of discriminating between them will expand, resulting in a map with a distorted topography. SOFMs have even been used to model the formation of retinotopically organized columns of contour detectors found in the primary visual cortex (Goodhill 1993). SOFMs thus reside somewhere along the upper end of the biological-plausibility continuum.
Here we have encountered just a smattering of connectionist learning algorithms and architectures, which continue to evolve. Indeed, despite what in some quarters has been a protracted and often heated debate between connectionists and classicists (discussed below), many researchers are content to move back and forth between, and also to merge, the two approaches depending upon the task at hand.
5. Making Sense of Connectionist Processing
Connectionist systems generally learn by detecting complicated statistical patterns present in huge amounts of data. This often requires detection of complicated cues as to the proper response to a given input, the salience of which often varies with context. This can make it difficult to determine precisely how a given connectionist system utilizes its units and connections to accomplish the goals set for it.
One common way of making sense of the workings of connectionist systems is to view them at a coarse, rather than fine, grain of analysis -- to see them as concerned with the relationships between different activation vectors, not individual units and weighted connections. Consider, for instance, how a fully trained Elman network learns how to process particular words. Typically nouns like “ball,” “boy,” “cat,” and “potato” will produce hidden unit activation vectors that are more similar to one another (they tend to cluster together) than they are to “runs,” “ate,” and “coughed”. Moreover, the vectors for “boy” and “cat” will tend to be more similar to each other than either is to the “ball” or “potato” vectors. One way of determining that this is the case is to begin by conceiving activation vectors as points within a space that has as many dimensions as there are units. For instance, the activation levels of two units might be represented as a single point in a two-dimensional plane where the y axis represents the value of the first unit and the x axis represents the second unit. This is called the state space for those units. Thus, if there are two units whose activation values are 0.2 and 0.7, this can be represented as the point where these two values intersect (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Activation of Two Units Plotted as Point in 2-D State Space
The activation levels of three units can be represented as the point in a cube where the three values intersect, and so on for other numbers of units. Of course, there is a limit to the number of dimensions we can depict or visualize, but there is no limit to the number of dimensions we can represent algebraically. Thus, even where many units are involved, activation vectors can be represented as points in high-dimensional space and the similarity of two vectors can be determined by measuring the proximity of those points in high-dimensional state space. This, however, tells us nothing about the way context determines the specific way in which networks represent particular words. Other techniques (for example, principal components analysis and multidimensional scaling) have been employed to understand such subtleties as the context-sensitive time-course of processing.
One of the interesting things revealed about connectionist systems through these sorts of techniques has been that networks which share the same connection structure but begin training with different random starting weights will often learn to perform a given task equally well and to do so by partitioning hidden unit space in similar ways. For instance, the clustering in Elman’s models discussed above will likely obtain for different networks even though they have very different weights and activities at the level of individual connections and units.
At this point, we are also in a good position to understand some differences in how connectionist networks code information. In the simplest case, a particular unit will represent a particular piece of information – for instance, our hypothetical network about animals uses particular units to represent particular features of animals. This is called a localist encoding scheme. In other cases an entire collection of activation values is taken to represents something – for instance, an entire input vector of our hypothetical animal classification network might represent the characteristics of a particular animal. This is a distributed coding scheme at the whole animal level, but still a local encoding scheme at the feature level. When we turn to hidden-unit representations, however, things are often quite different. Hidden-unit representations of inputs are often distributed without employing localist encoding at the level of individual units. That is, particular hidden units often fail to have any particular input feature that they are exclusively sensitive to. Rather, they participate in different ways in the processing of many different kinds of input. This is called coarse coding, and there are ways of coarse coding input and output patterns as well. The fact that connectionist networks excel at forming and processing these highly distributed representations is one of their most distinctive and important features.
Also important is that connectionist models often excel at processing novel input patterns (ones not encountered during training) appropriately. Successful performance of a task will often generalize to other related tasks. This is because connectionist models often work by detecting statistical patterns present in a corpus (of input-output pairs, for instance). They learn to process particular inputs in particular ways, and when they encounter inputs similar to those encountered during training they process them in a similar manner. For instance, Elman’s networks were trained to determine which words and word forms to expect given a particular context (for example, “The boy threw the ______”). After training, they could do this very well even for sentence parts they ha not encountered before. One caveat here is that connectionist systems with numerous hidden units (relative to the amount of variability in the training corpus) tend to use the extra memory to ‘remember by rote’ how to treat specific input patterns rather than discerning more abstract statistical patterns obtaining across many different input-output vectors. Consequently, in such cases performance tends not to generalize to novel cases very well.
As we have seen, connectionist networks have a number of desirable features from a cognitive modeling standpoint. There are, however, also serious concerns about connectionism. One is that connectionist models must usually undergo a great deal of training on many different inputs in order to perform a task and exhibit adequate generalization. In many instances, however, we can form a permanent memory (upon being told of a loved one’s passing, for example) with zero repetition (this was also a major blow to the old psychological notion that rehearsal is required for a memory to make it into long-term storage). Nor is there much need to fear that subsequent memories will overwrite earlier ones, a process known in connectionist circles as catastrophic interference. We can also very quickly detect patterns in stimuli (for instance, the pattern exhibited by “J, M, P…”) and apply them to new stimuli (for example, “7, 10, 13…”). Unfortunately, many (though not all) connectionist networks (namely many back-propagation networks) fail to exhibit one-shot learning and are prone to catastrophic interference.
Another worry about back-propagation networks is that the generalized delta rule is, biologically speaking, implausible. It certainly does look that way so far, but even if the criticism hits the mark we should bear in mind the difference between computability theory questions and learning theory questions. In the case of connectionism, questions of the former sort concern what sorts of things connectionist systems can and cannot do and questions of the latter address how connectionist systems might come to learn (or evolve) the ability to do these things. The back-propagation algorithm makes the networks that utilize them implausible from the perspective of learning theory, not computability theory. It should, in other words, be viewed as a major accomplishment when a connectionist network that utilizes only biologically plausible processing principles (, activation thresholds and weighted connections) is able to perform a cognitive task that had hitherto seemed mysterious. It constitutes a biologically plausible model of the underlying mechanisms regardless of whether or not it came possess that structure through hand-selection of weights, Hebbian learning, back-propagation or simulated evolution.
6. Connectionism and the Mind
The classical conception of cognition was deeply entrenched in philosophy (namely in empirically oriented philosophy of mind) and cognitive science when the connectionist program was resurrected in the 1980s. Nevertheless, many researchers flocked to connectionism, feeling that it held much greater promise and that it might revamp our common-sense conception of ourselves. During the early days of the ensuing controversy, the differences between connectionist and classical models of cognition seemed to be fairly stark. Connectionist networks learned how to engage in the parallel processing of highly distributed representations and were fault tolerant because of it. Classical systems were vulnerable to catastrophic failure due to their reliance upon the serial application of syntax-sensitive rules to syntactically structured (sentence-like) representations. Connectionist systems superimposed many kinds of information across their units and weights, whereas classical systems stored separate pieces of information in distinct memory registers and accessed them in serial fashion on the basis of their numerical addresses.
Perhaps most importantly, connectionism promised to bridge low-level neuroscience and high-level psychology. Classicism, by contrast, lent itself to dismissive views about the relevance of neuroscience to psychology. It helped spawn the idea that cognitive processes can be realized by any of countless distinct physical substrates (see Multiple Realizability). The basic idea here is that if the mind is just a program being run by the brain, the material substrate through which the program is instantiated drops out as irrelevant. After all, computationally identical computers can be made out of neurons, vacuum tubes, microchips, pistons and gears, and so forth, which means that computer programs can be run on highly heterogeneous machines. Neural nets are but one of these types, and so they are of no essential relevance to psychology. On the connectionist view, by contrast, human cognition can only be understood by paying considerable attention to kind of physical mechanism that instantiates it.
Although these sorts of differences seemed fairly stark in the early days of the connectionism-classicism debate, proponents of the classical conception have recently made great progress emulating the aforementioned virtues of connectionist processing. For instance, classical systems have been implemented with a high degree of redundancy, through the action of many processors working in parallel, and by incorporating fuzzier rules to allow for input variability. In these ways, classical systems can be endowed with a much higher level of fault and noise tolerance, not to mention processing speed (See Bechtel & Abrahamson 2002). We should also not lose sight of the fact that classical systems have virtually always been capable of learning. They have, in particular, long excelled at learning new ways to efficiently search branching problem spaces. That said, connectionist systems seem to have a very different natural learning aptitude – namely, they excel at picking up on complicated patterns, sub-patterns, and exceptions, and apparently without the need for syntax-sensitive inference rules. This claim has, however, not gone uncontested.
a. Rules versus General Learning Mechanisms: The Past-Tense Controversy
Rumelhart and McClelland’s (1986) model of past-tense learning has long been at the heart of this particular controversy. What these researchers claimed to have shown was that over the course of learning how to produce past-tense forms of verbs, their connectionist model naturally exhibited the same distinctive u-shaped learning curve as children. Of particular interest was the fact that early in the learning process children come to generate the correct past-tense forms of a number of verbs, mostly irregulars (“go” → “went”). Later, performance drops precipitously as they pick up on certain fairly general principles (for example, adding “-ed”) and over-apply them even to previously learned irregulars (“went” may become “goed”). Lastly, performance increases as the child learns both the rules and their exceptions.
What Rumelhart and McClelland (1986) attempted to show was that this sort of process need not be underwritten by mechanisms that work by applying physically and functionally distinct rules to representations. Instead, all of the relevant information can be stored in superimposed fashion within the weights of a connectionist network (really three of them linked end-to-end). Pinker and Prince (1988), however, would charge (inter alia) that the picture of linguistic processing painted by Rumelhart and McClelland was extremely simplistic and that their training corpus was artificially structured (namely, that the proportion of regular to irregular verbs varied unnaturally over the course of training) so as to elicit u-shaped learning. Plunkett and Marchman (1993) went a long way towards remedying the second apparent defect, though Marcus (1995) complained that they did not go far enough since the proportion of regular to irregular verbs was still not completely homogenous throughout training. As with most of the major debates constituting the broader connectionist-classicist controversy, this one has yet to be conclusively resolved. Nevertheless, it seems clear that this line of connectionist research does at least suggest something of more general importance – namely, that an interplay between a structured environment and general associative learning mechanisms might in principle conspire so as to yield complicated behaviors of the sort that lead some researchers to posit inner classical process.
b. Concepts
Some connectionists also hope to challenge the classical account of concepts, which embody knowledge of categories and kinds. It has long been widely held that concepts specify the singularly necessary and jointly sufficient conditions for category membership – for instance, “bachelor” might be said to apply to all and only unmarried, eligible males. Membership conditions of this sort would give concepts a sharp, all-or-none character, and they naturally lend themselves to instantiation in terms of formal inference rules and sentential representations. However, as Wittgenstein (1953) pointed out, many words (for example, “game”) seem to lack these sorts of strict membership criteria. Instead, their referents bear a much looser family resemblance relation to one another. Rosch & Mervis (1975) later provided apparent experimental support for the related idea that our knowledge of categories is organized not in terms of necessary and sufficient conditions but rather in terms of clusters of features, some of which (namely those most frequently encountered in category members) are more strongly associated with the category than others. For instance, the ability to fly is more frequently encountered in birds than is the ability to swim, though neither ability is common to all birds. On the prototype view (and also on the closely related exemplar view), category instances are thought of as clustering together in what might be thought of as a hyper-dimensional semantic space (a space in which there are as many dimensions as there are relevant features). In this space, the prototype is the central region around which instances cluster (exemplar theory essentially does away with this abstract region, allowing only for memory of actual concrete instances). There are clearly significant isomorphisms between concepts conceived of in this way and the kinds of hyper-dimensional clusters of hidden unit representations formed by connectionist networks, and so the two approaches are often viewed as natural allies (Horgan & Tienson 1991). This way of thinking about concepts has, of course, not gone unchallenged (see Rey 1983 and Barsalou 1987 for two very different responses).
c. Connectionism and Eliminativism
Neuroscientist Patricia Churchland and philosopher Paul Churchland have argued that connectionism has done much to weaken the plausibility of our pre-scientific conception of mental processes (our folk psychology). Like other prominent figures in the debate regarding connectionism and folk psychology, the Churchlands appear to be heavily influenced by Wilfrid Sellars’ view that folk psychology is a theory that enables predictions and explanations of everyday behaviors, a theory that posits internal manipulation to the sentence-like representations of the things that we believe and desire. The classical conception of cognition is, accordingly, viewed as a natural spinoff of this folk theory. The Churchlands maintain that neither the folk theory nor the classical theory bears much resemblance to the way in which representations are actually stored and transformed in the human brain. What leads many astray, say Churchland and Sejnowski (1990), is the idea that the structure of an effect directly reflects the structure of its cause (as exemplified by the homuncular theory of embryonic development). Thus, many mistakenly think that the structure of the language through which we express our thoughts is a clear indication of the structure of the thoughts themselves. The Churchlands think that connectionism may afford a glimpse into the future of cognitive neuroscience, a future wherein the classical conception is supplanted by the view that thoughts are just points in hyper-dimensional neural state space and sequences of thoughts are trajectories through this space (see Churchland 1989).
A more moderate position on these issues has been advanced by Daniel Dennett (1991) who largely agrees with the Churchlands in regarding the broadly connectionist character of our actual inner workings. He also maintains, however, that folk psychology is for all practical purposes indispensible. It enables us to adopt a high-level stance towards human behavior wherein we are able to detect patterns that we would miss if we restricted ourselves to a low-level neurological stance. In the same way, he claims, one can gain great predictive leverage over a chess-playing computer by ignoring the low-level details of its inner circuitry and treating it as a thinking opponent. Although an electrical engineer who had perfect information about the device’s low-level inner working could in principle make much more accurate predictions about its behavior, she would get so bogged down in those low-level details as to make her greater predictive leverage useless for any real-time practical purposes. The chess expert wisely forsakes some accuracy in favor of a large increase in efficiency when he treats the machine as a thinking opponent, an intentional agent. Dennett maintains that we do the same when we adopt an intentional stance towards human behavior. Thus, although neuroscience will not discover any of the inner sentences (putatively) posited by folk psychology, a high-level theoretical apparatus that includes them is an indispensable predictive instrument.
On a related note, McCauley (1986) claims that whereas it is relatively common for one high-level theory to be eliminated in favor of another, it is much harder to find examples where a high-level theory is eliminated in favor of a lower-level theory in the way that the Churchlands envision. However, perhaps neither Dennett nor McCauley are being entirely fair to the Churchlands in this regard. What the Churchlands foretell is the elimination of a high-level folk theory in favor of another high-level theory that emanates out of connectionist and neuroscientific research. Connectionists, we have seen, look for ways of understanding how their models accomplish the tasks set for them by abstracting away from neural particulars. The Churchlands, one might argue, are no exception. Their view that sequences are trajectories through a hyperdimensional landscape abstracts away from most neural specifics, such as action potentials and inhibitory neurotransmitters.
d. Classicists on the Offensive: Fodor and Pylyshyn’s Critique
When connectionism reemerged in the 1980s, it helped to foment resistance to both classicism and folk psychology. In response, stalwart classicists Jerry Fodor and Zenon Pylyshyn (1988) formulated a trenchant critique of connectionism. One imagines that they hoped to do for the new connectionism what Chomsky did for the associationist psychology of the radical behaviorists and what Minsky and Papert did for the old connectionism. They did not accomplish that much, but they did succeed in framing the debate over connectionism for years to come. Though their criticisms of connectionism were wide-ranging, they were largely aimed at showing that connectionism could not account for important characteristics of human thinking, such as its generally truth-preserving character, its productivity, and (most important of all) its systematicity. Of course they had no qualms with the proposal that vaguely connectionist-style processes happen, in the human case, to implement high-level, classical computations.
i. Reason
Unlike Dennett and the Churchlands, Fodor and Pylyshyn (F&P) claim that folk psychology works so well because it is largely correct. On their view, human thinking involves the rule-governed formulation and manipulation of sentences in an inner linguistic code (sometimes called mentalese). [Incidentally, one of the main reasons why classicists maintain that thinking occurs in a special 'thought language' rather than in one’s native natural language is that they want to preserve the notion that people who speak different languages can nevertheless think the same thoughts – for instance, the thought that snow is white.] One bit of evidence that Fodor frequently marshals in support of this proposal is the putative fact that human thinking typically progresses in a largely truth-preserving manner. That is to say, if one’s initial beliefs are true, the subsequent beliefs that one infers from them are also likely to be true. For instance, from the belief that the ATM will not give you any money and the belief that it gave money to the people before and after you in line, you might reasonably form a new belief that there is something wrong with either your card or your account. Says Fodor (1987), if thinking were not typically truth-preserving in this way, there wouldn’t be much point in thinking. Indeed, given a historical context in which philosophers throughout the ages frequently decried the notion that any mechanism could engage in reasoning, it is no small matter that early work in AI yielded the first fully mechanical models and perhaps even artificial implementations of important facets of human reasoning. On the classical conception, this can be done through the purely formal, syntax-sensitive application of rules to sentences insofar as the syntactic properties mirror the semantic ones. Logicians of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century showed how to accomplish just this in the abstract, so all that was left was to figure out (as von Neumann did) how to realize logical principles in artifacts.
F&P (1988) argue that connectionist systems can only ever realize the same degree of truth preserving processing by implementing a classical architecture. This would, on their view, render connectionism a sub-cognitive endeavor. One way connectionists could respond to this challenge would be to create connectionist systems that support truth-preservation without any reliance upon sentential representations or formal inference rules. Bechtel and Abrahamson (2002) explore another option, however, which is to situate important facets of rationality in human interactions with the external symbols of natural and formal languages. Bechtel and Abrahamson argue that “the ability to manipulate external symbols in accordance with the principles of logic need not depend upon a mental mechanism that itself manipulates internal symbols” (1991, 173). This proposal is backed by a pair of connectionist models that learn to detect patterns during the construction of formal deductive proofs and to use this information to decide on the validity of arguments and to accurately fill in missing premises.
ii. Productivity and Systematicity
Much more attention has been pain to other aspects of F&P’s (1988) critique, such as their claim that only a classical architecture can account for the productivity and systematicity of thought. To better understand the nature of their concerns, it might help if we first consider the putative productivity and systematicity of natural languages.
Consider, to start with, the following sentence:
(1) “The angry jay chased the cat.”
The rules governing English appear to license (1), but not (2), which is made from (modulo capitalization) qualitatively identical parts:
(2) “Angry the the chased jay cat.”
We who are fluent in some natural language have knowledge of the rules that govern the permissible ways in which the basic components of that language can be arranged – that is, we have mastery of the syntax of the language.
Sentences are, of course, also typically intended to carry or convey some meaning. The meaning of a sentence, say F&P (1988), is determined by the meanings of the individual constituents and by the manner in which they are arranged. Thus (3), which is made from the same constituents as (1), conveys a very different meaning.
(3) “The angry cat chased the jay.”
Natural language expressions, in other words, have a combinatorial syntax and semantics.
In addition, natural languages appear to be characterized by certain recursive rules which enable the production of an infinite variety of syntactically distinct sentences. For instance, in English one such rule allows any two grammatical statements to be combined with ‘and’. Thus, if (1) and (3) are grammatical, so is this:
(4) “The angry jay chased the cat and the angry cat chased the jay.”
Sentence (4) too can be combined with another, as in (5) which conjoins (4) and (3):
“The angry jay chased the cat and the angry cat chased the jay, and the angry cat chased the jay.”
Earlier we discussed another recursive principle which allows for center-embedded clauses.
One who has mastered the combinatorial and recursive syntax and semantics of a natural language is, according to classicists like F&P (1988), thereby capable in principle of producing and comprehending an infinite number of grammatically distinct sentences. In other words, their mastery of these linguistic principles gives them a productive linguistic competence. It is also reputed to give them a systematic competence, in that a fluent language user who can produce and understand one sentence can produce and understand systematic variants. A fluent English speaker who can produce and understand (1) will surely be able to produce and understand (3). It is, on the other hand, entirely possible for one who has learned English from a phrase-book (that is, without learning the meanings of the constituents or the combinatorial semantics of the language) to be able to produce and understand (1) but not its systematic variant (3).
Thinking, F&P (1988) claim, is also productive and systematic, which is to say that we are capable of thinking an infinite variety of thoughts and that the ability to think some thoughts is intrinsically connected with the ability to think others. For instance, on this view, anyone who can think the thought expressed by (1) will be able to think the thought expressed by (3). Indeed, claims Fodor (1987), since to understand a sentence is to entertain the thought the sentence expresses, the productivity and systematicity of language imply the productivity and systematicity of thought. F&P (1988) also maintain that just as the productivity and systematicity of language is best explained by its combinatorial and recursive syntax and semantics, so too is the productivity and systematicity of thought. Indeed, they say, this is the only explanation anyone has ever offered.
The systematicity issue has generated a vast debate (see Bechtel & Abrahamson 2002), but one general line of connectionist response has probably garnered the most attention. This approach, which appeals to functional rather than literal compositionality (see van Gelder 1990), is most often associated with Smolensky (1990) and with Pollack (1990), though for simplicity’s sake discussion will be restricted to the latter.
Pollack (1990) uses recurrent connectionist networks to generate compressed, distributed encodings of syntactic strings and subsequently uses those encodings to either recreate the original string or to perform a systematic transformation of it (e.g., from “Mary loved John” to “John loved Mary”). Pollack’s approach was quickly extended by Chalmers (1990), who showed that one could use such compressed distributed representations to perform systematic transformations (namely moving from an active to a passive form) of even sentences with complex embedded clauses. He showed that this could be done for both familiar and novel sentences. What this suggests is that connectionism might offer its own unique, non-classical account of the apparent systematicity of thought processes. However, Fodor and McLaughlin (1990) argue that such demonstrations only show that networks can be forced to exhibit systematic processing, not that they exhibit it naturally in the way that classical systems do. After all, on a classical account, the same rules that license one expression will automatically license its systematic variant. It bears noting, however, that this approach may itself need to impose some ad hoc constraints in order to work. Aizawa (1997) points out, for instance, that many classical systems do not exhibit systematicity. On the flipside, Matthews (1997) notes that systematic variants that are licensed by the rules of syntax need not be thinkable. Waskan (2006) makes a similar point, noting that thinking may be more and less systematic than language and that the actual degree to which thought is systematic may be best accounted for by, theoretically speaking, pushing the structure of the world ‘up’ into the thought medium, rather than pushing the structure of language ‘down’. This might, however, come as cold comfort to connectionists, for it appears to merely replace one competitor to connectionism with another.
7. Anti-Represenationalism: Dynamical Stystems Theory, A-Life and Embodied Cognition
As alluded to above, whatever F&P may have hoped, connectionism has continued to thrive. Connectionist techniques are now employed in virtually every corner of cognitive science. On the other hand, despite what connectionists may have wished for, these techniques have not come close to fully supplanting classical ones. There is now much more of a peaceful coexistence between the two camps. Indeed, what probably seems far more important to both sides these days is the advent and promulgation of approaches that reject or downplay central assumptions of both classicists and mainstream connectionists, the most important being that human cognition is largely constituted by the creation, manipulation, storage and utilization of representations. Many cognitive researchers who identify themselves with the dynamical systems, artificial life and (albeit to a much lesser extent) embodied cognition endorse the doctrine that one version of the world is enough. Even so, practitioners of the first two approaches have often co-opted connectionist techniques and terminology. In closing, let us briefly consider the rationale behind each of these two approaches and their relation to connectionism.
Briefly, dynamical systems theorists adopt a very high-level perspective on human behavior (inner and/or outer) that treats its state at any given time as a point in high-dimensional space (where the number of dimensions is determined by the number of numerical variables being used to quantify the behavior) and treats its time course as a trajectory through that space (van Gelder & Port 1995). As connectionist research has revealed, there tend to be regularities in the trajectories taken by particular types of system through their state spaces. As paths are plotted, it is often as if the trajectory taken by a system gets attracted to certain regions and repulsed by others, much like a marble rolling across a landscape can get guided by valleys, roll away from peaks, and get trapped in wells (local or global minima). The general goal is to formulate equations like those at work in the physical sciences that will capture such regularities in the continuous time-course of behavior. Connectionist systems have often provided nice case studies in how to characterize a system from the dynamical systems perspective. However, whether working from within this perspective in physics or in cognitive science, researchers find little need to invoke the ontologically strange category of representations in order to understand the time course of a system’s behavior.
Researchers in artificial life primarily focus on creating artificial creatures (virtual or real) that can navigate environments in a fully autonomous manner. The strategy generally favored by artificial life researchers is to start small, with a simple behavior repertoire, to test one’s design in an environment (preferably a real one), to adjust it until success is achieved, and then to gradually add layers of complexity by repeating this process. In one early and influential manifesto of the 'a-life' movement, Rodney Brooks claims, “When intelligence is approached in an incremental manner, with strict reliance on interfacing to the real world through perception and action, reliance on representation disappears” (Brooks 1991). The aims of a-life research are sometimes achieved through the deliberate engineering efforts of modelers, but connectionist learning techniques are also commonly employed, as are simulated evolutionary processes (processes that operate over both the bodies and brains of organisms, for instance).
8. Where Have All the Connectionists Gone?
There perhaps may be fewer today who label themselves “connectionists” than there were during the 1990s. Fodor & Pylyshyn’s (1988) critique may be partly responsible for this shift, though it is probably more because the novelty of the approach has worn off and the initial fervor died down. Also to blame may be the fact that connectionist techniques are now very widely employed throughout cognitive science, often by people who have very little in common ideologically. It is thus increasingly hard to discern among those who utilize connectionist modeling techniques any one clearly demarcated ideology or research program. Even many of those who continue to maintain an at least background commitment to the original ideals of connectionism might nowadays find that there are clearer ways of signaling who they are and what they care about than to call themselves “connectionists.” In any case, whether connectionist techniques are limited in some important respects or not, it is perfectly clear is that connectionist modeling techniques are still powerful and flexible enough as to have been widely embraced by philosophers and cognitive scientists, whether they be mainstream moderates or radical insurgents. It is therefore hard to imagine any technological or theoretical development that would lead to connectionism’s complete abandonment. Thus, despite some early fits and starts, connectionism is now most assuredly here to stay.
a. References
Aizawa, K. (1997). Explaining systematicity, Mind and Language, 12, 115-136.
Barsalou, L. (1987). The instability of graded structure: Implications for the nature of concepts. In U. Neisser (Ed.), Concepts and conceptual development: Ecological and intellectual factors in categorization. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 101-140.
Bechtel, W. & A. Abrahamsen. (1991). Connectionism and the mind: An introduction to parallel processing in networks. Cambridge, MA: Basil Blackwell.
Bechtel, W. & A. Abrahamsen. (2002). Connectionism and the mind: An introduction to parallel processing in networks, 2nd Ed. Cambridge, MA: Basil Blackwell.
Highly recommended introduction to connectionism and the philosophy thereof.
Boden, M. (2006). Mind as machine: A history of cognitive science. New York: Oxford.
Brooks, R. (1991). Intelligence without representation. Artificial Intelligence, 47, 139-159.
Chalmers, D. (1990). Syntactic transformations on distributed representations. Connection Science, 2, 53-62.
Chomsky, N. (1993). On the nature, use and acquisition of language. In A. Goldman (Ed.), Readings in the Philosophy and Cognitive Science. Cambridge, MA: MIT, 511-534.
Churchland, P.M. (1989). A neurocomputational perspective: The nature of mind and the structure of science. Cambridge, MA: MIT.
Churchland, P.S. & T. Sejnowski. (1990). Neural representation and neural computation. Philosophical Perspectives, 4, 343-382.
Dennett, D. (1991). Real Patterns. The Journal of Philosophy, 88, 27-51.
Elman, J. (1990). Finding Structure in Time. Cognitive Science, 14, 179-211.
Fodor, J. (1987). Psychosemantics. Cambridge, MA: MIT.
Fodor, J. & B. McLaughlin. (1990). Connectionism and the problem of systematicity: Why Smolensky's solution doesn't work, Cognition, 35, 183-204.
Fodor, J. & Z. Pylyshyn. (1988). Connectionism and cognitive architecture: A critical analysis. Cognition, 28, 3-71.
Franklin, S. & M. Garzon. (1996). Computation by discrete neural nets. In P. Smolensky, M. Mozer, & D. Rumelhart (Eds.) Mathematical perspectives on neural networks (41-84). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Earlbaum.
Goodhill, G. (1993). Topography and ocular dominance with positive correlations. Biological Cybernetics, 69, 109-118 .
Hebb, D.O. (1949). The Organization of Behavior. New York: Wiley.
Horgan, T. & J. Tienson (1991). Overview. In Horgan, T. & J. Tienson (Eds.) Connectionism and the Philosophy of Mind. Dordrecht: Kluwer.
Kintsch, W. (1998). Comprehension: A Paradigm for Cognition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Kohonen, T. (1982). Self-organized formation of topologically correct feature maps. Biological Cybernetics, 43, 59-69.
Marcus, R. (1995). The acquisition of the English past tense in children and multilayered connectionist networks. Cognition, 56, 271-279.
Matthews, R. (1997). Can connectionists explain systematicity? Mind and Language, 12, 154-177.
McCauley, R. (1986). Intertheoretic relations and the future of psychology. Philosophy of Science, 53, 179-199.
McClelland, J. & D. Rumelhart. (1989). Explorations in parallel distributed processing: A handbook of models, programs, and exercises. Cambridge, MA: MIT.
This excellent hands-on introduction to connectionist models of psychological processes has been replaced by: R. O'Reilly & Y. Munakata. (2000). Computational explorations in cognitive neuroscience: Understanding the mind by simulating the brain. Cambridge, MA: MIT. Companion software called Emergent.
McCulloch, W. & W. Pitts. (1943). A logical calculus of the ideas immanent in nervous activity Bulletin of Mathematical Biophysics, 5:115-133.
Rosenblatt, F. (1958). The perceptron: A probabilistic model for information storage and organization in the brain. Psychological Review, 65, 386-408.
Miikkulainen, R. (1993). Subsymbolic Natural Language Processing. Cambridge, MA: MIT.
Highly recommended for its introduction to Kohonen nets.
Minsky, M. & S. Papert. (1969). Perceptrons: An introduction to computational geometry. Cambridge, MA: MIT.
Pinker, S. & A. Prince. (1988). On language and connectionism: Analysis of a parallel distributed processing model of language acquisition. Cognition, 28, 73-193.
Pollack, J. (1990). Recursive distributed representations. Artificial Intelligence, 46, 77-105.
Plunkett, K. & V. Marchman. (1993). From rote learning to system building: Acquiring verb morphology in children and connectionist nets. Cognition, 48, 21-69.
Rey, G. (1983). Concepts and stereotypes. Cognition, 15, 273-262.
Rosch, E. & C. Mervis. (1975). Family resemblances: Studies in the internal structure of categories. Cognitive Psychology, 7, 573-605.
Rumelhart, D., G. Hinton, & R. Williams. (1986). Learning internal representations by error propagation. In D. Rumelhart & J. McClelland (Eds.), Parallel distributed processing: Explorations in the microstructure of cognition, Vol. 1. Cambridge, MA: MIT, 318-362.
Selfridge, O. (1959). Pandemonium: A paradigm for learning. Rpt. in J. Anderson & E. Rosenfeld (1988), Neurocomputing: Foundations of research. Cambridge, MA: MIT, 115-122.
Smolensky, P. (1990). Tensor product variable binding and the representation of symbolic structures in connectionist networks. Artificial Intelligence, 46, 159–216.
van Gelder, T. (1990). Compositionality: A connectionist variation on a classical theme. Cognitive Science, 14, 355-384.
van Gelder, T. & R. Port. (1995). Mind as motion: Explorations in the dynamics of cognition. Cambridge, MA: MIT.
Waskan, J. (2006). Models and Cognition: Prediction and explanation in everyday life and in science. Cambridge, MA: MIT.
Wittgenstein, L. (1953). Philosophical Investigations. New York: Macmillan.
b. Connectionism Freeware
BugBrain provides an excellent, accessible, and highly entertaining game-based hands-on tutorial on the basics of neural networks and gives one a good idea of what a-life is all about as well. BugBrain comes with some learning components, but they are not recommended.
Emergent is research-grade software that accompanies O'Reilly and Munakata’s Computational explorations in cognitive neuroscience (referenced above).
Simbrain is a fairly accessible, but somewhat weak, tool for implementing a variety of common neural network architectures.
Framsticks is a wonderful program that enables anyone with the time and patience to evolve virtual stick creatures and their neural network controllers.
Jonathan Waskan
Email: waskan@illinois.edu
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Phenomenal Conservatism
Phenomenal Conservatism is a theory in epistemology that seeks, roughly, to ground justified beliefs in the way things “appear” or “seem” to the subject who holds a belief. The theory fits with an internalistic form of foundationalism—that is, the view that some beliefs are justified non-inferentially (not on the basis of other beliefs), and that the justification or lack of justification for a belief depends entirely upon the believer’s internal mental states. The intuitive idea is that it makes sense to assume that things are the way they seem, unless and until one has reasons for doubting this.
This idea has been invoked to explain, in particular, the justification for perceptual beliefs and the justification for moral beliefs. Some believe that it can be used to account for all epistemic justification. It has been claimed that the denial of Phenomenal Conservatism (PC) leaves one in a self-defeating position, that PC naturally emerges from paradigmatic internalist intuitions, and that PC provides the only simple and natural solution to the threat of philosophical skepticism. Critics have objected that appearances should not be trusted in the absence of positive, independent evidence that appearances are reliable; that the theory allows absurd beliefs to be justified for some subjects; that the theory allows irrational or unreliable cognitive states to provide justification for beliefs; and that the theory has implausible implications regarding when and to what degree inferences produce justification for beliefs.
Understanding Phenomenal Conservatism
Species of Appearance
Defeasibility
Kinds of Justification
Comparison to Doxastic Conservatism
The Nature of Appearance
The Belief that P
The Disposition to Believe that P
The Belief that One Has Evidence for P
The Experience View
Appearance versus Acquaintance
Arguments for Phenomenal Conservatism
Intuitive Internalist Motivation
An Internal Coherence Argument
The Self-Defeat Argument
Avoiding Skepticism
Crazy Appearances
Metajustification
Cognitive Penetration and Tainted Sources
Inferential Justification
1. Understanding Phenomenal Conservatism
a. Species of Appearance
The following is a recent formulation of the central thesis of phenomenal conservatism:
PC If it seems to S that P, then, in the absence of defeaters, S thereby has at least some justification for believing that P (Huemer 2007, p. 30; compare Huemer 2001, p. 99).
The phrase “it seems to S that P” is commonly understood in a broad sense that includes perceptual, intellectual, memory, and introspective appearances. For instance, as I look at the squirrel sitting outside the window now, it seems to me that there is a squirrel there; this is an example of a perceptual appearance (more specifically, a visual appearance). When I think about the proposition that no completely blue object is simultaneously red, it seems to me that this proposition is true; this is an intellectual appearance (more specifically, an intuition). When I think about my most recent meal, I seem to remember eating a tomatillo cake; this is a mnemonic (memory) appearance. And when I think about my current mental state, it seems to me that I am slightly thirsty; this is an introspective appearance.
b. Defeasibility
Appearances sometimes fail to correspond to reality, as in the case of illusions, hallucinations, false memories, and mistaken intuitions. Most philosophers agree that logically, this could happen across the board – that is, the world as a whole could be radically different from the way it appears. These observations do not conflict with phenomenal conservatism. Phenomenal conservatives do not hold that appearances are an infallible source of information, or even that they are guaranteed to be generally reliable. Phenomenal conservatives simply hold that to assume things are the way they appear is a rational default position, which one should maintain unless and until grounds for doubt (“defeaters”) appear. This is the reason for the phrase “in the absence of defeaters” in the above formulation of PC (section 1a).
These defeaters may take two forms. First, there might be rebutting defeaters, that is, evidence that what appears to be the case is in fact false. For instance, one might see a stick that appears bent when half-submerged in water. But one might then feel the stick, and find that it feels straight. The straight feel of the stick would provide a rebutting defeater for the proposition that the stick is bent.
Second, there might be undercutting defeaters, that is, evidence that one’s appearance (whether it be true or false) is unreliable or otherwise defective as a source of information. For instance, suppose one learns that an object that appears red is in fact illuminated by red lights. The red lighting is not by itself evidence that the object isn’t also red; however, the red lighting means that the look of the object is not a reliable indicator of its true color. Hence, the information about the unusual lighting conditions provides an undercutting defeater for the proposition that the object is red.
c. Kinds of Justification
Epistemologists commonly draw a (misleadingly named) distinction between “propositional justification” and “doxastic justification”, where propositional justification is justification that one has for believing something (whether or not one in fact believes it) and doxastic justification is justification that an actual belief possesses. The distinction is commonly motivated by pointing out that a person might have good reasons to believe a proposition and yet not believe it for any of those reasons, but instead believe it for some bad reason. For instance, I might be in possession of powerful scientific evidence supporting the theory of evolution, but yet my belief in the theory of evolution might actually be based entirely upon trust in the testimony of my tarot card reader. In that case, I would be said to have “propositional justification” but not “doxastic justification” for the theory of evolution.
It is commonly held that to have doxastic justification for P, an individual must satisfy two conditions: first, the individual must have propositional justification for P; second, the individual must base a belief that P on that propositional justification (or whatever confers that propositional justification). If we accept this view, then the phenomenal conservative should hold (i) that the appearance that P gives one propositional justification, in the absence of defeaters, for believing that P, and (ii) that if one believes that P on the basis of such an undefeated appearance, one thereby has doxastic justification for P.
Phenomenal conservatism was originally advanced as an account of foundational, or noninferential, justification (Huemer 2001, chapter 5). That is, it was advanced to explain how a person may be justified in believing that P without basing the belief that P on any other beliefs. Some hold that a variation of phenomenal conservatism may also be used to account for inferential justification – that is, that even when a person believes that P on the basis of other beliefs, the belief that P is justified in virtue of appearances (especially the “inferential appearance” that in the light of certain premises, P must be or is likely to be true) (Huemer 2013b, pp. 338-41); this last suggestion, however, remains controversial even among those sympathetic to PC.
d. Comparison to Doxastic Conservatism
A related but distinct view, sometimes called “epistemic conservatism” but better labeled “doxastic conservatism”, holds that a person’s merely believing that P gives that person some justification for P, provided that the person has no grounds for doubting that belief (Swinburne 2001, p. 141). (Etymological note: the term “doxastic” derives from the Greek word for belief [doxa], while “phenomenal” derives from the Greek word for appearance [phainomenon].)
Doxastic conservatism is an unpopular view, as it seems to endorse circular reasoning, or something very close to it. A thought experiment due to Richard Foley (1983) illustrates the counterintuitiveness of doxastic conservatism: suppose that S has some evidence for P which is almost but not quite sufficient to justify P. Suppose that S forms the belief that P anyway. If doxastic conservatism is correct, it seems, then as soon as S formed this belief, it would immediately become justified, since in addition to the evidence S already had for P, S would now have his belief that P serving as a source of justification, which would push S over the threshold for justified belief.
The phenomenal conservative aims to avoid this sort of implausibility. PC does not endorse circular reasoning, since it does not hold that a belief (or any other mental state) may justify itself; it holds that an appearance may justify a belief. Provided that no appearance is a belief, this view avoids the most obviously objectionable form of circularity, and it avoids the Foley counterexample. Suppose that S has almost enough justification to believe that P, and then, in addition, S acquires an appearance that P. Assume also that S has no defeaters for a belief in P. In this case, it is not counterintuitive to hold that S would then be justified in believing that P.
2. The Nature of Appearance
Phenomenal conservatism ascribes justificatory significance to appearances. But what are appearances? Philosophers have taken a number of different views about the nature of appearances, and which view one takes may dramatically affect the plausibility of PC. In this section, we consider some views philosophers have taken about what it is for it to “seem to one that P.”
a. The Belief that P
Here is a very simple theory: to say that it seems to one that P is to report a tentative sort of belief that P (Chisholm [1957, ch. 4] suggested something in this neighborhood). This, however, is not how “seems” is understood by phenomenal conservatives when they state that if it seems to one that P and one lacks defeaters for P, then one has justification for P.
To motivate the distinction between its seeming to one that P and one’s believing that P, notice that in some cases, it seems to one that P even though one does not believe that P. For instance, when one experiences perceptual illusions, the illusions typically persist even when one learns that they are illusions. That is to say, things continue to appear a certain way even when one does not believe that things are as they appear, indeed, even when one knows that things are not as they appear. This shows that an appearance that P is not a belief that P.
b. The Disposition to Believe that P
Some thinkers suggest that an appearance that P might be identified with a mere inclination or disposition to believe that P (Sosa 1998, pp. 258-9; Swinburne 2001, pp. 141-2; Armstrong 1961). Typically, when it appears to one that P, one will be disposed to believe that P. However, one may be disposed to believe that P when it doesn’t seem to one that P. For instance, if one is inclined to believe that P merely because one wants P to be true, or because one thinks that a virtuous person would believe that P, this would not be a case in which it seems to one that P. Even in cases where it seems to one that P, its seeming to one that P is not to be identified with the disposition to believe that P, since one is disposed to believe that P because it seems to one that P, and not the other way around. Thus, its seeming to one that P is merely one possible ground for the disposition to believe that P.
c. The Belief that One Has Evidence for P
Some philosophers hold that its seeming to one that P is a matter of one’s believing, or being disposed to believe, that some mental state one has is evidence for P (Conee 2013; Tooley 2013). This would undermine the plausibility of PC, since it is not very plausible to think that one’s merely being disposed to believe (whether rightly or wrongly) that one has evidence for P actually gives one justification for believing P.
Fortunately, phenomenal conservatives can reasonably reject that sort of analysis, on grounds similar to those used to reject the idea that its seeming to one that P is just a matter of one’s being disposed to believe that P. Suppose that Jon is disposed to believe that he has evidence for the reality of life after death merely because Jon wants it to be true that he has evidence for life after death (a case of pure wishful thinking). This surely would not count as its seeming to Jon that there is life after death.
d. The Experience View
Most phenomenal conservatives hold that its seeming to one that P is a matter of one’s having a certain sort of experience, which has propositional content but is not analyzable in terms of belief (for discussion, see Tucker 2013, section 1). Sensory experiences, intellectual intuitions, (apparent) memories, and introspective states are either species of this broad type of experience, or else states that contain an appearance as a component.
Some philosophers have questioned this view of appearance, on the ground that intellectual intuitions, perceptual experiences, memories, and episodes of self-awareness are extremely different mental states that have nothing interesting in common (DePaul 2009, pp. 208-9).
In response, one can observe that intuitions, perceptual experiences, memories, and states of self-awareness are all mental states of a kind that naturally incline one to believe something (namely, the content of that very mental state, or, the thing that appears to one to be the case). And it is not merely that one is inclined to believe that proposition for some reason or other. We can distinguish many different reasons why one might be inclined to believe P: because one wants P to be true, because one thinks a good person would believe P, because one wants to fit in with the other people who believe P, because being a P-believer will annoy one’s parents . . . or because P just seems to one to be the case. When we reflect on these various ways of being disposed to believe P, we can see that the last one is interestingly different from all the others and forms a distinct (non-disjunctive) category. Admittedly, I have not just identified a new characteristic or set of characteristics that all and only appearances have in common; I have not defined “appearance”, and I do not believe it is possible to do so. What I have done, I hope, is simply to draw attention to the commonality among all appearances by contrasting appearances with various other things that tend to produce beliefs. When Jon believes [for all numbers x and y, x+y = y+x] because that proposition is intuitively obvious, and Mary believes [the cat is on the couch] because she seems to see the cat on the couch, these two situations are similar to each other in an interesting respect – which we see when we contrast both of those cases with cases such as that in which Sally thinks her son was wrongly convicted because Sally just cannot bear the thought that her son is a criminal (Huemer 2009, pp. 228-9).
e. Appearance versus Acquaintance
Appearances should be distinguished from another sort of non-doxastic mental state sometimes held to provide foundational justification for beliefs, namely, the state of acquaintance (Russell 1997, chs. 5, 9; Fumerton 1995, pp. 73-9). Acquaintance is a form of direct awareness of something. States of acquaintance differ from appearances in that the occurrence of an episode of acquaintance entails the existence of an object with which the subject is acquainted, whereas an appearance can occur without there being any object that appears. For example, if a person has a fully realistic hallucination of a pink rat, we can say that the person experiences an appearance of a pink rat, but we cannot say the person is acquainted with a pink rat, since there is no pink rat with which to be acquainted. In other words, an appearance is an internal mental representation, whereas acquaintance is a relation to some object.
3. Arguments for Phenomenal Conservatism
a. Intuitive Internalist Motivation
Richard Foley (1993) has advanced a plausible account of rationality, on which, roughly, it is rational for S to do A provided that, from S’s own point of view, doing A would seem to be a reasonably effective way of satisfying S’s goals. Foley goes on to suggest that epistemic rationality is rationality from the standpoint of the goal of now believing truths and avoiding falsehoods. Though Foley does not draw this consequence, his account of epistemic rationality lends support to PC, for if it seems to S that P is true and S lacks grounds for doubting P, then from S’s own point of view, believing P would naturally seem to be an effective way of furthering S’s goal of believing truths and avoiding falsehoods. Therefore, it seems, it would be epistemically rational for S to believe that P (Huemer 2001, pp. 103-4; compare McGrath 2013, section 1).
b. An Internal Coherence Argument
Internalism in epistemology is, roughly, the view that the justification or lack of justification of a belief is entirely a function of the internal mental states of the believer (for a fuller account, see Fumerton 1995, pp. 60-9). Externalism, by contrast, holds that a belief’s status as justified or unjustified sometimes depends upon factors outside the subject’s mind.
The following is one sort of argument for internalism and against externalism. Suppose that externalism is true, and that the justification of a belief depends upon some external factor, E. There could be two propositions, P and Q, that appear to one exactly alike in all epistemically relevant respects—for instance, P and Q appear equally true, equally justified, and equally supported by reliable belief-forming processes; however, it might be that P is justified and Q unjustified, because P but not Q possesses E. Since E is an external factor, this need have no impact whatsoever on how anything appears to the subject. If such a situation occurred, the externalist would presumably say that one ought to believe that P, while at the same time either denying Q or withholding judgment concerning Q.
But if one took this combination of attitudes, it seems that one could have no coherent understanding of what one was doing. Upon reflecting on one’s own state of mind, one would have to hold something like this: “P and Q seem to me equally correct, equally justified, and in every other respect equally worthy of belief. Nevertheless, while I believe P, I refuse to believe Q, for no apparent reason.” But this seems to be an irrational set of attitudes to hold. Therefore, we ought to reject the initial externalist assumption, namely, that the justificatory status of P and Q depends on E.
If one accepts this sort of motivation for internalism, then it is plausible to draw a further conclusion. Not only does the justificatory status of a belief depend upon the subject’s internal mental states; it depends, more specifically, on the subject’s appearances (that is, on how things seem to the subject). On this view, it is impossible for P and Q to seem the same to one in all relevant respects and yet for P to be justified and Q unjustified. This is best explained by something like PC (Huemer 2006).
c. The Self-Defeat Argument
One controversial argument claims that PC is the only theory of epistemic justification that is not self-defeating (Huemer 2007; Skene 2013). The first premise of this argument is that all relevant beliefs (all beliefs that are plausible candidates for being doxastically justified) are based on appearances. I think there is a table in front of me because it appears that way. I think three plus three is six because that seems true to me. And so on. There are cases of beliefs not based on how things seem, but these are not plausible candidates for justified beliefs to begin with. For instance, I might believe that there is life after death, not because this seems true but because I want it to be true (wishful thinking) – but this would not be a plausible candidate for a justified belief.
The second premise is that a belief is doxastically justified only if what it is based on is a source of propositional justification. Intuitively, my belief is justified only if I not only have justification for it but also believe it because of that justification.
From here, one can infer that unless appearances are a source of propositional justification, no belief is justified, including the belief that appearances are not a source of propositional justification. Therefore, to deny that appearances are a source of propositional justification would be self-defeating. Huemer (2007) interprets this to mean that the mere fact that something appears to one to be the case must (in the absence of defeaters) suffice to confer justification. Some critics maintain, however, that one need only hold that some appearances generate justification, allowing that perhaps other appearances fail to generate justification even in the absence of defeaters (BonJour 2004, p. 359).
A related objection holds that there may be “background conditions” for a belief’s justification – conditions that enable an appearance to provide justification for a belief but which are not themselves part of the belief’s justification. Thus, PC might be false, not because appearances fail to constitute a source of justification, but because they only do so in the presence of these background conditions, which PC neglects to mention. And these background conditions need not themselves be causally related to one’s belief in order for one’s belief to be doxastically justified. (For this objection, see Markie 2013, section 2; for a reply, see Huemer 2013b, section 4.)
Other critics hold that the first premise of the self-defeat argument is mistaken, because it often happens that one justifiedly believes some conclusion on the basis of an inference from other (justified) beliefs, where the conclusion of the inference does not itself seem true; hence, one can be justified in believing P without basing that belief on a seeming that P (Conee 2013, pp. 64-5). In reply, the first premise of the self-defeat argument need not be read as holding that the belief that P (in relevant cases) is always based on an appearance that P. It might be held that the belief that P (in relevant cases) is always based either on the appearance that P or on some ultimate premises which are themselves believed because they seem correct.
d. Avoiding Skepticism
Skeptics in epistemology maintain that we don’t know nearly as much as we think we do. There are a variety of forms of skepticism. For instance, external world skeptics hold that no one knows any contingent propositions about the external world (the world outside one’s own mind). These skeptics argue that to know anything about the external world, one would need to be able to figure out what the external world is likely solely on the basis of facts about one’s own experiences, but that in fact nothing can be legitimately inferred about non-experiential reality solely from one’s own experiences (Hume 1975, section XII, part 1). Most epistemologists consider this conclusion to be implausible on its face, even absurd, so they have sought ways of rebutting the skeptic’s arguments. However, rebutting skeptical arguments has proved very difficult, and there is no generally accepted refutation of external world skepticism.
Another form of skepticism is moral skepticism, the view that no one knows any substantive evaluative propositions. On this view, no one ever knows that any action is wrong, that any event is good, that any person is vicious or virtuous. Again, this idea seems implausible on its face, but philosophers have found it difficult to explain how, in general, someone can know what is right, wrong, good, or bad. Skeptical views may also be held in a variety of other areas – skeptics may challenge our knowledge of the past, of other people’s minds, or of all things not presently observed. As a rule, epistemologists seek to avoid skeptical conclusions, yet it is often difficult to do so plausibly.
Enter phenomenal conservatism. Once one accepts something in the neighborhood of PC, most if not all skeptical worries are easily resolved. External world skepticism is addressed by noting that, when we have perceptual experiences, there seem to us to be external objects of various sorts around us. In the absence of defeaters, this is good reason to think there are in fact such objects (Huemer 2001). Moral skepticism is dealt with in a similarly straightforward manner. When we think about certain kinds of situations, our ethical intuitions show us what is right, wrong, good, or bad. For instance, when we think about pushing a man in front of a moving train, the action seems wrong. In the absence of defeaters, this is good enough reason to think that pushing the man in front of the train would be wrong (Huemer 2005). Similar observations apply to most if not all forms of skepticism. Thus, the ability to avoid skepticism, long considered an elusive desideratum of epistemological theories, is among the great theoretical advantages of phenomenal conservatism.
e. Simplicity
If we accept phenomenal conservatism, we have a single, simple principle to account for the justification of multiple very different kinds of belief, including perceptual beliefs, moral beliefs, mathematical beliefs, memory beliefs, beliefs about one’s own mind, beliefs about other minds, and so on. One may even be able to unify inferential and non-inferential justification (Huemer 2013b, pp. 338-41). To the extent that simplicity and unity are theoretical virtues, then, we have grounds for embracing PC. There is probably no other (plausible) theory that can account for so many justified beliefs in anything like such a simple manner.
4. Objections
a. Crazy Appearances
Some critics have worried that phenomenal conservatism commits us to saying that all sorts of crazy propositions could be non-inferentially justified. Suppose that when I see a certain walnut tree, it just seems to me that the tree was planted on April 24, 1914 (this example is from Markie 2005, p. 357). This seeming comes completely out of the blue, unrelated to anything else about my experience – there is no date-of-planting sign on the tree, for example; I am just suffering from a brain malfunction. If PC is true, then as long as I have no reason to doubt my experience, I have some justification for believing that the tree was planted on that date.
More ominously, suppose that it just seems to me that a certain religion is true, and that I should kill anyone who does not subscribe to the one true religion. I have no evidence either for or against these propositions other than that they just seem true to me (this example is from Tooley 2013, section 5.1.2). If PC is true, then I would be justified (to some degree) in thinking that I should kill everyone who fails to subscribe to the “true” religion. And perhaps I would then be morally justified in actually trying to kill these “infidels” (as Littlejohn [2011] worries).
Phenomenal conservatives are likely to bravely embrace the possibility of justified beliefs in “crazy” (to us) propositions, while adding a few comments to reduce the shock of doing so. To begin with, any actual person with anything like normal background knowledge and experience would in fact have defeaters for the beliefs mentioned in these examples (people can’t normally tell when a tree was planted by looking at it; there are many conflicting religions; religious beliefs tend to be determined by one’s upbringing; and so on).
We could try to imagine cases in which the subjects had no such background information. This, however, would render the scenarios even more strange than they already are. And this is a problem for two reasons. First, it is very difficult to vividly imagine these scenarios. Markie’s walnut tree scenario is particularly hard to imagine – what is it like to have an experience of a tree’s seeming to have been planted on April 24, 1914? Is it even possible for a human being to have such an experience? The difficulty of vividly imagining a scenario should undermine our confidence in any reported intuitions about that scenario.
The second problem is that our intuitions about strange scenarios may be influenced by what we reasonably believe about superficially similar but more realistic scenarios. We are particularly unlikely to have reliable intuitions about a scenario S when (i) we never encounter or think about S in normal life, (ii) S is superficially similar to another scenario, S', which we encounter or think about quite a bit, and (iii) the correct judgment about S' is different from the correct judgment about S. For instance, in the actual world, people who think they should kill infidels are highly irrational in general and extremely unjustified in that belief in particular. It is not hard to see how this would incline us to say that the characters in Tooley’s and Littlejohn’s examples are also irrational. That is, even if PC were true, it seems likely that a fair number of people would report the intuition that the hypothetical religious fanatics are unjustified.
A further observation relevant to the religious example is that the practical consequences of a belief may impact the degree of epistemic justification that one needs in order to be justified in acting on the belief, such that a belief with extremely serious practical consequences may call for a higher degree of justification and a stronger effort at investigation than would be the case for a belief with less serious consequences. PC only speaks of one’s having some justification for believing P; it does not entail that this is a sufficient degree of justification for taking action based on P.
b. Metajustification
Some argue that its merely seeming to one that P cannot suffice (even in the absence of defeaters) to confer justification for believing P; in addition, one must have some reason for thinking that one’s appearances are reliable indicators of the truth, or that things that appear to one to be the case are likely to actually be the case (BonJour 2004, pp. 357-60; Steup 2013). Otherwise, one would have to regard it as at best an accident that one managed to get to the truth regarding whether P. We can refer to this alleged requirement on justified belief as the “metajustification requirement”. (When one has an alleged justification for P, a “metajustification” is a justification for thinking that one’s alleged justification for P actually renders P likely to be true [BonJour 1985, p. 9].)
While perhaps superficially plausible, the metajustification requirement threatens us with skepticism. To begin with, if we think that appearance-based justifications require metajustifications (to wit, evidence that appearances are reliable indicators of the truth), it is unclear why we should not impose the same requirement on all justifications of any kind. That is, where someone claims that belief in P is justified because of some state of affairs X, we could always demand a justification for thinking that X – whatever it is – is a reliable indicator of the truth of P. And suppose X' explains why we are justified in thinking that X is a reliable indicator of the truth of P. Then we’ll need a reason for thinking that X' is a reliable indicator of X’s being a reliable indicator of the truth of P. And so on, ad infinitum.
One can avoid this sort of infinite regress by rejecting any general metajustification requirement. The phenomenal conservative will most likely want to maintain that one need not have positive grounds for thinking one’s appearances to be reliable; one is simply entitled to rely upon them unless and until one acquires grounds for doubting that they are reliable.
c. Cognitive Penetration and Tainted Sources
Another class of objection to PC adverts to cases of appearances that are produced by emotions, desires, irrational beliefs, or other kinds of sources that would normally render a belief unjustified (Markie 2006, pp. 119-20; Lyons 2011; Siegel 2013; McGrath 2013). That is, where a belief produced by a particular source X would be unjustified, the objector contends that an appearance produced by X should not be counted as conferring justification either (even if the subject does not know that the appearance has this source).
Suppose, for instance, that Jill, for no good reason, thinks that Jack is angry (this example is from Siegel 2013). This is an unjustified belief. If Jill infers further conclusions from the belief that Jack is angry, these conclusions will also be unjustified. But now suppose that Jill’s belief that Jack is angry causes Jill to see Jack’s facial expression as one of anger. This “seeing as” is not a belief but a kind of experience – that is, Jack’s face just looks to Jill like an angry face. This is, however, a misinterpretation on Jill’s part, and an ordinary observer, without any preexisting beliefs about Jack’s emotional state, would not see Jack as looking angry. But Jill is not aware that her perception has been influenced by her belief in this way, nor has she any other defeaters for the proposition that Jack is angry. If PC is true, Jill will now have justification for believing that Jack is angry, arising directly from the mere appearance of Jack’s being angry. Some find this result counter-intuitive, since it allows an initially unjustified belief to indirectly generate justification for itself.
Phenomenal conservatives try to explain away this intuition. Skene (2013, section 5.1) suggests that the objectors may confuse the evaluation of the belief with that of the person who holds the belief in the sort of example described above, and that the person should be adjudged irrational but her belief judged rational. Tucker (2010, p. 540) suggests that the person possesses justification but lacks another requirement for knowledge and is epistemically blameworthy (compare Huemer 2013a, pp. 747-8). Huemer (2013b, pp. 343-5) argues that the subject has a justified belief in this sort of case by appealing to an analogy involving a subject who has a hallucination caused (unbeknownst to the subject) by the subject’s own prior action.
d. Inferential Justification
Suppose S bases a belief in some proposition P on (his belief in) some evidence E. Suppose that the inference from E to P is fallacious, such that E in fact provides no support at all for P (E neither entails P nor raises the probability of P). S, however, incorrectly perceives E as supporting P, and thus, S’s belief in E makes it seem to S that P must be true as well. (It does not independently seem to S that P is true; it just seems to S that P must be true given E.) Finally, assume that S has no reason for thinking that the inference is fallacious, even though it is, nor has S any other defeaters for P. It seems that such a scenario is possible. If so, one can raise the following objection to PC:
1. In the described scenario, S is not justified in believing P.
2. If PC is true, then in this scenario, S is justified in believing P.
3. So PC is false.
Many would accept premise (1), holding that an inferential belief is unjustified whenever the inference on which the belief is based is fallacious. (2) is true, since in the described scenario, it seems to S that P, while S has no defeaters for P. (For an objection along these lines, see Tooley 2013, p. 323.)
One possible response to this objection would be to restrict the principle of phenomenal conservatism to the case of non-inferential beliefs and to hold a different view (perhaps some variation on PC) of the conditions for inferential beliefs to be justified.
Another alternative is to maintain that in fact, fallacious inferences can result in justified belief. Of course, if a person has reason to believe that the inference on which he bases a given belief is fallacious, then this will constitute a defeater for that belief. It is consistent with phenomenal conservatism that the belief will be unjustified in this case. So the only cases that might pose a problem are those in which a subject makes an inference that is in fact fallacious but that seems perfectly good to him, and he has no reason to suspect that the inference is fallacious or otherwise defective. In such a case, one could argue that the subject rationally ought to accept the conclusion. If the subject refused to accept the conclusion, how could he rationally explain this refusal? He could not cite the fact that the inference is fallacious, nor could he point to any relevant defect in the inference, since by stipulation, as far as he can tell the inference is perfectly good. Given this, it would seem irrational for the subject not to accept the conclusion (Huemer 2013b, p. 339).
Here is another proposed condition on doxastic justification: if S believes P on the basis of E, then S is justified in believing P only if S is justified in believing E. This condition is very widely accepted. But again, PC seems to flout this requirement, since all that is needed is for S’s belief in E to cause it to seem to S that P (while S lacks defeaters for P), which might happen even if S’s belief in E is unjustified (McGrath 2013, section 5; Markie 2013, section 2).
A phenomenal conservative might try to avoid this sort of counterexample by claiming that whenever S believes P on the basis of E and E is unjustified, S has a defeater for P. This might be true because (i) per epistemological internalism, whenever E is unjustified, the subject has justification for believing that E is unjustified, (ii) whenever S’s belief that P is based on E, the subject has justification for believing that his belief that P is based on E, and (iii) the fact that one’s belief that P is based on an unjustified premise would be an undercutting defeater for the belief that P.
Alternately, and perhaps more naturally, the phenomenal conservative might again restrict the scope of PC to noninferential beliefs, while holding a different (but perhaps closely related) view about the justification of inferential beliefs (McGrath 2013, section 5; Tooley 2013, section 5.2.1). For instance, one might think that in the case of a non-inferential belief, justification requires only that the belief’s content seem true and that the subject lack defeaters for the belief; but that in the case of an inferential belief, justification requires that the premise be justifiedly believed, that the premise seem to support the conclusion, and that the subject lack defeaters for the conclusion (Huemer 2013b, p. 338).
Among the most central, fundamental questions of epistemology is that of what, in general, justifies a belief. Phenomenal Conservatism is among the major theoretical answers to this question: at bottom, beliefs are justified by “appearances,” which are a special type of experience one reports when one says “it seems to me that P” or “it appears to me that P.” This position is widely viewed as possessing important theoretical virtues, including the ability to offer a very simple account of many kinds of justified belief while avoiding troublesome forms of philosophical skepticism. Some proponents lay claim to more controversial advantages for the theory, such as the unique ability to avoid self-defeat and to accommodate central internalist intuitions.
The theory remains controversial among epistemologists for a variety of reasons. Some harbor doubts about the reality of a special type of experience called an “appearance.” Others believe that an appearance cannot provide justification unless one first has independent evidence of the reliability of one’s appearances. Others cite alleged counterexamples in which appearances have irrational or otherwise unreliable sources. And others object that phenomenal conservatism seems to flout widely accepted necessary conditions for inferential justification.
Armstrong, David. 1961. Perception and the Physical World. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
BonJour, Laurence. 1985. The Structure of Empirical Knowledge. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
BonJour, Laurence. 2004. “In Search of Direct Realism.” Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 69, 349-367.
Early objections to phenomenal conservatism.
Brogaard, Berit. 2013. “Phenomenal Seemings and Sensible Dogmatism.” In Chris Tucker (ed.), Seemings and Justification: New Essays on Dogmatism and Phenomenal Conservatism (pp. 270-289). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Objections to phenomenal conservatism.
Chisholm, Roderick. 1957. Perceiving: A Philosophical Study. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
Chapter 4 offers a widely cited discussion of three uses of “appears” and related terms.
Conee, Earl. 2013. “Seeming Evidence.” In Chris Tucker (ed.), Seemings and Justification: New Essays on Dogmatism and Phenomenal Conservatism (pp. 52-68). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Cullison, Andrew. 2010. “What Are Seemings?” Ratio 23, 260-274.
DePaul, Michael. 2009. “Phenomenal Conservatism and Self-Defeat.” Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 78, 205-212.
Objections to phenomenal conservatism, especially the self-defeat argument.
DePoe, John. 2011. “Defeating the Self-defeat Argument for Phenomenal Conservativism.” Philosophical Studies 152, 347–359.
Foley, Richard. 1983. “Epistemic Conservatism.” Philosophical Studies 43, 165-182.
Objections to doxastic conservatism.
Foley, Richard. 1993. Working without a Net. New York: Oxford University Press.
Fumerton, Richard. 1995. Metaepistemology and Skepticism. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
Hanna, Nathan. 2011. “Against Phenomenal Conservatism.” Acta Analytica 26, 213-221.
Huemer, Michael. 2001. Skepticism and the Veil of Perception. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
Chapter 5 defends phenomenal conservatism and contains a version of the self-defeat argument. This is the original source of the term “phenomenal conservatism.”
Huemer, Michael. 2005. Ethical Intuitionism. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Chapter 5 uses phenomenal conservatism to explain moral knowledge.
Huemer, Michael. 2006. “Phenomenal Conservatism and the Internalist Intuition.” American Philosophical Quarterly 43, 147-158.
Defends phenomenal conservatism using internalist intuitions.
Huemer, Michael. 2007. “Compassionate Phenomenal Conservatism.” Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 74, 30-55.
Defends phenomenal conservatism using the self-defeat argument. Responds to BonJour 2004.
Huemer, Michael. 2009. “Apology of a Modest Intuitionist.” Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 78, 222-236.
Responds to DePaul 2009.
Huemer, Michael. 2013a. “Epistemological Asymmetries Between Belief and Experience.” Philosophical Studies 162, 741-748.
Responds to Siegel 2013.
Huemer, Michael. 2013b. “Phenomenal Conservatism Uber Alles.” In Chris Tucker (ed.), Seemings and Justification: New Essays on Dogmatism and Phenomenal Conservatism (pp. 328-350). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Responds to several critiques of phenomenal conservatism found in the same volume.
Hume, David. 1975. “An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding.” In L. A. Selby-Bigge (ed.), Enquiries Concerning Human Understanding and Concerning the Principles of Morals. Oxford: Clarendon.
Littlejohn, Clayton. 2011. “Defeating Phenomenal Conservatism.” Analytic Philosophy 52, 35-48.
Argues that PC may lead one to endorse terrorism and cannibalism.
Lycan, William. 2013. “Phenomenal Conservatism and the Principle of Credulity.” In Chris Tucker (ed.), Seemings and Justification: New Essays on Dogmatism and Phenomenal Conservatism (pp. 293-305). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Lyons, Jack. 2011. “Circularity, Reliability, and the Cognitive Penetrability of Perception.” Philosophical Issues 21, 289-311.
Markie, Peter. 2005. “The Mystery of Direct Perceptual Justification.” Philosophical Studies 126, 347-373.
Markie, Peter. 2006. “Epistemically Appropriate Perceptual Belief.” Noûs 40, 118-142.
Markie, Peter. 2013. “Searching for True Dogmatism.” In Chris Tucker (ed.), Seemings and Justification: New Essays on Dogmatism and Phenomenal Conservatism (pp. 248-268). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
McGrath, Matthew. 2013. “Phenomenal Conservatism and Cognitive Penetration: The ‘Bad Basis’ Counterexamples.” In Chris Tucker (ed.), Seemings and Justification: New Essays on Dogmatism and Phenomenal Conservatism (pp. 225-247). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Uses the cognitive penetration counterexamples to motivate a modification of phenomenal conservatism.
Russell, Bertrand. 1997. The Problems of Philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press.
Siegel, Susanna. 2013. “The Epistemic Impact of the Etiology of Experience.” Philosophical Studies 162, 697-722.
Criticizes phenomenal conservatism and related views using the tainted source objection.
Skene, Matthew. 2013. “Seemings and the Possibility of Epistemic Justification.” Philosophical Studies 163, 539-559.
Defends the self-defeat argument for phenomenal conservatism and offers an account of why epistemic justification must derive from appearances.
Sosa, Ernest. 1998. “Minimal Intuition.” In Michael DePaul and William Ramsey (eds.), Rethinking Intuition (pp. 257-270). Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
Steup, Matthias. 2013. “Does Phenomenal Conservatism Solve Internalism’s Dilemma?” In Chris Tucker (eds.), Seemings and Justification: New Essays on Dogmatism and Phenomenal Conservatism (pp. 135-153). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Swinburne, Richard. 2001. Epistemic Justification. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Tolhurst, William. 1998. “Seemings.” American Philosophical Quarterly 35, 293-302.
Discusses the nature of seemings.
Tooley, Michael. 2013. “Michael Huemer and the Principle of Phenomenal Conservatism.” In Chris Tucker (ed.), Seemings and Justification: New Essays on Dogmatism and Phenomenal Conservatism (pp. 306-327). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Tucker, Chris. 2010. “Why Open-Minded People Should Endorse Dogmatism.” Philosophical Perspectives 24, 529-545.
Defends phenomenal conservatism, appealing to its explanatory power.
Tucker, Chris. 2013. “Seemings and Justification: An Introduction.” In Chris Tucker (ed.), Seemings and Justification: New Essays on Dogmatism and Phenomenal Conservatism (pp. 1-29). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Email: owl232@earthlink.net
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Update - 07/01/19
DOJ's Office of Special Counsel Lists Employer Best Practices During Worksite Enforcement Audits
The Department of Justice's Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices released do's and don'ts for employers facing ICE audits.
USCIS Announces Several Thousand EB-5 Green Cards Issued So Far in First Quarter of FY 2012, Releases Latest Stats
Between October and mid-January, 2,364 EB-5 green cards were issued. At that rate, over 9,000 EB-5 visas might be issued this fiscal year, which is very close to the statutory cap of 10,000.
DOS Launches 90-Day Pilot Program Allowing Online Passport Card Applications
The U.S. passport card costs $30 for current passport book holders, and is valid for land and sea travel to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It is not valid for international air travel.
China, India Visa Number Priority Cut-Off Dates Move Forward
The China and India cut-off dates continue to move forward, in some cases at a rapid rate.
U.S. Consulate in Chennai Stops Processing Immigrant Visa Petitions
The U.S. embassy in New Delhi and U.S. consulate in Mumbai are now the only acceptance centers in India for immigrant visa applications.
USCIS Considers Allowing Provisional Waivers for Immediate Relatives
USCIS is considering regulatory changes that will allow certain immediate relatives of U.S. citizens to request provisional waivers before departing the United States for consular processing of their immigrant visa applications.
USCIS Seeks Comments on Draft L-1 Templates
In addition to comments on the individual draft templates, USCIS also seeks stakeholder input on broader issues.
Justice Dept. Settles with University of California San Diego Medical Center
The Department had alleged that the medical center subjected newly hired non-U.S. citizens to excessive demands for documents to verify their employment eligibility.
Government Agency Links
Klasko News
New associate, spring seminar, revamped website, upcoming and recent speaking engagements.
1. DOJ's Office of Special Counsel Lists Employer Best Practices During Worksite Enforcement Audits
The Department of Justice’s Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices has released the following do’s and don’ts for employers facing audits by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):
Develop a transparent process for interacting with employees during the audit, including communicating with employees that the employer is subject to an ICE audit.
Provide all workers with a reasonable amount of time to correct discrepancies in their records identified by ICE. Treat all workers in the same manner during the audit, without regard to national origin or citizenship status. This means that all workers with like discrepancies who are asked to present additional documents are provided with the same timeframes and the same choice of Form I-9 documents to present.
If your workers are represented by a union, inform the union of the ICE audit and determine whether a collective bargaining agreement triggers any obligations.
Inform employees from whom you seek specific information that you are seeking this information in response to an ICE audit.
Communicate in writing with employees from whom you seek information, and describe the specific basis for the discrepancy and/or what information you need from them. Follow the instructions on the ICE notice and the instructions for the Form I-9 when seeking to correct Form I-9 defects, including the Lists of Acceptable Documents and the anti-discrimination notice.
Selectively verify the employment eligibility of certain employees based on their national origin or citizenship status based on the receipt of an ICE Notice of Inspection.
Terminate or suspend employees without providing them with notice and a reasonable opportunity to present valid Form I-9 documents.
Require employees to provide additional evidence of employment eligibility or more documents than ICE is requiring you to obtain.
Limit the range of documents that employees are allowed to present for purposes of the Form I-9.
Treat employees differently at any point during the audit because they look or sound foreign, or based on assumptions about whether they are authorized to work in the U.S.
2. USCIS Announces Several Thousand EB-5 Green Cards Issued So Far in First Quarter of FY 2012, Releases Latest Stats
The Department of State issued 2,364 EB-5 green cards between October 1, 2011, and mid-January 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced at its quarterly EB-5 stakeholders meeting on January 23, 2012. At that rate, over 9,000 EB-5 visas might be issued this federal fiscal year, which is very close to the statutory cap of 10,000.
USCIS refused to discuss what it would do about pending EB-5 petitions if Congress fails to renew the regional center pilot program by September 30, 2012. Approximately 92 percent of I-526 petitions (Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur) filed each year are filed by investors in regional centers. Historically, about 80 to 85 percent of I-526 and I-829 EB-5 petitions are approved each year. The California Service Center (CSC) now has four teams of EB-5 adjudicators, an increase from one team a year ago. Despite the increased staffing, case adjudication times have not improved because of the increase in case filings.
USCIS also announced that it would defer to state determinations on what constitutes a targeted employment area (TEA) for EB-5 purposes. The agency will check the data behind states’ methodology, however. USCIS did not say whether a single census tract may qualify as a geographic area. USCIS said that would be covered in written materials not yet available publicly, and referred stakeholders to its December 2009 memorandum for further details.
USCIS acknowledged that many regional center applications are being held up at headquarters pending resolution of economic methodology issues. The USCIS hopes to resolve those issues soon. USCIS is analyzing all the I-924A forms submitted by regional centers and will draft a report that includes regional center-specific information sometime this year. The USCIS acknowledged growing pains in determining what constitutes a “shovel-ready” project for EB-5 purposes. It hopes to address this issue later this year when it revises the I-924 form to provide greater consistency.
USCIS also released its latest data on EB-5 filings and regional centers (RCs):
RC approvals continue to increase. As of January 28, 2012, there are 217 approved RCs operating in 40 states, including the District of Columbia and Guam.
The agency reported 41 initial RC proposal filings in the first quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2012, compared to 192 initial filings in all of FY 2011 and 110 initial filings in all of FY 2010. The number of amended RC proposal filings was 17 by the end of the first quarter; there were 86 filings received for all of FY 2011 and 42 filings received for all of FY 2010.
In the first quarter of FY 2012, the agency approved 14 of the 41 initial RC proposals and denied 22, an approval rate of 39 percent. In FY 2011, when USCIS approved 80 and denied 51, an approval rate of 61 percent. The approval rate of amended RC proposals in the first quarter of FY 2012 was 57 percent, with 4 approvals and 3 denials. By comparison, in FY 2011 USCIS approved 43 amended RC proposals and denied 7, an approval rate of 86 percent.
USCIS also reported significant increases in individual I-526s and I-829s (Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions). In the first quarter of FY 2012, USCIS received 1,293 I-526 petitions, compared to 3,805 for all of FY 2011. USCIS received 250 I-829 petitions in the first quarter of 2012. By comparison, USCIS received 2,345 I-829 petitions in all of FY 2011.
In the first quarter of FY 2012, the agency approved 1,076 I-526 petitions and denied 222, an approval rate of 83 percent, while in all of FY 2011 USCIS approved 1,563 and denied 11, an approval rate of 93 percent. USCIS approved 1,067 I-829 petitions and denied 46 in all of FY 2011, an approval rate of 96 percent.
The next USCIS stakeholder engagement meetings are scheduled for May 1, 2012 (general EB-5 discussion); July 26, 2012 (regional center discussion); and October 18, 2012 (general EB-5 discussion).
The full list of RCs by state is available at http://www.uscis.gov/eb-5centers/.
3. DOS Launches 90-Day Pilot Program Allowing Online Passport Card Applications
On January 24, 2012, the Department of State’s Office of Passport Services launched a 90-day pilot program allowing adult U.S. citizens living in the United States and Canada to apply for a passport card online. Those applying online are not required to mail in their current passport book. The wallet-sized U.S. passport card costs $30 for current passport book holders, and is valid for land and sea travel to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It is not valid for international air travel.
To participate in the program, applicants must currently possess a valid 10-year U.S. passport book with at least 12 months of validity remaining, upload an acceptable digital photograph, and make an online payment in U.S. dollars via Pay.gov. Applications accepted through the program will be subject to the same adjudication standards as in-person or mail-in applications.
The Department of State began producing the passport card in 2008 in response to travel document requirements imposed by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Since then, more than 4.5 million cards have been issued.
4. China, India Visa Number Priority Cut-Off Dates Move Forward
The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for February 2012 shows that the China and India cut-off dates continue to move forward, in some cases at a rapid rate.
For February, the China employment-based second preference cut-off date has advanced a year to January 1, 2010. Also for February, the China employment-based third preference cut-off date is December 1, 2004, advancing a month and a half from January’s cut-off date, when it was October 15, 2004. The third preference “Other Workers” category remains unchanged at April 22, 2003.
For February, the India employment-based second preference cut-off date is January 1, 2010, also advancing a year. Also for February, the India employment-based third preference cut-off date is August 15, 2002, advancing a week from January’s cut-off date. The third preference “Other Workers” category for India in February is August 15, 2002, a two-week advance from January. The Visa Office explained in the February bulletin:
China and India: Reports from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indicate that the rate of new filings for adjustment of status in recent months has been extremely low. This fact has required the continued rapid forward movement of the cut-off date, in an attempt to generate demand and maximize number use under the annual limit. Once the level of new filings or USCIS processing increases significantly, it will be necessary to slow or stop the movement of the cut-off. Readers are once again advised that an eventual need to retrogress the cut-off date is also a distinct possibility.
Also, in the January bulletin, the Visa Office noted:
The China and India Employment Second preference cut-off date has been advanced at a rapid rate in recent months. As previously noted, this action was intended to generate significant levels of new filings for adjustment of status at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices. USCIS has reported that the rate of new filings is currently far below that which they had anticipated, prompting an even more aggressive movement of the cut-off date for January and possibly beyond. While this action greatly increases the potential for an eventual retrogression of the cut-off at some point during the year, it also provides the best opportunity to utilize all numbers available under the annual limit.
The February 2012 bulletin notes that those categories with a “Current” projection will remain so for the foreseeable future. The Visa Office estimates that other employment-based categories not discussed above could also advance by up to one month per month in the near future, including the Worldwide, Mexico, and Philippines categories, depending on demand.
5. U.S. Consulate in Chennai Stops Processing Immigrant Visa Petitions
As of January 1, 2012, the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai, India, is no longer processing immigrant visa petitions. The U.S. embassy in New Delhi and U.S. consulate in Mumbai are now the only acceptance centers in India for immigrant visa applications. Applicants currently in the process of petitioning for an immigrant visa may e-mail ChennaiIVU@state.gov for clarification of their status.
6. USCIS Considers Allowing Provisional Waivers for Immediate Relatives
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on January 9, 2012, that it intends to change its current process for filing and adjudicating certain applications for waivers of inadmissibility filed in connection with an immediate relative immigrant visa application.
Specifically, USCIS is considering regulatory changes that will allow certain immediate relatives of U.S. citizens to request provisional waivers before departing the United States for consular processing of their immigrant visa applications. A person would be able to obtain such a waiver only if a Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130, is filed by a U.S. citizen on his or her behalf and that petition has been approved, thereby classifying the person as an “immediate relative” for purposes of the immigration laws, and he or she demonstrates that the denial of the waiver would result in extreme hardship to the U.S. citizen spouse or parent “qualifying relative.” The qualifying relative for purposes of the waiver is not necessarily the immediate relative who filed the immigrant visa petition on the relative’s behalf.
7. USCIS Seeks Comments on Draft L-1 Templates
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) seeks comments on draft request for evidence (RFE) templates for Forms I-129: L-1 intra-company transferee (blanket petition, L-1A manager or executive, L-1A new office (first year), and qualifying relationship/ownership and control/doing business.
In addition to comments on the individual draft templates, USCIS also seeks stakeholder input on broader issues:
What are the top five issues you have with RFEs in the classifications that are currently under review?
What improvements can be made to the current RFE process in these classifications?
What types of evidence are frequently unavailable for these classifications when requested, and why? What evidence could be submitted as an alternative?
USCIS said it is also reviewing RFE templates for these categories:
E-12 Outstanding Professor and Researcher immigrants
E-13 Multinational Executive and Manager immigrants
F Student nonimmigrants
M Vocational Student nonimmigrants
J Exchange Visitor nonimmigrants
L Intra-company Transferee nonimmigrants
O Extraordinary Ability or Achievement nonimmigrants.
8. Justice Dept. Settles with University of California San Diego Medical Center
The Department of Justice reached an agreement on January 4, 2012, with the University of California San Diego Medical Center, resolving a complaint filed on December 6, 2011, alleging that the medical center failed to comply with proper employment eligibility verification processes for noncitizens authorized to work in the United States.
Specifically, the Department’s complaint alleged that the medical center subjected newly hired non-U.S. citizens to excessive demands for documents to verify their employment eligibility but did not require the same of U.S. citizens.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the medical center agreed to implement new employment eligibility verification policies and procedures that treat all employees equally regardless of citizenship status.
In addition, the medical center agreed to pay a civil penalty of $115,000, conduct supplemental training of its human resources personnel on their responsibilities to avoid discrimination in the employment eligibility verification process, and work with the Department to ensure compliance with proper employment eligibility verification processes across all University of California campuses, medical centers, and facilities.
9. Government Agency Links
Follow these links to access current processing times of the USCIS Service Centers and the Department of Labor, or the Department of State’s latest Visa Bulletin with the most recent cut-off dates for visa numbers:
USCIS Service Center processing times online: https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/ptimes.jsp
Department of Labor processing times and information on backlogs: http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/times.cfm
Department of State Visa Bulletin: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html
10. Klasko News
Associate Joins Firm
Klasko Immigration Law Partners, LLP, is pleased to announce that Daniel B. Lundy has recently joined the Firm.
Daniel B. Lundy (Dan), an Associate in the Firm’s Philadelphia office, focuses his practice on both employment-based and family-based immigration. A member of the firm’s EB-5 immigrant investor practice, Mr. Lundy has successfully represented numerous immigrant investors in their EB-5 petitions and applications, including investors seeking permanent residence through investment in their own businesses and investors seeking permanent residence through investments into USCIS approved Regional Centers. Mr. Lundy also represents developers and others who seek to use foreign investment funds under the EB-5 program to fund their projects, either through the formation of a Regional Center or by joining with an existing Regional Center. Mr. Lundy works with various securities lawyers, economists, business plan writers and other professionals in the preparation and filing of Regional Center designation and Regional Center amendment applications. Mr. Lundy is experienced in reviewing Regional Center and project business plans, economic reports, securities offering documents, and corporate documents for compliance with the EB-5 program requirements, and in consulting and advising clients on the specific immigration requirements of the EB-5 program.
Mr. Lundy is admitted to the bar in the State of New York, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Seventh and Eleventh Circuits, and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Mr. Lundy is a graduate of Hunter College (B.A., 2000) and Fordham University School of Law (J.D. 2006). He is a member of the New York County Lawyer’s Association and American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Save the Date: 2012 Annual Spring Seminar is April 24!
Mark your calendars for Klasko Immigration Law Partners’ annual Spring Seminar to be held on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm at The Union League of Philadelphia.
USCIS Policies and Practices
Prevailing Wages
EB-2 and EB-3 Quota Issues
University/Hospital Roundtable
Corporate Roundtable
FATCA, FBAR, and HEART tax issues, and Abandonment of Permanent Residence
Worksite Enforcement Update
We invite professionals involved in employment-based immigration to attend! There is no cost for this program. Registration details forthcoming.
Revamped EB-5 Website Launched
We are pleased to announce the launch of our expanded EB-5 website. We believe it provides the most information available on all aspects of the EB-5 program. Among the improvements include:
A new section for developers and business owners seeking capital;
An introduction to new members of our expanding EB-5 team;
An expanded list of articles and PowerPoints;
Expanded links to other EB-5 resources;
A listing of services provided to regional centers, investors, developers and other lawyers;
An expanded EB-5 news section;
Timelines and flow charts.
If you have any suggestions or feedback about the EB-5 website, please contact Ron Klasko at rklasko@klaskolaw.com.
Ronald Klasko (Ron) will be speaking at the Los Angeles County Bar Association CLE on EB-5 on Saturday, February 11.
William A. Stock (Bill) will be speaking at Hershey Medical Center on February 22 and Penn State University on February 23, 2012.
Elise A. Fialkowski will present an immigration workshop at Drexel University on February 29.
Recent Speaking Engagements
Bill gave 3 presentations at Duke University over two days. He spoke to MBA students at the Fuqua School of Business on Wednesday, February 8 about visa and permanent residence options. On February 9, he spoke with postdocs and international students at respective sessions about immigration options available to them. For more information on these programs, contact Bill.
Ron served as a panelist for two sessions at the South Florida AILA CLE on February 9 &10, 2012 in Miami, Florida. Ron was a panel member on “When can your client use the B-1 visa” and “EB-5-Where are We Now?” For more information on either of these topics, write to Ron at rklasko@klaskolaw.com.
Ron presented a seminar at Carnegie Mellon University on February 6. He discussed various permanent residence options including family, asylum, lottery, investment (EB-5) and employment as routes to a green card. For more on permanent residence options available to you, contact Ron.
On January 27, Bill presented on a panel titled “When the Government Comes Calling – Verification and Audits in the Nonimmigrant Context” at the AILA Midyear Conference in Herradura, Costa Rica. The panel reviewed the post-petition approval verification and audit regimes of USCIS, DOL, and DOS. The panel also provided guidance on being prepared for calls and visits from a government agency.
Elise presented at the 10th Washington International Education Conference in Washington, DC on Tuesday, January 24, a conference sponsored by the Washington International Education Council. Elise spoke to embassy officials, university administrators and DSOs about student visa applications, recertification, as well as site visits, audits and inspections of student and scholar programs. For more information, write to Elise at efialkowski@klaskolaw.com.
Disclaimer/Reminder: This newsletter does not constitute direct legal advice and is for informational purposes only. The information provided should never replace informed counsel when specific immigration-related guidance is needed. Copyright © 2011 Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers and Klasko Immigration Law Partners, LLP. All rights reserved.
February 2012 Newsletter (PDF)
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the KlezmerShack
'The roadmap to world music from a Jewish slant'. We cover Klezmer and more, focusing on the edges and the sounds that express who we are now. We also provide the place for klezmorim, reputable musicians, fans, and scholars to network online.
« KlezKanada 2011 - Itzik Gottesman's video report | Main | Ger Mandolin Orchestra - the documentary »
This week's hot CD releases--Klezmatics, Afro-Semitic Experience, Yaeko Mirando Elmaleh, Roger Davidson
CDs sometimes come in far faster than I can review them. I am going to try to at least get the word out on these with release dates in the coming week, and hope to catch up with reviews as I can.
I have already mentioned this new Klezmatics release celebrating their 25th anniversary. The main CD release party is on September 14th in NYC. Let me also repeat that when I first saw the band 15 years or so ago. At that time, as on this CD, the band came out and Lorin launched into a cut off their breakout CD, Jews with Horns, "Man in a Hat." Well, same cut, same energy—or more, and the broadest repertoire of new and traditional Jewish music and Americana played by anyone. You need this CD, and you can get it by doing good: In five days, on September 13th, the Klezmatics either reach their Kickstarter goal of $15,000 to pay for this tour and CD—or they don't. Then what? The band sets up shop as housepainters? That would be bad. Check out the Klezmatics Kickstarter campaign and pledge until it hurts. Make this happen.
David Chevan has been exploring Jewish and Afro-American spiritual music through the lens of jazz, for years. As I love mentioning, my first date with the person who is now my wife was at the CD release of one of his first efforts. The music gets better. David writes: "For most of the past decade the Afro-Semitic Experience has played the midnight Selichot service with Cantor Jack Mendelson at his synagogue in White Plains. We have, in the process, created a new way to accompany cantorial music and we decided to document it. We recorded three concerts in August, 2010 just before the High Holy Days, one in New York City, one in New Haven, Connecticut, and one in Greenfield, Massachusetts. And now that music is ready for you to hear. The new CD is called Further Definitions of the Days of Awe and it features the band with special guests Cantor Jack Mendelson, Cantor Lisa Arbisser, Cantor Erik Contzius, cantorial soloist Danny Mendelson, and trumpeter Frank London. The CD officially drops on Tuesday, September 13, but it is already on sale at iTunes and amazon.com —if you want to hear the music first you can listen to three tracks for free at this website: www.rockpaperscissors.biz/GO/afro-semitic
If, like me, you have noticed that the fiery new violinist in the Klezmer Conservatory Band these last few years also seems to be a favored accompaniest and band-member on other Hankus Netsky projects, you won't be surprised that the classically trained violinist's first CD, Yaeko Miranda Elmaleh features a broad spectrum of underplayed, but very traditional klezmer tunes, ranging from the "Philadelphia Sher" (from whom could you have learned that?) to "Meron" and "Kaddish" (okay, this is Ravel), to some Carlebach tunes and "Waltz from the Hills of Manchuria." The CD release party is this Tuesday, Sep 13, in Boston at Club Passim, one of my favorite venues.
Jazzman Roger Davidson explores klezmer with some of my favorite musicians, including Frank London, Josh Horowitz, Khevre graduate and current Klezmatics drummer Richie Barshay, the great Pablo Aslan on bass … and Andy Statman. The territory is relatively familiar, but this is an all-star cast. The CD, On the Road of Life . The release party is September 17th, at Drom, in NYC.
Posted by Ari Davidow on September 9, 2011 10:47 PM | Permalink
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KCSO: Suspect in KPD shooting died from self-inflicted gunshot wound
The suspect in a police shooting on Thursday was determined to have died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
KCSO: Suspect in KPD shooting died from self-inflicted gunshot wound The suspect in a police shooting on Thursday was determined to have died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office. Check out this story on knoxnews.com: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2018/12/22/kcso-suspect-kpd-shooting-died-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound/2399459002/
USA Today Network - Tennessee Published 6:58 p.m. ET Dec. 22, 2018 | Updated 11:27 a.m. ET Dec. 23, 2018
The Knox County Sheriff's Office allows people to anonymously submit tips on crimes they may have witnessed. Here are several ways you can submit a tip to Crime Stoppers. Wochit
Jacob Lane Morgan, 21, died on Thursday during an encounter with officers from the Knoxville Police Department.(Photo: Courtesy of the Knox County Sheriff's Office)
The suspect in a police shooting this week was determined to have died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
Jacob Lane Morgan, 21, died during an encounter with Knoxville Police Department officers on Lowe Road near Broadway on Thursday evening.
According to KCSO, which investigated the incident per an agreement between the agencies, KPD officers were investigating a shooting from Dec. 16 that had multiple victims when they spotted a vehicle that they believed belonged to one of the suspects.
Like this story? Stay up-to-date with the things you care about. Subscribe to one of our free newsletters.
Breaking News | General News | Knox.Biz | GoKnoxville.com | GoVolsXtra
The vehicle, a newer model Toyota Tacoma, was reported to be at a house on Lowe Road. Officers determined that the truck's tags were registered to Morgan. After a failed traffic stop, the truck was found in the parking lot of a restaurant adjacent to the house.
When officers went to the home to serve three warrants for aggravated assault from the Dec. 16 shooting, there was an exchange of gunfire, according to KCSO.
KCSO reported Morgan's death was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the medical examiner.
An investigation into the shooting is still being led by KCSO, and further updates are expected to come as information emerges.
A previous version of this report misidentified Jacob Lane Morgan's city of residence. Official records list Morgan as homeless.
Read or Share this story: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2018/12/22/kcso-suspect-kpd-shooting-died-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound/2399459002/
Villa Collina owner loses $33M contract dispute
Adam Braseel case: Did a jury convict wrong man for murder?
KPD: reported stabbing turned fire leaves one dead
Judge revokes bond for driver in torso crash
McGhee Tyson runway project gets $10.6M
Invasive tick has made its way to East Tennessee
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Architectural models(6)
Camelsdale, Midhurst(4)
Girling's Mill(4)
West Sussex(4)
Naughton Mill(2)
Nedging Tye, Hadleigh(2)
Models and modelmaking
Girling's Mill, Swefling, Saxmundham, Suffolk, England
Black and white negative and print made from it of a model windmill, showing a ~ view from the front, in the grounds of a roundhouse known as "Girling's Mill" in Swefling, near Saxmundham, Suffolk, taken on 9th April 1939.
Camelsdale, Midhurst, West Sussex, England
Black and white negative and print made from it of a model of a post mill with roundhouse in Outwood, Surrey, in Camelsdale, Sussex, showing a ~ view from the rear with a garden gnome in the foreground, taken on 7th July 1941.
Black and white negative and print made from it of Miller, Mr. Gower and his son in front of a windmill roundhouse known as "Girling's Mill" in Swefling, near Saxmundham, Suffolk, including a model windmill in the foreground, taken on 9th April 1939.
Black and white negative and print made from it of a model windmill, showing a ~ view from the side, in the grounds of a roundhouse known as "Girling's Mill" in Swefling, near Saxmundham, Suffolk, taken on 9th April 1939.
Naughton Mill, Nedging Tye, Hadleigh, Suffolk, England
Black and white negative and print made from it of a model replica of a windmill at "Naughton Mill" in Nedging Tye, near Hadleigh, Suffolk, showing ~ view from the front, taken on 8th April 1939.
Black and white negative and print made from it of a model of a post mill with roundhouse in Outwood, Surrey, in Camelsdale, Sussex, showing a side view, taken on 18th April 1938.
Black and white negative and print made from it of a model of a post mill with roundhouse in Outwood, Surrey, in Camelsdale, Sussex, showing a ~ view from the rear, taken on 18th April 1938.
Black and white negative and print made from it of a model of a post mill with roundhouse in Outwood, Surrey, in Camelsdale, Sussex, taken on 22nd December 1938, showing a side view covered with snow.
Black and white negative and print made from it of a model replica of a windmill at "Naughton Mill" in Nedging Tye, near Hadleigh, Suffolk, showing ~ view from the rear, taken on 7th April 1939.
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Tyler Ota wins second Manoa Cup title
by: Ren Clayton
Tyler Ota has played the Manoa Cup so many times he’s lost count. We do know it’s in double digits. After today we know that he’s now won it twice.
The grueling 36 hole match play final at Oahu Country Club pitted Moanalua grad Ota against Punahou grad Evan Kawai. Kawai is a sophomore on the University of San Diego golf team and has now played in the Manoa Cup final twice.
Ota won this tournament back in 2015. Saturday he took home the cup after a 7&5 win.
Ota won the State Amateur in March. It’s the first time a Hawaii golfer has held both tournament titles in the same year.
“It’s something really special,” said Ota after his celebratory dunk in the pool. “We always try and peak for this week. Everyone had this tournament on their calendar. I’ve said this before anytime you can put yourself on a short list like that it’s always fulfilling. It’s a nice satisfying feeling to know that hard work paid off.”
Ota is the 11th multiple time winner and first since 2011.
“It still feels good,” said Ota. “I’ve been able to do it twice and to have it all come together in one week, a long week, too is s very satisfying feeling. It plays a lot different mainly because it was Kong’s wind the past couple of days. So I was able to take advantage of certain holes. Some of the par fives played a lot shorter because it was downwind. But vice verse. Some of the short holes started playing longer. Luckily I had the length to take advantage and it paid off in the end.”
More Local Sports Stories
Raisa Strom-Okimoto earns contract extension in NWSL
by Ren Clayton / Jul 15, 2019
Raisa Strom-Okimoto was a fan favorite and the favorite to score whenever she took the field for the University of Hawaii soccer team. She's had about nine months since her last college soccer game and has been playing professionally for the Utah Royals of the NWSL on a national team replacement contract. But once the World Cup ended the national team players began to return. That means Strom-Okimoto's contract would have been up. But before Raisa's pro stint could end - just last week - Utah re-signed her for the rest of the season.
Big things were in store for Raisa Strom-Okimoto when she started playing soccer. Her star rose through her career at Aiea High School. She fulfilled a lifelong dream of representing her home state; playing for the Rainbow Wahine.
Cole McDonald, Tua Tagovailoa named to Maxwell watch list
by Hawaii Athletics / Jul 15, 2019
University of Hawai'i quarterback Cole McDonald was selected to the Watch List for the 2019 Maxwell Award. The award is presented to the outstanding collegiate football player in America since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell.
McDonald is among a preseason list of 80 candidates, which includes 2018 Maxwell Award winner Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama. Last season, the La Mirada, Calif., native led the Rainbow Warriors to an eight-win season and appearance in the SoFi Hawai'i Bowl.
He finished the season ranked in the nation's Top 10 in six categories, including sixth in passing touchdowns (36) and eighth in passing yards per game (298.1) and total offense (325.7). He was an honorable mention all-Mountain West selection.
McDonald was added to the 2018 Maxwell Award Watch List midway through the season and is the first UH player selected since quarterback Bryant Moniz in 2011. Colt Brennan was also mentioned on the watch list in 2007.
Semifinalists will be announced Oct. 29 and three finalists will be unveiled Nov. 25. The winner will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show Dec. 12. The formal presentations will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by the Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City March 13, 2020.
At a career crossroads, Hawaii’s Manti Te’o content and confident with future both on and off of the field
After six years in the National Football League, one of Hawaii's all-time greats, Punahou graduate Manti Te'o now finds himself at a career crossroads as the free agent linebacker's playing future remains in question.
Just a week away from training camps opening across the league, the La'ie native and former second round draft pick who spent part of his summer at the Hawaii Optimum Training facility in Waipio, remains unsigned following a two year stint with the Saints.
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Hellenistic or Roman
Head of an Athlete (Apoxyomenos)
c. 2nd–1st century B.C.
11 1/2 × 8 1/4 × 10 3/4 in. (29.2 × 21 × 27.3 cm)
With base: 20 1/4 × 8 1/4 × 10 3/4 in. (51.44 × 20.96 × 27.31 cm)
Weight: 36.6 lb. (16.6 kg)
AP 2000.03 a,b
Kahn Building, South Gallery
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This exceptionally fine and rare head comes from the statue of an athlete shown scraping oil from his naked body with a strigil after exercising. The lips were originally overlaid with copper, and the eyes inlaid with stone, glass, and metal. The complete statue was probably a version of the bronze Apoxyomenos (“Scraper”) by Lysippos, the court sculptor of Alexander the Great, datable on stylistic grounds to around 340–330 B.C. The Kimbell’s thick-walled bronze is the finest of the surviving casts of the head of this much-copied figure. It fits well with what we know of Lysippos’s distinctive style as described by Pliny in the first century A.D., particularly the emphasis on the athlete’s carefully modeled hair. Lysippos introduced a new canon of proportions for the ideal male body, with slimmer limbs, smaller heads, and a more fluid musculature than his fifth-century-B.C. predecessors. Taking nature rather than other sculptors as his teacher, he was renowned for his fastidious attention to even the smallest details of his figures, which were said to lack only movement and breath.
Adult: Head of an Athlete (Apoxyomenos)
Kimbell Art Museum, Acoustiguide Inc.
Senator Bernardo Nani [1712-1761], Venice.
Lucien Guiraud (Hotel Drouot, Paris),
sale June 14 and 15, 1956, no. 106 (as 16th century);
Hans Calmann [1899-1982], London and Somerset;
by descent (in Calmann family);
auction, Sotheby’s, New York, June 14, 2000, no. 60;
purchased by Kimbell Art Foundation, Fort Worth, 2000.
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Billboard’s Removal of Lil Nas X is Discriminatory
March 27th, Billboard announced that the viral country-trap hit ‘Old Town Road’ would be removed from it’s Hot Country Songs chart. Citing the reason as not embracing enough elements of today’s country music, fans of Lil Nas X were quick to remind Billboard of their hypocrisy.
“Upon further review, it was determined that ‘Old Town Road’ by Lil Nas X does not currently merit inclusion on Billboard’s country charts. When determining genres, a few factors are examined, but first and foremost is musical composition. While ‘Old Town Road’ incorporates references to country and cowboy imagery, it does not embrace enough elements of today’s country music to chart in its current version.”
Tried to Steal Our Bit…
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Lil Nas X rose to stardom from creating the ambitious crossover track ‘Old Town Road.’ Released December 2nd, 2018, the song reached 32 on the Billboard Hot 100, 19 on their Hot Country Songs list, and 13 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. However, Billboard recently had a distressing change of heart. This has resulted in the removal of Lil Nas X’s independent hit being stricken from their Country charts, wholly stifling the rapper-singer’s progress in the genre, which I will remind you is Black.
When Black artists who are limited to “urban” categories attempt to make the crossover to country, the first things to be attacked are the lyrical content and composition of the song. Comparisons like these are always comical because when reduced to just what the song is about, popular country hits are no different than trap.
Country is lyrically identical to Pop and Rap
Lovesick Blues, popularized by Hank Williams, is literally about a woman who was throwing it back to everyone but the singer. But if you let country purists tell it trap is vulgar. Country girl, Shake it for me is lyrically identical to Back Dat Ass Up, but you’ll hear it in every honky-tonk south of the Mason-Dixon line. As several of Lil Nas X’s fans have pointed out, nothing could be more country than a man singing about his love of the open road and a horse.
Highlighting the hypocrisy of their action, the history of Billboard’s decisions regarding Country crossover tracks reveals qwhite the bias. In recent years, the popularity of Country Pop has blurred the lines of the Country genre. As new and old artists continuously borrow elements from Hip-Hop, nee Black culture entirely, to give their tired tracks a boost, many are wondering why their decision to remove non-traditional songs began with ‘Old Town Road’ and not with “Cruise”.
Country Purism is Exclusionary
The Florida Georgia Line hit with Nelly sat at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 24 weeks from 2012-13. Despite it’s critical reception and description as “the death of modern country music”, it remained on Country charts without an asterisk, without a qualifier, and is, in my opinion, a current standard for the genre. Surpassing George Strait with the most cumulative weeks at number one, it is clear that the marriage of Country with Rap, Hip-Hop, or Pop is the blueprint for song production at this point. Right now, the country duo is sitting at the number 3 spot on a song with Bebe Rexha. Despite it’s composition as a song that is clearly pop, ‘Meant To Be’ has been on the Hot Country Songs chart for 69 weeks.
Looking beyond male country artists who copy-paste Black elements into their tracks, there’s Taylor Swift. When Taylor Swift began to incorporate pop elements into her music, she was not moved from Country charts either. In fact, her song “I Knew You Were Trouble” garnered several unsolicited plays and gained her a debut on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. The song does not stand alone in it’s composition as a pop track and was not rejected from Country stations. However, traditional country songs when performed by artists who are limited to Pop or R&B are contained within those respective categories, i.e. Daddy Lessons.
You Can’t Gatekeep Borrowed Content
What is continuing through Billboard’s removal of ‘Old Town Road’ is the whitewashing of country. For more than a century, songs that were written by Black artists have been performed by White artists only to receive critical acclaim as something innovative. The genre has maintained it’s exclusivity by gatekeeping what is and is not Country while simultaneously stealing content and techniques from the very originators of the genre. If Billboard wants to define Country exclusively by song composition, no artist who debuted after 1980 belongs on their current chart.
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ICE Raids Set Country on Edge
Donald Trump has recently tweeted ICE’s plans to carry out raids across the country. Aiming for the seizure of 2,000 immigrants who have court orders to be removed, ICE officers will flood 10 cities.
No matter who you are or what your status is, this is the United States of America – where ALL people have rights. Know yours.
Prepare. Visit https://t.co/vneVYPCAY8 to learn how to handle this & other ICE encounters in multiple languages. pic.twitter.com/yDcKTzn8fq
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 11, 2019
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers plan includes the detainment of “immigrants who happened to be on the scene,” whether they are targets of the raid or not. Set to take place Sunday, the massive deportation effort has spurred politicians against the raid to encourage potential targets to educate themselves. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is reminding those at risk that without a judicial warrant, it is illegal for an officer to enter their home. As citizens watch from the sidelines, it is the surest sign that some Americans have forgotten our history.
Recalling the 10 Stages of Genocide, Americans against the forced removal of immigrants recognize we are at stage seven, preparation. For several years, the polarization of Muslims, Hispanic, and Latinx peoples between North Americans has mirrored the slow, but devastating vilification Jews faced in Germany. Mainstream news media outlets flood those susceptible to propaganda with lies regarding the theft of employment opportunities and skew crime rates statistics. Even now, as the mistreatment of detained immigrants is downplayed by government officials, it parallels the increase in violence against subject populations between 1933 and 1941.
“Those six years are a very particular phase of development of the Nazi project where a lot of steps were taken inside Germany to isolate German Jews from the rest of the population, to start measures sterilizing, isolating, and eventually even to start killing, to rearm Germany to prepare for the war of conquest, but also to cover up that rearmament by talking peaceful intentions publicly so that people elsewhere in the world wouldn’t be too alarmed.”
Doris Bergen
As explained by Professor Doris Bergen, the attempt of Jewish extermination did not begin with gas chambers. So, Wednesday Trump delayed the action to see if Congress could work out a legislative solution. However, ICE director Ken Cuccinelli says the raids are “absolutely going to happen.” He continued, “There’s approximately a million people in this country with removal orders. And of course that isn’t what ICE will go after in this, but that’s the pool of people who have been all the way through the due process chain.”
If you are at risk of detainment, visit https://www.wehaverights.us/ to learn how to handle potential encounters in multiple languages.
Critically acclaimed FX series, Pose, drew attention last night to the vicious and dishearteningly overlooked murders of Black trans women and other women of color. While it’s important to highlight the stories, both real and fictional, of trans people that move through society with little protection, fans are calling out the show for missing the opportunity to discuss colorism as well.
***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD***
It is with a heavy heart that we tell this very real story. People ask, "Why Candy?" Well it's because it's happening to so many trans women of color like her, and these women are the center of our show. I hope your mourning pushes you to show up for other Candy girls. #PoseFX pic.twitter.com/YiKmlf5cXR
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) July 10, 2019
Watchers of the FX series, Pose, are mourning the loss of the beloved character, Candy Johnson-Ferocity. But for Black viewers, Candy’s departure left them feeling slighted. As one of the only two dark skinned characters on the show, Candy’s experience was harsh. She was depicted as catty, a product of her mistreatment by those around her, and seemed to exist without a storyline. Candy was given every trope they refused to assign to Angel, another trans woman of color. However, Angel possesses lighter skin.
This was not easy for us to do, but we had to address the ongoing issue of violence against trans women, especially trans women of color. #PoseFX pic.twitter.com/z4qRKiXGNU
— Our Lady J (@ourladyj) July 10, 2019
In the past, writers and showrunners have been careful to avoid depicting acts of violence against trans women of color in a predictable fashion. So, the choice to show Angel in a seemingly stable situationship with Stan was well received. But why couldn’t Candy have a moment in the sun? The experiences of trans women are not separated by skin color, making it entirely possible for her to be loved out loud by others and herself. Presenting her as a damaged trans woman who lived dangerously as a sex worker without the knowledge of what threats she faced makes her death incomplete. And to use a dark skin trans woman to convey the message in a world that does not value dark skin lives felt excessive.
Candy left us without definition, shapeless as a character whose story would never take form. Her moments of glory went uncelebrated as she was frequently the butt of the joke, spoken of highly only in her passing. And for many, her death felt like a forced but necessary reminder to protect Black trans women. Yet, as some have pointed out on Twitter, LuLu’s passing would have hit just as hard and the message would still have been received. But here we stand, with only one dark skin character left in a series promising representation for all. Let’s hope Elektra is used for more than tragedy.
How did you feel about the most recent episode of Pose? Will you continue to watch?
Do We Really Need Making The Band 5?
Feeling nostalgic, Wale requested Diddy resumes the MTV series Making the Band. But knowing Diddy’s problematic history regarding artist treatment and alleged lack of compensation, do we really need the show to return?
We seriously need @diddy to bring back Making the Band!! 🔥👏 #IWantMyMTB pic.twitter.com/YIAnSg7GAP
— MTV (@MTV) July 8, 2019
Harlem native Sean “Diddy” Combs got his start in the music industry in the early 90s as an intern at Uptown Records. Although he was fired from the company, Diddy went on to lay the foundation for Bad Boy Records in 1993. The label built itself on the shoulders of Biggie, securing other notable acts like 112, Mase, Total, and Faith Evans along the way. However, the untimely passing of Notorious B.I.G., following the East-West rap beef, came at an immeasurable cost. Along with losing a close friend, Diddy’s label struggled to maintain relevance. Then, came Making the Band.
Hardly remembered, the first three seasons of the series were not actually about Diddy’s unique requests and consistent studio shutdowns. It initially focused on the time-tested formula of boy bands. Looking to recreate the magical hold the Backstreet Boys or NSYNC had over our teenage years, Lou Pearlman spearheaded the first iteration of the show. Conducting a nationwide talent search, he selected 25 singers before dwindling down to the final five that would later become O-Town. The three-season run focused on the grooming of the boy band, initially signed to Transcontinental Records, their transfer to Clive Davis’ label J Records, and their subsequent split. All rising to and falling from stardom in the span of just three years, the series that birthed a boy band was pressured to continue. But how? In came Diddy.
“Bring Me Some Cheesecake”
Attempting to season the show, Making the Band 2 began airing October 2002 and suffered the same fate as it’s marshmallow version. The series focused on Diddy’s search for talented rappers and singers to form a hip-hop super group. But it all came crashing down in April 2004 by Diddy’s own hand. The first season of the new series centered on the selection process, but season 2 was where the content was. As we then laughed at the hilarious and over the top demands of his new artists, to see a man worth $820 million degrade lower class Black people for amusement now would be sick. Diddy subjected his artists to strange and arbitrary tasks, all to appease himself. As they dredged through the stop-start mud of production, Too Hot For TV, the debut album of Da Band would sell fewer than 1 million copies. Now, Da Band exists only in obscurity and memes, but that wouldn’t stop Diddy from continuing the show.
Successful Artists?
It would be fair to say Making the Band 3 was influenced by the popularity of Destiny’s Child, given the shift to creating a girl group in 2005. Diddy joined forces with Laurie Ann “Boom Kack” Gibson to form a successful group that would assume the name Danity Kane. However, problems plagued the members and were chronicled in a special titled “The Rise and Fall of Danity Kane”, which aired in 2009. As Diddy was working to form the girl group, his relationship with Cassie, who was also signed to Bad Boy, became public knowledge. He also had other artists whose careers he’d simply abandoned.
Diddy signed a rapper named Aasim in 2004, whose debut through Bad Boy was never released. He’d also picked up Yung Joc, who along with Cassie helped Bad Boy Records chart with top five singles. However, Joc only released two albums with Bad Boy before being relegated to self-released mixtapes for most of his career. In fact, Diddy has lost 47 artists over the 26 years of Bad Boy’s existence. At this moment, out of the nine acts currently signed to Bad Boy, only five of them have no familial relation. Several of the artists once signed to Bad Boy alleged that Diddy crafted contracts that made them glorified work horses, making him millions and leaving them destitute. Although he vehemently denies any wrongdoing, do we really need to risk another instance of Making the Band when Diddy has no recent history of successfully leading an artist to stardom?
At any rate, Diddy and MTV are testing the waters to see if you want your MTB. Do you want Making the Band 5?
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LGH Women’s & Orthopedic Programs Recognized
CHICAGO, IL, December 2014 – Becker's Hospital Review has named Lancaster General Hospital among “100 hospitals with great women’s health programs” and among “125 hospitals and health systems with great orthopedic programs” in 2014.
Hospitals with great women’s health programs are selected based on clinical accolades and recognition for women's health excellence from various healthcare groups and agencies; and for offering outstanding health services geared toward women, including gynecology, obstetrics, women-focused heart care and women-focused cancer care.
Exceptional orthopedic departments are selected based on physicians who provide outstanding care to patients, front-line orthopedic research and treat professional athletes, and whose hospitals have been recognized for orthopedic excellence.
In July 2014, Lancaster General Hospital’s 97-bed Women & Babies Hospital (WBH) distinguished itself as the first hospital in Pennsylvania to earn the Baby-Friendly® hospital designation. This international award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.
WBH focuses completely on the healthcare needs of women and their newborn babies, providing comprehensive services from deliveries, a level III neonatal intensive care unit, GYN and surgical care, and educational programs. WBH nurses are among the few in the nation to be recognized three times for achieving recognition as a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence.
In 2013, the Women's Specialty Center dedicated to women’s heart, digestive and behavioral healthcare, opened adjacent to WBH.
In the past two years, LGH’s Orthopedics was ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best hospitals in this specialty; moving from #40 in 2013-14 to #37 in 2014-15. The U.S. News Best Hospitals annual rankings recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients.
The Lancaster General Health Orthopedic Center offers three inpatient nursing units with a total of 64 private rooms for general orthopedic care and patients undergoing total joint replacement; seven state-of-the-art operating rooms and a separate recovery room; and a physical medicine and rehabilitation gym – all dedicated to orthopedic care.
Comprehensive outpatient services include a Geriatric Fracture Program, providing a comprehensive team approach focusing on medical care and education to improve patient outcomes and detect risk early to help curb the negative effects of geriatric bone fractures; and a sports medicine and injury management program for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries caused by athletic activity by patients of all ages.
Click here to read the full list. Becker's Hospital Review is a monthly publication offering up-to-date business and legal news and analysis relating to hospitals and health systems.
The complete list can be read at www.Beckershospitalreview.com/lists/
Note: This list is not an endorsement of included hospitals, health systems or associated healthcare providers, and organizations do not and cannot pay for inclusion on this list. Hospitals are presented in alphabetical order.
About Becker’s Hospital Review
Becker's Hospital Review is a monthly publication offering up-to-date business and legal news and analysis relating to hospitals and health systems. Content is geared toward high-level hospital leaders, and we work to provide valuable content, including hospital and health system news, best practices and legal guidance specifically for these decision-makers. Each issue of Becker's Hospital Review reaches more than 18,000 people, primarily acute-care hospital CEOs, CFOs and CIOs.
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After fatal shootings, officials try to find a reason for the violence
A SWAT team arrives at the area in Auburn where Placer County Sheriff’s Det. Michael David Davis Jr. and Deputy Jeff Davis were shot Saturday. Jeff Davis was wounded in the arm; Michael Davis later died. The two lawmen are not related.
(Randall Benton / Associated Press)
By Paul Pringle,
James Rainey
The survivor of a shooting rampage that killed two Northern California sheriff’s deputies remained hospitalized Sunday as authorities searched for a reason for the violence.
“We are no closer to determining a motive for any of this at this time,” Sacramento County Sheriff’s Sgt. Lisa Bowman said in an email. “The detectives are still working diligently in interviewing witnesses and collecting (and reviewing) evidence at all scenes to help piece this together.”
Luis Enrique Monroy Bracamonte, 34, who is in the United States illegally and was twice deported, was booked on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and carjacking after the fatal shootings of deputies in Sacramento and Placer counties on Saturday. His wife, Janelle Marquez Monroy, 38, was booked on suspicion of attempted murder and carjacking. Authorities say she was with her husband during much of Friday’s six-hour rampage.
The attacks began when Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy Danny Oliver, who was on patrol with his partner, stopped to check on a suspicious vehicle in a Motel 6 parking lot. Officials said Monroy fired from the car, fatally wounding Oliver, a 47-year-old father of two.
The couple then tried to carjack a motorist about a mile away, authorities said. When the driver, identified as Anthony Holmes, refused to turn over his keys, he was shot in the head.
On Sunday, Holmes was still hospitalized in fair condition. Bowman said he was not yet well enough to speak with detectives.
After failing to commandeer Holmes’ vehicle, officials said, the couple stole another car and drove to Auburn, where they were confronted by Placer County Sheriff’s Det. Michael David Davis Jr. and Deputy Jeff Davis. Authorities say Luis Monroy shot both lawmen.
Jeff Davis was wounded in the arm and Michael Davis, 42, later died. The officers are not related.
Monroy was later arrested in a residence.
The suspect was deported to Mexico in 1997 after his arrest and conviction in Arizona for possession of narcotics for sale, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He was arrested and sent back to Mexico a second time in 2001.
On Sunday, a federal official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said it appeared that the 2001 arrest did not result in a second conviction of a crime.
Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones told the Sacramento Bee that Monroy may have lived under multiple identities and that he may have had troubles with the law under another name.
“We’re not convinced we have a full picture of his identity,” Jones told the newspaper. “Immigration has come up with one identity. We are not entirely convinced that is his only identity.”
The Times has reported that the suspect’s father-in-law, Mauro Marquez, always knew him as Luis Monroy and said his son-in-law was a house painter.
Dena Erwin, a spokeswoman for the Placer County Sheriff’s Department, said the agency is struggling to cope with Davis’ death.
“Everybody is numb at this point,” she said. “We have the funeral this week. Everybody is dealing with the reality of Mike not being in the office anymore.”
paul.pringle@latimes.com
james.rainey@latimes.com
Paul Pringle
Paul Pringle is a Los Angeles Times reporter who specializes in investigating corruption.
James Rainey has covered multiple presidential elections, the war in Iraq, the foster care system and the environment. He was part of L.A. Times teams that won Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of wildfires, the 1994 Northridge earthquake and the 1997 North Hollywood shootout. He also reported on the film industry for Variety and on climate change for NBC News.
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In a state with a history of racially motivated lynchings, Mississippi senator joked about ‘public hanging’
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) speaks to supporters on election night in Jackson, Miss.
(Chris Todd /EPA-EFE/REX)
Reporting from Jackson, Miss. —
A newly published video shows a Republican U.S. senator in Mississippi praising someone by saying: “If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be on the front row.”
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who is white, said Sunday that her Nov. 2 remark was an “exaggerated expression of regard” for someone who invited her to speak and “any attempt to turn this into a negative connotation is ridiculous.”
Mississippi has a history of racially motivated lynchings of black people. The National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People website says that between 1882 and 1968, Mississippi had 581 lynchings, the highest number of any state.
Hyde-Smith faces a Democratic challenger, former Rep. Mike Espy, in a Nov. 27 runoff. Espy, who is black, is also a former U.S. agriculture secretary.
“Cindy Hyde-Smith’s comments are reprehensible,” Espy campaign spokesman Danny Blanton said in a statement Sunday. “They have no place in our political discourse, in Mississippi, or our country.”
The video was shot in Tupelo, in front of a statue of Elvis Presley, and shows a small group of white people clapping politely for Hyde-Smith after a cattle rancher introduced her.
“I referred to accepting an invitation to a speaking engagement,” Hyde-Smith, who is also a cattle rancher, said in a statement Sunday. “In referencing the one who invited me, I used an exaggerated expression of regard, and any attempt to turn this into a negative connotation is ridiculous.”
Mike Espy, who is headed for a runoff with Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, stands with family members on election night.
(Rogelio V. Solis / Associated Press)
Hyde-Smith and Espy each received about 41% of the vote in a four-person race Tuesday to advance to the runoff. The winner gets the final two years of a term started by longtime Republican Sen. Thad Cochran.
Republican Gov. Phil Bryant appointed Hyde-Smith to temporarily succeed Cochran, who retired amid health concerns in April. She will serve until the special election is resolved.
In 1986, Espy became the first African American since Reconstruction to win a U.S. House seat in Mississippi. If he defeats Hyde-Smith, he would be the first African American since Reconstruction to represent the state in the U.S. Senate.
Hyde-Smith, who is endorsed by President Trump, is the first woman to represent Mississippi in either chamber of Congress, and after being appointed is trying to become the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from the state.
Lamar White Jr., publisher of a left-leaning Louisiana news site called The Bayou Brief, posted the video Sunday on social media. White said he received the video late Saturday from “a very reliable, trusted source,” but he would not reveal the person’s name. He said that source received it from the person who shot the video.
The national NAACP President Derrick Johnson, who is from Mississippi, tweeted Sunday that Hyde-Smith’s “shameful remarks prove once again how Trump has created a climate that normalizes hateful, racist rhetoric from political candidates.”
A Republican state lawmaker in Mississippi, Rep. Karl Oliver, came under sharp criticism in May 2017 after he posted on Facebook that people should be lynched for removing Confederate monuments.
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Dr Kyoungmi Kim
Kyoungmi Kim is a Research Associate in the Institute for International Management.
Kyoungmi's research interests include institutional and workplace discourses, organisational institutionalism, the institutional work, and a range of topics that emerge in contexts of multinational firms such as organisational relationships, professional roles and identities, culture, and multilingualism. She recently published an article entitled, 'Negotiating Professional Roles in Problem-Solving Talk at Work' in Discourse and Communication. She is a member of the Higher Education Academy in the UK.
Kyoungmi is trained as a qualitative and discursive researcher in organisational and institutional fields. She was awarded her PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Warwick in July 2018. In her PhD, she conducted an ethnographic case study of a Korean multinational company based in the UK. Her thesis investigates how organisational problems are discursively constructed in in situ in relation to dominant ideologies and discourses.
Current research and collaborations
Currently, Kyoungmi is working on the ‘Globalizing Actors’ project funded by ESRC with Professor Tony Edwards, Professor Phil Almond, Dr Philipp Kern, and Olga Tregaskis. Her main responsibility is conducting the qualitative analysis of multiple case studies, contributing to an in-depth understanding of global norm-making processes in multinational firms and the role of actors. She is co-authoring a paper entitled '(Re-)creating, diffusing and embedding business initiatives in a multinational firm'.
Based on her doctoral project, she is writing a paper on power and performativity in a multinational context. She is also co-authoring a book chapter (with Jo Angouri) that examines 'culturalism' in multinational contexts (under contract to contribute to the volume, Applied Linguistics and Politics).
Interests and activities
Kyoungmi has presented papers at a range of international conferences in organisational and interdisciplinary studies. In 2017, she received an award, ‘Best PhD Paper’ funded by the Carlsberg Foundation, at an international business management conference, Groupe d'Études Management & Language 2017. She is an active member of the Groupe d'Études Management & Language. In 2016, she received the British Association for Korean Studies Scholarship through which she shared her PhD project with a British–Korean community.
At the University of Warwick, she co-organised conferences: 'DiscourseNet Congress #2', 13–15th September, 2017, and 'Interconnections between Culture and Behaviour: Interdisciplinary Perspectives', 19th February, 2016.
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Tag: FIA
McLaren Race Victory to be Probed
“Formula One bosses are investigating McLaren for a possible breach of the rules in Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix” (via the BBC).
The rule in question is team orders affecting competition in the race. The rule stemmed from the Austrian Grand Prix in 2002, when Ferrari was criticized when the team ordered race leader Rubens Barichello to slow down at the finish so his teammate Michael Schumacher could win the race.
I just finished watching the race and it seemed at one point that Hamilton was quickly catching up to Alonso. A quick second pit stop would have allowed Hamilton to come out close to or ahead of Alonso instead of the four of five seconds he came out behind.
At the press conference, Hamilton said, “…It was tough, you know. I tried to get as close as possible and tried to get ahead but, you know, next time, I guess…” as he gave a smile and a shoulder shrug that could have implied that he could have won the race.
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Liberty Global appoints Lutz Schüler as Virgin Media CEO
Liberty Global, the world’s largest international TV and broadband provider, today announced the appointment of Lutz Schüler as CEO of Virgin Media, the company’s operations in the UK and Ireland, effective June 11, 2019. Schüler joined Virgin Media as Chief Operating Officer in September 2018, after eight years running Liberty Global’s operations in Germany.
Tom Mockridge, who has been Virgin Media CEO since Liberty Global first acquired the business in 2013, is leaving the company to base himself again in Italy with his family.
“Lutz is an outstanding leader and operator,” said Mike Fries, CEO of Liberty Global and Chairman of Virgin Media. “During his eight years in Germany, Lutz led a talented team and created significant value. Since joining Virgin Media last year, he has made an immediate impact, uniting the team around a clear strategy for continued, best-in-class growth in the UK and Ireland. Tom, Lutz and I have prepared for this moment for some time now, so Lutz will hit the ground running from day one.”
Schüler said: “I am thrilled to be leading Virgin Media. After seven months working in our operations, I am more excited than ever about our continued growth potential with the customers and communities we serve in the UK and Ireland.”
Fries added: “I want to thank Tom for his tireless commitment to transforming Virgin Media since we acquired the business in 2013. Under Tom’s leadership, operating cash flow increased 35% and Virgin Media is now recognized as the leader in ultrafast broadband, the best entertainment and superior quality of service. We’ve also launched the most successful network upgrade and expansion programs in UK history, ensuring that more than 15 million households have the opportunity to enjoy Virgin Media’s incredible products and services.
“Tom and I have known and worked with other each for much of the past three decades,” Fries continued. “His outstanding strategic and operational talent has always been greatly valued by me. While he will be spending more time in Italy, I’m sure he will remain close to the action in our industry for a long time to come.”
Mockridge said: “It has been a privilege to lead Virgin Media over the past six years. Since becoming part of Liberty Global, Virgin Media has reinvigorated its business. The company is now spearheading the advance of the thriving digital economy in the UK and Ireland with the largest, most successful programme to connect homes and businesses to broadband.
“I’m very pleased to now hand the reins to an executive of Lutz’s calibre. He steps into the role of Virgin Media CEO with a strong platform for continued growth in the UK and Ireland.”
Robert Redeleanu appointed CEO, Eastern Europe
Liberty Global has announced that Robert Redeleanu, CEO of UPC Hungary and UPC Poland, has been appointed CEO, Eastern...
17 June 2019Company news
Liberty Global Reports First Quarter 2019 Results
Liberty Global plc today announced its Q1 2019 financial results. Our operations in Germany, Hungary, Romania and the Czech...
6 May 2019Company news
Telenet Belgium launches Horizon 4 platform
Telenet has launched our next-generation TV entertainment platform, Horizon 4 – known as the Telenet TV Box – in...
25 April 2019Company news
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Teamtalk 252 gets off to a lame start
Teamtalk 252 may be on the right track with its ‘advertiser-led’ programming, but it will struggle to keep up with rivals 5 Live and TalkSport
Tune in your radio to long-wave 252 and you can listen to the nation’s new sports radio station. That is unless you live in London or the South-east.
Teamtalk 252, the station that replaces Atlantic 252, was launched this week, with Paul Gascoigne delivering the kick-off. Billed as a national station, it has a slight problem in that its transmitter range does not stretch as far as London and the South-east because it is stationed in Ireland.
But that could be just the start of the station’s troubles. Teamtalk 252 has no plans to buy live rights to major sports events, but it has made a commitment to transmit sports programming “100 per cent” of the time. That’s a big undertaking considering Teamtalk’s two rivals. TalkSport and BBC Five Live devote only 54 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively, of their output to sport.
One thing will play in Teamtalk’s favour – owner Teamtalk Media Group supplies sports news content through various media for third parties such as Ladbrokes. So the station will have the support of a team of journalists who have a track record in providing a stream of sports news.
In order to fill air time, the station says it will explore sport in more depth, reporting the results of lower league football matches and featuring minority sports. On Saturdays, for example, the station will transmit live match coverage of the British Basketball League, which is allowing Teamtalk to cover the game free to boost the sport’s profile. Mixed in with sports coverage will be sport phone-in shows featuring sports guests.
The station may have its programming in hand, but whether this strategy will appeal to advertisers is less certain, and it is crucial that Teamtalk attracts them if it is to meet a sponsorship and advertising revenue target of £5m by 2004. Neither is Teamtalk Media in a strong position to absorb any profit failings the station may have – it posted losses of £7.6m in its third quarter to December 2001, compared with £3.8m losses for the same period in 2000.
Teamtalk also faces the challenge of performing a radical change of direction from its previous guise as Atlantic 252. When Teamtalk Media bought 252 for £2m last year, the station had a strong following among young women, who accounted for 60 per cent of its audience. Teamtalk 252’s main target will be young men.
The station says it is adopting a flexible approach to programming and plans to work with advertisers and media buyers to develop programmes which fit in with their sponsorship plans.
MediaCom radio director Mike Hope-Milne, who was initially sceptical about the station but has since warmed to it, says: “Advertisers increasingly want to build programming around themselves, so if Teamtalk can adapt to that it has a chance. But it must be careful it doesn’t lose sight of its audience’s needs.”
Teamtalk Media chairman Bill Wilson acknowledges that the quality of long-wave is a hurdle, but believes Teamtalk 252 will work because of the variety of sport covered. “Terry Wogan has a niche radio audience, but it’s still a huge number of people. With our schedule we will cover the main sports, such as football, during the day, but if you want to listen to basketball in the evening you can.”
But Carat broadcast director Mark Jarvis is not convinced. “I don’t understand why there is a third broadcaster moving into this area when it is already serviced. The BBC has a good product and TalkSport is working hard to develop its business. There will be some advertisers who will be interested in Teamtalk 252 but they will be in the minority.”
Wilson argues there is a need for a new station. He says: “We sit in a niche which is somewhere between Five Live, which tends to be high brow and takes its audience for granted, presuming they know everything about sports, and TalkSport, which is more of a chat station.”
But the competition is tough. TalkSport, which was rebranded from TalkRadio in January 2000, is now well-established, with an audience of 2.4 million, up 11.7 per cent quarter on quarter according to Rajar figures. But Five Live is Teamtalk’s biggest rival – the station attracts 6.2 million listeners and has rights to the FIFA World Cup. No commercial radio station bid for the rights.
The ailing Atlantic 252 had an audience of 1 million according to the last Rajar report. Teamtalk is aiming to attract 150,000 listeners in its first quarter, rising to between 750,000 and 1 million by the end of the year.
Teamtalk Media is investing £8m in Teamtalk over the next two years, but this pales to insignificance compared with the £30m the BBC invested in Five Live last year, excluding undisclosed sports rights. Purchasing live rights is therefore out of the question, although Wilson says this is a matter of principle, not just financial expediency.
“Rights are hugely expensive and major sports have an inflated idea of their product,” he says.
A press and bus-side campaign for Teamtalk 252, created by Junction, will run in April. Listeners will be targeted through Teamtalk Media’s sports website – teamtalk.com – which it says attracts 3 million users per month, and its sports information text messaging service, with a claimed 120,000 users.
The opposition is in fighting mood. Five Live controller Bob Shellan says: “In the two years since the advent of TalkSport we have proven that we are competitive. We have got the most impressive portfolio of sports rights and aim to stay in that position.” A spokesman for TalkSport says: “Teamtalk 252 is a commercial competitor and we are taking it seriously.”
It seems that when the FIFA World Cup kicks off in a few months’ time, the level of competitiveness on the pitch will be matched by that over the airwaves. Teamtalk 252’s flexible approach to programming may be commercially sensible, but if the station tries to please too many people it may end up pleasing no one.
Archive Media
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Reinventing the Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrat vote share per candidate at the last general election was the lowest since all women got the vote.
Two and a half years after coming out of coalition, the Liberal Democrat local council base has recovered by a mere net two councillors. (Not 2,000; not 200; not 20; but 2).
It’s now seven years since the Liberal Democrats last regularly polled in double figures in the opinion polls.
And just about every day brings more news that reinforces the need for a strong Liberal Democrat voice in British politics.
That’s why there needs to be a real urgency about rebuilding the Liberal Democrats and involving the huge wave of new party members in doing so. Two-thirds of the party has joined since 2015. Involving them and getting the best from them isn’t just about holding on to our membership growth. It’s about meeting the urgency of the task in front of us.
How do we do this? That’s what a new pamphlet written by Jim Williams and myself sets out to answer. You can read it in full below, including Vince Cable’s foreword.
For me at least the pamphlet is in part a sequel to my two earlier ones: the one that helped kick off much of the party’s strategy debate in the last two years, The 20% Strategy: Building a core vote for the Liberal Democrats (written with David Howarth) and then last year’s Targeting Plus which was much more about party organisation. You’ll see the impact of Jim’s ideas and the success of Your Liberal Britain in how much better this new pamphlet is from that second one.
Reinventing-the-Liberal-Democrats-how-to-build-a-party-for-tomorrow
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Hatch (previously Your Liberal Britain), Jim Williams, Lib Dem policy and internal matters, Liberal Democrat membership
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Peter ParkerSpider-Man
Bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter Parker’s arachnid abilities give him amazing powers he uses to help others, while his personal life continues to offer plenty of obstacles.
On Screen Profile
On Screen Full Report
In Comics Profile
In Comics Full Report
A bite from a spider somehow granted teenager Peter Parker its arachnid abilities and instead of using them for personal gain, he decided to help others with them. An orphan living with his aunt, May Parker, the boy chose to wear a mask while fighting crime so as not to burden her with his actions.
Calling himself Spider-Man and sporting a pair of web-shooting devices he’d constructed, Parker wound up in internet videos which attracted the attention of Tony Stark. The billionaire industrialist deduced Spider-Man’s secret identity and approached Parker at his and May’s home in Queens, New York with a request for aid from the hero in an upcoming confrontation with Captain America and a group of other rogue Avengers and associates. Parker was initially hesitant to even admit his secret career as Spider-Man, but the thrill of adventure and Stark’s talk of responsibility drew him in and he accepted the invitation, as well as a new, high-tech costume and web-shooters.
Does Whatever a Spider Can
Peter Parker’s gifts from the spider bite include enhanced strength, stamina, and agility, as well as the ability to cling to nearly any surface by his hands and feet, and an internal “alarm” of sorts that warns him of impending danger. When in costume he becomes a figure in motion, leaping and jumping about with a steady stream of wisecracks.
The Spider-Man suit designed by Tony Stark includes wrist-worn web-shooters (adapted from Peter’s own invention) that emit lines of synthetic “webbing” capable of supporting great weight with a high-degree of holding power. In addition, the suit provides various optical powers, a voice-changer, a drone tracking device, and some protection against outside elements. When not in use, the suit appears as loose, thin cloth, but when donned, it adheres tightly to the body and stretches easily to almost any movement by the wearer.
Recently, Parker acquires a specialized suit of armor from Stark that features many qualities of the inventor’s own Iron Man suits, including enhanced protective layering, optics, internal air supply, along with a set of four spider-like extra “arms” that answer to the teenager’s mental commands.
To Squash a Spider
Spider-Man has yet to attract a sizable Rogues Gallery, but his first real Super Villain adversary is Adrian Toomes, the Vulture.
Over the course of Spider-Man’s interactions with the Vulture, he advanced from a nuisance in Toomes’ eyes to a true obstruction in the man’s schemes. Toomes also perhaps saw a bit of himself in Spider-Man, albeit at a younger age. Unfortunately, the Vulture discovered his foe’s secret identity and was able to initially warn Parker off with threats toward his family and friends. But, the young man’s sense of responsibility and justice outweighed any fear and he did everything within his power to ensure that Toomes never flew again. Now in prison, the Vulture still harbors Spider-Man’s secret, though he had decided to keep that to himself as an apparent sign of respect towards his enemy.
In addition to the Vulture himself, two of his associates may also still cause trouble for Spider-Man: Herman Schultz, AKA the Shocker, who wields a powerful gauntlet inherited from his late colleague, Jackson Brice, and Mac Gargan, a dangerous criminal who was injured in a confrontation with Spider-Man. Both men have been incarcerated, but Gargan in particular seems eager to enact his revenge on New York’s young champion.
When Thanos made his play for the Infinity Stones, Spider-Man, coming to Iron Man’s aid, placed himself in direct opposition to both Thanos and those who serve him.
Classmates, Comrades, and Kin
May Parker took her nephew in to raise him as if he was her own son and has instilled values in Peter Parker that serve him well. So close are the two that he worries over hurting May with his Spider-Man activities and feels the pain of lying to her. May is easygoing to some extent, but is quick to let her nephew know when she is unhappy with any situation he may be involved in.
As a student at the Midtown School of Science and Technology, Parker enjoys only a very small circle of friends, partially due to his extracurricular time as Spider-Man. His best friend is his classmate Ned, who discovers Spider-Man’s secret identity by accident and is in complete awe over the details of Parker’s costumed career. During Spider-Man’s first real adventure involving a major adversary, Ned provides valuable support, despite his seemingly bumbling demeanor.
Peter Parker’s kindhearted first crush, Liz, led to Peter’s shocking discovery that her father was his enemy, Adrian Toomes, and Liz’s departure not only from Peter’s school, but also from the city with her family.
Spider-Man maintains a mentor-student relationship with Tony Stark, even through ups and downs between them, due to Parker’s rebellious streak and his desire to be just like Stark when it comes to heroics.
To the Avengers and Beyond
After securing Peter Parker’s promise of help in the aftermath of the Sokovia Accords, Tony Stark flew the teenager to Germany under the pretense, to his aunt, of a scholarship program and internship. Once there, Parker suited up in his new Stark-created Spider-Man gear and joined the confrontation under Stark’s direction against the rogue heroes. Though a self-professed fan of Captain America, Parker temporarily stole the man’s famous shield at the onset of the battle, and later regretted having to clash with him and his companions. Overall, Spider-Man held his own against the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and toppled a giant-size Ant-Man. He was taken out of the fight when Ant-Man accidentally struck him while falling, however. Stark ordered Parker to stand down for the rest of the action.
Upon returning to Queens, Parker explained away his injuries as the result of a brawl he’d been in; May assumed that it was with fellow students. In reality, the young man looked forward to more battles, despite Stark’s seeming reluctance to involve him in any future battles.
Finally, after growing frustrated with the lack of direct communication with Stark, and itching to be useful as Spider-Man, Parker returned to crimefighting on the streets of his neighborhood. As fate would have it, he came across a group of criminals robbing a bank with weapons left over from the alien Chitauri invasion of New York. In the process of confronting them, however, he accidentally destroyed a nearby establishment. To make matters worse, Parker’s friend, Ned, discovered his Spider-Man secret. Tony Stark also personally warned Parker to curtail his Super Hero activities and his campaign against the Vulture, the man responsible for supplying high tech weaponry to criminals.
Together, Parker and Ned figured out a way to track the criminals’ power source. After discovering it led to Washington D.C., the location of an upcoming school trip, the young hero went along as part of a science competition team. After a harrowing experience at the Washington Monument with a Chitauri explosive, Parker returned to New York and tracked the Vulture to a deal on the Staten Island Ferry. Iron Man jetted in to help when the ensuing fight threatened to sink the ferry and kill those onboard; later Stark warned Parker again, in no uncertain terms, that his career as a Super Hero was over. To ensure Parker took him seriously, he also took back the Spider-Man suit.
Dejected, Peter Parker turned back to his school activities and asked the girl of his dreams, Liz, to accompany him to the Homecoming dance. The night of the dance, he learned that Liz’s father is Adrian Toomes, the Vulture, and in turn, Toomes learned that he was Spider-Man. Toomes warned Parker to stay away, but the young man, wearing his original homemade Spider-Man costume, stubbornly refused to give up and battled his foe all the way into the air and on top of a plane carrying Stark weapons the Vulture attempted to hijack.
Upon defeating his adversary, Spider-Man left him for the police and prepared to face Tony Stark’s wrath. Instead, impressed by the growth he had seen, Stark commended him for his victory, and offered Parker a new, upgraded Spider-Man suit and full Avengers membership. However, Peter had reevaluated how quickly he was trying to raise his status and politely declined Stark’s offer, deciding to stay a local hero for the time being. Returning home, he discovered Stark had returned the suit he’d taken back from him earlier, and Peter donned it again, only to be stumbled upon by May.
When Thanos’ followers came to Earth to acquire the Infinity Stones harbored there, Spider-Man aided Iron Man and Doctor Strange in confronting the powerful being. Wanting to try to save Strange when he was abducted by the aliens, he stubbornly disobeyed Stark’s orders to stay behind and hitched a ride on the departing starship—ultimately given an assist by the upgraded, armored suit Stark had made for him that he’d once turned down while declining Avengers membership.
Together, Parker, Stark, and Strange travelled to the dead world of Titan, where they met members of the Guardians of the Galaxy and prepared a plan to keep Thanos from getting Strange’s own Infinity Stone. The plan failed and the tyrant left Titan with the Stone, going on to gain the sixth and final Infinity Stone on Earth. Having done so, with a snap of his fingers, Thanos caused half of all life throughout the Universe to end. On Titan, those affected included Peter Parker, who could feel something was happening to him. Peter told Tony Stark he didn’t want to go and that he was sorry before disintegrating into nothingness in Stark’s arms.
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History of Maryvale School System
THE ERA OF THE ONE-ROOM SCHOOL EVENTUALLY GAVE WAY TO
It is difficult to ascertain and identify the first legally established school district in the Town of Cheektowaga. Until 1839 this area was part of the Town of Amherst. On March 22, 1839 Amherst was divided and the Town of Cheektowaga ("Land of the Crab Apple") was established. On June 24, 1839 it was resolved that District #13 of Amherst be known as District #2 of Cheektowaga.
In 1873 land was purchased on the corner of Williamsville Rd. (now Cayuga Rd.) and School Rd. (now Maryvale Dr.) for the construction of a one-room brick school. This building served the children of the community until the 1920's. ... THE FOUR ROOM SCHOOL On November 24, 1922, a resolution was passed to construct a four-room brick school. Built at a cost of $36,000 the Cayuga Rd. school was adequate until the early 1940's. In 1942 the mortgage was burned. (4 teachers were employed at that time). Although the Cayuga Rd. school was free of debt, the building was not large enough to meet the needs of children of a rapidly growing population. Spurred by the influx of workers in local defense plants, housing units in the town sprang up quickly. The student population had increased to point that new school facilities were necessary. The School Board with subsidies from the Federal Government, obtained land on Union Road and constructed a five room school. The structure, located at the north end of the Airport Plaza, was utilized as a school from 1944-49 when it became the Cheektowaga Post Office (since moved).
THE COMMON SCHOOL DISTRICT BECOMES UNION FREE AS THE POPULATION EXPLODES
A new era in the development of the District began at the end of World War II. Heretofore a common school district (3-member board), Maryvale became a Union Free School District (5-member board). The change was significant because it would enable the district to eventually build its own high school. Meanwhile both the Cayuga Rd. school and the Union Rd. school soon became inadequate to house a mushrooming student enrollment. On June 3, 1947, after several successful bond votes, a bond issue was passed for the purchase of land and construction of a school at a cost of $850,000. The new school was built on a site on Maryvale Dr., just east of Beach Rd. (this is often considered the actual beginning of the District as it is known today). By January 3, 1949, all of the children in the Maryvale District (from K-8) attended classes in one, 25-room building (777 Maryvale Drive). High School students still had to attend Depew or Pine Hill High Schools.
THE NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
The growth problem was not peculiar to Maryvale alone. Other district’s schools in the Town were also overcrowded. By the 1950's, the Maryvale School Board was finding it impossible to place High School students with other districts. On June 7, 1950, a special meeting was held and a favorable vote obtained on a $1,625,000 bond issue to construct a new 850 student Junior- Senior High School. A supplementary vote for the construction of a swimming pool passed on February 19, 1951. The District’s first Junior-Senior High School was opened for classes in September of 1952 (1050 Maryvale Drive. The site of the current High School).
In the spring of 1954 the Cayuga Rd. school was closed. Residential construction continued unabated. In 1956 the District’s population had grown to 18,000 residents. Increases in the numbers of students forced a continuous building program from 1953-1965, which included the construction of three additional elementary schools, a Junior High School, additions to the three elementary schools and the Junior and Senior High Schools and a new grades 7-8 Junior High School.
THROUGH THE 60's AND 70's WE CONTINUE TO GROW
A student enrollment profile from 1931 through 1965 revealed that the District had steadily increased from a total of 137 students (1931) to 6,333 students (1965). As the decade of the 60's drew to a close, an estimated 7,500 students (1969-70 school year) reported to six schools that comprised the Maryvale School District at the time. Beginning with the 1968-69 school year, sixth graders from East Elementary and U-Crest Elementary were housed on the secondary school campus –a move necessitated by the large number of elementary school students in the southern portion of the District and the limited facilities available in that area. With the advent of the 1970's, Maryvale continued to undergo significant changes. Student enrollment was still on the up-swing at the beginning of the decade.
In 1970 the Samuel R. Bennett Administration Building was opened and housed sixth graders from Maryvale East and U-Crest Elementary. In 1972 Maryvale became a Superintendency. Dr. Samuel R. Bennett who served as District Principal from 1951 and then as Superintendent from 1972, retired in 1974. In that same year, Dr. Robert A. Binner was appointed Superintendent of Schools (a position he held until his retirement in 1992). In 1974 because of shifting populations, sixth graders returned to Maryvale East and U-Crest and half of the ninth graders were housed in the Bennett Building. As the decade progressed, student enrollment began to decrease. By the end of the decade our student population numbered 4,667.
POPULATION DECLINES
In the 1980's difficult decisions had to made regarding the future of district facilities in light of the declining enrollment. The Planning Board’s "Energy and Facilities" committee solicited suggestions from the community during two public hearings in 1983. As a result of the hearings and a full review of all recommendations, the Board of Education voted to close three elementary buildings-- North Hill, Maryvale East and Maryvale Elementary–in 1984 and to restructure the District to include Primary, Intermediate, Middle and High Schools. U-Crest was designated as the Primary School (K-2); the 7-8 Junior High Building was designated as the District’s Intermediate/Middle School (3-8); the Senior High continued to house students 9-12. The original K-8 elementary school (Maryvale Elementary, 1947 became the Continuing/Community Education Building.)
THE 80's AND 90'S...AND BEYOND
In 1989 the District undertook a 12-million-dollar reconstruction project which included asbestos abatement, the addition of several grade 3 classrooms in the Intermediate School, a major renovation of the district libraries, athletic facilities and offices. In 1992 the District appointed its third superintendent, Mr. Gary Brader. In 1999 the District again undertook a reconstruction project dedicated to infrastructure issues such as roofs, electric power distribution (to complete the Technology Plan and an Access Control project), parking lots and digital upgrades to the HVAC controls. In 1993 the Continuing/Community Education Building was re-dedicated in honor of Dr. Robert A. Binner, former Superintendent. During the 1990's the district’s enrollment has seen some minor fluctuations but has remained fairly constant at about 2,500 students. IT STARTS WITH THE COMMUNITY Over the years, the challenges of the past were met by the many men and women in our District who gave generously of their time and dedication in service to the Board, on our PTOs and the various citizen committees that advise our administrative staff. Further, those challenges were met by thousands of teachers and non-teaching professionals who brought their love of learning and children to the classrooms of the district. The Maryvale School District prides itself on its deep sense of community and its total commitment to maintain the excellence in education that our residents have been accustomed to respect. (thanks to Mr. Edward Szemraj, Library Media Coordinator , Ret., for much of the research and writing of this history ).
As the District has moved into the 21st Century, it began the process of making a careful examination of its facilities which were now well over 50 years old in some cases. Maryvale’s buildings and playing fields have enjoyed a wonderful reputation over the many years because all of them are used not only by the K-12 program, but also by the community at large through its expansive Community Education program. Our community has understood that enhancing its facilities also enhances its property values while providing a well-rounded program for its youngsters.
Beginning in 2003, much needed improvements were made to the "telecommunications" network in the High School, the oldest of the facilities housing the K-12 program. It included classroom phones and a new PA and intercom system for the 11-12 building. In 2005-06 the Board approved a $2.4-million-dollar energy performance contract to replace its very old and inefficient lighting system with new, energy efficient lighting. The dollars saved in utility costs are paying for the entire project.
Most recently, in 2006, the voters of the District approved a $34.7-million-dollar reconstruction project focused primarily on upgrading the facilities in the 11-12 building. Among the more notable efforts in this project will be the addition of a new swimming pool wing that will provide a much needed 8 lane competition pool and will reuse the old pool area as an expanded fitness center with improved locker rooms. In keeping with Maryvale’s tradition as a "community school", these new facilities will be available for use by the community through the District’s Community Education program.
In addition to the new pool area and a reconstructed parking area for that venue, the project will also address the old science wing area of the building, moving all science classes to a state of the art wing to be located on the second floor of the 9-10 building in the area of the current art wing which will be accessible from the second floor of the 11-12 building by the addition of a new connecting corridor on the second floor.
Another notable improvement addressed the aging football stadium area. A new 8 lane all weather competition track was installed surrounded by improved bleachers, a new press box and lighting for evening activities.
In October of 2009 Mrs. Deborah Ziolkowski became the fourth Superintendent of the Maryvale Union Free School District. During her tenure at Maryvale, the district hit a time of fiscal uncertainty and declining student enrollment. In an attempt to stabilize the district, massive layoffs took place and the sale of district properties. The district sold the old North Hill Elementary building and Dr. Robert A. Binner Community Education building. With the sale of the Community Education building located at 777 Maryvale Drive, the program moved to the main campus located at 1050 Maryvale Drive. With the move, the 9-10 building was re-dedicated to the Dr. Robert A Binner building since the old building was sold off.
In 2012 district residents voted on and approved a bond project. This project made improvements to the rest of the windows on the main campus, brought state of the art interactive projectors to each classroom in the district and updated the safety/emergency systems around the district
TODAY AT MARYVALE
In September of 2015 Mr. Joseph R. D’Angelo became the fifth Superintendent of the Maryvale Union Free School District. The student population is holding steady with approximately 2200 students.
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Matinee Blog
What languages have influenced English and why? Part 3 – English dominance
There are approximately 1.4 Billion speakers of the English language throughout the world today. Around two thirds of these people speak English as a second or foreign language compared with one third native speakers. In our last couple of blogs we have looked at a number of factors influencing the English language to become as it is today, but how did it reach the stage where it is understood by 1 in 7 of the global population?
A good place to start would be the British Empire which at its height in 1922, was the largest in history, covering over a quarter of the Earth’s land area, with a population of over 450 Million people.
This map shows the British Empire in 1922.
Britain fully colonised Ireland by the mid-17th Century before expanding their empire all across the globe. As shown by the illustration, Britain set up colonies in North America and the Caribbean, India and Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand as well as large parts of Africa. In some colonised states such as Australia, European settlers began to outnumber the indigenous people that lived there causing English to become the new native language. In other colonised states like India, the influence was not strong enough to take over as the new native language, although it did manage to become their 2nd language with around a quarter of their population currently able to speak English.
Although the USA established independence in 1776, their radical economic, cultural and political growth certainly influenced the dominance of the English language today. This was particularly evident in the 20th and 21st centuries when these strengthening influences allowed them to reach superpower status. America is also known for its booming business success in recent history which has contributed to the English language being considered the international language of business. One cannot ignore the influence of show business that has emanated from the United States over the past century or so. Many of the world’s greatest musical icons such as Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Eminem, Bruce Springsteen and Madonna have been produced by America. Furthermore, the global and cultural dominance of Hollywood on the global stage is unrivalled. This dominance continued into the modern information age with nearly half of all websites written in English and 8 of the top 10 most visited websites based in America.
Historically, linguistic world orders do change so it is theoretically possible than English will eventually be succeeded by another language. Now, in the 21st Century, China is positioning itself to rival America for the position of number one economic power, although whether this can be backed up by linguistic dominance remains to be seen. The English language today is not considered to be owned by any one nation – as discussed in our previous blogs, it has so many influences from other languages leading to many different dialects being spoken all over the world. Native speakers of the English language are said to have forfeited the right to exclusive ownership of it, as many now argue that it belongs to anyone who can speak it. Indeed, native speakers are outnumbered 2-to-1 by non-native speakers. For these reasons it appears that the English language will be able to hold its dominance for the foreseeable future.
We hope you have enjoyed this blog series about the history of the English language.
For a humorous take on the history of the English language watch this excellent video, originally created by the The Open University
The Female Stars of Screen & Stage Who Have…
The differences between Chinese languages; Mandarin…
Are Sounds and Noises the Same in Other Languages?…
Transcription of Audio/Video Content and Why it’s Needed
What languages have influenced English and why? Part 2 – Germanic influences
Where can I find a voice over studio in London?
Afrikaans voice artist american voice artist Arabic voice artist Brazilian Portuguese voice artist Brazilian voice talent British voice actor British voice artist British voice talent Business Chinese-Cantonese voice artist Chinese-Cantonese voice talent Chinese-Mandarin voice artist Chinese-Mandarin voice talent Czech voice artist Danish voice artist Dutch voice artist english voice artist English voice artist regional accent French-Canadian voice artist french voice-over french voice artist German voice artist German voice over Hindi dubbing Hindi voice actor Hindi voice artist Italian voice artist Italian voice talent Japanese voice artist Just for fun Language LA Spanish voice artist Latin American voice artist Localisation localization northern accent Norwegian voice artist Polish voice artist spanish voice artist spanish voice over Subtitling Swedish voice artist translation video translation Voice-over
And finally…this video explains all
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Send letters to:
28 Little Russell Street
London WC1A 2HN
letters@lrb.co.uk
Please include name, address, and work and home telephone numbers.
Vol. 16 No. 7 · 7 April 1994
Lauraphobia
I was at the party when Laura Riding jumped out of the window (LRB, 10 March). It was a party of big names in the Arts and I was escaping from one of the top portrait painters. I would have liked to be seen for ever young and lovely, but if it meant going to bed with him – no. Then there was a wild row going on and Laura Riding jumped out of the window and Robert Graves jumped after her, but sensibly ran downstairs so that it was an easy jump. I disliked Laura so much that I would have preferred her to have been bashed to bits, but not at a party.
Carradale, Argyll
During the winter of 1937-8 my wife and I shared a Surrey house with the two refugees from Majorca. Laura was in the habit of pronouncing: ‘Bodies have had their day.’ Now that she and Graves no longer shared a bed this was a useful stick to beat him with. Two years later, in America, she issues from a bedroom (in which she and Schuyler Jackson have spent 48 hours together with the door locked) to announce to the inmates of Nimrod’s Rise: ‘Schuyler and I do.’ Mythology? No, fact. No wonder Riding was allergic to biography! At Ewhurst, I am reminded, Laura tried to persuade my wife to give up sharing her husband’s bed; but Alix politely told Laura to mind her own business. Alix and I knew nothing at this time of the crazy three-life and four-life passages that had led to Riding’s attempted suicide – a crime in those days, for which she might well have been deported, had not Graves got his friend Sir Edward Marsh to persuade the Home Office not to prosecute.
Riding quarrelled with all her major contributors to Epilogue: John Cullen, Jacob Bronowski, Norman Cameron, James Reeves, Alan Hodge and myself, and finally with Graves – who lost heavily on the Epilogue enterprise. According to Jenny Turner, this ‘mythology’ can best be viewed as a ‘set of stories which do quite a bit to illuminate the culture in which they were formed’. Alternatively, one might judge: Laura Riding was congenitally incapable of conducting herself as a poet among poets. Norman Cameron, for example, gave up building himself a house in Deya when he realised to his ‘horror’ that Riding was promoting a competition for her affections between himself and Graves. Norman was incorruptible. He handed her the house, and 10,000 pesetas to complete it, as the price of his escape. His superb poem, entitled ‘The Wanton’s Death’, commemorates the episode. The poem stands on its own feet, of course; but its reference to Riding adds a spice to its conclusion:
Her relics rot on the sea-wasted foreshore,
Half-wooed, half-spurned by the land-tainted spindrift.
Riding the novelist was a failure. At Ewhurst the subject of I, Claudius was taboo, though Riding was quite content to live off the proceeds. Her novel, A Trojan Ending, written in jealousy with the aim of putting Graves’s literary success in the shade, was a flop. Riding the poet was all Jenny Turner says of her.
After his dismissal in 1940, Graves (having supported Riding and her writings for 13 years) gallantly announced that she had ‘wiped the slate clean’. At his death, Riding wrote to the Times of ‘this figure of outsize proportions who, intensely in his later decades, treated literature as his own private theatre of the transcendental grotesque … the lie his method of truth’.
The abusive letters Riding wrote to me from Wabasso, between 1940 and her death in 1991, have been placed in an Exeter University archive, pending the expiry of her copyright. They should one day make interesting reading in the matter of the contribution to 20th-century culture of this formidable but very wicked woman.
Harry Kemp
Crediton, Devon
Born in Bombay
I hadn’t been intending to mention it, but since Gerald Moore (Letters, 24 March) is kind enough to ask, my father, a Delhi man born and bred, chose our family name there in his youth, not in ‘what is now Pakistan’.
For the record, while I’m at it, Christopher Hitchens’s tough-minded and heartening Diary (LRB, 24 February) contained a couple of other small, but not insignificant, inaccuracies. The volume Pour Rushdie (now published as For Rushdie by the US house Braziller but still, as far as I know, without a British publisher) contains articles by 100, not ‘almost two dozen’, of the ‘leading novelists, poets and essayists of the Arab and Muslim world’. The writers’ attitude to my work ranges from favourable to dismissive, but all of them express complete solidarity with the principle of freedom of expression. The declaration of Iranian intellectuals to which he refers has 162 signatories, not 57.
Both these corrections serve to emphasise his argument that the ‘Rushdie case’ is one manifestation of ‘a contest, bitter and subtle, within Islam’. Since many multiculturalists (with whom, as he rightly says, ‘it is impossible to be sufficiently irritated’) have been acting as the fundamentalists’ fellow-travellers by peddling the notion that this is an East-West quarrel, I’m grateful to the Hitch for pointing out that many of us persons of the tinted persuasion care about human rights and artistic freedom too.
Naming the devil
Malcolm Bull has written a most interesting article around my book Cosmos, Chaos and the World to Come (LRB, 10 March). His comments on this, and indeed on my historical writings as a whole, are thoughtful and much to the point. And his interpretation of the catastrophe at Waco is the most illuminating of any that have come my way. However, I am certain that he is mistaken on one important matter: when and how Christianity came under Zoroastrian influence.
Bull suggests that Zoroastrian influence may have reached Christianity via Manicheism. Chronology is against him. The Gnostic religion known as Manicheism was founded in the third century AD – and everything that Jewish and Christian apocalyptic has in common with Zoroastrianism can be traced back many centuries before that. The vision of a world created by a good god, and itself essentially good, but invaded and harassed by an immense, supernatural power of evil; the sense of incessant struggle between the forces allied with the good god and the forces allied with the evil power; the conviction that the good god will achieve a final and total victory, which will purify the world for ever and ever – all this is to he found already in the Book of Daniel, which was composed between 169 and 165 BC. Even more explicitly, it is to be found in the Book of Revelation, which dates from the end of the first century AD. Augustine was able to draw on the great vision, in Revelation 18, of the fall of that embodiment of evil, ‘Babylon the great’; and so, alas (as Bull indicates), was Koresh of Waco.
There is more specific evidence that apocalyptic Jewish sects did indeed owe much to Zoroastrianism. The precise correspondence of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2.40 sq. with the Zoroastrian apocalypse known as vahman Yasht would surely be proof enough by itself; and so would certain passages in the Community Rule from Qumran. As for the absence of Iranian loan-words in Hebrew – I can only say that it impresses me much less than it seems to impress Bull. In cases of culture contact it is quite normal to adapt words in one’s own language to express new concepts. Why, after all, should Jews call the evil power by the Zoroastrian name Ahriman when they could so easily adapt the good old Hebrew words Satan (‘adversary’ or ‘accuser’) or mastema (‘hostility’), or else diabolos (the Greek equivalent of satan, and the origin of our ‘devil’)? Which is what they did.
What matters, surely, is the fact that the dualism and the eschatology that one finds in Jewish and Christian apocalypses are quite alien to the ancient Israelite religion as one meets it in the Old Testament – whereas they are central to Zoroastrianism. It remains to explore the channels through which Zoroastrian influence penetrated into Judaism – or rather, into certain branches of Judaism. That is now being done. In the Hellenistic period Zoroastrian, Jewish and Christian intellectuals will have had no difficulty in communicating, since they had a common language, Greek. The circumstances which brought them together have been investigated, not only by the Iranian Mary Boyce but, more recently and over a wider area, by the Professor of Religious Studies in the School of Oriental and African Studies, John Hinnells.
It is becoming ever more apparent how lively, widespread and long-lasting Zoroastrian-Jewish contacts were. And for my part, I become ever more convinced that (if I may quote myself) ‘amongst the fringe groups in Judaism the Jesus sect was the one that was most exposed to Zoroastrian influence.’
Norman Cohn
Wood End, Hertfordshire
Licence to kill
In his piece on the Scott Inquiry (LRB, 10 February), Paul Foot does an injustice to Carlos Cardoen, ‘the Chilean Cluster Bomb King’ and arms supplier to Iraq, when he describes him as having ‘only two heroes, Pinochet and Saddam Hussein’. In fact, Latin America’s most notorious private arms manufacturer has proved himself far cannier than this. Certainly, his success story began under Pinochet, when Army contacts in the late Seventies allowed him to branch out from his existing small mining explosives business. But in the mid-Eighties, at the height of his cluster bomb bonanza, he fell out with the General and became a leading backer of the Christian Democrat and centre-left opposition; he was probably the most outspoken business dissident at the time. When elections came finally in 1989, he was a major funder of opposition leader Patricio Aylwin’s victorious Presidential campaign. Since then – having, he says, given up arms production for fruit exports and other activities – he has funded a leading leftwing magazine, done business in Cuba (food products, apparently) and continued to sponsor cultural projects, such as an arts centre on Easter Island.
The full story of Cardoen’s conflict with Pinochet has never emerged. His undoubted sensitivity to the direction of the political wind probably had much to do with it. He is also known to have criticised the quality of the Chilean Army’s ordnance products. But one incident, triggered by the Iran-Iraq War and the arms supply networks Paul Foot discusses, was certainly important. Presumably lured by the millions being pulled in by Cardoen’s sale of his cheap, efficient and very nasty cluster bombs to Iraq, a company linked to the Chilean Army attempted to get in on the act by selling another such bomb to Iran, in a triangular deal through Nigeria. The attempt ended in farce, as a sample bomb blew up in the air in tests carried out in Iran, reportedly destroying an Iranian Air Force plane and risking bloody reprisals against the Chileans involved in the project. The middleman between Chile and Iran, Bernard Stroiazzo, claimed to have been held captive by the Iranian Government for 18 months and later sued Pinochet’s Government, alleging it had reneged on a deal to compensate him by allowing his British-based company, Were International Ltd, to process toxic waste in the Atacama Desert. Cardoen, meanwhile, sued the Army-linked company, Ferrimar, for industrial espionage, alleging that one of his executives had decamped to it with his cluster bomb plans. The officer involved in developing the rival cluster bomb, Colonel Carlos Carreño, was later kidnapped by the Chilean left-wing armed group, the Manuel Rodriguez Patriotic Front, in one of its more spectacular hits against the Pinochet regime, and smuggled to Brazil, where he was released.
All of which is only a footnote to the vast and repulsive story told in Paul Foot’s article, but corrects the widespread and over-neat impression of Cardoen merely as a Pinochet acolyte. The unpalatable fact is that part of Chile’s campaign to return to democracy (albeit a democracy where Pinochet continues as Army commander-in-chief) was bankrolled by the profits from some of the more hideous deaths in the Middle East.
The next instalment to the Cardoen saga is likely to be an extradition request by the Miami courts to have him face charges brought by US Customs of illegal arms trading with Iraq. The request will almost certainly be turned down by the Chilean Supreme Court, a decision which will be generally applauded in Chile, despite the Court’s deep unpopularity due to its craven record when called on to defend human rights under Pinochet and the general feeling of embarrassment at Cardoen’s activities. In this case, however, Cardoen is seen as a relatively small Third World player being scapegoated by the US Government to distract attention from its own far vaster role in the game of supplying Saddam – an interpretation, as Paul Foot’s piece serves to emphasise, with which it is hard not to sympathise.
Malcolm Coad
Whose hubris?
John Lloyd got only some of it right in reviewing Paul Routledge’s biography of Arthur Scargill (LRB, 10 March). Unsurprisingly, his comments are most accurate when focused on the 1984-85 strike period and its aftermath, which he covered for the Financial Times. But while the loss of most jobs and the majority of pits was inevitable because of the technological revolution that began in the industry in the late Seventies, the death of the coal industry itself is by no means inevitable. In 1972 a group of us from Bradford University showed the NUM Executive how 80 per cent of miners’ jobs were at risk, while current output could be maintained if the Coal Board applied all its new technology. The jobs went as did the pits, but even in 1992 nearly 70 percent of deep mine capacity remained.
By that year the majority of the remaining deep mines were already competitive with their cheapest competitor fuel, imported coal, at their main market – Britain’s huge inland coal-fired power stations. These mines were finally squeezed out of this market by the policy decisions of Lord Wakeham (the former Energy Secretary, who was brought back to lead the Cabinet through the final coal crisis in October 1992). He made sure that the ‘dash for gas’ in power generation went ahead, in spite of his previous promises to the contrary to the Energy Select Committee.
Wakeham had assured the Committee that if gas-fired power stations were more expensive than coal stations, the coal stations would remain open. His appointee, Professor Stephen Littlechild, the electricity regulator, made sure that this would not happen, even though he knew, as we all did, that the existing coal stations were cheaper than most of the proposed gas stations. After all, it was not just the NUM research department – which I headed at the time – that was saying so but the Major Energy Users Council and the big generating companies themselves.
The death of Britain’s coal industry is not a question of the geopolitics of energy. Quite simply it is a manifestation of brutal politics. The country now has only 17 large British coal mines left operating. Some of these are to close over the next months. Quite a few others have been mothballed or been put up for sale as licensed mines. No more of these mines should be allowed to close. The real geopolitics of energy, determined by present events in Russia (which supplies 10 per cent of the European Union’s energy), Algeria (which supplies 12 per cent of the EU’s gas) and the Middle East (which supplies most of the EU’s oil), could lead very quickly to a new energy crisis. This is foreshadowed by the Ukraine cutting the supply of gas to the West in a dispute with Russia over payment, but would explode on the arrival of an ultra-nationalist regime in Russia that renewed its military ties with Iraq. Then not only Britain but Western Europe as a whole would need every tonne of British coal it could get.
Dave Feickert
John Lloyd’s criticism of Arthur Scargill is to be commended for a generosity of spirit usually lacking in similar pieces. He is, however, particularly wrong to defend Kim Howells’s successful move to call off the 1984-85 strike without a settlement: in effect, to surrender for fear of a worse defeat. I do not doubt the honour of Dr Howells’s motivation. The fact remains that not only did this leave hundreds of victimised miners without their jobs, but in the long term the conclusions that were drawn from it helped fashion a strategy of preferring to concede rather than risk a fight; and this has had a disastrous effect on the morale and effectiveness of the trade-union movement. It is now the rule rather than the exception for ballots to be held and won, and then action not called (this, strangely, causes no foot-stamping about ‘democracy’ in the press) – or for ballots not to be held at all. It is doubtful whether this strategy has saved a single job or prevented a single pay cut: it is proving singularly ineffective in responding to the current pay freeze. And certainly it has not come remotely as close to beating the Tories as did Arthur Scargill and the National Union of Mineworkers.
Ed Horton
Nothing like David Hume
As pleased as I was to see Françoise de Graffigny and her Letters from a Peruvian Woman receive over a full page of lively discussion by P.N. Furbank (LRB, 24 March), I am sorry that he relied so heavily on Georges Noël’s worthy but outdated biography for much of his information on the author’s life. The 30 ‘wonderfully good’ letters she wrote from Cirey about Voltaire comprise only a fraction of her extant correspondence, which is currently being edited by a team of scholars, including myself, under the direction of J.A. Dainard; almost five hundred letters, dating from 1716 through November 1742, are already available in three volumes published by the Voltaire Foundation in Oxford. Another 11 volumes are on the way, and besides an appealing and impressive story of a woman writer’s career, they will provide a fascinating close-up of literary Paris in the mid-18th century.
The letters already published make it clear how Graffigny moved to Paris and lived there after her falling-out with Voltaire and Emilie du Châtelet. She endured their suspicious anger at Cirey for more than a month, not just ‘a day or two’, before her young friend came to her rescue. Although money was always a problem, she had several sources of income besides her ‘tiny pension’ from the Duchesse de Richelieu. The complicated incident involving Nicolas Liébault and his mistress Clairon Lebrun happened while Graffigny was still lodging in a convent, only dreaming of ‘setting up house’: Clairon came to Paris to have an illegitimate baby in secret, Liébault suspected Graffigny of conspiring to give Clairon to a rich rival, and Noël told the soap-operatic story knowing only Liébault’s side of it. It sounds very different with Graffigny’s side included. Meanwhile, on her own initiative and unaided by any ‘aristocratic acquaintance’, she had already met and become friends with Jeanne-Françoise Quinault; and she was included very early in the salon later called the Bout du Banc. The correspondence tells far more than I could summarise here, but I particularly recommend the dust-cover portrait of Graffigny by Quentin de La Tour, which depicts a very attractive woman with a mischievous smile, a witty gleam in her eye, and no resemblance whatsoever to David Hume.
Graffigny’s remarkable experiences as a successful writer in 18th-century Paris make her an interesting case for feminist critics. The next few volumes of letters will show her developing as a writer from ‘Nouvelle Espagnole’, which she wrote on command using an outline supplied by the Comte de Caylus and which she did not think much of herself, to Letters of a Peruvian Woman, which was motivated by a good deal more than ‘pique’ and which fully justified the artist’s pride she took in it. By all indices, it was one of the most popular and influential novels of the era, reprinted well over a hundred times, cited in the Encyclopedia, adapted for the stage, continued in numerous sequels, and translated into most European languages, including five different English versions before this one. The publisher’s decision to make a reliable and affordable translation of this ‘much loved and wept-over’ novel available for the first time in almost a century will allow a new generation of Anglophone readers to form their own judgments of it.
English Showalter
London WC1
Cunning Passage
Frank Kermode’s review of Eliot’s Clark Lectures (LRB, 27 January) gives some of the history of their provenance. It is surprising that he does not note that in fact a substantial section of these lectures was published at the time they were given as ‘Deux attitudes mystiques: Dante et Donne’ in Chroniques in Paris in 1927. This is the section of the lectures that Kermode discusses in some detail, and in which Eliot favours the writings of Richard de Saint-Victor and gives an extensive and unfavourable critique of Donne’s ‘The Extasie’. In 1930 and 1931, Eliot seems to have returned to his Clark Lectures, not merely to produce the Turnbull Lectures, but also to produce six broadcast talks on the Metaphysical poets, published in the Listener in 1930, and to write the better known ‘Donne in Our Time’ that appeared in 1931 in A Garland for John Donne. ‘Deux attitudes mystiques’ was certainly of great interest concerning Eliot’s changing attitude to the Metaphysical poets; but the pieces in the Listener offered few surprises, though Eliot by then favoured the devotional poets.
The non-publication of the Clark Lectures may have been associated with the spiritual crisis Eliot was undergoing at the time: this was the period of his conversion. His changing valuation of Donne in favour of Dante is in keeping with this; and he may have felt insecure about his attitude to his subject. He makes a relevant distinction in another piece published in French at this time, ‘Note sur Mallarmé et Poe’ in La Nouvelle Revue Française of November 1926: ‘Le poète philosophique est celui qui vit d’un système, soit complet et conscient comme ceux de Dante et de Lucrèce … Le poète “métaphysique”… par exemple … Donne, Poe et Mallarmé… ont la passion de la spéculation métaphysique, mais il est évident gu’ils ne croient pas aux théories auxquelles ils s’intéressent.’ The undissociated sensibility of the 17th century, with its capacity to hold in balance a controlled variety of attitudes, seems to have been replaced as the ideal by the unified sensibility of Dante, unironic in its attitude to belief.
In a slightly later piece from 1932, ‘A Note on Two Odes of Cowley’ in Seventeenth-Century Studies Presented to Sir Herbert Grierson, we encounter a clear statement of what lay behind Eliot’s concerns: ‘The transference of attention from theology to science, or to sciences – the beginning of the slow disease which was to separate and confuse thought and feeling …’ Like Yeats, Eliot looked nostalgically back for a time in which the dominant world explanation was a humanly oriented (and religious) one (as it was with Dante), unthreatened by the humanly indifferent explanations of science, which seemed increasingly to both poets to pre-empt the domain of the imagination.
A.T. Tolley
Carleton University, Ottawa
Misrepresenting
Hilary Putnam’s letter (Letters, 24 February) begins by stating that my review of his Renewing Philosophy ‘is in content not a book review, but a polemic, and as such requires a response’. I am unclear what distinction he intends here: surely my piece was simply a (highly) critical book review. The question is whether my description of his views was correct and whether my criticisms were justified. I have seen no reason to waver on either point.
First, I neither said nor implied that Putnam regards ‘all of analytic philosophy’ as scientistic; I said that his view is that scientism is ‘rampant in current analytic philosophy’. Here is what Putnam says at the very start of his book: ‘Analytic philosophy has become increasingly dominated by the idea that science, and only science, describes the way the world is in itself, independently of perspective’; and there are many other passages to the same effect. So, contrary to his assertion, there is no misrepresentation of the kind he suggests, major or minor.
Second, Putnam tells us in his letter that he was opposing two tendencies in current philosophy, not one: ‘scientism, on the one hand, and a tendency to fantastic ontological and metaphysical constructions, on the other’. He suggests that I misrepresent him as claiming that much analytic metaphysics – for instance, David Lewis’s work on possible worlds – is scientistic in tendency. Of course I agree that these are quite distinct targets – that, indeed, was my point – but listen to this from Putnam’s discussion of the topic:
Some analytic philosophers, to be sure, are guilty of challenging the ways we think and talk without proposing any really workable better ways of thinking and talking; but most analytic philosophers nowadays consider themselves to be providing something like (or at least ‘continuous with’) a scientific explanation of the success of ordinary ways of thinking and talking. It is this analogy – the analogy of the work of philosophers like Jerry Fodor, or the proponents of ‘evolutionary intentionality’, or the metaphysicians of ‘possible worlds’ to the work of the scientist – that I find fundamentally frivolous … Most constructions in analytic metaphysics do not extend the range of scientific knowledge, not even speculatively. They merely attempt to rationalise the ways we think and talk in the light of a scientistic ideology [my italics].
That seems clearly to support my attribution, and I find it difficult to see how Putnam could accuse me of misinterpreting him on the point. My question then was how far Putnam is prepared to go with this diagnosis of contemporary analytic metaphysics (the book contains no answer to this obviously important question). Since the philosophers he cites as opposing scientism – Strawson, Kripke and others – have themselves engaged in systematic analytic metaphysics, it looks as if Putnam is committed to ruling out this aspect of their work. As I noted, it is hard to believe that Putnam could mean this; but his words seem to imply it. More important, the positive view of philosophy that he advocates – though it is not very clearly articulated – appears not to allow for the practice of traditional and current metaphysics. He says at the end of the book: ‘I have argued that the decision of a large part of analytic philosophy to become a form of metaphysics is a mistake.’ That sounds a lot like general opposition to current metaphysics to me. My question, then, still stands: by what criterion would Putnam rule out some forms of metaphysics while tolerating others (if indeed such selective tolerance is what he intends)? The only suggestion I can find in his text is that ‘the metaphysics of previous epochs had a vital connection to the culture of those epochs, which is why it was able to change the lives of men and women, and not always for the worse.’ I don’t care for the anti-theoretical tone of this remark, and I don’t see how (say) Kripke’s essentialist metaphysics would pass the test, or Strawson’s investigations of the role of space in establishing the subject-predicate distinction. I am only asking for clarity on the point: what kinds of current metaphysics does Putnam want to preserve, if any, and what to eradicate? If it is, after all, only David Lewis on possible worlds that Putnam takes to be guilty of the wrong kind of metaphysics, then his complaint that analytic metaphysics in general is misguided is hypberbolic.
Third, Putnam says I misrepresent his view of causation to make a ‘polemical point’: namely, that his thesis of the mind-dependence of causal relations implies that there cannot be causation without minds. Thus, I said, Putnam would have to hold that there could not be a world in which there are causal relations but no minds to apprehend them – which I think is implausible. I do not see that my point is answered by what Putnam says in his letter: ‘from the fact that the use of a notion presupposes certain interests it does not follow that we cannot use it to describe the world as it would have been if those interests had not existed’. Putting aside the trivial interpretation of this, that whether we choose to use a certain notion depends upon our interests, it seems to me that it does follow from what Putnam says that for a causal fact to obtain it is necessary that certain human interests should exist, since if p presupposes q the former can be true only if the latter is. That is, there can be causal relations in the physical universe only if these somehow incorporate human interests. Not being an idealist, I find this position unacceptable.
Finally, I never remotely implied that Putnam holds that ‘all philosophy except his own is “scientism”’: indeed his approval of Dewey and Wittgenstein (among others), which I reported, flatly contradicts such a claim. This ‘bogey-man’ certainly had no existence in my mind. My complaint, put simply, is that Putnam exaggerates.
Colin McGinn
Rutgers University, New Jersey
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The Wind by RHADS (used with permission)
Woman in a Yellow Dress
In some ways it’s hard to call up the emotions of that day. In other ways they are as alive as ever. I wrote this piece a week after the towers collapsed.
In Luanne's Blog, Other Work Tags loss, Manhattan, New York, Notes, RHADS, September 11, suicide, Twin Towers, World Trade Center, Yellow dress
From bestselling author Luanne Rice, a haunting and emotional short story, never-before released, and free to all readers. On the eve of a wedding by the edge of the sea, a once-in-a-lifetime storm sweeps through a family farm on the Connecticut Shoreline and sets in motion the events of The Night Before.
In Books News, Luanne's Blog, Luanne's Readers, Other Work, Book Archive Tags digital, e-book, free, Hubbard's Point, short story, Silver Bells, The Lemon Orchard, The Night Before
Cassat_CupOfTea
It Couldn't Happen To Me
I met him right after my mother died. We fell in love right away. In retrospect there were red flags, but I didn't know how to read them.
He had a hard luck story, an awful childhood. Hearing about it filled me with compassion and a desire to help him. Now, looking back, I don't know how much of it was real. Lying came with the package.
I saw the good at first. He was friendly, funny, interested in life. When I talked, he seemed to anticipate my next word, seemed to understand me better than I did myself. He listened to me talk about my mother's long death, and he'd hold me and tell me she was up in heaven. He meant it literally: puffy white clouds and angels with harps. This was new for me, a person who spoke of death in such simple, childlike ways, but I latched on and accepted the comforting image.
He also said, from our first night together, that we were Made in Heaven. "Heaven" came up frequently. I was a once madly devout child but had fallen away, and he was a serious Catholic, and I felt spellbound by the thought of my old faith, embodied by this man who said he loved me. We'd walk through the city and many walks included a stop in church. He'd light a candle and kneel, head bowed in deep prayer, and somehow that made my heart open a little more.
The beach; he did love the ocean, and so did I. We could spend hours walking the tideline in any weather, swimming when we could, lying on the beach and staring at the sky. He told me he loved surfing.
The courtship happened fast--a whirlwind romance--and lasted until we were married six weeks after meeting. (Not my first marriage.) Right after I said "I do" everything changed. He quit his job so I would support him, disappearing whenever he felt like it. He didn't speak to me so much as growl.
I was strong, "myself," at the beginning. But he wore me down. I was one way the day we married, and quite a different way by the time I finally left. My bones aren't broken, he never gave me a black eye. Yet his need for control depleted me terribly--to this day I'm shocked to think it happened at all.
When he yelled, his voice boomed so loud it reverberated through my bones. His eyes scared me. He raged at me. Or he'd go silent for days, not saying one word but giving off hateful energy, brushing past me hard enough to knock me aside. His physical changes were extreme and violent, frequently instantaneous; I felt I was watching Dr. Jekyll turning into Mr. Hyde.
After a while we'd make up and he'd beg me to understand HIS pain, and not to leave. He could be so charming, seeming to love me. People on the outside saw a handsome, friendly man. Sometimes I saw him that way, too.
I had close women friends. I would confide in them. Some got sick of seeing me drain away; they must have felt frustrated to watch me be stuck in such a bad, destructive relationship. They would say something real to me, and I would agree, say that I had to leave. Then he'd be nice again, and I'd remember the harsh words my friend had spoken about him. Eventually my friends drifted away. Or I did.
Seeing the relationship was like looking through a prism: now it looks this way, now it's completely different. What is real?
His first wife is a great woman. We respected each other from the beginning and became good friends as we went along. She was one of the few people I could really open up to--because she got it. While pregnant with their child, she'd been hammered on the head by him, one night when he'd come home late from the grocery store where he worked. She still has skull pain and hearing loss from that beating.
He had gotten arrested for beating other women--after his first wife there were girlfriends, and incidents, and nights in jail. He learned not to use his fists. If you don't leave marks, you won't get arrested. He told me that he had once broken a woman's jaw in three places, the message being that he could do that to me.
Why did I stay with him?
Check out the Cycle of Violence diagram. That part when you decide to believe his explanations, is called the fantasy or honeymoon, and it happens over and over, and it's unbelievably destructive. Each time I decided to stay, it chipped away a little more of myself.
Cycleviolence
I used to drive past a domestic violence center in a nearby town, but I never entered--wasn't that for women who were bruised and bleeding?
Holidays became a time to brood and suffer. He'd brood, I'd suffer. Eventually we shut everyone out. He liked to sit in a big armchair, right in front of the fire, staring at the flames. If I interrupted his fire-watching, he'd glare as if he wanted to roast me. I spent many many hours feeling dread and fear. Paradoxically, he was big on sending out Christmas cards--it was all about the show, giving the appearance of a marriage. He kept a detailed list of people who would receive our cards each year. He wrote them out and addressed the envelopes. He'd sign them, "May your New Year be blessed!" He spoke about God and religion frequently, had prayer cards and rosary beads and miraculous medals and spiritual books. Meantime he wouldn't be speaking to me.
Driving ragefully: it got worse toward the end. Once we were heading to Woods Hole, and I said or did the "wrong" thing, and he told me he was going to kill us both, drive us into a tree. He sped up, onto the shoulder--I felt and heard that buzzing friction of pavement designed to let drivers know they're going off the road. I was terrified.
Sometimes there is an actual incident that tells you you've had enough. There is also a cumulation of everything that has happened all along. That day of road rage was the end for me--I told him I wanted a divorce, and this time I meant it. When his ex-wife's father heard, he called me and said, "He's left a lot of wreckage in his wake."
I went to that domestic violence center I'd passed so many times, and found loving support. The women there really helped me realize emotional battering is as bad as any other kind. I wish the courts and our society would recognize that emotional and psychological abuse leaves scars which, although you can't see them, are just as terrible and deep.
At one point I began writing a novel (writing has always saved me) about a woman who was married to a man with secrets. The husband was a white collar criminal, a banker who had committed fraud. Researching the character, I spoke to an FBI agent in the Oklahoma City field office. I told him the scenario, then told him about my own marriage. He told me I should try to talk to women he was involved in with before me, to see if he had treated him the same way.
I remembered one woman's name. I tracked S down and called.
"I've been waiting for your call," she said, when I identified myself.
She knew he wouldn't change. That is a pattern with abusers--the behavior continues on and on. She described his patterns--so familiar to me, his abuse, the way he had made her feel it was all her fault even while taking every single thing she had, sucking the life out of her. I loved her then, and I love her to this day, and am forever grateful to her for sharing with me. She came to court, to support me in the divorce. He went after everything I had, hired a lawyer who made sure the divorce would go on a long time--trying to wear me down--an abusive divorce to follow an abusive marriage. I will never forget the look on his face when he saw his old girlfriend, my new friend, walk into the courtroom.
Here's what I know: I'm strong and independent. I have wonderful friends and family, including his ex, and a life and career I love. Domestic violence can happen to anyone. To learn more about that, and to get help, I recommend reading Patricia Evans's powerful book The Verbally Abusive Relationship, and to visit websites such as The National Coalition for Domestic Violence and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
My own linked novels, Summer's Child and Summer of Roses, as well as Stone Heart, The Perfect Summer, and Little Night deal with domestic abuse. I am proud to be involved with the Domestic Violence Clinic at Georgetown University Law Center, headed up by Deborah Epstein. Law professors and students advocate for victims of abuse in Washington, DC. They take their cases to court and fight for them. Their work is extraordinary.
Good luck to anyone reading this--with love and support to you.
(The painting at the top of the page is Tea by Mary Cassatt.)
My novel LITTLE NIGHT deals with domestic violence and its devastation on the women in one family... Thank you to all the readers who've written me with their own stories. I am honored and grateful.
In Notes, Other Work Tags Deborah Epstein, domestic violence, family, Georgetown University Law Center, Little Night, Luanne Rice, Mary Cassatt, National Coalition for Domestic Violence, NDVH, Patricia Evans, The Perfect Summer, The Verbally Abusive Relationship
Stars in the Night-Blue Sky
The night is blue and smells of lemons. Standing outside I listen to the waves and look up at the stars. I am far away from the place I grew up and it comforts and somehow surprises me to see the familiar constellations. "Arc to Arcturus," is one lesson my sisters and i learned. By following the curved handle of the Big Dipper, we found Arcturus, one of the brightest stars in the sky. It glows warm and orange, easy to admire with the naked eye, and part of the constellation Bootes. What is it that makes us want to identify the stars, find out way around the sky? Does it help us know where we are on earth, not in a precise latitude/longitude way, but our place in the universe? We are all here for so short a time. When i look at the stars I think of love. The stars tell a love story if only you spend the time to read it. This is how I want to live: at peace, guided by the stars. People far away look up and see the same celestial bodies at the same time, or hours apart. The sky brings us together, not only with the living but also the dead.
Source: http://luannerice.net/wp-content/uploads/2...
In Luanne's Blog, News, Notes, Other Work Tags Arc to Arcturus, Arcturus, love, Luanne Rice, night, red star, sisters, The Big Dipper
The Vineyard as creative muse
Below is an excerpt from a recent article in Martha's Vineyard Magazine. One foggy July day at Lucy Vincent Beach, my four baby-sitting charges and I built a sand castle. It was my first summer on the Island. Salty chill, clay bluff curving above, black rocks jutting up, echo of a distant bell buoy – it was a deliciously moody day. Sifting for pebbles and bits of quahaug shell to decorate our drawbridge sent me dreaming.
Nearby, a young man surfed out of the fog. He walked over and crouched down to drizzle sand turrets onto our castle, then disappeared back into the pea soup without saying a word. Out of these elements, a short story was born – and my first brush with the Island’s creative muse. I was fourteen.
In Other Work Tags Luanne Rice, Lucy Vincent Beach, Martha's Vineyard Magazine
Night Neighbors
[Essay written for the catalogue of Linden Frederick's November 2011 exhibition at the Forum Gallery, New York.] Night Neighbors: Linden Frederick
By Luanne Rice
The night is dark, and you’re all alone, or maybe you’re not. The road takes you through town after town, headlights coming at you, and you see houses, not so different from the one you grew up in, a trailer park in the hollow off the interstate, a motel with its neon sign flickering out, steam billowing from a brick factory, a spooky Victorian with one light in a downstairs window, and the road feels really long and lonely, but then you see…
Linden Frederick starts the story and leaves it to the viewer to finish. Twenty years ago I bought my first of his paintings. No larger than two inches square, it shows a full moon rising above a distant ridgeline. With detail so real, specific, and compelling, that tiny picture drew me into itself. It told me about a woman leaving her husband, and I wrote it down, and it angled its way into the first fiction Linden inspired in me.
Another painting, The Night Before (2006,) captures hardship and one December’s dusk. A turquoise double-wide squats in a snowfield of raggedy pines; an old-model car tilts, as if on a flat tire, in the driveway alongside. A vermilion streak on the horizon—an unmistakably winter sunset—illuminates clouds overhead. More snow coming, and you can feel the cold. Through the trailer’s window a Christmas tree glows with colored lights. Who lives there, where did they find hope instead of hopelessness, what grace made them decorate that tree?
So many of Linden’s paintings feel as if they’re set on the edge of town, away from the center of things. They touch the part of us that exists on the outside looking in. He paints what is. He doesn’t pretty things up, but he doesn’t have to: he finds beauty in the ordinary, familiar, and lost. The most literary of painters, he is also the most mystical—a metaphysician illuminating the dark night with headlights, a Christmas tree, the glittering neon of an ice-cream stand, a line of yellow light shining through a neighbor’s drawn curtains. His work reminds me of the Luminism school of the 1800's, yet is immediate and of-the-moment, so luminously captures the time in which we live. I think of it as being geographically northeast--Maine, especially--but it is purely American.
For two decades, since I bought that first small painting, Linden Frederick has inspired my fiction. I keep a second apartment in Chelsea just to hold his paintings. It’s where I write. I’m surrounded by all this work that acknowledges big loneliness, but offers connection and consolation. He reminds me of my neighborhood, of growing up in a factory town, of my grandmother’s summer cottage.
And I’m moved by the celestial phenomenon that fills his work—turn of day, shadows falling while the sky remains brilliant blue, full moon, crescent moon, the Big Dipper, the first streaks of dawn.
For one of my novels I used an epigraph from Albert Camus: “In the depth of winter I finally knew that within me was an invincible summer.”
I was staring at one of Linden’s paintings when that thought came to me.
exhibit_259_6
Summer House, 2009, oil on linen, 40 x 40 inches
Painting at top of page: Highwayman, oil on linen, 35 x 35 inches
In Notes, Other Work Tags artist, Belfast ME, collection, Highwayman, illumination, Linden Frederick, Luanne Rice, Maine, painting, Summer House, The Night Before
The Rocks at High Tide
The Rocks at High Tide is one of my first published short stories. It is one of many three sisters stories I wrote early on, and a predecessor to my first novel, Angels All Over Town. It came out in ASCENT. I was so fortunate to be plucked from the slush pile by the brilliant editor Dan Curley. He went on to publish several other stories of mine, and helped me connect with the editors of other literary magazines.
Dan was wonderful. I remember having a story accepted at another small magazine about the same time as my first publication in ASCENT, and Dan insisted that I let him claim me as his discovery, that he be able to say that ASCENT published me first. How flattering that was to a young writer. I'd thought no one could possibly care about such a thing.
He was a great champion of fiction writers, and I am so grateful for all his support and guidance. We met only once--he was reading from his own fiction at the library in his hometown of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He'd mentioned the reading casually in one of his letters, and I knew I'd get there no matter what. And I did, and we met, and our work went on for many years, and when he died--so many years ago now--it took me a long, long time to get over.
Please click on the link below to read the story. (Thanks to Mia Onorato, an incredible writer herself, for ransacking the bookshelves at Hubbard's Point, finding the magazine, and scanning the story to me.)
In Other Work Tags Amelia Onorato, Angels all over Town, Ascent, Bridgewater, Bridgewater MA, Dan Curley, Daniel Curley, discovery, first novel, first published short story, literary magazine, Luanne Rice, Massachusetts, Mia Onorato, short story, small magazine, The Rocks at High Tide, three sisters, young writer
The Selkie and the Man
[A short story, exclusive to this website. Illustration by Amelia Onorato.] The Selkie and the Man
I knew right from the beginning that I would kill for him. A life for a life; the one he had saved was mine. Gray-green waves curling into themselves, wind blowing the tops off, trails of dirty foam across the sea. He saw me struggling, perhaps even heard the crunch of my bones. I know he saw the blood.
In Featured Items, Other Work, Web exclusive Tags Aurora Borealis, bioluminescence, blood, breezes, Connemara, crescent moon, dreams, Galway, gulls, Halifax, halyards, harbor, icebergs, Ireland, love, Luanne Rice, marsh, Nova Scotia, petunias, Polar, rushes, seal, selkie, shark, ship, spring tides, tea, village, web exclusive, whale
I wrote this in 2009. Impact
1977 seems a long time ago. I was twenty-one, a research assistant at the National Academy of Sciences. My job included attending hearings of the United States Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on the impact of offshore drilling. The hearing room in the Senate office building was beautiful but overwhelming. I sat in the gallery with my pad and pencil, taking notes as Senator Lowell Weicker, from my home state of Connecticut, questioned witnesses. Senator J. Bennett Johnson of Louisiana was on the same committee, and his questions were quite different. This was a battle--they couldn't have been on more opposite sides of the issue. I felt proud that Senator Weicker so clearly wanted to protect the shoreline.
Decisions would be made to determine whether oil leases would be sold to allow oil development on the Outer Continental Shelf of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. At the end of each day I returned to the Academy building, wrote up my notes, gave them to Dr. Rick Burroughs, the project's staff officer.
My job included reporting on studies about oil exploration and impact in the Shetland and Orkney Islands; the disaster at Union Oil’s Platform A five and a half miles south of Santa Barbara; the Torrey Canyon tanker stranding on Seven Stones Reef off Lands End, and the devastating effect of oil spills on offshore, near-shore, and onshore environments. I read about the composition of crude oil, relative toxicity of its parts, the carcinogenic activity of hydrocarbons, the fact that petroleum contains acutely poisonous compounds.
Exhibits presented at the Senate hearings included photos of oil spills: oil-tar lumps along tide lines, oil-coated shore birds struggling, dead lobsters, dead cod, tidal creeks glistening with gas rainbows, bilge leakage from oil rigs. There were photos of funnels, booms, and skimmers trying to contain spills, hugging quantities of sticky, slimy oil against the spartina of marsh banks.
It wasn't just a job to me. I had grown up loving the beach and all the coastal wildlife. Working as a research assistant on the NRC study felt like a great privilege. More than anything I wanted our marine environment to be protected.
The scientists working on the study were Chairman Philip L. Johnson of the Oak Ridge Associated Universities; James H. Carpenter of University of Miami; Chuck Drake of Dartmouth College; Robert A. Frosch of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Claude R. Hocott of University of Texas; Ralph W. Johnson of the University of Washington; Don E. Kash of the University of Oklahoma; James J. O’Brien of Florida State University; and Lawrence R. Pomeroy of the University of Georgia.
The scientists convened that summer at Dartmouth’s Minary Center and made their conclusions: “Where vulnerable bays, beaches, estuaries, and marshes are present, special studies are needed to determine precautions to be stipulated in the leases; the technology for protecting these susceptible environments appears to be readily available. It is essential that concerned environmental groups be involved in these surveys.” (p. 61, NRC National Research Council. 1978. OCS Oil and Gas. National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC.)
A ban on offshore drilling was imposed, protecting our coastlines and marine environments. That ban has been renewed every year for the past twenty-six years until now; this year our legislators have given in and will lift it, a devastating development to those of us who love the oceans and shorelines. Oil companies and the builders of drilling rigs will make money. Shorebirds, marine mammals, bluefish, crabs, and people will be at risk. Small towns and ways of life will change.
If drilling takes place off your beach, your marsh, your favorite dusty beach road will turn into a four lane highway before you know it. Can you say you're not affected by photos from the Exxon Valdez spill, the Deepwater Horizon explosion, the stories that have come out about death to animals and habitats? I can't.
The prospect of drilling seemed unthinkable in 1977. It's even more so now.
[1] “Oil Pollution of the Ocean,” Max Blumer, Contribution Number 2336 of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
In Other Work Tags Deepwater Horizon, environment, Luanne Rice, National Academy of Sciences, OCS, offshore drilling, outer continental shelf, Senate hearings
Written on a random flight, who knows when, on one book tour or another. up in the sky
when i fly, i go up in the sky.
it's true, and i'm up here now.
all around me is blue, except for long cloud highways leading to and from canada and other places. below me, there is haze. through it i can see rivers, ponds, towns, hills, roads. i am in a dream.
in the dream i join a parade of people, strangers, pulling suitcases on wheels, bumping along the jetway and over the narrow space between it and the jet door, and onto this large conveyance. it is a jet plane. i almost never dream of parades. and as a waking hermit, i rarely, well, never, march in them--but that's not even the strange part. the surreal part of this dream is taking off from the ground, going up into the sky, in a flying machine. this is not my natural element.
i did not always feel this way.
when i was young, i was as one with the sky. i flew with abandon. i'd go flying with my cousin--a true beach boy with whom i used to go crabbing at the rocky end of the half-moon beach known as hubbard's point, an experience about which i wrote my very first published story. his name is tom. when tom was 16, even before he could drive, he got his pilot's license. he wanted to get as many flight hours as possible, and i was right there beside him. we flew everywhere. we buzzed his teacher's house in harwinton. we flew home from the airstrip near waitsfield, vermont in a snowstorm.
we used to charter an old seaplane. he would land in the boats-only area right by the crabbing rocks at the end of the beach, to pick me up. i'd swim out to the plane and climb onto the pontoon and into the cockpit. my seat would be soaked with salt water. he'd turn us out to sea, and we'd bounce over the waves. the plane was so old that when he took off and banked right, the passenger door would flap open and i'd be looking straight down at long island sound.
fearless children we were.
then there were the paris years. i lived in paris with my first husband. his name was also tom. we were young and in love. with each other, with everything. every day i would walk along the seine for hours, trying to memorize the exercises my tutor, madame piochelle, had given me. "allo, allo, ici george, qui est la?" "c'est moi, jean!" "vien jouer avec moi?" "oui, j'arrive." "a tout a l'heure." "a tout a l'heure." i would also shop at the marches, especially rue cler, for our dinner. once i bought a whole rabbit. i don't remember how i cooked it, but i do know that i have bad dreams about it now. tom loved my cooking, and i loved doing it for him. to me, that was the essence of love.
once on the terrace of chez francois, near the pont de l'alma, i met bono. actually he said his name was paul , I didn’t figure out he was bono until a bit later. this was just before joshua tree. we started talking--about love, being irish, being american, being writers, and love again. what else was there but love? nothing.
during that time, my mother developed a brain tumor. i flew home a lot, to see her. that was the first time i remember feeling skeptical of flying. would the plane get airborne? would it actually land? maybe i was really afraid of something else, like losing her. i'm not sure. but the way i got myself through those feelings was to think of my father, who had been in the air force.
his name was tom, too.
world war ll, he was stationed at a base at north pickenham on the wash, north of london. he was only 23. he trained for a year in colorado springs. before that, he'd never been in a plane. he grew so close to his crew--as close as brothers. he was navigator-bombardier. once in england, flying missions over france and germany, he stood out and was promoted to the lead plane in the eighth air force. he refused to leave his old crew--his new crew had to literally carry him and his possessions to their nissan hut. the very next mission, his old crew was shot down over helgoland.
that's not the part that inspired me, exactly. although writing it, i see that it sort of did. somehow my father kept going. i can only imagine his grief. he flew on d-day, over normandy. his was the first plane over dresden, shot down on his way home. he was irish-catholic. i think of him, a beloved and sheltered boy from a close hartford family, thrown into war. he had a very sensitive soul.
promoted to the lead plane in the 8th air force, he was the very first plane over Dresden. on his way back from that dreadful bomb run he was shot down. other planes, his friends, went down in flames all around him. he parachuted out, crash-landed in a tree in occupied france and broke his back. he was rescued by a family with three daughters; they hid him in their barn. after he got home and married my mother, they had three daughters. my sister rosemary also has three daughters.
cosmic, non?
bien sur.
during my paris flying years, i would quell doubt and fear by thinking of all the times my father flew without getting shot down. over 25 missions. back and forth over the english channel, during tempests of all kinds. wild winds blew, making the plane shake. they would lose altitude, but just keep going. i imagined his old bomber, strafed with shrapnel, taking off and landing again and again.
there i was on the concorde--who was i to worry? i was really just a spoiled traveler. anyway, my mother wound up coming to paris to have her chemo at the american hospital. i didn't fly as much after that. although tom took me to venice for my 30th birthday. we stayed in a sweet hotel behind la fenice.
i heard placido domingo singing in the courtyard.
one night tom and i took a water taxi to the lido. i had to put my feet in the sand and feel the salt of a brand new, to me, sea. i thought of thomas mann. there are times when i'm an existential beach girl. but i guess if you're reading this, you know that by now.
the next time i felt tense about flying was many years later.
fast forward.
through life, life, life.
many beaches later. mistakes, mysteries, flights and passions later.
marriages, too.
okay, here's the story. i was on book tour in summer, 2001. trans-canada, from fredericton to vancouver. at the time, i was in the midst of a tragic, unbecoming, and completely abusive non-love situation. my third marriage. snares had risen from the depths, wrapped themselves around my ankles. that made it hard to fly. how can you rise--above the earth, above anything--if you are tethered from below?
my itinerary took me amazing places. halifax, toronto, calgary, banff, lake louise. being so far away and so often up in the air let me see my life with some persective.
look down through the clouds and see what is.
that book tour saved my life. it showed me my strength, and that I didn’t have to stay with him. kick him out, reclaim myself. surround myself with real love—not twisted, psycho control masquerading as a marriage. I was out of there.
thank you, sky, for holding me aloft.
thank you, plane, for taking me away.
thank you, my own strong heart, for never giving up.
i know i can fly because guess what? i’m doing it right now.
still, it's a dream.
In Other Work Tags book tour, brain tumor, Chez Francois, colorado springs, dream, Dresden, flying, Fredericton, London, Luanne Rice, mother, navigator-bombardier, North Pickenham, parachute, Paris, plane, Pont de l'Alma, the Wash, Vancouver, World War ll
God Moves in a Mysterious Way
First published in Good Housekeeping Magazine’s Blessings column. Later reprinted in the book Blessings: Reflections on Gratitude, Love, and What Makes us Happy. God Moves in a Mysterious Way
I’m the oldest of three sisters, something that defines me as much as my name. “You’ll have many friends,” our mother used to tell me. “But you’ll only have two sisters.” I knew she said that to them, too. She didn’t want us to take each other for granted, but she was an only child and didn’t understand: life without them would be like life without air, water, or blood—things I wouldn’t last long without.
When we were young, my sisters and I shared a room. Sometimes after they fell asleep, I’d walk around the room touching the bedposts. Talisman, prayer, or just craziness, I’m not sure. I shared that room with them for eighteen years, until I went to college. My first nights away, I couldn’t sleep because I couldn’t hear them breathing.
That doesn’t mean I was a perfect oldest sister. I raided their sweater drawers. My middle sister got a beautiful fair-isle sweater—sky blue with white and pale green around the neckline—for her sixteenth birthday—but I wore it without asking whenever I could. Also, I flirted with my youngest sister’s boyfriend, danced with him too long at a winter dance one time.
We were all two years apart in age, walked each other to and from school. The day I got my license, I taught them to drive. We could make each other laugh with one word or glance. When I saw my mother trying to balance the checkbook, fretting about making the mortgage payments, I vowed to protect my sisters from them; I remember feeling the weight on my shoulders, knowing that I wanted them to stay happy and innocent. I wanted our complicated family to be simple and predictable, so my sisters wouldn’t have to worry about anything.
Was that where it all started? Arrogance on my part, to think that they couldn’t handle life as it was, that I had to run interference for them? Or was I just a not-good-enough older sister, a bad example, selfish in sweaters and selfish in life?
As adults, I moved to a city, they stayed by the sea. I have cats and a career, they have beautiful children. They got married and built lives; I got married and divorced. Three times. I felt like the family embarrassment and failure.
When I look back now, I can’t even define the precise moment that we stopped speaking to each other. I know that it happened after our mother died, when we no longer had the glue of her long, terrible illness to hold us together.
At first we stopped getting together as often. The time between calls grew longer and longer. After a while, the calls stopped, and I remember a moment when it dawned on me—maybe the worst moment in my life—that they had decided to cut themselves off from me and my untoward life. Looking back now, I realize that my life was difficult for them to deal with, and they had to step back. And because I didn’t know how to stop them, I let them.
The silence was so terrible, even now it hurts to remember. Being alone is one thing—but after having grown up with such closeness, it was almost unbearable. I began to have holidays with friends—people I love a lot. But every Thanksgiving morning I’d feel bereft, wanting my sisters instead.
One day I couldn’t take it any more. Literally. I was in a rocky, abusive marriage—my last. It pushed me over the edge. An early winter night in 2002, I jumped into Long Island Sound with my computer. I ended up at McLean Hospital, frozen inside and out, swimming in grief.
I called my sisters.
They came to me. Not in their cars, not up the highway, but straight back into my life. They let me know they loved me. It took a little time, but we saw each other. We talked. They know me better than anyone. Our history is in our hearts, in our skin. Maybe that’s why our time apart was so excruciating—I felt I had been ripped in half. Coming back together has been the greatest blessing I can imagine, and it has shown me that with sisters, love means never having to say “I was a jerk.” It means forgiveness and never having to touch the bedpost to ensure that we’ll always have each other.
In Other Work Tags abusive marriage, blessings, domestic violence, dream, gratitude, grief, hope, Luanne Rice, McLean Hospital, mother, reunion, sisters, wish
Nightbirds in Central Park
Nightbirds in Central Park by Luanne Rice
When I was young and under the complete command of my heart, I moved to New York. I was searching for art and artists and writers and a place that could accommodate my life’s intensity and call it “creativity.”
My friend Brendan Gill, drama critic at The New Yorker, gave me several invaluable instructions. One was, “Writers always think they have to drink a lot and be miserable, but don’t,” and another was, “Go to Central Park.” He told me that as Connecticut natives we required a lot of nature to balance urban thrills, and over the years I have discovered that he was completely right.
Although I love Poets’ Walk, the Bandshell, Cleopatra’s Needle, and the allées of crabapple trees in Conservatory Garden, my favorite places in Central Park are the most wild—the Ramble and the North Woods. The park is situated along the Atlantic Flyway, a migration corridor traveled by birds that fly at night, navigating by the stars, landing at sunrise in the greenest spots they see. Central Park is a great oasis for birds.
Last weekend was the Bio-Blitz, a twenty-four biological survey of the park. Organized by the Explorer’s Club, it attracted many nature-lovers to participate. In all, they counted 838 species. I had planned to join the Friday night moth-counting contingent, but during peak hours I found myself engaged in a different exploration: walking across the Brooklyn Bridge with two friends from Hartford, one of them thirteen, on a search for the Brooklyn roots of the rapper Jay-Z.
But I visit the park frequently and have remembrances of observations past… During the Christmas Bird Count on December 19th, 2004, the word went out that a Boreal Owl, rare for these parts, had been spotted in a tall pine behind Tavern on the Green. I headed over, and stood with Cal Vornberger as he photographed the shy, beautiful bird. Another favorite time was the night I went owling. In March, 2002, my friend E.J. McAdams, then an Urban Park Ranger, invited me to join an expedition to track screech owls. We met at the Boathouse, and our party consisted of several avid birders, including Charles, Lee, and Noreen, famous to people who know the story of Pale Male, the red-tailed hawk who for ten years has courted, hunted, nested, and raised seventeen chicks atop the penthouse next to Woody Allen’s.
At night the city is enchanted. It just is. You stand at the edge of the park and look around at all the buildings twinkling with lights—the Plaza, the Dakota, the San Remo, the Beresford, the limestone palaces on Fifth Avenue—and New York City is a magical landscape of wit and glamour, and there’s an orchestra of taxi horns and boom boxes, and at any second someone wonderful will come along and ask you to dance. Just outside the park, New York City is still a place of human dreams.
But walk inside the park’s perimeter, and suddenly you are solidly with nature—the place Brendan warned me that I must find. After sunset, Central Park is the wilderness, vast and dark. That March night was chilly. E.J. told us that to find owls at night, we had to look for unexpected shapes in the bare trees. We tried to walk silently, like trackers, scanning branches overhead with an unfocussed gaze.
We made our way around the Lake, and our first sighting was just south of Bow Bridge. As promised, the screech owl looked “unexpected”: an out-of-place smudge in a graceful network of maple branches. We stood still, watching for a long time, until she flew. And then we followed her into the Ramble.
A screech owl’s call is the opposite of its name, mysterious and descending, like a backwards horse whinny. We tracked that owl till we lost her, and then we looked and listened for others. During that whole night, our group rarely spoke. We each had our own reasons for being there, in the wilds of Central Park on a cold not-yet-spring night, and I know that I was lost in a combination of meditation, awe, and gratitude for my Connecticut-born connection with nature.
On Cedar Hill, in the east-seventies, there is a stand of red cedar trees where in recent years four Long-ear owls have roosted. Like other owls, they sleep by day and hunt by night. By staking out the trees at dusk, it is possible, with patience, to observe the “fly out.” I witnessed it once; E.J. pointed out how each of the four owls left the trees in a completely idiosyncratic way. One hopped to the end of a branch, then flapped toward the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Another zoomed straight up, like the Concorde. One hulked like a gargoyle, seeming to indict everyone and everything on the ground, and then flew menacingly into the night. The last waited a long time, as if deciding whether to actually go or not, and then looped west, toward Belvedere Castle.
It is a great thrill and honor to observe the fly-out; only one person I have ever heard of has ever seen the fly-in, and I was with her on the Night of the Screech Owls. Noreen. Tall and stately, she has a cascade of bright white hair and eyes that are steady and compassionate. One New Year’s Eve, it is said, after watching the Cedar Hill fly-out, she decided to stick around the park till just before dawn and wait for the owls to come home.
That’s a much more difficult proposition, because they don’t return all at the same time, and they arrive from different directions, and the sun hasn’t yet risen over the East Side, and the owls fly in so fast you’re not quite sure you’ve seen them. But according to park legend, Noreen did—that New Year’s Day, she saw the fly-in.
Although I walked beside her that March night, I didn’t ask her about the story. Our screech owl-seeking group progressed north in silence, over the Seventy-Ninth Street Transverse and past Shakespeare Garden, into more relatively tame park regions as we made for the North Woods—the dense woodlands and steep bluffs in the northernmost reaches of the park.
But we never got that far. We spotted an owl along Central Park West. Just across the busy street, the exhibit “Baseball as America” was opening on at the American Museum of Natural History. The great columned entrance was stunningly illuminated red, white and blue as limousines discharged various Yankees, Mets, and other baseball and museum lovers.
There, bathed in the museum’s patriotic glow, was a screech owl perched on a low branch. To get the best view, we had to actually exit the park and stand on the sidewalk at West 81st Street. People were clustered, watching for Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams and Joe Torres, who were rumored to be attending the opening. We had to edge through the throng, to get closer to the owl. Two crowds of people standing in the same spot, facing in opposite directions.
The owl was oblivious. He was gray and white, eight inches tall, so close I could look into his ferocious yellow eyes. In true New York fashion, he let everyone else go about their business while he went about his: killing a mouse. Wings spread, he slashed downward, hit his prey as it ran, and ripped it apart—gobbling bloody entrails made redder by the gala museum lights.
Most of the bystanders missed seeing that murderous show. They forgot to glance over the wall into the wilds of Central Park, fixed as they were on the American pastime, on the enchantment of Manhattan, on their own human dreams.
I have my own human dreams. I have made many of them come true in New York City. But part of me is still a Connecticut girl at heart, and Brendan’s words are never too far from my consciousness: “Go to Central Park.” Oracle, sage: thank you for knowing me, for reminding me of who I am. Nature is in my nature.
Besides, I still have to see the fly-in.
(Photograph by Cal Vornberger: Two fledgling Eastern screech owls, Central Park, North Woods. www.calvorn.com)
In Other Work Tags American Museum of Natural History, Boreal owl, Brendan Gill, Cal Vornberger, Cedar Hill, Central Park, dreams, E- J- McAdams, Eastern Screech Owls, Long-ear owls, Luanne Rice, New York, New York City, North Woods, owls, Shakespeare Garden, Tavern on the Green, Urban Park Ranger
Butterfly on the Tide Line
Butterfly on the Tide Line by Luanne Rice
Walking the tide line, I came upon an Eastern Comma Butterfly in the wet sand. The front edge of a wave pushed it higher on the beach. I thought the butterfly was dead, but then I saw one of its legs move. I picked it up. I carried it to the top of the beach thinking I would lower it into the tall grass where it could die, but it held my finger with a sharp grip. It began to walk up the back of my hand.
I sat in the sand holding it. We stayed there for a long time. The sun felt warm. Ants crawled around the sand. The butterfly was still, its wings glued together, sticking straight up. It looked as if a bite had been taken from its wings, but it was so symmetrical I believe that was just their shape.
Brown spots on dark orange wings, like a monarch but with no white markings. Raggedy wings, big eyes. She had only one antenna visible. I thought the other had been torn off, but it was trapped between her wings. She worked to free it and did. Now two antennae waved. Four legs walking. Up my hand onto the sleeve of my sweatshirt. Over my shoulder, onto my back. She positioned herself in full sunlight. We stayed there a long time. She was drying her wings.
She moved her wings apart. A little, then back together. Stillness. Her big eyes. No more walking, then many more steps onto my shoulder. She tilted. Her wings opened. Now she closed them again. Wide wings, grains of sand stuck to them. A small patch of sand where the wing joined her thorax. As her wings dried, the sand fell off grain by grain.
I slid off my sweatshirt and placed it on my towel with her on the shoulder of the sweatshirt in the sun. I went to swim. I just ducked in, stayed a few minutes, came out. She was still there in the sunlight. The wind ruffled her wings. They were open now and stayed open. The sun was setting; I was getting cold. I waited, wishing she would fly. I felt my hopes getting up, but checked them. Maybe she would try to fly and not be able to. I thought of my youngest sister. She had once watched a Monarch butterfly emerge from its chrysalis. It had crawled onto her finger and taken flight from there. She’d described to me the feeling of tiny claws on her skin. I had known that with my butterfly. I wanted her to fly, but she didn’t. The sun was going down.
I didn’t want to leave her on the beach. I picked up my sweatshirt with her still clinging to the shoulder, wings open. Carrying her across the sand, I spotted a young gull, dark markings, standing on one foot. On the body, right where the second leg should have been, was a scrap of red. Blood, from where the leg had been—recently, from the blood and ruffled feathers—torn off.
Every day is a heartbreak. You can’t save everything. Maybe you can’t save anything. I carried the butterfly on my sweatshirt. The sea breeze picks up just before sunset, and I was afraid she’d blow off my sweatshirt when we crossed the footbridge, but I shielded her with my body and she hung on.
We climbed the steep stone steps up the wooded hillside. When we got to the yard, I left her on my sweatshirt on the ground by the back door. Her wings were open, then she closed them. I went to take a shower, an outside shower under the sky, with vines climbing the latticework. The water felt hot and good. When I came back around the house, she was gone.
In Other Work Tags air, alive, beach, chrysalis, eastern comma butterfly, fly, Long Island Sound, Luanne Rice, sand, sea breeze, stillness, tide line, wings
Sea Education Association
Sea Education Association by Luanne Rice
November 1975, Woods Hole.
One stormy November night, studying in a carrel at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) Library, I picked up my pen, wanting to capture the moment. Feelings of being at SEA, living in Woods Hole, learning about the oceans from great teachers, preparing to join WESTWARD in the Caribbean… I wrote: “The wind is howling across Eel Pond, clanking in the halyards of boats on their moorings. Soon I’ll be going to sea. What will happen?”
I still have that notebook. Looking back now, did I realize then that I was in the midst of the single most influential experience of my life? I knew that I wanted to be a writer, and at nineteen had the resounding sense that I was completely unqualified by life to write about anything worth reading. SEA changed all that.
We met WESTWARD in St. Thomas, and I was assigned to C-Watch, with Mike Phelps as the watch officer. I spent the first night on lookout—standing at the bow, watching for obstacles, more vigilant than I had ever been. The wind was so salty and warm, the sea flashed with bioluminescence, and by the time I was relieved by the next student, I was already transformed by the fact of having helped guide my ship and shipmates through the night.
Our cruise track would take us through the Lesser Antilles, across the Old Bahama Channel, and into the Turks and Caicos as we tracked humpback whales. We hung hydrophones over the side and recorded their songs. We watched the whales breach and dive, swim alongside the boat with their newborns. The science we did challenged previously held ideas about migratory routes and about where and when the whales mated and birthed their young. I internalized the experience of what I observed and felt, and I have been writing about it ever since.
So many of my characters have benefited from my experience with SEA. The oceanographer in ANGELS ALL OVER TOWN, my first novel, got started aboard a schooner like WESTWARD. The marine biologist in SAFE HARBOR researched humpbacks in the Caribbean. I write a lot about artists who paint nature, and I attribute their attention to the beauty and minutiae of various species to my time spent in the shipboard lab. The meteorologist played by Gena Rowlands in the film version of CRAZY IN LOVE studied in Woods Hole and used to hear the halyards clanking in the wind blowing across Eel Pond.
Most of my novels take place on oceans and shorelines; I can’t even imagine my work without everything I learned from my time in SEA. Not just the facts taught in class and on board ship, but the sense I gained of the world and my place in it. The enormity of the sea, the capacity we have to sail it, our responsibility to each other, to future generations, to the sea itself…
I stopped believing that young writers, including myself, lack things to say—instead, it’s more a matter of learning to trust oneself and one’s voice. Even so, I consider SEA to be my Hemingway experience: Young Woman and the Sea. I sailed by the stars, followed whales, climbed a mountain on Mona Island, spent Christmas far from land on Silver Bank, watched sharks in a feeding frenzy in Mayaguez Harbor, pondered existence.
Amy Gittell, my Woods Hole roommate and WESTWARD shipmate, has remained a wonderful friend. I’ve always felt grateful to Dewitt and Lila Acheson Wallace, founders of Reader’s Digest, for giving me the scholarship that made my time at SEA possible—ironically, my work is now published in many languages in their Select Editions, and my gratitude extends to SEA every time I see one of those volumes and realize how much of my material comes from my time there.
One of my favorite words, and states of being, is inspired. To inspire means, literally, to breathe life into, to impel, move, or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration.
I think back to the wind that long ago November night, when I wrote: “Soon I will be going to sea. What will happen?”
Now I know: I was about to be inspired.
For more information about SEA, please visit www.sea.edu.
In Other Work Tags Amy Gittell, Angels all over Town, Caribbean, Dewitt Wallace, gratitude, Humpback Whale, inspired, Lila Acheson Wallace, Luanne Rice, MBL, oceanography, Reader's Digest, research, Safe Harbor, scholarship, sea, Sea Education Association, Westward, Woods Hole
Connecticut Center for the Book, 2005
In Honor of Reading Lolita in Tehran: a Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi by Luanne Rice
I was born in the United States, where we have a Constitution whose First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, and I have lived here my whole life except for two years when I lived in Paris, in the Eighth Arrondissement, overlooking the courtyard of a hotel with red awnings, which was hardly oppressive. So I’m humbled to be writing this in honor of Azar Nafisi’s visit to the library.
While I lived in Paris, I took a train to Amsterdam to see the Anne Frank house. In fourth grade at Vance School in New Britain, we had read her diary. The small everyday details of Anne’s life made me love her, and feel I knew her. Like me, she had loved and rebelled against her parents, liked a boy, fought with her sister.
She had also lived in hiding from the Nazis, watched neighbors being dragged from their homes, worried her family would be killed—and written about it. For a young girl living in the secret annex, that was an act of dissidence. Here is a quote from Tuesday, April 4, 1944:
“I want to go on living even after my death! And therefore I am grateful to God for giving me this gift, this possibility of developing myself and of writing, of expressing all that is in me. I can shake off everything if I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn."
Writing as salvation… Anne wrote what the world wasn’t supposed to read. The power in that act is nearly unfathomable to those of us protected by the First Amendment. Reading brought me into Anne’s world and changed me, showed me what one voice can do. Her words have always meant so much to me. Not only for what they say, but for the very fact she wrote them.
In Other Work Tags Anne Frank, Connecticut Center for the Book, First Amendment, Luanne Rice, Paris, Reading Lolita in Tehran: a Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi, United States, Vance School
No Woods
The area is called Point O' Woods, but now it might as well be called Point O' No Woods. The new houses have air-conditioning—who needs the sea breeze, and who needs shade? Instead of the rustle of leaves overhead, walk down the road and hear the low, constant hum of a big air-conditioning unit.
In Notes, Other Work Tags beach, Connecticut, Hartford, Hubbard's Point, Long Island Sound, Luanne Rice, Maine, No Woods, Old Lyme, Point O' Woods, suburbia, William Twigg Crawford
The title itself is an invitation. It appeals not just to the reader’s mind, but to her senses—a call to abandon the mundane and visit the riverbank to feel the wind on your face, hear it rustling the willows. The novel opens with Mole, “working very hard all the morning, spring-cleaning his little home.” He has dust in his eyes and throat, whitewash all over his black fur. But, “Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing.” By the end of the first paragraph, Mole has quit his work to pop up into the sunshine—as I now invite you to do, by entering the world of this wonderful book.
In Luanne's Blog, Other Work Tags alcoholism, Badger, Cookham Dene, friendship, Introduction, Kenneth Grahame, Mole, nature, Ratty, Signet Classics, Thames River, Toad, WInd in the Willows
With Love to Pow
nothing captures the bittersweet nature of love and place better than hemingway's "islands in the stream." in the first section, "bimini," thomas hudson lives in a house on a hill overlooking the sea. he has created an isolated life as a painter, has sworn off love to protect his own heart and women's, and heads down to mr. bobby's to drink. his three sons come to the island for the summer, and even before they arrive he's dreading their leaving.
In Other Work, Web exclusive Tags Luanne, Notes, personal
This is an extract of a story that appeared in WOWoWOW. You can read the full story here. Torn
This year — the year my cosmic sweater began to unravel — I began to write The Deep Blue Sea For Beginners. I wrote it because I felt I had to knit life back together with words. Among other things, I’m D-3, which means I’ve been divorced three times. My third was so spectacular that it made Liz Smith’s column not once but twice, and involved the following dialogue with an FBI Agent:
Me: "But he doesn’t seem like a con man!"
FBI agent: "Do you think con men announce they’re con men? Did you meet him at church? A self-help meeting?"
Me: "He said he could help me believe in myself again."
FBI agent: (chuckle) "He’s got it down. He’s a predator. You were vulnerable. Did he ask what you did for a living?"
Me: "I told him I was a writer. He wanted to see my work … we walked to a Barnes & Noble."
FBI agent: "Guaranteed, he was calculating your assets before you showed him half your shelf."
That conversation took place five years into a brutal, dishonest, abusive marriage. By that time I’d dropped or been dropped by all my friends. One friend said he felt I was "disappearing." I figured it was because I wore long, flowing things and straw hats. "I don’t mean your clothes," he said. "You. Where are you in there? What happened to Luanne?"
Read the full article >
In Other Work Tags abuse, courage, divorce, domestic violence, FBI, help, Liz Smith, strength, WOWOWOW
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Mediobanca Research Area publishes new edition of its survey of the leading Italian publishing groups (2011-16)
The Mediobanca Research Area has today published its new Focus on the Principal Italian Publishing Groups. The Focus, now in its third edition, analyses the financial statements of the leading Italian publishing companies (which own all the main national daily newspapers) in the 2011-15 five-year period and the first nine months of 2016.
The survey, which can be accessed at website http://www.mbres.it in the box entitled "R&S Sector Focus", extends the comparison to include the leading European daily newspaper publishers as well.
Milan, 23 November 2016
Last update: 23/11/2016 - 17:05
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